K.F. Breene is an author known for her Magical Midlife series. This series is a fusion of urban fantasy and humor, following the adventures of a middle-aged woman named Orla who discovers she has magical abilities. The series consists of several books that delve into Orla's new life and the challenges she faces in navigating the magical world. In Magical Midlife, Orla is introduced as a divorced, single mother who feels stuck in a monotonous life.
In Magical Midlife, Orla is introduced as a divorced, single mother who feels stuck in a monotonous life. However, everything changes when she receives a mysterious pendant that unlocks her magical powers. As she embraces her newfound abilities, Orla discovers a hidden world of witches, vampires, and other supernatural beings.
Review: Magical Midlife Madness by K.F. Breene
Reviewer: Holly
Magical Midlife Madness by K.F. Breene
Series: Leveling Up #1
Publisher: Self-Published
Publication Date: February 16, 2020
Format: eBook
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Point-of-View: Alternating First and Third Person
Cliffhanger: View Spoiler » Yes « Hide Spoiler
Content Warning: View Spoiler » Violence, Gore « Hide Spoiler
Genres: Paranormal Romance
Pages: 376
Add It: Goodreads
Reading Challenges: Holly's 2020 Goodreads Challenge
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Series Rating:
"Happily Ever After" wasn't supposed to come with a do-over option. But when my husband of twenty years packs up and heads for greener pastures and my son leaves for college, that's exactly what my life becomes. Do-over.
This time, though, I plan to do things differently. Age is just a number, after all, and at forty I'm ready to carve my own path. Eager for a fresh start, I make a somewhat unorthodox decision and move to a tiny town in the Sierra foothills. I'll be taking care of a centuries-old house that called to me when I was a kid. It's just temporary, I tell myself. It'll just be for a while. That is until I learn what the house really is, something I never could've imagined.
Thankfully forty isn't too old to start an adventure, because that's exactly what I do. A very dangerous adventure that will change my life forever. I have a chance to start again, and this time, I make the rules.
Magical Midlife Madness is the first book in K.F. Breene’s Leveling Up series, which is women’s fiction rather than her traditional romance. I’m not sure why I haven’t picked this series up before now. I like KF Breene’s writing and always enjoy her stories. I think this one just wasn’t on my radar until recently.
Jacinta recently turned 40 and her whole life changed. Her son went away to college and her husband asked for a divorce – something she felt only relief about. She ends up moving in with her parents, but a single day there makes her realize that isn’t going to work. Lucky for her, her best friend’s aunt is looking for a caretaker for the family mansion, Ivy House. Everyone else finds it creepy and weird, but the one time Jacinta visited as a child she fell in love with it.
Now she’s surrounded by grumpy old people – the strange butler, gardener, and ancient neighbor who can drink her under the table – and trying to deal with some strange goings-on in the town and the house. Most shocking of all? Jacinta learns the house is actually magical and so are the townsfolk..and the house has chosen her as its new Mistress. She’ll have to decide if she’s willing to accept the house’s magic, or if it’s all too much for her.
“I am not going to call you by your full name, I’ll tell you that right now. The lot of you are crazy. I’m not climbing aboard that train.”
“And yet, you just debated on the merits of slitting a perfect stranger from neck to navel versus navel to neck, and decided on stabbing and ripping any way you chose.”
“Yeah. That’s just logic.”
It started a bit slow, but about 1/4 of the way through it picked up. I was really cracking up at some of the antics of Jessie (Jacinta). She was a strong woman who had fully accepted where she was at in her life and I loved that. I also loved how she managed her new life. She accepted that she wasn’t perfect and made mistakes, but she was comfortable with where she was now. She also wasn’t afraid to speak her mind or call out others when needed. I really enjoyed the mature conversations she had with Austin Steele, the undeclared alpha. She makes him think, and he does the same for her. I appreciated that.
“I hear you,” he said softly. “I never put stock in any of that—the taunting about being ladies—but I didn’t see the bigger picture, either. Just like earlier tonight—no one has ever spelled out the dangers women face when a man asserts himself as I did. That blindsided me. So much of tonight has blindsided me. In my life, when it comes to this, I feel like I’ve been…blindfolded in a way. Not blind, because if I would’ve looked, I would’ve seen, but…” He shook his head. “I’m gobsmacked. Thank you. I’ll be more conscious of this going forward.”
There isn’t a romance in this book, which worked well for where Jessie is at in her life. She needs time to figure out other things, and I liked that Breene is giving us that. There could be something here for later books, but right now friendship is at the forefront.
I did think it got a little preachy for a minute with the whole ‘love yourself as you are’ and ‘middle-age is okay’ stuff. I don’t disagree with the sentiment at all, and in fact, love the message, but it came across a little heavy-handed at times. Not so much that I didn’t enjoy the book, but just enough that I noticed it.
“Raise your voice until you are heard. Look however you want, be whoever you want, and demand people pay attention to you. Stop taking what you’re given, and demand the space in life you want.”
If you’re looking for a fun read full of humor, with mature characters who are figuring out the next stage of their lives amidst unforeseen craziness, I highly recommend this book.
Rating: 4 out of 5
“His mood had shifted. Darkened, like it had fallen down a well, and was now worried about a basket of lotion and a hose.”
― K.F. Breene, Magical Midlife Madness
Throughout the series, Orla undergoes a journey of self-discovery and growth, learning to harness her powers and adapt to the magical community. She forms friendships and alliances with other magical beings, facing various obstacles and enemies along the way. One of the key aspects of the Magical Midlife series is the humor and wit infused into the narrative. K.F. Breene balances the fantastical elements with Orla's relatable humor, creating an entertaining and engaging read. The dialogue and interactions between the characters add to the light-hearted tone of the series, making it a delightful experience for fans of urban fantasy and comedy. The Magical Midlife series has garnered a loyal following due to its captivating storytelling and charismatic characters. K.F. Breene's writing style and ability to blend humor and fantasy have made this series a popular choice for readers seeking an enjoyable and entertaining read. Overall, the Magical Midlife series by K.F. Breene is a delightful fusion of urban fantasy and humor. It follows the journey of a middle-aged woman embracing her magical abilities and navigating a hidden world of supernatural beings. With its relatable protagonist, witty dialogue, and captivating storytelling, this series is sure to enchant fans of the genre..
Reviews for "Embracing the Magic of Midlife: Insights from KF Breene's Magical Midlife Series"
1. John - 2/5 - I found "Kf Breene Magical Midlife" to be quite underwhelming. The storyline was too predictable and lacked depth. The characters also fell flat for me, with little development or unique traits. I was hoping for a captivating magical world, but instead, it felt cliché and lacking in originality. I couldn't connect with the protagonist, and the pacing felt off, with some scenes dragging on for too long. Overall, I was left disappointed and unengaged by this book.
2. Sarah - 1/5 - I was highly disappointed by "Kf Breene Magical Midlife." The writing style felt amateurish, with clunky dialogue and repetitive descriptions. The plot was formulaic, following the typical tropes of the genre without bringing anything new to the table. The main character came across as whiny and unlikable, with little depth to her personality. Additionally, the romance felt forced and unrealistic, with no chemistry between the love interests. I struggled to finish this book and would not recommend it to anyone looking for an enjoyable magical read.
3. Emily - 2/5 - "Kf Breene Magical Midlife" had an interesting premise, but it failed to deliver on its potential. The world-building was weak, with little explanation or exploration of the magical elements. The plot felt rushed and lacked cohesiveness, jumping from one event to another with little connection. I was also disappointed by the lack of character development, as the protagonist remained one-dimensional throughout the story. The writing style was okay, but it didn't make up for the book's overall lackluster execution. I wouldn't recommend this book unless you're desperate for a quick, forgettable read.