Phoebe has recently moved to Raven Creek, after her Aunt Eudora passed away. Phoebe is busy renovating her aunts victorian manor. Along with her tea shop that also sells magical tea blends.
Phoebe is also try to learn withcraft after learning she has the power to slow down time.
One day she goes to an estate sale in the hopes of precuring books for her shop. After hearing a conversation between the lady running the estate sale. She heads down to the auction , when out of the corner of her eye she sees her cat bob running by. She chases after him only to end up with them both covered in blood. Now Phoebe is a suspect for murder. Along with her childhood friend Rich who is a private investigator. Phoebe works the case to get her off the suspect list.
As she starts to ruffle some feathers, will the killer strike again ?
Spell Bound is a fun cozy mystery, I found myself immerse with the characters and the town of
Raven Creek. Can't wait to read more from this author. Highly recommended for fans of cozy mysteries. ARC recieved from netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 stars rounded up!
I enjoyed this sequel to Something wicked! It has perfect small town vibes and I definitely got Gilmore girls from this one with the town meetings and setting. It followed on a few months after the first book and I loved how the descriptions fit the season.
In this book, Phoebe gets wrapped up in another murder mystery, but this one is a little less cosy as she gets threatened for meddling a couple times. I enjoyed learning more about Raven Creek and Phoebe’s plans for her bookshop. Bob (the cat) was a highlight and I enjoyed the plot around him and a cat rescue centre.
Overall an enjoyable read and a nice easy mystery.

Thanks to Netgalley and Aria & Aries for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Going into this book, I thought it was the first in a series or even a standalone—only to find out it's actually the 2nd book upon reading the author's acknowledgments. This shows how great the author is at creating characters; you can jump into the second book and not feel completely lost. What I loved most about this book was that it's a cozy fantasy with the twist of a murder mystery, both elements I think went very well together. Also, I don't know how she did it, but the author went into my brain, found my dream life, and made it into a book. We have a witch who owns a bookstore, brews cute herbal teas, owns a cat, and plays Nancy Drew on the side—how more perfect could it get? Another thing I loved was that this is set in the 2020s with references to TikTok and Instagram and everything I normally cringe at when reading in a book, but somehow the author was able to make it feel realistic and normal for the characters to be speaking about these things. The only thing that kind of annoyed me was that I was confused about what age our main character was for a lot of the book, until the author told us. However, now knowing that this is actually a sequel, it makes sense, and I can't hold it against the author for my own oversight. Definitely recommend this book! I rated this book 4.5 stars but would rather bump it up to a 5 than down to a 4:)

Phoebe is once again stuck in the middle of an investigation thanks to her cat Bob for discovering a death body at the estate sale. With her not wanting to be a suspect she takes it into her hands to start investigating on who is the killer.

This series is such a cosy read and I’m here for it. I love how the food and the tea is being describe in such a tempting manner, I would love to try them, that it gives out such a warm feeling to it. I loved how we got recap of the other story meaning that there’s no need to reread it.

Phoebe at times did seem more annoying, endearing her own life. This is a slow burn book, there’s still a small glimpse of who the love interest it, the interact a lot throughout this book but not enough for there to be any form of romance between them. I would love to see the romance develop further in the series.

One thing that made this book be a four star read was that we don’t get to see Phoebe revolve with her magic at all. It feels like we’re still at step one of her magic. She doesn’t practice her magic even though for someone who spends a lot of time talking about her aunts magical tea blends, there’s not enough magic for a book who centres based on witches and magic.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

It's been 7 months since Phoebe moved to Raven's Creek and took over her Aunt's tea/bookshop. Things have settled down after the dramatic events of book 1. Her employee points out there's an estate sale where Phoebe can buy a load second hand books to sell. It sounds like a good idea until there's a stowaway cat and a murder to deal with.

I'm not sure this could be read as a standalone book - you need the context of the magic/teas etc. as I think it probably makes no sense without the history.

The magic has been upped in this book, but it's still very minimal for a book that's being sold as witchy. Honey does more intentional magic in this than Phoebe does. The lack of magic is explained (eventually, somewhere around chapter 29) but it doesn't quite feel real for a magical book.

The romance is still an incredibly slow burn (there's some vague flirting) so don't read this for the romance!

I was fully engrossed in the murder mystery - it's still a Hallmark type/Garage Sale Mysteries murder. If you're paying attention, you can probably figure out the murderer but I still ended up surprised.

I hope this isn't the end of the series - the romance hasn't happened, there's clearly a new love interest being teased with the new shop owner (although 3 love interests feels a bit much). I'd love more of the story - with more magic and some actual romance please! And I love Bob - I feel like he did more magic than Phoebe as well!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced ebook copy in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 4⭐️

Read if you are looking for:

💛 Cosy mystery with a bit of romance,
💛 Sweet and lovable characters,
💛 Witchy vibes,
💛 Small town setting.

It is a second book in a series but it can be read as a standalone. Gretchen Rue can create perfect cosy small town vibes and characters that you want to make friends with.
Phoebe, MFC, once again tries to solve a murder mystery in order to clear her name as it is her to find a dead body at estate auction. Once again, it is Rich to give her a hand in their privite investigation.

I loved first book and I really liked this one, however I was hoping that a plot regarding Phoebe and Rich relationship would be more developed. I am counting on coming back to Raven Creek to witness more of Phoebe's magic and finally I want Phoebe and Rich end up together.

Thanks to @headofzeus, @sierradeanauthor and @netgalley for giving me a chance to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I absolutely loved this book! It had everything I love all in one - a murder mystery, with a hint of romance, and a hint of magic. What more could you ask for?!

Phoebe was a brilliant main character, and now that I know there’s a previous book in this series, I will definitely be going back to read it to get to know her character more.

The story progressed in such a brilliant way, and I love when a book doesn’t make it obvious how it’s going to end and how the mystery will unfold, so I loved being surprised!

Bob was adorable. I will never not become obsessed with a cat in a book. I absolutely loved his friendship with Norman, and that Norman ended up adopting his own cat in the end (Frodo - how cute)!

Another bonus was the list of recipes in the back of the book! Details like this always make a book more special and feel more personal, and I love it!

Cats, witches, tea, murder mystery all in one cosy package? Sign me up!! I absolutely loved the setting of this book, although I wished there was a teeny bit more romance, that is just my romantic heart screaming. I adored the fun nature of the storytelling, I would have loved more detail on the witches powers and delved deeper into the witches history of the town. I love that to compliment the cosy vibes, the author added recipes for readers to try, considering that tea and baked goods were so heavily emphasised in this book, I though that was a cute and necessary addition. Also Bob is the main character and you can't tell me otherwise!

I hope there's going to be a new novel in this series soon because this story left me with a serious book hangover and i want to know about the cats and what will be next.
I loved it even when I was thinking that Phoebe has a serious death wish.
The complex and twisty plot surprised me and I didn't guess the culprit.
The lovely setting, the well rounded characters, the solid mystery, and the humour are all elements that make this story a very good onhe.
Entertaining, compelling and well written.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to Aria and RAchel's Random Resources for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This was a quirky, cosy continuation from the first book in this magical mystery series.

With a Gilmore Girl-esque small town, a loveable ginger cat determined to get up to mischief, and a will-they-won't-they tangle with a handsome private detective brewing, this book is a lovely, light read...with a sprinke of murder and magical teas.

Enjoyable, but I was wishing for just a little more will than won't they - fingers crossed for the next book!

Absolutely adore a small-town murder mystery entwined with romance, but my heart belongs to Bob in this story. Phoebe's passion for opening an animal shelter in her shop is endearing, and her role as an amateur detective adds a delightful layer to her personality. Despite this being the second book, I easily navigated the story, and the cozy atmosphere made for a quick and enjoyable read. While the magical elements, including Phoebe being a witch, are subtle, the mystery captivated me throughout.

Phoebe Winchester is back in action. Her new life is suiting her. Small town, new and old friends, family business that she loves and the possibility of a romance in her future!

Attending an estate sale, to refresh inventory for the book shop, should have been a nice day out but not only does Bob the cat come along for the ride, she also stumbles across another murder! She's in the line of sight for the cops again and she has no intention of sitting around whilst the determine her innocence. So once again Rich steps in with his investigative experience to lend a hand.

Raven Creek is chockful of characters. Between the book shop regulars, the local council powermongers and a veritable smorgasbord of suspects - Phoebe has her work cut out for her finding the perpetrator(s).

There is enough recap from book 1 that you could fall into this book without having read book 1. Phoebe really needs to make a decision about Rich and Leo. As much as I love a will-they-won't they, I really need her to make up her mind LOL.

It did feel as if it read a wee bit slower than book 1 but that just could because it's been awhile since I read book 1. I thought the ending was a bit sudden, I was waiting for more of a round up but it wouldn't put me off reading more in the series.

Still really enjoy the characters and storyline and it's great to read about older characters having a new lease on life and a chance at romance. This is most definitely a murder-mystery with a hint of romance.

This was a cute read, made me appreciate cats, bookstores and tea a whole lot more!! The mystery reveal seemed a bit rushed at the end but still enjoyable

Spellbound by Gretchen Rue
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Thank you to NetGalley, Aria and Aries Publishers and the author for the opportunity to review this ARC and provide my unbiased opinion 💗

Phoebe Winchester lives in small town Raven Creek, running a tea shop/undercover witch apothecary and renovating her Victorian Mansion. But upon discovering a dead body at an estate sale, Phoebe ropes in childhood friend (and now private investigator) Rich to help figure out who the murderer is.

I love a witchy read and a small town romance so was very pleased to find that Spellbound combines the two genres! It is the second book in the Phoebe Winchester series but there was enough background info included that it was fine to read as a standalone. It’s hard not to love Phoebe- she’s a community minded, book-obsessed animal lover- aren’t we all?! 🤣
The charm of Raven Creek was obvious with store names like The Sugarplum Fairy bakery and descriptions of quaint homes, cottagecore elements and loveable characters made this a cosy, slice-of-life read. The ‘new life-new me’ trope was great and, as a millennial, any book that references Destiny’s Child, Instagram and the Gilmore Girls is always going to be a hit.
I also LOVED the recipes in the back- what a sweet touch 💗 Spellbound is a feel-good read that would appeal to so many readers, particularly lovers of mystery and small town romance, or fans of Nancy Warren.

I've been hugely obsessed with murder mysteries in recent years, but up until reading Something Wicked I didn't realise my ultimate comfort read would be Agatha Christie meets Gilmore Girls meets Charmed, but it's an utterly perfect mix of genres to keep a story fresh and unexpected. While in the first novel the reader is still getting to know protagonist Phoebe and the quirky town she finds herself in after the death of her aunt Eudora, the second book feels very much like slipping into a favourite pair of comfy PJs. We know the characters and we know the lay of the land – or so we think...

This time around the mystery ventures out to the neighbouring town of Barneswood, which comes with an entirely new group of people to get to know, not to mention a delicious setting: a fancy country estate. The perfect location for a locked-room mystery you may think. This isn't quite what happens (after all, how could our favourite mischievous feline get his paws into the room if it's locked), but it's pretty close. And I love how the whodunnit this time was a much more complex mystery that put both the characters within the pages and the readers on the wrong foot on more than one occasion.

Although I loved the mystery at the heart of the story, my favourite scenes within the book are actually the more mundane ones where Phoebe works in her shop, pops into the next-door bakery, or ropes in her childhood-friends-turned-handsome-grown-up-men to fix the Victorian mansion she's living in. They all show the great community she's become a part of in Raven Creek and I'm so happy for her that she found such an amazing group of people to support her as she wasn't in a good place when she first moved to the town.

The way author Gretchen Rue describes these moments, however, is anything but boring. This book is SO fun, and while reading I often found myself chuckling out loud. Bob's hilarious escapades in particular cause some memorable moments – and also some of the most heart-warming ones as he lifts the spirits of regulars in the shop. My only minor niggle with Spell Bound is the use of "she released a breath she didn't realise she was holding" (twice). Editors should really pick up on this bugbear by now as it trips you up when reading a sentence. That aside, this really is a fantastic read; funny, quirky, and so very wholesome.

Romcoms with a witchy vibe are all the rage right now so it can be tricky for a book to stand out when there are many seemingly similar choice on the shelves. However, while the Phoebe Winchester series is maybe not yet the most widely talked about, in my opinion it's the far superior one and everyone should be picking it up! I adore it so much and I want more people to discover the delightful characters roaming around Raven Creek (and I don't just mean Bob, although he's definitely in my top 3).

This was a lovely paranormal mystery, and a lot of fun to read. I liked the protagonist, Phoebe, and the way she talked to the reader. This book had the touch of magic that I was looking for, and I think it would be a good choice for a cosy read too, as I found it very comforting. I chose this as an early evening read, and enjoyed reading it while I was curled up under a blanket, snuggling with my cat and sipping a lovely cup of tea, and trust me when I say it's the perfect type of book for that.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.

"Now, to go see a witch about a murder."
Spell Bound - Gretchen Rue
⭐️⭐️⭐️(3/5)

Phoebe Winchester, a newcomer to a small town, uncovers her witchy heritage. After stumbling upon a murder at an estate sale, she is determined to find the culprit.

Firstly I would like to thank NetGalley and Aria & Aries for providing me with an e-ARC copy of this book!

On the whole, I enjoyed this story. It felt very cosy Gilmore Girls vibes with both the small-town setting and the characters. Phoebe is a likeable FMC who seems to be coming into herself more from living in this town and taking over her Aunt's shop and home.

I also really enjoyed that this is a very crime-focused book, and I was interested in the whodunit aspect of the story.

However, I did feel the witchy aspect of Phoebe's character got lost. I was hoping for an Ex-Hex or Her Majesty's Secret Service type of description about the magic system and how it was used in a modern setting. Unfortunately, the witch element of the book hung in the background and only presented itself a couple of times.

Additionally, I felt that there were a lot of unnecessary descriptions of random things that didn't drive the plot much and felt quite waffle-y. I feel if this was streamlined a bit more it would make for a better reading experience.

On the whole, this is an enjoyable quick and cosy read. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys small-town crime.

(NB: This is the second book in a series and I did not read the first, however, I feel it does work well enough as a stand-alone)

MVP: Phoebe Winchester
Fave Character: Bob, the cat
Sounds Like: There She Goes - the La's

One of the cutest books I’ve read in ages! Ugh I loved the book it was a great read after a few duds. My only major qualm is the ending. So much fantastic build up, with writing and a plot that didn’t bore me, only to rush the ending into like a single chapter. Booo party foul! Regardless, i loved the diversity, the Talia Brown nod, the bits showing Phoebe dealing with her grief, and everything else.

P.S. - I will 10000% be trying to sort out the recipes in this book. Every single one sounds heavenly and I am going to try the ones at the back! Would definitely read more from Gretchen Rue so thanks to Aria & Aries for letting me read it!

3.5⭐️ rounded to 4⭐️

Phoebe Winchester discovers a dead body at an estate sale, where instantly the suspicion is casted on her. She takes it upon herself to try and clear her name with the help of a handsome private detective and childhood friend, whilst trying to deal with her unresolved feelings for him…

I love how cosy this series is as well as so many of the characters and I’m so glad to be back into the world of Raven Creek again! I did enjoy the plot for the most part and I really loved to see the friendships from the first book further blossom in this one. I also love how it gives recaps of what happened in the previous book so you don’t have to go reread it to figure out what had happened.

Unfortunately, I really didn’t like this book as much as the first in the series. Phoebe who is our MC in this book felt so annoying at times, which is why although I had a fun time with this book and found it hard to put down, she was one of the reasons I rated this book lower. Also, can we please stop with the “she released a breath she didn’t realise she was holding”? I feel like this is so overused that it’s boring to see.

For me, it felt so long winded in uncovering who the murderer was and what their motivation for the killing was, with this only being revealed within the last 10% ish of the book which felt way too long of a wait, especially when there was still so many questions to be answered. There was a minor plot hole when Phoebe said she’d drop off more tea bags for Amy the next day but it actually turns into 3 days later when she gives them to Amy.

I feel like you can’t really call this book a romance as it’s like a tiny sprinkle - I would actually love to see more of the romance present within this series and see how it develops. I’m guessing with the way it’s ended there’s gonna be another book so I hope that will further expand on certain things, for example the small parts of romance we do get. The ending did feel kind of abrupt - I was expecting more chapters and was shocked to see there wasn’t any more but if there is more to this series, I cannot wait to see how it progresses.

⚠️ CWs: alcohol use, murder, gun, mentions cheating, death ⚠️

Thank you NetGalley and Aria for the opportunity to read this book!

3.5 ⭐️

This is a great series to read if you love cosy mysteries with sweet & lovable characters. I really enjoyed the first one, and liked this one too!

It may seemingly be a small thing, but little details like describing the food & tea in such a tantalising manner really goes a long way in creating the warm vibe that this series carries. The romance remains a very slow burn; I’m not sure how long the author plans for this book series to be, but I do wish that the chemistry was ramped up between Phoebe & Rich as their friendship/relationship is bordering on boring now.

The main criticism that I have for this book is that we still haven’t seen much magic being practised by Phoebe. I could forgive the first book because she had only just discovered her powers - and she does speak a lot about her aunt’s magical tea blends - but for a series that centres so much around Phoebe being a witch, we aren’t getting to see that in practice really at all.

Nevertheless, this was a fun book and I fully intend to read this series to completion once further books are released 🥰