Adult Urban Fantasy Review: This Book Will Make You Love Seeing "Red"

Title:  Red
(A Transplanted Tales Novel #1)
Author:  Kate SeRine
Format:  E-Galley
Length:  370 pages
Publisher:  Kensington

“My name is Tess Little. But everyone calls me Red.”

Once upon a time, a spell went awry, stranding Make Believe characters in the ordinary world. Since then, Tess “Red” Little—a/k/a Little Red Riding Hood—has worked as an Enforcer for the Chicago branch of the Fairytale Management Authority. But, consider yourself warned—she’s not just some waif with a basket of goodies. All grown up and with nothing to lose, a gun and combat boots is more her style. And Red’s new assignment threatens to be short on happily ever afters…

Someone is murdering transplanted Tales in gruesome fashion. The list of fictional characters capable of such grisly acts is short and includes more than one of Red’s old flames. And if that wasn’t bad enough, there’s another complication, in the form of sexy, enigmatic Nate Grimm, the FMA’s lead detective and part-time Reaper. Used to following her own rules and living life on the edge, Red has managed to avoid taking on a partner until now. But Nate’s dark side makes him perfect for a case like this. That is, if she can trust him. Because if there’s one thing Red knows for sure, it’s that believing in the wrong person can have big, bad consequences…
-Goodreads 

There seems to be a great influx of "fairy re-tellings" cropping up as of late.  I am over the moon to report that authoress extraordinaire, Kate SeRine has penned a tale that is choc full of not only the fantastic personas whose tales we have come to know and love; but the love, loss, deceit, and plot twists that are the hallmarks of all great mysteries.

The character's of childhood stories are all grown up in this 'who done it'.  They have migrated from the scripted safety of their stories and now make their homes among the 'ordinaries' of Chicago.
The lives they lead and the deaths they die are anything but however.

Not So Little 'Red'
 Tess Little a.k.a. Red, has come a long way since she skipped through the woods with that basket on her way to Grandma's.  Now she is the fairy world's gun toting, Goose drinking version of Duane "Dog" Chapman, and she's hunting for a killer.
The Problem?
 The suspect list reads like the top ten list from Red's little black book.
Red doesn't know whether to trust her head or her heart as the investigation takes her on a rather painful trip down memory lane and brings her face to face and fang with some of her old lovers.  
Not to worry though.
Help is on the way in the form of the very sexy Nathan Grimm, part-time reaper, part-time investigator, and full-time hottie.
  
Like Lock and Key
The chemistry between Red and Grimm is delicious from the first taste and though all other aspects of this book are truly drool worthy, it is this interaction that  keeps the pages turning.
Grimm is a man that knows what he wants, and what he wants is Red.  The thing is, he wants her as she is and on her terms.
He knows that life with her is complicated and is more than able to stand up to the challenge.
Red may be tough on the outside, but she has a tender heart.  She hasn't had much luck in finding Mr. Right, and as such, is more than just a little weary of opening herself emotionally.
It appears that the secrets aren't limited to those having to do with who's killing who and these secrets, if in the wrong hands, are powerful to keep Grimm out of Red's world forever.

Just Business Baby
We all know that money makes the world go round and some baker in the land of 'Tales' wants all the dough.  As the body count rises and the partners in the deadly dance of companies and corpses change, the claws really come out.
The question is...who is welding them?

The Last Word
This book has everything that a reader could ask for and more.  Dive into this tale of 'Tales'...the water's great.
There's even an excerpt from the next installment at the end of the book!
My Rating:

11 comments:

  1. You had me at delicious Chemistry and the Chicago setting (where I'm from)! Thanks for the review!

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  2. Great review, and I love the cover. I would read the book.

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  3. I haven't read any retellings believe it or not but I have wanted to and this one you just sealed it for me with your review.

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  4. This is the first time I've come across a review of this book. And boy, you seem to have loved it! Definitely going to read this. Great review!

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  5. wow i like that one and then cover is great

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  6. Fairytales with a twist , I love it!

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  7. I swooned when Nate gave her a bath! That part was super sundial

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  8. This is the first I'm hearing of this book and am now so excited to get my hands on it!!! Great review, it sounds amazing

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  9. I've never heard of this book but after reading your review, I can't wait to read it! I like fairy tale retellings and love the idea of Little Red Riding Hood Little being and enforcer! I'm definately a fan of strong heroines so this book sounds perfect for me! Thanks for the info!

    Suz Reads

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  10. Great review! This book sounds pretty interesting - fairy tale retellings are getting really popular.

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