Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK for the advance reader copy.

I enjoyed this book overall but did find there was a lull around 30-40% in.
This a cute holiday romance story with some great characters and friendships.

If you’re looking for a magical romance then this would be a good read.

This is a 3.5 ⭐️ review rounded up.

REVIEW
cw: brief mention of foster care, RTA, death, colonialism, allusion to queerphobia, anxiety, claustrophobia, panic attacks, and cheating

Dina Whitlock is a skilled kitchen witch who runs her London café and serves magic-infused pastries. Only a few know about her magic, and even fewer about the hex that stops her from pursuing love. Scott Mason is the handsome British Museum curator who wants to settle down after returning from travelling the world. When he sets eyes on Dina there's an instant attraction. And she pops up as the maid of honour at the wedding where he's best man, it feels an awful lot like fate. As they grow closer over the weekend, secrets are revealed and Dina thinks she might actually have a chance at love this time. But when the hex starts rearing its head again, she knows she has to face her fears once and for all, or lose Scott forever.

This was a story of two halves for me. I struggled to get into it initially, but I'm so glad I persevered, as it was ultimately quite adorable.
Dina was an interesting character, sometimes adorably fallible, occasionally frustrating, but ultimately lovable. I found quite a few of the finer magical details such as how the energy around Dina's family home welcomed her well-executed. How she created her edible concoctions was fascinating to read. I also cackled laughing at the recollections of teenage Dina, especially her talking about her first crush, Luke, and how fleeting it was. I also loved Heebie Jeebie, her matchmaking cat familiar. I cackled laughing at Martin's interruption on the morning of Immy and Eric's wedding, but oh, to have someone magic the perfect makeup for you! What a cute little touch!
I loved Scott. He was a hot cinnamon roll and I LOVED his idea for the exhibition and wanting to return the artefacts. His childhood story was sensitively explored but I think it could have been expanded on a little more. I cackled laughing at his rowing club nickname, and there was some fun banter, but I wish there'd been more slow-burning attraction between Scott and Dina, and more of an emphasis on them really getting to know one another as I think would have better suited the cosy witchy style. What we got felt rather instalust, and some of the spice also felt a bit out of place with the rest of the story. I liked both elements separately, but I don’t think they always meshed particularly well. Still, I enjoyed the palpable tension, and the lovers' nook scene was fun. The maze scene was sweet, and my heart broke for Scott.
There were some fun supporting characters. I loved Nour and Robert, Dina's parents, and I also loved Rosemary and Immy, Dina's best friends, especially when they got excited about potential new horror plot ideas. The Samhain ceremony was beautifully written. I also loved the little tease of a storyline for Rosemary and Ellis Finch. Eric was a good friend to Scott and seemed like a lot of fun.
I think my issue early on was that there was quite a bit of info dumping, and I found some parts of the story a little predictable and occasionally clunky in the delivery, especially regarding Dina's reluctance to speak to her mother about the hex. While I understood her fears culturally, Noor was such a supportive mother that I had no doubt she'd have been accepting of Dina, so it just felt a teensy bit too convenient. Still, I loved their moment when the hex was finally understood, and it was a particularly nice little twist.
While I appreciated the amount of diversity in the story, parts felt like box-ticking. We got no real details about Robin the barista other than their pronouns, and Scott's mums felt like an afterthought. I can't even remember their names. What I DID love was the emphasis on Morrocan culture as well as the references to Dina's North African heritage, and I loved Scott helping her to find her Amazigh tribe. It was clear the author wrote these particular parts from her heart and I'd LOVE more stories from her focused on these aspects.
All that said, it was a pretty charming story. I particularly loved the autumnal vibes, and the ending was ADORABLE.
A decent debut that's perfect for autumn.

Overall Rating: ❤️❤️❤️.5
Heat Rating: 🔥🔥.5

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. Best Hex Ever is out now*

Favourite Quotes:

Scott had always wanted to believe in magic. In a universe where if you wished hard enough, and if you did all the rituals in the right order at the right time, things would go the way you hoped.

It had occurred to Dina that one day your parents put you down and they never picked you up again.

'What was the nickname those ladies at the rowing club gave you? The full eight?’

‘You’re my knight in shining armour, Dina. I’d follow you anywhere.’

‘For the record,’ Dina said, ‘I do think it’s manly to cry. It shows that you’re not afraid of expressing emotion, and that’s f**king hot.’

Scott looked at her in the faint, golden glow. His face was full of wonder, and something else, something that made Dina’s heart soar. Her pulse thrummed in her ears.
‘Amazing, you’re amazing,’ he said. Not an ounce of fear or apprehension.

Dina had been working on a recipe for madeleines that reminded you of the feeling of your first kiss, but Scott kept popping into her head and before she knew it she’d made Scott-infused madeleines that were far too horny and carnally minded for her to serve to any customers.

'Loving yourself will feel easy some days, and other days it will be a mountain you cannot climb. Dina, habiba, I want you to promise me you’ll see someone about this.’

That’s when he saw her. Standing in the crowd, among so many others. His heart.

‘Dina, I could live for a million years and that still wouldn’t be enough time with you. F**k, I was willing to risk it for only a few days when I thought the universe was going to murder me.’

'My home is where you are, Dina, and wherever that angry little cat of yours is too.’

‘Best Hex Ever’ by Nadia El-Fassi is a delightful debut that mixes romance and magic, and throws in a cafe and forced proximity for good measure. As someone who enjoys paranormal romance, this book was a fun, cosy read. The mix of sweet and spicy scenes makes this book an ideal autumn read, perfect for those chilly nights by the fire.

Dina Whitlock runs a cafe in London that serves delicious pastries and a hint of magic. Plagued by a hex that brings increasingly to anyone she loves, Dina has guarded her heart for years. Enter Scott Mason, a world traveller returning to London to start anew as a curator at the British Museum. As they navigate a weekend full of wedding duties as Maid of Honour and Best Man, they have to face their growing feelings. Dina must confront the hex that threatens to drive them apart. The story is filled with witchy rituals, heartfelt moments, and just the right amount of spice to keep readers engaged.

Overall, ‘Best Hex Ever’ is a cosy magical romance that will leave you smiling. It's a wonderful addition to the cosy paranormal genre, and I can’t wait to see what Nadia El-Fassi writes next. If you're looking for a heartwarming and spicy read ‘Best Hex Ever’ should be at the top of your list.

This was amazing. It had every element you could want, cozy, magic, witches, an adorable cafe, a fantastic romance, a cursed love life and amazing side characters. the plot was also good enough to keep those pages turning. It was cute and adorable and and had a wee kick of spice too, and it blended together so well. I loved the style of magic in this, and how it incorporated flawlessly into the characters lives. This alongside Dina's journey of romance, self-discovery and self-love made this book absolutely delightful! Highly recommended as your perfect October book.

This was a cosy witch fantasy with a chemistry-filled romance unfolding on the pages. Dina and Scott obviously have a spark, and are gifted the opportunity to explore this. As someone who doesn't enjoy insta love in a story, this wasn't really one for me, but I can see it appealing to others. However, the hex looming over Dina brought a little intrigue into the story and it was interesting to see how her concerns over coming out to her parents weighed on her so heavily, yet I didn't feel as though any of the characters had enough of a spark and they fell a little flat for me, with the story moving slowly and so I'm sorry to say I didn't enjoy this book like I hoped I would but I'm sure others will!

I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.

Any book that can cause a physical emotional reaction from me instantly gets 5 stars!!

This book is a beautiful take on witchcraft and was such a cosyy witchy romance!

I instantly fell in love with Dina and Scott and the instantly banterous, flirtatious and easy going relationship they have with eachother🥰

I devoured this book in just over a day, i did not want to put it down, i am looking forward to looking for my of this authors work😊

Thank you Netgalley for giving me this to read!

Best Hex Ever is the perfect read to enjoy during these early autumnal days, preferably while relaxing with a good cup of tea – or hot chocolate. There is magic, romance, spice, and mouthwatering baked goods.

Even though I am not a fan of insta love, I think that the immediate chemistry between the two protagonists, Dina and Scott, works very well here. A quick first meeting in her coffee shop and, then, a few more casual meetings until they are forced into proximity while attending the same wedding and sharing a cottage. And, of course, it didn’t help that their friends enjoyed match-making them.

The story is well-written and it develops very well. With a hex cursing one of the love interests into getting hurt as long as they are together, you know that things won’t go smoothly, but every good love story has its bumps. The love story is also a journey of self-discovery for the two protagonists, especially for Dina, who is convinced that she will never find love.

The main focus of the story may be the magic and the romance, but I also really enjoyed the friendship between Dina and her two best friends, Immy and Rosemary, how close and loyal they are and always there for each other.

Best Hex Ever is a fun, sexy, and intriguing read and, if this is enough to convince you to read it, there is also a stubborn and yet adorable talking cat!

4.5⭐️

Thank you, NetGalley & Penguin Publishing, for approving this ARC.

I absolutely love a cosy, witchy, autumnal book, and this gave me exactly that with a good dash of spice!

Dina is a witch & baker who has her own bakery and every bake/drink she adds just a little magical boost to brighten someone's day or give them that little bit of luck they might need.

Scott is a museum curator who moved back to London following a break up who believes in different cultures and their traditions and wants the museum he now has a job at to give back the items to where they came from or at least rotate the exhibition worldwide to different museums.

After a couple of meet cutes, they realise they are actually the maid of honour and the best man at a mutual best friends wedding.

The sexual chemistry is off the charts, but with Dina having a years old hex on her love life (where anyone who falls in love with her will get hurt), she needs to try and stay away but would some fun over the wedding weekend really hurt.

As Dina & Scott feel this pull and fall deeper, Dina is desperate to break the hex on her.

I devoured this book it was so good, everything you need in a cosy, witchy, spicy, rom com.

Witchy romcom with diversity!!!

Dina is a bisexual kitchen (hedge) witch. Her café is a success but she is lacking in the romance department. A nasty break-up with an ex has left her hexed! Travelling home for one of her bestie's wedding and she keeps bumping into the same hot professor guy. Fate and hexes can be a fickle combination!

Scott is a bit thwarted in the love area too. Cheated on by his nasty ex, he's finding it hard to trust anyone. But when he and Dina realise they are in the same wedding party, they try to ignore the little zaps of chemistry. But meddling friends, a sentient house and some magical sparks are conspiring to give these two a HEA!

A Practical Magic-esque vibe with spice! I loved getting to know Dina and Scott and learning what makes them tick. I loved the little twist over the hex! There were great little snapshots of life at home with the parents and pets. There was great diversity in characters and situations and I was happy that for Dina and Scott their HEA did not have to be the cookie cutter dream!

I loved seeing all the cultural mixes working together, showing that you can be more than one "label" and that we are all more than our constituent parts. Scott and his mums had a great relationship and I felt so sorry for Dina in that she thought she had to hide part of herself.

Non toxic female friendships, men open to their feelings, and people accepting that not all relationships look, end or continue in the same ways.

Perfectly formed little nugget of happiness.

This novel is a bewitching romance that blends sweet and spicy, like all the best autumnal treats. It’s a cosy and comforting read. I recommend keeping a hot drink and some treats at hand while reading. The main character is a baker using her magic in the kitchen, so there are many delicious descriptions.

I loved the book’s first half, which was witchy and cosy. I liked Dina, her magical café, her relationship with her friends, and how Scott was introduced into her life. I am still not sure about the second half. It felt like the spice overtook all the other flavours. Also, the conflicts were resolved too easily.

Still, it was a quick and enjoyable read, perfect for the autumn.

PURE MAGIC - so fun & frothy in the best way!! And delivers on the sexy side of romance too. Could not recommend more!

absolutely love this author's writing style and she had me hooked from the first few pages. The characters are likable and I really found myself getting attached to them. This is the perfect cosy, witchy, cottage core story for this time of year. It ticks all the boxes; romance, magic, self-acceptance, a cosy witchy coffee shop and baking that I wished would come through the pages so I could have a snack, and a wonderful story.

*chefs kiss* incredible!
A perfect witchy romance read. I literally have no critiques!
I cannot wait to attend a talk by this author in October! <3

- edit after talk
Nadia is so lovely! Cannot recommend this book enough and so excited for the sequel whenever it comes out!

When I think of autumn now I know this book will come to mind. It’s the perfect balance of romance, coziness , magic and just a pinch of drama.

The story was well written and the characters were so complex for such a cozy book. I loved the depth and the background. Despite finding some of the plot predictable, it didn’t take away from the enjoyment.

A perfect autumnal read with equal parts cosy, wholesome and spicy! I’m such a sucker for a sentient house and absolutely LOVED the chemistry between the FMC and MMC. Such a treat, can’t recommend this one enough!

Cafe owner, and witch, Dina encourages love for her customers with magical teas and pastries but hides from it herself. There's too much risk involved when a hex that hurts those you love hangs over you. And if there was ever anyone to break the rules for, it would be the irresistible, charming museum curator whose presence in her life starts with a bang.

Both have reasons to avoid love, but the pull between them is inevitable, and as coincidence and their best friends' wedding continue to throw them together they may not have a choice.

I enjoyed this story, the take on magic, and the irresistible chemistry between Scott and Dina. I'm not a massive fan of third-person narration, but once I got into the mindset I was off and absorbed!

best hex ever⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

• containing…
paranormal romance
cosy fantasy
witchy vibes
forced proximity
witch baker x museum curator
best man x maid of honour
friend matchmakers
spice 🌶️

such a warm and cosy hug of a book, with a lil spice!!

dina, a kitchen witch and scott, a museum curator meet as he was visiting her cafe…and from that moment forward the sparks were flying🥹

despite dina and her love life being hexed, they kept bumping into each other and she could sense there was more than just a coincidences at play🫶🏼

the way their chemistry was written just flew off the pages, and i couldn’t get enough!! i loved that it was a dual POV because i love seeing their romance from both sides🤭

after multiple run ins, and being part of the same wedding weekend, and their friends putting their match making skills to the test…i guess the rest is history🤩

but could they break the hex???💫

the perfect book to kickstart october🎃

each time i was reading this book, i was curled up in bed with a hot chocolate - and for me, that was the perfect paring☕️

thank you for the opportunity to read pre release!!

ADORABLE AND HOT. I really enjoyed this it's the perfect cozy vibes I can imagine reading it with a Hot chocolate or mulled wine in the October to Christmas lead up perfection. I loved the friendships shown. The undeniable chemistry between the two main characters and the FMC struggles which she has to overcome, realistic and well written. This book had me swooning. A cursed witch who will never find love, meets a man who keeps showing up we will learn who hexed her as the book develops and how she may be able to break the hex.

Best Hex Ever is a good book for spooky season, it feels cosy and autumnal while having that sprinkle of witchy magic.

I was expecting to enjoy this more than I did unfortunately, I found the relationship between Dina and Scott to be quite shallow. There was a lot of insta-lust and not enough emotional connection, the magic reveal was glossed over and they never really talked properly.

I enjoyed the magic, the sentient house was entertaining. There are not a lot of rules around the magic system but I liked the kitchen magic in particular, I would've liked to have seen more around that. I just wanted a bit more plot in general actually!

This is a cosy autumnal witchy read - if you like smut, witches and a good pastry then this is for you!

I liked the characters and the friendships the FMC had with her two best friends, but the writing style was not for me and I couldn’t really look past that.

Thank you for an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.