Holton returns with the second in her historical-fantasy rom-com series featuring academics engaged in magical adventures (after
The Ornithologist’s Field Guide to Love). Professors Elodie and Gabriel Tarrant are married but live separate lives, rather ironically, since they married for the convenience of finding someplace to live. They both work in the same field—magical disasters—and each secretly adores the other. Elodie and Gabriel are pulled away from their teaching (and avoiding each other) duties to go to Wales, where magical eruptions are endangering the region’s stability. Holton layers on detail and frothy jokes like a pastry chef with an eye for fabulous icing roses, covering every inch of the story with sugared delights. Beneath this is an unfolding reconciliation between Elodie and Gabriel that becomes more satisfying as the book advances. There are also lovely scenes, including a glimpse of the couple’s initial meeting and history, as well as some brightly conceived moments of current courtship, admiration, and characterization.
VERDICT This series isn’t as strongly plotted as Holton’s “Dangerous Damsels” trilogy, but her many fans will delight in the charm-filled escapade.
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