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Wild Magic #3
The Magic of Untamed Hearts
After several years stuck as a ghost, Sky Flores learns to reconnect with the living again with the help of her handsome neighbor in this lush romance from the USA Today bestselling author of Witch of Wild Things.
Like her sisters, Sage and Teal, Sky Flores has a touch of magic, and it’s caused nothing but heartache. Not only did she disappear into the woods years ago and reappear with no rational explanation, she’s also more comfortable talking to animals than to people. Different and misunderstood, Sky is shunned in the small town of Cranberry.
Sky’s neighbor, Adam Noemi, has his own problems. After being laid off from a prestigious newspaper, Adam, ever the ambitious reporter, needs a big headline to redeem his career. Enter Sky, a girl with a story that news outlets have been chasing for years. Sky agrees to grant Adam an exclusive interview on one that he befriend Sky, in a very public way, to prove to everyone in Cranberry that she’s not an outcast.
As Sky shares her experiences with Adam, something much bigger than a simple agreement begins to grow between them. But for love to take root, Adam will have to take a leap towards a life that defies expectations, and Sky must open her heart – full of flora and fauna and mystical energies – to his curious mind.
Like her sisters, Sage and Teal, Sky Flores has a touch of magic, and it’s caused nothing but heartache. Not only did she disappear into the woods years ago and reappear with no rational explanation, she’s also more comfortable talking to animals than to people. Different and misunderstood, Sky is shunned in the small town of Cranberry.
Sky’s neighbor, Adam Noemi, has his own problems. After being laid off from a prestigious newspaper, Adam, ever the ambitious reporter, needs a big headline to redeem his career. Enter Sky, a girl with a story that news outlets have been chasing for years. Sky agrees to grant Adam an exclusive interview on one that he befriend Sky, in a very public way, to prove to everyone in Cranberry that she’s not an outcast.
As Sky shares her experiences with Adam, something much bigger than a simple agreement begins to grow between them. But for love to take root, Adam will have to take a leap towards a life that defies expectations, and Sky must open her heart – full of flora and fauna and mystical energies – to his curious mind.
368 pages, Paperback
First published January 13, 2026
50 people are currently reading
8922 people want to read
About the author
Raquel Vasquez Gilliland
10 books1,007 followersRaquel Vasquez Gilliland is a Mexican American poet, novelist, and painter. She received an MFA in poetry from the University of Alaska, Anchorage in 2017. She’s most inspired by fog and seeds and the lineages of all things. When not writing, Raquel tells stories to her plants and they tell her stories back. She lives in Tennessee with her beloved family and mountains. Raquel has published two books of poetry. Sia Martinez and the Moonlit Beginning of Everything is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 165 reviews
December 20, 2025
Consent + communication during sexy time is HOT AF!
This is a sweet and tender book with lovely autism and latine rep, a swoony romance, and unique witchy vibes in a contemporary setting!
But what really stole the show for me was the sexy times! They were so real, raw, and HEALTHY AF. I loved that they communicated needs and wants and comforts and continually checked in on consent. The intimacy and connections these scenes create is top tier!
This is book three in a set of interconnected standalones. I read this book first and I don’t feel like I missed anything. It stands on its own, but I’m very excited to read the other sister’s books now!
The autism rep was spectacular and made me feel so seen! I loved that there were so many aspects of Sky’s behavior that I could relate to—her overthinking, big emotions, researching the crap out of things she wants to be better at. I appreciated that it was presented in a natural way seamless way, it felt like I was commiserating with a friend rather than pointing out all the ways the FMC is different.
Whats to love…
- autistic + latine FMC
- Red haired (my fav) + sober MMC
- neighbors-to-lovers
- self-discovery and self-acceptance themes
- found family (with a family forward aspect)
- interconnected standalone but can be read out of order (I did!)
- LOTS of animal companions
- This book will make you hungry (aka food is incorporated in a lovely way!)
- THE SPICE! - sweet and sexy and healthy AF
Whats not to love…
- Overall the pacing was just a bit off. This was slow to start and I wasn’t invested till about the 30% point. Once we were there though? 10/10 And then in the end the 3rd act conflict felt a bit rushed.
🌶️ - open door sprinkled throughout and a pretty important part of the self-discovery theme!
4.25⭐️| IG | TikTok |
Thank you Berkley for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
This is a sweet and tender book with lovely autism and latine rep, a swoony romance, and unique witchy vibes in a contemporary setting!
But what really stole the show for me was the sexy times! They were so real, raw, and HEALTHY AF. I loved that they communicated needs and wants and comforts and continually checked in on consent. The intimacy and connections these scenes create is top tier!
This is book three in a set of interconnected standalones. I read this book first and I don’t feel like I missed anything. It stands on its own, but I’m very excited to read the other sister’s books now!
The autism rep was spectacular and made me feel so seen! I loved that there were so many aspects of Sky’s behavior that I could relate to—her overthinking, big emotions, researching the crap out of things she wants to be better at. I appreciated that it was presented in a natural way seamless way, it felt like I was commiserating with a friend rather than pointing out all the ways the FMC is different.
Whats to love…
- autistic + latine FMC
- Red haired (my fav) + sober MMC
- neighbors-to-lovers
- self-discovery and self-acceptance themes
- found family (with a family forward aspect)
- interconnected standalone but can be read out of order (I did!)
- LOTS of animal companions
- This book will make you hungry (aka food is incorporated in a lovely way!)
- THE SPICE! - sweet and sexy and healthy AF
Whats not to love…
- Overall the pacing was just a bit off. This was slow to start and I wasn’t invested till about the 30% point. Once we were there though? 10/10 And then in the end the 3rd act conflict felt a bit rushed.
🌶️ - open door sprinkled throughout and a pretty important part of the self-discovery theme!
4.25⭐️| IG | TikTok |
Thank you Berkley for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
April 17, 2026
I loved this final book in the Wild Magic series that focuses on Sky, the youngest Flores sister who spent 8 years of her life in an undead state missing in the forest and only recently came back to the land of the living at the end of book two when her family rescued her.
Considered the town freak, Sky is lonely and only wants to find a love like both her sisters have. Unfortunately they seem too busy with their own lives to show up for Sky and so Sky finds herself buried in work at the library archives and spending her Friday nights bringing her elderly neighbor William dinner.
Enter Adam, the man Sky grew fond of while she was living as a ghost, only in real life Adam is less than dreamy. Adam himself is struggling though after being let go from his journalist job with the NYT and now living back home with his grandfather who they suspect has early dementia.
Sky strikes a deal for the two to pretend to be friends in exchange for Sky's honest story about what happened to her. What follows is a sweet friends to lovers story that gets complicated by a side of anonymous online texting and some deceptions.
While I wasn't a fan of the third act break up in this story, I loved watching Sky come into her own. I also really enjoyed that the author writes Sky as being undiagnosed autistic (which is really apparent and makes her all the more relatable to me).
A great end to the series that I'm going to be sad to say goodby to. Highly recommended for fans of authors like Angelina M. Lopez, Alexis Daria or Natalie Caña. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
Considered the town freak, Sky is lonely and only wants to find a love like both her sisters have. Unfortunately they seem too busy with their own lives to show up for Sky and so Sky finds herself buried in work at the library archives and spending her Friday nights bringing her elderly neighbor William dinner.
Enter Adam, the man Sky grew fond of while she was living as a ghost, only in real life Adam is less than dreamy. Adam himself is struggling though after being let go from his journalist job with the NYT and now living back home with his grandfather who they suspect has early dementia.
Sky strikes a deal for the two to pretend to be friends in exchange for Sky's honest story about what happened to her. What follows is a sweet friends to lovers story that gets complicated by a side of anonymous online texting and some deceptions.
While I wasn't a fan of the third act break up in this story, I loved watching Sky come into her own. I also really enjoyed that the author writes Sky as being undiagnosed autistic (which is really apparent and makes her all the more relatable to me).
A great end to the series that I'm going to be sad to say goodby to. Highly recommended for fans of authors like Angelina M. Lopez, Alexis Daria or Natalie Caña. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
October 31, 2025
3 stars Thanks to BookBrowse and Berkley for a copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. Publishes January 13, 2026.
I have to be more careful when requesting books. Here again I ended up with the third book in a series. I guess it was ok as a stand alone, but not having read the first two books I feel like I was missing a lot. For that reason I can only give it 3 of 5 stars.
This book centered on Sky - they youngest of three sister's - all with a special gift. For Sky it is the ability to communicate with animals. And she is returning after an 8 year absence.
This book is fiction, fantasy and sexy romance all rolled up together. Maybe a bit heavy on the 'romance' aspect. But an easy read all the same.
I have to be more careful when requesting books. Here again I ended up with the third book in a series. I guess it was ok as a stand alone, but not having read the first two books I feel like I was missing a lot. For that reason I can only give it 3 of 5 stars.
This book centered on Sky - they youngest of three sister's - all with a special gift. For Sky it is the ability to communicate with animals. And she is returning after an 8 year absence.
This book is fiction, fantasy and sexy romance all rolled up together. Maybe a bit heavy on the 'romance' aspect. But an easy read all the same.
February 28, 2026
I am really sad that this series of interconnected romance novels is over for me. This was a really fun installment.
For the record I do believe for maximum impact and enjoyment these do need to be read in order. You will miss a lot of Easter eggs and might be slightly confused at the timelines if they're not read in order. But if you're really adamant about it, I suppose you could read them in any order you preferred.
I really enjoyed this installment. This sister was the one that had the weakest connection for me through reading the previous two books and honestly, it ended up being one of my favorite parts. Skye was a beautiful and loving character that I felt really shine in her book. The romance was believable and sweet and I really enjoyed it.
For the record I do believe for maximum impact and enjoyment these do need to be read in order. You will miss a lot of Easter eggs and might be slightly confused at the timelines if they're not read in order. But if you're really adamant about it, I suppose you could read them in any order you preferred.
I really enjoyed this installment. This sister was the one that had the weakest connection for me through reading the previous two books and honestly, it ended up being one of my favorite parts. Skye was a beautiful and loving character that I felt really shine in her book. The romance was believable and sweet and I really enjoyed it.
![Profile Image for laurel [the suspected bibliophile].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1645808644i%2F7494844._UX200_CR0%2C6%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
February 21, 2026
I really enjoyed the final outing of the Flores sisters.
Sky was a fascinating and very lovely main character, an undiagnosed autistic woman who was dealing with the combined blow of losing eight whole years of her life and literally the entire town villainizing her for it. Small town shit.
Not to mention, her sisters are dealing with their own things, and Sky is both realizing the loss of her sisters and wanting them to realize she's not a child anymore. She's 26, dammit. She lost eight years, but she wasn't entirely gone. She was a ghost.
Anywho, I didn't love this as much as I did the first two books, and I can't really put my finger on why. There is so much to love in this one, and it is SO personal. So much heart placed into Sky's story. I think because when Sky and Adam got together, it became the Sky and Adam hook-up show, and as hot as the sex scenes were, I personally need a bit more plot to advance the story along.
Sky was a fascinating and very lovely main character, an undiagnosed autistic woman who was dealing with the combined blow of losing eight whole years of her life and literally the entire town villainizing her for it. Small town shit.
Not to mention, her sisters are dealing with their own things, and Sky is both realizing the loss of her sisters and wanting them to realize she's not a child anymore. She's 26, dammit. She lost eight years, but she wasn't entirely gone. She was a ghost.
Anywho, I didn't love this as much as I did the first two books, and I can't really put my finger on why. There is so much to love in this one, and it is SO personal. So much heart placed into Sky's story. I think because when Sky and Adam got together, it became the Sky and Adam hook-up show, and as hot as the sex scenes were, I personally need a bit more plot to advance the story along.
February 23, 2026
3.5 Stars
Sky, the youngest of the Flores sisters, spent eight years presumed dead, living like a ghost, when in reality she’d been sheltered and kept alive by the forest. Two years after her return, she’s still trying to find her footing, and my heart ached for her. The town treats her like an oddity, whispering behind her back, and the cruelty she faced ticked me off. One of her only friends is her elderly neighbor. She makes a homecooked meal for him to share weekly and this is where she runs into Adam, his grandson, and her former crush.
Despite a rocky first encounter, Adam turns out to be an absolute sweetheart. I loved how fiercely he defended Sky and how gently he helped her see that she never needed to apologize for who she was. Their chemistry is undeniable, though once they officially get together, the romance leans heavily into the spicy scenes. They’re steamy, no doubt, but Sky discussing every detail with her sisters gave me a bit of the ick. Still, I adored Adam and Sky together.
I did wish Sky’s sisters had shown her more support. I understand they were overwhelmed by their own struggles, but it still stung on Sky’s behalf.
Having enjoyed Sage’s and Teal’s romances, I was excited to finally get Sky’s story, and it didn’t disappoint. Her magical ability to communicate with animals is one of my favorite gifts in the series, and watching her journey unfold was both enchanting and emotionally satisfying. It was an entertaining, engrossing journey to their HEA. I’m happy with how it all turned out.
I voluntarily read a copy courtesy of the publisher. These are my thoughts and opinions.
Sky, the youngest of the Flores sisters, spent eight years presumed dead, living like a ghost, when in reality she’d been sheltered and kept alive by the forest. Two years after her return, she’s still trying to find her footing, and my heart ached for her. The town treats her like an oddity, whispering behind her back, and the cruelty she faced ticked me off. One of her only friends is her elderly neighbor. She makes a homecooked meal for him to share weekly and this is where she runs into Adam, his grandson, and her former crush.
Despite a rocky first encounter, Adam turns out to be an absolute sweetheart. I loved how fiercely he defended Sky and how gently he helped her see that she never needed to apologize for who she was. Their chemistry is undeniable, though once they officially get together, the romance leans heavily into the spicy scenes. They’re steamy, no doubt, but Sky discussing every detail with her sisters gave me a bit of the ick. Still, I adored Adam and Sky together.
I did wish Sky’s sisters had shown her more support. I understand they were overwhelmed by their own struggles, but it still stung on Sky’s behalf.
Having enjoyed Sage’s and Teal’s romances, I was excited to finally get Sky’s story, and it didn’t disappoint. Her magical ability to communicate with animals is one of my favorite gifts in the series, and watching her journey unfold was both enchanting and emotionally satisfying. It was an entertaining, engrossing journey to their HEA. I’m happy with how it all turned out.
I voluntarily read a copy courtesy of the publisher. These are my thoughts and opinions.
January 25, 2026
4.5 stars!
January 6, 2026
After reading the previous book, I was so excited to get to Sky's story and this was exactly what I wanted for her.
I loved Sky. She is unapologetically herself and while she does shrink herself at the beginning, she knows what she wants and works towards getting everything. Adam is surprisingly gooey under a very crunchy shell. These two have animosity and sweetness and a whole ton of chemistry.
Plot wise, it's good. There are a few moving parts and some things felt like an afterthought, but I recognize maybe it was so show how scattered Sky was at certain points. The conflict was short lived and I really wanted more from the epilogue as it felt rushed.
Overall, this was such a good story and I easily could have read 500 more pages of Sky and the animals.
**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**
I loved Sky. She is unapologetically herself and while she does shrink herself at the beginning, she knows what she wants and works towards getting everything. Adam is surprisingly gooey under a very crunchy shell. These two have animosity and sweetness and a whole ton of chemistry.
Plot wise, it's good. There are a few moving parts and some things felt like an afterthought, but I recognize maybe it was so show how scattered Sky was at certain points. The conflict was short lived and I really wanted more from the epilogue as it felt rushed.
Overall, this was such a good story and I easily could have read 500 more pages of Sky and the animals.
**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**
January 11, 2026
3.5⭐️
Sky, the youngest of three witch sisters, has been in a magical coma for eight years. During that time, she wandered her small town in ghost form and became infatuated with her neighbor’s grandson, Adam. She suddenly wakes up at age 24, and now 26, Sky struggles to make friends and is seen as the town’s “weird” girl, with few people believing her story.
This was such a cozy, cottagecore, small-town romance. Sky’s magical gift allows her to communicate with animals, which only adds to how different she seems to everyone else. She’s also neurodivergent and struggles with social interactions. Adam is the kind, patient man who truly sees her and takes the time to understand her, all while navigating his own personal journey. Sky’s differences were handled beautifully and she was portrayed in such a raw, honest, and deeply compelling way. Both her and Adam’s conversations about how she sees the world, their communication and their fears and hopes really grounded the relationship and made it feel earned.
This is the third book in the series, and I hadn’t read the first two going in. That said, the worldbuilding was very accessible, and I never felt lost within this magical world. I do think I would have had a deeper understanding of Sky’s family dynamics if I’d read the earlier books, but the background and context provided here were more than enough to fully engage with the story. I’d probably recommend reading the first two books beforehand, but it’s not absolutely necessary. The writing was lush and whimsical, and the pacing worked well throughout, perfectly matching the cozy, atmospheric tone of this witchy slow-burn romance. I was expecting a bit more payoff from the church cult mystery. The reveal felt slightly underwhelming and somewhat faded into the background by the end, but this didn’t detract for my enjoying the story.
Overall, this was a whimsical, ethereal, low-stakes romance set in a cozy small town, featuring a witchy, neurodivergent FMC and a strong focus on character development. Readers looking for a gentle, magical romance with heart and depth will really enjoy this one. I know I’ll be going back to read the first two books in the series!
This one is out January 13th, 2026!
Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Sky, the youngest of three witch sisters, has been in a magical coma for eight years. During that time, she wandered her small town in ghost form and became infatuated with her neighbor’s grandson, Adam. She suddenly wakes up at age 24, and now 26, Sky struggles to make friends and is seen as the town’s “weird” girl, with few people believing her story.
This was such a cozy, cottagecore, small-town romance. Sky’s magical gift allows her to communicate with animals, which only adds to how different she seems to everyone else. She’s also neurodivergent and struggles with social interactions. Adam is the kind, patient man who truly sees her and takes the time to understand her, all while navigating his own personal journey. Sky’s differences were handled beautifully and she was portrayed in such a raw, honest, and deeply compelling way. Both her and Adam’s conversations about how she sees the world, their communication and their fears and hopes really grounded the relationship and made it feel earned.
This is the third book in the series, and I hadn’t read the first two going in. That said, the worldbuilding was very accessible, and I never felt lost within this magical world. I do think I would have had a deeper understanding of Sky’s family dynamics if I’d read the earlier books, but the background and context provided here were more than enough to fully engage with the story. I’d probably recommend reading the first two books beforehand, but it’s not absolutely necessary. The writing was lush and whimsical, and the pacing worked well throughout, perfectly matching the cozy, atmospheric tone of this witchy slow-burn romance. I was expecting a bit more payoff from the church cult mystery. The reveal felt slightly underwhelming and somewhat faded into the background by the end, but this didn’t detract for my enjoying the story.
Overall, this was a whimsical, ethereal, low-stakes romance set in a cozy small town, featuring a witchy, neurodivergent FMC and a strong focus on character development. Readers looking for a gentle, magical romance with heart and depth will really enjoy this one. I know I’ll be going back to read the first two books in the series!
This one is out January 13th, 2026!
Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
January 19, 2026
The Magic of Untamed Hearts by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland is the 3rd and final book in the Wild Magic series. I would recommend reading the books in order to avoid spoilers.
This book is so beautifully written, which makes sense after I learned that Raquel Vasquez Gilliland is a Mexican American poet. It absolutely shows!
The tone of this series is heavier than I anticipated; the characters are dealing with serious topics. I recommend checking trigger warnings before reading.
Each of the Flores sisters have a magical gift or curse depending on how you look at it. Sky, the youngest Flores sister, can communicate with animals. Not only can she hear them, but they can sense her emotions as well and visit her during times of distress.
Sky has had an odd life… she was trapped in a tree for 8 years. When we meet the Flores sisters in book 1, she is unknowingly in the tree. 2 years later, no one believes her story and she is seen as the town pariah. People are vile to her and she is very lonely.
Sky finds herself working with her neighbor’s grandson, Adam, a struggling newspaper reporter, to tell her story. The book focuses on the developing relationship between them and Adam’s struggle to believe Sky’s unbelievable story when he has always relied solely on facts.
While I didn’t love everything about this book, I did enjoy the engaging writing. The author’s note explains some of the plot decisions behind Sky’s character; her experiences made more sense after reading. This series also reminds me of how lucky we are to have nature; the Flores sisters show a deep respect and gratitude for wildlife. I struggled with the Outcast heroine/ Town hero trope. It is hard to watch people be cruel and the hero gets credit for the bare minimum, human decency.
Read if you like:
✨ Books with magical realism
💕 These romance tropes: Outcast heroine/ Town hero, age gap, neighbors to lovers
🙊 The microtrope “apologize to her”
❤️🩹 Healing Sisterhood
Overall rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to @berkleyromance for the free copy; all thoughts are my own. #berkleypartner #berkleybookstagram #berkleyromance
This book is so beautifully written, which makes sense after I learned that Raquel Vasquez Gilliland is a Mexican American poet. It absolutely shows!
The tone of this series is heavier than I anticipated; the characters are dealing with serious topics. I recommend checking trigger warnings before reading.
Each of the Flores sisters have a magical gift or curse depending on how you look at it. Sky, the youngest Flores sister, can communicate with animals. Not only can she hear them, but they can sense her emotions as well and visit her during times of distress.
Sky has had an odd life… she was trapped in a tree for 8 years. When we meet the Flores sisters in book 1, she is unknowingly in the tree. 2 years later, no one believes her story and she is seen as the town pariah. People are vile to her and she is very lonely.
Sky finds herself working with her neighbor’s grandson, Adam, a struggling newspaper reporter, to tell her story. The book focuses on the developing relationship between them and Adam’s struggle to believe Sky’s unbelievable story when he has always relied solely on facts.
While I didn’t love everything about this book, I did enjoy the engaging writing. The author’s note explains some of the plot decisions behind Sky’s character; her experiences made more sense after reading. This series also reminds me of how lucky we are to have nature; the Flores sisters show a deep respect and gratitude for wildlife. I struggled with the Outcast heroine/ Town hero trope. It is hard to watch people be cruel and the hero gets credit for the bare minimum, human decency.
Read if you like:
✨ Books with magical realism
💕 These romance tropes: Outcast heroine/ Town hero, age gap, neighbors to lovers
🙊 The microtrope “apologize to her”
❤️🩹 Healing Sisterhood
Overall rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to @berkleyromance for the free copy; all thoughts are my own. #berkleypartner #berkleybookstagram #berkleyromance
January 12, 2026
I really enjoyed this book for the most part.
I didn’t read the previous books from this author, I read this as a standalone.
Unfortunately, for me, I don’t think it necessarily worked as a standalone because I feel like there was a lot of nuance I wasn’t privy to.
I did enjoy the lore of this book as someone who was born and raised in Virginia. Massachusetts gets a lot of the attention when it comes to the Salem Witch trials, but Virginia has history of its own.
The family dynamics in this book were really difficult to read sometimes because there is a ton of trauma, neglect, and abuse if I’m honest.
For me the main reason this isn’t a five star is the spice was quite frankly too spicy. And it was kind of offputting for the rest of the vibe of the book. It was the equivalent of a Fifty Shades of Grey clip in the middle of a reading rainbow episode. The book has a hole is super feel good, low stakes, sweet…. And then the sex scenes were long, explicit, and frequent once they started.
It just didn’t fit. They feel like they’re supposed to be in another book or that they were forced additions.
I don’t know how to explain other than that
I didn’t read the previous books from this author, I read this as a standalone.
Unfortunately, for me, I don’t think it necessarily worked as a standalone because I feel like there was a lot of nuance I wasn’t privy to.
I did enjoy the lore of this book as someone who was born and raised in Virginia. Massachusetts gets a lot of the attention when it comes to the Salem Witch trials, but Virginia has history of its own.
The family dynamics in this book were really difficult to read sometimes because there is a ton of trauma, neglect, and abuse if I’m honest.
For me the main reason this isn’t a five star is the spice was quite frankly too spicy. And it was kind of offputting for the rest of the vibe of the book. It was the equivalent of a Fifty Shades of Grey clip in the middle of a reading rainbow episode. The book has a hole is super feel good, low stakes, sweet…. And then the sex scenes were long, explicit, and frequent once they started.
It just didn’t fit. They feel like they’re supposed to be in another book or that they were forced additions.
I don’t know how to explain other than that
February 16, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Read if you like:
🪄 magical realism
🪄 multiple story-telling formats
🪄 1st person POV
🪄 single POV
🪄 single timeline
🪄 spice 🌶️
I knowwwww we’re not supposed to judge a book based off its cover 🤪🤪 but I definitely do and I absolutely loooooove this cover 😍😍😍
As soon as I read the description of this one I could NOT WAIT to read it; it sounded soooooo fun 💕💕
I always enjoy when a book uses multiple story-telling formats to tell the story; I really think it adds so much fun and entertainment to the book ❤️
The yearning was SOOOOOOOOO GOOD❣️❣️❣️ They’re talking to each other online but they don’t know it’s each other 😍😍😍😍😍 Sooooooo so good and fun❣️
I was really hoping that this would be a bit more about the magical missing years (being such a mystery girly) but it was pretty much just about the romance.
Thank you soooo much to Berkley Publishing and Raquel Vasquez Gilliland for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 💕💕
Read if you like:
🪄 magical realism
🪄 multiple story-telling formats
🪄 1st person POV
🪄 single POV
🪄 single timeline
🪄 spice 🌶️
I knowwwww we’re not supposed to judge a book based off its cover 🤪🤪 but I definitely do and I absolutely loooooove this cover 😍😍😍
As soon as I read the description of this one I could NOT WAIT to read it; it sounded soooooo fun 💕💕
I always enjoy when a book uses multiple story-telling formats to tell the story; I really think it adds so much fun and entertainment to the book ❤️
The yearning was SOOOOOOOOO GOOD❣️❣️❣️ They’re talking to each other online but they don’t know it’s each other 😍😍😍😍😍 Sooooooo so good and fun❣️
I was really hoping that this would be a bit more about the magical missing years (being such a mystery girly) but it was pretty much just about the romance.
Thank you soooo much to Berkley Publishing and Raquel Vasquez Gilliland for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 💕💕
February 1, 2026
I love this author’s work. Her descriptions are lush and lyrical, and her stories center on well-crafted character and relationship arcs. This book is no exception! I loved getting to know Sky and seeing her find her HEA. The character’s autism was lovingly and realistically portrayed, shaping her interactions and perspective throughout the book. The love interest was flawed but still dreamy, sweet, and a great match for Sky. This was a beautiful ending for a trilogy focused on family, magic, and love.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 29, 2025
Thank you Berkley Romance for the advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
ARC Review: The Magic of Untamed Hearts by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland
Pub Date: January 13
Sky Flores was a ghost for many years - she's back in the land of the living now but is an outsider. She'd rather spend time with animals than with people and has never really been able to make friends outside of her sisters since returning. The only other person she's spent some time with? Her grumpy elderly neighbor, whose grandson has been laid off as a reporter and is now staying with him. Adam has always intrigued Sky and she eventually agrees to him writing a story about her, but only if he agrees to pretend to be her friend so the locals stop looking at her as such a freak. But will Adam believe her about what happened?
I liked the relationship between Adam and Sky and thought they had a lot of chemistry and great banter. But what I loved arguably more is the relationship between Sky and her sisters - even as their lives have changed and they have different priorities, you can really sense the love there and I loved seeing how they showed up for each other.
I loved the anonymous pen pal trope and the reveal (and that it didn't go on too long!). This romance itself wasn't super trope heavy which honestly I love.
While I did enjoy this, I think neither of the sequels in this series have lived up to the first book for me - both relationship wise but even more so with the external plot. The first book had a really good balance between the two and a whole lot of angst and I think I find myself chasing the feelings I had during my reading of the first book. I still really do like the books but I've had to sort of adjust my expectations because the external plot is really lacking and the only focus is the relationship between the two main characters.
ARC Review: The Magic of Untamed Hearts by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland
Pub Date: January 13
Sky Flores was a ghost for many years - she's back in the land of the living now but is an outsider. She'd rather spend time with animals than with people and has never really been able to make friends outside of her sisters since returning. The only other person she's spent some time with? Her grumpy elderly neighbor, whose grandson has been laid off as a reporter and is now staying with him. Adam has always intrigued Sky and she eventually agrees to him writing a story about her, but only if he agrees to pretend to be her friend so the locals stop looking at her as such a freak. But will Adam believe her about what happened?
I liked the relationship between Adam and Sky and thought they had a lot of chemistry and great banter. But what I loved arguably more is the relationship between Sky and her sisters - even as their lives have changed and they have different priorities, you can really sense the love there and I loved seeing how they showed up for each other.
I loved the anonymous pen pal trope and the reveal (and that it didn't go on too long!). This romance itself wasn't super trope heavy which honestly I love.
While I did enjoy this, I think neither of the sequels in this series have lived up to the first book for me - both relationship wise but even more so with the external plot. The first book had a really good balance between the two and a whole lot of angst and I think I find myself chasing the feelings I had during my reading of the first book. I still really do like the books but I've had to sort of adjust my expectations because the external plot is really lacking and the only focus is the relationship between the two main characters.
March 4, 2026
I liked the first two books in this series enough to carry on to the this third installment, and was really excited for it to come out. However, I just could not get into this book. Sky goes on so many tangents for backstory and side thoughts, and they last just long enough for you to forget what was originally happening in the present. And much of the stuff concerning their family's magical history felt unnecessary this far into the series?
Overall it also just felt so predictable, so there wasn't much to keep me interested in what happens.
And then we get to the first real spice scene... And sorry but I cringed at the language. I love open door spice, but the way this one was written was kind of offputting for me. More crass and less swoonworthy.
Technically DNFing at this point about 90 pages from the end because I've just unfortunately lost all interest in the story.
Overall it also just felt so predictable, so there wasn't much to keep me interested in what happens.
And then we get to the first real spice scene... And sorry but I cringed at the language. I love open door spice, but the way this one was written was kind of offputting for me. More crass and less swoonworthy.
Technically DNFing at this point about 90 pages from the end because I've just unfortunately lost all interest in the story.
March 2, 2026
Starts charming, then the author goes too far without respecting the characters as presented. This seems written for YA.
Slips in editing, too.
The story wavers, becomes difficult to get through.
This works as YA magical romance, making the extended graphic sex scenes jarring. Would rather read details on the interactions of the FMC with the various animals; but they appear simply as props in the story.
The ending is rushed, and glosses over or sidesteps most of the issues raised.
Seems like there were plenty of themes presented that could move this into a richer tale. It is a bit disappointing the author substituted step-by-step sex instructions instead of developing truly original material.
Slips in editing, too.
The story wavers, becomes difficult to get through.
This works as YA magical romance, making the extended graphic sex scenes jarring. Would rather read details on the interactions of the FMC with the various animals; but they appear simply as props in the story.
The ending is rushed, and glosses over or sidesteps most of the issues raised.
Seems like there were plenty of themes presented that could move this into a richer tale. It is a bit disappointing the author substituted step-by-step sex instructions instead of developing truly original material.
Read
March 26, 2026We read all books in the series and reviewed them together. Find more at Witch of Wild Things and Lightning in Her Hands, and our full review can be read at The Smut Report.
Heat Factor: The books get increasingly spicy
Character Chemistry: The reader knows he likes her before the narrator does
Plot: Magic woman comes to terms with family trauma
Overall: The romances are fine, but the family epic and journey of self-discovery sides of these stories is excellent
In this third book, more than the first two, the romantic relationship and the heroine’s journey overlap, as they are both centered on Sky gaining acceptance for who she is. This is also the book where we do finally see full repair of the relationship between the three women—nothing shows that you’ve got your sisters in your corner better than a willingness to discuss butt stuff with them—as well as partial repair (probably as good as it’s going to get) with the older generation. It’s a lovely capstone that ties the series together.
Blog | Bluesky | Facebook | Instagram | Threads | Pinterest
Heat Factor: The books get increasingly spicy
Character Chemistry: The reader knows he likes her before the narrator does
Plot: Magic woman comes to terms with family trauma
Overall: The romances are fine, but the family epic and journey of self-discovery sides of these stories is excellent
In this third book, more than the first two, the romantic relationship and the heroine’s journey overlap, as they are both centered on Sky gaining acceptance for who she is. This is also the book where we do finally see full repair of the relationship between the three women—nothing shows that you’ve got your sisters in your corner better than a willingness to discuss butt stuff with them—as well as partial repair (probably as good as it’s going to get) with the older generation. It’s a lovely capstone that ties the series together.
Blog | Bluesky | Facebook | Instagram | Threads | Pinterest
January 23, 2026
From the quote at the beginning, before you even get to her experience, you know Sky is coded autistic. I felt it was an interesting choice to not make it explicit in the text or even have her ever become aware of it, especially in light of Teal’s journey with being bipolar. I can see where it would be less urgent/helpful to get an autism diagnosis, but sometimes it’s healing just to know.
I liked Sky as a character, but it feels like we might spend too much time in her head because she is isolated for much of the book. A bit more time spent on the cult angle and less on her anguish/struggles would make this an easier read for me.
I do relate a lot to the beginning-middle. I don’t have siblings & have very few living relatives. I’ve never felt a strong sense of belonging. In my early adulthood I was once ostracized and bullied by my community for lying when I wasn’t. I always feel like I don’t fit and that it’s my fault. So while I’m glad for the happy ending, it also makes me a little sad about real lives that don’t get that.
Her relationship with Adam has some very cute bits, but I would like to have heard more of his process of going from doubt to belief.
I love Adam’s grandpa.
The audiobook narrator was new to me and she did alright. The only thing I had a problem with was there wasn't enough differentiation between Sage's and Sky's voices, but Sage is in the book so little, it's not a big problem. The audiobook did not contain the author's note I've seen mentioned in other reviews, so I'm not sure what that might contain.
It’s a shame romance series don’t ever pivot to non-romance (as far as I know), because I wouldn’t mind spending more time in this world with a non-romance angle.
I liked Sky as a character, but it feels like we might spend too much time in her head because she is isolated for much of the book. A bit more time spent on the cult angle and less on her anguish/struggles would make this an easier read for me.
I do relate a lot to the beginning-middle. I don’t have siblings & have very few living relatives. I’ve never felt a strong sense of belonging. In my early adulthood I was once ostracized and bullied by my community for lying when I wasn’t. I always feel like I don’t fit and that it’s my fault. So while I’m glad for the happy ending, it also makes me a little sad about real lives that don’t get that.
Her relationship with Adam has some very cute bits, but I would like to have heard more of his process of going from doubt to belief.
I love Adam’s grandpa.
The audiobook narrator was new to me and she did alright. The only thing I had a problem with was there wasn't enough differentiation between Sage's and Sky's voices, but Sage is in the book so little, it's not a big problem. The audiobook did not contain the author's note I've seen mentioned in other reviews, so I'm not sure what that might contain.
It’s a shame romance series don’t ever pivot to non-romance (as far as I know), because I wouldn’t mind spending more time in this world with a non-romance angle.
December 17, 2025
Thank you to Raquel Vasquez Gilliland, Berkley Publishing Group/Berkley Romance, and NetGalley for letting me read this as an eARC!
This book was very cute. It is a quick contemporary read with some magical elements to it and Latine representation--and let me tell you, could I relate to Sky's meddling Latine elders! I really enjoyed the Latine representation in this novel; between the food, interspersing Spanish with English, and incorporating a little bit of the brujeria tradition, this book was felt a little like coming home. It's so wonderful to see yourself reflected in characters of books, especially in one that's so body positive, one of acceptance of who you are, and one that doesn't shame Latine women for their sexuality.
Following Sky and Adam coming together was a fun journey and I really enjoyed that they were each other's matches on the dating app they were using without even knowing it. I'm really glad they got it together in the end. As a Latine woman who also has two sisters, I loved seeing the sister dynamic in this book between Sage, Teal, and Sky.
What you see is what you get with this book--a fun, spicy, heartwarming, quick read that is a great palate cleanser, especially if you're between novels with a lot of world-building (which I was when I started this book). This book made me smile and I definitely would recommend it to a friend. Four stars from me :)
This book was very cute. It is a quick contemporary read with some magical elements to it and Latine representation--and let me tell you, could I relate to Sky's meddling Latine elders! I really enjoyed the Latine representation in this novel; between the food, interspersing Spanish with English, and incorporating a little bit of the brujeria tradition, this book was felt a little like coming home. It's so wonderful to see yourself reflected in characters of books, especially in one that's so body positive, one of acceptance of who you are, and one that doesn't shame Latine women for their sexuality.
Following Sky and Adam coming together was a fun journey and I really enjoyed that they were each other's matches on the dating app they were using without even knowing it. I'm really glad they got it together in the end. As a Latine woman who also has two sisters, I loved seeing the sister dynamic in this book between Sage, Teal, and Sky.
What you see is what you get with this book--a fun, spicy, heartwarming, quick read that is a great palate cleanser, especially if you're between novels with a lot of world-building (which I was when I started this book). This book made me smile and I definitely would recommend it to a friend. Four stars from me :)
February 4, 2026
3.5⭐️
This was a quick read romance and the 3rd in the Flores sisters books.
What I liked about the book: the gifts that Sky and her sisters have. The family dynamic. Not all the relationships are easy but they feel real. Sky’s gift to commune with animals. I could have read whole chapters on this alone. Sky’s determination to be absolutely, unapologetically herself.
What I disliked: Adam repeating to Sky many times something along the lines of, “if that’s what you think I must not be doing a good job of expressing myself.” No shit, you come across as an ass for a good portion of the book. The anonymous pen pal trope.
Overall I really enjoyed this whole Flores sisters series.
This was a quick read romance and the 3rd in the Flores sisters books.
What I liked about the book: the gifts that Sky and her sisters have. The family dynamic. Not all the relationships are easy but they feel real. Sky’s gift to commune with animals. I could have read whole chapters on this alone. Sky’s determination to be absolutely, unapologetically herself.
What I disliked: Adam repeating to Sky many times something along the lines of, “if that’s what you think I must not be doing a good job of expressing myself.” No shit, you come across as an ass for a good portion of the book. The anonymous pen pal trope.
Overall I really enjoyed this whole Flores sisters series.
February 6, 2026
Probably my favorite thing about this series is that any time a man acts like a pig, they're like, "Hmm, maybe I should use my secret powers against him."
Very proud of Sky being the bigger person in this book. As always, if it were me, I would have been way pettier.
Also, having three chapters in a row that are ENTIRELY dedicated to sex is CRAZY work. I'm not a prude by any means but it was a LOT. This is NOT a closed door romance; I'll tell ya that for free. 😆
Very proud of Sky being the bigger person in this book. As always, if it were me, I would have been way pettier.
Also, having three chapters in a row that are ENTIRELY dedicated to sex is CRAZY work. I'm not a prude by any means but it was a LOT. This is NOT a closed door romance; I'll tell ya that for free. 😆
March 14, 2026
DNF at 82%
The main characters are sweet and parts of the plot are interesting, but the author is trying too hard to tell you that they're sexy and woke, over and over again, instead of just showing.
The main characters are sweet and parts of the plot are interesting, but the author is trying too hard to tell you that they're sexy and woke, over and over again, instead of just showing.
April 20, 2026
The Magic of Untamed Hearts is the third book in the Wild Magic series.
Filled with magic, tons of humor and sisterly love, I really enjoyed this read.
4.75 stars rounded up to 5.
Thanks so much to Berkley Publishing Group and Netgalley for this ARC.
Filled with magic, tons of humor and sisterly love, I really enjoyed this read.
4.75 stars rounded up to 5.
Thanks so much to Berkley Publishing Group and Netgalley for this ARC.
April 16, 2026
4.5 loved the food descriptions, animals, and witches per usual 🧙🏽♀️
April 21, 2026
3.25⭐ 2🌶️
Fun story about sisterhood and embracing and accepting your own uniqueness. This was my first Raquel Vasquez Gilliland boom and I did not realize it was the third in the series... Regardless it reads well as a standalone.
I got the sense that it wanted to be a lot of things at the same time (cult mystery, fake friendship to romance, self acceptance, journalistic redemption...) which made the story feel a bit unresolved for some things and others lacked the depth (which may have also been because I picked the third book of the series).
Some of the spice talk felt a bit cringy and unnecessary which, for me, impacted the flow of the story.
Thanks to the Author and Berkeley for the ARC (via Berkley's Influencer Hub for Underrepresented Voices). All comments are my own.
Fun story about sisterhood and embracing and accepting your own uniqueness. This was my first Raquel Vasquez Gilliland boom and I did not realize it was the third in the series... Regardless it reads well as a standalone.
I got the sense that it wanted to be a lot of things at the same time (cult mystery, fake friendship to romance, self acceptance, journalistic redemption...) which made the story feel a bit unresolved for some things and others lacked the depth (which may have also been because I picked the third book of the series).
Some of the spice talk felt a bit cringy and unnecessary which, for me, impacted the flow of the story.
Thanks to the Author and Berkeley for the ARC (via Berkley's Influencer Hub for Underrepresented Voices). All comments are my own.
January 21, 2026
4.5 rounded up.
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘔𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘤 𝘰𝘧 𝘜𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘥 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘴 was heartbreakingly beautiful.
I was 100% invested from the start. This book made me feel everything. Sky’s need to be loved, seen, and accepted hit so close to home and I connected deeply with her internal struggles. I just wanted to reach through the pages and protect her at all costs.
And Sky and Adam… I am so in love with them. Their connection felt soft, real, and seamless in a way that completely pulled me in.
🎧 The narration was absolutely phenomenal. The narrator brought Sky’s emotions to life so perfectly, and Adam’s voice felt just as natural and heartfelt. Even the minor characters had distinct personalities, which made the story feel so alive and immersive. Every word, pause, and inflection drew me in and made me feel like I was living this story alongside them all.
I literally just finished this and already know it is probably going on my top romances list. It was tender, emotional, and one of those books that quietly warms your heart.
Thank you @BerkleyPub @NetGalley and @PRHAudio for the gifted ARC and ALC.
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘔𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘤 𝘰𝘧 𝘜𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘥 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘴 was heartbreakingly beautiful.
I was 100% invested from the start. This book made me feel everything. Sky’s need to be loved, seen, and accepted hit so close to home and I connected deeply with her internal struggles. I just wanted to reach through the pages and protect her at all costs.
And Sky and Adam… I am so in love with them. Their connection felt soft, real, and seamless in a way that completely pulled me in.
🎧 The narration was absolutely phenomenal. The narrator brought Sky’s emotions to life so perfectly, and Adam’s voice felt just as natural and heartfelt. Even the minor characters had distinct personalities, which made the story feel so alive and immersive. Every word, pause, and inflection drew me in and made me feel like I was living this story alongside them all.
I literally just finished this and already know it is probably going on my top romances list. It was tender, emotional, and one of those books that quietly warms your heart.
Thank you @BerkleyPub @NetGalley and @PRHAudio for the gifted ARC and ALC.
February 6, 2026
This book is... not good
Questionable writing, poor characterization, and set up a side plot that was never fully explored or revealed.
I do enjoy the magic of this world though, as well as the sister relationships.
Questionable writing, poor characterization, and set up a side plot that was never fully explored or revealed.
I do enjoy the magic of this world though, as well as the sister relationships.
February 9, 2026
3.25 ⭐️ I've been lukewarm on this trilogy all along, but I was really hopeful for Sky's story. Of the three generational-trauma sisters, Sky--who was dead and a ghost for 8 years--surely had the most compelling story of the bunch. And, at first, that seemed to be paying off: I was choked up pretty quickly when autism-coded Sky was bullied by the horrible members of her community for being a bit unusual. Seriously, the townspeople are monsters.
But then, as the story went on, I was reminded why this series would never rise to the top of my list, despite being a feminist, diverse, witchy small town romance series. It's because it does all of those things in the most superficial of ways, while also dropping the names of pop culture icons (Chappell Roan, Olivia Rodrigo) and brands (Anthropologie, Calvin Klein, Coach--you know, the brands that really uphold the message of indigenous rights) like a series of hashtags. The cognitive dissonance is so very frustrating.
There's also something really not right about the timelines here. Now, I didn't go back to re-read the previous two books, but my understanding is this: (a) Sky was 16 when she "died." (b) Sky returned to the World of the Living 8 years later, when she was technically 24--but is she really?. (c) Adam, her love interest, is 9 years older than she is--so, 33. The present day story explicitly notes that Sky is sexually inexperienced, but very much DTF, as she gets naked for strangers in a hurry. But the effect is that Sky is a 16-year-old Disney princess in a 24-year-old's body, and her child-like wonder about most things makes the age gap with Adam, who has spent his adult life in a long string of casual encounters, even wider. It wasn't bad bad, but it didn't sit right, either.
Adam is not particularly likable. He's mean to Sky several times while she's developing her initial crush. He's arrogant. He's fake. He does, however, care for his grandfather, and he's in recovery and working on a life overhaul, which is good. (Still not sure I'm thrilled about him sexting a stranger while starting things up with Sky, but without his POV, it's hard to say.)
We're asked to interpret his initial doubt in Sky's story as a sign of his being a colonizer asshole, but like, he's a NYT columnist. Is he not supposed to verify sources? Sure, it's a particular culture of journalism and not all knowledge and belief systems align with that, but demanding he believe what was, to him, impossible is a big ask. Adam does believe Sky, eventually, but again, the lack of his POV obscures his journey from thinking she's a scam artist to thinking she's the most phenomenal woman on earth who has at last shown him the meaning of love.
And then there's the witch coven/cult thing. As with the last book, where the "mom stole my magic" plot arose and was resolved in a heartbeat, here we have Sky randomly, for no reason, wondering about a few scattered incidents involving groups of women behaving strangely in their town, then mostly forgetting about it to focus on her new boyfriend, and then (post-break-up) investigating again to fund a cult bunker hidden under the Catholic church, and then...that's it! There's nothing else. And the series is over.
This series had a lot of potential, but in the end, it was trying too hard to be both the earthy, witchy feminism and the brand-conscious Taylor Swift breed of feminism--which is to say, it pitched itself as an indegenous feminist recovery story but got lost in the Tortured Poets Department lyrics, focusing on sex rather than, ya know, the deeper meanings of the cosmos. And while I think there's nothing wrong with a girl liking designer clothes, makeup, and purses, it's a tough look for that same girl to also be pissed when her journalist boyfriend has initial doubts about her stories of old gods, ghosts, and animal telepathy. Especially when he's a tall, handsome, Western-educated white man whom you have appointed to solve all your social problems--which he does.
But then, as the story went on, I was reminded why this series would never rise to the top of my list, despite being a feminist, diverse, witchy small town romance series. It's because it does all of those things in the most superficial of ways, while also dropping the names of pop culture icons (Chappell Roan, Olivia Rodrigo) and brands (Anthropologie, Calvin Klein, Coach--you know, the brands that really uphold the message of indigenous rights) like a series of hashtags. The cognitive dissonance is so very frustrating.
There's also something really not right about the timelines here. Now, I didn't go back to re-read the previous two books, but my understanding is this: (a) Sky was 16 when she "died." (b) Sky returned to the World of the Living 8 years later, when she was technically 24--but is she really?. (c) Adam, her love interest, is 9 years older than she is--so, 33. The present day story explicitly notes that Sky is sexually inexperienced, but very much DTF, as she gets naked for strangers in a hurry. But the effect is that Sky is a 16-year-old Disney princess in a 24-year-old's body, and her child-like wonder about most things makes the age gap with Adam, who has spent his adult life in a long string of casual encounters, even wider. It wasn't bad bad, but it didn't sit right, either.
Adam is not particularly likable. He's mean to Sky several times while she's developing her initial crush. He's arrogant. He's fake. He does, however, care for his grandfather, and he's in recovery and working on a life overhaul, which is good. (Still not sure I'm thrilled about him sexting a stranger while starting things up with Sky, but without his POV, it's hard to say.)
We're asked to interpret his initial doubt in Sky's story as a sign of his being a colonizer asshole, but like, he's a NYT columnist. Is he not supposed to verify sources? Sure, it's a particular culture of journalism and not all knowledge and belief systems align with that, but demanding he believe what was, to him, impossible is a big ask. Adam does believe Sky, eventually, but again, the lack of his POV obscures his journey from thinking she's a scam artist to thinking she's the most phenomenal woman on earth who has at last shown him the meaning of love.
And then there's the witch coven/cult thing. As with the last book, where the "mom stole my magic" plot arose and was resolved in a heartbeat, here we have Sky randomly, for no reason, wondering about a few scattered incidents involving groups of women behaving strangely in their town, then mostly forgetting about it to focus on her new boyfriend, and then (post-break-up) investigating again to fund a cult bunker hidden under the Catholic church, and then...that's it! There's nothing else. And the series is over.
This series had a lot of potential, but in the end, it was trying too hard to be both the earthy, witchy feminism and the brand-conscious Taylor Swift breed of feminism--which is to say, it pitched itself as an indegenous feminist recovery story but got lost in the Tortured Poets Department lyrics, focusing on sex rather than, ya know, the deeper meanings of the cosmos. And while I think there's nothing wrong with a girl liking designer clothes, makeup, and purses, it's a tough look for that same girl to also be pissed when her journalist boyfriend has initial doubts about her stories of old gods, ghosts, and animal telepathy. Especially when he's a tall, handsome, Western-educated white man whom you have appointed to solve all your social problems--which he does.
January 16, 2026
Series Info/Source: This is third book in the Wild Magic series. I got a copy of this to review on ebook from NetGalley.
Thoughts: This was a well done continuation of this series. I enjoyed reading about Sky's story. My favorite book in this series remains the first book, but I enjoyed this one as well. You really feel for Sky and all that she's been through; I thought her autism was well represented too.
Sky has a touch of magic; she can talk to animals. Unfortunately, with her long absence, she is more comfortable talking to animals than people, and the people of Cranberry town have not been kind to her. She feels like a burden on those around her. Sage and Teal have both moved on with their lives but still feel like they have to baby Sky. Sky is doing okay though; she has her job at the library and a couple of friends. She wants more and is trying to put herself out there. After some horrible experiences in an online dating app she finally clicks with someone online. Simultaneously, she keeps running into Adam. He was horrible to her in high school and is now the big time famous reporter (who seems to be down on his luck). Him and Sky have one thing in common, his father who is struggling with onset dementia. As Adam and Sky end up spending more time together via Adam's father, they start to find out that they have more in common than they previously knew.
This was a cute story and I enjoyed it. I was excited to finally get Sky's story, and she is by far the most timid of the sisters. I really felt for her and her feelings of loneliness, not fitting in, and of being a burden on those around her. I enjoyed watching her grow and find her footing throughout the story.
Sky has autism and this is represented throughout the story; she is sensitive to certain sensation and fabrics, has trouble with natural conversation and reading cues but she is trying to own it. I thought Gilliland did a great job representing this throughout the story. Sky is a high functioning individual who just needs to interact with people and things a bit differently. Adam comes off as a bit of a jerk initially, but I grew to enjoy his character more as the story progressed. The two end up having excellent chemistry together.
This story felt a bit slower than the previous two books. Sky had a mystery of a secret coven that she was trying to unravel but that was very much in the background and kept being forgotten throughout the story. There just didn't seem to be as much to drive this story forward as there were in the first two books. I also love the Flores family, but they seem very scattered in this book. They do come together at times, but Sky felt very much on her own because she was very much on her own for a lot of the book. All the other members of the Flores family had valid but different priorities (new baby, new business, etc).
This was easy to read and cute and funny. I enjoyed it and think it was a decent close to this series about these magical sisters.
My Summary (4/5): Overall I liked this and thought it was a quick, cute, and fun read. It was a bit slower than the previous two books and I didn't click with Sky as a character quite as well. However, I did like learning more about Sky and watching her grow and get her happiness. I would recommend this series to those who enjoy paranormal magic with a cozy feel; all of these books have an emphasis on family and finding happiness. I will definitely keep an eye out for Gilliland's future books.
Thoughts: This was a well done continuation of this series. I enjoyed reading about Sky's story. My favorite book in this series remains the first book, but I enjoyed this one as well. You really feel for Sky and all that she's been through; I thought her autism was well represented too.
Sky has a touch of magic; she can talk to animals. Unfortunately, with her long absence, she is more comfortable talking to animals than people, and the people of Cranberry town have not been kind to her. She feels like a burden on those around her. Sage and Teal have both moved on with their lives but still feel like they have to baby Sky. Sky is doing okay though; she has her job at the library and a couple of friends. She wants more and is trying to put herself out there. After some horrible experiences in an online dating app she finally clicks with someone online. Simultaneously, she keeps running into Adam. He was horrible to her in high school and is now the big time famous reporter (who seems to be down on his luck). Him and Sky have one thing in common, his father who is struggling with onset dementia. As Adam and Sky end up spending more time together via Adam's father, they start to find out that they have more in common than they previously knew.
This was a cute story and I enjoyed it. I was excited to finally get Sky's story, and she is by far the most timid of the sisters. I really felt for her and her feelings of loneliness, not fitting in, and of being a burden on those around her. I enjoyed watching her grow and find her footing throughout the story.
Sky has autism and this is represented throughout the story; she is sensitive to certain sensation and fabrics, has trouble with natural conversation and reading cues but she is trying to own it. I thought Gilliland did a great job representing this throughout the story. Sky is a high functioning individual who just needs to interact with people and things a bit differently. Adam comes off as a bit of a jerk initially, but I grew to enjoy his character more as the story progressed. The two end up having excellent chemistry together.
This story felt a bit slower than the previous two books. Sky had a mystery of a secret coven that she was trying to unravel but that was very much in the background and kept being forgotten throughout the story. There just didn't seem to be as much to drive this story forward as there were in the first two books. I also love the Flores family, but they seem very scattered in this book. They do come together at times, but Sky felt very much on her own because she was very much on her own for a lot of the book. All the other members of the Flores family had valid but different priorities (new baby, new business, etc).
This was easy to read and cute and funny. I enjoyed it and think it was a decent close to this series about these magical sisters.
My Summary (4/5): Overall I liked this and thought it was a quick, cute, and fun read. It was a bit slower than the previous two books and I didn't click with Sky as a character quite as well. However, I did like learning more about Sky and watching her grow and get her happiness. I would recommend this series to those who enjoy paranormal magic with a cozy feel; all of these books have an emphasis on family and finding happiness. I will definitely keep an eye out for Gilliland's future books.
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