Things are just getting good... The 2nd book of the Bewitched series does not disappoint. If anything it made me want more. This installment drives both the mystery and the romance forward in very satisfying ways. I especially enjoyed how even the "side characters" got to grow and develop. I'm hoping we get see more of Selene's BFF... and maybe even Asmodeth. O_^ All things are not resolved yet, by far. In fact it feels as if they're about to get very murky-- and that's a very, very good thing.

Wow! I am not sure I can even find the words to describe what I just read accurately! I mean, I kind of knew where we were headed. The clues were all there, and I guessed a lot of them, but I did not feel prepared at all!
You guys are all in for one hell of a ride!
Selene is such a danger magnet. It follows her around like a bad smell. Action pact, thrilling, and so damn hot! Their chemistry is a smoking, scorching, living, and breathing thing, and I want to be consumed by it! Memnon belongs in ancient times. A ruthless, unapologetic creature that is ruled purely by his desires, or rather one desire, his mate. It's in everything he does, from breakfast to the words he speaks. That poor, beautiful monster of a man. Selene certainly keeps him and us on our toes.
Be prepared for pain when you go unto it. A cliffhanger that will leave you desperate for more and aching in all the best places!

“I’ll wake her in another year when I get tired of you. I do so like burning my lovers.”

I have been holding my breath for this book and so excited that I became nervous that it would not live up to the hype that I built up for it. I am SO glad that it not only lived up to my hope but surpassed it. The character growth, I LOVED seeing our FMC get more confident while acknowledging the changes that occurred after book one. And the real star here..Memnon!! Did I really ever think I would put a mummy man as a top book boyfriend, no, but lord is he. This man is evil to his core and does not CARE!! For a bit there I was like…hmmmmmm, he really is not the man I thought he was, but keep going and YAAAsssss, he is. I was kicking my feet, wiggle dancing and swooning so many times over the characters and relationship in the book.

It did not disappoint and I can not WAIT for book 3 to get in my hands. (I will also be getting the audiobook of this once it is released. I will need all the books, all the covers, and all the formats)

It only took me this many days to read this because I didn’t want the book to end! After reading book 1, I was so happy to be able to jump right into Bespelled with the way the first book ended!

I found myself even more obsessed with the FMC, Salene, and the way she came into her powers and became even more of a badass than she was in the first book! Selene’s inner monologue will forever be one of my favorite things ever! And who can forget Memnon? I mean come on those spicy scenes between these two were just 🔥 But the way they also cared so much for each other had me swooning just a little bit 🥹

Also, did someone say groveling?? If you’re hoping for some of that from everyone’s favorite sorcerer, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed when you read Bespelled because Memnon learns his lesson. 😉

There’s a great plot, witches, drama and great action and of course the fantastic spicy scenes! I am obsessed with these characters and I can’t wait for the next book of the series! (Like I need it now please. Yea I’m looking at you Laura 😂)

When I started the first book it took me a while to get into (I’m talking days of picking it up and putting it down, reading a chapter here and there, very unlike me). However, eventually the book, the storyline, the characters hooked me and I couldn’t put it down - so much so that I immediately started on book 2 straight away. Bespelled follows on from where Bewitched left off and the mystery intensifies 10 fold. Whereas the last book took some concentrated effort to get into, this had me hooked from page 1!

Selene and Memnon are captivating and have such intense chemistry - I love it! Through all the twists and turns and unexpected surprises, this books is a roller coaster ride, and I’m here for it. I’m intrigued to see what comes next, and what supernaturals feature with the latest twist.

Wow! I have to give it to the author because this book was better than the first! There is soo much going on in this book and a lot of information. We get a lot more background on characters and I love them! The world she created is really cool! I don’t want to say a lot because it will give to much away, but everyone is in for a ride.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloom Books for providing me with a free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Bespelled

Book Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)
Book Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (5/5)

I fell in love with this series a year ago when I got my hands on the ARC of Bewitched and I am falling in love all over again!

Thank you so much to NetGalley for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I can’t believe I got to read this book for free!

I love love LOVE both Selene and Memnon. I always have. I love Selene because I don’t think I have ever met a fictional character I relate to more than her. I may not have a soulmate hell bent on making me his but Selene’s sense of humor and her wit just had me screaming “SAME!” while reading.

It’s not even a joke how much I relate to her. Every time I read a passage that elicits a certain response, I’m surprised to read the next paragraph showing Selene reacting the same way. And I am sure a lot of people will feel the same way.

And then there’s Memnon.

When I read Bewitched last year, I thought the name “Memnon” was ridiculous and so I thought it would be impossible to have him as a book boyfriend.

BOY WAS I MISTAKEN.

It’s a true testament to Laura Thalassa’s skill as a writer that I somehow managed to (disgustingly) fall in love with a sorcerer named Memnon. I already loved him before but in Bespelled, I loved him even more. I didn’t think it was possible but here we are.

His complete and utter devotion to Selene had me screaming, crying, throwing up! It was so good I went FERAL. Like, to the point that at one point, my brain refused to retain information about the plot and glazed over the important parts because she wanted to read about Memnon and Selene so much.

Speaking of the plot… WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT ENDING?

THEY WERE FINALLY HAPPY AND IN LOVE AND SUDDENLY KANE GOES AND RUINS IT! Well, okay in his defense he didn’t ruin it but Kane just honestly pisses me off so much. I get so irritated every time he opens his big mouth to yap about something. He’s lucky he’s never met me in real life or else I would’ve repeatedly strangle him for his entitlement.

So yeah. I would 100% recommend this series to someone and this series deserves the commendation. Laura Thalassa’s writing style is mesmerizing and absolutely stunning. The way she weaved the plot, starting it off at a low before letting it rise and rise until it reaches the climax was so satisfying. There wasn’t a point in the series that I ever got bored because of how well she paced the plot. She knew when to slow down and when to speed things up. It’s always going to be such a pleasure to read one of her books!

I know I just finished the second book but god I can’t wait for the third!

Cheers to you, Laura, and the no doubt incredible launch this book is going to be. A NYT bestseller to be sure and I am so grateful to be a part of it!

Could not keep this book down at all, it such an excellent sequel 😭 all the tension and the mysteries in the first book were expanded on so well here, and the slow burn enemies to lovers was frickin perfect in this book 😭
ALSO
THAT CLIFFHANGER
!!!!
I need book 3 asap 🥲

TWs - violence, gore, murder, torture

-- ty to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!

What you can expect to find in Bespelled
-groveling - lot of groveling
-🌶🌶🌶
-banter that had me grinning
-plenty of action/suspense
-swoony moment that had me 🫠

When I first read Bewitched last year I knew that whenever I got a chance to read the next book in the series - I would drop everything to do so! And that's exactly what I did :). Bespelled picks up right where Bewitched left off. If you haven't read Bewitched yet - please don't read on - major spoilers for the series ahead...
*
*
*
SPOILERS
*
*
*
Bespelled opens right where Bewitched left off. Selene has regained her memories when she was Queen Roxilana. She remembers her past life with Memnon and all that they shared together. She also remembers the reasons why she cursed Memnon. When Memnon realizes why Roxilana cursed him in the first place - his entire reason for exacting revenge on Selene all of a sudden comes to a halting stop. For all of us asking how could Memnon be so cruel so Selene in book 1 - we get so much groveling in Bespelled. 🥲 Yes, witches are still going missing at Henbane Coven and there's a lot of dark magic happening - but Memnon vows to keep Selene safe and to help her any way that he can. He also offers her a magic bond where she can command him - the bond can only be broken if she truly falls in love with him again.

Bespelled was so so so swoony 🥰. The words that were leaving Memnon's mouths were so loving and beautiful. And yet, Selene had a hard time trusting him with her heart even though she whole heartedly trusted him with keeping her safe. I loved their dynamic. How he was at her mercy - but willingly. And how he always lifted her up and encouraged her to be the fierce woman that he knew as his queen.

As with other Laura Thalassa books this one was a perfect mixture of humor, spice and darker elements. I already can't wait to read the next book in the series!!

Laura, Laura, Laura
You sure do know how to make a gal love the most morally grey men possible. I know alot of people felt Memnon had no redeeming qualities after Bewitched, but I swear he has so many lol. I know he has done some super shady stuff, including manipulative tactics, to Selene and in general but I feel like he worked SO hard in Bespelled to try and rectify those mistakes. I can't help but be team Memnon.
Laura has such a descriptive way of writing her characters emotions, especially when they are seeking vengeance and un leashing their fury on supernaturals who have done them wrong. Selene is the definition of "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned" when you do her or someone she loves wrong. The spicy scenes were just perfection and you could absolutely just feel the love, hatred, tension, etc just seeping off the page. I love this series so dang much!

As always, I will post my review on my bookstagram on release day (May 28th), which is @thatbookishteach
email for any additional followup- cbsmith6317@gmail.com

in the past few months, the second book in series like this have all just fallen flat. I went into this very worried. But it worked. Bespelled picks up right where Bewitched left off and we dive right back into the mystery and intrigue and heat of this world. Through this book, not only does the battle with the witches and their mystery disappearances continues, but we also get back into the rocky romance between Memnon and Selene but with her memories.

It is long. Know that going into it. I did feel a little frustrated as I was reading at how long it was taking me until I realized that it's super long. But the detail and steam are totally worth it.

thanks so much for the arc!
i'm always wary of the second book in a fantasy series - however, this book was a treat. the spice was fun, the plot was there, and i enjoyed my time back in selene and memnon's world. this book did a good job of wrapping up some of the smaller plot points from book 1 and then unearthing where we might be heading in book 3. i was engaged throughout.

i am confused by the selene vs. roxilana thing - i feel like that could be fleshed out more?

looking forward to the next book.

This book was such a great read! I thoroughly enjoyed Bewitched, but I DEVOURED Bespelled! I love a good morally gray MMC who is really only good where the FMC is concerned, and boy does Memnon deliver!! This book really fleshes out their relationship, and it’s the perfect balance of plot/romance/spice. The murder mystery plot kept me on the edge of my seat as well as the main couple’s dynamic. This is the first book I have finished in a weekend in a while! Can’t wait for more from this author!

I absolutely loved this book. Expanding the world and seeing more of the coven grounds, wolf territory, Memnon’s home, and the tunnels, etc.. was so cool. The images the writing made in mind were so fantastical and fun.

Also the back story of Memnon and Selene really hit you in the feels. I found myself really hoping they could find their way back together. Well after I got hating Memnon for being such an ass.

I loved the slight crossover (please god tell me there might be a little more!) of Leonard Fortuna’s mention from the Bargainer series. I don’t know how, but I really hope that isn’t the last dabble of that the Bargainer characters/world mentioned in this series.

The book kept me engaged and moved at a good pace. I think there was a really good balance of world building and the forward progression of the book. All the different butt kicking fights had me locked in and it was hard to put this down.

The last little curveball at the end really threw me for a loop and I kind of had a half tantrum, knowing I will have to wait for a while for any further answers.

Thank you so much for letting me review this book. This is the first chance I’ve had to do this and I feel very honored.

I absolutely loved Bewitched and could not wait for Bespelled because I *needed* to know what was going to happen with Selene and Memnon! Bespelled picks up right where we left off and does an amazing job of showing us the past relationship between Roxi and Memnon and the growing feelings between Selene and Memnon. I loved the mystery and the story, but I did feel like the big bad of this book kind of came out of nowhere. I wish there had been more foreshadowing of the company and possibly had the action drawn out a bit more. It felt like it was over too fast--we learned about this family, they attack, we get more of what's really going on, they attack again, they're defeated.

I am absolutely looking forward to the next book in the series because I need more Selene and Memnon in my life!

“Cities can burn and centuries can pass and none of it means anything to me without you”

In this drama filled, action packed sequel to Bewitched, Laura Thalassa takes touch her and die and groveling MMC to the next level. Memnon sets out to regain Selene’s trust and will stop at nothing to earn it. Meanwhile Selene comes into herself and her powers, determined to save herself and other supernaturals from the murders still happening at Henbane. Through out all the drama and action Laura again manages to give us a powerful, smartass FMC who will actually make you laugh out loud as well as a sizzling romance. This books gives you all the emotions, it is Romantasy at its peak and follows a unique storyline for the genre. This book isn’t officially released yet and I already want more 🫶

Thank you Laura Thalassa, NetGalley, and Bloom Books for this earc 💖

I loved this book so much! It was a great continuation of the series. The romance was perfect. I would highly recommend this book!

Bespelled is book two in the Bewitched series and it is an absolute must read! I love the dark and deadly Memnon so powerful so ruthless… so kind and loving. I was completely lost in the endless love between Memnon and Selene (who does not remember her soul bond) having cursed herself to forget to save Memnon from their enemies. Now in another life Memnon awakens to Selene’s powers and seeks retribution for her betrayal. Nit it wasn’t betrayal after all.

I loved following her as she comes to terms with who and what she is and the undeniable bonds she has with Memnon. This story as gut wrenching m, heart pounding and absolutely amazing! Absolutely love the book and I highly recommend it!!!

From the first page Laura Thalassa sweeps the reader up in the emotional maelstrom that is Bespelled. Selene has her memories back & she's sitting in a prison cell accused of multiple murders. Definitely not what she anticipated when she finally got admitted to Henbane coven. Of course she didn't expect Memnon or her memories to return either. Now she has to deal with her studies, mysterious dark magic users hiding in her own house & her messy feelings about Memnon. Laura sweeps her readers into the depths of agony & despair as well as the heights of ecstasy. There's so much I want to say but I don't want to give spoilers. Read Bewitched and then immediately grab Bespelled. If you like magical realism, romance, spice, soul mates, and being emotionally devastated in the best of ways this is for you.

The story continues! And its was so good!
No spoilers. Just my feral rent like always. But I loved it. Such an exhilarating ride. Filled with murder mystery, fun banter, and lots of spice. I love the authors writing style. A fun read. I’m so excited for book 3!
Thank you to NetGalley and author for the advanced copy.