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beranceknows's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
snappycow's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
queerkidreads's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you to Netgalley for giving me an arc in exchange for an honest review!
I was promised sapphic witches inspired by Hozier music, and I sure was given just that! I almost exclusively listened to Hozier while reading this book, and the vibes were just *chefs kiss* I loved everything about this book, but let's break it down.
I loved Rhia and Valerie so much, and how much they both grew throughout this book. Their love for each other was also so sweet and felt very realistic. It wasn't just some instalove where they got together immediately, there was SO MUCH mutual yearning and things they had to go through, before they could fully love each other. I'm also just a big fan of opposites attract.
Not only were the main characters deep and very well developed, but so were the side characters. I especially loved Quinn and Tristan. They had a purpose and a reason and went through their own things, Quinn most of all. Them finding out about their own magic and family secrets were a nice addition.
This book had so much casual representation, and we really need that more in books. Almost every introduction included pronouns, which I really liked, as it's a thing we need to normalise. There was also uses of neopronouns, which is also super rare in books, but super nice to see. Almost everyone was also just queer in some way. Very realistic, as queer people usually come in groups.
I adored the magic system. Books about witches can quickly become very fantasy-like, but here it was kept very modern, and a lot the magic they used actually seemed like something you could use in real life. I'm almost certain I've heard of people using similar magic. I liked this, as low-fantasy is my favourite kind of fantasy.
Most of the book was very feel-good, which I didn't mind AT ALL as we need more happy queer books. The autumn vibes, the casual magic, the yearning and loving between Rhia and Valerie, the platonic love between Quinn and Valerie and Rhia and Tristan and just Rhia's love for her family and the love and bond they shared with each other just made me so happy. The last 100 pages or so where all the family secrets started to be revealed and stuff just went south had me HOOKED, and I loved learning about it all. If it hadn't been for life I would've devoured this book in no time.
Another thing keeping me hooked was Philline Harms' writing style. It was super addicting, and just beautiful. The way she described everything was just so >>> and it was full of emotion. You could easily feel the vibes of what was going on, and what the characters were feeling.
The chapter titles being tarot cards and their meaning was such a genius and nice touch. I almost want to get into tarot readings now, no joke. Oh and the soundtrack by the end of the book?? Absolutely brilliant.
I cannot recommend this book enough if you're looking for sapphic witches. It sure was everything i needed.
I was promised sapphic witches inspired by Hozier music, and I sure was given just that! I almost exclusively listened to Hozier while reading this book, and the vibes were just *chefs kiss* I loved everything about this book, but let's break it down.
I loved Rhia and Valerie so much, and how much they both grew throughout this book. Their love for each other was also so sweet and felt very realistic. It wasn't just some instalove where they got together immediately, there was SO MUCH mutual yearning and things they had to go through, before they could fully love each other. I'm also just a big fan of opposites attract.
Not only were the main characters deep and very well developed, but so were the side characters. I especially loved Quinn and Tristan. They had a purpose and a reason and went through their own things, Quinn most of all. Them finding out about their own magic and family secrets were a nice addition.
This book had so much casual representation, and we really need that more in books. Almost every introduction included pronouns, which I really liked, as it's a thing we need to normalise. There was also uses of neopronouns, which is also super rare in books, but super nice to see. Almost everyone was also just queer in some way. Very realistic, as queer people usually come in groups.
I adored the magic system. Books about witches can quickly become very fantasy-like, but here it was kept very modern, and a lot the magic they used actually seemed like something you could use in real life. I'm almost certain I've heard of people using similar magic. I liked this, as low-fantasy is my favourite kind of fantasy.
Most of the book was very feel-good, which I didn't mind AT ALL as we need more happy queer books. The autumn vibes, the casual magic, the yearning and loving between Rhia and Valerie, the platonic love between Quinn and Valerie and Rhia and Tristan and just Rhia's love for her family and the love and bond they shared with each other just made me so happy. The last 100 pages or so where all the family secrets started to be revealed and stuff just went south had me HOOKED, and I loved learning about it all. If it hadn't been for life I would've devoured this book in no time.
Another thing keeping me hooked was Philline Harms' writing style. It was super addicting, and just beautiful. The way she described everything was just so >>> and it was full of emotion. You could easily feel the vibes of what was going on, and what the characters were feeling.
The chapter titles being tarot cards and their meaning was such a genius and nice touch. I almost want to get into tarot readings now, no joke. Oh and the soundtrack by the end of the book?? Absolutely brilliant.
I cannot recommend this book enough if you're looking for sapphic witches. It sure was everything i needed.
jmbq_reads's review
4.0
Rhia is an earth witch from a family of witches, but she hasn't reached her full potential yet. Something in her sparks, though, when she feels an instant attraction to a newcomer in Oakriver. Valerie, a fire witch, has come to Oakriver not just to study art at the local college but also to discover the truth about her mother's disappearance years ago. Even though Valerie initially laughs at Rhia's admonition not to use her magic in public, she quickly accepts Rhia's tutoring in magical basics, and the two draw closer together. But there are dark secrets hiding in town, drawing Valerie closer to danger...
This witchy romance hits so many right notes: the family traditions, the simplicity and caring intent behind Rhia's spells, the found family aspect, and the awareness that power has a cost. The two main characters are well paired with their elemental powers: Rhia is grounded in her family and her practice, if sometimes stubborn and rule(root?)-bound, while Valerie has the warm, charismatic spirit with an occasional quick temper that you might expect from a fire witch. They both learn to draw on their own strengths to help each other, and in the process they discover more about themselves and the strengths they have yet to realize.
The suspenseful thread in the plot has a nice slow development, starting off giving the reader an uneasy feeling before amping up the tension, and it offered a nice little red herring along the way (which turned into something I didn't expect but enjoyed nonetheless). The romance is just a little insta-lovey but results in a HFN that still gives both of them room to grow. Representation (Black, Chinese, lesbian, queer, trans) is worked into the story seamlessly, with characters being given full support and acceptance.
Overall, it's not my favorite witchy romance, but its themes of inclusivity, acceptance, kindness, finding your identity, and discovering your power are certainly worth celebrating and sharing with teens and young adults. 4 stars.
Thank you, Wattpad Books and NetGalley, for providing an eARC of this book. Opinions expressed here are solely my own.
This witchy romance hits so many right notes: the family traditions, the simplicity and caring intent behind Rhia's spells, the found family aspect, and the awareness that power has a cost. The two main characters are well paired with their elemental powers: Rhia is grounded in her family and her practice, if sometimes stubborn and rule(root?)-bound, while Valerie has the warm, charismatic spirit with an occasional quick temper that you might expect from a fire witch. They both learn to draw on their own strengths to help each other, and in the process they discover more about themselves and the strengths they have yet to realize.
The suspenseful thread in the plot has a nice slow development, starting off giving the reader an uneasy feeling before amping up the tension, and it offered a nice little red herring along the way (which turned into something I didn't expect but enjoyed nonetheless). The romance is just a little insta-lovey but results in a HFN that still gives both of them room to grow. Representation (Black, Chinese, lesbian, queer, trans) is worked into the story seamlessly, with characters being given full support and acceptance.
Overall, it's not my favorite witchy romance, but its themes of inclusivity, acceptance, kindness, finding your identity, and discovering your power are certainly worth celebrating and sharing with teens and young adults. 4 stars.
Thank you, Wattpad Books and NetGalley, for providing an eARC of this book. Opinions expressed here are solely my own.
aytac's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Car accident, Sexual content, Grief, and Fire/Fire injury
lwheaton11's review
5.0
A very cute seasonal read! The characters are all endearing and the threads of found family & acceptance throughout are heartwarming.
art3mis_'s review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
happily_undignified's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Love and Other Wicked Things by Philline Harms is a mysterious Sapphic Fantasy about two witches destined to be in each other's lives. Rhia is a sweet earth witch who lives with her close knit family and helps the townsfolk in her community with her gifts. When her grandmother warns that a dangerous witch is coming to town. Rhia is determined to avoid the danger, but upon meeting Valerie, said witch, she is more captivated than cautious. Valerie is in town to learn more about her mysterious mother and about her powers. She is a rule breaker and challenges Rhia at every turn. The more the girls discover about Valerie's lineage and the towns shady history, the closer and more dangerous they become. I really enjoyed the magical system in this book and how how the town is built on the secrets of the founding families. The enemies to lovers storyline was well done and I really enjoyed both of the main characters. I thought the end of the book was very fast-paced and adventurous and I really liked how everything wrapped up. This would be an amazing book for people who want a sapphic twist on wishy tails like practical magic or charmed.