Books & Bewitchment is the perfect mix of cozy small towns, casual witchiness, and whimsical magic. Told from the persepective of an unsuspecting granddaughter who stumbled upon an inheritance, we get to see her grow into a version of herself that was buried deep within. It’s a bumpy journey, but the writing is so warm and inviting that you’re always excited to see where the story takes you. You’ll leave the book loving how much time you got to spend with a bright pink cockatoo and still wondering just what a boiled peanut is.

This is one of the coziest witch novels I can recall reading, especially given the amount of conflict the main character has to overcome. There are plenty of shenanigans and things going wrong, but it’s never overwhelming or terrifying. There is always someone nearby to lend a helping hand amidst this small town that is picture perfect thanks to the people who bustle about and the magic in the air. I honestly kept expecting some horrifying thing to happen (am I reading too much horror?) but it never came and I was left with that warm feeling that comes from seeing a deserving main character find happiness in the end. 

There isn’t a lot of overt magic use, no spoken spells or training montages. Instead, this is a tried and true character piece, with every new acquaintance adding something to the experience. Every little shop you’d want in your perfect small town is here, run by a quirky shopkeeper, some of which have magical abilities as well. While there are hints of grander magic, it’s more about the little every day things in life, and that’s in keeping with the general direction of the book. This is a look at a normal, every day life, so a focus on normal, every day magic feels right. 

Above all, it’s the personal growth of the main character that I most enjoyed following. We see her come into her own as an independent woman free from a terrible relationship and the constant burdens of caring for everyone around you, who is working toward a dream she never let herself have. We see a relationship bloom and we see her gain an understanding of the lost parts of her family history buried by her mother. Everything grows together until you’re at the end, watching her laugh with friends around a mostly eaten cake, hoping there will be more to the story one day. Throw in a book ladder straight out of Beauty and the Beast, and this might just be my perfect book.