Tropes:
- witchy vibes
- forced proximity
- found family
- thick girl rep
- best friends cousin

I'm not going to say I loved this book but I'm also not going to say I hated it. I enjoyed the story itself, but it was the writing that took me out of it. It felt like the spicy scenes were thrown in to satiate BookTok's need for spice but weren't exactly thought out and none of the characters felt fully developed to me. The transitions between POVs or scenes was also very confusing to follow. Sometimes a new chapter meant a whole new scene, sometimes it didn't. Sometimes a break in the chapter itself meant a whole new scene, sometimes it meant we were just switching POVs right in the middle. This made things a little confusing to follow, since I was never really sure if we were picking right back up in the same conversation or a totally new one (sometimes two weeks later in the same chapter, despite the whole book happening over the course of just a couple months).

Liberty and Merle were cute together, but I did find them to be similar copies of Sera and Wes from The Bookbinder's Guide to Love, the first book in the WiCKed Sisters series. They both seemed a little emotionally stunted (see: constipated) but that was really a result of the writing.

Liberty's relationship with her friends was the real standout of this book (and the same goes for the first in this series). I would almost rather read this as a series about a coven of witches and their own character development with each other and themselves. I feel like Liberty's relationship with her father would have felt more conclusive and we could have known more about Nan and her condition.

Merle and his "I'm not what my parents want me to be" sub-trope was pretty much a direct copy of Wes from book 1, just with slightly more development. I could have used more of him working or playing D&D to really solidify his "Nerd" status but that just me.

Overall, this book gets 3 stars as I really did like the story itself, it just felt incomplete.

Thank you to the publisher, Harlequin and NetGalley for the chance to read an advance review copy of this book.

What a fascinating and creative story! This is the second in a series, but the first one that I have read. Ms. Garbera did an outstanding job making sure that this reader had the necessary background to follow the story as a stand alone. Her contemporary universe with its "witchy" connections, is so convincing that I came away thinking that's what my everyday world is actually like (and I just didn't know it before). Merle and Liberty both have a ton of emotional baggage (of course) that affects their burgeoning relationship, and the insights they bring to the events and to help each other make for a wonderful read. There is a terrific found family of Liberty's long time friends who are also business partners and Merle's Dungeon and Dragons cohorts who are all people I wish were real so I could meet them. The support and assistance they all provide throughout the story make me wish I could consult them myself. I suspect there will be further additions to this series, and I am definitely ready to read them!


I was given an ARC of this book and asked to write a review, which I was pleased to do.

I loved reading book one The Bookbinder's Guide to Love.
I was thrilled to jump right into book two in the Wicked Sisters Series How to Charm a Nerd by Katherine Garbera.
The well-developed characters and plot that was so enchanting. Made for an amazing story.
Such a unique twist on witchy romance.
The writing sucked me in and held me captive till the very end.
A spellbinding story with spice, magic, and love.
Katherine Garbera left me wanting more with this inventive friends to lovers romance.

Thank You NetGalley and Afterglow Books by Harlequin for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

I love a good witchy romance and as we end out the month of August, this book spoke to me. I really liked the premise of the book, a witch using a computer nerd friend or find her father while dealing with the grief of her Nan being terminally ill. I loved Merle as an MMC, he was understanding, supportive and steady. Liberty was also unashamedly herself and I really enjoyed that. Her found family of witch sisters were also great.

Where I struggled with this book is in how slowly the story moved forward. I also found the writing style to be a bit choppy and awkward in my opinion at times and the descriptions dragged on. I really had to work to finish the story as it did not hook me throughout. I did enjoy reading parts of this book but it’s not one I will probably go back and read again.

This is a fun, autumn, witchy romance. I liked seeing Liberty and Merle help each other navigate tricky family situations. I thought they were cute together. I also love Liberty’s friendship with her business partners Sera and Poppy. I liked the glimpses into tarot, tea reading, and Liberty’s version of spellwork. I wish there had been a little more about the D&D group. I’m curious to see if a certain member of the campaign ends up in a future book. I thought the ending was a little abrupt, but I enjoyed the story overall.

Note: I describe this as “witchy”, but I want to clarify that this isn’t quite a fantasy or paranormal story. Liberty and her friends are into rituals like tarot and tea reading and full moon ceremonies. Liberty does perform rituals she calls spells, but they are subtle things like finding peace during a chaotic time. It’s not flashy, definitely-magical magic.

Unfortunately I had a difficult time connecting and getting caught up in this story. I felt as though the plot was very loose and with little depth. I found the love story between Liberty and Merle to be a little underwhelming, struggling to see their real connection as more than lust/physical. The spicy scenes weren’t bad, but most of them felt a little forced or out of nowhere- I mean honestly, I think they only hooked up inside a house with a couch or bed once. Not that I can’t get behind a little public place action, it just seemed unnatural for almost 30 year olds characters.

I did think the witch element was unique and different for fall and that could be a draw for some readers. I enjoyed seeing a little piece of D&D, my high school bf played but I never understood and this description made more sense than anything he ever explained :)

Ultimately this story fell flat for me, but I hope it finds its audience with the right kind of reader!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.


This book was a DNF for me. For some reason I really struggled with the writing and the characters which was disappointing because usually I love a witchy read. Unfortunately there wasn’t really anything I liked about Liberty so I didn’t feel any confection to her and didn’t care what happened to her.

The romance also felt very rushed. It’s possible that more was established about them in the first book in the series, but it just wasn’t working for me. I also struggled with something about the writing style of this book.

Full disclosure: I DNF'd at 40%.

I was looking forward to How To Charm a Nerd, because witchy vibes as we're getting closer to fall? Yes please. And a nerd male main character? Sign me up. Unfortunately, though, it just wasn't for me.

The pacing of the romance between Merle and Liberty didn't add any tension to keep me interested, because they start being physical right out the gate. And this far in, Liberty trying to track down her biological father has also not been very compelling. The only part of the story that I felt a bit invested in was Merle's family issues, and how he's the odd one out. But (at least the first 40%) of the book is so slow and repetitive that it felt like we were talking in circles rather than moving forward with the plot. I can also only read so many times that Liberty and her friends tapped into their "feminine" powers so many times before it starts to feel... off.

I'm sure this book is for some people, but it just wasn't for me.

Liberty Wakefield, a witch, enlists Merle Rutland, a nerdy D&D expert, to uncover her biological father's identity. Their chemistry grows through shared experiences, but repetitive inner thoughts slow the story's pace, detracting from its engaging premise of romance and self-discovery. While their connection deepens, unresolved pasts threaten their budding relationship. The novel is compelling but lacks execution, focusing too much on inner dialogue instead of action.

I was looking forward to reading this book since I myself am a nerd and can appreciate multiple fandoms. The spice level of the read was good and the interactions relayed the chemistry on the page. The secondary characters added to the story and overall it was worth the read! Thanks for the author, publisher and NetGalley for the early copy of this story.

I wanted to love this but I only liked it. I love a curvy FMC that is celebrated for her body and I loved the paranormal / fall vibes but that was really it. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc ebook in exchanged for an honest review, all opinions expressed are my own.

There were a few things I liked about this book. I enjoyed the witchy vibe and the bit of D&D (mostly in the first half of the book). However, it felt like a lot of “tell don’t show.” The romance mostly just seemed horny (from the start it’s very abrupt) and the quest to find the FMC’s father’s payoff is so bad they should’ve left it a mystery.

I also felt uncomfortable with the use of an insult applied to the FMC’s father that I typically associate with homophobic remarks.

2 stars

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book is not a fantasy. The witchy aspects are crystals, tarot, and herbs. The romance in this book was very sweet and cozy though. Merle was a very sweet nerdy type who was so supportive of Liberty and was there for her whenever she needed him. Liberty was fun, loving and completely unapologetic of who she was. They both gave each other what they needed and their relationship was super sweet. I really liked the little snippets of D&D that were included in this book I thought that was so fun. Other than the romance there was also a theme of self-improvement and growth as well. Merle and Liberty were good for each other, Liberty helped Merle with being okay with being himself with his family and allowing different sections of his life to intersect. While Merle supported her on her quest to find her father and held her hand through it all so she didn't have to be alone, he became her safe space

Thank you so much to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for an early copy in exchange for an honest review!

'How to Charm a Nerd' was, in many ways, a cute, low-stakes read that one could definitely get through quickly and find a handful of really cute moments. Liberty and Merle, our MCs, are inviting in their own ways, and I do think that the two of them complemented each other really well. I also really appreciated the positive body representation that we see in Liberty's character. We love a woman with curves and it not being the focus of her character!

However, there were just too many moments that, either because of prose or plot choices, I was taken out of the text. Though I could see the ways in which Merle and Liberty were good for each other, I think the author could have explored more depth in their relationship. The qualms and hangups that they had were repetitive- Liberty scared she's using Merle, Merle reluctant to merge the two sides of himself... they just kept coming up again and again and again with the same internal monologue from the characters, and it just became too redundant for me to care.

Also, he is a grown man who wears Saga t-shirts and plays D&D. Of course he is a nerd. The number of times that personality trait of his was brought up was honestly a little irritating. It just felt like after the first 20 times, the author would have assumed the readers could guess that this was an important trait of his, but I digress.

And honestly, I had trouble investing in the parental turmoil for Liberty. The constant back and forth just made it difficult to keep track of her emotions, thus making it hard to feel empathy for the situation. Or maybe I just wasn't the target for this one. I don't know.

Overall, this is a quick, steamy read that is a cozy book for the fall. Don't let any of my opinions deter you!

How to Charm a Nerd offers a unique blend of the occult and geek culture, a combination that initially intrigued me. The inclusion of Dungeons and Dragons gameplay was a refreshing change of pace, offering a glimpse into a world often overlooked in fiction. I had actually never read a book with D&D being a plot point, so I would have liked more gameplay scenes. Merle's backstory, particularly his complex family dynamics, had the potential to be a standout element. His character's internal struggles hinted at a depth that could have been explored further to create a more compelling narrative.

Unfortunately, the novel's pacing undermined its potential. The rapid progression of the romantic relationship between Liberty and Merle felt rushed, lacking the build-up and tension necessary to create a truly satisfying connection. The "oil and water" dynamic promised in the early chapters was largely absent, replaced by an immediate and intense attraction. It's possible some of this relationship was developed in the first book, but I'm not sure. This accelerated timeline hindered character development and made the eventual payoff of their relationship less impactful.

While the premise was promising, the execution fell short. A slower pace and a deeper dive into the characters' personalities could have elevated the story. Additionally, showing more of the characters' interactions and less of the narration would have enhanced the reader's connection to Liberty and Merle.

Despite its flaws, "How to Charm a Nerd" offers glimpses of a potentially enjoyable story. It's an easy read, and it has a charming storyline. With a stronger focus on character development and a slower pace, the novel could easily reach its full potential.

Thank you to Netgalley, Harlequin - Romance, and Katherine Garbera for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

HOW TO CHARM A NERD – Katherine Garbera
WiCKed Sisters, Book 2
Harlequin Afterglow
ISBN: 978-1335574817
August 20, 2024
Romantic Comedy

Birch Lake, Maine – Present Day

Halloween is approaching and occultist and tarot reader Liberty Wakefield is getting ready. But after visiting her beloved grandmother at the assisted living, Liberty’s life has been thrown into an upheaval. Liberty was raised by her single mother and doesn’t know anything about her absent father—not even a name. But her grandmother, while in a delirious moment, mentioned a man’s name— and who probably is Liberty’s father. She can’t talk to her mother about it, so Liberty turns to a friend.

Merle Rutland is a regular at the shop that Liberty runs with his sister and another friend. He is also deep into Dungeons & Dragons, so Liberty offers a tradeoff. In exchange for him searching for her father, she will help him get ready for his upcoming D&D party. Along the way, he will teach her about the game. As Merle and Liberty work together, they become closer. She is struggling with her feelings about finding her father, while he wonders if she will ever see him as anything more than a good friend.

In HOW TO CHARM A NERD, Liberty is a witch, but this isn’t about magic but about potions and reading futures. Everyone accepts Liberty and her friends for who they are, including Merle. In fact, he has been attracted to her for a while, so he hopes she will now see him as more than her friend’s older brother. Their time together is magically cute and funny as if it’s written in the stars. Hot kisses soon turn to lovemaking. Meanwhile, Merle continues his search for her father, while she wonders if she should just let sleeping dogs lie as finding her father might open up a can of worms. Merle helps Liberty deal with those feelings, even as he grows closer to finding her father.

HOW TO CHARM A NERD is a funny tale that dips just a little bit into magical elements. Readers will enjoy the interaction between Liberty and Merle, as well as the minor characters, such as the two women who help her run the shop. In the background is Liberty’s mother, Lourdes. Will Liberty ever confront her mother about why her father isn’t part of her life? Will she take a look around her and realize that Merle is the perfect man for her? If you love to read a fun and intriguing tale that has you chuckling and smiling a lot, then don’t miss HOW TO CHARM A NERD.

Patti Fischer
Romance Reviews Today

I love witchy books and I was really exctied to start this one. I love nerdy guys too, so it was a perfect match for me. Liberty and Merle had a insta lust connection, but it took them a while to actually start anything. Merle couldn't stop thinking about Liberty and everyone knew he had a thing for her, and Liberty thought Merle's nerdiness was adorable.
When she needs help looking for her father, she enlists the first person she thinks of to do the work, Merle. As their relationship grows closer they start to think that maybe there could be something real between them. Immersing each other in their lives and letting them see their real true selves can be scary, but when it is the one, they are there for you no matter what.
I liked their relationship, but the thing I didn't love was Liberty's mom and the secrets about her father. I was waiting and waiting for a huge secret to emerge and at the end I felt like the truth was a let down. If you are looking for a light fun read though, pick this book up because their relationship was fire! 3.5 Stars.
Thanks to Harlequin, Netgalley and Katherine Garbera for an early copy.

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were well developed and lovable. The pacing was perfect and left you wanting to read more. I can't wait to read more by this author!

A fun read. Liberty and Merle start spending more time together when she needs his help to try and track down the father she's never met, using his IT skills rather than her witchy ways. Looking forward to the next book in this series.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

A continuation of Katherine Garbera's series about contemporary witches (I wouldn't say fantasy persay, since the witches of these stories are into tarot cards and spells), this one centers around shy boy Merle and free-spirited Liberty. I thought this one was better-written and smoother than the first,and I enjoyed the characterizations surrounding both Merle and Liberty - and that she wove in elements of D&D and modern witchcraft in.