Bea & Steph Review Storm Crossed by Dani Harper

Series: Grim #4
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: January 9th, 2018 
Buying Links: Amazon* | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository* |
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Blurb from goodreads:

The latest stand-alone novel in Dani Harper’s Grim Series will delight old and new fans alike, transporting them to the ancient fae realm beneath the modern human world, where magic rules and menace abounds…

Heir to a noble fae house, Trahern is forced to watch helplessly as his twin brother is cruelly changed into a grim—a death dog—as punishment for falling in love with the wrong person. Trahern doesn’t believe love exists, but he will do anything to keep his brother alive—even join the Wild Hunt and ride the night skies of the human world.

Lissy Santiago-Callahan believes in love but has no time for it. She’s busy juggling her career as an academic and her home life as a single mom to a young son with Asperger’s. Her hectic life in sleepy eastern Washington is made even more chaotic with the sudden arrival of a demanding fae and his unusual “dog.”

Mortal and immortal have nothing in common, and the attraction between Lissy and Trahern surprises them both. But when their desire places Lissy and her child in the path of a deadly faery feud, will the connection last, or will their separate worlds prove too great a divide?

Steph's Thoughts:

The blurb that was sent to us with the review request really got my attention. At the time, I had not read the other books in the series but I was told that it could be read as a stand alone book. The author gifted me the other books so that I could read them. I admit, I have not gotten to all of them yet but I did read the first to give me an introduction to the world before diving into this book.

I'm going to touch on a few things that I liked before going to what impressed the hell out of me. I liked Trahern and Lissa's relationship. The author took some time evolving it. I loved the way Trahern had to learn to relate to a child like Fox. I could have personally done with a little more description in the sexy scenes but they were well written. (It is just a personal preference.) I LOVE LOVE LOVE Ranyon. He is an ellyll who is introduced in the first book and he is hysterical. The way he is described all I picture is Groot, except he talks.

Now to what impressed me the most. Fox. As many of you may know, I am the mother of a high functioning autistic little boy. The author either has a child with autism in her life or did A LOT of research. Reading about Fox was almost like reading about Liam. Somethings were just spot on; the meltdowns (our longest was 20 minutes), the needing "time outs", the fixation on certain things, the sensory issues, the eating issues and most of all the "helpful" people who suggest that your kid just "needs a spanking to straighten him out". Yes that has happened to us. Someone has actually told me that I can spank the autism out of my child. It was these reasons that I was really able to relate to Lissa as a character. Especially she described how she had to mourn her expectations of parenthood after her son's diagnosis. It really hit home. Ms. Harper really hit it out of the ballpark with this part and I am most thankful that she didn't "fix" Fox with magic.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to future books in the series. I hope she gives Lurien his own book. The Lord of the Wild Hunt is hot and in need of a HEA. I am heading back to my kindle now to read books 2 & 3. I will be buying some physical copies of this series for my library.

Bea's Thoughts:

I've been enjoying this series and I'm looking forward to more. While it's more urban fantasy than PNR, the romances have been sweet and Lissy and Trahern's was no exception. She was a match for him, standing up to him and holding her ground when it mattered to her but able to back off when necessary. He was fae arrogant at first, admiring her yet also sure that he was right and knew best, and yet he was able to admit when he was wrong and was willing to consider other perspectives. I love that this series incorporates fae and Welsh mythology. Those are not common in urban fantasy and since I love mythology, I've enjoyed seeing Harper's take on them.

Unlike Steph, I did read the prior books, courtesy of the author. While this would probably work as a stand alone, I enjoyed it more having read the stories of all of the characters who appear. The couples from earlier books make appearances as do some of the fae characters. I love Ranyon; he's so kind, sweet, smart-assy, practical, and hilarious. He's got a cool head on his shoulders and I really want him to get his ow HEA. I also think Lurien needs an HEA. Lord of the Wild Hunt, he's a key figure in the series and a good man. He has a strong moral code, a quick mind, and amazing patience. Okay, I confess; I have a thing for him. Maybe the next book will be his? Pleeeeeeaaase?

But back to "Storm Crossed". :) As I mentioned, Lissy and Trahern make a great couple. Their relationship wasn't rushed but developed slowly. Trahern had to adjust himself to the human way of thinking and Lissy had to learn about the fae way of thinking. Dealing with her son Fox, who has Aspergers and is also magical, teaches Trahern that he has a lot to learn. Harper handled the autism sensitively and with care. Her portrayal of Fox was both realistic and respectful and he wasn't cured or fixed. He's accepted and appreciated for who he is. Lissy's family and circle of friends are his too and they are awesome. Harper writes wonderful characters; they're flawed, caring, smart, funny, strong, and capable. Add in humor, romance, action, fae politics, mythology, and it all adds up to a delightful story.