Jayne Castle's "Sweetwater and the Witch" is a thrilling novel that combines elements of romance, mystery, and the supernatural. Set in the fictional town of Sweetwater, this story takes readers on a journey filled with danger, passion, and secrets. At the heart of the story is a young witch named Lyra, who possesses a rare and powerful ability to sense emotions and thoughts. She has lived a secluded life, hiding her talents from the world. However, her life takes an unexpected turn when she is targeted by a mysterious and dangerous group known as the Seekers. Enter Justice Sweetwater, a private investigator with a complicated past and a knack for solving supernatural mysteries.
Which is what this entry in the series turns out to be about. Two people who think they can do their criminal predecessors one better, and two people who stand in their way. And eventually stand together to do it.
Harmony is absolutely wild enough and definitely weird enough to resemble the Weird West, but it s a far-future lost colony world that presented some unique challenges to the first settlers and still does to their descendants even two centuries later. Since Ravenna needs a date herself to a family event, they agree to a deal she will be his business date if he will be her fake date to her grandparents anniversary celebration.
Enter Justice Sweetwater, a private investigator with a complicated past and a knack for solving supernatural mysteries. When he is hired to protect Lyra, sparks fly and the chemistry between them becomes undeniable. As they team up to unravel the secrets of Sweetwater and the true nature of the Seekers, they find themselves drawn closer together, both emotionally and physically.
Review: Sweetwater & the Witch
I received this book for free from Netgalley in order to prepare an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Sweetwater & the Witch (Ghost Hunters, #15) by Jayne Castle
Series: Ghost Hunters #15
Published by Berkley on September 20, 2022
Genres: Paranormal, Futuristic
Pages: 304
Goodreads
FINAL DECISION: Fun, filled with action and romance, I loved Ravenna and Ethan’s story. I especially like that this book draws from so many other books in the Harmony and Arcane series. Makes me want to read a whole bunch of them again.
THE STORY: Ravenna Chastain becomes a matchmaker when she is almost killed by a cult while doing an investigation. But matchmaking has its own troubles. Ravenna’s major problem is Ethan Sweetwater, who Ravenna can’t match even after nine failed dates. When Ravenna tries to get rid of Ethan, he threatens to cause problems unless she accompanies him to a business event. In exchange, he will accompany her to a family function where she needs a date. In the process, there are failed dates that appear obsessed with stalking Ravenna and goons who come to attack Ethan. As Ravenna and Ethan investigate, they also grow closer.
OPINION: I think the Harmony books are my favorite of Krentz/Castle/Quick these days. There is such humor in them, and combined with the action and the surprise of the various talents that the characters possess, I always look forward to reading them. Plus, there are the dust bunnies, who are just hilarious.
Ravenna is in danger, but she isn’t a damsel in distress. Instead, she is perfectly capable of taking care of her own problems. But I liked that she was willing to ask for help. She is competent and able to remake herself when something goes wrong. That is something that many of Castle’s heroines have in common on Harmony. They often have faced losses that require them to reconfigure their lives — to reinvent themselves. I’ve always admired that quality in her heroines.
Ethan is a bit less successful as a character, although I really liked his focus on Ravenna and his determination to do whatever he needs to do to prove there is something special between them. He is thoughtful and yet also manages to focus on solving problems — in this case the danger that seems to surround both him and Ravenna.
I thought that the mystery/suspense in the story was well constructed with plenty of twists and turns to keep the action moving. But I read these books for the connection between the characters; this one does not disappoint. Ethan and Ravenna have some witty banter between them. Dialogue is one of the author’s strengths. Often the book seems to call back to the clever banter of the 1940s movies — but with a paranormal twist.
Fans will not be disappointed because this book fits nicely in the series with some fun twists.
WORTH MENTIONING: I loved that this book intensely focused on the mythology of previous Harmony/Ghost Hunter books and even the Arcane books. However, I wonder if new readers are confused by the villain’s motivations.
CONNECTED BOOKS: SWEETWATER & THE WITCH is the fifteenth book in the Harmony/Ghost Hunters series. It is also connected with the Arcane series. The following books are noted at the end as being connected: GUILD BOSS (Castle), OBSIDIAN PREY (Castle), and ALL THE COLORS OF THE NIGHT (Krentz).
STAR RATING: I give this book 4.5 stars.
NOTE: I received an eARC of this book via Netgalley which I used to prepare this review. I was not required to write a review or to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.
NOTE: I received an eARC of this book via Netgalley which I used to prepare this review. I was not required to write a review or to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.
As the plot unfolds, readers are introduced to a multitude of intriguing characters, each with their own secrets and motivations. From the enigmatic leader of the Seekers to the eccentric inhabitants of Sweetwater, the town itself becomes a character, harboring hidden powers and ancient secrets. Castle's writing style is fast-paced and engaging, keeping readers on the edge of their seats throughout the book. The author expertly weaves romance and suspense, creating a story that is both heartwarming and gripping. The balance between the supernatural elements and the passionate romance is meticulously maintained, ensuring that fans of both genres will be equally satisfied. Ultimately, "Sweetwater and the Witch" is a captivating tale that transports readers into a world filled with magic, love, and intrigue. It is a story of self-discovery, courage, and the power of love to conquer all obstacles. Castle's skillful storytelling and well-developed characters make this novel a must-read for fans of paranormal romance and mystery..
Reviews for "The Unique World-building in Jayne Castle's Sweetwater and the Witch"
1. Jane - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Jayne Castle Sweetwater and the Witch." The story had so much potential but fell flat for me. The characters felt one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it hard for me to connect with them. The plot was predictable and cliché, and the romance felt forced. Overall, I found the book to be a letdown and it didn't live up to my expectations.
2. Mark - 1 star - I could barely make it through "Jayne Castle Sweetwater and the Witch." The writing was weak and lacked substance. The dialogue was cringe-worthy and the pacing was all over the place. The world-building had potential, but it felt underdeveloped and left me wanting more. Aside from a few interesting elements, the book just didn't hold my interest and I can't recommend it.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I found "Jayne Castle Sweetwater and the Witch" to be a tedious read. The story felt repetitive and dragged on longer than necessary. The writing style lacked finesse and the descriptions were overly detailed, bogging down the pacing. The characters had potential but were not explored enough to make them compelling. Overall, I found this book to be a struggle and it didn't leave a lasting impression on me.
4. David - 2 stars - "Jayne Castle Sweetwater and the Witch" didn't captivate me like I was hoping. The plot was predictable and lacked any real surprises. The romance felt forced and lacked chemistry. The world-building had potential, but it felt underdeveloped and left me wanting more. Additionally, the writing style didn't flow smoothly, making it hard to fully immerse myself in the story. Overall, I found this book to be underwhelming and it didn't leave a lasting impact.
5. Emily - 1 star - I regret picking up "Jayne Castle Sweetwater and the Witch." The characters lacked depth and felt like caricatures. The plot was weak and predictable, leaving no room for surprises. The writing style was lackluster and didn't engage me. Even the romance felt forced and lacked any real emotional connection. Overall, I found this book to be a waste of time and I wouldn't recommend it to others.