Did I want to read a whimsical small town witchy romance? Yes! Did I get one? Absolutely!
The whole town of Foxford had me under a spell throughout reading this, and I was dying to continue the story every moment I could.
Benedict and Lucy’s story was a beautiful rival to romance tale with witchy goodness intertwined. The slow burn felt just right to their relationship, and the banter between them made me giggle throughout. The added elements in the magic system was so interesting and I liked that it was different from other similar cosy reads. I was completely invested in their love story from the very start, and I loved that there was no third act break up or dark cloud looming overhead. I wanted something light and happy and this was exactly it.
Thank you to NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Potions and Proposals by Kate Callaghan is a fun fall read set in the magical fictional town of Foxford. This book is dual POV from the perspectives of Lucinda Hawthorne, the daughter of the High Priestess, and Benedict Matherson, the owner of the popular hotel in town and her lifelong enemy. When Lucinda plays a prank on Benedict that affects more than just him, the council decides she might not be the best fit to take over the High Priestess position from her mother and nominate Benedict for the role. They are also given an ultimatum: either be bound to each other on All Hallows Eve or they will vote on who the new High Priest or Priestess will be and the person not voted in will have to leave the town. They both reluctently agree, but when Lucinda's family perform a spell to stop the binding, a mishap occurs that ends up magically intertwining Lucinda's and Benedict's lives in ways they never could have expected!

This was such a fun read and it is perfect for fall! Lucinda and Benedict were such fun characters to pair with each other and i loved reading the slow burn of their relationship! Learning about all the magical pranks they had played on each other really helped show how much history they had. The fictional small town of Foxford was such a great setting for this book and had so many fun side characters. I laughed so much throughout this book and ended up reading most of it in one day.
Tropes to expect are: Enemies to lovers, arranged marriage, magical small town, and reluctant allies.
Thanj you to NetGalley and Kate Callaghan for the ARC!

4⭐️

” In the mystical town of Foxford, tenacious translator Lucinda Hawthorne is on the brink of assuming the prestigious role of High Priestess. However, fate has a mischievous twist in store for her: an unexpected coven gathering reveals that her lifelong nemesis, Benedict Matherson, is also nominated for the esteemed position. They are presented with a grave ultimatum: either become magically bound to one another on All Hallows’ Eve… or risk a fateful vote that could strip them of everything. Both fiercely independent and driven by their unwavering desires to lead, Lucinda and Benedict reluctantly agree to the binding ritual. Unfortunately, the spell Lucinda’s family casts to thwart the coven’s plot misfires with surprising consequences, and the pair find themselves magically intertwined in ways they never could have foreseen.”

This was a very cute fun read. I ended up reading the book in one sitting. Watching Benedict and Lucinda turn from rivals to romantic partners was a joy to read. The slow burn was executed extremely well and made me want to keep reading. The charming town of Foxford was the perfect backdrop for this story. Kate Callaghan’s world-building was done extremely well and it made me feel like I was in that world with Benedict and Kate. Lucinda and Benedict were very well written main characters and that made me even more invested in their love story. The magical hijinks were interweaved extremely cleverly throughout the story.

This is the perfect read for a cozy fall day.

Tropes: Enemies to lovers, small town magic, witches, opposites attract

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

Rating: 4⭐️ Spice: 1🌶️
Dual POV - 3rd person

Tropes:
Enemies to lovers
Arranged marriage
Small town
Reluctant allies

The story follows Lucinda Hawthorne and Benedict Matherson, enemies from the time they were in school. After a prank gone wrong, the two are forced to unite and be bound together or face exile. Reluctantly agreeing, the two find themselves in a precarious position. The line between hate and love becomes very thin as they work together to find a solution to another mishap.

I was initially drawn to the cover. I’ve never read this author but after reading the blurb I was hooked. I enjoyed the book, even with usually disliking 3rd person novels. It was a slowwww burn but the pace of the story made up for the lack of romance between the two. It felt like there was a set up for a conflict between the newcomer and main characters but nothing ever happened. I think if that conflict had come to fruition it would really elevate the storyline. Overall still a really solid read.

'Potions and Proposals' by Kate Callaghan is the first novel in the enchanting 'Village of Foxford' series.
Foxford is not simply a village but a magical one - populated by witches, vampires, ghosts etc. And life could be idyllic, with the villagers living in (relative harmony) and visitors to the village providing much needed income.
Of course, there would not be a story if things were perfectly peaceful ..... our two protagonists are Lucinda Hawthorne and Benedict Matherson. Friends and enemies since childhood, the duo are forever playing pranks on each other. Now, Lucinda is expecting to take over from her mother as the High Priestess of the village, but the other members of the coven are questioning her suitability and Lucinda and Benedict find themselves being bound together. As a result, all sorts of fun and high-jinks as the pair fight their growing attachment for each other, meanwhile trying to save themselves from being forced to leave the village. And they must navigate the, well-intended, magical antics of their respective families.
Full of humour and an entertaining reluctant love story, this is the perfect summer read - full of positive vibes and fun.

“‘Why do you have to call me pumpkin just to annoy me?’ she asked, locking the case once he’d put it back in its rightful place.

“‘I never intended to annoy you. It’s just my favorite. The food that makes me feel like I’m home,’ he admitted. Like it wasn’t supposed to turn her into a pile of mush.”

🥹

This book was so damn sweet. It made me ready to skip summer altogether so I could curl up on a brisk, fall day with a pumpkin-scented candle, a warm blanket, and a spiced cider. Imo, that’d be the ideal way to experience this cozy contemporary small-town fantasy romance. Despite lacking the perfect ambience while reading, I loved watching Lucy and Benedict go from their silly pranking rivalry to realizing their true feelings for each other (with the help of Grams’ potion, of course). I can’t wait to see what happens in Foxford next!

Things to expect:
🔮 A delicious slow burn
🔮 Rivals-to-lovers perfection
🔮 Witchy spell hijinks
🔮 Unexpected displays of jealousy and possessiveness
🔮 Small town “everyone knows your business” vibe
🔮 A lovable surrounding cast of characters
🔮 Topped with a little steam 🌶️


Thank you to NetGalley and Kate Callaghan for the ARC in exchange for an honest review 🩵

This was such an enjoyable read! The fact that I zoomed through it on a holiday says a lot about the fun and cool story, and a bit about the curiosity caused because of the slow-ish burn.

“Fate can rather be amusing in that sense; sometimes a wrong turn can lead us to where we’re meant to be.”

Lucinda and Benedict’s witchy tale has made me want to pack my bags and move to Foxford, magless or not. If that isn’t possible, can Broomhilda send her cousin over, pretty please?

Thank you, NetGalley for the opportunity to witness the magic of Foxford before the world! Looking forward to more tales from the charming town 🧙🏻‍♀️

Potions & Proposals was a sweet and easy read filled with magical shenanigans and small town family history.

Fire and Water, color and neutrals, chaos and order: Lucinda and Benedict were the ever-classic opposites attract pairing. Constantly being a thorn in each other’s side since the time they were children, an impending change in town leadership, prank gone too far, and meddling mamas thrust the two of them into accepting an arranged binding come Halloween. One month to prove themselves and find a way out or be bound together for the rest of their lives.

Only of course it cannot be that simple: a mixed up spell cast by a well-meaning grandma (and mother) forces the two rivals to work together to get out of their predicament after swapping their elements. A lesson in understanding one another if I ever did see one.

✨rivals to lovers
✨opposites attract
✨arranged binding (like marriage but soul-deep
✨small town
✨family heritage
✨he falls first
✨forced proximity
✨romantic rival

There were a few times in the beginning when I felt the transitions were a little wonky (aka slightly jarring in the time switch) BUT overall the flow of the story was easy to follow. It was just the usual stutter of first-book syndrome introducing the new world and its characters. Once I got a decent way into the story, everything flowed so smoothly and I got sucked in to the rivals to lovers arranged marriage romance. Especially with the added drama of a potential romantic rival, meddling families, and small town celebration prep amidst the magical mishaps.

Something about a rivals to lovers story where one side has always had feelings for the other but the other couldn’t believe it and thought they were joking around really grabs me every time. Rivals know everything about the other person (or at least a ton about them) but Benedict paid attention to Lucy’s favorite books and made sure to read them all. He got her spell books when they were younger to help her when she couldn’t figure things out. He got her a hot water bottle for her cramps even at the cost of his own exam. He even asked her to the big dance when they were teens because he knew she wanted to go. But of course, misunderstandings got in the way of her seeing all of these gestures in the moment and led to their antagonistic relationship. Now with their circumstances, past moments come back to light and Lucinda is made to see Benedict in a different way. Not only that, but Benedict is made to confront the truth of his own feelings as well. Love it!

Definitely would recommend this one to people who like paranormal romcoms, small towns, magic, and rivals to lovers romances.

I found this fast paced romance to be incredibly entertaining and the connection between the two characters is undeniable. Everything about their story was cute and you couldn’t help rooting for them. There was some spice in the book though I wouldn’t label this as a spicy book overall. The love story was believable and really drew me one. I think this is definitely something to add to your spooky season reads!

This book will be apart of an interconnected standalone series. While the main two characters of this book’s story end I am looking forward to seeing where life takes the other characters.

Thank you to Net Galley for giving me a copy of this book. I loved the characters and setting of a magical town. I was quickly drawn into Lucy and Benedict's relationship and where it would go. I would love to see spin off books about the other characters in this story. A great fun read!

Kate Callaghan's *Potions and Proposals* is an enchanting blend of romance, magic, and tension set in the mystical town of Foxford. With its rich backdrop and compelling characters, this novel is a delightful treat for fans of witchy tales and the enemies-to-lovers trope.

At the heart of the story is Lucinda Hawthorne, a tenacious translator on the cusp of becoming the High Priestess. Her world is turned upside down when she discovers her long-time nemesis, Benedict Matherson, is also in the running for the prestigious position. The coven’s surprising ultimatum forces Lucinda and Benedict into a reluctant partnership: they must either bind themselves to each other on All Hallows' Eve or face a potentially devastating vote.

Callaghan excels at weaving tension and chemistry between Lucinda and Benedict. Both characters are fiercely independent, driven by their aspirations to lead. Their animosity is palpable, yet as the story unfolds, the layers of their relationship reveal a complexity that is both engaging and heartwarming. The initial spell meant to thwart the coven's plans backfires, binding them together in unexpected ways and setting the stage for a thrilling journey of discovery and transformation.

Foxford, with its magical small-town charm, serves as a captivating setting. Callaghan’s world-building is rich with elemental magic and witchy coven traditions, immersing readers in a vibrant and mystical atmosphere. The town and its inhabitants come to life through vivid descriptions and well-crafted details, making the magical elements of the story feel both authentic and enchanting.

The novel's pacing is brisk, driven by the looming deadline of All Hallows' Eve. As Lucinda and Benedict navigate their forced partnership, the veil between love and hate begins to blur, leading to moments of unexpected tenderness and passion. The open-door spice adds an extra layer of intensity to their evolving relationship, making their journey from reluctant allies to lovers even more compelling.

*Potions and Proposals* is more than just a romance. It explores themes of identity, power, and the courage to confront one’s deepest fears and desires. Lucinda and Benedict’s journey is not just about finding love but also about personal growth and the realization that true strength comes from embracing vulnerability and connection.

Callaghan’s writing is both witty and evocative, perfectly balancing humor, romance, and magical intrigue. The dialogues crackle with sharpness and wit, adding depth to the protagonists’ dynamic. The secondary characters, from family members to coven peers, enrich the story, providing both support and obstacles that further challenge and develop the main characters.

For fans of the enemies-to-lovers trope, magical small towns, and richly woven tales of love and rivalry, *Potions and Proposals* is a must-read. Kate Callaghan has crafted a spellbinding romance that delights and enchants from start to finish. This novel is a testament to the magic that can happen when love and hate collide, making it a perfect addition to any romance or fantasy lover's bookshelf.

Upon entering the town of Foxford, I fell in love with these characters.

I loved how the nickname Benedict gave Lucy was his favorite food. The thing he loved most. It was clear that he loved her from the beginning.

The slow burn made the wait so much better. I totally understand Lucy in thinking her feelings might be warped because of the poison.

The whole book gave the vibes of vampire diaries, it was really fun.

I can't wait for the next book in the series, I need to know what happens with Faye!!

A perfect witchy romance.

The relationship between Lucy and Benedict progressed naturally and sweetly.

I loved the magical town and the idea of safe havens for supernatural beings.

Excited to see more from the author.

This was cute! A very sweet rom com with fun magical elements and hijinks. I liked that the history of the town wasn't just some expositional dump but rather slowly integrated into the plot. I did think certain issues were resolved rather quickly but I liked that the romance grew slowly. It was a fun cute read for fans of Halloween and spooky or magical tales.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Lucinda and Benedict have played pranks on each so often then town has become tired of it. Forcing them to work together and become bound is not what they expected. A good mystical romance, although must admit the banter became tiresome at times. Might be since I am near 60, but otherwise enjoyed this one and would recommend.

Fun and enjoyable to read! Not very descriptive which is what I want, since I do better with characters talking instead of just describing what rooms look like. Very nice! Thank you! :)

This was a very cute and fun read. I typically like my fantasy books to be more deep but this was a refreshing take on fantasy. I genuinely loved both Lucy and Benedict and loved seeing them grow through each chapter. I felt like the world and system was written perfectly, not too overbearing in the beginning and simple enough to not feel overwhelmed. I enjoyed this much more than I thought I was going to.

3.25 ⭐️


Este libro tiene bruj@s, sirenas, vampiros, hombre lobos y más.

Lucinda y Benedict tienen una pequeña rivalidad desde hace años y su forma de molestarse es haciéndose bromas.

Lucinda heredará el cargo de su mamá y se convertirá en la líder de la ciudad, es decir, la suma sacerdotisa, pero la mamá de él aprovecha el tema de sus bromas y hace que Lucinda se vea inadecuada para el papel y porpone a su hijo como candidato. Al final decidieron vincularlos, pero la familia de ella para evitar que este atada a alguien que no ama hicieron un hechizo para que encuentre a su alma gemela y no tenga que vincularse con Ben, pero sale mal y terminan intercambiando poderes. Ahora tendrán que pasar tiempo juntos para que nadie se de cuentan del intercambio o resultará en la expulsión de la familia de Lucinda.

Ella no creía que él pudiera sentir algo por ella, pero le puso como apodo "calabaza" porque su pastel favorito es el de calabaza, para su hotel compro cosas de unicornios porque a ella le gustaban y leía libros de romance porque ella siempre traía uno.


Espero que Rosie y Emerson tengan su libro y también Peter y Faye



Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

𝙋𝙀𝙍𝙁𝙀𝘾𝙏 𝙁𝙊𝙍 𝙍𝙀𝘼𝘿𝙀𝙍𝙎 𝙒𝙃𝙊 𝙒𝘼𝙉𝙏:
• Witchy vibes with elemental magic and potions/spells.
• Charming plot with captivating MCs.
• Romance that is sweet and steamy but not spicy.
• Dislike-to-lovers.
• Happy endings.

If you are in the mood for a witchy romantasy and elemental magic, then look no further. You know when everyone can see when two people fit together perfectly but those people are the last to see it? That’s Lucinda and Benedict. The librarian and next coven leader versus the manor/inn owner who is a descendant of dark magic. ❤️🖤

The writing was great and gripped me... I needed to find out what happens with their love story. I loved the reluctant love story line, the banter between the characters, and the small-town vibes. I really liked it when the MMC turned more possessive/protective. Swoon!! 🔥 And his pet name for her! 🥰

Thank you for the ARC, @callaghanwriter and @netgalley!

If you’re looking for a cozy, romantic, witchy read - this book is for you! The banter between Lucy and Benny builds all of the romantic tension that you could ever want! Forced marriage + enemies to lovers + cozy witchy vibes = sign me up!