Shot Through the Heart by Kate McDarris is a must-read. Read it for Valentine’s Day. Read it any time of the year. I’m a big fan of her other books, Tinsel & Tentacles (review here) and Diamonds & Tentacles (mini review here). But as much as I love them, Shot Through the Heart is hands-down my new favorite.
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Shot Through the Heart: A Monster Mash Holiday Story
🥭🥭🥭🥭🥭
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
(you can find my rating and spice system here)
POV & Tense: Dual POV, first person, present tense
Genre: MM Contemporary/Paranormal Romance, RomCom
Tropes/Themes: Reality TV, Matchmaking App, Greek Mythology, Greek Gods, Enemies to Business Associates to Lovers, Idiot in Love (singular), Banter, Aftercare, Wings
Location: Set in New York City (with a bit of Paris, France)
Synopsis:
Love god Carter Eros has never had a holiday. With his powers dwindling, he’s desperate to get his matchmaking app made. But he needs investor Preston Milan on his side to get it done. When Carter agrees to find Preston’s perfect match, he doesn’t expect to lose his heart in the process.
My Review:
I cannot get enough of these two. Seriously. Their dynamic is just *chef’s kiss*. Like, this book could have gone on for hundreds of pages more — story structure be damned — and I would happily read it. I’ve been working my way through Kate’s books, and I don’t necessarily think there’s a ‘correct’ order to read them in (except Diamonds & Tentacles should definitely be read after Tinsel & Tentacles), but they’re all interconnected, which I adore. I first encountered Carter Eros in Diamonds & Tentacles, where he plays a pivotal role, and I needed more of him.
Modern-Day World with Ancient Greek Gods
I am obsessed with the concept and world-building within Shot Through the Heart. There’s just something about mythological beings hidden in plain sight that calls to me. I love the idea of the ancient Greek gods still existing alongside us mere mortals, and I love that their roles, strengths, and weaknesses have adapted as time and technology progress. Being able to access Mount Olympus via a New York City elevator is hilarious.
“Insatiable.” I plunder his mouth with my tongue. “I didn’t know you were part satyr.”
He squints one eye. “What the fuck is a satyr?”
“Lustful, inebriated little woodland creatures that don’t really do much besides drink rosewine and hump everything that moves.”
Humor and Heat
A book that can make me laugh and make me swoon ranks high on my list and Shot Through the Heart accomplishes both. There are many hilarious pop culture references, and Carter and Preston weigh in on the great ‘Should pineapple exist on pizza’ debate (I’m one hundred percent with Carter on this one — Yes!!!). The chemistry between these two is explosive, and I savored every single encounter.
Heat radiates from him like a toasty campfire and all I want to do is roast marshmallows on his body.
Idiot(s) in Love
Idiots in love is one of my favorite tropes, but here it’s singular ‘idiot’ in love. Preston knows right away he’s smitten, but it’s our love god who ironically does not realize — in fact, actively avoids it — that he’s in love, to the point of hilarity. I can’t express properly how much I love these two together. Carter pushes Preston’s buttons because he wears his heart on his sleeve, and Preston enjoys making Carter blush with innuendoes (seriously, how cute is it that the God of Love blushes?).
He’s beautiful and perfectly imperfect, and I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve him. My biggest fear is that I don’t. That this is all some terrible mistake. A loophole that eventually must closed in order for balance to be restored.
Final Thoughts:
I have total heart-eyes for Carter and Preston. They are precious and must be celebrated. IMO, this book is perfect. And just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, Kate stepped it up, and it got even better! There are cameos from the other books (love that!) and some of the other Greek Gods make appearances. I hope to see these two show up for cameos in future books.
Shot Through the Heart by Kate McDarris (A Monster Mash Holiday Story)
Author Stalking (but not in a creepy way):
Kate McDarris is the author of many spicy fantasy romance novels and novellas.
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~~If you want more Valentine’s Day Book recommendations, check out my VALENTINE REC LIST ~~
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