Impractical Magic by Emily Grimoire was a great fall read that I thoroughly enjoyed. I loved the small town cozy vibes combined with slow burn & grumpy/shine. Such a fun read!


Thank you to NetGalley, the author, & the publisher for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

A delightful blend of whimsy and charm, this book weaves a tale of magic, self-discovery, and the occasional mishap. Grimoire’s writing is light-hearted and full of personality, with characters you can’t help but root for as they navigate a world where magic doesn’t always go according to plan. It’s a fun, enchanting read that leaves you smiling.

I really wanted to enjoy this but it just didn’t meet the mark. It was a good concept and the blurb felt like it would be something I would love but it just didn’t deliver

Loved the premise of this but struggled to connect to the characters which is something that I have to do to really enjoy a book, sadly just not for me.

The idea of this story sounded perfect. I love witch/autumn/cosy/small town reads. In the magical town of Oak Haven, magic is not behaving. Scarlett lives in San Francisco and receives a call from her estranged sister and immediately knows something is seriously wrong. Scarlett is the middle child who left Oak Haven nearly ten years ago. She returns home to help and runs into her old best friend Nate, who she left behind. Scarlett needs to help her family solve this magical mess but some spells come with great danger.
This book had some promising elements but I just didn’t connect with the characters. The writing was really good and the town sounded quirky and cosy but I just could not get into it.

I’ve been reading so many witchy books lately, there’s just something about them that make me love them! This book was so cute and cozy, perfect for a palate cleanser from some of the heavier things I’ve been reading. It made me giggle and I really enjoyed Scarlett and Nate!

Gilmore girls meets charmed is right!!! If like me you read pumpkin spice cafe but thought it needed more magic and witches you'll love this!
Some parts leaned into the classic tropes but honestly I feel like that's what your after with a book like this!

This is a romantasy novel that just didn't catch my attention. I found the dialogue to be stilted and awkward, which made it difficult for me to connect with the main characters. The main conflict for both the romance and the "action" of the novel was miscommunication which always feels extremely immature to me. Overall this is a cute novel but not one I would recommend to my friends

This was such a cute and whimsical book, a quick read that's perfect for the autumn. Will be reading other books by Emily Grimoire as her vibes are impeccable.

Thank you for allowing me to read impractical magic by Emily Grimoire. This was a nice cosy read for Autumn. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Impractical Magic by Emily Grimoire is a fun, quirky fantasy that combines magic with humor and heart. The story follows a young woman who discovers her magical abilities are more troublesome than useful, leading to a series of misadventures. Grimoire’s writing is light-hearted and witty, with strong character development and a touch of whimsy. The magical world is both charming and chaotic, making for an entertaining and engaging read. Fans of light fantasy and humorous stories will find Impractical Magic a delightful escape.

I could not get into this book. I tried to read it multiple times but struggled to connect with the characters and the writing style. I found the dialogue flat, the narration to be more focused on telling rather than showing, and the premise just did not pull me in.
I will not be reviewing this elsewhere.

While I found the plot of the story interesting, it didn't hold my attention. The story felt too predictable.

I liked the characters and enjoyed learning more about each of them. In general the relationships between the main character and side characters didn't come off as strong. Often when you read a story you can really feel the relationship, even with siblings, coming off the pages and I just didn't get that from this story. Especially the relationship between the females MC and who the love interest is supposed to be.

I can see where others would enjoy this story, but it wasn't for me.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I really wanted to enjoy this book, but unfortunately it wasn’t for me. I almost feel as though I would have enjoyed the backstory a lot more than the book itself, and would have preferred to get to know each character gradually. It definitely has all of the cosy autumn vibes so may be worth trying out at this time of year.

Impractical Magic by Emily Grimoire is a cozy, witchy romance that blends elements of family dynamics, personal growth, and second-chance love, set against the enchanting backdrop of a small-town community.​
Scarlett Melrose, the middle child of a witch family, has distanced herself from her hometown of Oak Haven following a tragic accident that claimed her father's life. Years later, she is summoned back by her estranged sisters due to a mysterious curse affecting their mother's inn and the town's magic. Upon returning, Scarlett confronts her past, including unresolved feelings for her former flame, Nate, the local handyman. As she attempts to break the curse, Scarlett grapples with family tensions, rekindled romance, and her own sense of responsibility.​
Grimoire crafts relatable characters, particularly in the portrayal of the Melrose sisters' complex relationships. Scarlett's journey from guilt-ridden isolation to embracing her role within her family and community is central to the narrative. Nate's steadfast presence provides a grounding force, highlighting themes of forgiveness and enduring love.​
The novel explores themes of reconciliation, self-acceptance, and the importance of community. The small-town setting, reminiscent of "Gilmore Girls," combined with magical elements akin to "Charmed," creates a warm and inviting atmosphere. The story balances lighthearted moments with emotional depth, offering readers a comforting and engaging experience
Most definitely felt like the character development could have been more robust because of wanting so much more with the characters. I fell in love with the story, but the characters could have been more than what was portrayed. I would recommend as a palate cleanser, but I would not 100% recommend this to my book lovers because of the feeling of flat characters.

Overall, I enjoyed the story, the magic and the mystery. The magical world that was built was interesting, and I was very curious throughout the book of what was causing the troubles at Oak Haven and how Scarlett and her sisters were going to resolve the situation.

However one thing that caused me to not enjoy the book so much is that Scarlett is very immature. She acts and thinks like a teenager more than an adult. I 100% understood her leaving Oak Haven after her father’s death and her reason for staying away all that time, bu at some point she had to stop running from her issues. She lets the entire town blame her for all of their problems. She keeps being hot and cold with Nate, changing her mind about their relationship every chapter. It all worked out in the end, but it end on for too long in my opinion.

This was a great mix of gilmore girls, charmed and halloween town. Some of my favorite things!

I’m going to do a reread when it is fall outside! This made me want to be cozy in stars hollow! The mystery was fun and the sister dynamic was too good. The romance was a second chance friends to lovers and was okay but I wasn’t expecting it to be some great romance.

The puns and wit were so great and obviously a great reminder of gilmore girls! This was a great quick fluffy read!

Really loved this book! Great setting and the characters were great. Kept me intrigued throughout the book , it was a nice quick palette cleansing read! Highly recommend and I look forward to reading more from this author

I loved everything about this book. It was intriguing, cozy, and magical. An absolute must-read for anyone who enjoys fiction!
The pacing was great, the plot development was good, and I loved the characters.

This author is new to me, but I will be keeping an eye out for anything else they publish. I loved the story and the characters. The pacing of the story was great and the characters were relatable.