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Starry Hollow Witches #18

Magic & Mistletoe

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Welcome to Starry Hollow, where spells were made to be broken.

It's Christmastime in Starry Hollow and Ember is not full of good cheer. Instead of indulging in spiked eggnog by a cozy fire, our favorite descendant of the One True Witch is busy helping Aunt Hyacinth contend with three persistent ghosts just like dear Scrooge, along with another, more threatening ghost from the past.

Can Ember save Christmas or will it all go to hell in a one-horse open sleigh?

Magic & Mistletoe is the 18th book in the Starry Hollow Witches series.

220 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 7, 2023

751 people are currently reading
212 people want to read

About the author

Annabel Chase

346 books1,463 followers
Annabel Chase is the author of urban fantasy and cozy mystery novels. She would love to live in a magical town where she can shop at Ready-to-Were for the the perfect outfit, flirt with hot angels and vampires, and cook gourmet meals without exerting any effort. Visit her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Annabel-Chas... or on her website at www.annabelchase.com.

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5 stars
1,071 (70%)
4 stars
324 (21%)
3 stars
115 (7%)
2 stars
15 (<1%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
Profile Image for Janice Mahn.
256 reviews2 followers
November 12, 2023
Fun read

I adore this series. I cannot wait for the next book! Bummed I have to wait a year. Cozy mystery with a witchy twist
2,835 reviews3 followers
June 13, 2025
disappointed in the FMC , issues

Rating:2.75⭐️

Magic & Mistletoe (Starry Hollow Witches Book 18) by Annabel Chase is both the penultimate book in the series and one I almost DNF’d.

Personally, I think it’s a story that can be skipped over as it’s one that almost had me thinking about just stopping here.

I’ve enjoyed watching Ember journey from a scrappy widow and single mother from New Jersey, ignorant about her magical roots and powers to one embracing her paranormal town and community, including family and fiancé. But this story is one of constant lies and withholding important information from all those around her, including her fiancé and family.

Lack of communication in adult characters is a big issue for me in books and by the 18th novel we should be way past this stage but it’s still an enormous element here.

Also she’s acting like a teenager in some of the most serious and emotional situations. Smelling her armpits and making a wisecrack when presented with a picture of devastating loss. It’s not believable not the following scene either.

She’s either grown past actions like this, given the development by Chase or she’s regressing because it’s something the author wants to hear scene wise. It makes her character and any growth that she’s undergone seem diminished. Or just unreal.

This whole thing is a mess. Yes let’s have a nice Christmas Carol type story, and then try to tie it up with the ongoing drama of the revived witch.

Doesn’t work. Ended up flipping pages to get to the end.

I’ll finish the series. But this was a big disappointment.


Such cute covers that change ever subtly.

Starry Hollow Witches series:
Box set 1-10:
Magic & Murder, Book 1
Magic & Mystery, Book 2
Magic & Mischief, Book 3
Magic & Mayhem, Book 4
Magic & Mercy, Book 5
Magic & Madness, Book 6
Magic & Malice, Book 7
Magic & Mythos, Book 8
Magic & Mishaps, Book 9
Magic & Maladies, Book 10
—-
Magic & Misdeeds (Book 11)
Magic & Monsters (Book 12)
Magic & Misfits (Book 13)
Magic & Misfortune (Book 14)
Magic & Marriage (Book 15)
Magic & Midnight (Book 16)
Magic & Mirrors (Book 17)
Magic & Mistletoe (Book 18)
Magic & Mutiny (Book 19) - finale
Profile Image for Lady Galaxy.
875 reviews
December 12, 2023
Snow in Starry Hollow? Ghosts that remind one of the visitors to an eponymous "squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner! Hard and sharp as flint... secret, and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster." I'm so sad there's only one more book planned for this series. Why leave it at 19? Could you at least go to 21—the age of full adulthood, something Ember has yet to reach intellectually.

I was not fond of the threatening presence of Ivy. I know the final book is going to be all about the battle of trying to return her where she came from, but I wish Ms. Chase had left her dead and buried. If the series has to end, I want the final book to be about all the characters we've come to know and love (or not really like so much but will miss them when they're gone) throughout the series. Maybe they will all at least make cameo appearances. I'll read it anyway! I don't even care if it ends in a wedding or not. I hate weddings.
386 reviews2 followers
January 9, 2025
There was so much going on in this book. The whole Ivy and Hyacinthe situation made everything crazy on top of trying to find the killer. The irony is not lost on me that Ember trusted the wrong people. This whole time, she should be trusting her family. She put all her eggs in one basket with Marcus.

The one unrealistic thing was when Granger and Hyacinthe found out she had been lying about Ivy and for how long they just forgave her like it's nothing. I would expect them to give her a heard time, at least for one chapter. It all got brushed under the rug very quickly, it feels like to me.

Also, the ending felt very rushed. People came out of now where the truth came out all at once. Didn't give each character time to process the situation before being thrown into the whole Coven issue.

To summarize didnt love it, but at this point, I want to see how it ends.
Profile Image for Mike Lewis.
1,761 reviews8 followers
November 11, 2023
One of my favorite paranormal cozy mystery series.

This is one of my favorite paranormal cozy mystery series. A great cast of characters and a unique and entertaining storyline. Sadly this is the second to last book in the series apparently. Amber as new houseguest. After bringing back her ancestor Ivy Rose from the dead She now must deal with her and her goal to see revenge on the coven. A few things happen all at once which makes life in their little town nearly unbearable. Read on and find out what adventure Amber and her family and friends have gotten into. A very entertaining And wild story. Check it out.
Profile Image for Miss W Book Reviews.
1,769 reviews154 followers
October 19, 2023
Magic & Mistletoe is the 18th book in the Starry Hollow Witches series by Annabel Chase.

I LOVE this series so much.

It's Christmas and Ember has her hands so full!
There is some crazy weather happening, Ember is dealing with Ivy and helping her aunt with some ghosts. I love the nod to A Christmas Carol.

There is alot of action in this story. I love how Ember and her aunt are working on their relationship.

A fantastic book that I enjoyed every minute of.
186 reviews1 follower
November 13, 2023
T’was the Night Before Witchmas

Oh Ember. Will you never learn? First you accidentally bring Ivy back to life, and now you have the gall to think that you can handle the situation on your own? Think again! All hell is about to break loose on Starry Hollow, and Bloodwort, I mean Yarrow, I mean Ember is to blame! You don’t want to miss the penultimate book in this incredible series!

Chase, you suck at Pokémon! 😉
Profile Image for Andie.
519 reviews
November 14, 2023
Fast paced cozy mystery

Wow! Book 18 already and the penultimate one for the Starry Hollow Witches!

Someone has cast has spell that has brought snow to Starry Hollow and a Scrooge like spell seems to have been placed on Aunt Hyacinth. Will she see the error of her ways?

Also, we have a murder and a homicidal ancestor to hide. Just another week for Ember and the gang.

Catch up with the series before the showdown finale.
1,995 reviews
December 17, 2024
This is the next last book in the series and I really hate to see it end. The characters are well done and the mysteries are all different. I really enjoyed this book.


Amazon synopsis:
Welcome to Starry Hollow, where spells were made to be broken.

It's Christmastime in Starry Hollow and Ember is not full of good cheer. Instead of indulging in spiked eggnog by a cozy fire, our favorite descendant of the One True Witch is busy helping Aunt Hyacinth contend with three persistent ghosts just like dear Scrooge, along with another, more threatening ghost from the past.

Can Ember save Christmas or will it all go to hell in a one-horse open sleigh?

Profile Image for James Copeland.
124 reviews2 followers
November 10, 2023
Excellent!!

Oh, this is an outstanding book. Next to the last in the series and you get a good glimpse into what the past does to the present and the future. You also get a mystery and a death, visions, spells and Santa....kinda.
All in all, a very, very good book. Loved it and can't wait for the last.
26 reviews
November 20, 2023
Loved it loved it loved it 😍

All of the books in this series have been good. Even though I know the end of the series is coming I can't wait to find out how things turn out. The betrayal of Ember by a trusted friend was a real surprise.
No spoilers...just read it and happy holidays!
Profile Image for Lita.
2,538 reviews7 followers
December 7, 2023
I love these books. I've read every Starry Hollow book and loved all of them. This one wasn't really about Christmas but it was great anyway. Sadly, there's only one book left in the series which makes me sad. And I'll have to wait until next October for it to drop. Oh well, it was a great ride while it lasted.
48 reviews
January 7, 2024
Absolutely fabulous!

Ember is one of my most favorite characters. This series is amazing. So fun to read. Watching the relationships between the characters change and develop over the course of this series, you can't help but love them all. This is my favorite series by Annabel Chase. I can not wait till the next book comes out.
1,492 reviews3 followers
January 23, 2024
Good read

Book 18 centers around Starry Hollow's version of A Christmas Carol with three spirits, snow, and glimpses of the past, present, and future. There is also tons of angst, humor, danger, a possible murder, and a crazy ancestor brought back from the dead. Highly entertaining.
17 reviews
May 3, 2024
Don't want it to End!

I like how the story knits the past with the future. It was a joyous read and shows how far Ember has come since her arrival. I hate that the next book will be the series finality, but I hope the characters will pop up in others. I will miss these characters 😢.
53 reviews
June 30, 2024
Magic and Mistletoe

So sad the series is ending soon. I have loved all the cozy mystery stories. Wardens of the West South East and West. The Fury series, Spellbound, Starry Hollow and any I missed.
I disliked the following books which had horror and demons and lacked the wit, charm and humour of the previous books.
Profile Image for Kristi K Reger.
169 reviews1 follower
November 12, 2023
Another Awesome Book

I love this series and this latest book did not disappoint. It was action packed with plenty of plot twists, turns and revelations. I can’t wait to see what happens next.
765 reviews2 followers
November 14, 2023
Loved it!!

I really loved this story and can't wait until the next one in the series come out. It was filled with witches and magic, spells and potions, Christmas spirits and bottomless bags.
Profile Image for Amanda Jane.
1,337 reviews9 followers
November 14, 2023
If you borrow Dickens...

At least do it with style... this is weak... sadly not the book it could have been... so much potential wasted...

Should have realised with the level of writing throughout the series that this would be like lighting a wet firework
1,522 reviews4 followers
November 15, 2023
Magic & Mistletoe

The three ghosts of Christmas are visiting Aunt Hyacinth, a snow storm has hit Starry Hollow and Ember's brought back her ancestor from the dead. Very good series. Can't wait for the next book.
101 reviews
November 16, 2023
Christmas Ghosts

Ivy Rose is back. Along with that little bit of news, there's a suspicious death to solve, snow is wreaking havoc on the town and its inhabitants and three spirits a la Christmas Carol are visiting Aunt Hyacinth. It's a busy time heading to Christmas!
974 reviews3 followers
November 28, 2023
Starry Hollow. Witches #18

Really interesting story in this series. I totally enjoyed the characters and how they interact and have developed. The author has written each of her series so well.
339 reviews2 followers
December 9, 2023
Magic and mistletoe

A climate change in Starry Hollow? How else could you explain the sudden chill and none stop snow? Find out in another of Annabel Chase's Starry Hollow Witches stories!
353 reviews
December 25, 2023
Great story!

I love this book and I love Ms. Chase's writing style!! Her story flows easily and keeps you entertained. I never felt like there was a lull in the story or a lot of unnecessary filler. She is a very gifted and creative author. You won't be sorry to buy this book.
Profile Image for  BookwormMomma7.
951 reviews
June 1, 2024
Nice one too read.

This baby is a nice one to read specially around the holidays, it has major vibes and of course a mystery. Not all is at it seems as things are coming to ahead bow with all the players in place. Is going to be a long wait until the last book.
688 reviews
February 2, 2025
Magic & Mistletoe

Ember's unexpected visitor, is threatening to hex everyone.
A Wizard is found dead in the snow, and it looks suspicious.
And snow is falling in Starry Hollow , snow.....
Great read but I hate cliffhangers.
2,507 reviews16 followers
November 6, 2025
great book

Another fabulous instalment in this fascinating series. I can’t wait to see how everything resolves itself in the last book. It’s kept me hooked from the first page to the last
Profile Image for Gerry.
1,787 reviews
December 19, 2025
Magic & Mistletoe Book 18

Can't believe this is the next to the last book in this series. Can't wait until I read it this has been a really great series and I highly recommend reading.
29 reviews
November 25, 2023
Great story

Ember is always amusing and there is always a lesson to be learned woven in nicely. Can’t wait for the wedding.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews

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