Asia

3.5/5

I enjoyed this story more than the previous one but less than the first book in the series. I liked the characters and I felt sorry for Isobel about her ex-boyfriend, what a wanker. Rafe was awesome too and I hated that he'd been cursed! But I'm glad that everything worked out.

The community coming together to help Isobel and the house was AWESOME. I loved it. And I'm glad that Isobel befriended Emma and Ari both!

FINALLY A CAT FAMILIAR. She was as glorious as I hoped lol.

3/5

It was ok. I didn't like it as much as the first book in the series but it was still cute. Though I have no idea what was the point of having Alaric be a vampire instead of another mage since vampires in this world are mortal and age as normal people do, aren't affected by sunlight or anything like that. His being a vampire wasn't significant in any way, since he wasn't even the original duke from like 19th century or something, but a descendand. Honestly, the story wouldn't be any different if Alaric was a mage. It just felt like the author really wanted to make this MMC different from the previous one but it wasn't well done.

I mean what's the point of having a vampire as a duke if he's a regular 33-year-old-man who inherited his wealth and title like any other real-life peer? So i was disappointed on that front. Just make him a wizard if you must have him be connected to the magical world if you must since it wouldn't change a thing about the plot of the book.

Vivian was incredible. I loved her and I'm glad that Emma found a family with her too. It was so good. Penelope was a much better familiar than Boris imo. But I'm glad that we've seen Aria at least again, though I'm disappointed that Tabitha didn't get her book yet. I'd love to read about her instead and learn more about her niece etc. I want a single mom story!

4/5

this was so cute, i loved it!

I usually dislike the “i'm a witch but I've got trouble with my powers” but i liked it here! It was well written and I actually loved the explanation and the solution to Aria's problem.

Callan was great. I love a man obsessed and this one was so gone for her I couldn't stop cackling. Yes, I love that!

Their relationship was cute, I loved reading about them and how much he was willing to help her. HE TOOK CARE OF THE CAFEE? HOLY SHIT FIND A MAN WHO CAN DO BOTH

Tabitha was the best friend ever and I LOVED her little niece! Gran was wonderful too but I'm not really sure what was the point of Boris lol, I wasn't a fan oh his character lol.

It was a good book and I enjoyed it.

2.75

It was boring. I was bored. The way he called her gift bullshit at the end was shitty and the way she let her sister and aunt hate her was pathetic though I'm glad she finally stood up for herself. I don't think the author handled Teal being a victim of domestic abuse well and her relationship with Nate came out of nowhere - it honestly just felt like a weak plot point to prevent Sage from dating him.

Oh and the whole Sky plot - it was so random and it doesn't work for me.

Though I have to say that Tenn and Sage's first time was cute HE BOUGHT HER CANDLES. Adorable.

4/5

I had waited a long time to read this book and it was as whimsical and cozy and amazing as I hoped it would be. I was hoping for a bit more romance, however, but found family vibes were strong and great.

The children were amazing and I loved the little rivalry (?) between the middle one and Mika. It was hilarious up until Mika got hurt. But I loved that Jamie stayed by her side until she woke up, it was sweet of him.

Mika's love for magic was so pure and her making potions was so interesting. I loved the shooting stars scene when Jamie visited her and I'm glad it wasn't insta-love for either of them, but I wish the romance was expanded. The author, at least in this book, not sure about others, likes to tell us instead of show us, which is something I'm not really a fan of. When Mika thought to herself that she was in love with him (and the rest of the team) I was like “When did that happen?” They interacted so little “on-screen”, most of their relationship was just mentioned in throwaway lines which is not what I hoped for.

The other thing that bugged me was the pov switch halfway through the chapter and instead of fleshing it out, it was just a few sentences that, if taken out from the book, wouldn't affect the plot at all. Like Ian's pov thrown halfway through the chapter when Mika told Jamie she wanted to talk to him. Why was it there? Completely unnecessary. And there were other instances like those 2 sentences from Jamie's pov after Mika made a move on him in the car. Like come on, give us a full chapter from Jamie's pov, not 2 sentences that don't affect the story in any way.

The plot twist at the end was kind of predictable but I liked it because the clues were all there and I loved that the author decided to follow through, instead of switching things at the last second. And it conveniently wrapped up the plot, which I enjoyed.

I DNFed it after chapter 8. I just couldn't deal with how pathetic Emma was and how pushy Bastian was.

I skimmed the book to see when would tell Bastian about joining and it wasn't until CHAPTER 24 THAT HE MANAGED TO LET HER KNOW??? And she didn't even want to tell him all this time? And she justified it by keeping her half-sister safe, but Basian was right: Emma didn't even want to tell him at all. And the silencing hex was her and she didn't even feel bad about it? Give me a break.

The book is well-written but I couldn' symphatise with the characters at all.

3,5/5

That was sweet and cozy! I loved the vibes and the characters were likable (perhaps not Bella's mother lol). Gramps was amazing and I loved him, he was really cute.

Bella's dedication to arts was really inspiring and I loved how much heart she gave to that musical. Cade was a grouchy musician with a heart of gold who was a real asshole at the beginning but we learn that he's struggling with addiction and grief.

Their romance was cute though some of the scenes were corny - like them singing he musical. I had to take a 5 minute break cause that was embarrassing for me, I hate scenes like this. But the whole book was really cute and I loved the vibes.

It was very light and cute though Gramps reminded me of my grandpa a little and now I miss him.

I'm definitely going to read the remaining books in the series, though not yet, I have a few other books on my tbr I want to finish first

2.75/5

That was bland. Cute but bland.

And Emma stalking Oliver at the school play and giving him love potion was so creepy like what the hell?? Is she insane??I could justify her going up to her house on Halloween night but the rest was so bad oh my god I hated how creepy she was acting.

The only saving grace of this book was Jane and that's it.

4.25/5

I don't usually read Alice in Wonderland retellings but this was delightful! I loved everything about it, how Alice and Sebastian met and how they helped each other! And it was wonderful to see Vivian Argus, and Tess, who started the whole series, appearing at the end. I'm going to think about this series for a long time.

Sebastian was a cocky bastard and I loved him. I was disappointed to see how much pressure Vivian and Argus put on him as a child, but they only wanted what's best for him and it's clear how much they love him. Tessa's disappointment in his choices was hilarious.

ALICE. I LOVE HER, SHE'S AWESOME. Poor girl, I was really hoping she would get her happy ending and I'm glad it happened.

The entire Wonderland was interesting, though I was disappointed by the confrontation against the Queen. I was hoping it would be more drawn out. But it was still a good book.

I hope we'll get a new book for this series soon but if we don't, it was a nice ending to the whole series, with everyone at the end happy and alive.

0/5

DNFed after the second chapter

the writing is cringy and awful. I get that MFC is “not like other girls” but it just sounds so embarrassing. She's what, 19-20? And talks like a 15-year-old girl who has no experience talking to people. Her ex-boyfriend (and her friends) is an immediate red flag - he grabbed her and carter her off to his house while she yelled at hm to put her down and her best friends - who at the time already knew she didn't want to sleep with him - stood there and watched and only came to help her minutes later AFTER she saved herself? And she calls him harmless? Nope, I'm out of here

4/5

I liked it. A little Hansel and Gretel, a little Beauty and the Beast and we get Shatter the Dark. I loved the characters and the plot, and we even got a little Wolfish Charms scene! Though I was looking forward to Lianna running away and Bowen bringing her back we never got that, too bad that the author didn't include that. But I loved it anyway.

Annie was so cute and I'm glad that she found a family with Bowen and Liana! And I loved the main couple!

3.75/5

This was cute, I enjoyed it! Though Derrick os terrible at explaining things, space? I would have thought the same thing Tessa did. And then punch him later in the cottage lol

4.25/5

The Red Riding Hood isn't my favourite fairytale, but I love this retelling. I loved Argus and Vivian since the first book and I really enjoyed their romance and their character development. And especially at the end when he started a new business? Hell yes!

Dangerous men gone for one woman and one woman only are my weakness and I ate it up. I loved how much Argus loved Vivian even when he wasn't sure of anything else.

Hastings and Fiona were a great addition to the plot. Snarky butlers are my weakness too as it turns out and I loved his relationship with Argus.

The plot was fantastic, I enjoyed every second, and the plot twist at the end was great too, I loved it.

I can even forgive the proposal at the end, since it was stated it's been months since Argus's sister disappeared, and Vivian moved in with Argus like a day later.

THE EPILOGUE! I'm so very excited about Sebasian's adventures though Alice in Wonderland isn't my favourite fairytale either haha.

4/5

I liked it! The characters were well-written and I loved the connection Tessa had with Ella. Derrick and Tessa's relationship was awesome, I knew he was smitten with her since the beginning and it was fun to see their relationship progress. And I can't wait to read more about Vivian and Argus too!

3/5

I've got mixed feelings about this book.

The descriptjon promised something else entirely. It said that Jess would find out that Derrick was lying to her but she would be forced to team up with him to save her town.

And it seemed like he would be the enemy.

Instead, the big secret was only that Derrick was a son of goddess Gaia, and THAT'S IT. And we (and Jess) didn't learn of it until 80% of the book.

Also, the fact that main character readily believed the woman who hated her was laughable.

Amd she wasn't forced to team up with him, not at all. She forgave him literally the next day.

So really, the description promised something entorely else and it spoiled a part of the book in the process.

And the scary demons that would destroy the town? Defeated by a 16 year old girl's speech? Oh, come on. That was ridicullous. Why did she had to train her powers then? The book and decription was preparing us for a big battle and what we got was a letdown. Honestly, I'm disappointed.

The romance is cute though. Derrick and Jess are a cute couple but I just didn't care enough. And the change in perspective - Jess's in first person and Derrick's in third person was jarring to say the least. I would have preferred them to be both in the same person and for more chapters from Derrick's point of view.

Speaking of characters, I'm not sure what was the deal with Billy. Half of the book seemed like he was still in love with Jess and tried to win her back, part of the book seemed like he wanted to avoid her, and another part that he was deeply in love with Rosalie and dodn't care about Jess. It was a mess, honestly.

Overall, the book was cute and the vibes were also,just like the romance. But it wasn't wbat I was expecting based on the description which I'm dissapointed in.

I read this book because I thought it would be a witchy romance in a small town, perfect for Halloween. I was wrong. Romance was practically non-existent, dammit, and I was in the mood for for a witchy second chance romance. Instead, Jake was almost never around and when he was it was in all the wrong moments.

I knew he'd be engaged from the first time he told Sadie he had to tell her about something. But the fake baby was too much. He wasn't even into the relationship in the first place and I was supposed to feel bad for him? Nope.

I also predicted that Sadie would lose magic from the first pages of the book. It was the way she clung to it, taking it for granted and talking about her curse all the time. It was inevitable.

I think the only interesting thing for me was all the trivia about different plants and their meaning. Cinnamon for luck, chrysanthemum for openess, etc. That was fun. And all the recipes after the chapters, I'm gonna try some out as soon as I can convert the measurements to metric system lol.

All in all I was disappointed by the lack of romance and all the random plot points that weren't really resolved but were still there. Like the malovent spirit who turned out to the grandfather and wasn't evil at all, but something tried to get into the garden - from the outside so it couldn't have been Sadie's magic. The kindnapping (?) of Jake's dog and how he wasn't even bothered by that at all. The fiance and fake baby drama that was resolved in 2-3 chapters.

Honestly, it was kind of boring. Not for me at all.

2.75/5

3.75/5

I usually like the modern marriage of convenience, though this book was kind of boring. Nothing interesting happened until 60% of the book, no real conflict or anything like that and I lacked the feelings. This author likes to tell, not show, which is not my favourite. It's hard to judge the passage of time in the story until it's explicitly written - like the fact that at the beginning it was said that the elections would happen in 2 months' time in November since Leonne and Trev's wedding. But all of that happened in the meantime, the campaign and everything between Leone and Trev looked like it happened in a matter of days at most before the election day arrived.

And here was almost no mention of feelings; no fluttering hearts or quickened breath or nerves while looking at the person, or the happiness at the sight of them - nothing internal. it was all “she/he smiled, she/he took the other person's hand” and until it was spelled out that they were in love with each other, the reader could barely tell that there were any feelings involved. And I personally don't like that. I like to feel the internal conflict and the subtle hints of catching feelings like flushed cheeks or heart pounding or the inability to think about anything else but that other person, but there was nothing here.

What I liked about this book though is the fact that even with the glamour, Trevor still saw the real Leonne and not the spell she showed the world. The crystal that she gave to protect him. The friendship within the coven (and Hazel!), as well as the friendship between Trevor and Titus, and Trevor and Dante. And the fact that Trevor found out that Leonne was a witch. I freaking loved that the most.The thing about the first book that bugged me the most was that witches couldn't tell their nonmagical partners the truth and that Danica wouldn't be able to share this with Titus either. The "ask me no questions" policy was really bothersome and I love that now they're allowed to! Trevor and Titus know the truth about the magic and the coven and they're not being lied to anymore.

All in all, it wasn't a bad book but I expected more, especially after the last one. Especially the “18 months later” excerpt that talked about Leonne and Trev as being almost separated - it was only one argument and they both apologized literally the next day. It was nothing as dramatic as what the previous book suggested which disappointed me.

But I'm glad that Trevors knows now and that Leonen doesn't have to hide her magical talent - hers or Melanie's from him.

I hope the next book in the series (not “The Only Purple House in Town” as is listed on goodreads though, which seems like a random addition) is about Dante and Margie. I'd love to read their story and I'm a sucker for a single dad romance. And I hope we get to to learn more about Vanessa and Ethel too!

4.25/5

I loved this book better than the first one. While in the first book, Clem came off as nagging and controlling, and unfeeling, in this we can see how much she's actually struggling and how overwhelmed she is. And while Danica's actions were justified in the first book, this one showed us how self-centered she actually was.

The power of the change of perspective.

My favourite part of this book is that the first 50% takes place during the “Witch Please”, the first book in the series, but from Clem's perspective. We see why Clem is he way she is, her family troubles, and the affair with the witch hunter, while Danica and Titus are only in the background.

And we meet Gavin. English. I love him so much! He already had doubts about being part of the order and the message from his grandfather changed everything.

I loved that even when he learned that Clem was a witch, his first thought was to keep it a secret from the order. To protect her and those she cares about. His struggles with his father were relatable and ngl, I cried a little. I'm glad that he managed to find peace and atone for his mistakes.

While I didn't like the solution to witches being able to be with mundane people, I actually liked how they resolved the issue of witch hunters here. Sure, it wasn't realistic for everyone to have a change of heart and I wished they talked more about punishing those who didn't regret it, like Gavin's father, but that was only for my own satisfaction.

Speaking of, freaking grandma pissed me off. She's not only trying to control Danica's life, but manipulates and basically abuses Allegra while expecting Clem to be on her side. I'm glad that Clem finally gave her peace of mind and it seems to be working now.

The 18-months time jump scares me a little when it comes to the next book but in this book I rather liked that despite all this time, Clem and Gavin were still in love and couldn't stop thinking about each other. And gave each other a chance after all this time too.

When it comes to the next book, I can already tell it will be about Leanne and Travis. Damn, a Vegas wedding, near separation, and a child afterward? Please don't tell me that the unplanned pregnancy will be part of the plot too and that's what made them stay together and figure things out! Not sure how I feel about it, honestly. I love me some modern marriage of convenience, the “i blacked out and woke up married in Vegas” but this feels deliberate like “I've known you for a month but let's get married” which is something I hate. I suppose I need to read this to find out if I like the plot or not.

When it comes to “Boss WItch”, however, I really enjoyed it, the plot and the characters. We'll see how much of the third book overlaps with this one and IF the plot of the third book takes us beyond the 18 months later, perhaps we'll get a glimpse of more Gavin and Clem.

3.75/5

The first half was really slow and the second was better but not by much. I struggled with the first half of the book for days though I've read the remaining 60% of the book in like 4 hours.

I was mostly interested in Titus's family issues and I'm disappointed at no resolution. Titus and Maya didn't tell their father off, didn't tell them how much it hurt them to be replaced, and how quickly their father moved on. I hated that they still went to that baby shower and didn't tell their father how much his forcing them to go to Arizona annoyed and hurt them. But they got to talk to Lucy and I adore her! So that was that at least.

The insta love was a bit much for me but it wasn't as bad as I thought it might be. Poor Titus had no experience before and only bad relationships so I can't blame him for clinging to Danica as tight as he could.

THE GRANDMA WAS ANNOYING. Holy shit I hated her meddling and that Danica let her! Dani should have NEVER agreed to go with that Leich guy out even to protect Titius, she should have told her grandmother off way sooner. Like holy shit, are you kidding me? I get that Dani loved her but still, she should have taken a stance sooner instead of trying to keep the peace. And the fact that the curse isn't real??? I'm so mad at grandma for lying and gaslighting Danica and Clem. How dare she? Fucking bitch.

I... Kinda hated the solution they came up with. “I'm pagan so when I do weird shit don't ask questions” Are you kidding me? A supportive partner would have ask a whole bunch of questions, trying to learn as much as they could to support you and help you! And I'm supposed to believe that Titus won't ask what it all means even once? So Danica's father doesn't know that his wife and daughter are witches either? It's so... manipulative, kinda. I would have preferred them to know and for Danica to tell Titus the truth. Especially if they have children who are also witches.

I also wished for Danica to come to her mother sooner. We could have learned about the lack of curse sooner and, it was the logical thing to do. I mean Minerva married a mundane too, she had already been through it before and Danica could have used her help. I wish Danica would have called her mother before she accepted her love for Titius and asked how was she sure about Danica's father over losing magic.

I was hoping for another confrontation between Danica and her grandmother too, at the end.

CLEM. Her “what about pact, it's like you don't care” pissed me off ESPECIALLY while she's hooking up with the witch hunter and admitted to liking him. Oh, so she can, but Danica's forbidden? Fuck that shit. Honestly, Clem's behaviour towards Danica about Titus was not only hypocritical but annoying as hell. Fuck that promise, Danica doesn't get to be lonely for the rest of her life just because Clem is clinging to that oath like a safety net. Doesn't work like that.

It wasn't all bad though. As much as I was cringing over Danica jumping up to the wrong conclusion and following Titius, it was kind of sweet. And while Titus already imagining babies and marriages got on my nerves, he wasn't pressuring Danica about it!

All in all, it was average. I didn't hate it but I didn't love it either. Though props for representation, I loved that Titus's bi, though that could have been explored more. And all the lesbian couples in the background were s cute! And I love that women of all ages were in Danica's coven too.

4.25/5
This book was delightful. I loved Mariel and her character, I related to her a little in terms of her lack of self-confidence. But I love how much she grew into herself and settled into her powers with Oz's help. And I really related to ger struggling with the language of power, I hated learning languages at school, especially Latin was horrible and impossible for me to learn.

Oz was AMAZING, I loved how grumpy he was at the very beginning and as he and Mariel grew closer he was more open and allowed himself to be happy no matter the consequences.

Calladia was the best friend anyone could ever hope for, I adore her! The way she just marched up to Astaroth and punched him for destroying Mariel's garden was brilliant! I want to be her when I grow up, ngl. Can't wait for her book!

THE WAY MARIEL STOOD UP TO HER MOTHER, HELL YES. YES, I LOVED THAT MOMENT SO MUCH, I WAS CHEERING FOR HER! YOU GO, GIRL!

I also loved the old tiny warlock (I forgot his name, I'm sorry!), he was a great mentor to Mariel and I liked that he FINALLY had her back.

The ending was pretictable but that didn't take my enjoyment away. I loved that it ended this way, despite being able to predict it and I'm very happy for Mariel (and Oz!).

2.75/5

I was disappointed in this book tbh. I loved the concept and was excited to read about consent and how the author tackled it and it was good - but as much as I love the fake dating trope, I hate the miscommunication trope even more, and in this instance, miscommunication won.

The whole drama should have been resolved after one conversation. Instead, Morgan jumps to the worst possible conclusion and doesn't even ask Rory about her own feelings on the matter - if she had, all this unnecessary drama could have been avoided.

As much as Morgan and Rory both annoyed me, I loved the minor characters like Verdana, Isaac, Erica, and Morgan's family. And Hazel. Hazel and Isaac were my favourite characters and I wished we saw more of Isaac.

2.75/5

it was boring, that's all I have to say, really. It started out really promising but we didn't really get any action until 80% into the book so... And really, that character just HAD TO die?

Also what's up with Edison's parents? Did they visit? Did Riley meet them? Was there any closure for Edison at all? Not that we'll get nay answers in book 2, i don't think.

I might continue the series but only because I like Caroline and Alice more so I might enjoy their adventure bit more. And dammit, I'm interested in those locks Riley needs to find.

Ngl, Alice and Caroline (and Riley too tbh) accepting magic like no big deal was a bit weird it took me out but whatever.

3/5

I'm disappointed in this book. I was so hopeful for Delilah and all of the Harlows getting together and learning more about them - and learned I did, in ONE SCENE. ONE. SCENE. OF TWO that Delilah shared ith any other Harlow. COME ON! I missed Emmy and wanted Delilah to have some scenes with James too, who for all intents and purposes was mostly absent in the first book too. And we only got 2 whole scenes of Delilah with her family in the entire book? Come on.

Cat annoyed me. I knew there was something fishy about her and I think that Lilah forgave her way too soon. So she stole the book and betrayed Lilah but was forgiven because she didn't tell her mother about the town? Come on.

I liked Lilah but I was disappointed in this book and the romance. It all happened way too fast for me personally. What I did like, however, is how hard Nina tried to atone for her mistakes. Loved that.

I'm also very intrigued about Ivy and Dasha's romance and can't wait to read about it. I do have a question though: are we EVER going to get a second chance romance for Gareth and Linden? Please? I mean what is it gonna take for them to find their happily ever after?

4/5

This book was not what I expected at all, but I kind of loved it. Witchbound, more worldbuilding and non-binary characters! And even Gareth got a redemption arc, nice!

I actually loved that he regrets the way he handled his relationship with Lin, and that he's actually in love with her. I'm not usually a fan of a second chance romance, especially when cheating had been involved - but perhaps some reconciliation between those two would be possible in the future? If Lana ever writes the fifth book in the series, can it focus on Lin and Gareth? I loved his character development and Linden deserves to be happy too! Or at least a closure from Gareth which she hadn't received in the first book.

I kind of wish that more of that worldbuilding we got here was in the first book too, with what it means to be the Victor and Voice of Thistle Grove from Emmy's perspective, instead of us learning it from other characters while Emmy's in the background. I would love the first book more if this was actually explained in detail back then. But I suppose now those books make me appreciate the first book even more!

I loved Nina. She definitely grew on me as the book went on and I loved that she did the right thing in the end - even when she fucked up tremendously. I can't wait to read Delilah's book and see how she feels about it all, and working with Nina now. And I loved Lyonesse's fate, take that, bitch! Morty was amazing and his sheer delight in magic was so pure and amazing to read about. I love that we saw an ordinary person enjoying magic for a chance, which brings me to Jess - everyone needs a friend like her in their lives!

I didn't expect any goddesses or witchbouding (soulmates, yay!) to play any part in this book, but I enjoyed it.

4.25/5

This book was definitely better written and developed than the first one. Firstly, the worldbuilding was much more detailed (for example we learned that Emmy had a lot of cousins, not just Delilah like we were led to believe in the first one). Secondly, we got more characters this time around, some good, some worse. We've got more places this time around and more rituals described and I loved it.

Both Issa and Rowan were a delight. I loved how antagonistic they both were at the beginning and how their partnership changed their relationship for the better. Not gonna lie, I was hoping that the demon from the beginning of the book would be involved in the plot again and I was happy I was right - too bad it was over so quick though.

I loved Issa's struggle with her dreams and familial duty and how that was resolved. I was also surprised, that just like Talia in the first book, she called her mother by her first name. Why was that if they're super close? I thought Talia was just being rebellious and not seeing eye-to-eye with Elena, but Issa's doing it too.

A few things I didn't like: Rowan and Lin are twins and we only got one or two mentions of Lin throughout the entire book. Where is she? Shouldn't she be around, making sure that Issa plays nice with Rowan? Being in his corner cheering them on? And we only got a throwaway line about her, that Rowan told her about him and Issa. Like come on, she should have been involved with the plot, considering, HER TWIN BROTHER WAS A TARGET THERE.

Also, I would have loved Rowan's pov in the book. Show me an obsessed and unhinged man, Lana. I want to see his thoughts too!