Halloween is fantasy-loving college senior Greg’s favorite holiday, and he’s thrilled to explore a spooky puzzle—even if his friends prefer slashers over witchcraft. Luckily the gorgeous and otherworldly Alaric wants to sneak time alone with him. Unluckily Greg’s sworn off hookups. Still reeling from an intoxicating kiss, Greg opens a secret door…
…and steps through a portal to the enchanted realm Alaric is destined to rule.
Stranded with the alluring Greg, Alaric sets off across his kingdom with the man who might be the consort he’s always wanted. It won’t be easy—Alaric’s ex, the Lord of Spiders, wants to reunite with Alaric—but if Greg and Alaric succeed, they’ll find what they’ve always wanted: a place to belong.
Featuring a light Halloween theme, this was classic Beyond fare.
Just like the blurb says, Greg and his friends are doing an escape room, a business that Alaric owns. The immediate attraction is palpable, but there’s a bit of a roadblock. Greg is on a self imposed romance sabbatical, needing to concentrate on college and not get distracted by random hookups and the ensuing drama when someone else inevitably catches his eye. Apparently, Greg has a problem with keeping it in his pants, and though his “little Greg” wants Alaric, he tries to spare both of them the potential heartache that is sure to ensue.
What Greg doesn’t know of course, is that Alaric is an actual fairy prince who’s biding his time in the human world until his mother retires her throne. Alaric’s had his eye out for a potential human paramour because one would be so much better as a consort than his fellow manipulative scheming peeps. Greg’s hesitance is only fuel to the fire, and Alaric’s certainly up for the task.
Naturally, circumstance and maybe a bit of fairy magic allow Greg to stumble into the fairy kingdom, a situation that he can’t seem to get out of and thus, requires Alaric’s help to get back home. Thing is, Greg’s readily enamored of his new reality, not to say the least that Alaric is all the more appealing now that he knows the truth. Can these two come to trust their feelings and each other before crazy complex fairy rules tear them apart?
Again, this is tried and true for this DSP Beyond line. For those who need to know, this sequel can be read as a standalone as the only thing bridging books 1 and 2 is that they each have a fairy MC.
What I enjoyed was when Greg and Alaric were facing their many challenges and adventures in the fairy kingdom. What failed for me a bit was just the overall set up and progression, Greg’s personal history, and my expectations in wanting something a bit more complex. However, that’s on me and not the book.
Regardless, this continues with the strong NA vibe, has a scheming ex-boyfriend, a fish out of water trope, and a nice dollop of smexy, all topped off with the guy getting his prince and winning that coveted happily ever after. Enjoy!
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