I really liked the premise, and the author did a great job writing romance with a fat protagonist. The writing style annoyed me a lot, and took me out of the story. But other than that, it was a decent read. 

I wanted to love this and I’m so sad I didn’t. There was far too much dialogue and it was SO hard to follow, it felt so messy. They’re meant to be 10 years out of high school but they’re interacting like they’re 15 with the emotional maturity of doorknobs. Honestly the sentient microwave was the best bit. 

Ok the spice was also super hot, but at what cost?

 I feel so mean but after 50% I just couldn’t take it anymore and skim read the second half. 

I want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Brief Summary: Returning home after the death of her grandmother, Cassie is trying to figure out how to move on with her life. Uneasy in a place that left her with so many emotional scars she is not sure if she should keep the house that has always felt like her safe space or move on. However, when her ex-best friend shows up looking for her grandmother, Cassie is pulled into a world she's only ever dreamed about.   

Thoughts: I want to start with this, I love Steins' writing. She creates engrossing plots and makes the characters feel complex and real. She also writes witty banter in a novel way. If she has written a book I will recommend that you read it. 

Now that I have gotten that out of the way...this book has one of the worst third-act break-ups I have ever read. It completely undid Cassie's emotional work throughout the book. I understand that insecurities are real and can come up in many ways. However, the whole thing felt forced and not in line with all the character development. 

We also spent way too much time at the bookstore. Nora and Cassie weren't friends before the book neither do they appear to be friends during the story. Cassie actively tries to hide things from Nora about her possible relationship with Seth. So, why does Nora keep popping up? Is she under a spell of some kind that is going to be dealt with in a later book? Is Nora cursed in some way? Also, why does Cassie need Nora's help with the picture when Cassie has never had an issue developing a potion solution before this point in the story? 

Also, we cannot sell this book as having a raccoon familiar. He does not appear until 68% into the book and when he does it's not anything other than some light comedic relief. There is a whole scene where Cassie is trapped somewhere and I expected the raccoon to come and rescue her as he's waiting in the car. That is not what happens.  

The steamy scenes in the book were good, but it still felt like a slow-burn romance. It was frustrating at one point because it was unclear where things were going. I understand that it's a childhood best friends to enemies to best friends to lovers romance, but there were so many points where I was like please do something! Miscommunication is not my favorite troupe but it felt like it was beaten to death and then into non-existence. At one point I found myself wishing there would be a therapy session occuring in the middle of the book. 

If you enjoy vivid world building you will like this book. If you like spicy scenes this book has its highlights. If you are easily frustrated by characters who avoid emotional issues and conversations I recommend you not read this book.  

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Cassie doesn’t expect to reunite with her ex-best-friend Seth when she returns to her hometown—and she REALLY doesn’t expect to learn that he’s a werewolf and she’s a witch.

I picked this up on a whim for a bookish bingo and because the synopsis sounded fun, and I ended up really loving it! Cassie is such a relatable FMC and the fatphobia/bullying felt super real and was handled very well. The friendship bond between Cassie and Seth was also so well done and felt genuine—including the hurt that came from the incident in high school and the way their reunion unfolded.

This one is cute and funny, but also VERY steamy—for me the chemistry was off the charts and I really enjoyed the humor as well. Also, there’s a raccoon familiar who can talk and really if that doesn’t sell you nothing will. I hope this series continues, as I can’t wait to get more in this universe!

CW: Fatphobia/bullying