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The Wednesday Witches Book Club
A book-loving witch finds magic and mystery in a whimsical short story about the transformative power of friendship and community by the New York Times bestselling author of The Spellshop.
After a challenging divorce, Ashley joins a witchy book club in search of a new social life. But when members start being transformed one by one, Ashley and the remaining book club members must uncover the culprit behind these sinister spells. With time running out until she’s the next target, she turns to her grimoire for answers. Because what better way to catch a magical culprit than through stories?
Sarah Beth Durst’s The Wednesday Witches Book Club is part of the Magic & Mystery collection, puzzle-box mysteries from top fantasy authors. They can be read or listened to in one enchanting sitting.
After a challenging divorce, Ashley joins a witchy book club in search of a new social life. But when members start being transformed one by one, Ashley and the remaining book club members must uncover the culprit behind these sinister spells. With time running out until she’s the next target, she turns to her grimoire for answers. Because what better way to catch a magical culprit than through stories?
Sarah Beth Durst’s The Wednesday Witches Book Club is part of the Magic & Mystery collection, puzzle-box mysteries from top fantasy authors. They can be read or listened to in one enchanting sitting.
49 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 28, 2026
About the author
Sarah Beth Durst
60 books10.5k followersSarah Beth Durst is the New York Times bestselling author of over twenty-five books for adults, teens, and kids, including cozy fantasy The Spellshop. She's been awarded an American Library Association Alex Award, as well as a Mythopoeic Fantasy Award. Several of her books have been optioned for film/television, including Drink Slay Love, which was made into a TV movie and was a question on Jeopardy! She lives in Stony Brook, New York, with her husband, her children, and her ill-mannered cat. Visit her at sarahbethdurst.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,007 reviews
July 5, 2026
₍⸍⸌̣ʷ̣̫⸍̣⸌₎ In typical Sarah Beth Durst style, this was fun! The way their magic and books were connected was super interesting, and the mystery itself had me guessing right up to the very end. 🤭 The writing was great, the story was wonderful, and the ending put a smile on my face.
Overall, I totally recommend this if you are looking for a cozy, short, magical read. 💜
❊ Thank you to Amazon Original Stories and NetGalley for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own. ❊
──── ୨୧ ────
The Magic & Mystery Collection
#2 Miss Gentle and The Case of the Very Flat Monk
#3 The Lion's Tusk
#4 A Labyrinth of Honeybees
#5 The Wizard Who Kept Himself Suspicious
#6 Battle of the Round House
#7 The Cairndale Orphan
Overall, I totally recommend this if you are looking for a cozy, short, magical read. 💜
❊ Thank you to Amazon Original Stories and NetGalley for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own. ❊
──── ୨୧ ────
The Magic & Mystery Collection
#2 Miss Gentle and The Case of the Very Flat Monk
#3 The Lion's Tusk
#4 A Labyrinth of Honeybees
#5 The Wizard Who Kept Himself Suspicious
#6 Battle of the Round House
#7 The Cairndale Orphan
August 4, 2026
Sarah Beth Durst pens cozy quirky reads that feel like a little pick me up! When I noticed she had an installment in Amazon’s Magic and Mystery Collection it was an automatic add.
Ashley is new to town starting over after a divorce and every witch needs a book club. Here’s where the short story shines…The magic system! Usually that’s the weak point when dealing with fantasy shorts, but in this case the relationship between the witches and their grimoires was delightfully original, simple to understand and had this reader smiling! There’s a mysterious aspect that someone is turning the fellow members of the book club into cats. 🐈 🐈⬛ To what end??
The plot avoids anything dark but the interactions hold interest. The story also felt complete which is a huge plus with short stories. Getting to attend a book club for witches was even better than I hoped!
Four Fabulous Stars
✨ ✨ ✨ ✨
Ashley is new to town starting over after a divorce and every witch needs a book club. Here’s where the short story shines…The magic system! Usually that’s the weak point when dealing with fantasy shorts, but in this case the relationship between the witches and their grimoires was delightfully original, simple to understand and had this reader smiling! There’s a mysterious aspect that someone is turning the fellow members of the book club into cats. 🐈 🐈⬛ To what end??
The plot avoids anything dark but the interactions hold interest. The story also felt complete which is a huge plus with short stories. Getting to attend a book club for witches was even better than I hoped!
Four Fabulous Stars
✨ ✨ ✨ ✨
August 26, 2026
i’m always happy to read silly books, but this one sadly didn’t work for me. was it too cliche? too ‘bookish’? too quirky? maybe all of the above. the mystery was also not that compelling either.
─ ✦ ────
✎ᝰ.┊ pre-read: hoping for a fun little cozy mystery with this one!
─ ✦ ────
✎ᝰ.┊ pre-read: hoping for a fun little cozy mystery with this one!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley
✰ the collection on amazon
✰ the collection on goodreads
this was delightful, actually. ashley is a witch who is starting over in her 40s, and has decided to move to long island to clean homes and to maybe join a book club once again! witches in this world gained their magic through books, and the book that awakens your magic will become your grimoire, and i just think that’s so lovely. and in this short story, we see her attend the book club, use her enchanted clothes magic from her copy of a wrinkle in time, and try to solve the mystery that involves cat transformation!
also, if you’re doing HRCYED 3.0 - this is the short story for you. so many book title drops in this one, and so much range within those titles! But this was truly so cute, fun, and just the perfect amount of quirky! i think most people are going to really enjoy this installment from the collection!
trigger + content warnings: mention of divorce in past, mention of getting cheating on in past, mention of loss of parents because of drunk drivers in past, and themes of loneliness
blog | instagram | youtube | wishlist | spotify | amazon
The Spellshop ★★★
♡ Magic & Mystery Amazon Collection Reviews:
➛ Miss Gentle and the Case of the Very Flat Monk by Travis Baldree
➛ The Wednesday Witches Book Club By Sarah Beth Durst
➛ The Lion’s Tusk By Robert Jackson Bennett
➛ A Labyrinth of Honeybees By Heather Fawcett
➛ The Wizard Who Kept Himself Suspicious By Scott Lynch
➛ Battle of the Round House By Tananarive Due
➛ The Cairndale Orphan By J. M. Miro
✰ the collection on amazon
✰ the collection on goodreads
this was delightful, actually. ashley is a witch who is starting over in her 40s, and has decided to move to long island to clean homes and to maybe join a book club once again! witches in this world gained their magic through books, and the book that awakens your magic will become your grimoire, and i just think that’s so lovely. and in this short story, we see her attend the book club, use her enchanted clothes magic from her copy of a wrinkle in time, and try to solve the mystery that involves cat transformation!
also, if you’re doing HRCYED 3.0 - this is the short story for you. so many book title drops in this one, and so much range within those titles! But this was truly so cute, fun, and just the perfect amount of quirky! i think most people are going to really enjoy this installment from the collection!
trigger + content warnings: mention of divorce in past, mention of getting cheating on in past, mention of loss of parents because of drunk drivers in past, and themes of loneliness
blog | instagram | youtube | wishlist | spotify | amazon
The Spellshop ★★★
♡ Magic & Mystery Amazon Collection Reviews:
➛ Miss Gentle and the Case of the Very Flat Monk by Travis Baldree
➛ The Wednesday Witches Book Club By Sarah Beth Durst
➛ The Lion’s Tusk By Robert Jackson Bennett
➛ A Labyrinth of Honeybees By Heather Fawcett
➛ The Wizard Who Kept Himself Suspicious By Scott Lynch
➛ Battle of the Round House By Tananarive Due
➛ The Cairndale Orphan By J. M. Miro
August 12, 2026
On Wednesday’s we read the witches book club 🙂↔️ 💖 ✨
It has to be said Sarah Beth Durst is one of my favourite cosy fantasy authors. She always seems to strike a perfect balance between magic and mystery, and she does so once again in this super short story.
"That was a highly personal question. The first book that truly touched your heart was the one that became your grimoire, and admitting what it was said a lot about who you were." 📚 💖 ✨
The Wednesday Witches Book Club features a book-loving witch who finds restorative power in friendship and community. After a messy divorce, Ashley joins a witchy book club…soon they find themselves wrapped up in a mystery, searching through stories, to uncover the culprit responsible for some sinister spells 🪄
This was such a fun quirky read. I never get tired of Durst’s whimsical vibes or distinct sense of humour. And as a major plus, it contained one of my FAVOURITE THINGS: A library ladder. On wheels.! Oh, and lots of sassy cats 🐈 Perfect little read heavy on the cosy magical vibes 🥰
4 🌟🌟🌟🌟
It has to be said Sarah Beth Durst is one of my favourite cosy fantasy authors. She always seems to strike a perfect balance between magic and mystery, and she does so once again in this super short story.
"That was a highly personal question. The first book that truly touched your heart was the one that became your grimoire, and admitting what it was said a lot about who you were." 📚 💖 ✨
The Wednesday Witches Book Club features a book-loving witch who finds restorative power in friendship and community. After a messy divorce, Ashley joins a witchy book club…soon they find themselves wrapped up in a mystery, searching through stories, to uncover the culprit responsible for some sinister spells 🪄
This was such a fun quirky read. I never get tired of Durst’s whimsical vibes or distinct sense of humour. And as a major plus, it contained one of my FAVOURITE THINGS: A library ladder. On wheels.! Oh, and lots of sassy cats 🐈 Perfect little read heavy on the cosy magical vibes 🥰
4 🌟🌟🌟🌟
October 14, 2026
“We’ll figure this out. You’ll get your book club back, and… if you’ll still have me after this… I’d love to be in it too. Assuming we don’t both get turned into cats.”
Set on Long Island, New York.
Ashley is a divorced mother…and a witch. Recently relocated, Ashley is discovering the joy of making new friends in her forties. An entrepreneur, she runs her own cleaning service.
Genevieve Durand leads a group of local witches. They are very into reading.
Selina has turned herself into a cat…so now Ashley can take her place in book club…which is actually a coven. 😊
Vicky, Marco, and Naya are the other members.
The grimoire is the first book you read, in which you discover your magical powers.
It’s cool to see a book tie its plot into reading.
The magical cleaning is cool. ✨
Who is turning the members into cats? 🤔
The Cat in the Hat book 🙊
What a sweet story. Hits the spot—especially after the messy opener to this collection. 😊
“If the magic can’t keep us safe, if it can’t keep us strong, what’s the point?”
“I think…I think it does make us strong. But not…not in the way you mean. I think it makes us less alone. That’s what stories do, after all. They connect us. And that’s what magic does. It brings us together.”
Set on Long Island, New York.
Ashley is a divorced mother…and a witch. Recently relocated, Ashley is discovering the joy of making new friends in her forties. An entrepreneur, she runs her own cleaning service.
Genevieve Durand leads a group of local witches. They are very into reading.
Selina has turned herself into a cat…so now Ashley can take her place in book club…which is actually a coven. 😊
Vicky, Marco, and Naya are the other members.
The grimoire is the first book you read, in which you discover your magical powers.
It’s cool to see a book tie its plot into reading.
The magical cleaning is cool. ✨
Who is turning the members into cats? 🤔
The Cat in the Hat book 🙊
What a sweet story. Hits the spot—especially after the messy opener to this collection. 😊
“If the magic can’t keep us safe, if it can’t keep us strong, what’s the point?”
“I think…I think it does make us strong. But not…not in the way you mean. I think it makes us less alone. That’s what stories do, after all. They connect us. And that’s what magic does. It brings us together.”
August 15, 2026
Witches, books and cats. The holy trinity.
September 18, 2026
Definitely entertaining, and an interesting, lovely idea with the book clubs and the grimoires.
I knew right away who the villain was, but that's no big deal—it was still good.
A nice book to read during your breakfast break.
Halfway around the room there was . . . Seeing it, Ashley let out a tiny gasp.
A library ladder. On wheels. “
After a few glasses of wine,” one of the people in the room said cheerfully, “Genevieve sometimes lets us ride it around the shelves.” 😂
“You’re telling me that you are turning down a life as a clearly superior being because of books?” 🤩
I knew right away who the villain was, but that's no big deal—it was still good.
A nice book to read during your breakfast break.
Halfway around the room there was . . . Seeing it, Ashley let out a tiny gasp.
A library ladder. On wheels. “
After a few glasses of wine,” one of the people in the room said cheerfully, “Genevieve sometimes lets us ride it around the shelves.” 😂
“You’re telling me that you are turning down a life as a clearly superior being because of books?” 🤩
August 24, 2026
A fun, quirky, cozy fantasy shortie!
Ashley, in her forties, is a witch.
After her divorce she moved away from Texas to a town in Long Island, but the worst part of it was losing her Book Club.
She runs her own enchanting cleaning business and she just found out there's just one Book Club in town every Wednesday in the house of Genevieve Durand.
She meets the other club members Vicky, Naya, Marco and also Selina, now a cat because one of her spells backfired, but no witch would cast a transformation one without a time limit.
So everything's ok!
But it seems someone is targeting the Book Club members.
There's a poof sound and one of them is transformed into a cat!
Accusations fly, between the members without certainty who the culprit is, until the amazing ending, that brought a huge laugh-out-loud smile to my face!!!
I don't want to be a spoiler, so I'll just say that the witches' magic is related to books in a most original way!
That's why "Every witch needs a Book Club."
Ashley, in her forties, is a witch.
After her divorce she moved away from Texas to a town in Long Island, but the worst part of it was losing her Book Club.
She runs her own enchanting cleaning business and she just found out there's just one Book Club in town every Wednesday in the house of Genevieve Durand.
She meets the other club members Vicky, Naya, Marco and also Selina, now a cat because one of her spells backfired, but no witch would cast a transformation one without a time limit.
So everything's ok!
But it seems someone is targeting the Book Club members.
There's a poof sound and one of them is transformed into a cat!
Accusations fly, between the members without certainty who the culprit is, until the amazing ending, that brought a huge laugh-out-loud smile to my face!!!
I don't want to be a spoiler, so I'll just say that the witches' magic is related to books in a most original way!
That's why "Every witch needs a Book Club."
August 5, 2026
I received an advance listener copy of this book to listen to in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
The Wednesday Witches Book Club is a fun cozy mystery novella perfect for curling up with a hot drink and a blanket.
Ashley has moved to a new town after her divorce from her cheating ex-husband and joined a book club of witches like her.
When she joins she finds she's replacing one of the former members who has been accidentally turned into a cat. But when another member gets turned into a cat during her very first book club meeting, she's determined to find out which witch is doing this and turn the cat members back into human form.
This was such a fun mystery with a fantastic magic system - I especially loved Ashley's and would love to have her magic for cleaning!
And, if you are a cat lover this is definitely a must read/listen for you!
The Wednesday Witches Book Club is a fun cozy mystery novella perfect for curling up with a hot drink and a blanket.
Ashley has moved to a new town after her divorce from her cheating ex-husband and joined a book club of witches like her.
When she joins she finds she's replacing one of the former members who has been accidentally turned into a cat. But when another member gets turned into a cat during her very first book club meeting, she's determined to find out which witch is doing this and turn the cat members back into human form.
This was such a fun mystery with a fantastic magic system - I especially loved Ashley's and would love to have her magic for cleaning!
And, if you are a cat lover this is definitely a must read/listen for you!
August 6, 2026
Reading for free with Kindle Unlimited and Audible audio (Amazon original stories)
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Loved the idea of how witches got their magic here and how grimore (sp?) was used.
There was some unexpected and funny moments, would probably read it again. :) Wouldn't mind other adventures for this book club either.
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Loved the idea of how witches got their magic here and how grimore (sp?) was used.
There was some unexpected and funny moments, would probably read it again. :) Wouldn't mind other adventures for this book club either.
August 13, 2026
2.5 stars
September 6, 2026
This was a DELIGHT and I need a whole series set in this world with this type of magic post-haste.
August 18, 2026
Adorable! And such an inventive twist on witches, covens, and book clubs!
August 9, 2026
3.5 🌟
Estuvo muy lindo, el mundo mágico me gustó, como es que obtienen magia 🪄
Estuvo muy lindo, el mundo mágico me gustó, como es que obtienen magia 🪄
July 3, 2026
Ok this was adorable!
I’m not typically a huge fan of “cutesy and cozy” type reads but this short story was so fun.
I loved how it incorporated a love of cats and books! How one discovers they are a witch was truly so beautiful.
As readers, we find those books that speak to us, that draw us in, and that give us back a bit of the magic they contain. I loved how this story paid tribute to that feeling.
Several moments had me grinning because of how charming it was.
If you want something quick and delightful, look no further. Sarah Beth Durst is a masterclass at endearing and quaint storytelling.
Thank you to NetGalley for the arc of this book.
I’m not typically a huge fan of “cutesy and cozy” type reads but this short story was so fun.
I loved how it incorporated a love of cats and books! How one discovers they are a witch was truly so beautiful.
As readers, we find those books that speak to us, that draw us in, and that give us back a bit of the magic they contain. I loved how this story paid tribute to that feeling.
Several moments had me grinning because of how charming it was.
If you want something quick and delightful, look no further. Sarah Beth Durst is a masterclass at endearing and quaint storytelling.
Thank you to NetGalley for the arc of this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A funny and entertaining cozy mystery 🧡
I loved the concept of the witches book club and the unusual mystery that our main character sets out to solve. Sarah Beth Durst's writing is really good as usual 🥰 I definitely recommend this short story for lovers of her latest fantasy books and cozy mystery in general.
Thanks to Amazon Original Stories via NetGalley for providing an eARC
I loved the concept of the witches book club and the unusual mystery that our main character sets out to solve. Sarah Beth Durst's writing is really good as usual 🥰 I definitely recommend this short story for lovers of her latest fantasy books and cozy mystery in general.
Thanks to Amazon Original Stories via NetGalley for providing an eARC
July 28, 2026
── 3.0✦
My grimoire would be The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by CS Lewis🥹
Also, are the mystery solutions going to have the same theme?!🤣
My grimoire would be The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by CS Lewis🥹
Also, are the mystery solutions going to have the same theme?!🤣
September 1, 2026
Moving to New Jersey following a divorce, Ashley is searching for friends and a new coven. But maybe this one has a little too many cats....
Magical books, witches and cats with a little mystery too. This was cute, cosy and light-hearted. I liked the magic system, turning a love of books into something magical. And obviously, I love a sassy cat or too. I do think the friendships felt a little superficial, and I wasn't that invested in the resolution of the mystery because I didn't really know these characters, but this was still a cute read.
Magical books, witches and cats with a little mystery too. This was cute, cosy and light-hearted. I liked the magic system, turning a love of books into something magical. And obviously, I love a sassy cat or too. I do think the friendships felt a little superficial, and I wasn't that invested in the resolution of the mystery because I didn't really know these characters, but this was still a cute read.
August 23, 2026
So cute!!! I loved it!
September 2, 2026
A lovely short story that centers around the idea that reading that one book which will forever change you can give you actual magic. I kinda wish she'd written this as a full-length novel, but I will take this novella in which a witch joins a book club whose members are turned into cats and she has to figure out who did it.
*I received a free copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
*I received a free copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
July 29, 2026
Cats are superior beings...but not superior to books!
As all Sarah Beth Durst's books are...this short story was adorable. A witchy book club goes awry when the witches get turned into cats one by one...but who is to blame?
My absolute favourite part of this story is how the witches get their magic...by reading 📚 ❤️
As all Sarah Beth Durst's books are...this short story was adorable. A witchy book club goes awry when the witches get turned into cats one by one...but who is to blame?
My absolute favourite part of this story is how the witches get their magic...by reading 📚 ❤️
September 1, 2026
I loved the magical grimoire concept in this and talking cats? great!
August 12, 2026
Cute… and I’m beginning to sense a theme. 😸
August 5, 2026
As much as I appreciate the way the magic of witches works in this world, I resent how much the book tried to convince me being human is better than being a cat.
July 28, 2026
I greatly desire a full novel set in this world—holy cow, the concept was so unique! Def a fun take on witches, and book clubs.
[4.5]
[4.5]
August 4, 2026
This was such a cute cozy funny book and if you love cats a must read!
August 4, 2026
4.25* - I liked this a lot. It seemed like it was going one direction and I was convinced I knew who the culprit was and what was going on, and then it went a different direction and I was so pleasantly surprised. This was just cute and adorable. I have really enjoyed everything I've read from this author and I'm not stopping anytime soon.
July 28, 2026
I absolutely loved this novella. It was heartwarming, funny, and had me smiling from beginning to end.
I guessed the mystery early on, but that didn't take away from my enjoyment at all. I loved all the cats, especially Mrs. Meowtini. What a perfect name! As a cat lover, they made the story even more enjoyable.
I only wish this had been a full-length novel. I would happily read more about these witches and their "book club".
This was an easy five-star read for me.
I guessed the mystery early on, but that didn't take away from my enjoyment at all. I loved all the cats, especially Mrs. Meowtini. What a perfect name! As a cat lover, they made the story even more enjoyable.
I only wish this had been a full-length novel. I would happily read more about these witches and their "book club".
This was an easy five-star read for me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,007 reviews