3.5/5

This gave Practical Magic, Gilmore Girls, and The Ex Hex vibes. So if you're fans of any of those, I would definitely recommend this to you!

This is a slower-paced, cozy read that is so very perfect for the autumn time. The main problem with the pacing is that some things that should've taken up more page-time did not and something that should've gone by faster did not. So those were swapped. But i'm sure some people won't mind that at all.

The romance also wasn't really the main focus of this book, it's more about our FMC and her situation/character arc.

This is a very vivid world that feels very real and tangible. And was oh-so cozy and cute and I want to go to there!!

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! My Goodreads review is up and my TikTok (Zoe_Lipman) review will be up at the end of the month with my monthly reading wrap-up.

rewitched is the perfect cosy fantasy and just what i was craving when i picked it up. it was so much fun to read and immersive. it's a nice and lighthearted book, perfect for when you're needing something a little easier to read. rewitched is very well written and the plot engaging, while maintaining the cosy vibes.

belle was really enjoyable to read about as a main character. i found myself rooting for her very quickly. i particularly liked how she was late twenties, as i found this relatable. in a world where many books are either teens or in your 40s, i really enjoyed having a character be my own age and struggle with things that i do too.

the magic system and world was really unique and cool. there were some things that were mentioned but not properly explored, so i'm hoping this will be delved into in future books as they sounded really interesting.

i'm beyond excited for uncharmed and wish it would come out sooner!

Rewitched by Lucy Jane Wood is a delightful quick cozy read. Bella Blackthorne is a witch living in a non-witch world trying to keep herself together as she hits thirty. Surprised by a summons from her Coven to be tested on her magic Bella’s life is about to be shaken up and her magic and friendships tested. This novel has a perfect mix of slice of life, mystery, intrigue, a wonderful mentor, and just a little romance. I did not want to put this book down and I am really looking forward to reading more titles from this author. Highly recommended if you are looking for a fun comforting read.

Belle is the manager of a cozy local bookstore that she watches being turned into a corporate, faceless hole by the owner's son - the owner who initially suggested Belle should buy it herself and carry on, but on the brink of 30, she is afraid of such a big decision. And - well, yeah, she's a witch, but she hasn't had much of a chance to explore her magic lately, with bills to pay, relationships to fail, and imposter syndrome to deal with. So the news that on her 30th birthday she will face a trial in front of her coven to evaluate what she has been doing with her magic all these years makes her understandably anxious.

I really liked the story. At the same time, I found many of the details of Belle's journey to be rather silly. But that doesn't take away from the fact that the overall story is quite strong, even if predictable. Again, I should qualify "predictable," which is not a negative quality here. I would say reassuring and powerful in its predictability? Not something I would open up if there was even a chance that the protagonist would fail in her quest.

In a way, this is like a children's book, but for 30-year-olds. And believe me, "a children's book" does not imply a negative evaluation on this reviewer's keyboard; in a way, a lot of genre fiction is like that, with its simplistic conflicts, stock supporting characters, and that reassuring plot predictability. And then there's this idea of "cozy" genres (or "cosy" because the setting is London?), where the stakes are seemingly not as high as in "regular" fantasy, which is about saving entire worlds from ruin. And at the same time so much higher: one's own precious life, the meaning of it, that magic that is about something deeper than the witchy paraphernalia (which is a bit overdone here - but only because it's just that: the aesthetics, the wink to the reader, who should recognize it along the "vibes" and the "tropes" and the "types").

I tend to love dearly these kinds of stories that seem to be about something from a fantasy realm - covens, magical trials, spell books - and yet are unmistakably about something from our very mundane world. Adulting, choices, responsibility for what you become. I like how, in this book, magic and the fact that the protagonist hasn't made the most of it isn't just a metaphor that needs to be given a different interpretation: in fact, she's utterly failing at *both* her magic and her mundane life when we meet her, so it's all very relatable to all of us 30-somethings who might not be living exactly the life we imagined at 16 and have something flutter inside at a reminder:

What are you doing with your one, precious, magical life?

Me? - apparently reading random free review copies off NetGalley. Thanks to the publisher, etc, etc. But it looks like the book is already out there in the wild, so you can check out your local cozy bookstore.

What an adorable read! This felt like a fuzzy blanket, warm cup of a tea, and cookies baking in the oven. It's a perfect witchy read that's light hearted and will leave you feeling a little bit better about everything.

Lucy Jane Wood's writing feels like cinnamon rolls, letting the reader slowly live in Belle's world, slowly learning to be witch and coming fully into herself. It was really fun to see how she interacted with the world and those around around.

5⭐

Thank you Berkeley Publishing Group for this digital review copy!

Rewitched is a Cosy Paranormal Romance by debut author Lucy Jane Wood. My favourite aspect to this book is easily the vivid imagery that presents itself as a result of Wood's lyrical and descriptive writing. The world-building was well-expanded upon for a standalone and I really enjoyed following Belle's emotional and heartfelt journey of self-love and reflection.

Belladonna Blackthorn is my kind of main character. Having just reached the beginning of her 30s and the newfound life crisis to match, Belle desperately wishes to finally find the confidence to grasp the opportunities that come her way without fear or abandon. After spending so many years feeling afraid of her magical potential, Belle finally feels ready to face what she's capable of in the hopes of retaining her place in the wicche world. She is a homage to many readers that find themselves growing in years with uncertainty and fear. The fear of the unknown and feeling like you're miles behind where society determines you should be at that age.

The romance within Rewitched was a slow-burn sub plot which in this instance worked out for the better as it wasn't the focus of the story. The most important relationships within this story was definitely Belle's relationship with herself and the immediate people in her life. Her best friend Ariadne was a highlight for me with her unwavering support and ability to get on-board with the crazy aspects of Belle's life. Even without knowing the full truth, Ariadne had Belle's back always and it was a beautiful relationship to witness. More family than friend despite their brief falling out that I was relieved to see addressed and handled with eventual maturity, and it further proves the superiority with found family. Belle's mum was also a favourite of mine with her quirky nature and unchallenged love for her daughter. Her resilience and determination to keep Belle safe was everything, and I adored their fun and sometimes unconventional dynamics. This story highlights the importance in the love that can be found within yourself and the people that surround you. There's power in love and loyalty, and it was definitely my favourite theme throughout this spellbinding tale.

thanks to Berkley and Lucy Jane Wood for an ARC of this book provided via NetGalley
This was a wonderful book! A really sweet and cozy witchy read, it was a good fantasy and I read it all in one go.

Thank you @berkleypub and @acebookspub for the free finished copy. #berkleypartner

I picked this one because I loved the cozy cover and I wanted some witchy vibes for the season, and I would say this book delivered on both cozy fantasy and magic witchiness.

Bella works in a cozy bookstore, has a roommate, and is getting by. It’s not that she’s unhappy per se, but she’s just living an okayish life. As with all in her coven, on her 30th birthday she’ll undergo a test to determine whether she is worthy of keeping her magic. However, someone or something appears to be trying to sabotage her along the way.

I loved the premise. The language was beautiful and descriptive and the found family vibes strong. The romance subplot picked up a bit in the second half too. There were some pacing issues, with the first half being slow to pick up and the ending being very fast.

Great debut novel by Lucy Jane Wood. I’ll be interested her next book. This could have certainly been complete as a standalone although if she took it further, I’d love to see the budding romance betwixt Rune and Belle bloom.

“Rewitched” by Lucy Jane Wood is a cozy, magical debut that’s perfect for fall or people in need for those autumnal vibes!

It follows a thirty-year-old witch on the brink of losing her powers as she navigates love, identity, and a few unexpected twists.
The witchy vibes and autumn atmosphere are spot on, and the story really shines in the second half once it picks up steam. That said, the beginning is a bit slow, and some of the writing feels a little too formal or wordy at times. A few character choices didn’t totally land for me either. Still, there’s a lot of heart here, and the themes around self-confidence, family, and starting over really resonated. A solid first novel with great potential and really cute book for anyone that wants something witchy with some good emotional development.


Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

All the cozy witch vibes you could ever want all rolled into one book, perfect for reading by the fire place on a cool fall night!

Rewitched by Lucy Jane Wood

If you're craving cozy witchy vibes, Rewitched is your next must-read. I absolutely adored this magical little gem; it felt like being wrapped up in a fuzzy blanket while sipping cinnamon tea under a harvest moon.

Fans of The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, pay attention! This book has that same heartwarming, whimsical energy that makes you want to move into a crooked cottage and adopt three cats immediately. (Like I needed an excuse to adopt cats.) From the charming characters to the soft magic and gentle humor, this book radiates fall energy and found family warmth. I’m fully obsessed.

Vibes-
Cozy Cottagecore Magic
Found Family
Small-Town Charm
Witchy Friendships
Comfort Read Perfection

Would I recommend it?
Absolutely YES. This is the cozy autumn read you didn’t know you needed—pure perfection from start to finish. Do yourself a favor and get Rewitched on your shelf ASAP.

First, Rewitched has one of the cutest fall covers I've ever seen. I picked this up because I was in the mood for a fall read with witchy vibes. It definitely delivered on that front.

While overall I enjoyed it, it didn't quite meet my expectations. That could have been a "me" problem though. I loved the themes surrounding family, love, and finding confidence in yourself with a thirty-year-old witch on the brink of losing her powers. My main struggle was that the story started very slowly (Almost to the point that I was going to DNF), and the writing was a little too formal for my liking, but around the halfway mark, the story picked up, and the second half was much better. The first half was like 2 stars and the second half was like 4 stars.

Overall, a solid debut for a fun fall read.

Thank you so much to Berkley and Netgalley for the gifted copy.

A solid witchy fantasy about building a strong sense of self and the confidence to fight for the life you want. Friendship and family relationships are at the forefront, which means the romance that's here is a very small part of this novel. For readers looking for witchy stories where the romance isn't the main focus, this wold be a good choice!

Rewitched by Lucy Jane Wood is an engaging and magical story that blends romance, witchcraft, and mystery. The protagonist, a young witch, must navigate her complicated powers and a growing connection to a mysterious figure. Wood’s writing is captivating, with a fast-paced plot full of twists and turns that keep readers hooked. The magical elements are well-developed, and the characters are both relatable and intriguing. Fans of supernatural romance and YA fantasy will enjoy this enchanting and thrilling read.

Rewitched is the perfect book for fans of coming of age stories, witches, and protagonists in their 30s. Lucy Jane Woods writing is funny, heartfelt, and filled with magic. 10/10 read, 5 stars!

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of Rewitched by Lucy Jane Wood!

Rewitched is just the cozy mystery fantasy I needed!

Belladonna (Belle) is stuck. She works at a local book shop, but is afraid to take the leap to buy it. Instead, she works for the owner's awful son Christopher, even though Violet offered her the store first. She has been a witch for 15 years, but hasn't really achieved a lot to show for it. Mostly, she uses magic to turn the radio dial or stir her coffee. Her best friend and roommate, Ariadne, doesn't know she's a witch.

When Belle receives a missive from the coven, telling her she must pass a test or lose her magic, she tries not to panic. But everything goes wrong, and she must take remedial lessons from someone in the coven that wasn't at her EquiWitch trial. That leaves only the very dodgy Artorius Day, who killed his brother years ago.

She also inherits a Watchman, the handsome Rune, a warlock who had chosen immortality to keep the coven strong. He is to keep her safe, and annoyingly, Belle ends up needing him.

This book has enough mystery and intrigue to keep you reading (if the slow burn romance with Rune doesn't do it). Moreover, we all can relate to Belle - she is too afraid to jump, feels like she hasn't lived up to her potential, and is too afraid to take a chance on love. Who hasn't felt that way at least once?

Any book that makes me smile like this one is worth a read! Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy of this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

This was cute, whimsical, and witchy but of that descriptive realm it was not my favorite. It was a fairly quick read and is the perfect cozy book for that fall magic. I do think it is worth adding to your TBR for fall reads.

As a longtime fan of Lucy‘s YouTube channel, I was excited for her debut novel, but it didn’t quite meet my expectations. While the story had creative potential and an earnest charm, the overwritten prose, heavy handed descriptions, and lack of stakes made it feel weighed down. Some character choices also felt inconsistent. The book had good bones, but needed stronger editing. I look forward to seeing how Lucy’s writing evolves in the future!

Risking burnout at a bookshop job that she has a love/hate relationship with, Belladonna Blackthorn is facing her 30th Birthday. Belladonna Blackthorn is also a solitary witch living a non-magical world.

She receives a jump-scare when fellow handsome witch, Rune, shows up unannounced in her shop to personally invite her to her Equiwitch Trial - a magical ceremony determining her worthiness as a witch. Belle is deemed less than adequate and is left with 30 days to prefect her abilities or lose her magic forever.

With the help of her family and new friends Belle works against the clock as well as some dark magic that seems hellbent on holding her back from her magic. Not all is as it seems within the coven and there could be more than just Belle's magic on the line.

Slow burn romance and touch her and die vibes - this is a cozy magical read! Book two coming soon!