Maya’s Blogs

Review of Little Bean by Lara McKenzie

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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

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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: ✯✯✯✯

Review of Uncharted Grounds by Lara McKenzie

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Synopsis:
Life hasn’t been normal since a mermaid resurrected Maya Rivers.

Between supernatural side effects, the terrifying mermaid mafia who wants more than she’s prepared to give, and a shadow demon who would raze realms to keep her safe, Maya is trying to figure out who she is—and where she truly belongs.

In a world of chaotic friendship and found family, one thing’s certain: Maya isn’t just surviving anymore.

She’s ready to stand her ground.


Review:
“My bathroom is a battleground, my sleep schedule is a myth, and I no longer wonder why there’s seaweed in the sink.” (Page 13)

“Genevieve is the therapist I never knew I needed. She’s just like, “You’re an idiot and here’s why. Also, I’m stealing your crisps.”” (Page 48)

“I used to think closure came from burning bridges. It turns out that it can also come from walking away quietly and meaning it.” (Page 233)

This book was mostly about how to survive trauma, and still be yourself/not blame yourself for being protected. While Maya has her own place, she is still finding herself and although she has enough to consider after resurrection she certainly ends up with quite the fight in this book as well. I absolutely loved how Maya worked with those she cares about to gain more self esteem and be willing to stand up for herself. This series is also absolutely brilliant at breaking the fourth wall and mocking traditional book/romance novel tropes in hilarious ways (I totally agree with Scorpion!) The ending certainly had me instantly reaching for book 4.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯

Review of Brew Diligence by Lara McKenzie

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Synopsis:
Just as Maya thinks she can relax into recovery and a budding romance with a demon general, the afterlife throws her a curveball.

The Grim Reaper who saved her wasn’t just locked away—he was erased from existence.

What starts as a rescue mission quickly becomes a masterclass in magical bureaucracy, inter-realm politics, and one seriously unhinged plot twist.

Join Maya again as she blogs her way through enough supernatural shenanigans to short-circuit reality.

Review:
“Don’t they realise I’m just a girl with a weird brain, a ghost cat, and questionable coping mechanisms?” (Page 64)

Maya’s life seems so different after the capture of someone who shall not be named, yet in many ways life continues. I wasn’t upset by the changes she had in her life because she is becoming more stable but there were times it was a bit frustrating that she would continue to fixate on something as a problem that very much was not. I quite enjoyed the new characters introduced and getting to know a bit more of their backstories. I wasn’t expecting the very huge life altering event within this blog sequence (but I bet Maya wasn’t either!)

I loved how everyone that Maya has worked with is willing to come together for her. Slowly she is realizing she is the glue (or the light, as many like to say) that helps everyone work together and stay on the same path. Learning more about Charlotte and her brilliant defense for Gary was truly spectacular. I would love to hear more of Charlotte, and I am very infested in continuing on to see where life takes Maya!

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯

Review of Espresso Yourself by Lara McKenzie

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Synopsis:
Maya, a human barista, takes a job at a coffee shop inside the supernatural Umbrafore Complex.


She’s ready for demanding customers and the occasional brooding vampire.


She’s not ready to become supernaturally famous, attract a theatrical serial killer, or stumble into a situations that spans five books and changes the course of her life.


Follow Maya as she blogs her way through murder, romance, and learning where she truly belongs.


Review:
“Choose a drink for a demon? Sir, I’m just a barista and don’t have soul insurance.” (Page 25)

This book starts a bit chaotic and because of the way it’s set up; I wasn’t sure I was going to like it but I was quickly drawn into a fast paced, humourous story that I couldn’t get enough of. While we learn of Maya from the standpoint of her work, throughout her blog she slowly starts introducing the reader to more about her; her home life, what the complex she works at is like. All of the descriptions of supernaturals she serves are outright delightful, especially because she gives most interesting nicknames because she doesn’t know their names. All of the characters introduced have such depth and unique stories of their own that while it’s great to see what’s happening at Pulse (the coffee shop she works at; no spoilers here!) It’s also awesome to see what adventures she ends up going on with people she works with. The found family trope is done perfectly in this novel, and once you get in to this, especially given the chapters are little blogs, it’s almost impossible to set down.

This is a new style of epistolary fiction that has more depth and emotion than most older novels of the same genre. The pacing is perfection because every blog generally is the space of one day or major event in the storyline– you can read as much or little as you want, but if Maya didn’t think it was important enough to blog, you don’t have to read about it (no overwriting). The book also plays a bit in and on itself and the tropes it has within and Maya calls it like it is, which some may consider breaking the fourth wall, but really just makes it realistic as a blog-turned-book. That being said, Maya also is there for everyone reading; those who feel unloved, unloveable, feel that they are taking up too much space– her words call out to everyone, with affirmations she learns and tries to embody along her journey.

“You don’t have to be magical to matter.” (Page 159)

Serious Kudos to Lara McKenzie– Maya’s blogs are as addictive as fancy foam lattes, and I’m already on book 3 in the series at the time of writing this review.

I highly recommend this to anyone looking for modern/contemporary/urban fantasy with found family vibes featuring a human who gets a crash course in all things supernatural.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯