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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - 5 Star Read!
This book. GUYS. I don't even know how to express it.
Enemies with benefits. Magical opposites. Forced Proximity. Amazing banter. TREASURE HUNT,
And - wait for it ...... ONE BED.
I REPEAT, ONE BED!
We have witches from opposing covens - Vella, the niece of the ruling counsellor and thief extraordinaire, and Matthias, head of the Magicae Coven. Oh, and he owns night clubs. Night clubs with, um, extras. Wink wink.
The story starts when Vella is attempting to, uh, liberate som ...more
This book. GUYS. I don't even know how to express it.
Enemies with benefits. Magical opposites. Forced Proximity. Amazing banter. TREASURE HUNT,
And - wait for it ...... ONE BED.
I REPEAT, ONE BED!
We have witches from opposing covens - Vella, the niece of the ruling counsellor and thief extraordinaire, and Matthias, head of the Magicae Coven. Oh, and he owns night clubs. Night clubs with, um, extras. Wink wink.
The story starts when Vella is attempting to, uh, liberate som ...more

BUT I DNF’D.
Listen, the idea was there—like, she’s risking it all for her sister (LOVE that), but to do it, she’s gotta go get cozy with the enemy. You know, typical “oops I caught feelings for my mortal nemesis” situation. Two covens, bad blood, Romeo & Juliet energy—minus the tragic death (for now)???
The premise? Banger. The villain backstory? Had me FUMING, but in that delicious “oh you clever bastard” kinda way. Vella, our main girl? She’s strong, she’s stubborn, and she’d fistfight a demon ...more
Listen, the idea was there—like, she’s risking it all for her sister (LOVE that), but to do it, she’s gotta go get cozy with the enemy. You know, typical “oops I caught feelings for my mortal nemesis” situation. Two covens, bad blood, Romeo & Juliet energy—minus the tragic death (for now)???
The premise? Banger. The villain backstory? Had me FUMING, but in that delicious “oh you clever bastard” kinda way. Vella, our main girl? She’s strong, she’s stubborn, and she’d fistfight a demon ...more

What a great start to a new series by HM. I could not put this book down and so can’t wait for book 2.
What more could you want but Witches, magic, love story in the making with someone you really don’t want to work with to magical artifacts that talk to you as well as a quest to find all of the magical runes that will help your sister get better. Or so you have been told.
Tropes: Witches, 1st Person POV, Bone Weilder, Enemies to Lovers, Druid, Divinators, Talking Knife, Magical, Mors Dicen Magic, ...more
What more could you want but Witches, magic, love story in the making with someone you really don’t want to work with to magical artifacts that talk to you as well as a quest to find all of the magical runes that will help your sister get better. Or so you have been told.
Tropes: Witches, 1st Person POV, Bone Weilder, Enemies to Lovers, Druid, Divinators, Talking Knife, Magical, Mors Dicen Magic, ...more

3.5 ⭐ and 🌶️🌶️
Velvet Knight is on a mission to find a cure for her sister’s illness. She gets caught searching for the ancient runes that will help her sister by Matthias Madea. She needs the runes, but in order to find them, she must work with Matthias, who is the enemy. Matthias has many of his own secrets and carries the weight of witchkind on his shoulders. Dark pasts and twisted secrets are revealed. Can they trust each other enough to both find a solution to their misery?
Tropes
• Only one b ...more
Velvet Knight is on a mission to find a cure for her sister’s illness. She gets caught searching for the ancient runes that will help her sister by Matthias Madea. She needs the runes, but in order to find them, she must work with Matthias, who is the enemy. Matthias has many of his own secrets and carries the weight of witchkind on his shoulders. Dark pasts and twisted secrets are revealed. Can they trust each other enough to both find a solution to their misery?
Tropes
• Only one b ...more

Format: 📱 eBook 📱 (ARC)
Check CWs before reading
This was a hard one for me to rate. I enjoyed the premise of the story. I loved the characters and the idea of the whole National Treasure meets PNR meets The Librarians with almost a Romeo and Juliet-esque feel to narrative (in terms of the relationship between Matt and Vella). I LOVE me some treasure hunting. Just something about the writing wasn't quite... there (and I've tried to explain to others what was missing and I can't work it out).
I enjo ...more
Check CWs before reading
This was a hard one for me to rate. I enjoyed the premise of the story. I loved the characters and the idea of the whole National Treasure meets PNR meets The Librarians with almost a Romeo and Juliet-esque feel to narrative (in terms of the relationship between Matt and Vella). I LOVE me some treasure hunting. Just something about the writing wasn't quite... there (and I've tried to explain to others what was missing and I can't work it out).
I enjo ...more

This was a really enjoyable read - picture National Treasure meets A Discovery of Witches but with a bit more spice and you’ll be somewhere in the neighbourhood of Wrath: Witch Wars.
Vella and Matthias are both witches but from different clans / factions and their immediate distaste for each other is a lot of fun to read from both POVs. Of course enemies with benefits does translate to some begrudging attraction and eventually some affection and it’s great going along for the ride.
I really enjoye ...more
Vella and Matthias are both witches but from different clans / factions and their immediate distaste for each other is a lot of fun to read from both POVs. Of course enemies with benefits does translate to some begrudging attraction and eventually some affection and it’s great going along for the ride.
I really enjoye ...more

2025:
"She hoped his nose healed crooked. Or better, got infected and fell off his face."
New favourite trope - UNLOCKED - Enemies with benefits!
I adored absolutely everything about this book.
From the characters to the magical system, the global travel and the banter.
This book had just about everything to keep you on the edge of your seat.
I laughed, I cried, I screamed for more; I cannot wait to see where Hodgson takes this story next.
If you're looking for something to take you on a wild ride, ...more
"She hoped his nose healed crooked. Or better, got infected and fell off his face."
New favourite trope - UNLOCKED - Enemies with benefits!
I adored absolutely everything about this book.
From the characters to the magical system, the global travel and the banter.
This book had just about everything to keep you on the edge of your seat.
I laughed, I cried, I screamed for more; I cannot wait to see where Hodgson takes this story next.
If you're looking for something to take you on a wild ride, ...more

May 14, 2025
Melissa Clark
marked it as to-read

Sep 20, 2025
Kate Smith
is currently reading it