I adored this book! The fall vibes I was getting were perfect and such a great story. Perfect pace, great banter, family orientated, witchy, and a mystery! This checked all the marks for me, I wish there was more of it in their world! I was left guessing until the end, and the way everything set into place I loved it. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this story.

This book gave off cozy fall, small town romance, hallmark movie vibes but with a little spice. I love witchy books and throw in a little spicy rom com into it and I am completely sold. I loved every page and could not put it down!

This cover really caught my attention. I loved the idea of a witch and mage romance. I enjoyed all the magical elements of the story and liked how witches and mages used magic differently. The toll their magic took on each was interesting. Unfortunately that's where my enjoyment ended. I felt absolutely no chemistry between the main characters. I felt like Charlie being bisexual was just thrown in, and it was shouted out randomly, but it made no difference to the story. Charlie was also an insufferable character, she didn't communicate well with anyone. She whined too much and for being an adult she was so angsty towards Fitz as though 2 adults can't have a similar business in the same town. The "bad guy" was predictable and I got bored with the plot. Unfortunately I can only give this 2 stars.

This story has GOT to be one of the cutest, cuddliest, most spooky season appropriate stories I’ve read in a long time! Witches, mages, romance, and a bisexual main character….what’s not to love?!

As a New England native, it’s always extra fun to read a book set in place I’m familiar with. I could picture the little town of Owl’s Hollow vividly in my mind’s eye and every aspect of it felt spot on, But there are so many other aspects of The Cottage Around the Corner that are just as delightful. Mostly importantly are the lovable, relatable, colorful characters. The two mains, Charlie (a bisexual witch in her 30’s) and Fitz (a broody, stoic, sexy mage from Boston) are absolutely wonderful, but even the side characters are special. Charlie’s parents are lesbian witches and both women have depth and unique traits. The relationship between the three of them is a joy to read. The author, D.L. Soria, also gives us a bright, sweet, protective sister for Fitz, a hardworking, loyal, yet sometimes overzealous ex-girlfriend of Charlie’s, and a gaggle of other colorful, spunky characters within the quirky little town.

Charlie’s clumsy, awkward, slightly unkempt character traits and Fitz’s tall, dark, and stern traits were somewhat predictable for a story’s main romantic character dynamics, but nevertheless, it worked and was enjoyable to read. I wasn’t rolling my eyes as I read their witty banter or cute “getting to know each other” scenes. I was grateful that their relationship never felt like one out of a Hallmark movie!

Overall, The Cottage Around the Corner is one of the most pleasurable books I’ve read all year. From the moment the I realized that the title was a nod to my favorite cozy film, You’ve Got Mail, I was hooked. Who wouldn’t love a main male character who had developed strong opinions on Tom Hank’s’ character in that movie?!?

As always, a big thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Del Ray, for allowing me the privilege of reading the ARC of this perfect autumnal read!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

This was an adorable fall romance that will make you want to curl up under a nice warm blanket and watch Hocus Pocus or Pratical Magic. I really enjoyed the chemistry between Fitz and Charlie, and DL Soria puts a wonderfully unique spin on the traditional romance novel, and adds just a dash of magic to create this beautiful story.

I also enjoyed the audiobook narrated by Victoria Viareal who is quickly becoming a favorite audiobook narrator of mine.




Many thanks again to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book.

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Fall is my absolute favourite season, and even though the crisp autumn air hasn’t arrived yet, The Cottage Around the Corner was the perfect way to kick off the first few days of Fall!

This heartwarming story is packed with Practical Magic charm--think cozy, small-town vibes, an enchanting cottage full of magical delights, and a dash of mystery. But what truly sets it apart is its strong and diverse cast of characters, each one bringing something unique and beautiful to the story. The women in this book are fierce and complex, and the friendships between them are a highlight. Whether they’re dealing with personal challenges or supporting each other, the strength of these female relationships adds depth and emotion to every chapter.

The romance? It's a delightful slow-burn reminiscent of You’ve Got Mail--full of playful banter, heart-fluttering moments, and characters you can’t help but root for. The chemistry between Charlie and Fitz builds naturally, making the romantic arc as charming as the setting. Charlie's playful insults added a great dash of humour from her character!

What I loved most was the diverse representation in this story. Soria does a fantastic job creating a rich tapestry of backgrounds, cultures, and experiences, ensuring every character feels real and relatable. The inclusive cast not only enhances the story but also makes it feel authentic.

Whether you’re soaking up the last days of summer or eagerly awaiting the fall breeze, this book will wrap you in all the cozy, comforting vibes we crave this time of year.

Things are not going well for Charlie and her moms at the Chanterelle Cottage. The Cottage has been in her family for years and unless something changes, the family runs the risk of losing the business. Enter Maven Enterprises - the big bad store run by handsome newcomer Fitz, who also happens to be a mage. Witches and mages don’t typically get along, but Charlie can’t help being drawn to Fitz despite her reservations.

I really enjoyed this book! I loved Charlie as a main character, and I loved watching her us her magic. I thought the magic system for witches vs. mages was an interesting one, and how their powers differed. Charlie makes a big mistake with her magic before the start of the novel, so I loved seeing her overcome her past mistakes and flourish. She will do anything for her family and for Chanterelle Cottage. Mim and Mama were hilarious. Fitz was such a sweet MMC and even when Charlie was unsure of their relationship, I loved how he never doubted they could be together.

This wasn’t a You’ve Got Mail retelling, but I loved how it was clearly inspired by it and I appreciate all the references. That’s one of my all time favorite movies, so I always have a soft spot for books that reference it. This was just such a sweet and cozy romance with a great small town setting. Perfect for this time of year!

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for a review copy. I can’t wait to read more from this author.

The Cottage Around the Corner by D.L. Soria is a delightful and cozy blend of contemporary fantasy and romcom, set in the magical small town of Owl’s Hollow. The story centers around Charlie Sparrow, a witch dedicated to keeping her family’s beloved spellshop running, and Fitz, the charming and handsome mage who opens a competing business. As their rivalry heats up, so does their undeniable chemistry.

I absolutely loved the dynamic between Charlie and Fitz. Their banter was sharp, fun, and made the progression of their relationship feel natural and enjoyable. The romance was a perfect slow burn, and I appreciated how their connection developed as they teamed up to solve the supernatural mysteries plaguing the town. The balance between their magical competition and growing feelings was spot on.

One of my favorite aspects of the book was the cozy small-town setting. Owl’s Hollow reminded me of Gilmore Girls with its quirky characters and tight-knit community, but with a magical twist. The representation in this book is also wonderful—Charlie’s family is inclusive, and it felt refreshing to see such a diverse cast of characters.

The mix of magic, romance, and humor made this book a joy to read. It’s the perfect low-stakes, feel-good read for anyone who loves a bit of fantasy with their romance. If you’re looking for a sweet story about magic, love, and finding balance in life, The Cottage Around the Corner is a perfect choice!

I really enjoyed this book. The magic world that Soria has built feels like a warm hug. The CHEMISTRY between Charlie & Fitz is sweet and strong.
I'm not the biggest fan of a 3rd act break up but a happy ending makes up for that!
4/5
Thank you to NetGalley & Random House Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest content review.

A plethora of homages (Halloweentown, You've Got Mail, Gilmore Girls, Practical Magic) simmer in this enjoyable novel. Charlie is a powerful main character with an impeccable arc. The romance is fun and keeps the story interesting as well. I also liked Mama and Mim. I am once again ready to move to a small town after reading this novel.

D. L. Soria’s The Cottage Around the Corner is a charming and heartwarming contemporary romance that blends humor, self-discovery, and the healing power of community. The story centers around a protagonist seeking solace and a fresh start in a small, picturesque town, only to find that the quirky locals and a blossoming romance may hold the key to rediscovering her sense of purpose and joy.

Soria excels in creating an inviting, cozy atmosphere, where the small-town setting feels like a character in itself. The narrative strikes a perfect balance between lighthearted moments and deeper emotional themes, touching on love, loss, and second chances. The characters are endearing, with authentic relationships and witty banter that adds warmth and humor to the story.

The Cottage Around the Corner is a feel-good read perfect for fans of contemporary romance who enjoy stories about personal growth, community, and finding love when you least expect it. Its gentle pace, relatable characters, and sweet romance make it an uplifting, comforting book that will leave readers with a smile.

First, thank you NetGalley and the author for the ARC!

This was such a cute read! I loved the family bonds, the two different magic types, and the discovery of what was really happening to the town. It was also neat to see all the different viewpoints of magic, and how those opinions even changed between witches and mages. It was also nice to see actual Pagan/Wiccan practices incorporated into the book's witchcraft.

A couple gripes. Charlie's continued self-doubt and refusal to just be blunt and get everything on the table. That got a bit annoying throughout, but when things *did* get resolved, it was quite lovely, so I can forgive it. The other was that I wish we had a more in-depth look at magecraft. I do understand that our main character and her family were all witches, so most of what we saw was their kind of magic and their perspective, but I felt like I still had so many questions about the differences between the two.

Even with those gripes, this was such a cute, cozy read filled with laughs, love, tears and romance (will put out there a warning - there's a chapter with graphic sex for those that don't like it, but I feel it is skippable).

The romance definitely is very you’ve got mailesque, which is great. Just going to throw out there that it is closed door. The magic system was interesting as well. But the setting was the cherry on top. I’ve read a lot of cozy fantasies and this is one where I really wish I could be a part of their world.

I loved The Cottage Around the Corner- it felt very Sabrina the Teenage witch in all the best ways!

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Ray for granting me access to an ARC!

The Cottage Around the Corner by D. L. Soria is the perfect witchy read for people who have always been obsessed with Halloween and want nothing more than to live in Halloweentown. As the book begins we meet Charlie, the daughter, and one of three witches who run Chanterelle Cottage the only witchcraft store in Owl's Hollow. Things are about to change as the mysterious Fitz comes into town and we soon learn that he's moved to Owl's Hollow to open a magecraft firm - but is the town big enough for two magic stores? Overtime weird things start happening in the town that could be potentially disastrous, thankfully Fitz and Charlie have started getting to know each other, and strangely enough, they might be the only ones who can save the town.

Lucky happenstance is what brought me upon this title, and I'm honestly so thankful that I did because I absolutely loved everything about it. From the witchy vibes to the small town setting, from the romcom vibes to low-stake adventure; this book is the perfect combination of cozy, spooky and charming. I'm so glad I was able to read this digital copy from Netgalley, and I already plan on buying the book so that I can read it again because it really evokes the same sort of feelings in me as rewatching the Halloweentown movies every autumn and I just love all the characters and the personalities that Soria brought to life when writing this book. And I must say, if she wanted to continue Fitz and Charlies story, I would absolutely keep reading!

A review has been submitted to Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Target. Links will be uploaded as soon as they are approved.
An official review will be posted on Instagram by 9/11 with tags included

*Contains minor spoilers*

3.7 Stars
One Liner: Enjoyed the book but not a fan of the FMC

Charlie Sparrow’s family has owned the Chanterelle Cottage for six generations in the small-town Owl’s Hollow. She and her moms form the trio of witches in the town. The shop is her everything but they are struggling to keep it afloat. Still, her parents don’t want to make Charlie a business partner.
The arrival of Sterling Fitzgerald aka Fitz complicates things. Fitz is a mage and has opened a magecraft store, Maven Enterprises. He comes from money, which makes him Charlie’s enemy. How will a spell shop survive when mages are around?
However, neither can deny the attraction between them. Moreover, someone has been causing trouble with strange supernatural events affecting the whole town. It’s up to Charlie and Fitz to sort out the issue and find a common ground for their businesses and hearts.
The story comes in the first-person POV of Charlie.

My Thoughts:
That’s such a cute cover, right? I knew I had to read this one (and lucked out this time).
A big yay to Charlie’s moms Alice (Mama) and Ruby (Mim). They are the definition of opposites attract and form a beautiful team (with a few parental flaws, of course).
The side characters like Elinor, Bonnie, and Tandy are well-etched. While they start as stereotypical, we see the characters have more depth to them. The LBGT rep is cool and seamless. I also like how the white characters are mentioned as white (as opposed to assuming that anyone whose skin tone is not described is automatically white). Love this.
The setting is lovely as it should be in small-town books. Since this one is 400+ pages, there’s enough space for world-building in terms of location and magic. Both are deftly handled with enough explanations woven into the plot. The magical world combines quite a few elements (runes, elemental magic, crystals, spellwork, nature witchcraft, etc.)
Fitz is actually a sweet person. I admit there were many instances I liked him more than Charlie (more on this next). He is caring, loving, kind, talented, and a good businessman. He knows how to run a business, which is important if one wants to become a business partner. It helps that he also has enough trauma in his past.
Charlie is not a bad character; just immature and idiotic. Since we get the book from her POV, her voice needs to be good and it is to an extent (I’ll say that I liked the author’s narration more than Charlie’s POV, if it makes sense). The voice is cheeky (which I credit the author and not the character). While it is interesting to have a flawed FMC, there were quite a few instances when she got annoying. The FMC’s actions (some of her interactions with the love interest) don’t make her cute. If Fitz did that, we’d be calling him a red flag and a toxic man. (Imagine judging the guy from the start and calling him a judgmental ass while he is actually trying to do something for you after you hurt him. Not good, Charlie.)
Since this is not a mystery book, the characters don’t see what’s right in front of their eyes, nor do they connect the dots until the mess becomes a bigger mess. I expected that, so wasn’t disappointed.
There is a third-act breakup which comes early in the last quarter and extends until the end. Moreover, there is no epilogue. Why? When I read 400+ pages, why can’t have at least a 2-page epilogue? I need to know some details. Grr!
Before I forget, I have to applaud the ease with which we have the Celtic cross (Tarot) spread presented in the first 10% of the book. Can I get a free reading too, please?

To summarize, The Cottage Around the Corner is a cozy witchy romance with an interesting magic system and a good setting. I’d have liked it if the FMC was a little more mature, but I did love the author’s voice and the MMC.
Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group (Ballantine | Dell), for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

I extremely wanted to love this book however, this felt like every witchy romcom that has come out in the last five years. I was expecting this to feel super cozy and whimsical, but was disappointed by how modernly relevant it was. Personally, I feel like this book was marketed as a cozy fantasy and for me it was giving the vibes of a pop culture saturated Sabrina, the teenage witch. This might be the perfect book for others, but unfortunately, not me.

The Cottage Around The Corner is a cozy fantasy filled with romance and magic. The cover design is amazing; it definitely caught my eye. I love the opening scene with an enchanted broom, which had me laughing out loud from the first page. I loved the small town setting and the characters were so fun to read. I love the main characters -Charlie and Fitz- relationship with each other. If you're looking for a cozy, witchy romance with mystery and humor, this book is perfect for you. Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Del Rey and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a cute and cozy read! I enjoyed this book and I absolutely love the relationship between Charlie and Fitz.

The magic system is was also amazing and pretty easy to follow. This wasn't a favorite book of mine but it was such a good cozy read. If you need something light this is a good book to grab.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing (Ballantine) for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Well that was just a delightful cozy read! I struggled with some slow pacing towards the beginning, and what for me always too much reiteration of the same points and feelings and thoughts, but overall it was a nice cozy witchy little book that was perfect to read when I did as September gets into full swing and we enter fall. I’m not normally in love with books that focus entirely around people’s emotional development and overcoming negative mental coping mechanisms, but there was just enough cute plot here to keep me going. Not my favorite book personally but I can see how someone who loves cozy romance with a witchy vibe and good queer representation (even when the main couple is hetero) then this one is for you!