Fiction / Fantasy / General

Thoughts on the book: Say it with me: FATED MATES! Squeals with glee! Yes, I’m an absolute sucker for a fated mates storyline! I will debate this trope forever, and no, you’ll never change my mind—it’s the best, with some of the most fun storylines out there. When I discovered Katrina Vincent’s Fated to the Fae series, I devoured each book with the speed of a cheetah and the excitement of a five-year-old on Christmas morning. Since Seamus is the third book, you may want to read the first two before diving in, but it’s not strictly necessary. If you’re feeling rebellious or short on time, never fear—you can still enjoy this book as a standalone. Here’s a quick recap to set the scene! The Fae realm has a shortage of females due to the magical portals between worlds being closed. These closures weren’t accidental but deliberate, and over time, this led to a dangerously low number of females. In Book 1, a human woman accidentally stumbles into the Fae realm, followed by another in Book 2. Each discovers her fated mate through a process called the “Questioning” (think The Bachelorette but fae-style!). These women, it turns out, are half-fae, descended from ancient fae bloodlines. While many in the Fae realm see this as hope for a brighter future, some aren’t thrilled, and lingering tensions add a layer of intrigue from Book 2 into Book 3. Alright, let’s talk about the characters in Seamus! Seamus is our lovable cinnamon roll of a hero, and if you’ve read the earlier books, you’ll recognize him. He’s been in every story so far, and his sweet, thoughtful personality shines through each time. I was always disappointed when he didn’t make it further in the Questioning processes, which is why I adored this book! Seamus’s personality comes through in the best ways here—he’s even more thoughtful and surprisingly bold. And let’s just say, when the spice kicks in, he’s full of surprises! Then there’s Taylor, the sister of Sarah (the main character from Book 2). Taylor is such a fun character—independent, fierce, and with a wicked sense of humor. I wasn’t sure what to expect from her at first, but I quickly came to love her, especially as her depth and thoughtfulness emerged. By the end, she had secured her place as my favorite female character in the series! From chapter one, sparks fly between Seamus and Taylor, and the chemistry is unmistakable. Their fated connection is palpable, adding a bit of forbidden allure since dating isn’t the norm in the Fae realm. Given the scarcity of females, every pairing goes through the intense “Questioning.” There’s one scene where Seamus tackles a puzzle during the Questioning—I was on the edge of my seat, hands sweaty, praying he’d pass! Even with fated mates, the suspense of who will be chosen keeps you hooked. If you’re a fan of fantasy with fated mates, fae magic, and a dash of intrigue, I highly recommend grabbing Seamus and the first two books in the Fated to the Fae series. It’s a delightful mix of romance, adventure, and heartwarming moments, perfect as a lighter read between heavier books. I’m eagerly awaiting the next installment in this series and can’t wait to see which fae and human pairing Katrina Vincent has in store for us next! Recommended if You Enjoy: Book One in Fated to the Fae! Jane wakes up in a strange place surrounded by four sexy men that all have wings. Fairy wings. They tell her she isn’t in the human realm any she’s in Fairie. Oh, and none of them know how to help her get home to New York City, so Jane is stuck following the laws of the fae realm. This means starring in her own Questioning, a matchmaking event hosted for each single female as they come of mating age that gives the abundance of eligible males in the realm a chance at love while ensuring all females have total control of their destiny. But on her first evening in the fae realm, she meets Kiernan, Prince of the Summer Court. She can’t stop thinking about him, even if he’s standoffish and cold. Especially because every moment together has him warming up more and more. All too quickly, Jane’s watching a hundred men compete in The Questioning for the chance to be with her. She has every finger crossed that Kiernan might be the last man standing for her, but if he is, will she want to stay? Or will she keep trying to find the portal home? Book Two in Fated to the Fae! When Sarah is magically transported from New York City to Fairie, she’s shocked to discover the stories her great-grandmother told her are true. There’s another world and it’s filled with fairies. Oh, yeah, and she’s a descendant which makes her half-fae. When she learns about The Questioning, a fae dating game that’s a mix between The Bachelorette and Tinder on crack, she can’t wait to sign up for true love and her very own fate bond. She’s thrilled when The Questioning begins and there are 79 men vying for the chance to win her heart. But then Sarah overhears whispers about problems with The Questioning. Did someone mess with her Questioning? Because the last man standing is the last man she would choose to be hers.