Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced readers copy of BEST HEX EVER.

This is such a cozy autumn read, one you could spend a whole day reading wrapped in a warm blanket with tea beside you. Filled with baking, romance, and a looming Halloween wedding, BEST HEX EVER will thrill readers with its swoon worthy banter and sexy attraction between Dina and Scott. The only problem keeping them apart: a hex from her ex causing all of Dina’s previous partners to get hurt one way or another. With a wonderful cast of side characters you can’t help but love and root for, diverse families, and the perfect spooky setting for a witchy wedding, readers will easily fall in love with this novel.

This was such a fun, lightly spooky, spicy read for fall. Loved El-Fassi's character development and inclusivity throughout the book. Her heroine is wonderful and the hero dreamy. Super quick read. Would highly recommend!

this was the cutest, coziest book!!! Cafe owner Dina, who also happens to be a witch, meets museum curator Scott and the rest is history…except one small problem, Dina’s been hexed, and any partner of hers encounters a string bad luck the closer they get. with the upcoming wedding of their best friends, Dina as maid of honor and Scott as best man, the forced proximity leaves no room to deny the chemistry between them. there were so many cute touches to this story that made it the perfect fall read!! i adored the little wedding nuances, the magical vibes, and the overall sense of comfort written thru family/friend interactions. Best Hex Ever is the definition of sugar, spice, and everything nice. 10/10 recommend!!! 🤍

Did not finish this title, immediately following the first two chapters I chose not to. The writing was extremely simple, cliche, and basically unpacked the whole premise in the first two chapters, which led to me not feeling as if I needed to continue as I was not endeared to the writing style either.

First, thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book!

Avoiding spoilers… This book is so whimsical and fun! Perfect fall read to get you in the mood for Halloween 🎃 this love story is a slow-burn, with lots of tension 👀 the characters have such unique personalities that make them so relatable. This is the perfect blend of witchy-vibes, romance, self-love, and of course some spice 🌶️ can’t wait for the next in the series!

A wonderful dose of witchy goodness. Loved the insta-lave between Dina and Scott. A perfect fall read!

I really enjoyed this book! I’ve loved anything witchy for as long as I can remember and I’m also a huge fan of food so it’s awesome that I got both of together in this book.

Dina’s ex lover put a curse on her that anyone she loves will end up hurt. She’s been getting by on one night stands and not forming attachments until a cute museum curator stumbles into her shop. Now she has to figure out a way to break the hex so she can find love.

I would love to spend time in Dina’s cafe, she’s able to infuse magic into her food and drinks that makes the person consuming them feel certain feelings (like the love and safety of a parent carrying you to bed when you were a kid)

I’m excited to see where this series goes

This book was…okay. It wasn’t bad, but it definitely didn’t wow me. I thought the premise of the book was great, and I wish the execution of it had been better.

Things I didn’t like about the book included the “insta-love” and “dirty talk” which really didn’t do anything for me; the third act conflict was a bit much (even for a third act conflict); and I got really tired of Dina’s internal conflicts. To be clear, I can’t relate to having to tell your parents/family/ friends about your sexual orientation, but there was nothing in the story that would have ever led me to believe Dina’s parents would have been anything but accepting. Additionally, her fear of coming out to her mom was as the only reason she didn’t own up to doing a spell that LITERALLY took away someone’s free will? I’m not buying what you’re trying to sell.

Then there was the whole bit about Nour being upset and crying after Dina came out about being Bi being SHE was upset that she’d made Dina feel some type of way…absolutely ridiculous. You need to put your feelings aside and be there for your child.

At some point in the book, Dina is talking about how she usually does have success sexually with men, but doesn’t have that problem with women. Yet…not a single issue with Scott. She also talks about how she’s always wanted to be submissive and Scott instinctively knows she wants butt play, but she hasn’t been able to do these things until Scott (and in the same vein, Scott’s talking about how he likes that she lets him be in charge). I’m just trying to figure out where this came from, because I didn’t get the dominant/submissive vibe from either of them.

It really is unfortunate that I didn’t enjoy the book more because it started off super cute and promising before quickly going off the rails. The story felt like it changed about 30% in to where nothing mattered except how hot they were for each other, Dina’s inner monologues, and then their sexual encounters. I’m also not sure why they were so in love with each other considering the only thing they mention having in common is their desire to never have children, which felt very irrelevant in the big scheme of things.

All in all, this book may be great for some people, but just wasn’t for me.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Nadia for giving me a chance to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This book is the epitome of a Halloween hug. It is the perfect witchy rom-com with friendship, love, and spice. Scott and Dina have impeccable chemistry from the get-go and even when the odds are stacked against them, they figure everything out. Forced proximity, meddling friends, a grumpy familiar, and fate come together to make for a great book.

The writing is incredible, the plot is well paced, and the overall story is everything you could want to read in October.

Thank you NetGalley and Dell for an eARC in exchange for an honest review

This book is a nice Fall/Halloween read with cute and cozy witchy autumn vibes with a big dose explicit smut (that was a bit cringe IMO). With some great diversity and LGBTQ+ rep

From Dina's baking, her cafe, the magic, the witchiness, a black cat familiar and a charming sentient house all against the backdrop of London and the English countryside during the fall it really wrapped you in a blanket of coziness.

The book pulled me in right away if it's cozy atmosphere, Dina's character, her lovely cafe and the unique way she created pastries with her kitchen magic.
I adored the female friendships between Dina, Immy and Rosemary that was everything but toxic.
The magic system was wonderfully put in and felt very natural like it could happen in the real world.

Dina and Scott have a lovely me cute that is insta attraction that then devolves quickly into insta lust to insta love. And while I struggled with the insta love as it's not a trope I like; it worked itself out.
Though their smutty/sex scenes came off cringy and a bit excessive. It was somewhat the words used but more so the tone of the smut /sex scenes that didn't quite fit for the rest of the writing style of the book.

I enjoyed this book but I feel like there was something missing that could have made it more engaging.

The biggest struggles I had with the book were. 1.It's a lot of telling and not showing . A lot of exposition was used to play the story out. Which made the story fall flat and the character's dialogue suffered from it.
2. Because it ran a little sex centered there was little character or story development. And while that is fine other romance books this book had been trying to tell a story of Dina's journey to self love.

There is magic in this book that feels like a big hug. This was a lovely, cozy read! I especially loved all of the friendship dynamics and the general emphasis on friendship. I wish Dina's Cafe was real because I would be there all day every day. I love when a book has representation and I also loved finally getting two main characters who don't want kids.

TLDR: a cozy, witchy, spicy read that's great for Fall.

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

Just finished this debut and it’s perfect for cozy season!

I really loved all of the kitchen witch insights and the world building of their magic. I also loved all of the Moroccan influence and references. I enjoyed looking up any words I was unfamiliar with. My FAVORITE parts were the parts with her mom. It was the cutest and sweetest.

You will like this book if you love when the MMC growls because he loves so do that with the FMC lol. And you will love this book if you love an insta love/semi fated mates vibe. Their chemistry is undeniable and I love how it transforms over the book!

This was so well written and the story had my attention from page one and I was giddy and kicking my feet the entire time I was reading this. I loved the ✨serendipitous✨ moments and alll emotions it drew up and the meant-to-be feels. Also, the cafe was named Serendipity Cafe, like, how perfect is that?

This book had juuuust the right amount of spice, witchy romance vibes, girl gang, and banter. I also loved how the cat had its own personality. Sorta reminded me of other books where there is a familiar. Also I loved the cookie crumbs of a potential book 2! I could spot the third act breakup from miles, but the book tied up nicely and was overall an easy, cosy, fun read.

PS I loved that their happily ever after didn’t involve children. #childfreebychoice

Why you need to read this:
⟢ paranormal romance
⟢ cozy fantasy
⟢ kitchen witch x museum curator
⟢ witchy vibes
⟢ sister bonds/friendships

Add this to your book if you’ve enjoyed:
🪄 This Spells Love by Kate Robb
🪄 The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston
🪄 The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

Thanks to NetGalley & Random House for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. I thoroughly enjoyed this book & look forward to reading more of Nadia El-Fassi!

Another FABULOUS 2024 debut that is absolutely perfect for any spooky season reading list!! This witchy, dual POV, British romance features a biracial kitchen witch who finds herself falling for the best man at her best friend's wedding. Super steamy and full of great bisexual rep (her), this book is perfect for fans of authors like Sangu Mandanna. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!!!

This book is like if you took the hand flex scene from Pride and Prejudice, getting a warm hug after sobbing, and biting into the best fluffiest, most delectable croissant, on a crisp fall day. Best Hex Ever is all of that and more. I need more witchy cozy romance from Nadia El-Fassi cause I literally don’t think I’ve felt this happy since 2009. This story was just beautiful. Absolutely adored this novel and read it so quickly, I was under Dina’s spell! What a beautiful love story and a perfect read to remind you how powerful (and loved) you really can be.
4.75/5 ✨
🌶️🌶️

Thank you to NetGalley & Random House for the arc

Best Hex Ever by Nadia El-Fassi was a great book to read to kick off spooky season. Dina is a witch who loves to bake. She meets Scott in the café that she owns. As it turns out Scott is the best man in a wedding Dina is also in. They keep having these encounters where they are thrown together. Dina seems to think that there is a Hex on her keeping her from falling and staying love. Dina has to learn to love herself before anyone else can.

THE BEST HEX EVER is a meet cute, coffee shop/bakery, witchy magic, cozy romance with spicy scenes not limited to hot chai. Those descriptors pretty much hit all of my favorite romance tropes so this was a fun book for me. Readers will enjoy the delicious descriptions of the baked goods and the luscious British settings as well as the hijinks related to an upcoming wedding on Halloween. Add in delightful chemistry between a variety of couples and this is a difficult book not to read in one big gulp. If the ending is a little YA, it’s not too much sweetness overload. The spicy scenes make this definitely an adult book, though. I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

I loved this! I felt like I was in a Taylor Swift song. Immaculate witchy vibes ans Scott was absolutely delicious. Can't wait to continue the series with Rosemary's story!

I first want to take a moment to thank NetGalley, Random House Publishing - Ballantine, and Nadia El-Fassi for an Arc of Best Hex Ever in exchange for an honest review. I am sad to say that I did not get on with this book and ended up DNFing it about 35 percent of the way into it. I want to clarify that my DNFing of this book is a me thing, not a book thing. Let me explain. When I requested this book, I went based on the cover and the description like one does, and it sounded fantastic. The cover is so autumnal that I was eager to get right into it. I loved the idea of a witch who bakes delicious treats in a bakery that she owns. I mean, what isn't to love, right? Another thing that really caught my attention about this story is the setting. It takes place in England, a place that I have always wanted to see. Granted, I did not get far into the story, but I really did enjoy the friend vibes between the female characters, and I was interested in seeing how things would play out between Dina and Scott. As I have said, I only made it to about 35 percent of the way through this book, and that is because I was not expecting all the spice. I picked this story up thinking it was going to be a cozy witchy fall read, and well, it did have those elements, but it also had ones that I was not interested in reading, which is why I DNFed this book. If you are looking for a witchy fall romance with steam, I think this might be a book you would be interested in reading. If reading spice doesn't bother you, then I would say give this book a go because it really did have the cozy fall vibes (at least what I read did). Again, I want to thank NetGalley, Random House Publishing - Ballantine, and Nadia El-Fassi for this Arc. I am just sorry that it was not a book for me.

Dina is a kitchen witch with a bad luck curse. She meets Scott, and the hex is tested as the relationship between the two grows. I loved the descriptive writing, I felt like I could smell the bakery, and feel the magic. I will say, I think the spice was a bit over-used and took away from the sweet story. Thank you to NetGalley and Dell Romance for the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest review!