This was such a cute fall romcom with some spice thrown in, my 2 favs! I loved Holly as a main character, and the rest were lovable and interesting. I definitely recommend!

I think most people will probably love this book. The setting and atmosphere are great, perfect for fall. It definitely feels like Practical Magic meets Ghost Hunters. Unfortunately for me I couldn’t get on board with the romance and the way it was developing just wasn’t in line with my personal taste and what I like in a contemporary romance. The other elements were fun but there just wasn’t enough of it for me to overlook what I wasn’t enjoying about the book. I DNF’d at 50%. While this didn’t work for me I think it will for a lot of people so I would still recommend giving it a try.

Genre: paranormal rom-com
Maine, present day

Holly Celeste, her younger twin sisters, and her two aunts, run an Apple Orchard called Wicked Good Apples. Rumor has it that the orchard is haunted, and Connor Grimm, ghost hunter, paranormal investigator, and TV celebrity, is ready to uncover the mystery behind it. When Connor meets them, it's clear that the Celeste family is more than meets the eye.

I had a really good time with Perfectly Wicked. This is Lindsay Lovise's spin on the Witchy rom-com, and it's basically like if Haunt Sweet Home by Sarah Pinsker was a rom-com. This has small town New England charm without feeling too much like a small town romance. While the underlying attraction between Holly and Connor is on the instalust side of the spectrum, the sniping and bickering feels real (Connor may threaten the quiet lives Holly and family have tried to live). Much of the tension in the story leans on Connor trying to uncover the truth and Holly worrying about how dangerously close he's getting. In a few cases, the relationship strains were resolved too quickly, but I admit I was a sucker for the grand gesture.

I went in with fairly low expectations - I liked but didn't love Lovise's historical debut - but found that her voice is really suited for this paranormal rom-com genre. This one has enough of a twist to make it feel different from some of the others in its genre that I've read, and I really appreciated that.

Wicked Good Apples has always had a reputation for being magical. Their trees are the only trees to thrive during a drought, rain when everywhere else is dry, that sort of thing. But then for the past few years, they have also been haunted by a ghost, This has brought the attention of Connor Grimm, a charming and nationally beloved paranormal investigator. When he contacts them and requests to film an episode of his popular TV show on the mysterious farm, Holly reluctantly accepts. Despite the magical ingredient in their apple cider, their family business is in trouble, and this may be the only way to pull them back out of it. Intent on keeping Connor from knowing that they are wicked and pushing him toward the ghost story believed by the locals, Holly joins him as he interviews eyewitnesses, hunts for old records, and unearths potentially devastating stories from the past. Despite her resolution to dislike him, she begins to fall for the only man who’s ever made her feel like strange could be normal. As Connor gets closer to uncovering the real secrets behind the orchard, his and Holly’s blooming romance begins to threaten everything they value—Connor’s commitment to his career and Holly’s commitment to protect her family.

This is a delightful paranormal rom-com, that was a lot of fun to read. As much as I enjoyed watching Holly scramble to keep Connor in the dark abut her and family being wicked, I also enjoyed it when she finally embraced her powers and used them on the ghost on their property. Let me tell you - that ghost was a nasty piece of work! I highly recommend this one!

Super fun fall vibes (even though the book takes place in the spring). A family of women run a local apple orchard and is approached by a ghost hunters-esque tv show. But there’s more than just a ghost when it comes to the supernatural on this apple orchard. I loved the spooky aesthetic of the book without it being too strange or cringey, and I loved the romance between the main characters (a ghost hunter and a witch falling in love? Iconic). This is definitely one that should be on everyone’s fall TBR.

Perfectly Wicked was such a cute fall romcom. I loved Holly as a main character and found all of the characters to be interesting and lovable. The pacing was a little bit slow for me at times, but overall this was a cute festive read.

Thank you so much to the publisher and to NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing this eARC

3.5 stars rounded up

Holly and her family are just trying to break even on their apple cider business so they can stay under the radar and keep their special ingredient, and their true identity, a secret. When Connor and his reality show TV crew show up and convince the family to film there and expose the ghost that is said to haunt their orchards, Holly just wants them to get it done and leave to protect her family. But Connor suspects that there is more to Holly and her sisters than meets the eye, and he can't give up his suspicion even when he starts to develop feelings for Holly. But secrets can't last forever and Holly thinks she might be falling for Connor too…

I love the premise of this story and I did ultimately enjoy reading it. The pacing was a bit off, slow to start with a rushed finish, so it took a bit to get into. I felt like the characters were sort of one dimensional, especially the side characters. But the sisters were delightfully quirky and the MMC was flawed but chivalrous.

The paranormal aspect was mostly done well. It never felt campy but stayed true to the light nature of the plot. The foreshadowing and reveal of Holly and her family's true identity was well done, but the actual reveal itself fell a little flat for me.

This book has a cozy fall feel even though it's set in the spring. After reading you might just want to sit down with a hot apple cider and watch a ghost hunting reality show!

The synopsis absolutely intrigued me and it did not disappoint!

It had all the cozy fall vibes I was hoping for AND it had some romance. And then you add some paranormal twist to it? SO GOOD.

I loved Holly and Connor together so much! Enemies to lovers is my favorite trope for the reasons of tension and just how much their banter is *chef’s kiss*.

The spice was mild and pretty slow burning but I was intrigued by the plot that I didn’t mind. I give it 2 🌶️ out of 5.

I’m hoping there’s a sequel because I need to know what more happens with the Council!

Thank you so much NetGalley and Alcove Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book so much!! Holly was strong and fiercely protective of her family. Connor was curious and believed in Holly. Both were just what the other needed. All the family members were individuals with different personalities. The romance between Holly and Connor was thunderstorm quality hotness.
Thank you to netgalley for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

Thank you Alcove Press and PRH Audio for my gifted copies. All opinions are my own.

This was such a delightful magical read. I listened to the audiobook which was perfectly narrated by Brittany Pressley!

Holly’s family owns a struggling orchard. A rival orchard offers to buy their family farm. Holly, her sisters and aunts take an offer instead for a ghost hunter show. Holly wants nothing to do with it, but ends up being closely connected to Connor Grim, the host of the show. She’s determined not to like him, but can’t help herself from liking him. Connor knows they’re something magical about Holly’s family, but can’t put his finger on it.

This was fun, steamy, and kept me guessing as we tried to figure out how the truth about Holly’s family and their farm. There is also an adorable hedgehog! 🦔 I liked this so much I preordered a copy for my shelves!

Lindsay Lovise also has a historical romance, Never Blow a Kiss, that I also loved!

A fun, witchy romance novel perfect for the fall season. Mixed with a good amount of mystery and drama this one will keep you hooked throughout. Great character development, with especially the main character making you want to find out what happens for her in the end.

I already loved Lindsay’s historical debut so applying for the contemporary one was an obvious choice.

Holly Celeste and her family are hiding a secret, and it’s not what you think. They definitely DO NOT have a ghost in their orchard. At least that’s what they want you to believe, and that’s what Connor Grimm is dead set on disproving. He comes to the Celestes with his crew to film a ghost-hunting reality show that ends up being a little too real. Connor is not one of those charlatans who’d do anything for views — he actually believes in ghosts. And his commitment to uncovering Holly’s secrets may just bring downfall on both their heads. Because despite being married to his job, he finds himself drawn to his study subject.

I adored this magical book! Starting from the characters that feel like they’re real despite some of them being supernatural, to the fast and engaging plot, to the cozy but dangerous world where supernatural people must hide their identities. I seriously couldn’t wait every night until I go to bed — my designated reading time, so I could immerse myself into this riveting story.

I love the way Lindsay writes relationships. The (head)strong Holly is paired with brave and caring Connor. The way they compliment each other is just so right. She was worried he’d judge her or be scared of her or betray her secret. But my man Connor proved time and time again that he loves her for who she is and not what she is. And in his turn, he could be vulnerable with her.

The magical abilities were so seamlessly woven into the plot and character arcs I wanted to applaud every time a new bit was revealed. The whole thing is just a manual on how to write paranormal romance. I’m in love with the universe created by the author and can’t wait to read the next books! The second couple promises to be explosive — a viking charmer and a black cat (can she actually turn into one? 🤭🤭)

Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

I had fun and thoroughly enjoyed this well plotted and entertaining novel. I rooted for the characters, liked the storytelling and the world building.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

4.5⭐️

As a fantasy girl, rom com/paranormal romances can be hit or miss for me. But this one was EXCELLENT. I really enjoyed this one. It gave all the fall vibes with the FMC running an apple orchard that has been in the family for a very long time. When the orchard begins going in the red, she is forced to accept a proposition to allow a supernatural TV show to film at the orchard following reports of strange happenings on the orchard - including a ghost sighting and strange weather abnormalities. Tropes included forbidden love, secret identity, crazy ex-boyfriend, and slow burn. Definitely recommend picking this one up this spooky season!

“Perfectly Wicked” is the perfect read for fall. Set in an apple orchard that is run by three sisters that are struggling to keep it afloat for fear of being discovered as having supernatural powers. Holly, the oldest, feels responsible for not having been able to avoid their financial troubles and so when she gets outvoted she agrees have a show film at their farm. Connor the host of Grimm Reality is convinced there is a ghost at Wickedly Good Apple Orchards and maybe something more. He is determined to get to the bottom of it even if he is completely distracted by Holly and her sour exterior.

Connor was a wonderful MMC, accepting, protective and supportive up until the end of the book when he kind of blew it for me. Holly was a wonderful FMC and I loved reading the chemistry between these two. I really enjoyed the mystery of the haunting and of the reason they have to surprises their powers. Overall a great read that I mostly enjoyed despite the ending. If you like witchy, fall and Halloween vibes this book is for you😊🥰.

I think the concept of this book has potential but the writing for me just didnt work. It didnt make a lot of sense either why they would be onboard with a tv station coming to film their farm when they have magical powers and also how with those magical powers their farm was not doing better than it was. The main female character is annoying and the main male character got annoying too. I thought this would have nice halloweeny witchy vibes but it did not.

I’m very much pro 1st person POV, but I make exceptions every once in a while and I’m so glad I did. Dual POV 3rd person - you follow Holly and Conner, the witch and the ghost hunter TV show host. From the moment you get them together on page, you can feel the chemistry.
I love love looooved them so much. It was fun and witchy and spicy toward the end. The slow burn definitely worth the wait.
And all the supporting characters were a blast. I want more of them already! This whimsical small town and witchy family dynamic gave all the fall feels I wanted.
The pacing was just right and gave enough room for proper character development.

Absolutely everything that expected and wanted from a cozy fall fantasy. I loved the premise, the main characters, the world building.

The author does a great job of making something that is new and different but still hits all the expected parts of the genre(s). There is a the quirky small town, the oddest family, power dramatics, layers of backstories and world building. All the characters are so well written and feel so real. Both Holly and Connor are complex and layer adults that shine as individuals and have the chemistry to make me fall for them from the start. There is angsty slow burn but there is also a length of legitimate relationship and growth that really gives this book depth.

I loved this book and I anxiously await news that there will be more in this series.

Charmed meets Practical Magic in this cute paranormal romance about a handsome popular tv paranormal investigator who's new show is going to focus on a supposedly magical business run by witches... except this time there really is a magical group of witches! Holly Celesete and her family are Wickeds, magical witches who are said to be wicked. Holly and all the women in her family are cursed with pwoers and the Celestes family run Wicked Good Apples, a magical apple farm. Holly and her family have worked hard to keep out of the public eye and the last thing Holly needs is a paranormal investigator trying to pry into their business and finding out their secret. Yet Holly needs the publicity and the money the show could bring to save her family's apple farm from going out of business. Holly is forced to accept Connor and determined to thwart him at all his attempts of investigation while controlling the information that he finds out. Yet the closer Conner gets to Holly the more romance begins to spark between them... but also the fact that he is getting closer and closer to discovering her secrets. Can she fall in love with the one person who could ruin her family? This was a really cute paranormal romance and a really easy read. The story was fun and it had a great Practical Magic vibe. I had fun reading this one and would definitely recommend this witchy read for anyone who wants a cute paranormal rom com during the autumn!

Release Date: September 17,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Dialogue Books | Renegade Books and Alcove Press for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

This is the perfect book for fall, everything about it screams northern fall with apple farms, supernatural creatures and a romance story that’s easy to love. I grew up going to apple farms each October in Michigan and this brought back some great memories, and an increasing desire to go back as an adult.

I also loved the new supernatural creature (to me) being the Wickeds. I’ve never read a story with this type of supernatural creature and I loved being introduced to the new magical lore, storytelling and magical rules in this book. I also so hope this becomes a series, I love the idea of seeing maybe a witch and wicked combo?

Finally, the romance in this story is a slow burn, between two people, with conflicting goals, that eventually find a way to make it all work out. But it’s a long way to go with secrets, power, betrayals, and money that keeps you hooked from page 1!

Can’t wait to see what comes next from Lindsay Lovise!