The Fake Divination Offense: A Magic & Romance Novel (A Magic and Romance Novel, 2)

Elizabeth Bessette

The Yearning

"Sara writes the best yearning I have ever read. I love her books desperately! I strive to write like her everyday. ["

May 20, 2026 Verified Purchase

Lina

a complex and steamy sports romance

"Thank you Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC! ~~~~ WHAT TO EXPECT: - mm sports romance (player x cheerleader) - urban fantasy - fake dating to bodyguard relationship - power dynamics - commentary on codependency and anxiety - size difference - religious trauma and cults - steamy spice ~~~~ Orok is a half-giant Raw Ball player on the Hellhounds who recently won his trial against an abusive training camp that left scars on his psyche. The lawsuit left people of his religion, Urzoth, thinking he should have been stronger. He’s lucky to have left the Chimeras, his last Raw Ball team, made up of Urzoth followers who fostered a toxic environment for him. Enter Alexo. Orok happens upon the much smaller man in an incident at karaoke. He sticks up for the man in what appears to be an abusive relationship, of sorts, and is immediately enthralled. They go viral on social media as a result. It turns out that he’s a part of the cheer squad on the Hellhounds and the team, as well as Urzoth leadership, want the two of them to fake date. It’ll bring the team good press and clear up some recent bad press Urzoth has expressed. They agree, and now Orok has to navigate his budding feelings, his codependency that he’s left with after the camp abuse of his youth, and figure out what is going on in Alexo’s life that’s keeping him down. Religious trauma on both sides takes center stage, as well as that codependency that Orok tries to push down. It turns out that Alexo is pretty codependent himself, though. Both need to learn to trust and let go. One is better at that than the other, imo. ~~~ Note: This is the second in a series, but because it’s a romance that focuses on couples, I don’t think you HAVE to have read the first; however, the first does give more context around the lawsuit, Orok's trauma, and the other couple featured: Seb and Theo. ~~~ As for the narrator (if you listen to the audiobook), Vikas Adam, he killed it. In between scenes, there were news reporters commenting on the relationship of Orok and Alexo, and his voices for them—screeching and beeping—as he acted out the different species of the universe was wonderful. His sexy growling scenes also showed his range. Be forewarned: the sex scenes are so well acted to the point I was blushing! ["

Show more

May 20, 2026

Carly

Hilarious and Charming Fantasy Romance

"In the second installment of Magic and Romance we find Rawball Tank Orok back home in Philadelphia after 4 years away. Coming off of the lawsuit win and finally being traded to his home team Orok finds himself reuniting and celebrating with Seb & Thio at a karaoke bar. However the night takes a sudden turn when Orok makes a heroic rescue- saving a mysterious man from unwanted attention. When it turns out the man works in the cheerleading department for Orok’s new team a PR plan, funded by the Church of Urzoth, is hatched to help both Orok and the church with better press. The plan? A fake relationship between the two. I fell in love with Orok in The Entanglement of Rival Wizards, drawn in by his depth and loyalty. Seeing him get his own chance at love was everything I wanted and more. This was a cleverly crafted tale, rife with magic, humor, and dynamic characters. The plot gripping— bursting with mystery, danger, and emotion. The twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat. Orok and Alexo’s chemistry leapt off the page and when it finally ignited it burned white hot. They were hilarious and charming together and when Seb and Thio were added into the mix it was a laugh-out-loud riot. Though this story was so much more than magic and mayhem. This was a story of freedom. Freedom from fear, from expectations, from self doubt. The religious trauma and PTSD were brought to life in a raw and relatable way. With nuanced and palpable depictions of the mental health struggles often left in their wake, and of what it takes to let go of the things that keep us caged. In the end we learn that healing isn’t linear. And that with help the bad doesn’t get to poison the good. What you’ll get: •Half-Giant/Human •Defensive Tank/Cheerleader •”Rawball” DND meets NFL •PR Fake Relationship •Size Difference •Possessive MC •Mental Health Rep •Religious Trauma •PTSD •Therapy Rep •Found Family ["

Show more

May 19, 2026

Miranda

The Fake Divination Offense ALC Review

"Thank you to Macmillan Audio, Bramble Books and author Sara Raasch, for providing me with the ALC of “The Fake Divination Offense”. This is a sports romance mixed with dungeons and dragons and as someone who knows nothing about D&D I didn't feel like I lost any of the story. This is book 2 in the series, and I would recommend reading book 1 first. Orok is very obsessive in all his relationships and it gave me a pause. While I like obsessive, he came off as more than I would be able to handle. If I was reading this I think it would have gone to the dnf pile; however the audio made it more enjoyable. Alexo (Bell) is very sheltered and for that I think it made me not like him as much. He would talk about being able to handle himself but in reality he never did. He also just went with the flow a lot and for someone who needs to be kept safe it irked me just a bit. Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.75 Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️ 1st POV MM Romance Urban Fantasy Fake Dating / PR Stunt Player x Cheerleader Gods and Witches Instant Attraction Virgin MMC 🎧 Single Narration 12h 50m at 2x 🎙️ Vikas Adam Narration Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Publisher: Macmillan Audio Vikas did a great job narrating this story, down to the whiny voices and sexual encounters. ["

Show more

May 19, 2026

Yanny

4.5 ⭐ Rounded up to 5

"This book resonated with me more than An Entanglement of Rival Wizards because of the religious trauma storyline and Oork struggling with leaving his religion. This book felt more important and political than the first one dealing with issues that reflect so much of the polarization we face today. While the relationship between Oork and Alexo was cute, (I really like how Oork recognizes how problematic his possessiveness is, unlike every other romance book where its somehow romantic and manly. It ties in really well with his struggles with strength and religion.) what I enjoyed most about this book was the continuation of his codependent, trauma bonded friendship was Seb. That stuff gets me every single time. I wish there had been more of this dynamic throughout. In the middle we kind of lose Seb until he comes back near the end. Also, I still don't understand the rules of raw ball. 😂 Thanks to Macmillian audio and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy. This is a review of the audiobook. ["

Show more

May 19, 2026