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Hot Hex Boyfriend
Delia Merriweather does not believe in magic. But she does believe in family, and her family happens to identify as witches. Their lack of magic doesn’t dampen this heartfelt belief, because according to lore and legend, they’re hexed. Convenient? Yes. True? Probably not.
Thanks to a weird birthmark, the eccentric circle of Merriweather women believe that Delia is their blue witch. In other words, she’s supposedly the person capable of restoring magic to the Coven Merriweather. However, A) magic isn’t real and B) the spell is truly horrific and illegal in all fifty states. Who’s going to boil a baby, for crying out loud? So, they’re all completely blown away when Delia accidentally breaks the hex (sans baby-boiling obviously). Chaos and mayhem ensue, drawing the attention of the invisible witching world. And that includes the sexy, brooding, and excessively irritable Max Halifax who has recently moved in next door to settle his uncle’s estate.
Just when Max thinks he’s done with his endless tour of duty—keeping an eye on the bumbling Merriweather women—he discovers Delia Merriweather has somehow broken the hex placed by his great-great grandfather. He worries that beneath the Merriweathers’ seemingly harmless antics, lies the very real possibility that this gaggle of clueless witches will somehow stumble into their power and, like their ancestors, threaten to rule the witching world by controlling the hearts of men. Maybe it’s even starting already. Because Max’s heart beats erratically whenever Delia Merriweather is around.
Thanks to a weird birthmark, the eccentric circle of Merriweather women believe that Delia is their blue witch. In other words, she’s supposedly the person capable of restoring magic to the Coven Merriweather. However, A) magic isn’t real and B) the spell is truly horrific and illegal in all fifty states. Who’s going to boil a baby, for crying out loud? So, they’re all completely blown away when Delia accidentally breaks the hex (sans baby-boiling obviously). Chaos and mayhem ensue, drawing the attention of the invisible witching world. And that includes the sexy, brooding, and excessively irritable Max Halifax who has recently moved in next door to settle his uncle’s estate.
Just when Max thinks he’s done with his endless tour of duty—keeping an eye on the bumbling Merriweather women—he discovers Delia Merriweather has somehow broken the hex placed by his great-great grandfather. He worries that beneath the Merriweathers’ seemingly harmless antics, lies the very real possibility that this gaggle of clueless witches will somehow stumble into their power and, like their ancestors, threaten to rule the witching world by controlling the hearts of men. Maybe it’s even starting already. Because Max’s heart beats erratically whenever Delia Merriweather is around.
368 pages, Paperback
First published September 3, 2024
78 people are currently reading
14.6k people want to read
About the author
Carly Bloom
6 books257 followersCarly Bloom began her writing career as a family humor columnist and blogger, a pursuit she abandoned when her children grew old enough to literally die from embarrassment. To save their delicate lives, Carly turned to penning steamy, contemporary romance. The kind with bare chests on the covers.
Carly and her husband raise their mortified brood of offspring on a cattle ranch in South Texas. Also? Carly is a vegan. The cows love her.
Carly and her husband raise their mortified brood of offspring on a cattle ranch in South Texas. Also? Carly is a vegan. The cows love her.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 623 reviews
November 25, 2024
4.5 Bewitched ✨'s
Hot Hex Boyfriend is a sweet and cozy rom-com perfect for fall! The story follows Delia and her quirky family who believe they are witches cursed to have no magic. Unbeknownst to them all, they are indeed witches and only have one more week to break the hex before they are without magic forever. Sent to keep an eye on the group and make sure they don't succeed, Max, their temporary neighbor is sure the chaotic family has no way of breaking the curse. However, as he gets close to Delia, and the two spend her birthday together, Max, is in for a rude awakening when the family comes into their powers and are ready to test it out.
This was such a fun and cozy read! The magic and small town made the story so sweet and charming, I loved how the family interacted and felt very close-knit. Max and Delia were so sweet together, the way Max was sure of Delia and her capabilities was just adorable. The man was completely smitten! The wholesome characters and family were completely entertaining, the family antics were so chaotic and fun. While I do think the pacing and logistics could use some work, if you don't go into the story expecting anything serious, I think the plot and romance will shine. I read this in one sitting and I can't wait for more in this crazy and exciting magical world!
~Many thanks to Netgalley and Forever Publishing for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
Hot Hex Boyfriend is a sweet and cozy rom-com perfect for fall! The story follows Delia and her quirky family who believe they are witches cursed to have no magic. Unbeknownst to them all, they are indeed witches and only have one more week to break the hex before they are without magic forever. Sent to keep an eye on the group and make sure they don't succeed, Max, their temporary neighbor is sure the chaotic family has no way of breaking the curse. However, as he gets close to Delia, and the two spend her birthday together, Max, is in for a rude awakening when the family comes into their powers and are ready to test it out.
This was such a fun and cozy read! The magic and small town made the story so sweet and charming, I loved how the family interacted and felt very close-knit. Max and Delia were so sweet together, the way Max was sure of Delia and her capabilities was just adorable. The man was completely smitten! The wholesome characters and family were completely entertaining, the family antics were so chaotic and fun. While I do think the pacing and logistics could use some work, if you don't go into the story expecting anything serious, I think the plot and romance will shine. I read this in one sitting and I can't wait for more in this crazy and exciting magical world!
~Many thanks to Netgalley and Forever Publishing for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
September 18, 2024
AHH THIS WAS SUPER CUUUUTE!!
perfect autumn read 🍁🤎 this had witches, curses, a puppy, true love, fun aunties and grandma 👵🏼, great family dynamics and lots of love😋
blankets + tea + this books= perfect cozy autumn day
✨ And he knew with every fiber of his body, his heart, his mind, and his soul, that he was this witch’s true love. And she was his heart’s desire.
perfect autumn read 🍁🤎 this had witches, curses, a puppy, true love, fun aunties and grandma 👵🏼, great family dynamics and lots of love😋
blankets + tea + this books= perfect cozy autumn day
✨ And he knew with every fiber of his body, his heart, his mind, and his soul, that he was this witch’s true love. And she was his heart’s desire.
September 10, 2024
Hot Hex Boyfriend by Carly Bloom
Paranormal witch romance.
The Merriweather women identify as witches. What they lack in magic, they make up in belief, support and family protectiveness. Rumor has it that they have been hexed so they can’t access their magic. Delia Merriweather doesn’t believe in magic or the hex. First, the so called magic book recipes have ridiculous ingredients. Second, if witches were real, wouldn’t their status be worthy of some benefits?
When Delia unwittingly breaks the hex the family has been under, everyone is surprised including the family. Max Halifax has been keeping an eye on the Merriweather’s since it was his family’s doing that they live without magic. He’s been ordered to rehex the Merriweather women but that would require a blood sacrifice which isn’t legal anymore. Nor is it fair to anyone and the community is taking notice. Change is coming.
🎧 I alternated between an ebook and an audiobook for this story. The audiobook is performed by Zion Jang and Laura Knignt Keating who do a marvelous job in alternating chapters. Each is able to perform multiple voices and convey nuanced emotions that keep the reader interested and attentive. The audio version adds a level of delight to the story.
I listened at my preferred rate of 1.5
I loved the lighthearted family vibe of the Merriweather women. Supporting, regardless of losses or wins, loving and happy. They delight in thinking to fake Magic traditional spells. The addition of the imp sifting between animal and human form with such a specific personality is delectable. Yes there are some darker elements here and some steam. In whole, it was entertaining a d recommended for anyone that likes a touch of magic.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and Hachette Audio
Paranormal witch romance.
The Merriweather women identify as witches. What they lack in magic, they make up in belief, support and family protectiveness. Rumor has it that they have been hexed so they can’t access their magic. Delia Merriweather doesn’t believe in magic or the hex. First, the so called magic book recipes have ridiculous ingredients. Second, if witches were real, wouldn’t their status be worthy of some benefits?
When Delia unwittingly breaks the hex the family has been under, everyone is surprised including the family. Max Halifax has been keeping an eye on the Merriweather’s since it was his family’s doing that they live without magic. He’s been ordered to rehex the Merriweather women but that would require a blood sacrifice which isn’t legal anymore. Nor is it fair to anyone and the community is taking notice. Change is coming.
🎧 I alternated between an ebook and an audiobook for this story. The audiobook is performed by Zion Jang and Laura Knignt Keating who do a marvelous job in alternating chapters. Each is able to perform multiple voices and convey nuanced emotions that keep the reader interested and attentive. The audio version adds a level of delight to the story.
I listened at my preferred rate of 1.5
I loved the lighthearted family vibe of the Merriweather women. Supporting, regardless of losses or wins, loving and happy. They delight in thinking to fake Magic traditional spells. The addition of the imp sifting between animal and human form with such a specific personality is delectable. Yes there are some darker elements here and some steam. In whole, it was entertaining a d recommended for anyone that likes a touch of magic.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and Hachette Audio
August 12, 2024
4.5⭐️.5🌶️ || TikTok ||
Practical Magic meets Sabrina the Teenage Witch but if the Owens were hexed and didn’t have magic. The prefect cozy fall rom-com!
What I loved…
- the magic system! I wasn’t expecting such a well fleshed out and interesting magic system from a cozy paranormal romcom! I was pleasantly surprised!
- Absolutely fantastic setting and fictional small town Texas setting. I’m dying for a chance to eat at the Mourning Glory Cafe and dance at the Ice House. And begging Ms. Bloom to write more in this world asap!
- family-forward, both blood and found. I absolutely adored the found family aspects of this novel! The town’s coven and people were top notch. The Merrinweathers were perfectly quirky and the family dynamic of the Halifaxs A++++
- I love a nerdy MMC - bonus points when they’re stoic and the FMC is what helps them loosen up!
- THE ENDING WAS PERFECTION. Honestly this was a solid 4⭐️ book for the majority of the novel, but then that climax hit and it was so good! The emotional impact was 5⭐️, Making this book an easy 4.5⭐️ read.
- no 3rd act break up (This is always a win for me and something I like to note!)
- Did I mention the cast of side characters are absolutely incredible? Nikki is my favorite!
- laugh out loud funny
- cozy and a little campy
- proximity - a little grumpy/sunshine - opposites attract
What I didn’t love…
- The second chapter felt a little choppy and was a major departure from the hilarious first chapter. - Don’t let it scare you off though everything falls into a good rhythm after!
Spice: This was on page but vaguely described. Maybe 1/2 🌶️?
Thank you NetGalley and Forever (Grand Publishing) for sending this book (eARC) for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Practical Magic meets Sabrina the Teenage Witch but if the Owens were hexed and didn’t have magic. The prefect cozy fall rom-com!
What I loved…
- the magic system! I wasn’t expecting such a well fleshed out and interesting magic system from a cozy paranormal romcom! I was pleasantly surprised!
- Absolutely fantastic setting and fictional small town Texas setting. I’m dying for a chance to eat at the Mourning Glory Cafe and dance at the Ice House. And begging Ms. Bloom to write more in this world asap!
- family-forward, both blood and found. I absolutely adored the found family aspects of this novel! The town’s coven and people were top notch. The Merrinweathers were perfectly quirky and the family dynamic of the Halifaxs A++++
- I love a nerdy MMC - bonus points when they’re stoic and the FMC is what helps them loosen up!
- THE ENDING WAS PERFECTION. Honestly this was a solid 4⭐️ book for the majority of the novel, but then that climax hit and it was so good! The emotional impact was 5⭐️, Making this book an easy 4.5⭐️ read.
- no 3rd act break up (This is always a win for me and something I like to note!)
- Did I mention the cast of side characters are absolutely incredible? Nikki is my favorite!
- laugh out loud funny
- cozy and a little campy
- proximity - a little grumpy/sunshine - opposites attract
What I didn’t love…
- The second chapter felt a little choppy and was a major departure from the hilarious first chapter. - Don’t let it scare you off though everything falls into a good rhythm after!
Spice: This was on page but vaguely described. Maybe 1/2 🌶️?
Thank you NetGalley and Forever (Grand Publishing) for sending this book (eARC) for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
December 31, 2024
This review is just going to be all over the place, but I'm getting flashbacks to how I felt when I finished The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches. This story is also cozy and cute with lovable main characters who experience some personal growth, hard truths being revealed, and side characters who are hilarious and lovingly supportive. The witchy elements are fun too. Like that other book though, I was left wanting in the romance a bit and the ending is HFN where I needed maybe 3 or 4 more chapters focused primarily on the main characters to be completely satisfied.
Max (H) and Delia (h) are excellent main characters though, strongly affected by their families and upbringings. Max has a family who's focused on the traditional witch world and belief system. Delia's at times overwhelmed by her family insisting that she's going to break a hex and also, secretly concerned that there may be a curse of some sort of their love lives. The side characters abound and add quite a bit of humor and affection throughout. The hex over Delia's family was an intriguing plot device, with its history and the pressure by the ruling witches to ensure it was maintained. Max is in their small town to watch over Delia and pack up his recently deceased uncle's home. Delia's all friendliness and then attraction to the slowly warming up new neighbor.
Written in third person, dual POV. No ow/om drama and both are experienced but no past strong relationships.
The personal growth for Max becoming a better (and more open) person, as well as his family, was wonderful. I felt like he and Delia made for a cute couple. Them trying to spend time together where one family was supportive and the other wasn't was funny. The spice is mild though, even with a vibrating bed involved. I wish that Max had shared the history of the hex earlier and for as much tension as he felt over that, the reaction was sort of whatever. Delia was probably my favorite character in the story. She was soft and caring with her family, hopeful over trying to make a business/dream work, and she pushy enough to break Max and his brother out of their stuck mindsets.
It did feel like some of the chapter transitions were abrupt and that we'd lose a few days or a couple weeks here and there so that the plot moved both quickly and slowly. Still, the book flows very easily and even though it wasn't gripping for me (I easily could put this down and go do other things, then come back to it), I really enjoyed it. The climax and reveal over what was going to ultimately happen with the hex moved very fast. It was a lot of info coming at once, but also interesting and one of my favorite scenes in the story.
Then, we get the final chapter of the book a couple weeks later and some answers, as well as a focus on a side character, but I really wanted more. I said this review was going to be all over the place and here we are. I ended up being somewhat unsatisfied with the romance and wishing we could have both spent more time with the main couple and found out more about how the witching community was altered by the reveals. However, Max blushes, Delia's lovely, and the small town is amazing so...
Max (H) and Delia (h) are excellent main characters though, strongly affected by their families and upbringings. Max has a family who's focused on the traditional witch world and belief system. Delia's at times overwhelmed by her family insisting that she's going to break a hex and also, secretly concerned that there may be a curse of some sort of their love lives. The side characters abound and add quite a bit of humor and affection throughout. The hex over Delia's family was an intriguing plot device, with its history and the pressure by the ruling witches to ensure it was maintained. Max is in their small town to watch over Delia and pack up his recently deceased uncle's home. Delia's all friendliness and then attraction to the slowly warming up new neighbor.
Written in third person, dual POV. No ow/om drama and both are experienced but no past strong relationships.
The personal growth for Max becoming a better (and more open) person, as well as his family, was wonderful. I felt like he and Delia made for a cute couple. Them trying to spend time together where one family was supportive and the other wasn't was funny. The spice is mild though, even with a vibrating bed involved. I wish that Max had shared the history of the hex earlier and for as much tension as he felt over that, the reaction was sort of whatever. Delia was probably my favorite character in the story. She was soft and caring with her family, hopeful over trying to make a business/dream work, and she pushy enough to break Max and his brother out of their stuck mindsets.
It did feel like some of the chapter transitions were abrupt and that we'd lose a few days or a couple weeks here and there so that the plot moved both quickly and slowly. Still, the book flows very easily and even though it wasn't gripping for me (I easily could put this down and go do other things, then come back to it), I really enjoyed it. The climax and reveal over what was going to ultimately happen with the hex moved very fast. It was a lot of info coming at once, but also interesting and one of my favorite scenes in the story.
Then, we get the final chapter of the book a couple weeks later and some answers, as well as a focus on a side character, but I really wanted more. I said this review was going to be all over the place and here we are. I ended up being somewhat unsatisfied with the romance and wishing we could have both spent more time with the main couple and found out more about how the witching community was altered by the reveals. However, Max blushes, Delia's lovely, and the small town is amazing so...
August 16, 2024
4.5 stars.
This was a cute story with two fun audiobook narrators. This is dual narration/dual POV. I received this for free as an advanced reader copy and I'm glad I gave this a try.
The hero is a socially awkward introvert (he blushes😊😳) who has grown up in a world where feelings and romance are considered wrong. He inherits his uncle's house and has come to sell everything and also spy on the neighbors, one of which just happens to be a cute and bubbly woman who might break a centuries-long curse against her family by his family.
This was adorable. Delia's family is loving and bumbling and the opposite of Max and his family who are more cold and rule-oriented. This was a light-hearted romance with some villains and conspiracies.
The romance progressed really well and, while both of them were "against romance" for very different reasons, the negative motivation didn't drive me crazy. When they fell in love, they fell in love. There is a third act breakup, but it didn't give me much angst.
Safety deets
- no OW/OM
- not much about their sexual histories other than both of them have been casual with their partners in the past.
- cute puppy 🐶
- We get to see them together in the end.
- Some mystery and twists that were intriguing... I would love to read more of this world.
I recommend. It's a cute one!
This was a cute story with two fun audiobook narrators. This is dual narration/dual POV. I received this for free as an advanced reader copy and I'm glad I gave this a try.
The hero is a socially awkward introvert (he blushes😊😳) who has grown up in a world where feelings and romance are considered wrong. He inherits his uncle's house and has come to sell everything and also spy on the neighbors, one of which just happens to be a cute and bubbly woman who might break a centuries-long curse against her family by his family.
This was adorable. Delia's family is loving and bumbling and the opposite of Max and his family who are more cold and rule-oriented. This was a light-hearted romance with some villains and conspiracies.
The romance progressed really well and, while both of them were "against romance" for very different reasons, the negative motivation didn't drive me crazy. When they fell in love, they fell in love. There is a third act breakup, but it didn't give me much angst.
Safety deets
- no OW/OM
- not much about their sexual histories other than both of them have been casual with their partners in the past.
- cute puppy 🐶
- We get to see them together in the end.
- Some mystery and twists that were intriguing... I would love to read more of this world.
I recommend. It's a cute one!
September 10, 2024
2.5 stars rounding up to 3 stars
After loving a few witchy romcoms, I had to give this one a try. This really was not my cup of tea. The premise of the book was great but I felt that it was paced too slow and I was hoping for more romance and spice.
If you are looking for a lighter read with a Halloween feel, you will likely enjoy this book.
I listened to this as an audiobook and really enjoyed the narration. I don’t know if the audiobook truly has large gaps between the chapters but while I was listening to it, I check multiple time to make sure that the app was still working and the audio was playing.
****Many thanks to Hachette Audio for the gifted ALC in turn for an honest review.
After loving a few witchy romcoms, I had to give this one a try. This really was not my cup of tea. The premise of the book was great but I felt that it was paced too slow and I was hoping for more romance and spice.
If you are looking for a lighter read with a Halloween feel, you will likely enjoy this book.
I listened to this as an audiobook and really enjoyed the narration. I don’t know if the audiobook truly has large gaps between the chapters but while I was listening to it, I check multiple time to make sure that the app was still working and the audio was playing.
****Many thanks to Hachette Audio for the gifted ALC in turn for an honest review.
September 3, 2024
✨Happy Release Day!✨
4.25⭐️ 📖 𝐇𝐨𝐭 𝐇𝐞𝐱 𝐁𝐨𝐲𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐦
🎧 𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐫𝐚 𝐊𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐊𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 & 𝐙𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐠
“𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘥, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘐’𝘮 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘴𝘰 𝘩𝘪𝘨𝘩 𝘰𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦.”
This story was so fun! It truly filled my heart with all the warm and fuzzy fall vibes.
Cordelia ‘Delia’ Merriweather comes from a long line of witches, not that she believes in witches. Her family says that they were hexed decades ago and lost all of their magic. They believe she is the blue witch, born under a blue moon, who will break it.
Max Halifax comes to the small town of Willow Root to settle his uncle’s affairs after he dies. His uncle moved in next door to the Merriweather’s in order to watch them and make sure they didn’t break the hex that his family placed on them years ago. The witch world believes the Merriweather’s to be dangerous and now Max must do whatever it takes to make sure they don’t reclaim their lost magic. When he meets Delia and her family, they are nothing like what he expected. Delia is sweet and carefree, and doesn’t even believe in magic.
As they get closer to each other, the magic between them can’t be denied.
I thought this story line was really fun and unique! There were moments when Delia’s family reminded me of Practical Magic and I loved it! Delia and Max were great together and there was a nice little dose of spice added in towards the end!
The side characters were so fun. Max’s parents had me cracking up and Delia’s family was HILARIOUS. I absolutely ADORED Nicky, a magical imp, bound to be the Halifax familiar. He was hands down my favorite character! 🐈⬛
If you love reading magical romances during the fall, go add 𝐇𝐨𝐭 𝐇𝐞𝐱 𝐁𝐨𝐲𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐦 to your TBR today! The audiobook narrated by 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐫𝐚 𝐊𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐊𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 & 𝐙𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐠, was absolutely MAGICAL. 😉
𝘛𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘴:
❤️🔥 𝘌𝘯𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴
🧙🏻 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘴 & 𝘔𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘤 𝘊𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘴
✨ 𝘙𝘰𝘮𝘊𝘰𝘮
🔥 𝘚𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘉𝘶𝘳𝘯 + 𝘚𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘦 (🌶️)
🫶🏼 𝘍𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘍𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺
🍁 𝘊𝘰𝘻𝘺 𝘍𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘝𝘪𝘣𝘦𝘴
4.25⭐️ 📖 𝐇𝐨𝐭 𝐇𝐞𝐱 𝐁𝐨𝐲𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐦
🎧 𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐫𝐚 𝐊𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐊𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 & 𝐙𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐠
“𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘥, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘐’𝘮 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘴𝘰 𝘩𝘪𝘨𝘩 𝘰𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦.”
This story was so fun! It truly filled my heart with all the warm and fuzzy fall vibes.
Cordelia ‘Delia’ Merriweather comes from a long line of witches, not that she believes in witches. Her family says that they were hexed decades ago and lost all of their magic. They believe she is the blue witch, born under a blue moon, who will break it.
Max Halifax comes to the small town of Willow Root to settle his uncle’s affairs after he dies. His uncle moved in next door to the Merriweather’s in order to watch them and make sure they didn’t break the hex that his family placed on them years ago. The witch world believes the Merriweather’s to be dangerous and now Max must do whatever it takes to make sure they don’t reclaim their lost magic. When he meets Delia and her family, they are nothing like what he expected. Delia is sweet and carefree, and doesn’t even believe in magic.
As they get closer to each other, the magic between them can’t be denied.
I thought this story line was really fun and unique! There were moments when Delia’s family reminded me of Practical Magic and I loved it! Delia and Max were great together and there was a nice little dose of spice added in towards the end!
The side characters were so fun. Max’s parents had me cracking up and Delia’s family was HILARIOUS. I absolutely ADORED Nicky, a magical imp, bound to be the Halifax familiar. He was hands down my favorite character! 🐈⬛
If you love reading magical romances during the fall, go add 𝐇𝐨𝐭 𝐇𝐞𝐱 𝐁𝐨𝐲𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐦 to your TBR today! The audiobook narrated by 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐫𝐚 𝐊𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐊𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 & 𝐙𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐠, was absolutely MAGICAL. 😉
𝘛𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘴:
❤️🔥 𝘌𝘯𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴
🧙🏻 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘴 & 𝘔𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘤 𝘊𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘴
✨ 𝘙𝘰𝘮𝘊𝘰𝘮
🔥 𝘚𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘉𝘶𝘳𝘯 + 𝘚𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘦 (🌶️)
🫶🏼 𝘍𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘍𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺
🍁 𝘊𝘰𝘻𝘺 𝘍𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘝𝘪𝘣𝘦𝘴
November 7, 2024
the perfect spooky season read, it was cute, fun, and had twists I wasn't expecting!!
August 21, 2024
Are you on the hunt for a witchy 🧙♀️, cute 💕, and heartwarming rom-com? Look no further—Hot Hex Boyfriend is the book for you!
Delia lives in a loving and supportive family, a quirky bunch composed of her mother, grandmother, and two aunts. Though she adores them, Delia knows they’re a bit...unconventional. Her grandmother and aunts are convinced they descend from a long line of witches cursed to be unable to access their magic. 🧹✨ Fully aware of the absurdity, Delia indulges them, embracing their eccentricities with love.
When their neighbor passes away, his estranged nephew, Max, arrives to handle the estate. Max, however, is no ordinary newcomer—he’s a witch, fully aware of the magical world, and tasked with ensuring that Delia’s family remains hexed. To do this, he decides to keep a close eye on Delia, making sure she doesn’t break the curse before her 30th birthday. But as he gets to know Delia—funny, sweet, and undeniably beautiful—Max begins to suspect that this hex might not be what it seems. ❤️🔥
Hot Hex Boyfriend is a refreshing read, brimming with delightful characters, especially Delia’s family, Luke, and Nikki. They’re all so loving and hilarious! 😄 Max makes for the perfect book boyfriend, while Delia shines as a true ray of sunshine. ☀️ The plot is simple yet engaging, hooking me from the very first chapter. 📖
A big thank you to Hachette Audio for this beautiful ALC. 🎧 Zion Jang’s voice was perfect for Max, and Laura Knight Keating truly brought sunny Delia to life. I loved every moment! 🎉
Delia lives in a loving and supportive family, a quirky bunch composed of her mother, grandmother, and two aunts. Though she adores them, Delia knows they’re a bit...unconventional. Her grandmother and aunts are convinced they descend from a long line of witches cursed to be unable to access their magic. 🧹✨ Fully aware of the absurdity, Delia indulges them, embracing their eccentricities with love.
When their neighbor passes away, his estranged nephew, Max, arrives to handle the estate. Max, however, is no ordinary newcomer—he’s a witch, fully aware of the magical world, and tasked with ensuring that Delia’s family remains hexed. To do this, he decides to keep a close eye on Delia, making sure she doesn’t break the curse before her 30th birthday. But as he gets to know Delia—funny, sweet, and undeniably beautiful—Max begins to suspect that this hex might not be what it seems. ❤️🔥
Hot Hex Boyfriend is a refreshing read, brimming with delightful characters, especially Delia’s family, Luke, and Nikki. They’re all so loving and hilarious! 😄 Max makes for the perfect book boyfriend, while Delia shines as a true ray of sunshine. ☀️ The plot is simple yet engaging, hooking me from the very first chapter. 📖
A big thank you to Hachette Audio for this beautiful ALC. 🎧 Zion Jang’s voice was perfect for Max, and Laura Knight Keating truly brought sunny Delia to life. I loved every moment! 🎉
November 28, 2024
4.25 ⭐️ 1.5🌶 CF-friendly
This is a super cute magical contemporary romance. The writing was great with some absolute gems that I wish I could highlight in the audiobook. There were some fabulous lines. The characters were all so loveable, with diverse personalities. Delia and Max are adorable together. The book was a bit slow for my liking, and the romance is slower burn with light spice. The ending was not what I was expecting, it was so much better!
I listened to the audiobook, and the two narrators did an absolutely stand-up job! 5⭐️ to the narrators. They both gave such distinct voices and personalities to the characters, and the personalities, vocal mannerisms, and even vocal tones were cohesive between the two narrators (which is something I rarely come across in books). Absolutely loved that southern bell charming accent for Delia, the voice actors were perfect selections. That consistency of voice for the same character between the two narrators really kept the the story cohesive and the flow between chapter viewpoints so smooth. It was an absolute joy to listen to!
I recommend anyone who is looking for a fun audiobook, great narration, perfectly accented characters, and cute magical realism to give this book a try. Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Audio for providing the audiobook for my honest review.
This is a super cute magical contemporary romance. The writing was great with some absolute gems that I wish I could highlight in the audiobook. There were some fabulous lines. The characters were all so loveable, with diverse personalities. Delia and Max are adorable together. The book was a bit slow for my liking, and the romance is slower burn with light spice. The ending was not what I was expecting, it was so much better!
I listened to the audiobook, and the two narrators did an absolutely stand-up job! 5⭐️ to the narrators. They both gave such distinct voices and personalities to the characters, and the personalities, vocal mannerisms, and even vocal tones were cohesive between the two narrators (which is something I rarely come across in books). Absolutely loved that southern bell charming accent for Delia, the voice actors were perfect selections. That consistency of voice for the same character between the two narrators really kept the the story cohesive and the flow between chapter viewpoints so smooth. It was an absolute joy to listen to!
I recommend anyone who is looking for a fun audiobook, great narration, perfectly accented characters, and cute magical realism to give this book a try. Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Audio for providing the audiobook for my honest review.
October 8, 2024
I made it a little over halfway through this and I think the curse had been lifted but it had just happened and didn’t seem to affect anything. This should’ve been a fun, cute read but instead the story goes in circles with almost nothing happening. I found I stopped caring what happened to either of them.
*I received an eARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
*I received an eARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
September 4, 2024
4 haunting stars!
Thank you, Netgalley & Forever Publishing, for an early E-arc in exchange for my honest review!
“Her eyes seemed to darken at the same moment that a cloud drifted in front of the moon, and he was helplessly trapped by her gaze, as if she were the moon, and he, an endless ocean at the mercy of its pull.”
Upon finishing this book, I’m semi- surprised at how much I truly enjoyed this! It was such a quick read for me, given how captivating the story was.
This is the perfect cozy rom-com for the fall season!
I loved the small town aspect & the witchiness throughout. It’s always fun when you have a witch who’s unaware of their own powers! I loved how close their family was, and how they loved to have fun.
Delia’s “quirky” family believes themselves to be witches who have been cursed to have no magic. All, but Delia. She’s never been quite the one to entertain their “stories.”
What they don’t know: it’s true. They have been hexed. And most importantly, they only have one week left in order to break the spell.
Max- the temporary neighbor who has been sent to keep an eye on the family to make sure they don’t succeed in breaking the curse- fully believes this crazy family has no idea of their powers. Surprisingly, after spending Delia’s birthday with her and the family, he finds himself entranced.
What could go wrong?
Thank you, Netgalley & Forever Publishing, for an early E-arc in exchange for my honest review!
“Her eyes seemed to darken at the same moment that a cloud drifted in front of the moon, and he was helplessly trapped by her gaze, as if she were the moon, and he, an endless ocean at the mercy of its pull.”
Upon finishing this book, I’m semi- surprised at how much I truly enjoyed this! It was such a quick read for me, given how captivating the story was.
This is the perfect cozy rom-com for the fall season!
I loved the small town aspect & the witchiness throughout. It’s always fun when you have a witch who’s unaware of their own powers! I loved how close their family was, and how they loved to have fun.
Delia’s “quirky” family believes themselves to be witches who have been cursed to have no magic. All, but Delia. She’s never been quite the one to entertain their “stories.”
What they don’t know: it’s true. They have been hexed. And most importantly, they only have one week left in order to break the spell.
Max- the temporary neighbor who has been sent to keep an eye on the family to make sure they don’t succeed in breaking the curse- fully believes this crazy family has no idea of their powers. Surprisingly, after spending Delia’s birthday with her and the family, he finds himself entranced.
What could go wrong?
October 28, 2024
Ok, this was good. It was better than expected. Usually for me rom-coms, witchy or not, can be hard to fully enjoy. There's always something that I don't like, or the story doesn't work for me.
Not the case here.
This was a nice story. I even liked pretty much all the characters (even the silly ones), except the ones we weren't supposed to like. The way the magic works was also very interesting.
I had never heard of Carly Bloom before, but I believe I could read her witchy stories and have a really nice time.
Not the case here.
This was a nice story. I even liked pretty much all the characters (even the silly ones), except the ones we weren't supposed to like. The way the magic works was also very interesting.
I had never heard of Carly Bloom before, but I believe I could read her witchy stories and have a really nice time.
October 27, 2024
It’s Spooky Season Witches!
This was a delightful paranormal romance with a captivating and engaging premise!
I absolutely loved the cozy, enchanting feel of the story and thoroughly enjoyed the quirky cursed witch family, along with all their entertaining antics and shenanigans!
And who doesn’t love a fun familiar sidekick?!
If you’re searching for a charming and magical witchy romcom to wrap up the season, look no further!
3.5 stars rounded to 4 for Goodreads
This was a delightful paranormal romance with a captivating and engaging premise!
I absolutely loved the cozy, enchanting feel of the story and thoroughly enjoyed the quirky cursed witch family, along with all their entertaining antics and shenanigans!
And who doesn’t love a fun familiar sidekick?!
If you’re searching for a charming and magical witchy romcom to wrap up the season, look no further!
3.5 stars rounded to 4 for Goodreads
August 28, 2024
Expected publication: 3rd September 2024
*2.5 stars
I really wanted to love this, but it needed some tweaks.
There are 3 things I really loved about this book:
1. The cosy, small town, Sabrina the Teenage Witch vibes
2. Delia's best friend
3. The cat
But unfortunately that's about all that I liked.
I started out really enjoying it, but I feel like it went on forever! I think the problem is that the plot from the synopsis doesn't actually start until about 50/60% of the way through the book. So obviously by that point I'd completely lost interest. I also feel like the characters were quite immature and there wasn't actually any chemistry between Delia and Max.
Because of the pacing issues, I didn't end up enjoying this that much, but I did have a great time at the start!
Thank you to Netgalley and Headline for the eARC.
*2.5 stars
I really wanted to love this, but it needed some tweaks.
There are 3 things I really loved about this book:
1. The cosy, small town, Sabrina the Teenage Witch vibes
2. Delia's best friend
3. The cat
But unfortunately that's about all that I liked.
I started out really enjoying it, but I feel like it went on forever! I think the problem is that the plot from the synopsis doesn't actually start until about 50/60% of the way through the book. So obviously by that point I'd completely lost interest. I also feel like the characters were quite immature and there wasn't actually any chemistry between Delia and Max.
Because of the pacing issues, I didn't end up enjoying this that much, but I did have a great time at the start!
Thank you to Netgalley and Headline for the eARC.
June 5, 2024
This is going to be so much fun for fall. It's witchy vibes are perfect for Halloween and the mood reading we will want in that time of year. This is the story of a family of witches that's been hexed and is trying to break it. And the hot neighbor who knows what to do but doesn't want the hex broken.
Neighbor proximity. So many quirky aunts. Halloweentown-ish vibes. The rom com that we have been itching for since the end of Carly's cowboy series is here. It's fun and smart and completely bingeable and I can't wait to make all of my friends read it.
Neighbor proximity. So many quirky aunts. Halloweentown-ish vibes. The rom com that we have been itching for since the end of Carly's cowboy series is here. It's fun and smart and completely bingeable and I can't wait to make all of my friends read it.
August 14, 2024
Cordelia "Delia" Merriweather comes from a family of witches - or at least that's what her family thinks - but Delia is convinced there's no such thing and there's certainly not a drop of magic in their veins. Sure she's got a weird birthmark that marks her as the Blue Witch, the one destined too break the hex on her family and free their magic once more, but no matter how many times they've made the "potion" mean to free them it never works. Ergo, she is not the Blue Witch, she's just a soon-to-be thirty year-old women trying to get her interior design business off the ground. So when her neighbor's nephew, Max, comes to town after his uncle's death, Delia is determined stag the job of staging the house for prospective buyers. Sure he might be a bit of an ass, but this is just the boost her business needs. What she doesn't know is that Max isn't just here to clear out the old house, he's been sent to keep an eye on the Merriweather family, specifically their Blue Witch.
Perfect for the fall, this is a delightfully fun tale of magic, family, and love. I adored Delia and her southern charm, and her love for her family was so heartwarming. Honestly I wish they'd popped up a bit more often because they were wonderfully entertaining! The romance was sweet (with a bit of spice), but I'm not sure it particularly stood out compared to the rest of the story. I think I just loved the magic bits so much that I was always looking forward to those scenes more than any others. Overall a pleasant read with a charming cast of characters.
Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Perfect for the fall, this is a delightfully fun tale of magic, family, and love. I adored Delia and her southern charm, and her love for her family was so heartwarming. Honestly I wish they'd popped up a bit more often because they were wonderfully entertaining! The romance was sweet (with a bit of spice), but I'm not sure it particularly stood out compared to the rest of the story. I think I just loved the magic bits so much that I was always looking forward to those scenes more than any others. Overall a pleasant read with a charming cast of characters.
Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
September 5, 2024
Add this to your fall TBR!
Magical rom coms are my favorite sub genre. Is that thing? I hope its a thing, because this book fits perfectly into this category.
Cordelia “Delia” Merriweather is a blue witch, according to her family. All Delia wants is for people to take her newest business venture in interior design seriously. Which is hard to do when her family is kind of the laughing stock of the community. Not only does her family think she’s a witch, but they believe they come from a long line of witches who have been cursed… Little does Delia know, she is surrounded by actual magic and her family isn’t so crazy after all. Every year on her birthday they make a special soup in an attempt to break the curse. A soup because no one is out there sacrificing babies anymore.. Are they?
Max, a rather stuffy albeit easy on the eyes, witch comes into town to settle his late uncles estate. Which just so happens to be right next door to the Merriweathers. Turns out his late uncle was tasked on keeping an eye on them and making sure they didn’t break the generational curse. But the only thing Max can keep his eyes on is Delia. Even knowing that she is what is known as a “heart witch,” known for their prowess in love potions he still can’t seem to keep away. Is he falling under her spell, or could it be something else. Which seems impossible since Max comes from a long line of witches who shun relationships and love, so if he is feeling anything it must be magic.
Oh and did I mention the adorable familiar who sometimes is a man and sometimes is a cat?
This was the perfect way to usher in the spooky szn and I highly recommend it.
Thank you netgalley, and forever pub for this advanced copy.
Magical rom coms are my favorite sub genre. Is that thing? I hope its a thing, because this book fits perfectly into this category.
Cordelia “Delia” Merriweather is a blue witch, according to her family. All Delia wants is for people to take her newest business venture in interior design seriously. Which is hard to do when her family is kind of the laughing stock of the community. Not only does her family think she’s a witch, but they believe they come from a long line of witches who have been cursed… Little does Delia know, she is surrounded by actual magic and her family isn’t so crazy after all. Every year on her birthday they make a special soup in an attempt to break the curse. A soup because no one is out there sacrificing babies anymore.. Are they?
Max, a rather stuffy albeit easy on the eyes, witch comes into town to settle his late uncles estate. Which just so happens to be right next door to the Merriweathers. Turns out his late uncle was tasked on keeping an eye on them and making sure they didn’t break the generational curse. But the only thing Max can keep his eyes on is Delia. Even knowing that she is what is known as a “heart witch,” known for their prowess in love potions he still can’t seem to keep away. Is he falling under her spell, or could it be something else. Which seems impossible since Max comes from a long line of witches who shun relationships and love, so if he is feeling anything it must be magic.
Oh and did I mention the adorable familiar who sometimes is a man and sometimes is a cat?
This was the perfect way to usher in the spooky szn and I highly recommend it.
Thank you netgalley, and forever pub for this advanced copy.
September 14, 2024
I had a very good time with the cast of characters and central romance in this book. Not a ton of paranormal world building but what was there was interesting and there were enough twists in it to keep me going. I particularly liked the play on chosen one/non-believer that was going on with Delia as the central character--without her the book doesn't work at all. Would love to read a sequel some day with Luc as the hero, he was a delightful side character.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
September 7, 2024
First off I gotta say that this book was actually pretty funny. I very seldom ever find enjoyment in romcom humor (This could be a me problem. The jury is still out.) but Carly Bloom pulled it off here. I could see this being a fall comfort read.
Heartwarming and (southern!) charming- one of my new favorite contemporary romances.
Heartwarming and (southern!) charming- one of my new favorite contemporary romances.
October 26, 2024
3.5 stars! It was a cute, witchy fall read!
October 17, 2024
3.5 stars. Cute, and I liked the characters, but it took me a bit to get into it.
July 17, 2024
Hot Hex Boyfriend is a stand-alone paranormal romance novel written by Carly Bloom.
Format: NetGalley ebook
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Spice level:🌶️
Cordelia “Delia” (FMC)⭐️⭐️⭐️
Witch, Interior Designer
Max (MMC)⭐️⭐️⭐️
Witch
When Max’s uncle passes away, he is tasked with visiting a small town in Texas to pack up his possessions and sell the house.
While there, Max meets the family of women who live next door that just so happen to be the family of witches that were hexed by his family many generations ago. Cordelia and her family are quirky, but she never believed the stories of the hex and magical abilities.
Now that Max and Delia are spending time together, strange things are happening and questions are starting to get asked.
With the help of Max’s straight laced family, Delia’s quirky family, a paranormal town, and a delightful familiar named Nikki, Max and Delia have to figure out how to break the hex and overcome a evil entity.
This is an entertaining paranormal themed story with amazing characters and Halloween vibes!
Overall score:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Format: NetGalley ebook
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Spice level:🌶️
Cordelia “Delia” (FMC)⭐️⭐️⭐️
Witch, Interior Designer
Max (MMC)⭐️⭐️⭐️
Witch
When Max’s uncle passes away, he is tasked with visiting a small town in Texas to pack up his possessions and sell the house.
While there, Max meets the family of women who live next door that just so happen to be the family of witches that were hexed by his family many generations ago. Cordelia and her family are quirky, but she never believed the stories of the hex and magical abilities.
Now that Max and Delia are spending time together, strange things are happening and questions are starting to get asked.
With the help of Max’s straight laced family, Delia’s quirky family, a paranormal town, and a delightful familiar named Nikki, Max and Delia have to figure out how to break the hex and overcome a evil entity.
This is an entertaining paranormal themed story with amazing characters and Halloween vibes!
Overall score:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
August 1, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and the author for providing a copy of this book for my honest review!
What a perfect blend of cozy, magical and steamy does this book bring. I would love this becoming an extended universe and would eat up any prequels telling me all about the world this book is set in.
Both MCs are adorable and relatable. It’s an easy read that can feel slightly rushed at times, but I think the author did a great job pacing themselves overall and told me enough through the book to leave me wanting more. It is also refreshing to see a witchy female MC that is the total opposite of dark & brooding, she’s sugar, spice and everything nice - bubbly and delightfully southern y’all. Although she’s described curvy, that’s not her entire personality and the book doesn’t revolve around it, she’s sexy and adorable and it has nothing to do with her size.
When it comes to the more intimate parts of it, I believe the author struck the perfect balance of it both making something stirr inside of me, but also brought me to giggles and blushing out of how cute their interactions were.
You should pick this if you’re wanting to cozy up with a cute, funny and slightly spicy read for the fall, this will be the perfect book to start.
What a perfect blend of cozy, magical and steamy does this book bring. I would love this becoming an extended universe and would eat up any prequels telling me all about the world this book is set in.
Both MCs are adorable and relatable. It’s an easy read that can feel slightly rushed at times, but I think the author did a great job pacing themselves overall and told me enough through the book to leave me wanting more. It is also refreshing to see a witchy female MC that is the total opposite of dark & brooding, she’s sugar, spice and everything nice - bubbly and delightfully southern y’all. Although she’s described curvy, that’s not her entire personality and the book doesn’t revolve around it, she’s sexy and adorable and it has nothing to do with her size.
When it comes to the more intimate parts of it, I believe the author struck the perfect balance of it both making something stirr inside of me, but also brought me to giggles and blushing out of how cute their interactions were.
You should pick this if you’re wanting to cozy up with a cute, funny and slightly spicy read for the fall, this will be the perfect book to start.
Read
November 17, 2024DNF @ 41%
I read this one later than I wanted to. It was going to be on I read in October, but I didn’t get to it. When my audiobook hold came in from the library, I thought, “why the hell not? It’s still fall.” And I picked it up. I really wanted to love this one, but I was just super bored and uninterested. I didn’t really even know these characters almost half way through this book, and I didn’t really care about them either. I also thought we’d get actual witch and magic page time, especially from the FMC and her family, but no one has used magic except maybe twice or three times? Nothing was happening, and I just didn’t care. I just know this book isn’t for me so I’m just going to leave it and move on to something else!
* * *
This sounds so camp, I want it so bad
I read this one later than I wanted to. It was going to be on I read in October, but I didn’t get to it. When my audiobook hold came in from the library, I thought, “why the hell not? It’s still fall.” And I picked it up. I really wanted to love this one, but I was just super bored and uninterested. I didn’t really even know these characters almost half way through this book, and I didn’t really care about them either. I also thought we’d get actual witch and magic page time, especially from the FMC and her family, but no one has used magic except maybe twice or three times? Nothing was happening, and I just didn’t care. I just know this book isn’t for me so I’m just going to leave it and move on to something else!
* * *
This sounds so camp, I want it so bad
September 3, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️
I absolutely LOVED this book! I really hope we get another! Maybe from another POV 😉😉 I am obsessed with this story. The characters were great and the story was awesome. Of course I would love to hear more about the ending in another book. Please continue 🤣
This book has cozy magic, grumpy x sunshine and unknown enemies to lovers. All of my favorites!!
Thank you NetGallery for the ARC
🌶️
I absolutely LOVED this book! I really hope we get another! Maybe from another POV 😉😉 I am obsessed with this story. The characters were great and the story was awesome. Of course I would love to hear more about the ending in another book. Please continue 🤣
This book has cozy magic, grumpy x sunshine and unknown enemies to lovers. All of my favorites!!
Thank you NetGallery for the ARC
September 2, 2024
This book is like wrapping yourself in a cozy blanket, while burning a fall scented candle and drinking a hot beverage during a brisk fall day. It was giving Practical Magic and Sabrina the Teenage Witch with a dash of Hocus Pocus and I really dug those vibes.
Delia comes from a delusional family of witches. Or so she thinks. Family lore has it that they are all witches but curiosly they have no magic. Delia doesn't believe in any of that until a handsome and mysterious man moves into the house next door and weird things start to happen.
As a cozy witchy story, this is great. Delia's family is a delight. And the scenes with them are the best part of the book. As a romance, this didn't work for me at all. They don't kiss until almost fifty percent into the book, before that their interactions are all about the hex, which Delia has no idea about.
There's zero relationship development and what's supposed to be a slow burn doesn't even simmer. Not even a little bit. The lone make out scene is inexplicably started by a sit up competition. Why? Whyyyy? Nothing about how many sit ups I can do screams sexy to me By the time they actually had sex (around 80%) I didn't even care because I wasn't invested in them as a couple at all. Delia and Max also came off very immature in their interactions. This gave the book a New Adult feel when they were both supposed to be in their thirties and I wasn't into it.
The plot was okay but it lost all momentum because there was this huge build up about the secret hex and how Max's family were the ones to hex Delia's but when the truth came out, everyone was surprisingly chill about it. So it wasn't just the romantic tension that was missing but the overall plot was hanging on the sh*t hitting the fan moment and that moment never really came.
There was no emotional payoff and hardly any emotion at all. So as a cozy witchy read this works just fine, but as a romance it's a flop for me. That being said, I'm really curious about this world the author built here and would definitely read another book in the series.
I received an ARC for review and this is my honest opinion.
⭐⭐⭐/5
🔥🔥/5
Tropes:
Grumpy sunshine
Close proximity
Delia comes from a delusional family of witches. Or so she thinks. Family lore has it that they are all witches but curiosly they have no magic. Delia doesn't believe in any of that until a handsome and mysterious man moves into the house next door and weird things start to happen.
As a cozy witchy story, this is great. Delia's family is a delight. And the scenes with them are the best part of the book. As a romance, this didn't work for me at all. They don't kiss until almost fifty percent into the book, before that their interactions are all about the hex, which Delia has no idea about.
There's zero relationship development and what's supposed to be a slow burn doesn't even simmer. Not even a little bit. The lone make out scene is inexplicably started by a sit up competition. Why? Whyyyy? Nothing about how many sit ups I can do screams sexy to me By the time they actually had sex (around 80%) I didn't even care because I wasn't invested in them as a couple at all. Delia and Max also came off very immature in their interactions. This gave the book a New Adult feel when they were both supposed to be in their thirties and I wasn't into it.
The plot was okay but it lost all momentum because there was this huge build up about the secret hex and how Max's family were the ones to hex Delia's but when the truth came out, everyone was surprisingly chill about it. So it wasn't just the romantic tension that was missing but the overall plot was hanging on the sh*t hitting the fan moment and that moment never really came.
There was no emotional payoff and hardly any emotion at all. So as a cozy witchy read this works just fine, but as a romance it's a flop for me. That being said, I'm really curious about this world the author built here and would definitely read another book in the series.
I received an ARC for review and this is my honest opinion.
⭐⭐⭐/5
🔥🔥/5
Tropes:
Grumpy sunshine
Close proximity
September 13, 2024
Hot Hex Boyfriend is the perfect answer for romance readers looking for a strong witchy Halloween vibe that's both quirky and cozy. Delia is trying to live a normal life within her not-so-normal family, a collection of women convinced that they are in fact witches who happen to be powerless from a curse long ago. Delia is rumored to be the one who will break the curse by kissing her true love, but Delia is down-to-earth and thinks of it as nothing more than a charming family quirk. That is, until she kisses Max Halifax on the night of her 30th birthday and accidentally breaks the curse.
One of the most wholesome parts of this novel is that Carly Bloom puts family at the forefront, which helped boost the cozy vibe throughout. There's fierce closeness and connection within the Merriweather family, and this extends to found family as the Merriweathers accept Max into their world. This is a grumpy-meets-sunshine story that felt emotionally mature to me — a refreshing characteristic in a genre that can sometimes lean towards miscommunication and immaturity. There's some spice described on page, and while it isn't particularly graphic, it may be more than you'd want your young teen to read, so parents beware.
The audiobook narrators did an excellent job, each with multiple voices and a wide emotional range. I enjoyed feeling the shift they provided in alternating POV chapters.
Thank you to NetGalley, Hachette Audio, and Carly Bloom for an advance copy of the book for review. I recommend it!
One of the most wholesome parts of this novel is that Carly Bloom puts family at the forefront, which helped boost the cozy vibe throughout. There's fierce closeness and connection within the Merriweather family, and this extends to found family as the Merriweathers accept Max into their world. This is a grumpy-meets-sunshine story that felt emotionally mature to me — a refreshing characteristic in a genre that can sometimes lean towards miscommunication and immaturity. There's some spice described on page, and while it isn't particularly graphic, it may be more than you'd want your young teen to read, so parents beware.
The audiobook narrators did an excellent job, each with multiple voices and a wide emotional range. I enjoyed feeling the shift they provided in alternating POV chapters.
Thank you to NetGalley, Hachette Audio, and Carly Bloom for an advance copy of the book for review. I recommend it!
September 26, 2024
⭐️: 4
🌶️: 2
🌕 small town
🌕 magic curses
🌕 enemies to lovers
🌕 world building
Just the kooky, witchy read that my heart was craving. I adored the characters and their silly antics, and the entertainment factor alone kept me gripped until the very last page. The magic system was original but not a far stray from that of other books, so I was intrigued but not once lost. This book was sweet, romantic and thrilling at times. A perfect addition to your fall TBR!
⛔️ Now the remainder of my review main contain spoilers, so continue at your own risk.
I absolutely loved the characters in this book and the dynamic of the Merriweather women, but DAMN were they oblivious and entirely too trusting of everyone around them. Constantly talking about being witches and their hex, sharing about their spell book and potions, letting anyone walk through their front door. They allowed Max and Luc into their lives with absolutely no concern for their own safety. When Delia allowed Max to “feel” her magic, I wanted to scream and knock some sense into her! I suppose the author wanted us to be weary of Max, but the way I didn’t trust him, but the characters did, was conflicting for me as the reader.
To make up for it, I’m desperately going to need Nikki to get his happy, human ending. Will it be Amy? I cannot wait to know.
🌶️🌶️ = open door, minimal detail
♥︎ Thank you NetGalley, Forever Publishing and Carly Bloom for the ARC of Hot Hex Boyfriend.
🌶️: 2
🌕 small town
🌕 magic curses
🌕 enemies to lovers
🌕 world building
Just the kooky, witchy read that my heart was craving. I adored the characters and their silly antics, and the entertainment factor alone kept me gripped until the very last page. The magic system was original but not a far stray from that of other books, so I was intrigued but not once lost. This book was sweet, romantic and thrilling at times. A perfect addition to your fall TBR!
⛔️ Now the remainder of my review main contain spoilers, so continue at your own risk.
I absolutely loved the characters in this book and the dynamic of the Merriweather women, but DAMN were they oblivious and entirely too trusting of everyone around them. Constantly talking about being witches and their hex, sharing about their spell book and potions, letting anyone walk through their front door. They allowed Max and Luc into their lives with absolutely no concern for their own safety. When Delia allowed Max to “feel” her magic, I wanted to scream and knock some sense into her! I suppose the author wanted us to be weary of Max, but the way I didn’t trust him, but the characters did, was conflicting for me as the reader.
To make up for it, I’m desperately going to need Nikki to get his happy, human ending. Will it be Amy? I cannot wait to know.
🌶️🌶️ = open door, minimal detail
♥︎ Thank you NetGalley, Forever Publishing and Carly Bloom for the ARC of Hot Hex Boyfriend.
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