Disenchanted

Rewitched #3

by Lucy Jane Wood

Sage Hemlock has no interest in embracing her witchy side. Magic has betrayed her before, bringing nothing but heartache, and she will not let something so foolish happen again.

Instead, Sage has thrown herself into her work and studies, running the local museum and largely preferring the company of her library and her cat to other humans. Her one goal is to fly under the coven's radar so that she can finally shed her blasted powers forever.

But when a strange historical book accidentally triggers a curse, Sage's quiet, small-town life is suddenly overrun and magic is running rife. A beanstalk grows in her garden, and her friend and co-worker Casimir starts to look an awful lot like a handsome prince. Fairytales are coming true . . .

Now, with the threat of the coven on her tail, Sage must confront the magic she’s always denied to solve the mysteries of the book and save everyone she’s come to love from being lost to a fairy tale forever. The question is, can she finally learn to be her own happily ever after?


Everyone is falling under Lucy Jane Wood's spell . . .

‘Beautifully crafted, sparkling with autumn magic’ Beth O’Leary

'Pure, cosy joy' Sangu Mandanna

‘Full of characters you'll cheer for’ Sarah Beth Durst

‘A book to be savored while curled up with a hot beverage and a sweet treat’ Jenna Levine

‘The novel equivalent of Gilmore Girls . . . Just add a spiced latte’ Stylist

'The book to read to get into the cosy mood just in time for autumn' Mirror

‘A warm and witchy delight’ Julie Leong

‘A mug-of-hot-chocolate in book form’ Libby Page

‘The perfect cosy fantasy novel!’ Beth Reekles

Genres: Fantasy, Cozy Fantasy, Romance, Cozy, Witches, Autumn, Fiction

416 pages, Hardcover

First published September 8, 2026

About the author

I found myself falling into the world of writing almost by accident. My blogging friends at university were applying for swanky magazine internships, and I decided I should probably do something useful like that for myself. It was an obvious decision that almost made itself on my behalf, because writing is just who I am, and reading has always just been what I do.

Since happily stumbling my way into my first paid writing position for teen website Sugarscape back in 2013, I've been lucky and thrilled to find myself working freelance for giant titles like Marie Claire US, Cosmopolitan UK, MTV and Metro amongst others.

I am currently attempting to write my first fiction book. Wish me luck! I'm going slowly insane with it, and I am reassuringly told that's a good sign.

Reviews

[Katie.the.reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

LUCY IM READY ✨🎀

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up because I had a great time with this book!

This being said, I feel like I should start with the potential surprise regarding this book. Despite it being a cozy fantasy, with witches and magic, the plot line is a lot more about self-acceptance and self-love, than it is about romance. And it does feel a little dragging but it’s all part of the process.

This is one of the slowest burns I’ve ever read about, because the romance felt slightly as an afterthought, which worked perfectly for me. However, I don’t think it’ll work for someone wishing to read a cozy fantasy with clearly developing romance.

Now to the point where I speak about how much I love the book! We have Sage, our smart reluctant witch that is a control freak, grieving and almost hating her magic, because she doesn’t want to have anything to do with it. Sage is the definition of someone being a little too smart, realistic, and pessimistic all at once. Her stubbornness until the end, is the reason, it might make some readers feel like it drags. But considering her ideals, thoughts and fears, adding the fact that she always thinks she’s right, it makes sense for her to be that stubborn and I like how after everything, she started seeing what everyone has been telling her. And in the end, she is loved. Very much so, if you ask me.

Casimir, the love interest, is her most supportive best friend through it all. He is there for her, supports her, and truth to be told I appreciated him a lot as the best friend, who clearly is fond of Sage, but he accepts her fully with all her quirks and stubbornness, and even her magic.

Their dynamic was so refreshing, because we could see the strong fondness and yearning, including the unspoken love between them, but they were friends first while dealing with everything before they finally took a deep breath in once everything was over, and became something more. Although, if you ask me they have already been something more anyways, they had just never spoken about it.

I really enjoyed this book a lot! And i strongly believe this one will be the perfect autumn read with a warm drink.

Thank you so much Pan Macmillan for inviting me to read this one in advance! You made my day better then, and this book made my August a good one as well!

[Eileen Cassells · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the perfect, most whimsical, autumn book that I promise you will need to read.

I have really enjoyed all of these books so far but the fairytale theme in this one tips it over the edge as my favourite.

I really don’t want to give too much away but it was such a fun and eventful book to read.

Sage and Casimir have worked to research witchy beings and magic alongside each other ther for a number of years. Casimir gets on her nerves more often than not but essentially his presence provides her with such comfort and is her best friend.

The truth behind Sage wanting to rid herself of her magic and free herself from the burden she believes it places on her was really sad. As the book progresses we unravel more about her character, her past and start to learn that perhaps her magic might not be the problem she thinks it is.

Honestly loved all the characters in this, Casimir needs to just be protected at all costs and Mal made me laugh so much 😂 I’m fond of responsive familiars within these books and so you are in for a treat with him.

I enjoyed how the pace of the book picked up towards the end and even though fairytales typically are fun throughout, this has a different spin on it that I really enjoyed. The story development was fabulous and I loved the growth of Sage’s personal journey as the book progressed! Definitely a book you need in your shelves this autumn or in the build up to Halloween.

[BookishKB]

🪄 Disenchanted 🪄

📖 Bookish Thoughts

A full review will be shared closer to the publication date.

✨ What to Expect
• Cozy Fantasy
• Reluctant Witch
• Small Town
• Fairy Tale Magic
• Magical Curse
• Black Cat Energy
_ _ _ _

📅 Pub Date: September 8, 2026
Thank you to Ace, Berkley Publishing Group, and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

[Niccy E · Rating 4 out of 5]

What better way to start off the cosy season than by starting my ARC of Disenchanted 🍁🍂✨

I really do adore these books and they always bring the magic, fun and whimsy.

This story had its usual magic and whimsy with the feel of Sabrina the Teenage Witch mixed X Once Upon A Time x Shrek and I am 100% the target audience for this 🧙🏻‍♀️🪄

Lucy knows how to write compelling characters, stories and even included some dark twists in this book.

Thank you Lucy Jane Wood, Pan MacMillan and Negalley for the early copy of this book and helping me start my cosy season right 🍁🍂✨

[Maria P · Rating 4 out of 5]

° ˖✧ 𝓣𝓛;𝓓𝓡 ✧˖°
A charming Cosy Fantasy perfect for readers looking for a slower paced exploration of fairytales in real life, a heartwarming friendship that gently becomes something more, and a relatable message of self-acceptance and forgiveness.

° ˖✧ 𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼 ✧˖°
3.75 ⭐
0 🌶️

° ˖✧ 𝓠𝓾𝓸𝓽𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
Fairy tales remind us that transformation and change are inevitable.

Time would pass regardless, whether wonder was permitted among it or not.

Her sister was a walking wish, her brother an abundance of trust and her best friend, with all of his charm, was the jammiest fool she had ever encountered.

"It was the witch I wanted. But not because she's the villain; she was never the villain. But she was always mine."

° ˖✧ 𝓢𝔂𝓷𝓸𝓹𝓼𝓲𝓼 𝓢𝓾𝓶𝓶𝓪𝓻𝔂 ✧˖°
When grumpy librarian Sage discovers a curse in an old book, she must confront the magic she’s always denied. But when fairytales start to escape the pages, can she resist her princely coworker Casimir and save their small town?

° ˖✧ 𝓣𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
🏢 Workplace Romance
💘 Friends to Lovers
❤️‍🔥 Slow Burn
👑 Fairytale comes to Life
✨ Bookish Curse
🫶 Found Family
🏘️ Small Town

° ˖✧ 𝓣𝓻𝓲𝓰𝓰𝓮𝓻 𝓦𝓪𝓻𝓷𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼 ✧˖°
🪦 Parental Grief

° ˖✧ 𝓛𝓲𝓴𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
+ Sassy FMC
+ Friendly Banter
+ MCs Opposing Dynamics
+ Interesting Side Characters
+ Promising Concept
+ Self-Acceptance and Growth

° ˖✧ 𝓓𝓲𝓼𝓵𝓲𝓴𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
- MMC was sometimes inconsistent
- Very Slow Pacing
- Emotional Disconnect
- Romance lacked Tension
- Abrupt Ending

° ˖✧ 𝓜𝔂 𝓣𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼 ✧˖°
Unfortunately, this book came at a point in my life where I just had too much going on to really appreciate it. So even while some things disappointed me, I've erred on the side of rating a little higher because I do think that a different Me might've enjoyed it more (but life got in the way!).

I really enjoyed Sage's overall sass as a character. Her internal voice was generally quite funny and it quickly got me interested in the story. I also really enjoyed her banter with Cas in front of her tour group - though I think it gave me a different impression of their relationship than intended.

Cas appears more like a rival coworker than a best friend of many years, and so I found it quite jarring when they began to treat each other with more kindness and trust than in the first couple chapters. That being said, I do think he was a good opposite for Sage. She's broody and a grump, whereas he's more charming and personable. They bring out good parts of each other.

The story is VERY slow. Granted it's a cosy book, but it felt like it meandered a lot before getting into the meat of the plot. Even once the spell had been triggered there was a lot of indulgence exploring every possible part of the village and it's characters before moving on. It was only at the very end that the pact picked up pretty drastically.

I did quite like the characters, besides Sage and Cas, there was also Sage's siblings, and the ghost and cat she lives with among various other townsfolk. They all felt unique and interesting, but again I really struggled to connect with any of them. Certain scenes do take a more sinister turn than expected but other than overall eeriness, I didn't feel anything for the characters effected themselves.

Even the main characters had this affliction, because their romance is practically non-existent until the very end. While I do enjoy a slow burn, I need there to be romantic tension too and that just wasn't the case here. Sage finds Cas attractive, but he's conventionally attractive anyway and catches the eye of lots of women. Cas never once crosses a line with her, staying firmly as her friend. It's only when he starts to lose himself that he speaks more freely but Sage believes it's an effect of the spell - it's maddening!

Which is a shame because this book has so much promise for me. The concept is an intriguing twist on other book-come-to-life tropes, and I appreciate the author's prose. I think I just had slightly different expectations, and when they weren't met in combination with my Life Stuff I just felt really burnt out with the story.

Thank you to Lucy Jane Wood and Pan Macmillan for the opportunity to receive an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Beth England · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sage has spent years building up an exhibition for all things magic in the town of Port Sylvan. Despite her academic love for the topic, she’s spent her whole life suppressing her own magic and wants to nothing more than to get rid of it. When the lost grimoire of Lilara Mournfell mysteriously ends up at her doorstep, she thinks this may be the key to getting rid of her magic for good. Instead, she casts an incantation that results in magic popping up everywhere in her town.

Sage is an interesting character. She blames herself and her magic for the tragedies she has experienced in life, and has a fairly negative outlook on life. She’s not a character that I instantly warmed to, which was different to my other experiences with cosy fantasies. That being said, the more the book progressed the more I understood her. She’s the typical older sister type, carrying a lot of responsibility at all times.

Casimir was a brilliant side character. I found him so entertaining at times, and he was great alongside Sage. If you’re expecting romance a key focal plot then this won’t be for you. Whilst there is a romance subplot, it’s subtle, and the focus is mainly on Sage and her journey of self acceptance.

I instantly adore a cosy fantasy with a familiar and this was no exception. Mal was a great familiar and the talking moments were so so good. I also loved Maggie, and loved that she played a key role in this book.

Lucy does such a beautiful job of creating immersive cosy fantasy reads. This book is beautifully descriptive and the fairy tale theme just added to that even more. The fairy tales were cleverly woven into the plot as the spell played out and it added a unique twist to this book.

I am so grateful to have received a proof for this book, and all views are my own.

[☕️Kimberly (Caffeinated Reviewer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have enjoyed this series.

Disenchanted is the perfect autumn cozy with a little mystery, self-discovery, and magic. The romance in this one is served solidly on the side as a deliciously cute and loyal slow-burn.

Sage Hemlock is working on an exhibit about magic and the town of Port Sylvan when she isn’t giving magical historical tours. Sage may possess magic, but a tragic event in her past makes her avoid it. All magic comes with a cost, or goes sideways for her. Because of this, she keeps her head down and focuses on things she can trust, like books, history, and family.

Sage’s best friend from college and co-worker, Casimi, knows all about her magic, the tragedy, and Sage’s struggles. To anyone around them, it’s obvious Casimi has it bad. When a strange package is delivered containing a grimoire, Casimi, her family, and ghostly cook will all be there for her.

I got caught up in this one as the town transformed and Sage found herself. We learn more about the witch Lilara Mournfell and about Sage’s own tragic past as the story unfolds. The romantic development felt genuine and left me grinning.

From familiars to beanstalks, Disenchanted delivered a well-paced cozy fantasy filled with magic, character growth, family, and heart.

This review originally published at Caffeinated Reviewer

[Nicola Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 1 in this series: a winner. Book 2 in this series: a winner. Book 3 in this series (this one): you guessed it, a winner.

I slip into these books so easily and each one brings its own special element. Sage is in rebuttal against her magic and she is eager for it to not only be strictly controlled, but she wants it gone. She hates the unpredictability and lives in fear of loosing control and causing harm. She’s determined and an easy character to get behind.

That and with the romance element with Cal, I was well invested and loved the magical fairytale spin running throughout.

Fantasy, magic and romance. All of my favourites wrapped up in a cosy little book.

Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.

[Chantelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun, cute autumnal read! 🍂✨ I absolutely loved the cosy small-town setting, the quirky magical elements and the fairytale vibes woven throughout the story.

Sage was such a fun character to follow, especially as she was forced to confront the magic she’d spent so long trying to avoid. I loved the mix of mystery, magic, friendship and a little bit of romance, and Casimir was definitely a highlight! 🥰

This was the perfect light-hearted, cosy read for autumn and gave me all the warm, magical vibes. A really fun story that was easy to get lost in! 🍁✨

[Michelle Rujudawa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the Arc!

I love a cozy Fantasy and the one didn’t disappoint.. I’m really enjoying this series! Another lovely cozy read from Lucy Jane Wood. I enjoyed this one from start to finish and can’t wait to read more. 4⭐️

[Abbie Hawkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

I really enjoyed this one! When I first picked up one of Lucy’s books I was new to the genre. But this time I knew to expect cosy, fairly low stakes, whimsical magic… and plenty of good cat action!

This book was based around fairytales, and it certainly read as one. Let yourself enjoy the simple magic and it’s a lovely escapist read! And I actually thought the romance in this was her best yet- subtle but buyable.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publishing team, and LJW for this advanced copy in return for an honest review.

[Christine Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was the perfect cozy fantasy witchy fairytale!

[Dotti · Rating 1 out of 5]

Rating: 1.5 stars ⭐️

Disenchanted is a witchy romance about Sage, a young academic who wants her magic to disappear. When Sage unleashes a fairy-tale spell over her town by mistake, she and her friends must try to untangle the curse and break the spell.

I love a cozy book. I love whimsy. I love witchy romances and books about people who love books and spooky old towns. I was so excited for this book, as the premise seemed interesting, with the promise of real character development and a fun romance along the way. Unfortunately, my expectations were not met.

The one thing that was done well was the fairy tale spell. The elements to the spell were clever and the integration into the plot was very fun. I appreciated both the whimsical and sinister elements, which go hand in hand in a classic fairy tale. Between the beanstalk, the gingerbread house, the sleeping princess, the enchanted forest, and the talking cat (and more!!), the story really leaned into the classic fairy tale elements, and it worked for me.

The main character from this story is a deeply negative person. If the glass could be half empty or half full, Sage would see flaws in the glasswork and decide all the water should be thrown out. Her approach to almost everything is clouded by her pessimism. Even in moments that she allows herself to indulge in the whimsy around her, she is haunted by her own negative thoughts. I couldn’t understand what the love interest saw in her, or why I as a reader should root for her. The romance itself felt underdeveloped, and I kept wishing for a point-of-view chapter from our love interest so I could see some kind of chemistry brewing between the two.

There’s also a strange contradiction that was never addressed or explained. Our main character is deeply afraid of her magic, noticing that it gets stronger leading up to Halloween and explodes in a variety of ways. She laments her magic as a whole, but especially her inability to control it. Yet, she starts our story telling the audience that she is avoiding the local witch coven. She has no good reason for avoiding them; the worst they could do to her is take her magic away, which is all she wants. She has no contact with other witches to warn her about any nefarious or predatory deeds, and she has no context about the coven’s motives or actions. We’re never given a good explanation why she would hide herself, and the problem facing her town, when all she wants is to suppress her magic and keep her family and friends safe. If the author had explained this motivation at any time, it might have made more sense, but from what I could tell, she avoided the coven because they’re magical and she doesn’t want to be? It was nonsensical, especially from a character who wants nothing more than to research and understand the history of magic.

I considered stopping this book at the 60% mark. Our main character was, throughout the story, defined by her over-responsibility, her academic pursuits and her rational mind. In the second act, our character behaves in ways that go against that characterization entirely. In what can only be described as a mental breakdown, our character goes against everything that she stood for and acted recklessly. The act itself has political implications that made me feel deeply uncomfortable, without any real acknowledgement from the character that her actions were obscene. I genuinely don’t understand what, in her addled state, she believed that the act would do; it seemed both reckless and senseless, destruction simply for the act of aggression. For the rest of the story, I was haunted by her choices. I pushed through, and the book ended in a better place, but I couldn’t get over our character’s actions.

I wanted so badly to enjoy this book. It had so many elements that I love, and the fairy tale spell felt whimsical and fun. But the main character was overly negative, the romance was lackluster, and the plot contained too many unclear elements for me to enjoy the book.

Thank you to Lucy Jane Wood, Berkley and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group/Ace and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this title to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
I've really enjoyed the previous books in this series. Each has been unique and fun with a hint of overlap in characters and themes. This one was more out of the ball park. Very separate from the others until the very end when it's all tied together. I have to admit, it started out slow for me. I wasn't sure where it was going or if I would like it, and that upset me a bit. But then suddenly at about the 25% mark it took off and I didn't want to put it down.
Sage Hemlock wants nothing to do with her magic ever since her parents died. She believes it was her magic's fault and she would do anything to be rid of it. In the mean time, she runs a small witch museum in her small home town with her enemy turned best friend, Casimir. She has always been obsessed with Lilimar, the witch who rid herself of magic believing it was a curse. When she falls upon Lilimar's grimoire, suddenly the town begins to morph and change before her eyes, living out fairytales long since told to children and adults alike. But when the fairytale magic begins to take away the town she knows, she needs to find a way to get it back and rid herself of magic for good.
Sage was a great character. You could feel her heartache as she tries so hard not to use her magic. Her life is very emotional. But while she struggles to see her magic as anything good, others see it for the potential it has. She's kept herself under the radar, far away from where the coven might be able to find her. She loves her family and would do anything to keep her brother and sister safe. I really wanted to give Sage a little shove throughout this book. She couldn't truly see the forest for the trees. No matter how many times people told her the death of her parents was not her fault (though you could eventually see why she thought this), she would not listen. She held tight to keeping herself locked in a box, not allowing anyone in, not allowing herself to be happy.
Casimere is a fun character. I loved his interactions with Sage. Right away you could tell they had some chemistry, even as best friends. Their banter was really fun. And I loved his character in the fairytale story.
The side characters were, as usual with Wood, fantastic. They all leant so much to the story. The house witch Maggie, who plays so much of a bigger role towards the end of the book that I was not expecting. Sages brother, Rob, and her sister, Laurel, who love Sage with all their hearts and just want her to be happy. And Mal, Sage's familiar (definitely one of my most favorite characters in this story).Plus all the side town folk who run the stores or have interactions with Sage throughout the book. Every character was unique and well developed.
The story line was probably my favorite of all the books so far. I loved the hints of all the fairytales I grew up loving. I also appreciated Wood diving into the darker parts of these stories and demonstrating the moral dilemmas the characters of those stories face and what lessons the reader was taught.
I also appreciated to overall theme of self-acceptance. While there is some romance in this story, it really is about seeing who you are and seeing how your life has shaped you. While this is slated as a cozy fantasy, the romance definitely is a slow burn that takes a back seat to Sage figuring out who she is to herself and to her being able to share that with others.
I see potential for future books as Wood really pulled this story together with the others at the end. This series is perfect for anyone looking to read some coziness during the fall/Halloween/witchy season!

[Becca ♡ PrettyLittleMemoirs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been a fan of Lucy’s cosy, witchy books since Rewitched, and I happily tuck into the pages every autumn. This year, I had the chance to read Disenchanted early, and it was such a pleasure to learn all about Sage as summer slowly comes to an end. In the third Rewitched book, Sage Hemlock is a witch who would rather not be one. After her magic wronged her when she was younger, it’s been more of a nuisance than a helper. She does everything in her power to keep it away, smothering it’s every chance at coming through—she’s an eldest daughter, too, and I feel this adds to how she handles this pressure. Living in a historical, magical-history-rich town means Sage is never far from the very thing she’s pushed aside. She even has a live-in ghost, Maggie, and of course a witchy tale wouldn’t be the same without a familiar, Mal, the cat. Whilst working at the town’s museum, Sage with her confidant and friend, Casimir, tries her best to keep her sparky fingertips under wraps and away from the watchful eyes of the local coven. (I love that we’re welcomed back to Selcouth again as it ties to the other books in the series beautifully whilst allowing them to stand on their own.)

But Sage’s supressed magic has other ideas this October, a time when it always amps up a little. It often fires off on it’s own as the season awaits, flying off random burst of magic that only makes Sage crawl more into her own head, steadfast in her belief that it only causes more harm than help. After discovering an old grimoire in her studies of an ancient witch, Sage’s entire life is whirled into an enchanting chasm of chaos when a hex takes a hold of her life. Her house walls turn to gingerbread, children grow wings, a beanstalk grows in her garden and Casimir starts to look more like Prince Charming than her closest friend. Resisting her magic is no longer a choice for Sage, and she suddenly—reluctantly—has to take a firm hold of the very thing she’s been determined to cast away at all costs, or else risk losing everything and everyone she loves to the spiral of the curse at her fingertips.

There is something altogether immersive and spellbinding about Disenchanted that I seem to always find in one of Lucy’s witchy books. The power it holds to be able to relax my heart and whisk me away into an enchanting tale is second to none. Sage quickly became one of my absolute favourites, and her journey is such a riveting look at self-acceptance. It centres on moving past the hesitance to welcome her magic in fully, and instead using it to build a life where she no longer has to hide who she really is or what she possesses. I loved the slow burn, friends-to-lovers aspect, where the deeper meaning of the story takes charge but the romance flows along gently and effortlessly beside it. Casimir’s love for Sage was truly unconditional and achingly beautiful, as was her family. This was such a wholesome, deeply comforting novel that reads like a love letter to classic fairytales with a modern spin. It’s a quiet celebration of stepping into your truest self, finding your light, and having the courage to simply be yourself and let whimsy in. Thought Daughters will love this one. And of course, at its heart, it’s nothing short of a pure, wholly bewitching story I couldn’t adore more.

[Rachel ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can’t begin to explain my excitement to pick up Disenchanted, after absolutely loving Uncharmed and Rewitched. Uncharmed was one of my favourite books last year, and as a long time fan of Lucy and a subscriber to her YouTube channel for the last 10+ years, it has been such a joy to watch her excel in her writing career.

Disenchanted follows Sage, who has no interest in embracing her witchy side after being betrayed by magic before. She's thrown herself into her work and studies, running the local museum and trying her best to fly under the coven’s radar. When a strange historical book accidentally triggers a curse her life is suddenly overrun by magic running rife. Sage must confront the magic she’s always denied to solve the mysteries of the book and save everyone she loves from being lost to a fairy tale forever.

This was another wonderfully cosy read from Lucy. She’s crafted the perfect cosy fantasy, it is SO wholesome, perfectly autumnal (it’s even set around Halloween) and we get delightful crumbs of a romance.

Sage is FULLY embracing the eldest daughter energy. She cares so deeply for others, that she forgets about herself. She is SO stubborn and she is unbelievably hard on herself. At times I wanted to shake her, to let her know everything is OK! I’m so glad she had a supportive network around her, and I was rooting for her on her journey of self acceptance and self love.

Casimir is quite literally the BESTEST friend anyone could ask for. When you say you want someone to root for you, you just need them to embrace Casimir. I loved his wit and sarcasm, but most of all his unwavering care, acceptance and love for Sage.

One of my favourite parts of the story was the magical setting of Port Sylvan. Lucy’s beautifully descriptive writing captured it so well, I felt like I could picture it so vividly in my head, and that I was on the walking tours with Sage.

I really enjoyed the different fairy tale references when the magic started getting a bit chaotic, it was a really fun addition to the story! Who wouldn’t want a house that turned into gingerbread?!

This book definitely has some of my favourite side characters.. I mean.. I am desperate to have a Mal the cat - he was so hilarious and sassy!! But.. Maggie may take the top spot for me, she’s an absolute angel. (Please can I have a Maggie in my house to wake me up with delicious treats??)

If you love a nostalgic, magical, heartwarming, cosy fantasy with academia vibes in a small town then this will be a bit of you! And as Lucy describes herself.. think ‘witchy Shrek’ x Gilmore Girls with a touch of Beauty and the Beast’

This is another lovely book by Lucy, what a beautiful cosy read. I’m so excited for my matching Waterstones sprayed edges to arrive on publication!

Thank you NetGalley, Lucy Jane Wood and Pan Macmillan for providing an eARC - Disenchanted publishes September 10th.

[Emily Marshall · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thank you to Pan Macmillan for the ARC on Netgalley ✨

I really enjoyed Rewitched, liked Uncharmed and was looking forward to seeing what was coming next from Lucy's lovely lyrical cosy fantasy novels. Overall, I enjoyed this story and think the author has a real talent for writing in this genre, but there were a few pacing problems for me that stopped this from getting a higher rating.

Sage has lived her adult life being afraid of her magic after an incident in her teenage years as a fledgling witch changed her entire life thereon. Despite this, she spends her days dressed in a cheap witches costume talking passionately about the history of this museum town she lives in, taking tourists around and explaining the magical goings on it is famous for. An academic through and through, her and her best friend Casimir dedicate their lives to preserving the magical history of the town and discovering new artifacts belonging to an ancient powerful witch. Sage is concealling her magic as much as possible, but as halloween comes closer, things are going awry and her peaceful magicless existence is about to be overrun by magic on the scale of a fairytale book, and there might not be a happy ending...

Sage is a complex FMC. She doesn't make it easy for you to like her as a grumpy woman who is struggling to find any joy in her life. However, as you go on you understand why she feels like she doesn't deserve happiness and watching her find her joy was really lovely. Casimir is a cheeky, attractive, bookish dream with floppy hair and a shit eating smile which will get me every single time. It's very clear from the beginning they have feelings for each other, but there's little to no romance between them. If you're going into this looking for a big sweeping romance, this is not it. It's the slowest of slow burns, chaste glances, private jokes, intimate brushes of hands... but there's not a whole lot of payoff for it.

The pacing of this book confused me. We spent a lot of time with Sage going through the fairytale portion of this book trying to figure out how to break the curse and while this was fun, I was expecting her to meet the coven a lot earlier on. The big problem in the plot sorted itself out within a few pages right at the end, and it felt a little underwhelming considering all the build up. But this being said, this felt really warm and cosy like all Lucy Jane Wood's books and her writing truly is fantastic. I really loved all the side characters in Disenchanted too, it really did have a Shrek vibe to it! Overall a good, cosy read that feels more like a stand alone, less of a romance, and a little sillier than the other two in this series.

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disenchanted is the third standalone installment in the cozy fantasy Rewitched series. Ever since an incident when she first gained her powers, witch Sage Hemlock has wanted to be rid of her magic. She now rarely uses it, instead running a local museum with her best friend, Casimir Everald, in her hometown of Port Sylvan that has a rich magical heritage. But when Sage accidentally casts a spell from a historical book, fairy tales begin coming to life throughout the town. To save Port Sylvan from being permanently cursed into a fairy-tale parody, Sage must confront the magic she has spent years denying and unravel the book’s mystery.

There is something about this author’s writing that never perfectly clicks for me. Each book has a promising core, but one or two issues consistently keep it from fully coming together. The earlier installments, Rewitched and Uncharmed, struggled with focus and pacing. Unfortunately, Disenchanted has similar problems, including the same slow start, while also adding a more significant issue: its protagonist.

A pessimistic, dreary protagonist works against the comforting atmosphere that cozy fantasy relies on, and Sage often frustrated me. She is rash and repeatedly acts against her own better judgment. Her attitude toward magic also felt inconsistent with her life: although she claims to hate it, she surrounds herself with it through both her studies and her museum work. I also struggled to understand why Sage was so determined to avoid the coven’s attention. She seemingly should not know enough about any coven to fear it so specifically, and their harshest punishment which is removing a witch’s magic is exactly what she wants. This added to the frustration I had surrounding her choices.

The curse’s origin was similarly difficult to accept and make sense of. The villain’s scheme felt overly convoluted and so specifically designed for Sage that it seemed unlikely it could apply to anyone else. That was disappointing because the premise of fairy tales coming to life in a small magical town is easily the most compelling idea in the series and had so much potential. As for the romance, it felt underdeveloped. Sage and Casimir’s best-friends-to-lovers dynamic could have been genuinely charming, but the relationship did not receive enough on-page development to make it fully land. Casimir himself was a highlight, though; I loved how flamboyant, warm, and consistently supportive he was. Sage’s cat familiar, Malachite, was also underused. While his presence added some coziness, Mal had little meaningful impact on the plot. Likewise, Sage’s ghost friend Maggie had an important role in the story, yet still felt like an afterthought.

Overall, Disenchanted has the most appealing premise of the series so far, but its slow start, frustrating protagonist, and underdeveloped elements kept it from fulfilling that potential.

*Thank you to Pan MacMillan for the eARC via NetGalley

[Lana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for the eARC of Disenchanted! ✨

I had a bit of a rough start with this one, but I genuinely think that was a me problem. I could feel a reading slump creeping in, and for the first 25% or so, I struggled to fully immerse myself in the story.

And then something clicked. Suddenly, I was completely engrossed. I needed to know what was happening with the enchantment, I was invested in the characters, and putting the book down became almost impossible. So, safe to say, Disenchanted might actually be the kind of book that pulls you out of a reading slump.

This story was so wonderfully whimsical, magical, and full of life and love. Fairy tales coming to life, mysterious books, curses, witches, magic, a small town, AND a cat? There was so much here to love.

Sage was such an interesting heroine. She's practical, often stuck inside her own head, and absolutely terrified of embracing the magic that has hurt her before. I loved watching her slowly confront those fears and begin to understand herself a little better.

And luckily for Sage, she had Casimir. Her complete opposite. 😂

He's always ready with a joke, occasionally seems like a bit of an idiot (affectionate), but underneath all of that is someone incredibly caring and dependable. He was Sage's shoulder to cry on, the person who could calm her when everything became too much, and someone who loved her without asking her to become a different version of herself. I was rooting for these two from the beginning, and their love story left me so happy and satisfied (I could confirm there were tears involved).

But the romance was only one piece of everything I loved. The enchantment itself was fascinating, the fairy-tale elements were so much fun, and that culmination??? I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING. I was genuinely shocked.

I also adored the supporting cast (and yes, Mal absolutely counts as a character 🐈). They made this magical little world feel even warmer and more alive.

Most of all, though, I loved what this story had to say beneath all the magic.

There is something incredibly beautiful about learning to accept every part of yourself - even the pieces you're afraid of, the pieces you wish you could change, and the pieces you once believed made you somehow less. Sage's journey felt like a reminder that accepting ourselves as we are might just be one of the purest forms of love.
And maybe we could all stand to give ourselves a little more of that. 🤍✨

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Pan Macmillan & NetGalley for sending me an ARC of Lucy Jane Wood's Disenchanted in exchange for an honest review.

Book 3 in the Rewitched series, and IMO Wood has really hit her stride in this one!

Sage has no interest whatsoever in embracing her witchy side, thank you VERY much. After a tragic betrayal by her powers in her youth, she sees her magic as nothing but a curse - something that makes her utterly unlovable. So she focuses all her energy on her job at the local museum, her younger siblings, and her maddeningly charming best friend (and co-worker!), Casimir.

When a historical tome turns up at the museum, Sage can't resist opening it and accidentally triggers a curse that unleashes on her quiet, cosy small-town. Magic is EVERYWHERE, and fairy-tales seem to be coming to life. A beanstalk appears in her garden, her house is suddenly made of gingerbread, and Casimir is starting to look (and behave) and awful lot like Prince Charming. This is NOT conducive to Sage staying under the radar and living a simple life free of magic..

I'll be honest, I didn't LOVE the first two books in this series. They were fine, but I wouldn't rush to revisit them. However, this one was a huge improvement! At least, it was for me!

The fairy-tale curse was so fun, and it worked perfectly with Sage's academia forward mind and her sensible attitude. She was so lovably grumpy, I found myself relating to her pretty hard (though, thankfully, I do not have any trauma resembling hers). Her growth was really lovely, it felt quite special to witness honestly. Her finally realising that she is worthy of love and it's ok to ask for help...delicious.

I really liked the whole cast of characters in this, particularly Casimir & Mal. Cas & Sage's dynamic was sooooo good, they wind each other right up but the love is so obviously there, woven into their very bones. Their banter, and the humour overall in this, worked really well for me - I found myself chuckling a fair amount which I don't remember doing in the first two books.

I do think this could have been a wee bit shorter, some of the fairy-tale discovery bits were a bit too drawn out for my liking and it did start to feel a bit repetitive. However, this wasn't a huge issue.

If you're in the market for a nostalgic, cosy hug of a book, then I think you'll have a lovely time with Disenchanted. It had some really pleasantly surprising depth to it, especially compared to the first two books in the series.

[Sian Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

The vibes in this book were my favourite of Lucy Jane Wood's books so far. The fairy-tale, storybook magic was a gorgeous touch, even if it was sinister in many ways (but aren't all fairy tales!).

Sage has squashed how magical abilities down for years and is on the brink of banishing them forever, however it's hard when her work is all about the magical history of a magical town. In trying to rid herself of her powers, she accidentally sets off a curse of epic fairy tale proportions, dragging not only her siblings and her best friend Casimir in to the mix, but the entire town. It's a race to figure out what to do before it's too late for everyone.

As with the first two books in this series, there was something about the pacing that stalled me. While I loved being in this world and enjoyed being fully immersed in it, I wasn't rushing to the end. Maybe that's a good thing, I wanted to spend more time here and with the characters! I think the slightly off feeling for me was that it didn't have a big drive, or maybe the characters just didn't have quite enough motivation, to find a conclusion. Also that might just be me. I think I've read more higher stakes stories recently, and this one was far more cosy and atmospheric than plot-driving.

I enjoyed the little nods to the other books in this one, and I also liked that it wasn't as heavy on the Coven politics side - Sage operated in her own little world very separate to the rest of the magic community and, while that felt isolating, it meant there was more focus on her character. I liked the way that her backstory carefully unfolded a bit at a time as we got to know her more.

The romance in the Rewitched world is not designed to be heavy - it's not spicy or all-consuming. I've seen other reviews not getting the chemistry between Sage and Casimir, but I liked the friends to lovers timeline here where we see them very much as close friends to start with and making the realisation that there could be more. It felt realistic. Plus it allows the magical, cosy story to stand for itself with the romance on the side. I liked the gentle, soft developing relationship.

I've enjoyed each one of Lucy's books more than the last so far, so I think her writing style and stories are evolving and maturing. I'm looking forward to seeing if she does more in future!

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publishers for an ARC of this book.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disenchanted by Lucy Jane Wood is a charmingly atmosphere-rich cozy fantasy that tackles grief, self-acceptance, and the terrifying beauty of stepping into one’s own power.
The story follows Sage, who accidentally discovered her witchy abilities around age fifteen. After a harrowing calamity early on in her magical journey, Sage made a firm vow never to use her magic again. Instead, she channeled her obsession into tracking down and preserving history, becoming a dedicated archivist determined to uncover everything about magic from a safe distance. Together with her best friend and colleague, Casimir, whom she met in college and has worked alongside ever since, she runs the local museum in the coastal town of Port Sylvan—a place with a beautiful, naturally magical feel that draws in tourists eager to learn about its legendary past.
Wood excels at creating rich character dynamics driven by contrasting personalities. Sage is delightfully prickly, introverted, and living under the heavy weight of lingering trauma, with her sibling, Robin and Laurel being the only people who seem immune to her sharp edges. In contrast, Casimir serves as the ultimate foil, handsome, easygoing, slightly goofy, and naturally beloved by everyone he meets. Meanwhile, Maggie, the resident ghost in Sage's home, is a standout joy whose long-standing, fond relationship with Sage gives the book a cozy, grounded feel while playing a crucial, heartwarming role as the plot unfolds.
Set against the idyllic backdrop of Port Sylvan, the story gathers momentum as autumn approaches. As October draws near, Sage is horrified to discover that her magic is beginning to leak, causing chaotic events completely outside her control. To fix it, she turns her research toward Lilara, a powerful witch from a century ago whom Sage has long admired, believing Lilara successfully found a way to banish magic from her life forever.
While the narrative takes its time setting up the world and character foundations—making the opening act feel a bit slow and the eventual romance a true end-game slow burn, the patience pays off. Once the story hits the halfway mark, the plot picks up considerably, spiraling into a captivating, heart-filled conclusion. Ultimately, it is a thoroughly delightful, enchanting read that makes for the perfect cozy, autumn-infused escape. This was a 4 star read for me.

[Booksblabbering || Cait❣️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story where the witch wins and there is no need for a prince. 
My first review for this series of standalones was my slight disappointment that the witch was ultimately fulfilled by love. Here it's girl power. 

For the ones who trust that whimsy should lead the way sometimes and who know that to still choose to believe in magic, despite it all, is brave.

Sage is a witch who hates her magic. When a curse turns her town into a fairytale (neighbours turning into archetypes, gingerbread houses, and beanstalks), Sage is determined to rid the world of her magic once and for all and return her town to normal. 

This is a story about self-love, acceptance, and forgiveness. Sage refuses to ask anyone for help, to even admit to not having everything together. 

However, her brother and sister and her rival-turned-best-friend-and-now-colleague know how to support her. Importantly, not rescue her, but look out for her and offer their love and assistance. 

I love a golden retriever, charming, witty character and Prince Charming, aka Casmir is almost too perfect. 

‘Come on then. Better be ready; unsheathe your sword.’ 
‘Steady on, Specs. At least take me for dinner first.’ 
It was a miracle that Casimir did not land headfirst into the stream.

It is pretty sappy and sentimental. The plot is fairly predictable from fairytale curse, villain, and ending; yet it’s a healing story.

Joy wasn’t supposed to be kept hold of for long. It glimmers and glitters for us all. Blink and you’d miss it. Warm water running through cold fingers, a blackberry bursting in your mouth, hysterical laughter that turns into breathless, achy gasps with a friend.

The events of Disenchanted take place after Annie’s story in Uncharmed and Belle’s adventures in Rewitched, but all three are standalone stories set in the Selcouth world. The connection to the coven (and thus the other two books) makes up a negligible amount, so you can definitely dive into this one without missing out.
3.75 stars.🌟

Physical arc gifted by Tor.

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[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sage Hemlock has desperately tried to shed her magical powers since discovering them at 15, believing they caused her parents' deaths shortly after. She now curates the Port Sylvan museum alongside her best friend, Casimir, investing her time in the study of the paranormal. Port Sylvan was once the home of Lilara Mournfell who famously gave up her powers to protect the town. When Sage receives a mysterious tome, she believes it to be Lilara's grimoire and hastily recites the incantation she believes will relieve her of her powers. However, the spell instead turns Port Sylvan into a fairy tale haven complete with gingerbread houses, turrets, castles and beanstalks while the townsfolk take on the characters' personas. Lilara's spell must contain a lesson for Sage, but Sage will find a different moral to her story.

The third book in the Rewitched series, Disenchanted can be read as a stand-alone. Disenchanted is a cozy fantasy focused on self-acceptance. The writing is deeply atmospheric, moves at a slower pace and features vivid descriptions of Port Sylvan and its history both before and after the enchantment. I enjoyed learning about Lilara's legacy and the impact of lingering magic through Sage's character. Sage is deeply motivated, hard working and truly cares about the history and people of Port Sylvan. Sage constantly worries about hurting others with her magic. When Lilara's spell is unleashed, Sage struggles to find the beauty in the magic, but eventually discovers that her magic can be a helpful, positive aspect of herself and that she can be loved the way she is. I was intrigued by the transformation as different fairy tales overtook the town, followed by the townspeople. Casimir's character offered a slow burn romance, and his feelings for Sage fought through his transformation until the very end. Lilara's spell shows that fairy tales always carry something darker beneath the surface, but Sage finds a unique solution to Lilara's spell while reclaiming herself. I also enjoyed seeing Selcouth Coven in its new form at the end as well.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

[Karina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucy has done it again, this story is full of whimsy, supportive side characters and a magic world.

Sage blames herself for a tragic event in her past, and since then has devoted her life to keeping things stable and serious and protecting her younger siblings. Sadly, this also means rejecting her magic. She therefore manifests as a typical eldest daughter.

I got so frustrated with Sage at points, everyone tries to tell her not to blame herself for her parents death but she just doesn't listen. Just when we think she's making progress, she takes a step back, and although required for the plot, did annoy me somewhat.

I adored the manifestation of the fairy tale town. I wish we could have spent more time in each of the charms, and seen more of the fairy tales come to life. I would have happily read another 100 pages of that. And I also wanted more time with the vegetarian Welsh dragon!, Lucy if you ever fancy doing a short story telling more of that tale, I'd eat it up!

I think if you go into this book expecting a big romance plot, you'll be disappointed. The plot is very much focused on Sage and the fairy tale storyline, there is a small romance subplot, which is satisfying, but not focused on much at all. This is a whimsical witchy fantasy.

The side characters really make this story something magical. They feel integral to the story, and less of a "side" character. Laurel and Maggie especially. Again, more characters I'd happily read a novella about.

I also adored the small cameo name-drop of Rune again in this book! I love that although these are standalones, you can see how they join in the greater world of Selcouth.

Overall, I enjoyed being back in this world. Lucy is a favourite author of mine at this point, and creates these warm sugary worlds that I keep wanting to go back and spend time in.

Thank you to Pan Macmillan for sending me an advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

[Thais Rosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ ARC REVIEW ✨

There are some books that feel like stories, and then there are books that feel like a warm autumn afternoon. Disenchanted was very much the latter for me.

This is a standalone novel set in the same universe as Rewitched and Uncharmed.

It follows Sage (FMC), a reluctant witch who has spent years trying to leave magic behind after the pain it has caused her. She has built herself a quiet life around her work at the local museum, history, books and her ginger cat…

Until a mysterious book arrives and unleashes an ancient curse, causing fairy-tale magic to begin creeping into everyday life. Magical mishaps start happening all over town, and Sage is left to confront herself (and her own magic, of course).

Sage is clever, stubborn, practical and wonderfully pessimistic, but beneath all of that is someone grieving and struggling to accept a part of herself she would rather forget. I loved her!

And, of course, we have Casimir (MMC). It was impossible not to like him. He is Sage’s best friend before anything else, and the romance is very much a slow burn. Their affection and quiet yearning were incredibly sweet, and I loved that their relationship never overshadowed Sage’s own journey.

My only real criticism is that the mystery felt somewhat predictable, and Sage’s stubbornness occasionally made the story feel slower than necessary.

Ultimately, the emotional journey and atmosphere worked for me either way. Lucy’s descriptive writing also did a wonderful job of transporting me straight into the novel and making the setting feel wonderfully cosy and magical.

Overall, this book is nearly-perfect. Making it less about defeating some grand villain and more about learning to stop running from yourself.

So, if you’re looking for cosy fantasy with autumn vibes, fairy-tale magic, found family, a gentle slow-burn romance and a whole lot of heart, this is absolutely worth picking up.

Also of importance:

Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for the opportunity to read and review this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Kathleen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don’t know why there is a trend of having “sassy” heroines, in which attitude is a stand-in for personality, to the point of incompetence. Why are heroines just negative, mean, and dumb? Is that what women want to see today? Is it like watching The Bachelor, where you just want to see trash?

· Our heroine, a tour guide who wears a plastic costume, knows the formula: Her internal monologue literally proves she understands the game — act enthusiastic, get tips.
· She ignores the formula: Yet she's openly mean to the very people holding her rent money. That's not "sassy" or "feisty." That's self-sabotage, and it makes her look stupid, not strong.
· It breaks immersion: As a reader, you're screaming, "Why would she risk her income for zero payoff?" If she were secretly kind but burnt out, or biting her tongue so hard it bleeds, that would make sense. But being mean out loud while knowing it costs her money? That's just bad math.

Someone might say, Oh but this is a double standard; grumpy guys abound in fiction! Well let’s gender swap then. Imagine a male tour guide who needs tips, knows he should be charming, but instead insults the tourists' shoes and sighs loudly when they ask questions. Would that be a bestselling fantasy hero? No. He'd be a pathetic, unemployable loser. Editors would kill that character in draft one.

But for some reason, when it's a woman, this contradictory, illogical behavior gets passed off as "spicy" or "relatable" or "not like other girls." It's not. It's just insulting to women writing disguised as personality.

The real tragedy? A well-written sassy heroine would be a delight — someone who uses her wit to entertain the tourists while secretly mocking them in her head, getting the tip and the last laugh. That's smart. That's fun.

What you got was a character who hates her job, hates her customers, her one and only friend, and apparently hates money. That's not a heroine. That's just a tedious toxic person no one wants to be stuck with.

[Caroline (CozyBookTraveller) · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Actual rating is 4.75 stars*

Lucy Jane Wood has done it again! Disenchanted, the third standalone cozy fantasy in the Rewitched series, perfectly mixes magical realism and a slow-burn romance with a story of self-acceptance and self-love. The main character Sage is a witch who tries her best to reject her magical side, instead choosing to ignore the magic and focus on her work as a curator at the local museum. Magic has brought nothing but heartache, and she is determined to one day remove it all together. But when an interaction with a strange book captures the entire village in a fairy tale based curse. In order to defeat the curse, embracing her magic might be Sage’s only solution.

Sage’s aversion of her magic and desire for a normal life really resonated with me as a chronically ill person. The way she tries to push away her magic, ignoring it only for it to then act up and making her life worse just feels very relatable with how my own body works. Also her feelings of having to do everything herself, to stay in control and not feeling worthy in love also really hit close to home. So to see how much her sibling, her ghost friend/housekeeper and her best friend Casimir all cared for her, really was lovely. At first I wasn’t completely sold on Casimir, but as the book went on he truly became a prince charming. His acceptance, patience and fondness of Sage, made the almost painfully slow-burn truly so much more rewarding. Everyone deserves a love interest like him!

The main reason this book doesn’t get a full 5 star rating, is the fact that the plot dragged at places. While I enjoyed the fairy tale curse, and at times a bit darker moments fitting for classical fairy tales, the mystery felt a bit predictable and Sage’s stubbornness occasionally affected the overall pacing. But overall, I really enjoyed this book and it is a perfect cozy autumn read.
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Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for an e-arc of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Sifa Poulton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an eARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. It has not affected my opinions.

DISENCHANTED is a cosy, autumnal read. It has fairy tales coming to life with gingerbread houses and giant pumpkin carriages. The fairy tales do get darker, but very much in a "here's the trial to teach you to love your magic" way and not a grim dark way. It never loses the lighter side of things.

Of all the fairy tales, I particularly enjoyed the talking cat. He was so matter of fact about everything, point out how ridiculous humans are. The ghost housekeeper was also nice - Sage needed someone to mother her because she kept forgetting to look after herself.

The romance is so incredibly light touch I almost thought there wasn't going to be any (which I'm not necessarily opposed to - it is nice to not read a romantasy for once!) It's in the last ten percent they all decide their in love but there's no yearning or tension beforehand, just two friends there through thick and thin. You can tell from the set up (and the way it's marketed) that it's going to be a best-friends-to-lovers situation, but it's not even a B-plot, which was nice. I also liked that he knew from the start about her magic, that there was no hiding it and so no big dramatic confession of magic. He was a friend and trusted her.

This is technically part of the same series as REWITCHED, but only in so far as it's set in the same world. Not that you would know until the penultimate chapter, honestly, as none of the characters overlap until them, and then only in the most minor way. It's basically a standalone.

In all, it was a fun, cosy read - and I probably should finally get around to reading the other book in this world.