This book has so much potential. The premise is such a cool idea, but between the pacing and the world building, I was often confused and unsure what exactly (and when) was going on.

It was a fun curse breaking adventure love story kind of a tale which would have easily been made epic had it been a bit more clearly communicated throughout.

I would like to thank St Martins and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I fell into this story and was spellbound. Doreen has an epic challenge to face set in place by her twisted family. While her family is powerful they are bound by Secrets. You are literally transported to another world and the creativity is off the charts. Hang on tight for a wild ride through each separate nightmarish challenge.

Estaba emocionado por este libro; tristemente, no fue lo que esperaba.

La primera mitad me costó mucho trabajo entenderla, porque pasaban muchas cosas que se explicaban a medias o no se explicaba qué estaba sucediendo. Por momentos, sentí que estaba leyendo el segundo libro y que me faltaba enterarme de acontecimientos importantes.


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

This one was hard to get into. The good parts of the novel was the plot was interesting, with the idea of two cursed people trying to undo the curse. The elements were also quite interesting- powers that are well beyond the reader are also vying for control, mythological beings not usually seen in novels, a complex magical system.

Overall, though, it didn't gel, which is unfortunate because I really, really wanted to like it. As a reader you are dropped into a story already half told, and that feeling never really leaves you. The story can be choppy, with rough transitions and little context. It feels like a rough draft of a story that needs more refinement to be grand.

That's not to say reading it wasn't enjoyable. It was a very interesting read- one that sticks around long after I put it down. In all though, it felt like the bones of something greater than what it is.

Witches? Check. Family trauma? Check. Slow burn romance? Check. Trials? Check, check, check.

Ok, I honestly wasn’t expecting to love this as much as I did. It had the perfect blend of witches, curses, mystery, family issues, deadly trials and finding love against all odds. Doreen is a stubborn, strong willed witch who is hell-bent on creating her own path, rather than follow the one every witch in her family before her has been cursed to follow. When she teams up with an incredibly unlikely (and broody) Ambrose, they cannot stand each other but need each other in different ways to accomplish what they’ve each set out to. I won’t give anything further away, but this was the perfect witchy, spooky season read.

Doreen is a witch who will do anything — ANYTHING— to find true love. She and her entire family was cursed to never find true love and Doreen seeks to break this curse. Her and her cousin are from the 13th generation and will be the strongest generation yet. She ends up releasing Ambrose, the man who cursed her and her family. Doreen and Ambrose goes on a quest and discovers what the truth of love is. While on this quest they both have their own motives and while being together during this, they slowly start to fall for each other.

During the quest you see magical creatures, spirits and trials. You kind of try to help them out while you’re reading in your mind—atleast that’s what I did!

Starting off the book was hard to get into. But once the book found its flow it really picked up. I enjoyed the book but wait til the ending! This truly was a fun read and I hope to see more from the author!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC! All opinions are my own.

This book suffers from a horribly plain cover, for a book that is very whimsy, full of mystery, with a touch of family drama and trauma. I would place this on the witchy romance continuum as fitting into the autumnal witch vibes but with more seriousness, in a similar category to Hazel Beck's books rather than Erin Sterling's. There is the brief question of - is this going to be a weird age gap vibe? but let's be real, I grew up in the era of Twilight, it really didn't bother me all that much. There is this deep thorough line of familial trauma and air of mystery through the whole novel which I felt was its driving force - though it did drop us in, in a way that made me feel like I needed a couple chapters to orient myself.

I thought there were parts of this book that were enjoyable and parts that dragged. I liked Doreen and Ambrose, but at times, their chemistry felt off. I think that this would be a very enjoyable read for some, but it just wasn't my favorite.

I'm still unsure how to rate this book, as there was parts I enjoyed but also parts where I felt so confused! I enjoyed the slowburn romance, but then felt it turned I to instalove. I also found the dates and history hard to keep up with so that was a bit jarring for me. Overall, a pretty good book for spooky season!

I love stories about breaking family curses! The quests and adventure--the magic! It's all the perfect escape and pefect ingredients for an epic supernatural or paranormal fantasy and "A Circle of Uncommon Witches" hit the target exactly on the mark!

This book is perfect if you enjoy multiple POVs, fantasy, witch clans, overcoming trials, and an enemies-to-lovers trope with a Romeo and Juliet vibe.

The first part of this story absolutely sucked me in. Reading this book at the start of fall also set the perfect atmosphere. I could literally feel the magic, and it made me excited to go on this adventure with Doreen to break her family’s curse.
I was loving the I don’t trust you, and you don’t trust me, but we have to work together. She is said to be the most powerful witch of her family line but has been hindered her whole life, so she isn’t capable of using her full power. I felt like Ambrose was going to show her how to use it. Their banter was comical. Together they needed to make it through the trails to win what they are after. I loved both characters willingness to go and do just about anything to fight for true love.

The middle/end is where I got a little lost. Here are my cons to the book. I didn’t realize they were in America and traveled to Scotland? I thought we were in Scotland the entire time. I must have missed that. Was there suppose to be a love triangle? I was having a very hard time understanding the dynamic of that. It was rather muddy and not clear at all.
The trials for me were very much all over the place. It was very rushed, and how they got from one place to the next was confusing. The switch of the aunt's feelings towards the girls came out of nowhere. The whole time, it was perceived as tough love.

The ending of the book was good, but now I feel like I need a reason behind that last sentence. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR HER? I’m glad everyone got their HEA and were able to put their differences aside. Thanks, Netgalley, for this ARC.

This was an interesting read. The first half drew me in; once I realized what the romance would likely be, I was SO excited. But… it fizzled out in the middle very, very hard. The chemistry and angst I was expecting was sort of overtaken by the plot, and while I was still entertained, I could no longer believe the romance. I just wish there was a little More to this! Regardless, it’s competently written, and I’d read more by this author.

I was really excited about the premise of this book, but it felt a little bit all over the place. I feel it could've been made into a longer book to really flesh out everything that was going on. I'm not a huge fan of insta love but I enjoyed the characters.

This book wasn't what I expected, not in a bad way either.
Doreen didn't want to go along with her family. She wants to find love, but was cursed to never have it. Part of the curse is to marry by her 30th birthday or to die. She refuses both options and tries to break the curse.

When you read that Doreen has to break a family curse, I anticipated more magic but I liked that this book makes her go through trials with Ambrose (the person who cursed her family).

Some parts felt a little dragged out to me, so sometimes it was difficult to keep reading. To find out about the trials, it was a bit confusing. The last thing for me was that I wanted each section with the new characters' perspective to be labeled.

This ARC was given to me in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press.

This was such a fun one! I loved the way the magic was set up and designed, and the generational aspect was really interesting as well!

The MacKinnon family line was cursed three centuries ago never to be able to find love after Ambrose fell in love with, and lost, a MacKinnon witch. Ambrose was captured kept alive, and tortured all these 300 years until Doreen MacKinnon sets him free and they go on a quest to break the curse. Doreen and her cousin are of the 13th generation, making them special and Doreen is the only one who can free the MacKinnon's from the curse.
I liked this premise, and I liked the characters, for the most part, in this story. I say that, but they are also a little flat while being these great and powerful witches. A lot is happening in 300 pages and it could have used more pages to flush the story out. We have a case of insta-love, though the characters spent weeks together, you never see them fall in love, they are just in love. There was so much that could have used more explaining, we have these two powerful witches that have abnormal powers but they rarely use them and that isn't even explained beyond they are the 13th generation. There is a great story here, but it feels rushed and we are missing pieces to get the full picture, leaving the reader confused and wanting more. That ending though was pretty on point and makes me wonder if we are leading into another book, which would be great so we can get some answers on how this world works.

Interesting plot. There's quite a bit of build up, but once it's formed the story progresses well.
Doreen and Margot's connection was solid. Ambrose and Doreen felt a little more miscommunicators to lovers with slow burn, but actually a quick turnaround.

Thanks to Netgalley an St Martin’s Press for the ARC. This was 5 stars and I can’t wait to read it all over again when it comes out! This was amazing & was a horror- thriller witchy vibe had me on my toes wondering what was going to happen next.

**Review of *A Circle of Uncommon Witches* by Paige Crutcher**

*A Circle of Uncommon Witches* is a captivating tale that weaves together elements of romance, adventure, and magic, all anchored by a rich family curse that spans centuries. The story follows Doreen MacKinnon, a powerful witch who is determined to break her family's generational curse—one that ensures that she and her ancestors are doomed to die of a broken heart.

From the outset, Doreen's character is beautifully developed; she is both strong and vulnerable, embodying the complexities of a woman who has inherited a heavy legacy. Her quest to break the curse leads her to release Ambrose MacDonald, the very witch who cast the curse on her family centuries ago. The dynamic between Doreen and Ambrose is electric, charged with tension as they navigate their complicated past and shared desires. Ambrose’s thirst for vengeance adds an intriguing layer to the story, making their partnership fraught with conflict and potential betrayal.

The author expertly constructs a world filled with rich lore and enchanting settings, taking readers on a journey through mystical landscapes—from the haunting cliffs of Scotland to magical castles. Each trial that Doreen and Ambrose face not only tests their abilities but also forces them to confront their own desires and fears. The blend of adventure and romance is skillfully balanced, ensuring that neither element overshadows the other.

Crutcher's writing is immersive, with lyrical prose that evokes vivid imagery and deep emotional resonance. The exploration of themes such as love, sacrifice, and the weight of familial expectations is poignant and relatable. As Doreen grapples with her identity and the sacrifices required to break the curse, readers are prompted to reflect on the nature of true love and what it means to truly be free.

The chemistry between Doreen and Ambrose is palpable, and as their relationship develops, the stakes are raised. Doreen's internal struggle—balancing her growing feelings for Ambrose with the potential consequences of his quest for revenge—creates a compelling tension that keeps readers invested in their journey.

In conclusion, *A Circle of Uncommon Witches* is a beautifully crafted novel that enchants with its blend of magic, romance, and adventure. Paige Crutcher delivers a story that not only entertains but also prompts readers to consider the complexities of love and the cost of breaking generational curses. This book is perfect for fans of fantasy and romance alike, and it will leave you eagerly anticipating Doreen’s next chapter. Prepare to be swept away in a tale that celebrates the power of love and the resilience of the human spirit.

I can't resist a witchy book. It's not a cozy slow burn but a quest and journey to break a curse and find true love. I care only and love the elements that are not romance, or noticing that he is well fit although he was veing tortured for centuries. I like the idea of trials, the count down to her death and urgency to find a solution (their curse: who doesn't marry dies at the age of thirty. ) makes a fun read.