Love, Lies, and Hocus Pocus Avalon

by Lydia Sherrer

Do not be deceived by masks. Not even your own.

Against all odds, Lily Singer and her friends have found the timeless isle that inspired the legends of Avalon. They are welcomed by the ancient wizards who dwell there and are given respite from the terrors they’ve been fighting for so long. Yet peace, like power, is always bought at a price.

Avalon is more than the idyllic refuge spoken of in myth. Ancient knowledge is hidden there, a lost history of apocalypse and its aftermath that changed the world forever. As Lily and her companions try to unravel Avalon’s secrets, they are plunged into the political games of powerful wizards who wear masks like second skins and think time is an infinite resource.

But Avalon’s time is running out.

Manipulative power games without. Confusion and betrayal within. An impossible task with a deadline looming ever closer.

When the final moment comes, will Lily and her friends find a way to save themselves—and Avalon? Or will the apocalypse of old finally consume them all?

With 15,000+ five star ratings across Amazon and Goodreads and nearly a million copies sold, this urban fantasy series full of adventure and snarky humor is guaranteed to cause loud snorts of laughter, tea cravings, and sleep loss. Don't start reading at night or you'll never go to bed! Great for fans of urban fantasy from Harry Potter to Harry Dresden. Grab Book 9 today and finally discover the ancient secrets of wizardkind.
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Love, Lies, and Hocus Pocus Universe

LILY SINGER ADVENTURE SERIES
Beginnings (#1)
Revelations (#2)
A Study In Mischief (#2.5) - FREE novella, can be read as a standalone
Allies (#3)
Legends (#4)
Cat Magic (#4.5) - novella, can be read as a standalone
Betrayal (#5)
Identity (#6)
A Study In Mischief and Other Tales of Magical Shenanigans - short story collection
Cat Mischief (#6.5) - novella, can be read as a standalone
Kindred (#7)
Odyssey (#8)
The Bath of Doom and Other Tales of Magical Shenanigans - short story collection
Avalon (#9)
More coming!

DARK ROADS TRILOGY
Accidental Witch (#1)
More coming! Subscribe to Lydia's newsletter for updates

Genres: Fantasy

744 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 1, 2026

Reviews

[Amanda Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.3 Stars

[Michael Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avalon is the mystic land said to be where King Arthur was taken after being struck down in his final battle, where his sword Excalibur was forged, and where Merlin, his advisor and friend is tightly bound. Of course this is just legends.

Unless you are in the Love, Lies and Hocus Pocus series where it has been found after thousands of years by Lily Singer and her friends. It opens with them being magically transported to the island where they receive healing and rest, though are kept under quarantine to ensure they do not bring anything harmful with them (like the unconscious body of Morgan Le Fay following the huge battle at the end of the previous volume).

Split into two parts (as are all the books in the series), the first deals with them learning about this ancient land the the nearly immortal wizards who live there. Having come to warn the residents about the demons that seek to find the hidden island, they find themselves involved in local politics and power plays.

It is a new and different take on the legends of Merlin and King Arthur, mixed in with legends of the fae, and all made better by the snark of Sir Edgar Allen Kipling (don't call him Lily's cat - she is in fact HIS human).

The political interplay of the wizards is a different type of conflict than the magical battles that were more central to the search for the portal in the previous book (not to worry however, the magical battles are in the second half!).

Relationships are a core part of this series and continue here. I enjoy seeing how some of these change (some getting worse, some improving) and how often it is simple communication that becomes the key.

I do have to remind myself that this series is intended for a YA (young adults) audience (which is why it Lily and Sebastian have barely admitted they are in love, and a kiss or two is the still as far as their relationship goes.

I really enjoy this type of story where the strongest are often not the ones to come out ahead, but instead the smartest (Lily is a librarian after all).

I wanted to continue this series so much that I paid for the pre-release version, and was not disappointed. The only disappointment is that the next volume isn't available yet.

[Angela Thomas]

I love this series (LLHP) and so purchased an advanced ebook copy of Avalon in order to read it in May instead of June! I’m so glad I did! This book introduced several new characters and their roles in the overarching story, yet Avalon could easily be enjoyed by someone who decided to start with book 9. (I’m so impressed how Lydia Sherrer does that!) I enjoyed the inevitable snark from the “magnanimous feline overlord” and the story was everything I hoped it would be! Now I plan to purchase the audiobook so I can enjoy it again as narrated by the talented Amy McFadden.

[Tamara Rickman · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing

I started this series thinking it was a harmless little fantasy series but it’s so much more. This most recent episode defies summation by me but trust me when I tell you it’s epic storytelling and profound allegory all rolled into adventure and thrills. Start at book one and catch up so you have the whole story blocked out before you get here. Me, I’m pining for book 10 already because.. cliffhanger! You’re welcome.

[Gillian Paulus · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing!! Which is especially good, considering the fact that I had high expectations and had been impatiently waiting for this book to come out since the day that I finished the previous book in the series. I'm in this author's facebook group for fans, and she repeatedly told us that the book was longer than expected and then asked us if she should shorten it. We repeatedly told her not to cut a thing out of the book. I'm so glad that she didn't. I got the audiobook version of this book, which was well-done (as usual for this series). The audiobook was 25 hours. It was such a (figurative) page-turner that at one point I was startled to see that I had less than two hours left! i was bummed when the book ended, but not because I have any complaints about the ending. Now I simply have to go back to impatiently waiting for the next book in the series to come out (while frequently rereading the whole series to tide me over). This story completely sucked me in.

[Jane Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avalon is not a brief stroll in the park!

700+ pages flew by and I want more. Not at all what I anticipated.
What can be said that's spoiler-free? Arcturus is one I'd like to know more about. The island, its residents, their culture, is all so detailed that you'd think the author had vacationed there.
Lily and Sebastian... Sigh. Surprises from John Faust and Mallory! Kip steals the show several times.
When is Book 10 Melthalin coming out, Lydia?

[Renate Gase · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much I’ve read it 3 times already!! There’s some great story arc conclusions and so many more to come! The real action is in episode 18, but there’s so much history and rich descriptions in episode 17 that make it so important to the plot!

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lydia is an awesome author. Avalon is a good clean, fun novel with a little snark. I love the series, and all the characters. This book is suggested for young adults but as a young at heart adult I can honestly say it appeals to all.

[Kellie Rudd · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite of these books so far. My jaw dropped more than once. The sheer length of it will tide me over until book 10. (Also, for everyone reading this books who, like me, is not a cat person, they are still extremely enjoyable!!!!!)

[Kristen Post · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always, Sherrer created a story full of action, world building, and snark. There are some cute romance scenes in there as well, and a lot of character growth for some of the side characters. Enjoy!

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have read the entire series and felt this one was just not as interesting. Author spent too much time describing everything and there was not much substance. The last 1/4 of the book was more interesting, but I not enough to make me want to continue the series to find out what happens.

[Diane D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

long time… no see/read

I am grateful for this book and the review of the first books. It is a “long walk” but worth it.

[Sandra Broekema · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best in the series so far. Can't wait for Book 10!

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a page turner and she has a great imagination which make for a great story.