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Nocturne Falls #18
The Ranger Courts the Celtic Witch
Welcome to Nocturne Falls, the town that celebrates Halloween 365 days a year.
The tourists think it's all a show: the vampires, the werewolves, the witches, the occasional gargoyle flying through the sky. But the supernaturals populating the town know better.
Living in Nocturne Falls means being yourself. Fangs, fur, and all.
When a sticky situation puts Celtic witch Mattie Sharpe on forest ranger Gunnar Briggs’s radar, he expects a quick return to normal. Instead, he finds himself tangled up with Mattie in ways neither of them anticipated.
Gunnar likes his life simple. As a bear shifter, he understands territory, patience, and recognizing what’s worth guarding. What he doesn’t understand is why the fiercely independent witch with the finest honey in the region keeps looking at him like he’s after her hives.
Mattie has built her life with care—her bees, her thriving honey business, her hard-won peace. She doesn’t need a broad-shouldered ranger lingering near her property. And she definitely doesn’t need the distraction of a grumpy shifter who seems far too comfortable buzzing around her business.
Too bad neither of them planned on getting caught in something sweeter—and far more dangerous—than either of them expected.
The tourists think it's all a show: the vampires, the werewolves, the witches, the occasional gargoyle flying through the sky. But the supernaturals populating the town know better.
Living in Nocturne Falls means being yourself. Fangs, fur, and all.
When a sticky situation puts Celtic witch Mattie Sharpe on forest ranger Gunnar Briggs’s radar, he expects a quick return to normal. Instead, he finds himself tangled up with Mattie in ways neither of them anticipated.
Gunnar likes his life simple. As a bear shifter, he understands territory, patience, and recognizing what’s worth guarding. What he doesn’t understand is why the fiercely independent witch with the finest honey in the region keeps looking at him like he’s after her hives.
Mattie has built her life with care—her bees, her thriving honey business, her hard-won peace. She doesn’t need a broad-shouldered ranger lingering near her property. And she definitely doesn’t need the distraction of a grumpy shifter who seems far too comfortable buzzing around her business.
Too bad neither of them planned on getting caught in something sweeter—and far more dangerous—than either of them expected.
297 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 30, 2026
About the author
Kristen Painter
212 books3,430 followersKristen Painter likes to balance her obsessions with shoes and cats by making the lives of her characters miserable and surprising her readers with interesting twists. She currently writes award-winning paranormal romance, paranormal women's fiction, and cozy mysteries. The former college English teacher can often be found on twitter @Kristen_Painter, Facebook at www.facebook.com/KristenPainterAuthor where she loves to interact with readers and her blog: http://kristenpainter.com/blog/.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
April 30, 2026
The Ranger Courts the Celtic Witch by Kristen Painter
Nocturne Falls series #18. Paranormal shifter romance. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Welcome to Nocturne Falls. A town that celebrates Halloween 365 days a year so that the paranormal vampires, witches, shifters, gargoyles and more can live openly without risk of exposure.
Gunner Brigg’s is a park ranger. He loves the solitude and quietness of his job. Getting stuck with a chaos imp is not his idea of a fun time. He’s heard stories of how wishes can go very wrong and wants nothing to do with the three wishes he’s received.
Celtic witch Mattie Sharpe offers to help Gunner with this wishes. It’s her fault that Blueberry ended up in Gunner’s care.
Gunner and Mattie end up spending time together cleaning up after the wishes and they become close.
It only takes one misspoken wish for chaos to reign.
🎧 I alternated between an ebook and an audiobook. The narration is performed by B.J. Harrison who does the majority of the books by this author. The narrator is able to create multiple voices for the main characters as well as a few secondary. The playback is fun, engaging, and entertaining.
For me, this narrator is a bit slow, so I typically listen at 1.8 or higher so I can read at the same time. This speed is also more consistent with regional conversation speed.
I love reading the Nocturne Falls books and getting glimpses of recurring characters like Birdie, Delaney and Alice. And I always wish I could magic the food to me from Mummy’s, Salvatore’s and Delaney’s Delectables. This romance was sweet, and charming. Blueberry was funny and a loving trouble maker.
A wonderful visit to my favorite place.
I received advanced copies of this and also purchased a copy to keep and reread.
Nocturne Falls series #18. Paranormal shifter romance. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Welcome to Nocturne Falls. A town that celebrates Halloween 365 days a year so that the paranormal vampires, witches, shifters, gargoyles and more can live openly without risk of exposure.
Gunner Brigg’s is a park ranger. He loves the solitude and quietness of his job. Getting stuck with a chaos imp is not his idea of a fun time. He’s heard stories of how wishes can go very wrong and wants nothing to do with the three wishes he’s received.
Celtic witch Mattie Sharpe offers to help Gunner with this wishes. It’s her fault that Blueberry ended up in Gunner’s care.
Gunner and Mattie end up spending time together cleaning up after the wishes and they become close.
It only takes one misspoken wish for chaos to reign.
🎧 I alternated between an ebook and an audiobook. The narration is performed by B.J. Harrison who does the majority of the books by this author. The narrator is able to create multiple voices for the main characters as well as a few secondary. The playback is fun, engaging, and entertaining.
For me, this narrator is a bit slow, so I typically listen at 1.8 or higher so I can read at the same time. This speed is also more consistent with regional conversation speed.
I love reading the Nocturne Falls books and getting glimpses of recurring characters like Birdie, Delaney and Alice. And I always wish I could magic the food to me from Mummy’s, Salvatore’s and Delaney’s Delectables. This romance was sweet, and charming. Blueberry was funny and a loving trouble maker.
A wonderful visit to my favorite place.
I received advanced copies of this and also purchased a copy to keep and reread.
May 20, 2026
Series: Nocturne Falls #18
Rating: 4 stars - It was really good
Mattie Sharpe is a Celtic witch whose magic focuses mainly on bees and the honey they make. But, she is also the guardian of a chaos imp who likes to cause problems when he grants wishes. When he gets trapped and rescued by a grumpy park ranger, chaos returns to Nocturne Falls and Mattie does everything she can to help Gunnar through the wishes. It becomes even more difficult when they both start getting feelings for each other.
This was another enjoyable Nocturne Falls book. Mattie was a very interesting witch whose magic is all about bees and honey. I found her to be an enjoyable character who was extremely kind, sweet, and patient, especially when it came to Blueberry. Blueberry was a fun little side character who just loved to cause chaos when bored, even if it was never maliciously done. His antics kept the story fresh and brought some humor to everything.
Gunner is a grumpy, antisocial bear shifter who really just wants to be left alone. But that all changes when he accidentally gets stuck with Blueberry and finds himself having to rely on Mattie for help. I really liked Gunner. He was a grumpy man but also kind and protective underneath the grump. I especially enjoyed how his feelings towards Blueberry changed as the story progressed.
Mattie and Gunner have a pretty fast paced relationship that grows over the week or so that all this Blueberry chaos is happening. While it was fast paced, the relationship development between these two was great because there was still a get to know you phase, the hang out phase, then the feelings and more happened. I just really enjoyed their relationship, and all the trials they faced in this.
Overall, this was another enjoyable Nocturne Falls couple. Eighteen books in and I still really enjoy this series and look forward to reading more. Also I love all the cameos of previous characters in this!
TW: near fatal accident involving head injury, drowning, and hypothermia;
Rating: 4 stars - It was really good
Mattie Sharpe is a Celtic witch whose magic focuses mainly on bees and the honey they make. But, she is also the guardian of a chaos imp who likes to cause problems when he grants wishes. When he gets trapped and rescued by a grumpy park ranger, chaos returns to Nocturne Falls and Mattie does everything she can to help Gunnar through the wishes. It becomes even more difficult when they both start getting feelings for each other.
This was another enjoyable Nocturne Falls book. Mattie was a very interesting witch whose magic is all about bees and honey. I found her to be an enjoyable character who was extremely kind, sweet, and patient, especially when it came to Blueberry. Blueberry was a fun little side character who just loved to cause chaos when bored, even if it was never maliciously done. His antics kept the story fresh and brought some humor to everything.
Gunner is a grumpy, antisocial bear shifter who really just wants to be left alone. But that all changes when he accidentally gets stuck with Blueberry and finds himself having to rely on Mattie for help. I really liked Gunner. He was a grumpy man but also kind and protective underneath the grump. I especially enjoyed how his feelings towards Blueberry changed as the story progressed.
Mattie and Gunner have a pretty fast paced relationship that grows over the week or so that all this Blueberry chaos is happening. While it was fast paced, the relationship development between these two was great because there was still a get to know you phase, the hang out phase, then the feelings and more happened. I just really enjoyed their relationship, and all the trials they faced in this.
Overall, this was another enjoyable Nocturne Falls couple. Eighteen books in and I still really enjoy this series and look forward to reading more. Also I love all the cameos of previous characters in this!
TW: near fatal accident involving head injury, drowning, and hypothermia;
May 2, 2026
If you fallen in love with a nocturnal falls series, you know how difficult it must be to keep them new and fresh. From the other reviews, you can read the basic premise. A town in Georgia where magic is real and supernatural creatures find a safe haven. The Ranger in question is a bear shifter and the witch is a character from a previous book whose powers relate around nature and especially bees. The blueberry makes a return visit as always acting like a four year-old child. This was a nice read, just not as complex or as much reference to the magic that makes nocturne Falls unique, as some of the previous books. I just wanted more magic and spells.
May 6, 2026
Mattie Sharpe is a Celtic witch and the Nocturne Falls beekeeper. She’s also the guardian of a chaos imp named Blueberry. Ranger and bear shifter Gunnar Briggs accidentally brings him home and accidentally earns six wishes from Blueberry for rescuing him twice. Trying to fulfill those wishes creates a mess for the town, but brings Mattie and Gunnar together.
I loved all the parts with the bees, honey, and wax candles.
Footnote: 1) Interesting that up to now I’d never heard of a moonbow, but recently I've read two books that had one in them. The other was ‘Moonbow’ by Crystal-Rain Love.
Fave scenes: Gunnar’s third wish, the bears, and Gunnar’s truck wish.
I loved all the parts with the bees, honey, and wax candles.
Footnote: 1) Interesting that up to now I’d never heard of a moonbow, but recently I've read two books that had one in them. The other was ‘Moonbow’ by Crystal-Rain Love.
Fave scenes: Gunnar’s third wish, the bears, and Gunnar’s truck wish.
April 30, 2026
Not sure if many people will feel the same but I like Gunnar. I liked him throughout the entire book. Maybe because I felt there were a few similarities to myself.
This one threw a couple of curve balls my way. Every time I thought of a way it seemed it might end it made a little pivot and there was no way I was getting anything done until I was positive I had reached the end. I think this is a great example of the grumpy/sunshine pairing and with them being in Nocturne Falls it only adds to the delightful mayhem that ensues.
This one threw a couple of curve balls my way. Every time I thought of a way it seemed it might end it made a little pivot and there was no way I was getting anything done until I was positive I had reached the end. I think this is a great example of the grumpy/sunshine pairing and with them being in Nocturne Falls it only adds to the delightful mayhem that ensues.
May 2, 2026
Fun funny and unexpected
Completely unexpected, different twists and turns than in the other NF books, an absolute delight! It was nice to totally focus on the main characters, and although you really wanted to shake them, Gunnar and Mattie's Allie progress felt pretty real. A few quibbles, some redundancies, and it felt like the Alice party of the story was just chopped off, but still laugh out loud in many places. Witty dialog... And somehow, despite everything, I want a chaos imp!!
Completely unexpected, different twists and turns than in the other NF books, an absolute delight! It was nice to totally focus on the main characters, and although you really wanted to shake them, Gunnar and Mattie's Allie progress felt pretty real. A few quibbles, some redundancies, and it felt like the Alice party of the story was just chopped off, but still laugh out loud in many places. Witty dialog... And somehow, despite everything, I want a chaos imp!!
May 11, 2026
A Witch, A Bear And an Imp
Nocturne Falls by Kristen Painter is absolutely one of my all time favorite series. Blueberry is a wish granting chaos imp and the poor grumpy solitude loving bear shifter just got a bunch of wished that don't turn out too well. But with some help from Blueberry's witch guardian, it might just work out better than he could have wished for. What a fabulous story this was! It's a funny, low angst, no spice, romance with loveable characters and a great story.
Nocturne Falls by Kristen Painter is absolutely one of my all time favorite series. Blueberry is a wish granting chaos imp and the poor grumpy solitude loving bear shifter just got a bunch of wished that don't turn out too well. But with some help from Blueberry's witch guardian, it might just work out better than he could have wished for. What a fabulous story this was! It's a funny, low angst, no spice, romance with loveable characters and a great story.
May 13, 2026
I am a huge fan of the Nocturne Falls series and have been hoping that Mattie would get a story!
I am not only happy that Mattie got a story but that Blueberry made a reappearance in such a big way with his quirky hilarious nature.
As Blueberry and Mattie meet Gunnar and the hijinks start its clear they are meant for each other but have all the bumps and mistaken wishes along the way. At times I was mad at Blueberry, Mattie, and Gunnar all at the same time and different times. Fantastic story telling and really gave me the ups and downs of the tale!
I am not only happy that Mattie got a story but that Blueberry made a reappearance in such a big way with his quirky hilarious nature.
As Blueberry and Mattie meet Gunnar and the hijinks start its clear they are meant for each other but have all the bumps and mistaken wishes along the way. At times I was mad at Blueberry, Mattie, and Gunnar all at the same time and different times. Fantastic story telling and really gave me the ups and downs of the tale!
May 25, 2026
As always this was a fast and fun read. I am never disappointed with Nocturne Falls. I love being able to revisit the characters in each book so you can see how they are growing and changing, even if it is only a quick interaction with the current character. I love how Kristen always gets the tone of the town and the times correct, even as far as including certain food trends that I am now seeing online. I always know that I will be happy when I finish a Nocturne Falls book, My only, disappointment with this book is the same as all the others. I wish I could visit Nocturne Falls.
April 30, 2026
A feel-good paranormal romance with a ton of fun and chaos. A sweet story of Gunnar, a bear shifter ranger, and Mattie, a bee-charming Celtic witch. A trip to Delaney's chocolate shop will change the lives of Gunnar and Mattie forever. It has crazy, unpredictable twists and turns. It will leave you with food cravings, a wish for an imp friend, and a desire to work with bees. Bee careful what you wish for.
May 5, 2026
This was such a cute story! As usual, it was very clean and fun for the whole family. Kristen is very good at working her magic into stories. I wasn’t sure how this one would end. I thought I had it figured out but I sure didn’t. It can easily be read as a stand alone. I love that we saw more of the imp, Blueberry.
I absolutely love BJ Harrison’s narration. He can do any voice and has the best acting skills.
I absolutely love BJ Harrison’s narration. He can do any voice and has the best acting skills.
May 6, 2026
Paranormal romance between a beekeeping witch with a troublesome imp and a bear shifter forest ranger. The imp creates messes that both have to clean up. The witch has sworn off men after a man has broken her heart. The bear shifter thinks he does better avoiding people. Quite a bit of honey, chocolate, and cake is consumed by all.
Typos: "Finder's keepers" (plurals do not take apostrophes), "his jaw ticked" (it should be "ticced").
Typos: "Finder's keepers" (plurals do not take apostrophes), "his jaw ticked" (it should be "ticced").
May 12, 2026
Light hearted story with some twists form a very troublesome imp
Mattie and Blueberry are family, but imps will be imps and cause trouble. On a sugar overload, tiny Blueberry went to sleep in a box of chocolates that a grumpy bear shifter bought to enjoy. Releasing an imp leads to wishes, the wishes lead to chaos, and Mattie along with her grumpy bear shifter need to save the day.
Mattie and Blueberry are family, but imps will be imps and cause trouble. On a sugar overload, tiny Blueberry went to sleep in a box of chocolates that a grumpy bear shifter bought to enjoy. Releasing an imp leads to wishes, the wishes lead to chaos, and Mattie along with her grumpy bear shifter need to save the day.
May 12, 2026
Awesome return to Nocturne Falls !
I was so excited when I found out that Kristen Painter was doing another book in the Nocturne Falls series ! It was worth the wait and I hope she continues to add more. This entire series so fun and exciting to read ! If you have not started this series, you definitely should go start from the beginning all her books are absolutely amazing 5+++ STARS !!
I was so excited when I found out that Kristen Painter was doing another book in the Nocturne Falls series ! It was worth the wait and I hope she continues to add more. This entire series so fun and exciting to read ! If you have not started this series, you definitely should go start from the beginning all her books are absolutely amazing 5+++ STARS !!
May 16, 2026
The series continues
Another triumph from Kristen Painter. I love this town and all the characters that live in it. This time wasn't as much IN the town as most but had the cozy and happy jaunts into it that remind you of all the places and characters from past books that we know and love. Some knowledge from previous books helps but not necessary as it can make sense without the knowledge. Another winner!
Another triumph from Kristen Painter. I love this town and all the characters that live in it. This time wasn't as much IN the town as most but had the cozy and happy jaunts into it that remind you of all the places and characters from past books that we know and love. Some knowledge from previous books helps but not necessary as it can make sense without the knowledge. Another winner!
May 26, 2026
a Breath of fresh air!
Many paranormal romance books lean to the dark side with villains, betrayals, wars and too much violence for my tastes. The Nocturne Falls series are delightful little slices of life in a small town where all the residents are friendly supernaturals who care about one another. I need more stories! I have read them all so far.
Please Kristen keep writing these marvelous heartwarming stories !!!!
Many paranormal romance books lean to the dark side with villains, betrayals, wars and too much violence for my tastes. The Nocturne Falls series are delightful little slices of life in a small town where all the residents are friendly supernaturals who care about one another. I need more stories! I have read them all so far.
Please Kristen keep writing these marvelous heartwarming stories !!!!
May 27, 2026
Blueberry rocks
I love this book. Well I love all the books in the series. I love how Gunner met Mattie, Blueberry and her Bees all knew how she felt about him before she knew. Blueberry rocks....how can he not when he wants to change a falls water to chocolate. He's my kinda imp. If you like paranormal romance check out this book. You don't have to read the whole series but all the books in this series are wonderful.
I love this book. Well I love all the books in the series. I love how Gunner met Mattie, Blueberry and her Bees all knew how she felt about him before she knew. Blueberry rocks....how can he not when he wants to change a falls water to chocolate. He's my kinda imp. If you like paranormal romance check out this book. You don't have to read the whole series but all the books in this series are wonderful.
May 2, 2026
I absolutely love the Nocturne Falls and love visiting every so often! Maddie is a witch that can talk to the bees! Which I would love to do! Gunner a grumpy bear shifter who just wants to be left alone! I am so glad that we get to see Blueberry again, he is very mischievous! I love getting to see most of the past residents from Nocturne Falls. Great series! One of my favorites!!
May 3, 2026
Dangerous Wishes
Gunner acquired an imp through a series of mistakes and wants no part of wishes. He tries to return the imp to Mattie, but Jinn magic is not to be ignored. The events are hilarious, disastrous, and a terrible accident happens. Gunner and Mattie work together to fix the problem and the ending made my heart smile!
Gunner acquired an imp through a series of mistakes and wants no part of wishes. He tries to return the imp to Mattie, but Jinn magic is not to be ignored. The events are hilarious, disastrous, and a terrible accident happens. Gunner and Mattie work together to fix the problem and the ending made my heart smile!
May 13, 2026
I adore Nocturne Falls and am always excited to visit!
Grumpy sunshine is one of my absolute faves, and I couldn't imagine this bear shifter starting out any other way! Gunner and Mattie's story was so much fun. Bluebell was adorable, and I couldn't believe how much mischief he starts, lol
The audio narration was brilliant!!
Highly recommend!!
Grumpy sunshine is one of my absolute faves, and I couldn't imagine this bear shifter starting out any other way! Gunner and Mattie's story was so much fun. Bluebell was adorable, and I couldn't believe how much mischief he starts, lol
The audio narration was brilliant!!
Highly recommend!!
May 17, 2026
amazing!j
This continues the story of inhabitants of Nocturne Falls. You fall in love with Gunner the forest ranger immediately. He’s one of the good guys. Mattie sweet and a great companion for him. And the story is laced with Blueberry and his wishes. Great story line, great series!
This continues the story of inhabitants of Nocturne Falls. You fall in love with Gunner the forest ranger immediately. He’s one of the good guys. Mattie sweet and a great companion for him. And the story is laced with Blueberry and his wishes. Great story line, great series!
May 22, 2026
Cute romance
I love Nocturne Falls books! They have romance, mystery, adventure, comedy; what's not to like? I also like that they're not explicit. I enjoy those, too, but not all the time. These are cute and sweet, like a little hit of happiness. Like puppies and kittens. I feel better after reading them. Thank you, Kristen.
I love Nocturne Falls books! They have romance, mystery, adventure, comedy; what's not to like? I also like that they're not explicit. I enjoy those, too, but not all the time. These are cute and sweet, like a little hit of happiness. Like puppies and kittens. I feel better after reading them. Thank you, Kristen.
May 28, 2026
Amazing
I love this series. And I can't wait to read more of it. I sure hope there are more books. This was especially fun.The blueberry love that little imp. After the jane frost series, that was amazing, just glad to see him back. Hey, Mattie and her bees were amazing. Interesting a beekeeper ended up with a bear shifter
I love this series. And I can't wait to read more of it. I sure hope there are more books. This was especially fun.The blueberry love that little imp. After the jane frost series, that was amazing, just glad to see him back. Hey, Mattie and her bees were amazing. Interesting a beekeeper ended up with a bear shifter
Review of advance copy received from Author
I really liked this story. I was happy to see Blueberry back again. He's one of my favorite imps. I also love hearing more and more about what Delany sells. Plus getting to hear about past characters and what they are up to now, just makes me so happy.
April 30, 2026
I prefer to read slow to make the stories last, but with some stories, I just can’t.
With Kristen Painter, I just know I’ll never have the chance to read slow and savor her stories! Instead I blaze through them like the book is on fire, because they are just too good to put down.
With Kristen Painter, I just know I’ll never have the chance to read slow and savor her stories! Instead I blaze through them like the book is on fire, because they are just too good to put down.
May 1, 2026
It’s not Shakespeare, but it’s excellent at being exactly what it is, a fluffy bit of sweet fun. ♥️ This whole series is a great big box of brain candy, and I love it. Maybe not all at once, but I still love it. 🥰
May 2, 2026
It was okay
I really wanted to like this more. It almost seemed like she used a ghostwriter. After the Ellis McFaddin books, I had high hopes. This just fell short of them as maybe a novella. It wasn't bad, just felt different.
I really wanted to like this more. It almost seemed like she used a ghostwriter. After the Ellis McFaddin books, I had high hopes. This just fell short of them as maybe a novella. It wasn't bad, just felt different.
May 13, 2026
This series never disappoints!
Sweet storyline, well written and one of Kristen Painters fantastic series. I loved this one! I’m hoping she’ll keep finding inspiration and keep adding to this series.
Sweet storyline, well written and one of Kristen Painters fantastic series. I loved this one! I’m hoping she’ll keep finding inspiration and keep adding to this series.
May 18, 2026
Blueberry!!!
I love this book! The characters are so fun and relatable all at once. Blueberry is like a precocious child getting into trouble and making Gunnar and Mattie figure out how to fix it. So fun! This was a great addition to an amazing series.
I love this book! The characters are so fun and relatable all at once. Blueberry is like a precocious child getting into trouble and making Gunnar and Mattie figure out how to fix it. So fun! This was a great addition to an amazing series.
May 20, 2026
Always coming back to Nocturne Falls
Mattie and Gunnar are wonderful! I’ve loved Nocturne Falls since Delaney ran from the mob, and I’ll always be ready to come back! Kristen, please, please, don’t stop writing for a long long time!
Mattie and Gunnar are wonderful! I’ve loved Nocturne Falls since Delaney ran from the mob, and I’ll always be ready to come back! Kristen, please, please, don’t stop writing for a long long time!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews