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Review: Eve of Samhain by Lisa Sanchez

Eve of SamhainEve of Samhain by Lisa Sanchez

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

SNARKY MODERN FAERIE TALE

Eve of Samhain is a paranormal romance featuring Ryann Pierce, a college student by day and club waitress by night. Losing her parents at a young age has turned Ryann into a feisty, stubborn, independent young woman, and woe to the club patron who tries to grab a piece of her alluring backside--he’s sure to receive a harsh word or quick smack in return . . .

Until Quinn Donegan enters. He’s a tall, muscular, blue-eyed hunk with a sexy Irish brogue and a spirited argumentativeness of his own. Oh, and did I mention he’s a 500 year-old faerie? Ryann’s too disheveled by his tantalizing effect on her to respond with her typical cheek, but that doesn’t stop Quinn from continuing to throw out barbs and insults . . . surely a sign of his affection? Quinn is determined to keep Ryann safe from a nefarious shape-shifter that stalks her and says creepy things like “Mine” while threatening her.

I love how Quinn and Ryann seem made for each other not only due to their physical attraction but also due to their similar impudence. Because of Quinn’s arrogance and womanizing, the faerie queen placed a curse on him long ago. As a result, he and Ryann have to refrain from touching each other, ratcheting up the palpable sexual tension. Quinn’s Gaelic words reminded me of Jamie Fraser from the Outlander series, and I felt like Claire Randall, swooning every time Quinn murmured sweet nothings in Gaelic.

Ryann is clever with her made-up words. I laughed out loud when she calls Quinn a “fastard” and describes her own “badonkadonk-sized keister”, as well as lines like this from p. 47 when Quinn’s describing his powers:

“You’d only lose your mind if I were to shag you.”

“SHAG me?” I said, slightly taken aback. Were we trapped in a Mike Myers film and I didn’t know it?

I also liked how Ryann wasn’t very experienced in the bedroom. It makes her seem more real.

I felt sad for Ryann that she has such negative body image despite being at a lean, healthy body weight and drawing the obvious attention of male suitors. She's obsessed with her appearance to the point that she restricts her food intake and insists on early morning runs no matter how late she goes to bed or how many dangers lurk on her path.

Sadly, this preoccupation with weight and shape can occur even to those women who are closer to society’s “ideal”, and I wonder if her negative body image is a manifestation of her overall poor sense of self after growing up without parents. Ryann lacks confidence in general, a vulnerability hiding beneath a hard exterior, and she funnels all that self-doubt into hating her body. They say that the love and acceptance of a romantic partner can improve body image, and I was pleased when Ryann begins focusing on more important aspects of her life as Quinn weaves himself into her world. It was good to see both characters grow as a result of their relationship.

Reading how things turned out in the end, I felt happy and satisfied. Overall a very enjoyable read by Lisa Sanchez!

View all my reviews

Time for Meet an Author Monday Blog Hop! Visit Lisa Sanchez's blog for the details.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Great review, Jen! Hope your Monday is going well!
Best,
Kelsey
Jennifer Lane said…
Thanks, Kelsey! Eve of Samhain is a great book if you haven't read it.
I love your review, Lisa's book is definitely on my TBR pile but I ma now overly intrigued I want to read it like now.
J said…
Hi, stopped by on the blog hop and enjoyed your review! I've seen this title before and your description has me intrigued. It is interesting how the MC has the whole societal body image thing down to a science (and unfortunate!). Have a great week!
Nicki Elson said…
Your book reviews are so fun. You're able to dig in there and give us a good feel for the book without giving away any spoilers.

Gotta meet this Quinn bloke I keep hearing so much about.

Hey...nice vegetables! ;)
Jennifer Lane said…
Joanna, nice to see you! I'm glad my review intrigued you further.

J.Rose, not only is the title intriguing but so is that amazing cover, which I failed to mention. Ryann has definitely internalized the pressure society places on women to be underweight.

Nicki, what a nice comment! I hate being spoilered myself so I try to avoid that but I still want to give readers a glimpse of the novel. You must meet Quinn soon. ;)
Elisa Dane said…
Awww thank you so much for your wonderful review! I'm tickled you enjoyed Ryann and Quinn so much. They're near and dear to my heart!
Unknown said…
*smacks you for the pornographic vegetables*

Great review! It sounds as though Ryann is an interesting character. I enjoy reading books about strong women, although perhaps Ryann has more false bravado than inner strength at first... A mysterious curse meaning they can’t touch each other? That will definitely bring different tensions into the mix!

(You know that spelling fairy with an ‘e’ makes me want to strangle a poet?) *grits teeth*

I can relate to the ass grabbing! Every SINGLE time I’ve gone to a club (or even a dance) somebody’s grabbed my ass. It’s ridiculous! I’ve basically stopped going – nasty places with glass on the floor where people go to hook up with strangers…

<< Sadly, this preoccupation with weight and shape can occur even to those women who are closer to society’s “ideal” >>
So true. Which reminds me, cosmetic surgeons on tv irk me – they ‘fix’ normal people to look ‘right’, thereby making the rest of us feel as though we need surgery in order to measure up to their ‘work’!

<< They say that the love and acceptance of a romantic partner can improve body image >>
That’s interesting.

<< It was good to see both characters grow as a result of their relationship. >>
That’s always good to read.

Thanks for sharing your review, Jennifer! :)

*hops*
Jennifer Lane said…
Hi Lisa! You're quite welcome. See ya tomorrow for your interview on my blog. :-)
Jennifer Lane said…
Hi Nix! Aren't those veggies disgusting? I'm grossing MYSELF out!

"...although perhaps Ryann has more false bravado than inner strength at first"

Yeah, that's how I saw it anyway. I didn't want to say too much about the curse but it's verra interesting.

Well now I feel kinda left out because I've never had my ass grabbed at a club. *pouts*

Glad you're hopping! Thanks, Nixie.