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Best Hex Ever Collection #1
Hex Appeal
Encanto meets Hocus Pocus in this perfect witchy romcom. An absolute must-read if you love Erin Sterling’s The Ex Hex and Lana Harper’s Payback’s a Witch!
It’s just a bunch of hocus pocus…
Essie Winterscale lives in a huge and ever-changing house in the village of Good Winter, in deepest, darkest Essex. She lives with various witches of various ages, one of whom is still a bit salty about being hanged in the 1700s, one who keeps accidentally casting fertility spells, and one who knits things that create the future.
All Essie ever wanted was to have a normal life but in the end she found herself drawn back to Beldam House because she just can’t stop her witchiness (although the ability to instantly chill wine is pretty awesome, even she has to admit).
Into this coven of chaos stumbles gorgeous, clueless Josh, their new landlord – and he’s just discovered his tenants haven’t paid rent since the 1700s! As Josh is drawn further into the lives of the inhabitants of Beldam House, Essie is determined to keep him at broomstick’s length. That is, until a family secret, lying hidden for centuries, puts Josh firmly under her spell…
It’s just a bunch of hocus pocus…
Essie Winterscale lives in a huge and ever-changing house in the village of Good Winter, in deepest, darkest Essex. She lives with various witches of various ages, one of whom is still a bit salty about being hanged in the 1700s, one who keeps accidentally casting fertility spells, and one who knits things that create the future.
All Essie ever wanted was to have a normal life but in the end she found herself drawn back to Beldam House because she just can’t stop her witchiness (although the ability to instantly chill wine is pretty awesome, even she has to admit).
Into this coven of chaos stumbles gorgeous, clueless Josh, their new landlord – and he’s just discovered his tenants haven’t paid rent since the 1700s! As Josh is drawn further into the lives of the inhabitants of Beldam House, Essie is determined to keep him at broomstick’s length. That is, until a family secret, lying hidden for centuries, puts Josh firmly under her spell…
318 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 13, 2022
2090 people are currently reading
21449 people want to read
About the author
Kate Johnson
38 books544 followersKate Johnson lives in rural Essex where she belongs to a pride of cats and puts up with a demon puppy. She did actually do most of her homework, but quickly so as to have more time to stare out of the window thinking about heroes. Stay in school, kids. Kate has done a variety of not-particularly great jobs, ranging from airport check-in to lab assistant, but much prefers writing for a living. For one thing, the hours are better, and no one ever tells her off for not ironing her shirt. In fact, the lack of ironing might be the single greatest advantage to being an author. Kate loves going off at mad tangents, which you’d surely never have guessed, but also enjoys reading romance and fantasy, watching funny stuff on TV, drinking coffee by the gallon and occasionally leaving the house. The Untied Kingdom is her first novel to be published in the UK.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,788 reviews
January 11, 2023
I had amazing time and laughed out so loud at some chapters! Quirky hero and heroine: amazing supporting characters, enemies to lovers story with magical and witchery powers!
Welcome to Essex,Good Winter village where a bunch of witches live in a magical place called Bendam House: no one knows where is located and any visitor forgets its existence as soon as they leave the place. A house that changes by the moods of the witches, having a tree and bunch of animals: singing parrots, dancing rats, nervous goat, fighting cat-dog.
The witches live rent free for nearly 300 years till their landlord: a handsome, quirky, blonde, boyish lawyer Josh who recently inherited a dilapidated mansion, deciding to meet with his tenants for collecting the debts!
Josh is adamant where the Bedham House located. He finally meets with quirky, red head- blue eyed, eccentric Essie: who is witchery kind of Elsa, rejecting to sing “Let it go”, bringing the winter, chilling the places ( her ability to freeze is convenient to chill the white wines)
Josh follows Essie to her house and meet the eccentric tenants but interestingly he’s strong enough not to forget things he’s seen.
The other witches also carry different kind of abilities: Maude knits the future. Blessing nurtures and brings things to
fruition. Avery manifests ideas into reality.
And Essie’s mom Lilith time travels.
Essie decides to keep Josh at broomstick’s length but when Josh’s very pregnant step sister moves to live with him and hires Blessing as her midwife, two families get a little closer.
And when an incarnated monster starts to threaten their existence, Essie teams up with Josh to confront the witch- finder who can bring the end of the world!
This was smart, fast pacing, humorous and also heartwarming fantasy! I liked the author’s unique hex touch! I’m rounding up my 4.5 stars to 5 magical, frozen, healing, romantic stars! I’m looking forward to read more works of the author in near future!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK/ One More Chapter for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
Welcome to Essex,Good Winter village where a bunch of witches live in a magical place called Bendam House: no one knows where is located and any visitor forgets its existence as soon as they leave the place. A house that changes by the moods of the witches, having a tree and bunch of animals: singing parrots, dancing rats, nervous goat, fighting cat-dog.
The witches live rent free for nearly 300 years till their landlord: a handsome, quirky, blonde, boyish lawyer Josh who recently inherited a dilapidated mansion, deciding to meet with his tenants for collecting the debts!
Josh is adamant where the Bedham House located. He finally meets with quirky, red head- blue eyed, eccentric Essie: who is witchery kind of Elsa, rejecting to sing “Let it go”, bringing the winter, chilling the places ( her ability to freeze is convenient to chill the white wines)
Josh follows Essie to her house and meet the eccentric tenants but interestingly he’s strong enough not to forget things he’s seen.
The other witches also carry different kind of abilities: Maude knits the future. Blessing nurtures and brings things to
fruition. Avery manifests ideas into reality.
And Essie’s mom Lilith time travels.
Essie decides to keep Josh at broomstick’s length but when Josh’s very pregnant step sister moves to live with him and hires Blessing as her midwife, two families get a little closer.
And when an incarnated monster starts to threaten their existence, Essie teams up with Josh to confront the witch- finder who can bring the end of the world!
This was smart, fast pacing, humorous and also heartwarming fantasy! I liked the author’s unique hex touch! I’m rounding up my 4.5 stars to 5 magical, frozen, healing, romantic stars! I’m looking forward to read more works of the author in near future!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK/ One More Chapter for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
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October 2, 2024DNF at 14% (Chapter 4)
I didn't connect with any of the characters, and the way the book was written seemed super complex and far-fetched.
I didn't connect with any of the characters, and the way the book was written seemed super complex and far-fetched.
September 16, 2022
I had amazing time and laughed out so loud at some chapters! Quirky hero and heroine: amazing supporting characters, enemies to lovers story with magical and witchery powers!
Welcome to Essex,Good Winter village where a bunch of witches live in a magical place called Bendam House: no one knows where is located and any visitor forgets its existence as soon as they leave the place. A house that changes by the moods of the witches, having a tree and bunch of animals: singing parrots, dancing rats, nervous goat, fighting cat-dog.
The witches live rent free for nearly 300 years till their landlord: a handsome, quirky, blonde, boyish lawyer Josh who recently inherited a dilapidated mansion, deciding to meet with his tenants for collecting the debts!
Josh is adamant where the Bedham House located. He finally meets with quirky, red head- blue eyed, eccentric Essie: who is witchery kind of Elsa, rejecting to sing “Let it go”, bringing the winter, chilling the places ( her ability to freeze is convenient to chill the white wines)
Josh follows Essie to her house and meet the eccentric tenants but interestingly he’s strong enough not to forget things he’s seen.
The other witches also carry different kind of abilities: Maude knits the future. Blessing nurtures and brings things to
fruition. Avery manifests ideas into reality.
And Essie’s mom Lilith time travels.
Essie decides to keep Josh at broomstick’s length but when Josh’s very pregnant step sister moves to live with him and hires Blessing as her midwife, two families get a little closer.
And when an incarnated monster starts to threaten their existence, Essie teams up with Josh to confront the witch- finder who can bring the end of the world!
This was smart, fast pacing, humorous and also heartwarming fantasy! I liked the author’s unique hex touch! I’m rounding up my 4.5 stars to 5 magical, frozen, healing, romantic stars! I’m looking forward to read more works of the author in near future!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK/ One More Chapter for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
Welcome to Essex,Good Winter village where a bunch of witches live in a magical place called Bendam House: no one knows where is located and any visitor forgets its existence as soon as they leave the place. A house that changes by the moods of the witches, having a tree and bunch of animals: singing parrots, dancing rats, nervous goat, fighting cat-dog.
The witches live rent free for nearly 300 years till their landlord: a handsome, quirky, blonde, boyish lawyer Josh who recently inherited a dilapidated mansion, deciding to meet with his tenants for collecting the debts!
Josh is adamant where the Bedham House located. He finally meets with quirky, red head- blue eyed, eccentric Essie: who is witchery kind of Elsa, rejecting to sing “Let it go”, bringing the winter, chilling the places ( her ability to freeze is convenient to chill the white wines)
Josh follows Essie to her house and meet the eccentric tenants but interestingly he’s strong enough not to forget things he’s seen.
The other witches also carry different kind of abilities: Maude knits the future. Blessing nurtures and brings things to
fruition. Avery manifests ideas into reality.
And Essie’s mom Lilith time travels.
Essie decides to keep Josh at broomstick’s length but when Josh’s very pregnant step sister moves to live with him and hires Blessing as her midwife, two families get a little closer.
And when an incarnated monster starts to threaten their existence, Essie teams up with Josh to confront the witch- finder who can bring the end of the world!
This was smart, fast pacing, humorous and also heartwarming fantasy! I liked the author’s unique hex touch! I’m rounding up my 4.5 stars to 5 magical, frozen, healing, romantic stars! I’m looking forward to read more works of the author in near future!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK/ One More Chapter for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
April 22, 2024
The Hex Appeal by Kate Johnson is a Rom Com that I absolutely adored was something different for me in a way that it was about witches now & going back to the 1800’s, the characters were fabulous & the pace was top notch.
Essie Winterscale lives in Belgan House with other witches they have never paid rent since the 1700’s they were living rent free all that time until Josh Henderson is left the house in his fathers will, he decides to visit the place to meet his tenants.
The house is in Winterscale Essex Essie & her witchy friends are all different ages& is on Gallows Lane…when Essie sees Josh sparks 🧨 start to fly she is truly smitten Josh feels the same way about her their relationship gets quite steamy which I enjoyed… you could say I love when you do that Hocus Pocus to me
The way that you touch you got the powers to heal you give me that look 👀 it’s almost unreal it’s almost unreal !!!!!
Essie has a secret that she doesn’t want to get out! Why?
I just loved this book it was my first read by Kate Johnson & won’t be my last all those stars 🌟.Just one more thing love ❤️ the cover ❤️
Essie Winterscale lives in Belgan House with other witches they have never paid rent since the 1700’s they were living rent free all that time until Josh Henderson is left the house in his fathers will, he decides to visit the place to meet his tenants.
The house is in Winterscale Essex Essie & her witchy friends are all different ages& is on Gallows Lane…when Essie sees Josh sparks 🧨 start to fly she is truly smitten Josh feels the same way about her their relationship gets quite steamy which I enjoyed… you could say I love when you do that Hocus Pocus to me
The way that you touch you got the powers to heal you give me that look 👀 it’s almost unreal it’s almost unreal !!!!!
Essie has a secret that she doesn’t want to get out! Why?
I just loved this book it was my first read by Kate Johnson & won’t be my last all those stars 🌟.Just one more thing love ❤️ the cover ❤️
October 4, 2022
The book is out today, enjoy!!! 😍🥳
——
Josh has just left his American life and moved to England to an old estate he had recently inherited. It turns out the estate is a money pit, but luckily there’s an income involved - Josh has tenants! And some of them owe him, uhm, 300 years worth of rent.
And that’s how Josh met Essie.
Essie, her fellow witches and their house are protected by a perception spell so people forget them (a convenient trick if you don’t want to pay rent btw) but somehow Josh remembers…
Essie had this alternative, quirky, long hair and dungarees thing going on, sort of “I’m not like other girls” but not exactly, and it worked great on her. Josh was a good guy and that was his main trait; definitely not an alpha male which on one hand was refreshing but on the other… I need my book boyfriends a little more defined and maybe a teeny tiny bit alpha- ish? 🫣
Essie and Josh were an adorable couple but I would have loved to spend more time with them getting to know and love each other. Maybe the fact, that the story is written in third person makes it more difficult to feel what they feel?
My favorite character was Essie’s house that changed with the witches’ moods, “provided what they needed” and basically had its own personality. Other witches were a nice touch and even though the magical world was chaotic it had its charm and it was a perfect match for Essie’s temperament.
All in all it was a pleasant, warm and cozy read with likable characters. If you’re looking for a low angst witchy story, this is your book!
3,5 round up to 4 because I needed a feel good book and this one delivered so I’m in a generous mood 😁
Thank you HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review.
——
Josh has just left his American life and moved to England to an old estate he had recently inherited. It turns out the estate is a money pit, but luckily there’s an income involved - Josh has tenants! And some of them owe him, uhm, 300 years worth of rent.
And that’s how Josh met Essie.
Essie, her fellow witches and their house are protected by a perception spell so people forget them (a convenient trick if you don’t want to pay rent btw) but somehow Josh remembers…
Essie had this alternative, quirky, long hair and dungarees thing going on, sort of “I’m not like other girls” but not exactly, and it worked great on her. Josh was a good guy and that was his main trait; definitely not an alpha male which on one hand was refreshing but on the other… I need my book boyfriends a little more defined and maybe a teeny tiny bit alpha- ish? 🫣
Essie and Josh were an adorable couple but I would have loved to spend more time with them getting to know and love each other. Maybe the fact, that the story is written in third person makes it more difficult to feel what they feel?
My favorite character was Essie’s house that changed with the witches’ moods, “provided what they needed” and basically had its own personality. Other witches were a nice touch and even though the magical world was chaotic it had its charm and it was a perfect match for Essie’s temperament.
All in all it was a pleasant, warm and cozy read with likable characters. If you’re looking for a low angst witchy story, this is your book!
3,5 round up to 4 because I needed a feel good book and this one delivered so I’m in a generous mood 😁
Thank you HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review.
dnf
September 19, 2022Dnf @ 36%
This book was so boring. The writing is in 3rd person POV, which makes it automatically more challenging to connect to the characters. With the house being almost depicted as a character, I had such a hard time with picturing the setting and places because of the ambiguity of the writing.
Essie, for being however old she is, read so immature. I was so bored by her. The mmc, Josh, was a sad boy from Seattle (don’t worry, you won’t forget where he’s from because it’s mentioned every chapter). His half-sister was overbearing and annoying and served no purpose. Essie’s witchy friends felt like cardboard cut-outs and only served their specific purpose. There was no dimensionality of any of the characters. Essie was an “ice queen” and Josh is a “sad boy.” That’s it.
Considering I made it through almost 40% of this and I still didn’t know what the curse or the plot was says something. It’s slow, boring, and really fell flat. I read a few “cozy” fantasy romances last fall and loved them. I was hoping for the same reaction to this one, but I really couldn’t get through it.
Thank you to NetGalley and One More Chapter for this arc and the chance to read it! Unfortunately it wasn’t for me.
This book was so boring. The writing is in 3rd person POV, which makes it automatically more challenging to connect to the characters. With the house being almost depicted as a character, I had such a hard time with picturing the setting and places because of the ambiguity of the writing.
Essie, for being however old she is, read so immature. I was so bored by her. The mmc, Josh, was a sad boy from Seattle (don’t worry, you won’t forget where he’s from because it’s mentioned every chapter). His half-sister was overbearing and annoying and served no purpose. Essie’s witchy friends felt like cardboard cut-outs and only served their specific purpose. There was no dimensionality of any of the characters. Essie was an “ice queen” and Josh is a “sad boy.” That’s it.
Considering I made it through almost 40% of this and I still didn’t know what the curse or the plot was says something. It’s slow, boring, and really fell flat. I read a few “cozy” fantasy romances last fall and loved them. I was hoping for the same reaction to this one, but I really couldn’t get through it.
Thank you to NetGalley and One More Chapter for this arc and the chance to read it! Unfortunately it wasn’t for me.
April 5, 2023
—1.5 stars—
“Damned if you do, and damned if you don’t.”
————about the book————
Age: NA/A
Genres: paranormal, romance,
Cliffhanger: no
Writing: 3/10
Quotes: 2/10
World building: 2/10
Characters: 3/10
Romance: 2/10
My rating: 3/10
‼️spoilers below‼️
———my thoughts———
Essie Winterscale lives in the ever-changing Beldam house with her coven of witches.
All Essie ever wanted was to be normal, but it’s hard to be normal when you can freeze everything around you...
But then her new landlord, Josh, arrives from America, and he discovers that they haven’t paid the rent since the 1700s...oops!
As Essie and Josh grow closer, a family secret begins to tear them apart...
Maybe I’m the problem.
But I really, really disliked this.
It was boring, the characters felt flat and almost caricature-like, AND NOTHING HAPPENED.
I was constantly searching for a plot, and all I could find was Josh and Essie lusting over each other.
And not even in an enjoyable way!
I almost dnfed it, and I barely dnf!
First of all, the writing was terrible. Not just in the bad-rom-com way, but let me tell you, it needs a fucking editor. (or maybe a book-personality transplant)
So many sentences were written in confusing ways, and sometimes I couldn’t figure out what was going on!
The plot was practically nonexistent—unless you call Josh and Essie being horny and moping a plot! The whole time-travel plot line had so many holes, it was practically it’s own paradox!!!
And the witch side of the story was NOT explained at all—so why are there witches? Where do their powers come from? Why can they time travel? Why don’t they age? I DON’T HAVE A CLUE.
Maybe it’s just that I’m a fantasy girl at heart, who loves world building, but there just wasn’t enough explanations anywhere!! (And if you know me, you know I hate when things aren’t explained😤😤)
The characters were frankly unlikeable, and there was no chemistry at all!
There was actually more chemistry between the cat and dog, for fuck’s sake!
I wanted to like Essie, because she was different, but she was just so whiny and irritating that I couldn’t! And Josh.
FUCKING JOSH. He has no personality, no spark, nothing that made me like him!
He was boring, and when he wasn’t boring, he was throwing tantrums or obsessing over Essie’s boobs (why.)!!!
I couldn’t even tell you what he was described as looking like, but apparently he’s gorgeous? no. No, no, he’s not.
The only characters I actually liked were Lilith, because she’s actually pretty amazing, and Siena. My baby! I honestly don’t know how she puts up with a brother like Josh, but she’s an absolute angel.
Wow, this is a long review for someone who wasn’t going to write one...ummmm
———characters ———
Essie: I like her dungarees. But she’s so cringe-y and annoying😭
Josh: No. fuck off josh.
————quotes————
I can’t be bothered to find quotes, so here’s my notes from while I was reading it😌
Stop complaining about how ‘different’ English women are, josh.
Okay, no. Who tf wrote this?!? And why?!?
I hate everyone. EVERYONE.
JOSH WHY THE FUCK ARE YOU SHOUTING AT YOUR PREGNANT SISTER?!? ITS NOT HER FAULT!!!!
Welcome to the uk Josh, and yes, it rains a lot. A LOT.
I still don’t know why Essie’s mother is here.
Wtf is happening—BUT I DONT CARE
there better be smut, or none of this is worth it.
THERE IS NO PLOT.
Why I am reading this.
no. ewewewew EW.
STOP SAYING KNICKERS😭😭
HOW WAS THAT THE “BEST SEX” OF YOUR LIFE?!?!?
Oh good he’s magic too.
This is so stupiddddddd
🎶oh where oh where is the plotttttt? Oh where oh where can it beeeee?🎶
———random extra thoughts———
Ahhhh I love writing rants 😌 there’s this feeling of letting it all out...
Thanks for reading!❤️
“Damned if you do, and damned if you don’t.”
————about the book————
Age: NA/A
Genres: paranormal, romance,
Cliffhanger: no
Writing: 3/10
Quotes: 2/10
World building: 2/10
Characters: 3/10
Romance: 2/10
My rating: 3/10
‼️spoilers below‼️
———my thoughts———
Essie Winterscale lives in the ever-changing Beldam house with her coven of witches.
All Essie ever wanted was to be normal, but it’s hard to be normal when you can freeze everything around you...
But then her new landlord, Josh, arrives from America, and he discovers that they haven’t paid the rent since the 1700s...oops!
As Essie and Josh grow closer, a family secret begins to tear them apart...
Maybe I’m the problem.
But I really, really disliked this.
It was boring, the characters felt flat and almost caricature-like, AND NOTHING HAPPENED.
I was constantly searching for a plot, and all I could find was Josh and Essie lusting over each other.
And not even in an enjoyable way!
I almost dnfed it, and I barely dnf!
First of all, the writing was terrible. Not just in the bad-rom-com way, but let me tell you, it needs a fucking editor. (or maybe a book-personality transplant)
So many sentences were written in confusing ways, and sometimes I couldn’t figure out what was going on!
The plot was practically nonexistent—unless you call Josh and Essie being horny and moping a plot! The whole time-travel plot line had so many holes, it was practically it’s own paradox!!!
And the witch side of the story was NOT explained at all—so why are there witches? Where do their powers come from? Why can they time travel? Why don’t they age? I DON’T HAVE A CLUE.
Maybe it’s just that I’m a fantasy girl at heart, who loves world building, but there just wasn’t enough explanations anywhere!! (And if you know me, you know I hate when things aren’t explained😤😤)
The characters were frankly unlikeable, and there was no chemistry at all!
There was actually more chemistry between the cat and dog, for fuck’s sake!
I wanted to like Essie, because she was different, but she was just so whiny and irritating that I couldn’t! And Josh.
FUCKING JOSH. He has no personality, no spark, nothing that made me like him!
He was boring, and when he wasn’t boring, he was throwing tantrums or obsessing over Essie’s boobs (why.)!!!
I couldn’t even tell you what he was described as looking like, but apparently he’s gorgeous? no. No, no, he’s not.
The only characters I actually liked were Lilith, because she’s actually pretty amazing, and Siena. My baby! I honestly don’t know how she puts up with a brother like Josh, but she’s an absolute angel.
Wow, this is a long review for someone who wasn’t going to write one...ummmm
———characters ———
Essie: I like her dungarees. But she’s so cringe-y and annoying😭
Josh: No. fuck off josh.
————quotes————
I can’t be bothered to find quotes, so here’s my notes from while I was reading it😌
Stop complaining about how ‘different’ English women are, josh.
Okay, no. Who tf wrote this?!? And why?!?
I hate everyone. EVERYONE.
JOSH WHY THE FUCK ARE YOU SHOUTING AT YOUR PREGNANT SISTER?!? ITS NOT HER FAULT!!!!
Welcome to the uk Josh, and yes, it rains a lot. A LOT.
I still don’t know why Essie’s mother is here.
Wtf is happening—BUT I DONT CARE
there better be smut, or none of this is worth it.
THERE IS NO PLOT.
Why I am reading this.
no. ewewewew EW.
STOP SAYING KNICKERS😭😭
HOW WAS THAT THE “BEST SEX” OF YOUR LIFE?!?!?
Oh good he’s magic too.
This is so stupiddddddd
🎶oh where oh where is the plotttttt? Oh where oh where can it beeeee?🎶
———random extra thoughts———
Ahhhh I love writing rants 😌 there’s this feeling of letting it all out...
Thanks for reading!❤️
September 27, 2022
I really liked the setting and characters in this story. I felt like the story took on a little too much and the plot wasn’t as smooth as it could have been. It definitely moved a little slow for me in the beginning. Essie Winterscale is a witch living in a home that can’t be found often and those who do find their way forget about it and her. A house that happens to be owned by Josh, who is eager to find it and figure out who is living there to ensure they are paying rent as it doesn’t seem rent has been paid in about 400 years. The magic was unique and interesting. All together this wasn’t a bad story…I just felt it could have been a better story.
November 12, 2022
why was this book so boringgg, i’m so upset. the writing was so detaching, the characters have absolutely zero personality and were just bland, the plot the author has tried to flesh out was not logical and made no sense whatsoever.
around the 60% mark i was about to dnf, hadn’t it been for my own stubbornness. i was expecting a cute cozy romance, but josh and essie have no chemistry it’s almost jarring to read about.
thank you so much to the publisher for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review!
→ 2 stars
around the 60% mark i was about to dnf, hadn’t it been for my own stubbornness. i was expecting a cute cozy romance, but josh and essie have no chemistry it’s almost jarring to read about.
thank you so much to the publisher for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review!
→ 2 stars
October 30, 2023
I was so, so close to DNF:ing this. The only reason I didn't was because I wanted to finish it, only to be able to vent my utter dislike of this book in this review. It might be bitchy of me, but it's not often a book makes me feel like this.
The premise was promising, I pictured a cute, funny, and witchy romcom perfect for october. And I can see that this book tries very hard to be just that, but it seems to be also trying to be 10 other things and utterly fails at all of it.
Essie lives in a ever changing house (how cool is that! I love magical houses) with her coven of witches. Great! I want to know more! Nope, that's not allowed. How they get their powers is never explained. Where they come from is somewhat explained, but not really. Why the house is magical? Also never explained. There is a witch who knits the future, or sees the future in what she knits? It's never explained so don't bother. There's also a ghost witch. Yeah. Moving on.
Essie explains early that she is afraid of having close relationships with others because she has hurt someone before with her ice powers. (Elsa -> Essie, ice powers, trauma from hurting others with her power, sound familiar? Alexa, play "Let it Go".) I was decieved into thinking this was some dark, traumatising happening for Essie. Don't worry, it's later revealed that she turned her mom's tit into ice when she was a baby and also her orgasm froze a penis and now she absolutely cannot orgasm "because I can't control myself, Josh".
Anyway. They live in some rural ass town that seemingly consists of 6 cottages and a pub in the middle of nowhere. Josh, an american lawyer, quits his job and moves across the continent to renovate the mouldy cottage he inherited from his father. Josh is very distrustful of women because all the women in his life are written as outright villains, let's unpack that huge issue later. Josh then spends 30 pages or so complaining about having no money, he then meets Essie and he is super horny for her because she has big tiddies! You won't ever forget it because Josh will mention or think about it every other page or so for the rest of the book. Featuring hot quotes like "he struggled to keep his eyes above her collarbone", "he's sure parts of her would jiggle" and "her bosom heaved". When he is not commenting Essie's body, he is commenting her friend Blessing and her "swaying hips" that "ensnare men". Did I mention Blessing's power is making people horny? Yup. Literally, that is her 'witch power'.
Josh and Essie meet and they fall in love over jokes about nuts that are not at all funny and just feel cringe as hell. They fit great because Essie's only character trait is wearing dungarees and Josh's (apart from objectifying women) is wearing jeans. They spend lots of time lusting over each other, yet I feel absolutely zero chemistry between their characters, possibly because they both lack personality.
Early in the story, Essie's three exes show up! This is a huge deal for about 15 pages where they stand outside her house shouting (she "summoned" them with a "potion", or "manifested" them? Idk.) like this is Mamma Mia the movie, but instead of Pierce Brosnan we get Sean and his popsicle penis. Essie accidentally turns them into rats and then turns them back. This doesn't further the plot at all and isn't relevant to it so I am not sure why it's even in the book.
There is also a competetion with nuts which also serves seemingly no purpose. Also an old lady dies, Essie is with her when she dies. When she sits outside crying, Josh arrives and proceeds to whine that the dead old lady should have paid him rent and also was shit at cleaning. Essie finds this insensitive as f*ck and Josh has no idea why Essie storms off, because he is insensitive as f*ck. He then goes home and takes out his frustration on his 9 month pregnant sister.
Ah yes, Josh's pregnant sister. She kind of just pops out of nowhere and renovates the cottage with all her money. She is important because a baby is very crucial to the plot later. Who the father is, why Siena would choose to live in Britain suddenly, is never really explained. This loose string of the story is tied up nicely with "Siena refuses to talk about it". Josh is mad at her because she flaunts her money. Did I mention Josh hates women?
Suddenly, Essie's time traveling mother arrives and also there is a MONSTER. Every year, Essie summons winter. Or so she thought! The ritual was actually stopping a monster! But now the monster is escaping for whatever reason. The monster escapes and it has the form of "bees or something" - yes, actual quote. The "bees or something" chase Josh and Essie (it might be able to possess souls? It is implied but not explained) and they end up falling into a door/painting which has them travelling back in time! 160 pages in by the way. 160 pages into the story, TIME TRAVEL is suddenly introduced. Is it explained? Haha, no.
Anyway. They are now far in the past where people hate witches!! Essie is dressed up in corsets and stuff and Josh tries to have a coherent thought probably, but all he can think about is her "bosom". All the dialogue is written in annoying-as-f*ck old english which makes me cringe out of my mind. Thou art giveth me a f*cking migraine.
Queue several pages where this book tries to mimic Inception or the Quantum Thief and fails utterly. Essie traps the monster (which is a witchhunting man and also, Josh's ancestor. This isn't shocking at all and is in fact, easily guessed within about 50 pages of the book) and they go back to present time. The time travel solves everything, and for 25 pages nothing happens apart from Josh and Essie boinking (yes, that is the actual word used) and they discover Essie can in fact have orgasms without making penises turn into ice and her huge orgasm makes the floral wallpaper bloom or some shit.
But the monster has tricked them and it wasn't actually trapped! It reappears and instead of being "Bees or something" it is now the witchhunter man - except rotted. I assume this is this book attempt at being dark, but honestly just makes it seem like a parody of itself. Some shit happens that I just couldn't be bothered with fully understanding. We essentially get a repeat of the trapping of the monster, except Josh and Siena and Essie's mom are involved. It also has something to do with Siena's baby (which she has accidentally named after the witchhunter) but I couldn't for the life of me care, so I don't really remember.
--------
WRITING
It was bad. I'm really, really sorry, but it was. At several times, I had to reread sentences because I simply couldn't understand them (excluding the ye-olde-english-sentences). What editor passed "She fell into the eat and glory of Josh's lovemaking"???
CHARACTERS
I already mentioned Josh and Essie having no personality so I'm not gonna go into that any more. But I had a HUGE issue with how women are depicted in this book. It feels like it wears a facade of empowering women and witches, when really - women are so insanely villainized in this story?
Josh's mom is depicted as selfish for "choosing to be poor" rather than to accept Josh's father's money. Meanwhile, Josh's father is depicted as actually being super proud of him, wanted to take care of him etc...
Josh's ex is depcited as a rich, full blown, psychotic bitch who also s*xually as*aults him.
Josh's sister is depicted as the "dumb blonde", rich airhead who goes and gets pregnant and doesn't know who the father is (nothing wrong with that, but there is a HUGELY judgmental tone in the writing towards Siena for a lot of the book, until it eases up at the end).
Essie's mom is depcited as controlling, rude and unloving of her daughter.
VILLAIN
The "monster" seemingly has no motive. It is the classic, lazy, evil for being evil type of villain which is just cookie-cutter and insanely boring.
PLOT
The plot impresses me in the way that it has SO much going on, while at the same time it feels like nothing happens. This book tries to be funny, but isn't. Tries to be romantic and maybe smutty, but also tries to be some kind of adventure, stop-the-end-of-the-world dark story and it just. Doesn't. Mix. Instead, everything feels undone and entirely unsatisfying. It is such an absolute cringe-fest I had to DRAG myself through the last 150 pages.
-----------
To summarize, the only thing that could have saved this book is if Essie had realized what a useless chunk of a man Josh is and just got together with Siena instead.
The premise was promising, I pictured a cute, funny, and witchy romcom perfect for october. And I can see that this book tries very hard to be just that, but it seems to be also trying to be 10 other things and utterly fails at all of it.
Essie lives in a ever changing house (how cool is that! I love magical houses) with her coven of witches. Great! I want to know more! Nope, that's not allowed. How they get their powers is never explained. Where they come from is somewhat explained, but not really. Why the house is magical? Also never explained. There is a witch who knits the future, or sees the future in what she knits? It's never explained so don't bother. There's also a ghost witch. Yeah. Moving on.
Essie explains early that she is afraid of having close relationships with others because she has hurt someone before with her ice powers. (Elsa -> Essie, ice powers, trauma from hurting others with her power, sound familiar? Alexa, play "Let it Go".) I was decieved into thinking this was some dark, traumatising happening for Essie. Don't worry, it's later revealed that she turned her mom's tit into ice when she was a baby and also her orgasm froze a penis and now she absolutely cannot orgasm "because I can't control myself, Josh".
Anyway. They live in some rural ass town that seemingly consists of 6 cottages and a pub in the middle of nowhere. Josh, an american lawyer, quits his job and moves across the continent to renovate the mouldy cottage he inherited from his father. Josh is very distrustful of women because all the women in his life are written as outright villains, let's unpack that huge issue later. Josh then spends 30 pages or so complaining about having no money, he then meets Essie and he is super horny for her because she has big tiddies! You won't ever forget it because Josh will mention or think about it every other page or so for the rest of the book. Featuring hot quotes like "he struggled to keep his eyes above her collarbone", "he's sure parts of her would jiggle" and "her bosom heaved". When he is not commenting Essie's body, he is commenting her friend Blessing and her "swaying hips" that "ensnare men". Did I mention Blessing's power is making people horny? Yup. Literally, that is her 'witch power'.
Josh and Essie meet and they fall in love over jokes about nuts that are not at all funny and just feel cringe as hell. They fit great because Essie's only character trait is wearing dungarees and Josh's (apart from objectifying women) is wearing jeans. They spend lots of time lusting over each other, yet I feel absolutely zero chemistry between their characters, possibly because they both lack personality.
Early in the story, Essie's three exes show up! This is a huge deal for about 15 pages where they stand outside her house shouting (she "summoned" them with a "potion", or "manifested" them? Idk.) like this is Mamma Mia the movie, but instead of Pierce Brosnan we get Sean and his popsicle penis. Essie accidentally turns them into rats and then turns them back. This doesn't further the plot at all and isn't relevant to it so I am not sure why it's even in the book.
There is also a competetion with nuts which also serves seemingly no purpose. Also an old lady dies, Essie is with her when she dies. When she sits outside crying, Josh arrives and proceeds to whine that the dead old lady should have paid him rent and also was shit at cleaning. Essie finds this insensitive as f*ck and Josh has no idea why Essie storms off, because he is insensitive as f*ck. He then goes home and takes out his frustration on his 9 month pregnant sister.
Ah yes, Josh's pregnant sister. She kind of just pops out of nowhere and renovates the cottage with all her money. She is important because a baby is very crucial to the plot later. Who the father is, why Siena would choose to live in Britain suddenly, is never really explained. This loose string of the story is tied up nicely with "Siena refuses to talk about it". Josh is mad at her because she flaunts her money. Did I mention Josh hates women?
Suddenly, Essie's time traveling mother arrives and also there is a MONSTER. Every year, Essie summons winter. Or so she thought! The ritual was actually stopping a monster! But now the monster is escaping for whatever reason. The monster escapes and it has the form of "bees or something" - yes, actual quote. The "bees or something" chase Josh and Essie (it might be able to possess souls? It is implied but not explained) and they end up falling into a door/painting which has them travelling back in time! 160 pages in by the way. 160 pages into the story, TIME TRAVEL is suddenly introduced. Is it explained? Haha, no.
Anyway. They are now far in the past where people hate witches!! Essie is dressed up in corsets and stuff and Josh tries to have a coherent thought probably, but all he can think about is her "bosom". All the dialogue is written in annoying-as-f*ck old english which makes me cringe out of my mind. Thou art giveth me a f*cking migraine.
Queue several pages where this book tries to mimic Inception or the Quantum Thief and fails utterly. Essie traps the monster (which is a witchhunting man and also, Josh's ancestor. This isn't shocking at all and is in fact, easily guessed within about 50 pages of the book) and they go back to present time. The time travel solves everything, and for 25 pages nothing happens apart from Josh and Essie boinking (yes, that is the actual word used) and they discover Essie can in fact have orgasms without making penises turn into ice and her huge orgasm makes the floral wallpaper bloom or some shit.
But the monster has tricked them and it wasn't actually trapped! It reappears and instead of being "Bees or something" it is now the witchhunter man - except rotted. I assume this is this book attempt at being dark, but honestly just makes it seem like a parody of itself. Some shit happens that I just couldn't be bothered with fully understanding. We essentially get a repeat of the trapping of the monster, except Josh and Siena and Essie's mom are involved. It also has something to do with Siena's baby (which she has accidentally named after the witchhunter) but I couldn't for the life of me care, so I don't really remember.
--------
WRITING
It was bad. I'm really, really sorry, but it was. At several times, I had to reread sentences because I simply couldn't understand them (excluding the ye-olde-english-sentences). What editor passed "She fell into the eat and glory of Josh's lovemaking"???
CHARACTERS
I already mentioned Josh and Essie having no personality so I'm not gonna go into that any more. But I had a HUGE issue with how women are depicted in this book. It feels like it wears a facade of empowering women and witches, when really - women are so insanely villainized in this story?
Josh's mom is depicted as selfish for "choosing to be poor" rather than to accept Josh's father's money. Meanwhile, Josh's father is depicted as actually being super proud of him, wanted to take care of him etc...
Josh's ex is depcited as a rich, full blown, psychotic bitch who also s*xually as*aults him.
Josh's sister is depicted as the "dumb blonde", rich airhead who goes and gets pregnant and doesn't know who the father is (nothing wrong with that, but there is a HUGELY judgmental tone in the writing towards Siena for a lot of the book, until it eases up at the end).
Essie's mom is depcited as controlling, rude and unloving of her daughter.
VILLAIN
The "monster" seemingly has no motive. It is the classic, lazy, evil for being evil type of villain which is just cookie-cutter and insanely boring.
PLOT
The plot impresses me in the way that it has SO much going on, while at the same time it feels like nothing happens. This book tries to be funny, but isn't. Tries to be romantic and maybe smutty, but also tries to be some kind of adventure, stop-the-end-of-the-world dark story and it just. Doesn't. Mix. Instead, everything feels undone and entirely unsatisfying. It is such an absolute cringe-fest I had to DRAG myself through the last 150 pages.
-----------
To summarize, the only thing that could have saved this book is if Essie had realized what a useless chunk of a man Josh is and just got together with Siena instead.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
October 16, 2024➸ DNF at 30%
i just really don't care
i just really don't care
November 18, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ -Audiobook 🎧
Sometimes you go into a book blind, having chosen said book because you love the cover. This is that book. I’ve had lots of “Eras” in my 60 years: Fantasy, true crime, horror, historical romance, smut, and the list goes on. These days I’m in my “Cozy Mystery Era” -I don’t need anything keeping me awake all night, but sometimes it just happens. A book happens. This is also that book. I literally stayed up all night to finish it. Part fantasy, part mystery, you follow Essie as she tries to maneuver through meeting a human who remembers her and other things he shouldn’t. She has visions of bad things to come, but she can’t figure out how the human fits into it. A must read if you love fantasy and witchcraft.
Sometimes you go into a book blind, having chosen said book because you love the cover. This is that book. I’ve had lots of “Eras” in my 60 years: Fantasy, true crime, horror, historical romance, smut, and the list goes on. These days I’m in my “Cozy Mystery Era” -I don’t need anything keeping me awake all night, but sometimes it just happens. A book happens. This is also that book. I literally stayed up all night to finish it. Part fantasy, part mystery, you follow Essie as she tries to maneuver through meeting a human who remembers her and other things he shouldn’t. She has visions of bad things to come, but she can’t figure out how the human fits into it. A must read if you love fantasy and witchcraft.
August 29, 2024
Witchy chic-lit story set in the UK with a magical house that’s home to a coven of witches. It’s also a romance between a witch who brings winter and the descendent of a witch hunter.
I really enjoyed the dreary UK setting and the enchanted house.
The house always had surprises, it reacted to people’s moods, and it would create new rooms whenever they were needed. Like if they needed a hospital room, all the sudden a fully stocked hospital room, bed, and equipment would show up.
However, the story itself started to feel very random and boring. The romance also didn’t do anything for me. It didn’t pull me in or make me feel anything for the characters and their love story.
There was also a theme of sexual consent that kept coming up farther into the story which I felt was very random and unnecessary to the story.
The characters also didn’t feel real. I didn’t connect to any of them.
It was just ok. I personally wouldn’t recommend it to a friend.
I’d recommend The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches or The Honey Witch over this one.
I’m rating this a generous 3 stars because I didn’t *hate* it.
I really enjoyed the dreary UK setting and the enchanted house.
The house always had surprises, it reacted to people’s moods, and it would create new rooms whenever they were needed. Like if they needed a hospital room, all the sudden a fully stocked hospital room, bed, and equipment would show up.
However, the story itself started to feel very random and boring. The romance also didn’t do anything for me. It didn’t pull me in or make me feel anything for the characters and their love story.
There was also a theme of sexual consent that kept coming up farther into the story which I felt was very random and unnecessary to the story.
The characters also didn’t feel real. I didn’t connect to any of them.
It was just ok. I personally wouldn’t recommend it to a friend.
I’d recommend The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches or The Honey Witch over this one.
I’m rating this a generous 3 stars because I didn’t *hate* it.
September 26, 2022
Hex Appeal was a fun, whimsically witchy and entertaining read that serves up cosy, autumnal Encanto meets Hocus Pocus vibes that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Essie Winterscale lives in a huge, ever changing magic house in the village of Good Winter. A house who’s inhabitants are as magical and eccentric as their constantly shifting home.
Every year it’s Essie’s job to bring in the winter, so that the village can have a white Christmas. And though she may not be the strongest of witches, snow is where she thrives. Unfortunately her love life isn’t nearly as uncomplicated—with the house caught up in a perception spell all of Essie boyfriends’s (and everyone in the village) tends to forget Beldam House and it’s inhabitants exist, that is until Josh (the new landlord) moves to town…
After things didn’t work out in his native Seattle, Josh Henderson had relocated to Essex after inheriting a home from his extremely wealthy late father. But things definitely aren’t going to plan. Despite finding out her owns half the village, most of his properties are caught up in tenancy contracts that leave Josh with no income. The only real property of value is Beldam House who owe thousands in back rent. The only problem is no one seems to have heard of it, nor can he find it—until he stumbles into Essie, that is…
This was such an enjoyably quirky read that really brought the cosy & chaotic, Autumn/ spooky season vibes that definitely lived up to my witchy rom-com loving expectations.
I really loved the expansive cast of witchy characters and all the magical mishaps that unfold in the magic mood controlled house they all call home. I really liked resident ghost and former witch Prudence whose random appearances at the most inconvenient times were genuinely entertaining. Blessing and Avery were super fun and I’d love to see more of them both in a sequel.
I loved that the setting was a rural British village and definitely served as a bit of a palate cleanser to all the small town, US based witchy books I’ve been reading lately. The history aspect was really interesting and, given the house’s magic (and Essie’s mum, Lilith’s abilities) I do hope Johnson utilises both in future books.
I absolutely loved the romance between Essie and Josh-their flirty banter was top tier and I loved every scene they shared.
I can’t say much else without spoiling any of the plot but I have to say it was definitely a wildly entertaining experience.
Overall, a witty, magical and utterly compelling rom-com that fans of The Ex Hex or Payback’s A Witch should definitely check out.
And a huge thank you to HarperCollins/One More Chapter and Netgalley for the arc.
Essie Winterscale lives in a huge, ever changing magic house in the village of Good Winter. A house who’s inhabitants are as magical and eccentric as their constantly shifting home.
Every year it’s Essie’s job to bring in the winter, so that the village can have a white Christmas. And though she may not be the strongest of witches, snow is where she thrives. Unfortunately her love life isn’t nearly as uncomplicated—with the house caught up in a perception spell all of Essie boyfriends’s (and everyone in the village) tends to forget Beldam House and it’s inhabitants exist, that is until Josh (the new landlord) moves to town…
After things didn’t work out in his native Seattle, Josh Henderson had relocated to Essex after inheriting a home from his extremely wealthy late father. But things definitely aren’t going to plan. Despite finding out her owns half the village, most of his properties are caught up in tenancy contracts that leave Josh with no income. The only real property of value is Beldam House who owe thousands in back rent. The only problem is no one seems to have heard of it, nor can he find it—until he stumbles into Essie, that is…
This was such an enjoyably quirky read that really brought the cosy & chaotic, Autumn/ spooky season vibes that definitely lived up to my witchy rom-com loving expectations.
I really loved the expansive cast of witchy characters and all the magical mishaps that unfold in the magic mood controlled house they all call home. I really liked resident ghost and former witch Prudence whose random appearances at the most inconvenient times were genuinely entertaining. Blessing and Avery were super fun and I’d love to see more of them both in a sequel.
I loved that the setting was a rural British village and definitely served as a bit of a palate cleanser to all the small town, US based witchy books I’ve been reading lately. The history aspect was really interesting and, given the house’s magic (and Essie’s mum, Lilith’s abilities) I do hope Johnson utilises both in future books.
I absolutely loved the romance between Essie and Josh-their flirty banter was top tier and I loved every scene they shared.
I can’t say much else without spoiling any of the plot but I have to say it was definitely a wildly entertaining experience.
Overall, a witty, magical and utterly compelling rom-com that fans of The Ex Hex or Payback’s A Witch should definitely check out.
And a huge thank you to HarperCollins/One More Chapter and Netgalley for the arc.
October 4, 2022
*3.5 Stars*
When Josh Henderson inherits a crumbling British manor, he expects to roll up his sleeves and begin the daunting task of major renovations. What he isn’t prepared for is the village of Good Winter’s resident coven- particularly the flame-haired Essie who has an icy touch and a preference for dunagarees. Perhaps even more surprising, is that unlike the rest of the villagers, Josh can actually remember the witches and their eccentric, shapeshifting home, ‘Beldam House.’ The chemistry between Essie and Josh is undeniable, but will an ancient evil, ancestral trauma and past relationship baggage snuff out their budding romance?
Hex Appeal is a fun and witchy romp that kept me on my toes. The relationship dynamic between Josh and Essie was heartwarming, unique and oh-so-karmic. I especially appreciated that most of their drama came from the external challenges that they faced, rather than petty and immature manipulations.
Kate Johnson really nailed the whimsical details, rendering Hex Appeal both charming and memorable. I only have a couple minor quibbles. Namely, I would have enjoyed hearing more about the village and its inhabitants. Additionally, the intimate scenes were slightly awkward at times- let’s amp up the magic, baby.
If you’re looking for a sweet and lighthearted meet-cute this spooky season, give Hex Appeal a try. Talk about the perfect pick-me-up palette cleanser between dark and spine-tingling horror novels. Hex Appeal is a fresh and magical rom com with a quirky sense of humor. Craving something festive and uplifting this Halloween? Here’s your winning ticket.
When Josh Henderson inherits a crumbling British manor, he expects to roll up his sleeves and begin the daunting task of major renovations. What he isn’t prepared for is the village of Good Winter’s resident coven- particularly the flame-haired Essie who has an icy touch and a preference for dunagarees. Perhaps even more surprising, is that unlike the rest of the villagers, Josh can actually remember the witches and their eccentric, shapeshifting home, ‘Beldam House.’ The chemistry between Essie and Josh is undeniable, but will an ancient evil, ancestral trauma and past relationship baggage snuff out their budding romance?
Hex Appeal is a fun and witchy romp that kept me on my toes. The relationship dynamic between Josh and Essie was heartwarming, unique and oh-so-karmic. I especially appreciated that most of their drama came from the external challenges that they faced, rather than petty and immature manipulations.
Kate Johnson really nailed the whimsical details, rendering Hex Appeal both charming and memorable. I only have a couple minor quibbles. Namely, I would have enjoyed hearing more about the village and its inhabitants. Additionally, the intimate scenes were slightly awkward at times- let’s amp up the magic, baby.
If you’re looking for a sweet and lighthearted meet-cute this spooky season, give Hex Appeal a try. Talk about the perfect pick-me-up palette cleanser between dark and spine-tingling horror novels. Hex Appeal is a fresh and magical rom com with a quirky sense of humor. Craving something festive and uplifting this Halloween? Here’s your winning ticket.
April 5, 2023
”I’m the winter witch. I control ice. And what’s the opposite of ice?”
“I don’t think that’s how physics works,” Josh began.
“It’s how magic works.”
Hex Appeal was such an unexpected find. I saw it in The Works while I was browsing, loved the look of the cover and the fact that it was about a bunch of witches living in a small English village hooked me. So, I bought it. And I was pleasantly surprised to find I really enjoyed reading it.
I don’t know what it is about 2023 but if I see a witchy romance, I WILL read it. Maybe I’m in my witchy era, who knows. But, I’m glad I felt compelled to pick this one up. After the complete disaster that was Secretly Yours, I really needed a good book to set me back on track. And I think Hex Appeal worked.
It was a fun, whimsical and rather magical story that gave me major autumn vibes. It’s described as Hocus Pocus meets Encanto - and I have to agree. It was so cosy and warm. It was eccentric and crazy at times, wonderfully wacky and very witchy. I just really loved it and I really liked the characters, especially Essie and Josh. This wasn’t a perfect book - some of the other witches weren’t as developed and the time-travel bit felt a little rushed. But other than a few things, I really liked this book.
“I don’t think that’s how physics works,” Josh began.
“It’s how magic works.”
Hex Appeal was such an unexpected find. I saw it in The Works while I was browsing, loved the look of the cover and the fact that it was about a bunch of witches living in a small English village hooked me. So, I bought it. And I was pleasantly surprised to find I really enjoyed reading it.
I don’t know what it is about 2023 but if I see a witchy romance, I WILL read it. Maybe I’m in my witchy era, who knows. But, I’m glad I felt compelled to pick this one up. After the complete disaster that was Secretly Yours, I really needed a good book to set me back on track. And I think Hex Appeal worked.
It was a fun, whimsical and rather magical story that gave me major autumn vibes. It’s described as Hocus Pocus meets Encanto - and I have to agree. It was so cosy and warm. It was eccentric and crazy at times, wonderfully wacky and very witchy. I just really loved it and I really liked the characters, especially Essie and Josh. This wasn’t a perfect book - some of the other witches weren’t as developed and the time-travel bit felt a little rushed. But other than a few things, I really liked this book.
August 17, 2023
So I may or may not have read one chapter of this book, and then put it down for 3 months. I usually read books within a week and refuse to DNF, so this book has been haunting my peace of mind. That being said, even if I went into reading this totally unbiased, I still don't think I would have loved it. To put it bluntly, this book had moments of potential, but its structure was such a mess. The tone, characters' personalities, plot, magic system, and settings' descriptions were changing so frequently that this book had no cohesion. It made it hard to grasp onto anything while reading it. I kind of feel like the author had one good idea, but didn't know how to draw it out over the course of the book, so she kept adding in new plot lines to keep it going. While I liked some of these plot lines, my overall reading experience of this book was chaotic and unenjoyable.
October 2, 2025
Reading this felt like trying to get home after a night out at the bars with friends. I got to where I was trying to go, but it took a lot longer than it needed to and I don’t remember a lot (had a good time tho!)
It was fun with cute jokes and adventurous aspects. However, I did feel like I was in purgatory trying to finish it.
Was good for the season - little British countryside town, months of September/October, witches and magical homes, some time travel, lively pub, etc. - all the comforts of a cozy read 🎃
However, If I knew it specifically mentioned the devil in the first 50 pages, I never would’ve started it. Satan can stay out of my (Halloween) hallmarks. K, bye.
It was fun with cute jokes and adventurous aspects. However, I did feel like I was in purgatory trying to finish it.
Was good for the season - little British countryside town, months of September/October, witches and magical homes, some time travel, lively pub, etc. - all the comforts of a cozy read 🎃
However, If I knew it specifically mentioned the devil in the first 50 pages, I never would’ve started it. Satan can stay out of my (Halloween) hallmarks. K, bye.
October 8, 2022
I will this book to turn into a series and to the author to write more books about the fierce and charming witches of Good Winter I will.
Promise me, promise me, promise me (if you know, you know) to have at least a sequel to Hex Appeal. I was NOT ready to leave this witchery wonderful world. Hex Appeal was action packed, contained a great romance (Essie and Josh’ initial flirting was A+), a coven of compelling characters, and an interesting magical system built into our boring, common world. That being said, I would have LOVED to drench myself in this world and wouldn’t have minded to be info dumped just a tad more. There were so many fun things going on (a cat and a dog fencing! Sultry plants! Time travelling! Crazy parrots!) and I really wanted more time to enjoy all these imaginative details the author created. While reading Hex Appeal I just couldn’t stop thinking this book could have easily been chopped up into three books and be like sevenhundred pages per book - and I would still have liked it.
The author’s note at the end upped my appreciation for Hex Appeal even more.
4.5 stars. I really liked it!
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for sharing an digital ARC with me in exchange for an honest review.
Promise me, promise me, promise me (if you know, you know) to have at least a sequel to Hex Appeal. I was NOT ready to leave this witchery wonderful world. Hex Appeal was action packed, contained a great romance (Essie and Josh’ initial flirting was A+), a coven of compelling characters, and an interesting magical system built into our boring, common world. That being said, I would have LOVED to drench myself in this world and wouldn’t have minded to be info dumped just a tad more. There were so many fun things going on (a cat and a dog fencing! Sultry plants! Time travelling! Crazy parrots!) and I really wanted more time to enjoy all these imaginative details the author created. While reading Hex Appeal I just couldn’t stop thinking this book could have easily been chopped up into three books and be like sevenhundred pages per book - and I would still have liked it.
The author’s note at the end upped my appreciation for Hex Appeal even more.
4.5 stars. I really liked it!
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for sharing an digital ARC with me in exchange for an honest review.
October 9, 2022
I love a good witchy romance and with the gorgeous cover, I couldn’t not request this book.
Essie is a witch living in Essex in a place called Beldam House, a magical disappearing house that everyone forgets about. Enter Josh, an American who has recently inherited property in Essex and is now the landlord of Beldam… if only he could locate it. Throw in a centuries old supernatural threat, time travel, and a quirky coven of witches and this book was a fun time.
While I enjoyed this book, I found myself more invested in the supernatural conflict than the romance between Essie and Josh. This book was heavy on the magical/fantasy elements and less on the romance which I was not expecting. Had the relationship between the couple been more fleshed out and not so back and forth (keep in mind the book takes place over a few weeks), I probably would’ve been more invested.
Overall, this was an interesting, spooky, and fast-paced read but the romance itself missed the mark for me.
Thank you to Netgalley and One More Chapter for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
3 stars
Essie is a witch living in Essex in a place called Beldam House, a magical disappearing house that everyone forgets about. Enter Josh, an American who has recently inherited property in Essex and is now the landlord of Beldam… if only he could locate it. Throw in a centuries old supernatural threat, time travel, and a quirky coven of witches and this book was a fun time.
While I enjoyed this book, I found myself more invested in the supernatural conflict than the romance between Essie and Josh. This book was heavy on the magical/fantasy elements and less on the romance which I was not expecting. Had the relationship between the couple been more fleshed out and not so back and forth (keep in mind the book takes place over a few weeks), I probably would’ve been more invested.
Overall, this was an interesting, spooky, and fast-paced read but the romance itself missed the mark for me.
Thank you to Netgalley and One More Chapter for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
3 stars
May 13, 2023
DNF at 50%
Was it me or is this book just plain and simple boring? It was nice enough to start off with but nothing really happens and I am left wondering where the romance is. I've found a few of the quips mildly funny but wouldn't go so far as to call this a rom-com. In fact, I don't think it really knows what it is. Is it magical realism with a monster to defeat or is it a romance between two mismatched characters?
Certain aspects were overstated - oh my word, was Josh from Seattle I'm sure it wasn't mentioned at least once every chapter **inserts a heavy dose of sarcasm**.
As others have said it was mildly fat phobic too. All I've picked up so far is that Josh is a rather wimp who appears scared of life and Essie is moody and entitled and has all the maturity of a teenager.
Was it me or is this book just plain and simple boring? It was nice enough to start off with but nothing really happens and I am left wondering where the romance is. I've found a few of the quips mildly funny but wouldn't go so far as to call this a rom-com. In fact, I don't think it really knows what it is. Is it magical realism with a monster to defeat or is it a romance between two mismatched characters?
Certain aspects were overstated - oh my word, was Josh from Seattle I'm sure it wasn't mentioned at least once every chapter **inserts a heavy dose of sarcasm**.
As others have said it was mildly fat phobic too. All I've picked up so far is that Josh is a rather wimp who appears scared of life and Essie is moody and entitled and has all the maturity of a teenager.
October 6, 2022
I went into this thinking it was going to be a fun, witty, witchy read. I was not disappointed in that aspect. It read as a fun witchy book which is perfect for spooky month! I enjoyed the plot, and the characters, but I needed the characters to be more fleshed out. I do also think a lot was happening, I think it would have been/be great as a series. I don't think it would have been so crammed full.
If you're just looking for a light witchy read, then this is the book for you!
Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
If you're just looking for a light witchy read, then this is the book for you!
Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 10, 2023
I enjoyed the premise of this, and a lot of the side characters were highly entertaining.
This just moved a bit slow for my taste, very long winded.
Essie & Josh develop a relationship, both too fast and extremely slowly.
I don't know how else to describe it.
The mystery surrounds the town and the magic bits are all very cool.
Thanks to NetGalley & HarperCollins UK for my ARC.
This just moved a bit slow for my taste, very long winded.
Essie & Josh develop a relationship, both too fast and extremely slowly.
I don't know how else to describe it.
The mystery surrounds the town and the magic bits are all very cool.
Thanks to NetGalley & HarperCollins UK for my ARC.
March 3, 2024
Wasn't a huge fan of Essie in the beginning of the story, but things became better and I was able to enjoy it.
Nice read for this weekend.
Nice read for this weekend.
September 21, 2022
This was my first book by Kate Johnson and there were things I liked, and things I disliked.
The premise of the book was sound, but there were too many elements conflicting with each other. The shape-shifting house, the witches themselves and the ordinary people in the village.. I found it confusing and rushed.
The writing style jumped from chapter to chapter almost as if different people contributed parts of the story.
There were comedic moments but they were thin and far apart in the book.
I can't see this as a rom-com as both parts were lacking.
The mmc felt very fat-phobic at times, which was an immediate no no for me.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
The premise of the book was sound, but there were too many elements conflicting with each other. The shape-shifting house, the witches themselves and the ordinary people in the village.. I found it confusing and rushed.
The writing style jumped from chapter to chapter almost as if different people contributed parts of the story.
There were comedic moments but they were thin and far apart in the book.
I can't see this as a rom-com as both parts were lacking.
The mmc felt very fat-phobic at times, which was an immediate no no for me.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
September 19, 2022
DNFing @ 32%. Now, it may just be me, but holy crap I cannot get into this book. I gave it a good go -- I got to 30%, and at this point I should really care about at least one of the characters, but nope. I don't care at all. About ANY of it. The world seems like it has potential, but again, there's just nothing grabbing hold of me. It seems like there should be a romance somewhere in here, but what we've gotten so far doesn't really pique my interest at all. I think it might be how this is written, but who knows. I'm just not interested, and life's too short to keep reading something that just isn't doing it for me. Moving onwards.
October 11, 2023
DNF’d at about 15 pages because it became apparent that the love interest was not only a landlord but was annoyed that his tenants had been paying minimal rent instead of the £1500/mo he was due…like sir you’ve just inherited a house and now you’re annoyed the tenants don’t pay you enough??!! what a not fun premise for what is meant to be a fun fluffy read????!!!
October 18, 2022
I can't even explain how much I absolutely LOVED this witchy book by a new to me author!!! Hex Appeal is full of found family, magic, menace, a delightfully cast of quirky characters and is the most perfect #SpookySeason read of the year!
I was pulled in by the wonderfully purple cover but Kate Johnson's writing had me caring about these characters so deeply! Josh and Essie are flawed but still optimistic about love and life even though they've been through some traumatic experiences. I loved them together and was fighting for them to get their HEA right to the very end.
HIGHLY recommended for fans of Practical magic, The ex hex or The fix-it witches series. Bonus content for me was the author's note at the end with a brief history of witchcraft and the witch trials in Europe/North America.
I really can't gush about this book enough especially if you're looking for your next totally engaging, big-hearted, swoony Witchy romance (with some touches of Encanto and a magical house thrown in)! Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!! Available now on KU and audio (paperback coming in January).
I was pulled in by the wonderfully purple cover but Kate Johnson's writing had me caring about these characters so deeply! Josh and Essie are flawed but still optimistic about love and life even though they've been through some traumatic experiences. I loved them together and was fighting for them to get their HEA right to the very end.
HIGHLY recommended for fans of Practical magic, The ex hex or The fix-it witches series. Bonus content for me was the author's note at the end with a brief history of witchcraft and the witch trials in Europe/North America.
I really can't gush about this book enough especially if you're looking for your next totally engaging, big-hearted, swoony Witchy romance (with some touches of Encanto and a magical house thrown in)! Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!! Available now on KU and audio (paperback coming in January).
October 16, 2024
i am utterly confused.
October 19, 2023
While this started out as a fun, witchy rom-com about a coven of witches in Essex and the hapless American who becomes their landlord, the story kind of looses itself 2/3rds of the way through as a time travel element is introduced. It just tries to tackle way too much, and introduces too many topics including some quite heavy themes around consent. It's as though the author didn't really know what direction they wanted the story to go in, so just added a bit of everything. It's also way too long for a romance, and easily could have been cut down by about 100 pages, as the pacing is all over the place.
There's a lot of potential, and a lot of story, and I did enjoy reading this. However I feel it should have stuck to being a lighhearted rom com and I probably would have enjoyed this more.
There's a lot of potential, and a lot of story, and I did enjoy reading this. However I feel it should have stuck to being a lighhearted rom com and I probably would have enjoyed this more.
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