A review by piperkitty
Hex Appeal by Kate Johnson

4.0

Kate Johnson's Hex Appeal is a clever witch rom-com and the perfect read to kick off the spooky season. Essie Winterscale is a witch who lives in Essex's wondrous and mysterious Beldum House, where she lives with a group of other witches, including those who weave the future and those who specialize in fertility. stake. Essie's talent is her ability to freeze, but she primarily uses it to chill wine. There's something about it, and it's not just his beautiful face, but the fact that he seems to be immune to the wards used by witches, causing others to forget about them... and their abilities. He is keen on collecting rent, which has not been done since the 18th century, but he soon finds himself drawn to Essie and her mismatched companions. As the book unfolds it becomes clear that their relationship may be due to destiny and family secrets. It was a great read. I loved all the residents of Beldum House and felt their skills were very well thought out and put to use in the story. House is pretty much a character in itself, so maybe that's where some of the Encanto comparisons come from. I liked the paranormal plot which added a nice dimension and worked well for the plot as a whole. I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it. I have read and reviewed his ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.