Little Red's Reviews: Review & Excerpt Tour: Lucian Divine by Renée Carlino

“Isn’t love supposed to be easy? Isn’t love supposed to be fun?

The moment you fall in love, you become acutely aware of all the

different ways the person you love can die. It’s sickening. It’s morbid

and painful and heart-wrenching, and it’s all totally worth it.”

-Lucian

“My guardian angel is a drunk.”

Evelyn Casey's life is at a standstill. She's in her mid-twenties, struggling with the dating scene in San Francisco. Nothing seems to be working out, and she’s starting to think that she’ll live out her days in her crummy apartment with her overbearing roommate, Brooklyn. It's absurd, but sometimes Evey longs for a guardian angel to show up and save the day.

And then he does. Seriously. His name is Lucian and he's a guardian angel, been on the job for two thousand years. His sudden presence in her life is both good—he's brilliant, witty, and warm—and bad—he's brilliant, witty, warm, and hot as ----. But as perfect as Lucian seems, he’s got problems of his own. He’s taken up drinking and he’s brazenly inserted himself into Evey’s life, going against the greatest cosmic law ever created.

For Evey, the rules are simple: You are not allowed to hook up with your guardian angel. But sometimes fulfilling your destiny requires a leap of faith, a confrontation with God.

Yes, God as in God.

“I was utterly and completely swept away by Lucian Divine. This story is sweet, swoony, so funny and unique and just downright magical. It’s pure delight.”

-Mia Sheridan, New York Times, USA Today

and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author

“A love story like we’ve never seen…witty and so utterly charming,

Carlino’s humor shines thought in Lucian Divine. I have been swept away.”

-R.S. Grey, USA Today Bestselling Author

iTunes | B&N | KOBO | AMAZON PRINT

Couple Hands (Lucian Divine Live Now Video)

“Evelyn, I’ve existed for more than two millennia.

In two thousand years, I have watched over so many lives.

At times, more than five souls were my responsibility alone.

I’ve watched all of them die.

I’ve held many of them while they were dying.

It’s in my nature to do that, to give peace to my souls,

to look out for them when I can,

to sway the good ones to do the right thing,

and to protect man and life here on Earth.

I’ve watched over stunningly beautiful and brilliant women,

but I have never felt love for any human the way I feel it for you.

You are literally the air in my lungs.”

-Lucian

I rated Lucian Divine 4/5 Stars

Lucian Divine was the first novel I read by Renée Carlino and it will not be my last. Although Lucian Divine has paranormal elements, it is easy to forget that the novel is paranormal at all. The reader never forgets that Lucian is Evelyn's Guardian Angel; however, the system in which the paranormal elements are created easily blends in with the story. If you are hesitant to start Lucian Divine because it is technically a paranormal romance, the elements are barely noticeable, I recommend starting the book whether you enjoy or dislike paranormal romances.

The only problem I had with the paranormal element was its lack of intricacy. While Renée's concept of Guardian Angels was unique and well executed, it lacked development. I personally had this problem with the novel because I am used to extravagant paranormal romance novels with an expansive world and creatures. The simplicity of Lucian Divine was great, especially for individuals who do not care for paranormal novels; however, the characters were too unaware. Renée created an original concept; however, the characters, even those directly tied to the paranormal element, barely knew anything about the paranormal elements. They simply existed without knowing where they came or how they came to be. She did approach religion, a sour subject to most, so her hesitance was respectable; however, she was already directing her story towards a more Christian focus so she could have continued to develop the story in such a fashion.

The only other problem I had with the novel was Lucian's selfishness. I will keep this comment brief because it is bordering spoiler territory; however, I would just like to mention that Lucian overstepped his place. His selfish actions, which he constantly admits to, drove the story and led to unnecessary misery and heartbreak. It irritated me that he understood the heartbreak he was causing Evelyn, but he could not resist being with her. He does not understand the saying, if you truly love someone, let them go.

"I’m on the other side of life, Evey,

existing where death belongs and yearning to be with you.

Yearning in brief moments to bring you here, into the darkness.

When my thoughts are so painfully selfish,

I cannot breathe you in at all.

I cannot love you when I hate myself.

Don’t say my name.

Don’t think about me.

Don’t imagine how we can be together."

-Lucian

Lucian Divine was an addicting read, I devoured it in less than 24 hours. The plot, characters, and paranormal element were extremely compelling and hard to leave behind. I highly recommend reading Lucian Divine. It had a satisfying conclusion; however, I can see the possibility of companion stories in the future. I believe that, at least, a few characters deserve to have their story told and have a happily ever after. It is Renée's first paranormal novel, but I hope it will not be her last. The New Adult genre needs more novels with varying genres. Although I love a good NA romance, it can quickly become dry and boring. NA needs more variety and Lucian Divine is a great step towards that.

If you have read any New Adult novels that feature a genre other than romance please comment it below. The only other NA novels I have read of another genre is the A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J. Maas, the Wicked Saga by Jennifer L. Armentrout, and the Muse series by Cora Carmack.

“Evey, next time, in the next life we’ll be together—

that’s how this will be corrected.

This will be righted.

This can’t be our forever fate.

Next time we’ll live together, we’ll die together.

We’ll experience every war together,

inside ourselves and outside in the world.

We won’t be out of reach, unavailable, unattainable,

just love longing to be.

Let’s keep moving fast in opposite directions.

Keep praying we meet on the other side.

I’ll see you there; I know I will.

I have to believe that.

Watch for me.

I’ll be barreling toward you, arms wide open,

and then we’ll crash into each other with

the force of two spent lives yearning to be one.”

-Lucian

Renée Carlino is a screenwriter and bestselling author of contemporary women's novels and new adult fiction. Her books have been featured in national publications, including USA TODAY, Huffington Post, Latina magazine, and Publisher's Weekly. She lives in Southern California with her husband, two sons, and their sweet dog June. When she's not at the beach with her boys or working on her next project, she likes to spend her time reading, going to concerts, and eating dark chocolate. Learn more at www.reneecarlino.com