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Something Wicked
Witches always come in threes. For the Mallory clan, those three are Artemis, Bella, and … well, Kevin.
Disappointingly normal, Kevin has spent his life in the shadow of his siblings, one brilliant, the other staggeringly powerful. But when the killing of a witch up on Cairn Hill coincides with the arrival of a handsome stranger in their sleepy home-town, Kevin finds himself going undercover to untangle the mystery behind the murder. He knows better than to get too close to a witch-killer, but as the connection between them deepens, Kevin can't help falling under Peter's spell.
Can Kevin keep his true nature secret? Or will he give it all to a man who can destroy him?
On the trail of a rogue witch, Peter never expected to meet anyone like Kevin Mallory. He can't let himself be distracted by green eyes and strong hands; he has his duty, and his duty is everything. But as tensions wind them both to breaking point, Peter finds it harder and harder to resist what his every instinct tells him to do.
Will Peter deny temptation to do his duty? Or will he risk everything for the one thing he never knew he needed?
Disappointingly normal, Kevin has spent his life in the shadow of his siblings, one brilliant, the other staggeringly powerful. But when the killing of a witch up on Cairn Hill coincides with the arrival of a handsome stranger in their sleepy home-town, Kevin finds himself going undercover to untangle the mystery behind the murder. He knows better than to get too close to a witch-killer, but as the connection between them deepens, Kevin can't help falling under Peter's spell.
Can Kevin keep his true nature secret? Or will he give it all to a man who can destroy him?
On the trail of a rogue witch, Peter never expected to meet anyone like Kevin Mallory. He can't let himself be distracted by green eyes and strong hands; he has his duty, and his duty is everything. But as tensions wind them both to breaking point, Peter finds it harder and harder to resist what his every instinct tells him to do.
Will Peter deny temptation to do his duty? Or will he risk everything for the one thing he never knew he needed?
207 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 25, 2014
23 people are currently reading
194 people want to read
About the author
Robin Moray
12 books361 followersRobin Moray is a storyteller by nature, with a love for realistic characters in fantastical situations and men having complicated emotions. Preferably naked.
If you spot Robin in the wild, try approaching with snacks.
You can find Robin in the following places:
robinmoray.com
Amazon
Facebook: Robin's Reading Nest
therobinmoray@gmail.com
If you spot Robin in the wild, try approaching with snacks.
You can find Robin in the following places:
robinmoray.com
Amazon
Facebook: Robin's Reading Nest
therobinmoray@gmail.com
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
November 25, 2022
Well, I wrote a more thorough review and Goodreads lost it, so I'll just say that this is an especially sweet take on enemies-to-lovers. Kevin and Peter are adrift and alone in different & complementary ways; when they work out how they fit together, that resolution turns out not only to leave them with a home and a purpose but to open up life for a young witch named Daemon who has spent most of the book running for his life from the real villain.
I enjoyed this a whole lot, and I hope RM gets sufficient readerly encouragement to give us a sequel, as she hints she may. I want to know what's next for Daemon, and I'm also crossing my fingers that Artie (as RM suggests) eventually gets the point of sex and romance.
Speaking of sex -- A Collar for His Brat and His Boy Next Door were my gateway R.J. Moray drugs and two of my proofs to unbelievers that explicit writing about sex is as good a way as any other of revealing character. Something Wicked has much less sex, but what there is, as someone says in an old movie, is choice.
I enjoyed this a whole lot, and I hope RM gets sufficient readerly encouragement to give us a sequel, as she hints she may. I want to know what's next for Daemon, and I'm also crossing my fingers that Artie (as RM suggests) eventually gets the point of sex and romance.
Speaking of sex -- A Collar for His Brat and His Boy Next Door were my gateway R.J. Moray drugs and two of my proofs to unbelievers that explicit writing about sex is as good a way as any other of revealing character. Something Wicked has much less sex, but what there is, as someone says in an old movie, is choice.
January 3, 2019
Charming (ha) and entertaining
It’s always a good sign when I end a book and immediately wish there were more (and who knows, maybe there will be a sequel someday - a girl can dream!).
This book did such a good job depicting the pull between forbidden lovers - even if one of them was rather more aware of why they shouldn’t be together than the other at first. i loved the description of magic, and the characters were all very distinct and (mostly) lovable.
This story wasn’t as funny as Changed by the same author, but I enjoyed it a lot nonetheless and would love a continuation, either of these characters or a certain side one or two.
It’s always a good sign when I end a book and immediately wish there were more (and who knows, maybe there will be a sequel someday - a girl can dream!).
This book did such a good job depicting the pull between forbidden lovers - even if one of them was rather more aware of why they shouldn’t be together than the other at first. i loved the description of magic, and the characters were all very distinct and (mostly) lovable.
This story wasn’t as funny as Changed by the same author, but I enjoyed it a lot nonetheless and would love a continuation, either of these characters or a certain side one or two.
December 30, 2021
Blue Light Special ~~ Freebie.. Amazon 12/19/21
Well that was just blah...
Its not "The Boy Next Door" or "A Collar for His Brat".. Not even close. I was thinking that an author who can write psychologically provoking BDSM romance as the afore named series might have throw some spice into this PNR... Nope.. its a bland work in the bedroom but the story kept me interested.
Kevin isn't quite a dud in the witch category but he might as well be. He barely stirs the ether. But that all changes when a warlock comes to town with a witch-hunter in hot pursuit. Peter is a witch-hunter tracking the warlock who killed his partner. Witches are getting burned up in magical hot spots.... but that isn't stopping Kevin from deciding he likes what he sees in Peter..
Well that was just blah...
Its not "The Boy Next Door" or "A Collar for His Brat".. Not even close. I was thinking that an author who can write psychologically provoking BDSM romance as the afore named series might have throw some spice into this PNR... Nope.. its a bland work in the bedroom but the story kept me interested.
Kevin isn't quite a dud in the witch category but he might as well be. He barely stirs the ether. But that all changes when a warlock comes to town with a witch-hunter in hot pursuit. Peter is a witch-hunter tracking the warlock who killed his partner. Witches are getting burned up in magical hot spots.... but that isn't stopping Kevin from deciding he likes what he sees in Peter..
January 5, 2023
I’m onto the next stage of my RJ Moray completist adventures! All I think I have left is shifters (maybe), aliens (….maybe?) and omegas (yikes, idk if I can do it).
And how were the witches? Good! I’m not a huge paranormal romance fan bc tbh it tends to feel like a very generic subgenre to me. Not usually enough detail in the magic/worldbuilding for my personal preferences. This book is not really an exception to that but it was still cute and pretty enjoyable.
I’m also reading another (far worse) paranormal romance right now and maybe that helped because this one looks genius by comparison - or that one looks really really bad haha. For example, I didn’t love the witch hunter’s voice in this book - lots of old-timey lingo and “Mercy!” which is not really my vibe. But in comparison to that other book, where I fully couldn’t tell the difference between POVs…. Moray’s characterization is (as usual) so great and specific. I think if you DO enjoy books in this subgenre, you will really enjoy this one!
And how were the witches? Good! I’m not a huge paranormal romance fan bc tbh it tends to feel like a very generic subgenre to me. Not usually enough detail in the magic/worldbuilding for my personal preferences. This book is not really an exception to that but it was still cute and pretty enjoyable.
I’m also reading another (far worse) paranormal romance right now and maybe that helped because this one looks genius by comparison - or that one looks really really bad haha. For example, I didn’t love the witch hunter’s voice in this book - lots of old-timey lingo and “Mercy!” which is not really my vibe. But in comparison to that other book, where I fully couldn’t tell the difference between POVs…. Moray’s characterization is (as usual) so great and specific. I think if you DO enjoy books in this subgenre, you will really enjoy this one!
January 22, 2016
I loved this story and it's characters. It would be great to see Artemis get his own story and Bella needs someone, too. After Daemon gets a couple of years older, his story would be great, also. Kevin was adorable with his sense of humor and need to ask a lot of questions. Peter was a sweetheart.
July 5, 2018
It could have been the book to end my current reading-slump. Started as the right charming fluff, a delightful easy summer tale placed in a small town somewhere in the woods. The MC innocent and sweet is one third of a family coven of witches, more interested in reliable science than messy magic. Surely because he has nearly none and is more the necessary link between his powerful siblings because as anyone knows witches always come in three. There is a snotty and strong villain every drag queen would be delighted to play that part if she would be in her gothic phase and then there is the witch hunter with his tragic past who can't keep his hands of our hero. So the setup was promising, the characters excentric but loving and it was quickly clear that it was angst-free and the sweetness nearly never crossed the small line into saccharine.
So why only 3 stars? As much as I enjoyed the characters and the setup and to a certain degree even the concept of magic (took a bit much space) I had my issues with the romance. Still can't see the need for the insta-love and often enough the age gap between Kevin and Peter felt bigger than it should. There was a conncetion between those 2 and it was strong but I'm still not sure if it was love ... but maybe that's the reading-slump talking because in the end this book didn't help to end it.
So why only 3 stars? As much as I enjoyed the characters and the setup and to a certain degree even the concept of magic (took a bit much space) I had my issues with the romance. Still can't see the need for the insta-love and often enough the age gap between Kevin and Peter felt bigger than it should. There was a conncetion between those 2 and it was strong but I'm still not sure if it was love ... but maybe that's the reading-slump talking because in the end this book didn't help to end it.
April 21, 2022
I hope she's still got another story planned for this universe. I know it's been a while since this came out, but I'd be happy to read more!
October 27, 2022
This was a fun, easy read after a darker book that took me a while to finish. I liked the magical elements in Something Wicked, as well as the conflict between the MCs' feelings and their identity (one's a witch and the other's a witch hunter). Kevin and Peter were cute together. I also liked the relationship between Kevin and his siblings, especially his sister. I'm just sad that there's no more books for this story. The author's note at the end suggested that this would be a series, the next book being another character's journey a few years later, but that was back in 2014... I'll be very happy if it eventually comes out, but I won't be holding my breath.
March 9, 2015
I enjoyed this story immensely. Once I started reading, I could not put it down. The concept was well done, magic mixed in with our modern times, I would definitely like to see more of this world!
December 7, 2014
Oooh, I quite liked this. I love stories with supernatural themes and this one was a nice change from all the shifters and vampires (I love those, don't get me wrong, but variety is nice!).
October 12, 2015
Surprisingly good story of a family of three witches and the people they attract.
February 22, 2019
Liked this a lot: the characters, the concept, the struggles, the family dynamics. Interesting and I cared.
January 16, 2022
While I enjoyed Kevin and his coven, I found Peter not overly likeable and the plot with the warlock was a bit weak.
The biggest issue for me though, was the editing.
There are words randomly capitalized in the middle of sentence, while plenty of sentences start with lowercases.
The quotation marks often faced the wrong way at the beginning of sentences, due to formatting and the author’s love of the em-dash.
Ex. —” That vs — “That
It made it confusing at times to follow the dialogue, as the author liked to break up a sentence into two parts within a paragraph.
One other thing that I found jarring was the italics. However the author was italicizing obviously called for closing the word(s) with asterisks. Obviously it wasn’t being done correctly rather often, as there would be entire sentences, paragraphs or even pages in italics, and then an asterisk, often followed by a word that reads like it should be in italics, but obviously isn’t because it wasn’t formatted properly.
Ex. And I’ll *listen to her, he promised the powers that be, *For a while half an hour, just let me get out of here *now, please.*
The biggest issue for me though, was the editing.
There are words randomly capitalized in the middle of sentence, while plenty of sentences start with lowercases.
The quotation marks often faced the wrong way at the beginning of sentences, due to formatting and the author’s love of the em-dash.
Ex. —” That vs — “That
It made it confusing at times to follow the dialogue, as the author liked to break up a sentence into two parts within a paragraph.
One other thing that I found jarring was the italics. However the author was italicizing obviously called for closing the word(s) with asterisks. Obviously it wasn’t being done correctly rather often, as there would be entire sentences, paragraphs or even pages in italics, and then an asterisk, often followed by a word that reads like it should be in italics, but obviously isn’t because it wasn’t formatted properly.
Ex. And I’ll *listen to her, he promised the powers that be, *For a while half an hour, just let me get out of here *now, please.*
May 13, 2023
Hmm. Well, this wasn’t what I expected. I mean, I guessed from other reviews that the cover was misleading and it was more plot than romance, but it was really just unexpected. Kind of sad, honestly.
I didn’t actually get much chemistry from Kevin and Peter. Kevin is a god character that I related to a bit too much (like way too much and maybe that’s why the ending had me in tears… because that’s me, but without a Peter). But romantically? It’s like they went from vague attraction straight to being desperate for each other, and I didn’t quite get the connection.
I liked the magic in this book and the idea of how covens worked etc, though I admit I felt confused at times. Like the world building was rich but my grasp of it was just out of reach. The stakes were overall a bit lower than I expected too. The big reveal was smoothed over so easily, and the final battle even felt low-stakes somehow. I don’t know. Just, not exciting?
Anyway. I felt that whole being-replaced thing too hard. That’s my own issue I should take back to therapy. Gotta go read something much smuttier now and shut off my emotions.
I didn’t actually get much chemistry from Kevin and Peter. Kevin is a god character that I related to a bit too much (like way too much and maybe that’s why the ending had me in tears… because that’s me, but without a Peter). But romantically? It’s like they went from vague attraction straight to being desperate for each other, and I didn’t quite get the connection.
I liked the magic in this book and the idea of how covens worked etc, though I admit I felt confused at times. Like the world building was rich but my grasp of it was just out of reach. The stakes were overall a bit lower than I expected too. The big reveal was smoothed over so easily, and the final battle even felt low-stakes somehow. I don’t know. Just, not exciting?
Anyway. I felt that whole being-replaced thing too hard. That’s my own issue I should take back to therapy. Gotta go read something much smuttier now and shut off my emotions.
June 11, 2021
This was truly a little gem. Quick, super sweet and with an unpredictable (in most ways) plot containing witches, a warlock and a witch-hunter.
It might be the ultimate enemies-to-lovers scenario; Kevin is a witch – albeit a very weak one – and Peter is the witch-hunter who arrives in Kevin’s hometown hunting for a witch who murdered his mentor.
It's an adorable story and it just made me happy.
It is very short however, and displays some novella characteristics. There’s the jump right into action without a proper backstory, there’s the fast pace, and there’s the very limited character development. But the story is so utterly delightful, those things doesn’t really matter. And I enjoyed this read immensely.
Usually I like my books to be more raunchy, and the man-lovin’ in Something Wicked was mostly sweet, but for this story it was perfect.
I just wished this book had been longer.
Highly recommend.
https://reflectionsofaswedishgirl.blo...
It might be the ultimate enemies-to-lovers scenario; Kevin is a witch – albeit a very weak one – and Peter is the witch-hunter who arrives in Kevin’s hometown hunting for a witch who murdered his mentor.
It's an adorable story and it just made me happy.
It is very short however, and displays some novella characteristics. There’s the jump right into action without a proper backstory, there’s the fast pace, and there’s the very limited character development. But the story is so utterly delightful, those things doesn’t really matter. And I enjoyed this read immensely.
Usually I like my books to be more raunchy, and the man-lovin’ in Something Wicked was mostly sweet, but for this story it was perfect.
I just wished this book had been longer.
Highly recommend.
https://reflectionsofaswedishgirl.blo...
January 6, 2022
3.5? 4? who knows.
whyyYY do some romance writers insist on using obnoxiously sexualized pictures for stories that are much more about other things.
like, i would not recommend this to someone looking for a "sex book," whatever that is -- i *would*, however, recommend it for its magic worldbuilding and quiet charm and slow-burn romance between people who really shouldn't be drawn to each other... like, it's a fairly short book, only 60k, so it didn't have room to fully explore the wrestling with unspecialness and own identity within complex sibling dynamics that were clearly present in the book (or that much development for the siblings themselves, which I assume was forthcoming in the sequels that never materialized), but it packed a surprising amount of action and feels and fantasy within that space, more than some of others of similar length.
i enjoyed it, and i quite wish those sequels had come to fruition, though i suppose it's been long enough to guess that they won't
whyyYY do some romance writers insist on using obnoxiously sexualized pictures for stories that are much more about other things.
like, i would not recommend this to someone looking for a "sex book," whatever that is -- i *would*, however, recommend it for its magic worldbuilding and quiet charm and slow-burn romance between people who really shouldn't be drawn to each other... like, it's a fairly short book, only 60k, so it didn't have room to fully explore the wrestling with unspecialness and own identity within complex sibling dynamics that were clearly present in the book (or that much development for the siblings themselves, which I assume was forthcoming in the sequels that never materialized), but it packed a surprising amount of action and feels and fantasy within that space, more than some of others of similar length.
i enjoyed it, and i quite wish those sequels had come to fruition, though i suppose it's been long enough to guess that they won't
November 2, 2022
Good Story, More Editing Needed
First off, the cover of this didn't really fit with the book at all. Sure there were some spicy scenes (read 1) but the cover is over sexualized for the story itself.
The story was great! It didn't feel like a true enemies to lovers per say bit it sort of was. The magic system was very interesting. The two main characters were sweet and kind of oblivious.
What stopped this from being a 4 star read for me was the sheer amount of grammatical errors. Between the absurd unnecessary use of * and the incorrect form of " it just seemed this book could have spent a little longer with an editor. Also there were multiple instances of random capital letters in the middle of sentences.
First off, the cover of this didn't really fit with the book at all. Sure there were some spicy scenes (read 1) but the cover is over sexualized for the story itself.
The story was great! It didn't feel like a true enemies to lovers per say bit it sort of was. The magic system was very interesting. The two main characters were sweet and kind of oblivious.
What stopped this from being a 4 star read for me was the sheer amount of grammatical errors. Between the absurd unnecessary use of * and the incorrect form of " it just seemed this book could have spent a little longer with an editor. Also there were multiple instances of random capital letters in the middle of sentences.
May 24, 2019
Robin Moray is my most recent author to explore and I was only slightly disappointed with this read. The blurb made me hopeful for a redemptive moment where the protagonist discovers they are stronger than they thought but unfortunately Kevin was stale from beginning to end. After reading "Changed: Mated to the Alien Alpha", I was excited to explore her other books and found that this story did not measure up. Also, the voice of Peter changed about halfway through the book which I found distracting.
The sex scenes were PG.
The sex scenes were PG.
December 24, 2020
Ok. I really had a hard time getting through this. I have read other books by this author and thoroughly enjoyed, but there is a struggle in the writing when it moves to a different genre like paranormal and alien. Pieces are mentioned about the world building and then dropped. This particular made a suggestion to things about both main male characters and then it went no where. What was the point. Plus the editing was less then desired. In the end world building is just not her thing so far. Bummer I like MM romances in the Sci-Fi setting or paranormal.
January 18, 2022
Poor Kevin and Peter.
Both just want to belong and be wanted and loved.
Both feel trapped by their situations.
There's lying to protect others and themselves as well as unintentional misunderstandings.
Bella was so sweet and guilt ridden and Artemis came off as a pompous know it all but then we got a glimpse into his true self and I actually felt sorry for the jerk.
Daewo is so young to have been so damaged.
I can't wait for him to grow up and turn Artemis's world upside down when he truly realizes what being in love is and how painful it can be.
Both just want to belong and be wanted and loved.
Both feel trapped by their situations.
There's lying to protect others and themselves as well as unintentional misunderstandings.
Bella was so sweet and guilt ridden and Artemis came off as a pompous know it all but then we got a glimpse into his true self and I actually felt sorry for the jerk.
Daewo is so young to have been so damaged.
I can't wait for him to grow up and turn Artemis's world upside down when he truly realizes what being in love is and how painful it can be.
February 24, 2022
I liked this, but it's the only book I've read by Moray that dragged a bit. I like slow burn, but that's not really what this is, there's just so much world building and background that the romance gets kind of lost. I do love Kevin and Peter and all the side characters and I'd love to see more of them. This just needs tighter editing. As always her characters give me all the best, fuzzy feelings.
July 29, 2019
Love this book.
The characters are lively and diverse. The world building is interesting. This story is fun, and funny and sweet. Nice HEA. This author never disappoints.
My only complaint is all the italics. It's kind of overkill. I'm sure the readers can figure out what to emphasize. But otherwise the editing is pretty good. Nothing too disruptive.
All in all I loved it!
The characters are lively and diverse. The world building is interesting. This story is fun, and funny and sweet. Nice HEA. This author never disappoints.
My only complaint is all the italics. It's kind of overkill. I'm sure the readers can figure out what to emphasize. But otherwise the editing is pretty good. Nothing too disruptive.
All in all I loved it!
December 29, 2021
I really like RM's writing, and some of her other works are 4-star or 5-star reads, but this particular title wasn't quite for me. A little too slow. A little too much focus on the MC's siblings when I didn't really like either of them.
January 8, 2022
Way too much plot to romance and the world building really didn’t engage me. The most important relationships in this where the family relationships and I just didn’t care about them enough to make this book worthwhile.
April 19, 2019
Really interesting concept here and I really liked the characters and the whole premise. Charming, enjoyable, and entertaining!
February 11, 2020
I loved this! Kevin was a sweetheart, and all the witch-hunting stuff was exciting, and there wasn't too much world building - just enough. Also the stuff with the birds was hilarious. So good!
January 13, 2022
Ok
It was ok I liked it not my favorite book in the world I don't under stand the magic system.
It was ok I liked it not my favorite book in the world I don't under stand the magic system.
Read
June 2, 2022I liked Kevin and Peter and this wasn’t a bad story it just doesn’t compare to “changed” though. 😅
November 12, 2015
To be fair: The story was good.
The characters were well written.
There wasn't much drama and angst.
And yet, and yet. I skipped. A lot.
The first half of the book made go nuts: unfinished sentences, and and and and and. Read the book and you'll get it. It irritated me as hell. Thoughts were all around the place, things were repeated, left out or simply happened?
I read on and it got better - slightly. I mean, I didn't care about the warlock anylonger, or the coven... the pairing, however, was *sweet*. They, at least, felt real. And they're my reason for 2.5 stars, the rest is for an interesting new concept of witches and a good storyline that was ruined because of the lack of an editor.
The characters were well written.
There wasn't much drama and angst.
And yet, and yet. I skipped. A lot.
The first half of the book made go nuts: unfinished sentences, and and and and and. Read the book and you'll get it. It irritated me as hell. Thoughts were all around the place, things were repeated, left out or simply happened?
I read on and it got better - slightly. I mean, I didn't care about the warlock anylonger, or the coven... the pairing, however, was *sweet*. They, at least, felt real. And they're my reason for 2.5 stars, the rest is for an interesting new concept of witches and a good storyline that was ruined because of the lack of an editor.
October 30, 2015
Witches, witch hunters, warlocks, oh my. I have never read this author before but I will be keeping an eye out for more. Kevin is hard not to like, you just want to wrap him up in a hug and let him know how much power he really has. Peter's certainty that all witches are evil will definitely try your patience but we all have lessons to learn, how Peter and Kevin come to terms with the truths makes for a very good story. I didn't really think I was going to like Artemis too much at first but he proves to be a better brother than I expected. Throw in the evil warlock and boy is this a great addition to your paranormal reading.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews