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.