I love a curvy female lead and there were really good parts of this story, however there was a lot of vernacular and technical words I was unaware if and for which the text itself didn't find a way to subtly explain. This left me confused and overwhelmed at times.

Those who like, and often read, this genre will probably really love this book! It was cute and a fairly light read, which is often exactly what I'm looking for in a romance. It wasn't my cup of tea, but others will certainly enjoy it!

I think this book would be great for someone who was more interested in an ABO type of story! Not for me but I found the chemistry between our two leads great!

This book is so cute. I wasn't sure about it at first but it just took a bit to get used to all the supernatural lingo. I love that a big reason why they didn't work out when they were younger was that they needed to become their own people. Seeing Violet come into her own with her powers was so much fun.

I'm very excited to get the other books which I assume will be about her sisters.

I received an arc through netgalley.

This was a fun story. There were A LOT of "technical" pieces that left me feeling confused. I could tell the author spent a lot of time developing the story and the background information, but I felt, at times, that I was entering into a world that was introduced in a previous book.

That being said, once I got everything sorted, I really like the plot and felt the main characters had good chemistry!

I received an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.

I freaking loved this. It's set up as a urban fantasy-present time romance and it's great. You get thay fantasy/supernatural vibe but also the contemporary romance; its wonderful. The characters and plot are interesting and there's just enough spice to keep you hooked (I could've used more, but that's ok). It even sets you up for potentially 2 or 3 more books. Give me Olive and Bax!!!

Not the Witch You Wed is a contemporary supernatural romance about a witch who isn't magical and an alpha out of control of his fate as they both try to avoid the machinations of the supernatural elders over their lives. Together, they have to convincingly fake a courtship to avoid being forcibly tied to undesirable partners for life.

Violet Maxwell should be a lot of things- for one, as the first-born Maxwell triplet, she should be a powerful witch, but she doesn't have enough magic to fill a thimble. She should, at least according to the elders, also be married, to protect others from her unwieldy magic. Despite the argument that Violet doesn't have any magic, the council is not appeased, and tells Violet she's going to have to witch-bond within a few short months. Lincoln Thorne is in a similar bind, being forced to find a mate or relinquish his position as alpha. Lincoln and Violet have a history, and while he might be looking for a second chance, she's determined to have nothing to do with him. They both aspire to fool everyone into thinking they're in love until they can get out of their predicaments, but old feelings and secrets might get in the way of this neat arrangement.

I loved a lot of the characters, in particular Violet's grandmother and Lincoln's best friend. I think the main characters are strong, and the story is very sexy, but this book has some considerable hiccups. There is a supporting character who is a succubus but continually reminds everyone that she is a virgin, which seems needlessly heteronormative when it comes to sex. Violet has a few friends who are shoved in, and they kind of clutter things up in a way we don't need. I have two other big things, which is that the pacing of the book is a bit uneven, and that the beginning of the book reads as a bit of an exposition dump. I was at first under the assumption that I was reading the second book in a series, because there was so much that I needed to know, but I got it as the story went along. I did love a lot about this book: the world-building is good once you get past the first few chapters, Violet and Lincoln are charming and compelling, and I liked the ending. I am definitely interested in picking up the next one, as I assume all three of the Maxwell sisters will get their happily ever after.

I loved this book. The main characters were likeable and both had growth and learning. This story had a nice blend of feels, heat and funny. I had trouble putting this book down, and I'm excited to read the next in the series. Overall, every enjoyable paranormal romance. *I received an ARC of this book and this is my voluntary and honest review.

Not the Witch You Wed is a fantastic read that I thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish. I devoured this book and could not put it down. It is the best supernatural romance book that I have read in a while. I found Violet very relatable as she was seen as "less than" because she was the magicless witch in her powerful family. On the other side, we have Lincoln who is the Alpha of his shifter pack and is used to having everything his way and under his complete control. With the old painful history between Violet and Lincoln, it was great to see the sparks fly between the two of them and I found their witty conversations very engaging. You could just feel the chemistry between the two as they tried to figure out how to trust again. I found myself laughing quite a bit and truly enjoying the story. The story arc with Violet and her magic was very good and I love a story with a strong woman. Any fans of books by Patricia Brigg or Kelley Armstrong are sure to really enjoy this book. I highly recommend it and I will be reading it again myself and looking forward to more books by April Asher! I appreciate the opportunity to read the ARC version of this book for my honest review.

Violet Maxwell, a magic-less witch and Lincoln Thorne, alpha werewolf have a history. And that is why she's doing her best to avoid him... but when the Supernatural Council demands that they find their mate in accordance with the secret laws, they hatch the plot to fake relationship. But will this fake relationship morph into a real one?

Why I started this book: Clever title and fun blurb, caught my eye and so I requested it on Netgalley.

Why I finished it: Asher played with the paranormal aspects of the book to explain some of the common tropes of romance. And it worked, it was fun... until it didn't. But she then just used magic to undo and redo to make it to the big finish. So I loved it, then I felt a little cheated but it was a good ending... solid three stars. Also, where is Grandma's triad?

The paranormal rom-com I didn't know I needed this season! I requested this one on a whim because it seemed really cute and I thoroughly enjoyed it. This is full of tropes that I really love: fake-dating, forced proximity, second chance romance...all of it. This was such an all-consuming fun read that I whipped through it in 2 days; I could not get enough of their banter--it was just the right combo of heat and humor. I think the story line is easily understood and the magical aspect adds just enough spice to make this unique. A really fun, seasonal read for me!

This book was such a funny and cute read! Our main gal is curvy and sassy, which I loved! She was so strong and assertive- even when facing Alpha werewolves, and a supernatural council full of demons, vampires, witches, and more! The dialogue was hilarious and I loved all the bickering between our MC, the love interest, and her friends! There were more serious conversations about feeling good enough and pretty enough that really hit home too.

The romance was spicier than my usual reads, but her best friend was a succubus demon so it was more than understandable haha!

The politics were really cool to learn about, as well as learning about all the different supernatural beings and their rules. I really loved how progressive and compassionate our main characters were- especially Linc and his mission for his pack.

It has so many tropes!! Friends to enemies to lovers, fake relationships, mates… it was so adorable and frustrating!!

I would highly recommend if you’re into contemporary/supernatural romance and mild spicy books!

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I really enjoyed this story! I went into it with some hesitancy because even though I love supernatural books and romance books, I haven't had the best experience when it comes to a combination of modern, romantic, comedy, and supernatural all rolled into one novel. I'm happy to say that was not the case with Not the Witch You Wed!

The story follows Violet, the oldest in a trio of magical triplet sisters, and Lincoln, the wolf shifter who is Alpha of the North American Pack of shifters. Even though Violet comes from a powerful, magical family she herself has always been a magic-less witch. Violet and Lincoln both find themselves cornered with outdated laws in their Supernatural community that are forcing them to find mates. Seeing no other options they both decide to fake-date to ensure that the Supernatural Council essentially gets off their backs. Their fake-dating is a bit more complicated by the fact that they have a history together. They went out together when they were teenagers and Lincoln ended up breaking Violet's heart. The story that follows their interactions as they try to navigate their lives around their feelings is lighthearted, entertaining, and kept me engaged.

I did feel as though you're kind of thrown into the world as there were a lot of different parts to this supernatural community that I would have liked to have had a smoother introduction too. But other than that it was a good story. Violet and Lincoln are strong characters that you end up rooting for both of them to get their happily ever after. Overall, a really enjoyable read!

My rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

NetGalley ARC Educator 550974

Outcast and a squib, Violet is due to marry someone she doesn't want to. Families right? Here comes Lincoln, a handsome Alpha wolf who did not get it right the first time. Follow Violet and Lincoln as they convince the world they are made for each other. Will pretend become real? Read it and find out.

I could not put this book down. I pray we see all of these characters again in a multi book series. Right up there with Shelly Laurenston and Anne Rice, this romance was everything! There were Avatar references, Marilyn Monroe and magic all around. Fantastic read!

Cute story, though highly predictable and at times very slow paced. Not a book I’ll purchase for my library but it was a nice and quick read.

I could have easily read 200 more pages of this story and still not have been content. This was magnificent.

I was entranced from the very start and barely stopped to take a breath.

Violet is a witty wonderful women who just needs all the accolades. Her inner dialogue is just fantastic. I want to be her best friend.

Lincoln is a big bad wolf shifter by day but when it comes to Vi he has a very large soft spot.

I won't spoil anything but I will say that I NEED more of this in my life.

Thank you St Martin's and Netgalley for the advanced copy.

While I liked Vi’s sassy demeanor. Lincoln’s hotness, and the overall world the author created, I could not get into this book. The dialogue was incredibly corny and juvenile saying were frequently used. Additionally. I HATED how women were introduced to the reader via their bra cup size on more than on occasion - just strange and a complete turnoff.

Thank you to NetGalley & St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to review this e-book.

HEX ME!!

This book was phenomenal, absolutely astounding. It was eccentric, silly, and hands down lovely! If I could give it ten stars I would.

The world Asher built is unlike anything I think I've ever read. The concept made so much sense, and the flow was perfection. I appreciated the background to understand the hierarchy, as well as the acceptance of supernaturals within a normal human world. The balance between supes and norms was executed perfectly to boot.

Violet is sarcastic, hilarious, and a little nutty. I loved getting inside of her head, especially when she thinks about a certain wolf shifter.
Lincoln is protective, and I loved his little quips too.
Their banter together? OF THE CHARTS CHUCKLESOME. If you don't laugh out loud while reading this book, we can't be friends. All of these characters are so funny, and all in their own right.

I am SO ready for book two.....April Asher, you have built a world I want to live in. I'll escape here any day.

Not the Witch You Wed centers around Violet Maxwell, a magic-less witch. Violet and alpha wolf shifter, Lincoln Thorne, are forced by old fashioned supernatural laws to find mates. Instead of bending to the law they decide to fake date to buy themselves some time. The two have a shared past and soon sparks begin to fly.

This book was decent. I enjoyed the romance and supernatural elements of the story. The characters were well developed and interesting. My only complaint was it was a little too cutesy at times and probably could have been shorter...parts of it dragged. Overall it was a fun read.

I was given this book in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC.

Though this is a well-loved troupe of enemies to lovers, you can’t help but love this sweet and funny story. The characters make this paranormal Rom-Com well worth reading. Give me a swoon worth leading man and a sassy witch any day!
Violet Maxwell is one of three triplets and the only one without any magic ability and life is going well for her without it, thank you very much.…. until it isn’t. First off, she finds out that that she will be forced to mate with someone in order to stabilize the magic she does not possess. Stupid laws! Furthermore, at an engagement party for one of her sisters, she runs into an old flame, Lincoln Thorne, who broke her heart in school. He stirs not only her anger, but feelings she would rather not revisit.
However, Lincoln popping back into Violet’s life maybe fortuitous, since he is also facing a similar fate of an arranged marriage. When Lincoln suggests that they fake date in order to bide themselves more time to figure out a way out of these unwanted marriages, Violet goes along with his plan. Yet, the feelings that he stirs maybe the least of her problems, because he also has stirred her magic to life.
I have been stuck on these rom-coms lately because I am a sucker for a happy ending, especially so with all that is going on right now. These types of books are the perfect escapism that I find are the perfect stress relief. This book in particular fit the bill and drew me in. I totally got lost in the story and the funny scenes and snarky comments made it even better.
The plot flowed nicely and I loved the various paranormal elements. The author gives the reader just enough world building and back story for context; yet, not enough to get bogged down in. As far as rom-com goes, this is one of the better ones. Not too sappy, not too much drama but plenty of pizazz.
I really thought Asher brought her A game on this one. I recommend for all readers of rom-com, especially those that like the paranormal element.
I received a free copy, via NetGalley, from the publisher, in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this story! I had the opportunity to read an advanced digital copy and got to read it alongside my paranormal vibes reading for October which was just perfect!

It's a fun paranormal romance that touches on topics such as true mates, family ties, loyalty, and the importance of truth and honesty. Another important topic was the desire to have politics that benefit everyone as a whole and focus on what's good for everyone, not just those lucky enough to be in charge.

I loved the dynamics between Lincoln and Violet both in their human and supernatural forms. Looking forward to the continuation of the series with Rose's story! The author's writing style drew me in and the enjoyed the characters and the story as a whole. This is an author to watch out for!

Recommend for: lovers of (steamy) paranormal romance

My Review Rating: ♥♥♥♥.5

Romance Steam Factor: R