Elaine White's Life in Books
The Author
Elaine White is the author of multi-genre MM romance, celebrating 'love is love' and offering diversity in both genre and character within her stories.
Growing up in a small town and fighting cancer in her early teens taught her that life is short and dreams should be pursued. She lives vicariously through her independent, and often hellion characters, exploring all possibilities within the romantic universe.
The Winner of two Watty Awards – Collector's Dream (An Unpredictable Life) and Hidden Gem (Faithfully) – and an Honourable Mention in 2016's Rainbow Awards (A Royal Craving) Elaine is a self-professed geek, reading addict, and a romantic at heart.
The Reviewer
I’m an author and reader, who just can’t get away from books. I discovered the MM genre a few years ago and became addicted.
Top #50 UK reviewer on Goodreads
#1 reviewer on Divine Magazine
How Not to Summon Your True Love
Book – How Not To Summon Your True LoveAuthor – Sasha L. Miller
Star rating - ★★★★★
No. of Pages – 144
Cover – Geeky, but fun.
POV – 3rd person
Would I read it again – Yes!
Genre – LGBT, Ace, Paranormal, Contemporary
** COPY RECEIVED THROUGH NETGALLEY **
Having read a few witchy stories before, I was so pleased when this took an unexpected turn. There were surprises around every corner, a heavy doze of adorable romance that had me grinning in hope and plenty of action to keep the attention.
Grammar/spelling wise, there were a few typos (missing words, missing full stops etc) but nothing major. Plus, the meant nothing in the overall scheme of things. Nothing affected the reading or understanding of the story.
The awesomeness of the romance grabbed my heart early on. Although there was no “mutual” emotional/physical anything until the end of the story, the chemistry was palpable and it was right to build up the friendship between the MC's first. Just because Cy's spell said that Dig was his true love, didn't necessarily mean that it would all work out in a happy ending. And I won't tell whether it did to not, but you'll have to read it. You should read it.
I absolutely loved the fact that the witches belonged to and were confined to different territories and that they had “alliances” of some kind with the local State police, so that they were informed of magic use, but also able to police and keep out other territory families. This was a bit plot driver, at the midway point, which really took me by surprise in a good way. So often, witch or paranormal stories have no input from the police, even when it's necessary. The inclusion here was perfectly balanced between logical and necessary.
I loved the characters and the way they fit into this contemporary, witchy world, that wasn't clogged with magic flying everywhere in ridiculous ways. The car chase was realistic and made sense, while the detail of the story upheld the rest of the plot lines.
Overall, a total winner. It's difficult to tell you what I loved about this, without resorting to spoilers, but all I can really say is that it was a fantastic offering of Ace romance, with a glimpse at realistic situations. The way Alex pressured Cy and the disappointment of his previous relationships never understanding his sexuality is real and handled sensitively, but with honesty. I couldn't have asked for more.
