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Hex After 40 #1
The Witching Well
“I’m leaving.” Two shocking words, torching a marriage of over twenty years. Totally blind-sided, Shannon, a middle-aged, stay-at-home Mom, is traded in for a newer model.
One of the few possessions her cheating EX didn’t swipe from under her nose, was the mountain resort she inherited from her dear Aunt Maeve. With limited funds and bleak job prospects after being out of the workforce for so long, the decrepit resort is a lifeline!
What is with the water in the small town in the Catskill Mountains that every guy she meets looks like he stepped off the cover of GQ magazine? But, she’s HAD it with men! Or maybe not…
Aunt Maeve’s lifeline comes with an extra feature. Shannon discovers a wishing well in her forest and learns that magic is real. So are witches and their spells. Her aunt Maeve was a witch and now it’s Shannon’s turn.
And this discovery catapults her from the mundane. She’s no longer a Spanx-wearing, soccer mom fighting traffic and a mid-life spare tire. Who has time for bitterness when there’s a world of magical witchcraft to learn!
But the learning curve is steep.
Spells go off the rails. Sometimes you end up turning your best friend into a sex addict. Other times, looking for revenge on your Ex, it boomerangs back to bite you in the ass. She’s learning. Give her a break, okay?
While she’s trying to figure this out, a handsome developer with designs on using her land to create a million-dollar subdivision has his eye on her enchanted resort.
As if her personal tropical moments, a muffin-top and a bad back aren’t challenging enough, she has to deal with his tricks to sink her. Why does he want her property so bad? Can’t he find someplace else to pillage?
Shannon is going to need all the magic that the little wishing well showers on her and then some.
Witching Well, book one of the Hex After Forty series, is a story of a woman thrown into the deep end who surfaces, claiming her power. Mid-life, divorce, and trying to stay sane to be a good mother aren’t the end. There’s magic, heart-warming friendship and maybe even love in this roller-coaster ride of life’s next stage. Come along, buckle your seatbelts and get ready for some tears of laughter and joy.
One of the few possessions her cheating EX didn’t swipe from under her nose, was the mountain resort she inherited from her dear Aunt Maeve. With limited funds and bleak job prospects after being out of the workforce for so long, the decrepit resort is a lifeline!
What is with the water in the small town in the Catskill Mountains that every guy she meets looks like he stepped off the cover of GQ magazine? But, she’s HAD it with men! Or maybe not…
Aunt Maeve’s lifeline comes with an extra feature. Shannon discovers a wishing well in her forest and learns that magic is real. So are witches and their spells. Her aunt Maeve was a witch and now it’s Shannon’s turn.
And this discovery catapults her from the mundane. She’s no longer a Spanx-wearing, soccer mom fighting traffic and a mid-life spare tire. Who has time for bitterness when there’s a world of magical witchcraft to learn!
But the learning curve is steep.
Spells go off the rails. Sometimes you end up turning your best friend into a sex addict. Other times, looking for revenge on your Ex, it boomerangs back to bite you in the ass. She’s learning. Give her a break, okay?
While she’s trying to figure this out, a handsome developer with designs on using her land to create a million-dollar subdivision has his eye on her enchanted resort.
As if her personal tropical moments, a muffin-top and a bad back aren’t challenging enough, she has to deal with his tricks to sink her. Why does he want her property so bad? Can’t he find someplace else to pillage?
Shannon is going to need all the magic that the little wishing well showers on her and then some.
Witching Well, book one of the Hex After Forty series, is a story of a woman thrown into the deep end who surfaces, claiming her power. Mid-life, divorce, and trying to stay sane to be a good mother aren’t the end. There’s magic, heart-warming friendship and maybe even love in this roller-coaster ride of life’s next stage. Come along, buckle your seatbelts and get ready for some tears of laughter and joy.
- GenresParanormalMagic
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 22, 2021
516 people are currently reading
286 people want to read
About the author
Shelley Dorey
53 books30 followersThis author also writes under the name Michelle Dorey.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
May 18, 2021
I didn't want to finish, but I had to. The writing style just annoyed me. The main character is well on her way to becoming a raging alcoholic witch and so many terms and phrases were overused throughout. It was just an overall "meh" for me 😞 I'm glad the 2nd book isn't out yet because my OCD would have insisted I continue with these characters!
September 4, 2021
Good parts but not so great as a whole
I really like the attempt at women's empowerment in this book and the inclusion of witchcraft as an empowerment tool. However, the relationships are immature. The characters show no signs of the self-realizations that are supposedly coming with age and knowledge of their innate power as they age. I would call this a good try but the characters get really annoying and I got so frustrated that Shannon and Steve couldn't be portrayed as adults in their interactions with each other.
I really like the attempt at women's empowerment in this book and the inclusion of witchcraft as an empowerment tool. However, the relationships are immature. The characters show no signs of the self-realizations that are supposedly coming with age and knowledge of their innate power as they age. I would call this a good try but the characters get really annoying and I got so frustrated that Shannon and Steve couldn't be portrayed as adults in their interactions with each other.
July 2, 2021
Yeah, this was ok. I thought Steve was creepy.... I don't know just weird vibes. The part with the ex and kids at Halloween was OTT to include her reaction afterwards with the well. I also found the h to be a total mess.......
April 25, 2025
I like the story and premise of the book , however the editing really could use some help. The amount of exclamation points was ridiculous. I constantly felt like the characters were shouting at each other. It seems alot of these 'midlife' stories are just not really well written. So much floof and no real character development or story development. Just feels so fake or forced. I was hoping for better on this one.
May 3, 2021
Ms. Dorey did it again. Great book. Shannon moves into the house left to her from her Aunt many years ago after divorce. Her two best forever friends are there for her. Then she discovers a Witching well and finding wishing made them come back to haunt her.
September 24, 2021
Decent
So the book premise is decent. I think maybe it needed more in between each drama. There is a lot of back and forth, ooooo I like him,oooo I messed up, ooooo I don't like him, ooooo I messed up. I'm going to read the next one. Just to see if the characters get a grip,as I do really like the basic premise.
So the book premise is decent. I think maybe it needed more in between each drama. There is a lot of back and forth, ooooo I like him,oooo I messed up, ooooo I don't like him, ooooo I messed up. I'm going to read the next one. Just to see if the characters get a grip,as I do really like the basic premise.
October 31, 2021
I give up. What a waste of an evening.
I didn't like the writing at all. Way too sensationalized both in the words/language used (everything is urgent, rushed, immediate, lots of other dramatic adjectives) and with the non-stop drama. Overuse of sayings, idioms, analogies. Also, a lot of the cussing and sex talk felt like it had been added solely for the shock value and not because it fit the story/character.
By 30% I was already beyond fed up with the fmc. For one thing she's got the emotional stability of a 13 year old, always blowing up, freaking out or having a meltdown. On top of that she's pretty stupid, conceited and quite horrible to her friends. And she's always on the sauce - going for a hike she takes a thermos of Jack Daniels, nightcap? - half a dozen shots of Jack Daniels,...
Ironically she thinks she's an exceptional judge of character or that it takes a long time for the fuse of her temper to be lit.
Like with Steve, the whole boyhood wet dream come true is totally creepy, very notch-on-the-bedpost...
The relationships and interactions between the people were as immature as the characters themselves.
Honestly, it read more like a middle-school drama than a mid-life- empowerment story.
I made it all the way to nearly 60% when I decided enough is enough. I only read that far because I knew the minute I stopped I wouldn't be picking it up again.
I didn't like the writing at all. Way too sensationalized both in the words/language used (everything is urgent, rushed, immediate, lots of other dramatic adjectives) and with the non-stop drama. Overuse of sayings, idioms, analogies. Also, a lot of the cussing and sex talk felt like it had been added solely for the shock value and not because it fit the story/character.
By 30% I was already beyond fed up with the fmc. For one thing she's got the emotional stability of a 13 year old, always blowing up, freaking out or having a meltdown. On top of that she's pretty stupid, conceited and quite horrible to her friends. And she's always on the sauce - going for a hike she takes a thermos of Jack Daniels, nightcap? - half a dozen shots of Jack Daniels,...
Ironically she thinks she's an exceptional judge of character or that it takes a long time for the fuse of her temper to be lit.
Like with Steve, the whole boyhood wet dream come true is totally creepy, very notch-on-the-bedpost...
The relationships and interactions between the people were as immature as the characters themselves.
Honestly, it read more like a middle-school drama than a mid-life- empowerment story.
I made it all the way to nearly 60% when I decided enough is enough. I only read that far because I knew the minute I stopped I wouldn't be picking it up again.
May 18, 2021
The story itself is fine (what I endured) for this genre, but the overuse of the words Sh** and Double Sh** is unreal! Just for fun, I had counted up to 80 mentions, then gave up. I had read up to half the book, then stopped. I've read excellent stories by authors who wrote very gritty plots; many times hardly any profanity or none whatsoever. I would've thought a cozy-type witch tale would've been fairly "clean," but if you like "sh**," you'll love this book!
dnf
June 11, 2023I'm giving up after a few chapters. I'm the same age as the lead and I hope to god my internal monologues aren't half as annoying as hers. I like PWF because I can see myself in my mature age a bit in the characters written. I just couldn't relate to this woman at all and had to stop reading.
edit: I removed my rating. ratings matter and I don't want to poop on the possibility of another reader finding their new favorite author.
edit: I removed my rating. ratings matter and I don't want to poop on the possibility of another reader finding their new favorite author.
October 1, 2025
Based on the reviews, I was really excited to read this series. Unfortunately, it left a lot to be desired. I also read #2 and #3 hoping the story would get better but I regret spending the money and time to read them. I definitely won't be getting #4 or any others after that. I know you're asking yourself why I kept reading past #1 and my answer to that is that I always give books in a series a chance to better the storyline as they go on. I also like to support authors of this genre.
The story would have been so much better if the characters were more likable and interesting. The constant whining, high school antics and blame game throughout these books was exhausting. A good book keeps you guessing and with these, I knew exactly what was going to happen and who the bad person was way before it was revealed.
If you really want to read great books in this genre, try The Crone Wars by Lydia M. Hawke or Myrtlewood Mysteries by Iris Beaglehole.
The story would have been so much better if the characters were more likable and interesting. The constant whining, high school antics and blame game throughout these books was exhausting. A good book keeps you guessing and with these, I knew exactly what was going to happen and who the bad person was way before it was revealed.
If you really want to read great books in this genre, try The Crone Wars by Lydia M. Hawke or Myrtlewood Mysteries by Iris Beaglehole.
February 21, 2022
The Witching Well is a fun quirky story that involves magic, friendship, deceit and a family secret. Shannon is a middle aged woman who after a nasty divorce has to start all over again while simultaneously dealing with a family secret that will change her life. The storyline is entertaining, humorous with a twist of magic. I really enjoyed this story it was very well written with a creative flair. I felt that the characters are so well written that it felt like I was reading about people I knew because they had real world experiences and problems. Jennifer Pickens did a wonderful job as narrator. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves women fantasy books. This is my honest unbiased review that I am voluntarily leaving of my own volition. I received this book for free at my request.
March 7, 2025
Shannon has a peaceful life, as a busy wife and devoted mother, growing a full time business with her husband and helping their community. It’s quite a shock to Shannon, in her mid forties when her husband Alex casually announces he is leaving her and their kids for someone else.
Fortuitously Shannon inherits property from her beloved aunt Maeve. With little left after the divorce since the jerk ex managed to clean out their finances leaving her with little settlement, Shannon loads up the tiny U-Haul and goes to the mountains to her aunt’s home.
There Shannon finds her childhood memories, old friends, old loves and maybe a new one, a wishing well and pure magic.
What a wonderful book and a likable, everyday relatable heroine in Shannon - can’t wait to find out what happens next. Such intrigue at the end and an absolutely worthwhile read!
Fortuitously Shannon inherits property from her beloved aunt Maeve. With little left after the divorce since the jerk ex managed to clean out their finances leaving her with little settlement, Shannon loads up the tiny U-Haul and goes to the mountains to her aunt’s home.
There Shannon finds her childhood memories, old friends, old loves and maybe a new one, a wishing well and pure magic.
What a wonderful book and a likable, everyday relatable heroine in Shannon - can’t wait to find out what happens next. Such intrigue at the end and an absolutely worthwhile read!
June 2, 2022
When I started this book, it was great. But I do believe the main character would have had more clearer thinking if she would have laid off of the wine and Jack Danials every day/night! I also wanted to "see" Aunt Maeve appear as a ghost but (SPOILER AHEAD!!!)
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The book got a bit interesting in the middle but then began to go downhill as the main character became a bit childish and turned into a whiner. I also did not like the fact that she and Libby left Mary-Jane out of the circle as far as information goes. Honestly, for a 40-year-old woman, she has hardly any wisdom whatsoever.
I am going to buy book 2 just to see if things change now that they are a "circle of 3". If not, then I am done with the series.
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The book got a bit interesting in the middle but then began to go downhill as the main character became a bit childish and turned into a whiner. I also did not like the fact that she and Libby left Mary-Jane out of the circle as far as information goes. Honestly, for a 40-year-old woman, she has hardly any wisdom whatsoever.
I am going to buy book 2 just to see if things change now that they are a "circle of 3". If not, then I am done with the series.
May 27, 2021
Good
When Shannon retreats to the property she inherited from her aunt following a not-so-cordial divorce, she isn’t sure what to expect.
It isn’t, however, that she will find herself dealing with magic and the mayhem it brings with it…
This was an entertaining PWF book, with a mature forty-something, empty-nester heroine, and her quirky friends.
The magic she deals with isn’t always benevolent, and the shenanigans that ensue are unpredictable!
With all that is going on, it made for a delightful and even (at times) emotional read.
An enjoyable trip for fans of paranormal women’s fiction.
When Shannon retreats to the property she inherited from her aunt following a not-so-cordial divorce, she isn’t sure what to expect.
It isn’t, however, that she will find herself dealing with magic and the mayhem it brings with it…
This was an entertaining PWF book, with a mature forty-something, empty-nester heroine, and her quirky friends.
The magic she deals with isn’t always benevolent, and the shenanigans that ensue are unpredictable!
With all that is going on, it made for a delightful and even (at times) emotional read.
An enjoyable trip for fans of paranormal women’s fiction.
February 7, 2023
I came across this book on Amazon and it was really cheap and sounded good. So I thought I'd give it a try. I completely enjoyed it.
I am using this book for the "Has an epilogue" prompt on the 52 Book Challenge 2023.
Prompts it fits:
2. inheritance, she inherited her aunts home and lake cabin property.
11. secrets, her husband left her for his girlfriend of 2 years. Auntie had a secret.
23, alliterative title, The Witching Well
26, has an epilogue
44, contemporary setting
If you like cozy mysteries with a little heat, no sex in this one, then I'd say you'd enjoy this writer's story. There are more in the series and I do plan on reading them.
I am using this book for the "Has an epilogue" prompt on the 52 Book Challenge 2023.
Prompts it fits:
2. inheritance, she inherited her aunts home and lake cabin property.
11. secrets, her husband left her for his girlfriend of 2 years. Auntie had a secret.
23, alliterative title, The Witching Well
26, has an epilogue
44, contemporary setting
If you like cozy mysteries with a little heat, no sex in this one, then I'd say you'd enjoy this writer's story. There are more in the series and I do plan on reading them.
August 15, 2025
So refreshing to read about a middle age lady who's recently divorced, starting perimenopause. I loved Shannons character straight away.
Shannon packs what left of her 23 years of marriage in a uhaul trailer and rocks up to a dilapidated resort left to her by her late Aunt.
All at the resort is not what it seems. Through inner ramblings and outward cursing , She inadvertently sets in motion a series of events that leave you laughing out loud then angry when she is angry.
There are arguments and fisticuffs and friendship and a lot of drama. A bobcat and a little magic. So mote it be.
loved this book. Going to get the next in the series to carry on the hilarity.
Shannon packs what left of her 23 years of marriage in a uhaul trailer and rocks up to a dilapidated resort left to her by her late Aunt.
All at the resort is not what it seems. Through inner ramblings and outward cursing , She inadvertently sets in motion a series of events that leave you laughing out loud then angry when she is angry.
There are arguments and fisticuffs and friendship and a lot of drama. A bobcat and a little magic. So mote it be.
loved this book. Going to get the next in the series to carry on the hilarity.
April 25, 2022
This is my first by this author and I quite enjoyed it. Characters are endearing and the story flows quite smoothly. This is a book I can listen to and not freak if it connects to my car when the kids and I go somewhere. Since my taste are very eclectic this has happened a few times. The story has depth and even fit me a little teary eyed which always earns bonus points if I feel the the story! I love the midlife paranormal genre that has become a thing over the last year or two! Narrator was good and did a great job.
May 3, 2021
Love this story!
Was pleasantly surprised in this book. Characters are very likeable and believable. Made me feel that these ladies were me, or I was them. Usually don't read anything about romance, but this book was just enough to make it unputdownable (not even a word). Hoping the rest of the books after, follow this excitement. A must read for anyone who enjoys a happy ending!
Was pleasantly surprised in this book. Characters are very likeable and believable. Made me feel that these ladies were me, or I was them. Usually don't read anything about romance, but this book was just enough to make it unputdownable (not even a word). Hoping the rest of the books after, follow this excitement. A must read for anyone who enjoys a happy ending!
May 18, 2021
Great book
This is a great book, I enjoyed reading it! It is more of a paranormal drama than a cozy mystery. It held my interest, and was well written. It would be exciting to start life over and find a magic witching well! I love that there are two hunks who like Shannon, makes it more interesting. I like the renovations going on, as I do that for work lol. Thank you for a great read!
This is a great book, I enjoyed reading it! It is more of a paranormal drama than a cozy mystery. It held my interest, and was well written. It would be exciting to start life over and find a magic witching well! I love that there are two hunks who like Shannon, makes it more interesting. I like the renovations going on, as I do that for work lol. Thank you for a great read!
December 13, 2021
I was conflicted on this book and believe I wanted to enjoy it more than I actually did. I really did not care for the part with her ex during halloween....that whole scene just left a sour taste in my mouth. I also found that there was a lot of repititon in the book that made me want to shout at the characters and pulled me out of the story. It had a lot of redeeming qualities though and on the whole was very enjoyable.
February 18, 2022
Hilarious Read
This was a new author and narrator to me! I listed to the audio and loved it!
The characters are hilarious! I love what Shannon refers to her ex-husabnd as - which makes her more relatable! I could see me pulling my bestie into the shenanigans that Shannon gets into!
I'm a little iffy on the love interests and where they might be heading!
I can't wait to read the next book in this series!
This was a new author and narrator to me! I listed to the audio and loved it!
The characters are hilarious! I love what Shannon refers to her ex-husabnd as - which makes her more relatable! I could see me pulling my bestie into the shenanigans that Shannon gets into!
I'm a little iffy on the love interests and where they might be heading!
I can't wait to read the next book in this series!
February 19, 2022
Interesting
I really liked that witchcraft did not come naturally. I like the concept of balance. But I am confused that even a wish with good intent for someone else has some negative backlash. What's the point then? I liked the characters. But Shannon's kids were manipulative little snots. The kids are in college, they are not children. They new their father cheated. I am looking forward to seeing where the author is going to go with this.
I really liked that witchcraft did not come naturally. I like the concept of balance. But I am confused that even a wish with good intent for someone else has some negative backlash. What's the point then? I liked the characters. But Shannon's kids were manipulative little snots. The kids are in college, they are not children. They new their father cheated. I am looking forward to seeing where the author is going to go with this.
February 19, 2022
I was not to sure about this book, but decided to give it a shot. Sooooo Glad I did, I just loved the story and the witchyness of it. As the blub states the MC is recently divorced and with nothing to do but go the property she inherited from her Aunt. Live in the Catskill Mtns is Beautiful and she remembers all the summers spent there. Narrator did a lovely job with the characters voices and of course with the storyline. Highly Recommended if you want some supernatural Fun.
January 1, 2023
Juvenile for a woman in her late 40s
Some of this story was ok. But what I really disliked was that a woman in her late 40s would act like a woman in her 20s. I'm not continuing with the series since reading some of the reviews for the other books seems to only make it worse. Shelley the premise of the book seems good but you really don't know how women in their late 40s really. Unless they are all narcissist or psychopaths.
Some of this story was ok. But what I really disliked was that a woman in her late 40s would act like a woman in her 20s. I'm not continuing with the series since reading some of the reviews for the other books seems to only make it worse. Shelley the premise of the book seems good but you really don't know how women in their late 40s really. Unless they are all narcissist or psychopaths.
November 24, 2023
The Witching Well
This book was better than I anticipated and the characters are a little quirky which made for some good reading.
I like that the book has a relatable story with some magic sprinkled in, would love a little more magic though.
The proofreading was spot on with this book, nothing can ruin a book more than errors while reading.
I will definitely read the next installment.
This book was better than I anticipated and the characters are a little quirky which made for some good reading.
I like that the book has a relatable story with some magic sprinkled in, would love a little more magic though.
The proofreading was spot on with this book, nothing can ruin a book more than errors while reading.
I will definitely read the next installment.
October 10, 2025
First book and I'm hooked
First in the series of books and I'm hooked already it's very interesting the way the writer wrote the story The One Thing that kind of throws me I guess is that when they're talking to each other or someone comes to see Shannon they use their names a lot maybe that's just me but it seems like it's a little too much but that doesn't distract from the book it's really interesting and I like it can't wait to get to the next book
First in the series of books and I'm hooked already it's very interesting the way the writer wrote the story The One Thing that kind of throws me I guess is that when they're talking to each other or someone comes to see Shannon they use their names a lot maybe that's just me but it seems like it's a little too much but that doesn't distract from the book it's really interesting and I like it can't wait to get to the next book
April 30, 2021
The Witching Well
A great story with strong women characters, One divorce one a widow and one married. Shannon moves into the house left to her from her Aunt many years ago discovering a Witching well and finding wishing made them come back to haunt her. I enjoyed this book and can't wait to read the next.
A great story with strong women characters, One divorce one a widow and one married. Shannon moves into the house left to her from her Aunt many years ago discovering a Witching well and finding wishing made them come back to haunt her. I enjoyed this book and can't wait to read the next.
May 31, 2021
Another fantastic book by Shelley Dorey
Great page turner that kept me on the edge of my and the whole time. I enjoyed reading this book it made me feel like I was there. This writer never fails to impress me. I would recommend this book to anyone. Thank you for the entrainment please kept writing.
Great page turner that kept me on the edge of my and the whole time. I enjoyed reading this book it made me feel like I was there. This writer never fails to impress me. I would recommend this book to anyone. Thank you for the entrainment please kept writing.
September 9, 2021
Intriguing read!
I recommend this engaging book, and the fascinating series it begins, to readers who love reading engrossing midlife magical fantasy. It was interesting to watch the progression of both her magic and her family life. I'm eager to read the next book to see what happens to her, her friends, and her family. Enjoy!
I recommend this engaging book, and the fascinating series it begins, to readers who love reading engrossing midlife magical fantasy. It was interesting to watch the progression of both her magic and her family life. I'm eager to read the next book to see what happens to her, her friends, and her family. Enjoy!
September 12, 2021
Very Entertaining
It’s a very entertaining story with a great cast of characters, the only concern is that Shannon drinks enough to easily be described as an alcoholic which is why I dropped a star since it doesn’t seem to be the intention. Every emotion she experiences and every encounter she has needs a drink to go with it..that woman has a serious problem.
It’s a very entertaining story with a great cast of characters, the only concern is that Shannon drinks enough to easily be described as an alcoholic which is why I dropped a star since it doesn’t seem to be the intention. Every emotion she experiences and every encounter she has needs a drink to go with it..that woman has a serious problem.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews