This was a stunning, vibrant read from start to finish.

Full review will be posted on February 22, 2018.

The best thing that this book has going for it is the atmosphere: it is set near a swamp, and there is a serial killer on the loose and did I mention the swamp is super eerie but also kind of pretty, and there are alligators who can be reasoned with? Anyway, the story begins when Willow Mae moves to town with her parents to stay with her grandma, and they and one another family are the only ones who have houses at the edge of the swamp. Like, it is in their backyard. Willow is super into the bad-boy-next-door, Beau, who is said to be wicked and whose soul her grandma doubts over. And pretty soon, bodies of girls connected to him turn up strangled around the swamp and he is Suspect no 1. Willow is charmed by him, but she is also a bit wary. On the whole, though, this book is more a romance than a mystery so if you came for the latter (like moi) you might be a liiiiitle disappointed.

For the first quarter of the book, I thought it was a paranormal romance mystery. Willow’s grandma was constantly cursing out the neighbors, Beau has some almost-magical charm to have gone through most of the school’s girls, despite everyone knowing he is player, and the draw that Willow feels towards him. I thought it would turn out that Beau and his sister really had made some Faustian deal or something. But then the bodies start turning up, and for a while it is a bit spooky and eerie. You see the beauty of the swamp through Willow and the danger through Beau, though it isn’t as defined as that. Their alternating perspectives are distinct enough in voice to present a rounded story that is a little about revenge, a lot about the romance between these two, and a bit of mystery thrown in.

About the murders, well, I felt they took a backseat to the main romance plot. Sure, there is a connection between them and a flirty romance, but it also starts as an insta-love. He is attracted to her because she is ‘different’, a trope I don’t think I enjoy anymore. She is attracted to him, despite everyone and everyone’s grandma warning her, because he is interesting? Kudos to the girl for making up her own mind, but really, the whole town was warning her. He could really have been as ‘wicked’ as they said (oddly enough, this word comes up a LOT during the book). As for him, I wish there was more characterization to him than ‘player with a heart of gold’; he didn’t even seem to linger on the deaths of so many girls!

Overall, it is a good romance and super atmospheric book, so it is enjoyable but not exactly what I came for.

Decadent Desires is a cute, clever retelling of the Sleeping Beauty story. Instead of literally being asleep, Rose McBriar (get it?)'s magic abilities have been suppressed. Her evil boss Millicent (visually close to Maleficent, but am I the only one who tends to see all Millicents as kindly little old ladies?) wants to keep Rose under her thumb, reaping the rewards of Rose's mad game development skills all for her own benefit.

This was my first read in the Karma Cafe series. On the whole it worked just fine as a standalone--each story has its own hero, heroine, and plot--though I did feel a bit out of the loop on the significance of the apartment above the cafe at first (no worries, Sam and Rose are too--it does become revealed in time, mostly). It was fun to look for the Sleeping Beauty parallels, and Sam and Rose are easy to root for. There is more than a touch of instalove, though, and a longer format probably might have given us more Sam-and-Rose-together-time than this novella affords. Still, it was a fun way to spend an evening, and I'll definitely pick up other books in the series in the future.

Rating: 3 1/2 stars / B-

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

Wicked Charm was a pretty good, quick read. I liked most of the characters, but wish the main character, Willow Bell, would have stuck to her convictions regarding the hot neighbor boy she had been warned about numerous times. I prefer a strong female lead that doesn't get caught up in the silly stuff. I also wish there would have been more mystery and less romance. I would give this books 2.5/maybe 3 stars.. and not due to poor writing, but simply because it wasn't my kind of book. I do appreciate the opportunity to read and review this book

This was a very suspenseful story.

It is a great mystery. Girls who dated Beau go missing and are murdered near his home. It seems like Willow will be next. I didn’t guess who did it, but the solution makes sense if you look back on the story.

I didn’t feel a connection with Willow or Beau. I felt like they were only focused on the murders, and didn’t talk about anything else. Of course, the murders were concerning since Beau was a suspect, but I think they should have done some other things to build their relationship and develop their characters.

This was a great suspenseful story. If you’re looking for a creepy teen story, you should check this one out!

“I might have to eat you alive,” Beau says, but I think he means to say, “Good morning.”


Willow and her parents have moved to the swamp to live with her aging grandmother, and Willow couldn't be more happy- she gets to spend time with the grandmother she loves and explore the swamp. And she just so happens to have a cute boy her age as a next door neighbor, even though her grandmother warns her away from him and his devilish ways. But when she starts school, everyone warns her to stay away from the alluring Beau and his "love 'em and leave 'em" ways. But then a girl shows up dead in the swamp- and she was last known talking to Beau...

"I laugh and try to picture it. Beau at our kitchen table, reaching for a cookie while Gran throws a Bible at him, yelling curses at his sinful heart. “Got it.” I almost invite him over just to enjoy the show."


I am always a huge fan of anything released by Entangled Teen, so pretty much sight unseen, I knew I was going to read this story. And then I saw the cover and it's gorgeous, becoming to me to pick it up. I will admit that I started the story as a blank slate, with no percieved ideas or knowledge about the book. I think I would classify this as a YA romantic suspense, almost a mystery since we don't know who the murderer is or the why.
​



“Are even one of those possibilities the truth?”
“No,” he says.
I look into his eyes. Hold his stare. “Is that the truth?”
“No.”
“Are you ever going to tell me the truth?”
“No,” he answers, pulling up to the school.
“Did you just tell the truth now?”
“Yes.” I think maybe, for once, Beau did tell me a truth. And actually, his truth might be scarier than his lies.


​
​
“Willow’s not looking your way,” Pax says with a small grin. “Must be driving you crazy.” It is, if I’m being honest . But I’m not honest often, so I keep my response to myself.

​
The story is dual narrated by Willow and Beau, alternating at chapters.
Bea is on the borderline of being an unreliable narrator- he takes pride in lying, sometimes even to himself about how he feels and what he knows. There were so many references in the story to him blatantly lying or making stuff up on the spot that Willow (and myself) pretty much doubted everything he said for at least the first third of the book- and this is even with him narrating as well! Made for an interesting main character.



I did like the fact that Willow did not rush into a relationship with Beau just because she was attracted and he pursued her- she told him she would be his friend, and that is right what she did. She went on dates, chatted with other potential suitors and made friends before she ever acted on romantic feelings- it was almost half way through the story before they kissed, regardless of the instant attraction that was pretty much on page one. She made friends and family her priority and I gave her mad props for that. Also, she is described as "curvy and soft", not skinny like most girls and she was completely fine with who she was, curves and all and ate what she wanted. You go girl.

"I once asked Gran over the phone what I could do to lose ten pounds after I saw this quiz in a magazine that said I could look my best with a little weight shed. She said I’d have to quit eating biscuits. But that’s crazy talk. Who has ever heard of giving up biscuits? No, thanks."







"Strange things happen all the time. For instance, just the other day, I saw a gator trying to eat a bobcat. They’ll go after just about anything. Nearly got its eyes clawed out for such an attempt. The officer will have to narrow it down if he means for us to know what he’s talking about."



​I was incredibly impressed with Amber's ability to create the world the story takes place in. As someone who has never been to a swamp, or pretty much the south at all, I really felt I was immersed in is completely. I could see the swamp and the gators, the magic and beauty that most people do not see was really brought to life as a local who loved the area would see it. I could touch and feel the texture of the moss moss and hear the animals scurrying. I could feel the heat and the humidity, the sweat dripping down their flesh, their hair stuck to the neck, the condensation dripping down the side of a sweet tea glass- it was as if the humidity was pressing down on me as well. And I could smell the musk and mold of the night blooming mushrooms. Seriously, I was impressed. I can't remember the last time I was so immersed by all 5 senses in a book world.

Overall I thought this was an interesting story, more about the characters and their development than anything else. The one thing I will admit was that I wish the whole killer discovery situation had been more drawn out, it all played out in one short chapter and I would have liked some more lead up to it or at least a bigger chase at the end- the book took more time dealing with a family crisis than the murder reveal. I found this to be a very quick, engaging read and I look forward to more stories created by Amber.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book​.

**Hang out with me over at https://smadasbooksmack.blogspot.com/

Willow Bell is the spitting image of her grandmother Lady Bell and has just moved to her grandmother's house along with her parents on Devil's Swamp. There is only one other house on the Swamp which is Old Man Paxton and his two grandchildren Charlotte and Beau. Willow's grandmother despises Beau and says how he is exactly like his grandfather, a charmer who will break everyone's hearts and get into girls heads and messes with their minds. Willow can't help it, but she is finding herself attracted to Beau, no matter how many times she is warned away even by her new friend Jorie. What will happen though when Beau's ex- playthings, his no strings relationships start turning up dead and in the swamp nonetheless, and it looks like Beau is being framed for their murders? As more females that have a connection with Beau start to die, Willow worries if she is next on the kill list. Is the killer someone close to Beau and what is the motive for the murders? Is it pure jealousy or revenge? With the twists and turns, I have to say I didn't see the killer being the person revealed in the last chapter, that was a surprise. If you loved Monica Murphy's Pretty Dead Girls and loved YA mysteries, then you will enjoy Amber Hart's 2018 release Wicked Charm.

The swamp setting was the perfect backdrop for this mysterious romance and suspense. Trying to figure out who was killing the girls, and how much danger Willow might be in, was very intriguing. Loved it!

Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks for letting me review this book..

I thought the book was a easy read.. The main characters made you feel the young feelings of falling in love.. I think the atmosphere was described enough to give you a feel of the swamp without actually having been there.. The original person I thought was doing the murders took a turn and it was not who I was thinking it would be.. I loved Gran she is a old woman set in her ways and loves to feed the Gators.. lol.. Over all I liked it.. The best? no.. But likeable and something I would recommend? Yes
~Happy Reading~

This book is a story full of romance AND suspense. I was rather surprised on just how creepy this book could get.

First off, this starts out as one of those typical YA romance stories where the main character couldn’t make it through the first few pages before seeing the love of her life that overly consumes her mind. BUT even though I thought this was going to be pretty bland, the story as a whole WAS NOT!

The setting was completely unique surrounding a Southern swamp and a sassy Grandma which together grabbed this story for me. It created this atmosphere that to me, overlooked the whole insta-love thing. And then, insert a creepy serial killer mysteriously luring the love-interest’s ex-girlfriends.. now that caught my attention real quick.

Overall, I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars. The romance was both annoying at first which later switched into a more sweeter romance between the main characters. But then add the other incredibly suspenseful, mystery/thriller aspect of the book, and you’ve finished this book before you know it. I ended up reading this book within a day.

So if you are looking for a quick contemporary to fly through with a lighter romance, and a creepy plot twist, this is the book for you!

The story begins when Willow moves to her Grandmother's house with her parents, which is located near a very creepy and eerie swamp, where actual alligators live and breathe. Isn't that pretty fascinating? Another family lives next to them and Willow is immediately attracted to the mystery surrounding Beau, who is said to be very wicked and basically everyone warns her to stay away from. He's trouble and it's been proven many times. But, when bodies of girls connected to Beau start piling up around the swamp, he becomes the number one suspect and the community is in chaos after such tragic events. As the truth slowly comes to light, Willow and Beau come closer than ever and their chemistry is undeniable. Will it prove to be fatal?



The best thing about Wicked Charm is basically the atmosphere surrounding the story. The premise is very interesting and it intrigued me from the moment I read its synopsis. I've really been into Mystery these past couple of weeks and I'm always on the hunt for stories that I might be interested in reading! This was more Romance than Mystery though, which was kind of disappointing but, I wasn't put off by it and enjoyed the story nonetheless. The murders kind of took a backseat to Beau and Willow's relationship but, the suspense was still there and kept me at the edge of my seat. There was no clue to who the killer actually was and why the girls were killed, which made the story very unpredictable and the ending more than surprising!

I really enjoyed the characters' back and of forth and the intensity that surrounded them. It took me a while to connect with Willow and she wasn't the best main character but, I liked her more and more as the story progressed. Beau was a very interesting character and I could not, for the life of me, figure out why every single girl was attracted to him, while being aware of his reputation and what he was capable of. Maybe it's the dark mystery he exuded that drew them to him or his tainted reputation but, he was obviously a heartthrob that didn't care about their feelings. Willow seems to be the exception since as soon as they meet, there's a certain attraction that turns into insta-love.

The story alternates between both their perspectives, which are very different in tone and context. They both talk about their feelings for each other and their attraction and there's a bit of Mystery thrown in. The Romance aspect definitely overshadowed everything else and the book ended up being more about Beau and Willow's building relationship and the intensity that surrounded their back and forth banter. So, if you're here solely for the Mystery part of it, be warned!

The story itself started out great and I really enjoyed it, up to the point where I got a bit frustrated when I realized what I've already mentioned in the previous paragraphs of this review. It threw things off for a bit but, overall, it was pretty enjoyable. It also took me a while to get used to the writing style which is always the most important part of a book for me personally, as a reader. Once I did, things progressed smoothly and I was quite surprised when I reached the ending and the truth was revealed. The last couple of chapters were probably the best and most eventful, out of the whole book. Very unpredictable and exciting conclusion that kind of made up for the rest.

Overall, Wicked Charm was an engaging read with an interesting premise that didn't reach up to its expectations but was very fun and enjoyable to read. I expected a story focused on the Mystery of the murders but got a Romance driven one instead, which wasn't bad but threw me off because I was expecting something completely different. If you're intrigued by the synopsis, I'd say go for it, just don't expect a Crime driven story.

You know, I actually really, really enjoyed this book.
It was a nice change to dive into a YA book and one that held me captive from the moment I started reading.

Intriguing, charming and a little wicked, Amber has delivered a beaut of a book.

I loved Beau and Willow. She came in to his life, and broke down the walls that he built up to protect him. She proved to him that he can open up, live and love; and she would be there every step of the way.
The feelings they had were all consuming and I love it.

This is a book which I would gladly pick up again, and I’m not one to re-read books.
And I can’t wait to read more from this author in the future.

Wicked Charm was a refreshing read, one that was not too heavy on the romance or the suspense. There was just enough of both to make the book a satisfying and memorable read. The setting of the book was also a wonderful aspect of the story. It was an unusual and very descriptive setting, and it was perfect for the suspense of the book. I’ve read many books before but never one that takes place near a Georgia swamp. I also really enjoyed the characters; not just the main characters, but I found Gran to be an enjoyable side character. She added a light humor to the story, one that made me laugh multiple times while I was on the train. 

What I liked about Wicked Charm:

The mystery: I’m a sucker for mystery reads, so I was delighted to get my hands on an early copy of Wicked Charm. I really enjoyed the suspense and seeing the main characters go through suspect after suspect while trying to find the killer and while also dealing with their own personal problems. The mystery slowly came together and gave just enough for the reader to be left shocked. And then there was that heart-pounding chapter…you’ll know what I mean when you read the book.

The chemistry: the romance between Willow and Beau is addicting; I could feel their feelings for one another as if they were jumping off the page. Their attraction toward one another was instant, along with the romantic tension. It was refreshing to be able to read from both of their views, to be able to see the struggles of both characters and how those struggles brought them together.

The writing style: Amber Hart’s writing style is light and beautiful and so easy to follow. She has a way of enthralling readers from page one. Amber Hart also wrote well-drawn and well-developed characters that the readers see change throughout the story.

Overall, I was very pleased with Wicked Charm. The characters, the setting, and the suspense came together to create a beautiful masterpiece. Amber Hart outdid herself with Wicked Charm!

If you’re looking for a young adult mystery filled with an irresistible romance, then Wicked Charm is a book you need to read!

(My blog post will be posted February 7 as part of the Wicked Charm blog tour)

I'm not going to lie, I had a rough time reading this book. Willow could not stop thinking about Beau. Not even when people were dying around her did she even stop to think, "Hm, all of these girls were involved with this guy. This is clearly not a good idea to be around him." But obviously romance was more on her mind than intellectual thinking.

This was pitched to be a contemporary suspenseful romance novel....was. Willow is warned by her grandmother in the beginning of the book to steer clear of Beau and his family, that they are of the devil. Kids at school warn her to stay away from him since he is a notorious player who goes through girls like water. Instead, she heads straight toward the snake and believes she will not get bitten.

The trope of the player falling for the new girl because she is "not like other girls" runs rampant through the novel while Beau and Willow grow closer together. I could not get into them. I couldn't, no matter how hard I tried and believe me, I tried. But when a guy's ex-girlfriends seem to be popping up dead in the swamp by his home, I'd run to the hills.

The book leans to more on the romance side than the suspense/mystery aspects. The writing style was alright, the descriptions were fantastic, but the execution of the mystery was lacking. If she would have focused more on it, I think it would have been a solid 10/10 for me. Now, however, I'll be sure to steer clear of the swamps in Georgia. You never know what or whom may be lurking in the shadows.

It was a really well thought out book. While I'm not very fond of YA novels, I found myself enjoying it to some extent. The story line and the mystery certainly helped. I liked especially, how everything unfolded in the end.

For some reason, this book reminded me of the beginning of the Beautiful Creatures series. Honestly is probably because of the way this love story felt and the fact they both take place in rural Georgia, although very different areas. If you're looking for paranormal though, look elsewhere. This is one great mystery and romance book for teens though. It's definitely one for teens, not kids. I love the grandmother who is constantly cursing and her grand daughter, one of the two main characters, who is just as spunky. There's mild cursing throughout and a bit more than mild sprinkled in from time to time, as far as sex or violence goes, considering the genres, they're both pretty mild. There is one scene in the book, where the killer is confronted, that's more graphic violence but it's not gory. Personally, I'd say this is fine for young teens and up but it all depends on the kid. Either way, it's definitely a good read that will keep you turning pages until the very end. I know I lost some sleep time to be able to finish it, but I don't regret it!

I would like to thank the publisher, author, and Netgalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

When I first heard of Wicked Charm, I was so excited because I thought that it was going to be a YA thriller with some romance. Instead, this book turned out to be a  romance with some aspects of a thriller. I had set my expectations wrong so I definitely didn't enjoy this book as much as I otherwise would have. As it was, Wicked Charm was a light, fast-paced, and fun read.

The story begins as Willow and her parents move to the Okefenokee area in order to take care of her grandmother. Willow immediately notices Beau Cadwell, the town heartbreaker and her new neighbor. Just as the two start to get close, girls start turning up dead in the swampland surround their houses. And all of the girls used to date Beau. Unsure of what to believe, Willow must decide whether she can trust her instincts about Beau. If she's wrong, there may be deadly consequences.

Wicked Charm was beautifully atmospheric and the setting was almost another character in the novel. Hart makes the environment truly come alive. I loved how she combined the danger of the swamp with the beauty. The swamp was just creepy enough to always keep you wondering what was around the corner or hiding beneath the trees. It always kept you on your toes, never letting you believe that the characters were truly safe. I also loved how Hart portrayed small-town life, with the gossip, the family feuds, and the long-kept secrets.

The plot itself felt a bit off to me. The tone kept shifting between romance and thriller, which was a bit jarring. The romance ultimately overwhelmed this book's potential to be a truly excellent thriller. I also never understood why the characters weren't scared at all after the first murder was committed. The reaction of the main characters and the town in general just didn't feel realistic. Additionally, I wasn't really able to connect to the characters, which definitely affected my enjoyment of the book.

While Wicked Charm wasn't the story I was expecting it to be, it was still a fun and entertaining read. I would recommend this one to YA contemporary fans who like their romance with a little bit of suspense and danger.

Although Wicked Charm is a quick and fairly enjoyable read, I have to admit I never really got into the story or the characters. The description is that this is a murder-mystery but honestly the book is mostly romance with a bit of mystery thrown in to fill in places. The atmosphere is quite strong and well done - one can almost smell the swamp in the Georgia flatlands. But instaluv with a lot of people talking in knowing riddles became old fast and I somehow never enjoyed the banter between our two leads.

Story: Willow Bell's family moved to her grandmother's remote swampy home so her parents can study the fen herons on a prolongued field trip. Next door, the only other home within miles, is Beau Cadwell's grandfather's old home, where Beau lives with his twin sister after his parents died. Both Willow and Beau are drawn immediately to each other despite so many obstacles: Beau's history of breaking hearts because he can, the feud between the grandparents, and now the sudden appearance of murdered teens, all of whom have a romantic connection to Beau Cadwell.

As noted earlier, most of the book, which is told in alternating POVs between Beau and Willow, is about the two dancing around each other with words. No one ever gives a straight answer and about half way through the book, I found it irritating enough to just want to tell them to stop with the word games already and to speak plainly. Meanwhile, the first murder happens early on - enough to make Willow doubt her Beau despite her overwhelming insta lust. Similarly, Beau has to clear his name while also convincing Willow he's not a killer. Speaking plainly might have made it easier but then we would have lost the plot wholesale.

The killer's identity is guessable and there are clues throughout but not so easy that you immediately pick up on it. Because we have a hidden killer, there is plenty of action and drama to keep you interested and reading. In between, lots of word play, warnings about Beau being a bad boy, and Willow being fairly standoffish and mysterious herself.

In all, a quick read and not a terrible one at all. Just one that is best suited for those who like mind games and word play rather than plain spoken truths. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

Wicked Charm hooked me into the story right from the very first chapter! A great YA romantic thriller. It has the lure with the swamp, a few murders of girls that had connections to the tall dark and "evil" boy next door. I love the little relationship that develops between Willow and Beau. At first I wasn't too sure about Beau, I mean there seemed to be something just not good about the boy. Once the story starts to really unfold we learn more about Beau's past and about his family. Willow is very determined and head strong, she has set her eyes on Beau and nothing will stop her from getting to know the real Beau. She won't take others rumors or bad mouthing before learning the truth herself.

The author goes back and forth between the two main characters POV with each chapter. It is very easy to follow along and I found that the author did a great job on setting the scene and also developing each character keeping the reader guessing who could really be behind the murders in this small town. I did find that the story was more romance than thriller for myself. I found that the murders were just second to the relationship between Willow and Beau. It was a great, fast YA read. I couldn't put it down, I am sure I could have read it in one sitting if life didn't get in the way.

I look forward to reading more from Amber Hart. I give this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Wicked Charm by Amber Hart is a young adult romance and mystery that I enjoyed. Willow and her family move to Georgia to help care for her grandma, who lives by the Okefenokee Swamp (creepy right?). Next door lives Beau, his twin sister, and their grandfather. Beau and Willow are the same age, and she is warned that he is a wicked player and not to get close to him. When dead bodies of girls Beau knows start showing up by the swamp, the mystery begins. Is Beau a killer or not? This book is very different from the Entangled Teen books I have read before. Give this book a shot, see if you can figure out the killer before they are revealed.

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.