Month: May 2026

Review of Little Bean by Lara McKenzie

/ authoramysbrown / Leave a comment

Synopsis:
Maya thought marrying a shadow demon warlord was the craziest thing she’d ever do.

Facing escalating attacks from hate groups, Maya discovers that having a hybrid child doesn’t make her vulnerable—it makes her dangerous.

The girl who once apologised for existing is running out of patience with people who want her to be silent.

She’s come too far to shrink.

Review:
“Healing isn’t a straight line. It’s a spirally, messy loop of progress and panic and guilt.” (Page 301)

There was so much wisdom and growth of Maya working through her feelings about family since Little Bean came into the picture. This book also featured what I would consider a more realistic outlook on having a baby than most media does; it is often messy and sleep depriving. I love that despite all that Maya has gone through her voice and style never change and she’s just posting about life as she sees it, even when it seems to be too much (though sometimes those aren’t really posted).

While the ending was decent, I was bummed to think that this series had come to a close. I am elated that another book, book 6 of Maya’s Blogs, is coming out at the end fo this month!

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯

Review of Flat White Flag by Lara McKenzie

/ authoramysbrown / Leave a comment

Synopsis:
Maya’s post-resurrection body has developed magical broadcasting capabilities. The signal feeds directly into her fiancé’s nervous system.

She’s also inherited a demonic estate with a flair for psychological warfare and a disturbing passion for other people’s trauma.

Maya’s juggling a shadow-wielding warlord who moisturises with military precision, supernatural politics, and a body evolving faster than her coping mechanisms.

She’s starting to realise something horrifying: she might actually be the powerful one now.

Nobody is more alarmed.

Review:
“You have an alarming number of mugs.”
“I’m a barista.”
“You’re a ceramic hoarder with caffeine dependency issues.” (Page 5)

“It was mine and now it’s yours. That’s how homes work. They adapt, they remember, and they make space for whoever needs them most.” (Page 25)

“Your mother’s email sounds like it was written by someone who thinks mayo is too exotic. Good riddance to that toxic energy.” (Page 55)

This book continued in Maya’s cycle of learning who she is, and that she is perfect being herself. This book was packed full of unexpected plot, including the first real disagreement between Maya and Scorpion. There were times that I was so frustrated about how that panned out; if they just communicated! While as a reader I was frustrated, there was never a time where I felt like the characters were doing anything outside of experiencing a tough time and doing what they thought was best. I absolutely love seeing Maya continue to face new and difficult challenges and find a way to maintain a sunny (caffeinated) outlook and push forward in an unexpected way that shows despite just being a barista, she thinks about the big picture and helping others regularly.

*At this time I have finished the books in the series out so far as of a couple of months ago, so will try to refrain from any commentary that might give future plot points away.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯