When I picked up Uncharmed, I thought I was in for a light witchy tale about a magical bakery. What I got instead was a cosy, heartfelt story about perfectionism, found family, and the messy beauty of learning to let go. I have to admit, I was craving fresh-baked goods the entire time I was reading. If I had magical powers, I would absolutely have opened a witchy bakery myself.
The novel follows Andromeda “Annie” Wildwood, a witch in her thirties who runs a beloved bakery in London. Annie’s life looks perfect, but only because she casts a nightly spell to keep it that way. When her coven assigns her to mentor Maeve, a teenage witch with unstable powers, Annie’s carefully ordered existence begins to unravel. Together with Maeve and Hal, a gruff but kind warlock who owns a woodland cottage, Annie is drawn into a journey that forces her to confront her own insecurities and the darker side of the magical society she belongs to.
The plot is whimsical yet layered. Annie sacrifices everything for perfection, convinced she is doing it for herself when really she is trying to please everyone else. Maeve, with her fiery personality and sharp wit, becomes both a challenge and a catalyst for Annie’s growth. Their relationship is the heart of the book, and I loved how it explored the idea that adults don’t always have all the answers. Hal adds another dimension, with his grumpy exterior and protective instincts, and the banter between him and Annie provided some of my favourite moments.
Thematically, Uncharmed is about self-discovery, imperfection, and the importance of connection. Lucy Jane Wood captures the struggle of people pleasing and the exhausting pursuit of perfection with sensitivity and humour. Annie’s journey resonated with me, especially the idea that you are not meant to stay the same person forever. The found family element worked beautifully, and I appreciated that the romance was present but not the main focus. Female friendship and mentorship take centre stage, which felt refreshing.
What worked best for me was the atmosphere. The woodland cottage, the magical bakery, it all had a whimsical feel. The snarky dialogue kept things lively, and Maeve’s character was a standout. I did find the story a little slow to start, and it only really picked up around the 40 per cent mark, but once it did, I was hooked. The ending pulled me back in completely and left me smiling.
Who might enjoy this book? If you love cosy fantasy with gentle vibes, magical realism, and stories about found family, this is for you. Fans of Bake Off, Mean Girls, and Hocus Pocus will find echoes here, all mixed together with woodland animals and an epic witchy showdown. It is also a great palette cleanser if you have just finished something darker and need a comforting read.
Uncharmed is a charming, whimsical fantasy that blends magic, friendship, and self-discovery. It may start slowly, but it blossoms into a heart-warming tale about embracing imperfection and finding joy in connection. Lucy Jane Wood has created a world that is both enchanting and relatable, and I am already looking forward to the next instalment. This book left me smiling, hungry for pastries, and reminded me that imperfect lives are often the most magical of all.
Thank you to Pan MacMillan SA for the opportunity to read this book.
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