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Member Reviews

Thank you so much to the Author and NetGalley for letting me read this eARC.
“This story follows Penelope a struggling Latina in Miami doing her best working in a magic shop. She gets the Call to be in a Magic Top Chef Television show. She and the other contestants get a Celebrity guest as a partner but for Penelope her world gets turned upside when she finds out who her partner is.”

I was first interested in this book because of the author. I absolutely love her sci-fi series and writing style. She always has some humor and fun with her writing.
This book was a new one for me for sure, I am not into contemporary romances and this is basically a Comedy Novella filled with nostalgia for me because I grew up in Miami.
- btw I don’t ever think dolphin mall would allow that 😜

This was an adorable, light read.l filled with chaos,clumsiness and smart mouths 🫶🏼

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In a world where magic is as normal as ordering a Starbucks iced latte, you'll find witches, or "spellcasters" just trying to make a living! For Penelope, a mistreated spell technician in a magic shop in Miami, being cast in the reality show, "Cast Judgment", where witches compete for a cash prize, is a dream come true! But as all reality shows, there's backstabbing and sabatoge, especially being partnered with the himbo Spellebrity, Leandro Presto.

His popular online show, "Mage You Look" shares the don'ts of spellcasting, which annoys Penelope to no end. If only she could speak to her online crush, Gil, who happens to be Leandro in disguise, a secret he must keep throughout the show. He's competing for the Alan Kazam' Schools Are Magic! Charity. Kazam, a former famous magician, and in actuality his Grandpa Fred, taught him everything he knows. Making him much more competent than what he appears to be. If only he could be honest with Penelope, who has no idea who he really is!

Will these two get their act together, win the show, and perhaps each other's hearts? Read this fantastical book to find out! As Alan Kazam always said, "Trust the magic and the magic will trust you!"

Special thanks to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC!

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I appreciate the opportunity to read this title, but unfortunately it didn’t quite capture my interest. While the premise was promising, I found it difficult to stay engaged. That said, I’m sure it will find its audience with readers who connect more strongly with the writing style or pacing.

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Witch you Would is a cute modern romcom telling the story of a broke college student trying to get rich and famous after being cast on a reality show about spellcasting. She gets paired with a viral goofy warlock she can't stand, who just so happens to also be her pen pal she's been writing and has feelings for.


I thought this was cute and the characters where engaging, but the lack of communication and snap judgements drove me a little crazy. Overall, it's a fun fall read that would be great for a cozy night in.

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I read this in basically one sitting, and I had a great time. Witch You Would is full of charm, mischief, and just the right amount of magical mayhem.

The setup is so fun: imagine if The Great British Bake-Off were about spellcasting instead of baking, and you’ve got Cast Judgment—complete with magical challenges, rivalries, and a whole lot of heart. Penelope is instantly likable, and the dynamic between her and Gil (a.k.a. Leandro Presto) hits all the right notes. Their chemistry is sweet, the banter sparkles, and the tension around his secret identity adds just the right dash of angst.

I loved the magical world this takes place in: modern, vibrant, and creative. Magic as a college major? Yes, please! But that’s also the one spot where I felt a little let down. I wanted more detail about how the magic system actually works. Is it a skill? A birthright? Something you have to audition for in an enchanted admissions interview? The world is compelling—I just needed a bit more scaffolding to feel fully immersed.

Still, the vibes are great, the romance is delightful, and the pacing makes it hard to put down. This is perfect for readers who love a little chaos with their love stories and believe in the power of a well-placed enchantment.

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I really enjoyed this! It is a quick, light read. I thought that the premise of a magical game show was so interesting, and the author really pulls it off well. It was an entertaining and fresh setting to a story, and I really liked that aspect. The dialogue felt a little stiff at times and the romantic relationship between Gil and Penelope was a little unbelievable for me personally. I know that they know each other from before, but it still felt like their relationship moved very quickly! For me, it was a 3.5 stars, which I'll round up to 4.

Overall, if you like magical realism, fake dating, and witchy romcoms, I think you'll like this!

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for a copy of this eARC in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

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Thank you to Netgalley, AvonBooks & HarperCollins for the e-arc.

This was a super cute & quirky romcom filled with magical realism, silly puns & competition. This is definitely the type of book you could pick up for a quick lighthearted read. This book had anxiety rep, childhood trauma & some ptsd I felt it was handled well. There's also discussion of a family member with dementia, which can be triggering for some.

Some things you'll find in this book:
-- secret identity
-- magical realism
-- Miami setting
-- romcom
-- game show

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Penelope has been working as an under appreciated spell technician. Gil has a secret persona that has gone viral for silly magic fail videos. Both of them are trying to turn their careers around and do something they care about. They are partnered together on a spell making games how, where contestants have various prompts to create something magical. When Gil's secret identity comes to a head with Penelope's serious focus on winning, and someone seems to be sabatoging the contestants spell work, anything might happen, even love.

This was a cute witchy twist on a baking show competition. I enjoyed the descriptions of the challenges and what the contestants brought to the judges, while also having some good underlying plot. I also really loved how, in this world, magic was just another skill that you could combine with anything else. It made the world very fun and enjoyable. The romance felt genuine and cute, not too aggressive or forced.

This is a romance so spice level 3 🌶️🌶️🌶️. Open door with mild explicit descriptions.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

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Witch You Would was such a fun book to read. I absolutely loved it. Set in Miami, where magic is just a normal every day occurrence and something you can study in school, which I LOVED. Magical realism at its finest and not a magical fantasy. The characters and setting was in an everyday normal life where they worked jobs, paid rent, did what they could to just be. But, magic was something you did. You studied, you perfected. You worked hard to make it right and I think that is what I liked most about this book.

Penelope was struggling to make ends meet. She worked a job she loved, but hated her boss, could barely afford her apartment and loved magic theory. Finding out why a spell went awry. She loved her abuela and wanted to make her proud. But, after some serious events in the past, she was hesitant to fully immerse herself in her magical abilities.

Gil was on another level and I completely loved him. He had a PhD in magic theory, an adjunct professor, creator of the Doctor Witch Blog and ran a youtube channel with his college friends about magic spells gone awry. But, his social media knew him as someone entirely different. He had a secret identity and did all he could to protect himself and his identity so that no one knew the real Gil.

When an opportunity came up for Penelope to be a part of a spell casting competition reality show, she jumped at the chance and set out to become the best spellcastor she could be.

The show pairs up contestants with Spellebrities to compete in the competition and when Penelope and Gil are paired up, magic, literally, happens in so many ways.

I loved all the banter and commentary, the plethora of cat puns and wild outfits, the side characters and other contestants were so much fun and you were definitely rooting for them all. But, things went sideways during the competition and the behind the scenes events gave the story a bit of dramatic flair and I was hanging on with all I had.

This was definitely a fantastic romantic comedy with a magical flair that I really enjoyed and didn’t want to end. I hope we can get more with these characters because it would be a shame to not find out what the future holds for them all.

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This is an interesting idea for a book. The plot works. The dialogue doesn’t work as well. The couple has chemistry issues- I never quite got past them being an unlikely couple, but I think it’s because I never quite believed in them as a romantic couple.

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She needs the prize. He needs the exposure. They definitely don’t need the chemistry.

In a magically modern Miami where casting spells is as common as checking your socials, Penelope Delmar just landed the opportunity of a lifetime: a spot on Cast Judgment, the hit spell-slinging reality show where everyday witches compete alongside celebrity partners for a life-changing cash prize.

There’s just one hitch—her celeb teammate, Leandro Presto, is all flash and no finesse. Famous for chaotic viral magic and cheesy catchphrases, he’s the last person Penelope wants to trust with her future.

What she doesn’t know? Leandro is really Gil Contreras, her longtime pen pal—and secret admirer. To help save his grandfather’s struggling charity, Gil has to stay in disguise… even if it means letting Penelope believe he’s a magical mess.

As sabotaged spells, camera-ready rivals, and inconvenient sparks fly, Penelope and Gil must decide if winning the prize is worth losing the truth—or if love might be the most powerful magic of all.

Perfect for fans of chaotic spell-offs, secret identity shenanigans, and the kind of slow-burn romance that lights up the entire studio.

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A cute little romance that would be satisfy a sweet lover girl’s heart. Now, unfortunately the millennial dialogue and the “milady’s” did NOT land correctly with me. When books date themselves with using lines like ‘have you lost your ability to even’— you lost me. Character chemistry was fine, but again, I personally don’t want to hang out with these people. Sweet, easy to read, but I take my bubble tea at 25%

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The universe this story is set in is wonderful, and I love to see that magic is set to be such a common thing. It's a perfect low-fantasy romance, with the premise of the book setting up a unique, high-stakes conflict for both characters to work hard toward. The setting being a game-show makes it all the better, as it allows you to explore other characters without moving away from the main points of the plot.

The two main characters are amazing in their own right. Gil, or Leandro professionally, is both endearing and sweetly awkward. He has his goals, he has his rules to dictate himself both in his professional and private life, and he does his best to be considerate of everyone he meets. Penelope is just as ambitious and goal-driven, responsible and sensible and yet prone to the same hijinks many of us can find relatable. She's kind, even when she has a reason not to be, and just as humorous.

When they're paired together, you expect a comfortable dynamic filled with playful jabs and good communication, and it is what you get with this book. However, something about them together falls short of the classic couple that seals the book together. The way their relationship develops is a bit too faced paced, even with the added precedent that they know each-other from before the show. Their intimate moments feel.. lackluster? Too-faced paced, with little detail?

There are a few mistakes here and there, and a few scenes that could be expanded that lowered the rating of this book for me, but overall it was a very solid story. I can't wait to recommend it to other people.

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Witch You Would was such a fun, cozy read! It gave me all the witchy vibes I was hoping for but still had a sweet romance and characters that felt real and relatable. I loved the banter, the small-town magic, and how the magical world blended into everyday life without being too over the top.

The emotional moments hit just right without feeling heavy. It wasn’t just about spells and potions—it was also about confidence, belonging, and figuring out who you are.

This one reminded me a little of The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches and The Ex Hex, so if you liked those, definitely add this to your TBR! It was such a cozy escape, and I’ll be keeping an eye out for whatever Lia Amador writes next. 🧙🏻‍♀️💫

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This was so much fun! Everything I love about a witchy rom-com: cute, magical, funny, romantic, and a little bit cheesy.

I love watching baking competition shows, so the idea of a similar style with magicians competing sold me immediately and it was really interesting to read. The author clearly did her research or has actually worked or been in that kind of industry before, so many little details that made it feel so realistic.

Penelope and Gil/Leandro were both really entertaining and perfect together. I loved having dual POVs, and just watching the whole thing unfold. There were also some really deep and heavier emotional moments that led to great character development.

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Okay this was adorable! Witch you Would is a cute, short, easy read with romcom vibes. Set in the modern world but with magic. I thought the spell casting reality show aspect was fantastic but I did feel that a little more exposition was needed on the magic system.

Also the MMC kept saying “m’lady” and the first time was silly and cute but after that I just couldn’t handle it. I did think the characters acted a little juvenile for their age but it was still a cute read!

Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager, Lia Amador and NetGalley for the ARC!

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This book has been one of my favorite reads this year. I was initially drawn to this book because of the location, I was excited to see a book that took place in Miami. I also I’m a huge fan of The Great British Bake Off so this felt like a perfect combination. The romance between the two main characters felt real and honest. The two main characters were both well developed, and they both grew and adapted to situations in the book in a way that felt real and genuine. The banter between the two main characters had me giggling and kicking my feet. I think I had a smile on almost the entire time reading this book. I also loved how this book felt like a love letter to Miami. The way she describes the city, and the food, and the people in this book made me fall in love with Miami all over again. I know I received this as an unpublished copy, but I cannot wait for it to come out this fall so I can reread it with my friends.

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Unfortunately, this was a DNF for me. The humor and jokes were a bit too immature and "quirky" for my liking, which pulled me out of the book at every step. I just felt the writing was trying a bit too hard to be funny for my taste; it felt a bit silly most of the time. The premise was exciting to me, but the execution was not for me.

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3⭐️

the premise of this book was so fun! loved the magical reality competition show idea! i enjoyed the two main characters and fake dating will always be one of my favorite tropes. even though it was a little predictable it was 100% a cutesy and enjoyable rom com.

the overuse of outdated slang was a little hard to get through and felt like steve buscemi in 30 rock saying “how do you do, fellow kids”

all in all, this was a super fun book! i would definitely recommend it to fans of rom coms, competition shows and a little bit of magic!

~ thank you to netgalley and harper collins for this arc in exchange for an honest review ! ~

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This was such a fun book! This was the magical, competition-show-based rom com we’ve been waiting for.
I found the characters relatable and fun, with realistic flaws and concerns, which led to organic conflict rather than trope-y miscommunications. Amador set up a really well-crafted magical completion show, pulling from the Great-British-Bake Off and the now-popular craft competitions with creative entries for her characters as well as fun twists and turns along the way. I can’t wait for more books from Amador (and incidentally, I read her sci-fi books earlier this summer and loved them as well!)

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