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Bewitched & Bewildered
PART 1 OF THE WITCHES OF STARBROOK SERIES!
After the mysterious death of her mother, Juniper Hawthorne is left in charge of the family apothecary. The problem is, she can't bear to run her mother's old shop. She abandons it all, leaving the witches in Starbrook without their supplies.
Fellow witch Ozan Demir makes his grand return to Starbrook with emotional baggage, a business degree, and an idea for a new apothecary. When his old rivalry with Juniper reignites, sparks of passion begin to fly, too.
If Juniper doesn't fill her mother's role in the small community, she will lose the shop and her memories with her mother along with it.
A Charmed meets Gilmore Girls cozy fantasy romance for fans of Laurie Gilmore and Hailey Blackwood.
You can expect:
Cozy, cottagecore vibes with low stakes and low worldbuilding.
A longtime rivals to lovers romance, with rival shops in a small town.
Grumpy x Sunshine where she's the grump, and he's the sunshine.
He falls first...and harder.
Spicy and cozy vibes in a contemporary fantasy setting.
Plenty of banter.
Family drama and sisterhood vibes galore!
After the mysterious death of her mother, Juniper Hawthorne is left in charge of the family apothecary. The problem is, she can't bear to run her mother's old shop. She abandons it all, leaving the witches in Starbrook without their supplies.
Fellow witch Ozan Demir makes his grand return to Starbrook with emotional baggage, a business degree, and an idea for a new apothecary. When his old rivalry with Juniper reignites, sparks of passion begin to fly, too.
If Juniper doesn't fill her mother's role in the small community, she will lose the shop and her memories with her mother along with it.
A Charmed meets Gilmore Girls cozy fantasy romance for fans of Laurie Gilmore and Hailey Blackwood.
You can expect:
Cozy, cottagecore vibes with low stakes and low worldbuilding.
A longtime rivals to lovers romance, with rival shops in a small town.
Grumpy x Sunshine where she's the grump, and he's the sunshine.
He falls first...and harder.
Spicy and cozy vibes in a contemporary fantasy setting.
Plenty of banter.
Family drama and sisterhood vibes galore!
Published January 1, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
February 26, 2025
ARC Read & Review !!
4.5 Stars🌟
I loved this!! This had me captivated from the start and by the end I was kicking my feet in glee.
The only reason it's a 4.5 and not a full 5 is because after the first spicy scene, the spice and romance went too fast in my personal opinion. I like how quick and easy it was and, obviously, am not complaining. I just personally feel like the romance could have benefitted from another maybe 50-100pgs of development.
The ending with what Juniper eventually does with her mother's shop is a bit predictable but not super to where everyone will know. It may only have been predictable to me as I read it in one sitting and so I had all the information at the forefront of my mind.
That being said, it was quite satisfying to see it all come together and can't wait to follow this story, even from another perspective, in the next and upcoming books.
Ozan and Juniper were a great couple, the sisters were fun side characters, and seeing the brief glimpses of Ozan's ex was fun. I wish she was a bit more of an antagonist but this falls in the same category as the romance and spice.
Ozan and his relationship/turmoil could have easily been expanded upon, even just a bit more, and it would've made this a total 5 out of 5 star book and made everything more satisfying.
All in all, great book!! A bit of pacing tweaks here and there for certain plot points and this would be 5 stars.
(For Goodreads, I gave it a flat 5 because it's closer to being a 5Star than a 4Star.)
4.5 Stars🌟
I loved this!! This had me captivated from the start and by the end I was kicking my feet in glee.
The only reason it's a 4.5 and not a full 5 is because after the first spicy scene, the spice and romance went too fast in my personal opinion. I like how quick and easy it was and, obviously, am not complaining. I just personally feel like the romance could have benefitted from another maybe 50-100pgs of development.
The ending with what Juniper eventually does with her mother's shop is a bit predictable but not super to where everyone will know. It may only have been predictable to me as I read it in one sitting and so I had all the information at the forefront of my mind.
That being said, it was quite satisfying to see it all come together and can't wait to follow this story, even from another perspective, in the next and upcoming books.
Ozan and Juniper were a great couple, the sisters were fun side characters, and seeing the brief glimpses of Ozan's ex was fun. I wish she was a bit more of an antagonist but this falls in the same category as the romance and spice.
Ozan and his relationship/turmoil could have easily been expanded upon, even just a bit more, and it would've made this a total 5 out of 5 star book and made everything more satisfying.
All in all, great book!! A bit of pacing tweaks here and there for certain plot points and this would be 5 stars.
(For Goodreads, I gave it a flat 5 because it's closer to being a 5Star than a 4Star.)
February 18, 2025
This book literally dragged me out of my reading slump I was in and threw me into this cozy world. I loved the vibe, and for the majority of the book, I absolutely adored Juniper,as well as her sisters: Maple and Laurel. It was a quick, easy read. I am so grateful to have received this ARC, and I loved visiting this cozy world.
The pacing is good, and the story makes logical progressions. We did have some minor poor communication, which thankfully wasn't made into a huge thing and resolved well.
At about 50% of the way through the book, my brain started to hyperfixate on Ozan being a male character written from a female gaze. Which there is nothing wrong with that,I love it, I have read so so so much of that in the last year and I don't know why everytime I would come to his chapter that's what would start filtering through as I read. He's great. He does everything right, everything you'd want him to do. Which, as a side affect might have made him feel a bit flat to me. I also started having trouble differentiating his voice from Juniper's voice, which kept once again, throwing me mentally out of the book. Generally, I struggled with his chapters and connecting with him from around 50-80%. That last 20% of the book, I wasn't experiencing the same issues that threw me out of what I was reading. I felt he had more of a voice to his character for that last bit.
Juniper, I adore. She's so so well defined. You have this lovely depth to her, with her dealing with her mother's death/legacy and her own place in the world. Around 70% of the way through the book, she had kinda lost her sparkle, and it felt so out of character for her. But, as much as at the time it felt out of place/a deviation for who she is written as, some of it, I guess, makes sense for the story arc.
I almost wish there had only been two sisters instead of four. Aspen is mentioned a couple of times but is literally the forgotten sister. You will probably forget she exists. At least you might remember she is the one who is away. Rowan (I only know her name because she appeared again at the end of the book) pops in and out infrequently and doesn't have much to define her personality wise. Unfortunately, she was not a very memorable character for me, I got her purpose in the story, but I didn't feel a connection to her like I did with the last two sisters. Maple is our resident kitchen witch/baker extraordinaire, and the sister I felt we saw second most. Laurel was the most frequently seen sister and our tarot reader. She is a fun sister who really does carry the weight of the sister interactions in the books. She does some meddling, light teasing, and you see the strong support of sisterhood from her and Maple.
It wasn't a perfect read, but it was an enjoyable one. If you want cozy small town witch themed (light on witch craft) quick read, then definitely check this one out.
The pacing is good, and the story makes logical progressions. We did have some minor poor communication, which thankfully wasn't made into a huge thing and resolved well.
At about 50% of the way through the book, my brain started to hyperfixate on Ozan being a male character written from a female gaze. Which there is nothing wrong with that,I love it, I have read so so so much of that in the last year and I don't know why everytime I would come to his chapter that's what would start filtering through as I read. He's great. He does everything right, everything you'd want him to do. Which, as a side affect might have made him feel a bit flat to me. I also started having trouble differentiating his voice from Juniper's voice, which kept once again, throwing me mentally out of the book. Generally, I struggled with his chapters and connecting with him from around 50-80%. That last 20% of the book, I wasn't experiencing the same issues that threw me out of what I was reading. I felt he had more of a voice to his character for that last bit.
Juniper, I adore. She's so so well defined. You have this lovely depth to her, with her dealing with her mother's death/legacy and her own place in the world. Around 70% of the way through the book, she had kinda lost her sparkle, and it felt so out of character for her. But, as much as at the time it felt out of place/a deviation for who she is written as, some of it, I guess, makes sense for the story arc.
I almost wish there had only been two sisters instead of four. Aspen is mentioned a couple of times but is literally the forgotten sister. You will probably forget she exists. At least you might remember she is the one who is away. Rowan (I only know her name because she appeared again at the end of the book) pops in and out infrequently and doesn't have much to define her personality wise. Unfortunately, she was not a very memorable character for me, I got her purpose in the story, but I didn't feel a connection to her like I did with the last two sisters. Maple is our resident kitchen witch/baker extraordinaire, and the sister I felt we saw second most. Laurel was the most frequently seen sister and our tarot reader. She is a fun sister who really does carry the weight of the sister interactions in the books. She does some meddling, light teasing, and you see the strong support of sisterhood from her and Maple.
It wasn't a perfect read, but it was an enjoyable one. If you want cozy small town witch themed (light on witch craft) quick read, then definitely check this one out.
February 19, 2025
I absolutely loved this book! It felt like a warm cup of tea with a bit of spice in fall! Gilmore girls meets charmed in a lovely small town romance book! It was a super quick read for me because I couldn’t put it down! I adored ALL the characters in this book!!
February 19, 2025
What a fun, cosy little book!
I ate Bewitched and Bewildered up in one weekend & it was the best witchy weekend ever 🌟
The main aspect about this book that I LOVED dearly were the familial relationships. I need a spin off book for each sister. I need a Maple book in my hands right now actually.
All the sisters had such big voices and personalities and I loved reading about them all and watching them support my girl Juniper. (Also, all the plant related names? So cute!)
The main themes were about grief, and change, and I really connected with that and thought they were handled with a lot of care 💖🫶🏼 I am so glad Juniper found where she wanted to be and had the support system to do it.
We can't talk about this book without talking about Juniper and Ozan. I particularly loved the first half of the book with their little arguments and quips at each other and the resentment, it really made it all that more perfect when their walls came down and they let each other in. Ozan was down SO bad for Juniper my heart was on FIRE. The potion scene?? (Iykyk😏)
Overall, this was a quick, fun and easy read with a really good plot I was invested in. I think some other aspects could have been fleshed out a little more, and I would have liked to see some more from the romance but it was SO cute!!! Definitely recommend!!
(Thank you for the ARC! I had an absolute blast reading!!)
I ate Bewitched and Bewildered up in one weekend & it was the best witchy weekend ever 🌟
The main aspect about this book that I LOVED dearly were the familial relationships. I need a spin off book for each sister. I need a Maple book in my hands right now actually.
All the sisters had such big voices and personalities and I loved reading about them all and watching them support my girl Juniper. (Also, all the plant related names? So cute!)
The main themes were about grief, and change, and I really connected with that and thought they were handled with a lot of care 💖🫶🏼 I am so glad Juniper found where she wanted to be and had the support system to do it.
We can't talk about this book without talking about Juniper and Ozan. I particularly loved the first half of the book with their little arguments and quips at each other and the resentment, it really made it all that more perfect when their walls came down and they let each other in. Ozan was down SO bad for Juniper my heart was on FIRE. The potion scene?? (Iykyk😏)
Overall, this was a quick, fun and easy read with a really good plot I was invested in. I think some other aspects could have been fleshed out a little more, and I would have liked to see some more from the romance but it was SO cute!!! Definitely recommend!!
(Thank you for the ARC! I had an absolute blast reading!!)
March 3, 2025
This was such a cute, adorable, fun read! This book definitely gives me spooky season vibes, and I'm a BIG fan of that. I really loved the story like and the tropes of it all. I loved the relationships with all the characters, especially Oz and Juniper. I love that Oz was there for every side of her and how he eventually helped her become the happiest version of herself. I also really loved Junipers relationship with her sisters. I loved that she wanted to be the one to show them what she is supposed to do, but they ended up helping her the most. As the oldest sister, same as Juniper, I know the struggle of wanting to take care of everything yourself and not asking others for help. Also keeping everything bottled up until you can't anymore. I'm so glad to see that representation in books because not everyone knows the struggles of being the oldest sibling.
November 29, 2025
4/5 ⭐️ this was a cute cozy book. Perfect “fall vibes”, so I’m glad I read it in November. I was very hesitant with his book in the beginning because of the main character was driving me up the wall. It’s an enemies to lovers type of deal which isn’t usually my favorite however, I feel like this one was way too much at times emphasis on the enemies aspect of it. It was still a really good read just too many moments where I was screaming at the main character to stop being a bitch. 😆
February 23, 2025
Thank you for the ARC ❤️
(Spoiler free review)
Short and sweet;.when I saw it was a cross between Gilmore girls and Charmed, I knew I'd be in for something heartwarming and not overly complicated. And I was not disappointed.
I can relate to the main characters, both working in customer service and wanting to yell at the unruly ones, and leaving home for college and life in the big city only to return years later.
A snarky goth witch trying once again one of her high School nemesis that's just returned home after a decade away. He's a witch still licking his wounds after a recent divorce, unknowingly opening a rival apothecary and their small Maine town.
Predictable? Maybe a little? And just a bit spicy. 👍A fun read when you need a hiatus from fantasy novels about war and end of world scenarios.
(Spoiler free review)
Short and sweet;.when I saw it was a cross between Gilmore girls and Charmed, I knew I'd be in for something heartwarming and not overly complicated. And I was not disappointed.
I can relate to the main characters, both working in customer service and wanting to yell at the unruly ones, and leaving home for college and life in the big city only to return years later.
A snarky goth witch trying once again one of her high School nemesis that's just returned home after a decade away. He's a witch still licking his wounds after a recent divorce, unknowingly opening a rival apothecary and their small Maine town.
Predictable? Maybe a little? And just a bit spicy. 👍A fun read when you need a hiatus from fantasy novels about war and end of world scenarios.
June 6, 2025
4⭐ 2.5🌶️
Cute, cozy, short and a tiny bit spicy. Witchy small town romance with a side of enemies to lovers. Ozan is such a cinnamon roll of a green flag 😍
Thanks to the author for the ARC. All comments are my own.
Cute, cozy, short and a tiny bit spicy. Witchy small town romance with a side of enemies to lovers. Ozan is such a cinnamon roll of a green flag 😍
Thanks to the author for the ARC. All comments are my own.
June 30, 2025
Sweet, spicy, cute and fun what else could you want 🧡🧡🧡
March 5, 2025
Where do I even begin? This was such a cute and cozy read. After getting through a few intense series before this, this book by Elle Lavendelle was such a great palate-cleanser and put me back in the mood for fall...even though spring is about to start haha. RIP.
Here are a few tropes/features you can expect from this book:
- Small Town Romance
- Rivals to Lovers
- Grumpy x Sunshine but SHE'S the grumpy one
- Golden Retriever MMC/Black Cat FMC
- Modern Witches, Magic, and Apothecaries
- Set in Maine
- Dual POV
- Close Knit Family/Strong Sister Bonds
- Open Door Romance w/BDSM (Not until about 50% through the book)
- Goofy and Lovable Characters (shout-out Laurel)
- Themes of death and betrayal (not between MCs though)
My personal thoughts:
I LOVE any book with modern day magic and witches, but to throw some romance and spice on top of it? *Chef's Kiss* Juniper was such a relatable character with all her humorous inner dialogues and struggles that she faced throughout the book. I was relating to Juniper already within the first four chapters with funny lines like "Getting up in the morning is more brutal each year" because SAME. As someone who also has three sisters who seem to have found their callings already, it was very easy for me to see myself in her shoes because I have been there before too, feeling like you have to take care of everybody else before yourself and that you should have your whole life figured out already. The relationships between the four sisters is beautiful and supportive with a mix of the usual teasing and banter. I also love how each sister has a "specialty" as a witch, with Juni being a talented potion maker, Laurel being an excellent tarot reader, and Maple being a kitchen witch. AND LISTEN - MAPLE IS LITERALLY SOOKIE FROM GILMORE GIRLS, CHANGE MY MIND. That is literally who I saw in my mind every time Maple was in a chapter, the demeanor, the voice, even the same profession?? C'mon. It made the book that much more enjoyable for me as a fan of Gilmore Girls.
Anyways, lets get to the fun part. OZAN. We LOVE a big burly man who wants nothing more than to run his little apothecary in peace with his cat and bunny. A BUNNY guys. He is such a big softie for Juni and it melted my heart. Who doesn't want someone like Ozan, who will do anything to make you happy and push you to follow your dreams, and then absolutely DESTROY you in the bedroom. The switch up was crazy and not expected with his golden retriever like demeanor...but we see you Ozan...XD
Besides the much appreciated spicy scenes, there were so many other scenes between Juni and Ozan filled with funny banter and heartwarming moments where they let their "rivalry" go and really bared their souls to each other. I say "rivalry" because it was definitely one sided...cough cough Juni. He loved you since the start girl.
There were only two things that I wished were touched upon a bit more. The first being her mother's death. We do get a few more details and an ominous confession from Juni near the end of the book, believing she could have saved her, but it gets dropped after that. It seemed like a set up, so maybe we will learn more in later books? I was hoping to dive into it a bit more and perhaps get some more drama and suspense from the storyline, but then this book wouldn't be as cozy and romantic I guess...
The second thing was the familiars! I love a good familiar :( We only briefly meet Ozan's familiars and I wish they could have made it into the story a bit more. Although one plays match maker for a brief second on one of the chapters, we don't really hear or see from the familiars again and I would have loved some more interaction between them and Juni. I feel like it could have added some humorous/heartwarming parts that could have made Ozan fall even HARDER.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who loves all things witchy and small town romance! Definitely keeping this on my Fall cozy/comfort books list. Thank you Elle for the ARC!!:)
Elle Lavendelle
Here are a few tropes/features you can expect from this book:
- Small Town Romance
- Rivals to Lovers
- Grumpy x Sunshine but SHE'S the grumpy one
- Golden Retriever MMC/Black Cat FMC
- Modern Witches, Magic, and Apothecaries
- Set in Maine
- Dual POV
- Close Knit Family/Strong Sister Bonds
- Open Door Romance w/BDSM (Not until about 50% through the book)
- Goofy and Lovable Characters (shout-out Laurel)
- Themes of death and betrayal (not between MCs though)
My personal thoughts:
I LOVE any book with modern day magic and witches, but to throw some romance and spice on top of it? *Chef's Kiss* Juniper was such a relatable character with all her humorous inner dialogues and struggles that she faced throughout the book. I was relating to Juniper already within the first four chapters with funny lines like "Getting up in the morning is more brutal each year" because SAME. As someone who also has three sisters who seem to have found their callings already, it was very easy for me to see myself in her shoes because I have been there before too, feeling like you have to take care of everybody else before yourself and that you should have your whole life figured out already. The relationships between the four sisters is beautiful and supportive with a mix of the usual teasing and banter. I also love how each sister has a "specialty" as a witch, with Juni being a talented potion maker, Laurel being an excellent tarot reader, and Maple being a kitchen witch. AND LISTEN - MAPLE IS LITERALLY SOOKIE FROM GILMORE GIRLS, CHANGE MY MIND. That is literally who I saw in my mind every time Maple was in a chapter, the demeanor, the voice, even the same profession?? C'mon. It made the book that much more enjoyable for me as a fan of Gilmore Girls.
Anyways, lets get to the fun part. OZAN. We LOVE a big burly man who wants nothing more than to run his little apothecary in peace with his cat and bunny. A BUNNY guys. He is such a big softie for Juni and it melted my heart. Who doesn't want someone like Ozan, who will do anything to make you happy and push you to follow your dreams, and then absolutely DESTROY you in the bedroom. The switch up was crazy and not expected with his golden retriever like demeanor...but we see you Ozan...XD
Besides the much appreciated spicy scenes, there were so many other scenes between Juni and Ozan filled with funny banter and heartwarming moments where they let their "rivalry" go and really bared their souls to each other. I say "rivalry" because it was definitely one sided...cough cough Juni. He loved you since the start girl.
There were only two things that I wished were touched upon a bit more. The first being her mother's death. We do get a few more details and an ominous confession from Juni near the end of the book, believing she could have saved her, but it gets dropped after that. It seemed like a set up, so maybe we will learn more in later books? I was hoping to dive into it a bit more and perhaps get some more drama and suspense from the storyline, but then this book wouldn't be as cozy and romantic I guess...
The second thing was the familiars! I love a good familiar :( We only briefly meet Ozan's familiars and I wish they could have made it into the story a bit more. Although one plays match maker for a brief second on one of the chapters, we don't really hear or see from the familiars again and I would have loved some more interaction between them and Juni. I feel like it could have added some humorous/heartwarming parts that could have made Ozan fall even HARDER.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who loves all things witchy and small town romance! Definitely keeping this on my Fall cozy/comfort books list. Thank you Elle for the ARC!!:)
Elle Lavendelle
February 26, 2025
Bewitched & Bewildered: a witchy rom-com with heart
Tropes: grumpy/sunshine, enemies/rivals to lovers
Spice-O-Meter: 🌶🌶🌶.5 (open door, some BDSM)
Main Characters:
Juniper (FMC):
30 years old
potion making witch
mother died a year ago, leaving Juniper to take care of 3 of her younger sisters (the fourth having moved to NYC before the events of the book)
has a history of contempt with Ozan, though the contempt is mostly on her part
has a lot of trouble asking for help, and with doing things for herself
Ozan (MMC):
30 years old
spell casting witch
moving back to Starbrook from Boston after a divorce
has always found Juniper attractive
has a cat and a rabbit
Plot summary:
After being fired from her serving job, Juniper starts searching for a job that sparks her passion. Her mother left her the family apothecary shop after she died, but it has been closed for a year. Ozan is returning to Starbrook after a divorce and is opening his own apothecary. Juniper, who feels she has been in competition with Ozan since their school days, is upset by this and decides to reopen her family's shop. Ozan's shop does well, but Juniper has trouble putting her own spin on the business. After several times of Ozan coming to the rescue, she starts opening up about her struggles and insecurities. After a disastrous potion spill, causing both of them to feel the effects of a bliss potion, they both realize they have feelings for one another. They eventually hook up, but neither are sure where their relationship is heading. Ozan is all in, even though he knows Juniper is hesitant and wanting something physical. Juniper thinks Ozan is still in love with his ex-wife and doesn't want to be a rebound. Eventually, Juniper decides that, even though she has many treasured memories of Hawthorne Apothecary, she doesn't have any love for running the shop as her own. Ozan suggests she open a bar that also serves potions and charmed food and drinks. Juniper loves the idea and proceeds to transform the former apothecary. With the help of her sisters, she turns it into something she is excited and passionate about. She and Ozan finally make their relationship official, much to her sisters' excitement.
Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this story. It wasn't too heavy (there is mention of parent death, but it doesn't happen on page), the pacing was good, and there was no 3rd act breakup. The chapters are super short, so I didn't feel like I was trapped in certain parts of the story. I loved the Practical Magic and Gilmore Girls vibes, as well. Juniper really resonated with me because I was a parentified oldest sister. She always put her sister's needs above her own, which got her stuck in jobs she had no love for. Ozan returning and showing her that not only is she deserving of loving herself, she is also worthy of being cared for (something nobody had done for her in a long time). The spice was well written, as was the banter. I did have a couple of issues with the plot. First, the story revolves around Juniper coming to terms with her mother's death. She was killed by demons, but nobody knows why this happened, and there is no resolution to the mystery. Also, Juniper was the one who found her and said, "She was the only one who could have saved her," but there is no explanation as to how or why. This felt like it was thrown in, but really a fully formed plot point. Secondly, the amount of time between the reopening of Hawthorne Apothecary and the opening of the bar. It was a matter of weeks. I know this is a story about witches being integrated into modern society, and I'm picking this hill to die on. It made the happily ever after feel a bit rushed.
Overall, I would recommend this book if you love feel-good stories, witches, romance, or just need a palette cleanser. Thanks to Elle Lavendelle for the ARC and the opportunity to dive into the Starbrook world. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
Tropes: grumpy/sunshine, enemies/rivals to lovers
Spice-O-Meter: 🌶🌶🌶.5 (open door, some BDSM)
Main Characters:
Juniper (FMC):
30 years old
potion making witch
mother died a year ago, leaving Juniper to take care of 3 of her younger sisters (the fourth having moved to NYC before the events of the book)
has a history of contempt with Ozan, though the contempt is mostly on her part
has a lot of trouble asking for help, and with doing things for herself
Ozan (MMC):
30 years old
spell casting witch
moving back to Starbrook from Boston after a divorce
has always found Juniper attractive
has a cat and a rabbit
Plot summary:
After being fired from her serving job, Juniper starts searching for a job that sparks her passion. Her mother left her the family apothecary shop after she died, but it has been closed for a year. Ozan is returning to Starbrook after a divorce and is opening his own apothecary. Juniper, who feels she has been in competition with Ozan since their school days, is upset by this and decides to reopen her family's shop. Ozan's shop does well, but Juniper has trouble putting her own spin on the business. After several times of Ozan coming to the rescue, she starts opening up about her struggles and insecurities. After a disastrous potion spill, causing both of them to feel the effects of a bliss potion, they both realize they have feelings for one another. They eventually hook up, but neither are sure where their relationship is heading. Ozan is all in, even though he knows Juniper is hesitant and wanting something physical. Juniper thinks Ozan is still in love with his ex-wife and doesn't want to be a rebound. Eventually, Juniper decides that, even though she has many treasured memories of Hawthorne Apothecary, she doesn't have any love for running the shop as her own. Ozan suggests she open a bar that also serves potions and charmed food and drinks. Juniper loves the idea and proceeds to transform the former apothecary. With the help of her sisters, she turns it into something she is excited and passionate about. She and Ozan finally make their relationship official, much to her sisters' excitement.
Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this story. It wasn't too heavy (there is mention of parent death, but it doesn't happen on page), the pacing was good, and there was no 3rd act breakup. The chapters are super short, so I didn't feel like I was trapped in certain parts of the story. I loved the Practical Magic and Gilmore Girls vibes, as well. Juniper really resonated with me because I was a parentified oldest sister. She always put her sister's needs above her own, which got her stuck in jobs she had no love for. Ozan returning and showing her that not only is she deserving of loving herself, she is also worthy of being cared for (something nobody had done for her in a long time). The spice was well written, as was the banter. I did have a couple of issues with the plot. First, the story revolves around Juniper coming to terms with her mother's death. She was killed by demons, but nobody knows why this happened, and there is no resolution to the mystery. Also, Juniper was the one who found her and said, "She was the only one who could have saved her," but there is no explanation as to how or why. This felt like it was thrown in, but really a fully formed plot point. Secondly, the amount of time between the reopening of Hawthorne Apothecary and the opening of the bar. It was a matter of weeks. I know this is a story about witches being integrated into modern society, and I'm picking this hill to die on. It made the happily ever after feel a bit rushed.
Overall, I would recommend this book if you love feel-good stories, witches, romance, or just need a palette cleanser. Thanks to Elle Lavendelle for the ARC and the opportunity to dive into the Starbrook world. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
March 13, 2025
Juniper Hawthorne can’t seem to keep a job. Unsure of the path she should take in life, and still mourning the untimely death of her mother, Juni has inherited her apothecary with no plans to reopen it, that is, until her childhood rival, Ozan Demir, comes back to town. Reeling from a terrible divorce, and wanting to do something for himself, he opens his own apothecary, knowing it will greatly benefit his hometown. Feeling as if this new and unwelcome development may ruin the future of her mother’s shop, Juniper reopens after all, determined to make her shop the better option for the locals of Starbrook. But as her rivalry with Ozan begins again, sparks start to fly, and Juniper is left questioning if this new path of hers is truly the right one.
This was such a light cozy read that I absolutely flew through! If you loved Charmed or Gilmore Girls this one is for you! Set in the fall, in a quaint, cozy small town in Maine, this story deals with a woman finding herself amongst the grief of losing her mother. I am usually one who likes a bit more drama and plot twists but this was a fun read.
I loved both Juniper and Ozan and thought their character development was well fleshed out. Juniper was sassy and independent, whereas Ozan was more of the golden retriever, a literal sweetheart (although a freak in the sheets!). I thoroughly enjoyed their tension and banter throughout the first half of this book and their spicy scenes the second half! I mean, that potion scene was everything! It was really nice to see their relationship grow and change as the story went on.
We are also introduced to Junipers four sisters who help her in some way to run the shop (besides her sister Aspen, who you almost forget about), and while some are a bit more developed than others, I sometimes had trouble keeping up with who was who, so I hope in the future books we get a bit more focus on them as well. I did love that Juniper, as the eldest sister, had always been the one to be the caretaker for her sisters, but they end up really being the ones that take care of her in the end.
There were some parts to this book that could have been a bit more developed and the pacing towards the end felt a little rushed, but all in all, this was a sweet, enjoyable read, and I was totally invested in Juni and Ozan’s relationship throughout the book!
✨Read This Book If You Like:✨
⚔️Rivals To Lovers
🧙♀️Witchy Vibes
🏡Small Town Romance
⛅️Reverse GrumpyXSunshine
🔥Slow Burn Romance
💕Sexy Banter
Book Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
This was such a light cozy read that I absolutely flew through! If you loved Charmed or Gilmore Girls this one is for you! Set in the fall, in a quaint, cozy small town in Maine, this story deals with a woman finding herself amongst the grief of losing her mother. I am usually one who likes a bit more drama and plot twists but this was a fun read.
I loved both Juniper and Ozan and thought their character development was well fleshed out. Juniper was sassy and independent, whereas Ozan was more of the golden retriever, a literal sweetheart (although a freak in the sheets!). I thoroughly enjoyed their tension and banter throughout the first half of this book and their spicy scenes the second half! I mean, that potion scene was everything! It was really nice to see their relationship grow and change as the story went on.
We are also introduced to Junipers four sisters who help her in some way to run the shop (besides her sister Aspen, who you almost forget about), and while some are a bit more developed than others, I sometimes had trouble keeping up with who was who, so I hope in the future books we get a bit more focus on them as well. I did love that Juniper, as the eldest sister, had always been the one to be the caretaker for her sisters, but they end up really being the ones that take care of her in the end.
There were some parts to this book that could have been a bit more developed and the pacing towards the end felt a little rushed, but all in all, this was a sweet, enjoyable read, and I was totally invested in Juni and Ozan’s relationship throughout the book!
✨Read This Book If You Like:✨
⚔️Rivals To Lovers
🧙♀️Witchy Vibes
🏡Small Town Romance
⛅️Reverse GrumpyXSunshine
🔥Slow Burn Romance
💕Sexy Banter
Book Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
March 2, 2025
eARC Review
Small Town Romance . Rivals to Lovers . Grumpy & Sunshine . Family Bonds - It's Complicated . He Falls 1st . Witchy Romance . Spells & Potions . Contemporary Fantasy Romance . Soft Dom
Juniper is a potion maker with a big attitude. She lives in a small town with her sisters, but she struggles as she can not find the one job that makes her feel like it's what she's meant to be doing. Nothing brings her happiness. With the death of her mother, she has become the responsible one of her family of witches, which puts a whole lot of pressure on her shoulders.
Ozan is a recently divorced spell caster who moves back to his hometown in hopes of starting anew. He opens an apothecary, not realizing that a girl from his past would again become his ultimate rival... and the one to drive him crazy.
"She fixes me with a death glare, and I melt into a puddle." (pg 66)
There's chemistry, and it's not just because of potions!
"Ozan is tormenting me again, and it's different this time. Instead of frustrating me, he's flustering me." (pg 198)
Had the opportunity to get an eARC of this book. It's always a pleasure to know that I can make such good decisions from time to time... it's rare, but happens 🤣 This was such a nice little witchy book, as some would call "cozy", for it did have that warm and toasty feel - like s'mores, but all gooey and spicy. Juni and Oz were a perfect match - opposite in temperment, but yet both snarky playing off of and goading one another.
"'...but you definitely get pleasure from seeing me all... all... ruffled!' ...
"'I do.' I shrug. 'It's cute.'" (pg 77)
I felt a certain kinship with Juni in her perpetual search to find a fit and purpose, and also toward the end when she was feeling all the feels. Kinda had a girl tearing up a little!
This book is part of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone. Hope to read more from this author!
"... something more is brewing." (pg 215)
4.16 (~4) 🌟 eARC - electronic Advance Reader Copy
Small Town Romance . Rivals to Lovers . Grumpy & Sunshine . Family Bonds - It's Complicated . He Falls 1st . Witchy Romance . Spells & Potions . Contemporary Fantasy Romance . Soft Dom
Juniper is a potion maker with a big attitude. She lives in a small town with her sisters, but she struggles as she can not find the one job that makes her feel like it's what she's meant to be doing. Nothing brings her happiness. With the death of her mother, she has become the responsible one of her family of witches, which puts a whole lot of pressure on her shoulders.
Ozan is a recently divorced spell caster who moves back to his hometown in hopes of starting anew. He opens an apothecary, not realizing that a girl from his past would again become his ultimate rival... and the one to drive him crazy.
"She fixes me with a death glare, and I melt into a puddle." (pg 66)
There's chemistry, and it's not just because of potions!
"Ozan is tormenting me again, and it's different this time. Instead of frustrating me, he's flustering me." (pg 198)
Had the opportunity to get an eARC of this book. It's always a pleasure to know that I can make such good decisions from time to time... it's rare, but happens 🤣 This was such a nice little witchy book, as some would call "cozy", for it did have that warm and toasty feel - like s'mores, but all gooey and spicy. Juni and Oz were a perfect match - opposite in temperment, but yet both snarky playing off of and goading one another.
"'...but you definitely get pleasure from seeing me all... all... ruffled!' ...
"'I do.' I shrug. 'It's cute.'" (pg 77)
I felt a certain kinship with Juni in her perpetual search to find a fit and purpose, and also toward the end when she was feeling all the feels. Kinda had a girl tearing up a little!
This book is part of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone. Hope to read more from this author!
"... something more is brewing." (pg 215)
4.16 (~4) 🌟 eARC - electronic Advance Reader Copy
January 5, 2026
💕 "I know you, I see you"
🌟 Thanks to @elisabeth.narrates for the ALC
After her mother's sudden death, Juniper Hawthorne inherits her famous apothecary. Unfortunately, she is still struggling with her grief and the pressure to fill her mother's shoes leading her to abandon the apothecary - forcing fellow witches of Starbrook to buy supplies out of town. Fresh from an emotional divorce, Ozan Demir has moved back to his hometown for a fresh start. Since the community lacks an apothecary and he has a nice shiny business degree, he decides to open his own shop. This move reignites an old rivalry between Juniper and Ozan - and some unresolved feelings.
I absolutely adored this cute and cozy modern-day witchy romance - with a nice hint of spice. I loved the dual narration and both narrators perfectly embodied how I pictured these characters. The relationship between Juniper and her sisters (as well as their struggles with grief) was so realistic and relatable. Ozan also his share of relatability in terms of grieving a breakup and starting over. The spice showed a complete different side to Ozan - which I loved for Juniper. But even before their relationship progressed to that level, their banter was so fun to read and to see that change from rivals to lovers happen. I really appreciated their mature relationship and admired how Ozan was supportive of Juniper's independence - it was nice to see they don't just drop everything because of their relationship. There is a hint of a mystery behind Juniper's mother's death and I hope this is something addressed in future books. Additionally, I'd like to see more of the witch/fantasy aspect of this universe - I loved seeing those glimpses of Ozan's mischievous familiars and the different witch specialities.
✅️ Rivals to Lovers
✅️ Reverse Grump × Sunshine
✅️ Cozy Witchy Romance
✅️ 🌶
🌟 Thanks to @elisabeth.narrates for the ALC
After her mother's sudden death, Juniper Hawthorne inherits her famous apothecary. Unfortunately, she is still struggling with her grief and the pressure to fill her mother's shoes leading her to abandon the apothecary - forcing fellow witches of Starbrook to buy supplies out of town. Fresh from an emotional divorce, Ozan Demir has moved back to his hometown for a fresh start. Since the community lacks an apothecary and he has a nice shiny business degree, he decides to open his own shop. This move reignites an old rivalry between Juniper and Ozan - and some unresolved feelings.
I absolutely adored this cute and cozy modern-day witchy romance - with a nice hint of spice. I loved the dual narration and both narrators perfectly embodied how I pictured these characters. The relationship between Juniper and her sisters (as well as their struggles with grief) was so realistic and relatable. Ozan also his share of relatability in terms of grieving a breakup and starting over. The spice showed a complete different side to Ozan - which I loved for Juniper. But even before their relationship progressed to that level, their banter was so fun to read and to see that change from rivals to lovers happen. I really appreciated their mature relationship and admired how Ozan was supportive of Juniper's independence - it was nice to see they don't just drop everything because of their relationship. There is a hint of a mystery behind Juniper's mother's death and I hope this is something addressed in future books. Additionally, I'd like to see more of the witch/fantasy aspect of this universe - I loved seeing those glimpses of Ozan's mischievous familiars and the different witch specialities.
✅️ Rivals to Lovers
✅️ Reverse Grump × Sunshine
✅️ Cozy Witchy Romance
✅️ 🌶
May 1, 2025
Such A Great Cozy and Spicy Read
I am on an Indie Author binge lately and came across this one. This story, in my mind, is if Hart of Dixie and The Good Witch had a baby. It's got that small town cozy feel but with witches. The witch part isn't even an in your face annoying over the top theme, like Charmed. It's written in so well it feels natural to the storyline. The main characters are also bigger built and fluffy, not the typical "she's a tall thin blonde with legs for days." So refreshing because the FMC owns it and doesn't let her size become an insecurity. There's no comparing herself to other women. It's so nice to see a secure FMC period. The FMC is also sassy but not obnoxiously so. She is human like all of us with internal dialogue that expresses her weaknesses and concerns, especially self-doubt in terms of where am I in life. Very relatable. The MMC is quick with his witty retorts and very patient, exactly what you imagine from a small town guy. He's perfectly written. It's so cute with this frienemies relationship going on and he seems so sweet and gentle and then BAM! Out of nowhere comes spicy-spice that shocked me. Had me looking around to make sure nobody could see the words on my screen! I was not expecting that! I won't spoil it for you but okay, I see you, Ozan! Kudos to the author, it's a great read and I highly recommend!
💋 Fantasy Romance
💋 Small town
💋 Childhood frienemies to lovers
💋 2nd chance
💋 Witches
💋 Spice level 4 out of 5
💋 Beta in the streets Alpha in the sheets
I am on an Indie Author binge lately and came across this one. This story, in my mind, is if Hart of Dixie and The Good Witch had a baby. It's got that small town cozy feel but with witches. The witch part isn't even an in your face annoying over the top theme, like Charmed. It's written in so well it feels natural to the storyline. The main characters are also bigger built and fluffy, not the typical "she's a tall thin blonde with legs for days." So refreshing because the FMC owns it and doesn't let her size become an insecurity. There's no comparing herself to other women. It's so nice to see a secure FMC period. The FMC is also sassy but not obnoxiously so. She is human like all of us with internal dialogue that expresses her weaknesses and concerns, especially self-doubt in terms of where am I in life. Very relatable. The MMC is quick with his witty retorts and very patient, exactly what you imagine from a small town guy. He's perfectly written. It's so cute with this frienemies relationship going on and he seems so sweet and gentle and then BAM! Out of nowhere comes spicy-spice that shocked me. Had me looking around to make sure nobody could see the words on my screen! I was not expecting that! I won't spoil it for you but okay, I see you, Ozan! Kudos to the author, it's a great read and I highly recommend!
💋 Fantasy Romance
💋 Small town
💋 Childhood frienemies to lovers
💋 2nd chance
💋 Witches
💋 Spice level 4 out of 5
💋 Beta in the streets Alpha in the sheets
May 8, 2025
Holy cow!! This quickly became the best book I've read in a while. I'm obsessed with this cozy, witchy town full of supernatural creatures and witches finding love. (Spoiler free review)
Elle weaves a masterpiece of a cozy romance with low but emotional stakes. I typically prefer stories with high stakes and action that advance the angst of the romance plotline, but the emotional depth in these "lower" stakes still dragged me in and had me in a chokehold. I haven't devoured a book so quickly in a while and this immediately got me out of a reading slump.
Juniper lost her mom a year ago. It's taken a toll on her as the eldest, parentified daughter that she hasn't fully dealt with yet. Enter her long-time (one-sided) nemesis, Ozan, who is a fellow witch showing her up at every important part of her teenage years. Her mother's apothecary closed after her mysterious death, and Ozan's new shop is the first competitor its ever had.
Que the drama and romance.
Her mother's shop isn't just a building. Its a piece of her life that Junpier is ready to deal with in the face of her recent death. But she can't sit idly by while her family shop withers away while her 'enemy' has a thriving business. She plans to reopen, directly causing a competition in their small town that lasts through the autumn.
This book has everything. Great spice, Halloween festivities, witches with more real life pagan connections than pure fantasy, and gives me the same cozy vibes as Halloween town but with a swoony romance.
I cannot wait for the next sister's story!
Elle weaves a masterpiece of a cozy romance with low but emotional stakes. I typically prefer stories with high stakes and action that advance the angst of the romance plotline, but the emotional depth in these "lower" stakes still dragged me in and had me in a chokehold. I haven't devoured a book so quickly in a while and this immediately got me out of a reading slump.
Juniper lost her mom a year ago. It's taken a toll on her as the eldest, parentified daughter that she hasn't fully dealt with yet. Enter her long-time (one-sided) nemesis, Ozan, who is a fellow witch showing her up at every important part of her teenage years. Her mother's apothecary closed after her mysterious death, and Ozan's new shop is the first competitor its ever had.
Que the drama and romance.
Her mother's shop isn't just a building. Its a piece of her life that Junpier is ready to deal with in the face of her recent death. But she can't sit idly by while her family shop withers away while her 'enemy' has a thriving business. She plans to reopen, directly causing a competition in their small town that lasts through the autumn.
This book has everything. Great spice, Halloween festivities, witches with more real life pagan connections than pure fantasy, and gives me the same cozy vibes as Halloween town but with a swoony romance.
I cannot wait for the next sister's story!
March 21, 2025
I received an ARC for my honest opinion.
I've read this book in 2 days, neglecting all my responsibilities because I couldn't put it down.
The premise of a small town, witchy romance, with Gilmore Girls and Charmed vibes was so appealing to me that I was afraid to be disappointed. That didn't happened!
We follow the Hawthorne sisters while they mourn the loss of their matriarch, the relationship between the sisters is really sweet. Coming from a big family I really could relate with their dynamics, I think anyone with lots of siblings will understand, especially if you are a big sister with a little age difference. That responsibility weighs on your shoulders and throughout the book we see Juniper, the big sister, slowly letting go of her own expectations about how she supposed to be in life at 30 years old. That is another thing I really loved about those characters, they were in their 30's so their interactions were much more interesting and believable than when the characters are really young.
The love interest is the greenest flag ever and I just loved him so much! Ozan was so obviously smitten by Juniper and by the time they kissed I was like screaming! Kiss her already, omg! There was an insane amount of giggling and feet kicking during this reading and I'm not even ashamed! It was a spectacular introduction to the world of the Hawthorne sisters and I cannot wait to see what's coming next for them! A cozy, spicy read, so perfect for these rainy days!
I've read this book in 2 days, neglecting all my responsibilities because I couldn't put it down.
The premise of a small town, witchy romance, with Gilmore Girls and Charmed vibes was so appealing to me that I was afraid to be disappointed. That didn't happened!
We follow the Hawthorne sisters while they mourn the loss of their matriarch, the relationship between the sisters is really sweet. Coming from a big family I really could relate with their dynamics, I think anyone with lots of siblings will understand, especially if you are a big sister with a little age difference. That responsibility weighs on your shoulders and throughout the book we see Juniper, the big sister, slowly letting go of her own expectations about how she supposed to be in life at 30 years old. That is another thing I really loved about those characters, they were in their 30's so their interactions were much more interesting and believable than when the characters are really young.
The love interest is the greenest flag ever and I just loved him so much! Ozan was so obviously smitten by Juniper and by the time they kissed I was like screaming! Kiss her already, omg! There was an insane amount of giggling and feet kicking during this reading and I'm not even ashamed! It was a spectacular introduction to the world of the Hawthorne sisters and I cannot wait to see what's coming next for them! A cozy, spicy read, so perfect for these rainy days!
August 10, 2025
I really enjoyed this cozy romance!
After the mysterious death of their mother, the Hawthorne sisters are reeling. None more so than Juniper who was left her mother's apothecary shop. She decides that she can't deal with the shop at the moment and shutters it. A year later, Ozan Demir returns to Starbrook after his divorce and decides to open an apothecary shop. What he doesn't expect is that his rivalry with Juniper will be reignited by his shop's opening. Juniper is afraid that his shop will replace her mother's and scrambles to reopen, but she and her sisters need to figure out if running the shop like their mother would have is what they really want to do.
I really loved the dynamic between Juniper and Ozan. Their rivalry turned love affair was absolutely adorable. Also, I loved the way that he showed up for her even when it wasn't beneficial for him or even when it could have hurt his shop. He was determined to show her that he was there for her even if that meant challenging her hyper-independent streak. Honestly, I could completely relate to the hyper-independence and feeling like you need to take care of your family. I am not the oldest, but Juniper definitely resonated with me. I also loved the way that Laurel sort of conspired to get the two of them together. It definitely felt like a mischievous younger sibling thing to do. I am excited to see what the next book holds!
After the mysterious death of their mother, the Hawthorne sisters are reeling. None more so than Juniper who was left her mother's apothecary shop. She decides that she can't deal with the shop at the moment and shutters it. A year later, Ozan Demir returns to Starbrook after his divorce and decides to open an apothecary shop. What he doesn't expect is that his rivalry with Juniper will be reignited by his shop's opening. Juniper is afraid that his shop will replace her mother's and scrambles to reopen, but she and her sisters need to figure out if running the shop like their mother would have is what they really want to do.
I really loved the dynamic between Juniper and Ozan. Their rivalry turned love affair was absolutely adorable. Also, I loved the way that he showed up for her even when it wasn't beneficial for him or even when it could have hurt his shop. He was determined to show her that he was there for her even if that meant challenging her hyper-independent streak. Honestly, I could completely relate to the hyper-independence and feeling like you need to take care of your family. I am not the oldest, but Juniper definitely resonated with me. I also loved the way that Laurel sort of conspired to get the two of them together. It definitely felt like a mischievous younger sibling thing to do. I am excited to see what the next book holds!
March 20, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 / 🌶️🌶️
This was a delightfully, low steaks book about the eldest sister and a family of five witches. She definitely has eldest sister syndrome as she frantically tries to find her passion in life while also taking care of her (adult) sisters after losing their mother. As she’s going on this self discovery journey, she reignites with her first kiss, Oz, who is also coming off the heels of a formative event.
As the eldest daughter of an eldest daughter I can empathize and sympathize with Juni’s thoughts, and the struggle to remember to take care of yourself as much as you take care of others. I will say that some of the self sabotage and the harsh thought she had about herself were a little repetitive, but not altogether uncommon.
I loved watching her and Oz come together and seeing their journey from broken individuals to whole people again. Watching them, find their passion and have a truly adult relationship, was a breath of fresh air. Sometimes you want to read about a 20-year-old saving the world and sometimes you want to read about 30 some things falling in love after tragedy.
This was super cozy and I would recommend it as a really nice palate cleanser, or something to break a reading slump.
Thank you for the arc, I am absolutely looking forward to reading about the other sisters, especially the elusive Aspen
This was a delightfully, low steaks book about the eldest sister and a family of five witches. She definitely has eldest sister syndrome as she frantically tries to find her passion in life while also taking care of her (adult) sisters after losing their mother. As she’s going on this self discovery journey, she reignites with her first kiss, Oz, who is also coming off the heels of a formative event.
As the eldest daughter of an eldest daughter I can empathize and sympathize with Juni’s thoughts, and the struggle to remember to take care of yourself as much as you take care of others. I will say that some of the self sabotage and the harsh thought she had about herself were a little repetitive, but not altogether uncommon.
I loved watching her and Oz come together and seeing their journey from broken individuals to whole people again. Watching them, find their passion and have a truly adult relationship, was a breath of fresh air. Sometimes you want to read about a 20-year-old saving the world and sometimes you want to read about 30 some things falling in love after tragedy.
This was super cozy and I would recommend it as a really nice palate cleanser, or something to break a reading slump.
Thank you for the arc, I am absolutely looking forward to reading about the other sisters, especially the elusive Aspen
June 7, 2025
When I say I want enemies to lovers, this is what I mean.
Bewitched & Bewildered nails the cozy, witchy, cottagecore vibe without ever dragging—leaving you both satisfied and longing for more by the final page.
I expected to be invested in Juniper and Ozan from the jump. What surprised me was how quickly I became attached to everything else: the town of Starbrook, the sisters, the magic, the grief, the gossip. Elle Lavendelle has crafted a world that feels both familiar and fantastical in the best way.
Hands down, Juniper is one of my new favorite characters—eldest daughter with a hyper-independent streak, trying to fix everything but herself... not relatable at all, what do you mean. Her journey through grief is raw and realistic, especially in the quiet, painful ways life just keeps going. And Ozan? An absolute delight. Sunshine to her grump without ever veering into saccharine. Their dynamic is sharp, emotional, and you'll absolutely laugh out loud more than once.
And the spice? Good gods. A certain “he finishes early” moment should honestly be studied.
Elle Lavendelle strikes a perfect balance between heart, heat, and witchy mischief. I’m already counting down the days until the next sister gets her story!
Bewitched & Bewildered nails the cozy, witchy, cottagecore vibe without ever dragging—leaving you both satisfied and longing for more by the final page.
I expected to be invested in Juniper and Ozan from the jump. What surprised me was how quickly I became attached to everything else: the town of Starbrook, the sisters, the magic, the grief, the gossip. Elle Lavendelle has crafted a world that feels both familiar and fantastical in the best way.
Hands down, Juniper is one of my new favorite characters—eldest daughter with a hyper-independent streak, trying to fix everything but herself... not relatable at all, what do you mean. Her journey through grief is raw and realistic, especially in the quiet, painful ways life just keeps going. And Ozan? An absolute delight. Sunshine to her grump without ever veering into saccharine. Their dynamic is sharp, emotional, and you'll absolutely laugh out loud more than once.
And the spice? Good gods. A certain “he finishes early” moment should honestly be studied.
Elle Lavendelle strikes a perfect balance between heart, heat, and witchy mischief. I’m already counting down the days until the next sister gets her story!
March 2, 2025
I received this as an ARC copy.
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
3 🌶️🌶️🌶️
This book is incredible. The sisterly dynamics, the history between the main characters and the drama around the Hawthorne girls were so well written that I couldn’t put the book down! It took me a couple of days to complete because life is busy, but oh my god, how I wish I could’ve sat down and lost myself in this for one sitting. I was thinking about it every moment I wasn’t reading the book. I wish I could live in Starbrook and never leave! Ozan, for one, was so wonderful,l and I loved his backstory. It was very easy to hate his ex. I’m glad he got closure, moved on, and found his happiness. Juniper was so easy for me to understand as an eldest sister. I loved their dynamic so much. I hope they make appearances in the rest of the series. I’m excited to see what comes next and if we get answers about what happened to the girls’ mom. Elle has instantly gained a lifelong fan, I hope this book does really well in the spring when it comes out. I can’t wait to talk to people about it and gush and rave with everyone else who loves it.
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
3 🌶️🌶️🌶️
This book is incredible. The sisterly dynamics, the history between the main characters and the drama around the Hawthorne girls were so well written that I couldn’t put the book down! It took me a couple of days to complete because life is busy, but oh my god, how I wish I could’ve sat down and lost myself in this for one sitting. I was thinking about it every moment I wasn’t reading the book. I wish I could live in Starbrook and never leave! Ozan, for one, was so wonderful,l and I loved his backstory. It was very easy to hate his ex. I’m glad he got closure, moved on, and found his happiness. Juniper was so easy for me to understand as an eldest sister. I loved their dynamic so much. I hope they make appearances in the rest of the series. I’m excited to see what comes next and if we get answers about what happened to the girls’ mom. Elle has instantly gained a lifelong fan, I hope this book does really well in the spring when it comes out. I can’t wait to talk to people about it and gush and rave with everyone else who loves it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 22, 2025
In high school, Juniper and Ozan were academic rivals. Everything was a competition. Now, Ozan has moved back to their hometown and opened an apothecary. But Juniper's mother owned the town apothecary. After her passing, Juniper and her sisters haven't been ready to reopen it. But now that Oz is here, Juniper feels her competitive side reignite.
Ozan and Juniper are each grieving and finding themselves after loss. Juniper's mother died, and she is the oldest of 5, so she feels responsible for her sisters. Her grief is realistic. She's mad at her mother, she's hurting, she's confused, she's lost.
Ozan is grieving his marriage. His divorce was just finalized after learning that his wife cheated with his best friend. He realized how unhappy he was and moved to his hometown. He's finding his happiness again, and gods, does he hope it's with Juniper.
Their relationship isn't easy or simple. He's very charismatic and she's very moody, so they have a lot of miscommunications. Most stem from Juniper still thinking he's trying to compete, but really, he just likes to rile her up. But they really are good together.
Ozan and Juniper are each grieving and finding themselves after loss. Juniper's mother died, and she is the oldest of 5, so she feels responsible for her sisters. Her grief is realistic. She's mad at her mother, she's hurting, she's confused, she's lost.
Ozan is grieving his marriage. His divorce was just finalized after learning that his wife cheated with his best friend. He realized how unhappy he was and moved to his hometown. He's finding his happiness again, and gods, does he hope it's with Juniper.
Their relationship isn't easy or simple. He's very charismatic and she's very moody, so they have a lot of miscommunications. Most stem from Juniper still thinking he's trying to compete, but really, he just likes to rile her up. But they really are good together.
February 19, 2025
Let me start by saying I ✨ devoured ✨ this book.
Juniper, our little grumpy FMC, is struggling to find her place in the world after a batch of unfulfilling jobs and the tragic loss of her mother. After taking over her late mother's beloved apothecary, she does her best to fill the shoes left behind. But first, she has to deal with the new competition in town... A new shop owned by none other than Ozan. The man who can get under her skin like nobody else.
Ozan has recently returned to their hometown, carrying a bit of emotional baggage after a messy divorce. But he finds he loves two things about being home, even in the midst of recovering from a painful relationship... Running his shop and frustrating the hell out of Juniper.
If you loved The Spellshop but wished it had a little bit of ✨ spice ✨, I think you'll enjoy this read. It's similarly whimsical and delightful, but let's be real... I 👏🏼 want 👏🏼 smut 👏🏼
🤎 Rivals to lovers
🤍 Cozy fantasy
🤎 Grumpy x sunshine
🤍 Soft dom x bratty sub
🤎 Small town
Thanks to the author for the ARC! 🫶🏼☕📖
Juniper, our little grumpy FMC, is struggling to find her place in the world after a batch of unfulfilling jobs and the tragic loss of her mother. After taking over her late mother's beloved apothecary, she does her best to fill the shoes left behind. But first, she has to deal with the new competition in town... A new shop owned by none other than Ozan. The man who can get under her skin like nobody else.
Ozan has recently returned to their hometown, carrying a bit of emotional baggage after a messy divorce. But he finds he loves two things about being home, even in the midst of recovering from a painful relationship... Running his shop and frustrating the hell out of Juniper.
If you loved The Spellshop but wished it had a little bit of ✨ spice ✨, I think you'll enjoy this read. It's similarly whimsical and delightful, but let's be real... I 👏🏼 want 👏🏼 smut 👏🏼
🤎 Rivals to lovers
🤍 Cozy fantasy
🤎 Grumpy x sunshine
🤍 Soft dom x bratty sub
🤎 Small town
Thanks to the author for the ARC! 🫶🏼☕📖
February 24, 2025
A small-town setting that reminds me of Stars Hollow and a group of sisters with strong personalities make for a great story.
Juniper, a 30 something, is trying to find her passion in life while dealing with grief and family responsibilities. Disappointing her sisters is not an option and sets out to open an apothecary shop only to find that she has some competition in the town. A blast from the past sets her in a spiral that will open her eyes to what her heart really wants.
Ozan, a heartbroken divorcee, moves back to his childhood home to start a new life. Opening an apothecary shop in town sets Juniper in his path, her fiery attitude challenges him and finds himself looking forward to having healthy competition with a dose of glares from the fiery Juniper all while trying to keep his heart out of it.
The setting is cozy, the sisters all offer different perspectives in Juniper's life. It was wonderful to see a 30 something, curvaceous beautiful woman finds her place in life. Read this if you like Gilmore girl vibes with a magic twist.
Juniper, a 30 something, is trying to find her passion in life while dealing with grief and family responsibilities. Disappointing her sisters is not an option and sets out to open an apothecary shop only to find that she has some competition in the town. A blast from the past sets her in a spiral that will open her eyes to what her heart really wants.
Ozan, a heartbroken divorcee, moves back to his childhood home to start a new life. Opening an apothecary shop in town sets Juniper in his path, her fiery attitude challenges him and finds himself looking forward to having healthy competition with a dose of glares from the fiery Juniper all while trying to keep his heart out of it.
The setting is cozy, the sisters all offer different perspectives in Juniper's life. It was wonderful to see a 30 something, curvaceous beautiful woman finds her place in life. Read this if you like Gilmore girl vibes with a magic twist.
January 1, 2026
4 stars ✨
This was such a cute read to end the year!! I saw this marketed as Gilmore Girls meets Charmed and needed to read it immediately! It had everything I love from a romance… witches, small towns, hot sunshine boy x hot grumpy girl, rivals to lovers/fwb to lovers, sisterhood… truly could go on forever!
Juniper was a character I think so many eldest daughter will relate to and going on her journey of finally loving for herself was both frustrating and beautiful. Ozan comes straight off of his divorce which left him with no desire to ever love again but he didn’t stand a chance when it came to Juniper. These two were electric from their first meeting upon Oz’s return to Starbrook. I loved them so dearly and mentally hoping to get some glimpses of them in future stories!
I am also really hoping we get more about the death of the mom in future stories as well, that storyline felt very unfinished and I certainly have many questions! Can’t wait to be back in Starbrook!!
This was such a cute read to end the year!! I saw this marketed as Gilmore Girls meets Charmed and needed to read it immediately! It had everything I love from a romance… witches, small towns, hot sunshine boy x hot grumpy girl, rivals to lovers/fwb to lovers, sisterhood… truly could go on forever!
Juniper was a character I think so many eldest daughter will relate to and going on her journey of finally loving for herself was both frustrating and beautiful. Ozan comes straight off of his divorce which left him with no desire to ever love again but he didn’t stand a chance when it came to Juniper. These two were electric from their first meeting upon Oz’s return to Starbrook. I loved them so dearly and mentally hoping to get some glimpses of them in future stories!
I am also really hoping we get more about the death of the mom in future stories as well, that storyline felt very unfinished and I certainly have many questions! Can’t wait to be back in Starbrook!!
February 20, 2025
This cozy book follows Juniper a witch trying to find her path after loosing her mother and Ozan a recent divorce that wants to start his life over someplace else.
This books is Gilmore Girls meets Charmed which are two of my favorite shows!!!!
I love how strong Juniper is but also her vulnerability. I love how Ozan knows she is strong and allows her to come to him in her own time and when she is ready!
The spice is spicing that is all I will say!!!!!
Cannot wait for the rest of the books!! I want to live in Starbrook so bad!!! It has always been my dream of finding a small city with this vibes and DANG!!! Elle did an amazing job of describing my dream city! Like how did you know girl!! Lol.
You will fall in love with the characters (including the side characters; side for now #wink)
This books is Gilmore Girls meets Charmed which are two of my favorite shows!!!!
I love how strong Juniper is but also her vulnerability. I love how Ozan knows she is strong and allows her to come to him in her own time and when she is ready!
The spice is spicing that is all I will say!!!!!
Cannot wait for the rest of the books!! I want to live in Starbrook so bad!!! It has always been my dream of finding a small city with this vibes and DANG!!! Elle did an amazing job of describing my dream city! Like how did you know girl!! Lol.
You will fall in love with the characters (including the side characters; side for now #wink)
February 25, 2025
3.75 stars!! ⭐️
This book was such a fun, cozy read! It made me feel like I was cuddled up reading in the middle of a fall afternoon with a pumpkin spice latte. Literally, the definition of a cozy read!!
It definitely gives Charmed + Gilmore girls vibes, with each of the sisters. I love how we got to know a little about each sister too, since Juniper is very close to them. It was good for the story building!
I would definitely consider this a slow burn. The banter and angst leading up to them, *chefs kiss*
The spice was low, but honestly it was just the right amount for this cute book! Ozan gave up just the right amount to show his feelings for Juniper.
I loved this book, & would absolutely love a spin-off of the sisters!!
(I received this book as an ARC, so this is my honest review!)
This book was such a fun, cozy read! It made me feel like I was cuddled up reading in the middle of a fall afternoon with a pumpkin spice latte. Literally, the definition of a cozy read!!
It definitely gives Charmed + Gilmore girls vibes, with each of the sisters. I love how we got to know a little about each sister too, since Juniper is very close to them. It was good for the story building!
I would definitely consider this a slow burn. The banter and angst leading up to them, *chefs kiss*
The spice was low, but honestly it was just the right amount for this cute book! Ozan gave up just the right amount to show his feelings for Juniper.
I loved this book, & would absolutely love a spin-off of the sisters!!
(I received this book as an ARC, so this is my honest review!)
March 1, 2025
Magical & Magnetic!
If you've been looking for a lighthearted enemies-to-lovers story with a dash of magic, Bewitched & Bewildered is the book for you! Juniper and Ozan's story is full of charm, heart, and a lot of spice. Ozan felt like the perfect match for Juniper. I wish he had more edge to his personality, but that's just my personal preference for leading men.
Overall, I enjoyed the story, but a few of the sub plots might have been developed further. And, while I adored Juniper's relationship with her many sisters (they reminded me of the Halliwells from Charmed in the best way), I felt like we didn't get enough of their interactions. Here's hope the author will elaborate on each of their lives in future projects!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
If you've been looking for a lighthearted enemies-to-lovers story with a dash of magic, Bewitched & Bewildered is the book for you! Juniper and Ozan's story is full of charm, heart, and a lot of spice. Ozan felt like the perfect match for Juniper. I wish he had more edge to his personality, but that's just my personal preference for leading men.
Overall, I enjoyed the story, but a few of the sub plots might have been developed further. And, while I adored Juniper's relationship with her many sisters (they reminded me of the Halliwells from Charmed in the best way), I felt like we didn't get enough of their interactions. Here's hope the author will elaborate on each of their lives in future projects!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 2, 2025
This book is so cozy and fun! It’s a shorter book, I finished it in one day. Ozan, the MMC, has such sweet golden retriever, supportive partner energy. I loved him. Juniper, the FMC, is more of a feisty, grumpy, don’t take any shit type. The two of them together is really cute and I loved watching their relationship. The presence of magic, witches, werewolves, etc was fun. This would be such a fun read for a nice fall day. I loved all of the sisters and their relationship with each other. I could have used more detail about the character appearances and setting. I think more bulk could’ve been added just by being more descriptive but as is it’s a quick, fun cozy read. The spice was immaculate. It’s probably 3/5 🌶️ and I didn’t think it was too much spice. Definitely recommend this as a quick, cozy fall romance!
March 16, 2025
🔮I couldn’t put this cozy, small town witchy romance down! This book will be a comfort read I return to again and again - I really saw myself in Juniper Hawthorne, and her story was so satisfying on an almost healing level for me 💕
🔮This book follows Juniper and Ozan, two characters who are healing from their own traumas. They are the perfect example of a reverse grumpy/sunshine trope, and I loved seeing their banter and relationship unfold. In addition to the main characters, I loved seeing the dynamic between Juniper and her sisters (I really hope the sisters will get their own books!)
🔮You’ll love this book if you love🔮
💕Rivals To Lovers
💕Witchy Small Town
💕He Falls First
💕Reverse Grumpy/Sunshine
💕Gilmore Girls/Charmed Vibes
💕Cozy Romance
*I received an advanced copy of Bewitched and Bewildered - all opinions are my own*
🔮This book follows Juniper and Ozan, two characters who are healing from their own traumas. They are the perfect example of a reverse grumpy/sunshine trope, and I loved seeing their banter and relationship unfold. In addition to the main characters, I loved seeing the dynamic between Juniper and her sisters (I really hope the sisters will get their own books!)
🔮You’ll love this book if you love🔮
💕Rivals To Lovers
💕Witchy Small Town
💕He Falls First
💕Reverse Grumpy/Sunshine
💕Gilmore Girls/Charmed Vibes
💕Cozy Romance
*I received an advanced copy of Bewitched and Bewildered - all opinions are my own*
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