Love this book. The concept is so cool with Pepper being cursed to the store. Some stuff felt out of order. Like a chapter should’ve been much further into the book or the author just forgot a few things that happened and messed up. The author needs to reread this in this particular order because I do think when it was made digital something’s got switched around.

Pepper and Christina are adorable and I did enjoy this book.

A sapphic paranormal romance with a huge twist you don’t see coming? SAY LESS.

I loved this book! Despite reading it at the end of May, the Halloween and fall vibes were so immersive, it had me reaching for a cozy blanket and a pumpkin spice latte (if they were still available, that is). Ann Rose nails the slightly spooky, slightly whimsical aesthetic that makes A Hexcellent Chance to Fall in Love feel like the queer Halloween rom com I didn’t know I needed.

The concept is SO clever and smart: a mysterious Halloween store that appears and disappears like clockwork, a woman cursed to come and go with it, and the one person who might change everything. Pepper is such a unique and layered character; funny, self-aware, a little tragic, but filled with heart. I also loved Christina as an FMC. Their chemistry is immediate and electric, but there’s a bittersweet edge because you know their time is running out… or is it? I do not want to spoil it, so that is all I will say.

What really sold me is how smart and twisty this story is. Just when you think you know where it’s going, it hits you with that twist, and suddenly everything changes. It's not just a romance, but it's a story about memory, sacrifice, fate, and second chances. And yes, the ending is totally satisfying! I was surprised but also very happy witht the way it ended.

If you're in the mood for a queer love story wrapped in Halloween magic, with a cursed FMC, a fresh twist on fate, and a reminder that love sometimes requires a little trick and treat, then A Hexcellent Chance to Fall in Love should be at the top of your TBR, especially for the upcoming holiday season.

🧡 Spooky, sweet, and spellbinding. Highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley, Ann Rose, and Berkley for the eARC of this book.

<i>“Hold on, I can’t write a review yet, I’m busy trying to figure out how to rate this thing 6-stars. Yes, I realize there is a max of 5, but this one deserves six doesn’t it?? Of course I know what "maximum" means! Five-out-of-five simply doesn’t feel right for such a masterpiece! No, you're being difficult.”</i>

Reader, I hope that this is the first review of this novel that you have seen because that means that you can stop browsing reviews right this second and go read this novel without accidentally finding any spoilers. I definitely believe that this is best enjoyed spoiler-free. I’m not normally one to care for spoilers too much, but in this case, I think it will matter to the reading experience.

As you can probably tell, I think this novel was incredible. Every now and then I read something that’s just a certain kind of special, and this is one of those times. I don’t want to leave a normal review because I don’t want to give anything away. This novel was incredibly clever, a lot of fun, heartwarming, but also very sad. It was an absolute page-turner and I think 400 pages wasn't enough.

It's got some awesome Halloween vibes if you like that kind of thing, but it also somehow wasn't too focused on Halloween if it's not.

Context-free highlights:
-Its clever. If you like that kind of thing
-Replacing swears with Halloween-themed-puns
-The classic “only one hearse” trope
-Christina's anxiety-laced internal monologue
-Pro-teacher platform
-“I got you”…ahhhhhhhhh!!!! Sobbing.
-Genius writing/plot structure
-The cat remembers
-“I can’t lose my keys”
-Zero plot holes or continuity errors

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free ARC. This honest review was left voluntarily.

I'm not sure what to say here that doesn't maybe include a spoiler so all I'm going to say is I really enjoyed this. Cheesy, romantic, fun, and also complex. (I didn't even hate the shameless self promotion near the end. In fact, I might have to go find a copy of the author's other book.)

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an eARC of this book!


POSSIBLE SPOILERS BELOW!!!!!





SERIOUSLY, you've been warned

MY SHIFT pinky got tired...



Ever read a story that you think is going to be just a cutesy rom com and then about 75% of the way through you realize nothing is as it seems? Well, it took me wayyyyyy too long to figure out the twist on this one. (It also took me way too long to figure out the twist on "This is Us" too soooooo...)

This is a charming and whimsical paranormal romance that had me hooked from the first page. It blends magic, humor, and heart in a story that feels both fresh and cozy. The chemistry between the main characters crackles, and the magical elements add a fun twist to the classic enemies-to-lovers trope.

The pacing is mostly solid, though there were a few moments where things felt a bit rushed or underdeveloped. Still, the lovable characters and sweet romantic tension more than made up for it.

If you're in the mood for a light, enchanting read with a sprinkle of witchy charm and a satisfying love story, this is a great pick!