Selkies and Spellcraft

by Aly Hollis

Recently divorced and struggling with her magic, water witch Juniper comes to town for a family reunion. After a night out, she stumbles upon a fur coat abandoned on the rocks near the beach and takes it home for safekeeping. The next morning, a gorgeous younger man appears on her doorstep, saying he is her new husband.

Caspian never expected a witch to find and take his coat, but the moment he sees Juniper, he knows she’s the other half of his soul, his fated mate. She might be closed off and stubborn, but she doesn’t know selkie lore, and so Caspian convinces her that she has to keep him around at least for a while.

With the approaching family reunion, Juniper is overwhelmed with tasks for her family, and Caspian does everything he can to support her. He plans to win her over with romantic dinners and moonlit swims, but what he didn’t count on was an angry ex-husband who wants Juniper back.

This sweet and spicy novella contains a walking-green-flag selkie man, a witch rediscovering her power, a reverse age gap, and lots of flirting on the beach.

Genres: Romance, Fantasy, Romantasy, Contemporary, Novella, Adult, Supernatural

213 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 9, 2026

About the author

Aly Hollis lives in the southwest with her family and a collection of blue heelers, sassy cats, and a singular aquatic turtle. She loves art, crafting, sewing, and anything else creative, especially writing fantasy stories.

Reviews

[Paula Valadez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Algo bien, rápido y que me alegre el día de ayer 🥹😕
Nunca había leído una historia sobre un cambiaformas selkie 😍😍

[Ruth♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

No hay mucho que decir en este libro, es una historia corta con sus toques de fantasía y fue muy linda, todo se desarrolla bastante rápido pero igual fue una linda historia para pasar el rato.

[Jocie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐️
2.5🌶️

Short, sweet, with a pinch of spice and you get a great little novella. Gotta say, I’ve never read a selkie romance, but I’m intrigued. It was sweet, the characters kind of got on my nerves a little bit, but overall it was a fun one.

[Melissa Locke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need a book two!

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short, cute, and spicy… what more does a novella need.

I loved the mix of selkie lore and witch magic in here and the way they amplified each other. He falls first and hard and isn’t willing to compromise and watching him break down her barriers is cute and a great reminder of what kind of love everyone deserves.

Because it’s a novella, it’s quick paced and they go from not knowing each other to madly in love within a few days - not my favorite trope, but it’s a novella so I expected a quick turnaround, and the way this was done was cute.

Overall, worth reading if you’re looking for a quick cute read!

[Helena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, short palate cleanser where you don´t have to put your head too much into it. That´s all this was but sometimes it´s all we need.

Very low stakes and plot--> check
Insta-love --> check
Slightly irritating FMC (especially toward the end when the "conflict" arrives) --> check
Good spice with a devoted MMC --> check
safe --> check (MMC hasn´t been with anyone in years and that´s all the info we get on him. He tells his brother in the beginning that he´s not a manwhore like him, lol. FMC has been divorced but I think hasn´t been with anyone since).

There´s an age difference. FMC is 34 and MMC is only 25.

All in all it was not bad enough to give it less than 3 stars and I already kind of expected a light, slightly boring read, so no surprises. I´m not sure if I will read the other books.

[Alli M || allisreadingbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first of a series of standalone novellas all set in the same location - crescent cove!

- witch FMC
- selkie MMC
- fated mates
- age gap (older FMC)
- insta love/lust
- FMC who doesn’t believe in herself

A cute & quick read! A great palate cleanser when you don’t know what to pick up next, I read it in just under 2 hours during a train ride!

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was okay, I would have liked it more if it was a bit longer and there was some depth to the story but it was a nice short read :)

[Zia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really fun start to this novella collection. I really enjoyed the romance and I am looking forward to reading the rest

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Christina Lyons (irb_beach_girl) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Aly Hollis for the advanced copy.
This was a super cute summer read. And being a Novella as part of the Crescent Cove series, it makes for a fairly quick and easy fun read also!
Juniper is our witch FMC who's gone through some life changes and has come home for a family reunion. Caspian is our Selkie shifter MMC who lives in Crescent Cove. These two fated mates go through some trials and tribulations figuring life out. If you like witty banter, fated mates, cozy small town romance and some summer fun then this is definitely and cute read for you! I can't wait to continue with the rest of the series !

[The Book Nerd's Corner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A spicy summery romance novella between a cynical sea witch and an outgoing selkie.

Juniper is returning to Crescent Cove for a dreaded family reunion. Recently divorced and struggling to control her magic, Juniper knows her family is going to tear her apart. After a night on the town with a friend, Juniper stumbles across a beautiful fur coat and drunkenly decides that it is too precious to be left on the beach. Unbeknownst to her, the coat actually belongs to Caspian, a cheerful selkie who happened to be at the same bar she was. Upon first glance, Caspian knows that Juniper is his fated mate. Desperate to not scare her off, Caspian decides to concoct a story that whoever finds his coat becomes his wife. Now, Juniper must figure out how to get rid of Caspian before he inevitably breaks her heart again.

When I first saw this multi-author series of marine shifter novellas on Instagram, I knew I had to get my hands on them. Aly Hollis was kind enough to send me an ARC of the first book in the series, and I seriously hope I can get my hands on the rest of them!

I am always hit or miss on fated mates books, but I thought this one was really sweet. Juniper has been through so much pain in her life, and I really was rooting for Caspian to be able to protect and support her. It was a bit annoying that Caspian lied to her for the majority of this book, but I understand not wanting to scare Juniper away by immediately telling her that they are fated mates either.

The cozy vibes of Crescent Cove are great. It is a seaside small town brimming with magical entities connected to the water. It was so fun meeting Caspian and his brothers, and I look forward to encountering more marine shifters in future installments of this series.

Juniper's family are actually awful. Her mother, her sister Daphne, and her ex-husband Derek, are some of the worst characters I've come across. They treat Juniper like actual garbage and are the most hypocritical people I've ever seen. They made me so angry (especially because they forced so much unnecessary pain onto Juniper's shoulders), so it made me so happy to see Caspian stand up for her.

For such a short read, this one is definitely pretty spicy. I think Juniper and Caspian are having shared wet dreams with one another by day two and the entire story happens over a course of like four days, so things certainly escalate fast. Caspian is such a gentleman about everything; he always makes sure to cook breakfast for her, help her with her boring errands, and take care of her when her evil family tries to bring her down. These two have electric chemistry from the get-go and Caspian knows that Juniper is his mate from day one, but he makes sure that Juniper is completely ready for anything that they do before engaging in any intimacy, which is just so sweet. He's a green flag selkie boy, even if he is incredibly horny.

Overall, "Selkies and Spellcraft" was a short and sweet spicy novella that is perfect for summer beach reading. The vibes of Crescent Cove are so cozy, and I'm really looking forward to meeting more marine shifters in future books. Juniper and Caspian are so cute together, and the hurt/comfort vibes crafted in this one were done beautifully. The fated mates aspect causes the chemistry to be electric immediately, and it's no shock that physical intimacy comes within a few short days. This is my first taste of Hollis's work, and I must say, I'd be down for checking out more of their books. I look forward to reading future installments in the "Crescent Cove" series and absorbing all the cozy summer vibes!

[Minty Margins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was not joking when I said I literally jumped to another book from this series last night. Would I be on brand if I wasn’t reading these chaotically out of order? I can’t get enough and I absolutely loved Selkies and Spellcraft by Aly Hollis!

The way I laughed over the antics that took place in this book too loooool. Our story is centered around MCs Juniper, a water witch who has lost access to her powers, and Caspian, a selkie! They come into each other’s lives through a bit of an accidental husband acquisition. Juniper came across a coat on the beach and took it home with her…except that was actually Caspian’s- oops! Caspian isn’t too worried about it through because Juniper is his fated mate and he really leans into this accidental husband acquisition through the use of some selkie lore.

Juniper is trying so hard to return Caspian’s coat, grapple with her growing attraction, survive a family reunion and keep her job. Caspian is more than happy to take on the role of househusband - more specifically- just take care of her! He’s baking, helping her with family reunion things and shielding her from her nasty family members. Caspian is very Way of the Househusband coded, but just more playful looooool. Also- they’ve got some amazing chemistry!!! Those shared dreams they have… heheh. They are just perfect for each other and even though Caspian waits a littleee too long to tell Juniper about their connection as fated mates- he never falters in his devotion to her. I’m obsessed with them. This will absolutely be added to my physical book collection with the others 😌.

If you need a cute low-stakes novella filled with themes of summer, love, and an accident husband acquisition, I HIGHLY recommend checking out Selkies and Spellcraft!!

[Smutty Professor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such a fun summer paranormal romance! Juniper returns to Crescent Cove for a family reunion while she is trying to figure out what comes next after her divorce. She's lost confidence in herself, her magic isn't cooperating, and her family certainly isn't helping. She eventually finds her footing again and remembers who she is outside of everyone else's expectations. It was really lovely!

I was done the second Caspian showed up. That man took one look at Juniper and decided she's his person. There was no hesitation, no mixed signals, and no games. He spent the entire book consistently showing up for her, and isn't that what we all want? Whether he's helping with the family reunion, making sure she eats, encouraging her to believe in herself again, or simply refusing to leave her side, he made it impossible not to fall for him. Beneath all the flirting, chemistry, and spice, this was a story about healing. Juniper spent so much of her life being made to feel like she wasn't enough, and seeing someone love her exactly as she was felt so beautiful. I loved how she reconnected with her magic, stood up for herself, and finally started putting her own happiness first.

I'm excited there are more books set in Crescent Cove because I know I will want to keep coming back. The beach-town setting, the magic, the quirky characters, and the cozy atmosphere made this such a fun read. If you're looking for a sweet and spicy paranormal romance with a completely devoted MMC, a FMC finding herself again, and a bunch of summer beach-town vibes, definitely pick this one up!

[Megan Burns · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know we're only halfway through 2026, but Caspian is a strong contender for Book Boyfriend of the Year. 😍 He worships Juniper like a goddess, volunteers to help out with her family's reunion, fiercely defends her against her family as well as her cheating jerk of an ex, and genuinely wants to see her regain her power. I mean, sure, he kicks off the relationship off with an itty-bitty lie, but nobody's perfect. Besides, he was only trying to ease her into the whole fated-mates thing, so it's fine. 😉

As for him and Juniper, they were very good together, with plenty of sizzling chemistry in and out of the bedroom. Also, I liked the whole metaphor of her losing her power during her first marriage with Derek, only to get her power back with Caspian's encouragement as well as help from his selkie magic. However, I am not a fan of third-act breakups, especially ones as dumb and unnecessary as Caspian and Juniper's temporary little rift. Juniper's reasons for getting upset with Caspian were absurd, not to mention Juniper did a very quick 180 and forgave Caspian almost immediately. (Which is the only reason this book didn't earn a full-on 10/10 from me.)

Other than that, though, I would like to see a continuation of this story, one focusing on Caspian's brother Malik and Juniper's friend Willow, as well as a story focusing on Caspian's other brother Adrian finding his own fated mate and settling down. Also, more of Juniper's feisty grandma please. 😁

Overall Verdict: 9 selkie coats out of 10

[Emery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Juniper is a fun spirited woman who went through betrayal and feeling like nothing from her ex husband and her family. She comes to Crescent Cove, the little beach town filled with magic and magical creatures- for a wedding, and after a night out, she discovered a gorgeous fur coat. What she thought was a good idea to keep the coat safe, ends up turning her life upside down. The man that comes to the door the next morning to retrieve his coat is a handsome selkie man, who tells her he is now her new husband. They end up stuck together until they can figure out a way out, but slowly realizes that he’s supportive, has such an intriguing charm, and he’s actually helpful. She begins to develop feelings for him, not realizing he’s already fallen for her.

Juniper is sassy, feisty, and has had enough of her family treating her like dirt and not to mention the betrayal from her sister. Despite everything thrown at her, Caspian helps her realize her worth, and helps her stand up for herself. I love the relationship that develops between the two. It goes from annoyed at the forced proximity and new situation, to deep understanding and so much fire once they finally give in.
This was definitely a different read for me, but it was so good. It was just the right amount of cozy with a bit of spice. This was a perfect summertime beach read, and i loved this story!

[Liz Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for an eARC!

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Once again, Aly Hollis has done another slam dunk for me. A divorced witch coming back home for a family reunion finds her fated mate in a selkie? An ideal summer read, and a great way to start my summer reading.

Juniper is dealing with way more than she should and isn’t used to having anyone else to help, so it’s wonderful to see her let Caspian be that person for her. I was not expecting how her ex was going to pop up, I’m still shocked, and I love that she immediately gets to prove him wrong in every sense.

Caspian is a hoot. He’s a fun dude, I loved being in his head during the chapters from his perspective. I’m curious if/how his brothers will pop up in other books in the collection because I love the dynamic between the trio. He leans into the bond immediately, which I’m always a sucker for, and I love how content he is to just join her doing the most mundane of tasks.

I think my favorite part was the shared dream sequences. They were so much fun and showed how Juniper was reacting to the fated mates connection before she even knew what it was. I need this kind of thing in more of the books I read. And, I need to figure out how I can read more of the story the epilogue is putting down.

[HomelessMind · Rating 5 out of 5]

Selkies and Spellcraft was everything I hoped it would be and more.
From the very beginning, I found myself completely invested in Juniper and Caspian. Their relationship wasn’t rushed or forced…it developed naturally allowing every moment, conversation and feeling to hold meaning. Watching them come together was one of my favorite parts of this story.
As much as I adored the romance, I have to give a special mention to Juniper’s grandmother. She quickly became my favorite character. Her wisdom, brutal honesty and ability to say exactly what needed to be said at exactly the right moment added so much heart to the story. #NoFilter
And then there’s Juniper’s ex… who deserves absolutely no praise from me. Few characters have managed to frustrate me as much as he did. Every time he opened his mouth, I found myself wanting to reach into the book and shake some sense into him. Which, honestly, is a testament to how well he was written.
Filled with magic, emotion, heart and characters I genuinely cared about in such a short story, Selkies and Spellcraft completely captured my attention. Aly Hollis has a writing style that feels effortless to fall into and after finishing this book, I’ll definitely be looking into more of her work.

[Nikki Bogard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crescent Cove has officially claimed a spot as one of my favorite fictional summer destinations.

From the very first chapter, this book felt like a warm ocean breeze mixed with a little bit of magic.

Our FMC is rebuilding her life after a divorce and trying to find her footing again while dealing with family members who seem determined to make everything harder. Returning to the town that once felt like home is exactly what she needs—even if her magic has decided to disappear at the worst possible time.

And then there’s the MMC. A charming selkie with a heart of gold who takes one look at this struggling witch and is completely gone for her. The devotion? The sweetness? The constant “I’d do anything for you” energy? Absolutely top tier.

The romance is full of chemistry, playful banter, and just the right amount of spice. But what really made this story shine was the cozy coastal atmosphere and the cast of characters that made Crescent Cove feel alive.

This was the kind of book that makes you want to grab a beach chair, listen to the waves, and lose yourself in a magical little town for a few hours.

Cute, cozy, magical, and completely bingeable—I already can’t wait for the next visit to Crescent Cove.

[Obsessed☆reads:) · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I say this was a good potato chip book, I mean it. It’s only gotten this far because it was short, fast paced and everything I needed to get out of my months long reading slump.
There are some times where I wished things would’ve been like explored more despite the fact that it was short. I did not have to have pages describing the sure of magic when they touched
The magic I felt was thrown in later, it wasn’t as profound in the beginning which is why it kind of made it feel more contemporary with wierd lion shifting thrown in between
And the grovelling for Caspian deception was literally just 20 minutes long? Where he just left her alone? And he was forgiven?
I love a self aware queen but still he messed up don’t easily just give in. But he was such a green flag so maybe I might have also. But I did want to see him do all sorts of grand things to win her back.
I pretended their ages were reversed, idk what it is about reversed like age gaps? I just don’t like em so their ages were ignored
Now onto the double D’s I hated Daphne and Derek so much, the mother was also on my hit list
They are so vain, narcissistic and have no regard for anyone else rather than their own stupidity
I would have liked to see Caspian punch Derek

[balayageandbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

As soon as I saw the announcement for this new little series I knew I had to read it!
And let me tell you what...I'm hooked!
I'm pretty sure that this small special little coastal town is going to be my new obsession this summer!
This FMC immediately had me in my feels... she's healing from a divorce, dealing with her awful mother and sister, and trying to reconnect with the only place and people that brought her peace.
She's a gorgeous witch that has lost her spark...literally her magic has went into hiding.
The MMC, is a tall drink of handsome selkie, he's a total sweetheart and is devoted to his family. He sees this little witch from across the bar and instantly has to have her...cue the "my wife" and all the swooning!
These two have instant chemistry... but our FMC is has some major walls built up and our MMC has no problem doing whatever he can to win over his little witch.
The banter. The dreams. The spice.
It's all so good!
I am so excited to read more from this little town!
If you love small town vibes & paranormal/shifter romance with great side characters then pack your bags and come visit Crescent Cove with me this summer!

[Paola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of Advanced Copy received from author.

This book make me get my summer vibes ON! Crescent Cove feels like the perfect fantasy lovers beach vacation, full of sun and magic.

I am not a big fan of love at first sight and was a little worried at the beginning that I would not enjoy it as much, but I think it was beautifully played. The fated mate trope did not make all the romance fill rushed, it was fast, yes, but it just felt natural. They were just ment to be.

The character growth of Juniper was also something that I really liked. We get to see her strenght and we also see how she has been broken and is trying her best to heal.
Grandma was also an amazing character, she does know best!
And Caspian...well I never tought I would add a selkie to my book boyfriends, but here we are.

A perfect start for a series that feels like its going to be the paranormal romance girles summer go to!

[Robert Bollinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun little romance that promotes as a fantastical story but really only delves lightly into the mystical or otherworldly aspects of the world. This is a true romantic story at its heart and it is enchanting in this part of its nature. Caspian and Juniper's tale is a tried and true he falls first trope that eventually gets through to its heroine with a little grandmotherly advice and an incredible first time together. Juniper's journey is both heartwarming and heartbreaking as she overcomes her doubts and finally admits to their connection. If you want a sexy open door romance this certainly delivers. I should mention that I received this ARC from the author for free and that this is my honest assessment of the story and I was not encouraged in any way to provide a favorable review.

[Heather.Loves.Books89 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an ARC review but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book is so light and cute with a HEA. I read a variety of genres and tropes. This was definitely refreshing after a dark romance.

She's recently divorced. He's hanging out with his brothers. Caspian and Juniper are absolutely adorable together. Caspian is such a golden retriever for her. She's a bit prickly (I wouldn't say black cat though) but given her past/history, it makes sense. Caspian will do absolutely anything to prove he's the one for her. He "lies" to her about the meaning behind finding a selkie's coat, but is it really a lie if they're fated mates?

If you want something light and heart warming with a touch of spice and a little bit of drama, this is the book for you. I think we all need a Caspian. I highly enjoyed reading this and can't wait for the rest of the series to come out.

[Liz Carpenter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella was sweet, funny, steamy and sneakily emotional. Juniper is recovering from her divorce from her lousy husband and preparing to deal with her family, particularly her obnoxious mother and sister, when she catches the eye of Caspian. Cue the fated mates bond snapping into place and the start of swooning over a man that has got it so bad for his woman it makes you reevaluate your own standards!
I loved seeing Juniper finally getting the relationship she deserved, embracing her magic and taking what she wants in life. Caspian is a man you can give your whole heart to, he is sweet, attentive, smart, loyal, protective….and he cooks and cleans!
I loved this book, it’s a perfect slice of sunshine and needs to be on everyone’s summer TBR!

[Bookwyrm_in_KC · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute and spicy novella. The Crescent Cove series is the perfect summer reading series.

Juniper is a witch returning in Crescent Cove for a family reunion after her divorce. When she finds a selkie skin on the beach, she triggers a bond that changes her life forever.

Caspian is the selkie and after seeing her for the first time quickly realizes that Juniper is his fated mate. But he also realizes that she's probably not ready to instantly jump into a new relationship so he figures out a (pretty silly in hindsight) plan to woo Juniper.

If you love cute, cozy coastal towns, fated mates, dysfunctional family, and women rediscovering their power, Selkies and Spellcraft is the perfect quick read.

Thank you Aly Hollis for the opportunity to advance read! 🩷

[Puppets & Paperbacks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an ARC read

This is a spicy monster romance. Make sure you know what that means before reading. This is also a novella which is part of the Crescent Cove Series. Make sure you know what novella means before reading. This is also a reverse age gap story, so again, make sure you are into that before reading.

This was our first book by this author and we are now hooked. We are also loving the Crescent Cove Series so much!

This was a very cute and spicy story. It was so romantic and we are absolutely in love with Caspian. Selkies are our new favorites now.

Juniper is a water witch and she’s freshly divorced. This woman has got shit for family. Her mother and sister are just the absolute worst and I love that they’re just happily living in garbage together.

This whole family dynamic will make you scream. The sister starts dating the ex-brother-in-law and the mother is very approving of this. Like what?! Ugh. Okay, you gotta read this novella so you can hate the family too.

Juniper, thankfully finds an ally with her grandmother and of course Juniper is the grandmothers favorite. She clearly the only intelligent one in the family.

Juniper is only in Crescent Cove for a family reunion and finds the town comforting. If she could she’d move there. She’s just a mess of a lady. She’s really trying to live for herself after this divorce and find herself again.

Thankfully Caspian spots her at a bar and knew she was the one. Caspian and Juniper have a very fun meet-and-greet that never really ended actually. Don’t want to spoil how they meet, but we found it cute.

Caspian never wants to leave Juniper and convinces her that they’re already kind of together anyways, so he just never leaves. Seriously!

They slowly fall in love through out the book and there is hot dream 🍆 that’s like real,but only in their dreams.

There is a smallish third act breakup, but it’s like two seconds and then your back to HEA.

This is a very romantic summer read and we highly suggest you read this one first in the series. It’s just too cute

[Katerina Kuhlmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This is the third Crescent Cove book that I have read and all of these Authors are knocking it out of the park!

I laughed so much over the dialogue and humor in this book! One thing that I really loved about this one is how while Cas was possessive it was more of a protective possessive. He let Juniper stand her ground but he was right there when she needed him. She also didn’t have to ask for it, he just did it. I loved that instead of being the normal “she was made for me” it was switched and it was “I was made for her.” That was refreshing! I loved their connection even-though she tried to fight it which after a divorce I totally understood. The spice was spicing and overall I enjoyed it!

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of Advanced Readers Copy from the author

Selkies and Spellcraft by Aly Hollis was such a cute, feel-good read! This novella follows a recently divorced FMC who heads off for a family reunion only to stumble across a selkie coat…and accidentally into the path of her fated mate. The MMC absolutely falls first, and because he knows all the selkie lore, he definitely uses it to his advantage…but in a way that feels sweet. Their chemistry was adorable, the magical coastal vibes were perfect, and the story had that cozy, summery charm that makes you want to curl up by the water with a drink in hand. A quick, shifter romance with heart, healing, and a satisfying HEA.

[Helen Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

ADVANCED COPY READER PROVIDED BY THE AUTHOR

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Selkies and Spellcraft was such a whimsical, cosy read with the perfect balance of cute storyline and mild spice. It had that deeply satisfying “get back at your awful mum and rude sister” energy, while still feeling warm and magical the whole way through.

And the MMC? Absolute golden retriever boyfriend material — sweet, loyal, protective, and somehow even better because he’s literally a selkie. Their relationship was adorable and genuinely made me smile so many times.

If you love cosy fantasy romance with charm, heart, a little sass, and a lovable cinnamon-roll love interest, this one is absolutely worth picking up.