First Witches Club
by Maisey YatesSetting: Oregon
Genres: Fiction / Magical Realism
Published on March 1, 2026
Pages: 367
Format: eBook Source: Owned
When three betrayed wives stumble into a magical apothecary shop, they discover that revenge is sweet--but finding true love and their own power is even sweeter in this witty, romantic novel about second chances from New York Times bestselling author Maisey Yates.
Nora, Daisy, and Soraya think their marriages are just fine. Until their husbands prove them wrong.
Nora's says he needs distance and flits off to a wellness retreat in Chile. Daisy's confesses to an affair with someone younger. And Soraya's sends her a pic of that special part of himself--meant for another woman. At a loss for what to do, they follow their intuition right into Lady's Mantle Apothecary.
As they embrace their untapped magic, their fortunes begin changing fast. Getting even with their exes is satisfying, but the real magic happens when they start opening their hearts to new possibilities. Nora discovers that true love might have been right in front of her all along in the form of her childhood best friend. Daisy finds herself falling for her ex-husband's handsome business partner, a former TV star who sees the real her. And Soraya, who never dated before marriage, experiences an unexpected attraction to the mysterious owner of the game shop across the hall.
With the help of an enigmatic shopkeeper, these three women discover that the best revenge isn't just about hexes and karma--it's about finding your own path to love, friendship, and claiming your power. And that is positively magical.
I absolutely loved this book! Each of the three characters read as distinct people while going through similar life experiences. That’s quite a feat.
Nora has convinced herself that her marriage isn’t ending. Her husband just needs some time and then he’ll get his mind right and be back. Ouch, been there thought that. It didn’t work for me either.
Daisy has worked for her husband’s company for no salary for her whole life. Her husband is actually shocked that she is going to let the company flounder by leaving when he leaves her for a younger woman. How can she be so selfish?
Soraya is an evangelical Christian who finds herself being shunned by her community when she refuses to just forgive her cheating husband. After all, he’s “a good guy.” Yeah, I lived in that world too.
These three women have known each other since high school in a small town but have never been close. Now they are drawn together as their lives fall apart at the same time.
They find themselves in a magical shop. Daisy is needed for her bookkeeping skills. Soraya is able bake for the coffee shop to support herself even though she just knows that everything that goes on in an occult shop is Satanic. Nora ends up as the front desk helper.
I found myself highlighting quote after quote.
“Then maybe that means no one is talking to me because I’m excommunicated.”
“Oh, don’t be silly.” Nora patted Soraya’s shoulder. “They won’t excommunicate you. If they did, how would they shame you?”
The girl who had told Nora things happened for a reason back in high school was a girl who hadn’t been through hard things yet.
“How is an enneagram not Christian Girl astrology?”
“What?” Soraya asked.
“I’m serious. Vision boards, enneagrams. It’s like the same thing with different branding. Spells and manifestation, prayers and your enneagram number.”
There is no greater sin than leaving a man who has been labeled good, even when he’s done nothing to demonstrate his goodness.
“Blessed be.” She aimed that directly at Soraya.
“Jesus loves you,” she said.
Nora laughed. “Thank you. Because everyone else thinks I’m an asshole.”
How does any of this make sense? That women are at fault for everything and yet in charge of nothing. That women are expected to have the greater ability to forgive, to carry the weight of men’s sins, and yet we’re supposed to be weaker than them.
The way you’re thinking about God feels narcissistic. I think—if God is up there—that he isn’t obsessing over every little thing you do every day.
And the quote that is the theme of the whole book:
“What are spells but prayers men don’t like?”
Of course, there is a happy ending for each of them. It may not be the most realistic book (how could a book about a magical shop be?) but it is satisfying – especially if you identify with one or more of the women’s circumstances.
