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kathydavie's review
5.0
Third in the Shadowvale paranormal romance series and revolving around the citizens of a small, hidden, town in the Carolinas. The couple focus is on Ginny French and Easy Grayle, a pair of werewolves who become neighbors.
My Take
The Forgettable Miss French is a sad tale with a happy ending. I know you won’t be surprised when I say this, as Painter’s tales usually have an HEA.
It’s the thought of what Ginny had to suffer through and following her life that will make you want to cry — it is especially helpful that Painter uses third person dual protagonist point-of-view, so we learn how bad it is for Ginny. Especially when she keeps being chased from the local pack for being a “strange” wolf. I can see, however, why she’s considering bank robbery as a hobby, lol.
As for Easy, I find his curse funny, frustrating — and embarrassing. His is the other POV. The things he learns about his ancestors! I do like that Painter has created him as a regular guy who has his fantasies about becoming famous and enjoying big-city life.
I did have to laugh when Ginny decides she can do anything she likes — because no one will remember her, and she lays one on her new neighbor, Easy. Only . . . lol . . .
I do think Gwen is ridiculous in her thinking their family is cursed. Although I don’t blame her for being afraid.
It’s a sweet story that is more complex than I’d’ve thought with all sorts of conflicts and considerations.
The Story
Easy is hoping Shadowvale will be a good refuge for someone with his curse. He’s on deadline to finish his book and then attend that movie premiere. Until his editor calls with a new deadline!
It doesn’t help that his encounters with his new neighbor are so distracting when he catches her sneaking out of his pool in a barely-there bikini and then that kiss!
It becomes a meeting of curses and too much sharing.
The Characters
Virginia “Ginny” French, a werewolf, is a graphic designer whom no one can remember. The only other, besides her aunt who sometimes remembered her, is Seymour, the lake monster. Bob, Comet, and Sparky are Ginny’s goldfish. Aunt Gwen, the woman (and werewolf) who raised Ginny after her parents were killed (Robert was Gwen’s brother), lives at Emerald Manor in an assisted living wing. Lucas Cartwright, another werewolf and a retired cop, also lives at Emerald Manor and is Gwen’s gentleman friend.
Ezekiel Zachariah “Easy” Grayle, a.k.a. EZ, is a former Army Ranger and a New York Times bestselling author with a movie already in production. He’s also a werewolf with a problem. Tomahawk Jones, supersoldier, is the protagonist of Easy’s thriller book series. Long Lone Howl is his current work-in-progress. John is his editor at Redstone Press. Raina is his agent. Malachai and Caleb are his brothers.
Shadowvale is . . .
. . . a small town in the Carolinas where the sun never shines, the gates decide who enters, and every resident bears a curse. The town was created by Amelia Marchand, a countess, a witch, and an abandoned woman. Thoreau is Amelia’s companion tiger. Becket is Amelia’s majordomo and warden.
Deacon Evermore, a raven shifter who can take on others’ curses, is the town’s peacekeeper. He’s engaged to Emeranth “Em” Greer, Amelia’s niece (The Trouble With Witches, 1) and the new barista at the Black Horse Bakery. His brothers include Shepherd, who is the fire chief, and Bishop, who runs a tree trimming service. Gracie is their young sister who works from home as an accountant.
Rico Martinez is the alpha of the local pack. Oluf Erikson, a Viking berserker, is a time refugee. Shops include Deja Brew, the Green Grocer market, Club 42 is a jazz club, Spellbound, the Creamatorium makes the best ice cream, Philly’s is a great hole-in-the-wall, and Fritzi’s Pizza. Five Bells is a pub with no shortage of men and where Lyra is a server, Jerry Washington owns the dry cleaners. I really, really want to shop at The Chocolate Dragon with its mouthwatering displays and chocolates is owned by Charlie Ashborne, a dragon shifter. Flora’s Blooms is a flower shop where Carena works.
Nasha Black runs the Black Horse Bakery (she’s the daughter of Famine, one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse) where only the coffee has a price. Stella Kittridge owns Stella’s Bargain Bin and does she ever have the bargains! Della Kittridge is her twin sister and sometimes helps out.
A legendary book is hidden in Dark Acres in the Enchanted Forest. Droxes are winged foxes related to dragons while meowls are a blend of cat and owl. Lylianna, a nymph, is the captain of the grove guard. Nightingale Park is treasured as it's the only place where the sun does shine. Pam is the too-interested realtor who sold Easy his house. The sellers had moved after their son, Ryan, outgrew his curse. The Freeman kids, also werewolves, need a sharp, short lesson in manners. Shauna Perez had been Easy’s love interest in high school. Smith and Sons Bakery is one of the clues Ginny uses with her Aunt Gwen. Arnold Fuller had sold insurance and once dated Aunt Gwen.
The Cover and Title
The cover is bright with its fuchsia background of mist and dark sky with the bright fuchsia orbs of varying sizes scattered along the left and right. The gates to Shadowvale are golden with the series info incorporated into the gate — the number in a right curl. The head of a wolf with blue eyes is emerging from the center of the gate, giving you a hint of its main characters. At the top is an info blurb in purple with the author’s name immediately below it in white. Below the wolf, at the bottom of the cover, is the title in white and outlined in deep fuchsia.
The title truly is about The Forgettable Miss French.
My Take
The Forgettable Miss French is a sad tale with a happy ending. I know you won’t be surprised when I say this, as Painter’s tales usually have an HEA.
It’s the thought of what Ginny had to suffer through and following her life that will make you want to cry — it is especially helpful that Painter uses third person dual protagonist point-of-view, so we learn how bad it is for Ginny. Especially when she keeps being chased from the local pack for being a “strange” wolf. I can see, however, why she’s considering bank robbery as a hobby, lol.
As for Easy, I find his curse funny, frustrating — and embarrassing. His is the other POV. The things he learns about his ancestors! I do like that Painter has created him as a regular guy who has his fantasies about becoming famous and enjoying big-city life.
I did have to laugh when Ginny decides she can do anything she likes — because no one will remember her, and she lays one on her new neighbor, Easy. Only . . . lol . . .
I do think Gwen is ridiculous in her thinking their family is cursed. Although I don’t blame her for being afraid.
It’s a sweet story that is more complex than I’d’ve thought with all sorts of conflicts and considerations.
The Story
Easy is hoping Shadowvale will be a good refuge for someone with his curse. He’s on deadline to finish his book and then attend that movie premiere. Until his editor calls with a new deadline!
It doesn’t help that his encounters with his new neighbor are so distracting when he catches her sneaking out of his pool in a barely-there bikini and then that kiss!
It becomes a meeting of curses and too much sharing.
The Characters
Virginia “Ginny” French, a werewolf, is a graphic designer whom no one can remember. The only other, besides her aunt who sometimes remembered her, is Seymour, the lake monster. Bob, Comet, and Sparky are Ginny’s goldfish. Aunt Gwen, the woman (and werewolf) who raised Ginny after her parents were killed (Robert was Gwen’s brother), lives at Emerald Manor in an assisted living wing. Lucas Cartwright, another werewolf and a retired cop, also lives at Emerald Manor and is Gwen’s gentleman friend.
Ezekiel Zachariah “Easy” Grayle, a.k.a. EZ, is a former Army Ranger and a New York Times bestselling author with a movie already in production. He’s also a werewolf with a problem. Tomahawk Jones, supersoldier, is the protagonist of Easy’s thriller book series. Long Lone Howl is his current work-in-progress. John is his editor at Redstone Press. Raina is his agent. Malachai and Caleb are his brothers.
Shadowvale is . . .
. . . a small town in the Carolinas where the sun never shines, the gates decide who enters, and every resident bears a curse. The town was created by Amelia Marchand, a countess, a witch, and an abandoned woman. Thoreau is Amelia’s companion tiger. Becket is Amelia’s majordomo and warden.
Deacon Evermore, a raven shifter who can take on others’ curses, is the town’s peacekeeper. He’s engaged to Emeranth “Em” Greer, Amelia’s niece (The Trouble With Witches, 1) and the new barista at the Black Horse Bakery. His brothers include Shepherd, who is the fire chief, and Bishop, who runs a tree trimming service. Gracie is their young sister who works from home as an accountant.
Rico Martinez is the alpha of the local pack. Oluf Erikson, a Viking berserker, is a time refugee. Shops include Deja Brew, the Green Grocer market, Club 42 is a jazz club, Spellbound, the Creamatorium makes the best ice cream, Philly’s is a great hole-in-the-wall, and Fritzi’s Pizza. Five Bells is a pub with no shortage of men and where Lyra is a server, Jerry Washington owns the dry cleaners. I really, really want to shop at The Chocolate Dragon with its mouthwatering displays and chocolates is owned by Charlie Ashborne, a dragon shifter. Flora’s Blooms is a flower shop where Carena works.
Nasha Black runs the Black Horse Bakery (she’s the daughter of Famine, one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse) where only the coffee has a price. Stella Kittridge owns Stella’s Bargain Bin and does she ever have the bargains! Della Kittridge is her twin sister and sometimes helps out.
A legendary book is hidden in Dark Acres in the Enchanted Forest. Droxes are winged foxes related to dragons while meowls are a blend of cat and owl. Lylianna, a nymph, is the captain of the grove guard. Nightingale Park is treasured as it's the only place where the sun does shine. Pam is the too-interested realtor who sold Easy his house. The sellers had moved after their son, Ryan, outgrew his curse. The Freeman kids, also werewolves, need a sharp, short lesson in manners. Shauna Perez had been Easy’s love interest in high school. Smith and Sons Bakery is one of the clues Ginny uses with her Aunt Gwen. Arnold Fuller had sold insurance and once dated Aunt Gwen.
The Cover and Title
The cover is bright with its fuchsia background of mist and dark sky with the bright fuchsia orbs of varying sizes scattered along the left and right. The gates to Shadowvale are golden with the series info incorporated into the gate — the number in a right curl. The head of a wolf with blue eyes is emerging from the center of the gate, giving you a hint of its main characters. At the top is an info blurb in purple with the author’s name immediately below it in white. Below the wolf, at the bottom of the cover, is the title in white and outlined in deep fuchsia.
The title truly is about The Forgettable Miss French.
cassandrat's review
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
It started out really strong. Ginny has a nice relationship with her elderly aunt, and I am always excited for older characters. The romance is pretty sweet, but definitely based on insta-love and sex/wolf appeal.
I really like that the characters have their own lives and fleshed out jobs. Nevertheless, they were kind of boring people for most of the story. More interesting things could have happened in the middle.
It started to drag a bit after their first date. My problem is not with the stellar relationship communication, thank god for bypassing that angst, but that the relationship building is mostly in their living rooms. Whenever they leave it is a conflict, not something more deep.
It did pick up when Easy forgot Ginny and had to use his journal. I was really wondering about that strategy. When everyone got cursed and had to sign the book it became a little over the top.
I really like that the characters have their own lives and fleshed out jobs. Nevertheless, they were kind of boring people for most of the story. More interesting things could have happened in the middle.
It started to drag a bit after their first date. My problem is not with the stellar relationship communication, thank god for bypassing that angst, but that the relationship building is mostly in their living rooms. Whenever they leave it is a conflict, not something more deep.
maryloulynninmi's review
4.0
Good book
It is really hard to review this without comparing it to Addie LaRue as they share the same basic premise. This is a much lighter hearted approach to the story, and the way it in winds is totally different. I enjoyed it.
It is really hard to review this without comparing it to Addie LaRue as they share the same basic premise. This is a much lighter hearted approach to the story, and the way it in winds is totally different. I enjoyed it.
ginagale's review
3.0
Good but takes a long to get going
I like Kristen Painter. I can read her books quickly when I need something light; they are entertaining. I skimmed A LOT of this book because it just went on and on. I am reading on a Kindle, and at,16% the main character is still dragging out an explanation of her curse, and on and on and on, it was a tad predictable and a little boring. I also miss the neighborhood. I like when we see interaction between characters from other books, and technically, this has that, but small and superficial. The book is okay ,but repetitive and not the least bit fleshed out.
I like Kristen Painter. I can read her books quickly when I need something light; they are entertaining. I skimmed A LOT of this book because it just went on and on. I am reading on a Kindle, and at,16% the main character is still dragging out an explanation of her curse, and on and on and on, it was a tad predictable and a little boring. I also miss the neighborhood. I like when we see interaction between characters from other books, and technically, this has that, but small and superficial. The book is okay ,but repetitive and not the least bit fleshed out.
katkinney's review
4.0
Werewolf Ginny lives in Shadowvale, a place for broken supernaturals. And Ginny certainly is broken. She was cursed years ago by a spell that now leaves people unable to remember her after they leave her presence. Sort of like 50 First Dates, but in reverse. So Ginny is a stranger in town, even though she’s lived there for years. She doesn’t have to worry about what she says, because no one will remember it. She makes friends with a Loch Ness Monster (?) named Seymour and feeds it blackberry pies (that was pretty much the most adorable thing ever) but the lake monster is her only friend except for her grandmother and a tank full of goldfish. Until someone moves into the neighbor’s house where she used to sneak over and use the pool. And it turns out maybe he’s the one guy who might remember her. This was a cute cozy paranormal romance. I enjoyed both Ginny and Easy and their quest to break their respective curses.
deanie's review
4.0
The titular Miss Virginia French ("Ginny") is the subject of a terrible curse, which causes everyone to forget they know her a few minutes after meeting her. As in, the waitress in a restaurant doesn't remember taking her order when she walks by the table a few minutes later. This, obviously, leaves Ginny unable to make any kind of connection, except with her grandmother, who is immune to the curse but suffering from Alzheimer's. Werewolf Ezekiel "Easy" Grayle is also under a curse -- he's unable to shift into his normal wolf form, and instead shifts into other wolves, foxes and dogs (even a Yorkie, once). But for whatever reason, he can remember Ginny. Together, they search for a mysterious book of magic that could cure both of their curses.
The Forgettable Miss French gets off to a slow start, but once it kicks into high gear it's quite entertaining. Poor Easy's curse, while notably traumatic for him, is hilarious to watch, especially when Ginny has to rescue his were-Yorkie self from an accidental public shift. There's real pathos to the characters' dilemmas, and their interaction seem very genuine. The relationship between Ginny and her ailing grandmother is especially poignant.
The Forgettable Miss French gets off to a slow start, but once it kicks into high gear it's quite entertaining. Poor Easy's curse, while notably traumatic for him, is hilarious to watch, especially when Ginny has to rescue his were-Yorkie self from an accidental public shift. There's real pathos to the characters' dilemmas, and their interaction seem very genuine. The relationship between Ginny and her ailing grandmother is especially poignant.
jennifersherry's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
bertturtel's review
4.0
I loved this installment of this series. Fun quick read with plenty of humor.