I didn’t realize this was part of a series or else I wouldn’t have requested it. I think reading the first book would have helped. I had to DNF around 30% mar

A Charming Touch of Tarot is a dual POV paranormal mystery book. It focuses primarily on Alyssa, a 40-year-old widow with the ability to talk to ghosts, and her group of friends (Nina, Lanie, and Corinne) who are discovering abilities of their own. There are a few chapters from the POV of Nick, Alyssa’s detective neighbor (and boyfriend if they can ever find time for a proper date!) Alyssa and her friends get tangled up in a series of adventures, paranormal and otherwise, involving blackmail, secrets, and murder!

I think that a lot of people will enjoy this book, it just missed the mark for me. This is largely due to the fact that it’s the second in an interconnected series, picking up where book one left off and ending with things unresolved as a setup for the next book. I highly recommend reading book one (An Enchanting Case of Spirits) first, something I didn’t know to do (I didn’t realize it was a sequel when I requested it). I’ll have to revisit this one at a later date!

Read dates: 04/16/2025- 04/17/2025
Goodreads review: 04/17/2025
Instagram review: 04/18/2025
Blog review: 05/13/2025

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing a free e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

First off, I was not aware that this was the second book in a series, so my review is not really complete I feel, but I still enjoyed the book for what it was. The book starts out with some information that would have been good background to have from reading the first one, so it started off a little slow and confusing for me. It started picking up towards 25-30% though, and did take off well from there.

The paranormal portion of the book was interesting, providing a coming to terms with grief, death, the main character discovering herself, and new beginnings. The friendship between the characters was cute and well done, providing a cozy kind of atmosphere when together. The romance was also done in good taste, being more closed door. The mystery portion was very interesting even though it was slightly predictable.

All in all, it's a good cozy read, I definitely am interested in picking up the first one eventually to piece everything together fully.

So like tell me why this was one of my favorite reads this year!! I didn’t know anything going into it (my favorite way to read books) and let’s just say I was more than pleasantly surprised by this! It was fun, exciting, and written well.

🔮📚 Book Review: "A Charming Touch of Tarot" by Melissa Holtz 🌟🃏

Melissa Holtz captures the enchanting blend of friendship, magic, and mystery in her captivating novel, "A Charming Touch of Tarot." This tale is a mesmerizing journey into the supernatural, filled with emotional depth and thrilling suspense that seized my attention from the first page to the last. 💫💼

The story follows Alyssa, Nina, Lanie, and Corinne, friends whose abilities and bonds are tested by new magical powers and an escalating threat. As secrets unfold and their connection is put to the test, these women must unite to unravel a mystery that delves into the heart of sisterhood and strength. 🧙‍♀️🔍

Holtz excels in crafting a narrative that is both engaging and emotionally rich, with character dynamics that are as intriguing as the plot itself. The friendships and loyalties among the four protagonists ground the story, drawing readers into a web of trust, love, and occasional betrayal. 🌸🤝

Alyssa's ability to contact ghosts and Nina's emerging telepathic prowess bring a supernatural flair to the story that heightens the stakes and adds layers of complexity to the mystery. The supernatural elements are so meticulously woven into the story that they feel both magical and vital to the progression of the plot. 👻🔮

The romantic tension between Alyssa and her neighbor Nick, compounded by the ethereal presence of Nick's late fiancée, offers a slow-burn romance that fans of the genre will adore. It's a heartwarming subplot that complements the main narrative, adding to the reader's emotional engagement. 💑✨

Holtz's skillful pacing maintains intrigue throughout, with surprises and ethereal twists that keep you guessing. The mysterious elements of the novel, paired with a bit of romance and friendship, ensure a well-rounded, satisfying read. Each chapter unfolds with a new layer of suspense and relational development, weaving a story that is as thrilling as it is heartwarming. 🌟🌈

Overall this delivers magic, mystery, and friendship in equal measure. It's perfect for those who enjoy a blend of cozy mystery with a supernatural twist and emotionally driven storytelling. A story about trust and courage, it leaves you eagerly anticipating the next adventure with these compelling characters. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

If you're in the mood for a fun, quirky read about sisterhood, friendship, and life, this is it. Alyssa, Nina, Lanie, and Corrine have to learn how to trust each other and rebuild their bonds of friendship as secrets and truths are revealed. Add in the odd magic, and the odd ghost or two, and you're sure to love this story.

This series is so fun- it is fun, raw and very real and relatable. I am enjoying seeing how Lanie, Nina and Alyssa are progressing and developing as characters and with their powers. Each book allows us readers to learn more and I am so excited to see what Lanie has in store for us.
This story and plot has a way of sucking you in and making you feel as if you are a character riding along side these girls in their ghost and mystery solving hunts.
Cannot wait to see what is in store for us next!

_A Charming Touch of Tarot_ by Melissa Holtz is the second book in ¬_The Gin & Tarot Club_ series, and is a delightful cozy paranormal mystery read that is leisurely paced and full of likeable (and some unlikeable) characters. It continues to follow Alyssa who can see ghosts, and her friends with other paranormal gifts as they solve murders that go beyond their New England hometown. In addition, Alyssa and her law enforcement neighbor Nick continue to have feelings for one another, and now Nick’s dead fiancé has started to haunt Alyssa. Their romance is perfect for fans of slow-burn romance, who also like spooky mysteries.

I really struggled with the book. I found the characters to be a little flat, and the story to be a little bland. The relationships between the characters felt artificial and one note, and I struggled to be gripped by this book at all.

Alyssa Mann is still trying to get used to the fact that she can see all kinds of spirits. Now a poltergeist of a young woman is showing up and Alyssa has to get to the bottom of her murder in order for her to pass on. Alyssa and her two best friends Nina and Lanie are now helping Nina come to terms with her past while searching they discover a secret society that has all kinds of bad juju going on. With the help of Alyssa's new boyfriend Nick West they try to save a girl before she is murdered. I did enjoy this book however, I didn't realize it was a part two in The Gin & Tarot Club series. When things wasn't adding up for me I had to go back to listen to An Enchanting Case of Spirits. I'm glad that I did since this was a cute cozy mystery. I would like to thank NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for letting me read an advanced copy of this book.

The story picks up a couple weeks after An Enchanting Case of Spirits and focuses on Nina and the fallout of what happened at the end of the first book. There is definitely more unraveling with this book with the murders that Alyssa is helping solve that are leading to a bigger mystery that involves Lanie. The romance between Alyssa and Nick keeps moving along at a great pace with a little bump related to Alyssa’s new powers that gets resolved by the end of the book. This was a great second book and really fleshed out all the characters and set up well for book three.

Thanks to Berkley and Netgalley for the complimentary copy of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.

I just finished reading this book, and I have to say, it was an incredible ride from start to finish! I was immediately drawn into the story of Alyssa, Nina, Lanie, and Corinne's friendship. The dynamics between the four friends felt so real and relatable, and I could feel the tension as their bond was tested by the various challenges they faced. What I enjoyed most was the strength of their friendship and how they supported each other, even in the face of danger. The supernatural elements added an extra layer of intrigue, and the writing was captivating throughout.

This book was a perfect blend of suspense, magic, and heartfelt moments, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for an engaging and thrilling read.

I didn’t realize this was a second book in a series and while I was able to follow the story without issue, I do feel reading the first one would have helped me dive into this one quicker. That said, I loved this book so much that I immediately purchased the first one! The author has written an absolutely wonderful book with a group of likable and relatable friends. I’m happy this is a series because I would have hated to say goodbye to them permanently. The story is a perfect cozy blend of mystery and paranormal suspense, which held my interest to the end.

Thanks so much for allowing me to read in advance and introducing me to this series!

📖 Book Review 📖 Make sure to catch up on the first book of the series, An Enchanting Case of Spirits before diving into this delicious read! Friendship is a delicate balancing act and life can certainly get in the way, but when this foursome of friends faces a threat to one of their own, nothing can stop the Gin and Tarot club. These middle-aged women are no match for the adventure that awaits them. Melissa Holtz creates a beautifully relatable group of friends and life situations, weaves in mystery paired with the paranormal, and tops it off with tarot cards to create the perfect blend for this cozy novel.

I enjoyed this book but will say, I didn’t realize it was part of a series at first. I didn’t read the first book and while it gave some good background in this book, I wish I had paused to read the first book before diving into this one.

If you like your murder mysteries with a little paranormal then this book is for you. A perfect summer read with a slow burn romance, ghosts and seances, and secret organizations. Fun!

Damn! No sophomore slump in this paranormal romance/mystery series. When we last left Alyssa, Nina, Lanie, and Corinne, they had just solved their first murder and are embracing their newly discovered abilities. This book picks up a couple months after the action of the last and is just as well plotted and action packed as its predecessor. Melisa Holtz does an amazing job of making these books self contained mysteries while also setting up a larger overarching narrative. I just finished this book and now I need book 3. She left so many unanswered questions
Does Lanie have powers? What is her big dark secret? Is Ava safe? WILL NICK AND ALYSSA EVER GET TO GO ON A REAL DATE??! I need answers

I fell in love with this cover and had to pick this book up. I’m so glad I got the arc because it was wonderful. It threw me in, and the characters kept me invested in their relationship. It was so adorable with their banter. Acute read to pick up!

I just finished A Charming Touch of Tarot by MeLissa Holtz, and I’m completely enchanted! This book is such a delightful mix of insight, charm, and inspiration—it’s the perfect guide for anyone curious about the art of tarot.

MeLissa Holtz has a way of breaking things down in a way that feels approachable and fun, while still capturing the deep wisdom behind the cards. Her writing is filled with personality, making it feel like you’re learning from a trusted friend who truly knows her stuff.

Whether you’re a tarot newbie or someone looking to deepen your connection to the cards, this book is a must-read. It’s as enlightening as it is entertaining, and it left me feeling inspired and ready to explore tarot in a whole new way!

This book is part of a series. I read the later one first. Anyway. I found the storyline captivating and the characters well developed. It has a bit of romance, a bit of intrigue, with a lot of mystery thrown in. I rarely will sit down and read a book.in one or two sessions, but I was so intrigued with the story and characters I had to find out what happened. There is a conclusion but the author leads the characters to yet another mystery. Really well done. I definitely want to recommend this book and this author.