What do you think?
Rate this book
Cruel Summerween
Experience the smooth, down-to-earth charm of Kristen DiMercurio (Atmosphere) as she captures the playful magic of summer in this heartfelt romantasy.
ONE WITCH. TWO BROTHERS. A CHOICE THAT COULD SHATTER THE MAGIC . . .
Molly always looked forward to summers at Whisperwind Cove, a magical haven where her powers flourish and old friendships deepen. But this year, the magic feels different . . .
Each year, under the warm glow of the sun, Molly reunites with a unique circle - her family of choice, where both magic and love thrive.
Caught between the easy charm and playful magic of Finn and the quiet strength and mysterious gaze of Noah, two brothers who have always been by her side, Molly finds her heart pulled in opposing directions.
As ancient spells stir and loyalties are tested, Molly must navigate a treacherous path where one wrong choice could unravel not only her own future, but the very fabric of their magical world. Molly must decide where her true allegiances lie - and which guy holds the key to her destiny.
Cruel Summerween is a sweet, uplifting cosy romantasy from Heather Spellman – perfect for fans of The Kissing Booth and My Life with the Walter Boys.
ONE WITCH. TWO BROTHERS. A CHOICE THAT COULD SHATTER THE MAGIC . . .
Molly always looked forward to summers at Whisperwind Cove, a magical haven where her powers flourish and old friendships deepen. But this year, the magic feels different . . .
Each year, under the warm glow of the sun, Molly reunites with a unique circle - her family of choice, where both magic and love thrive.
Caught between the easy charm and playful magic of Finn and the quiet strength and mysterious gaze of Noah, two brothers who have always been by her side, Molly finds her heart pulled in opposing directions.
As ancient spells stir and loyalties are tested, Molly must navigate a treacherous path where one wrong choice could unravel not only her own future, but the very fabric of their magical world. Molly must decide where her true allegiances lie - and which guy holds the key to her destiny.
Cruel Summerween is a sweet, uplifting cosy romantasy from Heather Spellman – perfect for fans of The Kissing Booth and My Life with the Walter Boys.
- GenresRomanceParanormalFantasy
Audible Audio
Published July 16, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.75 ⭐, rounded up cause this book was exactly what it claimed to be!
What I've loved:
- Charming summer beach town full of magical people that start doing Halloweenish things from the end of summer? I’d go right now!
- This wasn’t too bad as a triangle and the author played with the trope with some irony to compensate the angst. The answer should always be both, though, even if I had a fave.
- The thing that really carried the book and made it funny instead than obnoxious, was how the FMC was EXTREMELY unable to make ANY kind of choice, making her so freaking unsuitable for this kind of situation.
- Spice was not forced into the book when not necessary. By the time the man was picked (towards the very end, really), the vibes were so much more similar to YA that spice would have felt so weird, and I’m glad it stayed closed doors.
This book is definitely outside my normal reads, and it’s very light and good for just basking in that nostalgic end-of-summer feeling.
I would have loved to have some more “scary/halloweenish” bits interwoven in the light narration, but it might not have been as good a fit as I’m feeling in this moment.
Practical Magic meets The summer I turned pretty, it flowed well enough even if I usually struggle with plain romances, and was surely a relief after my last two other ARCs to get my expectations right and read a book that was exactly what it claimed to be!
Check out my review in GIFs in my Instagram Review
Pre-read
Please, just be enjoyable. I won't expect high literature, just don't be my third DNF in a row 😭
What I've loved:
- Charming summer beach town full of magical people that start doing Halloweenish things from the end of summer? I’d go right now!
- This wasn’t too bad as a triangle and the author played with the trope with some irony to compensate the angst. The answer should always be both, though, even if I had a fave.
- The thing that really carried the book and made it funny instead than obnoxious, was how the FMC was EXTREMELY unable to make ANY kind of choice, making her so freaking unsuitable for this kind of situation.
- Spice was not forced into the book when not necessary. By the time the man was picked (towards the very end, really), the vibes were so much more similar to YA that spice would have felt so weird, and I’m glad it stayed closed doors.
This book is definitely outside my normal reads, and it’s very light and good for just basking in that nostalgic end-of-summer feeling.
I would have loved to have some more “scary/halloweenish” bits interwoven in the light narration, but it might not have been as good a fit as I’m feeling in this moment.
Practical Magic meets The summer I turned pretty, it flowed well enough even if I usually struggle with plain romances, and was surely a relief after my last two other ARCs to get my expectations right and read a book that was exactly what it claimed to be!
Check out my review in GIFs in my Instagram Review
Pre-read
Please, just be enjoyable. I won't expect high literature, just don't be my third DNF in a row 😭
August 2, 2026
🎃Cruel Summerween🧡
Many thanks to @bookbreakuk, @panmacmillan for gifting me this book! When I heard it described as The Summer I Turned Pretty with a magical town, witches, and cozy vibes, I was instantly intrigued!🧙✨
Every summer, Molly looks forward to returning to the magical town of Whisperwind Cove, where she spends time with her mum’s best friend, Rosie, and her two sons, Finn and Noah. After missing last summer following the heartbreaking loss of Rosie’s husband, Molly returns with a bruised heart after ending a relationship. But Whisperwind Cove isn’t quite the same. Finn and Noah have grown up, each carrying their grief in different ways, and Molly soon finds herself torn between the two brothers. As ancient magic begins to stir, Molly must discover where her heart truly belongs…
This was my first Summerween read, and I absolutely loved it. I really enjoyed spending time in Whisperwind Cove and getting to know all the characters.
Molly is such a bubbly, fun, and kind-hearted girl, and I found her to be a character I could really connect with. Watching her grow in confidence and learning to trust her own choices was such a rewarding part of the story.
Both Finn and Noah are incredibly charming. Finn is playful, flirty, and has a heart of gold, while Noah is more mysterious, warm, and quietly captivating. Both boys are so lovely, but I have to admit, I absolutely loved who Molly chose in the end🩷
As well as the romance, this book beautifully explores grief and learning to move forward after loss. Watching the characters reconnect and begin to heal was incredibly moving🥹
Overall, this was such a lovely, heartwarming read, and I had the best time escaping into this magical world.
My official rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
PR | Gifted
Many thanks to @bookbreakuk, @panmacmillan for gifting me this book! When I heard it described as The Summer I Turned Pretty with a magical town, witches, and cozy vibes, I was instantly intrigued!🧙✨
Every summer, Molly looks forward to returning to the magical town of Whisperwind Cove, where she spends time with her mum’s best friend, Rosie, and her two sons, Finn and Noah. After missing last summer following the heartbreaking loss of Rosie’s husband, Molly returns with a bruised heart after ending a relationship. But Whisperwind Cove isn’t quite the same. Finn and Noah have grown up, each carrying their grief in different ways, and Molly soon finds herself torn between the two brothers. As ancient magic begins to stir, Molly must discover where her heart truly belongs…
This was my first Summerween read, and I absolutely loved it. I really enjoyed spending time in Whisperwind Cove and getting to know all the characters.
Molly is such a bubbly, fun, and kind-hearted girl, and I found her to be a character I could really connect with. Watching her grow in confidence and learning to trust her own choices was such a rewarding part of the story.
Both Finn and Noah are incredibly charming. Finn is playful, flirty, and has a heart of gold, while Noah is more mysterious, warm, and quietly captivating. Both boys are so lovely, but I have to admit, I absolutely loved who Molly chose in the end🩷
As well as the romance, this book beautifully explores grief and learning to move forward after loss. Watching the characters reconnect and begin to heal was incredibly moving🥹
Overall, this was such a lovely, heartwarming read, and I had the best time escaping into this magical world.
My official rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
PR | Gifted
August 3, 2026
One witch. Two brothers. A choice that could shatter the magic.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶
What you'll find in this book:
• Found Family
• Hexed Ring
• Magical Beach Town
• Love Triangle
• Brother's Competing for the Same Girl
• Autumn Vibes
• Summer Vibes
This book perfectly captures the essence of summerween, set in the gorgeous coastal small town of Whisperwind Hollow is a story filled with romance, pumpkin spice, sand between your toes and the last of the sunny summer days. Featuring a love triangle, magical mishaps, a spelled diary and a main character who struggles to make any choices, being forced to choose between two brothers and with the weight of family expectations all around her, this book is the perfect addition to your summer TBR.
Izzy is a simple character on the surface but as we read further, Heather provides her with depth that makes it feel perfect to have her at the center of this story. Her indecisiveness, especially of someone at her age and point in her life makes her feel that much more relatable as a character. We read first hand as she has to make a decision between two men that mean so much to her, have been so influential in her life and are so very different. Noah and Finn are two different sides of the same coin, both so varied from the other and shaped by the recent loss in their life. Their interactions with Izzy are so very different and it is so fun getting to know them both separately. Full disclosure, I was rooting for Noah the entire way, I just couldn't help myself. The love triangle dynamic between these three characters tugs the story in a firm direction, pulling Izzy between the two men she shouldn't want but can't help desiring.
I adored that despite the characters being in their twenties this still gave me first summer romance kind of vibes, with the characters having known people for years. This book perfectly blends this element with strong family and friend ties, which alongside the close knit community of this magical small town makes the book feel warm and cosy. There is an emotional side to this story which goes outside the love triangle and adds depth to the story, while the mystery of the hexed ring and rogue magic adds an edge to the story that keeps you intrigued. The book was heartwarming and emotional all at the same time, the perfect representation of being torn between what you think your heart wants. I thoroughly enjoyed this magical journey in this small town setting filled with loveable characters.
Thank you so much to the publisher for sending me a finished copy to read and review early.
Author: Heather Spellman
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
Release Date: July 16th, 2026
Pages: 320
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶
What you'll find in this book:
• Found Family
• Hexed Ring
• Magical Beach Town
• Love Triangle
• Brother's Competing for the Same Girl
• Autumn Vibes
• Summer Vibes
This book perfectly captures the essence of summerween, set in the gorgeous coastal small town of Whisperwind Hollow is a story filled with romance, pumpkin spice, sand between your toes and the last of the sunny summer days. Featuring a love triangle, magical mishaps, a spelled diary and a main character who struggles to make any choices, being forced to choose between two brothers and with the weight of family expectations all around her, this book is the perfect addition to your summer TBR.
Izzy is a simple character on the surface but as we read further, Heather provides her with depth that makes it feel perfect to have her at the center of this story. Her indecisiveness, especially of someone at her age and point in her life makes her feel that much more relatable as a character. We read first hand as she has to make a decision between two men that mean so much to her, have been so influential in her life and are so very different. Noah and Finn are two different sides of the same coin, both so varied from the other and shaped by the recent loss in their life. Their interactions with Izzy are so very different and it is so fun getting to know them both separately. Full disclosure, I was rooting for Noah the entire way, I just couldn't help myself. The love triangle dynamic between these three characters tugs the story in a firm direction, pulling Izzy between the two men she shouldn't want but can't help desiring.
I adored that despite the characters being in their twenties this still gave me first summer romance kind of vibes, with the characters having known people for years. This book perfectly blends this element with strong family and friend ties, which alongside the close knit community of this magical small town makes the book feel warm and cosy. There is an emotional side to this story which goes outside the love triangle and adds depth to the story, while the mystery of the hexed ring and rogue magic adds an edge to the story that keeps you intrigued. The book was heartwarming and emotional all at the same time, the perfect representation of being torn between what you think your heart wants. I thoroughly enjoyed this magical journey in this small town setting filled with loveable characters.
Thank you so much to the publisher for sending me a finished copy to read and review early.
Author: Heather Spellman
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
Release Date: July 16th, 2026
Pages: 320
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
𝐈 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
⭐️⭐️.5
When this book was offered to me I looked it up and the plot seemed promising even though there was clearly a love triangle trope front and center and I rarely enjoy those kind of stories. I should have listened to my instinct not because the book was bad, there were a lot of aspects of it that I liked, but as a romance it was rather boring and mainly because the two guys were incredibly cliché (one was the playboy kind of guy and the other was the broody type, they don’t go deeper than that) and the girl who stands between them was sooooo annoyingly indecisive that sometimes she was frustrating. There’s also the element of magic but instead of feeling that it made the plot move forward or backward or any direction at all, it was all about the vibes. Because the magic that was involved in the romance plot was way too subtle for me to be able to connect the dots or interpret the hidden messages at all.
The story is about a summerween holiday by the beach in which two families usually gather together under the same house but in this case it’s only the mothers and the children. There’s this widow with two sons dealing with grief and trying to figure out their lives without the father and there’s this business woman who is also a bit of a workaholic who takes her two daughters to this vacation while the father and husband stays home in charge of the family business. And one of the girls is attracted to the two boys, and they are all witches and warlocks (wizards?) and everything is very “Practical Magic” by the beach.
Because this is a beach read, the book is very honest about it, it is pure entertainment, except for the indecision in the main character that makes the romance plot unnecessarily slow. I adored the girl vibes though, the mothers, sisters and best friends dynamics and all the setting. Summer doesn’t usually go with Halloween but this new trend of jumping straight from spring to autumn, when many of us are in denial about the heat and the people on vacation (while we are on vacation ourselves) and we just want to dream about PSL and orange brownish leaves, has created a new niche of books to keep us company and making those autumn dreamsa plausible for us. A plus for this book is the pop culture references which add to the witchcore vibes. Who doesn’t want to drink margaritas in the patio with Stevie Nicks playing loud in the background?
⭐️⭐️.5
When this book was offered to me I looked it up and the plot seemed promising even though there was clearly a love triangle trope front and center and I rarely enjoy those kind of stories. I should have listened to my instinct not because the book was bad, there were a lot of aspects of it that I liked, but as a romance it was rather boring and mainly because the two guys were incredibly cliché (one was the playboy kind of guy and the other was the broody type, they don’t go deeper than that) and the girl who stands between them was sooooo annoyingly indecisive that sometimes she was frustrating. There’s also the element of magic but instead of feeling that it made the plot move forward or backward or any direction at all, it was all about the vibes. Because the magic that was involved in the romance plot was way too subtle for me to be able to connect the dots or interpret the hidden messages at all.
The story is about a summerween holiday by the beach in which two families usually gather together under the same house but in this case it’s only the mothers and the children. There’s this widow with two sons dealing with grief and trying to figure out their lives without the father and there’s this business woman who is also a bit of a workaholic who takes her two daughters to this vacation while the father and husband stays home in charge of the family business. And one of the girls is attracted to the two boys, and they are all witches and warlocks (wizards?) and everything is very “Practical Magic” by the beach.
Because this is a beach read, the book is very honest about it, it is pure entertainment, except for the indecision in the main character that makes the romance plot unnecessarily slow. I adored the girl vibes though, the mothers, sisters and best friends dynamics and all the setting. Summer doesn’t usually go with Halloween but this new trend of jumping straight from spring to autumn, when many of us are in denial about the heat and the people on vacation (while we are on vacation ourselves) and we just want to dream about PSL and orange brownish leaves, has created a new niche of books to keep us company and making those autumn dreamsa plausible for us. A plus for this book is the pop culture references which add to the witchcore vibes. Who doesn’t want to drink margaritas in the patio with Stevie Nicks playing loud in the background?
July 22, 2026
“He reached for my free hand, cupping it like it was a flame he was trying to stop from being extinguished by the ocean breeze.”
“sustained magic like this, always took something from me. But it was worth it to help someone you cared about.”
“Whisperwind Cove had shaped so much of my own life, and would continue to be a part of it as long as I could manage.”
✨✨✨
Thank you to Heather Spellman, Book Break and Pan Macmillan for sending me an ARC of this book to review before release.
Think The Summer I Turned Pretty, but witchy, cozy and magical in the way only Summerween can be!
✨ small town
✨ love triangle
✨ childhood friends to lovers
✨ magic and mayhem
✨ standalone
Spooky season has come early this year, and spending a summer in Whisperwind Cove sounds like exactly what I need.
This is a lighthearted, low stakes, Summerween read that I enjoyed reading in the UK heatwave. It had all the aspects that I enjoy within a love triangle (less miscommunication and more confusion) with the added bonus of magical mayhem, a small town on the coast, and Summerween activities like pumpkin (or watermelon) carving!
Molly has always visited the Cove in the summers, and she’s grown up with Finn and Noah there by her side, but this year when she returns things are different. The boys have lost their father, and they’re each trying to deal with their grief, but they also both have a crush on Molly… who can’t make up her mind about anything, let alone this!
Chaos ensues when the magic in the cove goes absolutely haywire, everything that usually works starts to go wrong in catastrophic ways and Molly is introduced to the ghost of an old resident, who had a similar decision to make many years before…
The characters are cute, and fun, and easy to read. The plot is everything I wanted from a low stakes small town romance, and is one I’d pick up again closer to the traditional spooky season, because I loved the magical additions to summer!
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Spice: 🌶️
“sustained magic like this, always took something from me. But it was worth it to help someone you cared about.”
“Whisperwind Cove had shaped so much of my own life, and would continue to be a part of it as long as I could manage.”
✨✨✨
Thank you to Heather Spellman, Book Break and Pan Macmillan for sending me an ARC of this book to review before release.
Think The Summer I Turned Pretty, but witchy, cozy and magical in the way only Summerween can be!
✨ small town
✨ love triangle
✨ childhood friends to lovers
✨ magic and mayhem
✨ standalone
Spooky season has come early this year, and spending a summer in Whisperwind Cove sounds like exactly what I need.
This is a lighthearted, low stakes, Summerween read that I enjoyed reading in the UK heatwave. It had all the aspects that I enjoy within a love triangle (less miscommunication and more confusion) with the added bonus of magical mayhem, a small town on the coast, and Summerween activities like pumpkin (or watermelon) carving!
Molly has always visited the Cove in the summers, and she’s grown up with Finn and Noah there by her side, but this year when she returns things are different. The boys have lost their father, and they’re each trying to deal with their grief, but they also both have a crush on Molly… who can’t make up her mind about anything, let alone this!
Chaos ensues when the magic in the cove goes absolutely haywire, everything that usually works starts to go wrong in catastrophic ways and Molly is introduced to the ghost of an old resident, who had a similar decision to make many years before…
The characters are cute, and fun, and easy to read. The plot is everything I wanted from a low stakes small town romance, and is one I’d pick up again closer to the traditional spooky season, because I loved the magical additions to summer!
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Spice: 🌶️
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Cruel Summerween by Heather Spellman felt like the perfect mix of cozy fantasy, summer nostalgia, and messy teenage emotions in the best way. The vibes of this book were honestly immaculate — magical seaside town, found family energy, summer romance, and a love triangle that actually had me conflicted.
Molly’s connection with both brothers felt very different, which made the romance side genuinely interesting instead of frustrating. Finn had that easygoing, charming energy while Noah was quieter and more intense, and I kept changing my mind about who I wanted her to end up with. The tension between all three of them gave the story that addictive “one more chapter” feeling.
What I loved most though was the atmosphere. Whisperwind Cove felt so cozy and magical without losing the emotional stakes underneath it all. The friendships, the magic, the secrets, and the looming feeling that something could go very wrong made the story feel both comforting and emotional at the same time.
It also had that nostalgic coming-of-age feeling that reminded me of summer nights, first love, and trying to figure out who you are while everything around you changes.
If you like:
✨ cozy romantasy
✨ magical small towns
✨ love triangles
✨ brothers competing for the same girl
✨ found family
✨ summer nostalgia vibes
✨ low-stakes fantasy with emotional drama
then this is definitely worth adding to your TBR.
Overall, this was sweet, magical, emotional, and incredibly cozy — the kind of book that feels like summer wrapped in fairy lights and spell books.
Molly’s connection with both brothers felt very different, which made the romance side genuinely interesting instead of frustrating. Finn had that easygoing, charming energy while Noah was quieter and more intense, and I kept changing my mind about who I wanted her to end up with. The tension between all three of them gave the story that addictive “one more chapter” feeling.
What I loved most though was the atmosphere. Whisperwind Cove felt so cozy and magical without losing the emotional stakes underneath it all. The friendships, the magic, the secrets, and the looming feeling that something could go very wrong made the story feel both comforting and emotional at the same time.
It also had that nostalgic coming-of-age feeling that reminded me of summer nights, first love, and trying to figure out who you are while everything around you changes.
If you like:
✨ cozy romantasy
✨ magical small towns
✨ love triangles
✨ brothers competing for the same girl
✨ found family
✨ summer nostalgia vibes
✨ low-stakes fantasy with emotional drama
then this is definitely worth adding to your TBR.
Overall, this was sweet, magical, emotional, and incredibly cozy — the kind of book that feels like summer wrapped in fairy lights and spell books.
July 3, 2026
4 stars - summer / autumnal romance with magic
Every year Izzy and her family spend the end of summer in whisperwind hollow, in a large house with her mom’s best friend and her two sons. This year something feels different and Izzy feels an attraction to both Noah and Finn.
This was a great summerween story - it has beaches, ice cream and barbecues along with a magic ring, small magic spells and witchy vibes. The setting was perfect I wish I could visit whisperwind hollow - the residents are friendly and quirky and the place seems idyllic.
I enjoyed the love triangle in this story, which I never normally do, Noah and Finn are both likeable. I had picked my favourite quite early on but either choice would have been ok - Finn is like a golden retriever, charming, good looking and always up for a good time. Noah on the other hand is more quiet and reserved but has a deeper sense about him.
I only wish the love triangle resolved itself a little sooner so we got to spend more time with Izzy and her ultimate choice. Izzy is a very indecisive person about everything in her life and it was slightly frustrating to see her not pick up on the rings hints and for her to take so long to choose.
A perfect read for lovers of the summer I turned pretty.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me a chance to review a copy of the ebook.
Every year Izzy and her family spend the end of summer in whisperwind hollow, in a large house with her mom’s best friend and her two sons. This year something feels different and Izzy feels an attraction to both Noah and Finn.
This was a great summerween story - it has beaches, ice cream and barbecues along with a magic ring, small magic spells and witchy vibes. The setting was perfect I wish I could visit whisperwind hollow - the residents are friendly and quirky and the place seems idyllic.
I enjoyed the love triangle in this story, which I never normally do, Noah and Finn are both likeable. I had picked my favourite quite early on but either choice would have been ok - Finn is like a golden retriever, charming, good looking and always up for a good time. Noah on the other hand is more quiet and reserved but has a deeper sense about him.
I only wish the love triangle resolved itself a little sooner so we got to spend more time with Izzy and her ultimate choice. Izzy is a very indecisive person about everything in her life and it was slightly frustrating to see her not pick up on the rings hints and for her to take so long to choose.
A perfect read for lovers of the summer I turned pretty.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me a chance to review a copy of the ebook.
July 24, 2026
Cruel Summerween the breeze read of summer. Let me praise the cover first as it is beautiful with a nice colour palette and our main characters featured. The book captures the Summerween vibe, blending cozy, nostalgic coastal summer with the right amount of early autumn spooky magic.
We’ve got the Whisperwind Cove which is atmospheric and the magical town experiencing chaotic glitches because of ancient secrets, this speeds up the pace of the book.
The dynamic between our main characters Molly, Finn and Noah, anchors the story. The love triangle shared a lifelong childhood friendship and the fear of not screwing up everything looms in the books pages. Molly navigates her shifting feelings between the two brothers while at the same time she is dealing with grief and growing up.
Finn is the effortless charmer and Noah is the quiet force which made me like both. The history between them three makes the romance a beautiful ray of sunshine in the story despite all the magical mayhem happening around them.
I wanted just a little bit more exploration of the magic system itself, but the emotional core of the book completely made up for it. This is a cozy, comforting romantasy that I did enjoy reading in the summer.
We’ve got the Whisperwind Cove which is atmospheric and the magical town experiencing chaotic glitches because of ancient secrets, this speeds up the pace of the book.
The dynamic between our main characters Molly, Finn and Noah, anchors the story. The love triangle shared a lifelong childhood friendship and the fear of not screwing up everything looms in the books pages. Molly navigates her shifting feelings between the two brothers while at the same time she is dealing with grief and growing up.
Finn is the effortless charmer and Noah is the quiet force which made me like both. The history between them three makes the romance a beautiful ray of sunshine in the story despite all the magical mayhem happening around them.
I wanted just a little bit more exploration of the magic system itself, but the emotional core of the book completely made up for it. This is a cozy, comforting romantasy that I did enjoy reading in the summer.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
🌟🌟🌟🌟
How I wish I could go to whisperwind cove, its a magical place and its the perfect location for a summerween party.
It was a slow start with lots of character introductions but it took a few chapters until they started to develop personalities for me.
But once the story got going it was good and I couldn't put it down.
Molly and family come to the summerween festival every year, and stay at the pink house, with their family friends.
When Molly finds a magical item on the beach a spell is cast and she needs to start making decisions in her life, she can't let her life slip by and realise her choice too late. This item will help guide Molly but magic is also starting to play up in the town as well, is it all connected to Molly?
One of the biggest decisions is that Molly has to choose between the boys Finn and Noah, they each have great qualities and bring out the nest in her. Who will she pick?
Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for letting me have an advanced copy of this book.
How I wish I could go to whisperwind cove, its a magical place and its the perfect location for a summerween party.
It was a slow start with lots of character introductions but it took a few chapters until they started to develop personalities for me.
But once the story got going it was good and I couldn't put it down.
Molly and family come to the summerween festival every year, and stay at the pink house, with their family friends.
When Molly finds a magical item on the beach a spell is cast and she needs to start making decisions in her life, she can't let her life slip by and realise her choice too late. This item will help guide Molly but magic is also starting to play up in the town as well, is it all connected to Molly?
One of the biggest decisions is that Molly has to choose between the boys Finn and Noah, they each have great qualities and bring out the nest in her. Who will she pick?
Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for letting me have an advanced copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
★★★☆☆
Cruel Summerween is what happens when summer holidays and Halloween have a very strange baby and decide to unleash it on unsuspecting readers.
Heather Spellman has come up with a fun and unusual concept, and there were plenty of moments that kept me entertained. The spooky summer atmosphere was enjoyable, and I found myself curious to see where the story was heading. Unfortunately, it occasionally felt like it was taking a scenic route with several unnecessary detours along the way.
Some of the characters were great fun, while others seemed determined to make the most baffling decisions possible. At one point I was genuinely rooting for common sense to make an appearance. Sadly, it remained a supporting character at best.
That said, the book never became boring, and there was enough humour and mystery to keep me turning the pages. It didn’t completely knock my flip-flops off, but it was still an enjoyable read with a few good laughs and some delightfully odd moments.
A decent way to spend an afternoon if you fancy something spooky, summery, and slightly bonkers.
Cruel Summerween is what happens when summer holidays and Halloween have a very strange baby and decide to unleash it on unsuspecting readers.
Heather Spellman has come up with a fun and unusual concept, and there were plenty of moments that kept me entertained. The spooky summer atmosphere was enjoyable, and I found myself curious to see where the story was heading. Unfortunately, it occasionally felt like it was taking a scenic route with several unnecessary detours along the way.
Some of the characters were great fun, while others seemed determined to make the most baffling decisions possible. At one point I was genuinely rooting for common sense to make an appearance. Sadly, it remained a supporting character at best.
That said, the book never became boring, and there was enough humour and mystery to keep me turning the pages. It didn’t completely knock my flip-flops off, but it was still an enjoyable read with a few good laughs and some delightfully odd moments.
A decent way to spend an afternoon if you fancy something spooky, summery, and slightly bonkers.
Read
July 12, 2026Thanks to the publisher for the early copy of this book.
Unfortunately this book was not for me. I did finish it because the plot took so long to figure itself out I had to wait until the very end to get there.
The FMC is so annoyingly indecisive, it tries to come across as cutesy and quaint, like its a cute little personality trait. Girl please, if you can't even decide on an ice cream flavour how you gonna get through life. I just found myself completely frustrated with her the whole time.
The love triangle with the MMCs took so long to come about as well. We have the moody artsy one and the fun playboy guy and then as soon as there was one seed of doubt, it was obvious who she was going to choose.
The summerween vibe tried hard to be there, with some halloween activities like pumpkin carving etc and PSLs, but it was mostly giving basic.
The magic system was semi interesting but also this book would have been just fine without it.
Im sorry, I really wanted to like it, but it just wasn't for me.
I think this would be better for younger adults.
Unfortunately this book was not for me. I did finish it because the plot took so long to figure itself out I had to wait until the very end to get there.
The FMC is so annoyingly indecisive, it tries to come across as cutesy and quaint, like its a cute little personality trait. Girl please, if you can't even decide on an ice cream flavour how you gonna get through life. I just found myself completely frustrated with her the whole time.
The love triangle with the MMCs took so long to come about as well. We have the moody artsy one and the fun playboy guy and then as soon as there was one seed of doubt, it was obvious who she was going to choose.
The summerween vibe tried hard to be there, with some halloween activities like pumpkin carving etc and PSLs, but it was mostly giving basic.
The magic system was semi interesting but also this book would have been just fine without it.
Im sorry, I really wanted to like it, but it just wasn't for me.
I think this would be better for younger adults.
July 16, 2026
In Cruel Summerween the female main character finds her regular vacation upturned by a complicated love triangle and erratic magic in a coastal town that celebrates Halloween all summer long. The romance is driven by how distinctly contrasting the two male leads are, which creates a genuinely difficult choice for the protagonist rather than an obvious conclusion. This romantic dilemma connects beautifully with the female main character's broader personality; her general struggle to make definitive life decisions serves as a highly relatable character quirk that adds depth to her development. The whimsical magical touches woven throughout the narrative add a delightful layer of fun to the plot. This magic blends perfectly with the charming setting and the distinctive, festive theme. The story reads very much like a witchy reimagining of The Summer I Turned Pretty, making it an excellent, lighthearted end of summer read. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
In Molly's life, Whisperwind Cove is a magical place, in more ways than one. Her mother's friend, Rosie, owns a house there where Molly has always been able to relax as summer turns to winter and she can enjoy time with her sister, Tiff, their mother and her friend Lara as well as Rosie's two son's, Finn and Noah. But this year everything is different. Rosie's husband is dead, the boys are without a father and there's melancholy in the air. On top of that, Molly find herself in a love triangle with Finn and Noah. Undecided as ever, she doesn't know what to do, but knows that she has to do something as the strong emotions are dramatically stirring up the magic of the place.
This is a lightweight, enjoyable read about a world where reality and magic are intertwined, friends become lovers, eventually, and different people find their, hopefully, happy ever after.
This is a lightweight, enjoyable read about a world where reality and magic are intertwined, friends become lovers, eventually, and different people find their, hopefully, happy ever after.
July 31, 2026
This was such a cute read! I related to Molly so much—she really struggles with making choices, whether it's picking an ice cream flavor, deciding between staying in her old job or taking a new one, or figuring out which brother she actually wants to be with when she cares for them both. On top of all that personal drama, if she doesn't make up her mind soon, an ancient spell threatens to destroy the magic for everyone.
I really enjoyed my time reading this, and I could see myself so much in Molly (except for the magical part, I wish!). It also deals with grief and how people react to and deal with loss differently. I definitely recommend giving this a read, it delivered on everything it promised.
I really enjoyed my time reading this, and I could see myself so much in Molly (except for the magical part, I wish!). It also deals with grief and how people react to and deal with loss differently. I definitely recommend giving this a read, it delivered on everything it promised.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Cruel Summerween had a fun premise and the whole summer-meets-Halloween atmosphere could have been really enjoyable, but for me it felt a little too similar to The Summer I Turned Pretty to fully stand on its own.
I kept noticing parallels throughout the story, and after a while it became distracting rather than fun. Because of that, I struggled to really connect with the book as its own thing.
Not a terrible read by any means, and I can see why others might enjoy the nostalgic summer vibe mixed with Halloween elements, but personally the similarities were a bit too strong for me.
I kept noticing parallels throughout the story, and after a while it became distracting rather than fun. Because of that, I struggled to really connect with the book as its own thing.
Not a terrible read by any means, and I can see why others might enjoy the nostalgic summer vibe mixed with Halloween elements, but personally the similarities were a bit too strong for me.
July 16, 2026
Cruel Summerween is a fun, witchy take on a summer romance, set in a charming coastal town where Halloween is celebrated all season long. The love triangle works well because both love interests feel genuinely different, making the FMC's choice feel believable rather than predictable. Her indecisiveness also ties nicely into her overall character arc, adding depth to the romance. The whimsical magic and cosy Summerween atmosphere make this an easy, enjoyable read—perfect for anyone looking for a lighthearted end-of-summer book with spooky vibes.
July 21, 2026
Pretty cute. A fun Summerween vacation, a pair of hot brothers and magic in the air! A witch that is so indecisive that it actually made me angry at some points. You could just see the hurt and heartbreak building up as the book went on because she just could not make up her mind, it was so frustrating. But I am glad for the ending, once she finally got on board with being sober and listen to the magic. It was a HEA, and that was nice. The town was described very well, it was so cute to see the small town magic. I gave it a 3 star, just because the FMC was so frustrating.
July 26, 2026
I loved Two's A Charm by the author and Cruel Summerween certainly didn't disappoint. This was such a cute read. It's the perfect book to read between summer and autumn. I loved the story, I found it cute and easy to follow and the pacing was just right, plus there was a great cast of characters. I highly recommend it and I look forward to reading more by the author.
July 16, 2026
This was such a fun read, I saw it as The summer I turned pretty but make it witchy. Such a fun summery read and I think it's perfect to fill the gap for anyone missing the Autumn season!
Highly recommend
Highly recommend
July 21, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
I’m always quick to build up my spooky summerween reads.
But for the romance side of course it has to be something witchy, and what better than a title with summerween in it!
I liked that the magic is almost subtle. The witchcraft is there and almost everyone has it, but it’s normalised. I’d love to have a little magic to help me with chores and neatening up my painted nails 🤭.
Out of the two love interests, I immediately gravitated towards Noah. The love triangle had a nice slow burn and was full of tension in all the right places.
This was a nice easy romance read which kept a smile on my face throughout the whole story. I was glad to see that Izzy confronted her indecisiveness and chose the right person for the right reasons instead of taking the easy road.
Now where can I get a cardamom spiced latte because they sound divine 😍
I’m always quick to build up my spooky summerween reads.
But for the romance side of course it has to be something witchy, and what better than a title with summerween in it!
I liked that the magic is almost subtle. The witchcraft is there and almost everyone has it, but it’s normalised. I’d love to have a little magic to help me with chores and neatening up my painted nails 🤭.
Out of the two love interests, I immediately gravitated towards Noah. The love triangle had a nice slow burn and was full of tension in all the right places.
This was a nice easy romance read which kept a smile on my face throughout the whole story. I was glad to see that Izzy confronted her indecisiveness and chose the right person for the right reasons instead of taking the easy road.
Now where can I get a cardamom spiced latte because they sound divine 😍
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews