Title: Not Always an AngelAuthor: Christi Barth
Series: Unlocking His Heart #3
Pages: 349
Publication Date: April 21, 2025
Publisher: Entangled Pub
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Contemporary / Fantasy
Synopsis:
Another day on the brink of apocalypse. And now things are about to get really bizarre.
Six months ago, Liss Jemison’s life was mostly normal. Then a freaking demon crashed her roommate’s party and “normal” was replaced by a chaotic, terrifying world filled with half-angels, demons, and way too much evil. Now Liss is the only powerless human among her friends…which makes her an enormous target. And a certain gorgeous grouch of a Nephilim just won’t shut up about it.
As the fiercest Nephilim warrior, Zavier Carranza is doing everything he can to prevent the release of the Titans and the overthrowing of Heaven and Hell. His overtime job of keeping Liss safe from demons is proving more and more difficult. What makes it even harder? His inescapable need to kiss her until they’re both breathless.
To make matters worse, it’s Zavier’s fault. They’re targeting Liss because of him…and the dark tendrils of the past he thought he’d escaped.
Now the apocalypse is breathing down their necks. The literal fate of the world—along with Heaven and Hell—depends on whether Zavier and Liss can break a whole ton of rules to pull off a miracle. It’s the worst possible time to fall for each other. Sacrifices will have to be made. Good thing she’s not quite as human and powerless as they think…
Because something wholly evil is on its way.
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My Thoughts on Not Always an Angel:
Not Always an Angel was such a fun read. I’ve been looking forward to reading this one since I read the first book in the Unlocking His Heart series. Zavier has an enigmatic personality, and I was so curious to learn more about him and to jump back into this unique world.
Liss is such a great character! She’s brave, loyal, and always trying to hold her own in a group full of powerful Nephilim and others with special gifts, even when she doesn’t feel like she brings much to the table. As the only human, she struggles with feeling like a liability, but she never stops fighting to matter and contribute.
And then there’s Zavier. Utterly in love with Liss, completely convinced he doesn’t deserve her, and still furious at the world for everything he’s been through. He’s tormented and angry, and you can see how hard it is for him to let go of that pain long enough to accept the good in front of him. He goes through so much emotional growth as he gets closer and closer to Liss, and he deserves all the hugs.
The chemistry between Liss and Zavier is electric, and I love how much they push each other’s buttons. They bicker, tease, and challenge each other in ways that add so much to thier growing connection and their sexual tension. Watching Zavier try to keep his distance, while clearly falling harder by the second, was fantastic.
The friendships and found-family dynamic that have been building over the series are some of my favorite things about these books. You can feel how much these characters care for, support, and rely on each other. Even when they argue, there’s a deep-rooted love and respect that the group can depend on.
Like the other books in the series, Not Always and Angel is a fast-paced, action-packed, and sexy paranormal romance. It says that this could be read as a standalone, but I would probably recommend reading the first two to really understand the relationships, connections, and overarching plot. Thanks to Entangled and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
- found family
- broody MMC
- he falls first
USA TODAY bestselling author Christi Barth earned a Masters degree in vocal performance and embarked upon a career on the stage. A love of romance then drew her to wedding planning. Ultimately she succumbed to her lifelong love of books and now writes award-winning contemporary romance, including the Naked Men and Aisle Bound series.
Christi can always be found either whipping up gourmet meals (for fun, honest!) or with her nose in a book. She lives in Maryland with the best husband in the world.
