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Soulmates #2

Deals & Dalliances

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A partnership, a problem, and a passion are blooming… and maybe love.

Piper excels at her job alone, but now she’s been assigned a new temporary partner – an extremely arrogant Elf. To top it all off, he’s hot, and passionate about saving nature making Piper forget whether she wants to hit him or kiss him.

River has often gone against Elven tradition, but he’s always fought for the Earth. Now he’s been assigned to work with a witch to help secure more land. She may drive him crazy first, especially since all he thinks about are better uses for her lips.

Will the two of them realize there’s more than just physical attraction? Can they stop arguing long enough to see they may be falling for each other?

In Deals & Dalliances, you’ll find dual first-person points of view of a magical health environmentalist and a park ranger. Magic, enemies to lovers, and a little more spice.

337 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 7, 2025

21 people are currently reading
136 people want to read

About the author

Anne Willoughby

3 books23 followers
Quirky, creative, and always weird - Anne always strives to be authentically her and help others to do their best. She's a college professor by day, and a writer and crafter by night. Born & Still in southern Kentucky, she loves the countryside and hills, and enjoys spending days with her husband and son.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
Profile Image for Kathi.
399 reviews17 followers
August 2, 2025
Deals & Dalliances by Anne Willoughby is the second book in the Soulmates series. Piper gets a new coworker for a new job, but the elf River is getting on her nerves. On one hand she finds him annoying, but on the other hand she finds him handsome. River feels the same, but they have to work together in order to help some save some land.

After enjoying the first book in the series I thought I would give the second one a go. And it was quite okay. River and Piper were constantly fighting, however, there was some romantic and sexual tension missing. Their first kiss and what followed was quite sudden for me. That did not make it less sexy and steamy, but it came unexpected as there was some tension missing.

I love the ending as it is. I liked this twist.

I did not enjoy the book as much as the first one, but I liked it.
Profile Image for Unleishd_reads.
240 reviews4 followers
March 8, 2025
What a fun, witty romance with just the right mix of tension and charm. The characters, especially the lead couple, have great chemistry, and the dialogue is snappy and entertaining. I loved the way the author blended humor with heartfelt moments, making it easy to get lost in the story. The setting and world-building add to the overall vibe, creating a rich atmosphere without overpowering the plot. If you're looking for a light, engaging read with a little bit of spice, this one’s definitely worth checking out!
Profile Image for Kay.
85 reviews3 followers
March 18, 2025
I've finally gotten the chance to read and review this book by Anne Willoughby and I wished I had done it sooner. School and all that!

I loved this book. Complete enemies to lovers. This was a breath of fresh air read from the darkness I'm usually used to. I enjoyed the way the felt around each other, the tension and attraction was so palpable.

I really loved Mr River so much. I loved the magical feel this book brought me. I enjoyed it so much.

Rating
🌶.5
Profile Image for Jessica Allen.
178 reviews3 followers
February 4, 2025
What a wild book journey to go on with an elf and a witch! The enemies to lovers relationship between River and Piper was pure perfection. Add some spice and magic and this book was all around fantastic! I loved the dual POV in this book along with the vastly different personalities of all of the supporting characters intertwined in River and Piper's lives.
Profile Image for Erica Cummins.
52 reviews
March 11, 2025
it was cute! the beginning was a little slow, and i didn’t know if i was even going to finish it- but i pushed through! there were a few spicy scenes that were GREATTTT!! the story was cute and it tied together in a little bow at the end.

if you’re into fairies and nature, this is def a cute quick read.
Profile Image for Kate Laycoax .
1,465 reviews14 followers
March 4, 2025
Anne Willoughby is a delightful new author I’m thrilled to have discovered. Her debut novel, Baked & Brewed, was an absolute gem that I couldn’t put down, and I eagerly anticipated reading her follow up, Deals & Dalliances. This tale centers around Piper, Willow’s best friend from Baked & Brewed, and delivers everything I hoped for—magic, romance, and the perfect blend of tension and passion.

Piper, a fiercely independent and highly competent witch, finds herself stuck with River, an arrogant (but devastatingly attractive) Elf, as her new temporary partner. Their clashing personalities make for some deliciously sharp banter, but beneath all the snark and frustration, there’s an undeniable attraction. River is just as passionate—about the Earth, about defying expectations, and soon enough, about Piper herself. Watching them battle their own stubbornness while falling for each other is an absolute treat.

The dual first person POV brings both characters to life, giving insight into their push and pull dynamic and the slow realization that their attraction might run deeper than either of them expected. The magic infused world adds an extra layer of intrigue, and the environmental themes feel fresh and relevant. And let’s not forget the spice—when these two finally stop bickering long enough to give in to their feelings, it’s absolutely worth the wait!

If you’re a fan of magic, elf adventures, pixies, witches, a dash of spice, and a heartfelt romance, then this book is perfect for you! I loved the tension and chemistry between Piper and River, along with the familiar faces from B&B that added depth to the story. It’s a heartwarming read that many of us crave in our lives. Anne Willoughby has once again delivered a magical, romantic escape that’s impossible to resist. I highly recommend!

Thank you to Anne Willoughby for the eARC of this book.
Profile Image for Rachel.
2,355 reviews132 followers
March 7, 2025
Deals and Dalliances is the second book in Anne Willoughby's Soulmates series. This book follows environmentalist Piper and River, an elf who wants to change at least his world.


Piper was a fun character. I loved her sass, but she could be a bit blunt. She loved getting underneath her new partner River's skin. As for River, he came across a little arrogant when he first interacted with Piper. Outside those interactions, River is kind, a forward thinker that's trying to help the community he cares about. The back and forth between him and Piper was great. Those conversations were so heated, plus the attraction—how could this pair not become explosive?


The environmentalist storyline was interesting and was a plot that I haven't come across too often. The tension between Piper and River because of this big project was real. Piper was just trying to do her job, and River was trying to save the environment around his community from a big company. They continued to misunderstand each other. Both cared about the environment but had their limitations. I would have enjoyed a little more magic. In fact, I even expected it considering both MCs were supernatural. Nevertheless, I did find the elven community to be an interesting bunch. They were very secretive and stuck in their ways but big on community. When it came to them fighting for the farm, it felt like the little guy versus Goliath but not as pressing, if that made sense. Things ended differently than I had guessed, but there was still a HEA, so no complaints here.


Deals and Dalliances was a delightful, cozy paranormal romance. I had fun reading this one, it was a very lighthearted read. Plus, I loved seeing Willow and Winston again.
Profile Image for Colleen Brown.
Author 7 books3 followers
February 14, 2025
I absolutely love this story! I had the pleasure of being a beta reader and an ARC reader. This story is like a warm hug from behind during fall by someone you love as the wind tosses leaves around you. The characters and the relationships are heartwarming and feel so genuine. River and Piper are sweet and salty, and I loved their dynamics.

River definitely gave me Legolas vibes and I was so here for it. He's sweet but stubborn and though he's an elf and in his fifties, he had some growing up to do. He did just that and it was wonderful to watch throughout the story. Piper is feisty and a bit of a hothead, but it was endearing to see her develop. Especially with the fear of loving someone and, more importantly, figuring out she was worth loving in return.

Some of my favorite quotes:

"Today I spent the afternoon with my magic, and nature. I felt that connection, and for the first time there was still something missing.”
“What?” She whispered.
I looked up at her, “You. I was missing you. I don’t want to know what a world without you is like. I choose you.”

The idea was terrifying, to give up my magic. And to [possibly] still live for centuries... for years without Piper.

“My heart loves her. As much as I look into the future, and I see the years I could have, and the things I might accomplish, without her, it seems barren.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Hannah.
172 reviews8 followers
March 2, 2025
thank you to the author for an ARC!

this was such a cute read. I didn't read the first book but this can be read as a standalone. though, I did get the first book during the fantasy stuff your Kindle day.

the relationship between river and piper was very professional and nothing crazy. it felt realistic and nothing felt out of place. I loved reading about all of the different types of species and ressing about the eleves in this book.

Piper is a witch. she is sassy and gets angry easily but I loved watching her personality develop throughout the story. she definitely learned how and to be loved and finding out that she herself, was capable of being loved.

River is an elf who is very in-tune with nature. he's compassionate and enthusiastic about what he believes in.

the two work together in order to figure out whether or not the farm is enough for a new company to be interested in officially buying it. River of course, wants to save it. there is definitely some tension between the two at first but they are ultimately drawn to one another.

this book was so cute and I couldn't put it down. I definitely recommend it!!
Profile Image for Christine.
104 reviews9 followers
March 5, 2025
Cute book, hadn't read the first yet but this can be read as a standalone. Following Piper a witch who works for the Health & Environmental Department, and usually alone, gets put on a case with Quincey River, aka River, an Elf and park ranger trying to save the farm/land from being sold to a very questionable company. While they have no choice in working with each other, their passions for their job, the land and butting personalities - turn most of their interactions into lots of fighting, tension and something unexpected blooming between the two.

A world, with cute magical characters from orcs, pixies, witches, and elves and friendships between that are supportive and very sweet. While I did find that Piper and River may haveee missed a step between the 'can't stand you' to 'I love you', I do think that overall a cozy read.

Thank you so much to the author for this ARC for my honest opinion.


-- Quotes --

"Nothing. Just waiting for your command."

"You. I was missing you. I don't want to know what a world with you is like. I choose you."

"To the past, we say thank you. To our regrets, we say let it be..."
Profile Image for Tiffany.
537 reviews13 followers
April 19, 2025
Deals & Dalliances is a cozy book with dual perspectives from both the FMC and MMC. Piper and River are partnered to work together on a project, one is a witch following environmental steps to facilitate the sale of a farm as a city employee and one is an elf wanting desperately to save the farm from the big company factory and have the sale go to the local elven enclave. As tempers rise and personalities clash, the two very, very quickly (the only negative about this book) move from enemies to lovers. The main characters are believable and likeable. The cast of side characters are wonderful and add a lot to the overall story. This is the second book in a series, but it can easily be read as a stand-alone novel.
If you are looking for a cozy, quick read with witches, elves, pixies and more--this book is for you.
I can't wait to read more by Anne Willoughby.
Time and life got in the way of me reviewing this book sooner. I thank the author for the eARC of this work. My review and my opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Terri Van Steen.
223 reviews3 followers
February 4, 2025
This is the second book in this series, Baked and Brewed being the first one. One of the things I really loved about the first book is that we get to see all different kinds of mythical/fantasy species and that continues in this book also as we are introduced to the elves.

We get to follow Piper (a witch) and River (an elf) as they try to navigate a tumultuous working relationship. We still get to see a lot of Pipers friends we met in the first book, Tess and Willow (a fairy and a human). The 3 of them have an absolutely amazing friendship and I’m not going to lie when I say I’m jealous of that!

I really enjoyed the introduction of the elves and getting to learn about them and their homes as well as their laws and values.

I can’t wait to see what happens next, I wonder whose story we will get to follow, I’m kinda hoping for the sassy awesomeness of Tess!
8 reviews
March 7, 2025
I was given an ARC of this book, and I leave this honest review by my own choice. This is the 2nd book in this series by this author, and I'm now invested in reading her first one. I gobbled this book right up? I love the fantasy and magical aspect of it as well as how all of those bits fit together in society as normal and accepted. At times, I found the romance a bit forced, but that might just be me with the enemies to lovers troupe. I love how the main characters team up to work with environmental issues and a bit of mystery solving. This story made me want to go get lost in a forest to really center myself and find perspective just like River. SPOILER: I was a bit sad that he gave up his immortality without really thinking it thru in my opinion, but all in all, this was a very happy romance. I'm excited to read book one!
Profile Image for Danielle Stricklin.
122 reviews2 followers
March 8, 2025
You out did yourself yet again. I thought book 1 would always be my favorite but book 2 really came in and I could not get enough of it. I loved how we still got a lot of Willow, Winston, and Tess. Piper has always been a character that I loved. She is someone who loves food and is always there for her friends. I am so happy that we got a book in her POV. I loved getting to know her more and her life. I absolutely loved the way her and River argued. They always had me laughing. I really enjoyed the dual POVs again. It is just nice to get to read both sides and see how it all comes together for both characters. If you like Witches, Elven, Magic, and so much more I highly recommend this book for you!!

I can't wait to read what you do next! Thank you so much Anne Willoughby for giving me the opportunity to be apart of the ARC team!❤️
Profile Image for Eel Williams.
332 reviews4 followers
April 28, 2025
A quick, enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance where a fiery witch and a stubborn elf are forced into a partnership that tests more than just their patience. Piper and River have great banter and undeniable tension, but I honestly found myself liking the first book better overall.

This was a decent, simple read, something easy to fly through when you want a little magic, a little arguing, and a little spice without getting too tangled in heavy plotlines. Piper’s sass and River’s earthy passion made for a fun dynamic, even if it didn’t hit quite as hard for me emotionally as I hoped.

If you’re looking for a low-angst, lightly magical romance to fill an afternoon, this will do the trick, even if it didn’t leave quite the lasting impression the first book did.

⭐ 3/5 - Fun tension and magic, but not as strong as the series opener. Good for a light, cozy escape.
Profile Image for MellissaMae.
252 reviews22 followers
February 26, 2025
This Romantasy is ridiculously cute with some sizzling bits thrown in for good measure!
If you devoured The Spellshop or similar reads, I'm pretty sure you'll be hooked on this one.

The modern setting is a refreshing twist on the usual Romantasy fare, making for a fun, lighthearted read.
It's got cozy vibes galore, but don't be fooled – there are some spicy scenes lurking within.

The image at the end, featuring the characters, is spot on – I mean, who wouldn't picture the male lead as a dead ringer for Legolas (I'm not ashamed to admit I was obsessed as a teen, and maybe still a little as an adult 😉)?

Honestly, I think the image should be front and center so you can visualize the characters in all their glory while reading!
Profile Image for Kats.
146 reviews5 followers
March 11, 2025
This is the second book in the series but can be read as a standalone. The story follows Piper, a witch who does environmental assessments, and River who is an Elf determined to block the sale of land to a factory. Forced to work together to save the land, the banter and tension between the two soon spills over into attraction. Once they stop arguing for a moment they realise there may be more to their relationship, but can they overcome their differences?

This was a charming story, with an environmental focus and a dilemma to face. The introduction of the Elves was very interesting, learning more about their history. I will definitely read future books in the series. Thank you to Anne Willoughby for the advanced copy, my opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Trish McCarthy.
145 reviews1 follower
January 16, 2025
I loved the first book, and I am so happy that we get Piper's story. Piper is a witch and Willows best friend from Baked & Brewed. The story starts with her assigned to work with an elf named River. She must inspect this farm for a new company wanting to buy it. River wants to save the farm. He is passionate about nature and wants to save the earth. He is hot headed and gorgeous. Piper and River have some major tension and constantly fight in the beginning. The chemistry between them is steamy and they are the only two who don’t see it. I love how we get to a little more from earlier characters stories.
Profile Image for April .
79 reviews4 followers
March 8, 2025
Anne Willoughby has done it again! Deals & Dalliances is a sizzling follow-up to Baked & Brewed, delivering the perfect blend of magic and romance. Piper and River's chemistry is explosive! Their constant bickering and underlying attraction kept me glued to the pages. The dual POV perfectly captured their push and pull, and watching them fall for each other was pure delight. The spice? Absolutely worth the wait! If you love witty banter, a touch of arrogance, and a whole lot of passion, this book is for you. Plus, the familiar faces from B&B added a lovely layer of connection. Anne Willoughby is a must-read for fans of magical romance!


This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kyra.
22 reviews
March 9, 2025
I received this book as an ARC and I will mention right out of the gate that I did not read the first book, but this one could be read as a standalone so that’s not necessarily a requirement.

Overall I enjoyed the book and the personality of the characters blended well together. The spice was also done well and wasn’t over the top.

I do feel like the romance between Piper and River was rushed and sometimes a little forced. They went from “I hate you” to “I love you” with very little in-between. I think a little bit more of a transitional period would have been nice to see.

But other than that, I really enjoyed the book and will be reading more from this author in the future!
Profile Image for Jennifer Dyer.
Author 5 books57 followers
May 8, 2025
This is the second installment in this cozy series with a paranormal flare. This one had an office romance vibe with the witch and elf on opposite sides of an environmental issue. There was lots of arguing in the first part and lots of kissing in the second part.

It was a nice escape into a cozy world full of delicious baked goods and problems that weren’t mine. I think an interesting book club discussion would be whether people would make the same choices as River (I don’t want to get too specific with any spoilers).

I’d recommend this to readers who love witchy books with plenty of romance spice. The steam content would make this one rated R for most readers.
Profile Image for LadyWho.LovesBooks.
93 reviews7 followers
January 13, 2025
Anne Willoughby is a delightful new author I’m thrilled to have discovered. Her debut novel, Baked & Brewed, was an absolute gem that I couldn’t put down, and I eagerly anticipated reading her follow-up, Deals & Dalliances. This tale centers around Piper, Willow’s best friend from B&B.

If you’re a fan of:

✨ Enchantment
🏹 Elven adventures
🧚 Whimsical pixies
🧙‍♀️ Mystical witches
🌶️ A dash of spice
💝 Heartfelt romance

Then this book is perfect for you! I loved the tension and chemistry between Piper and River, along with the familiar faces from B&B that added depth to the story. It’s a heartwarming read that many of us crave in our lives. After all, who doesn’t need a sprinkle of magic every now and then?
42 reviews
February 22, 2025
This is a fun romance book set in a fantasy world. Piper is a witch who works for an environmental agency, and River is an elf fighting to save land from bad developers. As the pair are forced to work together, they fight a lot!
Set in a world of pixies, unicorns, orcs, spells etc., the book is fun and fresh, and doesn't take itself too seriously.
The LGBT+ elements are refreshing.
The book is quite simple, and would make a good holiday read as it is entertaining and not overly long.

This book was an ARC but my views are my own.
Profile Image for Natasha.
59 reviews
January 14, 2025
3.5/5 stars

This is such a sweet and cozy romantasy!
I liked that it featured the governmental-environmental aspect and worked that in as the red thread of both Piper's work, River's degree and the case they're working toghether. It really bound the whole plot together.
I would have loved to hear a bit more info about the grave and maybe an input from Inspire Steel on the case before it got changed.

I hope there will be a love story for Autumn as well!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for KyLee Zelfer.
50 reviews6 followers
February 12, 2025
This is such a cute, cozy romance story with a bit of magic sprinkled in. This is the second book (Baked & Brewed is book 1) and I'm really happy to see Piper's love story along side of Willow's continuing story. Sometimes, you just really need to argue with someone to find common ground 😉. I love that we got to see more than just the mortal world in this book and I'm really hoping there's another book for Tess coming our way!
Profile Image for Erin Saulpaugh.
526 reviews15 followers
March 16, 2025
I liked this book a lot. It was hard to get interested in the book at first. But by chapter 3, I was sold. The magic. Witch. Can't forget the elf. I liked the names of the main characters, River and Piper, so cute. The spice was good, too. Towards the end of the book, everything came together nicely. I honestly I could see myself reading this again...
Perfect for anyone who loves fairies. Elves. Witches. Magic! Plus, it is a novella, so it's a quick read.
Profile Image for Toni.
45 reviews1 follower
March 21, 2025
Really cute and cozy read about Piper, a witch, and River, an Elf.
I enjoyed their banter back and forth and the tension between them in the beginning. They are adorable, even if they do need to work on their communication skills, lol.
This is the first book I've read in this series, but now I want to go back and read the first after meeting Willow and Winston in this book.
I do love a good found family trope. Highly recommend.
Profile Image for Jamie Williams.
503 reviews10 followers
January 16, 2025
This was my first read from this author, and I ended up really enjoying it. I will admit, the first third of the book didn’t really have my interest, but I kept reading and I’m so glad I did. The story was really heartwarming, and I loved the characters so much. If you’re looking for a unique story with a happily ever after, I highly recommend checking this one out.
Profile Image for Megan Russ.
Author 28 books112 followers
March 1, 2025
Even better than the first book. I loved Piper in the first book, I am so glad we got to see more of her and learn about her story in book two.
Introduce River the grumpy elf and you've got a match made in heaven? maybe...
But soulmates do not care where you've come from or what promises you can make for the future. Can these two stop arguing long enough to realize it is mutual attraction?
422 reviews12 followers
March 7, 2025
I needed this book. This is a cozy fantasy romance book with great characters and some pretty good fights. I really loved that we still had our first couple Willow and Winston play a good part and Tess of course. The back and forth between these characters was just perfect. I enjoyed the backstory we got on river since he is a new species to the book. Such an enjoyable book
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews

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