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SYNOPSIS

From bestselling indie author Laura Thalassa comes the newly revised and edited first book in her smash-hit dark fantasy romance between a siren and the “bargainer” she owes countless favors to. Callypso Lillis is a siren with a very big problem, one that stretches up her arm and far into her past. For the last seven years Callie has been wearing a bracelet of black beads up her wrist, magical IOUs for favors she once received. Only death or repayment will fulfill her obligations. Everyone knows that if you need a favor, you go to the Bargainer to make it happen. He’s a man who can get you anything you want … at a price. And everyone knows that sooner or later he always collects. But for Callie, he’s never asked for repayment. Not until now.  When Callie finds the Bargainer in her room, a grin on his lips and a twinkle in his eye, she knows things are about to change. At first it’s admitting a truth—a single bead’s worth—acknowledging the attraction between them. But the Bargainer is after more than just rekindling their connection. Something is happening in the Otherworld. Fae warriors are going missing one by one, and only the women are returned, each in a glass casket, a child clutched to her breast.  For the Bargainer to save his people, he’ll need the help of the siren he spurned long ago. If she can forgive him.

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REVIEW

I’ve read a lot of smutty romances where the main character gets in a relationship with a much older, immortal demon. This one was familiar, but also felt distinct for a few different reasons.

I love that Callie is in her mid-twenties (not late teens) & has a lot of agency. I love that she’s a siren & has the power to compel others to do what she wants. I love that she has a close female friend she works/lives with. I love that she’s competent at her work.

I don’t like how quickly she fell for the Bargainer. She barely knew anything about him, despite their long history.

I love that they didn’t speak for 7 years, but the reasons (once revealed) were underwhelming. Also, there’s always the strange question: is this grooming? when an immortal character is interacting with a child they are going to bang in the future. 7 years apart doesn’t negate grooming. It was a little uncomfortable.

Despite those annoyances, I mostly enjoyed the story. I’m most likely going to read the rest of the series to see where Callie ends up.

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