I struggled with this one. I loved the concept, but over a third of the way in, I don’t find myself rooting for the characters or really engaged with the premise. I would like to see it after another round of edits; for instance, some version of “he was named twice for the devil” appeared at least three times in the first 10 percent of the book. I will not be reviewing elsewhere.

Thank you so much to the author for inviting me to read this!! I absolutely loved this! The writing was fun and easy to follow along with, and it I read it pretty quickly!

DNF @ 50% 7/7/25

Unfortunately, this book is not for me. I sort of knew at the beginning but I tried to push through for the sake of the arc.

- this is a paranormal contemporary fantasy romance with witches, demons, and magic but there are too many real world issues taking place in the story. The mmc's parents die of covid? there is multiple references to BLM, woke, and rainbow flags, and evangelical christians in the first 50% and I'm asking why. I don't disagree with the author's viewpoint on these things, but it just felt out of place and shoe horned in within the context of this story and the world they're in. Why are demons and witches worried about the BLM movement....

- the main "sinister threat" is an evangelical church that the fmc's parents planted in their small town...

- it's not explained in the first half why Victoria is the one acquiring the tea shop instead of the actual children of the deceased owners that are literally main characters in this story

- this was giving me war flashbacks to Rewind It Back by Liz Tomforde and that isn't necessarily this book's fault, but the trope of second chance best friends pining and neglecting to be together for no sensible reason is not something I wanted to read for a second time. They keep alluding to this ~big mistake~ they made 6 years ago and although it's not revealed what really happened in the first half of the book, it's clear that they had sex and the relationship didn't pan out the way they wanted. The constant inner dialogue about how much they want to fuck but them just choosing not to makes no sense. They say "it was 6 years ago" but 6 years ago they were in college so there is no actual reason why 2 consenting adults can't be together

- some of the dialogue was a little too hammy for me

- Victoria is horny for EVERYONE she comes in contact with and I guess this is the explanation behind her being bisexual but it felt overly gazey and inappropriate. She's horny for the demon holding her contract, she's horny for Azrael, she's horny for this woman they literally talk to once and thinks about how that woman would masterbate? Okay I guess!

- there is a mystery going on here, but at the 50% mark, most of what has happened has been Azrael and Victoria thinking about how they both want to smash with no actual mystery solving. A small part of why they can't be together is connected to the mystery, but that reasoning felt a little flimsy considering they basically have sex in present day prior to that affecting them. Reviews say this goes on until at least 70% in and frankly I didn't have the energy to read anymore inner dialogue

- the amount of nicknames felt.....slightly juvenile. Vickie instead of Victoria, Prissy instead of Priscilla. Like, idk I guess people do go by their nicknames but you'd think that would be a close friend/family thing and not an everybody thing

The premise for this sounded interesting and I think I would have liked it better if it was less focused on the forced not really second-chance trope and was more friends to lovers. This read like a mouthpiece for the author to write something "woke" and while I'm all for that, those choices didn't really make sense within the context of a magical world with witches and demons.

Unfortunately the tropes and setting didn't work for me in the way I had hoped, and I didn't think it would serve me to finish the book and give an even lower rating.

I received an arc from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Netgalley and Atria books for the arc!

I think this book could have been really great. These characters seem immature. They’re both really horny and that overshadowed the plot. The communication between adults isn’t there for them to be 26. Over all it was an okay read to me.

i had an incredibly hard time believing these two characters could be together. it was genuinely the most brutal book i have read in awhile. i did my best trying to get through it and around 70%, i just gave up.

This book is a 2.75 rounded up to 3 stars for me. Thank you very much to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC in exchange for a free and honest review.

I wanted very much to give this book a higher rating, as the premise was super cute and it sounded like a perfect cozy, spooky mystery romance that would be great to pick up this fall as the temperatures drop and the leaves turn. I do think that those looking for a cute, fluffy Halloween romance with two characters pining over each other will really like this. (And there is a LOT of pining). If you're looking for a Halloween mystery book with a romance subplot, this would not be the book for you.

The mystery plot takes a backseat to the pining between our two main characters, Azrael and Victoria. I will say Azrael is a great character -- he's very emotionally mature, able to recognize his faults and shortcomings, and very protective. I feel like we didn't really get to know Victoria beyond her powers and constant pining for Azrael. We don't really see them doing much to solve the mystery beyond taking trips that are filled with internal and external monologuing about how much they want to be with each other and touch each other, but then they don't know for sure if they want to be with each other, but oh wait! Yes they do. While endless pining may be something that others really enjoy, it didn't do it for me.

As a side note, I feel the summary doesn't entirely do this book justice. Part of what drew me in was the idea of them not being able to touch, but that doesn't actually become part of the plot until about 40% into the book. Then, it doesn't feel like very high stakes because they just constantly find ways around it. Not really what I thought I was going to receive as a reader based on the summary. It also seemed to put the mystery first and romance second, when it was very much flipped in the book. I think if the romance and pining was emphasized first, rather than the mystery, this book would find its way into more readers who would really enjoy it.

This was such a cute cozy read! There was even some spice too and spookiness which was an added bonus. I was absolutely obsessed with Azrael. Just read it and you’ll understand 🥵🖤 The only thing I struggled with was the pacing. In some parts it was really slow and easy for me to want to take breaks because of it.

Hopelessly Teavoted follows Vicky and Azrael. Vicky has been recently disowned by her family because she dropped out of school to take over the tea shop in town. The tea shop was formally owned by her estranged former crush/friend Azrael’s parents. They passed away and Vicky didn’t want the shop to close up for good. Vicky and Azrael’s families were enemies in other words but never Vicky and Azrael. They both harbored deep feelings for one another but never acted on them or it was one sided and never brought to light. As if being disowned by her family wasn’t enough she’s also been faced with her parent’s lawyer, a lesser devil, she is to give him three souls as promised by her parents. Meanwhile, Azrael is back in town for good and this brings back memories and deeply buried feelings for one another. Vickie’s powers have been cursed by this devil and she can’t touch Azrael or he will die. Talk about sexually frustrated… Azrael finds a way to use his magic to where they can find unique ways to touch each other without the threat of death. The twist was rather unexpected when we find out who the big forced antagonist truly is.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. Hopelessly Teavoted releases on September 16th, 2025.

🔮 Bookish Thoughts
This was such a cute witchy read. As a longtime Charmed girlie, Hopelessly Teavoted gave me all the nostalgic magical vibes. I now fully want to move to Hallowcross and open a cozy little tea shop.

Az is the ultimate cinnamon roll MMC. He is sweet, steady, and completely smitten. Also, he is a proud cat daddy, and his cat Emily Lickinson absolutely steals every scene. I really liked Vickie too. She is just trying to manage the magical mess her parents got her in. She can summon ghosts, runs a tea shop, and now has to repay a devil in order to break her curse. The worst part? She and Az cannot touch until it is done. 😭

That said, around the 60% mark, the story started to lose momentum for me. It felt a little repetitive and dragged in places, which pulled me out of the cozy spell a bit.

Still, this would be a great pick for fall or spooky season. If you’re in the mood for a magical small-town romance with ghosts, curses, and tea, it’s worth a try.

🐈‍⬛ What You Can Expect
• Friends to lovers
• Cinnamon roll witch MMC
• Cat daddy energy
• Ghostly parents
• Queer Rep

📖 Final Score: 3.5 stars
📅 Pub Date: September 16, 2025
🪄 Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

First, I would like to thank Simon and Schuster publishing atria books and net Galli for giving me a free ARC and exchange for an honest review of this book. Overall, I really enjoyed this cute little romcom. I am glad that even though half of the first act was all about the two leads second chance romance being they both think that the other person doesn’t love them anymore when in reality they do, I’m glad that that plot line didn’t stretch on for too long because it was getting very repetitive. It was a relief when the lesser devil put some truths. I’m grave dust on them to get them to finally confess their feelings, and to hook up. Speaking of which the less or double kept Flirting with both of them so I was expecting some sort of plot line were one or both of them hook, tries to hook up with him to make the other person jealous or he like the lesser devil like tries to stage something like that, and that would’ve been really fun, but I was a little disappointed that they didn’t go that route for the added drama. But there was already a lot of Fun drama going on in this story. First of all, it was a lot like those old viral hum, Tumblr post where the Addams family adopts some urchin off the street or hangs out with some people who really need their own family, that was the case with the lovable girly girl Victoria. I also loved that the Adam’s inspired snapping magic plant witches of the hearts were Half Jewish. I thought that was really cool for both Ariel and Priscilla. That is really cool positive Rep to see in the fantasy space and the romcom space that you hardly ever get to see. I would’ve loved to see more of that culture or that symbolism reflected in their magic, I think that including more of that would have bumped that up to a five stars for me as well. There were also a lot of great fun meme references as well, which were great. I liked both the main romance and Priscilla and her girlfriend. All in all it was a fun book, I just did not really get into the murder, mystery aspect of it, although it was great seeing all of the villains get there much deserved come up and at the end. That is just a personal thing for me as I’m not a huge fan of mystery. All in all, I’m glad that this book is out in the

The premise and coziness of this story are wonderful. If you like the Stay a Spell series, you may enjoy this as well. Supernatural beings in a modern day world, quirky and silly but with surprising romantic spice.

Unfortunately, it didn't hit with me as much as I had hoped. There were a few aspects that I had issues with.
First, the previous hook-up in college. It was underdeveloped and I didn't understand how it was initiated (she just dreamed about him and he came?) and I didn't understand the big bad event that drove them apart. It needed a bit more explanation for me to understand the full impact. The first chapter is a flashback to before leaving for college, and I think this would have benefited from a second flashback to this college "interlude".
Secondly, everything is happening all at once and also nothing is happening at all. The middle 50ish percent is the same scene in repeat - "I can't touch him or he'll die, let's talk to his parents, let's briefly mention the mystery plot, let's pine about how we can't touch each other and maybe touch each other but with something between us like gloves or saran wrap". It got old quick, and I started getting sick of the "romance" and just wanting to know what was happening with the bigger mystery plot.
Third, the parents' death. These overpowered witches died, within hours of each other, from covid? These witches that had every power in the world to manipulate air and barriers and cleanliness, somehow not only contracted covid but didn't seek medical or magical help for it?
Due to all the above, but primarily due to the lack of progress in the mystery/curse plot, I chose to DNF at 75%. I knew that with having zero progress on the plots outside of the romance meant that they would all be squished up at the end and given very little page time. I will be satisfied to simply read spoilers in the reviews and will move on.

All that said, it is impressive that this is a debut book from a new author. The essence and signature of the writing is distinct and one of the hardest things to develop. Plot and character development can be improved with experience and time, but defining your writing voice is very difficult. The author's voice is distinct and I will certainly read her future books.

2.5 stars rounded up to 3.

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for a digital advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I was initially drawn in by the book’s description—it sounded exactly like something I’d enjoy. Unfortunately, once I started reading, I found it difficult to connect with the story and characters. Despite giving it a fair try, it just didn’t hold my interest the way I had hoped. I truly appreciate the effort that went into writing it and am sorry it didn’t work for me personally

I received a complimentary copy of the book from Atria Books through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was super cute! Will be a fun + great read around Halloween. It was giving the vibes it was suppose to.

Rating: 2.75/5
Spice: Yes

This book had a lot of pining. And while I’m usually happy with a slow burn, this one might have been too slow! The spent a lot of time going back and forth on liking each other, thinking the other liked them back, and refusing to just talk about it.

That said, the LGBTQIA+, religion, and cultural representation here was a big win. I also liked the side characters, and the small-town magical vibes had potential.

Unfortunately, the non-romantic plot (like the whole part about the devil stealing souls) ended up taking a serious backseat. It felt like the stakes were supposed to be high, but the characters were too busy spiraling in their feelings to do much about it.

Would I recommend it? Maybe! If you’re here for angst, yearning, and magic with a side of social commentary.

For the yearners among us, Hopelessly Teavoted is a must-read! Vickie and Az are literally so absurdly into each other it made me ill in the best way. And yet, for much of the book, they can’t touch or it’ll kill Az, like actually. The TENSION, y’all! The GLOVE scene. The SHOWER scene. I was shaking through most of this book. But the best part was simply the writing - so many gorgeous lines I highlighted. I was obsessed with the show Pushing Daisies when it was out, so if you are still chasing that high (but want the HBO version heh), you too will LOVE THIS.

Thank you to Atria and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review 🙂

Pushing Daisies but Jewitches. 🪄

So the great! The book was well written and Az was cute. Really enjoyed the inclusion of a MMC with anxiety. I also really liked that both MCs were bi/pan but unfortunately that was so underutilized in the plot.

Spoiler: it would’ve made more sense for a threesome with Lex in the beginning. Everything was set up! There was attraction between all three of them and then it just….didnt happen. Lex was so underutilized it was frustrating. He picked up on the connection between Az and Vickie and then disappeared after adding some extra conflict.

The villain was also severely underdeveloped. The villain were told was a bad guy but we saw just one interaction in the beginning and the rest of the book we just hear from Az he doesn’t like this person and they’re definitely evil.

The book was cheesy but sometimes it got a little too much. So many Swiftie mentions. I think it had cute moments and it’s a good debut, I’d be excited to read more about Lex. 😈

hanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this book

In this story, Victoria buys Hopelessly Teavoted, the late parents tea shop of Azrael, a witch and her former flame. Victoria also has a unique power: she can take a deceased person’s most treasured belonging and use it to summon them for a few minutes before the item burns to ash. After being disowned by her parents for buying the tea shop, she’s also got a demon debt to repay.

Azrael, meanwhile, returns to Hollowcross after his career plans fall apart, taking a job as a high school teacher. That sets the stage for a second-chance romance between him and Victoria.

The summary of the book promised a compelling mix of romance, magic, and mystery. A curse that keeps Victoria and Azrael from touching skin-to-skin without him going up in flames, and a sinister threat looming in town. But for me, the mystery took a back seat. The story focuses heavily on the internal pining between Victoria and Azrael, which often felt a bit drawn out. The spice level was also higher than I expected, so keep that in mind if you're more interested in the plot than the romance.

If you’re looking for heavy romance, emotional tension, and a good dose of spice, this may hit the mark. But if you’re like me and went in wanting more focus on the mystery and magic, this one might fall flat.

An entertaining premise and a horny book, though some of the story fell flat. I liked Az and the FMC but felt the pining and back and forth in the first part dragged on a bit and lost my interest. Loved Az’s parents, and probably would have liked his sister more if her character was more developed. It felt like the house had a more defined personality than many side characters. The mystery with the mega church honestly felt like a chapter was missing—somehow all the action had begun but I was confused as to when it had started. The magic was fun, the tea shop was fun, and the spice—slow burn—was fun.

Hopelessly Teavoted

He was a witch.. She talked to dead people.. Can I make it anymore obvious?

The small town of Hallowcross is about to get a lot more interesting when Azrael Ashmedai Hart returns. He is back after his parents untimely passing when he runs into his childhood Crush, Victoria.
The ever lovely and peppy Victoria runs the local tea shop that his parents used to own and she can communicate with spirits. Old feelings start to awaken as they get to know each other again, but the world isn't going to let everything fall into place that easy.
Thanks to several obstacles like magical debts and curses, they are unable to touch the other without serious consequences, which leaves them distant 'til they can find a solution to all their and the town's magic problems.

Cozy Fantasy
Lots of Spice
Second Chances
Light Magic
Slow Burn
Sentient House

"You don't have to bother trying to make me think of you when I'm all alone in my apartment. I already do."

"He needed her closer. Always."

"The way he cared so deeply, the way he wanted to heal sadness and sorrow when he saw it, all blended into a higher love and magic than she'd ever known."


I enjoyed the author's writing style. The story covers themes of loss and grief while still managing to stay a pretty cozy. This is a lighthearted fantasy, not much world building or confusing themes to follow, which is nice if you aren't a fantasy reader or in the mood to think a ton.
There is a good amount of spice, some comedy, and heartfelt moments.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC.

A witchingly cute novel of deep love finding its true home and of devil curses spoiling love and its dependency on touch. It is a long endearing love of Azraelfor Vikki and of her indecision about her love for him. The story is long and very rewarding. Saucy scenes.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Gahh I loved this world! It was giving Addams family and Pushing Daisies vibes, and I loved the sentient house. The world needs more sentient houses, I swear. Az and Victoria were childhood neighbors and first loves and they pined like no others have ever pined before. There was a misunderstanding in college that provided some extra tension, plus grief and a "no-touching" curse and all sorts of mixed up feelings involved, but of course they overcame everything in the end. Pick this up if you're interested in spooky, cozy vibes, witchy magic, and high heat.