What do you think?
Rate this book
Phoebe Winchester Mystery #1
Something Wicked
Recipe for a potion to demolish life as you know it:
Step one: pack up your life and move to your aunt’s old house in a small, sleepy town.
Step two: discover that she was a witch.
Step three: discover that you’re also a witch.
Step four: Add a sprinkle of butterflies for your childhood friend (who’s suddenly incredibly hot), a dash of prying neighbours who want you to leave their town and never come back, and – the key ingredient – a murder on the steps of your aunt’s old tea shop (which, as it happens, is also a magic apothecary).
Voila. Your spell is complete.
Step one: pack up your life and move to your aunt’s old house in a small, sleepy town.
Step two: discover that she was a witch.
Step three: discover that you’re also a witch.
Step four: Add a sprinkle of butterflies for your childhood friend (who’s suddenly incredibly hot), a dash of prying neighbours who want you to leave their town and never come back, and – the key ingredient – a murder on the steps of your aunt’s old tea shop (which, as it happens, is also a magic apothecary).
Voila. Your spell is complete.
304 pages, Paperback
Published September 14, 2023
88 people are currently reading
2431 people want to read
About the author
Gretchen Rue
10 books229 followersGretchen Rue lives in the Canadian prairies, which affords her ample time to read during six months of winter. She plays cat mom to four mostly indifferent fur children, and plant mom to roughly 100 very demanding flora. When she isn’t sipping tea and working on her next novel, she enjoys swimming, hiking, and watching baseball.
**Gretchen Rue also writes as Sierra Dean and Kate Wiley**
Dean - urban fantasy/paranormal
Wiley - gritty mystery suspense
**Gretchen Rue also writes as Sierra Dean and Kate Wiley**
Dean - urban fantasy/paranormal
Wiley - gritty mystery suspense
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 214 reviews
March 18, 2024
Do I already miss Raven Creek? Yes.
This book had everything I was looking for.
It was funny, entertaining, cosy, magical and so much more!
My next read? Easy: Spell Bound! The second volume of Phoebe Winchester Mystery... OBVIOUSLY
This book had everything I was looking for.
It was funny, entertaining, cosy, magical and so much more!
My next read? Easy: Spell Bound! The second volume of Phoebe Winchester Mystery... OBVIOUSLY
October 10, 2023
War das cute!
Book in Emojis: 🥰🐱🍂✨🫖☕️🔮
Jetzt beginne ich auch schon mit diesen random Zahlen aber es war eher eine 3,75 :D
Es war etwas witchy, einfach so, als wäre das das daily Leben und es war sooooooo cozy!
Und was für ein Traum ist bitte die Kombi aus Buchladen/Cafè/Teeladen???? I need that!
Irgendwie hatte einfach der vibe vom Buch gestimmt. Es war kein high stakes mystery und auch nicht viel Mystery aber ich hatte einfach eine gute Zeit.
Absolute cozy mystery Empfehlung für den Herbst.
Book in Emojis: 🥰🐱🍂✨🫖☕️🔮
Jetzt beginne ich auch schon mit diesen random Zahlen aber es war eher eine 3,75 :D
Es war etwas witchy, einfach so, als wäre das das daily Leben und es war sooooooo cozy!
Und was für ein Traum ist bitte die Kombi aus Buchladen/Cafè/Teeladen???? I need that!
Irgendwie hatte einfach der vibe vom Buch gestimmt. Es war kein high stakes mystery und auch nicht viel Mystery aber ich hatte einfach eine gute Zeit.
Absolute cozy mystery Empfehlung für den Herbst.
September 14, 2023
This is such a lovely cosy read. This is a small town, witchy and mystery and definitely a big slow burn book.
This story is placed based on Phoebe who moves in into her late aunt Eudora house and takes over her popular business in a small town in which everyone knew her aunt.
I really adored the whole small town and witchy vibe. It was nice to see Phoebe slowly realising the truth about being a witch and slowly figuring what powers she has. But I feel like there wasn’t much on Phoebe powers and her grasp on them. I would have loved to see her exploring her magic side but it was hardly explored.
The add of Leo and Rich gives a little thought of who the love interest will be, this is definitely a slow burn. There’s a tiny hint of romance but the majority of the book focuses on solving a murder.
This book has a lovely pace to it and it made you want to continue reading it. I’ll be honest that I did find the killer suspicious from the start but I feel like I was expecting someone else. I loved Imogen, Amy and Bob so much that without them the book wouldn’t be complete.
Thanks NetGalley and Publishers for providing me an arc of this book.
This story is placed based on Phoebe who moves in into her late aunt Eudora house and takes over her popular business in a small town in which everyone knew her aunt.
I really adored the whole small town and witchy vibe. It was nice to see Phoebe slowly realising the truth about being a witch and slowly figuring what powers she has. But I feel like there wasn’t much on Phoebe powers and her grasp on them. I would have loved to see her exploring her magic side but it was hardly explored.
The add of Leo and Rich gives a little thought of who the love interest will be, this is definitely a slow burn. There’s a tiny hint of romance but the majority of the book focuses on solving a murder.
This book has a lovely pace to it and it made you want to continue reading it. I’ll be honest that I did find the killer suspicious from the start but I feel like I was expecting someone else. I loved Imogen, Amy and Bob so much that without them the book wouldn’t be complete.
Thanks NetGalley and Publishers for providing me an arc of this book.
September 17, 2023
I was in search for a cozy, witchy read to slowly draw myself into the autumn season, and I'm happy to announce I found the perfect book!
Set in small town Ravens Creek, we follow Phoebe, a city girl who comes to live in her Aunt Eudoras victorian mansion and take over The Earls Library, a book and tea room shop (more on that later), after the passing of her Aunt. Phoebe is instantly met with some rather unfriendly and curious neighbours and townspeople, followed by a gruesome murder on the doorstep of her new shop.
You would think this is already enough on Phoebes plate, however, things with her Aunt no longer seem to add up - in particular, her Aunts teas which cause too many VERY specific side effects to be a coincidence. This leads Phoebe to question who her Aunt really was, and who Phoebe really is.
First of all, I just want to say that all things considered (to be specific, murder) I would happily move to Ravens Creek and live in a big old victorian mansion with my cat and run a bookstore AND tea room. I'm pretty confident in saying that is most book readers dreams. I loved reading about Phoebe learning how to run the store, her interactions, and how the author goes into much detail about the surrounding areas and what Phoebe is doing. It felt like I was right there, and I was fully immersed into the story. I know some people prefer these details to be overlooked, but I think in a cozy book like this it just adds to the overall vibes that I was seriously looking for. I can't express how much I LOVED everything about the setting in this one, and with it being set during Autumn it was just *chefs kiss*. I would happily read about Phoebe doing the most mundane things just by how much the author seemed to romanticise these little things.
The murder mystery and witchy aspects helped keep the plot line driving forward, and neither seemed to take over more of the story than the other. It wasn't overly witchified, which I wouldn't have complained about, but I suppose Phoebe is only just learning about her Witch heritage in this book so I hope in future books we learn more about that as the way the witch system worked seemed really cool and like there's a lot the author could write about.
The author also introduced numerous characters who had a certain suspicious vibe about them - at one point I think I had around 3 suspects for the murder. The plot twist at the end wasn't who I actually thought it would be, which goes to show that this is definitely a murder mystery written right. There was plenty of moments of suspense, such as one point Phoebe being chased by a mysterious person... When I tell you I was like 'please just get out of there rn girl'
Overall, I give this book 5/5 stars. I seriously loved it. I wanted to jump into the book, and I'm sad to say I've finished it. Not to worry though, there is a second book in the series and you best believe I will be reading that at some point this Autumn.
Thank you to NetGalley and Aria & Aries for providing me with an eARC of this book in return for an honest review - Something Wicked is now available in the UK. And thank you to Gretchen Rue for writing and sharing this with us all!
Set in small town Ravens Creek, we follow Phoebe, a city girl who comes to live in her Aunt Eudoras victorian mansion and take over The Earls Library, a book and tea room shop (more on that later), after the passing of her Aunt. Phoebe is instantly met with some rather unfriendly and curious neighbours and townspeople, followed by a gruesome murder on the doorstep of her new shop.
You would think this is already enough on Phoebes plate, however, things with her Aunt no longer seem to add up - in particular, her Aunts teas which cause too many VERY specific side effects to be a coincidence. This leads Phoebe to question who her Aunt really was, and who Phoebe really is.
First of all, I just want to say that all things considered (to be specific, murder) I would happily move to Ravens Creek and live in a big old victorian mansion with my cat and run a bookstore AND tea room. I'm pretty confident in saying that is most book readers dreams. I loved reading about Phoebe learning how to run the store, her interactions, and how the author goes into much detail about the surrounding areas and what Phoebe is doing. It felt like I was right there, and I was fully immersed into the story. I know some people prefer these details to be overlooked, but I think in a cozy book like this it just adds to the overall vibes that I was seriously looking for. I can't express how much I LOVED everything about the setting in this one, and with it being set during Autumn it was just *chefs kiss*. I would happily read about Phoebe doing the most mundane things just by how much the author seemed to romanticise these little things.
The murder mystery and witchy aspects helped keep the plot line driving forward, and neither seemed to take over more of the story than the other. It wasn't overly witchified, which I wouldn't have complained about, but I suppose Phoebe is only just learning about her Witch heritage in this book so I hope in future books we learn more about that as the way the witch system worked seemed really cool and like there's a lot the author could write about.
The author also introduced numerous characters who had a certain suspicious vibe about them - at one point I think I had around 3 suspects for the murder. The plot twist at the end wasn't who I actually thought it would be, which goes to show that this is definitely a murder mystery written right. There was plenty of moments of suspense, such as one point Phoebe being chased by a mysterious person... When I tell you I was like 'please just get out of there rn girl'
Overall, I give this book 5/5 stars. I seriously loved it. I wanted to jump into the book, and I'm sad to say I've finished it. Not to worry though, there is a second book in the series and you best believe I will be reading that at some point this Autumn.
Thank you to NetGalley and Aria & Aries for providing me with an eARC of this book in return for an honest review - Something Wicked is now available in the UK. And thank you to Gretchen Rue for writing and sharing this with us all!
October 2, 2023
Bitches be reading witchy books as soon as the calendar hits October. It's me. I am bitches.
This looked promising at the beginning, but I feel like the ending was super rushed. Identity of the murderer, the romance between FMC and MMC, FMC's discovery of her super powers -basically all of the important matters of the book- were covered in a sloppy manner. I am giving 2 stars just because it was witchy.
This looked promising at the beginning, but I feel like the ending was super rushed. Identity of the murderer, the romance between FMC and MMC, FMC's discovery of her super powers -basically all of the important matters of the book- were covered in a sloppy manner. I am giving 2 stars just because it was witchy.
October 21, 2023
3.5 ⭐
this was sooo much fun, if you like the ex hex you would definitely enjoy this tho this has no spice ! this one focuses more on the mystery and magic and it's sooo so cozy cause a bunch of it takes place in a witchy bookstore and there is a grumpy cat
this was sooo much fun, if you like the ex hex you would definitely enjoy this tho this has no spice ! this one focuses more on the mystery and magic and it's sooo so cozy cause a bunch of it takes place in a witchy bookstore and there is a grumpy cat
March 30, 2024
Felt a bit rushed maybe?
January 29, 2024
I love tea, I love cats and I love books so this was always going to be a book for me. Little did I know just how much. It wove its magic over me with little Bob chatter (Bob is the cat by the way), cosy small town vibes and the characters were just magical, literally and figuratively.
I agreed to do a review for a big blitz coming soon and realising it was book two thought I had better read book one first. If it’s any inkling how good these are I went straight from one to the other and the author is now firmly on my radar.
Phoebe was incredibly likeable and very relatable, as like her I moved after a divorce and started again. I loved the friendships she formed and I may have even developed a little soft spot for Deirdre Miller, I mean who doesn’t love a good baddie.
While the mystery was captivating and gave Phoebe plenty of opportunity to stick her nose in, it came very much second to her every day life for me, which was even more interesting than discovering a dead body and working out who was behind the murder.
Her aunt Eudora may be dead but she was brought to life with every memory in this book and she was a woman after my own heart. This quote perfectly captures why.
𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝑬𝒖𝒅𝒐𝒓𝒂, 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍 𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒑 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒋𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝒕𝒐 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒏 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒆𝒂 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒕𝒔 𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏. 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒃𝒚, 𝒔𝒐 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒔𝒉𝒆’𝒅 𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒄𝒌 𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝒘𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆. 𝑰𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒂 𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝑬𝒖𝒅𝒐𝒓𝒂 𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅: 𝒕𝒆𝒂 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕, 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔.
If you enjoy a cosy mystery, witchy magic and a nice cup of tea with a good book then pick up Something Wicked and move to a tea shop that also doubles as a bookshop along with Phoebe and meet all her new neighbours.
I agreed to do a review for a big blitz coming soon and realising it was book two thought I had better read book one first. If it’s any inkling how good these are I went straight from one to the other and the author is now firmly on my radar.
Phoebe was incredibly likeable and very relatable, as like her I moved after a divorce and started again. I loved the friendships she formed and I may have even developed a little soft spot for Deirdre Miller, I mean who doesn’t love a good baddie.
While the mystery was captivating and gave Phoebe plenty of opportunity to stick her nose in, it came very much second to her every day life for me, which was even more interesting than discovering a dead body and working out who was behind the murder.
Her aunt Eudora may be dead but she was brought to life with every memory in this book and she was a woman after my own heart. This quote perfectly captures why.
𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝑬𝒖𝒅𝒐𝒓𝒂, 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍 𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒑 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒋𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝒕𝒐 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒏 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒆𝒂 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒕𝒔 𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏. 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒃𝒚, 𝒔𝒐 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒔𝒉𝒆’𝒅 𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒄𝒌 𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝒘𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆. 𝑰𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒂 𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝑬𝒖𝒅𝒐𝒓𝒂 𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅: 𝒕𝒆𝒂 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕, 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔.
If you enjoy a cosy mystery, witchy magic and a nice cup of tea with a good book then pick up Something Wicked and move to a tea shop that also doubles as a bookshop along with Phoebe and meet all her new neighbours.
August 23, 2023
probably a 3.75. very cosy and basically most of the plot was watching our main character move to a small town and figure out how to run a used book shop/tea café. the setting was brilliant and the hints of witch/magic kept this a very autumnal read. the mystery was interesting although a little abrupt.
I will say if you’re here for the romance it’s definitely more of a veryyy slow burn that seems like it will span multiple books and is not a main plot point in this one!
I will say if you’re here for the romance it’s definitely more of a veryyy slow burn that seems like it will span multiple books and is not a main plot point in this one!
November 15, 2024
1⭐️
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ DNF at 35%
I simply do not care.
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ DNF at 35%
I simply do not care.
April 19, 2025
i'm very conflicted. I can't help but feel like this book had more potential. The idea behind it and the writing is awesome but I can't help but feel like it should have been a bit longer. the ending feels slightly rushed and I would have loved more attention on the love story and.... the actually witchy part?
All in all, it's a nice cozy read you can't do wrong with
All in all, it's a nice cozy read you can't do wrong with
October 27, 2024
Super cute and cozy. Exactly what I wanted!
March 29, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and Aria Fiction for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Some might say that it’s an unusual blend, but I relished the combination of tea, baked goods & cosy vibes alongside witchcraft, shady characters & murder!
The story gave me those small town, homey vibes that I always revel in, and I was immediately hooked. The author was in no rush to get to the nitty-gritty of the darker side of the story; she set the scene perfectly and being able to vividly picture the town & the citizens who inhabited it only added to the experience.
Every little thing was described in so much detail, but it never felt pointless or overwhelming - I found myself yearning to know more about everything, even the different types of tea used in the tearoom! Additionally, the short chapters & overall comfortable feel of the book were more than enough to keep my focus.
Whilst we only got the basic background & past of the main character, we honestly didn’t need any further specifics to be immersed in her development. I do, however, wish that her magical abilities would have been explored more - I think that a newly discovered witch would be experimenting with her powers a hell of a lot more than she actually did.
On a more positive note, I think that this book easily opens itself up to a sequel - especially with how the ending is worded - as it would give ample opportunity to further explore the magical & romantic elements. I also think that this would serve well as a series, considering how much of a slow burn the romantic storyline was.
Some might say that it’s an unusual blend, but I relished the combination of tea, baked goods & cosy vibes alongside witchcraft, shady characters & murder!
The story gave me those small town, homey vibes that I always revel in, and I was immediately hooked. The author was in no rush to get to the nitty-gritty of the darker side of the story; she set the scene perfectly and being able to vividly picture the town & the citizens who inhabited it only added to the experience.
Every little thing was described in so much detail, but it never felt pointless or overwhelming - I found myself yearning to know more about everything, even the different types of tea used in the tearoom! Additionally, the short chapters & overall comfortable feel of the book were more than enough to keep my focus.
Whilst we only got the basic background & past of the main character, we honestly didn’t need any further specifics to be immersed in her development. I do, however, wish that her magical abilities would have been explored more - I think that a newly discovered witch would be experimenting with her powers a hell of a lot more than she actually did.
On a more positive note, I think that this book easily opens itself up to a sequel - especially with how the ending is worded - as it would give ample opportunity to further explore the magical & romantic elements. I also think that this would serve well as a series, considering how much of a slow burn the romantic storyline was.
May 26, 2024
A story about magic, witches, a teashop in a bookstore, murder and all in a small little town. Yes please!
Everything felt so cosy and I was happily vibing along. Which is why the ending felt a bit rushed and all of a sudden.
But glad to see there is another story because I was not ready to let go of these characters.
Everything felt so cosy and I was happily vibing along. Which is why the ending felt a bit rushed and all of a sudden.
But glad to see there is another story because I was not ready to let go of these characters.
November 3, 2023
This book had SO much potential. The setting was incredible & beautifully cosy but the plot fell way short. A frustrating read, I was left waiting for the magic & romance to develop for the entire book sadly.
November 5, 2023
3.5 stars the star of the book was Bob the cat
November 18, 2023
I have questions for the publisher
September 16, 2023
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Something Wicked
Author: Gretchen Rue
Genre: Cozy mystery, woman's fiction, mystery and thrillers, and romance.
Publish date: September 14, 2023
Synopsis from NetGalley and Goodreads:
Sabrina the Teenage Witch meets Gilmore Girls in your next witchy rom-com obsession, with a murder mystery twist.
Recipe for a potion to demolish life as you know it:
Step one: pack up your life and move to your aunt’s old house in a small, sleepy town.
Step two: discover that she was a witch.
Step three: discover that you’re also a witch.
Step four: Add a sprinkle of butterflies for your childhood friend (who’s suddenly incredibly hot), a dash of prying neighbours who want you to leave their town and never come back, and – the key ingredient – a murder on the steps of your aunt’s old tea shop (which, as it happens, is also a magic apothecary).
Voila. Your spell is complete.
My thoughts:
I loved this book so much it really put me in a Halloween and Fall mood with the lovely aspects that mentions the cool October weather and decorating for Halloween. I loved how this book got a chubby Orange cat named Bob. It mentions different types of delicious tea flavors. “Lavender Iced Tea Mix” “Lemon Meringue Pie..... A place called Sugarplum Fairy. The Gilmore Girls vibes with the cute small town that got a charming European quality. And the delicious recipes. This book was perfect. I highly recommend it.
Read if you like:
• Slow burn
• Witches
• Magic
• Cats
• Tea
• Small town vibes
• Childhood friends
• Recipes
• Bookstore & Tea store
Favourite annotations:
• but this wasn’t just herbs and crystals. This was magic.
• and whether I should be upset about not getting my letter to Hogwarts as a child.
• there was Bob’s Burgers and pasta.
Romance: 🩷
Spice: 🌶️ None.
Mystery: 🕵️🕵️🕵️🕵️🕵️
Something Wicked
Author: Gretchen Rue
Genre: Cozy mystery, woman's fiction, mystery and thrillers, and romance.
Publish date: September 14, 2023
Synopsis from NetGalley and Goodreads:
Sabrina the Teenage Witch meets Gilmore Girls in your next witchy rom-com obsession, with a murder mystery twist.
Recipe for a potion to demolish life as you know it:
Step one: pack up your life and move to your aunt’s old house in a small, sleepy town.
Step two: discover that she was a witch.
Step three: discover that you’re also a witch.
Step four: Add a sprinkle of butterflies for your childhood friend (who’s suddenly incredibly hot), a dash of prying neighbours who want you to leave their town and never come back, and – the key ingredient – a murder on the steps of your aunt’s old tea shop (which, as it happens, is also a magic apothecary).
Voila. Your spell is complete.
My thoughts:
I loved this book so much it really put me in a Halloween and Fall mood with the lovely aspects that mentions the cool October weather and decorating for Halloween. I loved how this book got a chubby Orange cat named Bob. It mentions different types of delicious tea flavors. “Lavender Iced Tea Mix” “Lemon Meringue Pie..... A place called Sugarplum Fairy. The Gilmore Girls vibes with the cute small town that got a charming European quality. And the delicious recipes. This book was perfect. I highly recommend it.
Read if you like:
• Slow burn
• Witches
• Magic
• Cats
• Tea
• Small town vibes
• Childhood friends
• Recipes
• Bookstore & Tea store
Favourite annotations:
• but this wasn’t just herbs and crystals. This was magic.
• and whether I should be upset about not getting my letter to Hogwarts as a child.
• there was Bob’s Burgers and pasta.
Romance: 🩷
Spice: 🌶️ None.
Mystery: 🕵️🕵️🕵️🕵️🕵️
October 17, 2025
3,5 ster.
Toen ik eerst begon met dit boek dacht ik dat het een romance boek was met een feelgood en magical vibe. De feelgood en magical vibe klopte maar romance was maar een heel klein deel van het boek, het was vooral Mystery. And i loved it! Niet zo ingewikkeld als een thriller of andere boeken die een mysterie vibe hebben. Maar een leuk boek, wat je makkelijk door leest met de kleine hoofdstukken. Eindconclusie ik vond het leuker dan verwacht ondanks mijn verkeerde verwachtingen. En een goede combinatie tussen mysterie, feel good, magic, small town vibes en ook genoeg spanning en twists.
Also love the recipes at the end!
Toen ik eerst begon met dit boek dacht ik dat het een romance boek was met een feelgood en magical vibe. De feelgood en magical vibe klopte maar romance was maar een heel klein deel van het boek, het was vooral Mystery. And i loved it! Niet zo ingewikkeld als een thriller of andere boeken die een mysterie vibe hebben. Maar een leuk boek, wat je makkelijk door leest met de kleine hoofdstukken. Eindconclusie ik vond het leuker dan verwacht ondanks mijn verkeerde verwachtingen. En een goede combinatie tussen mysterie, feel good, magic, small town vibes en ook genoeg spanning en twists.
Also love the recipes at the end!
October 22, 2023
3.5 stars
Very cute and cozy, a lovely little read for spooky season. Loved the small town vibes and all the descriptions of teas and foods (there are even recipes in the back!).
Despite the guy being on the cover, I would say that this is mainly a cozy mystery with a romance subplot (I was expecting a little more from the romance due to the cover). So be aware of that going into it.
I don’t know if this is getting a sequel, but I really love the town and world building so if there was a second book, I would definitely read it.
Very cute and cozy, a lovely little read for spooky season. Loved the small town vibes and all the descriptions of teas and foods (there are even recipes in the back!).
Despite the guy being on the cover, I would say that this is mainly a cozy mystery with a romance subplot (I was expecting a little more from the romance due to the cover). So be aware of that going into it.
I don’t know if this is getting a sequel, but I really love the town and world building so if there was a second book, I would definitely read it.
November 11, 2023
I liked it, a very cute and cozy book. I had hoped for more romance and comedy, as it was advertised like „The Ex Hex“, which is a fantasy romcom, but it doesn‘t really have those aspects.
But I enjoyed it nontheless!
But I enjoyed it nontheless!
September 27, 2023
I loved this book! It's got the cosiest, loveliest feel to it, not to mention I am SO envious of Phoebe for the life she inherited, it's just dreamy.
The only reason I didn't give it 5* was because for me, I feel the ending was slightly rushed, and I would've liked a bit more about how life panned out after the event, but that's just me never wanting this book to end! 🤭
The only reason I didn't give it 5* was because for me, I feel the ending was slightly rushed, and I would've liked a bit more about how life panned out after the event, but that's just me never wanting this book to end! 🤭
November 1, 2023
2.75 ⭐️
December 20, 2023
I had the time of my life. I was just giggling away. This was what I needed.
April 21, 2024
A fun read with good vibes, I won’t be writing home about the storyline but I enjoyed my time 😊
October 20, 2024
Loved the recipes at the end of the book
November 5, 2024
I really enjoyed this first book! It's magical, fun and quirky, and the characters are very likable to me! I'm very excited to continue the series and see where it leads!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 214 reviews