I am glad I stuck with this one, I got more into it about halfway through, and I did like it more than the first book. The series follows the Bay sisters as they meet their soulmates and have to navigate a family curse in various ways.
I'll be honest "true soulmate" stories are not my cup of tea, I'll blame Twilight discourse for that, but I was hankering for something to fill Juliette Cross's Stay a Spell series and these don't quite hit the mark for me, which is also my fault for comparing this series to one of my favourites. These are fairly short books which is both good and bad, good because the pacing never seems to lull, even if I would consider it medium pacing, but bad because I don't feel like any character has been truly fleshed out in either book of the series.

There's a running piece of knowledge that the Bay sisters are very powerful, powerful enough to have a curse on them threatening their very existence, but none of them seem competent in their magic or have done any studying into their abilities apart from what they need for their jobs. But then when they need it the most they can perform huge amounts of magic that they didn't even know about, which is just not my favourite tool in books.

There is reincarnation in these books, quite heavily in fact, and I like it a lot which I didn't think I would. The author has obviously done a bit of research into the time periods which is nice and those parts feel well developed and fleshed out for the short amount of time we are in it. It also makes the "instant love" more tolerable to me in the present day interactions. It would make sense that the characters would know more about their magic after the past lives are looked into, but there is very little of that and it falls flat for me. Rosemary mentioned it a little in this book when she still knew the past language, but it didn't seem like there was a lightbulb moment connected to her powers, but maybe I missed something.

If you like fluffy fantasy series with some fun family dynamics I'd give them a shot, and I will probably continue with the series when the next one comes out. 3.5 stars.

It was cute! Garden witch x cop, then the whole background soulmate story. I wouldn't lie, the flashback to their previous lives confused me a bit at first, but I got into it and enjoyed the whole book. It's sweet and cute!

Bewitching Rosemary by Colleen Delaney.
The Witches of Star Island, Book#2.
I really did enjoy this book. I am really enjoying this series. I loved the cover and blurb of this book. I love the sister’s. Rosemary and Asher I loved how they were together. I liked the past lives chapter. I really didn't like Ivan at all. The Guardian’s gave me buffy vibes. Especially with the van. I did like the ending. I'm really looking forward to the next book. I would definitely recommend this book.

We return to Star Island where Rosemary, a garden witch finally encounters her soulmate, only to her horror finds out that he is a police officer.
Funny quirky and a fabulously easy flowing story. This series is turning out to be a delight to read. I just wonder now what the rest of the Bay sisters will find with their fated others and just how this will impact on the centuries old curse that is on the family.

First of all I want to thank NetGalley for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review🫶🏼
This book was so fun to read!!!! This book was amazing, this book had everything, had magic, had adventure, had incredible chemistry between the couple and much more!!! I already knew I would like this book but I didn't think it would like it so much or interest me as much as I was interested. The author is to be congratulated for having created this incredible book that I will undoubtedly recommend!!

This has got to be one of my favorite reads this year! This is book 2 of The Witches of Star Island series. If you’ve never heard of it I encourage you to start reading or at least add it to your TBR.

If you’ve read Lucy Scores The Knockemout series and loved it this series reminds me of it but in the best magical witchy way possible!

The drama, the plot, the characters, and the magic. It literally has made me feel like I conjure up the same magic and get the same results. From manifesting through tea to moving the earth. If you’re a spicy loving reader this is the book! The romance and spice were great. Not too subtle and not too erotic. The perfect blend of detailed but not too close to cringe. I’m incredibly happy and grateful I’ve gotten the opportunity to read this before its publish date. Colleen Delaney easily became a favorite author and I can't wait to dive into all the other work she’s done!

If you enjoy inta-lust (which makes sense in a soulmate story) then this book will be for you. Unfortunately that's not the case for me. However, I enjoyed the set up with the Bay sisters and how their magical abilities flourish in the smalltown setting, and I also liked the love interest. However I was pulled out of the story toward the end due to a narrative choice. So it fell a little flat for me.

Bewitching Rosemary -The Witches of Star Island Book #2

 By: Colleen Delaney- I haven't read Book #1 The Hedge Witch but was able to follow along

Publication: 11-19-24, Read 11-18-24

Setting: Star Island

Page Count: 264 ebook

POV: dual, 3rd person

 Genre/Tropes: 
♡ Paranormal Romance
♡ soulmates
♡ witches
♡ sisterhood
♡ magic
♡ insta-love/love at 1st sight
♡ time travel
♡ small town

The Cast:
Hero: Sheriff Asher Evans-Police officer moved from Buffalo to escape memories of past trauma. Working on missing persons case of Morana Stoch
Heroine: Rosemary Bay-a Garden witch, sex magic enthusiast. She's known her soulmate since she was 16 and in past lives. 
Lavender-the oldest Bay sister
Laurel-found her soulmate first-Owen Davies
Verbena-a realtor
Sage- the youngest Bay sister, a farmer
Ivan Stoch-Morana's brother looking for his sister

My Thoughts: This book was a cute soulmate story between a witch and a cop. Rosemary is flighty bohemian with sex on the brain. Her and the sheriff hook up quickly, but they do take time to get to know each other. Someone knows what Laurel and Rosemary did to Morana and sends threatening letters. Rosemary decides to go back to the past for thyme to burn as protection while Asher awaits her return from "Boston." I loved the story from the past about Gundrun and Skaldi. It was so heart wrenching and beautiful.  I can't wait for the next sister's HEA!

TW:  SA-threatened, murder/suicide
Steam level: 4/5
Rating: 4/5

Thanks for the e-ARC provided by NetGalley, City Owl Press, and Colleen Delaney. I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions are my own!

Bewitching Rosemary is a short, sweet and seriously sexy witchy romance with a strong plot driving the whole story forward.

I loved the Hedge Witch and was so excited to read Rosemary’s story and this did not disappoint. Rosemary and Ash have the most incredible chemistry and I loved watching their relationship develop. I was a little worried with how the story would go with Ash being a police officer, but this was wonderfully done.

““Rosemary, it’s hilarious. Fate is obviously pulling your leg. Pot smoking, sex magic practicing, running around naked under the full moon Rosemary’s soulmate is a cop? That’s like a primordial joke.””

Returning to the Bay Sisters was excellent and I can’t wait to read more from Colleen Delaney, The Witches of Star Island is quickly becoming my new favourite witchy series!

This is a captivating read for fans of romance, fantasy, and magical realism, particularly those who enjoy stories about forbidden love, self-discovery, and the complexities of fate and destiny.

📱E-Book Review📱

Bewitching Rosemary
Colleen Delaney

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

This is the second book in this gorgeous witchy series - The Witches Of Star Island - and you may have seen my review for book 1 - The Hedge Witch, back in May this year.
I absolutely loved book one and couldn't wait to continue the journey here.

First things first, I absolutely love the front cover (actually of both books!) and was instantly drawn to the series - they'll look great together on bookshelves everywhere!

So, we're back with the Bay sisters and this time we are focusing on Rosemary's journey.
She has been dreaming of her soulmate since she was 16 - knowing they've met in every past life, she's eager to discover what this life will bring.
When Sherrif Evans knocks on the door one day in search of the missing witch that the girls had banished, Rosemary knows that this journey will be a tricky one!

Once again, we see the dynamics between the Bay sisters and it's so lovely to watch how they all support each other no matter what.

I love the idea of soul mates and it was fascinating to follow this over the two different lives/timelines and see Rosemary's past life with Asher and the trauma they endured.
It put the worst of this life into perspective and showed us that there would be a way through anything, allowing them to be together.

There was a little less world building in this book but we see this develop through the story as we read.
Packed with magic, spells and curses this was the perfect 'hangover' read, stretching out my spooky season reading a little further.

I'm already excited to see which sister will be starting in book 3 ....

This was a fun romance read. Rosemary is a lovable free spirit and I enjoyed the witchy vibes. The romance plot was satisfying with a nice amount of spice. The conflict plot was a bit hard to follow. And the reason for the curse and what the curse is was never really explained. I feel like there are more questions than answers. But overall a fun and fast read.

In the second book in the Witches Of Star Island Series, Rosemary Bay just knows that she is about to meet her soulmate. She has been waiting for this moment for years, but she is totally unprepared for who (or what) the universe sends her..... Sheriff Asher Evans. This is an unwelcome surprise if for no other reason, than he is looking for a witch her sister banished to another realm. But they can't exactly tell him that, can they? As soon as Asher lays eyes on Rosemary, he is instantly in love - and feels an immediate need to watch over her and keep her safe. When a villain from their past life shows up on Star Island, Rosemary and Asher’s happiness will be tested by a centuries’ old curse, an unavoidable destiny, and a metal warlock determined to keep them apart.

I have not read the first book in the series (yet), but I was not at all lost. I believe each book can be read as a stand-alone. I think they each may feature one of the five Bay sisters, although all five sisters were present and played pivotal roles in the book, Rosemary was the key focus in this one. This book was a lot of fun, and I loved the characters as well as the setting of Star Island. There were plenty of laugh=out-loud moments, as well as some very steamy scenes with Rosemary and Asher. I definitely plan to go back and read the first book, and look forward to seeing where the series goes from here.

Unbeknownst to me, this book is part of a series—and of course, it’s book 2, lol. However, it feels more like a story set in the same universe but mostly standalone, so I was still able to enjoy the book without getting too lost. Most things were explained.

I was laughing right from the start with this one. The comments about her soulmate being a cop had me dying! The comedy continued through out the rest of the book with various amounts of sarcasm and sex jokes

Because of the soulmate trope, it’s very much an instalove situation, which I’m not usually a fan of, but it didn’t bother me too much. The spice, while minimal, definitely made up for it 😂🌶️😮‍💨

The past life flashback was really interesting. I expected it to be just a brief couple of paragraphs, but it ended up being a whole 10% of the book! It was a good story. I figured Asher would be affected, despite what was initially said.

I was concerned there might be a miscommunication trope due to the Guardian reveal, but it was quickly resolved.

The ending felt a bit rushed and thrown together, but everything was tied up nicely, so there’s that!

Overall, I really enjoyed the book and had a good time with it. At some point I would like to read the first book and eventually the rest of the series.

Thanks to NetGalley and Owl City Press for the ARC!!

I expected a spicy romance with not much emotional interest. Boy, Ou Boy, how I was surprised. Collen made Bewitching Rosemary one of the most surprising romance books, that I read in 2024. Let`s see together why 😉

If you read the first book in the Star Island series - Hedge Witch you already met Rosemary Bay, if not let me introduce you. Rosemary is one of 5 Bay sisters Lavender, Rosemary, Laurel, Verbena, and Sage. They all live in a cottage on Stare Island and well, are witches. Rosemary is a garden witch who dabbles in sex magic and well everyone else business.
In book one, we learn about a curse threatening the Bay sisters and meet Laurel and her soulmate, Owen. The story left us with plenty of unresolved dangers, which pick up again in this book

Rosemary meets right at the beginning her Soulmate Asher Evans who is the new Star Island sheriff. For Rosemary (a free spirit who loves dancing naked on every possible holiday, and takes mild natural drugs on special occasions ) this is an unpleasant surprise. Also, it looks like the brother of the villain from book one is coming to Star Island to find out what happened to his sibling. Will Rosemarie`s fears come to life and she and Asher will not have anything in common? Will the Bay sisters survive another of the evil siblings?

Review
Overall Rating: 4.75/5🪄
Characters: 🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄
Atmosphere:  🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄
Plot: 🪄🪄🪄🪄
Logic/Relationships:  🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄
Enjoyment: 🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

This book is a work of magic. Rosemary is one of the most enticing antagonists I read in paranormal witchy romance in a while. She is funny in her inner monologues and I loved her as a character. The little chatty garden witch that loves good sex and is enjoying life to its fullest.
I adore her personality and the care she gives her flowers and family. I must say she is probably my new life guru. I looooooooove FMC who knows how to have fun and is wild, but also kind of wise and not unnecessarily reckless.
Asher at the beginning is what I consider a fairly normal guy. He is the protector and he is looking like a vanilla kind of guy. But that is not true at all. During the book Asher`s personality nicely developed. My first impression was that he would not have any depth, but his family history and other things made him interesting in the end. And if personal development is not enough for you his bossy, filthy mouth adds an unexpected edge that will keep you turning pages🥵😂 I must say that my man enjoyed the spicy side of this book, even though he did not read it 😉
I enjoyed the magic system in this book very much, witches are divided by nature and also subsections like house witch, garden witch, harvest witch, etc. It just breathes coziness to witchcraft.
My only critique of this book is that the villain was not scary enough for me 😂
In finale... Bewitching Rosemary is a fantastic read for everyone who loves cozy witchy romance with an island atmosphere, a dash of mystery, and a lot of funny banter between main characters. With a female lead who is a free spirit doing sex magic and a bossy man lead with a filthy mouth in the best way, I am sure you will enjoy this ride through Star Island.
Full review available here: https://rovrabel.wixsite.com/romisbookcorner/post/bewitching-rosemary-by-collen-delaney-sex-magic-and-past-life-that-make-you-cry

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a free and honest review.

Bewitching Rosemary is the second book in the Witches of Star Island series by Colleen Delaney. Much like the first book in the series, this book is filled with magic, romance, revenge, and a lot of spice.

The main character and witch, Rosemary Bay, has been waiting to meet her soulmate since she was 16 years old and when she learns that her soulmate is not only human but also a cop (Asher), she has conflicting feelings about whether or not to pursue him.

As fate would have it, Asher has been assigned to a missing person’s case that involves Rosemary’s family so she is unable to avoid him. Her attempt to put a spell on him backfires but that doesn’t stop things between them from heating up fast.

Once again, the author transports the reader back in time. This time, we see the previous life and relationship of Rosemary and Asher from hundreds of years ago. In doing so, the reader is able to feel the deeper connection between Rosemary and Asher which gives their relationship more substance- a deeper connection that goes beyond just their sexual relationship, which I happened to appreciate.

This was a quick and fun read. Its witchy vibe is a perfect autumnal read! If you enjoy stories about witches, magical spells, other worldly realms, and romance then this book is for you!

Rosemary Bay may be a garden witch, but she’s planting chaos and love in equal measure, and I’m here for it. With a soulmate Sheriff who’s as stubborn as he is swoon-worthy, their chemistry is spellbinding. Add a metal warlock and a centuries-old curse, and you’ve got a story that’s part romance, part magical mayhem, and 100% unputdownable. Rosemary’s charm and Asher’s protective streak make for a delightful duo, and Star Island feels like a character all its own. If you’re looking for a read with heart, humor, and a touch of magic, this one will cast a spell on you.

This is Rosemary's story with Asher who is the new town Sheriff and her soulmate. I loved that we learned new things about the supernatural world and hopefully it will continue to be explored in the series. The Stoch's are something else. I have a theory on what may happened with the Choas one and a certain Bay sister, but I'll keep it to myself. In the past life chapter I did get a bit emotional and especially when Rosemary and Asher woke up from out of the spell. How things really came to light in the present and learning more about Asher. This just has some cozy vibes too making me want to live on Star Island. The way how Verbena depicts Rosemary and Asher's house at the end sounds delightful. I'm just really loving this series and we have at least 3 more to look forward to. I can't wait to read them.

I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Oh this was a fun and really quick read for me! I loved the romance, soulmates, and definitely the witchy vibes. The chilli peppers are definitely there for this one.

Thank you to netgalley and City Owl Press for providing me with an ARC of this novel to review.

Rosemary Bay has met her soulmate...and he happens to be her small community's new sheriff. She also happens to be one of five sister witches, have a penchant for some herbal drugs, and run around naked fairly frequently.
And could the timing be worse? There's a warlock after her and her sisters because of some past life shenanigans, the fact that they sort if imprisoned his sister in what they call the Hedge Wood, and a family curse states that anyone who takes the blood of the Bay sisters will steal their power.

This was a fun, "fluffy" read that centered on witches and other supernatural beings living in mostly-secret among humans in the modern world. There's definitely a fair amount of detailed spice, which isn't a thing I look for when choosing a book and I usually don't enjoy smut because of how ridiculous it can get. It definitely gets a little ridiculous here, but I think it works because the book doesn't take itself too seriously.

There is an interesting sort of interlude for a couple of chapters that changes the focus and pacing of the story during the middle point. It flashes to a shared past life between two characters and introduces a few darker themes (discussion of potential rape, murder, death, starvation). I found the change of pace welcome initially, but it soon felt like it went on a bit too long.

I did also make the mistake of picking this up without realizing that it's the second in the series. I didn't feel completely lost or like I missed anything in a first book that was critical to understanding the plot of this one, so that worked out better for me than it could have. I do get the sense that this will be a good series to pick up if you're in the mood for something light, fun, and flirty - just make sure you start with the first book!