What the Hex
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- $12.99
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- $12.99
Publisher Description
One of Amazon's Best Romances of April!
Enemies-to-lovers has never been more enchanting in this witchy romantic comedy from the New York Times bestselling author of Go Hex Yourself.
Penny Roundtree wants nothing more than to be a familiar to a witch. She’s been a member of the Society of Familiars ever since she was old enough to join the Fam. There’s just a small problem—no one’s hiring. Witches and warlocks are so long-lived that there are far more familiars available than witches to train them. So when an unorthodox arrangement to apprentice under the table to a forbidden warlock presents itself, she takes it.
Willem Sauer is banned from having a familiar due to past transgressions, thereby limiting his magic-casting abilities. Unfortunately for the surly, Prussian warlock, he has no choice but to work with enthusiastic Penny as a familiar. They immediately clash like dried roan horsehair and honeycomb gathered by moonlight (it’s a terrible spell combination, ask anyone).
Casting spells has delightful perks Penny never could have dreamed of, but also greater dangers. Someone is targeting Penny. Willem and Penny must work together to catch their enemy, and if their ploy requires a little kissing on the side, who is to question the rules of magic?
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Clare returns to the world of Go Hex Yourself with this madcap paranormal rom-com. Penny Roundtree is the secretary to the Society of Familiars, comprising familiars waiting to be apprenticed to a witch or warlock to progress their magic. Unfortunately, there are no warlocks or witches currently hiring. Penny desperately wants to become a familiar herself, leading her to agree to a risky, off-the-books apprenticeship with arrogant warlock Willem Sauer, who's been banned from casting magic due to an undisclosed past transgression. If caught, both of their careers—and possibly their lives—will be at stake, so the polar opposites turned reluctant allies pretend to be dating to disguise the real nature of their relationship. Doing magic with Willem makes Penny feel seen for the first time, and despite his best efforts, grumpy Willem can't help but gravitate toward Penny's sunny nature. The buildup of their relationship is delightful, but as the tropes pile up and the stakes increase in the rushed second act, the plot goes a bit off the rails. Still, Clare makes it easy to see why these two characters work together—and Penny's feisty pet squirrel adds some laughs. Series fans will be pleased.
Customer Reviews
Charming paranormal romance
Four and a Half Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭒
What the Hex by Jessica Clare is the second book in her popular Hex series. This paranormal romantic comedy can be read as a stand-alone.
Story Recap:
Penny Roundtree dreams of becoming a witch’s familiar. The problem is that there are not any positions available for a familiar apprentice. Penny has been a member of the Society of Familiars since she was old enough to join, but jobs are very scarce. So when a forbidden warlock offers an unusual arrangement, Penny knows it will be her only chance to apprentice as a familiar.
Willem Sauer is banned from having a familiar because of his past troubles. Unfortunately, his only chance to cast spells is to make an unconventional deal with Penny to have her apprentice under him as a familiar. They don’t get along at all until they do!
To hide their illegal witch/familiar relationship, they decide to pretend to be in a fake serious relationship. And as always happens in romance with a fake relationship, sooner or later, it becomes real.
My Thoughts:
Reading What the Hex is a delightful experience. I enjoyed the well-developed magical world that Willem and Penny live in. The rules of magic are well-defined, and I enjoyed this world.
I loved Penny. She’s optimistic, and bright and brings sunshine to Willem’s grump. And she has a pet squirrel named Pipstachio who is also adorable. The romance between Penny and Willem was fun to watch develop and they made a great couple. The book is full of magic and mystery which added to the story and the romance.
This book has a good degree of spiciness, but it was not overwhelming.
Recommendation:
I highly recommend What the Hex to anyone who enjoys paranormal romance. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.