I received an advanced reader's copy of Bespelled by Laura Thalassa from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Overall, I quite enjoyed the book and it made the afternoon fly by while I read. There was action, adventure, intrigue, and scheming. The characters were well-crafted, the pace of the novel was steady, and the world building was engrossing. Definitely worth reading!

I throught enjoyed Bewitched, but absolutely loved Bespelled. The whitty banter between Memnon and Selene is perfect. I absolutely adore Nero, and need a panther in my life now lol. This book has all the feels. Laughed out loud multiple times, tense moments, battles, and lots of groveling to make up for being a jerk. What an absolute joy to read. Thank you to Netgalley and Laura Thalassa for the ARC copy ❤️

Some book one spoilers ahead - read at your own risk.

Memnon was right… at least, about one thing. Memories restored, Selene has to face the truth - she is, in fact, his beloved Queen and soul mate from 2000 years ago. He was, however, wrong about one major thing: she never betrayed him. She spent her dying breath trying to save his life. Now, saddled with the weight of these memories, an unbreakable vow to marry, and hatred coursing through Selene’s veins from how much he hurt her, Memnon vows to regain her trust and earn her love back. He offers her a forged bond: she can command his actions, until such time they fall in love. Selene knows she never will get over how much he has hurt her, agrees so that he can help her investigate the nefarious spell circle she was involved in and the dead supernaturals whose murders she was framed for.

This book has captured me from the first page. Often times, I find myself disappointed in second books of a series - usually they are not as good as the first, and you’re just waiting for the next one to get here so that you can get to the action. That was definitely not the case for this book. It was full of action, drama, and spice. I found myself rooting for Memnon’s redemption. I can’t wait to see what Laura Thalassa has in store for the next book!

Recommended if you like: fantasy, romantasy, strong female characters, and morally grey male characters who will burn the world down for his woman.

It's one of the rare occasions that I can say I love the second book in a series more than the first!
But Bespelled was definitely MORE in all ways, and I loved it!
The second book picks up where we left things at the end of Bewitched—with a vengeful ancient sorcerer framing Selene for murders and trapping her into remembering her past life that she has no memory of.
As I said, Bespelled is so much more, and after she starts to gather all her memories, everything gets much more complicated to untangle. The mystery surrounding the Henbane Coven, her relationship with Memnon and the fact she has to work with him if she is to solve and put a stop to those murders.
I was fascinated because in this book we learned more about what happened and the events that led to Memnon's curse. It was intriguing to see how that affected his character, changing him and in a way broke him by learning the truth after so much time and also getting a glimpse of the way he is coping with his new environment.
And all that leads to change in his relationship with Selene, and although they are familiar with each other to the deepest part of their souls, they are forced to start anew.
So many details from the past seen from the eyes of this age and brick by brick, working together to stop an enemy was precisely the thing they needed.
After that mic drop at the end, I can't wait to see what Selene will do in book 3🥰

(Links to social media reviews will be added closer to date)

I have read this twice already as I simply loved the interaction between Memnon & Selene.
Having had her memories restored at the end of Bewitched (which I loved) Selene has a different viewpoint on her feelings for Memnon but he’s still not off the hook for the way he’s treated her since he returned.
This book is full on with twists, suspicion, betrayals, revelations & truly is an emotional rollercoaster that keeps going until you’re sure of what is going on then the unexpected BAM.
Selene comes into her own strengths & they work so well as a couple.
I don’t want to say too much about the plot as that’s the big enjoyment of this brilliant book but personally I absolutely loved it.

4.5⭐️
"You are the air in my lungs and the blood in my veins, and all the power and glory in the world are useless without you."


HOLY this sequel did not disappoint! We pick up right where we left off at the end of Bewitched and it's full steam ahead from there. This story is action packed from start to finish

We learn the truth about what happened to Memnon and Roxilana two thousand years ago pretty early on here, which I was thankful for as it clears up SO much. I'm glad Selene no longer loses her memories by using magic, as I thought it made her a bit of unreliable narrator- fun for one book only.

Memnon is wildly in love with Selene, and in this book is trying to win back her true affection. I understand that Selene was angry and hurt by him, but we see her slowly lower her walls and allow him in. And they are SO. CUTE. I adore these two, I wanted a book entirely of them domestic things together and being cute, with Nero too of course
There's just something about a powerful, morally-grey hero that can only be reined in by his soul mate.

The plot from the first novel picks up here and takes a larger role. I wish we could've seen some of these scenes from Memnon's POV, instead of just hearing what he had learned when he talked to Selene.

Laura Thalassa is writing a prequel novella about how Memnon and Selene first met and I can't wait!

Honourable mention quotes because I loved so many:
"Neither magic nor time can keep us apart." His eyes are luminous. "We are like the stars. Eternal."

"At some point before dawn, I feel Memnon's fingers trail over my cheek, and then the soft brush of his lips. "My heart is filled to bursting," he murmurs."

Thank you to Netgalley and publishing team for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Memnon and Selene are back and behold! There is lots of groveling afoot. It’s really hard to get back in your soul mates good graces when witches keep turning up missing/dead so I cant fault them for inventiveness! The way the characters truly come to care for each other as they are in this life was an enjoyable journey.

I will be honest I really struggled getting into the first 30% or so of this book. The back and forth “should I trust him?”/“I do not trust him!” Was quite exhausting. I do get that the main character is twenty years old so I do allow some grace there.

The rest of the book intrigued me and I flew through to the end. I will say without giving away spoilers…there is repetitive mention of a potion Selene needs to/keeps forgetting to brew which I interpreted as potential heavy foreshadowing to history repeating itself. If it does happen that personally is a trope I dislike. I also wish we got to see more personality out of Memnon and Selene. Selene was so intriguing with the memory loss and her quirks in book one and once all of that was removed she fell a little flat personality wise. Memnon is so one track focused on her that I wish we got some glimpses of his personality outside of the relationship too. Hopefully now that the big misunderstanding is cleared we can get more of those little moments!

All in all I’m still excited to see where the series goes in the next book.

The second book in the series. It happens right after Bewitched. Selene and Memnon the Cursed work together again. He grovels more this time around and it's fun to see. The relationship is sexy and filled with chemistry. It's also an interesting world and I love how the plot develops. The book is of course sexy. Really enjoy it. Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

. The storyline in book 2 delivers everything I had hoped for - drama, action, adventure, intense confrontations, passionate reconciliations, and a comprehensive backstory of Selene's past life and the events that separated her from Memnom for two millennia.

I was incredibly thrilled for the release of book 2 in this series, as I was captivated by the determined and strong female main character in Bewitched, as well as the irresistibly attractive bad boy, Memnom. Their chemistry is simply swoon-worthy, and I cannot get enough of them. In Bespelled, we are treated to a lot of grovelling from the wicked warlock, accompanied by Selene embracing her formidable powers and discovering her self-assurance!!!

The FMC's inner thought process is highly entertaining, and her witty remarks never fail to make me burst into laughter. I have become completely obsessed with these characters. Furthermore, the plot of this fantasy series stands out as relatively unique. While we have seen many "a court of" and "a kingdom of" type series, this storyline offers fresh elements that set it apart from others in the genre.

Without a doubt, I wholeheartedly recommend this series. It is an absolute must-read for me! Enjoy the thrilling journey, but be cautious not to get too consumed by the steamy and spicy chapters.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc!

I was so excited to receive an ARC for this book because Laura is one of my favourite authors! Bespelled picks up right where Bewitched ended and my oh my what a ride! We finally see some grovelling from Memnon but fear not it has little impact on his morally grey persona. He’s the anti-hero we love to hate (or love). Book two answers a lot of questions but by the end I was left gasping and in need of more answers! What is Memnon up to? I guess we have to wait for book three to find out and boy oh boy it’s going to feel like a super long wait!

Bespelled started where Bewitched left off and I was sucked in!
Our morally gray mmc groveling was just yum! The angst between our man Memnom and our girl was just so steamy and I was here for it. My heart was melting throughout this book and he had me wrapped around his finger.
This series is so unique and different from other books I’ve read and I’m obsessed!
I know the second book is usually a “slower” book in a series, but Bespelled was very entertaining and I couldn’t put the book down!
Thank you Netgalley for this arc!!

This series has so many layers to it and I am obsessed with finding out what will be revealed with each one. This is not a cookie cutter book making it easy to determine what’s going to happen. Adding to that is the development of characters, both the main and secondary, to the point they feel real to me, pulling me further into the story.

Things are hot and wild in this addition to the series while also adding moments that are super cute. I loved watching Memnon and Selene’s relationship evolve. And oh my! The groveling that goes on was pure perfection. I cannot wait to see what this author has in store in the next book!

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC of this amazing book.

What can I say? I devoured this book in less than two day because I could simply not put it down.

The story continues where Bewitched left off and is filled with action, romance and good plot twists. The spice also definitely heats up from the first installment.

Laura Thalassa is the queen of morally grey MCs and Memnon is no exception. One simply can not help but love him.

I already wish I had the final installment at hand, but will have to bide my time and wait for the promised sequel novella.

I definitely recommend this book if you are looking for a great witchy read with a great story plot and enemies to lovers spice.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bloom Books for an arc of this book which I voluntarily read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Oh, this book was something else. This is the second in series, and although it has a really helpful recap in the beginning, you definitely need to read the first one before diving into this one. (Seriously, the recap was so helpful.)

Usually, second books in a series aren’t quite as good as the first or the third. This one though, this one was incredible. The development of the relationship between main characters was perfection, the overarching “mystery” kept me hooked, the villains were superbly villainous, the side characters shined. I couldn’t put this one down … I read it in less than a day. My sole “complaint” is that book three isn’t out yet.

I loved it and cannot wait for more. Definitely recommend this one, however, please read the content warnings located on the authors webpage and read with care. There are triggers in this book that some may wish to avoid.

I can’t even write a good review right now because I can’t put into words how much I love this book and this series.

The continued world building by the author is phenomenal. Selene getting her memories back is a pivotal point in this story, and the @mystery” piece in this feels like a “whodunit” and I actually really loved it. Memnon continues to try to win Selene’s love and affection, but in a more genuine and authentic way than Bewitched and it is melt worthy. Oh, and those spicy scenes…make sure you have a fan handy.

Can’t wait to read the third one. Thank you so much for the ARC!!

A really big shoutout and thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with a complimentary copy!

Disclaimer: Maybe don’t go into this review without having read Bewitched and at least the blurb of Bespelled.

I got really really really lucky and was chosen to beta-read Bespelled. I cannot explain how many years I’ve been in love with Laura’s work and how many times I’ve re-read them. When she said she was starting a new series, I could not believe it. I love how different each of her series is from one another and I couldn’t wait. She’s always been an auto-buy author for me and getting an ARC of Bewitched had been a dream come true. I remember I was really under the weather and the book was the best thing that happened 🥹✨.

Well, of course, I fell in love with Bewitched, which my review appropriately gushes about. I’ve been waiting and waiting and stalking Laura’s website that has a little completion status bar of her books as soon it went up.

When Bespelled landed in my library I was actually 40% into Death but I couldn’t stop myself from falling into Bespelled (also I wasn’t ready for The Horsemen series to end which is why I’ve postponed reading the conclusion to the series).

Bespelled was *lets out a breath* everything and more that I wanted, needed, hoped for. I had to remind myself every single second that I was beta-reading because I kept getting immersed into the story. So my first promise of your experience is that you’re going to drown in this read. The book’s not going to let you up and you’ll forget you need to be let up. Who needs to breathe anyway?

Laura had never shied away from keeping her promises. She promised an anti-hero in book one and Memnon was exactly that. There’s a single scene in book one that broke my heart and set it ablaze and I didn’t think I’d ever recover from it. BUT Laura also promised grovelling in Bespelled. She delivers, in a way that’s both heartbreaking and healing. I’m more of a do don’t say person and Memnon hit the mark on it. BUT, I love that she kept to Memnon’s personality even in writing him as the one that needs to prove himself.

Now Selene. I loved her in book one and I love her now. I especially loved everything she’s gained and all the she feels the loss of, as a consequence of her recovering her memory. I loved that it was bitter sweet and I also loved that she tries to hold on to as much of herself as she can and build herself back up. I can’t imagine what it must feel like after remembering a whole life worth of memories and trauma from a different time. Laura did beautifully working these different aspects together as much as possible and balancing it with her current struggles, challenges and life.

In connection to this is the lost-memory related plot lines that are so hard to manoeuver around. Especially when the readers are equally unaware of the past as the MC is. Laura took a wonderful risk by deciding book two does not focus on past memories—even though it has an influence on the present which is featured heavily—and it pays off! So 👏🏻 well 👏🏻. The book flows perfectly well with the story Laura weaves, telling us exactly how much we need to know and never making the reader feel left out of the loop. I love that one whole novella is dedicated to the past and I cannot wait for it!

I sent this super gigantic mail to Laura explaining how after being a reader for so many years, for the most part all of us are generally adept at picking clues and predicting the dips and highs of a plot. However, in Bespelled, while I could guess there was a general something that’s coming in this area of the plot thread, I was usually completely blindsided by how it happens. This is true in every single thing that happens in the book. Which 🤌🏻✨. If an author can surprise me after my nearly one and a half decades long experience in reading, then kudos to them.

I loved all the relationships that the author ensured to include in the book, making it as realistic as possible. I think for the most part we ignore the presence of some relationships because they usually suffer at the face of the plot and we never really mind. But when they are given space it really adds something to the story, especially in fantasy (/magical realism?).

I wouldn’t say the book ends on a cliffhanger, but it certainly delivers on a feeling that stays with you through the whole book. This feeling like something is coming, but I never guessed (again) what it would be. Of course, stress is good in life, so yay.

Also! Look out for similarities! This is set in the same world as the Bargainer series (which if you haven’t read is 😙🤌🏻✨). You might stumble upon something exciting. Laura is building up to something. We can all tell.

Five billion stars. In case that wasn’t evident from the 39392 word gushing essay I’ve written. Happy happy reading. Check trigger warning please! Bespelled has lots of graphic content! This series will also be available on KU when it goes live.

This book was so good! I do believe I loved this one even more than Bewitched. I am a sucker for mates and this book just shows how much I love reading about them.

I am elated and devastated that I have already finished this story. I am so enthralled by Memnon and Selene/Roxi’s love story. Their love spans centuries and life times, becoming eternal. We start of this story right where we left off with Selene getting arrested right after getting her memories back. I love that we didn’t have to wait for long to find out what happened to her to entomb Memnon for as long as he was. Wow did Memnon have it all wrong. After book 1 and his revenge plot I did not think he could be redeem but lord almighty did he have me won over in an instant after the vow he made to her. I’m surprised she even lasted as long as she did being mad at him (especially after the witches brew lol). The ending reveal had me smacking my head saying how did I not see it coming. I hope it does not mess up the progress that the two love birds have made in their relationship and helps them taking down their old enemy in the next installment. Anxiously waiting for book 3.

Netgalley ARC Review

Bewitched Book 2

After being framed for murder by her soul mate, Selene Bowers is done with the Sorcerer. Unfortunately she needs him to find the real murderer who is killing witches and leaving their bodies on campus. With her memories of her past and current life restored she’s more powerful then ever and able to show Memnon the truth about what happened in their past life together. Memnon is devastated to learn his soul mate is innocent of the crimes he levied against her and seeks to make amends. Epic groveling ensues.

Action 🗡️
Angst 💔
Ass Kissing 💋
Ass Kicking 👢
Shifter Allies 🐺
Backstabbing Witches 🧙‍♀️
Demons 😈
and an enemy from the past 🧚‍♂️

Plus lots of Memnon eating Selene out. Poor Nero 🐈‍⬛

There are not may series out there where I enjoy the second book more than the first but this is one of them! While I liked Bewitched, I love Bespelled!

This book is action packed loaded with adventure and tons of new information but I loved it and it kept the mystery interesting, The world building is intricate and really well done and I found it to be easier to really get into and follow in this book compared to the first. Memnon! Loved his character arc and the relationship/ chemistry with Selene. The banter between them was fantastic along with the spice. Who doesn't love an MC that grovels?

This book was so good and I can’t wait to see what the author has in store next.