Starcrossed

3.5 stars. A lot of fun, but a few things kept me from giving it a full 4. First of all, this is definitely not a standalone novel. Therin doesn't spend anytime recapping [b:Spellbound 43620442 Spellbound (Magic in Manhattan, #1) Allie Therin https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1553212283l/43620442.SY75.jpg 67881581]; she just dives right in. So make sure you familiarize yourself with the events of the first book before you start Starcrossed. Frankly, a few phrases here and there to allude to characters and events from Spellbound would have helped me feel fully engaged in this one right from the start. I love Arthur and Rory so much, and was worried that there would be major (and artificial) impediments thrown in their way to provide more drama to their relationship. I'm happy to report that doesn't happen, but I was frustrated that there were too many chapters in which they were off doing their own things sometimes intentionally, sometimes because one of them is captured by the baddies. There are moments to cherish as the two continue to learn about each other; Arthur tries (pretty unsuccessfully) to rein in his over-protectiveness and Rory tries (slightly more successfully) to have faith that his rich, handsome “Ace” really does want a scrawny, grouchy, cute, secretly kind guy with no money. Each interaction between them is memorable, notably a night that they spend in a monastery in which Rory opens up about his difficult childhood in a way that shows how much he trusts Arthur. And predictably Arthur's ex-lover shows up, but the mistrust and jealousy you would expect takes a surprising and welcome turn. So I loved them together, I just hated all the pages that they were apart. The plot is okay, although it takes a little while to really get any momentum, and I'm still a little confused about who all of the bad guys are and what they want with the magic relics. It's fun watching Rory coming into his powers more and more, even if he seems more befuddled than secure in their use. The other paranormals have minor but significant roles to play, and I'm hoping in the next book we get to see young Pavel find the peace that he deserves. Therin may not be the most polished writer (she has the habit of using awkward contractions with the word “had” e.g. “Arthur'd be up soon too, but he'd be busy helping Harry, so Rory'd stay out of his hair”) but she infuses her characters with so much energy and charm that it's easy to overlook the lapses. The 1920's setting is catnip to me, and she even gets the Philadelphia peanut chews right (Goldenberg's, famous since 1917!). I'm looking forward to Wonderstruck in 2021 (if we all live that long) and hope the saga continues even after that. ARC gratefully received from Net Galley in exchange for honest review.