Author: Annabel Chase
Expected Publication: January 21, 2026 by Storm Publishing
Format: Kindle, 214 Pages
Genre: Paranormal
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Series: Midlife Magic Cocktail Club #1
Blurb: For Libbie Stark, Friday night cocktail club is a lifeline. Whatever her problems, whether her stubborn boss, unruly teens or deadbeat boyfriend, time with the women of Lake Cloverleaf always feels like a tonic.
But when tragedy strikes on the Fourth of July, Libbie discovers a magical secret. Witches are real. Only they aren’t born – they’re created. When a witch dies, her powers pass from one generation to the next. And a local witch has chosen to pass her powers onto the ladies of the cocktail club.
With the help of a magical recipe book, Libbie must harness her new powers and use them to shake up the comfortable life she settled for. As Libbie learns to finally live on her own terms, sparks fly with handsome local lawyer Ethan Townsend, and she discovers it’s never too late to restore a little magic to your life.
My Opinion: I picked up this novel on a whim, drawn in by the cover without knowing much else. I expected witchy vibes, sure, but what I didn’t realize was that this is a reissue; the first book in the author’s Midlife Magic Cocktail Club series. And honestly, it caught me off guard in the best way.
The story has a kind of charm that sneaks up on you. The characters are warm and inviting, the kind of women you want to sit down with over a drink and hear more about. The writing style is subtle, but it works here, adding a playful energy to the narrative. The catering details are glossed over, but that’s not really the point of the book. What matters is the atmosphere, the friendships, and the sense of possibility that Inga brings to the ladies of Lake Cloverleaf.
Another pleasant surprise is that the romance thread doesn’t dominate the story. The “love interest” is present but not overwhelming, which makes space for the women’s lives and choices to take center stage. It’s not exactly quaint, but there’s something deeply appealing about watching these characters navigate midlife, magic, and new beginnings.
And then came the kicker. I glanced at Chase’s backlist and realized it’s prolific. I had never heard of her before, but now I suspect I’ve opened the door to a whole new reading adventure.
But when tragedy strikes on the Fourth of July, Libbie discovers a magical secret. Witches are real. Only they aren’t born – they’re created. When a witch dies, her powers pass from one generation to the next. And a local witch has chosen to pass her powers onto the ladies of the cocktail club.
With the help of a magical recipe book, Libbie must harness her new powers and use them to shake up the comfortable life she settled for. As Libbie learns to finally live on her own terms, sparks fly with handsome local lawyer Ethan Townsend, and she discovers it’s never too late to restore a little magic to your life.
My Opinion: I picked up this novel on a whim, drawn in by the cover without knowing much else. I expected witchy vibes, sure, but what I didn’t realize was that this is a reissue; the first book in the author’s Midlife Magic Cocktail Club series. And honestly, it caught me off guard in the best way.
The story has a kind of charm that sneaks up on you. The characters are warm and inviting, the kind of women you want to sit down with over a drink and hear more about. The writing style is subtle, but it works here, adding a playful energy to the narrative. The catering details are glossed over, but that’s not really the point of the book. What matters is the atmosphere, the friendships, and the sense of possibility that Inga brings to the ladies of Lake Cloverleaf.
Another pleasant surprise is that the romance thread doesn’t dominate the story. The “love interest” is present but not overwhelming, which makes space for the women’s lives and choices to take center stage. It’s not exactly quaint, but there’s something deeply appealing about watching these characters navigate midlife, magic, and new beginnings.
And then came the kicker. I glanced at Chase’s backlist and realized it’s prolific. I had never heard of her before, but now I suspect I’ve opened the door to a whole new reading adventure.
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