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Maple Hollow #2

Curses & Cold Brew

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A witch makes a deal with an irresistible demon, but when souls start to go missing, all Hell breaks loose . . .

Maple Hollow is known for its endless October charm, gossiping ghosts, and pumpkin spice everything. Not the sort of town you’d imagine a designer suit-wearing demon to call home. But when Ramona Henry’s souls start to go missing, she sets out to find the thief, and that means reluctantly calling in the help of a certain apothecary witch who bears her mark.

Iris Stonewood is more than Maple Hollow’s most flirtatious witch—she’s also a thrill-seeking thorn in Ramona’s side. Bored of being the third wheel to her two best friends, Iris decides she’s going to be the Watson to Ramona’s Sherlock. Their banter is sharper than a vampire’s grin–and twice as deadly.

Now that souls are vanishing faster than candy on Halloween night, will Iris and Ramona be able to catch the culprit before it turns its ghoulish gaze on Iris?

Everyone’s a suspect, from the broomstick busybodies to the vampire knitting club. With the mystery unfolding, Iris and Ramona hunt through the shadows to unmask the villain while trying to ignore their sizzling chemistry that burns hotter than a Halloween bonfire.

It’s tricks, treats, and just a touch of damnation in this cozy sapphic paranormal rom-com. Expect a hellishly good time in the second installment of the international best-selling Maple Hollow series.

284 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 2, 2025

402 people are currently reading
1972 people want to read

About the author

Ali K. Mulford

10 books311 followers
Also writes as A.K. Mulford

Ali K. Mulford (also known by their bestselling fantasy pen name A.K. Mulford) is a rom-com author and former wildlife biologist who swapped rehabilitating monkeys for writing novels. A US and NZ citizen, Mulford now lives in Australia rearing two human primates, writing lovable characters, and making ridiculous TikToks (@akmulfordauthor).

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5 stars
585 (26%)
4 stars
987 (44%)
3 stars
534 (24%)
2 stars
88 (4%)
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6 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 374 reviews
Profile Image for Gabriella.
326 reviews84 followers
September 23, 2025
Cuuute! At first I wasn’t feeling the connection, but I really got invested around the 60% mark when they started being all cozy and cute together. 🥰🥰 Also, Ramona is my dream woman, I’d follow her into hell any day 🖤🔥. My main complaint at the end of this is…I NEEDED MORE OF RAMONA KNITTING!! 🧶 🧶🧶
Profile Image for ♥Milica♥.
1,867 reviews732 followers
November 28, 2025
Enjoyed this one almost as much as the first (that one was a smidge better), the vibes were on point, the town ever so Halloween-y (I'd live there if I could), the characters were great (hurray for all the different creatures), I only had an issue with the romance.

I honestly wasn't Ramona's biggest fan, and the fact that her and Iris's relationship was lust based, for the most part, didn't help. I got tired of hearing how hot Ramona was every time Iris laid eyes on her...but I enjoyed the rest of it, and will be looking forward to the third one.

3.5
Profile Image for Noi (in & out) .
916 reviews539 followers
October 8, 2025
“I kissed you because I wanted to,” she said. “Simple as that. I kissed you because every time your lips leave mine, all I can think about is when we’ll be joined again.”

This was fun
"lesbian magic."
:)
Profile Image for Juniper L.H..
910 reviews34 followers
October 24, 2025
I loved this. I liked the first one, and this was even better. This novel (and series) lets the vibes do a lot of the heavy lifting, but I am ok with that because a small town sneakily populated by every spooky creature is awesome; especially as it’s a tourist town and they barely hide the supernatural elements. Its fun is what I am saying. I am looking forward to the third book and honestly I could probably read like 20 more of these.

Rating: A- / 5-Stars

Honestly this might not deserve 5-stars? I am definitely rounding up. I enjoyed it a lot though so ehhhhh

Highlights:
-Vibes. Spooky fun. So many wonderful characters. Its just good and needs to be repeated.
-Good balance of mystery/plot and the romance. Both sides of the novel got their due and they were interwoven nicely.
-Iris is awesome, especially in the last third of the book.
-I like how they subverted expectations in the climax (no spoilers). It was almost less climactic the way they did it, but I found it far more enjoyable than what would normally be expected.

Nitpicky Complaints:
-Miscommunication ughhhhhh (wasn’t too bad/long).
-Honestly the plot AND romance were a bit weak. This novel could have benefitted from being longer. It felt more like “everything crammed into a Hallmark Movie timeline” as opposed to “novel where things have proper time to develop”.
-There were a few unresolved plot points at the end, but that might just be for the sake of sequels.
-I really wish they had discussed some more about their relationship before the book ended; I hate it when it ends the second they get together. Especially considering that your girlfriend is a demon….. I feel like that’s something that should be discussed and could be an issue.
Profile Image for Heather myfriendsdontread.
324 reviews743 followers
December 6, 2025
For some reason, this took me a whole 4 months to finish. I finally had to just switch to audio.

I didn’t hate it. I was just really bored and could never seem to get pulled into the story. Maybe it was just the wrong time. It was fluffy and mindless, which is usually my vibe.

It was also odd to me how there wasn’t actually any romance. Suddenly around the 75% mark they were saying I love you forever and moving in together, which didn’t make any sense because they hadn’t actually spent any time together or gotten to know each other at all. The romance felt completely random.

I liked the nod to Twilight though. It always makes me happy when authors do that.

I’d definitely read book one, but skip this one.
Profile Image for Danielle Pulliam .
480 reviews77 followers
September 12, 2025
**𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘** 𝑪𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒔 & 𝑪𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝑩𝒓𝒆𝒘 𝒃𝒚 𝑨𝒍𝒊 𝑲. 𝑴𝒖𝒍𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑲. 𝑬𝒍𝒍𝒆 𝑴𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒐𝒏 (𝑴𝒂𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝑯𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘 #2)

Release Date: September 2, 2025

4⭐️3.5🌶

This book comes with all the comfy cozy vibes, plus coffee, cider, and all witchy vibes you could ever want. This book was a delectable little fall read, and I can't want to see what couple comes together in the little town of Maple Hallow next!

Iris loves her apothecary, her coven, and her small town of Maple Grove, but she gets bored from time to time. She's dated every available single witch in town, and a few of the monsters, but her coven has a rule for not dating or even sleeping with any of the demons in town. But can she stay away from the sharp-tongued and sexy Ramona?

Ramona is a demon in the small town of Maple Grove, and she's had her eye on Iris, a little red-haired witch, who works at the local apothecary. Ramona has even made a couple small Deals with Iris with a cost of going on a date with her, which she hasn't called due yet.

Ramona had made a detail with a local Saul Henderson for his soul in exchange for a small fortune, but when she goes to collect his soul, it's not there. Who is stealing her souls, and for what purpose?

Ali K. Mulford and Elle Morrison are definitely a power house when it comes to writing comfy cozy with a side of sapphic love plus fall vibes! I can't wait for the next installment.

Themes/Tropes:

🍁Practical Magic Vibes
🍁Cozy Witch Fantasy
🍁Paranormal Romance
🍁All the fall vibes
🍁Forbidden romance
🍁Love at first look
🍁Sapphic romance

TW:

✨Curses/spells
✨Monsters
✨Occasional language
✨Sexual Content

Thank you to Ali K. Mulford and K. Elle Morrison for a copy of this book! @akmulford @k.ellemorrisonauthor
Profile Image for Erica.
706 reviews847 followers
September 7, 2025
This was so cute and genuinely funny! I’ve been reading quite a bit of horror and more serious books in general lately, and this was the perfect lil palette cleanser. Plus, it’s such an entertaining book to read during spooky season! I love this series and really hope they do another one!
Profile Image for Gill.
49 reviews2 followers
October 11, 2025
Book two in the Maple Hollow series. This time its Iris a young witch who herself becomes bewitched by the local town demon.

Namely Ramona who is much older, designer clothed, confident, very dangerous and she wants Iris.

They push each others buttons till real danger arrives in the form of a powerful banished vampire.

It has the same fun, quirky, thriller, spicy themes as the first book. Very enjoyable

 
Profile Image for Tabby.
270 reviews9 followers
September 11, 2025
I remember reading the first book in this series last year and I loved it, this one is even better. The chemistry between the main characters was so good. On top of that, the setting was amazing and helped me get into the fall season. I also enjoyed the mystery subplot it added a good bit of flavor into the story.
Profile Image for Stacktheforest - Natalie.
227 reviews22 followers
September 24, 2025
3.5 ⭐️

This cozy yet VERY spicy sapphic romance was a really fun read. Small-town, halloween vibes with a touch of found family and a hot af tall, witty demon! There was mutual pining and a great slow burn.

I wish the plot was a bit more fast paced but this book had a very laid back, chill vibe with clever writing and cameos from our favourites from the first book.

I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.

I read this book as an ARC and this is my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Silvy.
518 reviews159 followers
November 26, 2025
cute and fun paranormal romcom in a pumpkin spice witchy stars hollow! nothing overly memorable but hot and sweet and a comforting autumnal read.
Profile Image for Lana | Libraryofabibliotaph .
569 reviews20 followers
August 21, 2025
It's cosy, it has demons and witches and friendship and love, and a mysterious soul-stealer on the loose.
Perfect read to get you into fall vibes 🍂🎃

The story consists of the right balance between reading about characters we know and characters we've only briefly met before. It's part romance (LGBTQIA+) and part thriller, providing Maple Hollow and its inhabitants plenty of room to shine. Oh and don't read this book while you're hungry, because the lavender lattes and cold brews, apple cider donuts and blueberry muffins will have you drooling all over the place.

The two main characters, Ramona and Iris, definitely stole my heart. Their personalities, banter, flirting and chemistry are *chef's kiss*. You could say that both their personalities and the plot could have benefitted from some more in-depth exploration, but keeping in mind the shorter length of this book, this didn't bother me at all. Plus, I'm quite sure we'll get to see more of Mona and Iris in the next book(s) too. So all's good on that front in my opinion.

The thriller/mystery aspect of the story was very interesting. Nothing too complex, yet interwoven with all the different supernatural communities within Maple Hollow. I love how tight-knit, helpful and protective the townspeople are.

Like what you read in this review? Then go and grab a copy of this book! If you haven't read Pumpkin Spice & Poltergeist yet, I do recommend starting with that one though. That book is the first one of the series. It has some of the same vibes, also romance x mystery, and gives you an introduction to most of the characters in book two. Some things won't add the same value to this story otherwise. Have fun!
Profile Image for Marybeth Buskirk.
665 reviews32 followers
October 4, 2025
This book was just such a fun easy quick time and I absolutely loved the autumnal vibes with the sapphic witch and vampire duo!
Profile Image for Abigail.
252 reviews8 followers
September 9, 2025
“All bless the goddess of lesbian magic.”

I’ve been waiting to return to Maple Hollow since I finished Pumpkin Spice & Poltergeist last year, and this book was even better than the first (and I loved that one)! Maple Hollow and its supernatural residents are so much fun and I love their quirky little found family.

Going back to the Halloweentown of my dreams, and having the story focused on apothecary co-owner Iris and the badass demon Ramona, was everything I didn’t know I needed. This book was HOT. From book one it was clear that the sexual tension between Iris and Ramona was off the charts, and this book delivered on it. I also loved watching these badass women save themselves and each other while falling in love.

Curses & Cold Brew featured so many of my favorite tropes (grumpy x sunshine, small town romance, paranormal mystery) and I found a new appreciation for the touch her and die trope. This book is a perfect sapphic read for spooky time.

Thank you to the authors for the gifted copy of this book! I can’t wait for book #3 in this series.
Profile Image for Francesca.
24 reviews
October 19, 2025
Both books I have read by this author have the same problem:
They write that the two main characters have fallen in love, but nothing happens to make them fall in love. Just like, they go from lusting to being in love and there is never any reason, build up, tension, etc.

There’s no pining. I have no idea why these two characters liked each other, let alone loved each other.
Profile Image for Danielle Rice.
270 reviews1 follower
October 25, 2025
2.5⭐️ This book was okay overall, but it felt like something was missing—especially in the romance department. I wish there had been more development showing how the main characters actually fell for each other. The love story just didn’t feel fully communicated for me. One moment they were solving a mystery together, and the next they were declaring love—without even going on their planned date!

That said, it wasn’t a bad read. The mystery element was solid, the love interests had potential, and the antagonist added a nice touch of tension. I just would’ve liked a bit more emotional depth and explanation behind the characters’ feelings.
Profile Image for Lisa W.
65 reviews1 follower
October 16, 2025
I find this one hard to rate as well.
A few likes/dislikes:
-It’s perfect for autumn/halloween, just like the previous book. I did find the first book to be a bit more autumnal than this one for some reason.
- It’s always nice to have another story taking place in the same town, because you then already know (almost) all of the characters. So that it’s easier to like a sequel imo because it’s already familiar.
- In the beginning I was not feeling the Ramona-Iris vibes at all. Only at around halfway/60% through did I start to really feel their chemistry.
- Even though I liked the characters of the first book more, I found that this book had less “will they, won’t they” and less drama than the first.
- This book’s mystery was a bit more thrilling as well.
- I listened to the audiobook and I just wonder: why make Ramona’s voice so whiny? It was very annoying and distracting.

Conclusion: I did enjoy it, but it again took me until about halfway through the book to feel their chemistry.
So I’d say 3,5 stars rounded up.
Profile Image for Marta.
293 reviews5 followers
September 12, 2025
A very nice book!

Yet another story in the universe of Maple Hollow. I was impatiently waiting for this one to come out. I loved the first book in the series and had high hopes for this one, and I wasn’t disappointed.

Maple Hollow seems like a wonderful place to be during the autumn season, with its magical atmosphere and Halloween vibes, but being a part of this community feels like a perfect place to belong. The citizens of this city are just like one big family, and families often fight, argue, disagree, judge, comfort and love one another. This book is a good example of that.

The mystery part of this story was holding my interest and kept me guessing who was behind the theft of souls. As much as this story is mysterious, it is also sweet, hopeful and heart-warming, and it definitely keeps you sucked in until the end.

Iris and Ramona’s unexpected love story (okay, a tiny bit expected - because of a mention in the first book) was wonderful to read about. The way it was evolving felt magical. The chemistry between the main characters felt genuine. However, I do have some questions(or rather hopes) about their future, which maybe the third book, which will come out next year, will answer.

Again, the cover is as beautiful as the previous book’s was. I love the color and the vibes I get from looking at it.
Profile Image for Mrs Moa.
464 reviews30 followers
September 9, 2025
A banter filled sapphic paranormal romance.

A persistent witch, an unhappy demon, a soul stealing mystery, well meaning towns people - what could go wrong?

Set in Maple Hollow, a Halloween themed tourist town with a bit of a twist - unbeknownst to the visitors, the majority of the townsfolk are paranormal.

🍁 grumpy x sunshine
☕️ opposites attract
🍁 slow burn
☕️ forbidden love
🍁 witch x demon
☕️ mystery and suspense
🍁 small town
☕️ fabulous side characters
🍁 fall vibes

A fun, flirty, spooky read.

I was sent this book by the author and all opinions are my own.
Profile Image for rune ♡.
73 reviews1 follower
October 27, 2025
took me a while to get through it cause of exams but i missed maple hollow sm 🥲 ramona and iris do not top harlow and jordyn for me but they were amazinggg to read about, and even if it took a little while for the story to pick up it still was an enjoyable read !! can't wait to finally see the wyatt/willow slow burn be consumated in the next book, and i spotted at least two possible sequels in between the lines... so color me even more excited for next year and the ones to come !!
Profile Image for cecey ♡.
275 reviews15 followers
September 6, 2025
3.75 🌟

a cute and fun sequel perfect for Sapphic September
Profile Image for Victoria.
66 reviews8 followers
September 26, 2025
I BINGE LISTENED TO THIS IN A DAY AND A HALF I AM FERAL I NEED MOREEEEE!! Call me a sucker for a sweet, cozy, and slightly corny romance any day.
Profile Image for Kaila.
126 reviews1 follower
October 7, 2025
In love with this series. What’s better than a sapphic halloween book based in the equivalent of Halloweentown??
88 reviews1 follower
October 1, 2025
10/10 HIGHLY RECOMMEND

UGH! I loved this one so much more than the first (and I loved the first!) It was so good, start to finish. I like Iris, but I LUUUUV Ramona. I can’t wait for book 3.
Profile Image for Ashley Kindig.
25 reviews
October 21, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
The first book felt a bit more meaningful but this was still a cute little love story. Queer demons and vamps, what more could you want?
Profile Image for Lara Reading Wild.
221 reviews2 followers
August 23, 2025
3.75 rounded up

Fun little fall paranormal romcom. Love the premise for this series, but I didn’t enjoy this installment as much as the first.

The world building and characters are so fun!

The relationship between Iris and Ramona started in the first book and continued in a short story, so we jump right into the flirting and innuendo in chapter one. If you haven’t read at least the first book, it would seem like insta-love.

The plot seemed to have too many conveniences for my preference. I had to suspend my belief a few time in order to continue to enjoy the book for what it was. I’d still recommend this for anyone who wants an easy, fun fall read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 374 reviews

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