Honey & Hexes: A bee-witching cozy fantasy romance

The Mead Witch #1

by Steffanie Holmes

Autumn Abernathy has spent years caring for her magical bees, cultivating rare flowers, and dreaming of escape.

When her husband vanishes without a trace, Autumn finally has the chance to start over. Armed with a stubborn streak and a cellar full of enchanted honey, she sets out to open the village’s first meadery, crafting magical brews that soothe nightmares, inspire courage, and mend broken hearts.

Before long, Autumn’s quiet life blossoms with shop renovations, temperamental bees, kind new friends, and an unexpected houseguest: Rafe, the charming botany thief cursed to spend most of his time as a Siamese cat. Rafe's determined to help her with the meadery in exchange for her breaking his curse.

And although stealing pastries, knocking tools off shelves, and causing chaos and mayhem don’t qualify as ‘help’, Autumn finds herself falling for the infuriating cat shifter who has made himself at home in her life – and her heart.

But just when things are finally looking sweet for Autumn, her missing husband's secrets come crawling out of the hive…

Honey & Hexes is a cosy romance filled with magical mead, vengeful bees, found family, a chaotic cat shifter with nine lives and zero boundaries, an annoyances-to-lovers romance, village garden rivalries, and bee-witching shenanigans, from the bestselling author of the Nevermore Bookshop Mysteries.

Genres: Fantasy, Cozy, Romance, Romantasy, Witches

206 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 31, 2026

About the author

Steffanie Holmes is the author of steamy historical and paranormal romance. Her books feature clever, witty heroines, wild shifters, cunning witches and alpha males who get what they want.

Before becoming a writer, Steffanie worked as an archaeologist and museum curator. She loves to explore historical settings and ancient conceptions of love and possession. From Dark Age Europe to crumbling gothic estates, Steffanie is fascinated with how love can blossom between the most unlikely characters.

Steffanie lives in New Zealand with her husband and a horde of cantankerous cats. Learn more about Steffanie at her website: www.steffanieholmes.com. She also writes dark science fiction under the name S C Green.

Want to be informed when the next Steffanie Holmes paranormal romance story goes live? Sign up for the mailing list! http://eepurl.com/ZrowD

Reviews

[Maeghan 🦋]

Thanks to NetGalley & the publishers for a chance to review this arc! The cover is sooo cute
3.75✨

Autumn is a honey witch who was stuck in a narcissistic marriage for years. Her husband goes missing one morning and she decides to finally do things he never let her do.
This story was really enchanting and it’s easy to root for the fmc. She defends her abuser all through the novel and you can really see the damage he caused over the years. She doesn’t believe in herself and since her husband made her believe she was such a failure ; she puts herself down before anyone could ever think to do it.
She rents a shop so she can make her dream come true, and she inevitably gets stuck with the shifter cat/man who owns the place. He helps her out in exchange for her help to stop his curse.

This was honestly super cute & a good palate cleanser! There’s a murder mystery & her husband’s disappearance going on in the background, but the focus remained on the fmc. It was an easy & quick read, and the village was really lovely!

[Taskin⋆彡⭒]

4.25/5⭐⭐⭐⭐
⋆𐙚₊˚⊹♡
Honestly?? Honey & Hexes was exactly the kind of cozy fantasy I needed rn 🍯🐝 witchy bee magic, a meadery, a grumpy cat shifter who's secretly a hot cursed guy... yeah I was obsessed

Autumn's husband was a total douchebag and a waste of breath so honestly good riddance to him, glad she finally gets to live her life lol. The vibes in this book are so warm and cottagecore, I wanted to crawl inside it and live there. Rafe's nicknames had me actually laughing out loud, He's actually so funny!

Only complaint is it's kinda short so I wanted MORE of everyone, more side characters, more chaos. but as a first book in a series it did its job — I'm hooked

🍯 atmosphere: 5/5

Thank you to NetGAlley and Author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review💖

[Adri]

Honey & Hexes turned out to be such a delight! I wasn't entirely sure what to expect going in, but I ended up enjoying it so much more than anticipated. Autumn was wonderfully sweet and caring, while Rafe brought the perfect cheeky energy that constantly challenged her. One of the most fun and unique touches was having chapters written from the honeybee’s 🐝 🍯 POV! While some of the mystery surrounding Autumn’s husband was a bit expected, that cliffhanger was not. Combined with the heartwarming community support surrounding Autumn, this book completely sold me on Steffanie Holmes—there are so many intriguing premises in her back catalog, which means my TBR list just got a whole lot longer!

[Emily Amaral]

“Merry meet! Step back in time and enjoy a sweet honey wine at Argleton’s brand-new destination tavern and eatery.”

“Honey and Hexes” follows Autumn, a honey witch living in a quaint English village, whose husband Warrick suddenly disappears. A honey witch is an inherently delightful concept. The cover and summary immediately drew me in. I also happened to visit a meadery while reading this book (shout-out to Silver Hand Meadery & Honey Shop in VA) which made the experience even more enjoyable. If you enjoy culinary experiences or wine tastings but have a sweet tooth, I strongly recommend trying a mead tasting yourself.

My strongest criticism concerns Autumn’s characterization and, more specifically, the novel’s treatment of coercive control. Financial control, social isolation, and years of belittlement can erode a person’s independence self-efficacy. The problem is the novel uses those dynamics as a convenient explanation for Autumn’s naïveté without examining them deeply enough to make her behavior psychologically coherent. She frequently seems less like an active protagonist than someone to whom the plot happens—an Offred-like passivity without the equivalent narrative attention to what constrains her agency.

Autumn’s practical abilities are similarly inconsistent. She buys and opens a meadery without realizing that she needs a liquor license, then is ready to abandon the entire venture as soon as she discovers it. Autumn laments that Warrick never taught her to use tap-to-pay and appears mystified by debit cards and even the process of checking her bank balance. In another chapter, however, she casually mentions watching a YouTube tutorial on how to prime and paint a wall. (Girl… if you could consult YouTube about primer, I feel reasonably confident that you could’ve asked how a bank withdrawal works.)

Again, financial abuse could plausibly account for Autumn’s lack of confidence and experience, but the novel never quite bridges that gap. Her competence changes according to the needs of a particular scene. Rather than showing her gradually reclaiming skills once Warrick’s control is removed, the story repeatedly infantilizes her and then expects Rafe’s admiration alone to convince us of her brilliance. This could have supported a meaningful arc of personal growth, but that opportunity is developed only superficially.

Warrick, meanwhile, is not so much a multidimensional character as a checklist titled Very Bad Husband. He prevented Autumn from maintaining friendships or attending book club, dictated whether she may wear a bikini, refused to let her learn to drive, despised every heirloom left by her mother and grandmother, belittled all her opinions, withheld affection, limited her to pocket change, and apparently expected her to remain within their homestead and garden. He also cheated, embezzled, and screamed at the neighbors. Any one of these behaviors is believable and abusive partners can exert control in numerous overlapping ways. Collectively however they were presented with so little complexity that Warrick became a caricature. I remain curious why Autumn married him in the first place. Even a brief indication they’d once been happy, his behavior worsened gradually, or that she’d spent years rationalizing incremental changes would’ve made both characters more credible. Re: credibility— I understand cozy fantasy requires some suspension of disbelief. I’m entirely willing to accept werewolf neighbors, a charming communal blood bank for the local vampires, and a honey witch opening a magical meadery. One thing I couldn’t accept was 800 hoverboards fitting inside one snug English cottage.

The insatiable Rafe, on the other hand, was delightful. He made me giggle several times and was an entertaining male main character, although he insisted too frequently of his exceptional gifts in bed. Once would have landed the joke. I especially enjoyed the moments when feline mannerisms slipped into his human form. I loved Rafe’s shameless hedonism and his habit of stealing things simply because he enjoys owning nice objects. Go off king. His identity as an expert hacker was less inspired. (Why are so many fictional love interests conveniently expert “hackers”? The same trope appeared in “Lights Out”. It feels like a lazy way to give a character immediate access to any information or system the plot requires.) Rafe occasionally functioned like a very attractive Swiss Army knife: hacker, form-filler, lover, thief, and general solution to whatever Autumn couldn’t manage herself.

The humor was somewhat uneven. Most of the jokes landed successfully, but others—such as “gothwaffles”—felt decidedly juvenile. For context, “Dungeon Crawler Carl” was a DNF for me; readers who enjoy its style of humor will probably find everything here perfectly satisfactory. (A zoological quibble: cats don’t lift a leg to urinate. Was this done for humor? It was mentioned a few times.) The majority of the comedy did work, particularly when the book gently acknowledged the absurdity of its own cozy-fantasy conventions. The tongue-in-cheek emphasis on the British Murder Village was especially well executed. I love that kind of gentle fourth-wall ribbing when used sparingly. Here it felt knowing without becoming smug.

I also appreciated the unconventional romantic representation through Mina’s polyamory and, even more so, the inclusion of a blind character. Those details helped Argleton feel more socially expansive than the standard collection of interchangeable cozy-village eccentrics. However, some of the worldbuilding rules remained frustratingly unclear. How was Autumn’s use of magic not cheating in the garden competition? Autumn opposes cheating when she is taking a test, yet apparently sees no contradiction in magically influencing a contest. Why must she conceal the fact that she is a witch if witchcraft is not a crime? These questions didn’t necessarily represent plot holes, but the rules were insufficiently explained. Cozy fantasy doesn’t need a constitutional convention but it does need enough internal consistency for the characters’ choices to make sense.

Unfortunately, my most serious problem with “Honey and Hexes” is its ending—or, more accurately, its lack of one. Denouement is absent. Rafe’s curse, the murder mystery, even the sexual tension— none of it is satisfactorily resolved. It ends as though someone misplaced the final chapters. I’d been debating between three and four ☆, but the abrupt non-ending instantly lowered my rating to two ☆. To clarify, the end of the book wasn’t a cliffhanger. A cliffhanger brings a developed arc to a deliberate point of suspense. Here, the final chapters introduced a deus ex machina, left nearly every significant thread unresolved, and then stopped. It might as well have ended in the middle of a sentence. A successful installment in a series should both contribute to a larger unfolding saga and function as a complete narrative unit. This book did neither. It effectively DNFed itself.

Continuing a series should feel like an invitation to discover what happens next, not an invoice for the ending the first book already owed me. Because the novel demonstrates no interest in resolving its own central story, I don’t trust the next installment won’t repeat the same tactic. I therefore don’t plan to continue the series. What makes this especially disappointing is I’d been thoroughly enjoying the book until its final pages. The honey magic, meadery, supernatural village, feline romantic lead, and tiny bee chorus created exactly the kind of eccentric coziness I wanted. My two ☆ rating doesn’t reflect an absence of charm or enjoyment; it reflects the novel’s failure to transform an appealing premise and entertaining middle into a finished story.

——

P.S. I’d like to lodge a formal complaint with the cover. Why does it depict a seal-point Siamese when Rafe’s feline form is repeatedly described as a flame-point? C’mon!!! If you are going to give me an attractive supernatural man who turns into a specific variety of fancy cat, I expect accurate cat representation.

[Mike]

Superficially, this is a cozy fantasy featuring a bee witch who opens a meadery (in apparently present-day England, which surprised me slightly; I was expecting a secondary-world setting for some reason), and has a gradually building romance with a cat shifter who's the subject of a curse. If it was just that, and was executed to a good standard and complete in itself, it would have been a four-star read for me, but it has a number of flaws on closer examination.

The setup is that the witch, Autumn, has spent the past fifteen years married to a controlling, negging narcissist who has kept her from making any friends, made her put away anything that reminds her of her beloved mother and grandmother (her father is never mentioned, I don't think), convinced her that she's no good at anything, and stopped her from doing anything outside the house. We're told that she doesn't leave the house and garden, but she must do, because he gives her cash for household essentials which she must go into the village to buy, and from somewhere (bookshop or library) she is getting romance novels. This prize exhibit has gone missing, and Autumn, within a few days of his being gone from her life, breaks out and opens the meadery she's dreamed of. This seems oddly quick, but right at the end we get a hint of an explanation. It's not a cozy one.

A witch who had a flower shop in the village has been murdered, stabbed in the back with her own scissors, and this means the shop is available for rent as the meadery. Along with it comes a cat, who is in fact a thief cursed into cat form by the previous witch; he can assume human form when within 20 metres of Autumn, who seems to have somehow inherited him as her familiar by taking over the space. Attraction builds between them over the course of the book, but the supposedly-rogueish cat shifter holds the line of "you're still married, until we know he's dead or you're divorced this isn't happening," while the supposedly-wholesome witch just wants to bang him and damn the consequences.

I've given the book my "weak-mystery" tag because neither of the mysteries - the disappearance of Warren, the controlling husband, and the murder of the flower witch - gets much progression, or even much focus, during the book - at least not from Autumn, who's narrating. This is a minor flaw compared with the three big ones, as far as I'm concerned.

Firstly, the verb tense, something fairly basic to writing a narrative. It lurches wildly between past and present, often within a single sentence. The main narration is present tense, but it's not consistently maintained. As a more minor point about the mechanics, the setting in England isn't backed up by it being written in British English; there are garbage cans, for example, not dustbins. This isn't particularly obtrusive for me, but it might be more so for a British reader.

Secondly, there are a couple of places where there's a distinct clash of tone. Partway through, the main character has applied for a license to manufacture mead commercially. A grumpy official denies it. (He and his colleague are given the title "Councillor," suggesting they are elected members of the governing body for the council area, but they act as council employees, inspecting premises, administering exams and issuing or denying licenses. I'm reasonably sure that isn't how councils work in England any more than it is anywhere else.) The cat shifter goes offscreen to confront the grumpy official, in cat form, and bites off his finger, which I'm not sure is something a cat could even do. The sole consequence of this unpleasant but basically innocent man being maimed for life is that he, completely inexplicably, changes his mind and grants the license which has already been formally denied, and I'm absolutely sure that neither councils nor human beings work like that. It's like a scene out of one of YouTuber Ryan George's pitch meetings:

Producer Guy: But why does losing his finger to an attack by a random cat make him change his mind?
Writer Guy: Because!
Producer Guy: That works!


Finally, the ending, which is also part of the clash of tone, but deserves its own point, since it was what finally dropped the book all the way to two stars for me. The non-spoilery bit is that we get a new character who's only been hinted at previously, and then the book suddenly ends with a disturbing implication. The spoilery bit is that the disturbing implication is that Autumn has snapped, killed her husband and hidden him in the compost heap - which wouldn't work, because it would stink and attract vermin - and possibly had some kind of psychological break and forgotten doing so.

I sometimes complain that cozy books are too close to the basic formula, that they've been made from box mix, with nothing really to distinguish them. Demonstrating how hard I am to satisfy, I'm making the opposite complaint about this one. It's got too much non-cozy material creeping in round the edges, particularly at the end; the end opens things out rather than tying them up; and along the way there are some things that just don't make sense, and a lot of issues with the verb tense. Also, it's as if Autumn is somehow fated to open the meadery, and in order to enable this Fate (i.e. the author) feels fully justified in committing mayhem against any character who might stand in the way of this happening, even indirectly, including the witch who previously rented the shop.

I received a pre-publication version via Netgalley for review; further changes may or may not be made between this and the published version.

[Jess T]

Honey and Hexes is a healing witchy story of Autumn, a green witch who specialises in bee-keeping. Her husband has disappeared suddenly and she takes this chance to live her life the way she wants to - by going into business as a meadery owner. Things aren't smooth sailing. Her landlord is a bespelled cat, her best friend is a werewolf, and her husband is up to something shady.

I really wanted to like this. The concept is brilliant and I loved the fact that our main character is an unreliable narrator. She's unaware that she's living in an abusive relationship and we see it dawn on her slowly as we progress through the story. The magic system isn't well-developed but is super cosy. Autumn is essentially a bee-whisperer. The bees were adorable and the best part of the whole read.

Unfortunately, the book is let down by the writing style (very tell, not show) and the romantic main lead. We see the majority of this tale through dialogue between the characters with little time to just breathe and take in what's happening - for the readers and for the characters. At one point, one of the characters gave about 3/4 pages of backstory in one go. Rafe - the cat that is actually a human, is far too much to take in. His characterisation is all over the place and doesn't often reflect that he's been in indentured servitude for over a year. The instalove romance (instalust really) between him and Autumn is jarring to begin with, but when you think that this is set in a British village, it makes it even more out of place.

After reading some reviews however, I notice that this is book 1 of a series, and a spin-off of a wider collection of books which might explain my disconnect somewhat.

[Missyreadsromantasy]

Welcome back to Argleton! Or, if you’re new here: this is a fresh new series set in the same place as my favorite Steffanie Holmes books and I envy you/the start of your time in this silly, spooky murder village.

After her human garbage can of a husband goes missing, honey witch Autumn gets a chance to live life on her own terms. And that means opening a magical meadery. The previous owner of her new space was murdered, leaving behind a cursed cat familiar. Rafe can shift into his human form around Autumn, and he helps her launch her new business while she tries to help him break his curse. Also around to assist? A few Nevermore Murder Club and Smutty Book Coven members!

I loved how cozy the story was, Rafe’s creative nicknames, and the bees’ POV. And honestly, the mysteries kept me on my toes. I’m sure there are still twists to come in book 2…

Thanks to the author for the gifted e-ARC! All opinions are my own.

[Nikola]

Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this book.

This book was a really quick and fun read. I especially enjoyed the chapters with the honeybee point of views. They are just soooooooo protective of their mamma and I absolutely love it and squealed in joy to read their thoughts. I also liked the main character Autumn and how she was easily to root. I really wanted her to get all her hopes and dreams that she was not able to before due to her abusive husband. I also liked Rafe and how funny he is. My favorite scene was when he was trying to help Autumn to study for her certificate. I also liked the banter between Autumn and Rafe and wished I had someone who was just as funny in my life.

[Amela]

Honey & Hexes was a fun, speedy read! Autumn's husband goes missing and it turns out this is the best possible thing that could happen to her, as it gives her the courage to open her own meadery.

I loved the banter between Rafe and Autumn, and the tension as they realized that they both cared about each other. I also loved the aspect of Rafe actually seeing Autumn for how great she is and how her husband was squashing her. This was a great quick cozy little romance with some fun magic in a modern setting. Also, that ending! Very eagerly awaiting the next book to see what happens!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

[Literary Redhead]

Not my typical genre but that splendid cover drew me in and the charming story kept me bee-witched. Such fun!

[Cris ♡]

I was really hoping for a charming, whimsical cozy fantasy, but unfortunately, Honey & Hexes just didn't work for me.

The main issue I had was the complete lack of a cohesive plot. The story felt erratic and overly strange, throwing together a chaotic mix of magical bees, orchid-stealing cat shifters, missing husbands, severed fingers, and random supernatural elements without ever grounding them into a compelling or logical narrative.

The characters felt shallow, and their decisions rarely made sense. Rather than building genuine intrigue around the husband's disappearance or creating a sweet "annoyances-to-lovers" dynamic, the story relied on bizarre antics and sudden twists that felt completely disjointed.

Overall, the premise had potential, but the execution was too disorganized and weird for my taste. If you enjoy chaotic, highly absurd cozy fantasies with minimal structure, this might appeal to you, but it unfortunately wasn't the right read for me.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Valentina D.]

🇮🇹 (English below⤵️)
Che lettura adorabile! Questo libro ha tutto quello che la mia anima cottagecore potrebbe desiderare. Tra fiori, barattoli di miele, ricette antiche e il sogno di aprire una taverna specializzata in idromele si muove la dolcissima protagonista, e non è un caso che sia una strega delle api. La sua magia è infatti tutta legata al suo alveare e alla capacità di comunicare con le api, che la guidano e la incoraggiano, oltre ad aiutarla a vincere ogni anno il premio per il giardino più bello di Argleton.
Come ci fa notare l’autrice, esistono due tipi di piccole città nella campagna inglese: quelle pittoresche perché i loro abitanti sono in buona parte creature magiche e quelle pittoresche perché fanno da sfondo a misteri e delitti. Argleton appartiene contemporaneamente a entrambe le categorie, quando nel giro di poche settimane viene commesso un efferato delitto e il marito della protagonista scompare.
Il mistero è naturalmente al centro della trama, ma quello che ho apprezzato di più è il modo in cui il libro riesce a mantenere un’atmosfera deliziosamente low-stakes pur affrontando temi importanti, come il difficile percorso per uscire da una relazione tossica, ritrovare sé stessi e riscoprire la propria vocazione.
È una lettura dolce, accogliente e piena di piccoli dettagli che fanno venire voglia di trasferirsi ad Argleton e passare le giornate tra giardini fioriti, miele e creature magiche.
Unica nota dolente: il finale. Non ho particolarmente apprezzato la scelta di chiudere il libro con un grande cliffhanger. Non c’era davvero bisogno di questo piccolo trucco, che ho trovato un po’ scorretto, per farmi venire voglia di tornare ad Argleton e scoprire quali altre storie potranno fiorire tra i suoi giardini, i suoi abitanti e le sue creature magiche. Ci sarei tornata comunque!

🇬🇧🇺🇸
What an adorable read! This book has everything my cottagecore soul could possibly ask for. Flowers, jars of honey, old recipes, and the dream of opening a mead-focused tavern surround the sweetest protagonist, and it is no coincidence that she is a bee witch. Her magic is entirely connected to her hive and her ability to communicate with the bees, who guide and encourage her, as well as helping her win Argleton’s award for the town’s best garden year after year.
As the author points out, there are two kinds of picturesque little towns in the English countryside: those that are charming because many of their inhabitants are magical creatures, and those that are charming because they provide the backdrop for mysteries and murders. Argleton happens to belong to both categories when, within the space of just a few weeks, a brutal murder takes place and the protagonist’s husband disappears.
The mystery is naturally at the heart of the story, but what I appreciated most was the way the book manages to maintain such a delightfully low-stakes atmosphere while still touching on important themes, such as the difficult journey of leaving a toxic relationship, finding yourself again, and rediscovering your sense of purpose.
This is such a sweet, comforting read, full of little details that make you want to move to Argleton and spend your days surrounded by flower gardens, honey, and magical creatures.
My only complaint is the ending. I wasn’t particularly fond of the choice to end the book on such a big cliffhanger. There was really no need for this little trick, which felt a bit unfair, to make me want to return to Argleton and discover what other stories might bloom among its gardens, inhabitants, and magical creatures. I would have come back anyway!

I'd like to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Lu ☆]

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC ❤️

That ending was straight up evil.

Okay so I must admit that I don't usually care for anything advertised as a "cozy romance", but for some reason I decided to pick this one up and...oh boy, I must have a nose for stuff like this.

Basically, this is a story about a honey witch who escapes a toxic marriage and opens up her own little mead (medieval fermented honey drink) shop. All cool, all nice. She's helped along her businesswoman journey by her cat familiar who....can sometimes turn into a hot man? Who's a cursed thief who ends up treating her with more care than her husband ever did and they have a really cute cozy slow burn romance going on? Did I mention he's a gentleman? haha

Anyway, the whole premise is pretty wacky, especially considering the fact that whenever this fella would turn into his human form I'd imagine him more as an anime-ish catboy rather than a crazy hot badass tattooed thief guy.
(On that note, this book would make an amazing interactive fiction/otome game)

But then, crazy stuff happens. Remember how I said she escapes this toxic marriage? Well she does so bcz her husband goes missing.....and her bees know what's up!! I swear the bees know stuff! BEEN GOING CRAZY OVER WHAT THE BEES MIGHT KNOW EVER SINCE I FIGURED THEY KNEW STUFF and it's so cool because they act like oblivious little kids whenever they share any piece of what they know, but they're such a complex character. I love the bees so much.

Anyway, you MUST read this. I just finished this book and I'm already very excited for the second.

The characters really grew on me, despite everything seeming pretty absurd to me at the beginning, but I'll surely be thinking about this book for....awhile now.

Oh and btw, my bf had to put up with my "THE BEES KNOW" schizo yap and he told me to compliment the book from his POV too because he thought the turns of the plot were insanely ingenious haha

[Hannah Maree]

𝙍𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬 𝙤𝙛 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙤𝙥𝙮 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙉𝙚𝙩𝙜𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙮.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

A cosy, witchy escape that was just what I needed! 🧙‍♀️✨ Honey & Hexes was such an easy, enjoyable read, with plenty of laughs, fun banter, a cursed cat burglar who also doubles as a familiar plus has major sass, enchanted bees, and just the right amount of magical mayhem.

Autumn Abernathy has spent years tending her magical bees and dreaming of a fresh start. When her emotionally abusing and controlling husband suddenly disappears, she opens the village’s first meadery, creating enchanted brews that can heal hearts, inspire courage, and soothe troubled minds.

But between renovating her shop, managing a hive full of magical bees, and helping a charming botany thief who’s been cursed to live as a Siamese cat, life becomes far more complicated than she ever imagined. And just as everything starts to fall into place, secrets from her past come buzzing back.

One of my favourite things was the relationship between Autumn and Rafe. Their banter had me laughing out loud, and I loved watching their connection slowly develop throughout the story. Rafe completely stole the show for me though with his witty comebacks, dirty banter, he just oozed the confidence of a cat. 😏🐈

And can we talk about the bees?! Having chapters from their point of view!? The bees know things, and I became a little bit obsessed with their POV chapters 🐝

The cosy atmosphere was another highlight. The honey, mead making, magic, and small-town setting created the perfect cottagecore backdrop and made me want to curl up with a cup of tea (or mead) and keep reading.

My only complaint? That ending. Now I have to wait for book two after being left with that cliffhanger.

A read that is as sweet as honey and a delightful little magical escape. 🍯✨

[Danielle]

🔍 Cosy mystery
💞 Slow-burn romance
✨ Whimsical magic
🐈 Sassy cat

Autumn is a honey witch who has spent years trapped in a controlling marriage and being convinced she isn’t capable of much on her own. So when her husband disappears, she finally gets the chance to build a life that belongs to her, starting with her dream of opening a meadery. And because this is Argleton, home of the Nevermore Murder Club and Smutty Book Coven, there are of course a few familiar faces popping up along the way, which I loved 🥰

What I really loved about Autumn is that escaping her marriage doesn’t magically undo years of being made to feel small. She has the passion, talent and dream, but absolutely no faith in herself. Watching her slowly start trusting herself again, take up space and realise she is actually very bloody capable gave all the cosy magical shenanigans such a lovely emotional centre.

Rafe was easily my favourite. His delight at discovering the benefits of a bendy cat spine had me cackling, and his metaphorical fist-shaking at feline arch nemesis Mr Muffins was everything. But he’s not just a sassy little digit-stealing gremlin. He also sneaks in unexpectedly thoughtful moments, including: “Not everyone can be a rock star with millions of fans and a career, but everyone should get the chance to enjoy making something and giving their songs to the world.”

That balance is exactly why Steffanie Holmes works so well for me. She combines whimsy and ridiculousness with characters who have genuine emotional depth, then casually drops a mystery into the middle that has my brain ticking away trying to unravel what she’s up to.

[Another Pony]

I didn't just read this book; I lived in it.
"Honey & Hexes" is everything a cozy fantasy should be—warm, atmospheric, and utterly immersive. Holmes’s sensory writing is so vivid it had me instantly craving a glass of honey mead while wrapped in the cozy comfort of her tavern.

What makes this story truly special:
🐝 The Hive Mind: Chapters told from the collective perspective of Autumn’s bees! An inventive, enchanting narrative touch.
🗡️ The Romance: A tender slow burn with major Flynn Rider / Tangled vibes. Rafe’s character completely won me over—his devotion to helping Autumn face her past traumas is beautifully written.
🕯️ The Themes: A powerful tale of self-determination, healing, and finding strength in community.

With an overarching mystery that keeps you guessing and a cliffhanger that left me desperate for book two, this was an absolute top-tier read!

[Rachel]

4.5⭐️
Honey and Hexes is a cosy fantasy romance with magic and mystery that I just fell in love with! I’ve read another one of Steffanie’s books and I enjoy her writing style and the world she has created. This book is set in the same world and it was fun to see characters appear in this book. I loved seeing Autumn slowly come out of her shell and do things for herself, with encouragement from Rafe (a thief cursed to be a cat) and her friends. It’s a thoroughly bee-witching book that ends on a cliff hanger! I’d highly recommend reading Honey and Hexes!

Thanks to Bacchanalia House and Net Galley for this ARC.

[Sydney Wilder]

The bees have their own POV.

[theresia cleopatra]

personal rating : 4.5/5

Terima kasih NetGalley, Publisher, dan Penulis Steffanie Holmes untuk e-ARC 🥺🫶🏼

Ini adalah buku pertama Steffanie Holmes yang aku baca dan aku sangat suka! Temanya dengan dunia “supernatural” sangat menarik dan eksekusinya sangat baik 😭❤️ Aku bakalan baca buku-buku lainnya! Karena setelah aku lihat buku-buku lainnya, ternyata mereka masih se-universe gitu.

okay, mari kita masuk membahas buku ini:
jujur, aku agak kecewa karena cuma 200 halaman… i need more. endingnya ngegantung banget 😭🫵🏼 tapi ini bakalan menarik perhatian untuk membeli/membaca buku keduanya.

Untuk cerita di buku pertama ini, menurutku sangat menarik dan lebih berfokus pada masalah internalnya si Autumn, di mana kalian akan melihat bagaimana hidup Autumn yang selama ini dikontrol oleh suaminya, si Warrick. Baru kali ini aku sangat suka dengan “menghilangnya” pasangan dari tokoh utama dalam suatu buku 🤣 I HATE HIM SO MUCH!!!!! Autumn ga pantas banget punya suami kayak dia. ughhhhhh. Karakter lainnya, si Rafe, kucing (yang sebenarnya manusia tapi kena “kutukan” dari penyihir lainnya), dia lucu banget 🤣🫪😂 sangat blak-blakan dan semaunya lah (tipikal kucing banget). tapi dia keren banget, mau nemenin Autumn (ya walau karena untuk kepentingannya sendiri juga sih) dan juga dia GENTLEMAN PARAHHHH. bayangin aja… aduh, mau ngomong tapi takut spoiler… intinya di GENTLEMAN (terutama dari interaksi terakhirnya dia sama Autumn di bab XVIII) 🥹❤️ ma babiesss! I LOVE THEM SO MUCH!! dan tidak lupa, karakter lainnya, warga desa/tetangga Autumn, seperti Mina dan suami-suaminya beserta Celeste dan Pax dan lainnya 🥺❤️ Mereka baik banget kepada Autumn 🫶🏼

Untuk alur ceritanya, di buku ini lebih banyak tentang Autumn yang berproses dengan hidupnya setelah “menghilangnya” suaminya, Warrick. Misteri dan thriller nya oke, perkembangan karakter tokohnya oke banget, dan romancenya masih tipis-tipis sih menurutku. TAPI UDAH BIKIN GEMES, SENYUM SENYUM SENDIRI. AAAAAAAA 😭🥹❤️

Pokoknya terima kasih banyak kepada NetGalley, Publisher dan Penulis atas kesempatannya kepadaku untuk membaca buku yang bagus dan addictive ini 🥺🫶🏼 kalo kalian suka buku yang fokus pada perkembangan karakter utama, dengan bumbu-bumbu magic dan misteri serta romance, inilah buku yang harus kalian masukkan ke dalam list bacaan kalian juga! 😌🫶🏼 ga sabar untuk baca buku keduanya! ^^

————-[ENG TRANSLATED]————-

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and author Steffanie Holmes for the e-ARC 🥺🫶🏼

This is the first book by Steffanie Holmes that I’ve read, and I absolutely loved it! The “supernatural” theme is really intriguing, and it’s executed so well 😭❤️ I’m definitely going to read her other books! Because after checking out her other books, it turns out they’re all set in the same universe.

Okay, let’s dive into this book:
Honestly, I was a little disappointed that it’s only 200 pages… I need more. The ending is such a cliffhanger 😭🫵🏼 but it’ll definitely make me want to buy/read the second book.

As for the story in this first book, I think it’s really interesting and focuses more on Autumn’s internal struggles—you’ll see how her life has been controlled by her husband, Warrick. This is the first time I’ve really enjoyed the “disappearance” of the main character’s partner in a book 🤣 I HATE HIM SO MUCH!!!!! Autumn totally doesn’t deserve a husband like him. Ughhhhhh. Another character, Rafe—the cat (who’s actually human but was cursed by another witch)—is so funny 🤣🫪😂 He’s super blunt and does whatever he wants (so typical of a cat). But he’s totally awesome—he’s willing to stick by Autumn (even if it’s partly for his own benefit) and he’s such a TOTAL GENTLEMAN. Just imagine… oh man, I want to say more but I’m afraid of spoilers… the point is, he’s such a GENTLEMAN (especially from his interactions with Autumn in Chapter XVIII) 🥹❤️ Oh my gosh! I LOVE THEM SO MUCH!! And let’s not forget the other characters—Autumn’s neighbors and fellow villagers, like Mina and her husbands, along with Celeste, Pax, and the rest 🥺❤️ They’re so kind to Autumn 🫶🏼

As for the plot, this book focuses more on Autumn coming to terms with her life after her husband, Warrick, “disappeared.” The mystery and thriller elements are solid, the character development is fantastic, and the romance is still pretty subtle, in my opinion. BUT IT’S ALREADY SO CUTE, MAKING ME SMILE TO MYSELF. AAAAAAAA 😭🥹❤️

Anyway, a huge thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for giving me the chance to read this wonderful and addictive book 🥺🫶🏼 If you like books that focus on the main character’s growth, with a dash of magic, mystery, and romance, this is a book you should definitely add to your reading list too! 😌🫶🏼 I can’t wait to read the second book! ^^

[Caitlin]

I love a cozy fantasy, and I’ve read a few of Steffanie Holmes’ books at this point. I have been SO excited for Honey & Hexes since it was announced, even forgoing my usual “wait until the series is mostly out” rule. Starting with the Nevermore Coven series had me believing I could trust Holmes to provide a solidly rounded standalone book in a connected series. The Nevermore Bookshop series had me believing that Holmes could be relied on to both complete a large series, but also write a solid episodic entry in an overarching arc. There was a track record I could trust and I’m familiar with the humour and writing style.

The opening entry to the Mead Witch series should have been a safe bet. It ticked all my boxes! Yet, this was not actually the case with Honey & Hexes. It’s genuinely upsetting to say this story needs a lot more work, and I’m frankly thrown by the fact that weeks later, I still stand by giving this book two stars.

At a lot of points, I was quite charmed by Honey & Hexes. I really wanted to give this four stars, but as the story went on, I saw gaps.

As much as I enjoyed the surprise of Argleton being the setting and other well loved characters appearing in Holmes’ foray into the traditional cozy-fantasy genre, the execution felt undercooked and the ending left me feeling cheated.

Firstly: the return of Argleton and this township’s characters. Yes I loved spending more time with Celeste - especially after A Grave Mistake and wanting more! But all I could think of was how DISAPPOINTED I would’ve been to have had her magical heritage exposed in this spin off series, rather than getting to enjoy the build up in A Grave Mistake. As delightful as it was seeing Mina and her husbands mentioned, Komal wrangling council workers, Winnie and Alaric still clearing his castle out, as well as the many other familiar side characters - it felt like the story was reliant on knowledge of an established world and context I was already familiar with. This… would’ve been a lacklustre experience for an outsider. The additional world building to lean into the magic of witches felt slapdash. I also now feel like I need a great big timeline (down to the chapter/event almost) with all three of the series lined up.

Then there’s the framing that Autumn was a previous member of the Nevermore Coven. Seeing how they handled Dora and her husband in A Grave Mistake had me asking a lot of questions about why the hell Warwick and Autumn went on as long as they did. Was Arabella not in the club at the time? Will Autumn return to the club in future? Maybe!

Secondly: the ending. Is it fair to say that after the previously reliant track record, I feel rather betrayed with this entry’s ending? It suddenly just… stopped. With 8% remaining. That 8% was a preview to another series (Nevermore Bookshop) which felt like a slap in the face. This was the first sort of “cliffhanger” ending I’ve experienced with this author, and it was less a cliffhanger like has appeared in previous titles, where there’s a solid lead up and there’s a promise of lose ends to be tied up further along. This simply… stopped. In a story that felt gappy and under developed in so many areas, the abrupt nature of it and the sudden arrival of a Big Bad was frustrating to say the least.

Thirdly: Autumn as a character is just.. inconsistent. How old is she? What does she even look like?! There’s only so much that can be chalked up to the coercive control Warwick had her under since she was 17 (I think? That was their age when they met?) She is presumably in her late 20s/early 30s and knows what YouTube is, but has also apparently never been tested in school for Dyslexia. Or is this a British (or New Zealand?) education drop of the ball? Is this series set in the 2010s and hence the gap? But there’s tap to pay? Am I simply too far on the Gen Z side of Zillenial to understand these nuances?

I’ve harped on about the bad parts but there were some good. Promise!

I love Autumn’s dreams, and so wanted to get behind her and her struggle. Her relationship with Warwick felt off kilter in how one-dimensional it was, and how singularly minded a villain he was. But I felt for her struggles! I wanted her to succeed! I loved her gardening and her mead fun facts. Her passion for her new business and her love for her bees! I wanted her to have fun with Rafe and lean into her softness and joy that she had been so starved of. Until the ending, this was a decently entertaining story!

Aside from a a few too many womanising innuendos/jokes towards the second half from Rafe - he was actually SO much fun! He’s something of a mix of Gideon, Moriarty and Quoth from Holmes’ other novels. It’s delightful - and that he shapeshifts into a flame point Siamese cat that becomes Autumn’s familiar? Awesome! Give me the tension of hearing each other’s thoughts but trying not too! Of being super attracted to each other but she’s married and her husband is missing and he’s cursed! That he was a burglar trying to redeem himself so he’s “good enough for her!” It was funny and soft and sweet in a way that I ate right up and thoroughly enjoyed!

Not to mention: the BEES!!! Who knew that they would’ve been such a perfect additional character to explore the world through? The hive’s perspective was such a fresh and fun point of view. Their inclusion felt so right for this world and these characters.

Honestly this story would’ve been right up there with my favourites by Holmes, if it weren’t for the ending. It needed to be longer, and it needed a plot with a bit more elaboration. I want to read book two (which is thankfully out in a couple months!) but I’m frankly scared to pick it up incase it burns me the way this one did.

Full review posted 31 August 2026.



Original review, 16 August 2026:
I was loving this and then I was BETRAYED. I’m mad as hell - Full RTC and breakdown for each star removed once I process how upset I am! 😭🤬

[Sarah at Sarah's Book Solace]

3.5 stars

Review first appeared on Sarah’s Book Solace

Boy, where to start with this one? When I picked up HONEY & HEXES, I wasn’t really in the right headspace to start this book. First, I had been spoiled by a certain aspect of the book on the author’s insta and I was expecting something totally different than the cover and description led me to believe, and I was sort of put off by that. It didn’t turn out to be a correct assumption, but it put a damper on my experience, and I had to force myself to keep reading. In the end I am so glad I did, because I enjoyed it more than I thought I would and I can’t wait to read the sequel!

Autumn Abernathy is a honey witch whose husband is missing, and she’s quite happy about it. Don’t get me wrong, she’s worried sick (or is she?), but she can finally breathe a sigh of relief. She can finally spin and dance and bee herself without him home. Haha, bee. (sorry, I’ll see myself out.) She sees his absence as a way to start over. When she learns of Old Witch Hardcastle’s death and realizes her shop is vacant, Autumn has an idea. She can finally sell her mead and live the life of her dreams! She soon learns the mischievous cat that came with the shop is actually a man cursed to become a witch’s familiar. She makes a deal with him: help her get her meadery up and running and she’ll find a way to lift his curse. Soon she finds herself falling for the cat shifter, but just as things start looking sweet, her missing husband’s dark secrets threaten to unravel everything.

What I loved

The Town

HONEY & HEXES is set in a fictional English country town called Argleton that just happens to be overrun with supernatural creatures. It’s whimsical, it’s cozy, and it has the bookshop of my dreams.

“I know that Nevermore Bookshop houses the best collection of occult and magical books in England, and that the shop itself sizzles with magic, and I suspect, based on various goings-on I’ve heard in the village, that it brings brings infamous fictional characters to life, and sometimes they cause chaos and mayhem.” (31)

Ummm sign me up please??? I just realized there is an entire series based on the Nevermore Bookshop. They are heading immediately to the top of my TBR list. I loved the town and its diverse cast of characters and unique relationships.

Rafe

What to say about Rafe? He’s a silly, cantankerous chaos demon that I thoroughly enjoyed. I suspect that if he was a real person, he would be exhausting, but since he’s fiction, I can enjoy his crazy, silly, and strangely endearing ways.

“You have to wear something. You can’t walk around the village naked. People will talk.”

“Let them talk! Let them marvel at my magnificence.” (63)

He’s a silly character and I love his love for himself. I’m not quite sure how I feel about his tail and Autumn’s obsession for it (do not ask), but I definitely need more Rafe in my life.

What I didn’t love so much
There are aspects of Autumn’s character arc that didn’t fully land for me. Her background makes it clear how stifled and financially controlled she was by her husband, which is a very real experience for many women. However, her characterization occasionally felt a bit too infantilized. It felt contradictory for her to be savy enough to teach herself home repairs via YouTube, yet completely mystified by basic tasks like checking a bank balance before opening a business. I would have loved to see a more active journey of her regaining her independence, rather than relying so heavily on Rafe’s validation to realize her own potential.

All in all, this was an enjoyable read, and I’m glad I stuck with it. Beneath the whimsical witchy charm lies a darker undercurrent that surfaces right at the climax. While the ending felt a bit abrupt and left several plot threads unresolved, it certainly hooked my curiosity. I’m eager to get my hands on the second The Mead Witch book to see how the story continues and discover what dark deeds abound in the sleepy village of Argleton.

I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

[Faiza]

Honey & Hexes by Steffanie Holmes

Honey & Hexes was such a charming little escape. I picked it up looking for something light and magical, and it delivered exactly that. It's quick, cozy, funny, a little spicy, and packed with enough weirdness to make the story feel wonderfully different.

Autumn Abernathy has spent far too long living under the control of her husband, so when he disappears, what initially looks like a disaster turns into the opportunity she desperately needed. Instead of waiting around for her old life to return, Autumn finally takes a chance on herself and opens her own meadery.

I really enjoyed watching her find her independence. There's something especially satisfying about seeing a woman who has been constantly diminished finally realize just how capable she actually is. Autumn's magical bees and enchanted mead make the whole journey even more fun, and I loved the idea of drinks that can bring comfort, courage, and healing.

Then there's Rafe, who arrives with enough attitude and charm to completely shake up Autumn's new life. Their relationship was one of my favorite parts of the book. The two of them have such an entertaining rhythm, with plenty of teasing and flirtation, but underneath all the banter is something much sweeter. Rafe actually notices Autumn. He sees her talent, her kindness, and her strength instead of trying to make her smaller, and I loved that contrast with the way her husband treated her.

Rafe's situation is pretty entertaining in its own right. He's a botany-loving thief who has been cursed into the body of a Siamese cat and somehow manages to maintain all of his personality despite the circumstances. His confidence, sarcasm, and general cat-like attitude had me smiling every time he appeared. Honestly, the man absolutely embraced being a cat.

And then we have the bees.

I was not expecting to become so invested in magical bee commentary, but here we are. Their POV chapters were such a fun addition, and they brought another layer of personality to the story. Those little buzzing busybodies clearly know more than they're letting on, and I found myself looking forward to their appearances.

The atmosphere was another huge win for me. Between the village setting, honey, enchanted brews, magical creatures, and meadery, the whole book has this cozy cottagecore quality that made it incredibly easy to settle into. It feels like the kind of story you want to read curled up somewhere comfortable with a warm drink nearby.

I also appreciated that the romance didn't completely overwhelm everything else. There is a larger magical storyline developing, secrets connected to Autumn's past, and plenty of little mysteries bubbling underneath the cozy surface. It gives the book more substance while still keeping the overall experience light and entertaining.

My biggest complaint is also probably the easiest one to guess: that ending! Just when everything was getting especially interesting, the story leaves us with questions that I desperately want answered. Now I'm sitting here wanting book two immediately because I need to know what happens next.

Overall, Honey & Hexes was exactly the kind of whimsical, feel-good fantasy romance I needed. Autumn Abernathy and Rafe have fantastic chemistry, the magical bees are hilarious, the cursed cat situation is ridiculous in the best possible way, and the cozy setting made this an absolute pleasure to read.

Sweet, quirky, magical, and full of personality, this one left me smiling—and very impatient for the next installment.

[Jerri Bosley]

I'm so disappointed that I have to mark this as a 2 star. Let me explain...

Honey and Hexes is about a honey witch called Autumn Abernathy (how perfect is that name?!) Her useless controlling husband is missing, and she decides to do something for herself now no one is there to hold her back - and she rents a space to open a mead shop. Not just any mead shop, a magical mead shop. That space is owned by the one and only Rafe, a cat, who can shift back to his human form - only he has been cursed by the shop's previous owner. Working together, Autumn promises to break Rafe's curse, and Rafe helps Autumn to see her true worth.

There are SO MANY magical shop books around nowadays, kind of a trend right? I find they are like Marmite, they're either so well done you love them, or they're absolutely terrible and you hate them. Well this one I LOVED. That's why the 2* is so painstaking.

First of all - round of applause for the name of the shop "Glazed and Confused." Best shop name ever! Absolutely LOVE!

It was hilarious. The first book I've read this year that has actually made me laugh. I thought the characters were fantastic, except from Warrick of course, but you know how well a character is written when you actually despise them.
I don't think I've read a book where a character has been so outspoken, so confident, as Rafe. That's why I laughed so much, some of the things he said shocked me so much - and why is he always naked!

Okay - the star deductions. Lets get in to it.
The chapters told from the POV of the bees - really? I believe there were only two, but they frustrated me so much. It was like listening to a person talk in baby language, it came across as so childish. And I actually didn't even understand them, because it was so odd!
I wasn't going to let it ruin the whole book, but then BAM! It literally ended. Right during a bee chapter which I did not understand, and there was no ending.

No conclusion to the story. No warning that this wasn't the whole book. It literally ended just as the story had got going. I don't understand? Why not just release the story in one book so the reader can finish it all at once, rather than just only getting 200 pages? It's actually made me mad that I became so invested in a story and now I have the answers to nothing! I have ADHD, I won't remember any of this story by the time book 2 is available, and I will have to read it again. One long book would save all of this!

If you want to read the best magical shop book ever, then read this book! But wait until the rest of the books are available so you can read it all in one go - unless you have an epic memory and not one of a goldfish like mine.

Steffanie Holmes is honestly an incredible writer, I cannot wait to read more of her work. And I'm so sad about this review!

[Arcadia Barrile]

Thank you to Victory Editing for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This short and sweet mystery romance follows Autumn, a honey witch whose emotionally abusive husband has just gone missing, as she attempts to open a mead shop in her quaint supernatural village full of witches, werewolves, vampires, and a sexy cat shapeshifter named Rafe. The primary focus is definitely on the process of opening up the mead shop, but the romance and mysteries of who killed the previous shop owner and what happened to Autumn’s husband are very large side plots.

Autumn was such a great main character! I really enjoyed following her journey to reclaim her independence in the absence of her controlling, abusive husband Warrick (side note: I hate that he’s such an awful person because I love that name!). She had to overcome so much to chase her dreams, including the trauma of her marriage and pretty extreme dyslexia, but she was a very strong heroine and never gave up on herself.

The cat-man familiar who came with her shop, Rafe, was one of the best love interests I’ve ever read in this genre. He was very unique and not the typical alpha male type. Instead of being brooding and tough, he was joyful and funny and sweet. I really loved how he retained some of his feline features, even in his human form, both physically and personality-wise. I can’t wait to see where their relationship goes in future books!

The tiny village Autumn lives in was also home to a small cast of unforgettable side characters, my favorite of which was Mina, the owner of a local bookstore, and her three husbands. I was so excited to learn that there’s an entire series about them already which I’ll definitely be picking up ASAP to learn more about how she ended up married to three fictional men (honestly, living the dream).

There’s a lot of disability rep in this book, with Autumn being dyslexic and Mina being blind, which is always good to see. The author is blind herself, so this is treated very respectfully and accurately.

Possibly my favorite aspect of this book was that several chapters were written from the perspective of Autumn’s bees. I don’t think I’ve ever encountered anything quite like it, and it was such a joy to follow them as they tried to protect Autumn from an unseen danger. They were so cute and absolutely unforgettable!

This definitely wasn’t my usual genre, but I would recommend taking a chance on it if you’re on the fence! You might find a new favorite like I did. If you’re already a fan of cozy romance and mystery, then this will probably be a hit for you, too. Honestly, anyone who loves quaint villages and witchy heroines should read this book. I blew through it in one sitting and can’t wait for the massive cliffhanger to be resolved in the next book!

[Leanne]

Honey & Hexes is an utterly enchanting cosy fantasy romance, full of warmth, whimsy, and the kind of gentle magic that feels stitched into everyday life. Autumn Abernathy is a wonderfully endearing heroine — a beekeeper with a stubborn streak, a cellar full of enchanted honey, and a heart that’s been quietly yearning for escape. The author captures her resilience beautifully, especially in the wake of her husband’s disappearance. Instead of crumbling, Autumn chooses reinvention, pouring her hopes into opening the village’s first meadery, crafting brews that soothe nightmares, spark courage, and mend broken hearts.

The meadery itself is a delight. Renovations, temperamental magical bees, rare flowers, and a growing circle of kind, quirky friends give the story a cosy, bustling charm. And then there’s Rafe — the cursed botany thief who spends most of his time as a Siamese cat. His arrival brings chaos, humour, and a surprising amount of heart. Whether he’s stealing pastries, knocking tools off shelves, or causing general mayhem, his presence adds a lively spark to Autumn’s quiet world. Their annoyances‑to‑lovers dynamic is sweet, funny, and wonderfully slow‑burn, with just the right amount of emotional depth beneath the banter.

The magical elements are woven with a light, playful touch. Enchanted honey, vengeful bees, village garden rivalries, and bee‑witching shenanigans give the book a unique flavour that feels both whimsical and grounded. But the story also carries a thread of tension — Autumn’s missing husband and the secrets that begin to crawl out of the hive just when her new life is finally taking shape. The shift from cosy charm to creeping unease is handled with finesse, adding stakes without disrupting the warmth at the heart of the novel.

The writing is bright, comforting, and full of personality. The village feels alive, the magic feels tactile, and Autumn’s journey toward independence and unexpected love is genuinely uplifting. Rafe’s curse, Autumn’s determination, and the found‑family atmosphere all blend into a story that feels like a warm drink on a chilly evening — sweet, soothing, and just a little bit spellbinding.

Charming, magical, and full of heart, Honey & Hexes is a delightful cosy romance perfect for readers who love enchanted small towns, chaotic cat shifters, and stories where healing and hope bloom in unexpected places.

With thanks to Steffanie Holmes, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[LauraBeth Finley]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance reader copy of Honey & Hexes in exchange for my honest review. I truly appreciate the opportunity to read this ARC.

Honey & Hexes was such a cozy little escape. If you’re looking for a light fantasy with cottagecore vibes, magical bees, and a romance that doesn’t take itself too seriously, this is a charming read.

One of my favorite parts was the atmosphere. Between the bee magic, honey, mead making, and the quaint village setting, the entire book felt warm, whimsical, and comforting. It has the kind of cozy energy that makes you want to curl up with a blanket and a cup of tea.

The romance was sweet, and the banter between the characters kept the story fun. I also enjoyed the mystery woven throughout the novel surrounding Autumn’s missing husband. It added just enough intrigue to keep the pages turning without taking away from the cozy feel.

Because it’s a shorter novel, I did find myself wishing there had been a little more depth to some of the characters and relationships. I would’ve happily spent another hundred pages in this magical world.

Overall, Honey & Hexes is a delightful, low-stakes fantasy that left me smiling. If you enjoy cozy fantasy, witchy stories, cottagecore aesthetics, magical small towns, and a touch of romance, I’d definitely recommend giving it a try.

My Ratings

🍯 Atmosphere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The biggest strength of the book. Warm, magical, and wonderfully cozy.

🐝 Magic: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Bee magic was such a unique and refreshing concept.

❤️ Romance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Sweet, playful, and easy to root for.

📖 Plot: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Simple but engaging, with just enough mystery to keep things interesting.

✨ Characters: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Lovable and fun, though I would’ve enjoyed spending more time getting to know them.

• Mood: Cozy, whimsical, hopeful, and lighthearted.
• Pace: Fast.
• Character vs. Plot: More character- and atmosphere-driven than plot-heavy.
• Perfect Reading Season: Spring, early fall, or any rainy day when you’re craving something comforting.
• Recommend If You Like: Cozy fantasy, magical villages, witches, found family, cottagecore vibes, and books that feel like a warm hug.

[Cerberus Library]

The vibes immaculate gimme more. Devoured in a sitting and now I'm really really mad at myself..WHAT DO YOU MEAN THATS THE ENDING. BWJWBSFTAGQHQIRB.

The setting is the same universe as the other series and we've got a garden witch, Autumn. Who's controlling husband has gone missing #oops?!? and she's reported it to the police. She's meant to be sad but instead she's relieved and is starting to do things for herself. Beginning with buying up a shop who's previous owner was murdered and was also a witch. Autumn sets out to fulfill her dreams of owning and running her own mead shop. Except this shop comes with a firey Siamese cat Raefe who is cursed to be a cat even though he's human.

When I say I devour this I mean like I went to start it and then it's 3am and the book is at 100%. Steffanie knows how to write a killer cliffhanger and I'm really upset that I now have to wait for the next book (I'll survive but I neeeeed to know about things turn out). You can tell she's had a lot of fun with this one and her history knowledge once again shines through! The double mystery behind the shopkeeper and Autumns husband really made this all the more addictive to try and figure out what happens.

Now the relationship between Autumn and her Husband really enrages me as ofc it's a man wanting to cut down a women and clip her wings. AND HIM BEING THE SNAKE HE IS. Good thing he is MIA... (Read the book to find out more)

Raefe is a shifter and I love that he gets to keep his tail. The chemistry between Raefe and Autumn. Fantastic. AND THE SLOW BURN and boundaries this man sets. CRIMINAL.

BUT WITH LINES LIKE:
“You look like the sunny windowsill I’ve been chasing my whole life." Ahhhh I'm so sold.

AND THE FACT WE HAVE A POV I WASNT EXPECTING 10/10. 🐝

This is for all the people that are wanting a cosy romantasy. It's got a unique witch and a charming small town, rivalries, cat shifters and a bit of forced proximity. While it is a standalone there is cameos from characters from her other series.

[Dotti]

A cozy fantasy with a lot of potential, Honey & Hexes is a cute book about a witch whose abusive husband goes missing. Autumn has spent years becoming smaller and more isolated as her husband controls her. When he goes missing, she uses her freedom to open a mead shop.

This book is a spin-off of Holmes’ previous books, a set of mysteries set in the bookstore. I haven’t read the series, so I was able to evaluate the book as an independent series. The worldbuilding felt thin, but it didn’t feel too confusing or unexplained. It can be hard for authors to remember to start from scratch with interconnected series, and Holmes generally achieved that task.

The book is trying to be a lot of things all at once: Autumn is trying to open a restaurant, there is a romance storyline, there’s Autumn’s new friendships, and there is a mystery to solve. The combination feels doable, but because the book was so short, it felt like none of them really had the time to develop.

Unfortunately, the book ends on a huge cliffhanger without any actual conclusion or climax. I was shocked when the book ended, as the plot had been building without actually explaining anything or resolving tension. I’m not sure where the author is planning to progress, but I would rather the book have been longer and a standalone. Having no actual climax or denouement is a critical error for a book that unfortunately I can’t ignore.

I also think this book misses something core about cozy fantasy or cozy romances. The author seems to primarily be a cozy mystery writer, which doesn’t have the same boundaries or expectations. It’s cozy to have a garden competition, and homemade beverages, and a nosy neighbor, and a business to open. It is not cozy to find human appendages. Body parts are inherently un-cozy when it comes to cozy fantasy or cozy romance. I would have been fine if this book was described as a witchy mystery, but describing it as a cozy fantasy romance is out of place.

Thank you to Bacchanalia Press, Stephanie Holmes, Victory Editing Co-Op, and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.

[Claire]

This cozy fantasy follows Autumn, a honey witch on the adventure of opening a mead brewery after her toxic husband goes missing, handsome but cursed man and running for a garden contest.

This one was hard for me to decide where I sat after finishing the book because the ending get me excited, but here we are. I did enjoy this book but there were several matters that I wish were done differently.

While I loved the whole concept and the characters grew on me - shout out to Rafe and his character arc and the warmth and care of Celeste -, it left me feeling confused and with a lot more questions about what this book is about. The worldbuilding is loose, with the magic and the supernatural being supposedly secretive but quite obvious at the same time. It’s unclear how her powers work, who is able to utilise magic, and what is considered magical to those without the supernatural abilities.

A couple pages in and I’m expecting spice - like hot. Heavy. Steam. Tell me how i came away with nothing omg. If you're gonna make Rafe hot as fuck and his mouth just as dirty, at least give me a little bit of something. That is, however, not what was presented. Instead, it’s hinting at a slow burn (which I love when that’s what the signs point towards along the whole journey).

Towards the end, there’s a lot of new characters and new happenings all occurring at once to set up for the sequel, unfortunately it does feel very scattered. The book is definitely on the short end and we’re left on a cliffhanger which I must say got me looking for what’s next. I reckon releasing both books of the series as one standalone would’ve been better off. It is giving unreliable narrator by the end and oh heck, am I a sucker for those (lil bonus points).

Should I stumble upon the sequel, I would pick it up to find out what happens. Otherwise, not one I would recommend from the get-go.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Janna Felix]

Honey & Hexes wraps you in warmth and whimsy from the first page, creating a cozy paranormal romance where a woman rebuilding her life finds unexpected magic in friendship, purpose, and an infuriating cat shifter. Autumn emerges as a genuinely sympathetic protagonist whose journey from trapped wife to meadery owner feels earned rather than rushed; her stubborn determination to craft something meaningful for herself carries authentic emotional weight. The meadery itself becomes a character, a space where magic serves tangible purpose, soothing nightmares, inspiring courage, mending broken hearts, grounding the fantasy elements in genuine emotional resonance. Rafe as a chaotic Siamese cat is pure delight; his antics of stealing pastries and knocking tools off shelves could have felt gimmicky, but instead they build genuine affection alongside the annoyances-to-lovers dynamic. The tension between them sizzles not through forced passion but through the intimacy of shared daily life, allowing readers to understand why Autumn falls for him despite his frustrating cat-shaped chaos. The supporting cast shines particularly bright here; the found family that gathers around Autumn's meadery feels lived-in and genuine, with village garden rivalries adding texture and humor. The magical bees carry personality and purpose, never merely decorative but integral to both plot and atmosphere. Where the narrative falters slightly is when her missing husband's secrets emerge; this tonal shift from cozy to darker conflict arrives abruptly, requiring adjustment from readers settled into the warm, lighthearted rhythm. The resolution of these secrets moves quickly, almost dismissively, as though the author wanted to clear them away to return to the coziness readers craved. Despite this tonal stumble, this remains a thoroughly delightful paranormal romance that celebrates second chances, found family, and the magic that blooms when you finally choose yourself.