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

I wish I didn’t have to give a star review on NetGalley- I forsure will not rate it on Goodreads because was it terrible because this is not my genre AT ALL or is it terrible just because it’s terrible? I’m going with probably the former given how much I like all of Falon Ballard’s other books. I thought that I’d give “romantasy” a shot when written by one of my favorite auto-read rom-com authors but I can say without a shadow of doubt, this is not the genre for me, AT ALL.

Cannot recommend, but if romantasy is your jam, maybe give it a shot and let me know if this is objectively good?

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Something Wicked was such a refreshing and captivating read—I’ve truly never read anything quite like it. The world-building was incredibly immersive and unique, drawing me in right from the start. Falon Ballard created a darkly enchanting setting that felt both fantastical and raw in the best ways.

One of my favorite elements was the brothel and the bond between the gifted girls. It was like a found family, full of loyalty, love, and shared strength. I especially adored how Harold cared for them—his love felt genuine and protective, and it added so much heart to the story. The girls’ individual gifts were fascinating, each one different and mysterious in its own way, and I can’t wait to learn more about their powers as the series continues.

The plot was spicy, twisty, and kept me on my toes the entire time. I loved that, in the beginning, it wasn’t immediately clear which side to root for—the uprising or Callum’s powerful family—which added a lot of complexity to the story. The romance between Callum and Cate was intense and beautifully done. That instant bond they felt when they first saw each other? So swoon-worthy and romantic.

I’m also very intrigued by Diana’s story and am hoping we get more insight into what happened to her in the next book. And with the electoral process just beginning, it feels like the real trouble is just around the corner—this first task was only the tip of the iceberg.

Overall, I absolutely loved this book. It was gripping, steamy, and full of emotional depth. I’m already counting down the days until the next installment. Falon Ballard has hooked me with this series!

First of all - this cover is absolutely everything. Just wow. The book itself is very much meh. It was surface deep and though the chemistry between the characters was present, it wasn’t enough to carry the book for me.

The cover is beautiful. Although the story sounds so fascinating, I just found this lacking. I couldn't really get into the world building. The romance aspect was "Eh". Nothing really EXCITED me. I found myself wanting to put it down a lot.