Review: Bewitched, with sprinkles
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 11 21, 2011
No Shirt, No Shoes, No Spells is the first in Rose Pressey's Mystic Café series, and a pleasingly light-hearted introduction. Think Bewitched, but in Elly's café you sprinkle magical spices rather than wrinkling your nose. She's a thoroughly modern girl who left her small-town home for the big city. But now, betrayed by big-city and love, she's home taking over her grandmother's magical café. It might have helped if she'd known there'd be more than everyday kitchen skills involved in those great recipes. Might even have helped if grandmother hadn't immediately upped and left. But Elly's sure she can cope, especially with her best friend helping out.The author creates an interesting magical world, where officious officials keep track of who knows what and who's making what mistakes. Unfortunately Elly and her friend make a really big mistake when a spell goes astray, and now the guy Elly's falling for seems only ever to see her while she's literally falling. All very sad.Add threats of closure, financial problems, Elly's conviction she'll never measure up to her perfect grandma, and some handsome gentlemen competing for her heart, and you'll get the picture. This is a fun romantic read with nothing to offend (unless you don't like magic) and plenty to amuse and entertain. I really enjoyed it, and will look out for more.Disclosure: I was sent a free ecopy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.