Potions and Proposals by Kate Callaghan is a charming, magical rom-com that effortlessly blends romance, humor, and just the right amount of whimsy. This delightful novel centers around a quirky protagonist who is both relatable and lovable, navigating her personal and professional life in a world filled with magic and unexpected twists.

Callaghan’s writing is engaging and fun, with a lighthearted tone that makes the story easy to get lost in. The world-building is one of the standout features of the book—Callaghan creates a magical universe that feels both unique and immersive, with potions, spells, and magical creatures adding layers of intrigue and excitement to the plot. The magical system is well thought out and woven seamlessly into the characters' daily lives, making it feel like a natural part of the world rather than an afterthought.

The protagonist is a great blend of endearing and relatable. Her journey, both in terms of her magical abilities and her personal growth, feels genuine and full of heart. The romance that develops throughout the book is sweet and slow-burning, and the chemistry between the leads is undeniable. Callaghan strikes a perfect balance between the romance and the larger plot, ensuring that the romantic moments are meaningful while still advancing the story.

The supporting characters also shine, each bringing something unique to the table. Whether they’re friends, family, or magical mentors, they all add depth to the narrative and help to flesh out the magical world. The dynamics between characters feel authentic, and their interactions provide both moments of levity and emotional depth.

One of the highlights of Potions and Proposals is the humor—there are plenty of witty exchanges and light-hearted moments that keep the tone fun without sacrificing the emotional stakes. The pacing is spot on, and while the plot might be predictable at times, the journey is so enjoyable that it doesn’t detract from the overall experience.

For fans of lighthearted, magical romance with a touch of humor and heart, Potions and Proposals is a delightful choice. Kate Callaghan has crafted a feel-good, enchanting read that will leave readers smiling and thoroughly entertained. Whether you're a fan of magical realism or simply looking for a charming, romantic escape, this book is sure to leave a lasting impression.

**4 Stars**
*Potions and Proposals* by Kate Callaghan is a whimsical and enchanting tale filled with magical mishaps, romantic tension, and plenty of humor. Lucinda Hawthorne and Benedict Matherson's rivalry-turned-romance is captivating, as their personalities clash and their magical bond grows unexpectedly strong. The mystical setting of Foxford, with its coven rituals and magical intrigue, provides the perfect backdrop for their journey of self-discovery and reluctant attraction. Callaghan expertly blurs the lines between love and hate, creating a story full of chemistry and charm. While some elements feel predictable, the magical mishap and the characters' evolving relationship keep things fresh and engaging. A delightful read for fans of magical romance with a twist!

What a heartwarming mix of magic and romance. Set in the charming town of Foxford, the story follows Lucinda Hawthorne, an ambitious translator, and her rival Benedict Matherson, who are forced into a magical binding ritual. As their rivalry turns into something more, their chemistry is both fun and heartfelt.

The book shines with its cozy setting and engaging characters, making Foxford feel like a character in its own right. Callaghan's witty writing keeps the story light and enjoyable, with enough magical intrigue to keep readers hooked.

Perfect for fans of magical romances, Potions and Proposals is an enchanting, feel-good read that will leave you smiling.

A cozy and whimsical rivals to lovers witch romance. It's a fun and light, magical read with likable, if sort of one dimensional, characters.

This was a fun, quick spooky season read! I enjoyed the cast of characters and the wonderful town of Foxford. It was a great cozy fantasy, but still had an interesting plot. Benedict and Lucinda were fun main characters, except when they were being infuriatingly immature. There is definitely room for some growth there and wish we had seen more of them together. Overall it's great for the vibes!

This book had so much potential but didn’t quite live up to it for me. I found the main character slightly lacking but overall I enjoyed it.

This is the first novel from the *Village of Foxford* series, and it can definitely be enjoyed as a stand-alone! I found it to be another feel-good read that I couldn't put down. The story is engaging and wonderfully written, with a perfect balance of outdoor romance that felt just right. I connected with the characters, especially Lucy and Benedict—their personalities felt so relatable and real. The overall vibe of the book left me with such a warm, happy feeling both while reading and afterward. For that, I'm giving it 4.5 stars! A big thank you to NetGalley for providing the eARC.

If you're after a cosy, witchy read with an autumnal feel, Potions and Proposals by Kate Callaghan is a treat! The book blends romance, humour, and a hint of magic.

The story follows Lucy and Benedict, childhood rivals whose playful pranks and witty banter drive the plot. Their journey from enemies to lovers is both fun and heartwarming. Benedict is clearly smitten with Lucy, and their interactions keep the story light, while their growing trust adds warmth.

The town of Foxford is full of witchy vibes, potions, and elemental magic, with a well-crafted world that isn't too overwhelming. The side characters are also great, and I’m eager to read Faye and Peter's story next!

The writing is enjoyable, though occasionally a bit too wordy, causing the pacing to slow at times. Still, this didn’t detract from the overall experience.

Potions and Proposals is a cute, magical read. If you're looking for something cosy and mystical, this is a perfect choice.

I’d like to apologise to the publishers for how long it took me to read this, and thanks to NetGalley, BooksGoSocial, and the author for the eArc in exchange for an honest review. <3

When your moms are best friends, you’re stuck forever!

Potions and Proposals by Kate Callaghan is the first in the Village of Foxford Series and is such a fun enemies/rivals to lovers and magical story.

I really enjoyed the intensity of how much Lucy and Benedict hated each other while also harboring feelings they may not have realized were there. The countless pranks they pulled on each other, well into their adulthood, are priceless and super annoying for them, but also hilarious for us to read about.

I loved the different uses of magic in this world. Similar to Harry Potter, where the magical world is blended into the non-magical world, they had to hide it. It’s really interesting to see those moments when chaos ensues and how they decide to handle them. Plus, of course the development of the relationship.

If you enjoy enemies to lovers, magic, rivalry, pranks, unexpected turns, and more competition, this is for you. I recommend diving into it and just having fun with it.

*This was an honest review for a complimentary copy of Potions and Proposals from Kate Callaghan via NetGalley

Too many tropes, too long dialogues, sometimes useless ones, they gave zero addition to the discussion or the plot itself. Unfortunately this book was a DNF for me.
Thanks to Netgalley and the author for this book, in exchange of my honest opinion.

Fans of 'Charmed" and "Practical Magic" will love this tale. In the town of Foxford, Lucinda Hawthorne and Benedict Matherson are eternally linked despite being constantly at each other's throats. When fate intervenes and they have to join together to achieve goals, will they be able to work. together or will they ensure mutual self destruction?

This book was highly entertaining. I couldn't put it down and finished it in one weekend. I loved the plot, the magical world, and the town as well as the main characters. The story will keep readers enthralled from beginning to end.

This witchy romance was cool, it had the right romantic vibes, except Lucinda and Benedict’s behavior was a little too childish with their bickering. When a diabolical plot with potions went haywire the two combatants had to put their childish behavior aside and work together to put things back in order.

Oh my god, I love romance books in this style. It was smooth, humorous, sweet. I was transported back to the autumn, Halloween season, as that's when I usually read this style of book, but I was also very engaged this time, so it found its purpose. For me.

**Review of *Potions and Proposals: An Arranged Marriage Paranormal Romance* by Kate Callaghan**

⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5 stars)

*Potions and Proposals* by Kate Callaghan is a fun and lighthearted paranormal romance that blends magic, arranged marriages, and plenty of quirky moments. The premise of the story—where a magical arrangement turns into an unexpected love—provides a solid foundation for an engaging read. The world-building is intriguing, and the magical elements are woven into the plot in a way that adds a unique twist to the traditional romance formula.

However, while the concept is fun, the pacing can feel a bit uneven, with certain parts of the story dragging on while others rush through key plot points. The characters are likable but lack a certain depth, making it harder to connect with them on a deeper emotional level. The romance, while sweet, doesn’t quite reach the level of tension or complexity that I was hoping for.

Overall, *Potions and Proposals* is an enjoyable and easy read for fans of paranormal romance, but it doesn’t offer much in terms of emotional depth or originality. It’s a good choice for readers looking for a light, magical escape, but those seeking a more nuanced or complex love story may be left wanting more.

Enemies to lovers and arranged marriage, two fun tropes but add in a slow burn and this makes for a tension filled fun time. I was invested and rooting for the main character. Looking forward to more from this author.

This is a refreshing and magical take on witches and magic, offering something new to the genre. There is an excellent - and humorous - game of tug-of-war between Benedict and Lucinda that adds a spellbinding spark that is easily addicting. This is perfect for those who enjoy mysteries but are looking for something a little different and for those who enjoy good witchy fun. This is more than an ideal Halloween read as this can be read at any time of year and is highly recommended for everyone's TBR list.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

I loved all the tropes: rivals to lovers, arranged marriage, slooooow burn. The banter between Benedict and Lucy is 👩‍🍳. I was cheering by the end when Lucy finally stood up for herself to all the adults in her life that have been bulldozing over her.
I am excited to read the next book in the series. I like that there isn’t a big cliffhanger but the unfinished plot with Peter and Faye has me wanting to see how that ends.

4.5 stars!

I kept putting off reading this book, and I seriously regret it because I ended up loving it so much! The characters were amazing, both as individuals and together, and the plot was so well done with some of my favourite tropes. The writing style was smooth, easy to follow, and incredibly enjoyable. It’s one of those books you can’t put down, and I’d highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great read!

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for the ARC!

A delightful mix of magic and romance, this book offers a fun and engaging read from start to finish. The story is light, charming, and filled with heart, making it perfect for fans of cozy fantasy. The characters are lovable, and the plot moves at a steady, enjoyable pace. A great escape for anyone looking for a magical love story.