This cozy mystery was a surprise in a good way. The blend of paranormal activities and a race to figure out who the killer is made for a fun ride. I like Alex developing a relationship with her relatives in Bellamy Bay, learning about her history, and learning new skills. The author had me interested the entire time to figure out who did it, and kept my interested in the chemistry between Alex and Dylan. I so want to see where that relationship leads! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to the next.

A SPELL FOR TROUBLE kicks off the new Enchanted Bay Mystery series featuring former risk assessor, Alex Daniels. After some trouble at her New York office, Alex accepts an offer to visit her Bellamy Bay relatives whom she hasn't seen in many years. There is much she didn't know about her long lost aunt and cousins and their enchanted apothecary shop, and all the family secrets start bubbling to the top when Aunt Lidia is arrested for murder.

I have mixed feelings about this book. The good: I loved the charming setting of Bellamy Bay and the Polish folklore that was woven into Alex's family history. The world-building set a solid foundation for the series going forward. What I struggled with: Alex did some silly things that put the case and herself in jeopardy, especially since she has a career in risk management. I also thought the mystery itself wasn't that interesting once the "whys" starting being revealed. However there was a nifty twist regarding the culprit that I enjoyed.

With its magical roots I'm looking forward to seeing where this series goes in future books. 3.5 Stars

I think I have found a new favorite cozy mystery series! A Spell for Trouble is the first book in the new Enchanted Bay Mysteries.

Alex Daniels comes back to Bellamy Bay, NC after years away. Her father didn't like her Aunt Lidia and her cousins. He said they were odd and not like them, and made her promise never to go back. But after his death, she goes back for some family comfort. What else do you do when you quit your job without a plan B? Her Aunt Lidia runs a herbal apothecary shop, Botanika. It sells tea, herbal remedies and a few extra things....luck potions and the like. Alex quickly feels a part of the family again and starts to think about how to put her life back together. But.....

There's always a but, isn't there??

But.....her aunt is suddenly arrested for murder. A troublesome customer is found dead....and Aunt Lidia is blamed. Alex knows she needs to do some serious sleuthing...because while her family exhibits some strange talents....her aunt is not a murderer!

This tale is cute, entertaining and fun to read! It made for a great afternoon of reading!! I like the setting (because I live in NC, I love reading cozies set here!), the characters and the basic plot. I can't wait to find out what happens in the next book!! Luckily Esme Addison is currently working on the second book in this series....plus the first book in another new series! I will definitely be reading both!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

A Spell for Trouble is about Alessandra Daniels who returns to Bellamy Bay, North Carolina for the first time in twenty years. Ever since her mother’s tragic death, she has been forbidden to return from visiting her aunt and cousins. When she finally returns, she finds darkness surrounding her family. When a local citizen is poisoned, her Aunt Lidia is arrested for the crime. Alessandra is determined to solve the case and unlock some mysteries along the way. This was a cozy mystery complete with witches and when Alessandra returns she learns she shares some history. The characters are very interesting. You can read this book in one sitting. Many interesting twists and turns. Thank you to Net Galley for providing an advanced reader’s copy for review.

This is a great start to a new series. The story is “magical” with family secrets and murder thrown in. This is a new author to me and I look forward to her next installment.
Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

A wonderful start to a new series. I couldn’t put it down once I started. I love the characters already! The only negative thing I found, is that I read it too fast and it was over way to quickly! I can’t wait to get my hands on the next in the series!

I really enjoyed reading this book I found the mystery interesting the characters were likeable and believable and the animals adorable

Such a fun debut novel and new cozy mystery series. The characters were great and I got caught up in the mystery and suspense of this wonderful book!
Alejandra visits her aunt and cousins in Bellamy Bay for the first time in twenty years. Her mother died here and her father never brought her back or told her the secrets of her family. Alex goes to work in their family boutique where they make health remedies and soaps and perfumes. Her aunt is accused of muderer and Alex sets out to prove her innocence. She discovers a whole lot more about herself and her family.
I look forward to reading more from this amazing author!


Thank you to publisher and NetGalley for the eARC

I don't read many cozy mysteries, but I just may. This was such great fun! And anything to do with withcraft is a bonus ;)

A great first in series! A clever setting and interesting characters. I felt that the author did a good job in setting the scene for a well planned mystery with a fun paranormal element. I definitely plan to read the next book in this series.

This is a fun cozy mystery. I really enjoy cozy mysteries and this author is one I would read again. Thank you Esme Addison for this lovely mystery.

This book has a very different premise than the cozy mystery stories I usually read. But my interest in it has currently changed and I don't believe I'd be able to give it a completely non bias review.

This is a fun mystery cozy introducing Bellamy Bay as the setting of a cute mystery story. I really enjoy cozy mysteries and this author is one I would read again. I received this book from NetGalley for an honest review.

Interesting characters with linked heritage to Mermaids. I enjoyed this mystery and it’s going on my keep reading list. The setting of NC ocean side town adds to the atmosphere of mystery.

A Spell For Trouble is the first book in a new cozy in a series called an Enchanted Bay Mystery by Esme Addison. The book will be available on May 12 of this year. A Spell For Trouble follows Aleksandra Daniels. 
Known as Alex a young woman who has experienced a tragedy then loses her job. She visits her estranged relatives after they invite her to come stay with them. While visiting her family in Bellamy Bay Alex discovers that besides having to solve some family mysteries she must solve a murder. When Alex’s aunt Lidia finds herself accused of murder Alex makes it her personal mission to solve it. To the dismay of the suspects and the detective charged with solving the crime. 

Overall, the premise in this book is interesting. All cozies have a theme and this one is magic. Addison however puts her own twist on the magical theme to set it apart. The book also focuses on Alex and her maternal side of the family the Sobieski’s. The Sobieski’s are of Polish descent and the there is a use of a few Polish words and several mentions of Polish cuisine. I felt this enriched the backstory of the family and added to the charm of the book. 

The plot moves fast to an extent. Which is my main gripe with this book. Alex arrives and there is not much time to establish and rebuild the familial ties before she discovers her family is magical. It would have been nice to have a few chapters where they develop a bond. After doubting the validity of magic briefly, she accepts it. Most people would either believe in magic right away, or think their family is crazy.

Sometimes the plot slows down because Alex focuses on yet another murder suspect. The flow sometimes felt forced because a certain character’s behavior was obvious. It felt like either they were a red herring or the killer. When a cozy makes it obvious who the killer is early on and then keeps trying to clear other suspects first that can be maddening. As the reader you just know right?

Those of us who read cozies regularly become amateur sleuths by proxy via our books. We become adept in the way a cozy works; we pick up on subtle clues and plot devices. You could tell who the killer was. So some content felt like filler. 

I also dislike the introduction of two love interests. I have been reading the Hannah Swensen Mysteries for years now. If you are familiar with Hannah Swensen, she had two boyfriends through most of the series. It grew old fast. Hannah Swensen is a perfect example why there should be one love interest at a time in cozies. These series can last well over twenty books and I can sense a love triangle being built up. I felt the two love interests were so different yet I felt like there wasn't much chemistry with either. Alex has enough on her plate and I am thinking the last thing she needs is two suitors competing for her affections. 

I liked the book despite my small criticisms. The premise was unique enough and the surprise twist at the ending was unexpected. These days with so many cozy series available to read it is hard to make a cozy series stand out. I felt Addison did that. I would read the second book in the series without hesitation. The two love interests though give me pause. Hopefully, there is a resolution to that aspect in the next book. 

I rated A Spell For Trouble 4 out of five stars on Goodreads. I felt there were a few unique aspects to the story that made it different from most of the cozies I have read lately. Trust me on this I have read several cozies lately and many of them were average. I feel this series has potential so read it when it comes out.

Aleksandra has been estranged from her mother’s family for 20 years, but reunited with them in their small town of Bellamy Bay. Returning to help them run the family business, Alex soon realizes they sell more than herbal remedies— they just might be witches. When her aunt is arrested for poisoning someone, Alex decides to investigate the murder, and her family’s history. This is the first in a great new series. Has everything I like in a paranormal cozy mystery. I look forward to the next one.

This is a wonderful start to a new series and I can't wait to see it grow.
Alex is a bit hasty and fiery in her investigation and the same with her magic learning, and at times this comes across as a bit annoying, I think she develops well and she is just getting her footing in both aspects of her new "careers".
I really enjoyed the supporting characters, but some less than others, as with all books. I do think the hot and cold of the detective was a little bit stilted and forced.
The story flowed well, and I loved Bellamy Bay, and can't wait to see what mystery comes next!

I love witches and magic and this book did not disappoint. Alex is down and out after losing her job and decides to go back home to family she hadn't seen in twenty years. Much to her surprise, there are few family secrets she didn't know either.

When a patron of the family's apothecary shop, Botanika, dies suddenly, Alex's aunt is arrested. Alex jumps right with determination to solve the murder.

I thought I knew who the murderer was, but I didn't, which is odd for me. Although I'm not sure clues were there. I enjoyed the characters and the setting of Bellamy Bay even without the sense of being there. And the story was good.

I would recommend this book to cozy mystery readers and will ask my library to add it to their collection. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

A spell for trouble .
A new author for me to read .
I love a first book to a new series.
I enjoyed this clever mystery.
Fantastic storyline, Alex getting to know about her family members on her father’s side, meeting new and old friends also finding out about herself.
Pleasure to read ,I couldn’t put it down.
Many thanks to crooked Lane books and NetGalley for advance copy.
If I could I would definitely gave it more stars ⭐️

4.5/5 stars for the read.
Set in the fictional seaside town of Bellamy Bay, North Carolina, this novel uses the charm of its Southern setting to enhance the plot. There are lovely descriptions of architecture and gardens and seascapes, which are never overdone but do provide a lovely sense of the novel’s setting. Juxtapose that against the Polish heritage of the main family (and the yummy traditional deserts prepared) and you’ve got a very atmospheric read.

The secondary characters introduced include a loving, witchy aunt with a temper that causes the earth to shake; a sweet, bubbly cousin who’s ready to guide Alex in the ways of her new magical world; another more practical, police officer cousin; and a nosy frenemy journalist. Add to that, not one but, two potential love interests, each with his own charms, and you’ve got a cast of characters to keep you very entertained. I’m not one to enjoy a love triangle in my cozy mysteries, but something about this one is different and very enjoyable to read.

The main protagonist Alex, never knew she was a witch and only when she arrives to spend time with her Bellamy Bay relatives does some of her past come out. The descriptions of Alex learning about her family, herself and trying to control her new powers are fun and at times touching, as she is often reminded of her mother who died far too young. Alex is a determined, bright, feisty heroine who dives right into the mystery of who killed Randy Bennett and why they tried to frame her aunt for the crime. Her over-zealousness at times might have been annoying, but Alex manages to reign in her bossy streak; and tries to be respectful of Jack’s police investigation. She certainly makes it clear she believes he’s barking up the wrong tree, however. I love that when she gets too over-confident, her family and even potential nemesis/ love interest, Dylan call her out on her behaviour. It’s going to be fun reading how Alex masters her powers through the series.

The mystery of who killed Randy is a twisty one; and as much as we want to believe Aunt Lidia is innocent, there are some moments that really make the reader pause to consider her potential involvement. Several suspects and motives are revealed as Randy’s personal and professional life details come to the fore. The red herrings are just enough to make you doubt if you know who the real culprit is. The big reveal is high on drama, tension and action; and is a very fitting end to the story.

I’m looking forward to reading more stories in the series. I’m going to have to wait a while though, as this first novel is due to be published in May! Hopefully, we’ll get one more before the end of the year. I can’t wait to find out how Alex settles into her new life and if she’s going to have to choose between Dylan and Jack… or has she already?