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Hexes & Hush Money: Cozy Witch Mystery Fantasy
A cursed coin.
A cat-café witch.
A seaside murder steeped in espresso and secrets.
For witch Ivy Rowan, life at the Catnip Café is a magical dream, right down to her purring familiar, Hex. But when a ruthless developer is murdered behind her shop and the town’s restoration fund vanishes with him, Ivy’s dream becomes a waking nightmare.
The sheriff wants her to stick to frothing milk, but she can't when damning gold coins appear at her tables and a rival is struck down by a hexed cappuccino. With Hex suddenly kidnapped, Ivy must act.
To save her familiar and her freedom, she must unravel a century-old money-binding spell to unmask a modern-day killer before the next cup she pours is her own last rites.
This novel is the perfect read for you if you love the following
A Cozy Mystery that has a witch and blends Cozy Fantasy with a classic Paranormal Cozy Mystery.
A clever Woman Sleuth taking on the case as an Amateur Sleuth.
Heartwarming themes of Found Family and a touch of sweet romance.
A Whimsical world filled with Magic, Magical Realism, and Funny Fantasy moments.
A charming small town setting with a Cozy cafe and a crisp Fall atmosphere.
A story starring a charming Witch and her scene-stealing cats!
A truly Puzzling Mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end.
HEXES & HUSH MONEY book one of the Cat Café Witch Mysteries serves a shot of paranormal peril with a sprinkle of cozy charm.
Fans of Steeped to Death and Cat About Town will lap up this magical new mystery series of books.
A cat-café witch.
A seaside murder steeped in espresso and secrets.
For witch Ivy Rowan, life at the Catnip Café is a magical dream, right down to her purring familiar, Hex. But when a ruthless developer is murdered behind her shop and the town’s restoration fund vanishes with him, Ivy’s dream becomes a waking nightmare.
The sheriff wants her to stick to frothing milk, but she can't when damning gold coins appear at her tables and a rival is struck down by a hexed cappuccino. With Hex suddenly kidnapped, Ivy must act.
To save her familiar and her freedom, she must unravel a century-old money-binding spell to unmask a modern-day killer before the next cup she pours is her own last rites.
This novel is the perfect read for you if you love the following
A Cozy Mystery that has a witch and blends Cozy Fantasy with a classic Paranormal Cozy Mystery.
A clever Woman Sleuth taking on the case as an Amateur Sleuth.
Heartwarming themes of Found Family and a touch of sweet romance.
A Whimsical world filled with Magic, Magical Realism, and Funny Fantasy moments.
A charming small town setting with a Cozy cafe and a crisp Fall atmosphere.
A story starring a charming Witch and her scene-stealing cats!
A truly Puzzling Mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end.
HEXES & HUSH MONEY book one of the Cat Café Witch Mysteries serves a shot of paranormal peril with a sprinkle of cozy charm.
Fans of Steeped to Death and Cat About Town will lap up this magical new mystery series of books.
154 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 9, 2025
24 people are currently reading
269 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 199 reviews
September 28, 2025
A big thank you to Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for an ARC of this book!
I love an author that "gets us" readers. For it is a well known fact that unfortunately our spooky season is only so long and with that comes the urge to cram in as many spooky reads as possible. I extremely appreciate the shorter lengths of the books coming out this season.
This book is a token example! We have absolutely everything we LOVE about a good seasonal cozy mystery at about half the usual length. And in my opinion what really speaks to the talent of this author is despite the short length, you still leave feel satisfied!..
Imagine going to a five star restaurant and actually having to undo your top button afterwards because you're so full, instead of having to find the closest Wendy's drive- through before your show. That's this book. You get to have your cake and eat it too over here.. while it's a short fast read, that's easy to squeeze into your spooky TBR. You're also getting a solid story that doesn't lack substance!
This is the perfect spooky treat that needs to be on every cozy mystery lover's TBR!!
I love an author that "gets us" readers. For it is a well known fact that unfortunately our spooky season is only so long and with that comes the urge to cram in as many spooky reads as possible. I extremely appreciate the shorter lengths of the books coming out this season.
This book is a token example! We have absolutely everything we LOVE about a good seasonal cozy mystery at about half the usual length. And in my opinion what really speaks to the talent of this author is despite the short length, you still leave feel satisfied!..
Imagine going to a five star restaurant and actually having to undo your top button afterwards because you're so full, instead of having to find the closest Wendy's drive- through before your show. That's this book. You get to have your cake and eat it too over here.. while it's a short fast read, that's easy to squeeze into your spooky TBR. You're also getting a solid story that doesn't lack substance!
This is the perfect spooky treat that needs to be on every cozy mystery lover's TBR!!
September 8, 2025
Thank you BooksGoSocial and Hazel Caraway for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Overall I enjoyed this story quite a bit 🖤 but I do wish I had gotten a little more out of it.
What was there really hit the marks for cozy witchy mystery vibes ✨🐈⬛🔮
- That cover is GORGEOUS and makes me realize I’m missing out by not having a colour e-reader!
- I absolutely adored how homey and cozy the cat café felt : every cat has a distinct look and personality with one of them being a familiar (which I’m a huge sucker for 🥹); the ambiance felt warm and inviting, making me want to order a scone and warm drink to sit by the window & read; and you could very well feel the sense of community with all of the islands customer enjoying their time in there.
- Ivy is the personification of the gentle kind hearted witch, using her powers to discreetly help and heal her community.
- The magic system was really interesting ! I love how it’s its’ own entity/sentient being that can cry out and lash out, and yet it requires the island’s inhabitants to prove their worth and protect the island to serve them with its’ benevolence.
- I am a big big fan of Gran (and her motley crew of seniors playing detective); she’s a really fun and sassy character 🤣
- There is some incredibly vivid imagery! I honestly felt like I was walking through the spaces in each one of the scene ✨ the Storm one was probably the most impressive!
- Quadruple mystery with a death, a poisoning, a kidnapping and magical omens to decipher !
- I did feel reeled in emotionally quite a few times which made it super easy to connect to the characters and the story 🥰
While the plot and storyline were enjoyable and well thought out, they did feel somewhat underdeveloped at times. I wished for more adventures and investigating, especially towards the north part of the island ✨ and to see more of Ivy’s magical abilities!
Some other elements let me down.
While I understand it’s meant to be a fast paced story, I felt like some things went at lightning speed.
On top of that there were some inconsistencies and confusing moments, as well as a fair amount of repetition :
- The relationship between the MCs was almost instantaneous, and the ending was even more shocking. There is mention of previous instances of what could have been flirting, but still, I didn’t feel much of a bond develop between them.
- Gran is supposed to have made them a roast to go on a date but then we move on to something else.
- Ivy never truly spoke of magic with Dylan and then he calls her up talking about magic and hexes in the cappuccino 😶
- There’s repetition at the beginning of certain chapters summing up the end of the previous one, as well as some more repetition about the town healing and the folks accepting her magic, and hex’s new hero status towards the end of the book.
I liked the story and writing so I’ll most probably read the second one, but I do hope to see more depth in the storyline, plot, and relationships 🖤 and even more of the cats please 🤭
Overall I enjoyed this story quite a bit 🖤 but I do wish I had gotten a little more out of it.
What was there really hit the marks for cozy witchy mystery vibes ✨🐈⬛🔮
- That cover is GORGEOUS and makes me realize I’m missing out by not having a colour e-reader!
- I absolutely adored how homey and cozy the cat café felt : every cat has a distinct look and personality with one of them being a familiar (which I’m a huge sucker for 🥹); the ambiance felt warm and inviting, making me want to order a scone and warm drink to sit by the window & read; and you could very well feel the sense of community with all of the islands customer enjoying their time in there.
- Ivy is the personification of the gentle kind hearted witch, using her powers to discreetly help and heal her community.
- The magic system was really interesting ! I love how it’s its’ own entity/sentient being that can cry out and lash out, and yet it requires the island’s inhabitants to prove their worth and protect the island to serve them with its’ benevolence.
- I am a big big fan of Gran (and her motley crew of seniors playing detective); she’s a really fun and sassy character 🤣
- There is some incredibly vivid imagery! I honestly felt like I was walking through the spaces in each one of the scene ✨ the Storm one was probably the most impressive!
- Quadruple mystery with a death, a poisoning, a kidnapping and magical omens to decipher !
- I did feel reeled in emotionally quite a few times which made it super easy to connect to the characters and the story 🥰
While the plot and storyline were enjoyable and well thought out, they did feel somewhat underdeveloped at times. I wished for more adventures and investigating, especially towards the north part of the island ✨ and to see more of Ivy’s magical abilities!
Some other elements let me down.
While I understand it’s meant to be a fast paced story, I felt like some things went at lightning speed.
On top of that there were some inconsistencies and confusing moments, as well as a fair amount of repetition :
- The relationship between the MCs was almost instantaneous, and the ending was even more shocking. There is mention of previous instances of what could have been flirting, but still, I didn’t feel much of a bond develop between them.
- Gran is supposed to have made them a roast to go on a date but then we move on to something else.
- Ivy never truly spoke of magic with Dylan and then he calls her up talking about magic and hexes in the cappuccino 😶
- There’s repetition at the beginning of certain chapters summing up the end of the previous one, as well as some more repetition about the town healing and the folks accepting her magic, and hex’s new hero status towards the end of the book.
I liked the story and writing so I’ll most probably read the second one, but I do hope to see more depth in the storyline, plot, and relationships 🖤 and even more of the cats please 🤭
October 3, 2025
Hazel Caraway throws you into the heart of the story since the first page, with the easy writing and the good pace.
I liked to follow shy witch Ivy and grumpy sheriff Dylan adventure. These two characters grew throught the book, Ivy finally discovers and accepts the strength of her power, and Dylan opens up to the islanders finally feeling like at home.
I've enjoyed the mystery, the magic, the small island setting, but I would have liked to know something more about the characters.
If you're looking for a nice and quick read Hexes & Hush Money is the right book for you.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for kindly giving me an advanced copy of this book to read.
September 15, 2025
Thank you to the publisher BooksGoSocial for providing this book for review consideration via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
It started with a cursed coin. For witch Ivy Rowan, the Catnip cafe is not just a cafe, it’s her legacy and the heart of the community. Ivy's devoted familiar Hex is never far behind her. When developer Jonas Pike is murdered and the towns restoration fund disappears, the finger of suspicion is pointed squarely at Ivy as Jonas was found outside her cafe. When Ivy’s rival is struck down by a hexed cappuccino and her familiar is kidnapped, Ivy’s worst fears come to pass. The Sheriff wants her to stay out of the way and stick to making drinks, but Ivy knows when the cursed coins start appearing that Hex’s life and the towns future is at stake.
I enjoyed this book it was a nice light and entertaining quick read and I’m glad I read it. I instantly liked Ivy as she was a very warm and caring character and I loved her bond with her best and Gran, she was well thought of but a lot of the townspeople, some treated her with suspicion but not all. Dylan was an outsider as he was a mainlander so didn’t buy into all of the town’s superstitions until he saw it with his own eyes and I loved how he warmed up to Ivy as I got more into the book. This book kept me guessing right up until the end and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series, overall a very delightful read and I would highly recommend.
It started with a cursed coin. For witch Ivy Rowan, the Catnip cafe is not just a cafe, it’s her legacy and the heart of the community. Ivy's devoted familiar Hex is never far behind her. When developer Jonas Pike is murdered and the towns restoration fund disappears, the finger of suspicion is pointed squarely at Ivy as Jonas was found outside her cafe. When Ivy’s rival is struck down by a hexed cappuccino and her familiar is kidnapped, Ivy’s worst fears come to pass. The Sheriff wants her to stay out of the way and stick to making drinks, but Ivy knows when the cursed coins start appearing that Hex’s life and the towns future is at stake.
I enjoyed this book it was a nice light and entertaining quick read and I’m glad I read it. I instantly liked Ivy as she was a very warm and caring character and I loved her bond with her best and Gran, she was well thought of but a lot of the townspeople, some treated her with suspicion but not all. Dylan was an outsider as he was a mainlander so didn’t buy into all of the town’s superstitions until he saw it with his own eyes and I loved how he warmed up to Ivy as I got more into the book. This book kept me guessing right up until the end and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series, overall a very delightful read and I would highly recommend.
August 22, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for providing me with an eARC.
This was a very enjoyable cozy quick read. It had most of the cliches of cozy novels but it was done well. I loved the found family part as well. I would have liked to see more of the world building. Despite being set in a cafe on an island with cats similar to the typical cozy novels, the coin aspect was really interesting and unique. I really liked the character interactions. I didn't really care for the mystery apart from the wholesome parts it brought about by bringing people together. Although the romance was wholesome, it felt a bit too fast for me. I would have liked it better if it was a slow burn romance spread across the series. I loved the comforting imagery the book gave me while reading. I read the whole book in one sitting and I'm excited to read the rest of the series. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a quick, heartwarming read.
This was a very enjoyable cozy quick read. It had most of the cliches of cozy novels but it was done well. I loved the found family part as well. I would have liked to see more of the world building. Despite being set in a cafe on an island with cats similar to the typical cozy novels, the coin aspect was really interesting and unique. I really liked the character interactions. I didn't really care for the mystery apart from the wholesome parts it brought about by bringing people together. Although the romance was wholesome, it felt a bit too fast for me. I would have liked it better if it was a slow burn romance spread across the series. I loved the comforting imagery the book gave me while reading. I read the whole book in one sitting and I'm excited to read the rest of the series. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a quick, heartwarming read.
September 7, 2025
4.5 stars ₍^. .^₎⟆
𝐈 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐚 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐟𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐬𝐲 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝, 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐈 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐦𝐧 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬ⵑ ☕️🍂✨️🌙 ⊹˚.
─ ⋆⋅🍂⋅⋆ ─
𓂃ﾟ ⋆ Stepping into this book, you'll be transported to a cat café on an island on which quite magical things occur. Ivy Rowan, a witch and the owner of the café, is being framed for a murder that happened behind her shop. Dylan, the sheriff Ivy quite likes, has to fulfil his duties and investigate what is going on. But strange things keep on occurring: gold coins appearing out of nowhere, as well as a mysterious letter Ivy found by her door and the kidnapping of her familiar cat, Hex. To save her familiar, her café, and the island, she teams up with the ones close to her and the sheriff to find out what's going on and to stop the murderer and the one behind this all. ⊹ ࣪ ˖
🍁༄˖°.🍂.ೃ࿔*:･🍁 ᓚᘏᗢ
⊹ ࣪ ˖ ࣪I really liked this book. It was the epitome of cosy. The cat café felt just so welcoming and inviting, and made me feel all warm and cosy. Ivy is a very gentle and kind witch, and I liked the characters around her, especially Gran and Sage, and of course, the cats.
There's a soft sparkle of magic in this world, and we get to learn about Ivy's family and get a bit of insight and lore as well.
The writing is very descriptive, so I found it easy to imagine the smells of coffee being brewed, and it felt like I was there on the island together with Ivy, Hex, and the rest of the characters. The book has a very atmospheric small town/island mysterious autumn-y kind of feeling.
There's a bit of romance in this one as well between Ivy and Dylan, the sheriff, but because this is quite a short book, there wasn't much time for their feelings to develop. So, the romance felt quite fast, sudden and rushed. They're investigating the case, then suddenly there's a kiss, and then they kind of go back to how things were, and there isn't really much about how Ivy is feeling towards him and after the kiss and so on. Buuutt, it is a short book, it is a cosy mystery, so I also kind of didn't mind...? The book kind of read as if someone was reading it aloud for me, like a story, so, in the end, I just thought they were cuties together. :) Especially the last few chapters. So, don't go into this one expecting all sparks and butterflies, but you can expect all the fuzzy, cosy feelings.
Hmm, the mystery aspect was very interesting and I found the magic system with the coins to be very unique! I didn't see the reveal coming (but I'm really bad at solving murder mysteries, so yeah, lol), and the ending...I would love to read a second book! And hopefully we will get a little bit deeper feelings between the characters in that one. And the cats, of course! ⊹ ࣪ ˖
🍁༄˖°.🍂.ೃ࿔*:･🍁 ᓚᘏᗢ
⊹ ࣪ ˖ I think you should read this one if you'd like: ⊹ ࣪ ˖
- ✨ Cosy Murder Mystery
- ☕ Cat Café
- 🍂 Small Town/Island
- ✨ Witch with a Cat Familiar
- ☕ Magic, Poison, and Bad Omens
- 🍂 Fast Burn Romance between the FMC + Sheriff
- ✨ Vivid Imaginary Writing
- ☕ All the Cosy Autumn-y Vibes & Feelings
Thank you to Netgalley, BooksGoSocial, and the author for giving me the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review! (•˕ •マ.ᐟ
𝐈 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐚 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐟𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐬𝐲 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝, 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐈 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐦𝐧 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬ⵑ ☕️🍂✨️🌙 ⊹˚.
─ ⋆⋅🍂⋅⋆ ─
𓂃ﾟ ⋆ Stepping into this book, you'll be transported to a cat café on an island on which quite magical things occur. Ivy Rowan, a witch and the owner of the café, is being framed for a murder that happened behind her shop. Dylan, the sheriff Ivy quite likes, has to fulfil his duties and investigate what is going on. But strange things keep on occurring: gold coins appearing out of nowhere, as well as a mysterious letter Ivy found by her door and the kidnapping of her familiar cat, Hex. To save her familiar, her café, and the island, she teams up with the ones close to her and the sheriff to find out what's going on and to stop the murderer and the one behind this all. ⊹ ࣪ ˖
🍁༄˖°.🍂.ೃ࿔*:･🍁 ᓚᘏᗢ
⊹ ࣪ ˖ ࣪I really liked this book. It was the epitome of cosy. The cat café felt just so welcoming and inviting, and made me feel all warm and cosy. Ivy is a very gentle and kind witch, and I liked the characters around her, especially Gran and Sage, and of course, the cats.
There's a soft sparkle of magic in this world, and we get to learn about Ivy's family and get a bit of insight and lore as well.
The writing is very descriptive, so I found it easy to imagine the smells of coffee being brewed, and it felt like I was there on the island together with Ivy, Hex, and the rest of the characters. The book has a very atmospheric small town/island mysterious autumn-y kind of feeling.
There's a bit of romance in this one as well between Ivy and Dylan, the sheriff, but because this is quite a short book, there wasn't much time for their feelings to develop. So, the romance felt quite fast, sudden and rushed. They're investigating the case, then suddenly there's a kiss, and then they kind of go back to how things were, and there isn't really much about how Ivy is feeling towards him and after the kiss and so on. Buuutt, it is a short book, it is a cosy mystery, so I also kind of didn't mind...? The book kind of read as if someone was reading it aloud for me, like a story, so, in the end, I just thought they were cuties together. :) Especially the last few chapters. So, don't go into this one expecting all sparks and butterflies, but you can expect all the fuzzy, cosy feelings.
Hmm, the mystery aspect was very interesting and I found the magic system with the coins to be very unique! I didn't see the reveal coming (but I'm really bad at solving murder mysteries, so yeah, lol), and the ending...I would love to read a second book! And hopefully we will get a little bit deeper feelings between the characters in that one. And the cats, of course! ⊹ ࣪ ˖
🍁༄˖°.🍂.ೃ࿔*:･🍁 ᓚᘏᗢ
⊹ ࣪ ˖ I think you should read this one if you'd like: ⊹ ࣪ ˖
- ✨ Cosy Murder Mystery
- ☕ Cat Café
- 🍂 Small Town/Island
- ✨ Witch with a Cat Familiar
- ☕ Magic, Poison, and Bad Omens
- 🍂 Fast Burn Romance between the FMC + Sheriff
- ✨ Vivid Imaginary Writing
- ☕ All the Cosy Autumn-y Vibes & Feelings
Thank you to Netgalley, BooksGoSocial, and the author for giving me the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review! (•˕ •マ.ᐟ
August 16, 2025
5/5 stars
Thank you Netgalley, BooksGoSocial and Hazel Caraway for the ARC.
I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH. There. I said it. I'm usually a stoic person and I like cozy mysteries, but this one had everything I love AND MORE. Especially a really funny black cat and an amazing grandma.
Hexes & Hush Money is the first book of the Cat Café Witch Mystery saga and perfectly introduced the main characters and the island they live on. Ivy runs a family-owned cat café and comes from a family of witches. Her life is turned upside down when she discovers the dead body of the real estate businessman that has been houding the town residents and Ivy for a while to force them to sell their shops and lands. Following her cat's kidnapping, Ivy decides to do things her own way, with the help of her family and friends.
While the plot is, at its heart, basic, it's the main characters and ambiance that made me flip pages after pages. They're all so easy to love. Perhaps a bit one-sided, but I love this kind of one-side, when it's all about helping someone very dear to you. And it was just so easy to picture the island's town, its residents, their feelings, the magic in the air - this book is all about hope, doing good things, and positive magic, and I loved it.
I hope to read more of this series!
Thank you Netgalley, BooksGoSocial and Hazel Caraway for the ARC.
I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH. There. I said it. I'm usually a stoic person and I like cozy mysteries, but this one had everything I love AND MORE. Especially a really funny black cat and an amazing grandma.
Hexes & Hush Money is the first book of the Cat Café Witch Mystery saga and perfectly introduced the main characters and the island they live on. Ivy runs a family-owned cat café and comes from a family of witches. Her life is turned upside down when she discovers the dead body of the real estate businessman that has been houding the town residents and Ivy for a while to force them to sell their shops and lands. Following her cat's kidnapping, Ivy decides to do things her own way, with the help of her family and friends.
While the plot is, at its heart, basic, it's the main characters and ambiance that made me flip pages after pages. They're all so easy to love. Perhaps a bit one-sided, but I love this kind of one-side, when it's all about helping someone very dear to you. And it was just so easy to picture the island's town, its residents, their feelings, the magic in the air - this book is all about hope, doing good things, and positive magic, and I loved it.
I hope to read more of this series!
September 13, 2025
“We had started this journey as antagonists, a man of rigid law and a woman of messy magic. Now, we were partners, bound by the shared crucible of the storm.”
𝘗𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 & 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴
In the beginning, my initial thoughts were that this book had a good plot, endearing characters, and a cozy setting, which made me think this would be a home run!
However, there were quite a few lulls in the story, especially towards the middle and second half of this book, that had me veryyy bored and ready to dnf. I was reluctant to keep reading but trudged through because I enjoyed the first half and had hope it would pick back up.
Unfortunately, besides a couple of nice moments at the end, it did not keep me from being bored out of my mind when reading.
𝘎𝘦𝘯𝘳𝘦
🐈⬛ paranormal cozy mystery
𝘛𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘴
✨ small town
🐈⬛ amateur sleuth
✨ animal familiar
🐈⬛ murder mystery
𝘗𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 & 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴
In the beginning, my initial thoughts were that this book had a good plot, endearing characters, and a cozy setting, which made me think this would be a home run!
However, there were quite a few lulls in the story, especially towards the middle and second half of this book, that had me veryyy bored and ready to dnf. I was reluctant to keep reading but trudged through because I enjoyed the first half and had hope it would pick back up.
Unfortunately, besides a couple of nice moments at the end, it did not keep me from being bored out of my mind when reading.
𝘎𝘦𝘯𝘳𝘦
🐈⬛ paranormal cozy mystery
𝘛𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘴
✨ small town
🐈⬛ amateur sleuth
✨ animal familiar
🐈⬛ murder mystery
November 23, 2025
TL;DR: Cozy spells, cinnamon-scented chaos, and a mystery that goes down smoother than a pumpkin latte.
Full Review:
Hexes & Hush Money is the literary equivalent of wrapping yourself in a blanket on a crisp autumn afternoon: warm, charming, and just witchy enough to keep things interesting. A solid 4 stars, and honestly? I could’ve handled at least 50 more pages without blinking.
This novella is short and sweet, but Hazel Caraway nails the atmosphere: the café is the kind of cozy that makes you wish you could teleport inside, order something warm, and eavesdrop on the regulars. The island setting? Immaculate. The magic system? Simple but fun, and woven in with a gentle touch. And the characters... this is where the book really shines.
Ivy is kind, earnest, and chaotic in the most endearing way. I was rooting for her since the very beginning. Gran absolutely steals the show with her chaotic good and fun energy.
And the cats? Whimsical and cute.
The writing has that soft-focus quality that makes you feel like you’re standing in the café, hearing mugs clink and spells hum in the background. The mystery is light but engaging, enough to keep the pace moving without overpowering the cozy vibes.
Where the book stumbles is… well, where many novellas do. Sometimes the plot feels a bit too convenient, and certain moments fly by before they land. A few extra chapters would’ve given the story the breathing room it deserved. I also wasn’t fully sold on the romance, a little too insta-lovey for my taste, but it had its cute, swoony beats.
Overall, this is a perfect fall read: cozy magic, found family vibes, comforting charm, and a sprinkle of mystery. If you want something cute, warm, and a bit witchy to curl up with, this one delivers.
Full Review:
Hexes & Hush Money is the literary equivalent of wrapping yourself in a blanket on a crisp autumn afternoon: warm, charming, and just witchy enough to keep things interesting. A solid 4 stars, and honestly? I could’ve handled at least 50 more pages without blinking.
This novella is short and sweet, but Hazel Caraway nails the atmosphere: the café is the kind of cozy that makes you wish you could teleport inside, order something warm, and eavesdrop on the regulars. The island setting? Immaculate. The magic system? Simple but fun, and woven in with a gentle touch. And the characters... this is where the book really shines.
Ivy is kind, earnest, and chaotic in the most endearing way. I was rooting for her since the very beginning. Gran absolutely steals the show with her chaotic good and fun energy.
And the cats? Whimsical and cute.
The writing has that soft-focus quality that makes you feel like you’re standing in the café, hearing mugs clink and spells hum in the background. The mystery is light but engaging, enough to keep the pace moving without overpowering the cozy vibes.
Where the book stumbles is… well, where many novellas do. Sometimes the plot feels a bit too convenient, and certain moments fly by before they land. A few extra chapters would’ve given the story the breathing room it deserved. I also wasn’t fully sold on the romance, a little too insta-lovey for my taste, but it had its cute, swoony beats.
Overall, this is a perfect fall read: cozy magic, found family vibes, comforting charm, and a sprinkle of mystery. If you want something cute, warm, and a bit witchy to curl up with, this one delivers.
August 25, 2025
4,5 ⭐
I absolutely loved this book. It has this cozy witchy autumn vibe to it, and it’s such an easy read because the writing flows well and the book is very short.
There are some small things that I wish were different. However, the fact that this is her debut novel is indeed impressive.
Ivy is an amazing main character. Her dynamic with her grandmother and Sage, her best friend, was enjoyable to read. I can’t forget to mention the cats, of course—especially Hex. Seeing her care for her cats and the bond she has with Hex was endearing.
Dylan was also a good main character. Watching his grumpy usual self turn into a softie was a pleasant experience.
I do believe there should’ve been more development, but since it was a shorter book, the development was handled okay within this number of pages.
Gran, Sage, Harold, and Betty are the kind of people everyone wants to have around.
The romance was cute, and I liked their chemistry. It was obvious Dylan was into her from the beginning, but it was also easy to see that he was figuring it out himself.
The coin magic system was different from what I’ve seen in other books, and it was nice to read a different kind of magic. I don’t think I fully understood the magic system in general, though. We didn’t get a chance to see how it actually works—we only got mentions of it. The fact that this is the first book makes me think that we’ll get to see more of it in the next one. I hope we do.
Also, if I’m not mistaken, at the beginning of the book we see that Harold and some people are already aware of her magic. At the end, Ivy mentions that her magic isn’t a secret anymore, and that got me a little confused.
I don’t know what to think about the revelation, though.
Thank you to NetGalley, BooksGoSocial, and Hazel Caraway for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I absolutely loved this book. It has this cozy witchy autumn vibe to it, and it’s such an easy read because the writing flows well and the book is very short.
There are some small things that I wish were different. However, the fact that this is her debut novel is indeed impressive.
Ivy is an amazing main character. Her dynamic with her grandmother and Sage, her best friend, was enjoyable to read. I can’t forget to mention the cats, of course—especially Hex. Seeing her care for her cats and the bond she has with Hex was endearing.
Dylan was also a good main character. Watching his grumpy usual self turn into a softie was a pleasant experience.
I do believe there should’ve been more development, but since it was a shorter book, the development was handled okay within this number of pages.
Gran, Sage, Harold, and Betty are the kind of people everyone wants to have around.
The romance was cute, and I liked their chemistry. It was obvious Dylan was into her from the beginning, but it was also easy to see that he was figuring it out himself.
The coin magic system was different from what I’ve seen in other books, and it was nice to read a different kind of magic. I don’t think I fully understood the magic system in general, though. We didn’t get a chance to see how it actually works—we only got mentions of it. The fact that this is the first book makes me think that we’ll get to see more of it in the next one. I hope we do.
Also, if I’m not mistaken, at the beginning of the book we see that Harold and some people are already aware of her magic. At the end, Ivy mentions that her magic isn’t a secret anymore, and that got me a little confused.
I don’t know what to think about the revelation, though.
Thank you to NetGalley, BooksGoSocial, and Hazel Caraway for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 18, 2025
Hexes & Hush Money was such an engaging read that perfectly blends supernatural intrigue, sharp character dynamics, and just the right touch of drama. From the very first chapter, the story pulled me in with its mysterious atmosphere and a sense that there were secrets simmering beneath the surface.
The main character really stood out to me—clever, loyal, and refreshingly authentic. Her relationships with the supporting cast were layered and nuanced, never falling into flat tropes. The author did a great job at balancing trust and betrayal, keeping me guessing about everyone’s true intentions.
I especially loved how the paranormal elements were woven into the story in a way that felt natural and immersive, enhancing the suspense rather than overwhelming it. The pacing was generally quick and addictive, though there were a few slower, introspective moments that, while adding depth, slightly dragged the flow for me. Still, the unexpected twists—especially one particular reveal that left me stunned—more than made up for it.
What sets this book apart is its balance: it’s not just about magic and danger, but also about the emotional struggles and moral choices the characters face. That human side gave the story an extra layer of depth I really appreciated.
Overall, Hexes & Hush Money is atmospheric, gripping, and absolutely worth picking up if you enjoy supernatural mysteries with strong characters and surprising twists. A solid 4-star read for me!
✨ Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The main character really stood out to me—clever, loyal, and refreshingly authentic. Her relationships with the supporting cast were layered and nuanced, never falling into flat tropes. The author did a great job at balancing trust and betrayal, keeping me guessing about everyone’s true intentions.
I especially loved how the paranormal elements were woven into the story in a way that felt natural and immersive, enhancing the suspense rather than overwhelming it. The pacing was generally quick and addictive, though there were a few slower, introspective moments that, while adding depth, slightly dragged the flow for me. Still, the unexpected twists—especially one particular reveal that left me stunned—more than made up for it.
What sets this book apart is its balance: it’s not just about magic and danger, but also about the emotional struggles and moral choices the characters face. That human side gave the story an extra layer of depth I really appreciated.
Overall, Hexes & Hush Money is atmospheric, gripping, and absolutely worth picking up if you enjoy supernatural mysteries with strong characters and surprising twists. A solid 4-star read for me!
✨ Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 10, 2025
3.5 stars
This was a cute paranormal cozy mystery to start fall with! There was a little bit of a pacing issue in the beginning for me so it took me a little bit to get into, However, the ending and implication of a book 2 in the end made this book good! The characters are lovable and I am obsessed with the idea of a cat cafe. A perfect read for those looking to get into the cozy spirit of fall without any horror elements. Thank you to Netgalley and the author for this book in exchange for an honest review!
This was a cute paranormal cozy mystery to start fall with! There was a little bit of a pacing issue in the beginning for me so it took me a little bit to get into, However, the ending and implication of a book 2 in the end made this book good! The characters are lovable and I am obsessed with the idea of a cat cafe. A perfect read for those looking to get into the cozy spirit of fall without any horror elements. Thank you to Netgalley and the author for this book in exchange for an honest review!
September 13, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
The characters felt underdeveloped, with little to no world-building. The plot was fairly predictable and really rushed. For example, a character was suspicious one moment and then completely changed sides just a few pages later. Personally, I found the pacing a bit too fast for my liking. But still the story itself was cute and cozy.
The characters felt underdeveloped, with little to no world-building. The plot was fairly predictable and really rushed. For example, a character was suspicious one moment and then completely changed sides just a few pages later. Personally, I found the pacing a bit too fast for my liking. But still the story itself was cute and cozy.
August 23, 2025
A cozy mystery about a witch and the evil plot to make her small island township into a holiday getaway.
This was cute. It's very much telling you and not showing you. Also unsure about who knows about magic and who doesn't because it seems to change through out the book.
Thanks to netgalley for the early review copy.
This was cute. It's very much telling you and not showing you. Also unsure about who knows about magic and who doesn't because it seems to change through out the book.
Thanks to netgalley for the early review copy.
September 5, 2025
Rating: 1.00
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion.
Hexes and Hush Money is an interesting title and the cover is definitely going to draw in a specific type of reader.
The story follows Ivy Rowan, a witch in what seems to be a long lineage of witches. She owns a coffee shop on a small island with the companionship of her familiar, Hex.
When the Island is threatened by greed and Hex is catnapped - Ivy, her Gran, her best friend Sage and the island sheriff go sleuthing to find Hex, solve a murder and stop all the bad things happening around the island.
As you can probably see from my rating - this didn't go well. This is my type of cosy, exactly the kind of story that lines my shelves - so I can tell you that from my perspective the idea is there, but the execution is not.
I'm sure this will not be the case for everyone, but this fell so short, so quickly. I'm talking around the 35% mark when my brain switched off.
The beginning is probably the best part of the book. We are introduced to our main character charming the drink of an elderly gentleman to ease his sore joints. The café is picturesque with 2 kitties running around. We were briefly introduced to a stoic, handsome sheriff who came in for coffee - took one sip of his drink, left the mug and dipped. It's cute, that he clearly only came in to see Ivy - but you sense that it's a little awkward as well.
Well, then queue the intro of Jonas Pike. The way his dialogue is written was, cringey. I was genuinely waiting for him to say 'I'll get you, you meddling kids'.
It goes on from there and gets progressively worse. Like I said, the idea was great, but the execution wasn't there. The writing felt so uninspired. It's a short book so I'm putting some of the blame on that, as you feel like you've missed so much information somewhere, but there isn't anything you've missed. I felt like I'd pulled up to the storyline 3 books into a series. It seems more implied that Ivy's magic is hidden, there are things said and done that feel like only Ivy and her Gran know about them being witches, then later down the line Sheriff Dylan is talking about hexes and amplifying potions and it all just feels lost in translation.
Ivy's best friend seems entirely useless, just there occasionally. The romance lacks any tension and seems to build from barely exchanging words to a serious relationship.
Ivy herself is... okay? She's very boring, very damsel in distress but then she has moments where she's like 'oh I'm angry' and proceeds to do absolutely nothing with it.
There's no definition to any of the characters, minimal descriptions, no meaningful time spent with them. I just didn't care about them at all, which made any and all events of the book bland, because I didn't care - there were no stakes involved for me.
There are multiple instances within this book where something is said or done, and then one scene later, it seems like the author has forgotten what was written and made something else up.
All in all, I felt like someone wrote the first 2-3 pages and then someone else took over the rest of it until towards the very end when the writing seemed familiar again.
I don't know if I will continue with the next book when that is released but I definitely recommend giving this a try yourself, as you may just be here for vibes which is completely fair and you'll most likely enjoy this. I, however, needed more depth, more worldbuilding, more cohesive writing.
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this e-arc.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion.
Hexes and Hush Money is an interesting title and the cover is definitely going to draw in a specific type of reader.
The story follows Ivy Rowan, a witch in what seems to be a long lineage of witches. She owns a coffee shop on a small island with the companionship of her familiar, Hex.
When the Island is threatened by greed and Hex is catnapped - Ivy, her Gran, her best friend Sage and the island sheriff go sleuthing to find Hex, solve a murder and stop all the bad things happening around the island.
As you can probably see from my rating - this didn't go well. This is my type of cosy, exactly the kind of story that lines my shelves - so I can tell you that from my perspective the idea is there, but the execution is not.
I'm sure this will not be the case for everyone, but this fell so short, so quickly. I'm talking around the 35% mark when my brain switched off.
The beginning is probably the best part of the book. We are introduced to our main character charming the drink of an elderly gentleman to ease his sore joints. The café is picturesque with 2 kitties running around. We were briefly introduced to a stoic, handsome sheriff who came in for coffee - took one sip of his drink, left the mug and dipped. It's cute, that he clearly only came in to see Ivy - but you sense that it's a little awkward as well.
Well, then queue the intro of Jonas Pike. The way his dialogue is written was, cringey. I was genuinely waiting for him to say 'I'll get you, you meddling kids'.
It goes on from there and gets progressively worse. Like I said, the idea was great, but the execution wasn't there. The writing felt so uninspired. It's a short book so I'm putting some of the blame on that, as you feel like you've missed so much information somewhere, but there isn't anything you've missed. I felt like I'd pulled up to the storyline 3 books into a series. It seems more implied that Ivy's magic is hidden, there are things said and done that feel like only Ivy and her Gran know about them being witches, then later down the line Sheriff Dylan is talking about hexes and amplifying potions and it all just feels lost in translation.
Ivy's best friend seems entirely useless, just there occasionally. The romance lacks any tension and seems to build from barely exchanging words to a serious relationship.
Ivy herself is... okay? She's very boring, very damsel in distress but then she has moments where she's like 'oh I'm angry' and proceeds to do absolutely nothing with it.
There's no definition to any of the characters, minimal descriptions, no meaningful time spent with them. I just didn't care about them at all, which made any and all events of the book bland, because I didn't care - there were no stakes involved for me.
There are multiple instances within this book where something is said or done, and then one scene later, it seems like the author has forgotten what was written and made something else up.
All in all, I felt like someone wrote the first 2-3 pages and then someone else took over the rest of it until towards the very end when the writing seemed familiar again.
I don't know if I will continue with the next book when that is released but I definitely recommend giving this a try yourself, as you may just be here for vibes which is completely fair and you'll most likely enjoy this. I, however, needed more depth, more worldbuilding, more cohesive writing.
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this e-arc.
August 26, 2025
Thank you, NetGalley and BooksGoSocial, for an advance readers copy in exchange for my honest review.
This was an incredibly charming and cozy mystery novel that had me addicted from the very beginning. The addition of adorable cats added an extra layer of warmth and enjoyment to the reading experience as well!
The story follows Ivy Rowan, who is a witch who runs the cozy catnip cafe. She has a familiar, Hex, who is a black cat, as well as a few other cats who roam the cafe. When a ruthless developer tells Ivy that he’s going to take her cafe one way or another, Ivy doesn’t budge because this is her home and her livelihood. One morning, when Ivy is taking out the trash, she notices a dead body of none other than the ruthless developer. Soon, people around Ivy are dying, and mysterious coins keep popping up everywhere, which has the whole island on edge. Eager to prove that she is innocent, Ivy and her family help her search for her familiar and the clues to who is framing Ivy for all the bad things happening on the island.
I loved Ivy!! She was so confident and never gave up. No matter what was thrown her way, she still showed up and tried to prove that she was innocent. She never backed down from a challenge, even if she knew that it might not end well. I also loved the romance aspect of this story because I was not expecting it. It happened pretty quickly, but I loved how much trust Ivy and Dylan had right from the start.
I loved the vibe of the book and that it took place on a cozy island. The author was so descriptive in her writing that you really felt like you were there with the characters. The twists in this book had me on my toes! I really thought that I knew who it was pretty soon into the book, but the twist ending was sooo good!
This is such a quick, fun read that I can’t recommend it enough! 4/5 stars!
This was an incredibly charming and cozy mystery novel that had me addicted from the very beginning. The addition of adorable cats added an extra layer of warmth and enjoyment to the reading experience as well!
The story follows Ivy Rowan, who is a witch who runs the cozy catnip cafe. She has a familiar, Hex, who is a black cat, as well as a few other cats who roam the cafe. When a ruthless developer tells Ivy that he’s going to take her cafe one way or another, Ivy doesn’t budge because this is her home and her livelihood. One morning, when Ivy is taking out the trash, she notices a dead body of none other than the ruthless developer. Soon, people around Ivy are dying, and mysterious coins keep popping up everywhere, which has the whole island on edge. Eager to prove that she is innocent, Ivy and her family help her search for her familiar and the clues to who is framing Ivy for all the bad things happening on the island.
I loved Ivy!! She was so confident and never gave up. No matter what was thrown her way, she still showed up and tried to prove that she was innocent. She never backed down from a challenge, even if she knew that it might not end well. I also loved the romance aspect of this story because I was not expecting it. It happened pretty quickly, but I loved how much trust Ivy and Dylan had right from the start.
I loved the vibe of the book and that it took place on a cozy island. The author was so descriptive in her writing that you really felt like you were there with the characters. The twists in this book had me on my toes! I really thought that I knew who it was pretty soon into the book, but the twist ending was sooo good!
This is such a quick, fun read that I can’t recommend it enough! 4/5 stars!
November 7, 2025
Thank you, NetGalley, for allowing me a copy of this book in exchange for a review
I really enjoyed my time with this one; the writing for a debut/self-published author was fun and easy to read throughout. It kept my attention from page one to the end. I especially enjoyed the cosy, small-town elements to this. I do love a cosy fantasy, but sometimes they can be overdone and edge more towards romance or romantasy. This had the perfect amount of fantasy, romance, and, of course, murder!! I found the pacing of this book made it easy to read, also, and there was never a moment where I was bored; if anything, I couldn't put this one down. I think this helped with it being a novella-sized book, but I would have loved more!!
There were many lovable characters throughout this book, but none better than the Cats! There was a range of cats in this book, but our three named cats were the best, and from the writing, I could really picture what they were doing and what they looked like. I loved Hex, Marmalade and Captain Jack, with Captain Jack being my favourite for his grumpy personality.
If you love a cosy fantasy with a sprinkle of murder mystery and, of course, a cute little romance, this book is definitely worth picking up! It is the perfect quick autumnal read. I am hoping there will be more books in this series, and I will look forward to reading more from Hazel Caraway in the future.
I really enjoyed my time with this one; the writing for a debut/self-published author was fun and easy to read throughout. It kept my attention from page one to the end. I especially enjoyed the cosy, small-town elements to this. I do love a cosy fantasy, but sometimes they can be overdone and edge more towards romance or romantasy. This had the perfect amount of fantasy, romance, and, of course, murder!! I found the pacing of this book made it easy to read, also, and there was never a moment where I was bored; if anything, I couldn't put this one down. I think this helped with it being a novella-sized book, but I would have loved more!!
There were many lovable characters throughout this book, but none better than the Cats! There was a range of cats in this book, but our three named cats were the best, and from the writing, I could really picture what they were doing and what they looked like. I loved Hex, Marmalade and Captain Jack, with Captain Jack being my favourite for his grumpy personality.
If you love a cosy fantasy with a sprinkle of murder mystery and, of course, a cute little romance, this book is definitely worth picking up! It is the perfect quick autumnal read. I am hoping there will be more books in this series, and I will look forward to reading more from Hazel Caraway in the future.
September 8, 2025
Title: Hexes & Hush Money
Author: Hazel Caraway
Synopsis: A cursed coin.
A cat-café witch.
A seaside murder steeped in espresso and secrets.
For witch Ivy Rowan, life at the Catnip Café is a magical dream, right down to her purring familiar, Hex. But when a ruthless developer is murdered behind her shop—and the town’s restoration fund vanishes with him—Ivy’s dream becomes a waking nightmare.
The sheriff wants her to stick to frothing milk, but she can't when damning gold coins appear at her tables and a rival is struck down by a hexed cappuccino. With Hex suddenly kidnapped, Ivy must act.
To save her familiar and her freedom, she must unravel a century-old money-binding spell to unmask a modern-day killer—before the next cup she pours is her own last rites.
Review: This was a cute and quick, cozy book! While it was cozy it wasn’t new for me! Most of the events and surprises that happened were a bit predictable. The book did a feel a little underdeveloped in my humble opinion I wanted a little more from the mystery and the characters stories! The romance felt a little rushed and needed time to develop! However, it was so wholesome and I enjoyed the atmosphere of the small town and the main character owning a cute cafe! Despite my issues I still had a great time reading this!
Thank you to net galley for giving me the opportunity to read this book!
Author: Hazel Caraway
Synopsis: A cursed coin.
A cat-café witch.
A seaside murder steeped in espresso and secrets.
For witch Ivy Rowan, life at the Catnip Café is a magical dream, right down to her purring familiar, Hex. But when a ruthless developer is murdered behind her shop—and the town’s restoration fund vanishes with him—Ivy’s dream becomes a waking nightmare.
The sheriff wants her to stick to frothing milk, but she can't when damning gold coins appear at her tables and a rival is struck down by a hexed cappuccino. With Hex suddenly kidnapped, Ivy must act.
To save her familiar and her freedom, she must unravel a century-old money-binding spell to unmask a modern-day killer—before the next cup she pours is her own last rites.
Review: This was a cute and quick, cozy book! While it was cozy it wasn’t new for me! Most of the events and surprises that happened were a bit predictable. The book did a feel a little underdeveloped in my humble opinion I wanted a little more from the mystery and the characters stories! The romance felt a little rushed and needed time to develop! However, it was so wholesome and I enjoyed the atmosphere of the small town and the main character owning a cute cafe! Despite my issues I still had a great time reading this!
Thank you to net galley for giving me the opportunity to read this book!
August 30, 2025
This calls itself a paranormal cozy mystery - and I would agree that it it a lovely cozy autumnal read. Ideal for someone looking for a short and sweet tale to sit back and enjoy over a coffee.
There's a lot to like about this book - the basic premise is all around community and shared values, and I'm always here for that. The relationship between the three leading female characters - Ivy, Sage, and Gran - is lovely and forms a great anchor for the rest of the tale.
The plot moves very quickly - which while I understand is necessary in a book of this length, does make it very confusing at points. There's no world-building, character history, or character development; which is a great shame because it makes pretty much every person somewhat forgettable. I wouldn't really call it a mystery - it's pretty clear who the villain is from early on - and my biggest criticisms has to be that the story telling is all over the place. There are some enormous logic leaps made at points, it's very confused when it comes to who knows what about magic and there are some links which are tenuous at best.
Overall, I'd say this is good fun, but not for anyone looking for anything other than 'cute.'
- Thanks to NetGalley for granting me this ARC in return for an honest review -
There's a lot to like about this book - the basic premise is all around community and shared values, and I'm always here for that. The relationship between the three leading female characters - Ivy, Sage, and Gran - is lovely and forms a great anchor for the rest of the tale.
The plot moves very quickly - which while I understand is necessary in a book of this length, does make it very confusing at points. There's no world-building, character history, or character development; which is a great shame because it makes pretty much every person somewhat forgettable. I wouldn't really call it a mystery - it's pretty clear who the villain is from early on - and my biggest criticisms has to be that the story telling is all over the place. There are some enormous logic leaps made at points, it's very confused when it comes to who knows what about magic and there are some links which are tenuous at best.
Overall, I'd say this is good fun, but not for anyone looking for anything other than 'cute.'
- Thanks to NetGalley for granting me this ARC in return for an honest review -
September 17, 2025
Firstly, a big thanks to Netgalley, Booksgosocial and Hazel Caraway for this ARC copy!
Hexes and Hush Money is a cozy, paranormal mystery set in the small island of Havenwood. Ivy Rowan, a small town witch is content with her life managing a cat cafè which is one of her family's legacies. But things turn upside down when a murder happens and her familiar cat Hex, goes missing.
I have to say, this is the first time I've read a cozy mystery and I loved every bit of it! The small town setting, the investigations happening within close circles since everyone knows one another (or so they thought). Also, I love a good cafè setting and especially this one had cats! Also apart from the mystery aspect, it had a fantasy aspect to it as the main character is a witch and several things happening to her might not altogether have logical explanations.
The heartwarming scenery of the book is what had me from page 1. It was such a quick and cozy read!
Hexes and Hush Money is a cozy, paranormal mystery set in the small island of Havenwood. Ivy Rowan, a small town witch is content with her life managing a cat cafè which is one of her family's legacies. But things turn upside down when a murder happens and her familiar cat Hex, goes missing.
I have to say, this is the first time I've read a cozy mystery and I loved every bit of it! The small town setting, the investigations happening within close circles since everyone knows one another (or so they thought). Also, I love a good cafè setting and especially this one had cats! Also apart from the mystery aspect, it had a fantasy aspect to it as the main character is a witch and several things happening to her might not altogether have logical explanations.
The heartwarming scenery of the book is what had me from page 1. It was such a quick and cozy read!
September 29, 2025
This was an ok cozy paranormal mystery. As soon as I saw this cover I wanted to read it! I love anything with cats and magic, and you throw in a cafe I'm sold! I was pretty invested in the story, but there were a couple of things I felt were accidentally left out or never mentioned again in the story. I'm gonna blame it on the editing. The writing was good, though! I could tell whodunit from early on but it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the story. My main problem with the book was that after a character is kidnapped it felt like the MC had no urgency in trying to find the kidnapped character until days later. The romance aspect of the book was cute but the ending kinda took me by surprise.. maybe if there was a bigger time skip I would've liked it more.
Overall, I think with better editing this would be a great book. I'm not opposed to reading the second one once it comes out.
Overall, I think with better editing this would be a great book. I'm not opposed to reading the second one once it comes out.
September 1, 2025
3.5 rounded up.
There were definitely some issues that weren't caught in edits, and it took me out of the story at times. There is an instance where a sentence starts over right in the middle.
This was the fastest paced mystery I've ever read. It didn't feel like there was time to ponder what was happening or to try and figure anything out before the characters. Even though this was quick paced, it did still have that cozy feel to it.
The characters, they were okay. Being a witch and having a familiar sounded really cool, but there didn't seem to be a lot of witchy things to me. I had hoped for a little bit more.
Thank you NetGalley, BooksGoSocial, and Hazel Caraway for the chance to read this arc.
There were definitely some issues that weren't caught in edits, and it took me out of the story at times. There is an instance where a sentence starts over right in the middle.
This was the fastest paced mystery I've ever read. It didn't feel like there was time to ponder what was happening or to try and figure anything out before the characters. Even though this was quick paced, it did still have that cozy feel to it.
The characters, they were okay. Being a witch and having a familiar sounded really cool, but there didn't seem to be a lot of witchy things to me. I had hoped for a little bit more.
Thank you NetGalley, BooksGoSocial, and Hazel Caraway for the chance to read this arc.
August 19, 2025
I rather enjoyed this cozy mystery. While more high stakes than most cozies, it was still wonderfully done and a stand-alone. The writer had a beautiful way of describing the island, and so commanding that I could almost feel the ocean spray and cold fog rolling in. The characters were vivid, and each one felt so real, I was sad to leave them. I look forward to what our witch Ivy may come face to face with next, but no doubt her gran and friends will be right there with her.
"One coin was a warning. A symptom. But two? Two was a promise. An escalation."
"One coin was a warning. A symptom. But two? Two was a promise. An escalation."
August 18, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
I have to say I found this really confusing unfortunately. This dives straight into the story and doesn't give anything in terms of world building, scene setting or character introductions. As a short book, I know there's limited space to really dive into those aspects but it left me feeling like I'd missed books in a series or something.
The writing style itself was ok, but I just found it really difficult to follow this so just wasn't my cup of tea!
I have to say I found this really confusing unfortunately. This dives straight into the story and doesn't give anything in terms of world building, scene setting or character introductions. As a short book, I know there's limited space to really dive into those aspects but it left me feeling like I'd missed books in a series or something.
The writing style itself was ok, but I just found it really difficult to follow this so just wasn't my cup of tea!
August 22, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for sending me a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I have to say I really enjoyed this story! It is filled with fun, cats, interesting characters and an enchanting cafe. I think what I loved about it the most was the gran and her insight, she, Ivy, the cat (familiar) Hex & Dylan are all such great written characters.
I think it was a great cliff hanger ending too and I can’t wait to read the next one!
I have to say I really enjoyed this story! It is filled with fun, cats, interesting characters and an enchanting cafe. I think what I loved about it the most was the gran and her insight, she, Ivy, the cat (familiar) Hex & Dylan are all such great written characters.
I think it was a great cliff hanger ending too and I can’t wait to read the next one!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 15, 2025
A cute, cozy murder mystery. A great Halloween/Fall season read.¹
All Ivy wants is to keep her cafe and live on her peaceful island. When Jonad Pike strolls in and threatens her if she doesn't sell, she becomes suspect #1 when he later shows up dead at the same cafe.
Thos was an easy, comfy read. Great for a chilly fall day wrapped up on a blanket.
Thank you Netgalley and Hazel Caraway for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
All Ivy wants is to keep her cafe and live on her peaceful island. When Jonad Pike strolls in and threatens her if she doesn't sell, she becomes suspect #1 when he later shows up dead at the same cafe.
Thos was an easy, comfy read. Great for a chilly fall day wrapped up on a blanket.
Thank you Netgalley and Hazel Caraway for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 24, 2025
2.5*
a story with potential but didn't quite hit the mark - the writing was great to give the cosy vibes, but at 150 pages there just wasn't the time to cover the story here. The characters fell flat, the story whizzed by in a blur, and the progression of the romance just felt forced.
I think there is loads of potential and I especially love the cosy town that has been created but think it needs a bit more work.
a story with potential but didn't quite hit the mark - the writing was great to give the cosy vibes, but at 150 pages there just wasn't the time to cover the story here. The characters fell flat, the story whizzed by in a blur, and the progression of the romance just felt forced.
I think there is loads of potential and I especially love the cosy town that has been created but think it needs a bit more work.
November 3, 2025
3.5⭐️
Incredibly cozy debut novel! I liked it (and that cover is adorableeee)
Incredibly cozy debut novel! I liked it (and that cover is adorableeee)
October 1, 2025
"Hexes & Hush Money (A Cat Café Witch Mystery #1)" by Hazel Caraway is a slightly off title. There's embezzlement more than hush money. That wouldn't flow as nicely though. Ivy Rowan, owner of Catnip Café, has a developer trying to clear her and a good chunk of her fellow islanders out of their properties for his building plans. He's not nice about it either. Then, after a public fight with Ivy, he's found dead behind her shop.
Ivy gets pulled into investigating when magical warning coins start popping up around town and her familiar is taken. The islanders want to blame someone and she's an easy target. Since she's a not as secret as she thinks witch. The new detective is an investigative by the facts kind and doesn't understand the magical involved in the case. This all makes Ivy need to figure out who is really behind everything. If only to get her familiar back.
There were a few good suspects. However, it wrapped up with one in particular that I felt kept getting mentioned but not really investigated. So, it didn't totally surprise me that the culprit turned out to be them. It'll be interesting to see where this goes as a series.
Ivy gets pulled into investigating when magical warning coins start popping up around town and her familiar is taken. The islanders want to blame someone and she's an easy target. Since she's a not as secret as she thinks witch. The new detective is an investigative by the facts kind and doesn't understand the magical involved in the case. This all makes Ivy need to figure out who is really behind everything. If only to get her familiar back.
There were a few good suspects. However, it wrapped up with one in particular that I felt kept getting mentioned but not really investigated. So, it didn't totally surprise me that the culprit turned out to be them. It'll be interesting to see where this goes as a series.
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