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A Course in Magic #2
Reluctant Witch
The Magicians meets One Last Stop in the sequel to Remedial Magic by New York Times bestselling author Melissa Marr!
After discovering she's a witch and being whisked away to the magical land of Crenshaw, Ellie wants nothing more than to spend time with her new wife, Prospero, who has magically altered Ellie's memories to convince her of exactly that.
Prospero herself is guilt-wracked after erasing Ellie's memories and being forced into a sham marriage with the woman she loves for real. But Crenshaw is dying, poisoned by Prospero's enemies who want their community to return to the human world, and she will do anything to save it.
The most powerful witch in anyone's memory is in Prospero's home, in her bed, with no idea that she's a prisoner there... yet.
As the very fabric of their world is being destroyed, Ellie and Prospero must find a way to work together and save the world, and themselves.
After discovering she's a witch and being whisked away to the magical land of Crenshaw, Ellie wants nothing more than to spend time with her new wife, Prospero, who has magically altered Ellie's memories to convince her of exactly that.
Prospero herself is guilt-wracked after erasing Ellie's memories and being forced into a sham marriage with the woman she loves for real. But Crenshaw is dying, poisoned by Prospero's enemies who want their community to return to the human world, and she will do anything to save it.
The most powerful witch in anyone's memory is in Prospero's home, in her bed, with no idea that she's a prisoner there... yet.
As the very fabric of their world is being destroyed, Ellie and Prospero must find a way to work together and save the world, and themselves.
320 pages, Paperback
Published April 1, 2025
17 people are currently reading
6505 people want to read
About the author
Melissa Marr
106 books13k followersMelissa Marr writes fiction for adults, teens, and children. Her books have been translated into 28 languages and been bestsellers in the US (NY Times, LA Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal) as well as overseas. Wicked Lovely, her debut novel, was an instant New York Times bestseller and evolved into an internationally bestselling multi-book series with a myriad of accolades.
In 2024 she released a queer fantasy (Remedial Magic via Bramble), a picturebook about a wee one and his two moms (Family is Family via Penguin), and a DC Comics graphic novel about teen Harley & Ivy (The Strange Adventures of Harleen & Harley).
An Illumicrate edition of 6 Wicked Lovely books will release in 2025.
If she's not writing, you can find her in a kayak or on a trail with her wife.
In 2024 she released a queer fantasy (Remedial Magic via Bramble), a picturebook about a wee one and his two moms (Family is Family via Penguin), and a DC Comics graphic novel about teen Harley & Ivy (The Strange Adventures of Harleen & Harley).
An Illumicrate edition of 6 Wicked Lovely books will release in 2025.
If she's not writing, you can find her in a kayak or on a trail with her wife.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
July 25, 2025
Honestly only read this because the first book ended in such a bizarre cliffhanger. It was not worth continuing. Just read the SparkNotes - it'll save you some time.
March 31, 2025
Thank you to the publishers as well as Netgalley for allowing me to listen to and review the audiobook edition in advance of the release date.
When I saw that there was a chance to review a book of Melissa Marr's in advance, I jumped at the chance. I have been a fan of her works for quite a while. It wasn't until after that I realized it was the second in the series. I had missed that fact in my haste to submit my request. However, I was still excited as this is the sequel to a book that's been burning a hole on my TBR shelf.
Right from the beginning, the story drew me in. I really enjoyed the main characters as well as the land of Crenshaw that it is set in while also involving what readers would consider our normal world adjacent to it. Listening to this book definitely has me hooked and I intend to circle back to the first in the series and reread Reluctant Witch as I would definitely consider it a fun re-read!
As for the audiobook aspect of this, I really loved the use of two narrators to help diversify the voices of characters as well as lend to the fact that there are multiple POVs. Jeremy Parker and Max Meyers both did an excellent job with the narration.
Overall, I'd say this is worth reading if you're looking for a good fantasy series that features queer protagonists.
When I saw that there was a chance to review a book of Melissa Marr's in advance, I jumped at the chance. I have been a fan of her works for quite a while. It wasn't until after that I realized it was the second in the series. I had missed that fact in my haste to submit my request. However, I was still excited as this is the sequel to a book that's been burning a hole on my TBR shelf.
Right from the beginning, the story drew me in. I really enjoyed the main characters as well as the land of Crenshaw that it is set in while also involving what readers would consider our normal world adjacent to it. Listening to this book definitely has me hooked and I intend to circle back to the first in the series and reread Reluctant Witch as I would definitely consider it a fun re-read!
As for the audiobook aspect of this, I really loved the use of two narrators to help diversify the voices of characters as well as lend to the fact that there are multiple POVs. Jeremy Parker and Max Meyers both did an excellent job with the narration.
Overall, I'd say this is worth reading if you're looking for a good fantasy series that features queer protagonists.
April 27, 2025
Loved reading in this book, it was a fantastic sequel, loved seeing how the story resolved!
March 13, 2025
The narration is good.
Dual Narration - Jeremy Carlisle Parker & Max Meyers
I had a very hard time connecting to the characters. I did not realize this is told in 3rd person POV
The story line is decent but I just struggled with the POV.
I do think you need to read the books in order. This is the second book in the series.
Dual Narration - Jeremy Carlisle Parker & Max Meyers
I had a very hard time connecting to the characters. I did not realize this is told in 3rd person POV
The story line is decent but I just struggled with the POV.
I do think you need to read the books in order. This is the second book in the series.
July 17, 2025
Thank you to Goodreads! I received this book in one of their giveaways and couldn’t wait to dive into a new witchy world. I definitely liked this 2nd book in the series more than I did the first novel. Reluctant Witch seemed to flow much better and was so much easier to understand than the first book. It also wrapped up everyone’s stories nicely.
April 3, 2025
This picks up immediately after the end of Remedial Magic, with the fallout of all of the memory-altering that Prospero had to do and marriage deals everyone had to make to continue to live in Crenshaw.
A lot of the issues I had with Remedial Magic are still here - while there is a lot of back and forth about which side is better or "right", both sides on the "should Crenshaw and magic stay separate" debate are doing a lot of morally questionable things and this is never really addressed. It is instead again swept under the rug with a distraction of the romances, which continue to be mostly insta-love and a lot of telling us the couples are good together with little chemistry. For all that Prospero and Ellie are supposed to be the main couple, I can't help but feel like Sondre and Maggie actually get the best development. Ellie spends so much time brainwashed that any potential development she and Prospero could have had comes too little too late.
While Remedial Magic felt a little more like it was trying to present both sides of the debate as having some sort of legitimacy, this time we're full-in on "no, the brainwashing and kidnapping side is the rational one, and the others are power-hungry racists, sexists, and murderers". So you can see how it's hard to really root for either side, which I would be okay with, but this book also wants to be a romance with tropes, and that just doesn't balance out well. It feels like whiplash, or like two different books mashed together tonally, and never quite settles. There's also again just a lot of weird worldbuilding stuff that doesn't make sense that gets brought up for dramatic purposes and then immediately forgotten about.
A lot of the issues I had with Remedial Magic are still here - while there is a lot of back and forth about which side is better or "right", both sides on the "should Crenshaw and magic stay separate" debate are doing a lot of morally questionable things and this is never really addressed. It is instead again swept under the rug with a distraction of the romances, which continue to be mostly insta-love and a lot of telling us the couples are good together with little chemistry. For all that Prospero and Ellie are supposed to be the main couple, I can't help but feel like Sondre and Maggie actually get the best development. Ellie spends so much time brainwashed that any potential development she and Prospero could have had comes too little too late.
While Remedial Magic felt a little more like it was trying to present both sides of the debate as having some sort of legitimacy, this time we're full-in on "no, the brainwashing and kidnapping side is the rational one, and the others are power-hungry racists, sexists, and murderers". So you can see how it's hard to really root for either side, which I would be okay with, but this book also wants to be a romance with tropes, and that just doesn't balance out well. It feels like whiplash, or like two different books mashed together tonally, and never quite settles. There's also again just a lot of weird worldbuilding stuff that doesn't make sense that gets brought up for dramatic purposes and then immediately forgotten about.
April 4, 2025
Reluctant Witch is a quick, entertaining read with a fun mix of magic and romance. I didn’t read the first book, so there were a few moments where I felt like I was missing some context, but overall, I had no trouble following the story. The multiple POVs helped a lot, giving a well-rounded view of everything going on.
The pacing is great as moves along nice and fast and never drags—but the world-building and characters felt a little underdeveloped. While the story is enjoyable, it doesn’t really stand out in the crowded world of witchy fiction. It’s fun while you’re reading, but not the kind of book that sticks with you afterward.
That said, it’s still a solid choice if you’re in the mood for something light and easy. I’m planning to go back and read the first book to get the full picture, but as it stands, this one was just okay for me.
Thank you to Netgalley & Tor Publishing Group
The pacing is great as moves along nice and fast and never drags—but the world-building and characters felt a little underdeveloped. While the story is enjoyable, it doesn’t really stand out in the crowded world of witchy fiction. It’s fun while you’re reading, but not the kind of book that sticks with you afterward.
That said, it’s still a solid choice if you’re in the mood for something light and easy. I’m planning to go back and read the first book to get the full picture, but as it stands, this one was just okay for me.
Thank you to Netgalley & Tor Publishing Group
March 31, 2025
🎧 Audiobook +📗 Ebook: Reluctant Witch-A Course in Magic #2
✍🏾 Author: Melissa Marr- I read Remedial Magic and gave it 4 ⭐
📃Page Count: 320
📅Publication date: 4/1/25 | Read: 3/30/25
🏃🏾➡️Run Time: 10:40
🌎 Setting: Crenshaw-magical land
👆🏾POV: 3rd person, multiple
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Fantasy, Contemporary
Tropes: LGBTQ+, magic, witches
⚠️TW: death of parents, shooting
🗣️Narrators: Jeremy Carlisle Parker and Max Meyers voice all the characters with standouts from Sondre, Prospero, and Ellie. The reading style brought the text to life, and the author and narrators worked together perfectly. The pacing and flow allowed me to get lost in the story. The narrators paused and announced new chapters and there was a table of contents which helped me follow along.
Summary: Prospero is filled with guilt over erasing Ellie and Maggie's memories of escape. Ellie knows Prospero is hiding something as Prospero starts pushing her away. Scylla is shot by a member of the New Economists who wants to take over the non-magical world. The barrier keeping Crenshaw from the Barbarian Lands is still failing and the toxin in the village is killing witches. Ellie, Prospero, Sondre, Maggie, and Walt try to keep the town safe while secrets could ruin everything.
👩🏾 Heroine: Elleanor "Ellie" Brandeau
👩🏾 Heroine: Prospero
🎭 Side Characters:
*Maggie + her son Craig- Maggie married Sondre
*Sondre-headmaster of the College of Remedial Magic
*Walter-acting chief witch
*Scylla-Prospero's friend
*Agnes-Lady of Grendel House
*Dan+Axell- both witches, in a m/m relationship
🤔 My Thoughts: There were more storylines with multiple POVs. All the characters had their own agendas, lying to the people closest to them. Prospero hid Ellie's memories from her. Sondre loved Maggie but was part of the opposition. Even Dan felt guilty after he helped Prospero. I liked Sondre and Craig's talk, each wanted the best for Maggie.
*Spice: 4/5 🌶️ open door
*Rating: 4/5 ⭐
🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley, Tor Publishing Group| Bramble, Macmillan Audio, and Melissa Marr for this ARC & ALC! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions are my own.
✍🏾 Author: Melissa Marr- I read Remedial Magic and gave it 4 ⭐
📃Page Count: 320
📅Publication date: 4/1/25 | Read: 3/30/25
🏃🏾➡️Run Time: 10:40
🌎 Setting: Crenshaw-magical land
👆🏾POV: 3rd person, multiple
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Fantasy, Contemporary
Tropes: LGBTQ+, magic, witches
⚠️TW: death of parents, shooting
🗣️Narrators: Jeremy Carlisle Parker and Max Meyers voice all the characters with standouts from Sondre, Prospero, and Ellie. The reading style brought the text to life, and the author and narrators worked together perfectly. The pacing and flow allowed me to get lost in the story. The narrators paused and announced new chapters and there was a table of contents which helped me follow along.
Summary: Prospero is filled with guilt over erasing Ellie and Maggie's memories of escape. Ellie knows Prospero is hiding something as Prospero starts pushing her away. Scylla is shot by a member of the New Economists who wants to take over the non-magical world. The barrier keeping Crenshaw from the Barbarian Lands is still failing and the toxin in the village is killing witches. Ellie, Prospero, Sondre, Maggie, and Walt try to keep the town safe while secrets could ruin everything.
👩🏾 Heroine: Elleanor "Ellie" Brandeau
👩🏾 Heroine: Prospero
🎭 Side Characters:
*Maggie + her son Craig- Maggie married Sondre
*Sondre-headmaster of the College of Remedial Magic
*Walter-acting chief witch
*Scylla-Prospero's friend
*Agnes-Lady of Grendel House
*Dan+Axell- both witches, in a m/m relationship
🤔 My Thoughts: There were more storylines with multiple POVs. All the characters had their own agendas, lying to the people closest to them. Prospero hid Ellie's memories from her. Sondre loved Maggie but was part of the opposition. Even Dan felt guilty after he helped Prospero. I liked Sondre and Craig's talk, each wanted the best for Maggie.
*Spice: 4/5 🌶️ open door
*Rating: 4/5 ⭐
🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley, Tor Publishing Group| Bramble, Macmillan Audio, and Melissa Marr for this ARC & ALC! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions are my own.
June 9, 2025
I really wanted to love this one more but just didn't. The first book was kind of hit and miss for me but in the end I got sucked into the drama and intrigue and ended up enjoying it for what it was. This book picks up immediately where the first left off which I appreciated since I was left hanging at the end of the first. I feel like with this one there was more struggle to find the hit. The romance between Prospero and Ellie was just not there for me and it was almost painful reading about Ellie throwing herself at Prospero while not knowing what she did to her. I feel like book one Ellie would have been really upset about it and in the end when she discovers it, she doesn't seem all that bothered. When it comes to Maggie and Sondre, there was some seriously weird energy between them. I never quite understood why Maggie would be with him after she understood everything that happened. Also, she was all about getting back to her son and then in this book he is there with her and pretty quickly she is okay with a whole plan of him moving away from her again with a complete stranger and only seeing him on holidays. SMH...I don't get it. Another annoying plot hole might be the whole I can tell when anyone is lying to me witchy super power. There are so many times that this seems forgotten because people are lying to each other throughout and their spidey senses never tingle. It even unravels the whole we don't know who is on what side because all you have to do is literally ask and you would be able to find out if they are lying to you. I feel like this one needed some more work before being published which I really hate saying because I know how much work and love goes into the whole process. I have read other books by the author and really enjoyed them but this duology maybe needed some more time in development.
I received an early digital copy of this book from NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for my honest opinion.
I received an early digital copy of this book from NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for my honest opinion.
September 21, 2025
The cover is so cute! The characters matching and complementing each other.
The dedication is so heartfelt.
This book was really unique, as there were a number of different relationships happening, both queer and straight, and they were all both healthy and toxic. That might not make much sense when I put it that way, but honestly it’s more realistic like that. I think that often I idealize queer relationships as more healthy and without the same power dynamics as heterosexual couples, and this book points out that queer couples have their issues as well. Axel and Dan’s relationship explores the power dynamics between a top and a bottom, while Prospero and Ellie had vastly different amounts of experience—and different magical powers, both of which affected their power dynamics.
There were more badgers, more hobgoblins, and more angst.
I was not expecting literal magical dildos.
I was surprised that the book managed to tie up as many loose ends as it did, and in some ways the ending felt a little rushed.
Favorite quotes:
"I want you to be more than content. Be happy. Be fulfilled."
He frowned and kissed both breasts almost mournfully. "I'll be back for you later."
And Maggie laughed at the oddness of the fact that she was certain he was speaking to her breasts, not to her directly.
When one group wants the other's oppression, both sides are not equal at all. How can you compromise when the opposition wants to take away your life, safery, or health?
Sondre noticed her the way a hungry person noticed a surprise dessert.
“I trust you. What else do I need to know to answer? You want. I say yes.”
Maybe good and bad are relative to where you stand, what you want.
Favorite characters: As a couple, Maggie and Sondre were my favorite pairing. As characters, I really liked the hobs the best, and wished I knew more about them.
If you like this book, I recommend Wicked by Gregory Maguire and The Scholar and the Last Faerie Door by H. G. Parry.
The dedication is so heartfelt.
This book was really unique, as there were a number of different relationships happening, both queer and straight, and they were all both healthy and toxic. That might not make much sense when I put it that way, but honestly it’s more realistic like that. I think that often I idealize queer relationships as more healthy and without the same power dynamics as heterosexual couples, and this book points out that queer couples have their issues as well. Axel and Dan’s relationship explores the power dynamics between a top and a bottom, while Prospero and Ellie had vastly different amounts of experience—and different magical powers, both of which affected their power dynamics.
There were more badgers, more hobgoblins, and more angst.
I was not expecting literal magical dildos.
I was surprised that the book managed to tie up as many loose ends as it did, and in some ways the ending felt a little rushed.
Favorite quotes:
"I want you to be more than content. Be happy. Be fulfilled."
He frowned and kissed both breasts almost mournfully. "I'll be back for you later."
And Maggie laughed at the oddness of the fact that she was certain he was speaking to her breasts, not to her directly.
When one group wants the other's oppression, both sides are not equal at all. How can you compromise when the opposition wants to take away your life, safery, or health?
Sondre noticed her the way a hungry person noticed a surprise dessert.
“I trust you. What else do I need to know to answer? You want. I say yes.”
Maybe good and bad are relative to where you stand, what you want.
Favorite characters: As a couple, Maggie and Sondre were my favorite pairing. As characters, I really liked the hobs the best, and wished I knew more about them.
If you like this book, I recommend Wicked by Gregory Maguire and The Scholar and the Last Faerie Door by H. G. Parry.
March 22, 2025
I loved this book!
I wish to thank Emily Honer from Bramble who sent me a beautifully formatted email with a widget for this title. I’ve been wanting to try Melissa Marr since way back when Wicked Lovely came out, so finding an invitation to read this lovely (and it is lovely, the cover art is exquisite) title in my inbox was such a welcome surprise!
When this book rose to the top of my NetGalley queue, I realized it was the second book in the series, so I used my wonderful Libby library app to check out the ebook and audiobook of Remedial Magic and I powered through it in two days. The magic system is so unique and interesting and the cast of characters were distinct, with layered relationships between them. I loved the first book and dove into this one immediately afterward.
The pacing was great and the action drove the story forward brilliantly. I cared very much for the characters and I adored watching their relationships deepen. In the end, we get HEAs all around for the sympathetic characters and appropriate punishment/payback for the evil-doers. I found this to be very much in the cozy fantasy genre, which is a particular favorite for me lately.
I loved this book! I would recommend it to folks who like Travis Baldree, The Spellshop, the Tomes and Tea series, Ruby Dixon, Kimberly Lemming and really any cozy fantasy. There is maybe 1-2 chili peppers worth of spice in this book, so way more spice than the first three recommendations and quite a lot less than the last two.
Today I also gained access to an audiobook copy of this title and it is FANTASTIC! I love the narrators! The variations and variety and uniqueness to the different characters voices was exceptional—it almost felt like a full cast—I was so impressed! Thank you to Macmillan Audio for that access; what a treat!
I wish to thank Emily Honer from Bramble who sent me a beautifully formatted email with a widget for this title. I’ve been wanting to try Melissa Marr since way back when Wicked Lovely came out, so finding an invitation to read this lovely (and it is lovely, the cover art is exquisite) title in my inbox was such a welcome surprise!
When this book rose to the top of my NetGalley queue, I realized it was the second book in the series, so I used my wonderful Libby library app to check out the ebook and audiobook of Remedial Magic and I powered through it in two days. The magic system is so unique and interesting and the cast of characters were distinct, with layered relationships between them. I loved the first book and dove into this one immediately afterward.
The pacing was great and the action drove the story forward brilliantly. I cared very much for the characters and I adored watching their relationships deepen. In the end, we get HEAs all around for the sympathetic characters and appropriate punishment/payback for the evil-doers. I found this to be very much in the cozy fantasy genre, which is a particular favorite for me lately.
I loved this book! I would recommend it to folks who like Travis Baldree, The Spellshop, the Tomes and Tea series, Ruby Dixon, Kimberly Lemming and really any cozy fantasy. There is maybe 1-2 chili peppers worth of spice in this book, so way more spice than the first three recommendations and quite a lot less than the last two.
Today I also gained access to an audiobook copy of this title and it is FANTASTIC! I love the narrators! The variations and variety and uniqueness to the different characters voices was exceptional—it almost felt like a full cast—I was so impressed! Thank you to Macmillan Audio for that access; what a treat!
July 12, 2025
In the second book in the A Course of Magic series, readers reunite with Ellie and Prospero at a difficult point in their relationship. Ellie has just recently discovered she is a witch and, after relocating to the magical land of Crenshaw, wants nothing more to spend time with her new wife Prospero -- except Prospero magically altered Ellie’s memories to convince her of this. Prospero, on the other hand, is wracked with guilt over forcing Ellie into a sham marriage and altering her memories, but she must keep up her work because Crenshaw is dying and Prospero will do anything to save it -- like trapping the most powerful witch in memory and altering her memories. With incredibly high stakes, a host of tropes, and some incredible world-building, readers will love the magical elements and the emotional intensity of this series. The characters are really well-written, and both Prospero and Ellie’s perspectives give readers an incredible perspective of the high stakes and dangers of Crenshaw; neither perspective overwhelms the other. The world-building and magic system are really interesting and so detailed, and the high stakes of this magical system, paired with the incredible characters and setting, really immerse readers in this fantastic story.
Thanks to NetGalley, Tor Publishing Group, and Bramble for the advance copy.
Thanks to NetGalley, Tor Publishing Group, and Bramble for the advance copy.
March 6, 2025
Thank you, NetGalley and Bramble, for the ARC of this book. The second in the series by Melissa Marr picks up right after the dramatic ending of the first book, Remedial Magic. I found the first book was interesting because of the development of the world the characters were thrown into. There was a lot of action and magical development. There was strong tension and drama. Unfortunately, I just didn't feel the same about the second book, Reluctant Witch.
The opening scene was a bit confusing because I don't think the motivation was clear. The main conflict throughout the story seemed to be focused on whether Ellie and Maggie would remember the memories stolen from them and, I suppose, how that would influence their current relationships. But that was never a big enough pull to carry all the way through the storyline. Also the biggest issue of the first book was like no big deal in the second one. I considered DNF-ing this but wanted to see it through to the end in case the final conflict was worth the time. Sadly is wasn't. Kind of a let down.
Having said that, it's clear Melissa Marr is good at creating worlds and dialog and character development. I think this one could have benefited from a good developmental edit, however.
The opening scene was a bit confusing because I don't think the motivation was clear. The main conflict throughout the story seemed to be focused on whether Ellie and Maggie would remember the memories stolen from them and, I suppose, how that would influence their current relationships. But that was never a big enough pull to carry all the way through the storyline. Also the biggest issue of the first book was like no big deal in the second one. I considered DNF-ing this but wanted to see it through to the end in case the final conflict was worth the time. Sadly is wasn't. Kind of a let down.
Having said that, it's clear Melissa Marr is good at creating worlds and dialog and character development. I think this one could have benefited from a good developmental edit, however.
March 18, 2025
Reluctant Witch Honest ARC Review:
The Magicians meets One Last Stop in this sequel to Remedial Magic, by Melissa Marr.
Ellie recently discovered that she was a witch, only to be pulled away to Crenshaw. Ellie hopes to have time to enjoy her new marriage to Prospero, however, she is unable to do so, time and time again.
Not so innocent, Prospero has magically altered Ellie’s memories. Ellie doesn’t remember much of her life before her current state, aside from her marriage. Prospero seems to feel guilt for what she did with Ellie’s memories, however she believes she is following through with this stunt for the greater good as Prosperos enemies have brought poisonous gas to Crenshaw.
If or when Ellie’s memories return, will that alter her relationships and add confusion or distrust? Full of love, loss, adventure and mayhem, this is a fantastic read!
Narration is enjoyable to listen to and done well. The side characters are a bit humorous and entertaining.
This novel is filled with unique magic systems. Each witch has a different kind of magic. Not all are obvious. Bursting with intrigue, opposition and treason , Reluctant Witch is definitely one to add to your TBR!!
Thank you for sharing this ARC with me. It is quite imaginative and entertaining to read!
April 1, 2025
Book review: 3/5 ⭐️
Genre: high fantasy
Themes: memory loss, insurgency, dark academia
📖 Read if you like: The Magicians, Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea, Legends and Lattes
I think I am more generous when listening to an audiobook out in the sunshine, so I will say I enjoyed this one though many may not feel the same. It is marketed as a romance, but I would characterize it as a multi-POV dark academy fantasy. There is a lot of romance between couples of varying sexuality, but there was also memory loss, trauma and secrets. This all happens while the magical world of Crenshaw is under threat after a sub-sect of magicians seek a path back to the real world.
It was a soapy play on The Magicians - feelings and fornication, but also full of unusual magic, the weird and a dark hunt. The world building was well done, but note that you really need to read book one of this series to understand the storyline and place. It picks up right after the events of book one with two witches in sham marriages and wiped memories forced to stay in Crenshaw. When the protection barrier is damaged and their world begins to crumble the escapees must be hunt down and the magic restored.
It had the vague shape of a plot with several steamy elements, though I was rather lost at times. I think the memory loss didn’t help with this and slowed the pace of this book. I am perhaps a little generous with this rating, but I enjoyed listening to this one. It managed to be lighthearted and cozy, while also having some darker elements that moved the plot along. I liked all the magic in this world that overlapped with our own. I would actually say this part of the story was more high fantasy than romance, but there were long passages of therapy sessions between the couples that certainly qualify it.
🎧 thank you to Netgalley and @Macmillan.Audio for a copy of this audiobook. The narrators were able to pen their own spin on each of the POVs making this cast of characters each have their own unique quirks and voices. They managed to be diverse and likable misfits in different ways. So certainly appealing for those that like character driven revelations.
Genre: high fantasy
Themes: memory loss, insurgency, dark academia
📖 Read if you like: The Magicians, Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea, Legends and Lattes
I think I am more generous when listening to an audiobook out in the sunshine, so I will say I enjoyed this one though many may not feel the same. It is marketed as a romance, but I would characterize it as a multi-POV dark academy fantasy. There is a lot of romance between couples of varying sexuality, but there was also memory loss, trauma and secrets. This all happens while the magical world of Crenshaw is under threat after a sub-sect of magicians seek a path back to the real world.
It was a soapy play on The Magicians - feelings and fornication, but also full of unusual magic, the weird and a dark hunt. The world building was well done, but note that you really need to read book one of this series to understand the storyline and place. It picks up right after the events of book one with two witches in sham marriages and wiped memories forced to stay in Crenshaw. When the protection barrier is damaged and their world begins to crumble the escapees must be hunt down and the magic restored.
It had the vague shape of a plot with several steamy elements, though I was rather lost at times. I think the memory loss didn’t help with this and slowed the pace of this book. I am perhaps a little generous with this rating, but I enjoyed listening to this one. It managed to be lighthearted and cozy, while also having some darker elements that moved the plot along. I liked all the magic in this world that overlapped with our own. I would actually say this part of the story was more high fantasy than romance, but there were long passages of therapy sessions between the couples that certainly qualify it.
🎧 thank you to Netgalley and @Macmillan.Audio for a copy of this audiobook. The narrators were able to pen their own spin on each of the POVs making this cast of characters each have their own unique quirks and voices. They managed to be diverse and likable misfits in different ways. So certainly appealing for those that like character driven revelations.
March 25, 2025
Reluctant With (A Course In Magic book 2)
3.5⭐️⭐️⭐️
2🌶🌶
This book is the sequel to Remedial Magic. If you want to read book 1, don't continue reading this review as it will contain spoilers.
This book picks up immediately after the dramatic events at the end of book 1. Even knowing those events, I will say that I felt a good portion of this book lacked direction or motivation. Instead of focusing on the pursuit of the "bad guy," it seemed heavily focused on everyone hoping Ellie and Maggie wouldn't recall the memories that were stolen from them. I love the magic system in the series and loved the Hogwarts-esque town/castle that the wotches live in thays hidden from the outside world. Melissa Marr is very good at creating a world. The pacing of this one was just a bit off for me. The final conflict was satisfying, although not mind-blowing. I appreciated this is a quick, easy read. If there is a 3rd book innthos series, I will still be reading thanks to the world and magic system.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bramble for the advance audio edition of this book in exchange for my honest review.
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3.5⭐️⭐️⭐️
2🌶🌶
This book is the sequel to Remedial Magic. If you want to read book 1, don't continue reading this review as it will contain spoilers.
This book picks up immediately after the dramatic events at the end of book 1. Even knowing those events, I will say that I felt a good portion of this book lacked direction or motivation. Instead of focusing on the pursuit of the "bad guy," it seemed heavily focused on everyone hoping Ellie and Maggie wouldn't recall the memories that were stolen from them. I love the magic system in the series and loved the Hogwarts-esque town/castle that the wotches live in thays hidden from the outside world. Melissa Marr is very good at creating a world. The pacing of this one was just a bit off for me. The final conflict was satisfying, although not mind-blowing. I appreciated this is a quick, easy read. If there is a 3rd book innthos series, I will still be reading thanks to the world and magic system.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bramble for the advance audio edition of this book in exchange for my honest review.
#review #book #bookreview #bookstagram #booktok #bookinfluencer #arcreader #netgalley #reading #readeverything #ihavelived1000lives #reluctantwitch #acourseinmagic
March 30, 2025
I very much enjoyed this one, loved the story and the storytelling. The story made me very angry in parts, and very hopeful in parts, and there is one part of the story that I read and re-read multiple times and I’m gonna be honest I’m still very much confused on the how of it happening, it seems like the author just threw it in because they needed it to happen that way but it wasn’t explained pretty much at all. Glancing over that one section though the story itself was fun and quick to read. And while it definitely was sapphic, there was more than just the relationship between Ellie and Prospero being explored. Sondre and Maggie (M/F) and Axell and Dan (M/M) were explored as well in this book (as well as the first book in this duology) and I enjoyed seeing multiple different relationships so easily represented here.
I thankfully was able to receive an eARC of this from NetGalley, which prompted me to finally read the first book I bought half a year ago so that I could then read this one, and I’m very glad I finally did!
I thankfully was able to receive an eARC of this from NetGalley, which prompted me to finally read the first book I bought half a year ago so that I could then read this one, and I’m very glad I finally did!
March 22, 2025
I got to listen to the audio of this book in the two narrators did a wonderful job. To simplify this down I would say this book is basically an adult Harry Potter, but that’s OK with the LGBT.
Because you’ve got the Hobbs that are like the house they live in a castle that’s a school kind of then there’s the ones that want the witches to be out and then control and the others wanna keep everything like it’s supposed to be.
I did make the mistake of listening to this as the second book in the series, and not having read the first, but that kind of worked out because two of the main characters had their memories erased, and I went through this journey with them having no idea who was who and what was going on . So with that you can start on the second book I cannot attest how the first one went, but the second one does make sense in a roundabout way.
This book has a little bit of romance for every flavor. This does end in an HEA and this is a multiple POV book.
Because you’ve got the Hobbs that are like the house they live in a castle that’s a school kind of then there’s the ones that want the witches to be out and then control and the others wanna keep everything like it’s supposed to be.
I did make the mistake of listening to this as the second book in the series, and not having read the first, but that kind of worked out because two of the main characters had their memories erased, and I went through this journey with them having no idea who was who and what was going on . So with that you can start on the second book I cannot attest how the first one went, but the second one does make sense in a roundabout way.
This book has a little bit of romance for every flavor. This does end in an HEA and this is a multiple POV book.
April 5, 2025
📖 Bookish Thoughts
I’m so glad I stuck with this series, because Reluctant Witch was definitely a step up from the first book! I found it way easier to connect with the characters this time around. The cast felt more likable overall, and while there were still a lot of POVs, they flowed much more smoothly in this one. It felt more structured and less chaotic!
I loved that the romance showed up more in this one—it made me way more invested. The plot did drag a bit around the 75% mark, but not enough to take me out of the story. I still really enjoyed how everything came together by the end.
🎧 Audiobook Vibes: 4 stars
The narration was solid and easy to follow. I’d definitely listen to the next book in audio too!
💭 Final Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.75 stars)
This was a fun, magical continuation with stronger character work and better flow. I’d totally reread this one and can’t wait to see where the series goes next.
📬 Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
I’m so glad I stuck with this series, because Reluctant Witch was definitely a step up from the first book! I found it way easier to connect with the characters this time around. The cast felt more likable overall, and while there were still a lot of POVs, they flowed much more smoothly in this one. It felt more structured and less chaotic!
I loved that the romance showed up more in this one—it made me way more invested. The plot did drag a bit around the 75% mark, but not enough to take me out of the story. I still really enjoyed how everything came together by the end.
🎧 Audiobook Vibes: 4 stars
The narration was solid and easy to follow. I’d definitely listen to the next book in audio too!
💭 Final Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.75 stars)
This was a fun, magical continuation with stronger character work and better flow. I’d totally reread this one and can’t wait to see where the series goes next.
📬 Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
August 22, 2025
After reading Remedial Magic, I was thoroughly hoping for some good sort of conclusion to this series since the ending to that book was the worst part about it.
And I’d beg to differ that the ending of this one was much better because it meant the book was over.
We join Ellie, Prospero, Dan, Axel, Maggie, and Sontero back into their world and part of me thinks I should have DNF this book but I was hopeful that the ending would be good.
Spoiler: it is not.
After having about the same conversation for 40% of the book, Ellie finally decided to forgive Prospero (which after the lying, the brain washing, and the distancing of herself I never would’ve forgiven her) and then everything gets solved in about 15 pages and happily ever after. I would not recommend either of these books (Remedial Magic and Reluctant Witch) they just feel very empty and like they’re missing something important.
And I’d beg to differ that the ending of this one was much better because it meant the book was over.
We join Ellie, Prospero, Dan, Axel, Maggie, and Sontero back into their world and part of me thinks I should have DNF this book but I was hopeful that the ending would be good.
Spoiler: it is not.
After having about the same conversation for 40% of the book, Ellie finally decided to forgive Prospero (which after the lying, the brain washing, and the distancing of herself I never would’ve forgiven her) and then everything gets solved in about 15 pages and happily ever after. I would not recommend either of these books (Remedial Magic and Reluctant Witch) they just feel very empty and like they’re missing something important.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 3, 2025
ARC Audiobook
3.5 ⭐️
3 🌶
While some things were a little hard to understand because I did not read/listen to the first book, I was still able to follow along with the story just fine.
The story flowed well and I like having multiple POVs to get all the sides of the story. I will definitely be going back and reading book one to get the whole picture of the story.
I really fell for Dan, I just really love his character, so when he dies I was so devastated. So thank god that he was brought back because I don't know if I could have given it as many stars if he stayed dead. I just loved that the book ended with him.
The spicey time in this book is OMG amazing. I wasn't sure what to expect but wow, it did not disappoint.
I don't know if there will be any more books for this series but if there are I will definitely be adding them to my TBR.
3.5 ⭐️
3 🌶
While some things were a little hard to understand because I did not read/listen to the first book, I was still able to follow along with the story just fine.
The story flowed well and I like having multiple POVs to get all the sides of the story. I will definitely be going back and reading book one to get the whole picture of the story.
I really fell for Dan, I just really love his character, so when he dies I was so devastated. So thank god that he was brought back because I don't know if I could have given it as many stars if he stayed dead. I just loved that the book ended with him.
The spicey time in this book is OMG amazing. I wasn't sure what to expect but wow, it did not disappoint.
I don't know if there will be any more books for this series but if there are I will definitely be adding them to my TBR.
April 5, 2025
After being left on a major cliffhanger I was so excited to get to read this sequel! I love the school setting and a secret magic society.
I like the concepts in this book and the vibes of the world. I think if the romantic relationships had been more loving and straightforward this book could have been a 5 star for me.
This book is trying to be morally grey but is missing enough doses of good. The relationships are uncomfortable and toxic.
The narration was good, but had some flaws and I wish it had been dual narrated. With all these characters it was hard to follow.
Genre:Fantasy / Romance
Age: Adult
Tropes: forced mairrage, amnesia
Read for: Netgalley
Obtained from: Thanks to McMillan Audio and Netgalley for the Advance Listeners Copy
Song recommendation for the vibes: Narcissus by Paris Paloma
I like the concepts in this book and the vibes of the world. I think if the romantic relationships had been more loving and straightforward this book could have been a 5 star for me.
This book is trying to be morally grey but is missing enough doses of good. The relationships are uncomfortable and toxic.
The narration was good, but had some flaws and I wish it had been dual narrated. With all these characters it was hard to follow.
Genre:Fantasy / Romance
Age: Adult
Tropes: forced mairrage, amnesia
Read for: Netgalley
Obtained from: Thanks to McMillan Audio and Netgalley for the Advance Listeners Copy
Song recommendation for the vibes: Narcissus by Paris Paloma
April 7, 2025
I'll start out by saying I did not read the first book, but it didn't seem to be an issue, this book did what most do and it filled me in along the way as far as what was going on. The main issue was, I never really cared about what was going on or the characters involved. I tried, I put the book down and picked it back up in different moods on different days, but it was a slog all of the way through. It seemed like my kind of book too, if you look through the books I have liked I think you'd agree the premise of this one fits right in. And yet.
That being said, the narrators were great! I wish the book had been worth their efforts, I'd gladly pick up another book with them narrating, just not THIS book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for providing me with a review copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
That being said, the narrators were great! I wish the book had been worth their efforts, I'd gladly pick up another book with them narrating, just not THIS book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for providing me with a review copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
did-not-finish
March 20, 2025DNF @ 7%
I wish I had read the first book before requesting the ARC of this one, but I waited until I was already approved to read it. The descriptions of these books make them sound completely Sapphic, but this is, in fact, a multi-POV cast with a M/F pairing, a F/F pairing, and a M/M pairing. Which is fine, but I went in with different expectations than what it is.
I liked the narrators; they do a good job. I just am not connecting with any of the characters except Maggie, and, now that her arc from book 1 is mostly resolved, I don't really care to keep reading. I'm also not a fan of the forced marriage after a magical memory wipe. Not a great basis for building a relationship on.
Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.
I wish I had read the first book before requesting the ARC of this one, but I waited until I was already approved to read it. The descriptions of these books make them sound completely Sapphic, but this is, in fact, a multi-POV cast with a M/F pairing, a F/F pairing, and a M/M pairing. Which is fine, but I went in with different expectations than what it is.
I liked the narrators; they do a good job. I just am not connecting with any of the characters except Maggie, and, now that her arc from book 1 is mostly resolved, I don't really care to keep reading. I'm also not a fan of the forced marriage after a magical memory wipe. Not a great basis for building a relationship on.
Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.
March 31, 2025
3.75. I liked this sequel better than the first book, and still enjoyed all of the perspectives. It was nice to see the character growth and more depth to the characters than was possible in the first due to the short length and so many characters. I loved how the story evolved, starting with Maggie and Ellie’s sheer will to not be controlled. The female characters were all very strong, whether good, evil, or morally grey. The ending felt a little quick though, and things became tied up in a neat little bow far too easily for all of the build up. I actually assumed that we would find out that the badger was not the right witch or something to set up another book, but then it all just ended. I still enjoyed it, but I think the ending should have been more than it was.
April 14, 2025
When I started Reluctant Witch I didn't realize it was the second book in a series. But thanks to a happy coincidence, I've already read Remedial Magic so thankfully I wasn't missing out on any background info. After realizing how familiar so many of the characters were, it was so easy to immerse myself in the story and pick up where it left off. The characters all showed so much growth. So many of them went through big life changes and had to come to terms with drama or betrayal. The plot was somewhat slow but the big focus on characters really made it easy to not mind. The audiobook was pretty great! It really brought the story and characters to life.
Thank you to the publishers and netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to the publishers and netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
April 28, 2025
I was so looking forward to this book after finishing the first bit unfortunately the plot goes almost nowhere. The world of Crenshaw and the basic ideas of this book are so great I wanted to love the 2nd but it really feel short. There is almost no development of plot in terms of the new economist, the rift is rarely spoke about and every character is dealing with the exact same internal issues with no progress. 60 pages left Maggie and Ellie still are trying to remember their lost memories. , very drawn out. Their internal monologue is very repetitive and difficult to read after awhile it just got boring. I’m so disappointed this seemed like a first draft that needed a lot of improvements.
April 3, 2025
This is the sequel to Remedial Magic. The story picks up right where the first book left off, with Ellie discovering her magical identity in the world of Crenshaw. Prospero, her wife, has altered Ellie’s memories, and the tension between them is captivating. The world-building is fantastic, and the complex relationships, including LGBTQ+ representation, kept me hooked. I appreciated the multiple POVs, which added depth to the plot, though it slowed the pace in some parts. The audiobook was quite good, narrated by Jeremy Carlisle Parker and Max Meyers. The narrators brought the characters to life. This is a must-read for anyone who enjoys magical worlds, romance, and intrigue.
August 19, 2025
I gave the first book a 3 star rating but because it was part of a two part series, I knew I wanted to read the next book. I was looking forward to starting Reluctant Witch based on the cliffhanger at the end of the first book.
This book was extremely disappointing and hard to get through. It had some great potential but I didn’t enjoy anything about it. Overall, it was hard to follow at times, the character and relationship development was lacking, and each relationship had some questionable boundaries. Also, there were some bizarre situations that made me uncomfortable. Lastly, the storyline dragged on with a lackluster conclusion. I would not recommend this read.
This book was extremely disappointing and hard to get through. It had some great potential but I didn’t enjoy anything about it. Overall, it was hard to follow at times, the character and relationship development was lacking, and each relationship had some questionable boundaries. Also, there were some bizarre situations that made me uncomfortable. Lastly, the storyline dragged on with a lackluster conclusion. I would not recommend this read.
March 19, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and publishers for the ARC!
I really really like the world this story is set in! It is definitely an adult book but scratches that itch for childhood fans of fantasy and escapism. I also really enjoy the variety of characters and experiences each perspective has. I just think the switching between so many people was really jarring and there wasn't enough time spent on the different plot points to be developed. Honestly I think book 1 and 2 could have been combined and sequels could have explored more in depth the different relationships.
I really really like the world this story is set in! It is definitely an adult book but scratches that itch for childhood fans of fantasy and escapism. I also really enjoy the variety of characters and experiences each perspective has. I just think the switching between so many people was really jarring and there wasn't enough time spent on the different plot points to be developed. Honestly I think book 1 and 2 could have been combined and sequels could have explored more in depth the different relationships.
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