Rewitched by Lucy Jane Wood was a really fun book that I really enjoyed.

I loved books about magic, and this book is so much fun.

The characters are well written and complex.

Give me witchy books or give me death!!!

I am such a huge fan of witch books and I'm always on the look out for a new, fun original one. This one did not disappoint!

This book felt like an episode of Sabrina the Teenage Witch and I was definitely not mad about it at all!
Important to note that Belle is NOT a teenager though, she turns 30 in this book and as a 29 year old I felt like she was super relatable.

Of course with the name Rewitched the book has to have some Bewitched vibes and there is totally a nod to the famouse nose twitch which I appreciated.

I really loved Belle's character arc throughout Rewitched. Watching her come into her own as an adult witch was so special. I think all the side characters are also well developed and I enjoyed all of their individual roles.

The world building is exactly what I like from a modern witch book, which is to say that there is just enough world. I think the coven and other witch aspects are developed enough for a start to a series and I'm really interested to see where this world goes!

There are, of course, familiars in this book as well. I appreciated all those little details. I can't wait for more Rewitched books!

Thank you so much to Berkley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you, to NetGalley and the publisher, Berkley for the opportunity to read this book.

I read 23% of this book and unfortunately, I did decide that this book was not for me and I DNFed (“Did Not Finish”) it at this point.

I want to be very clear that there is nothing wrong with the writing of this book and the premise sounded very interesting based on the blurb. It was just a little too slow moving for my liking and I was not keeping up with the storyline very well.

Thank you again, to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.

Thank You NetGalley and publishers for letting me read this cute story!

I love a witchy coming to age story no matter the age! I love the growth and confidence that Belle gained through out the story. I also enjoyed that it wasn’t a romance even though there were sparks for future endeavors. It had some action and good twist and turns. A lovely cozy fall read!!

This was a cute (sometimes mysterious) story about family and magic.

Belle hasn't used her magic in a while, but when she is faced with losing her power - she is given a second chance to prove herself. This doesn't come without issue that she must try to overcome while fighting to keep the power that she loves so much.

Rewitched was such a charming, cozy surprise! Belle is doing her best just to survive her day-to-day life—juggling a failing bookstore, a nightmare of a boss, and powers she’s pretty much ignored for years. Witchcraft has taken a serious backseat while she’s focused on keeping Lunar Books afloat. So when her thirtieth birthday drops a magical bombshell in the form of a trial from her coven, Belle is totally blindsided. She suddenly has just one month to prove she’s worthy of keeping her powers… or lose them for good. No pressure, right?

Watching Belle scramble to reclaim her identity and magic during the most chaotic October ever was equal parts heartwarming and fun. Between a group of supportive women, a mysterious (and maddeningly handsome) coven watchman, and an unexpected mentor, she finds the strength she didn’t know she still had. This story mixes autumn vibes, personal growth, found family, and a little magical mischief in the best way. If you love stories about second chances, witches, and cozy bookshops with a sprinkle of romance, this one’s for you!

Unfortunately Rewitched was a did not finish for me. I made it about halfway and just could not get into it. I liked the premise fine but the female lead was just very off putting to me, whether it was her seeming disregard for others around her or attitude. Also the author gives me a lovely bookstore and then we dont go back at all for pages and pages and pages.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group | Ace for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.

"Rewitched" by Lucy Jane Wood is a fun, low-stakes read that follows our FMC, Belladonna Blackthorn—preferably Belle. The story has a lot of charm while staying realistic. The story drives home the idea that magic doesn't solve all of life’s problems.

Belle is a witch, but lately, her magic is pretty basic—think brewing tea and floating it over to her cozy spot on the couch (Same, girl!). She’s more of a wallflower who prefers to handle things from the sidelines. Despite her best efforts, everything in her life seems to be falling apart: her new boss is messing up her beloved bookshop, her love life is nonexistent, and her magic isn’t exactly working wonders. Thankfully, she has her best friend, a supportive although distracted mom, and her adorable cat, Jinx, to keep her sane.

Then, everything changes when a handsome, mysterious guy shows up in her bookshop and hands her a letter about a trial that will decide whether she keeps her magic or not. Belle rightfully freaks out and agonizes over this. But the trial itself is far worse than Belle thought possible. I even found myself tearing up at this part. I connected to her self-doubt and real-life problems. Belle’s struggle to understand herself and her magic, plus the pain she feels, really highlights that no amount of magic can fix the bigger issues found in every day life.

After receiving a second chance from the coven, Belle starts to discover her magical abilities and herself while also digging into an old mystery—and there’s a little romance sprinkled in. I enjoyed the writing style and thought the pacing was just right. I only barely anticipated the twist, and honestly, it was more of a "Wouldn't it be wild if ..." kind of hunch.

Regarding the romance, well it more fizzled instead of sizzled. Honestly, I wondered why the MMC was so into Belle from the start. I loved how she stood her ground with the MMC, Rune, who tried so hard to be the brooding, mysterious type, but Belle wasn’t having any of it, which I loved so much. That said, I did appreciate his awkwardness at being called out. It reminded me a lot of Buffy and Spike, so that may be why I loved these interactions so much. But one of the reasons I’m giving this a four instead of a five is because Rune's instant attraction to Belle felt a bit rushed and unclear. From the beginning, he seemed way too into her, and I couldn't quite figure out why.

There were many moments when the story felt like it had the potential to be something greater or suggested Belle is more than she seems, but it never quite got there. The story has plenty of room for a sequel, but thankfully, it doesn’t leave you hanging from a cliff. If there is a second book, I would pick it up!

The perfect book to read if you're in a fall mood or want to join a coven in Salem. The characters are so relatable and i love the names like Belle!
The pacing was easy and quick for any reader.
The plot and writing were very descriptive and atmospheric without pushing its limits.

Perfect if you love:
Who needs some fall?
Elemental Magic feels/vibes
Beautiful setting

Thank you so much to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for this arc!

🙌 What worked for me:
• Belle's (our FMC) self-discovery and growth throughout the book. She really learns how to trust herself and her magic by the end.
• Artorius (Belle's mentor) - adored him! He was so precious!
• Rune and Belle - from the moment he terrifies her in the bookshop, I knew I would love them together.
• The mystery of Artorius's history and the sinister forces at play - these kept me engaged the entire book.
• The overall cozy feel of this book.

🚫 What didn't work for me:
• Some of the story/characters were a little underdeveloped for my taste.
• The pacing was a little off at times - some of Belle's trials were over so quickly while others dragged on.

🤜 Would I recommend: Yes! This would be the perfect cozy autumn read!

Read if you enjoy:
✔️ Slow Burn Romance
✔️ Cozy Vibes
✔️ Magical Trials
✔️ A Witchy Mystery
✔️ Quirky Mentors

Rewitched is the first in a cozy mystery, fantasy series by Lucy Jane Wood. Belle Blackthorn is a witch who has been hiding her abilities while working at Lunar Books, all while trying to save it from ruin by her incapable, incorrigible boss. Her thirtieth birthday brings an unexpected summons from her coven to prove her abilities and worth as a witch, or risk losing her magic forever. She turns to her friends, a mentor, and the one sworn to protect her. This autumnal read has romance, friendship, found family and self-discovery. It is atmospheric, charming, cozy and a delight to read. I look forward to the next in the series!

4.5 stars

I liked this story from the start- Belle is an interesting character who doesn’t seem to use her magic to its full potential, but this is also due to her living around regular people, or those without magic.

Christopher is an absolute jerk and I hope Belle gets the shop so she can salvage what book lovers actually like- small shops with cutesy items and a good selection of novels to choose from. Plus themes for holidays are always fun. I can understand that taking on a whole business is daunting and why she would refuse at first, but she needs to have some faith in herself those she works with. Clearly, removing everything of charm is hurting the store, so having Belle at the helm would help and fulfill Violet’s wishes. However, some parents need to have the bubble burst on their image of their children, and Violet needs that. Unless, she knows what he’s like and put him there to push Belle into accepting her offer. Could be sneaky sneaky.

However, it’s interesting how she doesn’t want to open the envelope right away. It would gnaw at me trying to figure out what this guy was trying to do. Lying or is this trial something to be wary of? What to do to prepare, etc? After finally reading the letter and learning she may lose her powers since she only uses them for mundane things, full panic mode ensues. I mean I would too, because wouldn’t that mean you’re no trouble? Can continue on as is? Having it also be a secret is mean. I get it to a point that they don’t want to influence you that you only do good and then you do awful things, but I feel like there should be another monitoring system for that.

Rune is an odd one. He does pop up randomly and he’s always a little off, which makes me not trust him entirely, but I think he’s more weird than anything. If he’s over 200 years old, he’s probably out of touch of what not to do and what to actually do.

Artorius is definitely an interesting character and a little like I expected him to be to throw us for a loop, like Belle. We have all this build up based on his supposed past and here’s a sweet old man. I also think he hid the fact that he still has magic from the Selcouth. I feel like Belle let that fact slip right past her after she was told his powers were taken. I also have a feeling he’s not really guilty of murdering his brother. He definitely makes Belle comfortable and confident in her abilities after spending essentially no time together. I feel like if he was truly evil, she wouldn’t feel that way with a gut feeling. Obviously, things can be misleading but usually there’s a gut instinct that tells you to hesitate.

I do have suspicions about one character specifically in regards to who is at blame for what’s going on and of course, I’ll have to wait until I’m towards the end of the story to see if my suspicions are confirmed. (Woo! I was right!)

Overall, I really enjoyed this book!

I received an ARC from via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

BOOK REPORT
Received a complimentary copy of Rewitched, by Lucy Jane Woods, from Berkley Publishing Group | Ace/NetGalley, for which I am appreciative, in exchange for a fair and honest review. Scroll past the BOOK REPORT section for a cut-and-paste of the DESCRIPTION of it from them if you want to read my thoughts on the book in the context of that summary.

Y’all?

I actually wouldn’t tell a good friend the name of the book I was reading yesterday (this one) because I was so embarrassed by myself for doing so. And it is rare, rare, rare for me to act that way.

Honestly, I wouldn't have finished it were it not for my good schoolgirl compulsion to write about it because I got it from NetGalley....because......

Convoluted-y, trope-filled, weird word and sentence structure choices. Definitely better in concept than execution. Probably could’ve been cut by at least a third, if not more.

Now, all that said? I’d be willing to give this author another chance. Especially if she worked with stronger editors next time.

Here, go read this real book review by a rachelle, who explains it all better than I could: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

DESCRIPTION
In this spellbinding warm and cozy debut novel, a burned-out witch will need to turn to her friends and trust in herself to find the magic in her own life again.

Belladonna Blackthorn hasn’t lost her magical spark, precisely . . . but she hasn’t seen it in a while either.

With her witchcraft under wraps and a toxic boss making her days miserable, Belle is struggling to keep her beloved Lunar Books afloat and just make it through the day. The last thing she has time for is perfecting her magic.

So when her thirtieth birthday brings a summons from her coven and a trial that tests her worthiness as a witch, Belle fears the worst. With only the month of October left to prove herself or risk losing her magic forever, Belle will need all the help she can get—from the women in her life, from an unlikely mentor figure and even from an infuriating coven watchman who’s sworn to protect her...

Cozy, magical, and completely enchanting, Rewitched by Lucy Jane Wood is the witchy rom-com you didn’t know you needed. Think Sabrina the Teenage Witch meets You’ve Got Mail—but grown-up, set in a charming British town, and nestled in the warm, cinnamon-scented embrace of the most delightful bookstore imaginable.

Belladonna Blackthorn (yes, the name is perfect) dreams of one day running Lunar Books. But between her misogynist boss and hiding the fact that she’s a witch, life is complicated. Things take a turn when a handsome stranger named Rune shows up and delivers a shocking ultimatum: Belle has one month to complete a series of magical trials or risk losing her powers forever. Cue the self-doubt, the secret spells, the reluctant romance, and a dash of sabotage.

This debut is brimming with heart and humor, complete with a lovable best friend, a sassy cat familiar, and a delightfully magical atmosphere. While the romance takes a back seat to Belle’s emotional journey, her growth is the heart of the story—and it’s beautifully done.

Lucy Jane Wood’s writing is warm, witty, and full of charm. Rewitched is a spellbinding comfort read about finding your magic, your voice, and your place in the world. Perfect for fall, fans of cozy fantasy, and anyone craving a little magic in their life.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group | Ace for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this title to give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
I love a good witchy story. And this one was read now and caught my eye in an email. I'm so glad I read it. It was adorable.
Belladonna Blackthorn barely uses her magic. She's called to her witchy trial to see if it needs to be taken away. She must prove her worth. With a witch who has been ousted and her keeper by her side, can she get through the trials?
Belle was such a great character. I loved that she used her powers for easy things and had no idea of her true power. It's fun how she slowly finds it. It's also great that she winds up in a situation where she must solve a mystery all the while finding her witchy way.
Rune was so sweet. He's got a bit of mystery to him and is a bit reserved. But you can see his snark and fun hidden just beneath his surface. I really wish he would have had more page time, to be honest. This one would have been fun as a dual POV. But he treats Belle with such kindness and helps her see she is worth all things witchy.
And the romance? It's not the center of the story but it's there in such a sweet way. I loved how it was simple and Belle and Rune grew into each other.
The side characters are great, as well. I loved the animals and Belle's best friend!
I will say there were some slow parts but over all the pacing was nice.
If you're looking for a cozy fantasy, pick this one up. Great for lovers of Assistant to the Villain and Legends and Lattes. I'm looking forward to reading the next story!

Rewitched is a cozy fantasy full of fall vibes that evokes the vibes of having the perfect cool weather sweater. To start, the Belle works in the cutest bookstore that I wish I could visit IRL. It creates the best atmosphere and backdrop to this bewitching story. Then we get to experience witchy magical trials as Belle fights to keep her magic. Those trials are wrapped up in Belle having to learn to trust and believe in herself. If you’re the type of person who struggles with doubting themself then Belle will be an easily relatable character. Then there’s Rune, the snarky yet handsome watchman giving a hint of romance. I also adored Belle’s cat — I’m a sucker for delightful kitties in witchy reads. I’m excited to see where the next book in the series goes.

LOVED THIS!

Perfect autumnal setting
Witchy vibes
Cozy bookshops
Slow burn!!!

Literally all my favorite things! Pick this up!

Rewitched was such a cozy, magical, witchy escape (aka just what the doctor ordered).

Belle Blackthorn is a witch, but she hasn’t really been practicing. She’s barely keeping her magical bookshop, Lunar Books, afloat while dealing with a toxic boss and the general feeling that her ~*spark*~ might be gone for good. Then, on her thirtieth birthday, she’s summoned by her coven and told she has until the end of October to prove she’s still worthy of her magic. That’s where the real fun starts.

With the help of a charming cast of characters, Belle sets off on a journey of rediscovery. I really loved the warmth of the community around her, and Belle’s emotional growth hit home for me, especially the way she had to learn to trust herself again.

If you like stories about second chances, found family, and witches who feel like real people, this is a great read!

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group, Ace, and NetGalley for the ARC.

This story features Belle, who upon turning 30, must prove to be worthy of her magic or risk it being taken from her and returned to her coven. That was a new idea that I have not come across in previous witch based fantasy stories. The story starts out quite slow before really getting into the heart of the story. There was an overall theme to be confident in your abilities and trust your instincts.

I wanted to love this, and I did love the worldbuilding and about 60% of the story. However I just couldn't get behind the 2 MCs. Rune started out as an interesting character but eventually just proved to be a doormat however he was a lot better than the FMC. I have never been a fan of the TSTL characters. although I cant tell if it is stupidity or odd pride. Because even being to proud to accept help does not mean you have to be a bitch to people. SHe treated Rune like utter crap and Rune was like no big deal ill just stay away for now. Like I said other than the 2 characters It was not bad ...well unless your looking for romance then I suggest to move on there is no romance to be had here.