
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Reviewed by: Michelle
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review

A literary gem!!! Staci Hart has once again slayed me with her visceral and breathtaking prose in her newest and latest release, Shift. Who would have thought a book that focuses on uniting two strangers falling in love could be so beautifully intertwined with Greek mythology? Two different stories taking place and yet one poignant and beautiful union begins.

Aphrodite is the Goddess of Love and so naturally she is paired with Ares, the God of War. Two complete opposites and yet there is a strong magnetic pull between them. In the backdrops of their connection, Dite and Ares will begin their game of love/hate. The human pawns that they will be playing with are Kat and Dillion. Either these two will fall in love or end up hating each other. Which one will win? Aphrodite or Ares? Let the games begin.
Kat and Dillion’s union is not what I consider a fairytale beginning. These two have this sexual energy brewing between them and yet untold secrets is their biggest downfall. Kat is all about protecting her sister, Kiki from her abusive ex-boyfriend. Dillion carries the burden of having an abusive father and fears that he will be just like him. Two different people from two different walks of life and yet they were destined to meet. A shift in the universe calling them to stop and see that fate brought them together and it is up to them to listen to their heart and soul. But what happens when danger comes knocking on their door? Is their love destined to prevail? Or will they discover, fate has another plan for them that ends in heartbreak?

The insertion of Greek gods and goddess and humans was what made this particular story stand out at the most. I especially loved the human storyline the most. Kat and Dillion are two complex characters but when they meet, a shift begins to take form. It is there, where readers can feel their sadness, longing, and struggles of doing what is right. The biggest underlying theme in this book is family, loyalty, and love. There is no shift in direction as to what Hart is telling her readers. Love is indeed a battle. A war of some kind where mixed emotions are raging. But in the end, love has this magical touch that can’t be explained only felt. And for Dillion and Kat, their union was beautiful. Soulful.

So if you are looking for a story that beautifully weaves family, truth, hurt, love and new beginnings in such a heartwarming manner then I highly urge you to get lost in Shift. Hart’s ability to create a beautiful imagery of two different planes of myth and reality is one tale that I will happily drown myself in. These characters. This imagery of Gods and humans. And this breathtaking message of love is one to be remembered and savored.
