Playing the Witch card
BY KJ Dell'Antonia

Rating: ⭐️⭐️

Publishing date: 9/12/23

Honestly... I'm an idiot.  I requested this "witchy" book on netgalley, and I have FINALLY learned, I don't like witch books

Goodreads summary:
Gilmore Girls meets Practical Magic in the latest novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Chicken Sisters, the story of one woman’s Halloween homecoming to the town where she swore off magic, and where she must reclaim it in order to create the life she desires and protect everyone she loves from an unexpected threat.

She gave up on magic. But magic didn't give up on her.

Two exes. One misbehaving mother. Surprising magic. The perfect recipe for Halloween chaos.

Flair Hardwicke knows the deal: Magic is real, love isn’t, and relying on either ends in disaster. She’s seen the havoc romance and witchcraft l on her mother’s life, and Flair swore off all of it long ago, after the boy she thought was her destiny ditched her. But then her strictly no-magic life falls apart, and Flair inherits her grandmother’s home and bakery in Rattleboro, Kansas.

When the cookies Flair decorates as Tarot cards unleash the magic of the family deck she stole as a child, luring Flair’s mother to town, tempting Flair’s magic-obsessed daughter, ensnaring Flair’s ex in a curse she can’t break, and bringing Flair’s first love back to town, Flair has to accept that while she may have given up on magic, it refuses to give up on her.

As Flair’s attempts to control the Tarot cards play into the hands of a powerful witch, Flair must find a way to accept her magical heritage in order to save those she loves from a danger she’d never anticipated. Part Gilmore Girls, part Practical Magic, this romp of a tale is KJ Dell’Antonia at her very best.

Review:
Again....it wasn't for me. Since I don't like the genre, it didn't keep my interest, and I was often confused.
BUT don't take my word for it, especially I'd you enjoy Magic! 

I am always thankful for @netgalley and @putnambooks   For the chance to read an arc!

Playing the Witch Card was a 3 and a half star book for me. I really enjoyed Alice Hoffman's Practical Magic series, and this has definite similarities to those, but it felt like almost too many things were being explored, so none of them truly got the attention I wanted to see for it. In the book Flair moves back to her grandmother Marie's small Kansas town of Rattleboro, a Halloween crazy community, with her thirteen year old daughter Lucie reluctantly in tow. But Flair comes from a long line of witches and it's not long before returning to the community brings her powers back to the surface. Powers that she didn't want, and doesn't want to tell Lucie about. Then her absentee mother shows up with Flair's ensorcelled ex in the trunk and her problems magnify. She quickly has her bakery store commandeered into making treats for the annual Halloween event by the local Oakes matriarch, Loretta, while Loretta's children, Renee and Jude cause additional complications for Flair. It kind of feels like too much. While I had fun reading it, I think about half of this could be dropped to create a more engaging story about Flair's relationships with her mother and daughter, and how magic impacted those bonds. I also expected to have more about baking and the bakery, but it almost seems to serve more as a conduit for creating tarot card cookies from Flair's family deck. A complimentary copy was provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book was pitched as Gilmore Girls meets Practical Magic - two things I love. Except I didn't love it.

This book has everything I usually love in a book. Magic, romance, small towns, a bakery, and Halloween! And there are some really good high points to note. Specifically the tarot deck is referred to as the Waite-Smith deck (I personally use Smith-Waite, as that is the order of contribution). The opening was a struggle for me. It didn't hook me at first, and it took me a while to figure out why. Finally figured it out when I had to read, re-read, and read for a third time the same sentence to make sure I understood it. Blame the ADHD or whatever, but 87 words in one sentence is a bit much.

"They're just cookies. Flair repeated it over and over like a mantra as she drove to Loretta's house, a short trip as the crow flies made longer by the need to drive out to the edge of town, past the riverside woods where the trail would take place, and around two corners of a huge cornfield before doubling back to the driveway of what had once been a simple farmhouse but had long since grown enough to guest wings and outbuildings and landscaping to turn into something far more glamourous."

I started realizing that this book has a ton of exceptionally long winded sentences. On top of that, it just seemed to drag on and on. At one point it felt like a high school paper that had a word count, "Just add a few filler sentences to bump up to the required amount!"

Was it the worst book I've ever read? No. Not at all. But I'm not sure I'll be back to read any more by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Given the hype around witchy books, going into Playing the Witch Card, was a bit nerve-wracking. Aside from the comp titles though, the concept and plot of this book is enough to hook you. Set in a small town in Kansas, Flair is starting over after the death of her grandmother, a divorce, and the start of a failing bakery.

While things seem grim at first, Flair’s return to her small town anchored her connection to her magical roots. It begins with her baking and decorating cookies like her tarot cards and seeing how her magic affects those who eat them. Then we find out that her mother is involved much more. Coupled with her mother, Flair is also dealing with her frustrating ex-husband and her teenage daughter who is full of angst.

Playing the Witch Card splits the difference here as we’re watching Flair tries to push back her witchy side while also using it for her business. We’re also seeing her trying to run her business and be a parent along with possibly reconnecting with a former flame. It’s a lot for anyone but Flair handles it as best as she can.

What I enjoyed was how Dell’Antonia wrote her characters. Each of them felt so real as they were all dealing with their struggles while also having magic. I will say that the magical “twist” wasn’t one I saw coming but I loved it. As far as witchy books go, I can see this being a favorite when October rolls out or being on a Gilmore Girls book recommendations post.

Ultimately, Playing the Witch Card was fun and witchy but I would have liked to see more of the bakery and Flair running her business. I know that wasn’t the point of the story, but I enjoyed seeing her working especially on the cookies. Like I said though, I’m sure this one is going to be one lot of people flock to this spooky season.

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Random House/Putnam for sending me an ARC of Playing the Witch Card in exchange for an honest review.

This book is going to be the perfect edition to everyone's spooky season reading list this year!

Our story is set in a charming small town that takes Halloween very, very seriously. But as time goes on, you start to find out that the Halloween magic...is actually magic. Flair has a difficult family history with magic, having left this town behind as a teenager. But after her Grandmother passes away, and her marriage ends, she comes back to take over her Grandmother's house and tea shop, which she turns into a bakery called Buttersweet. But now that she's back, can she really avoid the magic she left behind years ago?

This book has a lot of great elements. You have childhood best friends, you have a difficult mother/daughter relationship, you have a little splash of second-chance romance, and while all of that's happening, you have a magic spell gone awry and Halloween coming right around the corner.

This book definitely had a couple of twists and turns that I did NOT see coming, which kept me reading to find out how it would all end. I really loved how the magic system worked, how people had different specialties or had magic tied to different objects.

If you like any of these, this will be the book for you:
- Cozy small town settings
- Baking (or eating!) delicious themed cookies
- Very low spice (flirting and kisses only)
- Family drama
- Magic and generational curses
- Books that take place during the holiday itself

Playing the Witch Card - out September 12, 2023 ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

Flair returns to the town where she swore off magic, and where she must reclaim it in order to create the life she desires and protect everyone she loves from an unexpected threat.

I can totally see the Gilmore Girls vibes in this one: the small town, autumn feel, cutesy bakery goodness, seemingly petty rivalries, and family history. Unfortunately, it also leans heavily into miscommunication as a plot driver.

As a cute, witchy story in a charming small town, this worked for me. I absolutely loved the tarot cookies and the family history and the halloween vibes! The imagery was one of my favorite parts of the book.

As something deeper—a commentary on motherhood or community or consequences—it didn’t hit the mark. I really dislike when the plot is driven by characters who defy all reason and refuse to communicate, and there’s plenty of that going on. I also spotted the twist at the end coming miles away, but sometimes that’s okay!

Overall, it was a lighthearted, cozy read that’ll fit right in as a refresher between heavier, spooky autumn titles.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

ARC Review: Playing the Witch Card by K.J. Dell’Antonia
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️/5

Would definitely recommend reading this book in a cozy chair with a nice blanket. It pulls you in quickly!

-Magic/tarot cards
-Family drama
-Second chance romance
-Small town
-Halloween

A family centered story with a sprinkle of romance. After her husband cheats, Flair and her daughter, Lucie, move to Rattleboro, a small town to start over. Flair comes from a witchy family line and has spent her life denying her abilities, but finds its not as easy as before.

I love the descriptive writing and how easily I am able to picture Rattleboro and the characters. I was surprised at the ending conflict I did not see that coming at all!!

I would definitely recommend if you love magic, nosey small towns and family drama!

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book made me excited for fall. The tarot aspect of the story was really interesting. Loved the imagery from the Halloween trail. A couple of things held me back from a higher rating, though. The first reason being there weren't many likeable characters in the story. But the main reason was the slow start. I rarely put a book down when I start one, but I did this time. When I went back to it, I was hooked on the story at around the 40% mark. From then on it was a satisfying read with definite Practical Magic vibes.

Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons for this complimentary ARC. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Witchy, Romance, Paranormal Romance, Enemies to Lovers, Small Town

As always check the trigger warnings.

🔮Liked: This book is a must read!!! When I first started it I thought it was a bit slow but after a few chapters in it picked up and I could not put it down. There is a little bit of everything in this book from hexes, exs, love, comedy, wit, drama and more. This book definitely put me in the Fall mood and is a great book to curl up with a blanket with. The twists and turns throughout this book had me guessing what would happened next. Highly highly recommend this magical small town witchy book.

🔮Disliked: N/A

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for this Advanced Readers Copy of Playing the Witch Card by KJ Dell'Antonia!

Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Group for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I am a sucker for tarot-themed anything, so I was excited to read and review. "Playing the Witch Card" has a lot of cozy fantasy hallmarks—definitely made me look forward to autumn! I enjoyed the mother-daughter dynamics and appreciated the thought that went into the tarot aspects. The way baking and tarot came together was delightful.

I was hovering between a three and a four-star review. I ended up going with three just because it look almost 70% of the way through before I felt like the characters, plot, and theme came together. The reluctant witch trope is a genre staple (love me some Piper Halliwell), but in this case it dragged a bit and was predicated on some major just-communicate-already contrivances.

But overall I did enjoy the story. And, if you're already a fan of the authors contemporary romances, I'm sure you'll love this foray into fantasy.

Well written women’s fiction with magical characters. Flair wants nothing to do with the magic her family inherits. She’s back in her hometown to raise her daughter and townspeople are dragging her back into the community. Also her magical cards are being pushy to get her back.

Opportunity to heal her relationships with family and friends have major consequences. A quite scary situation in the end, but all works out for Flair.

You have to like witches, Halloween, and magic to get this book, and for me it didn’t work from that aspect. But this author is one of my favorites and she always writes stories that are very family centered.

A fun small town read that becomes complex as the story moves. Flair is an interesting character and following her character development was great. A cast of characters help drive the story.

When Playing the Witch Card by KJ Dell'Antonia was described as The Gilmore Girls meets Practical Magic...I mean how in the heck could you ever pass that up?? This book definitely lived up to it's description. There is a second chance romance and so much pure pandemonium. What is not to love about that?? This borders on the line of a cozy horror for me and if that isn't a genre it certainly should be!

Playing the Witch Card
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I got to try out my first book on NetGallery recently and it was a great first book! It was described as “Gilmore Girls meets Practical Magic” so obviously from that point on I was sold!

Playing the Witch Card by KJ Dell’Antonia includes small town vibes, witches and magic, tarot cards, Halloween fun, and a FMC who owns a bakery (aka my dream job). Throw in some multi generational family drama, good vs bad magic, and a long lost love interest looking for a second chance and you’ve got a winner!

This book is great for those who love a little magic with their romance and those who love Halloween vibes, two things I love!

The release day for this book is September 12th so check it out and get ready for some great Fall Witchy Vibes!

Playing the Witch Card is a novel about Flair Hardwicke, returning to her grandmother's hometown , Rattleboro KS, to take over her shop and turn it into a bakery after her grandmother's death, and her own marriage falling apart. Flair has a 13-year-old daughter, Lucie, and things are strained with her, as Lucie resents the move and misses her father who still lives back in St. Louis. Flair's family has a history of using magic, specifically powered through an ancestral tarot card deck created by their ancestress, Alice Hardwicke. For reasons unbeknownst to the reader, Flair has sworn off magic, but magic seems to be coming back to her regardless of her wishes.

Rattleboro is a small town that lives and breathes Halloween, and Flair is invited to create treats for the special trail experience the town is infamous for, and in the process, Flair unleashes the magic she's been burying and ignoring, setting off a chain of events that culminates in a conflict for her own life and happiness. With the help of her best friend Josie, and her mother Cynthia, Flair must fight to keep her family safe and whole against dark forces.

The beginning of this novel and the development of the characters and backstory was honestly a bit chaotic, and initially I wasn't sure I would enjoy this novel. However, after the first 25% things pick up and become slightly less confusing, and the final conflict was definitely well done. I also enjoyed the depiction of the relationship between Flair and her daughter Lucie, as I have a 14-year-old daughter who just completed 8th grade. It felt very accurate to real life in my opinion.

With the issues I have with the rough opening of the novel in mind, I have decided to rate this novel 3.75 stars rounded up to 4 stars. Overall I give it high marks for good autumnal witchy vibes and good character development.

Thank you to Putman Books and NetGalley for the electronic ARC of this novel for review.

This cozy autumn witches tale reminds me of watching "Sabrina: the Teenage Witch" when I was a young girl. This book has the perfect blend of nostalgia, comfort, and mystery. Reading about a young woman's inner journey through her use of her magic is a wonderful twist. It was a lovely change to read about a small town as more than just a setting for a romantic subplot. While there is a little romance in this novel, it's mainly focused on Flair's relationship with her magic and taking control of her own life. As someone who likes being single, this story was really empowering and enjoyable for me to experience (and magical too!)

✨book review✨

Playing the Witch Card
by K.J. Dell’Antonia

Pub Date: Sept. 12, 2023

*Thank you to @netgalley, @putnambooks and the author for this ARC!*

Synopsis:

Gilmore Girls meets Practical Magic…
She gave up on magic. But magic didn't give up on her.
Three generations of magic. Two rogue exes. One Tarot deck.
The perfect recipe for chaos.

Yet another book that makes me wish I was a witch *sigh*.

This book is exactly what you’re hoping for when you seek out a witchy rom-com you can breeze through. It was charming and had all the elements that make for a perfect light-hearted spooky season read. 🍂

Why Flair (MC) would ever turn away from magic, I’ll never understand - what I would give to have her powers (& her cookies). Made me want to purchase a tarot deck ASAP! 🔮🃏

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Flair ran from magic when she was teenager, leaving everything it involved as far behind as she could. However, when her husband cheats on her again, she finds she has no choice but to move to the house her grandmother has just left her – as well as her bakery. But no magical shenanigans will take place in her back room – no side-hustles to be found there. She is determined to remain magic-free. Until suddenly she creates beautiful Tarot card cookies with almost no memory of it happening, and her bakery finally becomes a hit in the town. That, and her family Tarot deck shows back up to complicate her life, as well as her magic loving chaotic mother, and her soon to be ex in the trunk of his car. The more she tries to control the chaos, the worse she makes it. And then she learns there is far more at stake than her own use of magic, and it may be the only way to save the day.
Flair is in her thirties, starting over, and trying to navigate a new job, new town, and being a single mom. It’s wonderful to find a book that has an older female main character, and one who is dealing with so many things we can relate to. Yes, she has magic, but it isn’t the kind that makes her life easy. She’s struggling to build relationships, and with the idea of love at all, and I appreciated that!
First off, I must mention that the plot of this book is a slow build. If that isn’t something you like or enjoy, you’ll have trouble with this one. Most of the “action” type of plot takes place in the last 25% of the book. That said, it’s a fun build up as we learn the back story of the town and its people, Flair’s own relationship with the town and her grandmother – and most of all about the magic.
This story has a lot of heart in it, from Flair learning how to be a single mother and deal with her daughter, to also learning how to handle her past, and her own mistakes. It is very much a novel about learning that you cannot always be in control, and you can change your mind. Even learning to admit that you may have made mistakes in the past. We see Flair reacting because of trauma from her childhood, from memories and choices that haunt her, and from the fact that for much of it she didn’t have control of what happened.
Much of this story is character driven. Flair must learn who she is, and what magic is to her. She must learn to forgive, if not forget. There are flashbacks throughout the novel that show us what happened to her as a child and a teen. It does take a bit to explain why Flair swore off magic completely. I would have loved to have seen a bit more of her grandmother mixed in, and the best friend in the past context.
The town is amazing. Rattleboro was founded by a coven of witches and wound up taking Halloween next level. It’s so into Halloween it sprays glitter on the sidewalks, every shop on main street is required to decorate, and some just decided to theme it out all year long. I love the idea of visiting or even living in a town like this. They host a Halloween Trail every year on Halloween, with booths, scary sections, and fun treats along the way. It raises money for charity causes, and tickets are sold by lottery. It’s absolutely huge, and basically takes over everything. The last 30% or so of the book concerns this event, and what will take place there and after.
We get Practical Magic moments, Gilmore Girl-esque moments, and tons of Hallmark centered romance as the ex-boyfriend comes back to town. There is levity, budding romance, heartbreak, friendship, and more in this novel. It’s so much fun to read magical realism with adults!
The Tarot Cards were another reason that I really enjoyed this novel. The way they intricately play into the plot, the use the author makes of them throughout the story, and the descriptions were wonderful. As for much of the writing, the author makes you feel like you are there experiencing the magic, the bakery, etc., with the characters. I loved the Halloween scenes, the autumn feel of the bakery, and the spooky air of the end.
There is a plot twist quite past what I was suspecting, though I did start to guess part of it right before hand. The characters come together to solve the issue, save the day, and realize that maybe magic isn’t the evil thing some of them thought. There are characters who are left with broken pieces to pick up, and I wonder if we’ll see a second book set in this world!
Content warnings: child trauma, family trauma, control issues, family drama, generational trauma, (ex/wife/cheating/etc.). As always, there are probably more I do not recognize.

This has also been submitted to Bowling Green Daily News and will be published at some point!

I loved the premise of this book. However, it dragged, making it difficult for me to lose myself in the story.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me this opportunity to read this ARC.