Best Hex Ever by Nadia El-Fassi is the perfect cozy debut!
I'd consider this a cozy romance. I enjoyed all the characters and thought the premise was good.
I really enjoyed the fun and quirky characters. I also found this to be really funny.
The romance was sweet and spicy. I liked Dina and Scott's chemistry. They had great banter and tension. 
I thought this was an interesting story and the plot was engaging.
This was such a cute and cozy debut with all the fall vibes you could want.

Thank You NetGalley and Random House, Ballantine & Dell for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

I liked... some things about this book. It started off well, with this great bakery-magic and a nice meet-cute, but so many pieces of the book just didn't hang together for me. The magic in it is sort of bizarre, in that I have absolutely no sense of its scale. At first, it seems very low-key and cozy, but later on, it feels much larger and like something that really should make more of an impact on the general world -- or at least be more noticeable. The magic also just feels so *easy*. It does precisely what the characters need it to do, and even though they sort of handwave "a cost", you never actually see there *be* a cost. Even the hex central to the plot is ultimately a pretty weak device, forgotten about for long stretches of the book and then too easily solved at the end.

While this book is certainly full of steam and spice, there's something weirdly immature about the way the sex scenes are written. I don't mean, like, juvenile, but just sort of a... naive? idea of how sex works. Their positions are often either highly improbable or just described so poorly that they seem to be (lots of gravity-defying going on in various ways), and the insta-orgasms are honestly unfulfilling because there's no *build*, no tension. Also there's this whole scene where she's running around naked in the woods after doing a ritual, and like -- okay, a) as a practicing witch, dancing naked in a field is highly overrated; you mostly end up itchy from damp bracken, assuming you don't also run into unwelcome critters or patches of mud; b) she does this on the grounds of a historical estate where there's a whole wedding's worth of other guests staying, too, which just seems like asking for embarrassment.

The relationship is definitely insta-love, which isn't necessarily a problem, except that the obstacle to them being together is *so* contrived and weak that, again, there's just no tension in the book, and the character dynamics feel quite thin. And that's my overall assessment of the whole book: just sort of under-baked and underwhelming.

A kitchen witch with a penchant for baking and a (literally) cursed love life meets someone who’s worth breaking a hex for in this enchanting romance debut written with a heap of spice and an equal measure of heart.

This is a *charming* (see what I did there 😏) romance for the season - full of magic, spells, and mostly black cat name Heebie.

You can always expect honest reviews from me, and this was okay. Like not the best book I've ever read or the worst.

It did hit the spot when it comes to Halloween/Witch books. She is good at what she does and the way the magic flow sin her life is great. I guess when I had issues was kid of the romance. It felt slow sometimes and she's interested but isn't. It took way too long for her to realize her feelings and why she wasn't in a relationship.

I do think if you want autumn/halloween vibes, read this.

I got an e-arc of this book on NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This story follows Dina, a kitchen witch who owns her own bakery and Scott, a museum curator who is recovering from a bad breakup.

Dina and Scott continually run into each other and find themselves sharing a cottage during their friend’s wedding weekend. The two quickly fall for one another but trouble ensues given that Dina is hexed - all her future romances are doomed to fail until the hex is removed.

Things to be aware of going into this read:
* This is a spicy read, don’t let the cover fool you! I’d rate this about 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
* While magic is a component of this book, I wouldn’t say it’s magic heavy - there’s little information on the magic system and magic is quickly accepted as reality in this universe.

Things I liked about this read:
* Good representation! Bisexual/gay/trans all relevant
* Focused on the importance of self-love and mental health
* Strong fall vibes

Things I didn’t like about this read:
* I found the first 30% to be slow
* This is HEAVY on insta-lust to insta-love pipeline

I personally found the characters to be a bit under-developed and the relationship to lack substance, but if you’re looking for a spicy fall read, this could be a good pick.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for providing the eARC for review!

Location is London…
Dina owns Serendipity Cafe and since Dina is a good witch she only casts cozy spells on the treats she makes. Dina’s spells leaves everyone feeling cozy. Dina meets Rory who she falls in love with but things go so wrong. Dina goes to far when she goes overboard and puts a spell on Rory to bring them back together after a separation. When Rory finds out she puts a HEX on Dina, everyone that loves her will hurt.

Dina decides to keep her distance from love until Scott walks into her Cafe.

This is such a magical read! It’s so cute I loved it. I recommend this book to anyone that loves a steamy, magical read.

Thank you NetGalley for the advance digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

Posting on Goodreads

September 30th

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6853070089

4.25⭐️

I really enjoyed this book. I am a little bias because I loooooove stuff about witches so it was already up my alley but mixed with romance? A perfect read for me! Especially for the the fall season! I love that it was not only a romance BUT a self love journey and I'm really looking froward to more books from Nadia.

4 - ⭐⭐⭐⭐

“No one in the history of the world has ever looked so good in a dress. Please take it off.”

Best Hex Ever is a standalone adult paranormal romance following Dina, a kitchen witch with a booming cafe thanks to her magic infused sweets, has spent the last number of years running away from love thanks to a curse placed upon her. So when she first meets Scott Mason, a curator for the British Museum, she tries to ignore the feelings and connection...until a series of coincidences leads these two to be stuck together for a weekend. They quickly realize there is no denying their feelings but can they figure out a way around this hex or will the danger tear them apart?

This was adorable!

Dina is a sweetheart who made a few mistakes in her life. She has built an amazing career and done such good with her magic to better people's days but nothing can compete with the burden of her curse. There is a lot of guilt around the origins of this curse she must unpack and it is a lot. She struggles with keeping distant and you can see the yearning. I truly adore the pining at times but Dina does tend to lean to the negative.

Scott is a man who falls hard and fast, which makes him perfect for Dina. I loved seeing his attempts to keep Dina's attention and his openness and honesty throughout. He has had his heart bruised in the past but I loved seeing him preserve when he realizes this is the one.

I also want to shout out the side characters for showing such healthy friendships and the importance of communication. Dina is dealing with a pretty big cloud over her head and it is her friends and her mother that act as an anchor for her in so many ways.

This book is about 2.5 spicy peppers out of 5 spicy peppers. The spice is slow-ish burn (though the romance is instant attraction) with it not happening until the second half and there are only a couple full spicy scenes alongside some foreplay and rounding of bases...but the spice is very detailed and explicit. It highlights the connection between Dina and Scott and why they can't ignore it. I loved the control Scott takes and the risk locations of their spice to up the tension. These two are perfect for each other and the spice shows just how in sync they are.

This man…this man was going to end her, he was so [effing] cute.

The story itself is light and easy to read. You have the overarching story of Dina's curse but also a friend's wedding and Scott's job to help add a bit of variety. This story isn't anything groundbreaking but it was just a fun time. I liked the friendship, the slices of life, the banter, and the shenanigans. There are also these sweet moments of vulnerability that drew me in. The ending itself is a bit rushed but the epilogue is the perfect treat.

Overall if you want a cosy quick witchy read for fall this book is the perfect one for an evening!

Thank you Dell Romance for this arc!

Best Hex Ever is a cozy, steamy, witchy romance—perfect for curling up under a plush blanket with a warm cup of tea. The story follows Dina, a local bakery and café owner cursed with a disastrous love life—literally. Enter Scott, a museum curator with a passion for history, whose unexpected connection with Dina sets sparks flying. But with the curse looming over them, will their budding romance survive?

What really made this story sparkle was the rich witchy atmosphere—Dina’s magic, passed down through generations, is full of emotional depth, swirling energy, and sensory details. Her sentient, opinionated house and the headstrong, sassy cat add to the whimsical charm. I also enjoyed the solid friendships, especially between Dina, Immy, and Rosemary (fingers crossed for her book!). The unconditional love and support in their tight-knit bonds made their relationship dynamics shine. Similarly, the friendship between Scott and Eric was equally heartwarming. These friendships added to the story, making it not just a tale of romance but also one of loyal connections and enduring love.

One thing I struggled with was the lack of heart-squeezing tension in the romance. While the premise had potential, the romantic scenes didn’t quite deliver the emotional depth or make-your-heart-ache intensity I enjoy in a romance novel. I'm not usually one for "insta-love" tropes, readers who enjoy instant connections (think "invisible string" vibes) will fall head over heels for this romance. It's got everything: magic, spice, and all the cozy fall feels you could want.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dell for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC! This was a great read for spooky season. I loved that she was a kitchen witch and how they described her magic. I wish her bakery was real because I would go everyday. I loved her friendships with her two best friends and I loved the relationship between her and Scott. This is a perfect October read.

Best Hex Ever was such a perfect fall read. With the setting of the cafe and our main character being a witch, it’s a great cozy read for the fall months. I found this book enjoyable and a light, simple read. I appreciated the humor sprinkled throughout the book as well!! This book put me in the perfect mood for October.

It's very slow at the beginning. It honestly felt like it was dragging after a certain point.

It did pick up a little more closer to the halfway point, though it was definitely too far into the book for what was insta-lust, essentially. I would've liked a little more banter.

What I did love the most about this was the magic system. It was soft, seamlessly blended into their lives. It was a simple system, and it really added an extra sense of comfort.

If you're looking for a cozy, but also very spicy romance with a sprinkle of magic, this will work for you.

Best Hex Ever by Nadia El-Fassi ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Why I Chose It: Honestly, the title.

So I’ve officially decided if I was a witch, I’d want magic just like Dina’s. I adored the magic in this one; I mean, infusing baked goods with good vibes - YES!

This was the perfect cozy fall read. I felt snuggled up the entire time. The characters were warm and lovely. Well-developed, quirky, and distinct - I think I loved everyone. The focus on friendship and family was refreshing.

And then the nerdy love interest was delightful. While the romance felt a bit instant for my taste, I did completely support both Dina and Scott. The spice was enough and their connection felt like it did grow.

All in all, don’t miss this one! Fans of cozy reads, books with magic, and books with great, quirky characters will love this one.

4.5 rounded up!

this was a really cute book. this is peak cozy fantasy wish a dash of sexy.

like... really sexy. kind of caught me off guard a couple times.

Best Hex Ever is a short romance novel that focuses on a kitchen witch, Dina, who runs her own cafe. she has two best friends (both writers) and one of them is planning her wedding, which Dina is the maid of honor for.

Dina has a cat familiar, great friends, loving parents... and a hex on her love life from an ex-girlfriend years ago. the hex manifests in harm towards anyone Dina tries to have a romantic future with, so she chooses to close herself off from any romantic prospects.

the romance in the book was great, but I think what elevated the book to a new level was the relationships on the side. Dina’s friendships were a lot of fun to read, and I LOVED her parents.

I also loved Dina being a bisexual woman and getting to read her struggles regarding coming out even as a grown adult.

I will say that I felt like the hex plot line was a little weak for being the primary conflict for the story, but I enjoyed everything else enough to cancel that out.

plot: ★★★★☆
the plot was cute, but honestly a little flat when you look at the big picture. I just feel like the hex wasn’t enough of a conflict, like I was SCREAMING at Dina just to talk to her mom. it was like a flip on the miscommunication trope. I totally get why she hesitated, but like... I would have made up a story or something just to try and get some idea of what to do, lmao.

but it was still great. definitely a must read for fall.

writing: ★★★★★
this book was well written! it was cute and had a lot of different layers to it that all seemed to blend together really well, without feeling like there was too much going on.

I kind of wish we got more time with Scott and Dina as an actual couple though. most of the story was the build-up (which was great) but I would have loved a little more couple time.

romance: ★★★★★
as noted above, I do wish we had more time with Scott and Dina as an actual couple.

besides that, I LOVE them. they are so f*cking cute and the maid of honor x best man trope was so fun with the added element of magic in the mix.

pacing: ★★★★★
the story was very quickly paced!! I loved this, especially since Dina and Scott were struggling to connect in the beginning of the book. the fast pace meant that I never had to wait for long for the next meet-cute opportunity or for anything to start happening.

characters: ★★★★★
I genuinely loved every character in this book.

the other great part is, there’s a wide cast of characters, but they are all given enough of their own quirks and personality traits that they all feel real/genuine.

over-all: ★★★★★ (4.5 rounded up)
I liked this book a lot! I only take the half-star off because I didn’t love the hex as the primary conflict. it felt like for the way Dina made it feel like such a big deal, it should have BEEN a bigger deal than it ended up being.

Best Hex Ever is a witchy romance about a café-owning kitchen witch who unexpectedly bumps into a hot archaeologist who works at the British Museum. Listen, with a pitch like that and a cat on the cover, I was in! I love witchy reads for this time of year and was so excited for this one.

It started out so fun! I loved the magic system, the descriptions of amazing baked goods, and the fall vibes. I LOVED the café and hearing about all of the recipes that the main character dreamed up. I really liked that the MMC is an archaeologist and talks about museum curation!

But for some reason... the characters are taken from the amazing café and museum and dropped into a nondescript wedding! What the heck!!! Give me more descriptions of croissants! Go back to talking about hot chocolate with ghost marshmallows! I thought the rest was fine, but super didn't live up to the beginning of the book. Sad face. I was so excited to be all over this book!! And I'm left feeling :(

This ended up being around 3 stars for me, learning more towards 2.75. It does go quickly so I'd say give it a try if you live witchy romances and are particularly a fan of forced proximity. Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for the eARC, my thoughts are my own!

3.5/5 stars

This was such a cozy, magical read—perfect for fall! Dina, a kitchen witch with cursed love, and Scott, the charming best man, had instant chemistry that felt believable despite the insta-love trope (thanks to a magical twist). The witchy vibes, wedding shenanigans, and meddling friends made the story soooo fun.

I loved the mix of magic and spice—Scott’s devotion to Dina was sweet, even if things moved fast. The setting, with magical pastries and maybe haunted castles, added to the charm. It’s a quick, fun read full of romance, magic, and Halloween vibes perfect for this time of year.

Thanks to NetGalley, Dell, and Nadia El-Fassi for the ARC! I'm excited to read the next book in this series.

Best Hex Ever by Nadia El-Fassi offers an interesting take on the world of modern magic and hexes. The story provides a blend of humor and supernatural elements, making for an entertaining read. While it may not break new ground in the genre, it’s a solid choice for fans of light, witchy fiction.

*The Best Hex Ever* by Nadia El-Fassi is a spellbinding blend of magic, romance, and humor! Dina Whitlock, a pastry-baking kitchen witch with a knack for conjuring up more than just delicious treats, meets Scott Mason, a worldly museum curator back in London for his best friend’s wedding. Their chemistry is undeniable, but there's one little problem—Dina’s love life is hexed. Cue a weekend of magical mishaps, a spooky Halloween ritual, and a hedge maze you’ll wish you could wander through yourself. Can Dina break the curse before her love life crumbles? A charming, witchy romance that’s both sweet and spellbinding!

Paranormal Romance/Witchy Rom-Com, Half Moroccan Nonbinary Author, Dual 3rd POV, Kitchen Witch FMC, LGBTQIA+ Rep,

Pros:

Spooky, cozy fall vibes are on point

Inclusive/diverse cast of characters - Bi FMC, Enby barista

Cons:

Listen, I understand that there is a difference between good writing and a good story. Call me picky, but I need my books to be both. At the very least, I need the writing to not be a distraction from the story.

Unfortunately the writing is quite unrefined. It’s clear that this is a debut novel. There were many run on, rambling sentences stuffed with unnecessary or cutesy details. (Page 4 had an entire paragraph made up of one sentence. I’ve never had the reading voice in be head be out of breath by the time I finished a sentence before, so that was an interesting experience.) The grammar used to punctuate these run on sentences was atrocious, especially for a trad published book that should have access to editors and proof readers. There was also a lot of switching from 3rd person narration to 2nd person narration and breaking the 4th wall. (Pick a POV and stick with it.) Overall, the tone was trying a bit too hard to be quirky. It wasn’t the most cringey writing voice I’ve ever read, but it did grate on my nerves. I think editing and structuring the sentences differently would have eliminated the rambley, breathlessness of the tone and incorporated the quirky details in a more natural, organic way.

If all you need is vibes, this book has it in spades - cozy, autumnal, witchy, spicy, all the things. Unfortunately the vibes and tropes were not enough to compensate for the poor writing, in my opinion, and I had to DNF because my brain was screaming.

*I received a copy of this book as an ARC from NetGalley for review

Best Hex Ever is a swoony, witchy rom-com that is perfect for autumn.

Dina is the owner of bakery in London who also happens to a skilled witch. When a gorgeous museum curator comes in one day, Dina can't stop thinking about him, but knows that dating is off the table. Scott is a curator at the British Museum with an interest in protective charms and household rituals. He can't get the owner of the coffeeshop out of his head, but is wary of dating after a terrible breakup that kept him away from London for years. When Dina and Scott realize they are the maid of honor and best man at their friends' wedding, the weekend away at a cozy cottage on the grounds of a gothic estate might be too much for them to resist. But with a bad hex looming of Dina that causes bad luck to everyone she loves, Dina can't get too close to Scott. But then again, maybe there is a way to break the hex for good??

Best Hex Ever is a super cute and sexy romantic comedy, with lots of witchy vibes and a perfect fall setting. Dina is hesitant to get too close to anyone, lest the hex set in and cause harm to the people she cares about. She has gotten good at letting people go, and building walls around herself. It was great to see her growth in this book, as she comes to accept herself and let love in. Scott may be my perfect book boyfriend - he's sweet and devoted, and an anti-colonialist curator at a major museum who insists on repatriation of stolen artifacts - absolutely wonderful!. This was a super quick read - I read it in one sitting and just couldn't put it down. I enjoyed this book a lot and thought it was perfect for autumn.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the advanced copy of this lovely book!