Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4

While this book has a really fun and refreshing concept, with lots of funny and interesting moments, it fell a little flat for me. At times the plot felt strangely disjointed and was leaping around from thing to thing. Within the first 20% of the book there was a really stupid miscommunication trope between the FMC and MMC which had me actually rolling my eyes. It was so shoehorned in and completely ridiculous. The writing was... a little try-hard at times too, some things felt forced.

Overall it's a cool concept. Loved how magic was described and how it manifested. Beldam House itself was chaotic and the way it was spoken off in the prose reflected this. The cast of characters were interesting and relatable (in some ways). But the execution fell short many times for me. I remained unconvinced of the love story for most of the book.

Dnf @ 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 was a quick witchy book...a little bit of history, romance and humor. I enjoyed reading this and it's break from reality!
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

Hex Appeal was action packed and so fun to read. The characters all brought something different to the story and were easy to fall in love with. When it seemed like the story had come to a conclusion, another problem emerged that kept the plot moving along. I read this in one day!

This book had me rolling on the floor with laughter, smiling until my cheeks hurt, and blushing like a tomato. Kate does an amazing job creating a spooky setting, giving me the best Hocus Pocus vibes. It contained so many great moments, that I was dreading the end because I just didn't want to leave this new world within Hex Appeal. Their romance was beyond hilarious and so intoxicating, and the characters themselves were written so well as a reader I couldn't help but love and cheer them on the entire time.

For spooky season, this has easily topped my must reads of this year. It was action packed, drama filled, romantic, and just a feel good read by the end of it. There's magic, badass female heroes, and so many spooky vibes that I couldn't contain my giddiness as I was reading it. This is a book I couldn't get enough of and honestly need more of!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK/ One More Chapter for this ARC!

𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬
Oh what I’d give to live in the little village of Good Winter!

This story was so charming and I loved the close-knit coven that resides there. Essie was a fantastic FMC and bless her, she could never catch a break! No thanks to the new resident in town, Josh, who somehow keeps remembering her when she’d very much rather be forgotten, thank you…

I hope to see this turned into a series. The magic system and character depth we were given for the whole main cast (not just Josh and Essie) was fantastic and appreciated. I’d love to learn more about the peculiar magical folk that reside in Beldam House… as well as the house itself!

This was so much more than a surface level, quick romance. The storyline of rampant dark forces on the loose came first, which I appreciated. It didn’t diminish the romance and the progression of the story was natural rather than cut short for the sake of tropes or easy reading. Essie fights for what she wants and for those she loves. Seeing her growth over the course of the story was so sweet. I also enjoyed that this was a dual POV (Josh and Essie)- made the story well rounded and easy to follow!

I personally really enjoy books, movies, and shows based in the UK, so I was familiar with a lot of the terminology and phrases. However, if you aren’t accustomed to UK media or books written by British authors, know that there might be some struggle adapting to the differences. But I hope that doesn’t stop you from giving this a go- it was really great!

𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 stars!

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollinsUK/One More Chapter for sharing this arc with me in exchange for an honest review!

Thanks to Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter and Netgalley for providing me with a eARC of this book to read and review.

Essie Winterscale is a witch, who lives in the Villiage of Goodwinter in Essex. She lives with several other witches in a Beldam house that is constantly changing to meet the needs of the occupants. Things get interesting when she gets a new landlord. Josh is a handsome American who has inherited several run down houses in Goodwinter.

I found that this book was a cute fun read. Essie and Josh have chemistry. Their interactions have lots of humor and sparks fly. The plot and the other characters were also entertaining and original. It kept me interested, although the plot did tend to meander at times.

Overall, a fun rom com especially well suited for fall time.

This was an amazing and fun ride! The description states that it’s ‘Encanto’ meets ‘Hocus Pocus’ and that is the most accurate description of this book! It was so fun to read and had me laughing out loud at so many different points. The characters were extremely well-written and once I started the book, I had a hard time putting it down. The story just sucked me in and before I knew it, it was over. But it’s the perfect book to read again and again, especially during the fall and Halloween time!

Essie is a young witch with the power to freeze things. But she feels different and out of place from those around her. Even those who have powers like she does. Essie lives in a house with other witches, each with their own special power. Essie just doesn’t feel that hers is as useful as theirs. I do think the other witches have some pretty cool powers. But I think Essie’s power is pretty cool too. I mean, who wouldn’t love being able to instantly chill their wine?!

Josh is a lawyer who has just inherited a mansion that has a mountain of debt. Debt he is determined to take care of by going to the tenants. The only problem? The house is where Essie and the other witches live. And everyone who goes there forgets it exists when they leave and are unable to give directions to where it is. Or that’s the way it’s supposed to go. But somehow, Josh is not only able to find the house, but he’s able to remember it after he leaves too!

In case you haven’t guessed yet, Josh and Essie are meant to be. And the way they came together and their relationship developed was magical. Pun intended! There was so much witty humor and the bond between them grew so naturally. But things aren’t all good as the lives of Essie and the other witches are put in jeopardy by an other worldly monster. So it’s up to Josh and Essie to save the witches and the world!

I am desperately hoping there are going to be more books after this one with all of the same characters. Or at least a sequel to this one. Because I will be all over that! One book was just not enough time with Essie and Josh.

*I'd like to say thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for this ARC in exchange for an honest review*

I had a hard time with this book because there were so many things I liked about the story but couldn't wrap my mind around. It took me a little bit to get into the story because it seemed like the narration wasn't focused on one setting. I loved learning about Essie and her coven of witches in Essex, and I think once she met Josh, the story started to pick up. There were many parts in the story where I felt like the novel could have ended and another story could have began. I think that was because the pacing was off more in the middle of the story.

The more I read, the more I liked the story and the characters. I felt like there could have been more cohesion and not have a lull in the initial story. I really liked Essie and Josh together, but their first meeting or interaction isn't one I will remember after reading more stories. Their relationship grew, and I really enjoyed that. If this becomes a series, I don't know how Johnson will make another Big Baddie like in this novel, but I would also happily settle for sweet novellas of the characters.

*I received a free ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review*

I love a good witchy story and this one definitely delivered! It was funny and sweet and just the right amount of angst between Essie and Josh. I was so glad to see Essie find someone who really liked her and accepted her. Although there are tons of bumps in the road it is always clear that Josh is her person and it will somehow all work out. Essie's fellow witches/housemates add just the right amount of comic relief. I also really liked seeing how Josh and Sienna's relationship grew and changed throughout the story - Sienna might come on strong, but her heart is always in the right place. The "big-bad" storyline adds a little excitement and gets Josh more involved with the witch-side of things. I liked that Essie's mother is a complicated character - there is no doubt that she loves Essie but she's also selfish and meddles in very unhelpful ways. I know this ends with a pretty good wrap-up but I would love to see another book with these characters - maybe with Sienna finding love?

Hex Appeal is a definite read for Halloween, It’s a cute, spooky rom-com. I enjoyed Kate’s writing style and how well she portrayed each character. As much as I enjoyed Essie and Josh's romance, I would love for this to continue into a series which follows the side characters.

Overall this is the perfect witchy romance book for October.

Thank you to both, Net galley & Kate Johnson for sending me an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I absolutely loved it! I am so hoping she has more books out or in the pipeline, because I need more of this humour and craziness in my life! Essie’s coven are eccentric in the best way and their antics made me laugh so much. Josh and Essie’s flirting makes for some wonderful dialogue and they are clearly made for each other. I read the whole book in one go and didn’t want to leave the author’s imaginative and crazy world.

I struggled to get into this book and had a hard time following it due to the writing style. I also did not appreciate the fat-phobic comments.

3.75⭐
Thanks to netgalley for an ARC to read and review. I loved getting to know Essie and Josh and found the character development to be very well done. Even minor characters were clear and complete, I would love to see a sequel with more about Siena and more on Avery!
When Josh's father passed away, he leaves him a house in England. Josh is running from a bad breakup and decides it's the perfect time to check out his newly acquired property, and the tiny town it's in.
Essie has been living in Essex her entire life, and is a witch. She brings the winter each year and sees and dreams things that she doesn't ever understand until after they have happened. When Josh goes in search of one of his rental properties that hasn't paid rent in hundreds of years, Essie and Josh meet. What is really going on at Beldam house and why hasn't anyone ever found it?
My main reason for giving the book only 3.75⭐ is that there is so much going on. The beginning of the book introduces a lot of concepts, people, and groundwork for the book. It took me a little bit to fully commit and grasp all the things going on. By the middle of the book, I was hooked and literally couldn't put it down, but I wished the whole book had that feeling!
Overall, Hex Appeal is the perfect book for Fall or anyone that loves witchy reads.

This was a really cute witchy romance and the perfect Autumn read, I loved the character of Essie and was rooting for her.

I did find the writing style slightly chaotic at times, especially with the cast of characters, I got a little lost sometimes but did overall enjoy the story.

Thank you to HarperCollins and Net Galley for the ARC.

CW/TW: Fantasy violence, talk of sexual assault, pregnancy, sex

REVIEW: I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Hex Appeal is the story of Essie, an English Witch, and Josh, an American lawyer who has just moved to a small town in England. As sparks grow between them, the supernatural world begins to explode into chaos and together they must find a way to save the world.

This was a cute book. I enjoyed it. I loved the story. I loved the magic and the tongue-in-cheek humor of it. The only thing that really didn’t work for me was the romance. I just never bought that the characters had any chemistry. I really kind of read the book assuming they were really just friends, because that was how it felt to me. Other than that, this book was a pleasure to read, and a lot of fun!

Lovers of Hocus Pocus unite for this charming book!

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 having been burned at the stake in 1635, 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…

I truly enjoyed the utterly perfect English wit and banter within this story! It was easily devoured in a matter of days for me, which is a feat in the busyness of the week I just had. Despite the fast-paced story and giggles that happened on a few pages, I couldn’t help but find Hex Appeal lacking in some ways. Maybe it was frustration from the way Josh, who really just hung on for dear life most of the book, behaved that made him a weak character or how the story’s flow was action-filled, but more chaotic than anything. I truly hope that Kate Johnson does take readers back on a journey to Bedlam House in Good Winter so we can reunite with some of my favorite characters, like Siena and Blessing!

This read hasn’t been my favorite Fall Recommendation this year, but it definitely was an enjoyable one that has me excited for Spooky Season!

A huge thank you to NetGalley and One More Chapter for your generosity and for giving me a copy of this amazing eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.⭐️ ( 3.5 Stars)
It was a great book, but there were some things that need improvement! I could see this easily becoming a series with the loveable cast of characters in Good Winter, Essex!

Maturity Rating:
Adult
Trigger Warning:
Sexual Content, Language, Assault, Occult Themes

ASIN B09YN9YJ94

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3 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Cute story, but for some reason, I struggled to really get into it. I didn't care for the author’s writing style, and, at least at the beginning, I found it chaotic and hard to follow.

I enjoyed learning about Essie, but mostly I liked learning about the witches in her Coven. Oh, and also the house too! Again though, sometimes I felt the story chaotic and hard to follow.

The romance wasn’t quite there for me either. This was a book I struggled to get through. I just didn’t care about the main characters enough.

Thank you NetGalley for for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Very cute witchy romance! When Josh inherits a property and realizes rent hasn’t been paid in almost 300 years he sets out to find out why, and stumbles upon a coven of extremely eclectic witches.

This book was so funny! I laughed out loud a couple of times while reading! It was also just a very cozy book. I enjoyed that there was a solid plot outside of just the romance. Perfect read for the season!

Picture a world where witches are a thing, and a few of them live in the depths of Essex in a house with a mind of its own. Their life and rituals are undisturbed until a chain of events brings a new landlord to their door, and that sets off another chain of events that means upheaval and mayhem. Oh, and quite a lot of extreme weather.

This is so much fun. A fast-moving plot, sharp humour, and a gloriously diverse cast of characters all combine to create something compulsively readable. Essie is so sure of herself in every aspect of her life save one, and her connection with Josh is instant; I really enjoyed seeing it develop from both their points of view. The book falls into the 'couldn't put it down' category for me, and I highly recommend it.