Others: Mostly positive A beginner's guide to the spiritual roots of African American religious beliefs and practices, which were heavily influenced by the Yoruba tradition from West Africa. This book, by Baba Ifa Karade, offers an overview of Yoruba spirituality and its impact on the Western world. It delves into the sixteen Orisha, or spirit gods, and teaches readers about divination, internalizing Yoruba teachings, and creating sacred spaces. The book also includes various rituals, such as prayers, dances, songs, offerings, and sacrifices, to honor the Orisha.
Lists: …
Sarah Hawley
2023 · 400 pages · 6 reviews
Others: Leaning positiveMariel Spark knows not to trust a demon, especially one that wants her soul, but what’s a witch to do when he won’t leave her side—and she kind of doesn’t want him to? Mariel Spark is prophesied to be the most powerful witch seen in centuries of the famed Spark family, but to the displeasure of her mother, she prefers baking to brewing potions and gardening to casting hexes. When a spell to summon flour goes very wrong, Mariel finds herself staring down a demon—one she inadvertently summoned for a soul bargain. Ozroth the Ruthless is a legend among demons. Powerful and merciless, he drives hard bargains to collect mortal souls. But his reputation has suffered ever since a bargain went awry—if he can strike a bargain with Mariel, he will earn back his deadly reputation. Ozroth can’t leave Mariel’s side until they complete a bargain, which she refuses to do (turns out some humans are attached to their souls). But the witch is funny. And curvy. And disgustingly yet endearingly cheerful. Becoming awkward roommates quickly escalates when Mariel, terrified to confess the inadvertent summoning to her mother, blurts out that she’s dating Ozroth. As Ozroth and Mariel struggle with their opposing goals and maintaining a fake relationship, real attraction blooms between them. But Ozroth has a limited amount of time to strike the deal, and if Mariel gives up her soul, she’ll lose all her emotions—including love—which will only spell disaster for them both.
What made the match, strongest first
Jennifer Chipman
2025 · 256 pages · 9 reviews
Others: Leaning positiveMy cat is a demon. No, that's not a joke. An actual, real life demon. And he needs my help to break a curse. But what happens when that turns into more? It can never be forever, and yet... I'm falling in love with him anyway. Spookily Yours is a spicy, open-door Halloween themed novel, featuring a witch and the demon who falls in love with her. This book is a complete standalone with a HEA guaranteed.
What made the match, strongest first
Lucy Jane Wood
2024 · 416 pages · 14 reviews
Others: Leaning negativeBelladonna Blackthorn hasn’t lost her magical spark . . . but she hasn’t seen it in a while, either. Balancing work at her beloved Lunar Books with protecting it from her toxic boss, who’s running it into the ground, and all the while concealing her witchcraft from the non-wicches around her – Belle is burnt out. Perfecting the potential of her magic is the last thing on her mind. But when her 30th birthday brings a summons from her coven, and a trial that tests her worthiness as a witch, Belle risks losing her magic forever. With the month of October to fix things, and signs that dark forces may be working against her, Belle will need all the help she can get – from the women in her life, from an unlikely mentor figure, and even an (infuriatingly handsome) watchman who’s sworn to protect her . . . With found family, slow burn romance and an uplifting message about self-love, this is the cosy, autumnal read that you've been waiting for.
What made the match, strongest first
Breanne Randall
2023 · 4 reviews
Others: PositiveFor fans of Practical Magic and Gilmore Girls, The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic is a debut novel that explores the shields we build around our hearts to retain our own magic. Sadie Revelare has always believed that the curse of four heartbreaks that accompanies her magic would be worth the price. But when her grandmother is diagnosed with cancer with only weeks to live, and her first heartbreak, Jake McNealy, returns to town after a decade, her carefully structured life begins to unravel. With the news of their grandmother's impending death, Sadie's estranged twin brother Seth returns to town, bringing with him deeply buried family secrets that threaten to tear Sadie's world apart. Their grandmother has been the backbone of the family for generations, and with her death, Sadie isn't sure she'll have the strength to keep the family, and her magic, together. As feelings for Jake begin to rekindle, and her grandmother growing sicker by the day, Sadie faces the last of her heartbreaks, and she has to decide: is love more important than magic? Readers who love the magic of The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake and the sense of community found in The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches will enjoy this warm, witchy novel.
What made the match, strongest first
Sangu Mandanna
2024 · 342 pages · 19 reviews
Others: Overwhelmingly positiveSera Swan used to be one of the most powerful witches in Britain. Then she resurrected her great-aunt Jasmine from the (very recently) dead, lost most of her magic, befriended a semi-villainous talking fox, and was exiled from her Guild. Now she (slightly reluctantly and just a bit grumpily) helps Jasmine run an enchanted inn in Lancashire, where she deals with her quirky guests' shenanigans, tries to keep said talking fox in check, and longs for the future that seems lost to her. But then she finds out about an old spell that could hold the key to restoring her power… Enter Luke Larsen, handsome and icy magical historian, who arrives on a dark winter evening and just might know how to unlock the spell’s secrets. Luke has absolutely no interest in getting involved in the madcap goings-on of the inn and is definitely not about to let a certain bewitching innkeeper past his walls, so no one is more surprised than he is when he agrees to help Sera with her spell. Worse, he might actually be thawing. Running an inn, reclaiming lost magic, and staying one step ahead of the watchful Guild is a lot for anyone, but Sera Swan is about to discover that she doesn’t have to do it alone...and that the weird, wonderful family she’s made might be the best magic of all.
What made the match, strongest first
Travis Baldree
2022 · 314 pages · 34 reviews
Others: Mostly positiveWorn out after decades of packing steel and raising hell, Viv the orc barbarian cashes out of the warrior’s life with one final score. A forgotten legend, a fabled artifact, and an unreasonable amount of hope lead her to the streets of Thune, where she plans to open the first coffee shop the city has ever seen. However, her dreams of a fresh start pulling shots instead of swinging swords are hardly a sure bet. Old frenemies and Thune’s shady underbelly may just upset her plans. To finally build something that will last, Viv will need some new partners and a different kind of resolve. A hot cup of fantasy slice-of-life with a dollop of romantic froth.
What made the match, strongest first
Loved itJan and I both liked The X Hex. I can't really remember what happened in that book, but I do remember thinking, oh, for a paranormal, like cozy kind of romance, it wasn't as cheesy and poorly written as I maybe expected compared to other things that I've read.
MixedI've read The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling not once but twice. I really enjoyed that book, but mostly for the vibes. I didn't think the romance was anything special.
Loved itIt's a second chance romance. It's cute. Is it anything groundbreaking or like super interesting? Not really, but I still really enjoyed it.
