Who has time for crazy ex-girlfriends and witches from new worlds when you’re trying to build an empire?
Shontae Carter has built her fitness sanctuary from the ground up, armed with protein bars, sass, and zero tolerance for diet culture nonsense. She’s not just helping women lift weights, she’s helping them lift each other up. And with a big TV spot to drum up new business, everything is right on track… until a mysterious (and absurdly gorgeous) new client named Likosa walks through the door with killer cheekbones and an energy that crackles…literally.
Likosa isn’t your typical gym-goer. She's a witch from a shadowy realm known as The Bane. Her plan? Cozy up to Shontae, tap into the strange power hidden in her aura, and use it to break open a portal home. But nothing in her ancient practices prepared her for protein smoothies, cardio class, or the devastatingly cute way Shontae blushes when Likosa flirts with her.
As the two women team up for "personal training" (emphasis on personal), sparks fly, spells misfire, and hearts get caught in the crossfire. With demons from The Bane tracking Likosa’s every move, and Shontae discovering secrets about her own power, they’ll have to fight for their separate homes, or build one together?
Spicy, snarky, and full of heart, I Accidentally Locked Down a Witch is a magical rom-com for anyone who believes strength comes in all sizes. And that love might just be the strongest magic of all.
Born and raised in Chicago, IL, writing has always been a passion for Jessica Cage. She dabbles in artistic creations of all sorts but at the end of the day, it's the pen that her hand itches to hold. Jessica had never considered following her dream to be a writer because she was told far too often "There is no money in writing." So she chose the path most often traveled. During pregnancy she asked herself an important question. How would she be able to inspire her unborn son to follow his dreams and reach for the stars, if she never had the guts to do it herself? Jessica decided to take a risk and unleash the plethora of characters and their crazy adventurous worlds that had previously existed only in her mind, into the realm of readers. She did this with hopes to inspire not only her son but herself. Inviting the world to tag along on her journey to become the writer she has always wanted to be. She hopes to continue writing and bringing her signature Caged Fantasies to readers everywhere.
LIKOSA LIKOSA LIKOSA…. I was waiting on the day I finally got to see someone knock her off her pivot and have her all discombobulated and that’s EXACTLY what Shon did. This was a fun, flirty read as all the others in the series… and even better because it was SAPPHIC lol. I loved the cameos from other characters in the other books from the series. The chemistry and sexual tension was literally oozing from their pores into my ears. From the liner Likosa stepped into Shon’s gym they both were a goner.
I love me some FMCs that are older. Shontae was a late 30s boss babe empath who ran a successful gym and had struck out with love. I liked that her friends gave it to her straight about treating past partners like accessories and that they had her back 100%. Likosa was enigmatic and confident, and Shontae was very much into her, even if she was in a bit of denial about it. They both had to open themselves up in different ways to truly connect. Some of the climax of the book was a bit rushed, but it still had a nice ending.
Spice; 3/5
Triggers: stalking, magical emotion control and manipulation, violence, battle, blood (not a lot), intimacy with side character when MCs aren’t dating, fatphobic comment, separation from child by ex, animal injured by other animal, attempted animal-napping
This series has had me laughing out loud from book one, and this one was no different. The humor is perfectly balanced with heartfelt moments, twists, and magical chaos that kept me hooked the entire time.
I was so happy to finally see Likosa get her love story! And can we talk about Shontae Carter? Total badass. A successful gym owner and fitness brand founder who empowers women every single day? I absolutely loved her.
One of my favorite things about Cage’s books is that she consistently gives us successful, powerful women of color who get to be funny, flawed, loved, and celebrated. Representation like this never gets old.
Funny, magical, swoony, and full of unforgettable characters this series continues to be one of my favorites. 💖🏳️🌈📚✨
Thank you Ingram Sparks and Simon Maverick for the ARC/ALC!
Y'all if you're not reading this series, WHY NOT??
These are all SO FUNNY. And the audiobooks? A 10/10 experience every single time--this book was no different. This is the series that solidified Tempest Mensah as an auto listen narrator.
This book follows the same premise of the rest of the series--woman unlucky in love, ready to throw in the towel ends up in a situation with a supernatural being and finds out...oh...oh no...feelings?? And processing character flaws? Whatever shall we do.
And yes. I have eaten it up every single time.
The narration is great, even at higher speeds (I'm a 2x-2.5x listener myself), but I do recommend listening slow enough to catch the full range of emotion because Tempest is SO good at voice acting the shenanigans these characters get into.
It's fun, it's funny, it's relatable--definitely recommend this entire series AND this book to anyone who is absolutely over dating and looking for a great time!
I have a weakness for witchy books, and if they’re sapphic too, I’m pretty much guaranteed to pick them up.
This was exactly the kind of cozy paranormal romance I love. The banter was hilarious, the characters had so much personality, and I found myself smiling through so much of the book. It balanced humor, magic, romance, and heart really well, making it such a fun escape.
I also loved the relationship between the two main characters. Their chemistry felt natural, and watching them navigate all the paranormal chaos together was so entertaining. The found family elements were another highlight for me and made the story feel even cozier.
This was my first book by Jessica Cage and my first visit to this world, but it definitely won’t be my last. I already want to go back and read the earlier books in the series and check out more of the author’s work.
If you’re looking for a cozy sapphic paranormal romance with witches, plenty of laughs, lovable characters, and just the right amount of magical chaos, I’d definitely recommend picking this one up.
Seeing Likosa and getting her backstory as well as the connection between the ladies was awesome. Jessica tied it up with a pretty pink bow! The action scenes were great as always and the spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️! I didn’t know water could be so hot!
I’m sad to see the series end but I’ve enjoyed the ride!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
As a huge fan of I Accidentally Ended Up with a Demon Boyfriend and the entire “I Accidentally” series by Jessica Cage, I went into I Accidentally Locked Down a Witch already expecting a fun paranormal romance, but this book honestly surprised me in the best way.
Compared to the other books in the series, this one felt much more like a slow burn. It was sensual, emotionally intimate, and more reflective than I expected. Normally slow burns don’t pull me in this hard, but I genuinely could not put this book down. I kept telling myself “just one more chapter” until suddenly I had flown through huge chunks of it.
One thing I really appreciated was the shift in focus. The love interest felt just as central to the story as the main female character, and I loved getting to explore someone we had already heard about in previous books. It made the world feel even more connected and layered.
Lakosa and Shontae were such compelling characters to me because they didn’t just feel entertaining. They felt emotionally real. This book caused a lot of emotional reflection within me. I found myself relating to both of them in different ways, especially when it came to guardedness, emotional walls, relationships, and the ways we try to protect ourselves while still wanting connection.
I also think this story beautifully explores the idea that it’s okay to have a plan for your life, but it’s also okay for that plan to evolve based on what you learn about yourself along the way. That message really stayed with me after reading.
Jessica Cage has always been witty and funny, and her books are usually lighter reads for me between heavier books, but this one found a really interesting middle ground. It still had her humor, chemistry, and addictive writing style, but it also carried emotional depth that genuinely sat with me.
And honestly, I loved the feminist energy throughout the story. I also really appreciate Jessica Cage’s range as a writer. As a heterosexual woman, I absolutely love the heterosexual romances she’s written in the other “I Accidentally” books, but I also love seeing stories outside of my direct identity where I can still deeply connect with the characters and emotions. To me, that’s a sign of really strong writing.
Overall, I’d give this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars. It’s emotional, sensual, reflective, funny, and genuinely hard to put down.
This was a great addition to this series. I have loved Likosa since I Accidentally Summoned A Demon Boyfriend, and seeing her finally get a happy ending made me smile. Her and Shontae are a perfect pair, and their chemistry was off the charts. Definitely recommend this book!
I enjoyed the sapphic romance in this book. It was a fun read diving into the human and paranormal worlds. This book is great for anyone who needs a laugh and nothing too heavy! I’ve loved the friendship groups most throughout the series.
Thank you Simon Maverick for the free ALC in exchange for an honest review! . I was so excited for a paranormal with BIPOC and sapphic rep, the premise sounded right up my alley and I eagerly dove into the audiobook. Unfortunately this one fell a little flat for me. The writing quickly became repetitive (why is everyone sucking their teeth every other page?) and a little heavy handed at times. Our FMCs are interesting enough but with only three brief interactions by the 60% mark, I didn’t feel any chemistry between them and wasn’t invested in them as a couple as a result. . The plot itself was fun, but doesn’t actually move forward until the last quarter of the book. I wish Shontae and Likosa had been working towards the ultimate goal together wayyyy earlier on, allowing them to form a more solid bond, but hey maybe that’s the demi in me 😅 Overall this was a cute idea and I’m still curious enough about the previous installments to pick them up, but I was left a little disappointed by this one.
3.5 ⭐️ I wanted to like this book more than I did.
Likosa, the powerful and mysterious force who helped everyone in books 1-3 of the Accidents Happen series, finally gets her own book. However, even 65% of the way into the book, we still don’t know much about her. I really expected this installment to focus more heavily on Likosa and delve deeper into her backstory.
Because of that, this was my least favorite in the series, and the pacing felt incredibly slow.
Bonus points for Shontae’s circle of friends! It was also really nice catching up and reading about the other characters from the first 3 books.
I Accidentally Locked Down a Witch was such a fun, chaotic, and genuinely heartwarming paranormal rom-com. From the very beginning, the story balances humor, magic, flirting, and emotional depth in a way that makes it incredibly easy to binge. Shontae was immediately easy to root for. She’s confident, hardworking, funny, and deeply passionate about creating a supportive fitness space for women. I really appreciated how the gym environment focused on empowerment and community instead of toxic fitness culture because it gave the story such a positive, uplifting atmosphere underneath all the magical chaos. Likosa completely balanced Shontae’s energy with her mysterious, flirtatious personality and complete confusion about normal human life. Watching her navigate Earth through gym classes, smoothies, and accidental emotional attachment made for so many genuinely funny moments throughout the book. The chemistry between her and Shontae felt immediate, playful, and natural from the start, but the emotional connection underneath the attraction is what really made the romance work for me. The magical elements added enough tension and worldbuilding to keep things engaging without overwhelming the romance. There’s danger, secrets, and emotional stakes throughout the story, but it never loses the warmth and humor that make it feel comforting at the same time. I also loved how much the story leaned into themes of belonging, vulnerability, chosen family, and learning to accept love without losing yourself in the process. Beneath the humor and spice, there’s a really emotional core about building a home and finding people who make you feel safe and seen. Overall, this was witty, romantic, magical, and full of personality with excellent chemistry, lovable characters, and the perfect mix of heart and chaos.
Ahhhhh yesssss!!! Absolutely enjoyed my time with this series!!! A paranormal fantasy filled with all things black, women, maturity, magic, flirting, sexual tension and MUCH more. Jessica Cage draws you in EVERY time. She gives just enough sapphic energy, detail to have your imagination doing its thing and a bit of laugh out loud moments. It’s a good time. This book like all the others technically can standalone. However I HIGHLY recommend starting from the beginning. The story just flows so much because the characters make their appearances throughout the subsequent books.
every book in this series feels like hanging with friends, they never disappoint. i was dying to read more of likosa’s story! i listened to the audiobook while reading along and i highly recommend! chapter 5 was everything 💀🙂↕️ once again the feminine relationships shined. adore windsor and likosa’s friendship, i really loved reading their conversations. i couldn’t get enough of cadence and tay 💞 their ‘helpline’ group dynamic is so special. and ashanu!! 🥹 this was full of women supporting and uplifting women, thoughtful acts of service, romantic gestures, healthy conversations, and interconnected cameos 💕 i really needed this! jessica cage will always be an auto buy author for me.
Even though the 1st book is my favorite, I love how this 4th one wrapped everything up. I can see myself reading these again now that they are all out.
It was a slow burn (which I'm starting to like), it was sexy, and funny of course. It was also nice to get Likosa's back story and wrap up the series.
Likosa finally got her HEA! Could she have gone about things differently? Probably… but we got to the same destination. Shontae is a for sure over thinker that almost struggles with releasing control - but when it comes to Likosa she has no choice
Jessica Cage’s I Accidentally Locked Down a Witch is an absolute masterpiece that brilliantly blends magical realism, humor, and heart in a way that keeps you hooked from start to finish. What truly sets this book apart is Cage’s unimaginable, amazing world-building. The layers of the shadowy realm known as The Bane are crafted with such vivid detail and depth that I felt transported into a truly immersive universe. From the mystical energies crackling through Likosa to the hidden portals and ancient spells, every element of the magical world feels authentic and richly realized.
But what resonated most with me are the strong female characters—particularly Shontae, the protagonist. Shontae is a woman who, on the surface, appears to have her life together, with a powerful career trajectory and a thriving gym that’s more than just a business—it's a movement. Yet beneath that confident exterior lies a woman vulnerable to the chaos of her love life, which is hilariously heinous. She’s detached, guarded, and convinced she’s found love repeatedly, only to be disappointed. Jessica Cage masterfully creates a character that is flawed, mortal, and painfully relatable—someone who struggles with the same insecurities and flaws many of us see in ourselves.
When Shontae encounters Likosa, a gorgeous witch from a shadowy realm, her world is turned upside down. The journey she embarks on is nothing short of transformative—ripping away her comfort, leaving her raw, and then rebuilding her into someone stronger and more authentic. The way Cage depicts this evolution is both inspiring and realistic, infused with moments of humor and snark that keep the tone lively and engaging.
The comedic elements are expertly woven throughout, adding levity to the more intense scenes and highlighting Cage’s talent for humor. Whether it’s witty banter or laugh-out-loud situations involving misfiring spells and chaotic magic mishaps, the humor never feels out of place. It perfectly balances the emotional depth and magical intrigue, making this a read that’s both heartfelt and hilarious.
Additionally, the chemistry between Shontae and Likosa is electric. Their relationship is layered—romantic, funny, fiery, and tender—and Cage’s portrayal of their connection feels genuine and earned. The stakes are high, with Likosa's unexpected burdens and secrets about Shontae’s own hidden powers coming to light, yet the story remains grounded in themes of empowerment, self-discovery, and love conquering all.
In summary, I Accidentally Locked Down a Witch is a delightful romp through a fantastical world that feels real enough to touch. Jessica Cage’s gift for creating strong, flawed, and deeply human female characters, combined with her astounding world-building and hilarious storytelling, makes this a five-star read I wholeheartedly recommend. If you love magic, comedy, romance, and characters you’ll root for, don’t miss out on this incredible book. It’s a powerful reminder that strength comes in all sizes—and that sometimes, the greatest magic is love itself.
Please be patient with me. This is my first official book review, I’m sorry if it’s a bit all over the place. There’s just so much to talk about in this book!😄 “I accidentally locked down a witch” was a real page turner. I honestly couldn’t put the book down. Best believe, I was reading well past my bedtime reading this book every night or any chance I could get throughout the day😂 But in all honesty this book was so relatable and funny. The characters were charming and complex. I loved Shontae’s friends, they made me laugh so hard! I wished I had friends that would go as hard and have my back as they did for Shontae. It was a truly beautiful friendship. And as far as Shontae’s character, I loved how raw and mature she was. She was extremely emotionally mature while still having her own flaws and acknowledging them. Not only did she acknowledge those flaws but she made it a point to work on them. Her character showed some real evolution. Which unfortunately I can’t say for a lot of people her age, in my own experience. With that part out of the way, let’s get into the mess… hehehe🤭 I don’t want to spoil much for others but I will say the messiness with Shontae’s ex’s popping out of the woodworks left and right was unexpected but definitely necessary for the continuation of the story and tied the other books together nicely. Now Likosa’s whole storyline was unexpected and really had me on the edge of my seat. The plot twist of her involvement, what happened for her to be kicked off her planet and the real reason she wants to go back… I went through so many emotions reading that part. I felt like I had stepped into her shoes and it was so overwhelming but the tension had my eyes glued to the pages. I also loved the spice and tension between Likosa and Shon. It was a bit of a slow burn but I loved it. It felt genuine and it had its own real problems that they had to sort through. Overall, I loved this book inside and out and how it tied the whole series together. My only qualm was that the end seemed a bit rushed in the last two chapters. But that could just be me, I’m not a big fan of endings in general and that’s just my problem. Other than that I 100% recommend this book to anyone looking to read a good whimsical/monster romance with a twist of adventure! P.s.- Jessica Cage, you never answered Shontae’s question about Likosa’s hair and I would like to know too… how does she keep her braids fresh all of the time??? ~with love🫶🏽.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review: I Accidentally Locked Down a Witch by Jessica Cage Accident Happens #4
🌈 Tropes & Vibes: - Magical animal sidekick - Friends to lovers - Forced proximity - Magical water (too magical, honestly) - Witchy chaos - Sapphic romance
In this one we’ve got Shontae, a fitness‑business owner whose powers are tied to her emotions which is already messy enough. Then she meets Likosa, and suddenly her magic is glitching like a phone with 2% battery. The attraction is instant, chaotic, and loud enough to short‑circuit her abilities on sight.
And listen… I love all the animal sidekicks in this series, but Sire? Sire took it for me in this book. Dramatic, loyal, hilarious, and somehow both helpful and unhelpful at the same time — peak magical‑creature behavior. I adore her.
Four books in and I STILL don’t know what’s in Likosa’s waters. I do know where the water came from, but that somehow gave me answers and zero answers at the same time. And the way Shontae basically got baptized, reborn, and spiritually reset in those waters? Prince could never have prepared us for this level of aquatic initiation. Also a water shaped weenus....that's all I have to say 🤣😂😂👌🏾👌🏾👌🏾!!!!
Also, Jessica… You explained the magic. You explained the chaos. You explained the water. But you never explained how Likosa’s braids stayed immaculate through all of this. Not a frizz. Not a slip. That’s the real spellwork.
One thing I loved? Every character from the previous books showed up and actually mattered. Not cameos contributions. It made the world feel warm, connected, and lived‑in.
And the friend group? Top‑tier. Who else is going to hype you up, drag you lovingly, talk you into nonsense, talk you out of nonsense, and keep you grounded all at once? They showed up for Shontae every single time.
And that twist at the end? Oh, it SENT me. I didn’t know whether to gasp, laugh, or grab popcorn. I felt like I was watching Jerry Springer and Maury Povich at the same time ...if you know, you know.
This book leans more into mystery than action — less chaos than the earlier books, but the humor, the banter, the sidekicks, and the returning cast carried it. And the way the ending left the door cracked for future side quests? I’ll be right here. Waiting in the wings. Ready!
Shontae is the fitness guru we all wish we were. The aura of her classes leave her clients feeling confident and capable, almost like she has a magic touch. ;) She’s carefully curated the life she has for herself and now her brand is growing, and she’s prepping for a National television slot that will send her success rate even higher. She feels prepared for everything… until Likosa, a witch dripping in pink, poise and provocation walks into one of her classes with a strange proposal. Now both women who are used to being in control have their worlds thrown off kilter as they figure out how to help each other… and maybe help themselves as well.
I am a true fan of J. Cage and her writing. The Accidents Happen series is one of my favorite paranormal romance series because while being wild and hilarious, each book has a message that readers can take with them. Whether that's trusting yourself and who you are, learning to trust others and lightening the load, or pushing fear to the side to go for what you want and reaching your highest potential.
Likosa and Shontae really did it for me, and I have to say that book 4 is my favorite of all the series. Sapphic. Sassy. Sincere. Sensational. These words perfectly describe Jessica Cage’s most recent novel. The background and perspective that we get on Shontae makes her relationship with Likosa all the more meaningful and heartwarming. I love watching characters change and develop because they’re showing up and experiencing the hard moments even when they just want to run away. The thing that stuck with me the most is the concept of trust and what it means to open up and let someone experience you and your emotions, even when they may not be the best. Also the concept of home being where you make your connections and are loved and appreciated, even if that's not where you’re from. Found family is one of my favorite tropes and one thing that I love about all of the FMC’s is that they end up creating their own little families, regardless of what they’re going through.
Thank you to Jessica Cage for allowing me to read this ARC. My second ARC of the Accidents Happen series and another great escape for my romance loving mind.
In the fourth book, I Accidentally Locked Down a Witch, we finally get Likosa’s story, and honestly, it was worth the wait. Since book one, Likosa has been the witch everyone depends on for answers and solutions. She’s confident, powerful, and very much “that girl,” so discovering there was so much she’d been hiding beneath the surface added a deeper emotional layer to her character. Seeing her vulnerability, especially her longing for love and connection, made me love her even more.
Her love interest, Shontae, was such a beautiful addition to the story. I loved that their relationship didn’t feel overly dragged out with unnecessary games. Their bond developed naturally, and their personalities balanced each other perfectly. Shontae’s abilities as an empath especially stood out to me. The idea of constantly feeling and carrying the emotions of everyone around you sounds emotionally exhausting, and Jessica Cage did a great job showing the weight of that power without taking away from the romance.
One of my favorite parts throughout the book was the drama involving past relationships. Both women dealing with toxic exes added humor, tension, and moments that felt very real. At times I found myself thinking, “Men aren’t even this complicated,” because the emotional intensity between women in relationships was definitely on full display.
As for the spicy scenes… this was my first time reading a romance centered around two FMCs, and I’m officially here for it. The way their powers intertwined with intimacy made the chemistry feel even more unique and elevated the connection between them in a way that felt both passionate and creative.
Overall, Jessica Cage delivered another entertaining paranormal romance filled with strong characters, emotion, humor, drama, and spice. If you’ve been invested in this series since book one, Likosa’s story is definitely one you’ll want to read.
Thank you Jessica Cage and Booksprout for the opportunity to review this ARC. This is my honest opinion.
Well, I hate to see a good thing come to an end. This book felt different than the others, not in a bad way. It felt more subdued and calm. Maybe that's Shontae's doing, lol. It was still funny and had plenty of action. It was nice to pull back Likosa's layers and get beyond her sex appeal--she was holding in quite a bit! After coming to everyone's aid, Likosa was ready to call in her favors. But Shontae provided more than she bargained for. They unexpectedly stumbled into a connection that filled their missing pieces. The two dominant personalities, led to assumptions and making swift decisions for the other instead of revealing their own true feelings. Their love smoldered for the duration of the story, a little more than a slow burn, but not as passionate as I expected from Likosa. However, it was just enough. The sisterhood theme continued into this book with Shontae's hilarious sidekicks. They provided the voices of reason and comic relief throughout the story. And all forces converged when Likosa brought all of the "accidents" together for a big reveal. I would have liked the pacing to slow in this section a bit more, it felt rushed and didn't dig as deep as it could have. Overall, the pacing was steady. With lots of crazy and unhinged exes along the way. And even a sassy phoenix to keep Shontae on her toes. This is a solid rom-com, it fits in with the series while closing the prior loops but also leaving space for future work. It was a cozy read for someone looking for a sweet sapphic romance with spurts of comedy and mild action along the way. It was a story of two women finding out what they really want--what makes them feel at home.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Likes story was really good. I was expecting her to have some secret desire up her sleeve but I had no idea sis was assembling the accidental powerpuff girl crew so she could get home to her daughter!!!! A dauuughter! Like whaaaat?
Likes girl thats quite the MF secret you was holding onto from everyone.
Id have felt blindsided like a MF if I was Shontae cuz girl huh? Lol not when we was as locked in as we were. But yeah understandable though, to be like im a 100 years down and out and still stuck. Wouldn't have eben able to handle talking about my greatest loas either. I felt bad for her thats she lost so much time with her own child tho. Her ex was a big time hater. Like you was a hating ass hoe fa sho. Lie on me get me banned from our world and lie to our daughter? TF.
Likes way better than me id have been way more bitter about it all. Like you'll actually suffer if its my choice.
I thought likes was like in the universe on the run or something I wasnt expecting all that happened to happen but I enjoyed it!
Enjoyed Shontae and her homegirls, loved hoe she got to meet other "family" in the other girls and I wish i had gotten more on her Pheonix just feels like my favorite mythical being got the least amount of play and energy in this book. I wanted more soemthing idk. Maybe a couple of Shons exes lost their mind and only rhe phoenix can Channel some other type of magic or something lol. Idk but something!
Overall good book, might read it again. I enjoyed the whole series of accidents and for sure recommending it to others. Cuz we love a 40+ years old FMC. Come on sis with the same midlife issues as the rest of us lol
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I think it’s no accident that Jessica Cage chose to have the main ability be emotional manipulation as she emotionally eases us into the end of this series.
Jessica has this uncanny ability to write her characters with such personality, humor and humility.
I keep coming back for the flirtatious banter and out of pocket one liners. But what stays with me is how relatable each character is regardless of the role they play. Every character is faced with an internal struggle that enriches their individuality while engaging the reader.
Jessica does a phenomenal job of showcasing love in many formats. Not only does she write about love shared between intimate partners, but of the importance of sisterhood, learning to embrace love for oneself and the unbreakable bond of a trusty pet sidekick.
Although the plot felt slower than its previous counterparts, it lends itself to the emotional build up and self reflection of the characters. This book is filled with emotional intimacy and thus calls for a change of pace. Even when we are recapping a scene during girl time it can feel a bit repetitious, but then there’s an outside perspective that allows for the main character to contemplate their emotional impact.
This book is filled with hard truths between friends, vulnerability between new loves and crazy ex-girlfriends. I’m sad to see it end but know that Jessica will bring her amazing writing style in her future projects.
P.S Thanks for getting Usher’s Confessions stuck in my head!
As the final installment of the Accidents Happen series, I couldn't pass up I Accidentally Locked Down a Witch. I'm incredibly grateful to have received an ARC for this book, as well as the previous ones in the series.
Jessica Cage always knows how to have me hollering with her opening scenes, and I absolutely love how the cover matches the rest of the collection.
What made this particular story so interesting is that Likosa—a recurring character since book one—finally steps into the spotlight as the love interest. Shontae is exactly what I’ve come to expect from the author's protagonists: representative and highly relatable, yet equipped with distinct abilities that set her apart from previous main characters.
Shontae Carter has built her fitness sanctuary from the ground up, creating a space where women lift each other up. When a new client named Likosa visits the gym, she arrives with a hidden agenda: cozy up to Shontae, tap into the strange power in her aura, and use it to blast open a portal home. But as the two women team up for some "personal training," sparks fly, spells misfire, and hearts get caught in the crossfire.
This story slightly shakes up the series' formula. Instead of an accidental encounter with a supernatural love interest, Likosa deliberately seeks Shontae out. Of course, the real fun and spice ensue from their completely unexpected, genuine attraction. I also loved Shontae's strong friendship with Tayvion and Cadence, and the cameos from familiar faces who showed up just in time for the final showdown.
I received this book as a free e-ARC from booksprout and The Author.
I mean... How can you not want to lock down a Witch who will sit in your lap and feed you cake on a first date? Am I right?!
This story was so much fun with the perfect amount of spice, and emotional depth in that story. Honestly it was the perfect closure on what has been one of my favorite paranormal series to read. I love how fresh and fun Jessica takes these paranormal monsters/creatures and breaths new life into them while still staying true to what they actually are.
Lakosa and Shontae were like fire and gasoline with how fast they sparked for each other. Idk if I would call it Insta-lust but damn if it wasn't pretty damn near!
And the story?! This is what I wish a lot of interconnected standalones would do. It still focused heavily on Shontae and Lakosa building a relationship and growing Shontae's powers, but including all the other amazing badass women that Jessica has brought us in the last 3 books as well?! As soon as they were brought in I was cheering like I just saw the Avengers teaming up for the first time! 😂
Favorite Quotes:
"There was something more to her, something that would undoubtedly complicate my life if I spent any time alone with her."
"For the first time in a long time, when I'm with her, I feel like I'm home. I don't need to go searching for it. I don't need to get back to it. When I am with Shontae, I am home."
As always it is an absolute delight to read any book Jessica Cage writes because that are so relatable and I find little pieces of myself with in each character.
Shontae is relatable in the sense that it is easy for you to take on the emotions and feelings of others around you that you kind of become numb to your own to protect you from becoming overwhelmed. I also loved how she was "I don't do small talk, what do you want.🤨"🤣🤣
Likosa! Likosa! Likosa! Look at you now girl! I had been giving you the side eye for the longest for messing around in everyone else's business and I knew there was a method to your madness but it was not in a way I expected. I really appreciate how this final books peeled back the many layers of Likosa and showed her more vulnerable side. It really changed my mind about her and helped me understand why she has been playing her cards close to the chest.
Overall this is a wonderful finale to Accidents Happens series and as always I encourage you wonderful readers to dive right on in and watch it all come full circle.
Adventure 20/10🎊 Relatability 10/10🫶🏾
I like that this romance was a bit more of a slow burn ❤️🔥
Definitely a 5 ⭐ read.
It's so hard...to say goodbye....to the magic homieeeeeeeees!🥹.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I know I'm not the typical audience for this series. I'm a Black man, I'm not gay, and I usually enjoy romance and adventure novels. Even so, I thought Accidents Happen, Book 4 was very good.
One thing I noticed is that Lakosa doesn't appear to be soul bonded, but I connected with the parental love they experienced. As a man, that aspect resonated with me in a way I didn't expect.
I also don't feel like this should be the end of the series. Every character still feels like they have more to offer, and I genuinely enjoyed getting to know them.
Reading these books has also given me a better understanding of the kinds of relationships and emotional connections many women of color enjoy in fiction. Not as a tool or strategy, but as a way to better understand how people form deep bonds with one another.
Unexpectedly, the series has made me more emotionally available in my own life. My mom and I now talk every morning, and I find it easier to connect with the women I work with because I recognize parts of the conversations and emotional experiences they share. I think the series has helped me become a more thoughtful and emotionally present man, and that's something I didn't expect from a romance novel. I have read the Outlander Series and Harley Quinn books. This let's me connect with my daughters, this was thag book, I was Lakosa. Powerful, controlled but yearning. . .
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.