This book was a DNF for me.

I love the idea of the book - but several things ruined the experience for me

1 - The formatting of the book on my kindle app was unreadable - forcing me to read the book on my PC.
2 - It is written in the First-Person Narrative - UGH!
3 - it was all over the place and hard to follow.

This book was, unfortunately, a DNF for me. I just could not get into the writing, it was chaotic and disjointed and the plot was not doing anything for me. I gave this one multiple attempts, but maybe it's for another type of reader.

This book had so much potential to be a fun, cozy romantasy but honestly I was just confused? There were so many situations where things were happening and I just couldn’t picture it or I didn’t know how it was fitting into the story (maybe that’s a me problem though lol.) The world building was also all over the place and the modern references (Trump, Taylor Swift, etc.) took me completely out of the story. On top of that, I wasn’t really invested in Penny or Artemis, both individually or as a couple. Their characters didn’t have enough depth. Overall this one just really didn’t do it for me 😞

as much as this story is up my alley with the best friends to lovers trope, fake dating, and being able to get back at the town that hurt her and underestimated her, i couldn't bring myself to go any further. the plot had its merits because i love fake dating and i love witches and werewolves and whole town of them, but the way we were introduced to everything felt like it was being thrown on me. and the friendship nor the closeness between the two characters seemed natural. and from what i got into her getting back to town, penelope's voice did not sound like she grew at all from the girl in the prologue, despite the time jump. i might give it another chance, but it felt a little forced.

i wish this was more show than tell and more shown naturally than just in your face told with the bullying and the way the town hated her. and i wish a little more research was done on the tarot cards aspect because in my small knowledge, the biggest misconception is taking the cards at face value without researching the other aspects of the card. and it seems disrespectful to tarot, whether one believes in it or not, to do so. the same with using any tarot card as a threat.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. 💕

A trope I can not get past: insta love/lust. With the time jump this book took, the insta lust was, well, insta, but also so one sided. She loved and was obsessed with him so quick but he, was so mean and rude to her. Besides this, there was so much going on at times in the book I found myself re-reading many paragraphs, going back several pages, or even just re-reading sentences several times before I figure out what was going on. I love a witchy woman story, but this one was not the one for me, but could be for you.

Thank you netgalley! I really like the set up and the female main character. Would be four stars if there wasn't pacing issues.

Overall I did like this book! The story was interesting and i am always down for a witchy rom-com. The story was good and the romance was fun! However, I didn’t love all the real world and political things thrown in, when I’m reading it’s to escape and having political things brought up all the time defeats the purpose.

Cawpile rating: 2.5 rounded up to 3 stars.

I received an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I want to like this book. Between the body positivity and the supernatural witchy story line it honestly should have been a slam dunk for me. However, overall I was left confused and super frustrated.

The pacing was incredibly jarring in this book. You're kind of thrust into a tense situation with no idea what is happening and it never really gets cleared up. Next thing we know we are jumping forward in time and there are more things happening with no explanation as to what is happening. It honestly makes no sense.

The characters should have been engaging and fun to follow but often being in Penny's perspective left me trying to decipher exactly who or what she's talking about because there was zero context.

I wasn't the biggest fan of the second hand embarrassment that I got from a few of the scenes in this book. It left a weird taste in my mouth.

Lastly some of my problems could have been a matter of taste. I think the book could have been a 3 or 4 star book with more editing for flow and clarity, but I also know there are people who potentially will enjoy the sweetness of the story and could really enjoy Noelle's writing style. It just wasn't for me unfortunately.

Death was the only card drawn on the day Penelope was born….If Penelope Ophelia Odenberry could make a list of all the things she hated it would be: Sunshine, running out of coffee, her initials spell Poo, bullies, skinny culture, zealots of any kind, people in denial about being zealots, student loan debt, when her dad wears his kilt in a wind storm, having to move home to the bassackwards town of Huckleberry Hollow, Idaho where despite the array of magic and creatures living there, only the old white witch men make decisions…

Fascinating and highly recommended read.

I will definitely be reading more books by Noelle Rider. For the first book in a series she had a lot of world building and characters to introduce. That is my only reason for my rating.

I love that the FMC, Penelope, is on the larger size while the MMC, Artie, is literal eye candy with tattoos and rock hard abs.

For those criticizing the author about off page sex of the MMC, did you read the prologue or any of the other times she mentioned his demon half was a succubus? You could have stopped reading at the prologue.

There are some dark themes in the book, men in robes who rule over the town and other creatures who do their best to snub them even in tiny ways. Oh, and a spell gone awry that was cast out of desperation 15 years ago.

I love that they talked to each other like adults, once Artie convinced Pen he wasn’t going anywhere. Yes this book has spice.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

this was a fun, witchy rom-com with magic, mayhem, and the fake dating trope that keeps things very entertaining. full of snark, heart, and chaotic small-town drama—perfect for fans of quirky fantasy romance!! (like me)

Penelope Ophelia Odenberry is hilarious, strongly independent, utterly unapologetic and a Witch! She is reunited  with her bff Artemis after having parted ways when they were teens. Penny now has a medical degree in psychology and reuniting with Artemis is causing her many feelings, emotions, sensations and lots of sexual urges. Between dealing with her strongly opinioned mother, her town, racists, sexist council (who are also Witches) she will navigate the town and her powers and her feelings for Artemis like a good strong and very opinionated Witch with an overactive and hilarious imagination.

Witching & Scheming will have you laughing out loud with it's dry, witty,  sarcastic and humorous story telling.

Thank you Netgalley for this sexy witchy rom-com.

Fifteen years after a young witch leaves the home town she's always hated, she's forced to return at her mother's request. Once there, she is reunited with a best friend who cannot remember her and must overcome the hostility of the town and save it from evil.

The male protagonist (Artie) is interesting and both he and the overall concept had potential. Unfortunately though, neither the characters or the plot were well developed. Most of the plot is crammed into the last 15 pages and very little happens throughout the rest of the book, aside from a whole lot of vaginal moisture and lustiness. I'm not averse to spice in novels but it was pretty full on from the get-go (no build up) and, with not much else happening plot-wise, it was easy to become desensitised and bored with it. Characters and concepts were often dropped in without introduction or context, while the writing is repetitive and often abruptly switches tone or jumps between ideas - all of which had a tendency to make it a bit confusing, and there were plot holes with ideas or characters being introduced (or even disappearing) without explanation. Some pretty heavy topics are introduced (e.g. bullying, violence, racism, extremism) but they were not well developed or dealt with so it sometimes felt like just having a rant against these issues, rather than actually trying to deal with them, and any attempts to do so were often superficial.

It's a shame as this could have been a lot better, but was unfortunately not a good read for me.

"Witching and Scheming" by Noelle Rider is a delightful and quirky witchy rom-com that blends magic, humour, and romance in the small, eccentric town of Huckleberry Hollow, Idaho. The story follows Penelope Ophelia Odenberry (Penny), a witch with a penchant for coffee, cloudy days, and a deep disdain for the patriarchy—especially the old white witch men who run the town’s Council. Her life takes a chaotic turn when she returns to her hometown and reconnects with her sunshine-y best friend, Artemis Nita-Nusi (Artie), a half-bear, half-demon shifter with a complicated family dynamic.

The novel is packed with witty banter, laugh-out-loud moments, and a cast of eccentric characters that bring the town of Huckleberry Hollow to life. Penny’s sarcastic and relatable voice drives the narrative, as she navigates her complicated feelings for Artie, her frustration with the town’s power structures, and her own magical abilities. The fake dating trope adds a layer of romantic tension, as Artie insists on sticking by Penny’s side to break a memory spell she cast to protect him—while also shamelessly trying to see her naked.

The story explores themes of trust, loyalty, and self-discovery, as Penny and Artie confront their past and the secrets they’ve kept from each other. The chemistry between the two leads is electric, with their playful dynamic and undeniable attraction keeping readers rooting for their happily ever after (HEA). However, the road to love is anything but smooth, as they face off against sketchy Council members, Artie’s intimidating Alpha father, and their own insecurities.

Noelle Rider infuses the story with light-hearted humour, magical mishaps, and a touch of darkness, creating a balance between comedy and deeper emotional moments. The novel also tackles issues like toxic masculinity, body positivity, and the importance of standing up for oneself, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking.

"Witching and Scheming" is the first book in a standalone Witchy RomCom series, promising more magical adventures, quirky characters, and heart-warming romances. With its unique blend of magic, humour, and romance, this book is perfect for fans of paranormal rom-coms who enjoy a good dose of wit, charm, and a happily ever after.

I appreciate the eARC 💖 I was very excited upon getting this one. It seems fun and quirky.

I wanted to keep that open mindedness going forward but there’s something… I can’t quite put my finger on it, that doesn’t have me coming back to this book. I DNF’d at around 50%

I might pick it up again and edit my rating. For now, it just all felt kinda convoluted. We’re you g then fast forward and the FMC and MMC are not super likeable, they kinda feel like too edgy but in an immature way……. Idk.

It’s not a complete miss by any means which is why I’m giving it 3 stars. But I think it needed a little more time in editing perhaps

Oh this book... where do I start? This was one of my favorite reads this month already. The story was immaculate, the characters are fantastic and the plot was so well written.

It was a quick and easy read. While it wasn’t entirely my cup of tea, I did enjoy certain parts—especially the FMC, whose personality and snarky comments I really enjoyed. However, the pacing felt off at times, either moving too fast or too slow. I did love the witchy aspect’s tho! Im always a sucker for those.

Overall, if you’re looking for a fun, witchy read, this could still be enjoyable despite the pacing issues!

While I appreciated the content warnings, I wish there had been a few more. Including the one where the author describes the MMC's sexual activity with people other than the FMC, even if its off page. It's one of the things that would turn me away from a book and turn me off one.

Now, I know he is part succubus.... But I just don't need to know. Its not my thing.

The FMC was cute, but I felt that the prose really prolonged everything and not in a good way. Majority of the pages could be summarised, making this book more tolerable. The first chapter was a great one. However, when they jumped to 15 years later there was no real explanation to whatever was happening. It felt like the author was describing everything but the plot.

The spice was okay. But, for me, I can't forget the things I read at the beginning of the book to really care. She had been pining over this guy for so long, had to hear him hook up with so many people including people who were horrible to her. And then what? He falls for her? After he has slept with the whole town? No thank you. Big ick. But thats just my preference in romance novels.

All-in-all this book could be improved with more of a clear storyline from the beginning and more condensed descriptions for everything else. Not for me. Not for me.

Witching and Scheming by Noelle Rider offers an enjoyable mix of magic, mischief, and quirky characters. The premise of the story is fun, filled with witches, secrets, and some lighthearted scheming that keeps things entertaining. Rider’s writing style is engaging and accessible, making it an easy and quick read, perfect for fans of paranormal fiction with a humorous twist.

While the story has a lot of potential, it sometimes lacks depth in both character development and plot. The pacing can feel a bit uneven, with certain moments feeling rushed or underexplored. Some of the twists and turns are predictable, which takes away from the suspense and mystery. However, the overall vibe is charming, and fans of lighthearted, magical reads will likely still enjoy it.

Overall, Witching and Scheming is a fun read with a lot of heart, but it could benefit from more developed characters and a tighter plot. It’s a solid choice for those looking for a breezy, magical escape, even if it doesn’t fully reach its potential.

Pre thoughts:
Witch romance book

Post thoughts:
If you like second chance romance books this may be for you. The FMC returns back to her Hometown after 15 years away and the tension between her and the MMC begins to build almost immediately.

With the slowburn of Artie and Pen being impeccable throughout the Book.

I would re-read this book in the fall + for the sarcastic FMC. The Pacing was a little different, Nonetheless the book was a great read

3 stars

Tropes:
second chance
slowburn
forced proximity
sunshine MMC