Second Chance Magick: A Steamy Small-Town Monster Romance

by Katie Haypenny

After disaster strikes in Monstera Bluff, Ada Mayweather must grapple with the prospect that her magick may never return. What hope is there for a witch without magick? When Whispered Folk leadership from across the continent convene in Monstera Bluff to address the events of Samhain night, an unwanted visitor from her past shows up as if the wide gulf of time and distance doesn't matter. Ada never thought she'd lay eyes on her long-lost love Norrell Snowstrider again. His unwanted presence forces her to confront not only her uncertain future, but also a painful chapter from her past that still haunts her. Most bothersome of all, he inserts himself into her life again despite her protests, insisting he'll do all he can to restore her magick and take care of her in the meantime. But after walking out on her fifteen years ago with barely an explanation, can she trust him to make good on his promise? There are no second chances after a betrayal like that, right?

Faced with an impossible choice, Norrell abandoned the love of his life Ada to return home as the ruler of his clan. He never told her why. He couldn’t let her sacrifice all the good things in her life in Monstera Bluff for a soul-crushing future in his settlement where magick wielders like her are met with distrust and cruelty. His clan would surely snuff out the joy and vibrancy within her. Yet after so many years apart, he still burns for Ada, enough to melt the frosty tundra of his homeland. Older and wiser now, he realizes what a horrible mistake he made. When he finds out that Ada was injured in the Samhain night attack in Monstera Bluff, he jumps at the chance to return to her. He’ll do everything he can to show her that she’s always been the fire in his heart, his ember in the frost. And he won’t stop until her magick is restored and she’s her usual sunshine self again.

This story
❤️Grumpy/Sunshine
❤️Second Chance
❤️Hurt/Comfort
❤️Slow Burn Romance
❤️Found Family
❤️He Never Stopped Loving Her
❤️Later in Life (MCs in their 40s)
❤️Endearing Side Characters
❤️Queer Representation
❤️Sweet and Steamy
❤️Dual POV
❤️Hidden, Magickal Small Town with Witches and Monsters
❤️Guaranteed HEA

Second Chance Magick is a spicy, small-town, grumpy/sunshine monster romance told from dual perspectives. It’s the second book in a series of interconnected standalone novels that are best enjoyed in series order. Each story, focusing on a different couple, is set underneath the tree canopies of Monstera Bluff in coastal Georgia, just waiting for you to visit.

Perfect for readers of spicy, paranormal, fantasy, cozy, and small-town romance. Fans of Ashley Bennett, Hazel Mack, C.M. Nascosta, and Lyonne Riley will adore this grumpy/sunshine tale of a second chance at love when it’s least expected and needed the most. The story contains plenty of plot, heat, and sweet to satisfy!

Content warnings are available on the author’s website.

No AI was used to write this book or to create any of its artwork.

369 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 6, 2026

About the author

Katie delights in a good story, especially when it weaves in a powerful dose of swoonworthy romance. After years of work in the corporate world, she's now putting her creative skills to better use. She’s often found typing away on her laptop in coffee shops, pouring her heart into captivating tales set in a whimsical, made-up little place called Monstera Bluff. Currently, she enjoys life in picturesque Savannah, Georgia, where she shares her days with her husband.

Reviews

[Kara McCrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Katie hits it out of the park with compelling story and characters.

This is a book you most definitely have to read after the first in the series, so I'll write my review here as if you've read that.

One thing about this series that I have really enjoyed is the storyline itself. After the cliffhanger of book 1, I was glad to see it continued into this book and to have more answers then we previously did. I really do enjoy that this series falls more heavy into the overarching story and relationships between characters and was a bit lighter on the smut. When a book does that well it feels so much more intentional and the moments between the characters themselves feel so much more meaningful and I think this book (and series in general) does this perfectly.

As for the characters, I just loved the dynamic. I feel like second chance romance is pretty touch and go for me. Sometimes it hits and sometimes it doesn't, but in this case it hit. I loved getting to know more about Ada and her family, magic, and of course her past. Norrell was really interesting to me. When first meeting him there were moments I found myself screaming at my kindle like 'dude, take the hint!' but honestly it was a breath of fresh air to see active growth in a character. In alot of cozy romance it's hinted at but not always shown but we got to see his change almost in real time as we read and I loved that for him.
Other aspects I loved about the book in no real order:
-The characters being in their 40s. (It's rare for the MCs to be older than me and just yes)
-The introduction of interesting Yeti abilities.
-How much more Walt and Acton we got (let's be real, I'm OBSESSED with them and will take every crumb of those 2 old lovebirds I can get!)
-The cats. Enough said.

My overall conclusion? I loved this book as much as (maybe a itty bitty bit more) the first in the series and I am highly invested in what happens next. The world Katie has created is super interesting and feels like there are so many more possibilities.

[Nicola Roche-Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully atmospheric and emotional second-chance romance with hidden worlds, witchy magic, high stakes, and heartfelt yearning. It’s a dual point of view story which includes flashbacks from 15 years previously, where the characters recall when they first fell in love.

Set in the richly imagined world of Monstera Bluff, this story follows our FMC, Ada Mayweather, a witch facing the terrifying possibility of losing her magic, and our MMC, Norrell Snowstrider, the ex-mate who broke her heart when he walked out on her and left her to grieve her parents death alone. He is determined to help her regain her magic and save her “ethereal spark” or “life force!” Their reunion, is fraught with tension, regret and unresolved feelings, making their journey back to one another, a compelling read.

The stakes feel real, the emotions land, and the magic feels both intimate and powerful. The story feels intimate and meaningful, and the emotional stakes feel real. Norrell’s determination to help restore Ada’s power and her light adds a tender, protective layer to their rekindling romance.

My verdict: Second Chance Magick is tender, atmospheric, and emotionally satisfying with just the right touch of magic. I really enjoyed how the author blended romance, mystery, and witchcraft, and as an Irish woman, I especially loved the way Samhain and Whispered Folk traditions are woven into the plot.
If you enjoy magical settings, second-chance love, and stories about forgiveness, trust, and healing, this is a really lovely gentle read with just the right balance of heart and hope.

[E.M. Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was incredibly fun to reunite with the Monstra Bluff characters from book 1. This story focuses on Ada, a witch who lost her powers battling a malignant fae. In the aftermath, she's hurting not just from the deeply personal loss of her magick, but also the feelings of loneliness and abandonment that have lingered in her heart for over 15 years now.
Her mate and college sweetheart, a yeti named Norrel, up and left her only months after her parents tragically died. When he emerges from the icy north to assist Ada in her time of need, she's understandably skeptical and more than a little pissed that he only appears now, and wasn't there when she needed him most.
I admit that I was not 'Team Norrel' at first and wanted Ada to set the jerk in his place. As we get their backstory though, and Norrel truly shows he's changed, I was delighted that Ada gave him another chance and that he stuck around and was the person she'd always hoped he could be for her.
If you like second chance romances with older, mature characters amid a quaint, magical setting then you definitely should give this book a read!

[Denise O · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved everything about this book, the world building,the plot,the characters, the community coming together to help Ada and of course Vanilla Paws and Earl Grey 🐾🐾 The heartbreak, joy, hope, grief, the unspoken words that would have saved all the heartache for both Ada and Norrell.

“ I knew that I would follow her the first time we meet”

When Ada is attacked and her magick taken from her, it brings her ex mate Norrell back into her life whom she hadn’t seen in along time.

She’s trying to get on with her life without magick and when Norrell returns it brings back painful memories of the last time she saw him and how he left her. But for Norrell his biggest regret he had was leaving Ada, she was the best thing to ever happen to him and now that he is back in her life he will do anything to be with her again.💕

I love that we get a glimpse of the past as well and how much Ada and Norrell loved each other. They had loved each other fiercely and it’s now about them finding their way back to each other.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did I accidentally stay up until 3am just because I *had* to finish this book in one sitting? Maybe. Do I suggest you cancel all your plans and spend all day reading this book? Absolutely.

This book is full of found family, magic, small town vibes, second chances and yearning. So much yearning! Ada & Norrell have had a rough go in the last 15 years and I'm not usually one for second chances but this story really made it work. You really feel so deeply for everyone in this book and honestly, I understand both sides of the breakup/reactions which made it feel so, so good when they get their HEA.

I loved getting to see Ben & Cara again in this book and omg the epilogue gave me all the warm fuzzy feels.

Also, Walt and Acton *sobs* they may just be my favorite couple in Monstera Bluff. I love them so much.

[Robyn G · Rating 5 out of 5]

We're back in the small cosy Monstera Bluff!
I absolutely loved being back, it felt like a warm comforting hug.
Ada and Norrell had an amazing past until it wasn't.
Ada loses her magic when she is attacked and Norrell comes back help but she absolutely is not thrilled to see him.
I loved their back and forth and how he wins her over again slowly. There isn't anything fast about getting back in Ada's heart and good books but her two cats didn't have the same problem LOL
I can't wait to revisit Monstera Bluff in the future!