Dnf

Thank you netgalley and avon for the gifted arc.

I was really excited for this book bc I’m a huge lover of Gilmore girls and fall. I didn’t make it very far before deciding this just wasn’t for me.

I feel like it’s trying too hard to be Gilmore girls. I was hoping for something that just had the cozy, quirky vibes of Gilmore girls, not something with a very similar plot and characters. The town sounds really cute, but I wasn’t vibing with the characters.

I think a big issue I had while trying to get into this is the dialogue. I just feel like the nonstop banter from Rory and Lorelei is hard to replicate and it didn’t feel genuine here. It felt really choppy and awkward imo.

This book just isn’t for me!

I can see why this has appeal. However, while it attempts to be cozy, it’s just…boring and hard to get through. It is light and fluffy but, it could do with a little more oomph. Especially when the premise is so intriguing!

This story gives the same vibes as the tv show Charmed. Cozy town, magical mystery, saving the day, and a splash of romance.
The story was really cute, and I enjoyed the quirkiness of all of its residents. I was a bit disappointed that we were left in the dark as to why Scarlet felt it was her fault her dad died until the very end, but that was a minor thing. I also wish there would have almost been less side characters so that the main ones could have more space for deeper development.

NetGalley ARC Review✨

Impractical Magic
By Emily Grimoire
Pub Date: 10/01/24


After leaving home and living in San Francisco for 10 years, Scarlet is called home because there is something making the magic in her hometown glitch. As she confronts hard things from her past (her father's death, her former best friend, her mom and sisters) she must also try to figure out why the magic is reacking havoc.

Her hometown is a magic haven and the women of the town are witches. It is deep rooted in history and when the magic broke in the past, Scarlet helped fix it. So she must be able to fix it again, right? After a couple failures she only had one person that believes in her...her former best friend, Nate.

When she left her hometown behind, she also left her friendship with Nate behind. They were on the brink of more but then she ran away. Can they overcome their differences and rekindle their friendship? Or has Nate moved on?

Will Scarlet be able to fix the magic before the town in no longer filled with magic? Will the magic die?

This story is perfect for people who love small town settings, sweet romance with second chance tropes, and complicated family dynamics.

I loved the beginning of this book, but felt like the story was too drawn out and at about 50% through, I decided not to finish it. I enjoyed the banter, but didn’t find the story captivated me. While I can see many enjoying it and I wished that I did, I could not seem to gain enough interest in the storyline.

Warm and cute.
I wouldn't mind rereading it next year around the autumn season again...
But it needs some good editing and more relatable dialogue and phasing, I think.

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books and author Emily Grimoire for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

**Book Review: *Impractical Magic***

*Impractical Magic* is the perfect read for anyone seeking cozy fall vibes, complete with a dash of witchcraft, heartwarming friendships, and small-town charm. Set in the enchanting town of Oak Hollow, a quaint little witchy haven where magic lurks around every corner, this novel exudes autumn warmth in every page, making it the ideal book to curl up with on a chilly day.

The story follows a lovable young witch who is struggling to master her powers while juggling the demands of her magical lineage. The town itself feels alive, with cobblestone streets, bustling local shops, and a close-knit community of quirky characters that make Oak Hollow a place you'd love to visit. The author does an excellent job of weaving together magic and mundane life, giving the story an almost tangible coziness that mirrors the beauty of fall.

What stands out most in *Impractical Magic* is how well-written it is. The prose flows effortlessly, with vivid descriptions that bring the magical town and its inhabitants to life. The characters are charming and relatable, and their relationships—whether familial, romantic, or platonic—are warm and genuine. There’s a sense of nostalgia in the way the book captures the magic of small-town life, layered with just the right amount of whimsy and witchy wonder.

For fans of magic, friendship, and heartwarming stories set against the backdrop of a vibrant autumn landscape, *Impractical Magic* is a must-read. It’s the kind of book that makes you want to light a candle, pour a cup of tea, and immerse yourself in its cozy, magical world.

A cozy read sure to inspire Fall vibes, “Impractical Magic” tells the story of Scarlett, who left her magical East Coast town of Oak Haven a decade ago and now must return from her self-isolation in San Francisco to help put the town back to rights.

I found this story to be highly predictable, but charming. While I feel the book could do with some more editing, it has potential.

Advertised as Gilmore Girls meets Charmed,
at its core, this is a story about family and all the chaos that comes with being in one. The sisters rely on each other and simultaneously bicker like schoolchildren. Mom reserves praise for those she feels have most earned it, regardless of the situation.

While shenanigans ensue (doorways turning into portals to other towns and even countries; a dining room that can’t decide its theme and a bookstore where the characters come to life from the pages) the relationship of Scarlett, Delilah and Luna is only strengthened.

The love story at the heart of this book has its starts and stops that only add another layer of meaning to the story.

Ultimately, Impractical Magic is a story about learning to trust yourself and a message to communicate well with loved ones, and to not bear grief alone.


Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books and author Emily Grimoire for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Unfortunately, I’m not one to DNF, or I would have put this down a while ago—simply not for me

The whole book could have spent a bit more time on the editing table. The dialogue especially felt weirdly stilted; the conversations were reminiscent of the books 1st-3rd grade students use to learn to read. I think this could have been better suited to a middle-grade designation. The “villain” would make more sense, and the sex scene (by the time it hits, it’s like, oh, uh, okay!) could have been nixed

The Harry Potter references were just baffling. Muggle is just being used as a regular term??? Wink/nodding to a school in England where they use wands? Too muddy!! Simplify!

Small town girl Scarlett has avoided going back home to her family. When her sisters ask her to come back, she knows there must be trouble. Upon arrival she runs into her ex boyfriend and discoveries he’s her family’s handyman.

With the help of her family Scarlett must get to the bottom of whatever is messing with the magic in her hometown… while catching feelings for her ex.

This was a cute fall read, it gave me the same feelings of how cozy I feel when I watch the show Good Witch. If you enjoy that Hallmark show (and the movies that came before it) you’ll love this book!

Some things felt a tad over explained in the beginning but I eventually got over it. I would recommend this anyone looking for a fun relaxing read this fall.

It’s just OK. The FMC, Scarlett, comes back to her magical little hometown after 10 years away. Her and her 2 sisters along with their mother need to save the town’s magic. Their banter is very sarcastic, self-deprecating and honestly downright mean. It wasn’t pleasant to read. It didn’t come across as funny for me.
The romance with Nate, Scarlett’s long time ‘friend’ was cute but lacked any kind of spark or interest..

The story is fine and the magic is quirky and cute. I just couldn’t get into the characters at all.

She lost me at “oy with the flamingos already”. Inspired by Gilmore girls indeed.

This book did exactly what it promised. I would highly recommend this book to book clubs looking for an atmospheric fall read. I definitely felt the Gilmore Girls-meets-Halloweentown vibes and loved every second of it. Was the writing the most compelling? No. Was the story light, enjoyable, exciting, a little mysterious, and pumpkin-spiced? Absolutely yes.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Reluctant witch Scarlett returns to her hometown of Oak Haven after ten years away when she receives a desperate call from her sister: the magic in Oak Haven is broken. Scarlett arrives back at the inn where she grew up to help her family find the source of the problem and runs into her childhood best friend, Nate, who is all grown up and more handsome than she remembers. But solving this magical mystery will require Scarlett to face her past and maybe find love along the way.

The premise of this book was promising, but it was not for me. I DNF at 65%. The book was very dialogue-heavy and I had a really difficult time getting to know the characters as I only read what they were saying (which was usually a joke), instead of what they were thinking. The book has innumerable jokes and pop culture references from every era (from calling a squirrel "basic" to the "who's on first" routine). I found it to be distracting from the story as a whole. Again, the premise was interesting but the overreliance on humor is not my style. I hope other readers enjoy it.

Sadly the story fell flat, at times it was enjoyable if you don't think too much about it, the world really needed some more building and less taking ideas from pop culture without explanation as well as better connecting different fun concepts. As for the romance, I personally never love a 3rd person narrative in romance, and marketing it as grumpy-sunshine was silly when that wasn't seen - who was suppose to have which role - and the romance in general was very insta-love/ was told not felt.

What a great cosy witchy book! I really enjoyed this book and it’s perfect for the upcoming season! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book.

I enjoyed this sweet second chance romance about a witch who is called home to Stars Hollow (er, I mean, Oak Haven), to help her mother and sisters save the town from an unknown evil that is messing up the magic. This had several Gilmore Girls shouts outs (I see you, Edgard Allen Poe's raven during a fire at the bookstore!) but it still felt like its own sweet story about Scarlett and Nate and their families. I really loved how quirky Oak Haven was, and all the cozy feels this book was able to pull off without making me roll my eyes. And the mild romance was perfect for a fall afternoon! Great choice for those who want sweet, but not spicy, and who are looking for fall vibes but don't need a lot of deep plot. I would definitely read another book by this author, but do think this one might have benefitted from a little more character development.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the chance to read and review!

2/5 stars (DNF)
This one just wasn't for me. I loved the premise and was genuinely excited to dive in, but it lacked heart and fluidity.
It reads like a Wattpad book I would've devoured as a teenager. The framework was there, but the writing felt like word salad-too chaotic to follow. I started this in early September, and after weeks of struggling through the first few chapters, I just couldn't bring myself to continue.
There's no hook, no real draw to keep turning the pages. A bit disappointed, as I had high hopes for this one.

I enjoyed the description of the town. It was the perfect vibes for fall. The plot itself was fun. A long lost sister coming back to save her town from magic gone wrong, what’s not to like.

Unfortunately, the execution fell flat. The sentences and dialogue felt choppy/unrealistic. Based on her conversations with family and friends, it seemed like Scarlet was gone a couple years, not ten.

Some things felt over done. For instance having a few pop culture references is ok, but this felt over saturated. Having a few quirky characters is fun and charming, but there were all little too many in this case.

Overall, there’s a good plot here but some more editing could be done to help the book flow better and keep the focus.

This book really is like Gilmore Girls and Charmed had a cute little baby, but that's about where the happiness ended for us. The writing was a little chaotic at times, and it was hard to follow conversations. It was almost like it was trying too hard to speak quickly like Lorelai, but when reading it just doesn't work the same. The plot was cute and the characters were good, it could just use a little fine tuning!

This book has potential. It was a great idea to have the town magic become a disaster, but the main character fell short for me.

The FMC was in her late 20s, but when she came home to help, it was like she was a child. She would argue with almost everyone. The childish attitude made it difficult to pick up and keep reading. She also couldn't make up her mind on what she wanted in life. Should she stay in town or go back to the city?