De-Witched by Sophie H. Morgan
Toil and Trouble #2
Paranormal Romance
August 20, 2024- Harlequin
ARC

Review by Angela

De-Witched is the second book in the Toil and Trouble paranormal romance series, and features Leah Turner, the human friend of Emma and Tia, and part owner of the bar Toil and Trouble, and Gabriel Goodnight, a warlock who is thrust into the human world, without full use of his magic, in order to satisfy a condition in his parent’s will that would enable him to take over the family company.

Before I get any further, I’d like to mention that this is one of those books where the cartoonish cover really doesn’t convey the contents within the book. This book is darker, and sexier, than you’d expect if you were just to pick it up based on the cover art. There are several spicey open-door love scenes, and the backstory of one of the main characters has repeated mentions of parental death. Just a heads up.

When I finished the first book in the series, The Witch is Back, I kind of expected Leah and Kole, Emma’s warlock brother, to be paired in the series. So, imagine my surprise when I read the blurb and discovered that a new character would be introduced as Leah’s love interest. If you enjoy the opposites attract or grumpy/sunshine tropes this will be right up your alley.

Gabriel and Leah first meet on a balcony at Emma and Bastian’s betrothal announcement ball, where Leah is disguised so that the witches and warlocks attending don’t become aware that there is a human amongst them. She is quite aware of the magical world, but always kept on the outside (apart from this one occurrence) and protected by her BFFs since humans are forbidden from this knowledge. There is a connection, but Leah doesn’t expect to see the intriguing man again.

Gabriel Goodnight is a product of an old magical line, and heir to a company that is unique in his world as it employs and caters to both humans and magic users. He is uptight, cold, and pretty much hates humans when the book opens. Readers will learn the reason for this as his backstory unfolds. He has spent years working his way through the company, department by department, in order to gain the board’s approval and move into the role of CEO. Gabriel is blindsided when he is notified there is one last step he must complete before proving himself capable–live and work in the human world for three months, with limited use of his magic, without breaking any of the rules imposed. Despite his absolute disgust at being put into this position, he asks the owners of Toil and Trouble, for employment, unaware this this would put him in contact with the woman he met on that balcony months ago.

As someone who does enjoy the above-mentioned tropes, this book worked for me. I was already familiar with the world-building and character’s personalities and relationship dynamics, so it was easy to just dive right into book two. I do think you could read as a standalone but do think reading the first book in the series will enhance your enjoyment.

Leah and Gabe are a good match-up, one I enjoyed immensely. She is bright and sunny, a people and pet person more intrigued by than afraid of the magical world. Gabe is broody and aloof, determined to stay in his tight little bubble, despite being thrust into a world surrounded by humans. He wears suits to work, speaks only when spoken to, and doesn’t laugh or smile. Let’s just say his unraveling as he falls for Leah is a joy to behold. Their HEA is hard won, but lovely.

I am so intrigued by Tia and Henry. I’m convinced their second chance love story, because surely this author is saving them for the finale of the series, will be glorious. But first, I do believe Kole just might meet his forever person in book three. Regardless, I’m looking forward to whatever comes next.

Grade- B

Content notes- mentions of parental death, parental estrangement