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Strange Bedfellows
Not yet published
Expected 22 Sep 26A dark and steamy debut novel about a girl—who is sometimes a cat—and the witch she loves, as secrets from her past threaten to unravel the delicate balance of her present, from screenwriter Amanda Mortlock.
Cleo is a willfully aloof college student with an impossible secret. When she meets Wes, a brooding musician, at a Halloween party, their connection is instant, electric, and impossible to ignore. Their romance takes a mystical turn when Wes discovers what Cleo’s been hiding: sometimes she takes the form of his pet cat.
Enter Bailey and Ollie—their magical counterparts—who reveal a deeper tie between Cleo and Wes: he’s a witch, and she’s his animal familiar. As past secrets collide with their entangled present, Cleo faces her greatest fear—losing Wes. With long-gone threats returning and danger looming, Cleo must confront her role in their dark and violent shared history and decide if she’s willing to fight for their future.
Cleo is a willfully aloof college student with an impossible secret. When she meets Wes, a brooding musician, at a Halloween party, their connection is instant, electric, and impossible to ignore. Their romance takes a mystical turn when Wes discovers what Cleo’s been hiding: sometimes she takes the form of his pet cat.
Enter Bailey and Ollie—their magical counterparts—who reveal a deeper tie between Cleo and Wes: he’s a witch, and she’s his animal familiar. As past secrets collide with their entangled present, Cleo faces her greatest fear—losing Wes. With long-gone threats returning and danger looming, Cleo must confront her role in their dark and violent shared history and decide if she’s willing to fight for their future.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication September 22, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
July 2, 2026
✨✨Not quite what I expected and a lot of fun!✨✨
Strange Bedfellows had me giggling and kicking my feet right off the bat! It started off a bit more of a cutesy read than I had expected. Cutesy isn’t my favorite, but add in witches, a girl that can turn into a cat, and a broody love interest and I’m all for it!
It definitely got deeper, a bit darker, and more intense as it went along though. I got caught up in my feels on Cleo’s behalf too!! I also really enjoyed the world and magical system in this book. I definitely am hoping for another book in this world and with these characters.
I will say I didn’t love the animal povs. I’m usually not a fan of animal POVs, especially when it’s a lot. That’s just something that usually as a whole I don’t particularly care for. I can see how it was useful in this story, and I know a lot of people love that kind of thing, it’s just not my favorite. Also, the ending kinda dragged on and on a bit for me.
Overall I really enjoyed this read though! It wasn’t a perfect one for me, but it was a fun one and I’d definitely read a book 2!!!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free ebook copy in exchange for an honest review. This book is expected to be released September 22, 2026 .
Strange Bedfellows had me giggling and kicking my feet right off the bat! It started off a bit more of a cutesy read than I had expected. Cutesy isn’t my favorite, but add in witches, a girl that can turn into a cat, and a broody love interest and I’m all for it!
It definitely got deeper, a bit darker, and more intense as it went along though. I got caught up in my feels on Cleo’s behalf too!! I also really enjoyed the world and magical system in this book. I definitely am hoping for another book in this world and with these characters.
I will say I didn’t love the animal povs. I’m usually not a fan of animal POVs, especially when it’s a lot. That’s just something that usually as a whole I don’t particularly care for. I can see how it was useful in this story, and I know a lot of people love that kind of thing, it’s just not my favorite. Also, the ending kinda dragged on and on a bit for me.
Overall I really enjoyed this read though! It wasn’t a perfect one for me, but it was a fun one and I’d definitely read a book 2!!!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free ebook copy in exchange for an honest review. This book is expected to be released September 22, 2026 .
Want to Read
May 7, 2026ARC received! Thank you, Atria!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 STARS
This book has some of the best things, it’s got witches, and magic, and mysteries and a cat!
Who doesn’t want a book with a cat.
Just a fun time in a book, I couldn’t stop reading it. It’s spicy, but don’t get me wrong, this is not a romance. So do not go in thinking that it is. But still I highly recommend reading it!
Already can’t wait for this to release so I can get my physical copy.
(arc review) - releasing 9/22/26
This book has some of the best things, it’s got witches, and magic, and mysteries and a cat!
Who doesn’t want a book with a cat.
Just a fun time in a book, I couldn’t stop reading it. It’s spicy, but don’t get me wrong, this is not a romance. So do not go in thinking that it is. But still I highly recommend reading it!
Already can’t wait for this to release so I can get my physical copy.
(arc review) - releasing 9/22/26
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
In Strange Bedfellows, we follow Cleo and Wes who meet with familiar/witch combo from England, Ollie and Bailey, when they are searching for their parents. This book was set up to be something I would enjoy! I obviously love cats and if I'm reading a fantasy-adjacent book, it's most likely to be something witchy. However, this book seemed to lean more toward romantisy, and I didn't enjoy that aspect of the book. We read a lot of steamy scenes between the main characters, some of which seemed to occur unexpectedly while other steamy scenes seemed completely unnecessary.
This book had a LOT of plot points and it was confusing at times. The writing was not dense or descriptive in the way The Goldfinch is descriptive, it just had so many plot points that ultimately didn't add much value to the overall story. Honestly, the last 40 pages could have been cut from this story and the story re-worked a little bit. Strange Bedfellows felt like it was a rejected script, re-worked to be a novel, and for me that didn't come across well.
I found some important pieces of the plot difficult to follow because of the randomness with which they were interjected into the story. For example, we read about Cleo and Ollie's dreams which are important to the spells that these witches cast. I also wasn't a fan of some of the language used in the book, which ultimately caused me to lower my rating. The use of the word "psychotic" and the phrase "spirit animal" don't sit right with me within the context they were used. Lastly, I found the use of paganism magic to be not well explained and also hard to follow. Ollie and Cleo would throw out spells using runes, and it seemed like I (the reader) was expected to know how impactful that spell would be based on the rune used.
I ultimately would only recommend this book to people with extensive knowledge of paganism (e.g., Beltane, winter solstice) and/or people who read romantisy.
An arc was provided via Netgalley and Atria in exchange for an honest review.
This book had a LOT of plot points and it was confusing at times. The writing was not dense or descriptive in the way The Goldfinch is descriptive, it just had so many plot points that ultimately didn't add much value to the overall story. Honestly, the last 40 pages could have been cut from this story and the story re-worked a little bit. Strange Bedfellows felt like it was a rejected script, re-worked to be a novel, and for me that didn't come across well.
I found some important pieces of the plot difficult to follow because of the randomness with which they were interjected into the story. For example, we read about Cleo and Ollie's dreams which are important to the spells that these witches cast. I also wasn't a fan of some of the language used in the book, which ultimately caused me to lower my rating. The use of the word "psychotic" and the phrase "spirit animal" don't sit right with me within the context they were used. Lastly, I found the use of paganism magic to be not well explained and also hard to follow. Ollie and Cleo would throw out spells using runes, and it seemed like I (the reader) was expected to know how impactful that spell would be based on the rune used.
I ultimately would only recommend this book to people with extensive knowledge of paganism (e.g., Beltane, winter solstice) and/or people who read romantisy.
An arc was provided via Netgalley and Atria in exchange for an honest review.
May 19, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5)
Strange Bedfellows was, well… strange—in a way that both worked for me and didn’t. The story centers on witches and their animal familiars who can also take human form, which made for a really unique and intriguing premise.
There was a lot I genuinely enjoyed—from the atmospheric writing to the way the familiars were split between their animal and human selves. I usually shy away from multiple POVs, but it was handled really well here. Getting both Cleo/Cat and Ollie/Olliedog’s perspectives added depth, and I loved seeing how their personalities shifted between forms. The short, fast-paced chapters kept me hooked and reading way past when I planned to stop.
The characters felt very human—deeply flawed, messy, and layered—which made them interesting to unravel. That said… I didn’t always like them. Wes and Cleo were incredibly toxic at times, constantly pushing and punishing each other through a series of challenges. Their dynamic was both understandable and incredibly frustrating, especially with some of the choices made along the way. And I still haven’t forgiven Wes for doing exactly what Cleo feared would happen with Bailey—that ending definitely left me a little annoyed.
Bailey was another miss for me. For someone meant to come across as kind and sweet, that didn’t fully land. On the other hand, Ollie was easily my favorite—loyal, honest, and not afraid to call out the BS. I also loved the Cat and Olliedog POVs, which offered such a unique lens into everything happening.
The spice surprised me, but it fit well with the themes of magic, fate, and messy young relationships.
If you enjoy witchy stories with magic, shifting dynamics, and deeply flawed characters, this is definitely worth checking out.
Tropes: witches x animal companions, magic & fate, flawed characters, shifters, spice
Strange Bedfellows was, well… strange—in a way that both worked for me and didn’t. The story centers on witches and their animal familiars who can also take human form, which made for a really unique and intriguing premise.
There was a lot I genuinely enjoyed—from the atmospheric writing to the way the familiars were split between their animal and human selves. I usually shy away from multiple POVs, but it was handled really well here. Getting both Cleo/Cat and Ollie/Olliedog’s perspectives added depth, and I loved seeing how their personalities shifted between forms. The short, fast-paced chapters kept me hooked and reading way past when I planned to stop.
The characters felt very human—deeply flawed, messy, and layered—which made them interesting to unravel. That said… I didn’t always like them. Wes and Cleo were incredibly toxic at times, constantly pushing and punishing each other through a series of challenges. Their dynamic was both understandable and incredibly frustrating, especially with some of the choices made along the way. And I still haven’t forgiven Wes for doing exactly what Cleo feared would happen with Bailey—that ending definitely left me a little annoyed.
Bailey was another miss for me. For someone meant to come across as kind and sweet, that didn’t fully land. On the other hand, Ollie was easily my favorite—loyal, honest, and not afraid to call out the BS. I also loved the Cat and Olliedog POVs, which offered such a unique lens into everything happening.
The spice surprised me, but it fit well with the themes of magic, fate, and messy young relationships.
If you enjoy witchy stories with magic, shifting dynamics, and deeply flawed characters, this is definitely worth checking out.
Tropes: witches x animal companions, magic & fate, flawed characters, shifters, spice
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June 17, 2026I went in blind and for that I am grateful. I don't know what I expected, but it wasn't THAT.
I am very impressed by the way that this author develops her characters. They are entirely different from each other, very much human, and all are flawed. I genuinely did not like a single character.
We follow Cleo, a shifter who has no idea where she came from or her past, as a series of events puts her in the spiral of finding out all about her past. She meets Wes, the sexy brooding musician, and they develop a deeply co-dependent, narcissistic, toxic all-consuming love. They like to play "games" with one another, seeing how far they can push the other before they break. Then, they become abusive. Then they have sex and everything is better.
Enter Bailey and Ollie, another witch and her familiar. Wes and Cleo get to uncover what they are. As relationships evolve and are tested, we watch Cleo completely self-implode and the fallout of that.
Wes sucks. Cleo sucks. Ollie sucks. Bailey really sucks. I felt terrible for Cleo at the end of the book. She's had this fantastic character growth and for what?
Anyway, a good read with a unique writing style that makes you really feel the humanity behind all the characters.
I agree with other reads why said this toxicity reminded them of The Favorites, although I will say I liked this SIGNIFICANTLY better. A good comp title to help people understand what they are getting into.
I am very impressed by the way that this author develops her characters. They are entirely different from each other, very much human, and all are flawed. I genuinely did not like a single character.
We follow Cleo, a shifter who has no idea where she came from or her past, as a series of events puts her in the spiral of finding out all about her past. She meets Wes, the sexy brooding musician, and they develop a deeply co-dependent, narcissistic, toxic all-consuming love. They like to play "games" with one another, seeing how far they can push the other before they break. Then, they become abusive. Then they have sex and everything is better.
Enter Bailey and Ollie, another witch and her familiar. Wes and Cleo get to uncover what they are. As relationships evolve and are tested, we watch Cleo completely self-implode and the fallout of that.
Wes sucks. Cleo sucks. Ollie sucks. Bailey really sucks. I felt terrible for Cleo at the end of the book. She's had this fantastic character growth and for what?
Anyway, a good read with a unique writing style that makes you really feel the humanity behind all the characters.
I agree with other reads why said this toxicity reminded them of The Favorites, although I will say I liked this SIGNIFICANTLY better. A good comp title to help people understand what they are getting into.
June 16, 2026
Welcome to my latest obsession. This is THE book to read this fall.
It’s got witchcraft, familiars, a demon, a love square, a New England college setting, secrets, and betrayals. It feels fresh and exciting. It’s definitely a bit weird.
This is contemporary paranormal fiction/fantasy, so don’t go expecting a happily-ever-after romantasy. There’s a toxic relationship at the center, and it’s heart-wrenching (think of the romance in The Favorites by Layne Fargo). The story offers poignant takes on codependency.
Some characters’ actions will frustrate you at certain points, and yet all of them are likable in their own way, though complex and flawed. Cleo is a goth girl, a complicated grumpy heroine who’s self-sacrificing and has a vulnerable heart underneath her sarcastic, mean, tough girl demeanor. Wes is the artsy, emo rocker boy who seems like an ideal book boyfriend, but he has his own issues. Ollie is a golden retriever of a man, and Bailey is the sweet, innocent foil to Cleo, though they’re not perfect either.
The ending is somewhat closed but also leaves potential for future mysteries, and I, for one, would love to see more from this world and these characters. I want more for Cleo.
It’s got witchcraft, familiars, a demon, a love square, a New England college setting, secrets, and betrayals. It feels fresh and exciting. It’s definitely a bit weird.
This is contemporary paranormal fiction/fantasy, so don’t go expecting a happily-ever-after romantasy. There’s a toxic relationship at the center, and it’s heart-wrenching (think of the romance in The Favorites by Layne Fargo). The story offers poignant takes on codependency.
Some characters’ actions will frustrate you at certain points, and yet all of them are likable in their own way, though complex and flawed. Cleo is a goth girl, a complicated grumpy heroine who’s self-sacrificing and has a vulnerable heart underneath her sarcastic, mean, tough girl demeanor. Wes is the artsy, emo rocker boy who seems like an ideal book boyfriend, but he has his own issues. Ollie is a golden retriever of a man, and Bailey is the sweet, innocent foil to Cleo, though they’re not perfect either.
The ending is somewhat closed but also leaves potential for future mysteries, and I, for one, would love to see more from this world and these characters. I want more for Cleo.
May 11, 2026
If there are animal familiars, I’m in. Cat and Cleo are a package deal, unbeknownst to everyone around them, but she randomly wakes up in Wes’ bed before frantically fleeing. They immediately jump into an intense and sometimes toxic relationship that turns out to have a perfect explanation, but a complicated one. I was very hesitant originally but this story was a rollercoaster. I was team Cleo from start to finish, even when she wasn’t at her best. As I was about halfway through, I immediately went to see if it was a standalone or a series. I haven’t become this emotionally invested in a story in awhile, let alone cried for a character like I did for Cat/Cleo. I honestly feel like the ending left me hopeful for more, but mostly satisfied if there isn’t. I was secretly hoping for Ollie and Cleo, I’m not sure I can forgive Wes, even if I get it. Thank you so much to NetGalley, Amanda Mortlock and the publisher for the invitation to this e-ARC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 21, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for the eARC.
Strange Bedfellows was an interesting read about Cleo aka Cat who is a witch’s familiar that turns into a cat. When new comers come into town and become part of her coven, untold truths from Cleo’s past will be revealed.
I really liked the start of this book (could not put it down through Part 1 I loved it so much), but struggled through the middle and end. The way the book initially read, it felt like this was going to be a romance. It was in fact not a romance. Cleo felt a bit toxic to me and I didn’t love the Bailey/Ollie storyline or conflict point.
If you’re looking for a paranormal, mystery novel with some spice, I think you’d enjoy this book.
Strange Bedfellows was an interesting read about Cleo aka Cat who is a witch’s familiar that turns into a cat. When new comers come into town and become part of her coven, untold truths from Cleo’s past will be revealed.
I really liked the start of this book (could not put it down through Part 1 I loved it so much), but struggled through the middle and end. The way the book initially read, it felt like this was going to be a romance. It was in fact not a romance. Cleo felt a bit toxic to me and I didn’t love the Bailey/Ollie storyline or conflict point.
If you’re looking for a paranormal, mystery novel with some spice, I think you’d enjoy this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and Atria/Emily Bestler Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
“Strange Bedfellows” by Amanda Mortlock is one of those books where I finished it and immediately thought, ‘Well...that was definitely unlike anything I've read before.’ Witches? Animal familiars that can turn into humans? A girl who's also a cat? A demon? A New England college setting? Somehow it throws all of that together into one very weird, very entertaining story.
The premise hooked me right away. Cleo is a college student with a pretty major secret; sometimes, she's a cat. After meeting broody musician Wes at a Halloween party, she discovers that their connection goes much deeper than simple attraction. Enter Ollie (who is sometimes a dog) and Bailey, who reveal that Cleo and Wes are actually a familiar-and-witch pair with a shared past full of missing memories, dangerous magic, and secrets that refuse to stay buried.
What kept me turning the pages wasn't actually the romance; it was the mystery. I desperately wanted to know what happened in Cleo's past, why parts of her memory were missing, and how everything connected. Every answer just raised more questions, and the suspense kept me hooked even when I occasionally felt like I was trying to catch up with the magic system.
The familiars were easily my favorite part of the book. Getting POVs from both Cleo/Cat and Ollie/Olliedog was such a fun, unique touch, and I loved seeing how their personalities shifted depending on whether they were in human or animal form. Ollie completely stole the show for me. He's loyal, honest, and basically the only person willing to call everyone else out on their nonsense.
The characters, in general, are a mess. And I mean that in the best possible way. They're flawed, complicated, frustrating, and sometimes make absolutely terrible decisions, but that also made them feel surprisingly real. Cleo and Wes have a deeply codependent, often toxic relationship that had me wanting to shake both of them more than once. Their romance definitely won't work for everyone, especially since there are several steamy scenes throughout the book, but it fits the chaotic emotional energy the story is going for.
The biggest hurdle for me was the worldbuilding. The magic system, runes, and pagan-inspired lore are really interesting, but the book doesn't always stop to explain everything. There were definitely moments where I felt like I'd been dropped into the deep end and expected to already know how everything worked. By the end, most of it came together, but I wouldn't have minded a little more guidance along the way. The story also juggles a lot of different plot threads, and occasionally it felt like it wandered before pulling everything back together.
Overall, “Strange Bedfellows” is weird, witchy, suspenseful, and refreshingly original. If you're looking for a paranormal fantasy with magical familiars, flawed characters, messy relationships, dark secrets, and a healthy dose of mystery alongside the romance, this is definitely worth checking out.
“Strange Bedfellows” by Amanda Mortlock is one of those books where I finished it and immediately thought, ‘Well...that was definitely unlike anything I've read before.’ Witches? Animal familiars that can turn into humans? A girl who's also a cat? A demon? A New England college setting? Somehow it throws all of that together into one very weird, very entertaining story.
The premise hooked me right away. Cleo is a college student with a pretty major secret; sometimes, she's a cat. After meeting broody musician Wes at a Halloween party, she discovers that their connection goes much deeper than simple attraction. Enter Ollie (who is sometimes a dog) and Bailey, who reveal that Cleo and Wes are actually a familiar-and-witch pair with a shared past full of missing memories, dangerous magic, and secrets that refuse to stay buried.
What kept me turning the pages wasn't actually the romance; it was the mystery. I desperately wanted to know what happened in Cleo's past, why parts of her memory were missing, and how everything connected. Every answer just raised more questions, and the suspense kept me hooked even when I occasionally felt like I was trying to catch up with the magic system.
The familiars were easily my favorite part of the book. Getting POVs from both Cleo/Cat and Ollie/Olliedog was such a fun, unique touch, and I loved seeing how their personalities shifted depending on whether they were in human or animal form. Ollie completely stole the show for me. He's loyal, honest, and basically the only person willing to call everyone else out on their nonsense.
The characters, in general, are a mess. And I mean that in the best possible way. They're flawed, complicated, frustrating, and sometimes make absolutely terrible decisions, but that also made them feel surprisingly real. Cleo and Wes have a deeply codependent, often toxic relationship that had me wanting to shake both of them more than once. Their romance definitely won't work for everyone, especially since there are several steamy scenes throughout the book, but it fits the chaotic emotional energy the story is going for.
The biggest hurdle for me was the worldbuilding. The magic system, runes, and pagan-inspired lore are really interesting, but the book doesn't always stop to explain everything. There were definitely moments where I felt like I'd been dropped into the deep end and expected to already know how everything worked. By the end, most of it came together, but I wouldn't have minded a little more guidance along the way. The story also juggles a lot of different plot threads, and occasionally it felt like it wandered before pulling everything back together.
Overall, “Strange Bedfellows” is weird, witchy, suspenseful, and refreshingly original. If you're looking for a paranormal fantasy with magical familiars, flawed characters, messy relationships, dark secrets, and a healthy dose of mystery alongside the romance, this is definitely worth checking out.
June 24, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for gifting me the ARC of Strange Bedfellow, Amanda Morlock’s debut novel in exchange for a review.
Strange Bedfellows follows Cleo the person and Cat the cat, who are the same soul in different bodies, Cleo can switch between. She owns and lives in her aunt’s old house, the lady who found her as a kitten and took her in to raise before realizing she was also adopting a human. The house is filled with college boys in a band, Cat’s favorite being Wes, who is her witch and her soulmate. Together, they make a very toxic pair. Magically, however, they are perfect for one another. They meet Bailey and Ollie, who are like them. Bailey and Wes share a tragic past.
This was book was described as, “Layered with Celtic traditions, runes, and music-driven magic, the spellwork is built on rhythm, emotion, and shared intention—creating something immersive, sensual, and entirely distinctive. As the story unfolds, what begins as an intoxicating connection sharpens into something more complicated. Our protagonist, Cleo, remains magnetic throughout but increasingly difficult to justify. It’s the kind of character journey that invites conversation, debate, and a lingering emotional aftertaste.
For readers craving something atmospheric, wickedly fun, and a bit dangerous.” With, “attachment theory & co-dependency; voice, identity, and self-sufficiency; the tension between love, control & power“
For me personally it did not live up to the hype, I rated it 3 stars and the third star was earned during the last 25ish percent of the book. Up until that point I was struggling to get through it. Not much happens. The characters are meant to be deeply flawed but I found them unlikable and uninteresting, I did not care what their outcome was. It is possible to write characters who are morally gray and unlikable but that you are still rooting for, these characters were not that. The characters and their actions and speech felt inauthentic and not like actual people at all. The one expectation is Gilly, Cleo’s best friend and coworker at a vet hospital. Gilly was my girl! She was the only character that wasn’t flat, and she was largely absent from the middle of the book.
The multiple POV’s did help move the plot along but often it didn’t feel like we got any pertinent information to the plot. Going back to the past through different eyes was interesting, but by time it got to that point I wasn’t invested. A lot of the dialogue was hard to follow who was speaking and sometimes even who was even a part of the conversation or in the room.
This needed more magic, more spooky, get more into the runes and the past. This is not a spooky “must read” for me. This fell very flat and very far from what I was going into it hoping for. The last 25% of the book is what saves this and if the rest of the book had been written like that I may have enjoyed it more. Not a bad read, not a great one either.
Strange Bedfellows follows Cleo the person and Cat the cat, who are the same soul in different bodies, Cleo can switch between. She owns and lives in her aunt’s old house, the lady who found her as a kitten and took her in to raise before realizing she was also adopting a human. The house is filled with college boys in a band, Cat’s favorite being Wes, who is her witch and her soulmate. Together, they make a very toxic pair. Magically, however, they are perfect for one another. They meet Bailey and Ollie, who are like them. Bailey and Wes share a tragic past.
This was book was described as, “Layered with Celtic traditions, runes, and music-driven magic, the spellwork is built on rhythm, emotion, and shared intention—creating something immersive, sensual, and entirely distinctive. As the story unfolds, what begins as an intoxicating connection sharpens into something more complicated. Our protagonist, Cleo, remains magnetic throughout but increasingly difficult to justify. It’s the kind of character journey that invites conversation, debate, and a lingering emotional aftertaste.
For readers craving something atmospheric, wickedly fun, and a bit dangerous.” With, “attachment theory & co-dependency; voice, identity, and self-sufficiency; the tension between love, control & power“
For me personally it did not live up to the hype, I rated it 3 stars and the third star was earned during the last 25ish percent of the book. Up until that point I was struggling to get through it. Not much happens. The characters are meant to be deeply flawed but I found them unlikable and uninteresting, I did not care what their outcome was. It is possible to write characters who are morally gray and unlikable but that you are still rooting for, these characters were not that. The characters and their actions and speech felt inauthentic and not like actual people at all. The one expectation is Gilly, Cleo’s best friend and coworker at a vet hospital. Gilly was my girl! She was the only character that wasn’t flat, and she was largely absent from the middle of the book.
The multiple POV’s did help move the plot along but often it didn’t feel like we got any pertinent information to the plot. Going back to the past through different eyes was interesting, but by time it got to that point I wasn’t invested. A lot of the dialogue was hard to follow who was speaking and sometimes even who was even a part of the conversation or in the room.
This needed more magic, more spooky, get more into the runes and the past. This is not a spooky “must read” for me. This fell very flat and very far from what I was going into it hoping for. The last 25% of the book is what saves this and if the rest of the book had been written like that I may have enjoyed it more. Not a bad read, not a great one either.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Strange Bedfellows was unlike anything I've read before, and that's saying something. I usually spend my reading time chasing murderers, serial killers, and psychological twists, so a story about familiars, witches, magical bonds, and a woman who is also a cat was well outside my comfort zone. I approached it with an open mind, and surprisingly, it worked!
Cleo is both herself and Cat, her feline counterpart, and the relationship between the two creates a fascinating mystery from the very beginning. When she finds her witch, Wes, under unusual circumstances, she becomes entangled in a world of magic, missing memories, hidden truths, and dangers that stretch back into the past. As Cleo struggles to understand who she is and what has been forgotten, the story builds a steady sense of urgency that kept me turning pages.
What I enjoyed most was the suspense. Beneath the fantasy and romance elements is a genuine mystery. I needed to know what had happened, why memories were missing, and how the past was influencing the present. That mystery kept me invested even when I was navigating unfamiliar fantasy concepts.
The characters were engaging, especially Cleo. Sometimes I didn't like her very much, but watching her piece together her identity and place in this magical world gave the story its emotional core. I also enjoyed the dynamics between the familiars and witches, particularly the unique relationships that developed throughout the story.
My biggest challenge was the worldbuilding. As someone who doesn't read much fantasy, I occasionally felt as though I had been dropped into the deep end without a life jacket. Terms, magical concepts, and lore were sometimes introduced with little explanation, leaving me feeling like I was trying to follow a gourmet recipe with only basic cooking skills. Fantasy readers will likely have no trouble with this, but I occasionally wished for a bit more guidance.
The romance wasn't always my favorite aspect of the story and had me rolling my eyes more than once, but it never overshadowed the stronger elements. The mystery, suspense, and originality kept me engaged from beginning to end.
If you enjoy fantasy romance with unusual magical systems, mysterious pasts, magical familiars, witches, and a healthy dose of suspense, I would absolutely recommend Strange Bedfellows. While it pushed me outside my usual reading preferences, it also reminded me how enjoyable it can be to explore something completely different.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for providing an advance review copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Cleo is both herself and Cat, her feline counterpart, and the relationship between the two creates a fascinating mystery from the very beginning. When she finds her witch, Wes, under unusual circumstances, she becomes entangled in a world of magic, missing memories, hidden truths, and dangers that stretch back into the past. As Cleo struggles to understand who she is and what has been forgotten, the story builds a steady sense of urgency that kept me turning pages.
What I enjoyed most was the suspense. Beneath the fantasy and romance elements is a genuine mystery. I needed to know what had happened, why memories were missing, and how the past was influencing the present. That mystery kept me invested even when I was navigating unfamiliar fantasy concepts.
The characters were engaging, especially Cleo. Sometimes I didn't like her very much, but watching her piece together her identity and place in this magical world gave the story its emotional core. I also enjoyed the dynamics between the familiars and witches, particularly the unique relationships that developed throughout the story.
My biggest challenge was the worldbuilding. As someone who doesn't read much fantasy, I occasionally felt as though I had been dropped into the deep end without a life jacket. Terms, magical concepts, and lore were sometimes introduced with little explanation, leaving me feeling like I was trying to follow a gourmet recipe with only basic cooking skills. Fantasy readers will likely have no trouble with this, but I occasionally wished for a bit more guidance.
The romance wasn't always my favorite aspect of the story and had me rolling my eyes more than once, but it never overshadowed the stronger elements. The mystery, suspense, and originality kept me engaged from beginning to end.
If you enjoy fantasy romance with unusual magical systems, mysterious pasts, magical familiars, witches, and a healthy dose of suspense, I would absolutely recommend Strange Bedfellows. While it pushed me outside my usual reading preferences, it also reminded me how enjoyable it can be to explore something completely different.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for providing an advance review copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read this ARC. This book will be available in September 2026, and is a must read to add to your spooky TBR.
To begin, I honestly did not like any of the characters in this book. That doesn't mean it was a bad book, and I'm truly glad I didn't like them. It made them seem real and relatable with their problems. Cleo is a college student who is also sometimes a cat. On Halloween, she meets Wes, who is the human who takes care of her when she is Cat, which she didn't realize was the same person. One thing leads to another, and Wes and Cleo start a whirlwind romance. Neither really know how to be in a mature relationship, and they are always pushing each other.
After a few weeks, they meet Bailey and Ollie. Ollie is like Cleo, and sometimes is a dog. Through them, Cleo and Wes learn who they really are. They are witch and familiar, not just a girl who sometimes is Cat. Wes and Bailey have similar backstories, with their parents dying when they were young, and Ollie thinks Cleo/Cat knows more than she is willing to let out also. The secrets and looming threats finally catch up to them, and Cleo has no choice but to face what happened many years prior.
While this book has quite a few steamy twists in it, they are easily skimmed if that's not your thing. The rest of the story and the way the magic system works is fun and unique. I really enjoyed how the author used Runes as part of the magic system as well. There were a few times I felt that the story shifted away from the original plot, but by the end it all made sense.
Absolutely a fun read, and a solid 4/5 star book. Make sure you put a reminder down for this one!
To begin, I honestly did not like any of the characters in this book. That doesn't mean it was a bad book, and I'm truly glad I didn't like them. It made them seem real and relatable with their problems. Cleo is a college student who is also sometimes a cat. On Halloween, she meets Wes, who is the human who takes care of her when she is Cat, which she didn't realize was the same person. One thing leads to another, and Wes and Cleo start a whirlwind romance. Neither really know how to be in a mature relationship, and they are always pushing each other.
After a few weeks, they meet Bailey and Ollie. Ollie is like Cleo, and sometimes is a dog. Through them, Cleo and Wes learn who they really are. They are witch and familiar, not just a girl who sometimes is Cat. Wes and Bailey have similar backstories, with their parents dying when they were young, and Ollie thinks Cleo/Cat knows more than she is willing to let out also. The secrets and looming threats finally catch up to them, and Cleo has no choice but to face what happened many years prior.
While this book has quite a few steamy twists in it, they are easily skimmed if that's not your thing. The rest of the story and the way the magic system works is fun and unique. I really enjoyed how the author used Runes as part of the magic system as well. There were a few times I felt that the story shifted away from the original plot, but by the end it all made sense.
Absolutely a fun read, and a solid 4/5 star book. Make sure you put a reminder down for this one!
April 30, 2026
That first chapter with Cat was so good—I caught myself laughing a lot right from the start, which immediately hooked me.
From there, though, I was honestly pretty lost about the connection between “Mine” and the cat. But at the same time, I adored the cat, so I didn’t even mind being confused.
The concept itself is really interesting, and it kept me invested because I just wanted to see what was going to happen next. I’m especially curious about the Nots—there’s clearly more going on there.
I do like the relationship, but I won’t lie, I spent a lot of this book feeling bloody lost—and still desperate to read more.
Character-wise… I did not like Bailey or Ollie for most of the book. And Wes? Total butt munch.
What surprised me most is that I saw some of the developments coming, and I was convinced I wouldn’t like them—but the writing is so good that I ended up getting completely bamboozled into enjoying it anyway.
By part 3, I genuinely felt like Oliver was the only one I actually liked. He’s the only one who didn’t feel super manipulative. Like… why is Bailey acting like it’s her decision for Cleo to be in the house when it’s literally Cleo’s house??
This book is addicting and kind of haunting. I would put it down to do something else and then immediately pick it back up—I was fully enthralled the entire time.
By the end, I still don’t like Bailey, but I do understand Ollie and Wes a lot more. I can see why things had to play out the way they did for the twist and everything to land.
The ending… I didn’t like it, but only because I wanted more. It also didn’t end the way I expected, but honestly, it ended better than I anticipated. It just left me wanting more of the story.
Overall, this was a solid four-star read for me—confusing, addictive, and really well written.
I received this as an ARC from Atri
From there, though, I was honestly pretty lost about the connection between “Mine” and the cat. But at the same time, I adored the cat, so I didn’t even mind being confused.
The concept itself is really interesting, and it kept me invested because I just wanted to see what was going to happen next. I’m especially curious about the Nots—there’s clearly more going on there.
I do like the relationship, but I won’t lie, I spent a lot of this book feeling bloody lost—and still desperate to read more.
Character-wise… I did not like Bailey or Ollie for most of the book. And Wes? Total butt munch.
What surprised me most is that I saw some of the developments coming, and I was convinced I wouldn’t like them—but the writing is so good that I ended up getting completely bamboozled into enjoying it anyway.
By part 3, I genuinely felt like Oliver was the only one I actually liked. He’s the only one who didn’t feel super manipulative. Like… why is Bailey acting like it’s her decision for Cleo to be in the house when it’s literally Cleo’s house??
This book is addicting and kind of haunting. I would put it down to do something else and then immediately pick it back up—I was fully enthralled the entire time.
By the end, I still don’t like Bailey, but I do understand Ollie and Wes a lot more. I can see why things had to play out the way they did for the twist and everything to land.
The ending… I didn’t like it, but only because I wanted more. It also didn’t end the way I expected, but honestly, it ended better than I anticipated. It just left me wanting more of the story.
Overall, this was a solid four-star read for me—confusing, addictive, and really well written.
I received this as an ARC from Atri
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I don't really know how to classify this novel because I have never read anything quite like it. Is it Romantasy? Perhaps. Witchcraft? Maybe. Erotic literature? Oh, yes. But however I characterize it, it is almost 4 1/2 stars.
Cleo is a young veterinary student. She lives in an old house she inherited, but sleeps in its shed while she rents out rooms to students at the nearby college. But Cleo is also Cat, a marmalade kitten who sometimes shape-changes into Cleo and vice-versa. And Cleo/Cat is also deeply in love with Wes, a handsome songwriter/musician who rents a room from her. Interested yet? Wes is a witch and Cat is his familiar. They fall in love and have some steamy sex.
Enter Ollie, a dog and also shape shifter into Ollie, a young man, familiar to Bailey, also a witch, both from England. Phew! There's more! There's Gilly, Cleo's friend and a host of memories among the two witches and their familiars having to do with a fire. Do you know what runes are? I thought I did but these are not predictive throws but rather spells for or against certain events. Oh, and don't let me forget the not-animals and critters like skunks, birds, moths that are demons or servants of devils. Still interested? You should be because the book is gripping and readable and interesting. It's not my usual choice, but I really liked this book. I can see how Amanda Mortlock is a successful screen writer and can see this novel as a film.
Thank you to Atria /Emily Bestler books for offering me this early read. And to Net Galley as well. These are my own and honest opinions.
Cleo is a young veterinary student. She lives in an old house she inherited, but sleeps in its shed while she rents out rooms to students at the nearby college. But Cleo is also Cat, a marmalade kitten who sometimes shape-changes into Cleo and vice-versa. And Cleo/Cat is also deeply in love with Wes, a handsome songwriter/musician who rents a room from her. Interested yet? Wes is a witch and Cat is his familiar. They fall in love and have some steamy sex.
Enter Ollie, a dog and also shape shifter into Ollie, a young man, familiar to Bailey, also a witch, both from England. Phew! There's more! There's Gilly, Cleo's friend and a host of memories among the two witches and their familiars having to do with a fire. Do you know what runes are? I thought I did but these are not predictive throws but rather spells for or against certain events. Oh, and don't let me forget the not-animals and critters like skunks, birds, moths that are demons or servants of devils. Still interested? You should be because the book is gripping and readable and interesting. It's not my usual choice, but I really liked this book. I can see how Amanda Mortlock is a successful screen writer and can see this novel as a film.
Thank you to Atria /Emily Bestler books for offering me this early read. And to Net Galley as well. These are my own and honest opinions.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
In grade school, one of my favorite books was Owl in Love by Patrice Kindl. I was fascinated by the idea of experiencing the world through both a human and animal lens, and by the intimate psychological connection between people and the creatures they become. Amanda Mortlock’s Strange Bedfellows captured that same sense of wonder while taking it somewhere much darker, stranger, and ultimately more profound.
What begins as an unusual paranormal romance quickly unfolds into something richer: an exploration of identity, guilt, memory, magic, and the complicated bond between a witch and their familiar. The relationship between Cleo and Wes is compelling on its own, but the novel’s real strength lies in how deeply it examines the concept of deus et anima—the intertwined nature of two souls whose lives and destinies cannot be neatly separated.
Mortlock doesn’t treat the familiar bond as a whimsical fantasy device. Instead, she digs into the psychological implications of sharing a consciousness, a history, and a burden. The result is a story that feels both intimate and mythic, tender and unsettling. Secrets, past violence, and long-buried fears haunt every page, creating a constant sense of tension beneath the romance.
For readers who love stories about animal transformation, magical bonds, and the messy places where love, loyalty, and identity intersect, Strange Bedfellows delivers. It was everything I hoped it would be when I picked it up—and far more thoughtful and emotionally resonant than I expected.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
What begins as an unusual paranormal romance quickly unfolds into something richer: an exploration of identity, guilt, memory, magic, and the complicated bond between a witch and their familiar. The relationship between Cleo and Wes is compelling on its own, but the novel’s real strength lies in how deeply it examines the concept of deus et anima—the intertwined nature of two souls whose lives and destinies cannot be neatly separated.
Mortlock doesn’t treat the familiar bond as a whimsical fantasy device. Instead, she digs into the psychological implications of sharing a consciousness, a history, and a burden. The result is a story that feels both intimate and mythic, tender and unsettling. Secrets, past violence, and long-buried fears haunt every page, creating a constant sense of tension beneath the romance.
For readers who love stories about animal transformation, magical bonds, and the messy places where love, loyalty, and identity intersect, Strange Bedfellows delivers. It was everything I hoped it would be when I picked it up—and far more thoughtful and emotionally resonant than I expected.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Strange Bedfellows was one of those books that had me hooked even when I had absolutely no idea where the hell the plot was going. Amanda Mortlock threw everything into this—magic, mystery, steam, and a whole lot of humor—and honestly? It was such a strange, compelling ride.
The mystery is the real hook here. I loved the way the missing memories and all the hidden history were drip-fed to us. Every time I thought I’d finally cracked the code, another piece of the puzzle popped up to throw me off. I’m honestly still obsessed with the whole concept of the "Nots" and really hope we get more of that in the future.
Now, about the characters. I’m going to be real—these people tested my patience. There were so many moments where I wanted to just reach into the pages and shake some sense into Cleo and Wes. They were messy, frustrating, and made choices that had me side-eying them the whole time. But, if I’m being honest, that’s kind of why it worked. Their flaws made them feel real, and even when I was annoyed with them, I couldn't stop rooting for them to figure it out.
Adding Bailey and Ollie into the mix just made everything even more chaotic, but it brought up all those big questions about loyalty and destiny that kept me turning pages until the end.
The ending wasn't exactly what I wanted, but it didn't ruin the experience for me. It’s a super creative, wild debut that isn't afraid to get a little weird. If you’re a fan of witchy vibes, messy relationships, and a mystery that keeps you guessing, this is definitely worth a shot.
Rating: 4 Stars. Chaotic, weird, and totally addictive.
The mystery is the real hook here. I loved the way the missing memories and all the hidden history were drip-fed to us. Every time I thought I’d finally cracked the code, another piece of the puzzle popped up to throw me off. I’m honestly still obsessed with the whole concept of the "Nots" and really hope we get more of that in the future.
Now, about the characters. I’m going to be real—these people tested my patience. There were so many moments where I wanted to just reach into the pages and shake some sense into Cleo and Wes. They were messy, frustrating, and made choices that had me side-eying them the whole time. But, if I’m being honest, that’s kind of why it worked. Their flaws made them feel real, and even when I was annoyed with them, I couldn't stop rooting for them to figure it out.
Adding Bailey and Ollie into the mix just made everything even more chaotic, but it brought up all those big questions about loyalty and destiny that kept me turning pages until the end.
The ending wasn't exactly what I wanted, but it didn't ruin the experience for me. It’s a super creative, wild debut that isn't afraid to get a little weird. If you’re a fan of witchy vibes, messy relationships, and a mystery that keeps you guessing, this is definitely worth a shot.
Rating: 4 Stars. Chaotic, weird, and totally addictive.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This one was tricky for me to rate. Let me start with the positive: the writing was great. The rune system was interesting, and witches and familiars are always fun. The main point of the plot was good. I like that we got POVs from both familiars and then also in both their human and animal forms. They way the animal form POVs were written definitely felt like how a cat and dog could possibly think. Mortlock captured the attitude and overall vibes of cats and dogs.
Now where I got derailed.
When I got into this “dark and steamy” novel I got wrapped up in it almost immediate.
It started off feeling like this was going to be a fantasy romance. Now, this part is my fault. When I received this widget, I read the blurb and it sounded right up my alley. The blurb even talks about the romance between Clio and Wes. When things started to go sideways and I revisited the page, I then noted the genre was listed as Sci-Fi & Fantasy, which definitely fits this more than what I thought it was going to be in the first part of this book. As we get further into it, the story takes a turn into something almost horror-adjacent. Now, I like all the above genres I just mentioned, but I think had I noted the genre prior to going into this, and therefore had a different mindset, I wouldn’t have felt so blindsided by some of the events in this book. Specifically two things.
First. The overall top-down view of the plot is great. The girl who is sometimes a cat, what she’s doing, and what she’s done in the past is very interesting and kept my attention, but I found myself not liking Clio very much after she commits to a trope that I just do not like. I get her logic behind why, but I didn’t enjoy it.
Secondly, the ending. I can’t speak on this too much because obviously I don’t want to spoil the ending. Let’s just say the ending made me angry. Maybe that was the author’s intended goal? If so, congrats, Ms. Mortlock, you have succeeded in upsetting me.
With the manner the ending wrapped things up, and also the unanswered questions concerning Chogan, this feels like the setup to a continuation. I would absolutely read further books in this story.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC. Opinions are my own.
Now where I got derailed.
When I got into this “dark and steamy” novel I got wrapped up in it almost immediate.
It started off feeling like this was going to be a fantasy romance. Now, this part is my fault. When I received this widget, I read the blurb and it sounded right up my alley. The blurb even talks about the romance between Clio and Wes. When things started to go sideways and I revisited the page, I then noted the genre was listed as Sci-Fi & Fantasy, which definitely fits this more than what I thought it was going to be in the first part of this book. As we get further into it, the story takes a turn into something almost horror-adjacent. Now, I like all the above genres I just mentioned, but I think had I noted the genre prior to going into this, and therefore had a different mindset, I wouldn’t have felt so blindsided by some of the events in this book. Specifically two things.
First. The overall top-down view of the plot is great. The girl who is sometimes a cat, what she’s doing, and what she’s done in the past is very interesting and kept my attention, but I found myself not liking Clio very much after she commits to a trope that I just do not like. I get her logic behind why, but I didn’t enjoy it.
Secondly, the ending. I can’t speak on this too much because obviously I don’t want to spoil the ending. Let’s just say the ending made me angry. Maybe that was the author’s intended goal? If so, congrats, Ms. Mortlock, you have succeeded in upsetting me.
With the manner the ending wrapped things up, and also the unanswered questions concerning Chogan, this feels like the setup to a continuation. I would absolutely read further books in this story.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC. Opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Y'all, this was a fun and wild ride.
Cleo is a veterinary student who inherited a house that she rents out to other college students . . . but she stays in a shed out back. She is also a shapeshifter who can turn into a cat (named Cat), and as Cat she goes into the house to stay with Wes, a hot and brooding musician, who feeds and takes care of Cat. Cleo and Wes meet at a party and have an intense instant attraction, which develops into a steamy and toxic relationship. It comes out that Cleo is Cleo/Cat, Wes is a witch, and Cat is his animal familiar. And that's only the beginning.
There are several things I loved about this book. I genuinely could not predict where the story was going; it was creative with plenty of twists and turns. This book is written from multiple POVs, and I super enjoyed the writing from Cat's perspective as well as the other shapeshifters throughout the book. The magic (Nordic paganism) was so fun, though a bit complex, however if you don't want to study the runic alphabet at the back of the book I don't think you miss too much and can just enjoy the other parts.
While there were some issues of character continuity (above and beyond what you'd, uh, expect from shapeshifters) and sometimes I felt a little whiplash, this was a FUN, feral, creative, batshit book that has me contemplating. A hybrid of romantasy/magical realism/horror/drama/I don’t even know. I will definitely read the next book in the series if there is one.
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
Cleo is a veterinary student who inherited a house that she rents out to other college students . . . but she stays in a shed out back. She is also a shapeshifter who can turn into a cat (named Cat), and as Cat she goes into the house to stay with Wes, a hot and brooding musician, who feeds and takes care of Cat. Cleo and Wes meet at a party and have an intense instant attraction, which develops into a steamy and toxic relationship. It comes out that Cleo is Cleo/Cat, Wes is a witch, and Cat is his animal familiar. And that's only the beginning.
There are several things I loved about this book. I genuinely could not predict where the story was going; it was creative with plenty of twists and turns. This book is written from multiple POVs, and I super enjoyed the writing from Cat's perspective as well as the other shapeshifters throughout the book. The magic (Nordic paganism) was so fun, though a bit complex, however if you don't want to study the runic alphabet at the back of the book I don't think you miss too much and can just enjoy the other parts.
While there were some issues of character continuity (above and beyond what you'd, uh, expect from shapeshifters) and sometimes I felt a little whiplash, this was a FUN, feral, creative, batshit book that has me contemplating. A hybrid of romantasy/magical realism/horror/drama/I don’t even know. I will definitely read the next book in the series if there is one.
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
June 21, 2026
A beautiful tale of magic, love, and acceptance.
I was not ready for this book. The characters were so similar to recent relationships in my own life. The story drew me in, Cleo, Wes, Bailey, and Ollie broke my heart in the best way. Like therapy that I wasn’t aware I needed.
I loved seeing a different side of the witch familiar relationships. Growing up with shows like Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Hocus Pocus, and recent installments of reboots and newer tales, I’ve always loved the wide range of possibilities these stories contain. Strange Bedfellows took that wide unexplored area, and hyper-focused upon it.
The dynamic between Wes and Cleo/Cat felt cute while being slightly—very—toxic in the beginning. That quickly changes when Bailey and Ollie come around. What does it mean to be tied to someone by your souls and watch them love someone else? If you have ever felt this debilitating scenario play out in your life, you will understand deep in your marrow every decision Cleo makes. Even the frustratingly idiotic ones that you tell yourself are justified to protect the person you love.
The whispering imps add an extra layer that mirrors every comment you hear, or think, when your heart is breaking. How far is too far? The line between love and hate is thin. Strange Bedfellows reminds us exactly that as the book unravels more secrets than Cleo, Wes, Ollie, or Bailey are prepared for.
I want more! I’m so not ready to let these characters go. Please tell me there will be more!
I was not ready for this book. The characters were so similar to recent relationships in my own life. The story drew me in, Cleo, Wes, Bailey, and Ollie broke my heart in the best way. Like therapy that I wasn’t aware I needed.
I loved seeing a different side of the witch familiar relationships. Growing up with shows like Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Hocus Pocus, and recent installments of reboots and newer tales, I’ve always loved the wide range of possibilities these stories contain. Strange Bedfellows took that wide unexplored area, and hyper-focused upon it.
The dynamic between Wes and Cleo/Cat felt cute while being slightly—very—toxic in the beginning. That quickly changes when Bailey and Ollie come around. What does it mean to be tied to someone by your souls and watch them love someone else? If you have ever felt this debilitating scenario play out in your life, you will understand deep in your marrow every decision Cleo makes. Even the frustratingly idiotic ones that you tell yourself are justified to protect the person you love.
The whispering imps add an extra layer that mirrors every comment you hear, or think, when your heart is breaking. How far is too far? The line between love and hate is thin. Strange Bedfellows reminds us exactly that as the book unravels more secrets than Cleo, Wes, Ollie, or Bailey are prepared for.
I want more! I’m so not ready to let these characters go. Please tell me there will be more!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Strange Bedfellows by Amanda Mortlock | 3 stars out of 5
Cleo falls for a brooding boy named Wes, but their romance takes a dramatic turn when he discovers that she sometimes turns into his pet cat. Then Bailey and Ollie arrive, and they explain that Wes is a witch and Cleo is his familiar. The newly formed coven dives into the world of magic, and, in doing so, they begin digging up old secrets and violent pasts.
Strange Bedfellows is a step down from the dark romantasy genre but has the intensity and passion of it. I’m very picky with romance, and unfortunately, Strange Bedfellows wasn’t my cup of tea. Due to the romantic back-and-forth type drama, the plot contained a great deal of unnecessary fluff. We don’t get to see the magical aspect of the plot move forward until 75% into the book. And the lack of character development until late into the plot left the main characters difficult to tolerate. The fantastical aspects were a fun concept, and I would have loved to see more of that. Despite everything, I believe Mortlock will find her footing in her next novels, as she finds the correct pacing for them which is a common experience for many first-time authors.
A huge thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review!
#StrangeBedfellows #AmandaMortlock #AtriaBooks #NetGalley
Cleo falls for a brooding boy named Wes, but their romance takes a dramatic turn when he discovers that she sometimes turns into his pet cat. Then Bailey and Ollie arrive, and they explain that Wes is a witch and Cleo is his familiar. The newly formed coven dives into the world of magic, and, in doing so, they begin digging up old secrets and violent pasts.
Strange Bedfellows is a step down from the dark romantasy genre but has the intensity and passion of it. I’m very picky with romance, and unfortunately, Strange Bedfellows wasn’t my cup of tea. Due to the romantic back-and-forth type drama, the plot contained a great deal of unnecessary fluff. We don’t get to see the magical aspect of the plot move forward until 75% into the book. And the lack of character development until late into the plot left the main characters difficult to tolerate. The fantastical aspects were a fun concept, and I would have loved to see more of that. Despite everything, I believe Mortlock will find her footing in her next novels, as she finds the correct pacing for them which is a common experience for many first-time authors.
A huge thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review!
#StrangeBedfellows #AmandaMortlock #AtriaBooks #NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I wanted to like this so much more than I did. The book has everything you want. Magic, mystery, and romance. But it just feels so unresolved.
The blurb definitely sucked me in. Girl, who is sometimes a cat, meets boy who turns out to be a witch. Oh and she’s his familiar. Throw in another girl and her best guy friend/ dog familiar and we’ve got the potential for a crazy time.
I love the magic system created here. And the way this was written was definitely a new one for me but I really enjoyed how the POV bounced between the FMC and her cat. The pacing of the story was fantastic.
The romance here is toxic! And it’s probably supposed to be but by the end of the book instead of a satisfying conclusion I was left really disliking two of the characters because of how things played out. All that angst, all the yearning, and that’s how it ends? Honestly I’m still mad.
I would give this 3.5 stars if I could. I can’t say I wouldn’t recommend it because I did sit and read it, eyes on my page and needing to keep going, but that ending really dragged the momentum of the entire book. However so can also see people who might appreciate how everything worked out. The characters definitely went through a lot of growth to get to that ending and the journey is what kept me reading.
The blurb definitely sucked me in. Girl, who is sometimes a cat, meets boy who turns out to be a witch. Oh and she’s his familiar. Throw in another girl and her best guy friend/ dog familiar and we’ve got the potential for a crazy time.
I love the magic system created here. And the way this was written was definitely a new one for me but I really enjoyed how the POV bounced between the FMC and her cat. The pacing of the story was fantastic.
The romance here is toxic! And it’s probably supposed to be but by the end of the book instead of a satisfying conclusion I was left really disliking two of the characters because of how things played out. All that angst, all the yearning, and that’s how it ends? Honestly I’m still mad.
I would give this 3.5 stars if I could. I can’t say I wouldn’t recommend it because I did sit and read it, eyes on my page and needing to keep going, but that ending really dragged the momentum of the entire book. However so can also see people who might appreciate how everything worked out. The characters definitely went through a lot of growth to get to that ending and the journey is what kept me reading.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review of Uncorrected Digital Galley
College student Cleo . . . studying veterinary science . . . can turn into a cat.
When Cleo meets musician Wes at a Halloween party, she is immediately attracted to him. But theirs is not an ordinary relationship for Wes is a witch and Cleo [as Cat] is his animal familiar. They join Ollie and Bailey, learn about magic and familiars, form a coven, and begin digging up the past.
What will they discover? And can their romance last?
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There is an undercurrent of suspense that keeps readers turning the pages in this dark romantasy. There’s always the question of exactly what Cleo is and the hidden truths related to missing memories and the dark past. Does she have/still have a place in the magical world? And what of her relationship with Wes?
Readers who enjoy fantasy, romance, and the world of magic, witches, and familiars are sure to find this a captivating tale. Sadly, the overuse of a particularly offensive [and unnecessary] expletive is likely to offend many readers and lowers the rating for this book.
I received a free copy of this eBook from Atria Books / Atria/Emily Bestlier Books and NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving this review.
#StrangeBedfellows #NetGalley
College student Cleo . . . studying veterinary science . . . can turn into a cat.
When Cleo meets musician Wes at a Halloween party, she is immediately attracted to him. But theirs is not an ordinary relationship for Wes is a witch and Cleo [as Cat] is his animal familiar. They join Ollie and Bailey, learn about magic and familiars, form a coven, and begin digging up the past.
What will they discover? And can their romance last?
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There is an undercurrent of suspense that keeps readers turning the pages in this dark romantasy. There’s always the question of exactly what Cleo is and the hidden truths related to missing memories and the dark past. Does she have/still have a place in the magical world? And what of her relationship with Wes?
Readers who enjoy fantasy, romance, and the world of magic, witches, and familiars are sure to find this a captivating tale. Sadly, the overuse of a particularly offensive [and unnecessary] expletive is likely to offend many readers and lowers the rating for this book.
I received a free copy of this eBook from Atria Books / Atria/Emily Bestlier Books and NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving this review.
#StrangeBedfellows #NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
This book was fun, witty, messy (in the best way), and perfectly witchy! I really enjoyed the multiple POVs, from both Cleo/Cat and Ollie/olliedog. It was fun going through the storyline from the viewpoints, especially since all of them had little pieces to the puzzle to solve their collective mystery. The music was a fun touch, especially for someone who isn’t into the Top 40 like Cleo and Wes. Also shoutout to the best character, Gilly!! She’s the kind of best friend a girl hopes for! I was reading with a smile on my face almost every time she was involved!
Also, hear me out, I am nowhere near a prude, but It did feel like there was a bit too much sex in parts of this book. The detailed scenes that didn’t add too much to the storyline felt like smut fluff after a while, so I wasn’t a big fan of that.
The story got a bit slow in the middle, to the point where I forgot I was reading something and didn’t pick the book up for a few days. But I will say, the last 25% was great; exciting, nerve wracking, magical, and really made up for it! I would read a sequel.
Thank you to NetGalley, Amanda Mortlock, and the publisher for the e-ARC and chance to provide my honest feedback!
This book was fun, witty, messy (in the best way), and perfectly witchy! I really enjoyed the multiple POVs, from both Cleo/Cat and Ollie/olliedog. It was fun going through the storyline from the viewpoints, especially since all of them had little pieces to the puzzle to solve their collective mystery. The music was a fun touch, especially for someone who isn’t into the Top 40 like Cleo and Wes. Also shoutout to the best character, Gilly!! She’s the kind of best friend a girl hopes for! I was reading with a smile on my face almost every time she was involved!
Also, hear me out, I am nowhere near a prude, but It did feel like there was a bit too much sex in parts of this book. The detailed scenes that didn’t add too much to the storyline felt like smut fluff after a while, so I wasn’t a big fan of that.
The story got a bit slow in the middle, to the point where I forgot I was reading something and didn’t pick the book up for a few days. But I will say, the last 25% was great; exciting, nerve wracking, magical, and really made up for it! I would read a sequel.
Thank you to NetGalley, Amanda Mortlock, and the publisher for the e-ARC and chance to provide my honest feedback!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
*** I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley, in return for my honest review. ***
So….just, Wow! I went into this not really having any expectations. I’d never heard of the author (i think this is a debut). The description sounded interesting. But the book starts off strong and takes off at a run. Cleo is a girl. But she’s also a cat. No one but her late aunt knew about her shifting. When her aunt died, leaving her a run down house, Cleo moves into the shed out back with the very barest of bare essentials. She rents out rooms in the house to college students, with the proviso that they feed the cat (her!). Despite technically living in the shed, Cleo continues to sleep (in her cat form) in old bedroom, with its new occupant. That occupant, Wes, eventually becomes her boyfriend, and the second person to know her secret. What follows is a love story, of sorts. It’s also a mystery. It’s a discovery of found family. Nothing is as it seems and the reveal is parceled out in bite-size bits throughout. The multi-POV was sometimes a bit clunky, especially when the animals were in charge. But overall that was not a dealbreaker. My only point of mild annoyance was that nothing in the description indicated that this was the start of a new series, but the ending sure felt like there should be more to come. It’s not a cliffhanger, but it certainly left the door open for additional books.
So….just, Wow! I went into this not really having any expectations. I’d never heard of the author (i think this is a debut). The description sounded interesting. But the book starts off strong and takes off at a run. Cleo is a girl. But she’s also a cat. No one but her late aunt knew about her shifting. When her aunt died, leaving her a run down house, Cleo moves into the shed out back with the very barest of bare essentials. She rents out rooms in the house to college students, with the proviso that they feed the cat (her!). Despite technically living in the shed, Cleo continues to sleep (in her cat form) in old bedroom, with its new occupant. That occupant, Wes, eventually becomes her boyfriend, and the second person to know her secret. What follows is a love story, of sorts. It’s also a mystery. It’s a discovery of found family. Nothing is as it seems and the reveal is parceled out in bite-size bits throughout. The multi-POV was sometimes a bit clunky, especially when the animals were in charge. But overall that was not a dealbreaker. My only point of mild annoyance was that nothing in the description indicated that this was the start of a new series, but the ending sure felt like there should be more to come. It’s not a cliffhanger, but it certainly left the door open for additional books.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I received this from a Goodreads giveaway. This book drew me in instantly. It took the common relationship of Witch and Familiar and switched it up. The book takes place from the familiar’s perspective in both of their forms (cat and girl). I thought the book was well written and kept me hooked. There is some depth to the story that touches on toxic relationships, generational trauma, struggles with identity, and self worth. With that said, there is also humor, love and friendship which I think balances the darker parts. There is some spice, but I don’t think it takes away from the story. The author got it right with the balance between the spicy scenes and story. I felt like they helped to move the plot along, rather than be included as a way to keep people reading.
I wish that we learned a little more about Cat’s history, but I think it might have been intentional. I don’t think you are meant to fully understand the whole story from Cat’s perspective.
This was an easy read, but still a great story. I didn’t want the book to end. I think it might be intended as a standalone because it does wrap things up well, but I wouldn’t be upset if this was a series.
I wish that we learned a little more about Cat’s history, but I think it might have been intentional. I don’t think you are meant to fully understand the whole story from Cat’s perspective.
This was an easy read, but still a great story. I didn’t want the book to end. I think it might be intended as a standalone because it does wrap things up well, but I wouldn’t be upset if this was a series.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 🌟
There were parts I really enjoyed and parts I didn't much care for.
I liked the discovering of magic, the POV's of the human and animal side of the familiars, and Gilly. (Gilly deserved so much more here. More page time and better people to be around)
I didn't really care for the messy relationships or the way dialogue was written.
These have to be a top 5 most toxic characters/couple/scenario. The story would have been a lot more interesting to me without all the drama. The physical abuse, manipulation, and immaturity was just too much. I liked the moments they were discovering their abilities magically and their want to uncover their past though.
It was a little difficult to follow the dialogue. In the animal POV and the human. When the conversation would start after an inner thought it wasnt always clear who began speaking first. I had to reread sections multiple times throughout and that throws me out of a book. I also can't figure out why the dogs entire sections were lowercase, but the cats were more traditional.
The witchy vibes were great and if you dont mind toxic characters or can look past them it may be worth a read for you.
There were parts I really enjoyed and parts I didn't much care for.
I liked the discovering of magic, the POV's of the human and animal side of the familiars, and Gilly. (Gilly deserved so much more here. More page time and better people to be around)
I didn't really care for the messy relationships or the way dialogue was written.
These have to be a top 5 most toxic characters/couple/scenario. The story would have been a lot more interesting to me without all the drama. The physical abuse, manipulation, and immaturity was just too much. I liked the moments they were discovering their abilities magically and their want to uncover their past though.
It was a little difficult to follow the dialogue. In the animal POV and the human. When the conversation would start after an inner thought it wasnt always clear who began speaking first. I had to reread sections multiple times throughout and that throws me out of a book. I also can't figure out why the dogs entire sections were lowercase, but the cats were more traditional.
The witchy vibes were great and if you dont mind toxic characters or can look past them it may be worth a read for you.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria/Emily Bestler Books for the eARC!
This book was so unexpected and also an unexpected delight. I was drawn to the concept of the witchy vibe and the familiar. Cleo was a very compelling character and yet had her flaws that worked for the story. When Wes first came into the picture, I thought they were perfect for each other. The sex scenes were steamy and so well written.
Then when Ollie and Bailey entered the picture, it felt like the rest of the book took on the ride of a rollercoaster. While the cheating could have been handled differently, it almost felt inevitable given the chemistry that was tangible between Cleo and Ollie (and the Cat/Dog thing, too).
I enjoyed the backstory and the climax, and I felt it wrapped up well and in a satisfying way. Again, wasn't sure what to expect when reading this, but I was drawn to the description. Overall, it did not disappoint! The only reason it's not a five is because some of the back and forth between the Cat and Olliedog got to be confusing and too much, even though I know it was for the story.
This book was so unexpected and also an unexpected delight. I was drawn to the concept of the witchy vibe and the familiar. Cleo was a very compelling character and yet had her flaws that worked for the story. When Wes first came into the picture, I thought they were perfect for each other. The sex scenes were steamy and so well written.
Then when Ollie and Bailey entered the picture, it felt like the rest of the book took on the ride of a rollercoaster. While the cheating could have been handled differently, it almost felt inevitable given the chemistry that was tangible between Cleo and Ollie (and the Cat/Dog thing, too).
I enjoyed the backstory and the climax, and I felt it wrapped up well and in a satisfying way. Again, wasn't sure what to expect when reading this, but I was drawn to the description. Overall, it did not disappoint! The only reason it's not a five is because some of the back and forth between the Cat and Olliedog got to be confusing and too much, even though I know it was for the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 2, 2026
I’m torn between giving it 3 stars, to be honest. I was genuinely so irritated by some of the characters for about 3/4 of the story, and the last 1/4 really pulled a lot of the weight. In my notes at the beginning, I wrote that this felt like something I would’ve loved during the Tumblr/Wattpad peak era (derogatory).
It gets bonus points because I did enjoy seeing the familiars’ animal POVs, that was genuinely fun for me. But I hated how the FMC was all “small and dainty and alt and not like other girls.” I would’ve eaten that up during my middle school years. For most of the book, I thought she was kind of a trash person, and then somehow by the end it felt like she was MY trash person.
I genuinely wasn’t expecting to be so surprised by how much I sorta, kinda, maybe enjoyed the conclusion. I’m easily swayed, okay! By the end I was thinking, you know, maybe people grow, they’re young college kids, they still have life to learn, blah blah blah. They were insufferable for a big portion of the book, but I did like the magical, witchy aspects and the character growth I got to see.
Also, Ollie could do no wrong in my eyes which is a surprise since I’m a cat person!
It gets bonus points because I did enjoy seeing the familiars’ animal POVs, that was genuinely fun for me. But I hated how the FMC was all “small and dainty and alt and not like other girls.” I would’ve eaten that up during my middle school years. For most of the book, I thought she was kind of a trash person, and then somehow by the end it felt like she was MY trash person.
I genuinely wasn’t expecting to be so surprised by how much I sorta, kinda, maybe enjoyed the conclusion. I’m easily swayed, okay! By the end I was thinking, you know, maybe people grow, they’re young college kids, they still have life to learn, blah blah blah. They were insufferable for a big portion of the book, but I did like the magical, witchy aspects and the character growth I got to see.
Also, Ollie could do no wrong in my eyes which is a surprise since I’m a cat person!
July 3, 2026
What. in the heck. did I read?
I needed desperately to know how this ended, or else I would have put it down. So good on Mortlock for piquing my interest enough that I was super curious and blasted through this in a day. That being said, this was not at all for me.
I loved the parts with olliedog's perspective, those were so well-written, and same with Cat. I also loved how you could feel the feline qualities in Cleo and canine qualities in Ollie.
The spice... it was weird at times. Not moving things forward. The end of the romance line? really didn't like it. Yes the characters are toxic, but some of that is the point between MMC and FMC, so no knocks on that.
The book overall just gave me the ick, and it did that because it took so long to weave stories together, and it was trying to do too much while shoe-horning in spicy parts.
It could have been cool, but I the biggest disservice this book did to itself was moving from 2-4 main characters, despite how much I did love Ollie. It became too much, too confusing, and bloated.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I needed desperately to know how this ended, or else I would have put it down. So good on Mortlock for piquing my interest enough that I was super curious and blasted through this in a day. That being said, this was not at all for me.
I loved the parts with olliedog's perspective, those were so well-written, and same with Cat. I also loved how you could feel the feline qualities in Cleo and canine qualities in Ollie.
The spice... it was weird at times. Not moving things forward. The end of the romance line? really didn't like it. Yes the characters are toxic, but some of that is the point between MMC and FMC, so no knocks on that.
The book overall just gave me the ick, and it did that because it took so long to weave stories together, and it was trying to do too much while shoe-horning in spicy parts.
It could have been cool, but I the biggest disservice this book did to itself was moving from 2-4 main characters, despite how much I did love Ollie. It became too much, too confusing, and bloated.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
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