This was a fun romantic-fantasy story. It felt a bit like several stories smushed together but I enjoyed it as an easy, fun read.

I love a witchy Halloween romance, and I desperately wanted to love this book! Johnson's writing is quirky and engaging; I loved the setting (the house felt like a character in and of itself!) and Essie's "found family" was the highlight of the story. Unfortunately, I found the plot a little scattered (e.g. witch hunters, time travel, monsters and demons) and I wasn't totally sold on the romance between Josh and Essie. That being said, I really loved Johnson's voice and colorful imagination, and I'd happily try another book written by her!

this was such a fun little read!! i'm so thankful to netgalley for letting me read this one early!! if you like sweet and cute characters, then pick this one up!!

Thank you to NetGalley and One More Chapter for the arc of this book, in exchange for my review.

This one took a while to get going for me. Slow to start, it picked up in the middle, but never really hit full steam for me.

The characters were developed enough, but the story line felt like it jumped around and was confusing at times.

The history of the town and the evil that needed to be tamed year after year, had a lot of potential, but it never hit full stride. Same with the love story. The characters had chemistry but the romance was just ok in my opinion.

I could definitely see this as a series, and I think it may appeal more to people who like cozy mysteries, fun and quick Halloween reads, or less steamy romance books.

This book was so cute! The spooky weather and the creepy but cute setting. Omg! I loved the romance and all of the characters so much! I like this authors ability to pull me in and her writing style.

I understand and partake in the hype around last year's big success The Ex Hex, and for once I'm excited about the hexy romance follow-up publications that try to emulate the fun I had reading it. Yet Hex Appeal, I believe, is on a whole different level when it comes to setting, magic system, and the patchwork witch coven! The vibes we start out with are absolutely impeccable, the writing (big smack chef's kiss).

And the jokes were magnificent???

So when an ordinary landlord from overseas shows up to shake up this cozy environment and his magically-gifted tenants' lives, things should have advanced to a five-star rating simply due to the love story building up. Unfortunately, the romance pacing fell a bit short - the spiciness too. With one of the emotional conflicts taking place much too soon, the second one far too late in the story's progress, the plot's structure ended up a bit... wonky, crafting-wise.

In the end, that must be due to the author's first time dabbling in this particular subgenre, with potential for improvement. There seem to be some openings for an extension to this story, too. Hex Appeal could be your British answer to this new wave of paranormal romance from the States after all, if you like you your romance light.

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 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…

‘Funny, smart and sassy…No one creates such brilliant worlds quite like Kate does’ Julie Caplin
This was such a cute book. I devoured it and it left me wanting a series
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own

Hex Appeal by Katie Johnson was very unique and funny. I enjoyed all of the description that was given to us in the book. I could picture each room perfectly and It just made me smile. I love this time of the year and anything having to do with magic. The only thing I didn’t really care for was the relationship between the two main characters. It felt a little forced and thrown together. But besides that, I enjoyed my time while reading through this book.

Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins UK, One More chapter for the early arc!

Kate Johnson starts out this blurb with "it's just a bunch of hocus pocus" and I was immediately ready to read this one.

While I do have some good feelings about it, I still felt this book hit more middle of the road for me. I didn't hate it, but didn't love it like I wanted to.

I loved Essie. I think she was a vibrant character, she had some growth in the book, but definitely could see her continuing to grow beyond the pages of the book and that makes me happy to feel like her story is still going. I think she had very interesting powers, and even though she thought her powers were limited we learned with her that she is so much more than what she thought. She was always taking charge, being the strong one, but also vulnerable which I love to see in a character.

Josh I almost hate to not like. He is a little more mysterious as we aren't sure why he lands in Essex and what happened with his past. As we slowly get to that part, he goes through things that are not unique, but not usually discussed in romance books so I did like seeing the representation for that he delivered. I just didn't really connect with his in general characteristics though and didn't' understand how Essie did either. I think I actually enjoyed his sister more than him and she was a minor side character.

The magic system was very interesting as well, I do think there were a lot left unanswered though about it. I think there are potentials for more books so you could always find out more if that is the case.

I found this to be a really disappointing and boring book.
A real shame as it's everything that I usually love, witches and whatnot but this just dragged and it took me ages to finish it as I would find myself doing almost anything other than reading it.

I'm not sure what to think about this book - this wasn't exactly what I expected.
I don't usually read romance so the pacing was weird to me.
The beginning was good, with interesting relations between characters, fun witches and I just loved Beldam manor. The tone was light, the adventure part was minor, and so the book felt like it dragged a little in the middle as the romance took over. The main characters also started becoming a little annoying.
This is really a question of what genre you like to read, this is for romance readers who like to pepper it with a little magic and thrill. I really prefer it the other way around.

I was really interested to read this book after the good reviews on it but I have to say I lost interest 50% of the way in. I think Josh was the only thing keeping me reading as his story arc was really interesting but he is way too into Essie for someone he's met for the first time that I just started to not care. I didn't feel the chemistry between the two main characters and therefore did not care about their romance. Essie was a strange character but I can't put my finger on why I just didn't like her. Maybe it was the writing style as it felt clunky. I think the main thing that confused me the most is if you have lived in a house for hundreds of years how does no one know whether you pay rent or own the house. Also Essie's attitude towards Josh for wanting the rent is ridiculous like you can't just live in a house for free that you don't own and also couldn't they just magic up money? I don't know I had really high hopes for this book especially with spooky season but it didn't feel very witchy to me.

Genre/ Trope: Mystery, Low fantasy, witchcraft, thriller, romance
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️4/5
Steam:🔥🔥🔥3/5


Blurb:

Essie Winterscale is one of several witches rooming in an enchanted home with a mind of its own. Frowning upon her freezing powers, Essie spends her days longing for a normal Essex life. New to town, with a bit of a chip on his shoulder, Josh Henderson has just inherited a few properties, Essie’s witchy Beldam House being one of them. Essie is drawn to him, Josh can’t seem to stay away, and there are a few family secrets that, after many years, will finally be revealed.

🕯This book was a bit slow to start. Jam packed with details, I found myself getting distracted and not able to commit to the story. As twisty turny as the plot was, I became invested in their journey.

Essie and Josh are both cynical characters, which led me to not initially be enthusiastic about their story. Once they started developing their storylines, I was sold on their love story.

The plot is a whirlwind of events and elaborate witchery. Although a little confusing at times, it definitely will keep the reader on their toes.

Hex Appeal is a magic filled light hearted romance with some comedy, mystery, and adventure that can be enjoyed any time of the year.

I really wanted to love this book and it was well written (which is why it earned the 3 stars from me) but it the story and characters fell a tiny bit flat for me. I loved the concept of it, but I just couldn't quite connect to the characters and get myself really invested in their stories. I would love to see what else Kate Johnson comes up with in the future, but Hex Appeal just really didn't do much for me.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!

DNF at 41%

This had a lot of potential with some of my favorite tropes--small town with quirky characters, sentient house, outsider moving in, etc. My issue is that it was all surface-level. The characters were one-dimensional, and not a single one was particularly compelling. I'm also 40% into the book and there still is no real movement in the plot, so it's hard to feel motivated to keep going. I'm echoing some of the other reviews here--this isn't a bad book, it's just also not good.

4.5
Charming quirky characters, the magical house added to this stories whimsy! Adored it, moved at a great pace and surprised me!

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

‘Move to England,’ he muttered. ‘It’ll be like Miss Marple before all the murders. They don’t tell you… about the damp, and the birds in the roof. .. This village was weird. All of England was weird.”

My thanks to HarperCollins U.K. One More Chapter for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Hex Appeal’ by Kate Johnson.

This witchy romance was a great deal of fun.

Josh Henderson moves to Britain from the USA after he inherits an estate in the picturesque Essex village of Good Winter. His inheritance includes a ramshackle house that will require a great deal of renovation and a number of tenanted properties that should provide him with rental income. The key word is ‘should’. Those that are habitable have peppercorn rents fixed in perpetuity. For one property, Beldam House, it appears that no rent has been paid since 1746! Josh is determined to take his landlord duties seriously and sort this out.

Essie Winterscale only ever wanted a normal life but she is unable to suppress her witchiness and is drawn back to the ever-changing Beldam House. She now lives there with a coven of other witches of various ages.

Then Josh turns up on their doorstep and while Essie is determined to keep him at broomstick’s length, things don’t go as planned. No further details to avoid spoilers.

I found this an engaging tale that balanced a lovely romance with fantasy, humour, and some chilling bits. Most of all it was clear that while there are fantastical elements in the tale, Kate Johnson had researched the history and practices of magic and witchcraft and more importantly is aware of how it actually works. Her Author’s Note on the burning of witches, poppets, and witch finders was very informative.

While I don’t mind silly witchy stories, I am always impressed when an author does understand the nature of the Craft and conveys it through their writing. It elevates the storytelling for me to have that foundation.

I definitely will be reading more of her writings following this positive experience.

Lord I wanted to love this witchy story but I was so bored out of my mind. The characters were super immature and I just couldn't connect with anyone at all. DNF 20%

Essie Winterscale is a witch living in an enchanted house that people find when they need it but they never remember it afterwards. Until Josh Henderson comes to town that is. He CAN remember the house and the witches that reside there - which throws a wrench in things being normal. When the winter ritual is done too early and a monster set loose Essie and Josh work together to find and bind it. But will the magic stop working and Josh forget everything, including his love he’s developed for Essie?

4.5

I enjoyed this one and it was cozy and sweet. The magic was interesting and seeing how Britain handled witchcraft in the olden days and contemporarily was cool!