Chemistry of Magic

Spoilers

Copy received from Early Reviewers. I love the Malcolms and the Ives. This book is no exception. Emilia as a character is intriguing and intelligent. She has been raised away from her relatives, which is a change from characters in previous books. Her matter-of-fact approach to a marriage of convenience to a dying man, Dare, is done with precision and much thought. I really enjoy the way Rice takes a seemingly simple situation and expands on it exponentially. It's wonderful that Dare and Emilia have such similar interests. I like that the issue of female scientists and the near impossibllity of being published is brought up (and that Dare supports her from the start). This reminded me of Beatrix Potter's difficulties in being show more taken seriously by the scientific world (an Uncle published a paper of hers under his name, I think). I also really found it ironic that Dare had been poisoning himself the whole time, but would never have questioned it if it weren't for Emilia (the mouse!). The next book looks good, too! I really enjoy the kinship the families share, and how Wystan functions as a magical base for them. I also liked that Peter turned out to be a better character than thought, and that the situation with his wife was not at all what it seemed. I found this book particularly satisfying. show less

OK, it's fluff. It's not historically accurate, in people's attitudes and manners; the problems that beset them range from silly to absurdly deep. And with all of that, I'm addicted to this series and eagerly grab each one as it comes out. Dare and Emilia are both great - they've got big problems, most of which are of their own making, but they act reasonably by their own lights. And they actually talk to each other, eventually, so they (at least begin to) understand the other's viewpoint. It's never really explained why Emilia's power reacts differently to Dare, but she says herself she's been avoiding using it rather than doing proper experiments (and the importance of proper experimentation is something both of them agree on). The show more solution to Dare's problem is amusing and very reasonable (and actually historically accurate - that vivid green was very fashionable for far too long). It does, slightly, advance the arc of the Malcolms and Ives - we see some of the previous couples, and a couple new babies. Fun. Next please! show less

If you had a magic healing ability, but its use would cause you pain or if pushed it too far could even kill you, would you still use it to save a complete stranger you’ve fallen in love with?
That is the question that plagues Emilia as she enters into a marriage agreement of convenience with Lord Dare a man dying of consumption. He needs her money to save his family from ruin, she needs a husband to obtain her inheritance and maintain her independence and build a laboratory to make her own medicines, it’s a win/win situation or is it? Conspiracies are thrown in the mix as well as magic and you will definitely want to know what happens next, because not all is as it seems.

Emilia has always been an independent woman and I’m glad show more the author didn’t change that about her throughout the book, and it’s also refreshing to see the main male character accepting her for how she is considering the era these characters are living in.

If you want a steamy romance with some very strong characters, magic and an interesting plot, you will want to read this. show less

Chemistry of Magic by Patricia Rice
Unexpected Magic #5

Wow! I absolutely loved this book!!!

I do like a marriage of convenience story that works and this one definitely did. With Miss Emilia Malcolm McDowell wanting her inheritance but needing a husband and Montague “Devil” Dare dying of consumption but needing to secure his family’s future the marriage is something they both see the benefit of. If there is attraction, so much better, right? Little do the two realize that there will be more than consumption to deal with when they reach their new home! With a staff to hire, laboratories to set up, healing to be done, evil ne’er do wells trying to steal from them and family magic in abundance the two manage to find their way to show more contentment but…can they have forever with his sentence of death hanging over their heads?

Again – loved this book and when I finished I read the excerpt for “No Perfect Magic” – the next book in the series – and wanted to keep reading but the book is not out yet – it has William in it and I have been DYING to find out more about him!

Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars show less

It was supposed to be a marriage of convenience. Emilia McDowell needs to marry in order to receive her inheritance. Viscount "Devil" Dare needs to secure his mother and sisters' financial future before he dies of consumption. What could possibly go wrong?

A lot it seems. Rice's fifth offering in her Unexpected Magic series features plenty of romance along with a healthy dose of intrigue and misunderstandings. A dying man and a woman with a gift for healing seem to be a perfect match, if only he didn't believe in the unusual and if the using of her gift didn't risk her own life.

Another engaging couple, another interesting story. I continue to enjoy this series. Recommended.

When Emilia proposes marriage to Lord Dare, who is dying of presumed consumption, neither of them expect it to be for long. But his mother and sisters need a home, and Emilia can only access her inheritance if she marries. Emilia is a devoted student of medical botany. She also has the Malcolm family trait of magic; in her case, she cannot touch anyone without deeply feeling their emotions and pain, even to the point of death. Dare studies chemistry. Together, they track down the mystery of what is causing Dare's illness, and overcome other obstacles. Various parts of the Malcolm family are drawn in, making a delightful, interesting story.

Another charming and amusing story in the Magic series. Dare is an engaging scientist with one goal in his soon to be ending life, make enough money to ensure the future for his mother and sisters. Emilia is an independent woman who just wants to study plants and how to use them for medicines. She goes to him with a business proposition, but it turns out that business is not the only thing between them. This is full of drama, amusement and romance. Dare is sweet, romantic and amusing but also self absorbed. Emilia is smart, stubborn and entertaining. This book isn't quite as exciting as the others, but it's still a captivating read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This is my voluntary and honest opinion of it.