Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this eARC. All opinions are my own.

This was an enjoyable reading experience.

Cute baking romance with a bit of a witchy vibe. It wasn't my personal bag, however I can see a lot of people really enjoying this one. It was very light hearted, but had a bit of a spicy underbelly to soften it up with. 3 out of 5 stars---- I am positive other people will like it more than I did.

This book was a quick, cute, and spicy read! I'm not usually a fan of the instalove/lust trope, but it was cute. Quick read with not a lot of feeling.

2.5 stars

Ugh this was just not it.

It had so much potential at the beginning when it opened up with Dina in her coffee shop and her sweet cat, and then 20% into the book the cat was nowhere to be seen for the following 65% of the story and only appears at the end.

It was soooo insta-lovey. I could not get behind this love story at all once they reached their friends wedding. And the spice, I'm sorry but it was so cringe. I don't mind spice in a romance book, I actually encourage it if it is done well but this felt so raunchy and over the top. Like these two were playful in their terribly boring banter, and then they become sex demons in the bedroom? Nope not buying it. It's like the author was writing about two completely different people.

Last note, this is very much of a tell and not show. The only way we learned about the characters was the author listing things they liked or didn't like but these little tidbits added absolutely nothing to the story.

If you are looking for a witchy and spicy novel then this one is for you! I enjoyed following Dina, a kitchen witch who has been cursed, and Scott’s story! I will be picking up this author’s next book!

Sweet Spells and Fast Flames

This was such a cozy, witchy romance, sweet with just enough spice. 3 out of 5 🌶️ to keep things warm. I loved the cultural layers woven into the story and appreciated how they grounded the magic in something real.

It did slow down a bit in the middle for me, and while I’m usually a sucker for a slow burn, this one leaned more into instant connection and forced proximity, so not not my usual favorite, but still enjoyable. A fun, feel-good read overall!

Thanks to Dell and Nadia El-Fassi for the advance copy!

(Also reviewed on Amazon, but the review isn't posting for some reason.)

It follows Dina Whitlock, a kitchen witch who runs a charming London café where the pastries are enchanted and the lattes come with a side of emotional clarity. But Dina’s love life? Cursed—literally. Every time she starts to fall for someone, they’re hit with a streak of terrible luck.
Set during a Halloween wedding weekend in the English countryside, the story is full of hedge mazes, candlelit palm readings, and a midnight ritual that might just change everything. It’s got cottagecore vibes, slow-burn romance, and a heroine learning to embrace her magic and her heart.

Thank you NetGalley and Dell for this witchy Arc!

Best Hex Ever was exactly the kind of magical rom-com I didn’t know I needed. Nadia El-Fassi delivers a sweet, heartwarming, and gently spicy debut that had me completely enchanted from the first page. As a fan of fantasy and contemporary romance with a magical twist, this book hit that perfect sweet spot between cozy and swoon-worthy.

Dina is a delight—warm, grounded, and deeply connected to her kitchen magic. Her café in London feels like a place I’d visit daily just for a hexed cinnamon roll and some herbal tea. The magic system, rooted in intuition, food, and nature, gave me total Practical Magic meets Legends & Lattes vibes, which I absolutely loved.

Scott and Dina’s romance is soft, genuine, and full of that butterflies-in-your-stomach energy. The cursed love life premise added just enough tension without ever feeling heavy, and watching Scott fall for Dina—despite the odds—was truly endearing. He’s basically the definition of a cinnamon roll love interest.

While this is more romance-forward than high fantasy, it still has enough magical realism to keep fantasy fans smiling. It’s warm, whimsical, and perfect for a cozy night in. If you love witchy vibes, baked goods, and love that feels a little fated, this book is for you.

Dina is a witch who works her best magic in the kitchen. This is why she runs a cafe. When Scott comes in for a coffee, sparks fly but he disappears before getting her number.
Chance would have them meet again with their friends getting married. They quickly get involved but Dina has a problem. She has been hexed in love and must find a way around it so she and Scott have a fighting chance.
Opinion
This was a super sweet read. The meet cute and following re-meet were quintessential for a romance that adds to the charm of this book. I enjoyed their courtship and the resolution of the hex. I think this book is a great summer/vacation read. It is light and fun and perfect for relaxation.
Many thanks to Net Galley and Random House Publishing Group for providing me with an ARC of this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher!
Exactly what they mean when they say “cozy romance”-with a firm side of absolute smut.
I’d totally be friends with this fabulous group of 3!

We get a cozy and magical setting, likable characters and some humor. It’s a perfect fall/October read. I mean spooky season but not really. Perfect for fall.

Another cute seasonal read. The books based around Halloween are some of my favorite books and I feel like this one hit the mark for me- it was exactly what I was looking for!

This was cute and cozy, however, I don't think paranormal romance is for me. I think the author did a great job of blending the paranormal with contemporary and also creating lovable characters. Ultimately, I think this was lacking in plot and chemistry.

A super fun, quick, spicy read. The perfect palate cleanser to cuddle up with on a rainy day. El-Fassi effortlessly gets you invested quickly in these two characters, with chemistry that sizzles off the page. I found myself shipping them from their first meet-cute. The sentient house was my favorite part of the story, though I also really liked the magic system with Dina's baking.

Real rating: 2.5 stars
First off, I would like to start off my review by thanking NetGalley and Dell Publishing for sharing an ARC of “Best Hex Ever,” by Nadia El-Fassi.
The things I enjoyed: I absolutely loved how the author’s dialogue included conversations about consent and contraception, showing that it is possible to have those types of discussions without it being awkward. Most books in my experience do not touch on those subjects. I love the awareness and education on that! I also enjoyed the main character, Dina, being a witch and using her kitchen magic. The author touched on that in the perfect way.
The things I did not enjoy: It was a very spicy read, which I was not aware of when I had requested the book or before I began reading it. Honestly, I found it to be a bit boring for my liking. I did not like how the main characters “fell in love” with each other over the course of a weekend. Personally, there was not the romantic connection I was hoping for. To me, it felt that Dina and the man she fell for, Scott, spent the entire book just lusting after each other, instead of a pure, genuine love.
Overall, I would say that the book itself was not bad, it is just not something I would intentionally chosen, had I known about the content. Other than that, there are definitely some people who I believe would enjoy the book a lot. However, I will not be recommending this book to my friends or family.

Final 3.5

Cute and surprisingly spicy. Moved a bit slow for me, especially in the beginning, but once the hex was revealed, it was a much easier and somewhat engaging read.

I will say that Dina was sort of uninteresting for her to be a witch, and I feel like a bit more could have been done with her character.

I did love how much Scott and Dina were pining after each other. They had great chemistry together.

Not a mind blowing romance read but definitely a cozy one for the fall.

Best hex themed story ever.

This was hot, sweet, and absolutely delectable, just like Dina’s baked goods (and our reverse Indiana Jones, Scott). It also asks the question if the love you want is worth the things you may have to face to get it.

I will definitely be re-reading this in the fall with a coffee and blanket, it’s a perfect cozy read. 5 stars.

This was such a feel good rom com. The FMC is so likable and I couldn’t help but root for her. My only wish is that there was more build up to their relationship. I’m not a fan of insta love.

I enjoyed this one for the most part, but this insta love was a little too much for me.
However, it does make a for a nice cozy fall read. I'm a sucker for witchy romances.
I just wish there was a little more tension involved.

Absolutely adorable! Super a cute feel good romcom! The first thing that hooked me was the cover and then the story kept my attention the whole time!