Reviews with content warning for Religious bigotry - Hex Appeal

A mix of fantasy and witchy rom-com.
Felt like there was too much crammed into the story, would have preferred something longer and better paced.
A bit of a letdown.

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adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

Hex Appeal was a fun, whimsically witchy and entertaining read that serves up cosy, autumnal Encanto meets Hocus Pocus vibes that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Essie Winterscale lives in a huge, ever changing magic house in the village of Good Winter. A house who’s inhabitants are as magical and eccentric as their constantly shifting home.

Every year it’s Essie’s job to bring in the winter, so that the village can have a white Christmas. And though she may not be the strongest of witches, snow is where she thrives. Unfortunately her love life isn’t nearly as uncomplicated—with the house caught up in a perception spell all of Essie boyfriends’s (and everyone in the village) tends to forget Beldam House and it’s inhabitants exist, that is until Josh (the new landlord) moves to town…

After things didn’t work out in his native Seattle, Josh Henderson had relocated to Essex after inheriting a home from his extremely wealthy late father. But things definitely aren’t going to plan. Despite finding out her owns half the village, most of his properties are caught up in tenancy contracts that leave Josh with no income. The only real property of value is Beldam House who owe thousands in back rent. The only problem is no one seems to have heard of it, nor can he find it—until he stumbles into Essie, that is…

This was such an enjoyably quirky read that really brought the cosy & chaotic, Autumn/ spooky season vibes that definitely lived up to my witchy rom-com loving expectations.

I really loved the expansive cast of witchy characters and all the magical mishaps that unfold in the magic mood controlled house they all call home. I really liked resident ghost and former witch Prudence whose random appearances at the most inconvenient times were genuinely entertaining. Blessing and Avery were super fun and I’d love to see more of them both in a sequel.

I loved that the setting was a rural British village and definitely served as a bit of a palate cleanser to all the small town, US based witchy books I’ve been reading lately. The history aspect was really interesting and, given the house’s magic (and Essie’s mum, Lilith’s abilities) I do hope Johnson utilises both in future books.

I absolutely loved the romance between Essie and Josh-their flirty banter was top tier though a little Insta- lovey but I did really enjoy every scene they shared. I can’t say much else without spoiling any of the plot but it was a fast paced and wildly entertaining read.

Overall, a witty, magical and utterly compelling rom-com that fans of The Ex Hex or Payback’s A Witch should definitely check out.

And a huge thank you to HarperCollins/One More Chapter and Netgalley for the arc.

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