A cute cozy mystery with a bit of magic. A bit cliché but that not a problem if that’s what you’re looking for. Good mystery and fun characters. I particularly enjoyed Gran, she was so chill and matter of fact about everything. I also appreciated that there was emotional weight to the things that happened, not just cozy so everything is fine. Ivy had to deal with some hard things and that wasn’t just brushed away.
I do think the relationship could have been developed more, it felt a bit rushed. I also would have liked more cats, but I always want more cats lol.

Hexes & Hush Money is a delightful debut that brews mystery, magic, and feline mischief into one irresistible cup. Hazel Caraway invites readers into the whimsical world of Ivy Rowan—a witch who runs the Catnip Café, where espresso meets enchantment and secrets steep beneath the surface.

When a ruthless developer is found murdered behind her café and the town’s restoration fund vanishes, Ivy’s cozy life takes a sharp turn. Cursed coins begin appearing at her tables, a rival is hexed mid-sip, and her beloved familiar, Hex, is kidnapped. With the sheriff urging her to stick to frothing milk, Ivy must instead unravel a century-old money-binding spell to uncover a modern-day killer.

Caraway’s writing is brisk and charming, with just enough bite to keep the tension simmering beneath the froth. The seaside setting, magical café, and Ivy’s determined spirit make this a standout in the paranormal cozy genre. Fans of Steeped to Death and Cat About Town will feel right at home.

A perfect pick for readers who love their mysteries with a touch of witchcraft and a whole lot of heart. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.

With thanks to Hazel Caraway, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

5/5 stars

I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH. There. I said it. I'm usually a stoic person and I like cozy mysteries, but this one had everything I love AND MORE. Especially a really funny black cat and an amazing grandma.

Hexes & Hush Money is the first book of the Cat Café Witch Mystery saga and perfectly introduced the main characters and the island they live on. Ivy runs a family-owned cat café and comes from a family of witches. Her life is turned upside down when she discovers the dead body of the real estate businessman that has been houding the town residents and Ivy for a while to force them to sell their shops and lands. Following her cat's kidnapping, Ivy decides to do things her own way, with the help of her family and friends.

While the plot is, at its heart, basic, it's the main characters and ambiance that made me flip pages after pages. They're all so easy to love. Perhaps a bit one-sided, but I love this kind of one-side, when it's all about helping someone very dear to you. And it was just so easy to picture the island's town, its residents, their feelings, the magic in the air - this book is all about hope, doing good things, and positive magic, and I loved it.

I hope to read more of this series!

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for having me the opportunity on reading this book as an ARC. But, unfortunately this book wasn’t for me. I wasn’t a fan of the story. I was very confused.

Although this is the first book in a new series by a new author it certainly didn’t feel like that. The story grabbed me from the first page and I didn’t want to stop reading.

This isn’t a long book but it’s just long enough - fast paced without any extraneous sections to slow it down. The characters are well developed and the author made me wish the island was a real place I could visit. I really liked the idea of the “Pikes Pennies.” Magical coins that only appear when the island is under threat is a twist I haven’t seen before.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.5 stars, rounded up!

This was a short, cute debut novel that has witches, cats and a cute cozy vibe. I enjoyed my trip to the catnip cafe and will look out for any other cozy fantasies from Hazel Caraway.

What I liked:
- I liked the idea of Pike’s pennies. Especially the fact that they react to lies, that was interesting for a cozy mystery.
- I liked the cats, Hex, Marmalade and Captain Jack. The more cute animals the better.

This was a really short read that I read in a single sitting, strongly recommended for a cute cozy palette cleanser.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

🍂 Hexes & Hush Money is the perfect fall book to slip into when you’re craving something spooky yet charming. With its blend of cats, coffee, magic, and a dash of murder, this short, binge-worthy mystery is an absolute seasonal must-read. 🐈‍⬛✨

What makes it even more fun is the dynamic between Ivy, the clever witch barista and cafe owner, and the town’s handsome sheriff. Their reluctant partnership adds a layer of warmth and banter to the seaside whodunit, making the mystery as delightful as it is twisty.

With a cast of suspicious characters and plenty of tricky clues, this mystery will have you guessing (and gasping) until the very last page.

If you’re looking for a quick read to set the mood for Halloween—equal parts cozy, magical, and mischievous—this one deserves a spot on your October TBR. 🎃☕

Can we also talk about that adorable cover! It’s the kind of book that begs to be left out on your coffee table in October.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Unfortunately, I get the feeling that this short book was AI, or heavily assisted by AI. The amount of ellipses and em dashes were so overused, that it was honestly annoying. It's sad because this could have been a cute and cozy read otherwise. When searching for any info about this author, there was nothing out there either.
Hopefully I am wrong.

2 stars for the concept, but the flaws and possible AI makes me not give it more.

A delightful little mystery written in the perfect length, easily read in one sitting. The characters quaint and believable. The story well crafted and with just enough intrigue and suspense. I would definitely recommend this book.

Take a healthy dose of coffee, books and cinnamon add plenty of cute cat references and a hint of magic. The perfect recipe for a cosy fantasy.

Ivy Rowan runs The Catnip Cafe in the heart of Havenwood Harbour, a warm and welcoming place for the community to gather, gossip and enjoy some hot coffee and tasty treats.

But Jonas Pike, the real estate mogul wants to buy the cafe and starts to make threats towards Ivy. That’s when the coins start to appear, a warning, an omen, that appears when a profound greed threatens the very heart of the island.

The poetic writing style of this book is just beautiful, the descriptions feel rhythmic and comforting like a sweet lullaby and a warm pot of tea.

Then the story takes a dark turn and picks up pace making it impossible to put down. Terrible things start to happen and all the clues point towards Ivy, someone is framing her. But who? And why?

It’s impossible not to feel the weight of Ivy’s grief and fear as she clings to the people around her who can help. But she doesn’t know who she can trust. Can she figure out who is setting her up in time to protect the island?

As soon as I started this story I fell under its spell. A superbly sweet story with a captivatingly riveting plot, easily devoured curled up in a comfy armchair with a hot tea on an Autumn day.

The kitten on the cover caught my eye, but what a plot-twisty, intriguing, suspenseful mystery! A glorious triumph.