A Witchy Fall Romance With Heart: Nadia El-Fassi on Best Hex Ever

Before we dive in: scroll to the video section to play the full conversation—then come right back for my notes, highlights, and exactly who should read Best Hex Ever this fall.

Catch the Interview

Why this episode matters

If you’re craving a romance that feels like a big hug with a cinnamon kick, Best Hex Ever delivers: cozy kitchen-witch vibes, found family, Moroccan treats, museum-nerd lore, plus an actually healthy, communicating hero (we love a man who’s done therapy). Nadia El-Fassi’s debut landed squarely in my fall sweet spot—and yes, it’s spicy.

Meet the author

Nadia El-Fassi (yep, with a hyphen) is a London-raised editor and writer who grew up haunting the British Museum and mainlined Practical Magic and Sabrina—all of which flavor this book in the best way. Her next novel, Love at First Fright, follows Rosemary (you’ll meet her here!)—a tattooed horror author/ghost-seer who falls for a Hollywood heartthrob on a haunted-manor film set. Put that one on your 2025 radar.

Book to add to your fall TBR

Best Hex Ever by Nadia El-Fassi

Dina Whitlock, a London kitchen witch with Moroccan-Welsh roots, runs a café where she brews bespoke teas and bakes rose-almond ghriba that nudge memory and mood—but she can’t fix the one spell that matters: a family hex that harms anyone who falls in love with her. Enter Scott Mason, a British Museum curator (soft grump, golden core), who’s back in town nursing a brutal breakup. When they’re thrown together for their best friends’ countryside wedding—cottage proximity, candlelit palm readings, a Samhain ritual, one very persuasive cat familiar—Dina must decide if she’ll keep self-protecting or risk everything for a love that feels destined. I picked this because it threads cozy witchcraft, bicultural family life, and hard-won intimacy without losing the fun; it’s for readers who like Practical Magic, The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, museum-nerd Easter eggs, and romances where consent, communication, and spice exist in the same sentence. It made me feel held—like I could smell cardamom steam off the page—and also a little feral about that wedding-weekend chemistry.

You can get a copy of Best Hex Ever on Amazon.

Conversation highlights (skim this, then hit play!)

The café, the cookies, the coziness

Nadia folds Moroccan flavors into Dina’s magic—ghriba, rose, almond, and memory—because food is family and women’s stories often travel through kitchens.

The museum boyfriend we deserve

Scott is tender, emotionally literate, raised by two mums, and still a little bristly—proof that grumpy doesn’t have to mean avoidant. He collects artifacts and does feelings.

Female friendship is a spell

You’ll meet Rosemary (tattooed horror author/ghost-seer) and Immy (wedding bestie). This friend group is goals and—good news—Rosemary headlines book two.

On identity, love, and coming home to yourself

The book normalizes late-in-life (or simply later) bisexual self-acceptance, celebrates chosen family, and lets romance be caretaking and hot.

Make it a vibe

• Pair with: a rose-black tea latte or mint tea with honey
• Snack: ghriba (almond-rose cookies) dusted in powdered sugar
• Soundtrack: softly haunted indie + a little Samhain drum
• Setting: rainy evening, lamplight, blanket, cat familiar optional but recommended

Frequently asked (because you will)

Is it a standalone?

Yes—HEA sealed and delivered. But the world opens up in Love at First Fright (2025): haunted manor, movie shoot, enemies-to-lovers heat. You’re welcome.

How spicy?

Cozy and steamy. Tender consent, real communication, and scenes that bring the heat without losing heart.

Quick-recap and links

• Best Hex Ever by Nadia El-Fassi — cozy/spicy witchy romance set in London with Moroccan flavors, museum lore, a countryside wedding, and a curse that finally meets its match.
• Add to cart if you love: found family, kitchen witchery, smart banter, and heroes who listen.
• Coming next: Love at First Fright (Rosemary’s story; haunted-manor film set; extra spice).

Happy reading—and if you bake ghriba, tag me so I can scream about them with you.