The Wycherleys by Annaliese Avery
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I shall think of you every moment that we are separated and no doubt when my heart beats it shall do so to the beat of your name.”
This is the perfect YA romantasy for readers who love a regency, forbidden love story that is seeped in witchy magic, family curses, and debutant balls.
Set against the backdrop of Regency London, a new generation of witches are preparing for their debutante season where matches are made not only for marriage but for magic. Young witches must tether their power to another, or risk losing it forever.
This book was the perfect blend of royal balls, witchy magic, and family rivalry. Aurelia’s struggle with her cursed magic and her forbidden romance with Jules had me hooked from the start. The character development, alongside their romance, was beautifully crafted to showcase the theme of self-acceptance wonderfully. I loved how, despite their families being rivals, this wasn’t translated through their own relationship, allowing them to discover each others true selves.
Main Tropes:
Regency London
Magic/Murder Mystery
Witchy Magic
Rival Families
Forbidden Romance
No spice (tension/yearning)
This story follows Aurelia Wycherley as she enters her debutante season, which is meant to be the most magical time of her life. However, there's one problem- her magic is cursed, causing anyone who dares to join their power with hers to fall dangerously ill. And without a tether, her magic will fade away.
The ones responsible for her family’s curse? The Nightlys. Their families have been bitter rivals for decades because of it. That is, until Aurelia discovers that Jules Nightly is secretly seeking a way for witches to retain their magic without tethering as well. Despite their feuding families, Aurelia and Jules form a forbidden alliance in pursuit of a shared goal. As the debutante season unfolds around them, they dig deeper into the secrets of the magical world they thought they knew.
Will they find they answers they seek, or will they uncover something they never expected to find in one another?