SAPPHIC WITCHES ARE IT.
Honestly, this was so much more enjoyable than I was anticipating! I wish I hadn't read the first one so long ago, because I felt a little disconnected from the story since it picked up exactly where we left off. I definitely can't wait to dive into the third one!

Marr's examination of when a magical utopia may not be so utopian, and the political, practical, and romantic complications of her assorted characters' choices, couples with some HOT HOT HOT sexy scenes makes for a very satisfying duology and wonderful addition to the Bramble library!

While I liked the first book in this series and was excited for Reluctant Witch, I struggled to get invested in this story that had a lot of characters to keep track of and different worlds/realms. The audio narration was fantastic though and I'm sure others will enjoy it but I wasn't feeling this one sadly. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

Not bad but definitely a lot of POV’s which might appeal to a certain reader but felt a bit too much for me.

Regardless it was a great continuation to the first book!

Reluctant Witch is a quick, entertaining read with a fun mix of magic and romance. I didn’t read the first book, so there were a few moments where I felt like I was missing some context, but overall, I had no trouble following the story. The multiple POVs helped a lot, giving a well-rounded view of everything going on.

The pacing is great as moves along nice and fast and never drags—but the world-building and characters felt a little underdeveloped. While the story is enjoyable, it doesn’t really stand out in the crowded world of witchy fiction. It’s fun while you’re reading, but not the kind of book that sticks with you afterward.

That said, it’s still a solid choice if you’re in the mood for something light and easy. I’m planning to go back and read the first book to get the full picture, but as it stands, this one was just okay for me.
Thank you to Netgalley & Tor Publishing Group

This is the sequel to Remedial Magic. The story picks up right where the first book left off, with Ellie discovering her magical identity in the world of Crenshaw. Prospero, her wife, has altered Ellie’s memories, and the tension between them is captivating. The world-building is fantastic, and the complex relationships, including LGBTQ+ representation, kept me hooked. I appreciated the multiple POVs, which added depth to the plot, though it slowed the pace in some parts. The audiobook was quite good, narrated by Jeremy Carlisle Parker and Max Meyers. The narrators brought the characters to life. This is a must-read for anyone who enjoys magical worlds, romance, and intrigue.

this was just okay, this was my first book by melissa (i had to start with remedial magic when i realized this was the second book). something about it wasn't for me, i don't know if it was the writing or the plot, but something was missing. i think it was the pacing maybe? the magic system was intriguing but i often felt distracted and not rushing to pick up the book.

I loved Remedial Magic so I was very excited for this one and it kept me immersed just as much with how much the characters had developed.

A powerful sequel that has no shortage of suspenseful situations and intense romance and emotions. This novel is undeniably bold.

I liked this sequel better than the first book, and still enjoyed all of the perspectives. It was nice to see the character growth and more depth to the characters than was possible in the first due to the short length and so many characters. I loved how the story evolved, starting with Maggie and Ellie’s sheer will to not be controlled. The female characters were all very strong, whether good, evil, or morally grey. The ending felt a little quick though, and things became tied up in a neat little bow far too easily for all of the build up. I actually assumed that we would find out that the badger was not the right witch or something to set up another book, but then it all just ended. I still enjoyed it, but I think the ending should have been more than it was.

🎧 Audiobook +📗 eBook: Reluctant Witch-A Course in Magic #2

✍🏾 Author: Melissa Marr- I read Remedial Magic and gave it 4 ⭐

📃Page Count: 320

📅Publication date: 4/1/25 | Read: 3/30/25

🏃🏾‍➡️Run Time: 10:40

🌎 Setting: Crenshaw-magical land

👆🏾POV: 3rd person, multiple

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Fantasy, Contemporary

Tropes: LGBTQ+, magic, witches

⚠️TW: death of parents, shooting


🗣️Narrators: Jeremy Carlisle Parker and Max Meyers voice all the characters with standouts from Sondre, Prospero, and Ellie. The reading style brought the text to life, and the author and narrators worked together perfectly. The pacing and flow allowed me to get lost in the story. The narrators paused and announced new chapters and there was a table of contents which helped me follow along.


Summary: Prospero is filled with guilt over erasing Ellie and Maggie's memories of escape. Ellie knows Prospero is hiding something as Prospero starts pushing her away. Scylla is shot by a member of the New Economists who wants to take over the non-magical world. The barrier keeping Crenshaw from the Barbarian Lands is still failing and the toxin in the village is killing witches. Ellie, Prospero, Sondre, Maggie, and Walter try to keep the town safe while their secrets could ruin everything.


👩🏾 Heroine: Elleanor "Ellie" Brandeau

👩🏾 Heroine: Prospero

🎭 Side Characters:
*Maggie + her son Craig- Maggie married Sondre
*Sondre-headmaster of the College of Remedial Magic
*Walter-acting chief witch
*Scylla-Prospero's friend
*Agnes-Lady of Grendel House
*Dan + Axell- both witches, in a m/m relationship


🤔 My Thoughts: There were more storylines with multiple POVs. All the characters had their own agendas, lying to the people closest to them. Prospero hid Ellie's memories from her. Sondre loved Maggie but was part of the opposition. Even Dan felt guilty after he helped Prospero. I liked Sondre and Craig's talk, each wanted the best for Maggie.


*Spice: 4/5 🌶️ open door
*Rating: 4/5 ⭐

🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley, Tor Publishing Group| Bramble, Macmillan Audio, and Melissa Marr for this ARC & ALC! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions are my own.

I very much enjoyed this one, loved the story and the storytelling. The story made me very angry in parts, and very hopeful in parts, and there is one part of the story that I read and re-read multiple times and I’m gonna be honest I’m still very much confused on the how of it happening, it seems like the author just threw it in because they needed it to happen that way but it wasn’t explained pretty much at all. Glancing over that one section though the story itself was fun and quick to read. And while it definitely was sapphic, there was more than just the relationship between Ellie and Prospero being explored. Sondre and Maggie (M/F) and Axell and Dan (M/M) were explored as well in this book (as well as the first book in this duology) and I enjoyed seeing multiple different relationships so easily represented here.

I thankfully was able to receive an eARC of this from NetGalley, which prompted me to finally read the first book I bought half a year ago so that I could then read this one, and I’m very glad I finally did!

Fun addition to the options of chosen one fantasy novels, with a sapphic twist. Not the most engaging characters but the desire to know how the story ends will keep readers reading.

Reluctant Witch is the cozy fantasy sequel to Remedial Magic. It will appeal to readers of the Spellshop and Legend's and Lattes.

★★☆☆☆
Reluctant Witch (Melissa Marr - releasing 04.01.2025)
e-ARC Review

Thank you to NetGalley, Bramble & author Melissa Marr for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest book review! 🥰🙌

I was really hopeful for this book. However, this was a DNF for me. I am probably not the best target audience for this book given its layout and/or character pacing.

In full transparency, I DNF'd this book at pg. 48. Six POVs was three too many for me to easily follow and feel like I was getting the full picture of each character. I typically love multiple POV books, but outside of Daisy Jones, I don't typically enjoy that many perspective changes.

While the writing was good and the plot seemed to be action-forward, I just couldn’t get connected with the characters. I’m not sure if my expectations were just a little too off from the marketing of this book or if I’m just not the audience for this title specifically. In a different style, I could see myself enjoying this read.

This book is perfect for readers who enjoy…
Multi-POV (6 characters)
A wonderfully constructed magical setting


Gratitude, always.
- H.

“Reluctant Witch” picks up right where “Remedial Magic” left off in this second installment of a duology. This book, like the one before it, was a bit of a miss for me. It did bring Ellie and Prospero more into focus, but again, I felt like there was so much more going on in this book than just them. The cast of characters is fun and diverse, and I did enjoy how fleshed out all of these side characters felt to the reader. The setting is also very cozy and gives academia vibes, which will appeal to a wide array of readers. I'm glad I finished out this duet, but ultimately, I'm left with the same feeling that the series doesn't match what I thought it was going to be. Thanks to Melissa Marr, Netgalley and Tor Publishing Group. I am looking forward to Melissa’s next book.

I loved this book!

I wish to thank Emily Honer from Bramble who sent me a beautifully formatted email with a widget for this title. I’ve been wanting to try Melissa Marr since way back when Wicked Lovely came out, so finding an invitation to read this lovely (and it is lovely, the cover art is exquisite) title in my inbox was such a welcome surprise!

When this book rose to the top of my NetGalley queue, I realized it was the second book in the series, so I used my wonderful Libby library app to check out the ebook and audiobook of Remedial Magic and I powered through it in two days. The magic system is so unique and interesting and the cast of characters were distinct, with layered relationships between them. I loved the first book and dove into this one immediately afterward.

The pacing was great and the action drove the story forward brilliantly. I cared very much for the characters and I adored watching their relationships deepen. In the end, we get HEAs all around for the sympathetic characters and appropriate punishment/payback for the evil-doers. I found this to be very much in the cozy fantasy genre, which is a particular favorite for me lately.

I loved this book! I would recommend it to folks who like Travis Baldree, The Spellshop, the Tomes and Tea series, Ruby Dixon, Kimberly Lemming and really any cozy fantasy. There is maybe 1-2 chili peppers worth of spice in this book, so way more spice than the first three recommendations and quite a lot less than the last two.

A wonderful book series! 🥰📚🌟

I really really like the world this story is set in! It is definitely an adult book but scratches that itch for childhood fans of fantasy and escapism. I also really enjoy the variety of characters and experiences each perspective has. I just think the switching between so many people was really jarring and there wasn't enough time spent on the different plot points to be developed. Honestly I think book 1 and 2 could have been combined and sequels could have explored more in depth the different relationships and conflicts. Overall it felt a bit rushed.

"The Magicians meets One Last Stop in the sequel to Remedial Magic by New York Times bestselling author Melissa Marr!

After discovering she's a witch and being whisked away to the magical land of Crenshaw, Ellie wants nothing more than to spend time with her new wife, Prospero, who has magically altered Ellie's memories to convince her of exactly that.

Prospero herself is guilt-wracked after erasing Ellie's memories and being forced into a sham marriage with the woman she loves for real. But Crenshaw is dying, poisoned by Prospero's enemies who want their community to return to the human world, and she will do anything to save it.

The most powerful witch in anyone's memory is in Prospero's home, in her bed, with no idea that she's a prisoner there...yet.

As the very fabric of their world is being destroyed, Ellie and Prospero must find a way to work together and save the world, and themselves."

Yeah, witch memory erasure... Gives such Buffy vibes.

Thanks for this arc!

This suffers a bit as a later book in a series and I enjoyed the first better