Give me all the cozy witchy fall reads! This was so much fun and SO CUTE. And the spice was definitely hitting the mark.

This is the perfectly brewed story (pun intended) of Diana. She is a cafe owner in London, and is able to achieve a perfectly cozy and homey cafe for people to unwind in with the little help of magic.

Dina has sworn off love, do to a hex. But when Scott stumbles into her shop, sparks start flying. This gives you London with cozy small town vibes, strong family and friendships.

I really enjoyed this and the side characters were so fun I hope to maybe see something about Rosemarys story!

Thank you @nadiaelfassiauthor and @randomhouse for the EARC in exchange for an honest review.

✨BOOK REVIEW: Best Hex Ever by Nadia El-Fassi
⭐⭐⭐
This book is perfect for cozy fall vibes! It's time to start building that Fall TBR and this book would fit in perfectly.
Such an easy read at only 320 pages!

TROPES:
- Insta-lust
- Witchy
- Cozy
- Fall/autumn
- Paranormal romance

This book HAS to be on your fall tbr. All the best cozy with vibes, so many baked goods, and the setting in London is perfection. Mulled wine was mentioned at least twice and I craved sipping a mug while reading just to sink further in this book.
I love the characters and the story plot was so cute and fully developed. Fairyloot already has a special edition of this book WHICH IS SO DESERVING! You’ll love this book and will definitely be a new favorite!

I loved the FMC, Dina, so much! She's a Moroccan, bisexual entrepreneur who loves her curves. It was so refreshing to follow her journey! There's also a lottttt of well-executed spice in this book too.

I've seen a lot of reviews that are critical of the insta-love between Dina and Scott. While yes, they did hit it off instantly, I found their attraction sweet and believable. Not every relationship has to be enemies to lovers, and this book proudly shows that.

Overall, this magical, cozy romance had me smiling and blushing all throughout the book. I cannot wait to read what Nadia writes next!

I loved the story, the world building and meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it. The cover is super cute and it's a cute "witchy" book that's perfect for the fall. I couldn't put it down

Dina is a kitchen witch - she owns a bakery and makes magical pastries for her customers and loved ones. Only a few close friends know her secret. And of the hex placed on her when she was younger that makes it hard to fall in love. Dina is the maid of honor at her best friend's wedding, there she meets Scott, the best man and sparks fly -- until Scott keeps getting hurt. Is it part of the hex or is there a bigger force in play.

It's an interesting story, I haven't read much about witches and hexes. I thought it was a fun storyline and the characters are great.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

This is my first fall read this almost-season! Nadia did a great job of mixing romance, spice, and magic. Overall, the book was sweet, just what I needed to cleanse my palette before the spooky season. I cannot say that I think this book will stay on my mind past the last page, but I would recommend it to a friend. I love the cover as well!

When I saw that this was a cozy/ spicy romance between a museum curator and a kitchen witch, I was sold! I really loved the friendship between Dina and her girls. And the magic was simply wonderful! Overall this is a cute magical romcom that I will definitely be recommending to others 😊

Tis the season for witchy cosy romances and I am LIVING for it. Nadia El-Fassi has created the perfect autumnal sexy read for the darker evenings. I am usually sceptical of insta-love plots but she made it feel romantic rather than cheesy and the dynamics between the FMC and her family add an additional endearing quality. Have I already preordered the Waterstones exclusive edition? Indeed I have.

such a great debut novel! filled with magic, baked goods, and romance. nadia’s writing was both whimsical and heartwarming, making this a wonderful read. i felt like i was there in every scene and really enjoyed the setting of london and the countryside!

dina and scott have chemistry from the start and fall deeply for each other quickly. their love story was both sweet and passionate, though felt insta-love at times. but they complement each other so well, and i enjoyed seeing how in tune they were with their emotions.

while cute this book also does such a good job dealing with deeper topics and displaying great friendships!

thank you so much to netgalley and random house for the arc. this is the perfect magical fantasy to start off fall! looking forward to nadia’s next book.

As a Fall girlie, I always look forward to reading with the season and Best Hex Ever immaculately captured all the cozy, witchy, autumnal vibes that make fall the most magical time of year! El-Agassi described this world in such exquisite, fantastical detail - from the magic and memories woven into Dina’s baked goods and brews, to the cottages that came to life and became characters in the story, to the ceremonies and rituals with friends and reunited with loved ones - and it felt like getting lost in a dream.

While I absolutely loved the vibes and this world, sadly, the characters lacked depth and I finished the book not fully knowing who they were. Dina and Scott’s relationship centered around insta-lust and they were declaring their love after only a handful of days. For me, this is just not a trope I personally enjoy and I really don’t like when it’s paired with a possessive love interest who is constantly “marking his territory.” I also didn’t like how conflict was built around Dina’s fear of telling her parents she was bi - it hurt my heart that Dina felt like she couldn’t share her true self with her mother.

I appreciated how the story ended with a message of loving yourself and again, the fall vibes were excellent, but I needed more depth from Dina and Scott’s characters to buy into their relationship. If you’re looking for a quick, light witchy read for the fall, this might be worth picking up if you enjoy insta lust and are looking for a spicier witchy romance.

The premise of this book was really intriguing and I enjoyed the cozy witchy vibes. The romance was pretty cute, although a bit insta lovey. The atmosphere is excellent for the coming Fall season and I can see a lot of readers loving this.

I thought I would like this a lot more than I actually did unfortunately. The overly descriptive writing made it hard for me to get into and I prefer a ‘show, don’t tell’ style. Overall, this book was just okay, but not really my taste.

When Dina and Scott met, they were enthralled with each other, but Dina has a secret hex on her that keeps her from successfully falling in love. The hex physically hurts everyone who falls for her. But they keep running into each other, and they seemed destined to be together. Dina is terrified that Scott will fall victim to the hex. Dina wants to tell her mother and get her help, but is afraid that her other secret will cause her mother to think less of her. It's kind of a mess, but kind of amazing. What a fascinating, mesmerizing story or an unlikely paranormal romance. It's a very erotic book with many intimate sexual details. I could have done with less vivid sex, but the story was worth it.

Dina is a witch who instills magic in the food and drinks she prepares. Unfortunately. A hex affecting her love
life makes her fear danger to anyone she is attracted to. Scott is a museum curator fascinated by magical
amulets and objects from different cultures. Both are attendees at a wedding where they give in to their mutual
attraction and hopefully overpower the hex
Cute story.
#BestHexEver #RandomHouse #Ballantine #Dell #NetGalley

*Best Hex Ever* by Nadia El-Fassi is an absolute treat! As a kitchen witch, Dina Whitlock whips up magic-infused pastries in her cozy London café, but her love life is another story entirely. Thanks to a pesky hex, any romantic partner of hers is doomed to a streak of bad luck. Love might seem off the menu, but when Dina meets Scott Mason, the best man at her best friend's wedding, the sparks—and complications—begin to fly.

Scott, recently returned to London as a curator at the British Museum, has been through his own emotional upheaval, making this a story that beautifully balances romance with deeper, more complicated topics. I particularly loved how the book touched on the lasting impact of cheating and the emotional scars of being in foster care. These elements added a rich layer of depth to the characters, making their journey toward love even more meaningful.

The chemistry between Dina and Scott is palpable, and their romantic weekend filled with a hedge maze, palm readings, and a midnight Halloween ritual is nothing short of enchanting. But with the hex still looming, the stakes are high, and Dina’s struggle to protect Scott while falling for him is both heart-wrenching and captivating.

Nadia El-Fassi’s writing is full of warmth, humor, and just the right amount of magic. The blend of romance and witchcraft is delightful, and Dina’s culinary creations sound so amazing that I most definitely need her recipe book! This novel is perfect for anyone who loves a magical romance with a touch of real-world issues and a lot of heart.

*Best Hex Ever* is a charming and heartfelt read that will leave you spellbound and craving more of Dina’s magical world. Highly recommended!

#BestHexEver #NetGalley

I wanted to adore this but for some reason it was super hard to get into. I'm not sure if it was the writing, the characters, or the plot. None of those things were terrible but I just had a hard time connecting with them. I can see people and my patrons enjoying this story though. The cozy witchy aspect is super cute and the relationship was cute. I didn't dislike this book but I just don't have strong opinions on it.

Debut author Nadia El-Fassi gifts us with the bipoc witch FMC that we've all needed. I liked that the FMC maintains a connection to her heritage & we get insight into her family. Dina is relatable with her relationship & self-love struggles. She embraces her witchy heritage even if she is selective in revealing it to others. Dina & her mother, Nour, have a good relationship for the most part. I want to know more about Nour & the magical history of her family in Morocco. Dina's best friends Immy & Rosemary are funny, loyal, & willing to engage in all the shenanigans that make friendship worthwhile. Scott is the tall, dark, & dominant man that makes you swoon. I enjoyed the banter among the characters as well as their steadfastness when life gets serious. Unlike many cozy books, there's no closed door, off page spice. This is full-on spicy with plenty of swoon-worthy grabby hands. Overall a fun, sexy introduction to a new group that I look forward to reading more in the future.

The story blends magic and romance as Dina meets Scott during a weekend wedding celebration. Dina is a kitchen witch who runs a charming café in London. Despite her success in the culinary world, Dina's life is far from perfect since a hex has been cast on her love life. Dina has focused on her café and friendships, particularly as her best friend's wedding approaches. Scott, a British Museum curator, has just returned to London after two years of globetrotting in the wake of a painful breakup. Scott is not looking for love but can't help but be drawn to Dina. The chemistry between Dina and Scott is undeniable; however, Dina's curse shadows over their budding romance.

Dina's creativity and magical talents make her a lovable character. She is haunted by past loves and the complicated emotions of getting close to someone again. She powerfully represents how hurt can make us so guarded that we can open ourselves to new experiences. Scott is also nursing past wounds. Both characters are believable and make the reader connect with them on an emotional level. The book was a fun and introspective read. This book is for you if you enjoy a magical and witchy romance with all the feels.

I received an ARC ebook for my honest review. Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine - Dell

This was the perfect cozy, witchy, SPICY fall read! The MC Dina is a kitchen witch with her own cafe in London - all of the descriptions of her drinks and pastries were mouth watering and I loved how her magic was infused into them. Scott is a smart & sweet museum curator who was betrayed in a past relationship and literally fled the country. When he returns home, he visits Dina’s cafe and they soon realize their lives are more entwined than they thought.

This was a very comforting read with lots of supportive friends & family characters, some very cozy settings, and lessons about self love and acceptance. Dina and Scott’s chemistry was off the charts and their instant connection was believable. There’s a bit of conflict in the form of a hex placed on Dina which dooms all of her relationships plus a third act breakup, but everything gets resolved pretty easily.

One thing I especially appreciated was the easy discussion about not wanting to have kids which isn’t very common in romances. I would highly recommend this if you’re looking for a fun & steamy Halloween read and I’m very much looking forward to Rosemary’s book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

A magical debut from El-Fassi! I loved every moment of Best Hex Ever. Nadia has such a way with words. She can communicate the emotions associated with sensitive topics with ease. Many important lessons are conveyed throughout the novel, some of which I needed to hear and wasn't expecting (but magic always finds you when the time is right!). Each location visited in the book was well-painted and easily envisioned. Dina and Scott are both relatable and lovable characters. The creativity of Heebie and the House were some of my favorite scenes. This story is in my top five reads of 2024! I plan to reread it every spooky season!