Things I liked:
🪄 I love the contemporary paranormal world. It’s super easy to understand and was really well laid out. I love the aspect that paranormals live among everyone else in society.
🪄 This was such a cheesey funny and witty read. I adore the dialogue between characters.
🪄 Enemies to lovers who used to almost be lovers. Plus, paranormals?? Sign me up.
🪄Fake dating. Need I say more?
🪄Uh the spicy dialogue really took me shocked me because I wasn’t expecting it but I loved it!

Things I didn’t like:
Honestly was having a hard time thinking of anything. I think things could have been a little more drawn out but overall this is truly everything I’d want in a fast rom-com.

Overall: I had such a fun time listening to this book. I mean, witches, shifters, angels in a rom-com? Sign me up! I see the potential for this to be a series and I’m excited to see if that happens. If you enjoy rom-coms and especially paranormals, you have to add this one to your list! This title is released on February 8!

Think #twilightseries meets #sunshinevicramseries and you get this book (which appears to also be part of a soon-to-be series). I absolutely LOVED this book. As you know, I love witch books, but throw in a sexy wolf-shifter and the sexual tension between Violet and Lincoln, and I couldn’t stop listening to this book!

The audio was wonderful in this book and it made for a very easy #audioread. I think reading it would have been just as enjoyable (and may need to get myself a physical copy I enjoyed it that much), as the story moves along quickly

This book contained friendship, love, respect, trust, magic, sexiness, family expectation, legacies / tradition, paranormal / supernatural / witches and humor. I loved the humor that this book contained, while also having a substance to the overall content of the book. This book was just so much fun to read and I cannot wait for this to become a series - although it's going to be very hard to wait for more to come out!

Thank you #NetGalley for the audiobook in exchange for a #bookreview. This was a fun sexy read and I absolutely loved thus book and cannot wait for more in this soon-to-be series.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Very, very average. I got tired of hearing the following words: Sparky, “his inner wolf”, true mate, Princess, and Wolf Boy. Felt like it was trying too hard to be young, but it just wasn’t working. I did appreciate having good sister relationships and a good grandma/grandchild relationship, but it was not good enough to outweigh the annoying and cringey.

Not the Witch you Wed 🎧

Thanks to Netgalley and Dreamscape media for the audiobook in exchange for my honest review!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.💫/5 Stars (3.5 Stars)
Steam: 🌶🌶/5 (some description in multiple steamy scenes)

Narration: I loved the Narrator! They were so good at distinguishing between characters and keeping me interested!

No Spoiler Review 👇🏻

This is an urban fantasy romance! Supernaturals exist in the modern world. This book follows Violet, one of a triple group of witches. She is a badass body positive witch! I love her character!

This book followers her and Lincoln (alpha of a pack of wolves). They have a history, Lincoln broke her heart back when they were teens.
Years later they are in their 30s and must pretend to date to get supernatural council members off their backs as they don’t yet have mates.

This book was funny and cute. It was a good enemy to lovers, fake dating with an urban fantasy setting read!

Overall I liked it, however some of the start was pretty slow and could have had a bit better of a plot. This book had a bit more of a focus on the political structures of the supernaturals than the romance in my opinion. I would have liked a bit more romance, so it’s a 3.5 star read for me.

Overall a fun witchy RomCom read! I liked Violet's sisters so I would read their books when they get released too!

I am honestly a little bit conflicted about this book. I started this and was immediately annoyed by the idea that people were basically forced into marriage by a certain age and that people could not function without a relationship. Yet somehow, by the end of this book, I kind of liked it? I honestly don't know. I think that our two main characters get caught up in some cultural and systematic ideals about relationships and the two of them work to dismantle that but not quickly enough in my opinion. Like do you ever read a book and you kind of like the main characters but you actually despise everything else about the book? That's a little bit where I'm at. I was super intrigued by the idea of supernaturals just living within our everyday society and having a fake dating between a seemingly magic less witch and an alpha werewolf, but I was also supremely frustrated by the actual execution.

Also then there's the fact that this book just kind of dismisses any idea of queerness. It's just not a thing apparently and I was extra annoyed because not only that but also the blatant arophobia within the general context.

So I guess my review is that our main characters aren't awful but I wouldn't read this book again and I wouldn't necessarily recommend it.

Not the Witch You Wed by April Asher
Narrated by Zura Johnson
Publisher: Dreamscape Media
Published: February 17, 2022
Genre: Romance, Sci Fi & Fantasy

Not the Witch You Wed is the first book in the Supernatural Singles series by April Asher. This book is everything I could ask for! Witches, shifters, vampires, guardian angels, a succubus and so much more!

I thought the story was incredible! I laughed several times because it was so funny! The characters were wonderful! I fell in love with Violet and Lincoln and was definitely rooting for them to find there happiness! I loved the dialogue and thought it was so interesting!

The narration by Zura Johnson was incredible! She brought each of the characters to life!

I highly recommend this book! If you love witchy romances, you will love this one! I can't wait to see what's coming next in the series!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Not the Witch You Wed
by April Asher
Narrated by Zura Johnson

I received a digital audiobook arc of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This narrator was seriously earning her paycheck. There was so much distinction between the characters and such a wide variety of characters, different ages, genders, supernatural origins. Just amazing work. Excellent audiobook quality.

This is a contemporary second chance romance/enemies to lovers witchy but with a wider super natural world rom com. It was funny, sexy, insightful and touching. Our heroine is the oldest of a set of triplet sisters and she also has some amazing friends and an awesome boss witch gram.

She reconnects with an old flame who did her wrong at an event and they are thrown together frequently from there on. For me second chance romances are not generally my fave trope. They are incredibly frustrating to me unless the miscommunication/misunderstanding that took place in the past has a solid iron clad reason for not getting resolved. And this one does so I very much appreciated that.

The world building here was fascinating and I look forward to seeing more of this world in additional books. There are witches, shifters, demons and angels. Open door romance. Trigger warnings - generational trauma/heavy family expectations, people who think they can get away with stuff because they have money. 4/5

Not The Witch You Wed
Supernatural Singles #1
April Hunt
It seems the council has a lot of perplexing and arcane Supernatural Laws and they are an impediment on individual rights. When they were teenagers Violet Maxwell and Lincoln Thorne cared for each other, but he broke her heart. Violet is the oldest of three beautiful witch triplets. Her sisters have magic, but Violet didn’t have hence the nickname “The Dud.” Lincoln followed in his father’s footsteps as the Alpha Wolf and one of the arcane laws declared he had to marry. Violet agreed to fake-date/fake-mate him to prevent the council from forcing him to marry someone of their choosing and to give them both time to make their own decisions. Suddenly Violet had magic, she had no idea how to control it but when she was with Lincoln “Sparky” would put in an appearance. Feelings for each other began emerging.
What a delightful read! This tale is filled with humor, anguish, uncertainty, sorrow, romance and a lot of heat. There was a large list of supporting characters and each one complimented the tale. You can’t help but love Violet, she is so snarky and yet vulnerable but only when it comes to Lincoln; the two play well off of each other. Their past made them enemies sort of, but their future was written in the sparks. This is a fun book! Zora Johnson, narrator on the audio book does a great job; she captures the essence of the characters. I hope we meet the triplets again in this series.

If any of y’all are PNR romance fans, I just finished one that I absolutely LOVED! I listened to the audiobook of Not the Witch You Wed by April Asher, which is brilliantly narrated by Zura Johnson. Part second chance romance, part fake relationship romance, the story follows a woman whose witchy powers manifest after decades of being dormant, just as her former flame returns to town. Between the plethora of supernatural creatures, the magical mayhem occurring at any given moment, and the lingering feelings between the two protagonists, there’s so much going on in the story! And I enjoyed every drama-filled, chaotic moment. 😏

As the eldest Maxwell triplet, Violet was born to be the Prima of the witches. But the birthright shifted to her sister after she didn’t exhibit powers growing up. Believing herself to be magic-less, Violet is shocked when she suddenly develops powers - a surprise that’s just as unexpected as the return of her first love, Lincoln Thorne, whose arrival stirs up lingering feelings. Like Violet, the Alpha wolf shifter is being forced into choosing a mate thanks to an antiquated law. A fake relationship arrangement seems like the perfect solution to their predicament…at least until their spark of attraction reignites, and it becomes obvious that nothing about their connection is fake.

Packed with flirty banter, sexual tension, and plenty of drama that kept me rapt to the story, Not the Witch You Wed is endlessly entertaining and thoroughly engrossing. The narrative is fun, lighthearted, and humorous, with an extended cast of eclectic, supernaturally diverse characters that I was genuinely excited to get to know. But as much as I enjoyed the introduction to individuals that I hope to see again in their own book, it’s the romance between Lincoln and Violet that had me smiling and swooning as they progressed from snarky exes to wary allies to uninhibited lovers. Their chemistry exudes from every page, and I felt compelled to either grab popcorn and enjoy their teasing rapport, or fan my cheeks as they surrendered to the irrepressible desire simmering between them.

After finishing Not the Witch You Wed, my only complaint is that April Asher doesn’t have a backlist of books for me to binge. 😂 This book is everything I love about PNR romances. It’s playful, amusing, steamy, imaginative, and heartfelt. It felt like anything was possible within the book’s supernatural universe, and I just sat back and enjoyed the wild ride. I adored this book and can’t wait to read what the author comes out with next. Fingers crossed for a certain guardian angel’s story next. 😏

While I enjoyed the characters, especially Violet, this story didn’t quite live up to the description or they hype. The premise was good, there were some funny parts, but overall the story was kinda boring. There was nothing new here, it was the same drawn out, coming of age, “no one understands me” story and it seemed to last FOREVER. DNF at about 70%.

Narration was well done, no issues.

I absolutely loved this story and cannot wait for the next one. It made me laugh out loud quite a few times, which seeing as I was listening to it on wireless headphones, may have seemed odd to some people.

Not the Witch You Wed by April Asher is the first book in the new paranormal romance Supernatural Singles series. From the first page, you're plunged into a world of witches, shifters, succubi, and all things supernatural as a close-knit group of New York City singles navigate how to find love when the bonds of supernatural duty keep getting in the way. The story is a romance between a witch and the leader of a wolf pack who by product of each of their circumstances are forced to fake a relationship. Throw in the fact they were in love when they were younger and things get messy. It’s a super quick and easy read and is frankly perfect for this time of year. The characters themselves are charming and the magical politics keep it interesting. While at first I found the intensive, early world-building to be disorienting, I'm glad I stuck with this new author. This is a fun, and at times snarky, read that offers a fresh spin on the typical former friends to rekindled lovers trope. A story full of fantasy and intrigue with well-written characters that take readers on a roller coaster ride of emotions. I do think this author brought some great moments and interactions. I really enjoyed following this characters and seeing the direction this story would take… the tension was just very well done and I could see the connection this author was giving to these characters. I also really enjoyed some of these side characters.

Thank you so much to St. Martin's Griffin, the author and Netgalley for the ARC.

3.75 Stars

Thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for an ALC of this book.

When Violet learns she will have to undergo a witchbond even though she doesn't have magic, and her ex Alpha shifter Lincoln is also needing a mate to continue as alpha, they spawn a fake dating scheme while they make plans to change the community. But maybe Violet isn't as magicless as she thought, and maybe the reason Lincoln abandoned Violet back when they were 18 was different than she thought...

This was a fun and cute paranormal romance! There is definitely good chemistry between the main characters and I enjoyed the development of their relationship. The urban fantasy world was interesting and I could definitely see reading a whole series of romances in this world! This is a fun read!

Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Misogyny
Moderate: Sexual content

Witches? Check. Sexy Shapeshifters? Check. An Obstacle to Overcome? Check!

This book was a fun ride, where we meet a witch who doesn't have powers....until she does. She is told by the council that she needs to marry, but she really isn't on board. She knows a man who shifts into a wolf that she's been crushing on since childhood. He also needs to find a mate. So what else are they to do? They help each other out and OF COURSE they fall in love along the way.....and she finds the magic that she never had! How cheesy was that line in my review? But I had to do it. I really liked this read. It was engaging and funny and the characters were lovely.

I really enjoyed this narration! The voice acting was on point, giving emotion where needed but not going over the top and becoming irritating or overacted. I enjoyed the portrayal of someone younger and their tone, contrasting with the tones and confidence of her grandmother. Impressive all around!

I received an ARC of this audiobook and immediately went and bought the paperback as soon as it came out. This was such a fun read, and the first to be released in a new series by April Asher.

Witch books are always hit or miss with me, but this second-chance, enemies-to-lovers story was So Much Fun. There's humor imbued throughout the whole story and a cast of side characters so well-formed that I'm really looking forward to the rest of the series. (April Asher, if you're reading this, Harper better get her own story too!)

Highly recommend if you're into:
- witchy family drama
- violet-infused cocktails
- gruff men
- girl power

P.S. If you're into audiobooks, Zura Johnson is great!

As always, thanks to NetGalley & St. Martin's Press for the arc.

I loved the premise of this book! A witchy paranormal romcom feels exactly my jam. I think the world is cool and I want to give subsequent books in this series a try. That being said I think this was an especially poorly written fake dating scenario. It’s a weak trope to begin with and this time was pretty thinly plotted.

My second biggest issue was there were way too many antagonistic plot lines for this book. Hit and run paparazzi, bar fights, snooty elders, magical marriage deadlines, rival alphas, abusive family members, shitty bosses, and what felt like seven other things. It kept taking me out of the romance.

Lastly, SO. MUCH. CRINGE. The most weird things were meant to be “turn ons” that I literally gagged a few times.

Thanks Netgalley for this ARC.

Exes, fake dating, and a little paranormal activity with witches and wolf shifters what more can you want. This book was a cute steamy rom com I didn't think I would like it cause of the sci-fi part but it was actually really great! Narrator was spot on with the characters. April Asher did a great job with this. It's kind of sabrina the teenage witch meets twilight but the Rated R version. I'm hoping there's a sequel!

While I felt the narrator did and excellent job, I was wholeheartedly not a fan of this book. I did not like the characters, descriptions, plot, or anything about it, I will not post this opinion on Goodreads or elsewhere, and I hope that my not liking this book does not prevent me from receiving future ARCs from this publisher. :)

I asked for this without any real expectations but liking the description and it more than delivered on the cute story. Its so well done and I am completely hooked. The characters were well developed and the storyline was well executed. Its the perfect pick me up. I can’t Waot Tomread more from this author.

I received an audio arc of Not the Witch You Wed by April Asher from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I really liked this one! This urban fantasy/paranormal romance is full of tropes I love, fake dating, soulmates, enemies to lovers. The tension in this was written so well, and there were plenty of cute and funny moments too. I would have liked a bit more steam, but I still loved the story and Violet and Lincoln's relationship.
The world-building and supernatural societies were also interesting, and there was set up for more romances that I will be reading as soon as they are available.
3.75 stars