Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

I cannot resist a witch-themed tale. Doreen McKinnon's family has been in a curse-bound war with the MacDonalds for four hundred years. As a member of the 13th generation of McKinnon witches, it is up to Doreen to break the curse. Doreen will have to pass a series of trials with the powerful male witch, Ambrose MacDonald at her side.

Honestly, this book held me in its grip, but I lost interest in the middle. I think it was when all the journals started popping up. For me as a reader, it dragged the plot down. Also, I am not a fan of insta-love as a trope and it was clear that was the direction that Doreen and Ambrose were headed. That aside, the characters were richly written and there were some great scenes as Doreen and Ambrose encountered different witches.

It just wasn't enough for me to rate it above a 2-star.






Expected Publication 25/02/25
Goodreads Review 19/02/25

*ARC received from NetGalley*

I really enjoyed this book. It was a fun and cozy witchy adventure. It did have a bit of a slow start, but once things really got going I didn't want to put it down. Their magic system was easy to understand and I liked how it combined originality with classic witch tropes (broomsticks). Overall, a quick and easy read with a good storyline.

I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC version of this text.

Oh man- I was SOLD with the premise of this book. Century old curse? Ancient generational family feuds? Enemies to Lovers? Sign me allllll up
Unfortunately, the story in the pages did not live up to the promise of the premise for me. The best word I can use is chaotic- it felt like I was reading book 2 in a duology. I felt plopped into a story where I did not understand the magic system or the relationship between characters. I did enjoy the main characters (Doreen, Margot and Ambrose) individually but they did not have much depth.
Huge promise but I was let down with this execution. 3/5 stars rounded up from 2.5.

I thought the synopsis of this sounded interesting, and I’d say it ended up being a middle of the road book for me.

This was a bit slow to start, but once the action got going, I got more into the story. I liked the lore that we were introduced to, but found some things harder to follow. I also think there could’ve been some more backstory to start off with to give more context to what was going on; it felt a little bit like I was dropped into the middle of a story.

Doreen was an interesting MC, and I enjoyed seeing her growth over the course of the book, and seeing her discover how powerful she was. The dynamic and banter between her and Ambrose was fun with the enemies to lovers part. I do wish I felt a little more chemistry between them, but this could just be a me problem.

I liked this book but it wasn’t a favorite for me. I would be interested in reading her other work.

Three hundred years ago, Ambrose MacDonald fell in love with a MacKinnon. Her family separated them, so he cursed the family and future generations to never find love. Ambrose was cursed in turn, trapped in a tempest, and doomed to outlive everyone he has ever loved. Today, Doreen MacKinnon is the most powerful witch and decides to set Ambrose free. She hopes they can break the curse, but Ambrose only agrees to help because he wants vengeance. Sparks flare between them and Doreen must decide how far she is willing to go to break the curse.

MacKinnon women were cursed to live to thirty years old unless they marry, the man enthralled to her will with little autonomy; once he regains it, he leaves. If MacKinnon doesn't want to risk that, she dies. In return, Ambrose was cursed to stay within a lightning storm spell, aware of his surroundings and intermittently tortured by some generations of MacKinnon witches. Over time, Ambrose became something of a fairy tale for those witches not of the main MacKinnon line, and Doreen hoped freeing Ambrose would make him feel obligated to help her. She is 29 and wants to marry for love, not to enthrall a man just to survive longer. Still heartbroken after his love was taken away, Ambrose doesn't believe in love as a healing force, only one of devastation and pain. We know how this is going to end up, and the trials that Doreen must endure with Ambrose to break the curse give them proximity and a mutual goal.

There are three trials, and along the way, we find out that they aren't what we thought they were. The curse that Ambrose placed also isn't what we thought it was, and even the past isn't what he remembered it. Things changed a lot as the novel progressed until we found out about the history of the families involved and Ambrose himself. The novel became a story about grief and family legacy more than lost love and moving forward, though Doreen still has that as her goal. The infatuation she and Ambrose developed for each other felt a little rushed to me, though we find out it took much longer than we thought for it all to come together. By the time we reach the end, we see the world of magic for what it is, and how using it for selfish reasons can cause so much pain and generations of harm. We have strong witches able to move on and develop a future, which I enjoyed seeing.

3.75 ⭐️

I wanted to love this so badly, but I just never connected with any of the characters. 🙁 it felt like there was a big disconnect right from the start for me. The overall storyline is good though! I was really interested in Margot's character later on in the book and was hoping to get more details on what happens with her life. Maybe if there's a second book we will get to dive deeper into her story.

Thank you for allowing me to arc read!

I will review on Amazon on release day. I have also already reviewed on Fable, Barnes & Noble, and Books A Millions websites, but do not have links.

This one was very interesting, the romance was a slow burn, filled with curses and castles and lots of twists and turns. It took me awhile to get into it, but once I did, it went quickly. The characters were really well done, some of the twists were predictable, but most were not. The ending I’m not too sure about, but not in a bad way!

I was so excited to receive this book! The premise was promising and I like witchy things in general. Unfortunately, as I began to read, I kept wondering if I'd missed a prequel or if there was another book prior to this one. Being thrown into the book, with little backstory, I felt lost. As I kept reading, I felt like I 'got it' more and more but still wished there was a bit of a prologue to get the reader up to speed!

Non-stop action once the book began with Doreen extricating Ambrose from his spelled state. Wending their way through witchy places with challenges all over, I never got the impression that Ambrose or Doreen knew what was going on. They weren't alone...I wasn't sure what was happening either!

I so wanted to LOVE this book. I liked it. I felt like I had to know what happened to everyone. I started and stopped this book but always went back to it. The story kind of pulled me in, but I felt more obligated to read to the end rather than wanting to read to the end.

A more detailed prologue with a history of Doreen and Ambrose's families might help. Even just a family tree for both would be good.

Four stars because I just couldn't just DNF.

The blurb of this one had me thinking it was going to be a new 5 star fave, but it just missed the mark for me on the tropes I was hoping to enjoy that it felt a bit flat overall. Inconsistency in both pace & story is why I couldn't give higher than a 3 star.

The romance & enemies to lovers didn't really romance or burn from enemy to lovers it just happened - more insta love than anything. It was a good fantasy overall as the magic/lore was interesting. The need to break the curse was clear, and clues along the way were fun to uncover despite being very rushed and somewhat all over the place at times. I also enjoyed the interactions (albeit more tension than anything) between the opposing families.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher & and author. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I loved the premise of this book, being a fan of stories of curses and witches. But I just could not connect with the characters enough to really feel like I wanted to read more. Their was a lot of context in the beginning so that may have made it harder to read as well.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the ARC. A Circle of Uncommon Witches had an intriguing premise, rich lore, and compelling themes of curses, family legacy, and enemies-to-lovers romance. The atmosphere was enchanting, and the concept had so much promise. However, the execution fell short. The story felt disjointed, throwing readers in without enough context, making it difficult to connect with the characters or fully immerse in the plot. The pacing was inconsistent—some parts dragged while others felt rushed—and the romance leaned too heavily into insta-love. While I appreciated the witchy elements and see potential in the author’s storytelling, this felt more like a rough draft than a polished novel. A decent read for fantasy fans, but one that left me wishing for more depth and refinement. 3/5 Stars – Potential Not Fully Met

Circle of Uncommon Witches by Paige Crutcher is a spellbinding enemies-to-lovers romance with a magical twist. Doreen must break a 300-year-old family curse that dooms her to die of a broken heart on her 30th birthday. To do so, she’s forced to team up with Ambroise, the very person who placed the curse on her family. What unfolds is a captivating tale of love, magic, and destiny.

The lore and world-building in this book are intricate and enchanting. From time-traveling back to the witch trials to uncovering clues about the curse, every detail is cleverly woven into the story. The trials and the mysterious motherworld—a dark and haunting realm—add layers of intrigue and atmosphere, creating a timeless and magical vibe I couldn’t get enough of.

Doreen and Ambroise’s relationship is at the heart of the story, and while their enemies-to-lovers dynamic was enjoyable, I found the romance a bit rushed. The transition from hostility to love could have used more depth, and at times, the book felt more like a fantasy with a romance subplot than a true romance. That said, their bickering, reluctant partnership, and eventual connection had plenty of tension and charm to keep me hooked.

The pacing is a bit slow at the start but picks up significantly in the second half, where the twists and revelations shine. Doreen’s relationship with her cousin Margot was a standout, beautifully showcasing the power of strong, supportive friendships. Their bond, along with the rich family history, added depth and heart to the story.

Overall, Circle of Uncommon Witches is a mesmerizing blend of adventure, magic, and romance. Paige Crutcher’s atmospheric writing and clever storytelling make this a must-read for fans of witchy tales with heart. While the romance didn’t fully meet my expectations, the magical elements and emotional depth made this a thoroughly enjoyable read. Highly recommended!

This is a well-written, entertaining, fantasy romance novel. It has a likable female protagonist, an engaging male protagonist, magic, a curse, a fantastic adventure, supportive family, sacrifice, a heart-warming romance, an unexpected twist, and a satisfying conclusion. Many thanks to St. Martin's Press/St. Martin's Griffin, NetGalley, and Ms. Paige Crutcher, from whom I received an advanced reader copy of this delightful novel. This is my honest opinion.

I loved the coziness and nostalgia that this book brought me; quirky witches with family drama, a spooky Scottish castle, everything covered in wisteria. I also enjoyed some of the unique components of the magic system, especially the use of sounds and music. However, the plot lost me a bit. I felt like there were too many ideas for a 300-something page book. As Doreen goes through a series of trials, as a reader, you don't fully know what's real or true, and that element of mystery can be fun. But in this case, I still had many unresolved questions by the end of the book that left me confused. I don't mind being dropped into the middle of the world, but I needed more context. I also wish the relationships in this book had more time to develop, or perhaps better pacing. I didn't feel like the main romance was earned, though the characters did have sweet moments together. Same with the family relationships, especially Doreen and Margot. Overall, an enjoyable read with unmet potential.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

NetGalley ARC review: 3.5 ⭐

Super happy to get to read the ARC! A plot about witches breaking curses had me sold. I wanted to be in love with the story, but I wasn’t quite there. Definitely still enjoyed the book, so I’m gonna do a little bit of peer pressuring people into reading at LEAST a few chapters. You might end up loving it as much as I hoped. Definitely interested to see where Paige’s next story goes. From one Paige to another, I’m already a fan 🖤

Hundreds of years ago, Ambrose MacDonald fell in love with a MacKinnon witch, but when her family tore them apart, he cursed them to a life without true love. Doreen MacKinnon will not accept her fate, so she decides to go against her family and free Ambrose from his magical imprisonment. Doreen and Ambrose must work together and risk it all for the chance at a better future.

I was really intrigued by the premise of the story, but I was a little bored at times. The Scottish folklore was so fun and I really enjoyed Doreen’s friendship with her cousin Margot. I will say that the romance felt a little rushed, but overall it was a cute story. I think I would have enjoyed this book more if I would have read it in the fall.

What to expect:
💚 Romantic Fantasy
💚 Scottish Folklore
💚 Witches
💚 Curses
💚 Trials

Thank you to Paige Crutcher, St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was a little hard for me to follow. I would have done better with a physical copy. I think I just got a little lost. It was interesting though.

I loved this. A witchy adventure with a subplot of slow-burn romance.
Doreen's kindness and not wanting to just settle for the curse, using her unique powers to navigate the trials that she was given, made a different twist on a normal trial quest.
I was happy that Doreen and Ambrose got their happy ever after and that Ambrose didn't die when they broke the curse.
I did find that the ending was a little bit rushed and did wish that is was a little bit longer. It was overall well written though.

Doreen and Ambrose are both trapped in an ancient curse and must work together to break its chains. This is more romance than anything - it's very much about enemies to lovers- but it's got good worldbuilding. The characters are oddly given that they are, well, witches believable and the plot zips along. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This will be perfect for fans of witches and magical realism.

2.5/5⭐️

Thanks to the publisher for the early copy.

This book had a promising premise, and there were aspects I enjoyed, but I spent most of it feeling pretty confused.

I like books that center around curses and curse-breaking, and this was a cool curse. The vibe of the magic-casting was also fun. My favorite aspect was the relationship between the two cousins/best friends. I loved how supportive they were of each other, and how they overcame their disagreements.

I constantly felt like I was a step behind while reading, though. The magic was never explained fully enough, and I never got a grasp on it. Where the trials take place is pretty dream-like, and things weren’t explained clearly enough for me to keep up. I was often confused about where we were, what was happening, and what some scenes meant. The POV switching, sometimes mid-section, didn’t help my confusion.

Maybe my confusion here was just a me-problem that others won’t have. If you can go with the flow easier than me you might be fine.

Overall this was an interesting premise, but I didn’t connect with the story very well as I felt like I couldn’t keep up.