Enchantra, by Kaylie Smith

4/5✨
4/5🌶️
Dark Fantasy Romance

Feeling lost under her sister’s shadow, Genevieve Grimm accepts an invitation to Italy, hopeful to meet someone as lost as her. Instead, she’s met with hostility from Rowin Silver, the owner’s arrogant son, and stumbles into Enchantra, a deadly game of hide and seek where the losers are trapped in Hell for a whole year and are released only to play again the next year. To survive, Genevieve teams up with Rowin in a fake marriage, but as their rivalry turns to attraction, she realizes he’s hiding secrets. Now, she’s caught in not just one dangerous game, but two: Enchantra and the one Rowin is playing with her heart.

🌷Fake marriage
🌷Deadly trials
🌷Found family
🌷Shadow x sunshine
🌷Familiars
🌷"Touch her and die"

Thank you, NetGalley, for the advanced copy of this book! All opinions are my own.

I must admit, I was afraid I wouldn’t like this book because I found Genevieve highly unlikable in Phantasma. However, I ended up enjoying it a lot—and I even found that Vivi wasn’t that bad! This book is definitely slower than Phantasma, and I felt that the rounds of the Hunt were less intriguing and complex than those in the first book.

That said, I think the romance and the found family trope were much more developed, which is why I loved it! The Silver family is fascinating, each member possessing a unique power and being literally willing to die each year for the greater good. I can only hope we’ll see them again because I’m highly interested in a few of the Silver brothers.

The atmosphere was immaculate and felt like a breath of fresh air compared to the gruesome tone of book one. I loved that every sibling had a familiar, and I especially adored Rowin’s familiar, Umbra. My only complaint is that not much happened in the first 40% of the book—the real action didn’t kick in until the halfway mark.

I adored the audiobook of Phantasma last year so I was very excited to get the ARC for Enchantra as well this year! I binged it in less than a day because it was just as amazing as Phantasma!

With the world already established in Phantasma, Enchantra wastes no time in getting into the action with the Silver family. Enchantra has some of my favourite tropes in it - marriage of convenience, forced proximity and dangerous games so it's not a surprise that I absolutely devoured this. On top of that, I just love Genevieve - she's curvy, confident, flirtatious and stubborn. When MMC Rowin told her that her body wouldn't be anything he hadn't seen before, she declared "It is something you've never seen before. Me. And I'm spectacular." Oh, I just love her.

Speaking of the Wicked Games series as a whole, I read the epilogue several times for clues to the next book. I am so excited for it. And now theres the Silver family, I'm praying for more of their stories!

Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley, but this is my voluntary and honest review.

The author masterfully mixes elements of suspense, romance, and dark fantasy, creating a captivating story that is impossible to put down. The plot unfolds in twists and turns, keeping readers guessing at every step throughout the book. The games in the book were different but so fun to read about! The family dynamics are filled with treachery and manipulation, adding an additional layer of suspense to the already tense situation.

Enchantra is the second book in this trial romantasy series, following the story of Genevieve. While the games and overall plot didn’t quite live up to the excitement of Phantasma, it was still an enjoyable and quick read. I’m looking forward to the next book!

3.5 rounded up.

This was a fun follow up to Phantasma!

I did enjoy book one a bit more than book two, but it was still a fun journey with enjoyable characters. The plot was the best part for me, a magical game of hide and seek, but the main characters and side characters also added to the fun!

The writing flows well and is easy to follow at most points. It did take me a few chapters to get fully immersed but then it was a quick and enjoyable read.

I think my biggest thing keeping it a bit lower in rating is there there were *too* many side characters at some points, with little inklings of back stories and information, and it felt a little overwhelming at times.

That said, I enjoyed all the of the Silver siblings and am excited to hopefully continue to read about the family.

I was worried to read this book when I found out it was going to be about Genevieve and not a continuation of ophelia and blackwell l, but I DEVOURED Enchantra.
Genevieve has been feeling out of place, received a mystery invitation to italy and decides to accept it. This story has a cursed palace in Italy with a shadow daddy wraith. Genevieve is forced into a marriage of convenience when she accidentally joins a deadly competition with only one winner and the losers get sent to hell.

Genevieve was my PERFECT FMC. She was so lively , brave and not afraid to say whats on her mind. I loved learning more about Genevieves life and POV to see the struggles she faced despite not having ophelia’s responsibilities. Her journey to find herself was so relatable and I laughed and cried along with her.

Rowin as MMC was amazing. I loved his tattoed , pierced shaddow daddy persona. I loved the grumpy sunshine trope as always and the banter between them was perfect as they detested eachother at first.

I loved the plot of Enchantra. Even though it was a continuation of Phantasma the stories felt seperate with the new romance spotlight and even though its similarly a competition of life or death it felt completely different with new paranormal aspects and I loved it all!

Phantasma was my favorite book in 2024. I was so excited for this one! While I didn’t love Vivi’s story quite as much, I just love this world she has created. I think I just struggled with the plot and why she was in the manor to begin with. Wish that was a little smoother. Loved the spice!

4.5/5 ⭐️
✔️Fake Romance
✔️Enemies to Lovers
✔️Shadow Daddy
✔️He Falls First

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of Phantasma last year, and I noted in my review that it brought me out of a bit of a Romantasy slump. I loved it! But I’ve read enough Romantasy series to doubt if I could fall in love again with a second book - sometimes the magic doesn’t remain. But if I’ve learned anything, it’s to stop doubting Kaylie and this series!

Spooky Setting: Just as the author did with NOLA, from the beginning, the opening scenes in Rome were perfectly set with magic and mystery. The author does a wonderful job of building fantasy mini-worlds within the “real” world. I could follow the descriptions of the house and its magic - I get frustrated when the magic and/or setting are not easy to understand. Yet, it’s still imaginative and fantastical. Kaylie Smith succeeds at expanding the world of Phantasma, but without feeling like just a repeat!

Family Fun: I tend to like contemporary romance series with large families, and the Silvers really have that vibe! I hope we see more of them in the series. The family members’ motivations and allegiances make for some good drama and mystery!

The missing 1/2 ⭐️: Just like Phantasma, there is a little bit of magic that ties things together, but is missing from the page - I hope this means that some is being saved for later in the series!

Final thoughts: pick up Enchantra asap in April! If you’re reading this and haven’t read Phantasma, stop reading this and go get it!

Thank you to Kaylie Smith and Forever Publishing for this ARC! I’ve truly enjoyed getting sneak peeks at this series!

Kaylie said you liked the banter in Phantasma? here’s even MORE. I absolutely loved this book and it absolutely lived up to every expectation I had. Not only did I love the main characters but also all the side characters in Genevieve and Rowins story? Sevin? He is my spirit animal. I just couldn’t stop giggling. It was so much fun and then somehow the last 100 pages also made me emotional because the romance was so intense and beautiful. Don’t even get me started on the shadow daddy that is Rowin I nearly went into a coma.

Moral of the story is if you’re looking for spicy, dark, fast paced romantasy Phantasma and Enchantra are the besties you need in your life. Immediately.

Genevieve is one of my new favourite fmcs because honestly I feel like we’re twin flames a lil bit. She’s wild. Anyways go read Enchantra on April 8th.

📖🎧 Book Review 🎧📖 What a treat to become truly immersed in the long awaited second installment of the Wicked Games series with both the print and audio version of Enchantra! Having escaped the clutches of Phantasma, Genevieve receives a mysterious invitation to the Enchantra villa in Tuscany. Seeking answers, she finds yet another dangerous game, and a handsomely intriguing man with secrets who might just be her only hope of survival. Kaylie Smith set the bar extremely high with her mesmerizing, hauntingly beautiful, and jaw-dropping first book. Drawing on many of the beautiful elements that captivated readers in Phantasma, she pens another stunningly macabre novel that delivers nonstop shock and awe in a fresh and darkly fun manner! Laura Horowitz pristinely breathes life into this thrilling gripping game in an audiobook that simply draws you in a dangerously as the game in Enchantra.

I think Kaylie Smith might be my new favorite author list. The way she writes characters and their interaction. I am going to need a story about all the characters because they are all interesting LOL!!! I love Phantasma and I was a little worried I wouldn’t love Enchantra as much but I’m wrong. IT’S SO GOOD. I think the spice in Phantasma is better but some of the things Genevieve and Rowin did make me squeal.

Genevieve gets a letter from her mother’s old friend so she goes to Italy to search for answers about her upbringing, her powers, and some things she was curious about. She’s just really curious and tends to get into trouble easily because of it. So of course, she accidentally enters a game show hosted by a demon and the only way to survive is to enter an arrange marriage because only family members or their spouse can enter in the game. So you get a dysfunctional loving family who has to kill each other for eternity and there’s Genevieve just trying to survive next to the hottest guy she has ever seen.

Rowin is a shadow wielder and has a lot of piercings… in a lot of fun places too. I really enjoyed the relationship between Genevieve (Vivi) and Rowin. Their relationship reminds me of a hate love, you annoy me but I like you anyway kinda romance.

I love it and I think you should read it asap so I can ramble to you about this book. The game reminds me of hide and seek mixed with Ready or Not (2019 movie) style. SO FKING GOOD.
I literally can’t wait for the next book. I need more already.

Release Date: April 8, 2025

Thank you Second Sky/Forever and NetGalley for the eARC.

Romance
Horror
Spicy
Forced proximity
1 Bed
Book 2 in series


Exquisitely Thrilling!
Genevieve is on the hunt for the man she thinks might be her real father.
After receiving an invitation to visit Enchantra, Genevieve is stalked by a murder of crows who guide her on her way to mysterious mansion where the games begin for her this time.
You can expect murder and mayhem in this absolutely fantastic sequel to Phantasma with all the delicious spice and bloody knives.
If you love survival games with intrigue and a dash of voyeurism then this should be your next read.

A huge thank you to Netgalley and Second Sky/Forever for a copy of this e-ARC in exchange for this honest review.

From the dark and glittering world of Phantasma, comes Enchantra, where each year one family of immortals must play a deadly game to see which one of them will have their freedom for the next year.

Just a few months after the death of her mother and surviving the dangerous game that was Phantasma, Genevieve Grimm travels to Italy to finally get some answers about her family from an old friend of her mother’s. Instead of finding answers, Genevieve finds herself trapped in another deadly game, where her only hope of survival is to team up with the very rude and handsome, Rowin Silver.

I found this to be a solid sequel to Phantasma, along with being a great standalone. I found the Silver family as a whole interesting, and I wouldn’t mind diving deeper into that insane family dynamic (maybe in another novel?)

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

From the moment I began reading Enchantra, I was completely captivated. I loved Phantasma and being back in this world was INCREDIBLE. This spicy, enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance had everything I was hoping for and more—drama, magic, tension, and a twist of danger that kept me on the edge of my seat. And it takes the meaning of shadow daddy to a whole new level. I had no idea this was a marriage of convenience trop and BOY DID IT HIT!!!!!! MY WIFE???? HELLO??

Genevieve Grimm is an incredibly relatable protagonist. She’s a young woman lost in the shadows of her family, desperate for something more than the life she’s been handed. When she’s invited to an Italian palace by a mysterious friend of her mother’s, she expects luxury and passion, but what she gets is a deadly game, with high stakes and life-or-death consequences.

Enter Rowin Silver—tall, dark, and frustratingly arrogant. From the moment they meet, I was hooked. Rowin is a complex character, and while he might seem cold and distant at first, you can feel there’s so much more to him than meets the eye. The dynamic between him and Genevieve is electrifying. Their initial animosity is palpable, but as the stakes get higher in the deadly game, their partnership—and growing attraction—becomes undeniable.

And let me tell you, the ending had me in a chokehold. I couldn’t believe how the story wrapped up—it was such a gorgeous, gut-wrenching, and perfect way to end their journey. I gasped so loud I woke up my cat! I won't spoil it, but the final twists took everything to a whole new level, leaving me breathless and completely satisfied.

Enchantra is a rollercoaster of emotions, tension, and passion that I couldn’t put down. The way Kaylie Smith weaves magic, mystery, and romance into this story is truly incredible. If you're a fan of enemies-to-lovers, marriage of convenience, dark(er) fantasy, and a plot that keeps you guessing until the very end, you NEED to read this book. It’s a masterpiece!

Enchantra by Kaylie Smith
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Huge thank you to Netgalley, SecondSky and the author, Kaylie Smith for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Honestly, this book is even more delightful than I dreamed and hoped it would be!! Let me tell you it YANKED me out of a reading slump.

Genevieve Grimm was the most likable MC that I’ve read in ages and don’t get me STARTED on all of our newest shadow daddy obsession! Rowington Silver the man that you are 🥵

I feel over the moon that I was gifted this early and am so excited for you all to read it. Somehow I liked Enchantra even better than Phantasma… but it might just be Rowin’s tattoos that do it for me 😅

So so stoked for you all to read this! If you loved book one, you’re in for such a treat! Enchantra comes out April 8th!! Just enough time to read book one, if you haven’t yet 😉

GIRL! HOW CAN SHE DO IT BETTER???

Great romantasy. Dislike to lovers. A lot of chemistry between the leads. And funny (and hot) supporting characters. I like that they all have great individual personalities even though it follows a family!

Kaylie Smith you are officially an insta-buy author for me. Both this and Phantasma were so fun! Dark and spooky, gothic atmosphere, I am obsessed!

Enchantra by Kaylie Smith (Book 2: Releases April 8th)

If you loved Phantasma then please allow me to tell you to buckle up. I LOVED Phantasma… and I honestly think I loved this one even more! Between the banter, tension, angst, and side characters that had me cackling… I seriously couldn’t get enough of it. This book had me up till 3 am and not wanting to put it down. I CANNOT WAIT FOR MORE OF YOU TO READ THIS BECAUSE I NEED MORE PEOPLE TO TALK TO ABOUT THIS. If you couldn’t tell, I’m a little obsessed with it.

Feral Rating 5/5
Spice Rating 3.5/5


What you can find:
- Marriage of Convenience
- Deadly Games
- Banter
- Hilarious Side Characters
- Forced Proximity
- “My Wife”
- Touch Her and Die
- Shadow Daddy
- Paranormal Romance
- Secrets & Curses

Muddled Summary:

While on a whirlwind adventure, she can't shake the feeling that she's being watched and followed. Everywhere she goes, crows trail behind her, and she soon realizes it's not a coincidence—it's a hex. Ever since she started corresponding with her late mother’s former friend, things have escalated, especially after his last letter. He insisted that she visit before the spring equinox, which is fast approaching.
Her annoyance elevating but the second due to the persistent hex, she heads to meet her mother’s friend. But as soon as she arrives, she realizes she's in for far more than she bargained for. Her sister always warned that her impulsive tendencies would get her into trouble, and this time, she was right. By stepping onto the manor grounds and refusing to leave, she’s locked into a deadly game with only one way out: survive.
The catch to the deadly games is that only those with the last name Silver are allowed to participate in this game, one created by a devil with a vendetta. The solution? She must marry one of her mother’s former friend’s sons and play the game with him. She just had to survive, and as the only mortal participant while partnered to her new husband who harbors dark secrets buried in shadow.

3.5 stars. Phantasma was my favorite read last year, so when I got the opportunity to read Enchantra early, I was elated! Kaylie Smith writes found family and funny characters with such ease; it’s always a treat to read. Sevin was my absolute favorite overall, I need an entire book about him and his adventures! The entire Silver family was the highlight for me, every time we learned more about each sibling was so captivating.

That being said, I do have some opinions. Enchantra draws similarities to Phantasma by its games; however, I wish we had a little more variety in the games played. Rowin is a typical Shadow Daddy, and if that speaks to you then you won’t be disappointed! I’m also realizing that the trope of “marriage of convenience” might not be for me. Where Phantasma had me in a chokehold by the third chapter, Enchantra didn’t really grip me until the last third of the book. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed it! I just didn’t feel that pull to keep reading until 1am (that’s late for me, I’m tired).
Overall, I enjoyed this story and look forward to seeing where Smith takes us next!

I’ve read this book in ebook & audiobook version. This is the second installment, after Phantasma, which in this book is about the sister, Genevieve.

Basically we still get the game and adventure, including paranormal beings tropes as the main in the plot. There are also humorous banter, marriage of convenience, from hate to love, morally grey, touch her and die, strong fmc,family matters and more, which manage to make the plot interesting and enjoyable.

Overall, I did enjoyed reading and listening to this book. The game in this feels less intense than in the first one to be honest, yet still got good characters all around and nicely match environment as well. The plot also went well with a good pace.

The audiobook version doesn’t disappoint at all, narrated by the same narrator as the first book. I loves it when she narrated it since she always managed to bring the book to life - from the characters to it’s ambience and story as well, truly captivating and made me glued to my headphones to listen. I totally recommend listening to the audiobook version.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in both ebook & audiobook version for an exchange with my honest review here.