When three betrayed wives stumble into a magical apothecary shop, they discover that revenge is sweet—but finding true love and their own power is even sweeter in this witty, romantic novel about second chances from New York Times bestselling author Maisey Yates.
Nora, Daisy, and Soraya think their marriages are just fine. Until their husbands prove them wrong.
Nora’s says he needs distance and flits off to a wellness retreat in Chile. Daisy’s confesses to an affair with someone younger. And Soraya’s sends her a pic of that special part of himself—meant for another woman. At a loss for what to do, they follow their intuition right into Lady’s Mantle Apothecary.
As they embrace their untapped magic, their fortunes begin changing fast. Getting even with their exes is satisfying, but the real magic happens when they start opening their hearts to new possibilities. Nora discovers that true love might have been right in front of her all along in the form of her childhood best friend. Daisy finds herself falling for her ex-husband’s handsome business partner, a former TV star who sees the real her. And Soraya, who never dated before marriage, experiences an unexpected attraction to the mysterious owner of the game shop across the hall.
With the help of an enigmatic shopkeeper, these three women discover that the best revenge isn’t just about hexes and karma—it’s about finding your own path to love, friendship, and claiming your power. And that is positively magical.
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Maisey Yates lives in rural Oregon with her three children and her husband, whose chiseled jaw and arresting features continue to make her swoon. She feels the epic trek she takes several times a day from her office to her coffee maker is a true example of her pioneer spirit. In 2009, at the age of twenty-three Maisey sold her first book.
Since then it’s been a whirlwind of sexy alpha males and happily ever afters, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. Maisey divides her writing time between dark, passionate category romances set just about everywhere on earth and light sexy contemporary romances set practically in her back yard.
She believes that she clearly has the best job in the world.
3.5 I got to read this a month early since it was included in this month's Amazon First Reads. This is First Wives Club with a dash of Practical Magic. Were there any great revelations or unexpected outcomes? No, I knew what I was getting. But I still very much enjoyed it. There's feminine rage, a little witchy revenge along with a fairy godmother-esque shopkeeper, some new and sexy romances, all thrown in with finding oneself outside the labels and expectations of others. Really, all that was missing was a cute, four-legged companion.
For most of this story, I had intended on giving this book a higher rating - women coming together as a community/ covenant, finding their magic, loving themselves - but another part of me got tired of the repetitive dialogue + even some of the characters' superficial ties to the story. I loved the women coming together in the end to support all women in need. I wish I'd had that kind of community at multiple times in my life.
Great characters and good storytelling, each of the main ladies had a distinctive 'voice', and you definitely, quickly begin to care about them. I wouldn't say the ending was a surprise, and i find if hard when people fall into the 'Christians are all judgy mysogenists' trope, as that's not my experience at all. But then, I'm not a Christian in 'bible-belt' America, so a book seemingly set there is always going to have a different point of view. Would recommend as an engaging, well written, holiday novel, when you don't want to risk there not being a happy ending...
This was exactly what I needed. If you need a palate cleanser and just want to have a fun time, this is the book for you. I loved the witchy vibes and the women supporting each other. A little romance and a little magic equal fun.
I chose this book for my First Reads choice this month, and I think I did ok. However, there was a.point when I almost.put the book down and said forget it. I didn't want to play naive in order to enjoy the story. Slight spoiler alert: the story is about 3 women at age 35 who knew each other in high school. They had drifted apart, but came back together unexpectedly when all 3 of them happened to separate from their husbands. The husbands were all jerks. I mean, big time jerks! One man sent the mother of his children a text telling her to get out of the house, he was moving back in! The women rallied round her, helping her since she was now 'homeless'. While I loved the comaraderie, I was really irritated that nobody suggested she consult a lawyer. I can suspend disbelief on a lot of things, but this is common sense. She had legal rights that would likely not make her such a victim. This is where I nearly put the book aside. I'm glad I decided not to be so picky, because the story went on and eventually redeemed itself.
The story is about how these 3 women found magic within themselves, and created a community for women. Not all the men in the story were jerks, lol. The women were required to take an unflinching look at themselves, and that part was genuine. Parts of the book were laugh out loud funny. Great women's fiction!
I love the friendship. I love that all of the women were so different yet best friends. I love the witchiness but not in a fantasy novel kind of way. Love the tarot! (I feel like tarot will be my new hyper focus that I want to learn about in the near future lol) Sooo many things in this story that I could relate to - maybe that's why I liked it so much.
I went into this expecting a cozy witchy fantasy, and while there is magic, this book surprised me by being much deeper and more emotional than I anticipated. It’s really a story about three women whose lives have fallen apart in different ways — betrayal, abandonment, infidelity, religious pressure, financial fear — and how they slowly rebuild themselves through friendship, honesty, and a little bit of witchcraft.
Soraya, Daisy, and Nora are all in their 30s, all blindsided by their husbands, and all feeling completely alone. Their backgrounds are different, their personalities are different, and the ways their marriages fall apart are different — but the loneliness is the same. When they reconnect in a hospital waiting room while visiting another woman from their past, something clicks. Their lives have become so small and isolated, and suddenly they have people who understand exactly what they’re going through.
The found family element is front and center here, and it’s easily my favorite part of the book. The way these women open up to each other, support each other, and slowly reclaim their sense of self was genuinely touching. I was surprised by how bingeable this story was, and I teared up more than once. The witchcraft is light and more symbolic than literal — it’s about sisterhood, intuition, and those moments that feel too perfectly timed to be coincidence.
There’s also a really satisfying justice thread woven through the story. The husbands get their karma, but the focus stays on the women finding strength, community, and a new sense of purpose. I also appreciated the theme of not judging others or assuming you know their story — something the book handles with a lot of compassion.
Overall, this was a warm, emotional, surprisingly heartfelt read about healing, friendship, and starting over. I enjoyed it.
DNF at 60%. Amazon First Reads Fail. I love the idea of an updated First Wives Club and of women coming to help each other in times of need. But this was just anti-man, anti-religion and with poorly developed characters. The husbands were all awful caricatures of the worst stereotypes and the new love interests were caricatures of "perfect" men. I really tried, but could not get through this one.
I went into First Witches Club thinking I was getting witchy chaos, magical revenge, maybe some women reclaiming their power with a little hexing on the side. What I actually got was The First Wives Club… but make it herbal tea. And listen, I LOVE The First Wives Club. Bette Midler, Diane Keaton, Goldie Hawn? Iconic. Untouchable. But if you’re going to retell something that recognizable, you have to bring something new to the table. Something bold. Something messy. Something worth the extra 300 pages. Instead I kept having these moments of déjà vu like… wait, didn’t I literally watch this scene already? The writing style didn’t help either. It’s technically third person, but the narration keeps repeating the character names in a way that makes the prose feel weirdly stiff and juvenile. Every few sentences my brain had to stop and re-anchor itself in who was speaking, which is not exactly the immersive reading experience we’re aiming for. And then chapter two hit me with the most convenient plot setup imaginable: the women walk into a shop and the owner immediately lists the exact jobs they all just happen to need. Bookkeeper. Baker. Counter help. Oh great, the plot arrived and it fits everyone perfectly. How convenient. That was the moment I closed the book. Maybe the witchy revenge kicks in later and things get wild. Maybe spells start flying and husbands start mysteriously suffering from hex-related inconveniences. But honestly? If what you want is betrayed wives getting their power back, you might save yourself a few hours and just rewatch The First Wives Club. Shorter. Funnier. And Bette Midler is already perfect.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The First Witches Club by Maisey Yates was such a satisfying read! This story really leans into female rage in the best possible way, and I loved watching these women reclaim their power and their lives. At its heart, this book is about found friendship, sisterhood, and second chances. Each of the women in the story is navigating a new chapter in life, and seeing them come together and build a supportive community was incredibly uplifting. Their bond felt genuine and empowering, and I loved the way they lifted each other up. The themes of reinventing your life, healing from the past, and finding your people really stood out to me. There’s something so comforting about a story where characters realize it’s never too late to start over and create the life they want. Overall, this was a powerful and emotional read about women finding strength in each other and embracing a new life. If you enjoy stories centered on female friendship, community, and a little bit of righteous anger, this one is definitely worth picking up.
This is a slightly witchy story about three women who recently discovered that their marriages were falling apart, and the ways in which they try to get revenge and move on.
I liked the women in this story. They are each distinct and their friendship was lovely to see grow.
For me the book was a little dissapointing when it came to the romances. I didn’t feel like all three women needed to have a love interest. Declan was by far my favourite. The other men were far too intense in my opinion. (Also would have looooved to see a queer awakening for Soraya, but knew that was a long shot.)
All in all this ended up being ‘fine’ for me.
Thank you netgalley for this audiobook ARC. All opinions expressed in my review are my own.
This was a fun book to listen to. Three girls from high school come together as another girl ended up in a coma. All the girls come from different walks of life and they all learn they have one thing in common... their husbands are cheating on them. They walk into an apothecary and their world begins to change.
This was SO cute! It was exactly what I expected; if you love First Wives Club, you'll probably love this. I found it to be a little bit too long and very redundant with how the ladies were feeling. however, it did feel right in the story. It was empowering and really did remind me to slow down and enjoy the moment.
This wasn't the usual Maisey Yates book that I was expecting. 3 former classmates meet up after another friend has a bad accident. What transpires between these 3 is nothing short of fantastic. When they go to this little shop they stumble upon they find a store full of spells, chants and other fun stuff. This is where there shenanigans begin.
Loved! All about womanhood, community, and growth. For any woman going through it this book reminds of us the power we as women carry and especially when we lean on each other. And remember “What are spells but prayers men don’t like?”
Fine enough but nothing miraculous. Two of the three main characters kept getting confused as they just didn’t feel different enough, but it was fairly modern and pleasantly fanciful. 3 unexpectedly handsome hero types lingering on the sidelines as the 3 FMCs divorce their underwhelming husbands and reconfigure their lives for a moment before the new guy steps in to smooth the world over - was a bit predictable and this prevented any real engagement.
Is it cliche? Probably a little bit. Do we know how it'll end before reading it? Yes, it's basically in the description of the book? But was it one of my most favorite reads ever? Absolutely. Delightfully funny. The characters felt so real and beautiful. Women I've been throughout my life and women I've known. I love a good story about women finding their magic, their power, their own inner voice. And the book does. I laughed several times. Teared up once or twice. And internally said "heck yeah (well I used another term but this is public Soo...) several times. Find your magic ✨
Women supporting women + magic + men get the karma they deserve! A fun story that, that gripped me from the start. Wish there was a little less romance like in The First Wives Club, but the themes and character growth are strong. The story had me GAGGED in so many parts!
*Reviewing an uncorrected proof/advance reader’s copy from NetGalley
A thoughtful and surprisingly insightful read about womanhood, healing, and community.
First Witches Club turned out to be a really unique read about how women evolve - emotionally, mentally, and in the way they relate to each other after their life as they know it gets shattered. At its heart, the book is about three women - Nora, Soraya, and Daisy - who begin their journey united by betrayal and humiliation after their partners cheat on them. Initially, their anger pushes them toward wanting revenge. But as events unfold, they begin to realize something deeper: pain and vengeance rarely stay contained. The harm you wish for someone else often spreads outward and touches people you care about - children, friends, and the wider community.
What I loved most was how the story shifts from revenge to healing. When these women realize the power they hold, they choose not to use it to destroy but to rebuild. Instead of focusing on punishment, they turn their energy toward helping themselves and others move forward.
The apothecary, the witchy spells, and the little magical elements add a quirky and charming layer to the story, but for me they weren’t the main appeal. The real magic was in the emotional journeys of the characters and the friendships they build. Each woman - Daisy, Nora, and Soraya - has a very distinct personality, and their growth feels believable and true to who they are. Their evolution never feels forced or out of character.
One line toward the end of the book really stayed with me: The best revenge is living well. The best living is making sure those around you live well too. That sentiment beautifully captures what the women eventually build: a safe, open space in the community where people can talk about their struggles without judgment and find support through a network of women who truly understand.
Interestingly, I also appreciated the nuance in characters like Amberly. Despite being the woman Daisy’s husband left her for, she comes across as surprisingly mature and kind. Her willingness to protect the children from their father’s bitterness towards their mother and even help Daisy feel confident again by helping her with outfits during shopping adds an unexpected layer of compassion to the story.
three betrayed wives stumble into a magical apothecary shop at a moment when their lives feel broken and uncertain. what starts as almost by accident slowly becomes their journey of rediscovery through spells, shared pain, and laughter as they begin to reclaim pieces of themselves that had long been ignored or diminished.
first witches club carries a warm, cozy charm and is the perfect kind of book to curl up with a cup of tea while watching a group of women slowly build something beautiful together. revenge may fuel and spark the beginning of their journey, but their true magical potential is bid as they find their own strength, learning to love themselves again, and building a community and sisterhood that holds them up.
the magic here is not just in potions, manifestations and rituals but in the way women support each other, believe in each other, and create their own kind of power together. there are moments where the story feels slightly unpolished, but its heart and the message behind more than makes up for it.
of surrounding yourself with a brigade of women who remind you of your magic.
Magical in the best way, not just because there’s actual witchy sparkle, but because it’s a story about finding yourself again when life looks like it’s falling apart.
I loved that this is three women’s stories, all interconnected, all different, and all wildly easy to root for. Watching them find each other, lean on each other, and build a friendship that feels like a life raft (and a battle plan) was honestly everything. The romance is sweet, but the real heartbeat is the way these women reclaim their power, their joy, and their sense of possibility.
Is it dramatic and a little bonkers at times? Yes. And I mean that as a compliment. It fits the tone perfectly, and I never wanted it toned down. I actually found myself reading slower than normal because I didn’t want the story to end.
I didn’t expect this to be a five-star read for me because it’s such a soft, hopeful book, but here we are. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
I got the opportunity to listen to this book which was narrated by Ava Lucas. She brought the rules for witches forward in such a sweet tone.
Second chances come to three betrayed wives after they find a new apothecary in town.
Karma has found their exes and Daisy, Nora and Soraya are learning to open their hearts again to new possibilities.
This was a sweet read about friendship, finding your way and empowerment. A cosy find your magic and your bond retelling of The First Wives Club fits perfectly for this one.
I loved the incorporation of the tarot cards and readings for the women from start to finish of the book, bringing it full circle!
Thank you to the author, Maisey Yates , Brilliance Publishing/ Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this book. I received a gifted copy and am leaving my review voluntarily.
this book is, a little Practical Magic, and a whole lot of feminine fire. at first glance i thought this book would be kinda spooky since it had the word witches. but... it was so much better. This story serves witchy revenge, sexy new romance, and a fairy godmother like shopkeeper with charm to spare. At its heart are three women, once connected in high school, reunited by heartbreak and the downfall of truly awful husbands. What unfolds is a warm, funny, and empowering journey of friendship, self discovery, and women reclaiming their power. I loved how different these women were, yet how deeply they showed up for one another through it all. With tarot, laughter, healing, and just the right touch of magic, this was women’s fiction that felt both fun and deeply relatable. this book is perfect for a women's month read!!
I try and never leave one star reviews, but for me, this is warranted. I am not having a great day and decided to start a new book on my TBR. I was SO EXCITED to find out there was a character with my name (Amberly). This was a first for me as I have more of a unique name. At this characters first mention, she was compared to a dog and an infant. Further along in the book, they called her “amburgerly.” As a plus sized person, this sucked. It was at this point I DNFed. To say I am disappointed is an understatement. I read hundreds of books a year, and never had one make fun of someone’s name so much in the first several chapters. None the less making fun of someone’s name in relation to their weight. I am begging the author to take this into consideration and do better. This is not cool and I honestly wish I could get an apology as I’m so upset.
I was able to read this book as an Amazon First Reads pick and I am so happy that this is the book I chose. Something in the description spoke to me as someone going through a similar situation.
It was a beautiful story of women banding together and finding their power after loss and separation. I absolutely loved the quotes and “rules for witches” at the beginning of each chapter it added such a cute touch to the book.
I highly recommend this book to anyone going through separation or even if they are just wanting to find their power and own it. There is such a beauty in a community that stands together through life’s hardest battles and every woman deserves that.
“What are spells but prayers men find too powerful.”
This is not my normal read but I really enjoyed it. Nora, Daisy and Soraya find themselves betrayed by their husbands and they all come together. They support each other through the hardest times and they stumble upon the new apothecary store and soon learn they all have magic but they have to find it. Together the girls find their magic, sisterhood and the next chapter of their lives. This was a seriously sweet girl supporting girls story. I loved it. It was a little slow at times but I did really enjoy all the characters.
Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this arc in exchange for an honest review.
This book was really cute, cozy and warm. I felt like I was stepping into the Sweet Magnolias set or books except add a little magic to it. The characters faith was a strong fixture in this novel, and the book felt like a hallmark movie. The witchy magic wasn't all that extreme in the sense that I am used to. There was a little tarot reading and a lot of incantations that were more of a manifestation chant than real witchy powers.
Overall a cute read, but not one I would pick up again for a reread.
I have developed a fascination with witch stories..
And this was one of the best I've read. It went beyond just being a romance novel, although that was predictable. It had lessons about becoming a full person, claiming the power we each are born with, and the destructive power of dishonesty.
It also made me want to go find my old Tarot deck.