I'm going to DNF this one - I don't think the overly cutsey vibe/style of writing is for me right now. I may revisit in the future though!

I had mixed feelings about this book. In theory, I was so excited, but the execution wasn't my favorite. Breaking the fourth wall as it did felt odd, I kept thinking of the old made for tv Disney movies in the 2000s, which while I have endless love and appreciation for those movies, wasn't working for me here. Gil's powers felt a little weird in terms of consent, especially in the beginning. Overall, the cover is absolutely stunning, I really love it, but the book wasn't for me.

Witcha Gonna Do? is fine. It's not particularly memorable and finding traction to get into the book was tricky. It has its humorous moments and, of course, it's got some spice but there are better books with a similar storyline.

Witcha Gonna Do is a contemporary, paranormal, rivals (to reluctant allies) to lovers romance. I am going to be candid, this one isn’t going to be for everyone. There isn’t a lot of world building, and we get thrown into modern day VA, but with trolls and grumpy unicorn shifters. It is chaotic and a bit bonkers, but in a good way (for me).

This book gave me grown up Encanto vibes and I love that. Tilda Sherwood is the red headed, twenty something version of Mirabel. She is extremely different from the rest of her family, the biggest difference being her lack of magic.

Gil, the MMC, has a “sexy professor aesthetic” and is working as a double agent to free his family from the control of The Council. Gil comes from a family who has “love magic” which is not trusted among other witches and banished to The Beyond.

When Tilda freezes her family, she ends up working with her 2 best friends, also magical misfits, and Gil to reverse the spell. There is flying and a heist and cauldrons and trolls and rival families and so much more. And the epilogue, might have been one of the sweetest I have ever read and left me wanting more from the Sherwood family.

Overall, I thought this was a really fun take on paranormal romance and will absolutely read the rest of the series when it comes out.

Thank you so much to Valentine PR, Berkley and Net Galley for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. Witcha Gonna Do is out now!

Read if you enjoyed:
• Just Like Magic by Sarah Hogle
• Go Hex Yourself by Jessica Clare
• Encanto, the movie

Hi! *waves* That’s me!

I have never closed a book so fast in my entire life.

There is something so disconnecting when an author starts a book like this. The energy gives off 12 year old YA vibes, and that is just not what I look for in a book.

Thank you to @netgalley @berkleypub and @berkleyromance for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to @prhaudio for a free download of the audiobook. And thank you to @berittalksbooks and @dg_reads for including me on this buddy read.

I love a good spicy, smutty book. But have you ever read a book where it didn’t fit and turns you off from the actual story? That is how I felt most of the time reading this book. On top of that, I felt there were two large story lines here that could have been great but were weakly executed. I probably would not have finished if it wasn’t for the audiobook. It saved the day.

2 stars

#books #bookishlife #booklover #readingisfun #iowabookstagrammers #iowabookstagram #netgalley #berkleypub #berkleyromance #berkleybuddyreads #prhaudio #ltbreaderteam #berkelywritesstrongwomen

This book was very funny and had really amazing thoughts/dialogue. I think it needs to be the only book you're currently reading because there is a lot of world building and trying to understand all the pieces took me some effort. Maybe those who are more used to fantasy+romance will find it easier. Overall the things I highlighted where just funny moments and one liners I wanted to laugh with my spouse about.

DUAL POV and I truly wish I had the audiobook because I'm sure it's epic.

I am DNF'ing this at 50%. I did request this because of my interest in Lana Harper's Witches of Thistle Grove series and would feel comfortable recommending this to folks looking for more romance + witchy vibes, with the caveat that the narrator's voice is.... quirky? (if I'm being generous, and annoying if I'm being honest). The plot hooked me along for a good amount of time, but when my plane ride ended I put this down and haven't felt the need to see how this ends unfortunately.

I liked the world building and would sample another work from Flynn. I think the annoyance is specifically related to the female protagonists voice that I'm just not gelling with. With a different protagonist, perhaps there will be a narrator I find less grating?

Tilda Sherwood is a member of one of the most powerful witching families in Witchingdom, even though she herself is what they call an outre, or a witch with no magic. When she isn’t busy managing her family’s social media account, she’s looking for her own HEA. But somehow, she keeps getting matched with her nemesis, Gil Connolly. She can’t stand him, but she also can’t seem to stay away from him. What she doesn’t know is that Gil is a double agent, trying to keep his family safe by proving that Tilda is actually an outre. Digging up dirt on Tilda and her powerful family is the only way he can get his family out of exile and somewhere the Council can’t find them, but his feelings for her are starting to get in the way.

✨This was such a fun, small-town, enemies-to-lovers romance! The chemistry and banter had me laughing out loud, the world-building was incredible, and I loved how Flynn seamlessly and easily combined magic, matchmaking, a government conspiracy, a heist, and a high-speed chase all into one book. This one hooked me right away and wouldn't let go, making it a fun, easy read that now has me visiting Flynn's backlist for more!

✨I can't wait for the next book in this series! Thank you @averyflynn @berkleyromance @netgalley for my complimentary e-ARC!

You know it must sound good when I am so excited about a book, I accidentally sign up with two groups to read it, review it, buddy read it and post it! Witcha Gonna Do? By Avery Flynn is that book, and the excitement was warranted because it is a delightful book with a unique style and, my favorite, witty banter!
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Although it is December, I am not giving up my witches yet and this one is perfect to highlight this fine #WitchyWednesday! This story gives us double agents, the most powerful family in the witchingdom, a daughter who can’t do magic, a matchmaking sprite who repeatedly sets up dates with a couple who loathe each other, spells, curses, secrets, even a rooster as a familiar, plus even more. It is a very fun and entertaining enemies to lovers romance wrapped up in lots of witchy shenanigans.
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I particularly loved when the narrator, Tulsa, speaks directly to the reader. It is such a clever addition to the story that really made me feel more involved in her life and what was happening.
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Based on the cover alone, I was SO excited to read this book. It looks deliciously magical, but the plot failed to deliver.

While the enemies-to-lovers trope was very well done and the characters fleshed-out and loveable in their own ways, the plot itself was too much for one book. There was so much information that would make for a great series, but putting it all in one book seems to take away from the romance itself.

Though it's not my favorite book, it was still an utterly enjoyable read. Once I got past the fact that I wasn't going to remember all of the world-building information, I settled in for the ride and really came to love the characters.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.

DNF @ 6%

Thank you so much to Berkley Romance & Netgalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are still my own.

As soon as I saw this cover I was desperate to get my hands on this book. It looked and sounded like my perfect witchy romance. I've really loved the increase in witchy romances over the last year or 2 and was so excited for another one.

However I was only able to make it a couple of chapters in before putting this down. Nothing about the style worked for me and I unfortunately found it to be grating.

This book breaks the 4th wall from the very opening line. The heroine speaks directly to the reader as though she is in an early 2000s romcom. Which was an odd choice and definitely not my favorite.

But on top of that, I found the self deprecation humor to be frustrating and not at all endearing. This opens up with the heroine comparing herself to every single woman in the coffee shop and putting herself down. I didn't find it funny or endearing and immediately noticed my growing frustration.

Rather than push through, I sadly decided that this one just wasn't for me.

Witcha Gonna Do is a delightful first in new witchy romcom series.

Tilda and Gil are two people who can’t stand each other. However, Tilda keeps running into Gil, and she can’t figure out why. They are set up over and over again by a dating company, and he always seems to be where she wants to go. I really loved watching Gil and Tilda dance around each other. Tilda is the only non-magical person in her family of super-powerful witches, and she’s got some serious baggage about this. However, Gil has his own mysterious backstory, which involves being exiled to a remote island, a witch resistance and a Witches Council that rules magic but is focused on its own power and control. I went into this book expecting a light, fluffy rom-com, and I was so delighted by the unexpected action and adventure in this book: A train adventure across the country, a risky heist during a black-tie gala and a ragtag group of misfit witches and a unicorn. This book is an absolute delight, and I already can’t wait for the next one in the series.

Tilda and Gil are terrific enemies to the lover trope brought to the page. The chemistry these two had from the get-go was apparent, even if they didn’t want to admit it. I loved that this book alternated chapters between the two of them so you could really learn more about the small magical town called Witchingtown and the politics and magic system without it feeling overwhelming because it was layered with their own perspectives. Sometimes first books in these types of series can feel a little like information overload, but Avery balanced her backstory with some steamy relationship building. Tilda and Gil together are so delightful, and I really loved how Gil brought out the best in Tilda and helped her gain self-confidence, which she was seriously lacking, thanks to her perceived flaws. Gil has some serious baggage and is clearly not used to having someone else to support him. Tilda, with her big, loving and overbearing family, can give him the support he needs to become his best self during a critical time. I even really enjoyed the third-act misunderstanding because I still ended up cheering for Gil even when I thought he was acting like a wank. The characters are just that fun and enjoyable, fleshed out.

Honestly, my biggest complaint is that the ending was rushed. It was such a rockingly fun adventure with a big showdown at the end, and then it suddenly wrapped up. I wanted the ending to be drawn out more. That does only get me more excited about book two, however.

This was a really cute book! I really enjoyed it. The romance was good, with a “I shouldn’t like him but I do and I don’t know what to do about it” vibe. However, one thing that confused me bit was WHY he was considered her arch-nemesis. That didn’t feel well explained, but at the end of the day it didn’t really hurt the story. Additionally, the fact that there was an actual plot other than the relationship was really nice as well. I LOVE a heist book, and this story did deliver on that some. There was some spice, but it wasn’t really the focus I would say.

I love me a witchy romance, but this one was pretty meh. Not a huge fan of the characters taking directly to the readers.. There was an attempt at some world building, but there was a lot of stuff that needed to be explained further because I had no idea what they were taking about at points, including the MMC's type of magic. The romance part of it was okay-- enemies to lovers would probably be the closest trope. Haven't decided yet if I'll want to read the next in the series.

ARC Review ✨
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Thank you to Avery Flynn and Valentinepr for the ARC to review.
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Witcha Gonna Do was a fun, sweet, witchy read. The writing was well done and the characters were so quirky and sweet. I loved the misfits, especially the unicorn. Tilda and Gil were perfect for each other. Their banter and chemistry was off the charts. Gil's protectiveness was so sweet and his love for Tilda had me smiling. I loved the family love and the strength of all the characters. This was definitely a sweet and fast paced read.
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⭐⭐⭐.5

This the first in a new witch-y series. I will keep reading the series for the entertainment. It's told from a first person perspective of Tilda. Tilda believes she has no power which is unfortunate since she is part of a powerful witch family. Instead she runs their social media. She and Gil keep crossing paths and eventually have to work together. This becomes an opposites/rivals attract romance. There was a lot going on, so it was hard for me to follow all the different characters and storylines as we quickly moved from one to another. There is a fun caper in the book, and it was enjoyable and easy to listen to, so I will be back.

3.5 strs rounded up to 4.

Thanks to the publisher for a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

For this to not be a ya book, it feels extremely YA which makes some parts super weird to read.

You don’t necessarily connect with the characters, but it is a quick read and cute cover!

Tilda Sherwood is part of a large magical family, but she doesn’t have any magic. She keeps getting set up on dates by her godmother, and every date is with the same guy: Gil Connolly. He’s gorgeous but annoying, and Tilda can’t stop thinking about him. One day when Tilda’s sister is doing a spell, Tilda interferes with it, and something goes wrong, freezing her entire family in ice. Since Tilda doesn’t have magic, she has to go to Gil for help. They have to find a spell to unfreeze her family, while also fighting the growing attraction between them.

This was such a fun rom com! Tilda is a bit of an outcast, being surrounded by magic but unable to use it herself. Gil has secrets of his own that add a lot of tension to the story when he has to lie and keep them from Tilda.

The epilogue was so good. There’s a lot of potential for future stories about other characters. I can’t wait to read the next book!

Thank you Berkley for providing a digital copy of this book.

This book didn't do it for me at all. I found the writing to be over the top and the plot was confusing. There seemed to be so much build-up to the conflict and then it was all over with and wrapped up within a couple chapters. I also found the writing style very juvenile.