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Practically Witches: A New Adult Urban Fantasy Novel

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I’m RJ—Robbie Joe, thanks to my mom’s creativity—and I’m a witch.

Well, kind of. I’m still in training.

Magic is like second nature to my sister, Aimee. She’s the golden child, excelling at every spell, acing every test, and just generally being perfect. Me? My magic’s about as predictable as a coin toss.

I never really cared much about it... until now.

Suddenly, our coven is under attack. Witches are losing their powers to an evil we believed to be just legend. Even Aimee falls victim, her magic drained. With so few of us left, it’s up to me and my lackluster powers to save our coven from total extinction.

No pressure, right?

As Aimee and I search for a way to restore the coven’s magic, shocking truths about my past and my true potential come to light. Maybe I’m not a mediocre witch after all. Maybe I’m something special, but the power within me is proving to be dangerous, reckless, and uncontrollable…just like me.

I need to get ahold of my newfound abilities to stop the looming threat to our kind. If I don’t, I won’t only lose everyone I care about, but I’ll lose myself as well.

264 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 27, 2024

18 people are currently reading
61 people want to read

About the author

Harper A. Brooks

59 books502 followers
Harper A. Brooks may be a Jersey girl at heart, but now she likes to hideout in the mountains of Virginia with bigfoot and all his little woodland friends. Even though classic authors have always filled her bookshelves, she finds her writing muse drawn to the dark, magical, and romantic. When she isn’t creating entire worlds with sexy shifters or legendary love stories, you can find her either with a good cup of coffee in hand or at home snuggling with her furry, four-legged son, Sammy.


RONE Award Winner
USA Today Bestselling Author
Amazon International Bestselling Author

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
Profile Image for Tiffany aka Chai Tea And Books.
991 reviews49 followers
July 19, 2024
This was such a fun paranormal read. Witches in training, a bit of romance, a mystery and a big battle. I can honestly say I had no idea who the bad guy was in this. There was a red herring but it was way too obvious and I would have been table flipping upset if that was the plot. But it wasn’t, so I’m good 🤣 overall a great read that I didn’t want to put down!

RJ has known she’s different. Magic hasn’t come easy to her, only seeming to work when her sister is near her. When someone or something starts draining witches of their magic, including her sister, she can’t let them get away with it. As she investigates and track them down, she starting to realize that she’s not less than other witches. She’s got so much more inside her.

Thank you to Lady Amber for the copy, all thoughts are my own.
Profile Image for Lilithya .
166 reviews3 followers
January 16, 2025
This was a fun paranormal book.

The world was well thought out and explained as well as the witches's magic and the conflict.

I loved the relationship between the sisters, how it was total ride of die. I don't know what to feel about their parents, I understand their reasons but I also understand the FMC's feelings about it.

The only aspect that I didn't like was the romance aspect as it was quite instant loving between the MMC's for my taste.
Profile Image for Cyndi Taylor.
491 reviews5 followers
June 26, 2024
I enjoyed this take on an academy trope. The ending made me cry, which I wasn't expecting. The family drama and the fear of something attacking witches and draining them were really well done. The sisterly relationship was beautiful. Total ride or die, which is my favorite type of friendship.
I really liked the budding romance in this.
Though this appears to be a stand-alone set in a larger universe for the author, I would love to hear about these characters and some more shenanigans they get up to.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Laura Beltran.
1,011 reviews7 followers
July 2, 2024
Fun New Adult Read

This Is fun read is a great start to a new series. RJ is a great FMC main character and I live the bond she has with her sister and the new romance she has with Zane. She needs to find answer to the mystery of who is attacking witches and causing them. To lose their powers to save her sister. There are twists before we reach he end. This was a great story from Harper A Brooks.
16.5k reviews151 followers
July 4, 2024
Robbie Joe is known as RJ and she is a witch or just in training. Her sister is the bees knees as everything they do is prefect but an evil is coming for the coven. Something is taking the magic off witches including her sister. There have been things hidden from her and now it is up to her to save the coven. How will she get on? Can she find her true potential? Can she save everyone around her. See how she gets on in this first outing for them
Profile Image for Sue MacKenzie.
1,663 reviews14 followers
June 27, 2024
Definitely not what I expected just from the blurb.
She is more than the magic less witch she believes herself to be.
She has so much in common with the father she never knew and now gets a chance to get to know him.
The expectations put on her are so high for one so young, but with the help of some new friends, she proves exactly how strong she really is.
Profile Image for Mona  Brown .
1,787 reviews18 followers
June 27, 2024
Enjoyed reading

RJ and her sister are witches, and while Amiee has no problems, RJ struggles.
I really enjoyed the story, sometimes I wanted to yell at RJ and tell her to grow up, but she does come through in the end. It's a quick read and a great story all around
513 reviews3 followers
June 25, 2024
Well would you have thought it. This one was totally different than I thought it would be, but still as has all this authors other books I’ve read very, very good. I loved it, how the plot was crafted for the big reveal at the end. Completely threw me I have to say. On to the next one. Highly recommended.
1,556 reviews96 followers
June 29, 2024
When you pick up a book by an author you know, have read and love her writing, you kinda know what to expect, in Ms Brooks case, really delicious spicy scenes, encased in a plot that uncurls superbly, like a flower, slowly opening up it's petals to reveal a beautiful flower and only when you get to the end of the book, do you realise, the flower has indeed opened, and it's splendid and that the book is unlike any of Harper A Brooks I've read and I've read a few! THIS book had not a drop of spice or steam and I didn't miss it for a second! What I got was story and a plot to rival many, a story I read in a few hours, a story so captivating, I had to discover the outcome.

It centres around 2 sisters, RJ and Aimee. Aimee is the golden girl, strong in magic, conscientious, follows the rules, and such a cool and loving sister to RJ, but she's not outgoing or very confident. Now.... RJ ISN'T imbued with magic, RJ ISN'T one to follow rules, RJ is strong willed, very confident, but she's a loner with no friends, in fact, she thinks she's defective, try as she might, she just can't get her magic to work the way it should. Makes life a bit challenging at the magic academy, where she's hides this fact and prays she'll somehow manage to graduate. I loved the sisters sticking together, their sisterhood strong, supportive and loving. When Aimee and RJ discover a hidden grimoire, they use it to aid RJ's mediocre magic, and then strange things start happening... attacks on witches leads to a very intriguing whodunit.

But that's not all, there's also RJ's major crush on the hottie Zane, who suddenly shows an interest in her. Oh did I love all the thoughts racing around in her head! Suddenly she's not the outcast, suddenly she is sort of accepted into the fold, and she loves it! Her sweet romance with Zane is just that, sweet, tender and beautiful. I really really enjoyed the bombshell revelations, one after the other, poor RJ, what she discovers is earthshattering for her, she finally knows why her magic doesn't respond like it should and the responsibly for eliminating the threat falls on her. Her character is so real, her responses so real and true to life. Her growth, self realisation and acceptance of her fate was excellently portrayed. Her battles were excellently portrayed and when, in the final moments, her new found friends stood beside her in solidarity, my heart just melted in joy for her.

Ms Brooks has delivered a wonderful, engaging and CLEAN standalone, with awesome twists to throw me off course, a couple of times where I was urging RJ NOT to succumb...aha, you'll have to read it to know why, this book is a delight in every way!
Profile Image for BooksBooksandmoreBooks69.
1,956 reviews38 followers
June 27, 2024
Book one in a new series from an author I’ve added to my one-click list.

RJ and Aimee are sisters, but are as different as night and day. Aimee excels at everything she does. whereas poor RJ is a klutz! Her magic is tricky to handle, it doesn’t do what it’s expected of it!
Raised by their overbearing mother, who expects nothing but perfection, it makes RJ’s life hard.

As exams approach, RJ knows that her sister will pass easily, her, not so much!

Finding a Grimoire has the sisters excited to try some of the spells they find inside. RJ hopes it might stabilise her magic.

A syphoner begins to attack witches. He’s draining the witches of their magic! And it attacks Aimee, who loses her magic!! It’s up to (seemingly the only witch left) RJ to find out who’s behind the witches losing their magic, as well as controlling her magic, and don’t forget her crush on the popular in the academy.

Set in an academy, I’d say it’s more of a YA read rather than adult, which I’ve come to expect from this author. But it doesn’t stop the story from being full of action and just a tad dark.
There is romance, Zane is the popular boy in the academy, and he is interested in her, but why did I get the feeling he’s only playing with her feelings? Has he got some ulterior motive? And I think he has a few secrets (I might be wrong.)

And for RJ’s powers, they might be hit a d miss, but when they work, they surpass and surprise everyone, including RJ. Will she be someone with powers to fear? Or will she be able to vanquish the foe?

Very well written and thought out. Lots of information and the descriptions will have you imagining the scenes pretty clear.

I can’t wait to see where we go next.

Definitely a recommended read from me 👍🏻

🦋
498 reviews9 followers
June 24, 2024
Practically Witches: A New Urban Fantasy Novel (Supernaturals In Training Book 1) by Harper A Brooks is a young adult fantasy book about witches. The witches are being attacked by siphoner RJ discovers there is something different about herself as her sister Amiee loses her magic but the siphoner can't take hers. As she discovers why she's different, can RJ save her Coven from extinction before it's too late?
I really enjoyed this story. There was plenty of mystery and suspense as the young witches tried to discover what was really going on since they believed syphoners were legends and not real. However as girls lost their magic one by one there was no denying it. RJ’s strange connection led them on a path to discovering the truth. I loved the relationship between Aimee and RJ and how much they had each other's backs. Additionally I thought the slow-burn low-heat romance RJ had building fit perfectly as well. There were plenty of other surprises as well. The characters were well developed and I was definitely pleased that despite RJ being a bit different than the others there was no bullying or negative interactions as can frequently be found in these types of stories. There was excitement and action and readers were left guessing till the very end.
I rated this 5 out of 5 stars for the wonderful story and suspense. If you enjoy new adult paranormal stories with some sweet romance that has witches you'll love Practically Witches.
Profile Image for Rachel.
2,327 reviews130 followers
June 17, 2024
Witches are back!

Witches have become popular once again and I'm taking full advantage. The latest stop on my witchy reading tour is Harper Brooks's Practically Witches.


This book took me by surprise. The perfect example of that is Robbie Jo (I know) who goes by RJ. She's the younger more rebellious sister of goodie-two-shoes Aimee. They're complete opposites, everything about them says they should be enemies but the sisters are beyond close and that's what I love most about RJ. I also love that RJ is happy being who she is, for the most part, a confident loner who smells like trouble.


Oh, the plot was good, it was more action than romance, and even the romance surprised me. There were a few plot bunnies but overall the story was good. I got a little Originals (TV series) vibes if you made them younger and witches then yeah. I loved the magic aspect, it was focused on lesser talked about magic users, syphoners. There was so much drama and the twist, the betrayal, it was so good.


I really enjoyed Practically Witches. Now that RJ's story seems to be over, I'm curious as to how the rest of this series is going to go.
Profile Image for Denise.
491 reviews1 follower
July 23, 2024
This book was so exciting to read. I loved the Magical action, the storyline and the romance that built up between our young Heroine and young man that she loved. When you go to a magical school and live in a magical community one must be careful of all the dangers that can happen and follow all of the magical rules that are entailed to live in the magical community and attend the magical school.
When a student of the magical school wind up in the hospital with her powers stripped from her by an unknown person called a Syphoner (a witch with no magic that steels magic for her own use). Warnings and alerts are put up so that the other students stay safe.
Aimee and Robbie Jo (R.J. to her friends) are sisters that attend the magic school Aimee being the older of the two sisters and with more power then R.J., but that doesn't seem to stop R.J. from being powerful in her own special way.
Zane is the young man that our heroine likes and he in turn likes our heroine. Zane is the son of the nine first families that hold the Witch Coven and School together.
So, if you like Magic, Romance, Family Secrets and amazing Heroines then this book is for you.
Profile Image for HJ Doe.
66 reviews1 follower
July 3, 2024
RJ is from a powerful coven, and her mom & sister both have strong magical abilities. RJ? Well, let’s just say she’s the odd one out in her family. She struggles with her magic, and no matter how hard she tries, things just don’t work the same way for her as they do for everyone else around her. Her control is… not good, and the results are unpredictable and sometimes dangerous.

When something goes terribly awry and the witches in her coven start to lose their magic - including her sister, Aimee - RJ must step up and figure something out in a hurry.

Of course, the crisis happens just when her longtime crush, Zane. suddenly notices her. Does he really have feelings for RJ, or is he just using her?

I enjoyed this book a lot, and was pleasantly surprised that despite their polar opposite personalities. RJ & Aimee were close and looked out for each other, rather than fight and undermine each other. Their friendship and sisterhood made the story even more special. .
371 reviews3 followers
June 1, 2024
Robbie Jo aka RJ and her sister Aimee are very close and attend the same witches institute, while Aimee is perfect with her spells, RJ's are hit and miss. RJ is practicing with her sister because graduation is coming and RJ wants her spell to work. While Aimee is the perfect beautiful sister, RJ considers herself that one that is always in trouble. No matter what she does it always seems to go wrong. Including her crush on Zane, every witches dream man! When all of a sudden witches are being attacked, and their magic was being siphoned off, when RJ's sister is attacked. RJ knows she has to help her sister. Who could be the syphoner? With Zane's help, she is tracking down who the syphoner is and how to get her sister and the other witches who were attacked magic back. Are you in for a shock what RJ turns out to be and who the syphoner is and does Zane really like her? Who is the janitor?
Profile Image for Kayla Miller.
169 reviews7 followers
May 23, 2025

I absolutely adore the books written by Harper Brooks; she has truly become an author I can trust to deliver a captivating story. This latest installment does not disappoint—it's an exceptional read that draws you in from the very beginning. The narrative centers around RJ and Aimee as they embark on their journey to master the art of magic. However, RJ's magical abilities seem to need some refinement, as her spells don’t perform as they ought to.

With their coven now facing unprecedented threats and attacks, the urgency to improve their skills becomes paramount. It's clear that the time has come for them to rise to the challenge and protect their coven. Readers will find themselves rooting for RJ and Aimee as they navigate the complexities of magic, friendship, and the weight of responsibility. This book promises an exhilarating blend of adventure and personal growth that is sure to keep you turning the pages!
Profile Image for Lene Blackthorn .
1,818 reviews7 followers
June 21, 2024
RJ and Aimee are sisters who are very close yet cannot be different when it comes to magic. While Aimee excels at it and magic comes effortlessly, RJ's magic is faulty, tricky, does not work as expected. Being raised by single mom who expects only perfection does not make it any easier for RJ. But when they discover an old grimoire and start experimenting, RJ gets hope. Until the moment a Syphoner starts draining the magic of the witches of the first families of the Academy, and somehow Aimee and RJ are also attacked, with Aimee losing her magic..
Nice and easy read in the academy setting, with romance elements as RJ falls for the school's popular boy, Zane, and he gets interested in her. For whatever reason I felt most of the book like Zane is only playing RJ and does not really want her, that he keeps secrets, so it took me until the end of the book to accept the romantic relationship. Otherwise I really enjoyed some of the characters, had fun when RJ's magic misbehaved, and was happy for the ending.
4,809 reviews16 followers
June 20, 2024
RJ is a 19yr old girl who seems to be the antithesis to her mom and her sister, both of whom are powerful witches. Because of this, she tends to have ODS when it comes to anything her mother tells her to do. When classmates, including her beloved sister, start losing her powers, it becomes clear that she will have to save her community.

So, I’m not sure why I picked this book to read. It’s definitely geared towards a much younger audience than me. That said, I put it off until the last minute to read. Once I started reading it, I couldn’t put it down until I was done, even sacrificing some hard needed sleep. I really loved RJ and her mission to save her sister’s power. The internal battle she faces pretty much comes down to that. The sweet romance throughout was just that, sweet. 

I highly recommend.
Profile Image for O'Livia Clayton.
207 reviews1 follower
June 21, 2024
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I love the concept of Practically Witches Book 1 of Supernaturals in Training by Harper A. Brooks.
It was very well written and thought out. I love how in this book by Harper A. Brooks we get to meet RJ (Robbie Joe) Baum, a witch (well witch in training) who is struggling with her magic and to live up to the her perfect sister Aimee skill level. But when tragedy strikes and witches in her coven starts losing their magic it’s up to RJ to save the day. But will RJ be able to help those who magic who were stolen with her unpredictable magic or will all hope be lost once secrets from the past are revealed? Will RJ be able to get control of her unpredictable magic? I guess that you will have to read Practically Witches to find out.
Profile Image for katy andrews.
197 reviews
June 26, 2024
This was such a great read!

RJ is a clumsy witch struggling to get a handle on her powers, I loved her from the get go, with a practically perfect A star sister Aimee who is compassionate and a great sister. There mum comes across as a hard ass expecting perfection.
Zane is the typica hot jock, unattainable in every typical teenagers world, until he starts flirting with RJ.

My favourite scene is their first interaction when RJ spills coffee all over him and ends up shredding his shirt trying to fix it... gives definite 'I carried a watermelon' Dirty Dancing vibes!

The story is great and evolves in such a natural way, with lots of unexpected surprises along the way.

The ending is perfect, keeps you guessing then drip feeds you all the information you need.

I really loved this book and am looking forward to reading more from Harper A Brooks!
6,028 reviews40 followers
July 15, 2024
Our heroine struggles with her unpredictable powers, powers that will never be as strong as her sister's. But when their coven is attacked, she learns that what she knows might just be wrong. Time for some accelerated training.

This is book oneof the series, so a fine place to start.

This is an urban fantasy story with a focus on witches. The story is very well written and easy to read, with a well detailed world that provides an excellent stage for our story. The characters are also well developed and bring the story to life. I like our heroine, who has a bit of an attitude. The plot is plenty of intrigue and action which keep things moving along. Overall, a highly enjoyable story and I am interested in seeing where it goes next.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Charlene (pageandplace).
310 reviews19 followers
June 8, 2024
RJ and Aimee are witches in training. A tale as old as time, one sister excelling and the other, unpredictable. When their coven comes under attack and the witches begin loosing their magic, RJ and Aimee must put what they’ve learned in training to the test.

This is definitely a YA/NA book, and the characters come off as such. Quick and easy read, perfect beach book read or cozy up under a blanket listening to the fire or rain. Practically Witches is the first in the Supernaturals in Training series. Stay tuned for Practically Vampires.

Thank you to the author,Harper Brooks and Booksprout, for the opportunity to read this book. I received this advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. The book is set to publish June 27, 2024.
Profile Image for Samantha Silensky.
411 reviews4 followers
July 1, 2024
Despite this book being full of the typical tropes that i usually enjoy, but still make me roll my eyes a bit, i don’t think i did that once with this book. No, wait. I did it one time. And that was to do with Zane. Who actually turned out to be an even better rounded character than I anticipated. This book actually took all the cheesy tropes and made me remember why I used to love them so much. The emotions and struggles the characters go through are believable and realistic. It genuinely read like a normal life, but better because it’s magical. The worries of young adults, and pressures of succeeding, and the comparison to siblings. I fell in love with RJ and this world so quickly and I wish I could go back and read it all again, new.
Profile Image for Blue.
539 reviews2 followers
July 8, 2024
I loved this book!

This was an epic young adult fantasy book with a side note of romance full of discoveries and character growth. I loved how different Aimee and RJ were but still had a very sisterly bond and had each other's backs. I loved how RJ got noticed by her long time crush Zane but will it turn out well or is there alternative motives? She has unpredictable magic and that's very interesting. And how everything else goes on it really pulled me in. I loved the training and the struggles she has compared to her perfect sister who gets it right. But will RJ be able to finally control her magic? Find out because I highly recommend this book! It's a slow burn but it's the best kind of romance! And the next book of my stars yes please I can't wait!!!!!
Profile Image for Book Life With Jen.
1,245 reviews23 followers
July 16, 2024
Practically witches by Harper A Brooks is a new adult urban fantasy story and the first in her new Supernaturals in Training series and was a fun quick immersive read that I fully enjoyed!

This story starts us off with the tale of two sisters, one who’s a master at magic and the other..not so much. However when the world falls apart, and enemies come for their magic, RJ, the sister with wildly unpredictable magic, may be their only hope of finding answers as to who or what is after the witches and can they even be stopped.

If you’re a fan of young adult fantasy supernatural themed stories that feature a little young budding romance on the side then this is the one for you! Just know that it is of course an extremely slow burn bur definitely worth the read!
Profile Image for Penny.
3,094 reviews82 followers
May 24, 2024
I’ve read this author before, but it’s been a while. I’m not really a fan of YA/NA but requested this book because I’ve enjoyed this author’s writing before. As always, I was immediately hooked into the story as it is as well-written as the books I've read before. I really liked the characters, but I have to say that RJ was at times a tiny bit of a whiny brat and seemed to want to get her way even if it wasn’t good for her sister whom she professed to love so much. Even with this sometimes aggravating me, I quite enjoyed this story. If you love a good YA/NA, give this one a try; you’ll definitely love it. Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
Profile Image for TXBRITGAL.
1,426 reviews32 followers
June 4, 2024
Exciting and fun! ✨

I really enjoyed this fast paced YA/New Adult paranormal read. This is a fascinating paranormal mystery with action, suspense, as well as fun twists and turns. We have kind of a magical Scooby Gang on the hunt for a mysterious Big Bad, all while dealing with a few personal shockeroos along the way. Buckle up, and get ready for an adrenaline packed, fun read. While there is indeed a second book coming in the series, this particular storyline seemed to conclude in a standalone. I loved our brave, intelligent, resilient FMC- and had so much fun watching her as she took this amazing journey!
Profile Image for XxLaVampiresaAlexisxX.
1,156 reviews73 followers
June 16, 2024
Practically Witches is the first book in the Supernaturals in Training series. This is a YA/NA paranormal/UF story.

I literally got HUGE Legacies vibes from this story. Not just with the Academy setting, but with Aimee and RJ's sisterly dynamics. It seriously reminded me so much of Josie and Lizzie and the jealous, always comparing each other, yet very loving relationship they have. It was a bit slow at times but it did pick up and more and more. I finished it within a matter of hours. There's mystery, suspense, intriguing plot, fantastic worldbuilding. Definitely looking forward to reading the next book!
Profile Image for Taylor Loewe.
333 reviews15 followers
June 24, 2024
This is a fast paced YA book, but we still have a love interest so things are perfect by my standards.

Our FMC believes herself to have faulty magic so she’s kept herself separate from her peers most her life except for her sister who is her best friend. She’s not bullied, shes just a very independent person.

Witches from her school start getting attacked and losing their magic. This begins to open doors to mysteries RJ is left to investigate in order to save her sister.

The plot twist and betrayals keep you glued. If you’re looking for a shorter story that will hook you in, this is a great option.
Profile Image for Kristen Lewendon.
8,429 reviews63 followers
June 25, 2024
What would you do if you discovered most of your life as you knew it was a lie? RJ’s spent the last nineteen years believing one thing only to learn that the truth is something altogether different. In contrast to that setup, this was really cute and fun. RJ and Aimee are dealing with some pretty dark happenings, but there’s still a “lightness” about the story. It read easily, and the time and pages disappeared so quickly. Now that it’s over, I don’t want to let go of these characters. My fingers are crossed for cameo appearances in the next of the series.
I received a complimentary advance copy of this book from the author.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews

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