A cute, fun, fast read -- perfect for these early fall days when we're not slammed with all things Halloween, witches and spookiness. I enjoyed the light paranormal tone and the quick pace of the story. Okon writes great characters, and the plot is great fun. This is one of those great, easy, speedy books that fits perfectly after you've completed a big, heavy, complex book. This one checks all the boxes. I'll read more from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

ya-only-means-no-gratuitous-erotica, urban-fantasy, paranormal, law-enforcement, situational-humor, nyc, action, verbal-humor

Prime Directive: Protect the Witches. That's the reason for the arm of NYPD known as The Witches Protection Program/Defenders of the Craft. It's a law enforcement branch nearly as old as the country and its newest member is of a family long involved, an unbeliever who is sure that it's all a big joke, and dyslexic. Great fun! Loved it!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from WordFire Press via NetGalley.

Logging on to Goodreads to review this, I was presented with a quote by Tracy Chevalier: "I have consistently loved books that I read when sick in bed."

My experience differs. This book, for example.

It's essentially an average action movie in book form. The plot is thoroughly expected, and the characters never attain any depth beyond their familiar types. What worldbuilding there is is tissue-paper thin. It seems to be trying to be Men in Black, but it doesn't even quite pull off being Men in Black II.

If it had been played for comedy throughout, elements like the mind-controlling face cream and the inexplicably steampunk weapons might have worked, but as it is they're simply absurd.

There's nothing really wrong with it, as such - apart from the occasional mid-scene shift in point of view, which is generally considered a rookie error - but it's so thoroughly mediocre that the only rating I can give is three stars.

I received a copy via Netgalley for review.

I was excited to read this book, I was hoping for silly shenanigans and a laugh. The feeling I got from the synopsis was that this was going to be a bit like Bright meets Charmed/Sabrina but unfortunately it wasn't what I expected. Very good premise but it just didn't do it for me personally.

**I received an electronic ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for honest review.**

Actual rating: 2.5 stars

Michael Okon introduces us to Wes Rockville, special agent who is reassigned to the Witches Protection Program as punishment for an assignment gone wrong. Rockville meets Alistair Verne, the salty old agent who will show him the ropes. Together, they have to protect the good witches from the bad, while protecting society from evil plots lurking in a jar of face cream. Or several million jars of face cream.

If that sounds like a lot, that's because it absolutely is. There are multiple types and subtypes of witches and witchery and manners of doing magic. There is the introduction of a nonbeliever to a new magical hidden part to the world. There's family drama in all sorts of directions. Political overtones. And, just maybe, there might be love.

How did this get accomplished in approximately 200 pages? Well. It happened. Everything was certainly nonstop and action packed, but none of the plotlines was shown the appropriate attention to be developed for resolved fully. Likewise, character development was equally limited. The romance that was tossed in was equally underdeveloped, unnecessary, and unwelcome. There just wasn't the time in the allotted pages to accomplish all that Okon set out to do. That being said, it was a valiant effort.

Overall, I'm left a bit disappointed for a story that had strong concepts, and hope that Okon is given the pages to tell the full stories in the future.

Thank you Netgalley for giving me a chance to read this book!

For me, it is definitely 4 stars! Great plot, good characters. In short - fast paced urban-fantasy.

It was refreshing to read something new for a change. I kept reading about princesses and kingdoms with lots of clichés, and then one day I came across this book. How lucky I was! Right?! The first thing that caught my attention was the synopsis. It sounded great! So, here we are.

Wes failed to live upon his family's legacy in the police field. He was reassigned into a different departament that had something to do with witches. Our main lead was thrown into a world he didn't believe in and suddenly, he had to run with the flow.

What I loved in this book was the world, the surroundings and the characters! I loved the humour and the mystery. As for the witches? Well, you will need to read this book to find it out!

I found this book to be a little rough, It's straight to the point with no softening features. Wes finds out that there are witches and that the good witches need protection from the bad witches, and he's supposed to be doing that protecting. He falls for the woman he's trying to protect as she's trying to bring down her evil aunt, and the action goes from there. I would have enjoyed it more if there had been a bit more editing and softening of the directness of the storyline. #WitchesProtectionProgram #NetGalley

Thank you NetGalley and WordFire Press LLC for this arc.

This was an easy fun read for me. Reminiscent of Men on Black movies. Wes, a rookie cop who flubbed his first major case is reassigned to work for the Witches Protection Unit and arrives there as clueless as Will Smith if not more so. And the fun begins!