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Wicked Sisters #1
Perfectly Wicked
Charmed
meets
Ghosthunters
in this magically wicked paranormal romance, perfect for fans of
Not the Witch You Wed
and
The Ex Hex
.
There have always been rumors that something magical is afoot at Wicked Good Apples. Rain during droughts and other inexplicable happenings have long haunted the Maine orchard, but only Holly Celeste and her family know the the Celestes are just a little wicked.
Despite the magical secret ingredient in their cider, the family business is floundering. When Connor Grimm, a charming and nationally beloved paranormal investigator, requests to film an episode of his popular TV show on the mysterious farm, Holly reluctantly accepts. She knows the publicity could be the miracle her family needs—as long as Connor doesn’t manage to actually make any paranormal discoveries while he’s there.
Intent on keeping Connor in the dark and pushing him toward the ghost story believed by the locals, Holly joins him as he interviews eyewitnesses, hunts for old records, and unearths potentially devastating stories from the past. Despite her resolution to dislike him, she begins to fall for the only man who’s ever made her feel like strange could be normal.
As Connor gets closer to uncovering the real secrets behind the orchard, his and Holly’s blooming romance begins to threaten everything they value—Connor’s commitment to his career and Holly’s commitment to protect her family.
Wicked as a love spell, this witchy romance will enchant fans of The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches and In Charm’s Way.
There have always been rumors that something magical is afoot at Wicked Good Apples. Rain during droughts and other inexplicable happenings have long haunted the Maine orchard, but only Holly Celeste and her family know the the Celestes are just a little wicked.
Despite the magical secret ingredient in their cider, the family business is floundering. When Connor Grimm, a charming and nationally beloved paranormal investigator, requests to film an episode of his popular TV show on the mysterious farm, Holly reluctantly accepts. She knows the publicity could be the miracle her family needs—as long as Connor doesn’t manage to actually make any paranormal discoveries while he’s there.
Intent on keeping Connor in the dark and pushing him toward the ghost story believed by the locals, Holly joins him as he interviews eyewitnesses, hunts for old records, and unearths potentially devastating stories from the past. Despite her resolution to dislike him, she begins to fall for the only man who’s ever made her feel like strange could be normal.
As Connor gets closer to uncovering the real secrets behind the orchard, his and Holly’s blooming romance begins to threaten everything they value—Connor’s commitment to his career and Holly’s commitment to protect her family.
Wicked as a love spell, this witchy romance will enchant fans of The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches and In Charm’s Way.
Audible Audio
First published September 17, 2024
76 people are currently reading
13795 people want to read
About the author
Lindsay Lovise
7 books228 followersLindsay writes historical and paranormal romances with brave heroines, as well as creepy YA books. Although she earned degrees in English and teaching, she always knew she wanted to write stories about love.
When she’s not writing, Lindsay is reading, drinking coffee, and avoiding laundry. She currently lives in New York, but was born and raised in Maine where the winters make for perfect reading weather.
To keep in the know, sign up for Lovise Letters at lindsaylovise.com.
When she’s not writing, Lindsay is reading, drinking coffee, and avoiding laundry. She currently lives in New York, but was born and raised in Maine where the winters make for perfect reading weather.
To keep in the know, sign up for Lovise Letters at lindsaylovise.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 472 reviews
January 9, 2025
This book was such a breath of fresh air. Holly and Connor’s relationship was electric from the get go, and seeing it turn from animosity to love was amazing.
I really hope this is going to be a series, i’d love to read more about the twins 💚
I really hope this is going to be a series, i’d love to read more about the twins 💚
October 4, 2024
4.75⭐️ 📖 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐖𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐞
"𝘐𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥, 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘦, 𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘢 𝘴*** 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦, 𝘏𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘺; 𝘐 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦."
Wow, I LOVED this book! I hope there will be future books with Holly’s sisters! The whole story & concept was very unique. 🍎
Holly is the oldest daughter and holds the responsibility of keeping her family’s apple orchard, Wicked Good Apples, running. They’ve had a couple of bad years in the business and she’s not sure why. Now, the famous TV ghost hunter, Connor Grimm, wants to investigate her family and estate after several weird ghost sitings have been reported. The last thing Holly needs is him poking into her family secrets, but she agrees so that the orchard can get some publicity.
Connor knows there is something going on with the Celeste family, and he’s determined to find out what. Unfortunately, he can’t fight how drawn he is to Holly. When he discovers her secret, it’s so much more than he could have ever imagined.
There was a ton of great tension between Connor and Holly. This is a slow burn romance with mild spicy towards the end! ❤️🔥
"𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘱 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘬𝘪𝘴𝘴 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘯." 🫠
The plot of this story was great and I felt like the pacing of everything was really well done!
I NEED more books about the Celeste sisters!
If you love forced proximity romances with a black cat FMC and a sunshine MMC, go add 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐖𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐞, to your fall TBR!
𝘛𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘴:
☀️ 𝘙𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘎𝘳𝘶𝘮𝘱𝘺 𝘹 𝘚𝘶𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘦
👻 𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘭 𝘙𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦
✨ 𝘎𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘏𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘹 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘤𝘩(?)
💘 𝘌𝘯𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴
🦔 𝘏𝘦𝘥𝘨𝘦𝘩𝘰𝘨 𝘚𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘬𝘪𝘤𝘬
🍏 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘹𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘺
👑 𝘔𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘤
🔥 𝘚𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘉𝘶𝘳𝘯
🥵 𝘚𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘺 (1.5🌶️)
🫶🏼 𝘋𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘗𝘖𝘝
"𝘐𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥, 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘦, 𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘢 𝘴*** 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦, 𝘏𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘺; 𝘐 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦."
Wow, I LOVED this book! I hope there will be future books with Holly’s sisters! The whole story & concept was very unique. 🍎
Holly is the oldest daughter and holds the responsibility of keeping her family’s apple orchard, Wicked Good Apples, running. They’ve had a couple of bad years in the business and she’s not sure why. Now, the famous TV ghost hunter, Connor Grimm, wants to investigate her family and estate after several weird ghost sitings have been reported. The last thing Holly needs is him poking into her family secrets, but she agrees so that the orchard can get some publicity.
Connor knows there is something going on with the Celeste family, and he’s determined to find out what. Unfortunately, he can’t fight how drawn he is to Holly. When he discovers her secret, it’s so much more than he could have ever imagined.
There was a ton of great tension between Connor and Holly. This is a slow burn romance with mild spicy towards the end! ❤️🔥
"𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘱 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘬𝘪𝘴𝘴 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘯." 🫠
The plot of this story was great and I felt like the pacing of everything was really well done!
I NEED more books about the Celeste sisters!
If you love forced proximity romances with a black cat FMC and a sunshine MMC, go add 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐖𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐞, to your fall TBR!
𝘛𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘴:
☀️ 𝘙𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘎𝘳𝘶𝘮𝘱𝘺 𝘹 𝘚𝘶𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘦
👻 𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘭 𝘙𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦
✨ 𝘎𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘏𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘹 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘤𝘩(?)
💘 𝘌𝘯𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴
🦔 𝘏𝘦𝘥𝘨𝘦𝘩𝘰𝘨 𝘚𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘬𝘪𝘤𝘬
🍏 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘹𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘺
👑 𝘔𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘤
🔥 𝘚𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘉𝘶𝘳𝘯
🥵 𝘚𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘺 (1.5🌶️)
🫶🏼 𝘋𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘗𝘖𝘝
August 1, 2024
The story immediately intrigued me, unfolding in an atmosphere reminiscent of the film Practical Magic. It offers action, suspense, a murder investigation, magic, and, of course, romance.
We follow the tale of Holly and her family, who manage an apple orchard and are facing financial difficulties. To save their family business from ruin, they reluctantly agree to let Connor and his team investigate a possible ghost on their land for a TV show. However, the curious and lively spirit of the show's host quickly unearths family secrets that threaten the peace of these extraordinary women.
The strong and proud character of these women, Connor's gentlemanly demeanour, protective without being overbearing, and the fast-paced plot make this a captivating and entertaining read. It also made me want to visit a Maine orchard in the fall!
Thanks to Alcove Press, NetGalley, and Lindsay Lovise for a chance to read this book for free. I'm leaving this review of my own accord.
We follow the tale of Holly and her family, who manage an apple orchard and are facing financial difficulties. To save their family business from ruin, they reluctantly agree to let Connor and his team investigate a possible ghost on their land for a TV show. However, the curious and lively spirit of the show's host quickly unearths family secrets that threaten the peace of these extraordinary women.
The strong and proud character of these women, Connor's gentlemanly demeanour, protective without being overbearing, and the fast-paced plot make this a captivating and entertaining read. It also made me want to visit a Maine orchard in the fall!
Thanks to Alcove Press, NetGalley, and Lindsay Lovise for a chance to read this book for free. I'm leaving this review of my own accord.
October 4, 2024
This man has the sickest last name. Grimm?? Get your cock out.
This was a really solid addition to cutesy fall romcom genre. All the main characters were endearing, the mystery was engaging, and the romance was really sweet. The writing was easy to digest and the atmosphere was really well done. Holly is such a fiery and clever FMC and I thought that Connor was the perfect counterpart for her, charming and equally quick. I will say, while I loved the Holly and Connor dynamic; Winter really stole the show for me, which I think is a testament to how much love and care Lovise invested into the side characters and I would love to read her story.
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This was a really solid addition to cutesy fall romcom genre. All the main characters were endearing, the mystery was engaging, and the romance was really sweet. The writing was easy to digest and the atmosphere was really well done. Holly is such a fiery and clever FMC and I thought that Connor was the perfect counterpart for her, charming and equally quick. I will say, while I loved the Holly and Connor dynamic; Winter really stole the show for me, which I think is a testament to how much love and care Lovise invested into the side characters and I would love to read her story.
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 18, 2024
This was a cute fall romcom. I loved Holly as a main character and found all of the characters to be interesting and lovable. The pacing was a little bit slow for me at times, but overall this was a cute festive read.
Thank you so much to the publisher and to NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you so much to the publisher and to NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
April 21, 2024
This is such a great Fall/Spooky/Witchy read.
I enjoyed this dual POV spicy enemy-to-lovers contemporary romance with a bit of paranormal & magic thrown in. I liked the author's writing style and learning about these characters. The characters of Holly & Conners relationship development and chemistry were believable and was very steamy (which I wasnt expecting but thoroughly enjoyed).
This book was magical, witchy fun to read, and such an easy read. Small town, cozy romance with some whimsical witchy vibes, I am hoping there may be some other books to follow because I absolutely loved the characters, the setting and all the vibes.
Thanks to Netgalley and Alcove Press for the arc!
I enjoyed this dual POV spicy enemy-to-lovers contemporary romance with a bit of paranormal & magic thrown in. I liked the author's writing style and learning about these characters. The characters of Holly & Conners relationship development and chemistry were believable and was very steamy (which I wasnt expecting but thoroughly enjoyed).
This book was magical, witchy fun to read, and such an easy read. Small town, cozy romance with some whimsical witchy vibes, I am hoping there may be some other books to follow because I absolutely loved the characters, the setting and all the vibes.
Thanks to Netgalley and Alcove Press for the arc!
December 5, 2024
I have to be honest: I can't say no to a witchy romance. Especially one that takes place in a rural setting, like a farm.
So I guess it was a stroke of luck that I found and enjoyed reading this book. I had never heard of Lindsay Lovise and had no idea what to expect.
It was quite good spending time with these characters. I liked pretty much all of them, and enjoyed the steamy dynamics between Holly and Connor (and, oh boy!, was that hot!).
I'm always curious to see how the authors of this kind of books deal with the magical aspects and, in all honesty, this book did not disappoint.
Waiting for more witchy romances from this author.
So I guess it was a stroke of luck that I found and enjoyed reading this book. I had never heard of Lindsay Lovise and had no idea what to expect.
It was quite good spending time with these characters. I liked pretty much all of them, and enjoyed the steamy dynamics between Holly and Connor (and, oh boy!, was that hot!).
I'm always curious to see how the authors of this kind of books deal with the magical aspects and, in all honesty, this book did not disappoint.
Waiting for more witchy romances from this author.
November 18, 2024
This was a hard book to get my head around. I enjoyed it and would probably recommend it. However, Pros and Cons are clearly needed.
Pros
. The main characters were great. I liked both protagonists, however the FMC, Holly, was very prickly from the start. She had a good reason to be, so that worked well for her character.
. The writing was great. See above with the FMC. Lovise had me liking Holly and rooting for her, despite her prickliness.
. The side characters were more than just set pieces. The author had a lot of moving parts in the ensemble cast and everyone complimented each other and filled out the plot.
Cons
. The enemies to lovers trope was not paced well. The turnaround felt rushed and out of place. I didn’t mind the third act break up which was brief and properly motivated. However, the climax grand gesture was rather meh.
. The paranormal aspects of the plot felt clunky, and the big reveal fell flat for me. The author had several different “magical” aspects and plot points going on at the same time, and they didn’t always blend together well, especially with the romance.
Overall, I’d give this 3.5/5 Stars rounded up to 4-Stars, because it’s me. Cheers.
Pros
. The main characters were great. I liked both protagonists, however the FMC, Holly, was very prickly from the start. She had a good reason to be, so that worked well for her character.
. The writing was great. See above with the FMC. Lovise had me liking Holly and rooting for her, despite her prickliness.
. The side characters were more than just set pieces. The author had a lot of moving parts in the ensemble cast and everyone complimented each other and filled out the plot.
Cons
. The enemies to lovers trope was not paced well. The turnaround felt rushed and out of place. I didn’t mind the third act break up which was brief and properly motivated. However, the climax grand gesture was rather meh.
. The paranormal aspects of the plot felt clunky, and the big reveal fell flat for me. The author had several different “magical” aspects and plot points going on at the same time, and they didn’t always blend together well, especially with the romance.
Overall, I’d give this 3.5/5 Stars rounded up to 4-Stars, because it’s me. Cheers.
September 16, 2024
Charmed meets Practical magic is the perfect description for this new paranormal romance that has Holly reluctantly agreeing to be part of a ghosthunting tv show in order to help save her family's apple orchard. GREAT on audio, narrated by my very fav, Brittany Pressley, this was a standout fantasy/witchy forbidden, dual POV, love story that had emotional depth and a unique take on the traditional small town magical sisters romance story.
Filled with HEAT, heart, magic and ghosts, this was a captivating read that I couldn't get enough of!! I really hope that this was the start of a trilogy and we'll eventually get Holly's sisters' stories next. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!
Filled with HEAT, heart, magic and ghosts, this was a captivating read that I couldn't get enough of!! I really hope that this was the start of a trilogy and we'll eventually get Holly's sisters' stories next. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!
March 12, 2025
Super cute. 3.75 rounded up.
September 8, 2024
If you are looking for a fall romance with a unique paranormal twist look no further! For people like me who love the idea of running an apple farm in rural Maine but also don't like to get up early or the cold this is the perfect way to experience it!
I really enjoyed Connor and Holly's dynamic. They had very opposite goals and it was fun to watch them end up liking each other despite it. I also enjoyed that they came to understand and respect each other's motivations.
I did struggle a bit with getting into this one. I felt like the beginning was a bit slow. I'm glad that I stuck with it though and I'm hoping the series will continue. It seems like Holly's sister and Connors brother might have had some chemistry so hopefully a sequel?
I listened to the audiobook of Perfectly Wicked and really enjoyed it! Brittany Pressley does the narration and I have really enjoyed other titles by her including the Seven Year Slip. This one is single narrator for dual POV so it that isn't for you maybe read with your eyeballs.
Thanks to PRH audio and Alcove Press for providing me with early access. All opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed Connor and Holly's dynamic. They had very opposite goals and it was fun to watch them end up liking each other despite it. I also enjoyed that they came to understand and respect each other's motivations.
I did struggle a bit with getting into this one. I felt like the beginning was a bit slow. I'm glad that I stuck with it though and I'm hoping the series will continue. It seems like Holly's sister and Connors brother might have had some chemistry so hopefully a sequel?
I listened to the audiobook of Perfectly Wicked and really enjoyed it! Brittany Pressley does the narration and I have really enjoyed other titles by her including the Seven Year Slip. This one is single narrator for dual POV so it that isn't for you maybe read with your eyeballs.
Thanks to PRH audio and Alcove Press for providing me with early access. All opinions are my own.
October 16, 2024
i NEED this to become a series!
April 17, 2024
THIS. WAS. AMAZING. You start a cute little romance thinking, aw this will be sweet and fun, and BAM. Not only do you get the cute, sweet, fun romance, you get spice, you get a fun spin on the old witches' tale, and you get sassy, loveable characters. This is definitely a contender for my top ten this year, I cannot stress enough how much you NEED to read this book. Thank you so much, NetGalley for gifting me this ARC of my romance reader dreams.
Read
October 14, 2024I can’t take a book seriously that still uses the word “frig”
November 13, 2024
Cute read.
February 5, 2025
I love a good witchy romance! This book seems to be set up for at least one and possibly two more books about this family and I hope that’s the case.
April 30, 2025
If you love Practical Magic, you will love this book!! 🧙♀️😍
September 20, 2024
Now THIS is what I've been looking for in a contemporary, paranormal romance 🙏 it hit the balance of magic, mystery, and romance perfectly. And I desperately hope we're gonna get 2 books for the remaining sisters 💜
September 23, 2024
I do love a good enemies to lovers romance, and before anyone says they're not really enemies, he does want to expose her family as witches and possibly ruin their lives. That counts! It has so many things that I love in it - a murder mystery, comedic moments, quirky family members, and small town vibes. Of course, in this small town, there's a bit of a darker side given that the murder mystery involves a town councilman from hundreds of years ago who may have been offed by the witch's ancestor. Not to mention that there is a whole other family who wants to buy their apple orchards from them, since they are barely scraping by and may have to leave their land. When people say small towns aren't like the cutesy Hallmark towns you see in the movies, this is likely more along the lines of reality. Although we don't get to see very much of the town or townspeople themselves, we hear enough to know that it's not all that peaceful.
Holly needed a hug so badly throughout this entire book. Feeling both proud of her orchards and burdened by efforts to keep them in the family, our girl is tired. So it doesn't help when her arch-nemesis (a.k.a. the owner of the other local orchard) tries to buy them up, and the only way to avoid that terrible fate is to accept the offer to host a film crew who wants to film the orchards as part of a paranormal investigation. Which could prove disastrous, since the truly paranormal part of the orchards is her family. What could go wrong? The main investigator, Connor, has no time for relationships and is as close to married to his job as legally possible. While he has some empathy for Holly, he is determined to find the truth about what's going on at Wicked Good Apples orchard. Forced to spend time together as part of the contract, they butt heads constantly, and while they are physically attracted to each other, there's no way anything could come of it. Connor is against relationships, since they would get in the way of his relationship with his tv show (*facepalm*). But of course, they get it on, and folks...do you like the paint sex scene between Rhysand and Feyre in the ACOTAR series? Ever want to see another version of it? Well, get to reading. And that's not even the steamiest scene. Holly and Connor can't keep their hands off each other, and when Connor finds out what Holly and her family are, his protective instincts come out in full force. I loved how he defended her from anyone who would hurt her, either physically or emotionally - very much "touch her and die" vibes. While there was some third act drama, believe me, Connor makes up for it.
This is the second time Lindsay Lovise has made it to my favorite books list, and I can already tell you it won't be the last. I can't wait to see what she writes next!
**I received a free copy via NetGalley and this is my honest review.**
Holly needed a hug so badly throughout this entire book. Feeling both proud of her orchards and burdened by efforts to keep them in the family, our girl is tired. So it doesn't help when her arch-nemesis (a.k.a. the owner of the other local orchard) tries to buy them up, and the only way to avoid that terrible fate is to accept the offer to host a film crew who wants to film the orchards as part of a paranormal investigation. Which could prove disastrous, since the truly paranormal part of the orchards is her family. What could go wrong? The main investigator, Connor, has no time for relationships and is as close to married to his job as legally possible. While he has some empathy for Holly, he is determined to find the truth about what's going on at Wicked Good Apples orchard. Forced to spend time together as part of the contract, they butt heads constantly, and while they are physically attracted to each other, there's no way anything could come of it. Connor is against relationships, since they would get in the way of his relationship with his tv show (*facepalm*). But of course, they get it on, and folks...do you like the paint sex scene between Rhysand and Feyre in the ACOTAR series? Ever want to see another version of it? Well, get to reading. And that's not even the steamiest scene. Holly and Connor can't keep their hands off each other, and when Connor finds out what Holly and her family are, his protective instincts come out in full force. I loved how he defended her from anyone who would hurt her, either physically or emotionally - very much "touch her and die" vibes. While there was some third act drama, believe me, Connor makes up for it.
This is the second time Lindsay Lovise has made it to my favorite books list, and I can already tell you it won't be the last. I can't wait to see what she writes next!
**I received a free copy via NetGalley and this is my honest review.**
September 11, 2024
I have to say, I absolutely fell in love with "Perfectly Wicked" by Lindsay Lovise! Right from the start, this book pulled me in with its magical vibe. If you’re a fan of Practical Magic like I am, you’re in for a treat—this story has that same blend of romance, family bonds, and a touch of the supernatural that makes it such a comforting and intriguing read.
I loved the tension between Holly and Connor. It’s classic enemies-to-lovers with so much chemistry and a delicious slow burn. Holly is such a strong, determined character, fiercely protective of her family, while Connor is both persistent and genuinely caring. Watching them go from distrust to undeniable attraction was everything I wanted. Plus, Connor’s gentlemanly charm mixed with that hint of protectiveness—without crossing into overbearing territory—was just perfect. And let’s be real, some of his lines had me blushing!
The world Lindsay Lovise creates is just so vivid and cozy. I could practically smell the apples and feel the crisp fall air. The setting of a small-town orchard in Maine, combined with the Celeste family’s magical history, made me want to jump right into the pages and stay there. Holly’s sisters and their quirky aunts add so much life and humor to the story, and I loved learning about their family dynamics and magical legacy.
What I didn’t expect was just how unique this story felt. It blends contemporary romance with paranormal elements in a way that feels fresh and engaging. There’s mystery, there’s magic, there’s a bit of ghost-hunting, and the way all these threads come together is so satisfying. The dual POV between Holly and Connor was also spot-on—I loved being inside both of their heads, especially as their feelings for each other grew.
If you’re looking for a fall read that’s full of witchy vibes, romance, and a bit of mystery, "Perfectly Wicked" should definitely be on your list. It’s the kind of book that wraps you up like a warm blanket on a chilly day. I’m seriously hoping there will be more books featuring Holly’s sisters because I’m not ready to say goodbye to this magical world just yet!
Huge thanks to NetGalley.
I loved the tension between Holly and Connor. It’s classic enemies-to-lovers with so much chemistry and a delicious slow burn. Holly is such a strong, determined character, fiercely protective of her family, while Connor is both persistent and genuinely caring. Watching them go from distrust to undeniable attraction was everything I wanted. Plus, Connor’s gentlemanly charm mixed with that hint of protectiveness—without crossing into overbearing territory—was just perfect. And let’s be real, some of his lines had me blushing!
The world Lindsay Lovise creates is just so vivid and cozy. I could practically smell the apples and feel the crisp fall air. The setting of a small-town orchard in Maine, combined with the Celeste family’s magical history, made me want to jump right into the pages and stay there. Holly’s sisters and their quirky aunts add so much life and humor to the story, and I loved learning about their family dynamics and magical legacy.
What I didn’t expect was just how unique this story felt. It blends contemporary romance with paranormal elements in a way that feels fresh and engaging. There’s mystery, there’s magic, there’s a bit of ghost-hunting, and the way all these threads come together is so satisfying. The dual POV between Holly and Connor was also spot-on—I loved being inside both of their heads, especially as their feelings for each other grew.
If you’re looking for a fall read that’s full of witchy vibes, romance, and a bit of mystery, "Perfectly Wicked" should definitely be on your list. It’s the kind of book that wraps you up like a warm blanket on a chilly day. I’m seriously hoping there will be more books featuring Holly’s sisters because I’m not ready to say goodbye to this magical world just yet!
Huge thanks to NetGalley.
April 25, 2025
4.5 stars ⭐️ This is such a fun, cozy romance with magical beings and ghosts. Connor Grimm is a ghost hunter who wants to investigate Holly’s family apple farm in Maine. She reluctantly agrees to it as they need the money to save the family orchard. They are magic together! The romance is sexy and cute. The characters are interesting! I love Holly and her sisters! Connor is such a cinnamon roll hero who protects Holly and her family from people who are nasty! I’m so glad I picked Perfectly Wicked to read!
September 19, 2024
this is feeding my practical magic obsession so so well, i need more books in this universe PLEASE
October 5, 2024
I thought this was going to be a YA style book, maybe a bit like Harry Potter, but then I came to a scene that was certainly not YA! Nevertheless, I really enjoyed it, and it captured my interest throughout. It was a sort of Romcom with some magic thrown in, and I hope there is a sequel.
Holly and her sister have an orchard in America, which they run with their two Aunts. They are known for making the best cider in the region. They are also known for their orchard being haunted – which does them no favours. The orchard and business is about to go out of business. They have had an offer to buy them out from a rival orchard, so when a famous ghost hunter who runs a TV reality show, offers them a large sum to film at the orchard it seems to be the lesser of two evils and Holly, very reluctantly, accepts. What Holly doesn’t bank on is developing feelings for the reality host and she tries to ensure that this doesn’t endanger them all.
This reminded me a bit of Harry Potter in that I think it would appeal to a wide age range, and the magical side is at the centre of the narrative. I loved it as it had all the elements I love in a good book, and I am really hoping there will be a sequel.
Holly and her sister have an orchard in America, which they run with their two Aunts. They are known for making the best cider in the region. They are also known for their orchard being haunted – which does them no favours. The orchard and business is about to go out of business. They have had an offer to buy them out from a rival orchard, so when a famous ghost hunter who runs a TV reality show, offers them a large sum to film at the orchard it seems to be the lesser of two evils and Holly, very reluctantly, accepts. What Holly doesn’t bank on is developing feelings for the reality host and she tries to ensure that this doesn’t endanger them all.
This reminded me a bit of Harry Potter in that I think it would appeal to a wide age range, and the magical side is at the centre of the narrative. I loved it as it had all the elements I love in a good book, and I am really hoping there will be a sequel.
May 12, 2024
I received a copy from NetGalley and I LOVED it. It felt like a mix of the Ex Hex and Practical Magic. It’s a cozy spooky romance with enough mystery to keep the pages turning. I had a hard time putting it down, and I loved every character! I will be recommending this one as a cozy fall read to my friends and fellow book lovers. I loved every page cover to cover!
September 24, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ Holly Celeste and her sisters, Winter and Missy(Mistletoe), might make the best apple cider in Maine - thanks to a magical secret ingredient - but their orchard is struggling financially and this season might just be their last. When Connor Grimm, the co-host of the well-loved ghost hunter show ‘Grimm Reality,’ offers to film episodes in their haunted orchard, Holly reluctantly accepts. Only in risking the exposure of their family’s greatest secret can they save their home and livelihood. Connor and his younger brother, Erikson, have made it their life’s goal to normalize the paranormal (after a childhood of seeing ghosts and not being believed) and at ‘Wicked Good Apples,’ the signs (like rain during a drought and trees immune to disease) are pointing to something seriously supernatural. While Connor interviews eyewitnesses and researches the identity and history of their orchard ghost, he’s also digging for dirt on what makes these Celeste women so special. In puzzling out just how Wicked ‘Wicked Good Apples’ turns out to be, he must decide whether to share their secret to fuel the success of his show OR to protect the woman who he has come to admire and want so badly in his future. Connor may make Holly feel like her strangeness isn’t scary and that she could be loved for all that she is, but it all comes down to what he’ll do with the truth with which she trusts him.
Spoilers on the way…
I really loved this. The setting was vivid and the magical lore was creative and put a new spin on the well-loved witchy legends we’ve read before. This had such a satisfying combination of rom-com, witchiness, mystery, magic, and ghost hunting with a dual POV narrative that has you grateful to be in the minds of both MC’s.
The way details are revealed and clues are dropped for readers to solve alongside the MCs made for a book that I didn’t want to put down. Learning of each Celeste woman’s Wicked talent and the consequences of holding back on their power (or using it for good instead of evil) wove this interesting web between Witches and Wickeds. Connor learns that Holly and her family of “Wickeds suffer on a daily basis denying their powers and evil impulses, bearing this curse for centuries, and secretly keeping the world together through sheer cleverness all while humanity, and men in particular, have persecuted them out of ignorance, jealousy and fear.” The inclusion of Witches to contrast the Wickeds was cleverly done.
The pacing of Connor and Holly from enemies-to-lovers was a good slow-burn. They may have had entirely opposite goals, which created delicious tension, but their respect for and admiration of one another came first and there was such sweet, trustable tenderness. A lover who is also a best friend, confidant, and protector is what both of them deserve and what they found in one another. Connor was never overbearing with his protective instincts over Holly and his gentlemanly charm and strength of moral character made him easy to love as a match for her own feisty, protective spirit.
An amazingly steamy line that deserves applause:
- Connor: “When we do those things - IF we do those things - I plan on making you noisy.” 🥵👏🏼
And perhaps the most relatable hot take in literature:
- Holly: “It’s a sin to wear a bra past 7pm.” 🙌🏼🔥
I will admit to getting Amy and Stacey confused and the ex-boyfriend was comically gross, but Holly’s twin sisters were really well-developed side characters. The truth bomb dropped by her aunts (that it wasn’t Holly and her storm that was responsible for her mom’s death, but the ominously foreshadowed Shadow Council) set up a nice conflict for future books. Bring on Winter and Erikson’s story and please don’t let Missy’s be far behind!
Spoilers on the way…
I really loved this. The setting was vivid and the magical lore was creative and put a new spin on the well-loved witchy legends we’ve read before. This had such a satisfying combination of rom-com, witchiness, mystery, magic, and ghost hunting with a dual POV narrative that has you grateful to be in the minds of both MC’s.
The way details are revealed and clues are dropped for readers to solve alongside the MCs made for a book that I didn’t want to put down. Learning of each Celeste woman’s Wicked talent and the consequences of holding back on their power (or using it for good instead of evil) wove this interesting web between Witches and Wickeds. Connor learns that Holly and her family of “Wickeds suffer on a daily basis denying their powers and evil impulses, bearing this curse for centuries, and secretly keeping the world together through sheer cleverness all while humanity, and men in particular, have persecuted them out of ignorance, jealousy and fear.” The inclusion of Witches to contrast the Wickeds was cleverly done.
The pacing of Connor and Holly from enemies-to-lovers was a good slow-burn. They may have had entirely opposite goals, which created delicious tension, but their respect for and admiration of one another came first and there was such sweet, trustable tenderness. A lover who is also a best friend, confidant, and protector is what both of them deserve and what they found in one another. Connor was never overbearing with his protective instincts over Holly and his gentlemanly charm and strength of moral character made him easy to love as a match for her own feisty, protective spirit.
An amazingly steamy line that deserves applause:
- Connor: “When we do those things - IF we do those things - I plan on making you noisy.” 🥵👏🏼
And perhaps the most relatable hot take in literature:
- Holly: “It’s a sin to wear a bra past 7pm.” 🙌🏼🔥
I will admit to getting Amy and Stacey confused and the ex-boyfriend was comically gross, but Holly’s twin sisters were really well-developed side characters. The truth bomb dropped by her aunts (that it wasn’t Holly and her storm that was responsible for her mom’s death, but the ominously foreshadowed Shadow Council) set up a nice conflict for future books. Bring on Winter and Erikson’s story and please don’t let Missy’s be far behind!
May 2, 2025
This book was such a welcome surprise! I really enjoyed Lindsay Lovise's historical romances so I was excited to give her debut paranormal novel a try and it was a true delight.
Holly Celeste and her family are teetering on the verge of bankruptcy. They've made the best cider in Maine for almost 200 years due to a secret family recipe but something changed four years ago and their farm isn't breaking even. When Connor Grimm, host of a paranormal tv show called "Grimm Reality," shows up looking to do some episodes on the Celeste's farm, Holly initially sends him packing. It's her job to protect the family and she can't have Connor digging around in their family secrets or he might find something that could put Holly, her sisters and her aunts in danger. But Connor won't take no for an answer and he uses Holly's financial situation to force her into an agreement. Holly allows the show to film but with strict conditions, one of which is she will ride along with Connor through the whole process, pushing them into forced proximity.
The genre of the witchy romcom can be really hit or miss for me. I often find that they're just a meet cute followed by a trope-a-palooza with no real conflict or plot. That is not the case here. Despite the illustrated cover and the comp titles mentioned in the blurb, this is more of a paranormal contemporary romance. Holly has real worries, real responsibility and there is true conflict between her needs and Connor's wants. The stakes are high and the plot has structure. And in an unusual move for this subgenere, this book is written in third person, past tense with dual POV. A welcome departure from the first person, present tense hellscape we live in.
There were so many things to love about this book. Lindsay Lovise did a great job with establishing the characters early in this book. With so many women from one family on page, including two sets of twins, an author needs to distinguish their voices so we quickly understand the dynamic. The Celestes were so clearly defined from the beginning of the book, I felt like I could dive right into the plot.
Like her historical novels, the plot writing here had a bit of a mystery to solve and the characters were keeping secrets. Lindsay Lovise is very good at maintaining the reader's interest while slowly dripping information out. It's something she does successfully in her other novels and I was happy to see it here.
Overall, I loved this book. If you're someone who avoids the witchy romcom-type books because you find them to be shallow or struggle with the vibes, this might be the exception to the rule. It was for me. I'll definitely be reading the next book in the series.
Holly Celeste and her family are teetering on the verge of bankruptcy. They've made the best cider in Maine for almost 200 years due to a secret family recipe but something changed four years ago and their farm isn't breaking even. When Connor Grimm, host of a paranormal tv show called "Grimm Reality," shows up looking to do some episodes on the Celeste's farm, Holly initially sends him packing. It's her job to protect the family and she can't have Connor digging around in their family secrets or he might find something that could put Holly, her sisters and her aunts in danger. But Connor won't take no for an answer and he uses Holly's financial situation to force her into an agreement. Holly allows the show to film but with strict conditions, one of which is she will ride along with Connor through the whole process, pushing them into forced proximity.
The genre of the witchy romcom can be really hit or miss for me. I often find that they're just a meet cute followed by a trope-a-palooza with no real conflict or plot. That is not the case here. Despite the illustrated cover and the comp titles mentioned in the blurb, this is more of a paranormal contemporary romance. Holly has real worries, real responsibility and there is true conflict between her needs and Connor's wants. The stakes are high and the plot has structure. And in an unusual move for this subgenere, this book is written in third person, past tense with dual POV. A welcome departure from the first person, present tense hellscape we live in.
There were so many things to love about this book. Lindsay Lovise did a great job with establishing the characters early in this book. With so many women from one family on page, including two sets of twins, an author needs to distinguish their voices so we quickly understand the dynamic. The Celestes were so clearly defined from the beginning of the book, I felt like I could dive right into the plot.
Like her historical novels, the plot writing here had a bit of a mystery to solve and the characters were keeping secrets. Lindsay Lovise is very good at maintaining the reader's interest while slowly dripping information out. It's something she does successfully in her other novels and I was happy to see it here.
Overall, I loved this book. If you're someone who avoids the witchy romcom-type books because you find them to be shallow or struggle with the vibes, this might be the exception to the rule. It was for me. I'll definitely be reading the next book in the series.
August 10, 2024
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is a wickedly magical romance that I couldn't put down. It was exactly the witchy vibe that I wanted and I thoroughly enjoyed every page.
As well as a fun ghost hunting storyline that helps to uncover list family history, the story includes some interesting magic lore that is a nice move away from the witchy legends we all know. I loved that the story doesn't give you all the info straight away and that you're left to unravel the mysteries along with the MCs.
When it comes to the romance, it's set up to be enemies to lovers but it really isn't. Is there dislike there at the start? Yes, but this dissipates far too quickly for it to be real enemies to lovers. This isn't a bad thing though, as it leads to some interesting spicy moments.
I enjoyed that we weren't told absolutely everything about the magic systems and world as it has set things up for another book that reveals more and I'm excited that this could be the case. Even though this book is about small town magic, there are much bigger things happening and I'm looking forward to finding out more about them.
If you're a fan of The Witches of Thistle Grove, The Ex Hex and Hex Appeal, this is definitely the book for you.
This is a wickedly magical romance that I couldn't put down. It was exactly the witchy vibe that I wanted and I thoroughly enjoyed every page.
As well as a fun ghost hunting storyline that helps to uncover list family history, the story includes some interesting magic lore that is a nice move away from the witchy legends we all know. I loved that the story doesn't give you all the info straight away and that you're left to unravel the mysteries along with the MCs.
When it comes to the romance, it's set up to be enemies to lovers but it really isn't. Is there dislike there at the start? Yes, but this dissipates far too quickly for it to be real enemies to lovers. This isn't a bad thing though, as it leads to some interesting spicy moments.
I enjoyed that we weren't told absolutely everything about the magic systems and world as it has set things up for another book that reveals more and I'm excited that this could be the case. Even though this book is about small town magic, there are much bigger things happening and I'm looking forward to finding out more about them.
If you're a fan of The Witches of Thistle Grove, The Ex Hex and Hex Appeal, this is definitely the book for you.
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May 3, 2025
── 4★ ﹐ spoiler free review
This paranormal romance Perfectly Wicked by Lindsay Lovise centers on the relationship between TV production host Connor Grimm and apple farm owner Holly Celeste.
After the first few chapters, it was easy to get into this book. I enjoyed the concept and how it was written; it really showcased the paranormal aspect of this novel. I also appreciated how witches were portrayed differently and how the magic element is slowly revealed as you continue reading.
The romance aspect of this story was done well, and even though this book is set up as an enemies to lovers, that's not the case; it's more like a dislike to lovers, but the tension between Connor and Holly really captures your attention and makes you want to continue reading.
One thing that felt like a breath of fresh air was how we weren't initially told everything about the magic system and how everything worked, and we were told as the main characters uncovered secrets. The way this book ended leaves room to continue this story as a series which I would love to read if that ever happens!
ⓘ Thank you to netgalley, alcove press, and the author, Lindsay Lovise, for providing me with this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
This paranormal romance Perfectly Wicked by Lindsay Lovise centers on the relationship between TV production host Connor Grimm and apple farm owner Holly Celeste.
After the first few chapters, it was easy to get into this book. I enjoyed the concept and how it was written; it really showcased the paranormal aspect of this novel. I also appreciated how witches were portrayed differently and how the magic element is slowly revealed as you continue reading.
The romance aspect of this story was done well, and even though this book is set up as an enemies to lovers, that's not the case; it's more like a dislike to lovers, but the tension between Connor and Holly really captures your attention and makes you want to continue reading.
One thing that felt like a breath of fresh air was how we weren't initially told everything about the magic system and how everything worked, and we were told as the main characters uncovered secrets. The way this book ended leaves room to continue this story as a series which I would love to read if that ever happens!
ⓘ Thank you to netgalley, alcove press, and the author, Lindsay Lovise, for providing me with this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
June 7, 2024
This was so delightful!! I’m not usually a paranormal romance (or any paranormal genre) girlie, but I really really enjoyed this entire book! When you switch your beach chairs for blankets this fall, this is the book you need to have in your hand!! It’s the most perfect fall romance!
A gorgeous enemies to lovers and he falls first romance for the win! I love Holly and I LOVE Connor with my whole heart. That man is so sweet and understanding and such a great listener! The whole Celeste family was an amazing cast of characters and boy do I wish Wicked Good Apples was a real place I could visit because I’d be there an a heartbeat!
Thank you NetGalley and Alcove Press for this ARC!
A gorgeous enemies to lovers and he falls first romance for the win! I love Holly and I LOVE Connor with my whole heart. That man is so sweet and understanding and such a great listener! The whole Celeste family was an amazing cast of characters and boy do I wish Wicked Good Apples was a real place I could visit because I’d be there an a heartbeat!
Thank you NetGalley and Alcove Press for this ARC!
September 16, 2024
4.5⭐️
So cute. So fall. So wicked.
As a fantasy girl, rom com/paranormal romances can be hit or miss for me. But this one was EXCELLENT. I really enjoyed this one. It gave all the fall vibes with the FMC running an apple orchard that has been in the family for a very long time. When the orchard begins going in the red, she is forced to accept a proposition to allow a supernatural TV show to film at the orchard following reports of strange happenings on the orchard - including a ghost sighting and strange weather abnormalities. Tropes included forbidden love, secret identity, crazy ex-boyfriend, and slow burn. Definitely recommend picking this one up this spooky season!
Thanks Alcove Press and NetGalley for an eARC!
So cute. So fall. So wicked.
As a fantasy girl, rom com/paranormal romances can be hit or miss for me. But this one was EXCELLENT. I really enjoyed this one. It gave all the fall vibes with the FMC running an apple orchard that has been in the family for a very long time. When the orchard begins going in the red, she is forced to accept a proposition to allow a supernatural TV show to film at the orchard following reports of strange happenings on the orchard - including a ghost sighting and strange weather abnormalities. Tropes included forbidden love, secret identity, crazy ex-boyfriend, and slow burn. Definitely recommend picking this one up this spooky season!
Thanks Alcove Press and NetGalley for an eARC!
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