If you’ve ever wanted to ditch your life, inherit a dusty video store, and accidentally discover you’re a witch in a town full of secrets, Books & Bewitchment is basically your fantasy come true.

This book is cozy in the best way -like walking into a slightly haunted bookstore that smells like cinnamon and second chances. Rhea is one of those characters you want to root for, even when she’s a little lost or playing it safe. Watching her get dragged (sometimes reluctantly) into a world of magic, grudges, and mysterious happenings in Arcadia Falls was the kind of escapism I didn’t realize I needed.

The romance here is more simmer than sizzle, but that works for the vibe. Hunter - the grumpy handyman with a suspicious family history - checks the boxes for love interest in a witchy romcom, but I appreciated that he didn’t feel too perfect. The chemistry is low-key but sweet, and thankfully, the story doesn’t hinge entirely on the romance.

Honestly, the real magic is in the atmosphere. Arcadia Falls is weird in all the right ways, with a cast of eccentric side characters and a ghost-parrot grandma (yes, really) that adds just the right dose of chaos. I do wish the magical backstory had a little more depth, some of the lore felt like it got skimmed over in favor of plot momentum, but I was having too much fun to care much in the moment.

Overall, this is a great pick if you’re into gentle magic, small-town drama, and stories about women figuring out who they are when no one’s watching. Bonus points for the parrot.

Books & Bewitchment - Isla Jewell

I love this book. I love Rhea and Maggie, and the other characters, I love the setting and world-building. I love the cozy vibes the book has. The romance between Rhea and Hunter was very sweet and I love the knacks or gifts in this universe. The magic system is very creative and I enjoyed learning the rules and how it works. I love relationships Rhea has with her sisters as well and I can’t so see how the other books in this series go.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Out of 5 Stars ⭐️

Format 💫 Gifted Digital Copy

Series 🌙 Arcadia Falls, #1

Genre/Tropes ✨ cozy vibes, romance, contemporary romance, urban fantasy, magic, witches, family dynamics, rom-com, found family, witch MCs

This was a really cute read!

We follow Rhea, a relatable bookworm who inherits properties from her estranged grandmother that come with a bunch of odd terms. What she finds instead is a quirky small town, a magical legacy, family secrets, a supposed enemy, and an unexpected familiar. And turkeys. May we never cross paths with those turkeys.

I wish the forbidden romance had been explored more, but other than that, I enjoyed this humorous book filled with oddities that I did not see coming when I first picked it up. I don't usually mix well with cozy storylines, but I thought this had just enough things going on to keep you on your toes every now and then, like uncovering pieces of the town's history, puttings ghosts to rest, and dealing with an eccentric cockatoo, all in between renovations for Rhea's dream book store.

This is SO cute! I love a good witchy romance. This has amazing characters, a lovely setting, it’s atmospheric. It’s all you could ever ask for in a cozy romance read.

Small town romance, not for me.

Small town WITCHY romance? I’ll eat it up every time!

thank you so much to netgalley and del rey, random house worlds, inklore for providing me with a digital advanced reader's copy of this book. i received this e-book in exchange of an honest review. all opinions are my own.

Books & Bewitchment had an adorable concept with its whimsical magic, cozy small-town charm, and an absolutely delightful magical bird that easily stole the spotlight. the side characters were entertaining and brought a lot of heart to the story. i was really drawn in by the premise and the overall vibe, but the execution left me wanting more in a few key areas.

the romance, in particular, didn’t feel like it added much — the main character’s interactions with the love interest felt more scripted than sincere, and i wished she’d had more meaningful moments with the rest of the cast instead. the humor leaned a bit too much into tiktok-style jokes that didn’t quite land, and the world-building felt underdeveloped, especially the magical elements. overall, it was a cute read, but it could’ve used more depth and polish to fully deliver on its potential.

Tik tok references in books makes me cringe. And this book made me cringe often unfortunately. The cozy setting and fun side characters made this book worth reading. The romance was not necessary tbh. I enjoyed parts of it, but the magic system annoyed me. I didn’t get it.

✨ARC Review: Books and Bewitchment by Isla Jewel✨

This book had me under its spell from page one. Books and Bewitchment is a cozy, ghostly, witchy delight with just enough mystery and magic to keep the pages flying. Isla Jewel weaves a world full of spectral secrets, found family, and a heroine on a journey of self-discovery that hit me right in the feels.

The chemistry between the FMC and MCC? Chef’s kiss. Their banter, their longing, the tension—it was all there, bubbling beneath the surface like a good potion. Which is why I was a little disappointed when it stayed under the surface. I was hoping for a little more steam to match the spark. (Closed-door romance lovers will be thrilled—me, I like my cauldrons boiling.)

That said, I loved how the plot unfolded. Each reveal added depth to the characters and magic to the story. The found family vibes warmed my spooky little heart, and the journey of finding self was just as powerful as the supernatural elements.

This one’s for the fall lovers, witchy women, and romantics who crave a little ghost with their glitter.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4.5 if I could!)

Available February 3, 2026
This is book 1 of the series

Thank you to Isla Jewel and Netgalley for the wonderfully witchy

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a free e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was very cozy and magical!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc! Cozy romcom DREAM. Honestly - what an absolute delight of a read. It’s dead of summer right now and all I wanted to do was snuggle on the couch with some tea and immerse myself in this beautiful book. I loved Rhea’s journey of self discovery, the eccentric characters she encounters, and of COURSE the handyman 😏

Thank you so much for this arc!!

This book was so cozy and magical and I loved it! Rhea was such a sweet and relatable main character, and the little town of Arcadia Falls was full of fun, and I’d love to read more about.

The romance with Hunter was soft and flirty, but the story focused more on Rhea’s journey and the mystery around her grandma, which I really liked. It was perfectly paced and easy to read.

I definitely recommend this read!

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!!
This was so cute?? I wanted to read this because I love cozy magical romances and I was so pleased with this!!
Rhea was such a lovely MC, and for me personally, very easy to relate to. I’m also the eldest sister who would do anything for her sisters, even if she couldn’t afford it.
The whole cast of characters in this town were so fun to learn about. Learning which townspeople had magic, and then learning what their specialties were was so cool!
I really enjoyed how subtle the romance was. Yes, there was a ton of cute flirting between Rhea and Hunter, but I don’t feel like it was the main focal point. And that really worked for me here. I wanted to know more about the magic and the mystery surrounding her grandmother.
I would kill to have another book set in this cute little town; I want to experience more in Arcadia Falls!!!

This book is a cozy and magical story about Rhea, who inherits an unusual estate in the quirky town of Arcadia Falls. I enjoyed the small-town setting, the gentle romance, and the quiet magic woven throughout the story. The characters are fun and memorable. It’s not just about spells and romance - Rhea’s journey to find herself and belong somewhere was really heartwarming. The mix of mystery, charm, and magic made this a fun and comforting read. Thank you to the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Cozy, quirky, and full of quiet magic, this story wraps you in charm and mystery from the very first page. A small-town dream, a little romance, and just the right amount of spellwork—something’s definitely brewing in Arcadia Falls.

Rhea has a inherited a "significant estate" from a grandmother that her mother hated in a town that she was forbidden to visit. But desperate times and a sign have Rhea moving to Arcadia Falls only to discover that the inheritance is run-down houses with a video-rental store (probably the last one in the U.S.), that can't be sold or rented and that she is supposed to be a witch and her grandmother's spirit is currently inside her pet parrot - could her life get any weirder? But maybe Reah can turn around her luck with the help of the (mostly) friendly people of Arcadia Falls...
I loved reading this book. It has great and entertaining characters, a lovely small-town setting, a bit of romance and magic! I really hope that this book is the beginning of a series, as I would love to read more about Reah, Hunter and of course Maggie's ghost.

Rhea never expected her inheritance to lead her into the heart of a magical mountain town she was warned to avoid—but Arcadia Falls has more than a few secrets waiting to be uncovered. What she finds isn’t just a crumbling building, but a legacy steeped in enchantment, mystery, and unexpected connections.
The magic in this book isn’t just in the spells—it’s in the atmosphere. Arcadia Falls is charming, full of warmth and wonder, and the perfect setting for a quietly simmering romance. The connection between Rhea and Hunter Blakely (the local handyman and grandson of her grandmother’s old rival) brings a gentle, slow-burn tension that adds just the right spark without overpowering the story.

But this isn’t just a love story. At its core, this book is about Rhea’s journey—discovering who she is, embracing her family’s magical past, and finding her place in a town bursting with quirky, loveable characters. One standout? Dolly, the pink cockatoo with the soul of Rhea’s sharp-tongued, no-nonsense grandmother, Maggie. Every scene she’s in is hilarious and heartfelt—her timing is perfection.

From small-town oddballs to long-buried family secrets, this book offers a whimsical escape that still hits on deeper themes like identity, acceptance, and empowerment. Rhea is a protagonist you root for—kind, funny, resilient, and just the right amount of weird.

If you enjoy magical realism, stories of self-discovery, second chances, and a talking bird with plenty of sass, this cozy gem will absolutely earn a spot on your shelf.

A fun book about a woman who gets a fresh start after her grandmother (who she has never met) passed away. She arrives in town to find that she comes from a long line of witches, in a town with a magic history. Add to that her grandmother possessing her bird, and it becomes a really fun mashup of magic, romance and bookish love. Really enjoyable read.

Fired from her dead-end job 💼 Rhea’s life flips upside down when she inherits her estranged gran’s trust… and a whole lot of witchy secrets. 👀 🪄 💫

She heads to the mystical mountain town of Arcadia Falls 🌲 🔥 —think cozy cabincore meets lowkey magical portal vibes. There she meets, Hunter Blakely 😍 : local hottie, mysteriously charming… and, oh yeah, grandson of the sworn magical nemesis of her family. 😬💥🖤

Rhea’s actually from a long line of witches… and things are about to get bewitchingly complicated. 🪄 🧙

This story gave me ALL the small-town cozy magic feels with a slow burn romance ❤️‍🔥 that sizzles like a potion about to bubble over. Rhea? Iconic. Strong, kind, and endlessly relatable. Hunter? The perfect broody boy with secret soft moments. 🌙🔥

🌟 The banter? On point. ✔️

🌟 The world-building? Like stepping straight into a witchy Hallmark movie. ✔️

🌟 The vibes? Immaculate. ✔️

Fingers crossed this becomes a series because I NEED more Arcadia Falls magic in my life! 🪄🌲💫

This cozy paranormal romance was pure comfort! With a snarky bird, a dramatic poltergeist, and a sweet, slow-burn romance, it hit all the right vibes. The magical small town setting felt like Gilmore Girls with ghosts, and the banter had me grinning throughout.

Perfect for fans of warm witchy reads, quirky side characters, and just a touch of ghostly chaos.

Rhea travels to the town of Arcadia Falls when she learns her grandmother has died and named her in the will. Her mother was estranged from her grandmother, so the two never met, and her mother made Rhea swear never to travel to Arcadia Falls. But out of a job, with two sisters relying on her, and stagnating in her small town, Rhea decides to make the trip.

I have mixed feelings about this story, and it's difficult to review without leaving spoilers.

What I liked - fun writing style, as I would expect from Isla Jewell (aka Delilah Dawson). The character development is spot on, the characters well-developed and likeable. The romance is a hot/cold, push/pull that could easily devolve into a lack-of-communication trope, but instead - gasp! They TALK to each other! Which I love.

What I didn't like, and what cost the book two stars in my book. Don't continue reading if you don't like spoilers - there's no way to write this without them.
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Rhea's relationship with Maggie really bothered me. Her treatment of Maggie is abusive and bullying, and she just dismisses her actions. At the end, when Maggie is gone, there is no grief or grieving... and that felt odd too. In fact, all the emotions tied up around Maggie and Rhea have got to be complicated and layered, and yet aside from them bickering, there's no real exploration of that. I know that it was glossed over in the name of writing a fluffy romance book, but given the level of character development and heart-to-hearts shared elsewhere, this relationship rang sour.

Rhea's relationship with her sisters was also unresolved. She acknowledges that they are co-dependent, and that she over-functions for them (without using that language), but this realization is just left hanging. She doesn't actively try to change the dynamic - mostly she just starts ignoring them. Her sisters respond with unequivocal support for her new venture. Emotionally this entire dynamic was unsatisfactory - summarized as, "I love my sisters, I over-function for them, I should do more for myself, I'm going to start doing that!" and no exploration of what that looked like for the sisters or inner exploration.

Finally, the summary on the back of the book doesn't really match the plot. I was expecting a villain, some evil lurking in wait, and so the big reveal felt anti-climactic to me. The big fall out between mother and daughter that caused a huge rift also didn't feel that momentous. And while Rhea and Hunter talk things out and resolve their concerns, the entire rift that pulled the town apart was solved by Rhea talking about it. Low stakes are all fine and good, but when you're led to expect high stakes and are given low stakes it feels... meh.

I devoured this book. It was cute and cozy and just felt good. It was a bit slow at the beginning, but it was really setting up the story. I would definitely recommend this book.