Member Reviews
I was provided with an advance copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. The book is now published and available on buy sites! Do check it out!
The Modern Girl's Guide to Magic is a light hearted read that is filled with moments of fun, laughter, love and family. The story follows our protagonist Aria as she tries to understand why her magic wont work the way it should. She feels like a disaster and runs away from her hometown for some years to try to find herself. When a situation presents itself for her to return, she does so reluctantly but in the end it is for family.
I love how Aria interacts with the other characters and her friendship with Tabitha is wonderful to read about. It is a true testament to the fact that good friends are for life no matter what. Catrina, Tabitha's niece, is adorable and a wonderful addition to the repertoire of characters in this book.
The story has a budding romance between Aria and her nemesis Callan Hawthorne, a strong and rich mage, a self-made man who has been in love with Aria from afar for a long time. A small incident sets Aria on the path to hatred and what could have been a budding romance gets turned into an enemies for life situation. When the two are pitted against each other in the competition to decide the new ownership of the magical garden in town, sparks fly again. This is indeed an enemies to lovers kind of romance but a soft and simple one with a focus on growing friendships, understanding and unraveling mistakes.
I quite enjoyed the banter among the characters and the way in which the story progresses. Though the ending is a little expected, it is so beautiful that it will bring a smile to the readers face! I thoroughly enjoyed Aria's magical journey of discovery and I believe that many readers will too!
A big thank you to Linsey Hall, Bonnie Doon Press, and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion. The Modern Girl's Guide to Magic comes out June 02, 2023.
Aria is a mess, not only does she not have a handle on her magic, but that lack of control keeps getting her in trouble while she is trying to live in London. After getting fired from another job her grandma comes to take her back home to the tiny Cornish town of Charming Cove. On the car ride home, she finds out that she had been invited to compete in a magical competition to win an extensive and magical garden. Will she be able to control her magic well enough to win and will she be able to focus once finding out one of her competitors is millionaire and magical genius Callan (and the man she has hated for years).
The Modern Girl's Guide to Magic is a low angst, funny and heartwarming read. Truly this book was mostly about Aria finding out who she really is, and it was lovely to see her grow and discover her magic. I thought Callan was a cinnamon roll who as such a big support for Aria. I absolutely adored Aria's grandma, best friend, Tabatha, and Tabatha's daughter. If you are looking for a warm, funny, romantic, and magical novel then look no further than The Modern Girl's Guide to Magic.
If you’re looking for a cozy, palate cleansing, coming into your own, witchy book with a dash of romance and amazing characters, then look no further!
Linsey Hall has created a beautiful witchy world in which Aria, our magically haphazard witch lives. Aria has left her seaside village and her families’ highly regard potion shop to escape her wonky magic and bullies in London. One night her grandmother shows up saying there is a competition to win The Garden of Enchantment from Mr.Sparrow when he retires. That all well and good, but Aria has no idea what that has to do with her, since her magic doesn’t work normally. Unfortunately, the fate of her Gran’s potion shop hangs in the balance, as they get all of their ingredients from the garden. If she doesn’t win, how will they supply the shop?
We have an amazing cast of characters!! Gran- the matron, Tabitha the best friend, Catrina- the most adorable and quite possibly the smartest 6 year old you’ll meet, Boris- our snarky familiar (and my personal favorite), and Callan- our billionaire mage enemy, who is also invited to participate in the contest.
Hall writes with wit and charm causing us to fall in love with her cast of characters almost immediately. The storyline is strong enough to keep you interested but mellow enough to keep it’s cozy, magical vibe.
The only criticism I have of this novel is I felt the reveal of the contest winner and the ending was just too rushed. After reading the stages of the contest and the detail put into each, I thought the same would be applied to the reveal but it was too hasty for me and lacked the usual reveal vibes.
I will definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants a cozy, witch, palate cleanser. It definitely did the trick!
I added my reviews on amazon and good reads. I will also be posting a video review on TikTok this week.
Thank you for the opportunity to review this book.
Aria is a mess especially when it comes to magic. Her grandma asks her to come back to their hometown to save their shop where she has to work in competition with sexy Callan. This was a cute romance story (we will overlook the fact that it was slightly illegal for now) but it is not what I thought it was. There's not really any spice. It reads like a YA which makes sense because she is a minor. I liked the cozy low stakes elements to the book.. Overall, just not my favorite. I got the idea it was going for, but it just didn't complete that for me.
Huge thank you to Netgalley, Linsey Hall and Bonnie Doon Press for an eARC of The Modern Girl's Guide to Magic in exchange for an honest review.
I thoroughly enjoyed this witchy, romantic comedy, which was the perfect cozy Saturday afternoon read. While I've read a few magical romances where the FMC is a quirky witch who does not have a grasp on her powers, I thought this was a great take on this trope. Sometimes the FMC comes across as too quirky, aloof and helpless, but while Aria was clearly struggling with her magic, she was not a helpless heroine. Aria faced her fears, bullies and archenemy to help her grandmother keep her shop by entering a magical contest to become the heir of the world-renowned garden in her town. Of course, it doesn't hurt that her archenemy is a hot, buff, billionaire with a heart of gold.
This gave me Charlie in the Chocolate Factory vibes if Willy Wonka had been a witchy plant daddy. Super cute, fast read, with a fun, fast paced plot. 3.5-4 stars.
As an avid fan of witch romance novels, "The Modern Girl's Guide to Magic" by Linsey Hall captivated me from the very first page. This enchanting tale weaves together elements of magic, fast-paced adventure, insta-love, and a heartwarming small-town romance, creating a delightful concoction that will leave readers spellbound.
Aria, the female protagonist, is a character who truly stole my heart. From the moment she embarks on her magical journey, I witness her transformation from an ordinary young woman to a formidable sorceress. Aria's growth is not only limited to her magical abilities, but also extends to her personal journey of self-discovery. I found myself deeply invested in Aria's struggles, triumphs, and her unwavering determination to uncover the depths of her own magical potential.
While "The Modern Girl's Guide to Magic" casts a powerful spell with its engaging plot and delightful romance, I felt that it's a little bit rushed. The fast pace of the story, while exhilarating, occasionally left me longing for a bit more depth and exploration. Some moments felt slightly rushed, and I would have loved to delve deeper into certain aspects of the magical world and the characters' relationships.
"The Modern Girls Guide to Magic" is a true gem in the realm of magical romance novels. It seamlessly combines the excitement of witchcraft with the joys and struggles of personal growth and relationships. Whether you're a fan of the supernatural or simply looking for a heartwarming and fast-paced read, this book is sure to leave you bewitched.
happy to finally see one of these set in the UK and not the USA - it does avoid the problem the US books seemed to all have, which is that not a single one of them even so much as mentioned the existence of native Americans, and were all rather...white european about it, in an uncomfortable way. a UK setting is a refreshing change.
that said, this was very clearly written by somebody not from the UK and could've benefited from a britpick. I generally thought the book needed another round of edits to tighten up the prose, but the most offputting was the weird use of the word 'wanker' (used incorrectly) and how Cornwall had seemingly been relocated to the English southwest...
anyway i liked this and thought it was an enjoyable romance with some neat worldbuilding. The characters were likeable and I liked the magical competition element. I think the tension between Callan and Aria could've been drawn out a little more - she forgave him rather fast for what he'd done to her grandfather's tower (and also I really don't think this needed to be a miscommunication, i think it would've had a stronger effect if he'd really been a dick about it - his character development and grand gesture at the end would've packed a stronger punch, i think) as the overall effect was a little too smooth/effortless. no queer characters? not even in the background?
The Modern Girl’s Guide to Magic was so cute and magical. Aria is not great with her magic and upon returning to Charming Cove, she is confronted with the need to improve her magic and Callan. She is special in a magical sense and special to him.
Cosy and cute, this was a lighthearted comfort read. Perfect for fans of The Ex Hex and A Witch's Guide to Fake Dating A Demon. It had a unique storyline and was a real page-turner.
If you are looking for a cozy read that feels like a hug this book is for you!
Such a quick and fun book with a relatable bit-of-a-mess MC that you can't help but adore and a love interest who has so much chemistry with the mc you cannot help but root for them! All the interactions between Aria and Callan had me quite literally gigling and kicking my feet!
Every character is SUPER well written and fleshed out, and the magic itself easy to understand. This is more of a character rather than plot driven book so if you like realistic characters,I'd definitely recommend.
The writing style was simple yet in no way juvenile, and I'd love to read more from the author!
Rating: 3.5-4 ⭐
This was such a fun, light and easy read! To be honest I was really surprised at how fast I read this book and I really liked it. I did have a few issues with it not gonna lie. I feel like a few things in the book should've been discussed farther and personally I don't like instalove -though I'm not so sure it was insta love but that's how it felt while reading- however, I really liked it. I was really invested in the book and I found the plot interesting. I do feel like it was lacking some things and it could've been a bit better I have to say that I enjoyed it and had a nice time reading it.
What a sweet little witchy romance! I loved every bit of it 😌 the book was a quick read, and I loved the romance between Aria and Callan. No third act breakup 🤌🏻 thank the gods 🙏🏻 would definitely recommend to everyone I meet to read this. SO. CUTE.
This book was fantastic!
I loved every single detail - Aria's 'broken' magic, Callan's redemption especially.
Aria is a wonderful MC, kind, contentious, thoughtful and determined, her return to home and the competition kept a good pace throughout the story.
The cheeky forced proximity, and enemies to lovers tropes were executed wonderfully.
Review - The Modern Girl's Guide to Magic by Linsey Hall
⭐ 4,5 out of 5 stars
Thank you to Netgalley and Victory Editing for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
✒️
Aria decided to move to London when her magic abilities didn't manifest and kept blowing up around her. Unfortunately moving away from a magical village doesn't stop her from abilities from blowing up her plans (and jobs!)
After getting fired from (another) job, Aria comes home to her apartment to see her grandmother waiting for her. Her grandmother asks her to help save the family shop by winning the competition to be the new owner of the garden they get their ingredients from.
Unfortunately she's not the only one participating in the competition, so is her long time nemesis, the sexy billionaire Callan Hawthorne. Hawthorne is determined to change Aria's opinion on him though...
📖
Do you need a cozy and lighthearted read for summer? Then absolutely don't look any further, because this is a cute romance book, fulfilling just that need.
This book is written in a lighthearted language, with a lot of humour strewn in in sentences, which makes for an enjoyable fast read when you're in need of a good pick me up book.
I loved all the the characters in the book, and the joy of reading a book with (mostly) supportive characters and a positive environment makes for a perfect cozy comfort read. The (almost but not really) enemies to lovers dynamic between Aria and Callan also work well, even though it's not *quite* there due to Callan's overall good natured and soft boy personality.
The fact that this book is about witches and plants doesn't hurt either, and is honestly just another plus in my book.
This was such a fun easy read!! I love a good witchy book. I can’t wait to read the second book in this series.
3.5/5 ⭐️
If you’re looking for a cozy, lighthearted read with witches and magic this is for you!
Enemies to Lovers
Cozy Fantasy
Rom Com
Dual POV
Aria is a witch who can’t control her magic. Everyone in her hometown knows this so she moved away but when her Gran asks her to come back and save their shop, she does. Now she’s back home in a competition with her former bullies and the guy she loathes, Callan, to win the magical garden that will help save her family’s shop. Callan decides to use the competition to try to change Aria’s opinion of him.
-I thought this book was really cute. It does have a little tension and spice but I would say it still reads more like a YA book. It’s light and low stakes. There’s no real surprises but it keeps you hooked with the cozy setting and the townspeople. There’s also a talking badger! The world building was fun and whimsy.
I’d recommend this to anyone looking for an easy and light fantasy read.
Thank you to NetGalley, Bonnie Doon Press, and Linsey Hall for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book was a cute and cozy read! It's all about Aria, who's a bit of a mess regarding her magic. She's back in her hometown and competing against her archenemy, Callan. But guess what? They're falling for each other! The romance is enemies-to-lovers, and there's even a "one-bed" situation. The story is light-hearted, funny, and full of magical fun. The characters could have been better developed, but overall, it's a fluffy and enjoyable paranormal romance that's perfect for a relaxing read.
What a sweet hearted book. I loved the characterization, friendships, growth and problem solving and the sweet romance. I am a sucker for someone who is lost finding her way, and this was done well.
https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/cd9cff8e-8b26-417c-a27b-d6ccb8f51c55
This book was so magical and cozy and just the right amount of tension and spice I like in a romance ✨️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️(4.75/5)
Set in the small town of Charming Cove. Aria is an unconfident witch. Everytime she tries to do magic, it goes wrong. Callan happens to be "Magical Britain’s Sexiest Bachelor". They have a little bit of history and end up competing to take over the biggest magical fortune of England. Aria has the support of her Gran, bestie and talking badger. If you are in the mood for magical plants, cozy cottages, all the coffee, tea and pastries you will love this!
Possible spoiler: I really loved this! Towards the end while the competition was going on, I was hoping to read Callan's perspective. I feel like he kind of just disappeared. Then at the very end I felt like there were still some questions unanswered.. was Callan really the bachelor everyone says he is?! I hope the next book we will get more on Callan! But overall this was such a sweet romance and I want more!
Thank you Netgalley and Linsey Hall for the arc!
Firstly, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC.
The Modern Girl’s Guide to Magic is a cute, fluffy, low stakes read. It was marketed as an adult novel, but it reads more as a YA.
I’ll start off with the positives: I loved the badger familiar. Having a fluffy sarcastic companion is always a win in a novel.
The story was slow to start, but it really picked up about 50% of the way through once they’d gotten into the magical competition.
The overall feel of the novel was fun and humorous. There were moments when I laughed out loud.
However, my enemy, the first person dual POV 🥲 It wasn’t done effectively, and kept taking me out of the story. It could be a personal thing, I truly don’t enjoy FP dual POV, especially within the same chapter.
I also took issue with the romance, which affected my enjoyment overall as this is a romance novel.
I started off on the wrong foot with Callan as he inwardly corrected his driver stating: ‘I didn’t correct him that the car was an it and not a she.’ As soon as he said this he was my enemy.
I’m all for an age gap romance but WHY did it have to start when she was 17 and he was 21 it gave me the heebies. I didn’t find the romance believable, and a lot of that was down to the characters lacking depth in my eyes.
I’m sure this book will appeal to many who are after a cozy read with little angst.