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South Side Stories #2
The Hocus Pocus Magic Shop
When chemist Grace O’Leary finds a book of magic spells hidden in her Aunt Lucy’s run-down magic shop, the scientist in her itches to try them out. She mixes up a batch of love potions as a joke, and has to face the consequences when they actually seem to work.
Her dream of becoming a professor is in peril, and time is running out to finish research for her dissertation. She can't handle any more distractions, but the magic shop is on the verge of closing, her aunt has become forgetful and confused, and a handsome reporter named Dario Fontana keeps sniffing around for a story. The last thing she needs is for him to find out about the love potions and expose her as fraud, but she begins to trust him, and the sizzling chemistry between them is soon too powerful to deny.
With her personal and professional life in chaos, and her budding relationship with Dario in jeopardy, Grace is faced with a difficult choice. Fixing what is broken means going against every logical bone in her body. Can Grace learn to silence her scientific brain long enough to accept the truth about magic…and also about herself?
Her dream of becoming a professor is in peril, and time is running out to finish research for her dissertation. She can't handle any more distractions, but the magic shop is on the verge of closing, her aunt has become forgetful and confused, and a handsome reporter named Dario Fontana keeps sniffing around for a story. The last thing she needs is for him to find out about the love potions and expose her as fraud, but she begins to trust him, and the sizzling chemistry between them is soon too powerful to deny.
With her personal and professional life in chaos, and her budding relationship with Dario in jeopardy, Grace is faced with a difficult choice. Fixing what is broken means going against every logical bone in her body. Can Grace learn to silence her scientific brain long enough to accept the truth about magic…and also about herself?
476 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 24, 2019
619 people are currently reading
1954 people want to read
About the author
Abigail Drake
42 books418 followersAbigail Drake is the award-winning author of twenty-one novels, but she didn’t start her career in writing. She majored in Japanese and economics in college, and spent years traveling the world, collecting stories wherever she visited. She collected a husband from Istanbul on her travels, too, and he is her favorite souvenir.
Abigail is a coffee addict, a puppy wrangler, and the mother of three adult sons. She writes contemporary romance, women’s fiction, and young adult fiction, and has taught workshops for many different writing organizations. In her spare time, she blogs about her dog, Capone, and teaches writing classes for children at her local library.
In 2019, Abigail was awarded an honorable mention for her book "Love, Chocolate, and a Dog Named Al Capone" in the Writer's Digest Self-Published E-book Awards. She is the winner of the 2017 Prism Award for her book "Traveller", the International Digital Award for her young adult novel, "Tiger Lily", and the Stiletto Contest for "Love, Chocolate, and a Dog Named Al Capone." In addition, she was named a finalist in the Golden Pen, the Golden Leaf, the Dante Rossetti Book Award, and the Cygnus Award for Science Fiction and Speculative Fiction.
Abigail is represented by Lauren Bieker of FinePrint Literary Management. For more information, visit her website at www.abigaildrake.net.
Abigail is a coffee addict, a puppy wrangler, and the mother of three adult sons. She writes contemporary romance, women’s fiction, and young adult fiction, and has taught workshops for many different writing organizations. In her spare time, she blogs about her dog, Capone, and teaches writing classes for children at her local library.
In 2019, Abigail was awarded an honorable mention for her book "Love, Chocolate, and a Dog Named Al Capone" in the Writer's Digest Self-Published E-book Awards. She is the winner of the 2017 Prism Award for her book "Traveller", the International Digital Award for her young adult novel, "Tiger Lily", and the Stiletto Contest for "Love, Chocolate, and a Dog Named Al Capone." In addition, she was named a finalist in the Golden Pen, the Golden Leaf, the Dante Rossetti Book Award, and the Cygnus Award for Science Fiction and Speculative Fiction.
Abigail is represented by Lauren Bieker of FinePrint Literary Management. For more information, visit her website at www.abigaildrake.net.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 206 reviews
January 10, 2025
Too cute and silly for me.
Typical small town romcom with a smart blue-stocking MC and her tall-dark-and-handsome love interest. A bunch of grown-ups who behave like teenagers and ridiculous antagonist.
+ Halloween vibes.
Typical small town romcom with a smart blue-stocking MC and her tall-dark-and-handsome love interest. A bunch of grown-ups who behave like teenagers and ridiculous antagonist.
+ Halloween vibes.
October 26, 2019
Stars: 4/5
I really liked this cute, witchy story. I haven't yet read the first book in the South Side Stories series but I didn't feel like I needed to.
Let's get the few negatives out the way. I hated the beginning. So meany *sshole men who are disrespectful to the MC Grace. Couldn't stand it. But I pushed through and i'm glad I did. The second negative is sometimes I feel like the timeline didn't add up. The plot was fine - but some gaps and misunderstandings with the timeline. And there were so many characters it was confusing at times. That's it.
I loved Grace's intelligence and the way she thought. The integration of chemistry (which I know nothing about) was interesting! Now Dario - ooh my lawdy. Hot Italian man who makes a mean tiramisu? yes please. Put them together it it gets HOT.
I love love love the witchy aspect. So simple, so sweet, so magical. From the Hocus Pocus Shop, to the love potions, to the Samhain celebration ball. The antagonists (because there are 3) are so well thought through - down to their motives and past.
The message of the story was pretty clear too - the world's spark and magic comes from inside you and you should not let anyone dim it.
I recommend this for 17+ because there are some kinda descriptive sexy scenes but they're not explicit per se. Also for lovers of Wicca, magic in the real world and Italian men.
I really liked this cute, witchy story. I haven't yet read the first book in the South Side Stories series but I didn't feel like I needed to.
Let's get the few negatives out the way. I hated the beginning. So meany *sshole men who are disrespectful to the MC Grace. Couldn't stand it. But I pushed through and i'm glad I did. The second negative is sometimes I feel like the timeline didn't add up. The plot was fine - but some gaps and misunderstandings with the timeline. And there were so many characters it was confusing at times. That's it.
I loved Grace's intelligence and the way she thought. The integration of chemistry (which I know nothing about) was interesting! Now Dario - ooh my lawdy. Hot Italian man who makes a mean tiramisu? yes please. Put them together it it gets HOT.
I love love love the witchy aspect. So simple, so sweet, so magical. From the Hocus Pocus Shop, to the love potions, to the Samhain celebration ball. The antagonists (because there are 3) are so well thought through - down to their motives and past.
The message of the story was pretty clear too - the world's spark and magic comes from inside you and you should not let anyone dim it.
I recommend this for 17+ because there are some kinda descriptive sexy scenes but they're not explicit per se. Also for lovers of Wicca, magic in the real world and Italian men.
dnf
July 10, 2019
I'm setting this one aside for now. I can't seem to stay engaged in the story. I also don't like the heroine. 𝓘𝓽 𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓹𝓮𝓷𝓼...
October 16, 2023
This was perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. 💜💚💫
It’s cozy. It’s magical and witchy. It’s suspenseful. It’s love filled and drama filled. My heart felt content as soon as it ended. All books should leave you with this feeling.
It’s cozy. It’s magical and witchy. It’s suspenseful. It’s love filled and drama filled. My heart felt content as soon as it ended. All books should leave you with this feeling.
June 18, 2019
I have to say that Abigail Drake has my number. I have read two of her books in the last month and gave them both 5 stars.
This book is about a chemistry teaching assistant at a college. She gets forced out of the university by her mentor when he is brought evidence she gave a grading key to a student. Of course, she didn’t do this. Then when she gets home to talk to her boyfriend, another TA in the chem dept., he doesn’t give her the time of day and walks out on her without a backward glance.
I can imagine that crushing feeling. And Drake does an excellent job of portraying this betrayal. No one stood up for her. She went from being the chemistry TA student on the rise to a piranha.
She leaves campus with her tale between her legs and goes to tend to her Aunt Lucy who fell down the stairs at her business, the Hocus Pocus Magic Shop.
This is a story about love, trust, family and of course, magic. Grace learns how important these things are to her in this book. I don’t want to give too much away but I was as conflicted by reading it as Grace was living it. I was right with her the entire way. I had no clue who could be doing all these horrible things to Grace and the community on the south side.
The entire book intrigued me. I almost wish this were a series so I could visit this cast again. They are certainly worth writing another book for. I can see this as a tv series or at least a tv movie standalone show.
This book is perfect for both adults and teen readers. I was hooked from page one when Grace got kicked out of the university through no fault of her own. It could have been any of us in a similar situation and Drake does a great job of making us see the fragility and unknown personal power in all of us.
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.
This book is about a chemistry teaching assistant at a college. She gets forced out of the university by her mentor when he is brought evidence she gave a grading key to a student. Of course, she didn’t do this. Then when she gets home to talk to her boyfriend, another TA in the chem dept., he doesn’t give her the time of day and walks out on her without a backward glance.
I can imagine that crushing feeling. And Drake does an excellent job of portraying this betrayal. No one stood up for her. She went from being the chemistry TA student on the rise to a piranha.
She leaves campus with her tale between her legs and goes to tend to her Aunt Lucy who fell down the stairs at her business, the Hocus Pocus Magic Shop.
This is a story about love, trust, family and of course, magic. Grace learns how important these things are to her in this book. I don’t want to give too much away but I was as conflicted by reading it as Grace was living it. I was right with her the entire way. I had no clue who could be doing all these horrible things to Grace and the community on the south side.
The entire book intrigued me. I almost wish this were a series so I could visit this cast again. They are certainly worth writing another book for. I can see this as a tv series or at least a tv movie standalone show.
This book is perfect for both adults and teen readers. I was hooked from page one when Grace got kicked out of the university through no fault of her own. It could have been any of us in a similar situation and Drake does a great job of making us see the fragility and unknown personal power in all of us.
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.
July 19, 2024
I finished the book but I didn't like it. The writing was barely professional, and the plot unfocused. Too many tropes didn't mesh together well. Let's see if I could list them all:
* Saving the neighborhood
* Magic and witches
* Romance (or rather lust and sex)
* Inequality of women in academia
* Found family (new friends)
* Tolerance for non-binary sexuality
All these disparate threads didn't create a beautiful tapestry. Instead, they created a tangle, messy, boring, and too long. Too many quirky characters had nothing to do with the main story and could've been easily cut out. The story would've read better. And I can't even be sure what the main story was.
Overall: meh. I won't be reading this author again. The only good thing about this novel: it was free on Kindle. At least, I didn't spend my money on it.
* Saving the neighborhood
* Magic and witches
* Romance (or rather lust and sex)
* Inequality of women in academia
* Found family (new friends)
* Tolerance for non-binary sexuality
All these disparate threads didn't create a beautiful tapestry. Instead, they created a tangle, messy, boring, and too long. Too many quirky characters had nothing to do with the main story and could've been easily cut out. The story would've read better. And I can't even be sure what the main story was.
Overall: meh. I won't be reading this author again. The only good thing about this novel: it was free on Kindle. At least, I didn't spend my money on it.
October 20, 2024
Where is this girl’s editor? At least 100 pages of plot could have been cut and still made a good story. I bumped it up from two stars because I did find myself wanting to read to see what happens, but I wouldn’t really recommend this one. Far too many plot lines for an easy autumn read.
June 24, 2019
Grace's academic life is turned upside down when she becomes the subject of a cheating scandal. She is suspended from school until she can have a meeting with the board which will not be for six weeks. She is sure she can clear her name but hates the way everyone is looking at her, like she would actually cheat. Even her boyfriend, now ex, thought so little of her and felt that she could do such a thing. He didn't want to be around her in fear of hurting his budding academic career. When Grace learns that her Aunt has fallen and needs someone to stay with her for a while she jumps at the chance of getting away for a while and hopefully figuring things out. When Grace gets to her Aunts shop she realizes how bad of shape things have become. She dives in immediately to help clean things up and get her Aunts store back on track. While cleaning Grace finds a spell book and thinks it would be funny to give one of the spells a try, little did she know that it would actually work. Grace soon learns that there is more to her than just being a scientist but will she let the other side of herself be free. She struggles with who she is as a person and how she sees things in life. Can she change a be the great person that she knows she is, can she open her heart to the impossible? Follow along as Grace takes on a journey of self discovery and helps out her much beloved Aunt along the way. I fell in love with the characters, setting, and the way the authors words spoke to me as I read each new page. I hope that she will travel back to this town and these people and write another book, because I would truly love to visit with them again!!!
November 3, 2021
I really liked this novel. I found it to be charming and magical and even better, scientific! The heroine is a Ph.D. candidate who is accused of allowing a student to cheat on an exam. While she is waiting for the university's review, she helps her aunt run her magic shop. She meets a very interesting reporter and a few other characters.
This isn't a serious novel by any means, but it was an enjoyable one. I would be quite happy to read more about Grace and Dario.
This isn't a serious novel by any means, but it was an enjoyable one. I would be quite happy to read more about Grace and Dario.
June 26, 2019
The Hocus Pocus Magic Shop was a fun and entertaining read with a well-written plot and interesting characters. I loved the dynamics between several of the characters and the fact that each chapter started with a chemistry sentence/quote. Another bonus was the Grace's nerdiness.
June 2, 2019
In the beginning I was on the fence, mostly because I didn't understand why everyone would so easily believe the worst of Grace. She's introduced as such a great upstanding woman, and yet the first time she's accused of cheating, the entire school seems to be against her. It made no sense. However, the fast paced setting of the South Side, and the wild assortment of characters make it easy to forgive this odd plot point. Grace really grows into her own person, and it's fun reading her struggle through being an awkward geek in wool skirts to the sultry firecracker she is by the end.
The only real negative I could find is with Sally. I wish there was more development there, since she's never fully defined. She mostly reads as transgender, but there are a few lines that suggest she's a drag queen, unless I just read it wrong. Either way, there is representation, I just wish there was more of Sally, and a better definition of what she identified as within the community.
Overall, I would recommend this to anyone who loves quirky characters, witches, magic, Halloween, and/or smart characters in cutesy romances.
The only real negative I could find is with Sally. I wish there was more development there, since she's never fully defined. She mostly reads as transgender, but there are a few lines that suggest she's a drag queen, unless I just read it wrong. Either way, there is representation, I just wish there was more of Sally, and a better definition of what she identified as within the community.
Overall, I would recommend this to anyone who loves quirky characters, witches, magic, Halloween, and/or smart characters in cutesy romances.
October 29, 2022
I wasn't sure about this book as I read it. Or rather, listened to it, as I got this as an audio book from my library, and the narrator was excellent, so that was one of the good things.
My opinion was all over the place with this book. I liked it fine at the start, when it was acting like what I expected this to be - a light, easy-reading romance with a bit of magic and a cozy mystery thrown in.
Then around 30% in, it started to drag a bit for me, and I felt like the author was drawing out the plot with too much extended drama and carrying on and I considered DNF-ing it. But I liked the story and the characters enough to keep going and ultimately I was glad I did.
The story has much more than I expected in it, and it was some valuable and important social issue lessons and messages delivered wrapped in a good plot with likable characters. I still think the book was a bit long and could have benefited from judicious editing, but in the end I enjoyed this.
My opinion was all over the place with this book. I liked it fine at the start, when it was acting like what I expected this to be - a light, easy-reading romance with a bit of magic and a cozy mystery thrown in.
Then around 30% in, it started to drag a bit for me, and I felt like the author was drawing out the plot with too much extended drama and carrying on and I considered DNF-ing it. But I liked the story and the characters enough to keep going and ultimately I was glad I did.
The story has much more than I expected in it, and it was some valuable and important social issue lessons and messages delivered wrapped in a good plot with likable characters. I still think the book was a bit long and could have benefited from judicious editing, but in the end I enjoyed this.
August 5, 2024
This was a very cute and fast read for me.
I loved the whole concept of magical vs science.
Grace the main character runs into a bit of trouble at her job. Not her fault and she was put on somewhat of a probation that she did not deserve.
While she is suspended from her job her Aunt takes a spill down the stairs and breaks her leg….there is more to the story of her fall than just that… and Grace comes to her aide by taking over her little shop called The Hocus Pocus Magic Shop.
Grace meets a very handsome reporter who is doing a story of the gentrification of the neighborhood. Big Business buying up real estate and putting Mom and Pop shops out of business.
Grace is hard to like at first… for me, anyway. She was just so walled up.
She lets her walls down and dives into saving the magic shop.
Way too many characters to keep up with, but they were fun, just confusing and the timelines in the book were a bit mixed up and left me going backwards to see if I missed something.
It is a well written book and I like this author. A very cute read, but a bit sappy and predictable. It does say it’s a YA book… maybe a bit risqué at times, but never R rated.
But I had a fun two afternoons reading it while watching the Olympics at the same time.
I loved the whole concept of magical vs science.
Grace the main character runs into a bit of trouble at her job. Not her fault and she was put on somewhat of a probation that she did not deserve.
While she is suspended from her job her Aunt takes a spill down the stairs and breaks her leg….there is more to the story of her fall than just that… and Grace comes to her aide by taking over her little shop called The Hocus Pocus Magic Shop.
Grace meets a very handsome reporter who is doing a story of the gentrification of the neighborhood. Big Business buying up real estate and putting Mom and Pop shops out of business.
Grace is hard to like at first… for me, anyway. She was just so walled up.
She lets her walls down and dives into saving the magic shop.
Way too many characters to keep up with, but they were fun, just confusing and the timelines in the book were a bit mixed up and left me going backwards to see if I missed something.
It is a well written book and I like this author. A very cute read, but a bit sappy and predictable. It does say it’s a YA book… maybe a bit risqué at times, but never R rated.
But I had a fun two afternoons reading it while watching the Olympics at the same time.
November 17, 2019
Oh, how I wish I could give this a higher rating! I fell in love with the South Side and the characters and wish I could go visit all the delicious coffee shops! The story was adorable and cutsey and well paced, but the main character and I did not relate. Yes she's brilliant and a fiery red head, and yes characters need flaws, but her habit of not letting anyone get a word in during an argument (sometimes even a conversation) and then huffing off in a fury to place the blame on everyone but her self is a trope that makes me so irritated I contemplated stopping halfway through. Luckily I pushed through to the end because she eventually overcame herself (it was touch and go for a while).
Overall, a very cute read with very strong supporting characters. A wonderful little Halloween read (even if it's not Halloween).
Overall, a very cute read with very strong supporting characters. A wonderful little Halloween read (even if it's not Halloween).
August 8, 2019
Mystery ✔
Magic ✔
Suspense ✔
Romance ✔
Sexy scenes ✔
Humor ✔
Guys, this book has it all. Abigail Drake impressed me once more and I have to share it with you all! I loved the 1st book in this series and was curious to see where she went with this one and if it was going to be as good. Let me say this... it surpassed any expectations I had. So much that I am requesting this series for the library where I work because I just KNOW that our patrons will love these stories.
Ms. Drake does include characters from the first book The Enchanted Garden Cafe however you won't miss much if you haven't read it. So this book could be read as a standalone but I do recommend reading the first one because the characters are adorable and you get their back story.
Anyhow, Grace = super intelligent and doesn't realize how much her heritage is in her and it is quite fun watching her come in to her own in this book. She is pretty awesome.
Dario = Oh my heart.
Sally = LOVE, Adore & I want more
Aunt Lucy = I want an Aunt like Aunt Lucy
Thank you Abigail Drake = this is what my heart needed to drag me out of a reading slump!
Magic ✔
Suspense ✔
Romance ✔
Sexy scenes ✔
Humor ✔
Guys, this book has it all. Abigail Drake impressed me once more and I have to share it with you all! I loved the 1st book in this series and was curious to see where she went with this one and if it was going to be as good. Let me say this... it surpassed any expectations I had. So much that I am requesting this series for the library where I work because I just KNOW that our patrons will love these stories.
Ms. Drake does include characters from the first book The Enchanted Garden Cafe however you won't miss much if you haven't read it. So this book could be read as a standalone but I do recommend reading the first one because the characters are adorable and you get their back story.
Anyhow, Grace = super intelligent and doesn't realize how much her heritage is in her and it is quite fun watching her come in to her own in this book. She is pretty awesome.
Dario = Oh my heart.
Sally = LOVE, Adore & I want more
Aunt Lucy = I want an Aunt like Aunt Lucy
Thank you Abigail Drake = this is what my heart needed to drag me out of a reading slump!
July 10, 2019
It’s pretty obvious that I adore magic, but it’s a lesser known fact that I an a chemistry nerd, so this book immediately ticked SO many boxes for me.
I was hooked from page 1 when Grace got kicked out of uni and I simply couldn’t put it down.
This book is great for teens, young adults and adults alike. Drake weaves an incredible tale of love, family and obviously magic that anyone is bound to fall in love with.
I received an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was hooked from page 1 when Grace got kicked out of uni and I simply couldn’t put it down.
This book is great for teens, young adults and adults alike. Drake weaves an incredible tale of love, family and obviously magic that anyone is bound to fall in love with.
I received an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 4, 2019
I really liked this book, it was fun, but it seemed to be unnecessarily long. However, I loved the emphasis on academia and chemistry ... I'm not really a science-y type of girl, but I loved seeing that part of Grace's life. I loved how she wasn't "perfect," how she was self-conscious and nerdy, and I loved all the sexy, steamy scenes!! This was my first Abigail Drake book, and it won't be my last!
June 12, 2019
Grace O'Leary is almost finished with her thesis to obtain a doctoral degree in chemistry from the University of Pennsylvania. She is a TA (Teaching Assistant) at Penn. Disaster strikes as she is accused of cheating and is dismissed from the university and placed on probabtion until the review board hears her case. Then her longtime boyfriend packs up and leaves her. When she gets a call from her mother telling her that her Aunt Lucy has fallen down the steps and needs some assistance for a while Grace offers to help and heads off to Pittsburgh. Grace decides that her aunt's shop, The Hocus Pocus Magic Shop needs some renovations and revitalization. She has fond memories of the shop from her childhood visits so she is gung-ho to make The Magic Shop great again. But strange things are happening. What is going on around the South Side?
The Hocus Pocus Magic Shop by Abigail Drake is the second book in her South Side series but is easily read as a standalone. This book has a complex storyline with many surprises. The characters are very likeable and fun. What I especially liked about this story is that it is set in the South Side of Pittsburgh. I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, very close to the South Side so I loved reading about so many familiar places. It is not often a book is set in Pittsburgh. I am very glad I discovered this author and her South Side series. Readers who enjoy mysteries and magic will totally enjoy this book!
The Hocus Pocus Magic Shop by Abigail Drake is the second book in her South Side series but is easily read as a standalone. This book has a complex storyline with many surprises. The characters are very likeable and fun. What I especially liked about this story is that it is set in the South Side of Pittsburgh. I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, very close to the South Side so I loved reading about so many familiar places. It is not often a book is set in Pittsburgh. I am very glad I discovered this author and her South Side series. Readers who enjoy mysteries and magic will totally enjoy this book!
June 8, 2019
The Hocus Pocus Magic shop is a second in this series, which I didn't know when I asked for it. I loved the cut cover and the description of the book. Grace O'Leary, chemist, is given two months of probation from her college as a TA when someone accuses her of giving her students the key to her test. The perfect opportunity arises when her grandmother becomes injured when she falls down the stairs of her apartment in her shop. Grace packs up and goes to take care of her grandmother. When she gets there she decides to help her out by re-sprucing her shop up. Grace is no stranger to she shop because every summer she would come there and experience her cooky grandmother "magic" but what Grace is starting to realize she might have some of that real magic in her.
While taking care of the shop, strange things begin to happen. Not only does her grandmother is for sure that she got pushed down the stairs by her dead husband, but two girls from the shop next door keep on popping up ( I relate them to the Shining Twins because they are crrreeeeeepy), a mysterious hottie from a foreign land keeps on bumping into her, and people start to turn up missing. Grace is starting to put all the pieces together noticing that there seems to be a group that comes into towns to try to cleanse them of who they deem inappropriate to the society. Along this quest to help her grandmother she also gets the help from a very handsome Dario where the chemistry sizzles.
While the story unravels Grace see that she isn't the person who she thought she was. Even when her world is turned upside down, while she is trying to save her career, starting up a new romance, helping keep a store alive, she ends up bringing out the magic in her.
While taking care of the shop, strange things begin to happen. Not only does her grandmother is for sure that she got pushed down the stairs by her dead husband, but two girls from the shop next door keep on popping up ( I relate them to the Shining Twins because they are crrreeeeeepy), a mysterious hottie from a foreign land keeps on bumping into her, and people start to turn up missing. Grace is starting to put all the pieces together noticing that there seems to be a group that comes into towns to try to cleanse them of who they deem inappropriate to the society. Along this quest to help her grandmother she also gets the help from a very handsome Dario where the chemistry sizzles.
While the story unravels Grace see that she isn't the person who she thought she was. Even when her world is turned upside down, while she is trying to save her career, starting up a new romance, helping keep a store alive, she ends up bringing out the magic in her.
March 30, 2020
What a nice surprise! I thoroughly enjoyed the South Side setting and loved the clever chapter titles. The characters are interesting and memorable. Sure, the magic makes it a clear work of fiction, but somehow, everyone felt familiar and real. The Hocus Pocus Magic shop is a great story about believing in oneself, trusting who you are, and being open to love.
June 7, 2019
Abigail Drake has created a world you can step right into and be carried away by the magic and friendship. I love this community, of eccentric individuals and how they bond together. There isn’t one character you would not want to be in your group of friends, and if they were your life would never be boring. Grace O’Leary doesn’t believe in magic she believes in chemistry, something she has with Dario Fontana. When she finds a book with magic potions, she made one of them, after all it’s just chemistry, with all nature ingredients, like cherry juice and water. Little does she know how her love potion will start a chain of events and almost lose her the one man she loves. The Hocus Pocus Magic Shop has all the elements of a good book, love, mystery, and magic. I had a hard time putting it down. Love this second book in the series and looking forward to the next.
May 24, 2019
Poor Grace O’Leary. Someone in the department of her grad school is trying to frame her to get her kicked out of the program. Her steady beau turns out to be a real dud. And, to make matters worse, her aunt Lucy, who owns and runs the Hocus Pokus Magic Shop, has taken a tumble down the stairs and is unable to work in her store. Grace volunteers to help out, since her life in grad school seems to be in a hiatus. Once settled, Grace quickly takes stock. There’s a delicious news reporter, Dario Fontana, to whom Grace is very attracted, who keeps turning up everywhere. There appears to be some sinister person or persons whose aim is to get the “undesirables” out of the southside neighborhood. Grace’s aunt’s store is part of this group, as is a vintage clothing store owner, a bookstore, and a few others who own businesses in the area. Grace falls right into the plot this group or person is setting once she begins helping out her aunt at the store. Of course, Dario is interested, and so are his countless relatives (one of who is the cop investigating all events and incidents related) and her aunt’s many friends. Grace and her group end up experiencing a series of near disasters, as the group or person continues his/her quest to get rid of them. There are a lot of eccentric characters within the story, who liven things up. There is also the love interest with Dario. There is the magic everyone seems to be involved in and enjoy. Finally, there is the mystery of just what is going on with this group or person who wants them out of the southside.
This is a rather interesting, cute book. I enjoyed reading about the many trials and tribulations that went on during Grace’s stay at her aunt’s store. The love interest with Dario only spiced things up a bit. The characters were definitely quirky and fascinating to watch as they went about their daily lives and interacted. I appreciated the way they all seemed to stick together as a community. One thing the author threw in, but which did not play as big a part as I had expected, was the mysterious red dragon box someone seemed to want and kept trying to get, as well as the strange mysteries it contained. It was sort of important but did not play as big a role as I had expected (perhaps a missed opportunity?). This is a fast paced, easy read book that will delight most readers if they are at all interested in magic and/or the paranormal or witches. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.
This is a rather interesting, cute book. I enjoyed reading about the many trials and tribulations that went on during Grace’s stay at her aunt’s store. The love interest with Dario only spiced things up a bit. The characters were definitely quirky and fascinating to watch as they went about their daily lives and interacted. I appreciated the way they all seemed to stick together as a community. One thing the author threw in, but which did not play as big a part as I had expected, was the mysterious red dragon box someone seemed to want and kept trying to get, as well as the strange mysteries it contained. It was sort of important but did not play as big a role as I had expected (perhaps a missed opportunity?). This is a fast paced, easy read book that will delight most readers if they are at all interested in magic and/or the paranormal or witches. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.
June 10, 2019
This book was really cute. I love a story with a paranormal twist, and this one definitely met my expectations. Author Abigail Drake did a great job of setting up a story with a little something for everyone. There were breakups and controversies, family themes and community, it was a great reflection on relationships. Drake did a great job of creating characters who were dynamic and quirky.
My only complaint in the story is that some pieces started to feel redundant, and that made the story feel like it could have shaved off some of its length. It was a fun story, but sometimes lighter themed novels do well a little shorter.
Regardless, definitely a book worth picking up and settling into. A great beach read that keeps you on your toes!
My only complaint in the story is that some pieces started to feel redundant, and that made the story feel like it could have shaved off some of its length. It was a fun story, but sometimes lighter themed novels do well a little shorter.
Regardless, definitely a book worth picking up and settling into. A great beach read that keeps you on your toes!
June 1, 2019
A combination romance and cozy mystery managing to have the best of both genres while avoiding the worst of both.
I really enjoyed this hybrid book! Sometimes I find cozy mysteries get a little annoying / silly, especially when the protagonist is dashing into murder scenes, alienating friends by asking too many questions, and doing really stupid things as part of the denouncement. Same with romances - sometimes, they get annoying - too many weird details in sex scenes, too many unbelievable reasons for doing things, and too much jumping back and forth between characters. This book managed to avoid both of those. I especially liked how the protagonist managed to end up at the magic shop and how everything was told from her point of view only. The mystery was a little thin, but no worse than other pure cozy mysteries I've read.
Altogether, highly recommended. I'm adding the other book from this series to my TBR pile.
I received a free reader's copy of this book from NetGalley.com and voluntarily chose to review.
I really enjoyed this hybrid book! Sometimes I find cozy mysteries get a little annoying / silly, especially when the protagonist is dashing into murder scenes, alienating friends by asking too many questions, and doing really stupid things as part of the denouncement. Same with romances - sometimes, they get annoying - too many weird details in sex scenes, too many unbelievable reasons for doing things, and too much jumping back and forth between characters. This book managed to avoid both of those. I especially liked how the protagonist managed to end up at the magic shop and how everything was told from her point of view only. The mystery was a little thin, but no worse than other pure cozy mysteries I've read.
Altogether, highly recommended. I'm adding the other book from this series to my TBR pile.
I received a free reader's copy of this book from NetGalley.com and voluntarily chose to review.
May 17, 2019
Big thanks to NetGalley and Backlit PR for the copy! It was wonderful!
Grace O'Leary is not having the best of times during grad school recently. Someone is framing her for a crime she did not commit and her boyfriend is less than noteworthy. While in the midst of trying to piece together her academic future, Grace goes to help take care of her Aunt Lucy. Aunt Lucy recently took a stumble down some stairs, however, who caused it is up for debate. While Lucy claims it's the ghost of her late husband, news has been circulating that a group of people want shop owners out of business and will result to violent tactics to get them out of there. Lucy's shop isn't just any shop, it's a magic shop filled with herbs and tinctures for everyday use. While cleaning Grace uncovers a grimoire full of recipes for special spells. As Grace mixes them up, she finds that she is rather good at love potions, so much so that they even work. As things start to move forward with her personal life and with the magic shop, Grace has to make a decision if she wants to stay and learn who she really is, or fight for her right as a chemistry professor.
What a treat! I saw the cover of this book and knew I had to get my hands on it! It encompasses everything I love: witches, mystery, Halloween and a slow burning love story. It is so good, it is wonderfully written, all of the characters are clear and fully developed, everything flows flawlessly. I really did enjoy the love story, it wasn't too much and it didn't take away from the character development of Grace. The author also does a good job of bringing different types of people in the story, all genders and backgrounds. This is the first book I have read from this author and I will definitely be reading more!
Grace O'Leary is not having the best of times during grad school recently. Someone is framing her for a crime she did not commit and her boyfriend is less than noteworthy. While in the midst of trying to piece together her academic future, Grace goes to help take care of her Aunt Lucy. Aunt Lucy recently took a stumble down some stairs, however, who caused it is up for debate. While Lucy claims it's the ghost of her late husband, news has been circulating that a group of people want shop owners out of business and will result to violent tactics to get them out of there. Lucy's shop isn't just any shop, it's a magic shop filled with herbs and tinctures for everyday use. While cleaning Grace uncovers a grimoire full of recipes for special spells. As Grace mixes them up, she finds that she is rather good at love potions, so much so that they even work. As things start to move forward with her personal life and with the magic shop, Grace has to make a decision if she wants to stay and learn who she really is, or fight for her right as a chemistry professor.
What a treat! I saw the cover of this book and knew I had to get my hands on it! It encompasses everything I love: witches, mystery, Halloween and a slow burning love story. It is so good, it is wonderfully written, all of the characters are clear and fully developed, everything flows flawlessly. I really did enjoy the love story, it wasn't too much and it didn't take away from the character development of Grace. The author also does a good job of bringing different types of people in the story, all genders and backgrounds. This is the first book I have read from this author and I will definitely be reading more!
October 29, 2019
Grace O’Leary has been suspended from her university job for cheating. Raised by a detective father and a teacher mother, she was raised to be hardworking and honest. She wouldn’t even think about cheating. The question was: Who could’ve set her up and why?
Her reputation, her career, her relationship ruined because of this. Now she was the campus pariah. Blackballed.
Grace takes this opportunity to visit her Aunt Lucy, who’s been hospitalized, and help her run her magic shop. Could ghosts have pushed her aunt down the stairs?
I thought this story would be better, but it was too slow and the characters were too strange. I thought the magic shop would have….oh, I don’t know…magic!
Her reputation, her career, her relationship ruined because of this. Now she was the campus pariah. Blackballed.
Grace takes this opportunity to visit her Aunt Lucy, who’s been hospitalized, and help her run her magic shop. Could ghosts have pushed her aunt down the stairs?
I thought this story would be better, but it was too slow and the characters were too strange. I thought the magic shop would have….oh, I don’t know…magic!
September 25, 2022
Disappointing.
I wanted to like it. I really did. But it was meh.
The characters had potential but I couldn't feel for any of them. Things happened but I wasn't engaged. Not only was there no passion, there was no emotion at all. I felt like I was being told what I should feel but I wasn't feeling it at all. As for the intimate scenes... descriptions of who touched what and how is meaningless without how they felt about it.
Such a shame. A pretty cover but a tedious read. I won't be reading anything else by this author.
I wanted to like it. I really did. But it was meh.
The characters had potential but I couldn't feel for any of them. Things happened but I wasn't engaged. Not only was there no passion, there was no emotion at all. I felt like I was being told what I should feel but I wasn't feeling it at all. As for the intimate scenes... descriptions of who touched what and how is meaningless without how they felt about it.
Such a shame. A pretty cover but a tedious read. I won't be reading anything else by this author.
October 26, 2021
The constant descriptions of how people looked and dressed and the judgments based on these facts were annoying and really pulled me out of the story. Has a real feeling of slut-shaming and body shaming.
June 30, 2019
Grace is uber smart and on her way to earning her PHD. But things fell apart. Fortunately, her fave Aunt Luncinda had an accident and needed help so Grace packed up and left the university and her problems there to regroup. And runs into Dario and a host of problems in South Side. And discovers more about herself and her place in the world. While saving the community, her aunt's business and finding her one love. No biggie.
Just like the previous novel, this book was a fun read! Grace and Dario are real people, fully developed characters. Love that Dario gets her...always. And that he's smart too. And I want to be Grace's friend. Hehehe. And the supporting cast are great too! Ivan, hmm, that one needs a story...as well as Anthony and Tommy. And Cat. And maybe Aggie, though I'm still not sure about her.
It was hard putting this book down for real life, and I looked forward to when I could dive back into it. It's not a hard core mystery novel, and it's not quite a cozy mystery. Not sure how to classify this really. But I can honestly say I enjoyed this book and I'm looking to the next book in this series.
Thank you Net Galley and publisher for a copy of this book.
Just like the previous novel, this book was a fun read! Grace and Dario are real people, fully developed characters. Love that Dario gets her...always. And that he's smart too. And I want to be Grace's friend. Hehehe. And the supporting cast are great too! Ivan, hmm, that one needs a story...as well as Anthony and Tommy. And Cat. And maybe Aggie, though I'm still not sure about her.
It was hard putting this book down for real life, and I looked forward to when I could dive back into it. It's not a hard core mystery novel, and it's not quite a cozy mystery. Not sure how to classify this really. But I can honestly say I enjoyed this book and I'm looking to the next book in this series.
Thank you Net Galley and publisher for a copy of this book.
June 18, 2019
Thank you Netgalley for an advanced digital copy!
This was such a lighthearted and fun book. Initially, I wanted to read the book solely based on the cover. Magic, spells, and hocus pocus...sign me up! When I found out there was romance in it, I’ll be honest and say that I wasn’t too intrigued anymore since I am not typically a fan of romance books. HOWEVER, this book did it in a great way and I didn’t feel as if I was reading solely a romance.
This was a comfy-cozy read. I read this over several days of cuddling up in bed and various armchairs with tea or coffee and enjoyed.
All of the characters were so likable and personable. I felt like these were everyday people I would meet on the street, which is what Abigail Drake must have been going for since this takes place in a small town where everyone knows everyone.
I also found out after reading this book that it is (technically) the second book in the South Side Stories series. This does not feel like a sequel. If I’m not mistaken, the other book deals with different characters and they overlap. The characters were well-rounded and I didn’t feel as if I was missing anything by not reading the other book. However, now I want to read the other book.
The only thing about this book that I found myself not liking was the length. With this type of book, I feel like it should be a 1-2 sitting book. Easy, light, and quick. This book felt too long for what it was.
Overall, I think the story and characters were so fun to experience and can’t wait to see what else Abigail Drake has in store.
This was such a lighthearted and fun book. Initially, I wanted to read the book solely based on the cover. Magic, spells, and hocus pocus...sign me up! When I found out there was romance in it, I’ll be honest and say that I wasn’t too intrigued anymore since I am not typically a fan of romance books. HOWEVER, this book did it in a great way and I didn’t feel as if I was reading solely a romance.
This was a comfy-cozy read. I read this over several days of cuddling up in bed and various armchairs with tea or coffee and enjoyed.
All of the characters were so likable and personable. I felt like these were everyday people I would meet on the street, which is what Abigail Drake must have been going for since this takes place in a small town where everyone knows everyone.
I also found out after reading this book that it is (technically) the second book in the South Side Stories series. This does not feel like a sequel. If I’m not mistaken, the other book deals with different characters and they overlap. The characters were well-rounded and I didn’t feel as if I was missing anything by not reading the other book. However, now I want to read the other book.
The only thing about this book that I found myself not liking was the length. With this type of book, I feel like it should be a 1-2 sitting book. Easy, light, and quick. This book felt too long for what it was.
Overall, I think the story and characters were so fun to experience and can’t wait to see what else Abigail Drake has in store.
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