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Practically Magic
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Expected 25 Aug 26On the eve of Halloween, a sister’s well-intentioned love spell turns into a curse in this witchy, flirty rom-com perfect for fans of The Ex Hex, Gilmore Girls, and Practical Magic.
The Hadley sisters of Mystic Hollow are magic. Literally.
But for all the generations of witches behind her, Kat Hadley could swear that she’s utterly invisible to boys.
Then she learns that her perfect older sister, Harriet, cast a curse to protect her from heartbreak. Kat is so furious, she loses control—and it’s not just their sisterhood that shatters. It’s magic itself.
Suddenly, every spell a Hadley witch has ever cast starts reversing. Spells to do good start bringing evil. Curses to repel suddenly attract. And the veil between worlds begins to thin. If Kat and Harriet don’t do something fast, this Halloween might be Mystic Hollow’s last.
As they race to repair the balance of magic—and their relationship—Kat notices that every crush who’s ever rejected her is suddenly magically lovesick. Even her annoying class rival seems to have fallen under her spell. For the first time in her life, she feels practically magic. Who cares if it’s all just a spell?
The Hadley sisters of Mystic Hollow are magic. Literally.
But for all the generations of witches behind her, Kat Hadley could swear that she’s utterly invisible to boys.
Then she learns that her perfect older sister, Harriet, cast a curse to protect her from heartbreak. Kat is so furious, she loses control—and it’s not just their sisterhood that shatters. It’s magic itself.
Suddenly, every spell a Hadley witch has ever cast starts reversing. Spells to do good start bringing evil. Curses to repel suddenly attract. And the veil between worlds begins to thin. If Kat and Harriet don’t do something fast, this Halloween might be Mystic Hollow’s last.
As they race to repair the balance of magic—and their relationship—Kat notices that every crush who’s ever rejected her is suddenly magically lovesick. Even her annoying class rival seems to have fallen under her spell. For the first time in her life, she feels practically magic. Who cares if it’s all just a spell?
288 pages, Paperback
Expected publication August 25, 2026
About the author
Jen Calonita
91 books3,864 followersHi Goodreads!
I'm Jen Calonita, a MG and YA author who loves what I do because it lets me connect with all of you (and no, I wasn't intending for that to rhyme!).
I've been writing ever since I can remember, but it was fourth grade when I put my "three wishes" for a genie down on paper. They were:
#1. Buy all the Cabbage Patch Kids in the world and give them away for free (because apparently that was how I rolled).
#2. I wanted a mansion, limo, lake house, pool and speed boat (still sounds quite nice).
#3. I wanted to be an author for young readers, which I am!
I love writing novels for teens (and for savvy grown ups who know that YA rocks at any age). My first series was "Secrets of My Hollywood Life" and it followed a teen star named Kaitlin Burke who struggled with the fame game. I have also written the stand-alone novels Sleepaway Girls, it's companion book, Summer State of Mind and the Belles series.
I've been writing middle grade too and am having so much fun with my series Fairy Tale Reform School! The fourth book in this series about a school run by former villains is called Tricked and will be out March 2018. Ever wonder what it would be like if your parents got a job with someone like Taylpr Swift? My other middle grade series, VIP, follows super fan Mackenzie Lowell as she tours with her favorite band, Perfect Storm.
I promise to give book updates here, and on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or my website. I hope I hear from you!
xo
Jen
I'm Jen Calonita, a MG and YA author who loves what I do because it lets me connect with all of you (and no, I wasn't intending for that to rhyme!).
I've been writing ever since I can remember, but it was fourth grade when I put my "three wishes" for a genie down on paper. They were:
#1. Buy all the Cabbage Patch Kids in the world and give them away for free (because apparently that was how I rolled).
#2. I wanted a mansion, limo, lake house, pool and speed boat (still sounds quite nice).
#3. I wanted to be an author for young readers, which I am!
I love writing novels for teens (and for savvy grown ups who know that YA rocks at any age). My first series was "Secrets of My Hollywood Life" and it followed a teen star named Kaitlin Burke who struggled with the fame game. I have also written the stand-alone novels Sleepaway Girls, it's companion book, Summer State of Mind and the Belles series.
I've been writing middle grade too and am having so much fun with my series Fairy Tale Reform School! The fourth book in this series about a school run by former villains is called Tricked and will be out March 2018. Ever wonder what it would be like if your parents got a job with someone like Taylpr Swift? My other middle grade series, VIP, follows super fan Mackenzie Lowell as she tours with her favorite band, Perfect Storm.
I promise to give book updates here, and on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or my website. I hope I hear from you!
xo
Jen
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
May 3, 2026
Ahhh so cute I can’t wait for Halloween!🎃
Thank you Edelweiss and Avon a for giving me the opportunity to read this early!
Thank you Edelweiss and Avon a for giving me the opportunity to read this early!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Halloweentown and Sabrina the Teenage Witch fans, this is for you! Jen Calonita writes the cutesiest most wholesome YA contemporary out there (and I’ve been reading her books since I actually was the age of her target audience). If anyone grew up reading Bras and Broomsticks by Sara Mlynowski, this book was so similar in style to that. This was autumnal, light, witty, tongue in cheek, filled with magical mishaps, and absolutely adorable. The setting also has every halloween stereotype you can think of, from everything in the town named after something related to Halloween, to Kat living in a 200 year old Victorian house rumored to be haunted. Which is fitting for a family of witches. Down to the eccentric witchy aunts. And of course, this tiny halloween obsessed town named Mystic Hollow happens to be one of the places where the veil between the supernatural is the thinnest.
Speaking of, Mystic Hollow is a Halloween lovers dream. Aside from the small town New England coziness, there’s even a Halloween themed restaurant, a local coffee shop called Witches Brew, All Hallows Inn, practically every local shop named something Halloween related, ghost tours, pumpkin patches, you name it. This town takes Halloween verrry seriously. This is truly one of the most autumnal reads out there and as a fall lover, it made me giddy and excited for when the world feels like this again. The atmosphere is witchy, cozy and autumnal, down to the cider donuts, apple spice cookies, and PSLs served inside a pumpkin. Also, reading these really made me crave those waxy candy pumpkins. The ones that are made of the same thing candy corn is made of but tastes way better because the shape is more satisfying. If you know you know.
This was so much autumnal fun. All sorts of stereotypical Halloween creatures terrorizing a Halloween obsessed town. The veil between the living and the supernatural realm being thinner and one witch family tasked to prevent it from falling. It was like Goosebumps meets Halloweentown. I’m not the target audience, but honestly, I loved it. It was cute rather than spooky, and was like one of those family friendly Halloween movies, which tbh I prefer. Books like these make it easiest to romanticize my favorite season. I read this in the miserable dead heat of June and it gave me a spark of joy of my favorite time of year, when the weather cools, and life feels more fun and easier to romanticize. The cutesiest Halloween book I’ve read yet!
Thank you to Netgalley and Avon for sending me an advanced copy in return for my honest review.
Speaking of, Mystic Hollow is a Halloween lovers dream. Aside from the small town New England coziness, there’s even a Halloween themed restaurant, a local coffee shop called Witches Brew, All Hallows Inn, practically every local shop named something Halloween related, ghost tours, pumpkin patches, you name it. This town takes Halloween verrry seriously. This is truly one of the most autumnal reads out there and as a fall lover, it made me giddy and excited for when the world feels like this again. The atmosphere is witchy, cozy and autumnal, down to the cider donuts, apple spice cookies, and PSLs served inside a pumpkin. Also, reading these really made me crave those waxy candy pumpkins. The ones that are made of the same thing candy corn is made of but tastes way better because the shape is more satisfying. If you know you know.
This was so much autumnal fun. All sorts of stereotypical Halloween creatures terrorizing a Halloween obsessed town. The veil between the living and the supernatural realm being thinner and one witch family tasked to prevent it from falling. It was like Goosebumps meets Halloweentown. I’m not the target audience, but honestly, I loved it. It was cute rather than spooky, and was like one of those family friendly Halloween movies, which tbh I prefer. Books like these make it easiest to romanticize my favorite season. I read this in the miserable dead heat of June and it gave me a spark of joy of my favorite time of year, when the weather cools, and life feels more fun and easier to romanticize. The cutesiest Halloween book I’ve read yet!
Thank you to Netgalley and Avon for sending me an advanced copy in return for my honest review.
August 9, 2026
Wow! This was really cute! If you’re looking for a book to get you into the Halloween and cozy vibes, grab your PSL and give this YA cozy a read. 🎃🍂
It has one of those towns you wish was real. Everything is Halloween-focused, complete with the witchy Hadley sisters. I truly enjoyed going along on younger sister Kat Hadley’s journey to find love, even if she has to use a little magic to do it.
I was thankful to receive the complimentary audiobook from Harper Children’s Audio via NetGalley to read ahead of publication on August 25, 2026, which is the perfect time for cozy season reading.
While I loved reading this with narrator Ferdelle Capistrano, who brought age-appropriate vocals and pacing to the story, I did get frustrated with several mispronounced words that were not regional dialect-based. They were simply incorrect. One example was “row,” as in a fight, which she mispronounced over and over. It happens, but especially when you have a book intended for young adults, it’s disappointing to have it happen as often as it did in this production.
So, with that being said, I personally would recommend the physical book for this one. But regardless of the format you choose, this is such a wonderful coming-of-age tale that goes beyond the young romance. I think readers young and old will eat this one up this cozy season! 🍁🎃
It has one of those towns you wish was real. Everything is Halloween-focused, complete with the witchy Hadley sisters. I truly enjoyed going along on younger sister Kat Hadley’s journey to find love, even if she has to use a little magic to do it.
I was thankful to receive the complimentary audiobook from Harper Children’s Audio via NetGalley to read ahead of publication on August 25, 2026, which is the perfect time for cozy season reading.
While I loved reading this with narrator Ferdelle Capistrano, who brought age-appropriate vocals and pacing to the story, I did get frustrated with several mispronounced words that were not regional dialect-based. They were simply incorrect. One example was “row,” as in a fight, which she mispronounced over and over. It happens, but especially when you have a book intended for young adults, it’s disappointing to have it happen as often as it did in this production.
So, with that being said, I personally would recommend the physical book for this one. But regardless of the format you choose, this is such a wonderful coming-of-age tale that goes beyond the young romance. I think readers young and old will eat this one up this cozy season! 🍁🎃
August 15, 2026
(4.25 rounded up)
Sabrina the Teenage Witch meets Practical Magic meets Halloweentown!
This book has the nostalgia and quirkiness of the old Sabrina the Teenage Witch that was on Nickelodeon. It has the charm and elegance and values of Practical Magic (but for teens). It has the cozy Halloween vibes of Halloweentown. It was cute and funny, and reminiscent of the shows and movies I watched when I was younger. It made me feel young again!
Yes, it’s a teen book, but don’t let that fool you. It has depth and heart for YA. It’s funny and cute and has a good moral lesson on family. Plus you get some really cute and funny magical creatures….some might be a little scary!
The story features two sisters, two cool aunts, and patents. The girls are left to mend the wards and spells that keep the town safe. What ensues is a heartwarming magical story of family. Everything about it is enchanting.
Narration was wonderful. The narrator chosen did an excellent job bringing the story to life.
Tropes/themes: FAMILY BONDS (this is heavy), secrets, sacrifice, magic, magical creatures, growing up, teen love, bonds, teen life, witches, sisters
Thank you Harper Audio Children and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this magical book
Sabrina the Teenage Witch meets Practical Magic meets Halloweentown!
This book has the nostalgia and quirkiness of the old Sabrina the Teenage Witch that was on Nickelodeon. It has the charm and elegance and values of Practical Magic (but for teens). It has the cozy Halloween vibes of Halloweentown. It was cute and funny, and reminiscent of the shows and movies I watched when I was younger. It made me feel young again!
Yes, it’s a teen book, but don’t let that fool you. It has depth and heart for YA. It’s funny and cute and has a good moral lesson on family. Plus you get some really cute and funny magical creatures….some might be a little scary!
The story features two sisters, two cool aunts, and patents. The girls are left to mend the wards and spells that keep the town safe. What ensues is a heartwarming magical story of family. Everything about it is enchanting.
Narration was wonderful. The narrator chosen did an excellent job bringing the story to life.
Tropes/themes: FAMILY BONDS (this is heavy), secrets, sacrifice, magic, magical creatures, growing up, teen love, bonds, teen life, witches, sisters
Thank you Harper Audio Children and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this magical book
August 8, 2026
Adorable and magical, I’d have loved maybe 10 more pages, wrapping up Kat’s story and setting up a next one, as I thought both the climax and ending were a bit abrupt, but overall good magical autumnal fun! Thanks to #Netgalley for an eARC!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to Read
June 13, 2026Obsession meets the Gilmore Girls with magic. This sounds so cute.
August 17, 2026
Practically Magic was a cute, witchy Halloween read with plenty of cozy fall vibes. I really enjoyed the premise of a well-intentioned love spell turning into a curse and causing all kinds of magical chaos. The sisterly relationship at the heart of the story was also a sweet addition, especially as Kat and Harriet have to work through their issues while trying to save Mystic Hollow.
There were some fun moments, a little romance, and just enough spooky atmosphere to make this a great seasonal listen. Ferdelle Capistrano did a nice job bringing the story to life on audio.
Overall, I thought the storyline was cute and had a lot of potential. It just didn’t completely pull me in the way I was hoping it would, but I can definitely see this being a fun choice for readers looking for a light, magical Halloween read.
Thank you to HarperAudio Children’s and NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.
There were some fun moments, a little romance, and just enough spooky atmosphere to make this a great seasonal listen. Ferdelle Capistrano did a nice job bringing the story to life on audio.
Overall, I thought the storyline was cute and had a lot of potential. It just didn’t completely pull me in the way I was hoping it would, but I can definitely see this being a fun choice for readers looking for a light, magical Halloween read.
Thank you to HarperAudio Children’s and NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.
July 31, 2026
Thank you Harper audio and NetGalley for the audio ARC
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ 4 Stars
Practically Magic was such a fun, cozy listen! The narrator did a wonderful job bringing the characters and magical town to life, making it the perfect audiobook to curl up with.
This story had all the cozy fall and Halloween vibes I was hoping for witches, family magic, small town charm, a little romance, and just the right touch of humor. I really enjoyed the sister relationship at the heart of the story and loved watching everything unfold as the magic spiraled out of control.
If you’re looking for a light, charming, witchy rom-com that will have you reaching for a cozy blanket and a pumpkin spice drink, this is a great pick. It definitely put me in the mood for fall, and I’ll happily be reading more from Jen Calonita!
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ 4 Stars
Practically Magic was such a fun, cozy listen! The narrator did a wonderful job bringing the characters and magical town to life, making it the perfect audiobook to curl up with.
This story had all the cozy fall and Halloween vibes I was hoping for witches, family magic, small town charm, a little romance, and just the right touch of humor. I really enjoyed the sister relationship at the heart of the story and loved watching everything unfold as the magic spiraled out of control.
If you’re looking for a light, charming, witchy rom-com that will have you reaching for a cozy blanket and a pumpkin spice drink, this is a great pick. It definitely put me in the mood for fall, and I’ll happily be reading more from Jen Calonita!
August 18, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
On the eve of Halloween, a sister's well-intentioned love spell turns into a curse in this witchy, flirty rom-com perfect for fans of The Ex Hex, Gilmore Girls, and Practical Magic.
This was the perfect cute, cozy read. This is the book to read during the month of October as it takes place during halloween. The element of witches is always interesting to me. This gives whimsical and magic in the best way.
I didn’t connect with the romance and felt like the characters were surface level. Therefore go into this expecting a good time, not an epic romance.
Thank you Netgalley and Harper Audio Children’s for this ARC!
On the eve of Halloween, a sister's well-intentioned love spell turns into a curse in this witchy, flirty rom-com perfect for fans of The Ex Hex, Gilmore Girls, and Practical Magic.
This was the perfect cute, cozy read. This is the book to read during the month of October as it takes place during halloween. The element of witches is always interesting to me. This gives whimsical and magic in the best way.
I didn’t connect with the romance and felt like the characters were surface level. Therefore go into this expecting a good time, not an epic romance.
Thank you Netgalley and Harper Audio Children’s for this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Katharine "Kat" Hadley is prone to crushes; her lastic is Colton Croft, whom she can envisioning marrying even though they've never really talked much. She hopes to invite him to the Halloween party that she's throwing, where she can definitely make him like her. Since her family has been in Mystic Hollow for generations, the stakes are high; she's hoping that Colton will not only like her, but be her soul mate, so that the two can work together to perform the yearly magical ritual to protect the town. Confident in the way that only a high school student can be that this will absolutely happen, she has he best friends, Zach and Laney, help her plan the get together. Hadley's parents will be traveling, as will her kooky aunts, but she assures everyone that they don't need to worry about the spell. She has is covered. Her older sister, Harriet, is the one her parents seem to prefer, especially since she is off at Boston College so can converse with their college professor parents on a higher level. Harry throws a wrench in Kat's plans by asking too m any questions and by doubting her sister's abilities... and even whether she has a boyfriend! Kat's Halloween crushes have been going on for years, and generally don't end well, so when Kat finds out that the reason no one is coming to her party is that Harry has cast a spell to make Kat completely uninteresting to anyone, she's furious! Odd things start to happen in town as the protections surrounding it start to weaken. Vampires are seen in town, the Hadley house is starting to crumble, and at one point, all of Kat's old crushes resurface and claim to be in love with her! Mystic Hollow wants to attract more tourists to its Halloween celebrations and promote its supernatural connections, but will Kat's dating habits put the entire town in jeopardy?
Strengths: There are plenty of summer and Christmas romance books, but not nearly enough for those of us whose favorite season is fall. Halloween is an increasingly popular holiday; there's even a Summerween initiative to bring spooky things into the summer. A cool New England town with vibrant leaves, coffee shops, and paranormal heritage? Combined with this cover? This will fly off the shelves! It was interesting to see the chapters with all of Kat's previous crushes, and the sister drama is quite good. Bonus points for sending the parents on a trip rather than killing them; that's the nice thing about characters over the age of 14; you can leave them unattended for a bit, even if they do throw parties! Calonita has a strong middle grade presence, and I'm so appreciative that there wasn't any pointlessly mature language or situations that would make this a bit much for an eleven year old, since my 6th graders are the ones who have been embracing romance books. I didn't realize that there was a movie with the same title until I read the author's note, but anyone familiar with the movie will appreciate that connection.
Weaknesses: I know from bitter personal experience that if someone isn't attracted to you within a week, it's unlikely anything you do will change their mind, so it was irksome to see Kat trying to "get" these boys, and to jeopardize her entire community on the off chance that she can connect with Colton. Teens, however, will adore this combination of magic, romance, and saving the day.
What I really think: While this was not my personal cup of spiced apple cider, it has undeniable appeal to young readers who love both Halloween and a good romance. Fans of Nelson's Pumpkin Spice Up Your Life, Wilson's Falling Like Leaves, or Homzie's Pumpkin Spice Secrets will absolutely adore this magical fall romance. I will definitely purchase this for my school library if it is available in a prebind.
Katharine "Kat" Hadley is prone to crushes; her lastic is Colton Croft, whom she can envisioning marrying even though they've never really talked much. She hopes to invite him to the Halloween party that she's throwing, where she can definitely make him like her. Since her family has been in Mystic Hollow for generations, the stakes are high; she's hoping that Colton will not only like her, but be her soul mate, so that the two can work together to perform the yearly magical ritual to protect the town. Confident in the way that only a high school student can be that this will absolutely happen, she has he best friends, Zach and Laney, help her plan the get together. Hadley's parents will be traveling, as will her kooky aunts, but she assures everyone that they don't need to worry about the spell. She has is covered. Her older sister, Harriet, is the one her parents seem to prefer, especially since she is off at Boston College so can converse with their college professor parents on a higher level. Harry throws a wrench in Kat's plans by asking too m any questions and by doubting her sister's abilities... and even whether she has a boyfriend! Kat's Halloween crushes have been going on for years, and generally don't end well, so when Kat finds out that the reason no one is coming to her party is that Harry has cast a spell to make Kat completely uninteresting to anyone, she's furious! Odd things start to happen in town as the protections surrounding it start to weaken. Vampires are seen in town, the Hadley house is starting to crumble, and at one point, all of Kat's old crushes resurface and claim to be in love with her! Mystic Hollow wants to attract more tourists to its Halloween celebrations and promote its supernatural connections, but will Kat's dating habits put the entire town in jeopardy?
Strengths: There are plenty of summer and Christmas romance books, but not nearly enough for those of us whose favorite season is fall. Halloween is an increasingly popular holiday; there's even a Summerween initiative to bring spooky things into the summer. A cool New England town with vibrant leaves, coffee shops, and paranormal heritage? Combined with this cover? This will fly off the shelves! It was interesting to see the chapters with all of Kat's previous crushes, and the sister drama is quite good. Bonus points for sending the parents on a trip rather than killing them; that's the nice thing about characters over the age of 14; you can leave them unattended for a bit, even if they do throw parties! Calonita has a strong middle grade presence, and I'm so appreciative that there wasn't any pointlessly mature language or situations that would make this a bit much for an eleven year old, since my 6th graders are the ones who have been embracing romance books. I didn't realize that there was a movie with the same title until I read the author's note, but anyone familiar with the movie will appreciate that connection.
Weaknesses: I know from bitter personal experience that if someone isn't attracted to you within a week, it's unlikely anything you do will change their mind, so it was irksome to see Kat trying to "get" these boys, and to jeopardize her entire community on the off chance that she can connect with Colton. Teens, however, will adore this combination of magic, romance, and saving the day.
What I really think: While this was not my personal cup of spiced apple cider, it has undeniable appeal to young readers who love both Halloween and a good romance. Fans of Nelson's Pumpkin Spice Up Your Life, Wilson's Falling Like Leaves, or Homzie's Pumpkin Spice Secrets will absolutely adore this magical fall romance. I will definitely purchase this for my school library if it is available in a prebind.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Synopsis:
Teenage witch Kat Hadley has lived her life in her older sister Harry’s shadow. However, this Halloween, Kat is determined to take the spotlight by throwing an epic Halloween party and turning her crush Colton into her boyfriend. She must pull this off, not only to end her streak of failed Halloween romances, but also because it’s up to her to complete the Hadley spell to protect Mystic Hollow from evil spirits on Halloween night, and the spell won’t work unless it’s completed with her true love. However, Kat’s plan crumbles when Harry tells her that she has cast a curse to protect Kat from heartbreak. When their sisterhood unravels, so do the spells that they have cast to protect the town. Kat must find a way to protect Mystic Hollow before the clock strikes twelve at midnight on Halloween.
Review:
Practically Magic is a cute young adult romantic comedy reminiscent of the Halloween Disney Channel movies from the 90s and early 2000s like Halloweentown!
As someone who prefers cute Halloween stories to scary ones, Jen Calonita nails the cozy Halloween vibes perfectly in this story. Even though I read this book in summer, her descriptions of the small town of Mystic Hollow with its cute coffee shop called Witches Brew and an equally adorable bookstore transported me right into Halloween. Add in pumpkin spice lattes, an old and supposedly haunted Victorian house, and rumors of a very real Headless Horseman, you’ve got the recipe for the perfect fall romance!
One highlight for me were the flashbacks to Kat’s string of heartbreaks during past Halloweens. Kat is a hopeless romantic who wears her heart on her sleeve, and she always finds herself heartbroken with Harry picking up the pieces. While Kat can be stubborn and overly hopeful at times, these flashbacks provide a lot of context for some of the choices she makes throughout the rest of the book.
Although marketed as a romance, what really makes this book shine for me was its depiction of sisterhood! Kat and Harry have a complicated relationship. Although they share a deep love for each other, their relationship is tested by Kat’s jealousy and Harry’s secret. Their strained relationship added a lot of tension to the story, and the sacrifices they were willing to make for each other shows how special the sister bond really is.
That being said, I do wish the romance between Kat and Zach was more developed throughout the story. With so many love interests to juggle from Kat’s past and present, her relationship with Zach didn’t get quite as much spotlight as I had hoped. While they share a few cute moments together, I was hoping that he would be more involved in the main action of the story.
Thank you to HarperCollins and NetGalley for a copy of this arc!
Teenage witch Kat Hadley has lived her life in her older sister Harry’s shadow. However, this Halloween, Kat is determined to take the spotlight by throwing an epic Halloween party and turning her crush Colton into her boyfriend. She must pull this off, not only to end her streak of failed Halloween romances, but also because it’s up to her to complete the Hadley spell to protect Mystic Hollow from evil spirits on Halloween night, and the spell won’t work unless it’s completed with her true love. However, Kat’s plan crumbles when Harry tells her that she has cast a curse to protect Kat from heartbreak. When their sisterhood unravels, so do the spells that they have cast to protect the town. Kat must find a way to protect Mystic Hollow before the clock strikes twelve at midnight on Halloween.
Review:
Practically Magic is a cute young adult romantic comedy reminiscent of the Halloween Disney Channel movies from the 90s and early 2000s like Halloweentown!
As someone who prefers cute Halloween stories to scary ones, Jen Calonita nails the cozy Halloween vibes perfectly in this story. Even though I read this book in summer, her descriptions of the small town of Mystic Hollow with its cute coffee shop called Witches Brew and an equally adorable bookstore transported me right into Halloween. Add in pumpkin spice lattes, an old and supposedly haunted Victorian house, and rumors of a very real Headless Horseman, you’ve got the recipe for the perfect fall romance!
One highlight for me were the flashbacks to Kat’s string of heartbreaks during past Halloweens. Kat is a hopeless romantic who wears her heart on her sleeve, and she always finds herself heartbroken with Harry picking up the pieces. While Kat can be stubborn and overly hopeful at times, these flashbacks provide a lot of context for some of the choices she makes throughout the rest of the book.
Although marketed as a romance, what really makes this book shine for me was its depiction of sisterhood! Kat and Harry have a complicated relationship. Although they share a deep love for each other, their relationship is tested by Kat’s jealousy and Harry’s secret. Their strained relationship added a lot of tension to the story, and the sacrifices they were willing to make for each other shows how special the sister bond really is.
That being said, I do wish the romance between Kat and Zach was more developed throughout the story. With so many love interests to juggle from Kat’s past and present, her relationship with Zach didn’t get quite as much spotlight as I had hoped. While they share a few cute moments together, I was hoping that he would be more involved in the main action of the story.
Thank you to HarperCollins and NetGalley for a copy of this arc!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
📚ARC REVIEW📚
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
PUB DATE: August 25, 2026
🌏Location/Setting/Atmosphere🌌:
🔮 Mystic Hollow, Connecticut
🧙♀️☕️ Witch's Brew Coffee Shop
🎃🍽 Halloween Themed Restaurant
🛏🍳 All Hallows Inn B&B
👻📚 Spirited Books
I LOVED the town so much. It really gave historical, cozy, witchy, fall vibes. There is also a candle shop, ghost tours, cider mill, haunted corn maze, pumpkin patch and more. I wanted to jump right into this book and live there. This is exactly what I was hoping for when I requested this book— a cozy Halloween town, and I was not disappointed.
📖: "They each have a tiny pumpkin filled with iced coffee, topped with whipped cream, cinnamon, and fall sprinkles."
I need this so bad, I can almost taste it. 🎃☕️ I'm so obsessed with the atmosphere of this book.
📚Bookish Thoughts💭:
Love the cover so much! It definitely made me want to read this and the best part is, the story is as good as you'd hope based on the cover.
I thought it was a very quick and easy read. I literally just kept turning page after page, not wanting to put it down (though, unfortunately, sometimes I had no choice but to).
Harry is such a well intentioned, sweet big sister who looks out for Kat. But Kat feels like she exists in Harry's shadow. She's stubborn, annoying and naive. Everything that went completely wrong was a result of her stubborness. She's book smart but not much common sense when it comes to boys. Totally boy crazy. Oftentimes hard to like. Zach, on the other hand, was very likeable and sweet. Wish we got more of him.
I also liked the Mystic Hollow Community Page at the start of each chapter. It was such a clever idea by the author to incorporate that. Some of them were hilarious, especially when combined with the reply comments.
This book was like Love Potion No. 9 meets Halloween Town meets Practical Magic.
Definitely a fall must read! It would even make for a good movie on Prime or Paramount+, too.
🙏Thank you Netgalley, Jen Calonita and Harper Collins Childrens Books for the ARC.🙏
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
PUB DATE: August 25, 2026
🌏Location/Setting/Atmosphere🌌:
🔮 Mystic Hollow, Connecticut
🧙♀️☕️ Witch's Brew Coffee Shop
🎃🍽 Halloween Themed Restaurant
🛏🍳 All Hallows Inn B&B
👻📚 Spirited Books
I LOVED the town so much. It really gave historical, cozy, witchy, fall vibes. There is also a candle shop, ghost tours, cider mill, haunted corn maze, pumpkin patch and more. I wanted to jump right into this book and live there. This is exactly what I was hoping for when I requested this book— a cozy Halloween town, and I was not disappointed.
📖: "They each have a tiny pumpkin filled with iced coffee, topped with whipped cream, cinnamon, and fall sprinkles."
I need this so bad, I can almost taste it. 🎃☕️ I'm so obsessed with the atmosphere of this book.
📚Bookish Thoughts💭:
Love the cover so much! It definitely made me want to read this and the best part is, the story is as good as you'd hope based on the cover.
I thought it was a very quick and easy read. I literally just kept turning page after page, not wanting to put it down (though, unfortunately, sometimes I had no choice but to).
Harry is such a well intentioned, sweet big sister who looks out for Kat. But Kat feels like she exists in Harry's shadow. She's stubborn, annoying and naive. Everything that went completely wrong was a result of her stubborness. She's book smart but not much common sense when it comes to boys. Totally boy crazy. Oftentimes hard to like. Zach, on the other hand, was very likeable and sweet. Wish we got more of him.
I also liked the Mystic Hollow Community Page at the start of each chapter. It was such a clever idea by the author to incorporate that. Some of them were hilarious, especially when combined with the reply comments.
This book was like Love Potion No. 9 meets Halloween Town meets Practical Magic.
Definitely a fall must read! It would even make for a good movie on Prime or Paramount+, too.
🙏Thank you Netgalley, Jen Calonita and Harper Collins Childrens Books for the ARC.🙏
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Title: Practically Magic
Author: Jen Calonita-new to me author
Publication date: 8-25-26 | Read: 8-19-26
Thanks to NetGalley, Harper Audio Children's| Avon a, and Kendall Evans for this ARC! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions are my own.
Narrator: Ferdelle Capistrano voices all the characters with standouts from Kat and Harry. The reading style brought the text to life, and the author and narrator worked together perfectly. The pacing and flow allowed me to get lost in the story. The narrator paused and announced new chapters and there was a table of contents which helped me follow along.
Run Time: 6:50
Genre:
*Paranormal
*Rom-Com
*YA
Tropes:
*sisterhood
*witches/ghosts/vampires/werewolves/magic
*a love curse
*coming of age
*small town
*Halloween/Autumn vibes
*family drama
POV: 1st person
TW: sibling rivalry, attempted supernatural takeover
Setting: Mystic Hollow, CT
Summary: As Samhain approaches, the Hadley witches must cast their yearly protection spell on the town. Kat wants to do it herself this year to prove she has magic just as powerful as her sister. She just needs her crush Colton to participate. The problem is all the boys Kat liked, treated her invisible as a result of a love spell her sister cast on her.
Heroine: Katherine Hadley "Kat"
Other Characters:
*Harriet "Harry"-Kat's older sister, attends Boston College
*Laney-Kat's BFF
*Colton-Kat's current crush
*Zack-Kat's academic rival
*Vivian and Diane-Kat's aunts
My Thoughts: I loved the nod to Practical Magic with the two witchy sisters in a small town. Kat was jealous of Harriet and tried using advanced magic that backfired on her. Harriet cast a love spell to keep Kat from heartache, but when she tried to break it-things went wacky. All her past crushes came back for her and supernatural creatures came out to take over the town. Once Kat and Harry reconciled and worked together with the rest of town all was put to rights and Kat found love.
Rating: 3/5
Spice level: 1/5 kiss only
Author: Jen Calonita-new to me author
Publication date: 8-25-26 | Read: 8-19-26
Thanks to NetGalley, Harper Audio Children's| Avon a, and Kendall Evans for this ARC! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions are my own.
Narrator: Ferdelle Capistrano voices all the characters with standouts from Kat and Harry. The reading style brought the text to life, and the author and narrator worked together perfectly. The pacing and flow allowed me to get lost in the story. The narrator paused and announced new chapters and there was a table of contents which helped me follow along.
Run Time: 6:50
Genre:
*Paranormal
*Rom-Com
*YA
Tropes:
*sisterhood
*witches/ghosts/vampires/werewolves/magic
*a love curse
*coming of age
*small town
*Halloween/Autumn vibes
*family drama
POV: 1st person
TW: sibling rivalry, attempted supernatural takeover
Setting: Mystic Hollow, CT
Summary: As Samhain approaches, the Hadley witches must cast their yearly protection spell on the town. Kat wants to do it herself this year to prove she has magic just as powerful as her sister. She just needs her crush Colton to participate. The problem is all the boys Kat liked, treated her invisible as a result of a love spell her sister cast on her.
Heroine: Katherine Hadley "Kat"
Other Characters:
*Harriet "Harry"-Kat's older sister, attends Boston College
*Laney-Kat's BFF
*Colton-Kat's current crush
*Zack-Kat's academic rival
*Vivian and Diane-Kat's aunts
My Thoughts: I loved the nod to Practical Magic with the two witchy sisters in a small town. Kat was jealous of Harriet and tried using advanced magic that backfired on her. Harriet cast a love spell to keep Kat from heartache, but when she tried to break it-things went wacky. All her past crushes came back for her and supernatural creatures came out to take over the town. Once Kat and Harry reconciled and worked together with the rest of town all was put to rights and Kat found love.
Rating: 3/5
Spice level: 1/5 kiss only
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was SO cute and exactly the kind of witchy story I love! Give me sister witches, a magical curse gone completely wrong, romance, Halloween vibes, and an entire town being affected by chaotic magic, and I'm sold. 😂 The story follows Kat Hadley after she discovers that her older sister Harriet secretly cast a spell to protect her from heartbreak—and that discovery ends up causing magic itself to start going haywire.
I really loved Kat. She's spent so much time feeling invisible, especially when it comes to boys, and suddenly every crush who has ever rejected her is completely obsessed with her. Of course, there's one tiny problem: is any of it actually real? I loved that underneath all the magical chaos and romance, there was a really sweet story about self-worth and figuring out what—and who—you actually want.
But I think my favorite part was the relationship between the sisters. Kat and Harriet love each other, but they also hurt each other, make mistakes, and have to figure out how to repair their relationship while simultaneously trying to stop every spell their family has ever cast from reversing. No pressure or anything. 😂 That sister dynamic gave the story so much heart.
The Halloween setting made everything even better. Mystic Hollow, witches, spells, thinning barriers between worlds, romance, and just enough spookiness without becoming truly scary—it gave me all the cozy fall vibes I wanted.
I also really enjoyed Ferdelle Capistrano's narration. She brought so much personality to Kat and made the humor, awkwardness, magical chaos, and emotional moments come alive. This was such an easy audiobook to disappear into.
If you like witchy YA with romance, sister relationships, magical disasters, and cozy Halloween vibes, this one is absolutely worth picking up.
I really loved Kat. She's spent so much time feeling invisible, especially when it comes to boys, and suddenly every crush who has ever rejected her is completely obsessed with her. Of course, there's one tiny problem: is any of it actually real? I loved that underneath all the magical chaos and romance, there was a really sweet story about self-worth and figuring out what—and who—you actually want.
But I think my favorite part was the relationship between the sisters. Kat and Harriet love each other, but they also hurt each other, make mistakes, and have to figure out how to repair their relationship while simultaneously trying to stop every spell their family has ever cast from reversing. No pressure or anything. 😂 That sister dynamic gave the story so much heart.
The Halloween setting made everything even better. Mystic Hollow, witches, spells, thinning barriers between worlds, romance, and just enough spookiness without becoming truly scary—it gave me all the cozy fall vibes I wanted.
I also really enjoyed Ferdelle Capistrano's narration. She brought so much personality to Kat and made the humor, awkwardness, magical chaos, and emotional moments come alive. This was such an easy audiobook to disappear into.
If you like witchy YA with romance, sister relationships, magical disasters, and cozy Halloween vibes, this one is absolutely worth picking up.
July 24, 2026
Thank you to HarperCollins Children’s Books for providing an ARC of this book through NetGalley.
Practically Magic by Jen Calonita is the perfect fall and/or Halloween story for pre-teens and teens.
For centuries on Halloween, the Hadleys- who are good witches- have used magic to reinforce the wards protecting their small town of Mystic Hollow from evil. Every year, a Hadley performs the sacred rituals with the help of her true love. This year, Kat Hadley, a high school student, wants to be the one to reinforce the magic that will keep her town safe for another year. There’s just one problem– Kat doesn’t have a boyfriend because she seems to be “invisible” to boys.
When Kat finds out that her sister, Harriet, put a spell on her to keep her from getting her heart broken– making it impossible for her to get a boyfriend- the magic in Mystic Hollow literally breaks. Every time the sisters cast a spell, the opposite happens. Suddenly, all the past boys who have broken Kat’s heart are in love with her. The town is getting overrun by mythical creatures– vampires, werewolves, zombies, gnomes, gremlins, Mothman, and the Headless Horseman all start showing up and wreaking havoc on the town. Now, it’s up to Kat and Harriet to figure out how to fix magic and save the town before it’s too late.
This was such a cute and fun read, and not at all scary. It has a great message about sisterhood and families. There was a lot of humor in this book. The setting reminded me of Gilmore Girls– a small town where everyone knows their neighbors. The Hadleys made me think of Sabrina the Teenage Witch (the Melissa Joan Hart version). Overall, this is a great read for pre-teens and younger teens who enjoy Halloween stories but may be too young for scarier books.
Practically Magic by Jen Calonita is the perfect fall and/or Halloween story for pre-teens and teens.
For centuries on Halloween, the Hadleys- who are good witches- have used magic to reinforce the wards protecting their small town of Mystic Hollow from evil. Every year, a Hadley performs the sacred rituals with the help of her true love. This year, Kat Hadley, a high school student, wants to be the one to reinforce the magic that will keep her town safe for another year. There’s just one problem– Kat doesn’t have a boyfriend because she seems to be “invisible” to boys.
When Kat finds out that her sister, Harriet, put a spell on her to keep her from getting her heart broken– making it impossible for her to get a boyfriend- the magic in Mystic Hollow literally breaks. Every time the sisters cast a spell, the opposite happens. Suddenly, all the past boys who have broken Kat’s heart are in love with her. The town is getting overrun by mythical creatures– vampires, werewolves, zombies, gnomes, gremlins, Mothman, and the Headless Horseman all start showing up and wreaking havoc on the town. Now, it’s up to Kat and Harriet to figure out how to fix magic and save the town before it’s too late.
This was such a cute and fun read, and not at all scary. It has a great message about sisterhood and families. There was a lot of humor in this book. The setting reminded me of Gilmore Girls– a small town where everyone knows their neighbors. The Hadleys made me think of Sabrina the Teenage Witch (the Melissa Joan Hart version). Overall, this is a great read for pre-teens and younger teens who enjoy Halloween stories but may be too young for scarier books.
August 12, 2026
🎧 Audiobook Review:🎙️ Narrated by Ferdelle Capistrano
📚 ALC provided by NetGalley & HarperAudio
This was super, super cute! As a huge fan of Practical Magic, I immediately loved all the little similarities and nods throughout this story. It has two sisters, a magical family, and a pair of wonderfully eccentric, free-spirited aunts who brought exactly the kind of whimsical energy I wanted. 🧙♀️✨
Kat Hadley is the younger of two sisters, and while magic seems to come naturally to her older sister, Harry, Kat’s spells have a habit of going very, very wrong. Add in the fact that every Halloween Kat becomes determined that this will finally be the year she falls in love, and you can probably imagine how quickly things can spiral. 😂
But underneath all the magic, crushes, Halloween chaos, and spells gone sideways, this is really a story about sisterhood and family. That was probably my favorite part. Kat and Harry love each other, but jealousy, growing up, and feeling like you don’t quite measure up can put a strain on even the closest relationship. I loved that the story ultimately explores the idea that romantic love may come and go, but the love and loyalty between sisters can be its own kind of magic. ❤️
Ferdelle Capistrano’s narration fit the youthful, whimsical feel of the story really well and made this an easy, fun listen.
This is definitely YA and very family-friendly, with plenty of magic, Halloween vibes, humor, and heart. If you enjoy stories about witches, sisters, family bonds, and a little magical mayhem, this is such a cute one to pick up for fall. 🎃🔮
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperAudio for providing me with an advanced listener copy in exchange for my honest review.
📚 ALC provided by NetGalley & HarperAudio
This was super, super cute! As a huge fan of Practical Magic, I immediately loved all the little similarities and nods throughout this story. It has two sisters, a magical family, and a pair of wonderfully eccentric, free-spirited aunts who brought exactly the kind of whimsical energy I wanted. 🧙♀️✨
Kat Hadley is the younger of two sisters, and while magic seems to come naturally to her older sister, Harry, Kat’s spells have a habit of going very, very wrong. Add in the fact that every Halloween Kat becomes determined that this will finally be the year she falls in love, and you can probably imagine how quickly things can spiral. 😂
But underneath all the magic, crushes, Halloween chaos, and spells gone sideways, this is really a story about sisterhood and family. That was probably my favorite part. Kat and Harry love each other, but jealousy, growing up, and feeling like you don’t quite measure up can put a strain on even the closest relationship. I loved that the story ultimately explores the idea that romantic love may come and go, but the love and loyalty between sisters can be its own kind of magic. ❤️
Ferdelle Capistrano’s narration fit the youthful, whimsical feel of the story really well and made this an easy, fun listen.
This is definitely YA and very family-friendly, with plenty of magic, Halloween vibes, humor, and heart. If you enjoy stories about witches, sisters, family bonds, and a little magical mayhem, this is such a cute one to pick up for fall. 🎃🔮
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperAudio for providing me with an advanced listener copy in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a very fun fall read, cozy as a comfy sweater. It definitely felt on the younger side of YA. Tone and content wise, it would probably be fine for even middle grade readers. Kat was relatable, even though she was VERY self-centered and boy crazy. She reminded me a little of Georgia Nicolson from the Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging, minus the British slang.
For all Kat’s professed smarts in school, she was kinda slow on the update about what was happening with the spells and who the one guy was who obviously genuinely liked her from the start. And to be honest, I’m not sure she was really ready for a romantic relationship with anyone. It seemed like she was more in love with the idea of love than actually looking for anything real. She definitely wasn’t ready to be the town’s sole protector from the forces of darkness, at least at the start of the book. The true villains of the book are the parents and aunts for leaving her in charge.
While I wish Kat and Harry had patched things up a teensy bit sooner, I won’t deny that the chaos that ensued from them both being stubborn as mules was an absolute blast. It was pretty much turning into Sunnydale on a very bad day towards the end of the book.
Zach was great. I loved him and all his banter with Kat. I kept waiting for her to wake up and smell the hottie who kept hooking her up with all the pumpkin spice lattes. Kat, he was not giving you those free goodies by snacksident!
I definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a cozy Halloween book.
I received an advanced copy from the publisher and am voluntarily leaving this review.
For all Kat’s professed smarts in school, she was kinda slow on the update about what was happening with the spells and who the one guy was who obviously genuinely liked her from the start. And to be honest, I’m not sure she was really ready for a romantic relationship with anyone. It seemed like she was more in love with the idea of love than actually looking for anything real. She definitely wasn’t ready to be the town’s sole protector from the forces of darkness, at least at the start of the book. The true villains of the book are the parents and aunts for leaving her in charge.
While I wish Kat and Harry had patched things up a teensy bit sooner, I won’t deny that the chaos that ensued from them both being stubborn as mules was an absolute blast. It was pretty much turning into Sunnydale on a very bad day towards the end of the book.
Zach was great. I loved him and all his banter with Kat. I kept waiting for her to wake up and smell the hottie who kept hooking her up with all the pumpkin spice lattes. Kat, he was not giving you those free goodies by snacksident!
I definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a cozy Halloween book.
I received an advanced copy from the publisher and am voluntarily leaving this review.
July 19, 2026
✨ ARC Review: Practically Magic by Jen Calonita ✨
Practically Magic was such a cute, cozy, witchy read! If you’re looking for a book that feels like fall in a cup, this one absolutely delivers.
On the eve of Halloween, Kat Hadley discovers that her older sister secretly cast a love curse to protect her from heartbreak. When Kat’s anger causes magic to spiral out of control, every spell the Hadley witches have ever cast begins to reverse. With the veil between worlds weakening and Mystic Hollow in danger, Kat and her sister must work together to restore their family’s magic before Halloween becomes a disaster. Along the way, Kat suddenly finds herself with every former crush falling head over heels for her—including her infuriating rival—and has to figure out what’s real and what’s just the magic talking.
Halloween is my favorite holiday, so I was completely obsessed with this setting. The witchy magic, paranormal creatures, pumpkin spice lattes, and cozy autumn vibes made Mystic Hollow a place I never wanted to leave.
One of my favorite parts of the story was the relationship between Kat and her sister, Harriet. Their love for each other is undeniable, but it’s complicated, messy, and sometimes painful. That sibling dynamic made the story feel so much more grounded and human amidst all the magical chaos.
If you’re looking for a fun YA paranormal romance packed with family, magic, Halloween vibes, and just the right amount of romance, definitely add Practically Magic to your fall TBR! 🎃✨
A huge thank you to NetGalley for this advanced copy and exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Practically Magic
by Jen Calonita
Narrated by Ferdelle Capistrano
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(I dual listened + read)
I’m still a little new to the YA genre, but since I’m moving into a middle school teaching role this year, I figured I should start exploring more. Naturally, I skipped straight past everything else and found myself some witchy cozies. 😂🔮
This book was SO MUCH FUN.
Boy-crazy Kat was such an entertaining FMC, and I loved the little glimpses we got into her history of crushes. The carnival boy was easily my favorite because it took me straight back to my own youth. The “carnival dates,” or in my case, dates at the local KC BBQ, were where RELATIONSHIPS WERE DEFINED. 😂
The Hadley sisters were another highlight for me. I loved their dynamic, and it gave the story that Practical Magic sister-witch energy I was hoping for.
And then we hit about the two-thirds mark and things got WILD.
Ghosts. Vampires. Kraken. Gnomes. Goblins. Basically, throw every mythical creature you can think of into the mix and hang on for the ride. It was zany and chaotic in the best way. And obviously, the wolf boy was my favorite. 🐺
There’s also plenty of YA romance, and while I spent most of the book internally screaming, “KAT, STOP WITH THE BOY CRAZINESS,” I was simultaneously rooting for her to find someone. Make it make sense.
And the narration? SO GOOD. Ferdelle Capistrano absolutely nailed it. Every character felt distinct, and I was seriously impressed by how easily I could tell everyone apart. I listened at 1.5x for most of the story, and the pacing worked perfectly for me.
Five stars for the story and an easy five stars for the narration, too. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
by Jen Calonita
Narrated by Ferdelle Capistrano
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(I dual listened + read)
I’m still a little new to the YA genre, but since I’m moving into a middle school teaching role this year, I figured I should start exploring more. Naturally, I skipped straight past everything else and found myself some witchy cozies. 😂🔮
This book was SO MUCH FUN.
Boy-crazy Kat was such an entertaining FMC, and I loved the little glimpses we got into her history of crushes. The carnival boy was easily my favorite because it took me straight back to my own youth. The “carnival dates,” or in my case, dates at the local KC BBQ, were where RELATIONSHIPS WERE DEFINED. 😂
The Hadley sisters were another highlight for me. I loved their dynamic, and it gave the story that Practical Magic sister-witch energy I was hoping for.
And then we hit about the two-thirds mark and things got WILD.
Ghosts. Vampires. Kraken. Gnomes. Goblins. Basically, throw every mythical creature you can think of into the mix and hang on for the ride. It was zany and chaotic in the best way. And obviously, the wolf boy was my favorite. 🐺
There’s also plenty of YA romance, and while I spent most of the book internally screaming, “KAT, STOP WITH THE BOY CRAZINESS,” I was simultaneously rooting for her to find someone. Make it make sense.
And the narration? SO GOOD. Ferdelle Capistrano absolutely nailed it. Every character felt distinct, and I was seriously impressed by how easily I could tell everyone apart. I listened at 1.5x for most of the story, and the pacing worked perfectly for me.
Five stars for the story and an easy five stars for the narration, too. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to HarperCollins Children's Books and Netgalley for the ARC.
Kat comes from a family of witches who have protected the adorable town of Mystic Hollow from monsters and other creatures for centuries. Kat and her sister Harriet (Harry) were always very close, but now that Harry is in college, Kat feels like not only does she live in her sister's perfect shadow, but she is ignored by boys (except for her chemistry partner Zach whom she finds annoying) and has had nothing but awkward, unhappy experiences with the boys she's had crushes on.
It is almost Halloween, and Kat has decided she will be the one to do the annual protection spells because her parents, aunts, and of course Harry will be out of town. Kat tells everyone that she and her "boyfriend Peter" will do the spell together. Harriet unexpectedly comes home because she is concerned Kat will mess up the spells and believes the boyfriend is a fake. Kat isn't happy, and as they argue, the house begins to split and crack and strange things begin happening all over town. Will the girls make up in time to fix the mess?
I personally thought the pacing was uneven and not everything made sense, but fortunately, the book wasn't written for me, and I don't think my students who love cozy fall romances will mind this and will love the bookstore, coffee shop and the cute town. The cover is delightfully adorable (though I wish Ronald/Fred was on the cover too). I will definitely purchase this for my fall booktalks when this one comes out August 25th. In fact, I'll probably purchase more than one.
Kat comes from a family of witches who have protected the adorable town of Mystic Hollow from monsters and other creatures for centuries. Kat and her sister Harriet (Harry) were always very close, but now that Harry is in college, Kat feels like not only does she live in her sister's perfect shadow, but she is ignored by boys (except for her chemistry partner Zach whom she finds annoying) and has had nothing but awkward, unhappy experiences with the boys she's had crushes on.
It is almost Halloween, and Kat has decided she will be the one to do the annual protection spells because her parents, aunts, and of course Harry will be out of town. Kat tells everyone that she and her "boyfriend Peter" will do the spell together. Harriet unexpectedly comes home because she is concerned Kat will mess up the spells and believes the boyfriend is a fake. Kat isn't happy, and as they argue, the house begins to split and crack and strange things begin happening all over town. Will the girls make up in time to fix the mess?
I personally thought the pacing was uneven and not everything made sense, but fortunately, the book wasn't written for me, and I don't think my students who love cozy fall romances will mind this and will love the bookstore, coffee shop and the cute town. The cover is delightfully adorable (though I wish Ronald/Fred was on the cover too). I will definitely purchase this for my fall booktalks when this one comes out August 25th. In fact, I'll probably purchase more than one.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to HarperCollins and Netgalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
This book was an absolute delight from start to finish. It felt like a warm fall hug.
As a girl who has loved Halloween from childhood, I felt right at home in the small town world. It reminded me a lot of Hallmark but for Halloween. I thought of The Ex Hex while reading about the ley lines and thought it was cute that they had to be laid by people in love.
I also loved the little details as things started going off the rails, like the skeleton at the coffee shop whose drink was visible as it worked its way through.
I enjoyed the humor throughout as well as heart. It is a rare book that makes me chuckle and I found myself laughing through the unfolding chaos and thinking "I'd love to see that".
My only drawback was the main character, Kat. Maybe it is because I am older, but I had to remind myself that she was a teenager quite a few times. I questioned a lot of her decisions and motive in making those decisions. It was satisfying to watch her character change, learn and grow through what she goes through.
I will also say that this is not my "normal" read. I usually read darker books, but enjoyed Calonita's work with the Twisted Tales series. However, I will need to read more paranormal romance after this book.
Overall, a very heartwarming and enjoyable story. If you love Halloween, tales about sisters and curses, or paranormal romance, this is definitely worth the read. I'm already looking forward to rereading it in the future.
This book was an absolute delight from start to finish. It felt like a warm fall hug.
As a girl who has loved Halloween from childhood, I felt right at home in the small town world. It reminded me a lot of Hallmark but for Halloween. I thought of The Ex Hex while reading about the ley lines and thought it was cute that they had to be laid by people in love.
I also loved the little details as things started going off the rails, like the skeleton at the coffee shop whose drink was visible as it worked its way through.
I enjoyed the humor throughout as well as heart. It is a rare book that makes me chuckle and I found myself laughing through the unfolding chaos and thinking "I'd love to see that".
My only drawback was the main character, Kat. Maybe it is because I am older, but I had to remind myself that she was a teenager quite a few times. I questioned a lot of her decisions and motive in making those decisions. It was satisfying to watch her character change, learn and grow through what she goes through.
I will also say that this is not my "normal" read. I usually read darker books, but enjoyed Calonita's work with the Twisted Tales series. However, I will need to read more paranormal romance after this book.
Overall, a very heartwarming and enjoyable story. If you love Halloween, tales about sisters and curses, or paranormal romance, this is definitely worth the read. I'm already looking forward to rereading it in the future.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Jen Calonita serves up a fun and festive 4 ⭐ young adult contemporary romance that combines the cozy and nostalgic vibes of Practical Magic and The Gilmore Girls with the haunting, high-stakes antics of The Ex Hex.
Kat Hadley is magic. Literally. With generations of Hadley women behind her, her magic is strong. But Kat could swear that she’s utterly invisible to boys. When she learns her older sister, Harriet, cast a spell to protect her from heartbreak (a curse really!), the Hadley magic goes haywire as both sisters lose their cool.
Suddenly, every spell a Hadley witch has ever cast is reversed. Spells to do good start bringing evil. Curses to repel suddenly attract. And the veil between worlds begins to thin. If Kat and Harriet don’t do something fast, this Halloween might be Mystic Hollow’s last.
As they race to repair the balance of magic – and their relationship – Kat notices that every crush who’s ever rejected her is suddenly lovesick. Even her annoying class rival seems to have fallen under her spell. For the first time in her life, she feels like magic!
Ferdelle Capistrano does a wonderful job narrating - breathing life into the chaotic characters, their motives, and the underlying sisterly dynamics. The absence of any spice made the plot 100x more wonderful and allowed you to focus on the sisterly love and spooky stumbles.
🎃 Practical Magic x Gilmore Girls
💜 Young Adult Romance
🎃 Coming of Age
💜 Magic Gone Wrong
🎃 Sisterhood
Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Audio Children’s Division, and the author for the early ALC in exchange for my honest opinions!
Kat Hadley is magic. Literally. With generations of Hadley women behind her, her magic is strong. But Kat could swear that she’s utterly invisible to boys. When she learns her older sister, Harriet, cast a spell to protect her from heartbreak (a curse really!), the Hadley magic goes haywire as both sisters lose their cool.
Suddenly, every spell a Hadley witch has ever cast is reversed. Spells to do good start bringing evil. Curses to repel suddenly attract. And the veil between worlds begins to thin. If Kat and Harriet don’t do something fast, this Halloween might be Mystic Hollow’s last.
As they race to repair the balance of magic – and their relationship – Kat notices that every crush who’s ever rejected her is suddenly lovesick. Even her annoying class rival seems to have fallen under her spell. For the first time in her life, she feels like magic!
Ferdelle Capistrano does a wonderful job narrating - breathing life into the chaotic characters, their motives, and the underlying sisterly dynamics. The absence of any spice made the plot 100x more wonderful and allowed you to focus on the sisterly love and spooky stumbles.
🎃 Practical Magic x Gilmore Girls
💜 Young Adult Romance
🎃 Coming of Age
💜 Magic Gone Wrong
🎃 Sisterhood
Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Audio Children’s Division, and the author for the early ALC in exchange for my honest opinions!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is way too stinking cute.
I’m going to be honest, the synopsis of this book isn’t even what drew me into reading it.
It was the COVER!
I mean come on, just look at how beautiful it is? How could you not want to read it?
Luckily, I ended up being pretty happy with how the writing turned out as well.
It’s witchy, it’s cozy, it’s comforting and it’s fun. Basically all I would really ask for in a seasonal young adult romance.
There are some pretty quirky and awkward aspects to the this, which I don’t always love. But I think it worked out really well.
It definitely added to the overall vibe, and made it feel like an early/mid 2000s Halloween Disney channel movie!
It’s also worth pointing out that it has a variety of cool spooky creatures that I want expecting (which I love).
I would say that the one thing that threw me off just a little bit, was that it wasn’t as romance focused as I thought it would be.
There is definitely a romantic part of the plot, but i would say it’s mostly focused on sisterly bonds.
It wasn’t a bad thing though! I think it just added to that Disney movie aesthetic I mentioned earlier.
Thank you to Netgalley, Harper Collin’s Children’s books and author Jen Calonita for providing me with the eARC of “Practically Magic” in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: August 25, 2026
I’m going to be honest, the synopsis of this book isn’t even what drew me into reading it.
It was the COVER!
I mean come on, just look at how beautiful it is? How could you not want to read it?
Luckily, I ended up being pretty happy with how the writing turned out as well.
It’s witchy, it’s cozy, it’s comforting and it’s fun. Basically all I would really ask for in a seasonal young adult romance.
There are some pretty quirky and awkward aspects to the this, which I don’t always love. But I think it worked out really well.
It definitely added to the overall vibe, and made it feel like an early/mid 2000s Halloween Disney channel movie!
It’s also worth pointing out that it has a variety of cool spooky creatures that I want expecting (which I love).
I would say that the one thing that threw me off just a little bit, was that it wasn’t as romance focused as I thought it would be.
There is definitely a romantic part of the plot, but i would say it’s mostly focused on sisterly bonds.
It wasn’t a bad thing though! I think it just added to that Disney movie aesthetic I mentioned earlier.
Thank you to Netgalley, Harper Collin’s Children’s books and author Jen Calonita for providing me with the eARC of “Practically Magic” in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: August 25, 2026
June 30, 2026
she's a witch from generations of witches and STILL can't get a boy to notice her. that's the real curse. 🧙♀️💔
kat: hadley witch. magic in her blood. cursed to be invisible to boys —
by her own sister. to "protect" her. 😤
kat loses it. magic loses it harder. 💥
every spell starts reversing. good spells turn evil. curses attract instead of repel.
the veil between worlds is THINNING. 👻
mystic hollow's last halloween, potentially. no pressure.
while fixing the magic, kat notices something —
every boy who ever rejected her is suddenly lovesick. 😳
even her rival.
is it real, or just the spell?
does it matter? 💛
Absolutely adorable! If you liked the movie Practical Magic, with a bit of Charmed & Gilmore Girls thrown in, this one is for you. Chaos reigns in this story of sisterhood, true love and the ties that bind a family. Ah sisterhood, the one thing that will make or break a family, in this case "good intentions" just about destroys Mystic Hollow! This book put me in the mood for Fall and Halloween and all things that go bump in the night! In addition to the witches, this story is a nod to The Legend of Sleepy Hollow! I had to remind myself that Jen wasn't writing about Tarrytown NY...#IYKYK Anyone from NY will understand that reference! Congrats on your latest book, my Long Island Bestie! Thanks to Netgalley for the arc!!
kat: hadley witch. magic in her blood. cursed to be invisible to boys —
by her own sister. to "protect" her. 😤
kat loses it. magic loses it harder. 💥
every spell starts reversing. good spells turn evil. curses attract instead of repel.
the veil between worlds is THINNING. 👻
mystic hollow's last halloween, potentially. no pressure.
while fixing the magic, kat notices something —
every boy who ever rejected her is suddenly lovesick. 😳
even her rival.
is it real, or just the spell?
does it matter? 💛
Absolutely adorable! If you liked the movie Practical Magic, with a bit of Charmed & Gilmore Girls thrown in, this one is for you. Chaos reigns in this story of sisterhood, true love and the ties that bind a family. Ah sisterhood, the one thing that will make or break a family, in this case "good intentions" just about destroys Mystic Hollow! This book put me in the mood for Fall and Halloween and all things that go bump in the night! In addition to the witches, this story is a nod to The Legend of Sleepy Hollow! I had to remind myself that Jen wasn't writing about Tarrytown NY...#IYKYK Anyone from NY will understand that reference! Congrats on your latest book, my Long Island Bestie! Thanks to Netgalley for the arc!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
✨3.75 Stars✨
This was a fun read!
I love the Halloween vibes we get in this story, we also get a teen crush story, family fractures, and family love.
One of my favorite themes in this book is how family love and connection is sometimes overlooked, and romantic love feels most important as a teen, family love is really the most important connection ans love we have as teenagers!
Anyone who has been a teenager knows the feeling of wanting to be loved by a boy/girlfriend. Anyone who’s older, knows that romantic love is important, but family love is a unique love that will always be some of our most important relationships!
Practically Magic is such a Fun and clean story that has non terrifying monsters, vampires, a headless horseman, to name a few monsters we encounter. Two magical Hadley sister must learn to love and come together to save their home and the town after a magical mistake opens a portal for monsters to escape
One minor gripe is that the cover of this book gives me cutesy fall, leaves crunching vibes. When in reality, the story is much more Halloween themed than Cozy Fall. I think a more Halloween themed cover would better represent the story 👻
Age Recommendation: 13-15 years old
Spice: None
Language: A few minor swear words
This was a fun read!
I love the Halloween vibes we get in this story, we also get a teen crush story, family fractures, and family love.
One of my favorite themes in this book is how family love and connection is sometimes overlooked, and romantic love feels most important as a teen, family love is really the most important connection ans love we have as teenagers!
Anyone who has been a teenager knows the feeling of wanting to be loved by a boy/girlfriend. Anyone who’s older, knows that romantic love is important, but family love is a unique love that will always be some of our most important relationships!
Practically Magic is such a Fun and clean story that has non terrifying monsters, vampires, a headless horseman, to name a few monsters we encounter. Two magical Hadley sister must learn to love and come together to save their home and the town after a magical mistake opens a portal for monsters to escape
One minor gripe is that the cover of this book gives me cutesy fall, leaves crunching vibes. When in reality, the story is much more Halloween themed than Cozy Fall. I think a more Halloween themed cover would better represent the story 👻
Age Recommendation: 13-15 years old
Spice: None
Language: A few minor swear words
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was such a sweet, quick, and witchy read! If you’re a fan of The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling, this one is definitely worth checking out.
Practically Magic follows Kat Hadley, a high school witch who seems to have the absolute worst luck when it comes to finding a boyfriend. Unfortunately for Kat, she needs a boyfriend to help her perform an important spell on Halloween that will protect her town.
One of my favorite parts was the hilarious flashbacks to previous Halloweens and all of Kat’s ridiculous attempts to find herself a boyfriend. But what Kat doesn’t realize is that her big sister, Harry, secretly cast a spell years ago so that no boys would be able to see Kat romantically, all because she wanted to protect her little sister from heartbreak.
I really enjoyed the themes of family, sisterhood, love, and learning to be true to yourself. While this was a light and quick read, it still had some really sweet moments and a great message about how sometimes the people who love us most can be a little too protective.
Overall, this was a cute witchy romance with plenty of funny moments, family magic, and a whole lot of sisterly love.
I listened to the audiobook and thought the narration was okay. It worked well for the story, but it didn’t particularly stand out to me.
Practically Magic follows Kat Hadley, a high school witch who seems to have the absolute worst luck when it comes to finding a boyfriend. Unfortunately for Kat, she needs a boyfriend to help her perform an important spell on Halloween that will protect her town.
One of my favorite parts was the hilarious flashbacks to previous Halloweens and all of Kat’s ridiculous attempts to find herself a boyfriend. But what Kat doesn’t realize is that her big sister, Harry, secretly cast a spell years ago so that no boys would be able to see Kat romantically, all because she wanted to protect her little sister from heartbreak.
I really enjoyed the themes of family, sisterhood, love, and learning to be true to yourself. While this was a light and quick read, it still had some really sweet moments and a great message about how sometimes the people who love us most can be a little too protective.
Overall, this was a cute witchy romance with plenty of funny moments, family magic, and a whole lot of sisterly love.
I listened to the audiobook and thought the narration was okay. It worked well for the story, but it didn’t particularly stand out to me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
**ALC REVIEW**
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Practically Magic was such a fun, witchy, and cozy read filled with magical Halloween vibes, romance, sisterhood, and just the right amount of chaos! This was exactly the kind of autumn read I was looking for.
I really enjoyed Kat. She was entertaining, relatable, and easy to root for. One of my favorite parts was her relationship with her sister, Harriet. Their bond was complicated and messy at times, but their love for each other really stood out. I loved watching them put aside their differences and work together to fix their magic.
And the romance was adorable! 💕 I loved the academic-rival dynamic and all the funny moments that came with Kat suddenly realizing that her crushes—and even her annoying class rival—might have feelings for her.
🎧 Ferdelle Capistrano did a fantastic job narrating the story! Each character felt distinct, making the narration easy and enjoyable to follow. It really added to the fun and magical atmosphere of the story.
If you're looking for a quick, cozy YA romance with witches, magic, Halloween vibes, and a little mayhem, definitely add this one to your fall TBR! 🎃🔮☕️
Thank you to Jen Calonita, NetGalley, and Avon for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Practically Magic was such a fun, witchy, and cozy read filled with magical Halloween vibes, romance, sisterhood, and just the right amount of chaos! This was exactly the kind of autumn read I was looking for.
I really enjoyed Kat. She was entertaining, relatable, and easy to root for. One of my favorite parts was her relationship with her sister, Harriet. Their bond was complicated and messy at times, but their love for each other really stood out. I loved watching them put aside their differences and work together to fix their magic.
And the romance was adorable! 💕 I loved the academic-rival dynamic and all the funny moments that came with Kat suddenly realizing that her crushes—and even her annoying class rival—might have feelings for her.
🎧 Ferdelle Capistrano did a fantastic job narrating the story! Each character felt distinct, making the narration easy and enjoyable to follow. It really added to the fun and magical atmosphere of the story.
If you're looking for a quick, cozy YA romance with witches, magic, Halloween vibes, and a little mayhem, definitely add this one to your fall TBR! 🎃🔮☕️
Thank you to Jen Calonita, NetGalley, and Avon for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The setting of this book was phenomenal! Mystic Hollow is such a quaint, spooky town and the perfect setting for a cozy Halloween tale. Reminded me of Stars Hollow in the best possible way.
The plot line was also very well done. I really enjoyed the magic system, the mythical creatures, and the breaking/repairing magic plot. It also had a lot of good themes about forgiveness, accepting yourself, family bonds, etc.
My major issue with this book was that I very strongly disliked the main character, Kat. She was realistic in that a lot of girls her age are super boy crazy and have family issues. But it was very difficult to read about (let alone get invested in) a character so self-absorbed and oblivious with a MASSIVE inferiority complex. I was really hoping that Harry would be a good complement to her and temper down her personality issues, but she only made them worse. I did enjoy the side characters quite a bit, but not enough to balance out how strongly I disliked Kat and Harry.
Overall: great setting and plot, but the characters almost ruined the book for me. I would very happily read more stories set in Mystic Hollow or about the other Hadley generations, but I would not read a sequel involving Kat or Harriet.
The plot line was also very well done. I really enjoyed the magic system, the mythical creatures, and the breaking/repairing magic plot. It also had a lot of good themes about forgiveness, accepting yourself, family bonds, etc.
My major issue with this book was that I very strongly disliked the main character, Kat. She was realistic in that a lot of girls her age are super boy crazy and have family issues. But it was very difficult to read about (let alone get invested in) a character so self-absorbed and oblivious with a MASSIVE inferiority complex. I was really hoping that Harry would be a good complement to her and temper down her personality issues, but she only made them worse. I did enjoy the side characters quite a bit, but not enough to balance out how strongly I disliked Kat and Harry.
Overall: great setting and plot, but the characters almost ruined the book for me. I would very happily read more stories set in Mystic Hollow or about the other Hadley generations, but I would not read a sequel involving Kat or Harriet.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC!
I have been trying to force fall to come quicker by reading this fun halloween themed romance books and this one did not disappoint. I just want it to be cold and windy and spooky! i’ll just read until we get there!
I loved the setting of this story. naturally it is cozy, warm, pumpkin spice and all that nice stuff. The witchy vibes are on point and the romance is adorable and so well written. I enjoyed watching the characters develop a friendship and eventually having more love for one another.
My main favorite thing was the sisterly aspect. As a girl who lost her brother (her only sibling.) i love seeing sibling relationships in books. I love seeing when a sibling relationship isn’t the best and they slowly realize that they are all they have and they have to have a stronger bond. the younger sister looking up to the older sister. I used to always look up to my brother. it’s so comforting to not only have the romance but to have the sibling aspect too.
if you want a cozy halloween romance that will make you actually laugh out loud and also cry a little, you have to read this one!
I have been trying to force fall to come quicker by reading this fun halloween themed romance books and this one did not disappoint. I just want it to be cold and windy and spooky! i’ll just read until we get there!
I loved the setting of this story. naturally it is cozy, warm, pumpkin spice and all that nice stuff. The witchy vibes are on point and the romance is adorable and so well written. I enjoyed watching the characters develop a friendship and eventually having more love for one another.
My main favorite thing was the sisterly aspect. As a girl who lost her brother (her only sibling.) i love seeing sibling relationships in books. I love seeing when a sibling relationship isn’t the best and they slowly realize that they are all they have and they have to have a stronger bond. the younger sister looking up to the older sister. I used to always look up to my brother. it’s so comforting to not only have the romance but to have the sibling aspect too.
if you want a cozy halloween romance that will make you actually laugh out loud and also cry a little, you have to read this one!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book was so so cute, and I couldn’t put it down (finishing the whole thing in a single sitting)! From the local coffee shop, Witches Brew, to the bookstore, Spirited Books, everything described in Mystic Hollow felt perfectly fall. The spaces were so lived in and well loved that picturing the town, community, and characters was easy and natural. And I loved Kat as a main character. She definitely lived in her own world and didn’t always make choices that I could stand beside her with, but even through her mistakes, she was determined to find solutions to make everything right. I wish Zach had played a larger role in Kat’s story, but I liked the ways in which Kat’s relationship with Harry took the focus, and the emphasis was instead on finding importance in different kinds of love. This story had the best spooky vibes for the Halloween season along with all the warm, good feelings for fall, and I definitely recommend it as an addition to your autumn tbr!
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Children’s Books for the opportunity to read Practically Magic in exchange for my honest review!
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Children’s Books for the opportunity to read Practically Magic in exchange for my honest review!
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