The Late-Night Witches

by Auralee Wallace

An enchantingly warm and funny novel about family, love lost and found, discovering who you are, and how difficult it is to slay a vampire from the beloved national bestselling author of the TikTok sensation In the Company of Witches.

Cassie Beckett’s life is anything but magical. With a wild younger sister, three unruly kids, and an absent husband, she’s really not looking forward to the witching month of October. At least the gorgeous, foggy Prince Edward Island is always quiet.

That is, until the vampires arrive.

As the creatures sink their teeth into Cassie’s tenuous grip on normalcy, she’s forced to come face-to-face with long–disregarded family secrets. The legacy gifts her with power, but also a lofty rid the island of vampires, or let them win. (Both options suck, in more ways than one.)

Armed with her family, newfound friends, and a baby in a spectacularly garlicky onesie, Cassie must learn what it is to be a witch and how to fight for what she loves before time runs out. Because on Halloween night, the stakes will be higher than ever before...and it’s up to Cassie to finish what the witches that came generations before her started.

Genres: Fantasy, Halloween, Witches, Romance, Paranormal, Cozy, Cozy Fantasy

400 pages, Paperback

First published August 19, 2025

About the author

After spending her formative years reading Grimms’ fairy tales and stirring up potions in the creek behind her house, Auralee Wallace knew she would grow up to be a witch. When that didn’t work out, she decided becoming a writer was the next best thing. Now, Auralee is the author of multiple novels, including the Otter Lake mystery series and The Evenfall Witches B&B mysteries. She lives in Ottawa with her husband, kids, dog, and cat.
She can be found on Twitter, Goodreads, Facebook, Instagram, and her website http://auraleewallace.com/.

Auralee is represented by Natalie Lakosil, Looking Glass Literary and Media.

Reviews

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ooh, this was so much fun, kind of Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Practical Magic? The plot isn't exceptionally original – there are a lot of novels out there about witches who return to their ancestral home and (re)discover their latent powers – but there is one big twist with this one: vampires. Turns out that in the Beckett family, “in every generation there is a Chosen One. She alone will stand against the vampires, the demons, and the forces of darkness inherit a familial obligation to attempt to kill The Maker of Shadows, the Begetter of Demons, the Deliverer of Fear, Sorrow, and Death (known as “Del” for expediency's sake).” Turns out that Cassie Beckett is the current “witch of her generation,” which she's none too thrilled about considering her very noticeable lack of magical powers. Will Cassie embrace her legacy and save her family and possibly even the world? I mean, I think we all know the answer to that – this book plays out exactly the way you'd expect it to – but it's a humorous and entertaining read nevertheless.

All the characters in this book are fantastic, but I especially adored Dorcas (Cassie's aunt and previous witch of her generation) because my primary life goal is to become a slightly eccentric witch who lives alone in a big house by the sea with an exceedingly large number of cats. (Okay, okay, fine, maybe my husband can come too but he absolutely does not get a say in how many cats are considered “too many” because I can guarantee that his number will be significantly lower than mine.) The woman is living the dream! Tommy the not-quite-a-vampire is also a lot of fun, even if he does get a little “sticky” by the end.

Again, there's no particularly novel storyline to be found here and you shouldn't expect anything super deep. This is a light and fluffy cozy read about family and belonging and finding Mr. Right and embracing your destiny and, yes, a baby in a garlicky onesie. It's absolutely delightful, and the perfect mix of humorous and heartwarming. I'm truly hoping that this is the start of a new series, because I would totally read a bazillion more books about the witchy Becketts and their zany cast of friends.

My overall rating: 4.55 stars, rounded up.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Ace for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is August 19, 2025.

[TheConnieFox · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel was full of humor, adventure and emotions! I absolutely loved reading it and could not put it down after the first chapter! This was the first book that I have read by this author and I will definitely be reading more of her books! It was not only a fun read, it came with paranormal elements that I loved! It made me feel lighthearted, heartwarming and magical. It had witty banter, a little bit of romance, witches and vampires! It came with lovable characters! I especially enjoyed the protagonist of the story, Cassie! I enjoyed some of the side characters as well. More than anything, this novel is about love. It has mystery and spooky vibes too. It’s perfect to read around Halloween season or even all year around! I was extremely satisfied with this book, the only downside to me was that there weren’t any spicy romance scenes. This may be a positive to many readers though! It is well written and I was fully immersed while reading it.

“The Late Night Witches” is a novel that centers around the character named Cassie Beckett. She is a mother of three children, living on foggy Prince Edward Island. The father of the children is away and doing humanitarian work. Cassie has a lot going on and isn’t looking forward to spooky season. As Halloween approaches, she discovers that she is a part of a generational witch legacy. Vampires start arriving and everything starts changing! Overall, I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars!

Content warnings include death, death of a parent and violence. I think fans of the movie “Practical Magic” would really enjoy reading this book!

Thank you to NetGalley, author Auralee Wallace and Berkley Publishing Group | Ace for this digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

This book is expected to be published on August 19, 2025!

[Heather~ Nature.books.and.coffee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute, cozy and funny Halloween paranormal read. I really enjoyed it. The Vampires vs. the witches was a fun theme. The main character Cassie is a witch, but not a trained one so she doesn't know all the magic. She has a husband who's MIA most of the time. She's frazzled as she's caring for her three young unruly children and her wild younger sister. When the vampire that has killed twelve witches in her family line, it's now her turn to take him out. Her aunt needs to train her for the battle. This is just a quirky read that was a nice escape. I loved the side characters too. The mystery, suspense, humor, and family all made this such an enjoyable read.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

[Stacee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was pitched to me as "Practical Magic meets What We Do in the Shadows" and I didn't need more than that.

I really liked this cast of characters. Cassie is the typical older sister and it was delightful reading her relax and find something for herself. The rest of the family is quirky and crazy in the best way possible.

Plot wise, it's a bit of slow and cozy meandering with a hint of danger. I enjoyed the atmosphere of the town and the house and could definitely picture everything described. The last chapter acts as an epilogue of sorts and I could have done with more, but I might just be greedy.

Overall, this was a fun read and I can't wait to read more from the author.

**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**

[Hannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the author’s previous witchy books, but this didn’t hit the mark. Everything from the characters to the magic system felt half-baked.

[Hannah | Reading Under Covers · Rating 4 out of 5]

"She can't run. She can't hide. The Thirteenth Witch will die."

Thanks to BookSparks for the early copy of THE LATE-NIGHT WITCHES by Auralee Wallace for FRC2025!

This was my first read by Wallace and won't be my last (I've already got IN THE COMPANY OF WITCHES queued up for fall 👀)

This book oozed Practical Magic vibes and the Beckett family was everything to me - if you're looking for a group of powerful, and still very dysfunctional 😅 women, look no further!

The story was cozy, but still had some spooky moments, and really catered to the vibes that come with the magic of a small town! 🍂🎃🪄

Add this one to your fall tbr stat! 📚

[Kiana Astaraki · Rating 5 out of 5]

fun cute easy spooky read

[Noelani · Rating 4 out of 5]

▪️Read this if you like:
▫️light fantasy & witchy stories
▫️found family & a fun cast of characters
▫️cozy vibes
———
This book had the magic to pull me out of my reading slump, and it was everything I was hoping it’d be.

I am a sucker for a cozy, witchy, fall-vibes story, and this book really hit the mark there. The characters were fun and full of life, and I loved how they each brought whimsy to the story in their own ways. The dynamics between everyone were great, and brought a balance of funny, sweet, and serious moments.

Cassie felt real and relatable as the main character, and even though her self-doubt was frustrating at times, I loved seeing her growth over the course of the book. I also enjoyed seeing her relationships with those around her change and evolve, especially her relationships with Eliza and Dorkas. There was just a smidge of romance here, and I liked the bit of levity and hope it added to the story. I love where the ending leaves off, and maybe even hints at a sequel?👀

This book needs to be on everyone’s spooky season reading list!

Thank you Berkley for the free copy!

[Jessie (Saffity) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I initially went into this book thinking that it was going to be a stereotypical supernatural romance. Boy was I wrong. This is a book that has a little bit of romance to it, but the relationship that it is most focused on is that of the main character and her sister. The family dynamics are dynamicking, and the supernatural kicks things up to 11 as the month of October moves forward. Some of the drama seemed a bit much, but it involved the teenage daughter, so I'm going to say it was just the right amount.

In some ways I wanted to smack the main character over the head to get her to wake up and see reality. The thing is, I think that was the point. The main character is flawed, as we all are, and while you as the reader can see things from miles away, the power of denial is strong with this one.

There was one twist I was expecting that actually didn't come, and for that I was grateful (I've been watching too many trashy Asian dramas I think.) I cringed as we came up to the climax expecting the evil dastardly turn of the ally, and the plot didn't pan out how I thought it would which was nice.

Sometimes nice, helpful characters can just be nice, helpful characters.

All told this was an interesting supernatural drama with enough horror/thriller aspects to put you in suspense, but without taking away from the familial relationships we're clearly supposed to be focusing on. I read this e-book through Netgalley.

[Caroline’s Romance Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 0/5

I really loved this book. I was anticipating a 5 star read, so I am kind of disappointed it wasn’t. I am not giving it 5 stars because of several reasons - it read really young, the writing was cringey at times, and I really wanted more from the romance. I am also usually not a fan of stories that have themes of motherhood or divorce and then the fmc ending up with someone else. It’s not my thing, BUT I thought it was done well in this one. I actually thought the kids in this book were pretty awesome and not annoying. However, I am still docking a star for all the reasons I mentioned above. It didn’t feel like a 5 star but it also doesn’t feel like a 3 star read, either. This story had a lot of potential, but it wasn’t enough for me to give it 5 stars like I had hoped for. I really loved all the characters - especially Ben. I wish he had been in the story a lot more than he was. I also really liked Tommy and Dorcas, and Patty. Overall, great story, and I can’t wait to read more from this author. I am also glad I was able to get a copy 3 days early from my local B&N - it’s like this book was meant for me!

[Amanda Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

This charming, funny, and delightfully witchy story was exactly the kind of fall read I love. Cassie Beckett already has her hands full with a spirited sister, three kids, and an absent husband before vampires show up to complicate things. What follows is a fast-paced, heartwarming tale about magic, family, and finding your own strength.

Cassie’s journey into her magic was one of my favorite parts, especially paired with the wonderful supporting cast. The Beckett women (Cassie, Eliza, and Dorcas) are the heart of the book, and the rest of the community really shines as they band together to take on the vampires. The humor lands well, the island setting is easy to picture, and it all has a cozy, slightly nostalgic vibe that reminded me of Practical Magic.

I would have liked more resolution with Cassie’s husband and a bit more depth to her budding romance with Ben, as well as more of Ben’s backstory. Still, the focus here is firmly on family bonds, self-discovery, and standing together against the odds. It’s light, warm, and perfect for the Halloween season or anytime you want something with cozy spooky vibes and a dash of adventure.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

Release Date: August 19, 2025

[Shannon]

At first I thought this was going to be a romantic suspense type of story but it was SO much more than that and I absolutely LOVED it! by a new fav Canadian author! The best way to describe it I think is as a cross between Buffy the vampire slayer and Practical magic.

At the core it's a vampire vs witches story, a story about sisters and a story about a cursed family told from the perspective of Cassie, a mother of three with an absentee husband who learns she is the 13th witch of her family and it's her destiny to defeat a centuries old vampire or else the world will end.

Great on audio with an older female protagonist who loves her family but doesn't believe she has what it takes to be 'the chosen one.' There's lots of humor, heart and a touch of romance too in this perfect spooky season read. Highly recommended for fans of authors like Hazel Beck, Erin Sterling or books like Playing the witch card by KJ Dell'Antonia.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review. This seemed like a standalone book but I would so love for there to be a sequel so we could see where Ben and Cassie's romance might go.

[Chris Bulow · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don’t mind a generic story with bland characters. I love a lot of books and films with generic stories. But if you’re going to do a generic story, then you better bring atmosphere or a cozy setting that can fill the story out. This got nothing of it. I’m honestly surprised how good reviews it has in here. But without sounding like a cynic, most of them are people who got it in advance.

[Kimberly Gerving · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review: The Late-Night Witches by Auralee Wallace
Published by Berkley Publishing Group | Ace – Thank you to the publisher, NetGalley, and Booksparks for my gifted ARC and an early Halloween birthday gift!

So, The Late-Night Witches. Where do I even start? This book is like if Buffy the Vampire Slayer got stress lines, three kids, an emotionally stunted husband who’s always conveniently overseas, and a baby with a garlic-scented onesie. Toss in a rogue sister, a prophecy that could really use a rewrite, and vampires with serious boundary issues, and you’ve got yourself a hilarious, witchy, fall-perfect read that’s as heartwarming as it is stabby.

Cassie Beckett, our main character and very reluctant chosen one, is deep in the trenches of motherhood. Her life is overflowing with laundry, sibling squabbles, and vague memories of a time when she had control over anything. What she doesn’t have? Magic. Or so she thinks. Cassie is that perfectly frazzled, sarcastic protagonist who is just trying to survive another chaotic October on Prince Edward Island—until it turns out she’s a literal witch from a long line of witches who keep getting picked off one by one by a centuries-old vampire. Cool.

This isn’t a “discover your powers and save the world” situation so much as a “discover your powers while your baby is projectile vomiting and your teenage daughter is giving you side eye, and maybe also save the world” situation. And it’s delightful. Cassie’s inner monologue had me cackling. At one point she’s staring down a vampire and still worrying about whether she remembered to switch the laundry. Relatable.

Now let’s talk about the star of the show: Aunt Dorcas. Imagine Professor McGonagall meets Yoda meets your neighborhood cat lady with a mysterious past and you’ve got Dorcas. She’s a former chosen one with an arsenal of magical knowledge, an unshakable confidence, and a dry wit that steals every scene. She’s the kind of chaotic-good energy you want in your corner—especially when you’re expected to fight a vampire named Del. (Yes, the Big Bad’s name is Del. Short for “Deliverer of Fear, Sorrow, and Death.” Try saying that with a straight face.)

Also worth noting: the book absolutely nails the sibling dynamic. Cassie and her sister Eliza are night and day. Eliza is wild, impulsive, powerful, and somehow always ends up dating half-dead men with unclear allegiances. But she’s also fiercely loyal and believes in Cassie in a way Cassie can’t believe in herself. Their relationship is messy and hilarious and ultimately the heart of the story. You can feel the history in every argument and every moment of reluctant teamwork.

Now, if you’re thinking this is just a cozy witch romp with vampires and family drama, think again. Wallace adds emotional depth that sneaks up on you. Cassie isn’t just learning spells—she’s reckoning with generational trauma, confronting the parts of motherhood that feel invisible, and slowly rebuilding her sense of identity. You root for her not just because the fate of the town depends on it, but because you want her to win—for her. The magic isn’t just external; it’s internal. (And, okay, sometimes it’s in a cursed candle or a sassy black cat.)

The setting? Absolute Halloween goals. Prince Edward Island becomes the moody, fog-drenched, spooky backdrop of your dreams. There’s an ancient house filled with secrets, a library that probably bites, and enough eerie charm to make you crave mulled cider and a chunky knit sweater. This is a fall book, through and through.

If I had to nitpick, sure, the pacing dips a little mid-book, and I could have done without Cassie’s emotionally MIA husband subplot—it feels more like a plot device than a character arc. But these are minor smudges on what is otherwise a spellbinding good time.

There’s no overdone romance here. There’s a gentle spark between Cassie and the hot, emotionally available neighbor (you know, the rarest of all unicorns), but it never takes center stage. And thank the gods for that. This book doesn’t need saving by romance. Cassie’s arc is about rediscovering herself, not trading one guy’s approval for another’s. The love story here is the one between Cassie and her family—and Cassie and her own power.

Favorite quote:
“Magic wasn’t about being fearless—it was about being afraid and doing it anyway. Preferably with snacks.”

I didn’t expect to fall for this book as hard as I did. But now I want a sequel. I want more of Dorcas’s chaos. I want to see Eliza blowing things up for fun. I want to see Cassie thriving with her new coven of oddballs and possibly punching another vampire in the face. Wallace delivers a perfect blend of humor, heart, and bite—literally.

If you’re looking for a cozy, fast-paced read with actual stakes (pun intended), hilarious banter, and the kind of warm, spooky magic that lingers like candle smoke, The Late-Night Witches is your next fall obsession.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Thank you to Berkley Publishing/Ace Books for providing me with a gifted ebook copy of The Late Night Witches through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

The Late Night Witches is such a fun paranormal read! This book just made me happy, and had everything I love in a witchy read. Wallace brought a lot of witty banter and sarcastic dialogue to the story, and all of the heartwarming feels with a family overcoming past secrets and reconnecting over a threat to their line.

I loved all of the characters, and the storyline of the FMCs self discovery and learning to believe in herself and trust those around her. The conflict of the story was really well developed and the fight between the witches and vampires, and the unfolding magic among the family, kept up a great pace. There's also a bit of a side romance, but I liked the fact that Wallace focused most of the story on the women of the Beckett family.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐓𝐨 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭:
* Witches & Vampires
* Hidden Powers/Identity
* PEI Setting/Anne of Green Gables References
* Family Curse
* Quirky but Gory
* Lovable Characters
* Close Siblings

𝐈𝐬 𝐈𝐭 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐲?
🥶 (No)

The Late Night Witches would be a perfect addition to your spooky season TBR, if you love stories that don't take themselves too seriously and make you laugh, while the characters still fight to take down super annoying evil vampires! I would definitely love to see a second book with these characters.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cassie’s life is anything but exciting. She has an absent husband, basically raising three kids on her own. She’s surviving. It all changes one day when a vampire shows up to challenge her - a mom who had no idea she’s a witch. There’s a generational curse, and she’s lucky number 13, the one who is destined to fight Del, the dickhead vampire in charge. Cassie doesn’t believe she has the power to take down Del, and her magic is dormant, waiting for her faith in herself to show up. Will Cassie’s confidence show up before Del turns the town… and maybe the world, into bloodsucking vampires?

Refreshingly, romance was not a major component in this story. Was there a hint of it underlying in the background? Yes, but it was not the focus for our FMC. Auralee Wallace gave us that in the form of Eliza & Tommy (Cassie’s rebellious sister and her half-dead boyfriend). The Late-Night Witches was a story of forgiveness, finding one’s self, and the lengths a person will go to protect the ones they love. It was pretty funny too (thanks to Aunt Dorcus)! I couldn’t put this story down. I don’t know how the author managed to combine the elements of this story: cozy, heartwarming, spooky, & funny, all while violently slaying vampires to survive & save humanity.

[vicinthemeadow · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew I loved auralee wallace's writing as soon as I read her previous cozy mystery "in the company of witches", and this book just solidified that even more!

In "the late night witches" we follow Cassie and her family as halloween approaches with a newfound quest emerging to take place on hallows eve. Cassie is a mom of a teenage daughter and young twin boys, with an absent husband oceans away months at a time immersing himself in work. With halloween approaching, odd things start happening. Uncontrollable fires, whispers of witchy legends, and ... vampires?

Throughout the book we follow Cassie as she discovers her family's witchy heritage with her eccentric crone of an aunt in a dreamy seaside home to guide her. This book felt like practical magic meets campy vampire movie in the best way possible! My only strife was it felt a tad long and drawn out at times. All in all I really enjoyed this one, and it's the perfect time to read it with the 'ber' months approaching!

Thank you Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Maddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Late-Night Witches follows Cassie, who learns she comes from a family of witches. Although her town seems quiet and safe, everything changes when vampires arrive. Their appearance is tied to a family secret Cassie uncovers. Now, she must protect her town and family before it is too late.

This was the perfect cozy fall book. I loved that throughout the book, Cassie learned to believe in herself. I also really liked that this book focused on family. I did find that some parts of this book dragged on a bit. I also felt like this book was a little rushed at the end. But other than that, I really enjoyed this one. This book was not scary; it was just fun. If you love Halloween like I do, I think this is a must-read for spooky season. This is the first book I have read by this author, and I look forward to reading more.

Thank you so much, Auralle Wallace and Ace pub, for the ARC of this book. This book comes out August 19!

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Add this cozy read to your fall TBR!

The fate of Cassie Beckett's future generation (and possibly the world) lies with her as she prepares to battle The Deliverer, a vampire who has killed 12 generations of Beckett women, and Cassie will be the 13th this Halloween. With the help of her quirky aunt and headstrong sister, she learns about her witchy family history and tries to find her suppressed magic before the clock runs out.

This was the perfect introductory book to my fall reading! Cassie had to balance being a mother of 3 kids and an absent husband at home with battling vampires and ending a curse! There were many funny and relatable moments and this was a light read without much plot or character depth. Honestly my favorite character was Ben and he was not featured nearly enough! Pick this one up if you enjoy Practical Magic or witchy family quests with a splash of vampires.

Thank you NetGalley, Ace Books, and the author for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hello to the perfect fall book! This book was full of so many things; magic and second chances and new surprising friendships and danger and despair and joy and finding yourself and reconnecting with family and dismantling secrets and just kind of the biggest coziest hug? Such a great cozy family with so many of my favorite things. I related so much to Cassie in her desire to just take care of everyone and worry about everything and still constantly feeling like she is failing. I match that energy all the time and I love that she has a lot of personal growth in this book to start fighting for herself. I love all the magic and vampires and the action scenes that were perilous but making me laugh at the same time? There so many sweet family moments and the ending had me all chocked up. Such a perfect cozy fall book with just gorgeous storytelling!

Thanks to the publisher for a free copy; my thoughts and review are my own.

[Hayley Gallant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Berkley & PRH audio for my copies!

Rating: 4.5 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟.5

This was such an amazing read & something completely different than I normally pick up!

This book full of so much banter and witty humor, is a great read for this spooky season. It has a family thrown into this paranormal world of witches and vampires, where their memories have been suppressed.

You will root for all of the characters, you will find some interesting takes on the paranormal world, all with a small town vibe.

You get:
• Paranormal Fiction
• Murder & Gore
• Don't Trust Anyone
• Prophecy
• Family Drama
• Banter
• Finding Your Voice

I highly recommend this one! Available on ebook, paperback, and audiobook.

[Alex Z (azeebooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

How can a book be like, cozy witches and family dynamics but also like hey there’s imminent death for everyone if you don’t deal with these vampires and a centuries old curse???

This was the perfect balance of high stakes (lol, every time), humour and heart. I actually found myself laughing out loud at this book, it was just so witty and silly at times.

ALSO, this is set on PEI - how absolutely charming!!! PEI with a vampire infestation! Anne would love it!

Do yourself a favour and read this book with a warm drink on a cozy fall day. It’s a cute and spooky blend that anyone would love!

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Available August 19, 2025

Thank you to Ace Books for a free advance review copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Elizabeth McFarland · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a phenomenal witchy read for fall! I adored The Late-Night Witches. It's super cozy, a little bit spooky, and had me laughing out loud. I just loved everything about this book, including the Prince Edward Island setting with its occasional nods to Anne of Green Gables, the heaps and heaps of cats, and the witty dialogue throughout.

There's nothing I enjoy more than a great book with witchy, fall vibes, and this one is fantastic. The characters were vibrant and well-written even the not-so-lively ones! If you're looking for a charming and whimsical addition to your fall reading list and you're into witches battling vampires, then check out The Late-Night Witches by Auralee Wallace.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Sue Em · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐ rounded up
Cassandra Beckett tries to keep everything under control with a teenage daughter, twin 8-year old boys, a husband overseas with Doctors without Borders and a wild child sister who just showed up with a bat she used on her boyfriend's truck. Somehow she also has to "find her magic" that she's forgotten in order to defeat and kill to the vampire cursed by her ancestors. Love witch stories even though the powerful witch who needs to find her power even though her for is a vampire. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Lauren | TransportedLFL · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Ace and Berkley Romance for the free book and PRH Audio for the complimentary audiobook. These opinions are my own.

Have you ever wondered why in so many dystopian and paranormal fantasies, it's always the job of a teenager to save the world?

Then this book is for you. Enter Cassie, a stay at home mom, with a 15-year-old daughter Sadie and twin 8-year-old boys, Sly and Eddie. And Cassie is the one who needs to save Prince Edward Island from vampires by Halloween.

This book had me cackling. It's an excellent read for Halloween, as it's set in the month of October. And it helped me make it through a final summer heat wave when all I wanted is fall vibes. I related so strongly to Cassie and her feelings, as she learned about being a witch. I didn't love the romance aspect which felt closer to cheating than I prefer. But I did love getting to know Cassie's family with her amazing aunt, sister, and children.

And I also just had a great amount of fun with the absurdity of the fight against vampires. If this were a movie, I would call it campy. As a book, it's definitely on the comedic side of paranormal rom-com. It will make the list of books I recommend seasonally for a long time to come. And I would love to read more set in this world.

Robyn Maryke narrated the audiobook beautifully. I alternated listening and reading the physical book, so I would not have to put it down. And the production was precisely to my preference with depth and emotion but no over-the-top sound effects.

[Faye 🫀]

DNF 45 % in :(

I adore the In the Company of Witches b&b mysteries by this author & was very excited about this release!

In its defence, I do think it’s very strongly Practical Magic x Buffy the Vampire Slayera-coded which is definitely really fun. However, the story & characters all feel quite flat and it almost feels carbon copy Practical Magic in a way that’s just too similar and not very original?? Idk, I kept trying to push through and feeling like “I’ve literally seen this exact film before” and the cozy autumnal aesthetic didn’t even feel quite strong enough to at least carry me through.

[kiara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Berkley Pub, Ace & Netgalley for the eARC!

4 stars!!

Such a delightful, magical read!

As a whole, this book mostly focuses on family. I really enjoyed seeing our main character, Cassie, grow into finding herself and also getting to learn about her powers. I absolutely loved Aunt Dorcas and I thought her newfound relationship with her nieces was so sweet!!

I think this book does a great job at being a cozy read, but also has a little bit of action! I loved the vampires vs witches aspect!!

I think this book will be perfect for lovers of cozy fall reads!!!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is a cosy halloween story with a family of witches who fight with some evil vampires. I found the fmc, Cassie, to be rather annoying, especially when it came to conversations between her and her sister, Eliza. The "I'm the big sister" game should be left in childhood, surely?

Aunt Dorcas seemed more like a cartoon character than anything else. I think she was supposed to offer some comic relief, but she was more weird/annoying than funny.

All in all, it did offer some of that autumn flavour we're heading towards at this time of year, but was kind of a letdown. 🎃🐈‍⬛

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive an arc of this book from Penguin Random House. Thank you!

This book was such a fun read! If you grew up reading Witch and Vampire books than this will give ALL the nostalgic vibes! Honestly this story could have been 100 more pages and I still would have loved it! There were some parts I wish went into a bit more detail but overall I was quite please with this read! If you love stories with Witches and Vampires, I highly suggest this read!!

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Source* Publisher
*Genre* Fantasy / Contemporary
*Rating* 3.5

*Thoughts*

Auralee Wallace’s The Late-Night Witches is a blend of cozy fantasy, heartfelt family dynamics, and supernatural thrills. The novel follows Cassie Beckett, a beleaguered mother of three on Prince Edward Island, whose already chaotic life takes a fantastical turn when vampires invade her quiet town. Cassie Beckett is an overwhelmed single mother juggling three unruly children, a wild younger sister named Eliza, and an absent husband who’s off doing humanitarian work.

*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*

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