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Where the Wild Things Grow #1
Magic In The Moonlight
Sugar, spice, and everything nice, that's what witches' spells should be made of...
Running to Summerpoint to avoid my failed love life may have seemed drastic, but I'd just inherited a house from a distant relative. The timing was perfect, almost like magic. But the cottage is in need of repairs, the place is in the middle of a forest, and I'm not used to small towns.
Then I meet my new contractors. Sexy doesn't begin to describe them. The flirting flows easily, yet while they're a well established couple, it seems they may have room for more. Even better, these guys are quickly getting to be a lot more than just friends.
There has to be a catch, and it doesn't take long to figure out what's really wrong with this idyllic little town. It's the founding families. They're the descendants' of the people who started this place centuries ago, and it seems they believe in monsters, magic, and the superiority of witches.
Yes, witches - and not the nice kind. Now, I'm in their sights, along with my men, and we don't have the power to stop them! Is there any way out of this, or will this coven's greed destroy us all?
Magic In The Moonlight is the engrossing first book in the Where The Wild Things Grow series. There are some situations that may be triggers for some readers, please check the Author's Note at the beginning of the book.
Read Magic In The Moonlight today to discover the magic of honest love.
Running to Summerpoint to avoid my failed love life may have seemed drastic, but I'd just inherited a house from a distant relative. The timing was perfect, almost like magic. But the cottage is in need of repairs, the place is in the middle of a forest, and I'm not used to small towns.
Then I meet my new contractors. Sexy doesn't begin to describe them. The flirting flows easily, yet while they're a well established couple, it seems they may have room for more. Even better, these guys are quickly getting to be a lot more than just friends.
There has to be a catch, and it doesn't take long to figure out what's really wrong with this idyllic little town. It's the founding families. They're the descendants' of the people who started this place centuries ago, and it seems they believe in monsters, magic, and the superiority of witches.
Yes, witches - and not the nice kind. Now, I'm in their sights, along with my men, and we don't have the power to stop them! Is there any way out of this, or will this coven's greed destroy us all?
Magic In The Moonlight is the engrossing first book in the Where The Wild Things Grow series. There are some situations that may be triggers for some readers, please check the Author's Note at the beginning of the book.
Read Magic In The Moonlight today to discover the magic of honest love.
542 pages, Paperback
First published October 28, 2022
608 people are currently reading
960 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
March 20, 2023
DNF 81%
Sylvia made a direct comparison between deforestation and the transatlantic slave trade. I quote: "How many humans had cut them down, poisoned them, or worse? I hadn't done it, but humans had, no different from the trauma of my own ancestors."
Calling the damage done to trees no different from the trauma inflicted on African slaves is just... I have no words for this.
Other issues I had with this book
- Sylvia hated being judged by the color of her skin, yet she was the most prejudiced person ever. First of all, she immediately assumed Reese and Jackson were heterosexual, even though she complained that small town people were always so close-minded and she was a city girl. Then, she judged them based on the way they looked. Multiple times. "Men like this went for the trophy wives." "Men who looked like walking daydreams ended up dating women who matched. They might play around with a woman they considered an eight for a while, but once the ten showed up, they always moved on."
- The portrayal of Sylvia being biracial was not done well at all. The matter of her race was shoehorned into conversations where it didn't belong (who would suspect someone they've never met of treating her badly because of her skin color when they're talking on the phone?), and some things just didn't make sense. "Don't let how I look fool you. I despise gangster rap." What? Or when Reece said he liked (the artist formerly known as) Prince, Sylvia said: "Don't make me feel like this is a race thing." What the hell? Reece was just listing artists he liked, there was no reason to say something like this...
- Zane, a character I'm pretty sure is a future love interest, was a giant asshole. He also claimed the title wix, which was the male version of witch, because "my dick is big enough to count". Obviously, being male is defined by having a dick, and not, you know, identifying as male. And the bigger the dick, the more masculine someone is. Or something. And that was before he told Sylvia "You'll end up their slave. I'd think you'd want to avoid that." while pointedly looking at her dark skin. What the hell is going on in this book?
- When Reece took Sylvia on a date, he told her honestly he was in a relationship with Jackson and that Jackson knew about the date and consented. Sylvia still thought: "It was an open thing. Nope, that didn't make this any better. Cheating was cheating." Sylvia claimed she knew people in polyamorous and open relationships (which were used as synonymous in this book, by the way, while they're not), and still considered this cheating? Sylvia was the most narrow-minded individual in that entire small town...
I kept hoping things would get better, but I never liked Sylvia. And then she had to go and compare the damage to the trees in the national park in her backyard to the suffering of her ancestors. Fuck Sylvia. Fuck this book. Don't read this.
Sylvia made a direct comparison between deforestation and the transatlantic slave trade. I quote: "How many humans had cut them down, poisoned them, or worse? I hadn't done it, but humans had, no different from the trauma of my own ancestors."
Calling the damage done to trees no different from the trauma inflicted on African slaves is just... I have no words for this.
Other issues I had with this book
- Sylvia hated being judged by the color of her skin, yet she was the most prejudiced person ever. First of all, she immediately assumed Reese and Jackson were heterosexual, even though she complained that small town people were always so close-minded and she was a city girl. Then, she judged them based on the way they looked. Multiple times. "Men like this went for the trophy wives." "Men who looked like walking daydreams ended up dating women who matched. They might play around with a woman they considered an eight for a while, but once the ten showed up, they always moved on."
- The portrayal of Sylvia being biracial was not done well at all. The matter of her race was shoehorned into conversations where it didn't belong (who would suspect someone they've never met of treating her badly because of her skin color when they're talking on the phone?), and some things just didn't make sense. "Don't let how I look fool you. I despise gangster rap." What? Or when Reece said he liked (the artist formerly known as) Prince, Sylvia said: "Don't make me feel like this is a race thing." What the hell? Reece was just listing artists he liked, there was no reason to say something like this...
- Zane, a character I'm pretty sure is a future love interest, was a giant asshole. He also claimed the title wix, which was the male version of witch, because "my dick is big enough to count". Obviously, being male is defined by having a dick, and not, you know, identifying as male. And the bigger the dick, the more masculine someone is. Or something. And that was before he told Sylvia "You'll end up their slave. I'd think you'd want to avoid that." while pointedly looking at her dark skin. What the hell is going on in this book?
- When Reece took Sylvia on a date, he told her honestly he was in a relationship with Jackson and that Jackson knew about the date and consented. Sylvia still thought: "It was an open thing. Nope, that didn't make this any better. Cheating was cheating." Sylvia claimed she knew people in polyamorous and open relationships (which were used as synonymous in this book, by the way, while they're not), and still considered this cheating? Sylvia was the most narrow-minded individual in that entire small town...
I kept hoping things would get better, but I never liked Sylvia. And then she had to go and compare the damage to the trees in the national park in her backyard to the suffering of her ancestors. Fuck Sylvia. Fuck this book. Don't read this.
November 4, 2022
i had high hopes when i realized the heroine is a biracial woman and they were dashed by the author’s 1-to-1 comparison of….trees being mistreated…. to racism???
aside from the fact that our protagonist sylvia “hates gangster rap” and believes in such a phrase as “a race thing” she literally says that trees deserve reparations. like ☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️
gonna end this review with a quote that sums up exactly why i would’ve burned this book if it had been a physical copy.
“How many humans had cut them down, poisoned them, or worse? I hadn't done it, but humans had, no different from the trauma of my own ancestors.”
no different. gotcha.
also, this sentence structure? take a shot every time you see it. 😵💫
aside from the fact that our protagonist sylvia “hates gangster rap” and believes in such a phrase as “a race thing” she literally says that trees deserve reparations. like ☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️
gonna end this review with a quote that sums up exactly why i would’ve burned this book if it had been a physical copy.
“How many humans had cut them down, poisoned them, or worse? I hadn't done it, but humans had, no different from the trauma of my own ancestors.”
no different. gotcha.
also, this sentence structure? take a shot every time you see it. 😵💫
November 1, 2022
Couldn’t finish
I normally love inherited magic, and I thought the main characters had great potential, but I got to about 50% and gave up. It’s just way too much mundane detail, but idk, maybe I’m just not into home renovations. Usually I enjoy this author, but this book didn’t feel like the same level of high caliber writing and creativity. I would still recommend this author’s other stuff though; I’ve read 3-4 other series and enjoyed them - The Wolf of Oberhame series is awesome.
I normally love inherited magic, and I thought the main characters had great potential, but I got to about 50% and gave up. It’s just way too much mundane detail, but idk, maybe I’m just not into home renovations. Usually I enjoy this author, but this book didn’t feel like the same level of high caliber writing and creativity. I would still recommend this author’s other stuff though; I’ve read 3-4 other series and enjoyed them - The Wolf of Oberhame series is awesome.
November 1, 2022
DNF @ 47%.
So repetitive. Way too much perseverating about the relationships for me -it was talked to death before and after one date about this MMF arrangement.
Love the small town witchy vibe, renovating a woodsy cottage is right up my alley but the FMC is willfully clueless about what is going on around her, despite there being very obvious clues, continuing to not share with the ppl closest to her who may know something about it, because they will think she’s crazy, and this gets repeated multiple times.
It felt immature for characters in their 30’s.
So repetitive. Way too much perseverating about the relationships for me -it was talked to death before and after one date about this MMF arrangement.
Love the small town witchy vibe, renovating a woodsy cottage is right up my alley but the FMC is willfully clueless about what is going on around her, despite there being very obvious clues, continuing to not share with the ppl closest to her who may know something about it, because they will think she’s crazy, and this gets repeated multiple times.
It felt immature for characters in their 30’s.
April 11, 2024
This author is a white woman. Who is writing about a biracial female main character. Enough said.
DNF.
DNF.
February 29, 2024
Made it to p 184 (32%)
I was interested in the premise but I’m getting so bored with the repetitiveness. We get a ton of unnecessary detail regarding every little thing and constant reminders of events. Sylvia hates being judged but all she ever does is judge other people (the guys are hot so they’d never date her, they must be married or at least in a committed relationship with a woman, the other contractors all refused her over the address but she immediately assumes it has to do with her race when they’ve never seen her, it’s a small town so of course they’re all going to judge her…). I also don’t care for how the author phrases things whether it is about race, gender, or sexuality.
Reese has supposedly been handling all the admin work for him and Jack’s business but he had no payment plans beyond “by the job” and Sylvia was the one who asked him when payment was expected to which he said the first one would be that evening when they finished the roof (p115)
I appreciated how careful Jackson was to talk through with Reese their relationship boundaries and make sure they were on the same page. Reese likes to describe it as an open relationship, but really they’re in a relationship and open to Sylvia joining their relationship. It wouldn’t be just one or the other dating her.
I thought the magic could turn out to be interesting, but so far all we’ve seen is the forest is sentient to some extent and most likely Sylvia is some kind of green witch who can talk to plants and animals.
146 - Jackson’s mom says “no one wants monogamy” but are just made to think that is what they should want. It’s a spectrum, just like many other things. Some people want no partners, some just want sex, some want one partner, some want multiple partners in varying ways…there is no one right answer, but to say no one wants to be monogamous is ridiculous in my opinion.
I was interested in the premise but I’m getting so bored with the repetitiveness. We get a ton of unnecessary detail regarding every little thing and constant reminders of events. Sylvia hates being judged but all she ever does is judge other people (the guys are hot so they’d never date her, they must be married or at least in a committed relationship with a woman, the other contractors all refused her over the address but she immediately assumes it has to do with her race when they’ve never seen her, it’s a small town so of course they’re all going to judge her…). I also don’t care for how the author phrases things whether it is about race, gender, or sexuality.
Reese has supposedly been handling all the admin work for him and Jack’s business but he had no payment plans beyond “by the job” and Sylvia was the one who asked him when payment was expected to which he said the first one would be that evening when they finished the roof (p115)
I appreciated how careful Jackson was to talk through with Reese their relationship boundaries and make sure they were on the same page. Reese likes to describe it as an open relationship, but really they’re in a relationship and open to Sylvia joining their relationship. It wouldn’t be just one or the other dating her.
I thought the magic could turn out to be interesting, but so far all we’ve seen is the forest is sentient to some extent and most likely Sylvia is some kind of green witch who can talk to plants and animals.
146 - Jackson’s mom says “no one wants monogamy” but are just made to think that is what they should want. It’s a spectrum, just like many other things. Some people want no partners, some just want sex, some want one partner, some want multiple partners in varying ways…there is no one right answer, but to say no one wants to be monogamous is ridiculous in my opinion.
November 12, 2022
beginning is rough but pulls together in the end
The first 35% of the book was hard to get through - some of the dialogue felt microaggressive and homophobic and then suddenly it was like Hadley got her groove back and tied the story up well. I’ll read the next one but I’m really disappointed with the way this book started
Edit: after thinking on it — this is a 2 star book and the writing was racist - no way around it. A black biracial girl who wants to stick with her BLACK father’s last name hates gangsta rap?! Be so fr. There could’ve been so much to say about her ancestry and her decision to stay with her last name and not her aunts but it just fell flat and regressive.
Sensitivity readers are such a necessity
The first 35% of the book was hard to get through - some of the dialogue felt microaggressive and homophobic and then suddenly it was like Hadley got her groove back and tied the story up well. I’ll read the next one but I’m really disappointed with the way this book started
Edit: after thinking on it — this is a 2 star book and the writing was racist - no way around it. A black biracial girl who wants to stick with her BLACK father’s last name hates gangsta rap?! Be so fr. There could’ve been so much to say about her ancestry and her decision to stay with her last name and not her aunts but it just fell flat and regressive.
Sensitivity readers are such a necessity
December 12, 2024
The romance between the 3 characters felt so misplaced & the authors portayal of a biracial woman was cringy & disappointing.
September 16, 2024
This was wonderful introduction to a new series and world from a favorite author of mine with plenty of my favorite themes, from talking to a cozy loving supportive cast. Looking forward to the next book.
Romance:
------
Ratings - completed series:
#1 Magic in the Moonlight (this book): ★★★★☆
#2 Spells in the Summertime: ★★★☆☆
#3 Witchcraft in the Woods: ★★★☆☆
Romance:
------
Ratings - completed series:
#1 Magic in the Moonlight (this book): ★★★★☆
#2 Spells in the Summertime: ★★★☆☆
#3 Witchcraft in the Woods: ★★★☆☆
March 20, 2025
Love the inherent magic and the somewhat unique twist on the magic system. Looking forward to finding out more in book two. Small town witchy vibes in a woodsy cottage were great.
However, it’s fairly slow paced and was a little repetitive. Also parts of the romance just felt forced and didn’t flow as naturally as it should have. The FMC also could be very immature for a character in her 30’s.
There was enough to keep my interest that I want to continue the series but hoping for some character development in the upcoming books.
However, it’s fairly slow paced and was a little repetitive. Also parts of the romance just felt forced and didn’t flow as naturally as it should have. The FMC also could be very immature for a character in her 30’s.
There was enough to keep my interest that I want to continue the series but hoping for some character development in the upcoming books.
January 12, 2023
Talk About Micro-aggression…
The story was good, though I could’ve done without the racism. And what’s with the capitalization of the word black? Seriously? When a white person is referred to, the word “white” isn’t capitalized A reference to a black person though? Capitalized. All the “wokeness” throughout this book is nauseating…I’ve never really thought too much about micro-aggression, but it is so obviously written within this book. Ugh…
The story was good, though I could’ve done without the racism. And what’s with the capitalization of the word black? Seriously? When a white person is referred to, the word “white” isn’t capitalized A reference to a black person though? Capitalized. All the “wokeness” throughout this book is nauseating…I’ve never really thought too much about micro-aggression, but it is so obviously written within this book. Ugh…
December 2, 2023
I was hooked from the first page
Like everything else Ive read by Auryn Hadley this book is amazing. The relationship dynamic. The magic. The SKUNKS! I love it all❤️❤️
Like everything else Ive read by Auryn Hadley this book is amazing. The relationship dynamic. The magic. The SKUNKS! I love it all❤️❤️
November 12, 2022
Auryn Hadley books are my comfort bisexual RH read, and this one is a great addition to her legacy. I love that she is featuring a mixed Black woman in her 30s as the protagonist, who escapes into a witchy, more sinister Stardew Valley adventure. As usual, her books are filled with emotionally mature bi men, well-researched worlds, and analyses about racism and sexism that don’t feel like classic white woman platitudes. On top of that, her books are damn cute and leave me smiling a bunch.
One thing I really liked was that the witchcraft was real classic, well-researched witchcraft practiced for centuries. Too many witchcraft fantasy books will just throw in a bunch of new age crystals and smudging sage bundles and call it a day. I’m tired of the cultural appropriation of smudging sage in all of these non-Native witchcraft books. Thank you for not doing that!
I’m removing a star because I think that the characters over spell their feelings to each other and talk in circles a lot, something that I’ve noticed in a lot of Hadley’s works. I think if that was cut back a bit and there was less spelling out emotions, these books would be perfection!
Keep killing it, Hadley!! I’m looking forward to more MM writing from you. (and maybe FF pls)
4.5/5 spice (it’s possible Hadley’s Path of Temptation has ruined my scale though… nothing will ever top that)
One thing I really liked was that the witchcraft was real classic, well-researched witchcraft practiced for centuries. Too many witchcraft fantasy books will just throw in a bunch of new age crystals and smudging sage bundles and call it a day. I’m tired of the cultural appropriation of smudging sage in all of these non-Native witchcraft books. Thank you for not doing that!
I’m removing a star because I think that the characters over spell their feelings to each other and talk in circles a lot, something that I’ve noticed in a lot of Hadley’s works. I think if that was cut back a bit and there was less spelling out emotions, these books would be perfection!
Keep killing it, Hadley!! I’m looking forward to more MM writing from you. (and maybe FF pls)
4.5/5 spice (it’s possible Hadley’s Path of Temptation has ruined my scale though… nothing will ever top that)
November 29, 2022
Another amazing story
This was such an enthralling introduction to a new series. The way the FMC's magic works has me in awe. I honestly loved the Skunks, Lupe, the men, the forest and its quirks. I can't wait for the next installment in this series.
This was such an enthralling introduction to a new series. The way the FMC's magic works has me in awe. I honestly loved the Skunks, Lupe, the men, the forest and its quirks. I can't wait for the next installment in this series.
March 19, 2024
Another amazing start to a new series! (The author has become one of my favorites!)
Love the story, the characters, the setting... all of it!
I don't want to spoil anything, so can't really say a lot...
But I can't wait to start the next book!
Love the story, the characters, the setting... all of it!
I don't want to spoil anything, so can't really say a lot...
But I can't wait to start the next book!
February 8, 2025
I loved everything that was going through this head at the time of writing. These characters were so well written, and it was very entertaining. I always enjoy a unique story. I simply could not put this book down at all. Here’s to the next three of the series. .
July 13, 2025
Not for me. Too preachy.
March 21, 2023
This was just … okay. It felt like a bunch meandering through a vast majority of the text but I can still recognize the charm of the characters and the setting of the story itself underneath that thick, oppressive layer of mundanity. My biggest complaint with this one was how many pages were wasted talking about the same things again and again, even after we’ve already established that Reese wasn’t used to the whole threeway thing and he felt like he was doing something wrong. Or that Sylvia is normally a doormat who’s been treated more like a slave by the men she’s dated in the past, so the boys being so thoughtful to her is such a wild and kooky concept. I definitely think this could’ve been cut in half and repurposed to be much more concise AND engaging. The closest thing this book got to actual excitement didn’t happen until around 400 pages in.
Now THATS what I’d call crazy.
The sex scenes were likewise pretty okay, but I will give the author some credit for the one and only proper threesome including one of the boys being sandwiched in the middle with anal on one end and vaginal on the other. I like when everyone involved is fair game, and it’s not just two men ganging up on a single woman. I believe in equality. 😂
But, no. I was ready to write off the undeniable pacing problems in this book as beginners skill issues, so I’m sure you can only imagine my surprise when I got to the end and the author had MULTIPLE published titles listed out aside from this one. Without having read any of those other works I can only assume that perhaps laying the foundation for this series (a trilogy, by the looks of it?) got away from her, and the next title will spend a little less time on assuring Reese and Sylvia that it’s okay to have multiple partners as long as everyone is on the same page. In that sense, Jackson was easily the most likable/relatable character because he was confident enough to just say “hey, I want both of them” and left it at that. His total lack of opining about who to choose - because that choice clearly did not need to be made - was probably the only reason I even finished the book, hoping he’d get through to them and they’d just have some fun together.
The last thing I want to say is … unless I’m completely misreading the signals, I seriously think the author is going to bring Zane into this relationship too. Between that first meeting with him and Sylvia, the fact he used to be in a (very serious, by the sounds of it) relationship with Jackson that ended in heartbreak AND this trilogy being listed as poly in the back of the book … yeah, I’m actually gunning for it at this point. In fact, I’m so invested in the idea that I immediately looked up the second book in the series to see if it had a release date yet, because I just have to find out if I’m right. That is honestly the only reason I will be picking it up because I am just not that impressed or taken by this author atm. I’ll actually be quite disappointed in her if she doesn’t follow through, especially since an arrangement like that would allow Zane and Jackson to rekindle what was lost AND solve the problem of Zane needing to sire an heir. Like. Come on. The answer is right there.
Now THATS what I’d call crazy.
The sex scenes were likewise pretty okay, but I will give the author some credit for the one and only proper threesome including one of the boys being sandwiched in the middle with anal on one end and vaginal on the other. I like when everyone involved is fair game, and it’s not just two men ganging up on a single woman. I believe in equality. 😂
But, no. I was ready to write off the undeniable pacing problems in this book as beginners skill issues, so I’m sure you can only imagine my surprise when I got to the end and the author had MULTIPLE published titles listed out aside from this one. Without having read any of those other works I can only assume that perhaps laying the foundation for this series (a trilogy, by the looks of it?) got away from her, and the next title will spend a little less time on assuring Reese and Sylvia that it’s okay to have multiple partners as long as everyone is on the same page. In that sense, Jackson was easily the most likable/relatable character because he was confident enough to just say “hey, I want both of them” and left it at that. His total lack of opining about who to choose - because that choice clearly did not need to be made - was probably the only reason I even finished the book, hoping he’d get through to them and they’d just have some fun together.
The last thing I want to say is … unless I’m completely misreading the signals, I seriously think the author is going to bring Zane into this relationship too. Between that first meeting with him and Sylvia, the fact he used to be in a (very serious, by the sounds of it) relationship with Jackson that ended in heartbreak AND this trilogy being listed as poly in the back of the book … yeah, I’m actually gunning for it at this point. In fact, I’m so invested in the idea that I immediately looked up the second book in the series to see if it had a release date yet, because I just have to find out if I’m right. That is honestly the only reason I will be picking it up because I am just not that impressed or taken by this author atm. I’ll actually be quite disappointed in her if she doesn’t follow through, especially since an arrangement like that would allow Zane and Jackson to rekindle what was lost AND solve the problem of Zane needing to sire an heir. Like. Come on. The answer is right there.
December 8, 2023
Auryn Hadley is definitely one of my favorite authors. Her books are so descriptive, honest, and I feel like I never know what's going to happen next. "Magic in the Moonlight" is not an exception.
1. The main character is mixed (black/white), and as an African American reader, I enjoyed how she didn't bypass or leave race issues unaddressed. There were also little things that we as African American women do that were thrown in there that I loved to see!
2. This is a polyamorous story with there being MM and lots of love/affection. The two male characters are already in a relationship but opened their relationship in hopes of being with the FMC. There's so much communication that any concerns I had were easily addressed between characters.
3. There's lots of "Character vs.___" in this story and everything is slowly being addressed.
I rated this story 4/5 stars for a few reasons:
1. The story feels like a lot with there being so much internal monologue. There's also parts of the story that are very repetitive.
2. When it comes to the "bad guys" in this book, lots of what happened felt cringe or not as believable. For example: You would think that a group of families with generational wealth, that has a huge secret, and who have a strong hold on a town would be a little more devious and less obvious when causing trouble.
Now I'm not rushing to read the second book but altogether the story was well written and enjoyable.
1. The main character is mixed (black/white), and as an African American reader, I enjoyed how she didn't bypass or leave race issues unaddressed. There were also little things that we as African American women do that were thrown in there that I loved to see!
2. This is a polyamorous story with there being MM and lots of love/affection. The two male characters are already in a relationship but opened their relationship in hopes of being with the FMC. There's so much communication that any concerns I had were easily addressed between characters.
3. There's lots of "Character vs.___" in this story and everything is slowly being addressed.
I rated this story 4/5 stars for a few reasons:
1. The story feels like a lot with there being so much internal monologue. There's also parts of the story that are very repetitive.
2. When it comes to the "bad guys" in this book, lots of what happened felt cringe or not as believable. For example: You would think that a group of families with generational wealth, that has a huge secret, and who have a strong hold on a town would be a little more devious and less obvious when causing trouble.
Now I'm not rushing to read the second book but altogether the story was well written and enjoyable.
August 21, 2024
Wow, this was exactly the kind of book I needed right now.
Found family, cute familiars, paranormal but it's not overwhelming me, small town vibe, and even though it's set in spring, it still had fall vibes to it.
Most importantly, this book has a great spin on tropes (city girl inherits small town cottage...) so it feels comfortable enough to be a comfort read but still fresh enough to not be overdone at all.
The MCs are awesome and have great chemistry. I like that they're in their 30s and not their 20s, plus they all have a certain realism to them that many romance books don't have. They make me want to be friends with them.
Found family, cute familiars, paranormal but it's not overwhelming me, small town vibe, and even though it's set in spring, it still had fall vibes to it.
Most importantly, this book has a great spin on tropes (city girl inherits small town cottage...) so it feels comfortable enough to be a comfort read but still fresh enough to not be overdone at all.
The MCs are awesome and have great chemistry. I like that they're in their 30s and not their 20s, plus they all have a certain realism to them that many romance books don't have. They make me want to be friends with them.
Read
November 19, 2022Got to 50% and lost interest - which has never happened for me with this author. I will revisit this book at another time, as I am sure it was just a timing mismatch with the material and my literary mood. Auryn Hadley is generally solid gold - so I am sure the lack of interest here was just me.
October 13, 2025
My expectations were high, but this book was even better. I loved everything about it, the characters are charming, the setting is intriguing and I loved the story. Excellent book for my Toplist.
August 11, 2025
This author is ridiculous. Her main character is a biracial, black woman, the author is a white woman. The voice/tone of the biracial, black woman Sylvia is completely wrong. If you are not a biracial black woman or did not do any type of research on the community you are writing about then you should not be writing that character because you know nothing about the community you are trying to represent in your book. The black and biracial community are not a monolith. We are all different, but we do have common threads among us, and this woman knew none of it. The only black character in the entire book kept on bringing up race even when it had absolutely nothing to do with what was going on. it was brought up so much. I have a tendency to think that the author was trying to show that Black people biracial people bring up race when white people are not exhibiting any kind of racial micro aggression or disparity and that the black person is just making it up that it’s all in their head and that the white person was really doing nothing wrong. I really believe that is what she was trying to portray because there’s no other reason for Sylvia to immediately say to Reese don’t think just because I’m black that I like gangster rap. Why in the world would she say that? Only for Reese to comment I like gangster rap to show that he’s not racist and he wasn’t even thinking that way and is a bit confused why Sylvia would bring up. or when he further explains that he loves Prince and she says something to the effect of oh don’t make this a black thing. Millions of people love Prince and it has nothing to do with him being a black artist. It was just that he’s fucking Prince an incredible artist. then later in the book, she actually compares the deforestation to the transatlantic slave trade as if there was any comparison between the two. Deforestation is the killing of the forest taking it over and using it for industrial use, the transatlantic slave trade was about the enslavement of human beings. There is no comparison.
Let’s not overlook she kept using polyamorous and open relationship as if they were interchangeable. They are not. This book was insulting and a mess. You want to tell a story you need to do your research even for fiction. This was incredibly long, too long, and the story was interesting but Sylvia kept going back and forth between being a strong witch and a pathetic woman who wanted to run away. Make up your mind.It took her over 50+ chapters to figure anything out.
Even the narrators couldn’t save this book and they are some of my favorites. I love Aiden Snow’s voice so I’d listen to just about anything he narrates but this was tough. This author is a do not ever read again for me.
Let’s not overlook she kept using polyamorous and open relationship as if they were interchangeable. They are not. This book was insulting and a mess. You want to tell a story you need to do your research even for fiction. This was incredibly long, too long, and the story was interesting but Sylvia kept going back and forth between being a strong witch and a pathetic woman who wanted to run away. Make up your mind.It took her over 50+ chapters to figure anything out.
Even the narrators couldn’t save this book and they are some of my favorites. I love Aiden Snow’s voice so I’d listen to just about anything he narrates but this was tough. This author is a do not ever read again for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 8, 2025
This was a hard DNF bcs the author really does have an amazing prose but the way they write relationships really turn me off as a picky reader that I always find myself exiting and deleting their books from my shelf after I got to trying it. This book particularly really set me up bcs I love the premise, the prose is again, good, and I love the FMC too. Then I came across things that really really turned me off that I DNFed ⅕ into the story.
1. Jackson's liberal use of bitch. But what made it such a turn off is that he had this whole part telling us abt his bamf accepting and open minded mother who taught him abt patriarchy, feminism and all that shit. You mean to tell me this kind of mother who was right in front of him didn't see anything wrong abt a cis man calling a woman they do not really know a bitch? PLEASE
2. Really immature handling of starting an open relationship in a story.
Jackson encourages Reese to flirt and date Sylvia bcs he can see that he likes her and he doesn't want Reese to have any regrets in life bcs he wasn't able to experiment in life after marrying out of highschool and immediately dating him after the divorce. Okay that's a WEIRD mindset to have abt the person and relationship you have with your best friend who is supposedly the love of your life but whatever. BUT at least tell the girl you're actually boyfriends? And that she's being roped into an open relationship and possibly a threesome? Worse, if Sylvia is actually a "psycho bitch" who isn't okay with having to share her possible boyfriend with said boyfriend's best friend, then they'll simply drop her. As if it isn't disrespectful and disgusting of them to have Reese flirt with her while she's completely unaware he's taken.
Oh my god, the way the author wrote this is so wrong in many ways. They could've done it by dropping hints that they're a couple who is very in love but open to adding a third bcs something feels missing. Instead the FMC was regarded more of as afterthought in their talks. Idk how they're able to make it work in the story but I just can't get pass this terrible writing. Funnily enough, the mother who ofc taught her son abt open relationships didn't see anything wrong abt the whole thing. This sucks, man.
Anyways, I can see the appeal of the author bcs they're prose is better than most reverse harem authors but my god they need to learn how to write relationships better. It all seems so juvenile and written by an inexperienced adult. What a shame bcs I was truly looking forward to reading the series. And it had an amazing start too!
1. Jackson's liberal use of bitch. But what made it such a turn off is that he had this whole part telling us abt his bamf accepting and open minded mother who taught him abt patriarchy, feminism and all that shit. You mean to tell me this kind of mother who was right in front of him didn't see anything wrong abt a cis man calling a woman they do not really know a bitch? PLEASE
2. Really immature handling of starting an open relationship in a story.
Jackson encourages Reese to flirt and date Sylvia bcs he can see that he likes her and he doesn't want Reese to have any regrets in life bcs he wasn't able to experiment in life after marrying out of highschool and immediately dating him after the divorce. Okay that's a WEIRD mindset to have abt the person and relationship you have with your best friend who is supposedly the love of your life but whatever. BUT at least tell the girl you're actually boyfriends? And that she's being roped into an open relationship and possibly a threesome? Worse, if Sylvia is actually a "psycho bitch" who isn't okay with having to share her possible boyfriend with said boyfriend's best friend, then they'll simply drop her. As if it isn't disrespectful and disgusting of them to have Reese flirt with her while she's completely unaware he's taken.
Oh my god, the way the author wrote this is so wrong in many ways. They could've done it by dropping hints that they're a couple who is very in love but open to adding a third bcs something feels missing. Instead the FMC was regarded more of as afterthought in their talks. Idk how they're able to make it work in the story but I just can't get pass this terrible writing. Funnily enough, the mother who ofc taught her son abt open relationships didn't see anything wrong abt the whole thing. This sucks, man.
Anyways, I can see the appeal of the author bcs they're prose is better than most reverse harem authors but my god they need to learn how to write relationships better. It all seems so juvenile and written by an inexperienced adult. What a shame bcs I was truly looking forward to reading the series. And it had an amazing start too!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2023
Why did you read this book?
It was a reverse harem (my favorite genre) with good ratings.
What format did you read this book in?
Read it as an ebook on Kindle.
Is this an educational book or a book for entertainment?
I read this book for pure entertainment purposes.
What genres do you think this book belongs to?
Chick Lit, Contemporary, Fantasy, LGBT+, Humor and Comedy, Mystery, Paranormal, Psychology, Romance, Suspense, Spirituality
What was your favorite part in the book?
My favorite part is when the cactus joined in to fight and the final battle. I was worried if he was going to be OK and was relieved when he was. I can't believe the author made me care about a plant.
Who would you suggest this book to?
Anyone who likes slow fantasy romances and women of color.
What is your general opinion/ rating of this book?
I tend to like most of Auryn Hadley’s books. This one is no exception. However, I did think that the race subject matter was pushed into the story forcefully. I would have liked a subtle approach to the subject of racism. Or at least a lot more showing instead of telling on subject matter like this. That being said I really enjoyed this story. It started off slow and the pace slowly ramped up. I adored the skunk family and their antics. Jackson and Reese are sweethearts, and I adore them as sylvia's love interests. I'm not sure how I feel about Zane yet. The fantasy world and structure was really well thought out and done. Overall, I really liked this book and I can't wait to read the next one.
Are there any cliché scenes or concepts? (If yes, does the author add something unique to them?)
The main character Is given a special house by an estranged family member. The main character is born special with special abilities that she secretly does not know about.
How intense are the intimacy scenes?
The scenes are vividly detailed. MM, MF, MMF.
At what “burn” level is the romance?
Medium.
Love interests, how many of them are there and what gender?
there are two love interests, both of them males, contractors, and lovers.
Jackson- is the rough reformed Playboy.
Reese- is the sweetheart who had his heart broken by his ex-wife and healed by Jackson.
There is a possible third love interest, Zane. He was the lover who broke Jackson's heart. There is a little of something there between Sylvia and Zane, but within this book it is uncertain if it's going to be a friendship or if he's going to be another love interest.
Any trigger warnings?
Racial and Religious: Racism, Racial Profiling, Slavery(?), Talk of Superior Race, Microaggressions, Colorism, Prejudice, Witch Prosecution
LGBTQ+: Homophobia
Mental Health: Trivializing Mental Illness, Emotional Abuse, Controlling Parents, Panic Attacks, Trauma, Nightmares about Traumatic Events, Non-consent behavior
Sexual Content: Explicit Sex Scene, Masturbation, Oral Sex
Violence and Death: Death, Death of a Loved One, Murder, Burning People, Animal Cruelty, Escalating Violence, Described Blood
Other: Female Oppression, Bullying
It was a reverse harem (my favorite genre) with good ratings.
What format did you read this book in?
Read it as an ebook on Kindle.
Is this an educational book or a book for entertainment?
I read this book for pure entertainment purposes.
What genres do you think this book belongs to?
Chick Lit, Contemporary, Fantasy, LGBT+, Humor and Comedy, Mystery, Paranormal, Psychology, Romance, Suspense, Spirituality
What was your favorite part in the book?
My favorite part is when the cactus joined in to fight and the final battle. I was worried if he was going to be OK and was relieved when he was. I can't believe the author made me care about a plant.
Who would you suggest this book to?
Anyone who likes slow fantasy romances and women of color.
What is your general opinion/ rating of this book?
I tend to like most of Auryn Hadley’s books. This one is no exception. However, I did think that the race subject matter was pushed into the story forcefully. I would have liked a subtle approach to the subject of racism. Or at least a lot more showing instead of telling on subject matter like this. That being said I really enjoyed this story. It started off slow and the pace slowly ramped up. I adored the skunk family and their antics. Jackson and Reese are sweethearts, and I adore them as sylvia's love interests. I'm not sure how I feel about Zane yet. The fantasy world and structure was really well thought out and done. Overall, I really liked this book and I can't wait to read the next one.
Are there any cliché scenes or concepts? (If yes, does the author add something unique to them?)
The main character Is given a special house by an estranged family member. The main character is born special with special abilities that she secretly does not know about.
How intense are the intimacy scenes?
The scenes are vividly detailed. MM, MF, MMF.
At what “burn” level is the romance?
Medium.
Love interests, how many of them are there and what gender?
there are two love interests, both of them males, contractors, and lovers.
Jackson- is the rough reformed Playboy.
Reese- is the sweetheart who had his heart broken by his ex-wife and healed by Jackson.
There is a possible third love interest, Zane. He was the lover who broke Jackson's heart. There is a little of something there between Sylvia and Zane, but within this book it is uncertain if it's going to be a friendship or if he's going to be another love interest.
Any trigger warnings?
Racial and Religious: Racism, Racial Profiling, Slavery(?), Talk of Superior Race, Microaggressions, Colorism, Prejudice, Witch Prosecution
LGBTQ+: Homophobia
Mental Health: Trivializing Mental Illness, Emotional Abuse, Controlling Parents, Panic Attacks, Trauma, Nightmares about Traumatic Events, Non-consent behavior
Sexual Content: Explicit Sex Scene, Masturbation, Oral Sex
Violence and Death: Death, Death of a Loved One, Murder, Burning People, Animal Cruelty, Escalating Violence, Described Blood
Other: Female Oppression, Bullying
December 23, 2022
Mayo doesn’t come in glass jars
I’m a huge fan of Auryn Hadley’s recent works and am continuously surprised by the care and attention she devotes to writing sex positive stories that fully embrace the whole love is love theme…no matter what shape it forms who takes part in the loving.
Magic in the Moonlight is no different in that sense and I was happy with this story overall….yet it felt incomplete.
I get that the first outing in any series is filled with a whole bunch of world building and the painstaking need to introduce characters that may not get the due they rightfully deserve. But there were so many dangling threads all over that I wonder if we’ll get any real closure. Like if the other wild things aren’t free and are clearly still alive, wouldn’t we try to learn more about how to free them or find out how they’re being held captive? Clearly Zane knew that forming a new coven was an option, so does this mean he knows ppl that are willing to jump ship? The protagonist is a woman of color and obviously empathized with the forest, but it seemed a little too easy how she slipped into life there. Growing up biracial and people fetishsizing her features leave an ingrained mark that I just didn’t get how she wasn’t more skeptical and guarded.
But let’s talk about all the other goodness that needs to be celebrated. Women standing up for women! Flower is a mom and walked a lovely balance of honoring the pull to Sylvia and her duty to her children and ensuring they survive. Jackson’s mom was refreshing and that dinner scene where Syl didn’t cower one bit!
Also I’m really happy we didn’t fall into another preachy novel about men loving men.
I’m a huge fan of Auryn Hadley’s recent works and am continuously surprised by the care and attention she devotes to writing sex positive stories that fully embrace the whole love is love theme…no matter what shape it forms who takes part in the loving.
Magic in the Moonlight is no different in that sense and I was happy with this story overall….yet it felt incomplete.
I get that the first outing in any series is filled with a whole bunch of world building and the painstaking need to introduce characters that may not get the due they rightfully deserve. But there were so many dangling threads all over that I wonder if we’ll get any real closure. Like if the other wild things aren’t free and are clearly still alive, wouldn’t we try to learn more about how to free them or find out how they’re being held captive? Clearly Zane knew that forming a new coven was an option, so does this mean he knows ppl that are willing to jump ship? The protagonist is a woman of color and obviously empathized with the forest, but it seemed a little too easy how she slipped into life there. Growing up biracial and people fetishsizing her features leave an ingrained mark that I just didn’t get how she wasn’t more skeptical and guarded.
But let’s talk about all the other goodness that needs to be celebrated. Women standing up for women! Flower is a mom and walked a lovely balance of honoring the pull to Sylvia and her duty to her children and ensuring they survive. Jackson’s mom was refreshing and that dinner scene where Syl didn’t cower one bit!
Also I’m really happy we didn’t fall into another preachy novel about men loving men.
July 14, 2024
Sweetly fierce
Sylvia just inherited a cabin in the woods. Something that definitely was timely because on the way back from the lawyer's she sees her boyfriend kissing a woman that is definitely not her. So she packs up, leaves a note, and heads to her new home. In the woods. That she's pretty sure the rumors of cursed are right about. Not to mention the skunks that talk in her head, the trees that whisper to her, and she's pretty sure she's seen a monster in the shadows behind the cabin. Just what did she fall into?
Spoilers ahead.
I haven't read much Hadley since the Iliri series. I haven't enjoyed their work as much recently. The blurb for this one caught me, though, and I decided to try just 1 more before just deciding to stick with their classics. I'm glad I did. This had the heart that I haven't found in some of the recents. The MMCs, Reese and Jackson, are in an established relationship and have been for 3 years. Sylvia moving to town sparks something. She sparks something in their relationship, and she sparks something with the founding families in town. I enjoyed watching her grow, learn about herself and what she is capable of. The guys she hires to renovate the cabin are sweet, funny, and deeply in love with each other. So when 1 asks her out she worries. But the other doesn't just know, he encouraged his partner to reach out. For the right reasons. They don't see Sylvia as a temporary distraction, they see something in her that calls to them. But what they learn together, whit it beings them closer, causes a deep divide in the town. This was fun, interesting, and I'm headed for book 2 now.
Sylvia just inherited a cabin in the woods. Something that definitely was timely because on the way back from the lawyer's she sees her boyfriend kissing a woman that is definitely not her. So she packs up, leaves a note, and heads to her new home. In the woods. That she's pretty sure the rumors of cursed are right about. Not to mention the skunks that talk in her head, the trees that whisper to her, and she's pretty sure she's seen a monster in the shadows behind the cabin. Just what did she fall into?
Spoilers ahead.
I haven't read much Hadley since the Iliri series. I haven't enjoyed their work as much recently. The blurb for this one caught me, though, and I decided to try just 1 more before just deciding to stick with their classics. I'm glad I did. This had the heart that I haven't found in some of the recents. The MMCs, Reese and Jackson, are in an established relationship and have been for 3 years. Sylvia moving to town sparks something. She sparks something in their relationship, and she sparks something with the founding families in town. I enjoyed watching her grow, learn about herself and what she is capable of. The guys she hires to renovate the cabin are sweet, funny, and deeply in love with each other. So when 1 asks her out she worries. But the other doesn't just know, he encouraged his partner to reach out. For the right reasons. They don't see Sylvia as a temporary distraction, they see something in her that calls to them. But what they learn together, whit it beings them closer, causes a deep divide in the town. This was fun, interesting, and I'm headed for book 2 now.
November 4, 2022
good but lacked excitement
I love this authors books. She’s always very detailed and has great worldbuilding. This is a medium burn poly. It was a good read but I wasn’t enthralled like I usually am with this author’s work. It lacked excitement and was missing exhilaration. I was okay putting this book down. I liked the characters and there was good character development. I like that they are in their 30s and don’t have it all together. Love the unlikely sidekicks.
Most biracial people I know call themselves mixed, not biracial. It just seemed odd to keep saying I’m biracial. Sharing a toothbrush is disgusting. Nobody says gangster rap. It also didn’t seem in Jackson’s demeanor to say, "There's no b!tch in the house.” Like he couldn’t just say a woman?
It appeared obvious the founding families killed her aunt thinking Lucien would be the heir. And when that didn’t happen, they were trying to manipulate her into giving her power up. Gyth had already told her to bond with the forest as a solution.
In the blurb, it says that this ends in a HEA with no cliffhanger and while that may be true, this appears to be a series. So there are still a lot left to unfold. The main characters still seem to be developing their relationship. I also wonder if Zane will come into the fold now that a new coven has been formed.
I love this authors books. She’s always very detailed and has great worldbuilding. This is a medium burn poly. It was a good read but I wasn’t enthralled like I usually am with this author’s work. It lacked excitement and was missing exhilaration. I was okay putting this book down. I liked the characters and there was good character development. I like that they are in their 30s and don’t have it all together. Love the unlikely sidekicks.
Most biracial people I know call themselves mixed, not biracial. It just seemed odd to keep saying I’m biracial. Sharing a toothbrush is disgusting. Nobody says gangster rap. It also didn’t seem in Jackson’s demeanor to say, "There's no b!tch in the house.” Like he couldn’t just say a woman?
It appeared obvious the founding families killed her aunt thinking Lucien would be the heir. And when that didn’t happen, they were trying to manipulate her into giving her power up. Gyth had already told her to bond with the forest as a solution.
In the blurb, it says that this ends in a HEA with no cliffhanger and while that may be true, this appears to be a series. So there are still a lot left to unfold. The main characters still seem to be developing their relationship. I also wonder if Zane will come into the fold now that a new coven has been formed.
April 30, 2024
DNF
Got to 31% and couldn't read anymore. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but by 31% of this book I felt like all it talked about was controversial social issues. Sylvia saying everyone is racist against her since she's biracial. The guys being bisexual. Jackson's brother being asexual and possibly any other name for sexuality you can come up with. Jennifer is all for any relationship or lifestyle that makes a person happy. The bad guys in the story are Reese's parents because they pushed marriage, family and work...God forbid anyone embrace a traditional relationship! I wanted to keep reading because I honestly don't care about any of those social issues. But the author brought them up repeatedly and I don't need it shoved down my throat anymore than it already is in real life.
To the author, next time say it once as a description or a feeling, but quit trying to virtue signal and force the reader to go along with you. I don't read romance novels to be fed social justice and LGBT rights doctrine. I don't care if people are gay or biracial or anything else. Just don't push your agenda on me with your writing. Write your story. Make it interesting. Leave your virtue signalling to your personal life. The story line was great. I'm really disappointed that I couldn't keep reading because you just couldn't shut up with your personal agenda.
Got to 31% and couldn't read anymore. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but by 31% of this book I felt like all it talked about was controversial social issues. Sylvia saying everyone is racist against her since she's biracial. The guys being bisexual. Jackson's brother being asexual and possibly any other name for sexuality you can come up with. Jennifer is all for any relationship or lifestyle that makes a person happy. The bad guys in the story are Reese's parents because they pushed marriage, family and work...God forbid anyone embrace a traditional relationship! I wanted to keep reading because I honestly don't care about any of those social issues. But the author brought them up repeatedly and I don't need it shoved down my throat anymore than it already is in real life.
To the author, next time say it once as a description or a feeling, but quit trying to virtue signal and force the reader to go along with you. I don't read romance novels to be fed social justice and LGBT rights doctrine. I don't care if people are gay or biracial or anything else. Just don't push your agenda on me with your writing. Write your story. Make it interesting. Leave your virtue signalling to your personal life. The story line was great. I'm really disappointed that I couldn't keep reading because you just couldn't shut up with your personal agenda.
November 26, 2023
As much as I enjoy a solid RH read, the fantasy and earthy elements here drew me in more:
"So much land, all the wilderness, and me being tucked inside of it. The guys called this place cursed, but that was silly. It was simply untouched, and here I was, meandering through it the same way the deer would. It made me feel like I wasn't an interloper, but rather a piece of something bigger.
Up above, the trees rustled like they were cheering me on. All around me, birds flew down to pick at the ground like they weren't even scared of me. The whole experience was magical, and for just a moment, I allowed myself to enjoy the peace and solitude of this place."
It feels like a mix of Disney, Tolkien, and Rowling, with some nods to inspiration along the way.
The romance almost gets in the way of the plot, though I shudder to even be typing that. I found the leading lady creating moon stones more charming than the gentleman - perhaps my witchy tendencies are coming to the surface here!
As other reviewers have noted, the racial treatment of the way Sylvia is written sometimes rings a bit poorly - I'm curious to see how it plays out through the rest of the series, which I will absolutely read.
4.5, rounded to 5 because of the forest elements.
"So much land, all the wilderness, and me being tucked inside of it. The guys called this place cursed, but that was silly. It was simply untouched, and here I was, meandering through it the same way the deer would. It made me feel like I wasn't an interloper, but rather a piece of something bigger.
Up above, the trees rustled like they were cheering me on. All around me, birds flew down to pick at the ground like they weren't even scared of me. The whole experience was magical, and for just a moment, I allowed myself to enjoy the peace and solitude of this place."
It feels like a mix of Disney, Tolkien, and Rowling, with some nods to inspiration along the way.
The romance almost gets in the way of the plot, though I shudder to even be typing that. I found the leading lady creating moon stones more charming than the gentleman - perhaps my witchy tendencies are coming to the surface here!
As other reviewers have noted, the racial treatment of the way Sylvia is written sometimes rings a bit poorly - I'm curious to see how it plays out through the rest of the series, which I will absolutely read.
4.5, rounded to 5 because of the forest elements.
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