Thank you to Netgally, the publishers, and Paige E. Ewing

When I requested this book I was unaware that it was apart of a series, one that requires you to read the previous books for this one to make sense. I am unable to read all the previous books along with this one before the publish date. Therefore, I will rate this a fair 3/5 stars and will adjust the rating and review when I am able to read all the books in the series along with this one.

This was such and original story line. I like it and thought that it was a great book. I enjoyed it and I will definitely read the next book in this series.
I just reviewed Red String Theory by Lauren Kung Jessen. #RedStringTheory #NetGalley
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Unfortunately this book just wasn’t for me. I really wanted to like it, as it has everything I normally enjoy in a book. Alas, I couldn’t really get into it.

I enjoyed this book and I haven’t done
Much research on the author but I will be looking to see if there are other books

I love seeing a nerodivergent, especially anxiety ridden, MC. Having social anxiety myself, it is refreshing. Also, wonderful world building.

Explosive Chemistry is a unique and imaginative read! I loved Paige's world-building full of wonderful characters. I highly recommend for anyone who likes to read warm and fuzzy fantasy.

Seeing into the future and staring down the potential deaths of her friends, spider-seer Liliana sieves through scenarios to save them, all the while training them for the inevitable dangers that lay ahead. Set in a futuristic world where the world is healing, nature is reclaiming its place, and the fae are returning.

The story is relatively fast-paced, and the characters each have their own strengths and oddities. There was one point where I thought the dialogue was written awkwardly until I realized that was just how awkward Liliana was in social settings. I wish she had been less juvenile when interacting with others. Her conversations with Janice are easy to read. With some of the other characters, Liliana is clueless about how to speak to people.

I also didn’t realize that this was the second novel in a series, so I will say that the summary of the last book in chapter one was excellent. There was enough information to put together what happened and the relationships between the characters. This book has piqued my interest in the series enough that I already have the first book purchased and waiting on my to-read shelf!

After years of socially isolating herself, Liliana realizes that she likes having friends. Unfortunately, the people she just befriended live dangerous lives, and Liliana foresees their deaths in the near future. Using her spider seer abilities, Liliana needs to figure out how to keep her new friends alive and safe, even if it may require her to risk her own life in the process.

As in the first book, Liliana has a very unique perspective on the world. There's probably an official term for her social issues and alternative way of dealing with the world, and I don't want to insult anyone by mislabeling it, but it adds a lot to the story, and makes this book refreshingly different from most other urban fantasies.

While the blurb indicates that this is a romance, there was very little action on that front. It's obvious that there will eventually be a relationship between Liliana and her crush, but it's verrrrry slow burn, and they barely talk to each other. Liliana is too busy focusing on saving Pete and the others' lives. I'm ok with that. I like when the plot focuses on an actual plot instead of using the plot as an excuse for a romance.

Liliana has a straightforward view of the world. Her simplistic relationships and interactions and her blunt honesty makes this a cozy read, and her spider woman abilities keeps the plot moving.

I had enjoyed the first book in this series and this had everything that I enjoyed about that. The characters had a great feel to them and I thought they worked overall with the world that was set up. I enjoyed the way Paige E. Ewing wrote this and can’t wait for more.

My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and City Owl Press. I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

Genre: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy
Spice Level: Low-Medium (nothing is on the page but sexual relationships are mentioned)
Romance: Slow burn
Representation: LGBTQ side-characters, Fantasy creatures, Neurodiverse
Language: Low—I don't remember any profanity

EXPLOSIVE CHEMISTRY starts right where book one ended. Liliana is working through how to save her friends. After avoiding community and interaction, she's come to find that she enjoys having people in her life again. She's still working on that whole social interaction thing which leads to fun moments with subtext that she doesn't understand. It makes me realize how often subtext is used.

I've found these characters to be unexpected and multi-layered. It's a fun, fast read. You will need to start at book one for the full impact of the story. I love how we have a resolution to a problem but there are still future problems to be solved. I feel like we make progress in the book.

I recommend this book.

Happy reading!

I honestly can’t believe this series isn’t more widely known, I loved the first book and this sequel continues the story in a very satisfying direction. It has everything I want in a good story, including: interesting and flawed characters with organic and earned growth, original world-building while being based in strong fantasy traditions, full of diversity without feeling the the author was ticking off a diversity check-list, and lastly it combines my favourite sub genres in fantasy: murder mystery, slow-burn romance and cozy/slice of life storytelling. If you’re a fan of urban fantasy but struggling to find new stories that aren’t derivative or poorly written - this is definitely a hidden gem! I look forward to continuing the series and will definitely pick up the next instalment.

This book is well written with good plot and character development. If you're looking for happy ever after, you have chose the right book! I recommend it. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to review this book

Really loved the writing style of this book, fairly low stakes but was a warm cosy read and I really liked the romance aspect too

As always there are obstacles in love. Can a fortune teller solve the mystery of murder? Who killed the soldiers and why? With the help of a Fae Colonel can they solve the mystery and conquer love? Read this book to find out!

Beautifully written. Good character and plot development. A little action, a few obstacles, but love wins in the end. Plus, a happily ever after.