What do you think?
The Scottish Charms #2
A Taste of Magic
Scotland’s most magical small town is back as another MacGregor witch takes the spotlight in this follow-up to the “heartwarming, delightful, and enchanting” (Sarah Beth Durst, New York Times bestselling author) national bestseller Love’s a Witch.
She’s hexed. He’s her ex. And if they can’t bake in harmony, Briarhaven’s big cooking competition might just go up in smoke.
Lyra MacGregor’s magic is as unpredictable as her love life—especially when her spellwork starts misfiring during the filming of Briarhaven’s favorite reality TV Bewitching Bake-Off. Even worse? She’s paired with Rabbie Campbell, her high school sweetheart turned heartbreak.
He’s never baked a thing in his life. She turns spoons into hedgehogs when he’s nearby. But with the cameras rolling, the curse deepening, and old sparks reigniting, they’ll have to cook up more than just a winning cake to survive. Because in Briarhaven, baking is spellwork, and love is the trickiest recipe of all.
She’s hexed. He’s her ex. And if they can’t bake in harmony, Briarhaven’s big cooking competition might just go up in smoke.
Lyra MacGregor’s magic is as unpredictable as her love life—especially when her spellwork starts misfiring during the filming of Briarhaven’s favorite reality TV Bewitching Bake-Off. Even worse? She’s paired with Rabbie Campbell, her high school sweetheart turned heartbreak.
He’s never baked a thing in his life. She turns spoons into hedgehogs when he’s nearby. But with the cameras rolling, the curse deepening, and old sparks reigniting, they’ll have to cook up more than just a winning cake to survive. Because in Briarhaven, baking is spellwork, and love is the trickiest recipe of all.
336 pages, Paperback
First published August 25, 2026
About the author
Tricia O'Malley
75 books2,889 followersAs an award winning NY Times, USA Today, and WSJ bestselling author, Tricia O’Malley’s infectious joy in writing romance with an added dash of the magical has touched hearts around the world. With over three million books read, O’Malley’s stories have been translated into several languages and enjoy a devoted following. Tricia O’Malley is a native of Wisconsin, and departed the wintry tundra for warmer locales five years ago. She now lives in the Caribbean with her handsome Scotsman.
An avid scuba diver, Tricia spends much of her time underwater dreaming up new stories while photographing the beautiful sea life. Tricia loves fun vacation reads, believes in mermaids, and has a serious travel addiction. She discovers her inspiration on the go – and you’ll find her books set in beautiful settings with characters who deserve a happily-ever-after.
To see some of her underwater or island life photos visit her on Facebook, Instagram, or join her mailing list at www.triciaomalley.com
An avid scuba diver, Tricia spends much of her time underwater dreaming up new stories while photographing the beautiful sea life. Tricia loves fun vacation reads, believes in mermaids, and has a serious travel addiction. She discovers her inspiration on the go – and you’ll find her books set in beautiful settings with characters who deserve a happily-ever-after.
To see some of her underwater or island life photos visit her on Facebook, Instagram, or join her mailing list at www.triciaomalley.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews
September 9, 2026
3.7 Stars
One Liner: Cute, but with a few flaws
Lyra MacGregor’s magic is unpredictable, and her misfiring spellwork could be disastrous, especially since it happens during the shooting of Bewitching Bake-Off, the favorite reality TV show in Briarhaven, a cozy Scottish small town. As if that’s not enough, Lyra is paired with Rabbie Campbell, her high school sweetheart turned heartbreak.
Rabbie can’t bake to save his life, and Lyra’s magic has become even more volatile when he’s around her. With the curse deepening and their old love story turning new, Rabbie and Lyra have to do more than bake the best cake. The stakes are higher than the bake-off!
The story comes in Lyra and Robbie’s first-person POVs.
My Thoughts
This is the second book in a series, and while it works as a standalone to an extent, I recommend starting with the first book. The setting and the details of the curse, as well as the introduction of the characters, happen in that one. You’ll have a better idea of everything that way, since there isn’t much summarization of book one. Also, the overarching plot is incomplete.
The book starts with a glossary of Scottish terms used, which is always helpful. I’ll be using ejjit from now on. Idiot is good enough, but ejjit has more emotions in it!
I loved Blue, the cutesy, adorable emberwolf in book one, and was curious to know which familiar this FMC would get. And boy, I’m not disappointed! Zoom in on the cover, and you’ll see a teeny lavender mouse with golden wings fluttering (next to the guy). Presenting the most lovable and… terrifying familiar you’ll meet. Gosh, I love her!
The FMC is plus-sized and comfortable in her body (love that). She is pretty, sassy, but kind-very kind, some would say. Except that she is not good at communication. The MMC is also nice; you do want to root for him (to be with her).
The narration is humorous with enough introspection to keep it lighthearted yet meaningful.
In a second-chance romance, the miscommunication trope is often the central theme. I don’t mind it when done right. While I could see the whys and vulnerabilities here, I also felt it took a looong time for them to sort things out. Moreover, the way it happens, though creative, didn’t appeal to me much. I like it when people make the effort.
If you are a fan of reality TV shooting and got the book for the bake-off scenes, be patient. The book lays the groundwork before this starts. I didn’t mind since I’m not a fan of reality TV. I wanted to read the book because I’m curious about how the sisters will break the curse. Have to wait another year, though!
There’s some spice, but not much. Very little since the MCs don’t resolve the issue until the last quarter. But that’s good in a way. Better that they dance around each other for a while.
I do hope the series continues after book #3, as there’s another couple that should get their own book. They are rather cute with all that blushing.
Not much progress with the curse in this one, though there’s some development. Likely that the next book will have to handle the complexities. There’s a teeny sneak peek to read at the end. I know it’ll be just as fun.
To summarize, A Taste of Magic is a decent continuation of the previous book, and the second sister also finds love while trying to control her magic. You know, I’d probably give the book 5 stars if I could get an emberwolf and a fluttermouse for myself.
Thank you, NetGalley and Gallery Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #ATasteOfMagic
One Liner: Cute, but with a few flaws
Lyra MacGregor’s magic is unpredictable, and her misfiring spellwork could be disastrous, especially since it happens during the shooting of Bewitching Bake-Off, the favorite reality TV show in Briarhaven, a cozy Scottish small town. As if that’s not enough, Lyra is paired with Rabbie Campbell, her high school sweetheart turned heartbreak.
Rabbie can’t bake to save his life, and Lyra’s magic has become even more volatile when he’s around her. With the curse deepening and their old love story turning new, Rabbie and Lyra have to do more than bake the best cake. The stakes are higher than the bake-off!
The story comes in Lyra and Robbie’s first-person POVs.
My Thoughts
This is the second book in a series, and while it works as a standalone to an extent, I recommend starting with the first book. The setting and the details of the curse, as well as the introduction of the characters, happen in that one. You’ll have a better idea of everything that way, since there isn’t much summarization of book one. Also, the overarching plot is incomplete.
The book starts with a glossary of Scottish terms used, which is always helpful. I’ll be using ejjit from now on. Idiot is good enough, but ejjit has more emotions in it!
I loved Blue, the cutesy, adorable emberwolf in book one, and was curious to know which familiar this FMC would get. And boy, I’m not disappointed! Zoom in on the cover, and you’ll see a teeny lavender mouse with golden wings fluttering (next to the guy). Presenting the most lovable and… terrifying familiar you’ll meet. Gosh, I love her!
The FMC is plus-sized and comfortable in her body (love that). She is pretty, sassy, but kind-very kind, some would say. Except that she is not good at communication. The MMC is also nice; you do want to root for him (to be with her).
The narration is humorous with enough introspection to keep it lighthearted yet meaningful.
In a second-chance romance, the miscommunication trope is often the central theme. I don’t mind it when done right. While I could see the whys and vulnerabilities here, I also felt it took a looong time for them to sort things out. Moreover, the way it happens, though creative, didn’t appeal to me much. I like it when people make the effort.
If you are a fan of reality TV shooting and got the book for the bake-off scenes, be patient. The book lays the groundwork before this starts. I didn’t mind since I’m not a fan of reality TV. I wanted to read the book because I’m curious about how the sisters will break the curse. Have to wait another year, though!
There’s some spice, but not much. Very little since the MCs don’t resolve the issue until the last quarter. But that’s good in a way. Better that they dance around each other for a while.
I do hope the series continues after book #3, as there’s another couple that should get their own book. They are rather cute with all that blushing.
Not much progress with the curse in this one, though there’s some development. Likely that the next book will have to handle the complexities. There’s a teeny sneak peek to read at the end. I know it’ll be just as fun.
To summarize, A Taste of Magic is a decent continuation of the previous book, and the second sister also finds love while trying to control her magic. You know, I’d probably give the book 5 stars if I could get an emberwolf and a fluttermouse for myself.
Thank you, NetGalley and Gallery Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #ATasteOfMagic
August 24, 2026
Thank you to Gallery Books for the chance to read an advance copy of A Taste Of Magic, the second book in the Scottish Charms series by Tricia O’Malley. This one was just as much fun as the first book in the series, Love’s A Witch. You can certainly read this as a standalone but you won’t understand all the characters and their backstory as well without having read Love’s A Witch first, so I’m glad I went back and read that before starting A Taste Of Magic.
If you enjoy a romance in a cozy magical setting, featuring witches and a variety of magical creatures, along with some very handsome Scottish men, you’ll enjoy this series. We are back in Briarhaven, a small town where “magickals” can feel at home and where non-magical tourists are welcome. The first book concentrated on oldest sister, Sloane, and this one features the second sister, Lyra. The MacGregors have been dealing with a generations-long family curse, which has meant they’ve had to pick up and move from place to place too often to suit Lyra. They are now back in Briarhaven with their beloved witch grandmother, Broca, and are trying to break the curse, which apparently can only be done one sister at a time. The curse is manifesting as constant darkness this time (for Sloane, it manifested as constant snowstorms!) and even though it’s autumn, it’s way too dark to be normal dreary Scottish weather, so people are upset and tourists are leaving. This is a major problem for the town!
Rab was Lyra’s first love as a teenager, before her family was forced to leave Briarhaven. There was a major misunderstanding/miscommunication that left them angry with each other for the intervening years. I don’t like miscommunication as a theme in general, but I can forgive it this time because they were both young teens at the time.
A magical baking reality show is coming to town to film a special Christmas-themed edition of the show and Lyra, who has a baking YouTube show, gets to be a contestant. But at age 25, her magic is just starting to bloom and she doesn’t have full control of it yet. And for this contest, you must use magic in your baking!
Rab is reluctantly recruited to also go on the baking show, even though he’s never baked, and sparks fly (among other things) when he winds up paired with Lyra for the show. There are some chaotic and funny moments when Lyra’s magic goes haywire, both at home and on set.
I loved the grumpy/sunshine and second chance themes here. And the familiars are quite unusual and absolutely delightful. I can’t wait for the next book, which I imagine will focus on the third sister, Nova.
NOTE: There are definitely some spicy scenes.
If you enjoy a romance in a cozy magical setting, featuring witches and a variety of magical creatures, along with some very handsome Scottish men, you’ll enjoy this series. We are back in Briarhaven, a small town where “magickals” can feel at home and where non-magical tourists are welcome. The first book concentrated on oldest sister, Sloane, and this one features the second sister, Lyra. The MacGregors have been dealing with a generations-long family curse, which has meant they’ve had to pick up and move from place to place too often to suit Lyra. They are now back in Briarhaven with their beloved witch grandmother, Broca, and are trying to break the curse, which apparently can only be done one sister at a time. The curse is manifesting as constant darkness this time (for Sloane, it manifested as constant snowstorms!) and even though it’s autumn, it’s way too dark to be normal dreary Scottish weather, so people are upset and tourists are leaving. This is a major problem for the town!
Rab was Lyra’s first love as a teenager, before her family was forced to leave Briarhaven. There was a major misunderstanding/miscommunication that left them angry with each other for the intervening years. I don’t like miscommunication as a theme in general, but I can forgive it this time because they were both young teens at the time.
A magical baking reality show is coming to town to film a special Christmas-themed edition of the show and Lyra, who has a baking YouTube show, gets to be a contestant. But at age 25, her magic is just starting to bloom and she doesn’t have full control of it yet. And for this contest, you must use magic in your baking!
Rab is reluctantly recruited to also go on the baking show, even though he’s never baked, and sparks fly (among other things) when he winds up paired with Lyra for the show. There are some chaotic and funny moments when Lyra’s magic goes haywire, both at home and on set.
I loved the grumpy/sunshine and second chance themes here. And the familiars are quite unusual and absolutely delightful. I can’t wait for the next book, which I imagine will focus on the third sister, Nova.
NOTE: There are definitely some spicy scenes.
Read
August 22, 2026 My Master Post on the Best Rated Witchy Fall Romance Books With Cozy Vibes has all the cozy fall and winter paranormal romance books you need to know about.
A Taste of Magic by Tricia O’Malley is book two in the Scottish Charms series, set in the small Scotland town of Briarhaven, where all the residents are magic, and the tourists think it’s all pretend. I think a Taste of Magic can be read as a standalone, but you’ll probably want to read book one first since that's where many of the characters were already introduced.
For me, the best part of this second chance romance was the YEARNING. Is there anything better than yearning??? Clearly there is a misunderstanding at the root of Lyra and Rabbie's breakup, and it’s fun waiting to find out what it was, as these two former lovebirds are still clearly crazy about each other.
As a fan of GBBO, I thought the bake-off was also so much fun, involving multiple town residents and some good-natured kitchen rivalry. And the Charms coven, a group of witches who socialize, help each other, and practice a little magic, are fun to hang out with.
If you’re looking for a witchy fall romance, A Taste of Magic is a wonderful pick. The Scotland setting is autumn perfection and the plot was funny and touchingly romantic.
A Taste of Magic by Tricia O’Malley is book two in the Scottish Charms series, set in the small Scotland town of Briarhaven, where all the residents are magic, and the tourists think it’s all pretend. I think a Taste of Magic can be read as a standalone, but you’ll probably want to read book one first since that's where many of the characters were already introduced.
For me, the best part of this second chance romance was the YEARNING. Is there anything better than yearning??? Clearly there is a misunderstanding at the root of Lyra and Rabbie's breakup, and it’s fun waiting to find out what it was, as these two former lovebirds are still clearly crazy about each other.
As a fan of GBBO, I thought the bake-off was also so much fun, involving multiple town residents and some good-natured kitchen rivalry. And the Charms coven, a group of witches who socialize, help each other, and practice a little magic, are fun to hang out with.
If you’re looking for a witchy fall romance, A Taste of Magic is a wonderful pick. The Scotland setting is autumn perfection and the plot was funny and touchingly romantic.
Want to Read
March 25, 2026🧁✨ A Taste of Magic ✨🪄
📖 Bookish Thoughts
I’ll be sharing my full review closer to publication date.
💖 What to Expect
• Witchy romance
• Baking competition
• Reality show
• Misfiring magic
• Forced proximity
• Second chance romance
• Small town
_ _ _ _
📅 Pub Date: August 25, 2026
📝 Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
📖 Bookish Thoughts
I’ll be sharing my full review closer to publication date.
💖 What to Expect
• Witchy romance
• Baking competition
• Reality show
• Misfiring magic
• Forced proximity
• Second chance romance
• Small town
_ _ _ _
📅 Pub Date: August 25, 2026
📝 Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
September 3, 2026
Loved this one!
June 25, 2026
Whimsical, cozy, and charming! A Taste of Magic is a joy to read! This is a second book in a series and while it can be read as a standalone, you will get a deeper understanding of the characters and over arching plot if you read them in order. Having read the first book prior to this, I absolutely loved returning to this world!
Lyra is our FMC, and the second sister in a trio of sisters that are cursed. They recently returned to the hometown in efforts to break their family’s curse and return the town to normal. Lyra loves baking and has entered her favorite reality bake off show in hopes to keep growing. But things get messy when her magic arrives and is not working properly. Add in that she is paired with her ex and things really start heat up in the kitchen! Rab, our MMC, is a town accountant and Lyra past love. He talked into doing the baking show to help the town but is surprised to learn he is paired with the one person he avoids at all cost. These two both hold secrets and hurts that get in the way of things. Can they move past it in time for the show and to save the town?
Thank you NetGalley, Gallery Books, and Tricia O’Malley for this eARC!
Lyra is our FMC, and the second sister in a trio of sisters that are cursed. They recently returned to the hometown in efforts to break their family’s curse and return the town to normal. Lyra loves baking and has entered her favorite reality bake off show in hopes to keep growing. But things get messy when her magic arrives and is not working properly. Add in that she is paired with her ex and things really start heat up in the kitchen! Rab, our MMC, is a town accountant and Lyra past love. He talked into doing the baking show to help the town but is surprised to learn he is paired with the one person he avoids at all cost. These two both hold secrets and hurts that get in the way of things. Can they move past it in time for the show and to save the town?
Thank you NetGalley, Gallery Books, and Tricia O’Malley for this eARC!
August 26, 2026
4.5 stars really!
Another winner in this series! I loved all the characters once again in this small town. And Lyra and Rabbie had the past that of course was all based on a misunderstanding on both of their parts. Which can be annoying, however in this story even as I was irritated that they didn’t just talk about that event, I loved the way the author had them end up sharing their own views on that day. It was unique in my opinion, so different than just sitting and explaining it all. Now it didn’t come till later in the story, and the two of them had kind of already agreed to be friends and made up a bit despite that past.
Just like with her sister Sloane in the first book, Lyra’s powers show up and of course it isn’t easy. In fact they seem to want to do the exact opposite of what she is trying to have them do. And as a baker, that makes for some wild situations. Especially as Lyra ends up on a baking competition show, with her surprise partner being Rabbie. While he learns some things about her new powers that he learned when he got his own and is able to help her with that, they also realize together they can overcome the issues for the most part as well. And I love the little issue that happens whenever Lyra thinks sexy thoughts about him, lol.
In the first book Sloane ended up with an adorable ember wolf for her familiar. Lyra gets an adorable but fierce flutter mouse as hers. We get so much time with the other town’s characters in this book, and we can see it is leading to the next book, the youngest sister’s book obviously. I enjoyed the baking show as well, so many yummy sounding dishes. And the way they added the magic to them was a lot of fun too!
Now, I do have one beef with the story. In the first book Sloane’s magic issues made it snow all the time to the point where people got stuck. In this book thanks to Lyra’s powers, it becomes dark all day long, causing issues for those non-magical tourists, as well as even an issue with the owls hunting in the surrounding forest. And when things get “fixed” for Lyra at the end, I couldn’t find anywhere this dark issue was addressed. But surely they did fix it like with Sloan’s snow, right?
While the other book in another series I tried by this author was a bit of a miss for me, this series continues with this second book to be a winner. It’s an easy read, with humor, banter, and only about one real steamy scene. And the second book also has pretty edged pages like the first one did, so I had to order a physical copy for my shelves.
Another winner in this series! I loved all the characters once again in this small town. And Lyra and Rabbie had the past that of course was all based on a misunderstanding on both of their parts. Which can be annoying, however in this story even as I was irritated that they didn’t just talk about that event, I loved the way the author had them end up sharing their own views on that day. It was unique in my opinion, so different than just sitting and explaining it all. Now it didn’t come till later in the story, and the two of them had kind of already agreed to be friends and made up a bit despite that past.
Just like with her sister Sloane in the first book, Lyra’s powers show up and of course it isn’t easy. In fact they seem to want to do the exact opposite of what she is trying to have them do. And as a baker, that makes for some wild situations. Especially as Lyra ends up on a baking competition show, with her surprise partner being Rabbie. While he learns some things about her new powers that he learned when he got his own and is able to help her with that, they also realize together they can overcome the issues for the most part as well. And I love the little issue that happens whenever Lyra thinks sexy thoughts about him, lol.
In the first book Sloane ended up with an adorable ember wolf for her familiar. Lyra gets an adorable but fierce flutter mouse as hers. We get so much time with the other town’s characters in this book, and we can see it is leading to the next book, the youngest sister’s book obviously. I enjoyed the baking show as well, so many yummy sounding dishes. And the way they added the magic to them was a lot of fun too!
Now, I do have one beef with the story. In the first book Sloane’s magic issues made it snow all the time to the point where people got stuck. In this book thanks to Lyra’s powers, it becomes dark all day long, causing issues for those non-magical tourists, as well as even an issue with the owls hunting in the surrounding forest. And when things get “fixed” for Lyra at the end, I couldn’t find anywhere this dark issue was addressed. But surely they did fix it like with Sloan’s snow, right?
While the other book in another series I tried by this author was a bit of a miss for me, this series continues with this second book to be a winner. It’s an easy read, with humor, banter, and only about one real steamy scene. And the second book also has pretty edged pages like the first one did, so I had to order a physical copy for my shelves.
September 9, 2026
𝘚𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘹𝘦𝘥. 𝘏𝘦’𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘦𝘹.
𝗔 𝗧𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗰 returns to the world of Briarhaven with Lyra at the whisk! When Lyra comes into her magic right as she’s about to compete in a reality Bake Off show, she thinks contending with her family’s curse will be the worst obstacle. That is, until she sees her baking partner is Rabbie - her childhood ex/ heartbreak. Instead of birds suddenly appearing every time Rab is near, it’s hedgehogs courtesy of her misfiring magic... and ok, sure, maybe also due to some long simmering sparks...
How quickly I've become completely and utterly charmed by this series! I loved returning to these familiar faces while getting to know another of the MacGregor sisters more in depth, and the plot with the witchy Bake Off for this one was delectable!
O'Malley's writing is witty and engaging, and her colorful imagination knows no bounds. Ruth, the fluttermouse, joins the merry band of familiars; a meek voice but mighty personality, she is full of sass and wisdom and a winning companion for Lyra. The sisterly banter between Sloane, Lyra, and Nova is as delightful as the romantic banter. Lyra and Rab's swoon worthy second chance romance is as heartwarming as it is enchanting, and the dual POV is perfection.
I can't wait to see Nova shift into the role of FMC next. With further progress to the curse over the MacGregors being broken, I'm already counting down the days till I'm back in Briarhaven!
5 🌟 for all the vibes and smiles and magic.
✨️ Thank you to Gallery Books for my stunning copy + measuring spoons!
[𝘗𝘶𝘣 𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘦: 8•25•2026]
𝗔 𝗧𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗰 returns to the world of Briarhaven with Lyra at the whisk! When Lyra comes into her magic right as she’s about to compete in a reality Bake Off show, she thinks contending with her family’s curse will be the worst obstacle. That is, until she sees her baking partner is Rabbie - her childhood ex/ heartbreak. Instead of birds suddenly appearing every time Rab is near, it’s hedgehogs courtesy of her misfiring magic... and ok, sure, maybe also due to some long simmering sparks...
How quickly I've become completely and utterly charmed by this series! I loved returning to these familiar faces while getting to know another of the MacGregor sisters more in depth, and the plot with the witchy Bake Off for this one was delectable!
O'Malley's writing is witty and engaging, and her colorful imagination knows no bounds. Ruth, the fluttermouse, joins the merry band of familiars; a meek voice but mighty personality, she is full of sass and wisdom and a winning companion for Lyra. The sisterly banter between Sloane, Lyra, and Nova is as delightful as the romantic banter. Lyra and Rab's swoon worthy second chance romance is as heartwarming as it is enchanting, and the dual POV is perfection.
I can't wait to see Nova shift into the role of FMC next. With further progress to the curse over the MacGregors being broken, I'm already counting down the days till I'm back in Briarhaven!
5 🌟 for all the vibes and smiles and magic.
✨️ Thank you to Gallery Books for my stunning copy + measuring spoons!
[𝘗𝘶𝘣 𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘦: 8•25•2026]
August 26, 2026
4.5/5
Lyra loves baking and when she learns that her favourite baking show is going to be shot in her town, she knows she needs to audition. But when the curse that plagued her family starts making her magic go haywire, she's not sure if she's ready to face the camera. Especially when her partner turns out to be her ex-boyfriend.
Competing in the baking show was the last thing on Rab's mind, but then his friend asked for a favour; he couldn't say no. And when his ex is revealed to be his baking partner, he's not sure if it makes it better or worse.
Sparks fly, and hedgehogs appear when Lyra's curse throws the town into darkness and the kitchen into disarray. Lyra and Rab must work together to contain the chaos.
This book was cozy and enchanting, and I loved it. Both Lyra and Rab were fantastic - both as exes trying to pick up the broken pieces and as characters. I loved Lyra's family, and her familiar was just adorable.
The reveal of Lyra's magic was great, and I enjoyed what her magic was supposed to be and the mishaps the curse created. I wish we'd seen more of them doing the research on how to break the curse, though. And I wonder who gifted Lyra the grimoire!
I now can't wait to read Nova's book next year. I loved the little sneak peek we've got, and I can't wait for the full book!
Tropes:
- exes to lovers
- second chance
- lovers to enemies to lovers
- small town
- magic & mayhem
- witches
- forced proximity
Lyra loves baking and when she learns that her favourite baking show is going to be shot in her town, she knows she needs to audition. But when the curse that plagued her family starts making her magic go haywire, she's not sure if she's ready to face the camera. Especially when her partner turns out to be her ex-boyfriend.
Competing in the baking show was the last thing on Rab's mind, but then his friend asked for a favour; he couldn't say no. And when his ex is revealed to be his baking partner, he's not sure if it makes it better or worse.
Sparks fly, and hedgehogs appear when Lyra's curse throws the town into darkness and the kitchen into disarray. Lyra and Rab must work together to contain the chaos.
This book was cozy and enchanting, and I loved it. Both Lyra and Rab were fantastic - both as exes trying to pick up the broken pieces and as characters. I loved Lyra's family, and her familiar was just adorable.
The reveal of Lyra's magic was great, and I enjoyed what her magic was supposed to be and the mishaps the curse created. I wish we'd seen more of them doing the research on how to break the curse, though. And I wonder who gifted Lyra the grimoire!
I now can't wait to read Nova's book next year. I loved the little sneak peek we've got, and I can't wait for the full book!
Tropes:
- exes to lovers
- second chance
- lovers to enemies to lovers
- small town
- magic & mayhem
- witches
- forced proximity
August 25, 2026
Rounding up from 4.5 stars. Thanks to Gallery Books for the gifted copy. Thoughts are mine.
I really enjoyed this book! I actually liked it slightly more than the first book in the series. I loved the magical reality baking show storyline and how it pulled Lyra and Rab together. I enjoyed seeing them move through the stages of trying to avoid each other into admitting they still had feelings to full on dating. And the ending was perfectly set up for Nova and Jack in book three! 😍
While this can technically be read as a standalone, you will be missing some backstory if you don't read book 1, Loves a Witch, first.
Would I recommend? Absolutely! This series is a perfect cozy fall, witchy romance.
What to expect:
• Second chance romance
• Fiercely loyal, but cute, familiar
• Small-town setting
• Reality show backdrop
• Witchy fiction
• Generational curse
I really enjoyed this book! I actually liked it slightly more than the first book in the series. I loved the magical reality baking show storyline and how it pulled Lyra and Rab together. I enjoyed seeing them move through the stages of trying to avoid each other into admitting they still had feelings to full on dating. And the ending was perfectly set up for Nova and Jack in book three! 😍
While this can technically be read as a standalone, you will be missing some backstory if you don't read book 1, Loves a Witch, first.
Would I recommend? Absolutely! This series is a perfect cozy fall, witchy romance.
What to expect:
• Second chance romance
• Fiercely loyal, but cute, familiar
• Small-town setting
• Reality show backdrop
• Witchy fiction
• Generational curse
September 4, 2026
This was a second chance romance but the author relied completely on their teenage past instead of us actually getting to know these characters or seeing how they fall back in love. I ended this book knowing nothing about them.
September 4, 2026
*ARC REVIEW*
This is a cute follow up to Love’s a Witch! Rab and Lyra are yearning idiots but I liked them. This is a cute Fall/Halloween vibe book.
This is a cute follow up to Love’s a Witch! Rab and Lyra are yearning idiots but I liked them. This is a cute Fall/Halloween vibe book.
September 5, 2026
6⭐️
🏆 — A top read of 2026
Full review to be updated at a later date
🏆 — A top read of 2026
Full review to be updated at a later date
September 19, 2026
An easy and cute magical read. Looking forward to hearing Nova’s story to finish the McGregor Curse!
September 20, 2026
3.5 - enjoyed the 1st book in the series more but looking forward to seeing where book 3 takes us
September 20, 2026
Cute fall cozy read! It brought back fun memories of the highlands and beautiful country.
September 23, 2026
This is exactly what I needed and I loved every bit of this
September 15, 2026
LOVED this cozy fantasy!✨ So cute, whimsical, and full of magical mayhem! I especially enjoyed the cooking competition! It added such a fun element to the story and made all the cozy, magical vibes even better. Such a charming and delightful read.
June 25, 2026
I was able to read an Advanced Reader Copy of this title thanks to Netgalley and Gallery Books.
I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this series, Love's a Witch, so I was excited to read this second installment featuring the middle sister, Lyra.
Lyra is a loveable chef who has always made the best of their family's curse. When she and her sisters returned to their magical Scottish hometown with the goal of finally setting down actual roots and breaking the curse that has plagued their family for generations, she is forced to come face to face with her teenage love, Rab. Lyra and Rab have never really gotten over one another, but their final encounter that broke both of their hearts appears to be a misunderstanding. When Lyra and Rab are forced to team up on a popular baking show, they have to face their past and finally communicate what happened many years ago.
This one is cozy and sweet. I would have liked a little more about the curse in this one, and I felt like there were a number of unanswered questions, but I will certainly pick up book three when it comes out to see if all of my questions are answered.
I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this series, Love's a Witch, so I was excited to read this second installment featuring the middle sister, Lyra.
Lyra is a loveable chef who has always made the best of their family's curse. When she and her sisters returned to their magical Scottish hometown with the goal of finally setting down actual roots and breaking the curse that has plagued their family for generations, she is forced to come face to face with her teenage love, Rab. Lyra and Rab have never really gotten over one another, but their final encounter that broke both of their hearts appears to be a misunderstanding. When Lyra and Rab are forced to team up on a popular baking show, they have to face their past and finally communicate what happened many years ago.
This one is cozy and sweet. I would have liked a little more about the curse in this one, and I felt like there were a number of unanswered questions, but I will certainly pick up book three when it comes out to see if all of my questions are answered.
March 29, 2026
I’m not usually a fan of the second chance trope, but this was so well done. I really enjoyed seeing Rab and Lyra come back to one another while competing in the baking show. Ruth is a perfect familiar and I loved her spunk!
Plot: 8/10
Magic system: 3.5/5
Spice level: 2/5
Plot: 8/10
Magic system: 3.5/5
Spice level: 2/5
April 5, 2026
I liked A Taste of Magic but I think I preferred the first book more. I love GBBO and loved the baking show aspect of it. I found Lyra to be charming and lovely! I love this setting so much and will definitely read the next book in the series. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc ebook in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
September 20, 2026
WHEN SECOND-CHANCE LOVE, CURSED MAGIC, AND HEDGEHOGS COLLIDE—WELCOME HOME TO BRIARHAVEN!
“I always write with the hope that you, too, would want to linger in the worlds I create—to walk their streets, sit by their fires, and feel at home there.”
—Tricia O’Malley, “Author’s Acknowledgements,” A Taste of Magic, p. 321
I hadn't quite finished mourning the end of Tricia O’Malley’s Enchanted Highlands series when book two of her Scottish Charms series, A Taste of Magic, appeared in my Kindle Library. I jumped on it like a person dying of thirst in a hot and dusty desert!
If you crave an escape from the harsh reality of a world gone mad, there is nothing like a little Romantasy to take you away. And there is no one better at putting a little sparkle into fantasy and romance than Tricia O’Malley.
O’Malley can sweep me into a world completely unlike my own and somehow make it feel warm, cozy, magical—and remarkably like home. Briarhaven may be a Scottish village filled with supernatural beings, animal familiars, witches, curses, and tourists searching for a little Wonderland magic, but beneath all that enchantment are people loving, hurting, laughing, forgiving, and finding their way back to one another.
And that is where Lyra MacGregor and Rabbie Barclay come in.
Lyra, a hearth and kitchen witch, is the second MacGregor sister to come into her magic—and unfortunately, that magic is cursed. Baking spells work in reverse. Water freezes instead of boils.
Measurements double instead of halve.
Sugar explodes.
And whenever Lyra becomes aroused—which happens with alarming regularity whenever her former love Rabbie is nearby—her transmutation magic turns kitchen utensils into hedgehogs.
Yes. Hedgehogs.
Apparently, sixteen years apart have done absolutely nothing to cool the chemistry between these two.
And that's what gives all the magical mayhem its heart. Lyra and Rabbie aren't simply ex-lovers thrown together for a cute second-chance romance. They're two people who have spent sixteen years carrying the hurt from the same devastating breakup—each believing a very different version of what happened. The love never disappeared. It simply became buried beneath years of misunderstanding, pride, and pain.
Meanwhile, Lyra's increasingly unpredictable magic is threatening Briarhaven, confused owls are hunting during daylight, animal familiars are at risk, and Lyra has acquired Ruth—a golden-winged, purple-glitter-furred Flutter-mouse who is every bit as adorable as that sounds.
Then add a television crew filming a Christmas special of the reality baking competition Bewitching Bake-Off at Mystic Munchies Bakery, and O’Malley has created a perfect recipe for magical chaos.
But amid all that hilarity comes one of my favorite moments: a very public memory-sharing challenge that forces Lyra and Rabbie to finally see their breakup through each other's eyes. Suddenly the comedy gives way to something tender and surprisingly emotional. Sixteen years of assumptions crumble as they realize that what they thought they'd lost had never really disappeared.
Rabbie's love doesn't create Lyra's strength or magic—it steadies it. He becomes the conduit that helps her trust what was already hers.
Of course, a few hedgehogs still slip through.
AND NO HEDGEHOGS WERE HARMED IN THE FILMING!
Ah, Tricia O’Malley—you are killing me here!
A Taste of Magic is more fun than a barrel of monkeys, more heartwarming than a Hallmark Christmas movie on steroids, and filled with enough magic to make Charmed jealous. But underneath the laughter and glitter is a lovely story about forgiveness, second chances, family, and discovering that sometimes home isn't simply a place.
So come walk the streets of Briarhaven. Sit by the fire. Have a cup of tea—perhaps with a wee dram of whiskey to warm your soul. Stay awhile among the magic, laughter, love, and found family.
Because Tricia O’Malley doesn't just write magical worlds you want to visit. She creates places—and people—you hate to leave.
“I always write with the hope that you, too, would want to linger in the worlds I create—to walk their streets, sit by their fires, and feel at home there.”
—Tricia O’Malley, “Author’s Acknowledgements,” A Taste of Magic, p. 321
I hadn't quite finished mourning the end of Tricia O’Malley’s Enchanted Highlands series when book two of her Scottish Charms series, A Taste of Magic, appeared in my Kindle Library. I jumped on it like a person dying of thirst in a hot and dusty desert!
If you crave an escape from the harsh reality of a world gone mad, there is nothing like a little Romantasy to take you away. And there is no one better at putting a little sparkle into fantasy and romance than Tricia O’Malley.
O’Malley can sweep me into a world completely unlike my own and somehow make it feel warm, cozy, magical—and remarkably like home. Briarhaven may be a Scottish village filled with supernatural beings, animal familiars, witches, curses, and tourists searching for a little Wonderland magic, but beneath all that enchantment are people loving, hurting, laughing, forgiving, and finding their way back to one another.
And that is where Lyra MacGregor and Rabbie Barclay come in.
Lyra, a hearth and kitchen witch, is the second MacGregor sister to come into her magic—and unfortunately, that magic is cursed. Baking spells work in reverse. Water freezes instead of boils.
Measurements double instead of halve.
Sugar explodes.
And whenever Lyra becomes aroused—which happens with alarming regularity whenever her former love Rabbie is nearby—her transmutation magic turns kitchen utensils into hedgehogs.
Yes. Hedgehogs.
Apparently, sixteen years apart have done absolutely nothing to cool the chemistry between these two.
And that's what gives all the magical mayhem its heart. Lyra and Rabbie aren't simply ex-lovers thrown together for a cute second-chance romance. They're two people who have spent sixteen years carrying the hurt from the same devastating breakup—each believing a very different version of what happened. The love never disappeared. It simply became buried beneath years of misunderstanding, pride, and pain.
Meanwhile, Lyra's increasingly unpredictable magic is threatening Briarhaven, confused owls are hunting during daylight, animal familiars are at risk, and Lyra has acquired Ruth—a golden-winged, purple-glitter-furred Flutter-mouse who is every bit as adorable as that sounds.
Then add a television crew filming a Christmas special of the reality baking competition Bewitching Bake-Off at Mystic Munchies Bakery, and O’Malley has created a perfect recipe for magical chaos.
But amid all that hilarity comes one of my favorite moments: a very public memory-sharing challenge that forces Lyra and Rabbie to finally see their breakup through each other's eyes. Suddenly the comedy gives way to something tender and surprisingly emotional. Sixteen years of assumptions crumble as they realize that what they thought they'd lost had never really disappeared.
Rabbie's love doesn't create Lyra's strength or magic—it steadies it. He becomes the conduit that helps her trust what was already hers.
Of course, a few hedgehogs still slip through.
AND NO HEDGEHOGS WERE HARMED IN THE FILMING!
Ah, Tricia O’Malley—you are killing me here!
A Taste of Magic is more fun than a barrel of monkeys, more heartwarming than a Hallmark Christmas movie on steroids, and filled with enough magic to make Charmed jealous. But underneath the laughter and glitter is a lovely story about forgiveness, second chances, family, and discovering that sometimes home isn't simply a place.
So come walk the streets of Briarhaven. Sit by the fire. Have a cup of tea—perhaps with a wee dram of whiskey to warm your soul. Stay awhile among the magic, laughter, love, and found family.
Because Tricia O’Malley doesn't just write magical worlds you want to visit. She creates places—and people—you hate to leave.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Tricia O’Malley’s A Taste of Magic had me on the patio before sunrise with coffee in hand, happily back in Briarhaven and wondering why my own kitchen has never produced a single magical hedgehog. Thank you so much to Gallery Books, Simon & Schuster Audio, and Libro.fm for the gifted copies. And really, who decided a witchy Scottish town plus a baking competition plus an ex-boyfriend was a combination I was supposed to resist?
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is the second Scottish Charms book, and this time we get Lyra MacGregor’s story. Lyra loves baking, but her newly arrived magic is basically doing whatever it wants. So naturally this is the ideal moment for her to compete on Briarhaven’s Bewitching Bake-Off. Even better, she gets paired with Rabbie Campbell, her high school sweetheart and the man she absolutely has not completely gotten over.
Nothing could possibly go wrong.
Except spoons turning into hedgehogs, magical baking disasters, a family curse getting increasingly troublesome, and two people discovering that maybe the story they’ve been telling themselves about their breakup all these years isn’t exactly what happened.
I loved Lyra. She’s optimistic and a little chaotic, but underneath all that sparkle is someone who has spent years protecting herself from wanting things she wasn’t sure she could keep. Rabbie is her opposite in so many ways—steady, quietly swoony, and very clearly still carrying a torch that never went out. Put those two together in a kitchen with unpredictable magic and cameras rolling, and I was thoroughly entertained.
And Ruth? Ruth deserves her own book and possibly her own tiny sword. She completely stole scenes.
I listened to a good portion of this one on audio, and Siobhan Waring and John Hartley made Briarhaven feel even more alive. Waring brings exactly the right warmth and chaotic energy to Lyra, while Hartley gives Rabbie that calm, grounded quality that makes their differences work so well. And those Scottish accents? I could have happily kept listening long after my commute ended. The dual narration made the second-chance romance especially fun because you really feel both sides of all that old hurt and very obvious yearning.
Between the magical holiday baking challenges, the Scottish setting, the sisterhood, the familiars, and a romance built around first love finding its way home again, this was such a cozy escape. Now I’m completely invested in that MacGregor curse and ready for the next sister’s story.
What’s one second-chance romance that completely won you over?
#ATasteOfMagic #TriciaOMalley #ScottishCharms #CozyFantasy #Romantasy #WitchyRomance #SecondChanceRomance #AudiobookReview #Bookstagram
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is the second Scottish Charms book, and this time we get Lyra MacGregor’s story. Lyra loves baking, but her newly arrived magic is basically doing whatever it wants. So naturally this is the ideal moment for her to compete on Briarhaven’s Bewitching Bake-Off. Even better, she gets paired with Rabbie Campbell, her high school sweetheart and the man she absolutely has not completely gotten over.
Nothing could possibly go wrong.
Except spoons turning into hedgehogs, magical baking disasters, a family curse getting increasingly troublesome, and two people discovering that maybe the story they’ve been telling themselves about their breakup all these years isn’t exactly what happened.
I loved Lyra. She’s optimistic and a little chaotic, but underneath all that sparkle is someone who has spent years protecting herself from wanting things she wasn’t sure she could keep. Rabbie is her opposite in so many ways—steady, quietly swoony, and very clearly still carrying a torch that never went out. Put those two together in a kitchen with unpredictable magic and cameras rolling, and I was thoroughly entertained.
And Ruth? Ruth deserves her own book and possibly her own tiny sword. She completely stole scenes.
I listened to a good portion of this one on audio, and Siobhan Waring and John Hartley made Briarhaven feel even more alive. Waring brings exactly the right warmth and chaotic energy to Lyra, while Hartley gives Rabbie that calm, grounded quality that makes their differences work so well. And those Scottish accents? I could have happily kept listening long after my commute ended. The dual narration made the second-chance romance especially fun because you really feel both sides of all that old hurt and very obvious yearning.
Between the magical holiday baking challenges, the Scottish setting, the sisterhood, the familiars, and a romance built around first love finding its way home again, this was such a cozy escape. Now I’m completely invested in that MacGregor curse and ready for the next sister’s story.
What’s one second-chance romance that completely won you over?
#ATasteOfMagic #TriciaOMalley #ScottishCharms #CozyFantasy #Romantasy #WitchyRomance #SecondChanceRomance #AudiobookReview #Bookstagram
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A Taste of Magic by Tricia O'Malley
The Scottish Charms Book #2
4.5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (rounded up to a 5)
Spice: 1.5/5
Cursing: min
Format/Source: ebook ARC from NetGalley, Simon & Schuster, and Gallery Books
Genres/Tropes: cozy fantasy romance, magic, witches, small town, second chance
Audience: Adult
Setting: Scotland
Quotes: “The people you love will always hurt you. Being in love doesn’t stop you from causing one another pain. It’s the ones who hold on, who work through those hurts, that last. They know that demanding perfection of one another is an impossible ask. That’s real love. A little bit of grace can go a long way" - Ruth
Characters: Sloane, Knox, Lyra, Rabbie, Marcie, Broca, Raven, Liam, Vaughn, Mandy, Felicia
👍 short chapters, multi POV, Scotland, witches, magic, magical pets, plus-sized FMC, continuation of story, bake-off reality TV show
👎 cursing
Description:
She’s hexed. He’s her ex. And if they can’t bake in harmony, Briarhaven’s big cooking competition might just go up in smoke.
Lyra MacGregor’s magic is as unpredictable as her love life—especially when her spellwork starts misfiring during the filming of Briarhaven’s favorite reality TV Bewitching Bake-Off. Even worse? She’s paired with Rabbie Campbell, her high school sweetheart turned heartbreak.
He’s never baked a thing in his life. She turns spoons into hedgehogs when he’s nearby. But with the cameras rolling, the curse deepening, and old sparks reigniting, they’ll have to cook up more than just a winning cake to survive. Because in Briarhaven, baking is spellwork, and love is the trickiest recipe of all.
My opinion:
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, especially the magical aspects (town, creatures, people, bake off reality TV show, etc). Another great installment in the Scottish Charms series! I recommend this book to all who love cozy romantic fantasies.
#bookstagram #booklovers #romancebooks #fantasybooks #cozy
The Scottish Charms Book #2
4.5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (rounded up to a 5)
Spice: 1.5/5
Cursing: min
Format/Source: ebook ARC from NetGalley, Simon & Schuster, and Gallery Books
Genres/Tropes: cozy fantasy romance, magic, witches, small town, second chance
Audience: Adult
Setting: Scotland
Quotes: “The people you love will always hurt you. Being in love doesn’t stop you from causing one another pain. It’s the ones who hold on, who work through those hurts, that last. They know that demanding perfection of one another is an impossible ask. That’s real love. A little bit of grace can go a long way" - Ruth
Characters: Sloane, Knox, Lyra, Rabbie, Marcie, Broca, Raven, Liam, Vaughn, Mandy, Felicia
👍 short chapters, multi POV, Scotland, witches, magic, magical pets, plus-sized FMC, continuation of story, bake-off reality TV show
👎 cursing
Description:
She’s hexed. He’s her ex. And if they can’t bake in harmony, Briarhaven’s big cooking competition might just go up in smoke.
Lyra MacGregor’s magic is as unpredictable as her love life—especially when her spellwork starts misfiring during the filming of Briarhaven’s favorite reality TV Bewitching Bake-Off. Even worse? She’s paired with Rabbie Campbell, her high school sweetheart turned heartbreak.
He’s never baked a thing in his life. She turns spoons into hedgehogs when he’s nearby. But with the cameras rolling, the curse deepening, and old sparks reigniting, they’ll have to cook up more than just a winning cake to survive. Because in Briarhaven, baking is spellwork, and love is the trickiest recipe of all.
My opinion:
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, especially the magical aspects (town, creatures, people, bake off reality TV show, etc). Another great installment in the Scottish Charms series! I recommend this book to all who love cozy romantic fantasies.
#bookstagram #booklovers #romancebooks #fantasybooks #cozy
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you Gallery Books for the gifted advanced reader copy of A Taste of Magic (all opinions are mine)!
This was a cute and cozy read that’s perfect for fall! This is the second book in The Scottish Charms series but I do think you could read this without reading Love’s A Witch first. However, this does expand on some stuff in the universe so I recommend the first book too!
We all know I love a second chance romance and this was a second chance romance that was very well done! The backstory complimented Lyra and Rab so well and I love how they overcame some miscommunication from the past to form their current relationship. My guy Rab was down baadddd and honestly, we love to see it!
I really enjoyed the television show plot line and thought it was a unique lens to explore the romance through. I love that Rab was learning something new and Lyra, though her rogue magic got in the way, was still able to shine creatively in the kitchen. I loved the expansion of Briarhaven in this one and the setting of a small witchy town in Scotland was one of my favorite parts of this book. And of course, shout out to Ruth, the cutest and fiercest familiar there ever was! Seriously, she made bits of the story for me. I loved her relationship with Lyra!
This story had a great conclusion and I loved the little wink at the next book in the Scottish Charms series at the end. I can’t wait to see what happens next!
I will say, I think there could’ve been a little more depth in character development and world building, so I’m rating this 4 stars! Still, this was super cozy with perfect fall/witchy/October vibes, so I definitely recommend you check it out if that’s what you’re looking for this fall!
Thanks again to Gallery Books, A Taste of Magic releases August 25th!
This was a cute and cozy read that’s perfect for fall! This is the second book in The Scottish Charms series but I do think you could read this without reading Love’s A Witch first. However, this does expand on some stuff in the universe so I recommend the first book too!
We all know I love a second chance romance and this was a second chance romance that was very well done! The backstory complimented Lyra and Rab so well and I love how they overcame some miscommunication from the past to form their current relationship. My guy Rab was down baadddd and honestly, we love to see it!
I really enjoyed the television show plot line and thought it was a unique lens to explore the romance through. I love that Rab was learning something new and Lyra, though her rogue magic got in the way, was still able to shine creatively in the kitchen. I loved the expansion of Briarhaven in this one and the setting of a small witchy town in Scotland was one of my favorite parts of this book. And of course, shout out to Ruth, the cutest and fiercest familiar there ever was! Seriously, she made bits of the story for me. I loved her relationship with Lyra!
This story had a great conclusion and I loved the little wink at the next book in the Scottish Charms series at the end. I can’t wait to see what happens next!
I will say, I think there could’ve been a little more depth in character development and world building, so I’m rating this 4 stars! Still, this was super cozy with perfect fall/witchy/October vibes, so I definitely recommend you check it out if that’s what you’re looking for this fall!
Thanks again to Gallery Books, A Taste of Magic releases August 25th!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A delightful cozy romantasy with small-town Scottish charm. There's a family curse, a baking competition show, and a heartwarming second-chance romance. This was sweet and satisfying!
Full of enchanted treats and witchy cottagecore vibes, this follows Lyra, a chaotic witch and social media star baker, and her former teenage boyfriend, Rab, as they navigate a magical reality baking show, unpredictable magic, Lyra's family curse, and reignited feelings. They share a slow burn, second-chance romance with emotional depth, mutual respect, and palpable chemistry.
This features a Great British Bake Off style baking reality show with some imaginative challenges and holiday treats. It was a fun way to see Lyra and Rab have a bit of forced proximity. Thanks to Lyra's family curse, her magic is erratic, and this closeness triggers unpredictable magical reactions that she cannot anticipate or control, providing some fun situational comedy.
The characters are warm and charming, from the community to Lyra's family to her spirited and fiercely loyal animal familiar Ruth. This is a heartwarming choice for fall reading and a sweet treat for fans of magical realism and witchy stories.
Siobhan Waring and John Hartley narrate the audiobook, and I could listen to them all day. Their Scottish accents immerse you in the atmosphere of Briarhaven, and each of them brings their characters to life. Waring nails the funny, chaotic vibe of Lyra's unpredictable magic while Hartley brings warmth and steady calm to the swoony Scottish hero. Both print and audio formats are great, but I ended up switching exclusively to audio because it was so good and their accents so lovely.
Thank you Gallery Books, Simon & Schuster Audio, and Libro.FM for the gifted review copies
Full of enchanted treats and witchy cottagecore vibes, this follows Lyra, a chaotic witch and social media star baker, and her former teenage boyfriend, Rab, as they navigate a magical reality baking show, unpredictable magic, Lyra's family curse, and reignited feelings. They share a slow burn, second-chance romance with emotional depth, mutual respect, and palpable chemistry.
This features a Great British Bake Off style baking reality show with some imaginative challenges and holiday treats. It was a fun way to see Lyra and Rab have a bit of forced proximity. Thanks to Lyra's family curse, her magic is erratic, and this closeness triggers unpredictable magical reactions that she cannot anticipate or control, providing some fun situational comedy.
The characters are warm and charming, from the community to Lyra's family to her spirited and fiercely loyal animal familiar Ruth. This is a heartwarming choice for fall reading and a sweet treat for fans of magical realism and witchy stories.
Siobhan Waring and John Hartley narrate the audiobook, and I could listen to them all day. Their Scottish accents immerse you in the atmosphere of Briarhaven, and each of them brings their characters to life. Waring nails the funny, chaotic vibe of Lyra's unpredictable magic while Hartley brings warmth and steady calm to the swoony Scottish hero. Both print and audio formats are great, but I ended up switching exclusively to audio because it was so good and their accents so lovely.
Thank you Gallery Books, Simon & Schuster Audio, and Libro.FM for the gifted review copies
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A Taste of Magic is a fun, witchy PNR, and a perfect way to kick off my autumn reading. The cozy feel is established by a tight knit family of witches (3 sisters and their grandmother), a magical town filled with various supes, and a magical baking show. To keep the plot from being too comfortable, there's plenty of tension added by a family curse attached to the sisters, and by Lyra, the FMC, finding out that her partner on the baking show she's been so excited to participate in will be none other than her high school boyfriend and first love, Rabbie. Their relationship ended badly 10 years ago in a big misunderstanding, and neither of them has been able to on. On top of all this, Lyra's hearth magic, which she's only recently come into, is being wildly unpredictable leaving her unable to bake with any kind of confidence.
Lyra and Rabbie must battle their way through both their former miscommunication, as well as Lyra's inability to control her magic to find the happy ending they are both longing for. I loved Lyra's optimism, enthusiasm, and determination to make the most of the difficult circumstances she has experienced due to the family curse. She's a caring, loving sister, wanting to bring joy to the world through her baking. Rabbie is just as caring and dedicated to his friends and his magical hometown. He's the quiet, steady presence that grounds Lyra and gives her a solid foundation. Much as I enjoyed their romance though, I was confused at the way the book ended with a major plot point regarding the curse left unresolved. Hopefully the third book will provide an explanation. My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.
Lyra and Rabbie must battle their way through both their former miscommunication, as well as Lyra's inability to control her magic to find the happy ending they are both longing for. I loved Lyra's optimism, enthusiasm, and determination to make the most of the difficult circumstances she has experienced due to the family curse. She's a caring, loving sister, wanting to bring joy to the world through her baking. Rabbie is just as caring and dedicated to his friends and his magical hometown. He's the quiet, steady presence that grounds Lyra and gives her a solid foundation. Much as I enjoyed their romance though, I was confused at the way the book ended with a major plot point regarding the curse left unresolved. Hopefully the third book will provide an explanation. My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.
August 25, 2026
This was so much fun! I find Tricia O’Malley’s books to be so readable. Her writing draws me in and I am instantly connected to the characters. I laugh and worry along with them and when I finish I want more. This book was no different and I can’t wait for everyone to read it!
Lyra MacGregor is finally coming into her magic but it is causing chaos. It is especially problematic because she is on Bewitching Bake-Off, a magical reality tv show, which is filming in Briarhaven and she is paired with her ex, Rabbie. Around Rabbie her magic is especially chaotic as her emotions are all over the place. Can Rabbie and Lyra figure out how to work together and harness her magic? It was so much fun watching Lyra and Rabbie try to navigate their feelings. The hedgehogs made me giggle. The sparks between them, plus the way they still were together touched my heart and had me rooting for them.
Briarhaven is a magical town, it has leaned into its magical roots and allows the witches, fae, and other magical beings to live in plain sight.The residents of Briarhaven are quirky and their magical abilities are fascinating.and I want more of them. Plus the magical pets, Blue, the emberwolf, Haggis a coo, and Oswald the cat return and Lyra adds Ruth, a fierce fluttermouse, and they made me smile. I am still thinking about Lyra and Rabbie and the rest of the residents of Briarhaven. This is book 2 in the Scottish Charms Series and can be read and enjoyed as a standalone. I can’t wait for the next book in the series! I highly recommend this book to readers that enjoy cozy romances filled with family, heart, humor, second chance romance, and magical pets.
Thanks to NetGalley and Gallery books for the free, gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Lyra MacGregor is finally coming into her magic but it is causing chaos. It is especially problematic because she is on Bewitching Bake-Off, a magical reality tv show, which is filming in Briarhaven and she is paired with her ex, Rabbie. Around Rabbie her magic is especially chaotic as her emotions are all over the place. Can Rabbie and Lyra figure out how to work together and harness her magic? It was so much fun watching Lyra and Rabbie try to navigate their feelings. The hedgehogs made me giggle. The sparks between them, plus the way they still were together touched my heart and had me rooting for them.
Briarhaven is a magical town, it has leaned into its magical roots and allows the witches, fae, and other magical beings to live in plain sight.The residents of Briarhaven are quirky and their magical abilities are fascinating.and I want more of them. Plus the magical pets, Blue, the emberwolf, Haggis a coo, and Oswald the cat return and Lyra adds Ruth, a fierce fluttermouse, and they made me smile. I am still thinking about Lyra and Rabbie and the rest of the residents of Briarhaven. This is book 2 in the Scottish Charms Series and can be read and enjoyed as a standalone. I can’t wait for the next book in the series! I highly recommend this book to readers that enjoy cozy romances filled with family, heart, humor, second chance romance, and magical pets.
Thanks to NetGalley and Gallery books for the free, gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
🐭 𝔸 𝕋𝕒𝕤𝕥𝕖 𝕠𝕗 𝕄𝕒𝕘𝕚𝕔
By Tricia O’Malley
Book 2 of The Scottish Charms Series
(works perfect as a standalone)
🔖 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞: So much appreciation to @gallerybooks for the gifted copy! It traveled with me all the way Scotland on my summer vacation and made for the perfect read.
✨ 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: Lyra’s family has been cursed for generations. When the curse makes her new magical abilities go haywire, she struggles to charm the audience as a contestant on her favorite magical baking show. Fortunately, more than cookies are being whipped up in the kitchen, and Lyra’s ex steps in to lend a helping hand.
📖 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Rom Com/Fantasy
🌙 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲: Whimsical and magical with a hefty dose of Scottish charm
🕯️ 𝐀𝐭𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞: all the zestiness of a Christmas bakeoff competition mixed with witchy, small town scenes. Loved the candlelit Mabin celebration set in the woods.
🖤 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬/𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬: Second Chance Romance, Grumpy x Sunshine, Forced Proximity, Sisterly Bonds
⏳ 𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠: This is a page-turner! Every page had something whimsical, or magical. I was so excited to sink into this book each day.
💭 𝐄𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭: Lyra is grappling with some heavy issues but she’s a positive, go-getter with a positive outlook. Lyra’s personality really carried the tone for the book, keeping things light and fun.
✨ 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠: I’ve always wanted a pet hedgehog, but now I NEED one!
📚 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: I can’t say enough how much of a fun and entertaining read this was! I will absolutely be reading more from Tricia O’Malley and, even though this was easily read as a standalone, I can’t wait to pick up Book 3 and circle back around to Book 1 of this series.
By Tricia O’Malley
Book 2 of The Scottish Charms Series
(works perfect as a standalone)
🔖 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞: So much appreciation to @gallerybooks for the gifted copy! It traveled with me all the way Scotland on my summer vacation and made for the perfect read.
✨ 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: Lyra’s family has been cursed for generations. When the curse makes her new magical abilities go haywire, she struggles to charm the audience as a contestant on her favorite magical baking show. Fortunately, more than cookies are being whipped up in the kitchen, and Lyra’s ex steps in to lend a helping hand.
📖 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Rom Com/Fantasy
🌙 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲: Whimsical and magical with a hefty dose of Scottish charm
🕯️ 𝐀𝐭𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞: all the zestiness of a Christmas bakeoff competition mixed with witchy, small town scenes. Loved the candlelit Mabin celebration set in the woods.
🖤 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬/𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬: Second Chance Romance, Grumpy x Sunshine, Forced Proximity, Sisterly Bonds
⏳ 𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠: This is a page-turner! Every page had something whimsical, or magical. I was so excited to sink into this book each day.
💭 𝐄𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭: Lyra is grappling with some heavy issues but she’s a positive, go-getter with a positive outlook. Lyra’s personality really carried the tone for the book, keeping things light and fun.
✨ 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠: I’ve always wanted a pet hedgehog, but now I NEED one!
📚 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: I can’t say enough how much of a fun and entertaining read this was! I will absolutely be reading more from Tricia O’Malley and, even though this was easily read as a standalone, I can’t wait to pick up Book 3 and circle back around to Book 1 of this series.
August 25, 2026
Thank you Gallery Books for the free book, A Taste of Magic by Tricia O’Malley.
This was such a cute, cozy, witchy Hallmark Christmas movie, but make it a book! When you’re looking for a sweet, fun, swoony romance to snuggle up with this winter, pick this one up!
Set in Scotland, we find our main characters, Lyra and Rab, paired together on a magical holiday reality baking competition, and hilarity and heartwarming moments ensue.
This is book two in the interconnected Scottish Charms series. While I have not read book one, I will definitely be going back to read it! I found it was not necessary at all to enjoy this story. Which, coming from someone who always wants to read a series in order, says A LOT! And I already cannot wait for book three, which features the last MacGregor sister Nova’s story.
Found family, adorable side characters, a cute small town, romance, and some fantasy sprinkled in, all set in Scotland. It just has everything! I loved all the Scottish sayings, and now I want to start randomly throwing them into conversations, especially “bonnie.” And somehow they even make cursing sound cute in this book!
Lyra and Rab are the sweetest witches ever, and I just want to give them both big hugs. I loved going on this journey with them and watching these childhood sweethearts find their way back to each other after so many obstacles kept them apart.
And there are hedgehogs, familiars, and just so many adorable animals! I mean, come on! This was just the snuggliest, cutest, warmest book and the perfect holiday read! I’m ready for the holidays now!
This was such a cute, cozy, witchy Hallmark Christmas movie, but make it a book! When you’re looking for a sweet, fun, swoony romance to snuggle up with this winter, pick this one up!
Set in Scotland, we find our main characters, Lyra and Rab, paired together on a magical holiday reality baking competition, and hilarity and heartwarming moments ensue.
This is book two in the interconnected Scottish Charms series. While I have not read book one, I will definitely be going back to read it! I found it was not necessary at all to enjoy this story. Which, coming from someone who always wants to read a series in order, says A LOT! And I already cannot wait for book three, which features the last MacGregor sister Nova’s story.
Found family, adorable side characters, a cute small town, romance, and some fantasy sprinkled in, all set in Scotland. It just has everything! I loved all the Scottish sayings, and now I want to start randomly throwing them into conversations, especially “bonnie.” And somehow they even make cursing sound cute in this book!
Lyra and Rab are the sweetest witches ever, and I just want to give them both big hugs. I loved going on this journey with them and watching these childhood sweethearts find their way back to each other after so many obstacles kept them apart.
And there are hedgehogs, familiars, and just so many adorable animals! I mean, come on! This was just the snuggliest, cutest, warmest book and the perfect holiday read! I’m ready for the holidays now!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews