Scan barcode
nnbb's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
fast-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
3.0
yogicath's review
4.0
This is book two of the Love & Magic series and the main characters are independent paranormal investigator Juliet Herrera and Authority Witch, Mea (Meadow) Dubois. Juliet owns Herrera Investigations with psychic witch Aria Belmonte, not ever wanting to work for the Witch Authority, even after graduating top of her class at the Investigators College over two decades ago. Mea knew Juliet form the college, both attending at the same time. Mea thought they were friends at the start, but Juliet suddenly switched off her feelings after just a few weeks and she never found out why. Something happened to Juliet and she closed off from everyone and her painful past is a secret only one other knows. When she visits a source of information of hers, witch Sarah Arroyo, and finds that she has suddenly disappeared, with all magical signatures cleansed from her home, she has to call in the Magical Authority in LA. Waiting for them to do something is slow, until she and Aria get called to a home on a cliff that belongs to another missing witch, Lana Blakely, a client of hers. Again the home has been magically cleansed, which needs a much older witch or one who is very powerful to manage.
Juliet would have preferred to work with Edwin Bichel, from the Authority, who she normally worked with when necessary. Instead, Mea and her partner Terra Reyes, are there with the lead pair of investigators, Grant Easton and Isabella Torres. Mea has always thought Juliet liked her at one time and would do anything to get their friendship back, but Juliet can barely even look at her! Juliet clearly has some feelings she can’t allow herself to recognise, for Mae, but won’t act on them. Her only real friend is Edwin and when Juliet is thought to either be involved in the witches’ disappearances or the next target, Mae is placed in her life to watch her and keep her safe! Juliet comes from a family of great magical power which she refuses to take advantage of, or be used by the Authority, as her magical power has a capacity for invasive misuse. Her anti-social tendencies are well known and her upbringing has made her suspicious by nature. Mea has been chosen for this case due to her previous contact with Juliet, not really for her abilities. The Authority runs on who is more powerful and lots of one up man ship, something even Mae is getting a bit tired of.
Juliet doesn’t want to be the person that Mea liked at the start of college, because that wasn’t the real her. Juliet is soon taken off the case, just as a third witch goes missing, but more connections to Juliet are being made and somehow she has an inkling of who might be behind everything. A couple of low level witches from the Authority network in New York going missing as well, son has her and Edwin making further connections, but unable to get any actual evidence. It all leads back to someone very high in the Authority, who wants Juliet’s very special magical power for their own use. They are also trying to frame Juliet for the crimes, to force her hand. On top of all this, Mea and Juliet have given in to their feelings for each other finally, but it isn’t easy for Juliet to put aside her years of isolation. Edwin turns out to be pretty key to their ability to find out what has been happening and using his powers to transport them as needed and some well-timed spells. Certainly shows how power can totally corrupt and that sometimes it is better to do without than be tempted to follow along as others do for power, prestige and promotions. If those who should keep you safe and protect others, are the ones doing wrong, who is going to keep them in line? An interesting look at the damage childhood terrors can bring on years later. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
Juliet would have preferred to work with Edwin Bichel, from the Authority, who she normally worked with when necessary. Instead, Mea and her partner Terra Reyes, are there with the lead pair of investigators, Grant Easton and Isabella Torres. Mea has always thought Juliet liked her at one time and would do anything to get their friendship back, but Juliet can barely even look at her! Juliet clearly has some feelings she can’t allow herself to recognise, for Mae, but won’t act on them. Her only real friend is Edwin and when Juliet is thought to either be involved in the witches’ disappearances or the next target, Mae is placed in her life to watch her and keep her safe! Juliet comes from a family of great magical power which she refuses to take advantage of, or be used by the Authority, as her magical power has a capacity for invasive misuse. Her anti-social tendencies are well known and her upbringing has made her suspicious by nature. Mea has been chosen for this case due to her previous contact with Juliet, not really for her abilities. The Authority runs on who is more powerful and lots of one up man ship, something even Mae is getting a bit tired of.
Juliet doesn’t want to be the person that Mea liked at the start of college, because that wasn’t the real her. Juliet is soon taken off the case, just as a third witch goes missing, but more connections to Juliet are being made and somehow she has an inkling of who might be behind everything. A couple of low level witches from the Authority network in New York going missing as well, son has her and Edwin making further connections, but unable to get any actual evidence. It all leads back to someone very high in the Authority, who wants Juliet’s very special magical power for their own use. They are also trying to frame Juliet for the crimes, to force her hand. On top of all this, Mea and Juliet have given in to their feelings for each other finally, but it isn’t easy for Juliet to put aside her years of isolation. Edwin turns out to be pretty key to their ability to find out what has been happening and using his powers to transport them as needed and some well-timed spells. Certainly shows how power can totally corrupt and that sometimes it is better to do without than be tempted to follow along as others do for power, prestige and promotions. If those who should keep you safe and protect others, are the ones doing wrong, who is going to keep them in line? An interesting look at the damage childhood terrors can bring on years later. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
hopeamarsu's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
gkepps's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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
4.0
kelseyscornerofbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Keep Your Witches Close by @colette_rivera was the perfect book to finish up on the first day of pride!
Book 2 in the Love and Magic series is a sapphic, witchy romance with a touch of mystery and humor & is the perfect mix for all the magical vibes this summer.
When witches are disappearing, the only person to keep paranormal investigator, Juliet Herrera, safe is an Authority Witch, Mea Dubois who is convince Juliet liked her in the past. While Mea begrudgingly keeps an eye on Juliet, their acquaintanceship grows in to friendship which grows into more.
Overall I loved the plot and the characters of this story. I love the communication between the FMCs and seeing them grow together was so great.
Keep Your Witches Close released June 6th on Kindle Unlimited!!! Plenty of time to fit in book 1 of the Love and Magic series, Give a Witch a Chance before then!!
Thank you Colette for the ARC
Book 2 in the Love and Magic series is a sapphic, witchy romance with a touch of mystery and humor & is the perfect mix for all the magical vibes this summer.
When witches are disappearing, the only person to keep paranormal investigator, Juliet Herrera, safe is an Authority Witch, Mea Dubois who is convince Juliet liked her in the past. While Mea begrudgingly keeps an eye on Juliet, their acquaintanceship grows in to friendship which grows into more.
Overall I loved the plot and the characters of this story. I love the communication between the FMCs and seeing them grow together was so great.
Keep Your Witches Close released June 6th on Kindle Unlimited!!! Plenty of time to fit in book 1 of the Love and Magic series, Give a Witch a Chance before then!!
Thank you Colette for the ARC
bethreadsbooksx's review against another edition
4.0
Keep your witches close is a beautiful story that follows Juliet and Meas old friendship/crush relationship to a new time where they are forced to reconnect. It shows Juliet finally feel like she’s in a safe space to try and let her walls down and let new people in!
•
OKAY I LOVED THIS. I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this series BUT this one hit better, I think it’s cause I fell in love with Juliet’s character prior to this one!
You get so much more of an insight into Juliet and Bickels friendship which was the sweetest thing ever and you can really see how they’ve been each others sounding board all these years!
Juliet and Meas relationship was so amazing, it shows how you can go from frenemies with hardly anything in common to really similar, trusting in eachother and falling in love. They are the sweetest who always had eachothers back even when they didn’t want to!
It also throws out a few hints into book 3, here’s looking at you Bickels! I so can’t wait for that, that one will be in October of this year!
Thank you Colette for letting me ARC read this!
TROPES/INFORMATION :
•
OKAY I LOVED THIS. I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this series BUT this one hit better, I think it’s cause I fell in love with Juliet’s character prior to this one!
You get so much more of an insight into Juliet and Bickels friendship which was the sweetest thing ever and you can really see how they’ve been each others sounding board all these years!
Juliet and Meas relationship was so amazing, it shows how you can go from frenemies with hardly anything in common to really similar, trusting in eachother and falling in love. They are the sweetest who always had eachothers back even when they didn’t want to!
It also throws out a few hints into book 3, here’s looking at you Bickels! I so can’t wait for that, that one will be in October of this year!
Thank you Colette for letting me ARC read this!
TROPES/INFORMATION :
gem_reads_too's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
stitchsaddiction's review against another edition
fast-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
5.0
Book two of the Love and Magic series, Keep Your Witches Close is a other wonderful romance with a mystery making life difficult for the Witches who like to have a quiet life.
I loved that we get to return to the Coffee Cat Café and the wonderful characters that live in the town, both Witch and Mortal. There's something comforting when reading a series that we have familiar faces as well as new ones and secondary characters move into the light.
Keep Your Witches Close gives us a sweet sapphic paranormal romance between paranormal Investigator Juliet Herrera and newcomer Authority Witch, Mea Dubois. The two Witches are opposites in so many ways, and again Colette Rivera has written her characters as well as the world they live in so well that you can almost walk in the sunshine with them or breathe in the scent of their coffee from Coffee Cat Café.
Keep Your Witches Close brings us another mystery, but this one has Juliet thrust into the forefront and having to face not only her past but the Authority. The tension is high with Witches going missing without explanation, and it's hard to put down as this cost mystery unfolds. There's wonderful character development for all the familiar faces from book one who continue to contribute to making the Love and Magic series come to life. I was curious about Juliet when we first met her and Keep Your Witches Close really fleshed out her life, and when her past is forced to be revealed? I wanted to hug the woman who has convinced herself she isn't likeable, but I found her to be one of the most remarkable of all the characters I'd encountered. She carries her pain like a weight on her neck and throughout the book, and Mea's quiet refusal to walk away becomes a loud war cry to ensure Juliet is safe? You see the light returned to Juliet's life, and the weight lessened.
Keep Your Witches Close is wonderful, I devoured the story and was left feeling so many emotions. If book one had your attention, then Colette Rivera's story of these two Witches will have you both hooked and sunk. There's twists, turns, and a growing dislike for the Authority and their inability to see beyond their rules and see the Witches as individuals.
I loved that we get to return to the Coffee Cat Café and the wonderful characters that live in the town, both Witch and Mortal. There's something comforting when reading a series that we have familiar faces as well as new ones and secondary characters move into the light.
Keep Your Witches Close gives us a sweet sapphic paranormal romance between paranormal Investigator Juliet Herrera and newcomer Authority Witch, Mea Dubois. The two Witches are opposites in so many ways, and again Colette Rivera has written her characters as well as the world they live in so well that you can almost walk in the sunshine with them or breathe in the scent of their coffee from Coffee Cat Café.
Keep Your Witches Close brings us another mystery, but this one has Juliet thrust into the forefront and having to face not only her past but the Authority. The tension is high with Witches going missing without explanation, and it's hard to put down as this cost mystery unfolds. There's wonderful character development for all the familiar faces from book one who continue to contribute to making the Love and Magic series come to life. I was curious about Juliet when we first met her and Keep Your Witches Close really fleshed out her life, and when her past is forced to be revealed? I wanted to hug the woman who has convinced herself she isn't likeable, but I found her to be one of the most remarkable of all the characters I'd encountered. She carries her pain like a weight on her neck and throughout the book, and Mea's quiet refusal to walk away becomes a loud war cry to ensure Juliet is safe? You see the light returned to Juliet's life, and the weight lessened.
Keep Your Witches Close is wonderful, I devoured the story and was left feeling so many emotions. If book one had your attention, then Colette Rivera's story of these two Witches will have you both hooked and sunk. There's twists, turns, and a growing dislike for the Authority and their inability to see beyond their rules and see the Witches as individuals.
thekissballad's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Another 3.75 just like the first book.
This books relies a lot on backstory and having it all tie together. Juliet's backstory, which ties into her history with Mea and her history with Edwin. Then also Edwin's backstory, though not as much as I'm sure it'll be touched upon in book three since that'll be where he's one of the main protagonists.
The only problem for me was that it dragged on in spots because there was so much of it. Sometimes there were even long, drawn out thoughts / flashbacks in between dialogue and that really threw off the pacing for me.
But overall, I thought the story was good. I enjoyed seeing Juliet come out of her shell a bit and finally act on her long harbored feelings. I liked seeing the softer side of Edwin and the little hints of flirting with Tristan that'll feature more in book three. And while Aria didn't play as much of a role here, I did enjoy the ties back into book one.
This books relies a lot on backstory and having it all tie together. Juliet's backstory, which ties into her history with Mea and her history with Edwin. Then also Edwin's backstory, though not as much as I'm sure it'll be touched upon in book three since that'll be where he's one of the main protagonists.
The only problem for me was that it dragged on in spots because there was so much of it. Sometimes there were even long, drawn out thoughts / flashbacks in between dialogue and that really threw off the pacing for me.
But overall, I thought the story was good. I enjoyed seeing Juliet come out of her shell a bit and finally act on her long harbored feelings. I liked seeing the softer side of Edwin and the little hints of flirting with Tristan that'll feature more in book three. And while Aria didn't play as much of a role here, I did enjoy the ties back into book one.