I was walking through the woods one moonlit night, feeling a strange sense of adventure coursing through my veins. As I ventured deeper into the dense forest, the atmosphere grew thick with a sense of mystery and intrigue. Trees whispered secrets through their rustling leaves, guiding me further into the heart of the unknown. Suddenly, amidst the hush of the night, a flickering light caught my attention. Curiosity engulfed me, pulling me closer to its source. As I approached the enchanting glow, I saw a figure hunched over a cauldron, stirring a concoction with swift, graceful movements.
Magic-less witch Violet Maxwell wants nothing to do with alpha wolf shifter Lincoln Thorne—the man who broke her fragile, teenage heart. But when the two of them are forced by arcane Supernatural Laws to find mates, Violet and Lincoln agree to fake-date their way to a fake-mating in order to conjure themselves some time.
From the far left cushion, April Asher pens laugh-out-loud romantic comedies with a paranormal twist, but when she s not putting her characters into embarrassing situations with supernatural entities, she also writes high-octane romantic suspense as April Hunt, her thrill-seeking alter ego. But when the two of them are forced by arcane Supernatural Laws to find mates, Violet and Lincoln agree to fake-date their way to a fake-mating in order to conjure themselves some time.
As I approached the enchanting glow, I saw a figure hunched over a cauldron, stirring a concoction with swift, graceful movements. The figure, dressed in tattered clothing adorned with feathers and bones, turned to face me. I gasped as I saw her face – she was not the witch I expected.
Review: Not the Witch You Wed by April Asher
Not the Witch You Wed follows Violet Maxwell, the oldest sister of a set of triplets and the only one who doesn’t have any magic. Content with her role as magicless black sheep of the family and letting her sisters having the spotlight of the magical community, the rug is pulled out from under her when the supernatural council orders her that, as the oldest sibling, magical or not, she has to find a mate right away. Lincoln Thorne, an alpha wolf shifter who broke Violet’s heart when they were both teens, finds himself in a similar conundrum. To remain the alpha of his pack, he needs to find a mate before his fast-approaching birthday. Struggling to find a partner, Violet and Lincoln agree to fake-date their way to a fake mating in order to give themselves time to find another solution. But when old feelings resurface—along with Violet’s unexpected magic—they both realise there’s nothing fake about their love. Yet with old secrets, family meddling and past hurt trying to tear them apart, can Violet and Lincoln find their way back to each other for real?
Can you hear my paranormal romance-loving heart beat like a drum? Not the Witch You Wed was, in a word, fun. There are so many elements in this book that just worked exceptionally well together: supernatural characters (and stereotypes that are turned upside down like the possessive alpha trope), relatable family dynamics (who hasn’t had their parents and siblings meddling in their love lives, honestly), a patriarchal (and super outdated) council and last but not least, a smart, sassy and savvy protagonist that neatly ties the narrative together.
There’s also something to be said for worldbuilding in this story. Without boggling down the narrative with too much information, Asher introduces the history of the magical community, the archaic power structures and the young generation’s struggle to create a new, more inclusive community and gives an outlook on what’s to come for Violet’s sisters. I also really liked how seamless the transitions were between the overarching romance and Violet’s relationships with her friends and her family, but most of all, her relationship with her self and her powers. Violet’s a genuinely kind character and it was interesting to see her invest so much time into other people and showing them how great they are while also battling her own insecurities, especially once her magic surfaced. Violet’s struggle to figure out her magic added so much to the story and seeing her friends help her any way they can was just so sweet.
I’m also willing to bet that it’s physically impossible not to be smitten by Violet and Lincoln’s romance. I’m a sucker for love interests that are devoted to their partner and Lincoln definitely delivered on that. Stories where the reader knows the reasons for a break up or someone getting their heart broken yet not the protagonist knowing it can be so nail-bitingly dramatic and that’s the case in this book. I loved how we got to see Lincoln try and make up for what he did and Violet giving him the pieces of the puzzle he was missing, and vice versa. The banter between Violet and Linc also just felt so genuine and even in the beginning stages when you know Violet just wants to tear his head off for how he broke her heart, there’s no denying their chemistry. From unexpected run-ins to downright heartwarming displays of affection, these two were explosive to follow.
While I won’t spoil the ending, I will say that I didn’t expect the outcome but genuinely wanted to cheer for the Maxwell matriarch who adds another layer of awesomeness (even in her eighties) to the story. Honestly, I’m so stoked to read the romances of the other Maxwell sisters!
A juicy cocktail of steam, snark, and secrets, Not the Witch You Wed is a playful paranormal second chance romance, perfect for fans of Charmed and The Ex Hex!
Not the Witch You Wed is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of February 8th 2022.
Will you be picking up Not the Witch You Wed? Tell us in the comments below!
Synopsis | Goodreads
BOOKPAGE, "2022 Preview: Most Anticipated Romance"
Instead of the traditional portrayal of a wicked old hag, she bore the beauty of a wild enchantress. Her piercing emerald eyes seemed to hold deep wisdom and ancient secrets. Her hair cascaded around her shoulders in waves of midnight black, adorned with delicate flowers. "You were not expecting me," she spoke, her voice gentle yet commanding. Her words sent shivers down my spine, and I found myself rooted to the spot, unable to tear my gaze away from her magnetic presence. "I am not the witch you were expecting," she continued. "But what is a witch, if not a vessel for the magic that courses through this world? I have chosen a different path, a path of harmony and interconnectedness with nature." Her words resonated deep within my soul, challenging the preconceived notions I held about witches. In that moment, standing before this captivating enchantress, I realized that magic takes many forms, and the true essence of a witch lies not in appearance but in the power they wield and the intentions they manifest. She invited me to sit by her side, inviting me into her world of herbal remedies, divination, and connection with the spirit realm. With each lesson, she taught me that magic is a force that flows through everything, and it is our intention and understanding that determines its outcome. As the moon reached its zenith, we shared stories and laughter, bridging the gap between the realms of the mystical and the mundane. In her presence, I felt a sense of belonging and empowerment, knowing that I had found a kindred spirit in this unexpected witch. When dawn painted the sky with hues of gold, the enchantress bid me farewell. With a knowing smile, she assured me that our paths would cross again when the time was right. As I walked back through the woods, the mysteries of the night still swirling in my mind, I couldn't help but feel grateful for the encounter with this unconventional witch. She had shattered my preconceptions and opened my eyes to the diverse manifestations of magic in the world. From that day forward, I would no longer judge witches solely by their appearances but by the depth of their wisdom and the intentions they held in their hearts..
Reviews for "Witchcraft and mental health: Harnessing magic for personal healing"
- John - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Not the witch you were". The plot was confusing and disjointed, making it hard to follow along with the story. The characters were also very flat and one-dimensional, I couldn't connect with any of them. Overall, I found the whole book to be a letdown and wouldn't recommend it to others.
- Lisa - 1/5 stars - I absolutely hated "Not the witch you were". The writing style was convoluted and pretentious, making it a chore to read. The author tried to be clever with their use of language, but it only served to confuse and alienate the reader. Additionally, the ending felt rushed and unsatisfying. I regret wasting my time and money on this book.
- Mike - 2/5 stars - "Not the witch you were" was a total letdown for me. The pacing was all over the place and the story lacked a clear focus. I couldn't get invested in the characters because they didn't feel authentic or relatable. The potential for an interesting plot was there, but the execution fell flat. I struggled to finish this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.