Sometimes it Takes a Spell

by Caiti A.

Erin has spent nine years overcoming her painful past. Her future is planned to the letter - solo and stable. She's built her world on practicality, not daydreams or storybook endings. But everything begins to unravel when her best friend drops a not only is she a witch, but her long-lost cousin - who just happens to be the dangerously gorgeous man Erin has been obsessing over for weeks - is staying in Aurora to help her gain control over her mismanaged powers. Everything Erin thought she knew is being challenged. And she doesn't like it, or the man upending her perfectly aligned life, one bit.

Enter Donovan Adare - enchanting, perceptive, and very much a witch. He left Ireland for New York on an intuitive hunch, and discovered a cousin he didn't know existed - and the only connection to the mother who abandoned him. He sees the world in shades of wonder Erin has trained herself not to believe in. As an external force draws Donovan and Erin together, and into a life she never imagined, she begins to question everything she thought she knew - about fate, love, and family.

Sometimes, the most powerful magic is learning to see the world - and yourself - differently.

184 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 20, 2026

Reviews

[lauren dedinsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

What To Expect:
* Small Town Romance
* Opposites Attract
* Witchy Romance
* Chosen Family
* Spring Romance
* Forced Proximity


omg the coziness vibes in this book is unreal and absolutely perfect! i was loving every second of it. so if you are like me and love cozy with a hint of witchcraft/magic than this is the book for you!

this is the second book in the Witches of Aurora seties, it can also be read as a standalone too. this book follows Erin and Donovan.

it was so easy to feel connected with/to Erin's character. she felt so real and i really loved that. she has so much depth and does a lot of healing as character as well. it was so well written too.

and Donovan is her complete opposite. they had that push and pull kind of romance and seeing it all play out in the end was so worth it!

thank you so much lunaliterary and caiti A. for gifting me a copy of this e-arc to review 🫶🏼🫶🏼

[Soha Amer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes It Takes a Spell by Caiti A. is a soft yet emotionally layered story about healing, identity, and the quiet magic of letting go of control.

Erin is the kind of character who feels real—guarded, practical, and shaped by a past she’s worked hard to move beyond. She doesn’t believe in magic, not in the whimsical, storybook sense… and definitely not in chaos.

But everything shifts when her world collides with something she can’t rationalize—witchcraft, hidden family ties, and Donovan Adare.

Donovan is the complete opposite of everything Erin has built her life around—intuitive, open, and deeply connected to a world she’s spent years denying. Their dynamic is what truly makes this story shine: grounded vs magical, guarded vs open, logic vs feeling.

What I loved most is how this isn’t just about romance—it’s about unlearning fear, redefining identity, and allowing yourself to believe in something more, even when it’s uncomfortable.

It’s gentle, introspective, and quietly romantic with a touch of magic that feels more emotional than fantastical.

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Luna Literary Management for the opportunity to read Sometimes it Takes a Spell by Caiti A.

This book felt less focused on romance alone and more centered around healing, identity, and learning how to rediscover yourself after spending years living in fear.

Erin was such an interesting FMC because so much of her character revolves around how guarded she has become due to her past and everything she has struggled to move beyond. Watching her slowly confront the parts of herself she kept hidden was honestly the strongest part of the story for me.

Donovan balanced her character really well. He’s intuitive, open, and deeply connected to the magical world Erin has spent years trying to deny. Their differences created an interesting dynamic throughout the book, especially as Erin slowly begins to question the life and beliefs she built around protecting herself.

The magical elements added a softer atmosphere to the story, but for me, this book really shined in its themes of unlearning fear, healing from the past, and finding yourself again.

Overall, this was a thoughtful paranormal romance with emotional depth and self-discovery woven throughout the story.

⭐️ 4/5
💧 4/5
🔥 2.5/5
🌶️ 2/5

[Readwithsamijo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a supercute magical read.

It starts with Erin leaving an abusive partner and a family that just want to use her as an asset. On her escape she arrives in a magical village that seems to be everything she needs.

She has built a life, found family and is mostly content
And then her best friend's cousin Donovan arrives from Ireland. The pull is unmistakable and with a little help/meddling from her friends soon the sparks are flying.

In the run up to her friends wedding things get out of hand and old wounds come to the forefront. She has to decide whether she hides or fights and also finds out that Donovan hasn't been telling her everything either.

If you love cozy romance with a hint of witchcraft magic I can definitely recommend.

This is book 2 In the Witches of Aurora series but can be read as a standalone. But I definitely recommend reading book 1 anyway

My thanks go to the Author for the advance copy. This is my honest opinion.

[Rachel G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes It Takes A Spell has such a fun and engaging premise, and it definitely pulled me in at the start. The dynamic between the FMC and MMC was one of the highlights for me—their banter felt natural, witty, and added a lot of charm to the story.

While I enjoyed the overall concept, I found myself wanting a bit more depth in certain areas. The magic system was intriguing, but felt somewhat under-explored, and I would have liked a stronger sense of how it works.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read with a lot of potential. The premise and character interactions kept me engaged, even if I was left wanting a bit more depth.

I received this book as an advanced reader copy and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had such a cozy, magical vibe ✨

Erin comes from a family that doesn’t support her and a fiancé who is abusive. When she finally decides she’s had enough, she leaves everything behind 👏🏻

Years later, she finds a place she can truly call home.
Now she has a found family that makes her feel seen, a stable job, and finally finishing her degree💕

She’s started to develop feelings for her best friend’s cousin, Donovan, but because of her past, she’s afraid to rock the boat. They agree to remain only friends, but the attraction between begins to make that impossible 😏🔥

Overall a cute, fun read that had me rooting for the couple and touched by their personal growth 💗

Read this for:
✨Magical World
✨Found Family
✨Slow Burn
✨Small Town Romance
✨Fresh Start

[Serena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me start by saying I liked this book, but I didn't love it.

It had magic, character growth, a push and pull romance, and small town vibes yet I was yearning for more. The match between Erin and Donovan was a good one. I liked how Donovan didn't want to give up on Erin, but knew that she needed time. The growth Erin had from being in an abusive relationship definitely made somethings hard for her, but she is on the other side by the end of the book. I just wish there was a bit more back story and more oomph.

This was a easy and nice read so if you are looking for a small town witchy read, this would be it.

[jenswhitenoise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Erin & Donovan. This was a sweet story about two people who had some past issues they needed to resolve, but on their own. His cousin is Erin's best friend, she's a witch and he's there to help her with her powers. The relationship between Erin and Donovan is sweet and steamy and moves pretty quickly once they realize that they can't stay away from each other. Issues also get resolved pretty quickly and there is a lot of back and forth between them. I love the setting of the small town and every one has some eccentricities to them which was fun.

*I received a complimentary eARC and my review is voluntary. Thank you to the author and Luna Literary Management.

[Jess Pierce · Rating 3 out of 5]

What happens when you can’t stop thinking about him?

Sometimes It Takes a Spell is the latest in the Witches of Aurora series. I love a good witchy tale that is cozy with some added heat, and this one definitely fit the bill.

Erin has put her life back together but didn’t bet on ever loving a man again. Donovan is still looking for answers but found an answer he didn’t know he needed.

Together Erin and Donovan go on a journey of discovery. Their tale is fun, full of chemistry, and packed with emotional growth for both of them.

If you’re looking for a quicker read that gives you the full emotional arcs you crave, Sometimes It Takes a Spell should be your next pick.

[Kaiti · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a nice cozy romance to read and just the right level of magic. There’s nothing I love more than reading about a woman who has survived (and left) abuse thriving with a new partner and being able to claim their power back from that abuser. It makes my heart soar! I hadn’t read the first book, but I’d like to now! Im glad it was a standalone read within a series because it gave me an idea of what the first book holds. This is a refreshing read if you need a nice warm palette cleanser after a tough read.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

After leaving her abusive fiancé and being turned away from her parents, Erin finds herself in a lovely town that is more that it seems. Erin didn’t believe in magic and witchcraft until after seeing it first hand. And then there was Donovan, tall, dark and Irish who she fought very hard against liking, even after that one time at Christmas. Erin’s best friend is Hailey and she is getting married. Erin is helping with the wedding preparations which thrusts her in the proximity of Donovan. There is a little spice, a lot of suspense and intrigue and a lot of romance.

[Hannah E Ladd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Luna Literary for the ARC of this book!

Sometimes is Takes a Spell was witchy, cute, opposites attract romcom! With a fun magic system and a great main character dynamic, it was a quick read that had a great healing element to it.

If you love a cozy, found family paranormal romance vibe - this book is for you!

[Mallory · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book a lot! I mean who doesn’t love a man with an Irish accent ya know?

This story felt very cozy to read, I loved the push and pull of the main characters and enjoyed how their relationship unfolded!

Definitely a cute romance to add to your TBR!

[Ashley S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so fun!

Don’t get me wrong there are some heavy topics in this book - partner abuse, mentally abusive parents BUT the found family and strength from the FMC is amazing! There are laugh out loud moments, spice and all the warm and fuzzies! 10/10 recommend!

[Lily Kanojia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very cute and healing story. But I will need to tell you that you should read the first book to be able to understand a little more of what is going on. But with the tropes of he falls first, it was an overall very romantic-driven story.

[Bex · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a bewitching continuation of this series. It was so good to finally see these two come together. To see Erin come into her own power while healing was such a joy, when you’ve spent the entire book rooting for her. Then there is Donovan in his unyielding strength who continues to fight for what he knows they are meant to have together. Loved seeing this all come together!

☕️Magical World
💖Slowwww burn
☕️Small Town
💖He falls first
☕️Healing
💖Stepping into power

Storyline:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🌶️🌶️
Song: Stepping into my power- Millionaire Muses