Sorry for the late review I suffered a family bereavement a month ago so haven’t been reading at all.

Title: impractical Magic
Author Emily Grimoire
Rating 4.5 stars Cawpile 8.86
Release date 1st October

I really enjoyed this book, especially the family dynamic. This book hit me in the feels in more ways in one. When you have run away from your past and it calls back what do you do. That is what happens for Scarlett who left her home 10 years ago when her father died. Now her sisters have called her back.

Let’s add another complication she is a witch.

This book had all the family angst that was needed of someone coming back home after a long time. Sprinkle in some romance and I was invested at page one. I emphasised so hard with Scarlett but also all the other sisters because I felt in some way each represented part of me and how I have navigated grief in my life myself. We sometimes forget others when we need to go through our own pain but it’s okay to.

I loved Nate and how team Scarlett he was, he is so cute I wanted to wrap him up and the friends references as well as the Taylor references this book is a must read as we head into the spooky season.

I cannot wait to read more from this author because it was a fun ride but also an emotional one which had me stop and stare at my kindle for a bit when I did not want it to end in my eyes a sign of a book needed at the time. Everyone go read this book now for magic, romance, with some angst.

Review will go up 22nd again sorry for the delay

If I had to sum this book up in a word it would be fun. It was like The Ex Hex meets Halloweentown. Right away it was clear that the book didn’t take itself too seriously and was goofy, which I appreciate in a witchy romcom. It had great cozy small town vibes with a good dose of romance and genuine stakes for the magic — a perfect add to an autumn TBR. Luna was a really fun character that I would love to see get her own story.

This one was a no for me, which is really disappointing because I was very excited about its potential. I love Gilmore Girls, and you offer me a read alike but with magic? I’m in. Unfortunately, this read less like a read alike and more like Gilmore Girls fanfic for me to really be into it. I mean - “Williams Hardware” and a “cardigan clad town selectman?” There was too much pulled directly from the pages of a Gilmore Girls script. I don’t know. It just didn’t work for me. The characters were all one dimensional, the main POV was WAY too into victim shaming herself, and the story was flat. Just not a win.

✨ Impractical Magic by Emily Grimoire ✨

Super cute! 🪄 This story teaches us that sometimes we blame ourselves for things beyond our control, but learning to overcome adversity is key. When Scarlett returns to her hometown to help with a curse, all she wants is to flee back to her quiet San Francisco flat. But she can’t run away forever. With time slipping away, she’ll need all the help she can get to untangle this magical mess, discovering that the greatest spells often come with the greatest responsibility—especially when love is involved. 💫

This was a cute fall cozy read. I enjoyed the romance parts of the book but found the main character to be tough to like and to root for. I also felt that some of the main character’s interpersonal struggles were left unresolved despite the happy ending.

The book offers a delightful mix of family dynamics, humor, and romance. Reviewers have praised its cozy and atmospheric setting, likening it to the feel of Gilmore Girls but with a magical twist. The story is said to be a quick read, with a narrative that blends lighthearted humor and more serious themes about family and responsibility. While many enjoyed the enchanting town and the fun twists in the story, some felt that the ending felt rushed and could have delved deeper into certain elements

A cute and quirky romance with Stars Hallow vibes. Loved the setting and giggled at many of the unfortunate events she found herself in.

This was such a cute story. The descriptions of the town, the witchy vibes, the sweet romance, and the mystery throughout the book was all the perfect combination of what I look for when I want to curl up with a cozy read. I loved the competition between the coven and magicians and thought the story was overall very unique. I could’ve used a little more world building and a little less of the family drama, but all of that got better in the end. If you’re looking for a book with witches, magic, and all the fall things, this is perfect for that.

2.75⭐️

A cute little fall witchy vibe story with a mystery element and a sprinkle of romance. Emphasis on the sprinkle of romance because calling it a second chance romance is very misleading as that element was barely an afterthought.

That being said, the book could totally stand on its own without the romance and I could totally see the charmed meets Gilmore girls elements. It was cute and a perfect cozy fall read but I think the marketing was misleading and this ultimately impacts the perception of the book due to expectations.

The story itself was interesting and I love the different twists and turns it took, albeit sometimes a little too stretched on for longer than necessary. I did have some good laugh and giggles here and there and really liked the FMC.

The romance was very underwhelming however and maybe this is because friends to lovers and second chance are not my favorite tropes, but I felt the characters lacked chemistry and found myself wanting to skip their moments to get back to the main plot.

This book was heartwarming and perfect for the fall season. If you loved practical magic then you will love this book.

This book took me on a whimsical journey through the magical small town of Oak Haven, where spells go awry, family bonds are tested, and love is rekindled.

The town itself is brimming with a cozy, witchy aesthetic that instantly draws you in. Grimoire's descriptions of Oak Haven and its charming, quirky inhabitants make you feel like you're right there among the autumn leaves and magical mishaps! The atmosphere has a warm, Gilmore Girls-esque vibe, but with more spells, potions, and a dash of chaos (which I love)!

The romance between Scarlett and Nate is subtle but charming, especially for fans of the grumpy x sunshine and second chance tropes. There’s a lot of tension, warmth, and nostalgia between them, which feels real without being overly dramatic.

While the book is fun and lighthearted, deeper themes are woven throughout—family, responsibility, and learning to face the consequences of past actions. It’s a perfect blend of cozy magic and emotional depth that will resonate with readers who enjoy witchy small-town stories.

Overall, Impractical Magic is an enchanting, feel-good read with just the right balance of humour, magic, and heart. If you’re a fan of slow-burn romances, witchy vibes, and finding your way back home—both physically and emotionally—this book is for you! 🍂✨

Thank you NetGalley & AvonUK for this ARC but book was not for me. I usually love the cozy, magical romance books filled with fluff during this time of year and don’t judge them too harshly. Unfortunately, the writing and plot of this felt a bit empty and forced to me - almost as if the writer wrote it solely for the reason of it being an “autumn book” without adding too much weight to the characters or story. I tried to read it for what it was - but I also could not get behind the FMC and her forced quirkiness.

Just not my cup of tea but might be for someone else!

It's a bit rough. About 100 pages too long. An insufferable main character. Premise was cool! References in poor taste (harry potter, donald trump). Perhaps I'm too gen-z for it. I'm typically a huge fan of witchy, fall books. This fell flat.

Impractical Magic was a fun, witchy rom-com that gave me cozy fall vibes. The story was lighthearted and an overall easy read during a stressful week.

The concept of this book deserves a 10 out of 10, but the execution is where it falls flat. I spent most of the book confused not only on who was talking but where we were. At times it seemed like this was not a stand alone but instead several books into a series and information was just being dropped with no context. While I largely enjoyed many of the side characters I found many of from the main cast unlikable. Scarlett and Nate's relationship was a small bright spot but it still felt like instalove given how little we a total learn of their relationship before she leaves. Overall the ideas presented had lots of potential but the story fell flat.

Impractical Magic is a delightful blend of mystery and romance that makes for a perfect read during the witchy season. While it doesn't fit all the classic definitions of a cozy mystery, it certainly carries that cozy, whimsical vibe that fans of the genre will enjoy.

The story follows Scarlett, who, after leaving her hometown of Oak Haven a decade ago for a new life in San Francisco, returns only to find that magic in the town has gone completely haywire. Books are coming to life, random portals are opening up everywhere, and there's a bizarre culinary twist where entire menus taste like Spam—it's ridiculous, but in the best possible way.

Scarlett teams up with her two sisters and her long-lost maybe-boyfriend, reuniting after 10 years apart, to solve the mystery of why the town’s magic has gone off the rails. Their dynamic adds a charming layer of tension and humor to the story as they work together to restore balance to Oak Haven.

The book is cute, enchanting, and filled with just the right amount of magical chaos. It's a quick, enjoyable read that’s perfect for readers looking for something lighthearted and fun. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for more from Emily Grimoire!

I enjoyed this book - quick pace, and I liked the characters. The conclusion felt rushed, however this might have just been more down to the format of the proof rather than the writing.

When a book has a tagline like Gilmore Girls meets Charmed you have very high expectations and sadly I felt this fell a bit short. I’ve read quite a few witchy books recently and this didn’t really bring anything new to the party. It was a pleasant enough easy read, but it was very slow getting into. I’d say the second half redeem itself a bit and then I started to enjoy it more. But that just averaged it out to 3 stars.

“It’s hard out here for a witch.”

rating: 3.75/4★
a cozy mix of gilmore girls, halloweentown, and charmed.

i thought the mystery was fun and i enjoyed the sister dynamics. i can see why ppl got annoyed w the fmc being really guilt-ridden and self sabotaging, but i didn't think it was anything awful. the romance took me a min to get invested and it's fairly simple, but a romantic second chance friends to lovers.

it was kind of exactly the vibe i wanted and gave major stars hollow vibes. i couldn't help but read it in that amy sherman-palladino tone w its quick banter and endless references but with the added creativity of fantastical elements. are there silly pop culture references and puns? yes but that's part of the gg charm.

quick fluffy urban fantasy read, with an added bonus of a diverse small town including a trans side character.

an honest arc review ♡

While the premise of this book was really cute and the setting was what really drew me in and got me excited to read it, it really missed the mark when it came to execution. This read felt really slow and while there were pieces of it that had me intrigued, the plot just moved too slow for me to really sink my teeth into it. Definitely potential but not my favorite read unfortunately…

**Thank you NetGalley and Emily Grimoire for sending over an arc in exchange for an honest review!**