Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC of this charming, cozy winter book.
I found the characters to be easy to cheer for, which I feel is always important when there is a large task at hand and it includes a bit of magic. If I don't want the characters to succeed, the story is lost to me.
The middle was a little slow and I found I had nodded off to sleep one or two nights while reading, but overall, I'd love to go visit the little town with Rowan and Gavin.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book

Unfortunately, this book wasn’t for me and I ended up DNF’ing it. The concept had potential, but I struggled to stay engaged with the pacing and characters.

I wasn't very impressed by this one, unfortunately. It had some fun wintery elements--a small town, cozy magic, and a fun festival that the characters are trying to save from a big corporation. The relationship between the two characters felt stilted, and the third-person narration didn't help get to know them, either. It was supposed to be enemies-to-lovers, but there was no real point where the switch made sense. I wasn't a fan:(

Thank you to the publisher, Dutton, for giving me access to this title! I really appreciate your recommendations!

This book sounded absolutely adorable - I was sure I would love it. From the cute cover and premise, it sounded right up my alley.

Unfortunately, this was not the book for me. I was turned off from Rowan almost the moment she was introduced. Finding out that she spitefully cast a spell to turn Gavin’s hair prematurely gray when they were teens made her seem very petty and bratty. It did not endear me to her and she did not get better. She came off as snotty and gave major attitude to Gavin for no reason. She was also very hot and cold with him and was always jumping to conclusions about how. I had no idea what he saw in her. She really didn’t treat anyone very well to be honest and felt sorry for herself a lot.

I didn’t like any of the secondary characters much either, except for Rowan’s dad and Gavin. They were all introduced at the same time and no one really stood out.

I also didn’t like the anti-Christian elements. I get that this is a witchy, midwinter story rather than a Christmas story, but there were a lot of anti Christian sentiments that really turned me off and it seemed like Rowan couldn’t understand why anyone would like Christmas.

Unfortunately I don’t think I’m the right audience for this book. If you like witchy stories you might enjoy this one, but sadly it was a miss for me.

This book was unexpectedly deep and moving, making it very hard to put down! Gavin and Rowan are an endearing who are encountering outside forces as well as inner turmoil that stand in the way of the HEA. Each of them have conflicting emotions regarding their families, their jobs, their homes; and Rowan is also conflicted about her use of magic and embracing that part of her. Did I mention she’s a witch?? The witchcraft itself is an interesting component, especially as it pertains to Rowan and her feelings about Gavin, and things she regrets from her past. Set during the season of Yule, this book should appeal to many readers—in a word, it was magical.

I loved everything about A Spell for Midwinter’s Heart. It was Witchy, and cozy, full of diverse characters.
The town reminded me of Stars Hollow from Gilmore girls, and the sense of community along with the towns witchy history was done so well.

I liked the slow reveal of the ramifications for using Rowan’s magic, both 8 years ago and presently. But mostly I loved the character growth that came from this. Rowan was never an annoying character, but she was definitely flawed and down on herself, so it was really satisfying to see that change. I loved the ending and how nicely everything was tied up. I simply couldn’t put it down for the last 50 pages.

As for the romance factor, Gavin is just a seemingly nice guy with a little bit of a daddy problem, which is at odds with Rowan’s initial perception of him. But I loved his ending and his character growth too.

I can’t wait to see what this Author writes next.
Thank you so much Net Galley and Dutton books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I didn’t realize how much I needed a story like this until I was halfway through and completely wrapped up in Rowan’s world. I felt her hesitation so deeply, that mix of guilt, fear, and longing that comes with returning home after years away. Her resistance to magic made sense to me, and I found myself rooting for her even when she was stubborn or closed off. Oh and she was stubborn; I related to it hard (but don’t tell my husband I admitted that!) The winter festival setting was pure comfort, and it reminded me of magical place in WA that actually exists. I loved the relationship between Rowan and Gavin. I felt every spark between them, especially when their chemistry literally lit things up. I laughed, I swooned, and I felt the ache of Rowan trying to protect herself while everything around her begged her to open up. It left me feeling warm, hopeful, and just a little bit bewitched.

If you’re looking for a delightful witchy holiday read, then you should check this one out.

I really enjoyed this book. It had witches, Yule, log cabins, spells with actual consequences, small town, helpful corvids, and some romance.

The magic system is based on the elements and the rule of 3 (the actual consequences), with lots of elements of Yule covered. The depth covered was surprising, as it's explained as you meet characters rather than in an information dump.

I was investigated in the town of Elk Ridge and saving the festival. There was a range of winter festivities covered, focused on Yule but other celebrations were mentioned.

Rowan and Gavin's journey was complicated! There were hints of the revelation, so it wasn't a complete surprise. In some ways, their romance moved quickly - 10 days, I think?! But they were childhood friends! I really enjoyed Birdie as a character, cackling away!

I would probably give a warning for anyone who is sensitive to religious bigotry though.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced ebook copy in exchange for an honest review.

Oof this was not a hit for me.
I was super excited to read this based on the premise and the adorable cover. I WAS expecting a little bit of a hallmark-esque type story with a witchy twist, but this didn’t deliver in the ways that I had hoped it would.
The setting was superb. A small town with a wintry setting and a focus on Pagan traditions…the vibe was there. But beyond that, the story fell so flat. Right off the bat, I couldn’t get connected with the characters. Rowan was SO self absorbed and really pushed the self loathing to an extreme. I didn’t care for her petty, rash behavior towards everyone. I also wasn’t convinced on the romance between her and Gavin. I didn’t feel the tension between the two rivals because I didn’t feel like we got enough of their history to convince me that they actually despised each other. And Gavin’s personality was practically non existent.
Now I love a story that is centered around Paganism and its traditions, but as a Pagan myself, there were some sentiments and verbiage surrounding this specific time of year that I couldn’t get behind because they came across as judgmental or, dare I say, ALMOST hateful. There’s already so much hesitancy and resistance towards Paganism and some parts of this weren’t a great representation of this belief system, which is truly a disappointment. It felt like a Tik Tok or social media interpretation of what Paganism is about.
I think this is a book that can work for some people if you go into it expecting a quick and easy, hallmark-esque read. I just wouldn’t expect too much from the romance. The vibes are twinkling in the background, but it wasn’t enough to hold the entire story in my opinion.

Thank you Dutton Books for the gifted copy in exchange for my honest opinion and the sweet package that it was delivered in. I truly am grateful.

Wow! This was my first book to read by this author but definitely not my last! This book will leave you wanting for more and the characters and storyline stick with you long after you finish it. Do yourself a favor and pick up this page-turner!

A Spell for Midwinter’s Heart is a cozy, witchy holiday romance that offers a gentle blend of magic, second chances, and festive charm. Rowan Midwinter, a magic-averse witch, returns to her small mountain hometown to help save the beloved Yule festival from a corporate takeover. Reuniting with her estranged coven and childhood rival, Gavin McCreery, Rowan must confront her past and rediscover her powers to protect the traditions she holds dear.

The novel's setting is enchanting, capturing the warmth and coziness of a small-town winter festival. The slow-burn romance between Rowan and Gavin adds a layer of depth, though some readers may find the romantic development somewhat understated. The inclusion of LGBTQ+ representation and diverse magical traditions enriches the narrative, providing a refreshing and inclusive atmosphere.

However, the pacing can be uneven at times, with certain sections feeling slower than others. Some readers may desire more depth in character development and emotional arcs. Additionally, while the magical elements are whimsical, they may not be fully fleshed out for those seeking a more intricate magical system.

Overall, A Spell for Midwinter’s Heart is a delightful and heartwarming read, perfect for those seeking a cozy, magical escape during the holiday season. While it may not offer groundbreaking originality, it provides a charming and festive experience that will appeal to fans of lighthearted romances with a touch of magic.

“A magic-averse witch returns home to save her small town’s beloved winter festival in time for the holidays with the help of her estranged coven and distractingly handsome childhood rival.”

This was a super cute holiday romance. This has Hallmark with a twist of magic with the small town feel we know and love. The romance was sweet with just the right amount of spice. This book would make a great little palette cleanser between more serious books.

A very special Thank You to NetGalley, Dutton, and the author for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Netgalley & Dutton for the E-ARC! So cute! Loved the characters & the magical elements. Fast-paced too. Will read more from this author.

I was expecting a cute winter romance with a touch of witchy magic, but I struggled from the beginning. I didn't expect the sounding to climate alarms and then calling out capitalism. Let's just say, I am not the target audience. I think there was potential with a rivals-to-lovers story and celebrating the 12 days of Yule with these witches, but I personally struggle with agenda books. A DNF for me

This was such a fun, sweet, witchy romance. Very Hallmark holiday movie, but not in a bad way. I enjoyed it a lot.

I loved this book. It was a cozy read with just the right amount of spice. It felt like a Hallmark movie with a magical twist.

A cozy magical read that seems perfect for fall. Again, turns out I have recently learned that I am not a slow-burn romance fan, so this ended up not being the right read for me. But, this is likely a good one for others.

Thanks for the advanced reader copy Netgalley.

Tropes:
Yule traditions
Witchcraft
Small Town Romance
Spell gone wrong
Sleigh “riding”
Rivals to lovers

Tl/dr: a cozy Yule romance that blends Christmas cheer, pagan traditions, and witchcraft in a charming small-town setting.

What I liked:
-The pagan traditions were fascinating and seamlessly woven into the story.
-I LOVED the witch folklore and ceremonies. Everything felt well researched and believable .
-The small-town Christmas vibes were absolutely immaculate.
-It was predictable and I actually really loved it!

What did not work for me:
-The writing style, to me, felt a bit heavy at times.
-Gavin and Rowan’s timeline came across as a little messy and overly lust-driven (I won’t say more because *spoilers*).

Overall, a gem of a holiday romance, perfect if you love Christmas TV movies, small-town coziness, and Salem witches style magic!

Summary: Rowan Midwinter is back home for the holidays to help with this years winter spell and festival. She hasn’t practiced magic in years due to some bad spells in the past. Will she get caught up like old times and start casting again? Will she rekindle her old flame?

My Thoughts: I wanted to like this book, I really did. A witchy Christmas book? Are we kidding, the premise was there, it was all there. It fell so incredibly flat, I was so sad! Rowan and Gavin had absolutely no chemistry, their build up and overall romance was very lackluster. Also I wouldn’t exactly even call this a romance because in most of the book. A lot of the book centered around the small town, and the drama of the festival/coven. We definitely needed more romance and less of everything else.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read/review an advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

Tropes
-Witchy Christmas
-Small Town
-Second Chance Romance
-Single POV/Third Person

2.75 stars/rounded up for Netgalley to 3.

This had a lot of positive things going for it but I ranked it lower ultimately because I felt the romance in this was lackluster.

Quick summary: modern witch Rowan Midwinter returns to her New Age/witchy hometown Elk Ridge for their annual winter festival during Yuletide to help her mother's coven bring snow back to the town. Along the way, she runs into her old high school "rival" Gavin McCreary, whose father is looking to sell parts of the town to the big bad corporate company, Goshen Group.

What I liked: this feels like a hallmark movie in the best way. This book is cozy for the holidays with plucky side characters and a fun witchy coven. The modern witchcraft/magic elements are fun and add a little pop to the story. The writing in this is quite strong. I feel like someone who loves a cozy contemporary romance with a fun modern witch twist. If you love holiday hallmark movies and movies like Practical Magic or even The Craft, you'd like this.

What fell flat to me: many of the plot points felt like they were resolved super easily, and I did not feel invested in Rowan and Gavin's romance, so the stakes felt super low.