Magical Midlife Dating (Leveling Up #2)

Published August 11th 2020, Kindle Edition 468 pages

The decision has been made. Jessie has taken the magic, and all the weird that goes with it. Including wings.

There's only one problem - she can't figure out how to access them.

Through a series of terrible decisions, Jessie realizes she must ask for help. Gargoyle help.

But she could've never predicted who answers her call - he's an excellent flier, incredibly patient, and a good trainer. He's also incredibly handsome. And interested.

Maybe flying isn't the only thing she needs help with. Maybe she needs help getting back on that saddle, too, emerging into the dating pool.

Except, the new gargoyle is also an alpha, just like Austin, and the town isn't big enough for two.

Turns out, flying is the least of her problems.

User Reviews

carol.

Rating: really liked it
I thought the first book in the series, Magical Midlife Madness, quite cute. The premise is that a woman is at odds after divorcing and her only son going off to college, so when she inherits a house out of the blue in a small California town, she thinks, ‘why not?’ The eccentric butler and gardener only add to the appeal. As she uncovers the mysteries of the house, she discovers she is spiritual heir to its magic and the plot revolves around discovering and accepting that magic and a new life.

However, the sequel is entirely content to backtrack and recycle, first by suddenly giving us a main character that goes from embracing independence and a new way of living (hello, magic metaphor!) to one that is focused on dating. I'm not sure how we got here, because that wasn't really the mental focus of the last book, which left her and the reader preparing for a magical attack. She compounds this with stupid decision-making, by deciding it would be appropriate to date non-magical people (‘Dicks,’ of ‘Dick and Jane’ fame, ha. ha.) and take them to the magical-people bar (logic escapes me). Presumably unable to think of a new UF-style plot (despite prior groundwork), Breene decides to recycle ‘accept the magic’ premise of discovering and accepting her supposed ability to fly.

Ugh. While I know I was experiencing QB™ the first book, I didn’t think I had it that bad. Madness was sweet, it held attention (mostly) and I didn’t skim (mostly). This, however, was just… same ol’, same ol’ mass-market, dingy-girl-woman looks for date. Think Stephanie Plum, book 19, only with less elements of what made the first good.

Despite having been ’empowered’ enough in book one to keep her ‘midlife’ body, she did take the rejuvenation moment to tighten up some saggy bits and remove some cellulite, so we’re treated to lots of hot-mama oogling/dressing up scenes here (she’s also kind of a self-righteous twit because she didn’t make her vampire minion any younger). Oh, it’s so empowering to date like this! Her Carebear™ non-boyfriend does lots of flexing, growling and advice-giving when he sees her, so we get the whole alpha male scene, tempered with Breene’s point that Jessie’s magic is equally strong.

But Jessie remains just dumb here–really, the whole premise of dating when she’s head of a magical nexus that the magical universe is salivating over?–and if there’s one thing that annoys me, it’s setting up your plot based on your heroine not being security conscious. (Talk about privilege!) There's multiple instances where she does 'instinctual' magical shout-outs for ‘help’--so stupid-- and the trust the group placed in the respondees was questionable. Honestly, I was waiting for at least one to be a double-agent. Incidentally, all of the magical learning becomes hand-wavy 'instinct,' with an occasional reference to a confusing book the vampire is translating (don't even try and figure that one out).

What I did like was the non-Bigfoot creature who was more than a little obsessed with flowers. That was pretty much the most redeeming character. Everything else, passable to lame. Oh, and for those that actually want dating and sex–there were no happy-sexy times here. Just ugh.

Hey, good news! I guess I recovered from Quarantine Brain™!

One and a half stars, rounding up strictly because of the rating system, and the need to distinguish this from the truly one-star, throw-across-the-room reads.

Lauren

Rating: really liked it
I swear, the thing that would scare the crap outta me in real life was the highlight of this book. Dolls, it had to be dolls. Lol.

In this second, very anticipated book; our MC desides that trying to figure out her magic and wasn't she supposed to have wings?? Just wasn't enough. So she adds the drama of online dating to her life because... when you have an itch... who can blame you?

Of course having a bounty on your head and accidentally putting out loud mental calls for help to who knows who (but they're coming!) Doesn't help either.

I laughed, a lot. Got a lot of funny looks from my coworkers for that. (I listened to the audiobook.) My heart raced at moments and all in all, seriously enjoyed the ride.

Montzalee Wittmann

Rating: really liked it
Magical Midlife Dating: A Paranormal Women's Fiction Novel
Leveling Up, Book 2
By: K.F. Breene
Narrated by: Nicole Poole
This book is almost as funny as book one! It is as good as book one in the characters, the hilarious banter (I love Tom!), the craziness of this life, and the subtle romance. I laughed and laughed! This book had many kidnapping attempts, Jessie learning to fly (😆), and alpha males being alpha males! Totally insane! We meet a Bigfoot too! Loads of fun!
Definitely read in order and get the Audible version over ebook or print! The narration is so terrific!!!

Erth

Rating: really liked it
Another wonderful installment. We follow Jessie as she feels her way through her newfound powers. When she summons help from unlikely places, it is a riot to watch it unfold. Let the awkwardness begin!

Snarktastic Sonja

Rating: really liked it
I had a hard time getting into this one. Why, I wailed to myself, why does this have to read like a "middle" book. I didn't want Jessie to date . . . she has already *found* the right guy, why not just *go* there.

Somewhere about the 3rd chapter, I found myself really not caring if this was a "middle" book, or just more on the adventure. The characters created in this series are an absolute riot and I laughed all the way through, from the gargoyle Earl (who insists he is now Mr. Tom), to the looney toons gardening, and crocheting vampire Edgar, and the old bitty unicorn Naimh (and WHO KNEW that was pronounced Neeve). Are they over the top? Yes. But, they are drawn so creatively and so well that I just do not care. Or maybe the over the topness is what makes me love them. And, poor Jessie - just trying to keep sane when dealing with not only her nutty caretakers but the house that keeps wanting to use creepy dolls to save the day.

As I was reading and enjoying this "middle" book, I realized that this adventure *had* to happen. We couldn't actually get to the finale we are all hoping comes without the growth that happens here. While I could have done without the misdirecting arrival of a hunk of a gargoyle to set up a stupid love triangle, at least it was over quickly. (Though, I suspect we may not have seen the last of it.)

Ultimately, this book isn't about Jessie at all. She knows where she is and what she is doing. She is trying to learn her magic and make her way through this new world she has been thrust into. This book is about Austin, who knows what he is and what he should be but not how to get there. Jessie, with some help from her crazy cadre, shows him the way, and he arrives safely. OK, he at least arrives.

I am not sure how many books are planned for this series, and if this will finally *be* a middle book, but the events that unfold here are necessary for the story to move forward. They are not just filler pages to get from beginning to end. And, the ride is quite enjoyable.

Only 4 stars. Because - yea I could have done with the "romance" scene.

Sarah

Rating: really liked it
Magical Midlife Dating is the second book in K.F. Breene's Levelling Up series (if you haven't already read Magical Midlife Madness I'd highly recommend reading that book first) and it was another fun instalment.

I really love main character Jessie, at 40 she's older than a lot heroines and because of that she's confident in her own skin and knows what she wants from life. She spent her whole life not knowing that supernatural creatures were real so she's been really thrown in at the deep end by her move to a small town full of shapeshifters, vampires, gargoyles and more. Since taking over running Ivy House and inheriting her own magical powers Jessie has had a steep learning curve and knowing that she has dangerous enemies closing in means she needs to level up her abilities fast if she wants to be able to protect herself and the people she's coming to care about.

This series has been so much fun to read so far. The characters living in and around Ivy House are totally bonkers in the best kind of ways and I really enjoy the group banter and watching Jessie figure out how to reign in everyone's crazy impulses. I also really love the friendship between her and the town alpha, polar bear shifter Austin, I have high hopes for those two if Austin is ever willing to admit his feelings. This story sees an influx of gargoyles who arrive ready and willing to help Jessie learn to harness her magic, some I like more than others but it was definitely fun seeing them try to sort out their places in the hierarchy.

These books are really fun and easy reads and I can't wait to continue the series.

Katyana

Rating: really liked it
This series is so dang fun. It gets a little preachy at times - some refrain about how women are trained/brainwashed by society to accept being second class citizens/objectified/to only dress a certain way after 40/etc. is repeated about a half dozen times in the book. But it is a minor quibble, honestly. Across the board I just had serious fun.

In the next book, I really hope Austin decides to either shit or get off the pot, though. He sure spends a lot of time coming up with reasons why he can't have or be or do what he wants.

Also, it must be said: those dolls are fucking creepy.

Lisa

Rating: really liked it
K f Breene amazing quality and craziness

The first was absolutely hilarious but this one was a bit more serious
The first book managed to have an insane amount of humour, so it fit perfectly into the flow. This one wasn't as funny.
I really loved reading Austin’s side as well really liked this aspect and Mr Tom and Niamh's banter is brilliant.
This amazing book will reel you into its pages and not let you go!

Laurie

Rating: really liked it
3 1/2 ⭐️’s this was another fun entry in this series. Jess starts dating some duds with disastrous results and comes into her power while dealing with her elderly crew of protectors and fending off her attraction to her hunky alpha-not-alpha buddy. It made me laugh and for that it gets many stars.

Heather Rainwater-Alvarado

Rating: really liked it
After LOVING book 1 and reading it several times, I obviously had high expectations for the next book in the series, and Breene didn’t disappoint. I sincerely applaud her for facing midlife dating head on without candy-coating anything. As a reader, you get sucked in easily and begin empathizing with Jessie on a whole other level. The hilarity of Jesse attempting (and failing) at online dating is epic and enthralling. The danger of being captured by other competing powerhouses is slow-building and takes a backseat to the dating for much of the book. The two plots somewhat conflict at times in the beginning before resolving into a cohesive story by the end. It’s refreshing that other men are introduced as potential love interests for Jessie instead of staying with Austin which would be easiest for Breene to write.

When Jessie stumbles through learning her powers and ends up summoning several waves of potential council-members to join her team, it gives the book an Avengers vibe again (similar to Sin & Lightning in her Demigods series). Yet unlike Avengers, Breene isn’t afraid of introducing characters that may or may not be a perfect fit for the team and the reader has to continue along the journey to see if they make the cut. And there may even be losses along the way. Even the main established characters encounter twists in their abilities making everything new and exciting. We see new species introduced, yet mostly gargoyles in this book, so I can’t wait to see what comes in the next wave of summons. I never thought even the main characters would have new twists, which makes me even more excited for the next book in the series. It’s brilliant. The main conflict certainly wraps up, but a new hook is set making you want the next book as soon as possible.

Georgiana

Rating: really liked it
Magical Midlife Dating was a great read. Breene is talented, IMO. And I don't think I'm spoiling anything when I write that she makes great use of murderous dolls. Yep, the old murder doll trope. I laughed a ton while reading about them and some other (probably goofy) action.

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Magical Midlife Dating (Leveling Up #2)

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