This book was great, it was interesting and easy to get into the story. I did have a few little issues, but not enough for me to not enjoy this story. The plot kept on giving, and when you thought you had it all figured out, you didn't. It had so many layers. I would have enjoyed a little bit more time to breathe between the new problems that arose. Because, at the end, it did feel like the MC never wins, she keeps on being brought down and never has time to rest or succeed. One thing that this author is good at is world-building. It was very immersive, and we got to know the world pretty well without being bombarded with too much information. The world-building was organic without being shoved down our throats. I loved the MC, Cordelia, who was well-written, a strong-headed woman with values and a brain. What prevented me from enjoying this book to the fullest was the small inconsistency that I noticed. What would have made this book a 5-star was if the timeline was slightly longer; it is crazy to imagine that everything in this book happened within a week. Other than those small things, I cannot wait to read the sequel.

3.5 ⭐️ 1.5 🌶️

Review:

This story started off with a bang, got a little sleepy in the middle, and ended like an action movie, cliffhanger included. I’ve been wanting to get into more shifter stories, but I don’t know if this was the one for me. Is it normal to not have them be in wolf form more than two times? I thought there’d be more of that. And more than two spells in Cordelia’s witch arsenal. But what it did have was tension and spice building up between the to MCs for awhile. It was not just a straight jump, which I appreciate. But overall it was just meh for me.

Summary:

Cordelia enjoys her life, content at home with her aunt Lenora running an apothecary. They’re witches who come from a powerful line. And everything is fine in they’re supernatural world until they aren’t. A werewolf, Bishop has been sent to retrieve Cordelia. Not only is she a witch but she’s also a Lycan. And her father, Silas, wants her back, claiming she was stolen by her aunt. After being forced to go with the werewolves she has to figure out what’s the truth and what’s all a lie. And what’s more confusing is that she’s starting to develops feelings for Bishop, the man who took her to begin with.

Favorite Quote:

“Sometimes you need to run and hide so you can fight another day.”

Tropes:
•werewolves
•witches
•chosen one
•enemies to lovers
•slow burn

Rating: ★★★¾ (3.75/5)
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️ (2/5)

Okay, this book had me hooked right from the jump. Witch of the Wolves is what happens when you throw witches, werewolves, daddy issues, forced marriage, and slow-burn romance into a blender—with just enough heat to keep things fun.

FMC, Cordelia is a total powerhouse. She’s strong, witty, and doesn’t take crap from anyone—not even a broody werewolf named Bishop, MMC, who rolls in with orders to bring her back from her father who she thought was dead, and HUMAN. Their dynamic had me grinning. He’s respectful, she’s independent, and together they’ve got that “will-they-won’t-they-oh-wait-they-have-to” energy that somehow works.

The action scenes were exciting, the world-building was solid, and I loved the witches vs. wolves angle. Plus, the side characters were legit stars—Marjorie and Ann were my favorites. Female empowerment,

My only nitpick? The writing could’ve used a bit more oomph. Sometimes the prose felt a little flat—not bad, just not as vivid as I hoped. But honestly, the story and characters made up for it.

Overall, it’s a fun, fast-paced read with a magical twist and just enough spice to keep things interesting. Definitely will be waiting for book two!

This is giving dark Victorian vibes when enemies to lovers. This is a fun and fast paced book with our main characters Cordelia and Bishop. One is a witch while the other is a werewolf. This has spice and twist and turns. I give this book 5 out of 5 rating.

This book was such a fun, fiery ride! Witch of the Wolves has everything I love in a romantasy—magic, broody werewolves, a stubborn witch heroine, and a romance that sizzles with tension.
Cordelia is the kind of character you root for right away—smart, strong-willed, and not about to let anyone decide her fate. Watching her navigate the wild world of werewolf politics, hidden powers, and unexpected feelings was a total delight. And Bishop? Intense, dangerous, and way too irresistible for someone she’s supposed to hate. Their chemistry is chef’s kiss.
The world is lush and intriguing, with a perfect mix of dark magic, Victorian vibes, and supernatural drama. I’m completely hooked and can’t wait to see what happens next at Trevelyan. If you’re into witchy powers, alpha energy, and slow-burn steam, definitely give this one a try!

I always hate when I request a book that has a past setting, as it’s not my favorite, but I still gave this a try. I’m glad I did. I loved how strong a character Cordelia is, and how she rolled with the punches. There was enough suspense to keep me engaged, and I loved the way witches and wolves were intertwined. Add in some great writing, and I was captivated. While this isn’t exactly a favorite taking place in the past, I still quite enjoyed it. Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

Kaylee Archer’s Witch of the Wolves is a romantic fantasy set in Victorian London and swept me into a dark and intriguing world of magic, mystery, and werewolves. The story centers on Cordelia Levine, a fiercely independent witch whose life takes a dramatic turn when she is kidnapped by Bishop Danvers at the demand of her estranged werewolf father. Soon Cordelia's unique traits are revealed that she is not only a witch but also carries latent werewolf traits.

The fast-paced plot hooked me right from the start, and I stayed fully engaged through its twists and surprises. The world building is immersive, and I enjoyed getting to know all of the characters with their backstories.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for the advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.

I really enjoyed getting to see a werewolf and witches story take place as a period piece, as there isn't very many that I know of. It was interesting to get to hear about the different style of clothes and how the time affected not only women, but especially witches. It was also nice to get to see how much the two main characters really grew and matured throughout the story and started to find their place in the world. However, I didn't care for the repetitive nature of those that they fight in the book; towards the end you could definitely see many similarities between the different enemies, which got to be a little boring to read for a second time.

I don't know where to begin with this book. The story is there. The pacing starts off really slow the first few chapters and I had a hard time getting hooked. However, it was action packed and the werewolf aspect was really well thought out. I just had a really hard time connecting with the main characters. They were missing something. However, I did enjoy the story and look forward to reading the next book if there is one.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

Witch of the Wolves had me interested at the synopsis. I love a good Omegaverse.
We start out in a London, and its pictured beautifully. The met cut for the MMC and FMC was so innocent, but fun. Cordelia is a head strong young woman who thinks both of her parents are dead. Bishop is there to take her to her father, so a little kidnapping never hurt anyone. I loved the buildup to discovering who Bishop is as a whole. I just wished we got more information of the Wolf Pack. Along with being told repeatedly she was a powerful witch but never received proof. I will read the second installment, just hopeful there is more about her powers.

3.5⭐️ The word I would use to describe this book is immediately. I was immediately hooked. I love the Victorian era vibes. Love the immediate banter. Love that it immediately gets into Cordelia finding out her dad is an alpha and someone breaking down her wards. Witch of the Wolves jumps right into the action and then tapers down into a nice slow burn. You should probably read this book immediately.

The spice was very well written, but I almost wish the slow burn would have kept going and there was no spice in book one and it was held out until book two, continuing to build the tension even more. After the event (you’ll know when you get there), the spice just didn’t feel natural to me. Although I really shouldn’t complain because it’s fire 🥵 and everyone deals with situations in their own way; who am I to judge.

The ending eludes to a second book and I definitely will be continuing this series!

If you’re looking for a shifter romance filled with heartbreak, twists, and betrayal, I would recommend this book! Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

#witchofthewolves #kayleearcher #netgalley #stmartinspress #indieauthor #debutnovel #romantasy #bookstagram

The story centers on Cordelia Levine, a twenty-three-year-old witch living a seemingly ordinary life managing a supernatural apothecary in London. Her peaceful existence is shattered when she's kidnapped by Bishop Danvers, a brooding and undeniably attractive werewolf acting on the orders of her estranged father, the Alpha of the Albion Pack.
This forceful abduction sets the stage for a classic enemies-to-lovers dynamic, and Archer expertly uses the initial conflict to build both intrigue and sexual tension. Cordelia's forced relocation to Trevelyan, her father's estate, unfolds a fascinating history of her unique bloodline: witches with latent werewolf traits. This revelation elevates the stakes, making Cordelia more than just a pawn and adding a unique spin to the established paranormal tropes. The world-building is well-paced, gradually revealing the complexities of the werewolf pack structure and the delicate balance between the supernatural and human worlds. The author effectively portrays the internal conflicts within the Albion Pack, fueled by suspicion and prejudice towards Cordelia.
While the plot is engaging, the real draw of "Witch of the Wolves" lies in the relationship between Cordelia and Bishop. Their initial animosity gives way to a slow-burn romance fueled by both necessity and undeniable attraction. Archer successfully captures the push and pull of their connection, leaving the reader rooting for them to overcome their differences and the external forces threatening to tear them apart.
Overall, Witch of the Wolves is a captivating read for fans of paranormal romance and urban fantasy.

This was such a fun read and loved all the suspenseful moments. I found myself on the edge of my seat, especially during the last half of the book.

I love Bishop and the man he is and how caring he is to lose close to him.
I also love how Cordelia is such a strong FMC. She doesn't allow her awful circumstances and the multiple betrayals she faces cripple her. She overcomes everything thrown at her.

As the story progresses the chemistry between Cordelia and Bishop grows and I love everything about them. Their physical connection to the way they speak to one another left me grinning throughout the entire book!!

I felt like this book didn’t quite meet my expectations for amount of witchcraft involved and definitely leaned more heavily on the wolves/shifter side but was a solid read. I enjoyed the FMC most of all and she is probably what kept me invested in the story. All in all, a solid read!

This was a great book. The first couple of chapters were a little tough to get through though. I really liked how the characters were built. There was no guessing with them.

I was excited to read this book because of the description of werewolves and witches in a Victorian era setting! I really liked learning more about the world and society in combination with the magical system, and I thought that they were very thought out and executed. There was definitely a rivalry aspect between the two groups which definitely added to the drama and action-packed plot. I almost wish that there was a prequel story about some of the side characters and/or the stories that are mentioned throughout the story, since I thought those aspects were super interesting.

The plot was very fast paced and very quickly got into the action and at times it was a bit hard to keep up with, however I didn't find myself overly confused or lost. I did generally enjoy the plot and I thought it was the strongest part of this story.

Unfortunately, I found myself a bit let down by the characters. Both the FMC and MMC felt boring, despite the action-packed story, making it hard to be interested or invested in them and their relationship. I almost feel like the business of the plot took away from the romance aspect, as it didn't leave a lot of time to explore their relationship with each other. Instead, the characters seem to just suddenly decide that they love each other, after seemingly hating each just before. I think there was potential with the characters, but ultimately they fell too flat for me to find them to be enjoyable characters to read about.

I think this was a fun fantasy with an intriguing plot and with a greater focus on character development and relationship building, this truly had the potential to be a great romantasy!

Witch of the Wolves is for sure one of my new favorite fantasy books, and I can’t wait to see what happens next!
The story was so gripping that I seriously couldn’t stop reading, and I was invested from start to finish. Set in a Victorian era London, the story follows Cordelia, a 23-year-old witch whose life gets upended when a handsome stranger kidnaps her on behalf of her long lost father — who just so happens to be the Alpha of a well-known werewolf pack. As her dual heritage makes her a powerful supernatural, her life is now under threat, and what better way to protect her than to mate her to the Alpha’s heir Bishop (who is also her kidnapper)?
As the two navigate their budding feelings for each other, secrets within the pack are revealed and danger looms around every corner.

While it took me a while to get into the story and worldbuilding, I was intrigued from the start and it only kept getting better. I wish there had been more on the witches and coven dynamics, but I have a feeling that will be explored more in future books. The setting was so unique and interesting, and the story fit perfectly into the Victorian vibes as well as the paranormal aspects. I was invested in Cordelia and Bishop’s relationship from their first meeting, and I loved seeing their feelings and trust for one another grow.
The last 50 pages or so were suspenseful and nerve racking, and there were so many unexpected plot twists that I seriously cannot wait to read the next book and see where this series goes.

Big thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this ARC! Romantasy readers are going to love this.

For a debut novel, this was well done. Yes, it’s full of the typical tropes but it was still a very enjoyable read and it really put me through a lot of emotional turmoil (in a good way). The plot and its twists were well thought out, characters were well fleshed out and the writing was good.

Cordelia is a strong FMC, capable of holding her own and never needing a man to save her. She’s more powerful than she knows, and that kept developing throughout the book. Even though she is strong, she does have a weakness for Bishop but honestly? I don’t think that’s an issue.

Bishop is also strong but he’s also deeply infatuated with Cordelia even if he didn’t mean for it to happen. There were moments where I couldn’t trust him and moments I wholeheartedly trusted him, so it was nice having that uncertainty.

The side characters were all great additions, the good and the bad. The pack members, specifically Bishop’s circle and the maids, were all interesting characters and I liked getting to know their backstories as much as our main characters.

The last quarter of this book was crazy, a lot went down and a lot of twists happened that I wasn’t expecting. I will definitely be picking up book 2 when it comes out.

Witch of the Wolves totally swept me up with its dark Victorian atmosphere, rich world-building, and the sizzling tension between Cordelia and Bishop. The mix of witchcraft and werewolf lore felt fresh and immersive, and I really enjoyed the slow-burn romance and power dynamics between the characters. Cordelia is a strong, complex heroine, and the emotional stakes kept me turning the pages.

The only reason I’m giving this 4 instead of 5 stars is because the pacing felt a bit uneven in parts—some scenes dragged a little while others moved too quickly. Still, it didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed the ride. Highly recommend for fans of A Court of Thorns and Roses and dark fantasy romance in general!

***Thank you Netgalley for this ARC***
4 ⭐️

It’s definitely a good sign that I read this from one to the next. This is a strong debut from that immediately pulled me in with its gothic flair and promising setup. I’ll admit, about 15% in, I felt like the plot was unfolding a little too smoothly—as if the story was laying itself out a bit predictably, I got a little worried lol. There was a twist that, while not shocking, it did keep things fresh and kept me engaged towards the end.

I loved the Victoria era setting. I did find myself wishing for a bit more gothic grit and magic in the world building but I am hoping this is a good foundation for the series as a whole. The magical elements felt slightly underdeveloped for my tastes, but I’m hopeful future installments will dig deeper into the lore.

As far as characters go, I loved Cordelia and Bishop. I also loved a lot of the side characters. Cordelia was sharp, witty and charming. Bishop, our MMC, is equally compelling—his presence added just the right amount of romantic tension, and I’m genuinely excited to see more of him as the series continues. I love that the slow burn was slow but also satisfying AND there’s room for more as the series continues.

That said, I flew through this book and am already looking forward to the next one. A great start to what could be a really exciting series! Also I am hoping for bishop and Cordelia to finally have their night 🌝