This is a cute comforting fall read, and I think everybody should have this on their bookshelf. I was really blessed to get it as a arc read.

Foxford, a town where the magical and magless live in (relative) harmony is the setting for this opposites attract fantasy rom com. Lucinda, a water element witch with a love for ancient magical tomes and Benedict, a fiery hotelier from a darkly magical lineage have been frenemies since childhood, always finding ways to prank and humiliate each other. However, it's time for them to start working together for the good of the town when The Coven decide that they should be bound to each other. When a spell backfires with unfortunate results, Lucinda and Benedict try to put things right and along the way realise that maybe they were meant to be together after all. Are their feelings for each other real, or the product of a magical spell? One thing is for sure, when fire and water mix, things start to get steamy!

A cozy, witchy, rivals to lovers story that is perfect for fall. The main character's Lucinda and Benedict have such a quick witted banter that was a delight. The side characters are also well crafted. There were a few side plots that I felt went unfinished but did see this was to be a part of a series so excited to see where things go! Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

If you’re a fan of cozy fantasy with a strong romantic subplot and a dash of humor, Potions and Proposals is a perfect pick. Its mix of magic and romance makes it an enchanting read that will leave you smiling.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was really fun! There were a few things that felt rushed/unresolved at the end, but I'm guessing that is setting up for a sequel.

This book was so cute! I had a really great time visiting Foxford and meeting the residents. Benedict is the perfect, moody but good hearted book boyfriend and Lucy is a powerful and whitty future high priestess. They might be childhood rivals but boy do they have chemistry! I totally recommend this book to anyone looking for a cozy, fall romance

This was my first “magic” read! The book was written so well and kept me hooked for the first chapter. I enjoyed the book so much! I love the detail and suspense of the storybooks.

This was such a cute Halloween paranormal romance. A cute enemies (but not really) to lovers for spooky season!

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in advance for my honest review.

I got a very draco and Hermione feel from this. They hated eachother but did they... lol. The relationships developed quick and I enjoyed that. I was left with a lot of questions about little things that did really go anywhere.. but over all I give it a 3.5 but since there are no halfs.. I'll give it 4

It wasn't a bad book. A small town that is a refuge for witches grabbed my heart. I really loved the main characters. I also liked the plot from rivals to lovers, although we don't have rivalry as such here. Throughout the book, however, I waited for a this big moment, that seemed never to happen. There were these few threads that were started but not finished, so after reading the whole thing they seem unnecessary...

Although fantasy isn’t my preferred genre, I really enjoyed this book. It did seem to drag on here and there but definitely loved the grumpy-sunshine, forced proximity, and enemies to lovers vibes!

Cozy romance just in time for autumn and spooky season. I enjoyed the characters and magic, but felt like the story dragged as we got closer to the end. Perfect book for not wanting something too heavy or large.

"Potions & Proposals" blends magical charm and sizzling tension, set in the bewitching town of Foxford. Lucinda Hawthorne and her longtime rival, Benedict Matherson, are unexpectedly pitted against each other for the role of High Priestess, and the stakes couldn't be higher. Forced into a magical binding, their tension crackles with a mix of love and hate. But when a misfired spell tangles their fates even further, the line between enemies and lovers begins to blur.

This book offers a delicious mix of enemies-to-lovers, magical small-town charm, and open-door romance, all wrapped in the enchanting atmosphere of All Hallows' Eve. If you’re a fan of reluctant allies, simmering chemistry, and a touch of the supernatural, this one’s for you!

I thought this book was so cute! Lucinda and Benedict have known eachother all their life. They love to prank eachother and when a prank goes wrong, Lucinda sees her position challenged as taking over for her mother's position in the coven. Now the two see themselves "binding" in order to run the coven together. But when a spell goes wrong they must work together to fix it. They grow closer and realize maybe it is not so bad getting along and being together.

I loved this story, it was a cute read and perfect for the Fall season. I did have some lingering questions that I am not sure were fully answered, I do know there is a sequel coming out soon but I am still questioning some things.

*Thank you to NetGalley, Kate Callaghan and CallaghanWriter | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles for access to the digital arc.*

If Joanne Fluke had swearing and spice in her popular Hannah Swensen series, then you would get Potions and Proposals.

I was looking for a palate cleanser after reading a dense and long fantasy and thought this book would do the trick. Not to mention, I wanted a selection that would get me into the Fall vibes now that October is here.

This book was perfect for a light, low-stakes, mildly spicy romance set in a sanctuary city in the UK for magical beings. Lucinda and Benedict are witches who have known each other since childhood and have never gotten along. They prank each other even into adulthood and now their pranking may have gone too far.

The reputation of the town is in jeopardy and the ascension of Lucinda as High Priestess is questioned by the Council. The solution: Have the two most eligible witches from the two most powerful families in the town marry and rule together. Cue Lucinda and Benedict's binding ceremony (aka a wedding for us magless) on Halloween.

The story revolves around the enemies-to-lovers trope as Benedict and Lucinda fight the decree that they should be forced to marry and find that maybe they want to after all?. But this realization will only come about once the obstacles of the Order (a human organization that threatens magical creatures), a possible new suitor for Lucinda and the fact that Lucinda and Benedict's magic has been affected by their upcoming nuptials come into play.

While I found that this book could have been shorter (there was more explaining of plot points than was necessary and became redundant to the point of skimming some chapters), this book was the equivalent of sipping a Pumpkin Spice Latte in a cozy sweater on a cool, crisp Fall day.

This is a very cute read. The book is well written and it is fast to read.
I loved Lucy and Benedict and i adore that the Cat is named Chaos.
The pranks felt a little bit childish but they did not make a lot of the book.
Their Lovestory was very cute.

3.6
An enemies to lovers witchy romance! A cute, light read to get in the fall spirit. Overall, I enjoyed this book. If you are looking for something cozy that doesn’t require an intense amount of focus and emotional investment, highly recommend Potions and Proposals.

There is a dual POV in this book which I love, we get to see the insight of both our MMC and FMC. We have Benedict and Lucinda that have rivaled and quarreled with each other since they were young. Benedict and Lucinda find themselves in a compromising position when their feuding effects their family hotel. In order to reduce their quarreling and to unite the two families, Benedict and Lucinda are bound to each other however something goes awry when a magical spell to intervene is made with the wrong ingredient.

The romance in this book does develop very quickly. Characters go from hating each other their whole life to suddenly having an attraction and love for each other which I feel like could have developed a little more. I would have liked to have seen a little more adventure and character development in this book but still an enjoyable read.

I loved the cozy setting in this book, I imagine the witchy kitchen were potions are made, the spooky woods and just the overall small town vibes. Overall would recommend for a cozy October read!

'Potions and Proposals' is a paranormal rivals-to-lovers romance set in the magical small town of Foxford.

With minimal world-building it still remains cosy and playful with an enchanting magical backdrop.
It was easy to read and follow along with good pacing.
Full of humor and quirky cast of characters.

If you like tropes such as: Rivals to Lovers, Witches, Arranged marriage, Small town romance, Elemental Magic, Magical mishap, I can positivly say that you will enjoy this cosy fantasy book.

Its seamless blend of magic and romance makes it an ideal escapist read during the spooky season.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Potions and Proposals by Kate Callaghan

Potions and Proposals is a spellbinding and heartwarming paranormal romance that fans of Gilmore Girls and Practical Magic will fall head over heels for. Set in the mystical town of Foxford, this novel deftly intertwines magic, romance, and rivalry in a way that keeps readers enchanted from beginning to end.

The story follows Lucinda Hawthorne, a determined and fiercely independent translator who is poised to take on the role of High Priestess. However, her plans take a sharp turn when she discovers that her long-time nemesis, Benedict Matherson, is also vying for the coveted position. The stakes are raised when the coven gives them an ultimatum: be magically bound together or face a fateful vote that could strip them both of their ambitions.

This “enemies to lovers” dynamic forms the core of Potions and Proposals, and it is handled with great charm and wit. Lucinda and Benedict’s rivalry crackles with tension, but as their magical bond deepens, so does the complexity of their relationship. The gradual shift from mutual disdain to reluctant allies to something more profound is well-paced and believable, and the chemistry between the two leads is electric. The added layer of magic – with elemental spells and supernatural interference – only heightens the stakes and intrigue, making their evolving relationship all the more compelling.

The novel shines in its depiction of Foxford, a magical small town that feels both enchanting and lived-in. The world-building is rich, with a witchy coven at its heart, seasonal celebrations like All Hallow’s Eve, and a broader magical system that includes potions, rituals, and elemental forces. This cozy yet mysterious setting enhances the story’s atmosphere, pulling readers into its supernatural undercurrents.

What sets Potions and Proposals apart is how seamlessly it blends humor, warmth, and spice with darker themes. Lucinda and Benedict's journey is not without its challenges, and the novel doesn’t shy away from exploring issues like discrimination based on magical abilities and the emotional toll of power struggles. Yet, at its core, this is a romance, and the book delivers on its promise of "open-door spice," with passionate, steamy scenes that feel earned rather than gratuitous.

The novel also excels at keeping readers on their toes. The misfired spell that ties Lucinda and Benedict together adds a clever twist, leading to unexpected and amusing consequences as they navigate their newfound connection. The looming deadline of All Hallow's Eve adds urgency, making for a page-turner of a plot as the two must decide if they can truly stand united or risk being torn apart.

Overall, Potions and Proposals is a delightful blend of romance, magic, and wit. Kate Callaghan weaves an enchanting tale full of clever banter, tension-filled moments, and heartfelt emotions. The novel’s exploration of love, power, and identity is nuanced and satisfying, and the enemies-to-lovers trope is given fresh life with the backdrop of magical intrigue.

Whether you’re a fan of paranormal romance or simply looking for a fun, engaging read with strong characters and a dash of witchcraft, Potions and Proposals is a magical escape worth diving into.

Rating: 4.5/5

With its strong, likable leads and a plot that keeps you invested till the very end, this book is sure to cast a spell on you!

Are you looking for a cozy, witchy read to kickstart your fall? Then look no further!

Lucy and Benedict are elemental witches who are in the running to take the High Priestess’ position. They’ve also been rivals since their early childhood, constantly playing pranks on each other. Until one prank goes too far and pushes their coven to act by forcing them to bind their souls and marry before the vote for the leader position at the end of the month on All Hallows Eve.

Lucy’s family will do anything to protect her, even cast a spell to help her find her actual one true love. What could possibly go wrong??


This book had me kicking my feet and smiling the whole way through. I loved both Benedict and Lucy (which it is honestly hard for me to like both protagonists in books usually). They are both so witty and funny. The banter and pranks between them is perfect. And the tension! Yes please.

I really want to read the next book but knowing who the pair the book will be about already makes me teary eyed 🥹

Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this masterpiece!