Book Review: Pick Lock Picks and Sequined Witch Hats


About the Book:


Seventeen-year-old Gracie Mason is homecoming queen, co-captain of the cheerleading squad, and a member of the student council. She’s also a budding burglar.

While attempting her inaugural break-in, Gracie blacks out and wakes up far away from the scene. It turns out she accidentally intruded on a male witch’s “circle of power,” and now she’s bonded to him for life. To break the bond, Gracie must delve deeper into a society of witches that involves a secret club, a shadowy council, and all sorts of magical mischief.

Gracie quickly learns that dissolving the bond with Asher, admittedly a very handsome and charming witch, is more complicated than she initially thought. And right when it seems things can’t get any worse, witches start turning up dead. It’s clear that Gracie is out of her depth as her quest to sever the bond magically turns into a murder investigation.

Filled with thrills, humor, and lots of magic, Pink Lock Picks and Sequined Witch Hats is an enthralling urban fantasy set in sizzling central Texas. Author Carla Rehse has expertly crafted a rich and unique magical world where just about anything can happen.

About the Author:


Although not a native Texan, Carla Rehse prides herself on having mastered the correct usage of the colloquialisms "y'all" and "Bless your heart."

Carla holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from Angelo State University, but her fastidious kitty rules the computer keyboard, allowing Rehse to write only when demands for cat treats are met. Carla can be found at carlarehse.com and @CRehse on twitter.

The Review:

While I have been a member of NetGalley since 2013, it wasn’t until recently that I started browsing for reads there. (Being gifted a Nook Book in 2015 really helped!) And initially no one would let me have a go at their reads. I don’t blame them. Someone with 0 reads and 0 feedback wouldn’t score high on publisher’s lists. However, when I read the blurb for Pink Lock Picks and Sequined Witch Hats, I just knew I had to read this book! I was jumping for joy when I was granted access to read the book.

I finished reading the book late last night and wanted to immediately hammer out a review. But since it was 2 am in the morning, I thought the morning was a better option. I went to sleep with my head filled with thoughts of Asher, Gracie, Willow and the Secret Witch Society that lives amongst us.
At the onset the story doesn’t seem like much to go by. Gracie is waiting to commit a crime and unknown to her Asher is waiting too to find clues about his missing brother. He has noticed her before she hasn’t had time to look up from her diamond studded mobile phone to notice him. Gracie is a self-proclaimed spoiled rotten Princess with wicked scheming skills. She had literally talk herself out of trouble, con her way out of messes and she doesn’t really like being told that she cannot do magic. Because human beings can’t do that!

Asher is comes across a sweet, charming witch who doesn’t know what he has gotten into the minute he bonds with Gracie. They obviously are attracted to each other. And together they are racing against time to figure out who is trying to overthrow their King. (Yes, witches have Kings. They live amongst us. Well, at least in the world Pink Lock Picks is set in.) I actually found myself immensely enjoying the read. I liked how Carla Rehse has painted an entire Universe with their own set of rules and regulations. I also loved the various twists she’s put into the story as well.

While I loved the Asher-Gracie scenes the most, I wish all the back story had not been given to us in dialogue. Especially during the times Gracie explains to the twins what she had her girl gang have been getting into it. Speaking of which, I wish we knew a little more about the girl gang. Not just stray comments from Gracie.

My only complaint is the ending seemed a little too rushed and the book ends on several unanswered questions. I can tell that this book was to have a sequel but maybe the author felt too discouraged to write it or share it with the world. If there is a sequel, I want to read it because I’m burning to know a few things.


Finally if you like reading fantasy, love magic and sarcastic, sassy characters this one is definitely for you. If not, stay away from it. I need the sequel of this book in my life. Right now would be perfect too. 

Rating 




I got this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

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