Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.26 AVERAGE
3.26 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
Super cute with its major witchy vibes! Perfect for anyone that is looking for the spooky meets cozy book. MASSIVE rep for LGBTQ!!
Vickie and Azreal taking pinning for one another to the ultimate level. With the help of some devious magic and a mystery afoot all truths are revealed.
This book was an equal balance of plot and mystery to keep you hooked into the story AND spicy longing of long time best friends to keep you wanting more and also wanting to reach through the pages and shake the characters.
Vickie and Azreal taking pinning for one another to the ultimate level. With the help of some devious magic and a mystery afoot all truths are revealed.
This book was an equal balance of plot and mystery to keep you hooked into the story AND spicy longing of long time best friends to keep you wanting more and also wanting to reach through the pages and shake the characters.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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
Hopelessly Teavoted is a cute paranormal romance book that hooked me from the start. The characters were easy to fall in love with, and the early pacing kept me turning the pages. The way grief was addressed really stood out, and I found myself mourning alongside the characters. The mystery-solving and sleuthing were a fun addition to the story, adding some adventure to an otherwise slow-burning romance. But the “miscommunication” trope got carried on a little too long, to the point where I almost put the book down. The middle dragged a bit too long (due to the miscommunication), and Vickie’s struggle with being "too clingy" wasn't clearly expressed enough to justify some of her decisions in the relationship; at times, it seemed like she was intentionally sabotaging the relationship.
There were way too many detailed sexual thoughts and suggestive moments between Vickie and Azrael, which ruined the seriousness of the situation they were in. Despite these issues, the story as a whole was cute, at times sexy, and had an interesting backstory and well-developed characters. I could easily see a prequel or several sequels set in this universe, and I look forward to reading more from this author—her storytelling shows great promise, and I believe she will only get better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Death of parent, Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Murder
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I think maybe if I read this book again some time in the future, my opinion on it could change. For now, this is where I'm at.
The pacing on this felt way off. The "I can't touch him/her" plot didn't start til about 40%, there's some weird energy with them being together/having sex all the way til 70%, and somewhere along 50-60% the whole mystery takes a backseat and the romance really comes into play. The book synopsis really hyped up the mystery element and I was looking forward to that as much as the romance, so I think I was kinda bummed when I kept reading and found that it was so romance heavy in the second half.
Their weird "second chance" relationship felt underdeveloped, and not really like a second chance. Their problem is never really explained, only alluded to in the first 40% that they hooked up in college and it didn't go the way they wanted it to. I didn't understand their hookup nor did I understand what was keeping them from being together as it wasn't sufficiently explained.
The fact that they were both Bi was a plus, but there was this weird relationship with both the fantasy and human world that just clashed in a way that didn't make sense. It seemed less like the real life was a part of the fantasy life and more like they existed alongside each other so to see so much about BLM and religion next to such a witchy world didn't feel organic and felt more forced instead. I have read books where there's a real world and a fantasy world and they blend together seamlessly where the humans and witches can invest themselves into the same issues and topics but this book made it seem so fake that the witches had such a role in caring about those things, as if leaving you thinking, what does BLM or religion have to do with this mystery? It just was plunked in there, it felt, and rubbed me the wrong way.
I don't want this to deter anyone from reading, I really do think that this book isn't horrible for a debut and would be willing to read it again and would recommend it to anyone who loves a cozy spooky read as it really would be a great pallette cleanser, it's just not for me right now.
The pacing on this felt way off. The "I can't touch him/her" plot didn't start til about 40%, there's some weird energy with them being together/having sex all the way til 70%, and somewhere along 50-60% the whole mystery takes a backseat and the romance really comes into play. The book synopsis really hyped up the mystery element and I was looking forward to that as much as the romance, so I think I was kinda bummed when I kept reading and found that it was so romance heavy in the second half.
Their weird "second chance" relationship felt underdeveloped, and not really like a second chance. Their problem is never really explained, only alluded to in the first 40% that they hooked up in college and it didn't go the way they wanted it to. I didn't understand their hookup nor did I understand what was keeping them from being together as it wasn't sufficiently explained.
The fact that they were both Bi was a plus, but there was this weird relationship with both the fantasy and human world that just clashed in a way that didn't make sense. It seemed less like the real life was a part of the fantasy life and more like they existed alongside each other so to see so much about BLM and religion next to such a witchy world didn't feel organic and felt more forced instead. I have read books where there's a real world and a fantasy world and they blend together seamlessly where the humans and witches can invest themselves into the same issues and topics but this book made it seem so fake that the witches had such a role in caring about those things, as if leaving you thinking, what does BLM or religion have to do with this mystery? It just was plunked in there, it felt, and rubbed me the wrong way.
I don't want this to deter anyone from reading, I really do think that this book isn't horrible for a debut and would be willing to read it again and would recommend it to anyone who loves a cozy spooky read as it really would be a great pallette cleanser, it's just not for me right now.
I think this was a cute and cozy read.
I enjoyed the characters and the magical feeling of it all. I felt like they were both personable. I hate when the characters are blah, you know?
This is perfect for anyone like me that needs a palate cleanser from the dark and pitch black romance I read 90% of the time.
Overall, I would recommend this coziness ☺️
I enjoyed the characters and the magical feeling of it all. I felt like they were both personable. I hate when the characters are blah, you know?
This is perfect for anyone like me that needs a palate cleanser from the dark and pitch black romance I read 90% of the time.
Overall, I would recommend this coziness ☺️
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
I absolutely adored this book and devoured it in a few hours! An absolute must add to any spooky season reading list- it would be a perfect little romance pallet cleanser between scarier stories.
Come for the spooky sweet romance, stay for Emily Lickinson, all the puns, and the Taylor Swift references. Also the yearning!!!
Honestly, there were so many pieces that normally don’t work for me (covid, childhood friends to lovers/second chance) that I was so pleasantly surprised by how much I loved it. That said, I would’ve liked to see a little more of them investigating the third soul (maybe a stake out at the school or the church) and personally I would’ve liked a little more will they/won’t they with Lex.
Overall I highly recommend this for anyone looking for a cute and witchy paranormal romance and can’t wait to read more by this author!!!
Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC- all thoughts my own!
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you NetGalley & the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for a review!
With a mystery plaguing their town and souls on the line, former friends Victoria and Azreal must team up to stop evil forces—and maybe along the way reconnect in other ways.
Typically, romance novels don't catch my eye because I always end up finding them a bit predictable and problematic at times, but this novel did everything right. Atria has done it again. This book is very quirky in a great way. Both main characters being queer was cute too because it just made the romance between them cuter. While the plot was predictable, I found myself caring because every single character in the book was well throughout and added to the plot. My biggest gripe was the end mystery being solved a little too quickly. Some of the middle part could have been cut to add for a longer ending or it could have been flushed a tad more. But it was satisfying in the end.
I can confidently say that Audrey Goldberg Ruoff has earned herself a fan.
With a mystery plaguing their town and souls on the line, former friends Victoria and Azreal must team up to stop evil forces—and maybe along the way reconnect in other ways.
Typically, romance novels don't catch my eye because I always end up finding them a bit predictable and problematic at times, but this novel did everything right. Atria has done it again. This book is very quirky in a great way. Both main characters being queer was cute too because it just made the romance between them cuter. While the plot was predictable, I found myself caring because every single character in the book was well throughout and added to the plot. My biggest gripe was the end mystery being solved a little too quickly. Some of the middle part could have been cut to add for a longer ending or it could have been flushed a tad more. But it was satisfying in the end.
I can confidently say that Audrey Goldberg Ruoff has earned herself a fan.
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book just wasn't it for me. The synopsis sounded like it would be right up my alley but unfortunately I just didn't enjoy it.
Azrael (nice mystical name) and Vickie (average name that doesn't fit with Azrael) are next door neighbors that fell in love but never tell each other. There is a vague mention of a hook up in college and then jump to years later. His parents have died from COVID. Which in and of itself is a turn off for me. I lived and lost through the pandemic, I don't want to read about it in my fantasy books.
The vast majority of this book is the two main characters pining after each other. It is all extremely repetitive and got boring around 25%. This was a struggle for me.
Might suggest as a cozy read for patrons but it just wasn't my cup of tea.
Azrael (nice mystical name) and Vickie (average name that doesn't fit with Azrael) are next door neighbors that fell in love but never tell each other. There is a vague mention of a hook up in college and then jump to years later. His parents have died from COVID. Which in and of itself is a turn off for me. I lived and lost through the pandemic, I don't want to read about it in my fantasy books.
The vast majority of this book is the two main characters pining after each other. It is all extremely repetitive and got boring around 25%. This was a struggle for me.
Might suggest as a cozy read for patrons but it just wasn't my cup of tea.
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Thank you to NetGalley, Audrey Goldberg Ruoff, and Atria Books for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed the cozy, small-town vibes. It has great elements for a witchy rom-com, such as ghosts and devils. I find it interesting how Victoria can communicate with ghosts, and that Azrael is a witch. I feel that typically the FMC is the witch for but I loved that there are different representations. I unfortunately did not love this book. I could see the potential, but I found the main characters to be frustrating, and I was confused about what happened for them to break up. Throughout the novel, it felt like Victoria and Azrael were younger than they were supposed to be. I thought it was a YA or New Adult novel until some spicy things happened. I don't think I will continue with this universe. Please, don't let my review sway you away from giving this book a try. It wasn't for me, but it could be for you.
I enjoyed the cozy, small-town vibes. It has great elements for a witchy rom-com, such as ghosts and devils. I find it interesting how Victoria can communicate with ghosts, and that Azrael is a witch. I feel that typically the FMC is the witch for but I loved that there are different representations. I unfortunately did not love this book. I could see the potential, but I found the main characters to be frustrating, and I was confused about what happened for them to break up. Throughout the novel, it felt like Victoria and Azrael were younger than they were supposed to be. I thought it was a YA or New Adult novel until some spicy things happened. I don't think I will continue with this universe. Please, don't let my review sway you away from giving this book a try. It wasn't for me, but it could be for you.
3.5 stars rounded up for review
Hopelessly Teavoted is a cozy debut that is perfect for when you just need something for the fall vibes. This is a paranormal romance that is told in the third person, dual pov. Victoria is our FMC and she has been disowned by her parents. She has quit business school and has bought our MMC's late parents' tea shop. She also owes a devil for a promise her parents made...
Az aka Azrael, comes back into town and his childhood crush now owns his parents shop! He also has a cat he is allergic to. I really liked his character. Since you know we have the childhood crush type of Subgenre going on there is some yearning going on.
There are some things I wish that would have been kept out of the book. But in the end overall I thought it was a great debut. I will always fall for and read books with witches in them.
Thank you to Atria for the complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Hopelessly Teavoted is a cozy debut that is perfect for when you just need something for the fall vibes. This is a paranormal romance that is told in the third person, dual pov. Victoria is our FMC and she has been disowned by her parents. She has quit business school and has bought our MMC's late parents' tea shop. She also owes a devil for a promise her parents made...
Az aka Azrael, comes back into town and his childhood crush now owns his parents shop! He also has a cat he is allergic to. I really liked his character. Since you know we have the childhood crush type of Subgenre going on there is some yearning going on.
There are some things I wish that would have been kept out of the book. But in the end overall I thought it was a great debut. I will always fall for and read books with witches in them.
Thank you to Atria for the complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
DNF @ 50% 7/7/25
Unfortunately, this book is not for me. I sort of knew at the beginning but I tried to push through for the sake of the arc.
- this is a paranormal contemporary fantasy romance with witches, demons, and magic but there are too many real world issues taking place in the story. The mmc's parents die of covid? And within the story's own lore they are extremely powerful witches? There are multiple references to BLM, woke, and rainbow flags, and evangelical christians in the first 50% and I'm asking why. I don't disagree with the author's viewpoint on these things, but it just felt out of place and shoe horned in within the context of this story and the world they're in. Like...why are demons and witches worried about the BLM movement....
- the main "sinister threat" is an evangelical church that the fmc's parents planted in their small town...
- it's not explained in the first half why Victoria is the one acquiring the tea shop instead of the actual children of the deceased owners that are literally main characters in this story
- this was giving me war flashbacks to Rewind It Back by Liz Tomforde and that isn't necessarily this book's fault, but the trope of second chance best friends pining and neglecting to be together for no sensible reason is not something I wanted to read for a second time. They keep alluding to this ~big mistake~ they made 6 years ago and although it's not revealed what really happened in the first half of the book, it's clear that they had sex and the relationship didn't pan out the way they wanted. The constant inner dialogue about how much they want to fuck but them just choosing not to makes no sense. They say "it was 6 years ago" but 6 years ago they were in college so there is no actual reason why 2 consenting adults can't be together
- some of the dialogue was a little too hammy for me
- Victoria is horny for EVERYONE she comes in contact with and I guess this is the explanation behind her being bisexual but it felt overly gazey and inappropriate. She's horny for the demon holding her contract, she's horny for Azrael, she's horny for this woman they literally talk to once and thinks about how that woman would masterbate? Okay I guess!
- there is a mystery going on here, but at the 50% mark, most of what has happened has been Azrael and Victoria thinking about how they both want to smash with no actual mystery solving. A small part of why they can't be together is connected to the mystery, but that reasoning felt a little flimsy considering they basically have sex in present day prior to that affecting them. Reviews say this goes on until at least 70% in and frankly I didn't have the energy to read anymore inner dialogue
- the amount of nicknames felt.....slightly juvenile. Vickie instead of Victoria, Prissy instead of Priscilla. Like, idk I guess people do go by their nicknames but you'd think that would be a close friend/family thing and not an everybody thing
The premise for this sounded interesting and I think I would have liked it better if it was less focused on the forced not really second-chance trope and was more friends to lovers. This read like a mouthpiece for the author to write something "woke" and while I'm all for that, those choices didn't really make sense within the context of a magical world with witches and demons.
Unfortunately the tropes and setting didn't work for me in the way I had hoped, and I didn't think it would serve me to finish the book and give an even lower rating.
I received an arc from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Netgalley and Atria books for the arc!
Unfortunately, this book is not for me. I sort of knew at the beginning but I tried to push through for the sake of the arc.
- this is a paranormal contemporary fantasy romance with witches, demons, and magic but there are too many real world issues taking place in the story. The mmc's parents die of covid? And within the story's own lore they are extremely powerful witches? There are multiple references to BLM, woke, and rainbow flags, and evangelical christians in the first 50% and I'm asking why. I don't disagree with the author's viewpoint on these things, but it just felt out of place and shoe horned in within the context of this story and the world they're in. Like...why are demons and witches worried about the BLM movement....
- the main "sinister threat" is an evangelical church that the fmc's parents planted in their small town...
- it's not explained in the first half why Victoria is the one acquiring the tea shop instead of the actual children of the deceased owners that are literally main characters in this story
- this was giving me war flashbacks to Rewind It Back by Liz Tomforde and that isn't necessarily this book's fault, but the trope of second chance best friends pining and neglecting to be together for no sensible reason is not something I wanted to read for a second time. They keep alluding to this ~big mistake~ they made 6 years ago and although it's not revealed what really happened in the first half of the book, it's clear that they had sex and the relationship didn't pan out the way they wanted. The constant inner dialogue about how much they want to fuck but them just choosing not to makes no sense. They say "it was 6 years ago" but 6 years ago they were in college so there is no actual reason why 2 consenting adults can't be together
- some of the dialogue was a little too hammy for me
- Victoria is horny for EVERYONE she comes in contact with and I guess this is the explanation behind her being bisexual but it felt overly gazey and inappropriate. She's horny for the demon holding her contract, she's horny for Azrael, she's horny for this woman they literally talk to once and thinks about how that woman would masterbate? Okay I guess!
- there is a mystery going on here, but at the 50% mark, most of what has happened has been Azrael and Victoria thinking about how they both want to smash with no actual mystery solving. A small part of why they can't be together is connected to the mystery, but that reasoning felt a little flimsy considering they basically have sex in present day prior to that affecting them. Reviews say this goes on until at least 70% in and frankly I didn't have the energy to read anymore inner dialogue
- the amount of nicknames felt.....slightly juvenile. Vickie instead of Victoria, Prissy instead of Priscilla. Like, idk I guess people do go by their nicknames but you'd think that would be a close friend/family thing and not an everybody thing
The premise for this sounded interesting and I think I would have liked it better if it was less focused on the forced not really second-chance trope and was more friends to lovers. This read like a mouthpiece for the author to write something "woke" and while I'm all for that, those choices didn't really make sense within the context of a magical world with witches and demons.
Unfortunately the tropes and setting didn't work for me in the way I had hoped, and I didn't think it would serve me to finish the book and give an even lower rating.
I received an arc from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Netgalley and Atria books for the arc!