I’ll be completely honest, I did struggle to get into this book slightly! It might be due to an overload of witchy books at this time of year, or just my current headspace, but I found it hard to connect to the characters, and I didn’t fly through it like I normally do with books. Very grateful for the chance to read it though!

I'm currently reading this and am enjoying it. I do especially love Katy Purry 😍 😆 🤣
Will finish and review ASAP.

On the outside, luxury realtor Sarah Nelson looks like every other mom in the neighborhood—running errands, navigating the school pickup line, and begrudgingly volunteering at the high school concession stand. Yet she has an edge that others don’t: She’s a witch! She uses light magic in secret, small ways, almost like an enchanted personal assistant. And absolutely no one knows about it.
Well, no-one except for her two collage friends, Katrina and Alicia who made up the coven when they first discovered their magic.
All was well until one evening when they accidentally set fire to their dorm. The 3 friends scattered and nobody ever knew that they were responsible for the fire.
But now, they have reunited at a ceremony which is commemorating the anniversary of the fire and the magic is making itself known again and now there is someone poking around and asking questions about what happened on that night.

There was a lot that I really liked about this book. Kitty Purry is probably the most obvious. I think that I probably enjoyed the first half of the book the most and I felt that the ending was a bit rushed.
I also like and appreciate how the door has been left open for another book if the author feels that way inclined. . .

I seem to be the odd one out when it comes to this book! I just could not get into it and really struggled to connect with the characters.

Maybe I've just read too many witchy books this season? I don't know but what I do know is that I'm gutted because I loved the premise of it!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was really excited about the concept of this book and I enjoyed it as a light read. Despite this, I was looking for more from this book in terms of both story and witchy vibes. Due to this, I held off from awarding the book the extra stars. I was expecting halloween energy but got more of suburbia with something more happening alongside. If you are looking for a light read with something a little different then I would certainly recommend this read.

I enjoyed the fun aspects of the book in terms of the magical quirks that ran through the story and I can never not enjoy a book with a leading character who is a cat. I also really liked the cover as an added perk. The book was an easy read and one perfect for autumn.

I did find times where the book failed to really build up the final outome and was not something I really cared for when reading which made the book feel 100 pages longer than it was in reality. I enjoyed the journey and the fun characters and writing but I did not really read to find out the outcome of the fire and there was little to say it was an event that I needed answers for beyond a surface level interest. I feel the book would have really benefitted if there was more urgency surrounding the due- whether this be more pressure from the reporter or more hints and details throughout that meant we were reading towards something worthwhile and ground-breaking.

Overall you will read better books in your life but it should still be considered for your TBR.

Hex Education was a great read to get me in the mood for Autumn. I loved the friendships, the nostalgia and the witchcraft. I flew through this book it was such fun!

Thank you to Netgalley and Headline for the chance to read Hex Education.

This is huge fun. I notice that one of the key word descriptors used is Horror. But I dispute that. The blurb accurately reflects the overall tone of the story, so there’s plenty of humour of the enjoyable kind. So no overt gags or jokey puns – other than the name of Sarah’s cat, Katy Purry, who is now my favourite literary pet. Though I wouldn’t want Katy owning me – because that’s the relationship, here. But the ongoing tension as Sarah tries to hide her magic from the rest of her family, as she lives her perfect life, is frequently hilarious and certainly brought to mind Bewitched, which I used to love.

That’s not to say there isn’t a much darker current running throughout the story. The three college girls attained their futures at a high cost. For someone else got caught in the fire that burned down their dorm and her life has also been changed. Her terrible injuries have left scars all over her body and she now runs an animal refuge a distance away from town. Worse, she’s now related to Sarah by marriage, so there’s a constant reminder of what can happen when the magic runs amok. But overall, Sarah has the life she used to yearn for – and she’s properly grateful and enjoying it, too. Until she meets up again with the other two women who used to be part of her coven – and suddenly the safe, domestic magical tweaks Sarah habitually used to assist her in keeping her life on track becomes far more dangerous and uncontrollable. For starters, Katy Purry’s telepathic link to Sarah changes so her cat now can speak to her…
I read far into the night to discover what happened next, as I simply couldn’t put this one down. And came away with a warm, fuzzy feeling that doesn’t happen with SFF books all that often. Because, let’s face it – many tend to concentrate on the grimmer side of Life.

Not so this one. Without being remotely treacly or sentimental, this is an amusing, tension-filled plot full of chaos and unintended consequences that had me teetering between worry and hilarity. For I’d really bonded with plucky, principled Sarah – it’s refreshing to meet a main character who really likes her life and wholeheartedly loves her husband and children. Which meant that the prospect of having that life ripped away from her significantly increases the stakes. Highly recommended for fans of paranormal fantasy with loads of tension and mayhem, with more than a dash of humour also in the mix. While I obtained an arc of Hex Education from the publishers via Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
9/10

There are very few things I love more than a good witchy story and I’m delighted to have access to so many this year. I couldn’t wait to get started with Hex Education and it was an absolute joy to curl up with it during a series of rainy days.

Sarah Nelson appears to have the perfect life as a successful realtor, a handsome husband and two popular teenage twins but it’s safe to say that magic may have had a hand in creating the life she has now. On the anniversary of a terrible fire that occurred on campus while Sarah was at college, she meets up with her two former friends Katrina and Alicia and she cannot deny the powerful surge she feels on their reunion. Because the fire that happened all those years ago wasn’t exactly a mystery. Sarah, Katrina and Alicia know exactly what happened that night and it seems that someone else does too…

The book is full of suspicion and speculation, which is what drives the plot. The setting of the university is often associated with characters coming of age and realising who they truly are and it seems that the coven being back there all together reignites the powerful feelings that come with discovering yourself. In their case, they also have the magic to deal with but I really sensed a strong nostalgia shimmering through the witchcraft.

Speaking of the magic, it is certainly an overwhelming force that connects Sarah, Katrina and Alicia. It seems that they have all continued to use magic throughout the years but something about their combined powers sends it into overdrive. I think that this can also be a reflection of their closeness and a nod to their shared past because as most women will tell you -it is some powerful magic that flows when women who share a special bond are reunited after a long time apart.

Katrina is definitely the Queen Bee of the trio. She prizes fortune and therefore has led a life full of professional success. It’s clear that Sarah has always idolised her and apparently still does as a grown woman. She is the eternal Regina George -every woman wants both to be her best friend and also to actually be her.

However, the real star of the show is Sarah’s cat Katy Purry. As soon as she started talking, I knew I’d be hooked on this book until its very last page. She is sassy, self-absorbed and in a state of constant disbelief at Sarah and her decisions, which is so wonderfully cat-like. I’d have liked more Katy Purry if I’m honest!

Katy Purry also brings all of the humour and without her, there would have been not very much to laugh about at all. She makes it silly and that’s exactly what the book needed to save it from being a regular story about a coven just trying to cover their backs. Throw in a cat Pet Sematary viewing party -genius!

Hex Education is an eerie, tense witch book full of magic, friendship and heart. It’s the ideal, light-hearted autumn read to get caught up in.

This was such a fun read between three best friends and an iconic cat. I really enjoyed this one and would highly recommend.

**Review: Hex Education**

Hex Education is a captivating tale of friendship, magic, and the power of reconnecting with one's past. Maureen Kilmer weaves a spellbinding narrative that effortlessly combines elements of mystery and the supernatural.

The story follows Sarah, Katrina, and Alicia, three former members of a guilt-ridden coven whose lives were forever changed by a catastrophic fire. Now, years later, their paths cross again, and their dormant magic is awakened. As they grapple with rediscovering their powers and facing the consequences of their past mistakes, a true-crime podcast host enters the picture, determined to uncover the truth behind the fateful night of the fire.

Kilmer's writing is enchanting, drawing readers into a world where magic exists just beneath the surface of everyday life. The characters are richly developed, each with their own struggles and secrets, adding depth and complexity to the story. Sarah, in particular, stands out as a relatable protagonist, juggling her magical abilities with her role as a mother and luxury realtor.

The author's attention to detail shines through in the vivid descriptions of magic and the seamless integration of witchcraft into the modern world. From the mesmerizing rituals to the exhilarating moments of spellcasting, the magic in Hex Education feels authentic and believable.

What sets this book apart is its exploration of the bonds of friendship and the themes of redemption and forgiveness. As the former coven reunites, they must confront their past and work together to protect their secrets. The dynamics between the characters are beautifully portrayed, showcasing the strength and resilience that can be found in true friendship.

Hex Education is a page-turner from start to finish, filled with twists and turns that keep readers on the edge of their seats. Kilmer's writing style is engaging and immersive, effortlessly transporting readers into a world where magic and reality intertwine.

In conclusion, Hex Education is a mesmerizing and enchanting novel that will leave readers spellbound. With its compelling storyline, well-developed characters, and a touch of mystery, it is a must-read for fans of magical fiction. Maureen Kilmer proves herself as a talented storyteller, and I eagerly await her future works.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

The coven caused a fire and a secret has been kept, but now it’s twenty years later and the coven is reuniting and those secrets want to be told.


Kilmer gives us fantastic characters with depth and great background, there is also a talking cat, so what's not to love?

This is a narrative about friendship and family; I enjoyed how flaws were shown and not resolved giving the element of truth to everyday situations although this is mixed in with the supernatural.

This was a great read building up to Halloween; which is easy and light to read with a great pace. This is one to add to your TBR list

Hex Education is such a fun book to read. I enjoyed the first book from Maureen Kilmer and was so excited to read her new novel. The story focuses on friendship and secrets. I loved the characters so much. The characters were well-developed and I particularly loved Katy Furry. If there is a sassy talking cat in the story, I'll read it immediately. I mean Katy Furry stole the show for me. The book had a humorous tone, making it a perfect read for the spooky season. I can't wait to see what the author comes up with next and would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun and magical read.

Autumn always feels like the perfect time to read some spooky stories, and novels about witches are always among my favourite, so I was really excited to crack into this as my first magical read of the season! I was a bit unsure about how much I would be able to relate to Sarah, as a mum of two teenagers and a middle-aged woman, but her anxieties felt authentic and I thought her narrative voice was very strong throughout the book.

I thought that this concept of a college friendship trio reuniting twenty years later being used as the basis for the novel, while having the magical element to their relationship and respective lives, was really interesting, and it made for a stronger story, in my opinion, as it gave deeper layers to each of the women and what they choose to use their magic for, and how what they wished for when they were twenty years younger continued to define them in the present day. I do wish we could've seen more interactions between the three of them, as after the initial reunion their conversations predominantly occurred over text, and I think it would've made the twist at the end feel more powerful. Speaking of twists, I do also wish that her husband's big reveal at the end was more dramatic - for such a big secret to finally come out I would've expected a bigger reaction from Sarah, but that might just be my personal preference. I didn't see either of the twists coming, however, so that's a big plus for me!

The relationship between Sarah and her sister-in-law Nancy was very interesting, and I appreciated the fact that Kilmer didn't try and resolve everything between them in a nice little bow at the end of the book, but instead showed the reality of having someone in your life who has caused you pain in some way. Their relationship in particular allowed Sarah to grow, I found, in her admitting the role she played in Nancy's pain, and not expecting forgiveness for it.

This didn't feel like the typical witch novel that centres around someone discovering their powers or it being heavily centred around a romance of some sort, and I really enjoyed it for these differences! If you're looking for something a bit different but still want that cozy and spooky setting, I would definitely recommend Hex Education.

This was a perfect start to my spooky season reads. So much fun and a super cute quick read. Sarah, Alicia, and Katrina were so much fun to follow, and getting to see their relationship evolve over the 20-year gap was so amazing. Plus a talking cat with all the sass. This was a first from this author and I cannot wait to see what she does next.

Hex Eduction by Maureen Kilmer

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review thanks to Headline and Netgalley.

Blurb

On the outside, luxury realtor Sarah Nelson looks like every other mom in the neighborhood—running errands, navigating the school pickup line, and begrudgingly volunteering at the high school concession stand. Yet she has an edge that others don’t: She’s a witch! She uses light magic in secret, small ways, almost like an enchanted personal assistant. And absolutely no one knows about it.

Except her estranged ex-coven. In college, when she and two friends, Katrina and Alicia, first uncovered the magic, it didn’t take long before they used it to improve their lives. Yet, they made a mistake one night, and their dorm went up in flames and burned to the ground. After that terrible night, the coven scattered. And no one ever found out that the fire was their fault. Their secret was safe, until the three reunite at a ceremony commemorating the anniversary of the fire. Suddenly, the magic doesn’t seem to want to stay small any longer. Her familiar—an overweight orange tabby cat named Katy Furry—begins to argue with her. Her self-brooming broom goes full Martha Stewart. Her fridge overdoes it and stocks thirty pounds of sliced turkey for school lunches.

As it grows more and more difficult to hide the magic and the past, Sarah, Katrina, and Alicia once again gather to harness their power, and keep their secrets safe…before they find out if polite society still burns witches.

My Opinion

From the outside it looks like Sarah leads a normal life, but she is hiding her inner witch following the fire whilst she was at college with the rest of her coven. This is a lovely read, ideal to read around Halloween - there is nothing scary about this book. A quick and enjoyable read that will appeal to anyone that likes reading about witches.

Rating: 4/5

Fun fast paced and super easy to get straight into! I love a witchy book and this is absolutely the perfect book for the upcoming spooky season! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.

This is hands down a new favourite of mine and the perfect read for autumn!
Katy purry the chaotic and funny talking cat was such fun and cracked me up from start to finish with her attitudes and actions.

Katrina, alicia and sarah share a truly special connection and we see how it changes after 20 years apart in this book.
I loved the elemental aspect magic in this book and how its told and the plot twist still truly shocked and surprised me.

After how this book concluded i really hope we see more in this world and with the coven.

i love a witchy book, add in a talking cat and it’s a recipe for fun!
an easy fun read from an author i haven’t read before but will now look out for her other books

Hex Education by Maureen Kilmer was a great fun witchy read and is perfect for the upcoming spooky season.

In Hex Education a guilt ridden former coven is forced to try to protect secret they have closely guarded for 20 years. The only problem, every time they try to use their magic to fix it, well things being to go a little haywire!

At the centre of the story is Sarah, who for the last two decades has only been using light magic to help her in her daily life, a life she shares with her husband and twin teenagers. The other members of her former coven are Katrina, who is out to prove herself and make her millions, and Alicia who has always embraced her magic more openly than the others.

This was a fun, fast paced and quirky read. I liked Sarah as our MC and the definite heart of the story. I especially loved all her interactions with Katy Purry, her talking cat familiar, who was definitely the star of all her scenes; I mean who doesn’t love a talking cat! You feel for Sarah and the guilt she grapples with, and I appreciated how she wanted to do what was right, even if they didn’t always go about it the right way.

This is a story rooted in magic, but also in finding your place and your sense of self, and the importance of female friendship in helping you do so. It was a fun read and great for the season.

This was such a fun and quirky read. It was witty and so perfect if you are looking for a quick read which features witches, romance and a little bit of chaos. Actually I lie, quite a lot of chaos which makes this book even more enjoyable.

I loved poppy and Alex as a couple and I loved how accepting and supportive he was of her when finding out she was a witch as everyone else in her life seems to walk away from her as she is different.