Kiss the Slipper is the last book in the Beautiful Nightmares series by Anna Fury and Amy Pennza, and man, what a way to end the series! This dark Cinderella retelling with elves, pixies, and familiars is fabulous. While technically you can read Kiss the Slipper as a standalone, I highly recommend reading the first four books beforehand. There are story elements woven throughout the series that will have more impact if you recognize them, and the first four couples make appearances as well.
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Kiss the Slipper (Book 5: Beautiful Nightmares)
🥭🥭🥭🥭🥭
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
(you can find my rating and spice system here)
POV & Tense: Dual POV, first person, present tense
Genre: MM Paranormal Romance
Tropes/Themes: Cinderella Retelling, Elf, Pixie, Falling in Love, Heartbreak, Curses, Magic, Second Chances, Pining, UST and RST, Animal Familiars, Matchmaking, Magical Tattoo
Synopsis:
When matchmaking pixie Jasper visits Paris, the last thing he expects is to fall in love. Elven Prince Vale is irresistible and will go to any lengths to make Jasper his. Except he’s already betrothed—to his stepsister. Heartbroken, Jasper returns home and swears off love for good. But when Vale shows up at the Syndicate Ball, Jasper can’t resist the opportunity to make him pay… by scrubbing his floors and dusting his shelves.
Kiss the Slipper by Anna Fury and Amy Pennza (Beautiful Nightmares Book 5)
My Review:
Like its predecessors, I loved Kiss the Slipper so much. While Jasper makes appearances in each of the previous books, I didn’t realize what a hand he had in bringing the syndicate lords and their lovers together. In hindsight, it makes sense. So now it’s sweet to see Jasper get his own match. But the path to true love isn’t smooth.
Falling in Love in Paris
The opening quarter of the book is so beautiful. You can’t help but fall in love with Jasper and Vale falling in love in the city of love. I love the Parisian backdrop, and how magic and magical creatures are woven in throughout just like in the Hallows. The cafes and food and abundance of chocolate croissants add to the ambiance. Vale and Jasper are hot. They feel like a match made in heaven and heat up every room (and every surface they land on).
I want to get you absolutely filthy. I want to be in your pores, Jasper Lillygully. In your blood and on your skin. No matter how hard you scrub, you’re never going to get me off you.”
Heartbreak & Second Chances
Of course, we all know what’s coming. Your heart will break alongside Jasper’s. It’s tragic but necessary to fuel the plot. The big bad is big and bad. I love how we fast-forward to the annual Syndicate Ball (first experienced in Hunt the Wood). Jasper and Vale come into contact again and it’s everything. Jasper is pissed, and rightfully so. He wins a contest and forces Vale into servitude, which is deeply satisfying. But this is a second chance romance, and this is their second chance.
Animal Familiars
Another thing I just love about this book are the animal familiars. It feels magical and very Cinderella-like. I especially loved the story about how Jasper and Bert (the mouse) first met and became companions. The elven familiars (and all their history and lore) were also deeply entertaining.
If I’ve learned anything over the six decades I’ve been matchmaking, it’s that love is a potent form of magic. People like to underestimate it because it’s not flashy or cool. But it’s enduring. It fucking persists. Love thrives in the bleakest, most inhospitable environments.
Beautiful Nightmares by Anna Fury and Amy Pennza
Final Thoughts:
I’ve loved this series so much and Kiss the Slipper was the perfect way to wrap up Beautiful Nightmares. I can’t believe it’s over! It’s hard to let these characters go. But, that’s what going back and rereading is for.
~Be sure to check out my reviews for Book 3: Sacrifice the Sea, and Book 4: Temper the Flame.~
Author Stalking (but not in a creepy way):
Anna Fury is the author of spicy paranormal romance novels (she also writes under the pen name Hazel Mack).
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Amy Pennza writes smoking hot MMF and MM paranormal romance novels.
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Banner Credit: Paris, Eiffel Tower
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