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A Blend Of Magic

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A witch cannot exist on potions and tea alone.

Hiding in the shadows, staunch singleton Willow Anderson is content running her successful business, The Enchanted Emporium. With Christmas days away, she’s eager to exchange selling bespoke tea blends and spells for extended bubble baths and binge-watching festive movies snuggled next to her Maine Coon, Vincent.

Nate never usually runs away from his problems, but drunk and disorientated, he finds himself in a small fisherman’s cottage in the Yorkshire coastal town of Whitby. After discovering his girlfriend’s affair, he is in no rush to return to the City. His wish for time alone in a Christmas-free zone comes true until an uninvited feline guest arrives.

Neither Nate nor Willow want company, especially from each other, but they have little choice when concussion means they must spend at least twenty-four hours together. Sparks fly and not just the romantic kind. When darkness from Willow’s past returns and threatens to destroy all she has worked for, pursuing a love affair is the last thing she needs.

With meddling ghosts and a teenage apprentice with her own matchmaking agenda, love and change are in the air.

But can Willow face her fears, and the past, to capture the happiness she deserves?

381 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 31, 2023

50 people are currently reading
382 people want to read

About the author

Kate Kenzie

5 books15 followers

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5 stars
89 (42%)
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64 (30%)
3 stars
37 (17%)
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14 (6%)
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4 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
Profile Image for Karolina Bagdonaite.
4 reviews8 followers
January 4, 2026
such a beautifully written story 🥹 it’s been a long time since i’ve read something so wonderful and sensitive. this book is filled with witchery, love, and friendships, and it truly feels like a warm hug ✨ i would recommend it to anyone who wants a little magic in their everyday life 🪄

i loved the witchy, cozy, nature-filled atmosphere 🧙‍♀️🌒☕️ throughout the story. you’ll find cats, ghosts, and the art of tea, all woven together in a way that makes you fall completely in love 🤍

it became one if my favorite books🤍
Profile Image for Susanne Baker.
728 reviews30 followers
October 31, 2023
This was a really magical book to read!
The setting is absolutely perfect, Whitby has a real mysterious feel about it, and the author describes the place so well, you could imagine walking around the quiet lanes looking for the Emporium.
Willow is a witch, but a completely convincing one, her spells are to help others, and you soon find yourself rooting for her. You can feel her loneliness and it was brilliant to see her connect with Nate, who too has things that he is running away from.
Their relationship was so uplifting to witness, and I enjoyed the will they won’t they moments.
The other characters in the story were brilliant too, Amber struggles with her magic and for finding her place in the world without her mum’s guidance, she’s busy looking out for her dad, who also needs to move on. It gave an additional layer to the story as Amber meddles, all with good intentions.
The spooky parts of the story were excellent, I loved the ghost characters and the appearance of someone from Willow’s past, it was very intriguing trying to guess why se was hiding from that person.
So much interesting things going on, I thoroughly enjoyed this magical story and will definitely look out for more by this skilled author.
Profile Image for Rhoda Baxter.
Author 23 books103 followers
October 17, 2023
This is a lovely witchy story set in the spooky town of Whitby. I loved the atmospheric descriptions and Vincent the giant maine coon!
Willow owns a little magic shop (one of those shops that isn't always findable) and is happy in the cosy little world. Then Nate appears - with a meet cute engineered by cats and ghosts. Things are set for a wonderful Christmas, but secrets from Willow's past rear their ugly heads...

If you're looking for a book with witchy vibes, this book delivers in spades.

I received an ARC (thank you!) and this is my honest review.
Profile Image for Helen.
Author 29 books210 followers
November 15, 2023
An enchanting, cosy story with witches, magic, healing, and tea! Willow stumbles across a hidden shop, which is perfect for her Enchanted Emporium. Successful in business, she is happy with her life - Vincent the cat, her teenage apprentice Abby, and some nosy ghosts, she has everything she wants. Until Nate shows up.

This is a lovely read, with relatable characters and a hidden past that comes back to haunt Willow. An enjoyable debut novel, I look forward to reading more by Kate Kenzie. Highly recommend.
Profile Image for Carly Rushforth.
588 reviews28 followers
October 27, 2023
I’m really getting into witchy type romance books this year, I really can’t get enough of them. So when I had the chance to join this Blog Tour, I couldn’t say yes quick enough, it sounded perfect!.

I was gripped from the first page, the rich descriptive detail of Willow when she first looked around The Old Apothecary which is down Black Cat Alley in Whitby had me wanting to find out more and more.

8 years later The Old Apothecary that Willow owns is now called The Enchanted Emporium which sells Lotions, Potions and Tea. Willow is 41 and happy with her shop and Vincent her giant ginger cat, she doesn’t need any romance in her life.

Willow is also dealing with something dark from her past.

Nate is escaping his life after a devastating revelation that his girlfriend is having an affair, he just wants to hide away in the little cottage and forget about Christmas and everything else.

I really couldn’t read this quick enough and I’m astounded that it’s a debut.

It’s full of witchy goodness and lighthearted moments filled with romance but it also deals with hard hitting subjects that i think a lot of readers will relate too.

I need to read more set in this world ASAP.

Profile Image for Emma-Louise Smith.
Author 2 books6 followers
December 20, 2023
I had the experience of reading a very early draft of this book, and now I have read the final version I can say with 100% certainty that I love it even more.

A Blend of Magic is full of heartwarming, cosy, coastal vibes. With tea, magic, and witches, there is so much going on that moves the story at a pace, which keeps you turning those pages desperate for more.

Kate has a fantastic way of descriptive writing, which makes you feel like you are there within the pages and experiencing everything alongside Willow, Nate, and Amber.

I would love to see more books in this series, following Amber's journey, Willow and Nates lives together, and their restoration project.

It is a wonderful book to start the winter season, and I have no doubt this will become a yearly favourite.
137 reviews1 follower
October 8, 2024
I enjoyed this cozy book. Whilst it had intrigue and mystery it had a nice dose of romance.

I loved the FMC she was as real as they come, suffering from issues from her past to working her way out of a depression. You don't see that kind of thing often.

The MMC gave me serious golden retriever energy and I loved him, did think he was a bit dodgy but by the end I loved him.

The ghosts and other side characters were an awesome addition, all in all a fun read.
3 reviews
November 19, 2023
Great story

I was totally involved with Willows story.

Full of mystery, romance and a twists along the way. If you like a bit of magic this is a great story.
Looking forward to more from Kate
Profile Image for Julie Morris.
762 reviews67 followers
October 27, 2023
This book is such a unique and delicious witchy tale, perfect for the Halloween season if seasonal reading is your thing. This stands out amongst the rash of romantasy novels that have become fashionable of late for two reasons. Firstly, the level of witchy-ness (Is that a word? Well, it is now!) exhibited by Willow in the books feels almost plausible rather than completely fantastical and, secondly, it is very clear from the writing that the author has a real passion for magic and its history and uses and has woven her knowledge and enthusiasm throughout the book.

The setting of Whitby has to be a draw for anyone who knows the town and the North Yorkshire coast and the author has brought the location to vivid life in her descriptions of the place and its inhabitants. It is easy to imagine The Enchanted Emporium as a real place which would be completely at home in Whitby. As a lover of the quirky and unusual and an avid tea drinker myself, I really wish it were a place I could actually visit on my next trip to Whitby. If you love Whitby, or have never been but have always fancied taking a trip there, you will love this virtual visit between the pages of this book.

The characters in this book are wonderfully drawn. Amber was my particular favourite. The author has done a wonderful job of reflecting the angst and drama of being a teenager and using Amber’s lack of control of her magic to demonstrate how uncontrollable teenage emotions are and how they aren’t great at reigning in their impulses and thinking through the consequences of their actions. The relationship between Nate and Willow is a delight to watch unfolding. Willow’s reluctance to open herself up to hurt again is particularly relatable, even to people who aren’t particularly fans of the supernatural element of the story, the magic factor is just used to great effect to enhance the impact of Willow’s emotions on her life. It is very cleverly done. Also, absolutely love the ghosts, especially BC and Mrs Marley.

I thoroughly enjoyed this delightful and different book. It is obvious how much love and care has been poured into this beautifully crafted story. It feels like a tale that the author cares about telling, which makes the reader care about it too. It is a sweet and gentle tale of someone healing from hurt and discovering her own strength, the power or friendship and the joy of following your dreams, scattered with a sheen of magic to elevate the story to a different level. Fans of Alice Hoffman and Sarah Addison Allen will love this book and add Kate Kenzie as an author to watch in this genre.
Profile Image for ATaleOfBookworms.
39 reviews
June 4, 2024
(2 Stars)

I wanted to love this so bad. Witchy romance with a bit of mystery and splash of Christmas thrown in, it sounded right up my alley.
But sadly this one just wasn’t for me.

I’ll start off with the parts I did like. The Enchanted Emporium for one, was such an interesting entity of its own, and I wish we could’ve gotten more scenes there and also more scenes with the ghostly inhabitants.
Vincent was another fun character, and it’s a shame there wasn’t more about familiars in the story, considering how much they appeared throughout.

For the most part I enjoyed Willow & Nate’s chemistry, it definitely felt natural in the scenes between them (even if it was insta-love, which is a bit hit and miss for me).



Now for the parts where I feel it didn’t work. There was essentially 3 different plots all trying to happen at once, that in the end none of them felt fully fleshed out and overall made the book seemed rushed. There was this whole build up throughout of dread and the big bad coming, and yet nothing major really came from it, so it felt very underwhelming in that aspect.

And something that grew tiresome quickly, was how irritatingly immature Amber was. For someone about to head off to Uni, she didn’t seem to use much of her brain half the time. In fact she acted more like a petulant child throwing a tantrum every time things didn’t go the way she wanted.
She put herself and others in danger with her hot headed actions, and never once stopped to think how said actions might affect others.
And I think the most frustrating part, was that she was never actually held accountable for it, everyone just made excuses for her. There’s a difference between a bit of rebellion and ignorant stupidity, and unfortunately Amber falls into the latter category.

Overall this book had potential, but sadly the execution fell completely short for me.
Profile Image for Julia.
3,089 reviews94 followers
October 25, 2023
A Blend Of Magic by Kate Kenzie is the most delightful contemporary tale that will warm your heart.
It is an enchanting tale, a fairytale for adults as we meet some charming characters with magical powers – think Sabrina The Teenage Witch but for adults. It also reminded me of the movies in the series of The Good Witch.
The leading lady has a kind heart. She uses her powers for protection after being hurt in the past. We witness the damage the past can do if we live with one foot there. She also looks after others and has a spirit of generosity.
We see that the special powers are passed down the generations. The older members need to teach and guide the younger ones. The leading lady has beautiful memories of her grandmother who taught her the art of making personalised tea in a teapot.
The old buildings are more than just bricks and mortar as we meet the Marleys and a large black cat.
Animals are important. We meet a Maine Coon called Vincent and a friendly ferret.
We must not judge others by appearances. Good hearts beat beneath those whom society may shun.
The setting is Whitby in North Yorkshire. It is very atmospheric with its’ links to Bram Stoker’s Dracula. The weather adds to the atmosphere with swirling mist.
I absolutely adored A Blend Of Magic. It was an enchanting escape for a few hours. I think it would make a fabulous movie (and then more movies could follow) or Netflix series. It would be perfect for the Hallmark channel.
I received a free copy via Rachel’s Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Julie mynookofcomfort.
10 reviews
January 21, 2025
A Blend of Magic is a witchy romance, set in the costal town of Whitby.

Willow is a witch and she runs a magical shop called the Enchanted Emporium, well known for its tea blends. Willow is a strong independent woman but when she meets Nate she falls in love quickly. Their love takes many twists and turns throughout the book, it kept me turning the pages.

Willow goes through her difficulties, I could relate so much when she was struggling with her mental health. I loved the friends that were like family that rallied round to support her. Then there is Vincent the cat and the ghosts that live in the emporium, they’re always by her side.

Nate goes above and beyond to win Willows heart, going back to her childhood roots to give her the dream she’s been searching for. Which opens up her world to even more love and joy.

I loved how the book moved through the seasons too, starting at Christmas. It felt so magical in the Emporum and around Whitby.

Witches, spells, tea, magic, love, romance, loss and fear. So many beautiful moments, many I could relate to. I smiled so much in the last couple of chapters. The book ended perfectly.

A real heart warming read, it felt like a warm hug. This has to be one of my favourite reads so far, Kate writes beautifully. I would love a second book to see what happened next in their story..

Thank you Kate for the arc copy, I loved every moment of reading it.
Profile Image for Krystina.
263 reviews12 followers
October 31, 2023
I've been looking forward to this book all month! I adore Whitby, it's my family's go-to coastal town, so a book set there about a witch, is an instant win! And I wasn't wrong, I've loved reading this, every description of Whitby takes me right there, I can smell the sea air and feel the cobbles under my feet and it makes me wish I could visit Willows shop there.
Willow is a brilliant main character, I loved gradually learning about her, and the shop, as we went through the books. The shop itself has got to be one of the most interesting characters in the book (sorry Willow and Nate) i loved reading about the different ghosts haunting the shop and the original owner's room, it was one of my favourite parts of the book, giving me the ability to form images of them all in my mind.
Amber did irritate at times though, she acted very selfishly with regard to social media and wanting her dad and Willow to get together, I get she is a teenager but being at the age where she's going to University I'd have expected more maturity from her. And that just shows how well the character is written, i wanted to give a fictional teenager a good telling off.
I've really enjoyed reading this and I can't wait for another book from Kate Kenzie, or for my next visit to Whitby.
Profile Image for Katy.
153 reviews
March 12, 2024
A Blend Of Magic
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This book so deserves the five stars I've given it.

A magical witchy book based in the atmospheric and spooky town of Whitby.... follow the story of Willow and her beautiful magical cat Vincent.

Willow ends up back in Whitby where clearly her heart belongs after her travels around the world, she has experienced some horrible moments and loss in her life but opening The Enchanted Emporium helps to heal her.... with her magical blends of tea and wonderful creams the locals love her... all but one!

When Vincent the beautiful cat ends up bringing a stranger to the shop door one evening Williows life changes and she must learn to trust and love again.

When the said stranger finds something that Williow has longed to find for most of life her witchy magical ways end up stronger as does her connections to the special people in her life!

Seriously do yourself a favour and read this book, it's a warm hug, a warm cup of tea made with the perfect teapot and served in the perfect cup and saucer.

My favourite witchy, magical, mysterious book for 2024, thank you Kate Kenzie for writing this amazing book.

Let's just hope there is another witchy, magical book on it's way from this author??
Profile Image for Elaine - Splashes Into Books.
3,884 reviews136 followers
November 4, 2023
Looking for a fun witchy romance to read?
This could be the very book that you need!
Willow Anderson runs The Enchanted Emporium where
With ghosts, friends and customers her magic she'll share.

Vincent is her Maine Coon familiar with a mind of his own.
He's invited himself in to a man spending time alone.
That man is Nate who escaped betrayal for a while
Having a feline visitor does not make him smile!

When returning her cat, strange forces intervene
A push, a fall and concussion - what does it mean?
For a start Willow can't be left on her own
So Nate will stay despite how she may moan.

As sparks of all kind start to fly between this pair,
Acting on the attraction between them - can they dare?
With threats from the past interfering, too,
Can love and romance pull this pair through?

A story where misunderstandings could thwart romance
And so could a witch apprentice if she's given a chance!
With two mysteries to solve, ghosts and magic, too,
This is a fun romance I recommend to you.

For my complementary copy of this book, I say thank you -
As I share with you my honest review.
Profile Image for sophie.
103 reviews
April 19, 2025
after the first couple of chapters, i thought it was gonna be reminiscent of hallmark christmas movies but then i carried on and... it wasn’t that at all.

it feels like the author had plenty of ideas but, unfortunately, mismanaged all the different subplots where the ending felt rushed and the reveals unsatisfactory. a loss, really. the chapters didn’t flow together very well (this needs a good edit 😶‍🌫️), there were typos, and it just didn’t feel very fleshed out.

it was almost impossible to believe that amber is getting ready to go to university considering just how immaturely she behaves. oh lord i almost about lost it the more i read. THIS GIRL 😭😭😭 how the heck were her actions brushed off so quickly, she was so rude and involved herself in everything even when it was unnecessary and NOT her place to do so 💀

the only saving grace were the spectral inhabitants of the enchanted emporium (old man percy & the marleys i love you) and vincent the maine coon 🙂‍↕️

i skimmed over parts of this just so i could hurry and finish it and i didn’t miss anything plot-wise. take that as you will 👀🤷🏼‍♀️
Profile Image for Georgina Candy.
606 reviews20 followers
October 29, 2023
Another fab spooky book perfect for this time of year, we find Willow the witch who owns the Enchanted Emporium in the middle of mayhem, loss, fear, and potential love. There is so much packed into this story but it flows so well that you don’t realise just how many sub plots there are.

The characters are great, Amber did annoy me a bit but she was just being a normal teenager, not listening to what she’s told and thinking she knows better! Nate is a good match for Willow but digs himself into a hole by not being honest and sharing his life with Willow, telling her what bought him to Whitby in the first place.I loved the ghosts too, they have their own quirks and really add to the story when they appear. And there’s so much tea!

A really great cosy, spooky book perfect for cosying with a blanket and cup of tea, and losing the day while immersing yourself in the pages.
Profile Image for Adam Fox.
Author 3 books1 follower
November 23, 2023
You know that when you start dreaming about the characters in a book, when you think about the plot and what might happen next when you're supposed to be at work, when the first thing you do when you get into bed is reach for this book... You know then that it's a good one.
The combination of romance and witchcraft is a blend (if you'll excuse the pun) that had me right from the start. Coupled with the snippets of Whitby's charming streets and headland, along with the twists and turns of the plot, the book keeps you gripped. The compelling characterization including the witches' familiars just completes the experience.
An excellent, entertaining, exciting first novel by Kenzie, I look forward to the next one!
Profile Image for Anne Brooke.
Author 132 books229 followers
January 24, 2024
This is a fabulous and magical read, and perfect for fans of Joanne Harris' Chocolat. It's a wonderful blend of witchy wisdom, potential danger and budding romance all rolled up into one. I loved our heroine Willow and her on-off relationship with Nate was excellently portrayed. The secondary characters are also very strong here, and I enjoyed young witch Amber's attempts to understand her magical calling under Willow's guidance.

It was also lovely to have the Whitby setting which really grounds and enhances the book's magical elements. The shop ghosts also made me smile and I would definitely be keen to read more about Willow, Amber and their adventures. I hope there is more to come! Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Tea Leaves and Reads.
1,064 reviews84 followers
October 8, 2023
A Blend of Magic is a warm, cosy, insightful and romantic read with surprising hidden depths and dives into elements of other genres. The romantic storyline was brilliant but the mystery and dark emotive chapters really made this book something individual and unique.

Whilst a great seasonal read through Autumn or Winter, it lends itself to being a good all-rounder, perfect for a bit of escapism anytime of the year. It's an accomplished debut, one that fantasy, romance and mystery lovers alike will enjoy.

The setting was also fantastic - Whitby really came alive in the pages of this book and it's clear the Authors passion and love for the location.
Profile Image for Leanne.
2,170 reviews43 followers
October 27, 2023
A Blend of Magic tells the story of Willow who owns a magical shop that sells unique teas and she has a beautiful cat called Vincent. Nate finds himself in town and with meddling teenager, cats and ghosts. Will Willow find her happily ever after. This story is definitely magic and feels like a adult fairytale. It has a distinctive unique writing style that I loved and have never come across before. The settings are descriptive and I could literally feel, smell and taste Christmas! A cosy atmosphere made it a fun filled read and the romance had me sighing so loudly that I think the neighbours heard me!
Author 1 book9 followers
October 30, 2023
Nate is running away from his life in the city, especially after he finds out his girlfriend is having an affair, but he didn’t expect to stumble onto Willow and The Enchanted Emporium.

Willow has her own secrets to hide and is happy being single, but soon different sparks are flying and the chemistry may just be bubbling over.

One of the things I loved about Kenzie’s writing was the description; which drew me in from the first page.

These are two fantastic main characters who have great backstories giving this narrative even more depth.

A lovely blend of genres and a novel I would highly recommend.
Profile Image for Isabella May.
Author 22 books129 followers
January 18, 2024
What a delight! Kate Kenzie is definitely one to watch. This is a debut that has it all: a fabulous cast of characters who refuse to let you stop turning the pages (the ghosts are so flipping cool and will make you LOL a lot), a unique and enchanting storyline full of twists and turns that you won't see coming, beautifully delineated descriptions of all things witchy and Whitby (I grew up in Glastonbury so I am a bit of an expert in the former and KK really knows her stuff, too!) and a thoroughly satisfying romance. It really is the perfect book to curl up in a cosy ball with, cradling a cup of tea, and I am so excited to see what the author comes up with next! It's a high 5 stars from me.
Profile Image for Katherine Hayward Pérez .
1,683 reviews77 followers
October 9, 2023
A Blend of Magic just sounded so mysterious from the title. I loved the shop so much and Willow's personaloty. How she and Nate met was realistic and also romantic. I was thoroughly caught up in the magic and mystery of the plot. I've never been to Witby, and it was atmospheric.

A book to make you feel curious, scared, anticipation, and more. A very original book.

Thanks to Kate Kenzie, Boldwood Books and Rachel's Random Resources for my eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.
Profile Image for Hydia Larkin.
71 reviews
December 23, 2023
A festive, cute, easy read romance. I already love the premise as I'm a huge fan of Whitby, strong female leads, tea, and cats. The settings are really well described; the Enchanted Emporium sounds fantastic and I'd read a follow up novel about it's history ! The plot has some engaging twists and turns. The romance is a little cheesy with a few tropes, but still fun to follow along with and you are rooting for the two characters to get together. I also love the book design.
Profile Image for Terry.
1,068 reviews34 followers
March 25, 2024
I thought this was literally magic.
Loved Willow and her shop. There’s ghosts and rumbling magic in the shop never mind Willows own talents.
Her love life hasn’t been great but maybe Nate can change that.
Then Whitby is a fabulous place to have this set as well.
Though not plain sailing the story of her past, her present and where these lead is really good.
A definite fun but at times pulling story.
Great read
Profile Image for Rose English.
Author 22 books183 followers
April 24, 2024
A magical page turning delight

Such an enchanting read, with wonderful descriptions drawing you ever deeper into the hidden treasures of Whitby and the Yorkshire Moors.

I adored the quirky characters, ghosts and animals. The different storylines manage to keep you on the very edge of your seat. A magical treat well worth a read perhaps with refreshments and tea served in a pretty china teacup with matching saucer?
Profile Image for Vivienne.
41 reviews29 followers
May 9, 2024
This is a delightful mix of romance, witchcraft and a fantastic Whitby setting. It's hard to believe it's a first time novelist's work. It's really accomplished, and though quite long is very much a page turner that keeps you reading. The characters are well rounded, and the plot twisty and unexpected. It also has such a strong of place. I would love to read more from this author, whether more about these characters or a new work. It's really well done and I'd highly recommend it.
Profile Image for Catalina Paris.
Author 2 books49 followers
August 25, 2024
I really enjoyed this! It was easy to read, the descriptive writing was really good and the story was cozy with the right amount of intrigue and drama to keep me turning the page. I loved the Enchanted Emporium with its ghosts and the details with the magical elements. The characters and story were very good too. The beginning reminded me of The Holiday (2006) before the story really comes together as we spend more time with the characters. Highly recommend.
Profile Image for Emma Bunting.
572 reviews14 followers
December 5, 2024
This is my first dip into the ‘witchy world’ and I have really enjoyed getting to know Willow….and drink lots of tea with her as I’ve read her story!

This book has a real cosy feel and the fact it features one of my favourite places, Whitby, is an added bonus.

This really is a lovely story with beautiful descriptions that I will definitely be reading more books from this genre….after all, everyone needs a little bit of magic in their life ☕️
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews

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