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A Prince of the Djinn
A Prince of the Djinn is a romantic fantasy wrapped in warmth, wisdom, and a generous sprinkle of magic. The story follows Mandy Dupont, a disabled romance author whose quiet life is upended after a painful ER visit leads to an encounter with a mysterious woman who gives her a pendant. That pendant is no trinket. It houses the essence of Kieran, an ancient and commanding Djinn prince. As their lives entwine, Mandy is drawn into a world of magical wishes, emotional healing, and a connection that defies time and logic. The novel explores themes of later-in-life love, chronic pain, magical realism, and the rediscovery of joy, all framed by tender companionship and personal transformation.
What really struck me was how gently and respectfully the story handles age, disability, and loneliness. Mandy’s character is fully formed. She’s sharp, vulnerable, funny, and self-aware. She’s not waiting to be rescued; she’s surviving, and then thriving, when life throws her something unexpected. I found myself rooting for her not just in the romantic sense, but as a woman reclaiming her sense of wonder. Kieran, the Djinn prince, is equally intriguing. Regal, powerful, and a bit rigid at first, he softens through his growing connection with Mandy, which never feels forced or overly saccharine. The relationship builds slowly, filled with wit, awkward charm, and emotional honesty. It’s rare to see a paranormal romance centered on older protagonists, and I appreciated the refreshing change from the usual youthful drama.
Stylistically, the book is sincere and readable, though a bit indulgent in places. There were moments where the prose leaned into sentimentality, but then again, that matched the tone of the story, a tale full of wishful thinking and heart-on-your-sleeve emotion. McCormack clearly loves her characters, and that affection shines through. While the pacing occasionally slows due to domestic or reflective scenes, it also allows the reader to sink into the world slowly, like warming up beside a fire. The blend of magic and realism never feels jarring. Instead, it feels like maybe this could happen in our world, too, if you’re open to it.
A Prince of the Djinn is a love letter to second chances, to the quiet magic of everyday kindness, and to finding your spark no matter your age or limitations. I’d recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy paranormal romance, particularly readers who want a protagonist who doesn’t fit the mold of the twenty-something heroine. It’s perfect for lovers of slow-burn love, talking cats, and the belief that sometimes, the most magical things in life are the ones we never expected.
Pages: 392 | ASIN: B0DQFHHB6R
Wishes in a Bottle
Wishes in a Bottle, by Allie McCormack, is a romantic fantasy that weaves together ancient magic, eternal longing, and the power of selfless love. Julian DiConti, a mage from plague-ridden Italy, becomes bound to a mystical bottle after a spell goes wrong, cursed to grant wishes until three truly selfless ones are made. In modern-day New York, his fate collides with Alessandra Taylor, a hospice worker with a compassionate soul, offering him the first glimmer of hope he’s had in centuries. Their story unfolds against the backdrop of pain, healing, and a magical bond neither of them expected.
What struck me most about the book was how real Julian felt despite the genie-in-a-bottle premise. He’s six hundred years old, yes, but his pain is fresh, raw even. The opening scene, in which a selfish woman squanders her final wish on a necklace rather than saving a dying child, was deeply unsettling and emotionally jarring. You can feel Julian’s frustration. I loved that the author didn’t sugarcoat his weariness. He endured centuries of witnessing individuals squander extraordinary opportunities, all while being powerless to intervene. The emotional depth of that experience was profoundly affecting.
Then there’s Alessandra. I adored her. She’s fierce in a quiet, grounded way. Her love for her nephew Bobby and her simmering resentment toward her emotionally absent brother-in-law felt so authentic. There’s a scene where she storms into the hospital after hearing about Bobby’s worsening condition, angry, grieving, full of fire, and yet the moment she sees her sister, she softens immediately. That complexity made her so relatable. When Alessandra meets Julian, there is an immediate sense of connection, marked not only by chemistry but also by trust, skepticism, and genuine curiosity. Their relationship develops gradually, avoiding the trope of instant infatuation, which makes the unfolding of their bond all the more compelling and rewarding.
The magic system is subtle but beautifully handled. It’s not flashy spells and fight scenes, it is ancient rules, quiet consequences, and emotional toll. I especially liked how Julian is punished by pain for bending the rules, like when he visits Bobby without a wish being made. That added meaningful weight to the magical framework, grounding it in emotional consequence. While the middle section leans heavily on dialogue and introspection, it enriches the characters and their relationships. The warmth and underlying tension between them kept the narrative engaging and made it difficult to put down.
Allie McCormack’s Wishes in a Bottle surprised me. It’s not just a love story. It’s about redemption, choice, and the agony of wanting to do good when the world keeps getting in the way. I’d recommend it to fans of character-driven romance with a supernatural twist. If you liked The Time Traveler’s Wife or works by Nora Roberts with a magical edge, you will enjoy this unique romantic adventure.
Pages: 376 | ASIN : B07KXYJM3Q
LITERARY TITAN 