Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

"Love's a Witch" by Tricia O'Malley is a witchy rom-com based in Scotland, with plenty of cold winter vibes. I wanted to like this so much and I did for the first ~60 percent. After that it just fell flat and seemed like too much was happening without enough introspection or character development. I also wish there was more magic, because it definitely felt like an afterthought at times.

Reminded me a bit of the town in The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling! But set in Scotland, of course! A spicy and fun rom com that's perfect for fall!

Centuries ago, Bonella MacGregor and her descendants, were unjustly cursed and forced from Briarhaven, leaving the family to never put down roots and to suffer from chaotic magic. But now Sloane MacGregor and her sisters have been summoned to Briarhaven by their grandmother who believes that the sisters are the key to finally breaking the curse.

Knox Douglas, the local golden boy of Briarhaven has reinvented the town into successful tourist destination yet has still managed to protect its magical community. So, when Sloane and her sisters return to town and Sloan’s chaotic powers emerge, Knox has no choice but to try and remove the MacGregors from town. Sparks will fly and his efforts are highly entertaining thanks to Sloane’s reactions.

This is a classic enemies-to-lovers romance with wonderful characters and plenty of witty banter. Add to that a bit of spice, magic, an adorable miniature Highland Coo, a grumpy cat and a loyal emberwolf, and you have the makings of a delightful fantasy rom-com. That said, I did find the use of dual first-person narrative detracted from my enjoyment, the shifting first person viewpoints made it harder for me to stay immersed in the story, and I would have preferred a third person narrative. Overall, this was a cute and quick read that starts off a new series nicely.

3.5 stars, rounded up

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

This was such a fun read! VERY cozy and an excellent magical realism story! The setting was so engaging and the characters felt real and authentic. This book felt like cozying up by the fireplace with a cup of tea to enjoy this story and this world :) Highly recommend to anyone looking for a fun fall rom com! If you love some banter, yearning, and cute magical creatures this is the book for you :) Thank you NetGalley and Gallery books for the advanced reader copy!

4.25 stars

This was everything I love in a witchy romance! I often find myself liking the idea of them more than I do in actuality, but this one checked all my boxes. It had the first person narration, dual POV narration that I feel helps you connect more in a story where there is a slight fantasy element, and more spice than I was expecting (nothing crazy, but I didn't think it was going to be ✨that✨ kind of book, so it was a fun surprise when that got going). Sloane and her sisters are afflicted with a generational curse where they can't stay in one town too long without chaos descending. Always having a nomadic existence, they return to their ancestral Scottish village of Briarhaven to attempt to break the curse. With them, they bring a snow storm that just won't let up, and town mayor Knox, trying to protect his constituents, does everything in his power to try to drive them away. But Knox has long been harboring a crush on Sloane since his teenage years, and when she comes back, he falls fast and hard. I loved the town of Briarhaven, with its hiding in plain sight magical tourism, and the colorful townsfolk characters. But what I found most refreshing was the relationship between Sloane and her sisters, with their snarky banter and frequent needling of each other. So often sisterly relationships are portrayed as being overly saccharine and lovey dovey and I enjoyed reading a more realistic representation. Also, I want an emberwolf. First in a series, it ended without full resolution, and I'm completely on the hook to see what is coming next in the MacGregor sisters quest to end the curse.

this was so cute and whimsical! this was perfect for getting into the fall mood. this felt like packing up and heading to scotland and i loved the setting! the premise of the generational curse that has plagued sloane’s family for years was so intriguing and fun. this had a great enemies to lovers trope, which is one of the best tropes! tricia o’malley did a great job with the slow burn in this, full of tension and yearning which i adored. i loved knox’s character and was rooting for sloane and knox the entire time. i highly recommend checking this one out for the perfect witchy, fall read!

This book unfortunately isn't for me. I love paranormal romance typically, but I am quite picky within the genre. Here, within the first few pages the FMC comments on how much prettier and cooler her sisters are in a very Mary Sue kind of way that just doesn't sit right with me. She then calls the MMC the sexiest man she's ever seen within seconds of meeting him, and though I kept going for a few more chapters, I wasn't able to connect with the story. I do think this could be a good, fun seasonal read for true romance readers, but I prefer more of a slow-burn development that feels more organic than the instant attraction found here.

ARC review
Publication date 26 August 2025.

"Love's a Witch" by Tricia O'Malley is the first book in the "The Scottish Charms" serie.

I received an e-ARC from the Gallery Books (via Netgalley).
Opinions from this review are completely my own.

What you can expect:
- Scottish small town
- magic
- sisterhood
- grumpy x sunshine
- magic creatures
- curses

The story takes place in a Scottish small town full of magic.
Sloane and her sisters go back to their hometown before her 25th birthday (when she will get her magic), to break an old family curse.
Knox is the grumpy mayor that wants the sisters out of the town. He also has a mayor crush on Sloane.

There is a good balance between magic, funny moments and romance.
Sloane and Knox banter a lot, but also have great chemistry.
Also, the sisters have a great bond and the grandma is so funny.

If you like cozy fantasy with spicy romance this is the book for you.
It is also a good fall read.

Tricia O'Malley delivers a deliciously mysterious tale full of plot twists and joy in Love’s a Witch, the captivating first book in her latest series.
If you're a fan of stories of enchanting fantasy set in Scotland, sizzling romantic tension, and strong, snappy magical women, this is a must-read.

I especially appreciated the depth of her characters—their foibles, their victories, and the rich emotional arcs that brought them to life. O'Malley writes heroines and villains with equal care, making both compelling and memorable. I love the descriptions of places, things, animals, and the world-building you experience when you read a book by this author.

I was hooked from the first chapter, where the author set the stage for what unfolded in this book (and what will come in the following novels). The exploration of relationships between the characters in this fun book was fascinating to me.

I was left wanting more by the final page and will (as patiently as I can) await the next book in the series.

I adored this book. I recently discovered Tricia O'Malley but I am already a huge fan. It doesn't feel like fall yet, but this definitely brings the cozy vibes. Extra cozy points for the adorable fluffy sidekick and the broody-but-actually-a-cinnamon-roll MMC. Fingers crossed that this becomes a series, because I would happily sign up for more.

ating: 4.25/5

I love a magical world of magical folk and creatures, so this book hit the spot .

Meet Sloane, a woman just trying to find home when a curse prevents her from doing just that. Enter Knox, who loves her fiery temper, and tries not to judge her. Outside of the fact that she brought a curse to the town that he has to protect. These two have a rag-tag group of family and friends that help them through her crazy journey of a family curse and the ups and downs of love.

If you like that cozy magical feeling of witches and magical creatures that really reminded me of Halloweentown, this book is for you. I absolutely loved the humor and banter, the found family aspect, and the overall theme of finding your home in your life and settling down. I was lucky enough to receive an arc of this amazing novel and am leaving a review of my own thoughts and feelings.

I was completely ✨enchanted✨ by this witchy, Scottish small-town romance, devouring it in a single day. It's like a magical version of Stars Hollow—cozy, funny, and brimming with heart. The story immediately pulls you in, following Sloane and her sisters as they return to their hometown of Briarhaven to break a centuries-old family curse.

The book perfectly balances romance, magic, and humor. The love story between Sloane and the gentle, supportive Knox is a delight, with incredible chemistry and satisfying tension. Beyond the romance, the sisterly bond is a major highlight. The author beautifully explores each sister's unique personality and how they've coped with past traumas, hinting at more to come.

This book is a perfect escape for anyone who loves small towns, grumpy sunshine, and pet familiars!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Charmed meet Pumpkin Spice Cafe? Yes please!! I get a bit nervous when there are comparisons to something I love.. in this case Charmed, as the expectation can be a bit high. Thankfully, this delivered!

It was such a delightful read and the bonus of it being in Scotland?? It combined the best parts of the coziness that you get from PSC and the urban fantasy aspect of Charmed.
What I really liked is the book just dives in from page one and is a complete page turner. At times there were some deeper themes if you read between the lines but personally I didn’t get wrapped up in it as I needed a palate cleanser when I read it. But a reader looking for some more emotional themes can find them in the subtext.

Many times I compare these cozies to Hallmark but not this time. It had more substance than that.
So if you like enemies to lovers, whimsical, cheesy humor and witchy vibes this will be a perfect read for the fall reading season, especially as a break from heavier books.

I am thankful to have gotten a complimentary eARC from Gallery Books through NetGalley to read which gave me the opportunity to voluntarily leave a review.

My general rating system is below. Since I primarily read ARC books I rate according to how I think like minded readers will receive the book. I will round up or down depending on many factors and try not to let my personal wants affect a books ratings.

⭐️ Hated It but pushed through as I don’t DNF ARCs I have received.
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, content issues, poorly edited.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but it had something that stopped me from rounding up. Usually the book may have much more potential than what was given. I recommend it but with reservations.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I Really enjoyed it or think others will. These are solid reads that I definitely would recommend for a variety of reasons.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! These are books that remain rent free in my head for well after unfinished the book. It can be for a variety of reasons from being very well written or just the vibes that captured my mind. These books are also ones I would probably read again.

Love’s a Witch by Tricia O’Malley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Release date: August 26, 2025

Thank you Gallery Books for the opportunity to read an early copy of Love’s a Witch by Tricia O’Malley!

Love’s a Witch was such a cute, fun, and cozy read. This will be the perfect book to cuddle up with on a rainy day this Fall. The book is full of magical chaos, swoon worthy romance, lovable characters, and the cutest animal sidekicks. The small town vibes felt like reading a Virgin River book just with witches and magic.

The story follows Sloane MacGregor as she arrives back at her childhood home with her sisters. As they attempt to break a curse placed on their family many years prior, Sloane can’t help but get close to the kilt wearing provost of Briarhaven, Knox. Magical chaos ensues and the townsfolk are introduced as they search for information about the curse.

The characters are lovable and easy to connect to. I really enjoyed the lighthearted tone of the book and that it was still able to dive into some darker themes surrounding the sisters’ parents and childhood. The plot was easy to follow and not too intricate but it did wrap up a little bit quickly in the end. The romance is cute and easy to root for. I really enjoyed Sloane’s character growth as she started to realize it’s okay to ask for help and to take care of herself. The story wrapped up nicely but still left me ready to read more about the MacGregor sisters.

Overall, I recommend this book for a perfect rainy day cozy fantasy read this Fall!

Cozy, witchy romance
Family curse, misfiring magic, the cutest pet companion, book dragon FMC, cinnamon roll MMC who rescues animals and can talk to them😍, he falls first, mine, small town magical community, traumatic upbringing, fall/winter vibes, banter

Thank you to Gallery Books and Tricia for entrusting me with an early copy!

Sloane's family is cursed to bring calamity to anywhere they live, and have therefore not been able to stay in one home for long. When their grandmother urges them to return to their Scottish hometown to break the curse, they find themselves with a mostly frigid reception. Both in the attitude from the town and the weather as it starts snowing when they arrive. Knox has worked tirelessly to build their town into what it is today and starts out trying to run the sisters out of town before they ruin everything with their curse. But as they spend more time together, he vows to help them figure out their curse, as he can no longer imagine Slone leaving. Can they figure it out before they have to leave to save the town?

This book was so freaking adorable! The atmosphere was amazing and I loved their little town and want to live there. There is an adorable pet companion (like a cross between a dog and a dragon!), which I am ALWAYS a sucker for! I loved Slone and Knox and them fighting then turning to romance and Knox is so freaking sweet! We got a piece of the story arc but I am excited to continue the story with the next sister in book 2!!

Thank you to the publishers and author for the eARC via NetGalley! I enjoyed the setting and the witchy vibes, however I didn’t find myself very attached to the characters, and there was a bit too much seemingly random filler for my personal taste.

I loved this book so much. Sloane was someone I could root for. I loved Broca wouldn’t mind having her as my grandmother. Knox was another I could get behind. I wouldn’t mind living in Briarhaventhe scenes were so well developed as well as the characters. I found myself staying up late turning pages. This book was that great. I would highly recommend it!

I want to thank NetGalley and Gallery Books for this advanced reader copy and this is my honest review.

This is such a cute story with a long, long term curse that three sisters hope to finally break. They travel to Scotland to their family home. The curse takes hold of the weather with snow, lots of snow and at the wrong time of the year. Add in a spicy crush of the oldest sister and the fun and witchy games begin.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A delightfully cozy fantasy romance with witches and bonnie Scotland as the setting.

Pros here are the characters, world building and the romance. I think Sloan, her sisters, and Knox are charming and likeable characters. Sloan and Knox have witty banter and chemistry that makes reading their romance fun. I enjoyed the small town (set in one of my favorite places in the world) and the magical elements. However, the cons here are that the romance may have moved a bit quickly for my tastes and the plot wasn't as strong as I hoped.

Overall, a cute and fun spooky season read that I think a lot of cozy fantasy lovers will enjoy.

Rating: 3.5/5 (rounded up to 4)

First I want to say this COVER IS SOOOO CUTE and was instantly what drew me in. I love all the artwork. I love the Scottish setting and the small magical town. A cozy witchy romance is usually right up my alley especially for the fall season, but this one sort of fell flat to me (and I’m so sorry to say that).

The gist: The MacGregor sisters go back to their hometown to break a curse. But not without some struggles and witchy chaos.

Seeing as though the curse breaking was the main issue…I feel like there was no urgency to do this. There was just a lot of talking about doing it but no plan. A lot of “don’t kick us out because we are going to break the curse”. But no action was taken until wayyyy later in the book even when they did have some clue as to what to do. There were a lot of inconsistencies and the romance was super rushed and didn’t really do it for me. I did like the banter between all the characters. I definitely chuckled a couple of times out loud. Even though the “resolutions” felt rushed in the end, I could definitely see how this was a set up for more installations in this series.

All that said I am interested in The Scottish Charms series and will probably pick up the second book seeing how this one ended. Hopefully problems I found with this one won’t continue in the next one.

Pub date 08/26/25

**A huge thanks to NetGalley, Gallery Books and Tricia O’Malley for providing me with this eARC in exchange for my honest review and opinions.**