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Wishing For a Magical Midlife #1
Be Careful What You Witch For
I wish I could escape my past. But when it catches up to me, I don’t get to make the wishes—I have to grant them.
Becoming a widow on my fortieth birthday was not what I had planned.
Even worse? It’s forced me and my teenage daughter back to Whispering Willows and the life of magic I left behind.
I tell myself it’ll be a short trip to sell my mother’s shop of wishes. Until I kind of, sort of bind myself to the shop.
With bills piling up fast, I gotta do something I swore I never would: open shop and start granting wishes, just until I can figure out how to undo this pesky binding spell.
It doesn’t help that the handsome mayor keeps tempting me with those kissable lips. Or that I have to hide from my daughter that magic is real.
I wish I could leave my past behind, but in this line of work, I’ve learned one very important rule: be careful what you wish for.
Becoming a widow on my fortieth birthday was not what I had planned.
Even worse? It’s forced me and my teenage daughter back to Whispering Willows and the life of magic I left behind.
I tell myself it’ll be a short trip to sell my mother’s shop of wishes. Until I kind of, sort of bind myself to the shop.
With bills piling up fast, I gotta do something I swore I never would: open shop and start granting wishes, just until I can figure out how to undo this pesky binding spell.
It doesn’t help that the handsome mayor keeps tempting me with those kissable lips. Or that I have to hide from my daughter that magic is real.
I wish I could leave my past behind, but in this line of work, I’ve learned one very important rule: be careful what you wish for.
224 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 26, 2023
768 people are currently reading
890 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
April 20, 2023
Hi! This is my book, so I might be a little biased, but I think it's pretty awesome. I hope you love reading it as much as I loved writing it!
December 8, 2025
DNF @ page 10 — No hook
This is one of those self-published books that isn’t necessarily badly written but needs a developmental edit. There were quite a few beginner’s mistakes in the first two chapters, such as introducing characters who are used as plot devices and overall coherence issues. I couldn’t determine the hook and the story isn’t unique enough to keep me reading. I reckon if the first two chapters had been written as a flashback, or shortened, the experience would have been very different. Once again, chronology is not mandatory. The quicker the action takes place on the first few pages, the better.
If you’re interested in becoming a better editor (and writer), check out this book: How Now to Write a Novel by Mittelmark and Newman
This is one of those self-published books that isn’t necessarily badly written but needs a developmental edit. There were quite a few beginner’s mistakes in the first two chapters, such as introducing characters who are used as plot devices and overall coherence issues. I couldn’t determine the hook and the story isn’t unique enough to keep me reading. I reckon if the first two chapters had been written as a flashback, or shortened, the experience would have been very different. Once again, chronology is not mandatory. The quicker the action takes place on the first few pages, the better.
If you’re interested in becoming a better editor (and writer), check out this book: How Now to Write a Novel by Mittelmark and Newman
December 19, 2023
A nice cosy witchy mystery - Charmed meets Buffy (ish)
I quite liked this cosy witchy mystery book. Clara is widowed, forty and in debt. When she’s fired from her job, all she can do is go back to the paranormal town she hailed from (and has been avoiding for 20yrs) and take onwership of the witchy shop with the only intention to sell it. For that, she needs to find the binding spell to her family that restricts the sale. A charming mayor, a hopeful ex and a lot of lying later, Clara has to come clean to her daughter Remy that they are witches and not just witches, but Witch Granters who grant wishes.
I liked the vibe of this little town. Reminded me of Buffy. As did Aunt Helen, the Demon Slayer paired with a vamp. The demonology link to wish addiction was an interesting idea as was having to give a piece of your soul for an important wish to come true. Distinction between spells and wishes baffled me a bit, but it’s fiction, so to each their own. I must admit, I never saw the villain coming, though there were breadcrumbs of suspicion. Loved how 17yo Remy embraced her legacy and how 40yo Clara fumbled through 2nd chances and faced her fears.
Recommended for lovers of cosy witchy mysteries, mixed generation fiction (forty-plus adult fiction but also 17yo YA coming of age stories) and fabulous smalltown paranormal communities the likes of Sunnydale in Buffy.
I quite liked this cosy witchy mystery book. Clara is widowed, forty and in debt. When she’s fired from her job, all she can do is go back to the paranormal town she hailed from (and has been avoiding for 20yrs) and take onwership of the witchy shop with the only intention to sell it. For that, she needs to find the binding spell to her family that restricts the sale. A charming mayor, a hopeful ex and a lot of lying later, Clara has to come clean to her daughter Remy that they are witches and not just witches, but Witch Granters who grant wishes.
I liked the vibe of this little town. Reminded me of Buffy. As did Aunt Helen, the Demon Slayer paired with a vamp. The demonology link to wish addiction was an interesting idea as was having to give a piece of your soul for an important wish to come true. Distinction between spells and wishes baffled me a bit, but it’s fiction, so to each their own. I must admit, I never saw the villain coming, though there were breadcrumbs of suspicion. Loved how 17yo Remy embraced her legacy and how 40yo Clara fumbled through 2nd chances and faced her fears.
Recommended for lovers of cosy witchy mysteries, mixed generation fiction (forty-plus adult fiction but also 17yo YA coming of age stories) and fabulous smalltown paranormal communities the likes of Sunnydale in Buffy.
October 17, 2024
This book is well written, and well edited. The story for me was way too sweet and sickly. I don’t generally enjoy the misunderstanding trope that continues this far. Plus, a lot of the fmcs issues could have been solved with honesty. I imagine a lot of people will enjoy the small town vibe and the overall “goodness” of this story.
April 5, 2023
Thank you Tee Harlowe for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book! All opinions are my own.
This book is the perfect read for fans of paranormal cozy mysteries who are a little more advanced in age than the typical 20-something characters in the stories. Clara is a middle aged single mom, mourning the loss of her husband and lifestyle they knew, but trying to hold all the pieces together for her daughter. There’s one way she can see to dig out of this hole and that’s to return to her hometown she left 20 years ago. Trying to hide magic from her teenage daughter in a town full of fun, original, and interesting characters turns out not to be an easy task. Even the paranormal characters in this book are relatable. It’s an easy read like other cozy mysteries but having an older main character was nice for relatability for me as a middle-aged woman. I’m looking forward to this series continuing and seeing what these characters get into next!
This book is the perfect read for fans of paranormal cozy mysteries who are a little more advanced in age than the typical 20-something characters in the stories. Clara is a middle aged single mom, mourning the loss of her husband and lifestyle they knew, but trying to hold all the pieces together for her daughter. There’s one way she can see to dig out of this hole and that’s to return to her hometown she left 20 years ago. Trying to hide magic from her teenage daughter in a town full of fun, original, and interesting characters turns out not to be an easy task. Even the paranormal characters in this book are relatable. It’s an easy read like other cozy mysteries but having an older main character was nice for relatability for me as a middle-aged woman. I’m looking forward to this series continuing and seeing what these characters get into next!
July 9, 2024
After Clara's husband dies in an accident and leaves her and their daughter almost penniless, Clara realizes she has to return to her home, where she and her mother ran a shop that granted wishes to people. She is hoping by selling the shop, she will have enough money to start over somewhere new. Clara is a witch and the town is home to many supernatural beings.
Clara has a 17-year-old daughter, Remy, who is a typical whiney teen and I admit, I do not like adult stories featuring kids. I knew there was a teen in the story but it sounded interesting enough for me to take a chance, but I was wincing pretty quickly between Remy's smart mouth and Clara's inability to make decisions.
Interesting story but not a fan of the characters. Well written, so if you don't mind a bratty teen, you'd probably like this tale.
Clara has a 17-year-old daughter, Remy, who is a typical whiney teen and I admit, I do not like adult stories featuring kids. I knew there was a teen in the story but it sounded interesting enough for me to take a chance, but I was wincing pretty quickly between Remy's smart mouth and Clara's inability to make decisions.
Interesting story but not a fan of the characters. Well written, so if you don't mind a bratty teen, you'd probably like this tale.
November 11, 2025
A slice of life fantasy featuring an estranged witch that reluctantly returns to her magic-filled hometown.
Clara is a forty-year-old widowed woman whose debt is finally catching up with her. After she is fired from her job, Clara has no choice but to go back home to Whispering Willows. Unfortunately, her daughter Remy has no idea that magic is real, and Clara intends to keep it that way. Desperate to get out of her hometown as fast as possible, Clara begins to desperately search for the binding spell that connects her to her family's shop in the hope that she can undo the spell and leave magic behind her forever. Unfortunately, Clara's paranoid ancestor isn't making it easy for Clara to achieve her mission. And no matter how hard Clara tries to keep magic a secret, magic is in Remy's blood, and she is bound to sniff out Clara's biggest secret if they linger in town for too long. Time is ticking and Clara doesn't seem to be winning this race.
Let me start out this review by saying that Tee Harlowe is a talented writer. I absolutely adored her book "Potions & Prejudice," but this book just didn't hook me in any way whatsoever. I didn't find myself relating to Clara or Remy as characters, which made it hard for me to follow the everyday, slice of life nature of this story.
One thing that really bothered me about this one is how stubborn Clara is about keeping magic a secret from Remy. Yes, Clara has a ton of trauma surrounding her mother's magical abilities, but it seems rather ill planned to bring one's daughter (who is brimming with witch's blood) into a magical town and not expect her to figure out that magic is real. Much of the conflict and tension in this book centers around Clara and Remy's petty disputes, and I just found that most of this could have been resolved if Clara would have just confided in her daughter.
I did really appreciate the discussion of generational trauma in this one. Clara's mother was a witch who granted wishes, and the power went to her head. Rather than help those in need, she preyed on those who were vulnerable and took pieces of their souls for herself. The idea that giving up too much of one's soul led to one becoming a demon was also an interesting concept, especially when it is paired with the idea of wish granting. Clara is still haunted by her mother's nefarious ways and fears that she may be heading down the same slippery slope. She takes out much of her feelings on her daughter, Remy, which isn't fair, but often how generational trauma is dealt with.
I can't even say that this book tells a bad story, it just did very little to hold my interest. I found myself taking this one out to read not because I wanted to, but because it was the audiobook I was in the middle of, and I felt obligated to finish it before embarking on another one.
Overall, "Be Careful What You Witch For" is a paranormal, witchy slice of life story that follows a midlife woman and her rambunctious teenage daughter. The discussions of generational trauma are well done and the book had some unique magic concepts, but in the long run it just really didn't hold my interest. This is a series that I don't see myself continuing, as there is quite a few more books and I wasn't highly invested in this one.
Audiobook Note: Avery May is the narrator of this one and I found her performance to be just okay. I thought that some of her character voices were a tad inconsistent and I feel she played Remy a little younger than she actually is at the beginning of the novel, but maybe that was just user error on my part. I also found her voice to be a tad annoying, which didn't make this one the most pleasant reading experience, but it definitely could have been worse. This is one I definitely recommend listening to on 1.5x speed. I listened to the first segment of this one normally and it just drug on. Speeding it up helped a bit, but I still found myself bored by the mundane narration of this one.
Clara is a forty-year-old widowed woman whose debt is finally catching up with her. After she is fired from her job, Clara has no choice but to go back home to Whispering Willows. Unfortunately, her daughter Remy has no idea that magic is real, and Clara intends to keep it that way. Desperate to get out of her hometown as fast as possible, Clara begins to desperately search for the binding spell that connects her to her family's shop in the hope that she can undo the spell and leave magic behind her forever. Unfortunately, Clara's paranoid ancestor isn't making it easy for Clara to achieve her mission. And no matter how hard Clara tries to keep magic a secret, magic is in Remy's blood, and she is bound to sniff out Clara's biggest secret if they linger in town for too long. Time is ticking and Clara doesn't seem to be winning this race.
Let me start out this review by saying that Tee Harlowe is a talented writer. I absolutely adored her book "Potions & Prejudice," but this book just didn't hook me in any way whatsoever. I didn't find myself relating to Clara or Remy as characters, which made it hard for me to follow the everyday, slice of life nature of this story.
One thing that really bothered me about this one is how stubborn Clara is about keeping magic a secret from Remy. Yes, Clara has a ton of trauma surrounding her mother's magical abilities, but it seems rather ill planned to bring one's daughter (who is brimming with witch's blood) into a magical town and not expect her to figure out that magic is real. Much of the conflict and tension in this book centers around Clara and Remy's petty disputes, and I just found that most of this could have been resolved if Clara would have just confided in her daughter.
I did really appreciate the discussion of generational trauma in this one. Clara's mother was a witch who granted wishes, and the power went to her head. Rather than help those in need, she preyed on those who were vulnerable and took pieces of their souls for herself. The idea that giving up too much of one's soul led to one becoming a demon was also an interesting concept, especially when it is paired with the idea of wish granting. Clara is still haunted by her mother's nefarious ways and fears that she may be heading down the same slippery slope. She takes out much of her feelings on her daughter, Remy, which isn't fair, but often how generational trauma is dealt with.
I can't even say that this book tells a bad story, it just did very little to hold my interest. I found myself taking this one out to read not because I wanted to, but because it was the audiobook I was in the middle of, and I felt obligated to finish it before embarking on another one.
Overall, "Be Careful What You Witch For" is a paranormal, witchy slice of life story that follows a midlife woman and her rambunctious teenage daughter. The discussions of generational trauma are well done and the book had some unique magic concepts, but in the long run it just really didn't hold my interest. This is a series that I don't see myself continuing, as there is quite a few more books and I wasn't highly invested in this one.
Audiobook Note: Avery May is the narrator of this one and I found her performance to be just okay. I thought that some of her character voices were a tad inconsistent and I feel she played Remy a little younger than she actually is at the beginning of the novel, but maybe that was just user error on my part. I also found her voice to be a tad annoying, which didn't make this one the most pleasant reading experience, but it definitely could have been worse. This is one I definitely recommend listening to on 1.5x speed. I listened to the first segment of this one normally and it just drug on. Speeding it up helped a bit, but I still found myself bored by the mundane narration of this one.
June 6, 2025
Well as this book has been on my TBR for over 2 years, I thought it was time to jump in! And gosh am I glad I did! This is my first time reading this author so I wasn't sure what to expect, but I do love an older FMC read, especially if it's a witchy theme. Well...the introduction was enticingly to say the least, with the account of "how fabulous" 40 actually is. I could barely supress my giggles.
Widowed at a very early age, financially strapped, losing her job, trying to keep a teen....well.... normal, is challenging for anyone and Clara has had enough. She decided it might be a good idea to return to her hometown, but is it? My heart went out to her, I could honestly feel her despair and anxiety, I could feel her pain, I could feel how she was trying to keep it together. The author did a terrific job setting it up, making Clara personable. I liked her tonnes , although, I really REALLY wanted to slap her whiney daughter Remy a few times! Snarky, sarcastic, scathing at times, moody, whinging...Teens!!!! To get the teen thing right is not easy and Ms Harlow excelled at her depiction.
The banter and prose was so easy to read and understand, as were the characters. I enjoyed the supporting cast, their inclusion led to some really funny scenes. But it's also a read of a traumatic past, a disillusioned past and one Clara has to face. Her dream had been to run the family shop, The Wish List, except that didn't turn out as expected, she fled the town of Whispering Willows instead, yet here she was once more. Back in a town filled with supernaturals, facing her demons. She wants to sell the shop but it's not that simple. No...she's bound to the shop, which is handed down from family member to family member and the only way to sell, is to unbound it. Pfft, easier said than done...One more complication rears it's head in the form of the very gorgeous major, who professes to be a nerd, who I liked, a lot! In Clara's own word's "he's a sexy nerd". And you know what? Ms Harlow twisted it up soooooo good I never saw THAT coming! Like for real!
Clara showed great strength of character in the face of all she'd gone through, great decorum and insight and I loved seeing her evolve, fortify herself internally, allowing herself to be, HER. After swearing off magic, thanks to her mother's turn to "the dark side", Clara's friends go all out to help her find her feet, non judgemental, just there for her. I so enjoyed the small town feel, the supportivness, the sense of community. Even Remy has some awesome sage moments, so much so, I wanted to hug her!
A wonderfully light read, quirky and immense fun, lots of awesome supernaturals, humorous, intriguing mystery and a lesson learned; never look at anything at face value! 40 doesn't have to be all thorns, there are roses amongst them and their aroma is heady! You just need to trim the thorns off first...
Widowed at a very early age, financially strapped, losing her job, trying to keep a teen....well.... normal, is challenging for anyone and Clara has had enough. She decided it might be a good idea to return to her hometown, but is it? My heart went out to her, I could honestly feel her despair and anxiety, I could feel her pain, I could feel how she was trying to keep it together. The author did a terrific job setting it up, making Clara personable. I liked her tonnes , although, I really REALLY wanted to slap her whiney daughter Remy a few times! Snarky, sarcastic, scathing at times, moody, whinging...Teens!!!! To get the teen thing right is not easy and Ms Harlow excelled at her depiction.
The banter and prose was so easy to read and understand, as were the characters. I enjoyed the supporting cast, their inclusion led to some really funny scenes. But it's also a read of a traumatic past, a disillusioned past and one Clara has to face. Her dream had been to run the family shop, The Wish List, except that didn't turn out as expected, she fled the town of Whispering Willows instead, yet here she was once more. Back in a town filled with supernaturals, facing her demons. She wants to sell the shop but it's not that simple. No...she's bound to the shop, which is handed down from family member to family member and the only way to sell, is to unbound it. Pfft, easier said than done...One more complication rears it's head in the form of the very gorgeous major, who professes to be a nerd, who I liked, a lot! In Clara's own word's "he's a sexy nerd". And you know what? Ms Harlow twisted it up soooooo good I never saw THAT coming! Like for real!
Clara showed great strength of character in the face of all she'd gone through, great decorum and insight and I loved seeing her evolve, fortify herself internally, allowing herself to be, HER. After swearing off magic, thanks to her mother's turn to "the dark side", Clara's friends go all out to help her find her feet, non judgemental, just there for her. I so enjoyed the small town feel, the supportivness, the sense of community. Even Remy has some awesome sage moments, so much so, I wanted to hug her!
A wonderfully light read, quirky and immense fun, lots of awesome supernaturals, humorous, intriguing mystery and a lesson learned; never look at anything at face value! 40 doesn't have to be all thorns, there are roses amongst them and their aroma is heady! You just need to trim the thorns off first...
October 19, 2025
I really wanted to like this book. It’s about a more mature woman for once, which really should appeal to me, having passed the young adult stage a while ago, but gosh I just couldn’t. It’s a shame because I truly enjoyed potions and prejudice and hoped this would be another wonderful read. Instead it felt flat. No real purpose to the book. It’s not a romance, she’s too self-absorbed for most of the book for this to be about her relationship to her daughter and she’s too whiny and weak willed for this to be an inspiring self-finding book… so what is it then? I honestly can’t tell.
Other things that really bugged me -
Martin with his thick and full grey hair and thick, curly, salt and pepper chest hair - gag! Just not appealing… greying temples, possibly, but this book is just riding the old dude image a bit too hard and too repeatedly. While some men may be lucky to wear their age well, getting old is just not all that great to be focusing on it again and again aaaand again. And why does a mature man blush so much. And why is that supposed to be appealing? It just felt silly to me
I also felt awfully insulted by Clara - with her orthotics laden shoes and trouble getting off the pavement, her inability to jog down a street (instead power walking with arms pumping while huffing and puffing….🙄) and her overall mannerisms…. You know you can pass 40 and not be boring and uncool!
I mean seriously “….I slowly rose to my feet, knees crackling and back popping. I sounded like a bag of popcorn…”. Is she 80 or 40??? Unbelievable!
She’s also awfully rude to Martin, who admittedly might be a bit too much in love with himself, BUT who also keeps coming to her aid with shelter, good ideas, facing uncomfortable situations for her and friendship towards her daughter… it just doesn’t make her very likable to be so callous towards him. Quite frankly, I would have seen her out the door that first day, if I were him!
Other things that really bugged me -
Martin with his thick and full grey hair and thick, curly, salt and pepper chest hair - gag! Just not appealing… greying temples, possibly, but this book is just riding the old dude image a bit too hard and too repeatedly. While some men may be lucky to wear their age well, getting old is just not all that great to be focusing on it again and again aaaand again. And why does a mature man blush so much. And why is that supposed to be appealing? It just felt silly to me
I also felt awfully insulted by Clara - with her orthotics laden shoes and trouble getting off the pavement, her inability to jog down a street (instead power walking with arms pumping while huffing and puffing….🙄) and her overall mannerisms…. You know you can pass 40 and not be boring and uncool!
I mean seriously “….I slowly rose to my feet, knees crackling and back popping. I sounded like a bag of popcorn…”. Is she 80 or 40??? Unbelievable!
She’s also awfully rude to Martin, who admittedly might be a bit too much in love with himself, BUT who also keeps coming to her aid with shelter, good ideas, facing uncomfortable situations for her and friendship towards her daughter… it just doesn’t make her very likable to be so callous towards him. Quite frankly, I would have seen her out the door that first day, if I were him!
May 1, 2024
An interesting creative idea for a new series. A witch who grants wishes. It’s a family heritage or as Clara initially felt curse. When her husband died leaving her in severe debt, Clara is forced to work day and night barely managing to keep a roof over she and daughter Remy’s heads. She is exhausted and worse barely sees her daughter. After another awful shift when an extremely difficult customer causes her to lose her job. This was when I wished Clara had used a bit of her talent (witchcraft) to zap that horrid man where the sun don’t shine.
However, an opportunity arises when Clara inherits her family’s store, The Wish List. All Clara wants to do is to sell the store and make a fresh start for Remy and herself, as far away from Whispering Willows as possible. Her friends (a demon slayer, vampire, werewolf, imp and a half giant) all want her to reopen The Wish List and move back home.
Carla soon realizes she must find the binding spell before she can let go of the family shop. That takes her on a mission to figure it out. Meanwhile fae mayor Daniel who is not the caring romantic creature he appears to be only serves to be another (thankfully temporary) diversion in her plans.
The only reason I gave this book four stars instead of five is because I wanted a little more backstory about Clara’s mother. What happened that made Clara run away and stay hidden for so long? And why didn’t Clara use her powers to help herself and Remy when she was struggling with the debt her gambler late husband left her? Was it a Samantha and Darrin situation where Clara promised not to use witchcraft when they got married? Did I miss something in the first couple chapters?
Perhaps the next books will resolve my questions.
However, an opportunity arises when Clara inherits her family’s store, The Wish List. All Clara wants to do is to sell the store and make a fresh start for Remy and herself, as far away from Whispering Willows as possible. Her friends (a demon slayer, vampire, werewolf, imp and a half giant) all want her to reopen The Wish List and move back home.
Carla soon realizes she must find the binding spell before she can let go of the family shop. That takes her on a mission to figure it out. Meanwhile fae mayor Daniel who is not the caring romantic creature he appears to be only serves to be another (thankfully temporary) diversion in her plans.
The only reason I gave this book four stars instead of five is because I wanted a little more backstory about Clara’s mother. What happened that made Clara run away and stay hidden for so long? And why didn’t Clara use her powers to help herself and Remy when she was struggling with the debt her gambler late husband left her? Was it a Samantha and Darrin situation where Clara promised not to use witchcraft when they got married? Did I miss something in the first couple chapters?
Perhaps the next books will resolve my questions.
October 15, 2024
I ADORED this read, and I'm definitely going to be reading more by Tee Harlowe! If you’re a fan of cozy paranormal mysteries but find yourself yearning for characters that reflect a bit more of life’s complexities, Be Careful What You Witch For is the perfect read! Clara, our main character, is a relatable middle-aged single mom grappling with the chaotic reality of supporting her teenage daughter, Remy. Clara returns to her quirky hometown of Whispering Willows hoping to sell her family’s shop, The Wish List. But in a town brimming with magical beings and secrets, things are never that simple. Watching Clara navigate her old haunts and her newfound responsibilities—while trying to keep her family’s witchy heritage a secret from Remy—adds delightful tension to the story.
I loved the diverse cast of supernatural weirdoes blended with humor. The town itself is rich with lore, and it was so easy to envision.
Harlowe’s writing just draws you in, making this cozy read memorable with real-world parallels. I appreciated the nuanced portrayal of Clara, who is juggling grief, responsibility, and a budding sense of belonging, while Remy’s journey of self-discovery adds an intriguing dynamic. Overall, this book is a charming start to what promises to be an enchanting series. I can’t wait to see what adventures and magical mishaps await Clara and her eclectic friends in Whispering Willows, and you can bet I'll be continuing this series!
I loved the diverse cast of supernatural weirdoes blended with humor. The town itself is rich with lore, and it was so easy to envision.
Harlowe’s writing just draws you in, making this cozy read memorable with real-world parallels. I appreciated the nuanced portrayal of Clara, who is juggling grief, responsibility, and a budding sense of belonging, while Remy’s journey of self-discovery adds an intriguing dynamic. Overall, this book is a charming start to what promises to be an enchanting series. I can’t wait to see what adventures and magical mishaps await Clara and her eclectic friends in Whispering Willows, and you can bet I'll be continuing this series!
April 4, 2024
This is a new author for me and I enjoyed this book. A few different paranormals in this book but they added to the story. Looking forward to reading the next book to see bow the series goes.
Amazon synopsis:
I wish I could escape my past. But when it catches up to me, I don’t get to make the wishes—I have to grant them.
Becoming a widow on my fortieth birthday was not what I had planned.
Even worse? It’s forced me and my teenage daughter back to Whispering Willows and the life of magic I left behind.
I tell myself it’ll be a short trip to sell my mother’s shop of wishes. Until I kind of, sort of bind myself to the shop.
With bills piling up fast, I gotta do something I swore I never would: open shop and start granting wishes, just until I can figure out how to undo this pesky binding spell.
It doesn’t help that the handsome mayor keeps tempting me with those kissable lips. Or that I have to hide from my daughter that magic is real.
I wish I could leave my past behind, but in this line of work, I’ve learned one very important rule: be careful what you wish for.
Amazon synopsis:
I wish I could escape my past. But when it catches up to me, I don’t get to make the wishes—I have to grant them.
Becoming a widow on my fortieth birthday was not what I had planned.
Even worse? It’s forced me and my teenage daughter back to Whispering Willows and the life of magic I left behind.
I tell myself it’ll be a short trip to sell my mother’s shop of wishes. Until I kind of, sort of bind myself to the shop.
With bills piling up fast, I gotta do something I swore I never would: open shop and start granting wishes, just until I can figure out how to undo this pesky binding spell.
It doesn’t help that the handsome mayor keeps tempting me with those kissable lips. Or that I have to hide from my daughter that magic is real.
I wish I could leave my past behind, but in this line of work, I’ve learned one very important rule: be careful what you wish for.
January 8, 2025
2.5🌟
This is such an interesting concept. I love books that incorporate older (40s) protagonists. Clara leaves her supernatural town after discovering her mom is evil and makes a life for herself in Portland 🤔. Marries a mortal and has a kid. She left magic behind because of fear but has to go back to sell her magic shop after her husband dies and she loses one of her jobs after losing it on an annoying customer. The wish list is such a cute name for a shop that sells wishes. Clara is so hung up on her fear she lies to her daughter about the existence of magic even while staying in a supernatural town. It got old fast. I found myself skimming and skipping pages and having to force myself to come back to the book to finish it. I just wasn't invested in the characters or the story. She has to find the binding spell so she can undo the spell her great great aunt cast. Daniel turns into a whiny semi stalker. Send like the author is setting Preston (old bf she broke his heart when she left) up to be the love interest which I did like.
This is such an interesting concept. I love books that incorporate older (40s) protagonists. Clara leaves her supernatural town after discovering her mom is evil and makes a life for herself in Portland 🤔. Marries a mortal and has a kid. She left magic behind because of fear but has to go back to sell her magic shop after her husband dies and she loses one of her jobs after losing it on an annoying customer. The wish list is such a cute name for a shop that sells wishes. Clara is so hung up on her fear she lies to her daughter about the existence of magic even while staying in a supernatural town. It got old fast. I found myself skimming and skipping pages and having to force myself to come back to the book to finish it. I just wasn't invested in the characters or the story. She has to find the binding spell so she can undo the spell her great great aunt cast. Daniel turns into a whiny semi stalker. Send like the author is setting Preston (old bf she broke his heart when she left) up to be the love interest which I did like.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 24, 2025
Be Careful What You Witch For is such a super cozy read and one of the few books I’ve rated five stars. It’s severely underrated, and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series this fall.
The highlight for me was the dynamic between Remy and her mother, Clara open, funny, heartfelt, and refreshingly real. Clara pushes Remy to grow but also knows when to be patient and compassionate, making their bond one of my favorite parts. The banter among all the characters (especially Helen) was top tier, and the sense of community made the story feel warm and genuine.
The Mayor’s villain arc at the end felt strange. After all the talk about her evil witch mother, I assumed the mayor would genuinely be an evil character - but he’d just goofy and weird. However, the humor throughout still had me laughing, and I’m curious to see how it plays out in the next book.
If you love witty banter, strong family bonds, and cozy fantasy vibes, this is a hidden gem worth picking up.
The highlight for me was the dynamic between Remy and her mother, Clara open, funny, heartfelt, and refreshingly real. Clara pushes Remy to grow but also knows when to be patient and compassionate, making their bond one of my favorite parts. The banter among all the characters (especially Helen) was top tier, and the sense of community made the story feel warm and genuine.
The Mayor’s villain arc at the end felt strange. After all the talk about her evil witch mother, I assumed the mayor would genuinely be an evil character - but he’d just goofy and weird. However, the humor throughout still had me laughing, and I’m curious to see how it plays out in the next book.
If you love witty banter, strong family bonds, and cozy fantasy vibes, this is a hidden gem worth picking up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 14, 2025
Amanda M. Lee once again blends humor, heart, and a dash of supernatural mischief in Be Careful What You Witch For.
The pacing is tight and engaging—never bogged down by excess detail—but still leaves room for the family drama and small-town charm that make her cozy mysteries so enjoyable.
The relatability of the family dynamics really carries this story. The characters' interactions feel authentic and full of warmth, even when tensions rise in their magical household.
The magic itself is woven in seamlessly; it enhances the plot rather than overshadowing it, keeping the tone delightfully light and fun.
The mystery unfolds with a cute and whimsical touch, perfect for readers who love cozy settings with just enough intrigue to keep them turning pages.
It’s an entertaining start that sets up a world I’m eager to revisit. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series and see how these witches—and their wonderfully imperfect family—grow from here.
The pacing is tight and engaging—never bogged down by excess detail—but still leaves room for the family drama and small-town charm that make her cozy mysteries so enjoyable.
The relatability of the family dynamics really carries this story. The characters' interactions feel authentic and full of warmth, even when tensions rise in their magical household.
The magic itself is woven in seamlessly; it enhances the plot rather than overshadowing it, keeping the tone delightfully light and fun.
The mystery unfolds with a cute and whimsical touch, perfect for readers who love cozy settings with just enough intrigue to keep them turning pages.
It’s an entertaining start that sets up a world I’m eager to revisit. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series and see how these witches—and their wonderfully imperfect family—grow from here.
March 26, 2023
Clara is a widow at forty and at wits end because she has just got fired and now she has to figure out how she is going to pay for her daughter Remy to go to school so she has to do the one thing she hasn't done in twenty years and that is to go home. Clara wants to go home long enough to sell her mother's shop so she can pay for Remy to go to school but what she doesn't want to happen happens and that is that Remy finds out her secret and hers that they are witches, she falls for the mayor Daniel and she is starting to feel at home just like her daughter and she notices that her daughter has friends. A new author for me but now I'm hooked and I want more.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 28, 2023
Be Careful What You Witch For is a brand new Paranormal Women's Fiction by Tee Harlowe.
I am a big fan of the PWF genre and this is the first book I have read by this author and I was REALLY impressed. I absolutely LOVED this book.
The magical elements and world building are so well done.
The heroine, Clara has to go home against her wishes, but in order to pay her bills and support her daughter Remy, she must do what is needed.
I love the town of Whispering Willows and all the differnt magical creatures that occupy the town.
Having her ex in town , does not help matters or trying to hide her daughters magical line from her adds to the drama.
This was a very well written book that I really enjoyed! I can't wait for the next book in this series.
I am a big fan of the PWF genre and this is the first book I have read by this author and I was REALLY impressed. I absolutely LOVED this book.
The magical elements and world building are so well done.
The heroine, Clara has to go home against her wishes, but in order to pay her bills and support her daughter Remy, she must do what is needed.
I love the town of Whispering Willows and all the differnt magical creatures that occupy the town.
Having her ex in town , does not help matters or trying to hide her daughters magical line from her adds to the drama.
This was a very well written book that I really enjoyed! I can't wait for the next book in this series.
November 29, 2023
Home is where the heart is.....not always
Widowed and now unemployed Clara goes back to where's she grew up to sell her inheritance. Convinced that any use of magic will turn her into an evil witch she has avoided magic. Never letting her daughter Remy know, then it crashed around her. An old spell prevents destruction or sale of her family shop. So, Clara has to figure out how to support herself and Remy, pay off her debts, break an old spell and teach her daughter witchcraft. I liked all the characters except Remy. Her character made harsh judgements of her Mom and at first was very superficial making it hard to like her later because you never knew when she would revert.
Widowed and now unemployed Clara goes back to where's she grew up to sell her inheritance. Convinced that any use of magic will turn her into an evil witch she has avoided magic. Never letting her daughter Remy know, then it crashed around her. An old spell prevents destruction or sale of her family shop. So, Clara has to figure out how to support herself and Remy, pay off her debts, break an old spell and teach her daughter witchcraft. I liked all the characters except Remy. Her character made harsh judgements of her Mom and at first was very superficial making it hard to like her later because you never knew when she would revert.
December 9, 2024
I love the mom-daughter relationship in this book. They're such a bestie and could handle all the drama in Whispering Willows.
One thing that I learn from this book and which I found quite make sense is : that the biggest part of a spell is intention.
It's like magic can senses your intention when you're doing the spell. If you don't really want to do it, then the spell wouldn't work.
It's a fun read, but I got a bit confused who's the bad guy here, because Daniel isn't a bad guy, after all. Yes, he did fake dated Clara and has cruel revenge plan to burn The Wish List, but he's not a villain in heart, so... he's not the villain.
Well, I'm still curious of their journey and will continue reading the series.
One thing that I learn from this book and which I found quite make sense is : that the biggest part of a spell is intention.
It's like magic can senses your intention when you're doing the spell. If you don't really want to do it, then the spell wouldn't work.
It's a fun read, but I got a bit confused who's the bad guy here, because Daniel isn't a bad guy, after all. Yes, he did fake dated Clara and has cruel revenge plan to burn The Wish List, but he's not a villain in heart, so... he's not the villain.
Well, I'm still curious of their journey and will continue reading the series.
March 24, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. It is not quite a paranormal cozy/mystery but is found under the genre of paranomal womens fiction. There are supernatural beings, magic, and a mystery but it's not quite as light hearted. This was well written with very interesting characters. Just such a nice easy read that you can snuggle down with. There is an intriguing mystery and a very satisfactory conclusion. This is the first of this author's work I have read and I think I have found a new author to enjoy.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and this is my honest and unbiased opinion of the tale.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and this is my honest and unbiased opinion of the tale.
March 25, 2023
Returning Home . . .
Clara has become a widow and it seems that she just can’t earn enough money to pay the mounting bills. She decides the best thing to do right now is to return to Whispering Willows with her daughter, Remy, where she at least has one option – even if she doesn’t want to do this. Unfortunately, she ends up binding herself to the family shop of wishes. So until she can remove the binding spell, she and Remy will be staying in town longer than anticipated and she will be using her witchy powers to grant wishes. Can she continue to hide her magic from Remy? Can they get the bills paid down? And can she stop looking at the handsome Mayor?
Clara has become a widow and it seems that she just can’t earn enough money to pay the mounting bills. She decides the best thing to do right now is to return to Whispering Willows with her daughter, Remy, where she at least has one option – even if she doesn’t want to do this. Unfortunately, she ends up binding herself to the family shop of wishes. So until she can remove the binding spell, she and Remy will be staying in town longer than anticipated and she will be using her witchy powers to grant wishes. Can she continue to hide her magic from Remy? Can they get the bills paid down? And can she stop looking at the handsome Mayor?
March 25, 2023
Thank you Author Tee Harlowe for this ARC and I am voluntarily leaving this review. Ok but I have to say that I enjoyed the heck out of this book! I love the premise,all of the witchy goodness and the mystery that unfolds. Clara has been avoiding her hometown like the plague but suddenly she doesn't have a choice but to go back and face her demons(literally!). "Whispering Willows" is a town full of magical beings and Clara hopes to get in and out before her daughter Remy becomes aware of her heritage. On top of all that there's her sexy ex Preston and the "zaddy" mayor Daniel. I didn't want this book to end for real!
September 22, 2023
I really enjoyed this story. Clara, a wish-granting witch escaped a bad situation in the town that she grew up in. She settled happily into the 'normal' non-magical world with a human husband and put her past and her abilities behind her. But tragedy struck and she finds herself widowed, deeply in debt, and with a teenaged daughter to support. The move back to her home town was supposed to be temporary, just enough to climb out of debt and leave for a fresh start. But, plans often go awry, and how Clara and her daughter deal with their new reality is a fun read with plenty of mystery, surprising twists, and interesting, and quirky secondary characters. Big plus that it's on KU.
April 11, 2023
Loved it!
I loved this midlife tale. I think most of us have skeletons in our closets we don't want to face. Sometimes it's hard to face our past head-on and learn to get over, get through, and get past what holds us back. Clara has her own past to face and life has conspired to bring her back home and presented her with a mystery that has to be solved before moving on. Be Careful What You Witch For has a bit of romance, plenty of snark, and evil hiding in the background. You'll absolutely love the secondary characters. I can't wait for Your Witch Is My Command
I loved this midlife tale. I think most of us have skeletons in our closets we don't want to face. Sometimes it's hard to face our past head-on and learn to get over, get through, and get past what holds us back. Clara has her own past to face and life has conspired to bring her back home and presented her with a mystery that has to be solved before moving on. Be Careful What You Witch For has a bit of romance, plenty of snark, and evil hiding in the background. You'll absolutely love the secondary characters. I can't wait for Your Witch Is My Command
January 9, 2024
I actually really enjoyed this one! ☺️
It was a nice change of pace and setting from my usual reads. Nice world-building with fun and relatable characters. While it may have dragged a bit in the middle, and has a main character who is very indecisive/switches directions like, omg. It was still well worth the read.
A witchy urban mystery, some romance... If you want to chill and read a nice and cozy book, this is it!
Recommended: Yes!
Overview: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Romance: ❤️ ❤️
Emotion/Sadness: 💧 💧
Spice: none
It was a nice change of pace and setting from my usual reads. Nice world-building with fun and relatable characters. While it may have dragged a bit in the middle, and has a main character who is very indecisive/switches directions like, omg. It was still well worth the read.
A witchy urban mystery, some romance... If you want to chill and read a nice and cozy book, this is it!
Recommended: Yes!
Overview: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Romance: ❤️ ❤️
Emotion/Sadness: 💧 💧
Spice: none
March 6, 2025
Audio book: Poor production. There were continual issues with the popping of "Ps" as well as constant wet mouth. Listening to it was a struggle, painfully so.
Authors, it is important to invest into good audio production and voice actors. Not everyone listening to the audio book will always listen to audio books. You could be losing readers even if you never do another audio book. For example, I'm reluctant to read a physical or digital copy of Harlowe's future books based on the nerve-grating experience of this audio book.
Authors, it is important to invest into good audio production and voice actors. Not everyone listening to the audio book will always listen to audio books. You could be losing readers even if you never do another audio book. For example, I'm reluctant to read a physical or digital copy of Harlowe's future books based on the nerve-grating experience of this audio book.
March 25, 2023
Clara and Remy, her daughter must return to her hometown after her husband died. She was hoping for a new beginning. She opens her family's shop and becomes the towns new wish granter so to speak.I just loved everything about this book. The characters are likeable and the plot was so compelling that I didn't want to put it down. This story is worth five stars.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 28, 2023
I found this book a very enjoyable read. Dana does not want to be a witch & her daughter doesn’t know that she is one. But! Then Dana has to go back to Whispering Willows as she has inherited a shop & she wishes to sell it. Another But! It has a binding spell on it which a) she has to find & b) then break the spell. Eventually her daughter sees her mother actually doing some magic & then Dana notices that she has taken to it like a duck to water.
March 30, 2023
This book was such a fun read! I enjoyed all of the plot twists and turns and the supporting characters were excellent!
I enjoyed the dynamic between Clara and Remy. The story and relationships felt relatable and realistic (I mean, besides all the magic).
I don't say this often but I would read this book again and can't wait to read the next adventure Clara and Remy go on!
I received a free ARC of this book and am leaving my honest review.
I enjoyed the dynamic between Clara and Remy. The story and relationships felt relatable and realistic (I mean, besides all the magic).
I don't say this often but I would read this book again and can't wait to read the next adventure Clara and Remy go on!
I received a free ARC of this book and am leaving my honest review.
June 7, 2023
It was really good.
I was reading it and trying to imagine it as a movie, it really sounded like one. A comedy about magic and in investigation.
I’m sad about Daniel. I really liked him. I’m not excited about Preston. Hope there will be more of them.
The only thing for me it was so hard to imagine how Clara and Remy looked like, I still can’t see them. The others were easier but them two, have no real idea.
I was reading it and trying to imagine it as a movie, it really sounded like one. A comedy about magic and in investigation.
I’m sad about Daniel. I really liked him. I’m not excited about Preston. Hope there will be more of them.
The only thing for me it was so hard to imagine how Clara and Remy looked like, I still can’t see them. The others were easier but them two, have no real idea.
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