As someone who loves seasonal reads, especially anything cozy, magical, and romantic for spooky season, I went into Hopelessly Teavoted with high hopes. And while there were elements I genuinely enjoyed, overall the story left me wanting more.

This paranormal romance brings together Azrael and Victoria, childhood best friends turned estranged lovers, who reunite after six years of silence. The spark is still there, but so is the lingering fallout from a mysterious (and miscommunicated) incident in college. Their reunion coincides with an evil presence stirring in their hometown, and together, they attempt to uncover its source while navigating unresolved feelings.

I felt like the magical setting was delightful. Azrael’s family home, with its Addams Family vibes and sentient personality, practically leapt off the page. His parents reminded me of a gothic, whimsical version of Gomez and Morticia because they were deeply loving, slightly eccentric, and endlessly endearing. The magic system was also clever. It involved witches who must snap to activate their powers. It’s a quirky detail that adds charm, though the word "snap" might be burned into my brain forever because it appears quite a lot.

As for the romance itself? That’s where things fell flat for me. The summary hinted at an awkward falling out, but the "incident" was far more intimate than expected, and the consequences felt out of proportion. The main obstacle between them was pure miscommunication, the kind that could’ve been cleared up with a single honest conversation. Instead, they avoid each other for six years, and then… immediately fall back in love within days? I struggled to buy into the depth of their connection. The chemistry was described, but I didn’t feel it. And while I’m thankful there was no dramatic third act breakup, it all felt a little too easy, considering the years of unresolved tension.

The pacing also felt off. There’s an evil force in town stealing souls which is such an exciting idea! But despite the supposed urgency, entire weeks pass without progress, making the conflict feel more like background noise than a driving force. The curse from the devil meant to complicate Azrael and Victoria’s relationship felt random and underdeveloped and more of a gimmick than a meaningful obstacle.

That said, the atmosphere was cozy, and the other characters really did shine. The side characters brought humor and heart, often outshining the leads. The setting of Hallowcross was vivid and full of potential, and I’d definitely be curious to return to the town in future books, maybe through the eyes of those compelling side characters.

In the end, Hopelessly Teavoted was a quick and entertaining read that had a lot of potential, but the uneven pacing, lack of romantic tension, and convoluted subplot kept it from truly enchanting me. If you’re in the mood for a witchy fall romance with cozy vibes and a quirky town, it might still be worth a try. Just manage your expectations and prepare for a lot of snapping.

Thank you to NetGalley, Audrey Goldberg Ruoff, and Atria for the eARC of this book.