Tag: Lucy Jane Wood

Uncharmed by Lucy Jane Wood

On By TracyIn Blog Tour, Book Publicity, Contemporary, Paranormal / Fantasy, Release Day Blitz, Romantasy, Standalone Title, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's Reviews, Women's Fiction, Young AdultLeave a comment

Uncharmed (Rewitched, #2)Uncharmed by Lucy Jane Wood

Tracy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Release Date: September 16, 2025

Andromeda “Annie” Wildwood adores being a witch and uses her power to make other people happy. She owns The Celestial Bakehouse, a bakeshop/café called the Celeste by her patrons, where she spreads happiness and calming to all, via magically infused treats. She is also very involved in Selcouth (her local coven) as well as a member of a secret group of witches known as the Sorciety. To put it simply, Annie is perfect or at least that is what the world thinks, thanks to a complicated bit of magic, and she wants to make everyone happy. But Annie’s perfect world is about to come crashing down when the sage witch of the Selcouth asks her to mentor Maeve, a troubled young witch just coming into her powers.

Thrown out of her comfort zone and into an abandoned, rundown cabin in the woods, Annie struggles to connect with Maeve. But with patience, understanding and a lot of mistakes, the two women begin to form a bond, and Annie helps Maeve learn to control her magic, while Maeve teaches her how to be her true self. They have just begun to get comfortable in their secluded home when they are thrown another curve – in the form of Hal Bancroft, the cabin’s owner, warlock, and Head of Selcouth’s Mythical Beasts Department. Hal allows the women to stay and even helps in Maeve’s lessons. The three quickly settle into a peaceful routine and it soon becomes obvious that Maeve’s powers are extraordinary, and Annie and Hal are not the only ones to notice. Annie will be swept up in a web of secrets, lies, betrayal and heartbreak, leaving her wondering who she is and where she belongs.

This book was nothing like I was expecting, and it is very different from the first book. This story has a bit of a darker feel, with a lot more emotion and personal growth. I definitely would not call this a Romantasy, it is more women’s fantasy fiction (if that was a real genre). The book centers around most people’s innate need to be accepted and the struggles we face to find a way to “fit in” without losing ourselves. The story is filled with true friends, fake friends, greed, glitter, lots of pink, baked goods, magic, self-reflection, healing, found family, and just a hint of budding romance. The story might not be what I was expecting, but it was a truly lovely, rich read that had me laughing and crying in equal measure and a book that I would happily recommend!

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

Rewitched by Lucy Jane Wood

On By TracyIn Contemporary, New To Me Author, Paranormal / Fantasy, Standalone Title, Tracy's Reviews, Young AdultLeave a comment

RewitchedRewitched by Lucy Jane Wood

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Release Date: September 17, 2024

Belladonna “Belle” Blackthorn is a witch from a very powerful magical family. Belle came into her powers at 15, but has maintained a primarily non-magical life, she does use small incantations but for the most part she hasn’t really embraced her magic and has pretty much taken it for granted. She works at a charming little bookstore and lives with her best friend (who doesn’t know she is a witch), she is content but doesn’t take any risks. So, when she gets visit from Rune, a warlock in her coven, she learns that on her thirtieth birthday, she must present herself to the coven to undergo the EquiWitch trial, and be judged worthy of keeping her powers, she is understandably thrown for a loop.

The trial doesn’t go well, but thanks to a loophole, Belle is given a second chance to prove herself to the coven, but the catch is that she will have only 30 days to prepare or risk losing her powers for good. Her magical mentor has a shady past and may or may not have killed his brother, but upon meeting Artorius “Arty” Day, she can’t believe he could be the villain the coven leaders said he is. With Arty’s help Belle delves into magic and realizes how much she wants to keep her powers. But when things turn dark, she may have to give up her magic to keep the people she loves safe.

This was a charming, well-written witchy story with wonderful characters and a happy ending. I loved Belle, she is caught between two worlds and at thirty still hasn’t decided what she is doing with her life. I loved watching her rediscover the thrill of magic and moving outside of her comfort zone. Overall, this was a good read with likable characters, secrets, magic, danger, shocking revelations, dear friends and family, an annoyingly good-looking warlock and a spectacular ending. This is my first time reading this author, and while I felt the story dragged a bit at times and I would have enjoyed a bit more romance, overall, I enjoyed her writing style and am looking forward to her next book.