The Wycherleys is a fun story for young teens who are starting out in the fantasy / romance genre. It is low angst, the plot moves along quickly without too much danger. The main characters are fun and likable. It gives YA Bridgerton vibes with lots of balls, costumes and a sprinkling of magic thrown in.

Such a fun read, I really enjoyed the mystery surrounding the characters as well as Aurellia and Nightly’s letters, and her friendship with Constance. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read an ARC.

Absolutely loved this sweeping, simmering romance with all its mystery and intrigue.. Bridgerton but with witches, they said, and this book definitely delivered. Loved the world-building, the magic system, twisted plot, the love story! Breathtaking in every way - I'll never forget how the author describes tethering and using magic together. Mesmerisingly beautiful. I need the next installment immediately!

From forbidden love and rival enemies, this story cast a spell on me and I couldn't put it down. The world building is incredible and so rich and immersive. It's a breathtaking adventure with plenty of danger, rivalry and romance. Really hoping for a sequel!

The most magical YA fantasy exploring my favourite magical beings, witches! I adored this story, the romance, the depth, the characters, the magic and lore of Witches!

I absolutely loved Aurelia and Nightly - the fake dating and forbidden ish romance aspects of them both being from bloodlines whose family ties have long existed. The Wycherleys and the Nightlys family history was one of the most exciting parts of this story along with the worldbuilding and the romance!!

The plot almost felt like a Witchy version of Bridgerton where the characters have to find a match and tether with another witch to maintain their magic and the magical world. The romance was my favorite between Aurelia and Jules Nightly because they explore the connection between them so well- this is the most interesting Witchy YA fantasy I've ever read and everything I've been looking for in YA witch stories.

Annaliese Avery’s The Wycherleys is a spellbinding YA fantasy that combines witches, romance, and a thrilling mystery in an alternate Regency-era London. With its unique magic system, richly imagined world, and a cast of compelling characters, this book is a delightful read that will captivate fans of magical adventures and historical fantasy alike.

The story is set in a world where witches live parallel to non-magical society, attending their own schools and following their own rules. In this world, young witches must find a magical partner, or “tether,” within three seasons to retain their powers. Aurelia, the protagonist, is burdened by a family curse that prevents her from tethering, dooming her to lose her magic. Desperate to find a solution, she teams up with Jules, a member of the family responsible for her curse, who is equally determined to break free from the constraints of tethering. Together, they embark on a journey filled with danger, discovery, and unexpected romance.

Avery’s world-building is both imaginative and immersive, blending the elegance of Regency London with the intrigue of a hidden witch society. The concept of tethering adds a fresh twist to the magical romance trope, while the parallel witch community evokes a sense of nostalgia for fans of magical school settings like Harry Potter. The pacing is brisk and engaging, with every scene driving the plot forward. The inclusion of a criminal mystery—a series of witch murders in London—adds an extra layer of tension and intrigue, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting series.

Aurelia and Jules are wonderfully crafted characters, each with their own motivations and vulnerabilities. Their dynamic, which starts as reluctant allies and evolves into something deeper, is both sweet and believable. While their romance develops quickly, it feels authentic for teenage characters navigating their emotions in a high-stakes situation. The supporting cast, including Aurelia’s brother Voughan and her friend Constance, adds depth and charm to the story, ensuring that every character feels real and memorable.

What sets The Wycherleys apart is its balance of romance, action, and mystery. The romance is an important part of the story, but it doesn’t overshadow the plot, which stands strong on its own. Avery’s writing is vivid and engaging, making it easy to lose yourself in this magical world.

An immensely enjoyable read, perfect for fans of Cassandra Clare. Overall, The Wycherleys masterfully blends these moods to create a story that is both enchanting and gripping, with moments of lightness and depth that will resonate with readers.

Having read a fair bit of romantasy lately, I liked that this book was a bit different. Set in an alternate regency period England, where magic and witches exist, we had debutantes, seasons and balls with a magic twist. Rather than looking for love, young witches need to meet someone to tether with so they don’t lose their magic. Aurelia, our heroine, ends up working with Jules, from a rival family, to try to find a way for witches to keep their magic without tethering. As they research they discover an old magical system and a dark plot.

It’s quite an easy read, a bit slow at the start but does gain momentum. Some really interesting bits around the magic and how it works. There was some repetition though of the explanations of the magic system and a lot of repetition of Aurelia’s stormy eyes- please give me descriptions of them. The enemies to lovers romance didn’t entirely ring true for me and I think it was more the declarations of love. I did like the main characters and I am glad they ended up together.

I’m going to guess that there will be a sequel as there are still a lot of things to discover and evil again to be defeated. I look forward to reading it.

This was such a fun and immersive YA fantasy book, I couldn't put it down from the moment I started and loved everything about it. From the plot, to the narrative and the characters it all was written so beautifully and in a way that kept you engaged and intrigued with such a refreshing storyline, the ending was so satisfying but also makes me excited to read the next book.

The sweet romance between the two main characters was one of my favourite things and I loved that while miscommunication could have happened as their relationship developed it thankfully never went down that path which made it so much more enjoyable as a reader. Highly recommend to anyone who loves YA fantasy.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review this book before publication, these are my honest thoughts and opinions.

As someone who is not a mega-fan of Bridgerton (Yes, I know. I’m sorry, it’s just not my cup of tea), I had a fear that this book would come across a cheesy and cliché. Well, wasn’t I WRONG?! Perhaps it’s my own super-enjoyment of magic and fantasy, or these particular characters, but I almost forgot all of the factors of this type of this setting that make me dislike Bridgerton. Annaliese Avery’s storytelling is so engrossing and consuming that I had to continue the adventure and I’m so glad I did because this is one of my favourite reads of the year.
 
One thing Avery has done absolutely perfectly is the YA romance elements. Oftentimes I find them too immature or too mature, whereas The Wycherleys hits the sweet spot that I would easily recommend this to any YA or older reader. Aurelia and Jules, Aurelia and Sebastian, Constance and Vaughan, Kit and Evelyn, Kit and Cora, all of the relationships are so well-crafted and I was very happy with the journey and outcome of each and every single one. I was invested and, with so many couples with varying success and dynamics, that is successful storytelling.

The lore-building in The Wycherleys is second to none, also. There is a whole world here that I feel like The Wycherleys is the tip of the iceberg of. Whether Avery chooses to explore other parts of this world beyond the Wycherleys series or not is obviously her choice, but by reading this book you’ll see that she knows every chasm of this world. As a fantasy lover, there’s nothing that pulls me in more than an author who knows their world inside and out and in 2025, we’re seeing a lot of this so to stand out means the world is epic and Avery has achieved this.
 
Without spoiling too much of the plot, the ending of this novel was nowhere near where I thought it was going to end whilst reading the first 75% of the book. And even when I got closer to the end and I thought I had it figured it, there were plenty of elements that surprised me still. Again, I adore this because it shows Avery knows exactly where she’s going in book 2 and laid down the foundations perfectly with such craft that it reads as if it were effortless (although it likely did not feel that way during writing for Avery).
 
All in all, The Wycherleys is a genre merging book ideal of any romance, fantasy, romantasy lovers and Bridgerton and non-Bridgerton lovers alike (I know Bridgerton is going to be thrown around in this book’s press tour a LOT). If I had to debut in one society, I would hope it would be this one and I would LOVE a wandlet around my wrist any day…

This was a cute, witchy romance with non-complicated magic, which makes it a great intro to fantasy/witchy reads for someone newer to the genre. The writing was simple and made it fly by IMO. I enjoyed the whole debutante season aspect and the way they are paired together. Poor Aurelia was so determined to get rid of her curse and sweet but grumpy NIghtly tried so hard to help his girl out. Overall enjoyable palate cleanser.

The Wycherleys – Bridgerton with Magic (and a Whole Lot of Love Confessions)

This is a YA Regency fantasy that’s light and easy to read. But before you grab your fan and smelling salts, let’s talk about what worked and what had me dramatically sighing like a heroine in distress.

✨ Effortless Writing – The prose is smooth and easy to digest, making it a breezy, quick read.
✨ Straightforward Plot – No tangled webs of intrigue or overly complex subplots. The story moves along at a nice pace.
✨ A Bright, Charming World – The setting is colourful and fun, perfect for those who enjoy a lighter fantasy.

🌪 Inconsistent Characters – The main characters felt a bit all over the place, like their personalities shifted depending on what the plot needed at the moment.
🌪 Regency in Name Only – It may be set in the Regency era, but don’t expect historically accurate language, manners, or social dynamics. It reads much more modern.
🌪 YA… but That’s Not an Excuse – I had to keep reminding myself this is a YA book, but even so, the world-building and character depth could have been much stronger.
🌪 A Mystery That Fizzles Out – The central mystery was intriguing at first, but around the halfway point, it stopped being mysterious at all.
🌪 The Love Story Overload – I was considering a solid 3-star rating, but by the last 100 pages, the relentless barrage of love confessions, eternal pledges, and dramatic declarations had me rolling my eyes into another dimension.
🌪 Magic System? What Magic System? – No rules, no structure—just vibes.

If you’re looking for a light, easy-to-read fantasy with a fun setting and don’t mind a bit (or a lot) of cheesiness, The Wycherleys might be for you. However, if you want solid world-building, period-authentic writing, or a well-thought-out magic system, you might end up as exhausted as I was by the end. A cute idea that doesn’t quite stick the landing.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC!

5 stars - YA fantasy - Bridgerton with witches

In a reimagined regency London the debutante season has begun. The young witches have three years to find a magical match / tether before their magic ebbs away. Tethers can either be for love, friendship or just for more power. Aurelia Wycherleys magic has recently been cursed by a generational family curse, struck by the Nightly’s, in which to who she tethers becomes sick. It’s decided she cannot tether but can enjoy the debutante season then become non magical. Enter Jules Nightly, who is looking for a way to help his sister Evelyn, find a way to keep her magic without tethering. The two team up and begin fake dating as a ruse to cover their treasonous intentions.

Bridgerton/ regency inspired fantasy may be my favourite setting, especially if it also contains witches. I was expecting to like this, but I thought with the cover it seemed more middle grade, but the Wycherley’s is a story full of loveable characters, sweet romances and great world building - both past and present.

I absolutely loved Aurelia as a character - unluckily burdened with her family’s curse she still tries to enjoy her limited time in the magical world, by entering the season with her close friend Constance and brother Vaughn. She holds her head high despite the snickers from the other debutantes and her ex best friend Sebastian.

Jules or Nightly, as Aurelia names him, is super sweet trying to help his sister and I loved their “fake” dating especially the love letters. I enjoyed their hunt for the mysterious runes and as they become closer as a pair.

It ends on a slight cliffhanger and I’m really looking forward to continuing the series. I think fans of the crimson moth or divine rivals would really enjoy this one.

2.5/5
First things first: Petition to save all characters whose eye color makes up 70% of their personality. Enough. Please.

The Wycherleys—or as I like to call it, YA Cotillion Drama with a Side of Magic (and a Broom That Has More Personality Than Half of the Character).

Now, onto the book. The first few chapters felt a little dry, but once the main characters’ connection clicked, things picked up nicely. The world of witches and elite magical families is fun and full of potential, and the concept of tethering for power rather than love was an interesting twist. It makes far more sense for witches to prioritize strength over romance—after all, love isn’t always forever, especially when you’re seventeen and could very well break up a week later.

The trials and magical experiments were some of the strongest moments in the book, which was, unfortunately, in the last 25% of it. The event guides sprinkled throughout the story added a cute charming Gossip Girl-like touch to the book. That said, I had to remind myself a lot that these were teenagers because their decisions often felt questionable at best. It’s not that YA books can’t have young characters making impulsive choices—it’s that those choices need to feel organic rather than frustrating.

The book also leans a little too much on exposition, delivering long-winded explanations instead of letting the reader experience the world naturally. If there had been a glossary at the end, it would have saved a lot of unnecessary info-dumping. A section outlining the different types of witches, the strongest houses/covens, and the council structure would have helped clarify things without slowing down the main story.

Another issue is that the magic system feels unfinished. There are too many “wait, but what ifs?” left unanswered, which makes it hard to fully invest in how things work. The relationships also lacked the depth needed for lines like “Always together,” to truly hit. A bit more time spent developing those bonds would have made the emotional stakes feel stronger. But then again, these characters are seventeen, so maybe I’m asking too much.

Also, the fake-dating trope is for the soul, guys, but let’s be honest, it only shines in fanfics.

I loved this cover and couldn’t wait to start the book. A romantic fantasy that is perfect for fans of Divine Rivsls (me!). 17 year Aurelia Wycherling is entering the debutante season but there is one problem. She is cursed and faces the reality that she may lose her magic. All young witches must ‘tether’ to form a strong magical bond. Who will tether with Aurelia knowing what lies in her future?
Aureliua learns a witch called Nightley, from a rival family is searching for a way that a witch can keep their magic without tetherin. A forbidden alliance is formed but together they perform the strongest magic seen. The book is full of family secrets, balls, duels, dark forces, magic and kissing!

The Wycherleys is a sweet young- adult romance story, featuring traditional magic - think broomsticks, glamoured balls, and curses. The characters are young - sweet 17, so the romance is as suspected - very sweet, angsty in parts, and that kind of all-consuming powerful love that makes you forget everything else around you.

Aurelia is everything you want in a main character - she's flawed (with her curse), she doesn't give up and is determined, and she's bold. The idea of tethering for a magical partner was a cute touch and Jules is a good match for her. I think I would have really enjoyed this read when I was younger - the idea of a magical world alongside ours, that teenage all-encompassing love, fighting against the odds - young me would have been spellbound, and I'd love to share this with my daughters one day.

I must admit, I did find it hard to stay engaged so I can't comment on the plot, but I think that I was just the wrong audience for it, and I can't discredit it for that! The world building was immaculate, with unusual variants (such as the magical tethering) to make it feel different from all else that is out there in the market currently.

I thought the concept was very clever ! Ang magical London was a great idea !
Loved the MCs separately but not so much together.

A delightful YA novel about witches, with a great magic system, sweet romance and an action-packed plot. I didn’t expect to enjoy this book as much as I did!

First of all, I really appreciated the worldbuilding. It’s simple, yet it works very well. The action takes place in an alternate London during the Regency period, but in this world, alongside non-magical people, there are also witches. Unlike in the non-magical world, young people entering witch society don’t search for a husband or wife, but for a magical partner with whom they must tether in order to retain their magic. If, within three seasons, they fail to find their tether, they lose their magic. The main protagonist, Aurelia, is the bearer of a family curse and knows she cannot tether with anyone, meaning she will lose her magic. To prevent this, she teams up with Jules, a member of the family that cursed her, who has his own agenda to find a way to preserve magic without the need for tethering.

In addition to the concept of magical bonds, I really loved the idea of a parallel community of witches existing alongside our own world. They live their own lives, attend their own schools, and have their own social structure. I’ve missed something like this since the days of Harry Potter—the book fills that longing perfectly.

The book is very fast-paced and packed with action. There isn’t a single unnecessary scene, and the entire story reads quickly. I should also note that the plot includes a criminal mystery. The timeline of Aurelia and Jules' actions coincides with a series of witch murders in London, the motives for which remain unknown. The mystery is well-plotted, and it’s clear we’re dealing with a deeper intrigue that will continue in the sequel.

I really liked the characters—both the main ones, Aurelia and Jules, and the secondary ones, who aren’t just flat stereotypes. Aurelia’s brother Voughan and her friend Constance were particularly likeable, but there are also some well-written adult characters.

As for the romance, it’s a YA book, and the characters don’t try to act more mature than they are. On the other hand, in 1814, 17-year-olds were already entering adult society and even marrying, so focusing a Regency story on characters of that age felt natural. Aurelia and Jules are really sweet, by the way. Their dynamic is a bit like enemies to lovers, but of course, they were never truly enemies, so it’s no surprise they fall in love quite quickly. For many, this might feel like insta-love, but in books about teenagers, I’m willing to accept that dynamic. I’ll also add that while the romance is an important element of the book, the plot stands on its own and isn’t solely centered around the romantic relationship.

In the end, it’s hard for me to find any criticism of this book. What it sets out to do, it does well. It’s truly a fine YA book, and I would recommend it to both teenagers and older readers. I can’t wait for the sequel!

Rating: 3.5 ⭐

Seventeen-year-old Aurelia Wycherley is entering her debutante season, where witches must find a match to tether their magic to—or risk losing it. But Aurelia’s magic is cursed, making her an outcast. Her only hope? Jules Nightly, heir to a rival family, who is searching for a way to keep magic without tethering. Their forbidden alliance leads them through glamoured balls, perilous trials, and a dark mystery that threatens their families and the magical world itself.

Now, onto my thoughts!

The Wytcherleys instantly caught my attention with that gorgeous cover, and I’m happy to say the world inside is just as intriguing. The reimagined Regency London setting, infused with magical realism, is beautifully crafted, and the lore behind witch society is fascinating. Plus, the secondary characters? Absolutely adorable and just as easy to root for as the main ones.

Beyond the swoon-worthy romance (Jules Nightly, where do I find one?), there’s also a gripping, well-plotted mystery running through the story—a series of strange murders that kept me flipping pages. That balance of romance and intrigue was one of my favorite aspects.

Now, where it lost me a little: the romance itself. While sweet, it leaned a bit too much into insta-love for my taste. I wanted to feel the tension of their supposedly feuding families before seeing it melt into something deeper, but that transition happened a little too quickly. If you’re expecting a strong enemies-to-lovers dynamic, it doesn’t quite hit that mark.

And speaking of the murder mystery, while the setup was compelling, I unfortunately guessed the culprit too early, which took away some of the suspense. I wish there had been a few more twists to keep me on my toes!

That said, if you love historical fantasy with a mix of mystery, romance, and magical charm, this one is still worth picking up!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

This was such a fun, clever take on the Bridgertonesque Regency romance. I looked forward to reading it each night and think it will be a big hit with both YA and adult Bridgerton fans alike. The chemistry between Aurelia and Jules was brilliant and the magical twists and turns of the story added drama and depth to their blossoming relationship. I can't wait for book two and will be keeping my fingers crossed for a TV dramatisation in the future.

This was such an unexpectedly sweet book with a really distinct narrative style and plot. Centered around multiple Sabbaths in the first debutante season of Aurelia Wycherley this had the feeling of a dystopian read and of a subtle regency influence.

Reading a book where the heroine knows what is expected to happen to her, and even knows that she will be shunned from society even further than she already is when her seasons are over could have made the book more of a darker read. However while I felt it did dip into exploration of what happens if you are the exception that slips through the cracks of an otherwise heavily organised society the romance kept things light and warm (I don’t know if warm makes any sense but Nightly and Aurelia just radiated it).

The romance was just right for me and I loved how Aurelia was willing to let Nightly go, she wanted what was best for him despite her feelings. Often this leads to the miscommunication trope but their relationship didn’t stumble down this path. We had a parallel relationship as well, the relationship of their ancestors hundreds of years earlier and how Heston Nightly had cursed Mathilde and how Nightly and Aurelia were unravelling that past.
This book was just the lighter romantic witchy read I needed and I 100% recommend it!