Books & Bewitchment
I really enjoyed this book! It was such a delightful and charming read, I found myself smiling through most of it. If you love cozy vibes, small-town magic, bookshops, and a hint of forbidden romance, Books & Bewitchment is the perfect escape. Who doesn’t love books and magic? ❤️

We follow Rhea Wolfe, who’s just trying to keep things steady in her not-so-exciting life… until she inherits a crumbling video store and a whole lot of unexpected magic. As she rebuilds her life in Arcadia Falls, mystery, romance, and her own magical birthright begin to unfold.
The chemistry with handyman Hunter? Loved it. The setting? Atmospheric and enchanting. The magical twist? Exactly what I wanted. And the cozy-with-a-kick tone made this one stand out from other witchy romcoms. I also adored the themes of self-discovery and stepping into your own power.

This is one of those stories that feels like a warm hug with a spark of mischief.
🔮 Books + magic + romance = yes, please!
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Books & Bewitchment (Book 1 of Arcadia Falls) is a cozy witchy comedy with a side of swoony romance. Although it deals with the sensitive topic of death and estranged family, it is handled in such a way that you want to chuckle more than anything else.
Nothing in Rhea’s life has ever come easy, and if she thinks an inheritance will change that- she has another thing coming.
From being coated in ashes, an angry parrot telling her off, a poltergeist in the basement, and a grumpy carpenter/family arch-enemy… things are never boring.
While the book is filled with witchy vibes, & witty banter, it is also a journey of doing what truly makes you happy, found family, and forgiveness.

I would definitely visit Arcadia Falls again for book 2.


Thank you NetGalley, Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore | Del Rey for the Advance Copy.

This was such a cozy little escape. It had that small-town, witchy vibe I love, with books, magic, and just enough romance to keep me hooked. Honestly, it felt like curling up with a fall candle and a blanket, a totally comforting read. The characters were cute, the banter was fun, and the magical bookstore setting? Obsessed. I do wish the romance had a bit more tension or buildup it was sweet, but I wanted a little more spark between them. Still, it was super easy to read and just genuinely made me happy. If you’re into cute witchy vibes, soft romance, and a bit of mystery sprinkled in, this one’s a whole vibe.

While I’m reading this in 2025 and it might be my favourite read of the year, “Books & Bewitchment” will be THE book to read when it’s published in 2026.

The story follows Rhea as she’s fired from her dead end job and is suddenly the sole beneficiary of her late and estranged grandmothers trust. When she arrives in the small town of Arcadia Falls, Maggie has left a lot of stipulations in her trust, including—but not limited to—a derelict video store, and a secret magical legacy.

As Rhea takes on the responsibility of continuing her family legacy to make ends meet, she uncovers that there’s more to this trust than meets the eye—she comes from a descendant of magical witches.

While this is marketed as a ‘rom-com’—which I can totally attest to—at its core is a story about self discovery, found family, and stepping out of your comfort zone.

The romance is slow and tucks itself nicely in the background, but has you kicking your feet and giggling. The banter between Rhea and Hunter Blakely—who, coincidentally, is the grandson of Maggie’s magical mortal enemy—is second to none. Hunter is charming, charismatic, and doesn’t feel one dimensional like the way some love interests are written. The man literally read his sister’s romance novels to become a better boyfriend.

I was hooked on this story from the very first page, and found myself relating to rhea and her need for ‘more.’

I loved the way the story was fleshed out, and that you really got to know the main and side characters. Sometimes when you start a new book, you can be inundated with too many people and names that it takes away from the plot. It worked well in this book because you got to really know the people that live in the small town—which actually helped the plot progress. I really hope this becomes a book series because I’m so desperate to take another trip to Arcadia Falls.

I’m not usually a fan of witchy stories, but this had me wanting to take my time reading because I didn’t want to finish it. “Books & Bewitchment” is one of those books you wish you could read again for the first time.

If you like magical stories with a slow burn romance, then pick this up when it’s published in 2026—I’m already eagerly waiting to buy it from my local bookstore.

Finally—and this is mainly for the author and/or publisher—when the book is going to print I would love to see an illustrative map of Arcadia Falls to help envision the set up.

Huge thanks to Del Rey, Random House Works, and Inklore for the advance reader copy!

*****Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of Books and Bewitchment by Isla Jewell in exchange for an honest review.

Books and Bewitchment is a charming and cozy story set in a small town where everyone knows each other. The atmosphere is warm and whimsical, making it perfect for readers seeking a light, comforting escape with a touch of magic. However, I have to admit that I struggled a bit with the writing style. While the story itself is sweet and the premise engaging, the prose didn’t always feel fluid or immersive for me. It occasionally disrupted the reading flow, which made it harder to stay fully connected with the characters and plot. That said, fans of cozy witchy tales and small-town dynamics will likely still enjoy the book’s heartwarming tone and magical setting. I’m curious to see how the author’s style develops.

Books & Bewitchement by new to me author Isla Jewell is an Arcadia Falls novel, published by Del Rey, Random House Worlds.
Rhea is new in town, she wants to open her own shop. She hires handyman Hunter and so it begins.
Hunter is grumpy mcgrumperson while Rhea is suzy sunshine.
A cozy rom/com, a slow burn, well written, beautifully thought out and told. I enjoyed reading the story, 4,5 stars.

Another book I wish I could have kept for a fall read. This has a long set up for the plot but it was worth it. It was cozy and romantic.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.5 stars!

Books and bewitchment is a cozy, romantic and really enjoyable read.

The first 60% of the book spends a lot of time on the set up, the inheritance that lures to Rhea to Arcadia Falls and the family situation that leads her to head there. There is a lot to really like in this part of the book, the small town vibe with the locals renting truly retro videos like short circuit 2 and 9 to 5 was hilarious and Nick and Nathan were really likeable side characters. Maggie, the possessed cockatoo and the beginning of Rhea’s relationship with Hunter were also enjoyable. However, for me this book didn’t really grab me and become a 5 star read until the last 40% where Rhea learns about witchcraft and we start to see the magic all around her, including the poltergeist and Bongo, a canine familiar with the voice of Matthew McCanaughey (who doesn’t LOVE this!).

The ending left me hoping that this will be the start of a cozy series set in Arcadia Falls based on Rhea and her sisters. This book has done a fantastic job of setting this up and I think the rest of the series is going to be unmissable. I personally can’t wait.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Del Rey for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

I think I’ve just discovered my new favorite cozy read! I truly can’t express how much I adored this book—charming doesn’t even begin to cover it.

Set in the dreamy, magical town of Arcadia Falls nestled in the Georgian mountains, this story completely swept me away. Rhea’s move into her late grandmother’s home sets the stage for a heartwarming journey that felt like a hug in book form. At one point, I found myself crying—not from sadness, but from sheer happiness. That’s a first for me.

Though it’s a quick read, I found myself slowing down just to savor every page. I didn’t want it to end. I already know I’ll be picking up a physical copy the moment it’s released.

Goodreads rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

It has all that you can ask for in a romcom: out-of-town girl that needs a respite, a broody love interest that turns out to be nothing like he seems to be, and a small town that has more secrets that it lets on.

The only thing stopping me from giving this a five star is that I need more lore about Arcadia Falls, the worldbuilding and magic system thingamajing. It's barely explained in the story and I would've loved it more if it was expounded on.

This was an incredibly sweet book where the main character Rhea learns to follow her dreams and stand up for herself, while letting go of expectations placed on her by herself and her mother. She does this after learning of an inheritance with very specific directions for the trust and her grandmother‘s estate that required her to take over the properties and businesses. I really enjoyed the touches of magic throughout the novel and the trope of finding out she was a witch later in life and things start to fall into place because she has accepted all parts of herself. I loved the grandmother, possessing her familiar and getting to have a connection with her granddaughter who she never met when she was alive. I loved all of the side characters and the overarching plot of family feuds. The relationship between Rhea and Hunter was very sweet and most spicy scenes we’re not super descriptive. I loved that everyone supported the main character in creating her dream business and creating a life that wasn’t a constant struggle to survive.

Stepping into the magical world of Arcadia Falls was like curling up with a warm blanket and a mug of cocoa on a rainy afternoon—pure, comforting delight. This cozy, witchy romcom casts a spell with its perfect blend of small-town charm, magical revelations, and heartfelt character growth. It’s a story that glows with whimsy and warmth, led by a heroine you’ll instantly root for.

Rhea Wolfe is the picture of dutiful practicality—stuck in a job she doesn’t love, managing her chaotic sisters, and maintaining a lukewarm relationship with the local mechanic—all while quietly dreaming of something more. That "more" arrives in the form of an inheritance from a grandmother she never really knew—one that includes a dilapidated video store, a long-buried magical legacy, and a ticket to Arcadia Falls: a town her mother warned her to stay away from.

As Rhea steps into this enchanting mountain town, she discovers that her inheritance is more than just bricks and mortar—it’s magic. Real, mysterious, heart-stirring magic. And while the romance here simmers quietly instead of burning hot, it’s just the right temperature for this story. The chemistry between Rhea and the charming handyman, Hunter Blakely—who, of course, is the grandson of her grandmother’s old witchy rival—is sweet, slow-burning, and filled with all the cozy tension you’d want in a small-town love story.

But make no mistake, this isn’t just about the romance. The heart of this book lies in Rhea’s journey of self-discovery, the hidden magic of Arcadia Falls, and the delightful ensemble of characters who bring it all to life. Especially Dolly, the pink cockatoo who is actually the spirit of Rhea’s sassy, sharp-tongued grandmother, Maggie. She steals the spotlight in every scene she's in—I laughed out loud more than once at her snarky, perfectly timed interruptions.

From eccentric townsfolk to magical mysteries and family secrets, this book was a total joy to get lost in. It’s lighthearted and whimsical, but also grounded in themes of identity, acceptance, and stepping into one’s power—both magical and emotional. Rhea is the kind of heroine you want to be friends with: humble, kind, resilient, and just the right amount of quirky.

If you love stories with magical realism, second chances, slow-burn romance, and a parrot with an attitude, then this gem of a book deserves a spot on your shelf.

✨ Four enchanted stars from me! ✨

A very huge thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore | Del Rey for sharing this utterly heartwarming, wonderfully entertaining fantasy’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts. I truly appreciated the chance to escape into Arcadia Falls!

This is a super cute cozy fantasy romance with a little mystery mixed in. It’s a quick read that kept me interested throughout the story.

I loved the small town full of crazy characters. Nick and Nathan are some of my favorites.

I’m excited to see what happens next.

This was so cute. I loved the witchy elements and the “will they, won’t they” elements. Such a feel good read!

* I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Books & Bewitchment is a charming story, set in a quaint little town that really encompasses the cozy vibe. There's low tension, and the characters are absolutely engaging. Our heroine, Rhea Wolfe, is absolutely a people-pleaser, always giving more to others than to herself. When she finds herself unexpectedly unemployed, she also discovers she's received an inheritance. Is it fortunes? No, it's possibly the last video store in America. And it leads her on a journey to the town her mother made them promise never to return to.

As a people-pleaser/don't stir the pot person, I very much identified with Rhea, and it was wonderful to watch her learn her legacy and find some confidence to not become everyone's dogsbody. I also very much loved her pink cockatoo (galah) named Doris, and when Doris became possessed, I was strongly supportive of Rhea's view: what happens to the real Doris? Do cockatoos have souls?

This is a story of finding your family and your feet, of following your dreams (and your heart). And it's a lot of fun. A nice fluffy, light book to read in these dark times.

I really enjoyed this book for the first 75 % and then I unfortunately dnf.

This story is written with some funny banter and a main character who just embraces what comes next and I did like that. However, it did read like a diary/how I'd envision perfect circumstances to go as a rom com lover. But it was also not really a rom com. The main guy is hardly in it and we know nothing about him rly. It's mostly just a book about a girl and her finding out she has magic and then everything that happens over like 5 days??

Spoiler below


What made me not finish was how lame the romance was and the interaction at this point. It was extremely rushed as they've literally had like 3 interactions and that as their first date, it's closed book and It was very clearly a woman with swoony live heart eyes writing the main guy.
He was the perfect guy because he stole his sisters romance novels and studied them... Yeh sure.

"But mostly, I learned . . . or at least, I studied . . . what it seemed like women wanted. Confidence. Competence. Kindness. A man who knows how to be firm but gentle."

And when she says "It’s just that . . . what we just did . I’ve never actually ended with another person, if you get what I’m saying.”

The whole interaction was lame, cringy and tbh not romantic or cute at all.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an early copy! I received an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Books & Bewitchment is pure cozy witchy rom-com goodness. It’s charming, lighthearted, and has the perfect balance of romance and small-town magic. I’ll definitely be rereading it in October—it has such warm, autumnal vibes that make it perfect for a blanket, a candle, and a cup of tea. Totally reread-worthy.

I absolutely loved Rhea—she’s a fun FMC who’s quirky, strong, and super easy to root for. And Hunter? I loved him too. He was the perfect mix of sweet and swoony. Their chemistry was adorable and felt natural right from the start. This is a magical, feel-good comfort read that witchy romance fans will devour

I absolutely fell in love with this charming small‑town, witchy rom‑com. Every character felt so real and enjoyable, and the dialogue sparkled with fantastic banter. I adored the slow‑burn, closed‑door romance!

Small town romance should already get you hooked, but if it doesn't, add in some magic and witty banter!

This book was everything I love - a charming small town story with magic and romance. Some of the writing felt clunky but I was able to overlook it in favor of wanting to know what happens next.