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Between Spells and Shadows: A Cozy Cauldron Romance
The witches of the Mystic Alley Cauldron take their magic very seriously. And when it comes to rivalries, sometimes you gotta outsource payback. Thea’s arch nemesis has done it again, taken another thing that wasn’t hers, and Thea has had enough. When presented with the opportunity for retribution, she doesn’t care that it might cost her soul. A little infernal help is exactly what she needs, and she’s never been more thankful to be ace than when that infernal help sets its sights on her first.
90 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 7, 2024
26 people are currently reading
165 people want to read
About the author
R.N. Barbosa
12 books33 followersR.N. Barbosa (they/them) writes from the wreckage of religious trauma, from the ache of carrying too many identities in a world that wants to strip them away.
A Brazilian-American author obsessed with lush worldbuilding and dark magic, they conjure paranormal romances and speculative worlds where desire is dangerous, morality is blurred, and survival demands claws. Their characters are queer, messy, and unapologetic—haunted by societies meant to break them and determined to free themselves no matter the cost.
For Barbosa, storytelling isn’t an escape—it’s an exorcism. Their work collides fantasy and paranormal romance into urban and sci-fi landscapes where monsters and mortals alike grapple with power, ruin, and the possibility of love in the shadows. They write for readers who know healing isn’t soft, who crave stories that bleed with them, and who understand that freedom often looks monstrous.
A Brazilian-American author obsessed with lush worldbuilding and dark magic, they conjure paranormal romances and speculative worlds where desire is dangerous, morality is blurred, and survival demands claws. Their characters are queer, messy, and unapologetic—haunted by societies meant to break them and determined to free themselves no matter the cost.
For Barbosa, storytelling isn’t an escape—it’s an exorcism. Their work collides fantasy and paranormal romance into urban and sci-fi landscapes where monsters and mortals alike grapple with power, ruin, and the possibility of love in the shadows. They write for readers who know healing isn’t soft, who crave stories that bleed with them, and who understand that freedom often looks monstrous.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
June 5, 2025
Sapphic Novella
This was a cute fake dating witchy novella. It was a short and easy read! I wish it had been a bit longer.
This was a cute fake dating witchy novella. It was a short and easy read! I wish it had been a bit longer.
April 11, 2024
That escalated quickly. 😅
Love the ace rep, love the snark, love that I forgot that it wasn’t a cozy romance until the end rolled around to remind me. It’s quite short, but it follows the usual romance novel beats enough that I didn’t necessarily want it to be longer, although I would enjoy seeing more of this world. It’s like if Heart Haunt Havoc and Legends & Lattes had an adorable but deeply cursed baby. 💕 Cozy horroromantasy. That’s a thing now. We’re making it a thing.
Love the ace rep, love the snark, love that I forgot that it wasn’t a cozy romance until the end rolled around to remind me. It’s quite short, but it follows the usual romance novel beats enough that I didn’t necessarily want it to be longer, although I would enjoy seeing more of this world. It’s like if Heart Haunt Havoc and Legends & Lattes had an adorable but deeply cursed baby. 💕 Cozy horroromantasy. That’s a thing now. We’re making it a thing.
June 15, 2024
A very well written, sweet and cozy little novella.
I love the asexual representation, that was very well done. I think the characters were amazing, the relationship between the two main characters was very sweet.
I wish there was a bit more world building, but overall this was a nice little pick me up.
I love the asexual representation, that was very well done. I think the characters were amazing, the relationship between the two main characters was very sweet.
I wish there was a bit more world building, but overall this was a nice little pick me up.
October 21, 2024
3.5 rounded up. Well-written, funny and sweet. Nice ace-rep. I wish the end was a bit more elaborate.
featured
January 27, 2025Thea from Between Spells and Shadows is asexual!
https://www.tumblr.com/aspeccharacter...
https://www.tumblr.com/aspeccharacter...
September 24, 2024
3.5 rounded up. Cute and quick read that surprised me with how much sway it had over my emotions.
April 19, 2024
A Hidden Gem
I love finding well-written, engaging, sweet books through Kindle Unlimited. They're rare, but they're out there!
As someone who loves and lives with an asexual partner, I appreciated the positive, realistic representation of someone who doesn't really have a libido. (The kissing scenes are wonderful though.)
I love finding well-written, engaging, sweet books through Kindle Unlimited. They're rare, but they're out there!
As someone who loves and lives with an asexual partner, I appreciated the positive, realistic representation of someone who doesn't really have a libido. (The kissing scenes are wonderful though.)
October 8, 2025
[I read this originally as part of the Love, Ace & Monsters anthology and I'm working under the assumption that the content has not changed.]
An excellent start to this anthology - fun chapter titles and great banter included. The setup is great and the two main characters bring the story alive.
I loved reading about how Thea experiences asexuality and then how she communicates those feelings to Maggie. Delightful.
An excellent start to this anthology - fun chapter titles and great banter included. The setup is great and the two main characters bring the story alive.
I loved reading about how Thea experiences asexuality and then how she communicates those feelings to Maggie. Delightful.
February 24, 2026
Modern witchy vibes
4.25- and only because the pacing was a little fast. There's a conversation that I felt needed to be had at the end or close to the end that didn't happen. We get such beautiful representation with Thea.
I loved the way Thea felt attraction and felt comfortable with some things yet others were a hard "no" and she was able to express that with Mags. I think that was a needed conversation and I think because we get to see that, later in the story when there's some misunderstanding a real apology was warranted. In saying that I feel like there could have been another chapter to even out the pacing and leave space for those things to happen.
All that being said I had such a good time following the slightly unhinged tale of revenge on an objectively evil rival witch, and what better way to do so than by summoning a demon? I absolutely adored The bestie Dion who has no filter and I need more of them in my life! Mags is a delight with her childlike wonder when it came to exploring new things and food. Oh and the food rep was so good! It reminded me of my upbringing living in the city and having a melting pot of culture at your fingertips.
I think this is a great less than 100 page story to dive into for some sweet romance, a little heartbreak and some fun modern witchy vibes.
4.25- and only because the pacing was a little fast. There's a conversation that I felt needed to be had at the end or close to the end that didn't happen. We get such beautiful representation with Thea.
I loved the way Thea felt attraction and felt comfortable with some things yet others were a hard "no" and she was able to express that with Mags. I think that was a needed conversation and I think because we get to see that, later in the story when there's some misunderstanding a real apology was warranted. In saying that I feel like there could have been another chapter to even out the pacing and leave space for those things to happen.
All that being said I had such a good time following the slightly unhinged tale of revenge on an objectively evil rival witch, and what better way to do so than by summoning a demon? I absolutely adored The bestie Dion who has no filter and I need more of them in my life! Mags is a delight with her childlike wonder when it came to exploring new things and food. Oh and the food rep was so good! It reminded me of my upbringing living in the city and having a melting pot of culture at your fingertips.
I think this is a great less than 100 page story to dive into for some sweet romance, a little heartbreak and some fun modern witchy vibes.
September 15, 2024
I really like the world and the covern system. But there wasn't enough of it. Something could definitely have been built from that. Instead, the story went down the forbidden lust route, and it kind of felt like I was reading something on Ao3.
A few things that bothered me:
Firstly; the reason for summoning Maggie to murder Emma was way OTT. Especially as Thea's mum was just going to sort the problem out anyway.
Secondly; Thea tells Maggie she doesn't want to do more than kissing, which Maggie is fine with because she is experiencing the top world and enjoying herself and her company. Then, at the end of the book, Thea just performs a ritual to bond Maggie to her and summon her whenever she wants! Like, did anyone ask Maggie if she wanted that?! She's a Succubus, she's going to want to Succu something!
Lastly; the bitching, whining, sassy, mean girlness of the characters just wore thin.
Some things I liked:
Firstly; a very short and to the point explanation of asexuality. I didn't know this and feel it was a well written scene.
Secondly; the world and community sounded amazing, I want more of that!
Lastly; it was short.
A few things that bothered me:
Firstly; the reason for summoning Maggie to murder Emma was way OTT. Especially as Thea's mum was just going to sort the problem out anyway.
Secondly; Thea tells Maggie she doesn't want to do more than kissing, which Maggie is fine with because she is experiencing the top world and enjoying herself and her company. Then, at the end of the book, Thea just performs a ritual to bond Maggie to her and summon her whenever she wants! Like, did anyone ask Maggie if she wanted that?! She's a Succubus, she's going to want to Succu something!
Lastly; the bitching, whining, sassy, mean girlness of the characters just wore thin.
Some things I liked:
Firstly; a very short and to the point explanation of asexuality. I didn't know this and feel it was a well written scene.
Secondly; the world and community sounded amazing, I want more of that!
Lastly; it was short.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 18, 2025
CW: Murder, Death
3.5 / 5 Stars
I didn't really hate this book, but I didn't really like it very much either. I think if this book didn't feature AMAZING ace rep (and plus-size rep) I might rate it lower, but it has done such a beautiful job that I can't. Like really. Love it. I'm loki a sucker for succubus/incubus x ace ships. There's just something really charming about that trope and I will eat it up every time. Especially when it's combined with "Consent is Sexy" stuff. I eat that shit up. Gimme more. ♥
That being said, the romance was just ... not doing it for me. They spend a very short while together and fell so deeply in love with the other that it kind of lost the realm of "believable". I think if this book had more time to cook as in, if it were longer, I could have easily seen myself giving it 4 solid stars, but since it's not I have to judge it based on what we got and what we got was a romance that did not quite hit. The revenge plot was also barely relevant and handled like more of an afterthought as in "Oh yeah, I guess she needs a reason WHY she wants to summon this sex-demon, lol". Which results in the villain being one dimensional and boring. WHICH IS SUCH A SHAME because they were (best) friends at some point so I would assume that there would have been enough emotional SOMETHING involved.
Like I said, I liked it fine enough. Wasn't anything reality breaking or earthshattering but I also don't regret reading it.
Final Thoughts
Was okay.
3.5 / 5 Stars
I didn't really hate this book, but I didn't really like it very much either. I think if this book didn't feature AMAZING ace rep (and plus-size rep) I might rate it lower, but it has done such a beautiful job that I can't. Like really. Love it. I'm loki a sucker for succubus/incubus x ace ships. There's just something really charming about that trope and I will eat it up every time. Especially when it's combined with "Consent is Sexy" stuff. I eat that shit up. Gimme more. ♥
That being said, the romance was just ... not doing it for me. They spend a very short while together and fell so deeply in love with the other that it kind of lost the realm of "believable". I think if this book had more time to cook as in, if it were longer, I could have easily seen myself giving it 4 solid stars, but since it's not I have to judge it based on what we got and what we got was a romance that did not quite hit. The revenge plot was also barely relevant and handled like more of an afterthought as in "Oh yeah, I guess she needs a reason WHY she wants to summon this sex-demon, lol". Which results in the villain being one dimensional and boring. WHICH IS SUCH A SHAME because they were (best) friends at some point so I would assume that there would have been enough emotional SOMETHING involved.
Like I said, I liked it fine enough. Wasn't anything reality breaking or earthshattering but I also don't regret reading it.
Final Thoughts
Was okay.
May 12, 2024
Really enjoyed this Cozy little witchy novella.
Loved the writing and the characters, I was picking it up in small doses rather than blitzing it. It was my carry around book on my Kindle.
Reading a cozy sapphic witch novella whilst in the beer garden, beside the river and in the Drs waiting room was just the cozy pick me up I needed.
Got quite excited when things started getting spicy 🥵 🌶️
But the main character is Asexual so that flattened that. It was actually nice to read from her perspective and listen to her explain how she feels. Gave me great insight which I’m grateful for thank you 🙏🏻
Awesome book
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Loved the writing and the characters, I was picking it up in small doses rather than blitzing it. It was my carry around book on my Kindle.
Reading a cozy sapphic witch novella whilst in the beer garden, beside the river and in the Drs waiting room was just the cozy pick me up I needed.
Got quite excited when things started getting spicy 🥵 🌶️
But the main character is Asexual so that flattened that. It was actually nice to read from her perspective and listen to her explain how she feels. Gave me great insight which I’m grateful for thank you 🙏🏻
Awesome book
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 12, 2024
I enjoyed this little novella about an asexual witch who summons a succubus to help her with a revenge plot. The relationship that developed was sweet and the tension of an ace witch dating a sex demon was palpable but handled well.
My only complaints were that I thought the revenge was a little on the extreme side for my taste, and I would have liked to know more about the world and maybe have some scenes from the demon’s POV.
My only complaints were that I thought the revenge was a little on the extreme side for my taste, and I would have liked to know more about the world and maybe have some scenes from the demon’s POV.
July 20, 2025
My bad. I thought this was fantasy and it was more so urban fantasy/paranormal “romance”. But I didn’t love the book as a whole, and then the ending was kind of annoying. They break up, she’s going to summon her back, (once again making all the decisions without consulting her significant other) and that’s where the epilogue ends.
May 19, 2024
The story itself was great but some of the worldbuilding wasn’t explored enough. This would have been 5/5 if not for the fact that the ending was disappointing. It wasn’t HFN enough to be considered romance imo.
November 19, 2024
I want to live in this vibrant, cozy, magical world. The characterization is so strong it feels like I’m right there with them. I love morally grey characters, and there are plenty to love here! Dyyyying for more of Maggie and Thea! Their chemistry is so powerful.
February 22, 2025
A beautifully written, cozy, sapphic romance, with ace rep, a succubus, and witty humor, this quick read has my heart. Barbosa's ability to create a well-rounded, fast-paced tale without sacrificing plot or depth of characters is fantastic! I loved this short story!
May 21, 2024
I really loved the ace reputation and how their relationship with a Succubus was handled. But the ending should’ve been longer. Good read otherwise
June 6, 2024
This was a fun cozy fantasy romance.
June 19, 2024
Wonderful cozy witchy romance novella with excellent asexual representation.
December 3, 2024
DNF. The mean girl, catty characters and plot don’t do it for me. This isn’t cozy fantasy , whatever it is.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews