Enchanting Elixirs

by Lori Thorn, Heather Balcerek (illustrator)

Romantic love isn’t real. Just ask renowned love Potioneer Cordelia Covington. She brews up “love” and sells it in a bottle with a little ribbon that her niece, Hestia, insists on.

Cordelia and Hestia run Enchanting Elixirs, a cozy, clean potions shop in idyllic Mystic, Connecticut. The two are perfect partners; Hestia’s social grace balances out Cordelia’s sharp tongue.

When local disappearances start making headline news at a frightening rate, it unearths a shocking Covington family secret. As the women search for the truth about their past, Cordelia’s structured life gives way to turbulence, mystery, and the Hawaiian shirt-wearing Detective Carlos Perez, whom she can’t seem to shake.

What Cordelia learns from her research and being forced to spend time with Detective Perez cracks the case, and her life, wide open.

296 pages, Paperback

Published January 14, 2025

About the author

Lori Thorn writes immersive romance that will make you want to be besties with some characters and gossip about others!

Romance is important, transformative literature that everyone deserves to enjoy. That’s why Lori releases a closed door edition for every open door novel she publishes.

Lori lives in Western North Carolina (her favorite place in the world). When she's not engaging in bookish activity, you might find her on the trails, making music, in the kitchen, or enjoying her family.

Reviews

[Erin Saulpaugh · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cutesy mystery with a hint of romance.
I have not read anything like it. I love that we didn't know what was happening to these missing people until the very end. Cordelia does not believe in love. Love is manufactured, hints the potions. Cordelia believes that the potions create distractions.Cordelia learns that love is not manufactured after all. Love is real. She used to wonder why people claimed to be in love when love hurts people. Then she meets this detective, and she begins to develop some strange feelings that she can't explain. She thinks one of the ingredients from her potions made her feel this type of way... it was fun to watch her fall in love for the very first time. I love how the magic that these people have is simple and realistic. Cordelia brews potions that help people with their love grow. You have a problem with your love life. You call Cordelia. Cordelia and her niece come visit you at your home. They talk to the couple together and separately, and then Cordelia tours your home. She gathers all information that she may need to create this potion. She doesn't know the ingredients until she starts to make the potions. The ingredients just come to her naturally. This is her gift. Cordelia is a potioneer. Hestia sees auras.
I don't know how to describe this book without giving anything away. I will admit the book was really slow until about chapter 19. Once chapter 19 hit, I couldn't put it down. The questions I had started to come together. This was just cute and fun to read. I definitely recommend...

“Clean dirt?! Clean dirt? Isn’t that an oxymoron?” lol

Banish and vanish. Lusty no more. Show Detective Perez the door.

“Best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time.”

[Lily Cesario · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was given the opportunity to read this as an ARC and I am super grateful for that chance! The author is very sweet and has a passion for what she does.

The pros:
The story idea was fun. Spicy scenes were written very tastefully as I usually get the ick really quickly in a romance if it’s not done well. The focus on communication and opening yourself up I thought was a great message and it was pretty prevalent throughout the book. The concept of the lubbers being the trapped people was cool, but I wished I knew more about they why behind everything!


The cons:
I felt like there were such promising concepts that were either too rushed, not expanded on or were never touched on again. The romance was very quick and felt a little out of place considering that they never touched on the soulmate aura. I thought that it had to do with the story more but I never really got answers. I wished there was more world building, more complex characters I think there needed to be a little more refinement and maybe omitting some of the more extraneous subplots would allow room for the main plots to be explored.

[Lauren Newman Lipp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story so much. Lori Thorn does a great job writing what I would consider "slice of life" romance: Everyday people with normal lives, falling in love. This story is no different, but a slight twist with a magical element exists. She does a great job writing captivating characters with dynamic backstories. The connections between characters are one of the most interesting aspects of this story, and even the side characters are loveable and interesting. I found myself genuinely invested in the characters and plot of this story as I read, and it became hard to put down. This story has a mystery element that kept me turning the page and I continued to guess and predict what would happen next. I felt that the conclusion was interesting and satisfying as well. This story was very unique, and I thought Thorn did a great job writing fantasy elements in a mostly contemporary world.

[Ingrid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this novel felt like combining my favorite parts of that relatable goodness you get from rom coms and the witchy nostalgia I've gotten from past series like HP and Sabrina. Do not be mistaken by this positive though, as it is certainly in it's own eccentric category of magic - this book created new parallels to real life I had never considered alongside the potential of magic, and especially, potion-brewing. The main characters Cordelia and Hestia I felt like I knew after only reading a few chapters in, and their banter combined with the romantic elements of the book were my favorite.

I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a read that feels easygoing while still taking you to another world. I read most of it on a long flight and the time has never passed faster! Thank you Lori!

[Jessi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been deep in a reading slump this month, but Enchanting Elixirs by Lori Thorn was exactly the cozy escape I didn’t know I needed. 🧪✨

Set in a charming little town with a magic potion shop we follow Cordelia Covington, a renowned Potioneer of love potions, who just happens to not believe in love herself. She and her sassy niece Hestia run said potion shop, Enchanting Elixirs.

People are disappearing and secrets from Cordelia’s past start bubbling up when Detective Carlos Perez enters the picture. Somehow, despite his questionable wardrobe choices and knack for being nosy he manages to be quite charming.

You’ve got grumpy/sunshine vibes with the banter, and a mystery that unfolds with just the right amount of charm and suspense.

Easy to read, totally charming, and full of heart—this is the perfect cozy fantasy to curl up with. 🌙📚

[Cody Warner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was able to get this book as an ARC from the amazing Lori Thorn, and I'm so glad to be a part of this launch.

This book was impossible to put down. The rhythm of the book and plot just kept me hooked the entire time. At just over 200 pages, the book flew by. The book is a fantastic blend of both mysterious crime and witchy romance with some open doors thrown in.

If you could blend Buffy and The Craft Enchanting Elixirs would be that baby. Set in the quaint beautiful town of Mystic, Poitioneer Cordeila and her niece Hestia stumble upon a family mystery and a sexy cop.

This is the perfect book for anyone looking for some mystery, romance, and magic!!

5/5 ☆☆☆☆☆

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great story with a dose of magic and plenty of mystery. Had some good twists I couldn't predict and a lot of witty moments that made me smile

[Allthebooks (Lynette) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.3 stars

Unexpected and a good surprise. Different in a good way. I really enjoyed this book.