Betwixt

Betwixt & Between, Book 1

By: Darynda Jones

Narrated by: Traci Odom

Length: 6 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's Summary

Divorced, desperate, and destitute, former restaurateur Defiance Dayne finds out she has been bequeathed a house by a complete stranger. She is surprised, to say the least, and her curiosity gets the better of her. She leaves her beloved Phoenix and heads to one of the most infamous towns in America: Salem, Massachusetts.

She's only there to find out why a woman she's never met would leave her a house, a veritable castle that has seen better days. The lawyer assigned to the case practically begs her to take it off her hands, mostly because she's scared of it. The inanimate structure that, as far as Dephne can tell, has never hurt a fly.

Though it does come with some baggage. A pesky neighbor who wants her gone. A scruffy cat who's a bit of a jerk. And a handyman bathed in ink who could moonlight as a supermodel for GQ.

She decides to give it three days, and not because of the model. She feels at home in Salem. Safe. But even that comes to a screeching halt when people begin knocking on her door day and night, begging for her help to locate their lost objects.

Come to find out, they think she's a witch. And after a few mysterious mishaps, Dephne is beginning to wonder if they're right.

©2020 Darynda Jones (P)2021 Tantor

Fun but not enough time to invest fully

This was really difficult to rate. On one hand I loved the boldness of the story it wasn't afraid of trying new things, the characters were snarky and middle aged but on the other hand something was missing. A big something. More explanation or just more happenings in this world. I wasn't given enough to want to continue. Like the book was more of a sample than a meal.

But omg finally a middle age fantasy romance. I mean not everyone is a 20 year old virgin. This tale was lighthearted and fun although a bit predictable. The memes and shirt quotes were my favorite. And while I did get lost in the snarky fun, the book had it's problems. Dayne 40 something didn't talk or act like her age. There also wasn't full proof why Grandma had to stay away and not train her to use her powers. And how Dayne apparently didn't need to train because she just had the symbols floating in her head from birth.

Dayne procrastinated continuously even to save her own life. Again she was middle age which is so very rare for some reason but then again she was also super special which isn't that rare in the book community. Her best friend was very wild and fun which added nicely to the story. And when the both became brain dead and drooling when Roane walked into a room, that had me in stitches. My biggest problem was that the book didn't give enough. It left you with a cliffhanger and not enough time to get invested so I didn't feel compelled to continue.

Betwixt/Between Charley Davidson & Sunshine series

Darynda Jones’ three series (Charley Davidson, Sunshine Vicram, and this Betwixt & Between) all have:
-Snarky female MC with a family that keeps secrets from her
-dark and dangerous eventual love interest with a secret, angsty past
-BFF to provide comic relief
-funny sayings to start off chapters

This series is more like the Charley Davidson series because (1) this series takes place in a world with magic, (2) Annette, the BFF here, is sassy and adorably obnoxious just like Cookie, and (3) Defiance is the same sort of “special” Mary Sue type of character as Grim Reaper Charley Davidson. Only, instead of having a mystery procedural to make each book longer, it seems this series cuts that aspect out and just focuses on Defiance the unknowing, but instinctively uber-powerful witch. In some ways, that makes these books more fun. But, it also makes these more of a popcorn read, and best bought on sale in order to get one’s money’s worth.

I’m hoping two issues will be addressed as the series progresses:
1. Unfortunately, the fact that Defiance is 44 years old didn’t really do much for me. The entire plot could just as easily have involved a 34 or 24 year old Defiance. As a listener who is older and divorced, I was hoping older would mean stronger and smarter; instead Defiance starts book 1 at rock bottom. In future books, I hope she represents us “mature” ladies better.

2. I’m a tad exasperated by Darynda’s fixation with her formula ingredients, especially her thing about keeping the MC’s destiny secret and revealing one juicy piece at the end of each book. In this book, the whole keeping secrets thing made zero sense, except to create contrived plot twists.

But, common sense aside, if you just roll with the story, there’s humor, magic, and enough fresh features to merit a matinee listen. I like the better diversity, even if it’s in the supporting characters, like black Sheriff Houston and Defiance’s two dads.

Frustrating listen

The main character is almost 40 and acts and thinks like she's 16. Repetitive immature dialog. I couldn't get past chapter 10. Narrator is barely good.
I do not recommend this audiobook.

Story is great but I have one tiny nit

A few small spoilers so if that’s not your thing skip this review.

The premise - A 45 yo recently divorced woman finds out she has powers. Ok cool you got me, I bought the book, I’m a 50 yo divorced woman who is waiting for her secret powers to emerge. Next - her long lost (she was adopted by two supportive dads) recently deceased Gigi finds a very ingenious way of telling her “before you do anything else you have to put a protective spell on yourself and the fabulous house I left you otherwise ALL The bad things are coming for you.” Now, she has to catch up to,” I have power, what!” “I need to figure out the basics of using these powers,” ok. But the first thing my-self-preservation-ass is doing is protecting me and mine. Nope, not this one. She stops to ask questions that have no relevance to training, to getting this task done. It has relevance to the story, yes! But every time she said I wont do anything to protect myself or those with me until you explain this I seriously thought, you are not my people.

However, the story, outside of that bit of annoyance is really good!!! I love the humor! The supporting characters are great. There is a living house aka granddad, Gigi, best friend, journey man, police chief, married neighbors who live in separate houses on each side of the house, and Salem, MA.

Another Darynda Jones hit!

I loved the combination of the unremarkable with the paranormal in this book. Defiance is a middle aged down on her luck ordinary woman who is swept into a magical world. She is totally blindsided by the discovery that she has a heritage and a mystical past that will shatter her present. A must read for all magic lovers.

the narration is great, the book is not

this is a poor example of an airhead in her 40s. I really tried liking the book, because the narration was great, but nope.
it reads like a bad cartoon, where all you can think is what the next innane bubble will spew at you.
it is the story of nothingness magical. waste of time.

Sighhhh. Grow up Defiance!

Traci was awesome! The book premise is great! But no 44 year old woman acts like Defiance. She acts more like she’s 25, maybe 30 than 44. I love LOVE DJones other books, but Defiance’s naive tendencies are just not believable in a middle aged woman. There were times, where I was just downright frustrated with the antics and had to stop listening.

Can't find a way to like the mc

She's so freaking whiny. Unbelievably negative. She went thru a hard time and experienced real loss and hates herself for being stupid - which she was. She also lashes out at everyone around her, especially her grandmother. Every single thing her smarter and more informed and experienced grandmother says is met with verbalized disbelief and criticism. The grandmother is the only likeable character and it's frankly disgusting the way the mc treats her. She's more polite to her larcenous ex mil who stole everything from her. Ugh. There is not a redeeming quality in our incredibly whiny and self centered mc. Even her love interest isn't credible,.simply because our mc is the least loving, most nasty and defensive character ever. Where did all the high ratings come from??? Totally undeserved.

What I hoped for

I didn’t know what to expect with this one. I listened to all the other Darynda books on audible and was hoping the same quirky, seductive fun was in this one. I was not disappointed. The cliffhanger has me at the edge of my seat. The narrator is new to be but did a phenomenal job! I will be listening to the next in the series!

Best Book I’ve Read in Ages

I loved this book! I haven’t had such a funny paranormal romance in years. I’m only bummed that the rest of the series isn’t on audible yet. I just bought the series in paperback from Amazon and it should be here tomorrow. Can’t wait to read book 2.

Absolute tosh

What audience was this written for? Formulaic, with rather nonsensical and frankly embarrassing sexually romantic...oh you know the sort of thing. Why oh why do I buy books on the recommendations of strangers! This is NOT a book for anyone who prefers to avoid trashy. The narrator did her best.

Awful

I couldn't get past the second chapter. I really enjoyed the Charley Davidson series, I thought this would be as good. It is not! It's awful.

Brilliant story and well worth reaading

Thank you for this exciting, well written and narrated book. It was both insightful, jaw opening and eye opening. I loved it and am heading now to purchase book 2.

So happy I found this series

I'm so happy I found this series it's fantastic, hope it continues as long as possible