Witch You Would by Lia Amador (Sept. 2, 2025) Thank you @avonbooks and the Epic Tastemakers program for the gifted print copy! #epictastemakers
Penelope Delmar spends her days grinding long hours at a Miami spell shop, barely making ends meet. When she earns a coveted spot on the reality TV show Cast Judgment, it feels like her chance to finally change her life – the winning prize money would be transformative. The catch? This season pairs amateurs with celebrity spellcasters, and Penelope is stuck with none other than Leandro Presto, the internet’s favorite magical disaster.
But behind Leandro’s bumbling persona is Gil Contreras, an academic and highly skilled spellcaster who just happens to be Penelope’s secret email crush. Gil has been falling for her for months, but on the show he’s trapped in his Leandro role. When Penelope finds herself pulled toward both sides of the same man, the tension builds…all while the cutthroat competition heats up and whispers of cheating swirl through the set.
Hidden identity tropes are my kryptonite, and Witch You Would delivers all the charm, humor, and slow-burn tension I love in a witchy romance. Penelope and Leandro’s push-pull dynamic had me hooked, while Penelope and Gil’s deeper emotional connection made the payoff so satisfying. I also adored the vivid friend groups, the fun chaos of the reality show setting, and the way each magical contest pulled the characters closer together. A perfect cozy-season, magical rom-com read!
🎧 Audiobook Thoughts: Produced by @harperaudio, Stacey Gonzalez and Gary Tiedemann shine in dual narration. They capture the snark, heart, and hilarity of these characters beautifully. Runtime: 10h 50m.
Book: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
🎧 Audio performance: 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
🔥 Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Book Smart Kate 