Hex Appeal Kate Johnson

Description from NetGalley:

Encanto meets Hocus Pocus in this perfect witchy romcom. An absolute must-read if you love Erin Sterling’s The Ex Hex and Lana Harper’s Payback’s a Witch!

It’s just a bunch of hocus pocus…

Essie Winterscale lives in a huge and ever-changing house in the village of Good Winter, in deepest, darkest Essex. She lives with various witches of various ages, one of whom is still a bit salty about having been burned at the stake in 1635, one who keeps accidentally casting fertility spells, and one who knits things that create the future.

All Essie ever wanted was to have a normal life but in the end she found herself drawn back to Beldam House because she just can’t stop her witchiness (although the ability to instantly chill wine is pretty awesome, even she has to admit).

Into this coven of chaos stumbles gorgeous, clueless Josh, their new landlord – and he’s just discovered his tenants haven’t paid rent since the 1700s! As Josh is drawn further into the lives of the inhabitants of Beldam House, Essie is determined to keep him at broomstick’s length. That is, until a family secret, lying hidden for centuries, puts Josh firmly under her spell…

‘Funny, smart and sassy…No one creates such brilliant worlds quite like Kate does’ Julie Caplin

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My Review:

I was really enjoying this book at first. I loved the whimsy of it. I think at times the author did an amazing job of creating this fantastical experience for the reader. There were just a few things that took me out of the experience.

First, I absolutely adored the characters. I thought Essie was just the right amount of confidence and sassiness but still being empathetic and down to earth. I really enjoyed her as a main character. I also liked Josh but felt he was too passive of a character. He's just swept along during all these magical events and it just never felt he had much of his own autonomy. I wish the author put a bit more effort into his character. I also really liked Blessing. I wasn't a fan of her at first, but she really grew on me.

As for the plot, I think it was a bit too chaotic for me. It could have maybe worked if it was taken a bit more seriously. This book had a more upbeat and comedic tone so when the villain and dark family secrets were unveiled, it felt more silly rather than something important which pulled me out of the book a bit.

I also could have done without the weirdness and chaos surrounding Essie's exes. I didn't find that one particular scene funny and honestly made me a bit uncomfortable. Nothing is glaringly bad of the scene but it just wasn't for me.

Overall, I really did enjoy this book. The first half really knocked it out of the park. The second half is just where the story kind of lost me. If you're looking for a light-hearted witchy read for fall, then I definitely recommend you pick this up. It definitely put me in the fall and Halloween spirit.