A world of magic, love, and independence awaits. All she needs to do is take one step forward and discover what has been hers all along. Hazel Hollis has spent her life doing exactly what is expected of her. Banned from using her magic after the tragic death of her father, Hazel does everything she can to ensure her sister Laura can have a normal life. Even if it means sacrificing any semblance of a life for herself. But no more. In an explosive fight with her mother, Hazel finally takes hold of her life and moves out. And into the apartment above the magic shop her grandmother owns. What will Hazel discover about herself? Her family? Her mother? The man who’s eyes she’s been drawing for the past few months but never met? Noah Rogers, the man with the literal electric touch, who treats Hazel with love she’s never known. The owner of the eyes. And a person who deserves honesty. Honesty Hazel may not ever be able to give him. With the help of a little bit of magic, and a little bit of love, will Hazel finally find herself? Or will she find a secret so powerful it could destroy her entire family?
Zoe Shae has always been fascinated by stories. Whether she was creating them with her father, or reading them, they have always been a constant. Creating them now is a dream come true. Zoe enjoys writing, singing, reading, info-dumping about her special interests, and spending time with her family. You can follow Zoe on social media everywhere at @AuthorZoeShae.
First of all, a big thank you to the author Zoe Shae for the ARC of this book! 🍂🪄
The book kicks off with a really interesting premise. The family's (witch) history is super intriguing, and the author's descriptive style makes it easy to get lost in the story. Overall, it was a cute story. Bonus: the cover is super cute and gives off cozy autumn vibes!
That said, I felt the story was a bit too rushed. It seemed like it could have been split into two separate stories: one focusing on the family's witch history, the magical world, and Hazel's discovery of her powers, and the other on her relationship with Noah while dealing with her powers. For the number of pages, these two aspects were too much. If the book had been longer, it might have been able to develop certain elements more fully, which now seem rushed to me. Also, Noah, who was supposed to be a "cinnamon roll male main character," was nice, nerdy, and romantic, but his constant use of swear words was a bit off-putting.
Despite these issues, the second half of the book picked up pace and became more engaging. I found it much more interesting, and I hope that the way it started to develop will continue in the following books. There are some really memorable moments in the book, and it offers some thought-provoking themes. The author definitely has potential, and I'm excited to see how their writing evolves in future works.
P.s. I'd love to see Noah's interactions with the witches' world and magic! 🌸
the perfect witchy romance for fall. The autumn vibes are immaculate & cozy. Hazel's grandma definitely reminded me of the grandma from halloweentown 🥹 I absolutely loved it!
I really didn't like this book, but I refused to DNF. The only character I liked was the grandma everyone else was so stupidly selfish and annoying and nothing makes sense.
With the air becoming cooler and peaks of leaves changing from greens to shades of orange, this is the perfect book to read for the start of fall. Pumpkin, witches, magic and a bit of romance... Hazel, a witch whose line originated back to Salem, is just learning of her powers and meets her soulmate Noah, a supportive, cinnamon roll gentleman. Told in a single, first person POV from Hazel’s perspective, this fun and quick read features witches in modern times doing ordinary things with a bit of flair (queue the comic relief) and the villains provide just enough action and intrigue. The ending is a great teaser for the future books in this series. If you are a fan of Sandra Bullock’s character line in the movie Practical Magic like I am, then I think you would enjoy this book! Thanks to the author for an early copy.
This was the first book I read this month and I think it was the perfect book to get me into fall/spooky season!
First of all, the romance? YES PLEASE! Loved it. Without giving anything away, just trust me that it had me giggling and kicking my feet.
What I loved most, however, was that it was about so much more than just the romance. Our main character dealt with family and personal issues as well. She felt incredibly realistic (despite being a witch, haha) and relatable!
I never found myself bored while reading this and I can’t wait to read more from this amazing author!
This book sets the scene for the fall/cozy vibes 🍂
Set in Chagrin Falls Ohio, We follow Hazel and her family. Hazel, her sister, mother and grandmother are descendants of long line of witches. Unfortunately her mother had kept her from living her life or and practicing any magic to take care of their household after the death of her father
Hazel feels as if she has no purpose in life and decides she wants to learn more about magic and their roots.
Her grandmother gives her a job at her shop "The Cats Cradle" and offers her an apartment built atop the shop. Hazel is finally coming to her own and finding her element when she meets Noah.
Noah is a cinnamon roll MMC, all green flags. As soon as they meet she feels electricity run through them and he falls head over heels for her.
Although I loved Hazel & Noah, this book was about much more than the romance. There were some deep rooted family issues and a journey of self reflection, forgiving, overcoming and finding purpose. I completely related to this story being the oldest in my family and loved the relationship Hazel and her sister had. Her grandmother was so down to earth and funny it kept me flipping the pages.
Hazel was so funny throughout the book. She kept having this inner dialogue with herself that allowed me to learn more about her.
Thank you so much @authorzoeshae for allowing me to arc read this book, your dedication to your father was so beautiful and there's no doubt he's so proud of you! I can't wait to read more of The Pruitt Witches series.
Spell Ya Later will be available on KU & paperback September 17th. I already preordered my copy 🥹🤎 you will want this book for your fall tbr besties
🍂 It also gave me Practical Magic and Sabrina the teenage witch feels which I love so much 🍂
I loved reading Spell Ya Later - witchy contemporary romance with plenty of family drama and a cinnamon bun love interest. The swoony autumn vibes are chefs kiss! 🍁🍂 Perfect for a cosy night reading with a cup of tea and plenty of candlelight!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This was such a fun, quick read. Perfect book to cozy up with as the leaves fall and weather turns colder. Lots of witchy, whimsical aspects with elemental magic and herbalism. Cute love story where they both fall quickly and irrevocably.
This is a perfect witchy fall read. There is family drama and some more heavy emotional content but I thought it added depth to the story.
One of my favorite quotes that just really hit me is from my girl Hazel: “I’m not antisocial per se. I just don’t see how I’m supposed to connect with people when I don’t even have a connection with myself.”
Hazel’s struggle with identity and self-understanding was so relatable and heartbreaking. I loved watching her grow and step up in her own life.
The relationship between Hazel and Noah is adorable and healing. They are so perfect for each other. Their broken pieces and quirks just fit together. The way he sees Hazel and makes her feel chosen and wanted was so beautiful. I went through a rollercoaster of emotions with this one. There was big grins and kicking my feet, deep hurts and family trauma that had my heart hurting, sweet moments of feeling valued and truly seen. This book felt accessible and fresh. Definitely recommend this fall.
I hate to be the person but the characters are flat.
The female lead is behaving like a teenager. Her inner dialogue is very childish, she decides she wants to fight demons, when she has no ounce of training. This is a twenty five year old adult. Where is the common sense? I understand that she had a sheltered life, but the way she just flips. Like suddenly she is a confident person.
Her mom is an abusive person. Who doesn't let her daughters grow up to be a capable adult. Even if she sacrifices herself to protect them. It doesn't give her an excuse to be forgiven. Her grandmother who is supposed to be an adult, but even she behaves extremely stupid. Her sister made me want to smack her on the face, like how self centred can you be?
Moving to the romance, it was flat and there was no chemistry between the two main character.
There is no world building. What are the limitations of magic? What happens if you overuse it? What are the repercussions?
Overall this book felt like an amateur writing. It might not be my cup of tea but to each their own!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
There was too much going on in this book. The pace was too fast for me and there was so much crammed into it. I was so confused at times feeling like I was missing important pieces of information. Difficult relationship with mom (which needed more background), learning magic (fun and could have been explored more), meeting love interest who happens to be soulmate (lot is focus on this), changing dynamic with sister (not elaborated enough and was confused), and mom died (?? I think about idk anymore). I had so many questions about the choice that were made in the book. Not a bad read but it was just too much all at once. 🌶️🌶️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This book put a spell on me, and I want more. That was cheesy, but why would you expect less from me? Spell Ya Later is a story of love, acceptance, taking your life into your own hands...I was laughing so hard through most of it and definitely crying here and there. Hazel is a witch who has never been allowed to use her powers due to a tragic event in her family when she was younger. Now she has a chance at magic, independence, and true love. I wish it had been longer! I feel like we only began to scratch the surface of who Hazel could grow to be, and I would love to see more of her (as a main character). She's never had the chance to embrace her true self, and with her family lineage, I would adore to see her become a powerful witch. I'm hoping we'll see some development of Hazel in Laura's book...and I just wanted to keep reading it, okay? The truth is out. Noah and Hazel fit together well. There's no judgment from him when her mouth and brain aren't on the same page, and she welcomes all of him. Not that it would be hard to love Noah. He's the sweetest cinnamon roll of a golden retriever (with a filthy, sexy mouth). Honestly, I could go on and on and on about this couple; I love them. Family drama, family trauma. Gotta love it. Communication would help so much, ladies! It would help on a different level with Noah, too, but you're not ready to hear that. I was so mad at Sarah the entire time, and I grew increasingly frustrated with Laura as the story went on. I'm willing to hear her out in the next book, though. More about Hazel real quick, because I just can't stop: she is so funny and unhinged in her inner monologue. Especially when she's describing Noah. Grandma! My favorite character! I can't wait for you to meet her! In the end, this was a great book. It was a wonderful read.
✨ If you want to read a witchy rom com then this might be a good suggestion. The story is interesting. The witch world's set up is good. The female lead is slightly confused, frustrated but determined 25 year old woman. The male lead is quite the sensitive, nice guy. Honestly, he is quite the damsel in distress which I liked. The book is quite matriarchal. The reason to give it a 6, is because it could be so much more. I feel the main character were not fully developed. The first quarter of the book goes well, but towards the end, the plot feels hurried and incomplete. I had applied for an ARC copy of book 2 and that's why read this. It is available on KU.
✨ Blurb - A world of magic, love, and independence awaits. All she needs to do is take one step forward and discover what has been hers all along. Hazel Hollis has spent her life doing exactly what is expected of her. Banned from using her magic after the tragic death of her father, Hazel does everything she can to ensure her sister Laura can have a normal life. Even if it means sacrificing any semblance of a life for herself. But no more. In an explosive fight with her mother, Hazel finally takes hold of her life and moves out. And into the apartment above the magic shop her grandmother owns. What will Hazel discover about herself? Her family? Her mother? The man who’s eyes she’s been drawing for the past few months but never met?
✨ Available on KU
[ Bookstagram , Witch rom-com book review , book recommendations , spell ya later , Zoe Shae ]
After being kept away from learning magic her entire life by her controlling mother, Hazel seeks the help of her grandmother to unlock the part of herself she has been denied for so many years.
Chapter 1 started off so strong! I was engaged and stoked for the story to unfold. However, shortly after, it felt like so much information was being said in a short amount of time, and it was hard for me to connect with the characters on a deeper level. Overall, I feel the book should've been longer or written in two separate parts. Spell Ya Later navigates both Hazel finding herself and exploring her magical powers and her relationship with the MMC, Noah. And while both aspects have sweet moments, I would've liked to have gone more in depth.
With that said, I did like seeing the FMC come out of her shell and fully embracing her magic. I loved all of the magical elements - when they referred to herbs, teas, spells, and crystals. The setting was cozy and autumn perfection (I mean, look at the cover. It's beautiful!). Those are all things that make me so giddy! And I can't forget Noah. He was an absolute sweetheart! Lanky, book nerd, writer. That's my kind of guy!
This is book one in a series, and I'm willing to give book two a shot. 🧡 I'm interested to know how Laura's, Hazel's sister, story unfolds.
Read if you love: ✨️ Insta-love/first love ✨️ Elemental magic ✨️ Autumn witch vibes ✨️ Touch him and d!e ✨️ Small town
Thank you to the author for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
✔️witchy romance ✔️touch him and 💀 ✔️family trauma ✔️soulmates & first love ✔️small town autumn vibes
The romance between the main characters, Hazel and Noah, is just so dang sweet. Noah is the ultimate green flag, and he just wants to be Hazel’s, even without knowing/understanding the magic soulmate bond that they share. They love each other first and foremost, and the fact that they are soulmates just enhances that connection. I wouldn’t have been upset if the story focused less on Hazel’s work discovering her magic and more on the romance storyline, developing it further.
This story is more than just a romance. I would even go as far as to say that this is a story about family trauma first and foremost, and a romance second. Hazel is a witch, and her (abusive) mother has been suppressing the magic in their household - all three women (Hazel, her mother, and her sister Laura) are witches and the young women don’t know. Hazel has finally had enough and is ready to leave and figure out what being an adult is actually like, and in doing so further damages what’s left of her relationship with her mother and causes a rift to develop between herself and her sister. It’s kind of a mess, and it isn’t solved by the end of the book. I didn’t love that the epilogue is from Laura’s perspective to set up the next book instead of showing Noah and Hazel’s HEA.
I love the grandmother, she reminds me a lot of the grandmother from the Halloweentown movies. Overall this was a book that kept me entertained and I loved Noah.
“You’ve made me feel loved and seen in a way no one else has ever had”
This book set the mood for the fall/cozy vibes. This was the perfect book to get in the fall mood. It gave me all the cozy, witchy vibes I was hoping for, along with a great balance of romance, personal growth, and some heart-tugging family drama. I am so glad I picked this book to be my first read of September
This was my first book by Zoe Shae and let me tell you I was hooked right from the start.
The romance in this book… without giving anything away, had me giggling, kicking my feet. Hazel and Noah’s relationship is so sweet. Their chemistry felt so real and healing – both of them fit together so well, mending each other’s brokenness in a way that was beautiful and I felt for them.
Beyond the romance, Hazel’s journey of her struggles with self-identity, family issues, and personal growth made her so relatable (even though she is a witch) I felt like I could personally connect with her. She reminds me of myself… well not the witch part lol. I would totally love to be friends with Hazel.
So if you are looking for a feel-good fall read with a little bit of magic, romance and self discovery. Then add Spell Ya Later to your fall TBR today.
Thank you so much Zoe for allowing me to ARC read this book. I can't wait to read more of The Pruitt Witches series.
Who doesn’t love a book about witches, soulmates, magic, a little drama and a guy who loves to read? Spell Ya Later has all of that and more.
The story follows Hazel, who has spent most of her life sheltered by her mother until she finally decides to take control of her own life. She moves in with her grandmother to learn magic and the ways of witches and that’s where things truly begin. This is also where she meets Noah, pure sunshine in character form and such a joy to read about.
As the first book in the Prutt Witches series, there’s a lot to unpack. The book explores family issues, miscommunication and how unresolved pasts shape the present. The family dynamics felt very real. It was messy, complicated and imperfect, but rooted in the idea of choosing who you fight for and how.
The romance was cozy and developed fairly quickly, but I enjoyed Hazel and Noah together and the comfort they found in each other. Since this is the start of a series, some questions are left unanswered and I’m hoping the next book dives deeper into both the plot and the characters. Also, a special mention to the grandmother, who is easily my favorite character and I truly hope we see much more of her.
Overall, this was an engaging read that blends magic with emotional depth, and I’m excited to see where the series goes next.
Book Review 📚 Spell Ya Later Genre: Witchy Romance Rating: 3/5
About the Book 📖 Hazel Hollis is a non practicing witch in an Ohio Small Town. Finally at her breaking point after sacrificing her freedom to keep the peace and protect her sister she moves into the apartment above her grandmother’s spell shop. Hazel embarks on a journey to embrace her witchy family history and her elemental powers.
Review 💭
If you are looking for an atmospheric autumnal witchy book this one checks the box. The cover art is adorable and it has some great elements of self discovery and insta love romance. The FMC has been sheltered and has to unpack a lot of family trauma. The MMC is a total book nerd, writing, sweetheart. Hazel’s inner monologue is unhinged in nature and somewhat entertaining.
I thought there was a whole lot happening in a relatively short book. The major plots and character arcs seemed to compete with one another. I think the family dynamics overshadowed Hazel and Noah’s relationship.
“It’s like he’s an octopus or something. But, like, a sexy octopus.” -Zoe Shae, Spell Ya Later
A sweet, funny, cozy fall romance with the perfect witchy vibes and just a dash of family trauma - I had such a fun time reading this book!
The story follows Hazel, who finally leaves a bad situation with her controlling mother because she wants to explore magic - something forbidden by her mother for most of her life. She moves into the apartment above her grandma’s spell shop and begins to embrace the magical side of herself, all while discovering what it means to be true to her heart and possibly find romance along the way.
I honestly just loved this book. It was perfect for cozying up with a cup of tea under a warm blanket. Zoe Shae’s writing had me laughing, swooning, and crying. The familial trauma in this story took it to a deeper level, which I appreciated.
If you’re looking for your next autumn rom-com, check this one out! It’s available now on Kindle and KU! I will definitely be ordering a physical copy because I can’t get over how cute that cover is! 😍 I can’t wait for more in this series.
I did receive an arc from the author. 🧡 This review is my honest opinion.
I discovered this book while looking for local Seattle authors at a romantic bookshop in Everett. I'm still new to the world of romance novels and still finding what's my vibe. Cozy witchy vibes will always remain number one. Spell Ya Later has a lot going on. I love Zoe Shae's cast of characters and how she interweaves a story about self-discovery and breaking generational trauma. As an elder daughter, I really did relate to Hazel. The interactions between Hazel and her younger sister feel real and valid, even if for better or for worst. I always love me a cinnamon roll nerdy male love interest. I found Noah to be a nice break from the norm and I was rooting for these two to be together. This is an easy read, I read this in a few days. I really want more stories with the Grandma; Zhoe Shae's strength here is outlining the history of the Pruitt family and their relationship to witchcraft. I would call this a modern witchy story with romantic elements. A must for anyone who wants to add a bit of magic to their bookshelves.
This is another one of those books that could have been developed into so much more. In the end, this story came across as too rushed and too insta-love. The bones are there, but the author missed the opportunity to take the time to build the world, to delve into the family, to let relationships evolve. Instead, a girl who never goes out, sees a hot guy, instant rapid-fire romance. He has no idea she is a witch or that witches exist because they don't really spend any time getting to know each other or building a relationship. The sister of the FMC comes across as a teenager, even though she is supposedly in her twenties, she is portrayed as having such a superficial character, getting mad when she is suddenly not the center of attention and subsequently treating her sister like garbage. The mother is basically a character who is portrayed as someone who makes it perfectly logical why children go "no contact". The grandmother is really the only redeeming character. This book could have been something special, if the author had taken the time & effort to commit to world-building, evolving and building the characters, their lives, etc.
This was the perfect start to my fall reading list. It delivered all the cozy, witchy vibes I was hoping for, with a balance of romance, personal growth, and some heart-tugging family drama. The relationship between Hazel and Noah is incredibly sweet, filled with moments that made me smile and even kick my feet with excitement. Their chemistry felt natural and healing—both of them fit together like puzzle pieces, mending each other’s broken parts in a way that was beautiful to witness.
Beyond the romance, though, Hazel’s journey was what really resonated with me. Her struggles with self-identity, family issues, and personal growth made her a relatable, complex character (even if she’s a witch, haha!). This is a solid recommendation for anyone looking for a feel-good fall read with a little magic and a lot of heart!
Thank you Zoe Shae for an ARC of this story. Spell Ya Later comes out on September 17th.
A magical and cozy read! I mean, can we talk about that adorable cover art? It was definitely what drew me in first, but the witchy, cozy premise is what truly sealed the deal.
Spell Ya Later was such a fun and comforting read. It felt like curling up with a warm blanket on a rainy day. I absolutely adored Hazel and Noah; their soulmates’ journey was so incredibly sweet, and, as a sucker for that trope, it hit all the right notes for me!
I also really appreciated that so many of the characters had meaningful growth arcs, but I have to be honest, some of the "growing pains" felt a bit out of the blue and awkward at times. While it didn't ruin the book for me, it did pull me out of the story just enough to keep it from being a perfect 5-star read.
Overall, I'm giving this one 3.5 stars! Despite that one minor critique, I truly fell in love with these characters and can't wait to dive into the next standalone in the series. It’s definitely on my TBR list!
I liked the author's writing style, she is able to draw out Hazel's emotions so well, her anger, her insecurities, her monologues. But she was also able to make me laugh out loud, and filled the book with romance, magic and adventure.
Character wise, though I like Hazel, I love Noah, he is in the author's words, "a sweetheart". Oh how he treats Hazel and how he is shy and uncomfortable and over sharer. Most of the guys in romance books are portrayed as over confident, egoist and macho, but THIS was what Hazel needed, so much.
I am a no/low spice reader so I skipped the spicy parts of the book but I am glad that I didn't give up the chance to read the book, and it is a series I definitely want to continue.
I received an advance copy of the book and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I absolutely loved Spell Ya Later!!! I could not stop reading!
Spell Ya Later is Zoe's second book, and I love it just as much as Sugar, which was her debut book!
I loved Hazel and Noah so much!!! They are perfect for each other, which makes sense because we learn that they are soulmates. Noah is such a sweetheart.
Hazel was sheltered by her mother growing up because of her father's death. She was not able to develop her witchcraft abilities. However, that all changed one day during a family dinner. I loved how Hazel stood up for herself and moved out. It was so fun watching Hazel learn about her witchcraft abilities and how she would be a powerful witch.
I have read quite a few books featuring touch her and die but never a book with touch him and die, which I absolutely loved!
I am so excited for the next book in this series!!!
Thank you so much, Zoe, for the arc!!! Spell Ya Later comes out on September 17th.
An adorable fall read with a golden retriever MMC and cozy, witchy vibes!
Surprising no one the grandma was my favorite character. While it is cozy and fun please check your triggers. I do appreciate the character work that went into this one. It’s a very different vibe from Sugar, but covers similar themes with more flawed characters. The entire time I wanted so badly to root for Hazel... and to scream at her to get it together. But I felt that way about all of these characters, yes even Grandma, and I’ve been there before myself. We’ve all been there. Well, maybe some people don’t have mommy issues but we’ve all said something we regret, or harbored resentment, or let insecurity get in the way, or held on to a secret just a bit too long. It’s so relatable and I’m so excited for Witchy Woman. <3
4 🌟 The perfect book to start my small town, witchy reads for the year! I had such a good time with this book and loved how quickly it read (less than 300 pages). The FMC Hazel is so relatable - she is the older sister who feels the weight of everything and finally starts to choose herself. The family of witchy women was endearing, even if their relationships were strained due to shared trauma. I loved the author’s voice in this and how it could be silly and goofy but then also heartbreaking as well. The romance was so sweet and I’m sure we’ll be seeing more cameos of the couple in book 2. I am hopeful book 2 will be the sister’s story and I can’t wait to read more from her POV! Highly recommend checking this one out! 🫶🏼
Thank you Zoe Shae for my final copy in exchange for my honest review!!
This one was so fun! In the beginning, I was getting major Halloweentown feels but with a fun new twist. I definitely was picturing Hazel's grandma as Aggie the whole time!
There is a lot of tension in Hazel's family, and was nice to see how each person reacted to their grief. They each felt very real and it gave room for the healing to start. I will say, her sister is quite off-putting though. We do get a glimpse of her POV at the very end which makes me excited for book 2!
Noah is absolutely precious 🥹 I'm still very curious if there is going to be more to his story than we've already discovered!
For the first maybe 1/3 of the book, things felt like they were moving one way - very low stakes and some future character growth. But there was a big change after Hazel learned more about her history that raised the stakes of the story! It got a bit more exciting and left room for more of the series.
This book was such a cute, fun, adorable, slightly spicy read! Hazel is absolutely a people pleaser! She sacrificed her “freedom” so that her sister could basically live her best life. Definitely filled with family issues! Her sister is extremely selfish and rude and her mother is obviously scared of loosing her daughters but everything she does to try and isolate them back fires and ends up costing everyone. • The moment Hazel met Noah, her priorities/perspective changed and she realized she needed to liver her life for her for once. • 🧡 Soulmates 🤎 Electric touch 🧡 Virgin FMC 🤎 Self Discovery 🧡 Weird (but quirky) FMC 🤎 Magic Shop • Need a magical book with fall feels and a slightly spicy yet adorable romance with family “drama”, check this one out! BTW: Currently available on KU!
I love a good witchy novel. This one combines witches and romance. In this book Hazel is trying to find who she is. She has basically been shoved into a box and put everyone else's needs before hers. She finally stands up to her mother and leaves.
When she meets Noah it is instant chemistry. Seeing them together was so sweet. It was cute seeing them together throughout the book.
I loved the Grandma. She was sassy and so loving. She would be strict at times with Hazel but would also let Hazel have what she needed to grow in her magic.
This book is perfect for the fall and Halloween season. It is cozy but also has evil that they face. I read this book so fast because I couldn't get enough.