The Magical Matcha Teashop by Natasha Bache

 

Welcome to Lavender Hollow… your next small town romance obsession!

Grace fled London with a broken engagement and a wedding dress she still hasn't paid for. Max returned home with secrets of his own, and a painful past he’d much rather leave behind.

But neither expected to find magic hiding in a cup of matcha. Because in the sleepy village of Lavender Hollow, something unusual is brewing…

As Matcha Made in Heaven’s newest employee, Grace soon realises she has an extraordinary gift when customers start crying over their lattes and spilling secrets they never meant to share.

In the warmth of the cosy teashop, will Grace and Max discover that the best recipe for love might be one brewed together?

For fans of cozy fantasy romance, The Magical Matcha Teashop serves up the perfect blend of small-town charm, found family, spicy romance and just a sprinkle of magic.

I really enjoyed this book. It’s heartwarming, gentle, and exactly the kind of cosy read that leaves you smiling. The magical elements are only a light touch, centred on Grace’s moods and how they influence her tea and, in turn, the people who drink it. Some of the effects were quite funny, and my favourite scenes were of her parents, followed by the two workmen.

Max and Grace were such a sweet couple. Max’s quiet infatuation was adorable. He would keep the bookshop open late just so he could help her find a book, offered her a place to stay, and watched out for her when her ex appeared. His kindness and steady presence made their connection feel warm and genuine, and I loved how naturally their relationship unfolded.

Yuji, the owner of the teashop, was such a lovely character. He deeply missed his late wife and recognised the same sense of magic in Grace that his wife once had. I really liked how he reacted when he noticed people behaving oddly after drinking her tea, insisting that he make it from now and gently encouraging Grace to keep control over her emotions while brewing. His kindness and quiet wisdom added a touching layer to the story.

The small town setting and found family made this a heartwarming, whimsical read with just the right sprinkle of magic.

The Magical Matcha Teashop is available now! Kindle, audio and paperback. 

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The Twisted Mark (Witch Trials #1) by Sophie Williamson

Gabriel’s eyes haven’t left my face. There’s not much he can do to me that he’s not already entitled my body and my magic, served up on a plate in return for my brother’s freedom. I swallow hard. I’m hardly naïve—but I’ve never gone all the way. I can’t back out now. I can’t let my family down...

Sadie Sadler lives in the big city. Takes the train to work each day. Drinks fancy coffee. Does yoga… and never, ever does magic, lest it leads Gabriel Thornber straight to her door.

Sadie’s family have used their magic to protect the small northern town of Mannith for centuries. But now, Sadie’s brother Brendan is on trial for murder, and Gabriel, the charismatic and sinister head of the Sadlers’ only rivals, is moving to take the town. Only Sadie has both the knowledge to save Brendan and the magical strength to face down Gabriel.

The trouble is, there’s a good reason Sadie left home and turned her back on she bargained away her powers and her body to Gabriel to save her damn brother the last time he got in trouble. If she comes home, Gabriel will try to collect… but there’s no way she’ll allow her brother to rot in jail or her family’s strength to wane.

Returning in disguise, Sadie’s plan to save Brendan and get out is tested as she’s dragged back into a world of magic and power, with Gabriel at its centre. Battling both her long-standing terror of him and a growing, dark attraction, she must decide who Mannith’s real villains are and how far she’ll go for her family.

A promise made… a magical debt unpaid. This is a fight that could cost Sadie everything.

I originally read this book and rated it three stars, but on my re-listen, I found myself enjoying it more. The same issues still bother me, particularly the poor choices Gabriel makes and how they affect Sadie. He has a steep hill to climb to win me over in the next book.

What drew me in this time was the magical worldbuilding. I loved the idea of characters being able to speak with their dead relatives when visiting their graves. Sadie's conversation with |gabriel's mother was genuinely moving. At the same time, there’s a very dark side to this magic, and the cost required to maintain it is quite horrific. I was surprised that more characters weren’t actively searching for an alternative, given how brutal the consequences are.

The enemies‑to‑lovers thread worked well for me, and despite my frustrations with Gabriel, I’m invested enough in the relationship and the wider mystery to want to see what happens next.

The twisted Mark is a dark fantasy with a compelling magical concept and a romance I’m curious to follow further.

Buy link- Audible UK    Amazon UK