A Curse for Christmas Past: A Novel

by Morgan Lockhart

For fans of Lovelight Farms, Hallmark holiday movies, and general witchy shenanigans, a charming holiday romance following a woman with a curse and the handsome witch she enlists to help her break it

Hayleigh Gray is cursed. For real.

After losing her job, her savings, and her relationship, it's the discovery of a lump on her beloved horse’s neck that finally sends Hayleigh looking for solutions in the winter festival in Elk Ridge. Trouble is, she knows there are witches in Elk Ridge because she managed to make an enemy of one (okay, maybe a few) last holiday season.

There, she crosses paths with Stephan Midwinter, an animal-rescuing artist with lumberjack good looks, a reputation with women that stretches a mile long, and a whole lot of magic that Hayleigh wants nothing to do with. Adamant that his coven wasn’t involved in Hayleigh’s curse, Stephan offers to help her find the real culprit and break the curse before Christmas Day.

As Hayleigh and Stephan face ancestral secrets, mischievous holiday spirits, and being snowed into the world’s kitschiest holiday train B&B, Hayleigh finds her heart opening to magic, and to Stephan Midwinter.

But Stephan and his way of life are in direct opposition to everything Hayleigh’s been taught to want, and old habits die hard. With the curse amping up and time running out, will she be able to embrace a new kind of happiness, or will she fall back into the patterns of Christmas past?

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Holiday, Paranormal, Fantasy, Adult, Contemporary

320 pages, Paperback

Expected publication September 22, 2026

About the author

Morgan Lockhart hails from the Pacific Northwest, where she currently lives with her family, including her partner, two children, and a pack of fur babies. Growing up in the woods of Washington State, Morgan has always been telling and consuming stories in all shapes and sizes. She roamed her way to California, where she graduated with highest honors from the creative writing department at UC San Diego. Her path forked into video games then, as she put off her final trimester of college to work on her first video game. Currently, she works as a writer and game developer for video games.

Reviews

[Rmplift, Rachel Phillips]

ARC Received

[Tia]

I thought this was going to be really cute and heartwarming and magical but it just didn’t do anything for me at all. I was just kind of bored for the entire book? The plot was a bit odd, I felt like I was missing pieces of information. This was also barely Christmassy…

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Zoë]

I simply loved A Curse for Christmas Past!

After reading A Spell for Midwinters Heart last Christmas, and remembering how much I fell in love with it, I was excited to be approved for this ARC! This was cute, magical and a little spicy but it was also deeper than that.

It begins with the female main character Hayleigh realising she’s cursed, and enlists the help of Stephan Midwinter to help her break it.

Hayleigh was flawed and a little unlikeable to begin with but it made for a really satisfying character arc. I enjoyed learning about her childhood and it gave a good understanding of why she was the way that she was.

I’m a sucker for found family and mythical creatures, which were strong themes throughout this book and complimented the plot in a special way.

I did think that the attraction between Hayleigh and Stephan was super quick, but it still worked, and contributed nicely to the character arcs.

A Curse of Christmas Past was full of love, acceptance, healing and a bit of spice. I highly recommend this one for lovers of magical and romantic Christmas stories. I’d actually read it any time of the year!

Thanks so much Dutton and Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for the honest review.

[Ashley Lynn]

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC for an honest review.

Grumpy sunshine trope - check
Hot male lead - check
Witches - check
Christmas / Yule cozy vibes - check
Character growth - check
Adorable romance - check

What more could you want? Perfect for a witchy cozy romance Christmas vibe, out September 22!

[Kelsey]

Thank you to NetGalley for the Advance Reader copy of this book.

This book follows Hayleigh Gray as she tries to discover her connection and relationship with magic, specifically a curse she believes was placed on her.

Well initially I didn’t love Hayleigh, I grew to appreciate her and understand her more as the story went on and really liked her by the end of it. Her journey of self discovery happened slowly but surely throughout the book.

AND THE MAGIC! I love a book with magic realism and this did not disappoint!!! There were witches and brownies and folk lore and it was so fun!!! You don’t see a whole lot of Christmas Romances with fantasy woven in but Morgan Lockhart nails it. Also Stephan is so loveable from the first scene he’s featured in and you really can’t help but fall in love with him.

If you are a fantasy fan looking for a fun Christmas read, dive into this!!!

[Paige]

Exactly the magical holiday read I dream about! This is a bit like a grownup fairy tale with a pinch of romance, spice, ‘good witches,’ and cheer. Think a mashup of The Good Witch, Hallmark, and a romance novel, tied up with a charming bow.

This is a follow-up book to A Spell for Midwinter’s Heart, and I was thrilled to visit the witches of Elk Ridge again! This is a must read for anyone who has read that first book. However, this can be read as a stand-alone and you can jump right into the magic with this book first. I received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

[Suzette]

I recently finished reading A Curse for Christmas Past by Morgan Lockhart, and I enjoyed it! This fantasy story drew me in with its intriguing premise and a cast of characters that felt comfortable. Each character had their own quirks and motivations, making their interactions engaging and fun to follow.

The pacing of the story kept me turning the pages, and the holiday-themed fantasy setting gave it a cozy yet whimsical feel. I particularly appreciated how the narrative built up to a satisfying, happy ending that tied all the threads together without feeling rushed.

[Judi Lehman (The Novel Hideaway)]

Mix Ghost of Christmas Past with the lore in The Bear and the Nightingale & you have A Curse For Christmas Past.

A tall, blonde, calming lumberjack witch paired with a rich girl who has spent her whole life controlled & blindly following the rules set for her. When she has no choice but to go to her enemies for help, she starts to realize the harm caused by the choices she knowingly & unknowingly made in the past and has to find the courage to make things right.

This was such a cute & cozy standalone series supernatural holiday romance with a redemption arc. It was an easy read and simple to immerse yourself in the Christmas spirit and magical world.

[Ana]

This was a Hallmark movie in book form, and I loved every second of it.

I loved how it had all the classic holiday romance chlichés while still being so different and unique. My favorite part was learning so much about Slavic folklore. I thought it added amazing dimension to the story, something that you don't always find.

Hayleigh was an interesting character. I had a bit of a hard time liking her, but by the end I was fully convinced that she deserved everything she was working towards. Stephan was a lot of fun, though sometimes a bit underdeveloped. I felt like we could have learned a bit more about him, seeing as he plays such big part in the book.

This is the perfect holiday read, with a generous dash of magic.

Thank you Dutton and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Alanna KC]

This is a fun, wintry story that has a feeling of A Christmas Carol, with the main character Hayleigh fulfilling the role of Scrooge. She's now unemployed, and on a downward spiral as she suspects being cursed by a witch following actions from the first book in this series.

Through a series of events she ends up working to break her curse with the help of Stephan, and a cute romance ensues. My favourite aspect of this novel was Hayleigh reconnecting with her family's heritage and the role of the unseen beings throughout. The romance was very Hallmark and enjoyable, and I want to believe that the two would make it long-term.

Overall this was a good read, and I'd recommend to anyone looking to get into a festive mood with a witchy twist. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Katherine]

A Curse for Christmas Past is a standalone contemporary paranormal romance by Morgan Lockhart.

Hayleigh has had a run of very bad luck, and she believes she has been cursed by a witch, so she travels to a small town full of witches to try to find the witch who cursed her, and to try to convince her to remove the curse. There, she runs into Stephan, the brother of the woman she believes cursed her. He ends up helping her find out what is going on and, since this is a romance, it isn’t a surprise that they fall in love.

I thought this was an okay paranormal romcom. I did find parts of it generally funny, but I was frustrated with Hayleigh and how she allowed people, especially her parents, to walk all over her and push her around. Rather then try to stand on her own two feet, she would rather allow them to make important decisions for her so that she didn’t lose their monetary support. So many times I wanted to tell her to grow up and get a backbone.

I really liked Stephan’s character, although he could be a little too good to be true at times.

I also found that at times there were some moments where religious questions were brought up in relation to witches and they felt awkward and out of place, and almost made me cringe when I was reading. It was just kind of weird to me.

If you’re looking for a quick, funny, romance then give this book a read.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Caroline]

This was a fun, quick read, filled with love and forgiveness. And I loved all of the Ukrainian folklore! Thanks to Dutton for the arc.

[Jess Bowser]

This was such a cute, festive, and cozy read. I love how the magic and lore was woven into the story. And hello lumberjack daddy! I feel like this was a fresh take on second chance to set things right holiday story. Im so happy that the FMC found her family in the end.

[Eve Tsak]

♡ “You felt like the sun peeking up over the horizon. You still do. My sun.”

I think what I loved most about A Curse for Christmas Past was how it managed to be exactly the book I needed without me realising that’s what I was looking for. After having my heart absolutely ripped out by The Good Parts, I wanted something that would scratch that Christmas itch that had been following me around for weeks, and this delivered. The snowy setting, the winter festival, the cozy meals, the decorations, the mistletoe, the small-town charm—it all felt like stepping straight into a Hallmark holiday movie, but with enough depth that it never felt superficial. I found myself smiling constantly while reading, which was exactly the kind of healing read I was hoping for.

Hayleigh and Stephen were such a lovely pair to follow. Their relationship doesn’t begin with instant sparks or effortless chemistry; instead, it’s built around misunderstandings, curses, stubbornness, and slowly learning to see one another clearly. Stephen completely won me over from the beginning. Maybe it was the pickup truck, maybe it was the animal rescue work, maybe it was the fact that he kept giving off major golden retriever energy, but every chapter made me love him more. The moment he gave Hayleigh his coat because he couldn’t find her the bathrobe she wanted? I was done for. And don’t even get me started on the mistletoe. There is just something about mistletoe that immediately transports me back to every cozy 2000s Christmas movie I’ve ever loved.

What surprised me most was how much heart this story had underneath all the festive magic. Beyond the romance, there are conversations about self-worth, family expectations, grief, environmental responsibility, and what it means to build a life that actually reflects who you are. Hayleigh is trying to untangle the curse she believes is hanging over her life, but she’s also confronting years of disappointment, insecurity, and the pressure to meet other people’s expectations. Meanwhile Stephen carries his own struggles, constantly questioning whether who he is and what he cares about is enough. I loved that neither character was “fixed” by the other; instead, they helped each other recognise their own value.

♡ “What we need and want aren’t always the same thing.”

The magical elements were also so much fun. The witchy atmosphere, the family history, the folklore, and the Ukrainian influences woven throughout the story made everything feel unique and grounded. I didn’t understand every reference, but I appreciated how specific and personal those details felt. It made the world feel lived in rather than simply decorated for the holidays. And honestly, a witch whose passion is protecting endangered species and communicating with animals? I was completely invested.

♡ “Her grandfather had once said that the Lord made dogs by way of apology for the inevitability of death, and in that moment, nothing seemed truer.”

There were also so many unexpectedly tender moments scattered throughout the story. The scenes involving Hayleigh’s horse absolutely got me. What could have been a simple magical subplot became one of the most emotional parts of the entire book. The way this story explores love—not just romantic love, but love for family, animals, traditions, and the places that shape us—gave it a warmth that lingered long after I finished.

♡ “But God, I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to stop apologizing for making you feel like you weren’t enough.”

This was cozy, festive, magical, romantic, and surprisingly thoughtful all at once. If you’re someone who loves Hallmark Christmas movies, witchy romances, snowy small towns, found family, and characters learning that their worth isn’t tied to what they can provide for other people, I would absolutely recommend picking this one up. It gave me exactly the comfort read I was hoping for and reminded me why I love Christmas romances so much in the first place.

♡ Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for the eARC. ♡

[Ashleigh Brown]

I was excited to go back to Elk Ridge. I loved getting to meet the town and Rowan Midwinter in A Spell for Midwinter's Heart. In the first book we didn't get to know Rowan's brother, Stephen all that way. So I was delighted to find out that he was the male main character for A Curse for Christmas Past. And while I was excited to get to know Stephen better, I wasn't sure I was going to love having Hayleigh be the protagonist. But Morgan Lockhart knew what she was going when she decided to give Hayleigh a redemption ARC. She made me believe that Hayleigh wasn't nearly as bad as she had been portrayed in the first book.

A Curse for Christmas Past opens with Hayleigh realizing that she has been cursed. But she isn't really sure how to prove it. But she knows she is because she keeps having bad things happen to her. Losing her job. Her identity and money being stolen. Her car acting up. And she knows exactly who cursed her. Which means she has to go back to Elk Ridge to beg/ask Rowan Midwinter to remove the curse.

Instead of finding Rowan, she finds her brother Stephen. Stephen is easy going and has been helping out with a local artist. He's currently mostly content with his life and helping out around Elk Ridge. He isn't expecting Hayleigh and it's not expecting her to waltz in accusing his sister of cursing her. Unlike his sister, Stephen sees the good in Hayleigh and decides to help her figure out who cursed her. He says it wasn't his sister but he knows someone who could help.

Once it's proven that she has been cursed, Stephen and Hayleigh begin the task of figuring out who did it and why. I felt that the discovery of who did it and why was handled very well. It would have been easy to say Rowan did it based off the history of the previous Christmas. But I liked that it was someone from Hayleigh's past but not who you thought it would be. The best part of the curse discovery for me was the building of the relationship between Stephen and Hayleigh. Their cross state road trip proved how similar and different they were.

I found the relationship between Stephen and Hayleigh a bit stressful at times. You could see how Hayleigh sometimes would hit on the sore spots of Stephen's past. And Hayleigh was operating from a place of "proving" herself and it made her want others to do the same. But once Hayleigh found that sweet spot of wanting to understand and push people, she became a truly lovable character. I enjoyed her character arc and watching how she went from this "villainous" character in the first book to a truly likeable character. I think choosing Hayleigh to be the love interest was a solid choice because we got to go back to Elk Ridge but also go back and explore more of Hayleigh's backstory. I do think that Stephen took a bit of a backseat in the story, despite being the love interest.

I think that the ending was solid. I liked that there was a bit of a twist with Hayleigh's heritage and how she ended up cursed in the first place. And while I would never want to be cursed, I did enjoy how Hayleigh used it as an opportunity to grow and change. She also saw how the curse forced her to look at who she had been and who she could become.

If you want a non-traditional holiday book, A Curse for Christmas Past, will absolutely be the book for you. It's fun and cute. And will hit you in all the holiday feels.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for the early digital ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Tracy Emro]

Hayleigh Gray is cursed and she is positive she knows who is responsible – Rowan Midwinter, an Elk Ridge witch that ruined her company’s plans to develop the small town into a resort town last Christmas. She has lost a lot; first her job, then she dumped her fiancé, her bank approved a transfer that wiped out what little money she had, even her hair appointments were disrupted, but when her beloved horse’s life is in danger and she starts being stalked by a crone, she has no choice but to confront the bane of her existence. Her parents will help her, but only if she caves to their demands. So, to avoid that fate, she makes her way to Elk Ridge to demand that Rowan reverse the curse, but as her luck would have it, Rowan is not there, but her brother Stephan Midwinter is and he swears that his sister would not curse her and there is no way the coven would approve of it. He offers to help her figure out who cursed her and with the way her luck is going, she can use all the help she can get, especially since her time is running out.

Stephan Midwinter is a witch with an affinity to animals, and while he was not happy with Hayleigh’s actions last Christmas, he can see she is suffering and his kind heart cannot let her go off alone when it is clear that she needs help. Together they figure out who is behind the curse and set out to find them. But when they get there, the curse maker says she cannot lift the curse. They return to their rented accommodations, planning to leave the next day, but they get snowed in, and their relationship takes a turn. He hopes she will stay with him, but Stephan knows that Hayleigh is holding something back from him and when she tells him she is going to return to her parent’s home, he is sure that he is the problem. Will they get a Christmas miracle or is their budding relationship doomed to be cursed?

I almost didn’t request this book because the last book was a bit to “Hallmark Christmas Movie” for me, I have nothing against Hallmark love stories, but they are formulaic and a little cheesy, fine for two hours vegging on the couch, but not what I want in a book. However, I am a firm believer of not every book is a fit for everyone, and it is best to read at least two books by an author before writing them off and I am so glad I decided to stick to that conviction – because I loved this book! Hayleigh and Stephan have that rare on-page chemistry that I hope for in every romance. Yes, Hayleigh starts out snobby and entitled, but she grows and changes into a person worthy of a man like Stephan. Stephan is sigh-worthy for lack of a better term, he is everything I love in a hero, he is smart, kind, not afraid of a strong woman, willing to move out of his comfort zone, loves animals and is yummy to boot! This book has great secondary characters, magic, friendship, healing, personal growth, warm love scenes, forgiveness and finally redemption with a happy ending. Overall, I found this book much more satisfying than the first book and a book that I would definitely recommend to cozy fantasy readers who like a bit of spice in their romances. This is the second book in the series, but even with close ties to the first book, I believe it can be read as a standalone with no problems.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for a DRC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

[Sophia Dyer • bookishly.vintage]

Dare I say.... I liked this one better than A Spell for Midwinter's Heart.
Thank you Netgalley for an advance copy of this book, all opinions are my own.

There's just something about watching a 'villain' get their redemption arc that really appeals to me. I did not go into this thinking it was a sequel for A Spell for Midwinter's Heart, but it is! I mean, you can also read both books as a standalone as well - it's just that the MC in this one was the 'villain' in the other. Still, through context clues you can understand her terrible past even without reading Midwinter.

This character is so insufferable in the beginning. It was honestly hard to read at parts, and hard to root for her. She gets incrementally better over the course of the book, but doesn't have that final epiphany until almost the very end. Throughout the story she's exposed to the consequences of her actions, and is slow to realize that she should probably be a better person in the future. It also didn't help that she was cursed and terrible things kept happening to/around her.

It was nice to see the change in the character though, and at the end of the story it's like she's a completely different person. She ends up going out of her way to help others, even after the curse has been lifted. From there, she starts making decisions that best suit her new self, and finally step away from being dependent on her parents and the path they set her on.

The romance was very sweet too - I do not remember much of the brother in the first book, but he is just too kind and patient with the MC of this book. He respects her wishes to not cast spells around her, gives her space when she asks for it, and offers to help her on this quest with little to no prompting. Honestly, he was a walking green flag and I wished the best for him the whole story through.

There is a third act breakup, but it's mostly because the MC thinks she knows what she needs to do, and she thinks she needs to do it alone. Of course, they all come together to achieve this final goal, and it works out well in the end.

Overall, the redemption arc in this book was so wholesome to watch play out, and it affected so many people in the end. I liked the magical elements with the Wild Hunt and Baba Yaga, and how the MC is intertwined with the magical community more than she initially wanted/expected. The romance is very sweet and wholesome, with some spice too of course, but it feels perfect for the holiday season. All in all, I enjoyed this one!
Content warnings: cursing, sexual content, cancer, emotional abuse

[Lu's Bookshelf]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC!

Near Christmas, Hayleigh’s life starts to fall apart at the seams and everything seems to go wrong, she has no doubt that she’s been cursed by a witch she wronged (unknowingly) and after finding a lump in her horse’s neck, she will take a trip to find that witch and make her undo it. That is, until she runs into that witch’s brother, who helps her discover that the cursed wasn’t done by the person she thought. He promises to help her and gives her kindness without asking for anything in return, something Hayleigh isn’t used to. Together, they will need to find out who cursed her, and they might find even more than just that.

This is the perfect holiday romance. It feels like the perfect mix of a Hallmark movie (with the detail of the small town from here Steph is and how they act like a big family) and Practical Magic (the magic aspect, of course, but also, how important accepting ourselves and going back to our roots is for us to be able to be happy). It has happiness, emotional scenes, love, friendship, forgiveness and a family reuniting, what more could one ask for?

The characters were so adorable. Steph was as if a golden retriever had become a man, a green flag who wants to be there for everyone and make people happy, even though most times, he has no one to do those things for him. Hayleigh was so brave and strong through all her misfortunes (except from her horse, all the rest are hilarious, even though they made her life a nightmare). Besides her mistakes, most of them unknowingly done, her heart and intentions are pure and the fact that she could be such a good person having her parents (mostly her father) as a terrible example, talks greatly of how good she is.

The romance was fantastic. The chemistry was there from the beginning, this tug and pull between a man who knows what he wants and would do anything to make her happy and a woman who is uncertain of how someone so good could actually exist after only encountering people who wanted to use her for their benefit. The sweet scenes and the spicy ones were so well done, I fell in love with the stunning couple that Hayleigh and Steph make.

The magic aspect intrigued me since requesting this ARC and it didn’t disappoint. The detail of how everyone’s magic is different and feels completely different to those who have it, it’s really interesting. The fact that Steph uses his charms to be able to communicate with animals won me over, it was so cool!

I can simply say that I adored this book and I hope many readers can find it a comfort when the holiday season comes around.

[hannah ⊹ ࣪ ˖]

3.5 ⭐️s! | Did it feel a little weird reading a Christmas book in June? Yeah, maybe, but it’s also 100 degrees outside, and I’m trying to manifest winter. A Curse for Christmas Past was a sweet, cozy holiday romance that delivered plenty of Christmas magic, witchy charm, and small-town wonder. If you’re looking for a festive read filled with snowy settings, magical mishaps, and a wholesome romance, this was super entertaining! Combining two of my favorite things (witches and winter), this was like the best of both worlds.

The atmosphere was easily my favorite part of the book. Between the winter festival, holiday traditions, cozy inns, witchcraft, and touches of folklore, it captured the warmth of a Hallmark Christmas movie while adding a fun paranormal twist. I also loved that the magic wasn’t just there for decoration, it played an important role in uncovering family history and helping Hayleigh reevaluate the path her life had taken.

Hayleigh and Stephan made for a likable couple, and I appreciated that their relationship developed gradually rather than relying on instant chemistry. Stephan was especially easy to root for with his caring nature and genuine desire to help. That said, I never felt completely invested in the romance, and I wanted a little more emotional tension between them before they fully fell for each other. But a tall, calming, gentle lumberjack witch? Not at all what I expected, but I thoroughly enjoyed myself (and him).

The biggest thing that held this back for me was that parts of the worldbuilding and Hayleigh’s connection to the curse felt a little confusing early on. While the explanations eventually came together, I spent a good portion of the book trying to understand the magical rules and some of the existing relationships. I also think readers who haven’t picked up the first book may need a little patience before everything clicks.

Even so, I appreciated the themes of self-discovery, forgiveness, and choosing the life that truly makes you happy instead of the one others expect from you. Those quieter emotional moments gave the story more depth than I initially expected. This was a charming, magical Christmas romance that balanced cozy holiday vibes with a thoughtful character journey. While I wished for stronger romantic chemistry and a smoother introduction to the world, it’s still a fun seasonal read for anyone who enjoys witches, snowy small towns, magical curses, and heartwarming holiday stories that feel like a Hallmark movie.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for this eARC!

[Kimberly]

Morgan Lockhart’s A Curse for Christmas Past was exactly the kind of book I wanted to pick up, because apparently September is close enough to Christmas when witches and a snowy little town are involved. Thank you to Dutton for the gifted copy. Please tell me I’m not the only one who starts sneaking holiday books into the TBR before the weather has gotten the memo?

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Hayleigh Gray is cursed. Not having-a-bad-week cursed, either. Her job is gone, her relationship is over, her money is disappearing, and when something happens with her beloved horse, she finally decides enough is enough. Her search for answers sends her back to Elk Ridge, Washington, where witches are real and Christmas apparently comes with magical complications.

And then there’s Stephan Midwinter.

Artist. Animal rescuer. Witch. Ridiculously kind man who gives off major golden-retriever energy. Hayleigh is suspicious of practically everything involving magic, while Stephan seems determined to help her anyway, and I loved their back-and-forth.

I’ll admit Hayleigh tested my patience in the beginning. There were moments when I wanted to reach into the book and tell her to PLEASE stop fighting everyone trying to help her. But the more I learned about her family, the expectations she’d lived under, and the choices she’d made because of them, the more I understood her. Watching her realize that saying you’re sorry isn’t the same thing as actually changing was probably my favorite part of her story.

Meanwhile, Stephan? No notes. Keep the sweet witchy animal-rescuing man exactly as he is.

There’s a curse to break before Christmas, ancestral secrets, Slavic folklore, mischievous holiday spirits, a wonderfully ridiculous holiday train B&B, forced proximity, snow, magic, and enough Christmas coziness that I briefly forgot Northern California is still trying to pretend it’s summer.

This felt like a Hallmark Christmas movie wandered into a witchy small town and came back with a little more spice and a much more interesting guest list.

Now I need to know: what would you choose for your holiday romance—small-town Christmas magic, a snowed-in inn, or a handsome witch who rescues animals?

#ACurseForChristmasPast #MorganLockhart #DuttonBooks #HolidayRomance #WitchyRomance #ChristmasReads #RomanceBooks #Bookstagram

[The Lit]

🚨 SPOILER ALERT: READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!
​I am giving A Curse for Christmas Past by Morgan Lockhart a wonderfully cozy 4-star review! ⭐⭐⭐⭐
​If you have ever wished your favorite Hallmark holiday movie had a healthy dose of magic and spellcasting, this book brings the ultimate festive, witchy vibes straight to your Kindle screen!
​ARC Disclosure: Thank you so much to NetGalley and Morgan Lockhart for providing an early digital review copy (eARC)! All thoughts and reflections shared here are entirely my own.
​The Review
​A Curse for Christmas Past is a delightful, whimsical contemporary fantasy romance that perfectly marries the cozy warmth of a small-town winter holiday with supernatural intrigue. Returning to this world reveals a bit of a different vibe compared to book one, leaning more heavily into seasonal enchantment and lighthearted magical dynamics, but the transition is handled with wonderful charm. Morgan Lockhart constructs a vibrant, snow-covered setting where family histories, curses, and destiny interweave. The narrative moves at a delightfully brisk pace, ensuring the magical stakes and the evolving romance stay balanced and engaging from start to finish.
​The Good
​This book is an absolute treat for fans of Hallmark holiday movies who also happen to love witchy vibes! The atmospheric setting is incredibly cozy, making it the perfect read to snuggle up with.
​The main characters really make the story shine. Stephan is a fantastic MMC—he is incredibly sweet, supportive, and grounded, making him the perfect anchor for the story. Hayleigh is a really good FMC as well; her personality is relatable, and her growth throughout the magical chaos is wonderful to watch. Even with the shift in tone from the first book, the charm of their connection and the magical holiday spirit kept me completely enchanted.
​The Not So Good
​The slight shift in vibe from book one might catch some readers off guard if they are expecting an exact replication of the first installment's tone. While both styles are highly enjoyable, the transition to a more lighthearted, festive-centered focus means some of the deeper paranormal lore takes a back seat to the holiday antics

[The Lit]

🚨 SPOILER ALERT: READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!
​I am giving A Curse for Christmas Past by Morgan Lockhart a wonderfully cozy 4-star review! ⭐⭐⭐⭐
​If you have ever wished your favorite Hallmark holiday movie had a healthy dose of magic and spellcasting, this book brings the ultimate festive, witchy vibes straight to your Kindle screen!
​ARC Disclosure: Thank you so much to NetGalley and Morgan Lockhart for providing an early digital review copy (eARC)! All thoughts and reflections shared here are entirely my own.
​The Review
​A Curse for Christmas Past is a delightful, whimsical contemporary fantasy romance that perfectly marries the cozy warmth of a small-town winter holiday with supernatural intrigue. Returning to this world reveals a bit of a different vibe compared to book one, leaning more heavily into seasonal enchantment and lighthearted magical dynamics, but the transition is handled with wonderful charm. Morgan Lockhart constructs a vibrant, snow-covered setting where family histories, curses, and destiny interweave. The narrative moves at a delightfully brisk pace, ensuring the magical stakes and the evolving romance stay balanced and engaging from start to finish.
​The Good
​This book is an absolute treat for fans of Hallmark holiday movies who also happen to love witchy vibes! The atmospheric setting is incredibly cozy, making it the perfect read to snuggle up with.
​The main characters really make the story shine. Stephan is a fantastic MMC—he is incredibly sweet, supportive, and grounded, making him the perfect anchor for the story. Hayleigh is a really good FMC as well; her personality is relatable, and her growth throughout the magical chaos is wonderful to watch. Even with the shift in tone from the first book, the charm of their connection and the magical holiday spirit kept me completely enchanted.
​The Not So Good
​The slight shift in vibe from book one might catch some readers off guard if they are expecting an exact replication of the first installment's tone. While both styles are highly enjoyable, the transition to a more lighthearted, festive-centered focus means some of the deeper paranormal lore takes a back seat to the holiday antics

[Cellie]

I'll start with the fact I read the ARC for A Spell for Midwinter's Heart (book 1) last year, so I was already familiar with most of the characters.

In book one, I definitely was anti-Hayleigh, but she does manage to win me over in book 2. She's a person who has made mistakes and hasn't had the most pleasant upbringing, even though her family is well-off. She grows a lot in this book, and I always appreciate character growth.

I'm glad Stephan got his own book, because he was one of my favorites from book 1. He gives great golden retriever energy.

This would make a cute Hallmark movie, and you could definitely set a lot of their holiday films in Elk Ridge - they could do things year round, just like the festivals in the book :) Very cozy vibes in this series.

If you like:
Hallmark
Cozy
Holiday
then this book is definitely for you! I like that it's not just another Christmas book, it incorporates other holidays that take place in the same time frame -- Yule, Solstice, Epiphany. Not everyone is a fan of Christmas, so there's something for everyone here. It just shows that you CAN allow everyone to celebrate their own holiday without detracting from the other 'main ones' most people know and love.

Hayleigh has a quest to break her curse, and she to complete it, she has to look back at some things that were unhealthy about her family, relationships, and her behavior. She has to face what she did and make amends, not just SAY she's sorry and promise to change. That makes a big difference in how much I buy into someone's redemption arc!

I am not normally a cozy reader, but I would buy this for someone in my life who does enjoy a cozy romance, and I would recommend it to cozy readers, especially those who aren't looking for a typical Christmas book.

[Sara Planz]

SYNOPSIS
Hayleigh Gray is cursed. For real. After losing her job, her savings, and her relationship, it's the discovery of a lump on her beloved horse’s neck that finally sends Hayleigh looking for solutions in the winter festival in Elk Ridge. Trouble is, she knows there are witches in Elk Ridge because she managed to make an enemy of one (okay, maybe a few) last holiday season. There, she crosses paths with Stephan Midwinter, an animal-rescuing artist with lumberjack good looks, a reputation with women that stretches a mile long, and a whole lot of magic that Hayleigh wants nothing to do with. Adamant that his coven wasn’t involved in Hayleigh’s curse, Stephan offers to help her find the real culprit and break the curse before Christmas Day. As Hayleigh and Stephan face ancestral secrets, mischievous holiday spirits, and being snowed into the world’s kitschiest holiday train B&B, Hayleigh finds her heart opening to magic, and to Stephan Midwinter. But Stephan and his way of life are in direct opposition to everything Hayleigh’s been taught to want, and old habits die hard. With the curse amping up and time running out, will she be able to embrace a new kind of happiness, or will she fall back into the patterns of Christmas past?

The follow-up to A Spell For Midwinter’s Heart, author Morgan Lockhart takes us back to Elk Ridge and all its witchy goodness. This time the story revolved around Slavic folklore along with the traditions of Yule. The characters from the first book are back and the found family vibe is still there. Hayleigh’s character development throughout was nice to see, and Stephan is the perfect sunshine to her grumpy. The story is cozy, like a Hallmark movie, and filled with magic. It’s never too early, in my opinion, to start on the holiday reads. This hits shelves in 9/22/2026.

[Kate]

A CURSE FOR CHRISTMAS PAST

Interconnected romance novels are one of my favorite things, so I was immediately excited to see another Midwinter’s holiday love story available to read. Knowing that it’s ALSO the story of the antagonist of the first book… oh man sign me up. This book just hit so many of my favorite buttons, I gobbled it up as a Christmas In July treat.

Hayleigh Grey was less than likable in the last book, relentlessly pursuing the takeover of the holiday festival in the tiny town of Elk Ridge, so starting the book off with her getting her just desserts felt satisfying, if a little unexpected. Down on your luck is one thing, but cursed? Not a good look for Rowan Midwinter, I want to love my FMC forever and it felt a little mean girl to think she decided to ruin Hayleigh’s life. More fuel to read on, I suppose.

In comes Stephen Midwinter, himbo hottie. Immediately enjoyed his personality and way of life, even if our FMC is unimpressed. Psh, What does she know anyways? She’s quite biased after everything she experienced previously.

Onto solving the mystery of breaking hayleighs curse- what a ride. As soon as I had an idea of what was going on, a new twist worked its way in. I loved the incorporation of her family history and the expectations pushed upon her all her life. All of it really helped you understand how she became who she was in the previous book and who she’s becoming. Very well written.

All in all, 3.5 stars and definitely recommend this book to anyone who typically enjoys a lil witchy romance! This feels like a great way to extend the vibe from fall/halloween into the holiday season. Not that we HAVE to keep witchy romances as autumn only, but the best of em have that setting so I love the change of pace.

[Marie]

This book gave me the heartwarming vibes that I love from Hallmark holiday movies. Hayleigh immediately gives off the vibes of Meredith Blake from The Parent Trap. However, her love for her beloved horse shows the first crack in her armour.

I will say that the problem that I had with this book is that I did not read the first one in the series, A Spell for Midwinter's Heart. While this book does stand alone, it was a bit difficult to follow how Hayleigh became cursed before the onset of the book. I was also a little confused about how exactly the magic structure worked. I think it was a little confusing because it is not obvious how Hayleigh is linked to magic throughout the story. However, letting the story cook a little not only makes things far clearer, but it is also quite interesting. The way that ancestral inheritance plays a role was one of the more intriguing parts of the story.

The romance between Stephan and Hayleigh was also cute and wholesome. I really appreciated how Stephan was protective of Hayleigh, but also allowed her to have space enough to make her own decisions. I did feel that, because I didn't have the backstory, Hayleigh's interactions with Stephan's family were a bit difficult to understand.

Overall, Lockhart was able to write an intriguing story. Mixing magic, romance, and Christmas vibes, A Curse for Christmas Past is a cute and entertaining read.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

CONTENT WARNINGS
Graphic: Emotional abuse

[Elia Winters]

A Curse for Christmas Past was a fun book with both witch vibes and winter vibes, perfect as we are going into the fall/winter season. I did not read the book before this but it did not ruin my ability to read the book.

Hayleigh's bad luck is underselling how much bad luck she has, she doesn't have far to go to reach rock bottom when she tries to find who cursed her and how to lift it. Hayleigh may have been a boss babe before, but she comes from a emotionally abusive father who wants to control her and this made my heart break. This is such a hard pattern to break especially when you see a parent unable to break the pattern. I was happy Hayleigh was trying to find out how ot undo the curse so she would not be under her father's thumb again but I also wish she had more confidence to try to go our on her own supporting herself even if it included a job she thought may be beneath her. But alas, this leads to a beautiful story about growth and deciding enough is enough and cut ties with all abusive people in life.

Stephan seemed like a big teddy bear, he came on a little strong at first but I did appreciate his willingness to help Hayleigh and support her in her journey to finding herself and making her own path.

I still don't completely understand the magic system but I enjoyed it along with the Baba yaga as this brought me back to some stories growing up. I love that in the end Hayleigh needed to CHOOSE to break the curse and do the right thing and she WANTED to.

The journey along the way was fun and I want to go back and read the previous book!

[Laura Carter | Those Book Besties]

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Thank you to Dutton Books for the free advanced copy! 🎄📚💕

This was basically a Hallmark Christmas movie in book form, and I had such a fun time with it. 🎄💕✨

It had all those classic holiday romance clichés that I absolutely eat up, while still bringing something different to the table. Cozy holiday vibes? Check. Romance? Check. A little magic? CHECK. 🎅🏻❄️

My favorite part was definitely the Slavic folklore woven throughout the story. I loved learning about the different traditions, legends, and magical elements, and I thought they added so much dimension to the book. It was easily what made this one stand out from your typical holiday romance. ✨

Hayleigh was a bit of a mixed bag for me. I struggled to connect with her at times and didn’t always love her choices, but she definitely grew on me. By the end, I was rooting for her and felt like she deserved everything she had been working toward. ❤️

I really enjoyed Stephan and the fun he brought to the story, but I wanted MORE from him! I felt like his character was a little underdeveloped, especially considering how important he is to the story. A bit more backstory and depth would have made the romance hit harder for me.

Overall, this was a cute, cozy holiday read with plenty of charm and a generous dash of magic. 🎄✨ It wasn’t quite a new holiday favorite for me, but the Slavic folklore gave it something special and made it a fun addition to my Christmas reading.

[Nancy Joyner]

A Curse for Christmas Past follows Hayleigh Gray, whose life is falling apart when she returns to Elk Ridge, Washington, to figure out who cursed her and how to break it before Christmas.

Then she meets Stephan Midwinter, an animal-rescuing artist and witch who agrees to help her. And because apparently a curse isn’t enough, they end up snowed in at a quirky holiday train B&B.

I’ll be honest, Hayleigh and I got off to a rocky start. I didn’t love her at first, but the more I learned about her controlling parents and how much they influenced her life, the more she grew on me.

But Stephan? He won my heart immediately. He is such a golden retriever—always helping everyone else and never thinking about himself.

I loved the Christmas-meets-witchy-magic vibe, and the Slavic folklore was such a fun addition. I really enjoyed learning about it!

The romance did feel a little insta-love, which usually isn’t my favorite, but surprisingly, it worked for this story.

I also didn’t realize there was another Elk Ridge book, A Spell for Midwinter’s Heart, where we first meet Hayleigh and Rowen. But you definitely don’t need to read it first. I hadn’t, and I had no trouble getting invested in this story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton Books for the opportunity to read this book before its September 22nd release!

Overall, this was a fun, festive read with witches, curses, romance, Slavic folklore, snow, and plenty of Christmas vibes.

[Emmie Rose]

3.5 stars

I struggled a lot with the beginning of the book not making perfect sense. I felt like I opened the book several chapters in instead of on chapter 1. Turns out, there is another book set prior to A Curse for Christmas Past and the events of this book are directly influenced by events in A Spell for Midwinter’s Heart. Although GR doesn’t haven’t them connected as a series, they really should be. My enjoyment, and thus my rating, is lower because I spent so much time lost and annoyed about said confusion. I’m not the type of person who can jump into a series in the middle. I NEED to read in the series order, so this really bothered me.

However, I did gradually let go of some of those feelings as I began to root for Hayleigh more as the book went on. Did I necessarily love her as a person or a character? Not completely. But I think her journey felt honest and believable. She was a flawed person heavily influenced by her privileged and stifling (re patriarchal) upbringing.

Hayleigh’s relationship with Stephan really helped bring her to life and make her story more enjoyable. I adored Stephan! He was the sweet, steady, and supportive presence she needed. And, AND! He called her Sunshine, which has to be my favourite pet name.

“You think I’m beautiful?” His voice lowered to a timbre that rippled beneath her skin. “Come on, you know you’re gorgeous, Sunshine.”

Be still my heart.

When you have characters who support their women the way Stephan does, you know he’s the greenest of green flags.

“So much more than your mistakes. You are strong enough to make this right, because those things you just called yourself? They’re what people say to make capable, smart, beautiful women doubt themselves into submission. You took the track your family laid down for you—so? Most people do. Now you’re off it, and you’ve got choices. I believe you can and will do better.”

His character definitely stole the show.

Oh, and the magic? Interesting, relatively unique, and at times quite funny. Hayleigh’s curse, while awful for her, brought on some truly entertaining mishaps. I wish there had been a little more focus on some of the silliness it provided, instead of focusing on Hayleigh’s moaning about the inconveniences and financial strain.