Member Reviews
While this was a cute premise, I hated the writing and the lack of follow through in the plot. Scarlett is summoned home by her sister to her childhood home. After her first visit in a decade, Scarlett comes home to a town whose magic has gone haywire. What I found frustrating was Scarlett commenting on how much has changed and how no one has told her, yet at the same time she said she had no contact with anyone by choice. Scarlet, along with her sisters and mom, try to figure out the reasons behind the magic situation despite having tension between them. Scarlett keeps running into her former crush Nate who wants to know why she left.
The slow burn was obvious, and I wanted to like it but the writing really got on my nerves and I didn't like Scarlett has a narrator. Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
A quick and easy read. Good banter between the sisters. Look forward to reading more from this community.
If you took all the good vibes from cozy witchy fall books and shows/movies like Gilmore Girls and Halloweentown, it would be Impractical Magic.
The whole idea of something being off with the magic of Oak Haven and the three sisters needing to come together to fix it was really fun, especially considering Scarlett hasn’t been there for 10 years.
I also found it really unique that muggles could interact with the town but would have no memory of it afterwards.
Not only was the setting fun, it was full of amazing New England setting descriptions that made me nostalgic for a place I’ve never been.
I love a second chance romance and this one between Scarlett and Nate was so cute. Friends who never explored the something more, despite everyone knowing it was there, has so much promise and this one was done really well.
There were so many fun quirks throughout as well, like the mishaps of the broken magic causing the dining room to change settings. I also liked the fun modern references sprinkled in and nods to tv shows and the like.
Overall this was a fun, cute and cozy read perfect for this time of year. I really enjoyed it and thought it was a great debut novel!
Thank you to Emily Grimoire and Avon for this eARC via NetGalley.
The magic of family, love, perseverance, and devotion is all encompassed in Impractical Magic. The Melrose witches have all the pressure to solve the town of Oak Haven's malfunctioning magic. Ten years prior, Scarlett lost her father in the grove when things went awry. Now, a decade later, she's willing to do what it takes to save the town of her ancestors and those she loves.
Scarlett returns home to Oak Haven, a magical town, after ten years away. The premise was a good one.
A problem for me was how dysfunctional the relationships between sisters and mother were. Scarlett wallowed so long in the guilt and issues of the past that I did not progress quickly with the book.
I like the things eventually worked out, but even then the solution was drawn out. I can’t go into detail without spoilers.
From the acknowledgments this appears to be a debut book for the author. She shows promise.
Thanks to Netgalley and Avon for the opportunity to read this book.
I was instantly drawn to Impractical Magic by the cover and promise of a Gilmore Girls-esque fall read. The town of Oak Haven was so quirky and cute, just like Stars Hollow. A lot of the characters were even similar to Gilmore Girls and made this a super cozy read. I did feel like we got a little bogged down in the details and the backstory and kept addressing old issues before the plot/characters would move forward. Read if you like second chance romance, magic small towns, enchanted inns, family drama, and of course Gilmore Girls.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced reader’s copy!
As a practicing witch, I found this book to be the perfect autumn read, blending cozy magic with heartfelt romance. Scarlett’s journey back to Oak Haven is filled with charm, humor, and a touch of spellbinding drama, making it easy to root for her as she faces old flames and new magical challenges. The mix of family, love, and magic felt authentic, like a beautiful blend of Gilmore Girls meets Charmed. If you’re looking for a sweet, magical story that warms your heart, this is definitely the book to curl up with this fall.
This really is like Gilmore Girls small town mix with Charmed sisters. It was a fast, cute and predictable read. Scarlett goes back home to her witch town after 10 years away. Her sisters and mom called her home because magic is acting funny. Together, they have to fix it while Scarlett reconnects with a long lost love, Nate.
DNF at 40%. I tried, I really did.
I'm a huge fan of Gilmore Girls, and tying this book to that brilliant show is a marketing mistake.
The things that are supposed to give it the Gilmore Girls vibe actually make the writing seem lazy. It's an excuse to put random details in there with no explanation or reason so that Gilmore Girls fans will what, enjoy it more? Like that the love interest owns a hardware store that, for some reason, serves the best coffee in town. I heard there is a Four Thanksgiving chapter, featuring a deep fried turkey, and I am not willing to read that type of Gilmore Girls rip off. I freaking love that episode.
Wow, is the main character unlikable. She refuses to take responsibility for anything. Her attitude was abhorrent. There has been no good dialogue/banter with the MMC. The plot was okay to start, then got more and more lame. A few good ideas couldn't save this story, though.
This review was published on Goodreads on 10/12/24.
This book had a really cute premise and I’m such a sucker for small town witchy romances. Unfortunately with this one I just felt it started quite slow and sped through the ending, and I also wasn’t a massive fan of all the modern pop culture references.
However, I did really enjoy the whole backstory to the town and all the background characters so that got me through the storyline!
Gilmore girls meets Halloweentown in this fun fall read.
Scarlett Melrose is a witch who returns to her hometown of Oak Haven after 10 years away only to find out something is wrong with the magic in town.
This book is super fun and quirky in just the right way. I loved reading about the quirky witchy town Oak Haven, and the Melrose family felt real with their drama. There were also tons of fun references and the author is clearly a big Gilmore Girls fan. The plot was bumpy at times, but I just kinda went along for the ride. Overall a super enjoyable fall read.
4 stars
I was so looking forward to reading this novel and it did not disappoint - a perfect autumnal read best enjoyed with a cup of tea. The author skilfully explores the characters, their rich history, the setting and the plot - I loved the magic system and the characters.
I first applied for this arc because the cover caught my eye! So gorgeous. Upon reading the synopsis I felt it would be an interesting read.
While this book does indeed give "Gilmore Girls/Stars Hollow" vibes, I think leaning so heavily into that point in the marketing and advertising does this story a disservice. This story stands well on its own, and because many readers go into it with those comparisons in mind, they might not be happy with what they find, trying to draw parallels in every detail.
I enjoyed the dialogue and getting to experience meeting the quirky witches and residents of Oak Haven. While Scarlett sometimes read more like a teenager than adult, I found I really enjoyed the other Melroses and supporting cast.
In the end, this was a cozy light read while enjoying the witchy and autumnal season. I hope many people give it a chance and look beyond the Gilmore Girls comparisons.
Thank you for an ARC of this book! The premise of this book is adorable; who doesn’t love a small town story with fall, family and a spooky inn?! While I thought the characters were fun and the upbeat, I do think this book could have flowed better. I found the writing a little clunky and hard to follow on occasion!
Scarlet has been away from Oak Haven for ten years, but a letter from her sister has her returning for the first time.
A really lovely autumn read I enjoyed Impractical Magic immensely
This was a lovely cozy read. Perfect for curling up on the sofa in a winter's day. Loved all the magical elements in this story. Made a refreshing change. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
I struggled so hard with finishing this book.
I was super excited at the premise of, I love both GG and PM.
However the follow through was not there.
The writing was adolescent at most times and left me longing for so much more.
I hate that Impractical Magic wasn't a good fit for me, because I really wanted to love it.
This book is the ultimate cosy, witchy, Halloween romance! If you’re a fan of Gilmore Girls, you’re going to love the charming small-town vibes, with a sprinkle of magic in the air. I was fortunate to receive an early digital copy of Impractical Magic by Emily Grimoire in exchange for an honest review, and it did not disappoint! It’s like stepping into a spellbound version of Stars Hollow 🎃🍂✨
This was a fun witchy book to read for the Fall season! Loved the characters and the story. It was advertised as Gilmore Girls with magic and I definitely did get those vibes!
When I read this book would appeal to fans of Charmed I picked it up ( or rather chose it form a NetGalley list),
Impractical magic does have three sisters who are witches and are descended from a long line of witches but that is where the similarities end. Impractical magic wasn’t quite the book I was hoping to be.
I received a copy of this book for a free and unbiased opinion
This is a lovely, cosy read, a book that will leave you with a warm fuzzy feeling when you finish with no shocks or twists. Scarlett’s and Nate’s romance was the real story in this book with magic added in- take the fantasy components out of the book and the heart of the story would not change.
The book is full of lush descriptions of New England and some of the world building is interesting- the chaos with the restaurant and book shop for example and I would have loved to read more about the magical system, how did this little village come to be, how has no one ever heard about it and how do they keep it secret.
The book is easy to read but I’m not a huge romance fan and this is more romance than fantasy according to me.
But if you are looking for a low stake, cosy romance with some fantasy, then this would the perfect book for you.