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Oak Haven Witches #1
Impractical Magic
Perfect for readers of Pumpkin Spice Café, Erin Sterling and Lana Harper.
In Oak Haven, this witch is about to brew up more trouble than she bargained for…
When Scarlett Melrose receives a call from her estranged sisters, she immediately knows something is wrong. The magic at their mother’s inn – and in fact, the whole of Oak Haven – has gone awry, and they need her help to save it.
As the conflicted middle-child, returning home has given Scarlett the heebie jeebies. And to make matters worse, she’s just come face-to-face with charming old flame and handyman, Nate.
When her spell to fix the magic goes horribly wrong, all Scarlett wants to do is flee back to the peace and quiet of her San Francisco flat. But she can’t keep running away forever, and she’ll need all the help she can to solve this magical mess.
With time slipping away, Scarlett must learn that sometimes the greatest spells really do come with the greatest responsibility – especially when love is involved…
In Oak Haven, this witch is about to brew up more trouble than she bargained for…
When Scarlett Melrose receives a call from her estranged sisters, she immediately knows something is wrong. The magic at their mother’s inn – and in fact, the whole of Oak Haven – has gone awry, and they need her help to save it.
As the conflicted middle-child, returning home has given Scarlett the heebie jeebies. And to make matters worse, she’s just come face-to-face with charming old flame and handyman, Nate.
When her spell to fix the magic goes horribly wrong, all Scarlett wants to do is flee back to the peace and quiet of her San Francisco flat. But she can’t keep running away forever, and she’ll need all the help she can to solve this magical mess.
With time slipping away, Scarlett must learn that sometimes the greatest spells really do come with the greatest responsibility – especially when love is involved…
353 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2024
550 people are currently reading
7297 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 927 reviews
September 27, 2025
“It’s hard out here for a witch.”
rating: 3★
a cozy mix of gilmore girls, halloweentown, and charmed.
i thought the mystery was fun and i enjoyed the sister dynamics. i can see why ppl got annoyed w the fmc being really guilt-ridden and self sabotaging, but i didn't think it was anything awful. the romance took me a min to get invested and it's fairly simple, but a romantic second chance friends to lovers.
it was kind of exactly the vibe i wanted and gave major stars hollow vibes. i couldn't help but read it in that amy sherman-palladino tone w its quick banter and endless references but with the added creativity of fantastical elements. are there silly pop culture references and puns? yes but that's part of the gg charm.
quick fluffy urban fantasy read, with an added bonus of a diverse small town including a trans side character.
an honest arc review ♡
rating: 3★
a cozy mix of gilmore girls, halloweentown, and charmed.
i thought the mystery was fun and i enjoyed the sister dynamics. i can see why ppl got annoyed w the fmc being really guilt-ridden and self sabotaging, but i didn't think it was anything awful. the romance took me a min to get invested and it's fairly simple, but a romantic second chance friends to lovers.
it was kind of exactly the vibe i wanted and gave major stars hollow vibes. i couldn't help but read it in that amy sherman-palladino tone w its quick banter and endless references but with the added creativity of fantastical elements. are there silly pop culture references and puns? yes but that's part of the gg charm.
quick fluffy urban fantasy read, with an added bonus of a diverse small town including a trans side character.
an honest arc review ♡
September 15, 2024
cute premise, terrible follow through.
I should’ve DNF’d at the Donald Trump reference 🤢
I should’ve DNF’d at the Donald Trump reference 🤢
December 30, 2025
➸ 1 star
bro WHAT??? this book tried to be something (don’t really know what) and failed at it. you might ask yourself “why didn’t she just dnf it?”, and to be completely honest i am pondering the same question right now.
bro WHAT??? this book tried to be something (don’t really know what) and failed at it. you might ask yourself “why didn’t she just dnf it?”, and to be completely honest i am pondering the same question right now.
September 9, 2025
I really wanted to love this one and the vibes were there, but it felt like the author knew she wanted to create a cozy paranormal romance and mystery, but couldn't really execute it that well. The heroine returns home after 10 years away living a "normal" life because magic in her town is going awry. They need to uncover what is causing their magic to not work, and she reconnects with someone from her past she had an "almost" connection with. While I loved the mystery aspect and the magic aspect, the romance fell really flat and the characters felt pretty one-dimensional. We were really just told a lot about them and I never felt super connected to them. We also had SO MANY pop culture references that it got to be way too much for a story. They even called people without magic muggles...where is the originality? I love movies and knew all of their references, but it was so heavy handed by the end and took away from the charm of the story itself. Overall, I had high hopes for this one, but it was definitely a miss.
August 29, 2024
I'm sorry, but I cannot finish this book. DNF at 54%. I cannot stand the FMC. From the beginning I was making that face you make where your eyebrows knit together, and you're thinking, "oh no, please don't tell me this whole book is written this badly." It just feels like many of the books that seem to be coming out a lot lately. Publishing companies noticing we like witchy pumpkin spiced flavored mysteries, and so they pump them out, but they aren't written with any weight to the characters and story. Also the icky toxic relationship she has with her mother was a grind to read through.
September 13, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my opinion.
This has potential but was hard to follow. It is advertised as Gilmore Girls with a magical twist and the author did a great job at that, I just felt it was hard to follow the conversations. What makes Gilmore Girls great is all the words they can fit into a sentence quickly, but when reading, it just moves a little slower.
But a very cute premise of a quaint little town that our FMC, Scarlett, does not want to return to. She left for San Fran and wanted to never look back. But one phone call from her sisters brings her back to Oak Haven and to her mother's inn...which is now cursed.
The plot is great, and I'm glad I read it, but could see it benefitting from just a little editing.
This has potential but was hard to follow. It is advertised as Gilmore Girls with a magical twist and the author did a great job at that, I just felt it was hard to follow the conversations. What makes Gilmore Girls great is all the words they can fit into a sentence quickly, but when reading, it just moves a little slower.
But a very cute premise of a quaint little town that our FMC, Scarlett, does not want to return to. She left for San Fran and wanted to never look back. But one phone call from her sisters brings her back to Oak Haven and to her mother's inn...which is now cursed.
The plot is great, and I'm glad I read it, but could see it benefitting from just a little editing.
September 13, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was not the book for me. The writing was painful for me to get through and reminiscent of when I’d write creative stories as a middle schooler.
The way the author tries to come off as the witchy version of Emily Gilmore while also acting like she doesn’t know what Gilmore Girls is was such a turn off (could honestly not tell if she was trying to be funny and failed, or if she is that delusional).
Everything seemed to be either over explained and fall flat, or under explained and had me rereading parts that left me confused. Usually a book can be redeemed for me if the characters are likable enough and there’s good dialogue/banter, but unfortunately that was not the case for me here.
This is my personal opinion/taste, so please take it with a grain of salt. Who knows? This might be the book for you!
*Read 9/10/24-9/12/24*
This was not the book for me. The writing was painful for me to get through and reminiscent of when I’d write creative stories as a middle schooler.
The way the author tries to come off as the witchy version of Emily Gilmore while also acting like she doesn’t know what Gilmore Girls is was such a turn off (could honestly not tell if she was trying to be funny and failed, or if she is that delusional).
Everything seemed to be either over explained and fall flat, or under explained and had me rereading parts that left me confused. Usually a book can be redeemed for me if the characters are likable enough and there’s good dialogue/banter, but unfortunately that was not the case for me here.
This is my personal opinion/taste, so please take it with a grain of salt. Who knows? This might be the book for you!
*Read 9/10/24-9/12/24*
Read
October 7, 2024dnf - this writing is NOT for me and i can’t make myself push through.
September 22, 2024
4⭐️
if you’re looking for a fun autumn read filled with witches, cozy small town vibes, and entertaining plot lines, look no further.
impractical magic is like if you took the vibes of halloweentown, gilmore girls, and maybe a little bit of hocus pocus (three sisters who are witches) and made it into a cozy fall book. it follows scarlett melrose, who is returning back to her small hometown after ten years, because her eldest sister has called her for guidance and help to save their town. magic has run rampant, things are not going right and it’s up to the melrose sisters to get to the bottom of it. we follow the the three sisters as they figure out their estranged relationship to each other and also building a new sense of community to help recover the magic in their town.
it also has a sweet subplot of a second-chance romance, which i also enjoyed. i was more entertained and curious about how scarlett would be able to save the town as opposed to her and nate’s reconnection but it was still cute.
i really enjoyed the pacing and the overall fun aspects of problem solving but make it witchy! the only thing that sort of took me out of it was the fact that it is set in modern times so we saw some references to uber and tik tok 🙂↔️ i highly recommend impractical magic if you’re looking for a quick but cute autumn read this season!
thank you netgalley and avon publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
if you’re looking for a fun autumn read filled with witches, cozy small town vibes, and entertaining plot lines, look no further.
impractical magic is like if you took the vibes of halloweentown, gilmore girls, and maybe a little bit of hocus pocus (three sisters who are witches) and made it into a cozy fall book. it follows scarlett melrose, who is returning back to her small hometown after ten years, because her eldest sister has called her for guidance and help to save their town. magic has run rampant, things are not going right and it’s up to the melrose sisters to get to the bottom of it. we follow the the three sisters as they figure out their estranged relationship to each other and also building a new sense of community to help recover the magic in their town.
it also has a sweet subplot of a second-chance romance, which i also enjoyed. i was more entertained and curious about how scarlett would be able to save the town as opposed to her and nate’s reconnection but it was still cute.
i really enjoyed the pacing and the overall fun aspects of problem solving but make it witchy! the only thing that sort of took me out of it was the fact that it is set in modern times so we saw some references to uber and tik tok 🙂↔️ i highly recommend impractical magic if you’re looking for a quick but cute autumn read this season!
thank you netgalley and avon publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
September 19, 2024
DNF at 57%.
Thank you AvonUK & NetGalley for the e-ARC, but this was not for me. I typically love your cozy, witchy fall romances but this felt like it was written by a teenage girl or AI. The writing style was all over the place; way too descriptive on unnecessary parts and zero description for others.
The FMC was unbearable, immature and so negative. Her toxic relationships with her mother and older sister were not pleasant to read either.
Thank you AvonUK & NetGalley for the e-ARC, but this was not for me. I typically love your cozy, witchy fall romances but this felt like it was written by a teenage girl or AI. The writing style was all over the place; way too descriptive on unnecessary parts and zero description for others.
The FMC was unbearable, immature and so negative. Her toxic relationships with her mother and older sister were not pleasant to read either.
dnf
October 3, 2024dnf @ 10%
I really wanted to like this one but unfortunately I do not think a single piece of dialogue was something that would come out of an actual person's mouth.
I really wanted to like this one but unfortunately I do not think a single piece of dialogue was something that would come out of an actual person's mouth.
November 1, 2024
I'm shocked that this has so many negative reviews because this is exactly what I've been chasing!! Too often when books are marketed as "Gilmore Girls Vibes," it means the author has literally just copy-pasted Lorelai and Luke's personalities into a small town. These characters felt distinct, with homages to Gilmore Girls characters, but also felt like a unique story. The town itself felt VERY Stars Hallow coded and there were so many great references to lines of the show. However, this also had a magical witchy twist that made it so fun and perfectly autumnal. I can't put my finger on what movie or show the witches reminded me of, but I loved it and I found the magic to feel fun and draw inspiration from a lot of classic witch stories without directly being attached to any other particular cinematic universe. Overall, such a fun book that I would absolutely recommend to any GG fan or anyone looking for a quirky witchy fall read.
October 17, 2024
A solid small town paranormal debut about estranged sisters, second chances, forgiveness and magical curses that has Scarlet Melrose returning home to Oak Haven where her mother's inn has been curses and her sister's need her help. As the middle child, Scarlet always felt like the screw up especially when she believes herself to have been responsible for their father's death. Returning home drudges up all those feelings and also forces her to confront her first love, Nate. Full of Gilmore girls meets Charmed vibes and a dose of Practical magic, this was good on audio and perfect for fans of authors like Lana Harper, Hazel Beck and Erin Sterling. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review. I hope we get more stories in this world featuring the other two Melrose sisters!
Steam level: low spice, mostly fade to black
Steam level: low spice, mostly fade to black
September 2, 2024
1.5 stars
idk this just wasn’t for me. the whole book was giving “oh! people want cozy fall books so let’s get some out PRONTO!”
this was missing a lot of heart for me. maybe someone else will enjoy it, but this was a hard one to get through for myself lol
idk this just wasn’t for me. the whole book was giving “oh! people want cozy fall books so let’s get some out PRONTO!”
this was missing a lot of heart for me. maybe someone else will enjoy it, but this was a hard one to get through for myself lol
October 9, 2025
2.75 stars⭐️(rounded to 3): Too long for what it was...it also had a weird ending..but still amusing and atmospheric at times.🍁🎃🧙🏻
October 3, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for honest feedback.
Scarlett returns to her New England hometown of Oak Haven after 10 years away to find that the magic that usually runs through the town has gone a bit haywire. Together with her 2 sisters, mother and the other witches of Oak Haven, she must find the source of the issue to restore things back to their version of normal.
This book had the makings of some of my favorite type of book themes/tropes: witchy, small town, friends-to-lovers romance, cozy vibes. And while the book was okay, it fell a bit short overall.
A magical New England town sounds like a place I’d love to visit but…why does it bother me that the town must be protected by a forgetting spell? I guess I prefer to read about magic that doesn’t have to be hidden. And the forgetting spell seems weak anyway, especially when it’s really a “random trivia brain scrambler” spell. The story could’ve still had the conflict of people trying to destroy the source of magic without also being a hidden town where if you ever visit you forget once you’re outside of town lines.
That aside, our FMC was annoying for the vast majority of the book. She said it herself, she’s gone for a decade and comes back and starts acting like a child again. She’s a bit whiny and feels sorry for herself for how people treat her or speak to her but doesn’t actually do much to defend herself. Nate deserves better. He basically held out for her all these years, and she keeps giving him reasons to not pursue and yet he still keeps coming back and supporting her when it seems like no one else will.
The ending somehow managed to feel both rushed and drawn out at the same time. I feel like we didn’t get closure where the magicians are concerned. Also it took a year for Scarlett to be rescued and for what exactly? Why did it have to take a year? Especially because…we expelled the magicians without first questioning them about the starlings so really, it’s the witches fault Scarlett couldn’t be rescued sooner.
I know this book was trying for some nostalgia, but it bordered on annoying because the 4 Thanksgivings at the end was almost a direct rip from Gilmore Girls rather than an homage. Similarly, referring to non-magical people as muggles is so very Harry Potter that I wondered if the author would get in trouble for using the term.
I always feel bad when I end up not liking a book. This one had so much potential, but didn't quite hit the mark for me.
Scarlett returns to her New England hometown of Oak Haven after 10 years away to find that the magic that usually runs through the town has gone a bit haywire. Together with her 2 sisters, mother and the other witches of Oak Haven, she must find the source of the issue to restore things back to their version of normal.
This book had the makings of some of my favorite type of book themes/tropes: witchy, small town, friends-to-lovers romance, cozy vibes. And while the book was okay, it fell a bit short overall.
A magical New England town sounds like a place I’d love to visit but…why does it bother me that the town must be protected by a forgetting spell? I guess I prefer to read about magic that doesn’t have to be hidden. And the forgetting spell seems weak anyway, especially when it’s really a “random trivia brain scrambler” spell. The story could’ve still had the conflict of people trying to destroy the source of magic without also being a hidden town where if you ever visit you forget once you’re outside of town lines.
That aside, our FMC was annoying for the vast majority of the book. She said it herself, she’s gone for a decade and comes back and starts acting like a child again. She’s a bit whiny and feels sorry for herself for how people treat her or speak to her but doesn’t actually do much to defend herself. Nate deserves better. He basically held out for her all these years, and she keeps giving him reasons to not pursue and yet he still keeps coming back and supporting her when it seems like no one else will.
The ending somehow managed to feel both rushed and drawn out at the same time. I feel like we didn’t get closure where the magicians are concerned. Also it took a year for Scarlett to be rescued and for what exactly? Why did it have to take a year? Especially because…we expelled the magicians without first questioning them about the starlings so really, it’s the witches fault Scarlett couldn’t be rescued sooner.
I know this book was trying for some nostalgia, but it bordered on annoying because the 4 Thanksgivings at the end was almost a direct rip from Gilmore Girls rather than an homage. Similarly, referring to non-magical people as muggles is so very Harry Potter that I wondered if the author would get in trouble for using the term.
I always feel bad when I end up not liking a book. This one had so much potential, but didn't quite hit the mark for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 28, 2024
DNF @ 55%.
There is being inspired by Gilmore Girls, and then there’s directly ripping off scenes and details from the show. This book could have been good if there was more originality to it.
There is being inspired by Gilmore Girls, and then there’s directly ripping off scenes and details from the show. This book could have been good if there was more originality to it.
October 3, 2025
Insidan levde absolut upp till utsidan! Detta var en alldeles perfekt, mysig och underhållande liten bok till hösten! Komplett med häxor, småstad, syskongnabb, och barndomskärlek. Jag var absolut irriterad på vår huvudkaraktär, Scarlet, stora delar av boken. Snälla sluta gnäll och tyck synd om dig själv 😂 Men handlingen och resten av karaktärerna vägde absolut upp för hennes tillkortakommanden 😅 Vi har ett otroligt brokigt och knäppt gäng med karaktär, de boende i den magiska lilla staden Oak Haven, att göra med i denna bok. Älskar minnestrollformeln, och vad den tillför till berättelsen. Mycket fyndigt och passande. Ja det finns många saker jag älskar i denna bok; Grevarna, portalerna, levande böcker, triviakvällar m.m. Håller absolut med om att det är en bok perfekt för fans av Gilmore Girls och Förhäxad. Drar absolut mer åt Gilmore Girls hållet, då Förhäxad drog mer åt det mörkare! Detta är en lättsam och underhållande magisk liten pärla, som är perfekt att läsa just nu. Kan absolut rekommendera.
September 12, 2024
5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Impractical Magic
Author: Emily Grimoire
The spooky season reads continue! Thank you so much Netgalley and Avon for this ARC! This was a super cute, and cozy romance read. Scarlett had been summoned by her sisters to help her mother’s cursed inn. As soon as she walks in to her old home, she runs into her ex boyfriend Nate who is now the family’s handy man. You need to go in to this book expecting what it is.. fluffy and cute witchy romance read. I thought the second chance / childhood friends to lovers romance was super cute. The spells and curses was perfect to get me in the mood for spooky season. No word on this being a series yet but I think it would be a great one. 🧙. This book will release on 10/1!
Impractical Magic
Author: Emily Grimoire
The spooky season reads continue! Thank you so much Netgalley and Avon for this ARC! This was a super cute, and cozy romance read. Scarlett had been summoned by her sisters to help her mother’s cursed inn. As soon as she walks in to her old home, she runs into her ex boyfriend Nate who is now the family’s handy man. You need to go in to this book expecting what it is.. fluffy and cute witchy romance read. I thought the second chance / childhood friends to lovers romance was super cute. The spells and curses was perfect to get me in the mood for spooky season. No word on this being a series yet but I think it would be a great one. 🧙. This book will release on 10/1!
October 30, 2024
Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
From the moment I cracked open Impractical Magic, I was spellbound! Starting it yesterday and finishing today, I couldn't put this book down – a rare treat that delivered on every page. Imagine a cozy blend of Gilmore Girls meets Charmed with a dash of Sabrina the Teenage Witch and the heartwarming charm of a Hallmark movie, all wrapped up in a quirky, magical town perfect for a fall escape.
Emily Grimoire crafts a world that feels familiar yet enchanted, weaving warmth, wit, and a touch of magic that kept me glued to the story. Her characters are wonderfully quirky, the small-town setting is dreamily atmospheric, and the magical elements give it just the right amount of sparkle without losing its relatability. If you're looking for a book to curl up with as the leaves start to fall, this is it. An absolute must-read for fans of heartfelt magic and small-town stories!
From the moment I cracked open Impractical Magic, I was spellbound! Starting it yesterday and finishing today, I couldn't put this book down – a rare treat that delivered on every page. Imagine a cozy blend of Gilmore Girls meets Charmed with a dash of Sabrina the Teenage Witch and the heartwarming charm of a Hallmark movie, all wrapped up in a quirky, magical town perfect for a fall escape.
Emily Grimoire crafts a world that feels familiar yet enchanted, weaving warmth, wit, and a touch of magic that kept me glued to the story. Her characters are wonderfully quirky, the small-town setting is dreamily atmospheric, and the magical elements give it just the right amount of sparkle without losing its relatability. If you're looking for a book to curl up with as the leaves start to fall, this is it. An absolute must-read for fans of heartfelt magic and small-town stories!
October 1, 2025
⥼~-✰-~⥽ ☽ ˚•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙˚＊☾ ⥼~-✰-~⥽
.𖥔 ݁ ˖༘⋆𐦍⊹₊ .𝙾𝚊𝚔 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚟𝚎𝚗 𝚑𝚒𝚍 𝚌𝚘𝚢𝚕𝚢 𝚋𝚎𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚍 𝚊 𝚟𝚎𝚒𝚕 𝚘𝚏 𝚊𝚞𝚝𝚞𝚖𝚗 𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚟𝚎𝚜, 𝚠𝚑𝚒𝚌𝚑 𝚖𝚊𝚍𝚎 𝚊 𝚙𝚊𝚝𝚌𝚑 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚔 𝚚𝚞𝚒𝚕𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚌𝚛𝚒𝚖𝚜𝚘𝚗, 𝚊𝚖𝚋𝚎𝚛, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚐𝚛𝚎𝚎𝚗".𖥔 ݁ ˖༘⋆𐦍⊹₊
╭⊹ ₊˚⊹ “𝘿𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙗𝙚 𝙙𝙖𝙛𝙩. 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙍𝙤𝙨𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙍𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙡-𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮, 𝙬𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮, 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙤𝙣 𝙖 𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙠, 𝙬𝙝𝙮 𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙖 𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙠𝙚𝙮, 𝙚𝙩 𝙘𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙖”.
˚ ┊✦ not going to lie I was feeling slightly intimated to read this book I don’t know why just something about it was off putting but gave it a chance stuck it out which I’m glad I did it was literally magical good way to start reading autumn vibes reads now for sure! If your a Gilmore girl fan like me this is definitely the one to read just hits all the elements of magic and cute coffee bars. Pumpkins everywhere . Gouls … creepy bridges autumn leaves 🍁 falling all the colours I just ahhh love love!!
This also reminds me of the show aswell once upon a time with the forgetting spell like the resemblance is uncanny I love that show too without giving too much spoils for that show it just comes flooding back! ╭⊹ ₊˚⊹ "𝙄 𝙙𝙤𝙣𝙩 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚, 𝙪𝙣𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙤𝙬𝙣, 𝙞𝙢 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙖𝙛𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙠𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙈𝙚𝙡𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙚".
˚ ┊✦ Scarlett
I felt bad for Scarlett after coming back home for 10 years seeing her ex which why she left in first place to get away from the trauma/ drama in her life which she has been avoiding due to that family inn is cursed…like dang okay.. but I did love she came back to help her sisters considering all the crap her sisters gave her from leaving in first place made things harder to stay for her but still wanted to help. I do love that she still has Nate the hot sexy handyman to help her despite what she did she’s still thankful she had a friend by her side things get a little hot and heavy 🤭
╭⊹ ₊˚⊹
˚ ┊✦ Nate NATE!!!…. gods I felt so bad for him at the beginning having such a loss with Scarlett when she left the Gove ten years ago when she arrived back in the small town his old feelings for her grew back he’s always wanting too help Scarlett during her awkward yet dangerous situations keeping her safe even to say that he brokehebro his heart he still forgives her like thats a green flag right there!!
˚┊✦ Romance - Epilogue
I really enjoyed this book a lot I think this was definitely a fast pace enjoyable autumn read to start getting the vibes going definitely deserves a 4 stars from me I loved the mentions of jack o lanterns everywhere in the village autumn leaves falling on the ground with local warm cosy coffee shops like what’s more to love about this read? Yes okay there’s drama to unfold but despite that and some SlowBurn in the middle half it was very fun little read.
This is my first Emily Gilmore book would I read more of her stories ? Yes I would! She gained a new fan for sure I loved her writing was so easy to read loved her cosiness definitely a good combination with a good autumn coffee in hand with this book for sure! Love love loved!!
╭ ✦ • ⥼~-✰-~⥽ ☽ ˚𝚂𝚝𝚊𝚛 𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 & 𝚂𝚙𝚒𝚌𝚎 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐✩•̩̩͙˚＊☾ ⥼~-✰-~⥽
│ ⊹ ⭐️4.3
⊹ 🌶3.2
╰ ✦ •⥼~-✰-~⥽ ☽ ˚•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙˚＊☾ ⥼~-✰-~⥽
🍂⭒˚.⋆ 🍂 ⋆⭒˚.⋆⋆⭒˚.⋆ 🍂 ⋆⭒˚.⋆⋆⭒˚.⋆ 🍂 ⋆⭒˚.⋆⋆⭒˚.⋆ 🍂 ⋆⭒˚.⋆⋆⭒˚.⋆ 🍂 ⋆⭒˚.⋆⋆⭒˚.⋆ 🍂 ⋆⭒˚.⋆ 🍂 ⋆⭒˚.⋆ 🍂 ⋆⭒
˚ ┊✦ not going to lie I was feeling slightly intimated to read this book I don’t know why just something about it was off putting but gave it a chance stuck it out which I’m glad I did it was literally magical good way to start reading autumn vibes reads now for sure! If your a Gilmore girl fan like me this is definitely the one to read just hits all the elements of magic and cute coffee bars. Pumpkins everywhere . Gouls … creepy bridges autumn leaves 🍁 falling all the colours I just ahhh love love!!
This also reminds me of the show aswell once upon a time with the forgetting spell like the resemblance is uncanny I love that show too without giving too much spoils for that show it just comes flooding back! ╭⊹ ₊˚⊹ "𝙄 𝙙𝙤𝙣𝙩 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚, 𝙪𝙣𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙤𝙬𝙣, 𝙞𝙢 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙖𝙛𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙠𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙈𝙚𝙡𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙚".
˚ ┊✦ Scarlett
I felt bad for Scarlett after coming back home for 10 years seeing her ex which why she left in first place to get away from the trauma/ drama in her life which she has been avoiding due to that family inn is cursed…like dang okay.. but I did love she came back to help her sisters considering all the crap her sisters gave her from leaving in first place made things harder to stay for her but still wanted to help. I do love that she still has Nate the hot sexy handyman to help her despite what she did she’s still thankful she had a friend by her side things get a little hot and heavy 🤭
╭⊹ ₊˚⊹
˚ ┊✦ Nate NATE!!!…. gods I felt so bad for him at the beginning having such a loss with Scarlett when she left the Gove ten years ago when she arrived back in the small town his old feelings for her grew back he’s always wanting too help Scarlett during her awkward yet dangerous situations keeping her safe even to say that he brokehebro his heart he still forgives her like thats a green flag right there!!
˚┊✦ Romance - Epilogue
I really enjoyed this book a lot I think this was definitely a fast pace enjoyable autumn read to start getting the vibes going definitely deserves a 4 stars from me I loved the mentions of jack o lanterns everywhere in the village autumn leaves falling on the ground with local warm cosy coffee shops like what’s more to love about this read? Yes okay there’s drama to unfold but despite that and some SlowBurn in the middle half it was very fun little read.
This is my first Emily Gilmore book would I read more of her stories ? Yes I would! She gained a new fan for sure I loved her writing was so easy to read loved her cosiness definitely a good combination with a good autumn coffee in hand with this book for sure! Love love loved!!
╭ ✦ • ⥼~-✰-~⥽ ☽ ˚𝚂𝚝𝚊𝚛 𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 & 𝚂𝚙𝚒𝚌𝚎 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐✩•̩̩͙˚＊☾ ⥼~-✰-~⥽
│ ⊹ ⭐️4.3
⊹ 🌶3.2
╰ ✦ •⥼~-✰-~⥽ ☽ ˚•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙˚＊☾ ⥼~-✰-~⥽
🍂⭒˚.⋆ 🍂 ⋆⭒˚.⋆⋆⭒˚.⋆ 🍂 ⋆⭒˚.⋆⋆⭒˚.⋆ 🍂 ⋆⭒˚.⋆⋆⭒˚.⋆ 🍂 ⋆⭒˚.⋆⋆⭒˚.⋆ 🍂 ⋆⭒˚.⋆⋆⭒˚.⋆ 🍂 ⋆⭒˚.⋆ 🍂 ⋆⭒˚.⋆ 🍂 ⋆⭒
September 15, 2025
A love letter to fans of autumnal atmosphere and cozy magic. Impractical magic follows Scarlett Melrose, a young witch who returns home to the magical town of Oak Haven. A small town magically hidden from the public and in a state of fall 24/7. I’m talking there is a literal spell that keeps the town smelling like cinnamon.
The story follows Scarlet and her two sisters as they solve the mystery of the town’s malfunctioning magic. Hijinks ensues in the shape of books coming to life, raining gourds and a dining room that glitches time periods. Features a second chance romance subplot that compliments the story well. Also, we get some great trans representation in this story. Emily Grimoire has crafted a cozy magical world that I can’t wait to revisit. Fans of Gilmore Girls and Charmed rejoice!
The story follows Scarlet and her two sisters as they solve the mystery of the town’s malfunctioning magic. Hijinks ensues in the shape of books coming to life, raining gourds and a dining room that glitches time periods. Features a second chance romance subplot that compliments the story well. Also, we get some great trans representation in this story. Emily Grimoire has crafted a cozy magical world that I can’t wait to revisit. Fans of Gilmore Girls and Charmed rejoice!
October 23, 2025
Omg I really enjoyed this book, it was like a witchy Stars Hollow with perfect fall vibes!
🍂🕯️🍁❤️🧙🏼🎃🧸🪄🐰🕊️
And it had a little bit of everything; Small witchy town, trouble for the coven, family healing, a second chance romance, and learning to believe in yourself because the power is in you!
I loved watching Scarlett come back into her own after returning home to soak Haven after so long. I also enjoyed watching her repair her relationships with her sisters, and Mom. And the wait Nate waited around for her for ten years to return was so swoony! The quirky cast of side characters were also so much fun!
I would love to return back to Oak Haven and see a book for Deliah, and also Luna!! This book is the perfect cozy yet adventurous story to cuddle up with this fall!!!
🍂🕯️🍁❤️🧙🏼🎃🧸🪄🐰🕊️
And it had a little bit of everything; Small witchy town, trouble for the coven, family healing, a second chance romance, and learning to believe in yourself because the power is in you!
I loved watching Scarlett come back into her own after returning home to soak Haven after so long. I also enjoyed watching her repair her relationships with her sisters, and Mom. And the wait Nate waited around for her for ten years to return was so swoony! The quirky cast of side characters were also so much fun!
I would love to return back to Oak Haven and see a book for Deliah, and also Luna!! This book is the perfect cozy yet adventurous story to cuddle up with this fall!!!
November 12, 2025
I needed a cozy, predictable read and got it! I just don’t think books like these need to be 400 pages long 😬
October 2, 2024
I wanted to love this, truly.
It starts great. A little bit witchy, has some fun references, perfectly cozy for autumn, and then it just... bursts apart at the seams.
The little nods and references quickly become WAY too much, taking over any existence of a plot. The town of Oak Haven doesn't make sense to me at all. The characters are all insufferable, and there are just far too many people to keep track of. The conversations and dialogue are super stretched out and run off on tangents. And... I just didn't care about the characters or development.
I finished reading this so that I could leave a review in good faith, but I'm honestly regretting it. The story just feels like it's trying hard to be funny and quirky with all of the pop culture references, but the characters and story overall end up lacking depth because of it.
𝓣𝓱𝓪𝓷𝓴 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓽𝓸 𝓝𝓮𝓽𝓰𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝔂 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓐𝓿𝓸𝓷 𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴𝓼 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓪𝓷 𝓐𝓡𝓒 𝓸𝓯 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓼 𝓫𝓸𝓸𝓴 𝓲𝓷 𝓮𝔁𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓷𝓰𝓮 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓶𝔂 𝓱𝓸𝓷𝓮𝓼𝓽 𝓻𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀.
It starts great. A little bit witchy, has some fun references, perfectly cozy for autumn, and then it just... bursts apart at the seams.
The little nods and references quickly become WAY too much, taking over any existence of a plot. The town of Oak Haven doesn't make sense to me at all. The characters are all insufferable, and there are just far too many people to keep track of. The conversations and dialogue are super stretched out and run off on tangents. And... I just didn't care about the characters or development.
I finished reading this so that I could leave a review in good faith, but I'm honestly regretting it. The story just feels like it's trying hard to be funny and quirky with all of the pop culture references, but the characters and story overall end up lacking depth because of it.
𝓣𝓱𝓪𝓷𝓴 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓽𝓸 𝓝𝓮𝓽𝓰𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝔂 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓐𝓿𝓸𝓷 𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴𝓼 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓪𝓷 𝓐𝓡𝓒 𝓸𝓯 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓼 𝓫𝓸𝓸𝓴 𝓲𝓷 𝓮𝔁𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓷𝓰𝓮 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓶𝔂 𝓱𝓸𝓷𝓮𝓼𝓽 𝓻𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀.
September 7, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Harper UK for the ARC of this book in exchange for honest feedback.
This book had a lot of potential but it reads like a first draft. It felt like there were so many scenes that would move the story forward but they weren’t fleshed out enough. The book is very cozy so I loved that but at times it feels like the author was writing more to meet a “vibe” than give the reader a full story.
The FMC was also very unlikable. I think there needed to be more backstory about why she felt the way she did about Oak Haven because her attitude about being home read more “bratty” than “regretful about the past”.
I’m giving it 2.75 stars. I definitely think the author has potential and I would probably read another book by her.
This book had a lot of potential but it reads like a first draft. It felt like there were so many scenes that would move the story forward but they weren’t fleshed out enough. The book is very cozy so I loved that but at times it feels like the author was writing more to meet a “vibe” than give the reader a full story.
The FMC was also very unlikable. I think there needed to be more backstory about why she felt the way she did about Oak Haven because her attitude about being home read more “bratty” than “regretful about the past”.
I’m giving it 2.75 stars. I definitely think the author has potential and I would probably read another book by her.
September 27, 2024
This book was everything cozy and fall related. I loved the witchy puns and magical setting, and the overarching story was great! I do think the subplot about the magicians fell short and could have been discussed more in detail. I'd also have loved more details about the magic system, but overall, it was the perfect witchy book to start off fall!
Thank you, Net Galley and Avon Books for the ARC!
Thank you, Net Galley and Avon Books for the ARC!
September 8, 2024
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This really is for fans of Gilmore Girls and Charmed and I couldn't put it down. It's the person returning-home cosy, witchy book for autumn and is a lot of fun.
I really enjoyed the explanations of different types of magic, as well as the family dynamics. The romance angle was a bit predictable and I think it could have had more fire to it but it was cute - any guy who waits 10 years for someone deserves a happy ending.
The magician aspect was interesting too and I hope that it's going to be looked into more in a sequel. I'd love a book for each of the sisters as they're all such strong but different characters.
If you enjoyed The Witches of Thistle Grove series, Hex Appeal and The Ex Hex, this should be your next read.
This really is for fans of Gilmore Girls and Charmed and I couldn't put it down. It's the person returning-home cosy, witchy book for autumn and is a lot of fun.
I really enjoyed the explanations of different types of magic, as well as the family dynamics. The romance angle was a bit predictable and I think it could have had more fire to it but it was cute - any guy who waits 10 years for someone deserves a happy ending.
The magician aspect was interesting too and I hope that it's going to be looked into more in a sequel. I'd love a book for each of the sisters as they're all such strong but different characters.
If you enjoyed The Witches of Thistle Grove series, Hex Appeal and The Ex Hex, this should be your next read.
October 19, 2025
2.5🌟
Definitely felt this book was too long for its particular plot. The ending was different…but it did give autumnal, witchy vibes.
Definitely felt this book was too long for its particular plot. The ending was different…but it did give autumnal, witchy vibes.
January 18, 2026
Oh how we love a magical witchy read 🧙 couldn’t put it down and can’t wait to read the next one!
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