★★★★☆
Series: Witches of Moondale, Book 1
Review:
First, I would like to thank the author and Book Sirens for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
When Rus left Moondale behind 11 years ago, she also left behind the love of her life. Now that she has become the guardian of two girls, she has returned to the safest place she knows, even if she doesn’t feel welcome. Moondale is a town full of magic, making it the perfect place to conceal her uniquely gifted toddler from people who would kidnap her for her power. Returning home opens up old wounds, and it doesn’t take long for the witch hunters to track her down. Rus will risk everything, even herself, to protect the people she loves.
The Hex Next Door by Lou Wilham is a perfect combination of queer, cozy, and witchy. While not a romance in this first book of the Witches of Moondale series, it is clear that Rus and Az’s relationship will be a focal point later–whenever they can overcome their reservations and insecurities. The world-building is exceptional, and I loved the sassy house and its antics.
While possibly a turn-off for some readers, I thoroughly enjoyed the plethora of colorful curse words. This is how I speak most of the time, so I felt right at home. Azure’s rant about Darcy, Rus’s crow familiar, is one of the best things I have ever read. I read it over and over again, and I even read it out loud to my husband.
The pacing was a little slow, but I really enjoyed
The Hex Next Door and I am looking forward to reading the next book,
The Ghost of Hexes Past. I can’t wait to see what finally breaks down the walls that Rus and Az have built around their hearts.
Audience: adult
Trigger warnings: kidnapping, child death (off page), frequent explicit language
Recommended for fans of: urban fantasy, queer lit, witches
Publisher's Synopsis:
What’s a little necromancy between family?
For the Crow Witch, Icarus "Rus" Ashthorne, Moondale seemed the perfect hiding place. But like they always say, you can't go home again, and Rus finds out quickly that nothing is how she remembered, while at the same time very little has changed. Then she comes face to face with the only woman she's ever loved, Az Elwood, and... well, things get messier than she thought they ever could.
The Elwoods are a staple of Moondale, respected, feared, powerful, and Azure Elwood was always happy with her place amongst them. Happy to play the part of the good little witch, until Rus Ashthorne. Eleven years ago, Rus got on a bus and left Azure behind, but she's back, with two little girls trailing her like ducklings, and enough unspoken things between them to drown the town.
Now witch hunters are knocking at their proverbial door, the council of magic is being a real pain in the ass, and Rus wonders how much magic it’ll take to protect the people she loves from herself and the danger following her.
Source:
Book Sirens
©Midnight Tide Publishing: October 19, 2022
Edition: Digital Review Copy
279 pages
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