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The Spell of Us
Her magic is a mess. Her fighting? Even worse.
Maelis has spent her life hiding a forbidden gift in a realm where magic is outlawed. Bound by duty to her family and a fate she never chose, she’s spent years following rules written by others.
Being a God comes with perks. Touch-starvation isn’t one of them.
Auretheos, God of Wisdom and Cunning, is sworn to purity. Chained to an ancient prophecy, his destiny lies in silence, solitude, and sacrifice. The last thing he needs is a stubborn, enticing and utterly chaotic mortal with a mind of her own.
But when a rising force of zealotry threatens to consume both divine and mortal realms, only the unlikely bond between Theo and Maelis can stop it. Love wasn’t part of the plan, but destiny doesn’t care about plans.
In a world where even the Gods are bound, The Spell of Us
Do we shape Fate, or does Fate shape us?
Maelis has spent her life hiding a forbidden gift in a realm where magic is outlawed. Bound by duty to her family and a fate she never chose, she’s spent years following rules written by others.
Being a God comes with perks. Touch-starvation isn’t one of them.
Auretheos, God of Wisdom and Cunning, is sworn to purity. Chained to an ancient prophecy, his destiny lies in silence, solitude, and sacrifice. The last thing he needs is a stubborn, enticing and utterly chaotic mortal with a mind of her own.
But when a rising force of zealotry threatens to consume both divine and mortal realms, only the unlikely bond between Theo and Maelis can stop it. Love wasn’t part of the plan, but destiny doesn’t care about plans.
In a world where even the Gods are bound, The Spell of Us
Do we shape Fate, or does Fate shape us?
- GenresRomantasy
480 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 6, 2026
15 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
About the author
Marly Monroe
1 book20 followersMy name is Marly
I’m here for the book lovers, the writers, and those who can’t stop talking about the magic of a long bookshelf filled with stories.
To the ones who choose Triceratops as their favorite dinosaur (because who wouldn’t love those three majestic horns?), the ones who’ll argue that pineapple on pizza is a genius creation, and to anyone dreaming of becoming a better version of themselves every day—this space is for you.
I believe in the beauty of life, the thrill of a good book, and the power of positive change. If you’re someone who loves life with as much passion as I do, let's connect. Let’s share stories, tips, and dreams, and grow together.
Looking forward to the conversations ahead.
I’m here for the book lovers, the writers, and those who can’t stop talking about the magic of a long bookshelf filled with stories.
To the ones who choose Triceratops as their favorite dinosaur (because who wouldn’t love those three majestic horns?), the ones who’ll argue that pineapple on pizza is a genius creation, and to anyone dreaming of becoming a better version of themselves every day—this space is for you.
I believe in the beauty of life, the thrill of a good book, and the power of positive change. If you’re someone who loves life with as much passion as I do, let's connect. Let’s share stories, tips, and dreams, and grow together.
Looking forward to the conversations ahead.
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Review of advance copy received from Author
"Love was not part of our plan, but when it happened, it changed the way this story was to play out."
— The Fates.
💚 Mortal, Chosen One FMC
💚 Immortal God MMC
💚 First person dual POV
💚 Prophecy & rebellion
💚 She can make her wishes come true by writing them down
💚 He’s a celibate virgin for 500 years
💚 Standalone
Imagine a world where religion is banned and people born with magic—called heka—are seen as cursed. Welcome to The Spell of Us.
We meet Maelis, a ✨ 30 ✨year old woman who suppresses her magic and uses it only to heal others. Let me tell you how relieved I was to discover that she isn’t a bratty teenage rebelling against her parents for fun. Maelis is mature, thoughtful, and has a genuinely good relationship with her mother, which was refreshing.
Then there’s our MMC, Auretheos—Theo for short—a 500 something year old God of Wisdom and Cunning who has sworn a vow of celibacy (😏). Unfortunately, his priests must also follow this rule, and women are banned from his temple as a delightful final touch of misery.
So when Maelis and Theo meet, the spark is instant: he’s a desperate virgin, and she’s deeply lonely.
Side note: aside from Maelis, there are three other characters with "ae" in their names—Caelan, Lirael, and Seraphae—which made me wonder if the author is a Game of Thrones fan 🤔 Not a complaint tho. I’m Team Targaryen myself. #DanyWasRight #RhaenyraIsTheRightfulHeir
Ahem. Sorry. Back to the book.
Conceptually, The Spell of Us is simple. The chosen one trope isn’t new, and the story reminded me of Avatar The Legend of Aang meets Inkheart—except the "Ozai" figure remains hidden. We know what they’re fighting against, but not who until the very end. Unfortunately, the lack of a clear main antagonist hurts the pacing. While I appreciate the focus on Maelis’s gradual development and the slow building romance, the story moves sooooo slowly that very little happens until around the 40% mark, and even then, the tension remains low 😩
For two people carrying a sacred prophecy, both MCs do surprisingly 🤏 little 🤏 and that frustrated me.
The characters constantly talk about an impending war and the end of the world, but the actual conflict feels .... Well, weak. When the war finally happens, it doesn’t even take place in the mortal realm. At one point, Heralds breach Theo’s protection at the temple and essentially say, "Prepare yourself!!" 😡🔥 and then nothing happens for MONTHS. Which is ... Very generous of them, considering they’re supposedly enemies. Plenty of time for Maelis and Theo to enjoy peaceful, romantic dates, I guess???
Personally, if I were at war, I wouldn’t let my enemy train, grow stronger, and fall in love uninterrupted. But hey that's just me 🙂
There’s even a conclave meant to expose a traitor among them and it leads to nothing??? I didn't sense the betrayal since they're barely get any spotlight. The arc ends with Theo and Maelis sexting via magic in the most medieval way imaginable 😬
Which brings me to the timeline, bcs I’m confused.
This world feels medieval: feathers for writing, temples, vows, and rigid social rules. But Theo owns a coloring book from his youth ("The pictures in the book were beautiful; they had lost some of their color"), and later it’s mentioned that his mother used to send him pictures of herself, not paintings, but pictures ("When I was little, she used to send me letters and pictures of herself".) Theo is over 500 years old, so this would have happened centuries ago ... Yet civilization doesn’t seem to advance at all by the time Maelis is born. The technology and timeline feel inconsistent, and it pulled me out of the story :((
Dont get me wrong, I like Maelis, but as the story unfolds, she feels increasingly passive. She doesn’t resist when Caelan, one of Theo's men, brings her into the god realm. She follows everything her coach, Lydia, tells her without questioning why Lydia—also a wordsmith—wasn’t chosen instead. Where are the other wordsmiths? Why do they have such legendary reputations but barely appear?
When people doubt Maelis, she sinks into sadness rather than questioning what her destiny will cost her or what happens after everything ends. She mentions being skilled with a dagger, yet never uses it. No sword. No combat. After all that training, I found myself asking: what exactly did she gain besides her heka control?
"Character development," you might say.
Yes, yes, I understand that, but it doesn’t stop me from wanting her to do more 😔
On a positive note, Theo isn’t bad. I actually enjoyed the role reversal where the MMC is the one who holds to high standards and the concept of purity. I just wish the "touch starved" trope that the author flaunted in the blurb had been explored more. I can’t help but compare it to Kieran from Frost and Flame, where Luci Briar handled this trope with such finesse that I giggled and squeaked reading Kieran’s POV.
But the author’s choice to write the majority of the story from Maelis’s POV robbed the readers of that experience, and all the yearning felt surface level. Theo’s POV seems included only because it was necessary, not because the author wanted us to truly get to know him. His POV also feels painfully similar to Maelis’s. In my opinion, Luci Briar handles the touch starved trope far better 👌
The Spell of Us is definitely romance driven, and that’s totally fine. I’m sure some readers will love it. But for me, the romance overshadowed everything else. I found myself pausing several times to scroll through Facebook because the length felt too long. About 100 pages could easily have been cut, pacing could have been tightened, and the book would have been much better. Alternatively, more frequent POV switches could have helped. For example, the Herald’s first attack that burned Theo’s library felt like it passed in the blink of an eye since we only saw it through Maelis’s eyes. It was limited and unsatisfying sorryyyy.
And then there’s the ending, and contrary to most readers ... I didn’t like it 😰
I sware I'm not a psycho, and when Maelis sacrificed herself to save Theo, I was on the verge of bawling, until I realized there were still about 50 pages left. I thought, mmm, what’s going on??? 🤨 Maelis’s salvation scene was so beautiful that I cheered her on because, finally she made herself useful right?
But ofc she had to come back ☺️
This book made me realize that I don’t enjoy the "they’re dead but not really" trope, especially after experiencing it in Blood Oath by Morgan B. Lee. It makes everything feel pointless. It forces a happy ending when some stories could have been more impactful as tragedies. Take Romeo and Juliet. Take Sandman (the series version). Or the newest one, Frankenstein. While these adaptations may lose important characters, it doesn’t make them any less good. In fact, it makes them memorable. Remember the scene where the Creature carries the dying Elizabeth? Yeahhh iconic.
If the author’s purpose in having Maelis die was just so she could be resurrected as an immortal, I would have preferred her to gain immortality another way. By sharing Theo's essence, maybe? Drink his blood? Okie that was gross but you get the point 😂
In conclusion, The Spell of Us is not a bad book I just hoped for more, and it ultimately failed to meet my expectations.
— The Fates.
💚 Mortal, Chosen One FMC
💚 Immortal God MMC
💚 First person dual POV
💚 Prophecy & rebellion
💚 She can make her wishes come true by writing them down
💚 He’s a celibate virgin for 500 years
💚 Standalone
Imagine a world where religion is banned and people born with magic—called heka—are seen as cursed. Welcome to The Spell of Us.
We meet Maelis, a ✨ 30 ✨year old woman who suppresses her magic and uses it only to heal others. Let me tell you how relieved I was to discover that she isn’t a bratty teenage rebelling against her parents for fun. Maelis is mature, thoughtful, and has a genuinely good relationship with her mother, which was refreshing.
Then there’s our MMC, Auretheos—Theo for short—a 500 something year old God of Wisdom and Cunning who has sworn a vow of celibacy (😏). Unfortunately, his priests must also follow this rule, and women are banned from his temple as a delightful final touch of misery.
So when Maelis and Theo meet, the spark is instant: he’s a desperate virgin, and she’s deeply lonely.
Side note: aside from Maelis, there are three other characters with "ae" in their names—Caelan, Lirael, and Seraphae—which made me wonder if the author is a Game of Thrones fan 🤔 Not a complaint tho. I’m Team Targaryen myself. #DanyWasRight #RhaenyraIsTheRightfulHeir
Ahem. Sorry. Back to the book.
Conceptually, The Spell of Us is simple. The chosen one trope isn’t new, and the story reminded me of Avatar The Legend of Aang meets Inkheart—except the "Ozai" figure remains hidden. We know what they’re fighting against, but not who until the very end. Unfortunately, the lack of a clear main antagonist hurts the pacing. While I appreciate the focus on Maelis’s gradual development and the slow building romance, the story moves sooooo slowly that very little happens until around the 40% mark, and even then, the tension remains low 😩
For two people carrying a sacred prophecy, both MCs do surprisingly 🤏 little 🤏 and that frustrated me.
The characters constantly talk about an impending war and the end of the world, but the actual conflict feels .... Well, weak. When the war finally happens, it doesn’t even take place in the mortal realm. At one point, Heralds breach Theo’s protection at the temple and essentially say, "Prepare yourself!!" 😡🔥 and then nothing happens for MONTHS. Which is ... Very generous of them, considering they’re supposedly enemies. Plenty of time for Maelis and Theo to enjoy peaceful, romantic dates, I guess???
Personally, if I were at war, I wouldn’t let my enemy train, grow stronger, and fall in love uninterrupted. But hey that's just me 🙂
There’s even a conclave meant to expose a traitor among them and it leads to nothing??? I didn't sense the betrayal since they're barely get any spotlight. The arc ends with Theo and Maelis sexting via magic in the most medieval way imaginable 😬
Which brings me to the timeline, bcs I’m confused.
This world feels medieval: feathers for writing, temples, vows, and rigid social rules. But Theo owns a coloring book from his youth ("The pictures in the book were beautiful; they had lost some of their color"), and later it’s mentioned that his mother used to send him pictures of herself, not paintings, but pictures ("When I was little, she used to send me letters and pictures of herself".) Theo is over 500 years old, so this would have happened centuries ago ... Yet civilization doesn’t seem to advance at all by the time Maelis is born. The technology and timeline feel inconsistent, and it pulled me out of the story :((
Dont get me wrong, I like Maelis, but as the story unfolds, she feels increasingly passive. She doesn’t resist when Caelan, one of Theo's men, brings her into the god realm. She follows everything her coach, Lydia, tells her without questioning why Lydia—also a wordsmith—wasn’t chosen instead. Where are the other wordsmiths? Why do they have such legendary reputations but barely appear?
When people doubt Maelis, she sinks into sadness rather than questioning what her destiny will cost her or what happens after everything ends. She mentions being skilled with a dagger, yet never uses it. No sword. No combat. After all that training, I found myself asking: what exactly did she gain besides her heka control?
"Character development," you might say.
Yes, yes, I understand that, but it doesn’t stop me from wanting her to do more 😔
On a positive note, Theo isn’t bad. I actually enjoyed the role reversal where the MMC is the one who holds to high standards and the concept of purity. I just wish the "touch starved" trope that the author flaunted in the blurb had been explored more. I can’t help but compare it to Kieran from Frost and Flame, where Luci Briar handled this trope with such finesse that I giggled and squeaked reading Kieran’s POV.
But the author’s choice to write the majority of the story from Maelis’s POV robbed the readers of that experience, and all the yearning felt surface level. Theo’s POV seems included only because it was necessary, not because the author wanted us to truly get to know him. His POV also feels painfully similar to Maelis’s. In my opinion, Luci Briar handles the touch starved trope far better 👌
The Spell of Us is definitely romance driven, and that’s totally fine. I’m sure some readers will love it. But for me, the romance overshadowed everything else. I found myself pausing several times to scroll through Facebook because the length felt too long. About 100 pages could easily have been cut, pacing could have been tightened, and the book would have been much better. Alternatively, more frequent POV switches could have helped. For example, the Herald’s first attack that burned Theo’s library felt like it passed in the blink of an eye since we only saw it through Maelis’s eyes. It was limited and unsatisfying sorryyyy.
And then there’s the ending, and contrary to most readers ... I didn’t like it 😰
I sware I'm not a psycho, and when Maelis sacrificed herself to save Theo, I was on the verge of bawling, until I realized there were still about 50 pages left. I thought, mmm, what’s going on??? 🤨 Maelis’s salvation scene was so beautiful that I cheered her on because, finally she made herself useful right?
But ofc she had to come back ☺️
This book made me realize that I don’t enjoy the "they’re dead but not really" trope, especially after experiencing it in Blood Oath by Morgan B. Lee. It makes everything feel pointless. It forces a happy ending when some stories could have been more impactful as tragedies. Take Romeo and Juliet. Take Sandman (the series version). Or the newest one, Frankenstein. While these adaptations may lose important characters, it doesn’t make them any less good. In fact, it makes them memorable. Remember the scene where the Creature carries the dying Elizabeth? Yeahhh iconic.
If the author’s purpose in having Maelis die was just so she could be resurrected as an immortal, I would have preferred her to gain immortality another way. By sharing Theo's essence, maybe? Drink his blood? Okie that was gross but you get the point 😂
In conclusion, The Spell of Us is not a bad book I just hoped for more, and it ultimately failed to meet my expectations.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thanks to Marly Monroe for providing the eARC. This is my honest opinion.
When Silence Speaks Louder Than Words
‘The Spell of Us’ is a book that does not draw the reader in through action, but through emotion. The story revolves around connection, loss, and the question of how well someone truly knows themselves and the other. Marly Monroe clearly chooses emotional depth over pace, which largely works, though not always to the same effect.
The strength of this novel lies in its atmosphere. A dreamy, sometimes melancholic tone hangs over the story, slowly pulling the reader into the inner world of the characters. Some silences speak louder than dialogue, and that is one of the book’s strongest qualities, even if it occasionally slows the pacing. The emotions feel sincere and relatable, particularly in the way the past continues to shape the present.
At the same time, this strong focus on emotion causes the story to feel slow at times. Certain scenes linger longer than necessary, making it harder to maintain tension throughout. The dynamics between the characters could also have been developed more sharply in places, as there is more potential than is fully explored.
Still, ‘The Spell of Us’ lingers after the final page. Not because of a dramatic plot twist, but because of its emotional aftereffect. It is a story that invites reflection on relationships, timing, and the marks people leave on one another’s lives.
A tender, emotionally driven novel for readers who enjoy introspective stories, but not one to read for a fast pace or spectacular twists.
emotional healing | past trauma | slow burn romance | grief and loss | complicated relationships | emotional intimacy | quiet romance | second chances | unresolved past | character-driven story | soft angst | melancholy atmosphere
When Silence Speaks Louder Than Words
‘The Spell of Us’ is a book that does not draw the reader in through action, but through emotion. The story revolves around connection, loss, and the question of how well someone truly knows themselves and the other. Marly Monroe clearly chooses emotional depth over pace, which largely works, though not always to the same effect.
The strength of this novel lies in its atmosphere. A dreamy, sometimes melancholic tone hangs over the story, slowly pulling the reader into the inner world of the characters. Some silences speak louder than dialogue, and that is one of the book’s strongest qualities, even if it occasionally slows the pacing. The emotions feel sincere and relatable, particularly in the way the past continues to shape the present.
At the same time, this strong focus on emotion causes the story to feel slow at times. Certain scenes linger longer than necessary, making it harder to maintain tension throughout. The dynamics between the characters could also have been developed more sharply in places, as there is more potential than is fully explored.
Still, ‘The Spell of Us’ lingers after the final page. Not because of a dramatic plot twist, but because of its emotional aftereffect. It is a story that invites reflection on relationships, timing, and the marks people leave on one another’s lives.
A tender, emotionally driven novel for readers who enjoy introspective stories, but not one to read for a fast pace or spectacular twists.
emotional healing | past trauma | slow burn romance | grief and loss | complicated relationships | emotional intimacy | quiet romance | second chances | unresolved past | character-driven story | soft angst | melancholy atmosphere
January 3, 2026
Thank you to the author for sending me this ARC. I’ll be honest, I was fully prepared to give this book 4 stars. It was very entertaining and I enjoyed the plot and characters but some of the dialogue threw me off at times. Once I got 70% in, the roller coaster of emotions started. By 85%, the tears started and didn’t stop until I finished. I knew Maelis was up to something, but I didn’t know the extent of her plan and it was heartbreaking to see it play out. The letter Theo wrote her at the end really got me. I only wished we would’ve gotten to see her letters to him. The yearning in this book gets an A+. This started as a fun entertaining book and morphed into such an emotional beautiful love story. I’m a sucker for a book that can elicit such strong emotions from me. For that, I’m bumping it up to 4.5 and rounding to 5 for this particular platform.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received this book as an ARC and am providing this review at my own discretion.
Mae and Theo are truly joyous characters to read, both with tons of complimenting features and I really enjoyed the slow burn and eventual development of their relationship. The yearning, firey chemistry, and unique progression of their relationship was absolutely fantastic and standout amongst the points of the book.
I found this plot to have its own unique components amongst a lot of "chosen prophecy" and "rare magic" tropes that you read in modern day fantasy novels. Mae's wordsmith magic is something I've not encountered before and adds to her individualism as a character. Although her powers are completely chaotic and her drunkness related to using her magic was a laugh, it was great watching her character develop into someone confident and happy.
Theo encompasses the nerdy vibe I love in characters and I loved seeing his vulnerabilities eventually blossom throughout his relationship with Mae. I loved seeing him go from a rigid, "this is the way it is" kind of character into someone who isn't afraid to pursue what makes him happy, rather than what he's been brought up to fulfill.
The book fell short to me in terms of plot and overall, I found that a lot of the components that needed to be deeply explored such as Mae's past and the prophecy themselves were quite superficial for me. I wanted more explanation, more emotion, and to see the depth of what made her character so troubled. While the concepts were there, they felt very rushed through and put in place as a means to prevent a loose end rather than crucial moments in the story. The overall peace was a nice, friendly read, but I found myself repeatedly lost in trying to find the meaning behind certain critical plot points that just weren't explored in depth enough to understand.
overall, this book was still a fun, quirky, and sweet read that does definitely have you cheering on the romance between the main characters.
Mae and Theo are truly joyous characters to read, both with tons of complimenting features and I really enjoyed the slow burn and eventual development of their relationship. The yearning, firey chemistry, and unique progression of their relationship was absolutely fantastic and standout amongst the points of the book.
I found this plot to have its own unique components amongst a lot of "chosen prophecy" and "rare magic" tropes that you read in modern day fantasy novels. Mae's wordsmith magic is something I've not encountered before and adds to her individualism as a character. Although her powers are completely chaotic and her drunkness related to using her magic was a laugh, it was great watching her character develop into someone confident and happy.
Theo encompasses the nerdy vibe I love in characters and I loved seeing his vulnerabilities eventually blossom throughout his relationship with Mae. I loved seeing him go from a rigid, "this is the way it is" kind of character into someone who isn't afraid to pursue what makes him happy, rather than what he's been brought up to fulfill.
The book fell short to me in terms of plot and overall, I found that a lot of the components that needed to be deeply explored such as Mae's past and the prophecy themselves were quite superficial for me. I wanted more explanation, more emotion, and to see the depth of what made her character so troubled. While the concepts were there, they felt very rushed through and put in place as a means to prevent a loose end rather than crucial moments in the story. The overall peace was a nice, friendly read, but I found myself repeatedly lost in trying to find the meaning behind certain critical plot points that just weren't explored in depth enough to understand.
overall, this book was still a fun, quirky, and sweet read that does definitely have you cheering on the romance between the main characters.
February 17, 2026
3.5/5
Going into the story, I wasn't sure what to expect. I knew it was fantasy but the synopsis vague enough to get me interested . It is truly refreshing to find a FMC thats my age and not a teenager. Why the chosen one always has to be a teenager is beyond me. But not here so major props for a woman being the chosen one. Also can I say how much I love Maelis' relationship with her mother?!? Usually a good parental relationship isnt a part of a fantasy novel but I love seeing it.
Now as wonderful as those things were, I wish more had happened. This book is almost 500 pages and most of the story was Maelis and Theo falling in love and having a relationship. Where is the war? Where is the high stakes destiny the prophecy talked about? There are so many instances where I should have felt intense impending doom or something. But it was as the war wasnt that important and I didnt care when it was all resolved. While romance as the main focus isn't always a bad thing, in this story it overshadowed everything else.
For a debut book, it wasnt bad. I finished it and enjoyed watching Maelis and Theo's relationship grow. Do I wish the pacing and story would have been stronger? Yes. There are issues but I will read another book by this author in a heartbeat.
Going into the story, I wasn't sure what to expect. I knew it was fantasy but the synopsis vague enough to get me interested . It is truly refreshing to find a FMC thats my age and not a teenager. Why the chosen one always has to be a teenager is beyond me. But not here so major props for a woman being the chosen one. Also can I say how much I love Maelis' relationship with her mother?!? Usually a good parental relationship isnt a part of a fantasy novel but I love seeing it.
Now as wonderful as those things were, I wish more had happened. This book is almost 500 pages and most of the story was Maelis and Theo falling in love and having a relationship. Where is the war? Where is the high stakes destiny the prophecy talked about? There are so many instances where I should have felt intense impending doom or something. But it was as the war wasnt that important and I didnt care when it was all resolved. While romance as the main focus isn't always a bad thing, in this story it overshadowed everything else.
For a debut book, it wasnt bad. I finished it and enjoyed watching Maelis and Theo's relationship grow. Do I wish the pacing and story would have been stronger? Yes. There are issues but I will read another book by this author in a heartbeat.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was a bit hesitant to read this once I found out it was a standalone fantasy. I thought it unlikely that it would be complete without it feeling rushed or leaving a lot of unanswered questions.
I am pleasantly surprised that my hesitation was unnecessary!
There are a few things that I didn't necessarily dislike, but didn't feel as if they fit. However, as a debut book the author does a fantastic job with the magical elements, the world building, the plot, as well as the character development.
I'm really glad it's not so I don't have to wait on a cliffhanger, but this could have easily been a 3-5 book series.
I will be very interested in reading other books by this author; as I am excited to see how she evolves with what she learns from this book!
I am pleasantly surprised that my hesitation was unnecessary!
There are a few things that I didn't necessarily dislike, but didn't feel as if they fit. However, as a debut book the author does a fantastic job with the magical elements, the world building, the plot, as well as the character development.
I'm really glad it's not so I don't have to wait on a cliffhanger, but this could have easily been a 3-5 book series.
I will be very interested in reading other books by this author; as I am excited to see how she evolves with what she learns from this book!
Want to read
February 19, 2026The love interest is a virgin god of purity? Very interested!
Review of advance copy received from Author
✨ ARC Read | Book Review ✨
📖 The Spell of Us
The first two chapters were a little slow for me, but once I pushed past that—I was HOOKED.
🖤 FMC: A mortal gifted by the Fates, living in a time where magic is a huge no-no after the Gods abandoned the mortal world.
🔥 MMC: A God born to fulfill a prophecy, forced to wait centuries for the one person who could help him stop an ancient evil.
This story delivered twists I never saw coming, rich world-building, and a romance that kept pulling me deeper. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I’m already excited to read more from this author 😍✨
If you love gods, fate, forbidden magic, and unexpected turns—this one deserves a spot on your TBR 💫📚
📖 The Spell of Us
The first two chapters were a little slow for me, but once I pushed past that—I was HOOKED.
🖤 FMC: A mortal gifted by the Fates, living in a time where magic is a huge no-no after the Gods abandoned the mortal world.
🔥 MMC: A God born to fulfill a prophecy, forced to wait centuries for the one person who could help him stop an ancient evil.
This story delivered twists I never saw coming, rich world-building, and a romance that kept pulling me deeper. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I’m already excited to read more from this author 😍✨
If you love gods, fate, forbidden magic, and unexpected turns—this one deserves a spot on your TBR 💫📚
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy from the author; these views are my own.
Maelis is a wordsmith, a mortal human born into a pre-elctricty world hiding her magical powers. Her powers allow her to speak/write and her will is reality. The gods have left this world a long time ago and her powers, "hekka" must remain hidden. Due to an ancient prophecy, she is whisked away to the God Realm where she must aid the sexy, needy, virgin God of Wisdom and Purity--Theo.
He can't be touched, she's obsessed with him, and the world as they know it is facing anilhlation.
The concept of a wordsmith is new and interesting--a side effect of using her powers is she becomes high.
Unfortunately, the plot gets lost among sub-plots and the speech patterns of all characters is quite modern. The spicy scenes were well written and the over all emotions from the FMC and MMC were truthful and moving.
Maelis is a wordsmith, a mortal human born into a pre-elctricty world hiding her magical powers. Her powers allow her to speak/write and her will is reality. The gods have left this world a long time ago and her powers, "hekka" must remain hidden. Due to an ancient prophecy, she is whisked away to the God Realm where she must aid the sexy, needy, virgin God of Wisdom and Purity--Theo.
He can't be touched, she's obsessed with him, and the world as they know it is facing anilhlation.
The concept of a wordsmith is new and interesting--a side effect of using her powers is she becomes high.
Unfortunately, the plot gets lost among sub-plots and the speech patterns of all characters is quite modern. The spicy scenes were well written and the over all emotions from the FMC and MMC were truthful and moving.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC read 4.5 stars.
Theo, Theo, Theo, you beautiful man. My heart broke for you. I cried with you. That one scene broke me so much. I will need a minute.
I enjoyed this book. The magic system was really different and intriguing. The World building was done really well.
I really liked Caelen. He is definitely someone I would love in my corner.
My favourite lines in the book: 'What in the fates knotted knickers' and 'She smiled again and I really wanted to punch her in the face for it'. Yes girl. I feel that last one lol.
Thank you, Marly for sending me an advanced copy to read.
Theo, Theo, Theo, you beautiful man. My heart broke for you. I cried with you. That one scene broke me so much. I will need a minute.
I enjoyed this book. The magic system was really different and intriguing. The World building was done really well.
I really liked Caelen. He is definitely someone I would love in my corner.
My favourite lines in the book: 'What in the fates knotted knickers' and 'She smiled again and I really wanted to punch her in the face for it'. Yes girl. I feel that last one lol.
Thank you, Marly for sending me an advanced copy to read.
February 6, 2026
Happy Release Day to this lovely debut novel!!!
Rating; 3.75 Stars
A heartfelt thank you to the author, Marly Monroe, for providing me with an e-Arc in exchange for my honest review.
The Spell of Us is an ambitious and refreshing romantasy debut novel that builds a compelling narrative around the tropes of forbidden magic, the chosen one prophecy and a destiny-driven romance. The story introduces Maelis, a mortal woman secretly gifted by the fates with the very magic her society has outlawed, after the division of the mortal and immortal realms. On the other hand, we have Auretheos (Theo), the ancient immortal God of Wisdom and Cunning, who is bound by a sacred vow of purity and a true bookworm (very Edward Cullen coded). Their lives become intertwined by an ancient prophecy, establishing their fated bond as the last defence against a cult that wants to restore the Old (forgotten) Gods, threatening to engulf both the divine and mortal realms.
The book successfully executes mainstream genre tropes and character dynamics. The author offers a refreshing spin on the classic “chosen one” narrative, sidestepping predictability. Maelis stands out as an exceptionally dynamic and spirited FMC, overpowering even Theo and doing everything to protect him (touch him and die), portrayed at an older, normal age and not as a young adult as most popular books in this genre choose to. The romantic core is strong, featuring an appealing slow burn with deep, genuine yearning, especially from Theo. Furthermore, the world-building, which centres on forgotten Gods, ancient lore and a unique kind of magic, is noteworthy, complemented by witty, engaging dialogue, though there is the desire for greater depth in the side characters, such as Caelan. The plot twist near the main conflict of the story, with Maelis' character development taking a whole different turn (Bella Swan from Eclipse core), further enhances the reading experience.
However, the book’s execution has notable inconsistencies. A primary concern is the writing style, as the narrative suffers from an anachronistic voice. The language used often feels too modern, more like reading a contemporary book, which clashes with the described setting of medieval or pre-industrial aesthetic. Also, the story would benefit from more depth in the main character’s background, as their past is hastily brushed over, especially Maeli’s. Another disadvantageous point is the pacing, as the romance overshadows the main fantasy plot, which gains momentum way further into the novel. In addition, while the first spicy scene is effective as a crescendo to the slow burn, the subsequent frequency of these scenes doesn’t contribute to the plot or the MC’s development, but I must admit they were very well written. This imbalance, combined with the main conflict being resolved too hastily in the final chapters, leaves the ending feeling somewhat lackluster and rushed.
Overall, The Spell of Us is an enjoyable read and serves as an excellent palate cleanser for readers seeking an alternative to current popular romantasy books.
Rating; 3.75 Stars
A heartfelt thank you to the author, Marly Monroe, for providing me with an e-Arc in exchange for my honest review.
The Spell of Us is an ambitious and refreshing romantasy debut novel that builds a compelling narrative around the tropes of forbidden magic, the chosen one prophecy and a destiny-driven romance. The story introduces Maelis, a mortal woman secretly gifted by the fates with the very magic her society has outlawed, after the division of the mortal and immortal realms. On the other hand, we have Auretheos (Theo), the ancient immortal God of Wisdom and Cunning, who is bound by a sacred vow of purity and a true bookworm (very Edward Cullen coded). Their lives become intertwined by an ancient prophecy, establishing their fated bond as the last defence against a cult that wants to restore the Old (forgotten) Gods, threatening to engulf both the divine and mortal realms.
The book successfully executes mainstream genre tropes and character dynamics. The author offers a refreshing spin on the classic “chosen one” narrative, sidestepping predictability. Maelis stands out as an exceptionally dynamic and spirited FMC, overpowering even Theo and doing everything to protect him (touch him and die), portrayed at an older, normal age and not as a young adult as most popular books in this genre choose to. The romantic core is strong, featuring an appealing slow burn with deep, genuine yearning, especially from Theo. Furthermore, the world-building, which centres on forgotten Gods, ancient lore and a unique kind of magic, is noteworthy, complemented by witty, engaging dialogue, though there is the desire for greater depth in the side characters, such as Caelan. The plot twist near the main conflict of the story, with Maelis' character development taking a whole different turn (Bella Swan from Eclipse core), further enhances the reading experience.
However, the book’s execution has notable inconsistencies. A primary concern is the writing style, as the narrative suffers from an anachronistic voice. The language used often feels too modern, more like reading a contemporary book, which clashes with the described setting of medieval or pre-industrial aesthetic. Also, the story would benefit from more depth in the main character’s background, as their past is hastily brushed over, especially Maeli’s. Another disadvantageous point is the pacing, as the romance overshadows the main fantasy plot, which gains momentum way further into the novel. In addition, while the first spicy scene is effective as a crescendo to the slow burn, the subsequent frequency of these scenes doesn’t contribute to the plot or the MC’s development, but I must admit they were very well written. This imbalance, combined with the main conflict being resolved too hastily in the final chapters, leaves the ending feeling somewhat lackluster and rushed.
Overall, The Spell of Us is an enjoyable read and serves as an excellent palate cleanser for readers seeking an alternative to current popular romantasy books.
February 8, 2026
I’m genuinely glad I applied for this ARC while casually scrolling through Threads because The Spell of Us turned out to be a wonderfully refreshing read.
After spending the past few months deep in darker romances and ice hockey stories, this book felt like a breath of fresh air. It blends fantasy and romance in a way that feels immersive without becoming overwhelming, and the world-building immediately drew me in. The magic system, known as heka, was especially compelling. Maelis possesses the ability to influence others with her words alongside healing powers, but the addictive pull she experiences when using magic for herself adds an intriguing layer of risk and complexity.
At the heart of the story are Mae and Theo, two characters destined to stand together against forces larger than themselves. Mae’s fiery determination and refusal to be intimidated made her incredibly easy to root for. I loved watching her challenge Theo at every turn, even when facing someone with godlike power.
Theo was a particularly refreshing male lead. Rather than leaning into the typical hardened archetype, he is intelligent, respectful, and emotionally layered. His awkwardness and sincerity made the romantic elements feel authentic, and the chemistry between him and Mae developed at a satisfying pace. I always appreciate a slow-burn romance that takes the time to build trust and emotional connection, and this story delivers exactly that.
The supporting cast deserves recognition as well. Caelan quickly became a favourite, bringing warmth and humour that balanced the story’s more intense moments.
One line that perfectly captured the book’s charm was:
“Dying and disintegrating on the library floor is strictly forbidden, as stated by the terms and conditions you signed when you entered the library.”
Moments like this added levity and personality to an already engaging narrative.
Perhaps what impressed me most was how unique the premise felt. In a genre that continues to grow rapidly, it can be difficult to find stories that genuinely surprise you, but this one took several unexpected turns that kept me fully invested.
The ending was deeply satisfying while still leaving me a little emotional and reluctant to say goodbye to these characters.
If you enjoy fantasy romance with strong character development, emotional depth, and a love story that feels both genuine and earned, The Spell of Us is absolutely worth adding to your reading list.
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
After spending the past few months deep in darker romances and ice hockey stories, this book felt like a breath of fresh air. It blends fantasy and romance in a way that feels immersive without becoming overwhelming, and the world-building immediately drew me in. The magic system, known as heka, was especially compelling. Maelis possesses the ability to influence others with her words alongside healing powers, but the addictive pull she experiences when using magic for herself adds an intriguing layer of risk and complexity.
At the heart of the story are Mae and Theo, two characters destined to stand together against forces larger than themselves. Mae’s fiery determination and refusal to be intimidated made her incredibly easy to root for. I loved watching her challenge Theo at every turn, even when facing someone with godlike power.
Theo was a particularly refreshing male lead. Rather than leaning into the typical hardened archetype, he is intelligent, respectful, and emotionally layered. His awkwardness and sincerity made the romantic elements feel authentic, and the chemistry between him and Mae developed at a satisfying pace. I always appreciate a slow-burn romance that takes the time to build trust and emotional connection, and this story delivers exactly that.
The supporting cast deserves recognition as well. Caelan quickly became a favourite, bringing warmth and humour that balanced the story’s more intense moments.
One line that perfectly captured the book’s charm was:
“Dying and disintegrating on the library floor is strictly forbidden, as stated by the terms and conditions you signed when you entered the library.”
Moments like this added levity and personality to an already engaging narrative.
Perhaps what impressed me most was how unique the premise felt. In a genre that continues to grow rapidly, it can be difficult to find stories that genuinely surprise you, but this one took several unexpected turns that kept me fully invested.
The ending was deeply satisfying while still leaving me a little emotional and reluctant to say goodbye to these characters.
If you enjoy fantasy romance with strong character development, emotional depth, and a love story that feels both genuine and earned, The Spell of Us is absolutely worth adding to your reading list.
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
“How was one supposed to greet a god? Was there protocol? A divine handshake? A respectful bow?” … It went on long enough that I started to squirm. I considered curtsying. I nearly waved”.
Maelis is a strong-willed healer, but one with a secret. She can use magic. In her world, magic is forbidden and punishable by death. Only a few people know about her powers or her dark past and what she desperately wants to leave behind. So when a group of people from the cult. The Heralds try to attack her and force her to join them, but she is saved by a God’s temple Priest. A hot, nerdy God named Auretheos with no social skills, who is bound by prophecy to celibacy. The prophecy states Maelis is a wordsmith and “hopefully they would save the world, or something like that”.
This book has everything and more you could want from a fantasy romance; DUAL POV, “touch HIM and die”, the longing, yearning, angst, spice, and the best part is the fmc is over 30! Did I mention there is also a playlist and an immersive items list to really get into the story! So grab a soft, fuzzy blanket and pancake roll with jam and get comfy. I, for one, couldn’t wait to read this. I can’t relate to barely 18-year-old women anymore in books. I couldn’t put the book down; each chapter flows seamlessly into the next. The prologue especially started with a bang! It had me immediately hooked. I greatly enjoy reading the inner thoughts of Maelis because she says immediately what comes to mind. Especially misnaming everyone and calling them mean nicknames in fits of anger. The sassiness of the temple Priest Caelan, who is acting in his God’s best interest but knows him well enough to poke fun at him. The amazing sense of detail from the people, faeries, other kin, workers, the fruit and its textures, etc. Aurethos's aversion to Maelis is giving Edward Cullen to Bella vibes, and I am laughing so much over it. There were so many exchanges between Theo and Mae that had me laughing out loud in quiet coffee shops.
The world-building is rich in sensory descriptors. It makes you feel as if you are eating the Zerquin fruit, experiencing the same views, and walking in the village. The sexual tension you can cut with a knife, and the lead-up to the war is entertaining but not so consuming of the story that it takes you out of the romantic aspect. Even though I expected the twist, there were times it still shocked me. Absolutely love this book.
Author Marly Monroe #TheSpellOfUs
Maelis is a strong-willed healer, but one with a secret. She can use magic. In her world, magic is forbidden and punishable by death. Only a few people know about her powers or her dark past and what she desperately wants to leave behind. So when a group of people from the cult. The Heralds try to attack her and force her to join them, but she is saved by a God’s temple Priest. A hot, nerdy God named Auretheos with no social skills, who is bound by prophecy to celibacy. The prophecy states Maelis is a wordsmith and “hopefully they would save the world, or something like that”.
This book has everything and more you could want from a fantasy romance; DUAL POV, “touch HIM and die”, the longing, yearning, angst, spice, and the best part is the fmc is over 30! Did I mention there is also a playlist and an immersive items list to really get into the story! So grab a soft, fuzzy blanket and pancake roll with jam and get comfy. I, for one, couldn’t wait to read this. I can’t relate to barely 18-year-old women anymore in books. I couldn’t put the book down; each chapter flows seamlessly into the next. The prologue especially started with a bang! It had me immediately hooked. I greatly enjoy reading the inner thoughts of Maelis because she says immediately what comes to mind. Especially misnaming everyone and calling them mean nicknames in fits of anger. The sassiness of the temple Priest Caelan, who is acting in his God’s best interest but knows him well enough to poke fun at him. The amazing sense of detail from the people, faeries, other kin, workers, the fruit and its textures, etc. Aurethos's aversion to Maelis is giving Edward Cullen to Bella vibes, and I am laughing so much over it. There were so many exchanges between Theo and Mae that had me laughing out loud in quiet coffee shops.
The world-building is rich in sensory descriptors. It makes you feel as if you are eating the Zerquin fruit, experiencing the same views, and walking in the village. The sexual tension you can cut with a knife, and the lead-up to the war is entertaining but not so consuming of the story that it takes you out of the romantic aspect. Even though I expected the twist, there were times it still shocked me. Absolutely love this book.
Author Marly Monroe #TheSpellOfUs
February 6, 2026
I was fortunate enough to receive an ARC of this book, and it exceeded my expectations.
This was a five-star read for me, and I wholeheartedly recommend picking it up. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This quirky Romantasy is an easy, feel-good read, filled with humour and charming storytelling. I enjoyed the slow-burning romance that developed between the MMC and FMC, which adds a layer of anticipation to every chapter. It’s the perfect pick-me-up when I want something light yet engaging.
You’re introduced to Maelis, a wordsmith, who has spent her entire life hiding a forbidden gift in a realm where magic is strictly outlawed. Bound by duty to her family and a fate she never chose, she’s spent years following rules written by others, never daring to hope for more. Still struggling to control her Heka, everything changes when a mysterious stranger corners her in a library and insists she come with him. He claims she’s been summoned by Auretheos, the God of Wisdom and Cunning, and that she is needed for a purpose beyond her imagining. Convinced someone has betrayed her secret, Maelis does everything she can to escape, her instincts screaming not to trust him.
Auretheos (Theo), the God of wisdom and cunning, has spent the last 500 years in solitude, bound by a vow of purity so the prophecy can manifest and save both mortal and divine realms. For years, he has searched for Maelis, the key to the prophecy, never expecting she would be a mortal woman, nor that she would hold the key not only to the world's salvation but also to his own freedom from a life of servitude, allowing him to truly discover himself.
The humour woven throughout this romance is pure perfection. There were moments that had me genuinely laughing out loud. Yet the plot twist delivered such an emotional punch that I found myself crying into my Kindle. This is a cosy read, rich in world-building and centred around an epic love story intent on conquering all odds. Maelis’s journey is about finding where she belongs, while Theo’s is about seeking not just knowledge but also his purpose and a life beyond the confines of his temple and library.
The spice in this story is a delicious slow burn, building gradually❤️🔥, but once Maelis and Theo finally connect, the heat truly intensifies.
On a scale of 1 to 5, I’d rate it a solid 3.5. 🔥🔥🔥
It’s the simmering yearning and slow-building anticipation that make their eventual union so satisfying, leaving you thoroughly hot under the collar.
This was a five-star read for me, and I wholeheartedly recommend picking it up. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This quirky Romantasy is an easy, feel-good read, filled with humour and charming storytelling. I enjoyed the slow-burning romance that developed between the MMC and FMC, which adds a layer of anticipation to every chapter. It’s the perfect pick-me-up when I want something light yet engaging.
You’re introduced to Maelis, a wordsmith, who has spent her entire life hiding a forbidden gift in a realm where magic is strictly outlawed. Bound by duty to her family and a fate she never chose, she’s spent years following rules written by others, never daring to hope for more. Still struggling to control her Heka, everything changes when a mysterious stranger corners her in a library and insists she come with him. He claims she’s been summoned by Auretheos, the God of Wisdom and Cunning, and that she is needed for a purpose beyond her imagining. Convinced someone has betrayed her secret, Maelis does everything she can to escape, her instincts screaming not to trust him.
Auretheos (Theo), the God of wisdom and cunning, has spent the last 500 years in solitude, bound by a vow of purity so the prophecy can manifest and save both mortal and divine realms. For years, he has searched for Maelis, the key to the prophecy, never expecting she would be a mortal woman, nor that she would hold the key not only to the world's salvation but also to his own freedom from a life of servitude, allowing him to truly discover himself.
The humour woven throughout this romance is pure perfection. There were moments that had me genuinely laughing out loud. Yet the plot twist delivered such an emotional punch that I found myself crying into my Kindle. This is a cosy read, rich in world-building and centred around an epic love story intent on conquering all odds. Maelis’s journey is about finding where she belongs, while Theo’s is about seeking not just knowledge but also his purpose and a life beyond the confines of his temple and library.
The spice in this story is a delicious slow burn, building gradually❤️🔥, but once Maelis and Theo finally connect, the heat truly intensifies.
On a scale of 1 to 5, I’d rate it a solid 3.5. 🔥🔥🔥
It’s the simmering yearning and slow-building anticipation that make their eventual union so satisfying, leaving you thoroughly hot under the collar.
February 12, 2026
Wow! I love the premise of a god who must stay pure, thus cannot be touched by anyone, for the sake of all beings as an impending war comes to fruition. *Enter the mortal word-nerd who will challenge him.
The romance overshadowed the plot for me. What was the plot again? Don’t get me wrong -- I like romance, love it even! The intimacy of simple moments shared between Maelis and Theo are beautiful. I simply felt that this forced-proximity-will-they-or-won’t-they overpowered all other happenings: impending war for instance. And, for such a lengthy book, I wanted more action and background info on the characters to explain why this story is worth reading.
Without too many details, some issues I had were:
The writing in the early stages of the story was eloquent, but soon gave way to common present-day phrases that lent to a more contemporary feel. The MCs of this book are the God of Wisdom and the Wordsmith – their language did not match expectations. Or moods. I almost felt like there were two different authors trying to mash together this amazing idea.
The subplots tried to take over.
Too many unanswered questions, or answered unsatisfactorily.
I never really felt sorry for Maelis because I didn’t know her backstory.
Intimate scenes felt unnecessary – closed door sex is allowed and encouraged to keep the story moving. I do not like sex scenes thrown in just to add spice. Good stories progress on their own merit.
Overall, the writing could’ve been tighter. A solid edit could trim about 100 pages and still have a fabulous story – the bones are there. Intermittent world-building kept pulling me out of the original plot, so I became bored and easily distracted. Because there was so much to work with, I would’ve preferred two books to keep me hooked. And, the end-end left something to be desired: although a nice added twist, it dragged out to an anticlimactic finale for me.
*If you’ve read this far – am I the only one who found the ebook format difficult to read? The first page of each chapter had a larger font than the rest of the chapter, making it much smaller and more difficult to read? I could not adjust the settings on my Kindle because the book was sent as a document.
The romance overshadowed the plot for me. What was the plot again? Don’t get me wrong -- I like romance, love it even! The intimacy of simple moments shared between Maelis and Theo are beautiful. I simply felt that this forced-proximity-will-they-or-won’t-they overpowered all other happenings: impending war for instance. And, for such a lengthy book, I wanted more action and background info on the characters to explain why this story is worth reading.
Without too many details, some issues I had were:
The writing in the early stages of the story was eloquent, but soon gave way to common present-day phrases that lent to a more contemporary feel. The MCs of this book are the God of Wisdom and the Wordsmith – their language did not match expectations. Or moods. I almost felt like there were two different authors trying to mash together this amazing idea.
The subplots tried to take over.
Too many unanswered questions, or answered unsatisfactorily.
I never really felt sorry for Maelis because I didn’t know her backstory.
Intimate scenes felt unnecessary – closed door sex is allowed and encouraged to keep the story moving. I do not like sex scenes thrown in just to add spice. Good stories progress on their own merit.
Overall, the writing could’ve been tighter. A solid edit could trim about 100 pages and still have a fabulous story – the bones are there. Intermittent world-building kept pulling me out of the original plot, so I became bored and easily distracted. Because there was so much to work with, I would’ve preferred two books to keep me hooked. And, the end-end left something to be desired: although a nice added twist, it dragged out to an anticlimactic finale for me.
*If you’ve read this far – am I the only one who found the ebook format difficult to read? The first page of each chapter had a larger font than the rest of the chapter, making it much smaller and more difficult to read? I could not adjust the settings on my Kindle because the book was sent as a document.
February 8, 2026
Mae and Theo were so cute!!
Maelis is working as a nurse and using her heka, forbidden magic, sparingly to help those most in need. One day, she is visited both by a sleazy man from her past and a stranger who mysteriously knows her name and about her magic that is her most closely guarded secret. She learns that she is part of an ancient prophecy and, to protect her and the prophecy, she is whisked away to the realm of the gods. Auretheos is the God of Wisdom and Cunning. As the other party mentioned in the prophecy, he has dedicated his life to living by its tenets and discovering the best way to prevent the predicted war. As Mae begins to train with her gifts and help Theo try to learn as much as possible about the coming conflict, the two are drawn together. Unfortunately, both the human realm and the gods' realm are at risk of being destroyed and their feelings may just be the first sacrifice to fulfill their destiny.
Theo was 100 percent my favorite character in this book. I loved how he wanted to learn all he could and seemed to love being able to share his knowledge. I also loved how sweet he was with Mae even when they were both resisting their feelings because of the prophecy. Mae was so human and relatable. She wanted to fit in and be accepted for who she was, but always seemed to be on the outside because of her power. She and Theo really seemed to understand each other on a deep level and I loved seeing how their relationship developed. I did think that the beginning of the book dragged a bit so it took me a little while to be really engaged. It really picked up for me around the conclave and I could not put it down after that. I did also feel like I had some unanswered questions at the end of the book especially about Mae and her powers. However, I really loved the action scenes and how much subtle foreshadowing there was about the big twist. If you enjoy romantasy, I would absolutely recommend giving this book a read!
I received a free advance copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
Maelis is working as a nurse and using her heka, forbidden magic, sparingly to help those most in need. One day, she is visited both by a sleazy man from her past and a stranger who mysteriously knows her name and about her magic that is her most closely guarded secret. She learns that she is part of an ancient prophecy and, to protect her and the prophecy, she is whisked away to the realm of the gods. Auretheos is the God of Wisdom and Cunning. As the other party mentioned in the prophecy, he has dedicated his life to living by its tenets and discovering the best way to prevent the predicted war. As Mae begins to train with her gifts and help Theo try to learn as much as possible about the coming conflict, the two are drawn together. Unfortunately, both the human realm and the gods' realm are at risk of being destroyed and their feelings may just be the first sacrifice to fulfill their destiny.
Theo was 100 percent my favorite character in this book. I loved how he wanted to learn all he could and seemed to love being able to share his knowledge. I also loved how sweet he was with Mae even when they were both resisting their feelings because of the prophecy. Mae was so human and relatable. She wanted to fit in and be accepted for who she was, but always seemed to be on the outside because of her power. She and Theo really seemed to understand each other on a deep level and I loved seeing how their relationship developed. I did think that the beginning of the book dragged a bit so it took me a little while to be really engaged. It really picked up for me around the conclave and I could not put it down after that. I did also feel like I had some unanswered questions at the end of the book especially about Mae and her powers. However, I really loved the action scenes and how much subtle foreshadowing there was about the big twist. If you enjoy romantasy, I would absolutely recommend giving this book a read!
I received a free advance copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
January 1, 2026
🌟ARC Review 🌟
This book was a rollercoaster of emotions.
The yearning. The passion. The “will they, won’t they” had me hooked throughout! I will absolutely need at least a week to process the last 10 chapters because what an ending!
Maelis is a human girl with magic powers, in a world where magic was banned years ago when the God’s left the human world.
Auretheos is the God of Wisdom who has been bound to a life of purity by the Fates, 500 years ago.
One prophecy brings them together, but what comes next is entirely unpredictable.
Wow. This book is written so beautifully, Maelis is a strong FMC with witty comebacks and a power to bring the God of Wisdom to his knees with her words.
Some of her inner monologue had me giggling 🤭 I love a strong FMC that can prove herself not just through fighting!
The Spell of Us has a strong plot that hooks you immediately and two characters who cannot seem to stay away from each other no matter the consequences. I really loved their story and development, both together and individually!
I would like to thank Marly Monroe for giving me the opportunity to read this as an advanced copy! 💕
”He was the most beautiful man I had ever seen, and despite all logic, all better judgment, all the fear pounding in my veins, I wanted him. Hungry and reckless, wanting him was just another sin on a list too long to repent for. And maybe I was ready to stop counting.”
“Being near her like this made the world feel less lonely, less heavy. I wanted to hold her hand, to teach her everything I knew, to learn everything I didn’t from her. She was so impossibly unique, so alive, it made me ache just to be close.”
”I shouldn’t care, I shouldn’t want anything from you! But here you are, occupying every single last damn part of my mind and I can’t take it, okay?” He sighed in frustration.”
“The world could wait a little longer—after all, we were making our own fate now.”
This book was a rollercoaster of emotions.
The yearning. The passion. The “will they, won’t they” had me hooked throughout! I will absolutely need at least a week to process the last 10 chapters because what an ending!
Maelis is a human girl with magic powers, in a world where magic was banned years ago when the God’s left the human world.
Auretheos is the God of Wisdom who has been bound to a life of purity by the Fates, 500 years ago.
One prophecy brings them together, but what comes next is entirely unpredictable.
Wow. This book is written so beautifully, Maelis is a strong FMC with witty comebacks and a power to bring the God of Wisdom to his knees with her words.
Some of her inner monologue had me giggling 🤭 I love a strong FMC that can prove herself not just through fighting!
The Spell of Us has a strong plot that hooks you immediately and two characters who cannot seem to stay away from each other no matter the consequences. I really loved their story and development, both together and individually!
I would like to thank Marly Monroe for giving me the opportunity to read this as an advanced copy! 💕
”He was the most beautiful man I had ever seen, and despite all logic, all better judgment, all the fear pounding in my veins, I wanted him. Hungry and reckless, wanting him was just another sin on a list too long to repent for. And maybe I was ready to stop counting.”
“Being near her like this made the world feel less lonely, less heavy. I wanted to hold her hand, to teach her everything I knew, to learn everything I didn’t from her. She was so impossibly unique, so alive, it made me ache just to be close.”
”I shouldn’t care, I shouldn’t want anything from you! But here you are, occupying every single last damn part of my mind and I can’t take it, okay?” He sighed in frustration.”
“The world could wait a little longer—after all, we were making our own fate now.”
Review of advance copy
Marly Monroe’s Debute Novel “The Spell of Us” is a romance-driven fantasy book perfect for readers who want something a little different than most stories within the Genre. When given the opportunity to ARC review this book, I was instantly intrigued by the role reversal dynamic of the MMC being the “pure” one and the FMC being the chosen one hero. I think the author did an excellent job at driving the plot forward in the romance category and given that’s what my main motivation was going into this story, I was in love.
Maelis is such a unique main character in the way she grows. I loved that she wasn’t a 17-year-old rebel but rather a more mature adult with more complex motivations. BUT if you are going into this story wanting to lean into the fantasy elements and conflicts rather than the romantic storyline you might find yourself wanting. The concept of the magic here, called “Heka” is forbidden and an interesting concept. However, I didn’t feel that the antagonist was fully fleshed out here and the conflict was somewhat lacking. Although, I didn’t really mind that since I was in it for the romance more than anything.
I was so in love with the world Marly Monroe is able to create for these characters, and I truly believe it could’ve been an entire series in order to draw out the conflict. The author was so good at showing not telling and I could stay in this universe for another two books HAPPILY. This book got better and better with every chapter and by the 80% point I went from reading this in my spare time to telling my husband he had to watch the baby because I was BUSY absorbing this story. The end had me nearly in tears. 4/5 stars. Thank you SO MUCH to Marly Monroe for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. 🫶🏻 I look forward to reading the next one!
Maelis is such a unique main character in the way she grows. I loved that she wasn’t a 17-year-old rebel but rather a more mature adult with more complex motivations. BUT if you are going into this story wanting to lean into the fantasy elements and conflicts rather than the romantic storyline you might find yourself wanting. The concept of the magic here, called “Heka” is forbidden and an interesting concept. However, I didn’t feel that the antagonist was fully fleshed out here and the conflict was somewhat lacking. Although, I didn’t really mind that since I was in it for the romance more than anything.
I was so in love with the world Marly Monroe is able to create for these characters, and I truly believe it could’ve been an entire series in order to draw out the conflict. The author was so good at showing not telling and I could stay in this universe for another two books HAPPILY. This book got better and better with every chapter and by the 80% point I went from reading this in my spare time to telling my husband he had to watch the baby because I was BUSY absorbing this story. The end had me nearly in tears. 4/5 stars. Thank you SO MUCH to Marly Monroe for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. 🫶🏻 I look forward to reading the next one!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Some loose threads
“The Spell of Us” by Marly Monroe was an interesting fantasy book, different from most of the paranormal that I read. I found much to like, but some plot threads that were not tied up keep me from rating this higher than 3.5 out of 5.
I thank the author for an ARC of this book. These opinions are my own.
Our main characters Maelis and Theo are connected by a prophecy that is their destiny. Theo, as a god with powers, has lived with this knowledge for centuries, waiting for Maelis to be born. Maelis, a mortal, however, is not aware of the prophecy. She only knows that she has magical powers that are forbidden in her world. She has spent her life hiding them.
I appreciated Monroe’s world-building in this title, although the two worlds in many ways seem like ours a few centuries ago. My frustration came when I felt that Maelis’ life before Theo was not explored well. Obviously something bad had happened to her that brought her home to her mother. When it was explained, it seemed anticlimactic. Perhaps I expected more persecution.
Another thread that jumped out at me was the key about-face of a secondary character very important to the plot. They went from hating Maelis to supporting her without readers knowing why. (Honestly, I expected this character to be a villain.)
The overall relationship between Theo and Maelis was deep and touchings, which made me glad I read to the end.
“The Spell of Us” by Marly Monroe was an interesting fantasy book, different from most of the paranormal that I read. I found much to like, but some plot threads that were not tied up keep me from rating this higher than 3.5 out of 5.
I thank the author for an ARC of this book. These opinions are my own.
Our main characters Maelis and Theo are connected by a prophecy that is their destiny. Theo, as a god with powers, has lived with this knowledge for centuries, waiting for Maelis to be born. Maelis, a mortal, however, is not aware of the prophecy. She only knows that she has magical powers that are forbidden in her world. She has spent her life hiding them.
I appreciated Monroe’s world-building in this title, although the two worlds in many ways seem like ours a few centuries ago. My frustration came when I felt that Maelis’ life before Theo was not explored well. Obviously something bad had happened to her that brought her home to her mother. When it was explained, it seemed anticlimactic. Perhaps I expected more persecution.
Another thread that jumped out at me was the key about-face of a secondary character very important to the plot. They went from hating Maelis to supporting her without readers knowing why. (Honestly, I expected this character to be a villain.)
The overall relationship between Theo and Maelis was deep and touchings, which made me glad I read to the end.
February 7, 2026
My Rating:
4.5⭐️ 2🌶️
Tropes:
✨ Magical Romance
💕 Soulmate Energy
🔥 Slow-Burn Tension
🌙 Emotional & Atmospheric
💔➡️💖 Healing Through Love
🕯️ Fate & Destiny
😍 Intense Chemistry
My Review
The Spell of Us by Marley Monroe completely enchanted me from the very first page. This story feels like stepping into a dream where emotions are deep, love is powerful, and every word is laced with magic. 🕯️💖 Marley Monroe has a way of writing that pulls you in so effortlessly—you don’t just read this book, you feel it in your heart and soul.
The connection between the characters is beautifully intense, filled with longing, tension, and moments that made my chest ache in the best way possible. 💕 The romance is spellbinding, emotional, and perfectly paced, blending vulnerability with passion in a way that feels raw and real. Every glance, every touch, every unspoken word feels meaningful. ✨🔥
What truly stood out to me was the atmosphere—mystical, romantic, and immersive. It’s the kind of book you want to read slowly just to savor every moment, yet you can’t put it down because you need to know what happens next. 📖🌙 This story leaves a lingering feeling long after the last page, like a spell that refuses to fade.
If you love romance that feels magical, emotional, and unforgettable, The Spell of Us is an absolute must-read. This book has officially claimed a permanent spot in my heart. 💖✨
4.5⭐️ 2🌶️
Tropes:
✨ Magical Romance
💕 Soulmate Energy
🔥 Slow-Burn Tension
🌙 Emotional & Atmospheric
💔➡️💖 Healing Through Love
🕯️ Fate & Destiny
😍 Intense Chemistry
My Review
The Spell of Us by Marley Monroe completely enchanted me from the very first page. This story feels like stepping into a dream where emotions are deep, love is powerful, and every word is laced with magic. 🕯️💖 Marley Monroe has a way of writing that pulls you in so effortlessly—you don’t just read this book, you feel it in your heart and soul.
The connection between the characters is beautifully intense, filled with longing, tension, and moments that made my chest ache in the best way possible. 💕 The romance is spellbinding, emotional, and perfectly paced, blending vulnerability with passion in a way that feels raw and real. Every glance, every touch, every unspoken word feels meaningful. ✨🔥
What truly stood out to me was the atmosphere—mystical, romantic, and immersive. It’s the kind of book you want to read slowly just to savor every moment, yet you can’t put it down because you need to know what happens next. 📖🌙 This story leaves a lingering feeling long after the last page, like a spell that refuses to fade.
If you love romance that feels magical, emotional, and unforgettable, The Spell of Us is an absolute must-read. This book has officially claimed a permanent spot in my heart. 💖✨
Review of advance copy received from Author
eARC review
The Gods have left the world and all magic is banned. Practicing magic, even for good, can get you arrested..or worse. Our main character Maelis has the ability to heal others. She is thrown into the clash between Gods, humans and the rebellion. As part of a prophecy she is brought to the land of the Gods and (almost) into the arms of the God of wisdom.
I thought it was a bit hard to place the story in a timeline. Sometimes it felt like the 1800s and in other situations it felt more modern. I would have liked a little more worldbuilding. It mixes flashbacks with present but not always in a straight line. For example I thought her past was a bit confusing even with the occasional reveals. The rhythm of the story changes a lot and the pace towards the ending was a bit slow.
However, this is an exciting story with magic, war, betrayals and a lot of yearning. The tension between her and Auretheos is vibrating ready to snap. There is some spice but it does not take focus from the main story. Gold star for not having a teenager as the main character. It gives credibility to the life experiences and choices she makes. Overall I liked reading it. It’s a 3,5 for me but I’ll round it up to a 4.
Thank you to the author who provided this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Gods have left the world and all magic is banned. Practicing magic, even for good, can get you arrested..or worse. Our main character Maelis has the ability to heal others. She is thrown into the clash between Gods, humans and the rebellion. As part of a prophecy she is brought to the land of the Gods and (almost) into the arms of the God of wisdom.
I thought it was a bit hard to place the story in a timeline. Sometimes it felt like the 1800s and in other situations it felt more modern. I would have liked a little more worldbuilding. It mixes flashbacks with present but not always in a straight line. For example I thought her past was a bit confusing even with the occasional reveals. The rhythm of the story changes a lot and the pace towards the ending was a bit slow.
However, this is an exciting story with magic, war, betrayals and a lot of yearning. The tension between her and Auretheos is vibrating ready to snap. There is some spice but it does not take focus from the main story. Gold star for not having a teenager as the main character. It gives credibility to the life experiences and choices she makes. Overall I liked reading it. It’s a 3,5 for me but I’ll round it up to a 4.
Thank you to the author who provided this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 8, 2026
𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
Gods, guilt, and glasses never looked this sexy
Maelis is gifted with heka, a power that feels more curse than blessing. Torn between guilt and duty, she secretly uses it to heal those who can’t afford help—until her employer threatens to expose her. Drawn into a divine conflict, she meets Auretheos, God of Wisdom, whose lonely life and strict boundaries clash with the undeniable chemistry between them. Together, they face battles, betrayals, and the slow-burn tension of a love that feels both forbidden and inevitable.
Personal Reaction:
This book is proof that gods, guilt, and glasses can be dangerously sexy when mixed together. The romance between Maelis and Auretheos is pure slow-burn torture—fiery, aching, and impossibly sweet. Their notes are adorable, their friendship tender, and their chemistry blazing. I loved how Auretheos sees Maelis for who she is, flaws and all, without trying to control her. The divine battles kept the stakes high, while the emotional core made me ache for both of them.
Closing Impression:
If you love slow-burn romance with sizzling tension, divine battles, and a hero who’s equal parts protective and nerdy, this book will hook you. Perfect for readers who crave cosmic vibes, tortured gods, and heroines learning to embrace their power.
Gods, guilt, and glasses never looked this sexy
Maelis is gifted with heka, a power that feels more curse than blessing. Torn between guilt and duty, she secretly uses it to heal those who can’t afford help—until her employer threatens to expose her. Drawn into a divine conflict, she meets Auretheos, God of Wisdom, whose lonely life and strict boundaries clash with the undeniable chemistry between them. Together, they face battles, betrayals, and the slow-burn tension of a love that feels both forbidden and inevitable.
Personal Reaction:
This book is proof that gods, guilt, and glasses can be dangerously sexy when mixed together. The romance between Maelis and Auretheos is pure slow-burn torture—fiery, aching, and impossibly sweet. Their notes are adorable, their friendship tender, and their chemistry blazing. I loved how Auretheos sees Maelis for who she is, flaws and all, without trying to control her. The divine battles kept the stakes high, while the emotional core made me ache for both of them.
Closing Impression:
If you love slow-burn romance with sizzling tension, divine battles, and a hero who’s equal parts protective and nerdy, this book will hook you. Perfect for readers who crave cosmic vibes, tortured gods, and heroines learning to embrace their power.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review
Okay first off- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This read was amazing and mindblowingly beautiful. Maelis had my attention from the very beginning, I’m a sucker for a healer (hated the doctor though, what a douche canoe). The personal growth she went through over the course of the book was inspiring, never trusting herself to make a decision to then finally realizing she’s more than capable of making decisions for herself, ugh perfection. Also, the plan she conjured up… OMG I WAS ON THE EDGE OF MY SEAT FOR THAT ONE.
THEO! I loved him, poor guy kept himself “pure” for 500 years and then fell in love the second he laid eyes on Maelis. 😩 Someone PLEASE find me a Theo, I love me a hot man that knows how to read and put that knowledge to good use!
I would just like to say, I hated the Abbot throughout the entire book until he was the only one that caught on to Maelis’s plan and actually believed in her. So props to him for coming around because I was totally routing for you not to make it out of the war.
I could not recommend this book enough! Please RUN to get yourself a copy went it releases February 6th, 2026.
Also, where do I get my hands on “Miss Rosemary and the Gardener” 😉 iykyk
“We are making our own fate now”
Okay first off- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This read was amazing and mindblowingly beautiful. Maelis had my attention from the very beginning, I’m a sucker for a healer (hated the doctor though, what a douche canoe). The personal growth she went through over the course of the book was inspiring, never trusting herself to make a decision to then finally realizing she’s more than capable of making decisions for herself, ugh perfection. Also, the plan she conjured up… OMG I WAS ON THE EDGE OF MY SEAT FOR THAT ONE.
THEO! I loved him, poor guy kept himself “pure” for 500 years and then fell in love the second he laid eyes on Maelis. 😩 Someone PLEASE find me a Theo, I love me a hot man that knows how to read and put that knowledge to good use!
I would just like to say, I hated the Abbot throughout the entire book until he was the only one that caught on to Maelis’s plan and actually believed in her. So props to him for coming around because I was totally routing for you not to make it out of the war.
I could not recommend this book enough! Please RUN to get yourself a copy went it releases February 6th, 2026.
Also, where do I get my hands on “Miss Rosemary and the Gardener” 😉 iykyk
“We are making our own fate now”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is pure emotional magic. It’s one of those stories that sneaks up on you and suddenly you’re deeply invested, heart wide open, whispering “just one more chapter” at 2 a.m. The connection between the characters feels so real, messy, tender, and achingly intimate in a way that makes you feel everything right along with them. The chemistry? Quietly intense. The kind that builds slowly but hits HARD when it lands. Right when you think you have everything figured out...something happens and then you find yourself questioning everything.
Marly Monroe writes emotions so beautifully that you feel like you’re living inside the story instead of just reading it. There’s longing, vulnerability, healing, and that undeniable pull between two people who feel destined but still have to fight for it. It’s romantic, a little heartbreaking, and completely consuming in the best way. I can't wait to read the second book.
If you love romance that’s deep, soulful, and leaves you staring at the wall after you finish because you’re not ready to let go then this is your next read. Trust me on this one.
Marly Monroe writes emotions so beautifully that you feel like you’re living inside the story instead of just reading it. There’s longing, vulnerability, healing, and that undeniable pull between two people who feel destined but still have to fight for it. It’s romantic, a little heartbreaking, and completely consuming in the best way. I can't wait to read the second book.
If you love romance that’s deep, soulful, and leaves you staring at the wall after you finish because you’re not ready to let go then this is your next read. Trust me on this one.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I didn't know what to expect the first few chapters or where the story was going to go. It took me a bit to get into it but once the story picks up, IT GOES. I was HOOKED.
At first I thought this was going to be a story of Caelan and Maelis. And in comes Theo....oh Theo. He is so young and angsty but also so old and wise. The joys of being a God. He might be 500 but I swear hes a millennial at heart. I'm obsessed with him.
The slow burn BURNS until it explodes!
For the last 20% I was reading so frantically my eyes couldn't move fast enough. I was screaming I KNOW YOU MAELIS at my screen 😂 girl I was stressed. I never stopped believing in her.
But also the entire year after the battle, and after reading Theo's letter, I sobbed.Thats love, baby.
I really enjoyed the magic system. New and familiar God's, monsters, and magic. How Maelis uses her heka and determines right and wrong is new and not something I've seen before.
I honestly hope to see this in book stores one day. This story has great potential. Totally worth the read.
Thank you so much to Marly Monroe for allowing me to read and review this ARC.
At first I thought this was going to be a story of Caelan and Maelis. And in comes Theo....oh Theo. He is so young and angsty but also so old and wise. The joys of being a God. He might be 500 but I swear hes a millennial at heart. I'm obsessed with him.
The slow burn BURNS until it explodes!
For the last 20% I was reading so frantically my eyes couldn't move fast enough. I was screaming I KNOW YOU MAELIS at my screen 😂 girl I was stressed. I never stopped believing in her.
But also the entire year after the battle, and after reading Theo's letter, I sobbed.Thats love, baby.
I really enjoyed the magic system. New and familiar God's, monsters, and magic. How Maelis uses her heka and determines right and wrong is new and not something I've seen before.
I honestly hope to see this in book stores one day. This story has great potential. Totally worth the read.
Thank you so much to Marly Monroe for allowing me to read and review this ARC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
All thoughts and opinions expressed within this review are my own, genuine feelings.
The chokehold that this book has kept me in is absolutely unreal. For the past few weeks I have been enjoying this story on my daily commutes. Many of those mornings, the sun cast the most gorgeous sunrises over the pacific coast. The golden pink hues that cascaded through the tree tops were breathtaking. The energy matched this intriguing story. With its rich characters and captivating dialogue. It’s easy to read and get sucked into this world of mystics and mortals. To be completely immersed as tensions build between our main characters. Watching them battle their own inner turmoil to preserve the purity of a god and fulfill the centuries old prophecy. Maelis is such a brilliantly relatable character in her reflection of the real world. Additionally, Ms Monroe’s portrayal of Auretheos leaves no doubts about this magnetic connection. These two characters are made for each other in such a beautifully fantastical way. Reading this book was such a joy and I very much look forward to her next release with frantically twiddling fingers
5 ⭐️4.5🌶️
The chokehold that this book has kept me in is absolutely unreal. For the past few weeks I have been enjoying this story on my daily commutes. Many of those mornings, the sun cast the most gorgeous sunrises over the pacific coast. The golden pink hues that cascaded through the tree tops were breathtaking. The energy matched this intriguing story. With its rich characters and captivating dialogue. It’s easy to read and get sucked into this world of mystics and mortals. To be completely immersed as tensions build between our main characters. Watching them battle their own inner turmoil to preserve the purity of a god and fulfill the centuries old prophecy. Maelis is such a brilliantly relatable character in her reflection of the real world. Additionally, Ms Monroe’s portrayal of Auretheos leaves no doubts about this magnetic connection. These two characters are made for each other in such a beautifully fantastical way. Reading this book was such a joy and I very much look forward to her next release with frantically twiddling fingers
5 ⭐️4.5🌶️
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Spell of Us is such a unique story, something I’ve never read before. The plot took me in unexpected directions, and I couldn’t put it down! Theo, MMC is intelligent and respectful. I love male leads with real depth who have so much more to offer than just being brutal or tough. He was a refreshing change and really drew me in.
This book made me laugh and cry, often at the same time. Caelan quickly became my favorite side character; I loved their energy and how they balanced out the more serious moments.
And the ending? Absolutely perfect. It left me feeling satisfied and emotional in the best way.
The love story felt so real and genuine. The chemistry between Theo and Mae was beautiful, and the fact that Theo is a virgin made the more intimate moments feel all the more authentic. I especially loved how bashful and awkward he was, it was endearing and added a lot of heart to the romance.
If you’re looking for a book with depth, heart, and a love story that feels truly authentic, The Spell of Us is a must-read!
This book made me laugh and cry, often at the same time. Caelan quickly became my favorite side character; I loved their energy and how they balanced out the more serious moments.
And the ending? Absolutely perfect. It left me feeling satisfied and emotional in the best way.
The love story felt so real and genuine. The chemistry between Theo and Mae was beautiful, and the fact that Theo is a virgin made the more intimate moments feel all the more authentic. I especially loved how bashful and awkward he was, it was endearing and added a lot of heart to the romance.
If you’re looking for a book with depth, heart, and a love story that feels truly authentic, The Spell of Us is a must-read!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I had the pleasure of reading this as an ARC, and I really enjoyed it!
At its core, this is a story about a mortal woman with forbidden magic and a god bound by duty and prophecy. Maelis is trying to survive in a world where magic is outlawed, while Auretheos is trapped by a destiny that doesn’t allow him to love—or touch. Their connection grows quietly as they wait for a prophecy to unfold, knowing a war is coming and that everything will change.
The writing is beautiful and easy to read, with some lovely quotes throughout. It’s very much a slow burn: not very spicy, but when it does lean into intimacy, the scenes really work.
The scene with notes passed under the door? Absolute gold!
I also loved the plot twists near the end, they genuinely caught me off guard and added a lot of emotional weight to the story.
If you enjoy romantasy with a softer, lyrical tone and a focus on fate, sacrifice, and forbidden love, this one is worth picking up.
Tropes:
✨ Forbidden love
✨ Slow burn
✨ Romantasy
At its core, this is a story about a mortal woman with forbidden magic and a god bound by duty and prophecy. Maelis is trying to survive in a world where magic is outlawed, while Auretheos is trapped by a destiny that doesn’t allow him to love—or touch. Their connection grows quietly as they wait for a prophecy to unfold, knowing a war is coming and that everything will change.
The writing is beautiful and easy to read, with some lovely quotes throughout. It’s very much a slow burn: not very spicy, but when it does lean into intimacy, the scenes really work.
The scene with notes passed under the door? Absolute gold!
I also loved the plot twists near the end, they genuinely caught me off guard and added a lot of emotional weight to the story.
If you enjoy romantasy with a softer, lyrical tone and a focus on fate, sacrifice, and forbidden love, this one is worth picking up.
Tropes:
✨ Forbidden love
✨ Slow burn
✨ Romantasy
Review of advance copy received from Author
January started on such a good note for me, and I honestly credit this book for it. Every day, I had something to look forward to. The world-building, the characters, and the emotions are beautifully done.
Author’s writing feels fresh and immersive. The story never once felt distant. Instead, everything unfolded as if it were happening in real time. The character descriptions are vivid and effortless. I could clearly picture each character and feel their presence on the page.
The yearning between Mae and Theo is exquisitely written. Their connection carries so much emotion, making this book a true emotional roller coaster. I also really loved the secondary characters as they added depth and warmth to the story and made the world feel even more alive.
I wish I could know more what happened in their future as Mae's life has completely changed now.
All in all, I’m so glad I read this book. As an ARC reader, it was a pleasure to experience this story, and it’s one I’ll be thinking about long after finishing.
Author’s writing feels fresh and immersive. The story never once felt distant. Instead, everything unfolded as if it were happening in real time. The character descriptions are vivid and effortless. I could clearly picture each character and feel their presence on the page.
The yearning between Mae and Theo is exquisitely written. Their connection carries so much emotion, making this book a true emotional roller coaster. I also really loved the secondary characters as they added depth and warmth to the story and made the world feel even more alive.
I wish I could know more what happened in their future as Mae's life has completely changed now.
All in all, I’m so glad I read this book. As an ARC reader, it was a pleasure to experience this story, and it’s one I’ll be thinking about long after finishing.
March 3, 2026
Maelis has forbidden magic she’s been hiding her whole life and she’s not exactly thriving with it. Her powers are chaotic, her fighting skills are questionable, and she’s stuck living by rules she never chose in a world where magic is straight up outlawed. So yeah, stress levels are high.
Then there’s Auretheos — literal God of Wisdom and Cunning. Powerful, mysterious, emotionally repressed and sworn to purity because of an ancient prophecy. He’s destined for solitude and sacrifice, not catching feelings for stubborn mortals.
Unfortunately for him, Maelis exists.
When a wave of religious extremism starts threatening both gods and humans, they’re forced into an alliance. And of course, the one thing that wasn’t supposed to happen, feelings becomes the strongest part of the equation.
It’s very “we shouldn’t be doing this” mixed with destiny drama and slow-burn tension. If you like forbidden magic, god x mortal romance, touch-starved immortals, and chaotic heroines who accidentally wreck divine self-control, this one definitely leans into that vibe.
Then there’s Auretheos — literal God of Wisdom and Cunning. Powerful, mysterious, emotionally repressed and sworn to purity because of an ancient prophecy. He’s destined for solitude and sacrifice, not catching feelings for stubborn mortals.
Unfortunately for him, Maelis exists.
When a wave of religious extremism starts threatening both gods and humans, they’re forced into an alliance. And of course, the one thing that wasn’t supposed to happen, feelings becomes the strongest part of the equation.
It’s very “we shouldn’t be doing this” mixed with destiny drama and slow-burn tension. If you like forbidden magic, god x mortal romance, touch-starved immortals, and chaotic heroines who accidentally wreck divine self-control, this one definitely leans into that vibe.
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