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3.26 AVERAGE
3.26 AVERAGE
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
hopeful
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
Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for opportunity to read and review the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
What a great debut! I love me a good witchy romcom and this one was so satisfying. If you want a super cute, cozy, witchy read definitely check this one out. As long as you don’t mind some spice…
After the death of his parents, Azrael returns to the small town of Hallowcross and runs into his childhood crush. Victoria has just been financially cut off by her parents for dropping out of college to buy Azrael’s parents tea shop. She wants to focus more on magic and the spirits. She was cursed with the ability to see the dead by touching an item the deceased loved, but it destroys the item in the process. And now because of the demon that created said curse, they can’t touch each other until they find a solution to the town’s current magical issues.
What a great debut! I love me a good witchy romcom and this one was so satisfying. If you want a super cute, cozy, witchy read definitely check this one out. As long as you don’t mind some spice…
After the death of his parents, Azrael returns to the small town of Hallowcross and runs into his childhood crush. Victoria has just been financially cut off by her parents for dropping out of college to buy Azrael’s parents tea shop. She wants to focus more on magic and the spirits. She was cursed with the ability to see the dead by touching an item the deceased loved, but it destroys the item in the process. And now because of the demon that created said curse, they can’t touch each other until they find a solution to the town’s current magical issues.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you very much to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC in exchange for a free and honest review.
I wanted very much to give this book a higher rating, as the premise was super cute and it sounded like a perfect cozy, spooky mystery romance that would be great to pick up this fall as the temperatures drop and the leaves turn. I do think that those looking for a cute, fluffy Halloween romance with two characters pining over each other will really like this. (And there is a LOT of pining). If you're looking for a Halloween mystery book with a romance subplot, this would not be the book for you.
The mystery plot takes a backseat to the pining between our two main characters, Azrael and Victoria. I will say Azrael is a great character -- he's very emotionally mature, able to recognize his faults and shortcomings, and very protective. I feel like we didn't really get to know Victoria beyond her powers and constant pining for Azrael. We don't really see them doing much to solve the mystery beyond taking trips that are filled with internal and external monologuing about how much they want to be with each other and touch each other, but then they don't know for sure if they want to be with each other, but oh wait! Yes they do. While endless pining may be something that others really enjoy, it didn't do it for me.
As a side note, I feel the summary doesn't entirely do this book justice. Part of what drew me in was the idea of them not being able to touch, but that doesn't actually become part of the plot until about 40% into the book. Then, it doesn't feel like very high stakes because they just constantly find ways around it. Not really what I thought I was going to receive as a reader based on the summary. It also seemed to put the mystery first and romance second, when it was very much flipped in the book. I think if the romance and pining was emphasized first, rather than the mystery, this book would find its way into more readers who would really enjoy it.
I wanted very much to give this book a higher rating, as the premise was super cute and it sounded like a perfect cozy, spooky mystery romance that would be great to pick up this fall as the temperatures drop and the leaves turn. I do think that those looking for a cute, fluffy Halloween romance with two characters pining over each other will really like this. (And there is a LOT of pining). If you're looking for a Halloween mystery book with a romance subplot, this would not be the book for you.
The mystery plot takes a backseat to the pining between our two main characters, Azrael and Victoria. I will say Azrael is a great character -- he's very emotionally mature, able to recognize his faults and shortcomings, and very protective. I feel like we didn't really get to know Victoria beyond her powers and constant pining for Azrael. We don't really see them doing much to solve the mystery beyond taking trips that are filled with internal and external monologuing about how much they want to be with each other and touch each other, but then they don't know for sure if they want to be with each other, but oh wait! Yes they do. While endless pining may be something that others really enjoy, it didn't do it for me.
As a side note, I feel the summary doesn't entirely do this book justice. Part of what drew me in was the idea of them not being able to touch, but that doesn't actually become part of the plot until about 40% into the book. Then, it doesn't feel like very high stakes because they just constantly find ways around it. Not really what I thought I was going to receive as a reader based on the summary. It also seemed to put the mystery first and romance second, when it was very much flipped in the book. I think if the romance and pining was emphasized first, rather than the mystery, this book would find its way into more readers who would really enjoy it.
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
🔮 Bookish Thoughts
This was such a cute witchy read. As a longtime Charmed girlie, Hopelessly Teavoted gave me all the nostalgic magical vibes. I now fully want to move to Hallowcross and open a cozy little tea shop.
This was such a cute witchy read. As a longtime Charmed girlie, Hopelessly Teavoted gave me all the nostalgic magical vibes. I now fully want to move to Hallowcross and open a cozy little tea shop.
Az is the ultimate cinnamon roll MMC. He is sweet, steady, and completely smitten. Also, he is a proud cat daddy, and his cat Emily Lickinson absolutely steals every scene. I really liked Vickie too. She is just trying to manage the magical mess her parents got her in. She can summon ghosts, runs a tea shop, and now has to repay a devil in order to break her curse. The worst part? She and Az cannot touch until it is done. 😭
That said, around the 60% mark, the story started to lose momentum for me. It felt a little repetitive and dragged in places, which pulled me out of the cozy spell a bit.
Still, this would be a great pick for fall or spooky season. If you’re in the mood for a magical small-town romance with ghosts, curses, and tea, it’s worth a try.
🐈⬛ What You Can Expect
• Friends to lovers
• Cinnamon roll witch MMC
• Cat daddy energy
• Ghostly parents
• Queer Rep
📖 Final Score: 3.5 stars
📅 Pub Date: September 16, 2025
🪄 Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
📅 Pub Date: September 16, 2025
🪄 Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
The premise and coziness of this story are wonderful. If you like the Stay a Spell series, you may enjoy this as well. Supernatural beings in a modern day world, quirky and silly but with surprising romantic spice.
Unfortunately, it didn't hit with me as much as I had hoped. There were a few aspects that I had issues with.
First, the previous hook-up in college. It was underdeveloped and I didn't understand how it was initiated (she just dreamed about him and he came?) and I didn't understand the big bad event that drove them apart. It needed a bit more explanation for me to understand the full impact. The first chapter is a flashback to before leaving for college, and I think this would have benefited from a second flashback to this college "interlude".
Secondly, everything is happening all at once and also nothing is happening at all. The middle 50ish percent is the same scene in repeat - "I can't touch him or he'll die, let's talk to his parents, let's briefly mention the mystery plot, let's pine about how we can't touch each other and maybe touch each other but with something between us like gloves or saran wrap". It got old quick, and I started getting sick of the "romance" and just wanting to know what was happening with the bigger mystery plot.
Third, the parents' death. These overpowered witches died, within hours of each other, from covid? These witches that had every power in the world to manipulate air and barriers and cleanliness, somehow not only contracted covid but didn't seek medical or magical help for it?
Due to all the above, but primarily due to the lack of progress in the mystery/curse plot, I chose to DNF at 75%. I knew that with having zero progress on the plots outside of the romance meant that they would all be squished up at the end and given very little page time. I will be satisfied to simply read spoilers in the reviews and will move on.
All that said, it is impressive that this is a debut book from a new author. The essence and signature of the writing is distinct and one of the hardest things to develop. Plot and character development can be improved with experience and time, but defining your writing voice is very difficult. The author's voice is distinct and I will certainly read her future books.
2.5 stars rounded up to 3.
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for a digital advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Unfortunately, it didn't hit with me as much as I had hoped. There were a few aspects that I had issues with.
First, the previous hook-up in college. It was underdeveloped and I didn't understand how it was initiated (she just dreamed about him and he came?) and I didn't understand the big bad event that drove them apart. It needed a bit more explanation for me to understand the full impact. The first chapter is a flashback to before leaving for college, and I think this would have benefited from a second flashback to this college "interlude".
Secondly, everything is happening all at once and also nothing is happening at all. The middle 50ish percent is the same scene in repeat - "I can't touch him or he'll die, let's talk to his parents, let's briefly mention the mystery plot, let's pine about how we can't touch each other and maybe touch each other but with something between us like gloves or saran wrap". It got old quick, and I started getting sick of the "romance" and just wanting to know what was happening with the bigger mystery plot.
Third, the parents' death. These overpowered witches died, within hours of each other, from covid? These witches that had every power in the world to manipulate air and barriers and cleanliness, somehow not only contracted covid but didn't seek medical or magical help for it?
Due to all the above, but primarily due to the lack of progress in the mystery/curse plot, I chose to DNF at 75%. I knew that with having zero progress on the plots outside of the romance meant that they would all be squished up at the end and given very little page time. I will be satisfied to simply read spoilers in the reviews and will move on.
All that said, it is impressive that this is a debut book from a new author. The essence and signature of the writing is distinct and one of the hardest things to develop. Plot and character development can be improved with experience and time, but defining your writing voice is very difficult. The author's voice is distinct and I will certainly read her future books.
2.5 stars rounded up to 3.
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for a digital advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Thank you to Atria Books for the e-Arc!
Rating: 2.75/5
Spice: Yes
This book had a lot of pining. And while I’m usually happy with a slow burn, this one might have been too slow! The spent a lot of time going back and forth on liking each other, thinking the other liked them back, and refusing to just talk about it.
That said, the LGBTQIA+, religion, and cultural representation here was a big win. I also liked the side characters, and the small-town magical vibes had potential.
Unfortunately, the non-romantic plot (like the whole part about the devil stealing souls) ended up taking a serious backseat. It felt like the stakes were supposed to be high, but the characters were too busy spiraling in their feelings to do much about it.
Would I recommend it? Maybe! If you’re here for angst, yearning, and magic with a side of social commentary.
Rating: 2.75/5
Spice: Yes
This book had a lot of pining. And while I’m usually happy with a slow burn, this one might have been too slow! The spent a lot of time going back and forth on liking each other, thinking the other liked them back, and refusing to just talk about it.
That said, the LGBTQIA+, religion, and cultural representation here was a big win. I also liked the side characters, and the small-town magical vibes had potential.
Unfortunately, the non-romantic plot (like the whole part about the devil stealing souls) ended up taking a serious backseat. It felt like the stakes were supposed to be high, but the characters were too busy spiraling in their feelings to do much about it.
Would I recommend it? Maybe! If you’re here for angst, yearning, and magic with a side of social commentary.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Pushing Daisies but Jewitches. 🪄
So the great! The book was well written and Az was cute. Really enjoyed the inclusion of a MMC with anxiety. I also really liked that both MCs were bi/pan but unfortunately that was so underutilized in the plot.
Spoiler: it would’ve made more sense for a threesome with Lex in the beginning. Everything was set up! There was attraction between all three of them and then it just….didnt happen. Lex was so underutilized it was frustrating. He picked up on the connection between Az and Vickie and then disappeared after adding some extra conflict.
The villain was also severely underdeveloped. The villain were told was a bad guy but we saw just one interaction in the beginning and the rest of the book we just hear from Az he doesn’t like this person and they’re definitely evil.
The book was cheesy but sometimes it got a little too much. So many Swiftie mentions. I think it had cute moments and it’s a good debut, I’d be excited to read more about Lex. 😈
Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
So the great! The book was well written and Az was cute. Really enjoyed the inclusion of a MMC with anxiety. I also really liked that both MCs were bi/pan but unfortunately that was so underutilized in the plot.
Spoiler: it would’ve made more sense for a threesome with Lex in the beginning. Everything was set up! There was attraction between all three of them and then it just….didnt happen. Lex was so underutilized it was frustrating. He picked up on the connection between Az and Vickie and then disappeared after adding some extra conflict.
The villain was also severely underdeveloped. The villain were told was a bad guy but we saw just one interaction in the beginning and the rest of the book we just hear from Az he doesn’t like this person and they’re definitely evil.
The book was cheesy but sometimes it got a little too much. So many Swiftie mentions. I think it had cute moments and it’s a good debut, I’d be excited to read more about Lex. 😈
Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you #AtriaBooks for the ARC for Hopelessly Teavoted by Audrey Goldberg Ruoff. Cute concept. I don’t think I’ve read many books like this in a while! The writers style reminded me of Sarah Addison Allen and her style of story telling (which is a compliment).
I really enjoyed the beginning chapters and the end chapters. The middle of the books felt a bit wordy and heavy. I think the interior struggles and internal dialogue of the two main characters at times made for the wordiness (just my opinion, of course).
I loved the corny witch jokes and Swiftie details. The supporting characters were dynamic and I loved reading about each of them.
Quite an enjoyable, interesting read. Great debut!
I really enjoyed the beginning chapters and the end chapters. The middle of the books felt a bit wordy and heavy. I think the interior struggles and internal dialogue of the two main characters at times made for the wordiness (just my opinion, of course).
I loved the corny witch jokes and Swiftie details. The supporting characters were dynamic and I loved reading about each of them.
Quite an enjoyable, interesting read. Great debut!
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
An entertaining premise and a horny book, though some of the story fell flat. I liked Az and the FMC but felt the pining and back and forth in the first part dragged on a bit and lost my interest. Loved Az’s parents, and probably would have liked his sister more if her character was more developed. It felt like the house had a more defined personality than many side characters. The mystery with the mega church honestly felt like a chapter was missing—somehow all the action had begun but I was confused as to when it had started. The magic was fun, the tea shop was fun, and the spice—slow burn—was fun.