Title: Courage of the Witch
Author: Deanna Chase
Series: Witches of Keating Hollow #5
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Paranormal romance, Witches
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2019

This is the first romance in the Witches of Keating Hollow series which doesn’t feature a child in some way, shape or form. And I really enjoyed that. As much as I’ve enjoyed the blended families and all of the love that goes with it – after a while I wanted a slightly different flavour of romance. Hanna and Rhys manage to fit the bill perfectly for this. It’s a bit of a second chance, definite friends-to-lovers romance with some very interesting complications thrown in.

It’s fairly obvious from early in the story that Rhys’ reason for holding Hanna at bay is going to have some kind of medical component to it. I love that the complications and road blocks that are thrown up for this couple are entirely medical in nature. And it also brings up the question of how do you live when there is a potential death sentence hanging over your head? How do you ask someone to commit to that level of uncertainty? I know what I’d do, but I also know that it wouldn’t actually be an easy decision.

Courage of the Witch is definitely the most fitting title for this book. Courage is the perfect word to describe Hanna and how resilient she is. When people ask me the number one thing I want for my own children, my own answer is resilience. And the courage that Hanna is able to show in this story is exactly why. Granted, there is a happy ending which doesn’t always happen in real life. But the battle to find joy and happiness in uncertainty is a seriously difficult thing to do. Hanna also completely humbles Rhys in his inability to actually have this form of courage and resilience to begin with. Luckily they are able to grow together.

Not only is this a great story of courage and romance, it is also one about how we deal with grief. It never truly goes away, and I love how frequently and subtly that is acknowledged. The grief of losing a loved one, particularly someone to a medical condition that could possibly be genetic is difficult. And some days just living in spite of that pain can be hard, but both Hanna and Rhys manage to find a way, not without a few of their own scars, but it still filled me with a sense of calm and optimism.

Image source: Deanna Chase

Title: Dreams of the Witch
Author: Deanna Chase
Series: Witches of Keating Hollow #4
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Paranormal romance, Witches
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2018

From the closing of Spirit of the Witch, I knew who Faith’s eventual partner was going to be. But I didn’t expect the journey that she took to get there. Like all of the books in the Keating Hollows series so far, there were some unexpected wrenches thrown into their romance. Ones that came from an external source and led to a whole lot of unforeseen complications. Hunter and Faith, as with all of the other happily ever afters in this series do eventually find their way to one another. But I really enjoyed the way that they eventually find their way to their own version of happily ever after. Part of why I enjoy this series so much is that there is always a happily ever after, but enough emotional angst to make me really want to finish the story. Chase hit all of the points of this perfectly.

Hunter’s history took a number of unexpected turns throughout this story. I was expecting there to be problems with his best friend’s widow, Vivian from her actions early on. But there were a number of other complications that completely took over. He spends a lot of this story in a situation which could potentially paint him as the bad guy. And yet, he is completely sympathetic. Rather than be annoyed at the blunders that he makes and the ways he manages to cause problems in his own relationship, it all came from a really caring place. Often in romances, I get frustrated at one or the other character for their pigheadedness and unwillingness to communicate. But that really wasn’t the case with Dreams of the Witch.

Faith and the Townsend sisters’ mother leaving has been a big driver in all of their stories. But I really wasn’t expecting their mother to come back after twenty-one years. The extra complications this throws up in Hunter and Faiths’ relationship hurt my heart a little. Plus, it was interesting how someone who abandoned her children is able to justify her actions. Or at least, try to. The fact that her history is entangled with Hunter’s makes it all that much more intense. But, I love how that story arc ended with Faith finally being able to put the past behind her and start moving forwards to her own happily ever after.

Faith and Hunter’s journey was really sweet and fun, and I can’t wait to dive into Courage of the Witch. I love how the end of it gives hints for the next story – Hanna and Rhys. Not only did it close out the romances of the four Townsend sisters beautifully, but it also starts off the next romances. I can’t wait to see what is bugging Rhys and just how Hanna chooses to get past his nonsense. I read this story in one sitting, and will probably do the same for the next of the Keating Hollows Witches romances.

Image source: Deanna Chase

Title: Spirit of the Witch
Author: Deanna Chase
Series: Witches of Keating Hollow #4
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Paranormal romance, Witches
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2018

Yvette and Jacob’s meeting in Heart of the Witch and their immediate interpersonal complications definitely made me keen to dive into Spirit of the Witch. And then I got to read their story. And honestly, it just got better! They go from a one-night stand to contentious business partners to lovers in such an organic manner. It made for such a pretty easy and sweet transition between their different states. There is enough drama and bumps in the road to make it almost impossible to put this down, but not enough that I felt too angsty reading it – the perfect balance for the mood that I’ve been in lately.

This is the second book in a while I’ve read with a romance in which the woman has been divorced, because her first husband realises that he’s gay. I really liked how Chase dealt with this (Whynot in Checking You Out also did a great job of this messy dynamic). Isaac kind of came across as a bit of a selfish prick to begin with, which fits as he behaves absolutely ridiculously for the first portion of the book – acting jealous and controlling in a seriously cringey way. But, I love that, eventually, he and Yvette are able to start making movements to reestablishing a friendship. The maturity of the situation, and after a while, both of their actions was really great and I felt so content reading how they are able to start to move forwards with their lives.

Unlike Yvette’s ex, Jacob’s ex is completely insane. That’s fairly obvious from her first interactions and appearances in this story. But, somehow, it gets worse the more you read. It’s a pretty intense way for Jacob to truly move on from the past and reconnect with his ex-best friend. But I kind of loved the wonderfully intense shenanigans. It was the ultimate hurdle, and as soon as I started to realise just what a complication she was going to be, I did the old walk-and-read… into a wall (it happens more than I should really admit).

Not only is this a great romance about moving on from past betrayals for both Yvette and Jacob, it’s also got the secondary storyline of building a thriving bookstore. As a bibliophile and someone who has generally considered owning my own bookstore… because books, I really loved this setting and secondary storyline. Plus, both Yvette and Jacob have to negotiate something that many modern-day business owners have to negotiate – the ability to adapt to an everchanging market. The use of magic and café goods within this just made me drool… over the books, the food and the coffee.

Image source: Deanna Chase

Title: Heart of the Witch
Author: Deanna Chase
Series: Witches of Keating Hollow #2
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Paranormal romance, Witches
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2018

Second chance romances are always really fun and sweet. As you fall in love with the couple, you also get their history and all of the angst that informs the present relationship. In the case of Drew and Noel, it’s not just about their second chance, it’s also about getting over the death of Charlotte and all of the guilt and nonsense that goes along with it. It might be a wonderful second chance story, but I also love that the spotlight is frequently stolen by Noel’s daughter, Daisy. A fun cast that left me smiling and feeling all sorts of joy at the reading of this novel.

The complication of Charlotte’s death in this story makes for an incredibly unique romance, at least, I found it a little less predictable than what I’m used to. The interconnectedness of a small town romance also leads to some of these complications. Not only do they have the past between them, but also, there’s Noel’s ex to contend with. The trust issues, the current complications and their general unwillingness to actually communicate with each other in parts. But, I loved how, ultimately, they are able to move past the mistrust, the guilt and the pain of the past.

Xavier, Noel’s ex, is an absolute fool. I mean, it doesn’t matter what his intentions are and his drivers (which do ultimately come out). But his inability to respect and trust Noel literally destroy his life and happiness. It works well for this story, because I love Noel and Drew together. But, honestly, his pigheadedness and lack of communication are painful. Although it does make for a really interesting point of conflict throughout the story. Plus, there’s a bit of a tug of a potential love triangle with his resurgence in their lives. Just enough to make this a little more interesting.

Heart of the Witch is all about the power of time and how that can help to heal. You might always have scars from the past, but healing is possible with time. I love how Noel and Drew are able to find their way back to one another, as friends, and then as lovers. And how they ultimately choose to believe in the best in one another. Even as they make mistakes and forget to communicate. A message and ability that I maybe need to sometimes focus on myself.

Image source: Deanna Chase