‘Best Hex Ever’ is designed to tap into the market for cottagecore, cosy romantasy, and witchcraft. Nadia El-Fassi’s debut novel, it’s an easy and simple read without much depth – spice without a great deal of substance. There are glimmers of greatness, but this never lives up to its potential.
Dina Whitlock is a kitchen witch. Owner of the best coffee shop in London, she imbibes all her drinks and pastries with magic – simple spells to increase confidence, or luck, or happiness, or just the comforting feeling of stroking a cat. With a job she loves, friends she adores, and a loving family, she ought to be content – but there’s something missing. For Dina is under a hex – a hex for anyone who falls in love with her to endure increasingly terrible bad luck. It’s hard to find a relationship under those parameters. Enter Scott – museum curator, and unexpectedly the best men to Dina’s maid of honour at Dina’s best friend’s wedding. As soon as the two meet, sparks fly. But how can Dina let down the walls around her heart when Scott’s life might be at risk?
‘Best Hex Ever’ uses alternating perspectives – primarily Dina’s, but with a significant contribution from Scott. Both make reasonable protagonists. Dina is caring but with a sharp side, protective of her friends – and fiercely protective of herself, even from those closest to her. Scott is the hype to rush headlong into things, sometimes without thinking – but also deeply caring and with a strong moral compass. They’re well matched.
The relationship is insta-lust, with a period of simmering will-they-won’t-they chemistry before both parties inevitably give in. The spice level is relatively high, but the instant heart eyes leave the reader behind a bit, with a lack of investment in both the relationship and the spice. Personally, I like more of an emotional slow burn.
One of the highlights of this book is the magic. Dina’s kitchen magic is creative, and the scenes of her weaving magic into her cooking or turning her hand to divination are some of the strongest written. El-Fassi throws magic tidbits in a little at random – one of Dina’s friends can see ghosts, which is cool, but never relevant to the plot – but overall, the fantasy elements elevate this from an OK read to a good one.
The plot is simple, with most of the twists predictable from fairly early on. This is definitely a book where the relationship is the focus above all else. However, the familiar romance structure does make this a very easy read to fly through in one or two sittings.
Overall, ‘Best Hex Ever’ shows El-Fassi’s creativity and potential as an author, but does little to stand out in a crowded cosy romantasy genre. Fans of insta-love and cottagecore will find the most to like here.
Published by Del Rey (Penguin)
Hardback: 3rd October 2024
