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4.24 AVERAGE
4.24 AVERAGE
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
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
funny
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:
Yes
The perfect cosy fantasy romance with found family and grumpyxsunshine vibes, this will pair perfectly with a pumpkin spice latte and slipper socks
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Uncharmed is the most delightfully cosy story that made me want to curl up in a blanket with a hot chocolate whilst it rains outside!
Annie is a clever and kind witch who runs the most adorable bakery and pushes herself to be perfect for everyone around her, despite the toll her perfection puts on her. We follow Annie as she is given charge of a young, untrained witch, Maeve, who exudes power yet is extremely unsure of herself (and a very well written teenager!).
This is a gorgeous story of a found family, with a perfect grumpy/sunshine relationship between Annie and Hal. I thought the storylines were well balanced, we don’t meet Hal till about 45% into the book yet the rest of the story doesn’t get abandoned in order to push their romance onto us. Instead you get a cute, slow burn romance that feels very believable to the situation they’re in.
I can’t wait to reread this in the autumn and feel all cosy inside☺️🍂
Thank you to NetGalley and PanMacmillan for the ARC!
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is a charmingly magical tale with a cosy heart that feels like a cup of hot chocolate on a cold, crisp winter's morning.
Annie's journey to self-confidence and self-acceptance is a joy to follow along with, as is seeing Maeve flourish and the found family they create along the way.
I thoroughly recommend this book, perfect for the nights drawing in and creating that warm, snuggled feeling. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Annie's journey to self-confidence and self-acceptance is a joy to follow along with, as is seeing Maeve flourish and the found family they create along the way.
I thoroughly recommend this book, perfect for the nights drawing in and creating that warm, snuggled feeling. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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:
Yes
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Annie is living a carefully cultivated, structured life that conveys an image of perfection to everyone around her. Part of a high society, snobbish coven, she takes on too much responsibility, worries too much about what people think, and uses all of her spare time keeping up the facade that everything is perfect. So essentially, Annie is primed and ready to have her perfect life shook up by a strong but untrained young witch!
The character development is done so well in Uncharmed - Annie is always likeable, but she's a people pleaser who doesn't set any boundaries to protect herself, and gives too much of herself away as a result. It's so obvious looking in that the people around her use her and take advantage of her desire to just be accepted. The plot forces her to face these issues. I was rooting for her to stand up for herself and to realise that perfection wasn't worth the price she was paying for it, so it was so satisfying when she got there! I found it quite an emotional payoff.
The romance between Annie and love interest Hal isn't the initial focus of the book, with Hal only making an appearance at the 45% mark. But despite that, it didn't feel rushed or forced it, but rather a perfect addition to the story.
In all, it was a heartwarming cosy fantasy that I found really beautiful and hopeful.
Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley, but this is my voluntary and honest review.