A review by jessread_s
Bespelled by Laura Thalassa

adventurous dark emotional mysterious 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? Yes

4.25

Review: The sequel to “Bewitched” not only exceeds all expectation, but is more magical than its predecessor!

“Bespelled” picks up where book 1 leaves off—with Selene Bowers trying to make sense of her restored memories and the unbreakable marriage pact she was coerced into by her soul mate Memnon. However, once Memnon learns the truth behind why Selene betrayed him long ago, he is horrified by his own actions and desperate to make amends, Memnon offers Selene the unthinkable: a magic bond that will give her full control over his will. And Selene is desperate enough to accept it. There’s still a killer out there targeting the witches at Henbane Coven and if Selene wants to stop them, she’ll need Memnon’s help.

I love books with groveling and grovel Memnon did! Once Selene retained her memories, she put him in his place and I thoroughly enjoyed watching him make up for his mistakes. While I didn’t necessarily like that Memnon relinquished his free will to Selene (it made me question what was consensual), I did like how he gave her the space she needed to sort through her feelings while also being by her side when she needed him most. He is protective of her, but also constantly reminds Selene of how fierce and capable she is on her own. Their dynamic of being caught between hate and love is incredibly entertaining and I adored that they eventually found a way to unite their pasts and present selves to rekindle their romance. 

Heartbreaking as it was, I really liked the direction this book took with regard to the murder mystery sub-plot. Thalassa handles sensitive subjects (specifically pertaining to the victims) with care and adds elements of suspense, both of which further invested me in the storyline. With the introduction of new supernatural creatures and villains, I am interested in seeing how things play out in book 3.