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Witches of Castle Clair #2
My Favourite Witch
The world is full of magic, if you know where to look.
It hasn’t been an easy time for Star St Clair. Her father has heaped disgrace on the family, and the man she loves rejected her when he discovered the truth about her powers. But the St Clair family’s magical heritage goes back centuries, and no one could be prouder of that than Star. Neither her father, nor Benedict Greenwood, will be forgiven.
Fate, however, has a shock in store for her. Not only is her errant father back in town, along with his new fiancée, but her ex has arrived home with a new girlfriend in tow. Maths teacher Elsie is everything Benedict seems to want – bright, steady, normal. How can Star possibly compete with her? Not that she intends to, of course. She is a St Clair, after all, and Benedict won’t get a second chance.
Benedict is an anxious man. Bad enough to discover your girlfriend is, in fact, a witch, but running out on her was probably a big mistake. Who knows what she’s plotting in revenge? Taking Elsie home to meet his grandmother is a test of nerve, and Star’s behaviour doesn’t exactly bring him peace of mind. Just what is she up to?
Star couldn’t be sweeter to Elsie, and even presents her with a bouquet of flowers to welcome her to Castle Clair, but Benedict isn’t fooled. Star is plotting something, and when Elsie suffers from a mysterious ailment, he is convinced that it’s all down to his ex-girlfriend. After all, everyone knows witches can’t be trusted.
But events are about to unfold that will challenge both Star and Benedict, and everything they believe to be true. In an attic room in North Yorkshire and a village hall in Ireland, unpalatable truths must be told, secrets must unfold, and life-changing decisions must be made.
Is forgiveness truly impossible? Are witches really that scary? And can a solution be reached before time, patience, and all the bourbon biscuits run out?
A story of pride, prejudice, and a whole lot of magic …
It hasn’t been an easy time for Star St Clair. Her father has heaped disgrace on the family, and the man she loves rejected her when he discovered the truth about her powers. But the St Clair family’s magical heritage goes back centuries, and no one could be prouder of that than Star. Neither her father, nor Benedict Greenwood, will be forgiven.
Fate, however, has a shock in store for her. Not only is her errant father back in town, along with his new fiancée, but her ex has arrived home with a new girlfriend in tow. Maths teacher Elsie is everything Benedict seems to want – bright, steady, normal. How can Star possibly compete with her? Not that she intends to, of course. She is a St Clair, after all, and Benedict won’t get a second chance.
Benedict is an anxious man. Bad enough to discover your girlfriend is, in fact, a witch, but running out on her was probably a big mistake. Who knows what she’s plotting in revenge? Taking Elsie home to meet his grandmother is a test of nerve, and Star’s behaviour doesn’t exactly bring him peace of mind. Just what is she up to?
Star couldn’t be sweeter to Elsie, and even presents her with a bouquet of flowers to welcome her to Castle Clair, but Benedict isn’t fooled. Star is plotting something, and when Elsie suffers from a mysterious ailment, he is convinced that it’s all down to his ex-girlfriend. After all, everyone knows witches can’t be trusted.
But events are about to unfold that will challenge both Star and Benedict, and everything they believe to be true. In an attic room in North Yorkshire and a village hall in Ireland, unpalatable truths must be told, secrets must unfold, and life-changing decisions must be made.
Is forgiveness truly impossible? Are witches really that scary? And can a solution be reached before time, patience, and all the bourbon biscuits run out?
A story of pride, prejudice, and a whole lot of magic …
372 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 2, 2019
65 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 3, 2021
4.5*
I really enjoyed Sky’s story in the first book in this series, Belle, Book and Christmas Candle. My Favourite Witch, the second instalment, is Star’s story and she’s definitely not having the best of times. Benedict, who she was about to get engaged to, was horrified when he found out the truth about the St Clair family and Star’s magical powers. He left Castle Clair and Star behind but is back to visit his grandmother — with Elsie, a new, seemingly perfect girlfriend in tow. The question on Benedict’s mind is why Star is being so nice to Elsie and does this bode ill for both of them?
Not only that, Star’s estranged and disgraced father is back on the scene with his new fiancée. To say the St Clair family and its members’ relationships are complicated is quite the understatement and more is revealed about the family’s history and those powers.
I wasn’t too keen on Benedict to begin with, rather enjoying his uncertainty and worry about meeting Star again along with his agonising over what she might do….but he did redeem himself as the story progressed, developing his, and others’ character along the way.
I enjoyed the way the plot unfolded with challenges for Star and Benedict, the complexity of the relationships, the fabulous setting (as soon as we can get out and about again I plan on visiting Knaresborough) and the humour sprinkled through the narrative like St Clair magic.
I really enjoyed Sky’s story in the first book in this series, Belle, Book and Christmas Candle. My Favourite Witch, the second instalment, is Star’s story and she’s definitely not having the best of times. Benedict, who she was about to get engaged to, was horrified when he found out the truth about the St Clair family and Star’s magical powers. He left Castle Clair and Star behind but is back to visit his grandmother — with Elsie, a new, seemingly perfect girlfriend in tow. The question on Benedict’s mind is why Star is being so nice to Elsie and does this bode ill for both of them?
Not only that, Star’s estranged and disgraced father is back on the scene with his new fiancée. To say the St Clair family and its members’ relationships are complicated is quite the understatement and more is revealed about the family’s history and those powers.
I wasn’t too keen on Benedict to begin with, rather enjoying his uncertainty and worry about meeting Star again along with his agonising over what she might do….but he did redeem himself as the story progressed, developing his, and others’ character along the way.
I enjoyed the way the plot unfolded with challenges for Star and Benedict, the complexity of the relationships, the fabulous setting (as soon as we can get out and about again I plan on visiting Knaresborough) and the humour sprinkled through the narrative like St Clair magic.
May 10, 2019
So, the second in this lovely series is Star’s story – another witch, she’s the sister of Sky, who we got to know so well in the earlier book. I have to say that I find the author’s imagination quite astounding – I just loved all the magical twists of turns in this book as our heroine stumbles, falls, and picks herself up again on her way to the hoped for happy ending. And she really does have rather more obstacles than most – when the fact that you’re a witch makes the man of your dreams recoil in horror and run for the hills, you know there’s bound to be something of a struggle ahead.
I liked the fact that the book is told – mainly – in the first person, and Star’s matter-of-fact approach to magic and her general bolshiness makes her a really likeable but sympathetic heroine. All the instant teleportation (or “zapping” as Sky likes to call it!), the magicking of meals and fires in the grate, the electric shocks from other witches, the familiars, the spells, the witch bottles – this might not be a world I enter that often, but I found it immense fun.
But there’s more to this book than its magic – it’s also a surprisingly strong and convincing love story, complicated by the bonds of family and quite a few rather complex relationships, and the difficult choices a person sometimes has to make in the name of love and trust.
And then there’s the humour – and that’s another area where the author always has a really special touch. I just loved the budgie (I suspect I’ve never before used those words before in a review…), the witches’ hierarchy and atrocious snobbery towards the lower orders, the interactions with the cat familiars (particularly the wonderful Paypacket), and so many of the family interactions with the strong personalities fighting for supremacy.
Benedict’s extreme reactions (and the twists and turns of the story that only make everything even worse before it has a chance to get better) are a wonderful source of fun: I didn’t really take to him at first, and I suspect I really wasn’t meant to, but I really did like the way his character developed.
And I love the setting of these books, so vividly described. Whenever I visit Knaresborough these days, it’s Castle Clair I see – expecting to stumble across the Broom Closet and the Rosemary Tea Rooms, perhaps to meet one of the sisters in the market square on their way home or find them sitting on a bench near the castle and museum.
I’m looking forward – very much – to meeting the St Clairs again on another visit. I’m thoroughly enjoying this series, and it really wouldn’t be complete without Celeste’s story…!
I liked the fact that the book is told – mainly – in the first person, and Star’s matter-of-fact approach to magic and her general bolshiness makes her a really likeable but sympathetic heroine. All the instant teleportation (or “zapping” as Sky likes to call it!), the magicking of meals and fires in the grate, the electric shocks from other witches, the familiars, the spells, the witch bottles – this might not be a world I enter that often, but I found it immense fun.
But there’s more to this book than its magic – it’s also a surprisingly strong and convincing love story, complicated by the bonds of family and quite a few rather complex relationships, and the difficult choices a person sometimes has to make in the name of love and trust.
And then there’s the humour – and that’s another area where the author always has a really special touch. I just loved the budgie (I suspect I’ve never before used those words before in a review…), the witches’ hierarchy and atrocious snobbery towards the lower orders, the interactions with the cat familiars (particularly the wonderful Paypacket), and so many of the family interactions with the strong personalities fighting for supremacy.
Benedict’s extreme reactions (and the twists and turns of the story that only make everything even worse before it has a chance to get better) are a wonderful source of fun: I didn’t really take to him at first, and I suspect I really wasn’t meant to, but I really did like the way his character developed.
And I love the setting of these books, so vividly described. Whenever I visit Knaresborough these days, it’s Castle Clair I see – expecting to stumble across the Broom Closet and the Rosemary Tea Rooms, perhaps to meet one of the sisters in the market square on their way home or find them sitting on a bench near the castle and museum.
I’m looking forward – very much – to meeting the St Clairs again on another visit. I’m thoroughly enjoying this series, and it really wouldn’t be complete without Celeste’s story…!
July 12, 2020
I absolutely loved the first book in the Castle Clair series so was excited to read the next one.
My Favourite Witch focuses on Star, the 2nd youngest sister. She's not too happy that her disgraced dad is back at the family home or that Benedict if back in town, bringing with him all the memories of lost love. Even worse, he has a new girlfriend in tow.
I'd better not say any more than that or I'll start giving things away. I absolutely loved this book and am very excited for the next one in the series. It was fabulous being back in Castle Clair with the St Clair family, finding out more about their family history and magical powers. I love the sisters. They feel like my own siblings, and I find myself laughing and crying with them. Can't recommend this series enough. Next please!
My Favourite Witch focuses on Star, the 2nd youngest sister. She's not too happy that her disgraced dad is back at the family home or that Benedict if back in town, bringing with him all the memories of lost love. Even worse, he has a new girlfriend in tow.
I'd better not say any more than that or I'll start giving things away. I absolutely loved this book and am very excited for the next one in the series. It was fabulous being back in Castle Clair with the St Clair family, finding out more about their family history and magical powers. I love the sisters. They feel like my own siblings, and I find myself laughing and crying with them. Can't recommend this series enough. Next please!
August 10, 2022
enjoyed it as much as the first one, seemed to be a looot longer but still worth it and didn’t lose interest :)
characters are so lovable (minus the evil ones LOL) but character development is biggg here🫶🏻
characters are so lovable (minus the evil ones LOL) but character development is biggg here🫶🏻
April 24, 2019
The St Clair sisters are back! And I truly hope it's not for the last time. I liked book two in the Castle Clair series even more than book one and that's saying something. Sharon Booth has a way with storytelling that reaches its best with this magical (in every sense) story. I had longed to be back to the fictional village of Castle Clair for a while now and was mesmerised by all the twists and turns and the constant surprises. It's about families and about love (sisterly and romantic) and about magic, of course! It would make a fantastic film! I hope there's going to be number three...we can't not have Celeste's story, too, can we?
April 5, 2019
Oh I loved this book and am especially enjoying that one of my favourite romance novelists, Sharon Booth is writing a series based on witches! Castle Clair, a fictional town in Yorkshire with its adorable stone cottages and charming people. I felt like I was right in the setting of the Broom Closet shop and the family home of the St Clair's Four siblings, all witches each with a story to tell of how they are coping with life, love, magic and people! So many themes in this series, and I absolutely adored how this one ended.
April 14, 2019
Star St Clair has lost the love of her life because he found out she's a witch. Benedict left but is now coming back to Castle Clair with his new girlfriend. His only worry is he hopes Star won't change Elsie into a toad. If he only knew.
This series is a delight. We have all the characters back from the first book with a few new additions. It's a charming read about a couple dealing with feelings of inadequacy - and magic. I was a little worried about their HEA, but all works out well in a fun story.
Another wonderful book in this great series.
This series is a delight. We have all the characters back from the first book with a few new additions. It's a charming read about a couple dealing with feelings of inadequacy - and magic. I was a little worried about their HEA, but all works out well in a fun story.
Another wonderful book in this great series.
April 5, 2019
The second book of the St Clair series it was lovely to return to the magical town of Castle Clair and the three sisters. I loved the character of Star and the humour, imagination and twists as the tale progresses. I can't wait for the next book in the series.
July 19, 2019
Magical
I didn’t think the first book could’ve been matched but book number two was just as much fun and enjoyable and an easy read!! Well done on another cracker❤️
I didn’t think the first book could’ve been matched but book number two was just as much fun and enjoyable and an easy read!! Well done on another cracker❤️
February 18, 2020
Fab reading
This book kept me busy for a whole afternoon, as it was so cold and windy outside. A nice hot chocolate while reading went down a treat.
This book kept me busy for a whole afternoon, as it was so cold and windy outside. A nice hot chocolate while reading went down a treat.
November 24, 2020
Romantic and intriguing
Loved the books in this series... On to #3you
I'm sure I will love it ...
😍 😍 😍 😁
Loved the books in this series... On to #3you
I'm sure I will love it ...
😍 😍 😍 😁
November 7, 2021
Loved it! Different, magical and romantic all at the same time. Can’t wait to start the final chapter in this series to see what the St Clair’s get up to! Want to read a lot more by this author.
September 29, 2020
I loved this second book in the Witches of Castle Clair series as much as the first. You should read these in order by the way.
This book revolves around Star, one of the main sisters of the stories. Her life is not going well at the beginning of the book, falling to pieces after a man she has fallen completely in love with rejects her after he finally learns of her magical powers. Her father, naturally, has brought a huge disgrace upon the family. As if that's not enough, here he comes back to town with a freaking fiancee to boot. You'd think THAT would be enough, but no...her ex, whom she deeply loved, also shows up - with a new girlfriend of course.
The girlfriend is everything that makes her perfect for Benedict. She has qualities Star does not - so why, Benedict worries, is Star being so nice to her? He's back in town to visit family, and he's rightly nervous after leaving Star over her magical abilities. Is she plotting something? Who knows? After all, she comes from a long line of witches. If they are all ticked off, who knows what he's walked into?
This series is one of my very favorites. I love the characters and the setting. There's humor, there's love, there's mystery, there's magic. What's not to love?
This book revolves around Star, one of the main sisters of the stories. Her life is not going well at the beginning of the book, falling to pieces after a man she has fallen completely in love with rejects her after he finally learns of her magical powers. Her father, naturally, has brought a huge disgrace upon the family. As if that's not enough, here he comes back to town with a freaking fiancee to boot. You'd think THAT would be enough, but no...her ex, whom she deeply loved, also shows up - with a new girlfriend of course.
The girlfriend is everything that makes her perfect for Benedict. She has qualities Star does not - so why, Benedict worries, is Star being so nice to her? He's back in town to visit family, and he's rightly nervous after leaving Star over her magical abilities. Is she plotting something? Who knows? After all, she comes from a long line of witches. If they are all ticked off, who knows what he's walked into?
This series is one of my very favorites. I love the characters and the setting. There's humor, there's love, there's mystery, there's magic. What's not to love?
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews