What a cozy reading.
This book is really adorable, I loved the atmospheres, the fall vibes and the characters.
It is definitely a book that I recommend, you should add it in your october tbr list.
Maybe the plot is a bit simple but the reading was still likeable.

Overall enjoyment: 4.5 stars ⭐️
Fall and witchy vibes: 5 stars⭐️
Romance: 5 stars⭐️
Plot: 3.5 stars⭐️
Spicelevel: 🌶🌶

Is it perfect? No, I have some issues with the overall plot. Maybe just because of my own expectations. I expected more of a bang in the ending, but it was satisfying nonetheless. I enjoyed reading every moment of it. It wasn't as obviously and annoyingly predictable as some other books in the genre. And some personal and serious issues were talked about. Look at that! Refreshing!
Low stakes, slow burn romance, childhood enemies to lovers.
Gives me the same feels as the ex hex did, but better. 😁
I highly recommend this to be in your october tbr! A must read in the fall🍁

Potions and Proposals by Kate Callaghan is the perfect cute witchy story that makes you think of falling leaves and autumn nights. I loved the story of Lucy and Benedit. They were rivals in their childhood who somehow fall for each other. It was a great story that offers just a little magic and romance for the reader! Thank you for NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

DNF at 10%
I wasn’t able to get into this one- I just didn’t gel with the writing. I find the prose to ‘tell not show’ and very info-dumpy.

This unexpected gem of a spooky season romance truly stands out in the realm of light and fluffy paranormal tales! The story revolves around childhood rivals Lucy and Benedict, both nominated to replace the retiring High Priestess. Faced with the choice of an arranged marriage or exile from their beloved town, their rivalry takes an intriguing turn after a spell gone awry. Together, they must navigate their feelings while searching for a way to reverse the mishap.

One of the highlights of this book is the well-crafted secondary characters that populate the charming town of Foxford. Lucy’s friendship with Rosie is heartwarming and adds depth to the narrative, while Benedict’s backstory—especially his relationship with his brother Peter—holds great promise for future developments.

The world-building is excellent, making Foxford a place I’d love to visit. While the pacing is a bit slow in the first half, it picks up nicely toward the end, delivering an engaging climax. However, I did feel the chemistry between Lucy and Benedict could have been stronger, particularly from Lucy's perspective. Their transition from rivals to partners felt like it could have been fleshed out more on the page.

With tropes like arranged marriage, small-town charm, and the classic frenemies-to-lovers arc, this book captures the essence of a cozy romance. There’s also some mild open-door spice that adds a nice touch without overshadowing the plot Overall, this was a delightful read perfect for the spooky season, and I can’t wait to see what comes next!

**Book Review: "Potions and Proposals"**

"Potions and Proposals" is a delightful blend of enchantment, rivalry, and unexpected romance set in the whimsical town of Foxford. This author has crafted a charming narrative that will resonate with fans of both *Gilmore Girls* and *Practical Magic*.

The story follows Lucinda Hawthorne, a determined translator on the verge of achieving her dream of becoming High Priestess. Just as she prepares to step into this prestigious role, her lifelong rival, Benedict Matherson, emerges as her unexpected competition. The stakes rise dramatically when a coven gathering reveals that they must either bond magically or face dire consequences. The setup is both intriguing and ripe for conflict, making readers eager to see how their relationship evolves.

The magical binding ritual gone awry serves as a clever plot device that forces Lucinda and Benedict to confront their feelings while navigating their animosity. Pankey's sharp writing brings to life the tension between these two characters, capturing the nuances of their rivalry and the slow, simmering attraction that develops amidst the chaos. The “enemies to lovers” trope is executed beautifully, with plenty of banter and emotional depth.

As All Hallows' Eve approaches, the atmospheric setting adds an enchanting layer to the narrative. The themes of elemental magic and the witchy coven provide a rich backdrop, immersing readers in the mystical elements of Foxford. The story balances humor and heart, ensuring that moments of levity punctuate the darker themes of magic and rivalry.

Pankey also does not shy away from mature content, seamlessly weaving in elements that elevate the romance without overshadowing the plot. The chemistry between Lucinda and Benedict is palpable, leading to some steamy moments that enhance the overall reading experience.

In conclusion, "Potions and Proposals" is a captivating tale of magic, rivalry, and unexpected love. Pankey’s blend of humor, enchanting settings, and well-drawn characters makes this novel a must-read for fans of paranormal romance. With its enchanting premise and compelling characters, this book will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next installment. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a magical escape filled with charm and intrigue!

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.

Kate Callaghan masterfully crafts a slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers romance set against a backdrop of elemental magic, witchy covens, and the looming pressure of leadership. The chemistry between Lucinda and Benedict sparks with each twist of fate, and their evolving relationship is both steamy and filled with moments of genuine emotional growth.

Be prepared for open-door spice and mature themes, including violence and magical discrimination, making this a captivating read for fans of adult romance with a paranormal twist.

For those who love their witchy romances filled with banter, magic, and undeniable chemistry, "Potions and Proposals" is a bewitching delight that will leave you rooting for this power couple until the final page.

This is a fun read with a unique plot in this genre. I adored the characters. There's a lot of humor. The romance is unexpected and swoon worthy. There is a lot going on in this book. I hope we get more stories featuring these characters. I wasn't ready for the book to end.

Unfortunately, this book did not work for me. I could not connect to the characters or the storyline. I was extremely excited for this book, so it's really unfortunate it was such a letdown. Thank you NetGalley for an ARC!

I loved this. Atmosphere on point and really well written. Just what you need if your after a cosy read.

Kate didn't disappoint again. Another book that gave all the feels. The atmosphere was on point. It was really well written and my first seasonal book for Halloween. It was perfect, would definitely recommend

4 ⭐️
1🌶️
“She had spent years perfecting her craft, but nothing had prepared her for the way one look from him could unravel all her careful plans.”

I found myself grinning and laughing out loud while reading Potions and Proposals. It’s the perfect mix of cute and cozy, making it a great fall read to snuggle up with in October. Picture fuzzy socks, a blanket, and a hot cup of tea—this book just set the mood! 🍂🍁

Now, let’s talk about Benedict. His point of view? LOVED it. Seriously, I couldn’t get enough. I mean, give me more of that!

I did say to myself, “Where’s the spice?!” but that’s just my personal preference (I like my magic with a little extra heat, if you know what I mean 😉).

The ending, though... it left me wanting a bit. The buildup had me bracing for something major, like a potion gone wrong or a wild plot twist, but it just didn’t hit me as hard as I expected. Don’t get me wrong—I’m not unhappy with how things wrapped up. I think I just wanted a little more drama, a couple more challenges for our magical duo to overcome. Maybe I’m just greedy for more trouble? 😅

All in all, if you're looking for a lighthearted, fun read to get into the spooky season vibes, this one’s a winner. Grab a blanket, light a candle, and enjoy the magic! 🧙‍♀️✨

Tropes:
⭐️All Hallow’s Eve
⭐️Arranged Marriage
⭐️Magical Small Town
⭐️Enemies To Lovers
⭐️Elemental Magic
⭐️Reluctant Allies
⭐️Open Door Spice
⭐️Witchy Coven


Thank you to NetGalley and Nicole Callaghan for allowing me to have an ARC for this book in exchange for an honest review.

While I enjoyed the small-town magic vibe of the story and some of the secondary characters, there were too many clunky interactions between the leads, situations that left me sighing in disappointment, and filler scenes that dissipated my enthusiasm for the whole read. The romance was also unfortunately all over the place. What tries to be a frienemies-to-lovers situation, came off as indecisiveness. At 80% the heroine still doubts and questions the hero's intention, when the hero has been fully clear with her since the 50% mark. Overall, the story could use another round of edits to tighten up the scene sequences and the romance.

[Netgalley ARC]

Pranks = unrequited love? Possible. Maybe. Yes.

Hehe. What a read this turned out to be. Funny, charming, mischievous, and magical. Everything I could ever want for a fall book. The characters, Lucinda and Benedict, are both hard-headed, don’t know when to call it quits, and well they are perfect for each other. They don’t see it right away but they do. Eventually.

Potions and Proposals is like a warm hug with a spicy kick! This book totally nails the academic rivals vibe, with Lucinda and Benedict's tension on fire. Their banter is hilarious, and you can feel the chemistry sizzling. The author mixes humor and heart perfectly, making their journey super engaging. It’s cozy, magical, and just the right amount of romantic. If you’re into witty dialogue and love stories that keep you smiling, this one’s a must-read for sure! Grab it!

3.5⭐️

This is a cute, cozy, fall read following Lucinda and Benedict. Spending their entire lives since childhood being rivals, playing pranks and one upping eachother but that all comes to a screeching halt when a prank goes too far and the town leaders give them the ultimatum. Get married or one of you leaves.

The world building was done well and you can follow what’s happening in the story without getting lost. The magic system was fun and written out well.

I do think it could have gone through editing one more time as there were some grammatical errors that made me pause. And there were a couple translations within the story that weren’t smooth and left some confusion on how we got there from where the last chapter had left off.

Overall 3.5 ⭐️ was a cute,cozy, witchy read


Thank you netgalley for the opportunity to arc read this book

Thank you Netgalley and Kate Callaghan for giving me the opportunity to read this book. This book is perfect for Halloween and gives such a cozy and Mythical vibe, I loved the town of Foxgrove and love all the creatures that reside there. Benedict and Lucinda story is such a cute love story and I think everybody should give this book a chance. I would say if you love the movie Halloweentown than you will love this book because that is the vibe the town of foxgrove gives.

**Potions & Proposals** by Kate Callahan
Rated 3.5/5

This book felt like a warm hug, just when you need it the most. Set in the town of Foxford, where there are all sorts of magical creatures, we are introduced to Lucinda (Lucy) and Benedict.

Now, I wouldn't agree that this is an enemies-to-lovers story, but instead a mild dislike-to-lovers one.
For years, the pair pulled pranks on each other until their families decided enough was enough and arranged for them to be magically bound (married, to us magless) and forced to work together to govern Foxford.

Unfortunately for Lucy and Benedict, they were the targets of a badly timed magical mishap, which caused their elemental powers to switch in a Freaky Friday-esque way. Working together, they try to find a way to get their powers back and end up falling in love at the same time.

If you're looking for a cozy paranormal romance, then you're in the right place. I really enjoyed this book, and I can't wait to read Peter and Faye's story when it is released.

Thank you to Netgalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

✨I received this as an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review✨
This was adorable! I had the best time. It took me a little bit to get into it, but once I hit my stride I gobbled this right up.
I’m a sucker for the academic rivals to lovers trope and this had it in SPADES. Normally I’m not a big fan of them pranking each other, which is one of the reasons it took me a bit to get into it, but that seemed to end once we got more into the main story.
Benedict and Lucy were the epitome of childhood friends/rivals to lovers. They were giving (for me personally) strong Anne Shirley/Gilbert Blythe vibes. They just had something about them that made me feel warm and fuzzy.
The first book in a series can be hit or miss, but this one really got me excited to see what the next book has in store.
In a surprise to absolutely no one, this is witchy and fun and magical and everything that I’m looking for. This is my favorite time of year because it’s acceptable to read witchy romances (as if I don’t read them year round). I’m really looking forward to getting a physical copy of this to display on my shelf, it was sweet and fun and magical.