I particularly liked the way he was so afraid of Jem’s mom when he was trying to muster the courage to ask for her hand in marriage. I love the Sean in this one and how adorably gruff he is. I really enjoyed getting a look at the beginning of the Sean/Jem saga, and seeing how that first pair managed to “make it”. If you read Darkness and Light, you understand what that means. In this short, we meet the original Sean and Jem (circa 1800’s). I read Darkness and Light, the first novel in the Holloway Pack series, so I was really interested to see what this prequel novella had in store for me. A must read for the YA Urban Fantasy fans out there, or anyone looking for a sweet romantic adventure. Reece’s gift for vibrant description and emotionally rich characters makes this story a real winner in my book.

Suffice to say, my 17yr old daughter - who also read Crux (and LOVED IT) is keeping her eyes open for her own “Grey”. Sexy, rich, and completely head over heels for Birdie. I mentioned above there was some romance in the tale as well, and the male lead Grey Matthews is just the kind of guy any teenage girl would swoon over.

I’m not one to put spoilers in a review, so I wont go into the plot line any more than that, but I can say the mission she ends up embarking on is full of history, mystery, monks and Vikings - what a combination! After a very strange day that finds Birdie coming into some cash, and more attention than she could ever want, she learns there may just be something special about her and her bloodline. The kind of female lead I just love to get behind. She’s got spunk, sarcasm, and street sense. My opinion has not changed.Ĭrux is an YA Urban Fantasy (romance) featuring a down, but not out homeless girl, Rebecca Orin–who everyone calls Birdie. Okay, I should preface what is to come with the disclaimer that I read this as a BETA before it was submitted for publication and loved it then, so I took little risk in reading the final version.

Crux by Julie Reece