A broken heart is its own kind of curse, but for Doreen MacKinnon, it spells death for her and all those in her family line. Three hundred years ago, the witch Ambrose MacDonald's broken heart ended in his own enchanted entrapment and a declaration of lovelessness for the family that hid his love away. As the 13th generation under this heartless curse, she bears the double-edged sword of being one of the most powerful witches in the family line, as well as one of the loneliest. With the clock ticking towards her own doom, she sets out to find Ambrose and break the curse once and for all.

Released from the endless storm of a loveless existence, Ambrose agrees to help, but plans to use his new-found freedom to take revenge on Doreen and her still-living family. The pair set off on a whirlwind series of trials to reverse their fates which take them to the rocky cliffs of Scotland and into the wild, where strange magic and dark forces rule over a ruthless kingdom. With sparks and revenge igniting on the wild planes, will Doreen be able to sacrifice everything she loves in pursuit of happiness?

I wish streaming studios would pay more attention to these kinds of books, because they would make fantastic adaptations into movies or short series - ESPECIALLY in the adult animation world - I can just picture the kind of older-style hand-drawn 90s-era animation that would bring this story to life on the screen. There was a little bit of everything to love here - trials; family curses; magical realism mixed with ancient magic; tandem worlds; sisterhood; toxic family relationships; multiple story lines that weave together like a coat of splendor; and a dash of he quirky charm you'd expect out of a tale of witchery that toes the line between cozy and poignant in the way tales of generational trauma and heartbreak always are.

I thought this book did a really excellent job of taking a complex story spanning generations (13 of them, to be precise) and keeping tabs on multiple plot lines and twists to bring together a self-contained lore that is at once very familiar (the 300-year-old witch has to keep up with the times, including cell phones, for example) and richly its own (magical creatures, larger-than-life minor gods, hundreds of years past and present, and a coven practice with its own rules and regulations). I read this while absolutely sweating my lifeblood out in the middle of summer and can't wait to revisit this world when the weather is kinder, the winds blow colder, and the scent of spells and scones permeate the crisp fall air! I'll definitely be checking out some other works by the author and will look forward to anything else she writes!

I feel like I needed more context for the relationships. I liked the plot but it felt poorly written and out of pace. both of the main characters were deeply unlikable for me.

Absolutely loved this one! 4 stars for A Circle of Uncommon Witches — a thrilling mix of magic, romance, and fate. Doreen’s fight to break her family’s heartbreaking curse had me hooked from start to finish. Teaming up with Ambrose, the very witch who cursed her ancestors, made for such an electrifying (and complicated) partnership.

The story takes you on a wild ride through enchanted castles, perilous cliffs, and mystical realms — all wrapped in a fierce, passionate quest for love and redemption. Paige Crutcher weaves adventure and heartache seamlessly, making me root for these two despite their secrets and pasts.

Overall, this book cast a powerful spell on me. If you love witches, curses, and a slow-burn romance with real stakes, this one’s definitely worth the read!

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.

4.5/5

I absolutely flew through this. I loved loved loved this! I would love to get a book about Margot and Dean. I do feel as though I’m missing something after the last line, but I just loved Ambrose and Doreen. I can’t wait to read more from Crutcher.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Griffin for the gifted copy!

I was really hoping this one would be a hit for me—I love a witchy story with deep lore and a little romance sprinkled in. The premise had all the right ingredients, and I liked the cozy vibe and the idea of curse-breaking, but I just didn’t fully connect with it. The writing was lovely, and it’s definitely a quick read, but I found myself wanting the magic to feel a bit more grounded, and the witches to lean into their powers a little more. The romance felt a bit too insta-lovey for my taste, and I had a hard time staying invested in the plot—it got a bit tangled for me. I can absolutely see this working better for readers who enjoy a softer, more whimsical take on witch fiction, but it ended up being a middle-of-the-road read for me.

3.5 stars

This book had a lot going for it—atmosphere, sisterhood, alternate realms, and big themes like love and sacrifice. I really liked the emotional core and the way grief and healing were woven through the story. But the pacing was uneven, especially in the beginning, and at times the plot felt a little tangled. Still, the vibes were strong, and I stayed invested. If you like reflective, witchy fantasy with a touch of darkness and hope, it’s worth a read.

Took me ages to finish this book as I stopped halfway and just didn't feel a desire to jump back in- had to power through to the end though.

Was SO excited to read this one because it sounded like it would be right up my alley but the pacing felt so off that I was frazzled and didn't enjoy as much as I wanted to. This is a really fast faced book. There's a lot going on and everything moves incredibly quickly- both the story and the romance. I found myself struggling to remember what was all going on.

If you're looking for something really fast paced, this might be a good option. It was just too much for me personally.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This was an uncommon adventure in all the best ways. Paige Crutcher delivers a slow-burn, magical tale filled with family curses, old grudges, and a reluctant partnership that kept me turning pages.

Doreen MacKinnon’s journey to break her family’s centuries-old curse is as much about heartache and healing as it is about spells and storms. The pacing is deliberate, letting the emotional weight and rich lore unfold naturally. There’s deep-rooted family drama, ancestral baggage, and a cursed romance that toes the line between vengeance and vulnerability.

The dynamic between Doreen and Ambrose—enemy, ally, maybe something more—adds a compelling tension to the story. It’s a daring mix of fantasy, romance, and reckoning with the past, wrapped in lyrical writing and vivid settings (yes, castles and cliffs included).

A lovely, lingering read for those who like their magic with a side of emotional complexity. #netgalley

A Circle of Uncommon Witches is a charming, quick, and easy romance that’s perfect for a cozy read. It features lovable characters with a touch of fantasy and romance that fans will enjoy. The lore and curse-breaking elements add some nice flavor, though the story itself might not fully draw you in. Since it’s a story about witchcraft, it feels like that aspect is a bit more superficial, and the overall plot can be a little tricky to follow at times. Plus, the pacing sometimes drags, which makes the main characters’ urgency to break the curse feel a bit lost.

I love witches, I love books that follow the lives of witches. This book was such a comfortable, easy to read book that had characters you easily fall in love with. Witches believe strongly in family bond and the bonds in these characters are so heart hugging. Its an quick, cozy read and its absolutely adorable.

It took me about six tries to finish A Circle of Uncommon Witches. I just couldn’t get into it. I don’t know why, it just dragged on for me. The premise was solid. I liked the enemies-to-lovers idea. I think the fact that Ambrose was so in love with Lenora, Doreen’s direct line relative (no matter how many generations back, was just making it kind of icky for me.

Then about half way through the book, I really liked the hunt and the action. The pace picked up for me. Then something comes out about Lenora and Ambrose and I felt a little bit better about Doreen and Ambrose. BUT, once again he still loved Lenora for three hundred years! Now if he had ended up with Lenora - now that’s a love story.

Read it. Tell me what you think.

Witches and a suspenseful storyline with Ken romance thrown in - count me in 2x!! This was a really cozy fantasy that I couldn’t put down.

This was a great story. I love the relationship that Doreen and Margot have and how well they work together to try and break the curse. The love story was easy to see from the beginning, but the journey was entertaining.

Paige Crutcher did a great job with the world building . Looking forward to reading more of her work in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy!

This book was such a magical ride! A Circle of Uncommon Witches hooked me with its cursed bloodlines, a broody trapped witch (hi, Ambrose), and a heroine with power, heart, and just enough stubbornness to take fate into her own hands.

Doreen and Ambrose’s dynamic had that slow-burn, reluctant allies-to-lovers vibe with just enough edge to keep it interesting. The trials they faced were intense, whimsical, and emotionally charged—and the romantic tension? Chef’s kiss.

Was it a little chaotic at times? Sure. Did I care? Not one bit. The witchy atmosphere, rich backstory, and layered magic system made this a fast and fun read. Perfect for fans of curses, castles, complicated love stories, and a little chaos thrown in.

Would absolutely recommend to anyone looking for a spellbinding blend of adventure, romance, and magic.

Oh my gosh this story was just epic. I just couldn’t put this story down and I was just captivated by everything that was taking place. The author truly outdid herself with this story. This story just had my emotions all over the place and I am so sad to see this book end. I just can’t wait to see what’s next from this author.

This book totally sucked me in—curses, magic, a broody witch guy, and a badass heroine? Yes please. Doreen and Ambrose have potent chemistry, and I love their whole “enemies-ish to maybe something more” vibe. This a great read If you’re into witchy drama.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley, I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A Circle of Uncommon Witches is by no means a bad book, however it just didn't grab me. The writing style was competent, but not super intriguing. The premise itself is intriguing, but I've already read other books with the same specific concept (such as The Honey Witch and Sweet and Bitter Magic). Overall, I don't have much bad to say about this book, but I don't have much good to say about it either. Maybe it will be for you if you haven't read anything like it!

It took me a few chapters—and maybe a side-eye or two—to warm up to the story and the FMC, but once I did? Hooked. Absolutely spellbound. What starts as a slow simmer soon boils over into a cauldron of curses, cryptic trials, and a desperate search for a cure that spirals into a full-blown adventure. Along the way, family secrets unravel like old spells, and suddenly you’re not just reading—you’re racing through pages like a witch late to a solstice. Uncommon? Absolutely. Unputdownable? Even more so.

With each book I become more of a fan of Paige Crutcher! I love a good witchy read and A Circle Of Uncommon Witches has everything I look for in these stories, even with the time travel aspects which I"m not always a fan of!

I have read so many books about witches you would think I'd want to read something else but you'd be wrong! I will read all of these books and enjoy them.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review.