Ursula’s life could be better after being abandoned at the alter. What was supposed to be her happily ever after turned into her reading palms and selling crystals at her family’s store while ignoring the majority of them and attempting to regain her magic. She doesn’t want another series romance, but she does want something interesting to happen.

Then, Xavier appears. He is a Fae prince who has been cursed by the Fairie Queen to stay in the mortal world until he encounters and kisses The One. Being an introverted individual, Xavier has found this task challenging. On his way to a date, he meets Ursula, and they click right away. Ursula makes a promise to Xavier to assist him in finding the ideal kiss before Midsummer because she needs something to show her that romance and magic are still genuine.

Although I found Ursula to be an unpleasant character to read about in the first book, I eventually came to understand what drove her. Neither Ursula’s father nor her romantic relationships ever completely accepted her for who she was. A part of herself that was never meant to be hidden had to be concealed by her constantly. Ursula took that for granted, but now that she’s grown into herself, you are able to love her more.

Xavier was a wonderful character and I adored his awkwardness as he searched for The One. The journey he takes to discover a way to lift the curse and return to the Fae realm—and his eventual realization that perhaps it wasn’t what she really wanted—was fairly well-balanced. I really enjoy how a Fae Prince finds online dating to be equally as disastrous as some of us do.

The book was a nice friends-to-lovers story with Ursula and Xavier taking time to get to know each other before acting on their more romantic feelings for one another. I’ll admit that the slow burn was *too slow* at times but it worked well. Ursula and Xavier were unlikely pairs; Ursula prefers to be social while Arden prefers to be anti-social. But yet, they are perfect for each other.

Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Love Love Love!!!!

A paranormal romance...say less! I loved the first book in the series and I had a feeling I would love this one just as much. I really did not disappoint.

This is the 2nd book in the series but it doesn't have to be read in order, which is nice!

Xavier was cursed and need to find the perfect kiss. Ursula was left at the alter but still believes in finding the perfect love. The strangers to lovers was written so perfectly! The perfect read to get into the Autumn spirit.

This was very low stakes, light and airy. Just what you want to read when looking to escape into a warm hug. I did not read the first in the series but would return to Freya Grove to check it out

True rating: 3.5 stars

This book was a lovely blend of romance, humor, and magic. Celestine Martin excels at enveloping her readers in small-town charm and coziness while she spins her tale of paranormal romance. The characters are relatable and endearing.. I accidentally jumped right into this book without realizing it was the 2nd book in a series. It can be read as a standalone, as I did, but I believe I would have enjoyed this book a lot more if I had read book 1 first (Witchful Thinking). If you are a fan of light-hearted romance with a healthy dose of magic, then Kiss and Spell is a must-read.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of Kiss and Spell by Celestine Martin. It was the perfect first fall read with wishes, witches, princes and faery godmothers.
Ursula has always wanted her happily ever ever but may have gone about it the wrong way. With help from family and friends she just may get what she wished for.

a fun witchy romance. I didn’t read the first book but I didn’t feel like I needed too! I loved the insta love will they won’t they! It took awhile for some steam but the slow burn was worth it!

Cute witchy romance. Perfect read for October if you’re feeling witchy.

Thanks to Forever and Netgalley for a copy of Kiss and Spell in exchange of an honest review.

Happy Pub Day to Kiss and Spell, my first witchy romcom of the season. This is the second book in the Elemental Love series but can definitely be read as a standalone.

Ursula was not my favorite side character in book 1. In fact she became a bit of a villain. But I completely forgot about all of that and forgave her actions in this book. She definitely redeemed herself.

As in book one, I loved all the magical, mystical beings - grumpy gnomes, witches, fairies, mermen, and more. And the pairing of a Fae Prince searching for a perfect kiss with a witch whose greatest wish is to fall in love like all the greatest fairy tales was genius. The small town setting is both cozy and enchanting and had me wanting to partake in all the special events.

This was a cute and whimsical paranormal romance with Black witches, but it was missing a spark to take it to amazing. It may have been just a bit too much of a slow burn for me. We could all see that they had fallen for one another, so just kiss already and break the curse!!

Despite this, I’m looking forward to the next book in the series and to read more by this author. Can’t wait to see which side character is next to fall in love.

I’m so glad I found my way back to Freya Grove AKA Black Halloweentown. This witchy & fae romance was warm and the perfect October love story. Even better was the character development of both main characters and the lessons about second chances.

Kiss and Spell is super cute and moved pretty quickly after a bit of a slow start. I wasn’t sure what to expect but overall enjoyed it. I think this may be my first book by Celestine Martin but I’ll keep reading.

With a name like Ursula, this book just seems to fit what I'm looking for in October. Crystals, fortunes, psychics... and romance? Yes, please. I loved the characters and the plot (which felt a bit like The Little Mermaid, making the name Ursula even more delightful) was enjoyable. I think anyone looking to find some magic will enjoy this.

After being left at the altar, Ursula lost her faith in love. And please spare her the cracks about what kind of physic she must be if she didn’t see *that* coming. She’s struggling enough as it is.

Now the once beloved Smitten by the Shore event is returning to their town, and she’s not sure how to feel about it.
Doesn’t help that Lincoln, the almost groom who ghosted her, is back in town and already with someone else.

More interesting though is, just after determining to get her goals in order and swearing off ‘fairy tales’, she has a chance meeting with Actual Fae Prince Xavier. A bit of mistaken identity as he was supposed to meet a blind date at the *other* Ocean Avenue.

He’s got a bit of a curse situation, and needs to have love’s perfect kiss before he’s free to return to his home realm. That date he was headed to was a bust like so many others, and he almost wishes he had stayed with the Ursula. Wrong woman or not there was a connection and maybe she can help him?
When they meet up again later he finds out she knows all about this Smitten by the Shore matchmaking thing at least…

-

This is my third book in two weeks about a witch with some form of plant magic, and if this is a new trend I am here for it!

This one feels light like a nice romcom. There is some drama but nothing shattering. I can’t quite say about those others, so maybe that’s why this is feeling extra low stakes?

Anyway, if you’re looking for a fun fall read, check it out. It is part of a series, but I am managing to follow along even though I haven’t read the first book (yet) so don’t let that hold you back!

I *did* get a little frustrated and felt like they were making things too difficult for themselves by not actually clearly communicating about what they want/needed from the start, but that’s what makes the story sometimes, right?

Thanks to @netgalley and @forever for the arc!

What happens when you cross a witch with a prince? You get a good story in Kiss and Spell.
When the story opens I felt bad for Ursula. She’d been dumped on her wedding day and lost all confidence. She’s rebuilding her life when she meets Xavier on the boulevard.
They make some terrific magic together but when Xavier makes a bad decision I was disappointed in him. I thought it was cowardly and I was devastated for Ursula.
However, a HEA occurs. The best line is when Xavier said I’m tired of existing, I want to live. Indeed!

It's spooky season and I'm all about the cozy magical realism stories and I really liked Kiss and Spell. Xavier is a fae prince who has to break an enchantment (curse) by getting his perfect kiss. Ursula is a witch who is struggling with her magic and recently got ghosted at the alter. Both of them are very against finding love, for very different reasons. But Ursula is determined to help Xavier get his kiss & back to his fae realm.

I really enjoyed the whole fairy tale idea of the story. I loved the characters and the side characters, but the only downside is that I would have loved to know more about Freya Grove (LOVE a small town setting) and the rules with the paranormal creatures and the rules of magic.

I have not read Witchful Thinking (the first in the series) and while this may be intended to be a standalone, I think I would have understood a little more of the backstory if I had read that first.

3.5 rounded up to 4.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Prince Xavier may be trying to break the Faerie Queen's unwelcome enchantment but I'm the one who is thoroughly - and happily - enchanted by Celestine Martin's town of Freya Grove and the mystical beings who call it home.

I'm a pretty pragmatic person so when I can lose myself in the premise that witches, Fae princes, and mischievous gnomes are living side by side in a small New Jersey town, that's a sign that the author has created something special. I loved these characters, sympathizing with the obstacles facing them, sharing their frustrations with family expectations, cringing over awkward moments, and cheering them on to what was clearly what both of their hearts desired.

Martin has created a main couple who engaged my emotions (Xavier is so endearing and how could I not cheer on Ursula's heartfelt efforts to atone for past actions) along with a well-developed supporting cast that brings conflict, complex relationships, humor, unexpected matchmaking, and opportunity for growth to the main couple while also introducing potential future lead characters I hope we'll be seeing more of in books to come. I'm on board for many more visits to this fascinating place and fun, magical, emotional journeys to love...along with - I hope - a glimpse or two of Ursula and Xavier's happily ever after.

Give this one a try. It has my enthusiastic recommendation.
4.5 stars
ARC received from publisher via NetGalley. Fair and unbiased review.

“Love and a strong cup of tea will make you feel like you can solve anything.” ✨ 🫖 🖤

This was absolutely magical! I binged Witchful Thinking & Kiss and Spell this week and they are the perfect cozy witchy reads for fall!

We return to Freya Grove in the latest installment of Celestine Martin’s Elemental Love series to follow Ursula Caraway (the self proclaimed “Jersey Shore Witch Princess) as she works to get her life back on track. When her ex-fiancé left her at the alter, she not only lost the future she imagined…but she also lost her belief in her magic. Everything changes when an enchanted Fae Prince stumbles into her life, reigniting a spark that was once lost and changing both of their lives forever!

Full of magic, Fae, Witches, a Supernatural Haven, love, strength, family, personal growth, spice, cozy vibes and swoon worthy romance - Kiss and Spell is one of my favorite witchy romances of all time and seriously can’t say enough about how much I love this series! 10/10 recommend!

Thank you to Forever for the advanced copy!

Heat Factor: Lots of pining, with the first (perfect) kiss after the halfway mark
Character Chemistry: Instant recognition, followed by keeping some distance
Plot: Ursula has sworn off fairy tales, but then finds herself falling for a literal fae prince
Overall: DNF about ⅔ of the way through

I picked this up because I read the first book in the series and loved how calm it was. I especially loved how magic was described: in the first book, the heroine casts a wish spell with her cousins and things start changing. But all of the magic is herbs and starlight, and could easily be read as metaphor. Except for the whole hero being a merman thing. Anyways.

Kiss and Spell has some of that understatement going on: we’re focused on wishes and crystals rather than wands and spells involving made-up Latin. But it has also become apparent that Freya’s Grove, the small town where this series takes place, is more like the world of C.M. Nascosta’s Morning Glory Milking Farm than like earth as we know it. Yes, there are minotaurs here, and everyone thinks that’s normal. (This is not to say that this book is anything like MGMF, because it is not.) The point is, I was a little thrown off by how supernatural the world felt, but I think that’s mostly a me problem, because Witchful Thinking does clearly have gnomes running around in the herb gardens, so I’m not sure why I thought that the magic was all metaphorical.

Ok, but why did I DNF this book? It came down to pacing and the way information is doled out. Let’s start with the information: the backstory here is that Ursula was left at the altar last year and is trying to get her mojo back; Xavier pissed off the fairy queen and has to break an enchantment he’s under with a perfect kiss. Ursula’s problems are tied up in the wish she made in Witchful Thinking, but I didn’t remember what that wish was (or even if we got that information in that book)—and it’s not revealed here until more than halfway through the book. As for Xavier, I got ⅔ of the way through this book and I’m still not entirely clear on what the parameters of his enchantment are. Both Ursula and Xavier spend a lot of time angsting about how they can’t be together, and because of the slow release of information, I’m not sure why. I kind of understand why Ursula is wary about Xavier—she’s sworn off fairy tales and he’s a fae prince and so she’s trying to protect herself—but I have no idea why Xavier thinks that he can’t have forever with Ursula. Is it because of the precise terms of his enchantment, or because of his relationship with his father? Is it because he truly thinks that he can’t have love? If I’m more than halfway through a book and I’m not entirely sure what the parameters of the conflict are, then I would say that there’s a problem.

I also felt that the central metaphor was both heavy-handed and unclear. Ursula has decided that she no longer wants to be in a fairy tale. But then she decides that she’s going to embrace being an enchantress. (Sidenote: there are distinct types of magic users here that all fall under the broad category of “witch,” but who seem to relate to and use their magic differently. I liked this detail.) But princes don’t fall for witches, but maybe they do fall for enchantresses, so maybe she’s still living life like a fairy tale after all? And then Xavier knights Ursula. How does that fit in? It is later revealed that the problem with Ursula’s last relationship was that she was trying to fit herself into the princess mold and that her wish was for a happy ending (which caused everything to fall apart). So is she actually trying to escape the fairy tale or just a specific version of it?

I do think that Martin is doing something interesting with this series, but this book just didn’t work for me.


I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.

This review is also available at The Smut Report.

Kiss and Spell is book 2 in a series featuring Ursula, however this can be read as a stand alone.

Ursula wants a happily ever after and has wished for it in the past. All that got her was being left at the alter and terrified that her perfect life will never happen.
Prince Xavier Alder needs to find The One and have the perfect kiss to break a curse on him. His social skills has made it a challenge for him to meet any women let alone kiss them. Ursula agrees to help him find dates but the chemistry and connection between them becomes undeniable.

This was a cute witchy read that is perfect for Halloween season.

As soon as I saw the title of this book, I wanted to read it. I am now in my BIPOC paranormal romance era. Kiss and Spell did not disappoint! I absolutely adored this book. Celestine Martin did everything right with this one. The slow burn romance was perfectly paced and the pay off was delicious. But she also did the black moment so well. I understood Xavier’s feelings and I loved how Sula handled his leaving. She let it be his choice and I think that was the right thing to do. This book was steamy, sexy, and so dang sweet. I loved Ursula and Xavier so much but I also enjoyed the supporting cast. The supernatural elements were done well too. It wasn’t too overpowering and I’m finding I like the real world and the magic world mingling so seamlessly. I can’t wait to read more books by Celestine Martin! This one is a must read!!

Kiss and Spell by Celestine Martin
2nd book in the Elemental Love series. Witchy paranormal romance. Diverse own voice. Can be read without reading the first but it is the same family, yet doesn’t really overlap much.
Prince Xavier Alder of the fae is cursed. He needs to find the perfect kiss to be able to go back home. For now he’s trying dating apps on the New Jersey boardwalk.
Ursula Caraway wished for happily ever after when she thought she had found her perfect man. That wish caused the relationship to fall apart and now Ursula is reading fortunes on the boardwalk “free with purchase”. She meets Xavier by chance when he gets lost and walks him down the boardwalk in the right direction. She offers to help him find his perfect romance and gets tangled up in attraction and longing herself.

An adorable and witchy story with Ursula and Xavier looking for something like love, and finding fascination in each other. She’s a romantic while he doesn’t believe in love. Expectations may need to be juggled a bit.
Cute, campy and lovely.

I received a copy of this story from NetGalley and the publisher.