The thing that called my name the most on this book is was premise that a witch was a Dud. A witch with no powers! I knew we were in for some fun times and I was not wrong.

This book is a second chance romance with a bit of enemies to lovers trope thrown in as well. The thing is I loved Linc! The flame never stopped burning for him and when he found a way to step up to help Violet, he was all over it.

The author created so many fabulous characters. I enjoyed them all. The sisters – a Triple threat. Linc and his best buddy were awesome as well. Plus, the rest of the characters added up to a beautiful blending of personalities and made for a fun, wacky story.

For me, I just loved when the Dud started showing her true colors and the sparks would literally fly. Archer nailed it with a wild and witty romance that heated up the pages as well as the alpha in the house. Grrrr!

Playful and a true delight to read. I could not put it down!!!!! I need more from April Archer and this series!

This romcom is the perfect recipe combining a triad of sisters (I’m talking charmed vibes), fake romance, and fun banter. The story focuses on the firstborn triplet who is Magicless, and always felt something was missing; she embarks on a journey of self discovery as well as steamy romance when she enters a fake romance agreement with a charming and handsome alpha wolf, benefiting both in more ways than they can expect. Overall this romcom pleasantly delighted and had me giggling, as well as making me blush more than a couple times. The paranormal element added something different, while still making it relatable to anyone who’s had difficulty finding love or them selves and letting it all bloom to its full potential.

This had better be turning into a book series!

What a wonderful five star all the way read. I couldn't put this book down, and fell in love with Violet and Linc's story. I am not a fan of second chance romance, and normally won't even pick up a book with it but this one it wasn't shoved in your face. I enjoyed how strong both main characters were in the story and what a cinnamon roll Linc is when it comes to Violet. I need for this series to continue, I would love to see stories for Rose, Olive, Bax, Harper, and even Gage. The whole family was fun to fall in love with, and the side characters worked to bring this world to life even more. A wonderful read and a hopeful start of a series.

Not the Witch You Wed

I started Not the Witch You Wed while Facebook was down on October 4th. The book centers around Violet and her triplet sisters as the Triad, which are rare witches. The author does a really great job introducing the characters and I was enthralled from the beginning. This gave me “Not the Girl You Marry” vibes but with a Supernatural element.
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I loved Lincoln, a true playboy philanthropist in book form. He made me swoon on more than one occasion. He was loyal to the people and community around him.
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Violet and her sisters gave me serious “Charmed” vibes and made me miss the Halliwell sisters. I don’t think that was the authors intention, but definitely where my head was headed.
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Overall, this was a great book to start October for spooky season. Four star read. Thank you to @Netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Instagram.com/bowsand_books

This was the sort of easy reading I needed lately. I know of several patrons who will really enjoy this one, so I've already preordered it for the collection. Thank you!

I truly enjoyed this book. BUT the pacing just fell flat for me. A book that should have taken me two days to read took a week. I still enjoyed the steam between Vi and Linc and their relationship that grew throughout the book. I hope there will be a next one, which I'm sure there will be!

Fabulous paranormal romantic comedy, first in a terrific new series

Violet Maxwell is part of a Magical Triad, a set of triplets born almost 33 years ago, who are part of a powerful witch lineage. A Magical Triad is a rare phenomenon that has always before led to extraordinary powers in the first-born, who ultimately becomes a Prima Witch. Violet’s grandmother, Edie Maxwell, was born as part of a Magical Triad 74 years ago, with 41 years between these two triads. However, before that, there had not been a Magical Triad for nearly 150 years. As Prima Witch, Edie sits on the Supernatural Council and was personally responsible for Supernaturals’ stepping out from the shadows fifty years ago when she was only in her early twenties. She has also been instrumental in preventing numerous wars, both human and supernatural, and her magical power is so enormous, it could light up the entire Northeast electric grid. As the first-born (by just minutes) of herself and her two sisters, Rose and Olive, Violet was destined to be a Prima, but up until the present moment, she has never shown any signs of magic. As a result, her whole life, she has been derided in the paranormal world as “the Maxwell Dud” or “Magicless Maxwell.”

Fourteen years ago, shortly after graduating from high school, after Violet and wolf shifter, Lincoln Thorne, had been dating for an entire year and were madly, mutually in love, they decided to elope together for parts unknown, abandoning both of their families. But Lincoln never showed up at their agreed assignation, and Violet has hated and entirely avoided Lincoln ever since. Until the weekend she comes to the Whispering Pines Ski Resort for her Sister Rose’s Witch Bond Announcement weekend. Violet’s skiing skills are extremely limited, and when she inevitably comes to grief on the slopes, it is beyond humiliating to her that the person who (literally!) leaps to her rescue is none other than her despised ex, Lincoln Thorne.

In the years since they last met, Lincoln has only grown more gorgeous, and while Violet has remained a nonentity in the supernatural world, Lincoln has become the powerful Alpha of the North American Pack, after the death of his father some years ago. When sparks fly between the two of them, Violet is extremely upset to discover that it is not just resentment that she feels toward Lincoln. And the risky reanimation of her former intense feelings for Lincoln only becomes worse, after the two of them mutually conclude that it would be in both of their best interests to pretend they are engaged. It is vital to them both to avoid the horrible fate they are each facing within a matter of weeks: either they find a mate on their own by their 33rd birthday, or they will be forced to accept a mate chosen by the supernatural powers that be.

Over the past few months I’ve read dozens of books from multiple, paranormal, witch-based, humorous, murder-mystery series, which include the same heroine in each book in the series and are written in first-person point of view. It was a welcome change of pace to read, instead, this witch-based novel, which has the classic structure of paranormal romance, and is part of an upcoming series based on individual, stand-alone novels, each of which focuses on a different romantic couple from among a group interconnected characters. This novel is also structured in the traditional, mainstream, romance-novel manner. It is written in the close-third-person point of view of both the romantic heroine and romantic hero; the romance is the central focus of the novel, and the author provides a comprehensive, well-motivated, HEA resolution of their romance.

The magical world-building in this series is not remotely as complex as in a typical, dark-drama, violent-action-packed, urban-fantasy series, such as those written by Ilona Andrews, Patricia Briggs or Jeaniene Frost. Nor is the world-building as extremely limited (and often inconsistent and sketchily motivated) as the world-building in slapstick-comedy, paranormal-mystery series such as those written by Lucy Score, Danielle Garrett, and Dakota Cassidy. It is somewhere comfortably in between. None of the supernaturals in the magical world of this novel have superpowers such as longevity and instant healing, and they age like humans and live a typical human lifespan. Possibly the author did not consider those abilities to be vital to her storytelling because her protagonists are not constantly subjected to grievous injuries, which are frequently created by the brutal battle scenes that occur incessantly in dark and dangerous urban fantasy. In this series, the tone is light, and often humorous. The occasional action scenes are neither bloody nor terrifying, and there is a main focus on romance rather than mayhem.

Violet and Lincoln are both vivid, memorable, highly sympathetic characters. The author successfully achieves in this love story the romantic ideal that is only available (unfortunately) in a relatively small portion of romance novels—she convincingly portrays Violent and Lincoln as soul mates whose lives will be forever blighted if they do not get their HEA.

All of the secondary characters in this novel are also well executed, and I am heartily anticipating the upcoming second and third novels in this series, featuring Violet’s fellow triplets, Rose and Olive. I also have my fingers crossed that Violet’s BFF, Harper, a virgin succubus (what a concept!) gets her own novel as well, and that Violet’s other BFF, Bax, a sexy, badass, tattooed guardian angel, becomes the male love interest in one of the books in this series, as well, possibly in an opposites-attracts pairing with Olive.

Finally, I am greatly hoping that the publisher releases this novel in audiobook format at the same time it is released in print and digital format, because I am very much looking forward to revisiting this delightful story narrated by talented voice actors.

I rate this book as follows:
Heroine: 5 stars
Hero: 5 stars
Subcharacters: 5 stars
World-building: 4 stars
Romance Plot: 5 stars
Action-Adventure Plot: 5 stars
Writing: 5 stars
Overall: 5 stars

This was such a fun read, it satisfied my paranormal romance loving heart featuring a down to earth werewolf alpha and a spunky, tell it like it is witch. It also happened to have two romance tropes that I particularly enjoy; fake dating and past lovers reunited. Lincoln and Vi were two engaging characters and I loved the banter that was a part of every interaction that happened when they were on the page together. The plot moved quickly and didn't lag at all and the characters were all great, especially the supporting cast of friends and family on Vi's side, her grandmother and her sister Olive were my favorites.
A really cute read that I flew through really quickly because I could not put it down.

I enjoyed this book. The plot was well paced and the characters were well thought out. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

I ended up liking this one a lot more than I thought when I started it. It started out too cutesy, too much. But once the action really started, it smoothed out.

Enjoyable story.

NOT THE WITCH YOU WED is the first book in the Supernatural Singles World. I believe the stories will need to be read in the order of release.

In the beginning it felt like there should have been a previous book about her sister Rose’s relationship with the European Alpha. By the end, I wanted more books for Rose and Olive, Violet’s sisters. OOOH can I have books with Bax and Harper, too? Those are her best friends and just as important to the story as the Maxwell triplets and the other witches.

Now about that story. It is richly detailed, sweet, lightly suspenseful, and an absolute delight to read. I have fallen in love with these characters and as I’ve already said, I want to read more of this world.

Note: While I received this book as a gifted ARC via NetGalley, my opinions are my own and are given freely.


Title: NOT THE WITCH YOU WED
Series: Supernatural Singles #1
Category /Genre: Paranormal Romance
Recommended for: 18+ due to sexual content
Grammar/editing: received as an unedited ARC / errors excused
Received from: St. Martin’s Griffin

Every now and then you need a good paranormal romance to mix things up a bit and this romance did just that!
Magic Less Violet has always kind of been known as the dud of her family, she didn't have magic and things between her and the Alpha Lincoln did not go as planned when she was younger. Well Now in politics both Violet and Lincoln are put into a position where they are being forced to date or force to basically find their mate.
Well with the help of some of Violet's family members Violet and Lincoln are trying to give themselves some breathing room so they agree to fake a date. Things start out a bit bumpy when the paparazzi get a hold of the new dating couple, and Violet ends up in the emergency room because someone trying to take pictures and driving do not always end well.
The thing is Violet is starting to get her powers and her and Lincoln are starting to realize that their feelings towards one another are not just make-believe!
Now if you are looking for a fun, sexy, and quick paranormal romance then look no further this will have you cackling and giggling with all the blushing! I definitely recommend it and it definitely has the potential to become a series!

what a cute romance book with a wolf and witch. I loved the sisters rose and olive. I can't wait to read their stories. I loved the gran and how they came together. I loved her friends. Overall I loved this book.

Spicy frenemies to lovers/second chance romance. Mildly entertaining. I speed read most of it. The characters were not super interesting and the plot a little dull but the romance scenes were spicy.

I read the premise of this and was like yes, this. This is so fun...
Unfortunately, it didn't deliver. It was exactly like every other romance. They had a chance to be very original, and didn't take it. No world building, no humor.

Thanks for the ARC @netgalley.

SO. CUTE. I wish I would have had this during my post-twilight teenage years. Fake dating? Check. Supernatural? Check check. This is the book I didn’t know I needed to read!

I would have enjoyed this book had the not been an excess of profane language. These characters related to and balanced each other nicely however, their lack of respect for each other left me disappointed and frustrated.

Violet is a small woman with a big personality. Born into a well-known witch family, Violet is the eldest of her triplet sisters which means she should be the next Prima. However, being magicless the title was passed to her middle triplet, Rose. Suddenly, her magic awakens which may or may not have to do with a run-in with her super hot ex-boyfriend. Lincoln is tall and handsome; exactly what one would expect of a wolfman shifter! What begins as a charade between Violet and Lincoln to pull the wool over everyone's eyes to buy them time to figure their way out of ritual marriages, turns into a steamy and complicated magical love plot. Violet's succubus and angel best friends along with her triplet sisters are along for the ride. This book has all the good witchy rom-com vibes!

I am a devotee to the science fiction genre, and when sci-fi cross breeds with romance it’s like a canon of fireworks have exploded in my mind. So when I read the synopsis for Not The Witch You Wed, which features Violet, a “dud” magic-less witch finding her match in Lincoln, Alpha Pack Leader of North America, I was tantalized. Spook season is officially here and I want to be delighted by independent witch women who can brew as well as they curse! Not so in this cornball piece of fiction. The world building is nil and never gains any momentum, so the reader never has any idea how the supernatural lifeforms gained their powers, or where their magic is from. You never figure out if there is a hierarchy within the world of witches, vampires, shapeshifters, angels and demons. What you have in this book is a romance that has a lot of corny “hell’s spells” dialogue and a fake engagement trope that takes precedence over any other detail. I also felt like I was starting in the middle of a series instead of the beginning of one; April Asher was for sure heavily building up future couples within this book, and I wish that she had focused more on world building and crushing cliche tropes instead within this story.

I received an ARC from the author and publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Following magic-less witch Violet Maxwell and Alpha/wolf shifter Lincoln, Not the Witch You Wed is such a fun fake-dating, paranormal romance! After both are backed into a corner by an arcane Supernatural Laws to find a mate, the two form a plan to fake date. In addition to fake dating, this is also a second chance, which is my favorite trope, so I loved that addition to the story! And as old feelings resurface, so does Violet’s magic.The writing is quirky and funny and original. I loved how Violet referred to heels as “torture stilts” and that she names her magic; she was such a breath of fresh air and I just loved her! The beginning felt kind of rushed though—April Asher had so many amazing ideas with the world building for this book, but I think it felt a little heavy in the information that it was a touch hard to follow for the first couple chapters. But the characters were so well developed, and I did love the magical society and political system built into this story! Again, Violet was funny and smart and a great friend and sister, and her sisters and friends were just so alive and original. I loved the dynamics in this one. Violet’s friends, her sisters, her grandmother, as well as Lincoln’s best friend, are all so vivid and funny in their individual ways. I also love that Linc is an actual alpha. He’s sexy and assertive with such a good heart. There’s some angst as Linc and Violet struggle with their past and learning to trust each other again, and even though it is a closed door romance, it is sexy! Violet and Linc are perfect together and their chemistry is so perfect. He is so supportive of her and she is so independent and strong. The character dynamics and the originality of this story are just absolute magic! It is sweet and charming and funny and just so refreshing!