andloveistoolong's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Cursing, Death of parent, Death, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual content, and Child abuse
Minor: Homophobia, Racism, Injury/injury detail, and Physical abuse
themelleh's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I love, love, love this book. It hit all the sweet spots: tea, witches, found family, a very little mystery. Mika’s interactions with the girls was just so special and gentle.
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism and Death of parent
kiserke's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Such a fun and original book. I enjoyed every minute of it and didn't see all the twists and turns coming.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Abandonment, Death of parent, Sexual content, and Bullying
Minor: Alcohol, Racism, and Homophobia
For the racism and homophobia content warnings they refer to a character who briefly appears who they are unsure if he is racist, homophobic, or both - it did seem to be both. The main characters in this book are wonderfully diverse, hence the other character's issue with them. One of the MCs does offer alcohol to the other on multiple instances, but it's not lingered on. Death does come up fairly often during the book, so keep that in mind. Additionally, there is some sexual content, but it is fade to black. The next set of warnings does require some spoilers:Spoiler
One of the MCs struggled with the bullying from his siblings upon the death of his dad, who he had been closest to in his family. The other MC had grown up more or less alone and so there are strong themes of feeling abandoned.grace_9613's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
It was cozy - really gave off The House in the Cerulean Sea vibes with the found family and magic aspects.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, and Abandonment
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Racism and Kidnapping
morgsreads's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.5
This book was the biggest warmest most wonderful hug full of magic and found family and the most adorable golden retriever sidekick. I fell so in love with all of the characters, and . My only complaint (and reason for -.5 stars) is that it flew by too fast! Some of the dialogue and especially the scenes at the end was very quick-paced with little descriptive narration. Since it comes in at 316 pages I think there could have been room for more scene-building in those faster moments. Overall though it was a delightful, easy read — a good palette cleanser and sort of like a slightly more adult version of The House in the Cerulean Sea (but witchier, of course).
Spoiler
especially in love with the dynamic between Jamie and Mika
Content Warnings
Minor: Xenophobia, Physical abuse, and Racism
elizmoe's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Homophobia, and Racism
owlieali's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Domestic abuse
brontesauruses's review
adventurous
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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Child abuse
Minor: Homophobia, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Racism, Classism, Alcohol, and Xenophobia
wilybooklover's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
5.0
This book is simply delightful. A lonely witch finds love and acceptance when she agrees to tutor three children in all things witchcraft.
I absolutely loved this story. Mika uses her sunshine-y nature as a mask to keep the world – and her loneliness – at bay. Jamie, the librarian she falls in love with, similarly uses grumpiness as his mask. Ultimately, though, this was a story about found family. As the book progresses Mika becomes intertwined with this quirky, endearing family and it was so wonderful to see her walls come down and accept all of these wonderful people into her heart. I’m not always a fan of children in books, but I really enjoyed their inclusion in this story. They were maybe a little precociously funny but they had some lovely moments of connection with Mika. The whimsical way that the witchcraft was written was the cherry on top and really fit the vibe of the story.
Just a beautifully written cosy and romantic story that made me smile as I read it. I really needed something uplifting when I picked this up and it fit the bill perfectly. This is one for the comfort re-read pile.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Abandonment
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, and Death
Minor: Xenophobia, Homophobia, Child abuse, and Racism
kylieqrada's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
5.0
I already did my Top Ten of 2022 and then I read this book and I'm like 😬😬😬. I LOVE HER. Major House in the Cerulean Sea vibes but with casual diversity, this was seriously just so cozy and sweet. Easy 5 ⭐️s from me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Sexual content, and Death of parent
Moderate: Death, Cursing, and Child abuse
Minor: Racism and Homophobia