This cozy magical novella was a quick read. The main characters Marnie and Rider were very likeable, as a kiwi I also enjoyed the setting being so close to home I could really picture it. The mystery was well done and had me guessing through the entire book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher.

Perfect for spooky season. This is a romcom full of witchy magic, laughs, love and romance. Karen gave me a book that I wanted in this one and I really enjoyed the way she wrote a cozy magic romance. The MCs were both strong and perfectly matched while also a little awkward but full of the vibes you want in a witchy book.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

This novella was so cute! I was pleasantly impressed by every chapter in this story. The characters were done so well and the storyline was so original and adorable. I really loved the details and everything the author put into this book. This story went by too fast, but in the best way! I hate giving too much away in reviews, but for this being one of the author's first adult novels, I'm pleased with the results!
Stitch-magic now needs more hype!!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

This was cute, a very simple and quick read, I would consider this like a simple rom-com palate cleanser.

I loved so many details of this. while the alliteration hinted at a little too cute of a plot, the characters were three-dimensional and well-rounded, and I wasn't sure of the ending before it arrived.

This follows a woman who's a witch & a seamstress on a movie set. I recommend this book, it was a cute, really fun, quick read. You could read it in one sitting.

This was absolutely delightful! Perfect mix of magic, mystery and romance. Loved seeing an older fat queer heroine, The cast of characters were all great and look forward to seeing their own romances.

This is a wonderful story. I love the world building details that the author incorporates into the story. It gives the whole book a more realistic feel. Almost like this could really be happening just beyond sight, which I really enjoy as a reader. The characters are very inviting and grounded. The plot was very interesting and kept me guessing until the end. I really enjoyed this story and highly recommend this book.

I thought this looked like a fun book to read. It was lighthearted, easy reading and fun, but it still wasn't quite my cup of tea, something just didn't quite do it for me. I didn't really connect with the characters or feel any romance between them.

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

Bespoke & Bespelled by Karen Healey is a contemporary romance with a touch of paranormal mystery. Stitch-witch and costume designer Marnie Taylor knew she was taking a risk when she left her solid studio job in L.A. and returned to New Zealand for a job on the film adaptation of her favorite fantasy book series. But she didn’t expect supernatural sabotage on set – or her inconvenient but pressing attraction to the leading man. A-lister Rider Adams was excited for something new – the lead in an adaptation of an iconic series. Instead, he’s trapped with a terrible script and a cursed production plagued by mysterious problems from flat tires to costumes that seem to almost magically resize overnight. And for some reason, he can’t stop making an idiot of himself in front of the gorgeous costume supervisor.

Bespoke & Bespelled is a fun and fast read with some great characters. I thought Marnie was a well thought out character that I enjoyed, although I still would have liked more from and about her. I felt like I got even less about Rider and the secondary characters. I liked them, and I liked the witchy and mystery aspects of the story as well. I just felt like there could have been more of everything. More backstory of the main players, or more group interaction with the movie cast and friends, more detail on the growth of friendship and romance. All the pieces were there, but I felt more like I read the overview rather than the nitty gritty, which is what I love to read about. The book is sweet and entertaining, a great one day or weekend read that you can enjoy in the moment without getting overly attached to any of the characters.

This was such a super cute novella! It's super fast and magical and everything I could ask for in a witchy book because the vibes were off the charts. The FMC Marnie uses her powers as a Stitch-witch to make costumes for movies and shows. She gets an offer for one of her favourite fantasy books and when she arrives on set she realizes something magical is happening that's causing everything to go wrong. She also meets the lead Rider and they both have this sort of instant attraction.
I loved both main characters, Marnie was confident in herself and Rider reminded me of myself with his social awkwardness towards her. I love how their romance blossoms and how quickly Marnie felt comfortable enough to include Rider in on her magic. Another thing I appreciated with this book was how I couldn’t figure out who was causing the other magic, I wasn’t expecting that! I’m super excited to read the next book about Kingston.
Thank you to Netgalley and 8th Note Press for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

The curvy witch has been done so much within the past year they start to blend. There wasn’t anything special in this one that stood out to me.

Nothing makes me happier than reading a book set in the country I grew up in and not just that, a main character who is also plus size!

This was such a lovely quick read, and the grumpy x sunshine trope was done so well!

Healey really knows how to draw you into her story! I knew it was a novella when I started reading it, but part of me was wishing for more!

Thank you NetGalley and 8th Note Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was a rather lovely book but quite short and sweet.

Having a book set in New Zealand was a lovely change from the typical American-focused romance book, as was the inclusion of a plus-sized FMC. The fact the MC's were both over 40 was a lovely surprise as there are none-too-many of those!

The writing was fairly good and the author did a nice job of keeping things moving, however I did feel a little let-down by the ending. I personally could have done with a little more fleshing out but perhaps this may appeal to others.

Overall, a nice easy rainy day read that won't challenge a tired mind too much.

This was a cute sunshine x grumpy with a bit of magic. I loved the curvy girl representation and the location in New Zealand! It was a sweet and enjoyable romantic comedy.

What a wonderful popcorn read!

I loved every moment of this book! The characters were utterly enjoyable (even the "bad guy"). The New Zealand setting was amazing too. I loved the references to real pop culture thrown into the mix, but I especially loved the fake pop culture thrown in.

I want to read Queen's Horde, which is the book series being adapted into a movie. I also want to read whatever this is: "They were currently working on a murder mystery set on a space station where everyone acted like a Regency-era member of the ton while shooting each other in the back with laser pistols."

The book (Bespoke & Bespelled) does focus on a stitch-witch who works in costuming for Hollywood. She's hit a bit of a midlife crisis and yearns to move up - and lo! A movie adaptation of her favorite book series appears. Unfortunately, it's riddled with unfortunate situations, one after the other. And it's up to Marnie to figure out what's going on.

It's such a wonderful concept that wastes no time in moving the mystery along! Even though it's under 200 pages, the book somehow packs in the mystery and a great romance without missing a beat. I'm so curious how the series of Movie Magic will unfold. I feel like this will be a companion series. If so, bring it on! I want to know all about this magical world that's mixed within our own.

...But seriously though... Can somebody please write The Queen's Horde?

4.5 Stars

You know that we love a good witchy read around here and this book is So. Freaking. Cute. Marnie is a "Stitch Witch" meaning that her magic is in fabric. She does wardrobe work on movie/TV sets and lands a big gig with some big name actors. Enter Rider, the MMC movie star who Marnie can't help but gravitate towards. Suddenly, it seems as though everything is going wrong on set and Marnie begins to think another witch is the culprit and intends to get to the bottom of it with the help of Rider and her friend Thais.

This book is short and sweet but doesn't feel "unfinished." The characters are well thought out, the New Zealand setting is a nice change of pace, and the element of fabric magic is so fun and nothing I've ever seen in a book before. The plot doesn't feel overdone or formulated, which is so refreshing. I highly recommend this book to anyone but especially to anyone who loves a witchy romance such as I.

This was a very quick, quirky, sweet, and cute read. This read has just the right amount of romance and cozy mystery vibes. I really enjoyed the little mystery going on and the chemistry between Marnie and Rider. Marnie, a plus-size, stitch-witch costume designer, and Rider, a lovably awkward Hollywood star, create a delightful duo. The writing was consistently great, effortlessly drawing me into its narrative. Would definitely recommend if you’re a fan of the Bewitched movie.