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The Witch's Bestiary #3

Island Storm: A Fast-paced Humorous Urban Fantasy Book

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Unicorn poop, a fake romance, and a deadly murder. What could possibly go wrong?

My name is Alicia Stormwell. By day, I run The Bestiary, a nonprofit that saves and rehabilitates legendary critters. By night, I don my witch’s hat and battle the dark underworld of supernatural animal traffickers.

When the sanitation ward at The Bestiary breaks, I find myself buried in unicorn waste and facing financial disaster.
That is, until sexy vampire Detective Reed offers a pretend to be his girlfriend at his sister’s wedding on Bloodthorne Island, and he’ll make a life-saving donation to The Bestiary.

But things go from awkward to terrifying when the castle’s housekeeper turns up dead, and now Reed and I are forced to team up to solve the murder before the killer comes for us.

Can we solve the case, or will our fake romance be our last?

The Witch's Bestiary
· Witches, Werewolves, and Vampires
· Hidden magic and a magical underworld
· A slow-burn / RH romance
· Fantastic creatures
· A badass female main character with snark and humor

216 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 25, 2025

181 people are currently reading
22 people want to read

About the author

Evangeline Hunter

10 books10 followers

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
Profile Image for Kitty Maeral.
49 reviews
September 26, 2025
Read: September 2025
Rating: 4 Stars

~I received an Advanced Reader Copy of Island Storm in exchange for a review~

Alicia Stormwell is back in the third book in this series and the first chapter drops us immediately in the action of it all as she goes on another raid to free some trapped and trafficked beasties, but this time there’s more security than she plans on but she ends up getting helped by a mysterious woman smelling like lilacs that doesn’t tell her who she is or why she’s helping but Alicia takes the help anyway since it helps saving the little creature.

I immediately had some ideas but I have to admit that they were not correct and going for something completely different than what it turned out to be, so boo for me!


After that she ends up coming home to aunt Lydia and being incredibly unappreciative over a lovely durian cheesecake (I'd have more problems with the cheesecake part of it since I can’t have milk but durian is yum!) but then they both are like “wait, there’s more than just the durian smell that’s stinky and it ends up being her waste disposal room ward, which requires a pretty pricey fix that eats up everything she has and puts it on a precipice of “oh damn, am I going to make it” .

But worry not, since hotty macvampsy pants is here!
Detective Adam Reed comes over to ask her the favour of arranging a pair of impundulu birds to do a fly over an this sister’s wedding since theirs fell through at the last moment, Alicia being Alicia doesn’t want to but the money he offers in return is exactly what she needs to keep the sanctuary afloat a bit longer just to be hit with the “hey so also you need to pretend to be my girlfriend”

Honestly, I love a fake dating scheme so I was totally on board with this little twist but Alicia isn’t until Reed offers her so much money for her beasties that she could help them without stressing all the time so, she agrees to the scheme and off we go baby!

The island setting was a really fun stage for this book and I liked the idea of them all semi trapped together.
Reed’s ex fiancé Eveline is , well, not the nicest and tries to forcefully get in between them , Reed’s mother is vampire queen and is in favour of Reed and the ex fiancé getting back together and distrustful of Adam Reed and Alicia’s relationship, which all together makes it a difficult stage for Alicia to manage, especially when one of the people in charge of the island getaway turns up dead.

This is the start of our mystery of this book and I really don’t want to spoil anything that happens after that point.

I liked it a lot, more than book 2 honestly , but most second books in series tend to suffer a bit of the second book syndrome and that’s fine, but this one opened up a bunch of questions and tension again and I can’t wait to read the next one!
Profile Image for James Lear.
3 reviews
September 29, 2025
This book is a do not miss. The first two books were fantastic but this is the book where everything just slots together and the series fully finds its feet.

Previous characters we have been introduced to are given a chance to shine as we are now aware of their intricacies through the various interactions in the previous two books.

The book starts with Alicia rescuing mystical creature to be placed within the safety of the Bestiary. Of course things go south quickly during the rescue, and Alicia finds herself being rescued by a mysterious woman, whom emerges from a portal, and then leaves via a portal with no explanation as to her motives for being there of helping.

Back at the Bestiary, once the new rescue has been secured, a failed ward and its immediate need to be repaired leaves Alicia in a huge financial black hole that could spell the end of the Bestiary.
Enter our favourite vampire, Detective Reed. Along with a request that Alicia supply a couple of vampire birds for his sisters wedding, he also requests Alicia pose as his fake girl friend, to keep his mother off of his case and having her trying to set him up again with his ex.

New well developed characters are introduced, existing characters are refined and interact in a deep and realistic manner.

The new location this book is set is fantastic and suits perfectly. Again there is a mystery to solve and it is handled in natural, believable and well thought-out manner.

The romance is also on point and feels natural and not forced.

This book is a power house, the story is on a whole new level compared to the previous two books that were both excellent, the interactions and interpersonal development between the characters is neither forced or shy. The results of the events in this book will be felt dramatically in the future and I personally can not wait to watch it unfold.

Once I started reading this book, I could not put it down. This book grabs you from the first scene and does not let you go. A totally enjoyable experience in going through this story and one i would recommend to anyone.

Disclaimer - I was provided this as an ARC and provide this review voluntarily and without compensation. The views expressed above are 100% my own.
14 reviews1 follower
November 11, 2025
Not sure?

Skip if you don't want plot details from book 2 or 3***
So both book 2 & 3 have a different feel than book 1 and I'm not sure how I feel about it. I don't mind complicated characters but I also don't enjoy ridiculous drama. Book 2 I wasn't sure how I felt about Kyle's story line.. you took a shy farm boy with a possible crush & a good friendship to jumping into having sex, revealing feelings & upset she didn't immediately tell him something (non romantic) & fussing at her no secrets - to him purposely keeping a secret from her about a situation relationship (on/off again GF back home). I feel like he should've definitely been honest before they had sex & most definitely after. It kind of did him dirty plot wise & did their friendship a disservice. Then he goes back home.
You roll into book 3 to discover he's been gone a bit days/weeks with no reply to her text/calls. Fast forward & she starts a relationship with the detective & says she wants to explore it/they equally do. She gets home & there's Kyle waiting. He says he broke up with the GF & wants to start something with her & instead of being honest, she lies/rolls with it. Is she in a committed monogamous relationship with the detective? Undetermined. But I think she needs to be honest with both of she's dating both. I don't mind poly but be honest, hate ridiculous drama in stories. Feel like it takes away from the rest of the story line. Guess we'll see where this leads.
433 reviews1 follower
September 20, 2025
So, Kyle is gone. If you don't know who Kyle is, please read Midnight Storm, the second book in the Witch's Bestiary series.
The book starts with Alicia having major plumbing issues in the Bestiary. Of course there is only one plumber who can help her and. Well we know how much plumbers charge in this world so imagine what Alicia's bill is! She needs money to keep the Bestiary going. Money for rent, food, plumber's bills, and everything else that can go wrong.
Enter Detective Adam Reed. Yes, he did just enter at that precise time. And boy does he have an offer for her! His sister Sophia is getting married and she wants lightening birds released at her wedding. And guess who knows where a pair of lightening birds is located. And Adam will pay for the birds and their handler. A lot. Then there's the little problem of Adam needing a plus one. Yes. Lots more money. How can Alicia say no?
So witch Alicia and vampire Adam and two lightening birds and Adam's vampire ex and the rest of Adam's family find themselves at a vampire wedding on an island with a forest of monsters. What can possibly go wrong? Let your imagination go wild and you still won't come up with what happens! Romance, fighting, evil vampires, monsters and a cast load of other characters make this book as fun and exciting to read as the other two in the series.
I loved it and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Profile Image for Kelly-Ann McFern.
504 reviews17 followers
October 25, 2025
Still a nice read, although my previous remarks about the series still stands. I wish the magical creatures had a bigger place in the story. I wish we could see Alicia taking care of them and how she runs The Bestiary. We only get glimpses and I wish we got more. Using the Impundulu birds as a means to get money also made my eyebrow rise. I know she's a non-profit and she needs money to run The Bestiary, but something about it just didn't make sense. She raises creatures that have been abused and tortured, but she has no qualms about using them for The Bestiary?

Apart from that, the story does flow effortlessly. It's a nice little read with almost no slow moments. Romance also has a bigger place in here with Reed. It's okay, not bad, but not entirely believable. I'm not sure I enjoy their pairing. The murder mystery and investigation is pretty standard and I already had a feeling of who was the murderer. I found Alicia a bit naive when she saw the symbol of The Velvet Claw and doesn't have any clue of what it is (girl you've been seeing it for the past two books).

It's still a nice read overall, but I'm waiting for that bigger spark that,s starting to fall short a bit. On to the next!
1,307 reviews4 followers
September 11, 2025
Now that Kyle has gone home, Alicia is back to her usual routine of taking care of the Bestiary. She starts out by rescuing a Camahueto from a bunch of Nagas and in turn being rescued by a mysterious woman who helps her out.
But she’s hurting for money to keep things going and when there is a problem with the magical waste disposal, she’s not sure what to do. Detective Reed to the rescue? – he offers a huge donation to the Bestiary if she will pretend to be his girlfriend at his sister’s upcoming wedding. He wants to hire two of her creatures -the lightening birds for the ceremony.
Sounds easy but it is anything but. Reed’s mother is basically a snob, his ex wants him back and there is a murder.
Just a normal day for all involved.
This has a mystery, some action, romance, surprises and humour.
This is an easy, quick read that is fun but with some darker spots.
Alicia gets more interesting with each book and as does Reed.
So far this is a great series.
78 reviews4 followers
October 9, 2025
I was hooked from the very first pages. This book had everything I love about the series: a mystical animal rescue, a battle, and a mysterious new character.

We follow Alicia and Adam Reed in a fake dating adventure for the wedding of Adam’s sister, Sophia. I’ve loved Adam since Book 1, and I was thrilled to see him again in this story. Their chemistry is absolutely sizzling!

I really appreciated how, despite the book being only 184 pages long, the new characters—like Fiona and Eveline—were still well-developed and easy to connect with even if I didn't loved them at first sight.

Of course, there’s a mystery to solve, filled with plenty of twists and turns. I was genuinely surprised by the identity of the culprit, although I did guess who the mysterious character was from her very first appearance.

The stage is perfectly set for the next book, Dragon Storm, which I absolutely can’t wait to read
Profile Image for Mariah DJ.
60 reviews1 follower
September 12, 2025
When you’re looking for a fantasy/romance/mystery that cleanses your palate—light, easy to read, yet keeps you on your toes—this is it. Island Storm has it all: witches, vampires, werewolves, magic, and just the right touch of murder mystery. The FMC and MMC team up (and clash) while trying to solve the case, which made the story even more engaging.

Books 1–3 in this series are each around 200 pages, the perfect length to devour in a single sitting—and Island Storm is no different. While struggling to piece herself back together, Alicia takes on a “fate dare” for an acquaintance, and what unfolds is equal parts fun, surprising, and heartwarming.

This book made me smile, laugh, and gasp in all the right places. I’m so grateful to receive this ARC. Highly recommend diving into this series!
Profile Image for Sandra.
3,347 reviews12 followers
October 8, 2025
This is the strongest (and my favourite) of the series so far. In this one we have Alicia agreeing to be vampire cop Adam's fake date/girlfriend to his sister's wedding to save him from the match-making schemes of his vampire mother and ex, in return for sufficient funds to fix the Bestiary's broken sewage ward. Naturally nothing goes according to plan and there are mysterious creatures, a dead body, kidnappings and some unexpectedly real feelings before the weekend is over. There is a surprise visitor for Alicia at the end, that will make the next book interesting but I am dreading what the return of Kyle will likely do to the budding new relationship with Adam.

I received an ARC but all views expressed are my own
Profile Image for Cindy.
97 reviews2 followers
October 11, 2025
Another great installment in this series

This is Book 3 in the urban fantasy series about Alicia, a mediocre witch with kickass martial arts skills who runs a magical animal rescue program. The books are technically stand alone adventures, but the personal stories of the characters continue to develop from book to book, so I would recommend reading them in order, even if there are no cliffhangers. One of my favorite things about this series is how diverse the supernatural creatures are. The author pulls from every mythical base for rescue creatures and supernatural inhabitants of NYC- everything from kitsunes to unicorns, thunderbirds to dragons, nagas to rakshasas; it makes for a really interesting story.
Profile Image for Penny.
3,127 reviews85 followers
September 20, 2025
While I’ve really enjoyed this series so far, I think that this latest is my favorite so far. Our gal Alicia is convinced to play fake girlfriend to Reed…er, uh, Adam, and of course, chaos ensues. I love how much fun this latest addition to the series is, and there is a huge, huge surprise in this one at the end that I DID NOT see coming. I was really stunned. Anyway, fans of this series will be blown away by this latest, and I can’t wait for this newest surprise to play out. Fun, engaging, and well worth reading. Highly recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
Profile Image for Itty Biti Book Nook.
38 reviews1 follower
September 21, 2025
Alicia is back with Detective Reed and this time she agrees to go with him to his sister’s wedding posing as his girlfriend. What is supposed to be a festive weekend turns sour when the housekeeper turns up unalived, clawed to shreds. In the midst of the madness of the investigation, Alicia and Reed slowly transition from fake relationship to real relationship.

Finally!!! I’ve been impatiently waiting for Alicia and Reed to get together and it finally happens! I loved watching their relationship develop! The storyline in this one was really interesting and there were a couple of twists that I definitely wasn’t expecting! But that cliffhanger?! Ugh! I need book 4 like yesterday!
7 reviews
September 15, 2025
Oh My Goodness!! If you thought the second book in this series is Great, Hold On ! Its about to get WILD!! Our Girl Alicia gets into some sticky situations in this book, (Not gonna spoil it for you!)
But let me say there is a bit of Romance, a Wedding (HUH?) and of course a MURDER!! And then it gets FREAKY!! You will Burn through this book, I'm going back and rereading them all again! I went through this book in 1 day! Its that good!
I received an ARC copy of this book.
27 reviews1 follower
October 23, 2025
Evangeline Hunter does not disappoint! This was a fabulously intriguing Bestiary addition. Love the twists and turns, making this feel like a magical murder mystery. Alicia is a strong witch FMC, who is much more than she appears. Going as a plus-one to her vampire Detective friend's sister's wedding turns out to be an adventure neither expected. Mystery, murder, magical creatures, romance...this has it all.
Profile Image for Samanta Simão.
58 reviews6 followers
September 15, 2025
Alicia strikes a deal to save the Bestiary that doesn’t seem all that difficult at first glance. But what seemed like just a few sunny days on an island — mere moments of pretending for Reed’s family — turns into a chain of events she never imagined facing, involving people she never expected to meet or see again.
9 reviews
November 16, 2025
I actually thought the books were doing great and had a great momentum going. then the relationships and intimate scenes start to get pretty complicated and outside of things I want to read. while maybe that is ok for some audiences, it really was sad to run into this once invested into the story.
This book was ok and had no scenes, the next fair warning.
Profile Image for Angela.
3,527 reviews16 followers
Read
September 24, 2025
Alicia just can't seem to get a break! What she thought would be a simple, holiday-style task that could help support the Beastiary turned into so much more. Murder, mayhem, a very sexy vampire detective, and a family that just doesn't know how to play nice.
112 reviews3 followers
September 26, 2025
This is my favourite book in the series so far. The banter between characters is brilliant and really shows the writers skill and humour. Plenty of romance and steamy bits and of course we get all the animals to fall in love with. Wonderful
14 reviews
October 20, 2025
absolutely fantastic!!

This series is so much fun! I love all the paranormal crazy that goes on- I’m not gonna write too much because I don’t want to ruin it for the next reader, but do yourself a favor download the series you won’t be disappointed. Can’t wait for the next book.
9 reviews
November 13, 2025
Favorite of the Series!

This is my favorite of The Witch's Bestiary series so far. The story line was captivating and kept me reading to find out what happened next. Now off to the next Dragon Storm!
14 reviews
December 16, 2025
Excellent read

The book is fast paced but not so much you can' keep up. Alicia is good, well developed character. Good heart and strong moral character. Plot lines are not straight forward but not overly complicated. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
Profile Image for Jade Bombardier.
23 reviews
September 17, 2025
oh my!!!! my favorite!!! I'd been wondering and hoping for more Detective Reed 😍 and now I'm soooo happy and what a surprise ending 😲 can't wait for the next book 🤩
Profile Image for Mel.
79 reviews27 followers
September 21, 2025
I loved this. Thanks to the author for sending me the ARC copy. I am going to buy this when it comes out.
Profile Image for Linda.
514 reviews1 follower
November 29, 2025
ooooo

I enjoyed this story. She kept us hopping. The characters are very well developed and fun to get to know. I enjoy the give and take of each of the characters.
Profile Image for Ami.
2,402 reviews14 followers
September 25, 2025
Alicia’s new nickname, Trouble, seems to be spot-on as she is a trouble-magnet! I am looking forward to reading about her next misadventures in book 4! I highly recommend the entire series to anyone interested in paranormal fiction.

Disclaimer: I received this ARC from the author and this is my honest and freely given opinion.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews

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