I haven't read the first book yet, however rather enjoyed this book as it kept me hooked and entertained the whole time; also I really loved the characters Elena and Jean-Paul and I'm looking forward to the next book!

Thank you to to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I didn't read the previous book but I found this one entertaining and engrossing.
It's well plotted, it kept me hooked and I liked the world building and the characters.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

I found The Glamourist so much better than The Vine Witch, book 1 in the series. It focuses on Yvette Lenoir, an orphan, and an untrained witch. Currently, Yvette is a running fugitive for a murder she committed when she was younger. I love Yvette even in book 1 when Elena, book one's protagonist, met her in prison. And this time, Elena is helping Yvette to know more about her past.

The plot is more cohesive. The tension is always present. I find that the characters' drive is stronger. Especially Yvette's. Yvette, in the first place, is a very interesting character. It's easy to relate to her.

I also think the whole book wrapped up neatly. I was very satisfied at the end but even more excited for book 3.

So, I liked this one just fine. It was entertaining and I liked the characters. I liked reading about Elena and Jean-Paul again. For a book that focuses more on Yvette, a character we meet in the first book, it still talked about our couple a whole lot. So if you enjoyed reading about them, there’s still plenty of Elena at least in this book.

This second installment of The Vine Witch did feel different than the first one. The plot was kind of a straightforward mystery plot line. It starts off a bit slow, but after a couple of chapters you’re definitely hooked. But I felt it lacked a little of the uniqueness that the first one had. There’s some whimsy in it, if you like reading about that type of magic, but I didn’t get that feeling of originality that I felt The Vine Witch had.

I have some mixed feelings about how the ending of this book played out, but of course I don’t want to say too much about that. But let’s just say that I liked Yvette’s decision at the end. The thing I didn’t like about it was the neat revelation we got about Yvette’s reason for being in prison in the first book.

A last little note: this book is basically an adult novel. But I still felt like it read like YA. Not meaning anything bad by that, but I felt like younger people can read it because it’s about self discovery and it doesn’t have anything explicit in it as far as I can remember.

All in all, a very entertaining read! Highly recommend for people who love reading about witches and don’t mind some whimsy magic while also reading about a mystery.

I really enjoyed The Vine Witch, the first book in this series, and I was excited to receive an advance copy of The Glamourist. Unfortunately, this second book fell far short of the first one.

Pacing is maddeningly slow throughout, with occasional bursts of activity. Content is repetitive, to the point where the voice in my head was yelling, "We get it already! Move on." I spaced off a lot because I was bored.

The last 15% of the book ramps up in pace, throwing everything at us at once. I enjoyed this final part much more than the rest, though I do wish the revelations had been spread more evenly through the book rather than one major dump. I loved the ending, but again I wish more of that intensity and magic had been sprinkled throughout.

The writing has the feel of a light mystery, though there is some dark content. For me, there's a disconnect with emotion, and I just didn't care about the characters the way I did with the first book.

Here is my confession: I absolutely loved the VIne Witch.

What I liked most about the predecessor of this book was the mesmerising opening and the novelty of its fantasy world. That's perhaps why I placed too high expectations on this book.

Enough about the Vine Witch. Let's talk about the Glamourist.
The book copies the opening of the Vine Witch (oops! I did it again.) Which made me like HUH!!! Don't get me wrong; the writing is nice. It just wasn't novel anymore. And the plot, well, the magic flew all over the place a tad too conveniently to give rise to expectations. Everything was explained by means of magic whenever an explanation was due. It was still nice, but not amazing. And the pace dragged on at times but I soldiered on because I wanted our heroines to succeed. And that stands for something, right?

Smith's novel(s) open up a rich world of magic, romance, and daring adventure. Smith is very detailed in the way she creates these atmospheric settings. That was one of the reasons why I fell in love with her novels so quickly. This book has a balanced blend of romance and adventure, is a perfect read for any historical fiction lover.

I enjoyed the fact that Smith decided to write further upon the characters in which she introduced in "The Vine Witch" and makes her characters, even though they seem like villains, redeemable. This is a nice, organically written story about how powerful and healing friendship can be.

My expectations for this book were undoubtedly placed too high. I absolutely adored the Vine Witch but I had a hard time getting through this book. The pacing definitely made it hard to get through. I felt like it left me wanting for more. It may have been that I expected too much but it is still a great book.

The Glamourist is the sequel to The Vine Witch (which I also had the pleasure of reading an ARC of), and the second book in the Vine Witch trilogy. While The Vine Witch mainly focused on Elena, the main character in The Glamourist is Yvette, the witch who came to Elena’s aid during the first book.
Yvette was one of my favorite characters in The Vine Witch, and I was so excited to get to read her point of view and learn more about her. Yvette’s parentage is shrouded in secrecy; she knows almost nothing about them except for her mother’s first name, and, as a result, also doesn’t know what kind of witch she is and isn’t very good at magic. I really liked learning about Yvette’s heritage as she did, as well as the incorporation of other supernatural beings other than witches. I also loved Monsieur Whiskers, the cat who follows Yvette around for most of the book and helps her out of a few sticky situations! Yvette’s troubles with using magic was also really interesting to read, especially since the protagonist of the first book, Elena, is an extremely accomplished witch.
As much as I liked Yvette’s perspective, I also liked that we get to learn more about Elena in the months following the end of The Vine Witch, especially her relationship with Jean-Paul, who is now her fiancé.

Paris! Witches! Magic! Murder!

The Glamourist is the second in The Vine Witch series and introduces us to Yvette - an orphan and untrained witch. By chance, she meeting Elena, The Vine Witch, who then becomes her mentor.

I thought this was interesting but read a little YA to me. Maybe I want more darkness and intrigue with my witches - especially my witches in Paris.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This is the second book for The Vine Series and this installment the story has moved from Chanceaux Valley and the vineyards to Paris and follows Elena and Yvette while on a mission to uncover Yvette’s heritage.

Elena and John have travelled to Paris to the Ministry of Lineages and Licenses to change her witch status which doesn’t go as planned due her lineage. She is however she is given a choice. Help find a fugitive whom she spent time with in the past and turn her in and then she can change her status but this isn’t the type of person she. She is a person who helps not harm.

We first met Yvette while she was helping Elena. Yes, she is wanted for murder but there is more to the story of which we learn during this story. Abandoned as a child and raised by a mortal, she knows nothing about her lineage. And the book she is given by her adoptive mother just adds more questions. She doesn’t always make the best decisions and lands herself in some pretty dangerous predicaments but I adored her for her sheer determination. And Elena’s as well for following her heart when it came to Yvette.

This is a story that is filled with magic, thievery and mystery and introduces of to a few new characters including Elena’s future mother in-law (man I adored that woman!) and an eccentric shop owner and a bewitched cat who all help Yvette and Elena. The story moves quickly and with such strong female leads it was so easy to be drawn into their intriguing world. The world building was just as I hoped it would be filled with magic and suspense and a quest to learn truths hidden. There was a little twist for Yvette at the end that I did not expect but it was certainly such a good one!

This is filled magical realism and a little bit of romance and has been such a fantastic series so far and I can’t wait for the next installment!

**Review**
The Glamourist by Luanne G. Smith
(Book 2 in The Vine Witch series)
Yvette longs to uncover the secrets of her magical heritage, and decipher the hidden meaning of a keepsake from her past. All whilst on the run from the authorities. She entrusts Elena, well renowned vine witch, to help her in her quest. Elena cannot turn away a friend in need, even though she is struggling with her own troubles.
However others also want to discover the truth behind Yvette’s momento, making their journey a perilous one. With a little help from their friends, are they able to overcome their obstacles and become the witches they were destined to be?
After loving The Vine Witch, I was very keen to read this next instalment. And mostly, it didn’t disappoint. It is well written and an easy read. The story is well rounded and all questions are answered by the end of the book. I really love the characters; all with their own quirks and personalities. I especially enjoyed seeing Yvette develop and change over the course of the story. This was really well done and made for a page turning read.
It did take the story a little while to pick up momentum, but by the end the pages were action packed and exciting. I thought the conclusion felt perfect for the story. I did feel the atmospheric quality I loved so much in The Vine Witch was slightly lost in this second instalment, likely due to the different city setting.
Overall, I did really enjoy this book and am keen to read the next instalment, due next year. A great, light, bewitching read. Thank you @netgalley for allowing me to read and review this.
Publication date: 09/06/2020

The Glamourist by Luanne G Smith is the second book in the VIne Witch series , and the action is moved from the vineyard to the city of Paris where Elena has travelled with John Paul to meet his family, and also to sort out some issues with her magic registration following the revelations about her bloodline made in the previous book. (On that note I would highly recommend reading that book first as there is very little recap of what happened in this one, which could be confusing at times.) When it is suggested that she should help the authorities capture Yvette Lenoir whom she met while imprisoned (again I recommend reading the first book) in order to smooth things over, Elena knows that something is wrong and is determined to help Yvette if she can.
Yvette is determined to find out more about the mother who abandoned her as an infant ,and the magical heritage that seems to have been deliberately suppressed but the only clue she has is a mysterious book filled with symbols written in golden ink. To complicate matters it seems like there are several people with an unhealthy interest in that book and the magical secrets it contains , and all of them are looking for Yvette.
I really enjoyed the first Vine Witch book, and I was keen to read this follow up. While I did enjoy it , I felt like it lacked some of the charm and intimacy of its predecessor, and I did not connect to Yvette as a character in the same way as I did with Elena. Once again the author does a wonderful job of evoking the senses, her talent for descriptive writing is immense and she brings the sights and sounds of Paris to life on the page. I also enjoyed the little glimpse into John Paul's background we get from meeting his mother, another wonderful character.
Overall I enjoyed the book, though not quite as much as I did the Vine WItch, and I look forward to the next instalment - and if that happens to involve more of Sidra's story I certainly won't be complaining,
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

Book 2 in the Vine Witch series by Luanne G Smith.

This book is beautifully written and follows our previous heroine Elena on more adventures. I think you could probably read this without ever having read book 1, but you would be missing out on a wonderful story. There is a lot of soul/ purpose searching in this book, which makes it particularly timely given how many people are doing this exact thing in quarantine. Witchery, magic, soul searching, building relationships with other women; all make this another wonderful story.

I received this as an ARC in return for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for allowing me to read this title.

It was so much fun going back to this world, as I've read the first book in this series, The Vine Witch. I love the writing style and the various characters, not to forget Mr. Whiskers. The characters, even the side-characters, where fleshed out. This book focused a bit more on Yvette, while the first one focused on Elena. Maybe book three will focus on Sidra? Anyway, it was an engaging plot with a good pace. Not too fast and not too slow.

Anyway, it's a really fun read and I would highly recommend it.

When I requested this ARC I did not realize that it was a part of a series. However, I am glad that I picked up the first book, The Vine Witch, because I have found an amazing historical world that I am enchanted by. In the first novel, we follow Elena, who after being cursed is returning home only to find that the vineyard where she served as vine witch isn’t how she left it. I went into the first novel only knowing snippets and it paid off. The Glamourist picks up the story a few weeks after the events of The Vine Witch and follows Yvette and Elena as they try to pick up the pieces and figure out their lineage and where they belong. I really feel as though, Luanne G Smith has created a magical historical fantasy world that I was charmed and intrigued by. I felt as though her world-building and storytelling expanded the world and my love of the characters even more in The Glamourist. I adored this book and very much enjoyed where Yvette’s story led. I cannot wait to read the 3rd book in the series, The Conjurer, to see where the world expands next. I highly recommend if you are in the market for a witchy read or if you enjoyed books like The Binding or Once Upon A River.

I read The Vine Witch and gave it 3 stars, then immediately jumped into The Glamourist. Luanne Smith's writing comes to life for me with rich colour, action and style. Her settings are rich and her characters are people I genuinely enjoy reading about. While I had a few issues with The Vine Witch, I had absolutely no issues with The Glamourist. I couldn't help but want to devour it as quickly as possible. The plot trotted along at a good pace without any slack but didn't feel rushed. If you enjoy a historical French novel with a twist of magic and mystery: grab this book.

I would like to thank Netgalley for an ARC of 'The Glamourist' in exchange for an honest review.

Set in turn of the century Paris, The Glamourist is the second book in the Vine Witch series (although it can work as a stand alone book; I haven't read Book 1) and features Yvette, a former street kid discovering her magical lineage, helped by Elena, a vine witch trying to shed the label of poisoner.

Yvette, a young woman who grew up in a cabaret/brothel, is searching for her mother while on the run for murder. Elena is a witch with a vineyard she can't return to unless she hands in Yvette, but Elena wants to help the young witch discover her potential. Aided by a cat who knows more than the average moggy, The story wends its way through the back alleys and boulevards of Paris at the height of the city's fascination with the supernatural, weaving charlatan seances and showmanship in with witchcraft.

It started slowly, and I was tempted to give up a few times, but it picked up significantly in the latter half. I did find the scattering of French words italicised throughout distracting, but that is a relatively minor stylistic preference.


**I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**

2.75 Stars

This is the second book in the Vine Witch series by Luanne G. Smith.

I am not sure what my problem with this book was. Usually, I am all in when it comes to witchy stories, but this one was just too complex and complicated that I think it went over my head. My other problem was that I did not read book one first. Which, I believe I definitely should have. I will have to come back to this series at a later date and check it out again.

I think that this specific moment in my life wasn’t the best time to tackle this one. It is for sure going into the batter’s box for a re-read soon!

If you like witchy stories, definitely check this one out and judge for yourselves.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

I did not real the previous book in this series however I found that this book does not require reading the first one. This one was an okay read for me, the progress of the story started off slow and then ended quickly. The pacing was a bit off. I could not really connect with any of the characters. I did enjoy the cat though. The writing style is fine and the magic world building in this is fine. Overall this was just fine. It’s a good fantasy story about discovering ones indentity but there were no real emotion connections for me sadly.
Thank you netgalley for sending me an arc!