I think it is just personal opinion and preference, but this book was just lacking something for me. I really wanted to love this one because I know that it is part of a series and I did enjoy the first book. I liked the way it was written and I liked the overall writing, but it just didn't get a full 5-stars for me. I did enjoy the cover art; it really pulled me in and made me want to read this book. Surely, other people did love it and I am very thankful to have read it. Trust me, I really wanted to love this one because the premise sounds great!

This was unfortunately a DNF for me at around 30%.

The charming, vineyard vibes from the first book just didn't register in the sequel in my opinion. I found the shift in main character to be jarring and uninteresting, and the characters that I once liked felt lifeless and on autopilot.

I will unfortunately not be continuing on in the series.

Thank you to netgalley for providing a digital copy in exchange for an unbiased review.

I like that each book is set up as a series but focuses as well on finding the identity of each witch we encounter. In book one we meet Elena and she comes into her own as a vine witch. Toward the end of that book, we meet Yvette who comes to her rescue. The Glamourist focuses on Yvette who turns out to have a very interesting bloodline and it all tied up in a special book and maybe a Fae character or two. This series is unique and I thoroughly enjoy each and everyone i read.

The Vine Witch was superb, and this follow-up was just as magnificent! I loved the storyline. The characters were amazing, and I could easily picture myself in their shoes. This series is great!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

I think The Vine Witch remains my favorite of the series, but this is a worthy sequel. As always, her world building is superb, and her characters are lush and detailed. You really care about what happens to her characters. I'm so glad I stumbled across her books.

This book wasn't for me, but I did recommend it to a few friends I felt would enjoy it more. I shouldn't have downloaded this based on cover only when I first made this account, so that's on me! I had only just started reading again and was still learning my new preferences for reading.

I DNFed about halfway through, purely because of personal preference. Definitely not badly written, and it's predecessor, The Vine Witch, was a lot of fun! I might download this later from Kindle Unlimited to read, that way my read through can generate income for the author, since this review will not (as my audience primarily expects LGBTQ+ fiction recs from me). I won't be posting about this being a DNF so as not to negatively impact the star ratings on Goodreads or other platforms.

I absolutely adored the first book in this series so naturally I was scared book two wouldn’t be as good; The Glamourist turned out to be just as exciting as The Vine Witch thankfully, despite the plots being quite different from one another. I loved getting back into the magical system Luanne has created as it’s one of my favourite ever systems & her writing just seemed to get better & better with every chapter. The ending was such a surprise & I loved how beautiful & magical it was. I am so relieved to know that there’s another book coming in this series & I cannot wait to get my hands on it.

⚠️ Some violence, including off-page domestic violence, poverty & child abuse in the form of references to off-page child “prostitution” from a character’s past ⚠️

I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in return for an honest review, however I didn’t read the book until I had bought a printed copy.

Extended Review: https://wp.me/p8MbIo-3hP

Stars: 4/5

Thank you to the publishers for a free ARC. I adored the first story and this one just the same.

I LOVE Smith's writing. This is the second book in the Vine Witch trilogy (and I have an ARC of the third lines up to read very soon!) and I was not disappointed. Depending on the series I either love or hate stories that follow other characters. I wont name names but it can be done HORRIBLY and when I began reading and the focus was on Yvette, I prayed to the All-Knowing this wasn't the case and trust me, people, it WASN'T.

Ugh I love Elena and when I saw her POV in the second chapter, I was super happy and I was able to breathe a little easier. But off Elena and onto Yvette.

I liked Yvette in the first book and to really focus on her, on her story, on her wish, in this book was very interesting. As always the coaxing Smith does to show you only bits of what she wants you to see then revealing it ONLY when she wants to is incredible. So tasteful. Makes it for an easy read.

Everything about this story is stunning and I loved seeing Yvette come into herself and the little witchy things included here and there that are SO my aesthetic. Crushed amethyst in a painting? AESTHETIC. BEAUTIFUL. collecting roses? Classic.

I think I said this in the Vine Witch too but the first maybe 1/2 of the story, I wasn't attached I didn't necessarily NEED to read more but I wanted to and i'm hoping this aspect is improved in the third book HOWEVER... That reveal... about Yvette's heritage. Oof it was good. Thoroughly enjoyed.

WARNINGS: the mention of sexual harassment/ brothels/ rape by extension, minor torture

RECOMMEND: for readers 15+ who like old-style France (can't remember when it's set... late 1800s?), witches and magic hidden in the real world

“Yes, in that respect she did rather like the painting. The perfect mix of magic and mortal genius, reminding her of the complex tension between the born self and the created self and the trick of finding one’s balance.”

The last few weeks have been the most introspective. Just as Yvette I think I have been on a journey of finding myself, my roots, my beliefs and the Truth. It’s been unveiling and unravelling and while sometimes the journey is uncomfortable and difficult for the most part it evolutionary, life-changing and freeing. Now as I Review this book,, I see how much my journey has corresponded with Yvette’s these past few weeks.

Luanne G. Smith is such an expressive, well planned and fluent Author. I love her use of language which is simple yet effective. Her storytelling has such a beautiful tone to it is almost as if someone is recalling a true story and narrating it to a child to hear. The story us adventurous, gripping and exciting. The magical, dark and which crafty elements only spike one's interests.

I really appreciate how smoothly Smith transitioned from telling the tale of one character to that of another yet continuing to keep the link between one character and the other. I also appreciate how the world she has built has such a contemporary feel to it, which makes it relatable. yet, how vintage and historic it is.

I am really looking forward to reading the Conjurer.

Even though this book has many qualities, I couldn't get an interest in the story and the characters. I managed to read it from start to end, but I was sometimes bored and did not resume my reading with pleasure.
I think some may really enjoy it, but it was not written for me !

I enjoyed this book, but ultimately felt it was not for me. I found it hard to buy into the magic bureaucracy hidden just under mortal eyes; it was very Harry Potter, which is also fine. I also found it hard to invest in the stakes and hardships of Elena and Yvette, who in many ways are just two "normal' (insofar as witches can be normal) people set at cross-purposes to one another.

This book takes real-world, grownup stakes—like meeting your mother-in-law, or growing up underprivileged and displaced, then trying to understand your lineage—and plays them out with an added supernatural angle, with a Francophone kiss for good measure. It's a lovely novel to read on the beach when you just want to relax. It gives good ambiance. And while, generally speaking, I'm into the elements it brings together, it just didn't work for me. I think it's because I didn't feel like I learned anything.

But that comes down to taste, in the end, and I think a lot of people would enjoy this relatable fantasy adventure.

Thanks Netgalley and 47north for the opportunity to read it!

* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *

3.5 stars

This sequel to The Vine Witch could nearly have worked as a standalone and was quite different in feel from its predecessor. While Smith still writes scenery well and I was transported to historical Paris, it wasn't as vibrant as it had been in the original. Instead, there appeared to have been a trade to character focus. This worked well to give better rounding in a few of the characters and pulled the story together.

The magic usage, development, and history were perhaps the best pieces and I loved reading bits of spell usage and past magical events. I also really adored the addition of the black cat and found Alexandre's character charming. These were great side characters that really helped to add a little extra wonderful depth to the narrative and just made things feel a bit more cozy.

The Elena storyline seemed to be more of a tell vs. show approach due to the lack of a Jean-Paul storyline. Most of the things for Elena's character and plot were either done in the background or very quickly addressed. However, Yvette's story was told cleverly and well. There was good establishment of a history for her and pieces of the mystery were slowly unfolded in a way that let the reader determine the truth prior to Yvette's discovery.

The pacing was a bit irregular, but the good writing pulled it though and the ending was very well done. There was a good climax, great explanation and wrap up that left the book without a horrible cliffhanger, but still maintained enough mystery to explore in the next book to this series. A good read and I look forward to reading the next book when it is released.

I loved this second installment of The Vine Witch! This book felt like it had so much more depth than the first book did. The Vine Witch was my selection for a book club that I co-host a few months ago. Everyone enjoyed it but they absolutely LOVED this book. We all pre-ordered this book and it was our June book club read. We all will pre-order the third book as well. We cannot wait to find out what happens next. The covers are absolutely gorgeous and I love having them on my shelf!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of The Glamourist in exchange for my honest review. I apologize that I did not post this review before the publication date!

After reading the vine witch and not completely falling in love with it I figured I would try to give it the benefit of the doubt and read the second book in the series.

After a decent start the story (for me) it seemed to become stagnant and about halfway through I had to put it down and I'm sad to say I could not finish it. Maybe at a later time I will pick up the series again to give it another shot but as of right now I cant say I would recommend this book and/or series.

I tend to enjoy books that become a series following new/side characters. This book had that element. While I found this book slower paced than the first one, I actually enjoyed it more. I rooted more for the main character in this book and hope to be able to read the third book soon.
Thank you NetGalley and publishers for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

A perfect sequel to Vine Witch. Wonderful world building, beautiful characters and the whole fantasy package - action, adventure, magic & mayhem. Honestly The Vine Witch series is the most underrated fantasy series. The writing is as smooth as a river flow. If there is a comfort read in fantasy genre, this is it!!

Thank you Netgalley & Amazon Pub for the ARC

Having read the first book in the series I was excited to learn more of Yvette‘s backstory and how things went for both her and Elena after the events in the first book. This book was a journey of self discovery for both of them and it’s always interesting to see what characters are up to and how they progress in life.

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a sequel but can be read as a stand alone book.

Strong world building supports the story of magic and intrigue.

Yvette is a strong, resourceful young woman looking for clues to her past. As she finds answers and come I to her witch powers, more mystery develops.

Looking forward to book 3.

I am so late writing this it’s really not funny.

I think I liked this even more than I did The Vine Witch. I loved Elena, I really did, but I will say I love Yvette one hundred times more. This was an excellent sequel full of fun characters, old and new. I can not wait for the next book in this fun series.

A fantastic continuation from The Vine Witch! The worlds are vividly painted through words and the characters draw you in. The tale casts a spell so you must keep reading to find out what happen next!