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Charming Devils
Five years ago, they made my life a living hell. They teased me, abused me, and called me a witch.
Little did they know...
Now, I’m back for my senior year of high school. New hair, new style, new personality. I’ll no longer be the weird girl hiding in the shadows. Instead, I’ll embrace all of my darkness.
The goal?
Revenge on the boys—the men—who bullied me. The football star, the musician, the bad boy, and the class president. I’ll make them pay for what they did to me.
One spell at a time.
Buckle up, boys and girls. You’re not going to like me by the time this book ends. I never said I’m the hero of the story, did I? I’m just the crazy bitch with a voodoo doll.
This is a dark paranormal reverse harem romance with bully and revenge themes by USA Today Bestselling Author Katie May. All characters are over the age of eighteen. This book will contain strong language and sexual situations. This is a stand-alone!
Little did they know...
Now, I’m back for my senior year of high school. New hair, new style, new personality. I’ll no longer be the weird girl hiding in the shadows. Instead, I’ll embrace all of my darkness.
The goal?
Revenge on the boys—the men—who bullied me. The football star, the musician, the bad boy, and the class president. I’ll make them pay for what they did to me.
One spell at a time.
Buckle up, boys and girls. You’re not going to like me by the time this book ends. I never said I’m the hero of the story, did I? I’m just the crazy bitch with a voodoo doll.
This is a dark paranormal reverse harem romance with bully and revenge themes by USA Today Bestselling Author Katie May. All characters are over the age of eighteen. This book will contain strong language and sexual situations. This is a stand-alone!
680 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 31, 2020
743 people are currently reading
1526 people want to read
About the author
Katie May
99 books2,618 followersKatie May is a romance writer of numerous genres! She writes everything from horror to fantasy to contemporary. #whychoose
She has a gorgeous tabby cat who she adores, and she’s obsessed with coffee and horror movies.
She has a gorgeous tabby cat who she adores, and she’s obsessed with coffee and horror movies.
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October 31, 2020
Many, many times over the last couple of years, I'll see a Katie May book and fall in love with the premise, then have to DNF halfway through because SOMETHING about the writing just keeps putting me off. For a long time, I'd scratch my head over it and then optimistically try the next May release. DNF, rinse, repeat.
Until now. I have finally worked out why I can't read Katie May books: they're overwritten as hell.
Not to the extent of C.M. Stunich, thankfully, but not far off either. The fundamental problem is that May writes using first-person narrators, but pairs that with third-person language. This means that the vocabulary she uses often feels very jarring and inconsistent. Her narrator will use super-fancy words that don't feel like organic parts of her language (like, they're not words people usually tend to say/think to themselves) and don't actually tell me anything. I'm not sure I've explained that very well, but here are examples of what I mean:
➽ Characters never just 'get' things, they 'procure' them. This results in really silly sentences like 'I procured the paper from my bag', and then the word 'procure' is used multiple times in close succession. It's NOT a word people think to themselves. Who uses phrases like 'let me just procure that from the cupboard' in their own mental dialogue?
➽ Sometimes the fancy words are misused because apparently, the author doesn't actually know precisely what they mean. Case in point: 'transpire'. As the Oxford English Dictionary will tell you, it is NOT a synonym for 'occurred'. It actually means 'to become known', as in of a secret. In fact, let me just quote the OED to you:
May uses 'transpire' completely wrong, and it's Rule #1 of writing that you do not use words you don't actually know the meanings of. Failing that, if your editor hasn't caught an error as egregious as this, fire them.
➽ Every single time we meet a character, we're told what they 'exude'. Usually danger, but also lust, hotness, irritation, anger, etc. GIVE ME A F*CKING BREAK, PLEASE. Either find a thesaurus or, even better, stop telling me these characters' emotions instead of showing me.
There are other examples of just generally irksome writing littered throughout the book, but I won't go into them now because I haven't got my Kindle with me so I can't delve in to quote them for you. The thing is, individually, I could probably forgive most of these mistakes. May has great plot ideas and the writing almost works. But at the end of the day, there's a reason I've never been able to finish a single book of hers, and it's that all her mistakes add up to make a very uncomfortable reading experience.
And now, finally, off to read Kate. I'm 10% in so far and it's not great, but please God let it get better so I can read at least one good book this weekend...
[Blog]
Until now. I have finally worked out why I can't read Katie May books: they're overwritten as hell.
Not to the extent of C.M. Stunich, thankfully, but not far off either. The fundamental problem is that May writes using first-person narrators, but pairs that with third-person language. This means that the vocabulary she uses often feels very jarring and inconsistent. Her narrator will use super-fancy words that don't feel like organic parts of her language (like, they're not words people usually tend to say/think to themselves) and don't actually tell me anything. I'm not sure I've explained that very well, but here are examples of what I mean:
➽ Characters never just 'get' things, they 'procure' them. This results in really silly sentences like 'I procured the paper from my bag', and then the word 'procure' is used multiple times in close succession. It's NOT a word people think to themselves. Who uses phrases like 'let me just procure that from the cupboard' in their own mental dialogue?
➽ Sometimes the fancy words are misused because apparently, the author doesn't actually know precisely what they mean. Case in point: 'transpire'. As the Oxford English Dictionary will tell you, it is NOT a synonym for 'occurred'. It actually means 'to become known', as in of a secret. In fact, let me just quote the OED to you:
‘To escape from secrecy to notice’ (Johnson); to become known, esp. by obscure channels, or in spite of secrecy being intended; to ‘get wind’, ‘leak out’. Misused for: To occur, happen, take place. Evidently arising from misunderstanding such a sentence as ‘What had transpired during his absence he did not know’.
May uses 'transpire' completely wrong, and it's Rule #1 of writing that you do not use words you don't actually know the meanings of. Failing that, if your editor hasn't caught an error as egregious as this, fire them.
➽ Every single time we meet a character, we're told what they 'exude'. Usually danger, but also lust, hotness, irritation, anger, etc. GIVE ME A F*CKING BREAK, PLEASE. Either find a thesaurus or, even better, stop telling me these characters' emotions instead of showing me.
There are other examples of just generally irksome writing littered throughout the book, but I won't go into them now because I haven't got my Kindle with me so I can't delve in to quote them for you. The thing is, individually, I could probably forgive most of these mistakes. May has great plot ideas and the writing almost works. But at the end of the day, there's a reason I've never been able to finish a single book of hers, and it's that all her mistakes add up to make a very uncomfortable reading experience.
And now, finally, off to read Kate. I'm 10% in so far and it's not great, but please God let it get better so I can read at least one good book this weekend...
[Blog]
November 2, 2020
Not for me
I couldn't get into this read and dnf. Predictable from the beginning, girl is bullied and wants revenge, yet she's looking and having feelings for them, while said boys are all the sudden giving her the look and protecting her now that's she's grown and back. Our fmc talks over and over about this revenge she's gonna dish out, how she's tough this time around, nothing could be further from the truth, she's still weak and confused if you ask me, the first revenge she has is giving one of the guys a boner ( really)? And as you read on and her first cheerleading day a boy pulls up her skirt and she has tears in her eyes and does nothing but feel humiliated! What happened to this tough girl? This imma show everyone this time around? I just stopped right there and decided not to even bother with this book any longer! That was seriously it for me, I can't stand a story that doesn't even stick to itself.
I couldn't get into this read and dnf. Predictable from the beginning, girl is bullied and wants revenge, yet she's looking and having feelings for them, while said boys are all the sudden giving her the look and protecting her now that's she's grown and back. Our fmc talks over and over about this revenge she's gonna dish out, how she's tough this time around, nothing could be further from the truth, she's still weak and confused if you ask me, the first revenge she has is giving one of the guys a boner ( really)? And as you read on and her first cheerleading day a boy pulls up her skirt and she has tears in her eyes and does nothing but feel humiliated! What happened to this tough girl? This imma show everyone this time around? I just stopped right there and decided not to even bother with this book any longer! That was seriously it for me, I can't stand a story that doesn't even stick to itself.
November 3, 2020
It's been a while since I've read a bully romance book and I definitely devoured Charming Devils. In it, you will meet Peony and you get to see what happened in her past and what was going on in her present. It, of course, has to deal with four boys that bullied her years ago. No one really knows why it happened but she ended up leaving town pretty drastically.
Even though they know what happened, this group always felt a pull towards one another. Yet, this time around Peony isn't here to have fun. No, she is back for revenge on her bullies and just hopes that her heart stays out of it.
Along the way, she does meet a couple of interesting side characters. One of them turned rather creepy instantly and it just made me question everything about them. I also was trying to figure out if the romance was going to follow the same storyline as her grandmothers or not.
Boy, I was wrong on so many things but was right on a few. In the end, it had a pretty cute ending and some twist throughout it to make this a page turner. I definitely look forward to my next book by this author.
Even though they know what happened, this group always felt a pull towards one another. Yet, this time around Peony isn't here to have fun. No, she is back for revenge on her bullies and just hopes that her heart stays out of it.
Along the way, she does meet a couple of interesting side characters. One of them turned rather creepy instantly and it just made me question everything about them. I also was trying to figure out if the romance was going to follow the same storyline as her grandmothers or not.
Boy, I was wrong on so many things but was right on a few. In the end, it had a pretty cute ending and some twist throughout it to make this a page turner. I definitely look forward to my next book by this author.
November 5, 2021
Honestly I was so conflicted for most of this book because as always I wanted some sweet sweet revenge and instead the heroine kept going soft on me. As a Katie May stalker I really had high hopes for this one and I really struggled throughout hoping and praying the heroine would go darkside and start ruining some lives. That ALL changed when we find out the only reason they bullied her so hardcore was because I really loved the book in hindsight. I want to bitch and moan about what the heroine went through (her memories are pretty savage) but because the guys' aren't really the ones to blame anymore I don't know where to release all this rage. Thank the lord the heroine at least has a badass (naughty) grannie-who has her own harem might I add ;) I love that I was so shook by the book and some of the revelations and I am damn glad I didn't give up on this one.
dnf
August 7, 2023DNF around 60%? Damn, I wanted to like this so much. The premise hooked me: a girl bullied horribly in middle school comes back to town six years later for her senior year of high school. She's now a powerful witch and plans to exact revenge on each of her former bullies. I LOVE a good revenge plot. But this failed to deliver. There's all these flashbacks showing just how awful these guys were to her, and she keeps on saying 'I hate them, I'm going to make them suffer' and then she sees them and it's all 'omg, they're hot now.' UGHGGGHGHGHGHHH.
Then she finally does a little bit of revengey stuff and almost immediately feels bad and wonders if they'll forgive her. ARE YOU KIDDING ME.
Sigh.
(Also, when they propose the harem idea she acts all shocked and like it's a whole brand new thing, when she lives with her grandma who is a sex witch with three hot live-in boyfriends.) More Nana, more revenge, plz. I really wanted to like it.
Then she finally does a little bit of revengey stuff and almost immediately feels bad and wonders if they'll forgive her. ARE YOU KIDDING ME.
Sigh.
(Also, when they propose the harem idea she acts all shocked and like it's a whole brand new thing, when she lives with her grandma who is a sex witch with three hot live-in boyfriends.) More Nana, more revenge, plz. I really wanted to like it.
December 19, 2020
Not what you think
I don't understand this book. SPOILER:::: I legit had to skip so much of the first half. We start off with this powerful bad ass witch but then she drops the ball. She forgets Her revenge to drop her panties so quick because they're hotties
! Her revenge plot is pathetic and she is so wishy washy! It was predictable, repetitive, and lackluster rushed sex scenes to make up for a weak thrown together plot with no character development. I'm really disappointed on this one cause it had potential but this is what happens when books are just thrown together with only one thought to rush to "bestseller" for Facebook large fan groups.
I don't understand this book. SPOILER:::: I legit had to skip so much of the first half. We start off with this powerful bad ass witch but then she drops the ball. She forgets Her revenge to drop her panties so quick because they're hotties
! Her revenge plot is pathetic and she is so wishy washy! It was predictable, repetitive, and lackluster rushed sex scenes to make up for a weak thrown together plot with no character development. I'm really disappointed on this one cause it had potential but this is what happens when books are just thrown together with only one thought to rush to "bestseller" for Facebook large fan groups.
November 10, 2020
3.5 stars rounded down
Pretty good but very predictable. It’s nothing new and it’s a stereo typical book for this genre.
Pretty good but very predictable. It’s nothing new and it’s a stereo typical book for this genre.
February 8, 2021
This was an enjoyable read! Didn’t feel as long as it is, and had an interesting premise.
I didn’t feel like the revenge was as intense as it could have been, but once you find out why the guys did what they did, I’m glad that it wasn’t. I liked how the story played out when she arrived, and the details of flashbacks of intense bullying moments were done well.
I really did like all the characters. The guys kind of had their own stereotypes, but it’s to be expected. I didn’t feel like we got much background to before the bullying, when they were all best friends, because it would’ve explained when/how they had developed feelings for each other. Without this, it felt like she fell in love with her bullies despite all she had been through.
I wish we got a little more from her magic, like it mentions she’s going to be super powerful, which is something her mom doesn’t like, but we never see her get to use her magic in an intense way. Her grandma is stated to be a sex witch, and she gets her power from sex (i think), so i didn’t understand where her’s came from or if she had a distinct power like that.
It was a solid read, and my first from Katie May, but I’ll definitely be reading more!
I didn’t feel like the revenge was as intense as it could have been, but once you find out why the guys did what they did, I’m glad that it wasn’t. I liked how the story played out when she arrived, and the details of flashbacks of intense bullying moments were done well.
I really did like all the characters. The guys kind of had their own stereotypes, but it’s to be expected. I didn’t feel like we got much background to before the bullying, when they were all best friends, because it would’ve explained when/how they had developed feelings for each other. Without this, it felt like she fell in love with her bullies despite all she had been through.
I wish we got a little more from her magic, like it mentions she’s going to be super powerful, which is something her mom doesn’t like, but we never see her get to use her magic in an intense way. Her grandma is stated to be a sex witch, and she gets her power from sex (i think), so i didn’t understand where her’s came from or if she had a distinct power like that.
It was a solid read, and my first from Katie May, but I’ll definitely be reading more!
April 30, 2024
This book covered so many touchy and troubling subjects...
Reading about her past trauma, reliving the memories and learning about the abuse she endured at the hands of others, one of them being her own mother, made my heart bleed...
I'll come back with a list of 'what to expect' and trigger warnings soon.
Reading about her past trauma, reliving the memories and learning about the abuse she endured at the hands of others, one of them being her own mother, made my heart bleed...
I'll come back with a list of 'what to expect' and trigger warnings soon.
September 7, 2025
5 STARS!
Hands down, one of the best fantasy reverse harem books I’ve read! Katie May is quickly running her way to the top of my favorite authors list. BRAVO!
Hands down, one of the best fantasy reverse harem books I’ve read! Katie May is quickly running her way to the top of my favorite authors list. BRAVO!
August 3, 2022
We reached the point where I'm reading Katie May books that are probably not gonna be my thing. I usually know very well what I'm gonna like and what I won't like. I usually avoid the books I already know I won't like, but Katie May is an amazing author. Her writing style fits my reading style and so far she has made me love books I was doubting about. So, why wouldn't she be able to sell me a story I normally wouldn't like?
And surprisingly enough I actually DID enjoy this story. Mostly because it eventually takes a completely different direction from what I was expecting. As someone who has been severely bullied herself bully romances are always an interesting read. It depends on how they're written and how the trope is done if I eventually like them or not. Not without a lot of groveling, saying sorry and atoning at least.
However, since this book took an entirely different turn it's all of a sudden not really a bully romance anymore. I don't want to give too many spoilers, but there was a point in the story where I somehow started to realize what was truly going on and it turns out I was right. At the very least it made it a whole lot easier to forgive these guys, especially because they were also very understanding towards the whole revenge plot.
I have to admit that I do wonder if there needed to be so many extra plot-lines in this novel. The book is a quick read and I wasn't bored and flew through it, but especially the storyline of the Bloods felt a little extra in the end. I understand it gave the heroes some chances to be heroes, but apart from that it didn't add much. I think without that storyline the book would be a little shorter, and therefore less intimidating, and would feel a little less unfocussed.
However, it was an amusing and entertaining read and I had a good time with it!
And surprisingly enough I actually DID enjoy this story. Mostly because it eventually takes a completely different direction from what I was expecting. As someone who has been severely bullied herself bully romances are always an interesting read. It depends on how they're written and how the trope is done if I eventually like them or not. Not without a lot of groveling, saying sorry and atoning at least.
However, since this book took an entirely different turn it's all of a sudden not really a bully romance anymore. I don't want to give too many spoilers, but there was a point in the story where I somehow started to realize what was truly going on and it turns out I was right. At the very least it made it a whole lot easier to forgive these guys, especially because they were also very understanding towards the whole revenge plot.
I have to admit that I do wonder if there needed to be so many extra plot-lines in this novel. The book is a quick read and I wasn't bored and flew through it, but especially the storyline of the Bloods felt a little extra in the end. I understand it gave the heroes some chances to be heroes, but apart from that it didn't add much. I think without that storyline the book would be a little shorter, and therefore less intimidating, and would feel a little less unfocussed.
However, it was an amusing and entertaining read and I had a good time with it!
November 8, 2020
Well this was mixed for me. the first half is only 3 stars but the second half is the 4 stars for me. I loved Granny and how she stopped her mum. I liked the fact that granny also had a harem. I didn't like the witch angel as very few witchy or magic played apart in the story. I also don't like the jump from hating them to loving them. there was no real struggle or romanticizing. I liked the twist with the mum I did not see that coming and it also showed her mother's true character.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 30, 2020
Spoilers head, don’t bother with this book.
The beginning of this book was really good. It hooked me, had me really curious, but as it went on, I started noticing the same crap as always. Female lead obsesses over how attractive her bullies are, constant inner monologue of revenge, yet she’s polite to her bullies and does nothing, the long and drawn out details of her school day is rather pointless and makes the story kind of boring.
Her first act of revenge is to give her previous bully a boner. That’s so stupid. That’s not even close to revenge for the few flashbacks we’ve had of their taunts.
Then some pervert gropes her ass and lifts her skirt up in the hallway at school and she does nothing? I don’t understand how she claims to be so strong and full of vengeance, but all she does is whine in her inner monologue and lust after four boys that caused her to attempt suicide.
The constant over descriptions of the bullies bodies is stupid. I don’t need to read in every single chapter how muscular and drool worthy they are. Jesus Christ.
She just lets Lucas kiss her and kissed him back, then touched herself in the stairwell at her fucking school because she saw him stroking himself and it turned her on. This book is trash.
Second revenge act is a hair cut? Seriously. Because that’s good revenge for being bullied so severely you almost succeed in dying.
Believing that Karsyn loved her then the breaking down crying and letting Elias hold her makes zero sense. It just does to show this story as a pathetically weak female lead with zero self respect.
To make matters even worse, the only revenge she ever did, was a boner for Cassian, cut hair for Karsyn, then making Karsyn look like an idiot during a football game.
Lucas and Elias don’t get any sort of revenge, matter of fact, she screws Elias and then suddenly she’s feeling guilty because he found her voodoo dolls and suddenly she’s the bad guy begging him for forgiveness.
I just can’t even.
Then she turns around and sleeps with Karsyn the SAME DAY. She also didn’t use a condom with him. Zero talk of STDs or birth control.
I got to 86% of this book and couldn’t do it anymore. I almost stopped several time’s, but was hoping it would get better, it didn’t.
Don’t waste your time.
The beginning of this book was really good. It hooked me, had me really curious, but as it went on, I started noticing the same crap as always. Female lead obsesses over how attractive her bullies are, constant inner monologue of revenge, yet she’s polite to her bullies and does nothing, the long and drawn out details of her school day is rather pointless and makes the story kind of boring.
Her first act of revenge is to give her previous bully a boner. That’s so stupid. That’s not even close to revenge for the few flashbacks we’ve had of their taunts.
Then some pervert gropes her ass and lifts her skirt up in the hallway at school and she does nothing? I don’t understand how she claims to be so strong and full of vengeance, but all she does is whine in her inner monologue and lust after four boys that caused her to attempt suicide.
The constant over descriptions of the bullies bodies is stupid. I don’t need to read in every single chapter how muscular and drool worthy they are. Jesus Christ.
She just lets Lucas kiss her and kissed him back, then touched herself in the stairwell at her fucking school because she saw him stroking himself and it turned her on. This book is trash.
Second revenge act is a hair cut? Seriously. Because that’s good revenge for being bullied so severely you almost succeed in dying.
Believing that Karsyn loved her then the breaking down crying and letting Elias hold her makes zero sense. It just does to show this story as a pathetically weak female lead with zero self respect.
To make matters even worse, the only revenge she ever did, was a boner for Cassian, cut hair for Karsyn, then making Karsyn look like an idiot during a football game.
Lucas and Elias don’t get any sort of revenge, matter of fact, she screws Elias and then suddenly she’s feeling guilty because he found her voodoo dolls and suddenly she’s the bad guy begging him for forgiveness.
I just can’t even.
Then she turns around and sleeps with Karsyn the SAME DAY. She also didn’t use a condom with him. Zero talk of STDs or birth control.
I got to 86% of this book and couldn’t do it anymore. I almost stopped several time’s, but was hoping it would get better, it didn’t.
Don’t waste your time.
April 10, 2021
Stayed up reading this until 4am but then it just stopped being good. No revenge. Doing magic in the middle of the road? Walking to and from school where you know you’re in danger? Why didn’t the grandma let her borrow a car or give her a ride. Smh too many inconsistencies.
November 8, 2020
It’s nice when you think you know an author’s style and then get blown away. I went into this one thinking it was going to be ridiculous, dick humour, a no filter mc amd mommy issues. Add in the bullying and I usually wouldn’t have read it. However I read the preview and it sounded good.
It was good. There is bullying flashbacks and it is a revenge story of sorts. Four guys nicknamed devils and a witch. There is mental issues and past suicide. It was a strange one because unlike other revenge stories I’ve read, the guys in this one were regretful and they were broken up. There are a lot of apologies.
The mommy issues felt like every other book by this author but they made sense and I didn’t see the twist coming. The Blood, yes, how much of a bitch the mother was, no.
From the start this one was complicated. A witch now with powers facing her bullies and realising she’s not that strong. A bit melodramatic in parts but it was another one I stayed up late to read and I liked all the guys as well as Mari. Nice rounded ending. It was a really good book. Favourite parts were the guys with the chilli, the comforting and Lucas being badass.
It was good. There is bullying flashbacks and it is a revenge story of sorts. Four guys nicknamed devils and a witch. There is mental issues and past suicide. It was a strange one because unlike other revenge stories I’ve read, the guys in this one were regretful and they were broken up. There are a lot of apologies.
The mommy issues felt like every other book by this author but they made sense and I didn’t see the twist coming. The Blood, yes, how much of a bitch the mother was, no.
From the start this one was complicated. A witch now with powers facing her bullies and realising she’s not that strong. A bit melodramatic in parts but it was another one I stayed up late to read and I liked all the guys as well as Mari. Nice rounded ending. It was a really good book. Favourite parts were the guys with the chilli, the comforting and Lucas being badass.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 2, 2020
Wish I liked it more
I didn't hate the book, but I didn't love it either. As another reviewer has said, when the FMC forgives truly heinous behavior just because they are hot, I get irrationally angry. And that happened here. I also think there were too many side plots. I'm all for long, drawn out books, but everything needs to fit together. And to me, these just kind of came out of left field. And not in a good "oooh, what a twist!" kind of way. I should probably stop reading bully romances. But since every author seems hellbent on writing them these days, it's hard to avoid them.
I didn't hate the book, but I didn't love it either. As another reviewer has said, when the FMC forgives truly heinous behavior just because they are hot, I get irrationally angry. And that happened here. I also think there were too many side plots. I'm all for long, drawn out books, but everything needs to fit together. And to me, these just kind of came out of left field. And not in a good "oooh, what a twist!" kind of way. I should probably stop reading bully romances. But since every author seems hellbent on writing them these days, it's hard to avoid them.
March 31, 2022
“…>emotions were like a pendulum, swinging from hate to love in the blink of an eye.”
“Hope was a fickle thing. When it faded, it left you feeling empty and bereft, as if you had nothing inside of you anymore. It constructed impenetrable walls around your heart that no one could remove, not even an army.”
“Hope was a fickle thing. When it faded, it left you feeling empty and bereft, as if you had nothing inside of you anymore. It constructed impenetrable walls around your heart that no one could remove, not even an army.”
November 5, 2020
It could be a 5 stars if it had more smuty scenes.
November 11, 2020
Wow. this book was really really good! I loved it!
December 12, 2020
Awesome
This book drew me in from the start. I absolutely loved it! I wish there was more! I will definitely read more of this author!
This book drew me in from the start. I absolutely loved it! I wish there was more! I will definitely read more of this author!
April 19, 2023
Phenomenal
I didn't know what to expect going into this but I was hooked to the point that I could not put it down.
I can't recommend this enough.
I didn't know what to expect going into this but I was hooked to the point that I could not put it down.
I can't recommend this enough.
March 31, 2025
This was amazing. Hate to love and sadness that didn't need to happen. I want more! Her mother is a bitch and her Nana is the bomb. I laughed and cried just a little reading this one.
December 22, 2020
Eh 🙄😒 I didn't enjoy it. And I do enjoy bully, enemies-to-lovers, and revenge plots. Just not these characters or this story.
The FMC has the arrogance of a badass without the instincts or delivery. She starts off all hyper focused on this revenge plot, that she's supposedly "researched" for months. She's a powerful witch who has also sexed up a bit in the last five years, as puberty can do. But when faced with her targets, the boys who bullied and tormented her in middle school, it becomes clear that she doesn't know much about the guys and doesn't really have a plan. And when there are occasions to unleash her inner badass (or monster as she thinks of herself)? Nah. She doesn't do or even say anything.
She often comes across as childish. She acts petulant when she's mad. Lots of storming off on foot or refusing something kind/reasonable for unclear or unjustified reasons. She gets distracted by pretty things, namely the guys. And she sticks to her underdeveloped revenge plan... Because she just wants/needs to? Even after observing that the guys are at worst scowly and at best act protective of her and show concern for her well-being.
She has that "her stubbornness is going to get her killed quality" that I abhor in FMCs. If not her stubbornness, it'll be her taking an aimless walk while getting lost in her head and paying zero attention to her surroundings or potential threats. And yet everyone else will praise her for being the strongest, bravest person they know. No one calls her on her sh*t.
She gave me whiplash with her hate/lust. And there's no real build in between. I never really felt like I got to know the guys or feel anything for them, and I think it's because there's no real development for them. They are just hot and hot for her and yeah, they did horrible things years ago and don't really know why but they're sorry and they have the hots for her because... She's hot? I don't know. She wants their groveling in the form of orgasms. It's all really paper thin and superficial. And then they're just all proclaiming to be in the love. Because they are. And there's a few sex scenes thrown in, which lacked heat for me. 🤷♀️
There's a lot of repetition in the writing as well as aspects that threw me off, making me think there was going to be a dark turn or something, but I was just looking for more than was there. All of the references to apex predators and Devils and monsters... Even mention of a deal with the Devil. I actually got excited thinking "oh, this could be interesting! Satan shows up when she doesn't want to carry through on her revenge plan or finds what she's done too lame. Or wait! The guys turn out to be literal demons 😈😏" Nope. Much like the FMC's inner monologs about her badassery, she does the same for her and the guys darkness, and the same phrases are repeated often enough to be distracting.
The FMC has the arrogance of a badass without the instincts or delivery. She starts off all hyper focused on this revenge plot, that she's supposedly "researched" for months. She's a powerful witch who has also sexed up a bit in the last five years, as puberty can do. But when faced with her targets, the boys who bullied and tormented her in middle school, it becomes clear that she doesn't know much about the guys and doesn't really have a plan. And when there are occasions to unleash her inner badass (or monster as she thinks of herself)? Nah. She doesn't do or even say anything.
She often comes across as childish. She acts petulant when she's mad. Lots of storming off on foot or refusing something kind/reasonable for unclear or unjustified reasons. She gets distracted by pretty things, namely the guys. And she sticks to her underdeveloped revenge plan... Because she just wants/needs to? Even after observing that the guys are at worst scowly and at best act protective of her and show concern for her well-being.
She has that "her stubbornness is going to get her killed quality" that I abhor in FMCs. If not her stubbornness, it'll be her taking an aimless walk while getting lost in her head and paying zero attention to her surroundings or potential threats. And yet everyone else will praise her for being the strongest, bravest person they know. No one calls her on her sh*t.
She gave me whiplash with her hate/lust. And there's no real build in between. I never really felt like I got to know the guys or feel anything for them, and I think it's because there's no real development for them. They are just hot and hot for her and yeah, they did horrible things years ago and don't really know why but they're sorry and they have the hots for her because... She's hot? I don't know. She wants their groveling in the form of orgasms. It's all really paper thin and superficial. And then they're just all proclaiming to be in the love. Because they are. And there's a few sex scenes thrown in, which lacked heat for me. 🤷♀️
There's a lot of repetition in the writing as well as aspects that threw me off, making me think there was going to be a dark turn or something, but I was just looking for more than was there. All of the references to apex predators and Devils and monsters... Even mention of a deal with the Devil. I actually got excited thinking "oh, this could be interesting! Satan shows up when she doesn't want to carry through on her revenge plan or finds what she's done too lame. Or wait! The guys turn out to be literal demons 😈😏" Nope. Much like the FMC's inner monologs about her badassery, she does the same for her and the guys darkness, and the same phrases are repeated often enough to be distracting.
January 7, 2021
I don't understand how this was rated so high...
Don't get me wrong, this was well written, but the story was weak and the length was completely unnecessary for the plot of the book.
I feel like the witch angle was just used as a prop for the FMC to get her revenge and to help push through the secondary plot of the Bloods and witches being killed. This, therefore, resulted in the magic system becoming completely undeveloped - like, I have no clue what it means to be a witch right now 🤨 . Also, any secondary characters that were witches or warlocks were not developed enough (basically quick background paragraphs/sentences if you were lucky) for instances, who exactly are these random friends back in her old coven (please explain this coven that is supposedly a whole town...one which Cassian even went to!) or these triplets? *SPOILER* Especially when one of the triplets sacrifices his long-ass immortal life for the teenage granddaughter of his partner who his just met and hardly talked too!...lol I think he was mentioned twice in the book before he went on his "secret" mission for the Witches Council.
Talking about the Witches Council...what is that?! What power do they have? Why are we only seeing them introduced at the end of the book? It makes no sense! I hate when things are just brought in to move the plot along. Please, this book had over 500 pages, plenty of time to set up a proper foundation for things to flow right.
Anyway, there were numerous pieces of this book that annoyed me and made no sense. If I wasn't writing this review late at night I might have been bothered to articulate this better through a detailed list, but alas, I'm tired and I think I've wasted enough time on this book already (oh, how I hate having the compulsion to finish books that I begin 😑).
Sorry to all the people that enjoyed this book, but not everyone can like the same things ;)
Don't get me wrong, this was well written, but the story was weak and the length was completely unnecessary for the plot of the book.
I feel like the witch angle was just used as a prop for the FMC to get her revenge and to help push through the secondary plot of the Bloods and witches being killed. This, therefore, resulted in the magic system becoming completely undeveloped - like, I have no clue what it means to be a witch right now 🤨 . Also, any secondary characters that were witches or warlocks were not developed enough (basically quick background paragraphs/sentences if you were lucky) for instances, who exactly are these random friends back in her old coven (please explain this coven that is supposedly a whole town...one which Cassian even went to!) or these triplets? *SPOILER* Especially when one of the triplets sacrifices his long-ass immortal life for the teenage granddaughter of his partner who his just met and hardly talked too!...lol I think he was mentioned twice in the book before he went on his "secret" mission for the Witches Council.
Talking about the Witches Council...what is that?! What power do they have? Why are we only seeing them introduced at the end of the book? It makes no sense! I hate when things are just brought in to move the plot along. Please, this book had over 500 pages, plenty of time to set up a proper foundation for things to flow right.
Anyway, there were numerous pieces of this book that annoyed me and made no sense. If I wasn't writing this review late at night I might have been bothered to articulate this better through a detailed list, but alas, I'm tired and I think I've wasted enough time on this book already (oh, how I hate having the compulsion to finish books that I begin 😑).
Sorry to all the people that enjoyed this book, but not everyone can like the same things ;)
March 29, 2021
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I gave up at 90%. I could deal with the incessant similes and metaphors, but the whole gun thing towards the end of the book was so LAZY I just couldn't keep reading this. Katie May had some good ideas, quality sex scenes with a refreshing MM and MMF slant, but all in all, this book was filled with plot holes and SO MANY SIMILES! Show. Don't tell. The average reader is smart enough to pick up what she's putting down without comparisons for every single emotion and situation. Get a thesaurus and drop the metaphors. Just spit it out. It was a tedious and tiresome read. By 90% I was just done. The lazy gun bit and the heroine being saved by a white, male, lover was just total crap. It's 2021. You don't get a prize for having one character of color and a few homoerotic scenes and conversations.
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*** SPOILER ***
I gave up at 90%. I could deal with the incessant similes and metaphors, but the whole gun thing towards the end of the book was so LAZY I just couldn't keep reading this. Katie May had some good ideas, quality sex scenes with a refreshing MM and MMF slant, but all in all, this book was filled with plot holes and SO MANY SIMILES! Show. Don't tell. The average reader is smart enough to pick up what she's putting down without comparisons for every single emotion and situation. Get a thesaurus and drop the metaphors. Just spit it out. It was a tedious and tiresome read. By 90% I was just done. The lazy gun bit and the heroine being saved by a white, male, lover was just total crap. It's 2021. You don't get a prize for having one character of color and a few homoerotic scenes and conversations.
October 31, 2020
Love !
One of the few books I actually enjoyed in this genre , Katie May knocks this one out the park ! Peony ( FMC) is a strong ,resilient , yet vulnerable character that is back for revenge against her childhood bully’s , and unlike a lot of other books in this genre , Peony actually does take revenge , she doesn’t forget about what they did , she punishes them and by the end of this book , I couldn’t help but be grateful she did and also question my sanity for rooting for the guys . I wanted them redeemed and they do actually get there . If your hesitant to read this because of the bully theme , give it a shot , push through it a bit and by the end you will be glad you did , this is the bully RH done right , an excellent read !
One of the few books I actually enjoyed in this genre , Katie May knocks this one out the park ! Peony ( FMC) is a strong ,resilient , yet vulnerable character that is back for revenge against her childhood bully’s , and unlike a lot of other books in this genre , Peony actually does take revenge , she doesn’t forget about what they did , she punishes them and by the end of this book , I couldn’t help but be grateful she did and also question my sanity for rooting for the guys . I wanted them redeemed and they do actually get there . If your hesitant to read this because of the bully theme , give it a shot , push through it a bit and by the end you will be glad you did , this is the bully RH done right , an excellent read !
November 5, 2020
I need a voodoo doll
I loved Peony and her charming devils. This story was unique in the way of how Peony set off to get her revenge. With a list of grievances and her dolls she goes to face her middle school bullies. Katie once again pulls you into a bewitching world of magic. Toss in some delicious men and you’ve got one wonderful book.
I highly recommend picking up and reading this massive stand-alone book. I’m already hoping a Katie decides to continue this well into the college years!
I loved Peony and her charming devils. This story was unique in the way of how Peony set off to get her revenge. With a list of grievances and her dolls she goes to face her middle school bullies. Katie once again pulls you into a bewitching world of magic. Toss in some delicious men and you’ve got one wonderful book.
I highly recommend picking up and reading this massive stand-alone book. I’m already hoping a Katie decides to continue this well into the college years!
November 2, 2020
😍😍😘😘
OMMFG I'm in love with this book and I wish it was a series!!!!! Not gonna lie y'all will 😭 and rage, but you'll also feel happy for our MC and her Charming 😈😈😈😈. I really wish there would be more of Peony and her men ( maybe Joshua 🤔😎😘) because I feel like their story is just beginning!! For reals though I am really digging a certain council man as a war lock that could be a part of her RH because they were totally vibing!! 😎😎😍😍😘😘😈😈😜😜
OMMFG I'm in love with this book and I wish it was a series!!!!! Not gonna lie y'all will 😭 and rage, but you'll also feel happy for our MC and her Charming 😈😈😈😈. I really wish there would be more of Peony and her men ( maybe Joshua 🤔😎😘) because I feel like their story is just beginning!! For reals though I am really digging a certain council man as a war lock that could be a part of her RH because they were totally vibing!! 😎😎😍😍😘😘😈😈😜😜
November 21, 2020
Fantastic witchy read
Absolutely loved this! This is my first solo (not a co-write) book by Katie May. I was hooked immediately, and could hardly put it it down. This one's thiiick ladies, so be prepared to lose a day or two reading it!
Peony was a fantastic character, very relatable. The guys...🔥🔥🔥. I'm calling Lucas!
The story was very well written, was very engaging, and brought out all the feels. I will definitely be checking out more of her books! ❤
Absolutely loved this! This is my first solo (not a co-write) book by Katie May. I was hooked immediately, and could hardly put it it down. This one's thiiick ladies, so be prepared to lose a day or two reading it!
Peony was a fantastic character, very relatable. The guys...🔥🔥🔥. I'm calling Lucas!
The story was very well written, was very engaging, and brought out all the feels. I will definitely be checking out more of her books! ❤
October 31, 2020
I'm obsessed with this book!
A definite must read, I was hooked from the very beginning!! I felt like I got to know each character and it was amazing to experience the guys redemption! With a couple surprising plot twists and the off the charts chemistry between Peony and her guys I couldn't put the book down!!
A definite must read, I was hooked from the very beginning!! I felt like I got to know each character and it was amazing to experience the guys redemption! With a couple surprising plot twists and the off the charts chemistry between Peony and her guys I couldn't put the book down!!
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