Don’t Hex the Handyman: A Cozy Witch Romantic Fantasy with Midlife Magic and Comedy

by Ivy Spellman

Cassie Morgan didn't ask for magic. She asked for a plumber.

At 47, Cassie's life is a series of things she didn't ask a divorce, a daughter who texts more than she calls, a job where she's invisible, and hot flashes that arrive like uninvited guests at the worst possible moments.

Then her great-aunt's spellbook shows up on her doorstep. And after one glass of wine, one badly pronounced spell, and one spectacular meltdown over a leaky sink, Cassie accidentally summons a grumpy Scottish handyman into her kitchen.

Shirtless. Soaking wet. And very, very annoyed.

Liam MacLeod can't leave.

Not the property. Not the driveway. Not even when Cassie's nosy neighbor catches him in her kitchen wearing her ex-husband's "World's Okayest Golfer" shirt. Some kind of magical binding has them stuck together—and neither of them is happy about it.

Well. Mostly not happy about it.

Things that are now Cassie's

A cat who suddenly has opinions (and won't shut up)A toaster that only speaks FrenchGarden gnomes that keep rearranging themselvesAn ex-husband whose Porsche may have accidentally turned pinkAnd a Scottish contractor who looks way too good fixing thingsCassie spent twenty years making herself small for a man who didn't deserve her. Now her magic is out, her house has developed a personality, and there's a grumpy Scot in her guest room who keeps saying she's "exactly enough."

She's not sure which is more terrifying—the magic or the possibility that he might be right.

Don't Hex the Handyman is the first book in the Hot Flashes & Hexes series—a cozy witch romantic fantasy with midlife magic and comedy for readers who like their romance spicy (but closed-door), their heroines over 40, and their happily-ever-afters earned.

For fans of The Ex Hex, Practical Magic, and anyone who's ever wished their hot flash came with superpowers.

232 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 16, 2026

Reviews

[Lilith's_Library_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don’t Hex the Handyman is a charming and delightfully quirky cozy witch romance that blends magic, humor, and heartwarming romance into a story that’s both entertaining and comforting. Ivy Spellman has crafted a narrative that feels approachable, full of personality, and infused with lighthearted magical mischief.

The book’s strongest feature is its humor and character chemistry. The interactions between the protagonist and the handyman are witty, playful, and genuinely enjoyable, balancing romantic tension with comedic timing. The magical elements are cleverly integrated into everyday life, adding charm without overwhelming the story.

Characters are relatable and endearing, particularly the heroine, whose midlife perspective adds a refreshing and realistic touch to the romance and magical hijinks. Supporting characters add depth and humor, rounding out a cozy and engaging cast.

The pacing is generally smooth, though a few sections linger on setup or exposition, slightly slowing momentum. Some plot developments are predictable, but the humor, romance, and cozy magical charm keep the story engaging throughout.

Overall, Don’t Hex the Handyman is a fun, magical, and heartwarming cozy romance with strong character chemistry and plenty of charm, earning it a solid four-star rating. Perfect for readers who enjoy magical comedy, lighthearted romance, and cozy fantasy vibes.

[Cher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review – Don’t Hex the Handyman

Don’t Hex the Handyman is an absolute delight from start to finish. The writing is sharp, confident, and wonderfully polished, with a fabulous sense of humour that feels effortless rather than forced. There were several paragraphs so genuinely funny that I had to reread them multiple times just to fully appreciate the laugh and the pure genius of the wording. The author has a real talent for comedic timing on the page, where a single turn of phrase can elevate an already amusing moment into something memorable.

At its heart, the story follows a supernatural setup grounded by very human (and very relatable) characters. Magic and the everyday collide in a way that feels natural, creating plenty of room for chaos, charm, and unexpected connections. The pacing is excellent, the dialogue sparkles, and the world feels fully realised without ever becoming heavy or over-explained.

What really stands out is how clever the humour is. It’s not just situational comedy, but language-driven wit—the kind that sneaks up on you, rewards careful reading, and makes you stop to enjoy how perfectly a line has been crafted. All of this is done while keeping the story engaging and accessible, drawing the reader along without giving anything away too soon.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Laure · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cassie Morgan is forty-seven and divorced, with a college age daughter, the hot flashes are kicking her butt, oh, and apparently, she is a witch. A mysterious package shows up on her doorstep containing her great aunt’s spellbook, and things start to get very interesting. A leaky sink and a, maybe, ok probably, mispronounced spell has Cassie looking at a very put out Scottish handyman who suddenly appears in her kitchen. Liam MacLeod feels like he has a very good reason to be grumpy, he just got out of the shower when he is summoned by a witch who obviously has no idea what she is doing. To top it all off, she has managed to magically bind them together, and he can’t leave.
I loved these hysterically funny characters with their quirky and very realistic emotional baggage which made it impossible to put this book down. This is a wonderfully entertaining closed door romantic comedy with a newly minted witch, an opinionated cat, a talking toaster who only speaks French, a house that develops its own personality, and a hard won happily ever after. I laughed until my sides hurt, so I gladly recommend this book to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary ARC provided by Book Sirens and the author.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a balm for my brain foggy, slightly sweaty and definitely overwhelmed soul. Wonderfully funny without loosing any of the poignance of two adults who have been hurt before falling for each other and being brave enough to give it a go.

Cassie was an amazing character; divorced, 40 something mum to a college age daughter, side-lined at work and mildly terrorised by her HOA neighbour. Then she comes into her magic.

The idea of getting to middle age, trying to navigate peri-menopause only to find magic adding to the chaos was a horribly twist of fate, but a hysterical plot device! From the sentient spell book following Cassie around her house fluttering it's pages at her, the magnificently pass remarkable cat, Cassie's proclivity towards igniting small fires to the colour changing walls broadcasting Cassie's sexual attraction to Luke there was lots of giggling and laughing along with this.

Short, snappy and sweet. Cannot wait for book 2 in the Hot Flashes & Hexes series.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A super cute and quick read. Just what I needed! This was an excellent palette cleanser.

I really enjoyed all the different magical elements that came together to give this story some extra pizazz. The dialogue was fun, witty, and at times philosophical!

There were some redundancies that popped up several times throughout the story which is just a personal pet peeve of mine. I also found Diane’s personality to be a bit offensive in the way that I was almost retreating away from the book as I was reading her dialogue. It felt a too over the top, but I understand that’s just how the author wanted to portray her. I am curious to read her book and see if it settles out a bit into a character I can learn to enjoy!

Definitely recommend 👍🏻

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Stacy71 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cassie Morgan is a divorcee who gains magic unexpectedly in her 40’s. The adjustment isn’t easy and she struggles to make her magic work the way she wants. A simple fix-it spell goes awry and a hot, grumpy Scottish handyman appears in her kitchen. Liam MacLeod cannot leave. He’s tethered to Cassie and she needs to quickly learn how to use her magic to fix this. Cassie’s magic has also given household items the ability to speak – including her opinionated cat.

This is a cozy, magical rom-com. There is a good mix of humor and romance. The inevitable romance between Cassie and Liam feels realistic. I would recommend this book if you are looking for a fun, witchy read.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Reda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I believe this is the debut novel from Ivy Spellman, and as far as maiden voyages go, this was a fun one. I love that her story centers on a 40-something woman navigating big changes (and finding big love), and I appreciated this wasn't the typical grumpy/sunshine trope; really more like two different kinds of grumpy that seemed to work well together. Also great lessons about found family and finding yourself (again) at any age.

The book clearly tees up a sequel, and I'll definitely be reading that one, too!

Many thanks to BookSirens for an ARC in exchange for my honest assessment of this work.

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book needs to come with a warning: do not read in public places since once you start reading it -espcialy the first few pages you will be laughing out loud. Cassie considers herself pretty much an ordinary person with a blah job and even blander life where she allows herself to be walked on. Imagine when a breaking point is reached due to a leaky pipe and suddenly the toaster is speaking to her in french, the garden gnomes are roaming around in the yard and a gorgeous hunk of a Scotsman is in her kitchen dripping water all over the floor! (And don't forget the music the house provides as well as the color changes in the wall). Really funny book with great characters.

[Michelle_reads13 · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Don’t Hex the Handyman by Ivy Spellman is a cozy witch romantic fantasy and was an absolute blast to read.
Hilarious, chaotic, and wildly entertaining from start to finish, this book had me laughing out loud more than once.
The banter is top-tier, the energy is unhinged in the best way and the story never takes itself too seriously.
Pure fun, zero boredom highly recommend if you’re in the mood for something fun, playful and chaotic.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet cozy off page romance about a woman overcoming an emotionally abusive ex-husband all the while dealing with menopausal hot flashes that suddenly become tied to her magical awaking as a witch along with accidentally summoning and binding a Scottish handyman. This book is equal parts emotional rollercoaster and humor as the FMC learns to get a handle on her magic while also learning how to dealing with her emotions and feelings that she's stuffed down for decades. Following along as she overcomes her fears of letting go and learning to love again will leave you smiling.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Lisa-Ann Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this in an afternoon, loved it!

This was a fun, somewhat over the top book that with great humor, a bit of sarcasm, a dash of philosophy and a lot of heart was so much more than the mid-40s divorced self-doubting FMC who suddenly discovers she's a witch, grumpy/sunshine romance, zany best friend, and sarcastic talking cat tropes. Passages had me laughing out loud, and the two main characters had me cheering them on to their happy ending.

I received an advance review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Suzanne McNeill Taviner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book, a great story about believing and trusting in yourself.
I loved how calm and level-headed Liam was and that he loved Cassie despite her chaos!
Looking forward to reading Diane's story next.

[BeBop19 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cassie and Liam were funny and unpredictable. The story spun was cute and different. It was a nice twist that the author gave to a almost predictable tale. It turned out to be as different as day is to night

[Mrs T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written, combining humour, self doubt, a thoroughbred Scottish handyman, witchcraft and the menopause!

Wonderfully descriptive and also, believe it or not, relatable. I absolutely loved this book.

All the supporting characters deserve their own story too.

[JoAn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a terrific read for an afternoon. A typical paranormal women's fiction trope but with a new twist. The magical influence on the house created some very funny moments. I'm looking forward to the next one in the series.

[Rebecca Eddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book, a must read if you like magic, sexy Scottish guy and a love story.

[tre.wandereads · Rating 4 out of 5]

i loved reading it. in this otherwise mundane existence, it's a very funny reprieve. i love the banter, the circumstance and the flow. a really quick and entertaining read!

[Michelle Houghton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The laugh out loud funny dialogue, and toe curling romance had me turning pages wanting more. Ivy Spellman paints an adorably chaotic, new to magic, menopausal female lead that most women will be able to relate to and want to be BFFs with. What a wonderfully light, humorous, romantic read. I will be looking for more from the author.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.