Melissa Holtz’s A Charming Touch of Tarot is a charming sequel in the Gin and Tarot Club series, blending magic, mystery, and the enduring power of friendship. Alyssa, Nina, Lanie, and Corinne face personal challenges and supernatural threats, creating a story with plenty of intrigue and emotional stakes. Holtz’s use of tarot and paranormal elements adds a unique and engaging touch, though the plot occasionally feels a bit overcrowded with subplots, which can distract from the story’s emotional depth. While the book provides enough background to follow as a standalone, readers will likely enjoy it more if they’ve read the first installment, as it adds context to the evolving relationships and overarching narrative. Alyssa and Nick’s romance is endearing, and the bonds between the friends remain the heart of the story. Though not without its flaws, this is an enjoyable read for fans of cozy mysteries with a magical twist.

I didn’t realize this book was part of a series when I started it, but it quickly became apparent. There is enough background provided that you can read this book without having read the first book. However, readers will benefit from reading the first book in the series before this one, as this book clearly builds on the earlier book. The story itself is amusing and somewhat “hokey.” At times, the transitions between events are too abrupt. There are also some parts that are too rushed.

I loved the first book in this series. It was cute and cozy, but this one sadly didn’t hit the same. I loved the relationship starting between Alyssa and Nick in the previous book but she felt needy this time and it got on my nerves. Honestly, the whole book just had a lot going on and felt a bit all over the place at times.

The best parts of this book involve friendship and loyalty even when they test each other. Super cute fall read!

Thoughts: I did not realize this was part of a series when I chose this book, but it’s obvious from the beginning that it is one. I discovered later that this is #2 in the series. Still, though the beginning was a bit confusing, once I got into it, it was easier to follow. Add to that, the huge thread left dangling at the end and you know the series will go on. The smaller of the two mysteries was settled by the end, which was nice.

I loved the slow burn between Alyssa and Nick. They’re not going into their relationship in a hurry. But the best part of that was the ghost of Nick’s old girlfriend trying to make sure they’re suited for each other, including asking Lyssa about her interest in football and racing (neither of which Nick is into anymore). She really wants someone for him to love so she can move on. So funny.

If I wanted anything more, I’d love a small (one sentence) explanation of each card that heads the chapters so we know why they relate to that chapter. Maybe a sub-heading type of thing.

Recommended.

Disclaimer: Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the ARC of “A Charming Touch of Tarot” by Melissa Holtz. All opinions are my own and are not influenced or required by anyone.

The emotional complexity of the characters, combined with the supernatural elements, makes this book a satisfying and thrilling read. You’re hooked, not just on the mystery, but on the relationships, both romantic and platonic, that fuel the story forward. I loved it.

I had read this first book in the series and enjoyed it quite a bit. I saw this title, and I had completely forgot about the first one. However, it didn’t take me long to get back up to speed while reading this one. I just love Alyssa and Nick’s romance; they are so darn cute together. Their is also a deepening mystery which intrigues me because it’s an over arching plotline, one I’m excited to learn more about in the next book. This is not exactly a cozy mystery, and it's not exactly not, either! LOL! What it is, though, is well-written and interesting. Highly recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the ARC of “A Charming Touch of Tarot” by Melissa Holtz in exchange for an honest review.

The cover and title of this book captured me. I don’t typically gravitate toward the mystery genre, but the paranormal trope enticed me to look into this book. I also did not realize this was the second installment to a series, so now I will have to go read the first!

This book centers on Alyssa and her group of friends, who have all been blessed with supernatural abilities. Each character has a separate story line and throughout the book we learn more about how their pasts have been haunting them. Someone out there is threatening their lives, and with the help of Alyssa’s love interest, Nick, they are on the case to track down the mysterious threat.

This book had a charming prose that kept me reading and trying to solve these mysteries with the characters. I enjoyed the bonds between friends, as well as the blooming romance between Alyssa and Nick. If you are into cozy mysteries with a bit more bite, this is the book for you!

Cute & cozy mystery with a great friend group!

I didn’t realize this was a second book in a series until I started reading it. At first I felt like I was playing a little bit of catch up but otherwise read this fine by itself.

I enjoyed the characters and liked the friend group a lot. Definitely found family vibes. The romance here is cute. Alyssa and Nick had good chemistry and were very sweet.

The mystery is interesting and I liked the idea of the plot. Everything connected which was nice and impressive. There is a bit of an open ended story with one of the friends, but perhaps that’s setting up for another book. Otherwise I felt the plot wrapped up nicely.

A fun read if you’re looking for a cozy mystery but not Hallmark haha.

I absolutely love this book!
It was a page turner! And the new mystery and how everything connects? That was so cool to uncover!

The tension between Alyssa and Nick is just as amazing if not better than book one and I loved seeing more of their relationship develop! Even with all the surprises and new things we find out!

There’s a surprising 👻 in this book, but The Gin and Tarot Club are still so much fun!

I am dying to understand what is going on with Laine so this means we will get more right?! I need more!

A Charming Touch of Tarot by Melissa Holtz is a whimsical and enchanting read that introduces readers to the world of tarot through a blend of mystery and romance. Holtz’s writing is warm and accessible, making the tarot concepts easy to understand for both beginners and enthusiasts alike, while weaving them seamlessly into the plot. However, while the story is enjoyable, the romance aspect feels a bit predictable and doesn’t always provide the emotional depth needed to make the connection between the characters truly resonate. Some of the pacing can feel uneven, with certain moments feeling rushed or underdeveloped, leaving key plot points feeling less impactful. Despite these minor issues, A Charming Touch of Tarot is an uplifting and charming read, perfect for those looking for a light, mystical romance with a touch of intrigue.

This was so cute and fun to read. Love the cover art. I do with there was book art to picture things better as the book went along. Great weekend read

I really enjoyed this despite feeling like the pace was a little slow, I loved the characters and romance and the spooky element, it felt charming and cosy, a feel good read

Thank you Melissa Holtz and Berkley Publishing Group for this ARC!

This book was my first Berkeley book and book form Melissa Holtz. It was a wild ride from the beginning and had me hooked from the blend of mystery, friendship and magic that I was not able to put the book down. The magic was unique and fascinating and I loved the use of tarot in the book. The pacing was perfect, with the right balance of romance, action, emotional depth, and suspense, and by the end, I was left craving more. I absolutely loved it.

I loved the use of Tarot in this novel, it had that element that I was looking for. It uses the blackmailing element that I was looking for and worked in this type of book. Melissa Holtz has a strong writing style and the characters had that charm that I was looking for. I enjoyed the cover and how it worked in this universe. It left me wanting more and was glad I got to read this from Melissa Holtz.

I liked this book quite a bit. I enjoyed the fact that the MC could see ghosts (would be interesting to be able to do in real life) and that there was a romance happening. Each character has something special about them and it was nice to see that grow. The pacing of this book was pretty good. It did feel like there was a lot going on at once though. I am excited to see how this series continues and if more is revealed of the characters and their abilities. Overall, a very fun read and I was content to sit and keep reading.

This book took me on a wild ride from start to finish. The blend of friendship, mystery, and magic was so compelling that I couldn’t put it down. The magic was such a fascinating touch, it wasn’t just a fun addition, but something that really heightened the stakes and made the plot feel that much more intense. The relationships between the characters were complex and layered, making me feel emotionally invested in their personal lives and struggles as much as in the overarching mystery. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, especially with the escalating threats and the constant tension that never let up. It’s not just a tale of magic and danger; it’s a story about trust, loyalty, and confronting the hidden parts of ourselves. The pacing was perfect, with the right balance of romance, action, emotional depth, and suspense, and by the end, I was left craving more. I absolutely loved it.

It pains me to say I found this boring considering that the first book I loved; I gave that one five stars. I just struggled to get through this one. This had a lot going on. Everyone is coming into their newfound powers. Alyssa is still seeing ghosts and helping them move on. Trying to get a relationship going with Nick. Nina is seeing things when she touches people & we find out more about her secrets. Plus, the secrets of Lanie. So many secrets. I found the first book fun and loved the friendship between them, but this book didn’t have the same spark.