lexisreadingagain's reviews
294 reviews

Hermes & Daddy Death = BFF4L

I absolutely loved this sequel! Everything that I wanted more of in Belladonna (Signa growing into her darkness, feisty Blythe, the banter between Signa & Death), Foxglove delivered. I was glad to see that this story still incorporated that eerier and tense murder mystery/whodunnit element that we saw in book one as well.

This picks up right where Belladonna left off, so we find Signa and Blythe confused, but determined to clear Elijah Hawthorne’s name after being unjustly framed for a messy, public murder. Signa still has many secrets that she’s not ready to share with her cousin, and I loved the growing strain that the author builds into their relationship as a result only because it forces our beloved leading ladies to stand and find their own strength. These two are sisters at heart, and I was cheering them on this whole book !!! as they’re pulled in different directions, we begin to uncover the truth about Signa’s past and how everything really does happen for a reason.

Also similarly to Belladonna, Foxglove also gives us a sort of love triangle element (in Belladonna, we’re sort of rooting for Death and Silas simultaneously, before knowing they’re the same dude lol). Typically I’m not a fan of this, but the author handles triangles so well that I don’t mind. I anlso think this is done even better than book one, as we’re torn between immortal brothers, Death and Fate, who are both captivated by the strange and lovely Signa. My girl Blythe has some steammmmy tension with Fate too tho, no body fret 🤭 I was lowkey rooting for these two from the beginning idk about y’all lmao.

This story was gripping and hauntingly beautiful from start to finish. I do wish we could have spent more time at Signa’s estate in Foxglove and over immersed in the last 35% of the book just a bit longer, but after another shocking ending, I’m more than ready to jump into Wisteria and see our this story out to the conclusion!!

I quite literally couldn't have loved this more if I tried. Caspenon is everything I've ever wanted in a man, like really, a shifter prince who oozes sexuality? SOLD. Tem, Leo, and Caspen's love triangle was so freaking hot and concluded in the most satisfying way. No notes. Lindsay ATE.

8.20.24:
Cried so hard I gave myself a headache. Ouchie. Still my favorite book tho.

Original review:
I read this book in two days. It was one of the most captivating and heart felt books that I’ve read in quite a while, and I truly could not recommend it enough!

Holly could write an instructional manual on how to build furniture and I’d read it tbh. She’s one of my favorite authors for a reason y’all & The Hunted Heir is no exception to my love for her books.

This was intense from the very beginning. After the INSANE cliffhanger in The Veiled Kingdom, I wasn’t sure what to expect from Dacre in this book. Would be regret it? Would he double down? Would I learn to hate him more, only for Holly to sweep the rug out from under me? Would I melt into another puddle at his feet over his filthy mouth? LMFAO I definitely did that last one, not gonna lie. The yearning, the angst, the emotion. GAH. Impeccable. Holly has given us a man down bad. A man on HIS KNEEEEES. And I ate it up like cake. If you thought Dacre wasn’t going to worm his way back into your heart after how he treated Verena? Think again besties, I’m gonna keep it real with you.

We spend a fair amount of time with both Dacre and Verena apart, and while I wished they’d just kiss and make up immediately, I really enjoyed seeing her seize that strength she learned in the Hidden City and continue to hone it. She’s been given a taste of freedom and power, and she refuses to go backward, to be that cowering girl again. When they’re finally reunited, she doesn’t fall back into shadows and let him lead. She stands at his side, as an equal, and it makes their connection even deeper. literally gnawing on the bars of my enclosure at their tenderness!!!! Holly is known for her spice, and naturally she delivers. But the sweet moments peppered in between are some of my favorites lol. Honestly, I love Verena’s determination and I’m even more excited to see her wield that power as book three progresses, especially after that emotional cliffhanger.