I’m so glad I found my way back to Freya Grove AKA Black Halloweentown. This witchy & fae romance was warm and the perfect October love story. Even better was the character development of both main characters and the lessons about second chances.

Kiss and Spell is super cute and moved pretty quickly after a bit of a slow start. I wasn’t sure what to expect but overall enjoyed it. I think this may be my first book by Celestine Martin but I’ll keep reading.

With a name like Ursula, this book just seems to fit what I'm looking for in October. Crystals, fortunes, psychics... and romance? Yes, please. I loved the characters and the plot (which felt a bit like The Little Mermaid, making the name Ursula even more delightful) was enjoyable. I think anyone looking to find some magic will enjoy this.

After being left at the altar, Ursula lost her faith in love. And please spare her the cracks about what kind of physic she must be if she didn’t see *that* coming. She’s struggling enough as it is.

Now the once beloved Smitten by the Shore event is returning to their town, and she’s not sure how to feel about it.
Doesn’t help that Lincoln, the almost groom who ghosted her, is back in town and already with someone else.

More interesting though is, just after determining to get her goals in order and swearing off ‘fairy tales’, she has a chance meeting with Actual Fae Prince Xavier. A bit of mistaken identity as he was supposed to meet a blind date at the *other* Ocean Avenue.

He’s got a bit of a curse situation, and needs to have love’s perfect kiss before he’s free to return to his home realm. That date he was headed to was a bust like so many others, and he almost wishes he had stayed with the Ursula. Wrong woman or not there was a connection and maybe she can help him?
When they meet up again later he finds out she knows all about this Smitten by the Shore matchmaking thing at least…

-

This is my third book in two weeks about a witch with some form of plant magic, and if this is a new trend I am here for it!

This one feels light like a nice romcom. There is some drama but nothing shattering. I can’t quite say about those others, so maybe that’s why this is feeling extra low stakes?

Anyway, if you’re looking for a fun fall read, check it out. It is part of a series, but I am managing to follow along even though I haven’t read the first book (yet) so don’t let that hold you back!

I *did* get a little frustrated and felt like they were making things too difficult for themselves by not actually clearly communicating about what they want/needed from the start, but that’s what makes the story sometimes, right?

Thanks to @netgalley and @forever for the arc!

What happens when you cross a witch with a prince? You get a good story in Kiss and Spell.
When the story opens I felt bad for Ursula. She’d been dumped on her wedding day and lost all confidence. She’s rebuilding her life when she meets Xavier on the boulevard.
They make some terrific magic together but when Xavier makes a bad decision I was disappointed in him. I thought it was cowardly and I was devastated for Ursula.
However, a HEA occurs. The best line is when Xavier said I’m tired of existing, I want to live. Indeed!

It's spooky season and I'm all about the cozy magical realism stories and I really liked Kiss and Spell. Xavier is a fae prince who has to break an enchantment (curse) by getting his perfect kiss. Ursula is a witch who is struggling with her magic and recently got ghosted at the alter. Both of them are very against finding love, for very different reasons. But Ursula is determined to help Xavier get his kiss & back to his fae realm.

I really enjoyed the whole fairy tale idea of the story. I loved the characters and the side characters, but the only downside is that I would have loved to know more about Freya Grove (LOVE a small town setting) and the rules with the paranormal creatures and the rules of magic.

I have not read Witchful Thinking (the first in the series) and while this may be intended to be a standalone, I think I would have understood a little more of the backstory if I had read that first.

3.5 rounded up to 4.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Prince Xavier may be trying to break the Faerie Queen's unwelcome enchantment but I'm the one who is thoroughly - and happily - enchanted by Celestine Martin's town of Freya Grove and the mystical beings who call it home.

I'm a pretty pragmatic person so when I can lose myself in the premise that witches, Fae princes, and mischievous gnomes are living side by side in a small New Jersey town, that's a sign that the author has created something special. I loved these characters, sympathizing with the obstacles facing them, sharing their frustrations with family expectations, cringing over awkward moments, and cheering them on to what was clearly what both of their hearts desired.

Martin has created a main couple who engaged my emotions (Xavier is so endearing and how could I not cheer on Ursula's heartfelt efforts to atone for past actions) along with a well-developed supporting cast that brings conflict, complex relationships, humor, unexpected matchmaking, and opportunity for growth to the main couple while also introducing potential future lead characters I hope we'll be seeing more of in books to come. I'm on board for many more visits to this fascinating place and fun, magical, emotional journeys to love...along with - I hope - a glimpse or two of Ursula and Xavier's happily ever after.

Give this one a try. It has my enthusiastic recommendation.
4.5 stars
ARC received from publisher via NetGalley. Fair and unbiased review.

“Love and a strong cup of tea will make you feel like you can solve anything.” ✨ 🫖 🖤

This was absolutely magical! I binged Witchful Thinking & Kiss and Spell this week and they are the perfect cozy witchy reads for fall!

We return to Freya Grove in the latest installment of Celestine Martin’s Elemental Love series to follow Ursula Caraway (the self proclaimed “Jersey Shore Witch Princess) as she works to get her life back on track. When her ex-fiancé left her at the alter, she not only lost the future she imagined…but she also lost her belief in her magic. Everything changes when an enchanted Fae Prince stumbles into her life, reigniting a spark that was once lost and changing both of their lives forever!

Full of magic, Fae, Witches, a Supernatural Haven, love, strength, family, personal growth, spice, cozy vibes and swoon worthy romance - Kiss and Spell is one of my favorite witchy romances of all time and seriously can’t say enough about how much I love this series! 10/10 recommend!

Thank you to Forever for the advanced copy!

Heat Factor: Lots of pining, with the first (perfect) kiss after the halfway mark
Character Chemistry: Instant recognition, followed by keeping some distance
Plot: Ursula has sworn off fairy tales, but then finds herself falling for a literal fae prince
Overall: DNF about ⅔ of the way through

I picked this up because I read the first book in the series and loved how calm it was. I especially loved how magic was described: in the first book, the heroine casts a wish spell with her cousins and things start changing. But all of the magic is herbs and starlight, and could easily be read as metaphor. Except for the whole hero being a merman thing. Anyways.

Kiss and Spell has some of that understatement going on: we’re focused on wishes and crystals rather than wands and spells involving made-up Latin. But it has also become apparent that Freya’s Grove, the small town where this series takes place, is more like the world of C.M. Nascosta’s Morning Glory Milking Farm than like earth as we know it. Yes, there are minotaurs here, and everyone thinks that’s normal. (This is not to say that this book is anything like MGMF, because it is not.) The point is, I was a little thrown off by how supernatural the world felt, but I think that’s mostly a me problem, because Witchful Thinking does clearly have gnomes running around in the herb gardens, so I’m not sure why I thought that the magic was all metaphorical.

Ok, but why did I DNF this book? It came down to pacing and the way information is doled out. Let’s start with the information: the backstory here is that Ursula was left at the altar last year and is trying to get her mojo back; Xavier pissed off the fairy queen and has to break an enchantment he’s under with a perfect kiss. Ursula’s problems are tied up in the wish she made in Witchful Thinking, but I didn’t remember what that wish was (or even if we got that information in that book)—and it’s not revealed here until more than halfway through the book. As for Xavier, I got ⅔ of the way through this book and I’m still not entirely clear on what the parameters of his enchantment are. Both Ursula and Xavier spend a lot of time angsting about how they can’t be together, and because of the slow release of information, I’m not sure why. I kind of understand why Ursula is wary about Xavier—she’s sworn off fairy tales and he’s a fae prince and so she’s trying to protect herself—but I have no idea why Xavier thinks that he can’t have forever with Ursula. Is it because of the precise terms of his enchantment, or because of his relationship with his father? Is it because he truly thinks that he can’t have love? If I’m more than halfway through a book and I’m not entirely sure what the parameters of the conflict are, then I would say that there’s a problem.

I also felt that the central metaphor was both heavy-handed and unclear. Ursula has decided that she no longer wants to be in a fairy tale. But then she decides that she’s going to embrace being an enchantress. (Sidenote: there are distinct types of magic users here that all fall under the broad category of “witch,” but who seem to relate to and use their magic differently. I liked this detail.) But princes don’t fall for witches, but maybe they do fall for enchantresses, so maybe she’s still living life like a fairy tale after all? And then Xavier knights Ursula. How does that fit in? It is later revealed that the problem with Ursula’s last relationship was that she was trying to fit herself into the princess mold and that her wish was for a happy ending (which caused everything to fall apart). So is she actually trying to escape the fairy tale or just a specific version of it?

I do think that Martin is doing something interesting with this series, but this book just didn’t work for me.


I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.

This review is also available at The Smut Report.

Kiss and Spell is book 2 in a series featuring Ursula, however this can be read as a stand alone.

Ursula wants a happily ever after and has wished for it in the past. All that got her was being left at the alter and terrified that her perfect life will never happen.
Prince Xavier Alder needs to find The One and have the perfect kiss to break a curse on him. His social skills has made it a challenge for him to meet any women let alone kiss them. Ursula agrees to help him find dates but the chemistry and connection between them becomes undeniable.

This was a cute witchy read that is perfect for Halloween season.

As soon as I saw the title of this book, I wanted to read it. I am now in my BIPOC paranormal romance era. Kiss and Spell did not disappoint! I absolutely adored this book. Celestine Martin did everything right with this one. The slow burn romance was perfectly paced and the pay off was delicious. But she also did the black moment so well. I understood Xavier’s feelings and I loved how Sula handled his leaving. She let it be his choice and I think that was the right thing to do. This book was steamy, sexy, and so dang sweet. I loved Ursula and Xavier so much but I also enjoyed the supporting cast. The supernatural elements were done well too. It wasn’t too overpowering and I’m finding I like the real world and the magic world mingling so seamlessly. I can’t wait to read more books by Celestine Martin! This one is a must read!!

Kiss and Spell by Celestine Martin
2nd book in the Elemental Love series. Witchy paranormal romance. Diverse own voice. Can be read without reading the first but it is the same family, yet doesn’t really overlap much.
Prince Xavier Alder of the fae is cursed. He needs to find the perfect kiss to be able to go back home. For now he’s trying dating apps on the New Jersey boardwalk.
Ursula Caraway wished for happily ever after when she thought she had found her perfect man. That wish caused the relationship to fall apart and now Ursula is reading fortunes on the boardwalk “free with purchase”. She meets Xavier by chance when he gets lost and walks him down the boardwalk in the right direction. She offers to help him find his perfect romance and gets tangled up in attraction and longing herself.

An adorable and witchy story with Ursula and Xavier looking for something like love, and finding fascination in each other. She’s a romantic while he doesn’t believe in love. Expectations may need to be juggled a bit.
Cute, campy and lovely.

I received a copy of this story from NetGalley and the publisher.

Opposites attract and a slow burn, my favorite combination. Perfect setting just in time for spooky season. You learn to love Ursula, she redeems herself from book one. Great read.

Life for Ursula has been a struggle ever since she was abandoned by her fiancé on her wedding day. Left to pick up the pieces Ursula is now telling fortunes in Freya Grove and trying to mend familial relationships as well as her magic. When Ursula meets Fae Prince Xavier and they strike up a friendship she agrees to help him. Xavier needs to break his curse with a kiss. Ursula helps Xavier establish an online profile as well as introduce him to some of her friends. The problem is as they spend more time together Ursula and Xavier can’t deny their growing feelings and attraction. Will Xavier be able to break his curse and go back to the Faerie Realm? Will Ursula finally mend her broken heart?

I was immediately transported to the magical town of Freya Grove and all its creatures. Not only did this book have a magical setting but characters with real issues readers can connect with. Xavier is socially awkward and I feel the same way myself a lot of the time. Ursula is trying to establish her own identity after the man she loved left her. Many of us can relate to her journey. This story was an absolute treat and one I will definitely be rereading!

This was somehow fast and slow at the same time. I thought they wouldn't kiss until the end of the book but they did before then. It was cute to see them both refusing to fall in love but doing it anyways. They were just so scared of what might happen if they did. The ending was super cute but I wanted an epilogue.

I received an arc through netgalley.

This was another super fun paranormal small town friends to lovers romance between a cursed Prince and a jilted witch looking to regain her mojo. Ursula got left at the alter and takes Prince Xavier under her wing when she shows up in her Jersey Shore town looking for the woman whose kiss will break his curse. They bond over a shared love of gems and magic and ultimately fall in love. Steamy and sweet, this was just a feel good magical romance and I was here for it all. Good on audio too narrated by Henriette Zoutomou. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

3.5 stars rounded up!

Once again, I finished a book, headed to leave a review, only to find out it was part of a series and I missed the first book 🤦🏻‍♀️ I have no idea what information I missed in book one, but I do feel like Celestine covered enough ground that everything made sense on its own. That being said, read on with caution as I'm not sure if any of this would be a spoiler for book one.

I was looking for something a little witchy and a little cozy and this was just that! I enjoyed following Ursula's healing process as she began to put her life back together after being left at the altar before the start of the book. She meets Xavier along the way and sparks fly, quite literally! While I did enjoy their romance, the constant "I want you, but I can't have you because XYZ" back and forth did grate on me after a while. I found myself wishing that both of them would pull themselves together sooner than they did.

Overall, this was a cute read perfect for the start of fall!

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Thank you NetGalley & Forever Pub for this ARC. All opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was a sweet and cute read. As a New Yorker, this book had me wishing this magical town set in jersey was real so I could visit. Black witches, fae and other magical beings falling in love was such a joy to see. As a black person who reads predominantly fantasy I really enjoyed this representation.

The story itself was predictable but honestly it’s to be expected in my opinion. It’s a fairytale hallmark movie in a book (a compliment). The characters were fleshed out well, the romance developed organically and I had a good time. If you are looking for a cozy fall read with magical witchy vibes, this will be a treat for you.

The world building was phenomenal, I could picture myself sitting on the beach there, sitting at a table at the coffee shop and eating a sweet treat. Loved it!

Kiss and Spell is lovely. Celestine Martin has taken the small town witch romance and married it to the fairytale inspired romance and put her own spin on both. Celestine Martin’s writing is magical. I’ll be reading a scene, and suddenly she’ll turn a phrase so that I can see the longing, the sparkle, and the glitter. Kiss and Spell is a confection with just enough weight to not overwhelm with sweet.

Ursula was a bit of an antagonist in Witchful Thinking. She was engaged to the son of one of the most powerful and snooty families in Freya’s Grove and ran over her cousins while trying to please her future in laws. In the end, her intended left her at the alter anyway. She is reconsidering the value of charming princes and fairytale loves when she meets Xavier, a cursed (or enchanted) fae prince who must have a perfect kiss by mid summer or be exiled from the fairy realm forever. Xavier isn’t interested in love, he just wants to sit in his garden, tending plants and reading books. He feels like he is being forced to be someone he is not, in order to attract love. And unlike the usual fairy tale, there are no wicked step mothers. There are meddling dads trying to make their grown children into the people they want them to be.

Because this is a good romance, we know that in the end, Xavier and Ursula must be themselves in order to find true love. Continuing the theme from Witchful Thinking, true happiness requires courage. It takes courage to be who you are, and you cannot be happy if you cannot be fully yourself. Xavier and Ursula are so clearly themselves with each other and yet their doubts persist because being liked for who they are feels foreign to them.

I received this as an advance reader copy from Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley. My opinions are my own, freely and honestly given.

I won't lie, Ursula was not a favorite character from Witchful Thinking, but surprisingly I think I ended up loving her romance more than Lucy's, Although VERY confused at the end of WT about what was going on with Ursula, we are given the deets in the first few paragraphs of this book. After being stood up at her own wedding, Ursula becomes the butt of everyone's jokes and it seems to be salt in the wound that her favorite, love-focused community festival is happening this year for the first time in a few years. Her life has definitely snowballed out of control, no husband, quit her job, lost a lot of her fancy friends, and is working basically paycheck to paycheck in her family's magic store reading fortunes. Xavier is a cursed fae prince trying to find his princess charming to give him the perfect kiss to break the curse. He accidentally mistakes Ursula for his blind date, but they strike up a very cute friendship and she is determined to help him get his perfect kiss...just not with her. Xavier is, as was Alex, a very sweet kind of hero. He is very formal but always thinking of others and looking for different hobbies he might like. I really enjoyed the way they interacted and genuinely cared about each other. My issue again is just that the story drags just a little bit in the middle with both of them often thinking about how they can't be together, but the reasonings are paper thin. There really wasn't much keeping them apart until later on and had we known that would happen earlier, I think it would have given a touch more tension to their relationship other than we can't be together because I don't want to be in love/don't believe in love. My other point of contention is that I felt like I needed way more of an apology from Ursula to Lucy. Ursula knew she treated Lucy real badly before but she barely has to apologize before Lucy just says oh don't worry about it. I would have rather Ursula insisted on giving a full apology to really show her growth as we, the reader, are aware of how terrible she felt about it and then to not speak to each other for almost a year. I just wanted a little more to happen between Ursula and Lucy. This book (at least the ARC version) didn't have an epilogue so I am uncertain where the next one will go. My guess is going to be Sirena since she was suspiciously wearing a long necklace that she would normally never wear. Still hoping for more info on Phoebe and Horatio lol
ALSO I almost forgot, Marcus, he just poofs disappears after Lincoln and Ursula's wedding is called off and he is apparently running around overseas. So I guess that random inclusion on his feelings at the end of Witchful Thinking was just that? Random?
Overall, I had a really good time reading this one! If you want a more cozy, generally lighthearted romance, this is the book for you!