3 stars

Plot summary:

Shan LeClaire, skilled in blood magic, takes control of her family after assassinating her father to protect her brother, seeking revenge. Samuel Hutchinson, drawn into a magical murder investigation, finds himself entangled in the vampire king’s court. As he works with Shan and Isaac to uncover the killer, Samuel must decide if saving the nation is worth the cost of his soul amidst Shan’s dangerous plans.

My thoughts:
This book presents an intriguing concept of blood magic and political intrigue, but it falls short in execution. While it moves at a good pace, the heavy focus on politics over action leads to a lot of telling rather than showing, making it less engaging. The lack of a well-explained magic system and unclear depiction of vampires leave much to be desired. The plot attempts to juggle multiple elements—political schemes, romance, revolution, and murder mystery—but doesn’t develop any of them fully, resulting in a confusing and underwhelming narrative. Despite some interesting moments, the characters feel vague and the story’s resolution is predictable, making it difficult to become invested in the outcome.


Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit for providing a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

“The Hedge Witch” by Colleen Delaney is a cosy, enchanting tale that feels like stepping into a world of mossy forests and whispered spells. With a delightful blend of magic and heart, it’s the perfect read for curling up with a cup of tea. Pure witchy comfort!

Colleen Delaney’s The Hedge Witch is a charming and magical beginning to The Witches of Star Island series, blending romance, sibling bonds, and witchcraft into an engaging narrative. The story centers on Laurel Bay, a Hedge Witch gifted with divination and latent healing abilities, who makes her living reading tarot cards for events. Laurel’s life takes a mystical turn when she encounters Owen, a man tied to her through past lives and destined to be her soulmate.

One of the book’s greatest strengths lies in its characters, particularly the Bay sisters. Each sister is distinct, with unique quirks, backstories, and magical abilities that make their dynamic both relatable and entertaining. Laurel’s journey of self-discovery is compelling, and the interplay between the sisters is filled with warmth and humor. Laurel’s soulmate, Owen, adds a layer of romantic intrigue, with his sweetness and determination to find her across lifetimes enhancing the story’s emotional depth.

The novel’s magical elements are enchanting, particularly the hedge world, a mystical realm accessible only to Hedge Witches. Delaney’s descriptions of the hedge world and the witches’ powers are vivid and immersive, drawing readers into a carefully crafted universe. Laurel’s connection to magic feels authentic, and Owen’s perspective adds another dimension to the exploration of witchcraft and destiny.

While the story is engaging, certain aspects could have been further developed. The romance between Laurel and Owen, though heartfelt, feels rushed at times. Their connection is instant and intense, but more time to explore their relationship would have allowed the emotional stakes to resonate more deeply. Similarly, while the Bay sisters are intriguing, some, like Rosemary and Sage, feel underdeveloped compared to Laurel. Additionally, though the book’s pacing is smooth and avoids unnecessary filler, the magical lore could have been expanded to deepen the reader’s understanding of the witches’ world and the family curse.

Overall, The Hedge Witch is a delightful and cozy read, perfect for fans of stories like Practical Magic and Charmed. It balances magical intrigue, romantic tension, and sibling relationships in a way that feels fresh and engaging. Though there are areas that could benefit from more detail, the novel sets the stage beautifully for future installments in the series.

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 is the perfect Witchy read! The 5 Bay Witch Sisters are a force to be reckoned with and when push comes to shove, protect their own. This is the first book in the series that follows Laurel's journey learning more about herself, her powers and meeting her soulmate. With the meeting of her soulmate, the prophecy begins. All hell breaks loose and now a witch is stalking her? The tension, the mystery, the thrill of trying to survive while trying to navigate intense feelings for a soulmate Laurel just met! Can't wait to see how the story continue's in book 2!

If you're in the mood for a charming, quick read with a touch of witchcraft and romance, this might be the book for you.

An entertaining and cute cosy fantasy that made me smile and have fun. i liked the well plotted story and the likeable characters
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

A wonderful witchy book - it’s more herbs and tarot than spells but perfect for autumn all the same.
I loved the soul mate storyline, and as we end on a cliffhanger I’m hoping there’s more to come!!!

As a hedge witch myself, passing the practices down to my daughter as she grows, I love that magic is handed down the female line in the book as it is in my life. This was an amazing beginning to a series I cannot wait to continue!!

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this title. I am such a sucker for witchy, cozy, magical realism books and this was so cute!

I love this book and the way the author portrays the characters and writes the plot, and this is only the first book in the series!

The flow of the story and writing will leave you hanging on every moment between the characters, the world in which they wonder, and on the edge of your seat waiting to see what is going to happen next.

Colleen Delaney is fantastic fantasy writer, and this book is one to grab and devour.

This was lovely yarn and I loved the connection between the sisters. A little romance, some thrills, and general good vibe reading book. I enjoyed it and look forward to more in this series.

This was a great series starter. I loved the dynamic between all the sisters and know there will be many more books in this series. I love titles that really empower women and this one did. I can't wait to see where it goes!

It's been a long time since I enjoyed a witch book as much as I did this one! Witches that practice the "old magic of herbalism and tarot, rather than the ones who wear pointy hats and wave magic wands.
I love the idea that magic is handed down along the female line, which makes perfect sense in a religion that worships a goddess.
The Bay sisters were a really great set of strong female leads.
Although there was an undercurrent of romance with mention of them all having soulmates somewhere, they certainly didn't need men to look after them!
There was just enough romance in this book, and the spicy scenes were just right to keep me reading. I don't really believe in soulmates, but if they exist l'd like to find mine and experience what Laurel and Owen had. Wew!
I'm looking forward to reading more of this series and finding out what happens next to Laurel and Morana. I'd love to find out more about the other sisters and their powers too.

3.5 stars and def would recommend!

The hedge world, the water witches! Entertaining, gripping. Owen and Laurel clawing their way back to each other despite the “morally gray water witches”.
Laurels jumping back and forth was what drew to me to this book. I loved it!
I really enjoyed this one. Thanks, NetGalley for sending it.

What a different and delightful read! This isn’t like the normal witchy book I’ve read and I really enjoyed that about it! I’m sad it ended on a cliffhanger but I’m hoping that means there will be more books!

this was easily a 5 star experience.
i loved the magical elements and the romance was spicy!
i hope this author makes this a series that follows along with the rest of the sisters.

The Hedge Witch by Colleen Delaney was definitely one of my favorite reads this month! It's has such an interesting plot and is different than most witchy books I've read. I loved the Bay sister's and their unique personalities, and of course, their cool names.
The idea of soul mates and Laurel and Owen finding each other in past lives and the present life is sweet. I really wanted them to get to know each other better, but hopefully, that's in the next book? It ended on a cliffhanger, so I'm guessing it's going to be a series. I'll be curious to see if the next book focuses on the continuation of this story or if it will focus on another Sister's story. Lavender and Sage sound interesting! Side note: I kind of wanted to punch Laurel for going to the Bachelorette party, c'mon!
Thank you, NetGalley and City Owl Press, for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review. I'm excited for the next book!

"The Bay Sisters" is an enchanting and quick read that transports you to Star Island, where five witchy sisters live. The story kicks off with a Beltane prophecy that each sister will meet their soulmate within six months, leading to a magical and romantic adventure. Laurel Bay's journey is captivating as she discovers a past life with her soulmate, Onfroi, in Medieval France. When Owen Davies arrives on the island, their connection is undeniable, sparking a tender and intriguing romance. The variety of personalities among the sisters adds depth and fun to the story. While the ending felt a bit abrupt, it leaves you eager for the next installment. The book balances modern references, witty banter, and witchy vibes, making it a delightful addition to your fall reading list.

Super fun read. The cozy vibes were strong with this one, which is what i needed. It kind of gave off vibes of Charmed for me, which isn't a bad thing