“𝐍𝐞𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭. 𝐖𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬. 𝐄𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥.”

Bespelled is a spicy romantasy following witch Selene and is book 2 in the series. I really loved the first book, but Bespelled really exceeded my expectations and was even better than the first! This installment was much darker and spicier and I couldn’t get enough. Selene’s world is so intriguing and the book is very plot heavy, but it never once felt overwhelming. And the way the relationship between Selene and Memnon progresses had me swooning! I absolutely cannot wait for the next book in this series! 5⭐️

𝕎𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕋𝕠 𝔼𝕩𝕡𝕖𝕔𝕥:
🕯️Witches, sorcerers, werewolves
🔥Magical college
🕯️Fated mates
🔥Enemies to lovers
🕯️Touch her and ☠️
🔥Past lives/reincarnation

“𝐈 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮. 𝐈 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐟𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮.”

“𝐖𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐬𝐨 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐢𝐭 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐧.“

“𝐆𝐨𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐈’𝐝 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐛 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐤.“

I enjoy fantasy however this was really not my thing. The characters felt under-developed and I couldn’t engage with the female lead that made bade decisions again and again. Sorry not for me. Thank you tom#netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

Overall (non-spoiler) Thoughts: While I found the story here really compelling and had a hard time putting it down, I think, much like "Bewitched", I am just wanting MORE from this universe. I think the world that we have seen so far is actually really interesting, but as we move through the story so much of it is glossed over, not really explained, or ignored altogether. I think that the bones of a really great and enduring series are here, but I am worried at some point the annoyance I have over wanting more information is going to outweigh the really good driving energy that we've had so far otherwise. If you were a fan of "Bewitched", I think you're going to really like this title (and it ends on a big cliffhanger too, so buckle up!), but if you were hoping for more fleshing-out of the world and the lore behind things, you may be more frustrated. I still enjoyed the pacing enough in this story that I will read the next installment, but I really hope the prequel that is in the works (or possibly already out there, I may have missed it), or a really dense third installment can help quench my thirst for some more ~atmosphere~.





















-----------------------------------SPOILERS-----------------------------------
Pros: I really loved the witchy vibes that came through in this book. I liked learning more about the school traditions, and I thought it added great atmosphere to the story. I also was compelled to keep reading (I got through this in two sessions), and the pacing was fast enough to keep me hooked. I also like that we were left on a cliffhanger that, at least for now, keeps Memnon in that morally grey/enemies territory. Now that they're officially ~in love~ I am concerned that things are going to quickly go completely on the rail kind of like what we see with Rhysand/Feyre in the ACOTAR series where everything is either saccharine sweet or getting weirdly controlling with a clear power dynamic/imbalance. Also - and I fully admit this is extremely petty and a personal preference for my reading tastes - I am SO PLEASED that we didn't end with a pregnancy trope, because the number of times birth control got brought up really had me worried. I am sick to death of nineteen-year-old teenage brides and their 2,000 year old baby daddies, and I fully acknowledge this is 100% a me problem because they show up in the Venn diagram of things I love and things I hate to read in the romantasy genre. I am concerned that's where we're headed in Book 3, however, but I will need to know what happens next so I guess I'll have to deal.

Cons: Like the first book, I think for me this series' biggest issue is that it's got the potential to be a really great, fleshed-out, and lush story. There are so many things that are just overlooked, not explained (and not in a this-will-be-relevant-later way), and quite honestly in some places forgotten. It's like looking at a rough draft for a semester project where you have to turn it in for editing at various points for the professor to give you guidance, and we still have three months left for all the detail work to be added in now that the main plot is sketched out. We have what appears to be a vast world of supernatural deities and we know little to nothing about them except when they're brought up for plot purposes. Same with the witch school (who doesn't love a good witch school, and it really does just feel at this point that the school is a convenient setting for the vibes instead of this thing that was supposed to be the center of Selene's desires), same with Selene's previous life as Roxilana (although I think there's a prequel book or novella in the works), same with the casts of side characters. I also really dislike the weak "love triangle" Selene has with the werewolves, and, as above, it feels like they just become relevant to move the plot along instead of being their own interesting culture or thing to explore. Same with Sybil! Also, on a bit of a petty note sometimes conversations are started without a subject (e.g. instead of saying "I need you right now", the sentence would be "Need you now") and it's happened enough between books 1 and 2 where it doesn't seem like an editing error and it REALLY throws me out of the story.

3.75 stars

I adore Laura Thalassa and her books.
I really enjoyed Bewitched!
I liked this book, but parts fell flat and parts I loved.

I loved all the shifter meetings and betrayal from Selene’s coven sisters.

I adored so much watching her relationship grow with M. He is so hottt!

I also found Kane character very likeable until he became Twilight Jacob 2.0.
I’m never a big fan of love triangle that drag on.
She made her choice and that should be that.

Also the ending didn’t hold a punch imo.
I didn’t find it that surprising or honestly that horrible.

Will I read the next one? Absolutely!
The story is captivating and keeps you pulled in.
I hope Kane finds his mate asap so there’s no more triangle stuff. I like him! I swear though if it ends up being Selene’s daughter I may scream.

"Stab first, ask questions later"
"You are the air in my lungs and the blood in my veins, and all the power and glory in the world are useless without you"

Bespelled is the second book in the Bewitched series and I am very grateful to have received an ARC to review.

This book follows Selene as she goes up against a web of truly dark forces, unsure who is safe to trust. It picks up right after Bewitched so be sure to read that before you continue with this one.

The first part of the book starts off a little tame but then things change. My body had the adrenaline of somebody that ran an Olympic sprint after reading this book 😩 I was NOT expecting something so intense. It had me gripping the edge of my seat and pulling my blanket over my eyes. Nobody tell my doctor what my blood pressure was while reading this 👀

I loved the strength that Selene found and I surprisingly loved Memnon (sorry for calling you a prick after Bewitched, Memnon). I even turned to my husband multiple times throughout the book with a "would you mark my enemies and avenge me?" every time Menom did something.

I only wish we could have explored more of Selene's friendships. I hope that's a bigger theme in the next book.

Of course the book ended with me needing more so I will absolutely be awaiting the next in the series.

Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

OMG OMG OMG. This was quite the ride! Between solving murders and keeping her soul made in check, Selene busy! Obsessed. Need another book asap please!!

Bespelled is the second book in a Fantasy Romance series from Laura Thalassa and after Bewitched was one of my favorite reads of last year I had really high expectations and OMG it was even better than I expected, I absolutely loved it!

It’s no secret Laura is one of my favorite fantasy romance authors, I’ve read and loved all of her books and Bewitched and Bespelled are definitely one of my favorites. The world building and magic system are really interesting, the plot is perfectly paced with so many plot twists and action but also beautiful scenes between our main characters, the characters are well written and the romance is everything. Selene is a really great FMC and although she annoyed me a few times, I liked how far she came from who she was at the beginning of book 1 and her character developed so much in this book, I can’t wait to see her in book 3. Memnon is still the morally grey vengeful king we all fell for in the first book, but I loved seeing this new side of him here, there was a lot of groveling and I loved how devoted he was to Selene, she was his everything and it was amazing how he always showed it to her. I absolutely loved Selene and Memnon together, despite their complicated past and present they somehow managed to build a new relationship and I lived for all their moments together, the banter, the confessions, the spicy scenes, I just love them so much, they are definitely one of my favorite bookish couples and I already can’t wait for the next book in this series to see them again.

Bespelled is the perfect sequel to Bewitched, I love these books and already can’t wait for the next one. I definitely recommend this series to everyone and if you’ve already read and enjoyed Bewitched, I just know you’re going to love Bespelled too, it was amazing!

Laura does it again! The story picks up right where it left off and let's just say that Memnon has some audacity! At least until he finds out what really happened with Roxi. He then is in his groveling era and puts his will in Selenes hands. The journey Laura created for us with Selene and Memnon as he works to get her trust and love back is steamy, funny, and suspenseful. Selena doesn't know who to trust, but since she holds her soulmates will, she knows she can somewhat trust him.

Laura does it again! I was lucky enough to receive an ARC copy of this book and I devoured it. This book made me feel the feels! It starts off with the perfect recap that I feel that all books need now.

The past comes to light. The future is murky. The killings continue. Friends betray. Enemies plot. Love shines through.

Selene is growing more into her powers and learning how her past, present, and future changes and defines who she is. You can see how she grows more confident in herself and how she deals with the challenges thrown at her.

Memnon is still hiding secrets but is also learning how to treat selene the way she deserves. He is clearly devoted to her and aches to prove his worthiness. The sorcerer is quickly adapting to the modern world and learning who is he is within it.

But its not over. Old enemies come back and trust is challenged, is it fragile enough to break?

I look forward to the next book!

This book is on fire! I can’t get enough is Selene and Memnon! And how the story changed so much! It kept me enamored from the very beginning and continued off from Bewitched. I need more of these two and I need to know where they are headed and more of their history. I hope we get that!

Absolutely loved this one more than Bewitched. There is a lot of spice. The characters had great development and the world building was good. I loved the power couple. I have a lot of unanswered questions but hopefully it will get answered in book 3. THE ENDING??? It can’t end like this!

“Bespelled,” by Laura Thalassa

Selene found her dark and evil soul mate in book one and now she has to live her life with all dramas that comes from a vengeful man in her life. He frames her for murder, forces her to get her memories back, and has her enter an unbreakable marriage pack and then she ends up in jail. Memnon is determined to find out why Selene betrayed him all that time ago. When Selene’s memories return, he got his answers, and they were not what he expected, and he spirals with what he has done to her. In return to make up for his wrongdoing he gives Selene the ability to have full control over his will.

I loved this series so much. The romance is intense and the best kind of enemies to lovers’ type of book. There is a ton of action and moving parts in this book and it made it so I couldn’t get bored for even a second. I love the whole concept of the series that magic has serious personal consequences like going blind and losing memories, it is really unique. I’ve loved all Laura Thalassa’s books, and this one did not disappoint at all. 5 out of 5 stars, so perfect.

-Witches
-Faeries
-Demons
-Familiars
-Enemies To Lovers

Thank you for the ARC, Netgalley.

“I will be home soon,” he says instead.
“Oh good, then I’ll get the knives out and sharpened for your return.”
His amusement returns. “Empress, you’re speaking my love language.”

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to review this eARC.

One of my first thoughts as I was reading this book was, “oh good, in my review I’ll be able to say Memnon redeemed himself” BUT NOW IM UNSURE!!!! Lol panic aside, this was another wonderfully written story by Laura. Learning about the main characters histories has been lovely. This story had the perfect amount of mystery/suspense/spice for me. I can’t disclose much without spoiling things but I really enjoyed how the mystery involves a very real world problem, but in the context of supernatural beings. Loving this series so far and can’t wait for the next installment!

I definitely enjoyed the second installment of the series better than the first. It leaves off after the big ending of Bewitched, which is what everyone has been waiting for and it did not disappoint. There are so many answers that I am hoping get answered in the next one. This series is so good and a must read!

A special thank you to NetGalley, Laura Thalassa, and Sourcebooks Bloom Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is the second book in the series, and I liked it better than the first book. That happen everyday. I will say this one does start off a little rushed and clunky with an oath that feels like it comes out of nowhere. But after that it gets a lot better. There’s an appropriate level of groveling! There’s some really villainous villains! There’s romance! I definitely recommend checking this series out…for now anyways 😉 (I’m reserving final judgment for the final book)

I received a free ARC of this book from NetGalley but this didn’t impact my review/rating.

When I tell you I did not put this book down, omg it was so good.

Picking up after the big ending of bewitched, this plot was straight into it, there was plenty of action, mystery, murder, fights, magic. It has everything I wanted in the story and it did not disappoint.

Memnon is a character that I have absolute instant love for. I love his sass, he is obsessive, possessive, it has the touch her and die elements. The grovelling was sooo good. My man worked hard for Selene and I loved that he had a lot of confidence in her and her abilities, he didn’t take over but helped her instead.

Selene is such a fun fmc, her inner monologue is hilarious. The first recap had me chuckling with the wording. I enjoyed seeing her really find herself in this. She has been thrown into new aspects of her life and she tackles it all head on, lean in on Memnon when she needs too but giving all she has too. I found the flashbacks to her back story so moving and heartbreaking but it had me intrigued from the previous book and I would love so many more of these scenes.

I loved the uniqueness of this plot. It is one I haven’t read and it’s a breath of fresh air to dive into. I was hooked from the onset and literally finished it in one sitting. This was definitely more spicy than the first but it was so good. I loved the underlying ploy and mystery, I can’t wait to see this develop further. I am also wanting my own Nero. What an absolute sweetie. I adore him and I need more of him too.

I was picking up some potential plot points for the next book and I have so many answers that I hope are sorted in book 3. I was not ready for that ending and I am so excited for the next one.

I adore this series, an easy favourite and I’m so ready for more Memnon and Selene!

Thank you to Laura Thalassa and netgalley for the e-arc x

I read the first book before I started as I didn’t realise this was the second. I loved the first book gave it 4.5 stars however I feel like the second book although good, for me the plot lost something due to the amount of intimate scenes. Iv read books with spice in before but I feel like it was a bit much here and the story wasn’t as developed or detailed as it could have been. I still rated it a solid 4 and I love the character development, the world building was great there was just something missing that kept it from being a 5 star. I am still eager to read more though and other titles by this author

📚 Bespelled
Bewitched Series Book 2
✍ Laura Thalassa
📖 Fantasy/ Sci- Fi
4.5★⚊
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Laura Thalassa you did it again!!!!! 😱🤯
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Im still reeling with that ending!! .. seriously my head won't stop spinning 🤯🤯..
Second book of bewitched series where we can see a more grown Selene.. more strong and determined and not to mention her inner talk 👌.. she's ready for ted talks now 🤣 just kidding .. but seriously we can see a more mature fmc, more confident with herself and determined to get to the whole truth ..
This book is filled with adventure, action packed, lots of drama and looots of swooning moments with the mmc .. 😱🤯🔥..
Still loving the unique world building .. and just when you thought you have everything figured out .. baam.. another plot twist 👌..
Making this book unputdownable..
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So here, y'all now .. if youre feeling like reading a fantasy/sci fi story .. look no further.. Im telling you is gonna be very different, brilliant, fascinating and unique ..
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𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐌𝐚𝐲, 𝟐𝟖
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Also, did you see the gorgeous cover?? 😍😍 I love it ..🖤💚
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All the feels:
💟  romanstasy
💟 action packed
💟 mystery
💟 magical academy
💟 ancient sorcerer
💟 spicy romance
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Thanks to Laura Thalassa SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books and Netgalley for this arc, the opinions are on my own.
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Selene and Memnon are addictive! I love this storyline. I love how powerful this couple is. The evil they faced made for great opponents. I’m super intrigued where this will go next. Great book!

Omg!!! Let me start off with a HUGE thank you to bloom books and NetGalley for this arc. Next a thank you to Laura Thalassa for writing such an immersive and enchanting story. This is one of my favorite series I’ve read yet.

Ok so getting right into this review I gave this book 5/5 stars. The series in general is 5 stars for me.

Plot: I loved it! So often I find that sequels kind of drift off the first book or add too many new things that take away from the original story but not with this!! It flowed so nicely and tied in great with the first book. It gets a bit darker too which makes the plot that much more interesting.

Characters: I continued to love the characters in this series, my love for Memnon, as if I thought I couldn’t live him more, turns out I can. The tension between him and Selene is top tier! I love their banter, and their relationship. It blossoms into such a beautiful love story. If you’re into a seriously dedicated and devoted male, this book boyfriend is for you! I loved that we got to see more of the side characters! Sybil in particular is one of my favorites. Side note: those lycanthropes are on such a high horse!!

World building: I thought the world building in this was so good!! The first book was lighter and still enough for me to really grasp the story but this one!!! This one really brought everything together in such detail for me. Everything from the sarmetian history to the world of modern witches and the darkness that lingers underneath.

Pacing: AMAZING! I don’t think there was one time I felt the book was slow. At the same time it kept me just on the edge of tension. It didn’t give everything away right away! It kept me saying “one more chapter” at the end of the night.

Favorite quote: Selene talking about his scar and memnon responds with “I’m grateful for it because it made you stroke my skin” that and when he tells Kane he’s a good man 😭

Final thoughts: This is everything I’ve ever wanted in a witchy/paranormal romance. I haven’t loved a book boyfriend so much since acotar!! AND
THAT ENDING!! I need the third book immediately! I will recommend this book to literally everyone! If I HAD to give one critique, I’d say Mennon could not get to Selene in time too many times. I feel with his stubbornness he wouldn’t have allowed it to happen after not being able to get to her before. But that’s such a mild drawback that it doesn’t ding the rating for me at all!