Bonds of Cupidity: A Fantasy Reverse Harem Story (Heart Hassle)

Book two, here we go! When last we saw Emelle, she and her Genfins were readying for the royal tournament, where the Genfins would be forced to compete against other exiled fae in order to return to their home and keep their lives. In this second edition, Emelle is confronted with the realization that her very existence is dependent on the survival of her Genfins, lest she should be returned back to the Veil and her connection to the physical realm severed. She keeps her predicament secret from the men, fearful that they will feel pressured to remain with her once the tournament is over, or worse, that they will prove their indifference for her and turn their backs on her to pursue a mate of their own. But as the tournament progresses, Emelle’s concerns for the Genfins’ feelings towards her will become the least of her worries.

In order to remain close to the Genfins and keep the bond tying them together, and her to the physical realm, strong Emelle must ally herself with Princess Soora and prove she can be a valuable asset to the Resistance rearing to overthrow Prince Elphar and his family’s rule. Emelle is in way over her head, and she is unsure of who to trust. She will need the support of her guys, along with a new and passionate male who has sworn to protect her, if she is going to keep her physical body, and her life.

I loved getting to follow Emelle’s story again and to see how she handled the newest challenges being thrown her way. She is such a naïve and worldly character at the same time. She has no experience with the real world, that she can remember, but she has stood on the sidelines for half a century and is so excited for every new experience she has. I love her childlike innocence and her womanly wiles, and how those two contradictory traits melded so well in Emelle. I would highly recommend this series!

I loved all the new characters like Princess Zura, Duruu, Scott, Mossy and even Delshein. I'm loving Ocott as another mate, it's refreshing to see a different element of being her mate. The prince is still horrible and I want to rip him to shreds for what he's done to ML and the guys. The culling was awesome to read and it reminded me alot of the Hunger Games. The sex was on point and very nicely done. But I have to say towards the end of the book ML started to grate on my nerves with her constant overthinking and overtalking. I get it that's her thing but there wasn't much character growth until the very end for her and that was a little aggravating. I did love the very end when she did grow as a character.

The fantasy aspect of this book is amazing! I love all the different fae characters and learning about them. I'm so eager for the next book because of how this one ended. I have so many thoughts, theories, suspicions and questions.

Loved this 2nd book in the Heart Hassle series! I think we got so many things in this one book, it really elevated the storyline and the relationships between the guys. I was on the edge of my seat with what the guys had to go through and we got to see how evil the Prince was and how he was messing with Emelle. I loved how stressful and how much tension there was, kept me super interested to see how everything was going to end at the trials/how they all could get out of it unscathed.

We then have to deal with Emelle losing her body yet again but I loved how she got her guys to realize she was there, I laughed so hard and almost peed myself with some of her antics and the guys' reactions haha. So good!! This is one of the reasons I gave this sequel 5 stars because the laughter and comedic relief was amazing. I loved seeing the guys' personalities shine even more, see them work together to get their love back (and them admitting their feelings FINALLY). The steam towards the end was 🔥🔥🔥🔥 and the romance and adorableness was also fabulous. Loved the big event at the end, I couldn't get enough! Don't want to spoil anything but don't forget the guys are part animal, so they have go through some things when they find their "one" hint hint hint hahaha. I totally didnt re-listen to the chapter leading up to and including that at all...nope not me 🤣😉😁.

We get to experience more battles and more obstacles in book 2, leading up to the big finale in the 3rd and final book. We get to meet new side characters and one because a major character in the story and adds to this harem. I was surprised it would work but I liked how he was introduced and how their relationship cemented (him and Emelle). First time in an RH I have read where a guy outside the group is added like that. I liked it, I know some didnt. I was worried in the beginning it was all a ruse but when I finally realized it was true I was all in. Lots of twists and turns in this series, really enjoying it so far!!

Narration was great, loved adding the male narrator (I like his performances in other audiobooks I have read and he kept it up in this one too, great job). The narrators helped bring this world to life and give the readers all the emotions needed for this rollercoaster of a ride haha.

I can see why people really love this series, didnt want book 2 to end!

If you’ve read The Plated Prisoner series, you know that Raven Kennedy has some of the best plot twists. This series is no different. When Emelle realized who was behind the big event at the end of the book, my jaw was on the floor!!

This book isn’t super “spicy,” like the first one, but the few moments we get are equally sweet and hot.

I’ll be so honest…I wasn’t sure about Okot. I’d seen some fanart and I was like hmmm, idk man. But seriously? Oh my god. He is the SWEETEST. Every time he calls her beloved, I melt. Like PLEASE 😭 and now I’m so biased because I look at the same fanart with heart eyes

All of the genfin are so amazing in their own ways. Evert stays funny and flirty, but he’s surprisingly the most possessive of them too. Now granted, with their history, it makes sense, but it’s not what I expected. Only makes me love him more. Sylred is just the most adorable, loving and attentive partner a girl could ever want. And him keeping chocolate on him at all times for Emelle is a green flag if I’ve ever seen one. But finally getting to see Ronak open up to her and SHOW he cares about her is just the cherry on top honestly. He cares so deeply for the covey and it shows more and more in each chapter as he moves on from the past.

I can’t wait to see Okot & the genfins interact more. They’re already so funny and sweet together. I have high hopes for their dynamic going forward 🥹

But EMELLE. She is one of my absolute favorite FMC ever. She’s hilarious and witty and stubborn. She’s so freaking relatable, especially when it comes to hot fae chocolate & running. But more than anything, she has so much heart (no Cupid pun intended lol). It’s so refreshing to read a story about someone who has spend so long wanting the simplest things in life, and now she gets to experience it all (with a bunch of other crap along the way of course). But she’s not jaded by everyday life and the mundane. It makes her that much more lovable and extremely strong.