The Wrong Sort of Magic Author Alexandra Alan
Book Review
4.5 out of 5 stars!
Releasing Oct. 30, 2025
"Not that she couldn't do this on a humid day with cottony clouds and an oncoming sunburn, but there was just something right about lurking through the fog and gloom in pursuit of evil." - Pippa
I mean it really helps to set the mood and the tone. Pippa hunts demons by night and works a nine to five by day like a normal adult. But when her target results in a messy and deadly domino effect things bleed over into her day job. . . Doing paperwork, answering emails, and fighting boredom until the clock ticks down was bad enough but now, she has to worry about a couple other things.
It was easy to keep that barrier in check between her two worlds until it wasn't. Her life is in jeopardy, the risk for exposure is significantly greater, and she still can't convince the coven to accept her application. Pippa couldn't in good conscience turn her back on Maxim when he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. She may be regretting that choice because now she can't seem to get rid of Maxim and his curiosity.
"You opened up a. . .a completely different world to me. And like hell, will you convince me to lie down and forget about it." - Maxim
I'm a sucker for enemies to lover's trope and I was hooked by the premise for this read! The writing was beautiful and really wove a picture. Being able to submerge into the story and feel the pains and woes of the characters. Right down to squeaky shoes and their ill-timed fart sounds. The details of the demons and the fight sequences were so much fun!
I loved Pippa and her character. Wanting to earn her place within a Coven that would hopefully accept her soon while keeping the city safe one demon at a time. But I also saw that she was on a journey of healing and growth. Feeling like she wasn't enough and needed to do more even if that meant overexerting herself and her magic or locking a part of herself away because it was deemed "evil". Not recognizing her limits or wanting to acknowledge them because if she just proved herself a little more than she'd be accepted.
Getting to have dual POVs was fun because I would've reacted the same as Maxim did to magic and the supernatural. Behind that well-groomed man, with not a wrinkle in his fine suit lies a big nerd/geek at heart. He's a successful lawyer but life didn't feel full. Until Pippa showed him the other side of the curtain. The high is there as he finds himself drawn more and more to Pippa but is he drawn to the woman or the witch?
Read through the CWs. We do have language throughout the read, fighting, bloodshed, deaths, some gore, and more. Doing some at home triage with a sewing needle and cotton thread. Anxiety for potential consequences, tense moments, talk of past magic used in a very cruel way, some bullying and manipulation. This isn't a dark read but there are some moments with grittiness. As the author states this read was influenced by 90s fantasy TV shows. (i.e. "Buffy" or "Charmed")
"She was a mystery wrapped in a slouchy sweater; an intriguing bundle of frizzy hair, pretty lips, stubbornness, and the power to char him into oblivion. And fuck, the combination was just. . . Hot." - Maxim
I loved the banter between the two and the fun usage of magic as Pippa kept Maxim focused or teased him a little. Seeing them work through their insecurities and having a more adult relationship. Talking things out even if it's hard and some of the realizations can sting. The moments of intimacy when their guards were down and they were being vulnerable with one another and showing their insecurities. We do get romance and a slow burn until the two finally get together. MF action.
HEA for the book but I hope to see Jules and Thalia again! Even if it's just a short story of the two writing something together and things get carried away. . . I loved the writing and the flow of the words but when we were having those intense plot key moments, I felt like some things could've been edited out. This is just my personal opinion because when a climactic moment is happening, I want to focus on that! I'd like to read more from this author!
Do enjoy the read and don't forget to give the author some stars!
Thank you, BookSirens!
The Wrong Sort of Magic by Alexandra Alan | eBook | Barnes & Noble®
Romance Writer | Alexandra Alan
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