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Fantasy and Romantasy

Best Books Like Practical Magic (2026): 4 Picks

Four books for Practical Magic fans: witchy rom-coms, a cozy small-town romance and a green witchcraft guide, compared by premise and series.

Best Books Like Practical Magic (2026): 4 Picks

At a glance

Top picks

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How we score

Readers who loved Practical Magic usually want the same feeling next: sisterhood, small towns and everyday magic, which is what the best books like practical magic deliver. We compared four books by premise, listed page count, publication date and series.

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Quick picks

  • In the Shadow Garden by Parker
    Best Match In the Shadow Garden by Parker: Pitched at Practical Magic fans in the listing Check price on Amazon
  • Small Town, Big Magic by Beck
    Witchy Rom-Com Small Town, Big Magic by Beck: 416 pages, August 2022; Book 1 of 4 Check price on Amazon
  • Impractical Magic by Grimoire
    Cozy Small-Town Pick Impractical Magic by Grimoire: Book 1 of 3, October 2024; second-chance romance Check price on Amazon
  • The Green Witch
    Nonfiction Pick The Green Witch: 256-page guide to herbs, oils and potions Check price on Amazon

The picks

In the Shadow Garden by Parker

In the Shadow Garden by Parker

Liz Parker9.7/10 Shelf Score
i
The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A luminous debut about three generations of empathic witches, pitched at Practical Magic fans.

Pros

  • Listing names fans of Practical Magic as the audience
  • Mystery, magical realism and romance in one book
  • September 13, 2022, Forever

Cons

  • No page count is stated
  • No reading age or grade level stated
  • Debut novel with no follow-up stated
Small Town, Big Magic by Beck

Small Town, Big Magic by Beck

Hazel Beck9.6/10 Shelf Score
i
The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A witchy romantic comedy set in a small town full of secrets, first in the Witchlore series.

Pros

  • 416 pages, August 23, 2022, Graydon House
  • Book 1 of 4: Witchlore
  • Found family and friends-to-lovers, per the description

Cons

  • No reading age or grade level stated
  • Series runs to four books, per the description
  • Slow-burn romance, per the description
Impractical Magic by Grimoire

Impractical Magic by Grimoire

Emily Grimoire9.5/10 Shelf Score
i
The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A cozy small-town second-chance witch romance, first in the Oak Haven Witches series.

Pros

  • Book 1 of 3: Oak Haven Witches, October 1, 2024
  • Grumpy x sunshine, slow burn, per the description
  • Pitched at readers of cozy witchy romance

Cons

  • No page count is stated
  • No reading age or grade level stated
  • Book 1 of an ongoing series
The Green Witch

The Green Witch

Arin Murphy-Hiscock9.5/10 Shelf Score
i
The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A complete guide to the natural magic of herbs, flowers, essential oils and more.

Pros

  • 256 pages, September 19, 2017, Adams Media
  • Covers herbal blends, potions, rituals and recipes
  • The only nonfiction pick on this list

Cons

  • A guide, not a novel; no story
  • 2017 reprint is the older pick here
  • No reading age or grade level stated

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Compare the picks

Book Shelf Score Author Pages Published Amazon
In the Shadow Garden by Parker 9.7/10 Liz Parker Not stated September 13, 2022 View on Amazon
Small Town, Big Magic by Beck 9.6/10 Hazel Beck 416 August 23, 2022 View on Amazon
Impractical Magic by Grimoire 9.5/10 Emily Grimoire Not stated October 1, 2024 View on Amazon
The Green Witch 9.5/10 Arin Murphy-Hiscock 256 September 19, 2017 View on Amazon

Book details as published on each listing, collected 22 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level where one is given. None of the four listings states a reading age or grade level. How we pick explains the weights.

Book Shelf Score Fit /35 Contents /25 Value /25 Age/level /10
In the Shadow Garden by Parker 9.7 30 20 20 n/a
Small Town, Big Magic by Beck 9.6 29 20 19 n/a
Impractical Magic by Grimoire 9.5 27 19 18 n/a
The Green Witch 9.5 26 18 18 n/a

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best books like practical magic

Start with the closest match

In the Shadow Garden is pitched at Practical Magic fans in its own listing: three generations of empathic witches, mystery and romance. Readers who want the rom-com version can start with Small Town, Big Magic. Browse all fantasy books and every fiction list for more.

Check what the listing actually says

Two listings carry full details: 416 pages and an August 23, 2022 date for Small Town, Big Magic; 256 pages and a September 19, 2017 date for The Green Witch. The other two carry series and date only.

Mind the mix

Three are witchy romances; The Green Witch is a nonfiction guide to herbs, oils and potions. Pick the guide for real-world practice, the novels for story.

Before you buy

  • Check the edition and date; the dated picks run from September 19, 2017 to October 1, 2024.
  • Small Town, Big Magic is Book 1 of 4; Impractical Magic is Book 1 of 3; start at the beginning.
  • No reading age or grade level is stated; match the book to the reader yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which book is most like Practical Magic?

In the Shadow Garden: its listing names Practical Magic fans as the audience, with three generations of empathic witches.

Are these part of a series?

Small Town, Big Magic is Book 1 of 4 in the Witchlore series; Impractical Magic is Book 1 of 3 in the Oak Haven Witches series.

Is there a nonfiction pick?

Yes: The Green Witch is a 256-page guide to herbs, flowers, essential oils and potions.

In the Shadow Garden by Parker
Still deciding? Our top pickIn the Shadow Garden by Parker
Check price on Amazon

See every fiction list. Also see our fantasy books about magic. Also see our books like Outlander.

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