Hexes & Hearts

I’ll admit, I approached *Hexes & Hearts* with skepticism—anthologies can feel uneven, and multi-narrator casts often struggle with consistency. But this one surprised me, mostly because it *embraces* the chaos. The narrators aren’t just reading; they’re *performing*, with Liam DiCosimo’s smoky, amused delivery for the trickster characters stealing every scene he’s in. Kelli Tager, meanwhile, nails the balance between vulnerability and steel for the heroines, especially in the standout story where a witch’s voice literally cracks under the weight of a truth spell. It’s those small, humanizing details that make the fantasy elements land. That said, the pacing isn’t perfect. A couple of stories rush the emotional payoff—one insta-love plot hinges on a magic bond that feels more like a narrative shortcut than earned chemistry. And while the production quality is high, the transitions between tales could use a beat more breathing room; a few seconds of music or a subtle sound effect would help reset the listener’s expectations. Still, the hits outweigh the misses. The third story, with its cursed library and a slow-unfolding rivalry, is worth the price alone, and Chance Smolders’ narration there is *chef’s kiss*—equal parts scholarly charm and simmering threat. If you love romance with teeth, magic that *matters*, and narrators who don’t just read but *inhabit* their roles, this is a gem. Just don’t expect every story to linger; some are fireworks, others are slow-burn embers, and that’s the fun of it.