The Professor Woos The Witch by Kristen Painter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
If you’re reading this review I’ll assume you’ve already fallen in love with the quintessential “Nocturne Falls” charm that’s in-bedded in each book in this series.
In this “Nocturne Falls” installment we get a closer look at Pandora Williams- A top notch realtor with faulty magic and a fat cat named Pumpkin. Previous glimpses at this character alluded to a heartbreaking past that has prohibited her from finding love again. Now prepare yourselves because I’m about to drop a truth bomb on all of you – Both before and after reading this book I feel strongly that Pandora is much better suited as a supporting character. Honestly, the most compelling part of her was her chunky cat. This book is a quick read and the subject matter is light yet I found myself repeatedly putting it down in lieu of more thrilling reading material. It was difficult to scrounge up the interest to finish the book because… I just didn’t care.
Now let’s talk about the book’s heartthrob – Professor Cole Van Zant. Skeptic by nature he’s resistant to the idea of supernaturals which of course poses a problem for his adopted daughter who was recently informed (by her birth mother) that she’s a witch. Even with the book finished I’m still not sure how to classify Cole and feel that his character had too many attributes that confused me as a reader. The book and summary leads me to believe that Cole is geeky-chic. However that description doesn’t fall in line with some of his behaviors. Cole regularly exercises and runs to stay in athletic shape. He’s also flirty and sexually aggressive- making overt come-ons with Pandora that strikes me as much more alpha male than a book-worm. Let’s just say he’s not a character that’s going to be added to my list of book boyfriends anytime soon.
Alas- let’s address the question you’re all asking yourselves…”should I read this book”? To which I don’t have a definitive answer for you. First I’d ask you if you have ANY other possible books to read (or is there something enchanting enough to re-read)? Secondly, will you be disappointed with a luke-warm romance that in the last chapter seems rushed to conclude?
I haven’t given up on the series quite yet but I am disappointed in this installment.