4.5⭐️ Just as good as the first one if not better. This book picks up right where bewitched ends and keeps you captivated until the very end. Amazing!

Hot damn this book is fabulous. By the end of Bespelled, I was pissed at Memnon and was not sure he could be redeemed. I was wrong.
I did not know that I needed this level of grovel from an MC. I mean he did try to frame her for murder and then forced her to agree to marry him. Among other things. Memnon is terrible. But fuck if he’s not dead sexy.
I am a devourer of books but I took this one slowly because it was so delicious. He just wants to win her back and she does not want the attraction.
He just keeps showing up and she just keeps fighting to not be drawn to him.
This book is so sexy and full of action and twists and danger.
“ We had the sort of love that’s so sharply wonderful it borders on pain,”
I

When Bewitched ended, I had no idea how things were going to be able to move forward. Well, Laura managed to appease me and appease me quickly. This story has so much action and relationship development. Memnon firmly has my attention. I can't wait to see where this goes!

Thanks to NetGalley for an eARC of this book for an honest review.

In talking about a sequel, I’ll try to be as spoiler-free as possible. With that being said, Bespelled does pick up after the events of Bewitched. If you read the end of that book, you’ll know why that’s so important. However, if you don’t, then there is no time like the present for a re-read of the first book.

With that being said, we’re once again following Selene and Memnon as they’re working on unraveling a mystery, trying to keep from falling in love and trying to figure out how to be civil with one another. While Laura Thalassa makes it look easy, this story is so complex and you really have to be paying attention.

Even so, her writing is so engaging and the tension between Selene and Memnon is just too good to ignore. The thing I adored most about Bespelled is that the plot was so incredibly fast and yet it didn’t take away from the romance. Every single time something happened, I would be shocked and then be ready to see these two kiss.

Maybe that’s the romance reader in me, but Laura Thalassa worked her magic with Bespelled and it makes me even more excited for the next book. I won’t give away any spoilers for the ending, but she left us on such a huge cliffhanger and I have no idea what’s going to happen next.

Thankfully, Laura Thalassa has a few other series you can fall into while we wait for the next book in the Bewitched series. All in all, Bespelled was a great sequel and set things up perfectly for the next book.

i finally picked up my ARC of this stunning book by laura thalassa and i deeply, DEEPLY regret reading it so fast. how am i supposed to go a whole year without another laura thalassa book???

book two in memnon & selene's riveting story was simply incredible!!! it was insanely spicy, deeply romantic, full of twists and turns, and just the quintessential laura thalassa book. i've been reading her work since she first published 'the bargainer' and somehow she just keeps outdoing herself. this book was her best yet!

this story picks up right where the last one left us, and it was full speed ahead from page one. it was riveting; full of all the hate/love banter and tension between memnon & selene, and the spiciest of spice scenes!! this storyline is absolutely crazy, and this book took it in a totally unexpected direction. i'm so sad i have to wait even longer for the next book. i had some love/hate feelings towards memnon in the previous book, but after this book, i'm ready to fight selene for him!! i just adore them so much. their relationship has the best parts of callie & des' and serenity & montes' romance! despite all the turmoil and plot twists, their love story really did feel like a warm hug, returning back to one of my favorite universes.

Let me start by saying that I appreciate and love the recap of the previous book at the beginning of this one. It's been a while since I've read the first book, and the recap not only made me laugh out loud, but it helped me remember why I enjoyed the characters so much. That cliffhanger ending though, just when I thought all was right with the world of Selene and Memnon, the author drops another surprise. This story is filled with action, suspense, revenge, betrayal, surprises, secrets, battles, deaths, threats, illicit dealings, kidnappings, forced and forged bonds, friendships, love, sweet and laugh out loud moments and so much more. There's a sighting of an unexpected blast from the past that almost causes massive deaths, but that battle hasn't even begun and I'm excited to see how it ends for that person. Selene fought a good fight but when it came to Memnon she didn't stand a chance. Oh, how the mighty have fallen but Memnon makes it so easy to fall and I can't wait to read what happens with them especially with that ending. I'm definitely looking forward to reading the next book in this series. I think this series is perfect for anyone that loves paranormal romance stories with a strong male and female lead character, witches, wolves, demons, humans and more. It did not disappoint.

Solidifies that this is my favorite Laura Thalassa series.

I said this in my Bewitched review, I love the reincarnation trope but it’s really hard to pull off and wow does Thalassa pull it off. Selene and Memnon’s story is so complex and exactly want I want from my reincarnation stories. There’s so many times in this book where I (and Selene) went this development surprised no one, but it’s honestly fun because it means that we’ve gotten to know these characters so well. I love seeing Selene break free of the restrictions she put on herself. Memnon, literally the most unhinged MC you will ever come across, grovels like it’s an Olympic sport. We are so here for this. Read if you want to have a good time. Check triggers though it’s definitely leaning into the dark and gritty side of PNR. If you’ve read Thalassa’s other books, you’ll be pretty familiar with how she doesn’t shy away from ugly topics.

Nero #1 panther familiar. Selene, Memnon and Nero as a family is so cute.

Thank you to Bloom and Netgalley for the ARC. I was literally about to email Bloom begging to accept my request on Netgalley when I got the email that it had been approved! The worst part about ARC reading for this series is having to wait for the next book 😭😭

After reading the first book, I was unsure about the MMC, mainly due to his initial villainous actions. I must apologise for that because he has completely won me over in this sequel.

This book surpasses the first in every way: the characters evolve profoundly, as evident in Selene's journey from not accepting who she is to owning her powers. The pace is relentless, making it impossible to put down as each chapter propels you to the next. The romance is beautifully crafted, intertwining perfectly with thrilling action sequences that keep your heart racing.

I'm already eagerly anticipating the next book, and this one isn't even out yet! Laura Thalassa has cemented her place on my auto-buy list, and this series is quickly becoming a favourite. I can't wait to see where she takes these characters next.

Selene never knew just how difficult having a soulmate could be, especially one with a taste of vengeance who would frame her for a crime she didn’t commit and force her to remember a life she once forgot. Ever since Memnon woke from his enchanted sleep, he swore to find out why Selene betrayed him. But, he is utterly unprepared for the truth and is desperate to make amends. As if things weren’t crazy enough for this duo, they still have enemies hanging around Henbane Coven and the only way they can stop them is if they work together….

Bespelled picks up right where Bewitched left off and takes readers on a thrilling ride. The story is well-paced, intriguing, and will keep readers on their toes. This time around, I had a bit of a love/hate relationship with Selene. She was tough, yet frustrating. Yes, she had every right to be scorned by Memnon, but after a while, I wanted her to forgive him and move on! Speaking of Memnon, while he might be a ruthless sorcerer, nothing is more important to him than Selene. Once the truth of their past is revealed, he will stop at nothing to make things right and boy does this man know how to grovel. And let me tell you, the groveling does not disappoint. If Memnon hadn’t won me over before, he definitely did in this book.

It should come as no surprise that this story wasn’t all hearts and flowers. There are lots of unexpected twists and turns and unthinkable situations. I loved watching Memnon and Selene navigate their way through each obstacle that was thrown at them and grow together as a couple. And just when I thought that everything would be okay and that I had a good handle on where the story was going next, the rug was pulled out from me

Bespelled is a fantastic addition to the Bewitched series. This book invoked so many feelings and has left me breathless for more. I can not wait to find out what will happen next.

Est amage. Oh, how I loved this book!!! I’m still sitting with all my feelings. What a fantastic book, and how quickly I was sucked into their story. Gosh, I love all the characters, especially Nero. I’ll just be sitting here patiently waiting for book three. Laura knocked it out of the park with this second book in the Bewitched series.
I received an arc copy from NetGalley for an honest review. Honestly, this is five stars!!!

Good pacing. Good story. Good spice. I did think the FMC gave in to the MMC easy even though she was angry. You see where the next book is headed towards the end and with the cliffhanger. I want more groveling!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book and give my honest opinion.

Ok for those who thought Memnon was out of line in the first book let me say loud and clear he really knows how to grovel in this book ! Like others I just couldn't quite believe how awful he has been to Selene but here the author ups her game and gives this couple much more of a chance to truly know and understand each other's motivations. How does that happen ? Simply by Selene getting her memories of a previous life back and realising exactly what happened and how their curse came to be. They still have to come to terms with who they are of course but equally important is that they discover who has been killing Witches in Selenes college because it looks like Selene could also be a target !
I'm so happy that the lack of Selenes memories from her time as wife to Memnon was quickly resolved here. If blunt previously I felt a slight ick around the couple as Memnon felt mature whereas Selene acted like a young girl crushing on the local Werewolf and giggling ( or is that cackling ? ) and just generally the possibility of romance between them felt wrong. This is definitely the book that gave me what I expected and indeed hoped for. I thought the mystery behind the recent murders was well done and indeed the bad guys are truly heinous and deserve all that's coming to them ! This ends though with yet another really big problem for Selene as not every enemy is dealt with and Memnon is true to himself Sorcerer and Conqueror leaving Selene with a whopper of a dilemma !
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

A twisty, turny and captivating read

This book. Phew. Strap in for a teeth clenching, edge of your seat, twisty turny epic dark fantasy because this author does a phenomenal job creating multi-layered characters and plot lines which will completely immerse you in the story. Just like the first book in this series, I was captivated from the first page until the last. The amount of creativity and imagination this author weaves into the story of Selene and Memnon is unreal and deliciously dark perfection. This is a continuation of the spellbinding tale started in Bewitched and the story picks up exactly where that book left off. The tale is again told from the POV of Selene, a sweet, kind, dedicated and powerful witch. Memnon has let the dying supernaturals live and removed the planted evidence framing Selene for murder. She has her memories back along with the memories of her previous life as Roxilana and she can now use magic without losing any memories. But all of this is was at the cost of an unbreakable marriage pact to Memnon who is a smart, strong, unscrupulous, conniving, wicked, and kind of psychotic sorcerer. Even if he is her fated “soul mate.” Once Memnon learns Roxilana’s part in his entombment, he realizes his mistake in seeking vengeance against Selene. To atone, he agrees to be bound to her control at least until she falls in love with him. Together they set out to uncover who’s responsible for the murders of witches and the reason for the spell circles - the other two evils currently stalking Henbane Coven. This is a dark fantasy. There are no black and white lines in this book and no purely good or evil actions or characters. There are shades of gray and hard choices about how to interpret and implement “good” intentions. And oh boy was I feeling all the things - laughing, crying, sighing, gritting my teeth, swooning, biting my nails, and yelling - as Selene struggled with her feelings for Memnon, as the events unfold in their investigation and the danger increased. The book includes everything you would expect from this genre - sweet moments, spice, intrigue, dangerous situations, supernatural creatures, evil masterminds, henchmen, loyal friends and family, tragic back stories, secrets, mystical coincidences, snark, laughs, unexpected plot twists, and all the love. All these wonderful elements help weave together this unforgettable tale. The story arc for this book concludes by the end but we are left with a teaser/not quite a cliff hanger for the next book which I will be eagerly awaiting. 4.5 stars.

The 'Take Me Back I Owe You the World' attitude Memnon had was worth the setup of book one for me. But it was a long setup.

Overall I enjoyed the character dynamics more than I expected and while I did not love the first book, the second one cemented all the plot points that were brought together. From getting the full backstory of the main characters to the spicy bedroom times scenes I would give this four stars. Laural Thalassa has my faith, trust, and pixie dust which means I will try any of her books once and this one. I would recommend this series to anyone who likes Holly Blackwood.

Rating: 4.5/5

“Neither magic, nor time , can keep us apart. We are like the stars. Eternal.”

When I thought the first book was extraordinary, the second one is beyond that. I finished Bespelled in a couple of days and I cannot wait for the next book. The story continues where Selene remembers her old life and realizes that Memnon is her soul mate and husband in her past life. She’s trying to figure out who is beyond the killings of the witches and Memnon offers his help in order for a second chance. However, they don’t realize how deep they are involved until it’s too late.


“I love you, I love you, I love you. A thousand lives wouldn’t be enough with you, but I have to content myself with just this one.”

I CANNOT GET ENOUGH OF MEMNON AND HIS LOVE FOR SELENE. He’s constantly trying to win her heart back and continues to save her life. I also love their relationship dynamics, and can’t wait to see how their story continues in the third book.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND READING THIS BOOK.

Thank you Net Galley and Laura Thalassa for providing me with an ARC.

I had the first book in the series on my TBR for a while and getting this ARC made me pick it up, I read the first one and this one IN ONE DAY.

The chokehold this series has on me is INSANE. 10/10 wish I could read them both for the first time again.
The way it's written, the pacing,the storyline, everything is just SO GOOD.

I am absolutely loving this series! I stayed up until 2am reading this book, and then woke up at 8 to finish it. I didn’t even feel like I was reading. I blinked and then suddenly I was at 99%. I was absorbed in the mystery and the will they won’t they. The tension between Memnon and Selene was everything. I thought the lore and magic system was really well thought out and made a lot of sense. As someone who sometimes struggles with fantasy and world building, I thought that Bewitched and Bespelled were really easy to understand and follow along which really helped immerse me in the world. I loved the answers that we got from the first book. There were so many revelations that I was absolutely not expecting. I loved watching Selene fall in love with Memnon again and watch him love her all the while. Bespelled was an amazing follow up to Bewitched, and I cannot wait to see what happens next with these two!

PERFECTION. I wouldn’t change a single word of this book. I’m so in love with these characters and this world.

5 star read from me. Loved every second of it. The plot is fantastic... the writing in this book is fenomenal.

Thank you SO much to NetGalley and to SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books for the ARC of Bespelled by Laura Thalassa.

I loved the Bargainer trilogy, and having recently read Bewitched I was beyond excited to get an early copy of Bespelled. I even warned my partner, if I start reading this, I am not going to stop until it's over - and that was true, I read it in one sitting and loved every minute.

The story picks up right where Bewitched let off, and the history of Roxi's final moments is revealed. From there we see a lot of movement on multiple story points: the murdered witches, the bonding ceremony nightmare, Selene having all her memories and how they impact her ability to be a functioning person, and how any and all of this impacts her feelings toward Memnon. It is hard to say more about the plot than this as each of these spaces is relevant multiple times throughout the story and more information would be all spoilers.

What I can say is we see a lot more depth in Selene - now that she knows both her lives and all her forgotten moments it is interesting to see the confidence this gives her compared to Bewitched. Memnon also shows more sides of himself: the sorcerer, the devoted husband, the enemy. We see him accept a loss of control all while reaffirming his commitment to Selene, and while she's still resisting that wedding, this story leaves their relationship in a much better place.

The plot itself opens wider than I expected - and not in a bad way. It's like Thalassa saw the web being built and then she spread it to another corner of the room. There is a LOT more story to be told in the next book, and I'm really excited to see where it goes based on the way Bespelled ended. I don't feel like the ending was a cliffhanger by any means, more than anything I was like "Why is X being so secretive? This seems like exactly the thing X would need to do and I fully support".

My only hang up, and my only reason to remove one star, is that sometimes Selene changes her mind 5 times in a page or people use magic in such large ways that make me wonder how powerful everyone is in this book and how the magic system functionally works. It just made a few sticking points in my brain with reading, but other than that I absolutely loved it all and can't wait for the next one.