The Witches of Cambridge: A Novel

· Sold by Ballantine Books
4.3
3 reviews
Ebook
320
Pages
Eligible

About this ebook

For fans of Alice Hoffman, Sarah Addison Allen, and Adriana Trigiani, The Witches of Cambridge reveals an astonishing world where the heart’s deepest secrets give way to the magic of life-changing love.

Be careful what you wish for. If you’re a witch, you might just get it.
 
Amandine Bisset has always had the power to feel the emotions of those around her. It’s a secret she can share only with her friends—all professors, all witches—when they gather for the Cambridge University Society of Literature and Witchcraft. Amandine treasures these meetings but lately senses the ties among her colleagues beginning to unravel. If only she had her student Noa’s power to hear the innermost thoughts of others, she might know how to patch things up. Unfortunately, Noa regards her gift as a curse. So when a seductive artist claims he can cure her, Noa jumps at the chance, no matter the cost.

Noa’s not the only witch who’s in over her head. Mathematics professor Kat has a serious case of unrequited love but refuses to cast spells to win anyone’s heart. Kat’s sister, Cosima, is not above using magic to get what she wants, sprinkling pastries in her bakery with equal parts sugar and enchantment. But when Cosima sets her sights on Kat’s crush, she conjures up a dangerous love triangle.

As romance and longing swirl through every picturesque side street, the witches of Cambridge find their lives unexpectedly upended and changed in ways sometimes extraordinary, sometimes heartbreaking, but always enchanting.

Praise for The Witches of Cambridge
 
“Intriguing and original . . . The magic that works wonders for modern-day English witches also charms readers in this delightful and quirky romantic tale.”Publishers Weekly
 
“A lively and whimsical tale of romance, family, and friendship sure to delight her fans and newcomers alike.”Booklist
 
“Fans of Alice Hoffman’s Practical Magic are sure to enjoy The Witches of Cambridge. . . . [Menna] van Praag’s writing is lyrical and the story sweetly affirming.”BookPage

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Ratings and reviews

4.3
3 reviews
Kristina Anderson
February 20, 2016
The Witches of Cambridge by Menna Van Praag is a delightful and enchanting novel! Amandine Bisset is an empath. She can feel the emotions of other people. She is happy in her life with her husband, Eliot Walker and their twin boys. But recently Eliot has been acting oddly. Is he having an affair? Amandine is afraid to ask but wants to find out. Noa Sparrow is a human lie detector and dislikes it intensely. Noa can tell a person’s secrets upon meeting them and cannot help but spilling them out (she has tried to hold them in but it is impossible). Noa is studying History of Art at Magdalene College in Cambridge where Amandine teaches (ends up her advisor). One day Noa meets Santiago Costa who states he can help Noa. He can take away her gift. Noa finally gets her wish, but will she be happy? Cosima Rubens is wonderful baker. She has a café with magical pastries. More than anything else in the world, Cosima wants to have a child. Unfortunately, she has a pre-existing condition. Cosima could die if she gets pregnant. Then her husband, Tommy cheats on her and gets the woman pregnant. What will Cosima do to make her dreams come true? Kat is a math professor and a witch. She casts spells with herbs. Kat has been in love George Bennett for many years (he is oblivious). He is a shy professor and friend to Kat. He also frequently visits Cosima’s café. What happens to George when a spell goes awry? Change is in the air for these witches. Read The Witches of Cambridge to find out what happens! The Witches of Cambridge was a charming novel. I just sat down and read it straight through (I was not pleasant when interrupted). The only thing that bothered me were the abrupt transitions between scenes (not chapters). It led to some confusion at first when one minute you are with Kat and then the next sentence Noa. Otherwise, I was riveted to the pages of this book. I give The Witches of Cambridge 5 out of 5 stars. I love Menna Van Praag’s writing style (I have read all of her books). It is so easy to read and entrancing! I cannot wait for Menna Van Praag’s next novel. I received a complimentary copy of The Witches of Cambridge in exchange for an honest review.
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Jeanne Hall
February 7, 2023
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About the author

Menna van Praag was born in Cambridge, England, and studied modern history at Oxford University. Her first work of fiction, Men, Money, and Chocolate—an autobiographical tale about a waitress who aspires to be a writer—has been translated into twenty-six languages. Her first novel, The House at the End of Hope Street, was inspired by an idea van Praag had to set up a house for female artists to give them a year to fulfill their artistic ambitions. She is also the author of The Dress Shop of Dreams.

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