I read Bitten a few months ago and gave it four stars. However, I didn't continue with the series right away.

I'm not entirely sure why, as I really did enjoy Bitten. I have a feeling it was one of those situations where I picked up the first book and then had a stack of other things to read, and I simply never got back to it.

I did enjoy Stolen, the second book in the series, although not as much as the first. I was skeptical about Dime Store Magic because I didn't like Paige when I came across her in the second book.

I felt sorry for her at times, but my feelings about Paige were similar to Clay's. I was annoyed that she was around, interfering with the series.

Dime Store Magic centers around a custody dispute over a young witch. Most of the book is an idiot plot, meaning the main character has to be an idiot for the plot to progress.

Paige makes the wrong choice at every turn and walks into some very obvious traps. I can overlook a lot of it, but when she gets a phone call asking her to go to the funeral home where a man she's been accused of murdering is being waked... who would say 'gee golly okay, let's go'? No one.

There was absolutely no reason the paperwork she was going to retrieve couldn't be sent to her via UPS. She walked into a trap that was based on a situation that had also been a trap. Paige is an idiot, and you have to spend 400 plus pages with her.

I didn't think she was a very good guardian, and I wasn't very interested in the coven side story, so it was really difficult for me to be emotionally invested in any of this.

A lot of the universe rules were broken in this book, including characters taking risks of exposure that they normally wouldn't take. There's a whole scene at a funeral home that's completely implausible given the world building and the fact that Kelley Armstrong's universe is a hidden universe, existing within the one we all inhabit.

It's not so hidden with corpses flying around. I'm sorry, but I can only believe in hidden universe stories if the hiding is taken seriously by the inhabitants of the world.

The romance is lackluster... the big sex scene was strange! I'm all for smut! I'm all for magic smut! I thought the sex scenes in Bitten and Stolen were well-written... but this?

Paige and Lucas didn't have much chemistry to begin with, and then when they finally sleep together, it's all about magic fireballs and radios. Also, I've never had a man stop kissing me when sex was imminent so he could tune the radio station.

I understand what Armstrong was trying to do here. She had magical people and the opportunity to write a magical sex scene, but I just wasn't convinced by how it happened or when it happened... I was mostly embarrassed to be reading it.

Unfortunately, I was doing therapeutic book buying when I picked up Kelley's books. I own them all. I don't know if this means I'm going to skip the next one to protect myself, take a long break between three and four, or if I'm just going to accept the fourth book as a loss and move on to five.

Actual rating: 3.5

I truly enjoy this series.

If you are a fan of urban fantasies, then I would highly recommend this series to you. This particular book was a bit slower-paced compared to the previous two, yet it still managed to be enjoyable. The first two books centered around Elena, who is a werewolf, but this book focuses on different characters.

In this installment, we follow Paige and Savannah, who are both witches. However, I must admit that I didn't connect with Paige or Savannah to the same extent as I did with Elena. I found Paige to be a little on the dull side and not as captivating as Elena. Nevertheless, I do appreciate the world that Kelley Armstrong has crafted, and I am intrigued to see what will unfold in the next book.

The romance element in this book didn't grip me in the same way that Elena and Clay's romance did. While there was nothing inherently wrong with the love interest, it simply didn't possess the same level of drama and excitement as Clay and Elena's relationship.

Overall, despite its minor flaws, this book is still a worthy addition to the series and I look forward to seeing where the story goes from here.

In Stolen, Paige took custody of Savannah. At 22, Paige was only about ten years older than Savannah, and this arrangement promised to be quite entertaining. In Dime Store Magic, nine months have passed. The relationship between Paige and Savannah is stable but not comfortable as they are still striving to understand each other. This situation gets complicated when Paige receives a summons for a custody challenge from Leah. However, Paige discovers that the real challenge is coming from Kristof Nast, Savannah's biological father, a sorcerer and heir of the Nast Cabal. Not long after, Lucas Cortez, the heir of another Cabal, appears on Paige's doorstep offering legal representation.

Havoc then ensues.

This book is not my favorite in the Otherworld series. Lucas and Paige lack the passion that Clay and Elena have. Besides a comment Savannah makes to Paige hinting that Lucas likes her, I didn't realize they were seriously interested until they suddenly got together. And although Savannah has valid reasons for having serious issues, in this book, she is a complete brat. She throws temper tantrums like a little hellion and not in an amusing way at all.

Still, it was an entertaining and quick read that kept me engaged throughout.

Prepare to be enchanted…

by a truly mesmerizing, magical story!

From the author of ‘Bitten’ and ‘Stolen’ comes another spellbinding tale that embodies all the elements one truly loves in Young Adult fantasy/paranormal fiction. This captivating story is full of deadly demons, supernatural sorcerers, and wicked Witches. It's so engaging that it will have you reading into the early hours of the morning with feverish excitement.

‘Dime Store Magic’ is the fourth book in the series of Otherworld books, which began with Bitten and ends with Broken. The enchanting storyline grabs your attention almost instantly, whisking you away into a world that seems no different from our own on the surface. However, beneath the surface lies sinister secrets and mystery, hidden under a cloak of concealment. You'll only discover these if you dare to open the pages.

The main protagonist is likeable and easy to connect with, especially for readers closer to her age. The Witch element gives the story an almost ‘Sabrina’ feel, but it's more directed towards an older audience. Paige and her adopted teenage daughter, Savannah, have a poignant and heartwarming connection. You really feel for the young child as she searches for her mother. The family blood-bond is strong, and all readers can empathize with it. After all, regardless of any magical power, the power of love is the strongest and most resolute. With a telekinetic half-demon stalking them and a group of evil sorcerers, Paige faces a challenge that is made even more difficult by her fragile situation. As ‘normal humans’ (her neighbors) uncover the truth about her, the tension rises as they try to use magic for good.

This otherworldly creation is a work of pure genius. I found myself truly believing everything about this convincing story, which is similar to ‘Harry Potter’ in that you believe in the magic. It contains all the elements I love in this genre, from Witches casting spells to powerful, dark, and deadly creatures, and from love to those special moments that tug at your heartstrings. Utterly fascinating, I was most intrigued by the sinister forces and the mixture of myth, fable, and fantastical vision that captures your imagination.

I would highly recommend this gripping, absorbing tale to all those who enjoy mystical masterpieces of sheer creative vision and something a bit “Twilight esque”!!

Much, MUCH better than expected. I was initially not interested in reading any books with Paige as the narrator. In "Stolen", I could not stand her. She really drove me nuts. While I was okay with all the other characters, even Leah, Paige was a different story for me.

The only reason I gave in and decided to read "Dime Store Magic" was because I had read all the Elena novels and was still craving more of Armstrong's work. She is truly addictive. I had tried reading a different novel by another author, but it didn't interest me at all. I just wanted another Kelley hit.

To my great surprise, I LOVED "Dime Store Magic". It was absolutely fabulous. Lucas was hilarious. He was so proper and charming that I just fell in love with him instantly. And to my own amazement, I even liked Paige this time. Maybe being inside her head through the narration had something to do with that. I was captivated from the very beginning. Kelley really has a remarkable way of drawing you into her tightly wound world, where you just can't help but need to know what happens next. The story is incredibly real, and you can't help but believe in it.

However, there was one small thing that I felt was lacking, and that was the presence of Elena. Without spoiling too much, there was a point in the novel where I thought Elena and Clayton were about to appear, and I got SO excited (no kidding, I squealed so much). But unfortunately, it was just false hopes. It looks like they'll be making their appearance in "Industrial Magic" though, and I can't wait for that.

Paige Winterbourne is a 23-year-old witch. She has a 13-year-old ward named Savannah. Sadly, both of their mothers passed away recently. Now, they are attempting to navigate the mysterious and enchanting magical world.

The reason why I started this book is that it's like reuniting with an old friend. This is truly an amazing paranormal series that has always captivated my imagination.

And the reason why I finished it is that it was a rainy day. There's nothing more perfect than curling up with a good book on a rainy day. The story pulled me in and kept me engaged from start to finish.

This book not only tells the tale of Paige and Savannah's adventures in the magical world but also explores themes of grief, friendship, and self-discovery. It's a must-read for anyone who loves paranormal fiction.

The experience was truly remarkable! It was an absolute delight from start to finish.

Every moment was filled with excitement and anticipation.

Now, I am eagerly looking forward to moving onto the next installment in the series.

I have a feeling that it will be just as amazing, if not more so.

The anticipation is building up inside me, and I can't wait to see what adventures and surprises await.

It's like a thrilling journey that keeps on going, and I'm more than ready to take the next step.

Bring it on!

I have always had a deep affection for Lucas and Paige, and upon rereading, this sentiment remains as strong as ever.

Rereading this book is truly a delight. I really appreciate the way it expands the Otherworld universe after the events of Bitten and Stolen. It serves as a perfect follow-up to Stolen. After Bitten, when Elena is compelled to face the existence of other supernaturals, it's not a huge leap for the reader to make (considering we're engrossed in paranormal romance). However, Armstrong makes an excellent choice by introducing the readers to the broader Otherworld (so to speak) through Paige.

Paige has grown up in the supernatural realm, and it has always been an integral part of her life. But, like the reader, she experiences some rather rude awakenings in this book. It's fascinating to see the Otherworld through her eyes. She and Lucas are both young and idealistic, and they both undergo significant growth throughout this book and the entire series.

Spoilers for the entire series It's interesting to note how determined Lucas is in this book that he will never be part of the Cabal structure. Yet, as we know, he eventually gives in over time, and his perspective changes drastically. We're repeatedly told that Lucas' decisions are rebellions and immature opinions that he'll surely outgrow. But it's intriguing to see how these statements are both true and untrue. Do Lucas and Paige end up compromising on their beliefs? I believe they do in some ways. But the question remains: how much of it is them giving in, and how much is simply a result of growing up? Idealism has its place, but ultimately, I think we learn that they can achieve more from within.

It's a pity that Armstrong never fully explores what it means to be in the Cabals. I would have loved to have a book from the perspective of one of the younger Nasts, as they, unlike Lucas, truly grew up as part of that world. We do see that the Cabal structure is flawed and morally corrupt, but there is hope for the future with Lucas, Sean, and the younger generation. This theme of hope for the future is woven throughout the series, and I'm sad that the series ended before we could see it fully realized.

Moreover, upon reread, I would have liked to learn more about witches in general. The Coven is largely abandoned after the next book and never revisited. We never get to meet more witches, such as the Cabal witches or those who aren't part of the Coven. Unlike werewolves, it seems that witches are quite numerous as a supernatural race, and the Coven is not representative of all witches. What becomes of the spells that Paige recovered? Does she master them and share the knowledge?

Part of the reason I'd love to see more crossover between this series and The Darkest Powers is the potential for growth in the supernatural community in the next few generations. I'm eager to know all about it. TELL ME EVERYTHING. Let me live inside this universe forever!!

Specifically regarding this book, I truly adore Paige. I love that she's controlling and uptight, yet takes on more than she can handle. I love that Lucas is completely smitten with her from the moment he lays eyes on her. Their flirting and the sexual tension between them are palpable (ugh, these two are constantly at it, and nothing will convince me otherwise). AND I JUST LOVE HOW MUCH LUCAS LOVES HER. I love that she calls him out on his lies, and then he stops lying to her. FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF. Their relationship is simply wonderful.

Reread October 2019

Lucas is truly the dreamiest nerd, and I love him.

It seems rather odd and completely out of character that I would persist in reading this series.

Direct me towards books about witches, demons, werewolves, and shapeshifters, and I will be as polite as possible while completely dismissing your recommendation.

So, is it the strength of Armstrong's writing style that compels me to keep reading this series and anticipate her other newer works? That surely has to be part of it.

However, these books are not suitable for everyone, and I find myself skipping a paragraph or two here and there.

Part of what maintains my interest is the rapid action sequences within these books.

Paige Winterbourne is 23; her own mother has recently passed away, and Paige has taken in a 13-year-old foster child named Savannah.

Savannah has rather interesting parentage and has inherited enormous power from her mother that could be used for either evil or good.

There are those who would capture the girl and utilize her power for their malevolent purposes, but Paige, despite being young, is no ordinary foster mother.

In addition to starting a business, she is undertaking the project of becoming the leader of the American Coven of Witches – not an easy feat, as most of the women are older than she is and do not entirely trust her leadership abilities.

When Paige is framed for a murder in order to have Savannah taken away from her, she must rely on her love for the girl and whatever magic she can discover to reunite them.

Paige Winterbourne is a highly occupied young woman. As a practicing witch leading a coven, running her own website design business, and raising a thirteen-year-old ward named Savannah, her plate is full.

When a man claiming to be Savannah's father serves her with papers demanding custody, Paige drops everything. She believes these people are dangerous and is determined to protect Savannah at all costs. The magic they attempt to use on Paige and Savannah could be lethal, and to make matters worse, the father's representative is the woman who killed Paige's mother.

Then, a mysterious young man shows up at her doorstep and offers to be her lawyer. Paige is in a dilemma. On one hand, she needs help, but on the other hand, the man is a sorcerer, and sorcerers can't be trusted.

"Dime Store Magic" is part of the Women of the Otherworld series. It's my first foray into Paige's captivating world, and it's a truly enjoyable place to explore. Although a couple of scenes were a bit gruesome, the plot, pacing, and characters were excellent. The backstory enriches the main characters and gives enough motivation to understand their actions.

The plot initially seems straightforward - protecting Savannah - but there's more to it. It's about Paige's struggle to preserve the life she loves and fulfill her mission to stop the coven from living in fear. There's a wealth of detail about their lives, the rules of witchcraft, and sorcerers, which keeps the story engaging.

Since Paige lives in a small town in Massachusetts, her misfortunes become public knowledge, leading to threats from the locals and anger from her coven. I found myself empathizing with her situation and angry at those who wouldn't support or accept her and Savannah. As I approached the end of the book, I couldn't put it down. For me, a good book elicits an emotional response and has page-turning action. This makes it a series I'll definitely read from start to finish.

You should read this if you like: Witch mythology with a twist, blood magic, covens, cults, non-skinny protagonists, slow-burn romance, small towns, necromancy, slight gore, and mild horror.

Dime Store Magic reminds me of that time I went to watch Avatar with my whole family. What an interesting concept it had! And the graphics were amazing! But ultimately, I was so bored that I fell asleep halfway through the movie. The same happened with this book, except the boredom was compounded by about 30%. I actually fell asleep multiple times. *shrugs*

I picked this for a change of genre as I've been reading fantasy non-stop for a while. Having read the first couple of books in the series, I was eager to explore more of this supernatural world. However, I think I might just stick to the Werewolves in this series. Compared to the Werewolf lore from Bitten and Stolen, the witch/sorcerer mythology in Dime Store Magic paled in comparison. Just like its Puritan origins, the witch's Coven in this book is abysmally boring, steeped in petty superstition, and run by a trio of old, narrow-minded women. The dialogues made me want to pull my hair out! Nothing ever gets done in this Coven because of the sheer paranoia of the Elders. It was so frustrating how they refused to change, listen to reason, or do anything helpful! Reading about this town and its people made me feel terribly claustrophobic. If that was the author's intent, then kudos to her for doing such a great job. But it wasn't a pleasant experience for me, and I don't think I would want to repeat it anytime soon.

The other issue I had was with the characters. I just didn't feel anything for them. Any of them. Maybe except Savannah. I've never been the maternal type. I'm not too fond of kids and don't ever want any for myself. Dime Store Magic just confirmed those feelings. There were times when I seriously wanted Paige to dump Savannah's whiny ass on the side of the road and set it on fire. Savannah is hands down the most annoying teenage brat I've ever read about. I hated everything about this child. And I was actually happy when she finally realized how much trouble she was in. Like, child, you need to listen to your guardian for once in your life or else she will end up dead and it'll be your fault! Ugh!!! I know she's 13, but I still hated her.

1.5 stars really. This book did nothing for me, so I don't think I'll be continuing with this series anymore.

A really good read.

This statement implies that there is a particular piece of literature, article, or book that is highly engaging and enjoyable. It could be a thrilling mystery, a heartwarming romance, an informative non-fiction work, or any other type of writing that has the power to captivate the reader's attention and hold their interest from start to finish.

When we come across a really good read, it has the ability to transport us to different worlds, introduce us to new characters and ideas, and make us feel a wide range of emotions. It can be a source of entertainment, relaxation, and even inspiration. Whether we are curled up on the couch with a good book on a rainy day or reading an article on our commute, a really good read has the power to make our day a little bit better and leave a lasting impression on us.

So, the next time you pick up a book or an article, keep your eyes open for that really good read that will take you on an unforgettable journey.