Member Reviews
this book was cute but it felt like it was “all over the place”
• small town enemies to lovers
• as i was reading the book, i felt like it was missing something. i soon realized that i just didn’t like the writing style.
• it is a cute fall book but i feel like the writing felt too childish for it to be an adult rom com.
Witcha Gonna Do? is a light, sweet, and funny rom com set in a fantasy world where there are witches, unicorns, and other supernatural creatures. This book is surprisingly spicy at parts.
This is my first Avery Flynn novel. I was surprised by how casual and informal the writing style is. The first lines of the book are literally “Hi. *Waves.* That’s me.” It’s a little too informal and casual for my liking. It feels a little immature, which made me constantly question the age of the two protagonists. That said, the style adds to the humour of the story, and it will definitely appeal to those who appreciate that type of writing.
The best part of this book is the hilarious world-building. There are gnomes that will build up parts of your house without permission. Tilda’s best friend is allergic to her own magic. There’s a dragon’s blood tree that’s attracted to the heroine and won’t leave her alone. There’s even a resident grumpy unicorn. All that said, the suspenseful bits, such as the mysterious “Council”, don’t get a lot of time on the page. Gil is a double agent working for them, which is revealed in his first chapter, and I was hoping for a little more oomf in that part of the storyline.
Because the book is so heavy on the worldbuilding and the humorous content, it also suffers in the romance department. Gil and Tilda go from enemies to lovers almost instantly, and the “love” word gets thrown out when they barely know each other.
So, while this book is strong in the worldbuilding and infuses humour into the language, characters, and scenarios, I was a little underwhelmed by the romance and the general plot of the story.
I’m loving the bumper crop of witchy paranormal romcoms lately! This version even features an enemies-to-lovers trope! It’s light and humorous with a very distinctive writing style that will definitely not resonate with all readers.
While the Sherwood family may be some of the most famous witches in Witchingdom, Tilda is, well, not. As an outré – a person without magic – she’s been relegated to handling the social media presence of her mom and sisters. All of which would be a lot easier if she stopped running into – and getting set up on blind dates with – her jerk of an enemy, Gil. The thing is, Gil is deliberately trying to spend more time with Tilda. As an unwilling agent of the Council, who want to return Witchingdom back to the dark ages, Gil’s been assigned to find a way to dethrone the Sherwoods and powerless Tilda seems like his best bet. But he’s also a double-agent for the Resistance, the forces working against the Council. When an unfortunate encounter with Tilda and a plant lead him to realize that all is not what it seems, he’s left with a choice: help out the woman he’s intrigued with or free himself and his family from the Council’s clutches.
“Yes. I’m on the same magical level as a rooster.
That should explain a lot about the state of my self-esteem.”
Tilda knows that in the whole scheme of things, she’s not important besides being a constant source of gossip for anyone who wants to laugh at the magicless member of a powerful magical family. She has a good life with a loving family and friends with similar magical issues but she’s tired of feeling unequal and lesser. But through it all, she’s rather optimistic.
After growing up in basically a magical wasteland and then blackmailed into working for the bad guys, it’s no wonder Gil’s a cynic. Tilda describes him as obnoxious and a smarmy know-it-all jerk, and well, yeah, I’d have to agree with her at times. He also spends a good chunk of the book withholding important information from Tilda which didn’t endear him to me.
“Tilda Sherwood is a spellbinder from the most powerful family in all of Witchingdom. I’m a shifty double agent from The Beyond and I’ve been lying to her since the day we met.”
Tilda and Gil basically go from being acquaintances to deeply in love with whiplash speed, partially thanks to the unwitting use of Gil’s desire magic, the thing that got his family exiled. They’re both fighting their attraction but they rather quickly realize that the other person isn’t quite as awful as they expected: Tilda isn’t solely dippy airhead and Gil’s prickling exterior hides a soft heart. The book gets very, very steamy (though there are some improbable sex positions; please see this review for a description that made me snort tea up my nose). While I bought their chemistry, I would’ve liked to see a bit more romance between them to truly buy their HEA.
Which leads me to my two main problems with this book. The first is the author’s voice. The viewpoint alternates between Tilda and Gil and the way Tilda is written especially reads as very young and very, well, trying too hard to be EXTRA. There’s frequent fourth-wall breaking and lots of random barely related asides. It was initially off-putting but after a few chapters I found it somewhat charming. If you can read the words “Witchingdom” or “WitchyGram” without cringing, you’ll probably be ok. And honestly, I think the book would’ve worked better without Gil’s viewpoint. There’s some tension in Gil knowing something important about Tilda that she doesn’t, but it felt like too much on top of everything else.
Which brings me to my second problem: the plot. There’s just too much going on. There’s the double-agent business, way too many capitalized groups (Council, Resistance, Committee, Misfits, The Beyond, etc), a heist, and a slew of somewhat unnecessary side characters that never felt truly fleshed out. Oh, and the whole romance on top of that. The book starts off as silly but passable romcom before suddenly changing into a heist novel. While I love heist novels, the abrupt shift in tone practically gave me whiplash.
Overall, I thought this was a charming if highly flawed book. It was a quick, light read with cheesy humor that made me smile, so I’d give it 3.5 stars.
I received an advance review copy of this book from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
This book was just pure, unbridled fun. The writing style was unlike many other books I’ve read, with the characters directly addressing the reader in a way that broke the fourth wall, adding more to the entertainment of the story.
My favorite thing about this book was the world that was created by Flynn. It reminded me of a contemporary, and slightly more mystical, version of The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels. I’ve already said this story is unique, but I’m going to reiterate it here- filled to the brim with witches, unicorn shifters, and a raccoon with a penchant for alcohol, this world is SO DANG UNIQUE.
Tilda and Gil were two main characters that were easy for me to love. I enjoyed getting to read from both of their perspectives, and their chemistry as a couple felt natural. I loved the way their relationship developed, especially with how protective Gil felt of Tilda, even if he refused to acknowledge just why he felt that way. The dynamic was just pure FUN, you guys.
Overall this was a fun start to a new series, and I can’t wait to experience more of the Sherwood Sisters’ story. If you’re looking for a romance that is equal parts steamy and swoony, with a world that is magical, unique, and a lot of fun, then be sure to check this one out.
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy.
A steamy witchy read? Yes please. Witcha Gonna Do? started out strong, following Tilda, a witch with no powers , even though she is part of the most powerful family in all of Witchingdom. She keeps getting set up on dates with Gil, who she can't stand. After she accidentally freezes her family, she relies on Gil's help to unfreeze them. And in the meantime, does she REALLY have no powers, or is her family keeping secrets from her?
As I said above, this one started out strong, but then got kind of repetitive and boring for me. There was a good amount of steam, but even that I wasn't loving.
This is definitely not YA (I saw it under that genre a few places), but it didn't really read like an adult book either.
This is a Witch Romance, and this is the first book in the Witchington series. I found this book to be a fun book to read, and I really loved the characters in it. The beginning of this book I found to be a little boring, but when it got going I really loved it so much. I loved all the Witchy stuff in this book. The romance was a hate to love, and I enjoy how the romance was done. There were a lot of cute and funny parts in this book. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Berkley) or author (Avery Flynn) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.
An unlucky witch and her know-it-all nemesis must team up.
Nobody talk to me - this was my most disappointing book of the year. The dialogue was so embarassing, the characters were so two dimensional and the plot was just, boring.
I've found that as more and more witchy romances get published the more picky I get to be about which ones work for me and which don't. This was a big NOPE for me. All the elements that should have worked, just fell flat. The magic didn't seem fully fleshed out and the characters I did want more about (Shape shifting unicorn - yes please) became so annoying by the end of the book I couldn't even pretend I cared about them either.
Witchy books are definitely having a moment. This one is fun and the start of a new series.
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Tilda is a member of the most powerful witchy family, which should be a blessing but she is cursed with no magical abilities that she knows of.
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She cannot stand Gil, but she can’t help how attracted she is to him. When she accidentally glitches her sister’s spell and she freezes her entire family she needs his help to break the spell.
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I like the world created in this book and I’m looking forward to see where this series goes.
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Huge thank you to @berkleypub @berittalksbooks @thephdivabooks @dg_reads and @netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to @netgalley and @prhaudio for my gifted copies.
𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: ⭐️⭐️/5 {2.5}
I had such high hopes for this book. I always love a good witchy rom com, but this one was just not for me.
This book read like a YA rom com, with the characters talking to the reader. Which for me made the steamy scenes a bit awkward when the rest of the book feels so young.
The other thing that didn’t quite work for me, was the convoluted plot. There was just too much going on and it took away from the romance. I can see where some might enjoy this, it just was not the book for me.
Avery Flynn released a new book this week and I had the pleasure of reading an early copy of it & it made me long for the short lived Fall weather this year.
I love reading witchy books & Witcha Gonna Do had all the Fall vibes, a lovely enemies to lovers romance, an angry rooster, a family/town of witches & even a hint of drama.
This is the first in this new series by the author and I cannot wait to see what else the author has in store for this witchy family!
What I Loved:
The World Build. While I know a lot of people had major problems with the info dump, I thought the world Avery Flynn built in Witcha Gonna do? was fascinating. Tilda’s family is from a powerful witching family that holds positions on the “official” governing body for the witching world. Gil’s family, on the other hand, is banished to a different world by a shadow organization that runs in parallel and seeks ultimate control. The Resistance helps those banished and otherwise messed with by the shadow organization. The world of the Sherwoods and the Connollys is complex, and I can’t wait to dive in further.
The Urban Fiction. Peripheral to above, I loved the incorporation of tech and witchiness together. So many other series completely separate the “modern” and the “arcane” (looking at you, Dresden Files and Harry Potter), but here, Tilda runs the family’s social media sites, there is gossip columns and texting, and it is seamless. I hope this is the new trend in witch fiction instead of convoluted explanations for why phones don’t work in an otherwise all powerful society.
What Didn’t Work For Me:
The Voice. Avery Flynn couldn’t seem to define her audience in this book. Tilda speaks like a tween even though she is a 20-something, Gil acts like he is 30 going on 60, and the overall feel was YA/NA but the sex scenes were NC17. As someone who is now an “early 30s,” I found the tone of the characters so jarring with the setting and the adult nature of the content, it was just confusing. Each part was entertaining (I enjoy YA and I enjoy smut separately), but unsure who this should have been marketed to.
Tilda’s Voice. Similarly, Tilda’s POV was frequently confusing and at times downright annoying. She is supposed to be insecure and shy woman, growing up thinking she has no magic and “isn’t pretty” because she is “curvy,” but then alternatively acts like a teenage girl who knows her shit and has her way with the hot guy next door. I didn’t find her character as appealing as Gil, which sucks because I love rooting for witchy protagonists.
Witcha Gonna Do? is a paranormal romp that’s tons of fun. Avery Flynn kicks off her Witchington series with a romance that’s light on its feet.
Tilda Sherwood is the only non-magical member of a supercharged magical family. She runs her family’s social media accounts and – most recently – has been set up on a number of bad dates with her archnemesis, Gil Connolly. Okay, archnemesis may be a bit strong but things keep going wrong whenever Tilda is around Gil. Then she accidentally curses her family and the only person she can turn to for help is the man she doesn’t want to want as much as she does. Gil has his own reasons for helping Tilda and not all of them are on the up-and-up. But the more their lives become intertwined the harder it is for either Tilda or Gil to remember why they should resist the pull between them.
Tilda is blunt, funny, and likeable, making her a cheerful presence on the page. She may not be able to wield magic, but there’s more to her than her lack of magical abilities. Her family is powerful beyond measure and when she accidentally curses them she has to quickly undo it before others learn of the problem and take advantage of it in order to bring the Sherwoods down. Gil isn’t as open as Tilda but he’s had to be guarded. His magic is the kind that amplifies desire, making him and his family targets of the shadowy Council. Gil has a plan to save his family and doing so puts him in Tilda’s path. I understood why Gil kept his secrets and also why he couldn’t resist Tilda’s charm. I loved watching the two of them work together. The pages of their story flew by because of their energy and I was rooting for their romance every step of the way.
Witcha Gonna Do? introduces readers to the Witchington world, where witches, unicorn shifters, and more are as common as can be. There’s a world of possibility in this witchy universe and I’m very much looking forward to diving deeper in future books. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed Tilda and Gil’s tale. It’s full of quirky, magical mayhem and I can’t wait to see what the Sherwood family does next.
Well this one was not what I was expecting, at all. I ended up really liking Tilda, Gil, Birdie, Eli, and even Griselda. For those that like 🔥 factor in your romance, this one won’t disappoint. If you like closed door, this has parts not for you. I like any story that has to do with magic. My inner child will always be a fan of stories that involve that. This one had fun aspects, like the dragon blood tree for one. I liked the idea of where they lived, minus the creepy Council factor.
Witcha Gonna Do? is a cute, fresh new take on a witchy-inspired romance—filled with great laughs, lighthearted fun, and all the magic!
As a member of one of the most powerful lines of witches, Tilda is the black sheep of her family, born without any magic. But when she accidentally curses her family, she must look to the person who gets under her skin the most for help, her infuriatingly handsome nemesis, Gil.
Overall this was a fast-paced read that was exciting, romantic, and had a bit of adventure. It did read a little on the more fun, lighter side for me than slowly building, developing, and integrating the romance and plot, but it was still an enjoyable story with characters that made me chuckle and root for!
If you’re looking for a charming and quick read with some magic and witches, definitely keep this book in mind!
*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.*
Quick and Dirty
-witchy level 5/5
-wide open door spice
-enemies to lovers
-curvy, bookish MC
Synopsis
Tilda Sherwood is part of one of the most powerful witch families in the world of Witchingdom. Sadly, she is the least magical member. As an outre, Tilda has NO magical abilities, often making her a target for ridicule in the magical community. Her family does their best to protect her, but even they can't shield her from the judgment she casts on herself. So, when she finds herself in the middle of a magical crisis only she can fix, she must depend on the least likable witch she knows, Gil Connelly. Tilda and Gil's mutual dislike runs deep but not nearly as deep as their undeniable attraction. Will they deny themselves the chance to find love, or will they let their sparks fly?
Musings
Whew! OMG, was this one SPICY!!! I'm not a spice expert, but I know this is one of the most explicit books I've ever read. Spice aside, the witchy world the author creates was highly entertaining and engrossing. I loved the way magic was described in this book, from the individual's powers to the general rules of magic. The heist was less appealing but an essential part of the plot. And the tension between the two love interests was infectious, making this one hard to put down. Will they or won't they is one of the best parts of this book. My chief complaint with Witcha Gonna Do was the style of the narration. It felt a bit juvenile in the beginning, but I stuck with the book. I'm glad that I did in the end, as I'm sure there will be sequels that I will want to read just to re-experience this magical world.
Read if you like:
✨ Magical Realism
🧙 Witchy Vibes
♥️ Enemies to Lovers
🌶️ Spicy Books
⌛️ Curvy Rep
This one was STEAMY!!! And I’m soooo here for it! 🌶️ The spice was so well done I’m just blushing thinking about it! 😉
The witchy vibes were spot on with this one as well and I loved all the magical realism included. The explanation of the magic and powers of the characters was so intriguing and kept me reading not wanting to stop at all.
If you haven’t picked up a copy please do so as this one would make a great magical read for ringing in the new year.
Thank you Netgalley for giving me this ARC. i loved it. A dual POV, Witchy, enemies to lovers?! Sign me up!
This was a fun quick read that had me rooting for them from page 1. it really is the perfect Witchy Romcom & I can't wait for the rest in this series.
This was such a fun and entertaining read! I loved these characters and breezed reading this book in one sitting! Once You start, you won't be able to put this book down.
3.75, rounding up for GR.
For me this would have been a solid 4+ read if it wasn’t for the dang characters breaking the 4th wall and talking to the reader.
I didn’t realize I was so passionately annoyed by this until this book! 🤣🙈 in shows or plays it’s usually a quick blip (like, “can you believe this guy!”) and you move on.. but in a book it was constant and so frustrating as it removed me from the story every. single. time.
I applaud the author for trying something and sticking with it, it definitely wasn’t for me though.
With that being said the plot of this story was VERY up my alley!
Witches, lies, secrets, nemesis/lovers, power, romance, steam, humor, it was all there and wrapped in a quirk witchy romance which has been my vibe for 2022!
I was entertained the entire time, the pages flew by, and I listened to the audio as well and it was really well done!
All in all, if you like quirky witch romance books where the MC is more than she seems and the MMC is as charming as he is deceptive, than this one is for you!
Open door- 🔥🔥🔥
Tilda is from one of the most powerful witch families known to all, but sadly that makes life a little harder for her since she doesn’t have any magic herself.
And as if life wasn’t hard enough, she is being investigated by an arch nemesis who’s got some secrets of his own.
If you like world building, magical politics, grumpy-sunshine, lotsssss of tension and a fun inner monologue then this is for you!
3.75/5 ⭐️