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Wild Magic #2
Lightning in Her Hands
Gifted—or cursed—with the power to influence the weather, one woman must embrace her wild heart in the next electric romance from the author of Witch of Wild Things.
Teal Flores is desperate for two things—control over her gift of weather, and a date to her ex’s wedding. The first isn’t possible until she finds her long-lost mother, but the second has a very handsome last-ditch solution: Carter Velasquez.
Carter needs Teal too. His chance at receiving an inheritance is dependent on him being married by age thirty (blame his traditional Cuban grandmother), so who better to pose as his wife than Teal? But fake marriage and cohabitation prove tricky when mutual attraction charges the atmosphere—quite literally for Teal, whose volatile emotions cause lightning strikes.
Together, Teal and Carter embark on a quest to find her mother and the answers she’s searching for. But along the way, they’ll discover something even better: a love that can weather any storm.
Teal Flores is desperate for two things—control over her gift of weather, and a date to her ex’s wedding. The first isn’t possible until she finds her long-lost mother, but the second has a very handsome last-ditch solution: Carter Velasquez.
Carter needs Teal too. His chance at receiving an inheritance is dependent on him being married by age thirty (blame his traditional Cuban grandmother), so who better to pose as his wife than Teal? But fake marriage and cohabitation prove tricky when mutual attraction charges the atmosphere—quite literally for Teal, whose volatile emotions cause lightning strikes.
Together, Teal and Carter embark on a quest to find her mother and the answers she’s searching for. But along the way, they’ll discover something even better: a love that can weather any storm.
349 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 15, 2024
99 people are currently reading
16.3k people want to read
About the author
Raquel Vasquez Gilliland
11books880followersRaquel Vasquez Gilliland is a Mexican American poet, novelist, and painter. She received an MFA in poetry from the University of Alaska, Anchorage in 2017. She’s most inspired by fog and seeds and the lineages of all things. When not writing, Raquel tells stories to her plants and they tell her stories back. She lives in Tennessee with her beloved family and mountains. Raquel has published two books of poetry. Sia Martinez and the Moonlit Beginning of Everything is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 265 reviews
September 23, 2024
This one hits all of the feels with its blend of second chance, friends to lovers, and fake marriage tropes going on. Then add in the witchy wiles and it becomes a wonderful romance that is witty, spicy, and a bit wild too!
There are so many things to love about this book. For me, much of it was that the main character and her sisters all have very unique gifts. Another thing I love is that while the sisters are together quite a bit, this story focuses more on the relationship between Teal and Carter. Thank goodness! There have been many similar books I have read that put most of the conversations and focus on family stuff and the romance is secondary.
The author is gifted at spinning a tale that is believable yet offers the fantasy aspects we are looking for. The plot is unique and interesting. It is a tough story to put down because Gilliland writes in such an addictive manner.
I love the connection between the two main characters. We get all of the spice and heat, plus the added bonus they were besties in the past which means a special bond and connection.
Lightning in Her Hands is a great choice for a trope-filled romance with a fantasy and paranormal romance twist.
~~~~~~
* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
* Full review -
There are so many things to love about this book. For me, much of it was that the main character and her sisters all have very unique gifts. Another thing I love is that while the sisters are together quite a bit, this story focuses more on the relationship between Teal and Carter. Thank goodness! There have been many similar books I have read that put most of the conversations and focus on family stuff and the romance is secondary.
The author is gifted at spinning a tale that is believable yet offers the fantasy aspects we are looking for. The plot is unique and interesting. It is a tough story to put down because Gilliland writes in such an addictive manner.
I love the connection between the two main characters. We get all of the spice and heat, plus the added bonus they were besties in the past which means a special bond and connection.
Lightning in Her Hands is a great choice for a trope-filled romance with a fantasy and paranormal romance twist.
~~~~~~
* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
* Full review -
October 21, 2024
4.5 rounded up
MAGICAL MONDAY 🪄
Thank you #partner @berkleyromance for my #gifted copy 🫶🏼 #BerkleyIG #berkleyromancepartner #PenguinRandomHousePartner
Lightning in Her Hands
Wild Magic #2
Raquel Vasquez Gilliland
Available now
📖 The Flores family is back! In the second book of the Wild Magic series, we follow sister Teal, who enters a mutually-beneficial fake marriage with her childhood best friend, Carter, in exchange for him being her date to her ex's wedding. Carter must marry to gain access to his inheritance, and promises to share the money with Teal, who needs it to help track down her mom so she can gain control of her powers. But as Carter and Teal get closer, the magic that crackles between them has nothing to do with Teal's powers, and everything to do with their hearts. 🥹
💭 I adored Witch of Things last year, and loved being reunited with the boisterous, complicated, and oh-so-lovable Flores family in Lightning in Her Hands. This magical, steamy romance novel is beautifully written and multilayered. With the perfect blend of lightheartedness and depth, Gilliland tackles heavy subjects (abuse, abandonment, mental illness) but balances them with fantastic humor and wit. Rich with Latine culture, complicated family dynamics, and a swoony, emotionally-charged, slow-burn love story at its center, Lightning in Her Hands is a great addition to your October TBR and beyond!
📌 Available now!
MAGICAL MONDAY 🪄
Thank you #partner @berkleyromance for my #gifted copy 🫶🏼 #BerkleyIG #berkleyromancepartner #PenguinRandomHousePartner
Lightning in Her Hands
Wild Magic #2
Raquel Vasquez Gilliland
Available now
📖 The Flores family is back! In the second book of the Wild Magic series, we follow sister Teal, who enters a mutually-beneficial fake marriage with her childhood best friend, Carter, in exchange for him being her date to her ex's wedding. Carter must marry to gain access to his inheritance, and promises to share the money with Teal, who needs it to help track down her mom so she can gain control of her powers. But as Carter and Teal get closer, the magic that crackles between them has nothing to do with Teal's powers, and everything to do with their hearts. 🥹
💭 I adored Witch of Things last year, and loved being reunited with the boisterous, complicated, and oh-so-lovable Flores family in Lightning in Her Hands. This magical, steamy romance novel is beautifully written and multilayered. With the perfect blend of lightheartedness and depth, Gilliland tackles heavy subjects (abuse, abandonment, mental illness) but balances them with fantastic humor and wit. Rich with Latine culture, complicated family dynamics, and a swoony, emotionally-charged, slow-burn love story at its center, Lightning in Her Hands is a great addition to your October TBR and beyond!
📌 Available now!
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January 7, 2025
Literally one of my favorite authors.
Teal is an unlikeable character (ugh, I hate that term) who wants to be Good. And tries so hard to do Good, and be less selfish. But so much of her "selfish" tendencies stem from complex childhood trauma, particularly from her mom literally stealing a piece of her soul when she was four years old. Teal is an abuse survivor: parental abuse, guardian neglect and abuse, and domestic violence, which she shrugs off as negligible because most of it was verbal and emotional, never physical (hint: abuse is never negligible). Teal is also bipolar, with highs and lows. The way Gilliland writes all of this is just so poignant. So personal, and so wonderfully done, creating a flawed but very human person who is unlearning and growing.
Anywho, the romance aspect was good. I'm not a huge fan of Carter, but he definitely grew throughout the book as well, seeing through and unlearning socially conditioned behaviors (the not-seeing is often the hardest part—a lot of times I don't think that favored children realize how abusive and manipulative their parents can be). By the end of the book, Teal and Carter were partners.
Also, the commentary on handbags is just *chef's kiss* perfection. Love it.
Teal is an unlikeable character (ugh, I hate that term) who wants to be Good. And tries so hard to do Good, and be less selfish. But so much of her "selfish" tendencies stem from complex childhood trauma, particularly from her mom literally stealing a piece of her soul when she was four years old. Teal is an abuse survivor: parental abuse, guardian neglect and abuse, and domestic violence, which she shrugs off as negligible because most of it was verbal and emotional, never physical (hint: abuse is never negligible). Teal is also bipolar, with highs and lows. The way Gilliland writes all of this is just so poignant. So personal, and so wonderfully done, creating a flawed but very human person who is unlearning and growing.
Anywho, the romance aspect was good. I'm not a huge fan of Carter, but he definitely grew throughout the book as well, seeing through and unlearning socially conditioned behaviors (the not-seeing is often the hardest part—a lot of times I don't think that favored children realize how abusive and manipulative their parents can be). By the end of the book, Teal and Carter were partners.
Also, the commentary on handbags is just *chef's kiss* perfection. Love it.
Read
September 5, 2024I was drawn to this by the mix of Latina protags and witchery, and the author really delivered. I love the vivid writing and the crackling emotional pacing! The romance did include one of my least-liked tropes--Grand Misunderstanding Because They Don't Talk it Out--especially as these two have been besties for years. But the sisters, the relatives, and everything else drew me in and kept me reading. I really like this author, and am eager for Sage's story.
November 23, 2024
I loved spending time with the Flores family in Witch of Wild Things, and was so happy to head back to their world, and learn more about Teal and her ability to control the weather (each sister and Aunt has their own unique ability). I adore the relationships between the sisters and how much they needle each other. This adds to an already emotionally complex story including heavier issues such as abuse and abandonment.
I enjoyed the paranormal elements and so appreciate that even someone who struggles with fantasy (me 🙋🏻♀�) can enjoy this one. There are clearly fantastical elements, but always rooted in reality. And then there is the spiciness. This slow burn romance never lacked for chemistry or tension. While I sometimes felt aggravated with Carter for his back and forth when it came to Teal, he ultimately grew on me.
I cannot recommend this series enough and am looking forward to the next.
Read if you like:
▪️marriage of convenience
▪️friends to lovers
▪️second chance
▪️books featuring sisters
Thank you Berkley and PRH Audio for the gifted copies.
I enjoyed the paranormal elements and so appreciate that even someone who struggles with fantasy (me 🙋🏻♀�) can enjoy this one. There are clearly fantastical elements, but always rooted in reality. And then there is the spiciness. This slow burn romance never lacked for chemistry or tension. While I sometimes felt aggravated with Carter for his back and forth when it came to Teal, he ultimately grew on me.
I cannot recommend this series enough and am looking forward to the next.
Read if you like:
▪️marriage of convenience
▪️friends to lovers
▪️second chance
▪️books featuring sisters
Thank you Berkley and PRH Audio for the gifted copies.
December 3, 2024
I wanted to love this Teal and Carter. I wanted to feel all of things the same way I did with Sage’s story in the first book. Teal just was not it. And don’t get me started on how immature and annoying Carter was, ESPECIALLY with the whole grandmother situation. While there were moments I felt attached to how Teal was processing her explosive reactions and working through processing her experiences, I mostly just cried, and not in a good way. I’m still excited for Sky’s book, but oh boy was this one a let down.
January 22, 2025
I loved the concept and the messy characters so much that the entire rating is because of that. This is a book that could have benefitted from dual pov. Also I think that the main conflict in the book which should have led to an epic showdown didn't live up to the expectations and wasn't the best. However my overall experience was really good.
October 24, 2024
In the last book Teal was kind of a jerk, so I was wondering if I’d grow to like her, however it quickly becomes apparent that her actions came from a place of hurt. Now, Teal is on a mission of self-improvement, trying to be a better person, think of others, and right the wrongs of her past. I really started to like Teal as she made positive strides.
One of the wrongs was hurting her best friend, Carter. It’s clear from the beginning that there were deeper feelings between Carter and Teal, more than just friends. Unrequited love on Carter’s part, and Teal reluctantly acknowledging her attraction.
There was a lot going on with Teal dealing with feelings of abandonment from her mother (a real piece of work!) a woman who took a piece of Teal’s power over weather when she left, making it hard for Teal to control her gift. She also felt abandoned by her older sister, Sage and still feels guilty about her sister, Sky. Add to that Teal’s dealing with the aftereffects of being in an abusive relationship that put a dent in her self-esteem.
Lightning in Her Hands was a chemistry filled romance, but it was also a story of healing, and wonderful sisterly bonds. I also enjoyed Teal’s rude and feisty grandmother and her Aunt Nadia. They all supported Teal in her journey in their own way. While this is a separate romance, I still think it’s best to read the previous book as you get Teal and the sister’s history.
I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy courtesy of the publisher. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
One of the wrongs was hurting her best friend, Carter. It’s clear from the beginning that there were deeper feelings between Carter and Teal, more than just friends. Unrequited love on Carter’s part, and Teal reluctantly acknowledging her attraction.
There was a lot going on with Teal dealing with feelings of abandonment from her mother (a real piece of work!) a woman who took a piece of Teal’s power over weather when she left, making it hard for Teal to control her gift. She also felt abandoned by her older sister, Sage and still feels guilty about her sister, Sky. Add to that Teal’s dealing with the aftereffects of being in an abusive relationship that put a dent in her self-esteem.
Lightning in Her Hands was a chemistry filled romance, but it was also a story of healing, and wonderful sisterly bonds. I also enjoyed Teal’s rude and feisty grandmother and her Aunt Nadia. They all supported Teal in her journey in their own way. While this is a separate romance, I still think it’s best to read the previous book as you get Teal and the sister’s history.
I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy courtesy of the publisher. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
November 4, 2024
I read the first book in this series a year ago and enjoyed it, but I wasn't crazy about it. So I wasn't sure how I'd feel about this one. I was pleasantly surprised because I enjoyed this very much. Teal gave off major Nesta Archeron vibes and I could relate to many aspects of her personality and trauma. In the first book I actually didnt care for the romance too much, but I did in this one. Teal and Carter were perfect for eachother and I am glad she finally for him to speak up to his awful grandmother.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 25, 2024
4.25 stars! Carter tells Teal that she’s so easy to love.
😫😭˥️
😫😭˥️
October 22, 2024
God, I've seen what you've done for others.
I'm a sucker for the "he's been in love with her for as long as he's known her" trope first and a human being second.
4 stars!!! 🌟🌟🌟🌟
I'm a sucker for the "he's been in love with her for as long as he's known her" trope first and a human being second.
4 stars!!! 🌟🌟🌟🌟
October 13, 2024
I was always interested in the first book of this series, but never got around to it. After reading this one, I definitely need to go back.
I really liked Teal. She's angry and struggling and loyal to her family. I enjoyed reading about her gift and how the weather shifted around her. Sage and Sky are wonderful sisters and the scenes with all of them together were some of the best.
Plot wise, it's good. There are a fair amount of moving parts, but it all made sense and was necessary for the story. I could have easily done with 16371819 pages of all five women together because I loved the button pushing.
Overall, this is a rich and atmospheric story and I can't wait to read the next one.
FYI: abusive relationship in the past, but Teal thinks and talks about it a lot
**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**
I really liked Teal. She's angry and struggling and loyal to her family. I enjoyed reading about her gift and how the weather shifted around her. Sage and Sky are wonderful sisters and the scenes with all of them together were some of the best.
Plot wise, it's good. There are a fair amount of moving parts, but it all made sense and was necessary for the story. I could have easily done with 16371819 pages of all five women together because I loved the button pushing.
Overall, this is a rich and atmospheric story and I can't wait to read the next one.
FYI: abusive relationship in the past, but Teal thinks and talks about it a lot
**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**
August 22, 2024
I stayed up until 2am reading this book. On a workday. I also have a 3 year old, so voluntarily losing sleep over a book means it is definitely a 5 star read. The MC is flawed but still loveable and definitely grew through the book. The romantic lead is incredibly hot, sweet, devoted, and excels at cunnilingus. He has many other fine qualities, including enough flaws to be believable, but these were my particular favorites. The MC’s journey to self healing with the help of her sisters and family was gorgeous and lovingly crafted. The book dealt with enough heavy themes to provide emotional heft with plenty of sweet romance, lyrical writing, lush magical realism, and a dash of steam to strike just the right balance for a very fun read! This is one of my favorites of the year! This review was written for an ARC.
September 28, 2024
Teal was a beautifully flawed character and I loved watching her grow. Having been in an abusive relationship in the past really affected the way she saw herself and being near Carter who has known and liked her since they were children was a great way for her to start reshaping her thinking. Carter is a wonderful hero and I really liked the chemistry he and Teal shared. Their connection is so long standing and deep and seeing it become more than friends is so fun!
I also loved learning more about Teal's power. I loved that her inability to experience her feelings became part of her magic. Raquel Vasquez Gilliland does a wonderful job writing magic that extenuates who a character is and I really enjoy reading it!
I'm super excited to read the final book in this trilogy. I am already obsessed with Sky and her tendency to read romance books and talk about them at inappropriate times. So far each sister has had a very different perspective and I can't wait to see hers!
Marcella Black did the audiobook narration and I really enjoyed it! She is a new to me audiobook narrator. I do tend to prefer when the audiobook narrator is the same throughout a series but I know that's not always possible.
Thanks to PRH audio for providing me with an ALC. All opinions are my own.
I also loved learning more about Teal's power. I loved that her inability to experience her feelings became part of her magic. Raquel Vasquez Gilliland does a wonderful job writing magic that extenuates who a character is and I really enjoy reading it!
I'm super excited to read the final book in this trilogy. I am already obsessed with Sky and her tendency to read romance books and talk about them at inappropriate times. So far each sister has had a very different perspective and I can't wait to see hers!
Marcella Black did the audiobook narration and I really enjoyed it! She is a new to me audiobook narrator. I do tend to prefer when the audiobook narrator is the same throughout a series but I know that's not always possible.
Thanks to PRH audio for providing me with an ALC. All opinions are my own.
November 20, 2024
It wasn’t bad but I enjoyed the other book so much and was excited for this one only to be frustrated and bored. I didn’t buy the romance at all. I kept waiting for them to show me why they were best friends and show them becoming friends again. It was mostly them being pissed at each and having sex then BAM! “I love yous� dropped and it didn’t feel earned. I liked Teals journey but it didn’t feel as well done as the first books character growth. The sister bond was the only strong part of this
September 29, 2024
Lightning in Her Hands is a fun and unique paranormal rom com that follows Teal as she searches for her mother, control of her powers, and a date for her ex’s wedding, and Carter who needs a wife to gain his inheritance. These friends turned lovers turned estranged people soon learn their feelings didn’t end when their relationship did.
Teal and her sisters all have abilities connected to the elements. For Teal, the weather is affected by her emotions. This is a power I definitely would not want to have. lol She can’t hide her feelings very well, as the tumultuous weather proves. She’s an interesting and layered character, who goes through so much throughout the story. I liked Carter too, though he definitely frustrated me at times.
Teal has been abused and emotionally manipulated for years and he, though understanding, doesn’t really get it. He’s being too vague with his feelings and letting her second guess herself. I hate this. He should know better. And he runs so hot and cold. I’m not loving his character. The fact that he sided with the grandmother earlier and then did this, which feels like a rejection even though I think it’s because she wants a quickie and he wants forever and making love, is so wrong. He has so much groveling to do. He’s so kind and understanding in some ways, it in others, he lacks empathy. I think, like Tral, he is a flawed person who doesn’t always do things right, but that doesn’t necessarily make him unlovable.
They definitely prove by the end that they are perfectly imperfect and they accept each other the way they are, and, overall, I liked their love story. I also really liked the strong messages about family, sisterhood, friendship, self-acceptance, and more. Though it’s a fun and romantic paranormal rom-com, it also has some touching and emotional moments and a lot of heart.
Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
Teal and her sisters all have abilities connected to the elements. For Teal, the weather is affected by her emotions. This is a power I definitely would not want to have. lol She can’t hide her feelings very well, as the tumultuous weather proves. She’s an interesting and layered character, who goes through so much throughout the story. I liked Carter too, though he definitely frustrated me at times.
Teal has been abused and emotionally manipulated for years and he, though understanding, doesn’t really get it. He’s being too vague with his feelings and letting her second guess herself. I hate this. He should know better. And he runs so hot and cold. I’m not loving his character. The fact that he sided with the grandmother earlier and then did this, which feels like a rejection even though I think it’s because she wants a quickie and he wants forever and making love, is so wrong. He has so much groveling to do. He’s so kind and understanding in some ways, it in others, he lacks empathy. I think, like Tral, he is a flawed person who doesn’t always do things right, but that doesn’t necessarily make him unlovable.
They definitely prove by the end that they are perfectly imperfect and they accept each other the way they are, and, overall, I liked their love story. I also really liked the strong messages about family, sisterhood, friendship, self-acceptance, and more. Though it’s a fun and romantic paranormal rom-com, it also has some touching and emotional moments and a lot of heart.
Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
October 30, 2024
Picking up from Witch of Wild Things, this book follows another Flores sister, Teal. Teal’s magic involves lightning (and maybe weather in general?), but it’s wildly unpredictable—just like her moods. This story is full of fun romance tropes: ex-friends/lovers to lovers, big city to small town, the secretly successful hometown guy, and a fake relationship. Teal asks Carter to be her date to her ex’s wedding, and in return, Carter asks Teal to fake-marry him so he can access his inheritance. Surprisingly, though, they actually get married - they don't just fake it. Cue the mutual attraction that develops, and I think you can guess where it goes from there.
Meanwhile, Teal’s repairing old wounds and strengthening ties with her family, especially her sisters, Sage and Sky. Fans of the first book might remember Sky’s wild backstory, and she’s back here with a few scenes that made me laugh out loud—she has quite the dirty mind! Along the way, Teal and Carter team up to figure out why her magic’s so unreliable, leading them to finally address their mother’s disappearance and start healing as a family.
This book gets points for inclusivity by featuring a main character with bipolar disorder, which I’m always thrilled to see more of. However, as someone with bipolar myself, I didn’t feel it was portrayed very accurately. Some books capture the feelings behind bipolar disorder so naturally, even without mentioning it or making it part of the plot, that I’ve had to check if the author had personal experience—it just feels so spot-on. That wasn’t quite the case here. Teal’s bipolar felt more like it was trying to check-off the bipolar symptom list on a very surface level.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I liked the first one a bit more, but this one still kept me hooked—I finished it in two days. The romance was fun, and Carter was a standout. I’m guessing the third book will follow Sky, and it’s definitely going on my TBR list.
Meanwhile, Teal’s repairing old wounds and strengthening ties with her family, especially her sisters, Sage and Sky. Fans of the first book might remember Sky’s wild backstory, and she’s back here with a few scenes that made me laugh out loud—she has quite the dirty mind! Along the way, Teal and Carter team up to figure out why her magic’s so unreliable, leading them to finally address their mother’s disappearance and start healing as a family.
This book gets points for inclusivity by featuring a main character with bipolar disorder, which I’m always thrilled to see more of. However, as someone with bipolar myself, I didn’t feel it was portrayed very accurately. Some books capture the feelings behind bipolar disorder so naturally, even without mentioning it or making it part of the plot, that I’ve had to check if the author had personal experience—it just feels so spot-on. That wasn’t quite the case here. Teal’s bipolar felt more like it was trying to check-off the bipolar symptom list on a very surface level.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I liked the first one a bit more, but this one still kept me hooked—I finished it in two days. The romance was fun, and Carter was a standout. I’m guessing the third book will follow Sky, and it’s definitely going on my TBR list.
October 15, 2024
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
Lightning in Her Hands is emotional from page one. Reeling from the abuse of her previous relationship, Teal is determined to never feel that way again. At the hands of her ex not only did the things he say permeate into her own thoughts, no matter how hard she tries, her own past with her mother is echoed in the way these loved ones just take from her. So Teal is trying to make amends, deal with her emotions, and figure out how she can find herself again. The journey is messy, emotional, and heart wrenching. But it's also a story about showing up for someone, being honest, and realizing that not all is lost.
Lightning in Her Hands is emotional from page one. Reeling from the abuse of her previous relationship, Teal is determined to never feel that way again. At the hands of her ex not only did the things he say permeate into her own thoughts, no matter how hard she tries, her own past with her mother is echoed in the way these loved ones just take from her. So Teal is trying to make amends, deal with her emotions, and figure out how she can find herself again. The journey is messy, emotional, and heart wrenching. But it's also a story about showing up for someone, being honest, and realizing that not all is lost.
October 31, 2024
4�
ʳ-13🌶�
I love a healing journey and these wonderfully witchy sisters, but Teal and Carter really need to go back and take Communication 101: How to Communicate with Your Partner instead signing up for Romance Trope 404: Marriage of Convenience.
ʳ-13🌶�
I love a healing journey and these wonderfully witchy sisters, but Teal and Carter really need to go back and take Communication 101: How to Communicate with Your Partner instead signing up for Romance Trope 404: Marriage of Convenience.
November 9, 2024
Lovely little contemporary romance. Raquel Vasquez Gilliland deserves to be more popular.
October 16, 2024
book 1 is better:/ only really giving two stars because. i do like the sisters
October 25, 2024
RIP to everyone who came to this series for romance and got gut punched with grief and generational trauma instead 😔🙏
May 11, 2024
Raquel’s writing is stunning. The magical realism in this book is something that is so special and really adds a breathtaking aspect to the book. This friends to lovers/ loved you since childhood between a heroine that has experienced so much hardship is a story that will have you in tears. A beautiful happily ever after that is so deserved. The family dynamics in this book are another bonus to the story! Nadia, Sage, Ama, and Sky make this story so special!
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April 14, 2024ahhhHhhh witch of wild things was a favorite last year, i can't wait to get my hands on this ☺️
December 13, 2024
Book 1 was SOOO much better. This book had so much potential. I felt like sex was too important and the connection really lacked.
Also everything was resolved in like a page and a half??
Also everything was resolved in like a page and a half??
December 10, 2024
Rating: 5/5
I received an eARC for my honest opinion.
In this book you will meet Teal, who has magical powers, her power is that she can control the weather. However, Teal doesn’t know if this is a curse or a gift though, because with her moods changing, she can even hide what she is really feeling. She has a mission now that she remembers that she gave a small piece of herself to her mother years ago and now she is determined to get that piece back so she can be whole. With her ex’s wedding coming up she needs to find a date and someone that she can stand to be around, with her only and first choice is her ex-best friend Carter. Carter agrees but only if she agrees to a plan as well, but if she says yes will this plan blow up in her face?
With this being book two I loved that we got to see the characters in book one, back again but with a different sister’s story. In this book you will find a cute witchy romance but so much more. You will find that it’s not just about finding one person who understands you, but also like the first book it’s about learning to love yourself, being able to heal and have a connection with your family again. I thought the plot was well developed and the pace was just perfect for a witchy romance book. I didn’t see any moments when the pace was slowing down or dragging. I love it when books are more character driven than plot driven and for me this book was character driven, yes you will see the plot and the plot is great but to see the growth of the characters throughout the book is really what wraps up a book for me. This author has a way with her words, she writes so beautifully that you will be wishing that the book was not at the end and that you still have more chapters to read. I found all the characters in this book to be easy to connect with and I could relate with Teal.
I can’t say that I ever really liked Teal in the first book but now with her own book I can understand her better, and I can say that I really like her a lot. I loved that you won’t see a character that is all put together, but instead you will find a flawed one and one that knows this and is trying to better themselves. She knows that she is broken and not just mentally but magically as well and she is on the road to making this a better year for herself and to continue with it for the rest of her life. You will watch her wrestle with abandonment, mentally abusive ex-boyfriend, and self-harm (she runs and runs a lot), and learns that it’s okay, not to be okay. I loved her growth in this book, it wasn’t fake too, for me it was a relatable experience. I liked getting to see her efforts to mend her friendship with Carter and the steps that it took to get them to their HEA. I found that it wasn’t easy and yes, they had obstacles that they had to overcome like all relationships. I liked the fact that you got to see Carter flawed as well and seeing himself working on things, it made these pair seem like they were real people to me. I loved Carter and his banter with Teal, but you will also see a very sweet and caring side to him. I loved that he really wanted to work on things with Teal but didn’t want to push her but allowed her to get there on her own. He supported her and he was there for her when she allowed him to be. When I say that you must understand that she came from a very mentally abusive relationship and at times she would overthink things and at times I was like “not again� but then I had to understand that I knew what she was going through. I liked that he didn’t treat her badly for these things, but he was understanding and connected with her on other things.
You will find magic in this book, but as I said it’s so much more than just a cute witchy romance. The way this author writes will have you believing that everyone has magical abilities because the way that she writes it just seems natural. You will find steamy scenes, great characters, great character growth, banter, Latin culture and so much more in this book and the first one. I can’t wait to read book three.
I want to thank NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the opportunity to review this book.
I received an eARC for my honest opinion.
In this book you will meet Teal, who has magical powers, her power is that she can control the weather. However, Teal doesn’t know if this is a curse or a gift though, because with her moods changing, she can even hide what she is really feeling. She has a mission now that she remembers that she gave a small piece of herself to her mother years ago and now she is determined to get that piece back so she can be whole. With her ex’s wedding coming up she needs to find a date and someone that she can stand to be around, with her only and first choice is her ex-best friend Carter. Carter agrees but only if she agrees to a plan as well, but if she says yes will this plan blow up in her face?
With this being book two I loved that we got to see the characters in book one, back again but with a different sister’s story. In this book you will find a cute witchy romance but so much more. You will find that it’s not just about finding one person who understands you, but also like the first book it’s about learning to love yourself, being able to heal and have a connection with your family again. I thought the plot was well developed and the pace was just perfect for a witchy romance book. I didn’t see any moments when the pace was slowing down or dragging. I love it when books are more character driven than plot driven and for me this book was character driven, yes you will see the plot and the plot is great but to see the growth of the characters throughout the book is really what wraps up a book for me. This author has a way with her words, she writes so beautifully that you will be wishing that the book was not at the end and that you still have more chapters to read. I found all the characters in this book to be easy to connect with and I could relate with Teal.
I can’t say that I ever really liked Teal in the first book but now with her own book I can understand her better, and I can say that I really like her a lot. I loved that you won’t see a character that is all put together, but instead you will find a flawed one and one that knows this and is trying to better themselves. She knows that she is broken and not just mentally but magically as well and she is on the road to making this a better year for herself and to continue with it for the rest of her life. You will watch her wrestle with abandonment, mentally abusive ex-boyfriend, and self-harm (she runs and runs a lot), and learns that it’s okay, not to be okay. I loved her growth in this book, it wasn’t fake too, for me it was a relatable experience. I liked getting to see her efforts to mend her friendship with Carter and the steps that it took to get them to their HEA. I found that it wasn’t easy and yes, they had obstacles that they had to overcome like all relationships. I liked the fact that you got to see Carter flawed as well and seeing himself working on things, it made these pair seem like they were real people to me. I loved Carter and his banter with Teal, but you will also see a very sweet and caring side to him. I loved that he really wanted to work on things with Teal but didn’t want to push her but allowed her to get there on her own. He supported her and he was there for her when she allowed him to be. When I say that you must understand that she came from a very mentally abusive relationship and at times she would overthink things and at times I was like “not again� but then I had to understand that I knew what she was going through. I liked that he didn’t treat her badly for these things, but he was understanding and connected with her on other things.
You will find magic in this book, but as I said it’s so much more than just a cute witchy romance. The way this author writes will have you believing that everyone has magical abilities because the way that she writes it just seems natural. You will find steamy scenes, great characters, great character growth, banter, Latin culture and so much more in this book and the first one. I can’t wait to read book three.
I want to thank NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the opportunity to review this book.
March 5, 2025
Teal is a 28 year-old Mexican-American woman with bipolar disorder, experience with family neglect and domestic abuse (physical, s**ual, and emotional), and an unruly hand over the weather. Carter is a 26 year-old Cuban man, an only son, who is forced to get married before 30 by the old-fashioned elders in his family. I read the synopsis and just had to get my hands on it: second chance, fake dating, crashing an ex's wedding, AND witchy magical realism??? Ooooooh I love mess.
Oh I HATED Teal in Witch of Wild Things*. Yes, I had sympathy for her endurance of domestic abuse, bipolar disorder, and family losses more than anyone--it's a very complicated situation of protection and survival. But gee, what gives when you're mistreating your older sister, blaming her for your younger sister's demise when she wasn't there but YOU were, siding with your evil ex over family, hooking up with your sister's boss, and not getting psychiatric help for your bitter personality? That being said, the second book of Wild Magic not only brought a great deal of her life into perspective, but it really shifted my opinion on Teal and expanded on the complications of the human brain after suffering abuse and childhood neglect.
To be honest, I had mixed feelings about their relationship in the first act and much of the beginning of the second act. Teal is aggravating, impulsive, and irresponsible. Carter is a complacent, docile man-baby who clearly doesn't know how to properly express his emotions (if he has any) and literally sat there when his senile grandmother verbally disrespected Teal in front of the WHOLE family. Granted...I'm not going to lie, he really redeemed himself in the latter half of the second act as well as nearly the entire third act. If only it didn't take him this long.
Side notes: there is a lot of commentary on the toxic masculinity and traditional marital/gender values in the Latine community, specifically with references to boys not being held accountable, Teal's body, and waiting until marriage; Teal's story also embodies how "the perfect victim" narrative destroys the merit of survivors' experiences with abuse because of how she did others around her wrongly and blamed herself for the longest time; it exemplifies the healing power of sisterhood and what a truly healthy female friendship and relationship with other women look like; finally, any woman in this book who is not a Flores sister is god AWFUL. So I would like to send the following people to hell: Leilani, J*hnny, Abuelita Erica, and Teal's mother.
*I finished the audiobook. Marcella Black has a beautiful voice; she narrated the novel with a soothing yet quietly lugubrious tone.
Oh I HATED Teal in Witch of Wild Things*. Yes, I had sympathy for her endurance of domestic abuse, bipolar disorder, and family losses more than anyone--it's a very complicated situation of protection and survival. But gee, what gives when you're mistreating your older sister, blaming her for your younger sister's demise when she wasn't there but YOU were, siding with your evil ex over family, hooking up with your sister's boss, and not getting psychiatric help for your bitter personality? That being said, the second book of Wild Magic not only brought a great deal of her life into perspective, but it really shifted my opinion on Teal and expanded on the complications of the human brain after suffering abuse and childhood neglect.
To be honest, I had mixed feelings about their relationship in the first act and much of the beginning of the second act. Teal is aggravating, impulsive, and irresponsible. Carter is a complacent, docile man-baby who clearly doesn't know how to properly express his emotions (if he has any) and literally sat there when his senile grandmother verbally disrespected Teal in front of the WHOLE family. Granted...I'm not going to lie, he really redeemed himself in the latter half of the second act as well as nearly the entire third act. If only it didn't take him this long.
Side notes: there is a lot of commentary on the toxic masculinity and traditional marital/gender values in the Latine community, specifically with references to boys not being held accountable, Teal's body, and waiting until marriage; Teal's story also embodies how "the perfect victim" narrative destroys the merit of survivors' experiences with abuse because of how she did others around her wrongly and blamed herself for the longest time; it exemplifies the healing power of sisterhood and what a truly healthy female friendship and relationship with other women look like; finally, any woman in this book who is not a Flores sister is god AWFUL. So I would like to send the following people to hell: Leilani, J*hnny, Abuelita Erica, and Teal's mother.
*I finished the audiobook. Marcella Black has a beautiful voice; she narrated the novel with a soothing yet quietly lugubrious tone.
September 27, 2024
Teal Flores, struggling to control her weather-manipulating powers and in need of a wedding date, agrees to pose as Carter Velasquez's wife to help him secure an inheritance. As they search for Teal’s long-lost mother, their fake marriage sparks undeniable chemistry, leading to a love that can withstand any storm.
Teal is such a complicated character. I absolutely hated her in Witch of Wild Things so I was hesitant to pick up this book, unsure how Teal could be made even remotely likable. However, Lightening in Her Hands gave more insight into Teal’s childhood, strained family relationships, and her complicated past which made me sympathize with her. I appreciated how the author explored friendship breakups and the effort to mend family relationships. Teal and Carter’s romance felt more secondary in the story and I didn’t really care for their relationship. The ending was a bit too neatly wrapped up for my taste. We also get more insight into Sky’s personality in this book, but I’m not sure if I’ll read her story given my mixed feelings about Lightening in Her Hands.
Thank you Berkley Romance for the free book.
Teal is such a complicated character. I absolutely hated her in Witch of Wild Things so I was hesitant to pick up this book, unsure how Teal could be made even remotely likable. However, Lightening in Her Hands gave more insight into Teal’s childhood, strained family relationships, and her complicated past which made me sympathize with her. I appreciated how the author explored friendship breakups and the effort to mend family relationships. Teal and Carter’s romance felt more secondary in the story and I didn’t really care for their relationship. The ending was a bit too neatly wrapped up for my taste. We also get more insight into Sky’s personality in this book, but I’m not sure if I’ll read her story given my mixed feelings about Lightening in Her Hands.
Thank you Berkley Romance for the free book.
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