Legend goes that long ago a Flores woman offended the old gods, and their family was cursed as a result. Now, every woman born to the family has a touch of magic.

 Sage Flores has been running from her family—and their “gifts”—ever since her younger sister Sky died. Eight years later, Sage reluctantly returns to her hometown. Like slipping into an old, comforting sweater, Sage takes back her job at Cranberry Rose Company and uses her ability to communicate with plants to discover unusual heritage specimens in the surrounding lands.

What should be a simple task is complicated by her partner in botany sleuthing: Tennessee Reyes. He broke her heart in high school, and she never fully recovered. Working together is reminding her of all their past tender, genuine moments—and new feelings for this mature sexy man are starting to take root in her heart.

With rare plants to find, a dead sister who keeps bringing her coffee, and another sister whose anger fills the sky with lightning, Sage doesn’t have time for romance. But being with Tenn is like standing in the middle of a field on the cusp of a summer thunderstorm—supercharged and inevitable.

“Witch of Wild Things” by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland is a fascinating, addictive story that is full of wild and wonderful magic, like believing in yourself and embracing what makes you magical. Reminiscent of a Hispanic Practical Magic, but with imperfect characters and a family at odds, this romance is one to thoroughly enjoy. 

In Witch of Wild Things, the main character Sage has walked away from her family but can’t outrun her gift or her dead sister. Returning home, she finds herself using her gift to bring beauty and unusual plants to share with others. She also has to figure out a way to mend her issues with her family. Dealing with Tenn, we quickly learn that Sage’s complications with him are completely due to how much she actually does care about her childhood crush. I love that she is awkward, full of doubts, and struggles to figure out what to do, about her family and Tenn. But by embracing her gifts, she finds her way. 

I love that each woman in Sage’s family has a gift, something rare and unique, that can help others. The story is visceral and from the very beginning, the narrative crawls under your skin. The ghost of Sky is especially unique as a character and I love that in helping Sky, Sage ends up helping herself and her sister Teal. The power of sisterhood is strong and powerful in this novel. 

If you love stories about sisters and magic, if you love romances that are powerful and loving, this novel is one that you will want to read. The story is full of wild and wonderful magic, the power of women and sisters, and ultimately is about love in all forms. 

Rating: 5 out of 5 seeds