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Oak Haven Witches #2
Jingle Spells
Pre-order this cozy Christmas witch romance now, perfect for fans of Gilmore Girls and Rewitched
Sparks are flying under the mistletoe this Christmas…
Delilah hates Christmas. She’s a strong independent witch who has finally left her hometown of Oak Haven and is off forging her own path. But an emergency drags her back just in time for the holidays.
Jasper is a human who also hates Christmas. He’s attempting to avoid festivities when he stumbles into the magical world of Oak Haven – a place which definitely isn't supposed to exist – and sees things which should be impossible.
When chaos erupts in the town, Delilah and Jasper must join forces to restore order. They should be the perfect team. Their only problem? Their growing attraction to each other might be distracting them from their work…
The perfect cozy Christmas romance with a sprinkle of magic, where Gilmore Girls meets Charmed.
***
Perfect for fans
Forced proximity ☀️
Witchy aesthetic 🔮✨
Cozy small town 🍂☕
Sisterhood and found family 👯
Sparks are flying under the mistletoe this Christmas…
Delilah hates Christmas. She’s a strong independent witch who has finally left her hometown of Oak Haven and is off forging her own path. But an emergency drags her back just in time for the holidays.
Jasper is a human who also hates Christmas. He’s attempting to avoid festivities when he stumbles into the magical world of Oak Haven – a place which definitely isn't supposed to exist – and sees things which should be impossible.
When chaos erupts in the town, Delilah and Jasper must join forces to restore order. They should be the perfect team. Their only problem? Their growing attraction to each other might be distracting them from their work…
The perfect cozy Christmas romance with a sprinkle of magic, where Gilmore Girls meets Charmed.
***
Perfect for fans
Forced proximity ☀️
Witchy aesthetic 🔮✨
Cozy small town 🍂☕
Sisterhood and found family 👯
387 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2025
114 people are currently reading
2482 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews
October 11, 2025
3.5
this was cute and fun, not my typical read besides fantasy.
plus why not get into the Christmas spirit?
it definitely seemed like a this day age Hallmark film especially cause it used modern lingo and apps etc which threw me off a bit.
the chemistry also being so insta-lovely is just not my style lol
also the forgetting spell made me mad
thank you to netgalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for a honest review.
this was cute and fun, not my typical read besides fantasy.
plus why not get into the Christmas spirit?
it definitely seemed like a this day age Hallmark film especially cause it used modern lingo and apps etc which threw me off a bit.
the chemistry also being so insta-lovely is just not my style lol
also the forgetting spell made me mad
thank you to netgalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for a honest review.
August 25, 2025
2.5 stars
I was really excited about this. From the adorable Christmasy cover, the cute word-play title, magical romance and the promise of vibes from those cozy 90s/2000s TV series that we know and love- I really thought this would be great.
So it pains me to say, that this really just fell a bit short for me.
Let me start off by saying that I am fully open to the idea that perhaps I just tried reading this while I was in a slump, or that maybe I just was not in the mood for this particular kind of book when I read it, i am not sure. But sadly, I just was not able to connect to this as much as I was hoping to.
I found the dialouge to be very confusing at times. In books, it is difficult to have multiple people trying to talk at once, interrupting each other- with little to no clarification as to who is saying what.
With this, none of the characters stuck out to me as being super likable. I wouldn’t consider them unlikable… but they were just a little bland.
As for the actual plot, I think it was interesting, and had quite a bit of potential. I like the magical theme, along with the slight mystery aspect. I also liked the Christmas vibe, as it adds some coziness to the story.
With all this being said, I encourage readers to not let my review turn them off of a book they think they might like. Reading is of course subjective, and you may very well love something even if i did not!
I will also point out that is in an ARC review, and things can always change between the copy that I am reading and the copy that readers of the finished product will receive.
Thank you to Netgalley, Avon Books and author Emily Grimoire for providing me with the eARC of “Jingle Spells”, in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: October 09, 2025
I was really excited about this. From the adorable Christmasy cover, the cute word-play title, magical romance and the promise of vibes from those cozy 90s/2000s TV series that we know and love- I really thought this would be great.
So it pains me to say, that this really just fell a bit short for me.
Let me start off by saying that I am fully open to the idea that perhaps I just tried reading this while I was in a slump, or that maybe I just was not in the mood for this particular kind of book when I read it, i am not sure. But sadly, I just was not able to connect to this as much as I was hoping to.
I found the dialouge to be very confusing at times. In books, it is difficult to have multiple people trying to talk at once, interrupting each other- with little to no clarification as to who is saying what.
With this, none of the characters stuck out to me as being super likable. I wouldn’t consider them unlikable… but they were just a little bland.
As for the actual plot, I think it was interesting, and had quite a bit of potential. I like the magical theme, along with the slight mystery aspect. I also liked the Christmas vibe, as it adds some coziness to the story.
With all this being said, I encourage readers to not let my review turn them off of a book they think they might like. Reading is of course subjective, and you may very well love something even if i did not!
I will also point out that is in an ARC review, and things can always change between the copy that I am reading and the copy that readers of the finished product will receive.
Thank you to Netgalley, Avon Books and author Emily Grimoire for providing me with the eARC of “Jingle Spells”, in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: October 09, 2025
October 13, 2025
An enjoyable festive story!
Picture this...cozy small town all decked out for the holidays, everyone happy and filled with cheer....right?
Wrong.
Our main characters are not at all Christmas people, and are in fact, bah humbugs. Separately, they have their reasons but when Jasper unwittingly finds Oak Haven, a witchy town not meant for human eyes, all hell breaks loose, and Delilah and Jasper need to work together to restore the town.
I wanted to love the banter and chemistry between Del and Jasper but it wasn't fully realized for me. I think it could have gone deeper and maybe been a little more slow burn/get to know each other better. It felt a bit forced.
I still thought it had enough elements for a witchy rom-com, especially with a holiday feeling, to enjoy the whole thing.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the opportunity to read and review this title.
Picture this...cozy small town all decked out for the holidays, everyone happy and filled with cheer....right?
Wrong.
Our main characters are not at all Christmas people, and are in fact, bah humbugs. Separately, they have their reasons but when Jasper unwittingly finds Oak Haven, a witchy town not meant for human eyes, all hell breaks loose, and Delilah and Jasper need to work together to restore the town.
I wanted to love the banter and chemistry between Del and Jasper but it wasn't fully realized for me. I think it could have gone deeper and maybe been a little more slow burn/get to know each other better. It felt a bit forced.
I still thought it had enough elements for a witchy rom-com, especially with a holiday feeling, to enjoy the whole thing.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the opportunity to read and review this title.
December 24, 2025
Cosy, chaotic and full of Christmassy charm; this was such a fun read!
I do have to admit, I hadn’t read the first book, Impractical Magic (which follows this book’s FMC Delilah’s sister, Scarlet) before diving into this, but it didn’t stop my enjoyment in the slightest as previous events are explored pretty thoroughly throughout the story. And I do plan to go back and read book 1 (as Scarlett’s story sounded fun in the messy, witchy chaotic type of way I absolutely love.)
I really liked Delilah, our witchy protagonist who at first glance, is a little grumpy (with an aversion to all things Christmas.) But her love for her family and community is undeniable. And I enjoyed seeing her navigate the complexities of love, sisterhood and found family dynamics whilst trying to save her home from a magical catastrophe. And of course (the best part) rediscovering the joy and magic of Christmas!
Jasper, our Christmas-hating (and human) county archivist/filing clerk was pretty intriguing too. Though I loved him best during his interactions with Delilah as their flirtation was kind of adorable.
I won’t go into details (as I don’t want to spoil anything) so I’ll just say fans of Hallmark movies, Gilmore Girls or witchy small town (The Ex Hex-esque) Rom-Coms definitely need to check this one out!
Also, a huge thank you to Avon for this gorgeous (and signed!) copy which I won in their recent Avonmas giveaways.
I do have to admit, I hadn’t read the first book, Impractical Magic (which follows this book’s FMC Delilah’s sister, Scarlet) before diving into this, but it didn’t stop my enjoyment in the slightest as previous events are explored pretty thoroughly throughout the story. And I do plan to go back and read book 1 (as Scarlett’s story sounded fun in the messy, witchy chaotic type of way I absolutely love.)
I really liked Delilah, our witchy protagonist who at first glance, is a little grumpy (with an aversion to all things Christmas.) But her love for her family and community is undeniable. And I enjoyed seeing her navigate the complexities of love, sisterhood and found family dynamics whilst trying to save her home from a magical catastrophe. And of course (the best part) rediscovering the joy and magic of Christmas!
Jasper, our Christmas-hating (and human) county archivist/filing clerk was pretty intriguing too. Though I loved him best during his interactions with Delilah as their flirtation was kind of adorable.
I won’t go into details (as I don’t want to spoil anything) so I’ll just say fans of Hallmark movies, Gilmore Girls or witchy small town (The Ex Hex-esque) Rom-Coms definitely need to check this one out!
Also, a huge thank you to Avon for this gorgeous (and signed!) copy which I won in their recent Avonmas giveaways.
December 9, 2025
This was a really cozy, Christmas read. The small-town setting and the magical mishaps with a Christmas spin was fun.
That said, the pacing felt a bit uneven, and some of the character development doesn’t quite land. I also felt like I wantes more from the story. Definitely preferred the first book more.
That said, the pacing felt a bit uneven, and some of the character development doesn’t quite land. I also felt like I wantes more from the story. Definitely preferred the first book more.
January 31, 2026
Loved it! I had no clue what was going to happen next and couldn’t have predicted it which made it so fun to read 🙈 love that Luna will get her story soon!
September 29, 2025
I read this as an ARC through NetGalley & Avon UK.
I found this book to be a cute and easy read. It is not really my usual kind of book but I can see why it will be popular with anyone who enjoys a cosy and feel good festive romance. The small town setting and witchy touches gave it a nice seasonal atmosphere and the characters were likeable.
Del and Jasper were perfectly matched and their relationship was fun to follow. The story itself felt a little flimsy at times and the magical worldbuilding could have been stronger but it was still easy to follow and kept a lighthearted tone throughout.
For readers who want a warm festive escape with charm and a guaranteed happy ending this book will tick all the right boxes. For me it was enjoyable enough but not one that stood out which is why I have given it three stars.
I found this book to be a cute and easy read. It is not really my usual kind of book but I can see why it will be popular with anyone who enjoys a cosy and feel good festive romance. The small town setting and witchy touches gave it a nice seasonal atmosphere and the characters were likeable.
Del and Jasper were perfectly matched and their relationship was fun to follow. The story itself felt a little flimsy at times and the magical worldbuilding could have been stronger but it was still easy to follow and kept a lighthearted tone throughout.
For readers who want a warm festive escape with charm and a guaranteed happy ending this book will tick all the right boxes. For me it was enjoyable enough but not one that stood out which is why I have given it three stars.
September 28, 2025
Well wasn't this a fun cute, cosy witchy holiday romance to read.
I really enjoyed this one. The writing, the plot, the characters (main and side). I had fun reading this book. What i also love is a magical town. love all that. This will be perfect to read for november/December time. The little twists had me turning the pages.
If you like witches, proper magic, cosy romances and awkward mmc with no people skills and magical towns then this is for you
Thank you Netgalley, publishers and author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review
I really enjoyed this one. The writing, the plot, the characters (main and side). I had fun reading this book. What i also love is a magical town. love all that. This will be perfect to read for november/December time. The little twists had me turning the pages.
If you like witches, proper magic, cosy romances and awkward mmc with no people skills and magical towns then this is for you
Thank you Netgalley, publishers and author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review
November 22, 2025
A great fun seasonal read. I am really intrigued to see where this goes, and I feel like something big is going to occur in the next and possible (IMO ONLY) last book. But we shall see.
December 10, 2025
Sad to say this wasn’t it for me. I wanted to like it, but the constant chatter instead of conversations and very bland main characters made reading this a chore instead of a pleasure. The story had so much potential but it all fell flat.
The romance did not develop, I have no idea why the main characters even liked each other (or why I should like them), so that felt confusing both in terms of connections and timing, because the (chemistry-missing) make-out scenes were right in the middle of a very dramatic and plot-heavy part of the story. The plot itself was interesting, but the way the characters approached basically every part of us was annoyingly chaotic. It all felt like it needed more care. The only things that felt like they got that care were all the enchanted Christmas decorations and descriptions of the décor everywhere, sadly.
The romance did not develop, I have no idea why the main characters even liked each other (or why I should like them), so that felt confusing both in terms of connections and timing, because the (chemistry-missing) make-out scenes were right in the middle of a very dramatic and plot-heavy part of the story. The plot itself was interesting, but the way the characters approached basically every part of us was annoyingly chaotic. It all felt like it needed more care. The only things that felt like they got that care were all the enchanted Christmas decorations and descriptions of the décor everywhere, sadly.
September 29, 2025
I was excited to read this witchy holiday romance. Delilah is a witch from OakHaven, who has lost her Christmas spirit now that her father is gone. However, a magical issue brings her back to town during the holiday season. Jasper is an archivist who visits Oak Haven only to realize that witches are real. However, the issue is that whenever he leaves his memory gets erased.
What I liked
The magical holiday vibes were excellent, the characters were a good opposites attract couple. I love the magical system and feud with the magicians. The beginning and end were interesting and I enjoyed the humour.
What I didn’t like so much
The middle of the book felt like it had too much going on, and some parts felt repetitive. I’m not a fan of the amnesia trope, so I struggled with that aspect.
If you enjoy small town, cute characters with witchy magical vibes in a holiday book, then this one might be for you.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon book UK for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
What I liked
The magical holiday vibes were excellent, the characters were a good opposites attract couple. I love the magical system and feud with the magicians. The beginning and end were interesting and I enjoyed the humour.
What I didn’t like so much
The middle of the book felt like it had too much going on, and some parts felt repetitive. I’m not a fan of the amnesia trope, so I struggled with that aspect.
If you enjoy small town, cute characters with witchy magical vibes in a holiday book, then this one might be for you.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon book UK for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 29, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books for the ARC of Jingle Spells.
Unfortunately, this one is falling so flat for me I have to DNF at about 35%. The idea is fun, but it reads much like a made-for-tv movie. The dialogue is trying really hard to be quippy like Gilmore Girls, but I think that translates better on screen. For a cozy story, there sure is a lot of cursing. It feels forced and makes the characters seem immature and less likable.
I am curious about how they plan to solve their current “neighbor problem,” but I don’t have a desire to power through the writing to get there.
Are all the characters English? Some of the vernacular reads English but everyone apparently is American? Not a deal-breaker but it’s a little odd and I wish there was clarification for the reader.
I was offered this ARC for my honest opinion, so there it is. I hate to DNF an ARC but I’d rather devote my reading time to something better suited for me. This is very likely someone else’s perfect holiday read!
Unfortunately, this one is falling so flat for me I have to DNF at about 35%. The idea is fun, but it reads much like a made-for-tv movie. The dialogue is trying really hard to be quippy like Gilmore Girls, but I think that translates better on screen. For a cozy story, there sure is a lot of cursing. It feels forced and makes the characters seem immature and less likable.
I am curious about how they plan to solve their current “neighbor problem,” but I don’t have a desire to power through the writing to get there.
Are all the characters English? Some of the vernacular reads English but everyone apparently is American? Not a deal-breaker but it’s a little odd and I wish there was clarification for the reader.
I was offered this ARC for my honest opinion, so there it is. I hate to DNF an ARC but I’d rather devote my reading time to something better suited for me. This is very likely someone else’s perfect holiday read!
November 21, 2025
This holiday story has a fun mix of magic, chaos, and two people who seriously do not vibe with Christmas. Delilah and Jasper aren’t exactly full of holiday joy. Jasper, just a regular guy, accidentally wanders into Oak Haven )a hidden town full of magic). Since he has no clue what’s going on, everything gets explained to him. So, if you didn’t rebook one, this one could be a read as a standalone.
Delilah is only back in Oak Haven because her own place is in trouble, and I liked how Jasper kept getting pulled toward he, like he had somehow met her before. 😉
One thing that really grabbed me was finding out the witches’ big threat comes from magicians. Learning how the two groups differ was actually really interesting. All the history and little details about their feud added a fun layer to the story.
Delilah is only back in Oak Haven because her own place is in trouble, and I liked how Jasper kept getting pulled toward he, like he had somehow met her before. 😉
One thing that really grabbed me was finding out the witches’ big threat comes from magicians. Learning how the two groups differ was actually really interesting. All the history and little details about their feud added a fun layer to the story.
October 23, 2025
3.5⭐️ While I thought this was a good read, I kept losing my train of thought in the middle of the storyline. It started off good and ended good and left me wanting to know what happens next for Delilah and Jasper. The slow burn love story between Delilah and Jasper felt rushed and Iike there was something missing that I can't quite figure out. Maybe the forgetting spelled worked on me?
My favorite characters surprisingly were Zahir and his clone, Epsilon. I thought they were both hilarious and added a nice touch to the storyline.
Overall, this is a decent book and I would read the first and third books in the series. I'm looking forward to knowing the other sisters storylines.
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.
My favorite characters surprisingly were Zahir and his clone, Epsilon. I thought they were both hilarious and added a nice touch to the storyline.
Overall, this is a decent book and I would read the first and third books in the series. I'm looking forward to knowing the other sisters storylines.
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.
November 8, 2025
A witchy read perfect for the Christmas time 🎄
I really like this series. There isn’t any spice and mainly focuses on the plot line and the build up on chemistry between the characters.
This was a cute storyline even though I feel bad for Deliah and how the story ended. I still do not think that she fully got for happy ending.
Genre: Romance
APK: Ebook
Pages: 387
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Series or Standalone: Book 2 in the Oak Haven Witches
I really like this series. There isn’t any spice and mainly focuses on the plot line and the build up on chemistry between the characters.
This was a cute storyline even though I feel bad for Deliah and how the story ended. I still do not think that she fully got for happy ending.
Genre: Romance
APK: Ebook
Pages: 387
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Series or Standalone: Book 2 in the Oak Haven Witches
December 22, 2025
DNF & I almost never DNF a book.
All the characters seem to have the same personality, I cannot tell who’s speaking when there’s dialogue. I found this book lackluster, boring & cringey. Nothing kept me interested in this book. The forgetting spell is stupid & the “I hate Christmas because my dad is dead” trope is a wild stretch; most people’s dads are dead… also, magicians??? Really?
All the characters seem to have the same personality, I cannot tell who’s speaking when there’s dialogue. I found this book lackluster, boring & cringey. Nothing kept me interested in this book. The forgetting spell is stupid & the “I hate Christmas because my dad is dead” trope is a wild stretch; most people’s dads are dead… also, magicians??? Really?
January 21, 2026
The ending of this was a little frustrating. Hopefully this couple appears again in the series
October 5, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books and Emily Grimoire for sending me a arc copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
Jingle Spells is a cute cosy witchy Christmas read! Filled with quirky characters and whimsical moments!
The love between the two main characters was so sweet and wholesome, and I loved reading it grow, and then get set back and then grow again! (Iykyk)
The festive spin in a witchy novel was a unique twist (I usually associate witchy stories with autumn). I feel like reading this book in the lead up to Christmas in December would give the perfect vibes!
Overall this was a wholesome read, and will definitely look to read more from this author! I would recommend this book to readers who loved Rewitched and Best Hex Ever.
Jingle Spells is a cute cosy witchy Christmas read! Filled with quirky characters and whimsical moments!
The love between the two main characters was so sweet and wholesome, and I loved reading it grow, and then get set back and then grow again! (Iykyk)
The festive spin in a witchy novel was a unique twist (I usually associate witchy stories with autumn). I feel like reading this book in the lead up to Christmas in December would give the perfect vibes!
Overall this was a wholesome read, and will definitely look to read more from this author! I would recommend this book to readers who loved Rewitched and Best Hex Ever.
December 23, 2025
That was so cute 🥹
December 23, 2025
I liked the first book in this series, but this one was a mess. Overly convoluted making it drag on too long. Too many pointless side quests with very little character growth.
December 30, 2025
Exactly the read I needed this season, very cosy.
January 5, 2026
This was such a cute and fun witchy holiday read. It’s got messy magic, cosy vibes, and just enough chaos to keep things fun without ever getting too serious. The main character Delilah is snarky, the found-family moments land, and the whole thing feels like a warm hug. The perfect companion to Impractical Magic, and I can’t wait for Book 3 to see what our 3rd Oak Haven Witch sister gets up to.
October 23, 2025
Is there anything more fitting than someone with the last name Grimoire, writing about witches? This magic-meets-Christmas story is perfect to bridge between spooky season and the winter holidays. Despite the potential for a cozy magical Christmas, both leads are a couple of Grinches. Delilah is a witch who returns to her hometown while Jasper is a human who happens upon that hometown that shouldn’t be known to the non magical world. Both hate Christmas but in the circumstances that have them crossing paths, they have to put that aside to save the town and any chance at a romance and future.
I thought this was a cute Christmas story fitting of coming out during October and Halloween. However, two “hates Christmas” storylines made it hard to totally fall for the story and I think more of a balance would’ve made the story more enjoyable (but that’s my opinion!)
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
I thought this was a cute Christmas story fitting of coming out during October and Halloween. However, two “hates Christmas” storylines made it hard to totally fall for the story and I think more of a balance would’ve made the story more enjoyable (but that’s my opinion!)
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
December 31, 2025
this book was so good. The book didn't feel boring at all, something was always happening but not in an overwhelming way? i loved the ending too!
September 28, 2025
Delilah is a witch with zero time for Christmas cheer, peppermint lattes, or small-town drama. So naturally, she gets dragged back to Oak Haven just in time for magical holiday chaos, family squabbles, and one suspiciously adorable human stumbling into her life like a confused golden retriever with a library card.
Jasper is said confused human. He works in a records office, wears too many layers, and accidentally finds a magical town that’s not even supposed to exist. Every time he leaves Oak Haven, he forgets it exists entirely. That’s right. We’ve got memory spells, hidden towns, and a man who is quite literally falling in love with the same woman over and over again like some Hallmark-meets-The Matrix situation.
The setup promises a witchy, festive romance with a side of chaos, and it kind of delivers. Oak Haven has serious small-town sitcom energy, if everyone had magical powers and deep emotional repression. The vibe is marketed as very Gilmore Girls meets Charmed. A tight-knit magical sisterhood, town meetings that end in spells gone wrong, and an entire subplot involving magicians trying to invade via Christmas-themed capitalism. Because apparently, nothing says “holiday threat” like a cursed casino and a dude in a sequined vest trying to hex your front porch.
Delilah is the definition of a closed-off main character, and honestly? Respect. She’s prickly and sarcastic and would rather face down a magical turf war than admit she cares about anyone. Watching her warm up to Jasper was sweet, but it never fully hit that swoony level. The romance kind of flutters in the background like mistletoe no one’s standing under. Jasper is cute, if a little milquetoast. Like, I get that he’s nice and charming and keeps risking brain damage to remember this woman, but I still couldn’t tell you his favorite color or one defining personality trait besides “knows how to file things.”
There are moments that sparkle. The sisters have great banter. The magical town rules are fun and weird and just absurd enough to work. There’s a snowman who sings and a teleportation mishap that genuinely made me snort. But pacing-wise? The plot sort of wanders around in a festive daze, bumps into some stakes, and then decides to wrap things up real quick before the mulled wine cools.
It’s a book that wants to be cozy and magical and heartwarming, and sometimes it is. But sometimes it’s like watching a made-for-TV movie where the commercial break hit just before the emotional payoff. I didn’t hate it. I just kind of wanted more. More emotional weight. More connection. Less “wait, are we pretending they’re in love again already?”
Would I read another book in this series? Probably. Would I remember most of what happened in this one a month from now? Unclear. Maybe Jasper and I have more in common than I thought. 3 stars.
Merry Mayhem Prize: For Most Likely to Fall in Love, Forget It, and Do It Again Before Chapter Twelve
Huge thanks to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for the ARC of Jingle Spells. I had a magical, mildly chaotic time. Like being hit in the face with a glittery snowball full of sibling drama, light amnesia, and questionable holiday decisions. I regret nothing. Except maybe not bringing enough snacks.
Jasper is said confused human. He works in a records office, wears too many layers, and accidentally finds a magical town that’s not even supposed to exist. Every time he leaves Oak Haven, he forgets it exists entirely. That’s right. We’ve got memory spells, hidden towns, and a man who is quite literally falling in love with the same woman over and over again like some Hallmark-meets-The Matrix situation.
The setup promises a witchy, festive romance with a side of chaos, and it kind of delivers. Oak Haven has serious small-town sitcom energy, if everyone had magical powers and deep emotional repression. The vibe is marketed as very Gilmore Girls meets Charmed. A tight-knit magical sisterhood, town meetings that end in spells gone wrong, and an entire subplot involving magicians trying to invade via Christmas-themed capitalism. Because apparently, nothing says “holiday threat” like a cursed casino and a dude in a sequined vest trying to hex your front porch.
Delilah is the definition of a closed-off main character, and honestly? Respect. She’s prickly and sarcastic and would rather face down a magical turf war than admit she cares about anyone. Watching her warm up to Jasper was sweet, but it never fully hit that swoony level. The romance kind of flutters in the background like mistletoe no one’s standing under. Jasper is cute, if a little milquetoast. Like, I get that he’s nice and charming and keeps risking brain damage to remember this woman, but I still couldn’t tell you his favorite color or one defining personality trait besides “knows how to file things.”
There are moments that sparkle. The sisters have great banter. The magical town rules are fun and weird and just absurd enough to work. There’s a snowman who sings and a teleportation mishap that genuinely made me snort. But pacing-wise? The plot sort of wanders around in a festive daze, bumps into some stakes, and then decides to wrap things up real quick before the mulled wine cools.
It’s a book that wants to be cozy and magical and heartwarming, and sometimes it is. But sometimes it’s like watching a made-for-TV movie where the commercial break hit just before the emotional payoff. I didn’t hate it. I just kind of wanted more. More emotional weight. More connection. Less “wait, are we pretending they’re in love again already?”
Would I read another book in this series? Probably. Would I remember most of what happened in this one a month from now? Unclear. Maybe Jasper and I have more in common than I thought. 3 stars.
Merry Mayhem Prize: For Most Likely to Fall in Love, Forget It, and Do It Again Before Chapter Twelve
Huge thanks to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for the ARC of Jingle Spells. I had a magical, mildly chaotic time. Like being hit in the face with a glittery snowball full of sibling drama, light amnesia, and questionable holiday decisions. I regret nothing. Except maybe not bringing enough snacks.
November 22, 2025
I had hoped that this would cast a warm holiday spell on me. Unfortunately, this was exhausting to get through. The only spell it cast was transporting me straight to Outlier Island. 🏝️🥥Help yourself to a coconut and join me around the cozy 🔥 campfire! 🏝🥥
The writing itself was my main issue; it became obvious that it was trying too hard to fit a certain aesthetic that didn't blend into the story. It felt like it was awkward and out of place. You can't wear every hat in the wardrobe at the same time and look pulled together. It almost seemed like this would've worked better for the screen. It was difficult to stay invested, awake, and I was BORED. The dialogue felt like it was trying too hard to fit the Gilmore Girls mold, but it ended up stilted. The characters were flat; I wasn't engaged enough to have a favorite or least favorite. The book is being billed as Gilmore Girls meets Charmed but I disagree it doesn't hold a candle to either. Three sister witches aren't enough to give off Charmed vibes and there isn't a line of dialogue that comes close to the wit of Gilmore Girls. There isn't enough meaningful interaction with the townspeople to endear them to the reader. The connection between characters was lacking and maybe that made it impossible for me to connect to the story. It didn't work.
Oak Haven is a town built upon magic. It is where the real Salem witches escaped to and settled during the infamous witch trials. Deliliah is called back home to Oak Haven as the holidays approach. She has her reasons for not enjoying the jolly season. She soon meets Jasper who stumbles into town looking for answers related to his job. Jasper is affected by the memory spell that affects the town as an outsider. To protect the witches of Oak Haven the town is bespelled to cause an outsider to forget about the town and its inhabitants upon leaving. The town is soon under attack; the pair must work together to save it. How can a romance bloom when Jasper will forget everything if he exits the town?
The romance felt rushed almost like an afterthought. Why do these two like each other? I couldn't tell you. The extra star here is for a few moments that the pacing moved faster and side characters who brought a much-needed pop of color to this drab story. The holiday tie-ins were weak. I didn't feel nostalgic, cozy, or really anything, but bored. Even a clowder of adorable cats couldn't save this one for me. 🐈🐈⬛🐈🐈⬛
Be sure and check out the many positive reviews for this one if the whimsical cover calls to you as I'm an early outlier and reading is subjective.
Thank you to Avon Books UK for providing an ARC via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The writing itself was my main issue; it became obvious that it was trying too hard to fit a certain aesthetic that didn't blend into the story. It felt like it was awkward and out of place. You can't wear every hat in the wardrobe at the same time and look pulled together. It almost seemed like this would've worked better for the screen. It was difficult to stay invested, awake, and I was BORED. The dialogue felt like it was trying too hard to fit the Gilmore Girls mold, but it ended up stilted. The characters were flat; I wasn't engaged enough to have a favorite or least favorite. The book is being billed as Gilmore Girls meets Charmed but I disagree it doesn't hold a candle to either. Three sister witches aren't enough to give off Charmed vibes and there isn't a line of dialogue that comes close to the wit of Gilmore Girls. There isn't enough meaningful interaction with the townspeople to endear them to the reader. The connection between characters was lacking and maybe that made it impossible for me to connect to the story. It didn't work.
Oak Haven is a town built upon magic. It is where the real Salem witches escaped to and settled during the infamous witch trials. Deliliah is called back home to Oak Haven as the holidays approach. She has her reasons for not enjoying the jolly season. She soon meets Jasper who stumbles into town looking for answers related to his job. Jasper is affected by the memory spell that affects the town as an outsider. To protect the witches of Oak Haven the town is bespelled to cause an outsider to forget about the town and its inhabitants upon leaving. The town is soon under attack; the pair must work together to save it. How can a romance bloom when Jasper will forget everything if he exits the town?
The romance felt rushed almost like an afterthought. Why do these two like each other? I couldn't tell you. The extra star here is for a few moments that the pacing moved faster and side characters who brought a much-needed pop of color to this drab story. The holiday tie-ins were weak. I didn't feel nostalgic, cozy, or really anything, but bored. Even a clowder of adorable cats couldn't save this one for me. 🐈🐈⬛🐈🐈⬛
Be sure and check out the many positive reviews for this one if the whimsical cover calls to you as I'm an early outlier and reading is subjective.
Thank you to Avon Books UK for providing an ARC via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 25, 2026
Jingle Spells is a magical take on the Christmas romance.
I went into this book blind and enjoyed the premise. I do think it may have been better to read book one in the Oak Haven Witches series so that I’d understand some of the dynamics between family members better. However, in general, this book was fine. Delilah has felt guilted into staying at home and supporting her mom after her beloved fathers tragic death, and is jealous of her sisters who have been living their best lives outside of the small, magical town. When the book opens, we see Delilah exploring the world but being summoned back due to some bad things happening. There is a villainous group of magicians who are trying to ruin the witches. Why the magicians are villains, I’m never quite sure. It’s a case of them being bad, bad, bad.
Delilah’s town is bewitched, which means that when humans enter into Oak Haven, they can experience the town, but as soon as they leave, they forget the town and its people exist. It’s a great theory in principle and I loved this plot point. Jasper, a human, stumbles into Oak Haven, and is instantly in love with Deliah. Of course, he thinks he’s going insane based on what he’s experiencing, because for him magic isn’t real. He leaves, and comes back again and the whole scenario begins again. We find out he’s been visiting in this loop for a while, however these are the first few meetings of him and Deliah. The two of them fall in love, and this is a deep I will destroy the world for you love. This is where the story falls apart for me, to be honest. Jasper, is just…. fine. All we really discover from his storyline is that he likes order and doesn’t like Christmas. I don’t fully understand why Delilah falls so hard for him, and his actions regarding her seem very out of character. After the second time he leaves and comes back, they basically fall back into love in one day, and it’s fierce. Delilah is ready to throw her whole life away for a guy who has only known her, in his mind, for like 36 hours.
To be honest, the crazy cast of secondary characters is what kept me engaged, there’s a terrific cast of small town people that I enjoyed hanging out with. The magical structure is also intriguing and something I would want to learn more about. I will for sure check out the other books in the series.
Click on the link to read more of our reviews on our blog: https://romancebythebook.com/book-rev...
I went into this book blind and enjoyed the premise. I do think it may have been better to read book one in the Oak Haven Witches series so that I’d understand some of the dynamics between family members better. However, in general, this book was fine. Delilah has felt guilted into staying at home and supporting her mom after her beloved fathers tragic death, and is jealous of her sisters who have been living their best lives outside of the small, magical town. When the book opens, we see Delilah exploring the world but being summoned back due to some bad things happening. There is a villainous group of magicians who are trying to ruin the witches. Why the magicians are villains, I’m never quite sure. It’s a case of them being bad, bad, bad.
Delilah’s town is bewitched, which means that when humans enter into Oak Haven, they can experience the town, but as soon as they leave, they forget the town and its people exist. It’s a great theory in principle and I loved this plot point. Jasper, a human, stumbles into Oak Haven, and is instantly in love with Deliah. Of course, he thinks he’s going insane based on what he’s experiencing, because for him magic isn’t real. He leaves, and comes back again and the whole scenario begins again. We find out he’s been visiting in this loop for a while, however these are the first few meetings of him and Deliah. The two of them fall in love, and this is a deep I will destroy the world for you love. This is where the story falls apart for me, to be honest. Jasper, is just…. fine. All we really discover from his storyline is that he likes order and doesn’t like Christmas. I don’t fully understand why Delilah falls so hard for him, and his actions regarding her seem very out of character. After the second time he leaves and comes back, they basically fall back into love in one day, and it’s fierce. Delilah is ready to throw her whole life away for a guy who has only known her, in his mind, for like 36 hours.
To be honest, the crazy cast of secondary characters is what kept me engaged, there’s a terrific cast of small town people that I enjoyed hanging out with. The magical structure is also intriguing and something I would want to learn more about. I will for sure check out the other books in the series.
Click on the link to read more of our reviews on our blog: https://romancebythebook.com/book-rev...
September 26, 2025
This was a cute, fun, witchy Christmassy read.
Delilah comes from a family of witches who live in Oak Haven, a safe place for witches. Jasper is a local historian and office clerk who stumbles upon this town that shouldn't exist. When the town is threatened by enemies who are trying to take it over and reveal its presence to the world, the two characters come together to save the day. Oh, and it's also Christmas and they both low key despise Christmas - it adds to the fun, I promise!
I'll be honest, at first I wasn't a fan of the two characters converging. For some reason, I was picturing Jasper as an old man until I realised his was going to be the other half of the romance in the book, so I had to mentally recast him! I think this meant that the romance didn't have quite as much spark as it should have done for me and took away from the reading experience a little.
This version of the magical world was a really interesting one, where it was set with some real life history in Salem with an alternate ending for that where the real witches had fled and set up their own safe haven far away. The magicians being the enemy was also fun and a bit different.
It's pretty low stakes really - while a bit tense and scary at times, it's not a huge epic adventure as you know there's going to be a happy ending one way or another! It made a nice counter-balance to the other book I was reading at the time (Queen of Shadows - very high stakes!) with a fluffier fantasy world.
It's got all the fun things like cosy small town, witchy vibes and forced proximity romance, with an added memory spell to make things more interesting!
I enjoyed it, but I can't say it was an amazing read. I would recommend it to add to your Christmas reading list if you want something lighter with a good storyline. It's described as being Gilmore Girls meets Charmed, and I'd say reading-wise, it's along the same lines as Rewitched and Uncharmed.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publishers for a review copy of this book.
Delilah comes from a family of witches who live in Oak Haven, a safe place for witches. Jasper is a local historian and office clerk who stumbles upon this town that shouldn't exist. When the town is threatened by enemies who are trying to take it over and reveal its presence to the world, the two characters come together to save the day. Oh, and it's also Christmas and they both low key despise Christmas - it adds to the fun, I promise!
I'll be honest, at first I wasn't a fan of the two characters converging. For some reason, I was picturing Jasper as an old man until I realised his was going to be the other half of the romance in the book, so I had to mentally recast him! I think this meant that the romance didn't have quite as much spark as it should have done for me and took away from the reading experience a little.
This version of the magical world was a really interesting one, where it was set with some real life history in Salem with an alternate ending for that where the real witches had fled and set up their own safe haven far away. The magicians being the enemy was also fun and a bit different.
It's pretty low stakes really - while a bit tense and scary at times, it's not a huge epic adventure as you know there's going to be a happy ending one way or another! It made a nice counter-balance to the other book I was reading at the time (Queen of Shadows - very high stakes!) with a fluffier fantasy world.
It's got all the fun things like cosy small town, witchy vibes and forced proximity romance, with an added memory spell to make things more interesting!
I enjoyed it, but I can't say it was an amazing read. I would recommend it to add to your Christmas reading list if you want something lighter with a good storyline. It's described as being Gilmore Girls meets Charmed, and I'd say reading-wise, it's along the same lines as Rewitched and Uncharmed.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publishers for a review copy of this book.
October 3, 2025
"Christmas is supposed to be perfect but somehow it never quite is" - witch Delilah hasn't enjoyed the holidays since her holly jolly Papa passed, but it's hard to escape the merry-making no matter where she travels. However, her bittersweet memories are the least of her worries after being urged home by her panicked younger sister...
I enjoyed the romance and humour in book one of the Oak Haven series, and while Jingle Spells didn't always click with me, I enjoyed the extended plot points and am looking forward to the third (and final?) installment.
The good:
- major Christmas vibes (perfect as a winter read!)
- big plot developments (learning more about the magicians, their power, and hints at where the rivalry may have started)
- wider range of magic (levitation, transformation, teleportation, memory spells, sentient magic...)
- side character interactions and fun, chaotic antics
- town lore is expanded on
- the cliffhanger!
The not as good:
- the insta love romance (it was so sudden and there was minimal development or chemistry)
- Delilah and Jasper weren't super memorable as MCs
- plot hole with locator spells (this made much of the ending feel a bit anticlimactic and silly to me)
- pop culture references were sometimes a bit jarring (it is a bit Gilmore-Girlsy, but also never feels totally natural)
- not as tightly knit as book one (even though this takes place across just one week, it felt a bit random and rushed at points)
- nothing is resolved
I struggled a bit to engage at the beginning of the story, was grabbed by the scheming magicians in the middle, and had mixed feelings by the end. The relationship between Delilah and Jasper just didn't hook me, though the repercussions of the town's protective magic is pretty devastating.
That being said, there is a lot to love in Jingle Spells, and I cannot wait to see how the mayhem caused by these nefarious magicians is tackled by Luna in the third book! There is still so much to uncover, and I have a feeling the next story is going to amp up the plot even more.
I enjoyed the romance and humour in book one of the Oak Haven series, and while Jingle Spells didn't always click with me, I enjoyed the extended plot points and am looking forward to the third (and final?) installment.
The good:
- major Christmas vibes (perfect as a winter read!)
- big plot developments (learning more about the magicians, their power, and hints at where the rivalry may have started)
- wider range of magic (levitation, transformation, teleportation, memory spells, sentient magic...)
- side character interactions and fun, chaotic antics
- town lore is expanded on
- the cliffhanger!
The not as good:
- the insta love romance (it was so sudden and there was minimal development or chemistry)
- Delilah and Jasper weren't super memorable as MCs
- plot hole with locator spells (this made much of the ending feel a bit anticlimactic and silly to me)
- pop culture references were sometimes a bit jarring (it is a bit Gilmore-Girlsy, but also never feels totally natural)
- not as tightly knit as book one (even though this takes place across just one week, it felt a bit random and rushed at points)
- nothing is resolved
I struggled a bit to engage at the beginning of the story, was grabbed by the scheming magicians in the middle, and had mixed feelings by the end. The relationship between Delilah and Jasper just didn't hook me, though the repercussions of the town's protective magic is pretty devastating.
That being said, there is a lot to love in Jingle Spells, and I cannot wait to see how the mayhem caused by these nefarious magicians is tackled by Luna in the third book! There is still so much to uncover, and I have a feeling the next story is going to amp up the plot even more.
October 27, 2025
As a massive Christmas book fan, I found that I was drawn to Jingle Spells as if by magic. It was as though I was under a spell, to ensure that I read this, as I very rarely read anything with witches, although I am a believer in magic.
What I hadn't realised was that this was the second book in a series, and only really had half an inkling while I was reading that it might be in a series, so I'd say it definitely works as a standalone and I absolutely loved the world building of Oak Haven.
It especially works as Jasper who is a non magical being, ie a human, stumbles across Oak Haven, and as things are explained to him, it means anyone new to this author and this series, will learn all the key information in a nice simple to understand way.
And I loved how he was drawn to Delilah, with both of them fairly set in their ways, and Delilah only being back in Oak Haven, as her home is under threat.
I loved that the witches enemies are in fact magicians, and I loved learning about the differences between the two, and all the backstory was fascinating to me.
It did take me a while to be fully engrossed in this story, but once I got to a certain point, it not only was practically unputdownable, and I was oblivious to where I was on the tube journey, but even after I finished the book, the characters were still on my mind a few days later.
I think its safe to say that I definitely am keen to read the next book in this series, as I am loving Delilah and her sisters and am keen to see what happens next in Oak Haven.
I could picture everything so clearly, and seeing how this town of witches at determined to celebrate the various holidays including Christmas and Saturnalia, despite their very existence being threatened was impressive.
This was a truly magical book and I think the author definitely put a jingle spell on me, given how enchanted I was by this story.
Thank you to Avon and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
What I hadn't realised was that this was the second book in a series, and only really had half an inkling while I was reading that it might be in a series, so I'd say it definitely works as a standalone and I absolutely loved the world building of Oak Haven.
It especially works as Jasper who is a non magical being, ie a human, stumbles across Oak Haven, and as things are explained to him, it means anyone new to this author and this series, will learn all the key information in a nice simple to understand way.
And I loved how he was drawn to Delilah, with both of them fairly set in their ways, and Delilah only being back in Oak Haven, as her home is under threat.
I loved that the witches enemies are in fact magicians, and I loved learning about the differences between the two, and all the backstory was fascinating to me.
It did take me a while to be fully engrossed in this story, but once I got to a certain point, it not only was practically unputdownable, and I was oblivious to where I was on the tube journey, but even after I finished the book, the characters were still on my mind a few days later.
I think its safe to say that I definitely am keen to read the next book in this series, as I am loving Delilah and her sisters and am keen to see what happens next in Oak Haven.
I could picture everything so clearly, and seeing how this town of witches at determined to celebrate the various holidays including Christmas and Saturnalia, despite their very existence being threatened was impressive.
This was a truly magical book and I think the author definitely put a jingle spell on me, given how enchanted I was by this story.
Thank you to Avon and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
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