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    How to Love Your Elf
    How to Love Your Elf
    How to Love Your Elf
    Audiobook11 hours

    How to Love Your Elf

    Written by Kerrelyn Sparks

    Narrated by Jill Tanner

    3.5/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    Raised in isolation on the magic-shrouded Isle of the Moon, five girls became five sisters. Now women, they are ready to claim their places in the world—and perhaps change it forever . . .

    FLAME AND FORTUNE

    Sorcha knew the mission was dangerous. Leaving the safe grounds of her brother’s kingdom and parlaying with the elves across their border . . . well, treachery seemed at least as likely as true peace. But to support her sister, Sorcha would brave far more than the underhanded ways of the elves. Or so she thought, before she was taken hostage.

    Of course, her captors didn’t count on her particular abilities—or on the help of the Woodsman, the mysterious thief who made his home in the forest. He saw the battle from the trees, saw the soldier attacking against incredible odds to save a comrade—and then saw the valiant fighter revealed as Princess Sorcha of Norveshka. He can’t tell if he wants to kidnap her or kiss her. But despite Sorcha’s stubbornness, his inconvenient honor, and a rebellion on the cusp of full war, something burns between them that neither can let go . . .
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRecorded Books, Inc.
    Release dateFeb 25, 2020
    ISBN9781980083252
    How to Love Your Elf
    Author

    Kerrelyn Sparks

    Kerrelyn Sparks is the bestselling author of the Love at Stake series, which has hit as high as number 5 on the New York Times list and 22 on the USA Today list. Kerrelyn is honored that her band of merry vampires and shifters is spreading love and laughter worldwide in fourteen different languages.

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    Reviews for How to Love Your Elf

    3.5/5

    35 ratings5 reviews

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    • 3/5
      Toss your stylistic expectations out the window and strap in for a tale of love, cool tree magic, and one hilariously awkward picnic.

      This is the fourth book in the series, but to the new reader I say: Fear not! If the editorial mistakes don’t send you packing, you’ll do just fine jumping into Sorcha’s story. I have not read the previous books, but this one stands well enough on its own. It only took a few chapters to get a hang of the many character mentions and political shenanigans referenced in from before. (To make things easy, just think of it like fantasy X-men. Cool powers, what are motives, no one trusts Mystique).

      The story: Having recently found peace with her new life as a princess in Norveshka, Sorcha’s biggest worry is that she’ll fall in love. With an elf, specifically, as was foretold by her sister’s Telling Stones. Sorcha accompanies her sister on a diplomatic mission, but their meeting is ambushed. The Norveshki escape, except for dragon-shifter Aleksi and Princess Sorcha. Captured by the enemy, they encounter the mysterious Woodsman, who promises to help them escape and prevent war between their countries. But how can they trust this thief, who hides in the shadows and isn't used to Norveshki questioning his plans?

      And of course he has plans. You know why? Cause he's the Woodsman! Thanks to our man Liz, we are reminded of this in every other scene. (“The Woodsman always has a plan.” Two fights later: “The Woodsman always has a plan!”)

      In addition to hype-man Liz, there are other fun faces running amok in the forest. Tara, the adolescent drama queen, General Caladras who’s obligated to call Sorcha ugly because he’s the Bad Guy, Aleksi the broody dragon warrior, that one guy who is supposed to be evil but is most known for yelling “Save our dinner!”, and the returning villain known as the Chameleon who I guess is evil too but he yeets in and yeets out so fast I’m not certain of his motives. Could be misunderstood.

      It is this motley crew who surrounds Sorcha and the Woodsman on their unforeseen journey. Mostly, it is unforeseen for Sorcha, who is Oblivious. And the Woodsman Knows Everything, because tree magic. So we the readers get to float in between, and witness such scenes as the Woodsman brooding over his secret identity (*gasp*), Sorcha accidentally making folks think they are married by sitting on the same picnic blanket, and the Woodsman’s internal adolescent boy dialogue (“She didn’t pull away! Yes!”. [Do I want her to touch me?] “Hell yes!”).

      Seriously, I had a great time with How to Love Your Elf, just perhaps not in the way it was intended. I mean, I shipped it - but mostly because they’re such awkward cupcakes. And...Robin Hood-esque elf-dude tree-magic mysterious past...I mean, that’s hard not to like. Even with the moments of sloppy editing (and lack of indentation, which I hope was just a fluke in my digital copy), it was fun.

      Fun fact, one of my favorite lines is when the Woodsman shouts, “Drop your wea pons now, and I will grant you clemency.” Drop them wee pawns now, ye rascals! Ha ha...ha...Ah well, it was funny in the moment.

      To sum it all up: There’s laughs and there’s cringe, but once I got over the technical hiccups I read this in three hours and had an absolute blast.

      P.S. I have one unsolved question: Is using Ye/Yer instead of You/Your indicative of characters speaking in Eberoni? In that case, does Aleksi have a bad accent, since he doesn’t make the switch? Or is this peculiar to Sorcha? Or are the words entirely interchangeable, no matter the language? Please, anyone, I would like to know the answer.

      **Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington for the ARC**
    • 4/5
      How to Love Your Elf by Kerrelyn Sparks4th book in the Embraced by Magic series. (Labeled as 1st because of a change in publishers.) Fantasy romance. Best read as part of the series but can stand alone for the romance. Some plot lines not completed because of the overall arc.For those that read the first three, it won’t really be a surprise where this one is going. It’s a delightful journey that isn’t spoiled because you know a couple of things the heroine doesn’t. Elves, dragons, magic and romance. And talking oak trees. A fast read with a bit of humor and a feisty heroine who doesn’t appreciate a bossy hero. I’m looking forward to the next and final book in the series. Maeve and Brody, finally. Hopefully he will find someone to lift his curse!Excerpt:“Do you need more wine?” Father Kit asked. “No,” the Woodsman said at the same time Sorcha said, “Yes!” With another silent groan, he turned toward Sorcha. “Will you stop drinking and tell me what’s wrong?” She gave him an exasperated look. “How can you remain so calm when we’re doomed?” He gritted his teeth. “We are not doomed.” “Well, maybe you’re not, but I certainly am. You see . . .” She finished her half-full cup, then hiccupped. “I hate to admit this, but . . . I’m already attracted to you.” His heart lurched. “Oh?” Wait, she hated to admit it? Her shoulders slumped. “So, that’s why I’m doomed. The potion will work on me.” Did she have to look so damned depressed about it? “Sorcha, nothing will happen. I promise you, I will not allow a potion to dictate what I think or feel.” Her eyes widened as she sat up. “You’re right!” She made a fist. “You must fight this. Don’t you dare fall in love with me. And I promise, I will do my best never to love you.” “Wonderful,” he grumbled, then turned to Father Kit. “I need more wine after all.” With a grin, the priest handed them a full pitcher. The Woodsman filled their cups, but when Sorcha suddenly flinched beside him, he spilled some onto the wooden tray. “What is it now?” She leaned toward him, her green eyes dancing with excitement. “I just had an idea. Obviously, the full effect of the potion hasn’t hit us yet, so we might consider beating it to the punch.” “How?” He took a drink. “We could have a quick affair.” He sputtered wine all over himself. “What?”“We could beat the love potion to the punch—” “There is no punch.” He used a cloth napkin to dry off the wine that had run down his throat to his chest. Then he realized she was staring at the open neck of his shirt. Her gaze slowly lifted to linger on his mouth; then she licked her lips. Dang[] now he did want to jump on her like a beast. “Sorcha, stop looking at me like that.” Her eyes filled with horror. “Oh, no. I must have succumbed to the power of the potion.” “No, you haven’t. You’ve been staring at my mouth since you first met me.” Her face turned pink. “I can’t help it. You’re just so disgustingly handsome.” “Was that a compliment?” he muttered. She hiccupped. “It’s true. I find you terribly attractive.” Frowning, she picked up her cup. “Even though it makes no sense whatsoever.”Excerpt from How to Love Your Elf by Kerrelyn SparksI received a copy of this from NetGalley. I also purchased a copy to share.
    • 4/5
      I had a great time with this book! I am a big fan of the Embraced series by Kerrelyn Sparks. It has been a while since a new book was released due to a change in publisher. The series also has a new name, Embraced by Magic, but it is a continuation of the previous series and I am sure that the name change has everything to do with having a new publisher. I couldn't wait to dive back into this world and follow the path of one of the sisters. I enjoyed this book from beginning to end.This book tells Sorcha's story and occurs shortly after the events of the previous book. It has been two years since I read that book so I didn't remember a lot of details about the previous books but everything is explained within this story so I had no trouble settling in. I do believe that this book could work as a stand-alone for readers new to the series.Sorcha's brother, Silas, and his wife, Gwennore, take a group to meet with her mother but it turns out to be a trap. Most escape back to their kingdom but Sorcha and Alexsi are left behind and taken captive. Alexsi is injured so Sorcha decides to break them out but receives unexpected help from the Woodsman. The Woodsman and his crew go to great lengths to keep Sorcha and Alexsi safe even though things are dangerous at times.I loved these characters. The Woodsman's abilities were incredibly interesting. I loved how he seemed capable of handling any situation without any trouble. He was such a kind man that really tried to do good wherever he could. Sorcha was equally amazing. She is tough and looks out for others. She is willing to risk everything for those that she cares about. I really enjoyed the secondary characters in this book as well. Alexsi plays an important role and it was fun to watch him grow over the course of the story. I liked the Woodsman and Sorcha together. I thought that they had great chemistry from the start which seemed to grow over the course of the story. I liked that they were honest with each other. I thought that the scenes with Alexsi and Sorcha together were very well done and I had a great time watching them fall in love.I would recommend this book to others. It was a fun romance that featured great characters and a wonderful fantasy world. I cannot wait to read more from this talented author.I received a digital review copy of this book from Kensington Books via NetGalley.
    • 1/5
      I received an ARC of this book through the Goodreads giveaway program.Painfully disappointing. Written on a 7th grade level, in terms of the language but also the narrative. There are features typical of a child's novel: insta-lust, cartoonish characters, wooden dialogue, a twenty-year old female romantic lead who knows nothing about sex beyond hugs and kisses. However, the explicit sex -- short scenes, and only a couple of them -- makes this book inappropriate for 7th graders. I used to tutor students in an adult literacy program who craved books with simple language but mature content, and this book might fill that niche. Then again, they might find the story lacking depth as I did.
    • 4/5
      Dragons, castles, magical talents, shifters, talking trees, wicked evil villains, and a love story. What’s not to love ? It was a fun read, a hard to put down storyline and there was a very sexy mysterious Woodsman. It was the perfect book to save me from watching “the big football game” LOLSorcha, is a princess with an attitude. She’s part of an extended family of women raised in an orphanage. She is not one to be quiet and sip her tea while the men plan, no she will get into it. I like her :DThe villains were so vile ! Seriously it was easy to hate them and wish terrible things happen to them. There is a mother, a winner of the worst mother award fro sure. The things she does ! She’s not bright, or terribly beautiful just cutthroat to the bone. Another one that just made my blood boil with a sniveling privileged man/boy who thought he was owed. I may have cheered loudly as a few of them fell.I hadn’t read any of the Embraced Books that this series came from and was a bit lost in the beginning but quickly figured out the little details and how they fit together. The snippet for the next book at the end sounds really good. I’ll be reading it for sure.