For the Strange and Surprising is a slow-burn fantasy romance that introduces Ada, a witty and relatable heroine who finds herself thrust into a mysterious new world. As she navigates its dangers and secrets, she crosses paths with four intriguing men, each with unique dynamics and undeniable chemistry.
For the Strange and Surprising by M.F. Adele
Series: Where the Mongrels Are #1
Genres: Fantasy, Mystery, Paranormal Romance

I’m a catastrophe waiting to happen—I always have been.

When a waterspout drops me on the shores of a seemingly deserted island, I soon realize that I’m not on Earth, and I’m not alone.

This new world is full of dangers, from sea monsters and feuding tribes to poisonous food and beasts that lurk in the shadows. None of those things are as dangerous as the Mongrel men appointed to guard and teach me.

All I want to do is go home, but the island has no intentions of letting me leave.

I’ll be forced to interact with total strangers to survive this perilous land surrounded by treacherous waters.

My dreams of happiness sink into the dark depths below as I struggle to save myself from certain death.
The Mongrels will learn that fear makes a person reckless.

My name is Adelaide Storm.

But they’ll call me Ada Stormbrave.

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I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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For the Strange and Surprising is a light, slow-burn fantasy romance that had me smiling from start to finish. Ada, the FMC, is an absolute delight—relatable, witty, and endlessly curious. She’s strong in a quiet, natural way, handling the bizarre world she’s thrown into with far more grace and humor than I ever could! The multi-POV storytelling does a fantastic job of building the world while dropping intriguing breadcrumbs and unanswered questions for the rest of the series.

In this first book, we meet four main guys, all of whom seem perfectly suited for Ada—including the one she bickers with nonstop (and I sincerely hope their banter remains even after they get on the same page!). While the deeper connections between Ada and the guys are just beginning to take shape, the chemistry and tension are already palpable. With their existing friendship dynamic and Ada’s fresh perspective, I can’t wait to see how their relationships evolve in the next books.

This fantasy world is filled with mysteries to uncover, including tribe attacks, a possible traitor, and strange, unknown beasts lurking in the shadows. I also loved the addition of a developing female friendship—no unnecessary drama, just strong connections. There’s no major cliffhanger here, just more of the story waiting to unfold. With this being the first trilogy in a larger series, I’m excited to see how everything connects, especially with the subtle hints at future FMCs. Book two is already on my TBR, and I can’t wait to dive in!

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