I really liked the premise of this story and the synopsis sounded like something I’d like. That.. is about where it ended for me. I just couldn’t connect with the characters. There was also A LOT of queer stuff. I’m all for it, but this felt forced.

Thank you Netgalley and Morgan Lockhart for gifting me with this eARC for my honest review.
Okay, so I'm going in this saying that though I've read books before about witches and the occult, this book had a little more emphasis on spells and magic than it would have for my taste, but I also realize that is needed for me to have a good sense of context. Nevertheless, it very nearly dropped the score for me. Not that that's bad per se, it's just that it would have been the wrong book for the wrong reader in this case.
However...I can appreciate how everything came together in this very multifaceted story, and the ending was a triumph and an eye-opener, so I was able to set aside those feelings and appreciate the story and and emotional journey of the characters for what they are.
I really loved the explorations of the need for community and family, and how love is the greatest magic of all that could help make miracles happen. Rowan starts of broken and in a way, hating part of herself, while grieving due to a misuse of magic that she learned from her beloved Grandmother when the consequences became unintended and harmful. One other thing...it caused her to forget...among other complications.
So she returns to the scene of her slight disdain and meets up with her old rival who also has a complicated past with her and a connection that she cannot explain. As the past comes up to greet them and they struggle to help their small town, in Rowan's case, reluctantly at first, pieces start coming together. She learns to love parts of herself that she once thought were long lost, and forgive the wrongs of her Grandmother while honoring her at the same time. This story wrapped it all up so beautifully that it made me take the time to self-reflect, and I thought the ending came together nicely.
In short, although the dosage of magic and spells was a little heavy for me, I still greatly enjoyed the story and its message and feel confident that anyone who reads this will, too. Will defintiely give you a dosage of holiday cheer and spirit even in the middle of a scorching summer.

This was so cute for the holiday season. It felt very much like a witchy hallmark movie and read much like one in my mind too. Very cute, very fun.

3.75 🌟

A holiday book with a witchy aspect? Yes, please!


This was such a fun read and has me excited for holiday books. This is a Hallmark movie with the twist of magic - making it a little fun and unique. My only complaint is main characters felt a little but immature. But if you want something a little different to pick up this holiday season - this is your book.

Thanks, Netgalley for the ARC of this book!

Witchy, Christmas, Shakespeare vibes? Yup! I said what I said.
This was a cute book... A cozy small town full of witches, the good kind mostly, that desperately want to save their holiday festival and town from the money hungry developers that roll in. A couple childhood rivals also rekindle their love throughout the book, which was 100% my favorite part.

I gave this book 3 stars because it was just okay for me.

Thanks Netgalley and the publisher/author for the ARC!

This was interesting book. It was cute at times and others, it was just meh. I kinda wished we got a dual pov to help balance out the one-sideness of the book. Overall good book to read.

Thank you NetGalley and Dutton for the ARC! When Rowan Midwinter's presentation goes wrong, she flees back to her hometown, but her travels are interrupted and she ends up catching a ride with Gavin McCreery, her old school rival and the son of her hometown festival's landlord. Gavin was also part of the reason she swore off magic years ago. But with her family (and community) in need, and Yule in full swing, Rowan may need to rediscover her magic and the past she's forgotten, to give love a chance. This is a sweet second chance romance with a touch of self discovery and acceptance.

A Spell for Midwinter's Heart is a cozy holiday read with a witchy vibe. Rown and Gavin's meet cute at the airport gave me Hallmark movie feels and I liked how their families played a role in the story. While most witchy books lean to the side of fantasy magic, this book focuses on the Yule holiday and traditions that are celebrated during the Yule season. The Holly King was a nice touch with a nod to the traditional Santa Claus in holiday movies.

I wish the story would have been a little less predictable, but overall it was a cute holiday book.

Thank you NetGalley and Dutton Publishing for providing an ARC in exchange for honest thoughts.

I gave this book 3.5 stars (and did not round up)

The witchy version of a Hallmark holiday movie! A light, cozy, and mystical read and great story for getting into the holiday spirit.

Thank you to Net Galley, Dutton, and Morgan Lockhart for the opportunity to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I'm so thankful to have received the opportunity to read this ARC! Honestly this felt as a little forehead kiss to my Hallmark Christmas romance movie-lover side. And sprinkling some magic to this already cozy story was like the cherry on top, definitely perfect to read cuddled up with a soft blanket with some hot chocolate while the weather is nice and cloudy.

3.5 rating

I enjoyed this, although I will say the ending felt a little rushed with all the conclusions buttoning up perfectly. The romance was cute and enjoyable but maybe dual POV would have been a little better. Still a fun read for the holiday season!

This isn't a bad book I just kind of feel indifferent. The romance was cute and maybe I almost wish it was dual pov? Or maybe the epilogue in his pov. I'm not really sure.

I received an arc through netgalley.

Pretty snow, not much spark.
Lockhart’s small-town Yule festival is cozy and vividly described, with magical traditions that feel warm and inviting. Unfortunately, the romance is rushed, the plot predictable, and the middle sags. It’s pleasant enough for a quiet winter afternoon, but if you’re craving emotional depth or real chemistry, you may be left cold.

A Spell For Midwinter’s Heart
3.75 ⭐️

If holiday witchy romcoms become a new sub-genre, I am here for it!

Rowan Midwinter is finally headed back to her family to celebrate Yule in the festive small town. Unfortunately, so is Gavin, her high school rival who’s family is set to sell everything their small town has worked so hard for. She’s given up her magic for years, but might just be convinced to bring it back to save everything.

I enjoyed this, although I will say the ending felt a little rushed with all the conclusions buttoning up perfectly. Still a fun read for the holiday season!

Thanks to @netgalley for this ARC!

Very cute but in a generic way? I enjoyed it but it felt so similar to other books I've read (and liked).

⭐️⭐️⭐️ My review: Rowan has sworn off her magical powers for a reason the reader (and Rowan) doesn't know. But when she comes home and has to join her mother's coven things start happening. Her powers are back but not completely under control. When local handsome rich man Gavin is around, Rowan's powers seem especially glitchy.

They start to work together to save the town's local festival from commercialism and corporate take over...but there's more to it. And some is shrouded in secrecy.

This is a sweet romance with a lot of magic and spells. It wasn't difficult to figure out the "mystery" but the book kept my interest. As usual in this genre, the magic gets confusing. I think sometimes authors have the magic world in their mind's eye perfectly, but it is very difficult to get it all onto the page coherently.

Lots of side characters with different magic abilities and extra points for LGBTQ+ representation. If you like holiday romances, a cheesy "oh of course" ending, and some supernatural angst thrown in, you'll enjoy this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton Publishing for an advance digital copy in exchange for my review

If you want a book that has a Christmas book with a witchy twist, this is the book for you!! The cutest little story that will make you smile and love!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!

Thank you to NetGalley, Morgan Lockhart, and Dutton for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars

This book is difficult for me to form my thoughts on. There were parts of the story that I enjoyed, and parts that I found myself zoning out. I think it's a solid debut novel. I thought the characters were overall well developed, even if some of their decisions were frustrating. The concept of the book was interesting, and the magic was intriguing. I do wish we knew more about the magic in the town. It felt like a cozy story to read near a fire. I can see the potential in this book.

I look forward to trying more works by Morgan Lockhart in the future. Please, don't let my opinion sway you from giving this book a try. I think you should if you like a low-stakes, cozy, sort of witchy rom-com.

I thought the premise sounded like a really cute and Cozy Holiday read but I struggled with staying interested in the story. I had to pick it up several times to finish it, overall I just didn't enjoy the writing style.
I do think that this could do great with other readers, it just wasn't a good fit for me.

If you are looking for a Christmastime romance with witchcraft and fantasy vibes, you will enjoy this book. Something I especially liked was the familiar feeling of being in a small town in the Pacific Northwest. This book had many sweet and heartfelt moments. It was the escape and vibe I was looking for.

I received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.