When I discovered this book on Netgalley I knew I really wanted to read it. It combines a lot of elements I love in stories. Regency seasons, magic, curses, enemies to lovers and a mystery. I discovered a little late that the wrong release date was listed on Netgalley, so it was time to catch up!

This book was a fun read from start to finish. The book never gets boring, there's constantly something happening and the author does an amazing job explaining the whole idea of ball seasons and finding matches in a setting that actually does feel quite relatable. The first few chapters immediately captured my attention and I knew I needed a physical copy of the book by that point. I didn't regret getting it.

Yes, there are moments the story feels a little unfocusses. At times the pacing could have been a little better. We only discover that something really big is going on relatively late and at times it feels like the characters are too focussed on the balls and events, while there are maybe more important things going on. Especially because our heroine knows she's not allowed to tether and the hero states clearly that he doesn't want to tather.

However, the finale of the book is absolutely worth it! All the elements come together quite nicely and the moment the bigger picture becomes clearer for the reader, the characters also figure out what's truly going on. And although the book can be read as a standalone, it does have a satisfying and fitting ending, there is also more than enough room for the author to write more books set in this world. I hope there will be more. I will for sure pick it up!

Aurelia Wycherley should have been excited too be a debutante witch, being presented to Royalty and dancing with eligible witches but when she came into her magic she also gained the family curse which made any witch that joined her to perform magic ill. Without a partner she will lose her magic in a couple of years making her an outcast. When their party is attacked on the way to the first ball she is incensed when a supercilious witch forces her to remain away from the fighting. This annoying person turns out to be Julian Nightly, a member of the family that cursed hers all those years ago.. Aurelia discovers that Julian is working on the problem that could save her magic so she forms a truce to try to find the solution before it's too late. I loved the world and people in this friends to lovers story and really can't wait for the sequel.

Many thanks to the author, Annaliese Avery, NetGalley, and the publisher, Simon and Schuster UK Children’s Books, for an ARC of The Wycherleys, which will be published in the UK on 26 August. This YA novel is set in the Recency era and combines a Bridgerton-style romance plot with magic.

Aurelia Wycherley has just turned 17 and has come into her magic. She was looking forward to her debutante year...but she’s inherited the family curse, which means that anyone who performs magic with her becomes ill. Unfortunately for Aurelia, magic is unstable and requires a witches to find a “tether”, - romantic or platonic - within three years of coming out, or they will lose it. As Aurelia knows she won’t find a tether from amongst the other witches, she resolves to find a way of keeping her own magic. When she learns that Jules Nightly is planning to do the same to aid his sister, she threatens/coerces/bribes him into an alliance, and they begin working together, growing closer in the process. But their research reveals a dark undercurrent to the glittering magical world.

This is such a lovely, magical romance. I love the current trend for taking Regency-era conventions and remaking them, and Analiese Avery has kept all the glamour and decorum of the world of balls and formal visits and infused it with a unique set of magical customs. Aurelia and Jules are well-suited, and I enjoyed watching them work together. There are some lovely details, such as the magical rose bush they grow when testing out their magic, and the way in which the last page of the book recalls their first meeting. The mystery element of the plot unfolds slowly, and the eventual reveal will surprise most readers, I think. It feels at points like the author is laying the ground for a sequel, which I would definitely read.

The Wycherleys, a book where Bridgerton meets witches who must find suitors to tether their magic or risk losing it, was an overall decent read.

I loved the unique concept that and that, alongside balls and events, we had a murder mystery subplot that kept things intriguing. It was a little predictable in who the killers were, but I did like the way it gave the book a much-needed edge.

I was thoroughly entertained throughout the book with Aurelia battling her generational curse, which was bestowed upon her family by the Nightley’s, and then teaming up with Jules Nightly to save her and his sisters magic, but did feel like things weren’t fleshed out enough and personally wanted more.

Thank you Netgalley and Simon Kids for approving me for an e-arc of this book; The Wycherleys is an overall good read.

Could not read it due to being unable to send it to my kobo ereader. Will rate it highly until I can get my hands on a copy.

If you’re looking for a recipe for romance, magic, high stakes intrigue set in a completely re-imagined Regency London, then The Wycherleys by Annaliese Avery will completely fit the bill!

Aurelia Wycherley has a problem, her unwanted magic is cursed and dangerous, and time is running out if she wants to keep her magic! Jules Nightly, her family’s sworn enemy may well be her only chance to keep her magic without a tether but, to do this they need to form an alliance amidst glamorous balls, perilous and dangerous trials, and hidden betrayals!

The Wycherleys definitely lives up to the pitch of Bridgerton with magic, and truly delivers a fabulously swoonsome romance, magic and magical tension, all balanced against adventure, peril and lots of kissing!

A super fun read that will immerse you in a regency world of magical debutantes, balls, and magic.

Thank you so much Simon & Schuster Children’s U.K. and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

My thanks to the author, the publisher and netgalley for an advanced copy of The Wycherleys in exchange for my honest review. This book was marketed to me as bridgerton with magic, and it really did not disappoint!!

Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Children's UK for this ARC!

Interesting premise and was easy to read. A sweet and lighthearted YA romance. Loved the witchy Bridgerton vibes. It kept me engaged and was a relatively quick read but the book just wasn't for me. Pretty shallow world building and character work which works in some cases but I just wanted a bit more. The story was enjoyable but I needed a bit more substance. Shoutout to the best friend though, she was really ride or die.

- The initial animosity and antagonism was non-existent; they fell for each other pretty quickly despite the generations-old family feud and pretenses
- The love confession was kinda abrupt, cringey and anticlimactic
- As the quest went on, it lost steam and just became a bit of a convoluted mess with aspects of the magic inadequately explained
- Lots of info-dumping done through an 'eavesdropping scene'
- That last scene was confusing... the side couple already decided on their future but then changed their minds at the last minute after a tiny nudge? The FMC came to terms with her future but then it was changed at the last minute but not really because it was discussed prior and no one bothered to tell her? Idk what was happening

Would not read again.

Overall rating: 3/5

The Wycherleys was a charming cozy fantasy. However, it often felt like a lower YA/ middle grade novel.
I wish the adult characters weren't so unlikable and incompetent.
The murders happened throughout the years and nobody found the runes and made a real investigation? Jules and Aurelia spent some months in the library, and they figured out everything. This was the novels weakest part.
The idea of finding a suitable magical match inspired by the Regency era was interesting, but I often felt the rules of magic were not fleshed out enough.
The romance felt too quick.
All in all, I will read the sequel, but I will not hold my breath.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Children's UK for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

All witches entering society must find a tether, a partner to ensure they retain their magic. Those who are luckiest find a tether who is also their true love; however, those who are unlucky and have not found a tether after three years, lose their magic forever. Then there is Aureila, a debutant who, when she discovers that she has inherited the family curse, knows that she will only have one season to enjoy her magic before it is taken away from her, and even then her enjoyment will be limited as nobody will want to be tethered to her. She is feisty and resilient, especially when she discovers that Jules Nightly is searching for a way to ensure that his sister can retain her magic which is disappearing quickly. When the pair agree to work together, their lives could change forever.

The Wycherleys was everything I hoped it would be and more ... magic, mystery and forbidden romance all wrapped up in the elegance of 1800s London. What more could I have asked for?

Nightly is a dark and brooding character that teenage me would have found utterly swoonsome (perhaps it's because I could see a resemblance to Mr Darcey). Is it the way he calls her by her surname? Perhaps it's his aloof manner, or the way he seems to be flirting with her despite her knowing he is only interested in the cure for his sister. .. most likely, it's the combination of all of those things. Whatever, it is, I know readers will delight in getting to know him.

The more the pair research a solution, the more they realise there is much more to this than they expected. Danger and darkness lurk among the balls and galas, and the consequences could prove deadly.

The Wycherleys is a book perfect for getting lost in and I have to admit that I stayed up way later that I should have done to read the end. I'm already incredibly excited for book 2!

“Do not darken your light.”

Thank you to Simon & Schuster Children’s UK for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.

Seventeen-year-old Aurelia Wycherley is entering her debutante season as a witch. Aurelia should be excited about finding the perfect match to tether her magic to. But her magic is cursed – dark, dangerous, and not the kind that her peers want to match with – and, without a tether, she faces losing her magic completely. But when Aurelia learns that enigmatic, aloof Jules, a member of arch enemy family the Nightlys, is searching for a way that a witch can keep their magic without tethering, she realises he may be her only hope. A forbidden alliance is formed . . . but as they navigate the Magical Season with its glamoured balls and perilous trials, they uncover dark forces that threaten their families and the magical world they live in.

Aurelia is certainly rather isolated. Being cursed, no one wants to be near her any longer in fear they’ll be sickened by her. I did feel for her. Aurelia is clearly strong willed and has a big heart, but that big heart is definitely her downfall. She feels too deeply about everything and I felt that hindered her progress slightly. She could have progressed further or sooner if she’d allowed herself to compartmentalise her emotions and focus more on her magic and its effects. She certainly has promise, I just feel she could have been a little stronger.
Jules did frustrate me, I can’t lie. He’s supposedly enigmatic and desirable but he annoyed me for a lot of the story because of how he treats others. And yet, he apparently develops feelings for the one he “loathes” and wants nothing to do with? He felt a little unrealistic in many parts too - his personality seemingly changing which stopped me engaging with his character as much. Yes, he grew on me a little but when it takes about two thirds of the book to do that? We’re not on to a winner.

The biggest thing that drew me towards this book is the fact it is marketed as Bridgerton meets witches. Loving both of these things, I knew I needed to dive in and see what was going on! The plot isn’t too bad, it just felt like a lot. Everything felt unnecessarily wordy (how many times does someone’s name need to be said in a single paragraph?! Answer: apparently a lot) and there were a lot of random history lessons plonked on in - almost in lieu of world building. Because of this, I did find my attention straying at times which is never a good thing when reading a book. I will say that the magic system is an interesting one. The idea that your magic has the perfect match to make it stronger is an intriguing one - even if it felt a little out of place in the regency era (one where physical touch between two unwed people was seen as scandalous) due to the physical nature of casting magic. The characters weren’t too bad, they just felt a bit too repetitive. It’s as if they’ve all been stamped from the same cookie cutter, just iced differently. I just found myself wanting more from them. Romance wise, I had hoped for more. When a fake dating trope is thrown in, I want it to be angsty and for the chemistry to boil over. It didn’t feel that way for me. We had enemies, then a mutual truce for the benefit of both. The friendship worked for me brilliantly but then all of a sudden we have declarations of love? I found myself questioning where the heck those emotions suddenly came from! Not to mention how I felt cheated on the kissing front! When you look up the synopsis of this book, it states in black and white “kissing… lots of kissing…” and yet, I was ready to get out my binoculars to search for it. We get a few pecks and that is it! The ending was okay but felt so open ended that I feel as if it’s incomplete. It is clearly building up for a sequel. However, it is not something I will be reading.

Overall, The Wycherleys is a book that drew me in with the promise of magic but I feel could have been executed better.

⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Thank you again to Simon & Schuster Children’s UK for an advanced copy of this book. Review will be live on my blog on release day and is available now on Goodreads.

𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒊𝒏 𝑬𝒎𝒐𝒋𝒊𝒔: 🔮🧹🫖🌹📚🪄
𝑸𝒖𝒐𝒕𝒆: 'How will you know it is me?' I ask him. 'It's a masked ball' 'Aurelia, I would know you in a sea of witches.’
𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒊𝒕: A Witchy YA Fantasy of Manners sprinkled with sweet romance
𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕:
🔮 Alternate, magical version of the ‘Ton’ (with the wheel of the year/the equinoxes marking major events)
🌹Reluctant Allies > Lovers
🔮Magical Bonds
🌹Murders, Mystery & Curses
🔮Fake Courting with Swoonworthy Letters

𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘: This was such a magical and sweet book, a perfect YA Fantasy Romance that has the ‘makes you want to kick your legs and squeal’ vibe. Jules Nightly is just so swoony😍 I enjoyed the world that the author created and found the magic system really interesting- I especially liked the ‘wandlets’ and the use of the wheel of the year to mark events in the Ton’s magical season of courting- both for love and for a magical tether.

I liked trying to solve the mystery in this and loved the exploration of themes of family, friendship and being an outsider. I’m looking forward to reading what happens next when the sequel comes out!💜

This was such a delightful read! I read it during the weekend and, every time I put it down, I couldn’t wait to go back and immerse myself again in this fantastic alternate Regency London, where young people entering society must find a magical partner with whom to tether to retain their magic.

The protagonist, Aurelia Wycherley, is a young witch who, because of a centuries old curse, won’t be able to tether with anyone, so she will lose her magic. For this reason, most of the witches have excluded her and keep away from her, except for her family and her best friend Constance. I really liked the character of Aurelia. She is strong and smart and even when everyone shuns her out, she doesn’t give up, especially when she finds out that there could be a way to retain her magic without tethering. Enter Jules Nightly. The Wycherleys and the Nightlys are archenemies, but Aurelia would do anything to keep her magic even if it means first blackmailing and then team up with Jules. I loved their chemistry and their witty exchanges and I can’t wait to explore more of their relationship in the sequel.

The story is fast-paced and compelling. Aside from the romance, I liked the magic bonds between partners, and also the close friendship that Aurelia has with Constance and the relationship with her brother Vaughan. And while the main plot focuses on Aurelia and Jules trying to find an alternative to tethering and their relationship, there is also an intriguing mystery as they get involved in the strange murders of some witches around London.

Overall, The Wycherleys is well-written, action-packed, and immersive and I can’t wait to see what happens next!

This is a glorious tale full of romance and magic. It's beautifully written, the characters are wonderfully realised and it was an absolute joy to read. Can't wait for the rest of the series

I had such a fantastic time with this story and loved seeing how Aurelia dealt with her curse and her new status as an outcast, how this had changed her relationships and how others viewed her but even more so how it didn't change her relationship with her family or her best friend. It allowed me to rage at a lot of the side/minor characters whilst getting the warm fuzzies from her relationships with those who love her. Aurelia is a really strong character, in a difficult situation, but determined and curious. She made for a fantastic main character and narrator, and I enjoyed watching it all unfold from her point of view. Her relationship with Jules, very Romeo and Juliet-esque, was the cherry on top of this story. From two opposing familiar, they should have been enemies but from the moment they met, the sparks were flying and I couldn't get enough of how into Aurelia Jules was. Though reluctant to collaborate at first, they must team up to find a solution to a problem. There's mystery, danger, and intrigue along the way and it all kept me on my toes throughout. A cracking read and a great plot!

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

Ahead of starting this one I had only heard good things about it from a few different people I trust so I was really excited to give it a shot. I also was not disappointed in any way by this book, had a great time with it and now cannot wait for the sequel at the start of 2026.

The Wycherleys follows seventeen year old Aurelia Whycherley who is entering her debutante season as a witch and while like her fellow debutantes she should be excited about finding another witch to tether her magic with she can’t because her magic is cursed and not something someone else will want to match with. But when she learns that Jules Nightly, a member of the enemy family that cursed her family is looking for a way for a witch to keep their magic without tethering she realises he may be her only hope.

This book has so many amazing elements in it, a forbidden romance, magic and witches, and a mystery that had me hooked along with some great friendships. All of these things combined led to me just loving this book and knowing that I need to read more Annaliese Avery.

I absolutely loved the relationships in this book. The friendship between Aurelia and Constance was so special to read and I was so happy to read more and more of it. I loved how much Annaliese Avery explored it and how much the pair of them meant to each other, even while they were both looking for something else. In addition to this I loved the sibling relationship between Aurelia and her brother, they were really there for each other and wanted to look after that relationship but also eventually give each other the right amount of space.
Jules and Aurelia’s relationship developed loads throughout the book which I loved reading. They became really special to each other along with massively pushing the story forward together in a way that I loved. I definitely am looking forward to seeing their relationship continue to develop in book 2.

I loved learning more and more about the magic as this book went on and I have a feeling that we will continue to learn more about the magic as the series continue which really excites me. You start out being told enough to understand the story and as the book goes on with the characters you learn more about the current magic system and what the magic had previously been like, in the first and second ages of magic and how that differed to the third age.

This was my first book by Annaliese Avery and I know that it will not be my last. I am both really excited to continue this series and interested to read something else not connected to this world to see what I think. I highly recommend this book to fans of YA fantasy and regency romances along with to teenage readers because it definitely felt like a YA story written for teens.

Thank you to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster Children’s UK for a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I ADORE this book. Bridgerton + Murder Mystery + Magic.

Aurelia Wycherley has dreamed about getting her magic, entering magical society, and making the perfect magical tethering match.
Unfortunately when her magic manifests, so does an ancient family curse.
Now an outcast and destined to lose her magic she's only allowed to attend the season because of her mother's connections.

Determined that not being able to tether shouldn't mean she loses her magic Aurelia's only hope is the handsome but supremely annoying Jules Nightly. Who just happens to be part of the arch-rival family who cursed the Wycherley women in the first place.

Striking a bargain they begin to unravel lost secrets and uncover a conspiracy that could end magic as they know it.

Annaliese Avery has created a rich and absorbing world that is an absolute delight to inhabit, the world is crystal clear in the minds eye. Her characters are brilliant too and I was so invested in Jules and Aurelia as they slowly but surely move from rivals to lovers during their fake dating.

Some of the twists absolutely had me gasping out loud and I'm already desperate for book 2!

Massive thanks to @simonyabooks for the eARC of Netgalley. It has not affected my opinion

I sped through the last 100 pages in 40 mins.

This was a fun read. I liked the dynamic between the couple (I literally just finished it but I cannot remember their names) and the other (very obvious from the start) couple. I'd be surprised if this was a standalone.

I enjoyed the magic academy elements, the soft romance, the ton, the rebellion element, the murder plot and the random lost magic? There was a lot going on. It was all pretty cool too but this also led to a few problems. The end started feeling rushed, we jump around a lot and the big confrontation is over in two paragraphs. Like what?

The characters were a vibe though and it's beautiful to imagine.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC, I had a lot of fun with this

I LOVED THIS BOOK! 😍
This was Bridgerton with witches, and I devoured it. When I first heard about The Wycherleys (pre- YALC although I was bummed to not win a proof at YALC 😂), I knew I was going to love it. But, this went above my expectations.
I was able to immerse myself in this world, and I need Avery to write more in this world! I want to know the details of what happens next.
Aurelia is such a resilient FMC. The romance between her and Jules is so innocent. It's refreshing.
The magic system is intriguing. I love the layers in regards to the magic. So the first age of magic and the second age of magic.
I genuinely love this world, and I know this is a book I will reread.

Regency-era debutante balls, witches, curses, beautiful dresses, and a budding crush or two - this book had all the ingredients I usually enjoy. But unfortunately, it just didn’t work for me.

The main characters, Aurelia and Jules, come from rival families and are forced to work together (against a curse? solving a mystery? - I really struggled to stay focused enough to tell you). It’s a YA historical fantasy with a sweet, slightly silly vibe, and I tried to read it with that in mind. Still, I found myself zoning out more than I’d like.

The writing felt very young, even for YA, and I never felt properly invested in what was happening to the characters. I kept waiting to care, and it never quite landed. That said, the cover is gorgeous and really captures the feel of the world - if only the story itself had drawn me in as much.

You might enjoy "The Wycherleys" if you’re into historical fantasy with a magical Regency twist, and especially if you have a soft spot for stories about witches.

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