Cozy, Magical, and Perfectly Witchy

Love’s a Witch is a charming romantasy that blends small-town magic with family curses, sisterly bonds, and a grumpy-sunshine romance that made me smile the whole way through.

Sloane MacGregor’s return to Briarhaven is filled with equal parts heart and chaos. Her reluctant homecoming, paired with Knox Douglas—the grumpy yet swoon-worthy mayor—creates sparks right from the start. Their banter is sharp, their chemistry undeniable, and the magical Scottish setting is cozy and enchanting, perfect for autumn reading vibes.

I adored the sisterly dynamic, the family curse angle, and the whimsical atmosphere that gave me Charmed nostalgia with a Pumpkin Spice Café sweetness. While some parts moved a little quickly and I wanted a touch more depth in the curse-breaking arc, overall this was a delightful, heartwarming read that had just the right amount of sass, magic, and romance.

If you’re looking for a cozy fantasy romance with grumpy Scotsmen, witchy hijinks, and collectible sprayed edges to boot—this one’s a must-grab!

Oh my Gosh!!! She has done it again!!!! I cannot say how much I love Tricia O’Malley’s stories! They are the BOMB! I was worried I wouldn’t feel complete since this is book one of a new series but I LOVED IT! The little familiars are the best! She does such a great job with organic interactions of characters and giving us something to keep us going. I feel like character growth was a huge thing in this book and absolutely enjoyed the ride. I cannot wait for more!

Tricia O'Malley has written a romantasy that is magical from the first page to the last. Set in the small town of Briarhaven, Scotland, where all magical folk are welcome, this story wove a spell around me from the beginning.

Ms. O'Malley's descriptive writing created such a lovely whimsical town as well as characters who I wanted to root for as they faced a town who didn't want them because of their family being cursed centuries ago. I sympathized with Sloane, Lyra and Nova as they tried to find the solution to the curse while the curse created havoc within the town. I can't forget to mention the familiars who have starring roles in the story. An emberwolf that seems to be a dragon/wolf hybrid named Blue, a disabled miniature Highland coo named Haggis and a cat named Oswald all had parts to play in this fanciful story. A compelling story with humor, snarky banter and spicy romance that kept me turning the pages.

The characters were interesting and the story was engaging. I will look for other books by this author.

🙌🏻 What worked for me:
• ​A super cute witchy romance with a fun backstory about a family curse.
• ​Knox, who was perfect Scottish book boyfriend material, and had carried a torch for Sloane since they were kids.
• ​The romance between Knox and Sloane, filled with witty challenges and playful banter.
• ​The well-handled reunion with their dad, and the emotional backstory revealing why he was unable to be a part of their lives.
• ​Blue the emberwolf, with his adorable love for cheese. The author's note about her own dog named Blue was a heartwarming touch.

​🚫 What didn't work for me:
• ​The town's immediate and relentless distrust of the MacGregor family felt frustrating.
• ​Mandy's character pissed me off! She had no reason to be so much of a b*tch, and it was too much in my opinion. My money is on her being the descendant of the witch who cursed the MacGregors.

​🤜🏻 Would I recommend:
​Yes, especially if you're looking for a quick and fun read perfect for autumn.

​Read if you enjoy:
​✔️ Witchy romance
✔️ Cursed families
✔️ Scottish book boyfriends
✔️ Magical creatures
✔️ Small-town vibes
✔️ Quick reads

No one writes magic and Scotland quite like O'Malley. I loved every bit of this story.

The MacGregor sisters were such a lovely bunch—each one distinct, yet bonded in that uniquely powerful way only sisters can be. I’m a sucker for a good generational curse, and it was so cool to start the story at the origin of the one placed on the MacGregors. The town setting was charming and vivid, and I really appreciated how the townspeople were not only creating a safe haven for magical folk but also working to breathe new life into the community.

Sloane was incredibly relatable, and I loved how fiercely protective she was of her sisters. But my favorite of the MacGregors? Definitely the grandmother—what an absolute badass.

I also really enjoyed the coven members; each brought something interesting and meaningful to the story. And then there’s Knox—well, he’s Knox. He’s officially been added to my roster of book boyfriends.

Oh, and can we talk about my new favorite coo? The familiars and magical creatures were delightful, and added so much personality to the world.

One of the things I admire most about O'Malley’s books is that beneath the witty banter, steamy scenes, and magical mayhem, there’s an undercurrent of real, emotional issues that readers can truly connect with. I absolutely cannot wait to see what’s next for this town and the MacGregor sisters.

Review: Love’s a Witch
A Cozy Fantasy Romance
by Tricia O’Malley

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Tricia O’Malley has crafted the perfect blend of cozy fantasy and romance with Love’s a Witch. From the very first page, I was pulled into a whimsical world full of charm, small-town magic, and just the right touch of romance.

The characters are endearing and relatable, especially in how they balance everyday struggles with their magical abilities. The setting feels alive—like a place you want to visit, complete with a tight-knit community and enchanting details that make you want to curl up with a blanket and read straight through.

I especially loved how O’Malley weaves humor, heart, and a slow-burn romance into a story that feels comforting but never dull. It’s the kind of book that leaves you smiling long after you finish, and I can’t wait to see more from this series.

If you’re a fan of cozy fantasy, magical small towns, and heartwarming romance, this one is an absolute delight.

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

Cozy small town Scotland vibes & a bit of magic make for such a cute romance! The MacGregor girls are cursed - literally. A century old curse on their bloodline prevents them from staying in their hometown without wreaking havoc. When they return for Sloane’s 25th birthday so she can officially become a witch and develop her abilities, they set off a massive snowstorm and end up with the ire of much of the town, including its protector Knox Douglas. Knox and Sloane are at odds as he tries to get her to leave…but love has other plans and soon they’re working to break the curse so maybe she can stay after all.
I had so much fun reading this and love anything to fo with Scotland. The story definitely is open-ended so I can’t wait to see what comes next (sisters? Raven?)
Thank you to Gallery Books for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Witchy Romance Checklist
✅ Enemies to lovers
✅ But sort of second chance
✅ Simple but cute magic system
✅ Low stakes / Cozy
✅ Small (Tourist) Town
✅ Adorable animal sidekick

As a long-term Kristen Painter / Nocturne Falls fan this book really hit the spot with the paranormal tourist town.

I loved the way this story unfolded by starting with a long-term curse. It set a clear story goal and made this a light read perfect for setting the Cozy Fall mood. Sloane and Knox were instant enemies but they also had a history allowing their rival tension to mix with a second chance trope in the best way.

While Sloane and Knox aren't quite insta-love, we do get immediate attraction and chemistry. This isn't dragged into a super slow burn, it's more of a medium burn with some great flare ups and I actually found myself really liking that for them. They each have reasons to not fully trust each other but they fit together so well. I really liked them as a couple. There's also a microtrope with magic going haywire when the MCs are having intense feelings for each other that was entertaining.

I loved Sloane's relationship with her sisters and her grandmother. The familial aspects really warmed my heart and I was a big fan of how different all the sisters were. They had those really fun moments with sibling teasing and group costumes. Their scenes together were all amusing.

THERE ARE EMBERWOLVES!!!! Cute animal sidekicks are the best and Blue was the perfect addition to this book. Knox has some familiars as well so that of course tripled the animal cuteness in this book. The animals even get some great talking scenes and their own personalities which is really important to me with animal characters.

Witchy romances are one of my all time favorite genres and this one did not disappoint at all! I am still obsessing over it and I'm definitely going to need more.

SLOANE AND KNOX SITTING IN A TREE
K-I-S-S-I-N-G

This one feels like a Hallmark movie - SO FREAKING CUTE. The alliteration and funky names of shops and people is so much fun. I loved reading this one - I laughed quite a bit, and it felt like a cozy type of fantasy even though the stakes were so high for Sloane. I loved that they had ZOOM meetings for their coven and the other timely technological connections to the modern world of Scotland haha.

Sloane is a McGregor witch who will be turning 25 - coming into her magic....but there's a catch. HER FAMILY IS CURSED!! Her knight in shining armor is KNOX who has had a crush on her since they were children!!! BUTTTT wait - he wants her to GTFO, because he's the mayor and her presence isn't good for the town - the curse is literally wreaking havoc!!!

Sloane's sisters Lyra and Nova are a lot of fun along with their grandma Broca -- I look forward to learning more about the family as the series continues. This story is great for cozy fantasy lovers looking for a quality witchy romance.

Many thanks to Gallery Books and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a delightful, low stakes, cozy fantasy book. If you enjoy cute banter, adorable familiars, a fun grandma, and Scottish accents then I would definitely recommend this.
This is the first book in The Scottish Charms Series and is dual POV, following Sloane MacGregor, a witch who returns to her childhood village to break a family curse. Only the town's mayor, Knox Douglas, fears her magic will wreak havoc on the town and wants her to leave. A little bit of chaos ensues and soon they can’t keep their hands off each other!
Since this is a series, not everything is answered and I cannot wait for book 2!

3.5 stars

This was a cute witchy fall/winter read. I love a Scottish setting, and this one was especially fun with a small town full of witches and other supernatural beings living in plain sight under the guise of a magical themed tourist town. I really enjoyed the magical elements and the family curse was interesting. The three MacGregor sisters and their grandmother were all great and the familiars were absolutely adorable.

I didn’t love the romance quite as much as I had hoped. The hate to love situation between Sloane and Knox started out good, but it developed rather quickly and I would have liked more buildup. The ending was satisfying yet also left some intrigue for the rest of the series, so I would consider reading more.

Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Love's a Witch was such a charming and fun witchy read! It’s a cozy romantasy set in Scotland which made it an automatic read for me. If that’s not enough, there’s a centuries-old curse plaguing the FMC’s bloodline, adorable familiars and an enemies to lovers romance where he falls first.

It’s told through the dual POV of Sloane and Knox and FULL of wonderful characters. I loved the MacGregor family and the sisterly bond between Sloane, Lyra and Nova was one of my favorite parts. Then there’s Sloane’s love interest, Knox, who is a literal knight. Only instead of armor he wears kilts. As mayor, he needs the MacGregors to leave so their curse stops wreaking havoc on his town so I loved seeing him slowly shift to wanting Sloane to stay. Because of the curse, Sloane has never been able to stay in one place too long so it was great seeing her finally be able to start putting down roots. The Charms coven were quite entertaining as well.

The romance between Sloane and Knox was the perfect blend of sweet and spicy. Their chemistry was off the charts and the slow-burn, push and pull was so good.
The animals were an added bonus - an emberwolf, highland cow with a wheelchair and a cat to name a few.

I absolutely loved the little town of Briarhaven and can’t wait to revisit it in the next book.
It’s the perfect book for your fall TBR if you enjoy cozy fantasy!

Many thanks to Gallery Books and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It’s the last Wednesday of August, so we’re (you and I, not the royal we) here for the book review. This month, I went for a witchy little romance. Not like an epic, sweeping romantasy. Just a cute sounding little romance with fantasy elements. It’s the first book in the Scottish Charms series. Love’s a Witch by Tricia O’Malley was released yesterday (the 26th) from Gallery Books. As usual, I must thank them and NetGalley for access to an ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. So, let’s get to it.

Love’s a Witch follows the MacGregor sisters as they move back home to Briarhaven in Scotland to try to break the curse that’s been on their family for centuries. Sloane, the oldest, is so used to playing mother hen to her sisters that she’s having trouble acknowledging that they’re all young women now. She’s also struggling with the fact that she’s coming into her magic as her 25th birthday looms. Throwing in a pushy hottie hellbent on running them out of town before their curse quite literally destroys everything, and Sloane can’t get much more stressed. Can they stop the curse and save themselves from a nomadic existence? If they do, does Sloane even want to settle down? Maybe with a certain pushy hottie?

The plot. I love the plot. The whole idea of trying to break the curse because they want a place to call home without having to move all the time. There’s enough family drama introduced to keep the future books connected to this one. I didn’t even mind the enemies-to-lovers trope (it’s not my favorite, but I try to give it a chance). It’s interesting and fun, but I have to be honest… the pacing sucks. There’s lots of talk about breaking the curse, but none of the sisters actually do anything about it. All the information just kind of falls into their laps. They don’t do any research or anything. Hell, when they find out the name of the woman who cursed their family, they don’t even bother asking around about her to try to find her descendants. Everything gets done for them, which makes any step forward unsatisfying. Plus, everything is crammed into the end of the book. It’s not balanced at all.

The characters. I’m going to preface this by saying that I don’t have to like the main characters in order to like a book. That being said, I absolutely hated Sloane and Knox. I don’t give a fuck how hot a dude is. If he comes to my house, drags my bags out into the snow, and tells me I have to leave without so much as a “hey, what brings you to town?”, then proceeds to have the townsfolk bully and blackball me and my family when we don’t leave, the dude’s irredeemable. No way I’d talk to him, let alone have sex with him. And his whole background is supposed to make me sympathetic to him, but it only emphasizes the fact that he’s just a giant walking red flag with too much money and zero communication skills. Sloane’s not much better when it comes to communication. And even though she supposedly took care of her sisters, it’s like she still expects everything remotely difficult to be done for her and if it isn’t, she threatens to run away. They’re both annoying and I hate them. Luckily, the side characters were all wonderful and did a lot of heavy lifting in this story.

The writing itself was fine. Nice description and dialogue. The steamy scenes were disappointingly short, but I guess that’s more realistic than most scenes like that.

Ultimately, I was just kind of meh about Love’s a Witch. I enjoyed the plot and side characters enough that I will check out book 2, especially if it switches to Lyra as the main character as I’m guessing it will since she comes into her magic next.

Overall, I gave it 3 out of 5 stars. Not a must-read, but if you enjoy little witchy romances, it’s an okay read. Hopefully the next one is better.

Cozy fantasy romance along the same lines as Spellshop. Low stakes, fun banter, perfect book to read if you’re looking for something quick and witty.

“'And remember . . . in Briarhaven, we believe in three things: magick, mirth, and mystery! Charm on, witches!'”

I just finished reading Love's a Witch by Tricia O'Malley! This is the first book in The Scottish Charms series, and it's such a cute rom-com!

This book follows Sloane, a witch that's about to come into her magic when she turns twenty-five! As Sloane and her sisters finally return back to Briarhaven to stop their family's curse, she begins to learn more about herself than she ever thought possible. As her magic grows, she's becoming a strong, clever, and powerful witch who has the cutest emberwolf named Blue as a familiar! And naturally, chaos ensues.

You will love this book if you like:
- Rom(antasy)-coms
- Enemies to lovers
- Hilarious banter
- He falls first
- Magical realism
- Second-chance romance
- Returning home
- Cozy romantasy
- "It's always been you"

I've been reading Tricia O'Malley's books for quite some time now, and I'm so excited that this is her first traditionally published book! She deserves all the love for this book!

Love's a Witch just got released today and is available to read now!! Also, look at little Blue on the cover! This is such a sweet tribute to her own Blue, who passed away this year.

A huge thank you to Tricia O'Malley, the publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

I adored Sloane and Knox! This is a charming story that I read in one sitting. The world building is great. There are some unique twists to the genre. I wasn't ready for it to end.

Love’s A Witch was an absolute delight! It’s the perfect series to jump into if you’ve been wanting to try her out. It’s always nice to hop on the brand new series bandwagon, rather than being overwhelmed with a 6+ series backlog of books.

I fell in love right away with the three sisters, Sloane, Nova, and Lyra, and of course, sassy Broca (their grandmother). Briarhaven, Scotland was charming and beautiful. Certainly a small town I’d love to travel to. 😉🧳🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

The magic was unique in this series. 🪄✨ Much more witchy, than her previous series, Enchanted Highlands, which was refreshing.

Sloane and Knox are perfect for one another. 💖 It was adorable to watch them grow in their personalities and maturity, and slowly watch a romance bloom. Sloane learns to trust Knox, her sisters, and eventually herself.

This was the perfect spooky season read. The magical creatures and animals were so much fun! Now I can’t wait for the mystery to be solved, and for Nova and Lyra to find love and come into their own magic. 😜✨🙌🏻🔮🏴

Love's a Witch: A Cozy Fantasy Romance is book #1 in The Scottish Charms series by Tricia O'Malley.

I don’t read a lot of fantasy or romance books, but this one sounded so good that I had to give it a try. I was not disappointed! This book was full of interesting characters, a charming location, magical creatures (including emberwolves), and hate to love romance. I didn’t realize it was the first in a series when I started, and I’m so happy that there will be more books!

Thank you to the author, Gallery Books, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Love’s a Witch by Tricia O’Malley is the perfect mix of cozy, magical, and just a little bit chaotic—in the best way possible.

I simply adored this fun, quick, grumpy/sunshine romantic comedy. Briarhaven, with all its small-town charm and fairytale quality, instantly climbed to the top of my list of fictional places I want to visit. The world-building is excellent—full of spellwork, enchantment, and just the right amount of mayhem to keep things lively. It honestly felt like the kind of town you’d want to curl up in with a mug of cider and never leave.

The witch familiars completely stole the show for me. As a pet lover, I was enchanted by the way O’Malley gave them unique personalities. A cheese-obsessed emberwolf? Yes, please. I would happily read a spinoff book entirely about the familiars and their antics.

Sloane and Knox’s romance was equal parts swoony and snarky. I loved the push and pull of their enemies-to-lovers banter, especially with Knox grumbling his way into my heart while clearly falling first. Their chemistry made the story sparkle, and the balance of romance with witchy chaos was just delightful.

This book gave me all the autumn vibes—cozy, whimsical, a little mischievous—and it’s exactly the kind of story that makes you want to light a candle, wrap up in a blanket, and lean into the magic of fall.

Tropes you’ll find here:
🌙 Small town charm
🔥 Grumpy & sunshine
💔 Enemies to lovers
🐾 Witchy familiars & chaos
💘 He falls first
🍂 Cozy autumn vibes

If you’re looking for a witchy romcom that’s equal parts heartwarming and spellbinding, Love’s a Witch will absolutely cast its charm on you.