The Witching Flour by S. Frasher is a great recipe of a romance novel for those that love magic, mystery, and a balanced mixture of sweet and spicy scenes that will make readers wish they had a soulmate to cuddle with. While the novel isn't perfect, this book is a fun spellbinding combination of The Great British Bake Off and Practical Magic.
What is the Book About?
The Witching Flour is set in Autumnal Bay, a cute town where every day feels like a perfect fall's day. Evangeline (Evie) Crawley, the main character, has participated in the annual Bake Off for years, but always came in second place right behind Circe, Evie's archrival and bully. But this year is different. With the Bake Off's prize money that could save her quaint bakery/cafe, her delicious recipes, and her new beau Oliver by her side, anything's possible. But something sinister is happening behind the scenes, and a man named Milo reaches out to Evie through her dreams, trying to get her to remember and break the curse. As the dreams continue, Evie struggles with continuous headaches, pressure from the Bake-Off, and conflicting feelings between the perfect Oliver and the mysterious Milo.
A Concise, Relatable, and Fun Ensemble
Frasher sets up her characters well; with only one page, you know the characters' personality and motivations. With just one page, she shows Evie's determined but playful personality, her aspirations with her cafe and the Bake Off, and her financial troubles. I relate to her because I love baking.
The side characters are memorable too, whether they are basic but relatable like Circe, mysterious yet honest like Milo, unsettlingly perfect like Oliver, or cartoonishly evil like Gideon. Some of the characters may come across as simple, but like a pinata cake, there is so much more to them and you should enjoy them as they are.
Immersive Atmosphere and Narrative Description
If Frasher's description skills are a part of a cake, they would be the creative and beautifully detailed decorations. She sets the scene with poignant details about Autumnal Bay: the satisfying crunch of a fallen leaf, the smell of cinnamon and pumpkin in the air, and the fair lights setting a romantic glow. Frasher's writing taps into the senses, immersing you in the scene. Like how the building heat in the Bake-Off tent, the bright lights and the constantly roaring crowd make you feel Evie's anxiety. Narrative description is one of Frasher's best and most magical qualities.
Romance That Will Give Readers Cavities
There are a few spicy scenes to warm you up, but the romance is at its strongest with its softer moments. The little moments that matter in a relationship. For example, Evie is a picky eater, so when she's at a fancy party with fancy food, Oliver comes with fast food. What's more romantic than a thoughtful, edible gift? How about soft touches, slow dancing in a dreamy ballroom, and forehead touches? These moments show the true meaning of romance. The Witching Flour will seduce you with the spicy scenes, but the sweet moments will lovingly embrace you.
Some Imperfections in the Finished Product
While her descriptive and emotional writing skills are strong, the grammar and punctuation need work and another round or two of editing. There are sections with unfinished sentences, format errors, and using the wrong names. Frasher explained that the book was partially inspired by "The Great British Bake Off", especially one of the judges. There is one character, Mayor Dooley, that gave handshakes for especially delicious bakes. But near the end of the novel, the name switched to the real person's name.
A Mystery that Gives Too Much Away
Another aspect that needs more tweaking is the mystery. While I appreciate having Milo's point of view to make him more sympathetic, he gives too much away. Every time his point of view comes up, he talks about Evie and details of his betrayal. So when the betrayal is revealed, it doesn't have that emotional gut punch. Because it shows magic early on, every time Evie says something happens 'like magic', it feels like a blunt, constant hit on the head.
The Witching Flour Will Enchant Readers with Tricks and Treats
Even though the novel has imperfections through its grammar and lack of mystery, the fun story, relatable characters, and imaginative writing more than makes up for it. Readers will find themselves rooting for the main character, hoping she wins the Bake Off and break the curse at the same time. It may even get readers to think about their passions and what they can do to break curses in their own lives. Take a bite out of this decadent story and enjoy the spices and multiple layers it has to offer.