AS YOU WISH Book Review

As You Wish (book 1 in A Brim's Hollow Romance) by Danika Brown, eBook, 300 pages

Synopsis from Goodreads: Honey Baxter doesn’t break rules, she enforces them. As an auditor for the Bureau of Magical Compliance, she specializes in wishing wells. Her audits are thorough, her judgments final, and her detachment absolute. Her latest assignment lands her on the orchard of Ethan Hale, a skeptical single father who has no time for magic, or the cheerful meddling of his three children.

When Honey discovers that the kids used the family’s long-forgotten wishing well to keep the farm afloat, she should revoke the unauthorized wishes, file her report, and walk away. But something about Ethan and his family tugs at her tightly guarded heart and Honey finds her once-clear rules beginning to blur. With her boss pressuring her to close the case, and the orchard hanging in the balance, Honey faces a uphold the rules and risk destroying the fragile happiness this family has found—or break them, jeopardizing the career she’s spent her life building.

And in the midst of it all, she finds herself considering the one thing she swore she would never do: make a wish of her own.

BOOK REVIEW: This is such a cute and cozy magical romance. When I say magical I mean like actual magic. The world knows about magic. No one is trying to hide it but the government is trying to control it and well...you'll have to read this to find out more. I love how the magic community isn't separate from the human community. We're not getting muggles and wizarding world vibes. We're not seeing witches practicing in secret. It's all out in the open in the town of Brim's Hollow and I love that so much.

I'm not sure if it was a favorite part or just something that would make me chuckle from time to time. You can feel the attraction between Honey and Ethan fairly early on and you can tell how they are feeling by how they address one another. When they're being nice and friendly, it's Honey and Ethan. When they're irritated, mad, or trying to be professional, it's Ms. Baxter and Mr. Hale.

This is a 4.5 star (rounded up if needed) for one reason. Our main character's name is Honey and I think it fits her however I would find myself rereading parts because my initial read had my brain thinking they were using it as a nickname/term of endearment. So something like oh Honey could sound caring or condescending. Does that make sense? Then I would read it again, remembering her name is Honey and it would come across totally different. I get that is a total me thing. The author gave us wonderful characters and a great story line. I'm curious to see where this series goes. Are we going to get stand alone novels in this town and focus on others? Are we going to follow along with Honey? I'm excited to see what's next. This book is out today wherever books are sold. It's also part of the KU library upon release so check it out!

4.5/5 Stars

2026 Reading Challenge: 20/55 complete

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