Friday, May 20, 2016

Review: All Fixed Up By Linda Grimes

Title: All Fixed Up
Author: Linda Grimes
Series: Book Four in the Ceil Halligan Series
Published By: Tor Books (May 24, 2016)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: Urban Fantasy
My Rating: 4 Stars



Book Description:
The hilarious adventures of human chameleon Ciel Halligan continue in the fourth installment of this original urban fantasy series from Linda Grimes, All Fixed Up.

Ciel Halligan, aura adaptor extraordinaire, has a lot of experience filling in for her clients--as them. A rare genetic quirk gives her the ability to absorb human energy and project it back out in a flawless imitation. She's hard at work, posing as a well-known and celebrated astronaut, about to make a stunning announcement on behalf of the space program...when the photographer documenting the job sees right through her aura. Worse, it soon becomes apparent that he not only knows Ciel’s not who she's supposed to be, but means her harm.

When Ciel's elderly Aunt Helen—also an aura adaptor—is murdered in Central Park, and the same photographer shows up at the funeral, Ciel starts to feel even more exposed. Then more adaptors are killed in the same way, and she becomes terrified her friends and family are being systematically exterminated ... and it's starting to look like she's the ultimate target. She turns to Billy Doyle, her best-friend-turned-boyfriend, for help, but when an unexpected crisis causes him to take off without a word, she's left to rely on her not-so-former crush, CIA agent Mark Fielding.


Staying alive, keeping control of her romantic life, and unraveling the mystery of why adaptors are being pursued becomes a harder balancing act than ever in this new Ciel Halligan adventure from Linda Grimes.











This series is so much fun. So different from most urban fantasies,  with humor interwoven along with mystery and romance and of course a very unique aspect of adaptors. 

You won't find witches, or demons, or vampires or werewolves here, instead, you will find magic of a different sort. 

This series has been fun and entertaining from the beginning and this latest release wasn't any different. While it is packed full of action and adventures it is also more family and romance oriented. It truly is a nice balance and a lighter one as well even amidst all the danger Ciel manages to always get herself wrapped up in. 

I was reminded all over again why I love Ciel, Billy, Mark, and the whole Hannigan gang, even if I did want to shake Billy more times than I could count. In fact, my opinion of him changed a bit in this and sadly, not for the better. This has always been a love triangle that worked for me which I don't say often but this time, this time I found myself rooting for the underdog more often than not. And while I love both guys and that will never change, it was hard seeing Ciel make some of the choices she did.

Nonetheless, this was still a fun outrageous read full of laughs, danger, and action, and it didn't take me long to once again get completely wrapped up in Grimes' writing and in her characters. 


Overall another outstanding novel in the series. 




*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

58 comments:

  1. Urban Fantasy?? That cover definitely doesn't reflect that!
    But from your review, it sounds like a book and series that I need to check out. I love books with humor as you know, so it will be right up my alley!
    Lovely review, Ali! :)

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    1. I know it doesn't, none of them do for whatever reason. Maybe because the romance is such a huge part of it?

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  2. But. But the love triangle! I don't know. I enjoyed the first book I just haven't continued because of that aspect of the story.

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    1. It definitely plays a big part to the storyline Joy, in all the books.

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  3. I think I gave the first book in this series to my mother in law to read Ali, I feel like I need to get it back now as a series all about humor, family and romance is just what I'm in the mood for! Lovely review as always:)

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    1. It is about that for sure and if you can handle the triangle, then it really is fantastic. ;)

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  4. This sounds like a good series! I agree with Nick up there, this cover really doesn't reflect urban fantasy at all. That being said I'm glad this one is different than other urban fantasies. I'll have to check it out! 😀

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    1. I know kind of strange but it is a nice surprise to have it be that when you aren't expecting it from the cover. :)

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  5. It's great when a book is a fun entrancing read. But who's the photographing ass-hat?

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  6. I'll never understand how you are able to read and review so many things at once. You're making me look bad! =P

    As you might know, I've been on a UF binge lately and I'm surprised that I haven't seen this one around more, especially if it already has four books out. The fact that it focuses less on weres and vamps and more on lesser known magic is definitely a perk. I'll have to look into it!


    Brittany @ Space Between the Spines

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    1. Oh gosh don't think that way! Some of them are back logged reviews I never had time to post from months ago so it probably seems like I read way more than I have been lately. I was a reading machine last year but sadly this year not as much. ;)
      That said though, I always make time of this series, it is just fun and different and hard to resist.

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  7. This sounds super cute -- I've never even heard of this author or series so I'm definitely intrigued now! Going to check it out, great review! Have a lovely weekend! ♥

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  8. I have NO idea why, BUT I feel that this book could be like a TV show! (It reminds me of Friends for some strange reason??) Maybe because of the cover! I'm glad you liked this girl! Thanks for sharing this jewel of a book with us! <3

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    1. Oh my gosh, this would make such a fun tv series!

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  9. What is this series?! I've been seeing book reviews for years and y'all are gushing about it. I must get into the bandwagon!

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    1. The books only pop up every year but they are fabulous and definitely underrated.

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  10. I do like some fun books! That's cool it's not like normal urban fantasy novels.

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  11. This sounds pretty good! I'll have to look up the first. I like urban fantasies that are lighter. So many of them are so dark and stressful.

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  12. I've only read the first book in this series and by now, I'd have to reread it. I so need to continue with the series but I don't like how the covers have changed. I keep forgetting it is the same series until I read the reviews.

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    1. Yeah I like the old first cover better as well, it looked ore UF than contemporary.

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  13. Now I kinda regret giving this book away.. except the person I have it too will probably appreciate it more, since I haven't read the previous books in the series. Great review!!

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    1. Yeah you definitely need to start at the beginning for this series. ;)

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  14. I reviewed two of these for LibraryJournal and really liked the concept and the characters. Hmmm it's time to pick it up and continue on. Thanks Ali

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    1. Glad you enjoyed the first two, I think the next two were even better. ;)

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  15. HaI would have never guessed UF!! I've never hear dog this series but this sound like something different that would be great to mix in to my normal reads. Great review!!

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    1. It's fun one, definitely lighter than most UFs.

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  16. I loved the humor in this series, but the love triangle killed it for me, unfortunately. It just didn't work and I was so tired of it. I'm glad you felt differently and I'm sorry Billy disappointed you this time around.

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    1. Triangles do get tedious I really don't normally like them but for some reason I can deal with this one. Sorry it didn't work for you.

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  17. I'm experiencing a lot of burnout with Paranormal and Urban Fantasy lately, but this sounds like a lot of fun!

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    1. I think it's nice because it isn't typical. ;)

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  18. You definitely wouldn't get the impression by the cover that this is an urban fantasy. Intriguing. I have to look into this one. I definitely want to read more urban fantasy. It's always so fun!

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    1. They are fun, one of my most favorite genres.

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  19. I never would've guess that was an Urban Fantasy. Looking at that cover, it looks more like a contemporary. Sounds interesting. Great review.

    Melanie @ Hot Listens & Rabid Reads

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  20. I always love this series! So much fun each time!

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    1. Yes! It really is and I'm so excited you love it too. This series is so underrated!

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  21. This definitely sounds like a special kind of UF, and looks it too! I could've bet this was Contemporary something going by the cover alone. But I think it's a good thing, since it sounds like such a different take on UF. Hurrah for diversity in genres, hehe :D

    Loved reading your thoughts, thanks for sharing!
    <3

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    1. It is nice to have some diversity within genre. ;) Thanks Livia!

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  22. Glad you're enjoying this series. Happy reading :)

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  23. This looks lime something that I could enjoy to read
    I enjoyed your review
    xx

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    1. Thank you and I hope you do if you try it. :D

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  24. Wow, would never peg this one as an urban fantasy from the cover. Sounds good.

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    1. I know, I do wish they would change them a bit.

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  25. I always forget this is a UF series, but I know it's one I want to read.

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  26. That cover screams contemporary, but thats why its best not to judge by the cover!!
    Tori @InToriLex

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  27. I really dropped the ball on this series. I loved book one and need to dig these out of my tbr pile

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    1. I hope you do and that you still like the series.

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  28. I was wondering why I hadn't started reading these so I went to Amazon. $15.00 for a Kindle book is way to steep for me!Too bad because these sound like something I would enjoy-and review as well :) Glad you are loving them!

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    1. Ouch, I didn't realize they were that much. Maybe the library has them?

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  29. ::snort:: Yeah never ever would have expected UF. Fluffy contemporary? Sure. They do sound fun :D

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