I never read the original babysitters books, so I can't say how this compares. But it definitely matches the Buffy vibe it aims for.

It took a while to get to the magic and action parts. The beginning did a good job on tree setting, plot, and characters. The MC, Esme, is very relatable and uses lots of pop culture references and texting lingo.

The story was really good. I liked all the magic and how spells worked and the whole secret Sitter society idea. I was very happy with the way the little romance went. It was an unexpected turn that really added depth to pretty boy's character.

Warning: I thought this book was geared towards younger readers. Like middle school age. But there's a lot of explicit language and dirty talk that should give this a PG13 kind of rating. I would definitely not give this to a kid unless they clean out certain lines. For a teen, maybe. But even so, those lines don't need to be there and can easily be whitewashed.

Altogether, I really enjoyed the plot and magic and the characters. I highly recommend this book for Buffy fans.

I received a copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was an interesting read, to say the least. If you're familiar with the Rebel Belle series by Rachel Hawkins then you might find the vibe of this story somewhat similar as both series feature a girl who was seamlessly living a somewhat normal life but then comes to find out they are involved in some strong magical element, which drastically changes the story.

When reading this, I did find the beginning to be slow, but I guess since there's a sequel the story has paced the story in a way where the biggest obstacle is saved for the next book. I did find the rate in which Esme developed her powers kind of inconsistent, as at first, she does things by accident, but then suddenly she becomes so skilled in an instant, even knowing what to do in dire situations. I wished there was more of a struggle/development in that department, but I guess since she's a Sitter she's naturally talented.

Aside from this, I found the characters themselves not that interesting. Most of them are bland and I just really didn't like Cassandra. She was just unnecessarily rude and just an overall jerk. She's not really a bad person, she just has a horrible personality. Even the secondary characters weren't that interesting, though some of them do get some development, but once the memories get wiped and all that "ish" happens, it's like all the development vanished and everything got reverted back to its old ways. It's a shame really. Yes, wiping people's memories to protect the identity of the Sitters is a good thing, I just think that it backfires for any development for those who are normal humans.

Overall, if you're looking for a story that involves a couple of unlikely girls teaming together and discovering they're witches then this is for you. I personally think it's a decent story that has potential, it just needs to work on character development because poorly written characters can put a damper on a story no matter how great it is.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this book!

Esme Pearl's babysitter's club isn't much to talk about these days. Consisting of just her and her best friend Janis, I'm not even sure it can still be called a club. Still, there aren't many other options for 17 year olds in their town. Then the new girl moves to town around the same time strange things begin happening around Esme.

What happens next is an adventure of the mystical and self discovery. Secrets from both Esme and Cassandra's pasts will be revealed, and they may not like what they discover.

This book is a great blend of camp, teenage snark, and magic. Esme is highly relatable, and Janis is a great counterpart to her. Each of the characters adds to the story, without being too much or a distraction. The story is balanced, and paced well. This is the first in a series, and I can't wait for the next one!

Thank you to Random House for the opportunity to read #TheBabysitersCoven. It is a fun, easy read that pre-teens will enjoy. If you like the TV show Charmed this is a cleaner more water-downed version of that type of plot. A very entertaining start to a series that will make you wish magic is true.

The Babysitters Coven is a fun adventure for younger YA readers and fans of Charmed,

With so many protagonists focuses on being 'not like other girls', it's refreshing to have Esme and her friends who support each other and the legacies their mothers have left for them. This is the kind of representation we need more of in all genres.

The Babysitters Coven was SO much fun! If you love YA sprinkled in with some magic and “babysitters club” then you’ll absolutely devour this. Most of the characters featured in the narrative are well fleshed out and have their own personality rather than just being the side-kick or bad guy.

I can highly recommend this book and I will be waiting anxiously for the next book in this series!

I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley!!

This fun book is based on a coven of "witchy babysitters."
I absolutely love the cover. The storyline is easy to follow, which makes the story easy to read!
I'd say this book is definnitely geared towards young adults/teens, and i don't really fit that age group. The book was still a fun quick read, but not amazing to me.

Thank you to Delacorte Press and NetGalley for the chance to review this title ahead of its release date.

Wow. This book was just what I needed. Witty writing, with a magical plot-line and a protagonist you can cheer for to the very end. I just came off reading a highly disappointing anticipated read, and I have to be honest, my hope in books plummeted a bit. But thanks to this delightful, witchy read, hope has been renewed.

What's it about?

Esme is a seventeen-year-old babysitter from a complicated home. Her mother was put into a mental hospital when she was young, and her father doesn't really jump at the chance to talk about it. Along with her best friend and fellow fashionista, Janis, they form a babysitter's club which is really just them browsing the internet and watching movies. Weirdo things start happening when a new girl named Cassandra and her hot brother show up. Suddenly, Esme finds herself in an entirely different club, and it has nothing to do with changing diapers.

What I loved: Esme's voice. Her narration does a colossal justice to YA everywhere. It mixes in a sometimes cynical girl who loves movies and clothes and her friends and is entirely awkward in front of her crush. It was so fun reading her quirkiness. And I laughed out loud so many times. When a book can do that to me, I know it's going to be good.

The story was light-hearted and went ways I couldn't even imagine. I've never watched an episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer so sue me, but It is inspired by it, and from other reviews, I hear it takes a few notes from the show as well.

I judge a book by how fast I get ready for bed to lie down and read. This one had me skipping skincare routines so that I could continue reading. It's a quick, spooky romp through the head of a girl who is just trying to navigate life but has to fight evil monsters instead.

The only thing that did irk me was the lack of CALLING THE COPS thing when things happened. I get it, for plot's sake, they had to deal on their own, but being the mother-bear inside of me was cursing them out for not enlisting the adults. ARGH.

I'm hoping for redemption and a real love interest in the next one. I cannot wait to take Esme, Cassandra, and Janis and just squeeze them and tell them things will be all right if you stick together, darn it.

Kate Williams has made a fan out of me.

So I’ve been on a YA kick lately because I realized there are some really amazing stories that I am missing just because I felt like they were too young for me to read. This was a book that caught my eye for of both the cover and the blurb. I was a staunch reader of the Babysitters Club in the ‘90s and it was my first book club; so I might have a soft spot for stories that pay tribute to my first book loves.

This story was such a delight to read I would liken it to Adventures in Babysitting crossed with the Babysitters Club with a dash of Practical Magic (the YA version). This book while YA did has great narration, dealt with some genuine topics and was filled with amusing antics and engaging encounters. It was easy to follow and was engaging enough to get my niece to stay involved and she is not a dedicated reader.

The story starts out by introducing the reader to Esme, a baby sitter and a high schooler trying to find her place in her ever changing life. She has a few “accidents” and soon discovers both life and the new girl in school is different then she could have ever imagined. I loved the way this story developed from an everyday coming of age story into a fun story of witches and the ultimate battle of good vs evil. The way the author blended the Babysitters club and the coven was wonderful, they seem to fit so well together that I never once questioned the odd pairing.

I really think that this is a story that needs to become a classic for young readers the world over. It is funny and sweet, kind and all inclusive. It left me with a delightful sense of gratification; not only for great stories, but for past book loves and a renewed sense of wonder. I had the delight of an ARC via NetGallery and I am leaving my honest review. #NetGallery #TheBabysittersCoven

Oops, wrong review initially posted here but I loved this fun book!! Such a unique concept and executed with wit and heart. I have so many friends who will enjoy reading this one and I look forward to recommending it!

This was a cute book! The writing style felt grounded in the authentic Teenage Experience; I related to how hard but also adorable babysitting was 100% from my own teenage babysitting days. The main character was down-to-earth, tired, and tried so hard.

I do think the plot was somewhat slow and boring. Half the time I was reading, I wanted the main character to stop observing things (breaking the immersion). But the emphasis on female friendship! and the Halloween setting made up for that.

Review to come on my blog closer to publication date!

Sometimes comp titles get me so excited about reading a book that actually reading it is a let down. This was not the case with The Babysitters Coven, as Williams expertly weaves together a tale that entertains all! I hope everyone enjoys this book as much as I did!

This was a very entertaining book! I liked most of the charters, and thought the premise was cute and reminded me a lot of movies and shows I watched growing up. Really fun read!

My daughter, who is 12, and I read this together, essentially. I didn't know how much I'd like it, because, obviously, it is written for teens, but I actually ended up really enjoying it. (My daughter did as well- she asked me to pre-order it on Amazon or through my store, which I have). It reminded me a lit of the shows, books, and movies I grew up on- The Craft, The Baby Sitter's Club, Angel, Buffy the Vampire Slayer.... I would definitely recommend this to middle schoolers, possibly 9th graders. I know I would have LoVED to get my hands on this at those ages. If a book written for teens or young adults can hold the attention of a 35 year old mother if three, it speaks volumes about how entertaining that book is.

The aesthetic of this book will be very popular among our younger teen readers--I really think it gets at something that young readers are looking for these days. I'm excited to see the published version.

This was .... interesting. And a little hard to rate. For the first half of the book I was bored out of my mind and totally not invested in the characters. I didn't like them very much, they were boring, there wasn't much going on, etc. But then things picked up a bit towards the second half and it got a little better. I still did NOT like the characters at all though. Cass was a terrible person, a huge jerk throughout the entire story. Selfish, rude, entitled, the whole gamut. Esme is better, but still oblivious and kind of awful. Not nearly as bad as Cass, but still awful. She is just as selfish and self-centered, but in a less obvious way.
The story was a predictable trope and the solutions were stretched to fit, without making much sense. For example, four people doesn't really mean four people and can mean some people and some animals. And you need a situation where the adult is gone so he gets mysteriously arrested. But then POOF everyone forgets everything because MAGIC. I'm sure that middle schoolers will enjoy it but it was a huge meh for me.