Member Reviews
If you’re a fan of Practical Magic, small towns, or secret societies, no bewitching is required to fall in love with this upcoming release by Carly Bloom!
A big thanks to Forever Romance for the early ALC in exchange for an honest review.
Read if you 🩷:
• ✨ Magical Realism
• 🔥 Slow Burn Romances
• 💜 Plus Size Heroine
• 🍹 Cocktails in Hot Tubs!
Cordelia Merriweather never believed in magic—until she accidentally breaks a hex and restores her family’s powers. Now, she’s grappling with her new witchy reality and the suspiciously handsome Max next door, who’s either helping her or trying to keep her from causing magical mayhem. As their chemistry heats up, Max wonders if he’s falling for Delia or if she’s cast a spell on his heart.
This audiobook is a fun and cozy treat! Laura Knight Keating brought Delia’s heart and bright demeanor to life, while Zion Jang excellently portrayed the stoic and rational Max. These two narrators were the perfect pair, and they had me rooting for this forbidden romance the whole time! It’s an extremely slow burn, so just be willing to wait for those fireworks.
I also loved hearing about the quirky Merriweathers and their shenanigans. It was such a hoot to watch them discover what was happening under their noses in Willow Root the whole time! However, my favorite moments were between the trio of Nikki, Max, and Luc. Together, they could give the Three Stooges a run for their money!
If you’re like me and love witchy romances, be sure to pick up Hot Hex Boyfriend when it’s out on September 3rd!
As Delia Merriweather’s thirtieth birthday approaches, the women in her family keep pressuring her to help break a longstanding curse on their bloodline. As it turns out, though, Delia doesn’t believe she’s a witch.
Next door to the Merriweathers, Max Halifax is packing up his recently deceased uncle’s home (and keeping an eye on the Merriweather women). He’s been tasked by the powers that be to make sure Delia does not break the curse.
This book is such a cozy choice for witchy season.
Highlights for me:
- Nikki, Hartwells’s former (and now Max’s) familiar, an imp who can switch from his cat form to human form
- The funeral food restaurant (Prepare to be hungry.)
- Luc’s fascination with the non-magical world and its customs
- Some Southernisms—I’m looking at you, miscellaneous tea and the one-upmanship and competitiveness of hosting duties
- The growing feelings between Delia and Max
The audiobook has dual narration from Laura Knight Keating and Zion Jang. I preferred his narration but did enjoy her Southern accents. This would be a good one to listen to while putting out your fall decorations.
3.75⭐️
I received an advance copy the audiobook from Hachette Audio. All review opinions are my own.
This book was so darn cute! A kooky coven of magicless witches in small town Texas accidentally break the family curse that locks up their magic with the help of their youngest coven member. The grumpy new warlock next door has to find a way to re-hex them before the powers that be, ruin his family. I am hoping the series continues, such fun side characters and southern charm
The audiobook narration of this book was fun and eccentric to really highlight the quirks of these characters.
I had a hard time remaining focused until about the halfway point. Until then, I felt like not a whole lot was actually happening in the book. It did turn around, though, and ended up being a really cute found family style romance.
I read another reviewer's thought to have a prequel for the Merriweather witches and I second that! I think that'd be a really fun, quirky intro into this realm of witchy magic.
'Hot Hex Boyfriend' by Carly Bloom is a perfect fall read, if you're anything like me and start to look for some fun, seasonal reads. It follows Delia Merriweather, who accidentally breaks a generations old hex and finds herself learning how to manage her magic, as well as the handsome new neighbor, Max. I really enjoyed the cast of supporting characters in this book. Interestingly, the plot is primarily driven by Max, as he's the one with the magical knowledge, and seems to be working to solve the problems without Delia knowing. I would've liked to see Delia taking more action, or maybe having more of a parallel problem solving process.
While I love magical realism, I don't enjoy when a book gets bogged down by world building. I was briefly concerned that may happen with 'Hot Hex Boyfriend,' but Bloom is able to gradually introduce the reader to her magical realm and rules in a way that is subtle. I feel like Bloom has created a world which I would love to return to in a sequel.
I was lucky enough to review an audiobook version of 'Hot Hex Boyfriend.' I enjoyed the dual narration, with Laura Knight Keating; and Zion Zang switching on and off with the perspective changes. Both were quite amusing and navigated a lot of different accents. I also listen to audio on 1.5 speed, and this production was very easy to follow at that speed.
Thank you to Carly Bloom and Hachette Audio for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 ⭐️
This is a super cute witchy romance about a family of witches who believed that they were hex everyone but Delia who just thinks her family is crazy. Enter in Max new to town he is packing up and cleaning his uncles house and Delia’s new neighbor. But Max is really there to keep an eye on Delia and her family because his family were the ones to hex them a long time ago and the hex can’t be broken or can it?!
Super cute I really love the world building and the different witches in this world. Delia’s family is funny and honestly I wish they were part of mine. And I wish I had a familiar like Nikki. There were parts where it was just a little slow and boring but Overall the story is perfect for Halloween and the fall of your looking to read a cozy paranormal witchy romance this fall definitely check out this book.
I would definitely read a prequel book about the Merriweather witches.
Thank you NetGalley for this arc.
Southern witches ?! Texans at that! Loved that I could related to them in that way as a Texan as well.
In this book the fmc and her family are so warm and fuzzy! The definition of a sweet southern family. This gave all the cozy vibes and I really enjoyed it! I like the tension that the main characters had as well and it was very fluff spice.
I highly recommend if you are looking to read a cozy witchy book with a happily ever after💖
Hot Hex Boyfriend by Carly Bloom is a witchy rom-com featuring Max and Delia in small town of Willowroot, TX. Delia is supposedly a "blue witch" but her witchy family is hexed and Delia doesn't believe in witches anyways. Max moves in next door into his late uncle's home to keep an eye on Delia and her family to make sure the hex isn't broken and Delia doesn't come into her powers, however he encounters a problem: he can't help but fall in love with Delia.
This is a fun, cozy read for spooky season. It's a low-stakes rom-com with a magical theme, small town vibes, and eccentric side characters. Perfect for anyone wanting an stress-free witchy read. I listened to the audiobook. Zion Jang, the narrator for Max, did a nice job portraying the characters with a wide range of emotions and kept my interest. Laura Knight, the narrator for Delia, was not my favorite due to the inconsistent accents across characters and also overall lack of emotional range. The only other complaint I have is that the book is a bit long.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for granting me an advance copy of the audiobook for review. Hot Hex Boyfriend is expected to be published on September 3, 2024.
I genuinely enjoyed the whole book! I am OBSESSED with Grandma Thea (which may have something to do with the fact that that's my daughters name) she was so eccentric and entertaining! I vibed through the whole book and this is the perfect book to read this spooky season! I absolutely cried about the cat situation and my heart swelled with it's conclusion. I loved the dual narration and had the easiest time reading this book! I can't wait to share it with everyone!
Overall, this is a fun witchy read. The main character and her family, are chaotic and hilarious. I loved the southern setting and the general premise - a family of witches has been hexed and the hex will be sealed or broken by her 30th birthday. The only downside of the book is that the flirting felt a little cringy to me, I particularly hated the sit up contest scene. In general, it was fun.
I generally thought the narration was good. I think they're supposed to be in Texas, but the accents seemed not like Texas southern accents. It didn't really deter my ability to enjoy the audiobook though!
Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for this audio ARC!
Thank you Hachette Audio, Forever & Netgalley for the advanced listening copy. This spooky/halloween romance was so cute & sweet. I loved the main characters Delia & Max, their personal growth throughout the novel and the sparks that flew between them from the first moment. There is enough action with breaking the hex to keep the reader engaged but it doesn't take away from the main romance storyline. This is such a sweet halloween read to get you in the mood for fall 🥰
Hot Hex Boyfriend by Carly Bloom is a cute and cozy romance perfect for the fall season. This witchy rom-com has a wide cast of interesting characters. I especially loved all of the quirky aunts. The magic was simple and gave me nostalgic Halloween vibes. The romance was incredibly sweet and heart warming. It did have some cheesy moments but they really worked for it.
The audiobook was wonderful. The transitions between povs was smooth. The narrators did an amazing job bringing their characters to life. Overall, Hot Hex Boyfriend is a great choice for anyone looking for a cozy fall paranormal romance.
Thank you to the publishers and netgalley for this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
If you're looking for a magical rom-com with a sprinkle of Texas charm, Carly Bloom's "Hot Hex Boyfriend" is the perfect read! The witchy theme, complete with spells, curses, and hexes, is beautifully blended with the warm, inviting atmosphere of the Lone Star State. From line dancing and cowboy boots to genuine southern hospitality, Bloom paints a vivid picture of Texas that feels both authentic and enchanting.
One of my favorite aspects of the book was the unique witch culture that Bloom created, categorizing magic into heart, mind, body, and soul groups. This added a fresh and fascinating twist to the story, setting it apart from other paranormal romances. And speaking of twists, the plot is filled with surprises that kept me on my toes. I genuinely didn’t see them coming, which made the reading experience all the more thrilling.
The romance between the main characters had me grinning with happiness! I was in love, especially with Max, he was wonderfully written. I found myself falling in love with him just as hard as Delia did! Their chemistry is palpable, and the romantic development is perfectly paced, making their relationship believable and heartwarming. (And there is a bit of spice! Not just the pumpkin kind)
And let’s not forget the comedy! Bloom’s writing is infused with humor that never feels forced or cringy. The puns and jokes are spot-on, providing just the right amount of lightheartedness to balance the more intense moments of the story.
The side characters in Hot Hex Boyfriend are absolutely delightful and add so much depth to the story. Max's teasing brother brings a playful dynamic to the mix, adding a layer of brotherly love and friendly banter that keeps the story lively. Delia’s quirky family of crazy witches is a true standout, each member with their unique personalities and eccentricities. I was delighted every time they appeared. Their interactions are full of humor, heart, and a touch of chaos that only a family of witches could provide. This cast of characters enriches the story, making it a vibrant tale of community and family love.
Finally, a special mention goes to Nikki the cat, who is my absolute favorite character. His antics add an extra layer of charm and fun to the book.
Hot Hex Boyfriend is an enjoyable fall read, perfect for the Halloween season! With its mix of romance, comedy, and magic, it’s a book that will cast a spell on you from the first page to the last. Whether you’re a fan of witchy themes or just looking for a delightful romantic comedy, this book is a must-read!
Thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the ALC and for allowing me to get into the festivities early!
This was so cute! I think it's a perfect cozy read/listen for Fall. I thought Max and Delia's romance was so precious. This is definitely not anything revolutionary but sometimes you just need a low angst read and this definitely hits the spot.
I do have a few minor complaints about audiobook. There were these long pauses between chapters. I listened between 2 and 2.5 and the pause still felt really long! I kept thinking something was wrong with my audio. Also I felt as it got later in book some chapters would forget to switch narrators. Again super minor and would not prevent me from recommending!
First of all perfect read for October. But if you are like me fall works too 😅.
Premises, we have a witch that doesn’t believe she is a witch and we have a male witch (in this book they are called witches too ) that is supposed to not let our unbeliever witch break a hex.
What can go wrong. Let’s just said everything. This was funny and incredibly cute for me. I like the power dynamic and I really like the side characters too. The book feels like and perfect for a cute read. Definitely worth a read if you are looking for a easy witchy rom com
This is a sweet read that is perfect for when the mood strikes for a fall comfort book! For a book about a witch discovering her magic, I wish she got to explore the magic in a more meaningful way. For me, there was an issue in pacing, but nothing that ruined my enjoyment of the book as a whole.
There is nothing really new or unique in this novel, but sometimes you need something reliable.
The narrators did a good job with the material, although the Texas accent didn’t always feel consistent.
Will I read this again? No. Would I recommend this to someone looking for a cozy fall story with witchy feels? Absolutely.
Thank you to Hachette Audio and NetGalley for an ARC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this book.
I LOVED this book! Such a funny witchy story! I loved Delia’s and Maxs story. Such a good love story and all of the secondary characters are great also! I will have to ready more by this author!
I absolutely loved this book! From the beginning it was so cute and funny! I could not put it down. I can’t wait to read more, I really hope we get a series ❤️❤️😭 I already miss these characters.
Grumpy x Sunshine
Neighbors
Forbidden love
Thank you so much NetGalley , and Carly Bloom for the opportunity to read an ARC of her upcoming book . In exchange for my honest review .
Hot Hex Boyfriend is a very cute, cozy witchy romance. Delia is supposedly a “blue witch” but she has no powers. She doesn’t believe that witches exist despite her family saying that they are in fact witches. Max moves in next door to deal with his late uncle’s house and business, but he knows witches are real as he is one. A hex breaker/creator to be exact. He is supposed to keep the hex on Delia’s family line intact, but he can’t help but fall in love with her. This book gave me everything I wanted in a cozy PNR. The romance was cute. The characters and the plot were well thought out. The narrators were okay. They didn’t add to the story, but they didn’t hurt the story either. I would recommend this book for the fall season!
Thank you to Netgalley for an ALC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
It is the season for spooky romcoms. Hot Hex Boyfriend was my latest listen. I liked it immensely. Pick this one up on publication day.