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Never After #6
Hexed
He's the prince of La Cosa Nostra. She's the witch who steals his heart.
From USA Today bestselling author Emily McIntire comes a dark and delicious fractured fairytale of The Little Mermaid.
Venesa Andersen has never been good. She wasn’t good enough for her parents, and she isn’t good enough for the gangster uncle who took her in after they died. But she’s cunning. Beautiful. Dutiful to her uncle’s demands. And she doesn’t have time for a moral compass, anyway. When her runaway cousin returns to their coastal southern town, she brings a man with her…and Venesa soon realizes he’s the only one who’s ever seen her for her.
There’s just one problem: she can never have him.
Enzo “Loverboy” Marino is a wealthy businessman by day and prince of the underworld by night. Underboss to a notorious mafia syndicate, he answers to no one except his father, the strongest don in the Northeast. When he’s tasked with marriage, Enzo doesn’t think twice.
Until he meets his fiancée’s cousin.
Venesa is everything he never knew he wanted, bewitching him with her sultry voice and supple curves. But Enzo learned long ago that for a man like him, life is better without the things you want.
When plans unravel and temptation sings its siren song, they’ll both have to choose what’s more important: duty to their families, or a forbidden love that was never supposed to be.
From USA Today bestselling author Emily McIntire comes a dark and delicious fractured fairytale of The Little Mermaid.
Venesa Andersen has never been good. She wasn’t good enough for her parents, and she isn’t good enough for the gangster uncle who took her in after they died. But she’s cunning. Beautiful. Dutiful to her uncle’s demands. And she doesn’t have time for a moral compass, anyway. When her runaway cousin returns to their coastal southern town, she brings a man with her…and Venesa soon realizes he’s the only one who’s ever seen her for her.
There’s just one problem: she can never have him.
Enzo “Loverboy” Marino is a wealthy businessman by day and prince of the underworld by night. Underboss to a notorious mafia syndicate, he answers to no one except his father, the strongest don in the Northeast. When he’s tasked with marriage, Enzo doesn’t think twice.
Until he meets his fiancée’s cousin.
Venesa is everything he never knew he wanted, bewitching him with her sultry voice and supple curves. But Enzo learned long ago that for a man like him, life is better without the things you want.
When plans unravel and temptation sings its siren song, they’ll both have to choose what’s more important: duty to their families, or a forbidden love that was never supposed to be.
544 pages, Paperback
First published November 5, 2024
8143 people are currently reading
95393 people want to read
About the author
Emily McIntire
24 books26.6k followersEmily McIntire is a #1 New York Times and #1 Sunday Times bestselling author whose stories serve steam, slow burns, and seriously questionable morals. Her books have been translated in over a dozen languages, and span across several sub-genres within romance.
A stage IV breast cancer thriver, you can find Emily enjoying free time with her family, getting lost in a good book, or redecorating her house depending on her mood.
Sign up to Emily's VIP List and never miss a New Release! -> https://mailchi.mp/emilymcintire/sms-...
Upcoming Release
Burning Daylight
Latest Release:
Hexed
Find Emily!
Newsletter sign up -> https://mailchi.mp/emilymcintire/sms-...
Reader Group -> https://www.facebook.com/groups/mcincult
Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/itsemilymci...
TikTok -> https://www.tiktok.com/@authoremilymc...
X -> https://www.x.com/authoremilym
Website -> https://www.emilymcintire.com
A stage IV breast cancer thriver, you can find Emily enjoying free time with her family, getting lost in a good book, or redecorating her house depending on her mood.
Sign up to Emily's VIP List and never miss a New Release! -> https://mailchi.mp/emilymcintire/sms-...
Upcoming Release
Burning Daylight
Latest Release:
Hexed
Find Emily!
Newsletter sign up -> https://mailchi.mp/emilymcintire/sms-...
Reader Group -> https://www.facebook.com/groups/mcincult
Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/itsemilymci...
TikTok -> https://www.tiktok.com/@authoremilymc...
X -> https://www.x.com/authoremilym
Website -> https://www.emilymcintire.com
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August 12, 2024𝐀 𝐠𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐩𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐭𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐦𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐚 𝐬𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐧𝐳𝐨 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐇𝐞𝐱𝐞𝐝... 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐞? 👁👄👁
I am SO excited to announce the Walmart Exclusive Edition of 𝑯𝒆𝒙𝒆𝒅 with full page, full color character art! 😍🫠
Aʀᴛ ʙʏ @LUHARTS.W
𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐛 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 👉 (link in my bio) https://geni.us/Hexedwalmart
𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄:
👉🏼 That Sticker? 100% Removable
👉🏼 Exclusive full-page, full color art! This art piece will NOT be available anywhere else, so if you want it, Walmart is where you’ve gotta get it 🫡🤝
And yes... it is from a scene in the book. 🥵 (Did I drop a sneak peek of the scene in my newsletter going out today? Who’s to say 👀)
🐚You can sub here: https://geni.us/TheMcIncultMuse
𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 👉 https://geni.us/Hexedwalmart
𝐁&𝐍 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 (𝐀𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐰/ 𝐟𝐨𝐢𝐥 𝐝𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥) 👉 https://geni.us/HexedBN
𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐄𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 & 𝐞𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 👉 https://geni.us/Hexed
🧜♀️🧜♀️🧜♀️
*𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒃𝒆 𝒂 𝒔𝒊𝒈𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝒑𝒓𝒆-𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒑𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏. 𝑰𝒕 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒃𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒆 𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔*
I am SO excited to announce the Walmart Exclusive Edition of 𝑯𝒆𝒙𝒆𝒅 with full page, full color character art! 😍🫠
Aʀᴛ ʙʏ @LUHARTS.W
𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐛 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 👉 (link in my bio) https://geni.us/Hexedwalmart
𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄:
👉🏼 That Sticker? 100% Removable
👉🏼 Exclusive full-page, full color art! This art piece will NOT be available anywhere else, so if you want it, Walmart is where you’ve gotta get it 🫡🤝
And yes... it is from a scene in the book. 🥵 (Did I drop a sneak peek of the scene in my newsletter going out today? Who’s to say 👀)
🐚You can sub here: https://geni.us/TheMcIncultMuse
𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 👉 https://geni.us/Hexedwalmart
𝐁&𝐍 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 (𝐀𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐰/ 𝐟𝐨𝐢𝐥 𝐝𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥) 👉 https://geni.us/HexedBN
𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐄𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 & 𝐞𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 👉 https://geni.us/Hexed
🧜♀️🧜♀️🧜♀️
*𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒃𝒆 𝒂 𝒔𝒊𝒈𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝒑𝒓𝒆-𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒑𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏. 𝑰𝒕 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒃𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒆 𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔*
January 11, 2025
i had to delete some comments because people are mad at me that i didn't like this lol. this novel was a highly anticipated one for me, and i PERSONALLY was disappointed. this book has a plot, i never said otherwise. my contention with this was the romance and their development. around chapter two, his dick was hard and she was wet and unable to function?? if you are going to have the characters get together after the fifty % mark, i PERSONALLY would like to see some tension and character interactions that have meaning. their thoughts were about fucking each other in every position and on every surface. the MMC—enzo, is engaged to the FMC—venesa's cousin. while this makes for an engaging story, the entirety of this is filled with weird sexual innuendo's and weird possessive beef with every female character. this narrative usage is not something i PERSONALLY enjoy in romance stories, especially since hexed was really long. this also has nothing to do with the author, as i like and respect emily.
my og review :i mean this with zero disrespect. however, making an entire novel about superficial attraction and lust, are not quality traits to move a plot. in addition, there is too much other woman drama that is superfluous.
my og review :
November 14, 2024
“𝑰𝒏 𝒂 𝒅𝒊𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆”—𝑰 𝒄𝒖𝒕 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒇𝒇, 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒆𝒓 𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒍 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒏𝒆𝒄𝒌 𝒄𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒆𝒔—“𝑰’𝒅 𝒌𝒊𝒔𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖.”
Wow, I don’t even know where to begin oh wait, I do… the TENSION is off the charts 😮💨 It’s obviously got a lot to do with Enzo being engaged to Venesa’s cousin. Yep, the forbidden vibes are ON. 🔥
The story is straightforward: Enzo, part of a wealthy NYC mafia family, gets engaged to Aria Kingston, the most powerful family in South Carolina. To make sure everything goes smoothly Venesa’s uncle asks her to keep an eye on Enzo… but turns out, Enzo never took his eyes off Venesa 👀🥵
And just to be clear, if you’re expecting a Little Mermaid retelling, this might not be your cup of tea. This series is not a retelling. The author adds fairytale elements into a modern story to give villains their HEA, and it works so well. every. single. time
Can we talk about Venesa?! I think she’s why I stayed in love with this book the entire time. She’s no damsel in distress! She’s confident, loves to bargain, and is all about making her own deals 💅 She’s outspoken, wants no man, and is fiercely determined to finally feel accepted by her family after years of proving herself.
“𝑫𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒌𝒆𝒆𝒑 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒏𝒂𝒎𝒆 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒕𝒐𝒐, 𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒎 𝑰 𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍?” 𝑺𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒂𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒔, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒕 𝒕𝒖𝒈𝒔 𝒎𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒂 𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒇 𝒂𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒚 𝒏𝒆𝒄𝒌. “𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒂 𝒎𝒂𝒏, 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒚. 𝑰’𝒎 𝒂𝒇𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆’𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖.”
If you love forbidden romance and stories where the villains finally get the spotlight, trust me, this book (and this series) is for you. I adore the Never After series and will forever recommend it to anyone who loves fairytales with a twist. ✨
Tropes
💜 forbidden romance
💜 mafia romance
💜 forced proximity
💜 strangers to friends to lovers
💜 family secrets
💜 touch her and you **
Thank you Emily McIntire's team for gifting me an eARC copy in exchange for my honest review
---
The way I BINGED SO HARD THIS BOOK.
⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆
I eat up every single book of hers, i can't wait to do the same with this oneeee
⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆
I AM SCREAMING - i got selected to read this as an eARC omfg the way that I need someone to pinch me RIGHT NOW this doesn't seem real
Wow, I don’t even know where to begin oh wait, I do… the TENSION is off the charts 😮💨 It’s obviously got a lot to do with Enzo being engaged to Venesa’s cousin. Yep, the forbidden vibes are ON. 🔥
The story is straightforward: Enzo, part of a wealthy NYC mafia family, gets engaged to Aria Kingston, the most powerful family in South Carolina. To make sure everything goes smoothly Venesa’s uncle asks her to keep an eye on Enzo… but turns out, Enzo never took his eyes off Venesa 👀🥵
And just to be clear, if you’re expecting a Little Mermaid retelling, this might not be your cup of tea. This series is not a retelling. The author adds fairytale elements into a modern story to give villains their HEA, and it works so well. every. single. time
Can we talk about Venesa?! I think she’s why I stayed in love with this book the entire time. She’s no damsel in distress! She’s confident, loves to bargain, and is all about making her own deals 💅 She’s outspoken, wants no man, and is fiercely determined to finally feel accepted by her family after years of proving herself.
“𝑫𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒌𝒆𝒆𝒑 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒏𝒂𝒎𝒆 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒕𝒐𝒐, 𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒎 𝑰 𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍?” 𝑺𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒂𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒔, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒕 𝒕𝒖𝒈𝒔 𝒎𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒂 𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒇 𝒂𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒚 𝒏𝒆𝒄𝒌. “𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒂 𝒎𝒂𝒏, 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒚. 𝑰’𝒎 𝒂𝒇𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆’𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖.”
If you love forbidden romance and stories where the villains finally get the spotlight, trust me, this book (and this series) is for you. I adore the Never After series and will forever recommend it to anyone who loves fairytales with a twist. ✨
Tropes
💜 forbidden romance
💜 mafia romance
💜 forced proximity
💜 strangers to friends to lovers
💜 family secrets
💜 touch her and you **
Thank you Emily McIntire's team for gifting me an eARC copy in exchange for my honest review
---
The way I BINGED SO HARD THIS BOOK.
⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆
I eat up every single book of hers, i can't wait to do the same with this oneeee
⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆
I AM SCREAMING - i got selected to read this as an eARC omfg the way that I need someone to pinch me RIGHT NOW this doesn't seem real
August 14, 2025
"Sometimes you've gotta burn things so you can start fresh."
Vanesa Andersen never felt good enough.
Not for her parents. Not for her uncle that took her in.
But she's clever, beautiful, and deadly.
When her cousin comes back after 6 years - she has a surprise with her.
Enzo Marino.
And for the first time Vanesa feels seen.
And Enzo can't keep himself from getting obsessed.
"That's what she is to me: a work of art. I wish like hell she weren't."
There's only one problem.
He can never have her.
She can never have him.
He's her cousin's fiancée.
But temptation is a siren's song that can't be ignored.
No matter how much Enzo and Vanesa might try.
"It's dangerous wanting something so badly when there's no rhyme or reason."
I received an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review 💜💜
"She can pretend I don't affect her, but the proof is right there on her pretty skin."
*deep breath deep breath deep breath* ok I cannot believe I am about to right this but here it goes - THANK YOU SO MUCH EMILY MCINTIRE FOR THE ADVANCED READER'S COPY!! (BTW I am writing this while holding back happy tears - not even kidding).
"Turns our Lover Boy looks pretty good when he's a little unhinged."
The "Never After" series has always had a special place in my heart and I think "Hexed" might be my favorite instalment. Emily McIntire always has this amazing writing to her books - this amazing world creation and character building - I could not put this book down if you paid me too or physically moved me. I was devouring this book and it was devouring me. It is very bittersweet that this is the last book in the series but it just means that it is rereading time!! 💜💜
"There she goes with my name again ,and fuck, does it sound good rolling off her tongue. I want to hear her say it again. Moan it. Scream it."
Enzo and Vanesa have my heart. Their own stories are everything and their banter, chemistry and spice!!! NO NOTES - I AM SAT. I AM SITTING. YOU WILL NOT MOVE ME PEOPLE. Thank you so much Emily McIntire again for this masterpiece!! 💜🐚🔱
"Well, that's your first mistake, piccola sirena. Who ever said I was fair?"
Now - I told you this playlist was a long one but I just could not help myself - these are the songs that I added to the official playlist and might I say that I am very proud of myself thank you very much 💜🐚🔱
(Link - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5iA... )
🎶 "Poor Unfortunate Souls" - China Anne McClain
🎶 "W.I.T.C.H." - Rain Paris
🎶 "VILLAIN" - Neoni
🎶 "Sugar" - Sleep Token
🎶 "Poison - Remix" - Rita Ora, Krept & Konan, Zdot
🎶 "killing boys" - Halsey
🎶 "Acid Annie" - Natalia Kills
🎶 "100 Little Deaths" - Lilith Czar
🎶 "Vicious" - Bohnes
🎶 "CASUALTY" - MOTHICA
🎶 "DARKSIDE" - Neoni
🎶 "Gangsta - Flashback Version" - Kehlani
🎶 "Enter Sandman" - Alessia Cara, The Warning
🎶 "ever fallen?" - Kate Peytavin
🎶 "SEX & THE CITY" - PLVTINUM, VOILA
🎶 "JENNIFER'S BODY - Sped Up" - PLVTINUM, Dutch Melrose, Chris Grey
🎶 "When You Say My Name" - Chandler Leighton
🎶 "Kiss or Kill" - Stela Cole
🎶 "Hypnotic" - Zella Day
🎶 "Devil's Worst Nightmare" - FJORA
🎶 "Bloody Mary" - Lady Gaga
🎶 "Call Me Devil" - Friends in Tokyo
🎶 "Kill Of The Night" - Gin Wigmore
🎶 "GOSSIP" - Maneskin, Tom Morello
🎶 "My Kink Is Karma" - Chappell Roan
🎶 "Electricity" - Ashley Jana
🎶 "Nightmare" - Halsey
🎶 "Outta my head" - Omido, Rick Jansen, Ordell
🎶 "Lose Control" - Teddy Swims
🎶 "Black Magic Woman" - VCTRYS
🎶 "Black Magic" - Little Mix
🎶 "Bad Guy" - Halocene
🎶 "Desperado" - Rihanna
🎶 "Shackles" - Steven Rodriguez
🎶 "FUCK" - Snow Wife
🎶 "King" - Lilith Czar
🎶 "You Call Me a Bitch Like It's a Bad Thing" - Halestorm
🎶 "Venom" - Little Simz
🎶 "sugar honey ice & tea" - Bring Me The Horizon
🎶 "Fire Meet Gasoline" - Sia
🎶 "Harder To Breathe" - Letdown.
🎶 "HEARTBEAT" - Isabel LaRosa
🎶 "You Put a Spell on Me" - Austin Giorgio
🎶 "happy ending" - Bailey Spinn
🎶 "In the Dark" - Solence
🎶 "Bigger Person" - Lauren Spencer Smith
🎶 "Baby" - Madison Beer
🎶 "Renegade" - Aaryan Shah
🎶 "Sweet 'n' Savage" - Kxlly
🎶 "eyes don't lie sped up" - Isabel LaRosa
🎶 "My Only Dream Is To Be Loved" - Chrissy Chlapecka
🎶 "Burning Down - Alex's Version" - Alex Warren
🎶 "Criminals" - Meghan Trainor
🎶 "Like You Mean It" - Steven Rodriguez
🎶 "trouble" - Camylio
🎶 "Chokehold" - Austin Giorgio
🎶 "Burn" - Tom Walker
🎶 "I Feel You" - Depeche Mode
🎶 "Medusa" - Kaia Jette
🎶 "Miss Independent" - Meet Me @ The Altar
🎶 "Stupid Cupid" - Jenna Raine
🎶 "Movement" - Hozier
🎶 "Chokehold" - Sleep Token
🎶 "angel" - Camylio
🎶 "Family Line" - Conan Gray
🎶 "Little Girl Gone" - CHINCHILLA
🎶 "MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT" - Loveless
🎶 "I Want To" - Rosenfeld
🎶 "Not Afraid Anymore" - Halsey
🎶 "GASOLINE" - Maneskin
🎶 "Feel Me Now" - If Not For Me
🎶 "Best Of Me" - Christina Aguilera
🎶 "Dynasty (Orchestral Version)" - MIIA
🎶 "You've Created a Monster" - Bohnes
🎶 "Goddess" - Xana
🎶 "Fire On Fire" - Sam Smith
🎶 "LOUD" - Sofia Carson
🎶 "Mad World" - Demi Lovato
🎶 "River" - BRKN LOVE
🎶 "Snow On The Beach" - Taylor Swift, Lana Del Rey
🎶 "Angry" - Paravi
🎶 "Joke's On You" - Charlotte Lawrence
🎶 "Who's Afraid of Little Old Me? - Cover" - Remember the Monsters
🎶 "Wicked Witch of the Westside" - Ellise
🎶 "Just a Girl - Cover" - Florence + The Machine
🎶 "You Made a Monster" - Nick Kingsley, Hannah Hart
🎶 "Belladonna" - Ava Max
🎶 "GOD COMPLEX" - April Jai
🎶 "The Summoning" - Sleep Token
🎶 "Like A God" - Lia Maria Johnson
🎶 "I'm yours" - Isabel LaRosa
🎶 "…Fuck" - Johnny Rain
🎶 "Chains" - Nick Jonas
🎶 "as good a reason" - Paris Paloma
🎶 "CLEO" - Halle Abadi
🎶 "Queen Of The Night" - Hey Violet
🎶 "Die With A Smile" - Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars
🎶 "To My Knees" - Two Feet
🎶 "Eat Your Young" - Hozier
🎶 "Call Out My Name" - The Weeknd
🎶 "Swim" - Chase Atlantic
🎶 "LET THE WORLD BURN" - Chris Grey
🎶 "Leave My Body" - Florence + The Machine
🎶 "Lover" - Taylor Swift
🎶 "ALWAYS BEEN YOU" - Chris Grey
🎶 "BLURRY" - Neoni
🎶 "Power Over Me" - Dermot Kennedy
���� "Ride for Me" - Daniel Di Angelo
🎶 "Taste" - Ari Abdul
🎶 "Shatter Me" - Lindsey Stirling, Lzzy Hale
🎶 "greedy" - Tate McRae
🎶 "Moon" - Austin Giorgio
🎶 "Supernova" - Ansel Elgort
🎶 "Queen" - Loren Gray
🎶 "Lipstick" - Charlie Puth
🎶 "Kiss The Girl" - Brent Morgan
🎶 "Ever Ever After" - Carrie Underwood
And you know Emily McIntire delivered with the spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️
"Now be a good girl and let me eat."
"Do You see how good you look, under my hands, taking my cock?"
"That's right, baby - it's me who makes you feel like this. Goddamn, you take my cock so well."
🐚 Tropes 🐚
🔱 Female Villain + Antihero = True Love
💜 Forbidden Romance
🔱 Touch Her/Him and Die
💜 He Falls First
🔱 Mafia Romance
💜 Forced Proximity
🔱 Slow Burn
💜 Dark Fractured Fairytale Romance
Book Edit - https://www.instagram.com/p/DBq4e_SoG...
Vanesa Andersen never felt good enough.
Not for her parents. Not for her uncle that took her in.
But she's clever, beautiful, and deadly.
When her cousin comes back after 6 years - she has a surprise with her.
Enzo Marino.
And for the first time Vanesa feels seen.
And Enzo can't keep himself from getting obsessed.
"That's what she is to me: a work of art. I wish like hell she weren't."
There's only one problem.
He can never have her.
She can never have him.
He's her cousin's fiancée.
But temptation is a siren's song that can't be ignored.
No matter how much Enzo and Vanesa might try.
"It's dangerous wanting something so badly when there's no rhyme or reason."
I received an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review 💜💜
"She can pretend I don't affect her, but the proof is right there on her pretty skin."
*deep breath deep breath deep breath* ok I cannot believe I am about to right this but here it goes - THANK YOU SO MUCH EMILY MCINTIRE FOR THE ADVANCED READER'S COPY!! (BTW I am writing this while holding back happy tears - not even kidding).
"Turns our Lover Boy looks pretty good when he's a little unhinged."
The "Never After" series has always had a special place in my heart and I think "Hexed" might be my favorite instalment. Emily McIntire always has this amazing writing to her books - this amazing world creation and character building - I could not put this book down if you paid me too or physically moved me. I was devouring this book and it was devouring me. It is very bittersweet that this is the last book in the series but it just means that it is rereading time!! 💜💜
"There she goes with my name again ,and fuck, does it sound good rolling off her tongue. I want to hear her say it again. Moan it. Scream it."
Enzo and Vanesa have my heart. Their own stories are everything and their banter, chemistry and spice!!! NO NOTES - I AM SAT. I AM SITTING. YOU WILL NOT MOVE ME PEOPLE. Thank you so much Emily McIntire again for this masterpiece!! 💜🐚🔱
"Well, that's your first mistake, piccola sirena. Who ever said I was fair?"
Now - I told you this playlist was a long one but I just could not help myself - these are the songs that I added to the official playlist and might I say that I am very proud of myself thank you very much 💜🐚🔱
(Link - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5iA... )
🎶 "Poor Unfortunate Souls" - China Anne McClain
🎶 "W.I.T.C.H." - Rain Paris
🎶 "VILLAIN" - Neoni
🎶 "Sugar" - Sleep Token
🎶 "Poison - Remix" - Rita Ora, Krept & Konan, Zdot
🎶 "killing boys" - Halsey
🎶 "Acid Annie" - Natalia Kills
🎶 "100 Little Deaths" - Lilith Czar
🎶 "Vicious" - Bohnes
🎶 "CASUALTY" - MOTHICA
🎶 "DARKSIDE" - Neoni
🎶 "Gangsta - Flashback Version" - Kehlani
🎶 "Enter Sandman" - Alessia Cara, The Warning
🎶 "ever fallen?" - Kate Peytavin
🎶 "SEX & THE CITY" - PLVTINUM, VOILA
🎶 "JENNIFER'S BODY - Sped Up" - PLVTINUM, Dutch Melrose, Chris Grey
🎶 "When You Say My Name" - Chandler Leighton
🎶 "Kiss or Kill" - Stela Cole
🎶 "Hypnotic" - Zella Day
🎶 "Devil's Worst Nightmare" - FJORA
🎶 "Bloody Mary" - Lady Gaga
🎶 "Call Me Devil" - Friends in Tokyo
🎶 "Kill Of The Night" - Gin Wigmore
🎶 "GOSSIP" - Maneskin, Tom Morello
🎶 "My Kink Is Karma" - Chappell Roan
🎶 "Electricity" - Ashley Jana
🎶 "Nightmare" - Halsey
🎶 "Outta my head" - Omido, Rick Jansen, Ordell
🎶 "Lose Control" - Teddy Swims
🎶 "Black Magic Woman" - VCTRYS
🎶 "Black Magic" - Little Mix
🎶 "Bad Guy" - Halocene
🎶 "Desperado" - Rihanna
🎶 "Shackles" - Steven Rodriguez
🎶 "FUCK" - Snow Wife
🎶 "King" - Lilith Czar
🎶 "You Call Me a Bitch Like It's a Bad Thing" - Halestorm
🎶 "Venom" - Little Simz
🎶 "sugar honey ice & tea" - Bring Me The Horizon
🎶 "Fire Meet Gasoline" - Sia
🎶 "Harder To Breathe" - Letdown.
🎶 "HEARTBEAT" - Isabel LaRosa
🎶 "You Put a Spell on Me" - Austin Giorgio
🎶 "happy ending" - Bailey Spinn
🎶 "In the Dark" - Solence
🎶 "Bigger Person" - Lauren Spencer Smith
🎶 "Baby" - Madison Beer
🎶 "Renegade" - Aaryan Shah
🎶 "Sweet 'n' Savage" - Kxlly
🎶 "eyes don't lie sped up" - Isabel LaRosa
🎶 "My Only Dream Is To Be Loved" - Chrissy Chlapecka
🎶 "Burning Down - Alex's Version" - Alex Warren
🎶 "Criminals" - Meghan Trainor
🎶 "Like You Mean It" - Steven Rodriguez
🎶 "trouble" - Camylio
🎶 "Chokehold" - Austin Giorgio
🎶 "Burn" - Tom Walker
🎶 "I Feel You" - Depeche Mode
🎶 "Medusa" - Kaia Jette
🎶 "Miss Independent" - Meet Me @ The Altar
🎶 "Stupid Cupid" - Jenna Raine
🎶 "Movement" - Hozier
🎶 "Chokehold" - Sleep Token
🎶 "angel" - Camylio
🎶 "Family Line" - Conan Gray
🎶 "Little Girl Gone" - CHINCHILLA
🎶 "MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT" - Loveless
🎶 "I Want To" - Rosenfeld
🎶 "Not Afraid Anymore" - Halsey
🎶 "GASOLINE" - Maneskin
🎶 "Feel Me Now" - If Not For Me
🎶 "Best Of Me" - Christina Aguilera
🎶 "Dynasty (Orchestral Version)" - MIIA
🎶 "You've Created a Monster" - Bohnes
🎶 "Goddess" - Xana
🎶 "Fire On Fire" - Sam Smith
🎶 "LOUD" - Sofia Carson
🎶 "Mad World" - Demi Lovato
🎶 "River" - BRKN LOVE
🎶 "Snow On The Beach" - Taylor Swift, Lana Del Rey
🎶 "Angry" - Paravi
🎶 "Joke's On You" - Charlotte Lawrence
🎶 "Who's Afraid of Little Old Me? - Cover" - Remember the Monsters
🎶 "Wicked Witch of the Westside" - Ellise
🎶 "Just a Girl - Cover" - Florence + The Machine
🎶 "You Made a Monster" - Nick Kingsley, Hannah Hart
🎶 "Belladonna" - Ava Max
🎶 "GOD COMPLEX" - April Jai
🎶 "The Summoning" - Sleep Token
🎶 "Like A God" - Lia Maria Johnson
🎶 "I'm yours" - Isabel LaRosa
🎶 "…Fuck" - Johnny Rain
🎶 "Chains" - Nick Jonas
🎶 "as good a reason" - Paris Paloma
🎶 "CLEO" - Halle Abadi
🎶 "Queen Of The Night" - Hey Violet
🎶 "Die With A Smile" - Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars
🎶 "To My Knees" - Two Feet
🎶 "Eat Your Young" - Hozier
🎶 "Call Out My Name" - The Weeknd
🎶 "Swim" - Chase Atlantic
🎶 "LET THE WORLD BURN" - Chris Grey
🎶 "Leave My Body" - Florence + The Machine
🎶 "Lover" - Taylor Swift
🎶 "ALWAYS BEEN YOU" - Chris Grey
🎶 "BLURRY" - Neoni
🎶 "Power Over Me" - Dermot Kennedy
���� "Ride for Me" - Daniel Di Angelo
🎶 "Taste" - Ari Abdul
🎶 "Shatter Me" - Lindsey Stirling, Lzzy Hale
🎶 "greedy" - Tate McRae
🎶 "Moon" - Austin Giorgio
🎶 "Supernova" - Ansel Elgort
🎶 "Queen" - Loren Gray
🎶 "Lipstick" - Charlie Puth
🎶 "Kiss The Girl" - Brent Morgan
🎶 "Ever Ever After" - Carrie Underwood
And you know Emily McIntire delivered with the spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️
"Now be a good girl and let me eat."
"Do You see how good you look, under my hands, taking my cock?"
"That's right, baby - it's me who makes you feel like this. Goddamn, you take my cock so well."
🐚 Tropes 🐚
🔱 Female Villain + Antihero = True Love
💜 Forbidden Romance
🔱 Touch Her/Him and Die
💜 He Falls First
🔱 Mafia Romance
💜 Forced Proximity
🔱 Slow Burn
💜 Dark Fractured Fairytale Romance
Book Edit - https://www.instagram.com/p/DBq4e_SoG...
March 7, 2024
Pre-written review cause in Mother Emily we trust. ❤️
November 10, 2024
.⋆˚⁀➷ 2★
this was soooo boring + shallow. i hate insta-love but i still kinda enjoyed venesa×enzo's moments together. i did not care about anything else though.
-forbidden romance ( cousin's fiance so expect cheating and a ton of ow drama)
-little mermaid inspired (the easter eggs from the little mermaid were fun to find, ngl)
🎧 the audiobook is excellent. the narrators did a great job!!
┍━━━━━⋆⭒˚.⋆☁️⋆.˚⭒⋆━┑
never after series:
[i] hooked - 3★
[ii] scarred - 4★
[iii] wretched - 3★
[iv] twisted - tbr
[v] crossed - dnf
[vi] hexed - 2★
┕━⋆⭒˚.⋆☁️⋆.˚⭒⋆━━━━━┙
⋆⭒˚.⋆ ⌞pre~read⌝⋆.˚⭒⋆
buddy read with kat !
emily books are hit or miss for me. i dnf'd the last book in this series sooo i hope i enjoy this one more
*fingers crossed*
this was soooo boring + shallow. i hate insta-love but i still kinda enjoyed venesa×enzo's moments together. i did not care about anything else though.
-forbidden romance ( cousin's fiance so expect cheating and a ton of ow drama)
-little mermaid inspired (the easter eggs from the little mermaid were fun to find, ngl)
🎧 the audiobook is excellent. the narrators did a great job!!
┍━━━━━⋆⭒˚.⋆☁️⋆.˚⭒⋆━┑
never after series:
[i] hooked - 3★
[ii] scarred - 4★
[iii] wretched - 3★
[iv] twisted - tbr
[v] crossed - dnf
[vi] hexed - 2★
┕━⋆⭒˚.⋆☁️⋆.˚⭒⋆━━━━━┙
⋆⭒˚.⋆ ⌞pre~read⌝⋆.˚⭒⋆
buddy read with kat !
emily books are hit or miss for me. i dnf'd the last book in this series sooo i hope i enjoy this one more
*fingers crossed*
January 2, 2025
4 stars! 🌟
“In a different life”—I bend until my mouth is centimeters from hers—“I would do anything to make you mine, and I’d bring you any person who’s wronged you and make them beg for death at your feet. All you’d have to do is say the word.”
Ughhhh, WHERE DO I EVEN START?! This book was everything I didn’t know I needed and SO much more. From page one, I was on fire—the tension? Immaculate. The vibes? Perfection. And the chemistry between Enzo and Venesa? Chef’s kiss. 👏🔥 Like, how do they even make a forbidden romance with a twist of mafia feel THIS good?! I was glued to my phone screaming "No, but YESSS!" the entire time. 😩
This isn't your average Little Mermaid retelling, folks. Emily McIntire took that inspiration, sprinkled in some mafia spice, and served up something dark, dangerous, and oh-so-delicious. 🍷
✧ Forbidden romance 💘
✧ Mafia romance 💕
✧ Villain FMC 🖤
✧ Antihero MMC 💓
✧ Forced proximity 💗
✧ Family secrets 🧾
✧ Slowburn tension 🕯️
✧ Touch her and you die ☠️
Let’s talk about Venesa for a sec—she CARRIED this book. Bold, cunning, unapologetically badass—she is the villain I can’t help but root for. 🙌 And Enzo? Broody, sexy, and has this protective streak that made me melt. 😮💨 I was flipping pages faster than Venesa can make a deal with her uncle, I swear.
And the plot twists?! I mean, I predicted a couple, but others?! I was like NO WAY—cue gasping. 😱 The writing sucked me in so deep, I felt like I was living in the heart of mafia madness. 🔥🔥
That said, it was a little long. Like, trimming down some scenes would’ve really kept the pace tighter. But hey, that's a small thing compared to the total vibe of this book.
AND, hold up, can we talk about how far this series has come?! 🥹 I rated the last book ONE star (still recovering from that trauma, btw), but this one?? Solid 4 stars. Growth, people—growth. 🙌
So, if you’re all about dark, forbidden mafia romance with strong women and fairytale twists, this one’s for you. Emily, you crushed it AGAIN. 👏🔥
Image credits: Pinterest.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Okay, so I’ve had a total mixed bag of feels about the Never After series—let’s just say the last one was a HARD pass for me! 😩 But OMG, I’m absolutely BUZZING with excitement for Hexed! This dark and delicious twist on The Little Mermaid has me all ready to swoon over the forbidden romance between Enzo "Loverboy" Marino and the enchanting Venesa Andersen! 😍✨
The combo of mafia drama and steamy tension is just what my heart needs right now! 💖 Emily, I NEED this book ASAP because I can already tell it’s going to be one WILD ride! 🧜♀️💜 Bring on the magic and the chaos—let's go!
“In a different life”—I bend until my mouth is centimeters from hers—“I would do anything to make you mine, and I’d bring you any person who’s wronged you and make them beg for death at your feet. All you’d have to do is say the word.”
Ughhhh, WHERE DO I EVEN START?! This book was everything I didn’t know I needed and SO much more. From page one, I was on fire—the tension? Immaculate. The vibes? Perfection. And the chemistry between Enzo and Venesa? Chef’s kiss. 👏🔥 Like, how do they even make a forbidden romance with a twist of mafia feel THIS good?! I was glued to my phone screaming "No, but YESSS!" the entire time. 😩
This isn't your average Little Mermaid retelling, folks. Emily McIntire took that inspiration, sprinkled in some mafia spice, and served up something dark, dangerous, and oh-so-delicious. 🍷
✧ Forbidden romance 💘
✧ Mafia romance 💕
✧ Villain FMC 🖤
✧ Antihero MMC 💓
✧ Forced proximity 💗
✧ Family secrets 🧾
✧ Slowburn tension 🕯️
✧ Touch her and you die ☠️
Let’s talk about Venesa for a sec—she CARRIED this book. Bold, cunning, unapologetically badass—she is the villain I can’t help but root for. 🙌 And Enzo? Broody, sexy, and has this protective streak that made me melt. 😮💨 I was flipping pages faster than Venesa can make a deal with her uncle, I swear.
And the plot twists?! I mean, I predicted a couple, but others?! I was like NO WAY—cue gasping. 😱 The writing sucked me in so deep, I felt like I was living in the heart of mafia madness. 🔥🔥
That said, it was a little long. Like, trimming down some scenes would’ve really kept the pace tighter. But hey, that's a small thing compared to the total vibe of this book.
AND, hold up, can we talk about how far this series has come?! 🥹 I rated the last book ONE star (still recovering from that trauma, btw), but this one?? Solid 4 stars. Growth, people—growth. 🙌
So, if you’re all about dark, forbidden mafia romance with strong women and fairytale twists, this one’s for you. Emily, you crushed it AGAIN. 👏🔥
Image credits: Pinterest.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Okay, so I’ve had a total mixed bag of feels about the Never After series—let’s just say the last one was a HARD pass for me! 😩 But OMG, I’m absolutely BUZZING with excitement for Hexed! This dark and delicious twist on The Little Mermaid has me all ready to swoon over the forbidden romance between Enzo "Loverboy" Marino and the enchanting Venesa Andersen! 😍✨
The combo of mafia drama and steamy tension is just what my heart needs right now! 💖 Emily, I NEED this book ASAP because I can already tell it’s going to be one WILD ride! 🧜♀️💜 Bring on the magic and the chaos—let's go!
November 6, 2024
This has to be the best book I’ve ever read from Emily McIntire. Like actual perfection, left no crumbs, chef’s kiss and all that.
The tension in this was literally off the charts. Every single chapter you just got smacked in the face with it. These two wanted each other SO FREAKING BADLY. I mean they were perfect for each other so of course?? Also, Enzo gives the best gifts.
Can we say holy plot twists?? There were so many things I just didn’t see coming that had my jaw on the freaking floor. You just can’t predict things like that. Just when you thought you figured everything out BOOM twist. And it just kept happening??
The spice. The spice was 🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻. I mean what more can I say? It was most definitely spicing.
10/10 would read again and again and again.
The tension in this was literally off the charts. Every single chapter you just got smacked in the face with it. These two wanted each other SO FREAKING BADLY. I mean they were perfect for each other so of course?? Also, Enzo gives the best gifts.
Can we say holy plot twists?? There were so many things I just didn’t see coming that had my jaw on the freaking floor. You just can’t predict things like that. Just when you thought you figured everything out BOOM twist. And it just kept happening??
The spice. The spice was 🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻. I mean what more can I say? It was most definitely spicing.
10/10 would read again and again and again.
January 3, 2025
I ate this UP 🤩
November 5, 2024
4.5 ⭐️
4 🌶️
✨ I'm fucking gone while I watch her. The world could light itself on fire behind us, and I don't think I'd care. ✨
Emilyyyy, QUEEEEN! What in the world did you put in this masterpiece? Like, is it possible to be enchanted through a book, because I was absolutely captivated from page 1 and devoured this beaut in 1.5 days. 😫
I could feel the chemistry between Enzo and Venesa THROUGH the pages, and the tension was so intense my fingers burned. To see Vanesa go from feeling unseen and desperately seeking approval to embracing herself as a sexy, bad a** b*tch and how Enzo helped empowering his Piccola Sirena, was truly inspiring. I. Ate. It. Up. ❤️🔥
Oh, and can we talk about the constant plot twist for sec? Jesus gurl, the number of times I was side-eying my kindle was unreal. Jessica had it coming tho... 🤭👀
I am not kidding when I say the acknowledgements had me in tears. Emily, your McInculties got you, always. You’re such a strong a** woman and we will always have your back ready to shout about you from every rooftop. 🫶🏼
Thank you so much, Emily and team, for giving me the opportunity to read this arc, I'm still recovering. 💜
✨ "That's a dangerous thing to say to a man like me, piccola sirena. ✨
Tropes:
🖤 Mafia Romance
🥀 Villain FMC + Antihero MMC
❤️🔥 (VERY) Forbidden Romance
💜 Forced Proximity
🧜🏼♀️ Little Mermaid Inspired
✨ Nickname - Piccola Sirena
🔥 Slowburn
Song:
🎶 Play with Fire - Sam Tinnesz, Yacht Money
✨ I'm fucking gone while I watch her. The world could light itself on fire behind us, and I don't think I'd care. ✨
Emilyyyy, QUEEEEN! What in the world did you put in this masterpiece? Like, is it possible to be enchanted through a book, because I was absolutely captivated from page 1 and devoured this beaut in 1.5 days. 😫
I could feel the chemistry between Enzo and Venesa THROUGH the pages, and the tension was so intense my fingers burned. To see Vanesa go from feeling unseen and desperately seeking approval to embracing herself as a sexy, bad a** b*tch and how Enzo helped empowering his Piccola Sirena, was truly inspiring. I. Ate. It. Up. ❤️🔥
Oh, and can we talk about the constant plot twist for sec? Jesus gurl, the number of times I was side-eying my kindle was unreal. Jessica had it coming tho... 🤭👀
I am not kidding when I say the acknowledgements had me in tears. Emily, your McInculties got you, always. You’re such a strong a** woman and we will always have your back ready to shout about you from every rooftop. 🫶🏼
Thank you so much, Emily and team, for giving me the opportunity to read this arc, I'm still recovering. 💜
✨ "That's a dangerous thing to say to a man like me, piccola sirena. ✨
Tropes:
🖤 Mafia Romance
🥀 Villain FMC + Antihero MMC
❤️🔥 (VERY) Forbidden Romance
💜 Forced Proximity
🧜🏼♀️ Little Mermaid Inspired
✨ Nickname - Piccola Sirena
🔥 Slowburn
Song:
🎶 Play with Fire - Sam Tinnesz, Yacht Money
June 30, 2025
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ guess who got herself cheesecake? 🙋♀️
I got myself a slice of my favorite red velvet cheesecake to celebrate finishing this series like I said I would......I should probably hit the gym now hehe!! 🍰🤸🏻♀️💪🫣
Honestly, I won't write much for this, but I think this is tied with Wretched in this series. Both Wretched and this book have a strong female who was badass and I enjoyed reading about them. However, I have to note that some of the plot twists were predictable, but this was still an overall fun read, so 2.5!!
The insta-love in these books killed me though, I've come to have a certain amount of appreciation for the simmer of a slow-burn, so maybe my ability to enjoy fast-paced romance has dropped over time. Also, I have a certain amount of disdain for the sister's/cousin's fiancé trope so maybe it's that as well. 🤷♀️
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pre-read: finally on the last book of the series and I'm going to be treating myself to cheesecake after I finish bc I think it deserve it!! 🍰🫣
I got myself a slice of my favorite red velvet cheesecake to celebrate finishing this series like I said I would......I should probably hit the gym now hehe!! 🍰🤸🏻♀️💪🫣
Honestly, I won't write much for this, but I think this is tied with Wretched in this series. Both Wretched and this book have a strong female who was badass and I enjoyed reading about them. However, I have to note that some of the plot twists were predictable, but this was still an overall fun read, so 2.5!!
The insta-love in these books killed me though, I've come to have a certain amount of appreciation for the simmer of a slow-burn, so maybe my ability to enjoy fast-paced romance has dropped over time. Also, I have a certain amount of disdain for the sister's/cousin's fiancé trope so maybe it's that as well. 🤷♀️
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pre-read: finally on the last book of the series and I'm going to be treating myself to cheesecake after I finish bc I think it deserve it!! 🍰🫣
January 15, 2025
Never After series, COMPLETE!! I can now give you guys my final ranking, which is:
Hooked > Wretched > Scarred > Crossed > Twisted > Hexed
Mind you, all but the first two I rated 4 stars, so there's only very slight differences between them that affect my ranking, mainly how much fun I had while reading & how well I connected to the characters.
Anyway, the Little Mermaid references were the best part of Hexed. McIntire's clever use of them reminded me of Hooked, which seemed to be the most like the original story so far. I really appreciated them, even though I'm not a huge fan of the cartoon myself.
I also liked the romance, and the narration, the story was so-so, not my favourite in the series, clearly. But the effort the author put into it is apparent.
I'm glad that I not only picked this series up, but also finished it (I have over 100 unfinished series...I'm working on it), two of the books became ultimate faves, the other four were still great reads, and I'm excited to dive into whatever Emily McIntire puts out next.
Hooked > Wretched > Scarred > Crossed > Twisted > Hexed
Mind you, all but the first two I rated 4 stars, so there's only very slight differences between them that affect my ranking, mainly how much fun I had while reading & how well I connected to the characters.
Anyway, the Little Mermaid references were the best part of Hexed. McIntire's clever use of them reminded me of Hooked, which seemed to be the most like the original story so far. I really appreciated them, even though I'm not a huge fan of the cartoon myself.
I also liked the romance, and the narration, the story was so-so, not my favourite in the series, clearly. But the effort the author put into it is apparent.
I'm glad that I not only picked this series up, but also finished it (I have over 100 unfinished series...I'm working on it), two of the books became ultimate faves, the other four were still great reads, and I'm excited to dive into whatever Emily McIntire puts out next.
November 13, 2024
i have never pre-written reviews, but knowing what i know about this series, i know that i’m going to love it and i want this author to have all of the good things because she brings immeasurable joy into my life with her novels and i cannot wait to read this
update: have read and can still confirm it was one of the best books i’ve read and such a bittersweet send off to this series (also that epilogue is a 10000/10 okay thank you)
update: have read and can still confirm it was one of the best books i’ve read and such a bittersweet send off to this series (also that epilogue is a 10000/10 okay thank you)
November 3, 2024
I HAVE A NEW FAVORITE EMILY MCINTIRE BOOK 🗣️
I have so much love for morally grey women, it’s always going to boost the books rating for me because of that. And Venesa is easily a top favorite morally grey woman for me now, I absolutely adored her entire character arc. AND she’s bisexual?? PLEASE. IM IN LOVE.
Enzo also had me swooning left and right, which is not surprising to me since all of Emily’s men do that to me haha.
The plot, I have to say, was my favorite of hers so far too. It was classic mafia, but with the little twists here and there and nods to the little mermaid, it made it soooo unique and interesting to me.
Overall, I’m dying to yap about with this people so hurry up and read it once it comes out haha. That’s how good it is!!
*I received an arc from the publisher in exchange for my honest review*
I have so much love for morally grey women, it’s always going to boost the books rating for me because of that. And Venesa is easily a top favorite morally grey woman for me now, I absolutely adored her entire character arc. AND she’s bisexual?? PLEASE. IM IN LOVE.
Enzo also had me swooning left and right, which is not surprising to me since all of Emily’s men do that to me haha.
The plot, I have to say, was my favorite of hers so far too. It was classic mafia, but with the little twists here and there and nods to the little mermaid, it made it soooo unique and interesting to me.
Overall, I’m dying to yap about with this people so hurry up and read it once it comes out haha. That’s how good it is!!
*I received an arc from the publisher in exchange for my honest review*
December 21, 2024
✰ 3 stars
⤿ december 21 - 22, 2024, 📱
i think emily mcintire has some unresolved daddy issues because i have yet to read a likable father character of hers. but we listen and we relate.
⤿ december 21 - 22, 2024, 📱
i think emily mcintire has some unresolved daddy issues because i have yet to read a likable father character of hers. but we listen and we relate.
March 10, 2025
I’m giving this one 3 stars because I had a lot of mixed feelings while reading it. I didn’t really love the first part of the book but I loved the middle and by the end I didn’t really have any opinions of it.
It’s a good book and I enjoyed it but there’s others I like more and there’s others I like less in this series!
It’s a good book and I enjoyed it but there’s others I like more and there’s others I like less in this series!
March 7, 2025
i LOVED this. i am obsessed with how Emily throws in all the little easter eggs and nods to the original story while making it completely different?? the little mermaid but make it dark mafia romance and ursula is the heroine (kinda??) 🐚🌊
July 27, 2025
ミ𝟯.𝟮𝟱★
“𝙄𝙣 𝙖 𝙙𝙞𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚…” 𝙄 𝙥𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚, 𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙨𝙪𝙙𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙘𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙖𝙩. “𝙄’𝙙 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙡𝙤𝙪𝙙.”
𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁:
❥ 𝘱𝘰𝘰𝘳 𝘶𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘴 𝘣𝘺 𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘺
❥ 𝘤𝘳𝘶𝘦𝘭 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘢 𝘥𝘦𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘺
❥ 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘥𝘢𝘥𝘥𝘺 𝘪 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘢𝘺𝘭𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘸𝘪𝘧𝘵
❥ 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘩 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘰 𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘣𝘺 𝘫𝘦𝘧𝘧 𝘣𝘶𝘤𝘬𝘭𝘦𝘺
༄ ౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪⋅˚ 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗮 𝗼𝗳 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀.
𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄:
❤︎︎ 𝘝𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘢, 𝘢 𝘤𝘶𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘤𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢 𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘵, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘌𝘯𝘻𝘰, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘣𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘮𝘢𝘧𝘪𝘢 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺, 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘴 𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘝𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘢'𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯, 𝘈𝘳𝘪𝘢, 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘌𝘯𝘻𝘰. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘴 𝘢 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘣𝘪𝘥𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦. 𝖠 𝗅𝗈𝗈𝗌𝖾 𝗋𝖾𝗍𝖾𝗅𝗅𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗈𝖿 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗅𝗂𝗍𝗍𝗅𝖾 𝗆𝖾𝗋𝗆𝖺𝗂𝖽.
𝗺𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄:
❤︎︎ 𝖨 𝖾𝗇𝗃𝗈𝗒𝖾𝖽 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖻𝗈𝗈𝗄 𝖺 𝖻𝗂𝗍! 𝖳𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝗌𝖾𝗋𝗂𝖾𝗌 𝗐𝖺𝗌𝗇’𝗍 𝗆𝗒 𝖿𝖺𝗏𝗈𝗋𝗂𝗍𝖾 𝖻𝗎𝗍 𝖾𝗇𝗃𝗈𝗒𝖾𝖽 𝗌𝗈𝗆𝖾 𝗈𝖿 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝖻𝗈𝗈𝗄𝗌, 𝗌𝗈𝗆𝖾 𝖨 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝗅𝗅𝗒 𝖽𝗂𝖽𝗇’𝗍 𝖾𝗇𝗃𝗈𝗒 𝗍𝗁𝗈𝗎𝗀𝗁 😓 𝖤𝗇𝗓𝗈 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖵𝖾𝗇𝖾𝗌𝖺 𝖺𝗋𝖾 𝖼𝗎𝗍𝖾 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖨 𝖼𝖺𝗋𝖾𝖽 𝖺𝖻𝗈𝗎𝗍 𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗆 𝗀𝖾𝗍𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗍𝗈𝗀𝖾𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗋 𝖺 𝖻𝗂𝗍 𝖻𝗎𝗍 𝗃𝗎𝗌𝗍 𝗇𝗈𝗍 𝖺 𝖼𝗋𝖺𝗓𝗒 𝖽𝖺𝗋𝗄 𝗋𝗈𝗆𝖺𝗇𝖼𝖾 𝗀𝗂𝗋𝗅 😔 𝖨’𝗆 𝗃𝗎𝗌𝗍 𝗇𝗈𝗍 𝖺 𝗁𝗎𝗀𝖾 𝖿𝖺𝗇 𝗈𝖿 𝗌𝗆𝗎𝗍, 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖻𝗈𝗈𝗄 𝖽𝗂𝖽𝗇’𝗍 𝗁𝖺𝗏𝖾 𝖺𝗇 𝗈𝗏𝖾𝗋𝗅𝗈𝖺𝖽 𝖻𝗎𝗍 𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗋𝖾 𝗂𝗌 𝖺 𝖻𝗂𝗍. 𝖨 𝗋𝖾𝖼𝗈𝗆𝗆𝖾𝗇𝖽 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖻𝗈𝗈𝗄 𝗂𝖿 𝗒𝗈𝗎 𝖾𝗇𝗃𝗈𝗒 𝖽𝖺𝗋𝗄 𝗋𝗈𝗆𝖺𝗇𝖼𝖾 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗅𝗂𝗄𝖾 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗋𝖾𝗍𝖾𝗅𝗅𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗂𝖽𝖾𝖺!
“𝙄 𝙬𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙛 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙯𝙚𝙨 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙙𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚, 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙘𝙧𝙖𝙬𝙡 𝙤𝙣 𝙢𝙮 𝙠𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙞𝙨.”
₊˚ ୨ ♡ ୧ ˚₊ 𝗜 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗱𝗮𝘆/𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁!
“𝙄𝙣 𝙖 𝙙𝙞𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚…” 𝙄 𝙥𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚, 𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙨𝙪𝙙𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙘𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙖𝙩. “𝙄’𝙙 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙡𝙤𝙪𝙙.”
𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁:
❥ 𝘱𝘰𝘰𝘳 𝘶𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘴 𝘣𝘺 𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘺
❥ 𝘤𝘳𝘶𝘦𝘭 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘢 𝘥𝘦𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘺
❥ 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘥𝘢𝘥𝘥𝘺 𝘪 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘢𝘺𝘭𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘸𝘪𝘧𝘵
❥ 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘩 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘰 𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘣𝘺 𝘫𝘦𝘧𝘧 𝘣𝘶𝘤𝘬𝘭𝘦𝘺
༄ ౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪⋅˚ 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗮 𝗼𝗳 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀.
𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄:
❤︎︎ 𝘝𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘢, 𝘢 𝘤𝘶𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘤𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢 𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘵, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘌𝘯𝘻𝘰, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘣𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘮𝘢𝘧𝘪𝘢 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺, 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘴 𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘝𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘢'𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯, 𝘈𝘳𝘪𝘢, 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘌𝘯𝘻𝘰. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘴 𝘢 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘣𝘪𝘥𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦. 𝖠 𝗅𝗈𝗈𝗌𝖾 𝗋𝖾𝗍𝖾𝗅𝗅𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗈𝖿 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗅𝗂𝗍𝗍𝗅𝖾 𝗆𝖾𝗋𝗆𝖺𝗂𝖽.
𝗺𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄:
❤︎︎ 𝖨 𝖾𝗇𝗃𝗈𝗒𝖾𝖽 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖻𝗈𝗈𝗄 𝖺 𝖻𝗂𝗍! 𝖳𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝗌𝖾𝗋𝗂𝖾𝗌 𝗐𝖺𝗌𝗇’𝗍 𝗆𝗒 𝖿𝖺𝗏𝗈𝗋𝗂𝗍𝖾 𝖻𝗎𝗍 𝖾𝗇𝗃𝗈𝗒𝖾𝖽 𝗌𝗈𝗆𝖾 𝗈𝖿 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝖻𝗈𝗈𝗄𝗌, 𝗌𝗈𝗆𝖾 𝖨 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝗅𝗅𝗒 𝖽𝗂𝖽𝗇’𝗍 𝖾𝗇𝗃𝗈𝗒 𝗍𝗁𝗈𝗎𝗀𝗁 😓 𝖤𝗇𝗓𝗈 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖵𝖾𝗇𝖾𝗌𝖺 𝖺𝗋𝖾 𝖼𝗎𝗍𝖾 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖨 𝖼𝖺𝗋𝖾𝖽 𝖺𝖻𝗈𝗎𝗍 𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗆 𝗀𝖾𝗍𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗍𝗈𝗀𝖾𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗋 𝖺 𝖻𝗂𝗍 𝖻𝗎𝗍 𝗃𝗎𝗌𝗍 𝗇𝗈𝗍 𝖺 𝖼𝗋𝖺𝗓𝗒 𝖽𝖺𝗋𝗄 𝗋𝗈𝗆𝖺𝗇𝖼𝖾 𝗀𝗂𝗋𝗅 😔 𝖨’𝗆 𝗃𝗎𝗌𝗍 𝗇𝗈𝗍 𝖺 𝗁𝗎𝗀𝖾 𝖿𝖺𝗇 𝗈𝖿 𝗌𝗆𝗎𝗍, 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖻𝗈𝗈𝗄 𝖽𝗂𝖽𝗇’𝗍 𝗁𝖺𝗏𝖾 𝖺𝗇 𝗈𝗏𝖾𝗋𝗅𝗈𝖺𝖽 𝖻𝗎𝗍 𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗋𝖾 𝗂𝗌 𝖺 𝖻𝗂𝗍. 𝖨 𝗋𝖾𝖼𝗈𝗆𝗆𝖾𝗇𝖽 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖻𝗈𝗈𝗄 𝗂𝖿 𝗒𝗈𝗎 𝖾𝗇𝗃𝗈𝗒 𝖽𝖺𝗋𝗄 𝗋𝗈𝗆𝖺𝗇𝖼𝖾 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗅𝗂𝗄𝖾 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗋𝖾𝗍𝖾𝗅𝗅𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗂𝖽𝖾𝖺!
“𝙄 𝙬𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙛 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙯𝙚𝙨 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙙𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚, 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙘𝙧𝙖𝙬𝙡 𝙤𝙣 𝙢𝙮 𝙠𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙞𝙨.”
₊˚ ୨ ♡ ୧ ˚₊ 𝗜 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗱𝗮𝘆/𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁!
November 9, 2024
I absolutely love a strong female main character, especially when she's a "villain." Venesa truly made this story. And when a dark romance is somehow giving Ivy by Taylor Swift? Unexpected, but I love it.
I loved all of the nods to the original Little Mermaid folktale, but they weren't too in-your-face. Venesa being equivalent to Ursula and having all of her potions and poisons was iconic. There were so many twists and turns in this book that I did not see coming at all. It was one plot twist after another. And I loved the forbidden romance aspect. Enzo was also a great MMC, though Venesa outshined him honestly.
While the pacing was solid, I do think this book was a bit too long, and I would've enjoyed it more if it were 25% shorter. And I thought the flirty, tension-building, "we're attracted to each other but it's forbidden" scenes were much better than the actual spicy scenes. Though overall, really enjoyed this one!
Thank you so much to Bloom Books for sending me a copy of Hexed. As always, my reviews are one hundred percent voluntary and all opinions are my own :)
I loved all of the nods to the original Little Mermaid folktale, but they weren't too in-your-face. Venesa being equivalent to Ursula and having all of her potions and poisons was iconic. There were so many twists and turns in this book that I did not see coming at all. It was one plot twist after another. And I loved the forbidden romance aspect. Enzo was also a great MMC, though Venesa outshined him honestly.
While the pacing was solid, I do think this book was a bit too long, and I would've enjoyed it more if it were 25% shorter. And I thought the flirty, tension-building, "we're attracted to each other but it's forbidden" scenes were much better than the actual spicy scenes. Though overall, really enjoyed this one!
Thank you so much to Bloom Books for sending me a copy of Hexed. As always, my reviews are one hundred percent voluntary and all opinions are my own :)
November 18, 2024
Well, this was a potential wasted
1.5🌟
This is how it went
🫨😋🤩 ch 1 to 20: ooooh very interesting
😶😶😶 ch 21 to 33: come on! Do something, show some gut
🫡 end of ch 33: yes finally! Go girl! Rein hell on them
🤨😐😑 ch 34 to 40: booooring
😒😒😒 ch 40+: so many variables and so many ridiculous plotholes
If you're going to "dummy" read this for the "how the villain of the Little Mermaid" got the Prince, then sure. ... it's perfect
But this is supposed to be a Dark Romance/Mafia
It did not work on both accounts
Enzo was a limp noodle
And Venesa was an idiot that she was blindsided so many times I almost wanted Aria to win
The side characters were even more baffling
The only way to enjoy this is if you turn your brain off
Sorry, I value my brain cells too much to do that
1.5🌟
This is how it went
🫨😋🤩 ch 1 to 20: ooooh very interesting
😶😶😶 ch 21 to 33: come on! Do something, show some gut
🫡 end of ch 33: yes finally! Go girl! Rein hell on them
🤨😐😑 ch 34 to 40: booooring
😒😒😒 ch 40+: so many variables and so many ridiculous plotholes
If you're going to "dummy" read this for the "how the villain of the Little Mermaid" got the Prince, then sure. ... it's perfect
But this is supposed to be a Dark Romance/Mafia
It did not work on both accounts
Enzo was a limp noodle
And Venesa was an idiot that she was blindsided so many times I almost wanted Aria to win
The side characters were even more baffling
The only way to enjoy this is if you turn your brain off
Sorry, I value my brain cells too much to do that
November 15, 2024
could be better, could be worst, and for everything emily mcintire went through, this is a win
February 22, 2025
I loved this, I should've stuck to physical book. Idk why I insisted on also getting the audiobook. Big regret. The female narrator ruined it for me with her fake accent. It was rough. Went back to physical book, and it was great again. Enjoyed this one, especially Enzo touch her and ☠️ vibes. 3.5 to 4 stars easily!
February 25, 2025
The absolute chemistry between Venesa and Enzo was on fire. The slow burn was really slow, but when they come together? Whewww. 🥵 This was definitely more romance than mafia business, but the plot wasn't lacking at all. The plot twist was pretty unexpected til the very end. The tid-bits that related this retelling to the Little Mermiad were suttle, but as always, I loved the parallels.
March 30, 2025
✯✯✯✯4/5 stars✯✯✯✯
i literally won’t be able to recover from Fisher’s betrayal because wtf do you meannnn 😭 i loved himmm. i have permanent beef with this book for doing that to me but anyways, i absolutely ate this up and will now be adding enzo to my list of favorite book boyfriends, and venesa to my favorite badass fmcs ✨
i literally won’t be able to recover from Fisher’s betrayal because wtf do you meannnn 😭 i loved himmm. i have permanent beef with this book for doing that to me but anyways, i absolutely ate this up and will now be adding enzo to my list of favorite book boyfriends, and venesa to my favorite badass fmcs ✨
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
unsafe-not-to-be-read
November 10, 2024self note: has OW drama. H is engaged to OW (h's cousin) for a major part of the book. i don't have the patience nor the energy for that as much as i've enjoyed emily's books in the past
December 3, 2024
This was actually going to be my favorite out of the series, until the ending that felt really flat and rushed. Seriously, what a disappointment.
November 22, 2024
♾️♾️♾️♾️
emily just knows how to write mafia soooo well. i went into this completely blind, only knowing it was a mafia story and i am so glad i did.
enzo was the perfect mmc, i loved how much of a lover boy he was. how he treated venesa was so perfect, he remembered every little detail about her which made the story so special. he also would do anything to make her happy, literally anything - i was swooning so hard 😭
venesa has become a top rated fmc for me, she is such a baddie and knew how to take care of herself. the girl used her past and her trauma to make her a stronger person and i loved reading every second of her character. she’s so dry and funny but also has such a deeper feeling side to her which i loved getting glimpses of.
them two together were everything. they are the perfect partners in crime and worked so well together. you could feel their love forming and their trust bond strengthening as you went through the story.
i loved the pacing of this story so much, there wasn’t even a kiss until past 300 pages but i thought this made for such a good build up and followed the plot so well.
the tension between these two was literally out of this world, every time they had a scene together pre 300 pages i was on the edge of my seat in excitement for what was going to be said or what was going to happen. the stuff that enzo says to venesa and his thoughts about her? had my heart racingggg 🤭
the plot was so entertaining and honestly i did not see a lot of it coming. as i said, i went into the blind so i wasn’t aware of any twists and turns that could be coming up but i thoroughly enjoyed every single one and thought it kept the plot moving perfectly.
this is the type of book that i could pick up and start reading again when i only just finished it two minutes ago.
i loved the side characters, i thought they added so much to the story - lovedddd gio,scotty + bastian. i was prayingggg that scotty + bas ended up together hahaha, farfetched but i felt the vibe?
in conclusion, i absolutely adored this book and truly think this will be in my top FIVE?! reads of this year. emily, you should be so so so proud because to write this masterpiece whilst going through chemotherapy - you are a different breed of woman!! 👑👑👑
emily just knows how to write mafia soooo well. i went into this completely blind, only knowing it was a mafia story and i am so glad i did.
enzo was the perfect mmc, i loved how much of a lover boy he was. how he treated venesa was so perfect, he remembered every little detail about her which made the story so special. he also would do anything to make her happy, literally anything - i was swooning so hard 😭
venesa has become a top rated fmc for me, she is such a baddie and knew how to take care of herself. the girl used her past and her trauma to make her a stronger person and i loved reading every second of her character. she’s so dry and funny but also has such a deeper feeling side to her which i loved getting glimpses of.
them two together were everything. they are the perfect partners in crime and worked so well together. you could feel their love forming and their trust bond strengthening as you went through the story.
i loved the pacing of this story so much, there wasn’t even a kiss until past 300 pages but i thought this made for such a good build up and followed the plot so well.
the tension between these two was literally out of this world, every time they had a scene together pre 300 pages i was on the edge of my seat in excitement for what was going to be said or what was going to happen. the stuff that enzo says to venesa and his thoughts about her? had my heart racingggg 🤭
the plot was so entertaining and honestly i did not see a lot of it coming. as i said, i went into the blind so i wasn’t aware of any twists and turns that could be coming up but i thoroughly enjoyed every single one and thought it kept the plot moving perfectly.
this is the type of book that i could pick up and start reading again when i only just finished it two minutes ago.
i loved the side characters, i thought they added so much to the story - lovedddd gio,scotty + bastian. i was prayingggg that scotty + bas ended up together hahaha, farfetched but i felt the vibe?
in conclusion, i absolutely adored this book and truly think this will be in my top FIVE?! reads of this year. emily, you should be so so so proud because to write this masterpiece whilst going through chemotherapy - you are a different breed of woman!! 👑👑👑
December 20, 2024
Oh my god this book was freaking addicting!!!!!
A little mermaid inspired dark romance where the main character, Venessa aka Ursula, is her uncle Trent’s right hand woman until she isn’t… her cousin (aria aka Ariel) was a major c*nt but she was someone Venessa just had to bear every once in a while... that is until she gets engaged and comes back to their town in South Carolina. what Venessa wasn't expecting was to have an insane connection with Aria's future fiance and the tension between her and Enzo was a strongggggg one! No one ever looked out for Venessa until Enzo and honestly there were so many cute moments (which is wild because HELLO MAFIA/DARK ROMANCE?!) that had me giggly and fluttery!!
i listened to this one and yes the accents were a bit cheesy but the story was soooooo well woven and creative and I just freaking LOVED IT! i wish the ending was longer because I didn't want it to end!!!
A little mermaid inspired dark romance where the main character, Venessa aka Ursula, is her uncle Trent’s right hand woman until she isn’t… her cousin (aria aka Ariel) was a major c*nt but she was someone Venessa just had to bear every once in a while... that is until she gets engaged and comes back to their town in South Carolina. what Venessa wasn't expecting was to have an insane connection with Aria's future fiance and the tension between her and Enzo was a strongggggg one! No one ever looked out for Venessa until Enzo and honestly there were so many cute moments (which is wild because HELLO MAFIA/DARK ROMANCE?!) that had me giggly and fluttery!!
i listened to this one and yes the accents were a bit cheesy but the story was soooooo well woven and creative and I just freaking LOVED IT! i wish the ending was longer because I didn't want it to end!!!
January 10, 2025
4.5 stars! The little mermaid is my favourite Disney movie so of course I ate this all up and all the references too were perfection. This was such a slow burn but so worth it when they finally were able to act on their feelings. The girlies with a praise kink will love this one. Mafia romances might be on my future tbr cause of this book
December 19, 2024
my christmas gift to myself was dnf’ing this
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