Amanda Heger begins her Greek mythology-inspired Let’s Get Mythical series with Crazy Cupid Love, a magical contemporary romance between a Cupid who doesn’t believe in love and her childhood friend-turned-mentor.
Crazy Cupid Love is set in a California where Cupids are the only descendants of gods and goddesses known to the public. But there are much more. Heger introduces Furies, nymphs and a whole host of other mythological descendants. There’s plenty of sequel bait, even if Cupids aren’t your thing.
Eliza Herman is possibly the worst Cupid in the world. As a descendant of Eros, the Greek god of love and desire, she has the ability to enchant people, increasing any attraction that may already exist between two individuals. However, she’s also one of the most powerful Cupids. Though a typical love enchantment requires the drawing of blood, all Eliza has to do is hurt her target in small way . . . which often happens inadvertently, given how clumsy she is. When her family’s Cupid business is put in jeopardy, Eliza agrees to step in temporarily. But even just a brief dip back into her Cupiding roots means she has to get her provisional license, requiring several hours of work logged under the supervision of a mentor. Thankfully, Jake Sanders comes to the rescue! He’s known Eliza for years and, as a fellow Cupid, he’s the perfect guy for the job.
Our heroine Eliza is a woman who has been knocked down so many times. When it comes to her abilities, all she’s known is failure. She’s accidentally enchanted her crushes (which then led to ridicule in school), random strangers at the grocery store and anyone else who is in her klutzy path. She also has a hard time believe in true love, which is an awful trait to have as a Cupid. Though this is definitely a bubbly “kissing book,” it’s additionally a quest of acceptance for Eliza. Self-acceptance, mostly, but also wrestling with and earning the acceptance of her family and friends.
Jake is a total sweetheart of a hero. He’s thoughtful, caring and completely in love with Eliza. In fact, both Eliza and Jake are harboring secret crushes on one another. For readers who want charming, adorable courtship, this one’s for you. It’s a friends-to-lovers romance with some extra magic.
At first, the momentum comes from Eliza’s arduous training to become a licensed Cupid and how she’s going to save her family business. But as Eliza begins to work more enchantments, things start to go wrong. Her “love luster” is wearing off, turning her enchanted couples into angry people on the verge of breaking up or divorce. Realizing nefarious elements are at play, Eliza and Jake begin working to solve the mystery of what’s gone wrong. It’s a nice touch by Heger, and amps up the more sweet and subtle romance between the pair.
Calling this book magical feels too on the nose, but it fits. With an enchanting premise and a romance like airy, fluffy cotton candy, Crazy Cupid Love is the perfect pick-me-up.
