Love's a Witch by Tricia O'Malley
The Scottish Charms Book #1
4.8⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 1.5/5
Cursing: min-
Format/Source: ebook ARC from NetGalley, Simon & Schuster, and Gallery Books
Genres/Tropes: cozy fantasy romance, magic, witches, small town
Audience: Adult
Setting: Scotland
Quotes: “...so busy trying to avoid the potholes that I’d forgotten to look up at all the beautiful scenery surrounding me." - Sloane
Characters: Sloane, Knox, Lyra, Nova, Broca, Raven, Russell, Liam, Henry, Mandy
👍 short chapters, multi POV, Scotland, witches, magic, magical pets, disabled Highland coo, book loving FMC, banter, humor, cozy, min- cursing
👎 too repetitive about the curse, leaving town, etc

Description:
Sloane MacGregor swore she’d never return to Briarhaven, but with her twenty-fifth birthday looming—the day witches come into their magic—her grandmother summons her and her sisters back for one tiny task: break the centuries-old curse haunting their bloodline.
Knox Douglas, Briarhaven’s grumpy mayor, has worked tirelessly to make his town a haven for magical folk. The last thing he needs is a cursed MacGregor wreaking havoc. It doesn’t matter he once crushed on her. For the sake of Briarhaven, Sloane has to go.
But magic has other plans—and in Briarhaven, love really is a witch.

My opinion:
Tricia pens an awesome cozy fantasy romance with a great storyline and well-written characters! This is my first cozy fantasy romance, and I have fallen in love (pun intended). I always, always love a book set in Scotland! The short chapters made for an effortless read. I truly enjoyed the magical town, magical people, and even their magical pets. Speaking of pets/familiars; they were absolutely adorable, especially the disabled Highland coo...in a wheelchair! I always appreciate a book loving FMC, and Sloane doesn't disappoint. The banter between characters was thoroughly entertaining. There was plenty of humor as well that had me smiling, too. The minimal amount of cursing made for an extra pleasant read. I did find the focus on the curse, leaving town, etc, a little too repetitive. I was extremely entertained by this novel and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys fantasy romance books.
#bookstagram #arcreader #booklovers #romancebooks #booktok #fantasybooks #cozy
***I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

4.5 Stars

Love's A Witch is a "charm"ing witchy romance, with lovable characters and irresistibly cute pet familiars. It's the first book in The Scottish Charms series, and I am already excited for what's to come in the second book!! If someone asked me what I was looking for in a witchy romance book, it would be exactly what O'Malley brings to Love's A Witch.

O'Malley does a fantastic job of blending the paranormal and magic, with life in a small Scottish town and the complexities of being in dysfunctional families. The book definitely brings all of the cozy vibes that I love, but also has added depth in following the struggles that Sloane and Knox both face within their families. I really loved the relationship that Sloane has with her sisters and her grandmother, and it brought a lot of heart and humor to the story. The pacing in the book is also done really well, as the mystery of breaking the curse unfolds and the romantic tension between Sloane and Knox continues to grow with a slow burn you can't resist!

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐓𝐨 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭:
* Family Curse
* Complicated Family Relationships
* Scottish Small Town
* Pet Familiars (cat, coo, and emberwolf)
* Tension Filled Romance
* Close-knit Sisters

𝐈𝐬 𝐈𝐭 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐲?
😉 - 😘 (Mild to Medium)

If you are looking for a cozy, paranormal read to add to you Fall TBR, Love's A Witch fits the vibe perfectly. I can't wait to read more in this series!!

Witches, curses, small-town charm, and a grumpy mayor? Say less. 😍
The Scottish setting is enchanting, the sisterly dynamic adds depth, and the slow-burn tension delivers just the right amount of magic. Sloane & Knox are total opposites, but the chemistry? 🔥 And yes, there’s a little spice to heat things up. 🌶️😉

thanks to @netgalley and @gallerybooks for the ARC! 💫

If you love stories with magic, mischief, and a hint of enemies-to-lovers, this one’s for you! 🖤🔮✨

This was a fun and cozy witchy read! It will be perfect for a good fall cozy vibe. i loved the enemies to lovers aspect mixed with fantasy and rom com. So fun!

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

This book had everything you could ever want in a witchy romance and I am obsessed! Dragons, familiars, spice, banter, you name it, Tricia included it.
I was hooked from the very beginning!

Sloane is the perfect FMC, wanting to make sure her family is always taken care of and protected, but always forgetting to care for herself in the process.
Knox Douglas makes sure she knows he will always be in her corner (after trying to run her out of town of course) and shows her that people will show up for them when they need help.

Thank you @triciaomalleyauthor and @netgalley for the e-arc!

Enchanting Romantasy with a Cozy Scottish Flair

Tricia O’Malley’s Love’s a Witch offers readers a heartwarming journey into a world where magic and love intertwine. Set in the picturesque town of Briarhaven, the story follows Sloane MacGregor as she confronts a family curse and rekindles old flames. 

Highlights:
• Atmospheric Setting: The Scottish locale is richly described, immersing readers in its mystical charm.
• Compelling Romance: The evolving relationship between Sloane and Knox is both tender and filled with tension, capturing the essence of second-chance love. 
• Magical Realism: The integration of magical elements feels organic, enhancing the narrative without overwhelming it.

Considerations:
• Pacing: Certain plot developments unfold predictably, which may lessen suspense for some readers.
• Character Exploration: Deeper insights into supporting characters could have added layers to the story.

Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for providing an ARC of this enchanting novel.

I went into Love’s a Witch hoping for a fun read but unfortunately, it didn’t hold my interest. The plot felt slow and lacked the momentum I needed to stay invested. I made it about 25% of the way through before deciding to put it down.

To be fair, the writing has a whimsical, lighthearted tone that some readers may enjoy—especially if you're drawn to cozy, magical settings and charming small-town vibes. But for me, the pacing and plot just didn’t click. It might be a better fit for readers looking for a cute, low-stakes escape, but it wasn’t what I was hoping for.

What a cute witchy book! I had such a fun time reading this book with all of the magical aspects, the relationships (both romantic and familial), as well as the unique town aspect. This feels like the perfect book to snuggle up and read during the fall time! I enjoyed reading about the relationship between Knox and Sloane and can see how their relationship likely grew even closer in the epilogue. However, I wish there was a bit more focus on breaking the curse, instead of Knox immediately being in love with Sloane and Sloane not knowing what to do. I think there were a lot of unique side characters that I would have liked to learn more about, but I am hoping that another book in this series will involve Liam and Raven??? I would say this book was like a 3.75 for me, but the amount and intensity of the smut threw me off a bit. I'm looking forward to seeing others enjoy this book when it is published on August 26th (just in time for cooler fall weather). Thank you to NetGalley, Tricia O'Malley, and Gallery Books for the early preview of this book!

I’ve read quite a few of Tricia O’Malley’s books this year and they have all been absolutely charming and Love’s a Witch is no exception.

It was a great escape into a world of magic and so sweet! There is something about a romance in a small Scottish town with a bit more than a touch of fantasy.

The plot was solid without being too highly involved and it was one of those books that you could just sit down and read the next one and the next one and the next one and be perfectly content

A fun witchy romance with colorful characters. Once again Tricia paints a picture that makes me want to visit this Scottish village!
I connected with Sloan in that she likes to be in control and when that control is shaky she gets anxious. Like Tricia’s other books, it takes a village to get through the obstacles.
I want a familiar too!
The worst part of this book is that it was over too soon and now I have to wait for the next book!
Thank you to netgalley for the advance reader copy. These opinions are mine and mine alone.

Another fun, lighthearted fantasy romance with a bit of magic and Scottish scenery from Tricia O’Malley. I always enjoy Ms O’Malley’s books. This was no exception. Sometimes it’s wonderful to suspend all reality and get lost in the magic of folklore and fantasy.

3.5 stars. This was a cozy, low-key romantasy. Somewhat predictable, but entertaining. I do wish the enemies to lovers transition had a little more I hate you but I love you drama if you know what I mean. But overall cute story.

Thank you to Gallery Books for the ARC.

I just loved this book and can’t wait for the next one! It was cozy, I couldn’t put it down and it was a relaxing read. The characters were endearing, the setting was perfect and I couldn’t put imagine this magical little village. The relationship between the sisters and their Grandmother was very sweet and I wanted to find out about the little mystery involved. The relationship between the MMC and FMC was enemies to lovers which I enjoy a lot as a trope and I was rooting for them the entire book. The added bonus of the magical creatures just warmed my animal loving heart!

Love’s A Witch, Book 1 of the Scottish Charms series by Tricia O’Malley. Our favorite writer of magikal books set in Scotland has done it again. Centuries ago the MacGregor family was cursed. Now the grandmother has called her three granddaughters back to Briarhaven to see if the curse finally can be lifted. This is the oldest sister, Sloane’s story as she celebrates her 25th birthday when her magickal talents are manifested. Sloane’s journey includes unpredictable magic, unique animal familiars, old friends and perhaps a hot romance. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley. Most highly recommend.

I enjoyed reading this book. I'm always a sticker for a witchy book. This one with the romance as well. I liked that it wasn't a huge focus but Sloane starting to live her life was and Knox helped with that while they tried breaking the MacGregor curse. It was such a cute book.

A delightfully witchy read. I’m ready to move to Briarhaven! Charm on, witches!

4.5⭐️
Pub Date 8/26/25

#TriciaOMalley
#LovesaWitch
#TheScottishCharms
#cozyfantasyromance
#NetGalley

This book was so fun and hilarious! I found this book such a fun time! I highly recommend this for people who want a fun time!

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books and Tricia O'Malley for the ARC! I've been a huge fan of Tricia O'Malley for years. I was so excited to give this a read.

I loved the story. The sisters are awesome together. I love their razzing banter. It reminds me of my own sisters, constantly teasing each other, but also able to be serious and get things done when necessary. Their grandmother Broca is a hoot!

I really like Knox. I loved how he'd been harboring a crush for Sloane since they were teenagers. I didn't like that he kept trying to run them out of town but it did keep things interesting.

I loved meeting Blue. I know how important he was to her. I love that she's honoring him this way. And he gets wings! Very fitting.

I highly recommend reading this book along with everything else by this incredible author!

In the enchanting Scottish town of Briarhaven, this charming, cozy fantasy blends mystery, magic, and family emotions into a heartfelt narrative. Sloane MacGregor, distanced from her magical roots, is summoned home for her 25th birthday. Tasked with breaking a family curse alongside her sisters, Sloane must confront not only her family's past but also Briarhaven's mayor, Knox Douglas. He has spent years creating Briarhaven as a sanctuary for magical folk, and he views the return of the MacGregor witches, especially Sloane, as a potential threat to his town due to her curse. Despite his efforts to keep her at arm's length, something has other plans for them.

The unfolding mystery surrounding the family curse keeps the story moving briskly, while the evolving relationship between Sloane and Knox provides romantic tension. The dynamic among the MacGregor sisters is a particular strength. The relationship is warm, funny, and deeply rooted in sisterly love. Themes of generational trauma and found family are woven throughout, and the presence of an emberwolf, Sloane's magical animal companion, adds to the fantasy coziness. This book was a delightful, short read that explores healing and self-discovery through the lens of magic and connection.

Thank you to NetGalley and Galley Books for the opportunity to review and provide my honest feedback.

Who can resist a story of a family curse and witches? This book is charming and intriguing, all at once.

Briarhaven is a small town that places magic in the open, under the guise of it being an illusion. Knox, the knight in charge of the care and keeping of the town, helps it all come together. He is more than dismayed when the local recipients of the curse come back to stay.

Sloan is the eldest of three hereditary witches who constantly move from one place to another to avoid the curse’s consequences on the town where they reside. Clever imagination from the author! I imagine a person might be willing to accept self-risk, but when it puts entire towns at risk? No, of course not.

The imagination from the author shines. She wove together a story that makes me impatient for the next books, so that I can see how this resolves. A missing Princess. Two interesting sisters. Other supernatural characters. A potential villain besides the curse. I love it and I can’t wait for more. I already signed up for the author’s newsletter so I can stay up to date on further releases.

There are places where the writing could be a little more polished. Fewer ornate descriptions. But these small critiques do not detract from the happiness I have from reading the novel.