When the story begins, Aria is a down-on-her-luck witch who just got fired. Again. She's been trying to make it work in London, because going back home means facing her failure to control her magic. Just as she's working out her next step, her grandma shows up on her doorstep and begs her to come home and compete in a tournament to inherit a magical fortune that would change their lives and keep her hometown, the idyllic Charming Cove, from falling into the wrong hands. Those hands being hot billionaire Callan Hawthorne who Aria hates with a passion.

This story fits right into the cozy, low-stakes, romantasy genre. Special shout out to Boris for being the best. The low-stakes part of this book also means that there's a certain lack of tension and depth to the world and romance. I never felt connected to Aria or the magic in her world because it was just so superficial. She hated Callan even after nine years passed (juvenile) and yet I'd be right there with her ready to throw down if I had been shown why we hate him so much. Yes, we know he converted her and her grandfather's special spot to a cafe and bar which meant her grandfathers spirit wouldn't come to visit anymore. But find I needed to be shown just how much her grandfather, and that place, meant to her instead of just told. I didn't have any emotional investment.

Now, Callan. He's been obsessed with her since she was 17. And while that's a bit creepy, it's also a bit instalove-y on his part. I typically love a he-falls-first trope, this just didn't work for me. He doesn't seem to understand why she is so mad at him and despite wanting to be with her, he barely tries to find out what happened. I thought the competition was far more interesting here than the love interest, even with that dash of spice in there.

This actually sounded exactly like the kind of book I would adore, I love small towns and loving grandmas and best friends and sassy side kicks. I just feel lukewarm towards it. Overall, it's sweet and cute but doesn't dive deep enough to be satisfying. I will still be checking out the next book in the Charming Cove series to see where we go from here.

Thank you to Linsey Hall, NetGalley and Bonnie Donn Press for allowing me to read The Modern Girl's Guide to Magic.

A delightful and engaging novel of a witch named Aria with uncontrolled power being called home. Her grandmother needs her to compete in a competition to earn the ownership of an enchanted garden. The grandmother depends on the offerings of the garden for her potions shop. Aria feels a failure as her magic always backfires. Handsome, rich mage Callen is also in the competition. He was bewitched by her when they first met years ago and is determined to help her with both her magic and with the competition. Love blooms among the foliage.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Been fully engrossed in playing this game called Wylde Flowers recently (think the mindlessness of Animal Crossing mixed with the magic/relationship building of Stardew Valley with a cute lil story woven in) and all I’m going to say is that this book had the exact same vibes as that game… no thoughts just magical vibes

3.5/5 rounded up

This review has also been posted on Goodreads and Amazon.ca!

I do love a cozy witchy romance, so I knew this book would be right up my alley. Aria is Witch who struggles with her magic. After 18 years of living in a town full of witches and mages, she has had enough of being the outcast and runs away to London. That is until Grandmother and her new familiar (a feisty badger named Boris) comes to find her 6 years later and bring her home to Charming Cove; where she is not tasked with Winning the Garden of Enchantment and thus saving her families apothecary shop. Her biggest competitor is Callan Hawthorn, powerful mage and billionaire, who she also has a personal vendetta against.
If you love Halloweentown, are a Hufflepuff or a plant person, you will love this story. It was a bit of a slow start, but I ended up fallowing in love with the characters and the town of Charming Cove. There is not a ton of world building in this first book, but what we get is so much fun! I loved the story line and the obstacles that had to be overcome for both Aria & Callan. My only disappointment with the novel is that the main plot point conclusions wrap up so quickly. All the moments that were build up come to fruition in a span of a single page it feels like. I just wanted more detail and more of Linsey's writing!
I can't wait to revisit Charming Cove in book number 2, How to Fake Date a Vampire.

Aria is a witch, but has not succeeded in mastering her magic. Whenever she tries to use her magic, it blows up in her face. It never does what she wants it to do. However, there are people counting on her to save the day and the village by using her magic. Aria does not believe she can make it, especially when Callan starts competing. Due to some history between them, she desperately wants to win though. When Callan turns out to be a nice guy who wants to help her, things start to change. Will she be able to master her magic in time to win the competition though?

This was a really fun read. I honestly did not expect too much from it, but it will go on my favorites list for sure. Aria is a really realatble character in the way she reacts to what life throws at her. Yes, the story is predictable at certain point, but that did not bother me in the least. I would have liked some more complicated side characters, or even a little more struggles in the relationship with Callan but that does not change the fact that the book is just great. Read it if you can!

When the story begins, Aria is a down-on-her-luck witch who just got fired. Again. She's been trying to make it work in London, because going back home means facing her failure to control her magic. Just as she's working out her next step, her grandma shows up on her doorstep and begs her to come home and compete in a tournament to inherit a magical fortune that would change their lives and keep her hometown, the idyllic Charming Cove, from falling into the wrong hands. Those hands being hot billionaire Callan Hawthorne who Aria hates with a passion.

This story fits right into the cozy, low-stakes, romantasy genre. Special shout out to Boris for being the best. The low-stakes part of this book also means that there's a certain lack of tension and depth to the world and romance. I never felt connected to Aria or the magic in her world because it was just so superficial. She hated Callan even after nine years passed (juvenile) and yet I'd be right there with her ready to throw down if I had been shown why we hate him so much. Yes, we know he converted her and her grandfather's special spot to a cafe and bar which meant her grandfathers spirit wouldn't come to visit anymore. But find I needed to be shown just how much her grandfather, and that place, meant to her instead of just told. I didn't have any emotional investment.

Now, Callan. He's been obsessed with her since she was 17. And while that's a bit creepy, it's also a bit instalove-y on his part. I typically love a he-falls-first trope, this just didn't work for me. He doesn't seem to understand why she is so mad at him and despite wanting to be with her, he barely tries to find out what happened. I thought the competition was far more interesting here than the love interest, even with that dash of spice in there.

This actually sounded exactly like the kind of book I would adore, I love small towns and loving grandmas and best friends and sassy side kicks. I just feel lukewarm towards it. Overall, it's sweet and cute but doesn't dive deep enough to be satisfying. I will still be checking out the next book in the Charming Cove series to see where we go from here.

Thank you to Linsey Hall, NetGalley and Bonnie Donn Press for allowing me to read The Modern Girl's Guide to Magic. #netgalley #bonniedonnpress #linseyhall

Low stakes, light-hearted, easy read that could have been done with a British editor. From fireflies that do not inhabit the UK to the incorrect use of quid, wanker and bastard, pulled me out of the story every time. The connection with the love interest, Callan, felt quite one-dimensional and flat. The sex scene or lack of led me to read back in case I missed it, removing it would have benefited the book. The side characters, her grandmother, Borris and her best friend and co were absolutely adorable and brought so much more dimension to the world. Overall the premise sounded amazing but the execution could have done with a few more edits and research.

This is magical heaven, I am obsessed with the magic systems that Linsey Hall has dreamt up. This is an amazing and original read that I could not put down. Pure cosy romance.

Such a cute and fun book! I love the characters and the unique magic. This made me laugh so many times and I recommend it as a feel good book.

What a witch to do when nothing seems to go right? Guess she heads home to the ones who love her best. But they seem to have some belief that she can save them, and she’s not so sure, not with her wonky magic. But maybe, just maybe, this time things will be different. It sure beats the alternative of being single, alone and miserable in London.

I keep saying I’m not a romance reader, but apparently I am, because this was a fabulous read and I loved it. Can’t wait for the next book. Awesome stuff!

Lovely low-stakes and cosy-feeling romance. Definitely recommend this if you enjoy enemies-to-lovers, witches, fantastical beasts and a bit of spice. I'd be so excited if this book would get a sequel to see where the characters are in a couple of years!

This is a cute book! I thought it was fun, witty, and cozy.

Thanks NetGalley for an arc in exchange for my honest review!

Quick Summary: An enchanting wonder

My Review: The Modern Girl's Guide to Magic by Linsey Hall was a perfectly wonderful example of a fantastical romance. It was a love story that was so much more. It shared a story of affectionate love, familial love, romantic love, and love based on charity.

At the core of the story, a witch who has not yet realized her full potential returns to her roots. She is lost, in a sense. She has to face her past losses, her past nemeses, her new competition, her community, and a love that was never given a chance to fully bloom. What will become of her hopes, her dreams, and even her heart once she is courageous enough to get past her issues?

Callan Hawthorne never forgot the girl that got away. She has haunted him. He never thought he'd have a chance encounter with her and yet he does. Unfortunately, she harbors a lot of anger where he is concerned. Will he get a chance to plead his case and win her heart once and for all?

As Aria and Callan face their challenges, they come to truly know themselves and are able to recognize how each of their unique talents contribute to true happiness.

My Final Say: Charming Cove, the Garden of Enchantment, and the people of this magical world hold many treasured delights. I loved it. I genuinely look forward to learning more about this whimsical place and its gifted residents.

Other: I know that the audiobook will be amazing!

Rating: 4.75/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Chemistry: 💕
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Series: Yes

Sincere appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Bonnie Doon Press), and to NetGalley for making a digital ARC of this title available for review in exchange for an honest critique. The words I have shared are my own.

This book felt like a witchy Rom Com and I was a fun quick read! If you like a magical cap code city, with a rivals to lovers trope, and hilarious banter, you will enjoy this book.

The main character Aria is trying to figure out her place and her way as she is a mess of magic. She comes from a family of witches, but her magic isn’t quite like the others. It just seems to never work the way it’s supposed to so she starts to live her life by her own rules. Staying far away from magic, but it seems to cause mischief as she can’t control it.

One day she is visited by her Grandma and is asked to come home to help save the family business, Seaside Spells, a magic potion shop. The shop is set in this whimsical beachy community, Charming Cove. In order to save the business her Grandma convinces her to enter a competition for the biggest magical fortune in England, as the prize.
Only a few things wrong with this,,, Aria is a mess oh and her nemesis, the handsome, wealthy Callan Hawthorne is in the running for the prize as well.

Such a funny, sweet, lovely book! This is the perfect beach read, or something to read in between those high fantasy or thriller books! I was so pleasantly surprised how much I loved this book. Highly recommend!

3.5 rounded down

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review :)

this was the cutest cozy small town witchy fantasy romance!! so many adjectives, but it really fits under all of these categories. I honestly only rated it as low as I did because it was obvious the ending was going to happen. There were no obstacles for the main character after a few chapters in the beginning.

I also didn't really care about the romance. At the start, I thought this was going to be some sort of enemies to lovers... but it was really only a one-sided enemies to lovers situation all based on a misunderstanding that got resolved very quickly. It was still cute, but I feel like it was advertised as haters to lovers and it shouldn’t have been because he never disliked her

I would still definitely love to revisit Charming Cove in the next book if there is one. There are a ton of side characters that could be explored more. Everything was just so happy and I loved how sweet this fantasy was compared to my normal war and destruction fantasies

I really enjoyed this book, you should go read it!! Available on KU and for purchase

MY REVIEW:
I really wanted to love this book. The billionaire mage, the klutzy witch, the badger familiar, gosh it had such promise.

This cute, low stakes read was marketed as a romance novel, but it is not. At best it is a YA read with romantic elements.

Some parts of the plot felt rushed, and there were chunks that were out of place, with no explanations given.

Also, this is an age gap read, which was not disclosed in the blurb.

Despite the gorgeous cover, this was not for me. If you are a YA reader who loves witchy books, you will likely get more enjoyment from this and I did.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book in return for my honest review.

I received this ARC through NetGalley, all opinions are my own. I would like to thank you the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book.

This was a fun, cozy, paranormal romance, with low stakes and just nice feelings. It was great to read this after some heavy high fantasy book, and get lost to the magic and romance of Charming Cove.
I recommend this book to anyone that is looking for a nice, cozy story that will take you away from reality for a bit but will not give you emotional damage.

This was a good magical read. It would be perfect for spooky season but I loved it! I really adore witches coming into their own and owning their magic. And this also had a one bed trope?? Sign me up! I think this cozy read will be such a good fall read for anyone who loves witchy romances!

I want to thank Linsey Hall and Bonnie Doon Press for this ARC. This is my honest opinion about this book

Linsey Hall is an author I really like, and trust when she comes out with a new book.

and once again I was not disappointed. This book is a very cute romance, with a theme of second chances and forgiveness. I liked the magic of this book, which remains discreet. It's not a book where the magic is very developed and, above all, very impressive.
I liked the change in the romance: it's Callan, the male character, who makes the effort and takes the lead role in the romantic aspect.

I would have liked the book to be a little longer and to spend a little more time with the characters, I found the ending rather quick. But that's also why I prefer series to one-shots.

Firstly, it’s worth me noting that romcom fiction is not typically my bag. However, there was something about this that drew me to it. And, it ended up being a really fun start-of-summer read! Billed a magical romantic comedy, this is exactly the stuff I loved to read during my summer holidays as a teenager and I enjoyed it now, too.

Aria is our magical protagonist. Hopeless at all of her part-time jobs and deemed a bit of a magical disaster, she finds herself back in Charming Cove with her grandma. Of course, there’s a mysterious handsome man, Callan, involved – a powerful and rich mage – who Aria who she had already hated years ago when they took over a place that she held close to her heart. Of course. When a competition arises in Charming Cove, the pair team up.

What ensues is a silly, cosy, witchy little love story. There are animal familiars, magical creatures, a quirky cast of characters and a little witchy competition to boot. And, I loved it! I devoured it in about two and a half days! This isn’t a groundbreaking story and there could’ve been far more romance but, sometimes, all you need is a magical lil romcom to start summer with.