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grandmashenanigans's review against another edition
4.0
Was cruising along enjoying the story when. . .zip. . .stuff happened too fast and the book ended. Typical trilogy ending.
hookerkitty's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I’m just gonna go ahead and mark most paragraphs as a spoiler so you can choose if you want to keep reading or not. I don’t think I included major plot points, but I def ranted so some may have slipped in lol
—
Ugh, I need to take a break from reading all the free/uber cheap books I got from Bookbub over the years, because this has just been torture.
So my first groan is at the very beginning of the book. The tenets (or rules) she described at the beginning are Wiccan and do not apply to all witchcraft (especially the x3 bit). But acknowledging that they’re actually Wiccan doesn’t happen until you’re 83% into the book. And actually right before she introduces her tenets, they bash voodoo, which isn’t cool.
Unfortunately, the book barely has anything to do with the title. It started out light and fun, but then witchy stuff takes a back burner, and we’re flung into a relationship with a truly awful character. Cheney (sometimes Chaney) is so infuriatingly bad that I seriously considered DNFing this at multiple points (and now wish I had, especially after that ending). He’s narcissistic, manipulative, controlling, jealous, and basically no handle on his emotions. He constantly gets upset that things aren’t going his way, yells at Selene about how everything is not about her, and then proceeds to whine about himself some more. He has a lot of BPD traits as well. He super loves Selene, but as soon as he perceives any kind of or hint of rejection, he flies off the handle and hates her again (at one point he grabs Selene and pins her against the wall cuz he was pissed at her, but she has to repeatedly assure us that he’d never hurt her). Every time I was just starting to warm up to him and think he’s finally learning, he does some more immature shit that made me want to scream.
I almost forgot the first terrible relationship she’s in - with Michael. She’s trying to convince everyone (and herself) that he’s the perfect guy and it’s the perfect (like seriously, she uses “perfect/ly” 26 times in the book), when he’s far from it. They’ve been dating less than a year, never came close to discussing marriage, but then surprises her with a proposal. During said proposal she gets a call that her grandma is seriously injured in the hospital. So she obviously tries to leave, and he grabs her to make her answer his proposal. If that’s not bad enough, when she called him for the first time after seeing her grandma, he gets all whiny because she didn’t take her engagement ring with her. SERIOUSLY DUDE‽
So yeah, terrible choices in men. She lets them boss her around, constantly tries to convince herself everything is perfect, ignores her gut, takes everything Cheney says at face value and doesn’t really question any of the memories he’s implanting in her head, and he’s borderline abusive. If anyone ever says “you could do worse” with a relationship, run away from your partner and run away from whichever person told you that. 99% of the time you can do worse, but that doesn’t mean you’re in a good or healthy relationship.
This was NOT AT ALL what I was expecting from this book. And to put the cherry on top of this crap sundae - when they finally get to the big confrontation, it barely lasts a few pages and is very anti-climactic. Then there’s a major cliff hanger for the next book, but I don’t think I can put myself through it again. Which is disappointing, especially since the titles of these books are hilarious. However it baffles my mind that there were 2 editors and 4 beta readers, yet so many spelling errors (including spelling a main character’s name wrong!), grammatical errors, and flat out missing words were riddled throughout this book. If they all think how Cheney acts is normal or loving, then they need massive therapy to work out whatever trauma they endured in their life that taught them abusive behavior is okay.
I feel very duped. People shouldn’t be allowed to have fun punny titles for books if the content doesn’t match. Highly disappointing, and at some times triggering my PTSD (although I’m glad my BPD isn’t like Cheney lol).
Oh yeah, since I mentioned mental illnesses - this is yet another book that incorrectly uses bipolar. If someone is acting hot and cold (love then hate aka black and white thinking), ignore the Katy Perry song, because what you’re looking for is BPD (although having one trait doesn’t mean they’re diagnosable). I have both, but it drives me nuts how people throw any mental illness term around like it’s an okay adjective to use. It’s not. Especially since people quite often just flat out use them the wrong way. So, be better. Please stop.
Omg I almost forgot to mention the super awkward sex scenes. Including her orgasming when he played with her elf ear tip. Could not decide if we were supposed to be turned on or laughing at it.
—
Ugh, I need to take a break from reading all the free/uber cheap books I got from Bookbub over the years, because this has just been torture.
So my first groan is at the very beginning of the book. The tenets (or rules) she described at the beginning are Wiccan and do not apply to all witchcraft (especially the x3 bit). But acknowledging that they’re actually Wiccan doesn’t happen until you’re 83% into the book. And actually right before she introduces her tenets, they bash voodoo, which isn’t cool.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Blood, Medical content, and Alcohol
katie1031's review against another edition
2.0
So bare with me. I liked it at first and there were many aspects i did like and i felt the need to finish the series so i read i the first 5 books. There is 1 main reason i gave this 2 stars, i hated the sexist tropes. I didnt like how he orders her around and she is "stubborn" with him but she still does what he asks anyway. I had the same problems with all the books. I really hated their relationship so much, it felt problematic and left a bad taste in my mouth when i read it.
misterg65's review against another edition
4.0
Starts like a lot of these witch/vampire/werewolf cozy mysteries, but rapidly becomes considerably different. Without adding spoilers the end is a bit of an anticlimax, considering the possibilities from the build up. Still, 4 stars and a trip to the Kindle store for the next ones!
wildflowerz76's review
3.0
This wasn't bad, but I somehow had a mistaken impression on what it was. Part of it is the fault of the book and the other part must have been mine. Somehow, I got the impression that this was a cozy mystery about witches. I have no clue where the cozy impression came from. Obvs the witches part came from the title. This book is more of a supernatural fiction book about elves. There are witches, but they're more of a minor detail. This book isn't about the coven at all.
I enjoyed it okay, but I couldn't get behind Cheney failing to understand why Selene wasn't so on board with their love when SHE CAN'T REMEMBER ANYTHING OF HER PAST LIFE. Seriously. He expects her to fall right back into their romance and is frustrated when she runs hot and cold, though it's extremely warrented. He was a bit to alpha for me too.
I didn't see the end coming, though I probably should have. Still, I enjoyed this well enough, but I don't really care to read any more of the series.
I enjoyed it okay, but I couldn't get behind Cheney failing to understand why Selene wasn't so on board with their love when SHE CAN'T REMEMBER ANYTHING OF HER PAST LIFE. Seriously. He expects her to fall right back into their romance and is frustrated when she runs hot and cold, though it's extremely warrented. He was a bit to alpha for me too.
I didn't see the end coming, though I probably should have. Still, I enjoyed this well enough, but I don't really care to read any more of the series.
kaziteega's review against another edition
4.0
It wasn't I thought the book would be, I thought it was going to be a comedy which in turn is only partially true. It has its times when it is funny but it is a true witch story that shows not everything does according to plan or what you thought the plan was, it also brings point to some of the fact that we fight on a daily basis in our own lives I appreciate it Liz Schulte for letting me read this book I find I will probably continue with the series and that it was a truly fun read.
parttimebloggerbookgeek's review against another edition
1.0
I'm starting to think that I'm broken. There has to be something wrong with me that I really hate this book When so many other people love it. I have three hours left and get bring myself to hit the play button.
First, don't be fooled by the cute cover or the title this book doesn't have anything to do with witches or a witches coven.
Second, my main issue is Selene...I can't stand her. She is hot and cold from one sentence to the next, for example: When our story starts Selene is dating the perfect Michael his handsome so handsome she can't even understand what he see's in her, and she pleased he doesn't have a large ego, we get to hear all his praises right before he pops the question, to which she can't believe this is happening and OMG freaks out and states she is filled with dread at the very idea, next breath 'he even picked out the perfect ring a ring I'd have picked for myself he's just so prefect,'...blah, blah, blah...
I don't and can't muster any caring for her or her trouble which is almost all at the point I stopped listening her own making.
Third, Cheney or (Chaney) whichever the big bad Prince of the elves is kind of an ass, more likable than Selene, but I care nothing about him or the trouble he has with his dad the King.
fourth, what really killed me, is they are married, regardless of whether she remembers it or not, which she doesn't, but when Cheney talks of overthrowing his dad again the King, in order to take the throne himself, Selene is actually surprised she will be Queen...that was when I stopped listening.
Fifth, back to the married people, they fight and fight often, one minute they are happy together the next they are fighting and honestly I have no idea about what...nothing happens to set either of them off, they just fight.
Sixth, last but not least after we find out about her halfness, she spends the next billion chapters talking about her elf side like it's the devil...*eye roll* she goes on and on and on some more.
At this point those last 3 hours seem more like 10 years, I might finish, as I loathe not finishing books, even bad, horrible ones...sigh.
First, don't be fooled by the cute cover or the title this book doesn't have anything to do with witches or a witches coven.
Second, my main issue is Selene...I can't stand her. She is hot and cold from one sentence to the next, for example: When our story starts Selene is dating the perfect Michael his handsome so handsome she can't even understand what he see's in her, and she pleased he doesn't have a large ego, we get to hear all his praises right before he pops the question, to which she can't believe this is happening and OMG freaks out and states she is filled with dread at the very idea, next breath 'he even picked out the perfect ring a ring I'd have picked for myself he's just so prefect,'...blah, blah, blah...
I don't and can't muster any caring for her or her trouble which is almost all at the point I stopped listening her own making.
Third, Cheney or (Chaney) whichever the big bad Prince of the elves is kind of an ass, more likable than Selene, but I care nothing about him or the trouble he has with his dad the King.
fourth, what really killed me, is they are married, regardless of whether she remembers it or not, which she doesn't, but when Cheney talks of overthrowing his dad again the King, in order to take the throne himself, Selene is actually surprised she will be Queen...that was when I stopped listening.
Fifth, back to the married people, they fight and fight often, one minute they are happy together the next they are fighting and honestly I have no idea about what...nothing happens to set either of them off, they just fight.
Sixth, last but not least after we find out about her halfness, she spends the next billion chapters talking about her elf side like it's the devil...*eye roll* she goes on and on and on some more.
At this point those last 3 hours seem more like 10 years, I might finish, as I loathe not finishing books, even bad, horrible ones...sigh.
selket16's review against another edition
2.0
Cheney stalks Selene, tries to continue a relationship that she doesn't remember having from when she was a different person without concern of whether she would want to continue it (because old her would have).
Selene is on an emotional roller coaster, drawn to Cheney (and I can't see why) and angry at him, sometimes in the same thought. She can't seem to reconcile these issues and her actions seem weird because of it (ie. she's disgusted with him, but initiates a kiss).
I think the story idea is pretty decent, but the characters are all pretty flat.
Selene is on an emotional roller coaster, drawn to Cheney (and I can't see why) and angry at him, sometimes in the same thought. She can't seem to reconcile these issues and her actions seem weird because of it (ie. she's disgusted with him, but initiates a kiss).
I think the story idea is pretty decent, but the characters are all pretty flat.
xakyr's review against another edition
2.0
This book was like a trainwreck, you didn't want to watch, but at the same time you couldn't look away either. While I didn't find the heroine to be as whiney as other reviewers had, I did find her to be quite annoying at times. Not only that I hated Cheney for pretty much the entire book, due to how controlling and manipulative he was. In addition to this, the book tied into a much larger universe, one that is explained in the author's other two series. While this read largely as a standalone series, I could tell at some points that I was missing pieces of a larger story, and I didn't like it. More than likely, I'll be deleting this off my Kindle, and will not be looking to read the other books in the series.