Imperfect Illusions (Devastating Magic #1) by Vanora Lawless

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A drafted empath. A passionate poet. A love worth fighting for.
Chicago, 1917.
Idealistic, dreamwalking poet Elliot Stone’s magic can inflict euphoria or horror with a simple touch. In love with being in love, Elliot’s never had a problem falling. Keeping someone on the other hand…
Stubborn, fiercely independent Warren “Sully” Sullivan is an illusionist with a secret: he feels the emotions of others as visceral sensations. A lifetime of fending for himself and parsing feelings that aren’t his own has left him guarded.
An explosive emotional connection on their last night of freedom before shipping off to training should have been nothing more than a one-night stand. And it was. Until Elliot awakens in Sully’s nightmare with the irresistible urge to save him, even if it splinters his carefully crafted moral code.
When tragedy draws them together in France to battle enemies with twisted magic, where their secrets are a liability, can they bring their dreams—and love—to life? Or will the war cost them everything?
Rating: A
I can’t remember how I stumbled across Vanora Lawless’  Imperfect Illusions , but I’m very glad I did! I was gripped from start to finish by this historical adventure/fantasy romance set amid the horrors of World War One; the stakes are high, the historical and fantasy aspects of the story are really well done, and the romance is nicely developed in an unusual way.
Chicago, 1917. Elliot Stone returns to his comfortable family home one winter morning to find an unexpected guest awaiting him. Suspicion turns to horror when the gentleman – who introduces himself as Major Allen – blackmails him into enlisting in one of the new secret magical units being created by the government to fight in the war in Europe. Elliot’s family has worked hard to keep the magic that flows through their bloodline a secret – but obviously not hard enough, if they’ve come to the attention of the military. Major Allen is distinctly unpleasant and clearly knows Elliot’s other big secret (that he enjoys the company of men as well as women) – and he knows Elliot’s skill is to be able induce euphoria or horror in someone merely by touching them. When Elliot continues to voice his opposition to the Major’s scheme, Allen plays his trump card – not only will he make sure that Elliot’s… proclivities are made public, but he’ll also look to the other members of Elliot’s family with a view of making use of them, instead. Knowing at least one of his siblings has magical abilities, Elliot has to admit defeat.
Warren – Sully – Sullivan works as a private investigator and is the sole support for his cousin, sixteen year old Anne, whose parents died when the ship on which they had travelled to Chicago sank in the harbour. He, too, is forced into enlisting; the government knows all about his talent for creating illusions in the minds of others – and also somehow found men he’d had back-alley encounters with and exhorted confessions out of them. He can’t afford to create any scandal for Anne or his friend who runs the agency – especially because both of them are skilled, and he can’t risk the government’s attention turning to them.
Elliot and Sully are from opposite ends of the social spectrum and by rights, their paths shouldn’t cross. Yet on the night before they’re both due to ship out to begin their training, they decide a last night on the town – with a few drinks, and maybe some convivial company – is in order. Using his illusion skills, Sully disguises his shabby clothes and heads to a fancy lounge-bar, where he notices the blond man with the pretty face straight away – and wants him. A few subtle glances later, and the man casually makes his way over to Sully; the zing of attraction that’s been thrumming through him since he laid eyes on the other man flares into red hot lust, and his other (secret) magical skill – the ability to sense others’ emotions – can feel the man’s reciprocal attraction and excitement. His last night as a free man looks to be shaping up to be a good one.
You can read the rest of this review at All About Romance.