⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.25/5)

Witch You Would by Lia Amador is a cute, cozy, and low-stakes read—no high drama or violence, just a warm story filled with magic, heart, and light competition. The Miami setting added a personal touch for me as a Florida native, making the story feel especially familiar and grounded.

One of my favorite elements was the magic system. I always appreciate when magic is rooted in reality and cultural history, and Amador did a lovely job incorporating that, especially through Penelope’s connection to her abuela and ancestral traditions. It brought an authentic depth to the magical elements that made them feel meaningful rather than just whimsical.

The dual POV between Penelope and Gil was a great choice, allowing readers to get a clear sense of both characters' emotions—not just throughout the competition, but also as their relationship developed. Their perspectives balanced each other well and added a layer of sincerity to the narrative.

That said, the competition show itself felt a little cheesy at times—but honestly, in the best way. We've all watched a reality show thinking, this is ridiculous, only to find ourselves binging a whole season. This book has that same vibe: light, fun, and easy to get wrapped up in.

🎥 Bookish Thoughts
This was a fun and easy read. I liked the magical reality show premise. The magic system was very interesting, and I liked the Miami-Cuban culture woven into the world building! But the slang was a bit much to be honest. It pulled me out of the story more than once. I also kept wanting more from the magic system. It felt like there was a cool idea there, but it didn’t seem fully flushed out? Still, it had charm and I enjoyed it.

💫 Read if you like:
• Magical reality TV
• Fake dating
• Secret admirers
• Grumpy sunshine
• Enemies to lovers
• Light rom-com vibes
• Mistaken identity
• Low Angst

Pub Date: September 2, 2025
ARC provided by Avon via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.

⭐️ 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars!

As a former native Miami citizen, I enjoyed the tidbits of a city I used to live in from the food and culture to mentions of rush hour. I wish I could say I enjoyed this book more but in reality it felt rushed to read even though it took me several days to finish. Gil and Penelope’s relationship is very healthy but I wouldn’t consider this an enemies to lovers as mentioned in the description, there was no hate or rivalry from the beginning. I think the there was some conversations and puns used that were very outdated dare I say cringy? I think the book is very millennial-coded and it was too much for me to read? The conflict didn’t seem so conflicting with no actual consequences nor repercussions to the story’s plot. I did enjoy the last chapter where we get glimpse to a next book? I probably wouldn’t read this again and probably lightheartedly recommend if someone needed something quick to read.

3.5 stars! Witch You Would is an adorable, easy read. Penelope is a hardworking spell caster with big dreams. Leandro is a magical influencer hopeful for the future. Both take a leap of faith on a magical competition show unaware of the outside obstacles to come, including each other. I love the concept of a magical competition show. The romance was a bit cringy at times, but overall I enjoyed Penelope and Gil’s relationship.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers for the opportunity to read this e-ARC.

Lia Amador’s Witch You Would is a refreshing, hilarious, and delightfully punny read. As a longtime fantasy lover, I don’t typically gravitate toward urban fantasy, but this one surprised me in a good way. The lore behind its magic system was well thought out, and the “reality TV show meets magical competition” premise was entertaining and creative.

That said, even as a low-stakes, romance-forward story, the pacing felt a little uneven. I would’ve loved to see more of the reality show element explored in-depth—especially the other contestants, who mostly came off as names on a list rather than fully developed characters.

Another small caveat: the puns and bilingualism. Some puns were clever and genuinely funny, others made me groan (in a good way). As a Spanish-English bilingual ESL teacher, the code-switching and use of Spanish didn’t always feel entirely natural—but that might be a personal quirk more than a flaw in the writing.

Overall, Witch You Would was a fun and easy read. If you’re in the mood for an urban fantasy rom-com with a bit of spice, low stakes, and a unique premise, this is a great book to pick up.

Witch you would us an extent cute, cozy, magical rom-com story! Penelope is a sassy and hard working sales person helping people fix their spells and Gil has a secret persona who does goofy spells on social media.
What I liked about this book was it was funny and super entertaining, but I do wish it ended a little differently, but this read was very enjoyable! Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this magical story!

A witchy reality show? Say less. This was so cute and fun. Withy vibes but not super halloween or fall just more witch in general.

Thank you to Netgalley, HarperCollins, and the author for the eARC!

Think of The British Bake Off, but add magic!
The reality show Cast Judgment casts an ordinary spell caster with a "Spellibrity" (someone who is famous for being a spell caster) and teams them up to compete to win 100k for the regular person and an 100k donation to the celebrities charity. Penelope and Gil/Lenardo are teamed up and end up falling in love.
This book gives so much, fake dating, secret identities, and so much more.

I absolutely loved this book, except for the part where Penelope referred to something as her "happy place" IYKYK.

thank you so much for the ARC!

I'm not going to lie to you, it was my very first net gally approval, so thanks for that!

check the trigger warnings first also it's a 3 on the spice and language scale. if your picking this up for your tween just keep this in mind

that being said, if they didn't have the "read to me" option on net gally I might have dnfed it

that said. I'm giving it a 3 5 because the puns were bad. if it were 2009 and I were 19 again I might have given it a 4 but the puns pulled me out of the story.

the story itself was adorable, but not much to it, I might have done a better job (less banana puns and all) and don't get me started on the kitten puns. it was just...it does get better but you have to wait to get there but the mystery with the game show is cute

As a die-hard fan of competition shows (specifically cooking and arts related), the premise of this read was RIGHT up my alley! Penelope and Leandro (a.k.a Gil), have the most adorable, dorky, rom-com chemistry and it was a joy to read how they worked off each other and together for some serious spell-casting magic. The side characters are all unique and fun in their own ways, but stay pleasantly at the side without being obnoxious or taking the spotlight. I can't think of a single-one that made me think, "Really? were they THAT important to the story?" (No, not even Regular Manny). I would also like to add that I LOVED that there wasn't the ridiculous, over-the-top "miscommunication" chapter. While there is definitely that point of "wait, hold on... that's not what they meant!", the telanovela-esque melodrama was resolved in a wonderfully reasonable timeframe. It's so frustrating to think, "oh my goodness, just TALK to each other already!!". Thankfully, this read saved us from that nightmare! Another great aspect of this book was the wonderful way in which the author added in the spicy and sweet notes of Cuban culture and family dynamics. It's clear that while both characters have their own traumas to work through, their love for their respective grandparents kept them grounded and provided wonderful arcs of growth - especially in Penelope's case.
Unfortunately, this book sort of missed the mark for me in terms of over-using various Gen-Z lingo. While I whole-heartedly love how endearing and cute the main characters are, they read a tad like YA in some moments; which sort of takes you out of it a bit when you're later reminded they are closer to 30 and Gil specifically has a degree he's defended with a whole dissertation (btw - not saying 30 year old's can't be goofy and have their fun! but, ya know...).
All-in-all, this was a cute, quick, light read that I will absolutely be recommending to all of my light romance and rom-com loving reader friends. Shout-out thanks to Netgally, Harper Collins and the author for the eARC!
P.S. I am also really in love with the cover-art! 2025 is the year of my crochet book blanket and I can't wait to get the coordinating square made up for this read!

I adored this! The main characters were doofy instead of suave, which was so relatable 😅 The romance was cute, the miscommunication trope (my personal petpeeve) was not overdone, and I loved the game show setting. My only complaints are that it was a little rushed and weirdly overly-descriptive about clothing? Overall it was a really impressive debut! Pub date Sep 2, 2025.

🪄 magical game show
💘 fake dating
🫠 anxiety representation

Thank you to @netgalley, @harpercollins, and @liaamador for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For fans of Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, Legends & Lattes, Emily Wilde

Cute characters and concept. My issue with the book is this I’m a white person that doesn’t speak Spanish and most of the Spanish words used there was no translation for in the kindle. It would’ve been nice if there had been a Spanish dictionary of sorts in the book of the words used in the book. I would’ve enjoyed this more than I did.

I received an advanced copy of Witch You Would from NetGalley and Harper Collins Publishing in return for an honest review.
I LOVED this book!! It was such a unique and fun take on a romcom, very unlike anything I’ve ever read before.
Witch You Would is set in real-world Miami but with magical elements, where the two main characters are contestants together on a magical competition show.
The magical elements are fun and whimsical, and it’s fun how the author created all this magic, genuinely making it sound like real science.
My husband and I watch a lot of Food Network and competition cooking shows, and this competition felt like a behind-the-scenes look of a cooking competition show (but with magic), and whether it was accurate or not, it was neat to see behind the curtain.
And the characters were so fun!!! They’re adorable people but with a little unexpected edginess, and I loved their chemistry. I also thoroughly enjoyed the little twists and little mystery elements that are incorporated throughout the book.

This was a seriously fun read, and I would recommend it to anyone that loves a light-hearted romcom!

Witch You Would is a light, easy, and super fun read—perfect for when you want something swoony, magical, and a little chaotic in the best way. Penelope, stuck in retail hell, gets cast on a magical reality show and paired with Leandro Presto, a viral “Spellebrity” known for spell fails and charm overload. But plot twist: he’s secretly Gil, her anonymous pen pal of many years, and the slow-burn tension? So good.
The romance is the heart of the story—grumpy girl/sunshine boy energy, hilarious banter, and real emotional depth. You’ll root for them from page one. The Miami setting adds vibrancy, and the Latinx representation gives the whole story a grounded, authentic feel.
The magical system isn’t super detailed—it’s more of a whimsical, anything-goes vibe than a structured world with hard rules. If you’re into complex magic lore, this might feel a little light. But honestly? The focus is so much on the characters, relationships, and fun plot twists, I didn’t mind.
It’s lighthearted, low-stress, and delightful all the way through. 🧙‍♀️✨💘

Witch You Would, is a fun competition centered book focusing on Penelope Delmar and Gil Contreras (Leandro Presto). The two are competing together on a spell casting reality show, where they learn they may have more in common than initially thought.
I enjoyed the dual point of as it really let you understand the two characters as individuals.
This book allows you to go into a magical world, with an ending that could allow more spell casting in the future.

3.75 ⭐️ Thank you NetGalley for approving my request of this ARC! I did really enjoy this book! It was a feel good, quick read. I loved that the main characters communicated well. Miscommunication/ lack of communication is usually my biggest complaint of most romance novels, so this was really refreshing. It had cutesy witchy vibes with the added element of a game show that was really fun! The only thing I would have changed is world building. It would have been nice to know the background of the reality they lived in. Was everyone able to perform spells or were spell casters just mixed in and accepted by everyone else? Overall, this was a fun read and I would recommend it to others!

Cute short story!

I enjoyed seeing little spanish references that I heard/use in my day to day life.
Penelope slowly breaking out of her shell and feeding into Gil’s humor and lightheartedness melted my heart. Penelope keeping her grandmothers potion book and keeping true to them and also keeping that tradition alive.
And we also love a queen that wants to help everybody instead of being self centered!

Witch You Would is a delightful mix of magic, romance, and reality TV chaos, but at its core, it’s about taking chances—especially when fear tells you not to. Lia Amador weaves a spellbinding story with charming characters, sizzling chemistry, and just the right amount of mischief. It reminds us that sometimes the biggest risks lead to the most magical rewards. A perfect blend of humor, heart, and enchantment, this book is a must-read for fans of magical rom coms!"

4.5⭐️ This book was so endearing! It was definitely a page turner as I didn’t want to put it down when I had to actually “adult”. Magical realism is a comfort read for me. I loved the magic system of sorts that the author created and seamlessly slipped into the real world. I also loved the wave of Cuban culture that was heavily peppered throughout the book but in such a fluid way.

This book is an adult romance but it read a bit like YA but in the most positive way. It also had a touch of mystery involved and Ms Amador did a great job weaving everything together.
One thing that i appreciated so much is that it did the miscommunication trope right. It was a perfectly realistic miscommunication but was rectified in a reasonable time frame. It’s what separates a book like this from romances that would be described as “hallmark-esque”

My biggest “complaint” was the ending was sort of abrupt. However, it did come to a resolution but did leave it where a series could easily be made.

This book comes out September 2, 2025 just in time for spooky/ witchy season and this is the perfect book for some witchy romance fun.


I am thankful to have gotten a complimentary eARC from Avon Harper Voyager through NetGalley to read which gave me the opportunity to voluntarily leave a review.

My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars

⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again

Witch You Would is the first fantasy romance - or Magical Rom-Com as the marketing material calls it - by Lia Amador (aka humorous Sci-Fi author Valerie Valdes). The novel features a world where magic is as ubiquitous as cooking - indeed, they work in very clear similar ways - to the point where a reality show has sprung up around it: Cast Judgment, in which spellcasters compete to prove they're the best and are worthy of both a cash prize and a year residency at a super fanciful magical arts center. Into this world we have our romantic duo: Penelope, a spell technician obsessed due to trauma with making sure every spell component is exactly right and who wants the residency so she can finally decipher the spells in her late Abuela's spellbook - and Gil, an adjunct professor of magical theory who's secretly the popular joke influencer Leandro Presto, who posts on the magical version of tik tok videos of him messing up spells and getting into trouble. And with Penelope and Gil have serious pen pal crushes with each other....but Penelope also hates the screwing up of Leandro, so when she gets paired up with Leandro on Cast Judgment.....boom, magical romance.

And it's a romance that's a lot of fun to read, with excellent romantic main characters, a solid enjoyable setting and a pace that tantalizes and eventually delivers as much as I hope for in a romance. The reality show setting is clearly modeled after cooking shows - which I enjoy, so no complaints there - and the comedic tones of the characters, setting, and dialogue work pretty damn well. And most importantly, the romantic sparks between Gil and Penelope are very real, with some very believable and enjoyable sex scenes and romantic ups and downs, and it all winds up being a very cute enjoyable package. Definitely will read this one's sequel.

More specifics after the jump:

Plot Summary:
Penelope works as spell technician for a small magical spell supply shop, dealing with grumbling customers who complain about misfortunes caused by their own ignorance and a boss who belittles her and doesn't appreciate her work. It's not what she wants to do - what she would want to do is to translate and test the spells in her late Abuela's spellbook, the last thing of her abuela that Penelope has...but alas, she can't afford the ingredients or the casting space. Meanwhile fools like Leandro Presto, an online influencer who makes videos of him screwing up spells that Penelope would never, get to have all the ingredients or casting space they seemingly want. The only saving grace for Penelope is her pen pal relationship with Gil, a former customer who blogs about proper spell design and who Penelope has been flirting with over email for ages (of course she's too chicken to actually ask him out). But when Penelope applies and is accepted onto Cast Judgment, the spellcasting competition reality show, she knows this is her big chance: either she wins the competition and has the money and resources to fulfill her dream or she impresses one of the celebrity contestants and gets a job from them.

On the surface, Gil is an adjunct professor of magical theory with a blog called "Doctor Witch", which he uses to help people with spell problems and to share spell recipes that actually work. But secretly he's also fallen into being Leandro Presto, joke influencer, who uses that same spell knowledge to slightly mess up spells in increasingly entertaining ways. It's a role that has sort of gotten away from him and is way more popular than he expected, but he hopes that he can use that role to increase attention for his beloved grandpa's charity: Alan Kazam's Schools Are Magic, which taught magic to kids in elementary school. The one thing that helps keep him sane are his pen pal relationship with Penelope, whose flirting banter and intelligence he really loves...if only he wasn't too chicken to ask her out (and of course there's that secret identity thing). Still, Gil has a big chance to help his grandpa's charity: he's been selected as one of the celebrities (err Spellebrities) on Cast Judgment, set to be paired with one of the more amateur contestants all for the chance to win money for his charity of choice. Of course that selection is solely in his role as Leandro Presto and he'll have to be in character the whole time...

But when Penelope and Leandro Presto wind up paired up and having to work together on Cast Judgment, both Penelope and Gil will find sparks are beginning to fly...and not just the ones created from their magical spells.....

Witch You Would takes a concept that in some ways drives me crazy: Penelope and Gil are thrown together, both with obvious feelings for each other, except Gil is in character and Penelope doesn't know it's him for most of the book - I hate the cringe that type of setup can result in. But the book does this really well, because both characters and their chemistry together, even while Gil is in character as Leandro, are just really well done. It helps of course that both characters are really corny and like throwing around puns, such that Valerie Valdes/Lia Amador's trademark humor can shine through. It also helps that the magical setting is really well done, with the magic and the reality show setting being noticeably similar to the world of cooking, only with more explicit and clear magic of course.

But what mostly helps is a pair of excellent main characters. Penelope, for one, is a girl who is really smart and gifted as a spell technician, but who has a habit of subsuming herself in meekness when confronted with bossy others. Some of this comes from trauma in her past - a spell accident that is hinted at early and is further revealed as the story goes on - that has made her extra cautious about how she triple checks every part of a spell, but other parts of it come from the fact that she has seemingly never been able to take charge of her life, always subject to the whims of others - even if those others like her boss really don't deserve to have power over her. But over the course of this plot, Penelope learns to gain confidence, especially as she begins to fall for Gil in his Leandro persona as well, and the character growth she undergoes is really lovely and makes her super easy to root for.

Gil meanwhile undergoes similar character growth, and it works just as well. He's a guy who wants to instruct more than anything - with him insisting upon keeping little seen instructional videos as part of his Leandro package because it means something to him - and his devotion to his grandfather's vision of teaching kids with fun magic comes off as super genuine. Meanwhile, he too struggles from past bad experiences - failing to get a job as an adjunct and a stalker incident that made him extremely weary about getting close to any fans, and has made him devote himself to the six or seven rules his grandfather has taught him. But of course, as he gets close to Penelope, the girl he's secretly fallen for as a pen pal all these past few months, he struggles at first with those rules and his desire to be seen not just as Leandro or Gil, but as all of whom he is, and he eventually finds a place he wants to be.

None of this can work if the romantic chemistry and romantic plot arc of these two didn't work, and it does here really quite well. The banter and dialogue between Gil and Penelope makes it clear how much they're on the same wavelength, and the book does a good if frustrating job with exploring how Gil secretly being Leandro takes a toll on both of them - Gil because he doesn't want to lie to Penelope and wishes she would see all of him, Penelope because she's falling for Leandro despite her feelings for Gil and despite the dislike she has over putting forth videos that she thinks promote things going wrong. The reality show competition context really allows for this to simmer and burst over at generally the right times, and the story eventually features a couple of really nice sex and near sex scenes to further the romance. And of course when the Gil is Leandro reveal occurs, the story makes it work pretty well (with a callback joke right thereafter that amused me quite a bit)...although the book did lean near the end on the whole "Misunderstanding causes an almost breakup" plot twist near the end that I understand as classic in a romance arc but still kinda hate. Still, it works really well and carries this book - if you're here for romance (and you should be, this is a romance novel) you won't be disappointed.

Not all of the rest of the book works necessarily - there's a mystery plot about who might be sabotaging the competition that most readers will figure out pretty much immediately and most of the rest of the competition characters I could barely tell apart (there are the main two rivals, and then 6 other characters whose names were all I really knew about them). But really, this book does exactly what I wanted for a fantasy romance - it told a magical story of two characters I grew to care about growing to care for each other and coming off better for it...and winding up happy. So this is a definite recommend for romance fans, and I'll be back for book 2.