Curses & Cold Brew: A Cozy Sapphic Paranormal Rom-Com

by Ali K. Mulford, Bridget Bordeaux (Narrator), Andria Mae (Narrator)

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.

Audible Audio

Published September 23, 2025

About the author

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).

Reviews

[Sterling Sapphic Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, I loved this audiobook. Like, the kind of love where you hit replay on your favorite chapters just to hang out in Maple Hollow a little longer. Ali & Elle have a knack for mixing cozy small-town vibes with flirty, witchy chaos, and Curses & Cold Brew delivers all that and more.

Ramona—the designer-suited demon with big “I can fix this myself” energy—and Iris, Maple Hollow’s flirtatious apothecary witch, have the kind of banter that sizzles. Every quip, every charged pause, every reluctant team-up? Pure sapphic gold. Between the missing souls, the gossiping ghosts, and a vampire knitting club that definitely knows too much, this book kept me laughing and grinning the whole way through.

And can we talk about the narration? Bridget Bordeaux and Andria Mae absolutely nailed it. Their voices brought Maple Hollow to life in the best way—it felt like I was there, sipping a pumpkin spice latte while the chaos unfolded around me. Honestly, this and Pumpkin Spice and Poltergeists are must-listens for spooky sapphic season. I adored this style of narration

Sure, the pacing might wobble a bit between the mystery and the romance, but the cozy-meets-campy energy makes up for it tenfold. If you’re craving something warm, witchy, and full of flirtatious snark, grab your headphones and dive in.

Final vibes: a hellishly fun, pumpkin-spiced paranormal rom-com that’ll make you wish Maple Hollow were real (and that Iris would flirt with you next).

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so much fun and I think I might have even liked it more than the first book in the series, even though I wasn't expecting to! I loved Iris and Ramona's banter and of course the atmosphere of Maple Hollow is perfect for spooky season. This was funny, romantic, and swoony.

[Nicola Of Arkham · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 25%

I just couldn't with the awful puns and bad flirting.

[Julianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

exactly what it says on the tin lol