My Review
"The Trouble with Magic"? I stumbled upon this book during one of my late-night scrolls through Amazon Prime reads (yes, I'm that witch who stays up until 3 AM looking for new magical stories), and I was immediately drawn to the premise of a supernatural community hiding in plain sight. As someone who regularly has to glamour my pointed ears before heading to my day job, I'm always here for that kind of setup!
Let me tell you, this book is like that candy shop down on Elm Street – colorful and sweet, but maybe not as substantial as you'd hope. The world-building is delightfully cozy, painting a picture of a charming town where supernatural creatures go about their daily lives. I absolutely adored the little details, like nymphs taking out the trash and wolf mothers scolding their cubs for harassing the local fae (been there, seen that!).
However – and I hate to sprinkle negative energy here – the main character Tessa sometimes made me want to brew a patience potion. For a 29-year-old witch living in New York, her constant snark and reactive nature felt more fitting for someone fresh out of magical academy. The plot moves along like a hyperactive pixie, bouncing from one scenario to another without really diving deep into the rich magical system I was hoping to explore.
The bright spot in all this is Ronin's character, who brings some genuine humor and charm to the story. He's like that one reliable friend who always knows how to lighten the mood when your potion goes wrong.
What really works here is the comfort-read aspect – it's like magical mac and cheese, not gourmet dining but satisfying in its own way. The story flows easily, and you can finish it in one sitting (preferably with a cup of chamomile and honey).
Would I recommend it? Well, if you're looking for a light, fluffy supernatural read that doesn't require too much emotional investment, then yes. It's perfect for those days when you just want to escape into a magical world without having to process complex character arcs or intense plot twists.
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3 out of 5 stars)
P.S. - My familiar, Mr. Whiskers, gave it two paws up, but he also eats moths, so take that as you will.
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Book Description
Are you ready for your next magical adventure?
Okay, so I’m in trouble. Big trouble. I’m broke. Worse, my boyfriend of five years just dumped me.
What do I do? I move in with my three eccentric aunts in their family home, Davenport House. Sounds exciting, only this massive farmhouse likes to eat men.
If I were a regular human, I would have run out screaming like a banshee. As a witch—I do absolutely nothing. Hey, maybe they deserved it?
I’m back in Hollow Cove, the flamboyant paranormal community, where nymphs, werewolves, trolls, shifters, witches, and other paranormals live comfortable lives away from prying human eyes. As I settle into my new life, I decide to accept my aunts’ proposal and join the family business—the business of protecting our town and killing anything that would want to harm it.
But I’ve been away from the paranormal world for quite some time, and my magical abilities are a little bit rusty. Heck, they’re practically invisible.
Things soon spiral down the crapper when people in our community start dropping like flies. And when demons start showing up in Hollow Cove, it’s up to me to take care of them. Permanently.
This is going to be awesome. I just know it.
Get ready for this heart-pounding and laugh-out-loud magical adventure!
If you like fast-paced urban fantasy with a mix of witch cozy mystery, then you’ll love Shadow Witch.
Don’t miss out on this fun witchy series. If you enjoy witch books with humor and kick-butt heroines, you won’t want to miss The Witches of Hollow Cove series.

Kim Richardson is the award-winning author of the bestselling SOUL GUARDIANS series. She lives in the eastern part of Canada with her husband, two dogs and a very old cat. She is the author of the SOUL GUARDIANS series, the MYSTICS series, and the DIVIDED REALMS series. Kim's books are available in print editions, and translations are available in over 7 languages.
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