Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

I love books about the supernatural and witches. I was sonecmxcited to get to read this one. I just loved it. The characters were so, so good. I enjoyed the dialog.

I recommend this one for my felliw witchy readers!

Kieran and his twin sister were freed from a curse, but otherwise, things don't go well for him. His boyfriend broke up with him, and he wrote a poem so terrible that it became a spell, making him invisible to the man. The Witches Council demands that he complete his magical training, so he says that his calling is to find a magical cure-all that can break any curse. He absolutely can't pull it off, so his sister Briar, her girlfriend Delilah, and a new crewmate, Sebastian, accompany him. If they survive the trip, it would allow him to determine what kind of person he wants to be.

This is the sequel to Practical Rules for Cursed Witches, where Delilah worked to break the curse on her family, ultimately breaking the curse on the Pelumbra family as well. It's referred to a lot in this one, so it definitely helps to have read that book first. I think you'd still understand this book without too much difficulty, without reading that one. But it's such a good book, go find it and read it if you haven't!

Kieran never trained with magic, and he's not physically impressive, either. He keeps comparing himself to his twin sister Briar, feeling wanting. Ash had drifted away and wouldn't let him even discuss taking a break in their relationship. Kieran poured his emotions into a poem, which became a spell that rendered him invisible to Ash. I love the idea of writing as magic, and that develops over time. They're on a quest to collect pieces of a shattered wand that would control a potential panacea, racing to get them ahead of an unscrupulous man wanting to sell it for profit. Sebastian used to work for him, but was impressed by Kieran saving his life at risk to his own. Of course, the two are attracted to each other, have secrets, and complement each other. This is a romance, after all, and Kieran literally must accept that he's worthy of love and holding magic, and that his early trauma doesn't define who he is and what kind of future he can have.

I enjoyed this story and really enjoyed seeing different towns and places within the world. The magic is fun and reflects each character's personality. If there are more stories in this world, I will run to read them!

This was a fun, magical romp that I enjoyed my time spent with. I'm a sucker for a fun and magical setting, and the world building in this is top notch. So much so that I did not even realize this a technically a sequel to another book that I hadn't read, and that alone is impressive enough that
I didn't feel completely left out or in the dark.

The storyline itself almost reads like an RPG, which I actually loved. It's fun and video gamey in a way that makes it feel familiar and comfortable. Kieran is a great protagonist, and the romance is cute but not the main focus which I didn't mind.

Overall, it was a fun ride that maybe leaned a little too YA for my taste at times but was still an enjoyable way to spend a few afternoons.

I will start by saying I did not realize this was a sequel but the good news is you can easily read this one without the first.

After their horrible curse if broken Kieran is just kind of skating by life. He working in a coffee shop, he has a very safe relationship with Ash, who he hasn't even seen or spoken to in a month and he lives with his twin sister and her soulmate, who is also Kieran's best friend. When Kieran accidentally curses Ash, who just basically broke up with him, he makes a rash decision to take on the enormous task of breaking the curse to complete his Calling (magical thesis).

Lucky for Kieran his sister Briar and his bestie and Briar's girlfriend Delilah promise to help him on his journey. They also acquire a mysterious new crewmate, Sebastian. Who also happens to be very hot and charming.

As Kieran learns to take a leadership role I love that as he tackles each new task, he does so with kindness and empathy. Has his crew is chased by violent mercenaries, Kieran seems to always try and choose kindness when he can and it gives him an advantage over everyone else.

I loved watching Kieran and Sebastian's friendship grow and then grown into more. Without spoiling too much, with a book about something so violent, there was so much love and kindness and heart.

And I would die for Seaweed!

A super sweet and fun read. Now I def want to go back and read the first story.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Children's Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A lighthearted quest full of cozy magic, lovable characters, and just enough danger, this one balances adventure with a sweet undercurrent of growth and self-discovery.

This was such a cute book and I really enjoyed it! Perfect for fans of cozy and witchy stories with a cast of livable characters!

Kieran isn’t the most confident of witches yet he is thrust into curse breaking when he accidentally curses his boyfriend (ex? he isn’t sure but he didn’t get closure if it was a breakup so he’s determined to get back in his good graces!). Now that he’s of age, he also has to tackle a magical project to prove his worth to the witch council. Naturally, Kieran chooses perhaps the most complicated way to go about things. Thankfully he’s got his sister and some friends to help him along the way.

I really enjoyed the characters and loved the cozy and witchy adventure that this book was. I loved how Kieran learned to become more confident throughout the book and how he decided to embrace his newfound magical abilities rather than accept losing them like originally planned. Kieran and Sebastian worked well and I felt like they really brought out the best in each other. I loved their growth and how the friend group really strengthened by the end with their newfound addition in Sebastian. With a few fun action sequences and an adventure on a flying ship, what’s not to love?

I had no idea going into this book that it was book 2 in a series, but I really enjoyed this book and its characters so I’m excited to go back and read book 1! This was a delightful read perfect for fans of cozy fantasy books and the character growth in this one was truly fantastic with some powerful messages about figuring out who you really are.

witches, an assassin, and an ankle biter of a pet.

really enjoyed this! i’m aware it follows characters from a previous book, but can be read as a standalone. i thought i’d find it feeling like missing a step but any knowledge that the reader needed was given. the only reason i would have liked to have read practical rules for cursed witches beforehand would be to get more background to kieran and briar’s sibling relationship. their history was given, and though it was well explained, it lacked an emotional depth.

kieran is very relatable. self deprecating. adorably quirky. his story of the magic and freedom of finding yourself after being separated from it for so long i found i could relate to. an easy story of self discovery and self love.

overall a funny and endearing story that holds diversity and a good selection of functional, or dysfunctional, families!

This was a really fun and cozy read that had just the right of adventure. I really loved the characters and how they grew and im curious to see if there will be another book with these characters.

I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. I absolutely loved all of the characters and I enjoyed the plot. I did seem like all of the quests were pretty easy to complete especially for someone who isn't super adept in magic. I also wanted more from the ending, but I will definitely buy this for the teen collection!

Reads a lot like a D&D game which was mostly fun, sometimes a bit much. Seeing the character growth was nice, but sometimes this felt almost like a juvenile novel vs young adult. Still a fun and engaging read overall.

This is all the best things about fantasy books with a focus on witchcraft, and a bubbly romcom all wrapped up in one.

Queer witches! Emotional hijinks! Beautiful prose! And moments that will genuinely take your breath away (and more to do with friendship than romance, which I adore).

I really loved how cozy this read felt, and one of my favorite parts is that ir was filled with the best sort of character growth. We meet Kieran a witch who has just accidently cursed his boyfriend after being told they needed a break. This results in an quest to break said curse. His sister, her girlfriend, and a mysterious boy join this quest as Kieran also has to prove he is worthy of keeping his magic. Not only did he chose to break a curse for his calling, but he chose the most difficult way to do that. Filled with determination and doubt they set off the accomplish the almost impossible.

This book was filled with adventure, epic fights, self-reflection, and beautiful moments of friendship and bravery. I really enjoyed the magic system, and the depth at which the characters opened up and grew. I also loved the funny moments like Sebastain's monologue about different types of wood. It was a nice balance of questing, which we get a fun amount of and learning how to show up for one another.

The characters is this one were great and loveable. I highly recommend if you love DnD, adventures, romance, and growing into yourself. It was a fun treat! Thank you to the publisher for providing an advanced readers copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is cute. It’s a pleasant story about two boys, two girls, a hunt for three artifacts and an evil villain chasing them around. There are multiple deaths, Kieran goes unconscious a few times, gets a familiar, and gets a calling all while finding someone to love. While the book ends cheerfully enough with the two of them — Kieran and Sebastian — they’re only 18 and, unlike Kieran’s sister and her girlfriend, unlikely to get engaged in the next few months.

The book felt a little like a D&D game, with constant pirate attacks of Kieran and his friends aboard their airship, bosses to take down, plots to foil, but in a fun way. Every character got a moment to shine, and Kieran comes across as a sensitive, impulsive, clever young man who only wants to do the right thing. Sebastian is the obligatory love interest, less developed, and does the most murder. But it’s okay because they’re all bad guys, right?

The writing is clean and easy to read, the pace is fast, and I think the characters are mildly engaging. The romance is sweet, the constant talks about consent, boundaries and expectations felt genuine rather than sermonizing by the author. I read the book in a single sitting.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.

I had mixed feelings about this book. The premise was interesting but all the tasks just worked out a little too conveniently for my taste. And one trial didn't seem to make much sense for the story. It added some emotion and connection to the character but I don't understand how it was really a trial. Most if not all the dialogue read like a kid’s rpg game. All the problems just sorted themselves out by the end. SPOILER: The curse being lifted seemed to be such an after thought, and never really explaining what he did that broke it still bugs me. The ending was also a bit predictable.
I liked the relationship Between Kieran and Sebastian forming like it did. I wouldn't call it a slow burn, but it wasn't instalove either.

I didn't realize this was essentially a sequel!
(Though it feels more like an interconnected standalone.) Now I'm really excited to dive into Kieran's sister, Briar's, story!

I found the plot super engaging. After accidentally cursing his ex-boyfriend, Kieran sets out to break the curse, accompanied by his sister Briar, her girlfriend Delilah, and Sebastian.

The characters were definitely a highlight for me! Kieran's journey to build his confidence and step out of his sister's shadow was compelling. Sebastian's willingness to open up and accept help was also great to see. Briar and Delilah are absolutely adorable together! And, of course, Seaweed is the best character.

Overall, this was a really enjoyable read.
While nothing particularly stood out to elevate it further, it was a solid and satisfying experience.

It wasn’t immediately clear that this was a sequel, and that threw me off. Nothing marked this as a continuation, which made the world-building a bit confusing, especially with elements of the magic system and character dynamics already established. I had to piece things together, assuming certain events had taken place in the first book.

That said, once I settled in, I really enjoyed the book! It’s a charming, witchy adventure. Writing is a bit juvenile, but it's easy to get into the grove of things and just let the book take you on a journey.

i loved this!! and so will anyone who likes stories that feature quests to break curses, animal companions. found family, and sweet mlm romance <3 as someone who is experiencing my own heartache at the moment, i thought Kieran's was incredibly touching and well-written. getting to witness Kieran grow so much from the events of practical rules to the end of this book was such a treat. Cottingham never misses.

This book offered an interesting mix of enjoyment and indifference. The magic system was well thought out and unique. The characters were engaging and well-developed, feeling both likable and realistic for their ages. The romance was sweet and believable, taking its time rather than rushing into a love-at-first-sight scenario, which I have always disliked.
I liked that there were actual high stakes, with characters experiencing injuries and being in genuine danger. I also liked Kieran's struggles with confidence and self-love, and how he gradually learned to overcome these challenges and trust himself.
However, there were many instances where I found the writing to be slow and dull, and the pacing felt inconsistent. There were several moments when I was abruptly thrown into action without a proper transition. For example, an action scene beginning with "Just then (something happened)" feels amateurish to me and pulls me out of the story a bit. Despite that, I enjoyed the book quite a lot.
I didn’t realize this book had a prequel when I started reading, so I’m looking forward to getting that one from the library.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, and I’m happy to report that the sequel met (and in some ways exceeded) my expectations!

Kieran is an adorable and sympathetic MC. His growth throughout this story was so heartwarming, and seeing him realize that he’s worthy of love and friendship was so touching.

Sebastian is a great love interest. His own curse, so similar to Briar’s, had some great parallels to the first book. Unfortunately, I felt that the rest of the cast, including Delilah and Briar, suffered to focus on Sebastian. I wish we’d truly seen Kieran and Delilah interact as best friends (we’re told they’re besties, but there was very little interaction throughout the story). I really wanted to explore that relationship more, or see Kieran and Briar make up for lost time. At times it felt like every interaction was with Sebastian.

This is a pretty low-stakes cozy fantasy, which is right up my alley and it definitely gave those vibes throughout.

I loved the message that first love / relationships are not always the lifelong relationship, particularly within this genre. Perhaps the situation with Ash resolved TOO easily (most conflicts in this book were resolved easily tbh), but it was nice to see a healthy conversation on difficult, emotional topics.

As with the first book, I struggled a bit with the fantasy/modern elements intermingling, but that could just be me. The storytelling and world building are great - I think I just love the way Cottingham writes.

I love these characters, and I think I’d read any additional stories in this world!

Thank you to NetGalley, Delacorte Press, and the author for an eARC of this book so that I may leave an honest review.

I absolutely loved book one in this series and this is a nice follow up with similar themes. In this direct sequel taking place a few months after book 1, Kieran is learning how to live on his own (with his sister and her girlfriend) while also navigating a failing relationship, and the fact that he now has to do his Calling to keep his magic - which he doesn't even know how to use since he was never trained on it. Kieran is definitely very down on his luck and absolutely full of insecurities, as you would expect from a boy who is just setting out on his own after a lifetime of emotional abuse and neglect. Through a series of unfortunate events, Kieran has to complete an epic quest to fulfill his Calling, and he reunites his crew to accompany him.

Kayla Cottingham has excellent worldbuilding. She takes tropes and images we're familiar with (wizards, vampires, curses, etc) and completely turns them on their head into something completely new. Magical mushroom forests, enchanted ice caves, and not just a vampire but a SPIDER VAMPIRE HYBRID? Yes yes yes. I found the writing and the storyline to be thoroughly engaging, and both books in the series have delightful modern fairytale vibes as they take many familiar archetypes and introduce us to them in new and exciting ways.

That said, Kieran's quest contained a LOT of stops and obstacles, and because of this, it did feel pretty lightning fast. They arrived at each destination, solved whatever component in anywhere between an hour and an evening, and then were zooming off to the next bit. While there were certainly challenges and character growth along the way, each bit of the quest felt almost too easy and any conflict was resolved rather effortlessly. Or shall I say - magically?

The romance story between Kieran and Sebastian is also rather easy and sweet. Immediate attraction, no third act break up, just some secrets, mercenaries and curses standing between our happy couple and their happily ever after. Overall I enjoyed the book but felt it could have used quite a bit more conflict and higher stakes.

Thanks to Delacorte Press for the gifted review copy! Thoughts are my own.