Chaos follows Poppy wherever she goes... And that's the exact word to describe this book - CHAOS. There is just too much going on in this book and I had a hard time to keep up with everything. I felt like I was missing something when I started to read it. It took me a while to get into the story. But I really liked Poppy, the female MC, and all she is was struggling with. Some parts of this book was hilarious. The relationship between Poppy and the hot magician Axl wasn't completely believable to me. Overall a fun witchy fall read.

Thank you @netgalley and Harpercollins UK for the advanced copy. Hex And The City releases on September 3th.

*I really loved Kate Johnson’s first book in this series, Hex Appeal, and while you don’t need to have read it to follow along with this second book, the world building is considerably less, and I think you would over-all appreciate Poppy and her reality more if you did.*

I love a good witchy-romance! I’ve been holding off reading this ARC all summer, waiting until just before publication, as the stores are finally starting to stock fall decor, and candle. It’s been an awesome week to sip PSLs, smell apple-cinnamon candles and read about witches. The atmosphere is everything! My reading experience started strong and overall was really enjoyable. I love Poppy’s hair and the adventures and shenanigans that she and Alex went through, but individually neither character really were like-able to me. But I still enjoyed reading, which lends itself really to the storytelling which is fast paced, absolutely chaotic and witty. There is a plot-twist that wasn’t my favorite, but you see it coming a mile away and it advances the story, so it wasn’t a deal breaker for me. The spice is pretty mild, but just zesty enough to not be Hallmark level. This story was a wild ride and I can’t wait for more. Really hoping it’s not just a duology! 3.5 ⭐️

Thank you One More Chapter, Harper Collins & NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my unbiased review!

ARC from Net Galley - a great witchy rom com. This is the second in a series but you don’t necessarily need to read the first to understand the world.

On more than one occasion I thought I knew where the story was going only to be yanked another direction - it was fast pacing with twists that I didn’t see coming. Characters are well written and easy to like, I really enjoyed this book.

5/5 stars: Johnson's British witchy world that was introduced in Hex Appeal now continues in this delightful novel. I very much enjoy the magical world Johnson's crafted, it's whimsical and quirky and just plain fun. Her characters are complex and yet remain incredibly relatable; Poppy and Alex are a treat and I adore the London witches and can't wait to see where Johnson takes us next in this universe. And the fact that Poppy's casually bisexual and it's never an issue for anyone is a joy. Additionally, I very much appreciate how thoughtfully Johnson portrays Poppy and Alex's mental and personal growth journeys, but take care and check the CWs. If you're looking for a great paranormal romance with great characters, plenty of humor and off-the-charts scorching sexiness be sure to pick up this book.

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

Prepare to be enchanted by this delightful paranormal romance that weaves a tale of magic and love! The story revolves around Poppy, a young witch possessing hair as enchanting as Rapunzel's, and her journey through the mystical realms of her newfound powers. As a novice in the world of magic, Poppy grapples with the art of control, often leaving a trail of delightful chaos in her wake!

Enter Axl, a charismatic celebrity magician with an undeniable allure. The plot thickens when a cursed pendant, "accidentally" traded by one of Poppy's colleagues, falls into Axl's possession, setting the stage for a series of misadventures. With a touch of time travel and a dash of mischief, the narrative takes off on an exhilarating escapade, leaving readers eagerly flipping through the pages to unravel the ensuing adventure.

At its core, this book is a spellbinding fusion of witchcraft and romance, adorned with the charm of a coven's camaraderie. The dynamic portrayal of Poppy's journey from magical novice to adept enchantress is a captivating element, drawing readers deeper into her world with every spell she casts. This is witchy chic lit at its finest!

The narrative not only explores the complexities of magic but also paints a vivid picture of relationships forged amidst the whirlwind of supernatural events. The seamless convergence of Poppy's world with Axl's lends the story an irresistible allure that keeps readers invested in the outcome.

As the story unfolds, the chaos and camaraderie both build to a crescendo, creating a symphony that resonates long after the final page is turned. The coven's solidarity and growth add layers of depth to the narrative, showcasing how unity can blossom even amidst the most enchanting (and chaotic!) circumstances.

This bewitching tale is more than just a paranormal romance—it's an odyssey through a world where magic intertwines with matters of the heart. The author masterfully crafts a narrative that dances between whimsy and suspense, leaving readers craving more of Poppy, Axl, and their enthralling magical journey.

Thank you HarperCollins UK and NetGalley for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review. Hex and the City will be released on September 3, 2023.

A cute and quirky rom-com with witches. I really enjoyed this and will be looking for the first in the series as we get closer to Halloween.

A few parts dragged for me a little bit, but overall this was a really fun read. Thank you for my ARC.

Where can I start with this adorably cute book! I loved The Ex Hex and i knew I would adore this one as well. This book is based on an entirely different cast of characters,(there may be a quick snippet of an old favorite of course). Poppy was such an awesome character to follow - she is super clumsy, loses everything all the time, and barely manages to make it to work on time on her best days. Then she goes and curses a necklace and it gets sold to someone famous.... Inset Axl....

Just go and read this book and you will love it! Magical, witchy, funny, amazing!

This is such a cute witchy read! The book is very well paced (although a rather quick ending), and it is engaging from start to finish.

The different types of witches was a nice touch providing something different to your typical witchy romances.

The romance itself was good and I loved the entertaining situations Poppy and Alex found themselves in.

Great, fun book, with lots of feel-good and positive moments.

Kate is a fantastic writer and after enjoying Hex Appeal so much I knew I had to read this one too! I was not disappointed, a wonderfully written book full of romance, laugh out loud moments and of course plenty of magic! The characters are wonderful and you just want to be friends with them.
A perfect read for getting ready for spooky season!

Sometimes you need a little chaos to liven things up. Poppy’s knack for chaos makes for lots of fun. She’s a mess but so authentic! She feels big feelings and just wants to belong and find a connection that lasts. Meanwhile, Axl’s curated lifestyle and over-managed image disguise a heart that’s unwilling to connect beyond physical interactions; at least they do before he meets Poppy. Somehow, amidst the absolute mayhem and terror that accompany their interactions, something comes alive within Axl that throws his entire existence on its head. If they can just make it out alive, they might get everything they ever hoped to find.

Hex and the City is a fun, fast adventure with plenty of humor, mystery, and suspense. The characters are a riot; Poppy’s hair alone offers some of the best comedic moments! I enjoyed all the twists and turns and loved seeing cameos from a few of the witches in Hex Appeal.

Hex and the City by Kate Johnson is an enthralling tale that boasts remarkable characters, an enchanting setting, and a captivating storyline that will keep readers engaged until the very last page.

⭐️: 4/5

When chaotic witch Poppy accidentally sells a cursed amulet to celebrity magician Alex, all hell breaks loose as the two go on an adventures to get it back.

It’s a little earlier than I’d normally do a witchy read, but since the publication date is early September, here I am, reading a spooky season book in August. I loved the vibes in this one though, since the witchcraft wasn’t too complex in terms of the magical rules/system, and the story alternated perfectly between adventure and romance. This one was such a cute, witchy read, and I am seriously considering going back and reading the first in the series closer to Halloween. Although this one is the second in the series, and apparently some characters in this one made an appearance in the first book as well, Hex and the City definitely functioned perfectly fine as a standalone, and I didn’t feel like I was missing any information at all. The pacing was done really well in this one and I didn’t feel like there were any lulls in the story or that the climax was too abrupt. Overall, a great, spooky read!

Thank you to @netgalley and @onemorechapterhc for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!

A fun light read! Poppy, a witch, accidentally sold Alex an amulet she made and cursed, And now she's got to get it back before really bad stuff happens. Turns out, Alex, an illusionist, gave the amulet to someone and bad things are already happening. And now the two of them are careening around the UK trying to find it, Along the way, they building a relationship that turns to....love. Witches seem to be popular this year- Poppy is a nice one, Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

What's not to love about a witch named Poppy with sentient hair and a knack for causing everything around her to go wild? In a twist of fate Poppy sells a cursed amulet to none other than the famous Axl Storm a stage illusionist heartthrob but when things start to go wrong at his show and the amulet disappears Poppy and Axl have to team up to save London from the curse.

A perfect read going into Fall for those who love the spooky season and witches!

Thank you, NetGalley and HarperCollins UK & One More Chapter, for this ARC, available September!

This book was so chaotic and really not in a good way. From the character having *such mind blowing sex* that they time travel to the Great Fire of London to the insta-love to the absolute 0 world building - this had WAY too much going on and I felt like I was on a rollercoaster that wouldn't stop.

In truth this book was aggressively not for me and I probably would have DNF'd it if I didn't have an ARC. But it was also like watching a slow moving train crash and I couldn't look away. One of my issues is that the magic system is basically never explained other than "witches have powers and some have an affinity for certain magic" - this left me mildly confused the whole book as to what witches can and can't do. For example, Poppy at one point banishes a "mummy ghost" (whatever that is) but has never been told that she could fly on a broom? And she can time travel but not teleport?

The MMC, Alex...man where do I start. Well, he has an eating disorder that is represented TERRIBLY with no real resolution. While I do think it's important to see a male character dealing with an eating disorder, he seems to deal with it...not at all. He says terrible things to and about himself and though Poppy says she is attracted to more than his body, it feels more like lip service when she's known him for less than a week. There is no growth with his body image issues other than he starts to eat junk food sometimes? (and mostly because he's heartbroken when Poppy leaves him). The resolution of his eating disorder are two throwaway lines in the last chapter that "his face was a little fuller, and his stomach less washboarded" and "he was slightly less ripped in the abs department" which I guess is meant to show us that he isn't so obsessed with healthy food? He even admits to Poppy at one point that he has an eating disorder and it's never talked about explicitly again... Also Poppy's bio mom (in a glamour) has had sex with Alex for nefarious purposes and I REALLY felt like that deserved just a little more discussion because it is very much glossed over.

There were just so many plot lines in this book that made everything so hard to follow - I really think this needed some strong editing and paring down. I will say, for as chaotic as the whole book is, the ending felt pretty run of the mill and abrupt. And don't get me started on Poppy not realizing that her bio mother (who she was told is very good at glamours) was the one sabotaging her and Alex's relationship and lying to her. Even I, as someone who can never figure out plot twists/reveals knew exactly what was happening...

I think the writing of this book is technically fine - the dialogue felt natural and well written. There is bisexual representation from Poppy (and maybe Alex? But this was unclear to me).

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK/One More Chapter for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was a fun, easy read full of witchy hijinks and a budding romance between our two leads Poppy and Alex. The plot was entertaining, the leads had chemistry and I liked the author’s writing style. Eclectic mix of supporting characters as well. Ending felt a little rushed and I would have like more of resolution/ discussion about unresolved issues between the leads (the mum thing, player/trust issues, more apologies from her) but overall it made for a decent summer read. (3 ⭐️)

Sadly, I wasn't able to get into this book. From the beginning, this story felt disorganized and a little too juvenile for my tastes. There was so much information and character thrown at you that it was difficult to understand what was happening. I reached a point where I stopped caring and found it impossible to continue reading. I am DNFing this book. However, I'm rating this book a 3⭐. While it didn't work for me, it could be the perfect book for someone else.

Book Releases September 3, 2023

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for the E-ARC

All thoughts and opinions are honest and my own.

Poppy is chaos personified, a trait which combined with her magical abilities can cause a wealth of problems beyond just repeatedly losing her phone. For example, drunkenly cursing an amulet which then gets sold to illusionist Alex which... well. Chaos.
I found it a little difficult to get into this book to begin with, because Poppy's chaotic existence means there's a lot going on. However it grew on me as the plot developed. Poppy and Alex are both flawed characters with deep insecurities, and that made for additional drama between the two of them as well as everything that's happening around them. There's a strong humorous voice throughout and plenty of well-defined supporting characters (I'm including Poppy's hair in that), and after needing to persevere with the start, I'm definitely on board with this idea of witches in a modern setting.

Firstly, thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately, this was just not my cup of tea, and I didn’t really vibe with the writing style or the pacing- there was too much going on and the main characters were exhausting. I think a lot of people will enjoy this though, if they like witchy chick lit- it releases just in time for spooky season!

Pub date: September 3

Thank you to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.

I love witchy rom coms, especially during or gearing up for spooky season! I was excited to get an ARC of this book because it sounded up my alley.

Hex and the City follows witch, Poppy, who really doesn’t have her life together but does have pink, sentient Rapunzel hair, and Alex, magician who has no real magic.

Ultimately, the first third of the book was a fun adventure, but after that it became zanier and zanier, and I thought it was too much. It was a pretty quick read, though.

I did really like learning about the different types of witches, and I liked the idea of time travel (I just found it in combination with the other things that happen to be too much). The coven was fantastic, and the side characters were A+. There were good and cozy found family vibes.

Some of my bigger frustrations with the book was that the MMC has an eating disorder that isn’t addressed. There were other miscommunication moments where I wanted to scream at the characters to just talk to each other and trust each other. Finally, I’m not a huge fan of insta love, and we definitely have that here.

Overall, Hex and the City was okay. Check it out if you want a witchy romance book filled with bigger and zanier adventures the more the book progresses.