Once Upon a Blue Moon is a haunting, poetic journey—strange and familiar in ways that linger long after

Avery Arujo’s writing is warm, witty, and quietly clever in all the right ways. This book struck a good balance between cozy escapism and emotional sincerity. The atmosphere is soft and a little whimsical, without ever slipping into cliché, and the emotional arc is surprisingly grounded. I found myself grinning at the banter one minute and unexpectedly touched the next.

What stands out most is how the romance unfolds with a quiet kind of intimacy. It’s slow, thoughtful, and full of little moments that feel earned rather than forced. There’s chemistry, yes, but also emotional growth, vulnerability, and a deepening sense of mutual respect that makes the payoff all the more satisfying.

That said, it does suffer a little from the more modern tendency to tell the reader how to feel rather than letting the emotions unfold naturally. It’s not constant, but it’s noticeable at times, and I did find myself wishing for more “showing” instead of being told what a character was feeling or why a moment mattered. There’s also a bit of repetition here and there, though thankfully it’s not overwhelming or distracting.

It’s the kind of story that doesn’t need to shout to be heard. There’s charm here, and heart, and a subtle undercurrent of self-reflection that gives the whole thing weight. Perfect for when you want something magical but emotionally real, comforting but not hollow.

Fun freaky Friday ish switch between a slightly chaotic witch & her very grumpy werewolf neighbor.
The banter was great and the mystery was interesting. Just missed the spice.

What's not to love about a witch vampire romance that's also a bit of a rom com. You don't think it will work but somehow it does.

Rating: 3.5 stars

If you are looking for a small-town cozy romance, this is the book for you. There’s humor, drama, and mystery. It gives small-town vibes where everyone knows everyone.

The story begins with Hazel struggling to cope with a breakup with a guy who didn’t deserve her. He wanted someone… “normal.” In an attempt to cast a spell, Blake storms in. As you would guess, things go awry. They swap bodies, and things get real. While in each other’s bodies, they saw how the other lived and operated—revealing the level of care they deserved, as well as their biggest fears and insecurities. And because no one knew about the swap, they learned how others saw them.

The villain was easy to figure out: who the villain was, what she was, and what motivated her. It also wasn’t hard to guess what her plans were. However, she was well-written. You properly disliked her. I enjoyed the secondary characters: Mina (the bed and breakfast owner who will also be the MFC in book 2), CoCo (the intern working in the shop with Hazel), and Calvin (Blake’s brother) were great, and they helped move the story along. I do take issue with the usage of the Black best friend, La’Tasha. She would pop in for what felt like a research info dump, and then you wouldn’t see her again until the next time some research was needed… but she ran the shop with Hazel. This happened for most of the book.

One of my favorite aspects of this book was Hazel’s level of pettiness. The pranks she played on the townpeople, especially her ex-boyfriend (although, technically, that was Blake, but it was fantastic). If you love a romance with a witch and wolf shifter with cozy, small-town romance vibes, you’ll enjoy this.

This is available on Kindle Unlimited. Alternatively, you can borrow it from your local library, or you can support your local indie bookshop.

I enjoyed this book!

It was cozy and mysterious. Super sweet and I liked the freaky Friday switch vibes! I’m excited to read more from this author

Once Upon a Blue Moon was exactly the kind of magical escape I didn’t know I needed! Hazel’s witchy antics and Blake’s grumpy werewolf charm made for such an entertaining and sweet combo. When they magically swap bodies, the awkwardness and confusion that follow are pure gold—had me laughing out loud more than once.

What really stood out was how the story balanced humor, mystery, and romance without ever feeling rushed. The small-town setting gave it this warm, snug feeling, like a cozy blanket on a chilly evening. Plus, the way Hazel and Blake slowly open up to each other was so genuine and satisfying to watch.

If you love paranormal stories with quirky characters and a touch of magic, this book will totally steal your heart. It’s lighthearted but with enough twists to keep things interesting, making it perfect for a laid-back afternoon read. Honestly, I’m already looking forward to more from Avery Arujo!

Magical mishaps and accidental romance. Enemies to lovers in a fun and cozy way but so much fun! So good.

A grumpy werewolf and a sunshiney witch switch bodies and have to safe their town, Moonridge, from destruction!? So fun! This was such a cute, fun, quick read. Blake and Hazel absolutely hate each other, but when they switch bodies, they learn how difficult the other's life really is and they grow to appreciate each other. This is a romance as well, but definitely a closed door romance for those who don't want any spice! This is the beginning of a Moonridge series and I can't wait for the next book to come out! Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for my digital ARC!!

Rating: 3.5 stars

If you are looking for a small-town cozy romance, this is the book for you. There’s humor, drama, and mystery. It gives small-town vibes where everyone knows everyone.

The story begins with Hazel struggling to cope with a breakup with a guy who didn’t deserve her. He wanted someone… “normal.” In an attempt to cast a spell, Blake storms in. As you would guess, things go awry. They swap bodies, and things get real. While in each other’s bodies, they saw how the other lived and operated—revealing the level of care they deserved, as well as their biggest fears and insecurities. And because no one knew about the swap, they learned how others saw them.

The villain was easy to figure out: who the villain was, what she was, and what motivated her. It also wasn’t hard to guess what her plans were. However, she was well-written. You properly disliked her. I enjoyed the secondary characters: Mina (the bed and breakfast owner who will also be the MFC in book 2), CoCo (the intern working in the shop with Hazel), and Calvin (Blake’s brother) were great, and they helped move the story along. I do take issue with the usage of the Black best friend, La’Tasha. She would pop in for what felt like a research info dump, and then you wouldn’t see her again until the next time some research was needed… but she ran the shop with Hazel. This happened for most of the book.

One of my favorite aspects of this book was Hazel’s level of pettiness. The pranks she played on the townpeople, especially her ex-boyfriend (although, technically, that was Blake, but it was fantastic). If you love a romance with a witch and wolf shifter with cozy, small-town romance vibes, you’ll enjoy this.

This is available on Kindle Unlimited. Alternatively, you can borrow it from your local library, or you can support your local indie bookshop.

I am excited to read more in this series! I loved the Freak Friday supernatural plot line. I thought the chemistry between Hazel and Blake was well written too. I finished this in one sitting!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

The story kicks off with Hazel single and casting a beauty spell, when her werewolf neighbor Blake shows up to complain about the smell of it. Next thing they know, they’re trapped in each other’s bodies.

The book then goes down a twisty paranormal mystery with just the right amount of romance. I really enjoyed that the focus wasn’t solely on the romance but also on the characters learning to navigate each other's powers, working as a team, and uncovering something sinister happening in their town. The something sinister was really intriguing shout of to the historian in the book for keeping really good records.

The world-building was a highlight for me. It’s not just about Hazel and Blake, but about the whole community other witches, werewolves, and the hidden secrets of the town’s history. The slow-burn romance felt natural and balanced well with the mystery and magic.

Pick this one up if you’re in the mood for a cozy paranormal romance with heart, humor, and a dash of danger!

This book was so much more than I expected. I was prepared for silly body-switch humor and some light magic, and I got those moments as well, but the big bad was actually pretty evil and the whole world was well constructed.

Blake and Hazel don’t just peel away each other’s layers, they have to live inside them. Such an intense way to get to know someone better and it worked so well. They were so sweet and interesting together, their strengths complementing each other’s perfectly. The kind of match you can’t help but root for.

And the town and side characters were really interesting to me. I’d love to read another book about Hazel’s best friend or Blake’s brother or another member of his pack. I think a really fun series was set up here

Hazel and Blake's story was so sweet to read.

The coziness of the town and the comforting setting of the magic shop was amazing. I loved watching Hazel and Blake become closer and realize that they had been misjudging each other. I thought the switching of the bodies was such a clever way of having these two characters start to relate to one another and discover more about their histories and daily challenges.

The mystery aspect of this book was good too. It felt a little simple at times, but I liked the extra mystery element to the romance.

Overall, a good read that would be perfect to read in front of the fire while it's raining outside.

A hilarious cozy read.

The concept is wild, a body swap between a witch and a warewolf - what could go wrong?!

The character development on both sides throughout this book is brilliant, they learn so much about each others perspectives and find a new appreciation for each other during their swap. I really appreciated that there were no comments about their anatomy and that kind of weirdness you see in some films.

“Once Upon a Blue Moon" is a cozy paranormal gem—fun, quirky, and full of heart. Hazel’s magic mishaps had me laughing, especially once she and her grumpy neighbor Blake end up in a magical body-swap mess. The banter is top-tier, the mystery keeps things moving, and I loved watching both characters grow through all the chaos. Snark, suspense, and slow-burn romance? Yes, please. This one totally hit the spot.

This was a pretty solid story, but I kept wishing that there was more tension and spice, especially for a body swap fantasy romance. I really wanted the two main characters to have more of a romantic connection than there was.

Avery Arujo has a rock-solid premise in Once Upon a Blue Moon, with enjoyable characters and a a plot that rockets along. It ticks the boxes for a "clean" romance, but never quite surpassed the basics for me.

My biggest issue was the writing style--it was very "tell" rather than "show," which became ever-clearer as the climax approached and the emotional stakes continually fell flat for me and the real physical/magical stakes felt stilted. I can see this writing appealing to some, especially those transitioning into adult romance or adult paranormal fantasy books. However, for me, it work.

I always feel bad not being able to enthusiastically praise a debut, indie author and book. I want them to be successful, and I think Arujo has the building blocks for a good book, but ultimately, it wasn't for me. Thanks to NetGalley and AA Lit for the ebook ARC. All opinions are mine alone.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher (BookBuzz ) for the E-ARC.

Once Upon a Blue Moon is exactly the kind of charming paranormal rom-com I love sinking into. A werewolf and a witch swapping bodies—especially when they weren’t exactly friends in the first place? Sign me up. It immediately reminded me of a certain Korean drama I adored (Meteor Garden, anyone?), and luckily, the contents of the book did not disappoint. Avery Arujo casts a spell that’s hard to resist.

Hazel is a delightfully messy potion-brewer with a big heart and zero chill, and Blake is her surly, brooding werewolf neighbor who just wants peace and quiet. Naturally, the universe decides to trap them in each other’s bodies—and the results are magical mayhem. From awkward spellwork to unexpected emotional growth, the body swap trope is used in the best possible way: to challenge the characters, deepen their connection, and spark plenty of banter.

The chemistry between Hazel and Blake crackles from the start, and their evolution from annoyed neighbors to reluctant allies to something sweeter was an absolute treat. I especially loved the moments of introspection and vulnerability that came through as they began to see each other in a whole new light—literally.

The supporting cast was just as lovable. Coco brought charm and humor to every scene she was in, and Calvin’s dynamic with Hazel felt organic and genuinely heartwarming. Even the villains had flair, adding tension without ever dragging the tone too far from cozy.

Pacing-wise, the book struck a nice balance—sometimes brisk, sometimes lingering in the emotional beats—and it worked well for the story. And while there’s no spice in this one, the romantic tension and soft moments still deliver the feels.

With its small-town magic, swoony slow-burn romance, and a plot that hits the sweet spot between cozy and adventurous, Once Upon a Blue Moon is a delightful start to a series I’ll definitely be continuing.

The perfect summer-ween read. I loved the characters and setting so much I just might re-read it when fall rolls around!