What a read! Bespelled by Laura Thalassa is the second book in the Bewitched series which follows a young witch and her soulmate as they work to stop a string of mysterious murders at her coven. Please note: there are spoilers to book one in this review. Read at your own risk. This book picks up almost immediately where book one left off. Selene is in jail for the murders, but also coping with the deluge of memories she now has. With the curse lifted, Selene can remember everything from this life and her past life. Turns out Memnon was partially right at least.

Selene’s character development is thrown on its head this book. Just as she was feeling comfortable in her own skin, she is now coping with memories she had long forgotten. Her anger at Memnon isn’t just for forcing her memories on her, but for the revenge he took on the wrong person. My heart broke over and over again for her as she remembers how much she once loved him and just how much she sacrificed to save him from his own arrogance.

Memnon’s attitude has entirely shifted. He is truly remorseful and willing to do whatever Selene asks to earn her forgiveness and trust. Don’t get me wrong, the guy is still ruthless and everything you’d expect from an ancient king and warlord, but he’s got a soft side. And it is this soft side that slowly grows on you.

The pace of this one is much faster than the first book. Bewitched really focused on laying the storyline down and letting you get to know Memnon. This book focuses more on the murders Selene was accused of and the budding relationship between them. I loved all the twists and unexpected surprises. Memnon’s relentless pursuit of Selene reminds me a little of Thalassa’s The Fallen World (if you haven’t read it, it is a MUST read) which means I love it all the more.

Overall, I devoured Bespelled. I loved all the answers that we get in this book as well as all the questions it raises. The spiciness is kicked up several notches in this one as well, so if that isn’t your thing, consider yourself warned. If you are a fan of high-stakes fantasy romance, I highly recommend it.

After LOVING Bewitched I was desperately awaiting Bespelled and Laura Thalassa did not disappoint me!! The banter and chemistry between Selene and Memnon continued to be top notch and when I say chemistry I mean, hot hot chemistry!! I loved how their relationship progress as they find ways to get used to each other again, making up for past wrongs throughout the book. The mystery, whodunnit aspect of the story had me engaged the whole way through as Selene and Memnon try to get to the bottom of what is happen at Henbane, risking their safety along the way.

I was super impressed by this book! The worldbuilding and story progression had me hooked from the beginning. I never felt like the story dragged. I absolutely adore the newly introduced characters, and I think the author has outdone herself with this one. I’m excited to read more!

Laura Thalassa has to most magical and poetic writing. Her stories are always captivating and beautiful. Bespelled is the second book in the Bewitched series, and I absolutely loved it. The romance and the connection between characters are always amazing. I adore Selena and the fantasy/magical elements in the story! Thank you NetGalley and bloom books for the arc. I have purchased a physical copy and it looks beautiful on my shelves.

4.5 stars

Bespelled is book 2 of the Bewitched series by Laura Thalassa. I would highly recommend reading book 1 before reading book 2.

This book was a ride! Book 1 ended on a wicked cliffhanger. Book 2 picked up right where book 1 ended. The first 40% of the book was a bit slow as Memnon and Selena rebuild their relationship in this new and modern world. I felt like the subplot of the dying witches added to the layers of the story especially as you discover the other characters involved in the spell circles.

As soon as that 60% mark hit, the action in the book kicked up and I couldn't book the book down. There were some many twists and turns that I didn't see coming leading up to the end. This book also ends in a cliffhanger but I didn't feel like this one was as bad as the previous book. I will absolutely be reading the next book. I can't wait to see what happens to Selene next.

It took me awhile to get into - I was not into it when I read it but I may try again when I’m in the mood.

➸ 3 stars

“We are eternal.”

this book was so much better than the first one in my opinion! I was honestly really engaged in the story and got answers to all my unanswered questions from book one. there was a lot of action that kept me turning the page and the plot was more existent in this one! I still couldn’t get past the cringe writing though, so 3 stars it is!

I came to tolerate the fmc in this book and her character definitely annoyed me less! I also adore her friendship with sybil so much!!!

“I am yours, forever.”

I absolutely hated the mmc in the first book but he did redeem himself a bit in this one and I started to like him slightly more! I am also loving their relationship so far they definitely have their cute moments!!

after the plot twist towards the end and the last chapter, I can definitely say I’ll be reading the next book!

This story follows Selene who is trying to figure out the murders when Memnon comes back to her life. First of all I have to mention that I love how Thalassa wrote a book 1 summary in the beginning to reintroduce what happened so we aren’t clueless. The storyline picks off after book 1 so it feels like there was no time missed. This story advances into the past conflict and Selene trying to figure out the murders. I liked that Thalassa got more into the paranormal world but I would love to dig deeper into. The conflicts were fun and I loved all the cute moments between Selene and Memnon. This book is told from Selene’s pov throughout the book.

Selene is the FMC of this book and I really love her the badass side of her. She develops more but is still figuring out her past life. I love how Thalassa hasn’t fully developed her into a strong person as Selene is still trying to figure it out. Then we have Memnon and I love this man so much more than I did in book 2. If I had the chance to marry him, I would. The amount of care he has for Selene is so cute. There are many side characters in this book and I hope to see some of their stories in the future. The romance develops on from the previous book and I loved seeing the slowburn relationship form.

The ending is a minor cliffhanger which I’m surprised because I thought these books were done but I’m excited to know there is book 3. I don’t know how it will go but I hope we get more of the world and see cute moments between the couple. I have also heard Thalassa is releasing a novella in between of the past life of Selene and Memnon which I’m excited for.

*this arc was sent to me by the publisher to give an honest review in return*

ᨳ᭬ ⭑ ⭑ ⭑࿐ྂ
“You are mine,” I repeat.
“You are mine. My eternal mate.”
It is not a declaration of love, but it doesn’t matter.

i mean i liked it but sadly it didn’t hit like the first book.

they both got on my nerves really bad sometimes.

This one picks up right after the ending of Bewitched and Selene has recovered all of her memories(she used to lose her memories everytime she used magic) and after awakening the sorcerer Memnon who was convinced that she's his wife(who had cursed him to sleep), her life had taken a swift turn. And after being framed for multiple murders, Selene has now been released(poor girl can't catch a break😂) but Memnon is waiting to get his vengeance. Except things don't turn out the way he'd expected after he realizes the truth about the curse and Selene's past memories.⁣
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I was pleasantly surprised by the direction this story went in and how some things were revealed slowly over the course of the book! We get to see some flashbacks from the past and it really did help in learning more about these characters. Selene is still strong and slowly coming into her powers in her own way but I was also frustrated by some of her decisions. I do love how feisty she is though. I loved the romance between her and Memnon which had all of my favorite elements - fated mates, touch her and 💀, past lives and magic bonds. They turned up the heat in this one 🔥 and that was fantastic. There's a subplot with the mystery regarding the murders and spell circles, but it wasn't too complex. I did like the ending though and it has me very excited to read the next and final book in the series!

I loved book one - Bewitched when I read it last year and I was super excited for this one. This was a solid addition to the series but I don't know whether it had a bit of the second book syndrome, it didn't pull me in the way Bewitched did, but I still enjoyed it a lot!⁣
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This one picks up right after the ending of Bewitched and Selene has recovered all of her memories(she used to lose her memories everytime she used magic) and after awakening the sorcerer Memnon who was convinced that she's his wife(who had cursed him to sleep), her life had taken a swift turn. And after being framed for multiple murders, Selene has now been released(poor girl can't catch a break😂) but Memnon is waiting to get his vengeance. Except things don't turn out the way he'd expected after he realizes the truth about the curse and Selene's past memories.⁣
⁣
I was pleasantly surprised by the direction this story went in and how some things were revealed slowly over the course of the book! We get to see some flashbacks from the past and it really did help in learning more about these characters. Selene is still strong and slowly coming into her powers in her own way but I was also frustrated by some of her decisions. I do love how feisty she is though. I loved the romance between her and Memnon which had all of my favorite elements - fated mates, touch her and 💀, past lives and magic bonds. They turned up the heat in this one 🔥 and that was fantastic. There's a subplot with the mystery regarding the murders and spell circles, but it wasn't too complex. I did like the ending though and it has me very excited to read the next and final book in the series!

Such a great witch series with lovable characters and insanely amazing world building. The author is amazing and I am so happy I read this book. Such an intense love story that you will no be able to put down. I didn't read the first book but loved this one so much I, going back to read it now.

Well-loved and highly respected as an author by yours truly, I will of course read anything that Laura Thalassa writes, even if it's a grocery list. Her new stand-alone novel is wildly more addictive and interesting and proves beyond a shadow of a doubt just how amazing and versatile of an author she is. I couldn't turn the pages quickly enough and really enjoyed the world-building, the romance (absolutely delicious), and the combination of witches, academies, and magic . Highly recommended and can't wait to own this one in print! Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher. It was such a treat!

Ummm wow… just wow…

I’ve read lots of ARC’s, but this one has truly landed its self on my top 10 list! I have never been so swept away and taken to every character as I was in this book. The time that was invested into turning this world into such a mind blowing experience is evident in every chapter.

Memnon and Selene, have transformed so much from the first book and I truly thought I loved that book but this one has taken the cake! The character development in this book surpasses the first and made every page all the more magical.

Truly, my favorite thing about this series is that not only do you get the fantasy and spice, but Laura wanted you to think and really hang on her every word as she turned this into a mystery of its own!

Laura, sign me up already to read book 3 because if it’s anything like this masterpiece I need the next book NOW!

Bespelled is the second book in the Bewitched series. This is the second chance love story (mostly) of Selene Bowers, a pretty powerful witch and Memnon, the man she cursed to sleep for two thousand years in her last life. They are soulmates, bound to each other through space and time, but that doesn't mean it is going to be smooth sailing for them. Especially since Memnon is pissed he was placed in stasis for two millennia and can't wait to get his revenge, even if that revenge is on his soulmate.

When we left our characters at the end of Bewitched, Selene has tapped into the memories of her past life and she now knows what happened and why she put Memnon to sleep. He is dangerous and brutal and a conqueror from a different time. But he is learning all of the rules of this new metal jungle and he is starting to make some plays to put himself back in power. He loves Selene, but it is complicated by the betrayal he believes she perpetrated on him in her past life. But, what if there were good reasons, what if he made a mistake? How will he earn back the trust of the woman he is bound to through the ages so they might build a life together.

Meanwhile, witches and other magic welding creatures are dying in brutal ways and Selene wants to get to the bottom of it. Not just to protect herself but to also save some of her new found friends in the coven. Memnon will use all of his influence and newfound power to help the woman he loves and earn back some of the trust broken between them. God help any who harm or go after his mate, he will make them all pay. The stakes are high and no one is to be trusted.

***“Call me a monster, call me a devil, but you and I both know I will shatter the rules for you .” He stares at me fervently. “Always for you.”***

I liked this story better than Bewitched, we get to see some of Selene's past life that really added credence to her power. She is growing into the sorceresses she is meant to be, even if she is unsure about the man she is fated to be with. I adore Memnon's character. He is not a nice guy; he is dangerous but unfailing loyal to those he calls family. He is also so tricky; it was fun to watch how he slowly lulls Selene back into his bed and finds ways to get into her heart as well. He is a predator and will be patient until it is the right moment to pounce and win his prey. He remembers the fierce warrior Selene used to be in her last life and knows she is going to need to find that woman warrior if they are going to survive against their enemies.

There were so many danger filled and tense moments in Bespelled, I was on the edge of seat though all of them. The danger always felt right around the corner. There are plenty of sexy times though to enjoy between the bouts of certain death. The jump to Memnon and Selene's previous life added a lot of context the story and fleshed out our characters well. I sometimes got a little frustrated with Selene's refusal of their soulmate bond, but it did help to build some of the sexual tension between them.

Memnon, I'm sure, still has plenty of secrets and even though they have tracked down some of the bad doers, there are more out there to be found and an enemy from their past to thwart still. I'm very interested to see what Laura Thalassa brings to the series next. She has written "bad men" very well in the past and I'm so excited to see what our unapologetic warlord is going to do in the modern world to take the power he craves.

***“Is this where you stab me and free yourself once and for all?” he says in Sarmatian.
“Because,” he continues slowly, his eyes smoldering , “I promise you, if you don’t, I will work to tie you so tight to me you won’t eventually know where you end and I begin.”***

"Bespelled" is an excellent follow-up to "Bewitched". We rejoin Selene and Memnon immediately after the ending of "Bewitched" and the plot takes off from there. Memnon and Selene's dynamic in this book is much different - Memnon, having seriously screwed the pooch, has to find a way to atone for his bad behavior and Selene is unwilling to make it too easy on him. The pacing was good and the spice was spicing. One of the plot twists toward the end was easy to see coming but the overall ending remained a bit of a surprise. This book really showed Selene coming into her own, which after seeing her start as a sort of broken down character in "Bewitched" is really quite lovely. I will definitely reach for the next book in the series as I am eager to see more of Memnon and Selene's journey - and Nero!

4 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary ARC of this book. These opinions are my own.

I have been waiting for this book for so long!!! Laura, you could have published it the day after Bewitched and it would have been too long a wait. Anyway, I am a big fan of Laura's work and this did not disappoint. I loved how the MMC became so protective and loving when he realised this wasn't all theFMC's fault. I loved that the FMC stayed mad but that she was open to forgiveness. In the end the cause of the murders and bondings was such a surprise and plot twist! I can't wait to see how it all ends in the next one!

Big thanks to Netgalley, Sourcebooks, Bloom books and Laura Thalassa for this early release copy in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this book! It was even better than the first one! The first book had tension and angst and suspense - and this book took it to the next level.
I found myself falling in love with Memnon. Touch her and die is one of my favorite tropes, and he is the embodiment of it.
There were a few things I guessed would happen - which made me want to yell “I knew it! Yes!” at 2am, but the bigger things I didn’t see coming.
I loved how each character had a distinct personality, even Nero, who I love so much. I loved watching Selene find her inner badass. And the flashback absolutely destroyed me.
Basically I need the third book yesterday.

I felt like the world building that happened in the first book delivered in spades during this book. Bespelled capitalized on everything we learned in Bewitched and then some.

Selene and Memnon finally share what their past history consists of and Memnon realizes his interpretation wasn't accurate. Selene finds more power and understanding in knowing her own past. Together the two of them are both stronger and yet sometimes a bit weaker just because they are still trying to figure out how to work together. Memnon is determined that he and Selene are destined but she isn't.

This book was a good continuation from the first one. I really like this series and find it to be original and clever. I'm looking forward to the next one. In my opinion, there's so much more left to be done with this couple and their story.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

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

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Now that Selene Bowers has her memories and her power back, there's a thousand or so years and a lifetime of memories between her and Memnon to reclaim — plus a dozen or so murders they need to solve.

Simple right? Except partnering with an ancient sorcerer is never as easy nor as simple as it sounds, and soon, both Selene and Memnon find themselves in much deeper and more treacherous ground than they ever could have imagined.

Bespelled is different from the first installment — in a good way. Now that we know Selene and Memnon's backstory, there's less going on. And when I say that, I in no way mean this is boring. There's still plenty of murders to be solved after all. But I enjoyed seeing Selene reconcile her past life with the one she currently has, and how she used both sides of herself to reclaim her power and who she is as a person, and where her soul mate fits into this new life.

Laura Thalassa certainly has a way of pulling me headfirst into a story, and I'll never get tired of it. Give me alllll the morally gray supernatural beings please — and the third book while you're at it so I can recover from that killer (😉) cliffhanger!!

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Bespelled was published on May 28, 2024. Thank you to SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books, NetGalley and the author for the digital advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.