How to Charm a Nerd

Wicked Sisters #2

by Katherine Garbera

She’s kind of a witch. He’s definitely a nerd. And this Halloween they’re letting their geek flags fly in this playful romantic comedy from USA TODAY bestselling author Katherine Garbera.

Dungeons and dragons and nerds, oh my…

The spooky season is almost here, and occultist and tarot reader Liberty Wakefield is already feelin’ it. But ever since her sick nan muttered the name of Liberty’s mysterious biological father, nothing feels normal. Not her friends, her family, nor the quirky shop she runs with her besties. So maybe it’s time for Liberty to track down the father she’s never met. Of course, that means getting a little help from the sexy nerd she’s been not-so-secretly vibing since last summer…

Merle Rutland hasn’t met anyone like the vivacious, bubbly Liberty. Part of him wishes he was more like her—instead of hiding his geekery from his hyper-athletic family. The other part just wants to pull the curvy redhead close, steal a kiss and hope he doesn’t roll a critical fail.

Only, somewhere between Dungeons & Dragons campaigns, pumpkins and a few ridiculously hot sexy-times, Liberty and Merle discover their respective weirds might be a match. Yet as Halloween draws closer, it seems everyone has skeletons in the closet…and nothing spells disaster quite like being haunted by the past…

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Witches, Halloween, Paranormal Romance, Harlequin

288 pages, Paperback

Published August 27, 2024

About the author

Katherine Garbera is a USA TODAY bestselling author of more than 100 novels, which have been translated into over two dozen languages and sold millions of copies worldwide. She is the mother of two incredibly creative and snarky grown children. Katherine enjoys drinking champagne, reading, walking and traveling with her husband. She lives in Kent, UK, where she is working on her next novel.
 

Reviews

[WednesdayWoah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Whelp. I’m the first to admit, this isn’t my usual fare. The romance genre is not my wheelhouse. But while browsing NetGalley the title caught my eye, and witchy things and D&D are 100% my wheelhouse so I figured sure, why not. Really, any book genre can be my thing if it’s a good book.

Here’s my issue. It feels like the author has never actually met someone who reads tarot, and especially has never encountered someone who plays D&D. These characters were written so incredibly one note and stereotypical, as if a quick google search was done for research and it was decided that was good enough. The word “nerdy” was increeeeeedibly overused, it literally can be found on almost every page. OMG, he’s soooooo nerdy! We get it. Also, anyone who is actually into any of these things knows they all go hand in hand, they are not separate worlds and it’s not a shock for these two people to find each other.

I could not care about anything that happened to these two because these googled tropes were just beat to death page after page.

So, yeah. I suppose this book is more for people who are just looking for romance books then for people who are interested in books about people who are into things like goth culture, tarot, spell casting, gaming, D&D etc, because those people will see right through these one note characters and leave unsatisfied (pun intended). 2 stars for the attempt, at least a google search was done.

But seriously, if someone calls it a D&D game, literally no one is going to say “aaaactually it’s a campaign”. Stop it.

[Shelleyrae at Book'd Out · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dungeons and dragons and witches and nerds, oh my...

How To Charm a Nerd by Katherine Garbera is actually the second in the WiCKed Sisters series, where each book focuses on the romantic life of one of three best friends who share a store with three distinct areas of responsibility, a tea shop run by Poppy Kitchener; a bookstore, run by Serafina Conte; and a magic shop presided over Liberty Wakefield.

This instalment features tarot reading Wiccan, Liberty, and Poppy’s cousin, computer programmer and Dungeon Master, Merle. Though the pair have flirted for years their relationship begins to change when Liberty asks Merle for his help in finding her biological father.

As a fan of D&D, I found the description of How To Charm A Nerd to be irresistible, and had high hopes for it. It wasn’t awful, I quite enjoyed the relationship between Liberty and Merle, along with the unexpected level of spice, but unfortunately I was disappointed overall.

Largely because I didn’t really warm to Liberty. I think Garbera was aiming to present her as a bit of a free spirit, but to me Liberty mostly seemed immature and self-involved. While Merle had a clearly defined arc of personal growth, Liberty seemed largely unchanged by the end of the book.

Additionally the plot is repetitive, consisting largely of Liberty having the same arguments with herself. There is very little progression through the story, almost no tension, and then we’re left with no real resolution to two of the three major issues Liberty was dealing with.

Of course you might love it, plenty of other readers have, sadly it just didn’t work for me.

[Beyond the Pages with Eva K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick Summary: A very WiCKed, witchy romance

My Review: How to Charm a Nerd by Katherine Garbera is book #2 in the WiCKed Sisters series. It is a "Spicy Fall Friends to Lovers Small Cozy Town Romance." It was released in 2024.

About the Book: "She’s kind of a witch. He’s definitely a nerd. And this Halloween they’re letting their geek flags fly..."

In My Own Words: A tarot card enthusiast/business owner on a quest for answers about her father enlists the help of a frequently present nerd/Tech guy. They soon find themselves in a hot & spicy situationship. Facing challenges and more, they eventually discover something special with each other.

My Final Say: I adore this series. Liberty and Merle were certainly entertaining. The journey to their HEA was so worth it. I'm so looking forward to book #3, Brewing Up a Bad Boy. Let's get it!

Readers who enjoy lighthearted rom-coms with background dysfunction and issues at play, as well as found family relationships, will like this one.

Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Re-read: Yes
Status/Level: 💛
Other: Book Club Recommendation

Sincere appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Harlequin - Romance | Afterglow Books by Harlequin), and to NetGalley. Thank you for sharing a digital ARC of this title in exchange for an honest critique. The words I have shared are my own thoughts and opinions. I am grateful for the opportunity.

[Kristen Barenthaler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable. Feisty. Long game flirting. Perfection.

[Harlequin Books]

Romantic Comedy, Contemporary Romance, Occult Fiction
Miniseries
WiCKed Sisters (Book #2)

Such a fun read. :) ~ Kim

[Lindsey Domokur · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love witchy books and I was really exctied to start this one. I love nerdy guys too, so it was a perfect match for me. Liberty and Merle had a insta lust connection, but it took them a while to actually start anything. Merle couldn't stop thinking about Liberty and everyone knew he had a thing for her, and Liberty thought Merle's nerdiness was adorable.
When she needs help looking for her father, she enlists the first person she thinks of to do the work, Merle. As their relationship grows closer they start to think that maybe there could be something real between them. Immersing each other in their lives and letting them see their real true selves can be scary, but when it is the one, they are there for you no matter what.
I liked their relationship, but the thing I didn't love was Liberty's mom and the secrets about her father. I was waiting and waiting for a huge secret to emerge and at the end I felt like the truth was a let down. If you are looking for a light fun read though, pick this book up because their relationship was fire! 3.5 Stars.

[Penny Leidecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liberty and Merle

This is book two of the WiCKed Sisters series and I loved Liberty and Merle’s story. They’ve been attracted to each other since meeting, but never really acted on it beyond flirting. When Liberty learns the name of her biological father and she goes to Merle for his computer skills to help find him, things begin to change. Merle is the nerd who enjoys being the dungeon master during his D&D sessions. Liberty is the witch of WiCKed Sisters and is really floundering since learning her father’s name. Merle introduces Liberty to D&D and she really enjoyed it. Merle makes her feel safe and helps to ground her. I don’t want to leave any spoilers, so grab your copy of this book if you enjoy a good story about acceptance, loving friends, and giving in to love. I can’t wait to read Poppy’s story.

[i · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the premise for this book. Witch x D&D nerd! Super cute love it, with themes of grief, dementia, and finding inner self. I was on bored. There was a bit of a kitchy feel to the witchcraft, thats in a lot of books like this but it definitely had the witchy vibe without the fantasy that a lot of books have. I was a bit disappointed with the romance because there wasnt really any chasing or build it, there was just tension that was already there into relationship.
Overall a good read!

Thank you to the author and Netgalley for this read!

[Elizabeth Mckernan · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was a great book i enjoyed it.

[Lyndsey Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this! It’s so cute! Merle is battling with the fact her Nan has Alzheimer’s and is deteriorating and that really resonates with me, as I lost my granny to the disease. So much of what is described in the book is what happened to loved one who go through this.

But amongst it all there is the most beautiful love story about a “nerd” who can’t be comfortable in his own skin and a gorgeous witch who is battling the uncertainty of her current life and her unknown father. It was great to read the uncertainty each other had for the commitment that they want but keep denying each other.

I loved the confidence that liberty has and also helps Merle get for himself. And I love the steady reassurance and calm demeanour that Merle has.


Super cute witchy love story

[Realview Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plot:
Liberty Wakefield is a practicing witch, who follows in her mother's and grandmother's footsteps in their spiritual beliefs and magical lifestyles. She also owns part of a business with her two best friends. One of those friends happens to have a nerdy Dungeons and Dragons loving relative Introducing MMC and Dungeon Master, Merle Rutland!

Merle has known Liberty for many years and has always had an admiration for her. Despite having a brilliant career and being an intellect , he is also the black sheep of his family and likes to keep his nerdy hobbies and interests as far away from his relatives as possible.


In this Mills & Boon Afterglow title, we follow Liberty and Merle as they form a pact. Liberty asks Merle to find out some information about her biological father, while in exchange, Merle asks her to take part in his Dungeons & Dragons sessions for the next 6 weeks to stand in for one of his players who has recently welcomed a baby.

Will the witch be able to charm the nerd? Or will their relationship end up being a critical fail?

Review:
3/5 stars

As a bookworm who reads mostly fantasy and romance books, who has also been playing Dungeons & Dragons for the last 9 years, this book pulled me in from the moment I read that there was a perfect combination of the two hobbies that I love the most!

I really enjoyed getting to know Liberty and Merle while reading this novel, their back stories were so well written and I loved them both as characters in their own right. The inclusion of their own struggles within their families was heartbreaking to read in some parts of the book, nevertheless they were important topics that were written in a way that was sensitive to those who may have experienced these themselves as a reader. *Slight spoiler territory here*, but I really connected with Liberty and her mother as they faced all of the difficult struggles of seeing a loved one facing the world with Dementia. I have experienced this myself as I'm sure many around the world sadly have too, so this is definitely a story that many readers can relate to. It may also bring a few tears to their eyes too. I know it did mine.

As much as I really did enjoy this read, I don't feel the plot was executed as well as it was presented. Considering the title of this book is How To Charm A Nerd" I felt that the story strayed quite far away from this premise and there really wasn't enough of this in the actual story. For example, there wasn't much "charming" that was needed considering there was an intimate scene right at the beginning of the book.

The intimacy scenes were fairly spicy, and there was a lot of them in this book. So readers looking for a saucy read certainly won't be disappointed.

I feel awful about adding this in but this is also just a personal preference for me, but the name of the MMC just didn't work for me at all. I wondered if the name Merle may have been a little nod to the famous wizard "Merlin" as the MMC is a fantasy gamer, however I just could not imagine Merle being a name that the FMC would be shouting out aloud in intimate scenes. It just put me off a little. I have no problem with the name in general and actually it sounds kind of fun, but it's not one I'd expect to find in a fictional romance novel. Even if I did really love his character.

On a more positive note, I was quite impressed by the Dungeons and Dragons knowledge that was in this book, I had the best time while reading the scenes where the characters were actually gathered together playing their D & D sessions, I just wish there was more of them. But as a DM myself I was given some brilliant inspiration!

Although I have had a few critiques about How to Charm a Nerd, please don't let them put you off picking it up. I really enjoyed reading it and was always anticipating what I would find on the next page as I made my way through this story.

If like me, you're a book worm and D & D enthusiast then this really is a nice easy read and I have already recommended it to other friends of mine with similar interests too.

[Courtney · Rating 2 out of 5]

***WARNING: SPOILERS***
I really wanted to like this book. The premise was cute, and I was interested in seeing Merle’s and Liberty’s romance unfold. But there was just something missing for me. The writing was choppy, and the development of the relationship didn’t resonate with me. It sort of fell flat. Additionally, the subplot with her dad seemed tacked on and didn’t come to a satisfactory resolution for me. Why have him show up at all, only to leave so easily? All in all, the narrative didn’t come together for me in a cohesive, convincing way.

[Autumn Mulheron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the chemistry And the little shop

[Kezia Lucas (keziareads) · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book had potential—a small-town romance with a witchy twist —but unfortunately, it fell flat in a lot of ways. From the choppy writing to the underdeveloped characters and rushed pacing, it just didn’t quite come together.

Let’s start with the writing. It was very simplistic, filled with short, static sentences that made everything feel abrupt and unnatural. There was a lot of telling instead of showing, making the story feel more like a summary than an immersive experience. Paragraphs like “Liv and Johnny came together. They were both local to Birch Lake. Liv’s new character, Brilla, was a dwarf cleric.” were exactly what the rest of the book is like and it gave off a fanfiction-like quality that didn’t really work for me.

The main characters Liberty and Merle both felt very surface-level, lacking depth or meaningful development. Merle is supposed to be a computer programmer, but his job is so vaguely described that we never get a real sense of what he actually does—except for the occasional generic mention of a "big project at work." Liberty, on the other hand, is a witch… but that’s about all we know. The magic system is barely explained, and we never get answers to basic questions. Are witches common in this world? Does everyone know about them? How does the magic even work? There are references to a goddess, but we’re never told who she is or why Liberty and her family follow her. It felt like the author hadn’t fully fleshed out the magical elements, which made them feel more like a vague backdrop than an integral part of the story.

This lack of depth extended to the romance as well. The relationship between Liberty and Merle goes from 0 to 100 in a single chapter, with no real build-up. By the end of the first chapter, we already know they like each other and what their central conflict is going to be. It didn’t leave any room for slow-burn chemistry or meaningful character interactions before they got together.

The pacing was all over the place. The first half of the book takes place over just a few days, and then suddenly, six weeks have passed with barely any mention of the time jump. The ending, in particular, felt incredibly rushed. There’s a sudden argument between Liberty and Merle that seems like it was meant to be the standard third-act conflict, but they resolve it in just a few sentences. Liberty’s grandmother is rushed to the hospital, but we never find out what happened to her or if she’s okay. And the central worry that Liberty has had throughout the book gets wrapped up in a single paragraph right before the final page, making it feel anticlimactic. With a book this short (under 300 pages), it’s understandable that things move quickly, but if you’re going to introduce multiple storylines and conflicts, the book either needs to be longer or the plot needs to be more focused.

Another thing that stood out was the amount of time spent on Merle’s conversations with his cousin about her ex-husband—who, by the way, is the love interest in another book in the series. I get wanting to set up future books, but these conversations were repetitive and I felt like they belonged in her own book rather than taking up space in this one. Instead of spending so much time on their back-and-forth about her past relationship, I would have preferred to see more development between Liberty and Merle, or even just more exploration of Liberty’s magic and friendships.

Overall, *How to Charm a Nerd* felt rushed, repetitive, and underdeveloped. The writing was choppy, the characters lacked depth, and the plot never gave itself enough time to properly build tension or emotion. It had the foundation for a fun, cosy romance with a unique magical twist, but it didn’t take the time to flesh out its world or characters in a satisfying way.

[Calamity · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a cute and fun read!

I related a lot to Merle's worries about his family not accepting him for who he is, but... he has a successful career where he makes a LOT of money and he is a homeowner. He is by no means a bum, so the book acting like he was a complete failure because he didn't like baseball was... something. I also liked the D&D stuff! I'm a nerd and D&D being included in anything is a big draw for me :)

There were a lot of parts of Liberty and her life that I really enjoyed, but some parts fell flat for me. I liked the witchy vibes and focus on bonds with women in your life, and I really liked the magic/tea/book shop, it's just a very cozy idea. However, she came off a bit immature and self-centered to me. She tended to put everyone's feelings behind hers :/ also, her continued frustration with her mom for not wanting to talk about her dad despite knowing it's a sore subject was disappointing. I get that she wanted answers, but she didn't even give her mom a minute to breathe before expecting them.

I think this is a hot take, but I liked that Liberty's father was so lackluster? It keeps with the themes of the book imo. He didn't need to be in Liberty and her mom's lives. He stifled her mom and would probably stifle her and it's better for all of them that he's not a part of their lives. (Also, for a good chunk of the book I was worried that her parents were secretly dating and I'm really glad that wasn't the case)

Liberty and Merle had a fun dynamic- I love it when Character A thinks the other is so stoic, maybe to the point where they think Character B doesn't like them, and you flip perspectives and B is fully obsessed with them. I eat it up lol

I had a couple issues with the sex scenes in this book :/ 1) they were very short. I ended every scene like "DAMN, already??" I'm cool with a fade to black but it didn't fade to black. They had sex within a page or two and carried on with what they were doing. It just read like Merle doesn't last very long in bed 2) these motherfuckers were so. damn. horny. I like smut, but there are times when a conversation has a bigger emotional payoff than a sex scene. I was deeply disappointed after Samhain when they had sex instead of having a conversation about their feelings and relationship. 3) Merle was always getting hard over anything Liberty did and that was annoying.

My biggest issue with this book (that is probably something only I care about) is that Liberty tells the reader that Merle isn't her normal type because she normally dates bigger guys and Merle is skinny and fit. That is soul-crushingly lame. Why tell us she dates outside the "norm" and make Merle the standard book boyfriend? I ended up picturing him as bigger because he's hotter that way tbh

[Cristina Rivera · Rating 2 out of 5]

Most of the above reviews capture the potential and ultimate problems with this book.

First, witchiness and geekery (which is what Merle is, not a nerd) go hand-in-hand and are in no way a surprise pairing or opposites attract situation. The suggestion was laughable and demonstrated that the author knows next to nothing about either subculture. The depiction of DnD and witchcraft were fine but lacked depth and added little more than window dressing to the characters especially Liberty.

Next, I could not connect with Liberty. Her characterization was all over the place. She’s depicted as going through a particularly difficult, transformative period in her life but sometimes her characterization seemed to portray a character with a more jaded history but then the next chapter details were made clear that this wasn’t the case. She might have been meant to come off as someone questioning herself and her assumptions about her life (and if we’d ever gotten there that would’ve been a solid plot) but she just came off as moody and self-obsessed with how surface the rest of the plot remained for her.

One thing I did like was Merle. I liked Merle’s storyline about trying to be more authentic and integrated with his life, stop hiding himself from his family and by extension repeating that harmful pattern with those “close” to him. I didn’t overall mind that his story was pretty much a straight line from deciding that he was just ready to try to apply past insights and step into a more grown-up version of himself. If Liberty’s plot had been stronger, then his being more straightforward could’ve worked in parity.

However, the storyline around Liberty’s father was bullshit. The plot around her father (and so the romance) dragged for no reason killing any momentum. If Liberty had spoken to her mother early in the book (as she had planned) then learned her mother was actually lying to her the whole time and had not intended to be open with her daughter, only pretended to seem like the cool “best friend” mom and manipulate her daughter into being a team against the “sperm donor,” then all the last minute (literally like three pages from the end) “reveals” could’ve been positioned throughout different points in the story and given some weight to Liberty’s turmoil. Rather, everything was wrapped up in one paragraph (fr) and swept under the rug. I feel as if I just read someone fail their Fourth House Saturn Return, because she didn’t want to confront the complicated reality of her relationship with her mother.

[Tori Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

08/01/24 - 08/09/24
Digital

How to Charm a Nerd offers a unique blend of the occult and geek culture, a combination that initially intrigued me. The inclusion of Dungeons and Dragons gameplay was a refreshing change of pace, offering a glimpse into a world often overlooked in fiction. I had actually never read a book with D&D being a plot point, so I would have liked more gameplay scenes. Merle's backstory, particularly his complex family dynamics, had the potential to be a standout element. His character's internal struggles hinted at a depth that could have been explored further to create a more compelling narrative.



"Liberty deserved someone who would never fail her."

Unfortunately, the novel's pacing undermined its potential. The rapid progression of the romantic relationship between Liberty and Merle felt rushed, lacking the build-up and tension necessary to create a truly satisfying connection. The "oil and water" dynamic promised in the early chapters was largely absent, replaced by an immediate and intense attraction. It's possible some of this relationship was developed in the first book, but I'm not sure. This accelerated timeline hindered character development and made the eventual payoff of their relationship less impactful.

"'I asked the moon for you on Samhain.'"



While the premise was promising, the execution fell short. A slower pace and a deeper dive into the characters' personalities could have elevated the story. Additionally, showing more of the characters' interactions and less of the narration would have enhanced the reader's connection to Liberty and Merle.

"'There is something ethereal about you in the moonlight. I can't take my eyes off of you.'"



Despite its flaws, How to Charm a Nerd offers glimpses of a potentially enjoyable story. It's an easy read, and it has a charming storyline. With a stronger focus on character development and a slower pace, the novel could easily reach its full potential.



Thank you to Netgalley, Harlequin - Romance, and Katherine Garbera for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

[Paige · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tropes:
- witchy vibes
- forced proximity
- found family
- thick girl rep
- best friends cousin

I'm not going to say I loved this book but I'm also not going to say I hated it. I enjoyed the story itself, but it was the writing that took me out of it. It felt like the spicy scenes were thrown in to satiate BookTok's need for spice but weren't exactly thought out and none of the characters felt fully developed to me. The transitions between POVs or scenes was also very confusing to follow. Sometimes a new chapter meant a whole new scene, sometimes it didn't. Sometimes a break in the chapter itself meant a whole new scene, sometimes it meant we were just switching POVs right in the middle. This made things a little confusing to follow, since I was never really sure if we were picking right back up in the same conversation or a totally new one (sometimes two weeks later in the same chapter, despite the whole book happening over the course of just a couple months).

Liberty and Merle were cute together, but I did find them to be similar copies of Sera and Wes from The Bookbinder's Guide to Love, the first book in the WiCKed Sisters series. They both seemed a little emotionally stunted (see: constipated) but that was really a result of the writing.

Liberty's relationship with her friends was the real standout of this book (and the same goes for the first in this series). I would almost rather read this as a series about a coven of witches and their own character development with each other and themselves. I feel like Liberty's relationship with her father would have felt more conclusive and we could have known more about Nan and her condition.

Merle and his "I'm not what my parents want me to be" sub-trope was pretty much a direct copy of Wes from book 1, just with slightly more development. I could have used more of him working or playing D&D to really solidify his "Nerd" status but that just me.

Overall, this book gets 3 stars as I really did like the story itself, it just felt incomplete.

Thank you to the publisher, Harlequin and NetGalley for the chance to read an advance review copy of this book.

[L Powers (Bookish_Mum) · Rating 3 out of 5]

How to Charm a Nerd by Katherine Garbera
WiCKed Sisters Book 2
Rating: 3/5
Release Date: 15 August 2024

As Halloween approaches, Liberty Wakefield, an occultist and tarot reader, feels her life undergo a significant shift. Ever since her grandmother hinted at the identity of Liberty’s unknown biological father, her world has been thrown into turmoil. Uncertainty seeps into her relationships with friends, family, and the quirky shop she co-owns. Determined to unravel the mystery, Liberty sets off on a quest to uncover the truth, unexpectedly enlisting the help of Merle Rutland, a charmingly nerdy guy she’s been secretly drawn to since the previous summer.

Merle is captivated by Liberty’s vibrant personality and zest for life, qualities he admires despite feeling overshadowed by his hyper-athletic family. Their bond strengthens through shared experiences like Dungeons & Dragons games and intimate moments amidst pumpkin patches and enigmatic encounters.

As their relationship deepens, Liberty and Merle discover their quirks and passions complement each other perfectly. However, with Halloween approaching, unsettling revelations from their pasts emerge, revealing buried secrets and unresolved issues. Navigating these challenges becomes critical as they confront their own ghosts and fears, threatening the fragile threads of their budding connection.

The novel presented itself as a fast-paced, enchanting romance woven with themes of loss and trust, capturing my interest from the outset. However, while the premise was compelling, the execution fell short of expectations. There were moments when I wished the narrative would show actions instead of merely describing thoughts. This imbalance detracted from my engagement with the story.

Overall, while this story had promise, I found the execution lacking, which ultimately detracted from my enjoyment of reading it.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Mills & Boons | Afterglow Books, and the author, Katherine Garbera, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5/5⭐⭐⭐

Genre ~ Rom-Com

Series ~ Wicked Sisters Book #2

Others in the series ~ The Bookbinder's Guide to Love- I read and gave 3⭐

Setting ~ Birch Lake, Maine

Publication date ~ August 20, 2024, Read~ August 21,2024

Est Page Count ~270 pgs.

POV ~ dual, 3rd person

Featuring ~ insta-lust, forced proximity, body positivity, found family, family drama

⚠️TW: grief, Alzheimer's disease-h's grandmother, parental abandonment

Liberty Wakefield is a witch who practices tarot reading and the occult. When she gets information about her never met father from her grandmother, she wants to find him. Enter Merle Rutland, a self-proclaimed nerd and Dungeons& Dragons enthusiast. He has known Liberty for a while and always had a crush on her, so when she asks for his help- he jumps at the chance. He will help her find her biological father in exchange she will join his D&D campaigns.

I liked the descriptions of Liberty's beliefs and practices. Most people already have an idea of what a witch is and does, but Liberty followed in her mother Lourdes and grandmother Nan's footsteps. I believe Liberty knew looking for her father John Jones was a mistake, but I understood the need to know where you came from.

Merle, a computer programmer and gamer had family issues because he wasn't like them. His parents and brothers honor sports and athleticism, not being a dungeon master. Through his relationship with Liberty, he could be himself without judgement.

Overall, this was a sexy, cozy, witch/nerd romance with an anticlimactic end to Liberty's quest. Her and Merle's relationship turned sexual quickly, and didn't get much development. I loved how supportive Liberty's BFFs Poppy and Sera were and can't wait for Poppy's book!

Series notes:
Merle is Liberty's BFF Poppy's cousin.

🙏🏽Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin-Romance | Afterglow Books for this ARC💛! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

[Lani O'Donnell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book: How to Charm a Nerd
Author: Katherine Garbera
Format Used: switched between physical book and e-book

The story centers on Liberty Wakefield, a witch deeply connected to tarot, nature, herbs, and spells. Coming from a lineage of witches—her mother and grandmother before her—she's confident, curvy, and unafraid to speak her mind. Lately, her magical powers are off-balance, possibly due to her grandmother's dementia or the revelation of her biological father's identity. Sensing that Merle Rutland, the nerdy tech guy and Dungeon Master cousin of one of her best friends, can help, she enlists his aid. They've been flirting for years, and as they team up to find her father, their relationship deepens. With Samhain approaching, the question is whether Merle can help Liberty find equilibrium.

I loved the idea behind this book. Liberty is a well-developed character—she's in tune with her magic, and her struggles add depth to the story. The autumn vibes and the sexy parts were definite highlights that I enjoyed. However, I just didn't find myself caring about her, Merle, or any of the other characters for that matter. The book became a bit of a slog, and I didn't find myself reaching for it eagerly.

As a Dungeons and Dragons fan, the premise caught my attention, but I felt the book wasn't really for people who already know the game. It spends a lot of time explaining what D&D is and leans into Merle's "nerd" stereotype, which might be helpful for newcomers but left me wanting more. The parts I was most excited about didn't engage me as much as I'd hoped.

While it wasn't entirely my cup of tea, I think others might enjoy it, especially if they're new to Dungeons and Dragons or looking for a romance with a touch of magic. I'd give it about 2.75 stars out of 5, rounding up to 3.

[Sam Chavez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you so much to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for an early copy in exchange for an honest review!

'How to Charm a Nerd' was, in many ways, a cute, low-stakes read that one could definitely get through quickly and find a handful of really cute moments. Liberty and Merle, our MCs, are inviting in their own ways, and I do think that the two of them complemented each other really well. I also really appreciated the positive body representation that we see in Liberty's character. We love a woman with curves and it not being the focus of her character!

However, there were just too many moments that, either because of prose or plot choices, I was taken out of the text. Though I could see the ways in which Merle and Liberty were good for each other, I think the author could have explored more depth in their relationship. The qualms and hangups that they had were repetitive- Liberty scared she's using Merle, Merle reluctant to merge the two sides of himself... they just kept coming up again and again and again with the same internal monologue from the characters, and it just became too redundant for me to care.

Also, he is a grown man who wears Saga t-shirts and plays D&D. Of course he is a nerd. The number of times that personality trait of his was brought up was honestly a little irritating. It just felt like after the first 20 times, the author would have assumed the readers could guess that this was an important trait of his, but I digress.

And honestly, I had trouble investing in the parental turmoil for Liberty. The constant back and forth just made it difficult to keep track of her emotions, thus making it hard to feel empathy for the situation. Or maybe I just wasn't the target for this one. I don't know.

Overall, this is a quick, steamy read that is a cozy book for the fall. Don't let any of my opinions deter you!

[Marles Henry · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another romance to tackle, with the suggestion of tarot and itches! I have read a few books before that linked in tarot readings, witches and romantic connections so I was anticipating a story that matched what I have read before. Mind you romance novels are not my thing. And I think that not all romance books are going to be my thing either. Some are just like junk food: empty calories and without substance.
Tarot appeals to be because of my interest, understanding basic practice of reading cards. I sort of know what to expect, and this reminded me of a book I read last year (The Hedge Witch by Colleen Delaney) where there was a great mix of witches, magical realism, tarot and romance. Throwing in a bit of D&D seemed like a whole lot of magical and fantasy style content, yet it seemed like to much was crammed into this story. Even Liberty’s efforts to tie in her witchiness ton her D&D character felt a bit forced. When there are elements like these in a novel, my expectations are that they are given the detail they deserve.

I think that this book was a little too much cheesy romance than romance with a little more substance. And I know that there is a market for this, but it wasn’t the drawcard for me. The spice lovers will definitely enjoy this or than I did. The back story of Liberty finding the identity of her father and the scenarios with her mother not providing any background information to her and withholding information just because I was both being stubborn and didn't a their feelings and emotions seemed very artificial. And the fact that the searching for her father from the very beginning of the book with Merle’s assistance to finally meeting him post a lot of steam very quickly.
Thanks to #harpercollinsaus for the #gifted copy.

[Manda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liberty Wakefield, witch and co-owner of WiCKed Sisters, needs help. Her life and energy is in chaos since her Nan revealed the name of the biological father she has never known. Merle Rutland, a nerdy computer expert, and Dungeons & Dragons master is just the person to help discover what she needs to know. The premise of How to Charm a Nerd grabbed my attention from the outset and I found the characters engaging the authentic,

As Merle and Liberty work through her quest for answers, their chemistry is off the charts, but they both have vulnerabilities that they must confront, both with each other and their families. Although seemingly opposites at the start of the book, Liberty and Merle are perfect complements and I loved them together. While I easily connected with their characters, I felt that too much time was spent on Merle and Liberty's inner thoughts, telling rather than showing who they are. These thought patters were repetitive through the book with the character having an epiphany or coming to a decision, just to cycle back to the previous thought process again. It made the story feel slow moving at times.

I particularly enjoyed the look into Liberty's spirituality, rituals, and explanations of the various elements she uses in her witchcraft. The resolution to the issue with Liberty's biological father was anti-climatic and I wished for more information from her mother's perspective. Much had been hinted at and I had hoped for more.

An overall entertaining read, How to Charm a Nerd makes a fun addition to a witchy season book list. I had the opportunity to read and review an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Jeremy Fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to Charm a Nerd accomplished the mission, this nerd is thoroughly charmed!!

How to Charm a Nerd is the second book in the WiCKed Sisters series by Katherine Garbera and I LOVED IT! The characters in this story, Merle and Liberty, are familiar if you have had the chance to read the first book in this series (The Bookbinder’s Guide to Love). Liberty is a tarot loving earthy witch, and Merle is an adorable D&D nerd who find themselves unable to resist each other. As they get closer and closer they realize that although neither of them wanted love, they may have just lucked into the real thing.

First of all, these characters are just EVERYTHING!! Liberty is headstrong and knows what she wants with a confidence that is next level. However, getting to read through her experiences with her family just connected with me deeply (and I think it connects for our amazing author as well). Merle also remained a nerdy fellow, but he still had some extremely sexy moments. Which if you haven’t guessed already, these characters had explosive chemistry and the spice is delicious!

My only remaining question after this book is that there was one particular plot element and fateful meeting that was built up throughout the whole story. However in some ways it was a bit anticlimactic at times which I think some readers may not enjoy as much, but I feel like this rang true for real life at times.

I cannot say enough how much I loved this story. I loved returning to this universe and I’m begging Katherine Garbera for our last WiCKed Sister book! Check this out asap - you’ll love it!

[Lisi Bee (Beth) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an Ebook ARC of this story, this is my objective review. I'll preface by saying I wasn't the right audience for this book, as it just didn't draw me in that much. The fmc Liberty runs a witchcraft shop with her two friends. The mmc Merle is one of the friend's cousin, a D&D gamer and computer programmer who feels like an outcast in his family. At the beginning of the story Liberty is trying to track down her biological father with Merle's help. There is mutual physical attraction, open door romance with lots of sparks, although there didn't seem to be a lot of groundwork laid for why the reader should care about their relationship. Overall, both personalities felt over-laden with quirky nerdy/witchy stereotypes. A bit over-the-top and one-dimensional, which made them both harder to relate to, although the over-arching message of being true to yourself did resonate with me. Unfortunately I didn't find Liberty to be very likeable, and the resolution of the father search was disappointingly anticlimactic, especially given the heavy focus it had throughout much of the book. Please note a content warning for Alzheimer's in a loved one. This is the second in a series but not hard to follow and works okay-ish as a standalone, I probably won't go back and read the first one as I didn't feel engaged with this one. Overall a quick steamy read, and I think it will appeal to others but this wasn't the book for me. 2.5 stars rounded up to 3 stars.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was fun. I love skinny king rep in books and unapologetic nerds. I went into this a bit blind and had an overall fun time. I felt that Merle the MMC's background and issues with his family was well developed. Liberty's not so much. It's not that I couldn't relate but this book does get a bit repetitive at times. It's one of those romances where something happens and we see that actively in a scene but then also have to hear Liberty debrief about it with her friends and it's more of what we already know again.

I loved their chemistry, personally and also spicy wise. I liked the push pull of Liberty going through something in personal life that's really emotional and unrelated to Merle but their discussions on what's real between them and not using Merle as just a distraction.

I am not that familiar with D&D but love reading about it in books (one day I'll conceptualize it all together). I loved Merle folding Liberty into his group and all those little details I actually did love. I thought that was such a sweet way to show care and romance Merle trying to imagine what character Liberty would enjoy being etc.

But again, I didn't find myself wanting to pick this up, not in a bad way just an indifferent one which is a bummer cause I was really excited for it. I would pick this up if you like things on the slower side. I am so intrigued by her other friend so I might try again with this series.

Thank you to Harlequin/afterglow for the eARC!

[Stephanie Mosher · Rating 4 out of 5]

How to Charm a Nerd by Katherine Garbera was a cute story about a witch and a nerd who fall for each other. Liberty is a witch whose life is turning upside down. Her Nan is dying and has memory issues, and she’s struggling with the fact she learned her deadbeat dad’s name from her Nan after she was mistaken for her mother. As she struggles to decide whether or not she should learn more about him, she enlists her friend’s nerdy cousin Merle to use his IT skills to track him down. She’s always felt a spark for Merle, and as they start to work together closely, it heats up. With her life blowing up before her eyes, is this the real thing or is it another complication?

I thought this was a cute story. The characters were sweet and bounced off each other well. However, I felt there were some issues with pacing. While I enjoyed the story overall, I felt the ending was rushed and the loose ends weren’t all tied up in a satisfying way. While the treads of the story were completed, it seemed like an afterthought toy the romance rather than a fleshed out ending. I did enjoy the romance between the two characters. I would give it 3.5 stars, rounded up to a four.

Thank you to the publishers and to NetGalley for access to an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Jill Boresh · Rating 4 out of 5]

How to Charm A Nerd

Liberty Wakefield drew in Merlin Rutland. A sexy, nerd that she’s been secretly admiring, while in the company of his cousin and her best friend. Merlin. Born with athletic abilities, not willing to bend to his family expectations. Computer skills and online gaming, is where it’s at. Go, together in search of her biological father. As for the agreement for his help. Liberty has to join his Dungeon and Dragon online play group. Born and proud of her witch heritage. Decides to cast her character as such. As Halloween approaches. Being put in the same proximity. They both fulfill
there agreements to help each other out. Leading to some very intense hot situations. While both are insecure of the direction this is taking them. Liberty, might have to accept the fact. Merlin and she, may only be friends with incredible benefits. And Merlin us to overcome his perception of him self. That he’s not too nerdy for Liberty to be attracted to him.
This was a cute rom com love story. As they go through their struggles. And the author throws in a bit of Dungeons and Dragons to add to the enjoyment! 3.75

[Allison Damico · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was just something off about this book that didn’t want me want to pick it up and continue. I want a book that leaves me feeling like what is going to happen next I need to read another chapter, but this didn’t give me that feeling. Liberty came off as a bit of a brat in some scenes that was making me not even want to root for her. Liberty and Merle constantly saying how they want to be with each other forever got a bit old for me especially. There was no real build up to them finally getting together so I felt like the title was a bit misleading. Liberty wants to find out who her father is and it was the biggest let down finding out how it all unfolds in what felt like the most rushed ending. We never know what happens to Nan and felt like things didn’t really get wrapped up. I did like the thoughts on caring and loving someone with dementia because there are really so many emotions in that. However this story just didn’t do it for me, it was a relatively quick read and easy but felt by the end that I’m not sure what the point of all the other story lines were. #goodreadsgiveaway