Book Review: What's a Witch to Do? by Jennifer Harlow

What's a Witch to Do?
Author: Jennifer Harlow
Publisher: Midnight Ink
Source: From Netgalley
ISBN-10: 0738735140
ISBN-13: 978-0738735146
Buy it here: Amazon | Book Depository
For more information visit Jennifer Harlow's website

Review by: Beth


Mona’s life is busy. She owns her own shop, is the high priestess of a coven, and is the care giver for two nieces her sister left on her door step. It’s safe to say Mona has her work cut out for her. One night Adam Blue knocks on her door injured. She invites the werewolf in and helps him out. Adam didn’t knock on her door just for a potion. He tells her that she is in danger. One of her own coven wants to have her killed.

What’s a Witch to do? is Harlow’s first book in her new Midnight Magic Mystery series. It’s a cozy mystery and full on romance. It takes place in Harlow’s F.R.E.A.K.S series universe. Harlow pulls off romance with ease, maybe even better than her Urban Fantasy series. I call this a cozy mystery, but the truth is I know very little about cozy mystery novels. Usually I do Gothic romances, UF and anything bordering horror. This isn’t any of that, but I still enjoyed it.

 Mona, the main character, leads a life that makes my skin crawl. She is not only domestic, but also involved in her community, and all around good person. The author gets the reader involved with Mona’s life by making a check list of daily things to accomplish. This also adds to the cute humor that runs throughout the novel. With Adam’s help, Mona is determined who wants to kill her, and juggle her already hectic life. Meanwhile the hot doctor Mona has had a crush on seems to be having one back, but she is slowly growing closer to her new werewolf companion.

Mona isn’t a dense character. She doesn’t always judge things correctly, but readers never feel as if she is an idiot either. Her want to be killer isn’t the forefront of the first half of the story. It snags the reader along with the romance, and the light humor. A demon becomes involved, kicking the tension of the story up a notch. The second half of the novel is more dangerous, and a lot more interesting. The romance never falls into the background, but fits nicely into plot.

I have one small negative thing. Mona, for all her good nature, she is a little judgmental of others, especially other women.

Mona’s story isn’t anything new for the genre. It’s not as steamy, and it doesn’t take a lot of risks, but it is a fun quick read. The romance felt gradual and organic, which is impressive considering what Mona discovers (No spoilers for you!). I am excited to see what else comes out of this new series.
My Rating: