Midnight Grooves

by Sula Sullivan

Sharice is a makeup artist witch whose glamour spells have been fizzling out—along with her career. After her cosmetic line flops and her clients disappear, she decides it’s time for a little magical intervention. Cue Mama Free’s, her go-to soul food spot that serves up more than just mouthwatering dishes—it promises to deliver manifestation magic. But when her order goes to the wrong address and lands in the hands of her annoyingly perfect neighbor Otis, Sharice finds herself in an unexpected situation. Between Otis’s charming grin and the spellbinding aromas of cornbread and candied yams, Shanice starts to wonder if the food is working its magic… or if there’s a different kind of enchantment brewing right across the hall.

Genres: Romance

84 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 21, 2024

Reviews

[guiltless pleasures · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m calling it: This is the perfect low-angst election season read. It’s only 75 pages but is full of tenderness, magic and a big disco ball of support and love disguised as a bell-bottom-clad, Afro’d hunk of a man.

Otis lives across the hall from Sharice, but they’ve never interacted until Moonbright, a holiday in this parallel magical Earth. He invites her in, and we are treated to magical happenings involving lava lamps, brooms, soul food and gargoyles.

This novella is light on plot but heavy on vibes, and I am left with the warm fuzzies and a tear in my eye. Recommend!

Thanks to @toriloves_heas for bringing this sweet read to my attention.

[Darcy J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️
Virgo’s Groove by Beyoncé would be my song of choice for this one.

“Sharice, you could turn my entire place into a glitter factory, and I wouldn’t care. I’m just… I’m just happy you’re here with me.”

-Can I say I would love to have a meal at Mama Free’s?
-I want to celebrate the Moonbright holiday! These feel like my people.
-When she used her magic on Otis and the glitter on his arm? 🥹🥹😍😍
-Otis was SICK when he though Sharice left - homeboy was going through it
-I need this as a full length novel
-Swoonworthy 🥰😍 just a feel-good story

[Eleonora · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was all vibes no plot but it was short, sweet and full of feelings. Excellent vibes. I loved the witchy 80s setting.

[ToriLovesHea’s · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is perhaps my favorite thing I’ve read in October. It was just pure, cozy, magical, 70’s goodness. It’s like a parallel Earth where magic is a known thing and witches are your neighbors. And one particular witch neighbor ends up spending a magical evening called Moonbright Day with her hunky neighbor. There’s no plot. It’s all vibes. And I loved every bit of the 75 pages I got! It was also like…grounded just enough in 70’s history to be a historical as well as a paranormal? Like Otis is a Vietnam vet and it’s lightly touched on! They live in Motor Vale which I *think* is an homage to Detroit, Michigan and the communities there. But it’s really just super sweet and the love for Black 70’s culture and soul food (and bell bottoms!) really shown through. Precious.

[Charnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a cozy, cute romance 🥰 I loved the magical and witchy vibes mixed in.

[Kerry Dunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The melody carried them higher, beyond the stars themselves, or so it felt. The air that high was cool and sharp, but the warmth of her presence, her magic and her song, wrapped around him like a soft blanket.”⁣
⁣
This novella is all vibes, hardly any plot. But I dig the vibes. Ultra 1970s, Afros, bell-bottoms, disco but also witchy, broomsticks, magic spells cooked into soul food.
⁣
The romance is low angst, super cozy, and brimming with magic. I could definitely live comfortably in Otis’ apartment.

[Katie O’Reilly]

💫🌟⭐️✨

Cozy, charming, no-angst romance between a daddy bear crocheter and a sexy witch 💫

Featuring:

🧹 1970s vibes
🧹soul food
🧹 waterbeds
🧹 broom rides
🧹 disco

[DeLanni Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice cozy quick pallet cleanser.

[Ammie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25/⭐️ This was a cute novella! It had the 70’s vibe which I thought were great and decent banter. I liked the MCs they had good chemistry together. I liked some of the witch elements to the story as well. This was a good novella moment and a quick easy read. Happy reading!