Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for providing me with an egalley of this title to review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
I am totally enamored with this world and this author's writing. When I picked up Phantasma, I wasn't sure I'd like it. There was so much hype over it and often times I am disappointed with the books that get such publicity. But it was a great story that sucked me right in and made me fall in love with all the characters. I was truly excited to pick up this second installment and see where Smith would take it.
This book takes us across the ocean to Italy, far from the world of New Orleans we encountered in the first book. But the country where the book doesn't matter so much as the place. As with the first book, this book takes place on the grounds of an estate. This time one hidden away in the hills. We encounter Ophelia's sister, Genevieve, who is searching for others like her. She stumbles across a letter her mother received from an old friend, Barrington Silver, and decides to the write up on their offer to come for a stay. But her timing could not be worse as she enters and ends up being trapped for the duration of a deadly game the estate's residents are forced to play every year.
In all honesty, I was expecting a bit more from the setting of this book. After all, it takes place in Italy. I wanted to see the hills of Tuscany and how they might play into the story. But the country really didn't matter. The story could have taken place at an estate anywhere in the world and still been a fabulous read. I do understand the need for the author to move the location given that Phantasma moves around and we'd already experienced it in New Orleans. What I did love was the sprawling estate with rooms upon rooms and secret passages in all the nooks and crannies. Oh, and there's a hedge maze, to boot! So much potential for all the things that happened in the story.
If you're looking for an anti-damsel in a story, you must read this. Genevieve Grimm is truly a strong and determined woman who knows what she wants. She does have fears that bleed into her life but she doesn't let them stop her from going after what she wants. I adored her and her character development. She smarts, sassy, curvy, stubborn, and confident. If she were real, I would pursue her as a best girlfriend. She loves fiercely and with her whole self. And she doesn't sugar coat who she is, which was my favorite part about her.
Rowinington "Rowin" Silver, on the other hand, is an enigma. He's definitely grumpy, closed off, and does not give off any information about himself. From the start, he doesn't like Genevieve, though you cannot truly tell why since he has never met her before she shows up on his doorstep. Try as he might, he cannot chase her away. But what he is is smart and sees an opportunity when it's placed in front of him. Genevieve could be the key to ending his family's curse and setting them all free. Trust me, you will grow to love his grumpy, to understand it, and then to love him just as he is.
What I truly loved about this book more than anything were the relationships between Rowin and his siblings. He has created a bit of a rift having been the winner of their odd family game for the last 15 years. At the same time, the dynamics that exist from whatever sibling foundation was create prior to the family game still exists. You can see it in how the siblings talk and interact with one another. Smith created some of the best side characters I've read about in a while. Often times these small characters lend very little to the story line of a book but here, we had an entire family who had truly nuanced relationships. I would love more of a back story on Rowin and his brother Remington, though. And several times the characters mentioned something about a previous marriage or perhaps engagement of one of the siblings but that story isn't given freely in the book. I would love some side stories about all these siblings.
I also enjoyed the deeper look into the devils. In the first book we met several. This book happens to have just one but we get an even deeper understanding of just how sinister they are and jsut what they will do in order to get what they want.
As with the first book, this one is fast paced as Smith takes us on a ride through Enchantra and the games the siblings play to try and earn their freedom from being bound in Hell for a year. This story, like the first, definitely gives off The Hunger Games vibes. I love the idea of everything taking place in the different rooms in the house. And I love Smith's writing. She has a knack to take the darkness and still make it light. This book has tense moments but also the humor we saw in the first, plus a good amount of delicious spice!
I have to admit, I've not read much dark romantic fantasy, though I would say I love dark academia and that gives off a very similar vibe. What I can say is that I am now all about this genre and where it will take me. I can see so many different stories stemming from this one and I really hope the introduction of a character we knew from the first book means she is going to get her own book next. I would also love to see more back story on Tessa Grimm, Barrington Silver, and Gabriel. We also get to see some of the characters we me in the first book. And the ending Smith gives us definitely leaves room for more books in this world.
This book has just as many addictive qualities as it's predecessor. While the theme is similar, it is not the same. It's fresh and new and shows us a different side to the paranormal world we encountered in the first book. I haven't rated many books 5 stars so far this year, but this one deserves it. I loved it even more than the first one, mostly because Vivi is my new book girlfriends but also because it was just twisty enough to keep me on the edge of my seat and panting for more. I cannot wait to see what Smith writes next.

This was even better than Phantasma! I had straight beef with Genevieve in the first book, but after getting to know her in Enchantra, I love her more🫣 I feel like we see more of the family in this one since The Hunt forced all siblings to play simultaneously instead of taking turns.

𝑩𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒈𝒐 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒌.

Rowin and Genevieve are perfect. Absolutely perfect together. They’re both smart, sassy, strong willed, and absolutely devious! The Silvers are definitely the vibe for when you have a ton of family. Kaylie did an amazing job making me feel like I was back at home having the same (but less deadly/violent) arguments with my family😂

“𝑰’𝒎 𝒂 𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝑯𝒆𝒍𝒍, 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒖𝒔𝒖𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆. 𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒃𝒆𝒅, 𝑰 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒊𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒔𝒉𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒆.“

I can’t wait for the next book! I’m absolutely hooked on the world in these books no matter whose story comes next. The plot always has me on the edge of my seat and the characters are perfect at making you forget you’re reading.

Thank you so much to the author and Second Sky for the gifted copy!🖤

Enchantra left me desperate for more while also satisfied with the ending and possible set up for more. I was instantly addicted to these characters. I rarely find a sequel that lives up to the magic and hype of a perfectly executed first book, but Enchantra is all that was incredible about Phantasma and so much more. From a fierce, sassy, loveable and relatable FMC to a shadow wraith MMC with tattoos and piercings.

Genevieve Grimm is a curvy, independent, self-assured and mouthy. She is headstrong and does what she wants, especially when a man tells her to be quiet. She takes nonsense from no one, and I loved her self-assuredness and determination. I resonated with her defiance to be ordered around and silenced, even though occasionally she probably should've. I loved the way she loves herself, and her fierce loyalty to those she cares about.

In pursuit of answers about her family, she finds herself on a family estate in the countryside of Italy after setting out on an adventure to find answers about her family history (and to give her sister and her significant other some much-needed alone time). She is thrown headfirst (involuntarily) into a devil's game of hide and seek and decides to marry a stranger. The family dynamics of this book made me feel invested in each of Vivi's (Genevieve's) in-laws and how they would impact the games ending. One of the best elements to this story was the game(s) within the game that the main characters played to pass time and get to know one another. Two truths and a lie was the perfect execution for these characters to go from essentially enemies and strangers to something different entirely.

The game of Enchantra itself was spooky, thrilling and had my heart racing. An inevitable love story and a twist I never saw coming had me consumed with needing to know what would happen next. And who doesn't love a supernatural animal sidekick? I also loved that we get an update on how the MMC/FMC from Phantasma are doing and how these two stories collide. I would give just about anything to immediately fall back into this world, I hope for more books in this series!

I love this book so much! Genevieve is the perfect FMC. I was cracking up at her banter throughout the book. She is funny, strong, stubborn, curvy and she owns every bit of herself and I appreciated that. The MMC, Rowin is a true shadow daddy but him coupled with the “touch-her-and-die” trope is perfection. You can only love Genevieve and Rowin together. I thoroughly enjoyed how Genevieve and Rowan’s romance slowly built and how they were able to learn about each other in a really cute way while also pinning for one another.

As for the plot, I instantly thought of the film “Ready-or-Not” between the twisted games and dysfunctional family and I ate it up. I loved the uniqueness that the games brought to the plot and the curse upon the family.

Lastly, the setting! What is not to love about a picturesque mansion in Tuscany with some rooms that are like a dream. It was such a dichotomy to Phantasma but in the best way possible.

Unfortunately, I loved this book so much I was really disappointed when it did finally end. Great read!

I have finished, and I am so in love with this world that Kaylie Smith has created. The way that the stories are so interwoven that I don’t have to leave my favorite characters behind and see them continue to flourish through the series is easily one of my favorite aspects.

Smith has a way of weaving pieces of the reader into her characters. Ophelia felt like she was ripped from part of my soul, to the point that leaving her behind felt like a betrayal, and yet Genevieve also felt like pieces of myself were finally seen.

Just like Ophelia before her, I found myself in love with another man in such a short time that I began gaslighting myself that maybe he wasn’t that fantastic (spoiler: he IS fantastic), but Sevin (easily a favorite AND MAYBE BOOK 3?!), despite his humor, was the one that said something so profound that I couldn’t help but fall more in love with him.

<i> Genevieve bit her lip. “Do you think it’s possible to love someone after only a few days?”
“We’re certainly capable of hating someone in a short period of time—on sight, even. I don’t see why love should be any different,” Sevin told her. “But I’m afraid I don’t feel that way about you, sweetheart. You’re not my type.” </i>

And, of course, I can’t not swoon over Rowin. We love a man that supports and uplifts his partner, that makes bargains with others to keep her safe and alive, that is feral and unhinged if someone touches his wife…. And is also a tortured soul.

I want to see them find a cure. I want closure for the family. I also want Salem to get revenge.

I loved reading Phantasma last year, so I was understandably afraid the second book wouldn't live up to how much I adored Ophelia and Blackwell. Well, my friends, Vivi and Rowin blew them OUT OF THE WATER. These two get to know one another better than any characters I've read in a while. Having them play 2 truths and a lie was honestly a perfect narrative choice. It allowed them to share deeper things that may not have come up naturally, but it was also suspenseful because the reader didn't know if they would be honest or lie about things that I wanted them to tell each other. It was soooo good.

I also loved the Beauty and the Beast/The Hunger Games qualities to this story. They're in a creepy manor. People use mirrors to watch them. Rowin and his 6 siblings are forced by a Devil to play a death game every year where they kill one another for the Devil's viewers. It was a very engaging story and the games were fast paced.

The spice was also great. I love it when people are "faking" it but also.... we all know they aren't faking it. Oh oh also the marriage of convenience trope?! Absolutely wild how quickly that happened, but I loved it.

I loved the romance so so much because it was ROMANTIC. Let. men. talk. about. their. feelings!!!! So good.

I also really enjoyed how many windows were left open for this author to go different directions with future books. There were hints about current characters' stories needing to be continued somehow, but also this book gave us so many FANTASTIC and NEW characters that I would love to see full-length novels for (Sevin and Ellin are my top two). I'm excited to see where the author takes the series!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Kaylie Smith for the opportunity to read this eARC.

I honestly really enjoyed Enchantra. It was a book I felt myself looking forward to reading.

I can’t wait to read more of Kaylie’s work.

Omg. Omg. Omg. Omg.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an arc copy of Enchantra for my honest review.

I didn’t think I would love the sequel as much as I loved Phantasma. I loved it even more.

There was something so delicious and mysterious about Rowin that had me giggling and kicking my feet the entire time. He was everything I could’ve hoped for.

Vivi was incredibly sassy, witty, and determined to cause trouble anywhere she went.

Rowin’s family? Incredible. The games? Spectacular!

I cannot get enough of Kaylie’s writing. I cannot wait for book 3!!!!!

6 stars! 6 FREAKING STARS. ⭐️

Enchantra is a captivating read that had me hooked from the start. If you enjoyed Phantasma, this sequel takes everything you loved and adds fresh surprises. The intricate game introduced in this book keeps the tension high, and the characters—vivid, complex, and relatable—bring the story to life in a way that’s hard to forget.

The world-building is seamless, drawing you in without overwhelming you with details. The settings feel alive, and the plot is full of unexpected twists, keeping you on the edge of your seat. The romance is perfectly balanced, adding just the right amount of heat without overshadowing the main story.

Genevieve, the main character, finds herself trapped at an estate with an immortal competition where the stakes are deadly for her as a mortal. Forced into marriage with Rowin, one of the demon’s sons, they must work together to win the Hunt and earn their freedom. But Rowin has hidden motives, making their partnership even more dangerous.

I enjoyed this book as much as the first. There were some questions that remained unanswered, like the strained relationship between Rowin and his twin, Remi, which I hope is explored in future books. Overall, Enchantra is a thrilling, immersive read that sets up an exciting continuation for the series. Can’t wait for the next installment!

Last year I stepped outside my comfort zone and entered the world of dark romantasy with PHANTASMA. And, guess what? I loved it there, so it’s no surprise I eagerly anticipated the release of ENCHANTRA, the second book in the series. The big question was whether Kaylie Smith could deliver a worthy sequel. The answer is a resounding HELL YES!!!

ENCHANTRA is Genevieve’s story. Raised as the non-magical Grimm sister, Genevieve is trying to find her place in the world when she receives a mysterious invitation to an Italian estate. Once there she finds herself unable to escape; locked into a dangerous family game where there can only be one winner. The penalty for losing? Trapped in hell until the next game. Genevieve quickly learns that her chances for victory (and survival) increase if she marries pompous, yet incredibly handsome, Rowin Silver, and they compete as a team.

During this kill or be killed version of hide-and-seek, we discover that Genevieve is no shrinking violet waiting to be saved. No, she is a badass, crafty, worthy competitor and that makes her irresistible to Rowin. What starts as a marriage of survival quickly turns into a steamy, lust filled partnership and it is INTENSE.

I alternated between the print and audio versions of this book and literally hung on every word. The production value of the audiobook was exceptional and Laura Horowitz‘s narration perfectly captured the growing lustful tension and budding romance between Genevieve and Rowin. My pulse quickened as the lovers made their way through the dangerous labyrinth.

Kaylie Smith has written a second heart pounding dark fantasy with an interesting premise and plenty of spice. This is a perfect read (or listen) for those who like their romance hot, their heroines feisty, and their heroes morally grey.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture Audio, and Second Sky/Forever for the gifted advance copies. All opinions are my own.

This book is so fun and spicy but with a hauntingly romantic vibe. I was hooked from the first page. Rowin is so broody and brass while Genevive is stronger than dhe knows and brilliant!

If you know me, you know I’ve got low to no tolerance for supposedly strong FMCs who keep constantly and consistently being saved by men or some random convenient plot twist.

So let me just say that Genevieve Grimm as Enchantra’s FMC is the anti-damsel I needed. She isn’t some overpowered “chosen one,” nor does she spend the book waiting for a man to save her, although if a hot shadow man offers to detangle her hair, well, I'm sure she'd let them. She’s got female friendships, personality, curves, confidence, a stubborn streak, a messed up backstory, likes a party and feels like someone I’d grab a coffee/beverage with. Kaylie Smith understood the assignment.

Firstly, the setting is Tuscany, on a sprawling estate with secret passages and giant hedge mazes and Vivi (Genevieve) has somehow found herself trapped in a deadly game of hide and seek with a cursed family who star in some type of reality TV show for a demonic audience. Not exactly a relaxing vacation.

Vivi’s only shot at survival is a marriage of convenience to an Azriel-coded, enigmatic shadow wraith immortal named Rowin Silver. There are corvids (obligatory bird lady appreciation), masquerades, ball gowns, piranhas, secret rooms, animal companion-familiars, the whole touch her and die and fake dating thing, a splash of grumpy-shadow vs. sunshine, plus zippy banter.

Furthermore, the Silver family is peak dysfunction. It’s that special kind of found family dynamic where your in-laws might actually kill you and each other (bonding through murder, love that for them). The sibling relationships were nuanced. Ellin and Sevin were particularly well-developed. That said, I wanted more on Barrington Silver and Tessie Grimm’s backstories, and more insight into the rift between identical shadow-wraith twins, Remi and Rowin.

Nonetheless, I perceived Enchantra to be a lot more romantic than its predecessor. Genevieve and Rowin communicate. Secrets unravel, vulnerabilities crack open. It simmers before it boils, and when it does, the romance feels earned.

Now, the rating dilemma. My heart wants to throw 5 stars at this, because I thought the ending was twisty, heart melting, loved it. But my critic wants to hold it back at 4, due to a few minor nitpicks (an overused nickname and overuse of italics for emphasis, just a personal preference). So, let’s call it 4.5. I loved this more than Phantasma so if you liked that, there is a good chance you’ll like Enchantra too.

A huge thanks to Second Sky/Forever and NetGalley for the invitation to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review. So much fun!

TL;DR:

☠️ Found family but make it murderous
☠️ Marriage of convenience-fake dating but with actual stakes
☠️ Masquerades, ball gowns, and piranhas
☠️ Touch her and die
☠️ Shadows vs sunshine
☠️ Cute animal companions
☠️ Shadow appendage 🍆 (I won't elaborate)
☠️ More romantic than Phantasma
☠️ Curvy FMC representation

I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this book since I was pretty meh about Phantasma, but Enchantra was pretty good! The plot is very fun and easy to get into, it also has a lot of good and interesting action happening, and the romance is definetly giving! Would highly recommend!

The hate to love was a fast burn, and damn it was executed SO well -- like how do you even write a deep romance in such a short timeline that well?

It's a marriage of convenience btw, between the MC Genevieve and her love Rowin -- they have to team up and win a paranormal, will-possibly-kill-you game together. The game's rounds were written with a wonderful balance of the game itself (the thrill, the strategy) and of Genevieve and Rowin getting closer coz they're having so many honest and playful conversations during the lulls. Also, there's the cutest fox familiar, I almost melted when it because besties with [REDACTED] 🥲

I guess this is going to be a full fledged series with a different main couple each time? Sign me up!!

-- ty to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!

Enjoyable dark romantic fantasy. Fans of the first book in the series will likely enjoy this installment as well, but I found the plot to be somewhat lacking in this installment. There were a couple of plot holes, and despite the high stakes setting, I felt the plot lacked excitement because nothing really happened beyond the same repetitive events. That said, the setting makes for a fun ambiance, and some of the side characters were fun.

Aaaahhhh! Enchantra was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and it delivered! I love a shadow daddy, and Rowin was to die for. His and Genevieve’s banter kept me invested the whole time and the Hunt was such an interesting concept. I love the idea of essential a game show for Hell. Kaylie Smith became an instant buy author for me after this one.

I wasn’t a fan of Phantasma but I wanted to give Genevieve’s story a chance. Unfortunately I didn't like this one either and think this series isn’t for me. The storyline is very similar to the first book and lacks creativity. The trials were boring and lackluster. Romance was missing tension and chemistry. I think people who loved Phantasma will also like this one, just wasn’t my cup of tea.

3.75⭐ Let me start by saying this was FUN. I mean, it had a lot of things similar to Phantasma and while they didn't bother me in Phantasma, I don't know why in this one: they did. I was constantly rolling my eyes. I mean, WHY do you have a game called THE HUNT but it ends up being hiding in a room waiting for hours because apparently the "hunters" are really bad at this game (even though they've been doing it for decades...) I was expecting more action, fights, running, HUNTING. It did not deliver in that front. It mainly consisted in hiding out in different rooms as an excuse for getting the two main characters in a forced proximity situation to validate the fact that they end up falling in love after 7 days. This being said: I liked the ending. LOVED the side charcaters. I had a good time and while I can reccomend it, I was expecting more.

I had loved the first one and I love the second one as much. It is really original for me. It's intriguing, it's steamy and it's captivating.
I can't say much without spoiling it, except for : read this saga!

Enchantra 🔮🏰🗡️🕯️💍
4⭐️
4🌶️

After reading Phantasma last year and it being one of my top books of 2024, I was highly anticipating the 2025 release of Enchantra.

This book was a little slow for me; I didn’t fully get into the story until about 40%. I really loved the family element of the Silvers and how they welcomed Genevieve in. I also loved the dynamics between Rowin and Vivi!

The boundaries of The Hunt didn’t make a lot of sense to me and it felt like the “subgames” were made up as the story went on. Things would have flowed just a little bit more easily with a little preface of what the subgames were and what they entailed, but I also appreciate the lack of spoon feeding and the element of showing instead of telling.

The plot twist at the end of this book threw me for a complete loop and had me on the edge of my seat! I was audibly gasping at certain points throughout this book. I’m smelling a Luci sequel and I CAN’T WAIT!

Also as a side note, when Genevieve needs a taxi and the taxi man says something to her in Italian I understood it without translating on my Kindle… thanks @duolingo LOL

Thank you to Kaylie Smith, Forever Pub, and Second Sky for the chance to read and enjoy this advanced copy.