rating — 2.5 out of 5 stars.

unfortunately, my short n sweet streak with beautiful covers and intriguing premises has come to an end. believe me, i am devastated. i fucking love moulin rouge! i just reread macbeth last year! this seemed like fate. alas, it was just a series of sex scenes wrapped in paper thin world building. tragic.

i will start off and say that the beginning had promise. it certainly started off with a bang (lol), but i was intrigued by the setup, and i loved the idea of tying in a magical gift with a courtesan on the level of satine from moulin rouge. however, it quickly fell apart in terms of offering any kind of explanation for, well, anything in this fantasy world. what is the all-important rebellious rising? great question! i have no idea who they are (apart from a couple of letters sent from their leader?) and “fighting” was only vaguely mentioned a couple of times. yet somehow they are so strong that they got the monarchy to just… step down? where are the signs of destruction in the cities/country? how long has this been going on?

i understand this is a series and you don’t want to reveal everything in the first book, but the author didn’t reveal a single thing at all. i am, in fact, incredibly confused about the state of the country (?) and its political upheaval, which is an interesting choice to make in a book that has a plot centering on the consequences of said political upheaval. i honestly feel like it would’ve been a better choice to focus strictly on cate & callum’s relationship with a greater expansion of the “gifted” system (and the bonds???? bc wtf was that thrown in halfway) instead of trying to do all of this without following through on explaining any of it. it’s a shame, because like i said, i do think it started off with a very unique premise. i just wanted… more.

Something Wicked was a fun and easy read that blends romance with a touch of magic and rebellion. I enjoyed the enemies-to-lovers tension between Cate and Callum—it gave the story a good spark, and their dynamic kept me turning the pages.

The magical element, especially Cate’s emotion-based power, added an interesting twist, and I liked seeing how that played into the politics and power struggles in their world. It’s definitely a shift from Falon Ballard’s usual rom-coms, but it still carried her signature voice and charm.

I had a nice time reading it.It’s the kind of book that’s perfect for when you want something enjoyable with a bit of romance, fantasy, and sass without having to think too hard.it’s just nice to dive into a story that doesn’t take itself too seriously and lets you enjoy the ride

2.5 ⭐️

Falon Ballard is a favorite of mine, so when I saw that she was writing romantasy I was excited and intrigued, but then unfortunately I was a bit let down by this. The beginning was a bit rough because Callum is so stubbornly prejudiced beyond reason that it makes his point of view hard to get through. Beyond that, the conflict of this book is just so confusing to me, and I think if there was more depth to the world building maybe that wouldn’t be so. None of the Gifted characters we’re familiar with in this story seem to have intimidating gifts, so it was hard to understand why their societal leaders were so scared of them. As for the plot with Lady M, I don’t understand why any of the Gifted would follow her, particularly the ones at La Puissance, so it just made the whole ordeal feel unbelievable.

As for the positives, I do think that the idea for the book was very unique and not something I’ve seen in a romantasy before. Cate’s gift was an interesting idea. Along with that, I do think the chemistry between Cate and Callum was off the charts, so the spicy seems between them were a highlight, even if their relationship itself was a bit insta-lovey and hot and cold for my taste.

I likely won’t continue to read books in this world, as it’s not for me, but I’ll definitely still be tuned in for Falon Ballard’s future contemporary releases.

3.5/5

I love Falon Ballard's romance books, and I was excited to read something different from her in the fantasy genre. As expected, the romance between Callum and Cate was very well written. Their characters are unique and multi-dimensional, and I thought their opposites-attract trope worked very well. However, I felt like the society of Avon and the intricacies in this world could have been better developed to be more complex than the simple Gifted vs non-Gifted conflict. When reading fantasy/romantasy books, I love to be immersed in their world, and I didn't feel that while reading Something Wicked. There were a lot of questions I had about the Uprising and the politics involved that weren't fully explored, and I felt that some aspects and scenes were rushed. I do see immense potential in this series (and I really like Callum and Cate as a power couple), and I look forward to reading the next book.

Thank you to PENGUIN GROUP Putnam and NetGalley for the ARC!

Thank you so much for the early read of this! It was definitely unlike any other books I've read by this author. So cool when authors branch off and do that! Love the description of a mix of Moulan Rouge

3.5⭐️

This is one of those books where I can’t say that I was all that into it while I was reading it, but if you asked me a few months from now if I liked it: I would probably say I did.

There is a lot of spice in this book. Like A LOT. Like arguably if all of the spice was deleted this might be less than 100 pages. I’d actually love it if someone who isn’t me would take the time to calculate that. It’s good spice (pretty great spice), but it might have been so spicy that the book itself actually choked on it.

The premise? Absolutely ridiculous: Gifted Girl can help others bottle up their emotions by doing the deed. Boy has to murder father to obtain the presidency. Boy seeks out Gifted Girl to do him and help him live with the guilt.

And basically that’s it. Like that’s next to all that happens. I was waiting… and waiting… and waiting for the actual plot to show up. It kind of sort of finally did in the last 3rd of the book, ish. It hooked me just enough, I think, to read the expected sequel so that’s what gives it the extra half a star.


Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Lady Caterine is a courtesan at La Puissance, a high-end sex club in the country of Avon. Caterine (or Cate as her friends call her) is Gifted, and can influence the emotions of anyone who has an orgasm in her presence. Her twin sister Andra is also Gifted and can see the future. An uprising has overthrown the monarch of Avon, and multiple people are vying for the crown. In order to be the next ruler, the candidates must murder the monarch. One of the candidates is Callum Reid, the son of the former king. Callum is distrustful of the Gifted, but fate forces Callum and Cate together as they first attempt to exploit one another but then work together to uncover truths about the Uprising and who will take the crown.

This a promising start to a new series but there are still many plot holes that need to be filled in. There are some big reveals in this novel (I won’t list out the spoilers) and I am curious how they will play out in subsequent books. Callum and Cate are a cute couple but they seem to trust each other very early, before they even know the true intentions of the other party. The sex is hot, but their emotions are a little shallow and almost read like YA characters. The cover is stunning and what initially drew me to the novel. It definitely fits the vibes of Moulin Rouge with a dash of magical steampunk.

This was the spicy romantasy of my dreams. heavy on the spice and the romance. minimal fantasy and honestly it was enough. I loved the idea of the Bonding and the magic in this story. It was easy to get into and hard to put down. I had the absolute best time.

Steamy, chaotic, and completely addictive. The chemistry between Cate and Callum? Off the charts—those spicy scenes carried the whole story for me. The world-building and political setup were a bit shaky (the revolution felt more like a suggestion than a threat), but the drama, banter, and sheer unhinged energy made it a wild ride I couldn’t put down. A hot mess, but the kind you secretly love.

3/5 stars – Witchy Vibes, But Missing the Spark

Something Wicked had all the makings of a fun, magical rom-com: a charming small town, a cozy cast of witches, and a second-chance romance trope that should’ve been a home run. Falon Ballard’s signature wit and humor are definitely present, and there were moments that made me smile. If you’re here for a light, seasonal read with a sprinkle of magic, this might hit the spot.

That said, the book didn’t fully deliver for me. The romance felt more surface-level than swoony, and the chemistry between the leads never quite caught fire. I wanted more emotional depth, more stakes, and honestly, more magic. The fantasy elements felt underutilized, almost like set dressing rather than an integral part of the plot.

Ballard’s writing is still engaging, and there’s an undeniable charm to the world she’s built—but overall, Something Wicked felt more like a missed opportunity than a magical knockout. Fun, but forgettable.

thanks to putnam books for the arc!

… i have complaints

i wanted to love this, i usually like romantasy and i love a book with a positive view of sex work however this was rough.

characters were one dimensional, the insta-love trope was abundant, i didn’t understand the motivations of any character and i’m honestly not sure what the plot was supposed to be.

a bit of magic was introduced halfway through the story that was barely explained but integral to the book and the excerpts after each chapter came off as being part of a completely different book then being the mysterious bits they were meant to be.

i did like the author’s writing and i feel like i’d enjoy their romance novels, im just not sure their skill translated well to fantasy.

I really enjoyed this book! It felt completely different from anything I’ve read before, which was such a refreshing experience. Falon Ballard took a bold leap into the romantasy world, and I think she delivered something unique and compelling.

The relationship between Callum and Lady Caterine was a highlight for me. The way their dynamic evolved throughout the story, from transactional to something layered and emotionally charged, was really well done. I loved watching the walls slowly come down between them, and how each had to reckon with their past and purpose in the middle of so much political upheaval.

Callum was a solid love interest; he was torn between duty and desire, carrying the weight of legacy and expectations. And Cate was just the right mix of power, vulnerability, and moral complexity. I appreciated that she wasn’t a flawless FMC but someone trying to survive and protect the ones she loved. Their chemistry felt natural and had a good balance of tension and trust, which kept me invested.

One standout character for me was Callum’s sister, Dom. She had such a bold presence and brought much needed levity and strength to the story. I honestly would’ve loved more page time with her because she had that spark of a scene stealer and felt like a character with real potential for future development (please let her get her own book!).

On the flip side, Lady M was a character I loved to hate. The author did such a fantastic job crafting her as someone you just instantly dislike and continue to root against the entire way. She was manipulative and calculating, and honestly, one of the more effective antagonists I’ve read in a while. She never slipped into cartoonish villain territory, which I appreciated.

Harold’s arc also deserves a mention. His journey was surprisingly emotional and added an extra layer of depth to the plot. His role in the story felt essential rather than secondary, and watching his layers peel back was super satisfying.

Now, let’s talk about the flaws, because while I definitely had a good time with this one, it wasn’t without its bumps.

First, the worldbuilding. While the idea of this world is fantastic like political alliances, magic, courtly power plays, it wasn’t always easy to follow. The rules of the world felt a bit vague and underdeveloped. Magic was referenced often, but we weren’t really shown what it could do or how it worked, which left some major plot points feeling a little weightless. I found myself craving more detail: how the kingdoms were structured, how power was maintained, and what the real limitations of each character were.

Then there was the pacing. The story starts off strong and draws you in with this mysterious, slightly seductive vibe, but somewhere around the middle, it stumbles a bit. The buildup was great, but once we hit the climax, things moved too fast. Some major twists and reveals didn’t get the breathing room they needed, and it made the ending feel slightly rushed and a little too convenient. I honestly wouldn’t have minded if the book was 50 pages longer just to allow everything to unfold more naturally.

There were also moments where the dialogue felt a bit modern for the setting, which took me out of the story. It’s a fine line to walk in fantasy romance; balancing banter and chemistry with the tone of the world, and this book didn’t always land that balance cleanly. At times, it read more like a contemporary romance with a fantasy backdrop rather than a fully realized romantasy.

Lastly, I do think some secondary characters deserved more development. While Callum and Cate were fully fleshed out, a few of the supporting cast felt one dimensional, especially given how important their roles were in the plot. I wanted more from their motivations, their stakes, and their relationships with the leads.

All that being said, this was such a fun, intriguing read, and I’m absolutely looking forward to what Falon does with the rest of this series. She took a big risk jumping from contemporary rom coms to fantasy romance, and for me, it mostly paid off. The bones of something great are here, it just needs a little more polish in a few areas.

If you’re in the mood for a spicy, emotionally charged romantasy with rich characters and court intrigue, Something Wicked is definitely worth picking up!

Thank you to NetGalley, Falon Ballard, and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for the eARC of this book.

I really enjoyed enjoyed this book. It was unlike anything I have previously read before. I really enjoyed the way the relationship between Callum and Lady Caterine progressed throughout the book. I also really liked Callum's sister Dom, she was fun and would've loved to see more of her in the book. Lady M was such a a dislikeable character and the author did an excellent job ensuring I stayed hating on her for the entirety. I enjoyed the character arc of Harold, his story throughout was very interesting.

This book was incredibly disappointing and the writing was not something I could ever fully buy into. I've enjoyed Ballard's books in the past, but this one felt like a slog to get through, and never once did I find myself caring about the characters or the world. With comps like the ones for Something Wicked I had high hopes, and I was immediately let down.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thank you to Putnam and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review! I had high hopes for this one. A Moulin Rouge meets Macbeth sexy Dual POV romantasy releasing during spooky season?!! And look at that gorgeous cover! This had a lot of potential to be great, but it felt like a rinse and repeal banal romantasy.

Cate is a courtesan at La Puissance with a gift to read emotions. Well, we are told that, but her magic and the magical system is this world is barely expanded upon. Cate enters into a sexual agreement with Callum, the heir to the throne of the province of Scota, for reasons that don’t really make sense even if you squint. I’m not kidding, you really have to suspend belief with the premise of this story. I DO think there is good idea at the core of this story. It had the potential to have two main characters in a standoff with their motivations and their bodice-ripping sexual chemistry. This is what BookTok loves (Powerless, anyone??)!! And it could have worked, but the execution is clunky and bland. This reads like a first draft. The plot ‘twists’ are seen a mile away. The characters are frankly stupid, have little depth (are their personalities in the room with us? 👀) and zero emotional connection.

Again, this story has a lot of the makings of a great romantasy, but I didn’t think it was executed well.

«If I never know the wonder of you, it might make it easier to walk away.»

Reading Something Wicked feels exactly like looking at its cover: enchanting.

The story follows Callum - a nearly dethroned prince who must do the unthinkable: kill his father to earn his place in the country's new government - and Cate, a courtesan with a very specific kind of magic. Her gift? The power to manipulate emotions during intimacy. And for Callum to carry out what's expected of him, he'll need Cate's help...to feel nothing at all.

I was actually surprised by how into it I was - a fantasy book with a brand-new world that reveals itself slowly, in bits and pieces. It can be intimidating if you're not ready.

I absolutely loved Cate and Callum's chemistry and the general vibe of the book. It's hard to explain, but despite the setting, the story still felt strangely cozy? Maybe I'm losing it after one too many dark romances?

I was sure this was going to be a five-star read until around the 70% mark — things started moving a little too fast, a little too chaotically. I just wish it had stayed a slow burn, or that it had 500+ pages so I could savor it like I did the first half.

Still, l'Il definitely be keeping an eye on the next books in the series...

Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for the DRC — I had the best time!

4.5⭐️ I would like to start by expressing my gratitude to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an early e-ARC of this book. I thoroughly enjoyed the story, which was fast-paced with beautiful writing.

The narrative begins with an uprising in the country of Avon, and following an official surrender, new leaders will need to emerge. Callum, the son of the current leader, must kill his father to be in the running to be the next leader. Callum must come to terms with killing his father before he can complete the task. This is where Lady Catherine comes, she has the magical ability to manipulate people's emotions. If Callum can open up to Cate, he might be able to commit to the task of killing his father.

This story was fantastic and extremely fast-paced. I had a great time with the characters. When everything came together, it made the plot much more engaging. However, I think the world-building could have been improved; we didn't get to explore it as much as I would have liked. I hope the author writes another book set in this world because it truly has so much potential!

Thank you again to the publisher and Netgalley for an e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

So I will start this by saying that Falon Ballard is an autobuy author for me. I love her romances, and love her writing style. don’t know if I would pick up the next book in this series.

So I will start this by saying that Falon Ballard is an autobuy author for me. I love her romances, and love her writing style. When I heard she was diving into fantasy, and then I saw this cover!!!, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it.

The spice was spicing in this Moulin Rouge inspired novel, and the intrigue and buildup of the storyline was emotional and kept me reading. Callum and Cate had a beautiful romance from the start. Some parts were a little hard to follow of the world building, but I was eager to see what the author’s vision would be.

All and all, I will absolutely read future novels by Falon Ballard, but I don’t know if I would pick up the next book in this series.

Thank you to Penguin/Putnam Books and Netgalley for the ARC of this novel; all opinions are my own.

I was so excited for this due to the cover. However, pushing through it the book just failed to keep my attention. It was full of fluff and extremely boring