Under Her Spell is book three in the Whispers of Destiny debut series by author Ava Rogue. Under Her Spell is a genre-blending tale that merges contemporary romance, fantasy, and emotional trauma into a rollercoaster of passion, power, and healing. At the heart of the story is Niamh O’Sullivan, a woman who discovers her magical heritage rooted in ancient Irish myth, just as her emotional world is torn apart by forbidden love and buried secrets. Parallel to her journey is Yasim Fletcher, her brother’s best friend and a man marked by a haunting past and complicated desires. Through their tangled connection and the people surrounding them, the story dives deep into themes of trauma, longing, grief, and self-discovery, all tied together with the force of magic, both literal and metaphorical.

I reveled in the emotional rawness in Rouge’s writing. It’s intense. The flashbacks to Yasim’s childhood are gut-wrenching, especially the scenes that tackle abuse and betrayal. I felt like I was grieving with him. Niamh’s awakening, both mystical and emotional, unfolds in a beautifully chaotic way. Rouge does an exceptional job of showing how complicated people are, and how love can be both liberating and destructive. The prose isn’t polished to perfection, but that rawness works in its favor. It feels like a story someone needed to tell, not just wanted to write.

Some of the dialogue can be dramatic, and certain scenes lean into melodrama. There were moments I wanted to shake the characters, particularly Niamh, for making reckless decisions. But maybe that’s part of what makes it real. People mess up. They lash out. They run away from what they want. And in the end, Rouge captures the messiness of being human in a way that’s strangely comforting, even when it hurts.

Under Her Spell is not for the faint-hearted. It’s a story soaked in passion, trauma, and supernatural intrigue. I’d recommend it to readers who enjoy angsty, character-driven romance with dark themes and a touch of magic. If you’re looking for a neat, tidy love story, this isn’t it. But if you crave emotional grit and vulnerability paired with the unknown, this book might just get under your skin in the best way.

Pages: 353 | ASIN : B0DN1TW889