I loved the premise of this book. Give me a book about a witchy romance and I’m sat. I also like the social advocacy that the book was centered around. Cayden is a very focused (also very stubborn) young witch and she values her family above all else. Khy is from a hoity toity family and has been privileged in many ways, but is recently heartbroken due to a break up. When Cayden and Khy meet, they find some common ground on which to build a friendship.

**Some spoilers ahead**

The activities that Cayden and Khy did in the book it were super cute. I just did not like the “fake dating” angle because it felt like the main character was gaslighting herself about being smitten and it was clear that Khy never intended for it to be fake. They were super into each other and I don’t understand why they ever shielded their “arrangement” as fake to begin with. It felt childish…but it’s YA so I’m giving it grace. Also, Cayden’s stubbornness was frustrating to read. I like her character overall but she was so stuck in her ways and had to be talked off the ledge about everything. I lowkey wanted Khy to just leave her alone lol she was emotionally exhausting me.

The friendships and family dynamics in this book are some of my favorite parts. They were all really open, forgiving, and graceful with one another. The ending was also fantastically wrapped up. Since this was written entirely from Cayden’s POV, the ending shed light on a lot of things Cayden was working herself into a lather about and I was glad to see a happy ending.

Thank you to Bloomsbury USA Children's Books and Bloomsbury YA for the advanced copy. You can pick up Love Spells Trouble on July 8, 2025.

The premise of this book immediately captures readers: fake dating witches from different societal circles help to save the FMC's family's bakery. Meet cute moments, great family dynamics, and a really interesting twist on the modern world. However, as much as I wanted to love this one, I found the writing to be a bit juvenile for me. I know this is written for teenagers, but I think it just geared towards a younger demographic than I expected, and I found it difficult to enjoy at times. It will definitely appeal to a young teen looking for a paranormal/urban fantasy, but unfortunately, it wasn't quite for me.

This was a cute YA magical romance involving contemporary witches from different classes who fake date but end up falling in love for real. It was good on audio and perfect for fans of light fantasy romance and authors like Liselle Sambury. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

2.25 stars rounded down

Love Spells Trouble starts out strong with an intriguing plot setup, great magic, and fun dynamics. But the story started to lose me when I would be told things instead of experiencing them for myself as a reader. I was told about the FMC's feelings instead of seeing them develop. I was told about their dates instead of reading the details and seeing how their relationship was growing.

I also thought the magic was a missed opportunity because it was so underutilized! I wanted this to be more fantasy, but it was contemporary romance with a smidge of magic.

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an earc in exchange for my honest review.

This is definitely one of my favorite YA books. I love anything about witches, and they are a normal part of society in this contemporary YA romance. I love the black excellence shown in this novel. Cayden’s family has been cast out by the Witch Coven System because her mom married someone who wasn’t a witch. But that doesn’t stop the Jackson family from having a successful life— they own 2 businesses, a bakery and a pet clinic/ adoption center. However, due to the prestigious Coven system and gentrification from wealthy Witch Corporations, local rent doubled & Cayden’s family businesses are in trouble.

Cayden spends her time in either the bakery or adoption center, where she meets Khy— the handsome boy willing to adopt one of the unfriendliest dogs. Only wanting a summer fling, she pursues him knowing she doesn’t want anything serious. However, soon after their first “date” she discovers he is Witch Royalty and part of the very Coven system that disowned her family. Being the opportunist she is, she comes up with a plan that both saves her family business and benefits Khy.

Despite it being very juvenile at times, I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet romance. We have two lovable characters who just want to be together despite the obstacles and miscommunication. The end was *chefs kiss*. You can’t have a rom com without that “go get ya man/girl” scene. Highly recommend if you’re into YA books about teenage love affairs with a sprinkle of magic and real-life struggles.

Nia Davenport never misses! Love spells trouble is an excellent addition to her repertoire. The Black girl magic in this book is at once cozy and compelling, with a loveable main character and a swoon-worthy love interest. I enjoyed the setting and the family dynamics, and flew through this quickly. The fake dating aspect feels fresh and ending was satisfying.

𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐒 𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐄 𝐛𝐲 𝐍𝐢𝐚 𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭
⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬

𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙎𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙎𝙚𝙚 𝙈𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙖 𝘾𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗴𝗶𝗿𝗹 𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗰𝗼𝗺 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗰𝗮𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘂𝗽 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗳𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗲.

This was my first book from Nia Davenport and it did not disappoint! I was in a reading slump prior to reading this book and I'm so happy that I came out of it after reading this book! It kept me on the top of my toes and the edge of my seat the entire time.

The solid start with the first chapter was immaculate! I enjoyed the vibes that the book gave overall and all the themes it cover. The subtle political views were so every done and I wholeheartedly loved this book so much!

Another reason I loved this book was that nothing felt like it was curated to fit and audience. A Black woman writing characters who are Black is just refreshing and insightful because we get to see things from their perspective. The little struggles and perspectives were beautifully shown and made me love the book even more because it just felt natural rather than being forced to include characters and certain things in books.

The romance between Khy and Cayden was just amazing! Khy is wholesome and a gentleman, caring for Cayden so much. Cayden is a girl-boss who doesn't take anyone's shit. I love both characters so much and reading about their romance was just heartwarming, from their struggles to their love story!

I loved the way that this book concluded. I'm really hoping that there are more books set in this world! Overall, if you love magic, romcoms and fake dating, this is the perfect read!

I love a witchy story! Add YA on top of that & Im sold. I thought this was a cute story! I would have loved more play on their Connections. But I loved the talk of the Coven & Cayden fighting against her feelings for Khy lol

I absolutely loved this YA romance with a supernatural twist! The chemistry between the main characters had me giggling and rooting for them to figure things out and finally get it together. Their banter is fun and charming, and the magical elements add just the right amount of whimsy and excitement.

What really stood out, though, were the thoughtful touches on the impact of gentrification, particularly how it affects small businesses and communities like Houston’s Third Ward. Nia Davenport weaves those real-world issues into the story in a way that feels natural and grounded, adding depth to an otherwise lighthearted and magical tale.

I’d love to revisit this world and see more of these characters. I’m especially curious to explore how their magical Connections continue to shape their lives and how they navigate the mix of magical and non-magical communities around them.

Love Spells Trouble is a perfect pick for young adult readers and fans of swoony romances, witty banter, and magical hijinks with a meaningful twist.

Star Rating: 4.75

Such a cute YA romance read! I love that 2 main characters were true representations of current Black teenagers. They didn’t feel too grown at all. The extra magical touch was also fun. This will be a great read for teens.

This was one of the best YA books I’ve read in awhile. I love magic, witches, covens just all things fantasy since I was a kid. Reading this brought me back to childhood and that is the best feeling when a book can do that.

"The two of us ending up deliriously in love - so much so that it's hard to breathe - feels like it was always inevitable from the first moment our orbits crossed." 4.5 Stars

Tropes
- Fake Dating
- Black Representation

My Thoughts
Overall, this was such a cute romance! I loved Cayden and Khy both as individuals (Khy is legitimately a human cinnamon roll). I was invested in their romance from the very first meet-cute they had. The world-building was easy to follow, and the magic system was straightforward and well-explained. Nia Davenport did a great job exemplifying the impact that gentrification can have on marginalized communities (though I would have liked to have seen more discussion on the nuance of the issue). The plot surrounding her family was by far one of the best parts of the entire book. As a whole, this is a great cozy read for teens of all ages.

Thank you NetGalley and Bloomsbury YA for the free digital copy!

As a Nia Davenport fan I was super excited to hear about this YA title! It brought necessary commentary to the otherwise oversaturated paranormal romcom genre including commentary on classism, media bias, and ancestral gifts! I enjoyed the characters in this book and their journeys and definitely saw character arcs for both protagonists. I do wish there was more actual magic in this story, because we're often left alluding to the magic that these protagonists allegedly have, their families who have possessed the magic for generations, and the power of it but we don't see much of it in action. Overall a fun YA read that explores heavier themes!

A Romeo and Juliet esque book about two witches who shouldn't be together if you ask anyone around them. You will fall in love with Cayden and Khy and root for them the entire time. This was a cozy YA rom com that envelops Black and Houston culture.

Cute, quick and easy to follow witchy read.

I taught that Love spells trouble was an adorable romcom YA book, that I can see being a hit amongst young adults/teens with it's new generation language and references. The fact that the world was easy to follow made it the perfect quick read in between genres and made it interesting and intriguing.

I enjoyed Nia davenport's other book also and can't wait to read more from this author.

I read Love Spells Trouble by Nia Davenport, a YA romance featuring Black witches, covens, and a whole lot of heart—set right in Houston, Texas. The story follows Cayden, a teen witch who’s just looking for a summer fling while juggling her volunteer duties at her mom’s dog shelter and helping out at her dad’s bakery.

Enter Khy—a cute boy who adopts a puppy from her mom’s shelter. Cayden’s all in for a summer hookup, but things get complicated fast when she finds out Khy is actually Witch royalty. Naturally, Cayden decides to fake-date him to boost the bakery’s popularity, but of course, she doesn’t plan to actually catch feelings… until she totally does.

This was my first book by Nia Davenport, and it definitely won’t be my last. The romance was so cute and genuinely heartwarming. I love reading stories where Black kids get to fall in love, and this one hit just right—especially with the added magic of Black witches and coven life.

Cayden was such a standout character: loyal to her family and community, spunky, and just the right amount of flirtatious. Khy was the perfect counterpart—patient, adoring, and full-on lover boy energy. They had undeniable chemistry, and I genuinely believe they’re one of those couples who’d make it past high school.

My only gripe? I wish there had been more magic. The idea of people’s Connections was so intriguing, and I wanted more of it! Still, even though the magic took a bit of a backseat, the story didn’t shy away from real issues like gentrification and class-based judgment. I appreciated how these conflicts—especially the one involving Cayden’s neighborhood, Khy’s friend group, and her grandparents—were resolved, even if the resolution with her grandparents felt a little too quick for a 20-year-old beef rooted in prejudice.

Overall, this was a super cute, cozy summer romance. It proves we need way more romantasies with Black casts and magical communities. I gave it 4 stars—it’s an easy, feel-good read I’d totally recommend if you’re into fake dating tropes, diverse casts, and witchy vibes.

This was such a charming YA contemporary with a magical twist. While it features witches and covens, the paranormal elements are more of a fun backdrop than the heart of the story. At its core, it’s a sweet fake dating romance with all the lighthearted charm you’d expect from a feel-good teen romcom.

The setup is simple and engaging, and I absolutely adored the concept of the main character’s family running a dog rescue and bakery. It was cute and creative. The stakes stay pretty low, making it an easy and enjoyable read with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments and quirky, lovable characters.

It really captures the spirit of being a teenager in the best way. I think younger YA readers will connect with the humor, the romance, and the touch of magic. This one feels like a cozy hug in book form.

+ This book is set in Houston, Texas but witches are part of the community. Cayden is half witch on her mother’s side. I really enjoyed the world-building because it felt normal that witches was part of this contemporary world. Cayden’s dad, a non-witch, runs a bakery and her mom runs an animal rescue which already gave me good vibes. How wholesome is a family that runs a bakery and an animal rescue? It definitely appealed to me!

+ Cayden meets a handsome young man, Khy (Mekhi), and they hit it off well. I love the sparks between them but when she finds out he is basically rich, witch royalty she tries to push him away but they’ve been caught in photos so now the press thinks Khy and her are dating. They aren’t but then they come up with a plan to help her dad’s bakery business by agreeing to fake date and have that attention help with that. I love Khy! I thought their love story was sweet, I was definitely rooting for them!

+ I love the theme of family in this book. Cayden is close to hers but her grandparents on her mom’s side had shunned her parents when they got married just because her dad was not a witch. Cayden has a nice extended family with cousins, grandparents (dad’s side) and uncles and aunts and I related to that a lot!

+ This was a quick read, which I also enjoyed! It flowed nicely.

~ There wasn’t a big emphasis on the powers of the witches. There were some demonstrations here and there on their abilities but it wasn’t a main focus and I think that was fine.


Final Thoughts:

For a young adult romance I thought it was super cute and I loved that this community of witches mixed in with non-witches felt so normal. The romance was sweet and the family themes were nice. It’s a quick, wholesome and heartwarming story perfect for ya and teen readers.

I'm getting a physical arc of this one, which is my preference, so I'll be reviewing it elsewhere when I finish reading!

Witches are out in the open and normal part of society in this paranormal/contemporary YA romance.

Cayden’s family bakery is in trouble and we she goes on a date with the hot witch IT boy, Khy a new influx of customers hoping to get a look at Khy’s new girlfriend.

Cayden is uninterested in dating an uppity society boy - but she is interested in the increase in her families business. So they agree to fake date.

This was an adorable ya romcom with sweet family dynamics and an easy to follow world.

I loved that her parents have a bakery and a dog rescue, the pup cameos made it all the more special.

Great read for young adults and teens.