I really liked the first two Evenfall Witches books by this (and hope that series will continue) and I was excited to hear about The Late-Night Witches. Unfortunately, this book fell just a little flat for me. For me, it dragged a fair amount throughout, though the end picked up speed.

It felt like the dialogue was hard to read sometimes, in that I had to reread to see who was meant to be speaking- maybe that’s just a me thing, but took me out of the story a bit.

I liked the bits of Canadiana (PEI potato fudge and a Zamboni driver half-vamp? Here for it.) and the lead’s aunt Dorcas was a highlight.

I’ll look forward to more by Auralee Wallace, and thank NetGalley and ACE for the ARC.

Cassie's life is a bit crazy. Her husband is off being heroic with Doctors Without Borders, while a noble cause, is just one of many that has taken him away from his family. Cassie's sister, Eliza, is a handful, as are her twin sons and her teenage daughter. Its Halloween on Prince Edward Island, and things are quiet and cozy, until they're not. Vampires, witches, special powers and a beautiful setting make for a fabulous read! Cassie will need to find her inner strength and her magical purpose, and learn to rely her sister, her newly discovered magical aunt and her 3 children! A fun and exhilarating read!

Ooh, this was so much fun, kind of Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Practical Magic? The plot isn't exceptionally original – there are a lot of novels out there about witches who return to their ancestral home and (re)discover their latent powers – but there is one big twist with this one: vampires. Turns out that in the Beckett family, “in every generation there is a Chosen One. She alone will <s>stand against the vampires, the demons, and the forces of darkness</s> inherit a familial obligation to attempt to kill The Maker of Shadows, the Begetter of Demons, the Deliverer of Fear, Sorrow, and Death (known as “Del” for expediency's sake).” Turns out that Cassie Beckett is the current “witch of her generation,” which she's none too thrilled about considering her very noticeable lack of magical powers. Will Cassie embrace her legacy and save her family and possibly even the world? I mean, I think we all know the answer to that – this book plays out exactly the way you'd expect it to – but it's a humorous and entertaining read nevertheless.

All the characters in this book are fantastic, but I especially adored Dorcas (Cassie's aunt and previous witch of her generation) because my primary life goal is to become a slightly eccentric witch who lives alone in a big house by the sea with an exceedingly large number of cats. (Okay, okay, fine, maybe my husband can come too but he absolutely does not get a say in how many cats are considered “too many” because I can guarantee that his number will be significantly lower than mine.) The woman is living the dream! Tommy the not-quite-a-vampire is also a lot of fun, even if he does get a little “sticky” by the end.

Again, there's no particularly novel storyline to be found here and you shouldn't expect anything super deep. This is a light and fluffy cozy read about family and belonging and finding Mr. Right and embracing your destiny and, yes, a baby in a garlicky onesie. It's absolutely delightful, and the perfect mix of humorous and heartwarming. I'm truly hoping that this is the start of a new series, because I would totally read a bazillion more books about the witchy Becketts and their zany cast of friends.

My overall rating: 4.55 stars, rounded up.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Ace for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is August 19, 2025.

I really enjoyed this one. It was cute and gave all the Spooky season vibes! It's going to be a fun one for Halloween!

Auralee Wallace delivers a delightful mix of humor, heart, and supernatural chaos in The Late-Night Witches. Cassie Beckett is a relatable, slightly frazzled protagonist juggling motherhood, a crumbling marriage, and—oh yeah—an unexpected vampire infestation. Set against the atmospheric backdrop of Prince Edward Island, this novel blends family drama with witchy magic and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments.

Wallace’s signature wit shines through, and the quirky cast of characters, from Cassie’s wild younger sister to a baby decked out in a garlic-infused onesie, adds to the book’s charm. The story is fast-paced, with just the right balance of emotional depth and lighthearted fun. While some plot points wrap up a little too neatly, and the stakes (pun intended) could have been higher in some moments, The Late-Night Witches is an engaging, feel-good read that perfectly captures the magic of self-discovery and family bonds.

Perfect for fans of cozy paranormal fiction with a side of snark, this book is a bewitching good time—especially during the spooky season!