A fun, quick read, filled with bits of magic and sweetness.

Anise again finds herself in danger for reasons beyond her control, but once again with the help of her loyal friends and her somewhat reluctant bodyguard she will overcome all the obstacles in her way.

I enjoyed the first book in this series, but I didn't love this one. For me the first two thirds really dragged. It took me forever to get through to the action at the end. I also found it to be much more predictable than the first book. Just didn't catch my attention

Sugar Spells was the perfect combination of modern witchcraft and grim-dark fantasy. The town of Tousa is where magical beings and supernatural creatures can exist without fear of prosecution. You can find everything from enchanted stilettos to zero-cal ravioli.

Anise has just moved into her aunt’s magic bakery to begin her witch baking apprenticeship but her magic’s acting up. Her sugary sweet spells have turned into death dark magic. Her brush with death in Deadly Sweet has left some necromancy in her blood; death magic. She goes through a series of trials to remove it and finally decides to wait it out while baking death-infused macarons for a mannikin to help her bodyguard Wynn pay of his indenture. But everything goes sideways when the mannikin in question, Girrar, holds them hostage.

Thanks for the early review copy!

I recommend this book to fans of young adult fantasy. It was well-written, had interesting characters, and good plot.

Just as delightful as the first book in the series. There's more cooking, there's more witchcraft, more magical creatures (both good and bad) and - best of all - finally an explanation of Wynn's past. Seeing him finally actually TALK to Anise was worth the wait!

Like the first book in the series, "Sugar Spells" is uncomplicated enjoyment. What you see is what you get. It's cozy fantasy at it's best, filled with charming asides - just the way I like it!

I really enjoyed Deadly Sweet and this second book in the series was even better. These books are to horror/ dark fantasy what the cosy mystery is to crime and I absolutely love it. Fun, cute, warm and funny, this is the perfect hallowe'en read for those who don't want out and out horror or gore. A realy enjoyable series. I hope there's more to come.

This is the second book in The Spellwork Syndicate series. In this book, Anise Wise's magical mojo is out of whack thanks to a brush with death, and now she has unwanted death magic in her blood. This has completely sidelined her ability to work in the bakery, as everything she touches is immediately ruined. Anise and her shield Wynn go on a hunt to find a cure so she can get her life back.
I was unfamiliar with this series but I had no trouble catching up with the backstory. This is a YA series but I think it would be enjoyable to anyone. If you are into fantasy books, then I think you should give this one a try.

I really enjoyed this. There were so many interesting character and relationship developments in this book. This is a really enjoyable series to read and I can’t wait for the next book!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was not paid for this review.

I read the first book, Deadly Sweet, at the start of the year and was quite pleased to see this second book appear on Netgalley. While I did have some critics on the first book it was still an enjoyable read. The second book moved on in the same direction and it was just what I needed.

Don’t go into these books expecting a very complex magical system or very complex plot. What you see is what you get. Sugar Spells is a true cozy, feel good, magical book. These books are perfect to curl up on the couch under a blanket and read in one sitting this Winter. Sugar Spells isn’t too long nor does it move to fast. The baking and the main character give of something homely and comforting, and that is what I needed at the time of reading.

What I also appreciate is how the romance is being approached. I suspect there is a slow burn romance at work here and the ground work for that was laid down in this book. One can’t be in a relationship if there is an unequalness in the relationship. ‘Employer’, and employee that can’t leave. This was talked about without the romance in it actually. That is how slow burn it is.

Anise also reminds me of myself. The bad luck, the complete unflattering wardrobe when she stays in, the constant push to fix what is wrong, feeling crap so eating ice scream it is. And yes she is clearly the ‘heroine’ who wants to fix everything and always chooses the right thing. But there is more to her than that and that is why I enjoy her character.

This book is being targeted at young adult however I do have my questions regarding that. Anise is out of high school and working on a career. So I would say this series also borders on new adult in that context. Having said that there is also barely anything triggering in these books.

This title was so cute and spooky! I loved it! Perfect for Halloween time and fall. Fans of The Wicked Deep and Hocus Pocus will love this title.