*I received an ecopy of this book from the author. This has not influenced my review.*

This book was unpredictable, not formulaic, something I’ve noticed about other books by this author as well. I didn’t know where we were heading, I just let myself be taken along for the ride.

It was also a bit mysterious. There’s witchy stuff, magic, weird things happening, but the main character doesn’t actually know what’s going on, so you’re just as in the dark as he is, and it gave the book an unsettling feel. But it wasn’t overdone either, it was just the right amount of paranormal strangeness to keep me intrigued.

Another thing I like about this author’s books (or at least the ones I’ve read), including this one, is that they just feel very queer. As in, it goes beyond the characters’ labels and the romances. No disrespect to books that are like that because I enjoy those too and they are also reflective of real people’s experiences! But in this book, the queerness is intrinsic, part of the characters and their lives and thoughts and culture and the places they go and the things they do.

Similarly, the romances/relationships in this author’s books (again, the ones I’ve read) are not so cut and dry. They’re complicated, and that’s refreshing and interesting to me. So there is some romance in this book, and there is a happy ending, but it still might not be quite what you’re expecting.

I felt immersed in the historical setting of 1980 Spain. The book didn’t delve deeply into the politics of the time or anything, but it felt immersive nonetheless.

This book is part of the Haunted Hearts: Season of the Witches series, which is a collection of Own Voices M/M paranormal books, each one a standalone, but all with the theme of witches.

Overall, this book was unpredictable, mysterious, witchy, and queer, and I enjoyed the ride it took me on!

*Rating: 4 Stars // Read Date: 2025 // Format: Ebook via TTS*