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Wretched Mage #2
Harried Witch
In Harried Witch, the Beauty and the Beast–inspired romantasy duology reaches its searing conclusion, following the debut novel Wretched Mage. Told from dual POVs, it brings higher stakes, a richer view of the mageborn world, and longing that will haunt readers long after the final page. It's for fans of Servant of Earth by Sarah Hawley and Silvercloak by L.K. Steven.
An impossible revelation threatens to unravel everything Jane knows. Torn between her family and the role she has been chosen for as Lady of Mountheim, she must prove herself and outwit every foe standing between her and the man who has claimed her heart.
Reagan has barely completed his sentence when fresh threats and expectations surge around him. Determined to expose the conspirators who targeted him and the woman he loves, he refuses to wait for danger to strike again.
But the conspiracy runs deeper than either of them imagined, revealing the sinister reach of enemies far more dangerous than they anticipated. As alliances form and their love is tested, Jane and Reagan must summon every ounce of strength to protect those they care for, even if it means letting go of each other.
An impossible revelation threatens to unravel everything Jane knows. Torn between her family and the role she has been chosen for as Lady of Mountheim, she must prove herself and outwit every foe standing between her and the man who has claimed her heart.
Reagan has barely completed his sentence when fresh threats and expectations surge around him. Determined to expose the conspirators who targeted him and the woman he loves, he refuses to wait for danger to strike again.
But the conspiracy runs deeper than either of them imagined, revealing the sinister reach of enemies far more dangerous than they anticipated. As alliances form and their love is tested, Jane and Reagan must summon every ounce of strength to protect those they care for, even if it means letting go of each other.
- GenresFantasy
467 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication June 1, 2026
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March 10, 2026Hi friends! I’m over the moon that Harried Witch will be out in just a few months! In the final book of this romantasy duology, you’ll find answers to lingering questions, shocking conspiracies, new monsters, higher stakes, more magic laws, swoony and steamy moments, and plenty of scheming.
The official release date is June 1st, 2026, but early copies are already available on NetGalley, just like for Wretched Mage. Thank you so much for reading!
The official release date is June 1st, 2026, but early copies are already available on NetGalley, just like for Wretched Mage. Thank you so much for reading!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⊰ 3,75 stars
First of all, I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!
I requested this book as I read the first book of this duology, Wretched Mage, in November of 2025. Wretched Mage left me on quite the cliffhanger, so I'm happy I got to continue the duology and get answers to a lot of topics that came up in the first book.
The author's writing style is very accessible and I got through the chapters very easily. The worldbuilding in this book was mostly based on a lot of information we already got in Wretched Mage, with a few new locations added. The characters are very likeable.
The pacing in this book felt different for me than the first book, which is why my rating for this book is lower than my rating for Wretched Mage. Both books in this duology are over 400 pages, but somehow Harried Witch felt both slower and more rushed to me.
The plot of this book is as predictable as it was with Wretched Mage, but that doesn't mean that this book isn't a very fun read. This book gives off similar vibes to ACOTAR and Cruel Prince.
First of all, I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!
I requested this book as I read the first book of this duology, Wretched Mage, in November of 2025. Wretched Mage left me on quite the cliffhanger, so I'm happy I got to continue the duology and get answers to a lot of topics that came up in the first book.
The author's writing style is very accessible and I got through the chapters very easily. The worldbuilding in this book was mostly based on a lot of information we already got in Wretched Mage, with a few new locations added. The characters are very likeable.
The pacing in this book felt different for me than the first book, which is why my rating for this book is lower than my rating for Wretched Mage. Both books in this duology are over 400 pages, but somehow Harried Witch felt both slower and more rushed to me.
The plot of this book is as predictable as it was with Wretched Mage, but that doesn't mean that this book isn't a very fun read. This book gives off similar vibes to ACOTAR and Cruel Prince.
March 21, 2026
WE ARE BACK BABY!!!! I am actually unwell about Harried Witch!!! I thought I loved the first book, but this just came in and absolutely wrecked me in the BEST way.
First of all, being back with Jane??? Immediate serotonin. I already adored her, but watching her grow even further into her power, her confidence, and her sense of self in this book was EVERYTHING. She’s still clever and stubborn and hopeful, but there’s this new edge to her now. The way she navigates the magic, the politics, and the absolute chaos around her?? LOVE.
And Reagan. REAGAN. I need a moment.
This man??? The layers??? The quiet intensity??? I was already intrigued by him before but this book just deepens everything. And the tension between him and Jane??? I was LOSING MY MIND!!!!! Every scene felt charged, like something was about to snap, and I was just sitting there like “please give me more immediately.”
The magic system continues to be SUCH a standout!! It’s intricate without being overwhelming, dark without losing its sense of purpose, and every spell, every consequence feels like it matters. I love how the rules of magic aren’t just there for aesthetics, they actually shape the story and the choices the characters have to make. It makes everything feel so much more intense.
And the plot??? HELLO??? The pacing in this was incredible. I absolutely flew through it. There’s so much happening — twists, reveals, tension building on tension — and yet it never feels messy. I cannot even begin to explain how attached I am to this cast now!!!! The friendships, the loyalties, it all adds so much depth to the story. It genuinely feels like a living, breathing world full of people who matter.
This book took everything I loved about the first one and amplified it — the characters, the tension, the magic, the stakes. It’s darker, sharper, more emotional, and completely addictive. Five stars, no hesitation, no notes, just me screaming into the void about how much I love Jane and Reagan.
Thank you so much to Juliana Pinheiro and NetGalley for this eARC!!!
First of all, being back with Jane??? Immediate serotonin. I already adored her, but watching her grow even further into her power, her confidence, and her sense of self in this book was EVERYTHING. She’s still clever and stubborn and hopeful, but there’s this new edge to her now. The way she navigates the magic, the politics, and the absolute chaos around her?? LOVE.
And Reagan. REAGAN. I need a moment.
This man??? The layers??? The quiet intensity??? I was already intrigued by him before but this book just deepens everything. And the tension between him and Jane??? I was LOSING MY MIND!!!!! Every scene felt charged, like something was about to snap, and I was just sitting there like “please give me more immediately.”
The magic system continues to be SUCH a standout!! It’s intricate without being overwhelming, dark without losing its sense of purpose, and every spell, every consequence feels like it matters. I love how the rules of magic aren’t just there for aesthetics, they actually shape the story and the choices the characters have to make. It makes everything feel so much more intense.
And the plot??? HELLO??? The pacing in this was incredible. I absolutely flew through it. There’s so much happening — twists, reveals, tension building on tension — and yet it never feels messy. I cannot even begin to explain how attached I am to this cast now!!!! The friendships, the loyalties, it all adds so much depth to the story. It genuinely feels like a living, breathing world full of people who matter.
This book took everything I loved about the first one and amplified it — the characters, the tension, the magic, the stakes. It’s darker, sharper, more emotional, and completely addictive. Five stars, no hesitation, no notes, just me screaming into the void about how much I love Jane and Reagan.
Thank you so much to Juliana Pinheiro and NetGalley for this eARC!!!
April 11, 2026
✨ARC Review✨
“This was no simple attraction anymore. The edges had blurred to the point he could not tell how far he would go to keep her from ever falling under harm’s way. That thought frightened him because there seemed to be no boundary left.”
✨ Dual POV
✨ Deadly conspiracy
✨ Forbidden magic
✨ “My wife”
✨ Duty vs desire
✨ Yearning
A strong, heartfelt finale that brings Jane and Reagan’s story home with magic, tension, and a relationship that really steps into its depth. I loved getting more time with Jane as she grows into her power and place in the world, especially as everything around her becomes more dangerous and complex.
“He met her gaze. Jane’s gaze. And it was like walking toward the horizon where sea met dusk, beautiful and drowning.”
The romance between Jane and Reagan delivers all the yearning and emotional weight you want from them, full of loyalty, pull, and those quiet moments that hit the hardest.
“Choosing her would be the most selfish act of his life. Not choosing her would be a slow kind of misery.”
The conspiracy storyline builds well and ties everything together in a satisfying way, keeping the momentum strong right through to the end. It wraps Jane and Reagan’s journey in a way that feels emotional and complete.
“There will be no one else but you. There will be nothing that can keep me from you. There’s no place in this world where I wouldn’t find you. And I won’t let go again.”
Chaos, vibes, and opinions are all my own ✨ please give credit if you share.
“This was no simple attraction anymore. The edges had blurred to the point he could not tell how far he would go to keep her from ever falling under harm’s way. That thought frightened him because there seemed to be no boundary left.”
✨ Dual POV
✨ Deadly conspiracy
✨ Forbidden magic
✨ “My wife”
✨ Duty vs desire
✨ Yearning
A strong, heartfelt finale that brings Jane and Reagan’s story home with magic, tension, and a relationship that really steps into its depth. I loved getting more time with Jane as she grows into her power and place in the world, especially as everything around her becomes more dangerous and complex.
“He met her gaze. Jane’s gaze. And it was like walking toward the horizon where sea met dusk, beautiful and drowning.”
The romance between Jane and Reagan delivers all the yearning and emotional weight you want from them, full of loyalty, pull, and those quiet moments that hit the hardest.
“Choosing her would be the most selfish act of his life. Not choosing her would be a slow kind of misery.”
The conspiracy storyline builds well and ties everything together in a satisfying way, keeping the momentum strong right through to the end. It wraps Jane and Reagan’s journey in a way that feels emotional and complete.
“There will be no one else but you. There will be nothing that can keep me from you. There’s no place in this world where I wouldn’t find you. And I won’t let go again.”
Chaos, vibes, and opinions are all my own ✨ please give credit if you share.
March 12, 2026
4/5
A simple plot and heavy on familiar tropes, but executed very well. This book is packed with emotion and I found it hard to put down. The magic system felt refreshingly different, exploring various ‘sources’, relics, and types of spellwork that kept the story feeling fresh and engaging.
While it isn’t bloated with extensive world-building, a huge cast of characters, or a convoluted plot, the story doesn’t suffer for it. Instead, it stays focused and maintains real tension throughout, making it an engaging and satisfying read.
A simple plot and heavy on familiar tropes, but executed very well. This book is packed with emotion and I found it hard to put down. The magic system felt refreshingly different, exploring various ‘sources’, relics, and types of spellwork that kept the story feeling fresh and engaging.
While it isn’t bloated with extensive world-building, a huge cast of characters, or a convoluted plot, the story doesn’t suffer for it. Instead, it stays focused and maintains real tension throughout, making it an engaging and satisfying read.
March 24, 2026
Coming from reading Wretched Mage, I could not stop myself from diving headfirst into this book. I loved the first book and how I felt reading it, and I thought it couldn't be topped. Here I am telling you- topped it was. Drama, Intrigue,
DUAL POVs
, Love, Lust, Betrayal.
*`*`*`Read this Duology!!!! *`*`*`*
Now, let's get to the meat and potatoes. This book was a wild ride. Not once did I truly know what was going to happen moment to moment. I found myself mad at Jane a few times. I had to remind myself of my own review of Wretched Mage- "Never underestimate a strong woman." Jane needed to get her act together a few times. Girl, quit standing in your own way. If I didn't care I wouldn't have been so upset. As a testament to the writing, this frustration did not once take away from my enjoyment of the story.
I have one "dislike", if you could call it that(Joy at the beginning... I'm Kidding). It's the dual POVs. I felt like I was a passenger with Reagan rather than actually getting a glimpse of his thoughts. His chapters are not written in first person. I would have loved to experience his POV as intimately as Jane's. I still love Reagan. No Notes on the man himself.
I am giving this book a 4.5, Rounding to 5. Only because other than my one complaint I genuinely loved this book. I cannot wait to see what Juliana Pinheiro comes out with next. You've got a Fan for life <3
ARC received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
*`*`*`Read this Duology!!!! *`*`*`*
Now, let's get to the meat and potatoes. This book was a wild ride. Not once did I truly know what was going to happen moment to moment. I found myself mad at Jane a few times. I had to remind myself of my own review of Wretched Mage- "Never underestimate a strong woman." Jane needed to get her act together a few times. Girl, quit standing in your own way. If I didn't care I wouldn't have been so upset. As a testament to the writing, this frustration did not once take away from my enjoyment of the story.
I have one "dislike", if you could call it that
I am giving this book a 4.5, Rounding to 5. Only because other than my one complaint I genuinely loved this book. I cannot wait to see what Juliana Pinheiro comes out with next. You've got a Fan for life <3
ARC received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
May 30, 2026
My rating: ★★★★☆ (3.75–4 stars)
human girl 🤝 cursed mage lord 🤝 “everything is more complicated now”
okay but…you know when you finish book one and think:
"well, surely things can't get MORE complicated than this."
yeah. they absolutely can and this book proved it.
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
what i loved were THE CONSEQUENCES???
because one thing i really appreciated about this sequel is that it doesn't pretend everything is magically fixed just because feelings happened.
if Wretched Mage was forced proximity with enemies to lovers and "you shouldn't be here" vibes then Harried Witch is all about a fallout with impossible choices and "loving you is making everything harder" vibes and honestly?? i was here for it.
jane continues to be one of my favorite parts of this series.
she's still clever, she's still stubborn and she's still trying to survive in a world that doesn't make things easy for her but now she's carrying more responsibility and facing bigger consequences and i loved seeing her grow without suddenly becoming a completely different person.
she still feels like JANE just more confident and harder to underestimate and REAGAN???sir respectfully, get therapy.
he's still very much giving cold mage lord who is emotionally constipated and morally gray on a good day "i'm doing this to protect you" while actively making everything worse and somehow??? it still works on me. every single time.
the romance continues to be very slow burn and tension heavy with plenty of longing and frustration and while i wanted a few more conversations between them, i definitely felt the emotional stakes more in this book. the vibes of this book feel much bigger than book one. less mysterious estate and more dangerous world.
we get more politics, more conflict between humans and mages, more secrets and a better sense of what's happening beyond the walls of Reagan's estate and i really liked seeing the world expand.
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
BUT...okay. we need to talk.
again.
because some of the same issues from book one are definitely still here.
this book is STILL slow in places. there are sections where the pacing drags a bit and i found myself wishing things would move along faster and if you've read a lot of romantasy? you'll probably recognize quite a few familiar beats. the series is still very trope forward and sometimes relies on those tropes more than it develops something completely unique. which isn't necessarily a bad thing.
i clearly keep reading.
but it's worth mentioning.
i also still wanted a little more emotional depth from the romance. there's plenty of tension and plenty of longing and plenty of feelings but sometimes i wanted the characters to actually TALK to each other instead of suffering dramatically from a distance.
just a thought.
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
overall this felt like realizing the world is far bigger and more dangerous than you thought while trying to hold onto someone who keeps making your life infinitely more complicated.
it's not perfect, but it's still addictive, tropey in a fun way and ridiculously easy to binge.
so if you read Wretched Mage or like morally gray mages with slow burn romantasy and relationships built on equal parts tension and emotional damage...you'll probably enjoy this one too.
My final thoughts;
i came for the cursed mage lord...
i stayed because apparently watching Jane and Reagan make emotionally questionable decisions together is now one of my hobbies 🫠🖤
Thank you NetGalley for providing me an ARC!
human girl 🤝 cursed mage lord 🤝 “everything is more complicated now”
okay but…you know when you finish book one and think:
"well, surely things can't get MORE complicated than this."
yeah. they absolutely can and this book proved it.
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
what i loved were THE CONSEQUENCES???
because one thing i really appreciated about this sequel is that it doesn't pretend everything is magically fixed just because feelings happened.
if Wretched Mage was forced proximity with enemies to lovers and "you shouldn't be here" vibes then Harried Witch is all about a fallout with impossible choices and "loving you is making everything harder" vibes and honestly?? i was here for it.
jane continues to be one of my favorite parts of this series.
she's still clever, she's still stubborn and she's still trying to survive in a world that doesn't make things easy for her but now she's carrying more responsibility and facing bigger consequences and i loved seeing her grow without suddenly becoming a completely different person.
she still feels like JANE just more confident and harder to underestimate and REAGAN???sir respectfully, get therapy.
he's still very much giving cold mage lord who is emotionally constipated and morally gray on a good day "i'm doing this to protect you" while actively making everything worse and somehow??? it still works on me. every single time.
the romance continues to be very slow burn and tension heavy with plenty of longing and frustration and while i wanted a few more conversations between them, i definitely felt the emotional stakes more in this book. the vibes of this book feel much bigger than book one. less mysterious estate and more dangerous world.
we get more politics, more conflict between humans and mages, more secrets and a better sense of what's happening beyond the walls of Reagan's estate and i really liked seeing the world expand.
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
BUT...okay. we need to talk.
again.
because some of the same issues from book one are definitely still here.
this book is STILL slow in places. there are sections where the pacing drags a bit and i found myself wishing things would move along faster and if you've read a lot of romantasy? you'll probably recognize quite a few familiar beats. the series is still very trope forward and sometimes relies on those tropes more than it develops something completely unique. which isn't necessarily a bad thing.
i clearly keep reading.
but it's worth mentioning.
i also still wanted a little more emotional depth from the romance. there's plenty of tension and plenty of longing and plenty of feelings but sometimes i wanted the characters to actually TALK to each other instead of suffering dramatically from a distance.
just a thought.
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
overall this felt like realizing the world is far bigger and more dangerous than you thought while trying to hold onto someone who keeps making your life infinitely more complicated.
it's not perfect, but it's still addictive, tropey in a fun way and ridiculously easy to binge.
so if you read Wretched Mage or like morally gray mages with slow burn romantasy and relationships built on equal parts tension and emotional damage...you'll probably enjoy this one too.
My final thoughts;
i came for the cursed mage lord...
i stayed because apparently watching Jane and Reagan make emotionally questionable decisions together is now one of my hobbies 🫠🖤
Thank you NetGalley for providing me an ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was an improvement on the first book in every way that mattered.
The characters were better, bolder, more real. The stakes were higher, more dramatic. The relationships worked so much better and I was invested in things in a way that I just wasn't in the first.
Jane is still a wonderful MFC, watching her journey, her struggles, her bravery. She is the best of MFC and I was with her every step of the way. Reagan had grown on me immensely, and Joy makes me so curious, I loved her arc. I now love Finn, I think he is the best boy and if this author returns to this world, I hope its to explore his story because there is so much untapped potential there.
We had a much more interesting set of villains here as well, and they made my flesh crawl. Bravo.
I also hope in general, that the author returns to this world because while this is a very satisfactory conclusion to Jane and Reagan's personal story, there is so much still going on in this world. I love that the author has grow into the world, seeded it and it feels alive. Things are still happening beyond the realm we know and I want to see what happens next.
There are a couple of minor issues, a few things that hold it back from being a five star. The main ones revolve around Jane and Joy's parents. One has a plot line resolved in a very unsatisfactory manner and the other... isn't really resolve at all. It's hard to go into it without spoilers, but the fact that they didn't ask any follow up questions, didn't find out who... that made no sense and was very frustrating. After everything that was built up, everything that was important both to them personally and to the world at large - there is no reason why they were so uncurious about it.
Also, other writers take note. This book opens with a brief recap of what happened in the previous one. Admittedly this time I didn't need it since I read both of these back to back, but omg I wish more people did this. That would have almost made it a four star read for that alone. Remind the readers what came before! We don't need a full on reread or hour long essay, a page or two just to nudge those memories back to life. Such a brilliant idea.
All in all, a highly entertaining book that will have you on the edge of your seat for the duration of its adventure. I'm looking forward to seeing what this author writes next.
~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~
The characters were better, bolder, more real. The stakes were higher, more dramatic. The relationships worked so much better and I was invested in things in a way that I just wasn't in the first.
Jane is still a wonderful MFC, watching her journey, her struggles, her bravery. She is the best of MFC and I was with her every step of the way. Reagan had grown on me immensely, and Joy makes me so curious, I loved her arc. I now love Finn, I think he is the best boy and if this author returns to this world, I hope its to explore his story because there is so much untapped potential there.
We had a much more interesting set of villains here as well, and they made my flesh crawl. Bravo.
I also hope in general, that the author returns to this world because while this is a very satisfactory conclusion to Jane and Reagan's personal story, there is so much still going on in this world. I love that the author has grow into the world, seeded it and it feels alive. Things are still happening beyond the realm we know and I want to see what happens next.
There are a couple of minor issues, a few things that hold it back from being a five star. The main ones revolve around Jane and Joy's parents. One has a plot line resolved in a very unsatisfactory manner and the other... isn't really resolve at all. It's hard to go into it without spoilers, but the fact that they didn't ask any follow up questions, didn't find out who... that made no sense and was very frustrating. After everything that was built up, everything that was important both to them personally and to the world at large - there is no reason why they were so uncurious about it.
Also, other writers take note. This book opens with a brief recap of what happened in the previous one. Admittedly this time I didn't need it since I read both of these back to back, but omg I wish more people did this. That would have almost made it a four star read for that alone. Remind the readers what came before! We don't need a full on reread or hour long essay, a page or two just to nudge those memories back to life. Such a brilliant idea.
All in all, a highly entertaining book that will have you on the edge of your seat for the duration of its adventure. I'm looking forward to seeing what this author writes next.
~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~
April 2, 2026
This was a beautiful follow-on from book one, with a great balance between the action of the storyline and the intense yearning between the two main characters.
There’s a lot of additional character development in this installment, which I really appreciated. I thought I understood the characters by the end of book one, but this sequel adds even more depth and nuance, making their journeys feel richer and more complete.
I really loved this book 🖤
• Established relationship
• One love interest
• Dark-haired MMC
• Emotional tension & yearning
• Unique magic system (relics + sources)
• Found family vibes
What stood out most to me was the magic system. It felt refreshingly different, with its focus on sources, relics, and varied spellwork. Even without heavy world-building or an overly complex plot, the story never felt empty—instead, it stayed focused and maintained a steady sense of tension throughout.
The romance is definitely a central strength here. It’s emotional, full of tension and yearning, and I loved that it centered on an established relationship with one clear love interest (and yes… dark-haired MMC supremacy 😌). There’s a softness to it that really worked for me and made the emotional moments hit even harder.
That said, I did find myself wanting more from the side characters. There were so many interesting personalities—especially Finn and Joy—but they didn’t get quite enough page time to fully shine. I loved the dynamic between the sisters and really wish we’d gotten more of Joy’s journey adjusting to her new life. It felt like there was more story there that we only just brushed against.
The ending also left me a little conflicted. While it wraps up the main storyline, I found myself wishing for an epilogue or just a bit more closure—something to show how everything settled after the chaos and to follow through on some of the threads introduced earlier on.
This is a solid, emotional sequel that leans into character development, romance, and a focused plot rather than overwhelming world-building. It may not have hit quite as strongly as the first book for me, but it was still an engaging and satisfying read.
And honestly- I’d absolutely come back to this world—especially if we ever get more of Joy’s story.
🖤Thank you to Juliana Pinheiro & NetGalley for the eARC!
There’s a lot of additional character development in this installment, which I really appreciated. I thought I understood the characters by the end of book one, but this sequel adds even more depth and nuance, making their journeys feel richer and more complete.
I really loved this book 🖤
• Established relationship
• One love interest
• Dark-haired MMC
• Emotional tension & yearning
• Unique magic system (relics + sources)
• Found family vibes
What stood out most to me was the magic system. It felt refreshingly different, with its focus on sources, relics, and varied spellwork. Even without heavy world-building or an overly complex plot, the story never felt empty—instead, it stayed focused and maintained a steady sense of tension throughout.
The romance is definitely a central strength here. It’s emotional, full of tension and yearning, and I loved that it centered on an established relationship with one clear love interest (and yes… dark-haired MMC supremacy 😌). There’s a softness to it that really worked for me and made the emotional moments hit even harder.
That said, I did find myself wanting more from the side characters. There were so many interesting personalities—especially Finn and Joy—but they didn’t get quite enough page time to fully shine. I loved the dynamic between the sisters and really wish we’d gotten more of Joy’s journey adjusting to her new life. It felt like there was more story there that we only just brushed against.
The ending also left me a little conflicted. While it wraps up the main storyline, I found myself wishing for an epilogue or just a bit more closure—something to show how everything settled after the chaos and to follow through on some of the threads introduced earlier on.
This is a solid, emotional sequel that leans into character development, romance, and a focused plot rather than overwhelming world-building. It may not have hit quite as strongly as the first book for me, but it was still an engaging and satisfying read.
And honestly- I’d absolutely come back to this world—especially if we ever get more of Joy’s story.
🖤Thank you to Juliana Pinheiro & NetGalley for the eARC!
May 26, 2026
✨ Harried Witch by J.B. Pinheiro ✨
Spoiler Free Review
In this sequel, we return to Jane Darling, Reagan, and the fascinating cast of characters as they navigate the complicated politics of Mountheim.
The story picks up right where the first book left off (I was extremely grateful for the recap), with the introduction of Jane’s sister and father into the mage world. Followed by the shocking revelation that the sisters might not be as human as they always believed. I feel like the whole thing with her father and sister was a bit dragged out, I wish we could have explored more about her mother's backstory instead. Joy is very Nesta coded, quite a frustrating character at first until she comes around.
Despite this book not being quite as high stakes as the first one, I surprisingly enjoyed it even more. From navigating her newfound powers to being torn between her family and the man she loves, Jane faces countless trials as she struggles to prove herself worthy, especially after Reagan chooses her as the Lady of Mountheim.
At the same time, their relationship is constantly tested by betrayals, political tensions, and both old and new enemies waiting for the perfect moment to strike and tear them apart. I mean, the yearning between the two and all that tension?? It was emotionally devastating in the best way. The intricate web of court politics and family ties reminded me a bit of Cruel Prince, which is probably why I really enjoyed it (and also made me side eye a few of them, looking at you Varian 👀).
The pacing was a bit slower at times, and I did find myself growing impatient because some parts felt slightly drawn out. Still, overall, I really enjoyed this book and found it incredibly captivating. That ending was everything I could have hoped for this duology.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!
Spoiler Free Review
In this sequel, we return to Jane Darling, Reagan, and the fascinating cast of characters as they navigate the complicated politics of Mountheim.
The story picks up right where the first book left off (I was extremely grateful for the recap), with the introduction of Jane’s sister and father into the mage world. Followed by the shocking revelation that the sisters might not be as human as they always believed. I feel like the whole thing with her father and sister was a bit dragged out, I wish we could have explored more about her mother's backstory instead. Joy is very Nesta coded, quite a frustrating character at first until she comes around.
Despite this book not being quite as high stakes as the first one, I surprisingly enjoyed it even more. From navigating her newfound powers to being torn between her family and the man she loves, Jane faces countless trials as she struggles to prove herself worthy, especially after Reagan chooses her as the Lady of Mountheim.
At the same time, their relationship is constantly tested by betrayals, political tensions, and both old and new enemies waiting for the perfect moment to strike and tear them apart. I mean, the yearning between the two and all that tension?? It was emotionally devastating in the best way. The intricate web of court politics and family ties reminded me a bit of Cruel Prince, which is probably why I really enjoyed it (and also made me side eye a few of them, looking at you Varian 👀).
The pacing was a bit slower at times, and I did find myself growing impatient because some parts felt slightly drawn out. Still, overall, I really enjoyed this book and found it incredibly captivating. That ending was everything I could have hoped for this duology.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!
May 19, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me the pleasure of receiving this book.
This is how you write a sequel!
The continuance of this story was exactly what I wanted it to be and so much more. The recurring appearance of not just the main characters but the side characters kept the familiarity that a duology needs, especially when its minor characters who you don't think will make a reappearance but end up having a huge impact. On the other hand, the addition of new characters added a depth to the original story making it more immersive.
One thing that I can confidently say is that J.B. Pinheiro knows how to write villains you will hate with a passion, to the point that you won’t know which one you hate the most as she unique;y adds multiple antagonists to her plot.
The world building and dynamic between those with magic opposed to those without is spectacular and made me fully invested from the beginning. I truly love a world where it is fully immersive and I know from the get go how the magic system works and J.B. does this by having one of her main characters learning the magic systems alongside us.
This story teaches us that magic can be found in those we least expect and to value your family/chosen family in a world where you feel like you can trust no one.
The love that Jane and Reagan have for one another leads them to be willing to burn down the world for one another with their family right by their side as they do so. However, they also have the trust in each other that leads to a strong foundation that makes you know they are going to be formidable rulers, side by side as equals.
I cannot wait to see what comes next for J.B Pinheiro and I know I will be thinking about this story for a long time to come.
This is how you write a sequel!
The continuance of this story was exactly what I wanted it to be and so much more. The recurring appearance of not just the main characters but the side characters kept the familiarity that a duology needs, especially when its minor characters who you don't think will make a reappearance but end up having a huge impact. On the other hand, the addition of new characters added a depth to the original story making it more immersive.
One thing that I can confidently say is that J.B. Pinheiro knows how to write villains you will hate with a passion, to the point that you won’t know which one you hate the most as she unique;y adds multiple antagonists to her plot.
The world building and dynamic between those with magic opposed to those without is spectacular and made me fully invested from the beginning. I truly love a world where it is fully immersive and I know from the get go how the magic system works and J.B. does this by having one of her main characters learning the magic systems alongside us.
This story teaches us that magic can be found in those we least expect and to value your family/chosen family in a world where you feel like you can trust no one.
The love that Jane and Reagan have for one another leads them to be willing to burn down the world for one another with their family right by their side as they do so. However, they also have the trust in each other that leads to a strong foundation that makes you know they are going to be formidable rulers, side by side as equals.
I cannot wait to see what comes next for J.B Pinheiro and I know I will be thinking about this story for a long time to come.
May 20, 2026
Spoil Free Reviews
Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Author: @jbpinheirobooks
POV: Dual POV
Gene: Romantasy, Beauty & the Beast Retelling
Triggers: Violence, grief & loss, explicit sexual content, substance abuse, torture & murder, etc.
Read Time: 9 - 13 hours
Expected Publishing Date: June 1, 2026
I received an advance review copy from the author, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
❤️ World Building: I loved the world building. It gave off dark & gothic vibes that I always enjoyed. The magic system was well done.
❤️ The Characters: Reagan and Jane are amazing characters! They are both fighters, each in their own way. Their devotion to each other is priceless. I also really loved Joy as well and I’d love to see a spin off book focusing on her and Finn!
❤️ The Story: The story was so good and a great conclusion to the story. It was deeper and grittier than I expected, in all the best ways. The family connections are remarkable to read about. This was just an incredible world to step into.
❤️🔥Overall: I loved this duology! It was captivating and a really good Beauty and the Beast retelling. I highly recommend it!
Human Trafficking fact Inspired by the kidnapping: The true extent of the crime is difficult to ascertain. While about 50,000 cases were reported to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in 2020 by 141 countries, as many as 50 million people globally – the equivalent of the populations of South Korea or Uganda – may be subject to various forms of exploitation. UNODC’s data shows that 58 per cent of those convicted for human trafficking are men. At the same time, the involvement of women in this crime is higher than in other crimes – female offenders account for 40 per cent of those convicted. (www.unodc.org)
Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Author: @jbpinheirobooks
POV: Dual POV
Gene: Romantasy, Beauty & the Beast Retelling
Triggers: Violence, grief & loss, explicit sexual content, substance abuse, torture & murder, etc.
Read Time: 9 - 13 hours
Expected Publishing Date: June 1, 2026
I received an advance review copy from the author, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
❤️ World Building: I loved the world building. It gave off dark & gothic vibes that I always enjoyed. The magic system was well done.
❤️ The Characters: Reagan and Jane are amazing characters! They are both fighters, each in their own way. Their devotion to each other is priceless. I also really loved Joy as well and I’d love to see a spin off book focusing on her and Finn!
❤️ The Story: The story was so good and a great conclusion to the story. It was deeper and grittier than I expected, in all the best ways. The family connections are remarkable to read about. This was just an incredible world to step into.
❤️🔥Overall: I loved this duology! It was captivating and a really good Beauty and the Beast retelling. I highly recommend it!
Human Trafficking fact Inspired by the kidnapping: The true extent of the crime is difficult to ascertain. While about 50,000 cases were reported to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in 2020 by 141 countries, as many as 50 million people globally – the equivalent of the populations of South Korea or Uganda – may be subject to various forms of exploitation. UNODC’s data shows that 58 per cent of those convicted for human trafficking are men. At the same time, the involvement of women in this crime is higher than in other crimes – female offenders account for 40 per cent of those convicted. (www.unodc.org)
May 16, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this. I'll start with the really good parts. I really want to thank the author for giving a summary of book one (Wretched Mage) for readers who may not have been able to read it (aka me🥲). It's rarely done and it was ever so helpful. Another thing I want to appreciate is how badass the FMC (Jane Darling) is. She fought against a siren by herself, wasn't intimidated by the elvenborn in a strange land she had never been in. But alas like they say nothing is perfect and this is no exception. There were very few typographical errors (I counted four or five. Nothing really annoying). When I got to 70%- 80% the book seemed to drag on. The word cock could be used but not vagina (I'm not complaining about the spice levels. It was satisfying). Every male specimen that crossed her path ended up having some sort of feelings for her(I really do hope this doesn't make me sound like a hater or a pick me🥲). For the case of the male admirers two out of three of them are justified. The three being Varian, Arun and Cahir. Arun's infatuation helped her get information while Cahir was a catalyst to enable her access her mana. There was no result from Varian other than to be a piece of shit. I know the duology is completed and I'm not making demands (if it does sound that way I'm really deeply sorry) but it would be amazing to see a book on the couples Joy & Finn/ Gwin & Astrid but only if the author wishes for such. It was a really nice book with a HEA.
May 30, 2026
Harried Witch by Juliana Pinheiro
Rating: 3.5
Harried Witch serves as an engaging and lively conclusion to the duology, successfully bringing the series to a close while deepening the emotional resonance of of both Jane and Reagan.
The true highlight of this installment is the character development. Throughout the narrative, the Jane and Reagan shed their initial archetypes, evolving into far more tangible and well fleshed out individuals.
While the character work shines, the narrative structure struggles under the weight of its own ambition. The plot often feels convoluted, burdened by an abundance of side plots that threaten to distract from the core conflict. Rather than adding layers of depth, these tangents occasionally stall the momentum and create unnecessary confusion.
Furthermore, the climax suffers from pacing issues. After navigating a complex, slow-burn setup, the resolution arrives with surprising speed. The ending feels somewhat rushed, leaving several threads—which were painstakingly built up throughout the book—feeling neatly tucked away rather than fully explored.
Harried Witch is a fun, character driven finale that succeeds in making its leads feel like old friends. While the sprawling subplots and the hurried pace of the final act keep it from reaching its full potential, it remains a charming and worthy conclusion to the series. It is a solid recommendation for fans who prioritised character growth over tight, streamlined plotting.
Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC!
Rating: 3.5
Harried Witch serves as an engaging and lively conclusion to the duology, successfully bringing the series to a close while deepening the emotional resonance of of both Jane and Reagan.
The true highlight of this installment is the character development. Throughout the narrative, the Jane and Reagan shed their initial archetypes, evolving into far more tangible and well fleshed out individuals.
While the character work shines, the narrative structure struggles under the weight of its own ambition. The plot often feels convoluted, burdened by an abundance of side plots that threaten to distract from the core conflict. Rather than adding layers of depth, these tangents occasionally stall the momentum and create unnecessary confusion.
Furthermore, the climax suffers from pacing issues. After navigating a complex, slow-burn setup, the resolution arrives with surprising speed. The ending feels somewhat rushed, leaving several threads—which were painstakingly built up throughout the book—feeling neatly tucked away rather than fully explored.
Harried Witch is a fun, character driven finale that succeeds in making its leads feel like old friends. While the sprawling subplots and the hurried pace of the final act keep it from reaching its full potential, it remains a charming and worthy conclusion to the series. It is a solid recommendation for fans who prioritised character growth over tight, streamlined plotting.
Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC!
April 26, 2026
4⭐
Earlier this month I finished Wretched Mage and I was delighted to receive an ARC for Harried Witch so I could finish this duology. And this duology finished strong.
It was nice to continue the story from book 1, and see our FMC, Jane, grow more in the mage world, learning more about magic and her past. It was also... interesting...to meet her family. I always say that as an only child, I do not understand sibling dynamics, and I did find Joy difficult to relate to at times throughout this story and questioned why Jane tolerated her behaviour. I'm not even certain I found her redeemed by the end, but she was more tolerable than when she was first introduced.
The relationship between Reagan and Jane had its teething pains as was expected in book 2, and the constant pushing away of one another earlier on was tiresome. Thankfully, they found their footing again and were able to move on and solve their problems together.
I did feel like there were some threads left unanswered - around Jane's mother, her father (the bit about Reagan finding something about his response didn't sit well with him, then nothing came of it?), the Wraiths and also the Scion Order, not to mention the Lord and Lady of Erisea always seemed "off" me - so whether this was the author's choice to leave future expansion of this world, or I was looking for threads where they don't exist, I'm not sure.
Overall, this was a solid duology that found its rhythm over the two books.
Earlier this month I finished Wretched Mage and I was delighted to receive an ARC for Harried Witch so I could finish this duology. And this duology finished strong.
It was nice to continue the story from book 1, and see our FMC, Jane, grow more in the mage world, learning more about magic and her past. It was also... interesting...to meet her family. I always say that as an only child, I do not understand sibling dynamics, and I did find Joy difficult to relate to at times throughout this story and questioned why Jane tolerated her behaviour. I'm not even certain I found her redeemed by the end, but she was more tolerable than when she was first introduced.
The relationship between Reagan and Jane had its teething pains as was expected in book 2, and the constant pushing away of one another earlier on was tiresome. Thankfully, they found their footing again and were able to move on and solve their problems together.
I did feel like there were some threads left unanswered - around Jane's mother, her father (the bit about Reagan finding something about his response didn't sit well with him, then nothing came of it?), the Wraiths and also the Scion Order, not to mention the Lord and Lady of Erisea always seemed "off" me - so whether this was the author's choice to leave future expansion of this world, or I was looking for threads where they don't exist, I'm not sure.
Overall, this was a solid duology that found its rhythm over the two books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 27, 2026
3.5 ⭐ Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with this ARC.
Having just finished reading Wretched Mage, I immediately dove into Harried Witch. I was happy to see the story build on the cliffhanger while expanding the worldbuilding. The narrative stays focused, the tension remains consistent, and the emotional beats land exactly where they need to.
While I found the first book didn’t sufficiently explain the magic system, Harried Witch finally elaborates on it, and it feels refreshingly different too. Its mix of magical sources, animal familiars that guide magic, relics, and spellwork keeps everything engaging without becoming overly complicated.
The characters felt bolder and more real, the stakes were higher, and I became far more invested in the relationships. Jane remains a great protagonist: flawed, brave, and frustrating at times. I loved that the plot was driven by her choices and actions.
While the book offers a dual POV, I sometimes wished Reagan’s inner turmoil had been explored a little more deeply. That said, I loved how the romance continued to keep me under its spell.
The villains were far more developed in this book, which made them much more compelling opponents. Although a couple of plot resolutions still felt underdeveloped, this was a very satisfying conclusion overall. I’d happily return to this world again because it feels like there are still so many stories left to tell—and hopefully, a few more answers to uncover.
Having just finished reading Wretched Mage, I immediately dove into Harried Witch. I was happy to see the story build on the cliffhanger while expanding the worldbuilding. The narrative stays focused, the tension remains consistent, and the emotional beats land exactly where they need to.
While I found the first book didn’t sufficiently explain the magic system, Harried Witch finally elaborates on it, and it feels refreshingly different too. Its mix of magical sources, animal familiars that guide magic, relics, and spellwork keeps everything engaging without becoming overly complicated.
The characters felt bolder and more real, the stakes were higher, and I became far more invested in the relationships. Jane remains a great protagonist: flawed, brave, and frustrating at times. I loved that the plot was driven by her choices and actions.
While the book offers a dual POV, I sometimes wished Reagan’s inner turmoil had been explored a little more deeply. That said, I loved how the romance continued to keep me under its spell.
The villains were far more developed in this book, which made them much more compelling opponents. Although a couple of plot resolutions still felt underdeveloped, this was a very satisfying conclusion overall. I’d happily return to this world again because it feels like there are still so many stories left to tell—and hopefully, a few more answers to uncover.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Spice: Medium
Romance: High
Established relationship
One love interest
Dark hair MMC
RATING: 3.5 out of 5
This book started off very slow and took a while to find its footing, but once it did the story was immersive and interesting. The second half definitely redeemed the slow beginning.
Unfortunately, the side characters didn't get as much time to shine as I had hoped. I was left wanting more of their individual stories and development, especially Finn and Joy. I loved that we got to see such a sweet and tender relationship between the sisters and wish we would have gotten more of a spotlight on Joy coming to terms with her new life. Isecretly hope we can get another book in this series following her as it would make my feelings of unrest from the ending of this book not feel so strong.
I really thought there would be an epilogue to kind of tighten up all those loose ends and give us a flash forward of maybe a couple of months after everything settled and to give us closure but we didn't get to see any of the seeds that were planted in the beginning of this book come to fruition.
All in all, this was a really good book but it wasn't nearly as strong as the first book.
Thank you SO much to Juliana Pinherio and NetGalley for gifting me this ARC!
Romance: High
Established relationship
One love interest
Dark hair MMC
RATING: 3.5 out of 5
This book started off very slow and took a while to find its footing, but once it did the story was immersive and interesting. The second half definitely redeemed the slow beginning.
Unfortunately, the side characters didn't get as much time to shine as I had hoped. I was left wanting more of their individual stories and development, especially Finn and Joy. I loved that we got to see such a sweet and tender relationship between the sisters and wish we would have gotten more of a spotlight on Joy coming to terms with her new life. I
I really thought there would be an epilogue to kind of tighten up all those loose ends and give us a flash forward of maybe a couple of months after everything settled and to give us closure but we didn't get to see any of the seeds that were planted in the beginning of this book come to fruition.
All in all, this was a really good book but it wasn't nearly as strong as the first book.
Thank you SO much to Juliana Pinherio and NetGalley for gifting me this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book was the perfect follow up to Wretched Mage. Despite being wrapped up beautifully i do hope there will be more to the series so we can delve further into the other characters who light up these books.
The authors writing remains consistent, with atmospheric settings.
Jane's elationship with her sister is emotive and genuine. I was over the moon to see Reagans POV and really adored his admiration towards Jane and the respect he showed her when she set boundaries . The tension between them coiled between the action and drama until it was close to snapping. SIZZLING.
The magic and rebellion continue to work well and move the story along, with one fuelling the other and pivoting the sisters into their power and claiming their place amongst the Mageborn.
The strong, unwavering bonds between the characters and their tested loyalty really reinforces the new, dangerous world Jane has stepped into.
I do feel the start of the book, (about 20% ) is heavy on the political intrigue and master planning, which hinders the action for a while.
But its not long before we delve back into twists and turns , deception and the real beauty of the story, Reagan and Jane's bond.
Thank you to netaglley and the author for this ARC. So glad I didn't have to wait after reading Wretched Mage.
The authors writing remains consistent, with atmospheric settings.
Jane's elationship with her sister is emotive and genuine. I was over the moon to see Reagans POV and really adored his admiration towards Jane and the respect he showed her when she set boundaries . The tension between them coiled between the action and drama until it was close to snapping. SIZZLING.
The magic and rebellion continue to work well and move the story along, with one fuelling the other and pivoting the sisters into their power and claiming their place amongst the Mageborn.
The strong, unwavering bonds between the characters and their tested loyalty really reinforces the new, dangerous world Jane has stepped into.
I do feel the start of the book, (about 20% ) is heavy on the political intrigue and master planning, which hinders the action for a while.
But its not long before we delve back into twists and turns , deception and the real beauty of the story, Reagan and Jane's bond.
Thank you to netaglley and the author for this ARC. So glad I didn't have to wait after reading Wretched Mage.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Harried Witch definitely has its moments—but overall, it still feels like a series that should be better than it is.
The start is slow, and the story leans hard into political intrigue… which would be fine if the world-building could actually carry that weight. Unfortunately, it still feels pretty thin. We’re told just enough to understand what’s going on, but not enough to feel fully immersed—and it shows.
And once again, the same frustrations pop up: side characters are introduced like they’re about to matter, only to fade into the background, and the world never expands beyond the basics. Finn’s backstory is a perfect example—we get just enough to be intrigued, and then… nothing. No real payoff, no deeper exploration, just wasted potential.
That’s kind of the theme here: potential. There are glimpses of a much stronger story hiding underneath, but the execution never quite delivers.
It’s not bad—it’s an easy enough read, and there are moments that genuinely shine—but it stays firmly in 3-star territory because it never fully commits to being as rich or compelling as it could be.
The start is slow, and the story leans hard into political intrigue… which would be fine if the world-building could actually carry that weight. Unfortunately, it still feels pretty thin. We’re told just enough to understand what’s going on, but not enough to feel fully immersed—and it shows.
And once again, the same frustrations pop up: side characters are introduced like they’re about to matter, only to fade into the background, and the world never expands beyond the basics. Finn’s backstory is a perfect example—we get just enough to be intrigued, and then… nothing. No real payoff, no deeper exploration, just wasted potential.
That’s kind of the theme here: potential. There are glimpses of a much stronger story hiding underneath, but the execution never quite delivers.
It’s not bad—it’s an easy enough read, and there are moments that genuinely shine—but it stays firmly in 3-star territory because it never fully commits to being as rich or compelling as it could be.
May 4, 2026
The second book in this duology dropped us off right where we left off at the end of the first book. I felt like I was able to understand the characters more and I LOVED the circle of friends further expanded upon in this book.
Jane grew so much as the story went on and became so confident in herself. Learning more about the magic system alongside her, as she is someone with no extreme background to the magic here was very helpful for setting readers up for the rest of the book. I also loved the tension between Jane and Reagan (good and bad). My heart hurt during earlier parts of the book where we were unsure where Jane’s future with Reagan would be, but at the same time that feeling is what solidified how strong this book is!! The angsty layers of their connection propelled the story further and connected everything beautifully.
This world truly was very well thought out and I felt extremely immersed in the plot and the feelings created throughout. Pretty sure this is it for Reagan and Jane since this is a duology, but would love to read more about this world and other characters if that’s an option PLEASE!
Thank you so much to Juliana Pinheiro and NetGalley for this eARC :)
Jane grew so much as the story went on and became so confident in herself. Learning more about the magic system alongside her, as she is someone with no extreme background to the magic here was very helpful for setting readers up for the rest of the book. I also loved the tension between Jane and Reagan (good and bad). My heart hurt during earlier parts of the book where we were unsure where Jane’s future with Reagan would be, but at the same time that feeling is what solidified how strong this book is!! The angsty layers of their connection propelled the story further and connected everything beautifully.
This world truly was very well thought out and I felt extremely immersed in the plot and the feelings created throughout. Pretty sure this is it for Reagan and Jane since this is a duology, but would love to read more about this world and other characters if that’s an option PLEASE!
Thank you so much to Juliana Pinheiro and NetGalley for this eARC :)
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What an incredible duology!!
This book is chalk full of mysteries, twists, tension, secrets, and magic. I fell in love with the imagery and regions within this world. I loved the last book, but this one was even better.
The pacing was absolutely perfect, the banter (as always) was incredible as well.
"Being yours is the greatest honour of my life."
Jane is such a strong character. I see so much of the inspiration (Belle from Beauty and the Beast) and I love every second of it . She has such a soft heart and does not let anything take that away from her. She is strong, beautiful, and so witty.
Raegan gives me huge Cardan from The Cruel Prince vibes in this one. He is so rough around the edges and so scared to lose his loved ones.
"There is nothing that can keep me from you. There's no place in this world where I wouldn't find you. And I won't let go again."
The TENSION in this book was incredible too. The ending of the last book set up Jane and Raegan perfectly for the sizzling tension and strain in this book. You could feel the burning on every single page .
This was a fantastic duology. I beg you all to check it out. 5/5 stars, no notes!
This book is chalk full of mysteries, twists, tension, secrets, and magic. I fell in love with the imagery and regions within this world. I loved the last book, but this one was even better.
The pacing was absolutely perfect, the banter (as always) was incredible as well.
"Being yours is the greatest honour of my life."
Jane is such a strong character. I see so much of the inspiration (Belle from Beauty and the Beast) and I love every second of it . She has such a soft heart and does not let anything take that away from her. She is strong, beautiful, and so witty.
Raegan gives me huge Cardan from The Cruel Prince vibes in this one. He is so rough around the edges and so scared to lose his loved ones.
"There is nothing that can keep me from you. There's no place in this world where I wouldn't find you. And I won't let go again."
The TENSION in this book was incredible too. The ending of the last book set up Jane and Raegan perfectly for the sizzling tension and strain in this book. You could feel the burning on every single page .
This was a fantastic duology. I beg you all to check it out. 5/5 stars, no notes!
May 26, 2026
The second book in this duology delivers everything that readers loved and enjoyed in book one.
The FMC, Jane, continues to be a powerhouse of wits and a study of what holding your own boundaries and space can sometimes cost. She's never one for a rash decision and it shows in this book.
The addition of her sister brought in a fresh new element and I hope we get to see more of her in the future as she was a very interesting character with much more depth than we see initially.
The character work in this book is top tier, and such a strength of this author. The sequel also delved a little deeper into the magic of the world and some of the theory behind it which I really enjoyed, adding in some dark academia vibes and really strengthening the fantasy side of this and giving the story more depth.
Overall, the Harried Witch is a solid (dare I say better?) follow-up to Wretched Mage and the growth of the author is evident between the two. I can't wait to see what comes next, and I hope that this isn't the last that we see of this world in particular.
Thanks to NetGalley for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The FMC, Jane, continues to be a powerhouse of wits and a study of what holding your own boundaries and space can sometimes cost. She's never one for a rash decision and it shows in this book.
The addition of her sister brought in a fresh new element and I hope we get to see more of her in the future as she was a very interesting character with much more depth than we see initially.
The character work in this book is top tier, and such a strength of this author. The sequel also delved a little deeper into the magic of the world and some of the theory behind it which I really enjoyed, adding in some dark academia vibes and really strengthening the fantasy side of this and giving the story more depth.
Overall, the Harried Witch is a solid (dare I say better?) follow-up to Wretched Mage and the growth of the author is evident between the two. I can't wait to see what comes next, and I hope that this isn't the last that we see of this world in particular.
Thanks to NetGalley for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 31, 2026
This book was a fantastic sequel that took everything I enjoyed about Wretched Mage and elevated it. Jane’s growth throughout the story was one of my favorite aspects, and I loved watching her step into her power while facing increasingly difficult choices. The romance between Jane and Reagan was full of tension, longing, and emotional depth, making it easy to stay invested in their journey. I also appreciated getting more insight into Reagan through the dual POV, which added another layer to the story. The magic system remained a standout, feeling unique and well-developed without becoming overwhelming. The world expanded beyond Mountheim with more politics, conspiracies, and higher stakes, which kept me engaged from beginning to end. While some sections felt a little slower and I would have loved more time with certain side characters, those were only minor drawbacks. The character development, emotional payoff, and compelling plot more than made up for any pacing issues. Overall, this was a satisfying and addictive conclusion to the duology! Thank you to J. B. Pinheiro and NetGalley for this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
We should be shouting from the rooftops about these books. This is the second book in the Wretched Mage series and it delivered. I ate up the first book falling in love with FMC -Jane Darling and swoon grumpy MMC Regan. While the first book was primarily relationship building this book dealt more with politics and plot. Dont get me wrong relationships and obsticals to overcome were present. Gut wrenchingly present. I ate this book up too and this quickly became the book you CANNOT wait to finish and then brood over FINISHING.
I felt that the author did leave room for more books either on this couple or apparent couples in this world and Im here for it. I truly hope she doesnt consider this a duology and goes the J L Armentrout path of multiple books in same universe all characters in the books. I wanted to see what is in store for these characters that I have fallen in love with.
6 stars if I could.....and spice level was 🌶️🌶️ for the most part and appropriately placed.
Kudos Juliana Pinheiro .......
I felt that the author did leave room for more books either on this couple or apparent couples in this world and Im here for it. I truly hope she doesnt consider this a duology and goes the J L Armentrout path of multiple books in same universe all characters in the books. I wanted to see what is in store for these characters that I have fallen in love with.
6 stars if I could.....and spice level was 🌶️🌶️ for the most part and appropriately placed.
Kudos Juliana Pinheiro .......
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I absolutely loved this follow-on to Wretched Mage. It’s the second in the series and completes the duology focussed on Jane and Reagan.
The story contains court politics, magic, spells, elves, betrayal and intrigue by the bucketload, all held together with the struggles Jane encounters trying to access her magic, and the beautiful tension in her relationship with Reagan.
There are moments of intentional cruelty (not our MMC/FMC), torture, slavery, abuse and murder so just be warned if you are sensitive to those things. Personally I thought the author did a great job of weaving these darker themes into the story in a way that upped the stakes and kept them relevant.
I devoured it! It was seriously difficult to put down - kudos to the author for the pacing, unique world building, convincing plot and mouthwatering, yearning, romance.
This book built superbly on the first one (there’s a useful recap at the beginning) and gave us MORE. If I have one request it’s that the author focusses the next book around Joy and Finn - I want so much more of those two!
Many thanks to the author and NetGalley for the eARC.
This was a great conclusion to the series, I loved the world-building, the pace, the plot and characters and will definitely be reading the authors next book.
No doubts in my mind - a 5 star read
The story contains court politics, magic, spells, elves, betrayal and intrigue by the bucketload, all held together with the struggles Jane encounters trying to access her magic, and the beautiful tension in her relationship with Reagan.
There are moments of intentional cruelty (not our MMC/FMC), torture, slavery, abuse and murder so just be warned if you are sensitive to those things. Personally I thought the author did a great job of weaving these darker themes into the story in a way that upped the stakes and kept them relevant.
I devoured it! It was seriously difficult to put down - kudos to the author for the pacing, unique world building, convincing plot and mouthwatering, yearning, romance.
This book built superbly on the first one (there’s a useful recap at the beginning) and gave us MORE. If I have one request it’s that the author focusses the next book around Joy and Finn - I want so much more of those two!
Many thanks to the author and NetGalley for the eARC.
This was a great conclusion to the series, I loved the world-building, the pace, the plot and characters and will definitely be reading the authors next book.
No doubts in my mind - a 5 star read
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Netgalley and the author for an eARC copy.
Harried Witch started straight where Wretched Mage left off.
With the arrival of Jane's sister and father to Mountheim, more problems and questions arose that Jane could have ever imagined.
Finding out that both her and Joy, her sister, were hybrids (half human half mage) put a lot of pressure on her relationship with Reagan.
The best part of the story for me was focusing on both of them discovering and controlling their powers. I really enjoyed this, I loved how the author made the sisters so different with having different abilities.
And the yearning, oh the yearning. Reagan was absolutely lost without Jane and being unable to stay close to her.
He honestly might just win book boyfriend of the year award for me.
There were a lot political intrigue, scheming of a shady Mage organisation and lot of inner battle for both Jane and Reagan, trying to do what they thought were the best for their loved ones and others around them.
The book did have happy ending, and no major characters were ☠️☠️, win win.
Harried Witch started straight where Wretched Mage left off.
With the arrival of Jane's sister and father to Mountheim, more problems and questions arose that Jane could have ever imagined.
Finding out that both her and Joy, her sister, were hybrids (half human half mage) put a lot of pressure on her relationship with Reagan.
The best part of the story for me was focusing on both of them discovering and controlling their powers. I really enjoyed this, I loved how the author made the sisters so different with having different abilities.
And the yearning, oh the yearning. Reagan was absolutely lost without Jane and being unable to stay close to her.
He honestly might just win book boyfriend of the year award for me.
There were a lot political intrigue, scheming of a shady Mage organisation and lot of inner battle for both Jane and Reagan, trying to do what they thought were the best for their loved ones and others around them.
The book did have happy ending, and no major characters were ☠️☠️, win win.
May 6, 2026
Thank you so much to the author and @netgalley for the digital e-ARC of Harried Witch.
While I'm sad that this duet is over, I feel like this ended perfectly with just the right amount of tension, edge of my seat action and of course mutual pining to the ultimate level. 😩 This story was a perfect example of the struggle between love and duty for both Reagan and Jane, possibly to the ultimate degree as Jane works to not only prove her worth to herself but also to stand as an equal with Reagan.
The tension and twists and turns with this story was just the perfect follow up to the cliff hanger ending from Wretched Mage. We got to explore more of Reagan and Jane's relationship as well as learn more about Jane and her sister's powers and their history.
An ever looming feel of dread and mystery hovering over this story adds to the emotional impact and really makes this story stand out and just continues to add to why I love this series so much!!
If you want a story with equal parts Mystery, Revenge, Forbidden Magic, Magical folks and hybrids, mutual Lust and yearning than you absolutely need to read both Wretched Mage and Harried Witch!
Favorite Quotes:
"If you still want me , then I need you to know that I want you. I want to be the person who gets to love you and help carry your burdens.”
"You Wicked Wild Witch."
"Kissing him was like a storm breaking, like the reckless urge to run into the rain despite the lightning."
While I'm sad that this duet is over, I feel like this ended perfectly with just the right amount of tension, edge of my seat action and of course mutual pining to the ultimate level. 😩 This story was a perfect example of the struggle between love and duty for both Reagan and Jane, possibly to the ultimate degree as Jane works to not only prove her worth to herself but also to stand as an equal with Reagan.
The tension and twists and turns with this story was just the perfect follow up to the cliff hanger ending from Wretched Mage. We got to explore more of Reagan and Jane's relationship as well as learn more about Jane and her sister's powers and their history.
An ever looming feel of dread and mystery hovering over this story adds to the emotional impact and really makes this story stand out and just continues to add to why I love this series so much!!
If you want a story with equal parts Mystery, Revenge, Forbidden Magic, Magical folks and hybrids, mutual Lust and yearning than you absolutely need to read both Wretched Mage and Harried Witch!
Favorite Quotes:
"If you still want me , then I need you to know that I want you. I want to be the person who gets to love you and help carry your burdens.”
"You Wicked Wild Witch."
"Kissing him was like a storm breaking, like the reckless urge to run into the rain despite the lightning."
May 9, 2026
After the absolute shocker of an ending in Wretched Mage, I had NO choice but to immediately start Harried Witch. There was simply no way I was waiting to find out what happens next. And honestly? I enjoyed the direction this story took 😊
This book feels much more focused on the bigger picture and the problems happening within the world itself but I spent a large part of this book screaming internally: PLEASE JUST BE TOGETHER ALREADY 😭 After all the yearning, tension and chemistry in the first book, I personally just wanted more Reagan & Jane scenes where they could actually exist together instead of constantly going through the “I want them but I can’t” carousel 🫣 That still felt like one of the main themes of the book, even though so many other interesting plotlines were happening around them. Honestly, if they had just BEEN TOGETHER already, I feel like we could have explored some of those other storylines even deeper.
That being said… once everything starts coming together, it REALLY works. The ending made me very happy and overall I still had such a good time with this duology.
Book one still owns a slightly bigger part of my soul… but I’m very glad I got to continue this journey immediately 📚
Thank you to Juliana for providing me with an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review 🥰
This book feels much more focused on the bigger picture and the problems happening within the world itself but I spent a large part of this book screaming internally: PLEASE JUST BE TOGETHER ALREADY 😭 After all the yearning, tension and chemistry in the first book, I personally just wanted more Reagan & Jane scenes where they could actually exist together instead of constantly going through the “I want them but I can’t” carousel 🫣 That still felt like one of the main themes of the book, even though so many other interesting plotlines were happening around them. Honestly, if they had just BEEN TOGETHER already, I feel like we could have explored some of those other storylines even deeper.
That being said… once everything starts coming together, it REALLY works. The ending made me very happy and overall I still had such a good time with this duology.
Book one still owns a slightly bigger part of my soul… but I’m very glad I got to continue this journey immediately 📚
Thank you to Juliana for providing me with an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review 🥰
May 22, 2026
🧹 Harried Witch 🧹
Harried Witch is the second book in the Wretched Mage Duology. Jane Darlings finds herself torn between her family and becoming Lady of Mounthiem. She doesn’t have long to prove herself to be worthy. All the while Reagan is deep in trying to find and expose conspirators. The two have to summon whatever it takes to make it out.
Publication Date: June 1st 2026
Rating: 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I had a great time reading this sequel. I think I enjoyed it more than the first book. I thought there was a lot more feeling and character development for Jane and Reagan.
I really liked the magic system. I especially liked the plot points around Jane and Joy learning about the magic and how it’s summoned. I really enjoyed Jane’s part in it.
The pacing of the book was a little off for me. The chapters themselves were pretty quick, but there were some scenes that just felt dragged on for too long.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Harried Witch is the second book in the Wretched Mage Duology. Jane Darlings finds herself torn between her family and becoming Lady of Mounthiem. She doesn’t have long to prove herself to be worthy. All the while Reagan is deep in trying to find and expose conspirators. The two have to summon whatever it takes to make it out.
Publication Date: June 1st 2026
Rating: 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I had a great time reading this sequel. I think I enjoyed it more than the first book. I thought there was a lot more feeling and character development for Jane and Reagan.
I really liked the magic system. I especially liked the plot points around Jane and Joy learning about the magic and how it’s summoned. I really enjoyed Jane’s part in it.
The pacing of the book was a little off for me. The chapters themselves were pretty quick, but there were some scenes that just felt dragged on for too long.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
May 25, 2026
3.5 rounded to 4 ⭐
Harried Witch is a great conclusion to Jane and Reagan's story in the Wretched Mage duology. Deeply in love they face new challenges fording them to confront the realities of committing to each other, rather than a miscommunication trope each yearns miserably and deliciously for the other whilst forcing themselves apart in the face of politics and expectations. At the same time Jane and her sister must navigate new powers, whilst sinister factions make moves against Jane and her lord. The book gives greater insight into the world of the mage-lands and Reagan, rewarding the reader with his POV. It left me wanting to know more about the different factions within Pinheiro's world and greater visibility of the supporting characters and their stories. Quite a lot happens, so the story may have benefitted being split into two books, but ultimately our heroes receive a satisfying ending.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for granting me access in exchange for an honest review.
Harried Witch is a great conclusion to Jane and Reagan's story in the Wretched Mage duology. Deeply in love they face new challenges fording them to confront the realities of committing to each other, rather than a miscommunication trope each yearns miserably and deliciously for the other whilst forcing themselves apart in the face of politics and expectations. At the same time Jane and her sister must navigate new powers, whilst sinister factions make moves against Jane and her lord. The book gives greater insight into the world of the mage-lands and Reagan, rewarding the reader with his POV. It left me wanting to know more about the different factions within Pinheiro's world and greater visibility of the supporting characters and their stories. Quite a lot happens, so the story may have benefitted being split into two books, but ultimately our heroes receive a satisfying ending.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for granting me access in exchange for an honest review.
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