Thank You, NetGalley for this Arc!
I was so excited about this and it didn't disappoint. I was a little nervous because there were mixed reviews and I understand why some felt that this book was not as exciting( regarding the pace of the story). I agree that this could have wrapped in a duology, but I don't mind seeing them continue for another book. I love the characters and the story. It has been a long time for me to read a book based on the witch world for so long, which is why I LOVED serpent&dove. I can't wait until the third book!!!!!

The romance and the action in the second book in the Serpent & Dove series is just as sizzling and thrilling as the first book. Mahurin continues to build out this world and adds more witches and werewolves to the mix this time. The tension remains high throughout the read and the cliffhangers at the end will keep readers waiting anxiously for the next book in the series. The only flat note in this read for me was the development of Lou and Reid's relationship. Their emotions remain fraught and turbulent and the whole thing pushed the drama a little too far for my taste and wrapped it up a little too easily in the end. I will definitely be continuing with the series.

NON-STOP action, twists and turns, surprises, excitement! I had thought this was a duology going into the book and had my heart absolutely broken when it ended on a cliff-hanger. Now I have to wait for book #3...sigh.

I read Serpent & Dove last year and enjoyed it. Like many readers, I thought that it was fast paced with fun characters, and anticipated the sequel. This book definitely struggles from middle book syndrome and this trilogy would have been better served as a duology. Very little happened for much of the book, with a lot of it feeling incredibly repetitive from the last book. While things did eventually get more exciting, the buildup to it wasn't necessary so it didn't end up feeling worth it.

The characters made a lot of ridiculous choices that didn't always seem to further the plot or their own characterizations (at times I have to wonder how Lou managed to survive so long being a persecuted member of society that is hunted down when she makes so many ridiculous choices, which at least in the last book seemed more understandable), and Lou and Reid's romance felt incredibly juvenile and cliched, where as in the last book they had a nice chemistry. Oftentimes in this book they argued about magic or were being horny and had to be told by the people around them to knock it off.

I'm still going to check out the third book, hopefully it lives up to our expectations!

I was pleasantly surprised how much I loved Serpent & Dove. I expected it to be super cliche with a witch and a huntsman falling in love. The french setting and culture added to the stereotypes I had built up in my head for the story. However, I got lost in the story and it proved to be the perfect quarantine escape. When the sequel showed up on my list to be reviewed, I leapt at the chance to read it. Overall, it wasn't the best read of the year. But it did continue where the first one left off. Lou's mom is setting a trap to kill her once again - this time most likely, it'll be at the archbishop's funeral. Lou and her friends split the party to rally allies to their cause. It doesn't always work out in their favor, but they do everything they can to persuade potential allies. They go to blood witches, the werewolves, the even the king to beg for an alliance. All the while, Reid finds out more about his magical side and Lou slips more into darkness. Beware, one of my favorite characters dies and it's not okay.

While I rarely love sequels, I did enjoy this one... until the end. The story is a whirlwind jilted romance that breezes between Lou's and Reid's point of view. This is a rare storyline where I find that I love the side characters than the main ones. Claud, Coco, Ansel, Blaise, Beau, Manon, Gaby, and even Jean Luc captured my imagination more than Lou and Reid. I would love to read side stories about them. A few characters seemed to be thrown in and some storylines don't seem to go anywhere. Baz makes a limited appearance and I love him, but it doesn't enhance the story much. Lou and Reid are thrown together and fall apart more times than I can remember and it made my head spin to keep track if they were on good or bad terms. And the end just seems like a way to continue the series on.

Overall, it's worth the read to find out what happens between Lou and Reid. Their personal drama/love drives the plot. I am glad things get messy and it's not a perfect story line. If anything, read it to find out who joins Lou's team and who turns their back on her.

I LOVED THIS BOOK. I loved the deeper dive into characters and I loved the overall story. I laughed and I sobbed. A worthy sequel and I cannot wait for book 3!

Will be sharing a more detailed review and photos on socials approximately 10 days after the book is released. Just waiting on the physical copy I ordered from Shelby’s indie bookstore.

**4.5-5 Stars**

Blood & Honey was an action-packed thrill ride of a read that put our displaced heroes in a fight for their lives against potential allies, villains, and the many prejudices of a population of people. Mahurin unabashedly tore apart relationships, character’s identities, and loyalties while not shying away from the messy, sad complications of war—both external and internal. And through it all, avoided the dreaded slowness of a middle book in a trilogy by making it impossible to tear my eyes from everything happening within its pages.

All is not safe in Cesarine and I felt it every step of the way. But what was felt most strongly was the deep physical & emotional connection that was still wrapped around our beloved Lou and Reid. That though the outside world was doing everything to make them question who and what they were, their bond was still ever present—in the way they comforted, supported, and fought for one another. With Mahurin’s skill and storytelling remaining constant between books, it was as if we had never left them for the last year, making it incredibly easy to fall back into this world very quickly. For all the action and excitement and narrative advancement this book put me through (happily, really), I would’ve loved a few more slower moments to let the story breathe some and to let the characters have some reprieve against all the outside forces—but that’s just me, I’m greedy for the quieter moments that sometimes speak louder than the wild ones.

Even with a cliffhanger ending that made me snarl in (mock) frustration, Blood & Honey was a fantastic read written by a talented author whose characters speak volumes simply with the way they’re written. There are no words for how unjust the wait will be for the final installment and I know I’ll be starting back at the beginning again soon.

This was such a fun sequel. I love this cast of characters so much so I was very excited to revisit them. I love a group of witty friends more than anything in books so I love to watch those scenes unravel for the first time. I do think I liked the first installment much more than this one, but sequels rarely outshine the first book for me. I liked seeing classic witchcraft ideas come to life and learn more about the different witches in the series though. But.....the ending. WHAT?

Shelby Mahurin is back with a sequel to the acclaimed Serpent & Dove. This novel begins where the former left off with the protagonists on the run from Lou’s mother. Unlike, Serpent & Dove though, Blood & Honey is slow and repetitive. Some new characters are introduced, but the storylines of the main characters do not go anywhere. They have the same arguments and use the same tropes as the first book: Lou is reckless with her magic, Reid still doesn’t like magic, Lou teases Reid with curse words, and all of this causes still the same problems in their relationship. Nothing is resolved, and this novel feels like its sole purpose is to coast so that readers stick around for the third installment in the series. Readers get the point of view of both Lou and Reid in alternating chapters, but even trying to understand each perspective, the reader is just left upset at both characters. VERDICT: I loved Serpent & Dove, but the sequel leaves much to be desired.

I re-read Serpent & Dove before diving into the sequel, and was a little disappointed in Blood & Honey. I adored S & D so much. Lou and Reid were phenomenal characters and I just didn't get that same momentum in B & H as I did in the first book. I don't know what was lacking, but something is missing that the first book nails.

Wow. Just, wow. I don't know if I have the words to describe my feelings after this book, because right now the only word in my head is AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

I am thoroughly pleased that Mahurin was able to maintain the rambunctious and alluring personality that is Lou throughout book two, especially with all the insanity that was going on around her. Lou is one of my favorite fictional characters, and she was just as dazzling in this book as she was in the first. Reid definitely showed a lot of growth after some serious battles with his internal demons. I was proud of the progress he made. Coco still shined in her supporting role, a solid pillar of a friend for Lou. And then.... do not get me started on THAT part / person. My heart is still wounded and suffering and I cannot go there right now.

I saw other reviewers say that they found this to be a filler novel and that the middle dragged. I do not feel the same. I love the interaction between all these characters. There are some new people we got to meet in that middle who turned out to be VERY interesting. Those new characters also had vibrant personalities that drew me into their involvement in this story. I was continually entertained by each new phase of the story. The only times I was not happy was whenever the chasseurs arrived, which given their role, is understandable.

I am completely in love with this series and after the epic conclusion to book two, my heart and soul will be screaming in a pit of despair until I get my hands on book three. Mahurin, I salute you. Fantastic job.

Fans who loved the first book won’t be disappointed in the second. Lou and Reid are now navigating life outside the confines of the tower and dealing with the fall out of what happened during the confrontation of Morgane. Reid is confronting a new identity and Lou is struggling to keep in touch with her own. I enjoyed the realistic emotions that played in their own heads and dealing with the conflict they have for one another. This is a transitional book, ones of gathering alliances, expanding world building and setting things up for a finale. The bawdy humor, steamy romance and typical snarkiness are all there is true form. But that ending was devastating. I’m not ready to talk about it quite yet...

I NEED THE NEXT ONE IN MY HANDS NOW.

I loved this. I thought I might need to re-read S&D again before starting this, but the first page had me dropped right back there like I’d never left. I really enjoyed this one. There was a lot of action and moments that had me literally in the edge of my seat. I enjoyed the sprinkling of romance and thought it was the perfect amount to not overtake the story. The last couple chapters had me crying and staying up too late to finish the book.
I’m upset that this one isn’t even out yet and I have an eternity to wait for the next installment.

Blood & Honey started as a solid sequel to the wonderful Serpent and Dove. It immediately picked up where the previous one left off and hit the reader with one action sequence after another. Newly introduced characters are engaging and riveting and help to hold the reader through the mess that is the relationship between the main two.

As far as straight storytelling goes, the plot itself was a bit of a let down. Especially when following such a hard hitter like its first title. Lou and Reid in the very first book were both lovable characters in their own right and the reader enjoyed the build of their relationship before it finally comes to a head in the end. Blood & Honey takes all of the initial relationship build between the two main characters and shatters it. Not to mention completely disregards the side character relationships with the main two as well as each other. What once was a budding romance between a witch and a Chasseur in training turns into heartbreak akin to a teenage drama, pulling the reader away from the main narrative and relationship.

The narrative continues to suffer because suddenly Lou and Reid are attempting to figure each other out yet again, overcome past traumas that have left them weakened as main voices, and still attempt to hold some semblance of plot and storytelling aspects.

The ending suffers from "character death shock" syndrome, reduces Lou to less than her initial character when she doesn't see a betrayal coming and just allows it to happen to her, and Reid spends 90% of the book arguing with himself, Lou, and attempting to yet again figure out who he is and where he stands.

Overall, I found this book to be a bit of a let down. Especially when it was one of my most anticipated releases of 2020.

An excellent follow up to the first in the series. A little darker, more intense, and just as passionate.

Fans of Serpent & Dove are not going to want to miss this sequel!

Blood & Honey picks up where Serpent & Dove left off, and our favorite characters must now figure out how to defeat Morgane while also dealing with their own inner demons. Reid must come to terms with who he truly is, all while watching the witch he loves fall deeper down a dark path. Lou, Reid, and the rest of their party will make new friends and a few new enemies as they travel the land, but their biggest test will be their love for each other.

This sequel was just as fascinating as the first book. Lou and Reid continue to grow as characters and their world expands like never before. Shelby Mahurin brings in new types of characters while still staying true to what readers loved in Serpent & Dove. With a whole lot of action, and characters that will keep you guessing, Blood & Honey is a fantastic second installment in Mahurin's fantasy world.

As I feared, Blood and Honey has suffered from the "Curse of the Second Book." I absolutely loved the relationship developments established between Lou and Reid in "Serpent & Dove". But the insecurity, magical stumbles, and foibles lack...well, magic. The first book was a dangerous, humorous, and sexy race to a finish line you didn't even know you wanted to run. Whereas in Blood and Honey, Mahurin tells you at the beginning where the finish line is. And the rest of the book is simply reading how the characters slog through the journey, making questionable decisions, and embark on their own herky-jerky journies of self-discoveries. I still love the characters. I love the development of Cosette's world and the development of Madame Labelle's character. And I'm sure I'm going to read the 3rd book (there has to be one now!!) which I know will be fantastic.

I enjoyed this but didn’t love it. Reid drove me nuts. He was so moody and annoying. That kind of damped the book for me. I’ll still read the next one though because that ending.......

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me a free copy of this book for a review. All opinions are my own.

I'm hiding this entire review because I don't want to risk spoiling anything since this book doesn't come out for another month.

I rated it 3 stars. I'll try and get into WHY i did.

<i>"Together, all of us - humans, witches, werewolves, maybe even mermaids - we have a chance to change the world."</i>

the general summary of this book starts out right where the last book ended. after rescuing Lou, and our group is on the run, trying to gather their allies to start a war against Morgane Le Blanc. The book then follows Lou using magic, and turning dark, and Reid not wanting to use magic at all.

I'm really trying not to say it wasn't annoying, but it was very annoying. It was to the point where they were having constant fights about it. The characters were almost acting out of character? I loved the first book, and this was so dull in comparrsion. At several points I wanted to slap Lou and Reid both, because they were both annoying.

This book is way darker then the first. I'll just say that. There's a huge cop out at the end. I'm not going to spoil that one. But oh boy. You guys are going to really be angry over this. The last 50 or so pages of the book was a wild ride.

I rated it 3/5 stars. I enjoyed it, but overall it was just not as great as the first, and the characters were just awful people.

UMMM THAT ENDING??? I’M STILL SCREAMING!

Okay this was really really really good. There were a few missteps here and there... just some things plot wise that were brought up and then forgotten about. BUT WOW THIS WAS GOOD!! THE GANG’S BACK!!

It reads exactly like the first one as in there’s the action the romance the angst but this was one was so much more elaborate because it expanded on Lou’s and Reid’s world and it fleshed them out more as characters. I would recommend reading the first one before this just because you get thrusted back into the world pretty quickly but you won’t be disappointed.

This was exactly what I wanted!! It served me typical Lou and Reid angst with romance and fluff!!!!

I loved how we were introduced to more people especially fantasy wise and our secondary character we saw more of.

If you loved serpent & dove you’re going to LOOOVE this because this is literally what we asked for. Shelby Mahurin delivered us this gem wrapped in a big red bow on a silver platter.