Cozy fantasy meets parenting chaos… and it’s ridiculously funny.
Synopsis
Two parents and their recently-bitten-werewolf daughter try to fit into a privileged New England society of magic aristocracy. But deadly terrors await them – ancient prophecies, remorseless magical trials, hidden conspiracies and the PTA bake sale.
When Vivian’s kindergartner, Aria, gets bitten by a werewolf, she is rapidly inducted into the hidden community of magical schools. Reeling from their sudden move, Vivian finds herself having to pick the right sacrificial dagger for Aria, keep stocked up on chew toys and play PTA politics with sirens and chthonic nymphs and people who literally can set her hair on fire.
As Vivian careens from hellhounds in the school corridors and demons at the talent show, she races to keep up with all the arcane secrets of her new society – shops only accessible by magic portal, the brutal Trials to enter high school, and the eternal inferno that is the parents’ WhatsApp group.
And looming over everything is a prophecy of doom that sounds suspiciously like it’s about Aria. Vivian might be facing the end of days, just as soon as she can get her daughter dressed and out of the door…
Review
5 “crush” stars
I did not plan to read this book. I really didn’t.
But then I saw that ridiculously colorful cover at Waterstones, read the blurb, and five minutes later it was in my cart.
Best impulse decision ever.
I read this in record time and had SO MUCH FUN.
Imagination? 11/10
Humor? 10/10
Parenting accuracy? Painfully 10/10
Cuteness? 10/10
Story? 9/10
This book oozes humor, coziness, and relatability.
Picture this: your five-year-old gets bitten by a werewolf. Suddenly you’re buying chew toys, tracking the lunar calendar, and investing in industrial quantities of bloomers because your child keeps ripping them to shreds every full moon.
You end up leaving your job, your neighborhood, and everything familiar to join a magical community so your child can thrive. The problem? You and your husband are very, very human. Which means you’re complete outsiders trying to understand traditions, social codes, and unspoken rules no one bothered to explain to you.
Cue chaos. Cue absurdity. Cue magical PTA drama.
Add a prophecy, couple tension, and WhatsApp group madness and you get The Grimoire Grammar School Parent Teacher Association.
What I adored:
The imagination.
Secret shopping alleys accessed by spells. Parking lots filled with flying carpets, carriage straight out of Wednesday Addams, … A vampire kindergarten teacher with a magical brooch to avoid being grilled to a crisp. A magical talent show. It never stops.
The parenting accuracy.
Every single worry you’ve ever had as a parent is here… just in magical form. From school snacks faux pas (never bring brownies to a werewolf event!) to worrying about your kid fitting in.
“But, just as one should not bring a knife to a gunfight, one should not bring brownies to a magic school picnic.”
The humor.
Vivian’s internal monologue and the situations she ends up in had me laughing out loud more than once.
Here are some favorite quotes to give you a taste:
“You cast an invisibility spell?” “I just did what Daddy does when he’s eating Mommy’s chips.”
“So far she seemed to be willing to chase the remote-controlled car around if Daddy sat on the top step and controlled it, as long as she got a raw rabbit at the end to make the game worthwhile.”
“OK , into the tub. No, back to human form, we only have shampoo for your human hair. And remember, we use towels, not shaking off, inside.”
The cuteness.
These kids. Aria trying so hard to be a “good werewolf.” Evander charming birds while wearing an Elmo guitar. I melted.
Vivian.
As a mom, I completely got her. The worry, the work ethic, the need to understand what’s going on, the strain on the couple when parenting gets intense… I could walk in her shoes without effort.
The found family.
Vivian doesn’t end up with the friends she expected — she ends up with better ones.
I flew through this book and my only complaint is that it ended. I would happily read a sequel or anything else set in this universe.
Caitlin Rozakis, you just won a new fan.
Thanks for reading.
Sophie
The cover definitely grabbed me. I do often have trouble reading books like this though, as I’m not a parent, but it sounds like I might still have to give it a try. Great review!
https://lisalovesliterature.bookblog.io/2026/02/06/bookish-travel-january-2026/
I loved this too! And there is a sequel coming out later this year
That’s what the author told me! I plan on pre ordering it!
Amazing review! This one is new to me also, but you’ve convinced me to add it to my TBR!
Yay! My work is done then!
This sounds interesting and fun, too. I think I would like this.
Sam you have to add it to your TBR! I promise that you will have a grand time!