I enjoyed this book much more than I thought I would!

What I loved:

1) enemies to lovers troupe
2) Doreen the MC and her cousin. Loved the fact that they were super powerful due to being the 13th generation. Loved the banter between them
3) I enjoyed all the family drama
4) I loved the premise that Angus, the male MC was the witch that cast the curse on Doreen’s family 300 years ago
4) Loved the trials, and the fact that Doreen and Ambrose opted to work together to get through them and try to break the curse

This is my first book by this author, and I plan to get caught up on her backlist asap!

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martins Press for providing me with an eARC of this book to read and review.

I love books about witches, so I naturally gravitated toward this one. While the book is an enjoyable blend of magic, trials, and an enemies-to-lovers romance, I found it stumbled a bit - especially in the areas of pacing and plot clarity. Despite these issues, I still found it to be a fun read that reminded me of a lighter version of "A Discovery of Witches" sprinkled with a little "Practical Magic".
 
The novel follows a twenty-nine-year-old woman named Doreen MacKinnon. Doreen is a witch burdened with a centuries-old family curse that dooms her and her descendants to heartbreak and loneliness. No man will ever truly love them, but if they don't marry by the time they are thirty, they will die.

The origin of this curse is rooted in a forbidden love story: Ambrose MacDonald, a powerful male witch, fell in love with Lenora MacKinnon three hundred years ago, only to be separated and banished from her by the MacKinnon family of witches. In his grief and rage, he cast a curse upon their family, ensuring that none of them would ever find true love. But the curse came at a price: Ambrose was imprisoned, doomed to be forever alive and eternally alone.

Doreen, as the 13th-generation MacKinnon witch, is not only one of the most powerful in her bloodline but also desperate for honest companionship. Doreen is coming up on her thirtieth birthday, and she doesn't want to marry just anyone to ward off the curse - she wants real love or no love at all. But she also doesn't want to die, so she does what any headstrong witch would do - she sets out to break the curse. Doreen releases Ambrose from his magical prison, hoping that he will help her, but he sees this as an opportunity for revenge - setting the two on a journey filled with danger and love that neither could have imagined.

The concept of the book is definitely fun, and I really liked the characters. Doreen is strong-willed and determined but also extremely lonely. Her connection with her cousin, Margot, is one of the strongest aspects of the book, offering moments of warmth and loyalty that ground the story emotionally. I also liked Ambrose, even if he did tend to fall into stereotypical "broody bad boy" territory.

The trials that Doreen and Ambrose must endure together in an attempt to break the curse are another fun part of the novel. These challenges inject excitement and adventure into the plot, keeping the momentum moving even when the romance feels uneven. The magic system, though not particularly unique, is enjoyable enough, with its spells, enchantments, and familial lore adding a rich texture to the story.

That said, there were several elements that felt underdeveloped or unclear. One major point of confusion for me was Doreen's aunt Stella's decision to prevent her from forming romantic attachments as a teenager, despite knowing that marriage was essential to Doreen staying alive. Did she want Doreen to die? Was there an alternative plan that was never explained? Why did she stop her from building a relationship but not Margot? Did I miss something?

Another thing that felt off was that the romance between Doreen and Ambrose leans heavily into the enemies-to-lovers trope, but the execution felt a bit rushed. While it's clear from the start that a romance will develop between them, the transition from adversaries to lovers happens abruptly. It seemed that one moment, Doreen and Ambrose despised each other and the next, they were in love. The emotional build-up was lacking, which might disappoint readers who enjoy a slow burn.

My only other complaint with this one was the pacing felt really off. We are dropped into the action within a couple of pages, and I never felt fully grounded before we were off on the adventure. I also felt like there were some chapters that could have been edited down and others that could have used a bit more exposition.

Despite these flaws, the book is still an enjoyable read, especially for those looking for a lighter fantasy romance. The trials and adventure elements are engaging, and Doreen is a character I had no problem rooting for. The romance, while abrupt, has its charming moments, and Ambrose makes for a compelling - if somewhat underdeveloped - love interest. If you're looking for a fun, magical romance that doesn't take itself too seriously, this book might be for you.

Thank you, St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin, for this ARC. When I first received this book, I was very excited because the premise was right up my alley. The lore in this book was captivating. I loved the trials, the curse concept, the family dynamics, and, of course, the enemies-to-lovers theme. The romance is mild but still enchanting.

Unfortunately, I had a challenging time connecting with it at first. The story throws you in without much context, which can sometimes work, but in this case, it felt like I was jumping into a sequel (it is not one). However, I enjoyed it more once I became accustomed to the plot and the characters. I just never felt that "hooked" feeling.

I received this ARC early, so I hope a few more revisions are planned. I intend to reread it once it is published, but I would rate it around a 3.5 for now. It has a lot of potential, but there was simply too much going on. I would still recommend this one to anyone who enjoys fantasy/witch stories with romantic elements.

Pub date: February 25, 2025.

As always, all thoughts are my own. 🖤

Super cute read. Witches on a mission to break a curse, deal with family trauma, and an unwanted yet beguiling chemistry. What more could ya want? This was a fun quick read. Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for sharing it with me.
~T

Thank you so much to St. Martin's Press for an early copy of this book!

A Circle of Uncommon Witches could best be described as a combination of Practical Magic (the book, not really the movie (iykyk 👀)) and Coraline?!?!? I went into this book thinking it was going to be a cute witchy romcom... that was my bad 😂 This book is a lot more of a magical realism + fantasy romance (not romantasy) + action + adventure + kinda women's fiction + dash of literary elements! I know that's a lot to take in but it's the best way I can think to describe this complex story! There's family issues, a love curse, magical trials, a LOT of suspense and so much more!
I was worried that with all of the vibes going on in this book, it would feel that it was slow paced and boy was I kind of wrong! There was SO much packed into this book that it never got boring and I was so intrigued as to wth was happening! There was so much action filled and tense moments that I never really knew what was going to happen. And let me tell you, the ending?!?!?! INSANE but also confusing...but also kind of why the story also reminds me of Coraline 👀 I was such an interesting combo and the ending had me sitting there in shock because WHAT DOES IT MEAN!?!? 👀 If you want a book that is going to throw you for a loop, this is definitely the book for you! 💖

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, St. Martin's Press, for this book.

Spells, witches, and romance where can you go wrong?

Doreen and Ambrose are the perfect rnemies to lovers couple. The suspense was fantastic and I just became engrossed it the story.

I know others found it drawn out and lacking debth, but i enjoyed every page.

Recommend.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the arc of this book. All opinions are my own.

I really loved this one! I am not the best at writing reviews sometimes, but sometimes books take you by surprise and this one did just that. I got invested a few chapters in and couldn't put it done. It was so good! I highly recommend this one.

A Circle of Uncommon Witches by Paige Crutcher follows a witch named Doreen MacKinnon and her attempts to break a 300 year old curse that ensured she would die broken hearted. Kicker is the only one who could possibly break the curse is the man who placed the curse. With the help of said witch Doreen embarks on a quest to ensure her happiness with a sprinkling romance.

A Circle of Uncommon Witches was a cute read! I am always a sucker for a romance where the male love interest is dark and broody with an initially antagonistic relationship with the main character . Overall this book was a cozy and quick read to settle down for the night with. Throughout the book I was rooting for the end romance. There were parts where I did have re-read to completely understand but that comes with the witchy nature of the plot. I would recommend if you are truly looking for an easy read with a dash of magic and romance.

Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this ARC.

2.5 stars. I wanted to love this book. By the description, there was great potential. Now, I didn’t hate it, but it could have been better.

Some positives.
1. I enjoyed the Scottish mythology. I enjoyed the world building, around how magic works and the trials.

2. I enjoyed Doreen and Margot’s relationship.

3. I enjoyed Doreen and Ambrose’s banter and relationship.

Some negatives.
1. The pacing was off! 20% to get to chapter 5. Then chapter 8 was at 31%, chapter 9 at 40% and chapter 44%.

2. The different POV within the same chapters without announcing which character we are now following was jarring.

3. Unless this was a typo (and it didn’t feel like one with the context), Doreen had her first boyfriend at age 7. But Stella had “for years” found a way to subvert Doreen’s romantic interests. When did Doreen start having romantic ideas?! She was a child, how does this make sense?

4. I really disliked how the girls were treated growing up, especially Doreen. Why not train her to her full capacity? Why keep secrets from the new generation when they will take over the coven eventually?

5. For it to be a HEA, I understand how Ambrose had to forgive the family. Who could forgive these heinous crimes?

One question though. Why do Doreen’s eyes shimmer like pearls at the end? Was she tainted by Ada? Or is it proof of winning over Ada?

I have to agree with many other reviewers…I felt like I was just dropped into a world and thrust into a plot. For a romantasy, that’s an odd way to structure a story and in this case, I felt like it didn’t work.

I like romance at the core of plots, especially if it’s marketed as that. There’s a difference between a romantasy and a fantasy with romance. I would consider this the latter because the romance was barely surface level.

I know I would have enjoyed this more if we’d have had MORE exploration. The setting, the history—we needed more to appreciate the present.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary copy.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc

If I am being honest, I struggled with this book. I thought the plot was lacking excitement and the characters didn't have any depth. I almost wonder if this would be better off as an audiobook?? Perhaps I will try again when the audiobook is released.

A Circle of Uncommon Witches by Paige Crutcher

“A witch generationally cursed to never mind true love sets out to break the spell cast on her family, and she must team up with the last person who wants to help her - the witch who set the curse in the first place.”

Rating: 3.5⭐️
Genre: Romance, Fantasy
Yes, no, or maybe: Maybe

Read if you like:

-centuries old curses
-family secrets
-magic
-trials
-intriguing tales

This book was a crazy time! I had about a billion questions while reading and they were all answered over time. If you are a patient reader and willing to go with the flow, this is a very enjoyable and mind boggling cozy fantasy. The writing was lyrical and at times poetic.

Our FMC, Doreen, is a strong and determined witch. She wants to break her families curse so she can find true love. The MMC, Ambrose, is our brooding, centuries old witch that set the curse in the first place! Their love story is tender. We also meet Margot, who is Doreen’s cousin and best friend. She was a 10/10 secondary character, fierce and loyal. (I really hope Paige decides to write her next book about Margot’s story) This book is not romance heavy, it’s mainly focused on the characters’ internal and physical journeys.

Why isn’t this book 5⭐️???
I will confess, the story felt like a fever dream (you’ll see what I mean). Again, I had a lot of questions, and at times was very confused but everything was revealed by the end of the book. I felt like there was probably some lore I didn’t understand (story was set in Scotland). The trials and people they met along the way were all very cryptic. In the end, we did have a nice wrap up to a wild ride! (And maybe a lead into a second book??? 👀👀)

If you want an intriguing and unique read, this is the book for you!

Favorite quotes 💭

“She wore all black, her hair was the color of spilled blood, and her eyes were the shade of burnt honey.”

“Falling in love. It’s not a curse. It’s a hope.”

“To be loved back, in kind, might be the truest form of magic that exists.”

This book made me want to become a powerful witch. It's probably holdover from me seeing The Craft in junior high and deciding it would be cool to be a witch.

Doreen is a loose cannon who releases a male witch that her family had imprisoned and tortured for 300 years. The witch, Ambrose, is responsible for a curse on her family. They embark on a quest to break the curse and the ensuing adventure puts them through a series of trials.

I'm not sure what to say other than I loved this book and didn't want it to end.

DNF at 30%. I was excited for this book and thought it sounded great. The premise of this book held so much promise. Unfortunately the execution fell quite short. There were issues with pace, the amount of attention that was put on different scenes, and even the flow and transition between scenes. Character interactions were flat and forced. I also found the writing itself to be very inconsistent in quality, with awkward or odd word choices and disjointed sentences. I found the flow of the story overall hard to read, and not even something I could speed-read through to try and get to a part that was better. On trying to speed-read, the weird writing and sentences made me have to go back and re-read entire sections because it wasn't making sense. I got so annoyed with trying to read this book that I gave up.

This book tried to do too much too quickly and in a short amount of time. I felt like things started happening too fast? Like I wasn’t able to properly meet the main character or go in depth before important things started happening. Which also meant I cared little for her. But it was also a quick and short book for what felt like a bigger premise so maybe it deserved more pages. Also the dialogue felt childish at times and it was difficult to understand the rules of magic. And just difficult to follow in general. I admire what this book tried to do but I don’t know if it accomplished it for me. Thank you Netgalley for the arc.

So this was a fun idea and i liked the world but it just felt like it was missing something, i feel like they fell in love to fast and the happily ever after wrap up ending felt a little to perfect and neat. Overall it was just fine. And i wanted to like it more

I thought this book was a little confusing. I don’t even know what was going on. It felt a bit jumpy and it just didn’t hold my attention

Thank you Netgalley for this arc :)

A unique witchy story about a curse that needs to be broken, before a heart is broken.

I’ll never be tired of reading a story involving magic. Glad I got to check this out!

A family curse with a destined end. Family secrets and 1/2 truths. A sister determined to break the curse and release her sister from unhappiness.
I was intrigued by the curse and how it impacted all the women in the family.
Although the romance was clear this book felt like it was more about choice and women’s happiness.

I wanted to like this one. The premise—witches breaking a centuries old curse—is definitely the kind of thing I enjoy. And I did really enjoy the world-building. Every scene was so descriptive with rich detail that captured my imagination.

But unfortunately the story itself fell flat for me. The plot was really confusing and hard to follow. It may just be because I haven’t read enough fantasy to get the tropes, but I was often very confused as to what was happening. There were several very significant moments where the characters seemed to grasp something of importance to the plot, but I was left confused. Even the big climax was hard to understand. I was glad they all lived happily ever after, but I didn’t quite understand how they did it.

I didn’t really vibe with the characters either. The aunt was presented as evil and controlling, ruling with an iron fist and torturing her enemies. But then in the final chapters she abruptly transforms into a kind and caring guardian and the torture is laughed off as no big deal. Although hers is the most dramatic, other characters too seem to shift personalities and motivations at the drop of a hat. It was very hard to like the characters when they kept changing so much!

Sadly, as much as I tried to, I didn’t end up enjoying this one.

Thank you to St Martin’s Press and NetGalley for my review copy of this book.