Magic and Mischief at the Wayside Hotel by Elizabeth Everett ~ a Reivew

by MK French

Pax Nomen is the manager of the Number Five Wayside Inn and World Travel Hub. The inn is on a magical journey, one day getting stranded in a non-magical world. Josie LaChusia is a single mom with debt, parenting doubts, and growing depression when she sees an ad for an apartment available in a building she’s never seen before. Pax needs a new guest to restart his hotel, and Josie needs a nudge to restart her life. In a building occupied by faeries, gargoyles, and a gnome with a bad attitude, two souls from very different places come together to create a home like no other.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

March 2026; Ace; 978-0593955741
audio, ebook, print (352 pages); paranormal romance

Waysides are essentially the heart of magic flowing between worlds, and are living buildings directing the flow of magic. When the book opens, there are only three functioning ones left, number five included, but as it lands on Earth, it's out of magical fuel for the first time in history. The manual says the Wayside needs a reboot, and as caretaker, Pax feels this means a new guest. Josie lost her partner while still pregnant with their son, and he has a congenital heart condition. Pax accepts her prior rent amount for an apartment that remodeled itself to suit the needs she and her son have. The other residents clearly aren't human, and it's funny to see how they are perceived by Josie and her son, Amos. The fairies are cheerleaders, the vampire prince is a supermodel, the gnome is a grumpy old man, and the gargoyles are statues. Josie has her usual problems, like navigating work, her son's day care, and in-laws who undermine her to keep Amos in their lives. On top of this, she and Pax have a growing attraction. 

Aside from the daily back and forth of different creatures living together on Earth, the developing relationship between Pax and Josie was very tender. It's a tentative process, figuring out if they truly liked each other, balancing different priorities, and figuring out how a relationship could work. Pax had to learn how to build a romantic relationship when he had no prior experience, and Josie had to learn how to trust in others. It's a slow process, with a supernatural backdrop. I enjoyed seeing the process and getting to know the characters. 

Buy Magic and Mischief at the Wayside Hotel at Amazon

Born and raised in New York City, M.K. French started writing stories when very young, dreaming of different worlds and places to visit. She always had an interest in folklore, fairy tales, and the macabre, which has definitely influenced her work. She currently lives in the Midwest with her husband, three young children, and a golden retriever.

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