This is the perfect autumnal read, like a cozy hug in a book. I was very drawn into this book, just couldn't put it down. My only negative is that the plot does revolve around the main character not communicating an issue that centres the plot.

Best Hex Ever was quite a charming debut: it has a little cozy romance, set in beautiful wedding weekend affair and there's sparkles of magic everywhere.

Dina is cursed. In fact, she has been cursed by a previous partner to never find her happily ever after with anyone; so when Scott comes along and sparks fly, Dina will have to work harder to either break her curse once and for all or let him go.

I quite enjoyed how their romance developed, it reminded me of the need to take matters in your hands if you fancy someone and actually put the effort to get to know them and not just waiting for everything to happen. I also enjoyed how nerdy they are for each other's jobs and passions, it definitely felt like they were made for each other and that was quite enjoyable.

Rating: 3.75/5⭐️

It was a quick and easy read. I was expecting the magic to be a bit more developed and I feel that this book could have easily been done without magic - that's how simple it was. I love magic, personally, I just wanted a bit more out of it and that is the biggest downside for me as I struggle with romcoms without fantasy to them (and therefore my rating - pure personal preferences really)

The writing was ok, I saw a few mean reviews about it and I don't agree. I knew Nadia was an editor so surely her writing was not going to be bad! Wasn't eloquent but I think it fit well for the type of easy cosy romance with a sprinkle of magic that she went for.

Best Hex Ever was such a cosy and gorgeous witchy story, following our female lead, Dina who creates the most magical of baked goods. After previously being hexed, Dina has a fear that anyone she falls in love with, will get hurt and that hex is challenged when she meets Scott and life seems to continuously find a way for them to be together. I absolutely adored the chemistry between Dina and Scott, it was pretty much lust at first sight and it was deliciously revealed that their best friends were getting married, therefore there was no escaping what was clearly meant to be. I'm not typically a big fan of wedding orientated romances, as there's only so many ways these can be written uniquely to others, however Nadia completely made the premise her own and the wedding events were extremely fun to follow. I loved absolutely every character we have the pleasure to meet and had a great time learning about them on the side of following Dina and Scott. The spice was definitely there, but it didn't consume the premise, giving the perfect balance of spice and plot. The perfect witchy romance to curl up to during spooky season!

Best Hex Ever is a cosy, spicy, witchy story. Dina is a kitchen witch who owns a cafe. She's been hexed in the past so anyone who falls in love with her gets hurts. That's a problem with Scott walks into her cafe and omens start appearing all over the place.

Unfortunately Scott is the best man at Dina's best friend's wedding, and their friends are trying to set them up.

The concept was brilliant, I love a cosy story about witches and baking. I loved the alignment of Scott's special interest of charms and talismans (although I thought that plot point would go further). I loved Heebie and the magic house.

Unfortunately this book isn't for me - this book has finally made me accept that I prefer closed door to open door (so that should cut down my TBR). It made me especially uncomfortable when they decided to carry on in a wardrobe with people just outside - and then in his office, and then (not described) up against a window.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced ebook copy in exchange for an honest review.

When I read the description, I was so excited to read this book - I mean if a witch who serves magic-infused pastries in her London Café doesn’t scream cosy, I don’t know what does.
The story was so cute despite their love story developing mostly over the course of a week but because you got such a good insight into the characters from the writing their chemistry felt real and their banter was top notch. I adored all the characters and enjoyed seeing their stories unfold throughout the book as well, I’d love to be friends with Immy and Rosemary!
The book does have a third act break up which I’m not a fan of but the rest of Dina’s and Scott’s story makes up for it.

This is the perfect autumn read if you’re looking for a magical and cosy read with added spice.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for the ARC

If you are looking for a quick cosy and feel good witchy book with all the vibes of autumn with really fun characters, amazing chemistry between the two main characters and some sizzling spicy moments then Best Hex Ever is the perfect book.

I really enjoyed this book and loved the main characters Dina and Scott..from the start it has an insta love/lust type of feeling once they meet but I didn’t mind this at all as it really was very well written in how the relationship built up between the characters and I just loved the banter between them and the spice was was so good...the added bonus of the wonderfully written supporting cast of characters with the friends and family just made it so much better.

This was such a cute fun and cosy paranormal spicy read that just gives the best feels for autumn. Also the descriptions of all the baking treats and lattes was so good! 😍

This is a gingerbread kind of read - wholesome, comforting, with a bit of spice. I absolutely flew through this, with it being a lighthearted witchy read that just felt so *natural*. There was just enough magic to suspend my belief and roll with the insta love vibe, wholeheartedly letting the joy witnessed in this book fuel my own. I loved this, and if you’re looking for a Practical Magic sort of read with both actual and found family connections, this is the book for you.

(Bonus points for proving a quick chat about contraception and the like will NOT kill the vibe)

𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒊𝒏 𝑬𝒎𝒐𝒋𝒊𝒔:🔮🥐☕️🧿🥵🌶️🐈‍⬛
𝑸𝒖𝒐𝒕𝒆:
“What an insufferable man. She couldn't get enough of him.”

“Here I go again, thinking about sniffing her collarbones, he thought. Congrats, how very Hannibal Lecter of you Scott.”

𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒊𝒕: A heartfelt and cosy but deliciously spicy and hilarious witchy romcom.

𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕:
🔮Forced Proximity (Best Man/ Maid of Honour Wedding Shenanigans!)
🧿Sizzling Spice
🔮Cozy Vibes, Kitchen Witchery & Magical Baking
🧿Spells & Hexes
🔮Slow Burn
🧿Happily Ever After
🔮LGBTQIA+ Representation

𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘:
I absolutely LOVED this book! It was a truly magical read that was full of humour, heart and soul with a warmth, like a hug, leaving you with that cosy/glowing feeling in the pit of your stomach. The kind that drinking a delicious hot chocolate on a chilly day gives you (you know what I mean… right? I’m not crazy🤣) the cosy vibes were PERFECT but what made it even better was that it was cosy with a kick and by kick I mean the spice was UNREAL. Do not be deceived by the cute cover or the cosy vibes because this is seriously some of the best smut I’ve read. Scott Mason ticks all the boxes and is like my perfect book boyfriend🥵🫶🏻

What I loved about this book was that aside from being well written and a wonderful example of a witchy romance filled with hexes, a casita vibes magical house and the icon that is Dina’s cat/familiar Heebie it also explored other themes, like Dina’s relationship with her family, friends and even herself as well as beautifully exploring Dina’s moroccan heritage through food and drink: the pastries she makes, the herbs and spices she uses and the teas she blends.

𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to Del Rey UK for sending me a arc- this is my honest, unbiased review🥰

I really enjoyed aspect of this book but I think I’m a little bit disappointed, there was so much potential for a wonderful cosy fantasy story but the story was overwhelmed by the spice factor.
I liked the museum aspect, and would have liked more about the artefacts in Scott’s exhibit. I loved the sentient house, it sounds like the perfect place to live. I really enjoyed the friendships and the characters were people I wanted to get to know better. And being a kitchen witch seems like the best kind of witchcraft.
But the whole falling in lust so quickly was irritating and the spicy scenes all felt very similar, (although the wardrobe scenario made me laugh) and there were just so many spicy moments, at what felt like a detriment to what could have been. Also the reasoning for not telling her parents about the curse didn’t seem to fit with what we’d been told about the family.

If you want a cute, spicy paranormal romance that gives off perfect autumn and pumpkin spice vibes, then this book is a definite read!

With a FMC that you’d want to be best friends with and a MMC that will make you swoon, this book went from cosy to toe curling very quickly. Although this seemed almost insta-love, I was very much expecting it from a book like this, so it didn’t put me off. And the main characters had so much chemistry.

Usually the side characters make or break a story for me, but I loved how meddlesome their family and friends were.

This book felt like receiving the warmest hug on a cold autumn morning and was exactly what I needed after reading some heavier books.

~𝕋𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕤~
🎃 Forced Proximity
🎃 Paranormal Romance
🎃 Instant Lust
🎃 Praise Kink
🎃 Bipoc FMC
🎃 Spice

Be still my nineties witch loving heart - this was such a fun witchy romance, perfect for autumn days.

Dina is cursed - whoever she falls in love with is set to get hurt. So as any rational witch does, she tops herself from falling in love. That is, until she meets Scott.

With loving families, a fabulous familiar and wonderful friends, this book was a fun read from start to finish.

Thank you NetGalley and Cornerstone for the ARC.

4 stars if you want cozy and witchy this book is for you I loved the story and the characters Dina and Scott were so cute together and it was a lovely story to follow there is a third act breakup and u may see it coming but I don’t think it takes away from the story too much. Really enjoyed this one and it’s got me excited for autumn

I enjoyed this book so much I literally couldn't put it down and read it in one afternoon.

It was the cute and spicy witchy romance that I wanted it to be. Low stakes, good fun, wardrobe sex at a wedding - what more could you ask for?

I really enjoyed the relationship between Dina and Scott, even if it was a bit insta-lovey. This kept the pacing up and meant the spice was spicing from early on.

The magic was also great fun and not overly complicated. It added another layer while the focus was still largely on the relationship and Dina's journey.

I really hope a sequel is coming as all the characters were great and the writing was just so easy to sink into, meaning you'll have read the book before you know it but still want more.

Best Hex Ever is the debut book from
Nadia El-Fassi and I really enjoyed it.
The book is a cosy witchy romance and it was such a fun and enjoyable read.
I’m really into my witchy reads right now and this one is perfect for this time of year.
The book was well written and easy to follow along. I loved that this was a more adult read with a little spice in there.
I loved the characters and felt they were well rounded and nicely represented. The romance was a insta love which was pretty cute. I loved how they met at Dina’s coffee & bakery shop. I loved all the magic and especially all the autumn vibes.
It was one of those books that once you started you wanted to keep reading.

Thank you to the Publisher, Author and Netgalley for an eARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

A wholesome witchy story about self discovery perfect for the autumn season.
With a little spice thrown in for good measure!

Absolutely loved this!! What a magical read. Perfect for this time of year. I read this within a day, I couldn’t put it down. I loved Dina. Lots of magic and love. Highly recommend.

I really enjoyed this! It gave me the spooky but cutesy vibes I wanted.
I really liked the bi representation, as well as the fact our FMC was morroccan.
I loved the spice and romance for the most part, but did find it was a bit insta love at the start.

Thank you to Random House UK, Cornerstone | Del Rey, and Nadia El-Fassi for gifting me a digital arc copy of The Best Hex Ever in exchange for an honest and fair review. I zoomed through Best Hex Ever faster than a witch on a broomstick at Halloween.

The Best Hex Ever is the witchy, cosy-fantasy debut by Nadia El-Fassi about a secret witch who hexed herself with a problematic curse that dooms her love life because the Hex will hurt anyone who falls for her. She possesses a cosy writing style with a lovely descriptive writing style that weaves together a delightful mix of atmospheric vibes, sizzling romance, and humorous shenanigans around a heartwarming, low-stakes storytelling with a comfortable, ambling pace. The witchcraft and magic were light, sweet, and understated in a realistic, wispy way as if they could almost slot into real life in the blink of an eye. I would have loved to see the mouthwatering recipes for the baked goods and teas included in the book. I still have cravings for croissants and scones from reading this book.

The characters are an inclusive cast that is well-developed, loveable, and cutely put together, making them relatable and endearing. The focus on the bonds of friendship and family in the characters brought a lovely, warm dynamic to the story centred on the female bonds for Dina's world around those of mother and daughter and close female friendships. I felt like part of Dina's family (blood and adopted) with her rich Moroccan heritage and culture threaded through her story relationships with her mother and brought to life through interactions at her family home and witchy ceremonies. Dina stole the show for me as a character; her character journey is a charming, emotional journal of self-discovery, which will resonate with us all as we can all be our worst enemies with our doubts and insecurities. To allow her to break her Hex and return Scott's love, Dina needs to open up to accept and love herself, be honest with her loved ones, and embrace her inner struggles with her sexuality/internal homophobia and magical identity.

The romance between Scott and Dina is light-hearted, with an insta-love attraction from when they meet at Dina's coffee shop and bakery business. Lots of longing and ruminating on desire and missed chances. All spices up under forced proximity, and all snaps into place upon them falling into bed. It's easy, quick and fluffy. Low-stake tension continues about the shadow of the Hex, but ends happily ever after with a bit of self-reflection and self-love on Dina's part, coming clean about her secrets and embracing all she is with support from Scott and her family.

A perfect cosy, witchy read to accompany a magical Autumn Day full of gorgeous descriptions (especially the food and tea), heartwarming friendships, and some steamy romance. If you want a heartwarming and spicy read with the vibes of The Pumpkin Spiced Café by Laurie Gilmore but with a magical twist, this book should be on your October-to-buy list.

[Rating 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 for review submission]

𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗛𝗲𝘅 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿 • 𝗡𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗘𝗹-𝗙𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶
★★★★

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗧𝗼 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁
- Romantasy
- Lighthearted autumn vibes
- Insta list
- Steamy scenes
- Dual POV

𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀
Best Hex Ever is cosy, comforting, whimsical, and charming. It begins with the female protagonist, Dina, who owns a cafe that is supposed to emanate serendipity, since that’s its namesake. Serendipity has pastries and hot drinks full of sweet charms that will help a persons day go right. Scott, the male protagonist, is a museum curator who meets Dina, and as fate has it, meets her again and again and again. Whilst the lust was instant, the hex that follows Dina around, hurting whoever she loves, builds and builds until she can no longer ignore it.

There was a lot for me to love about this book. When I realised that Dina’s parents were welsh/arabic, I was thinking not to be dramatic but was this book… made for me? It really did hit a lot of right spots.

This was lighthearted, quick to read, and had a beautiful arc that started off sweet and ended spicy. This is the perfect autumn book for romantasy fans.

𝗤𝘂𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀
“𝘐𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘱 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘮𝘯 𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘬 𝘰𝘧 𝘖𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘣𝘦𝘳, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘭 𝘶𝘱 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘤𝘶𝘱 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘰𝘵 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦.”

“𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘦𝘯 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘨𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘴, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘮.”

“𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘏𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵.”

“𝘚𝘶𝘳𝘦, 𝘢 𝘤𝘶𝘱 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥𝘯’𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘢 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘦, 𝘢 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘦, 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘢 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘥𝘢𝘺. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘋𝘪𝘯𝘢’𝘴 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴.”

This is a cosy but spicy tale about a brewing and baking witch Dina who unexpectedly falls for museum curator Scott. However, Dina has a hex placed on her by a former lover, meaning anyone who loves her will be hurt.

Unable to keep herself away from him, especially when they’re sharing the same cottage at their friend’s wedding…
Will she be able to undo the hex before something terrible happens?

I did find a little plot hole here. It would have been useful for the author to clarify that the hex only affected those who fall in love with her, not family and friends.

I love that Dina is a kitchen witch. Literally my idea of heaven to be a witch with their own café 😍

It was refreshing to see a small third act breakup that wasn’t because of a silly argument, it was done out of the love and care that Dina had for Scott.

But all of the problems could have been resolved if she’d just have told someone sooner. I get that it would have been difficult to have the conversation with her mum and her reservations. But I don’t understand why she never told Scott about the Hex, especially when things started getting worse and he was narrowly avoiding accidents.

It was still a cute and easy read and did have an underlying message of self love and acceptance 🫶🏻