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Hollow Ocean #4

The Witch Between Them

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Gracen Altavusta Karfi is more than the life of the party. She has a heart, too. A heart continuously trampled on by not one but two men.

Water Fae Prince Jacob Storm never wants to follow in his father’s footsteps. That includes being king and in a political marriage. All he wants is Gracen, the woman who captured his heart—and his best friend’s—when they were children. Yet, fate is tricky and always has other plans.

Fire Fae Prince Asher Aingeal will never be king, a fault of some barbaric law made a century ago. However, there’s a loophole. One Asher isn’t above exploiting. He wants Gracen’s heart and has a goal of helping people. When his first desire becomes unattainable, he will stop at nothing to seize the throne.

After severing all ties with both princes, Gracen joins her mother on a trip to Aelyra for the annual celebration of the Council of Seven. There she can meet men from influential backgrounds—the perfect fresh start for the damaged socialite.

That’s the plan—until a witch’s body, devoid of a soul, appears. One body isn't so bad, but the number skyrockets. Without her girls, Gracen’s alone in a new country where witches are in danger, but becoming the hunted is the least of her worries.

Gracen has a secret. One that could shatter Asher and Jake’s well-planned lives forever. A secret worth dying for—or being unalived for. Will their ties remain severed, or will the threads of destiny weave them together?

394 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 21, 2025

56 people are currently reading
108 people want to read

About the author

Dani M. Ward

13 books107 followers
Dani M. Ward lives in a state with more corn than people. As a kid, she daydreamed about living in a world with vampires, witches, and fairies. Dani realized later supernatural creatures hide in plain sight, so she looks for them everywhere she goes. When she's not hunting for supernatural creatures, Dani is chugging coffee and writing. Dani writes fantasy romance for lovers of diverse fiction. Her characters include strong women saving themselves with swoon-worthy men who stand beside them. She loves sass, spice, and smut. When she's not writing, she can be found trying to wrangle her two children, watching Asian dramas with her two poodles, or playing video games with her husband. Dani enjoys reading, napping, and pairing wine with food. She has a BA in Anthropology and is getting her MFA in Creating Writing. She's hoping to catch a demon; so she doesn't have to pay her student loans back.

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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Profile Image for Angelbelle Reads.
173 reviews29 followers
September 11, 2025
Thank you Dani for the early copy. All opinions are my own

Ooooh she did it again yall

In true Dani fashion she put her all into her book. I’m talking tension, humor, suspense, wtf moments, of course freakiness (I mean this is Dani we are talking about lol). Everything! My heart says thank you though for adding humor to some of those thrillerish moments cause your girl was stressssed 😅

Let’s start with the suspense 🫣 baybee yall are in for a ride, and that ending 🥺🤯Gracen was going through it but my girl never gave up and that smart mouth never went away, even when it probably should have. My little Leo twin ♌️ 😌💅🏾

Then there’s Daddy Jake and Daddy Asher my Lort. Those men there 🥵😮‍💨. The depravity 😋 I did want to go upside their heads a couple times but they got it together. Gracen and her men aren’t perfect but they are perfect for each other. A hard-won HEA

And of course I gotta give my girl Zera a shoutout. That sword carrying crazy princess is back and I love her so much ☺️💕

If you’re looking for a PNR that will make you laugh, turn you on, but also have you cussing then for sure add The Witch Between Them to your tbr. This is book 6 in the Hollow Ocean Series and can be read as a standalone but yea don’t do that lol. Just go ahead and read the other books in the series. It’s so worth it
756 reviews18 followers
September 22, 2025
The Witch Between Them is the fourth book in the Hollow Ocean series written by Dani M. Ward.

💜 dating pressure
💜 childhood loves
💜 mysteries
💜 parental expectations
💜 forced proximity
💜🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 spicy spice

Gracen is just trying to live her life the way she wants to no matter what her mother says. And right then? She’s trying to get to know this guy on a whole different level. But, he’s not willing to do what she wants, she kicks him to the curb. Ugh! What’s a girl to do?! Then her night goes from bad to worse when she sees something that should have never arrived at her doorstep. So, she needs to make someone pay for even having the audacity. Will she get their attention? What is going to happen next? Will she have to do what her mother wants and go on the dates she set up?

I liked this addition to this series. Gracen is super sassy and does not put up with disrespect. She’s also fiercely loyal to her people. I love how we see many sides to her personality. Add in more world building and character building of the characters we’ve already met, and a great story is born. I like how we’ve gotten a story about each of the friend group so far. We have a few more that I would love to see get a story. But, this one was really fun.
Profile Image for Elizabeth Fowler.
176 reviews2 followers
September 22, 2025
I have been waiting and waiting for Gracen's story and oh I was not disappointed. This book can be read as a stand alone but is better enjoyed as part of the series, that way you can get the full impact of the name drops and references to past events. While Dani does a great job of making sure that readers can understand without knowing what happened in those books, having the extra information just makes it so much more juicy! The spicy scenes are 🔥🔥🔥 which is something because I was livid over what those men put Gracen through. I almost did not want her to forgive them.

To be clear this is -not- a bully romance. But it is an other woman drama. And pregnancy. If you don't like those just move aside cause this ain't for you!!!
1,063 reviews21 followers
October 4, 2025
Gracen Altavusta Karfi is more than the life of the party. She has a heart, too. A heart that has continuously been trampled on by not one but by two men.

Jacob Storm, Prince of the Water Fae, had never wanted to follow in his father's footsteps. And that included being the king and in a political marriage. All Jacob wants is Gracen, the woman who has captured his heart – and when they were kids his best friend. Yet, fate is tricky and fickle and as always has other plans.

Asher Aingeal, Prince of the Fire Fae knows that he's never going to be king, it was the fault of some barbaric law that had been made a century ago. However, there is a loophole. And it's one that Asher isn't above exploiting if it's to his advantage. He wants Gracen's heart and he has a goal of helping people. When his first desire becomes unattainable, he'll stop at nothing whatsoever to seize the throne.

Gracen severed all ties with both Prince Asher and Prince Jacob, Gracen then joined her mother on a trip to Aelyra for the annual celebration of the Council of Seven. It's there she can meet men from influential backgrounds – it's the perfect fresh start for Gracen, the damaged socialite.

At least that was the plan – until a witch's body, devoid of a soul, suddenly appears. One body isn't so bad, but then the number of bodies starts to skyrocket. Without her girls, Gracen's all alone, in a new country, where witches are in deadly danger, but becoming hunted is the least of Gracen's worries.

Gracen has a secret that she has kept hidden. One that she knows could shatter Asher and Jake's well-planned lives permanently. It's a secret worth dying for – or being unalived for. Will their ties remain severed, or will the threads of fate and destiny weave them together?

YOU'RE MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS!!! Please read and pay close attention to the trigger warnings at the beginning of this book. There is some content and scenes in this book that are not suitable for all readers and could be triggering for others. Always remember that your mental health comes first at all times.

The Witch Between Them is the 6th Book in The Hollow Ocean Series by Dani M. Ward. And oh my good God, Dani has gone and done it again. True to her own fashion, Dani put everything she has into this book. All the tension, humour, suspense, the WTF moments, and of course you can't forget the freakishness. It's all here and of course, Dani added some humour just to lighten some of those thrilling moments and ease some of the stress.

Gracen's going through it all, but I have to say that she never gave up. And oh boy does she ever have a smart mouth on her and I love that she never lets that mouth go away, even when it probably would have been for the best.

Then we have Jake and Asher. Those men are not only hot but they have some depravity to them. Although there were too many times that I just wanted to reach into my Kindle and smack both of them upside their stubborn heads. I was rather happy to see that they eventually got their shit together. And while Gracen, Asher, and Jake are far from perfect, I found that together the three of them are all perfect for each other. And they did win a HEA in the end, it was a hard-fought HEA, but it was a win in the end.

And I can't forget about the sword-carrying crazy princess, Zera. She might be a bit crazy, but I love that she's back and I just love her so much. She's an amazing character.

This is a stunning PNR that's going to make you laugh, you'll find yourself turned on, cussing, and everything else in between. You need to add The Witch Been Them to your TBR, better yet, you just need to pick it up and read it.

I am going to be going back now and reading the other 5 books in the Hollow Ocean Series that I missed. This book alone is just amazing and now I need to go and read the rest. I have always loved Dani M. Ward's writing and stories, but I missed this series and I am kicking my butt for that now.
10 reviews7 followers
September 22, 2025
Reading Diverse Books is EASY- START WITH DANI M WARD
Dani M Ward writes books in such a specific and clear way that I gobble everything they write up expeditiously. I have always had a good time reading all of the books within this Hollow Ocean Series. All of the female leads are in a friend group that is made of incredible creatures, Wren (demon), Meko (necromancer), Jameison (fae), Gracen (witch), Veronika (vampire), and now Zera (Hybrid Assassin Sociopath). It’s like reading a supernatural version of girlfriends, except hotter and way more whodunnit. I love this series so much and I enjoyed this addition greatly.

This book does not have the normal romance formula. Is it smutty? Absolutely. Is there romance? Yes. Second Chance, Why-Choose (MFM), Dom/Sub dynamics, Surprise Pregnancy etc. It reads differently, much like the other Ward books, there is an underlying murder mystery afoot. It’s INTERESTING. In regard to the romance portion, I do believe that Jake and Asher is the only duo for Gracen. That girl is a whole B-R-A-T. The angst was chef’s kiss. I think they all need each other to actually work. In other scenarios of MFM, I have found that there is a generally a core relationship. This is not the case here. Gracen needs them both- desperately.

Dani M Ward takes their time writing. It shows. The rich world building and dynamic plots are always a feast for the mind and the heart. I would always recommend these books. It is BIPOC FMCs and primarily BIPOC MMCs. IT’s LGBTQ+ friendly. I recommend reading all of their works if given the chance.

I received an ARC for this book. All opinions and commentary are my own. I give this book a major “PLEASE READ!!”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
11 reviews
September 15, 2025
Lorddd this book made clutch pearls I didn’t even know I had. I swear I needed a defibrillator at one point. I knew Gracen’s story was gonna be a wild one but good lord. Psycho princess treatment is the best way I can describe it. We got glimpses of Gracen throughout the other books and knew something was up in her romantic life and now to read the full story I can’t. I haven’t read many poly stories but I love how Ms. Ward depicted their relationship. The depth we see from Gracen and learning her backstory had me going through all the feels. Not only do we see her romantic relationships but also her relationship with her parents and friends.

I love the continuous world building Ms. Ward is giving us and now I need to set up one of those murder boards to figure out the running mystery throughout the series. She really keeps us engaged while giving the spice and humor. I knew Gracen was a clap back queen but I fear Zera might be my spirit animal.

The Hollow Ocean series has everything I love. Romance, spice, mystery, thriller, humor, fantasy, and dystopian. I can’t wait for the next installment 💜
Profile Image for BayLe.
19 reviews7 followers
September 30, 2025
This was such a fun read! Even though mfs took me through dea 😩 I really enjoyed getting to be more in Gracen‘s world. She’s such a badass and such a strong force, and character. I resonate with her as a person who has to stay strong for themselves because people will just take and take without any reciprocity. For a good part of this book I found myself wanting so much more for her. She’s lost so much, I just wanted her to be loved on super hard without consequence. Thankfully by the end of the book I got just that. This book gave me an interesting POV on Dom/Sub relationships. It also gave me a really cool perspective on some of my favorite tropes. 🤰🏾😏😏 Oh! And hands down my favorite epilogue of the year loll the smut is SMUTTING and I was here for every last drop of it 😭 The way Dani has the ability to string my emotions like a puppeteer should be studied and is one of the reasons why I really enjoy her books. Her Black FMC’s always read so authentically Black to me and I love it. I love this friend group/found family and being in their universe once again. 🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️
Thank you, Dani for allowing me to ARC this and for adding another banger to the series!
Profile Image for Caylyn.
2 reviews
September 24, 2025
Psycho princess treatment ❤️‍🔥🩵

Lorddd this book made me clutch pearls I didn’t even know I had. I swear I needed a defibrillator at one point. I knew Gracen’s story was gonna be a wild one but good lord. Psycho princess treatment is the best way I can describe it. We got glimpses of Gracen throughout the other books and knew something was up in her romantic life and now to read the full story I can’t. I haven’t read many poly stories but I love how Ms. Ward depicted their relationship. The depth we see from Gracen and learning her backstory had me going through all the feels. Not only do we see her romantic relationships but also her relationship with her parents and friends.

I love the continuous world building Ms. Ward is giving us and now I need to set up one of those murder boards to figure out the running mystery throughout the series. She really keeps us engaged while giving the spice and humor. I knew Gracen was a clap back queen but I fear Zera might be my spirit animal.

The Hollow Ocean series has everything I love. Romance, spice, mystery, thriller, humor, fantasy, and dystopian. I can’t wait for the next installment 💜
Profile Image for Chammarra Nguyen.
39 reviews
October 17, 2025
The Witch Between Us by Dani M. Ward was a fun, spicy, and fast-paced read full of banter, heart, and magic. This was my first time reading the author, but it definitely won’t be my last!

Gracen is a feisty and confident FMC who knows exactly what she wants—and takes it. Her two daddies, Jake and Asher, are devoted and fiercely protective, balancing each other (and Gracen) beautifully. Their chemistry and connection were some of my favorite parts of the story.

Dani M. Ward creates a vivid, colorful world filled with magic and a diverse supporting cast who add a lot of personality and depth to the story. There were a couple of spots I found a bit hard to follow, but that may be because this is book 4 in the series and my first entry into the world.

Overall, this was a great mix of spice, charm, and action. I really enjoyed it and look forward to reading more from Dani M. Ward!
Profile Image for Just D.
179 reviews8 followers
October 1, 2025
Spellbinding, Steamy, and Unputdownable
I couldn’t get enough of this story! Gracen is a total powerhouse, and watching her navigate danger, desire, destiny and 2 fae princes' kept me hooked from start to finish. The interconnected world the author has built is rich, immersive, and full of fascinating characters. The spice in this book is just right, sizzling but never overwhelming, and plenty of it complements the tension and drama perfectly. The plot twists kept me guessing, and the dynamic between Gracen, Asher, and Jake is electric, layered, and entirely captivating. This is one of those reads that makes you fall into the world completely, and I’m already looking forward to more from this series. Fans of paranormal romance, witches, and steamy fantasy worlds will devour this.
Profile Image for Alimay.
506 reviews7 followers
September 24, 2025
A HOT AND COLD FAE SANDWICH!

In true Dani M. Ward fashion, The Witch Between Them is a full length, descriptive bucket of spicy ice-cream!! Well thought out characters who will have you cursing their existence while begging for them to see the light. Full emotional scenes with heartbreak and joy, a book with a plot that ties in with the other books in the series and lays the path for the next. I love how this whole series while standalones are connected and continued world building to suggest we have just scratched the surface. Excellent writing that has your imagination running wild. 5 Star recommend this book and all the previous in The Hollow Ocean Series.
Profile Image for Jen Lee.
111 reviews6 followers
September 21, 2025
Dani M. Ward has done it again! This book is FIRE!! It covered everything I love. There's humor, mystery, a well thought out plot, dynamic characters, and extra spice. Gracen, a Witch, is the feisty FMC and I adore her. Asher and jake are royal Fae who command their own element and have special powers. While they are brothers, they have distinct personalities that complement each other exceptionally well. There are also Demons, Vampires, Necromancers and Hybrids. I was literally hooked from the very beginning until the very end. An added bonus was the FMC's Afro-Latina heritage. This I can personally relate to and I felt a sense of comfort when I met Tia Issabella. I could totally see this being a Netflix series, IJS...I can't wait to see what's next in the Hollow Ocean series.
Profile Image for Capri Ellis-Love.
78 reviews2 followers
October 7, 2025
I don’t know 🤷🏾‍♀️

Honestly, this book was okay but I couldn’t grasp the concept of the story. There was a lot of intimacy with Asher and Jacob and the witch (G) and I got some of the parts, but maybe I need to read it again in the future. I do like the author incorporated Spanish in the book (Cuban black) other than that, I really can’t tell you what was going on in the book besides the three getting it on and the witch got pregnant with both their babies.
Profile Image for Caribbean.
53 reviews2 followers
September 8, 2025
My favourite book of the series! (Sorry Kai) but Gracen and her men 🥵🥵. This story has everything from spice, to suspense to romance. I enjoyed every second of it. It can be read as a standalone but you can also check out the other books which follows the other girls in the friend group.
Profile Image for Kelsey.
43 reviews3 followers
October 2, 2025
Dani did it again. 👏 I absolutely love Gracen and her bratty self. Every girl deserves to be pampered *ahem* and other things by two hot as hell Fae men. The spicy scenes were amazing 🫠🫠🫠 The emotional roller coaster kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time.
Profile Image for Cynical .
23 reviews1 follower
September 9, 2025
One of my favorite book of the year! I'm living through Gracen and her men (Jake and Asher). This is a n amazing read if you love PNR with lots of spice.
37 reviews1 follower
September 30, 2025
Oh goodness!! Between daddy Jake and daddy Asher I don’t know who I want more!!! I love the dynamic of the three of them and Gracen is such a bad ass mama!!! This book is a ten on the spicy level and the mystery in itself is so good!! I was not bored one bit and hated putting this book down!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for KaTina J.
75 reviews
September 23, 2025
I really enjoyed this book—it took me through a wave of emotions though. The world-building and magic were engaging, and the drama kept me hooked. I’ll admit, I fell in love with one of the side characters more than the main MMCs. Honestly, I wish Reisi had ended up with them at the end of the book, but from my understanding, he has his own story, so I’ll just be waiting for that.
Tropes you’ll find inside:

✨ Witchy magic & forbidden power
💔 Entanglements / messy relationships
👫 Interracial Relationships
🤝 Secret Baby
💀 Betrayal and sacrifice
🔮 MFM
🌒 A morally gray side character who steals the show ( in my eyes lol)?
Profile Image for Payton.
356 reviews5 followers
September 30, 2025
All aboard the Hot Mess Express

This is a whole lot of mess going on in this book. The relationships between Asher, Jake and Gracen are so messy it’s not even funny… but you know what is… Gracen tearing in to an office of one of the above mentioned men and going to town in there using a certain something as her weapon of choice. I died laughing while reading that. Gracen is full of sass and denial at times but man did she keep me entertained. There’s a lot that happens over the course of this story. It is not pretty, but it’s really enjoyed it. I definitely intend on checking out the other books in this series just to get to know these characters even more.
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