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3.41 AVERAGE
3.41 AVERAGE
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and am providing an honest review.
This book started off super cute! I really liked Selene and Noelle and Aunt Bibi. I enjoyed the development of Selene and Aiden's relationship and found them adorable together. You don't often see a guy depicted as visibly nervous or embarrassed (he often turned pink or red), which made things feel more genuine. I also really liked the set up for the mystery.
Unfortunately, somewhere along the way things got a bit boring and then unexpectedly farcical -- the antagonist cackled and gave speeches on why they were upset during the big showdown like a Disney villain. It felt pretty out of place with the story leading up to that point.
Overall, it was a decent read, but not sure I would continue on with the series.
This book started off super cute! I really liked Selene and Noelle and Aunt Bibi. I enjoyed the development of Selene and Aiden's relationship and found them adorable together. You don't often see a guy depicted as visibly nervous or embarrassed (he often turned pink or red), which made things feel more genuine. I also really liked the set up for the mystery.
Unfortunately, somewhere along the way things got a bit boring and then unexpectedly farcical -- the antagonist cackled and gave speeches on why they were upset during the big showdown like a Disney villain. It felt pretty out of place with the story leading up to that point.
Overall, it was a decent read, but not sure I would continue on with the series.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I was gifted an ebook via Netgalley. I voluntarily read and reviewed it. All thoughts are my own.
I was so ready for this book because I love witchy stories and love witchy romances. I also thought the paranormal hunter aspect of this would be super fun. I struggled quite a bit in the beginning. It took me most of the month to get to the halfway mark. It was strange because it felt like two different books. The first half was very square - there was no cursing, the budding romance was very chaste, and then in the second half I was, to use a word that cracked me up, dickmatized. This would be a 4 pepper on my spice scale (not fade to black, but not uncomfortably explicit/graphic). I wish there had been more of the witchy side of things rather than the male MC's "friendship" and friend's weird family situation. Namely an overbearing aunt who wants some random stranger to be part of all the holiday traditions despite them being full grown adults with their own lives and only visiting for work. I also would have loved more of the background of the female MC's family - more of the history behind her grandmother, Luna, etc. Overall, such a bummer because I actually did like the two MCs and Selene's witchy friends.
I was so ready for this book because I love witchy stories and love witchy romances. I also thought the paranormal hunter aspect of this would be super fun. I struggled quite a bit in the beginning. It took me most of the month to get to the halfway mark. It was strange because it felt like two different books. The first half was very square - there was no cursing, the budding romance was very chaste, and then in the second half I was, to use a word that cracked me up, dickmatized. This would be a 4 pepper on my spice scale (not fade to black, but not uncomfortably explicit/graphic). I wish there had been more of the witchy side of things rather than the male MC's "friendship" and friend's weird family situation. Namely an overbearing aunt who wants some random stranger to be part of all the holiday traditions despite them being full grown adults with their own lives and only visiting for work. I also would have loved more of the background of the female MC's family - more of the history behind her grandmother, Luna, etc. Overall, such a bummer because I actually did like the two MCs and Selene's witchy friends.
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
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
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
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
This was such a cute and fun read! Felt like Buzzfeed Unsolved meets Practical Magic. The perfect read for November, transitioning between Halloween and Christmas.
While not the most enveloping romance I’ve read, I think learning that this is the first book in a series that will be following the same couple made it more enjoyable and realistic. This is very much still the start of their relationship, it’s the flirting and first date jitters then the honeymoon period, though things are complicated by the fact that Selene is a witch and Aiden is a skeptical paranormal investigator. That element, though, was a lot of fun. I really liked that the witch bits are pretty hand wavy with little explanation.
I think the author did a solid job of weaving in a little commentary around microaggressions and racism within the magical plotline. Selene’s family is feared by the town for being evil witches, but they can’t actually prove anything, so the town just ostracizes her as much as possible. The murder mystery element also sort of ties into this, but I don’t want to be too specific because of spoilers.
I could have done with some more fleshing out of side characters, particularly the two best friends since they were pretty prevalent, as well as maybe a bit more to the mystery? But even still, very cute and fun read with a bit of spice! Intrigued to read the next one!
While not the most enveloping romance I’ve read, I think learning that this is the first book in a series that will be following the same couple made it more enjoyable and realistic. This is very much still the start of their relationship, it’s the flirting and first date jitters then the honeymoon period, though things are complicated by the fact that Selene is a witch and Aiden is a skeptical paranormal investigator. That element, though, was a lot of fun. I really liked that the witch bits are pretty hand wavy with little explanation.
I think the author did a solid job of weaving in a little commentary around microaggressions and racism within the magical plotline. Selene’s family is feared by the town for being evil witches, but they can’t actually prove anything, so the town just ostracizes her as much as possible. The murder mystery element also sort of ties into this, but I don’t want to be too specific because of spoilers.
I could have done with some more fleshing out of side characters, particularly the two best friends since they were pretty prevalent, as well as maybe a bit more to the mystery? But even still, very cute and fun read with a bit of spice! Intrigued to read the next one!
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
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
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
A book about a librarian witch set a Christmas time?! Sign me up!! This book did not disappoint! Selene was fabulous and I was so pleasantly surprised by the hero! This book brought the funny and the happy. I also loved how it focused on the importance of friendships. And of course, I enjoyed the witches!