Rewitched is a book I expected to love, but it’s one that had a strong start, but lost the thread. I think it’s a case of expectations versus reality. If you go into it expecting an urban fantasy then you’ll definitely have a better experience! Keep reading this book review of Rewitched for my full thoughts.
Summary
Balancing work at her beloved Lunar Books with protecting it from her toxic boss, who’s running it into the ground, and all the while concealing her witchcraft from the non-wicches around her – Belle is burnt out. Perfecting the potential of her magic is the last thing on her mind.
But when her 30th birthday brings a summons from her coven, and a trial that tests her worthiness as a witch, Belle risks losing her magic forever. With the month of October to fix things, and signs that dark forces may be working against her, Belle will need all the help she can get – from the women in her life, from an unlikely mentor figure, and even an (infuriatingly handsome) watchman who’s sworn to protect her . . .
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
Rewitched‘s strongest element ended up being one I never saw coming. I think that’s mostly because this very much gives off a witchy romance book. And while those elements are there, the more interesting vibes it should give off is a witch learning to use her powers, connecting with herself, and exposing pieces of a witchy secret side. The more compelling narrative, for me, ended up being about Belle learning to examine her own powers and misconceptions. Funnily enough I felt like the romance aspect was the weakest of all the threads.
So if you go into it thinking it’s going to be a witchy romance, Rewitched is more expansive and more witchy magic grounded than you might expect. And while there’s certainly a mismatch in terms of expectations, for me, there’s also a lack of focus in some areas. Once I’d sink into the magic or the magical society, we’d be pulled in another direction or often into the romance and I found that distracting. It didn’t stick together into a cohesive structure and because I wasn’t sure where the story was going, I had a hard time figuring out the momentum.
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Rewitched is a story with potential and if you go into it expecting more of an urban fantasy you’ll have a much better time. But even so there was a lack of focus in the middle that meant I was a bit lost at some parts. If you do end up reading, let me know if having this different expectation makes these middle pieces more cohesive. Find Rewitched on Goodreads, Storygraph, Amazon, Bookshop.org, & Blackwells.