Emily McIntire concludes her spellbinding Never After series with Hexed, a dark and intoxicating retelling of The Little Mermaid that pushes boundaries and explores the depths of forbidden love. After captivating readers with five previous installments – Hooked (Peter Pan), Scarred (Beauty and the Beast), Wretched (Snow White), Twisted (Rapunzel), and Crossed (Alice in Wonderland) – McIntire delivers a finale that’s both haunting and satisfying.
A Dance with Darkness
Set in the gritty underworld of organized crime, Hexed weaves together elements of The Little Mermaid with contemporary mafia romance. The story follows Venesa Andersen, a complex anti-heroine whose loyalty to her gangster uncle has shaped her into a ruthless enforcer. When she meets Enzo Marino, the underboss of a powerful mafia family who’s engaged to her cousin Aria, their instant connection threatens to unravel carefully laid plans and long-held secrets.
Masterful Character Development
Venesa: The Siren’s Song
McIntire has crafted one of her most compelling protagonists in Venesa. Unlike traditional fairy tale heroines, Venesa embraces her darkness, using poison and manipulation as easily as breathing. Her inability to cry—a psychological wound from childhood trauma—adds a poignant layer to her character. The author skillfully portrays Venesa’s journey from someone who views herself as unworthy of love to a woman fighting for what she deserves.
Enzo: The Prince of Shadows
Enzo “Loverboy” Marino brings depth to the male lead role. His internal struggle between duty and desire, family loyalty and personal happiness, creates genuine tension throughout the narrative. McIntire excels at showing his evolution from a man resigned to an arranged marriage to someone willing to risk everything for love.
Strengths That Enchant
Rich World-Building
The author creates a vivid atmosphere that blends the opulent world of high-stakes business with the dangerous underbelly of organized crime. The contrast between the glittering facades of Atlantic Cove and New York City with their shadowy criminal enterprises provides a perfect backdrop for this dark romance.
Chemistry That Sizzles
The connection between Venesa and Enzo is electric from their first encounter. McIntire masterfully builds sexual tension through meaningful glances, subtle touches, and charged dialogue before delivering steamy scenes that serve the emotional development of their relationship.
Complex Family Dynamics
The intricate web of family relationships and obligations adds layers of complexity to the story. The Kingston family’s manipulation, particularly Uncle Trent’s influence over Venesa, creates compelling conflict beyond the central romance.
Areas for Improvement
Pacing Inconsistencies
While the story maintains reader interest throughout, the pacing occasionally feels uneven. The first third of the book moves somewhat slowly compared to the rushed feeling of certain later revelations, particularly regarding family secrets and betrayals.
Secondary Character Development
Some secondary characters, particularly Aria and Carlos Marino, could have benefited from more nuanced development. Their motivations sometimes feel oversimplified in service of the main plot.
Plot Predictability
Certain plot twists, while emotionally satisfying, may be foreseeable to readers familiar with the genre. The mafia elements occasionally rely on familiar tropes without subverting expectations.
Thematic Depth
The Nature of Choice
McIntire explores how our choices shape us, particularly when torn between duty and desire. The recurring phrase “in a different life” emphasizes the weight of decisions and their consequences.
The Price of Loyalty
The story thoughtfully examines loyalty—to family, to duty, to love—and questions whether blind loyalty is virtue or vice. Venesa’s journey particularly highlights the cost of unquestioning devotion.
Series Connection
While Hexed works as a standalone novel, readers of the Never After series by Emily McIntire will appreciate subtle connections to previous books. McIntire maintains her signature dark style while creating a unique story that stands apart from earlier installments.
Writing Style and Technical Elements
McIntire’s prose is atmospheric and emotionally resonant. Her dual POV narrative structure effectively shows both protagonists’ perspectives while maintaining tension. The author excels at writing dialogue that reveals character and moves the plot forward.
Target Audience
This book is ideal for readers who:
- Enjoy dark romance with complex characters
- Appreciate mafia romance tropes
- Like fairy tale retellings with mature themes
- Don’t mind morally grey protagonists
- Enjoy steam with emotional depth
Content Advisory
The book contains mature themes including:
- Explicit sexual content
- Violence and torture
- Family trauma
- Drug use
- Strong language
Final Verdict
Hexed by Emily McIntire has compelling characters, sizzling romance, and atmospheric storytelling. While not perfect, it provides a satisfying conclusion to the Never After series and demonstrates McIntire’s growth as an author.
The book successfully balances darkness with hope, creating a modern fairy tale that acknowledges the complexities of love, loyalty, and redemption. Despite some minor flaws, it’s a must-read for fans of dark romance and fairy tale retellings.
Similar Recommendations
Readers who enjoy Hexed might also appreciate:
- A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J. Maas
- These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong
- The Plated Prisoner series by Raven Kennedy
- Kingdom of the Wicked series by Kerri Maniscalco
McIntire has proven herself a notable voice in dark romance, and Hexed showcases her ability to craft compelling stories that linger in readers’ minds long after the final page.