A Charming Touch of Tarot is the sequel to An Enchanting Case of Spirits. I thought this book was charming and loved getting to know everyone in Knox Harbor. It's a fun paranormal mystery that has a bit of murder. It's not totally cozy, but it's not overly intense either. Alyssa helps souls move on and digs into different mysteries.

I really enjoyed the friendships throughout the story, but the romance was a bit slow for me. Still, not bad. Just a nice slooooow burn. The story ends on a cliffhanger, setting the stage for book 3. This is a great pick if you want a light and fun mystery!

A Charming Touch of Tarot is the sequel to An Enchanting Case of Spirits. It follows a group of friends Alyssa, Nina, Lanie, and Corinne. Nina is being blackmailed. Alyssa who can communicate with spirits hopes they can figure out who is blackmailing Nina. The women work together to try and help there friend.

I am so glad I reread An Enchanting Case of Spirits before reading this one. Because this book picks up right where that book left off. ( if you didn’t read that book first you will be lost. This is not a book series where you can read book to first and then go back and re-read book one). I liked book one better. I thought the romance and this book took way too long to happen. The romance didn’t happen in book one and in this one it took way over half the book for anything to happen. I don’t think that was a good choice because it just left me bored and waiting for something to happen. I liked the whole mystery and friendship aspect of the book. But over all I thought this was just okay. I do suggest this series though.

Thank you so much Berkley for sending me a copy of this one. This book comes out on May 13!

3.5⭐️ Alyssa and the gang are back with more paranormal mysteries, and I think I liked this sequel even more than the first book!

Strong women’s friendships are some of my favorites to read about, and I liked how Alyssa, Nina, and Lanie were there for each other through some heavier stuff. The paranormal elements were fun and made things more interesting, especially seeing how the women worked together with their skills.

The stakes definitely felt higher in this book. There were several mystery threads throughout the story, and though there were a few times I got confused with who was who, when they all started coming together, I was hooked. The tension just kept getting higher, and the last several chapters had me turning pages quickly. I loved the setup for the next book in the series, and already can’t wait to see what’s going to happen.

A Charming Touch of Tarot by Melissa Holtz follows the journey of four friends who realize that their newfound magical abilities may not be sufficient to protect them from a relentless stalker determined to disrupt their lives. Blending elements of romance, the supernatural, and heartfelt connections, this novel offers a delightful mix of genres that will appeal to a wide range of readers. Holtz's storytelling leaves a lasting impression, leaving me eagerly anticipating more.

This series is one of my favorite Netgalley finds. I read the first book last year on a whim, because it sounded interesting and different from what i'd been reading at the time. I was more than pleasantly surprised at how cute this mystery was, and how much heart it had.

I jumped at the chance to read the sequel, and was not disappointed! I love getting to know the women of Knox Harbor and their growing abilities, and I really enjoyed how this book doubled down on them, and expanded the underlying plot.

This book is sweet and cute. I'm not sure if you'd call it a cozy mystery because there is murder involved, but its not terribly graphic and not solely focused on those deaths, more on the mystery surrounding them and how Alyssa helps the deceased cross over. I like that this book opened up a larger mystery that will carry over into the next book and I can't wait to see how our ragtag team deal with the darker underside of their idyllic town!

A miss for me because I missed the earlier books and felt at sea. These women have magical powers and use them to support each other but the story felt like it was all over the place and I had a hard time keeping everything and everyone straight. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I'm certain fans will enjoy it.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC for my review. First of all, I didn’t realize this was in a series and would suggest you read the previous book as I did feel like I was missing a lot. The story was centered around Alyssa who is a widow and talks to ghosts She gets involved in adventures with some of her friends which include, blackmail, murder and secrets.

I’m always down for the cozy mystery + romance mash-up genre, and Holtz’s Gin and Tarot Club series is a perfect fit! The series centers on four friends who discover they have some new magical skills from visions, telepathy, summoning the dead, and even talking to ghosts. When one of them ends up being blackmailed, these women rely on their friendship, powers, and Alyssa’s new detective romance to track down the threat. This series should be read in order (An Enchanting Case of Spirits is book 1), and I enjoyed this follow up as the author expanded on the four women’s pasts as well as Alyssa’s relationship. With some pretty high stakes, the mystery in this one was enjoyable, and full of the same wit, easy banter, and friendship/motherhood themes I adored from the series opener.

With the perfect blend of relatable heroines, supernatural skills, and a slow burn romance, this is a series I can’t wait to continue.

I decided to not finish this book after reading the first chapter, as the writing felt dry and clunky and the story felt harried.

✨ Coming May 13th - A Cozy Mystery You Won't Want to Miss!! ✨
If you adore magical friendships, suspense, and a touch of supernatural, A Charming Touch of Tarot is a must. This second installment in the Gin & Tarot Club series by Melissa Holtz deepens the enchanting world she first introduced in her first book! I absolutely love when authors do series like this, my favorite trend by far.
Thank you NetGalley and Berkely Publishing Group for this ARC!! It was right up my alley and I couldn't be more excited to read it! Sidenote: This book has consumed my lunch breaks at work for the past week and I'm not sure what I'll replace it with now :(
RATING: 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️'s!! Perfect Magic + Mystery cocktail!!
This book is set in the small spellbinding town of Starfall Ridge, this second installment follows Nina as she dives into tarot reading, solving mysteries and old secrets. The blend of small-town charm, magical realism, and laughable moments makes this series completely addictive. Whether you're a tarot lover or just enjoy a side of enchantment with your sleuthing, this book ✨delivers✨
The writing brings you into Alyssa, Nina, Lanie, and Corinne's world as you become a part of their friend group and grow with them from book one to this latest installment. There are so many quotes I want to use here, but I'll have to refrain until May 13th when the book is published. Expect to hear from me that morning on all the quotes I've been saving up for this review!!

A Charming Touch of Tarot
👻🔮
I had fun with the first book (it was a 4 ⭐️ for me) so I was excited to start this arc, but it ended up being just okay for me ☹️ I loved being back with these lovely ladies in charming Knox Harbor, I absolutely love the female friendships, we pick up where we left off and I enjoyed that, but it felt like there was a lot going on and didn’t feel very focused. All three ladies had their own plots and for me they didn’t weave together nicely so it just felt a bit all over the place. I was also hoping for more romance between Nick and Alyssa, they weren’t together (like dating) in the first book, but you could definitely feel the connection, in this book they weren’t together like at all until the end. The way this one ends it appears that we will get a third book (?) and I’ll definitely read it, but right now the first book is my favorite! ⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Thank you @berkleypub @netgalley and Melissa Holtz for this e-arc, it comes out May 13th!

Thank you to Berkley & NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars!

I think that I would've enjoyed this much more if I had read the first book in the series - that's on me for not realizing! Needless to say, I did still enjoy it and look forward to reading the first one in the future.

I loved the friendship and support between Alyssa, Nina, Lanie & Corrine and I found each character was intriguing along with their respective storylines. The paranormal touches were done really well, too. I really am rooting for Alyssa and Nick and hope in the next book (which was definitely set up!) that they can FINALLY get their moment.

DNF at 30%.

I couldn't get into the book at all. The writing wasn't for me.

The plot felt a little flat and predictable.

I didn’t realize this was part of a series or else I wouldn’t have requested it. I think reading the first book would have helped. I had to DNF around 30% mar

A Charming Touch of Tarot is a dual POV paranormal mystery book. It focuses primarily on Alyssa, a 40-year-old widow with the ability to talk to ghosts, and her group of friends (Nina, Lanie, and Corinne) who are discovering abilities of their own. There are a few chapters from the POV of Nick, Alyssa’s detective neighbor (and boyfriend if they can ever find time for a proper date!) Alyssa and her friends get tangled up in a series of adventures, paranormal and otherwise, involving blackmail, secrets, and murder!

I think that a lot of people will enjoy this book, it just missed the mark for me. This is largely due to the fact that it’s the second in an interconnected series, picking up where book one left off and ending with things unresolved as a setup for the next book. I highly recommend reading book one (An Enchanting Case of Spirits) first, something I didn’t know to do (I didn’t realize it was a sequel when I requested it). I’ll have to revisit this one at a later date!

Read dates: 04/16/2025- 04/17/2025
Goodreads review: 04/17/2025
Instagram review: 04/18/2025
Blog review: 05/13/2025

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing a free e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

First off, I was not aware that this was the second book in a series, so my review is not really complete I feel, but I still enjoyed the book for what it was. The book starts out with some information that would have been good background to have from reading the first one, so it started off a little slow and confusing for me. It started picking up towards 25-30% though, and did take off well from there.

The paranormal portion of the book was interesting, providing a coming to terms with grief, death, the main character discovering herself, and new beginnings. The friendship between the characters was cute and well done, providing a cozy kind of atmosphere when together. The romance was also done in good taste, being more closed door. The mystery portion was very interesting even though it was slightly predictable.

All in all, it's a good cozy read, I definitely am interested in picking up the first one eventually to piece everything together fully.

So like tell me why this was one of my favorite reads this year!! I didn’t know anything going into it (my favorite way to read books) and let’s just say I was more than pleasantly surprised by this! It was fun, exciting, and written well.

🔮📚 Book Review: "A Charming Touch of Tarot" by Melissa Holtz 🌟🃏

Melissa Holtz captures the enchanting blend of friendship, magic, and mystery in her captivating novel, "A Charming Touch of Tarot." This tale is a mesmerizing journey into the supernatural, filled with emotional depth and thrilling suspense that seized my attention from the first page to the last. 💫💼

The story follows Alyssa, Nina, Lanie, and Corinne, friends whose abilities and bonds are tested by new magical powers and an escalating threat. As secrets unfold and their connection is put to the test, these women must unite to unravel a mystery that delves into the heart of sisterhood and strength. 🧙‍♀️🔍

Holtz excels in crafting a narrative that is both engaging and emotionally rich, with character dynamics that are as intriguing as the plot itself. The friendships and loyalties among the four protagonists ground the story, drawing readers into a web of trust, love, and occasional betrayal. 🌸🤝

Alyssa's ability to contact ghosts and Nina's emerging telepathic prowess bring a supernatural flair to the story that heightens the stakes and adds layers of complexity to the mystery. The supernatural elements are so meticulously woven into the story that they feel both magical and vital to the progression of the plot. 👻🔮

The romantic tension between Alyssa and her neighbor Nick, compounded by the ethereal presence of Nick's late fiancée, offers a slow-burn romance that fans of the genre will adore. It's a heartwarming subplot that complements the main narrative, adding to the reader's emotional engagement. 💑✨

Holtz's skillful pacing maintains intrigue throughout, with surprises and ethereal twists that keep you guessing. The mysterious elements of the novel, paired with a bit of romance and friendship, ensure a well-rounded, satisfying read. Each chapter unfolds with a new layer of suspense and relational development, weaving a story that is as thrilling as it is heartwarming. 🌟🌈

Overall this delivers magic, mystery, and friendship in equal measure. It's perfect for those who enjoy a blend of cozy mystery with a supernatural twist and emotionally driven storytelling. A story about trust and courage, it leaves you eagerly anticipating the next adventure with these compelling characters. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

If you're in the mood for a fun, quirky read about sisterhood, friendship, and life, this is it. Alyssa, Nina, Lanie, and Corrine have to learn how to trust each other and rebuild their bonds of friendship as secrets and truths are revealed. Add in the odd magic, and the odd ghost or two, and you're sure to love this story.

This series is so fun- it is fun, raw and very real and relatable. I am enjoying seeing how Lanie, Nina and Alyssa are progressing and developing as characters and with their powers. Each book allows us readers to learn more and I am so excited to see what Lanie has in store for us.
This story and plot has a way of sucking you in and making you feel as if you are a character riding along side these girls in their ghost and mystery solving hunts.
Cannot wait to see what is in store for us next!