Review: The Professor Woos the Witch by Kristen Painter (Nocturne Falls #4)

The Professor Woos the Witch
(Nocturne Falls #4)
Kristen Painter
Published: Oct. 12, 2015
Purchase: Amazon
Review source: copy provided by author in exchange for an honest review

Reviewed by: Margaret

Rating (out of 5): 4 stars

Note: While review will be spoiler free, it does make reference to previous books in the series. If you haven’t started yet, check out VBC’s review of The Vampire’s Mail Order Bride.

Cole Van Zandt is a single dad who’s just moved to Nocturne Falls to renovate the home he inherited from his great uncle. His 13-year-old daughter Kaley is thrilled to be in the town where every day is Halloween since she’s just found out that she’s a witch. Cole, a math professor, doesn’t believe in the supernatural, but he wants to help Kaley. He turns to Nocturne Falls’s favorite realtor, Pandora Williams, who also claims to be a witch, for advice on both the house and his daughter.

It’s unusual, and kind of refreshing, to find a man in the muggle role in a paranormal romance, though Cole doesn’t stay that way for long. Spending time with Pandora reveals a side of Cole that he never knew existed. His family secret is also unusual (I’ve only seen it in one other series) so it came as a surprise. Without spoiling what it is, I’ll just say that I thought it was pretty cool.

I like the fact that each book in the Nocturne Falls series has featured a different type of supernatural. (The first three were vampires, werewolves and fae.) I enjoyed seeing witch magic in action for the first time, as well as the rules that govern it. I also liked getting to see most of the characters and locations from the previous books as Cole explored the town. There are a few new ones as well, like Pandora’s friend Ivan the MMA-fighting dragon shifter. He’s just begging to be the hero of his own book!

Despite all the paranormal elements, The Professor Woos the Witch was really about family for me. I loved Pandora’s mother and sisters and the way they pulled together to support her. I liked seeing the younger residents of Nocturne Falls involved in the story as well. I’d love to see a whole book set at Harmswood Academy, the private school for supernatural children that was introduced in this book.

Admittedly, I have a soft spot for quirky small towns, but I really am in love with Nocturne Falls. If you’re looking for a fun way to get into the Halloween spirit, a visit there might be just the thing.

Sexual content: kissing