WITCHY WOMAN

When a guarded witch meets her fated soulmate, she must choose between keeping her walls up or risking everything for love in Shae’s supernatural romance.

After losing her father as a child and watching her mother slowly unravel, Laura Hollis decided early on that love was a risk she couldn’t take. In the years since, she’s carefully curated an image—all bright clothes and sharp edges—and developed a firm belief that she’s better off not getting too close to anyone. Her equanimity is shattered by her mother’s disappearance at the hands of the warlock who killed her father (the world of the novel resembles our own, but contains hidden magic). Enter Ash Cedar, an Earth witch with lumberjack vibes, sunshine energy, and the patience of a saint (“The warmth of his body is overwhelming, making me want to lean in and soak it up like a cat in the sun”). Ash is everything Laura doesn’t want to want: He’s gentle, persistent, and, unfortunately, her soulmate. The bond they share is hard to ignore, but Laura does everything she can to resist it. Her plan to avoid Ash is complicated by her grandmother’s request that Laura help man her booth in the local witch’s market. Ash is a regular there, advertising his family’s business, and Laura finds herself drawn further into his orbit. Their growing connection becomes more than just romantic; it challenges her sense of identity and the beliefs she’s clung to for years. As Laura’s fire powers lead her to a stunning revelation, she has to choose between keeping her walls up or taking the terrifying leap into love and vulnerability. This novel, the second installment in the author’s Pruitt Witches series, offers a heartfelt blend of emotional growth and slow-burn romance between characters who feel layered and sincere. While the plot follows familiar beats, the story’s charm lies in the warmth of the relationships and the quiet power of the storytelling. Laura’s transformation from an aloof “golden child” to a woman learning to trust her own strength is at times frustrating and ultimately deeply satisfying.

A familiar story made fresh by engaging relationships, emotional depth, and strong writing.