Charlie Sparrow lives a pretty magic life. Literally, she and her mothers are witches who live in a small town and own a magical shop. Charlie dreams of buying into the shop with them as a part owner, but they have refuted her for years, possibly because of a big mistake she made the previous year while her mothers were on a much needed vacation. Things are otherwise going decently until a fancy new mage business comes to town, threatening to take away their customers. Mages and witches do not get along, so it is frustrating when Sterling “Fitz” Fitzgerald, the owner of the new shop, turns out to be charming and thoughtful, not the jerk she expects him to be. Charlie has 90 days to convince the town to not renew Fitz’s magic business license, in order to save her family’s shop. She attempts this by trying to cure the curses that keep popping up around town before Fitz and his business can. As the two grow closer, Charlie finds that maybe not all mages are as bad as she thought.

“You’ve Got Mail” + magic? Sign me up! As soon as I read the title, I knew this one was for me. I love a good “Shop Around the Corner/You’ve Got Mail” retelling and this didn’t disappoint. There were a few aspects in this one that really made it work. Firstly, they eschewed the lying/secretly being the person that she’s talking to storyline (other than an initial lie by omission on their first meeting). This allowed the characters to be on more even footing. I also liked the self-awareness and references that the characters made comparing their situation to “You’ve Got Mail.” I thought it was funny and true to the character that Fitz didn’t like Tom Hanks’ character in the movie. I also like the author’s resolution of the business conflict in the end.

I really liked the setting and the background characters in this one. We were given just enough about the charming town without that being the main focus. I also felt like we got a good glimpse into the side characters that made me interested in hearing more about them in a future book (if there was one). I liked the amount of information we are given about the magic system of this world. Some thorough explanations at times, but not overwhelmingly so. I liked how the author used the difference in the types of magic users to create built in tension.

I liked Charlie as the narrator/female lead. She had clear motivation and acknowledged her mistakes. There’s growth in her throughout the book. I’m also loving the influx of bisexual female leads that I’ve been seeing lately. Fitz was fine as the male lead. I think I expected a little more bite in their rivalry, so when Fitz was generally pretty nice other than at their initial meeting, I was a little disappointed. After getting over that, I will admit that it’s nice to have a male lead who isn’t a jerk. I would have liked to learn a little more about him.

Overall, this was an enjoyable new take on one of my favorite stories. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House/Ballantine for the ARC!

4.5 Stars

This was a cute book for fall/winter. It's cozy and has all the witchy vibes. I'm not sure it was fully my thing but it was cute.

"The Cottage Around the Corner" made me instantly think of the bookshop in "You've Got Mail" called The Shop Around The Corner except instead of a war between dueling book sellers (one local and cozy and one corporate and flashy) we've got competing MAGIC SHOPS. Enemies to lovers- YES PLEASE! I was interested just for the cozy nostalgia vibes but yay warring witch stores coming together to save Owl's Hollow. Unfortunately I wish there had been more thorough world-building, explanation of how the magic worked, and a better development of the relationship between the FMC AND MMC. I did enjoy that Charlie had that 30-something former gifted/talented vibe. Plot twists were pretty transparent but if you're here for the cozy quick read it's not a major drawback- give it a shot!

I found this book to be such a delightful read. The characters were fun and full of life. Distinct without being caricatures or siloed into one role.

The dialogue was witty and believable—modern and fresh without being overly colloquial or cringey.

I do think the book was very character driven, which lead the bigger plot points to feel a little disjointed from the book as a whole. I do also wish there had been a smidge more world building with the way that magic exists in this world.

Overall I had a lovely time reading this book. It was cozy and sweet with just a dash of spice.

This has so much potential, but it fell short for me. The storyline didn’t grab my attention and I DNFd the book. Sadly.

The perfect cozy, witchy story! Charlie and her moms run a magical shop out of their cottage, but business has been hard -- and they realize it's about to get harder when a Mage named Fitz opens up a shop nearby in their small town. Despite her bitterness towards these new rivals for complicating her life, Charlie finds herself drawn to Fitz, and they're forced to work together to try and solve mysterious spells plaguing their town.

A little mystery, a little magic, and so much small-town charm -- loved this one!

In this cozy, witchy rom-com, witch Charlie must join forces with new-to-town mage Fitz in order to save the town from a bizarre set of magical mysteries. Charlie and her moms are the next generation of Sparrows to run Chanterelle Cottage, a shop for witches and non-magic users alike. When a mage firm comes to town, that's a threat to their already shaky business, and the handsome mage at the head of it also proves to be a threat to Charlie's heart. Can they combine their magic and get over their arguments to turn people back into animals and end a sleeping plague?
This was a pretty standard rom-com, but it was still a lot of fun. The leads have good chemistry, and Charlie's moms were the coolest characters in existence. I liked the twist that it was a modern world and magic wasn't a secret, because most books aren't like that. The magic system was pretty cool and clearly well thought-out by the author. Clearly, Soria did a lot of research into witchcraft. The dichotomy between witches and mages was interesting. Charlie could be a little bit much at times, but her former-gifted-child-syndrome was very relatable. As a whole, decent book.

Having absolutely loved Thief Liar Lady, I was beyond excited to dive right into D.L. Soria's latest witchy cozy romance. Whilst the setup was perfection and an homage to You've Got Mail with a magical bent, enemies to lovers in a small witchy town and mysterious curses to break, The Cottage Around the Corner was ultimately a let down for me.

Charlie, the main character is an only child in her 30s that is still living at home with her moms above the family business. We quickly learn that the reason for this is Charlie has never really grown up. Her actions are spoiled if not bordering on childish. Her personality is not very likeable and instead of coming across as sarcastic and acerbic, she just seems like a bitch. She is quick at retorts whenever anything critical is said and her actions come across as rather petty and self-indulgent

Her budding relationship with Fitz, the owner of the competing Mage business, whom I absolutely adored, seemed extremely forced. I wouldn't even call their relationship love by any stretch of the means as other than magic, they did not seem to have anything in common or really care to know one another other than on a sexual level.

The magic and worldbuilding, although cozy, was difficult to understand. There was not much explanation between the two types of magic or how one became and trained as a mage as opposed to having "witchy" abilities. Fitz' magic seemed very draining and I'm not sure how the Mage businesses could survive long term with such effects. Chanterelle Cottage seemed to be mismanaged long before Maven Enterprises entered the scene and other than pleading with the townsfolk and the bank, I didn't see much effort by Charlie or her parents to change their business model against the rising competition.

I did love Charlie's parents, however and wish that some of their wit and sassiness had been handed over to Charlie instead of making her so frustratingly unlikeable. I also love the cover.

Overall, a romantasy/mystery with cozy small-town vibes and some spice but because I was not that invested in the couple, it took away from caring about the romance aspect of the book and I was mostly invested in the mystery of the curses. Hoping this is a one off for the author as I love the retellings, but this one just did not work for me in the long run.

Recommended for cozy mystery lovers and fans of You've Got Mail for the nostalgia.

Thank you to NetGalley, D.L. Soria, and Del Rey for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

A delightful contemporary fantasy rom-com, about a witch and a mage with competing magic shops. Due to supernatural circumstances, they are forced to work together to save the town. Their heartwarming romance will leave the reader charmed.
Many thanks to Random House and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was cute and cozy. I really liked it. Highly recommend if you need a witchy read that makes you feel warm inside.

This was a fun lighthearted read! Think cute and cozy Hallmark small town romance between a witch and a mage, tangled together with magic.

Some plot twists were clear early on, but if you don’t think too hard about it and just stay on for the ride, you’re in for a good time!

*The Cottage Around the Corner* by D.L. Soria is a heartwarming, enchanting story that blends romance with a touch of mystery. Set in a picturesque village, the novel follows Lily, a woman recovering from a painful past, as she discovers a charming cottage and the secrets it holds. Soria’s vivid descriptions bring the setting to life, while the slow-burn romance between Lily and a local man adds emotional depth. The novel expertly weaves themes of healing, community, and new beginnings. Though predictable at times, the book’s charming characters and cozy atmosphere make it a delightful escape for readers seeking comfort and joy.

I tried to pick this back up a few times, but it just wasn’t meant to be for us. I think the setting and the coziness was a highlight. I would likely give another by this author a chance, just with some differing plot/characters.

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.