He’s a demon who’s given up everything to protect her. She’s a witch who’ll stop at nothing to get him back.
The Demon Forced to return to the Underworld, the once infamous and feared High Lord of Hell is now a prisoner in his own dungeon. Nox has given up everything to protect the witch he loves, but has he left Esme alone and vulnerable to their enemies?
The Witch Reeling from memories of her past life and latest betrayals, Esme must harness her new-found powers in order to save her sisters from the latest spate of witch murders. Reunited with friends that she thought she’d lost, can they help Esme to find a way to free Nox? Or will Esme be the one who needs saving?
That Damned Witch: Flames and Flowers contains triggering situations such as physical child abuse, sexual abuse, alcoholism, drug abuse, mental illness, murder, death, torture, sexual scenes, swearing.
That Damned Witch: Flames and Flowers is the second book in the series - and is a modern-day fantasy tale, set in Scotland with dark romance undertones and a splash of horror. It's way darker than the first book, so don't let the cover fool you!
I'm obsessed with this book - 5* isn't enough! The characters, especially Nox and Ink, are masterfully crafted, blending similarity and contrast in a way that's both captivating and entertaining. The twists and surprises are expertly woven throughout, from the eerie creatures lurking in the shadows to the shocking plot reveals and witch murders. Just when you think you've pieced together the puzzle, everything changes! Esme's growth is phenomenal, transforming from a sparkly, pink-loving individual to a force to be reckoned with, now boasting a bite that's just as fierce as her personality. The Edinburgh City setting adds a rich layer to the story, its ancient secrets and mysteries blending seamlessly with the narrative.
Esme's world is shattered by the memories of her past life and the pain of recent betrayals. With her newfound powers, she sets out to save her sisters from a brutal spree of witch murders. But as she reunites with old friends and meets new ones, Esme realizes that freeing Nox won't be easy - and she may be the one who needs saving the most.
Nox, once the feared High Lord of Hell, now languishes as a prisoner in his own dungeon. Eli's twisted torture methods have reduced him to a shadow of his former self. His sacrifice to protect the witch he loves may ultimately prove to be his downfall. Will leaving Esme alone prove to be a fatal mistake, or can Nox find a way to overcome the odds and emerge victorious once more? Dahlia's betrayal has only added fuel to the fire, and her newfound bloodlust threatens to destroy everything Nox holds dear.
He's a demon who's given up everything to protect her. She's a witch who'll stop at nothing to get him back.
I'd highly recommend this book to those not put off by the triggers as it is a heavy to read book the further into it you get.
I absolutely loved That Damned Witch Spells & Secrets (book 1) so I was beyond excited for Flames & Flowers and boy did it live up to my self inflicted hype 🤣 If you want a modern adult witchy/demon read with plenty of banter, a splattering of spice, a gorgeous demon-daddy, cutesy but bad ass witch and a page turning mystery this is the book for you!!
When I tell you that I LOVE the characters in this book! The character development and relationship growth throughout was *chefs kiss*.
I love Esmes growth in confidence her fierce loyalty but also her stubbornness to do what she believes is right! I love Ink ♥️ and his playful banter the fact that he’s a bit of a wind up merchant but is loyal beyond measure and would protect his own. I love Hazels unapologetically me attitude! That girl knows her attributes, uses them to her advantage and refuses to be sorry for being herself nor allows anyone to apologise for being them either, And Nox… well… what can I say.. if I could bring to life my book boyfriends, flames and flowers show cases the more vulnerable side of our Nox and I was totally down for that!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
⭐Spoiler Free Summary⭐ With this book we explore into who is mutilating the remaining witches and we take a trip down under to do a quick search and rescue.
⭐Vibes⭐ This sequel beautifully fills in the gaps left from the first book, answering lingering questions while diving deeper into the pasts of Knox and other key characters. The exploration of their childhoods—especially the glimpse into the villain’s—was absolutely heartbreaking. That part hit the hardest for me, shining a raw light on how untreated trauma can shape someone in devastating ways.
The ending was another emotional gut punch. If you’ve ever lost someone close, those final chapters may feel heavy, but in the best kind of cathartic way.
What stood out most, though, was the FMC’s journey with self-worth. Her struggles felt real and relatable, but the author set such a hopeful tone through Knox’s role—not as her entire source of happiness, but as someone who contributes to it. That message was powerful: your partner should add to your joy, not define it.
This book weaves together themes of love, growth, forgiveness, and resilience. Watching the FMC learn to forgive not only herself but others, and then rise stronger because of it, was inspiring.
And yes—on a lighter note—I loved that we got snippets of each character from book one. It made the world feel whole again.
I adored book 1, Spells & Secrets, so unsurprisingly I loved this book as well.
It's giving sass & banter, hellish AND witchy lore, grumpy/sunshine (through two separate duos), Salem the cat as a human (but so much better), monsters & magic, sweeping romance, and satisfying mystery.
I LOVED Esme & Nox, and watching their bond strengthen through the book. His unwavering support of her made me feel some kind of wonderful way.
Ink and Hazel? Chef's kiss. Goddess, please give me more!
I knew generally how it would end (we all need our HEAs), but I truly didn't know how it was going to get there until it did.
If you're looking for a spooky season read in a duology, this is a perfect choice.
I'm not one who normally reads fantasy books but I was recommended book 1 by the author through a shameless (and welcomed) plug on Threads and I immediately purchased book 2 as soon as it was available. A good story mixing tension, love and humour along with a cast of fantastic characters (I'd like a Delores spin off please) made this, like book 1 difficult to put down. Highly recommend regardless of what your reading preferences may be
Just as wonderful as the first book in the series. I still loved the characters from the previous one but fell in love with so many more. Both the characters and the unfolding mystery kept me reading when I really should have taken a break. Couldn’t recommend it enough, and if you like contemporary fantasy, mystery or romantasy (there’s even a hint of horror snuck in there), you’ll love it too.
After the first one, I could not wait to get my hands on the second one. When I tell you I RAN to the zon to snag it, I basically gave myself whiplash. After Nox gave up everything for Esme, it was beautiful and heart breaking. The way CJ Rose writes Esme picking up the pieces of what was her life and moving forward is so well done! Highly recommend.