Reviewed by Jess
TITLE: The Ninepenny Element
AUTHOR: K.L. Noone
PUBLISHER: JMS Books
LENGTH: 50 pages
RELEASE DATE: July 6, 2019
BLURB:
Verity Friday has been a good witch all her life: good at anticipating her coven’s needs, good at looking out for her little brother, good at helping others. She’s never been the most powerful or the most gifted at magic, but she knows she’s made a difference.
But now her brother’s moved out and found love, and Verity’s feeling more alone than ever despite her coven family. Meeting her brother’s boyfriend doesn’t help — they’re so obviously happy, and Verity’s happy for them, but she’s starting to think about what she might want for herself … and about the gorgeous lawyer she’s just literally run into outside a bookshop.
Successful lawyer Amelia Burne is having a terrible day. She’d swear someone’s cursed her with bad luck, but magic isn’t, right?
Except the self-proclaimed witch she’s just run into claims it is … and Lia actually is cursed. Lia isn’t sure she believes this unlikely story, but Verity seems serious and wants to help, and maybe it’s worth a try. Because when Verity smiles, the whole world gets brighter … just like magic.
REVIEW:
This story is a bit too short to make us really fall for the characters, but within the brief length is a lot of vibrant magic that keeps things moving.
Verity Friday is an average witch living in the shadow of her much more powerful younger brother, Sterling. She doesn’t really know what she wants to do with her life. But one day, she literally runs into a gorgeous stranger, Lia, who confesses to Verity that she’s been cursed to have bad luck. If Verity knows anything, it’s how to help people using magic, so she takes it upon herself to find a fix for this beautiful woman’s little hex.
From the first time they see each other, Verity and Lia have an instant connection. For Lia, it is probably regular infatuation, but for Verity, it’s positively elemental. They are simply drawn to one another. They’re intimate right away, with hand-holding and deep conversations. Even though their quick fall into love is sweet, we just don’t get enough time to see what makes them truly click beyond flirting and sexual tension. I like them, I just don’t know them, making me a little bummed that this story caps at only 50 pages.
Author K.L. Noone states in the notes at the end that she may expand this universe, which would be fun. She has a sharp way of writing magic with all the senses, immersing us in the mysterious world. The title comes into play with a silver protection amulet Verity offers to Lia, which is a lovely little detail that neatly combines romance with urban fantasy elements.
This is a fast read that might leave you wanting more, but it’s well-written with a good dash of sweetness.
RATING: 
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