What do you think?
Witches of Starbrook #5
Hexed & Hazy
The small town vibe of Gilmore Girls meets the magic of Charmed in this cozy witch romance!
Helping her childhood friend break the spell that's hexing his love life should be easy... if only she weren't in love with him.
Now that Seth Bautista's love life has been hexed, every date ends in a disaster. Who’s surprised? He’s notoriously flirtatious; it was only a matter of time before it backfired.
Now the question is… who cast the hex?
Seth has always been chaos embodied, and Rowan Hawthorne has no time for chaos. But she can't say no to Seth, especially not when the hex begins impacting others they care about.
This should be easy for Rowan. Break the hex, fix Seth’s love life, and finally move on from him. Plans change. And when Seth falls for Rowan, the hex targets her next.
WHAT YOU'LL FIND INSIDE
A cozy paranormal romantic comedy with a cute small town setting.
Childhood friends to lovers with forced proximity.
Grumpy x Sunshine between a jock himbo and his favorite snarky nerd.
A reformed playboy who's forced to face his past.
An overworked witch who's taught to enjoy life again.
A stoic plus-size main character.
A himbo golden retriever love interest.
Banter, spice, and magic!
Perfect for fans of Payback's a Witch and Witch Please.
Helping her childhood friend break the spell that's hexing his love life should be easy... if only she weren't in love with him.
Now that Seth Bautista's love life has been hexed, every date ends in a disaster. Who’s surprised? He’s notoriously flirtatious; it was only a matter of time before it backfired.
Now the question is… who cast the hex?
Seth has always been chaos embodied, and Rowan Hawthorne has no time for chaos. But she can't say no to Seth, especially not when the hex begins impacting others they care about.
This should be easy for Rowan. Break the hex, fix Seth’s love life, and finally move on from him. Plans change. And when Seth falls for Rowan, the hex targets her next.
WHAT YOU'LL FIND INSIDE
A cozy paranormal romantic comedy with a cute small town setting.
Childhood friends to lovers with forced proximity.
Grumpy x Sunshine between a jock himbo and his favorite snarky nerd.
A reformed playboy who's forced to face his past.
An overworked witch who's taught to enjoy life again.
A stoic plus-size main character.
A himbo golden retriever love interest.
Banter, spice, and magic!
Perfect for fans of Payback's a Witch and Witch Please.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 8, 2026
“And what could you possibly want to know about me?” I stare up at the white ceiling, my lips twitching. “I’m the most boring of the Hawthornes. Haven’t you heard?”
This is unfortunately true...
I’m honestly disappointed in this one. It seems like a first draft, with poorly constructed characters, a dragging development of the plot and a lack of cozyness in a book described as “cozy paranormal romantic comedy” that was frankly baffling.
I didn’t have many expectations going in, considering Rowan didn’t display much of a personality in the previous books, but I thought it was because she was more reserved and a secondary character. However, she doesn’t display much of a personality as a main character either. Her whole character revolves around the love interest, and this honestly surprised me since the series tries to give its main female characters a tridimensional personality and interests outside the romantic relationship. There was nothing of the sort in here, Rowan didn’t even feel like a main character seeing as everything revolved around Seth. Her “passion”, astrology, consists of trivia facts that are high-school level and “hot takes” about planets that you could find on X or Reddit. Rowan’s magic is so absent from this supposedly paranormal story that she might even be a human at this point, so that this: “My magic… I love it. It’s my greatest passion, the real work of my soul, but it’s exhausting me as much as work is. I’m taking a break from it all. From hexes. From spells. From the stars. Everything.”, at the very end of a book that never showed her doing much magic or work at all, felt like a poorly made joke. What was supposed to be a character arc where Rowan learns how to “enjoy life again” is completely forgotten until the epilogue: Knowing Seth has changed me for the better. Surprises, something that used to be so nerve-wracking, are now something I love. Even the growing crowd around us is something I could get used to—at least when Seth is by my side. , where not only the focus on Seth is explicitly remarked, but the supposed “growth” never happened. And this brings me to another problem: I think the real growth wanted to address Rowan’s focus on work (again, absent) and bring her character to set boundaries (which she does, but it has no weight since We. Saw. No. WORKING), but this conclusion, that she’s better because she now loves surprises and crowds makes it look like not loving crowds or surprises is a bad thing...you know, those things that introverted and neurodivergent people don’t particularly appreciate, which is pretty insulting.
As I said, Rowan was a poorly made main character, but the rest are as well. Seth was supposed to be the “sunshine” character as opposed to Rowan, but they are both the most negative characters that I’ve ever found in a romantic comedy. There’s no comedy, only romance, and the cozyness is nowhere to be found. Rowan is constantly pining after Seth – so much in fact, that a date at the museum (which requires no planning or effort from someone that is supposed to be your best friend) makes her think I can’t believe Seth put together something so thoughtful. – remarking how other types of magic are inferior to her own (that again, we never see), being jealous of every breathing thing that gets close to Seth, hiding facts that would make Seth probably never talk to her again, like the fact that his hex could affect his mother (and she goes as far as urging Seth to leave the hex to run its course or insisting that it’s gone despite it being very much not gone), judging people that only look for sex as “shallow” – since when are these books so prude and judgemental? – and being self deprecating; all this made her frankly exhausting to read and not a heroine to admire. And Seth is the exact same. His personality can be summarised with: taking care of his mother, being self deprecating, jealous, and he only “grows” as a character because he has “found the one”; he never respected the women he had flings with, and he never will, because he is apparently the representation men men that “respect” (debatable) only the woman they end up falling in love with, which makes him a hero that I didn’t root for either.
As for the person who hexed Seth, it was so obvious who it was that it was frustrating to read Seth and Rowan being forcibly oblivious for the sake of the plot and the last minute reveal. Laurel is supposedly Seth and Rowan’s best friend but she is back being “the one that does the tarot reading at the start of the book and gets interrupted before finishing” which is starting to be annoying.
As for the writing, this reads like a first draft. Inconsistencies, messed up character arcs and rhythm, characters that appear for no reason at all, a lot of telling and not showing, a long running vagueness in what is being told as well, some fucked up POVs, a forced “fuck it” trope that made no sense in context, and descriptions that either felt like shopping lists or wattpad-inspired.
I received an eARC of the book from the author and this represents my honest opinion
This is unfortunately true...
I’m honestly disappointed in this one. It seems like a first draft, with poorly constructed characters, a dragging development of the plot and a lack of cozyness in a book described as “cozy paranormal romantic comedy” that was frankly baffling.
I didn’t have many expectations going in, considering Rowan didn’t display much of a personality in the previous books, but I thought it was because she was more reserved and a secondary character. However, she doesn’t display much of a personality as a main character either. Her whole character revolves around the love interest, and this honestly surprised me since the series tries to give its main female characters a tridimensional personality and interests outside the romantic relationship. There was nothing of the sort in here, Rowan didn’t even feel like a main character seeing as everything revolved around Seth. Her “passion”, astrology, consists of trivia facts that are high-school level and “hot takes” about planets that you could find on X or Reddit. Rowan’s magic is so absent from this supposedly paranormal story that she might even be a human at this point, so that this: “My magic… I love it. It’s my greatest passion, the real work of my soul, but it’s exhausting me as much as work is. I’m taking a break from it all. From hexes. From spells. From the stars. Everything.”, at the very end of a book that never showed her doing much magic or work at all, felt like a poorly made joke. What was supposed to be a character arc where Rowan learns how to “enjoy life again” is completely forgotten until the epilogue: Knowing Seth has changed me for the better. Surprises, something that used to be so nerve-wracking, are now something I love. Even the growing crowd around us is something I could get used to—at least when Seth is by my side. , where not only the focus on Seth is explicitly remarked, but the supposed “growth” never happened. And this brings me to another problem: I think the real growth wanted to address Rowan’s focus on work (again, absent) and bring her character to set boundaries (which she does, but it has no weight since We. Saw. No. WORKING), but this conclusion, that she’s better because she now loves surprises and crowds makes it look like not loving crowds or surprises is a bad thing...you know, those things that introverted and neurodivergent people don’t particularly appreciate, which is pretty insulting.
As I said, Rowan was a poorly made main character, but the rest are as well. Seth was supposed to be the “sunshine” character as opposed to Rowan, but they are both the most negative characters that I’ve ever found in a romantic comedy. There’s no comedy, only romance, and the cozyness is nowhere to be found. Rowan is constantly pining after Seth – so much in fact, that a date at the museum (which requires no planning or effort from someone that is supposed to be your best friend) makes her think I can’t believe Seth put together something so thoughtful. – remarking how other types of magic are inferior to her own (that again, we never see), being jealous of every breathing thing that gets close to Seth, hiding facts that would make Seth probably never talk to her again, like the fact that his hex could affect his mother (and she goes as far as urging Seth to leave the hex to run its course or insisting that it’s gone despite it being very much not gone), judging people that only look for sex as “shallow” – since when are these books so prude and judgemental? – and being self deprecating; all this made her frankly exhausting to read and not a heroine to admire. And Seth is the exact same. His personality can be summarised with: taking care of his mother, being self deprecating, jealous, and he only “grows” as a character because he has “found the one”; he never respected the women he had flings with, and he never will, because he is apparently the representation men men that “respect” (debatable) only the woman they end up falling in love with, which makes him a hero that I didn’t root for either.
As for the person who hexed Seth, it was so obvious who it was that it was frustrating to read Seth and Rowan being forcibly oblivious for the sake of the plot and the last minute reveal. Laurel is supposedly Seth and Rowan’s best friend but she is back being “the one that does the tarot reading at the start of the book and gets interrupted before finishing” which is starting to be annoying.
As for the writing, this reads like a first draft. Inconsistencies, messed up character arcs and rhythm, characters that appear for no reason at all, a lot of telling and not showing, a long running vagueness in what is being told as well, some fucked up POVs, a forced “fuck it” trope that made no sense in context, and descriptions that either felt like shopping lists or wattpad-inspired.
I received an eARC of the book from the author and this represents my honest opinion
June 29, 2026
If you want a cozy Gilmore girl autumn paranormal supernatural vibes of a romance novel that always ends in a HEA
Look no further than Elle’s book series!
This is the 5th book and yes i definitely read out of order (oops) my first book was the 4th one which i devoured in a day months ago.
This is the fifth with Rowan and Seth a witch and a mortal
And oooh my the spice between them was perfect
The “whodunnit” mystery of it? Perfection
I love a good little mystery that doesn’t raise the stakes but keeps me turning the pages until I’m done reading.
Loved it all around. Now I gotta start reading from the first book!
Can’t wait for the 6th novel coming out this October :)
Look no further than Elle’s book series!
This is the 5th book and yes i definitely read out of order (oops) my first book was the 4th one which i devoured in a day months ago.
This is the fifth with Rowan and Seth a witch and a mortal
And oooh my the spice between them was perfect
The “whodunnit” mystery of it? Perfection
I love a good little mystery that doesn’t raise the stakes but keeps me turning the pages until I’m done reading.
Loved it all around. Now I gotta start reading from the first book!
Can’t wait for the 6th novel coming out this October :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 18, 2026
Head over heels for Hexed and Hazy
I have been waiting for Seth and Rowan’s book since the moment I read them both in the very first book of the series, Bewitched and Bewildered. Their characters were always my favorites and reading their story was everything I needed and more 🥹❤️
Throughout the series we’ve come to know them so well as individuals, and though they’re such an opposite attract kind of couple, as you watch their relationship evolve you see that they balance each other beautifully 🥹 I’ve always loved Seth’s bouncy, golden retriever energy and loved the way it played against Rowan’s natural reserved, black cat vibes. They brought out the best in each other, her allowing him to see actual, genuine growth that he needed to make, and he allowed her to let go of some of her rigidity and control.
Speaking of control, the spice in this book is *chefs kiss*. We love a switchy couple and Seth and Rowan DELIVERED. They went from went from “Good Boy” to “Yes Sir” real quick and it had me over here like 🫠🫠🫠
The mystery of who hexed Seth was definitely a nice plot device, and even though I figured it out pretty quick it didn’t diminish the story for me AT ALL. It allowed for a relatively low stakes mystery that kept us entertained and engaged while still appreciating the romance and the character development instead of stressing super hard the whole time. A cozy mystery if you will.
I am so sad that this is the last book for the Hawthorne Sisters but I am so so so glad that this isn’t the end of my journey in Starbrook. I can’t wait for the next books in the series to come out so I can come back to my favorite witchy small town and fall in love all over again.
I have been waiting for Seth and Rowan’s book since the moment I read them both in the very first book of the series, Bewitched and Bewildered. Their characters were always my favorites and reading their story was everything I needed and more 🥹❤️
Throughout the series we’ve come to know them so well as individuals, and though they’re such an opposite attract kind of couple, as you watch their relationship evolve you see that they balance each other beautifully 🥹 I’ve always loved Seth’s bouncy, golden retriever energy and loved the way it played against Rowan’s natural reserved, black cat vibes. They brought out the best in each other, her allowing him to see actual, genuine growth that he needed to make, and he allowed her to let go of some of her rigidity and control.
Speaking of control, the spice in this book is *chefs kiss*. We love a switchy couple and Seth and Rowan DELIVERED. They went from went from “Good Boy” to “Yes Sir” real quick and it had me over here like 🫠🫠🫠
The mystery of who hexed Seth was definitely a nice plot device, and even though I figured it out pretty quick it didn’t diminish the story for me AT ALL. It allowed for a relatively low stakes mystery that kept us entertained and engaged while still appreciating the romance and the character development instead of stressing super hard the whole time. A cozy mystery if you will.
I am so sad that this is the last book for the Hawthorne Sisters but I am so so so glad that this isn’t the end of my journey in Starbrook. I can’t wait for the next books in the series to come out so I can come back to my favorite witchy small town and fall in love all over again.
July 3, 2026
・❥・⋆.🔮ೃ✨*:･・❥・
“Only you.” He closes his eyes. “I know I haven’t been able to commit to anything serious in a while, maybe ever, but it’s different with you.”
・❥・⋆.🔮ೃ✨*:･・❥・
Hexed & Hazy by Elle Lavendelle
eARC review
🔮
𝗕𝗘𝗬𝗢𝗡𝗗 𝗙𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗖
Seth & Ro are the kinds of characters that hook you immediately. The entire vibe of the book feels completely immersive. Nothing but high praise for their story.
🔮
𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦 & 𝗢𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥 𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗗𝗜𝗘 𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗗𝗦:
• Plant daddy
• Good boy/Good girl/Bad girl dynamics
• A dash of mystery
• Cozy AF Vibes
• A reformed playboy who’s forced to face his past
• Adorable small town
• A himbo golden retriever
• A stoic plus-size main character.
• A cozy paranormal rom-com
• Banter, spice, and magic
• Childhood friends to lovers
• Safe words, Aftercare +more
🔮
GENERAL BREAKDOWN:
PLOT 5
MAIN CHARACTERS 5
ENJOYMENT 5
SETTING 5
MISCELLANEOUS 4
OTHER 5
SECONDARY CHARACTERS 5
ENGAGEMENT 5
EASE OF READING 5
❤︎ OVERALL TOTAL: 𝗘𝗭 𝗔𝗙 𝗙𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗦 ★★★★★
・❥・⋆.🔮ೃ✨*:･・❥・
❤︎ “Ro.” His voice cracks.
And my heart breaks open. For him. It’s always
been for him. ❤︎
━
𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴. 𝗕𝗲 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘄𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝘄𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝘃𝗲𝘀.
❤︎ ❤︎ ❤︎
𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗤𝗨𝗘𝗘𝗥 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥
𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗙𝗔𝗧 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥
𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗗𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗘 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥
✨🌈✨
“Only you.” He closes his eyes. “I know I haven’t been able to commit to anything serious in a while, maybe ever, but it’s different with you.”
・❥・⋆.🔮ೃ✨*:･・❥・
Hexed & Hazy by Elle Lavendelle
eARC review
🔮
𝗕𝗘𝗬𝗢𝗡𝗗 𝗙𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗖
Seth & Ro are the kinds of characters that hook you immediately. The entire vibe of the book feels completely immersive. Nothing but high praise for their story.
🔮
𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦 & 𝗢𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥 𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗗𝗜𝗘 𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗗𝗦:
• Plant daddy
• Good boy/Good girl/Bad girl dynamics
• A dash of mystery
• Cozy AF Vibes
• A reformed playboy who’s forced to face his past
• Adorable small town
• A himbo golden retriever
• A stoic plus-size main character.
• A cozy paranormal rom-com
• Banter, spice, and magic
• Childhood friends to lovers
• Safe words, Aftercare +more
🔮
GENERAL BREAKDOWN:
PLOT 5
MAIN CHARACTERS 5
ENJOYMENT 5
SETTING 5
MISCELLANEOUS 4
OTHER 5
SECONDARY CHARACTERS 5
ENGAGEMENT 5
EASE OF READING 5
❤︎ OVERALL TOTAL: 𝗘𝗭 𝗔𝗙 𝗙𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗦 ★★★★★
・❥・⋆.🔮ೃ✨*:･・❥・
❤︎ “Ro.” His voice cracks.
And my heart breaks open. For him. It’s always
been for him. ❤︎
━
𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴. 𝗕𝗲 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘄𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝘄𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝘃𝗲𝘀.
❤︎ ❤︎ ❤︎
𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗤𝗨𝗘𝗘𝗥 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥
𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗙𝗔𝗧 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥
𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗗𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗘 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥
✨🌈✨
August 1, 2026
Full disclosure, I binge-read this entire series in less than a week and I have no regrets.
This book was the final of the “Hawthorne sisters” part of the series, with the final sister finding her place and her love. Ro was probably the sister I most identified with, so I really enjoyed getting to hear her story. As with the previous books, although the romance is arguably the focus, Ro also goes through a lot of personal and professional growth.
The basic plot of Seth having to face all his exes was fun and a bit more lighthearted than other books in the series (although it had some serious moments). That’s one way to make a playboy reconsider his choices.
This book and this series had all the banter, all the spice, plus small town vibes, but make it magic. I think the Hawthorne sisters had a satisfying conclusion to being main characters and I’m excited about where the series goes from here!
Huge thank you to the author for sending me an ARC copy of this book so I could read the series in order!!
This book was the final of the “Hawthorne sisters” part of the series, with the final sister finding her place and her love. Ro was probably the sister I most identified with, so I really enjoyed getting to hear her story. As with the previous books, although the romance is arguably the focus, Ro also goes through a lot of personal and professional growth.
The basic plot of Seth having to face all his exes was fun and a bit more lighthearted than other books in the series (although it had some serious moments). That’s one way to make a playboy reconsider his choices.
This book and this series had all the banter, all the spice, plus small town vibes, but make it magic. I think the Hawthorne sisters had a satisfying conclusion to being main characters and I’m excited about where the series goes from here!
Huge thank you to the author for sending me an ARC copy of this book so I could read the series in order!!
July 29, 2026
4.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐. 5
Honestly I didn't know I needed there story but I'm so happy I got it because they truly so cute i thought they were so sweet and understood each other while others didn't fully see them and their full potential not only who they are but even work whether its not being where they want or just being overworked
I could tell Rowan had a slight little crush in reading the other books I wasn't sure if it would have actually turned anything but they did and it was so cute
I liked the whodunnit mystery and why it happened but once it was revealed it kind of felt flat I wanted more on it I get why it was moved on fast but since the hex was such a big plot point I was expecting more on that aspect maybe in future book it would have some more explanation or consequence but honestly this was a great read Elle lavedelle doesn't fail in her writing✍️
Honestly I didn't know I needed there story but I'm so happy I got it because they truly so cute i thought they were so sweet and understood each other while others didn't fully see them and their full potential not only who they are but even work whether its not being where they want or just being overworked
I could tell Rowan had a slight little crush in reading the other books I wasn't sure if it would have actually turned anything but they did and it was so cute
I liked the whodunnit mystery and why it happened but once it was revealed it kind of felt flat I wanted more on it I get why it was moved on fast but since the hex was such a big plot point I was expecting more on that aspect maybe in future book it would have some more explanation or consequence but honestly this was a great read Elle lavedelle doesn't fail in her writing✍️
August 16, 2026
⭐️ Rating: 4.5/5
🌶️ Spice: 3/5
🫖💐 Coziness: 5/5
Another lovely addition to the Witches of Starbrook series! Cozy and sweet, set in a town that I would love to live in. And a nice slice of spice.
The tropes for this book include “friends to lovers” and “idiots to lovers.” 😂 It is accurate, and I mean that in the most loving way possible. Reading this made me want to climb into the book, shake them both, and then lock them in a closet until they JUST TALK PLAINLY. I love that kind of tension. I feel like it can often be overdone in books, where the characters are hesitant to move forward because of undefined, or weak and repetitive reasons, but Rowan and Seth are well formed characters and their POVs make their reluctance understandable.
I would have loved to know more about Rowan’s magic, but that wasn’t the main focus of this particular story. Although a hex is driving the narrative, it’s more of a story about focusing on the things that matter most which are often right in front of you (SETH…), confronting your past, and treating yourself and others with grace and respect.
🌶️ Spice: 3/5
🫖💐 Coziness: 5/5
Another lovely addition to the Witches of Starbrook series! Cozy and sweet, set in a town that I would love to live in. And a nice slice of spice.
The tropes for this book include “friends to lovers” and “idiots to lovers.” 😂 It is accurate, and I mean that in the most loving way possible. Reading this made me want to climb into the book, shake them both, and then lock them in a closet until they JUST TALK PLAINLY. I love that kind of tension. I feel like it can often be overdone in books, where the characters are hesitant to move forward because of undefined, or weak and repetitive reasons, but Rowan and Seth are well formed characters and their POVs make their reluctance understandable.
I would have loved to know more about Rowan’s magic, but that wasn’t the main focus of this particular story. Although a hex is driving the narrative, it’s more of a story about focusing on the things that matter most which are often right in front of you (SETH…), confronting your past, and treating yourself and others with grace and respect.
September 19, 2026
ARC REVIEW 🚨
Thank you to the author for an ARC copy of Hexed and Hazy!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ /5
Hoooooo boy was the spice SPICING in this book! Truly love switches/dynamic shifts in a spicy romance.
As always, being back in Starbrook was like a warm hug. I loved learning more about Seth and his background, and I really connected with Rowan and her drive to be useful to others, even to the point of completely burning out. I loved the touches about astrological magic too!
I can’t wait to see what the next book has in store. Although I’ll definitely miss the Hawthorne sisters’ POVs, I’m excited to see what new faces we get to meet.
Thank you to the author for an ARC copy of Hexed and Hazy!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ /5
Hoooooo boy was the spice SPICING in this book! Truly love switches/dynamic shifts in a spicy romance.
As always, being back in Starbrook was like a warm hug. I loved learning more about Seth and his background, and I really connected with Rowan and her drive to be useful to others, even to the point of completely burning out. I loved the touches about astrological magic too!
I can’t wait to see what the next book has in store. Although I’ll definitely miss the Hawthorne sisters’ POVs, I’m excited to see what new faces we get to meet.
July 16, 2026
This was very sweet and cozy read. I loved the little town and friendships between characters. The side characters were lovable and in the right places.
The friends to lovers situation between Rowan and Seth is well written. There’s lots of yearning and misunderstandings. They are sweet, somewhat innocent together.
The plot is nice, but the ending revealed itself sooner than the actual story did. It didn’t matter much but I guess I wanted the anticipation of the ending. Story is well written, no loose ends.
*I was given an ARC and this is my willingly given review*
The friends to lovers situation between Rowan and Seth is well written. There’s lots of yearning and misunderstandings. They are sweet, somewhat innocent together.
The plot is nice, but the ending revealed itself sooner than the actual story did. It didn’t matter much but I guess I wanted the anticipation of the ending. Story is well written, no loose ends.
*I was given an ARC and this is my willingly given review*
August 20, 2026
“what happened, sweetie?”
“i-it’s nothing.”
“which usually means it’s everything, huh?”
oh rowan and seth. my sweet sweet babies. this one was definitely my favorite hawthorne sister book by far. rowan really tugged on my heartstrings in a way that was so deeply personal to me. and seth…my sweet dumb plant father. i’m going to punch him /aff
and they were so…SCRUMPTIOUSLY SPICY ??? i was not prepared for these two to be such FREAKS i was foaming at the mouth. yum yum yum.
“i-it’s nothing.”
“which usually means it’s everything, huh?”
oh rowan and seth. my sweet sweet babies. this one was definitely my favorite hawthorne sister book by far. rowan really tugged on my heartstrings in a way that was so deeply personal to me. and seth…my sweet dumb plant father. i’m going to punch him /aff
and they were so…SCRUMPTIOUSLY SPICY ??? i was not prepared for these two to be such FREAKS i was foaming at the mouth. yum yum yum.
July 1, 2026
This book was such a good read. I love a well done friends to lovers story arc and this story provided that and more. This series is always such a great balance of cozy and intrigue. Another great story with body positivity, a sprinkle of kink, a growing friendship, and family.
I am so grateful for the opportunity to be an E-ARC reader so I could leave my honest opinion about this book.
July 5, 2026
Thank you so much to Elle for the ARC opportunity!
This was my first foray into this universe and I am so glad I did. The characters were adorable, the world and the lore was so much fun, and the plot was just great!
I am so excited to go back and read the already released books, I know I'm going to love them just as much!
This was my first foray into this universe and I am so glad I did. The characters were adorable, the world and the lore was so much fun, and the plot was just great!
I am so excited to go back and read the already released books, I know I'm going to love them just as much!
August 23, 2026
Seth’s F-boy ways got him hexed. In the midst of breaking it Seth and Rowan find they are worthy of each other. Holy smokes who knew Seth was so deliciously dirty. Seth and Rowan are so imperfectly perfect for each other it’s adorable.Sad to see the Hawthorne family go but excited to see what Starbrook has in store for us next.
August 31, 2026
great Book
Awesome ending to the sisters stories. This whole series had been really enjoyable with each individual storyline independent but entwined with each other. I highly recommend reading them in order even though I suppose stand alone would work getting the cohesive story is better.
Awesome ending to the sisters stories. This whole series had been really enjoyable with each individual storyline independent but entwined with each other. I highly recommend reading them in order even though I suppose stand alone would work getting the cohesive story is better.
July 1, 2026
Read as an ARC
I have read and enjoyed Elle's books before, but this one has to be my favourite. (So far!) I loved the romance and the spicy scenes were so well done.
Starbrook continues to be one of my favourite places to visit. If you havent read any of this serious yet, you need to!
I have read and enjoyed Elle's books before, but this one has to be my favourite. (So far!) I loved the romance and the spicy scenes were so well done.
Starbrook continues to be one of my favourite places to visit. If you havent read any of this serious yet, you need to!
September 12, 2026
I have been waiting for Rowan and Seth's story since they walked onto the page several books ago. They just have this chemistry and I am super here for it. I will miss the Hawthorne's, but I love Starbrook and am looking forward to reading more in this world.
July 12, 2026
5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Another Witches of Starbrook book, another reminder of why I love this series so much.
Hexed & Hazy is book five and follows Rowan and Seth as they try to uncover who cursed Seth and what is actually behind it. They’re neighbours and have known each other since childhood, but their relationship has always been a little complicated, which made their dynamic especially fun to follow.
I’m deliberately keeping this review fairly vague because I genuinely think this is a book you should experience without knowing too much beforehand. There are quite a few emotional layers woven into the story, including loneliness, feeling like you don’t quite belong and figuring out where you fit in. I really appreciated how naturally those themes were incorporated without taking away from the witchy, cozy atmosphere of the series.
As always, I loved getting to spend more time in the world of Starbrook. There’s something about these books that makes them incredibly easy to sink into, and Hexed & Hazy was no exception. The characters, the magic, the relationships and the overall atmosphere once again worked so well for me.
Every book has managed to give me something different while still feeling like Witches of Starbrook, and I’m already excited for what comes next.
This was a 5 star read for me and an easy recommendation, especially if you’re looking for cozy witchy romance, magic and a little mystery.
And one final reminder: these books are absolutely perfect for autumn. 🍂🔮 If you haven’t started Witches of Starbrook yet, this is your sign.
A huge thank you to Elle Lavendelle for letting me read this ARC. I’m incredibly grateful to have been given the opportunity to read another book in this wonderful series early. 💕
Another Witches of Starbrook book, another reminder of why I love this series so much.
Hexed & Hazy is book five and follows Rowan and Seth as they try to uncover who cursed Seth and what is actually behind it. They’re neighbours and have known each other since childhood, but their relationship has always been a little complicated, which made their dynamic especially fun to follow.
I’m deliberately keeping this review fairly vague because I genuinely think this is a book you should experience without knowing too much beforehand. There are quite a few emotional layers woven into the story, including loneliness, feeling like you don’t quite belong and figuring out where you fit in. I really appreciated how naturally those themes were incorporated without taking away from the witchy, cozy atmosphere of the series.
As always, I loved getting to spend more time in the world of Starbrook. There’s something about these books that makes them incredibly easy to sink into, and Hexed & Hazy was no exception. The characters, the magic, the relationships and the overall atmosphere once again worked so well for me.
Every book has managed to give me something different while still feeling like Witches of Starbrook, and I’m already excited for what comes next.
This was a 5 star read for me and an easy recommendation, especially if you’re looking for cozy witchy romance, magic and a little mystery.
And one final reminder: these books are absolutely perfect for autumn. 🍂🔮 If you haven’t started Witches of Starbrook yet, this is your sign.
A huge thank you to Elle Lavendelle for letting me read this ARC. I’m incredibly grateful to have been given the opportunity to read another book in this wonderful series early. 💕
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