"Witching and Scheming" by Noelle Rider is a delightful and quirky witchy rom-com that blends magic, humour, and romance in the small, eccentric town of Huckleberry Hollow, Idaho. The story follows Penelope Ophelia Odenberry (Penny), a witch with a penchant for coffee, cloudy days, and a deep disdain for the patriarchy—especially the old white witch men who run the town’s Council. Her life takes a chaotic turn when she returns to her hometown and reconnects with her sunshine-y best friend, Artemis Nita-Nusi (Artie), a half-bear, half-demon shifter with a complicated family dynamic.

The novel is packed with witty banter, laugh-out-loud moments, and a cast of eccentric characters that bring the town of Huckleberry Hollow to life. Penny’s sarcastic and relatable voice drives the narrative, as she navigates her complicated feelings for Artie, her frustration with the town’s power structures, and her own magical abilities. The fake dating trope adds a layer of romantic tension, as Artie insists on sticking by Penny’s side to break a memory spell she cast to protect him—while also shamelessly trying to see her naked.

The story explores themes of trust, loyalty, and self-discovery, as Penny and Artie confront their past and the secrets they’ve kept from each other. The chemistry between the two leads is electric, with their playful dynamic and undeniable attraction keeping readers rooting for their happily ever after (HEA). However, the road to love is anything but smooth, as they face off against sketchy Council members, Artie’s intimidating Alpha father, and their own insecurities.

Noelle Rider infuses the story with light-hearted humour, magical mishaps, and a touch of darkness, creating a balance between comedy and deeper emotional moments. The novel also tackles issues like toxic masculinity, body positivity, and the importance of standing up for oneself, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking.

"Witching and Scheming" is the first book in a standalone Witchy RomCom series, promising more magical adventures, quirky characters, and heart-warming romances. With its unique blend of magic, humour, and romance, this book is perfect for fans of paranormal rom-coms who enjoy a good dose of wit, charm, and a happily ever after.

I appreciate the eARC 💖 I was very excited upon getting this one. It seems fun and quirky.

I wanted to keep that open mindedness going forward but there’s something… I can’t quite put my finger on it, that doesn’t have me coming back to this book. I DNF’d at around 50%

I might pick it up again and edit my rating. For now, it just all felt kinda convoluted. We’re you g then fast forward and the FMC and MMC are not super likeable, they kinda feel like too edgy but in an immature way……. Idk.

It’s not a complete miss by any means which is why I’m giving it 3 stars. But I think it needed a little more time in editing perhaps

Oh this book... where do I start? This was one of my favorite reads this month already. The story was immaculate, the characters are fantastic and the plot was so well written.

It was a quick and easy read. While it wasn’t entirely my cup of tea, I did enjoy certain parts—especially the FMC, whose personality and snarky comments I really enjoyed. However, the pacing felt off at times, either moving too fast or too slow. I did love the witchy aspect’s tho! Im always a sucker for those.

Overall, if you’re looking for a fun, witchy read, this could still be enjoyable despite the pacing issues!

While I appreciated the content warnings, I wish there had been a few more. Including the one where the author describes the MMC's sexual activity with people other than the FMC, even if its off page. It's one of the things that would turn me away from a book and turn me off one.

Now, I know he is part succubus.... But I just don't need to know. Its not my thing.

The FMC was cute, but I felt that the prose really prolonged everything and not in a good way. Majority of the pages could be summarised, making this book more tolerable. The first chapter was a great one. However, when they jumped to 15 years later there was no real explanation to whatever was happening. It felt like the author was describing everything but the plot.

The spice was okay. But, for me, I can't forget the things I read at the beginning of the book to really care. She had been pining over this guy for so long, had to hear him hook up with so many people including people who were horrible to her. And then what? He falls for her? After he has slept with the whole town? No thank you. Big ick. But thats just my preference in romance novels.

All-in-all this book could be improved with more of a clear storyline from the beginning and more condensed descriptions for everything else. Not for me. Not for me.

Witching and Scheming by Noelle Rider offers an enjoyable mix of magic, mischief, and quirky characters. The premise of the story is fun, filled with witches, secrets, and some lighthearted scheming that keeps things entertaining. Rider’s writing style is engaging and accessible, making it an easy and quick read, perfect for fans of paranormal fiction with a humorous twist.

While the story has a lot of potential, it sometimes lacks depth in both character development and plot. The pacing can feel a bit uneven, with certain moments feeling rushed or underexplored. Some of the twists and turns are predictable, which takes away from the suspense and mystery. However, the overall vibe is charming, and fans of lighthearted, magical reads will likely still enjoy it.

Overall, Witching and Scheming is a fun read with a lot of heart, but it could benefit from more developed characters and a tighter plot. It’s a solid choice for those looking for a breezy, magical escape, even if it doesn’t fully reach its potential.

Pre thoughts:
Witch romance book

Post thoughts:
If you like second chance romance books this may be for you. The FMC returns back to her Hometown after 15 years away and the tension between her and the MMC begins to build almost immediately.

With the slowburn of Artie and Pen being impeccable throughout the Book.

I would re-read this book in the fall + for the sarcastic FMC. The Pacing was a little different, Nonetheless the book was a great read

3 stars

Tropes:
second chance
slowburn
forced proximity
sunshine MMC

2.5⭐️


No hay continuidad: los personajes aparecen y desaparecen de la escena según cuando la autora los recuerda. Además, hay un exceso de pensamientos internos.

Estuve varias veces a punto de abandonarlo.

Artemis siempre será un súcubo y tiene que alimentar al demonio. Entonces, ¿por qué antes Pen no fue suficiente y decidió acostarse con cualquiera menos ella, pero ahora sí lo es? No tiene sentido. Se supone que en el pasado estaba enamorado, pero aun así se acostaba con personas que la molestaban… eso sí, no los besaba porque tenia limites. 🙄


La autora parece tener una obsesión con Pen y la saliva. Habla y se le escapan gotas, duerme y se le escurre, se ríe y empieza a salpicar, simplemente está parada y se ahoga. En cada capítulo, se menciona al menos dos veces la palabra "saliva".

Es como una mala historia de Wattpad.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

I really enjoyed this book overall.

I really enjoyed the the world of withes and magical beings. I love forward to more from this author and this world!

Unfortunately, this book wasn’t quite to my taste. The biggest issue for me was the pacing—I often felt like I was waiting for something to shake up the rhythm and make the story more engaging. While the protagonist has a strong, snarky voice, the secondary characters lacked depth, making it harder to connect with them or feel invested in their arcs.

That being said, there was an element I genuinely enjoyed: Grim, the familiar, was absolutely delightful—a loyal, adventurous companion who brought warmth and charm to the story.

Tropes:

Friends to Lovers – Slow-burning tension with a history between the leads.

Bi Half-Shifter Sunshine MMC – Artemis is a charming, warm presence with a flirtatious and playful personality.

Forced Proximity – Circumstances keep the characters together, fueling tension and unresolved feelings.

Spicy and Awkward – Moments of heat laced with humor and chaotic energy.

Dog Familiar – Grim, the real star of the book, is a fantastic and lovable companion.


Overall, while Witching and Scheming has an interesting premise and a bold narrative style, the pacing and character development didn’t fully work for me. However, readers who enjoy sarcastic protagonists, contemporary fantasy, and a mix of humor and spice might still find it worth a read.