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Witchlore #2
Big Little Spells (The Witchlore Series)
MP3 CD Format "An absolute delight of a magical tale." --Louisa Morgan, author of The Age of Witches For fans of Payback ' s a Witch and The Ex Hex comes a smart, witchy rom-com in which a banished witch returns home to face her coven, who will determine whether her magic is a threat to witchkind...or if she's simply powerful enough to save the world. Rebekah Wilde was eighteen when she left St. Cyprian, officially stripped of her magic and banished from her home. Ten years later she's forced to return to face the Joywood Coven, who preside over not just her hometown but the whole magical world. Rebekah is happy to reunite with her sister, and with her friends, but the implications of her return are darker and more dangerous than they could have imagined. The Joywood are determined to prove Rebekah and her friends are a danger to witchkind, facing an impending death sentence if they can't prove otherwise. Rebekah must seek help from the only one who knows how to stop the Joywood--the ruthless immortal Nicholas Frost. Years ago, he was her secret tutor in magic, and her secret impossible crush. But the icy immortal is as remote and arrogant as ever, and if he feels anything for Rebekah--or witchkind--it's impossible to tell. Witchlore Book 1: Small Town, Big Magic Book 2: Big Little Spells
1 pages, Audio CD
First published August 29, 2023
718 people are currently reading
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About the author
Hazel Beck
5 books642 followersHazel Beck is the magical partnership of a river witch and an earth witch. Together they have collected two husbands, three familiars, two children, five degrees, and written around 200 books. As one, their books will delight with breathtaking magic, emotional romance, and stories of witches you won’t soon forget.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 627 reviews
April 19, 2025
This was book 2 in the witchlore series I didn’t know at the time when I picked it up at my library, I think I may have missed something here that book 1 describes this novel starts out where book 1 finishes off totally confused.
March 25, 2024
Big Little Spells by Hazel Beck is the second book in the romantic fantasy Witchlore series. This series has a combination of fantasy and romance in the format with the romance side of the story changing the main characters in this second book but the fantasy side picking up the story right after where the last book left off. It’s definetly best to read the series from the beginning but this second book could be understood and enjoyed without doing so too.
The first book of the series, Small Town, Big Magic, introduced readers to the small town of St. Cyprian, Missouri which happens to be a place that holds magic and the town Chamber of Commerce president, Emerson Wilde, who didn’t know magic existed but now that her memory has been restored she welcomes back her sister.
Emerson’s sister, Rebekah Wilde, is back in St. Cyprian after leaving when she was only eighteen. Rebekah had left ten years ago with her magic being stripped by the Joywood Coven who oversee magic in St. Cyprian. The coven believes that Rebekah and her sister and friends are a danger to the town and everyone.
I am a reader that enjoys a good crossover genre story and the Witchlore series is one that I do find fits that mold. The story takes place in a small town just like I enjoy in a lot of romance but gives us witches and magic and a bit of mystery to how the story will unfold. I quickly fell right back into the town and the plot and was engaged in seeing where all the characters, main and supporting would proceed in this second book and enjoyed the continuing journey with a new focus at the forefront. If this sounds like one up your alley I’d definitely suggest giving it a try.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
The first book of the series, Small Town, Big Magic, introduced readers to the small town of St. Cyprian, Missouri which happens to be a place that holds magic and the town Chamber of Commerce president, Emerson Wilde, who didn’t know magic existed but now that her memory has been restored she welcomes back her sister.
Emerson’s sister, Rebekah Wilde, is back in St. Cyprian after leaving when she was only eighteen. Rebekah had left ten years ago with her magic being stripped by the Joywood Coven who oversee magic in St. Cyprian. The coven believes that Rebekah and her sister and friends are a danger to the town and everyone.
I am a reader that enjoys a good crossover genre story and the Witchlore series is one that I do find fits that mold. The story takes place in a small town just like I enjoy in a lot of romance but gives us witches and magic and a bit of mystery to how the story will unfold. I quickly fell right back into the town and the plot and was engaged in seeing where all the characters, main and supporting would proceed in this second book and enjoyed the continuing journey with a new focus at the forefront. If this sounds like one up your alley I’d definitely suggest giving it a try.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
March 12, 2023
Full disclosure: I loved Small Town, Big Magic even though I thought I was done with books about witches. What drew me back into this world of witches was the friendship between the main characters, and the powerful heroine. I have read lots of reviews of this book where people rate it low because they don't like female characters who talk about their feminism. I love these books by Hazel Beck precisely because women should be seen AND heard. They can talk about their feminism all day long. How refreshing it is to have main characters who are powerful witches, who struggle and fall in love, who doubt themselves, who find strength in each other.
This second book in the series, like the first, includes a love story. Yes, there's a lot of yearning and some steaminess, but I appreciate that the love story is secondary to the character development of the heroine. Rebekah made a big mistake when she was a teenager, and then left for ten years. She never told anyone about her mistake, and when she returns to the town she grew up in, and the people she loves, she has to reckon with the truth and the consequences of her past. She also has to learn to forgive herself. She is aided along the way about a very hot immortal witch, her powerful witch sister, and her coven of friends.
I don't know what more you could want in a book.
Thank you NetGalley for the digital ARC of this book.
This second book in the series, like the first, includes a love story. Yes, there's a lot of yearning and some steaminess, but I appreciate that the love story is secondary to the character development of the heroine. Rebekah made a big mistake when she was a teenager, and then left for ten years. She never told anyone about her mistake, and when she returns to the town she grew up in, and the people she loves, she has to reckon with the truth and the consequences of her past. She also has to learn to forgive herself. She is aided along the way about a very hot immortal witch, her powerful witch sister, and her coven of friends.
I don't know what more you could want in a book.
Thank you NetGalley for the digital ARC of this book.
September 27, 2023
This may actually be a 1.5 rounded up. Everything that made me love the first one was absent in this one.
Spoilers:
Firstly I didn't like the change in perspective from the start, Rebecca's perspective just lacked what I enjoyed about Emmersons. Secondly the whole back to high school/attending prom thing was just weird and not enjoyable for me. But the biggest thing I disliked is it felt like 90% of this book was Rebecca's over the top obsession with Nicholas Frost that came across as whiney and unhealthy. Their whole "relationship" made me uncomfortable.
Spoilers:
Firstly I didn't like the change in perspective from the start, Rebecca's perspective just lacked what I enjoyed about Emmersons. Secondly the whole back to high school/attending prom thing was just weird and not enjoyable for me. But the biggest thing I disliked is it felt like 90% of this book was Rebecca's over the top obsession with Nicholas Frost that came across as whiney and unhealthy. Their whole "relationship" made me uncomfortable.
August 30, 2023
Check out all my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
BIG LITTLE SPELLS (Witchlore Book #2) by Hazel Beck is an entertaining mash-up of paranormal romance and rom-com in the witchy world of St. Cyprian, Missouri. This second book in the Witchlore series picks up immediately where the first book, Small Town, Big Magic left the reader. I do feel for the best understanding of this book and the Witchlore world, it is best to read these books in order.
Rebekah Wilde is banished on what should have been the night of her acceptance into adult witch society. Ten years later, she is forced to return by the coven that banished her and while she is happy to be reunited with her older sister and friends, there is a dark plot underway to eliminate them all permanently.
Nicholas Frost is a dark and dangerous immortal who secretly tutored Rebekah before she left and while she had a schoolgirl crush on him at the time, she finds he is even more captivating now as an adult. While he remains arrogant and aloof, he does help Rebekah and her friends once more, but there will be a high price to pay.
This is an enjoyable new witchy world with good vs. evil, romance, family, forgiveness, and a good balance of dire and serious scenes vs. fun and enjoyable scenes. Rebekah is a heroine who has a lot of emotional tripwires to face as she returns home. I feel her character arc is believably written because even though she was gone for ten years, she falls back into old behavioral patterns when she returns home. Her romance with Nicholas has two broken souls accepting each other and their pasts, but there are also strong threads of sisterly love and the love between friends and family woven throughout this story.
I have enjoyed both books in this series so far and I am looking forward to following this coven of friends as they continue to fight for their town.
BIG LITTLE SPELLS (Witchlore Book #2) by Hazel Beck is an entertaining mash-up of paranormal romance and rom-com in the witchy world of St. Cyprian, Missouri. This second book in the Witchlore series picks up immediately where the first book, Small Town, Big Magic left the reader. I do feel for the best understanding of this book and the Witchlore world, it is best to read these books in order.
Rebekah Wilde is banished on what should have been the night of her acceptance into adult witch society. Ten years later, she is forced to return by the coven that banished her and while she is happy to be reunited with her older sister and friends, there is a dark plot underway to eliminate them all permanently.
Nicholas Frost is a dark and dangerous immortal who secretly tutored Rebekah before she left and while she had a schoolgirl crush on him at the time, she finds he is even more captivating now as an adult. While he remains arrogant and aloof, he does help Rebekah and her friends once more, but there will be a high price to pay.
This is an enjoyable new witchy world with good vs. evil, romance, family, forgiveness, and a good balance of dire and serious scenes vs. fun and enjoyable scenes. Rebekah is a heroine who has a lot of emotional tripwires to face as she returns home. I feel her character arc is believably written because even though she was gone for ten years, she falls back into old behavioral patterns when she returns home. Her romance with Nicholas has two broken souls accepting each other and their pasts, but there are also strong threads of sisterly love and the love between friends and family woven throughout this story.
I have enjoyed both books in this series so far and I am looking forward to following this coven of friends as they continue to fight for their town.
October 7, 2024
I am loving the Witchlore series!
It is charming, cozy, warm… but it also has a more interesting, mysterious plot as the books continue. This one was special with the sister element. Emerson and Rebekah’s bond was relatable but powerful, really healing, and made me miss my own sister. That theme of sisterhood continued through the dynamic with the friends, Georgie and Ellowyn. It just really added to that heartwarming feeling! A perfect read for fall!
If you’re looking for something light, sweet, easy, entertaining, and thoughtful… read this book and the rest of the Witchlore series!
It is charming, cozy, warm… but it also has a more interesting, mysterious plot as the books continue. This one was special with the sister element. Emerson and Rebekah’s bond was relatable but powerful, really healing, and made me miss my own sister. That theme of sisterhood continued through the dynamic with the friends, Georgie and Ellowyn. It just really added to that heartwarming feeling! A perfect read for fall!
If you’re looking for something light, sweet, easy, entertaining, and thoughtful… read this book and the rest of the Witchlore series!
August 21, 2023
Hazel Beck is at it again with this second installment of Witchlore, which picks up right where Small Town, Big Magic left off. Emerson Wilde has just shucked off her mind-wipe, embraced her power as a confluence warrior, and saved the world. She’s also pulled her unwilling sister, Rebekah, back into their small town.
As the book starts, we see the ruling coven, the Joywood, unwilling to back down from their original assessment of the Wilde sisters, and instead maintain that their magic will be re-tested, and in all likelihood, the girls will be executed for treason. This story focuses on Rebekah as she re-enters their small town following a decade in exile.
Thanks to the publisher, Hazel Beck, and NetGalley for this early review copy of Big Little Spells. All thoughts below are my own.
If you enjoyed the magical realism, romance, and high-stakes environment OF Small Town, Big Magic, you’ll probably also enjoy this story. There’s something incredibly cozy about the small town romance vibe (although Nicolas x Rebekah is much more of a shadow daddy romance than Emerson x Jacob). Please note that there isn’t anything explicitly sexual in these books.
That cozy atmosphere is challenged by the idea that the world-wide ruling coven also lives here. I appreciated the exploration of the Joywood as evil figureheads in this book, and I think the jaded viewpoint of Rebekah was the right perspective for this segment of the story.
Overall, if you liked the first book, you’ll probably like this book.. However, I felt that with everything going on plot-wise, the writing was weaker this time around. I’ll still definitely see this series through to the third book. If this sounds like a book for you, it will be released August 29.. And if you still haven’t read Small Town, Big Magic, that’s available right now!!
As the book starts, we see the ruling coven, the Joywood, unwilling to back down from their original assessment of the Wilde sisters, and instead maintain that their magic will be re-tested, and in all likelihood, the girls will be executed for treason. This story focuses on Rebekah as she re-enters their small town following a decade in exile.
Thanks to the publisher, Hazel Beck, and NetGalley for this early review copy of Big Little Spells. All thoughts below are my own.
If you enjoyed the magical realism, romance, and high-stakes environment OF Small Town, Big Magic, you’ll probably also enjoy this story. There’s something incredibly cozy about the small town romance vibe (although Nicolas x Rebekah is much more of a shadow daddy romance than Emerson x Jacob). Please note that there isn’t anything explicitly sexual in these books.
That cozy atmosphere is challenged by the idea that the world-wide ruling coven also lives here. I appreciated the exploration of the Joywood as evil figureheads in this book, and I think the jaded viewpoint of Rebekah was the right perspective for this segment of the story.
Overall, if you liked the first book, you’ll probably like this book.. However, I felt that with everything going on plot-wise, the writing was weaker this time around. I’ll still definitely see this series through to the third book. If this sounds like a book for you, it will be released August 29.. And if you still haven’t read Small Town, Big Magic, that’s available right now!!
October 24, 2023
I was convinced this would be a two star read as I was dragging myself through it, but the more I read, the more I found myself hating it. I thought the first book was so cute and cozy (although I only rated it 3 stars I find myself looking back on it with positive memories). This one, feels like a bad direct-to-video Walt Disney sequel complete with the adorkable annoying protagonist and the smarmy male love interest. I didn't like Rebecca as much as I liked Emerson in the first book- like. I don't know. Her name is literally Rebecca. She's not very interesting. And the romance between her and Nicholas Frost was fine? Very bland considering he's a powerful immortal witch with telepathy. So much could be done with that- but what they wanted to do was give the love interests a backstory in which he was her tutor when she was a child and he was.....old as fuck....so that's weird. The witchy, magical, spooky charm that was woven through the first book- is completely missing from this. This was so so boring, no magic, no charming flirtatious banter, no plot, I couldn't bother to care about any of the stakes attempting to set themselves up because all the characters had no life to me. Also- If I wanted to read about things like high school classes and prom and your big fat crush on your groomer- I wouldn't read a book in which the characters are supposed to be just shy of their 30s. It all just felt very messy.
October 4, 2024
Let’s start off 31 days of spooky reads with this gem.
Big Little Spells by Hazel Beck was everything you could ever want in a witchy read. This for me is a colourful backstory, mysterious and unique characters and mega conflict and its crafty resolution.
Is this the second book in the series. Yes. Did I mistakingly read out of order again. Yes. Am I sorry. No way. The first book and its contents were referenced a few times but I don’t think I’ve spoiled it for myself too badly.
This book focuses on the Wilde sisters Emerson and Rebekah but mostly Rebekah and her return to their hometown to face judgement for one fateful night 10 years ago. Rebekah remembers all the events of that night and their lives as witches where Emerson had her memories wiped and has been living without the knowledge she’s magical. Rebekah, living in exile is then summoned by the mysterious Nicholas Frost who had a hand in her extrication from St. Cyprian but has never been far from Rebekah’s thoughts for entirely different reasons. The sisters along with their friends must prove that their magic isn’t a threat but will the current regime stop them in their witchy tracks for a second time?
Big Little Spells by Hazel Beck was everything you could ever want in a witchy read. This for me is a colourful backstory, mysterious and unique characters and mega conflict and its crafty resolution.
Is this the second book in the series. Yes. Did I mistakingly read out of order again. Yes. Am I sorry. No way. The first book and its contents were referenced a few times but I don’t think I’ve spoiled it for myself too badly.
This book focuses on the Wilde sisters Emerson and Rebekah but mostly Rebekah and her return to their hometown to face judgement for one fateful night 10 years ago. Rebekah remembers all the events of that night and their lives as witches where Emerson had her memories wiped and has been living without the knowledge she’s magical. Rebekah, living in exile is then summoned by the mysterious Nicholas Frost who had a hand in her extrication from St. Cyprian but has never been far from Rebekah’s thoughts for entirely different reasons. The sisters along with their friends must prove that their magic isn’t a threat but will the current regime stop them in their witchy tracks for a second time?
August 28, 2024
Big Little Spells is a second book in Witchlore series and it's a lovely mix of romance and witchy fantasy read.
Hazel Beck centres the action on Rebekah Wilde, the sister of Emerson who we met in the first book. Rebekah comes back to face quite a few emotional challenges, but also inner battle with her own powers and journey to discovery of who she is as a person and as a witch.
I really enjoyed that installment. I felt that Beck brought us back seamlessly into St. Cyprian and its community. Writing was really good, it was well paced, I enjoyed the story and thought the personal development of the characters was well thought out.
There's something really compelling to that story. Yes, it's a love story but it's also a story of sisterhood, familial bonds, friendship and community. It's a story of learning how to forgive yourself and make amends.
I really like that series and cannot wait to read book three.
Hazel Beck centres the action on Rebekah Wilde, the sister of Emerson who we met in the first book. Rebekah comes back to face quite a few emotional challenges, but also inner battle with her own powers and journey to discovery of who she is as a person and as a witch.
I really enjoyed that installment. I felt that Beck brought us back seamlessly into St. Cyprian and its community. Writing was really good, it was well paced, I enjoyed the story and thought the personal development of the characters was well thought out.
There's something really compelling to that story. Yes, it's a love story but it's also a story of sisterhood, familial bonds, friendship and community. It's a story of learning how to forgive yourself and make amends.
I really like that series and cannot wait to read book three.
June 1, 2023
I loved the first book in this series I was a little wary on whether or not I'd like this book because I wasn't too interested in Rebekah after Book 1.
But quite literally ~15 pages in and I was absolutely irrevocably hooked and was forced to binge.
I did feel disconnected from the main characters this go around. Whereas in Book 1 I was invested on what was happening to them, in this book I was way more interested in what was happening around them.
This book succeeded in getting me sufficiently hooked and on the edge of my seat for Book 3 and overall happy that things worked out for Rebekah in the end.
But quite literally ~15 pages in and I was absolutely irrevocably hooked and was forced to binge.
I did feel disconnected from the main characters this go around. Whereas in Book 1 I was invested on what was happening to them, in this book I was way more interested in what was happening around them.
This book succeeded in getting me sufficiently hooked and on the edge of my seat for Book 3 and overall happy that things worked out for Rebekah in the end.
September 11, 2023
This was much better than the first! I could actually stand out FMC Rebekah this time. And we even got more romance! I’m invested in St. Cyprian at this point and will continue on with any additional books in the series. Perfect cozy, clean romance and witchy book for fall!
Thank you to HTP Books for my advanced physical copy.
Thank you to HTP Books for my advanced physical copy.
September 22, 2024
The first book was better. I enjoyed the writing and cover art, but the story was slow and weak. I probably won't continue the series.
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April 22, 2024
I think you're either going to sympathize with Emerson or Rebekah, but probably not both. Personally, I found Rebekah difficult. She seemed so...whiny? It's possible my enjoyment was affected by the audiobook narration because everyone sounded shrill to me. I'll still finish the series, but this story was light on plot and romance.
May 30, 2023
Witchy, romantic, with a journey of self discovery and healing.
I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review and thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity.
Our story centers on Rebekah Wilde and begins with her being brought back to her hometown of St. Cyprian after 10 years of exile , to be put on trial before her coven. But not everything is as it seems and it is up to her and her friends to maintain the balance of power in their realm, but it may just start a war.
The story was super interesting, i enjoy that it goes through Rebekah’s journey to accepting her flaws and mistakes. Realizing that no matter what , the people who truly matter in life will stick by you. Mistakes happen but it is how we move forward that determines our future.
This story does have some romance but I would not say that is the main theme , it helps Rebekah and our romantic lead , the immortal Nicholas Frost, to overcome their traumas and mistakes but it is definitely a side theme. However romantic love is not the only kind of love we see in the book. Familial /sisterly love and friendship based love are also present and important to Rebekah’s journey.
There isn’t a lot of action to be had in the book but we do get different scenes with magic usage and the different types the world offers. For example Rebekah’s sister Emerson is a Warrior and we get examples of her saving the town on different occasions , Rebekah is a diviner , Jacob is a healer , and many more.
Finally , our story goes through grief and loss but those whose time has come never truly leave us.
If you are looking for your next witchy read, then you will love this one!
I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review and thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity.
Our story centers on Rebekah Wilde and begins with her being brought back to her hometown of St. Cyprian after 10 years of exile , to be put on trial before her coven. But not everything is as it seems and it is up to her and her friends to maintain the balance of power in their realm, but it may just start a war.
The story was super interesting, i enjoy that it goes through Rebekah’s journey to accepting her flaws and mistakes. Realizing that no matter what , the people who truly matter in life will stick by you. Mistakes happen but it is how we move forward that determines our future.
This story does have some romance but I would not say that is the main theme , it helps Rebekah and our romantic lead , the immortal Nicholas Frost, to overcome their traumas and mistakes but it is definitely a side theme. However romantic love is not the only kind of love we see in the book. Familial /sisterly love and friendship based love are also present and important to Rebekah’s journey.
There isn’t a lot of action to be had in the book but we do get different scenes with magic usage and the different types the world offers. For example Rebekah’s sister Emerson is a Warrior and we get examples of her saving the town on different occasions , Rebekah is a diviner , Jacob is a healer , and many more.
Finally , our story goes through grief and loss but those whose time has come never truly leave us.
If you are looking for your next witchy read, then you will love this one!
October 19, 2023
I liked the vibes and the mild humor of the first book, but I thought it felt like there were big gaps in the story (and not in a “mystery” kind of way). Like, it almost felt like whole scenes were accidentally deleted. Well, that was wayyy worse in this book. The internal monologue and development would go on and on, but the actual action/plot just skipped ahead. Like, the whole book is set leading up to a big test and the actual test description was so brief and poorly described, I know they used magic but I literally have no idea what they ~did~ for the test. Apparently they did a fantastic job of it, but idk what it was. And in the end, they mention multiple times how the “unseen kindnesses” can make a huge difference and then name multiple things the two main characters allegedly did that is literally not even hinted at during the book. Like, they were literally unseen kindnesses and I’m just gonna have to believe you that they characters were having study sessions with unnamed teenagers and helping out shop owners or whatever. This book was trying so hard to be “deep” it was super unsubstantial.
November 28, 2025
Well… I finished it. Idk why but I could not get into this one. I just didn’t care much about Rebekah and her relationship with Nicholas felt kind of gross tbh. I kept going because I really enjoyed book one and want to continue with the series. I did like how it ended and set everything up for book three.
October 14, 2023
Big Little Spells was a great witchy read and I thoroughly enjoyed it! The characters once again were all so wonderful and in one way or another I felt that they were all easy to relate with, however I'm definitely a super bookish person so Georgie is definitely the character I have the most in common with. Of course, the book ended on a cliffhanger and now I cannot wait to see what happens in the 3rd book. Oh and unlike the first book, this one was a bit more spicy but it still wasn't truly graphic so those who don't like spicy reads will still enjoy this one. Definitely recommend!
December 21, 2023
with such an interesting premise (powerful group of witches establishing a rival coven and a sexy broody immortal witch to fantasize over), the book fell surprisingly flat. For a book that emphasizes the deadly stakes of failure, the almost forbidden but timeless love between Nicholas and Rebekah, the trauma of childhood etc etc, it never goes beyond the surface level. You’re told but not invested in these character motivations. I truly felt like the authors could have delved deeper into the characters and they would have had a much richer story for it.
August 31, 2023
In Small Town, Big Magic, the first book in the Witchlore series, there was something rotten at the heart of small, witchy, St. Cyprian Missouri. But by the end of the story it seemed more than obvious that what was going wrong was a big and nasty disturbance at the confluence of the Mississippi, Missouri and the hidden Illinois river that gives the town all of its witchy power.
It seemed obvious because defeating the nasty in the confluence was the big, climactic battle that nearly ends the book – at least until after it’s been subdued. Which is when that first book ended, on the mic drop that the powers that be had shown up to bring the hammer down because they didn’t do it the ‘right’ way with ‘approved’ witches – even as they proceeded to gaslight the newly formed coven about whether the evil that was about to literally flood the town ever existed in the first place.
And that’s where this second book picks up the action, as the ruling coven of witchkind, the oh-so-inappropriately named ‘Joywood’, brings that hammer down in a way that is so petty and such an over-the-top attempt at belittling AND gaslighting that the new coven knows that whatever this is all about, it isn’t about what they did so much as who they are – even if they don’t know why. At least not yet.
They don’t have much time to find out, either. Ten years ago, back when Emerson and Rebekah Wilde were both eighteen, the sisters failed their coming of age ceremony and were supposed to be stripped of not merely their magic but their memories of it. Emerson emerged as kind of a shadow of her true self – at least until the events of the first book when she not only broke the block on her memory but reclaimed her powers as well.
Rebekah never forgot a thing, because she ran into exile instead. She couldn’t practice her magic, she couldn’t come home, and she couldn’t bear to keep in contact with the friends she left behind because her sister wasn’t really her sister anymore.
Now she’s back, doing her level best, which sometimes fails, to not fall back into the destructive behaviors of her adolescence. Because that’s just what Joywood wants and she’s able to focus her rebellious streak on denying them that above all things.
The one thing from those years that she can’t seem to let go of is her ‘crush’ on the cold, powerful, gorgeous and immortal asshole, Nicholas Frost. Back then, he secretly trained her power but abandoned her when she needed him most. This time around he’s playing the biggest game of ‘come here no stay away’ that has ever been played.
But Rebekah isn’t a teenager any more, and she’s tired of being played – by Nicholas, by Joywood and especially by a fate that has kicked her around for the last time – no matter what it takes to bring it and her powers to her command and no one and nothing else’s.
Escape Rating B+: In that opening bit of petty bullshit, I began wondering if the reason that nasty showed up in the river was either because Joywood summoned it themselves – or if they were just so corrupt that like called to like. I’m still debating that particular question – but hunting for the answer certainly kept me turning pages.
In fact, I liked this second book a bit better than the first, because I felt for Rebekah and her snarky rebellion in a way that Emerson’s partially-manufactured goody-two-shoes perfection did not touch. What I liked best about Rebekah was that she never fell for Joywood’s act. It’s all a setup and she knows it’s a setup and she never pretends otherwise to herself or her friends.
Even better, it doesn’t take much to convince her friends that she’s right. It is not paranoia if someone really is out to get you, and Joywood really does have it in for the Wilde sisters. Even if the why of it all is still a bit TBD (to be determined).
A question that has yet to be completely resolved by the end of Big Little Spells. The question that DOES manage to get itself resolved is the romantic question, the one about what’s really going on in that hot immortal asshole’s cold, cold heart when it comes to Rebekah. For that, at least, we get the whys and the wherefores, AND we get a resolution that deals at least partially with what would otherwise be a vast power imbalance.
And it was great to see some truly epic UST get resolved, along with the processing of a whole bunch of suppressed grief as well as a bit of a stand up and cheer moment from at least half the town.
So stuff happened. In fact, this book in particular was more about the stuff happening, the things being done – or attempting to be done – TO Rebekah and company than anything else. It was, in a peculiar way, more than a bit political. And I was all there for it. Some readers did not like this as much as Small Town, Big Magic because it was more about witchy small-town politics and the mean no-longer-girls in charge of them and less about the romance. Personally, I liked this one better for the shift.
But the things that did not get resolved, that are still hanging over the series like the proverbial Sword of Damocles – or more like Chekhov’s Gun on the mantel waiting to be fired – are the questions about the true motivations and the depths of the corruption that Joywood has sunk to in their quest for power.
The answers to those questions seem to be being dribbled out slowly so as to be able to give each of the romances their chances to shine – and to put together the steps necessary to defeat the evil that Joywood represents. I liked this particular droplet of that part of the story more than the first. There are intended to be two more books in the series to finish things – and hopefully the Joywood – off.
So far, at least, I’m in for another round, because this was better than the first. We’ll just have to see how that goes as the series continues.
Originally published at Reading Reality
It seemed obvious because defeating the nasty in the confluence was the big, climactic battle that nearly ends the book – at least until after it’s been subdued. Which is when that first book ended, on the mic drop that the powers that be had shown up to bring the hammer down because they didn’t do it the ‘right’ way with ‘approved’ witches – even as they proceeded to gaslight the newly formed coven about whether the evil that was about to literally flood the town ever existed in the first place.
And that’s where this second book picks up the action, as the ruling coven of witchkind, the oh-so-inappropriately named ‘Joywood’, brings that hammer down in a way that is so petty and such an over-the-top attempt at belittling AND gaslighting that the new coven knows that whatever this is all about, it isn’t about what they did so much as who they are – even if they don’t know why. At least not yet.
They don’t have much time to find out, either. Ten years ago, back when Emerson and Rebekah Wilde were both eighteen, the sisters failed their coming of age ceremony and were supposed to be stripped of not merely their magic but their memories of it. Emerson emerged as kind of a shadow of her true self – at least until the events of the first book when she not only broke the block on her memory but reclaimed her powers as well.
Rebekah never forgot a thing, because she ran into exile instead. She couldn’t practice her magic, she couldn’t come home, and she couldn’t bear to keep in contact with the friends she left behind because her sister wasn’t really her sister anymore.
Now she’s back, doing her level best, which sometimes fails, to not fall back into the destructive behaviors of her adolescence. Because that’s just what Joywood wants and she’s able to focus her rebellious streak on denying them that above all things.
The one thing from those years that she can’t seem to let go of is her ‘crush’ on the cold, powerful, gorgeous and immortal asshole, Nicholas Frost. Back then, he secretly trained her power but abandoned her when she needed him most. This time around he’s playing the biggest game of ‘come here no stay away’ that has ever been played.
But Rebekah isn’t a teenager any more, and she’s tired of being played – by Nicholas, by Joywood and especially by a fate that has kicked her around for the last time – no matter what it takes to bring it and her powers to her command and no one and nothing else’s.
Escape Rating B+: In that opening bit of petty bullshit, I began wondering if the reason that nasty showed up in the river was either because Joywood summoned it themselves – or if they were just so corrupt that like called to like. I’m still debating that particular question – but hunting for the answer certainly kept me turning pages.
In fact, I liked this second book a bit better than the first, because I felt for Rebekah and her snarky rebellion in a way that Emerson’s partially-manufactured goody-two-shoes perfection did not touch. What I liked best about Rebekah was that she never fell for Joywood’s act. It’s all a setup and she knows it’s a setup and she never pretends otherwise to herself or her friends.
Even better, it doesn’t take much to convince her friends that she’s right. It is not paranoia if someone really is out to get you, and Joywood really does have it in for the Wilde sisters. Even if the why of it all is still a bit TBD (to be determined).
A question that has yet to be completely resolved by the end of Big Little Spells. The question that DOES manage to get itself resolved is the romantic question, the one about what’s really going on in that hot immortal asshole’s cold, cold heart when it comes to Rebekah. For that, at least, we get the whys and the wherefores, AND we get a resolution that deals at least partially with what would otherwise be a vast power imbalance.
And it was great to see some truly epic UST get resolved, along with the processing of a whole bunch of suppressed grief as well as a bit of a stand up and cheer moment from at least half the town.
So stuff happened. In fact, this book in particular was more about the stuff happening, the things being done – or attempting to be done – TO Rebekah and company than anything else. It was, in a peculiar way, more than a bit political. And I was all there for it. Some readers did not like this as much as Small Town, Big Magic because it was more about witchy small-town politics and the mean no-longer-girls in charge of them and less about the romance. Personally, I liked this one better for the shift.
But the things that did not get resolved, that are still hanging over the series like the proverbial Sword of Damocles – or more like Chekhov’s Gun on the mantel waiting to be fired – are the questions about the true motivations and the depths of the corruption that Joywood has sunk to in their quest for power.
The answers to those questions seem to be being dribbled out slowly so as to be able to give each of the romances their chances to shine – and to put together the steps necessary to defeat the evil that Joywood represents. I liked this particular droplet of that part of the story more than the first. There are intended to be two more books in the series to finish things – and hopefully the Joywood – off.
So far, at least, I’m in for another round, because this was better than the first. We’ll just have to see how that goes as the series continues.
Originally published at Reading Reality
August 20, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers, and the author for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Big Little Spells continues the story of Small Town, Big Magic. Sister Emerson and Rebekah, formerly “spell dim” have publicly shown the extent of the magic that they aren’t supposed to have. The ruling coven of witches, the Joywood, are willing to reconsider their prior determination of their magical abilities, only if Emerson and Rebekah are willing to relive one of the scariest experiences of life; high school. Both sisters work alongside their fellow witch friends (creating a coven of their own) as well as a brooding and gorgeous immortal witch, Nicholas Frost. Rebekah fights to keep her dark secrets hidden as well as her feelings for Nicholas, whom she’s felt drawn to all her life. Will the sisters be able to prove their standing as powerful witches? Or will they be deemed “spell dim” once more?
This was a great continuation of Small Town, Big Magic. As much as I liked Emerson in that book, I MUCH prefer Rebekah. I love a good redemption arc in a book.
Following some of the witch lore and practices in the book were mildly confusing for me personally, but I really enjoyed it! I can’t wait for the next book and to see what the Riverwood coven gets up to next!
Favorite Quotes from the book are below!
“That’s the difference between real sisters and chosen sisters. The real ones have all that family stuff between them, and whether anyone wants it or not, it always gets in the way. But the sisters we choose come without baggage. Where a blood sister might argue with a story you tell about your life, a best friend embellishes it.”
“I’ve been through therapy. I know all the right things to say and feel. And still, everything she says echoes inside me, the ache of knowing it’s stupid to hurt and futile to wish…while not being able to keep from it. I lived down to every expectation. I embarrassed them— fairly and unfairly. I was and am a stain on the family name. I flaunted being that stain. Still do. And yet, just once, I too want them to look at me and think I’m enough.”
“You learn or you die. Sometimes that death is long and drawn out and looks a lot like fear, but it’s death all the same. You learn so you can live.”
“Maybe I should be appalled, but I understand too well the mistakes we make and sins we commit. When we haven’t healed what’s broken within us. When the dark is too tempting.”
“‘Making mistakes doesn’t make you worthless, Rebekah,’ my grandmother tells me, her voice as steady as her gaze. As her grip. As her love, across all these years and death besides. ‘It makes you alive.’”
“Time doesn’t go one way. It isn’t just the now or then. It’s all things, and I am in tune with the weaving, waving nature of it all. Chaos. Diviner. Me”
“The best kind of recovery I can imagine is love.”
Big Little Spells continues the story of Small Town, Big Magic. Sister Emerson and Rebekah, formerly “spell dim” have publicly shown the extent of the magic that they aren’t supposed to have. The ruling coven of witches, the Joywood, are willing to reconsider their prior determination of their magical abilities, only if Emerson and Rebekah are willing to relive one of the scariest experiences of life; high school. Both sisters work alongside their fellow witch friends (creating a coven of their own) as well as a brooding and gorgeous immortal witch, Nicholas Frost. Rebekah fights to keep her dark secrets hidden as well as her feelings for Nicholas, whom she’s felt drawn to all her life. Will the sisters be able to prove their standing as powerful witches? Or will they be deemed “spell dim” once more?
This was a great continuation of Small Town, Big Magic. As much as I liked Emerson in that book, I MUCH prefer Rebekah. I love a good redemption arc in a book.
Following some of the witch lore and practices in the book were mildly confusing for me personally, but I really enjoyed it! I can’t wait for the next book and to see what the Riverwood coven gets up to next!
Favorite Quotes from the book are below!
“That’s the difference between real sisters and chosen sisters. The real ones have all that family stuff between them, and whether anyone wants it or not, it always gets in the way. But the sisters we choose come without baggage. Where a blood sister might argue with a story you tell about your life, a best friend embellishes it.”
“I’ve been through therapy. I know all the right things to say and feel. And still, everything she says echoes inside me, the ache of knowing it’s stupid to hurt and futile to wish…while not being able to keep from it. I lived down to every expectation. I embarrassed them— fairly and unfairly. I was and am a stain on the family name. I flaunted being that stain. Still do. And yet, just once, I too want them to look at me and think I’m enough.”
“You learn or you die. Sometimes that death is long and drawn out and looks a lot like fear, but it’s death all the same. You learn so you can live.”
“Maybe I should be appalled, but I understand too well the mistakes we make and sins we commit. When we haven’t healed what’s broken within us. When the dark is too tempting.”
“‘Making mistakes doesn’t make you worthless, Rebekah,’ my grandmother tells me, her voice as steady as her gaze. As her grip. As her love, across all these years and death besides. ‘It makes you alive.’”
“Time doesn’t go one way. It isn’t just the now or then. It’s all things, and I am in tune with the weaving, waving nature of it all. Chaos. Diviner. Me”
“The best kind of recovery I can imagine is love.”
August 20, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers, and the author for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Big Little Spells continues the story of Small Town, Big Magic. Sister Emerson and Rebekah, formerly “spell dim” have publicly shown the extent of the magic that they aren’t supposed to have. The ruling coven of witches, the Joywood, are willing to reconsider their prior determination of their magical abilities, only if Emerson and Rebekah are willing to relive one of the scariest experiences of life; high school. Both sisters work alongside their fellow witch friends (creating a coven of their own) as well as a brooding and gorgeous immortal witch, Nicholas Frost. Rebekah fights to keep her dark secrets hidden as well as her feelings for Nicholas, whom she’s felt drawn to all her life. Will the sisters be able to prove their standing as powerful witches? Or will they be deemed “spell dim” once more?
This was a great continuation of Small Town, Big Magic. As much as I liked Emerson in that book, I MUCH prefer Rebekah. I love a good redemption arc in a book.
Following some of the witch lore and practices in the book were mildly confusing for me personally, but I really enjoyed it! I can’t wait for the next book and to see what the Riverwood coven gets up to next!
Favorite Quotes from the book are below!
“That’s the difference between real sisters and chosen sisters. The real ones have all that family stuff between them, and whether anyone wants it or not, it always gets in the way. But the sisters we choose come without baggage. Where a blood sister might argue with a story you tell about your life, a best friend embellishes it.”
“I’ve been through therapy. I know all the right things to say and feel. And still, everything she says echoes inside me, the ache of knowing it’s stupid to hurt and futile to wish…while not being able to keep from it. I lived down to every expectation. I embarrassed them— fairly and unfairly. I was and am a stain on the family name. I flaunted being that stain. Still do. And yet, just once, I too want them to look at me and think I’m enough.”
“You learn or you die. Sometimes that death is long and drawn out and looks a lot like fear, but it’s death all the same. You learn so you can live.”
“Maybe I should be appalled, but I understand too well the mistakes we make and sins we commit. When we haven’t healed what’s broken within us. When the dark is too tempting.”
“‘Making mistakes doesn’t make you worthless, Rebekah,’ my grandmother tells me, her voice as steady as her gaze. As her grip. As her love, across all these years and death besides. ‘It makes you alive.’”
“Time doesn’t go one way. It isn’t just the now or then. It’s all things, and I am in tune with the weaving, waving nature of it all. Chaos. Diviner. Me”
“The best kind of recovery I can imagine is love.”
Big Little Spells continues the story of Small Town, Big Magic. Sister Emerson and Rebekah, formerly “spell dim” have publicly shown the extent of the magic that they aren’t supposed to have. The ruling coven of witches, the Joywood, are willing to reconsider their prior determination of their magical abilities, only if Emerson and Rebekah are willing to relive one of the scariest experiences of life; high school. Both sisters work alongside their fellow witch friends (creating a coven of their own) as well as a brooding and gorgeous immortal witch, Nicholas Frost. Rebekah fights to keep her dark secrets hidden as well as her feelings for Nicholas, whom she’s felt drawn to all her life. Will the sisters be able to prove their standing as powerful witches? Or will they be deemed “spell dim” once more?
This was a great continuation of Small Town, Big Magic. As much as I liked Emerson in that book, I MUCH prefer Rebekah. I love a good redemption arc in a book.
Following some of the witch lore and practices in the book were mildly confusing for me personally, but I really enjoyed it! I can’t wait for the next book and to see what the Riverwood coven gets up to next!
Favorite Quotes from the book are below!
“That’s the difference between real sisters and chosen sisters. The real ones have all that family stuff between them, and whether anyone wants it or not, it always gets in the way. But the sisters we choose come without baggage. Where a blood sister might argue with a story you tell about your life, a best friend embellishes it.”
“I’ve been through therapy. I know all the right things to say and feel. And still, everything she says echoes inside me, the ache of knowing it’s stupid to hurt and futile to wish…while not being able to keep from it. I lived down to every expectation. I embarrassed them— fairly and unfairly. I was and am a stain on the family name. I flaunted being that stain. Still do. And yet, just once, I too want them to look at me and think I’m enough.”
“You learn or you die. Sometimes that death is long and drawn out and looks a lot like fear, but it’s death all the same. You learn so you can live.”
“Maybe I should be appalled, but I understand too well the mistakes we make and sins we commit. When we haven’t healed what’s broken within us. When the dark is too tempting.”
“‘Making mistakes doesn’t make you worthless, Rebekah,’ my grandmother tells me, her voice as steady as her gaze. As her grip. As her love, across all these years and death besides. ‘It makes you alive.’”
“Time doesn’t go one way. It isn’t just the now or then. It’s all things, and I am in tune with the weaving, waving nature of it all. Chaos. Diviner. Me”
“The best kind of recovery I can imagine is love.”
August 29, 2023
I enjoyed Small town, big magic, but I think this second book in the Witchlore series is even better!! Picking up where the first book left off, we get to know more about Emerson Wilde's younger sister, Rebekah who was cast out of their witchy society and the town of St. Cyprian after a terrible incident marked her as dangerous.
Having returned for the first time in years to help her sister, clairvoyant and natural born rebel, Rebekah has to come to terms with an old crush and the lure of getting her magic back. The catch, she is forced to work closely with her old tutor, the grumpy immortal Nicholas Frost.
Full of great chemistry, emotional depth, found family, romance and a great mystery/suspense plot that sees Rebekah and her sister uncovering dark secrets that have underpinned their town. This was also great on audio narrated by Natalie Duke and the perfect book to kick off Spooky Season!!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review! I can't wait to see what happens in the next book as the Wilde sisters start their own Coven and battle against the corrupt Joywood witches.
Having returned for the first time in years to help her sister, clairvoyant and natural born rebel, Rebekah has to come to terms with an old crush and the lure of getting her magic back. The catch, she is forced to work closely with her old tutor, the grumpy immortal Nicholas Frost.
Full of great chemistry, emotional depth, found family, romance and a great mystery/suspense plot that sees Rebekah and her sister uncovering dark secrets that have underpinned their town. This was also great on audio narrated by Natalie Duke and the perfect book to kick off Spooky Season!!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review! I can't wait to see what happens in the next book as the Wilde sisters start their own Coven and battle against the corrupt Joywood witches.
December 2, 2024
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️.25
I listened to the audio while following along in my physical copy ...
I was actually pretty hesitant to read this one, considering I did not really vibe with book 1.
However, I have to say that from page one, this one drew me in. I have to be honest that I did not remember what happened in book 1, but reading this just brought me closer to understanding everything I needed to know.
This just made me want to continue this series, because I am curious to know how that ending works into the next book.
I listened to the audio while following along in my physical copy ...
I was actually pretty hesitant to read this one, considering I did not really vibe with book 1.
However, I have to say that from page one, this one drew me in. I have to be honest that I did not remember what happened in book 1, but reading this just brought me closer to understanding everything I needed to know.
This just made me want to continue this series, because I am curious to know how that ending works into the next book.
August 28, 2023
I just LOVED this book! What an excellent sequel! I already had such a fun time reading Small Town Big Magic, and I think I had even more fun reading this one! I just love all the characters and their relationships with each other! This was truly magical witchy read and I definitely recommend it, or the first one of you haven’t read it yet, for the upcoming witchy reads season!!!
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Harper Collins, specifically Harlequin Trade Publishing for allowing me to read this one early!!!
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Harper Collins, specifically Harlequin Trade Publishing for allowing me to read this one early!!!
October 21, 2025
(3.5 ☆ rounded up)
I was so happy to (finally) be back in the world of the Witchlore series and really left this second book too long. A change in perspectives this time the story is told from the other Wilde sister Rebekah's POV.
I thought that I loved Emerson's story (hello hot healer farmer) but give me dark broody immortals any day! A little bit of mystery, a whole lot of witchcraft and that small town rom com vibe made this book have it all.
I'll definitely be diving into the next two books in the series!
I was so happy to (finally) be back in the world of the Witchlore series and really left this second book too long. A change in perspectives this time the story is told from the other Wilde sister Rebekah's POV.
I thought that I loved Emerson's story (hello hot healer farmer) but give me dark broody immortals any day! A little bit of mystery, a whole lot of witchcraft and that small town rom com vibe made this book have it all.
I'll definitely be diving into the next two books in the series!
September 9, 2023
3.25 | Intrigued by where the overall story is going with the coven war, but this one was a bit too slow of a burn for me, plot-wise. I hoped for a little more show versus tell - sometimes it felt like certain plot points were glossed over and recapped versus experiencing those moments with the characters. The romance felt a little condensed somehow and not enough spice for my taste.
September 18, 2023
I loved this book. That’s it.
I was so excited to start this book after I finished the first book in this series, “Small Town Big Magic” - I could not get enough of St. Cyprian and I looked forward to more. This is Rebekah Wilde’s story.
Rebekah’s story begins with her exile. When she was found to have no magic and her sister’s memories were wiped, Rebekah did something she wasn’t supposed to do, and she doesn’t want to talk about it. Her friends and family do not have memories of the incident. When Rebekah is called back home, she hopes to leave the past where it belongs.
Rebekah, along with her sister and close friends have to prove themselves after events at the end of book one. Rebekah also comes face to face with Nicholas Frost, her tutor and also the immortal she has feelings for.
This book is about family and forgiveness. I really loved seeing all of the characters return from the first book. I also absolutely loved Rebekah’s journey. Her talk of recovery and learning to love herself was very uplifting. I also enjoyed her story with Nicholas. He is a very interesting character, and their interactions were my favorite parts of the book. The ending was everything I hoped it would be - and now I have to wait for book number three. I cannot wait to see where this coven goes.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the copy of this book. I am hooked on this series. If you love stories about witches as much as I do, read this series! I highly recommend it!
I was so excited to start this book after I finished the first book in this series, “Small Town Big Magic” - I could not get enough of St. Cyprian and I looked forward to more. This is Rebekah Wilde’s story.
Rebekah’s story begins with her exile. When she was found to have no magic and her sister’s memories were wiped, Rebekah did something she wasn’t supposed to do, and she doesn’t want to talk about it. Her friends and family do not have memories of the incident. When Rebekah is called back home, she hopes to leave the past where it belongs.
Rebekah, along with her sister and close friends have to prove themselves after events at the end of book one. Rebekah also comes face to face with Nicholas Frost, her tutor and also the immortal she has feelings for.
This book is about family and forgiveness. I really loved seeing all of the characters return from the first book. I also absolutely loved Rebekah’s journey. Her talk of recovery and learning to love herself was very uplifting. I also enjoyed her story with Nicholas. He is a very interesting character, and their interactions were my favorite parts of the book. The ending was everything I hoped it would be - and now I have to wait for book number three. I cannot wait to see where this coven goes.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the copy of this book. I am hooked on this series. If you love stories about witches as much as I do, read this series! I highly recommend it!
November 1, 2024
2.5 - This fmc was so dif from the first and yet still so annoying LOL. The book was draggingggg. Also the spice, even tho it was closed door, was so weirdly written and talked about. But will I read the third because I’m still curious - yes 😂 fingers crossed the next girl isn’t annoying
December 13, 2023
I looooved this book to the point where I dragged it out so I didn’t finish it too quick.
I really loved the first one but this one really got more exciting and I can’t wait for the next book.
I really loved the first one but this one really got more exciting and I can’t wait for the next book.
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