In this fascinating and exciting YA fantasy novel, readers discover a world where witches practice magic in different ways and where teenage witch Delilah Bea is preparing for her magical Calling. Daughter of the most famous cursebreaker in the world, Delilah has plans to break a curse on her family until rich kid Kieran Pelumbra, a son of the most powerful family in the country, hijacks her Calling to have her break a curse on magical twins in his family. Delilah, Kieran, and his twin Briar must break this curse sooner rather than later, but the curse itself is much more complicated than they thought. With a fascinating magic system and complex curses featured throughout the novel, Cottingham’s magic system is diverse with steampunk elements playing a massive role in this fantasy world. The characters themselves are fascinating, and the dynamics between Delilah, Briar, and Kieran are particularly complex because of the tensions and narrative elements involved. All three protagonists are complicated characters with familial curses in common, though they all have different and fully formed personalities. An exciting YA fantasy novel with a fun magic system and clever, complex protagonists, Cottingham’s latest book is a great and fun read for fans of steampunk, fantasy, and LGBTQ+ teen romance.

I loved this cozy YA romance fantasy. The curse breaking parts were really interesting--I love that kind of thing so much. I loved the characters, and their romances, and the setting and magic. It was all just really well done and transported you right into the world. This was absolutely awesome!

This was a sweet YA romance. I really like curse breaking tropes. This gave me a bunch of giggles. Kieran and his crush cracked me up. However, Delilah and Briar take center stage. Very much enemies to lovers - grumpy & sunshine. I also like the message of finding someone to love you for you.

"Practical Rules for Cursed Witches" by Kayla Cottingham is the cozy, witchy romance you didn’t know you needed until now. The vibe? Think Practical Magic meets She-Ra, with a hefty dose of angst, magic, and forbidden love that keeps you hooked from start to finish. Delilah’s struggle to break not just one curse but two—her family’s and the Pelumbra twins’—is heart-wrenching, especially when her feelings for Briar throw everything into chaos. The chemistry between Delilah and Briar is electric, and the tension is so real it practically crackles off the page. Cottingham's writing is lush and immersive, wrapping you up in a world where love is as dangerous as it is beautiful. It’s the kind of book that makes you want to curl up with a hot drink, a fuzzy blanket, and just feel all the emotions. Perfect for fans of queer fantasy, slow-burn romance, and stories where the stakes are just as high as the swoon factor.

"She'd started with I only kept staring at her mouth because I wanted to punch it, followed by my hands were sweaty because the kitchen is always warmer than the rest of the ship, and my heart was beating so fast because I was angry. Angry. Definitely angry. It was the only logical reason for the whole affair."

"'Just three decks. Practically a poor man's ship.' 'A poor man's ship would be his legs.'"

This book was a cozy, whimsical, romantic adventure reminiscent of stories I loved as a kid.

The world was so creative, full of magic and curses, aeroships, and government-regulated witchcraft. I loved the different cities we explored.

The characters are loveable and become a found family by the end. The main character Delilah is a witch on her Calling, a 6 month test that will cost her magic if she fails. She is creative, caring, and headstrong, making for a great protagonist. On her calling she is to break the curse upon twins Kieran, a sweet but sickly boy, and Briar, a prickly girl who's only ever had herself. As Delilah grows closer to both twins, especially Briar, they all grow as people.

The relationship between Delilah and Briar is an enemies-to-lovers dream that reminded me a lot of Adora and Catra from She-Ra which I also loved! They start off so certain that they hate each other, when the truth is something else entirely. I love how their feelings towards each other evolve.

Overall, this is a heart-warming coming-of-age story of love, magic, and hopefully curse-breaking.

A little different story about witches, curses. friendships romance.
With slight intrigue, drama ,twists and romance.
Voluntarily reviewed

A curious protagonist who made me giggle and gasp throughout the story; hilarious supporting characters; lessons in the meaning of ‘love’ and ‘family’; creative problem-solving — this delightful LGBTQ+ story has it all!

A delight sapphic witchy romance about breaking curses, falling in love, and getting your happily ever after. This was a touch of Practical Magic meets Howl's Moving Castle, Delilah Bea's family is cursed so that any man who falls in love with a Bea woman will forget all their memories of said lover once they fall in love. Delilah is a witch who's father is a famous cursebreaker and when it's time for her Calling, a ceremony in which she is tasked to perform a magical feat to prove that she should be allowed to keep her magic, she opts to break the family curse.... too bad someone objects and sets a new task for her: to break his family curse. Kieran Pelumbra is the spoiled son of the most powerful family in the country and breaking his family curse has become her official assignment. Delilah should be mad but when she finds out that Kieran is dying and he doesn't have much time left and he is sorry for doing this to her but she is his final hope before he dies... she relents. Keiran needs Delilah to help him break his family curse: a curse that has killed every single set of twins in the family, and Keiran needs Delilah to help him find his twin Briar who has run away. Delilah is determined to break both her own curse and Keiran's curse, yet when she meets Briar she doesn't expect to be so completely taken aback by the prickly, eye patch wearing snarky girl who would sooner wrap vines around someones neck than ask for help. Delilah and Briar immediately get off on the wrong foot but the longer they spend together the more Delilah is beginning to realize that the reason Briar gets under her skin so much might be because she is falling for her. But can she fall for a woman when she is cursed to have all her lovers forget her? With the clock ticking and so many curses to break, can Delilah do it all? This was such a cozy romantic read and I loved the witchy atmosphere and the banter between Briar and Delilah was really cute. It's a great read for the autumn time and it's got a sweet love story at the center. I've loved Kayla Cottingham's books and this one was another great read! If you want a witchy sapphic read I would absolutely recommend this one!

Release Date: August 27,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley , Random House Children's | Delacorte Press, and TBR Beyond Tours for sending me an arc in exchange or an honest review*

Picking up this book I was immediately intrigued by the premise of curse breaking witches, even more so when each had a curse of their own. For me reading this book came with ups and down of moments where I was really engaged and really into the story and then their were moments when I was pulled out because the pacing or momentum didn’t seem quite right. But I didn’t ultimately end of enjoying this story overall because the final reveal is so worthy it!!

Curses

Delilah’s goal when her Calling comes around is to break her curse. She doesn’t want to be one more Bea who is destined to be without love for the rest of her life.

Magic

There isn’t just one type of magic in this fantastical YA Fantasy but many. It’s even got a bit of a cozy vibe with the magic system which was a lot of fun to learn about while reading!

Romance

Romance! Not much more needs to be said really?

Space Ships

It was so fun seeing this found family, crew on the move, getting around on a ship. There’s even one scene where they literally have to drop from the sky in order to survive a pursuit!

Pastries & More

Food! I love that Delilah is a kitchen witch who loves to bake a good pastry with both love and magic!

This book was like a warm hug to your heart in the best way. It was the perfect queer cozy romantasy and it made me giggle and kick my feet so many times. The main cast of characters were all so loveable and the found family in this novel was just so sweet. The romance was AMAZING and there was so much angst and pining! I loved this book so much even if it was a bit cheesy at times, it did cozy fantasy so well!

This is an absolutely phenomenal sapphic cozy witchy read. Cottingham creates a unique magical system with witches and cursebreakers, set alongside and easy to follow but appropriately complicated political system. This book will pull you away from your day to day life and immerse you into the middle of a phenomenal found family. It felt like a warm hug and I absolutely loved it!

Thank you to Delacorte Press and NetGalley for an ARC!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review. I LOVED this book so much. I am such a sucker for an adventure fantasy novel but add in found family, tension, magic, and it's sapphic?? It's a five-stars all around kinda book. The main characters all held their own within the story so well and I appreciated the communication and the bond building between them all throughout the story. While some of the plot points were predictable, I don't consider that a bad thing at all. Delilah's sometimes being a bit thick also never bothered me that much as I felt it was so true to her character in a way that also didn't have all the other characters always doing things for her. She still was able to hold her own with her knowledge of magic and her skills and I truly appreciated that. The magic system was also very intriguing to me and the twist for Briar was so very well done! This is the perfect cosy fantasy novel for autumn and I absolutely would recommend it.

This was such a lovely, cozy book and so perfect to read this time of year to gear up for all things witchy! I loved the found family in this so much and it was such a joy watching them on their journey together to break their curses. The romance was the cherry on top and this tale solidly lands in 5 star territory. I can’t wait to read more from this author!!

Thank you so much to Delacorte Press for this eARC. All opinions are my own.

If you’re looking for a cozy adventure YA sapphic fantasy then this one would be for you!
Comes with loveable characters, found family trope and interesting storyline, this book really captivate me from the beginning until the end.

A well-written stories about witches, curses, love, acceptance and friendship.
I really like the parts where we got to know each character’s background story, who they are before joining Kieran and his mission to break his family’s curse.

Overall, a really good heart-warming story that comes with a satisfying ending.
This will be the perfect read for the upcoming autumn/Halloween season!!
I’ll keep an eye out for more books by this author in the future!

⚠️ 𝐓𝐖: brief mention of child abuse

I LOVED this book so much!! This like-a-warm-hug but with high stakes (the best kind of YA!) witchy fantasy book is utter perfection for a nice autumn day. It's available now and you MUST read it. I insist.

I'm calling this a new subgenre of fantasy - cozy academia. While this does not take place in a formal school, it DOES have to do with witch's final exams (or Calling). The Pelumbra twins' dynamic is fascinating, and Cottingham does a great job creating tension between their curse-bound fates and Delilah’s ever-growing affection for Briar. Delilah is both adorably awkward and determined, making her a good choice to lead this little crew.

This has all the messy feelings that come with being a teenager trying to find your way in the world... but with spells and curses. The author has crafted a cozy yet high-stakes sapphic fantasy that perfectly balances enchanting world-building with relatable, deeply flawed, but lovable characters.

This has so much to love with curses, young love (or is it hate? probably hate, right? right??), and amazing LGBTQ+ representation. I devoured this book and I maybe shed a happy tear towards the end. This has a lovely story, amazing characters, and I am SO excited that we'll get to see more from this author in this world.

Thanks so much to TBR and Beyond Tours, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review. This review is based on a complimentary copy and it is voluntary. All opinions are my own.

I loved this book so much. Here is why: I loved all the characters, the fast-paced action is created by a deadline, it makes the reading exciting and hard to put down, and never confusing or rushed. A Witch's Calling is a quest to pass or fail, if Delilah fails, she loses her powers. Instead of making it about breaking her family's curse (everyone who falls in love with a Bea woman forgets them), Delilah will help Kieran save himself and his sister twin from a terrible curse. Or die. I love a team/groups/strangers on a quest because they often have to deal with their different temperaments, learn to know each other... understand their personalities, their choices, and their secrets. In the end, become loyal. Delilah will do all in her awesome power (and sometimes break a thumb punching an uncooperative character) to help the twins, in the meanwhile, she will fall in love with one of them... will Briar forget her?

This is a 5 plus for me. It will be there next to Kiki same vibe but with a more YA vibe.

This is my first contact with this author but loved the writing style, will check out previous works and keep an eye out for future ones. (Love the cover as well.)

This was such a cute, cozy read full of witches, magic, and curses. I loved following Delilah as she set out to help break another family’s curse in order to keep her own magic. This is the perfect witchy read with a found family story and an easy to follow magic system.

Practical Rules for Cursed Witches is a witchy, sapphic cozy fantasy.

The characters are endearing, albeit a bit flat. The protagonist, Delilah, is fierce, determined, and sassy but also very loyal and caring. Kieran is an absolute sweetheart who shows so much kindness to those around him despite how little was shown to him. Briar was less likeable as she's extremely prickly and often rude, but beneath it she has a good heart. Unfortunately, beyond those traits, there wasn't much to them so it was hard to truly care what they were going through and where they ended up.

The relationships formed between these characters were definitely the heart of the story, with Delilah and Kieran's friendship being my favorite. Their dynamic was so much fun to watch and I loved that Delilah– Kiernan's first ever friend– cared so deeply for him. The romance between Delilah and Briar, on the other hand, could've used more development. It seemed to be far more based on physical attraction than an actual emotional connection, especially since the two of them barely took the time to get to know each other. Their banter was also a bit boring, but they shared some cute moments and I found myself rooting for them more as the book went on.

The plot of this book was intriguing as it surrounded two curses, neither of which the characters fully understood. The mysterious nature and vague details regarding these curses piqued my curiosity and kept me interested in continuing to read but the slow paced writing didn't match the intensity of the circumstances the characters were in. Obviously, it's a cozy fantasy so it isn't supposed to have super high stakes or tons of action but a book– especially one that's over 400 pages– either needs to have deeply developed, complex characters or a captivating, well-paced plot if it's going to keep readers engaged. Sadly, this book had neither one, making for a cozy and sometimes cute but ultimately unremarkable read. If the plot really appeals to you or you're looking for a surface level but easy-to-read young adult cozy fantasy, it might be worth it to ,give this one a try. Personally, I just found that it was a bit too long for the story it was telling and it lacked the character/relationship development I need to connect to a book.

I loved Kayla Cottingham's previous release and I enjoyed this one just as much! What's not to love about a Sapphic Young Adult cozy fantasy with Bi rep, queer found family, witchcrafts, quests, curses, baking, banter and a happy ending.