Member Reviews
This is one of the most fun books I've read this year, possibly even this decade. It's a hilarious, paranormal romance with characters I absolutely loved. From page one Not the Witch You Wed kept me chained to my seat, living vicariously through Violet and Linc as they found their way to their HEA. I was terribly disappointed when I realized that I actually had to wait for the next book! I'll be recommending this one to everyone.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an early copy in exchange for honest feedback.
This 1st in a paranormal romantic comedy series is a light, fluffy, easy, escapist read.
Violet Maxwell is the eldest of triplet sisters in an illustrious family of witches, but has shown no sign of magic herself, making her an outsider.
She holds a grudge against alpha wolf shapeshifter Lincoln Thorne for a past action - he's not proud of what he did.
That antagonism shifts over time, as Violet discovers she's not magic-less after all.
This was one of my favorite novels to read this year! The relationship between these two main characters was so magnetic, supporting, and hilarious. I was so excited to see the MC finally come into herself and accept herself and the love she deserves. I am planning a reread ASAP!
This book was kindly given to me by the publisher and netgalley for review. All opinions are my own.
Solid 4.5. I would continue on with this if it becomes a series of companion novels. It felt like a throw back to old paranormal urban fantasies that I used to read all the time and I loved that about this book. I loved a curvier girl rep. the drool worthy MMC and even the family dynamic was entertaining. I really loved getting a sense of the world though I did find myself struggling a little bit trying to understand the hierarchy because they do talk about two different systems (pack, council- something along those lines. Overall, really enjoyed. I flew through it.
This one just really wasn’t for me. I felt like the dialogue was a bit awkward and the characters were a little childish. I really wanted to like it, but it just wasn’t for me. Thank you netgalley for my review copy.
Yikes. Classic case of trying way too hard to be quirky. The whole plot was useless contrivances from beginning to end.
The only world building was through endless council meetings. Even more frustrating, some scenes just cutoff without closure. Like that camping trip??
Worst part: TWO women were introduced to the reader by bra size!! DD heroine? C cup best friend?? This is not a personality trait! And it was written in a way that makes it pretty obvious that the author does not understand how bra sizing works. This information was creepy at worst (strong "written by a man" vibes) and generally useless at best.
The only character I cared for was Mrs. Powers, the elderly neighbor. Will not be continuing with this series.
Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for providing an eARC for review.
After reading this as an ARC, I was so excited to find it in one of my subscription book boxes! It is a delightful mix of humor and romance, all mixed in with the class tropes of second chance romance and fake dating. The banter was witty, the path to falling in love was charming, and the end result was an A+.
April Asher’s Not the Witch You Wed focuses on Violet Maxwell, the oldest of the Maxwell witch triad, who unfortunately lacks magic ability. Alpha wolf shifter Lincoln Thorne suddenly reappears in her life, and Violet’s magic makes an unexpected appearance at a most inconvenient time. While the last thing she wants is to spend more time with the one man who had already broken her heart as a teen, arcane Supernatural laws requiring them both to find mates don’t give her much choice. They agree to fake dates to convince the supernatural elders they are entering a fake mating to offer them some time to figure out how to get around the laws as neither is interested in being forced to take a mate. However, spending all that time together again makes it difficult to ignore their chemistry, connection, and unresolved feelings. Also, Violet’s inability to control her newly surging magic, lingering secrets from the past, and ominous threats conspire to complicate the increasing realization that things between Lincoln and Violet are not as fake as they try to pretend or would like to believe. Can these two high school sweethearts overcome the obstacles standing between them and a happily ever after that’s magical and real, including their cluelessness?
The novel has an appealing start, piquing my interest. But after a couple of chapters, I had to take a break and come back to it. After reading so much romantic suspense, I may not have been in the mood for a fluffy read. However, Asher’s humorous, descriptive, and entertaining writing makes for a fun read. Asher's lovely world-building, character development, and colorful description give the novel intriguing mythology, story, and characters. She consistently weaves the supernatural—magic, witches, witchcraft, and supernatural creatures like witches, shifters, and succubae—into the novel’s theme, language, and worldbuilding. It’s a nice touch, but the dialogue may sometimes be over the top and come across tongue-in-cheek. While there’s a bit of suspense, just a hint of action, and touches on some weighty societal topics, for the most part, Not the Witch You Wed is at the core a steamy, light, paranormal romcom likely to resonate with Charmed fans.
The novel’s best parts are the interactions between Violet and Lincoln, Violet and her friends, and Violet and her sisters and grandmother. Asher’s development of the character’s relationships and descriptions of their interactions furthers her characters’ evolution. Violet’s family and friends are supportive lifelines that are warm, nurturing, and supportive. But they also give her and each other a hard time too. Lincoln’s and Violet’s interactions are sweet, humorous, sexy, angsty, and steamy. Their connection and attraction are still intense even after all this time, maybe even more potent, and their complicated feelings for each other are clear to everyone but themselves. At times their inability to see themselves and their feelings clearly and communicate with each other is frustrating. Asher has intrigued me enough to want to read further into the series.
Not the Witch You Wed is a cute, steamy, funny, and entertaining fluffy paranormal romance about believing in yourself, following your heart, learning to trust, opening your heart to love, and taking a risk for a second chance with your first, and true, love.
Advanced review copy provided by St. Martin's Griffin via Netgalley for review.
The first couple of pages were a little confusing because it was a dive right into the middle of the story and I had no idea what was going on. But, after I was up to speed, it was super cute and engaging. I loved learning about Violet and Lincoln - their past relationship and current relationship - as well as the world they live in. A great read and I am looking forward to the next one!
I am so I love with this story. It was such a fun and exciting read. A magical event in the making.
Violet is a magic less witch, or the Maxwell Dud of the Maxwell triplets. Lincoln is the alpha leader trying to make a change in the shifter community, but faced with an impending predicament looming over him. But when the paths of these two cross again, a series of events that will change everything, is set into motion.
This book was a magical breath of fresh air. It was light and fun, yet intense and hot. I completely fell into a trance reading this delectable book. I could not put it down. The characters were amazing and so unique.
Overall this book is fun, serious, sad, hot and sweet. You will experience all sorts of emotions while reading this book. Linc and Vi embark on a beautiful journey of self discovery and embrace their true inner selves. I must say that I shed a few tears along the way. It was a moving story and I felt proud of the decisions that Linc made at the expense of his and his wolf's own heart.
It is so hard to review a book like this. One that draws a reader in and is loved from the very beginning. One where you want to get together with friends and discuss everything that happened. But alas I cannot do that in a review without spoiling it for others. Dang it!!! I truly enjoyed this story so much. It is not your normal romance, it is a cool world full of paranormals and humans living together in harmony. Aware that the one is real and exists.
The author set this up to turn into a highly addictive series. Hooking readers from the very first chapter, you are sure to become invested. I know I am.
My feelings for Not the Witch You Wed are pretty neutral. I didn't dislike it, but it's not a favorite of mine. I liked that the author didn't shy away from a fantasy back story and included a good combination of romance and magic. I wish the author included passages from Violet’s and Lincoln's teenage relationship. It could have been a great way to introduce the characters to the reader. It did feel like your standard white romance. Overall, I’d give the book 3 stars.
This was a second-chance fake-dating romance between magic-less witch Violet and alpha wolf shifter Lincoln. When an old Supernatural Law forces the two back together, sparks (or is it magic?) fly. I liked this! I definitely have to be in the mood for paranormal romance, and this was a great balance of magic and romance. Violet and Lincoln were great together, and I also enjoyed the side characters. I’m glad this is the first book in the series!
This was a delightful witch/wolf shifter paranormal romance! It gave me slight vibes of Juliette Cross’ Stay a Spell series, though this isn’t nearly as sexy as those books. They sure mentioned sex a lot in this book, but unfortunately we don’t get to see it happen all that much on page.
I really enjoyed Violet, Lincoln, and all of the side characters. I’m definitely going to pick up the next book in the series!
*Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-arc in exchange for an honest review*
What a fun and unique rom-com story! I loved seeing our MCs’ love for each other re-appear, I’m a sucker for second-chance romances🥺 especially those with wit and humour. Throw in some magic and LITERAL sparks✨, I can’t wait to read the rest in this series and learn more about the secondary characters as well!
I will say, I wish I didn’t read this RIGHT after CRESCENT CITY: HOEAB because the magical elements are very similar in terms of witches and wolves, and the world-building is not the same due to the sheer difference of pages LOL so I found myself confused & mixing up the elements (but that’s definitely just a me thing). It definitely helped I was able to listen to this on audio thanks to Netgalley 💜 Then again, if you’re finished CC and looking for more, this could be the perfect series for you 👀
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, for this free review copy.
Not The Witch You Wed was such a fun book. It’s full of drama, fake dating, and witch craft. It was a great paranormal romance about two old lovers, who have a second chance. It was a enjoyable read, that ended just right. I look forward to more from this author.
This one definitely felt like a nod to the good old wattpad days and I was pleasantly surprised to actually have enjoyed my time overall.
This book kicks off April Asher’s paranormal romance series, Supernatural Singles. I enjoyed the world building and various characters introduced here. It took me a bit to learn about the supernatural laws governing but I’m looking forward to seeing what other characters will get up to in April Asher’s other books.
I'm sorry, but I tend to find second chance romance stories a bit difficult to read. I don't know why, but I just don't trust someone after they betray you. And that's something the main character struggles with. And it doesn't help when they need each other, when they are forced to find mates.
Faking dating with second chance romance seems like a good romance book. But it just did not work well with this book. It seemed too dragged out when it was simple they still had feelings for each other. It's a bit obvious from my understanding . They should have expressed their feelings for the first time.
Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I loved this story. It was quite cute. Would recommend to a friend
Not the Witch You Wed is a fun foray into the paranormal world.
Violet is a magicless witch. Lincoln is a wolf shiftter. Both are forced to find mates and decide to set up a fake relationship to get everyone (temporarily) off their backs. They have a history together though and old feelings come back to the surface.
I'm a sucker for a second chance romance and this one really shines. There is plenty of banter between them as well as working through what had happened in their past.
There is also a lot going on. Lincoln is trying to change the ancient shifter laws and Violent is dealing with some strange occurrences. They need to work together to get it all figured out.
I definitely recommend this fun paranormal romance!