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lovesick_1212 's review for:
Always Practice Safe Hex
by Juliette Cross
Always Practice Safe Hex is a contemporary, paranormal romance set in a world where all paranormal beings coexist with each other.
Livvy Savoie, a charming witch with the gift of persuasion, finds herself irresistibly drawn to her infuriatingly brilliant rival, Gareth Blackwater, a stoic and brooding grim reaper. Despite her initial dislike, Livvy can’t deny the powerful attraction between them, while Gareth, skeptical of his feelings, believes her magic is behind his growing obsession. However, as they are forced to work together in a public relations contest, sparks fly, and they realize there’s more than magic between them.
The main characters were richly developed, and what I initially expected to be a lighthearted romance surprised me with its depth. It was filled with vulnerable, relatable inner monologues that explored the fear of love and the struggle to be loved. Both protagonists were crafted with care, their motivations, fears, and hopes woven together in a whimsical yet heartfelt way.
That said, if you’re looking for a dramatic, angst-filled love story, this might not be the one for you. Personally, I found it refreshing. Both characters are presented as highly intelligent, and it was satisfying to see them process their emotions in a thoughtful, mature way. I even shed a tear on some very vulnerable moments.
It made sense within this paranormal world where the concept of "mates" exists. The instant connection and willingness to let down their guard more quickly than with other potential love interests felt natural, as these beings have an innate ability to sense their soul mate.
It was still a bit of a slow burn before they eventually give in physically, but emotionally, their instant attraction made sense in this world.
The writing style was engaging, with a good balance of humor and relatability. If you’re not a fan of overly flowery language, you’ll appreciate the straightforward, no-frills approach.
As for the plot, the romance was spot on. However, the "dangerous wizard" element felt random and underdeveloped, almost like an afterthought. His character added nothing significant to the story, and his role felt unnecessary. It was the one aspect that felt off to me, as I couldn’t figure out his purpose or why he was even there.
As far as tropes go, it was meant to be a rival to lovers, but to me it did not feed into that at all. There really wasn't much rivalry going on, and because the beginning of the story starts with them having to work together in the same team, there really is no "competitor" or "rival" tension. It was more, misunderstood to lovers to me.
Another trope portrayed, is the "who hurt you trope". If you love the possessiveness usually in supernatural stories, you'll love Gareth.
Smut scenes were great. What I liked is that a majority of the written out sex scenes had an emotional element to it. It really portrayed their vulnerability well as they let themselves fall in love with each other.
All in all this was a fun, enjoyable romance with the right balance of humor, emotion, and some steamy moments. While the whole "dangerous wizard" thing felt a bit random and didn’t add much, the connection between Livvy and Gareth really made up for it. If you’re into romances that are more thoughtful and light on the drama, with a touch of supernatural, this is definitely worth a read. It's perfect if you're looking for something sweet, with just the right amount of spice, and two characters who actually talk through their feelings.
Livvy Savoie, a charming witch with the gift of persuasion, finds herself irresistibly drawn to her infuriatingly brilliant rival, Gareth Blackwater, a stoic and brooding grim reaper. Despite her initial dislike, Livvy can’t deny the powerful attraction between them, while Gareth, skeptical of his feelings, believes her magic is behind his growing obsession. However, as they are forced to work together in a public relations contest, sparks fly, and they realize there’s more than magic between them.
The main characters were richly developed, and what I initially expected to be a lighthearted romance surprised me with its depth. It was filled with vulnerable, relatable inner monologues that explored the fear of love and the struggle to be loved. Both protagonists were crafted with care, their motivations, fears, and hopes woven together in a whimsical yet heartfelt way.
That said, if you’re looking for a dramatic, angst-filled love story, this might not be the one for you. Personally, I found it refreshing. Both characters are presented as highly intelligent, and it was satisfying to see them process their emotions in a thoughtful, mature way. I even shed a tear on some very vulnerable moments.
It made sense within this paranormal world where the concept of "mates" exists. The instant connection and willingness to let down their guard more quickly than with other potential love interests felt natural, as these beings have an innate ability to sense their soul mate.
It was still a bit of a slow burn before they eventually give in physically, but emotionally, their instant attraction made sense in this world.
The writing style was engaging, with a good balance of humor and relatability. If you’re not a fan of overly flowery language, you’ll appreciate the straightforward, no-frills approach.
As for the plot, the romance was spot on. However, the "dangerous wizard" element felt random and underdeveloped, almost like an afterthought. His character added nothing significant to the story, and his role felt unnecessary. It was the one aspect that felt off to me, as I couldn’t figure out his purpose or why he was even there.
As far as tropes go, it was meant to be a rival to lovers, but to me it did not feed into that at all. There really wasn't much rivalry going on, and because the beginning of the story starts with them having to work together in the same team, there really is no "competitor" or "rival" tension. It was more, misunderstood to lovers to me.
Another trope portrayed, is the "who hurt you trope". If you love the possessiveness usually in supernatural stories, you'll love Gareth.
Smut scenes were great. What I liked is that a majority of the written out sex scenes had an emotional element to it. It really portrayed their vulnerability well as they let themselves fall in love with each other.
All in all this was a fun, enjoyable romance with the right balance of humor, emotion, and some steamy moments. While the whole "dangerous wizard" thing felt a bit random and didn’t add much, the connection between Livvy and Gareth really made up for it. If you’re into romances that are more thoughtful and light on the drama, with a touch of supernatural, this is definitely worth a read. It's perfect if you're looking for something sweet, with just the right amount of spice, and two characters who actually talk through their feelings.