A review by lovefromhannah
Best Hex Ever by Nadia El-Fassi

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

THIS BOOK IS EVERYTHING I DIDN'T KNOW I NEEDED

Best Hex Ever is the debut novel of ex-Waterstones employee Nadia El-Fassi. This novel revived me from my month long reading slump, which I didn't think was possible for this bisexual witch cafe owner x museum curator romance.

I don't often read contemporary novels - or romance novels, in general - but this book is making me start. I didn't feel like the magic elements were out of place (yes, there are only 4 characters with magic) in this novel: a balanced blend of witchy magic and the usual chaos of dating/relationships with the business of life in London.

However, I have seen criticism of this novel and its use of tropes, in particular the insta-love trope. Whilst yes, the characters are attracted to each other from their meet cute, neither of them act upon these feelings until much later in the novel. In fact, Dina (our witchy protagonist) spends a large chunk of the novel scared of these feelings and what they mean (in regards to a spoiler which I will not mention).

Nadia El-Fassi's debut novel is like coming home to the kettle already boiling. I will definitely be reading her next book.

You can find Nadia El-Fassi on Twitter @chronicles_of_n.