Early Review: The Problem with Promises by Leigh Evans (Mystwalker #3)

The Problem with Promises (Mystwalker #3)
Leigh Evans
Published: Feb. 25, 2014 (St. Martin’s Press)
Purchase at: Book Depository or Amazon
Review source: copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review

Reviewed by: Krista

Rating (out of 5): 3.5 stars

Note: While this review will be spoiler free, it does reference events from previous books in the series.

Until recently I had not read anything by Leigh Evans. So I had the pleasure of binge reading the first three novels in the Mystwalker series. I have to admit that the series does satisfy the hankering for something different when you are between books. It’s a lot edgier than your typical paranormal romance, but somewhat lighter than the standard urban fantasy.

Hedi Peacock is a half-fae, half-were coffee barista, who up until recently had been in hiding from the fae who murdered her family and the were pack that allowed it. In the course of two books she has been reunited with her childhood crush, then lost him, found her long lost twin and then sent him to his torture. So it’s an understatement to say that things just don’t work out for our protagonist; at least not easily.

I know I said that I’d never be Karma’s bitch again, but that doesn’t mean I’m not aware she’s there, waiting like the sister-in-law who really hates you and is just dying to see you do something that deserves a huge, public smackdown.

You can count on one hand the number of things that turn out right for Hedi and the people she can trust (which doesn’t include her twin or her one true love). Also she is constantly in conflict with her fae heritage, her mystwalker self and her much abused were side. As much as she might deny it, she is Karma’s bitch.

Unfortunately the endless struggle somewhat took away from the overall impact of Hedi’s journey. Since nothing ever really worked out in Hedi’s favor, the subsequent struggles didn’t have the impact they should of have. Karma’s all about balance and Hedi’s life is definitely lopsided towards the negative.

Now to the dessert: Holy smokes the intimate scenes between Hedi and her returned love are hot. They would also have to be some of the best I have read. Our heroine is not beautiful or unique. Instead she is very average. But Evans expertly shows the reader, and our heroine, how beautiful she is through her lover’s eyes.

While I didn’t love The Problem with Promises, I did really enjoy it. Sometimes I felt as if the book was trying too hard to be something it wasn’t. But I will be picking up the next book and recommend you do too.

Sexual content: Graphic sex