tamimarieb 's review for:

A Forbidden Alchemy by Stacey McEwan

4.0

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense 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: Complicated

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)

Overall, I really enjoyed A Forbidden Alchemy. The insane number of twists and turns had my mind reeling and my jaw on the floor more than once. It’s one of those stories where just when you think you’ve figured it out—bam!—another secret unravels.

The beginning was a bit slow for me. I enjoyed Nina and Patrick’s first meeting, but following Nina through her school days dragged a little. I personally would have loved some glimpses into Patrick’s upbringing—it could have added a richer layer to his character early on.

That said, the story really picks up toward the end. Once the plot accelerates and secrets start pouring out, I was hooked. I didn’t even realize I’d hit the last page until I turned it and realized there was no more left to read. That’s how absorbed I was.

The slow burn between Patrick and Nina was done beautifully. Their connection built gradually, and in a way, it was almost sweet—full of tension, longing, and moments that made you ache for them to finally collide.

It’s a solid four stars from me. I’m definitely looking forward to the next book!