Magic, Midlife, and Mayhem: Betwixt by Darynda Jones

What if turning forty didn’t mean slowing down, but stepping into your power? In Betwixt, the first book in the Betwixt & Between series by Darynda Jones, readers are treated to a clever, heartfelt, and enchantingly paranormal tale about second chances, unexpected magic, and discovering who you really are when life throws you into the deep end.

Darynda Jones, best known for her Charley Davidson series, brings her signature wit and emotional depth to the emerging genre of paranormal women’s fiction—and the result is a story that’s both wildly entertaining and surprisingly empowering.

Why Betwixt Feels Perfect for Right Now

We live in a world that often sidelines women as they age. But Betwixt flips that script. This isn’t a story about youth or first love—it’s about reinvention, rediscovery, and owning your weird after 40. It’s for anyone who’s ever felt lost in the chaos of life and thought, “Maybe there’s more out there for me.”

With its mix of snark, suspense, supernatural secrets, and slow-burn emotional revelations, Betwixt reminds us that life isn’t over at midlife—it’s just getting started. And maybe… a little haunted.

A Midlife Crisis with Magic (and a Side of Murder)

Defiantly single and recently divorced, forty-something Defiance Dayne isn’t expecting a miracle when she inherits a crumbling house in Salem, Massachusetts. But what she gets is something more powerful—and far weirder—than she bargained for. The home comes with secrets, a spectral companion, and a crash course in powers she didn’t know she had.

As she tries to make sense of her new life, Dephne finds herself caught between the everyday world she thought she knew and a hidden world brimming with magic, mystery, and danger. There’s a dash of romantic tension, a heavy dose of ghostly interference, and just enough self-deprecating humor to make the whole adventure feel charmingly human.

The paranormal isn’t there to overshadow the emotional arc—it mirrors it. The unknown world Defiance is suddenly thrust into reflects the internal one she’s navigating: the loneliness, the identity crisis, the fear of starting over. And yet… she rises.

Themes & Tropes: Magic Meets Midlife

Jones doesn’t just dabble in genre tropes—she reclaims and redefines them. Here’s what you can expect in Betwixt:

• Paranormal women’s fiction, where the magic feels metaphorical and real all at once
• Found family, including a ghost with an attitude and a possible (very much alive) love interest
• Midlife reinvention, told with humor, heart, and vulnerability
• Haunted inheritance, a classic setup that opens the door to new worlds—literally and emotionally
• Empowered heroine, who isn’t perfect but damn sure is growing
• Witchy mystery, with a cozy edge and darker undertones

This isn’t a traditional romance, but it’s rich with romantic energy, the promise of something new, and the healing that comes from self-love before anything else.

Who Will Love This Book

Betwixt is tailor-made for readers who:

• Want paranormal fiction with mature female leads and real-life emotional weight
• Are fans of authors like Kristen Painter, Robyn Peterman, or Shannon Mayer
• Love witchy, ghostly, and magical realism stories that balance fun with feels
• Are you looking for romantic subplots without insta-love or predictable pairings
• Appreciate smart, snarky, soul-searching heroines navigating life after divorce
• Believe it’s never too late for magic—or a fresh start

If you’ve ever wanted a story that feels like Practical Magic meets Fleabag, but with ghosts and glowing doorways, this book belongs on your nightstand.

Final Thoughts: There’s Power in the “Betwixt”

Betwixt by Darynda Jones is more than a paranormal adventure—it’s a declaration that midlife doesn’t mean invisibility. It means transformation. It means rediscovering the wild within you. It means learning to trust your instincts, your intuition, and maybe even the ghost in your kitchen.

With humor, heart, and just enough spellwork to leave you enchanted, this is the kind of book that makes you feel seen, stirred, and just a little spellbound.

So if you’re craving a heroine who’s fierce and funny, and you’re finally finding her magic, step into Betwixt. Because life doesn’t stop at forty… it just starts to get interesting.