Books and Bewitchment is a cozy, enchanting story that blends small-town drama with magical discovery in all the best ways. At the heart of the novel is Rhea Wolfe—a woman who’s spent her life playing it safe. Stuck in a routine desk job and juggling the chaos of her younger sisters, Rhea’s world is anything but exciting. That is, until she inherits her estranged grandmother’s estate—and a magical legacy she never knew existed.

Set in the mystical mountain town of Arcadia Falls, the novel weaves together a story of family secrets, long-standing witch rivalries, and the courage it takes to claim your own power. The magical elements are laced with charm rather than darkness, making the book feel like the literary equivalent of a warm mug of tea—with a dash of mystery and just enough danger to keep things interesting.

Rhea’s relationship with Hunter Blakely—the handsome handyman whose family history complicates things—adds a sweet romantic subplot without overpowering the main narrative. Their chemistry feels natural, and their banter brings levity to the book’s more serious moments.

What stands out most in Books and Bewitchment is its heart. The story is about more than just spells and supernatural legacies; it’s about learning to stop playing small, setting boundaries, and embracing life’s unpredictable magic. The themes of personal growth and found family resonate throughout.

While the plot occasionally treads familiar ground, the writing is warm, witty, and welcoming. Fans of Practical Magic, Gilmore Girls with a supernatural twist, or lighthearted paranormal mysteries will find plenty to love here.

If you like witches, magic, a great found family and a cozy small town, this book might be for you.

Even though I loved the idea of the book, I don’t think I connected with the characters and their stories at all. I found myself not caring about the magic aspect and just waiting for Rhea to open up her bookshop.

The writing was okay. I think the cozy and witchy vibes are definitely there tho!

Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey for the ARC copy

Arc Review !!

Tropes: witches, bookshop owner x handyman, small town, rivals to lovers

In the middle of reading this right now but wanted to go ahead and share some current thoughts! I think this book is such a cute quick/easy read for anyone who normally goes for romance with a dash of fantasy. I'm really enjoying going through this book and I would recommend it to others!

Thank you NetGalley for the e-ARC!!

Although it was a cute read it missed the mark for me. Unfortunately this book was very descriptive and the dialogue was a bit off. I don’t think in the real world the MCs would speak to one another like they did here. I found myself mostly skimming once I hit the 30% mark. By the time I gained interest back it was already the end. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

Books & Bewitchment is a cozy, charming read that blends small-town vibes with just the right touch of magic. The story centers on Rhea, who inherits a video store and slowly uncovers her magical heritage while trying to rebuild her life. The slow-burning romance adds real warmth, and the witty exchanges between them keep things engaging.

The coziest read for lovers of romance - it includes enemies to loves, grumpy sunshine, all in a witchy and dreamy small town. The chemistry is fantastic so grab some tea, a warm blanket and light a candle for this delightful read!

This book had a very interesting plot and story. It was just executed poorly. It felt clunky and the sisters felt like they were added in as an after thought. Rhea's priorities changed by the second without any thought.

First off, this is peak cozy fantasy: small-town vibes, bookshops, soft magic, and that classic slow-burn romance that makes you kick your feet under the blanket. The whole atmosphere is warm and slightly witchy, like curling up on a rainy day with tea and a cat who may or may not secretly talk.

The romance? Genuinely so good. Hunter and the protagonist have this tension that simmers from the start—you can feel the heat every time they’re on the page together. Which is why it drove me a little nuts that the smut is off-page. It’s not a dealbreaker, but come on, when the chemistry is that hot, let us see what happens!

Where it didn’t quite scratch my itch was the magic itself. I wanted more spellcasting, potion brewing, magical mishaps—just more hands-on witchcraft. The book leans more toward the cozy, slice-of-life side of fantasy, which isn’t bad, but I found myself wishing for a bit more chaos and sparkle.

Perfect for fans of witchy books, soft magic systems, small-town romance, and stories that make you feel cozy without needing a big battle to keep you hooked.

A fabulous read, I loved Rhea’s character, friendly, strong and takes no nonsense from anyone! In fact I liked all of the characters, it makes a change to read a book that’s positive, entertaining, enjoyable and not forgetting magical. Looking forward to the next book

I loved, loved, loved this sweet, funny romance. Rhea is having a long streak of bad luck when she hears from a lawyer that she has inherited the estate of a grandmother she never knew. When she gets to Arcadia Falls, things get stranger when she attempts to deposit her grandmother’s ashes behind the falls and finds she has new skills, such as hearing her pet bird talk back to her. Rhea discovers a whole new world filled with possibilities of magic, romance, friendship and community. I felt uplifted and lighter after reading this and highly recommend it for an escape into the fun filled world of Arcadia Falls.

This is such a sweet, cozy story. It IS romantic but romance is such a small part of this one. What really shines are the themes of family, found family, shaking up those skeletons, making amends, and being a community. It is so heartwarming.
We have our FMC, who is the eldest and the one everyone leans on. But when she loses her job, she then learns that her grandmother (whom she has never met) died and left every everything. Well, with lots of stipulations. You cannot help but love the FMC and root for her the whole time. The MMC is dreamy in that “I will build you a library” sort of way. Swoon! You will simply love this one.

To magic!

Although Books & Bewitchment hasn't been officially released yet, I was lucky enough to read an early copy—and wow, I'm still recovering.

From the very first page, I was hooked. The cozy small-town vibes reminded me so much of the Dream Harbor series, but with a deliciously witchy twist. Isla Jewell masterfully blends small-town charm, magic, and a simmering enemies-to-lovers romance that had me flipping pages like a woman possessed.

The chemistry between the leads is electric, with plenty of banter, tension, and one-liners that made me laugh out loud (example: "I've been busy. I had to fight a flock of turkeys today."—iconic). The plot never slows down—there’s always something happening, yet it never feels overwhelming. Twists, magical mishaps, secrets, and soft moments of vulnerability… It’s all there.

This book is fast-paced, completely unpredictable, and impossible to put down. I devoured it in one sitting. And that last page? Let’s just say I was left in tears. Absolutely wrecked—in the best way possible.

If you're a fan of cozy magic, sharp wit, emotional depth, and stories that make your heart race and ache at the same time, Books & Bewitchment is one you’ll want on your radar.

Isla Jewell has cast a spell on me, and I’m not sure I want to break it.
Highly, highly recommend.

This is the perfect book if you are looking for a cozy and witchy romance. The story is really sweet and funny. It's a perfect book for fall/halloween time.
Thank you Netgalley, the author and the publisher for sending me an ARC in exchange for a honest review.

First of all, I love the art cover on this book. It’s so pretty and cute. Second, I love the story in this book because it’s all witchy stuff and so fun to read. I’m so lucky to read this as an ARC. I want to say a big thank you for the author and Netgalley on letting me read this amazing cute book. I can’t get over with the cover art. I feel obsessed and in love with the cover art.

Rhea Wolfe siente que su vida es una historia aburrida sin verdadero propósito: atrapada en un trabajo sin futuro, con un jefe desagradable, un exnovio insistente y pocos sueños por los que luchar. Todo cambia cuando recibe una carta notificándole que ha heredado una propiedad misteriosa de una abuela que nunca conoció, ubicada en Arcadia Falls, un pequeño pueblo con secretos, encanto... y magia.

Lo que comienza como un viaje para escapar de su rutina se convierte en una aventura que desafía su lógica y despierta su corazón. El legado incluye una tienda de videos anticuada, un apartamento sobre ella y... la presencia inesperada de su abuela fallecida reencarnada en su excéntrica cacatúa parlante, Doris. Mientras intenta reconstruir la tienda y su vida, Rhea se enfrenta a secretos familiares, desafíos sobrenaturales y a un pueblo que la recibe con sonrisas y susurros. En medio del caos, también aparece una chispa de romance que podría encender algo más profundo.

--

Estuvo bien, sin embargo, sentí que todos los temas (la magia, el duelo, la familia, el romance, el autodescubrimiento) se trataron a medias. Cada uno tenía potencial, pero ninguno se exploró a profundidad, lo que dejó la historia algo superficial.



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

4.5 stars

I really enjoyed this cozy, witchy small-town rom-com. It had everything I look for in a comforting read — a touch of magic, a warm community, and a romance that didn’t overshadow the story.

The characters were genuinely likable. Rhea and Hunter were great leads, but the whole town added something special. The banter and dialogue felt real and made it fun to read. I also liked that the romance was a slow burn and kept things more on the subtle side, which fit the vibe so well.

One thing I appreciated was how the story showed that starting over somewhere new can be scary but also rewarding. The sense of community and belonging came through perfectly and made the setting feel alive.

My only wish is that there had been more moments between Rhea and Hunter — I loved their dynamic and just wanted to see more of them together.

Overall, this was such an enjoyable read and I’m so glad I got the chance to read an early copy. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

In progress of reading - I will post a review once I am done. I accidentally clicked submit review while checking out the mechanics.

3.75 stars!

*thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher 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 and bewitchment was such a fun read! i loved the atmosphere of arcadia falls was so cozy and cute! i also loved the characters and the different quirks they brought to the plot!

the pacing in this book was a little off to me. i felt like it was relatively slow paced in the beginning but rapidly sped up in the last hundred pages. i would have loved to see more consistency so the ending didn’t feel as rushed.

however, i loved the witchy and magical aspects of this book! it kept it so interesting as we learned more about the town’s lore and the main character herself.

HUNTER BLAKELY THE MAN THAT YOU ARE!!
this male main character was the definition of a man written by a woman. i absolutely was obsessed with the way this character was developed. he was so respectful, sweet, caring, but also flirty and cute. it made the love story so much more enjoyable.

overall, this story was just so adorable, it was a quick but very very fun read. i will definitely pick up more books in the arcadia falls series as they come out!!

*I received an ARC via Netgalley*
Books & Bewitchment has successfully pulled me out of a reading slump. I adore cosy, witchy books, and this was honestly such a fun read! I loved the humour, and although a light-hearted read, there is more than enough mystery and drama within the plot to keep it interesting. I enjoyed the bit of romance in the story, and I really liked that it did not overshadow the journey of the main character. Eldest daughters will find the main character, Rhea, very relatable. If you're looking for a cosy story with a small town, witches, magic, and fun characters including a cockatoo, I highly recommend you give this book a try. While this book is not released until 2026, I'm already desperate to return to Arcadia Falls, and hope to see more of the characters in the future.

This was the definition of adorable and cozy. It was really cute and a fun read.
I think for anyone who loves a sweet, cozy, witchy vibe - this is the book for you!
It honestly reminded me a bit of the TV show Charmed but not as dark.
Really cute and wholesome and loved the vibes.