Very "You've Got Mail". So much so that it is referenced multiple times.

The momentum of the story drags. There were several time I thought the story was wrapping up, which made some of the plot points seem disjointed and others fall off the map. Unsure if clarifying the timeline could have improved the stop and go of the plot. The characters are flat. Not one of the best witchy read out this Fall, but readers will find a cozy story set in a Stars Hollow-esque town.

Let me first state how much I love the format of "The Shop around the Corner" narrative- and those who actually attribute the tropes to that movie and not the more contemporary adaptation "You've got Mail". I thought that given the title it would be more akin to the true source of those tropes but it ended up being not at all what I was expecting.


This was a mostly enjoyable read, even if it does that thing where the media the book itself is inspired by is directly referenced by characters in the text. It's a little jarring but there is enough originality with how the characters react to and about that movie. I just wish it was more clear that is was centered on the business versus business side and not the anonymous communication aspect.

My biggest gripe is the protagonist has a stressor that seems completely invented and is aggressively stubborn to the point where I end up doubting how compatible her and the MMC are. What moments of chemistry are there are immediately offset by how needlessly mean she is to him, particularly in the last quarter of the book.
Typically when a character is presented as being intentionally unwilling to communicate in times of strife it doesn't bode well for the fictional relationships's length-

This You’ve Got Mail inspired tale with an eye-catching, heart-snagging cover is full of autumnal vibes.

In the small town of Owl’s Hollow, witches and mages have distinctly different approaches to magic, and in a world in which magic is feared and resented but needed, this distinction causes strife. This conflict is mainly between the small, family-owned Chanterelle Cottage spellshop (adorably titled for a specific mushroom reference as a source of magic for this family) and the large corporation (but also family-owned) Maven Enterprises. But when the entire town is under attack by a seemingly unknown magic source, these two families may need to bond together to rescue everyone.

What I liked
--I enjoyed the family bonds and the small town vibes.
--I liked the banter between the love interests for the most part.
--I liked the references to You’ve Got Mail…it felt very meta.

What I didn’t like
--The cursing/language which felt a bit classless and vulgar in some cases.
--The magic system seemed a bit convenient: in some instances it was small and contained but in advantageously necessary instances, it was galaxy-large.
--I didn’t like the goofiness of the main female character (her schtick was to spill drinks/liquids on the main male character).
--I don’t like open door spice but at least it was brief (skip chapter 28).
--I could predict the cause of the town’s problem almost immediately after meeting specific characters so there was no big reveal for me as a reader.

Thank you to D. L. Soria, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Del Rey, and Netgalley for the ARC.

Cozy, small town, witchy, contemporary, magical realism, all wrapped up into a sweet romance.

# The Cottage Around the Corner
# 10/20/2024 ~ 10/21/2024
# 4.5 / 5.0

good romance and loved how they found love and each other. They survived their trials and found their way back to each other. another great romance.

The Cottage Around the Corner by D.L. Soria is a delightful cozy fantasy, set in the magical small town of Owl’s Hollow. The story centers around Charlie Sparrow, a witch dedicated to keeping her family’s beloved spellshop running, and Fitz, the charming and handsome mage who opens a competing business. As their rivalry heats up, so does their undeniable chemistry.

I absolutely loved the dynamic between Charlie and Fitz. Their banter was sharp, fun, and made the progression of their relationship feel natural and enjoyable. The romance was a perfect slow burn, and I appreciated how their connection developed as they teamed up to solve the supernatural mysteries plaguing the town.

One of my favorite aspects of the book was the cozy small-town setting. Owl’s Hollow reminded me of Gilmore Girls with its quirky characters and tight-knit community, but with a magical twist. The representation in this book is also wonderful and it felt refreshing to see such a diverse cast of characters.

The mix of magic, romance, and humor made this book a joy to read. It’s the perfect low-stakes, feel-good read for anyone who loves a bit of fantasy with their romance. If you’re looking for a sweet story about magic, love, and finding balance in life, The Cottage Around the Corner is a perfect choice.

I felt like this was a let down for me. The writing wasn’t bad but the storytelling wasn’t there. I had high expectations from the way this was marketed.

3.75 stars rounded up! A fun, cozy small-town enemies-to-lovers paranormal romance between a feisty witch (Charlie) and a handsome mage (Fitz). Charlie Sparrow practices magic with her moms in their spellshop in the town of Owl's Hollow. However, business is struggling, and this is NOT helped by a competing magecraft store firm opening in town! Fitz, the owner of this firm, is just as infuriating a rival as he is handsome, and rivalry between them is as real as their spark of attraction. However, their competition gets complicated by supernatural events that begin to plague the town. Can Charlie and Fitz but their differences (and their desire) aside to save Owl's Hollow?

Was this story reliant on predictable, campy, tried-and-true tropes/plot points at times? Yes. Was the magic system a little too vague for my tastes? yes. And yet - this was an extremely fun read that gave me the cozy autumn vibes and romcom vibes I was craving.

This is perfect for fans of The Lovelight Farms series by B.K. Borison, books by Ashley Poston, and fans of cozy fantasies and small-town romcoms.

Thank you to NetGalley, Del Rey, and D.L. Soria for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

🍂arc review🍂


🌟🌟🌟🌟.25/🌶️🌶️

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House publishing for an ARC of The Cottage Around The Corner!

When I tell you I could not put this book down?! I was absolutely obsessed with this cozy fantasy. It brings everything you would want for a fall read: rivals, magic, slow burn, and a small town romance.

I really loved Charlie and Fitz’ relationship. It was fun to watch Charlie realize that Fitz wasn’t the enemy and the pent up emotions she had was her attraction to him. Fitz was so patient with Charlie and never gave up. Their banter was top notch and the way Destiny used the magic system for their back and forth 🤌🏾

If you love

🪄 witches and mages
🪄 mystery town in peril
🪄 rivaling shop owners
🪄 small town romance
🪄 cozy fantasy
🪄 lgbtq rep

Then you should absolutely pick up The Cottage Around The Corner!

This book just didn't grip me the way that I hoped it would, but that's not to say that the writing, plot, or magic system was bad, in fact they were quite well done, I just couldn't get into this book enough to want to keep reading.

this book was a cute, witchy read. i was hopeful to like it.. a little more than i did though. i’m not huge into fantasy style reads so maybe that had something to do with it, or maybe not but there we other aspects i loved. it showed you that love is above all and is for anyone, it had a lot of funny and witty banter, it had tons of details to truly put you in the moment but personally it didn’t have enough spice for me.

I enjoyed exploring a different take on witchy worldbuilding in "The Cottage Around the Corner." Witches in this world are publicly integrated with society and more aligned with currently popular witchy vibes. Think tarot, crystals, cleansing, etc. It was especially interesting to see the witches and their work contrasted with the more corporate take on mages.

Unfortunately, the story is repetitive and a little long and our leading lady Charlie is irresponsible and childish. She doesn't take responsibility for her actions or emotions and responds by lashing out or reverting to silent treatment when her actions have consequences. She didn't grow as a character, but everything worked out in her best interest regardless. I would have loved to see her earn it.

Fitz, on the other hand, is a gem. His character was intriguing from the start and by the end of the story I wanted better for him!

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

I adored this book! The fall vibes I was getting were perfect and such a great story. Perfect pace, great banter, family orientated, witchy, and a mystery! This checked all the marks for me, I wish there was more of it in their world! I was left guessing until the end, and the way everything set into place I loved it. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this story.

This book gave off cozy fall, small town romance, hallmark movie vibes but with a little spice. I love witchy books and throw in a little spicy rom com into it and I am completely sold. I loved every page and could not put it down!

This cover really caught my attention. I loved the idea of a witch and mage romance. I enjoyed all the magical elements of the story and liked how witches and mages used magic differently. The toll their magic took on each was interesting. Unfortunately that's where my enjoyment ended. I felt absolutely no chemistry between the main characters. I felt like Charlie being bisexual was just thrown in, and it was shouted out randomly, but it made no difference to the story. Charlie was also an insufferable character, she didn't communicate well with anyone. She whined too much and for being an adult she was so angsty towards Fitz as though 2 adults can't have a similar business in the same town. The "bad guy" was predictable and I got bored with the plot. Unfortunately I can only give this 2 stars.

This story has GOT to be one of the cutest, cuddliest, most spooky season appropriate stories I’ve read in a long time! Witches, mages, romance, and a bisexual main character….what’s not to love?!

As a New England native, it’s always extra fun to read a book set in place I’m familiar with. I could picture the little town of Owl’s Hollow vividly in my mind’s eye and every aspect of it felt spot on, But there are so many other aspects of The Cottage Around the Corner that are just as delightful. Mostly importantly are the lovable, relatable, colorful characters. The two mains, Charlie (a bisexual witch in her 30’s) and Fitz (a broody, stoic, sexy mage from Boston) are absolutely wonderful, but even the side characters are special. Charlie’s parents are lesbian witches and both women have depth and unique traits. The relationship between the three of them is a joy to read. The author, D.L. Soria, also gives us a bright, sweet, protective sister for Fitz, a hardworking, loyal, yet sometimes overzealous ex-girlfriend of Charlie’s, and a gaggle of other colorful, spunky characters within the quirky little town.

Charlie’s clumsy, awkward, slightly unkempt character traits and Fitz’s tall, dark, and stern traits were somewhat predictable for a story’s main romantic character dynamics, but nevertheless, it worked and was enjoyable to read. I wasn’t rolling my eyes as I read their witty banter or cute “getting to know each other” scenes. I was grateful that their relationship never felt like one out of a Hallmark movie!

Overall, The Cottage Around the Corner is one of the most pleasurable books I’ve read all year. From the moment the I realized that the title was a nod to my favorite cozy film, You’ve Got Mail, I was hooked. Who wouldn’t love a main male character who had developed strong opinions on Tom Hank’s’ character in that movie?!?

As always, a big thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Del Ray, for allowing me the privilege of reading the ARC of this perfect autumnal read!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

This was an adorable fall romance that will make you want to curl up under a nice warm blanket and watch Hocus Pocus or Pratical Magic. I really enjoyed the chemistry between Fitz and Charlie, and DL Soria puts a wonderfully unique spin on the traditional romance novel, and adds just a dash of magic to create this beautiful story.

I also enjoyed the audiobook narrated by Victoria Viareal who is quickly becoming a favorite audiobook narrator of mine.




Many thanks again to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book.

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Fall is my absolute favourite season, and even though the crisp autumn air hasn’t arrived yet, The Cottage Around the Corner was the perfect way to kick off the first few days of Fall!

This heartwarming story is packed with Practical Magic charm--think cozy, small-town vibes, an enchanting cottage full of magical delights, and a dash of mystery. But what truly sets it apart is its strong and diverse cast of characters, each one bringing something unique and beautiful to the story. The women in this book are fierce and complex, and the friendships between them are a highlight. Whether they’re dealing with personal challenges or supporting each other, the strength of these female relationships adds depth and emotion to every chapter.

The romance? It's a delightful slow-burn reminiscent of You’ve Got Mail--full of playful banter, heart-fluttering moments, and characters you can’t help but root for. The chemistry between Charlie and Fitz builds naturally, making the romantic arc as charming as the setting. Charlie's playful insults added a great dash of humour from her character!

What I loved most was the diverse representation in this story. Soria does a fantastic job creating a rich tapestry of backgrounds, cultures, and experiences, ensuring every character feels real and relatable. The inclusive cast not only enhances the story but also makes it feel authentic.

Whether you’re soaking up the last days of summer or eagerly awaiting the fall breeze, this book will wrap you in all the cozy, comforting vibes we crave this time of year.

Things are not going well for Charlie and her moms at the Chanterelle Cottage. The Cottage has been in her family for years and unless something changes, the family runs the risk of losing the business. Enter Maven Enterprises - the big bad store run by handsome newcomer Fitz, who also happens to be a mage. Witches and mages don’t typically get along, but Charlie can’t help being drawn to Fitz despite her reservations.

I really enjoyed this book! I loved Charlie as a main character, and I loved watching her us her magic. I thought the magic system for witches vs. mages was an interesting one, and how their powers differed. Charlie makes a big mistake with her magic before the start of the novel, so I loved seeing her overcome her past mistakes and flourish. She will do anything for her family and for Chanterelle Cottage. Mim and Mama were hilarious. Fitz was such a sweet MMC and even when Charlie was unsure of their relationship, I loved how he never doubted they could be together.

This wasn’t a You’ve Got Mail retelling, but I loved how it was clearly inspired by it and I appreciate all the references. That’s one of my all time favorite movies, so I always have a soft spot for books that reference it. This was just such a sweet and cozy romance with a great small town setting. Perfect for this time of year!

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for a review copy. I can’t wait to read more from this author.

I really enjoyed this book. The magic world that Soria has built feels like a warm hug. The CHEMISTRY between Charlie & Fitz is sweet and strong.
I'm not the biggest fan of a 3rd act break up but a happy ending makes up for that!
4/5
Thank you to NetGalley & Random House Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest content review.