This was cute but only ok. Scarlett heads back home after being away for about 10 years. Her magical town has been cursed and her family needs her help to get everything back in order. Scarlett is still struggling with the past when she helped save the city and her dad ended up dying. Scarlett gave up witchcraft after that and is reluctant to use it now. I found it pretty east to guess who was behind the mayhem even though no one in town could figure it out.

This was so cute and cozy. I got a little frustrated with the characters at times, but I feel like the family struggle aspect was really relatable. I just enjoyed the cozy vibes of this sm!!

I had high expectations for this book but it feel flat. I was hoping that it would deliver on the cozy fall vibes but there wasn't a lot of that. It was mostly a good story with a good plot but there was a lot going on and then it felt like the resolution was written very quickly and everything wrapped up nicely without ever addressing the underlying issues. I adored the characters and the world so I was just hoping for a little more!

3.5 stars for me. The premise of this book was great and everything I was looking for - small town, autumnal vibes, witchy drama but I’m sorry to say it fell flat for me. I really did not like the main character and I think that’s what was holding back my enjoyment of the book. I found her immature and annoying, very self-centered and she bickered with everyone, which I tired quite quickly of. The actual story was quite interesting and I enjoyed reading about the beautiful small town and the problem Scarlett and her family encountered and how they solved it. I think on the whole, I enjoyed the story but it did fall flat.

Impractical Magic had a great premise but felt a little clunky in places. There was a lot of over-explaining of some ideas and not enough for others. It was generally fine and I enjoyed it quite a bit, but there could have been some revising to make everything feel more cohesive. It was definitely a nice cozy read that is perfect for the fall, but tried really hard to be like Gilmore Girls and kind of missed the mark. If you are looking for a read that is pretty easy to get through and doesn't require you to focus a whole lot (it's a little difficult sometimes with how much exposition is given in some parts and it's just too much to work with). Overall it was a pleasant read and I'm glad I had the opportunity to give it a try.

Emily Grimoire's Impractical Magic is a whimsical and enchanting novel that whisks readers away to a world of spells, potions, and secret societies. With a delightful blend of humor, heart, and a touch of the supernatural, this book is a magical treat.

The story follows a young witch named Elara, who yearns to break free from the confines of her strict magical academy. When she stumbles upon a hidden society of rebellious witches, Elara embarks on a thrilling adventure filled with unexpected friendships, forbidden love, and a dash of chaos.

Grimoire's vivid descriptions of the magical world and her witty dialogue bring the characters to life. The author's playful approach to magic and her ability to weave a captivating narrative make this book a truly spellbinding read.

If you're looking for a book that will transport you to a world of wonder and imagination, Impractical Magic is the perfect spell.

Thank you so much to the publisher for my ARC!

OMG! This is a cozy, romance and fantasy wrapped up in one adorable story! I totally enjoyed this whimsical book where magic has gone awry! Such a fun read!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cute story with a lot of magic and complicated family relationships. I wouldn't say this was like Charmed, but it definitely had a magical Stars Hollow vibe to it. I enjoyed the book, but when it comes to the conflict, I didn't love the magician aspect. I did appreciate that like most of these stories, it was really a story about being a strong female and learning to trust ourselves and our abilities.

I’m really sorry but this book was not for me and was a DNF at 48%.
I wanted to like this book but it just wasn’t there for me.
I didn’t particularly like any of the characters.
I think the storyline is a good idea but it just didn’t do it

✨ARC Review✨

I honestly did not care for this book and I feel bad about it. It had all the right elements, but the execution was unfortunately lacking.

We have Scarlett Melrose, recently called back home to Oak Haven due to a magical community emergency. She’s been gone ten years ever since a spell cast by her mother, sisters, and she killed her father. She blames herself and basically put herself in exile. Anyway, she’s back because magic has gone wonky in fair Oak Haven. Her family, being the founders, is expected to right the wrong and make magic function again.

Town dreamboat, Nate Williams, was Scarlett’s bestie their whole childhood and just when they’d decided to be *more*, that spell went awry, her dad died, and Scarlett skipped town. Now that she’s back, the old feelings are still there and maybe there’s potential for *more* if only Scarlett (and her family) would quit blaming her for every little thing that goes wrong in Oak Haven. Good Lord, who did they blame in the ten years she wasn’t around?

Bottom line: this book could have been charming and cute, but it just wasn’t. Scarlett is a sad sack of a character that suddenly sees the light of what she can be, but that journey wasn’t well-paced. Her mother is not good to her at all and then suddenly she is saying motherly things and being kind. Like, what? I’m just disappointed, I guess?

Anyway, as with all books/art, your mileage may vary. My subjective review may not reflect your feelings and thoughts and that’s okay.

I was given this eARC via #netgalley and @AvonBooksUK. All thoughts are mine alone.

#books #bookreview #bookrecs #impracticalmagic #bookstagram

I chose not to finish this book. It was not at all what I expected it to be and the writing, especially in conversations is really hard to get through. I think with more editing this book could have been more enjoyable. Loved the idea….it just fell flat

I'm shocked that this has so many negative reviews because this is exactly what I've been chasing!! Too often when books are marketed as "Gilmore Girls Vibes," it means the author has literally just copy-pasted Lorelai and Luke's personalities into a small town. These characters felt distinct, with homages to Gilmore Girls characters, but also felt like a unique story. The town itself felt VERY Stars Hallow coded and there were so many great references to lines of the show. However, this also had a magical witchy twist that made it so fun and perfectly autumnal. I can't put my finger on what movie or show the witches reminded me of, but I loved it and I found the magic to feel fun and draw inspiration from a lot of classic witch stories without directly being attached to any other particular cinematic universe. Overall, such a fun book that I would absolutely recommend to any GG fan or anyone looking for a quirky witchy fall read.

Emily Grimoire's Impractical Magic had me all spellbound with its promise of a cozy, witchy romance. The idea of a small town filled with magic, autumn leaves, and a dash of family drama sounded like a perfect brew. But, alas, this magical concoction fell a bit flat.

While the setting is undeniably charming, the protagonist, Scarlett, is a bit of a mixed bag. She's got moments of wit and sass, but she can also be downright prickly. I found myself more invested in the town's quirky characters and the promise of magical mayhem than in her love story.

The romance between Scarlett and Nate felt a bit forced, like a spell that didn't quite take. I was hoping for more sparks, more sizzle, and less awkward fumbling. Perhaps a stronger love potion was needed?

Overall, Impractical Magic is a decent read for fans of cozy fantasy. It's a bit like a warm cup of apple cider: comforting, but not exactly mind-blowing. If you're looking for a quick escape to a magical world, it might be worth a try. Just don't expect to be completely enchanted.

I loved the Gilmore Girls references, and the overall cozy vibe of the novel. It was a light, quick read. But you can’t think too hard about the magic system, because there are a few things that don’t make sense.

1.0 Star

Thank you NetGalley, Avon Books, and Emily Grimoire for this arc in exchange for an honest review!


Thoughts:

Oh boy. Came for the vibes, and left disappointed in pretty much everything. Where does one even start?

This read was truly a slow one, and I couldn’t find any aspect of it that could hold my attention. The world-building disappeared alongside some of the magic in the town and never made an appearance. I couldn’t connect with any of the characters. The romance (or lack thereof) felt forced, and there was zero spark between our leads in general. Our FMC, Scarlett, frustrated me too much with her constant need to throw herself a pity party every other chapter and/or verbally-vomit her emotions onto anyone in close proximity.

I’m good with cutesy, but the amount of cheesiness that we have to suffer through even when it’s a “serious” moment is too much for anyone to handle!

With comparisons to Gilmore Girls and Charmed on the cover, most of it felt too on the nose instead of a nod to. To be quite frank, it seemed like a lot was copied from those shows, which led to a lack of originality on top of everything else.

To sum it up, this read was just not for me.

Paperback/Hardcover/Audiobook/E-book:

E-book

Pace:

Slow/Medium

Cover thoughts:

Fun and cute!

Triggers:

Mentions of death, mild swearing, etc.

I wanted to love this one but it's not for me. The characters all feel forced in their interactions with each other, I'm struggling to connect with any of them and the story feels like it's been done better elsewhere. DNF for me.

I absolutely adored this book. I was in a bit of a reading slump when I first started it so I really dragged my feet through the first 20% but once I got to know the characters and the plot started picking up, I flew through it.

This book is the <i>perfect</i> mix of familial love and romantic love - it never left me wishing for more of one or the other. Although I guessed the twist almost immediately it was still a really fun read and I loved the process of Scarlett, Delilah, Luna and Nate figuring out how to save Oak Haven.

If only Oak Haven were a real place, I'd surely move there in a second!

(Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books, and Emily Grimoire for an early copy for review!)

This was such a good book! Perfect for spooky season. I loved getting to know these characters and all of their interactions.

I thought this one was super cute. But the story just wasn’t for me. I just couldn’t really get into it. I was looking forward to it so I think I hyped it up in my head a little too much.
I do really appreciate the chance to read this egalley for my honest review.

Love reading fall books to get in the spirit ands really looked forward to this read. It was okay. Slow at times.