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To Vex & To Hex
Not yet published
Expected 3 Nov 26The Pumpkin Spice Café meets A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping in this cozy, high spice rom com featuring a bookseller witch and her aggravating but attractive new colleague.
Lucy Ansari’s life revolves around Crawley Books. As a witch, Lucy finds that Charles, the magical old man who owns it, feels more like family than her actual family. And like Lucy, her magic seems to adore books–but she definitely doesn’t adore Charles’ useless grandson, Grayson, who suddenly arrived from Ireland to “help” when Charles breaks his hip.
Grayson has never shown any interest in his lonely grandfather or the store Charles (and Lucy!) have dedicated their lives to. Suspicious of Grayson’s motives, there’s no way Lucy will let him disappoint Charles yet again–she’ll just have to hex him into leaving. But the arrogant, prickly Grayson seems determined to stay, and to finally mend his relationship with Charles before it’s too late. Except, much to his chagrin (and Lucy’s delight), Lucy refuses to part with his grandfather or the store. So, nonmagical Grayson decides to use his own version of vexing Lucy until she gives up her self-anointed role as Charles’ one and only protector.
As shenanigans ensue and sparks fly, Lucy and Grayson realize they share more than just responsibilities at the bookstore–like budding feelings for one another they’re desperate to suppress. But if they can only stop vexing and hexing, it might just be time to take a chance on each other.
Neena Noon’s To Vex & To Hex is a funny, emotional romance about finding home in the places and people you love.
Lucy Ansari’s life revolves around Crawley Books. As a witch, Lucy finds that Charles, the magical old man who owns it, feels more like family than her actual family. And like Lucy, her magic seems to adore books–but she definitely doesn’t adore Charles’ useless grandson, Grayson, who suddenly arrived from Ireland to “help” when Charles breaks his hip.
Grayson has never shown any interest in his lonely grandfather or the store Charles (and Lucy!) have dedicated their lives to. Suspicious of Grayson’s motives, there’s no way Lucy will let him disappoint Charles yet again–she’ll just have to hex him into leaving. But the arrogant, prickly Grayson seems determined to stay, and to finally mend his relationship with Charles before it’s too late. Except, much to his chagrin (and Lucy’s delight), Lucy refuses to part with his grandfather or the store. So, nonmagical Grayson decides to use his own version of vexing Lucy until she gives up her self-anointed role as Charles’ one and only protector.
As shenanigans ensue and sparks fly, Lucy and Grayson realize they share more than just responsibilities at the bookstore–like budding feelings for one another they’re desperate to suppress. But if they can only stop vexing and hexing, it might just be time to take a chance on each other.
Neena Noon’s To Vex & To Hex is a funny, emotional romance about finding home in the places and people you love.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication November 3, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 153 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
May 12, 2026Loved the bookstore setup, hated the childish characters.
DNF 45%. The idea of rivals hexing and vexing each other was cute, but the way it all came together felt so disjointed and superficial. Whoever compared this book to A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping needs jail time. That book has heart. This just felt cringe.
The first chapter was so good and set up such a great start, but everything after that was a struggle to get through. If you’re going to give me the lowest of low stakes, I need the characters to pull me in completely. And yet, this is lacking in everything: well developed characters, chemistry, and good dialogue. The tension was being force fed to me, but the interactions were just too cringey and random to actually work.
Lucy is incredibly childish and unlikable (truly the meanest girl I’ve had the displeasure to read about this year). Grayson goes from hating her to liking her to hating her again, and all I can think is: Why would you like her? This girl is awful to you. The rest of the characters feel just as flat.
The idea was good, but it needed a better way to bring depth to the characters and to not force the romance.
─ ✦ ────
✎ᝰ.┊ pre-read: When I tell you I was immediately drawn in after reading the first chapter, I’m not exaggerating.
⬫ ⬪ ⬫
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!
DNF 45%. The idea of rivals hexing and vexing each other was cute, but the way it all came together felt so disjointed and superficial. Whoever compared this book to A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping needs jail time. That book has heart. This just felt cringe.
The first chapter was so good and set up such a great start, but everything after that was a struggle to get through. If you’re going to give me the lowest of low stakes, I need the characters to pull me in completely. And yet, this is lacking in everything: well developed characters, chemistry, and good dialogue. The tension was being force fed to me, but the interactions were just too cringey and random to actually work.
Lucy is incredibly childish and unlikable (truly the meanest girl I’ve had the displeasure to read about this year). Grayson goes from hating her to liking her to hating her again, and all I can think is: Why would you like her? This girl is awful to you. The rest of the characters feel just as flat.
The idea was good, but it needed a better way to bring depth to the characters and to not force the romance.
─ ✦ ────
✎ᝰ.┊ pre-read: When I tell you I was immediately drawn in after reading the first chapter, I’m not exaggerating.
⬫ ⬪ ⬫
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!
June 29, 2026
🔮✨ To Vex & To Hex ✨ 🔮
Oh, I freaking adored this cozy witchy fantasy! 🧙💫
It was everything I wanted it to be and more.
The world building was simple but absolutely perfect. It was filled with magic, books, book lovers, romance, and so much whimsy. This is the perfect book to curl up with on a rainy day with a cozy blanket and a cup of tea☕🍂
I loved watching Lucy and Grayson's relationship grow from prank wars to friendship and then into such a lovely romance💜
And the spice? Surprisingly good🔥 🔥 🔥
⭐️6 star read! One of my favorite books of the year.
What to Expect
🧙 Book Magic
🪄 Magical Bookshop
💚 Enemies to Lovers
✨ Cozy Romcom
🌶️ High Spice
🔮 Witchy Shenanigans
_ _ _ _
📅 Pub Date: November 3, 2026
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin, and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
Oh, I freaking adored this cozy witchy fantasy! 🧙💫
It was everything I wanted it to be and more.
The world building was simple but absolutely perfect. It was filled with magic, books, book lovers, romance, and so much whimsy. This is the perfect book to curl up with on a rainy day with a cozy blanket and a cup of tea☕🍂
I loved watching Lucy and Grayson's relationship grow from prank wars to friendship and then into such a lovely romance💜
And the spice? Surprisingly good🔥 🔥 🔥
⭐️6 star read! One of my favorite books of the year.
What to Expect
🧙 Book Magic
🪄 Magical Bookshop
💚 Enemies to Lovers
✨ Cozy Romcom
🌶️ High Spice
🔮 Witchy Shenanigans
_ _ _ _
📅 Pub Date: November 3, 2026
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin, and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
May 23, 2026
⭐⭐⭐ 3/5 Stars — Great Concept with Room to Grow
🩷 Quick Thoughts: To Vex and to Hex by Neena Noon has a fantastic foundation—mature main characters, a fun rivals-to-lovers dynamic, and a heartwarming grandfather figure. However, repetitive miscommunication and some pacing issues kept it from being a total favourite for me.
🔮 Tropes
* Rivals-to-Lovers
* Family Dynamics
* Forced Proximity
* Magic Users (Everyday Life Hacks)
* Grumpy x Sunshine (with a twist)
✨ What I Liked:
* The Concept & Romance Setup: I loved the core premise of the book and was immediately hooked by the rivals-to-lovers dynamic.
* Older Main Characters: It was incredibly refreshing to read about characters who are a bit older, particularly Greyson being a 30-year-old professor. We need more of this in the genre!
* Charles & Lucy: Charles was a standout character for me. The relationship between Lucy and Charles was genuinely heartwarming and felt like the emotional anchor of the book.
* The "Slutty Little Glasses": Greyson wearing glasses? Absolute perfection. (More on this below, because it deserves its own mention!)
🩶 What Didn’t Work:
* Unbalanced Relationships: While I adored Lucy’s bond with Charles, the story placed so much emphasis on it that it heavily outweighed the space given to Greyson building a relationship with his own grandfather.
* Character Maturity vs. Behaviour: Despite their ages, both main characters frequently lacked insight and empathy for one another. This unfortunately made some of Lucy’s behavior read as peevish, and made Greyson—a 30-year-old professor—come across as a bit juvenile.
* Repetitive Pacing & Miscommunication: The story lacked one or two major, driving events to focus the plot. Instead, the miscommunication trope was scattered throughout, meaning the characters would resolve an issue only to revert right back to it. This cycle ended up feeling repetitive and frustrating.
* Underutilised Magic: Aside from a few convenient life hacks, Lucy's magic just sort of existed in the background. It didn't really evolve or become a meaningful plot point.
* Redundant Subplots: While I appreciated Lucy addressing her own family dynamics, it felt unnecessary since it mirrored the issues and resolution of Greyson's family dynamic almost exactly, just in less detail.
* The Wardrobe Malfunction: I have to be honest—the phrase "slutty little waist" did not do it for me. Greyson has slutty little glasses. Don't fix what isn't broken! I’m Team Glasses all day long.
🩷 Quick Thoughts: To Vex and to Hex by Neena Noon has a fantastic foundation—mature main characters, a fun rivals-to-lovers dynamic, and a heartwarming grandfather figure. However, repetitive miscommunication and some pacing issues kept it from being a total favourite for me.
🔮 Tropes
* Rivals-to-Lovers
* Family Dynamics
* Forced Proximity
* Magic Users (Everyday Life Hacks)
* Grumpy x Sunshine (with a twist)
✨ What I Liked:
* The Concept & Romance Setup: I loved the core premise of the book and was immediately hooked by the rivals-to-lovers dynamic.
* Older Main Characters: It was incredibly refreshing to read about characters who are a bit older, particularly Greyson being a 30-year-old professor. We need more of this in the genre!
* Charles & Lucy: Charles was a standout character for me. The relationship between Lucy and Charles was genuinely heartwarming and felt like the emotional anchor of the book.
* The "Slutty Little Glasses": Greyson wearing glasses? Absolute perfection. (More on this below, because it deserves its own mention!)
🩶 What Didn’t Work:
* Unbalanced Relationships: While I adored Lucy’s bond with Charles, the story placed so much emphasis on it that it heavily outweighed the space given to Greyson building a relationship with his own grandfather.
* Character Maturity vs. Behaviour: Despite their ages, both main characters frequently lacked insight and empathy for one another. This unfortunately made some of Lucy’s behavior read as peevish, and made Greyson—a 30-year-old professor—come across as a bit juvenile.
* Repetitive Pacing & Miscommunication: The story lacked one or two major, driving events to focus the plot. Instead, the miscommunication trope was scattered throughout, meaning the characters would resolve an issue only to revert right back to it. This cycle ended up feeling repetitive and frustrating.
* Underutilised Magic: Aside from a few convenient life hacks, Lucy's magic just sort of existed in the background. It didn't really evolve or become a meaningful plot point.
* Redundant Subplots: While I appreciated Lucy addressing her own family dynamics, it felt unnecessary since it mirrored the issues and resolution of Greyson's family dynamic almost exactly, just in less detail.
* The Wardrobe Malfunction: I have to be honest—the phrase "slutty little waist" did not do it for me. Greyson has slutty little glasses. Don't fix what isn't broken! I’m Team Glasses all day long.
April 19, 2026
Thank you for the opportunity to read this sweet arc St. Martin’s Griffin! It truly is a cozy fantasy with lots of romance and spice. The magic is used as a beautiful love letter to readers and adds to the romance story line.
May 3, 2026
Lucy a bookseller witch whose whole world is tied up in her beloved bookstore and its owner who feels more like family than her actual relatives. Then his grandson Grayson shows up out of nowhere annoying, attractive, and very much unwanted and Lucy is immediately suspicious of his intentions. She’s ready to hex him right out the door but he’s just as determined to stay and fix things with his grandfather. Then we have a lot of petty magic, bickering, with the opposites attract trope lol i love.the vibe is immaculate if you like enemies to lovers with a cozy bookstore setting. Lucy and Grayson’s dynamic is all sbanter and stubbornness but underneath that there’s a softer emotional layer about family, belonging, and letting people in. The magical elements feel fun and the romance definitely leans on the spicier side without losing that warm, small town feel.It’s one of those reads that’s easy to love .perfect if you want something witchy, and romantic.
May 30, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
This was a fun read with a lot of potential! The main characters were cute and I enjoyed their enemies to lovers journey. However, the conflicts presented in the story were repetitive and surface-level. Miscommunication is probably one of my least favorite tropes (if you literally just talked to each other this wouldn’t be happening!!!) and I feel like there was a lot of that in this book. But ultimately I’m a sucker for a HEA. I appreciate NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC!
This was a fun read with a lot of potential! The main characters were cute and I enjoyed their enemies to lovers journey. However, the conflicts presented in the story were repetitive and surface-level. Miscommunication is probably one of my least favorite tropes (if you literally just talked to each other this wouldn’t be happening!!!) and I feel like there was a lot of that in this book. But ultimately I’m a sucker for a HEA. I appreciate NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC!
May 31, 2026
To Vex and to Hex brings a lot to the table. I’m just not sure it knows what to do with it.
To start, this is a cozy bookstore rivals-to-lovers romance. Grayson returns to his hometown after his grandfather, Charles, is injured. As Charles’s estranged relative, he steps in to help run the family bookstore, where he immediately clashes with Lucy, the store manager. During Grayson’s years away, Lucy has become as close to Charles as family, effectively filling the role of granddaughter. Both Lucy and Grayson are lonely, carrying their own abandonment issues, and both seem convinced a close bond with Charles will fix everything.
This story has ideas, and I appreciate that. It’s got small-town charm. It’s got rivals. It’s got romance. It’s got found family, grief, loneliness, and an intense love of books. There is a lot of who, what, and why. Unfortunately, that’s about where it stops. The book identifies its themes but rarely explores them. Every fear, insecurity, and motivation is clearly stated and then… just restated. Loneliness is the central theme, yet the story never seems interested in saying anything about it beyond “books help” and “love helps.”
The plot is almost entirely driven by miscommunication. Lucy and Grayson assume the worst of each other at every opportunity and cling to those assumptions with remarkable determination. They don’t really grow so much as stumble into information they didn’t have before. Without deeper reflection or meaningful character growth, the conflict quickly becomes repetitive and, frankly, childish. On top of that, the romance leans heavily on instant attraction. The author spends a lot of time convincing you these two want to have sex and considerably less time convincing you they should be dating. They hate each other, but their mutual horniness never takes a back seat long enough to build much of a foundation underneath it.
Also? There are witches. Don’t worry, it doesn’t matter. The magic never meaningfully shapes the story, the world, or the characters. There’s no exploration of any witch culture, no real tension surrounding magic, and no plot point that truly requires it. Most of the time it exists as a convenient solution to minor annoyances or to move scenes along.
Overall, this was a frustrating read. Not because it lacked ideas, but because it never dug beneath them. It felt less like a story exploring its themes and more like a collection of popular romance elements arranged into a plot. By the end, I was left wishing for more depth, more curiosity, and a lot less repetition.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book
To start, this is a cozy bookstore rivals-to-lovers romance. Grayson returns to his hometown after his grandfather, Charles, is injured. As Charles’s estranged relative, he steps in to help run the family bookstore, where he immediately clashes with Lucy, the store manager. During Grayson’s years away, Lucy has become as close to Charles as family, effectively filling the role of granddaughter. Both Lucy and Grayson are lonely, carrying their own abandonment issues, and both seem convinced a close bond with Charles will fix everything.
This story has ideas, and I appreciate that. It’s got small-town charm. It’s got rivals. It’s got romance. It’s got found family, grief, loneliness, and an intense love of books. There is a lot of who, what, and why. Unfortunately, that’s about where it stops. The book identifies its themes but rarely explores them. Every fear, insecurity, and motivation is clearly stated and then… just restated. Loneliness is the central theme, yet the story never seems interested in saying anything about it beyond “books help” and “love helps.”
The plot is almost entirely driven by miscommunication. Lucy and Grayson assume the worst of each other at every opportunity and cling to those assumptions with remarkable determination. They don’t really grow so much as stumble into information they didn’t have before. Without deeper reflection or meaningful character growth, the conflict quickly becomes repetitive and, frankly, childish. On top of that, the romance leans heavily on instant attraction. The author spends a lot of time convincing you these two want to have sex and considerably less time convincing you they should be dating. They hate each other, but their mutual horniness never takes a back seat long enough to build much of a foundation underneath it.
Also? There are witches. Don’t worry, it doesn’t matter. The magic never meaningfully shapes the story, the world, or the characters. There’s no exploration of any witch culture, no real tension surrounding magic, and no plot point that truly requires it. Most of the time it exists as a convenient solution to minor annoyances or to move scenes along.
Overall, this was a frustrating read. Not because it lacked ideas, but because it never dug beneath them. It felt less like a story exploring its themes and more like a collection of popular romance elements arranged into a plot. By the end, I was left wishing for more depth, more curiosity, and a lot less repetition.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book
Read
August 5, 2026🗯Thoughts/sassy musings:
I think this would have been better on audio. It didn’t captivate me, threw me in such a slump that I just stared at it with a scowl.
It didn’t help that the MMC was one of the biggest assholes I’ve ever read. No redeemable qualities
I think this would have been better on audio. It didn’t captivate me, threw me in such a slump that I just stared at it with a scowl.
It didn’t help that the MMC was one of the biggest assholes I’ve ever read. No redeemable qualities
July 1, 2026
It was a cutie romance! Their family stories were intriguing and Lucy and Grayson’s will they-won’t they relationship had me smiling and enraptured through the whole book.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Grumpy x grumpy plus witches? YES, PLEASE!
This book is full of all the cozyness the fall months ask for. Or any season you want a cozy time.
Lucy works in a bookstore that’s more like home than her actual home. Much of the reason is Charles, the elderly bookkeeper and his late wife. Then Charles gets hurt and his non-magical, very stodgy, very estranged Professor grandson Grayson shows up.
Grayson immediately has a problem with literally everything, especially Lucy’s presence and even Charles. He seems to have a chip on his shoulder (it’s a boulder) and wants nothing to do with Lucy. He thinks his showing up means Lucy should go away. Because we get his POV (yay dual POV!) about his complicated feelings about his grandparents. If we didn’t have that he’d be a total douche but we get to understand him and the lifelong hurt he’s carried. Lucy has her own hurt for parents who provided well but have spent their entire lives wrapped up in one another and moderately interested in her.
Back to the love story! What we have are two hurt people actually hurting and throwing physical and emotional barbs at one another. Grayson’s are mostly verbal while Lucy uses her magic for mischief. She turns Grayson into a baby vomit target, makes sure his tea of lukewarm, and a few dozen other hex-y pranks. Which he deserves because he’s not nice to her.
But then the feelings start. I mean, they are always fairly obvious but it’s so fun to watch the will they, won’t they, they did, they did not, and they did again. Their relationship journey is as rocky as a shallow creek bed. They can’t get their feelings out of their heads and into words so they end up hurting each other. I couldn’t wait for them to “grow up” and get it together so they could just be IN LOVE. But I had so much fun seeing them fight and flirt and f— their way into a happily ever after.
I love the uniqueness of the magic system here. Lucy uses her magic to make other people feel better (and find their perfect books!). Charles uses it for joy but also for his everyday tasks. Yay to no personal gain (shout out to my Charmed OGs)! And Lucy’s parents use it for … science and being in love with each other more than they care for their child.
This is a cozy story of a couple individually working through their grief and refusing to let their inner demons dictate their future.
Thank you to St. Martin’s for this gifted copy.
This book is full of all the cozyness the fall months ask for. Or any season you want a cozy time.
Lucy works in a bookstore that’s more like home than her actual home. Much of the reason is Charles, the elderly bookkeeper and his late wife. Then Charles gets hurt and his non-magical, very stodgy, very estranged Professor grandson Grayson shows up.
Grayson immediately has a problem with literally everything, especially Lucy’s presence and even Charles. He seems to have a chip on his shoulder (it’s a boulder) and wants nothing to do with Lucy. He thinks his showing up means Lucy should go away. Because we get his POV (yay dual POV!) about his complicated feelings about his grandparents. If we didn’t have that he’d be a total douche but we get to understand him and the lifelong hurt he’s carried. Lucy has her own hurt for parents who provided well but have spent their entire lives wrapped up in one another and moderately interested in her.
Back to the love story! What we have are two hurt people actually hurting and throwing physical and emotional barbs at one another. Grayson’s are mostly verbal while Lucy uses her magic for mischief. She turns Grayson into a baby vomit target, makes sure his tea of lukewarm, and a few dozen other hex-y pranks. Which he deserves because he’s not nice to her.
But then the feelings start. I mean, they are always fairly obvious but it’s so fun to watch the will they, won’t they, they did, they did not, and they did again. Their relationship journey is as rocky as a shallow creek bed. They can’t get their feelings out of their heads and into words so they end up hurting each other. I couldn’t wait for them to “grow up” and get it together so they could just be IN LOVE. But I had so much fun seeing them fight and flirt and f— their way into a happily ever after.
I love the uniqueness of the magic system here. Lucy uses her magic to make other people feel better (and find their perfect books!). Charles uses it for joy but also for his everyday tasks. Yay to no personal gain (shout out to my Charmed OGs)! And Lucy’s parents use it for … science and being in love with each other more than they care for their child.
This is a cozy story of a couple individually working through their grief and refusing to let their inner demons dictate their future.
Thank you to St. Martin’s for this gifted copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Neena Noon and Avon Books for an eARC of this book on NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I loved the concept of this book. Lucy is a witch working in a bookstore who uses her magic to help people find the perfect book. After the owner (Charles) injures himself, his grumpy grandson (Grayson) arrives to help out. The stakes are low and you know everyone will be making it to the end happy and alive.
While I think this book has a lot of potential, there were a few issues with the execution for me:
- There are instances of repetition and over explaining, which made the book feel it was aimed at a younger audience than intended.
- There are various examples of miscommunication, between Lucy and Grayson and also Grayson and Charles. Despite being my least favourite trope, I do think it can be done well but it felt overused in this book and I became increasingly frustrated at the character’s inability to have a conversation, especially when the MMC is 30 and the FMC is 24 (i.e. not children).
- My pet peeve in books is when main characters are unnecessarily critical about someone’s appearance and then face no consequences. For example, Lucy complains about her date (not the MMC) having thinning hair, stating “you can’t have everything”. It might feel minor but these sort of comments perpetuate the idea that someone’s appearance is fair game to criticise.
I couldn’t decide how much I liked Lucy and Grayson as characters. The hexes and vexes were funny but quickly descended into just being mean. They both acted immaturely despite their age, and while there were underlying reasons for their actions, I struggled to connect with them at times. Through the two POVs, we got to learn more about each of them, their relationships with others and the reasons for the grief/pain/bitterness they carried, which was welcome. It somewhat explained their behaviour (although not entirely).
The book is pretty spicy, especially the second half. However, I wanted to see a deeper emotional connection between the two. It’s a cosy fantasy so I don’t need hundreds of pages of dialogue, but even a few more conversations between the two would have made their connection seem more realistic
Overall, if you want a whimsical read with low stakes and a decent amount of spice, this could be the right book for you but it didn’t quite work for me.
My fave tropes:
- Grumpy x sunshine (although she’s grumpy to him)
- A conveniently timed snow storm
- Found family
I loved the concept of this book. Lucy is a witch working in a bookstore who uses her magic to help people find the perfect book. After the owner (Charles) injures himself, his grumpy grandson (Grayson) arrives to help out. The stakes are low and you know everyone will be making it to the end happy and alive.
While I think this book has a lot of potential, there were a few issues with the execution for me:
- There are instances of repetition and over explaining, which made the book feel it was aimed at a younger audience than intended.
- There are various examples of miscommunication, between Lucy and Grayson and also Grayson and Charles. Despite being my least favourite trope, I do think it can be done well but it felt overused in this book and I became increasingly frustrated at the character’s inability to have a conversation, especially when the MMC is 30 and the FMC is 24 (i.e. not children).
- My pet peeve in books is when main characters are unnecessarily critical about someone’s appearance and then face no consequences. For example, Lucy complains about her date (not the MMC) having thinning hair, stating “you can’t have everything”. It might feel minor but these sort of comments perpetuate the idea that someone’s appearance is fair game to criticise.
I couldn’t decide how much I liked Lucy and Grayson as characters. The hexes and vexes were funny but quickly descended into just being mean. They both acted immaturely despite their age, and while there were underlying reasons for their actions, I struggled to connect with them at times. Through the two POVs, we got to learn more about each of them, their relationships with others and the reasons for the grief/pain/bitterness they carried, which was welcome. It somewhat explained their behaviour (although not entirely).
The book is pretty spicy, especially the second half. However, I wanted to see a deeper emotional connection between the two. It’s a cosy fantasy so I don’t need hundreds of pages of dialogue, but even a few more conversations between the two would have made their connection seem more realistic
Overall, if you want a whimsical read with low stakes and a decent amount of spice, this could be the right book for you but it didn’t quite work for me.
My fave tropes:
- Grumpy x sunshine (although she’s grumpy to him)
- A conveniently timed snow storm
- Found family
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is an ARC review received through NetGalley.
This is a cozy, modern, small town, romance with a dash of fun magic that plays an important part in the story. The main character’s use of the magic touched my heart as a reader and an empath.
The writing is straightforward, engaging, and easy on the mind. I think this book would be particularly good for a reader who needs a quick, fun mood boost without having /too/ much dramatic stress. I think it’d be good to read on a sick day, a sad day, a long travel day, or after a hard week. I would recommend this to or buy for a friend who likes their enemies to lovers romance with a dash of magic.
I think if you liked Legends and Lattes but could’ve done with even less drama or Assistant to the Villain but done with less worldbuilding or if you liked Fae Flings and Corset Strings at all, I think you’d like this book. It’s a fast, cute, cheeky read and a solid 5 star read in the cozy, smutty, magical romance category.
The main characters are entertaining. The FMC knows what she wants, is smart, determined, and all around someone I’d want to be friends with. The MMC is a tortured professor type with a devious streak. There are some communication issues that cause drama/dramatic tension, but this book takes a really lovely moment to actually spell it out for us – in the characters’ realization of it - that clear, direct communication is important and we ought not to assume that the people who love us know what we want or need or what has hurt us or what we are sitting with. It is best to share – and to ask – rather than assume and let fester. This hit a note for me, as I think as much as I can be critical of characters for not communicating, I have found myself thinking like these characters do, thinking that if I wasn’t asked, I wasn’t wanted.
I like the themes about choosing what we want and what makes us happy over pleasing others, and that the main character does this for herself.
The side characters are delightful and developed enough to contribute to the story.
The banter is funny. The smut is smutty. I laughed at the phrase “slutty little waist”. There were plenty of other parts that I cackled aloud about, especially the vexing and hexing.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for approving this ARC! It delivers what it promises.
When does Bia get a book?
This is a cozy, modern, small town, romance with a dash of fun magic that plays an important part in the story. The main character’s use of the magic touched my heart as a reader and an empath.
The writing is straightforward, engaging, and easy on the mind. I think this book would be particularly good for a reader who needs a quick, fun mood boost without having /too/ much dramatic stress. I think it’d be good to read on a sick day, a sad day, a long travel day, or after a hard week. I would recommend this to or buy for a friend who likes their enemies to lovers romance with a dash of magic.
I think if you liked Legends and Lattes but could’ve done with even less drama or Assistant to the Villain but done with less worldbuilding or if you liked Fae Flings and Corset Strings at all, I think you’d like this book. It’s a fast, cute, cheeky read and a solid 5 star read in the cozy, smutty, magical romance category.
The main characters are entertaining. The FMC knows what she wants, is smart, determined, and all around someone I’d want to be friends with. The MMC is a tortured professor type with a devious streak. There are some communication issues that cause drama/dramatic tension, but this book takes a really lovely moment to actually spell it out for us – in the characters’ realization of it - that clear, direct communication is important and we ought not to assume that the people who love us know what we want or need or what has hurt us or what we are sitting with. It is best to share – and to ask – rather than assume and let fester. This hit a note for me, as I think as much as I can be critical of characters for not communicating, I have found myself thinking like these characters do, thinking that if I wasn’t asked, I wasn’t wanted.
I like the themes about choosing what we want and what makes us happy over pleasing others, and that the main character does this for herself.
The side characters are delightful and developed enough to contribute to the story.
The banter is funny. The smut is smutty. I laughed at the phrase “slutty little waist”. There were plenty of other parts that I cackled aloud about, especially the vexing and hexing.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for approving this ARC! It delivers what it promises.
When does Bia get a book?
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
***Minor-ish spoilers***
This book is the epitome of the miscommunication trope in the BEST way. Because Neena doesn't do the miscommunication trope for the sake of it or as a random cog to try and push the plot forward. The miscommunication ends up being where the yearning (from both sides) lives. And if you love a good, slow burn yearn, this is the book for you.
Lucy and Grayson (our lovely MCs) are just two people who desperately want to seen. Understood. Loved. And at first glance, seem to be polar opposites. Lucy works at Grayson's estranged grandfather's bookshop and has used her magic and very own charm to turn into to quaint, cozy (read: disheveled, unorganized and too whimsical for Grayson's proper Irish taste).
Lucy is a witch. And so is Charles, Grayson's grandfather. And they get along like grandfather and granddaughter, leaving Grayson, a mere human, already feeling on the outs when he comes to town to help out Charles after a small accident puts him in the hospital. In Lucy's eyes, Grayson is Satan incarnate, never once having visited Charles over the years and now suddenly showing up. She's convinced he's come to take her precious bookstore from her in the name of...well being under his family's name.
Magical, and non, hijinks ensue as Lucy tries her best to drive Grayson out of their little town and Grayson, while he matches her step for step, he's wondering why on earth this fiery, beautiful, woman hates him so much and wants him gone. This definitely gives you an enemies to lovers vibe. He just wants to bond with the only family he has left, but she doesn't believe it one bit.
Hijinks slip into a semi-friendship/truce then to sexual tension, which oozes delicately slow like honey between chapters, the build-up catching on one peak where we think all is good, and miscommunication runs us back down the slope to enemy-ish territory before the delicate ascent upwards again.
At it's core, I think 'To Vex and to Hex' is a story about the relationships we know might break us, but we have to be brave enough to try any way. The found family in this book was so well done. The miscommunication that is left in the words unsaid between Lucy, Grayson and even Charles throughout the book really showcases how the fear of being seen can ruin a good thing even before it starts.
I realize this review might be a little rambly, maybe even slightly vague. But it was hard for me to put words to the emotions I felt reading this one, especially the last half of the book. (Tears may have made an appearance)
Add this to your TBR come November, friends. You won't regret it.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Neena Noon for this absolutely smashing ARC!
This book is the epitome of the miscommunication trope in the BEST way. Because Neena doesn't do the miscommunication trope for the sake of it or as a random cog to try and push the plot forward. The miscommunication ends up being where the yearning (from both sides) lives. And if you love a good, slow burn yearn, this is the book for you.
Lucy and Grayson (our lovely MCs) are just two people who desperately want to seen. Understood. Loved. And at first glance, seem to be polar opposites. Lucy works at Grayson's estranged grandfather's bookshop and has used her magic and very own charm to turn into to quaint, cozy (read: disheveled, unorganized and too whimsical for Grayson's proper Irish taste).
Lucy is a witch. And so is Charles, Grayson's grandfather. And they get along like grandfather and granddaughter, leaving Grayson, a mere human, already feeling on the outs when he comes to town to help out Charles after a small accident puts him in the hospital. In Lucy's eyes, Grayson is Satan incarnate, never once having visited Charles over the years and now suddenly showing up. She's convinced he's come to take her precious bookstore from her in the name of...well being under his family's name.
Magical, and non, hijinks ensue as Lucy tries her best to drive Grayson out of their little town and Grayson, while he matches her step for step, he's wondering why on earth this fiery, beautiful, woman hates him so much and wants him gone. This definitely gives you an enemies to lovers vibe. He just wants to bond with the only family he has left, but she doesn't believe it one bit.
Hijinks slip into a semi-friendship/truce then to sexual tension, which oozes delicately slow like honey between chapters, the build-up catching on one peak where we think all is good, and miscommunication runs us back down the slope to enemy-ish territory before the delicate ascent upwards again.
At it's core, I think 'To Vex and to Hex' is a story about the relationships we know might break us, but we have to be brave enough to try any way. The found family in this book was so well done. The miscommunication that is left in the words unsaid between Lucy, Grayson and even Charles throughout the book really showcases how the fear of being seen can ruin a good thing even before it starts.
I realize this review might be a little rambly, maybe even slightly vague. But it was hard for me to put words to the emotions I felt reading this one, especially the last half of the book. (Tears may have made an appearance)
Add this to your TBR come November, friends. You won't regret it.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Neena Noon for this absolutely smashing ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
5⭐ Cozy, Witchy, Spicy Fun
To Vex & To Hex is exactly what it promises to be: a cozy fantasy romance packed with bookstore charm, magical mischief, and plenty of spice. If The Pumpkin Spice Café and A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping had a witchy bookstore baby, this would be it.
Lucy is a bookseller witch whose life revolves around the bookstore she loves and its owner, Charles, who feels more like family than her own parents. When Charles is injured, his estranged grandson Grayson arrives unexpectedly and immediately disrupts Lucy's carefully ordered world. He's grumpy, stubborn, frustratingly attractive, and convinced he knows what's best for his grandfather. Lucy is equally determined not to let him interfere, leading to a delightful battle of wills filled with petty hexes, sharp banter, and undeniable chemistry.
The enemies-to-lovers dynamic shines here. Lucy and Grayson are both carrying emotional wounds, and their constant bickering masks deeper struggles with family, grief, belonging, and vulnerability. Their journey from antagonists to lovers is messy, frustrating, and incredibly entertaining. The dual POV was especially effective because it allowed me to understand Grayson's complicated relationship with his grandparents; without it, he might have come across as simply unlikeable.
One of my favorite aspects was the magic system. Rather than being used for grand adventures, magic is woven into everyday life and acts as a love letter to books, readers, and human connection. Lucy's ability to help people find the perfect book felt especially charming. The magical pranks she uses against Grayson add humor and lightheartedness while perfectly complementing their growing attraction.
The romance definitely leans spicy, but it never loses the warmth and coziness that make the story so inviting. Watching these two stubborn characters fight, flirt, stumble, and eventually open their hearts was both funny and heartfelt.
With a cozy bookstore setting, grumpy x grumpy romance, witches, family drama, magical hijinks, and plenty of steam, To Vex & To Hex is an easy recommendation for readers looking for a comforting yet spicy autumn read.
Thank you to St. Martin's Griffin for the gifted ARC.
To Vex & To Hex is exactly what it promises to be: a cozy fantasy romance packed with bookstore charm, magical mischief, and plenty of spice. If The Pumpkin Spice Café and A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping had a witchy bookstore baby, this would be it.
Lucy is a bookseller witch whose life revolves around the bookstore she loves and its owner, Charles, who feels more like family than her own parents. When Charles is injured, his estranged grandson Grayson arrives unexpectedly and immediately disrupts Lucy's carefully ordered world. He's grumpy, stubborn, frustratingly attractive, and convinced he knows what's best for his grandfather. Lucy is equally determined not to let him interfere, leading to a delightful battle of wills filled with petty hexes, sharp banter, and undeniable chemistry.
The enemies-to-lovers dynamic shines here. Lucy and Grayson are both carrying emotional wounds, and their constant bickering masks deeper struggles with family, grief, belonging, and vulnerability. Their journey from antagonists to lovers is messy, frustrating, and incredibly entertaining. The dual POV was especially effective because it allowed me to understand Grayson's complicated relationship with his grandparents; without it, he might have come across as simply unlikeable.
One of my favorite aspects was the magic system. Rather than being used for grand adventures, magic is woven into everyday life and acts as a love letter to books, readers, and human connection. Lucy's ability to help people find the perfect book felt especially charming. The magical pranks she uses against Grayson add humor and lightheartedness while perfectly complementing their growing attraction.
The romance definitely leans spicy, but it never loses the warmth and coziness that make the story so inviting. Watching these two stubborn characters fight, flirt, stumble, and eventually open their hearts was both funny and heartfelt.
With a cozy bookstore setting, grumpy x grumpy romance, witches, family drama, magical hijinks, and plenty of steam, To Vex & To Hex is an easy recommendation for readers looking for a comforting yet spicy autumn read.
Thank you to St. Martin's Griffin for the gifted ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Dear Reader,
I read some advice once that said you should write the book you most want to read, and To Vex and to Hex is exactly that. It’s infused with so many of my favorite things: romance, magic, banter, a small town, and plenty of spice, all set against the backdrop of a bookstore-cafe that I sorely, sorely wish was real. But it’s also about two people who are terribly lonely and lost, not realizing the very thing they’ve been searching for is each other.
Some books are difficult to write—you have to wrestle with the plot, squeeze out the emotions, push the characters—but writing To Vex and to Hex was pure joy. Every chapter is full of elements that I adore, whether it’s sparks flying between a grumpy professor and a sunshine bookseller; the particular magic our main character, Lucy, has which helps her to connect readers with their next favorite story; the cozy and slightly chaotic bookstore, filled with freshly baked goods and flavorful coffees; the small town with a variety of characters; or the plentiful romance tropes used, from jealousy to being-stuck-together-in-a-storm to only-one-bed. Writing this book has been its own kind of magic: a welcome escape from life’s worries.
I’ve always been an avid reader, and one of my favorite things about reading has been losing myself to a book: forgetting time and place as I’m transported into the story. As I read, I forget about all the things upsetting me and am instead enraptured by the journey the characters are on. With them, I laugh, I cry—I experience all the emotions. There’s nothing better than the pure full-hearted feeling of finishing a good book: both wishing it wasn’t over while being satisfied by the conclusion and happy ending.
As a writer, my aim is to recreate that feeling for my readers. I know what it is to be lonely and afraid and sad; all I hope is that, with this story, those feelings can go away for a little while, or at least become a little bit more bearable. I hope my cozy, witchy rom-com is as enjoyable for you to read as it was for me to write it.
With love and light,
Neena Noon
I read some advice once that said you should write the book you most want to read, and To Vex and to Hex is exactly that. It’s infused with so many of my favorite things: romance, magic, banter, a small town, and plenty of spice, all set against the backdrop of a bookstore-cafe that I sorely, sorely wish was real. But it’s also about two people who are terribly lonely and lost, not realizing the very thing they’ve been searching for is each other.
Some books are difficult to write—you have to wrestle with the plot, squeeze out the emotions, push the characters—but writing To Vex and to Hex was pure joy. Every chapter is full of elements that I adore, whether it’s sparks flying between a grumpy professor and a sunshine bookseller; the particular magic our main character, Lucy, has which helps her to connect readers with their next favorite story; the cozy and slightly chaotic bookstore, filled with freshly baked goods and flavorful coffees; the small town with a variety of characters; or the plentiful romance tropes used, from jealousy to being-stuck-together-in-a-storm to only-one-bed. Writing this book has been its own kind of magic: a welcome escape from life’s worries.
I’ve always been an avid reader, and one of my favorite things about reading has been losing myself to a book: forgetting time and place as I’m transported into the story. As I read, I forget about all the things upsetting me and am instead enraptured by the journey the characters are on. With them, I laugh, I cry—I experience all the emotions. There’s nothing better than the pure full-hearted feeling of finishing a good book: both wishing it wasn’t over while being satisfied by the conclusion and happy ending.
As a writer, my aim is to recreate that feeling for my readers. I know what it is to be lonely and afraid and sad; all I hope is that, with this story, those feelings can go away for a little while, or at least become a little bit more bearable. I hope my cozy, witchy rom-com is as enjoyable for you to read as it was for me to write it.
With love and light,
Neena Noon
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
1.5⭐️ - 1🌶
☆ Cozy fantasy
☆ Rivals to lovers
☆ Grumpy x Sunshine
☆ Small town
☆ Forced proximity
NetGalley ARC review
Thanks to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press and Neena Noon for the free copy.
This story follows 3 main characters, Charles, the grandfather who has surgery and needs his grandson, the MMC, Grayson, to come take care of him and Lucy, the FMC, who has been in Charles' life since she was a teen and who manages his bookstore. Oh and Charles and Lucy are witches.
I'm gonna start by prefacing that I am a big fan of cozy fantasy romance. And book magic? Please. This should have been an absolute slam dunk. Except... it wasn't. Lucy was insufferable. I am not sure I ever detested a character as much. She was mean and vindictive, to the point where it was starting to feel like a bully romance. She was petty and entitled, completely unlikeable. Her magic was cute, but we only ever see her use it once? Why not explore more of that?
Then there's Charles. I have a very soft spot for elderly characters and they always pull at my heartstrings, but I was disappointed by this one. He wanted a relationship with his grandson, but what kind of effort did he put in while he was here? The miscommunication was hard to read between these three. Charles/Lucy spent a lot of time staying in their little bubble, excluding Grayson completely.
Finallly, the romance... gosh. At first, it was promising, pranks and little inconsequential things done to each other. Him glowering a lot, her being sunshiney, the usual in a grumpy x sunshine trope, but there was no flow. Every bit of spice felt forced, as if it was needed to fill some space or force the relationship along. There were some cute moments, but nothing extraordinary.
The only reason I did not DNF was because this was an ARC and I wanted to leave a review of the full book in case my opinion changed along the way. I always try to find redeeming qualities even for the books that I didn't like and clearly were not for me, but I struggle to find any here. Grayson is probably the one redeeming quality and he deserved better.
☆ Cozy fantasy
☆ Rivals to lovers
☆ Grumpy x Sunshine
☆ Small town
☆ Forced proximity
NetGalley ARC review
Thanks to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press and Neena Noon for the free copy.
This story follows 3 main characters, Charles, the grandfather who has surgery and needs his grandson, the MMC, Grayson, to come take care of him and Lucy, the FMC, who has been in Charles' life since she was a teen and who manages his bookstore. Oh and Charles and Lucy are witches.
I'm gonna start by prefacing that I am a big fan of cozy fantasy romance. And book magic? Please. This should have been an absolute slam dunk. Except... it wasn't. Lucy was insufferable. I am not sure I ever detested a character as much. She was mean and vindictive, to the point where it was starting to feel like a bully romance. She was petty and entitled, completely unlikeable. Her magic was cute, but we only ever see her use it once? Why not explore more of that?
Then there's Charles. I have a very soft spot for elderly characters and they always pull at my heartstrings, but I was disappointed by this one. He wanted a relationship with his grandson, but what kind of effort did he put in while he was here? The miscommunication was hard to read between these three. Charles/Lucy spent a lot of time staying in their little bubble, excluding Grayson completely.
Finallly, the romance... gosh. At first, it was promising, pranks and little inconsequential things done to each other. Him glowering a lot, her being sunshiney, the usual in a grumpy x sunshine trope, but there was no flow. Every bit of spice felt forced, as if it was needed to fill some space or force the relationship along. There were some cute moments, but nothing extraordinary.
The only reason I did not DNF was because this was an ARC and I wanted to leave a review of the full book in case my opinion changed along the way. I always try to find redeeming qualities even for the books that I didn't like and clearly were not for me, but I struggle to find any here. Grayson is probably the one redeeming quality and he deserved better.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Man, I think I messed up with this one. I started reading To Vex & To Hex in the midst of a horrible book slump. I do feel like I gave it a fair shot, but I was just never able to buy into this story.
I can definitely get down with a rivals-to-lovers trope, but I am not 100% sold on the rivals-to-lovers set up in this book. At the start, Grayson comes to town to take care of his estranged grandfather, a quaint bookshop owner, and hopefully rebuild some kind of warm relationship with him. Upon meeting the manager of the bookshop Lucy, Grayson quickly decides she is Public Enemy #1 and has got to go. If Grayson wanted to rehabilitate a relationship with his grandfather, wouldn’t it make more sense to befriend his grandfather’s favorite employee? Why go the antagonizing route instead of trying to woo her? Grayson is apparently very lonely in life. He finds Lucy attractive. Why take such a hard, mean-spirited path when you have several reasons to be kind to someone else who also happens to be really lonely? Again, maybe I am being overly critical. I just did not find myself wanting to buy what this author was selling.
Unfortunately, both Lucy and Grayson read kind of childish to me. Their shenanigans just didn’t hit. Their pranks/attacks on each other felt a little petty, not clever or witty. Making a baby so dizzy it spits up all over your rival and refusing to help clean him up? Taking down all the decorations in the book shop? I don’t know. Even some situational choices started to get to me. Like, setting up a whole daybed in the bookshop so the owner could rest on it after his hip replacement? What kind of store has room for that? Apparently, the book gets pretty spicy later on. I have trouble imagining how that spice would fit in with the general tone of silliness the first part of this book has going for it.
Golly, I know this is a big pile of negativity. I will say that as far as magic systems go, I like that this one seems to be very low stakes! The sweet little acts of magic seem to fit the cozy, quirky tone of the book well. I also liked seeing what Lucy was baking for the shop! That was fun.
Even though this book wasn’t for me, I am sure there are some out there who will enjoy it. Think silly feuds that burst into spicy daydreams and heated moments. Bookstores that sell drinks, baked goods, flowers, have candles and fairy lights… Two people who are actually just alike but are too caught up in their stubbornness to see it.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.
I can definitely get down with a rivals-to-lovers trope, but I am not 100% sold on the rivals-to-lovers set up in this book. At the start, Grayson comes to town to take care of his estranged grandfather, a quaint bookshop owner, and hopefully rebuild some kind of warm relationship with him. Upon meeting the manager of the bookshop Lucy, Grayson quickly decides she is Public Enemy #1 and has got to go. If Grayson wanted to rehabilitate a relationship with his grandfather, wouldn’t it make more sense to befriend his grandfather’s favorite employee? Why go the antagonizing route instead of trying to woo her? Grayson is apparently very lonely in life. He finds Lucy attractive. Why take such a hard, mean-spirited path when you have several reasons to be kind to someone else who also happens to be really lonely? Again, maybe I am being overly critical. I just did not find myself wanting to buy what this author was selling.
Unfortunately, both Lucy and Grayson read kind of childish to me. Their shenanigans just didn’t hit. Their pranks/attacks on each other felt a little petty, not clever or witty. Making a baby so dizzy it spits up all over your rival and refusing to help clean him up? Taking down all the decorations in the book shop? I don’t know. Even some situational choices started to get to me. Like, setting up a whole daybed in the bookshop so the owner could rest on it after his hip replacement? What kind of store has room for that? Apparently, the book gets pretty spicy later on. I have trouble imagining how that spice would fit in with the general tone of silliness the first part of this book has going for it.
Golly, I know this is a big pile of negativity. I will say that as far as magic systems go, I like that this one seems to be very low stakes! The sweet little acts of magic seem to fit the cozy, quirky tone of the book well. I also liked seeing what Lucy was baking for the shop! That was fun.
Even though this book wasn’t for me, I am sure there are some out there who will enjoy it. Think silly feuds that burst into spicy daydreams and heated moments. Bookstores that sell drinks, baked goods, flowers, have candles and fairy lights… Two people who are actually just alike but are too caught up in their stubbornness to see it.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Book Review: To Vex and Hex by Neena Noon
This book had all the ingredients to be a fun win for me: witty banter, magical chaos, enemies-to-lovers tension, and a British MMC who at times gave off very specific nerdy-adventurer energy. And to be fair, the banter is the strongest part of the whole package. The dialogue is sharp, playful, and often more convincing than the romance itself. There were several moments where I thought the book was about to fully click into place.
Unfortunately, the character work never quite gets there. The MMC is given a tragic orphan backstory and an emotionally distant persona, but instead of reading layered or guarded, he often just comes off cold (this is even mentioned by the FMC). The FMC is similarly uneven, confident and decisive when the plot needs her to be, then strangely passive or underdeveloped when it does not. Rather than feeling like two complicated people, they often feel like two trope containers being rotated into position scene by scene.
The romance also suffers from wanting to do everything at once. Sunshine and storm cloud, enemies-to-lovers, intense longing, dramatic misunderstandings, bold sexual confidence, fade-to-black restraint, explicit scenes, grand declarations, this book tries every lane available and somehow commits to none of them. After a truly impressive amount of teasing, some payoff moments land with all the grace of a last minute script rewrite.
That said, it is readable, occasionally funny, and the banter does a lot of heavy lifting. If you enjoy magical rom-com energy and do not need airtight characterization or emotional logic, there is still entertainment to be found here. For me, it felt like a book with several appealing ideas that never fully learned how to coexist, but at least everyone gets their happily ever after and some suspiciously well-timed orgasms.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ATC. This is my honest and voluntary review.
This book had all the ingredients to be a fun win for me: witty banter, magical chaos, enemies-to-lovers tension, and a British MMC who at times gave off very specific nerdy-adventurer energy. And to be fair, the banter is the strongest part of the whole package. The dialogue is sharp, playful, and often more convincing than the romance itself. There were several moments where I thought the book was about to fully click into place.
Unfortunately, the character work never quite gets there. The MMC is given a tragic orphan backstory and an emotionally distant persona, but instead of reading layered or guarded, he often just comes off cold (this is even mentioned by the FMC). The FMC is similarly uneven, confident and decisive when the plot needs her to be, then strangely passive or underdeveloped when it does not. Rather than feeling like two complicated people, they often feel like two trope containers being rotated into position scene by scene.
The romance also suffers from wanting to do everything at once. Sunshine and storm cloud, enemies-to-lovers, intense longing, dramatic misunderstandings, bold sexual confidence, fade-to-black restraint, explicit scenes, grand declarations, this book tries every lane available and somehow commits to none of them. After a truly impressive amount of teasing, some payoff moments land with all the grace of a last minute script rewrite.
That said, it is readable, occasionally funny, and the banter does a lot of heavy lifting. If you enjoy magical rom-com energy and do not need airtight characterization or emotional logic, there is still entertainment to be found here. For me, it felt like a book with several appealing ideas that never fully learned how to coexist, but at least everyone gets their happily ever after and some suspiciously well-timed orgasms.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ATC. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
To Vex and To Hex is the epitome of cozy romantasy with low stakes.
The book excels in its warm, witchy bookshop setting and delivers a comfort-driven reading experience with a nice build of romantic tension. The dynamic between Lucy and Grayson is engaging, and the forced proximity/enemies-to-lovers arc works super well! Who cares if it’s cliche? The trope is popular for a reason. 😘
I did occasionally find the pacing/transitions a bit uneven, with a few scenes feeling slightly abrupt in how they were introduced/resolved. This didn’t take me out of the story completely, but it did affect the overall flow at times.
The miscommunication trope is quite prominent (particularly in the later parts of the book). I did appreciate that Grayson’s communication struggles are eventually given context, which added depth to his character… but if he was self-actualized enough to understand how his trauma would affect his communication skills, I would assume he’d be able to communicate that weakness of his. Maybe that’s just the miscommunication-trope-hater in me coming out, though.
One of the standout elements for me was the cozy small-business bookshop atmosphere and the concept of Lucy’s intuitive “book magic,” which adds a unique and charming layer to the story. I also really enjoyed the warmth of Lucy’s grandfather/granddaughter-esque connection with Charles. Every interaction between them warmed my heart.
Overall, I would recommend this to readers who enjoy cozy, low-stakes romantasy, strong atmosphere, and slow-burn, character-driven romance. It’s a comforting read that prioritizes vibe/chemistry over complex plotting or high-stakes conflict.
Despite my fairly "emotion-less" review (sorry, I'm still learning!) I adored this book. I WILL be pre-ordering - I need a physical copy for when I want a cozy cuddle up reading sesh. ❤️ Also I saw a special edition cover design online and I'm not sure what the situation is with that but I NEEED it.
The book excels in its warm, witchy bookshop setting and delivers a comfort-driven reading experience with a nice build of romantic tension. The dynamic between Lucy and Grayson is engaging, and the forced proximity/enemies-to-lovers arc works super well! Who cares if it’s cliche? The trope is popular for a reason. 😘
I did occasionally find the pacing/transitions a bit uneven, with a few scenes feeling slightly abrupt in how they were introduced/resolved. This didn’t take me out of the story completely, but it did affect the overall flow at times.
The miscommunication trope is quite prominent (particularly in the later parts of the book). I did appreciate that Grayson’s communication struggles are eventually given context, which added depth to his character… but if he was self-actualized enough to understand how his trauma would affect his communication skills, I would assume he’d be able to communicate that weakness of his. Maybe that’s just the miscommunication-trope-hater in me coming out, though.
One of the standout elements for me was the cozy small-business bookshop atmosphere and the concept of Lucy’s intuitive “book magic,” which adds a unique and charming layer to the story. I also really enjoyed the warmth of Lucy’s grandfather/granddaughter-esque connection with Charles. Every interaction between them warmed my heart.
Overall, I would recommend this to readers who enjoy cozy, low-stakes romantasy, strong atmosphere, and slow-burn, character-driven romance. It’s a comforting read that prioritizes vibe/chemistry over complex plotting or high-stakes conflict.
Despite my fairly "emotion-less" review (sorry, I'm still learning!) I adored this book. I WILL be pre-ordering - I need a physical copy for when I want a cozy cuddle up reading sesh. ❤️ Also I saw a special edition cover design online and I'm not sure what the situation is with that but I NEEED it.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Full disclosure: I won a free ARC of this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
Lucy is a witch who works in a bookstore. She's like a daughter to Charles, the store's owner. When he's scheduled for a hip replacement, his long-absent grandson, Grayson, travels from Ireland to help with the shop and, he hopes, to rebuild his relationship with his grandfather. Lucy resents the intrusion into their lives, and hijinks ensue. And, this being a Romance, you'll never guess who she's attracted to …
I really liked this book. Lucy and Grayson are a fine pair of protagonists, and it's a delight to watch them dance around each other. The settings are appropriately cozy, and the supporting cast are wonderful. Yes, there are steamy sex scenes, and I definitely felt the heat.
Obviously, it's going to take an entire book to get our couple together and to have them stay that way. So there are the usual moments of self-sacrifice and leaping to conclusions. But Noon puts in the work to make sure that everyone's motivations for doing the things that they do ring true. It's a Romance, so a bit of contrivance is par for the course, but nothing feels forced. I admire the skill with which she sets up … hmmmm … let's call it Chekov's Ikea Project. That phrase seems like the best combination of literary allusion and spoiler-free hinting …
Lucy doesn't really need to be a witch. The whole book would still work with no supernatural elements whatsoever. Yes, some scenes would happen a little differently, but they could still happen. I don't think that's a problem or anything, just an interesting point. And you could argue that it just makes the Romance that much more special and cozy and magical.
This was a delightful book! I enjoyed it a great deal, and I recommend it highly!
Lucy is a witch who works in a bookstore. She's like a daughter to Charles, the store's owner. When he's scheduled for a hip replacement, his long-absent grandson, Grayson, travels from Ireland to help with the shop and, he hopes, to rebuild his relationship with his grandfather. Lucy resents the intrusion into their lives, and hijinks ensue. And, this being a Romance, you'll never guess who she's attracted to …
I really liked this book. Lucy and Grayson are a fine pair of protagonists, and it's a delight to watch them dance around each other. The settings are appropriately cozy, and the supporting cast are wonderful. Yes, there are steamy sex scenes, and I definitely felt the heat.
Obviously, it's going to take an entire book to get our couple together and to have them stay that way. So there are the usual moments of self-sacrifice and leaping to conclusions. But Noon puts in the work to make sure that everyone's motivations for doing the things that they do ring true. It's a Romance, so a bit of contrivance is par for the course, but nothing feels forced. I admire the skill with which she sets up … hmmmm … let's call it Chekov's Ikea Project. That phrase seems like the best combination of literary allusion and spoiler-free hinting …
Lucy doesn't really need to be a witch. The whole book would still work with no supernatural elements whatsoever. Yes, some scenes would happen a little differently, but they could still happen. I don't think that's a problem or anything, just an interesting point. And you could argue that it just makes the Romance that much more special and cozy and magical.
This was a delightful book! I enjoyed it a great deal, and I recommend it highly!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
In summary, To Vex and to Hex is about a elderly bookstore owner who falls and breaks his hip and must go to the hospital. His long time employee Lucy misses him greatly and can't wait for him to come back to work. One day, his estranged grandson, Grayson, shows up at the bookstore trying to take things over in order to help Charles. Lucy and Grayson do *not* get along. Grayson wants Lucy out of the way so he can build a relationship with his grandfather, therefore he decides to 'vex' her into quitting. Lucy wants Grayson out of the picture because she is extremely protective of Charles, so she constantly 'hexes' Grayson, in order to get him to quit.
This book has so much going for it: magic, enemies/rivals to lovers, bookstore setting, emotional trauma! But it also has two major flaws: Lucy and Charles.
Lucy is such a petulant child, the *entire* book. She's mean. She tries to steal Grayson's property, she throws stuff at him, makes a baby throw up on him and laughs, she burns his clothes, belittles him in front of customers and constantly hexes him. She never once apologizes for her behavior.
Charles *sigh*, he makes zero attempts to actually get to know his grandson Grayson. Well, that's not true. He asks Grayson to go grocery shopping, in which G says he's already done it, and Charles just pouts. He never once initiates communication with G, and he never really sticks up for him.
Poor sweet Grayson, a rejected child who wants to desperately have a relationship with his last living family member. And as stated above, the other two make it extremely difficult for him.
There is quite a bit of spice, but the character lusting just seems so forced, and non-organic.
I really wanted to like this story more, but Lucy was really unlikeable and unrelatable
This book has so much going for it: magic, enemies/rivals to lovers, bookstore setting, emotional trauma! But it also has two major flaws: Lucy and Charles.
Lucy is such a petulant child, the *entire* book. She's mean. She tries to steal Grayson's property, she throws stuff at him, makes a baby throw up on him and laughs, she burns his clothes, belittles him in front of customers and constantly hexes him. She never once apologizes for her behavior.
Charles *sigh*, he makes zero attempts to actually get to know his grandson Grayson. Well, that's not true. He asks Grayson to go grocery shopping, in which G says he's already done it, and Charles just pouts. He never once initiates communication with G, and he never really sticks up for him.
Poor sweet Grayson, a rejected child who wants to desperately have a relationship with his last living family member. And as stated above, the other two make it extremely difficult for him.
There is quite a bit of spice, but the character lusting just seems so forced, and non-organic.
I really wanted to like this story more, but Lucy was really unlikeable and unrelatable
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book was quite adorable. I'm always a big fan of enemies to lovers and To Vex & To Hex fit the bill.
In this book, Lucy and Grayson fight over ownership of a quaint bookstore in an adorable small town. Lucy, a witch, users her powers to cause little annoyances for Grayson so he'll leave. And Grayson, a scholar, uses words.
The thing I loved most here was how they delved into the important impact books and reading can have on a person's life. Both Grayson and Lucy had moments where they felt invisible or unloved. But for both, they always had books to keep them safe, to provide sanctuary, and to make them feel seen. As a lifelong reader, I related to this in my very soul. Books are magic for those who need it and believe it. And Neena Noon did an incredible job illustrating the true happiness that comes with being a book lover. It felt like she captured all of the feelings I've had for reading in one novel: the excitement you get when starting something new, the relationships you build over discussing a great - or terrible - book, the magic that truly does happen when you read.
There were a few points that stuck with me in the opposite way. I am big on enemies to lovers but the beginning leaned a bit too hard into this trope. Lucy was so territorial, it made her seem childish and mean. Grayson's need for professionalism got old fast and made him seem so rigid and unlikeable. It was a bit exhausting. And while I am never one to turn down spice, the ending scene was a bit much. It felt shoehorned in, as if we were trying to meet a spicy scene quota.
All of that said, To Vex and To Hex is a super adorable read that would be absolutely perfect in the fall, when you want to curl up under a blanket with a cup of tea and a good book. I will definitely be recommending it!
In this book, Lucy and Grayson fight over ownership of a quaint bookstore in an adorable small town. Lucy, a witch, users her powers to cause little annoyances for Grayson so he'll leave. And Grayson, a scholar, uses words.
The thing I loved most here was how they delved into the important impact books and reading can have on a person's life. Both Grayson and Lucy had moments where they felt invisible or unloved. But for both, they always had books to keep them safe, to provide sanctuary, and to make them feel seen. As a lifelong reader, I related to this in my very soul. Books are magic for those who need it and believe it. And Neena Noon did an incredible job illustrating the true happiness that comes with being a book lover. It felt like she captured all of the feelings I've had for reading in one novel: the excitement you get when starting something new, the relationships you build over discussing a great - or terrible - book, the magic that truly does happen when you read.
There were a few points that stuck with me in the opposite way. I am big on enemies to lovers but the beginning leaned a bit too hard into this trope. Lucy was so territorial, it made her seem childish and mean. Grayson's need for professionalism got old fast and made him seem so rigid and unlikeable. It was a bit exhausting. And while I am never one to turn down spice, the ending scene was a bit much. It felt shoehorned in, as if we were trying to meet a spicy scene quota.
All of that said, To Vex and To Hex is a super adorable read that would be absolutely perfect in the fall, when you want to curl up under a blanket with a cup of tea and a good book. I will definitely be recommending it!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Overall, the book was cute. It gave me the fun hijinks of colleagues who hate each other but catch feelings along the way. I particularly loved how Noon developed these layered and complex characters. Lucy and Grayson are truly a study in opposites, but the nuance with which they are written also shows them as three-dimensional, complex people.
The setting was also so fun because who doesn't love a bookstore? The imagery that Noon was able to create is perfectly highlighted in her description of the book that Lucy creates.
Where the book really fell apart for me was in the final quarter. No one enjoys a third act break up, but the level of miscommunication in this book and the level of pain (...and resentment?) Grayson was carrying around truly felt like it came out of nowhere. It was an emotional gut punch that didn't quite land because it was confusing to me and also made all of the funny elements of Lucy and Grayson's meet-cute seem irrelevant.
I was also a bit confused as to why this book included magic at all. It was fun, but I don't feel that it added anything to the overall narrative. I also felt that Noon was working on developing a tension between Lucy's use of magic and some long-standing prejudice that Grayson may have had against witches that never really materialized.
This book was fun. I would recommend it if you like fun, witchy vibes where the characters fall in love in a bookstore. Think You've Got Mail, but with magic. Noon's writing style is captivating and makes you feel you are watching a movie rather than reading with her imagery. Although the ending is not what I would have hoped for, it was still an HEA that warmed the heart.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
CONTENT WARNINGS
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Abandonment
The setting was also so fun because who doesn't love a bookstore? The imagery that Noon was able to create is perfectly highlighted in her description of the book that Lucy creates.
Where the book really fell apart for me was in the final quarter. No one enjoys a third act break up, but the level of miscommunication in this book and the level of pain (...and resentment?) Grayson was carrying around truly felt like it came out of nowhere. It was an emotional gut punch that didn't quite land because it was confusing to me and also made all of the funny elements of Lucy and Grayson's meet-cute seem irrelevant.
I was also a bit confused as to why this book included magic at all. It was fun, but I don't feel that it added anything to the overall narrative. I also felt that Noon was working on developing a tension between Lucy's use of magic and some long-standing prejudice that Grayson may have had against witches that never really materialized.
This book was fun. I would recommend it if you like fun, witchy vibes where the characters fall in love in a bookstore. Think You've Got Mail, but with magic. Noon's writing style is captivating and makes you feel you are watching a movie rather than reading with her imagery. Although the ending is not what I would have hoped for, it was still an HEA that warmed the heart.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
CONTENT WARNINGS
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Abandonment
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
To Vex & To Hex is a cozy, charming, and delightfully spicy romance that completely delivered on the magical bookstore vibes. Between the witchy chaos, enemies-to-lovers tension, and lovable found family dynamics, this book felt like curling up with a warm drink on a rainy afternoon.
Lucy was such an easy character to root for. Her fierce loyalty to Charles and Crawley Books made her both lovable and frustrating in the best way. She cares deeply, even when that care comes out as stubbornness and hexes. Grayson was the perfect match for her. Beneath his prickly attitude and aggravating behavior was someone genuinely trying to reconnect with his grandfather and figure out where he belongs. Their banter was sharp, funny, and full of chemistry from the very beginning.
The magical bookstore setting absolutely stole my heart. The cozy atmosphere paired beautifully with the emotional themes of grief, belonging, and found family. I especially loved the way magic was tied to books and emotion throughout the story. It gave the romance an extra layer of warmth and whimsy while still allowing space for some genuinely emotional moments.
The romance itself balanced sweetness and spice really well. The tension between Lucy and Grayson built naturally, and once they finally stopped fighting their feelings, the payoff was worth it. While some plot beats felt a little predictable, the charm of the characters and setting made that easy to forgive.
If you love cozy fantasy romances with magical bookstores, grumpy-sunshine energy, playful banter, and plenty of heart, this one is definitely worth picking up.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance review copy. All opinions are my own.
Lucy was such an easy character to root for. Her fierce loyalty to Charles and Crawley Books made her both lovable and frustrating in the best way. She cares deeply, even when that care comes out as stubbornness and hexes. Grayson was the perfect match for her. Beneath his prickly attitude and aggravating behavior was someone genuinely trying to reconnect with his grandfather and figure out where he belongs. Their banter was sharp, funny, and full of chemistry from the very beginning.
The magical bookstore setting absolutely stole my heart. The cozy atmosphere paired beautifully with the emotional themes of grief, belonging, and found family. I especially loved the way magic was tied to books and emotion throughout the story. It gave the romance an extra layer of warmth and whimsy while still allowing space for some genuinely emotional moments.
The romance itself balanced sweetness and spice really well. The tension between Lucy and Grayson built naturally, and once they finally stopped fighting their feelings, the payoff was worth it. While some plot beats felt a little predictable, the charm of the characters and setting made that easy to forgive.
If you love cozy fantasy romances with magical bookstores, grumpy-sunshine energy, playful banter, and plenty of heart, this one is definitely worth picking up.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance review copy. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If you're looking for a cozy witchy read with found family and sizzling romance, this is it! Vex and to Hex by Neena Noon is a delightful blend of magic, mischief, and heart. The story follows Grayson and Lucy, a witch and a professor who seem determined to annoy the heck out of each other—until all that bickering turns into something much more. With a co-workers-to-lovers plot, plenty of forced proximity, and a small town setting bursting with charm, this book checked so many of my favorite boxes.
Neena Noon did an exceptional job with the banter between Grayson and Lucy, perfectly capturing the hot-and-cold dynamic that makes enemies-to-lovers stories so much fun. The chemistry is off the charts, and the supporting characters bring all the found family vibes you could want. I especially loved the blend of grumpy x sunshine energy and the way Neena plays into those classic romance tropes.
As for tropes, you can expect:
-witches
-multicultural representation
-coworkers to lovers
-enemies to lovers
-found family
-family dynamics
-forced proximity
-small town romance
-grumpy x sunshine
What took me aback a little bit was Lucy's behavior in the second half of the book, which led to the fallout with Grayson. I really didn’t like the immaturity and lack of understanding—something that seemed to be an on-again, off-again issue with her throughout the story. I would have loved to see her and Grayson actually talk through the misunderstanding for a bit more of a redemption arc, instead of falling into old patterns and playing the victim. It also comes off as mild narcissism.
Still, this was a thoroughly charming, magical romance that made me smile, swoon, and root for the characters. I can’t wait to read more from Neena Noon!
Neena Noon did an exceptional job with the banter between Grayson and Lucy, perfectly capturing the hot-and-cold dynamic that makes enemies-to-lovers stories so much fun. The chemistry is off the charts, and the supporting characters bring all the found family vibes you could want. I especially loved the blend of grumpy x sunshine energy and the way Neena plays into those classic romance tropes.
As for tropes, you can expect:
-witches
-multicultural representation
-coworkers to lovers
-enemies to lovers
-found family
-family dynamics
-forced proximity
-small town romance
-grumpy x sunshine
What took me aback a little bit was Lucy's behavior in the second half of the book, which led to the fallout with Grayson. I really didn’t like the immaturity and lack of understanding—something that seemed to be an on-again, off-again issue with her throughout the story. I would have loved to see her and Grayson actually talk through the misunderstanding for a bit more of a redemption arc, instead of falling into old patterns and playing the victim. It also comes off as mild narcissism.
Still, this was a thoroughly charming, magical romance that made me smile, swoon, and root for the characters. I can’t wait to read more from Neena Noon!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I really did not know what to think of this book at first. It started as a cute and cozy enemies to lovers romance and it took a lot of turns I wasn't expecting and didn't enjoy. I think the spice scenes were gratuitous even for a high spice book and I would have preferred to see some more soft moments between Lucy and Grayson without immediately going to a sexual place. The scenes took me out of the world each time.
In my opinion the ending was rushed and didn't offer any satisfaction. The pacing of the book was very off and I think the final conflict could have come earlier to allow for a more natural resolution. The foreshadowing felt heavy handed and I was easily able to predict what would happen with Grayson at the end. The endings for the non-romantic relationships felt very forced and like the author was trying to tick boxes for how it should end without laying the groundwork to get us there.
I think there was so much more to explore and Neena Noon created a world that has a lot of potential. I think if some of the unnecessary smut was removed the book could have had a lot more depth.
I am giving this 3 stars because I really enjoyed the beginning of this book and think it could have been great if some different choices were made. I also recognize that a lot of the things I dislike about this book will appeal to other readers. I enjoyed the setting and found the description to be comforting and warm. The beginning of the book was also so interesting. I couldn't put it down and each page I turned I was excited to see what would happen next. There were so many cute tropes and I wanted to love the book for the great things it did offer.
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Neena Noon for an advanced ebook for review.
In my opinion the ending was rushed and didn't offer any satisfaction. The pacing of the book was very off and I think the final conflict could have come earlier to allow for a more natural resolution. The foreshadowing felt heavy handed and I was easily able to predict what would happen with Grayson at the end. The endings for the non-romantic relationships felt very forced and like the author was trying to tick boxes for how it should end without laying the groundwork to get us there.
I think there was so much more to explore and Neena Noon created a world that has a lot of potential. I think if some of the unnecessary smut was removed the book could have had a lot more depth.
I am giving this 3 stars because I really enjoyed the beginning of this book and think it could have been great if some different choices were made. I also recognize that a lot of the things I dislike about this book will appeal to other readers. I enjoyed the setting and found the description to be comforting and warm. The beginning of the book was also so interesting. I couldn't put it down and each page I turned I was excited to see what would happen next. There were so many cute tropes and I wanted to love the book for the great things it did offer.
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Neena Noon for an advanced ebook for review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If cozy chaos, witchy tension, and enemies-to-lovers energy had a baby, it would probably be To Vex and to Hex by Neena Noon. This book wraps sharp banter, magical disasters, and simmering chemistry into a story that feels equal parts comforting and delightfully chaotic.
The heart of the story is the push-and-pull between two characters who absolutely know how to get under each other’s skin. Their dynamic is packed with sarcastic tension, emotional walls, and the kind of magical mishaps that make every interaction feel like it could either end in a kiss or a curse. The romance builds slowly enough to make the payoff satisfying, but the pacing never drags because there’s always another hex, secret, or emotionally charged confrontation waiting around the corner.
What really stood out was the atmosphere. The magic feels whimsical without losing emotional depth, and the world has that cozy autumn energy that makes you want tea, candles, and a rainy afternoon. Beneath the humor and flirtation, the story also explores vulnerability, trust, and what happens when people use wit and anger as armor.
The side characters added so much personality, and the dialogue carried the entire book effortlessly. Some moments felt predictable in the best rom-com way, but the emotional beats still landed hard enough to keep me invested.
Overall, this was a charming, funny, magically messy romance with strong chemistry and cozy witchy vibes. Perfect for readers who love rivals-to-lovers tension, magical small-town energy, and characters who would rather hex each other than admit they’re falling in love.
The heart of the story is the push-and-pull between two characters who absolutely know how to get under each other’s skin. Their dynamic is packed with sarcastic tension, emotional walls, and the kind of magical mishaps that make every interaction feel like it could either end in a kiss or a curse. The romance builds slowly enough to make the payoff satisfying, but the pacing never drags because there’s always another hex, secret, or emotionally charged confrontation waiting around the corner.
What really stood out was the atmosphere. The magic feels whimsical without losing emotional depth, and the world has that cozy autumn energy that makes you want tea, candles, and a rainy afternoon. Beneath the humor and flirtation, the story also explores vulnerability, trust, and what happens when people use wit and anger as armor.
The side characters added so much personality, and the dialogue carried the entire book effortlessly. Some moments felt predictable in the best rom-com way, but the emotional beats still landed hard enough to keep me invested.
Overall, this was a charming, funny, magically messy romance with strong chemistry and cozy witchy vibes. Perfect for readers who love rivals-to-lovers tension, magical small-town energy, and characters who would rather hex each other than admit they’re falling in love.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received a copy via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
I give To Vex and To Hex 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 for a warm (and sometimes steamy) romance between two enjoyable characters that kept me reading even while I should have been doing other things.
I think this book hit just the right balance of the necessary problems that drive the plot of a romance forward without being TOO snippy or full of miscommunications in a way that is painful or that upsetting kind of second-hand-embarrassment. Both characters have their own flaws and histories that clash in ways that mean they're both saying things the other isn't hearing sometimes, but they also never say anything so hurtful or awful that it makes the romance seem impossible anymore.
I really loved Lucy and the bookshop and her relationship with Charles, and the conflict it puts her in with Grayson kept me locked in. Grayson is quiet and clearly feels things deeply but is afraid to really let anyone in, and Lucy is similar but with a different kind of face that she puts on, and I enjoyed the way these things bounced around and off of each other until finally settling in to the final shape of things.
I enjoyed the small town, though most the story really focused on the bookshop and the characters connected to it, but Lucy and Charles were both really tapped in to their small community, and that framed the story well.
I really enjoyed To Vex and to Hex, and would recommend it for anyone looking for a romance between some fellow book nerds, featuring some family feelings, complicated histories, and a bit of magic.
I give To Vex and To Hex 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 for a warm (and sometimes steamy) romance between two enjoyable characters that kept me reading even while I should have been doing other things.
I think this book hit just the right balance of the necessary problems that drive the plot of a romance forward without being TOO snippy or full of miscommunications in a way that is painful or that upsetting kind of second-hand-embarrassment. Both characters have their own flaws and histories that clash in ways that mean they're both saying things the other isn't hearing sometimes, but they also never say anything so hurtful or awful that it makes the romance seem impossible anymore.
I really loved Lucy and the bookshop and her relationship with Charles, and the conflict it puts her in with Grayson kept me locked in. Grayson is quiet and clearly feels things deeply but is afraid to really let anyone in, and Lucy is similar but with a different kind of face that she puts on, and I enjoyed the way these things bounced around and off of each other until finally settling in to the final shape of things.
I enjoyed the small town, though most the story really focused on the bookshop and the characters connected to it, but Lucy and Charles were both really tapped in to their small community, and that framed the story well.
I really enjoyed To Vex and to Hex, and would recommend it for anyone looking for a romance between some fellow book nerds, featuring some family feelings, complicated histories, and a bit of magic.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It is a whimsical, enchanting romance that brings a fresh twist to the world of magical rom-coms. At the heart of the story is Lucy Ansari, a witch whose specialty in book magic makes her a perfect guardian for Crawley Books, the charming store she calls home. When the beloved owner, Charles, is sidelined by an accident, Lucy finds herself at odds with his infuriatingly handsome grandson, Grayson, whose arrival from Ireland stirs up more than just trouble.
Author Neena Noon crafts a delightful enemies-to-lovers tale, filled with laugh-out-loud magical mishaps, witty banter, and a palpable chemistry that crackles between Lucy and Grayson. Their magical pranks—hexes and vexes alike—create both chaos and hilarity but also reveal the vulnerability and yearning beneath their bravado.
The book’s greatest strength is its blend of heartfelt emotion and cozy, magical atmosphere. Crawley Books itself becomes a character, its shelves brimming not only with enchanted tomes but also with the warmth of community and the promise of second chances. Lucy’s fierce loyalty and Grayson’s gradual softening make for a genuinely satisfying slow-burn romance, while the supporting cast adds charm and depth.
For readers who love witchy rom-coms with a bookish flair, “Hexes & Heartstrings” is a spellbinding treat. It’s a celebration of found family, the magic of books, and the messy, exhilarating journey of opening one’s heart. Highly recommended for fans of cozy fantasy, quirky romance, and stories where bookstores hold more than just stories between their covers.
Thank you, Neena Noon, NetGalley, and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC.
Author Neena Noon crafts a delightful enemies-to-lovers tale, filled with laugh-out-loud magical mishaps, witty banter, and a palpable chemistry that crackles between Lucy and Grayson. Their magical pranks—hexes and vexes alike—create both chaos and hilarity but also reveal the vulnerability and yearning beneath their bravado.
The book’s greatest strength is its blend of heartfelt emotion and cozy, magical atmosphere. Crawley Books itself becomes a character, its shelves brimming not only with enchanted tomes but also with the warmth of community and the promise of second chances. Lucy’s fierce loyalty and Grayson’s gradual softening make for a genuinely satisfying slow-burn romance, while the supporting cast adds charm and depth.
For readers who love witchy rom-coms with a bookish flair, “Hexes & Heartstrings” is a spellbinding treat. It’s a celebration of found family, the magic of books, and the messy, exhilarating journey of opening one’s heart. Highly recommended for fans of cozy fantasy, quirky romance, and stories where bookstores hold more than just stories between their covers.
Thank you, Neena Noon, NetGalley, and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC.
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