Leonie Hendricks: Demon P.I. by
Deborah Wilde
My rating:
5 of 5 stars
I had to take a couple of days after reading before writing this. In that time, I've re read twice *and* marked all my favorite passages... and I keep thinking how to write all I want to say without spoiling the book? it will be hard, so there will be two reviews into one.
If you haven't read the Nava Katz books, you should, because while you can follow this story without them they add all the magnificent background that makes this story riveting. But here's the cliff notes just in case: Leonie Hendricks is a half - demon (goblin redcap) that has hidden that side of herself from most people for her entire life. She works as a PI for Harry and she's had a tragic love story with one of the Rasha Demon Hunters, Drio Rossi.
At the beginning of this book, Leonie has to travel to Italy to find out if Drio's life is under danger or not... turns out, it is.
This book explores Leonie's feelings about her humanity, her demon side and how can she reconcile all the pieces to herself in order to move forward and be happy. It's a heartfelt tale of coming of age, of accepting yourself and of how to let love and trust in. It's riveting, it's wonderful and Leonie's internal voice is a thing of beauty. She and Drio are a wonderful match, and you get to see the story of two people coming to terms with whom they are, whom they want to be and who they want to be with.
I cannot recommend this book enough, because these two had my heart from the first moment I laid eyes on them in the previous books and they will have it to the end.
*I was given an ARC by the auhor under no obligations. My views are 100% my own*
Under the cut for a more spoilery flailing
spoiler:
(view spoiler)[
I simply adore that this book doesn't thrive on unnecessary drama. There is drama, yes, but it has a purpose to move the plot and is not in contradiction with the character's traits. Leonie is a super smart person and I loved that while she was really hurt of seeing the news about Drio's engagement, she's not into "oh ok, he doesn't love me anymore... I'm going to discard him" She's hurt but she gets over it and she's like... "ok, this doesn't seem right..." and where her friends point out that they don't think it's real, that there is something going on, she *listens* and acts accordingly. I LOVE that, bc is a testament of not relying on unnecessary drama that is a disservice to the character's intelligence.
I love how Leonie and Drio are so open with each other, how much they love, cherish and respect each other's backgrounds, intelligence and independence. I love that they talk, they really talk, and they lay it all out and listen to each other. I love how they fight together and not apart and how real they are.
And Drio, don't get me started, when that asshole gets his shit together, oh boy, he's 100000% in it for the long haul. He's so present and determined to make things right and also respectful of Leonie's need for time and space. He doens't hesitate to apologize, he's completely turned on by how smart and strong she is and he tells her every single time.
And the ending.. OMG THAT ENDING
put this book into my grave because it ended me!
Did I mention I need 5 more books that is them running that agency and being a badass team and so incredibly happy together? please?
(hide spoiler)]
View all my reviews
Anything But a Duke by Christy Carlyle