"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!

A sweet love story about two childhood frenemies who discover they have more in common than they want to admit. Lucinda and Benedict, two witches from very prestigious witch families (Benedict with slightly more tarnish), have been pranking each other since they were children. After one prank goes too far, their local coven decides the two need to be bound to each other (i.e. married) before one (or both) of them becomes the new leader of the coven.

The love story is a slow build, and then accelerates very rapidly. I enjoyed this book, overall, but the last third or so kind of lost my attention. I kept expecting some other tension/problem/fight to rear its head, but the action kind of petered out. Again, I mostly enjoyed this and would recommend it to people wanting a cozy fantasy with low stakes (bad pun). Benedict and Lucinda were a joy to read about and I look forward to reading more about their charming small town.

Wonderful. quirky, rom-com perfect for this time of year! Lovely blend of magic and romance makes it a perfect Halloween read.

This book was giving Hocus Pocus vibes i saved it for October as it felt like it would be the perfect Halloween month read, and i was not disappointed! It ticked all the boxes for what a october book is for me, i loved the magic in it and it was really brought to life by Kate Callaghan

Lucy and Benedict are so cute together.

This was a fun pallet cleanser. It was light hearted and endearing.

There was a little bit of spice and a spell gone wrong that needed to be solved, while fate plays a big role in what happens too. All the side characters were fun to read about also.

Overall a fun fast read that was perfect for spooky season 😊

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an eARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Add a small cozy magical town, pranks, frenemiew to lovers, forced proximity and you get a decent read for a rainy day. This book was entertaining and kept my attention. I love magical books especially lighter reads with decent protagonists and side characters and this delivered.
#NETGALLEY #PotionsAndProposals

I am incredibly grateful to have had a chance to read this witchy, cozy ARC as the leaves have started to turn golden, and the spooky season is just around the corner. Thank you to NetGallery, and Kate Callaghan (with the IBPA) for this opportunity to read and enjoy this story.

Potions and Proposals is a witchy enemies-to-lovers story, wherein Lucy and Benedict, are at war with one another, but, as their war spills over, they inadvertently threaten the reputation and thereby safety of their coven. They are then, in an effort of "damage-control', are forced into a "binding" [wedding] in an effort to force the pair to make amends and work together for the benefit of their home.

Right from the start, Callaghan spares no time in throwing us as the readers into the magical chaos of our two main characters; a prank gone wrong in the first chapter emanates both the bitter resentment and the vengeful glee that fuels the rivalry between our MMC and MFC. Flashbacks and anecdotal stories are thereafter peppered seamlessly throughout the novel as the plot grows; helping to bolster the history behind these two characters. I loved the familiarity that is cultivated so early on in the story, and how the two different perspectives from Benedict and Lucy quickly illustrate how misunderstandings can escalate; how Benedict and Lucy had struggled with pressures from various familial, political and cultural sources as they had grown up with one another in a small town that served as a haven to witches and other magical-humanoids. This allows for Callaghan to explore the dynamics of family status and how it can create rifts even among children at such a young age, with a backdrop of witches and werewolves to add some greatly appreciated fantastical elements.

I felt that an excellent central conflict was established early on as our two MC's are forced to work together despite wanting nothing to do with one another (barring some necessary suspension of reality), and yet, as the story continued, it felt that other sub-plots were sneakily being added into our story; and like side quests you come across in a video game, they were often started, but at the end of the storyline, were never fully completed. It felt that at times too many elements were being added into this story (like random witchy crone face-offs, suspicious tarot readings and werewolf altercations), perhaps to add further tension, or conflict, and yet because they were either very readily resolved or rather faded into the background without further exploration, these conflicts felt like obtuse easter eggs that left me feeling confused how some of these moments really supported our story and/or drove our character's arcs forward. As such, I felt a bit of a sentiment of confusion, at moments like this while reading, but it did not stop me from enjoying the main and central story line.

One of my favourite parts of our story's central plot, was the slow burn, as Benedict and Lucy (in a cute twist of a witchy Freaky Friday), are forced to live with the pressures of the other and are thereby able to empathize and better come to understand one another. I loved this, especially as the OG Freaky Friday was a movie I had grown up watching with my sister, and reading this witchy take on this beloved movie was a great, and comforting taste of nostalgia.

However, I did feel that the end of the novel had been a bit rushed, as numerous resolutions were conveniently slotted into place within the last 15% of the novel. Even the final climax between Lucy and Benedict (pardon the pun), had felt so brief after so much of the book building this slow-burning tension between them and this scene of them finally hooking up, just kind of fell flat as it was rushed through so briefly. It was as though the author preferred to skim over the context out of an interest of keeping with a comfy/cozy tone and yet it stands at odds with the extensive work put into building such hot and heavy tension between the characters. Its not that the scene needed to be explicit or graphic, but rather even just the emotional importance of the moment could have been drawn out; the feelings at such physical intimacy being achieved finally could have been fleshed out here. The lack of this, just kind of shocked me out of the whole romance of the scene.

Overall, I genuinely enjoyed this story and would curl up with a cup of tea late at night to read through a few chapters. I came to greatly look forward to this story, and seeing what shenanigans Lucy and Benedict would get up to while they struggled to stomach one another and get themselves out of a handful of botched experiences, while learning how to work alongside one another.

I have mixed emotions about this book. I was really excited to read it as an eArc and it started out promising but then I got really bored...like really bored and I had to force myself to keep going...then I began skimming and picking up details just to get to the end. I don't know if I wasn't in the head space for a romance, or if it was the book itself because I picked up a different magical setting book that was a sort of romance and I found it way more engaging and finished it before finishing this one. I think the writing itself was done well but I found the FMC & MMC too typical and their "problem" didn't grab me. It felt surface level. I might give this author another shot because I'm assuming the friend in this book might get her own book, so we'll see! P.S. this book is spicy!

I absolutely loved this book. The magical story with a wide range of magical creatures falling in love dealing with magical mistakes and magical politics. Forced proximity with arranged marriage and enemies to lovers but with miscommunication antics and magical mishaps! I loved the whole world within this story!
Would love a second book with follow up on a lot of the other characters so I’m keeping my fingers crossed! I read this book so quickly I loved all the characters! Definitely recommend

Absolutely brilliant book. I love kate's writing style. She has a way of making the characters really come to life.

I would say this is a cute, cozy, fall feeling fantasy romance. Benedict and Lucy have known each other their entire lives and have spent the majority of that time playing pranks on one another. At this point, they really are a bit too old for pranks and the town is done with their antics. Due to a magical mishap (is it?), they are thrown together in a way they previously have never allowed. A few tropes are listed with the book and I would modify one of them. This is more of a frenemies/rivals to lovers than a true enemies to lovers. One thing I didn’t love was there was a bit of the whole ‘I picked on you because I didn’t think I could have you’ feel. That isn’t my favorite trope. I do enjoy multiple POVs and you do see Benedict and Lucy’s thoughts. The book is set in a cute town, with side characters that could easily have their own book.

I did have a bit of an issue with some of the sentence structure. It was mostly a flow issue, where I had to re-read the sentence to comprehend or to get context.

Overall, this is a cute book that was a fun read.

Potions and Proposals offers a whimsical blend of romance and magic, perfect for readers looking to dive into a light-hearted tale this spooky season. The storyline weaves together enchanting elements with a hint of mystery, though some plot points may feel familiar. Character development is enjoyable, with charming interactions that keep the narrative engaging. Overall, it's a cozy read that captures the essence of autumn enchantment, making it a nice addition to your seasonal book list.

🔎 ARC Review

Potions & Proposals
Village of Foxfort #1

@katecallaghanwriter
@bookouture
@netgalley

Publication Date: July 24th, 2024

My Rating:
🌟 4/5

👀Read if you like
Enemies to Lovers
Forced Proximity
Magic

In the mystical town of Foxford, tenacious translator Lucinda Hawthorne is on the brink of assuming the prestigious role of High Priestess. However, fate has a mischievous twist in store for her: an unexpected coven gathering reveals that her lifelong nemesis, Benedict Matherson, is also nominated for the esteemed position. They are presented with a grave ultimatum: either become magically bound to one another on All Hallows’ Eve… or risk a fateful vote that could strip them of everything.

Both fiercely independent and driven by their unwavering desires to lead, Lucinda and Benedict reluctantly agree to the binding ritual. Unfortunately, the spell Lucinda’s family casts to thwart the coven’s plot misfires with surprising consequences, and the pair find themselves magically intertwined in ways they never could have foreseen.


🔎 My review
This was my first book by Kate and I can't wait to read book 2! It took me a few chapters to get into the book, but I loved seeing how Lucinda and Benedict's relationship came together. The side characters were also a delight and I feel like there will be more stories based on them. I gave it 4 stars because I still trying to find out a part of the book (dont want to give any spoilers)

Thank you @netgalley for the ARC

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