★★ #TBRPile
Picking from my massive to be read pile (TPR), this book moves up. When I first added this to my bookshelf 10 years ago, this book blurb reminded me of a mix between Georgina Kincaid series by Richelle Mead and the Caruthers Sisters by Candace Havens. Unfortunately, as nice as this cover is and as amusing as the title is, this book isn't anything like either series mentioned above. I am a bit disappointed with this book because several of my friends rated it high. Perhaps if I had read this book back in 2011, it would have done better.
The world-building in this book is weak. There seemed to be references and inside jokes with a nod to pop culture which doesn't age well. Several of the references, I think I got but it took me out of the story as I tried to figure out why it sounded familiar. Perhaps in the next book, the world is built out a bit more to understand the different levels and how each group relates to each other.
I did find it funny that one of the characters, Rafe seemed incredulous that there were so many supernatural beings in one little town. After a while, I too felt the same. At the end of the book, I'm still left a bit puzzled as to why so many supernatural beings are looking after Lucy. The ending is a bit anti-climatic and not too much is explained. I also found Lucy's new found fighting skills to be too pat.
I found both Lucy and Rafe to be decent characters. They didn't wow me and they didn't turn me off. They did seem a bit more two-dimensional with little depth. Their interactions felt forced. It is as if they needed witty repartee constantly and neither were that witty. I struggled with the bouncing back and forth between the characters' point of view and inner dialog. I think a couple of times, the writing broke the 4th wall and spoke to the reader. I'm not particularly against this technique, I just didn't feel like it worked so well in this book. Specifically because I didn't connect much with Lucy.
Overall, I would say this book had interesting concepts. The execution didn't work for me. This book is recommended to readers who like paranormal romances where the demons may not be evil.
