This book is marketed as "Gilmore Girls meets Buffy" so I went in with high expectations and was unfortunately let down. It just felt rather undeveloped and I didn't love many of the characters.

Such a cute YA book. Unfortunately nothing new or stand out in this book. But it’s a good solid book for those 14/15 year old wanting a dip into a mystical fantasty world.

2.5 ⭐️

"There is always a before and an after."

I'm very sad because I really wanted to like this but alas I did not.

Let's start with what I did like. The setting, the author did a great job of creating a savannah that hides the secret of witches. With cemeteries and big old houses. Now I am saying this as someone who has never been to the US, but it definitely fits with the Savannah we typically see in media.

My favourite character is Lydia, she provides great relief from the dark nature of the rest of the book. Aunt ashley is also very interesting, especially towards the end of the book. I do like Emily too, but she is a somewhat typical YA protagonist.

Speaking of typical YA, the romance gives 2010s werewolf book. It unfortunately is an insta-love situation and I just didn't buy it.

I also found it very predictable. It took too long for our characters to learn what we have already worked out for ourselves as readers. There's was a lot for the author to set up, though, with the setting and the magic system, etc.

Overall I think that if this is the type of book you like, you'll love it but it wasn't for me. The plot had potential, but I probably will not be picking up the sequels.

I received an advance review copy of this book, and this review represents my honest opinion. Thank you to netgalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

A coming of age witch book, where can you go wrong? This was an easy read and it didn’t get over complicated just because of the magic element. I did predict parts of the ending fairly early on but I’ll take that. This really didn’t feel like a classic Lindsey Kelk (duh) but it was great to read something different from her

An interesting premise and world but this was rather young YA.

Some books translate YA to older readers as well as young adults but The Bell Witches was not one of them. I know that if I was a teen reading this, I would have gobbled this up but older me could not gel with the immaturity of the main characters and all the instalove. There were so many "I love yous" and after no time at all. All this detracted from the plot which was pretty solid.

I can't see myself reading on because of this.

Audio wise, the narration was single POV with good narration and characterisation.

Thank you to Magpie for the audio review copy.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

I enjoyed this more than I was expecting. It was different enough from the usual romantasy fare that I was swept along in the story, though it shares a few traditional tropes (soulmates, the chosen one etc.). I did see the twist with Wyn coming from a mile off, but that didn't stop me enjoying the ending. And I particularly liked the 'forging your own family' element of the plot. I'll definitely read the sequel.

This was a fun story that is filled with mystery and intrigue as we follow Emily on her journey back home to Savannah after the tragic loss of her father.

This story is accurately marketed as YA and I just know that if I’d read this 10 years ago I would’ve been utterly obsessed. Whilst I feel like I’m older than the targeted demographic to have been able to enjoy this fully, I can definitely see this book being a success within the YA genre for spooky season. There’s mystery, allure and an interesting cast of characters that leave you guessing and trying to discover all of the answers before Emily does herself.

Her relationship with Wyn is an immediate connection and accurately described as insta love, which whilst this isn’t particularly my life I find it important to note that Emily is only 16. Fast and messy first loves are to be expected so it didn’t come as a surprise and I enjoyed seeing how their dynamic continued to develop over time. Some of the plot twists were a little predictable to me but again… I’m older than the targeted audience so I don’t hold this against the book at all.

This book was perfectly written for spooky season and the atmosphere vibe created the perfect imagery in my head as I read. With its right audience I can definitely see The Bell Witches performing well and the author has done a wonderful job setting up for the sequel.

Thank you to the publisher for the eARC to read and review.

I really thought I would love this book but I just didn’t. It was really slow and i was bored throughout. I guessed all the plot twists but i usually don’t mind but there was no real build up that would make it worth it. The plot & magic system was not well written & everything happened so conveniently that there was no real stakes.

The Bell Witches was a fun read. It starts relatively slow, but it takes off after a third of the book after Emily finds more about her family. The love story wasn't to my liking because of the instant connection between Emily and Wyn. I wished there was more of a build up between them.  Nevertheless, I would recommend this book to anyone who likes fated mate romance, mystery and magic.

The perfect read as we come into autumn! It has all the tick boxes, magic, romance and intrigue. Felt completely immersed in this world from the start and couldn't put it down.

This was the perfect blend of mystery and magic. It was dark and enchanting, pulling me in from the very first page!

A wonderful balance of love, friendship, family, grief and coming of age…with a witchy supernatural twist.

The writing and pacing was perfect. I devoured this and fell in love with the whole cast of characters; Lydia became a firm favourite of mine instantly!

The Bell Witches
Lindsey Kelk

“A knife can be a tool or a weapon. Never forget that.”

YOU’LL WANT TO BE ONE. UNTIL YOU KNOW THEIR SECRETS.

“Destiny is destiny, fate is fate. We can make anything our fault if we want to but what’s meant to be will be and not a one of us has any say in the matter.”

After Emily’s father suddenly dies, she is forced to live with the only family she has left, her aunt and grandmother who live in Savannah, Georgia, in a house as beautiful as it is mysterious.
But all is not what it seems with the Bell family.

Emily meets the alluring Wyn and forms an instant connection. As the spark grows more powerful between them, every step closer to him is a step further away from her family.

Emily will finds out that blood is thicker than water… But there’s no bond greater than magic.

‘But underneath the layers of anxiety and trepidation, all the what ifs and the why me, something else had burrowed its way under my skin and into my bones. Excitement. Curiosity. Magic.’

This felt like a cosy YA book dealing with family secrets, friendship, romance and some witchcraft (of course!).

‘Which subject did I know the least about: relationships, magic, or etiquette? It didn’t seem fair to be so clueless about all three.’

I will say the insta-love was really instant with not any real development. So Insta-love that I assumed we had to have a solid love triangle, miscommunication, deception situation.
I have read a fair few of Lindsey’s books, all romance, but this was so instant and all consuming that I didn’t buy it at all. I’m seriously hoping there’s a lot more to this in the later books. Sign me up for team Jackson.

‘Truth lives in the dark. Light hides the lies.’

Some of the dialogue wasn’t my favourite when multiple characters say “unalive” rather than kill, it felt less authentic to me and more like it was written with a specific crowd in mind. The scenery was nice and I definitely learnt about Spanish Moss but overall a light, fun, cosy YA witchy book.

The Bell Witches is out tomorrow, October 2nd!
Thank you @harpercollinsaustralia @lindseykelk.

(REVIEW POSTED 1st OCTOBER 2024)

Hmmm…not quite sure how to review this. I liked it but I didn’t love it.

I enjoyed the witchy aspect however I found the pacing to be a little slow and the ending messy. The whole build up reminded me of a balloon that was just popped and quickly deflated…just over and done with.

I really liked Emily as a character, and Ashley, and the Bell House. I didn’t really find myself interested in the romance…the chemistry was originally there and then it just disappeared when he disappeared and I didn’t find myself caring enough for him after that.

I think it was a good book, I just didn’t love it.

What a fabulous witchy read that brought dark, light, love and danger together for a gripping and enchanting read. The words brought Savannah and Bell House to life. The descriptions of magic were a combination of delight and terror and made it impossiple to stop reading. Emily's story, her love and power is one to remember and adore. It'll be a treasured book and one for regular reread.

Spooky and atmospheric, The Bell Witches is a coming of age story and an Autumnal treat for Halloween readers.

The Bell Witches refer to a family of Southern American witches residing in the fictional town of Savannah. Following the tragic loss of her father, Emily goes to live with her Aunt Ashley and Grandmother Catherine in a sleepy American town. Very quickly, oddities and mysteries emerge for Emily to unravel.

I'm very torn about this one. I love Kelk's writing - it felt like I had stepped into the setting from the get go with the beautiful and detailed descriptions. The characters however fall a bit flat for me - the teens all seem very similar and the adults don't always act or speak their age. As much as I love a slow burn, the pacing was off in this one - the core of the story didn't happen until about 3/4s of the way through.

I also couldn't help but think that this would be better suited to a teen audience than a young adult - it gives out a lot of Twilight vibes. Not my cup of tea ultimately but I can see this doing well with a different audience.

3.5 stars rounded up

With its witty banter, The Bell Witches is an engrossing southern gothic witchy tale that brings Savannah to life. It’s always been a city I’ve wanted to visit and now I feel the urge even more. I really want that lemon curd ice cream from Leopolds! This is a story of a young girl coming into her own power, found family and finding your place in a world you’ve been sheltered from.

I enjoyed this, though at times it really lagged for me, waiting for Catherine to finally tell Emily about her past. That said I understand it’s the first book in a planned trilogy, there’s a lot of world building to happen.

While the romance is insta-love, which I really dislike, I bought this because it’s fitting with the teenage characters for whom first love is all encompassing and everything moves fast. Emily has been sheltered for nearly 17 years, so I’ll believe it and I’ll believe her nativity in not realising granny knows all, sees all. I could’ve done without the use of Tik Tok euphemisms with ‘unalive’, which, while only twice in the book were still jarring. Same with the Taylor Swift references.

I am hooked for books two and three. I am dying to know what happens to Emily, Wyn and gang next. Bring it on!

Thanks to Magpie/Harper Collins UK and NetGalley for the ARC.

Is there anything that this author can’t turn her hand to? This book is an incredible read. I’ve never been one for witches and werewolves but this story is just full of hope, love and edge of your seat tension with twists along the way that I didn’t expect.
What a wonderful book - can’t wait for more!

Some books are great and some books are terrible. For me this book fell in the middle, it was ok, but a strong Ok.

Everything was very quick. The reading, the events, the emotions all happened very quickly which gave little time to become familiar with the world and the characters.
The love story was instant love and not something I'm a fan of, I prefer the build up to the romance. It came off like Romeo and Juliette in more ways than one.
The points leading up to the events were fast paced and I'd have like a little more time for it to all set in. However, It was all very clear what was happening and offered little mystery around the events. Could have done with another sprinkle of gothic-ness; more ghosts, more bump in the night.
The characters were OK (I know i'm using that word a lot). I found Emily to be quite childish, but it was understandable from her upbringing. Ashley too was a product of her upbringing. Wyn....felt underdeveloped and then thrust into the forefront of the story. His whole story could do with its own book.

The language was what I really disliked. The modern speak used within the text felt forced and I'm sure will date the text even within a year. the use of 'Unalived' really jarred me. There are other colloquial words and phrases which just didn't need to be used, but seemed to be included to make the text cool/hip/ whatever the phrase is now. As a book described as Gothic I just didn't think this was needed.

Overall an ok read.Grab this book now, before its out of date and enjoy it on a rainy weekend with a nice cup of hot tea.

I loved this book! The perfect witchy read for this time of year. I found the story intriguing and fast, and look forward to reading more from this series.

The narrative centres on Emily, who relocates from the UK to Savannah, Georgia, following the death of her father. Living with her grandmother and aunt, she soon discovers her family's long-hidden secret: they possess a magical lineage. The plot thickens when she encounters Wyn, a mysterious boy whose circumstances prove equally complex.

The novel’s greatest strength lies in its richly atmospheric setting, which perfectly complements the story’s mystical themes. While the plot is relatively straightforward and its twists predictable, the fast-paced nature and immersive environment kept the narrative compelling. Though the romance between Emily and Wyn progresses quickly, it feels appropriate given the youthful age of the protagonists.

This is the perfect book if you enjoy YA.

3.5/5.

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