Spellbound

by Ophelia Silk

Jane Paris is everything a young woman should polite, charming, and obedient, with a glowing reputation and a good man all but begging for her hand in marriage. If she has any doubts about her role in life, they’re easy to push down. But when she takes a fateful shortcut through the woods, her idyllic life is threatened by an attack from the fabled beasts who stalk the trees. Fortunately, she’s rescued by the equally fabled witch who lives there. Unfortunately, the attack has left injuries that only the witch can heal. Jane is forced to stay with her until she recovers.This poses a problem, because the witch, Adelaide Thompson, is everything that Jane is blunt, abrasive, and unapologetic. But there is more to the fabled woman of the woods than meets the eye, and her harsh exterior belies a gentle kindness. As they grow closer, Jane’s attraction to both magic and the witch herself get harder to ignore. But can a life with Adelaide alone and cut off from society truly fulfill her, or will she be forced to compromise on her happiness no matter her choice?

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Lesbian, LGBT, Paranormal, Witches, Lesbian Fiction

260 pages, Paperback

First published April 8, 2021

About the author

Over the years, Ophelia Silk has lived and loved across the globe. New adventures in romantic locations are always on her agenda, but she enjoys a night in with her cat and a good book any day of the week. She hopes her own stories will whisk readers away to extraordinary places, with characters who, through trials and growth, always end up with the happy ever after we all deserve. There is absolutely no reason to believe she is secretly several authors in a sexy trench coat. (Though, for the record, all of her trench coats are incredibly sexy.)

Reviews

[MZ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, I’m going to be repeating some other reviews here, but this was so cute and the ending just made me feel all warm and fuzzy!

Jane is living in a small town, one night she decides to take a shortcut through the forest where she is attacked by a poisonous beast. Adelaide, the infamous witch living in the forest, rescues Jane and takes Jane home to her cabin to recover.

This can be best described as an opposites attract romance as Jane and Adelaide could not be more different, both in appearance as in personality. In the beginning they clash constantly, but they find that they can both learn from each other and that they actually fit together perfectly. Their character development really is the highlight of the book.

Adelaide values honesty and is because of that very blunt. Furthermore, a lifelong of insults by the village people made her wary and she has forgotten what kindness means. Despite that I almost instantly took a liking to her and I felt for her.
Before I say something about Jane, it is good to know a bit about the village she lives in, as she’s shaped by its people. Village life definitely has a historical feeling, it’s patriarchic, homophobic and the most important thing for a woman is to find a man to marry and have children. Jane is courted by William, but she has no feelings for him whatsoever. However, politeness and keeping up appearances is so ingrained in her that she does not examine what would make her happy. She hides behind all these rules and seems not able to let them go.

The romance is very gentle and happens relatively easy considering their background, but their default behavior is hard to let go and Jane has some difficult choices to make along the way. I say Jane, because the book is written in the third person from the POV of Jane, so you get most insights in her thoughts. At some point I got a bit frustrated with Jane’s choices, but at the same time I sort of understood them and it makes the ending extra sweet. I also loved the bits of magic, it gives a nice sparkle to some moments, it’s not a whole lot though, so even if you don’t like fantasy I think you can still enjoy this.

The book is rather short, I think somewhere between a novella and full-length book (my reader indicated 170 pages) and I would not have minded if it were longer. If some scenes near the end were a bit longer and if I got to learn a bit more of the world around them.

In short, this is a super cute, feel-good romance with a bit of magic. Perfect for an afternoon on the couch with a cup of tea and preferably a cat on your lap.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jude Silberfeld-Grimaud · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ – The first word that comes to mind to describe this story is cosy, as in cosy mystery without the mystery. Cosy fantasy romance, then, I guess.

At twenty, Jane is expected to marry soon and she’s got the perfect suitor. If only she could stop recoiling from his touch… Once married she’ll have no choice but for the moment, she hides behind society’s rules, which are as restraining as they protect her. Late getting home one stormy evening, she takes a shortcut through the forest and is attacked by a beast. The infamous forest witch saves her and takes her home to help her heal. Jane soon finds out that most of the stories she’s heard about the witch are wrong.

Once the terrifying events of the beginning are over, the narrative becomes gentle, almost mellow, at least on the surface. Even as she gets to know Adelaide and finds herself falling in love with a woman who seems to be her exact opposite, Jane is faced with hard choices: which will she sacrifice, safety and comfort or love and the sense of freedom and belonging being true to yourself brings? As Jane discovers, the real danger doesn’t come from the inhospitable forest and its witch but from society and its patriarchal structure.

I love books that carry me away in a thunder of feelings but I’m fine too with quieter journeys with underlying strata. Ophelia Silk’s writing really worked for me, I loved the atmosphere and both main characters, as well as small details, tiny things that made this a very enjoyable read.

I received a copy from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[AnnMaree Of Oz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC via Booksprout, but all views are my own.

I do love me a fairy-tale-esque story with a witch in the woods and a strange yet beautiful village-girl who knows she doesn't fit in. I felt this was really well fleshed out, and went beyond the usual "meet and fall in love and live Happily Ever After".

Adelaide the witch of the woods is impolite and brusk, after she saves Jane from a beast in the forest, and nurses her back to health. Jane is used to having to conform to her parents and village social niceties, constantly utilizing her manners which Adelaide finds quite shallow and insists Jane be real about her thoughts and feelings. Jane finds her perplexing and frustrating at first - but then finds her candor incredibly freeing. Able to express herself fully for the first time in her life, and not receive negative ramifications for it.

The attraction sparks, for both lonely hearts - and it was sweet and hot in equal measure. But there's real yet believable angst that comes from both characters (but I will admit mostly Jane and her doubts) in trying to make their unconventional relationship work in secrecy and alone in the woods without other social interaction. Each are dealing with their own personal issues of conformity, freedom, expectation, safety, and how to compromise these things and be happy and fulfilled while having it all, without sacrificing one thing for another.

I really felt it was a well done story with very realistic questions and understandable drama which was very human and relatable, despite the magical overtones. The vulnerabilities were sweet, and it gave me all the warm fuzzies by the end, and it felt satisfying to get there.

I do admit to being slightly frustrated with Jane at one point, during a black moment and some choices she made. However it was still very understandable, and relatable, too - so I couldn't actually be too mad, and I loved her growth, as well as Adelaides.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Althea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spellbound is a gorgeous sapphic fantasy romance that focusses on gentleness, honesty and the power of healing and following your heart. The novella opens with Jane taking a shortcut through the forest to get home before a storm hits, but there are rumours of vicious beasts and a cruel witch that lurk among the trees. When Jane is attacked by one of these beasts and receives a sharp clawing to her side, she is saved by the utterings of an old language no longer in use before she passes out from the pain. Waking in an unusual bed, Jane is shocked to find that she is in the home of the witch, Adelaide, and it turns out that she is sharp and beautiful and honest with her words. For Jane to fully heal from her wounds, she must stay in the little cabin and drink the putrid medicine that the witch has brewed specially from her, but her heart is in two places - she can feel something strange yet pleasant stirring inside her when she looks at the witch, but she is also aching for a community, not the isolation of the cabin in the woods. Can she reconcile both feelings within her heart, or will she succumb to who society wants her to be?

First off, the writing in this novella is absolutely beautiful. Ophelia Silk's writing style is whimsical and lush, plunging the reader into a world of magic and wonder. The plant magic used in the book was something that I particularly enjoyed - though that's just a preference of mine when it comes to magic systems! - and I loved the use of protective flowers that are different to each magic wielder! The descriptions of the beasts and the forest itself created an almost haunting atmosphere that really added to Jane's internal struggle.

I felt that Jane and Adelaide really complimented each other, personality wise, and I liked that they were willing to compromise for each other and to learn and grow from each others' wisdom. The personal growth journeys that they both go on were so lovely to read and seeing the two of them open up fully was wonderful! My only gripe with their relationship was perhaps that they said 'I love you' too early on for my own personal tastes, but this is a novella so I understand why it happened when it did.

I really enjoyed the ending and (I don't want to spoil anything, so I'll keep it brief!) the found family aspect that was introduced. Though the final 'hurdle' in the book wasn't my favourite as I would have liked a little more development and explanation, particularly regarding the magic used, the HEA was very sweet and overall this was a really fun fantasy romance and I'll definitely be keeping my eye out for Ophelia Silk's future works!

Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in return for an honest review!

[Hsinju Chen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Check trigger warnings on the author’s website.

I went into the story knowing I’m going to get cottagecore sapphics with a simplistic plot, but I didn’t expect it to be so cute.

Jane Paris (20) and William make a striking couple. Or so the villagers say. One day, after another dissatisfying evening with William, Jane walks into the dangerous forest for a shortcut back home. Soon, a poisonous beast attacks her and it is only because of the witch Adelaide Thompson’s magic and cure that Jane survives. Raised to be proper and polite and marry a man, Jane learns that not all expectations are meant to be fulfilled, especially when there are other things that bring her happiness.

This reminds me a bit of Anna Burke’s Thorn but softer and focuses more on found family and queer joy. In a sense, Spellbound is a coming-of-age story for Jane where she gradually understands that some social norms she grew up accepting are meant to be challenged, and that there is a place in the world for her to be truly happy and free.

I love the parallel between magic and one’s true self; both are powerful and feared by many. It reads almost like a metaphor, for magic to be a protection and something that guides people into accepting themselves. Also, the beasts parallel inner demons, the internalized fear and bigotry. There is also the adorable contrast between the tidy village girl and the messy young witch. Even though Adelaide was set up to be this cold and reclusive witch, I find myself warming up to her very fast, and my heart breaks for her, too. Adelaide finds politeness a waste of energy and values honesty. I think the character traits of Jane and Adelaide also mirror the differences between being closeted and being out-and-proud.

There were times where I had to reread sentences because of slight ambiguity, which is possibly an uncorrected review copy issue, and the romance progression was a bit fast for me, but throughout most of the book as well as the ending, I smiled so much that the enjoyment Spellbound brings eradicates all the other nitpicks I have. Plus, I liked Adelaide too much.

Spellbound is a mostly feel-good novella with a confident witch in the forest and a village girl trying to find her way to be happy. Best if read by a fireplace, in a cabin where you can smell the woods outside.

I received a digital review copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[S · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. It’s not my usual thing, I rarely read fiction that involves magic and the like, nor am I historical fiction fan, but I found myself attracted to the potential storyline here and I’m really glad to say I liked it a lot.

Jane lives a relatively normal life for a farm girl, seemingly destined to marry, expected to do the things her parents want and tell her to do. We meet her at the local market, where the weather takes a turn for the worse, causing Jane to make a fateful decision.

Adelaide lives in the woods on the outskirts of Jane’s town. Born there, she’s known as the witch that scares the townsfolk. She’s guarded, protective of her lifestyle and the forest. The last thing she needs is Jane stumbling onto her patch.

I loved the blend of gentle magic and a historic tone that didn’t lean too hard into any particular historical period, or discussion of the times. The combination of the two meant I could really enjoy this, despite not normally being a fan of either genre. I was able to be taken along by the story, which moves a good pace, despite it only taking place for the most part in a time period spanning approximately a month.

I liked both Jane and Adelaide’s growth in the narrative. I appreciated them both coming to terms with their feelings, both through their exploring their own attempts at communicating with each other, and the corresponding romantic thoughts about each other. I also welcomed the fact that they didn’t magically become perfect at talking to each other, and that the conflict and communication meshed well together.

Towards the ending of the story there are some aspects I really enjoyed about the story and the inclusion of those that are different from the townsfolk. I enjoyed the sense of community and both Jane and Adelaide finding the things they had been searching for.

The magical aspects of the storyline made sense to me and were written in a way that I could enjoy and picture. It added to a kind of heartwarming sense that I got from the whole book.

I would definitely recommend this to others, and will be keeping an eye out for future Silk works.

I received an e-ARC directly from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book for the most part. My issue was Jane. I liked her less and less as the book went on. As the book is told in only her POV, it made it difficult for me to really enjoy it by the end.

[Kaylee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This... took me by surprise. Honestly, I wasn't expecting much from it (not exactly sure why). But I'm a sucker for one party being injured/sick/incapacitated in some way and the other bringing them back to health. I ended up really enjoying this. I think it helped that I was in the mood for something a bit... lighter, I guess?

This had a couple of my pet peeves - mostly miscommunication/lack thereof. However, during the time-period this is set in and how Jane lives her life (her shield), this was much more understandable. I liked their honest/kind promise.

Jane dared to meet Adelaide's dark eyes. "You can be quite kind... when you forget to be cold."
Surprise flooded Adelaide's features, but then she barked a laugh. "And you can be quite honest, when you forget to be polite."

Along the same lines (with time), their voices did not sound time-appropriate often. I would forget when it was supposed to take place until discussion about their daily lives happened and, normally, only with Jane's. It was easily ignored, however, considering where this mostly takes place. Also, "barked a/out a laugh" was used often, and when it's used a lot it's awkward and irritates me - really stands out. Thankfully that eases off. And they had decent banter.

Very forgiving mood today apparently. Maybe it's cuz I went through a... silly morning/day, but this book had me engaged. I truly enjoy Silk's writing style.

I really liked how the magic worked here - how the different flowers meant different things; how it affected each person, and Adelaide's garden. Mostly about effort.

"Nothing that makes you happy is a waste."

Jane grew a bit throughout this book, or grew into what she'd suppressed her entire life, but... ya know, societal norms, especially back then (like a lot don't exist now -.- )... Quite a bit of time passes during this book while Jane's recovering, but it is only briefly spoken of. I think it was done well, though, and maybe because of Jane's thoughts (it's through her POV only, and I am one that appreciates single POV). Adelaide seemingly does quite a bit of growing but I think it's mostly... remembering. I really loved the understanding she had towards Jane's insecurities/boundaries.

Jane gawked at the flowers, unable to believe that Adelaide had done such a kind thing. The fact that she'd gone out of her way to indulge in a worry that many would see as foolish made her feel oddly like crying.

Adelaide snorted out a laugh. "Yes, I daresay I'll survive without your self-appointed chores done."

[Netgyrl (Laura) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐ rounded up cuz it kept me interested the whole way. A solid fairytale witch/maiden type romance

I really enjoyed reading this book. I love a good witch in the forest/maiden from the town romance. It was a pretty quick read and I was invested through the whole thing. The forest was scary. The living a life of conforming to norms and suffering in silence was scary. Jane realizing that maybe her life didn't need to be like that was fun to experience.

The ending was a bit eye-rolly for me though. We did not just get a HEA. We got bow with glitter, rainbows and unicorns. The departure from the dark mood set in the entire story, give me whiplash. It was just a bit too convenient and easy. The entire book had a heavier, darker, hard life feel to it. Then suddenly we conclude with a "TA-DA! Everything is perfect and awesome now!" ending. To me it just didn't really fit the rest of the story.

But really who cares, right? I enjoyed it regardless and I would recommend it to anyone that finds the premise interesting.

[Snail-Paced Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so soft and gay and wonderful—watching these two complimentary women banter and adjust and fall in love is an absolute joy. The hurt? The comfort? The gay? The terribly realistic antagonist you want to strangle and societal expectations you get to vicariously throw up through Jane's journey of self discovery? :chef's kiss:

If you're looking for a quiet, heart-warming read filled with flowers and magic and women falling desperately in love, then honestly, I don't know what you're waiting for.

[ß · Rating 4 out of 5]

i want witch gf too 😡

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ophelia Silk has delivered a stunning love story that is both thought provoking and deliciously sweet. Themes of love, social expectations, injustice, sacrifice, and compromise are prevalent throughout and carry a heavy focus in this deeply character driven Beauty and the Beast inspired story.

Jane is a woman who understands her world. She knows to follow the script of politeness and do what is expected, she isn’t happy but likes knowing how to navigate interactions with those around her. Once Jane meets Adelaide all of that is tossed out the window, Adelaide is brash and often harsh with her words though not with her actions, but she is honest and genuine, and Jane discovers a new path that is both exciting and terrifying in its unpredictability. As these two grow to know one another and fall in love, it is clear there is so much more to both of them.

I loved the relationship between Jane and Adelaide. Their love story is sweet and romantic. They both have communication issues that lead to many of their problems but Silk navigated the ups and downs of their romance in a way that felt natural and honest. They fit each other so well and I loved seeing their feelings for each other grow until they couldn’t be contained.

Both Jane and Adelaide have been hurt by those around them and have developed ways of coping with that hurt. They both struggle with falling back on old habits and it is heartbreaking to see the suffering they have both experienced and how it affects their blossoming love.

I loved the focus on self growth and not sacrificing happiness. Jane wants to be true to herself and her love for Adelaide but she also wants community and connection. She feels that no matter what she chooses she will be sacrificing an important part of herself. Both Jane and Adelaide make mistakes but It was so great to see how Jane learned to choose herself.

The magic is beautiful and I loved that anyone could learn it if they could be open and honest with themselves. Silk designed a simple and elegant magic system that I really enjoyed.

There are three big antagonists in this story the beasts of the forest, the injustice of the town, and William. All three caused major problems for Jane and Adelaide but none more so than William. A truly despicable villain that was easy to hate.

The ending was nothing short of magnificent. The story wrapped up in a way that was incredibly satisfying, and while I know this is a stand alone and the story is complete, I would love to see a sequel with more stories around Addy and Jane. This is a testament to the amazing story Silk has created.

A beautiful story that captured me and didn’t let go. I loved getting to know Jane and Adelaide and following their fantastic love story.

[lauraღ · Rating 4 out of 5]

“To do magic is to know yourself intimately. To accept who you are and not run from it. To not lie to yourself about your heart.”

This was so swoony! I really liked this fantasy romance between a witch of the forest and the village girl she saved from the nightmarish beasts that roam the forest. This is opposites attract in a really appealing way. Jane, our slightly sheltered protagonist, has learnt to cloak herself in courtesy and manners, saying what she thinks needs to be said, rather than what she might actually think. Adelaide, our witch, is the exact opposite; blunt to the point of rudeness, saying exactly what's on her mind. As Jane convalesces in her cottage, she realises that Adelaide, while sometimes sharp and rude, isn't quite what all the villagers have said. After some time, they start falling for each other, but the path to staying together isn't as smooth and simple as Jane might wish, especially since she still yearns for some parts of village life.

What I appreciated most about this is how the author really delves into how hard it can be to shed the behaviours that you've learned, especially if those behaviours are meant to protect you or just make life more convenient. Jane unlearns these things to a certain degree, but still finds herself falling back on them. It was really realistic, and really rung true, especially as part of the experience of being a queer woman. Like, adopting a certain demeanour to appease a man because you know it'll make things easier, but simultaneously hating that you have to do it. I really liked it, and it made it easy to identify with and empathise with Jane.

“I want you,” she said, quietly. “I didn’t know what wanting was before you.”

The romance was super sweet, and really heart-warming. I loved how grumpy Adelaide was in the beginning, and I wouldn't have minded if it took a little longer for her to thaw a bit. This is one of those romances where it's clear to see how good they are for one another, and what each of them brings to the table. I loved the cottage-core vibes, the sexiness, and while the falling in love happened a bit quickly, there was still enough tension and conflict (that didn't feel manufactured/out of place) to carry the rest of the story. I also really liked the beasts! Super sinister and really interesting as a concept, along with the magic system. The writing was lush and immersive, and just perfect for the setting.

Really enjoyed this romance, and I'll definitely be trying more of this author's writing soon.

Content warnings: referenced child abuse

[Joanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute sapphic retelling of beauty and the beast, I found both Adelaide and Jane a bit frustrating in the third act but ultimately they were decent main characters.

[Cinnia Literary Raccoon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very sweet Regency-themed paranormal romance!

Some thoughts I had while reading:
- This romance novel is cottagecore and witchcore. And so very cottagecore. So, uh, if you're into those things intersecting with queer fiction, I'd recommend giving this book a read.
- I really liked the plant-based magic system! The descriptions of the garden were so lush that now I am very much pining for a flower-and-herb garden of my own someday.
- I thought at first Jane's relationships with her parents were going to be rather one-dimensional (as the first part of the book made me assume), but it turned out there was more depth going on with Jane's mother than at first glance, which I really liked!
- Adelaide is very swoon-worthy. Idk how many young queer people read Patricia C. Wrede's Enchanted Forest Chronicles books in their youth, but Adelaide reminded me a bit of Morwen: tetchy, no-nonsense, ready to throw hands at irritating men (and beasts), but soft around those she cares about and longing for companionship.
- William was... hmm. How to describe him? He was definitely a character I would personally like to punch in the face but I also kind of felt like Jane (and the reader, by circumstance of POV) were missing something about his true motivations and such. Yes, I got the idea that he's an antagonist who's unhealthily obsessed with Jane, but didn't really know much else about him, I guess? Besides peer pressure from the town, what makes him so image-conscious and determined to make Jane his bride? It was hard for me to understand and while I intensely disliked him, I also didn't feel like he was that much of a threat to Jane and Adelaide, in the end.
- Which kind of brings me to my other thought, I suppose? The romantic arc had its emotional low between our two leading ladies because they had differences of opinion over what they were willing to endure in the long-term (which the book wisely touches on from Jane's POV). And with the way that was resolved with the newcomers, it did rather feel like that conflict was more of the central one for the narrative, not Jane vs Townspeople Peer Pressure per se? That being said, the resolution felt almost too neat/quick/convenient for the given circumstances Jane and Adelaide had landed in, I suppose? I'm not normally a reader who insists on every loose string being explicitly addressed and wrapped up in a standalone novella, but I suppose I would have liked a bit more elaboration per how the narrative's central and side conflicts were addressed in the last 10%, especially between Jane and Adelaide.

Overall, I really enjoyed this latest story from the Ophelia Silk Group and would rec it to anyone looking for a new adult f/f romance to read!

[Joharis · Rating 4 out of 5]

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A sapphic romance between a witch living in a cabin in the woods and a goody two shows proper lady from town!!

This romance with a hint of magic was so beautiful and follows a woman battling between the security and stability of living in town under societal expectations and the burning desire and freedom of living in the woods and accepting her sexuality. I loved to see how Jane slowly starts falling for Adelaide and to see her shed her insecurities and how she learns what it feels like to be loved and understood.

While this book does have some angsty scenes towards the last 4 chapters, I would still consider it a very soft low angst type of fluffy romance that just makes you sigh in contentment. The author has a writing style that fits this story very well as it allows you to bask in the character's feelings.

There are sex scenes but they're not graphically detailed, they were still a bit steamy and I enjoyed them.

I also enjoyed seeing how they tried to resolve their issues and understand the other person as they came from very different backgrounds but still fail because they're just humans. Seeing how they were able to communicate perfectly and then fall victim to miscommunication was so interesting and it didn't bother me.

Highly recommended!

[Linked Soul · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a beta-reader for this book, I can only recommend it! As soon as I started reading I felt like I had turned into a 18th or 19th century lady fanning over a new book about! *gasp* ladies in love! The prose really sets you in the mood and both characters are absolutely delightful. I loved the way their relationship develop: two strangers who are at odds because they don't know each other yet, but when they grow closer they fall in love... which is one of my favorite trope! Very domestic, very sapphic and very romantic, Spellbound is a lovely read that will make you yearn for a little house in the forest with a loved one of your own!

[Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars. I loved the atmosphere and the writing but I didn’t like the characters. Especially Jane. She was incredibly unlikable. Adelaide frustrated me but I could tolerate her more than Jane. Their romance was fine but there was so much miscommunication which I hate. This was just a really frustrating read for me but it was a quick one and I did like the ending.

[Subira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let's bring back witch cottages in the middle of the forest, please

[Kay Elson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly warm and cosy story. Nothing earth shattering, but does a good job overall. I read it in one sitting and enjoyed it!

[Asha - A Cat, A Book, And A Cup Of Tea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is exactly my cup of tea – gentle, low stakes fantasy that focuses on character-building and takes its time to let people grow. Plus, it’s got a prickly, independent witch as a love interest, which is a character archetype I love, so when the authors offered me a review copy I leapt at the chance! Spellbound is pretty different from Ophelia Silk’s previous book, Dragon Tamer, which I reviewed here: where that had loads of action, this is a much quieter book. Not every love story has to have dramatic obstacles in its way; sometimes, it’s about internal change, and this is such an incredibly beautiful depiction of how one character can bring another out of their shell, and of recovery from emotional trauma. I loved every moment.

Jane has been scared of the stories her community tells about the woods and the witch they hold all her life, and as a ‘good’ girl she would never try to find out more until she’s pushed past her breaking point. She reminded me a little of Larkspur from A Song for the Road, in that she’s dismissed by the people around her as boring and nice, but she finds a core of strength when she needs it – it’s not a heroine type I tend to be drawn to, but I really fell in love with Jane and her journey of self-discovery. Adelaide is far more my typical preferred heroine – someone capable and self-possessed to the point of being unassailably independent – and having her take the love interest role to Jane’s main character was a really interesting way to flip the character conventions on their heads. Sparks fly between the two of them immediately, and while I wouldn’t quite say they start out as enemies, it’s definitely a journey from deep mistrust and difficulty communicating to lovers (which I admit isn’t quite as catchy!). Those who are familiar with romance tropes will immediately recognise ‘you’re wounded and you have to stay here while I heal you’ as a time-honoured set-up, and it’s played to perfection here, giving Jane and Adelaide space to get more comfortable around each other, where in other circumstances they would probably have never given each other the chance to connect.

The cottagecore vibes in this one are strong. Much of the story takes place in Adelaide’s house in the woods, which is an absolute dream of a warm, witchy space with a marvellous garden. That garden actually needs tending, and potion work actually needs doing, and the realism of the witchy life helps to make this feel super cosy. The whole book manages to pull off the perfect amount of fluffiness, while still including enough darkness to feel worth it. I loved the focus on the work of a relationship – too often I’ve seen ‘opposites attract’ romances where there’s no work put in on compromise, and you’re left thinking that as soon as the couple has to tackle a problem, they’ll be right back to issues. That is so not the case here, and there’s visible evidence of both Jane and Adelaide developing as characters and working out their issues by communicating, so if solid relationships that actually work are your jam, you’ll enjoy this – for me, it made it super satisfying. In addition to the romance, there’s also a really strong thread of female friendship and community, and those platonic relationships are also given a huge amount of importance. Part of Adelaide’s journey is learning to open herself up to being loved and liked, and sharing parts of herself with people, and I really enjoyed seeing her reap the benefits of that.

This is only a short book, so I won’t tell you too much more – and you’ll notice I’ve talked mostly about the atmosphere and not the plot, for fear of spoiling it for you! If you’re in the mood for a soft, witchy, sapphic cottagecore story, this is a must read – and if, like me, you wanted to romance Morrigan from Dragon Age as a female warden, this is the perfect book for you. Five out of five cats.

[thecaptainkitti · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️ 3.75! if you need a very wholesome and sweet sapphic romance set in a witch cottage in the middle of the forest, here you go

[Evolet71 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everytime I have a high expectation for a book I usualy get dissapointed. I read the synopsis and I saw the high rating so I thought this book would be a winner, but unfortunately for me it wasn't such a win.
I can see people enjoyed it (good for them) and for the first 40-50% I was enjoying the story too.

I like the story line of sheltered woman just discovering her sexuality to stumble upon a lonely witch in the dark forest who ends up saving her life and they grow close and fall in love. For a minute there I even thought they were both virgins (wouldn't that be kind of sweet ?), but the witch was way experienced, apparently even though everyone feared the forest and the beasts within and they feared the witch, considering her to be a monster, people still knocked on her door asking for favoures as well as sexual favousers, which seemed too surreal, I don't know...It would have fit the story better for both of them to be inexperienced somehow... (but thats just my opinion)

Anyway, about the characters. I realy liked Adelide, she was brutaly honest to the point of being rude, but kind once you got to know her...I wasn't too fond of Jane, that girl needed to grow a backbone and stop trying to care for what others thought of her. She was willing to settle for a man that made her skin crawl and stay with her parent who mistreated her since she was a little.

The second half of the book was just kind of angsty, with Adelide and Jane arguing and than making up just to agrue again and than the whole William thing happened (god he was an asshole not a good man like everyone including Jane seemed to think....) and than during the last 10 pages everything just seemed to click into place, problems resolved themselves and everyone lived happily ever after. Its not my favourite thing to read when character seem to wait until the last possible moment in the book to finaly pull their head out of their ass and do the right thing.

Overall I liked the wrighting style and I think the story had the potential to be great, but it just ended up being ok for me.

But solid 3* for the effort.

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 1st book I've read written by Ophelia Silk; I can’t wait to read more of her books.

Jane has several men begging to marry her but when she takes a walk though the woods and is attack by a beast; the attack left her with injuries that only the witch can heal.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anja · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute story with sapphic witches and cottagecore vibes! Was it kind of rushed and a little cheesy? Yes, but I actually didn't mind that much since the characters were likeable and I just loved the vibes we had in the cottage/forrest. A light and fluffy read.

[Alex Galaura · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, Spellbound is the most painful, triggering, and emotional read-of-the-year for me. 2024 hasn't even ended yet! I so know it will forever remain there because out of all the books I've read, novel or not, five-star or one-star, none of them could ever compete. I like books that bring the emotion out of me. It makes us all feel human once we breakdown after a particularly heartbreaking scene. It's especially hard trying to keep the tears inside (because I'm reading in an undesirable environment, and I couldn't just stop reading!)

Second, damn it was relatable! And accurate.

Lastly, I owe it to the world to mention this, the smut - especially this one scene - fucking gave me the "feels."

Other than that, like any other great book, I don't think I'll ever find anything as magical, comforting, relatable, and romantic book as this one. It's special and most likely will be the reason why I won't look at the male species the same way ever again.

[Jasmine · Rating 2 out of 5]

The synopsis had me hooked, but that’s where the love ended, unfortunately.

There wasn’t enough development the characters themselves, or in the relationship between Jane and Adelaide for me to be able to emotionally invest. The pacing felt a little rushed, the content a little sickly sweet, and quite frankly, a bit shallow.

It was disappointing, because the makings of a good story are there - it just didn’t get there for me.

[Leon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story about growth

If you're looking for a good slice of life sapphic romance this is it.

Minor spoilers

Some might struggle to relate to Jane but I sure didn't. I think we've all stuck to things more out of familiarity than any kind of actual endearment. It's overcoming that familiarity and realizing how good change can be that's important.

[Poppy · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF page 121. This book seems really sweet, but it's just not for me. I need more of a plot and for the romance to unravel around the plot. This is a lovely and cute romance but the romance seems to be the whole plot. I know plenty of other people would love that though and there is nothing wrong with the book at all, so 3*.

[YonnoMaus · Rating 3 out of 5]

I saw several reviews calling this light and can I just say I disagree? It’s not heavy per se, but also definitely not light. I had fun reading this fantasy setting, and while the world building wasn’t extensive by any means, I still had all the info I needed to understand what was happening. I liked the relationship between the two FMCs, although I was a bit frustrated by the lack of communication at crucial points in their relationship, but it kinda was to be expected given they’re both still young and by the end, they had both learned its importance.