I’m such a sucker for novel-in-verse books due to their heart-wrenching, gut-punching stories and this one was no exception. 
Set in Ireland, 1846, when the great potato famine was just beginning. It follows sixteen y/o Nell and her family as they struggle with the onslaught of the inevitability of their crops failing and their ruthless landlord, Lord Wicken. 
Nell does find some comfort in the arrival of Lord Wicken’s nephew, but their growing love has to be kept a secret. A master and servant does not bode well with certain people. 
The famine and destitution continues, along with further struggles and lives torn apart. 
It’s such a tragic yet heartwarming story of forbidden love, family and injustice 🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡

Whilst it’s not a bad book, it was a little hefty for me and I’m in the mood to read something else. When the mood hits right, I’ll come back to it because I do love the characters. But at this moment in time, I’m not feeling it. 

A cute read and I think it was the perfect book to dip my toes into the genre of comedy romance, since it’s a genre I don’t typically read. I loved the characters - each one within Essie’s coven was unique and, for me, it showed on the pages. I’d love to read another adventure about them. I also enjoyed how the ‘witching’ worked & of course the witchy vibes & diversity.
There were some twists & turns I wasn’t expecting though, & thought they didn’t quite fit, but it was a fun, cosy read, even if it isn’t spooky season yet 🧙 
3.5 stars