For those that enjoyed Bewitched, Bespelled is even better than its predecessor. I did not like Memnon in the first book, but either he grew on me or their past backstory made their connection make more sense. The mystery behind the disappearing witches was a little strange in the end, but maybe it is because there's more to be revealed in the next book. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC to review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 stars
There’s nothing better and more delicious than a villanous character groveling and steping up for the heroine after he rollaly fvcked up 🧎‍♂️‍➡️🧎‍♂️‍➡️🧎‍♂️‍➡️🧎‍♂️‍➡️
I liked this book much better than the first, the plot was ploting, there’s romance, mystery, 🌶️🌶️🌶️, action and great characters. I really like laura thalassa's brand of fantasy, shee feeds us with psycho teddy bears heroes that only she can write 🤭 If you like villains being unhinged and pathetic for their women you'll enjoy this one!

Thank you to Netgalley and bloom Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What.... happened? I enjoyed Bewitched which was why I requested the ARC of Bespelled but I feel like this book took a total left turn. Selene makes the same mistakes OVER AND OVER AND OVER. Where was the growth and development? I do think LT turns it around and the story irons out the kinks that left me questioning what the heck was going on by the end BUT... that was rough. Like a lot of other series, the second book just comes across as filler. I hope in the next book we see Selene and Memnon as a strong couple with less of the same mistakes happening again and again.

Book 2 starts off right where the first one ended. You also learn what really happened to Memnon and Selene in the past and it made Memnons reaction/betrayal in the first book even more upsetting.

I do feel like there should’ve been more groveling from Memnon. He did try making up for his betrayal but I just feel like it should’ve been more. I also don’t like that he keeps intentionally keeping Selene in the dark about certain things. I guess we’ll find out why in book 3..

The other characters in the first book take a more active role in this one too. I ended up actually not liking Kane or many of the other wolves, like at all. If you read, you’ll probably see why.

We’re finally introduced to the villains behind the mysterious deaths and if you’ve read Laura’s Rhapsodic series, you’ll recognize the name of 1 of them. I can’t really say my other thoughts without spoiling some parts in the book.. so, all in all, I really liked book 2 and can’t wait for the 3rd!!

Rating: 4.25⭐️

Okay so I LOVED Bewitched and I could not wait for the second installment in this series. Let me say that Laura Thalassa did it again and this book did not disappoint! This book picks up right where we left off in Bewitched.

There was so much more character development in this book versus book 1, and it was nice to get a better sense of Selene and Memnon's history. Also, c'mon, the groveling and mouth on Memnon 🥵. Halfway through the book, I thought I had it all figured out, but nope, everything I was anticipating was completely thrown off course in a normal fashion.

One thing I would love to see in a future book is a few chapters from Memnon's POV, as he (I am 115% positive) is up to some questionable things when away from Selene.

I seriously cannot wait until the next book because now I have sooo many more questions!

Read this book if you enjoy:
🖤 Witches/sorcerers
🖤 Groveling
🖤 Touch her and 💀 vibes
🖤 Enemies to lovers
🖤 Obsessive MMC
🖤 Soulmates
🖤 Murder mystery

I definitely definitely recommend checking out this series! Bespelled comes out May 28, 2024, which gives you enough time to breeze through Bewitched ♥️

thank you so much to netgalley & bloom books publishing for the advance reader copies!!

4.25💫

this was one of my most anticipated sequels for 2024 & it honestly was great! there’s something about Laura thalassa’s reading that is so addictive & easy for me to read so I feel like I always enjoy her books! This one was no exception.

The story picks up right where we left off in bewitched. I appreciate that Laura was able to remind the readers of what happened previously because i definitely needed a refresher. Not going to lie the first 20% of the book I had a hard time getting through which is why this book didn’t get a 5 star. Around the 30% mark is when it finally clicked in my brain and I BINGED the rest of this.

This book (& the first) are perfect books for the fall & around Halloween. The spooky ambiance, and vibes were so good and honestly one of my favorite parts of the book.

Memnon is a perfect morally gray love interest and the way he’s so obsessed with Selene??? Yeah im gonna eat it up everytime.

Things got a little messy at the end, it just felt like so much was happening all at once but that’s a nitpicky complaint. Also going need book 3 STAT. that cliffhanger 😭😭

thanks again to Laura & bloom for the arc copies 🤍

I've a bit of a dual opinion about this book. Loved half of it, didnt know what to think about the other half. I loved The Four Horsemen and The Bargainer. They were on my top series in 2021/2022. But this book has been a mix of feelings and I'm not sure how to rate it. I definitely want to trust Laura. I have this thing of not judging worldbuilding in a fantasy book cause it's the author's imagination. It's her world and I'll accept anything they write as true. And despite some details make me uncomfortable, I wont rate it down for that cause its my opinion. I still want to know what happens next cause I loved half of this book and I still want to have Memmon in my book crush list.

Bespelled
By Laura Thalassa
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️

Just like the first book in the series, I loved this one as well! I was a little worried that it would be a filler second book, but it held its own and I really enjoyed it.

I liked that pretty early in the book we got to learn what memories Selene had unlocked and the back story of what happened to her and Memnon in their last life. We also learn about what Memnon has been up to since joining the modern world and how it connects to the witches' disappearances. I loved seeing how Memnon and Selene rebuild their relationship and Memnon's devotion to Selene.

I can't believe I now have to wait for the 3rd book and there's no release date for it. :(

Thank you to #NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

#bespelled #laurathalassa #fiction #fantasy #magic #witches #newadult #bookstagram #readersofinstagram #idratherbereading #readingchallenge #book #bookrecommendations #bookreview #librarian #booklover #bookdragon #bookworm #reader #reading

“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.