Damned If I Do

by Aimee Ungersma

We both stood there exhausted, looking at each other like they do in old western films. “I just need to talk to you Archer, please don’t throw more stuff at me. I would never hurt you or your family.” He glared at me while lifting his arm back up. I glanced to his sides to see what else he had to throw but didn’t see anything. Then it sunk in that the only other thing around us both was my car.

It was levitating above me as I looked at Archer who was glaring at me again. “Speak then, but when you are finished know that I will destroy your car and you under it.” I could feel my eyes stinging as tears began to form. I wasn’t ready to die but I was stuck at this point.

212 pages, Paperback

Published January 31, 2022

Reviews

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Just wow. Zach and I went into B&N a couple weeks ago to get one last Christmas gift and I noticed a woman with a table full of books. I smiled and she caught my attention with a few trigger words while describing her book. It turns out that she’s a local author and I was lucky enough to get a signed copy of her book! The storyline is amazing and I felt all the emotions of the characters while reading. I can’t wait for the next book!

[Amanda Zubrenic · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the characters and the story. Witches, forbidden romance and drama, everything that I love packed into this book.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the storyline of this book. The main character is awkward, funny, and engaging. I’m not into romance, but there’s a pleasantly charged interaction between the MC and the priest who is the love interest. Complicated family dynamics! An elder warlock who becomes a guide as the MC explores her powers! And then, calamity! The book ends on a cliffhanger and the author shared that she is working on a second installation of the series when I met her in a B&N. Some of the plot twists were surprising, and it had a pet rat that I hope is actually a person yet to be revealed in subsequent books.

There are some things that could be improved upon. There are a lot of spelling, grammatical, and typographical errors. Passages of the book are confusing because of mixed tenses or poor explanations of action sequences. There are some sensitive topics in the book that unintentionally (or at least in a way that is not key to the plot) perpetuate biases. The book could use a good revision, and a lot of fleshing out the story. I don’t know if the intent was to keep the book at a specific length because of how it was published, but the jumps in the story make it hard to follow.

I hope Ungersma is picked up by an actual publishing house where her work will get the editing and attention it needs to stand out.

[Simone · Rating 1 out of 5]

The ending absolutely ruins the entire book! Absolute copout!

Before the ending, 3 starts. Too many open plots but likeable characters.

[Illi Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I've read!!!!

[Tami · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is such a fun book with a hint of mystery to it.