Don't Kiss and Spell

Paranormal Romance #1

by Camilla Isley

Being a single witch at the holidays can be hard. The solution? Mila Bennet brews a love potion on Christmas Eve, hoping to fall in love with the next man she sees. But instead of the charming date she imagined, Riley King—Salem's Magical PD Chief Inquisitor—bursts through her door and arrests her for murder.

Now Mila has leapt out of the cauldron of holidays blues straight into the fire of Riley's handcuffs. It's instant hate between the witch and the dashingly infuriating wizard in uniform. But the potion has other plans. It sparks an unbidden, fiery attraction neither of them can resist.

They’d want nothing other than to go their separate ways and let the effects of the potion fade. But when Mila, cleared of all charges, is sentenced to collaborate with Riley in solving the murder mystery, they have to ignore their off-the-charts chemistry and work together to crack the case.

As Mila and Riley forcibly collaborate, they must also face off to the fact that somewhere between the puzzling of clues, mistletoe, and suspects interrogations, they might be falling in love.

But can Mila settle for a love that comes from a potion and not the heart? As the investigation progresses, she wonders if a murder case is the only mystery she has to solve…

Get lost in this hilarious, magical rom-com perfect for fans of Erin Sterling. An enemies to lovers paranormal romance with a dash of cozy mystery.

Genres: Romance, Christmas, Fantasy, Paranormal, Cozy, Witches, Holiday

305 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 8, 2024

About the author

Camilla is an engineer who left science behind to enter the whimsical realm of romantic fiction.

She writes contemporary rom-coms. Her characters have big hearts, might be a little stubborn at times, and love to banter with each other. Every story she pens has a guaranteed HEA that will make your heart beat faster. Unless you're a vampire, of course.

Camilla is a cat lover, coffee addict, and shoe hoarder. Besides writing, she loves reading—duh!—cooking, watching bad TV, and going to the movies—popcorn, please. She's a bit of a foodie, nothing too serious. A keen traveler, Camilla knows mosquitoes play a role in the ecosystem, and she doesn't want to starve all those frog princes out there, but she could really live without them.

Reviews

[Camilla Isley]

My first witchy rom-com is out now at all retailers in e-book, audio, and print...

This was such a fun book to write... I hope you'll have fun reading it 🐈‍⬛🕷️🧶🔮📖🧹🫶🍯🥮

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Add to your TBR:

[ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

halloween may be over, but me reading halloween books will never.

[laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

i came to the conclusion that Camilla Isley can do no wrong and this book is the perfect book to transition from october’s spooky vibes to december’s christmas vibes. such a quick and light-hearted read!

i always say the same things about this author’s novels but her writing is just so good, it literally makes you forget you’re actually reading instead of watching like a movie inside your head.

another hit in my house from miss Camilla Isley!

[Stacy St-Yves · Rating 4 out of 5]

À mon avis le livre est plutôt un 3.5/5 mais jai beaucoup apprécié ce livre en audio ce qui me fait pencher vers le 4.

Je suis décue car le livre aurait tellement de potentiel si le world building était développé:

le livre est très en surface alors que l'univers et les personnages auraient mérités beaucoup plus d'approfondissement et de temps car ils étaient intéressants

[Cat]

This is a hard one to rate.

On the one hand, we have an interesting premise with witches. I really enjoy witchy stories, so this one caught my eye.

But the story is just ok, despite the magic and the talking cat. Which, unfortunately, didn't appear as much as I would've liked him to.

There was also a mystery to be solved, but, this being a rom-com, the investigation wasn't a priority. Still, I think it would have been so much better had the resolution taken a little longer to achieve.

I have one more Camilla Isley Christmas book to read and I think it will be my last. I can't say I loved these books, quite the opposite, so perhaps the best thing is to give it a break. Maybe one day I'll get back to this author.

[gio · Rating 2 out of 5]

my second dnf (at 38%) of the year…. Is it me that pick random books or i don’t know?? this book is too much for me, it’s random and cringe from the very start, i hoped i could get through the book but the ml it’s the stereotypical male who thinks with his **** and not with his brain nah boring!!!!!

[Ember James · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was cute, but I shook my head or groaned at the story a few times. This was usually due to the way a character was described or the fact that the couple spent more time flirting than anything else. I prefer a little more plot to my stories.

[Michelle George · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️ rounded up!

This was a cute, cheesy and somewhat predictable cracked door sizzly/mystery/witchy romance! Definitely don’t read it if you don’t like that type of thing, but I do and I really enjoyed it! Dual pov which I always love!
It was just a cozy, feel-good read.
It was a cute story and the two main characters had a cute telepathic thing that i haven’t read in any book! it was super clever and cute!
Very little language but definitely more adult type content and more of a cracked door book.

It takes place during Christmas time so be aware of that as well! LOVE that there was an epilogue!

[Ibone · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cliché y previsible pero entretenido y no tan cringe como me lo esperaba.

[Hope · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10 short, fun and a cozy witchy read.

[Brittany Crickard · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

[Stephanie Watkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

a silly and easy read.

[Gleidis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Christmas in Salem, Massachusetts with a Witch and other magical creatures. This was funny, cute and a nice twist on my holiday readings.

[Jamilyn Aubel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute little cozy Halloween romance.

[Lochlyn ✩⋆⁺⋆₊♡₊✧ · Rating 3 out of 5]

“so frogging hot” removed a whole star

[what.rachel.reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Omg he lets her think he’s under her love spell to save her from a dangerous life as a cop’s wife???
Mutual pining and unrequited love??
Phantom hands he’s using to keep her warm unconsciously feeling her up???

[Stephanie]

I just didn’t believe the character’s attraction to each other and there wasn’t a whole lot of plot outside of that. They were attractive people who found each other attractive and they fell in love over mutual attractiveness? I’m all for a cozy witchy rom com, but this was not for me.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read other books with witches in them. Witches living among the normies, but I don't think any of them did it with the fun that Camilla Isley brings.

Riley is basically the chief of magical police. There is an attempted murder and he and his squad go in for the arrest.

Poor Mila is asleep in the tub with cucumbers on her eyes and one of the cops gets scared and hexes her. Sounds like real life cops. Getting frightened by cucumbers.

So they all see her buck naked, and Riley picks her up naked. Really?

So its all very complicated because Mila had made the love spell cupcakes for herself, then her sisters takes them and gives them out at the elementary school. Then they figure out that they woman was actually poisoned and the love spell saved her.

The judge in charge of the case assigns Mila community service, and makes her help Riley solve the case. Silly? yep. Does it work out perfectly? yes.

Along with all of this fun, most female witches have familiars and they talk! I loved it! Mila's cat was so funny.

And Riley and Mila have some special connection that they don't quite get but is blamed on the love spell. They are just so fun, and their sexual tension is fun too. I always thought I wouldn't enjoy a paranormal romance, but Camilla Isley showed me I could love it.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5/5.

Didn’t really read the description, so I was kind of surprised it’s a Christmas book. That's on me, for sure. I kind of got used to basing what I want to read on the cover, vibes and known tropes, because I want to go in knowing as little as I can. Backfired this time, but that's fine, it happens.

It's a cozy - sometimes a little too sweet - read. I liked the mind connection thing, it provided for some good laughs (especially the mermaid banter, I think), even if it was also a little cringy (I'm not used to Camilla Isley's books containing this amount of spicy thoughts, it felt a bit unbalanced and objectifying). The cozy vibes mixed with the crime part created a cute setting - I imagined the whole thing as an animation in my head.

We got the raccoon’s POV ! Though I'm sad to say it was very short, happened only once, and didn’t really impact the story, which I consider wasted potential. Would love to see more of both familiars.

Unfortunately, I do have to say that I hate when a man’s reasoning is ‘I want to protect you, and I’m not going to ask if you want to be protected or explain anything’. Makes me instantly annoyed. Let her decide for herself, you big baby.

[Tatiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read a few of Camilla Isley’s books but I think this one takes the cake. It’s hilarious, easy to read and has the best witchy moments. I also love the creative cursing using witchy words. Riley is part the magic police that arrests Mila after an attempted murder thanks to mila’s sister stealing her contraband cupcakes of the magic variety (perfect match spell) for her daughter’s school when someone poisons one. Being cleared on the poisoning but not the magic use on the cupcakes forces both Mila and Riley together to solve the poisoning. Things get interesting when Mila realize the spell she inadvertently used worked on Riley. Riley lets Mila think that her spell was the only reason for their attraction in order to protect her from the heartbreak his mother had to endure when his father was killed on the job. Mila doesn’t accept his reasoning and fights for what she wants. I love the way they love each other and that he wants to do anything to protect his soulmate. I can’t wait to see what the next Camilla Isley book will be.

[Poppy Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up Don't Kiss and Spell expecting a light-hearted magical romance, but what I got was so much more. Mila is the kind of protagonist I wish I could be friends with—sweet, a little reckless, and utterly relatable as she fumbles through love spells and baked goods gone wrong. And Riley? He’s the classic grumpy-yet-swoon-worthy hero, with just enough vulnerability to make him impossible to resist. I was hooked from the scene where Riley barges in, all business, only to find Mila in the middle of a bubble bath with cucumbers on her eyes! The awkwardness, the chemistry, the banter! Every chapter had me either laughing out loud or clutching my chest from all the feels. If you’re a fan of enemies-to-lovers with a magical twist, do yourself a favor and dive into this book. It’s the perfect blend of witchy chaos and heartfelt romance, and it left me grinning like an idiot.

[Barbara Hackel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun and different look at magicals who end up handling a non-magical murder, a love spell gone awry, and thought communication. I loved the fresh unique qualities the author created in her characters. I also appreciated the author having a less steamy option as well as a STEAMY one. I selected the less steamy choice and felt it was plenty explicit yet not graphic. It's nice to have a choice.
The plot had some interesting twists, the characters varied, and the pace kept the reader engaged. It was fun and certainly original witchy characters. Perfect for the Halloween season we are in now, or anytime you want a magical diversion from reality! Great author who always has terrific characters and plots.

[Amanda | Techabooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love Camilla Isley’s books and this one did not disappoint! Light-hearted, funny, sweet rom-coms with a dash of spice are Camilla’s specialty and Don’t Kiss and Spell hit the mark.

This is the perfect book to transition from spooky season to Christmas since it’s a witchy tale set on Christmas Eve. It’s a quick, easy read that is so easy to get lost in. I forget that I’m reading a book every time.

On the digital version of this book you can download 2 bonus epilogues - takes me right back to the ‘Goosebumps - you choose the scare’ days in the best way. One choice is a sweet, fade to black and the other option is a bit more steamy. This is how amazing Camilla is - she gives us options!

I am looking forward to reading the sequel, A Match Made in Coven, soon!

4.75 stars ✨

[Simply Chique Shelby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this audiobook on hoopla 🎧 and loved it!!! I just wish they would’ve had a second narrator for the male character.

This is such a quick and easy October read to get you in the spirit for Halloween!! 🧙💜🧪

Tropes: Enemies to lovers paranormal romance with cozy mystery.

Mila Bennet is a witch that decides to brew a love potion on Christmas Eve to make her fall in love with the next man she sees! 😍🎄 Little did she know the next man she’d run into was going to be Riley King Salem’s Magical PD Chief Inquisitor and he was in her home arresting her!! 🫢🚔🚨Mila gets cleared from the charges, but isn’t able to escape Riley just yet. Mila is sentenced to help Riley solve a murder mystery 🕵️‍♀️

Perfect magical rom com for October!! 🧡🎃

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not usually one for paranormal romance, but Don’t Kiss and Spell won me over with its quirky humor and lovable characters. Mila is a walking disaster in the best possible way, and I couldn’t help but root for her as she navigated everything from magical mishaps to unexpected romance. The way she and Riley butt heads—yet can’t seem to stay away from each other—is the stuff of rom-com gold. I mean, who wouldn’t fall for a Chief Inquisitor with a heart of gold beneath that tough exterior? Plus, the scene where they have to do a stakeout in the car and he accidentally feels her up with his air hands??? Yes, sign me up.

[lu_betweenthecovers · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a cozy, easy and quick read. I really enjoyed the story and the whole setting. It speaks about soulmates, witches and warlocks, magic lawyers cat and broomsticks. It's the story of Riley, inquisitor King, and Mila a sort of private detective with a lot of expired licenses who bakes cupcakes infused with a love potion for her because she is lonely during the holidays and want to find her true love. But everything goes wrong when her sister steals some cupcakes and so Mila is forced to work with Inquisitor King to resolve a murder attempt. But sparks fly high between them even if they try to ignore the attraction, fate can't be wrong about their connection.

[Katy Russett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t know I needed a magical romance novel in my life until I read Don't Kiss and Spell. This book is a perfect blend of heart, humor, and just the right dose of witchy goodness. Mila’s journey through love and self-discovery is relatable, even with the added sparkle of magic spells and magical mishaps. And the hero? Let’s just say Riley is spellbinding in all the right ways. It’s not just the romance that shines—every secondary character has their own magic (literally and figuratively), and they light up the story. Absolutely unputdownable! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[January · Rating 5 out of 5]

A laugh-out-loud magical masterpiece! Don't Kiss and Spell is equal parts hilarious and magical, with a side of mystery to keep things interesting. The banter it's witty, it might actually be dangerous and cause actual swoons... I caught myself grinning and chuckling out loud as Riley and Mila battled out their enemies to lovers chemistry, and the slow-burn romance had me glued to the page. This book has a unique flavor that sets it apart from any other rom-com I’ve read, and I couldn’t recommend it more.

[Heliea · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really really didn't enjoy this book. Was it my own circumstances? Maybe. Was the audiobook format? Probably.
This is a prime example of how it must be difficult to narrate a book with a sort of dual POV with two actors but the book would have benefited from having a male voice actor too so, so much.
It's a shame because I was really hoping this would be a fun, interesting read but instead it bored me to death. So much so that I stopped right before they discovered the "killer" simply because I really don't care.

[Celeste · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 stars

Oof, this should’ve been so much better than it actually was. Like there was a raccoon familiar named Myron, which is one of my favourite things ever but he was only in a single chapter of the book, and then subsequently called out but never again.

The main mystery plot wrapped up way too quickly for my taste and felt half-baked for the most part,the romance between the lead characters had not a lick of chemistry between the two of them, and the characterization never really felt true to person.

I’d pass on this one.