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4.28 AVERAGE
4.28 AVERAGE
Uncharmed follows Annie, a witch with impossibly high standards, and also the proud owner of Celestial Bakehouse, a bustling London bakery. Annie devotes her powers to pleasing others, and while perfection exacts a magical toll, it’s a price she is more than willing to pay. When Annie is tasked by her coven with mentoring a trouble teenage witch, her charmed existence is thrown into chaos. She couldn’t be more different from fiery, stubborn Maeve, or Hal, the gruff but handsome owner of their temporary lodgings. As the unlikely trio slowly bond, outside forces begin to take an interest in Maeve’s extraordinary powers. Will Annie risk everything to protect the true magic she’s finally found?
After really enjoying Rewitched, I have been so excited to read the next cosy, witchy novel by Lucy Jane Wood. Like the first instalment, Uncharmed is a comforting, cosy book infused with Lucy’s hilarious wit and charm. I really enjoyed the secluded woodland cottage setting, as well as the bakery setting. All of the descriptions of baked goods had me drooling!
Annie was a great FMC, who gave me Elle Woods/Barbie vibes with her love of all things pink and girly. She had a lot of depth and great development, and seeing her break free from societal and self-imposed expectations, and find out what she really wanted from life was so satisfying to read. Maeve was the opposite of Annie, and seeing them form a close bond after initially clashing was so sweet. I also enjoyed Hal, the MMC, and the found family bond the trio created. However, I found Hal to have less depth than Annie and Maeve, and the romance in this book is definitely a more of a subplot.
The plot is fairly low stakes and slower paced until the end, but I really didn’t mind this. I enjoyed the cosy vibes, the dynamics between the characters and the fluffy magic so much that I was content just reading about the characters daily lives. There was some action at the end, and the ending was super sweet and exactly what I wanted for the characters.
I was a little confused with the timeline of this book in comparison to Rewitched, as there is a character in Uncharmed that turns out to be a villain in Rewitched. This felt a little bit disconcerting, as I assumed that Uncharmed, being the second book in this world, took place after Rewitched.
I’d recommend this book to anyone wanting a cosy, witchy fantasy with relatable characters, emotional depth, sugary sweet magic, and a hint of romance. This book comes out in September and it will make the perfect autumnal read! I really hope Lucy continues writing in this world, and I’m excited to read whatever she releases next.
Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for providing me with an eARC. All opinions are my own.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
I absolutely loved Rewitched and was excited to be given the opportunity to read the Arc of Uncharted. I loved the world building of the first and the development of the Sorciety.
However I really struggled with this. I liked the idea of Annie's journey and struggles with trying to be the best and people pleasing, and the found family aspects as well as looking at current friendships through a different lens, but I found it so heavy with it's descriptions and use of adverbs, which made it feel incredibly slow to read. It felt cosy but it also felt drawn out.
I read Rewitched as an audiobook and that may have been a better way to read this for me personally.
However I really struggled with this. I liked the idea of Annie's journey and struggles with trying to be the best and people pleasing, and the found family aspects as well as looking at current friendships through a different lens, but I found it so heavy with it's descriptions and use of adverbs, which made it feel incredibly slow to read. It felt cosy but it also felt drawn out.
I read Rewitched as an audiobook and that may have been a better way to read this for me personally.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Uncharmed by Lucy Jane Wood is a warm, cozy, feel-good read — perfect for curling up with on an autumn day, hot chocolate in hand. This is the second book I’ve read by this author, and I really hope she continues writing more!
I absolutely loved Annie’s character and the journey she goes on throughout the story. Her growth felt authentic and heartwarming, and I was genuinely happy to see her, Maeve, and Hal get the happy ending they deserved.
If you’re looking for a comforting, charming read with plenty of heart and fireside vibes, Uncharmed is a great pick.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I unfortunately didn't connect with this story or these characters very much. I liked the premise and idea of the book, but my favorite character far and away was Maeve and I don't think we really got to spend enough time with her. I can appreciate what Annie is going through with her friends and there were times where I was very empathetic towards her, but the repetitiveness and minimal plot was difficult to get through. Additionally, we never get to see why Annie and Hal are drawn to each other and start to like one another. If you're looking for a romance, that is not this book - it's like a sub-sub plot.
It was also very confusing that the "bad guy" from the first book was featured so much in this story. It's not clear from a timeline perspective if the events in Uncharmed come before or after Rewitched, but it was really jarring to see this person in this book.
Overall, while this one wasn't for me, if you love a slower cosy fantasy - this would fit the bill. Thank you to Berkley Romance for the eARC - all opinions are my own.
It was also very confusing that the "bad guy" from the first book was featured so much in this story. It's not clear from a timeline perspective if the events in Uncharmed come before or after Rewitched, but it was really jarring to see this person in this book.
Overall, while this one wasn't for me, if you love a slower cosy fantasy - this would fit the bill. Thank you to Berkley Romance for the eARC - all opinions are my own.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I loved Rewitched, so was really excited to read this. It didn’t disappoint: Uncharmed was lovely, entertaining, funny and bittersweet.
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Vibes: cosy fantasy, found family, sparkly witchy and bakery goodness, grumpy x sunshine executed perfectly
Verdict: hands down my favourite cosy fantasy ever - read it, but make sure you have a coffee and a treat on standby!
Lucy Jane Wood has genuinely outdone herself. The prose is delightful and immersive without being too much, the slow start sets the mood, the characters are loveable, the slow burn romance is chef's kiss and the plot is tight.
Uncharmed is the sort of cosy fantasy that if you're just there for good vibes you'll get that in spades but, equally, if you're there to tap into the soul-searching of a people pleaser learning the world doesn't end if they look after themselves for once, this is also the book for you.
This book is written in the same universe as Rewitched but you definitely don't need to read that first. Highly recommend Uncharmed, perfect for autumn!
With thanks to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Verdict: hands down my favourite cosy fantasy ever - read it, but make sure you have a coffee and a treat on standby!
Lucy Jane Wood has genuinely outdone herself. The prose is delightful and immersive without being too much, the slow start sets the mood, the characters are loveable, the slow burn romance is chef's kiss and the plot is tight.
Uncharmed is the sort of cosy fantasy that if you're just there for good vibes you'll get that in spades but, equally, if you're there to tap into the soul-searching of a people pleaser learning the world doesn't end if they look after themselves for once, this is also the book for you.
This book is written in the same universe as Rewitched but you definitely don't need to read that first. Highly recommend Uncharmed, perfect for autumn!
With thanks to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Annie Wildwood is the perfect witch with high standards. The proud owner of Celestial Bakehouse, a bustling London bakery, she devotes her powers to pleasing others, and while perfection exacts a magical toll, it’s a price Annie is more than willing to pay. However, her existence is thrown into chaos when she's tasked by the coven to mentor a troubled teenage witch Maeve, where they temporarily take residence in Hal's woodland cottage, unbeknownst to him.
After loving Rewitched last year, I knew I was gonna love Uncharmed and I was right. I love Lucy's writing and her ability to take you to a magical world, where you can lose yourself in the pages, which is exactly how this book felt to me. It all flowed well and I loved seeing everything come together.
I loved the characters, especially Annie, Maeve and Hal - I related in particular a lot to Annie and Maeve, which I love when I feel connected to the characters. I was so invested in them that some parts had me feeling emotional. I loved their development throughout and it was beautiful to see them come into their power. I love the lessons that Maeve taught Annie about authenticity and not bending over backwards for people who don't deserve your energy, by molding yourself to fit their expectations of perfection and carrying a lot of pressure, instead of existing as an imperfect self.
I really loved the plot and the journey it takes the reader on. It felt like it was easy to visualise everything and had me wishing for one of my favourite seasons to arrive: autumn!
⚠️ CWs: alcohol use, bullying, cursing, fire, injury detail, physical assault; mentions death, blood, cheating, abandonment, death of a parent, derogatory language ⚠️
After loving Rewitched last year, I knew I was gonna love Uncharmed and I was right. I love Lucy's writing and her ability to take you to a magical world, where you can lose yourself in the pages, which is exactly how this book felt to me. It all flowed well and I loved seeing everything come together.
I loved the characters, especially Annie, Maeve and Hal - I related in particular a lot to Annie and Maeve, which I love when I feel connected to the characters. I was so invested in them that some parts had me feeling emotional. I loved their development throughout and it was beautiful to see them come into their power. I love the lessons that Maeve taught Annie about authenticity and not bending over backwards for people who don't deserve your energy, by molding yourself to fit their expectations of perfection and carrying a lot of pressure, instead of existing as an imperfect self.
I really loved the plot and the journey it takes the reader on. It felt like it was easy to visualise everything and had me wishing for one of my favourite seasons to arrive: autumn!
⚠️ CWs: alcohol use, bullying, cursing, fire, injury detail, physical assault; mentions death, blood, cheating, abandonment, death of a parent, derogatory language ⚠️
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a slow start for me. I really enjoyed what I was reading, but it took a while for things to click—though I think that may be more of a *me* thing!
That said, there’s so much I loved about this. I thought Annie, the FMC, was brilliant. It soon becomes clear she’s always trying to be perfect—an asset, not a burden to others. From the crown of her perfectly be-spelled hair to her beautiful shoes, she’s all precision and poise.
At first, I worried she might fall into an overly polished archetype, but as her deeper need for love and connection emerged, I found myself relating to her more and more. She’s a bit of a poster child for the struggle of people-pleasing—something I think a lot of women will connect with. I definitely did!
Maeve, the troubled teen thrust into Annie’s whirlwind schedule, is also fantastic. It was refreshing to read a teenage girl who knew who she was. She’s got edges, but she stays true to herself—and that’s something I would have loved to read more of when I was that age.
Hal is adorable. Maybe too perfect? The man is a literal animal whisperer. Swoon. But honestly, I wouldn’t change a thing.
There are so many gorgeous, witchy magical touches—helpful woodland creatures, fairy rings, self-sweeping brooms—all balanced by the darker undercurrents of control, hierarchy, and quiet threat that surround Annie’s world.
Also: this book will make you CRAVE baked sweet treats like nothing else. I need one of Annie’s goodies, stat.
That said, there’s so much I loved about this. I thought Annie, the FMC, was brilliant. It soon becomes clear she’s always trying to be perfect—an asset, not a burden to others. From the crown of her perfectly be-spelled hair to her beautiful shoes, she’s all precision and poise.
At first, I worried she might fall into an overly polished archetype, but as her deeper need for love and connection emerged, I found myself relating to her more and more. She’s a bit of a poster child for the struggle of people-pleasing—something I think a lot of women will connect with. I definitely did!
Maeve, the troubled teen thrust into Annie’s whirlwind schedule, is also fantastic. It was refreshing to read a teenage girl who knew who she was. She’s got edges, but she stays true to herself—and that’s something I would have loved to read more of when I was that age.
Hal is adorable. Maybe too perfect? The man is a literal animal whisperer. Swoon. But honestly, I wouldn’t change a thing.
There are so many gorgeous, witchy magical touches—helpful woodland creatures, fairy rings, self-sweeping brooms—all balanced by the darker undercurrents of control, hierarchy, and quiet threat that surround Annie’s world.
Also: this book will make you CRAVE baked sweet treats like nothing else. I need one of Annie’s goodies, stat.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment