rowdymeowdy's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this read, I couldn’t get enough of this book. I enjoyed every page! It’s a cozy, medium paced romance they has just the right amount of cheese. The puns! Definitely would pick up again and I’m heading straight to see what else Celestine Martin has in store for me
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Some spicy content but not graphic, generally safe content in my opinionmichaelion's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I leave reviews as notes for myself in the future, for when I'm thinking of the book and trying to remember details about it or how I felt just after finishing it. But also I do kind of expect someone else may see these, so I try to give some context. (I only read other people's reviews after I've finished the book to see if they felt the same way.)
I've come to learn romance may not be the genre for me. This is the second book I've read where the B plot, in this case the house flipping, just isn't interesting. So that's only two out of two books, but if that's how the formula of romance works... I like all the other elements! I love character exploration! I love slice of life! I love drama! But so much focus on the part that unites the soon to be couple in question really bored me.
That said, that was all just act one. Act two and three really hooked my interest and maintained it. Even though I wasn't interested in a big chunk of the book, the characters were cute and lovable and the town feels sweet, and I liked the segue into possible sequels. I will be sat for the next book's release.
Last note, nothing really to do with the review, it's implied trans-Atlantic slavery existed in this universe. Why? How did that work? I have more questions about that that would need to be answered by my first two before I go on!
I've come to learn romance may not be the genre for me. This is the second book I've read where the B plot, in this case the house flipping, just isn't interesting. So that's only two out of two books, but if that's how the formula of romance works... I like all the other elements! I love character exploration! I love slice of life! I love drama! But so much focus on the part that unites the soon to be couple in question really bored me.
That said, that was all just act one. Act two and three really hooked my interest and maintained it. Even though I wasn't interested in a big chunk of the book, the characters were cute and lovable and the town feels sweet, and I liked the segue into possible sequels. I will be sat for the next book's release.
Last note, nothing really to do with the review, it's implied trans-Atlantic slavery existed in this universe. Why? How did that work? I have more questions about that that would need to be answered by my first two before I go on!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
alannahsh's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content
liferhi_inspired's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 Stars
🔥🔥 2/5 Steam Rating
📝 Debut Novel; Alternating 3rd Person POV
This is a perfect read for anyone that loves a good cozy, slow burn, small town romance, with a touch of magic. I loved the idea of a romance between a witch and a merman, that’s not something you see often. I expected it to be a bit more of a Halloween read since it was published in September, but it felt a bit more like a summertime read since that’s when the whole story took place. Overall, I enjoyed the story.
I had two main things that prevented me from giving it a 5star rating. First, I felt like the sexual tension was great, but it was just a bit too much of a slow burn for me. I also wished that there was more magic involved within this story. It honestly felt more like a contemporary romance centered around a wish, not a paranormal romance. If you would’ve removed the “paranormal elements” within the story, it wouldn’t have looked that much different.
I quickly grew to adore Lucy & Alex as characters. I’m hoping that Ursula will get a good redemption story; she was so easy to dislike. There were so many great characters in this book, I can see this evolving into a great series of interconnected stories.
𝚃𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚔 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚙𝚞𝚋𝚕𝚒𝚜𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚐𝚒𝚏𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚖𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔. 𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚘𝚙𝚒𝚗𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚒𝚜 𝚖𝚢 𝚘𝚠𝚗.
🔥🔥 2/5 Steam Rating
📝 Debut Novel; Alternating 3rd Person POV
This is a perfect read for anyone that loves a good cozy, slow burn, small town romance, with a touch of magic. I loved the idea of a romance between a witch and a merman, that’s not something you see often. I expected it to be a bit more of a Halloween read since it was published in September, but it felt a bit more like a summertime read since that’s when the whole story took place. Overall, I enjoyed the story.
I had two main things that prevented me from giving it a 5star rating. First, I felt like the sexual tension was great, but it was just a bit too much of a slow burn for me. I also wished that there was more magic involved within this story. It honestly felt more like a contemporary romance centered around a wish, not a paranormal romance. If you would’ve removed the “paranormal elements” within the story, it wouldn’t have looked that much different.
I quickly grew to adore Lucy & Alex as characters. I’m hoping that Ursula will get a good redemption story; she was so easy to dislike. There were so many great characters in this book, I can see this evolving into a great series of interconnected stories.
𝚃𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚔 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚙𝚞𝚋𝚕𝚒𝚜𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚐𝚒𝚏𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚖𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔. 𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚘𝚙𝚒𝚗𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚒𝚜 𝚖𝚢 𝚘𝚠𝚗.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
boundbymischief's review
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
3/5 ⭐️
2/5 🌶️
“Love is the trickiest spell of all.”
This was such a cute read! I loved the chemistry between the 2 main characters after so many years apart. The history and the tension are so relatable! I loved their banter and connection throughout. It heated up about half way through but by about 70% it died down again, sadly. Then it was a lot of will they won’t they that kinda lost me and I had to force myself through. The last chapter or 2 brought in the happy ending though and made it worth a finish!
•3rd person dual pov
•second chance
•slow burn
•childhood friends to lovers vibes
•non-binary appearance
•bipoc MCs
•light-hearted hometown vibes
•happily ever after
Out September 27th!
Thank you to @netgalley and @celestinemartinauthor and @readforeverpub for the ARC in exchange for my review!
2/5 🌶️
“Love is the trickiest spell of all.”
This was such a cute read! I loved the chemistry between the 2 main characters after so many years apart. The history and the tension are so relatable! I loved their banter and connection throughout. It heated up about half way through but by about 70% it died down again, sadly. Then it was a lot of will they won’t they that kinda lost me and I had to force myself through. The last chapter or 2 brought in the happy ending though and made it worth a finish!
•3rd person dual pov
•second chance
•slow burn
•childhood friends to lovers vibes
•non-binary appearance
•bipoc MCs
•light-hearted hometown vibes
•happily ever after
Out September 27th!
Thank you to @netgalley and @celestinemartinauthor and @readforeverpub for the ARC in exchange for my review!
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content
thisreadingcorner's review
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Lucinda is a small-town witch, living a peaceful but not quite satisfied life as a teacher in her hometown. The night of the town fair, she reunites with her (almost) high school sweetheart Alex over a jammed fortune machine. Alex is a wanderer, but wondering if perhaps he made a mistake all those years ago. Fate and family conspire to bridge the decade-long gap between the old friends in this cozy tale, with the help of a little magic.
The premise of the book is really that Lucy wants more out of life, and while we see her begin to challenge herself, the majority of the book feels very stagnant. There are only so many times you can hear either character repeat the story of their senior prom/graduation night. We get less backstory on Alex’s side of things than Lucy’s which makes sense, but also adds to the feeling that he is a one-note character. While I enjoyed the romance and the side characters (aside from Ursula’s mess), this could have been a novella and gotten all the same points across with less repetition, particularly by the time we get to the third act conflict.
It might be for you if you want some Black witches and mermen, cozy fall vibes, and almost tension-free romance.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
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