Member Reviews
I don't think this book was bad, i do believe it was a very cozy romance book, with simple and easy-to-follow writing and a somewhat interesting concept. I just think this book was not what i really expected, and that's okay! If I am being subjective, and reviewing the book from a subjective point of view, I do believe the description on the plotline was a bit too obvious at times. I don't really enjoy when the writing tells everything as it is and doesn't leave the reader to figure some things out for themselves, and that frustrated me at times.
Other than that, if you enjoy a cozy romance, mixed with a paranormal/witchy vibes, simple yet fast paced with an intriguing enough story flow, this is definitely for you!
I realize the blurb says charmed meets ghost hunters, but I got practical magic vibes from this book and I absolutely adored it. I really enjoyed the characters and the romance. The paint scene had me in a choke hold.
This was the most perfect spooky read! I've had a soft spot for witchy romcoms since I read the Ex Hex around Halloween time last year and this totally filled that space in my heart..
Holly Celeste and her sisters run an apple orchard that has been failing as of late, so to save the family business she accepts a proposal to let a ghost hunting series film an episode on her farm. Enter Connor Grimm (the most drool-worthy) TV host who aims to normalise the paranormal. which he does on his show, Grimm Reality. Connor has heard whispers rounding the farms and sets out to discover secrets that will propel his show to the next level, all whilst Holly begins to fall for the only man who’s ever made her feel like strange could be normal. When Connor finally pieces together Holly’s greatest secret, he’s forced to choose between furthering his reality show, or giving it all up for the wicked woman who’s charmed his heart.
Firstly, this was enemies to lovers done right. You could tell Holly and Connor secretly loved to hate the other and watching their relationship develop was so sweet. I loved the setting and when I say the spice was spicing too! I can't wait for Winter and Erikson's story (which will hopefully be coming soon right?!) and loved the whimsical vibes of the story being told; overall, I would definitely add this to your spooky TBR!
This was such a fun read! Holly and Connor’s relationship was great - the mystery of what her and her sisters and aunts were kept me hooked. I loved the concept of Wickeds and Witches. Hoping there is another book so we can hear more about what happens with the Shadow Council!
K this book was so special! I loved Holly, I loved Connor, I loved Holly’s beautiful family unit. The setting was stunning and I could just smell and see everything in my mind. I loved the story itself as well but I won’t say too much there because I don’t want to spoil anything. It was lighthearted, fun, fall witchy goodness!
Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for providing this book, with my honest review below.
Perfectly Wicked was a charming story that does bring in some Practical Magic setting vibes but in a world that is unique and well created by the author, Lindsay Lovise.
We follow the Celeste sisters and their aunts, specifically sister Holly, as they try to save their Apple farm and business during a less than thriving time. In the past Wicked Good Apples has thrived when the area it’s set in has suffered droughts and plant diseases, but the farm just isn’t making it these days. So when Connor Grimm’s ghost hunter reality show offers the farm a lot of money and exposure to film there, it would seem like a no brainer. Unfortunately the Celeste family has something to hide so what follows for Grimm is a bit of a mystery not only to hunt down an alleged ghost on the property but also to discover the family secret.
The perfect book to read in the fall or during a rainy day, this was cozy and cute! I love that it appears to be part of a planned series of all goes well and I’m hopeful we get another book following Erikson Grimm, Connor’s brother, and one of Holly’s twin sisters. This book isn’t particularly deep, but it’s a great quick read that will keep you entertained throughout, and I love the concept the author is building on.
Lindsay Lovise’s “Perfectly Wicked” is a delightful concoction of paranormal intrigue, romance, and comedy, blended together with effervescent writing and a fast-paced narrative. Set in the enchanting backdrop of Wicked Good Apples orchard, this novel offers readers a tantalizing blend of mystery and romance, sprinkled with just the right amount of magic.
What I Loved
“Perfectly Wicked” delivers on its promise of a wickedly entertaining read. From the moment I started reading Wicked Good Apples, I was drawn in by the cozy fall vibes, a mix of paranormal occurrences, familial secrets, and heartwarming romance. The Celeste family, with their witchy talents and endearing quirks, stole my heart, while Connor Grimm added an enticing touch of mystery as the handsome paranormal investigator. The characters’ dynamics, especially the Celeste sisters, were amazing, showing how strong family ties are even in supernatural chaos. Lovise’s writing style, peppered with witty banter and charming fall vibes, kept me turning the pages with glee.
What Didn’t Resonate With Me
While “Perfectly Wicked” offers a delightful blend of genres, I found myself slightly perplexed by the portrayal of Connor Grimm’s character. The hints at an “alpha wolf” persona seemed intriguing at first, leading me to think he was a werewolf, only to discover that this wasn’t quite so. Also, the magic wasn’t explained until the last quarter of the story, which is a bummer, but it’s also what kept me so engrossed in the story, so I shouldn’t complain.
Themes
“Perfectly Wicked” weaves together several compelling themes like supernatural romance, small-town secrets, forbidden love, and the enduring bonds of family. Lovise shows how the Celeste sisters’ love and determination help them overcome challenges in their orchard.
Conclusion
In conclusion, “Perfectly Wicked” by Lindsay Lovise is a lovely tale that enchants readers with its mix of paranormal intrigue, heartfelt romance, and quirky banter. With its irresistible charm and engaging characters, I recommend this novel to anyone craving a cozy, fast-paced romance with a dash of magic. Whether you’re drawn to witty banter, chaotic family dynamics, or heartwarming moments, “Perfectly Wicked” offers something for every reader, making it a truly wickedly delightful read.
*Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
3.5 stars.
A fun, easy read that had a nice twist on the classic witchy tropes. I really enjoyed all of the lore introduced. The plot was good; both easy to follow and made sense (did I just have low expectations??). The characters were fun, with each person easy to distinguish in the relatively large cast.
Holly and Connor had great chemistry, and while it was very insta-lust turned insta-love, I felt like it worked for them.
As a lover of the tv show Charmed and the movie Practical Magic, as well as similar kinds of books, this story itch a particular scratch. So, if you like those kinds of fun, mysterious, romantic stories, give this one a read. I would certainly be interested in further stories in this world, preferably about Holly's sisters.
If it wasn’t because of the amount of work I had to do, I could finish this in one day. It was so quick, fast-paced, fun, and made me giggle like a fool.
I like the mix of paranormal, romance, and witch tales, which emerged into this one. Throughout the book it does remind me of The Ex Hex and The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches. It feels like a mix of those two, but the author brilliantly made another whole new plot.
This book has a decent amount of spice, which I can get through it without having to feel cringe all the time. Rather, I kind of like the ‘painting’ scene. #IYKYK
I appreciate the element of little mystery-to be-solved in here that got me curious and wanted to get to the end as fast as possible.
I quite satisfied with the ending, but it feels like the author want to make another book as the sequel or an interconnected series which if you read this book, you’ll know what I mean, and I don’t mind it if we get another book!
If you’re in the mood for cosy, fast paced romance, witty characters, chaotic family members and yet heart warming, witchy, paranormal, and some spice wouldn’t hurt, this book is for you!
Thank you, NetGalley, Alcove Press, and Lindsay Lovise, for providing me an amazing ARC!
Wickedly delightful! I fully expected to enjoy this book based on the description and it did not disappoint! Witchy family, centuries-old orchard that may be haunted, handsome ghost hunter brothers with a secret in their past - say no more! I loved the Celeste family dynamics and learning about their history and special talents. The aunts and the (other) twins were such fun and interesting characters, and of course Holly and Connor were absolutely adorable. The ending was sweet and satisfying but there are still many potential aspects of the story and characters that could be explored in the future (please!). I would definitely read any future books related to this wicked fun cast of characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Holly Celeste and her family own Wicked Good Apples, an apple orchard where inexplicable things happen and it’s all a little bit mysterious. Enter Connor Grimm, a paranormal investigator, who wants to shoot an episode for his TV show at Wicked Good Apples. Can Holly keep her family’s secrets from the man who might be the person she’s been waiting for?
Oh boy, I loved this one! It had it all. Paranormal occurrences, a little magic, fall vibes, coolest family ever, and THE ROMANCE! Honestly I was surprised at all the twists and turns in what this story had to offer but in a really good way. The pace of the story was great- I devoured it in 2 days. It wasn’t too fast or too slow, and I definitely wanted to keep reading to find out what would happen next. All the plot lines worked incredibly well together to make this a great fun fall read!
Holly and Connor’s relationship was well written and I loved the spice I wasn’t expecting! It made the story feel more mature which made the characters more relatable to me. Their opposing occupations set the story up for a really cool resolution that I adored.
I loved that we kept the door a little bit open to other running plot lines. I would love a sequel focusing on Winter or Missy (or both!). The side characters were charming and I want to know more about them and their stories!
Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Read if you love..
Paranormal and magical romance
Fall vibes
Enemies to lovers
Spice
Slow burn
The cutest hedgehog named Prickles
The way that I LOVED this book!
It comes out September 17th and it is PERFECT for the start of spooky season.
If you like witches, some *spice* and an interesting mystery thrown in, this is for you.
To save her family’s apple orchard Holly agrees to be on Connor Grimm’s paranormal TV show. Although from the beginning she has been uneasy about it, something is telling her that Grimm is on the hunt for something other than ghosts like he claims. And Holly has some pretty big secrets to hide.
I loved this story, the world building and plot were so interesting, I could not put it down. The author laid out the story line so well; especially with the secondary characters that I really hope she continues this series. I would love to read more about this Wicked family.
This book was such a fun spooky fall read. I loved the romance but besides that i also found the plot super interesting and made me want to keep reading. The worldbuilding was also very well done and i cant wait for more books in this world.
Thank you Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I looooved this!! I need a sequel right now! It was such a sweet book but with MAGIC and I loved the take on wickeds and witches. Connor was also A DREAM. LOOOVED IT!!!
I struggled with how to rate this one. On one hand, I loved the story and the storytelling. The relationships evolved organically and I really felt the connection between the main love interests. I am excited to see how the story progresses in the next (I assume there will be more, as the ending chapters definitely set up sequels) installments.
However, this book heavily utilizes a term that is associated with Halloween and all it encompasses but is also considered to be a slur to the Black community (CW: sp*ok). Now, the book does not use this term in relation to a slur against a community or its people, however, it is present. There are many more words that can be used instead of this word. I recommend the publisher utilize one of these alternative words to avoid unintentional slurs in the text. While I submitted that information in the "feedback to publisher" block, I'm also letting them. and future readers, know about it here as well.
https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2017/10/24/559502238/this-halloween-what-does-it-mean-to-call-something-spooky
https://www.oed.com/dictionary/spook_n?tl=true#21232512
A Ghost hunter and a Wicked woman…
OMG! What a ride! This book was adorable, funny and with a touch of angst.
The perfect blend!
I love, love, LOVED Holly and Connor!
They were the perfect mix of flirty banter and sizzling tension.
It was also a really unique take on witches and their origin. I really loved the idea.
And the pet Hedgehog?! Cuteness overload!
I can’t wait to see what comes next. Perhaps the story of a certain seer…?
Thank you NetGalley and Lindsay Lovise for providing me with an ARC of this wonderful book.
"Perfectly Wicked" is a paranormal romcom written by Lindsay Lovise. A light, sizzling and entertaining novel, characterized by effervescent writing, fast pace and short chapters. A captivating story, sprinkled with a dash of mystery, that won me over completely.
The setting of Wicked Good Apples, an orchard located in Maine, bewitched me! Seriously, I was enchanted by this farm surrounded by rows and rows of apple trees, vividly described. I don't know, I found it all extremely cozy!
Holly and Connor, protagonists with their respective third person povs, convinced me! The development of their relationship made me swoon so much! I enjoyed the secondary characters a lot and hope to read more about them in possible future books!
Thank you to the Publisher and NetGalley for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed this dual POV spicy enemy-to-lovers contemporary romance with a bit of paranormal & magic thrown in. I liked the author's writing style and learning about these characters. The characters of Holly & Conners relationship development and chemistry were believable and was very steamy (which I wasnt expecting but thoroughly enjoyed).
This book was magical, witchy fun to read, and such an easy read. Small town, cozy romance with some whimsical witchy vibes, I am hoping there may be some other books to follow because I absolutely loved the characters, the setting and all the vibes.
Thanks to Netgalley and Alcove Press for the arc!
This is the PERFECT book to get you into the fall/spooky mood! There are so many different "supernatural" aspects to this book and the fact that the setting is an apple orchard makes it the perfect fall vibe book! AND the fact that this book has some similar aspects as Practical Magic (which is one of my fav fall vibe movies)! I think that anyone who enjoyed The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic would also enjoy this book! They both have aspects of magic + romance + suspense which is such an AMAZING combo! PLUS, the enemies to lovers start really gives me all of the tropes that I love and want!
I cannot wait to tell everyone that this is the perfect fall book and I'm also on the edge of my seat because this book really left off for more books to possibly come and I am obsessed with the thought of another book in this series! Thank you so much to Alcove Press for letting me get my hands on an e-ARC!💖
It took me a little longer than usual to read it, but I loved the story. It has everything I like in a romance book. If you like books with a cozy vibe, enemies to lovers, dual POV and a touch of magic, you'll love this book.