I really enjoyed this book!! Paige Crutcher does such a great job weaving an intriguing story that readers will fall in love with like I did!! I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy books!!

This was a super cute book!
Overall a 3 star ⭐️⭐️⭐️ read for me!

I love the premise of this book the most! What a cute witchy book!

There were points throughout this book that definitely got a bit confusing and I found myself having to circle back to the beginning of a chapter to figure out what was happening and why. Some of the characters also felt a bit underdeveloped and I found myself forgetting who was who during the story.

I loved Doreen (the female main character) and Ambrose (the male main character) and of course, Margot (the cousin of the FMC).
I loved the bond between Margot and Doreen and family was an incredibly important aspect of Doreen’s character.

One thing I wish had been different would be the build-up of the romance between the main relationship. At times I definitely felt the ongoing conflict of trying to complete the Trials, overwhelmed the little moments between Doreen and Ambrose that should have built up the entire romance.

Overall, I thought this book was a super cute read and now I need a second book about Margot!!

While I enjoyed this story, the ending was lacking, confusing and left me wanting more. I cannonly hope the author considers a follow up book. 4.5 stars.

Thank you Net Galley for allowing me to read this as an arc.

a Pleasant and delightful book! Storyline and characters were strong. This will be a great read during Halloween season i think.

I enjoyed the storytelling style with this and how we’re cast over varying realms from differing points of view, with magic at the center. I liked Doreen’s strength and her connection to Margot.

I confess I’m still confused a little bit by their aunt, Stella. Why is the fact she’s been abusing a man over the course of decades just something to shrug off? Why did she raise the girls as coldly as she did?

But I really liked Ambrose. I liked his ability to look at Doreen as her own person, and not the person whose family has tortured him for centuries.

Overall, this story came together nicely.

I really thought I would enjoy this more. I don’t know if I’m just burnt out on witch stories (which used to be my favorite) but I found this to be lackluster. It’s all over the place in terms of storyline and pacing and I didn’t really care for any of the characters. It’s not the worst book I’ve ever read but it’s not my favorite either.

This book was an absolute delight! The generational curse and family histories felt intricate and clever, creating a rich backdrop for the story. Although it’s set in modern times, the focus wasn’t on technology, which gave it a timeless, magical vibe that I adored.

The twists and revelations were perfectly paced, and the motherworld—a dark and chilling realm—added an eerie layer to the story. The vibes were impeccable: atmospheric, magical, and just the right amount of creepy.

Doreen and Margot’s friendship was a standout element for me. It was beautifully written and showcased the power of strong, supportive relationships. And let’s talk about Doreen and Ambrose—their dynamic was everything! The bickering, the reluctant partnership, and their eventual romantic connection were done so well. The tension between them kept me hooked, and their growth as characters felt organic and satisfying.

Overall, A Circle of Uncommon Witches is a captivating blend of adventure, romance, and destiny. I couldn’t put it down and can’t wait to read more from Paige Crutcher. Highly recommend it to fans of magical tales with heart!

Doreen is unwilling to settle for her families curse rather than die. In a last ditch effort with some twisted help from her cousin-sister, she remembers and breaks free the witch who caused the original spell.

Ambrose knows how to break the curse he put on their family line but is unwilling to do so but he's more than happy to string Doreen along while they head on an adventure to transform.

There are lots of past people and interconnected lives. Some are given more explanation and meaning while others should have been fleshed out more or eliminated. There are twists and connections that make everything more confusing than it needs to be, and it's also wrapped up without a real conclusion.

I enjoyed it overall bur had hoped for more.

Thank you to NetGalley for the arc copy. I enjoyed this book. The pacing was a little off but the story was still interesting to keep me engaged. I thought it wrapped up too soon but maybe we’ll get more from these characters in the later book. 3.75 stars

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins for the ARC.

“To be loved back, in kind, might be the truest form of magic that exists.”

This is a beautiful story about family secrets, curses, magic and discovering not only what love is but what it is worth. This book follows Doreen as she strives to learn the her familiessecrets in order to break the curse that they never know love. Unraveling the mystery is a part of the charm of this book as every time you think you have figured something out there is a twist leading you down a new path. If you are a fan of romantasy books full of twists, surprises and heart break then you should grab this book.

Dnf at around 50%.

This book was both confusing and boring. There are books where you can overlook being a little confused or go back and reread to try and figure out the issue, but this one I was so bored I didn’t even try.

That being said.

I can definitely see where other people might like this book. It gave off almost practical magic vibes. Almost. So I could see where someone else might overlook what I couldn’t.

Dnfed this book about 40% of the way through, there is just way too many grammar mistakes that I can’t over look and there were multiple parts of the book that I had to reread to understand what the author was trying to get across. The idea of this book is really cute witchy, cozy, with a little romance thrown in definitely my type of book but please edit this again before it goes to print.

The Vibes:

—cozy witchcraft

—generational curses (literal)

—gentle romance

Heat Index: 3/10

The Basics:

After being kept from his true love, Ambrose curses the MacKinnon witches, preventing them from finding true love. In turn, they imprisoned him; he'll outlive everyone, trapped in a tempest. Way down the line, MacKinnon witch Doreen frees Ambrose with the intention of breaking the curse—while he has revenge on his mind.

The Review:

All of the above sounds pretty exciting, right? I think it would've been, had this been edited a good bit to up the pacing and give more intensity to Ambrose and Doreen's connection. As it is, you have a great idea, a fun world, and pretty prose, without a lot of... oomph.

There's a lot of coziness here, and I think the premise would've been better served by a lot more tension. I mean. Ambrose has a lot of reason to seek revenge, but I never felt like Doreen was in true danger. They fell in love rather quickly, and then it was like "Welp. They're in love. On to the rest of the plot."

This is a "great concept, needed more work, but the writing is actually technically good" book, which I find rather frustrating.

The Sex:

This is basically closed door. Which I also found frustrating, to be honest. Do what's right for you as a writer, but this kind of intense story could've used some intense sex.

A swing and a miss for me, but I do think Crutcher has talent. She just might not be interested in the types of books that best serve my particular interests.

A dnf at 30%. It was an interesting premise but ultimately I was bored.. it jumped povs and the world building was meh.

I found the book to be enjoyable but there were parts I would be confused and would have to reread or visit old sections to make sense of it. There were some parts where the grammar needed to be improved and could have used a comma.

I enjoyed the book, especially the slow burn romance, although there were times I just wanted Ambrose and Doreen to get together, but it was worth it when they finally did. The banter was enjoyable as well as how each character was distinguishable as their own. I liked the little moments of feminism that were visible in this book.

The more I think about the ending, and how the conflict resolves itself, the more I realize how nuanced the ending actually is.

Ever since falling in love with “Practical Magic” (both the book and the movie) as a teenager, I’ve always been chasing that high with regards to romantic witch stories. Alas, I’ve never quite found the same, well, magic, for lack of a better word! But, ever hopeful, I requested this one right away when I saw it slated for publication this spring!

To start with what I did like, if you step back from the book and look at the overall plot and the grander design of the world and romance, there was a lot to like. The curse itself was interesting, especially its exploration of the morality of the choice the MacKinnons face: do they ensnare a man to love them through magic or do they choose to die young? Both of these have obvious downsides, and the added factor of manipulated feelings and the guilt that this would cause with regards to the former choice were compelling.

That said, the way this curse, these characters, and this world were first introduced was incredibly disjointed and sloppy. Instead of building up a story and a character who, over the course of the plot, would feed us the necessary information with regards to the curse, we are simply spoon-fed an explanation of the history and curse in several exposition-heaving dialogue scenes early in the book. The best word to describe it is clunky. Beyond that, because some of these greater facts are being presented so early, before I had any time to center myself in this world or care about these characters, I couldn’t truly appreciate the stakes of the curse, which should be dramatic.

Beyond that, I think the romance played out rather poorly. It walks right up to the line of instalove and then seems to tap a toe over it. Nothing is egregious, but it also wasn’t built up in a natural manner. Again, I struggled to become invested in these characters, both alone or together. At the same time, given how quickly they seemed to fall for one another, the actual progression of the romance felt very drawn out. I prefer slow-burns, but if you’re going to write characters who instantly fall for one another, I’d rather they act on that sooner rather than later. Instead, we got a rather frustrating game of hot and cold as the story continued.

There was a lot of potential to be found here, and I’d definitely check out another book by this author. I think there was a lot of potential in this world and concept, but some weakness with regards to pacing and characterization. However, if you’re looking for a fun, fast, witchy romance, this may be one to check out!

Rating 7: An intriguing concept with the magical curse, however the pacing and introduction of the world-building was clunky at times.

Link will go live on Feb. 8 on The Library Ladies

I felt like this author was giving Owens Sisters vibes from Practical Magic and I liked that but the story starts rather abruptly. I just didn't feel especially connected to the characters. I would've liked a bit more depth overall. The plot was too simple for me.

"The problem was Ambrose MacDonald. The MacKinnons had locked him away in a slumbering state, where he would live on trapped, unable to be with those he loved."

Thus the story unfolds. It wasn't bad but I didn't love it either. Charming overall but I had trouble staying interested.

A Circle of Uncommon Witches is a charming concoction of curses, romance, and just the right sprinkle of magic, but it left me wanting a bit more depth. Doreen’s quest to break a 300-year curse is packed with potential—enemies to lovers, generational trauma, and a fight for real love? Sign me up! However, the execution felt a little rushed, with the world-building barely brushing the surface and pacing that dragged in places.

That said, fans of whimsical witchy reads and light paranormal romance will enjoy the cozy, escapist vibes. It’s a story that feels like curling up under a spellbound moonlit sky—enchanting but fleeting. Not quite my perfect potion, but I can see it charming others.

Enchanting and utterly delightful! I will definitely be re reading!
This witchy romance concocts an irresistible mix of magic and love, sure to cast a spell on readers. The characters are mesmerizing, each bringing their own unique charm and depth to a storyline brimming with enchantment. The author’s writing is honestly so captivating, while effortlessly blending romance, mystery, and a playful dash of whimsy. With its vivid world-building and moments of heartfelt emotion, this novel is an absolute page-turner. A truly magical tale that enchants your heart and keeps you spellbound until the very last word!

A Circle of Uncommon Witches follows Doreen on her quest to break a 300 year curse to never find true love, with the man who cast the curst on her family generations ago. Doreen has until age 30. to find true love or die, and she isn't willing to settle for less than real. love. I enjoyed how this book tackled generational trauma and I always love an enemies to lovers romance, but this one felt like I was plopped into the. middle of the story with little world building before hand. This, coupled with chapters that seemed to drag on, turned this cute paranormal read into a love story I wasn't really rooting for.

Thank you to St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for the advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest review!