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A Mystic Hollow Bookshop Mystery #1
Spellbound by Murder: A Mystic Hollow Bookshop Mystery
Gilmore Girls meets Charmed in this spellbinding cozy mystery featuring a magical bookshop run by three generations of women.
When her grandmother suffers a nasty fall and asks for help managing the family business, coffee-addicted single mother Veronica Blackthorne moves her sixteen-year-old romcom-obsessed daughter to Mystic Hollow, Connecticut. Veronica is ecstatic to return to New England but when she arrives, she quickly finds out that Mystic Hollow Books, her grandmother’s pride and joy, needs more than a little TLC.
Hoping to save the bookstore from a big box rival, Veronica enlists her sometimes-mentor and sometimes-crush Adam Whitford, a controversial but popular author, as the keynote speaker to kick off a literary festival that will hopefully bring in a new wave of customers. But when Adam turns up dead, all that romantic potential turns into a nightmare as Veronica becomes the prime suspect in his murder.
As the local sheriff investigates his murder, Veronica decides to take matters into her own hands to solve the case and clear her name. With the bookstore’s future on the line, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Until her gran reveals the biggest secret of all–the bookstore is magical and it was a botched love spell that led to this entire mess.
Witty and heartfelt, this mystery explores the price of magic and how it might be more hefty than one can hope, perfect for fans of Amanda Flower and Nina Simon.
When her grandmother suffers a nasty fall and asks for help managing the family business, coffee-addicted single mother Veronica Blackthorne moves her sixteen-year-old romcom-obsessed daughter to Mystic Hollow, Connecticut. Veronica is ecstatic to return to New England but when she arrives, she quickly finds out that Mystic Hollow Books, her grandmother’s pride and joy, needs more than a little TLC.
Hoping to save the bookstore from a big box rival, Veronica enlists her sometimes-mentor and sometimes-crush Adam Whitford, a controversial but popular author, as the keynote speaker to kick off a literary festival that will hopefully bring in a new wave of customers. But when Adam turns up dead, all that romantic potential turns into a nightmare as Veronica becomes the prime suspect in his murder.
As the local sheriff investigates his murder, Veronica decides to take matters into her own hands to solve the case and clear her name. With the bookstore’s future on the line, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Until her gran reveals the biggest secret of all–the bookstore is magical and it was a botched love spell that led to this entire mess.
Witty and heartfelt, this mystery explores the price of magic and how it might be more hefty than one can hope, perfect for fans of Amanda Flower and Nina Simon.
336 pages, Paperback
Published March 10, 2026
About the author
Stacie Ramey
6 books222 followersStacie Ramey is the award-winning author of The Sister Pact, which was named a YALSA 2016 Popular Paperback and a 2015 PSLA Top 40. Her other novels earned Florida Book Awards as well as critical acclaim. Her short story “Without Being Asked” appears in the anthology Coming of Age: 13 B’nai Mitzvah Stories.Her newest project, Spellbound by Murder, a cozy mystery set in a magical New Englandbookstore and featuring a close-knit cast of intergenerational women, will be released in 2026.
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March 2, 2026dnf @48%
I hate dnfing arcs but I really can’t do this anymore. This is Gilmore Girls fanfic, which I wouldn’t mind if Veronica wasn’t acting like a child. Like I see the resemblance of her with Lorelai Gilmore, like I really do. But I just can’t stand Veronica. The way Phoebe was way more mature than her own mother really just annoyed me so much. Also Gilmore Girls was a mid show for me so maybe that could bring in the fact.
The story itself is hard to follow and it feels like it’s all over the place. It feels like it’s telling was happens instead of showing it happening. I was cringing so much reading this. Can we also talk about putting a love spell on someone who has no clue they have it on them, it’s weird.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
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𐙚⋆°. preread
Either I’m falling into a slump or all the books I’m currently reading just not that interesting. I’m praying that a cosy mystery will help me
I hate dnfing arcs but I really can’t do this anymore. This is Gilmore Girls fanfic, which I wouldn’t mind if Veronica wasn’t acting like a child. Like I see the resemblance of her with Lorelai Gilmore, like I really do. But I just can’t stand Veronica. The way Phoebe was way more mature than her own mother really just annoyed me so much. Also Gilmore Girls was a mid show for me so maybe that could bring in the fact.
The story itself is hard to follow and it feels like it’s all over the place. It feels like it’s telling was happens instead of showing it happening. I was cringing so much reading this. Can we also talk about putting a love spell on someone who has no clue they have it on them, it’s weird.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
———————————————————————————————
𐙚⋆°. preread
Either I’m falling into a slump or all the books I’m currently reading just not that interesting. I’m praying that a cosy mystery will help me
October 18, 2025
the vibes were there. but that's about it.
this really felt like a carbon copy of gilmore girls (snarky mother with a snarkier teenage daughter, small town in new england, everything is a small business, it's always fall... you know the drill), and, while i love gilmore girls (i've never watched charmed), the similarities weren't enough to make me enjoy this book more than i did.
the characters felt pretty two-dimensional and you can draw an equivalent between almost all the characters in this book and gilmore girls, so that's as much characterization as they were getting. i didn't really care about what was going on because there was just SO MUCH of it, like the book didn't know what it wanted to focus on at any given moment. the h*rry p*tter references (this book is coming out in 2026!!! there's no excuse to include these!!!) really took me out and i was metaphorically dragging my feet to keep reading.
overall, it's an okay book vibes-wise, but everything else felt a bit lacking.
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review
this really felt like a carbon copy of gilmore girls (snarky mother with a snarkier teenage daughter, small town in new england, everything is a small business, it's always fall... you know the drill), and, while i love gilmore girls (i've never watched charmed), the similarities weren't enough to make me enjoy this book more than i did.
the characters felt pretty two-dimensional and you can draw an equivalent between almost all the characters in this book and gilmore girls, so that's as much characterization as they were getting. i didn't really care about what was going on because there was just SO MUCH of it, like the book didn't know what it wanted to focus on at any given moment. the h*rry p*tter references (this book is coming out in 2026!!! there's no excuse to include these!!!) really took me out and i was metaphorically dragging my feet to keep reading.
overall, it's an okay book vibes-wise, but everything else felt a bit lacking.
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review
January 13, 2026
This book wasn't for me. The mother is so much like Lorelei Gilmore it's uncanny. I honestly don't think that type of character works for a book. I couldn't get past the quippy ( cringe worthy) banter.
September 28, 2025
Is this the best book ever written? No.
Did it have a cozy, fall like vibe that we like to look for this time of year? Yes.
This read has a Gilmore Girl fanfiction with some added magic, a bookstore setting, and a murder mystery.
Veronica is written to be very much like Lorelai with her immature moments and quirkiness.
Phoebe is suppose to be like Rory, but lacked the ability to be liked as Rory was. She is a teenage know it all but without the endearment that Rory possesses.
The setting is cozy- small town bookstore and small town drama.
The magic was ok. It kind of just happened and we move on.
Overall, this was an ok read! It’s a quick, easy read with fall vibes.
Thank you NetGalley for the free eArc in exchange for an honest review!
Did it have a cozy, fall like vibe that we like to look for this time of year? Yes.
This read has a Gilmore Girl fanfiction with some added magic, a bookstore setting, and a murder mystery.
Veronica is written to be very much like Lorelai with her immature moments and quirkiness.
Phoebe is suppose to be like Rory, but lacked the ability to be liked as Rory was. She is a teenage know it all but without the endearment that Rory possesses.
The setting is cozy- small town bookstore and small town drama.
The magic was ok. It kind of just happened and we move on.
Overall, this was an ok read! It’s a quick, easy read with fall vibes.
Thank you NetGalley for the free eArc in exchange for an honest review!
September 19, 2025
Disclosure: I received an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of this book in exchange for an honest review. As someone who loves supporting indie authors, I always aim to share thoughtful, fair feedback. While I have personal reading preferences like a love for fantasy, horses, or specific tropes, I never let that impact my rating unless it is relevant to the book’s intent or audience. I review with the genre and readership in mind. Thank you Netgalley for the copy!
Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐. 5
Spice: -
Darkness/Bloodiness: -
I loved the cozy murder mystery promise of the book, so I dove in. I can absolutely see how it was inspired by Gilmore Girls and Charmed, the characters very much resemble Gilmore Girls, while the magic reminds me of Charmed.
I loved the characters, they seemed quite consistent and the grandma definitely stole herself into my heart. She is funny, she definitely manipulates softly her daughter but which mom doesn't?
The small town was sweet, I absolutely loved the police officer and that poor board with the streak, I was sad with him when he had to erase!
The plot is definitely matching for a cozy magical murder mystery, although I absolutely didn't understand at all why the bookstore owners would go after figuring out what happened. It is mentioned they love fantasy and romance, maybe if they were mystery addicts I would understand slightly more.
The writing in general was quite okay, understandable and an easy read, however some spots were confusing. Sometimes when the location changed it wasn't well put into words, there was no formal sign of a change and I felt confused how we just got to a new spot. At points I felt that "Oh it's a small town" was overly used to fix a tiny plot hole, I don't really appreciate that in a book.
This a silly little read to feel cozy, laugh and feel good easily, you definitely should expect a very serious read. If you are looking for all I just mentioned, you will very likely love the book for what it is!
If you don't enjoy books that feel similar to other stories, you likely won't like this book, I think it was quite clear with the simple promise.
Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐. 5
Spice: -
Darkness/Bloodiness: -
I loved the cozy murder mystery promise of the book, so I dove in. I can absolutely see how it was inspired by Gilmore Girls and Charmed, the characters very much resemble Gilmore Girls, while the magic reminds me of Charmed.
I loved the characters, they seemed quite consistent and the grandma definitely stole herself into my heart. She is funny, she definitely manipulates softly her daughter but which mom doesn't?
The small town was sweet, I absolutely loved the police officer and that poor board with the streak, I was sad with him when he had to erase!
The plot is definitely matching for a cozy magical murder mystery, although I absolutely didn't understand at all why the bookstore owners would go after figuring out what happened. It is mentioned they love fantasy and romance, maybe if they were mystery addicts I would understand slightly more.
The writing in general was quite okay, understandable and an easy read, however some spots were confusing. Sometimes when the location changed it wasn't well put into words, there was no formal sign of a change and I felt confused how we just got to a new spot. At points I felt that "Oh it's a small town" was overly used to fix a tiny plot hole, I don't really appreciate that in a book.
This a silly little read to feel cozy, laugh and feel good easily, you definitely should expect a very serious read. If you are looking for all I just mentioned, you will very likely love the book for what it is!
If you don't enjoy books that feel similar to other stories, you likely won't like this book, I think it was quite clear with the simple promise.
February 22, 2026
This e-ARC was provided by the published via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
For a book about a small town where everyone is into magic, the execution was severely lacking. I didn’t find this book cosy at all, and even all the investigation from the characters to solve the murder was not that interesting.
Veronica, the main character, is annoying. She keeps talking about her ADHD, like it’s something quirky, but we don’t really see moments where her life is impacted from this. She’s just telling us that she can’t keep track of her thoughts. Her daughter is also way more mature than her; Veronica behaves like she’s the one in high school.
The book also relies heavily on dialogues, and usually I wouldn’t say this as a bad thing, but here it’s too much. The book reads like a script, like the author wrote it to be adapted on screen. There are almost no paragraphs, and the dialogues (and the chapters !) always end with some one-liners.
This book has potential, but it could have benefitted from (at least) one more round of editing.
For a book about a small town where everyone is into magic, the execution was severely lacking. I didn’t find this book cosy at all, and even all the investigation from the characters to solve the murder was not that interesting.
Veronica, the main character, is annoying. She keeps talking about her ADHD, like it’s something quirky, but we don’t really see moments where her life is impacted from this. She’s just telling us that she can’t keep track of her thoughts. Her daughter is also way more mature than her; Veronica behaves like she’s the one in high school.
The book also relies heavily on dialogues, and usually I wouldn’t say this as a bad thing, but here it’s too much. The book reads like a script, like the author wrote it to be adapted on screen. There are almost no paragraphs, and the dialogues (and the chapters !) always end with some one-liners.
This book has potential, but it could have benefitted from (at least) one more round of editing.
November 8, 2025
This was such a cozy, heartwarming book, that kept me on the edge of my toes and didn't let me become too comfortable. It is very Gilmore Girls-esque and as that being one of my favourite series ever, I was ever excited about it. This book also centred around books which made it extra cozy and exciting for me, as at the core of the book, they are trying to save their bookshop.
One of the main characters, Veronica, had never felt truly belonging to anything or anyone before, and the found family growth that we see over the course of this book is wholesome and lovely to read about. She has people she can steady on, can lean on, towards the end of the book, which made my heart very happy.
However, despite knowing that there would be comparisons to Gilmore Girls, it felt almost too similar at times, especially with a Luke-like figure having a potential romantic relationship between him and Veronica. As well as this, character relationships or the layout of the town felt too much like Stars Hollow. There were also a few too many grammatical mistakes for me, but I also am aware I am overly critical of grammar generally (which annoys my friends greatly :-) ), but sometimes it was inconsistent with the spelling of a character's name, infrequent commas, or quotations marks when no-one was speaking. Despite this, I truly really enjoyed this book and all of the characters, and I was still giggling and kicking my feet though at any hinting at romance!
This book had many twists and turns that I did not expect, and all the strings came together at the end for the answer to the murderer who I would not have guessed, despite my many notes throughout the book trying to :-). I also felt very seen with the ADHD representation of two of the main characters; I have not seen this in many books, and I really loved seeing the whimsy of the characters along with the things I also experience!
3.75. Thank you so much to Netgalley and Lane Crooked Books for giving me the opportunity to read an early copy of this book, I am immensely grateful and so happy I get to be able to do this! :-)
One of the main characters, Veronica, had never felt truly belonging to anything or anyone before, and the found family growth that we see over the course of this book is wholesome and lovely to read about. She has people she can steady on, can lean on, towards the end of the book, which made my heart very happy.
However, despite knowing that there would be comparisons to Gilmore Girls, it felt almost too similar at times, especially with a Luke-like figure having a potential romantic relationship between him and Veronica. As well as this, character relationships or the layout of the town felt too much like Stars Hollow. There were also a few too many grammatical mistakes for me, but I also am aware I am overly critical of grammar generally (which annoys my friends greatly :-) ), but sometimes it was inconsistent with the spelling of a character's name, infrequent commas, or quotations marks when no-one was speaking. Despite this, I truly really enjoyed this book and all of the characters, and I was still giggling and kicking my feet though at any hinting at romance!
This book had many twists and turns that I did not expect, and all the strings came together at the end for the answer to the murderer who I would not have guessed, despite my many notes throughout the book trying to :-). I also felt very seen with the ADHD representation of two of the main characters; I have not seen this in many books, and I really loved seeing the whimsy of the characters along with the things I also experience!
3.75. Thank you so much to Netgalley and Lane Crooked Books for giving me the opportunity to read an early copy of this book, I am immensely grateful and so happy I get to be able to do this! :-)
March 28, 2026
The stunning cover picture and a fun sounding blurb got me interested in this book but it didn't live up to expectations. I found the plot and writing a bit confusing and all over the place. I skipped most of it to get to the end because I did want to find out who the culprit was.
My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Crooked Lane Books and the author for the digital ARC of the book.
Rating: ⭐⭐💫
My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Crooked Lane Books and the author for the digital ARC of the book.
Rating: ⭐⭐💫
October 13, 2025
Special thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review
So I know the blurb says Gilmore Girls meets Charmed, but I wasn’t expecting it to be Gilmore Girls and Charmed. Everything was so on the nose that it wasn’t even fun to read. It didn’t come off as something inspired by the two, but a knockoff of what each of those shows were.
The town is called Mystic Hollow? Like Stars Hollow from Gilmore girls?
The town has these weird shops that don’t make sense and these insufferable town hall meetings where the leader doesn’t listen to the MC’s complaints? Like Taylor and Lorelei from Gilmore Girls?
The daughter’s name is Phoebe? Like the sister in Charmed?
There’s a weird magical book that randomly appeared? That the author actually describes as looking like the book from Charmed? Seriously, the author name dropped the show. And that was the only description of the book we got. That’s not a reference. That’s just lazy writing.
And then Gran and Phoebe were all “if magic with the two of us is like this, imagine how it would be with the three of us!” You mean the power of 3, which is the entire purpose of Charmed?
It was just all too much.
So I know the blurb says Gilmore Girls meets Charmed, but I wasn’t expecting it to be Gilmore Girls and Charmed. Everything was so on the nose that it wasn’t even fun to read. It didn’t come off as something inspired by the two, but a knockoff of what each of those shows were.
The town is called Mystic Hollow? Like Stars Hollow from Gilmore girls?
The town has these weird shops that don’t make sense and these insufferable town hall meetings where the leader doesn’t listen to the MC’s complaints? Like Taylor and Lorelei from Gilmore Girls?
The daughter’s name is Phoebe? Like the sister in Charmed?
There’s a weird magical book that randomly appeared? That the author actually describes as looking like the book from Charmed? Seriously, the author name dropped the show. And that was the only description of the book we got. That’s not a reference. That’s just lazy writing.
And then Gran and Phoebe were all “if magic with the two of us is like this, imagine how it would be with the three of us!” You mean the power of 3, which is the entire purpose of Charmed?
It was just all too much.
October 2, 2025
Unfortunately I DNF this book about halfway through. The writing was too much for me. It relies very heavily on quippy back and forth dialogue that leaves the story feeling very “tell you what’s happening” vs “show you”. It is also an EXACT off brand copy of Gilmore Girls. Like EVERY single aspect of the town, the characters, etc was the same as Gilmore Girls with just one detail changed to make it different. Felt like when a musician takes another artists work and just speeds up a song slightly to avoid copyright issues… I couldn’t get past that! It is a cutesy, cozy, cookie cutter, fall read that goes super quick if you can handle the style of writing!
Disclaimer: I received this eARC on NetGalley. Thank you to the team behind this book for making it available! I was not paid for my review and all thoughts are my own of my own accord.
Disclaimer: I received this eARC on NetGalley. Thank you to the team behind this book for making it available! I was not paid for my review and all thoughts are my own of my own accord.
March 17, 2026
What if Lorelei and Rory had to solve a murder in Stars Hollow and also had magical powers?
That’s essentially what we’re doing here, and for the most part it works a lot better than I had expected.
The mother-daughter duo at the center of the story are definitely a very thinly-veiled spin on Lorelei and Rory, and a lot of the other characters have clear Gilmore Girls counterparts as well. This seems to be bothering a lot of reviewers and I’m not quite sure why, as it’s exactly what the book sets out to do. This is a cozy, not a literary mystery, and it functions very well as such.
The mystery itself is fine and the sense of place and atmosphere are very well rendered. It’s quippy and just a tad snarky in the same way that Gilmore Girls is, and also a little bit sweet like the show as well.
If there’s a criticism here it’s that the magical elements really didn’t work and didn’t need to be there. This is already a cozy mystery; it didn’t need to be a cozy fantasy too. And to be honest, I can absolutely picture Lorelei Gilmore solving a murder, but I can’t quite see her casting spells.
Regardless, it’s a fun read, especially if you like humorous cozies and New England small town vibes.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
That’s essentially what we’re doing here, and for the most part it works a lot better than I had expected.
The mother-daughter duo at the center of the story are definitely a very thinly-veiled spin on Lorelei and Rory, and a lot of the other characters have clear Gilmore Girls counterparts as well. This seems to be bothering a lot of reviewers and I’m not quite sure why, as it’s exactly what the book sets out to do. This is a cozy, not a literary mystery, and it functions very well as such.
The mystery itself is fine and the sense of place and atmosphere are very well rendered. It’s quippy and just a tad snarky in the same way that Gilmore Girls is, and also a little bit sweet like the show as well.
If there’s a criticism here it’s that the magical elements really didn’t work and didn’t need to be there. This is already a cozy mystery; it didn’t need to be a cozy fantasy too. And to be honest, I can absolutely picture Lorelei Gilmore solving a murder, but I can’t quite see her casting spells.
Regardless, it’s a fun read, especially if you like humorous cozies and New England small town vibes.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
January 30, 2026
What if Lorelai Gilmore had to solve a murder she was framed for? And what if there was a little magic thrown in?
I think the reviews for this are harsh and unwarranted to be honest. Essentially this is a cozy mystery inspired by Gilmore Girls and Charmed, with lots of banter, sarcastic wit, a little magic and some heart.
The novel is written as if it was a murder mystery episode of the show Gilmore Girls, something the synopsis makes pretty clear… so if you’re not a fan of the show you may not like this. However I like the show and I enjoyed the fun quips, small town shenanigans, and trying to solve the mystery along with Veronica.
I think the reviews for this are harsh and unwarranted to be honest. Essentially this is a cozy mystery inspired by Gilmore Girls and Charmed, with lots of banter, sarcastic wit, a little magic and some heart.
The novel is written as if it was a murder mystery episode of the show Gilmore Girls, something the synopsis makes pretty clear… so if you’re not a fan of the show you may not like this. However I like the show and I enjoyed the fun quips, small town shenanigans, and trying to solve the mystery along with Veronica.
March 17, 2026
Veronica is returning to her old hometown of Mystic Falls with her daughter Phoebe so that they can help her grandmother run her bookstore. Once they get there and help run a writing fest, their keynote speaker turns up murdered, and Veronica is the prime suspect.
This was pretty cozy and a quick, entertaining read. The characters are all really fun and quirky and the mix of cozy fantasy and murder is a cool genre combination that I didn't expect to work so well. The only thing that I didn't love was that Veronica, the mom, acted less mature than her seventeen-year-old daughter, Phoebe.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read this ARC!
This was pretty cozy and a quick, entertaining read. The characters are all really fun and quirky and the mix of cozy fantasy and murder is a cool genre combination that I didn't expect to work so well. The only thing that I didn't love was that Veronica, the mom, acted less mature than her seventeen-year-old daughter, Phoebe.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read this ARC!
March 13, 2026
PLEASE WRITE MORE!!! I loved this series so much.
November 7, 2025
it was a quick, fun read
The Gilmore girls inspiration was a little too heavy for me and it felt like there were too many plot points going on at the same time, some that were introduced only to get to the next one and then got dropped and forgotten about.
I didn't connect with the magic, it was too much and too little at the same time.
I did enjoy the mystery aspect but what really got me were the peak autumn vibes. I'd recomend if you're looking for a cozy witchy read.
thank you netgalley and the publisher for providing the arc!
The Gilmore girls inspiration was a little too heavy for me and it felt like there were too many plot points going on at the same time, some that were introduced only to get to the next one and then got dropped and forgotten about.
I didn't connect with the magic, it was too much and too little at the same time.
I did enjoy the mystery aspect but what really got me were the peak autumn vibes. I'd recomend if you're looking for a cozy witchy read.
thank you netgalley and the publisher for providing the arc!
October 6, 2025
Thank you for the opportunity to read this arc.
I am sad to say I did not enjoy this. It seems cute and had the autumn vibes that I was looking for but other than that it fell flat. The female main character was not great. She was kind of annoying. The amount of times her ADHD and cake was brought up in 30 something pages.
I felt like I was reading a bad fan fiction on wattpad. I’m so sorry. I tried.
I am sad to say I did not enjoy this. It seems cute and had the autumn vibes that I was looking for but other than that it fell flat. The female main character was not great. She was kind of annoying. The amount of times her ADHD and cake was brought up in 30 something pages.
I felt like I was reading a bad fan fiction on wattpad. I’m so sorry. I tried.
October 5, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC! I was a bit disappointed with this book that I hoped would be a cozy, magical autumnal read. I DNFed around 25%, as I found the story slow and lacking in plot movement and atmosphere. The narration style also clashed with the cozy mystery vibe. The main character also felt immature and hard to connect with, and her daughter’s portrayal was overly exaggerated. I felt like it was trying too hard to be Gilmore Girls. This book might still appeal to readers who prefer a more chronically online tone in their cozy mysteries.
December 28, 2025
3.25⭐️
I really wanted to love this one, which made my overall experience all the more disappointing. While it did have its moments and there were aspects I genuinely enjoyed, my enthusiasm never quite matched what I was hoping for. I liked it—but I didn’t love it.
The book’s description promises a mashup of Gilmore Girls meets Charmed with a mystery twist, and to be fair, it absolutely delivers on that premise—almost to a fault. Paying homage to beloved books or TV shows can be charming when done thoughtfully, but here it leans far too hard into imitation, particularly with Gilmore Girls. We’re given a fast-talking, coffee-loving single mother who fled her Connecticut home and landed in a quirky small town… and honestly, the similarities don’t stop there. Rather than listing them all, it’s enough to say that if you take Lorelai Gilmore, change her name, swap a few place names, and adjust minor details, you essentially have this character—right down to the town gazebo. At times, it borders uncomfortably close to imitation rather than inspiration.
Then comes the Charmed layer: take that Lorelai-like character and add latent magical powers she didn’t know she possessed. Essentially, it becomes a fusion of Lorelai Gilmore and Phoebe Halliwell. While familiar archetypes can be endearing, this particular combination quickly becomes predictable, and any sense of surprise evaporates early on.
When a murder is introduced during a book festival, the story attempts to pivot into mystery territory. Unfortunately, instead of elevating the narrative, it adds to the tonal confusion. The result is a mashup that has some undeniable cozy appeal but ultimately reads more like a fanfiction crossover than a fully realized, original novel.
I know this may sound harsh, but I wanted to be honest. For readers looking for a heavy dose of nostalgia, this may still be an enjoyable experience. You just need to go in prepared, because the line between homage and imitation is thin here—and this book repeatedly crosses into territory that feels uncomfortably close to IP infringement.
I was fortunate to receive a complimentary eARC and a physical ARC from Crooked Lane via NetGalley, which gave me the opportunity to share my voluntary thoughts.
How I Rate
Because I mostly read ARCs, I focus on how I think fellow readers with similar tastes will respond. I sometimes round up or down based on pacing, prose, or overall impact, and I try to keep my personal preferences from weighing too heavily.
⭐️ 1 Star – Finished, but not for me as it has way too many issues; I never DNF ARCs but would have had it not been one.
⭐️⭐️ 2 Stars – Struggled due to writing, content, or editing issues.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 Stars – Decent read with untapped potential; recommend with some reservations.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars – Really enjoyed it and would recommend for several reasons.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars – Exceptional; lingers in my mind well after reading. A story I’d gladly revisit.
I really wanted to love this one, which made my overall experience all the more disappointing. While it did have its moments and there were aspects I genuinely enjoyed, my enthusiasm never quite matched what I was hoping for. I liked it—but I didn’t love it.
The book’s description promises a mashup of Gilmore Girls meets Charmed with a mystery twist, and to be fair, it absolutely delivers on that premise—almost to a fault. Paying homage to beloved books or TV shows can be charming when done thoughtfully, but here it leans far too hard into imitation, particularly with Gilmore Girls. We’re given a fast-talking, coffee-loving single mother who fled her Connecticut home and landed in a quirky small town… and honestly, the similarities don’t stop there. Rather than listing them all, it’s enough to say that if you take Lorelai Gilmore, change her name, swap a few place names, and adjust minor details, you essentially have this character—right down to the town gazebo. At times, it borders uncomfortably close to imitation rather than inspiration.
Then comes the Charmed layer: take that Lorelai-like character and add latent magical powers she didn’t know she possessed. Essentially, it becomes a fusion of Lorelai Gilmore and Phoebe Halliwell. While familiar archetypes can be endearing, this particular combination quickly becomes predictable, and any sense of surprise evaporates early on.
When a murder is introduced during a book festival, the story attempts to pivot into mystery territory. Unfortunately, instead of elevating the narrative, it adds to the tonal confusion. The result is a mashup that has some undeniable cozy appeal but ultimately reads more like a fanfiction crossover than a fully realized, original novel.
I know this may sound harsh, but I wanted to be honest. For readers looking for a heavy dose of nostalgia, this may still be an enjoyable experience. You just need to go in prepared, because the line between homage and imitation is thin here—and this book repeatedly crosses into territory that feels uncomfortably close to IP infringement.
I was fortunate to receive a complimentary eARC and a physical ARC from Crooked Lane via NetGalley, which gave me the opportunity to share my voluntary thoughts.
How I Rate
Because I mostly read ARCs, I focus on how I think fellow readers with similar tastes will respond. I sometimes round up or down based on pacing, prose, or overall impact, and I try to keep my personal preferences from weighing too heavily.
⭐️ 1 Star – Finished, but not for me as it has way too many issues; I never DNF ARCs but would have had it not been one.
⭐️⭐️ 2 Stars – Struggled due to writing, content, or editing issues.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 Stars – Decent read with untapped potential; recommend with some reservations.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars – Really enjoyed it and would recommend for several reasons.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars – Exceptional; lingers in my mind well after reading. A story I’d gladly revisit.
September 15, 2025
⭐️ 3/5
I got 25% of the way through and I think I am going to DNF. I’m grateful for the opportunity to read the ARC copy prior to release thanks to NetGalley. However, it just feels like it needs a little more editing before it’ll be ready to read. There were several confusing sentences and typos that could easily be fixed with an editor going through it.
The fall vibes of this book are impeccable. I love the environment and the narrator. It is really pulling from Gilmore Girls which gives a very fun atmosphere. However, it did feel as if it was possibly drawing a little too much from Gilmore Girls. Every character feels like a copy of a GG character with very little tweaks or changes. The banter and dialogue was really fun, and really reminded me of Lorelei and Rory’s quick wit. However, I found it difficult to follow at times. Sometimes there would be four people in a conversation but not enough narration to help me know who was talking. There were several scenes that I got lost in and couldn’t tell who was speaking and had to reread to make sure I knew what was happening.
I love the premise but the story just got hard to follow. It feels like everyone knows what is happening except the narrator who is constantly confused and asking questions. I know it’s a mystery novel but I just got a little frustrated feeling like I was trying to keep track of so many characters and plot points so quickly into the book.
All this being said, I had a lot of fun reading it, I just feel like it needs a little polishing before I’d pick it up again. If you like Gilmore Girls, magic, and murder mystery then this book is for you! When it’s published I will definitely look into it again :)
I got 25% of the way through and I think I am going to DNF. I’m grateful for the opportunity to read the ARC copy prior to release thanks to NetGalley. However, it just feels like it needs a little more editing before it’ll be ready to read. There were several confusing sentences and typos that could easily be fixed with an editor going through it.
The fall vibes of this book are impeccable. I love the environment and the narrator. It is really pulling from Gilmore Girls which gives a very fun atmosphere. However, it did feel as if it was possibly drawing a little too much from Gilmore Girls. Every character feels like a copy of a GG character with very little tweaks or changes. The banter and dialogue was really fun, and really reminded me of Lorelei and Rory’s quick wit. However, I found it difficult to follow at times. Sometimes there would be four people in a conversation but not enough narration to help me know who was talking. There were several scenes that I got lost in and couldn’t tell who was speaking and had to reread to make sure I knew what was happening.
I love the premise but the story just got hard to follow. It feels like everyone knows what is happening except the narrator who is constantly confused and asking questions. I know it’s a mystery novel but I just got a little frustrated feeling like I was trying to keep track of so many characters and plot points so quickly into the book.
All this being said, I had a lot of fun reading it, I just feel like it needs a little polishing before I’d pick it up again. If you like Gilmore Girls, magic, and murder mystery then this book is for you! When it’s published I will definitely look into it again :)
March 14, 2026
Spellbound by Murder is the first book in Stacie Ramey's A Mystic Hollow Bookshop Mystery series and I loved it and I think you will also.
In Spellbound by Murder main character Veronica who is living in Florida with her teenage daughter Phoebe gets a call from her grandmother that she needs Veronica to come home to Mystic Hollow. She claims that she took a bad fall and needs help with the family bookstore. But when they arrive it seems Gran is fine, but Veronica overlooks that little lie because she really is happy to be home and Phoebe seems to like it also.
They are just in time to help finish organizing the literary festival and Veronica comes to the rescue when the keynote speaker cancels. She is able to get a friend and author to come take her place. Veronica and Adam have a little history, so she agrees to meet him in the bell tower the one night .... unfortunately, she gets there just as he goes over the edge.
When the local sheriff, Mack, zones in on Veronica as a suspect, she obviously is going to do what she can to prove her innocence. Little did she know that she would have two tech savvy teenage girls, her grandmother, an owl and the magic surrounding the bookstore and Mystic Hollow.
I am a fan of magic, who isn't since Harry Potter was published, and when you can add it to solving a murder .... yes please !! And it doesn't matter who many stories you read with magic in them, they are all different and draw the reader in, like they have a spell attached to them.
I highly encourage you to read this book and put it on your watch list for future books. I'm sure it will cast its spell on you ......
In Spellbound by Murder main character Veronica who is living in Florida with her teenage daughter Phoebe gets a call from her grandmother that she needs Veronica to come home to Mystic Hollow. She claims that she took a bad fall and needs help with the family bookstore. But when they arrive it seems Gran is fine, but Veronica overlooks that little lie because she really is happy to be home and Phoebe seems to like it also.
They are just in time to help finish organizing the literary festival and Veronica comes to the rescue when the keynote speaker cancels. She is able to get a friend and author to come take her place. Veronica and Adam have a little history, so she agrees to meet him in the bell tower the one night .... unfortunately, she gets there just as he goes over the edge.
When the local sheriff, Mack, zones in on Veronica as a suspect, she obviously is going to do what she can to prove her innocence. Little did she know that she would have two tech savvy teenage girls, her grandmother, an owl and the magic surrounding the bookstore and Mystic Hollow.
I am a fan of magic, who isn't since Harry Potter was published, and when you can add it to solving a murder .... yes please !! And it doesn't matter who many stories you read with magic in them, they are all different and draw the reader in, like they have a spell attached to them.
I highly encourage you to read this book and put it on your watch list for future books. I'm sure it will cast its spell on you ......
March 29, 2026
I am not one for magic in my stories so I wasn't sure about this cozy mystery when I started reading it. But, I do love a cozy mystery set in a small town during the fall.
Spellbound by Murder is the first in the Mystic Hollow Bookshop Mystery series. I ended up enjoying this one and will definitely keep reading this series.
This book has been described as Gilmore Girls meets Charmed. I have never watched Gilmore Girls so that wasn't what drew me to this story and I did watch Charmed, but I didn't find it particularly reminded me of Charmed. Judging from the reviews it is probably a good thing I didn't watch Gilmore Girls, so I could just enjoy this story without endlessly trying to find comparisons.
The mystery was interesting with lots of plausible suspects and in the end, I never really guessed the whodunnit. As I mentioned, I am not to keen on magic in stories, but I felt like it fit the vibes in this story and wasn't overdone.
The main character and her daughter leave their home in Florida to move to Mystic Hollow, Connecticut, to help her grandmother with her bookstore after her Grandmother suffers a fall. But they get more than they bargained for when they end up in this magical town with a rival book seller, a festival that needs a keynote speaker, and a body. Being the main suspect, our main character, Veronica, must help solve the crime and clear her name.
Veronica had ADHD. I will be honest, I don't know much about what it is like living with ADHD, so I can't really say if this story is a fair representation. But what felt like chaotic dialog at first changed for me when I looked at things from Veronica's perspective.
There were some great characters in this book. I loved the family dynamics. The sheriff was a great character. There was a lot of witty banter amongst the group. Overall, this book provided me with a few hours of enjoyment so I gave it four stars.
Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the advanced digital copy of this book.
Spellbound by Murder is the first in the Mystic Hollow Bookshop Mystery series. I ended up enjoying this one and will definitely keep reading this series.
This book has been described as Gilmore Girls meets Charmed. I have never watched Gilmore Girls so that wasn't what drew me to this story and I did watch Charmed, but I didn't find it particularly reminded me of Charmed. Judging from the reviews it is probably a good thing I didn't watch Gilmore Girls, so I could just enjoy this story without endlessly trying to find comparisons.
The mystery was interesting with lots of plausible suspects and in the end, I never really guessed the whodunnit. As I mentioned, I am not to keen on magic in stories, but I felt like it fit the vibes in this story and wasn't overdone.
The main character and her daughter leave their home in Florida to move to Mystic Hollow, Connecticut, to help her grandmother with her bookstore after her Grandmother suffers a fall. But they get more than they bargained for when they end up in this magical town with a rival book seller, a festival that needs a keynote speaker, and a body. Being the main suspect, our main character, Veronica, must help solve the crime and clear her name.
Veronica had ADHD. I will be honest, I don't know much about what it is like living with ADHD, so I can't really say if this story is a fair representation. But what felt like chaotic dialog at first changed for me when I looked at things from Veronica's perspective.
There were some great characters in this book. I loved the family dynamics. The sheriff was a great character. There was a lot of witty banter amongst the group. Overall, this book provided me with a few hours of enjoyment so I gave it four stars.
Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the advanced digital copy of this book.
September 21, 2025
Review: Spellbound by Murder by Stacie Ramey – ⭐⭐
When I first picked this book up, I was really excited about the premise. It sounded fresh, fun, and like the perfect setup for a cozy mystery with a magical twist. Unfortunately, the execution just didn’t work for me.
The main character, Veronica, seemed designed to come across as a “cool mom,” but instead I found her to be immature in the way she handled situations and relationships. Because of that, I never really connected with her, which made it difficult to stay invested in the story. I wanted to root for her, but her personality and choices often pulled me out of the plot.
In addition to my struggles with the FMC, I felt like the book could use another round of edits. Some of the sentences were confusing, and a few passages left me unsure about what was actually happening. Rather than enhancing the reading experience, these moments distracted me and broke the flow of the story.
Overall, while I appreciated the creativity of the concept, the story didn’t quite land for me. With more polish and a stronger, more grounded main character, I think this could have been a really engaging mystery. As it stands, though, it just wasn’t the right fit for me.
When I first picked this book up, I was really excited about the premise. It sounded fresh, fun, and like the perfect setup for a cozy mystery with a magical twist. Unfortunately, the execution just didn’t work for me.
The main character, Veronica, seemed designed to come across as a “cool mom,” but instead I found her to be immature in the way she handled situations and relationships. Because of that, I never really connected with her, which made it difficult to stay invested in the story. I wanted to root for her, but her personality and choices often pulled me out of the plot.
In addition to my struggles with the FMC, I felt like the book could use another round of edits. Some of the sentences were confusing, and a few passages left me unsure about what was actually happening. Rather than enhancing the reading experience, these moments distracted me and broke the flow of the story.
Overall, while I appreciated the creativity of the concept, the story didn’t quite land for me. With more polish and a stronger, more grounded main character, I think this could have been a really engaging mystery. As it stands, though, it just wasn’t the right fit for me.
November 18, 2025
This tried to be a homage to Gilmore Girls (like literally!) and every other magical show/movie, but unfortunately, it didn't really hit the spot.
I was so excited to read this since it was based on my favorite TV show, and as soon as I started reading this, it felt like the author had just picked the Gilmore Girls characters and pasted them in "Mystic Hollows". From the town's name to the personality of the characters, there was literally no uniqueness in this book. There were scenes from the book that felt so similar to the TV show.
Coming to the writing style, it was an easy read but got monotonous very soon. At times, there were simple dialogues that were over-explained and stated the obvious.
The world-building was good, but it took a lot of time to actually develop. The same goes for the character development - it took so much time to build up that the readers eventually lost interest. The characters had 0 chemistry, and it tried too hard to become the iconic characters from Gilmore Girls. Additionally, the overuse of movie/TV show references was jarring.
The saving grace for this book was the few ending chapters where they finally started to solve the mystery - I was actually intrigued to know who it was. The author could've done so much with the plot. She could've made an interesting plotline using her knowledge of the publishing world.
Actual rating: 1.5/5 🌟
If Loreali Gilmore (Richard's mom), Loreali, Rory, and Emily had a civil and somewhat mentally stable relationship set in a 'mystical' town- this would have been their story...
Thank you, NetGalley, for the arc!
I was so excited to read this since it was based on my favorite TV show, and as soon as I started reading this, it felt like the author had just picked the Gilmore Girls characters and pasted them in "Mystic Hollows". From the town's name to the personality of the characters, there was literally no uniqueness in this book. There were scenes from the book that felt so similar to the TV show.
Coming to the writing style, it was an easy read but got monotonous very soon. At times, there were simple dialogues that were over-explained and stated the obvious.
The world-building was good, but it took a lot of time to actually develop. The same goes for the character development - it took so much time to build up that the readers eventually lost interest. The characters had 0 chemistry, and it tried too hard to become the iconic characters from Gilmore Girls. Additionally, the overuse of movie/TV show references was jarring.
The saving grace for this book was the few ending chapters where they finally started to solve the mystery - I was actually intrigued to know who it was. The author could've done so much with the plot. She could've made an interesting plotline using her knowledge of the publishing world.
Actual rating: 1.5/5 🌟
If Loreali Gilmore (Richard's mom), Loreali, Rory, and Emily had a civil and somewhat mentally stable relationship set in a 'mystical' town- this would have been their story...
Thank you, NetGalley, for the arc!
October 16, 2025
Title: Spellbound By Murder
Author: Stacie Ramey
Synopsis: Gilmore Girls meets Charmed in this spellbinding cozy mystery featuring a magical bookshop run by three generations of women.
When her grandmother suffers a nasty fall and asks for help managing the family business, coffee-addicted single mother Veronica Blackthorne moves her sixteen-year-old romcom-obsessed daughter to Mystic Hollow, Connecticut. Veronica is ecstatic to return to New England but when she arrives, she quickly finds out that Mystic Hollow Books, her grandmother’s pride and joy, needs more than a little TLC.
Hoping to save the bookstore from a big box rival, Veronica enlists her sometimes-mentor and sometimes-crush Adam Whitford, a controversial but popular author, as the keynote speaker to kick off a literary festival that will hopefully bring in a new wave of customers. But when Adam turns up dead, all that romantic potential turns into a nightmare as Veronica becomes the prime suspect in his murder.
As the local sheriff investigates his murder, Veronica decides to take matters into her own hands to solve the case and clear her name. With the bookstore’s future on the line, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Until her gran reveals the biggest secret of all–the bookstore is magical and it was a botched love spell that led to this entire mess.
Review: Is there anyone a fan of the Gilmore Girls series if so this book will be right up your alley! The relationships and the characters one liners reminded me so much of Gilmore Girls! This felt like an episode of Gilmore girls in a murder mystery setting! I loved the cozy small town setting and truly felt like fall! I’m glad I picked up this book for the month of October!
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book in advance!
Author: Stacie Ramey
Synopsis: Gilmore Girls meets Charmed in this spellbinding cozy mystery featuring a magical bookshop run by three generations of women.
When her grandmother suffers a nasty fall and asks for help managing the family business, coffee-addicted single mother Veronica Blackthorne moves her sixteen-year-old romcom-obsessed daughter to Mystic Hollow, Connecticut. Veronica is ecstatic to return to New England but when she arrives, she quickly finds out that Mystic Hollow Books, her grandmother’s pride and joy, needs more than a little TLC.
Hoping to save the bookstore from a big box rival, Veronica enlists her sometimes-mentor and sometimes-crush Adam Whitford, a controversial but popular author, as the keynote speaker to kick off a literary festival that will hopefully bring in a new wave of customers. But when Adam turns up dead, all that romantic potential turns into a nightmare as Veronica becomes the prime suspect in his murder.
As the local sheriff investigates his murder, Veronica decides to take matters into her own hands to solve the case and clear her name. With the bookstore’s future on the line, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Until her gran reveals the biggest secret of all–the bookstore is magical and it was a botched love spell that led to this entire mess.
Review: Is there anyone a fan of the Gilmore Girls series if so this book will be right up your alley! The relationships and the characters one liners reminded me so much of Gilmore Girls! This felt like an episode of Gilmore girls in a murder mystery setting! I loved the cozy small town setting and truly felt like fall! I’m glad I picked up this book for the month of October!
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book in advance!
November 4, 2025
2.5 Star rounded down
Arc from NetGalley, expected March 2026
To steal a quote from the book’s epilogue ‘you two can’t stay on topic to save your lives’ that is how I felt this entire book. It felt like I was on a never ending carousel going around and around all while not hitting any plot points.
As someone in love with Gilmore girls I was sourly disappointed in the resemblance as it felt like it was taken straight from the show and written into a poorly pieced together episode.
The relationship between the main characters was well thought out and heart warming as a fall read should be and the plot itself was quite well thought out (and would’ve been great with less fluff), the murder, the reveal, etc, however, that is realistically my only positive thoughts about this book.
Why the hell did it take 7 chapters to get to the murder and why did we not talk about said murder basically at all the chapter after that?
It felt like we got all of the side information and none of the real information.
I pride myself on not DNF’ing books and when my friend did at 25% I told her it would get better surely… spoiler… it didn’t
Arc from NetGalley, expected March 2026
To steal a quote from the book’s epilogue ‘you two can’t stay on topic to save your lives’ that is how I felt this entire book. It felt like I was on a never ending carousel going around and around all while not hitting any plot points.
As someone in love with Gilmore girls I was sourly disappointed in the resemblance as it felt like it was taken straight from the show and written into a poorly pieced together episode.
The relationship between the main characters was well thought out and heart warming as a fall read should be and the plot itself was quite well thought out (and would’ve been great with less fluff), the murder, the reveal, etc, however, that is realistically my only positive thoughts about this book.
Why the hell did it take 7 chapters to get to the murder and why did we not talk about said murder basically at all the chapter after that?
It felt like we got all of the side information and none of the real information.
I pride myself on not DNF’ing books and when my friend did at 25% I told her it would get better surely… spoiler… it didn’t
November 9, 2025
Spellbound by Murder by Stacie Ramey is a charming blend of cozy mystery and light magic, perfect for readers who love small town settings with a supernatural twist. The story follows Veronica Blackthorne, a single mom who returns home to help her grandmother run their family’s mystical bookstore. Wouldn't you know it, she is just in time for a local festival and an unexpected murder. Ramey’s writing balances humor, heart, and just enough suspense to keep the pages turning. The magical elements add whimsy without overpowering the central mystery, and the bookstore setting feels both cozy and alive. While some characters and subplots could use a bit more depth, the novel’s warmth and wit make it a delightful escape. Fans of magical bookstores, family secrets, and clever amateur sleuths will find Spellbound by Murder a fun and satisfying read.
April 16, 2026
Eh...
There were elements of this story I really enjoyed. Touches of magic. Small town vibes. Mother/daughter relationship and quirky side characters that, as many have pointed out, gives Gilmore Girls vibes. A cozy Who-dunit.
But there were elements that I struggled with as well. Many location changes. Many characters with loose connections - just wanted to go a little deeper. A pace that quickened and slowed in a way that was distracting rather than flowy. Definitely would have loved to know more about the magic and it's workings and key players in it. Maybe Stacie Ramey has a plan to dive further into that with future books in the series but this just left me feeling a little too left out of it.
Than you to Net Galley, Crooked Lane Books, and Stacie Ramey for an eARC of this story.
There were elements of this story I really enjoyed. Touches of magic. Small town vibes. Mother/daughter relationship and quirky side characters that, as many have pointed out, gives Gilmore Girls vibes. A cozy Who-dunit.
But there were elements that I struggled with as well. Many location changes. Many characters with loose connections - just wanted to go a little deeper. A pace that quickened and slowed in a way that was distracting rather than flowy. Definitely would have loved to know more about the magic and it's workings and key players in it. Maybe Stacie Ramey has a plan to dive further into that with future books in the series but this just left me feeling a little too left out of it.
Than you to Net Galley, Crooked Lane Books, and Stacie Ramey for an eARC of this story.
December 30, 2025
I was really looking forward to reading this book! It had such an adorable premise, and as a fan of cozy mysteries, I was excited to dive in. However, I found that it didn't quite resonate with me. The writing style felt a bit challenging to follow, and I struggled to connect with the characters, particularly the main character, who came off as a bit overwhelming for my taste. The plot also didn't capture my interest as much as I had hoped, and the "magic" system seemed a little confusing and didn't quite fit into the overall story. While this book wasn't for me, I can see that others might appreciate its charm!
Thank you, NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books, for the advanced readers' copy of this book.
Thank you, NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books, for the advanced readers' copy of this book.
April 5, 2026
3.25⭐️. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC! This is a charming Gilmore Girl-esque blend of cozy mystery and light fantasy that delivers both intrigue and heart. Set in the small, slightly eerie town of Mystic Hollow, the novel follows Veronica Blackthorne, a single mother trying to rebuild her life while helping her grandmother run a failing bookstore—only to discover that the store, and the town itself, are steeped in magic. One of the book’s strongest elements is its atmosphere. The magical bookstore, Mystic Hollow Books, feels alive in a way that adds warmth and whimsy to the story, while still hinting at something more powerful and unpredictable beneath the surface. This balance between cozy comfort and underlying tension keeps the reader engaged.
October 31, 2025
I had a really fun time with this ARC! I absolutely love the show Gilmore Girls and this is basically a fanfic of the show. While I saw a lot of negative reviews that didn't enjoy that, I did! From the witty banter, to the coffee addiction, and SO many things that went straight from Stars Hollow into Mystic Hollow! This books also adds a little bit of Charmed, and Monk. Just imagine a murder happening in Stars Hollow and Lorelai, Rory, Lane, Gran, Luke, Babette, and Miss. Patty all try to work together to solve it. I had the best time and even laughed out loud several times. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy!
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