This would've been a stronger story if there was more lore-building. It was still a really good read, but I wish there was more information about the witches/gatherings. It was still good information, but it would've been a lot better with just a little more.

It was quick to get through, but kind of weird to decipher. The vocabulary kept switching from older style to today and it was a little difficult to bounce between the two.

The murder investigation is my favorite part of this story (I have a soft spot for "crime" stories). It had all the right elements, with some unexpected ones as well. Who doesn't love a hot demon/bad boy trying to "do good"?

(It does have werewolves and vampires, not in a Twilight way, so don't let that deter you.)

I received an advanced review copy free with the expectation of an unbiased review, which is being left voluntarily.

I was so excited when my request got approved for this book. If you read the synopsis you’ll know why. I was not disappointed, it was such a quick and fun read. This is one of those interconnected standalone series, and was just so well-done. I thought the plot could actually do better with an extra chapter or two to really develop the romance a little more but ultimately it was just a really enjoyable read. The characters and plot were fleshed out and so well-done.

Ember is reckless and rebellious. She has trauma and just doesn’t know how to cope with it, but she is desperate to have control. She was a really fiery and sassy character that I enjoyed reading about. I loved how much she adored her family, she protected them and would do anything for them. It rooted her with purpose.

Killian was such an interesting character, and I think he was a great companion. He had his own story and development, and issues. I loved his growth and how they supported each other in the end, they pushed each other to be the best.

This was definitely a romance book more than fantasy, but it had a really cool aesthetic. I loved the fantasy setting though, it was super cool and vivid, the fairytale setting was so well-done. I really enjoyed the short novel, it didn’t feel like a full length novel, I finished it so quick.

This book follows a witch who summons a demon to help solve the murders in her community. The only issue is that her magick is unstable and she accidentally hexes him into thinking he has feelings for her. He makes her a deal that he’ll help her solve the murders and in turn, she has to release him from her spell or else her soul will be taken to Hell. Will they be able to solve the murder? And break the spell that feels a lot like love?

This book was magick, vampires, witches, demons, and a murder mystery all rolled into one book! I found myself suspicious of everyone and still not having a clue who did it, which I loved. I hate when you can figure it out early on and have to read the whole book just to confirm what you already know.

I loved Ember’s fiery spirit and her perseverance to do the right thing. She had a lot of personal growth throughout the book, which was fun to follow. Killian was a character I could root for and enjoyed watching him realize what really mattered in life.

My only drawback was that the vocab of the book would have drawn me in more had it been a little more…modern? I can read older style of writing as well as modern but this kind of had a weird mix that made it a bit hard to get into. If that even makes any sense.

This books was amazing fun. Maybe it’s too character driven instead of plot driven but I enjoyed Ember and Kylian’s feelings, struggles and thoughts. The bond between them was amazing and they had the most pure of chemistries. Also, the belle family itself, I love them all, they feel cozy and loving.
Overall it was very enjoyable. It has its flaws but I think there’s room for improvement as the series goes on.
I can’t wait to read about Jade’s life and possible romance with the vampire prince.

This was a full on romantasy with a dash of murder. While youre gonna be focusing on the who-dunnit that’s happening, the true focus is on the witchy and demoniac main characters. It turns reluctant allies into blossoming lovers, that turns into fated mates.

The perfect example of a New Orleans themed book with all the demons, witches, and more. Perfect for other adult urban fantasy fanatics out there looking for a New Orleans themed setting! Thanks Netgalley!

I was pleasantly surprised by this book! I wasn't sure what to expect as I made it through the first chapter but as I went the small flashbacks and story came together beautifully. Blake built everyday believable characters and added a little bit of magic which made getting to know them even better. I could easily see myself being friends with the Belle sisters. It was also extremely interesting getting a different view of the "devil" and how their realm exists. I look forward to more books by this author-- hopefully following the rest of the Belle sisters!

Overall I thought this was a fun book. Nothing super special, a little fast in the world building so I got confused sometimes but nothing major. I thought the way it was written at some points was trying a bit too hard but hey, what can you do. The plot was a bit broad and I definitely think at least one thing could have been expanded on. Definitely should have been a longer book.

I loved this so much, a spicy romance with a mix of magic and mystery, it has everything you would want in a book. I also loved the fast pace, although it jumps right in you do get an explanation behind all the supernatural creatures so you aren't confused and left guessing. I also loved Ember who was a messy yet strong female protagonist, who made the book really fun. I'm looking forward to reading the next book and learning more about her sister the journey she will go on too.

This was exactly what I was looking for , described as for fans of A court of thorns and roses, crescent city and kingdom of the wicked I was definitely drawn in by that and I’m so glad I was I absolutely adored and was addicted to this book. Autumn Blake is a great writer , her world building and character development is beautiful. Our leading characters are just fantastic, the chemistry is off the charts. Ember is a great lead, a bit wild, strong and a whole lot of fun, but with issues and you can’t help but feel for her and connect. Then we have Killian, another leading man than it going to join the ranks of my favourite book boyfriends I think, he’s enigmatic , irresistible , brooding and full of mystery, the dark and demonish love interest we want. if you love witches, demons, werewolves, vampires and a romance full of burning chemistry this book is an definitely one you won’t want to miss , I’m dying to see where Ember and Killian's story goes and what is going to happen next

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

𝐄𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞, 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐝𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐧. 𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐧𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲.

𝐊𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧, 𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭. 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐆𝐚𝐢𝐚 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫.

𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧 𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫, 𝐚 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐱 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐬.

This book had everything in one, it was sexy, witty and mysterious all in one. It was really fast paced so perfect for anyone looking for something to get them out of a slump. I was able to full immerse into the world and understand everything that was going on.

I enjoyed the idea of the different witch events, but did wish their was a bit more story to these. However I still thoroughly enjoyed it regardless.

There are also werewolves and vampires in this story which wasn't done in a cheesy way either, they were brought in as key elements to the story through the murder investigation.

Over all I really enjoyed this one, and after reading the extra chapter I look forward to reading about the next Belle sister.

Well placed and well written spicy book that includes demons, shifters, vampires and witches. Settings include a plane of hell and earth. Tension, mystery, twists and turns and plenty of action and family moments round out this book.

One of my favorite review copy reads of the year and that's my honest review. Highly recommend to all fantasy action romance lovers.

This book was neither bad nor good and I believe it just wasn’t for me. I had such a hard time with the main character and the supposed romance between her and Killian. I wish there was more action with the Ember and Killian when they were trying to uncover the killer. It seemed every time they went out to go find the supposed killer they would be too late and nothing really happened. Ember is a witch that has issues with her power and she wants nothing to do with it till later in the story. It would have been cool to see if she tried to harness her powers more in the beginning of the story while she investigated in the murders.

I loved the idea of the story but I don’t think it was accomplished well. Nothing really happens and if something did happen there wasn’t any action. I wanted the MC to be a badass, but instead got a whiny, spoiled girl.

Spice : 🌶️/5
Genre: Fantasy, YA, romance
Tropes: Fated Mates, reluctant allies

really tried to get into this book but it fell flat for me. It’s a good concept, but it’s eerily similar to the Kingdom of the Wicked books, which in my opinion are way better written. The writing is boring, the characters are dull and even the descriptions of nola were bland. This book was just not for me.

This was a really fun, quick read! I think the dual POV worked really well and I loved Killian and Ember's interactions, I can't wait to read more about the Belle sisters!

This book was really just "meh," for me. However, I will say this book is for fans of Kingdom of the Wicked. If you loved Kingdom of the Wicked, and like rebellious main characters who are healing from trauma this is the book for you.

I loved the concept of the book, and I loved the concept of the female main character. However, about 10 chapters in she fell a bit flat. The whole plot revolves around the female main character desperate to solve mysterious murders, and she forced a demon into an agreement to help her. As soon as the demon (male main character) agreed to help her, the FMC stopped being interesting. It felt more like the MMC was dragging her along, forcing her to help solve the murders. A lot of the plot point kind of seemed to fizzle out as well.

The actual ending did have my jaw on the floor. I was not expecting the plot twist. This series and world has a lot of potential. I hope the author does develop more in their future books.

This book was such a fun read and different than most of my fantasy/paranormal/romance reads. The added element of a mystery made it so hard to put down and I felt like I was watching a movie and hitting pause every time that I had to walk away. I appreciated that even with some added spice (not a lot - in case that is what you are looking for), and the tension between our MCs, the plot remained the primary focus.

If you are a fan of The Kingdom of the Wicked and A Court of Thorns and Roses, this is the book for you. Autumn Blake does a wonderful job of world building and character development, as well as relationship development. There were times where I found myself stuck at certain parts, but other than that, I loved this book! Ember is a very interesting character who struggles with using alcohol and s*x as a coping mechanism and following along her journey was eye opening.

Hey there, book lovers! 🌸

I have just finished reading Bewitched Shadows by Autumn Blake and I simply cannot contain my excitement! This first installment in the Wicked Belles series is everything you could want in a paranormal romance: a fiery witch, a cold-as-ice demon, and a magical adventure that will leave you on the edge of your seat. Trust me when I say that you're going to be completely captivated by this enchanting tale set in the bewitching city of New Orleans. Let me give you a little taste of what you can expect from this sizzling page-turner. 📚🔥✨

First off, let’s talk about our fierce leading lady, Ember Belle. She’s everything you could want in a witchy protagonist - a little wild, a little reckless, and a whole lot of fun. Her adventures with her sisters and the local shifter pack are just the tip of the iceberg. But beneath her carefree exterior lies a deep pain - the loss of her parents and the struggle to control her fire magick. You can't help but empathize with her and cheer her on as she embarks on her journey to find a magical item that could change her life forever.

Enter the irresistibly cold-hearted demon, Killian. The enigmatic demon at the heart of this tantalizing tale is an irresistible character who will have you swooning from the moment he enters the scene. Brooding and enshrouded in mystery, he is the embodiment of the dark and dangerous love interest that we all secretly crave. As we uncover more about his past and his motivations, Killian's complexity only adds to his charm, making it impossible not to root for him.

The chemistry between Ember and Killian is simply electric, and their interactions will have you eagerly turning the pages, craving more of their undeniable connection. They're the perfect mix of fire and ice, and watching their relationship develop throughout the story is nothing short of enchanting. The book is filled with a perfect blend of romance, magick, and suspense, keeping you on your toes as they work together to solve a recent murder and uncover the city's secrets. 🖤😈💘

As the first book in the Wicked Belles series, Bewitched Shadows sets the stage for what promises to be an enthralling and addicting journey. If you're a fan of witches, demons, and sizzling romance, this book is an absolute must-read! I can't wait to see where Ember and Killian's story takes us next.

I was interested in this book based on the title, description, and cover. This book is like if Crescent City and Kingdom of the Wicked met and had a baby. The plot and romance were solid ideas, and I loved the characters and how they developed. At points, the pacing was struggling:
1. I feel that the beginning starts up too abruptly. Who are these people? How do they know each other? While I think that this kind of cold entry can be used to hook readers; this one was too quick, and I was confused about the timeline of when they met and where we were in the story.
2. The author does an excellent job of setting up the mystery; if you are paying attention, you can guess where it is going. However, at some points in the middle, the plot gets dropped for the romance, and they don't seem to mesh. However, this was not a huge deal to me because we got back on track eventually.
3. The ending "fight" seemed rushed, but somehow repetitive at the same time. Ember and Killian seem to have the same conversation and come together several times. Then...BOOM! the battle is over.
4. One of the points of the plot was that Killian is stuck on the throne of Hell for a century, but we get a magical solution at the end that unravels the story to satisfy readers with a HEA. It seemed weak and a cop-out, but I am a sucker for HEA.
5. The book states it is set in New Orleans, but besides a brief mention of the french quarter and some werewolves with cajun accents, nothing made this book feel like New Orleans. It could have been set anywhere. I like the concept of New Orleans's supernatural history, and I think it could have been leaned into more.
The book was great in the middle, but the being and ending could have used more structure and support to make it a phenomenal read.

Fun and fast read. If you like fantasy books with a bit of a mystery and romance this is for you!

Ember Belle's life is a complete mess. She's a party girl with uncontrollable powers and is still grieving the loss of her parents. But when she discovers a magical item that promises to solve all her problems, she takes control of her life once again. The catch? She summons a demon to help her solve a murder.

The demon in question is Killian Inferno, who had come to New Orleans to spend his remaining free time before taking on the mantle of the future Lord of Pride. Killian demands that Ember remove any spell she may have cast on him before Samhain or he will take her to Hell with him. Despite their differences, Ember and Killian team up to uncover the secrets of New Orleans.