Deals & Dream Spells

The Charmed Leaf Legacy #2

by Rachel Morgan

Regency meets cozy fantasy in this entertaining tale of rivals to lovers, a fake engagement, spit-your-tea-out banter, and endless magical shenanigans.

When Bloomhaven's most notorious rivals accidentally bind themselves to a decades-old enchanted contract laying out the restoration of the failed magical attraction known as Dreamland, they must transform from bitter enemies to reluctant allies, staging the Season's most shocking romance while secretly working together to resurrect the magical legacy that once tore their families apart.

Let the banter-laced warfare, magically assisted sabotage, and dangerously simmering slowburn commence!

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Fae, Cozy Fantasy, Romantasy, Cozy, Magic

332 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 11, 2025

About the author

Once upon a time, in a land not so far away, a young science graduate named Rachel found that the real world wasn't a place she wanted to inhabit all the time. So she decided to escape into the magical realms that had occupied her mind since childhood.

Armed with a vivid imagination, Rachel spends her days conjuring up fantastical worlds filled with adventure, romance, and plot twists, where readers can escape the real world along with her.

Rachel lives in Cape Town, South Africa, with her husband, two little wildlings, and three fur-babies.

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Reviews

[Keira Mueller · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Yes, that's right, SIX STARS!!! My favorite book of 2026 so far.

The first book in this series was a solid 4 stars, but this one COMPLETELY blew me away. I could not stop alternatively smiling, giggling, and squealing while reading it. Everyn and Mariselle are quite literally the perfect match, and the mix of Regency society and the London Season with fae magic created a work of pure imagination (actually, that song describes this story perfectly). The writing style is absolutely beautiful, along with the setting, characterization, high-society dialogue, creative magic, plot...in short, everything about it.

This story was wonderfully well-done, and I was so immersed in it the entire time. It was a dream (no pun intended). Normally, enemies-to-lovers is a hit or miss for me, but Deals & Dream Spells knocked it out of the park. The banter? The pranks? The purposely atrocious poetry? The magic? I was full-on laughing MULTIPLE times.

Both Mariselle and Evryn had fantastic characterization, and I already feel like I belong in Bloomhaven. Their romance was...I have no words. And what Evryn said to Mariselle at the end?! Easily one of the best love confessions ever. I cannot wait to buy my own copy for Christmas.

I deeply hope more people read The Charmed Leaf Legacy; it's so underrated, especially for those of us who were born in the wrong era and belong in Regency society ;)

Language: A few versions of d*mn or d*mmit
Romance: Several arm/neck kisses, one real kiss at the end. Not very detailed.
Violence: None!
LGBTQ: None!

[Lienkie's Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for this ARC copy of Deals and Dream Spells. What an enchanting, funny, sweet book this was! Rachel is fast becoming one of my favourite authors with her writing that just draws you into any story! 💙 I loved Mariselle and Evryn's story - the banter, the pranks and the ridiculous pet names had me giggling - "my dainty destroyer of sanity"😂 there were deep themes in this book of love, reconciliation, overcoming trauma and familial abuse, believing in yourself and your worth 💜 I loved every moment of it and I can't wait for whoever's story we get to read next in this world!

[Anna (Literaria Luminaria) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ugh, I LOVE this series. I'm convinced I would enjoy any and everything Rachel Morgan ever writes at this point. I'm SO looking forward to the next book!

[thelilcloseddoorbookgal · Rating 3 out of 5]

What I liked: the setting, world-building, and the prose.
What didn’t work for me: the pacing (it felt slow in the beginning and a bit rushed at the end) and the slow-burn romance. While I liked the characters, I wasn’t fully convinced by their developing romance. That said, I did enjoy the parallels between them, and there were a couple of moments that made me swoon.
Do I still recommend it? If you are looking more for a “vibes” read (cozy, Regency, whimsical fae world), then yes.

📖 content 📖
-Kisses only, a couple of light innuendos
-Profanity: uses of d*mn, nothing else
-I can’t think of any “warnings” other than an instance of parental abuse and some verbal abuse from family (not graphic)

[Mildly Mad Hatter(Semi Hiatus) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was honestly so sweet and so good!!! I think I liked this one better than the first and I loved the first one so much! I loved the characters and seeing them learn to see each other instead of the masks they wear. There was some language: d*mn several times. Also teasing of intimate activities and such. There was a big part of abuse in this, emotional, mental, and physical. But I really enjoyed it and the depth of the characters was great. Highly recommend!

[Sydney Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, enemies to lovers is my favorite trope and I loved this book!! It was so stinking cute and witty. Would definitely recommend!!

[JG · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one! But the first book is still my favorite.

This is Mariselle Brightcrest and Evryn Rowanwood’s story. The first 65% of the book was very slllloooooooowwwwwww. It was good, just nothing major happens. The last 70% or so of the book is where things pick up. So much so that I stayed up until 1AM because I wanted to see how it would end lol.

I found myself annoyed with Mariselle throughout most of this book. She wasn’t very likable. I believe she was redeemed towards the end though! Also, the big reason behind the Rowanwood/Brightcrest feud didn’t seem like such a huge deal lol.

Besides those small complaints, I enjoyed the book and look forward to the third installment in this series!

[Brittany Linman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very cute follow-up to Tempests and Tea Leaves, though I couldn't get into it quite as much as book 1. It felt a lot slower, but it had its certain charms to keep me going. I enjoyed Evryn's nicknames for Mariselle, and the pranks they pulled on each other were humorous. I look forward more to book 3, though. It sounds way more up my alley.

[Shea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deals and Dream Spells follows another of the Rowanwood siblings as the new Bloom Season begins. Evryn Rowanwood and Mariselle Brightcrest are sworn enemies, at least their families have always been. But when they accidentally stumble upon and activate a magical contract to restore Dreamland, a project their ancestors worked on together, they have no choice but to see it through. They decide to fake an engagement to explain the strange mark they received upon their hands from activating the contract. Of course, they hate each other, so the biggest challenge will be convincing their families, and themselves, that this is a genuine relationship. But only until Dreamland is up and running!

I enjoyed this one as much as the first one! I do wish we had seen more of Dreamland and felt that the soul bond and a few other things were not explained at the end. But I loved Mariselle’s story, and she goes perfectly with Evryn and his family! I loved how Mariselle and Evryn’s version of banter is telling hilarious jokes and laughing at inappropriate times. Overall, a fun read and I’m looking forward to Book 3!

Content: three or four d-m

[Franchesca Barillas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enchanting second book and second favorite for me in this series thus far. The storyline was exciting but the FMC was hard for me to warm up to and I found her overly cold. I often struggled to root for her in the story, but a little over halfway through, I finally began to warm up to her. The couple was hilarious and fitting for each other but didn’t quite win me over like the FMC and MMC did in book 1.

[Olivia Tonn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This had a bit too much romance for my personal taste, but the humor was so delightful that once again I found myself adding an extra star to the rating.

[Callie Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

it's quite possible that book two has tied in favoritism with book three.

[Nicola Marx · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this second book of The Charmed Leaf Legacy series, I really wondered how Rachel Morgan could top Tempests & Tea Leaves and went in sceptical. In the first book, when we encounter Mariselle - the main female character in this book, she's - let's call it less than pleasant.

Then in Deals & Dream Spells in swoops a magical contract with her sworn enemy, Evryn, and we have the perfect setting for anything to happen. There is banter, there is snort-your-tea-through-your-nose nicknames and some very questionable poetry. This is a heart-capturing story about hate, love, acceptance and forgiveness all set within one of the most beautiful magic systems I've ever encountered. The Charmed Leaf Legacy series is fast becoming one of my top series ever read!

[Shelves_by_sim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have seen so may reviews saying that so far, this is the favorite of the series and I wholeheartedly agree. While Tempests and Tea Leaves was absolutely gorgeous, there is just something about this story, maybe it's Evryn, maybe it's Mariselle, maybe it's the fake engagement and forced proximity - I have no idea. What I do know is that absolutely everything in this book just worked so well together. I loved the opening scene, the pegasi racing, Evryn and Mariselle in a traditional Rowanwood-Brightcrest quarrel, the charmed cottage and the magical contract!!

I really enjoyed the animosity between our main characters in the beginning and all the mystery surrounding the reason why these two families are even sworn enemies in the first place. I loved the addition of dream magic, especially since it's so pivotal to the plot, to the history between the Rowanwoods and Brightcrests as well as instrumental in Mariselle's only dream - reopening Dreamland (which is another brilliantly unique addition to the story with its theme park-like dream scape attraction).

I found this book to be hilarious, Evryn is really a ridiculous character when he wants to be! But most of all, he is kind and takes care of his siblings and just overall, quite wonderful. I loved seeing that ridiculous charm slowly chip away at Mariselle's walls, I loved seeing her reveal her real self and her magic! I enjoyed Petunia as a side character and I absolutely loved that the matriachs of both families get a little spotlight too! The connection between the cottage and Rivenna's tea house is also pretty cool. I really enjoyed this one to the point that I didn't want to put it down for a minute!

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sequel to Tempests and Tea Leaves is just as good! It is fantastical and charming. The two main characters are hilarious together. You start rooting for them to get together from about page 5, simply because of the banter that they have.

In this book the enemies to lovers trope is much more pronounced than in Tempests and Tea Leaves. It felt like a Romeo and Juliet situation where the families are doing all that they can to keep Mariselle and Evryn apart. Especially Mariselle’s family. The added trope of fake fiancé creates silly moments of our hero and heroine agreeing with what is being said, but not being able to voice it for the furtheration of their secret plan, leading to mutual insight and eventual love.

As in the first book Morgan writes about heavy topics. The most prominent is familial abuse. This abuse is even more starkly portrayed as it is shown alongside a family that supports and loves each other. It is heartbreaking to read of a family that actively strives to hurt and put down their daughter and her accomplishments. It is skillfully, and carefully done, however, and Morgan manages to break your heart while healing it with dreams, hope, and laughter.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes to read about wimsical dreams, cozy romance, and mischievous and driven characters!

[Luzanne Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Regency-Cozy Fantasy Cocktail You’ll Devour in One Sitting!
If Jane Austen ever traded her quill for a wand, the result would be Deals & Dream Spells—a dazzling blend of Regency romance charm, whimsical magical mischief, and the kind of banter that makes you want to highlight every other line. Rachel Morgan delivers the perfect rivals-to-lovers fantasy romp, equal parts swoony romance and laugh-out-loud sabotage, set against the delightful chaos of an enchanted contract that refuses to be ignored.
From the very first page, this book had me grinning like a fool and muttering, “Oh, this is going to be fun.” And it was—spectacularly so.

🌿 The Premise That Hooks You Instantly
Bloomhaven has a long memory, and apparently, so does its magic. When two of the town’s most notorious rivals—sharp-tongued, quick-witted, endlessly determined—accidentally bind themselves to a decades-old magical contract, they find themselves with an impossible task: restore the failed attraction known as Dreamland.
The catch? Dreamland’s failure had once torn their families apart. And the magic binding them together insists they play nice—or at least pretend to. Which, naturally, leads to a deliciously scandalous fake engagement.
Cue the banter. Cue the sabotage. Cue the slow-burn tension so intense you’ll want to fan yourself, even though the romance is perfectly clean. Morgan gives us a masterclass in chemistry without ever crossing the PG line, and I adored every simmering moment.

💫 Characters You’ll Root For (Even When They’re Ridiculous)
The magic of Deals & Dream Spells isn’t just in the setting—it’s in its characters. Our leads are perfectly matched in wit, stubbornness, and the ability to push each other’s buttons in increasingly inventive ways. Every scene between them is a verbal fencing match laced with undertones of maybe-I-don’t-hate-you-as-much-as-I-pretend.
Supporting characters sparkle too, from meddling family members to nosy townsfolk who would pay good money to watch the drama unfold. And let’s not forget the magical sabotage—half the fun is seeing just how far our “partners” will go to make each other’s lives just inconvenient enough without technically breaking their contract.

🏰 A Setting That Feels Like Coming Home (If Your Home Has Talking Teapots)
Dreamland is a character in itself. Part faded grandeur, part magical mayhem, it’s the perfect backdrop for this slow-burn romance. You can almost smell the fresh scones in the tea room, hear the creak of the carousel, and feel the sparkle of enchantment just waiting to be revived.
Morgan’s worldbuilding is immersive without ever feeling heavy. It’s the literary equivalent of walking into a quaint village that happens to have a mischievous magical undercurrent—warm, charming, and endlessly re-readable.

😂 Banter That Deserves Its Own Trophy
Let’s be clear: this book is funny. Not just “smirk quietly to yourself” funny, but “snort-laugh in public and have strangers look at you” funny. The banter is fast, sharp, and laced with the kind of wit that makes the rivals-to-lovers trope so addictive.
Every insult feels like a foreplay-adjacent compliment in disguise. Every reluctant act of teamwork feels like the start of something neither of them is ready to admit. And when the feelings start to slip through? Reader, you will be gone.

💌 The Romance – Slow Burn Perfection
While the story’s framework is magical restoration and sabotage, the heart of Deals & Dream Spells is the romance. Morgan keeps it clean but charged with enough longing, tension, and “accidental” touches to keep you glued to the page.
There’s something extra satisfying about watching two characters who were so certain they disliked each other start to realize that maybe—just maybe—they’ve been wrong all along. By the time the emotional walls start crumbling, you’ll be cheering, swooning, and maybe even clutching your chest a little.

🔥 Spice Level: Cozy Glow (0/5 Heat, 5/5 Emotional Swoon)
If you’re looking for explicit spice, this isn’t it—but if you want an expertly executed emotional slow burn, it’s a feast. The tension and attraction are so well crafted that you don’t need a single steamy scene to feel utterly invested in the romance.

🎯 Why It Works So Well
Rachel Morgan nails the balance of heart, humor, and high stakes. You get:
A magical contract that forces cooperation between two sworn rivals – hello, tension!


An enemies-to-allies-to-lovers arc that feels natural and deeply satisfying.


A charming, lived-in magical world with details you can taste, hear, and smell.


Laugh-out-loud moments that make the book impossible to put down.


A romance that leaves you smiling long after you close the book.



📚 For Fans Of:
The Selection by Kiera Cass (for the romance-within-a-public-spectacle vibes)


Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston (for the banter and reluctant allies energy)


Pride and Prejudice (if Darcy and Elizabeth had a magical park to co-manage)


Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson (for whimsical but grounded magic)



🛍️ Why You Should Get a Copy
Because this is the kind of book you’ll want to re-read when you need a comfort read, a laugh, or a reminder that love can sneak up on you in the most inconvenient—and magical—ways. Whether you’re a romance reader dipping your toes into fantasy or a fantasy lover looking for a cozy, swoony escape, Deals & Dream Spells delivers in every way.

💬 Final Verdict
Five glittering, tea-scented stars. Rachel Morgan has created a whimsical, romantic, and wickedly fun tale that belongs on your shelf (and probably in your comfort re-read rotation). Cozy fantasy fans, this one’s for you—clear your afternoon, brew your favorite tea, and prepare to be utterly charmed.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yeah I knew this was gonna be better than the last one… heh

Oh banter, how I love you so 😭
The “I hate you trope” but with bantering makes me dance a jig every time I read it
I now know that my wallet is going to whimper in pain as I do officially need a physical copy of this entire series
Books are so overpriced smh. I have a conspiracy theory surrounding that, but that’s another story for another time
I love this mix of fantasy and regency sm. It’s so perfect, i am SO captivated!!!!!
It’s so hard to say goodbye to this book, but I guess it was bound to happen as I spent the majority of my day reading… hehe.
Charming Everyn, may be the first fantasy character on my list of fictional husbands. His brother, Jasvian, was the first boyfriend. But between you, me, and the rest of Goodreads, Everyn is my favorite of the two
Sigh
Now I will live in a book haze the rest of that day
5/5 ⭐️

[Shanté · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written piece of art. The detail within these books are unreal - truly creative. The character development is phenomenal. You really grow to love them - from the hilarious pranks to the ridiculous pet names. But my heart broke for Mariselle, how she was treated by people she was suppose to call home. With this in mind, there were two quotes that stood out to me: “I find myself captivated by the genuine light she carries within her, carefully hidden though it may be from those who don’t care enough to look” and “Your true worth isn’t measured by your accomplishments. It exists simply in who you are.” I think a few lessons can be learned from this story.
You are transported into this dreamworld from the very first page and utterly devastated when you wake up from this beautiful dreamland on the last page. Once again a five star read for me ✨🎪🎠

[Raquel · Rating 5 out of 5]

How was this even better than the first book? I struggled a little to get into it at first, but then I raced through the pages!

I loved that the protagonists each had their mask that they put on in public, but we slowly got to see what was underneath, which each of them surprising the other. Mariselle was a force to be reckoned with! I loved her determination and her good nature, despite the environment that she was brought up in. Evryn was every bit the charmer and practical joker, and watching the two of them interact was oh so entertaining. As always, the banter between Morgan’s characters was top tier.

I absolutely cannot wait to dive into the next book in this series!

[Brittany Rolph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enemies to lovers at its finest. These two LOATHE each other, but they are forced into a fake engagement and have to pretend to love eachother. I was laughing out loud so many times because of the nicknames and pranks they played on eachother.

I feel like I couldn’t fully connect to this one though until about 50% in. I think for me, it had such a different feel from the first one and it was a very, very VERY slow burn. It did pick up though & the last 30% had me melting with love and joy many times.

I loved the character arc of Mariselle. Watching her finally stand up for herself, and watching Everyn help her?! Ugh, it was beautiful.

I’m excited to dive into book three!

[Elizabeth Wagner · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book suffered from being about characters that I felt weren’t properly built up in book one. The first book barely referenced these two, and so you didn’t have any interest. If anything, it felt like it hurt them because there had been a focus on a different sibling that seemed to allude to her book coming next. However, that being said, I did enjoy the story. Mari and Evryn had a fun dynamic, and their pranks kept things interesting. I do hope book three drops the “this previously horrible person is actually nice!” thing the series has going on.

[Jodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a lovely sequel to Tempests & Tea Leaves! Rachel knows how to create a dreamy (haha), magical world with characters that make you laugh and swoon. The imagery was beautiful and always makes me want a cup of tea🤭 The banter was the perfect amount of drama and jokes. Highly recommend this series💜

[Megan Besing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes!

I really enjoyed book one and didn't think I'd enjoy these main character as much as the last, but I did. Totally cheer worthy. Read it. It's good. Ready for more stories in the world.

P.s. tge author makes the character's "wound/lies they believe" very well done on the page.
And great dialogue/characterization.

[Angie H ( Angie Slowly Reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't sure it was possible, but I liked this one even more than the last one, and I loved the last book!🥰
It's such a fun series. The characters are so witty, and the setting is so unique, whimiscal, and cozy. This one is a true enemies to more, and I was entertained the whole time. I'm looking forward to book #3.

[Morgan Barker · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️! Honestly I went between 3.5-4 stars. I love the world and enjoyed getting to know more/new characters. I am glad the main family was involved more to increase interest in the other siblings for future books! However, the romance was oddly paced. We got a lot of fleeting glances or romantic thoughts from one side but not so much the other. Their shift from enemies to lovers felt more sudden than I would have liked. But overall, a good second installment to this series that I will continue to devour.

[Lata · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just as cute as the first book, but even wittier and funnier! I enjoyed the two MCs and their family dynamics (not Mari’s parents tho ughhhh 😖). Their interactions added much charm and humor to the storyline. I thought it would dive more into that Dreamworld, but kinda just ended off on the two MC’s being together fr & their families not beefing anymore. Still, it was an enjoyable read 🫶🏽

[Tyralle · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

First and foremost, I would like to thank the author for allowing me to read this book early.

ARC Review:

From the moment this was announced, I've been so excited to read it. I'm proud to say that it did not disappoint at all. I found myself giggling and squealing during this read.

I like the fact that there was no miscommunication between both main characters. They are perfect for each other in every sense. The cozy vibes in this series are immaculate. It really feels like a warm hug.

I ate up the moments when Lady Rivenna, Lord Jasvian, and Lady Iris were mentioned. I love the bond that the couple shared with a Rowanwood family. It is really comforting. We finally find out the cause of the feud, which, for me, wasn't very surprising. However, the character development was really lovely to see from all characters.

[R.J. Rodda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun romance with witty one-liners

This made me laugh out-loud. It’s a warm-hearted fun tale of the offspring of two warring families being forced by a magical binding (and some blackmail) into a fake engagement.

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

sadly didn't like this one quite as much. will still probably try and read the third that comes out in October!

[Aarii · Rating 5 out of 5]

ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT !!!