Andromeda “Annie” Wildwood is the perfect witch. She is sugar, spice, and everything nice, each element of her life finely curated and polished to irresistibility by her nightly hex-laced potion routine. She loves to please and nothing makes her happier than when everyone else around her is completely happy.

When Annie’s coven tasks her with guiding an orphan teenage witch through the process of getting her blossoming magical powers under control, Annie is excited for the chance to please and to prove herself. But the ramshackle cabin they’ll be housed in isn’t quite the staycation of Annie’s dreams—and she and Maeve, the headstrong teen, couldn’t be more different.

Just when they’re starting to understand each other, the owner of the cabin unexpectedly returns—and this quietly gruff and handsome warlock is not pleased to find that the coven volunteered his house to a high-maintenance witch and her angsty teen companion.

As this seemingly unlikely trio develop a loyalty and fondness for one another, Annie slowly learns that her people-pleasing may have led her down an impossible, lonely path. If everything about her is so right—why does it all feel so wrong?

In Uncharmed, Lucy Jane Wood has created a blend of cozy and loving that embraces how messiness and imperfection can lead to happiness and family. For Annie, I love that she tries so hard to be perfect but slowly learns to embrace chaos and wonder with the help of Maeve and Hal. I also like the antagonists and how they’re used to create tension and drama for both Annie and Maeve. 

If you read Lucy Jane Wood’s previous book, Rewitched, you’ll notice the references to other characters in this book. You won’t have to read Rewitched to enjoy it, though, as they can function as stand alone stories. I loved all the whimsy and little touches of magic in the book but most of all, I like the way that Annie, Maeve and Hal become a family and choose each other for their happiness, despite the odds.

If you like cozy and loving stories about witches, I recommend Uncharmed. I love the way Annie loses her perfection and charms to become someone real and messy and full of love. We need more optimism and wonder in the world these days and this book is beautiful in the way it provides that magical combination.

Rating: 5 out of 5 cupcakes. 

Penguin RandomHouse

Lucy Jane Wood website