I've wanted to read Shanna Swendson's Once Upon Stilettos for ages, but somehow hadn't got around to it. I finally managed to snuggle down with it over one of the recent rainy and miserable weekends and it brightened me up considerably!
The first book in the series, Enchanted Inc, sees innocent Texan, Katie, living in New York and learning that she is a magical immune - in other words she can see magical acts - but is unaffected by them, which sees her recruited by MSI, Magic, Spells and Illusions, Inc.
In Once Upon Stilettos, Katie's job (she's assistant to Merlin - yes, *that* Merlin) is going very well except it seems MSI may be harbouring a spy. She's got a crush on one of her colleagues, Owen, but she's actually dating another colleague, Ethan. She's put in charge of the Secret Santa as a team-building exercise. And then her parents decide to come to New York for a visit.
Katie's horrified when it seems her mother can see the magical happenings around them. Her mum can't also be an immune, can she? I say also, it seems that Katie's immunity might be on the wane, which couldn't happen at a worse time: how can Katie find the spy without revealing she's lost her immunity? And will she get it back? And, if not, will she be out of a job (and the chance to see Owen every day)?
I enjoyed this book every bit as much as the first in the series. They're so sweet-natured and such good fun. I certainly won't leave it so long before reading the next in the series, Damsel Under Stress.
Rating: 4/5
Like this? Try Jinx by Meg Cabot
