This is the sort of book that I’ve been wanting to read!! Such a comforting read with very likeable characters. The story follows witch and London bookstore worker, Belladonna Blackthorn, who on her 30th birthday, has to prove that she’s worthy of the magic she possesses. As a reader of primarily romance, I was slightly nervous to read this as it was advertised as a cosy fantasy, but I think that this is the perfect intro into fantasy as it was set in our world but still included that sense of cosy magic.

It’s the perfect example of ‘show, don’t tell’ in a book as everything was very descriptive which made it very easy to visualise what was happening whilst reading.

Belle was such an endearing and relatable protagonist and I really enjoyed reading her story. Despite her not being “normal” in the sense of her magic, her struggles with balancing work, burnout and trying to hide her true self from others around her made her feel so real which is what we always want to see in a book.

The *only* thing that made this a 4 star and not a 5 star for me was that the beginning of the book felt a little slow for me. It took a while to get the story going and I would have loved to have jumped straight into the story then understand all of the backstory towards the beginning of the book. The backstory could have feel unveiled throughout the book to keep the tension there and keep us asking questions, if that makes sense.

Nonetheless, this book as exiting and comforting and felt like a big autumn hug! I can’t wait to watch Lucy’s author career blossom and am excited for future books that she releases. Based on the way that this book was written, I’d love to see her write a book that’s more of a romance. I think that her voice and writing style would really fit this 😊

The world building and attention to detail in Rewitched is excellent and really tries to capture the essence of October and that magic. But it did feel that scenes were over described almost like I was reading in slow motion resulting in not much time passing between the initial conflict of Belle at her trial. That being said the author is definitely a skilled writer and conjures up detailed scenes, settings and a diverse and colourful array of characters that immerse the reader into this world. I would say that despite the references to London like the tube or Highgate cemetery, I didn’t get an idea of where Lunar Books was situated in London.

I enjoyed the way the author dealt with sensitive topics such as body image and using her magic to make her fit in and be confident within society. This is done very well and goes in hand with the over arching and clever metaphor for burn out within a job through losing your spark and magic that makes up someone's essence. The pace was my biggest negative, nothing really happens until 70% in terms of action and conflict. The tasks were repetitive and could have caused more havoc in Belle’s life such as public displays of magic at her work.

The power of love, friendship and self belief is very important and is at the forefront on the book and draws everything together. Belle did come across as a character much younger than thirty and naive to point of slightly annoying, but the author clearly captures her anxiety and lacking self - confidence through her personality that is counter balanced by her mentor, family and friends who bolster and encourage Belle to succeed and find inner strength. This dynamic was well written and provided comfort to Belle and her struggles.

The love interest of Rune missed an element of emotion or learning about his character aside from him being old and devoting himself to magic and the coven, he isn’t given much of a personality aside from a brooding hero. Also, the villain wasn’t supported as much by the plot and felt disjointed, I think this would have benefitted from some foreshadowing or something to alert the reader to hidden meanings to create a greater impact and threat.

Overall, one of the best witchy books I’ve read that focuses on world building and the history of the coven with interesting characters. A must read to get into the halloween spirit and a cosy read.

This is Witch -Lit (think Chick - Lit) but with withces in. It is light and fun and such an easy read but there are a few elements going on here. We have our main character Belle still trying to find herself and on top of that she is a witch and has to discover who she is in that world as well before it's too late!
There is a little romance, a little mystery and just general drama going on but you will devour this book with delight.

I received this book as an ARC and provide my honest review

A really good, magical story. The writing is descriptive and engaging and I enjoyed reading it. Would definitely recommend if you’re a fan of witchy vibes and the found family trope.

It's probably a good thing that I write my reviews first on Instagram and that there is a character limit. Otherwise you may have ended up with an essay about how much I loved this book.

This plot has so many elements that I love. It is a contemporary, magical story with some mystery and romance sprinkled in there. Whilst I guessed one of the plot twists, it did not take away from my enjoyment of the plot.

The characters are all amazing. I connected so much with Belle. There are so few stories out there about people in their 30s who don't have their lives all figured out. This was the perfect story for me at this time in my life (as someone who has just turned 30). It felt like the book gave me a mug of hot tea, wrapped me in a blanket and gave me a big hug. This is the cosy feeling this book gives you.

The rest of the characters are also amazing as well. I loved Belle's family and found family so much. I want them all wrapped in bubble-wrap.

Wood's writing style is absolutely beautiful (poetic at times), humorous and emotional. This was so easy to read and I just wanted to devour this book. I had to stop myself reading it several times so that I could drag out the reading experience.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cosy, witchy books. I have already pre-ordered the signed special edition of this book from Waterstones and I'm so glad I did. This book will be released on 19th September, so make sure you check it out.

Thanks to NetGalley, Lucy Jane Wood and Pan Macmillan for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

What a comforting book! Reading it was a great pleasure, so much so that I was willing to overlook some flaws in the plot.

"Rewitched" tells the story of Belladonna Blackthorn, a witch who works in a London bookshop. On her 30th birthday, she must prove herself worthy of the magic she possesses. The book is advertised as cozy fantasy, and indeed it can be considered as such, but in the best sense of the word. Most of the cozy fantasy novels I've read have been rather boring, and I had to push myself to get through them. "Rewitched" is the complete opposite. The book is absolutely fast-paced, and you can even finish it in a day. Seriously, I think that is the biggest advantage of this novel. It's really not easy to write a book that feels cozy and exciting at the same time. The reason for this may be that the author simply writes very well. "Rewitched" is written in accessible language, with descriptive but not overly elaborate passages. It just reads well, so much so that even in moments when the plot wasn't quite working for me, I had a great time.

Speaking of the book's shortcomings, it is important to point out that the plot unfolds rather slowly. The first 30% of the book feels like an extended synopsis. Of course, this doesn't mean that a third of the novel is bad or boring, but we just don't learn anything new in the first 120 pages that we didn't already know from the description on the cover. I also felt that the ending, specifically the identity of the villain and the way the main conflict was resolved, was poorly supported by the plot and thus not very believable. I won't go into detail to avoid spoilers, but when I found out who was behind the whole intrigue, it felt more like a plot necessity with little to do with the earlier characterization of this person. Speaking of the main character, Belle, I have to admit that I didn't really like her. She wasn't thoroughly annoying, but a lot of her behavior seemed incomprehensible to me, and some of her reactions were cringe-inducing. However, I really enjoyed Belle's relationship with her mentor and the whole found family aspect. The protagonist's dynamic with her loved ones certainly adds to the cozy aspect of the book. There is also a romance subplot in the novel, but it is definitely not brought to the forefront and appears rather late in the book. I have some reservations about how it was handled, but that's mainly due to the aforementioned fact that I didn't like the main character.

Being aware of the obvious shortcomings, I wondered how to rate this novel. In the end, I concluded that reading should first and foremost be an activity that brings joy, and I had a very good time with this book. Paradoxically, this is probably the best witch novel I have come across in years. It's also a perfect read for autumn, and I regret not saving it for that season. Therefore, I can recommend it with a clear conscience to anyone looking for a fun, fast-paced book with a witchy vibe that is perfect for Halloween. It will be a feel-good reading experience!

I've followed Lucys socials for a good while now and I was super excited to find out she had written a book.

This was a fantastic debut with incredibly relatable characters and filled with Lucy's charm and wit. I thought the bickering and banter between Belle and Rune was quite funny and we all need a bestie like Ari ❤️

The plot was solid but the thing I enjoyed more than anything else was the characters. Lucy definitely has a way of writing loveable and interesting characters. I hope to see more from her!

This book was a warm, witchy hug.

After turning 30, Belle needs to prove to her coven that she has what it takes to continue her witchery- but when the council aren’t convinced, she needs the helping hand of a new mentor (and fluffy familiar) to realise the magic in, well, magic.

With a dash of romance (in the form of a Luke Dains coded mmc), a helping of beautiful friendships, a sprinkling of fantastic friendships and a sprig of self-belief, this book is the perfect potion for cosy autumn afternoons on the sofa with a blanket.

Lucy Wood has smashed her debut with a heartwarming and magical novel.

Thank you NetGalley and Pan MacMillan for the ARC.

4.5/5 stars

The story follows Belladonna Blackthorn who on approach to her 30th birthday, is struggling to balance her job at Lunar Books and hiding her witchcraft from non magical people. All of this leaves her disconnected with her magic. When her birthday finally arrives, she’s summoned to a trial by her coven to see if she is worthy of keeping her magic. She fails and is left with a second chance to reconnect with her magic before Halloween or lose her magic forever.

This is a perfect read for those cozy, autumnal vibes. With a cast of a loyal friends, a not what you’re expecting mentor and a charming but not so smooth love interest, it’s a really fun story about found family and self love.

The writing style is very descriptive which isn’t usually my cup of tea but I found that I could easily digest it which was great. I also just love Belladonna, I think she’s a relatable and hilarious character. I loved the theme of self love throughout and felt very seen through Belladonna’s lack of self worth and belief in herself. There was something Belle said at one point about how everyone has their own brand of magic in them which was it’s own kind of beauty that just really made me smile, I think that was a beautiful message and sentiment. The rest of the characters as well were a lot of fun and quite quirky and it was just a joy to read.

The plot was also very well done as the author took the time to really build the world and history and that therefore made the trials that take place in the book actually feel purposeful and not something that was just constructed to cause conflict for the character. I will admit I predicted a tiny part of the plot twist but for the most part, it surprised me and was really cleverly done.
My only problem with this book is that it is extremely slow to start out and it takes a while for the story to really get going. I would have also loved a little bit more about Rune but I appreciated that the story’s main focus was Belle and her journey of self discovery.

I would definitely recommend to anybody who loves cozy fantasies with witches and bookshops.

Title: Rewitched by Lucy Jane Wood

Release Date: September, 19th, 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Stars


Rewitched by Lucy Jane Wood is a delightful, cozy read that combines magic, romance, and self-discovery in a heartwarming narrative. It’s everything I wanted in an autumnal, witchy read and more.

What I Enjoyed:

* Descriptive Writing:
* The writing style is incredibly descriptive, allowing me to vividly visualise the locations and magic system. It felt like stepping into a fully realised world where magic and reality coexist seamlessly.
* Engaging World-Building:
* The author clearly enjoyed building this world and took the time to set everything up properly. This made me fully committed to Belle and her development by the time her trials began. The magical elements were well-explained and felt integral to the story.
* Relatable Protagonist:
* Belladonna Blackthorn, or Belle, is a relatable and endearing protagonist. Her struggles with burnout, balancing work, and hiding her true self from others made her journey compelling and realistic.
* Realistic Themes:
* The story beautifully captures the theme that life often gets in the way of our dreams and hopes. It felt very realistic, despite the paranormal setting, showing how unexpected twists can change our paths.
* Found Family:
* The theme of found family is heartwarming. Belle's relationships with the women in her life, her mentor, and even the watchman whose sworn to protect her add depth and warmth to the story.
* Slow Burn Romance:
* The slow burn romance between Belle and the (infuriatingly handsome) watchman was perfectly paced. The chemistry between them was palpable, adding a layer of tension and excitement to the narrative.


Rewitched by Lucy Jane Wood is a wonderful, wholehearted cozy novel that I couldn’t put down. With its engaging world-building, relatable protagonist, and perfect blend of magic, romance, and life’s realities, it’s a book that will leave you feeling warm and enchanted. If you love heartwarming and cozy paranormal stories, this book is a must-read.


Thank you to The Publisher Pan Macmillan | Macmillan ,The Author Lucy Jane Wood & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

4.5 stars - a cosy fantasy with witches and bookshops.

Bella, a modern day witch, who works at a bookshop, learns of a secret trial all witches must take on their 30th birthday to decide whether he or she, is worthy of keeping their magic. After failing the test she is granted 30 days to prove her worthiness in all 6 branches of magic and is assigned a banished coven member as a tutor.

A really cosy autumnal read set in October. Full of found family, friendships, a small smidgen of romance and learning to love yourself.

I really loved Bella and found her so funny throughout the story. I connected to her really easily with her confidence issues and lack of “adulting” I loved watching her grow and learning to trust herself.

I absolutely adored the character of Arty - from the moment we meet him I could sense there was something more to his story than what was initially let on. I was happily surprised to learn about his family members and how his banishment came about.

The only small issues I had with the book was the slow pacing at the start of the story and the character of Rune. Rune being the main love interest I felt like we didn’t really know him at all and would have loved some more background to his character. With him being the age he was I felt like the author could have had a lot of fun with his past adventures.

Would highly recommend as a cosy autumn read or for anyone who enjoys a good witchy book!

A lovely cosy fantasy book. The main characters are great and Belle is so easy to root for. The pacing is excellent and the writing flows well. Raced through it in just a few hours and was left wishing I still had more left. Found family. Underlying themes of trusting in yourself. Just great.

My only real gripe is that Christopher is just a bit OTT and distracting. Thankfully he’s only in it a few times.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars (rounded for goodreads) I will put a more spoiler filled review up once this book is released, but it is fair to say I thoroughly enjoyed my time within this book. All of the characters were so lovely and endearing and I liked the 'found family' vibes and the tiny sprinkle of romance. Our main character was easy to root for and want the best for and I had a great time following her journey.

Thanks to netgalley, the publishers Pan Macmillan and the author Lucy Jane Wood for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A dreamy cosy fantasy with real heart.

Belle is dealing with the very real problem of being a woman about to turn 30 let alone a witch. She is kind and loved but in desperate need of some self-belief.

The allegory of Belle stepping into her powers for finding her confidence is a comforting one that many will relate too.

The bookshop setting is dreamy and the magic was remiscent of all your favourite teen witch movies.

With real peril at points and a compelling love story there is plenty of plot to be found outside of the cosy atmosphere.

Wow, wow, wow. What a wonderful, wholehearted cosy novel! I have read so many autumnal, witchy books and this one felt like the one I’ve been searching for- everything in it was well balanced from the romance, the wit, the emotion and the drama.

This book made me laugh, cry, smile and stay up pretty late to finish it, which is always the best sign.

I would recommend this to anyone who loves a cosy novel filled with magic, because from the beautiful writing to the love and car within its characters, this book is drenched in magic.

Thank you, I loved it.

Rewitched by Lucy Jane Wood
Rating:5/5
Release Date: 19 September 2024

Belladonna Blackthorn's magical spark hasn't dimmed entirely, but it's been a while since she's felt its glow. Juggling her responsibilities at Lunar Books, her cherished London bookshop, while fending off her oppressive boss and keeping her witchcraft hidden from prying eyes, Belle finds herself drained and depleted. Perfecting her magical abilities is the least of her concerns.

However, when her thirtieth birthday summons her before her coven for a trial that will determine her worth as a witch, Belle faces the harrowing prospect of losing her magic forever. With October slipping away and ominous signs hinting at dark forces at play, Belle must rally all available support—from the women in her life, an unexpected mentor, and even an aggravating coven watchman sworn to her protection—to confront the challenges ahead.

I devoured this book in a single day. The descriptive prose painted vivid scenes, allowing me to immerse myself fully in the world and understand its magical intricacies. The author's evident passion for world-building ensured that I was deeply invested in Belladonna’s journey and growth by the time her trials commenced. Amidst the paranormal backdrop, the story felt refreshingly grounded, portraying how life's twists and turns can derail our plans, yet ultimately lead us to unexpected places.

I found the narrative to be cleverly crafted. Alongside a gripping plot, the supporting characters were a delight. While the slow-burn romance added an extra layer of charm, I appreciated that the core focus remained Belladonna’s journey of self-discovery and her relationship with her magic, with romance serving as a delightful subplot.

I wholeheartedly recommend "Rewitched" to fans of heartwarming and cozy paranormal tales. For a debut novel, it's remarkably polished and almost perfect! Well done, Lucy Jane Wood.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Pan Macmillan | Macmillan, and the author, Lucy Jane Wood, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.

In Rewitched, Belladonna Blackthorn is balancing her job at Lunar Books, shielding her co-workers from a toxic boss, and hiding her witchcraft from non-witches, leaving her exhausted and detached from her magic. On her 30th birthday, she’s summoned by her coven for a trial that could strip her of her magic if she fails. With Halloween as her deadline, Belle must rekindle her magic with help from friends, a surprising mentor, and a charmingly irritating watchman. This cozy, autumnal tale beautifully blends found family, slow-burn romance, and a heartwarming message of self-love.

I loved this book and binged it all in one day. The writing style was incredibly descriptive; I could vividly visualize the locations and understand the magic system. The author clearly enjoyed building this world and took the time to set everything up properly, which made me fully committed to Belle and her development by the time her trials began. It also felt like a really realistic story in the middle of this paranormal world - life just gets in the way of your dreams and hopes sometimes, and before you know it, life is completely different to what you'd planned.

I don't want to spoil any details of the plot, but I thought it was all really clever. The trials weren't just there for the sake of it but were linked to the main story so well. As well as a strong plot that just hooked me (and also ramped up in tension as the countdown ticked down), I also loved the side characters - Belle's new mentor was definitely a highlight, but Belle's friend Ariadne, her mother Bonnie and her Watchman, Rune, were all great characters. The slow-burn romance felt like an added bonus to the story. I loved it, but I did really appreciate that the story was more about Belle's relationship with herself, and with her magic, and her relationship with Rune was like a lovely addition to the story but not the main focus.

I definitely recommend this book for anyone who loves heartwarming and cozy paranormal stories. Although trial-based stories are quite common now, this one felt really fresh and original. It wasn't a trial or competition against other competitors but I still felt the tension of that race against time. I can't believe this is a debut to be honest - I thought it was pretty flawless! Although it's undoubtedly perfect for a cosy autumn read, I could read this at any time of the year!

Very excited for this lighthearted magical enchanting witchy read! I always love a good friendly witchy supernatural book and this perfectly fits the bill. I can’t wait to share more soon.