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Sons of Salem #1
Hallowed Bones
Not yet published
Expected 6 Oct 26Win a free print copy of this book!
3 days and 01:45:40
10 copies available
U.S. only
The first in the Sons of Salem series— a seductive, dark why-choose romance filled with cursed bloodlines, secret societies, and a powerful heroine destined to save the coven.
Four cursed heirs. One forbidden witch. A desire that burns bright.
I was warned to stay away from the Sons of Salem. Not because they’re monsters—but because they’re broken enough to recognize one.
Ezra Bishop.
Cameron Goode.
Lyall Corey.
Reyes Scott.
And me—Haven Wardwell.
Legacies. Witches. Something far worse than myths.
Now that I’m here, there’s no telling what Now that I’m here, there’s no telling what the Dark Gods will ask for in return.
Ghosts haunt the corridors of Ipswich College, and if I’m not careful, I might just become one of them.
Four cursed heirs. One forbidden witch. A desire that burns bright.
I was warned to stay away from the Sons of Salem. Not because they’re monsters—but because they’re broken enough to recognize one.
Ezra Bishop.
Cameron Goode.
Lyall Corey.
Reyes Scott.
And me—Haven Wardwell.
Legacies. Witches. Something far worse than myths.
Now that I’m here, there’s no telling what Now that I’m here, there’s no telling what the Dark Gods will ask for in return.
Ghosts haunt the corridors of Ipswich College, and if I’m not careful, I might just become one of them.
384 pages, Paperback
Expected publication October 6, 2026
About the author
Lucy Smoke
78 books3,158 followersLucy Smoke, also known as Lucinda Dark for her fantasy works, has a master’s degree in English and is a self-proclaimed creative chihuahua. She enjoys feeding her wanderlust, cover addiction, as well as her face, and truly hopes people will stop giving her bath bombs as gifts. Bath’s get cold too fast and it’s just not as wonderful as the commercials make it out to be when the tub isn’t a jacuzzi.
When she’s not on a never-ending quest to find the perfect milkshake, she lives and works in the southern United States with her beloved fur-baby, Hiro, and her family and friends.
When she’s not on a never-ending quest to find the perfect milkshake, she lives and works in the southern United States with her beloved fur-baby, Hiro, and her family and friends.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 575 reviews
June 9, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was my first book by Lucy Smoke, and I was immediately drawn in by her engaging writing style. I wasn’t sure this would be a book for me, which makes it a nice surprise with how much I enjoyed it. The storyline was captivating, and it left me excited to continue with the series.
The atmosphere was one of my favorite aspects of the book. It delivers the perfect blend of magic, mystery, and spice, all wrapped in spooky season vibes. If you’re looking for a book to add to your fall reading list, this is an excellent choice. I look forward to reading more from this author.
This was my first book by Lucy Smoke, and I was immediately drawn in by her engaging writing style. I wasn’t sure this would be a book for me, which makes it a nice surprise with how much I enjoyed it. The storyline was captivating, and it left me excited to continue with the series.
The atmosphere was one of my favorite aspects of the book. It delivers the perfect blend of magic, mystery, and spice, all wrapped in spooky season vibes. If you’re looking for a book to add to your fall reading list, this is an excellent choice. I look forward to reading more from this author.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
May 8, 2026Another DNF @ 26% 😭
This was my first book by Lucy Smoke, and probably my last. I picked this up because it was a Why Choose, but the writing style is not my favorite. I’m struggling with the insta lust, the info dumps, and the stiff dialogue. If you like fast paced romance, you might like this.
⬫ ⬪ ⬫
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!
This was my first book by Lucy Smoke, and probably my last. I picked this up because it was a Why Choose, but the writing style is not my favorite. I’m struggling with the insta lust, the info dumps, and the stiff dialogue. If you like fast paced romance, you might like this.
⬫ ⬪ ⬫
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!
June 10, 2026
✨ARC Book Review✨
This book has all the dark academia, spooky Sabrina witchy vibes, but with four super hot men who all want her. I’m so obsessed!
Haven’s story is actually so sad. After losing her parents and being stuck with a selfish aunt, I was really hoping she would fit in at her new school. Turns out that wasn’t an issue. I was hooked by the ever present threats to her life from being chased by monsters, the nightmares, and feeling of being stalked.
She ends up meeting 4 different men who are all from old money families in the town. They are reclusive but the tea is they sometimes like to share. Each guy had his own moments with her, filled with the slow burn tension I absolutely live for. They all had different skills and magical abilities. I was literally laughing out loud during Haven’s date with Lyall.
The slow burning intimacy was sooo good! I wish it had happened a little sooner in the book, but that’s only because the tension was so good.
With her life constantly being threatened, she finds herself relying on the guys. I really enjoyed watching Haven learn more about magic. I do wish we had gotten more from her dad’s point of view. I heard their side of the story, I wish I knew his.
The ending had my jaw on the floor! I was expecting literally anything else. But yessss!! It was so good! I need the next book in this series ASAP!
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin Publishing for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book has all the dark academia, spooky Sabrina witchy vibes, but with four super hot men who all want her. I’m so obsessed!
Haven’s story is actually so sad. After losing her parents and being stuck with a selfish aunt, I was really hoping she would fit in at her new school. Turns out that wasn’t an issue. I was hooked by the ever present threats to her life from being chased by monsters, the nightmares, and feeling of being stalked.
She ends up meeting 4 different men who are all from old money families in the town. They are reclusive but the tea is they sometimes like to share. Each guy had his own moments with her, filled with the slow burn tension I absolutely live for. They all had different skills and magical abilities. I was literally laughing out loud during Haven’s date with Lyall.
The slow burning intimacy was sooo good! I wish it had happened a little sooner in the book, but that’s only because the tension was so good.
With her life constantly being threatened, she finds herself relying on the guys. I really enjoyed watching Haven learn more about magic. I do wish we had gotten more from her dad’s point of view. I heard their side of the story, I wish I knew his.
The ending had my jaw on the floor! I was expecting literally anything else. But yessss!! It was so good! I need the next book in this series ASAP!
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin Publishing for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Note: Some of my goodreads shelves can be spoilers
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔 (I’m assuming more is coming in later books?)
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡ (It was decent!)
Romance: 💞💞💞 (I wasn’t strongly feeling it but I’m assuming it will evolve over the course of the series)
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥
Humor: A touch
Perspective: first person from all 5 mains
More character focused or plot focused? plot? Maybe character? It’s kind of weird because not a TON happened but I also don’t feel like I know anyone super well...more of like day to day conversations and things...
How did the speed of the story feel? slow
When mains are first on page together: it varies for each main – Haven and Cameron meet somewhat soon in
Cliffhanger: Yes! This will end on a cliffhanger with what feels like relationships beginning. (It’s not a tragic ending or anything, just super incomplete feeling)
Epilogue: No
Format: voluntarily read an advanced reader copy from NetGalley in e-book form
Why I chose this book: It looked interesting on NetGalley so I decided to pick it up
Mains: Haven Warwell, Ezra Bishop, Cameron Goode, Lyall Corey and Reyes Scott – This is a polyamorous relationship that is starting between these mains – it’s not fully developed by the end of book 1. I am not sure if they are all cishet mains? I know some of the hero’s ‘shared’ in a relationship but assumed it was heterosexual?
Audiobook available (as of posting)? Yes, narrated by Corvin King, Grayson Owens, Michael Norman Johnson, Sarah Sampino and Stephen Dexter
(Descriptions found at end of my review)
Should I read in order?
This is the first in Smoke’s Sons of Salem series, but yes read in order as this ends on a cliffhanger and you will want the background for book 2.
Basic plot:
Haven isn’t aware of what her father’s particular ties are with Ipswich College but she’s relieved to be out from under the thumb of her manipulative aunt and recruited there. But the College is mysterious. She’s drawn to Cameron and dreaming of Reyes – and Lyall is pursuing her while Ezra is protecting her from things she doesn’t understand...
Give this a try if you want:
- contemporary paranormal romance
- Salem, MA setting
- set up for a why choose / polyamorous relationship between a heroine and four heroes
- witches, shifters, magic and other realm creatures
- heroine has heterochromia
- dark academy setting – Ipswich College
- you want a slower burn and mysterious series that will evolve over more than 1 book
- lower steam – I believe there’s only 1 full scene in this book towards the very end (and it is only a M/F scene so if you are looking for the M/F/M/M/M scenes it will not be in this story)
Ages:
- Haven is 18 (19 in a few months) – this all takes place at a college so I’m assuming all mains are late teens to very early 20s
First line:
The front gates of Ipswich College look like the open mouth of a monster.
My thoughts:
This was a bit of a trial for me to read – I’m not sure if it was because it was slower than I was expecting or if I had a bit of a writing disconnect. I did like some parts. I am a bit curious about how it’s going to play out – I don’t know if I’d read the next book but I would consider grabbing the audio if I saw it at my library or something!
I liked the set up overall for this one. It’s mysterious – there’s hints of magic and other realm creatures. Haven doesn’t understand herself or her powers – only that bad luck and weird happenings have followed her for years. She doesn’t understand her father’s ties to this college, but it’s already feeling like home to her.
I overall liked all the heroes – I think I wanted to know them all a bit better by the end of the first book? The book seemed to have a lot of focus on….daily happenings? Some remembrances for the heroine of her past, but mostly conversations and interactions as they were happening. But nothing much really happened in the book either. So I think I was just a bit frustrated with how stagnant it felt for me? But I am left a bit curious about the rest of the story.
It does feel a bit like instalust for some of the mains but overall I liked the tension building. There wasn’t a lot of sex in this one, just kisses until the end and I think that helped it build over the course of the book.
I was a bit annoyed with the heroine and her just outright denial of accepting any kind of paranormal explanation for anything – with her visions and fears, with her experiencing the things she has, with her feeling different her whole life and having unexplainable things happen to her I was like super side eyeing her that she’s finally handed an explanation on a platter and she’s like….no.
Few random reading stats for this author
# of books read: This is my first
Average rating from me: 3 stars
Favorite book: This one by default
Endearments
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes, safe sex aspects, consent, pregnancy/child in the story:
Extra stuff like what my review breakdown means, where to find me, and book clubs
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔 (I’m assuming more is coming in later books?)
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡ (It was decent!)
Romance: 💞💞💞 (I wasn’t strongly feeling it but I’m assuming it will evolve over the course of the series)
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥
Humor: A touch
Perspective: first person from all 5 mains
More character focused or plot focused? plot? Maybe character? It’s kind of weird because not a TON happened but I also don’t feel like I know anyone super well...more of like day to day conversations and things...
How did the speed of the story feel? slow
When mains are first on page together: it varies for each main – Haven and Cameron meet somewhat soon in
Cliffhanger: Yes! This will end on a cliffhanger with what feels like relationships beginning. (It’s not a tragic ending or anything, just super incomplete feeling)
Epilogue: No
Format: voluntarily read an advanced reader copy from NetGalley in e-book form
Why I chose this book: It looked interesting on NetGalley so I decided to pick it up
Mains: Haven Warwell, Ezra Bishop, Cameron Goode, Lyall Corey and Reyes Scott – This is a polyamorous relationship that is starting between these mains – it’s not fully developed by the end of book 1. I am not sure if they are all cishet mains? I know some of the hero’s ‘shared’ in a relationship but assumed it was heterosexual?
Audiobook available (as of posting)? Yes, narrated by Corvin King, Grayson Owens, Michael Norman Johnson, Sarah Sampino and Stephen Dexter
(Descriptions found at end of my review)
Should I read in order?
This is the first in Smoke’s Sons of Salem series, but yes read in order as this ends on a cliffhanger and you will want the background for book 2.
Basic plot:
Haven isn’t aware of what her father’s particular ties are with Ipswich College but she’s relieved to be out from under the thumb of her manipulative aunt and recruited there. But the College is mysterious. She’s drawn to Cameron and dreaming of Reyes – and Lyall is pursuing her while Ezra is protecting her from things she doesn’t understand...
Give this a try if you want:
- contemporary paranormal romance
- Salem, MA setting
- set up for a why choose / polyamorous relationship between a heroine and four heroes
- witches, shifters, magic and other realm creatures
- heroine has heterochromia
- dark academy setting – Ipswich College
- you want a slower burn and mysterious series that will evolve over more than 1 book
- lower steam – I believe there’s only 1 full scene in this book towards the very end (and it is only a M/F scene so if you are looking for the M/F/M/M/M scenes it will not be in this story)
Ages:
- Haven is 18 (19 in a few months) – this all takes place at a college so I’m assuming all mains are late teens to very early 20s
First line:
The front gates of Ipswich College look like the open mouth of a monster.
My thoughts:
This was a bit of a trial for me to read – I’m not sure if it was because it was slower than I was expecting or if I had a bit of a writing disconnect. I did like some parts. I am a bit curious about how it’s going to play out – I don’t know if I’d read the next book but I would consider grabbing the audio if I saw it at my library or something!
I liked the set up overall for this one. It’s mysterious – there’s hints of magic and other realm creatures. Haven doesn’t understand herself or her powers – only that bad luck and weird happenings have followed her for years. She doesn’t understand her father’s ties to this college, but it’s already feeling like home to her.
I overall liked all the heroes – I think I wanted to know them all a bit better by the end of the first book? The book seemed to have a lot of focus on….daily happenings? Some remembrances for the heroine of her past, but mostly conversations and interactions as they were happening. But nothing much really happened in the book either. So I think I was just a bit frustrated with how stagnant it felt for me? But I am left a bit curious about the rest of the story.
It does feel a bit like instalust for some of the mains but overall I liked the tension building. There wasn’t a lot of sex in this one, just kisses until the end and I think that helped it build over the course of the book.
I was a bit annoyed with the heroine and her just outright denial of accepting any kind of paranormal explanation for anything – with her visions and fears, with her experiencing the things she has, with her feeling different her whole life and having unexplainable things happen to her I was like super side eyeing her that she’s finally handed an explanation on a platter and she’s like….no.
Few random reading stats for this author
# of books read: This is my first
Average rating from me: 3 stars
Favorite book: This one by default
Endearments
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes, safe sex aspects, consent, pregnancy/child in the story:
Extra stuff like what my review breakdown means, where to find me, and book clubs
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Dark academia, witches, why choose, and unique magic? There was a lot here that worked for me!
Hallowed Bones is definitely a series introduction. We’re learning the world, Haven, all four MMCs, and the magic system...and that is a lot to pack into one book. I really enjoyed that each character has their own unique magic, and I’m excited to see how those abilities develop as the series continues. I do wish we had gotten a little more detail about each one, but I’m hoping that is still to come.
This one is definitely for the insta-lust readers! I struggled a little with forming an emotional connection to the characters, but I was completely invested in figuring out what was going on with Haven. Every answer seemed to give me even more questions, which is a great way to keep me hooked. I binged this because I needed to know what was happening!
There are a lot of different POVs, but it worked. Each character truly has their own personality, and that came through clearly. I listened to the audiobook, and the narrators did an excellent job. I especially liked having a different narrator for each main character, although it is dual narration rather than duet.
Overall, I really enjoyed this. It has a lot of potential and was a solid start to what could be a very fun series!
Hallowed Bones is definitely a series introduction. We’re learning the world, Haven, all four MMCs, and the magic system...and that is a lot to pack into one book. I really enjoyed that each character has their own unique magic, and I’m excited to see how those abilities develop as the series continues. I do wish we had gotten a little more detail about each one, but I’m hoping that is still to come.
This one is definitely for the insta-lust readers! I struggled a little with forming an emotional connection to the characters, but I was completely invested in figuring out what was going on with Haven. Every answer seemed to give me even more questions, which is a great way to keep me hooked. I binged this because I needed to know what was happening!
There are a lot of different POVs, but it worked. Each character truly has their own personality, and that came through clearly. I listened to the audiobook, and the narrators did an excellent job. I especially liked having a different narrator for each main character, although it is dual narration rather than duet.
Overall, I really enjoyed this. It has a lot of potential and was a solid start to what could be a very fun series!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
the vibes were immaculate.
and that's about the only positive thing i feel towards this book, because while it was very gothic and atmospheric, nothing else about it landed.
i'm not a big why choose girlie, but i was open to it, until we were getting spice within the first five chapters. hello instalust! which is very much not my thing, i love a slow burn too much to be satisfied with characters jumping each other's bones before we even hit 100 pages.
on paper, this book sounded like so much fun, like it would be a great fall read, but yeah... just fell really flat and i lowkey wish i would've dnfed because it just wasn't for me at all.
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc!
and that's about the only positive thing i feel towards this book, because while it was very gothic and atmospheric, nothing else about it landed.
i'm not a big why choose girlie, but i was open to it, until we were getting spice within the first five chapters. hello instalust! which is very much not my thing, i love a slow burn too much to be satisfied with characters jumping each other's bones before we even hit 100 pages.
on paper, this book sounded like so much fun, like it would be a great fall read, but yeah... just fell really flat and i lowkey wish i would've dnfed because it just wasn't for me at all.
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc!
September 17, 2026
Thanks to the author narrator and publishers for my arc and alc.
For starters the narrators did a fantastic job! Was really glad to see each character had their own voice actor that def makes it so much more immersive.
This is dark academia in setting only… it’s insta lust and at times a little cringy … stop your ass right there or lll spank it .??? Personally just not for me.
What I really really enjoyed was how much this reminded me of the movie the Covenant. I’ll probably read book tow for that reason alone.
For starters the narrators did a fantastic job! Was really glad to see each character had their own voice actor that def makes it so much more immersive.
This is dark academia in setting only… it’s insta lust and at times a little cringy … stop your ass right there or lll spank it .??? Personally just not for me.
What I really really enjoyed was how much this reminded me of the movie the Covenant. I’ll probably read book tow for that reason alone.
Want to Read
June 8, 2026got the arc!! but now i'm scared cause of the reviews lol
September 25, 2026
First thank you so so much to the author, Netgalley, St. Martins Press, and Macmillan audio for the ALC of this book!
Let me start by saying this book was really enjoyable. Such an engrossing book. I loved the plot! The narration was perfection. Corvin King is a narrator that I love so it was so awesome to have him as one of the narrators. All of the narrators did so well and I could not only picture the scenes with such clarity but I could feel the emotion of the characters so deeply. I think the narrators honestly made me love the story even more.
A spicy why choose book with an academy setting, with secret societies and a badass FMC sign me up. The sons of Salem are not one, not two, NOT THREE, BUT FOUR male witches. Absolutely sign me up! Who doesn’t love four hot broody male witches and you don’t have to choose!
I thought the ties to the Salem witch trials added a lot of depth to the story. I really really enjoyed the plot and while there were parts that I found to be a little slow the mysterious vibes kept me wondering what was going to happen next.
If you like dark academia, why choose, and witches I definitely recommend you give this one a try!
Tropes and themes:
Fantasy
Dark academia
Why choose
Insta lust
4 male witches
Salem witch trials
Let me start by saying this book was really enjoyable. Such an engrossing book. I loved the plot! The narration was perfection. Corvin King is a narrator that I love so it was so awesome to have him as one of the narrators. All of the narrators did so well and I could not only picture the scenes with such clarity but I could feel the emotion of the characters so deeply. I think the narrators honestly made me love the story even more.
A spicy why choose book with an academy setting, with secret societies and a badass FMC sign me up. The sons of Salem are not one, not two, NOT THREE, BUT FOUR male witches. Absolutely sign me up! Who doesn’t love four hot broody male witches and you don’t have to choose!
I thought the ties to the Salem witch trials added a lot of depth to the story. I really really enjoyed the plot and while there were parts that I found to be a little slow the mysterious vibes kept me wondering what was going to happen next.
If you like dark academia, why choose, and witches I definitely recommend you give this one a try!
Tropes and themes:
Fantasy
Dark academia
Why choose
Insta lust
4 male witches
Salem witch trials
September 18, 2026
3.5 stars
The story started out interesting with Haven being sent to a university in Salem, but I noticed very frequently throughout this book that I was thinking about other things, and the audiobook was having trouble keeping my attention.
I enjoyed the haunting dark academia vibes, and there is a bit of bully romance. It’s also marketed as a RH book, and I was expecting more romance, so that was a bit disappointing. But I’m sure there will be more in the next book.
There’s a lot of background knowledge that we don’t know (because the FMC is also in the dark) but it made some things confusing, and then I got to the point that I lost my enthusiasm for learning more.
I thought the narrators were good, and I appreciated having a full cast! I wish that would’ve helped me learn the guys names… but I still struggled remembering what name went with what backstory.
Thank you for the ALC through NetGalley
The story started out interesting with Haven being sent to a university in Salem, but I noticed very frequently throughout this book that I was thinking about other things, and the audiobook was having trouble keeping my attention.
I enjoyed the haunting dark academia vibes, and there is a bit of bully romance. It’s also marketed as a RH book, and I was expecting more romance, so that was a bit disappointing. But I’m sure there will be more in the next book.
There’s a lot of background knowledge that we don’t know (because the FMC is also in the dark) but it made some things confusing, and then I got to the point that I lost my enthusiasm for learning more.
I thought the narrators were good, and I appreciated having a full cast! I wish that would’ve helped me learn the guys names… but I still struggled remembering what name went with what backstory.
Thank you for the ALC through NetGalley
September 12, 2026
Obsessed. Roman Empire. Six Star Banger.
Hallowed Bones has it all… dark college set in Ipswich Massachusetts, neighbors of Salem home of the Salem Witch trials. Witches - four male witches to be exact. Gothic/Dark Vibes. Secrets and curses and more questions than answers.
And a cliffhanger that’ll curl your toes and make you gasp in shock.
Please read this book. I beg.
Hallowed Bones has it all… dark college set in Ipswich Massachusetts, neighbors of Salem home of the Salem Witch trials. Witches - four male witches to be exact. Gothic/Dark Vibes. Secrets and curses and more questions than answers.
And a cliffhanger that’ll curl your toes and make you gasp in shock.
Please read this book. I beg.
June 3, 2026
This is an advanced reader copy given to me by Net Galley
This was my first Lucy Smoke book, and I can definitely see why so many people love her books. The gothic atmosphere, witchcraft, and coven storyline immediately pulled me in. There were a lot of interesting ideas throughout the story, and the Sons of Salem were exactly the kind of morally gray, attractive characters that make books like this so much fun. And that cliffhanger? It definitely made me want to pick up the next book.
One thing I really enjoyed was the insta-lust between the characters. I know some readers prefer a slow burn, but the instant attraction was exactly what I was in the mood for. It added a lot of tension and kept things exciting. The romance and spice definitely helped keep me invested in the story.
While there were a lot of things I enjoyed, the character development and dialogue didn’t always work for me. The multiple POVs sometimes made the story feel a little confusing, and because the focus was constantly shifting, I found it harder to connect with the characters.
Overall, I still enjoyed the book and can see a lot of potential in the series. The world-building, magic, gothic vibes, and chemistry between the characters were all strong points for me. It wasn’t a favorite, but I’m definitely interested in seeing what happens next.
This was my first Lucy Smoke book, and I can definitely see why so many people love her books. The gothic atmosphere, witchcraft, and coven storyline immediately pulled me in. There were a lot of interesting ideas throughout the story, and the Sons of Salem were exactly the kind of morally gray, attractive characters that make books like this so much fun. And that cliffhanger? It definitely made me want to pick up the next book.
One thing I really enjoyed was the insta-lust between the characters. I know some readers prefer a slow burn, but the instant attraction was exactly what I was in the mood for. It added a lot of tension and kept things exciting. The romance and spice definitely helped keep me invested in the story.
While there were a lot of things I enjoyed, the character development and dialogue didn’t always work for me. The multiple POVs sometimes made the story feel a little confusing, and because the focus was constantly shifting, I found it harder to connect with the characters.
Overall, I still enjoyed the book and can see a lot of potential in the series. The world-building, magic, gothic vibes, and chemistry between the characters were all strong points for me. It wasn’t a favorite, but I’m definitely interested in seeing what happens next.
July 14, 2026
3/5
Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and the author Lucy Smoke for gifting me with this ARC to review!
I’m really in the middle with this book. I think it has potential but there were definitely some undeveloped aspects to the story.
Liked:
-why choose when you can have them all. 4 hot as sin men who want to be with you sounds like a very fun time (not in reality…that would be so draining 😂).
Lyall: sexy, wolf shifter/witch
Reyes: sexy, dream walker/witch
Cameron: sexy, bookish, witch
Ezra: sexy, brooding, blood witch (I wonder if he’s into knife play 🔪)
I have to say that Haven is one lucky girl 😏
-a curse you say? The Salem Coven has been cursed because of something their ancestors did and Haven is their only hope for redemption. The mystery surrounding how the coven ended up like this and how Haven is supposed to help them is left unanswered (at least for now).
Disliked:
-not a huge instalust fan. I’m totally fine with a character acknowledging that another character is hot, but panting after people for no other reason besides them being attractive isn’t my cup of tea.
-wish there was some more background on the void and its creatures. For the most part I think the plot was really geared towards setting up the romantic relationships then it was actually helping Haven with her powers and doing anything with that.
Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and the author Lucy Smoke for gifting me with this ARC to review!
I’m really in the middle with this book. I think it has potential but there were definitely some undeveloped aspects to the story.
Liked:
-why choose when you can have them all. 4 hot as sin men who want to be with you sounds like a very fun time (not in reality…that would be so draining 😂).
Lyall: sexy, wolf shifter/witch
Reyes: sexy, dream walker/witch
Cameron: sexy, bookish, witch
Ezra: sexy, brooding, blood witch (I wonder if he’s into knife play 🔪)
I have to say that Haven is one lucky girl 😏
-a curse you say? The Salem Coven has been cursed because of something their ancestors did and Haven is their only hope for redemption. The mystery surrounding how the coven ended up like this and how Haven is supposed to help them is left unanswered (at least for now).
Disliked:
-not a huge instalust fan. I’m totally fine with a character acknowledging that another character is hot, but panting after people for no other reason besides them being attractive isn’t my cup of tea.
-wish there was some more background on the void and its creatures. For the most part I think the plot was really geared towards setting up the romantic relationships then it was actually helping Haven with her powers and doing anything with that.
May 9, 2026
Thank you to St. Martins Press and NetGalley for the eARC
It was well written.
It has The Covenant vibes plus reverse harem.
I did find it hard to differentiate between the men. I do wish there had been more physical descriptions for them.
The cliffhanger was a surprise. Will definitely read the second in the series.
It was well written.
It has The Covenant vibes plus reverse harem.
I did find it hard to differentiate between the men. I do wish there had been more physical descriptions for them.
The cliffhanger was a surprise. Will definitely read the second in the series.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Story setting: Salem, Massachusetts 🖤
Thank you, Macmillan Audio & St Martins Press, for the #gifted copy of Hallowed Bones {partner}
Genre: Fantasy
Format: 🎧📖
Pub Date: 10.6.2026
Pages: 384
DNF at 34%
This is definitely a case of ‘the cover got me’ 😵💫
When I first saw the cover of Hallowed Bones - I thought “yes, this is absolutely my speed” and then I saw the synopsis ‘Four cursed heirs. One forbidden witch. A desire that burns bright’ and said “say no more”. BUT, the problem is that I missed that it’s a why choose romance; which there is nothing wrong with that but I have been in THE romance rut to end all ruts and had I paid closer attention, I would’ve realized it was a romance and probably skipped it. It’s been months since I read and actually enjoyed a romance and sadly that is the case with this book, too.
The beginning of the book had my attention; it felt creepy and gave me a little bit of Wednesday meets Vampire Diaries vibes and I was quickly flying through the pages but then the tone changed and there was the introduction of multiple narrators and the tone of the book took on a YA edge. I know, I know Wednesday and Vampire Diaries have all the teenage vibes BUT that was not what I signed up for when I started Hallowed Bones.
Audiobook Review: ☆☆☆
The audiobook is a full cast narration featuring Corbin King, Grayson Owens, Michael Norman Johnson, Sarah Sampino and Stephen Dexter. To be completely honest, there were wayyyy too many narrators that all sound the same - they have that dark gravelly voice and was full of angst (and it did nothing for me).
Read if you enjoy:
🧙🏽♀️ Salem, MA
🖤 Dark Academia
🐢 Slow Burn
I recommend reading Hallowed Bones if you are looking for a slow burn series to add to your reading list (this is book one of a series).
______
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Thank you, Macmillan Audio & St Martins Press, for the #gifted copy of Hallowed Bones {partner}
Genre: Fantasy
Format: 🎧📖
Pub Date: 10.6.2026
Pages: 384
DNF at 34%
This is definitely a case of ‘the cover got me’ 😵💫
When I first saw the cover of Hallowed Bones - I thought “yes, this is absolutely my speed” and then I saw the synopsis ‘Four cursed heirs. One forbidden witch. A desire that burns bright’ and said “say no more”. BUT, the problem is that I missed that it’s a why choose romance; which there is nothing wrong with that but I have been in THE romance rut to end all ruts and had I paid closer attention, I would’ve realized it was a romance and probably skipped it. It’s been months since I read and actually enjoyed a romance and sadly that is the case with this book, too.
The beginning of the book had my attention; it felt creepy and gave me a little bit of Wednesday meets Vampire Diaries vibes and I was quickly flying through the pages but then the tone changed and there was the introduction of multiple narrators and the tone of the book took on a YA edge. I know, I know Wednesday and Vampire Diaries have all the teenage vibes BUT that was not what I signed up for when I started Hallowed Bones.
Audiobook Review: ☆☆☆
The audiobook is a full cast narration featuring Corbin King, Grayson Owens, Michael Norman Johnson, Sarah Sampino and Stephen Dexter. To be completely honest, there were wayyyy too many narrators that all sound the same - they have that dark gravelly voice and was full of angst (and it did nothing for me).
Read if you enjoy:
🧙🏽♀️ Salem, MA
🖤 Dark Academia
🐢 Slow Burn
I recommend reading Hallowed Bones if you are looking for a slow burn series to add to your reading list (this is book one of a series).
______
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chaptersofc...
Follow me on Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/chaptersofc...
Follow me on StoryGraph:https://www.instagram.com/chaptersofc...
September 3, 2026
4⭐️
A great fall read!! If you love a dark academia vibe, with witchy aspects, and a slow burn why choose story, this one is for you!! 4 men, one girl?! 🤭
Haven, her story had my heart feeling so much! She hasn’t had an easy past & she comes across 4 men who end up being there for and she finds herself relying on them.
This book is all the spooky, magical vibes, and I loved the aspect of Haven figuring out her powers. The slow burn in this book was definitely one you have to trust, but it’s so worth it! I probably would have liked that sooner, but it was still a good one!!
This book has tension, magic, high stakes, dark gothic vibes, and spice!! It makes it good for a spooky season read! The world building & characters were fun, but that ending!! I cannot wait to see what comes next & would recommend this one!!
Thank you St Martin’s press & NetGalley for this early copy!!
A great fall read!! If you love a dark academia vibe, with witchy aspects, and a slow burn why choose story, this one is for you!! 4 men, one girl?! 🤭
Haven, her story had my heart feeling so much! She hasn’t had an easy past & she comes across 4 men who end up being there for and she finds herself relying on them.
This book is all the spooky, magical vibes, and I loved the aspect of Haven figuring out her powers. The slow burn in this book was definitely one you have to trust, but it’s so worth it! I probably would have liked that sooner, but it was still a good one!!
This book has tension, magic, high stakes, dark gothic vibes, and spice!! It makes it good for a spooky season read! The world building & characters were fun, but that ending!! I cannot wait to see what comes next & would recommend this one!!
Thank you St Martin’s press & NetGalley for this early copy!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Hallowed Bones feels like the perfect dark, gothic read for fall. 🖤
This is definitely a first-in-series book, with plenty of world-building, backstory, and setup for what’s coming, but I actually enjoyed how much time it spent building the tension rather than rushing the romance. There’s a lot of wanting what you shouldn’t have, dangerous secrets, and trying very hard to stay away from the people you’re drawn to. 👀
The whole book gave me a dark Sabrina the Teenage Witch meets The Bonds That Tie vibe, which is a very specific combination but absolutely worked for me. The why-choose elements are more tension and buildup than spice in this installment, but I have a feeling that is going to change as the series progresses.
I listened to the audiobook while reading the book, and the full cast of narrators really elevated the experience. The dual/multiple narration made the characters and atmosphere feel even more immersive, and everyone did a great job of pulling me in and making the story feel so much more real.
The ending leaves far more questions than answers, but it also has me very curious about where this story is headed and how the relationships will develop.
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Lucy Smoke for gifting me this ARC! 🖤
This is definitely a first-in-series book, with plenty of world-building, backstory, and setup for what’s coming, but I actually enjoyed how much time it spent building the tension rather than rushing the romance. There’s a lot of wanting what you shouldn’t have, dangerous secrets, and trying very hard to stay away from the people you’re drawn to. 👀
The whole book gave me a dark Sabrina the Teenage Witch meets The Bonds That Tie vibe, which is a very specific combination but absolutely worked for me. The why-choose elements are more tension and buildup than spice in this installment, but I have a feeling that is going to change as the series progresses.
I listened to the audiobook while reading the book, and the full cast of narrators really elevated the experience. The dual/multiple narration made the characters and atmosphere feel even more immersive, and everyone did a great job of pulling me in and making the story feel so much more real.
The ending leaves far more questions than answers, but it also has me very curious about where this story is headed and how the relationships will develop.
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Lucy Smoke for gifting me this ARC! 🖤
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to St. Martin's Griffin, Macmillan Audio, NetGalley, and the author for an eARC and ALC to read and review before publishing.
Hallowed Bones by Lucy Smoke was an okay read. I didn't love it, and I didn't hate it.
What works:
- Our cast of narrators! I enjoyed all of their performances and feel as though they made the story much more enjoyable for me. GIVE ME ALL THE CORVIN KING!
I appreciated having a coven of male witches. This felt unique to me, especially as they connected with and used their magic.
- I was intrigued by the mystery that was central to the plot.
What Didn't Work:
- Haven, our FMC, didn't really feel developed. I don't feel like I got to know her at all, just her circumstances.
- The writing and development of the sexual tension/spice. I'm used to and okay with insta-lust. However, a lot of those scenes in this book felt disjointed, unauthentic, and like they were thrown in to just be there. When readers say they don't like spice written by men, this is what I imagine it feels like.
Overall, Hallowed Bones was a decent read. If you like dark academia fantasy with a side of why choose, then you may enjoy this one.
Hallowed Bones by Lucy Smoke was an okay read. I didn't love it, and I didn't hate it.
What works:
- Our cast of narrators! I enjoyed all of their performances and feel as though they made the story much more enjoyable for me. GIVE ME ALL THE CORVIN KING!
I appreciated having a coven of male witches. This felt unique to me, especially as they connected with and used their magic.
- I was intrigued by the mystery that was central to the plot.
What Didn't Work:
- Haven, our FMC, didn't really feel developed. I don't feel like I got to know her at all, just her circumstances.
- The writing and development of the sexual tension/spice. I'm used to and okay with insta-lust. However, a lot of those scenes in this book felt disjointed, unauthentic, and like they were thrown in to just be there. When readers say they don't like spice written by men, this is what I imagine it feels like.
Overall, Hallowed Bones was a decent read. If you like dark academia fantasy with a side of why choose, then you may enjoy this one.
June 8, 2026
Cursed bloodlines, witches, and secret magical history? Say less.
This book definitely kept me entertained. I do wish there had been a little more character development, but I loved the mystery and magical lore enough to keep turning the pages.
And the boys…
Was every single one of them obsessed with her? Yes.
Did I love that? No.
Did I still want them all to end up together? Also yes.
Overall, not a new favorite, but a fun read with plenty of magic, secrets, and drama to keep me hooked.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
This book definitely kept me entertained. I do wish there had been a little more character development, but I loved the mystery and magical lore enough to keep turning the pages.
And the boys…
Was every single one of them obsessed with her? Yes.
Did I love that? No.
Did I still want them all to end up together? Also yes.
Overall, not a new favorite, but a fun read with plenty of magic, secrets, and drama to keep me hooked.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
June 17, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for the Arc
3.5 rounded up. The vibes of this book are fantastic; you’ve got a gothic school, witches, murders, and I love a why choose. I was all here for the set up, but it was a little slow paced for me and felt like not a lot happened until the end. I know this is book 1 of a series, but we are definitely left with all the questions and no answers. But there’s great potential for book 2 and I’ll definitely read it to see what happens next.
3.5 rounded up. The vibes of this book are fantastic; you’ve got a gothic school, witches, murders, and I love a why choose. I was all here for the set up, but it was a little slow paced for me and felt like not a lot happened until the end. I know this is book 1 of a series, but we are definitely left with all the questions and no answers. But there’s great potential for book 2 and I’ll definitely read it to see what happens next.
Want to Read
July 1, 2026baby's first arc!
August 19, 2026
This book was SO good! Thank you so much Lucy Smoke, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with the opportunity to read this via earc!
If you are a fan of witches, salem settings, dark academia and the holy grail of why choose THIS is a definite must read for you!
This book was so easy to read and the storyline flowed seamlessly! 🥵
If you are a fan of witches, salem settings, dark academia and the holy grail of why choose THIS is a definite must read for you!
This book was so easy to read and the storyline flowed seamlessly! 🥵
August 31, 2026
I have no idea if the movie The Covenant inspired this book or not but it gives me the same vibes and I was obsessed!
The FMC has had some weird experiences after her parents passed way. Once she's able to attend college she's invited to a mysterious college in Ipswich. Here she finds herself drawn to the elusive Son's of Salem. Legacies.. but also witches. She finds herself whisked into a secret society, magic, and spirits who mean to do harm.
This book was so atmospheric! I loved every character and this was a slow burnnn! The end ahhh I can't wait for the next book.
I did an immersive read with this one and it hit. The narrators did such an amazing job!
Thank you to Macmillan audio and St. Martin's Press for the gifted ebook and audiobook!
The FMC has had some weird experiences after her parents passed way. Once she's able to attend college she's invited to a mysterious college in Ipswich. Here she finds herself drawn to the elusive Son's of Salem. Legacies.. but also witches. She finds herself whisked into a secret society, magic, and spirits who mean to do harm.
This book was so atmospheric! I loved every character and this was a slow burnnn! The end ahhh I can't wait for the next book.
I did an immersive read with this one and it hit. The narrators did such an amazing job!
Thank you to Macmillan audio and St. Martin's Press for the gifted ebook and audiobook!
Want to Read
May 13, 2026UM... You had me at WHY CHOOSE...
but also super STOKED for this ARC
BUDDY READ WITH THE BABES
but also super STOKED for this ARC
BUDDY READ WITH THE BABES
September 20, 2026
🎧 Audiobook ARC
🌶️🌶️½ 2.5/5
Hallowed Bones was such a fun, atmospheric start to the Sons of Salem series, and I already cannot wait for book two.
The worldbuilding was one of my favorite parts. The cursed bloodlines, coven history, secret societies, ghosts, dark gods, and college setting all worked together really well and felt perfect for this time of year. Even with the darker supernatural elements, the setting added to the story instead of making me feel uneasy or overwhelmed.
Character development is focused mostly on Haven in this first book, but we gradually learn more about Ezra, Cameron, Lyall, and Reyes as the story goes on. It definitely feels like this book is laying the foundation for deeper development with each of the guys later in the series, which left me wanting more rather than feeling like anything was missing.
And the why-choose tension was SO good. I won’t say too much because I don’t want to spoil anything, but the yearning absolutely goes both ways. The guys want Haven, Haven wants them, and the chemistry is high throughout. I also liked that the relationships didn’t all progress at the same pace. It made the dynamic feel like it was actually developing instead of being rushed.
🌶️ Spice: 2.5/5. There is a lot of buildup and tension, and when the more detailed scene finally happens, it definitely feels worth the wait.
The plot also continued to build as the book went on, and somehow I genuinely did not see the ending coming. That final reveal completely changed how I was looking at Haven’s role in the coven and left me immediately needing the next book.
🎧Audiobook Verdict: The narration was perfection. The five-narrator cast worked incredibly well, and each voice helped bring the characters and dynamics to life. Corvin King was especially fantastic—his delivery has so much personality, and you can practically hear the smile in his voice. 🤌🏼
Final Verdict: Great worldbuilding, strong chemistry, high tension, a compelling why-choose setup, and an ending that completely caught me off guard. This was such a solid series opener, and I am very ready to see where Haven and the Sons of Salem go next.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with an advance listening copy in exchange for my honest review.
🌶️🌶️½ 2.5/5
Hallowed Bones was such a fun, atmospheric start to the Sons of Salem series, and I already cannot wait for book two.
The worldbuilding was one of my favorite parts. The cursed bloodlines, coven history, secret societies, ghosts, dark gods, and college setting all worked together really well and felt perfect for this time of year. Even with the darker supernatural elements, the setting added to the story instead of making me feel uneasy or overwhelmed.
Character development is focused mostly on Haven in this first book, but we gradually learn more about Ezra, Cameron, Lyall, and Reyes as the story goes on. It definitely feels like this book is laying the foundation for deeper development with each of the guys later in the series, which left me wanting more rather than feeling like anything was missing.
And the why-choose tension was SO good. I won’t say too much because I don’t want to spoil anything, but the yearning absolutely goes both ways. The guys want Haven, Haven wants them, and the chemistry is high throughout. I also liked that the relationships didn’t all progress at the same pace. It made the dynamic feel like it was actually developing instead of being rushed.
🌶️ Spice: 2.5/5. There is a lot of buildup and tension, and when the more detailed scene finally happens, it definitely feels worth the wait.
The plot also continued to build as the book went on, and somehow I genuinely did not see the ending coming. That final reveal completely changed how I was looking at Haven’s role in the coven and left me immediately needing the next book.
🎧Audiobook Verdict: The narration was perfection. The five-narrator cast worked incredibly well, and each voice helped bring the characters and dynamics to life. Corvin King was especially fantastic—his delivery has so much personality, and you can practically hear the smile in his voice. 🤌🏼
Final Verdict: Great worldbuilding, strong chemistry, high tension, a compelling why-choose setup, and an ending that completely caught me off guard. This was such a solid series opener, and I am very ready to see where Haven and the Sons of Salem go next.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with an advance listening copy in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3 ⭐️ full review to come, for now a very generous three stars
**Update**
This had MANY ingredients for me to love (witches, dark academia) but unfortunately it just didn’t come together and I found out I really really don’t like why choose romance. This was my first and hopefully last one in with that trope. This is your standard outline for romantasy, a barely legal but still legal naive girl, whose parents tragically died, is shipped off the college from an ungrateful and unloving Aunt who took her in. She then meets a coven of men, who are witches and surprise - she’s a witch too. There are these monsters hunting them all for some unknown reason and she’s likely the key to everyone’s salvation. Oh and all 4 men are instantly in lust and love with her… and she ALL of them. What? OK.
What worked:
* The audiobook narration, I love a full cast and this production did not disappoint and is 100% the reason I didn’t DNF this as I had both the audio and ebook.
* The setting and small college is pretty cool. I like the attempt to tie into Salem witches and witch trials.
* The premise of a coven of men witches in need of a priestess witch, I just wish the romance wasn’t a thing. I really wanted to know more about her powers, the veil, the monsters but it never got there.
What didn’t work:
* The why choose romance and all the insta lust these men had for this girl for NO reason and her insta love/lust to ALL of them. Like girl, you are seriously kissing ALL of them every other day? Call me vanilla but I think it’s super cringe and weird.
* This was SO SLOW. I feel like this was an intro chapter but it was an entire book. Literally nothing happens, no questions were answered or attempted to be answered. It was one long set up that completely lost my interest. Is this going to be a 6 or 7 book series? Couldn’t it all be condensed? I just wasn’t into how long it was to have nothing happen.
* I wish we had some answers to literally anything.
This will probably work for those who read more romantasy than me and don’t mind a super slow build up. For me, I will not be continuing this series.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and St. Martin’s Griffin for the advanced copies in exchange for my honest opinion. This book is set to publish on October 6, 2026.
This was my 93rd book of 2026
Format: Gifted Audio and ebook
**Update**
This had MANY ingredients for me to love (witches, dark academia) but unfortunately it just didn’t come together and I found out I really really don’t like why choose romance. This was my first and hopefully last one in with that trope. This is your standard outline for romantasy, a barely legal but still legal naive girl, whose parents tragically died, is shipped off the college from an ungrateful and unloving Aunt who took her in. She then meets a coven of men, who are witches and surprise - she’s a witch too. There are these monsters hunting them all for some unknown reason and she’s likely the key to everyone’s salvation. Oh and all 4 men are instantly in lust and love with her… and she ALL of them. What? OK.
What worked:
* The audiobook narration, I love a full cast and this production did not disappoint and is 100% the reason I didn’t DNF this as I had both the audio and ebook.
* The setting and small college is pretty cool. I like the attempt to tie into Salem witches and witch trials.
* The premise of a coven of men witches in need of a priestess witch, I just wish the romance wasn’t a thing. I really wanted to know more about her powers, the veil, the monsters but it never got there.
What didn’t work:
* The why choose romance and all the insta lust these men had for this girl for NO reason and her insta love/lust to ALL of them. Like girl, you are seriously kissing ALL of them every other day? Call me vanilla but I think it’s super cringe and weird.
* This was SO SLOW. I feel like this was an intro chapter but it was an entire book. Literally nothing happens, no questions were answered or attempted to be answered. It was one long set up that completely lost my interest. Is this going to be a 6 or 7 book series? Couldn’t it all be condensed? I just wasn’t into how long it was to have nothing happen.
* I wish we had some answers to literally anything.
This will probably work for those who read more romantasy than me and don’t mind a super slow build up. For me, I will not be continuing this series.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and St. Martin’s Griffin for the advanced copies in exchange for my honest opinion. This book is set to publish on October 6, 2026.
This was my 93rd book of 2026
Format: Gifted Audio and ebook
May 23, 2026
Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Lucy Smoke for the eARC! :)
This was my first Lucy Smoke read! The plot and tropes had so much potential, and the witchcraft storyline was especially intriguing. There were a lot of interesting ideas here, particularly surrounding the gothic atmosphere, the coven and magic, and the mystery woven throughout the story. The Sons of Salem also sounded exceptionally hot. The cliffhanger was well done and genuinely made me curious to see where the story goes next. Unfortunately, the writing style itself felt a bit underwhelming for me overall, which made it difficult to fully immerse myself in the world and connect with the characters on a deeper level.
While there were definitely moments I enjoyed, the character development and dialogue left something to be desired. I think the multiple points of view (five in total) contributed to this issue. Because the narrative was constantly shifting between characters, I never felt like I had enough time with any one perspective to develop a strong emotional attachment. At times, the pacing of certain interactions felt rushed or incomplete, which made some character motivations difficult to follow.
Haven’s characterization especially felt inconsistent to me throughout the book. One moment, she is intensely drawn to the Sons of Salem and clearly fascinated by both them and the idea of belonging to their coven, but then almost immediately she becomes defensive and antagonistic toward them again. Her extreme reactions often felt contradictory without enough development in between to make those shifts feel natural. I wanted more internal reflection or stronger development to better support her emotional back-and-forth.
Even though this wasn’t a favourite read for me overall, I can still see the potential in the series, and I’d definitely be interested in picking up the second book to see how the story and characters develop further.
This was my first Lucy Smoke read! The plot and tropes had so much potential, and the witchcraft storyline was especially intriguing. There were a lot of interesting ideas here, particularly surrounding the gothic atmosphere, the coven and magic, and the mystery woven throughout the story. The Sons of Salem also sounded exceptionally hot. The cliffhanger was well done and genuinely made me curious to see where the story goes next. Unfortunately, the writing style itself felt a bit underwhelming for me overall, which made it difficult to fully immerse myself in the world and connect with the characters on a deeper level.
While there were definitely moments I enjoyed, the character development and dialogue left something to be desired. I think the multiple points of view (five in total) contributed to this issue. Because the narrative was constantly shifting between characters, I never felt like I had enough time with any one perspective to develop a strong emotional attachment. At times, the pacing of certain interactions felt rushed or incomplete, which made some character motivations difficult to follow.
Haven’s characterization especially felt inconsistent to me throughout the book. One moment, she is intensely drawn to the Sons of Salem and clearly fascinated by both them and the idea of belonging to their coven, but then almost immediately she becomes defensive and antagonistic toward them again. Her extreme reactions often felt contradictory without enough development in between to make those shifts feel natural. I wanted more internal reflection or stronger development to better support her emotional back-and-forth.
Even though this wasn’t a favourite read for me overall, I can still see the potential in the series, and I’d definitely be interested in picking up the second book to see how the story and characters develop further.
August 29, 2026
Hallowed Bones by Lucy Smoke is a why-choose paranormal romance with a dark academia backdrop. It’s the first installment in Sons of Salem series — a haunting and atmospheric gothic suspense filled with secret witch societies, mystery, intrigue and lore inspired by the Salem Witch Trials.
Haven was intentionally kept in the dark to the existence of magic and the paranormal community. Retrospectively, she can recognize the signs of her power awakening ahead of her 18th birthday. But fear, pain and trauma have a way of overriding logic when tragedy strikes. Haven’s in survival mode when she’s dropped at Ipswich College. But there’s four men that look at her like she’s theirs… like they know her demons are more than just metaphorical.
I love that our MCs are flawed and complex with distinctive personalities & coping mechanisms. They’re layered in trauma. They’re young. They’re powerful. They’re vulnerable. We don’t have all the pieces yet — but it’s coming together. The story began circling itself a bit but the mystery, intrigue, and foreboding monstrous vibes helped offset the slow moving progression. I would’ve loved more romantic tension and teasing, though, especially given that Haven was raised outside of witch culture. I think it was a missed opportunity not to explore the forbidden nature of her desire for four men. What can I say? I’m a sucker for the journey. I want the shades of introspection inbetween blanket resistance and total acceptance.
Hallowed Bones releases October 6th. Paranormal romance readers that enjoy prophecies, why-choose, witches/covens, cursed bloodlines, self-discovery, atmospheric gothic suspense, dark academia settings, murder mysteries and slow burn to open door spice should add this to their TBR!
Haven was intentionally kept in the dark to the existence of magic and the paranormal community. Retrospectively, she can recognize the signs of her power awakening ahead of her 18th birthday. But fear, pain and trauma have a way of overriding logic when tragedy strikes. Haven’s in survival mode when she’s dropped at Ipswich College. But there’s four men that look at her like she’s theirs… like they know her demons are more than just metaphorical.
I love that our MCs are flawed and complex with distinctive personalities & coping mechanisms. They’re layered in trauma. They’re young. They’re powerful. They’re vulnerable. We don’t have all the pieces yet — but it’s coming together. The story began circling itself a bit but the mystery, intrigue, and foreboding monstrous vibes helped offset the slow moving progression. I would’ve loved more romantic tension and teasing, though, especially given that Haven was raised outside of witch culture. I think it was a missed opportunity not to explore the forbidden nature of her desire for four men. What can I say? I’m a sucker for the journey. I want the shades of introspection inbetween blanket resistance and total acceptance.
Hallowed Bones releases October 6th. Paranormal romance readers that enjoy prophecies, why-choose, witches/covens, cursed bloodlines, self-discovery, atmospheric gothic suspense, dark academia settings, murder mysteries and slow burn to open door spice should add this to their TBR!
September 12, 2026
I was excited to request this book after loving Married to the Mafia, my first Lucy Smoke book. Unfortunately, all the things I loved about that book were missing from this one. Now, that’s probably a good thing because once I realized the core of this plot, those elements would have been really inappropriate here for the most part. But it did make for a more mediocre experience based on what I was expecting, and that’s definitely a “me thing.”
I received the complimentary ALC from Macmillan Audio via NetGalley, narrated by Corvin King, Grayson Owens, Michael Norman Johnson, Sarah Sampino, and Stephen Dexter.
As far as the audiobook goes, it was fine. Macmillan always delivers a fabulous production, and this was no different. I’m not a fan of King, so I’ll say that his chapters disconnected me from the story because I was sitting on edge trying to listen. It’s a me thing, and for me, it’s basically equal to nails on a chalkboard. The other narrators were fine, though, and would bring me back into the story.
I liked the setup for the story and found it exciting and engaging, but once that was completed, my interest started to wane. The insta-love and somewhat disconnected story were simply a turnoff for me, and the lack of Smoke’s usual quirky humor was disappointing.
Overall, this just didn’t hit the same for me as Married to the Mafia, but that’s more about what I personally was hoping to get from another Lucy Smoke book than anything else.
I received the complimentary ALC from Macmillan Audio via NetGalley, narrated by Corvin King, Grayson Owens, Michael Norman Johnson, Sarah Sampino, and Stephen Dexter.
As far as the audiobook goes, it was fine. Macmillan always delivers a fabulous production, and this was no different. I’m not a fan of King, so I’ll say that his chapters disconnected me from the story because I was sitting on edge trying to listen. It’s a me thing, and for me, it’s basically equal to nails on a chalkboard. The other narrators were fine, though, and would bring me back into the story.
I liked the setup for the story and found it exciting and engaging, but once that was completed, my interest started to wane. The insta-love and somewhat disconnected story were simply a turnoff for me, and the lack of Smoke’s usual quirky humor was disappointing.
Overall, this just didn’t hit the same for me as Married to the Mafia, but that’s more about what I personally was hoping to get from another Lucy Smoke book than anything else.
September 15, 2026
I really liked the premise and foundation of this story. The dark academia setting with coven witches, magic, curses and deadly creatures led to a vivid gothic atmosphere.
The storyline, magic, and lore was the best part of this book. I just thought it could use more.
The development of the characters and their relationship were the more prominent focus for this first book. I liked the characters and getting to them, but I also feel like nothing much happened yet.
I’m so torn with this one, because I enjoyed it while reading/listening, but nothing has really stuck with me.
I feel like this had a lot of potential, but overall I think it was kind of a miss for me. I didn’t love it, I also didn’t dislike it. I think it has a lot to do with the execution. There was way more telling than showing, and it didn’t give me a chance to connect.
The narration was well done, each MC had their own narrator (they did their own chapters, not duet style). I do think the narration helped with my overall enjoyment.
I thought it was fun and vibey, but not memorable. I am not certain I will continue, but maybe, we’ll see.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Macmillan Audio for the ARC and ALC Copy.
The storyline, magic, and lore was the best part of this book. I just thought it could use more.
The development of the characters and their relationship were the more prominent focus for this first book. I liked the characters and getting to them, but I also feel like nothing much happened yet.
I’m so torn with this one, because I enjoyed it while reading/listening, but nothing has really stuck with me.
I feel like this had a lot of potential, but overall I think it was kind of a miss for me. I didn’t love it, I also didn’t dislike it. I think it has a lot to do with the execution. There was way more telling than showing, and it didn’t give me a chance to connect.
The narration was well done, each MC had their own narrator (they did their own chapters, not duet style). I do think the narration helped with my overall enjoyment.
I thought it was fun and vibey, but not memorable. I am not certain I will continue, but maybe, we’ll see.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Macmillan Audio for the ARC and ALC Copy.
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