This one pretty much starred the villain from the first book in the series and honestly, provided her a decent redemption. The backstory and characters were a lot more fleshed out in this book than the first one. However, my same critiques apply to this book as the first one. The writing is so over the top descriptive, with ridiculous metaphors and flowery prose. It is so disengaging to me that it's hard to read the book for an extended period of time, or I just skip whole paragraphs where she is just describing how them touching hands feels. It's too much for me. Also, there is such limited magic done in the book that I don't know how we can continue the plot lines being magical in nature, it just doesn't make sense to me. Also, I wanted a book from her half sister's POV next, even though I know that it isn't the case. She was a saving grace in some scenes.

Life got in the way and I could not finish the book. Thanks to the publishers for the chance to read the book.

After Ursula was left at the altar, she wishes to change up her life in Freya Grove. Xavier is a Fae prince who comes to Freya Grove to find a solution after he is cursed to find the perfect kiss. Ursula and Xavier realize they can work together to find what they need.

This got off to a very slow start, and I had trouble getting invested in Xavier's storyline.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the ARC of Kiss and Spell!

After achieving viral status as a jilted bride, Ursula Caraway has given up her lifelong dream of a Happily Ever After and just wants to keep her head down and be ignored. Prince Xavier Alder doesn't believe in love and so has been cursed by the Faerie Queen to stay in the human realm until he finds his perfect kiss. Ursula befriends him and agrees to help her new friend find his perfect kiss in enchanting Freya Grove.

This book was super sweet! I read the first book in the Elemental Love series and I don't really remember it (looking at my Goodreads rating for it I apparently didn't like it too well). This novel works as a stand alone. I was a little bummed that it had a springtime theme but I guess witches are allowed to be set in times other than fall. This book has a lot of themes of family and loving yourself woven through it along with the romance plot. It is a fun witchy read!

Kiss And Spell by Celestine Martin is the second book in the Elemental Love series — following Witchful Thinking which I absolutely enjoyed. This book is perfect for those witchy/paranormal vibes. It’s set in spring but still managed to put me in a spooky season sort of mood. You do not need to have read Witchful Thinking to pick up Kiss And Spell. However, I recommend it because otherwise you will miss out on some context and easter eggs.

This book stars Ursula Caraway who lives in the magical New Jersey seaside town of Freya Grove. Ursula is a witch who has long dreamed of a happy ending. To get that happy ending, she has tucked away her witchy side as she believes her fiance, the mayor’s son, won’t like it. However, that does not help anything as he leaves her at the altar. So, she is dealing with some deep heartbreak. While she is trying to put her life together, she ends up helping Xavier, a fairy prince, find his way to a date he is going on. Xavier has been placed under an enchantment and the only way to break it is to have a special kiss. So, he goes on all these dates but none of them spark him up the way that Ursula does. The two end up being great friends.- but given how hurt Ursula has been in the past, there doesn’t seem to be room for them to be more. Plus, Xavier wants to return to the fairy realm.

I very much liked Kiss And Spell. And I know I will be back for the third book – Deja Brew. If you like paranormal romance with immaculate vibes, witch books, and stories with diverse casts, you will LOVE this book. It’s well paced. The characters are interesting and likable. And well, I like that there’s some real development in the relationship.

Kiss and Spell by Celestine Martin is a cute romance with a touch of magic. The quirky characters and whimsical setting made it an enchanting escape. It’s a beautiful blend of slow burn romance, humor, and a bit of the supernatural, creating a story that feels both magical and relatable. I loved how the characters' vulnerabilities, especially their personal challenges, added depth to their love story. It’s a cozy read that left me smiling like a dork! :)

4 stars!

Be careful what you wish for. Ursula had everything, most importantly, the perfect relationship. And then she wished for a happily ever after and her relationship fell apart. Now Ursula is working in a magical shop, selling crystals and telling fortunes. She has three goals, reclaim her magic, find more wishes, and change her life. And then she stumbles upon Prince Xavier. The Fae prince has been cursed by the Faerie Queen and can't return home until he finds The One. Except he doesn't believe in The One at all. When Ursula and Prince Xavier cross paths, they vow to help each other make their wishes come true.

"No matter what happens, you can always wish again."

Kiss and Spell is a lovely low stakes, cozy fantasy with plenty of witchy references and a friends-to-lovers storyline.

If you like witchy references, low-stakes, very very cozy vibes, something that will get you in the mood for 'Ber months, and slow burns, this is the perfect story for you. There were plenty of witchy aspects which I really loved, there were lots of details about plants and crystals and the witchy aspect was done incredibly well. I also think the relationship was written really well between Xavier and Ursula. I love love love friends-to-lovers and I really appreciate when we get a good backstory building that relationship which we DEFINITELY got here. It made it a little bit of a slow burn but I'm a fan of slow burns too. I also NEED to mention that I think I highlighted about half of the book because I really loved a lot of the writing from Celestine Martin. Her writing was incredibly beautiful.

Personally, I found the story a little too low-stakes for my interests but all of the witchy and fantasy aspects made up for that in my opinion. The pacing was a little bit off for me, it felt like the book could have been a bit shorter and still gotten the most important aspects across. But it was a good cozy read! Definitely got me in an autumnal mood (which is the mood I want to exist in forever and always).

"Midnight brought with it the magic of possibility."

I love this book! This book is a fantastic slow-burn romance with excellent character development. The tension between the characters and the will they, won't they of this book are so good. Ursula and Xavier are adorable, and their inner dialogue is delicious. The story is excellent, with an entertaining plot and fun supporting characters. I highly recommend the book for lovers of supernatural and fall-themed romances. I will revisit this book and recommend it to friends in the fall.

SN: I love that the fairy godmother is named Whitney! I see what you did there! 😏

Thank you, Netgalley and Forever, for providing me with an arc of the book!

I fell under the spell of this book! I enjoyed Kiss and Spell so much, and got really interested in the world and the spellcraft of this series.

I love a protagonist you can root for, and Ursula is certainly down on her luck. Jilted by her ex-fiance and with her life in pieces around her, she decides to rebuild and forget about true love and fairytales. Ursula is done with happy endings. Of course, that's the moment a lost fairy prince stumbles across her path.

Xavier is a fae prince, the spare to the heir, recently cursed (or enchanted, pick your verbiage) by the Faery Queen to be banished from the fae Realm until he finds a "perfect kiss." I enjoy an arbitrary fae slight, and the awkward prince who doesn't care for court life stole my heart right away.

Both main characters have believable and concrete reasons why love doesn't work for them, but each reacts differently. Ursula has given up on the fairytale, but she's still looking for forever, a commitment from someone who can love and cherish her. Xavier, meanwhile, fears love and the way he worries it would control him. He wants to return to his normal life, though he has no love for the fae court. Despite their differences, Ursula and Xavier feel an instant attraction and kinship, and Ursula pledges to help Xavier break his enchantment.

I loved how lived in but fresh the world of Freya’s Grove felt as a reader. You can tell this is a town and populace that has been crafted with real care and whimsy. I love a small town romance that still feels full of possibility and warmth, with all of the charms of a local festival! There is a depth to the setting that reflects in the characters too, as it is Ursula’s hometown and she has strong roots that are healing for her, but also hold difficult memories.

The setting absolutely cannot hold a candle to the characters, the real stars of the show. When we meet Ursula, she’s coming out of a really bad place, and struggling to find herself again after feeling lost. Xavier is dealing with a similar crisis of self, not just being “cursed.” They both have to make decisions about what they truly want for their lives, without taking into account the expectations others have. Xavier in particular has to let go of what he feels has been decided for him, and chose to live his own life. Ursula has to forgive herself for past mistakes, and allow herself to grow, become a more full version of herself. I also love the respect and the honor we see between them, the way Ursula and Xavier value and cherish one another. There is an understanding there that love must not just grow, but be nurtured. The supporting cast is equally interesting and full without distracting from the main event, though I will admit Ursula’s Caraway family are scene-stealers.

If you’re a fan of a witchy romance, I highly recommend this book! It has all of the charm you would expect from a small-town, witchy book and then some.

I really liked the first one, so I was really bummed that I just could not focus on making my way through this one. I might switch to audiobook to finish this one once I'm out of my current reading slump. But for now, I just couldn't finish the print version.

"Kiss and Spell” is a bewitching blend of romance, magic, and whimsy. Set in the picturesque town of Freya Grove, this novel introduces us to Ursula Caraway, the self-proclaimed Jersey Shore Witch Princess, and Prince Xavier Alder, an enchanted fae in search of a curse-breaking kiss.

Ursula, once destined for happily ever after, now finds herself reading fortunes and selling crystals at the local psychic shop. Her missing magic and a twist of fate lead her to an unexpected encounter with Prince Xavier. Eager to believe in magic again, Ursula agrees to help him find the perfect kiss before Midsummer—a kiss that could break his curse.

Prince Xavier, socially awkward and cursed by the Faerie Queen, navigates the New Jersey boardwalk using dating apps. When he meets Ursula, their mutual attraction complicates their quest. As they unravel secrets and longings, their journey becomes a delightful romp through love, destiny, and enchantment.

Celestine Martin’s writing sparkles with everyday magic. The chemistry between Ursula and Xavier is palpable, and their banter adds charm to the story. The small-town setting, diverse characters, and whimsical worldbuilding make this book a delightful read.

“Kiss and Spell” is a magical escape—a celebration of second chances and the transformative power of love. Fans of paranormal romance will find themselves spellbound by this enchanting tale.

It’s finally wonderful to see a book in the small town magic genre be written by a non white person. I loved the romance, the vibes, the characters, and the plot. It was also really cool to see the small differences in world building from white authors. Looking forward to the next instalment

This is the 2nd book in the Elemental Love series. Ursula is back telling fortunes and cxxx when she meets an enchanted prince named Xavier. He’s been cursed by the Fae Queen, and only a kiss from The One will break it. Xavier is awkward and Ursula agrees to help him find her. The attraction between the two is getting in the way, however. This is a fun book with witches, fae, and more, 4 stars.

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

This book was really hard to get into.
I liked the main character, but there wasn't anything memorable about her besides working in her family's tarot reading shop.

Ursula and Prince Xavier have great chemistry! I really liked Ursula's sass and Xavier's charm, despite their misconceptions about life and love. Their conversations and interactions just had me in big smiles, and I liked the way their fates interlocked to help them reclaim the lives they deserved. It was a fun read with great BIPOC characters and an interesting setup. I had no problem following along or enjoying the story without reading the first book of the series. I received an advanced copy from Forever (Grand Central Publishing) on Netgalley. Opinions are my own.

📖My Thoughts📖

Witches, fae’s, romance and a skosh of Cinderella? Yes please! Oh my lord, this book was so cute and fun to read! I’m already a huge romcom fan, so a book that incorporates witches and fae’s , some witches and Fae’s is an automatic read for me! This was a slow burn, but a really fun book to read. This is actually the second book in the Elemental Love series, and while I have read the first book, I can honestly say that it won’t skew your ability to follow along with this one if you haven’t. I loved the storyline, the small town vibes and the overall atmosphere of this one. In my opinion, this would be perfect if you’re looking for a nice cozy book to binge either poolside, at the beach or even being home snuggled up in blankets on a rainy or snowy day. I’m really looking forward to the next book!
Thank you Netgalley, Celestine Martin and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the opportunity to read and review this book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I’m not sure why but I honestly couldn’t get into this.. I tried reading it on 4 separate occasions and i honestly couldn’t connect with the characters. I decided to DNF and not post a public review as I don’t believe in that because a book I don’t connect with might be one some else loves.

This my first time reading about by this author Celestine Martin and I am so loving the cover for this book. I missed the first book in this series and I would love to read it. This is an entertaining read, the characters are well developed and swoon worthy, witch, prince, magic, spells, mystery, mayhem and a plot that is cute and cozy. This is an awesome read that works well with the Halloween season. This is the journey or Xavier and Ursula. Ursula is a witch without powers and Xavier is a prince in search of a kiss to break a curse before midsummer. Ursula agrees to help Xavier out with breaking the curse on him. What Ursula and Xavier did not plan was their feelings to get in the way and them falling for each other.

Will Ursula be the witch to break the curse on Xavier and will Xavier be the prince to help Ursula get in bewitching power back?

I received an ARC via NetGalley and Forever Grand Central Publishing and I am leaving my review voluntarily.

Kiss and Spell is the second book of the Elemental Love series. This follow Ursula, who dreams of love and a happily ever after, and Xavier, who is currently cursed and wont be able to break this curse without the perfect kiss. Ursula seeking excitement agrees to help Xavier find the perfect kiss to to break his curse.

This book was very cute! A very cute and cozy book for if you like a bit of fantasy, magical realism, and romance. I loved that there was a good amount of build up between the character in order for their relationship to develop and believe in the romance without it feeling like a drag. Although I haven't had the chance to read the first book in this series I didn't feel like I missed out on a lot of context to enjoy this one. I'll definitely have to check out the first book for the overall experience, but I had a lot of fun reading this book.

I did not think Martin could outdo the first book. But I was wrong! This addition to the series is a welcomed continuation of the Caraway family. It deepens the readers' understanding of the magic of Freya Grove and the power of the Caraway girls. It's sexy romantic pragmatic yet still whimsical and fun. Can't wait for book 3.