My oh my this book was everything!!!!! I am seriously obsessed with this series and I can’t wait for the next installment. The romance tension and build up was just uuugghhhh pulling all my heartstrings and I was loving every minute of it! Such an amazing Romantasy!

Ok, so I was about 10% into this book when I realised that I had done that thing where I don’t pay attention to anything and just dive headfirst without looking. I hadn’t realised that this book was a #2 in a series that definitely wasn’t a stand alone and I’d spent the whole time (unjustifiably) cussing out Laura for writing a book that made no sense. Obviously this was my error and not hers, but once I realised it was my error I just rolled with it and started enjoying it a lot more 😂

Once I had corrected my head, I actually really enjoyed it and now I kinda want to go back and read #1 so I can learn what happened. Selene and Memnon were fun together and I liked their vibes as he tried to prove himself after pretty much trying to ruin her life.

I look forward to seeing where this story goes!

Thanks to #NetGallery and publisher for a copy of this book.

Genre: Romance/Fantasy
Format: Digital
POV: Single
Tropes: forced marriage, fated mates/soul mates, thank goodness they have speedy healing powers, I’ll find you in any life, touch him/her and 💀
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ /5
Age suggestion: 18+

This book was certainly a sequel. Overall to me, it wasn't a bad book. It felt more of a filler episode with certain moments to watch, and then you skip to the next episode right away.

I enjoyed seeing the flashback through Roxilana's eyes, after that however it took around halfway for the plot to thicken, even then it was still pretty thin. I felt it was more focused on developing the relationship between Selene and Memnon in order, for the ending to be more meaningful to the reader. I wanted to see more plot than spice. Something would be mentioned, but (in my opinion) I found it to be skipped over, most likely left for the third book.
A character whom we met in this book had made their second re-apparence which I was looking forward to the entire time, but it was left as a cliffhanger. I do look forward to reading more of that character and if my new predictions of Memnon's intentions too be proven true or not.

Overall, it is not a bad book, just a classic filler to prepare for the next one.
(I also still want Kane and Selene together).

After an intense time reading book one, Bespelled surely did not change that opinion. Selene and Memnon are on an almost relationship/enemies basis with the pair still determined to find the witch killer and everyone involved in the secret magic circles that nearly killed Selene and Cara, the lycanthrope child. With things being tense on all fronts, Selene decides Memnon is a better ally than enemy. The two have a very intense push and pull in every interaction they have.
Again I think this very entertaining, like a TV show you have to watch until the end just so you know what happens. There was a lot more romance in this book, and at times it didn’t feel entirely necessary.
It was fun seeing more from past Memnon and learning all the necessary history that boosts the book forward. The mystery plot definitely gave way to an even bigger plot arc which wasn’t concluded in the second book. I’m excited to read the next book and seeing how Thalassa concludes this intense trilogy.

Overall great book! I was annoyed with Selene’s decisions, but to be honest, at 20 years old who isn’t making dumb decisions? I still don’t like the romance part too much because it feels like Memnon only likes her because of their past? Not for Selene herself.

That ending tho, I KNEW this was going to happen. KNEW IT.

I also need more Kane.

I love all of Laura's books and this one was no exception. The characters are morally grey, sometimes completely bad and just incredibly fun to read. I knocked off one star only because I started dragging about 50&ish percent of the way through and was ready for something to happen but that only last about 50 or so pages and then it was back and I couldn't put it down.i do hope there is a third book after that ending cause I need more of these characters

Bespelled starts off right after the events of Bewitched, in which twenty-something witch Selene Bowers wakes up the powerful Memnon from a two-thousand years old curse only to discover that she is his soul mate and wife and he is out for revenge. Now, after recovering all her memories, Selene remembers her past life as Roxi and the events that led to the curse. Discovering that Selene is not the cause of his fall and eager to prove himself to her, Memnon offers her a magic bond that gives her control over him and that will be broken only when she falls in love with him. But can she really trust him? Also, someone is still kidnapping and killing witches on campus and Selena is determined to find out the truth and stop the murders once and for all.

I must admit that I enjoyed this book more than the first. I liked how Selene develops and is more dependent and stronger and how, even though she finds herself in danger many times, she is determined to protect the witches from being murdered. Her relationship with Memnon is still full of banter and fun and steamy, but now she is the one with the upper hand and the power, although he doesn’t mind obeying her orders.

Bespelled is action-packed and full of twists. There is a swoony romance, there is horrifying murder, a morally gray handsome hero that doesn’t mind groveling for the woman he loves, a kickass heroine and, once again, an unexpected ending that makes me really look forward to the next book.

Thank you NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest review!

I liked Bespelled so much more than Bewitched. I really did not like any of the characters at all in Bewitched but I felt we had more character development in this one. Sybil felt a little more like an actual friend, though still a bit absent. Nothing will make up for how Memnon acted in Bewitched but I do like him a lot more now that he’s trying to make things up to Selene. Kane has fallen out of favor as a love interest given that he has a hard time accepting no (though Memnon also has this issue but at least he is Selene’s soul mate). The conflict and mystery of the plot was good and kept me intrigued. I will definitely continue the series to see where things go from here!

Bespelled by Laura Thalassa 🖤
Bewitched, Book 2
Series

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Adult • Fantasy Romance
ARC Review
506 pages
🗓️ May 28th (Kindle edition available early)

🖤 enemies to lovers
⚔️ fated mates
🖤 touch her and ☠️
⚔️ morally gray MMC
🖤 same world as the bargainer
⚔️ cliffhanger

📌 “Good night, wife,” he murmurs.
“Former wife,” I whisper, correcting him.
“Future wife,” he corrects me.

Has anybody seen my heart? Because it sure isn’t inside of my chest. Na ah. It’s probably broken and lost somewhere. But a broken heart is, hopefully, better than nothing at all. Because a broken little thing might still be mended. And after that cliffhanger that’s the only thing I can possibly wish for… I sure as all hell can’t wish for it to remain intact. Nor for me to stay happy 😭

Laura Thalassa does it yet again. She wrote another book that has carved out my soul and I’m just here lying down in bed with zero hopes of going to sleep.

Reading might not be relaxing at all but I pity those who will never feel all these emotions with just 500 pages. Those who will never know the joy of having the enemies become lovers. And the twisted pain of betrayal as your heart aches for the main character 😭

"𝘕𝘦𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘤 𝘯𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘶𝘴 𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵." 𝘏𝘪𝘴 𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘭𝘶𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘴. "𝘞𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘴. 𝘌𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘭."

This couple... Memnon and Selene are PERFECTION!

"Bewitched" ended on a major cliffhanger and I was absolutely devastated after finishing it! Blessed be Laura Thalassa for not destroying me at the end of "Bespelled". It's tamer for sure but I still want to have the next book available ASAP!
The plot that kept me captivated... To make it short, there are still so many questions that haven't been answered; although the mystery about Roxana's betrayal has finally been revealed (Did not see that coming!)
I enjoyed Selene even more in this book! She's getting more independent and growing stronger, emotionally as well as physically. The teasing and banter between her and Memnon is the best and made me laugh too many times!
Memnon, my man... He's THE dream! Powerful mage, former king, cares about Selene's familiar, totally morally grey, is absolutely smitten with his Empress/Queen/fiancée/wife (take your pick) and doesn’t hesitate to unalive his wife's enemies. Memnon is on my top list of my all-time favorite book boyfriends and after "Bespelled", I know he'll be one of my favorites FOREVER!
To sum it up, "Bespelled" is the perfect sequel and dare I say, even better than the first book! I need the next book noooow!!!

5++/5 stars

This is an honest and not influenced ARC review.

Thank you netgalley and bloom books for the gifted arc in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️

*note: these are just my opinions. Just because something isn’t my cup of tea, doesn’t mean it won’t be yours! I don’t like writing negative reviews, but these are my honest opinions.*

I was very excited for this series and unfortunately, I’m left disappointed. After reading bewitched, I was really skeptical to continue the series. It wasn’t my favorite book but after seeing the raving reviews for bespelled I decided to give it a go.

As I mentioned in my review for bewitched, the idea of this series is so creative. The execution just isn’t meeting expectations. I think the only thing that saved this book for me was Memnon’s groveling, but more on that later.

The plot was just nonexistent until about 70%. I genuinely don’t understand what the point of this book was. I don’t mind slow pacing if it builds up to something but it was so anticlimactic? Again, we are expected to understand this world with very little building and no character development. I still don’t understand if she/her panther were reincarnated or how that worked.

Selene was SO annoying in this one. Like they are literally star crossed lovers and she literally died to save him, but now she doesn’t love him anymore and treats him like the enemy over a genuine misunderstanding?? Andddd he didn’t even do the thing she thought he did. It was basically a dumb revenge prank. Not to mention how naive she is? I felt like I was losing brain cells over all of her dumb actions. Don’t even get me started on the forged bond. It was so abusive and was bordering assault. Idk how this girl thinks two wrongs make a right.

Memnon’s groveling was top tier though. The things he said/did made me weeeeak! Howeverrrr, he has no personality 🥲 his dialogue consisted of groveling and defending Selene.

And can we talk about how selene was surprised over the reveal at the ending? Like girl how many times have you talked about him conquering kingdoms 😭😭 and who caressss. He took down the bad guy so get that bread ✋

Idk this wasn’t for me!

Laura Thalassa can do no wrong. This book was everything you want in a sequel! Memnon was groveling, Selene was coming in to her power, and the spice was spicin! Laura has this way of weaving a perfectly magical world that is so easy to fall into. She consistently gives us badass fmc's and men that are strong but will kill you if you touch his lady!

ARC Review of Bespelled by Laura Thalassa
* * * * *
More magic. More danger. More sizzling chemistry. More drama. More of what we need! Selene's troubles are not over and her love life just keeps getting more interesting!

After so much fighting and deflecting on accepting the craziness from the hot old sorcerer who insists they are connected through a past life, Selene has been hit with the truth.
The psycho hottie was right!
Now, she's stuck with her memories as Selene Bowers, as well as the one from her past life...and that past life is just filled with blood and war and a lot of naughty fun time with Memnon.
He's making sure she never leaves him again.
She can't get rid of him as hard as she tries.
We step into the past an uncover more that will twist this bond into what they are craving and fighting.
Now they are together in the chaos taking on the magical world, and when you think it is all over with a sweet happy ending...think again.

Loved the introduction to this book, recapping what happened with book one with just enough sass and a hint of exhausting from Selene who is so over the drama but just loves to talk about the juiciness of Memnon.
Yeah, that dude!
The ancient sorcerer who both wants her like a popsicle on a summer's day and wants to spank and strangle her at the same time as he demanded her to remember her former life. Love the names Selene is throwing his way. Got a few giggles out of the magic too.
Note to others, don't get Selene angry...because she plays with fire.
The conflict of Selene's two lives, current and past, is interesting. We get the separation on Selene in the present as well as her past life with Memnon, but there are moments when Selene's soul becomes one where she is speaking to him as if she was her first self. Feels and words are coming through as one person. This in itself sparking more into their bond.
Loved the read!

Wow, wow, wow!

Okay - first off. Memnon is top-tier book boyfriend for me. I literally could talk about him to anyone for a long period and if you tried to challenge me about him and how much we should embrace him, I would go Selene on you.

Now, can we just appreciate authors like Laura for giving us a refresher when it comes to their last book in the series? I have only seen Karina Halle do this that I can remember, but this is SOOOO helpful. I read a lot and I find especially with fantasy or paranormal stories - I struggle to get back into the story if I don't have a recap of some sort. Not because I didn't love the story, but because fantasy worlds are complex and there are so many wonderful stories and authors and sometimes it's hard to keep up with the different magics and plots. Especially if you read multiple witch/shifter stories at a time. So, showing Laura some love just for that.

Now the story, I still like the magic system. I found it easy to follow and while still unique to the story - I felt that it was still traditional enough for me to understand it. I loved the different ceremonies, rituals, magics, supernatural beings - all of it was important and all of it was easy to keep up with.

I could imagine visually the big scenes because of how well Laura described them. I never was like, wait I thought they were over here and she was... It all made sense. The flow of the main magical plot and the story of Memnon and Selene blended well together and I never felt like we focused more on one than the other. We learned more about the past and I never felt like we spent too much time there and we got little glimpses throughout their dialogue to keep that fresh in our heads.

The bonds whether Selene liked them or not made the story for me. I enjoyed their chemistry and how they worked together (or not) despite the history they shared. Both Selene and Memnon stayed true to their characters and I didn't feel like they trailed off to hit some narrative. And I stand by that to the very end of the book.

Oh.. and the spice, was spicy. Placed in the right places and at the right times.

I thought one thing was going to happen, and it happened. But overall, I was spent guessing the entire time and there were a lot of squeaks and "NO!" and "ARE YOU SERIOUS?" and "THATS AWESOME" coming out of my mouth while reading this. I also laughed ... because Selene's reactions to things are pretty funny sometimes. And than other times, you're cheering on her badass witchy ways!

Read it, read it, read it!

The story is graphic at times, both sexual and violent. So - check those trigger warnings!

I did receive an arc through NetGalley for my honest review. However, I went and bought the book because I loved it<3

I think I’m in the minority and this series just isn’t for me. It took me almost 3 weeks to get through and I probably should have DNFed it because I just didn’t care about what I was reading.

I really hated the first book, Memnon was the literal worst and there was just so much left unknown and up in the air. But I was hoping this one would provide some answers and maybe make Memnon slightly better. Like I truly have never disliked a morally grey character this much before. He completely creeps me out and I once again cannot stand the constant use of “my mate.” I get it dude.

We did get SOME back story which made things a little easier to understand, but other than that this was another clunker for me. Memnon still sucks and I didn’t like who Selene was becoming. It’s hard for me to keep reading a story when I dislike both of the characters.

I would say 50% of this book absolutely nothing happens. The beginning showed promise, the end was decent, but right there in the middle was just… nada. I saw someone say the same thing and initially agree- I felt like I could have jumped from about 30% in to the last 20% and I would have missed nothing. I’m just bummed because this has so many of my favorite things- enemies to lovers, morally grey, fated mates, witchy vibes and none of that did it for me this time. Of course it ended on a cliffhanger, but I don’t think I’m interested in how this series ends.

Selene and Memnon's story was so good. Memnon is out for revenge and the has his sights on Selene. With all the drama and chaos around them what will become of these two? So addicting.

Bespelled by Laura Thalassa is a perfect book for enemy to lover romance fan.

Although this is the 2nd book and I haven't read the 1st book, the storyline are easy to understand. The relationship between Selene and Memmon changes from enemy to lover after they did the forged bond which brings them closer. The story are full of action, suspense and angst with a lot of scenes shows them encounter the evil witch and sorcerers. However, the relationship between them really moved me because it is a two thousand years relationship. It is an unbreakable bond.

✅ Powerful sorcerer
✅ Incarnation of a witch
✅ Forged bond
✅ Enemy to lover
✅ action packed
✅ Suspense
✅ Angst
✅ Tear jerker
✅ Cliffhanger
✅ High sexual tension
✅ Plenty of Spicy scenes: intense and explicit

I'll definitely need to read the 3rd book.

I really could not wait to get my hands on Bespelled after that cliffhanger in Bewitched! Like how was Laura going to top it?? Wow did she ever!

The plot was giving in this one! You dive further into the murders and disappearances. I really like the magic system in these books. I was on my toes trying to figure out who was behind it and why. When I found out why they're being murdered my jaw dropped! Again we're left with a cliffhanger. I even had some tears pulled out of me too!

Memnon is still his hot tempered I will crush without breaking a sweat self but you def get a softer side from him when it comes to Selene. Talk about the groveling he does. It was really cool getting to see him really use his power in this book and the extent he's willing to go to.

Selene WOW. Watching her embrace her past and power was AMAZING. It was done so well. She turned into a total badass. I can't wait to see her shine more in the next one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloom books for the arc. All thoughts are my own.

For anyone who hasn’t read Bewitched already, you will need to read it before this one. That book has a lot of setup for this one. It took a while for Netgalley to send me a copy, and I thought I would have to wait until release day to read it, but I got lucky.

That being said, this book was just so much *more* in all ways than Bewitched. More happened, there was more violence, more sex, more gore, more mystery. Just more.

I just recently finished listening to the entire Bargainer series during my commute to and from work. If you enjoyed Bargainer, you will probably like this series because it’s really similar. I met Thalassa through the Four Horsemen, who weren’t as directly like this series as Bargainer, so I didn’t think she had quite as much of a formula as she seems to be showing here. I predict the next series will be werewolves.

Anyway, in both this series and Bargainer you have a clueless girl and a badass who is consumed by his belief that she is his soul mate.

Instead of the fae world of the Bargainer, we have witches in this series. A few werewolves sprinkled in for seasoning, like in Bargainer. They are not critical to the story (yet?), but there are more in his one. It’s the same world, but there is zero overlap between the two series. No cameos from Des or Callie.

But this series is definitely Des and Callie 2.0. Selene is no smarter than Callie, and Memnon is even badder than Des. He is not morally grey, he is a straight up take no prisoners conquering warrior. I really like Memnon, and look forward to seeing how the next book plays out, because I know he’s going to be a corporate badass too. I am warming up to Selene, even though she really does echo Callie from Bargainer in that she’s the slowest person in the story to figure stuff out, get over grudges, get over herself, or figure out how to use her power. A tiny voice in my head asks occasionally what Memnon sees in her, but she seems to be coming into her own faster than Callie did.

This was a nonstop ride. It ties up many of the mysteries from Bewitched, and sets up for a potentially epic third installment. I can’t wait.

AHHH Selene and Memnon Are to die for! I loved the story, the spice, and all things of in between! I loved the development of their relationship!