Coffee & Conjuring

Arcadia Falls #2

by Isla Jewell

In this cozy witchy rom-com from the New York Times bestselling author of Books & Bewitchment, a burnt-out young woman—with the help of her small town’s hunky local antiques dealer—works to turn an abandoned hardware store into the coffeeshop of her dreams.

Anxious and overworked, Cait Wolfe lives a high-pressure life as a graphic designer with her fluffy orange cat in Cumberville, Alabama. Things are hectic but sustainable. . . until the creep from work who simply won’t take “no” for an answer moves in down the hall and causes her to lose out on a big client.

Cait knows she needs a change. So when her sister invites her to come to Arcadia Falls, where free lodging, an inherited hardware store, and a magical legacy await her, it’s an easy “yes.”

Except . . . her new property is in dire need of a makeover, and Cait’s not sure her frazzled nerves or her stretched-thin finances can survive the renovation that will give her life the reset she so desperately desires and turn a hoarder situation into a livable apartment and a cozy coffee shop. Lucky for Cait, laid-back local picker and part-time cowboy Brendan McGillicuddy is more than happy to help her fix up the place—and to teach her how to relax while he’s at it.

Genres: Romance, Paranormal, Witches, Fantasy, Fiction, Cozy Fantasy

320 pages, Paperback

Expected publication February 16, 2027

About the author

Isla Jewell is the author of the Arcadia Falls series. As Delilah S. Dawson, she is the New York Times bestselling author of Star Wars: Phasma, as well as It Will Only Hurt for a Moment, The Violence, Bloom, Guillotine, House of Idyll, Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge: Black Spire, Mine, Camp Scare, Ride or Die, the Hit series, the Blud series, and the creator-owned comics Ladycastle, Sparrowhawk, and Star Pig. With Kevin Hearne, she co-writes the Tales of Pell.

She lives in Georgia with her family.

Reviews

[ahmeeka]

I got an early copy !!!! 😭 thank you del rey I hope your pillows are always cold

[Lemurkat · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

A fun follow-up to Books & Bewitchment, picking up the story of the Wolfe sisters with second sister, Cait. She's a little prone to distraction and hyper-fixating, and has relatively poor time management skills, but she's a lot of fun. Once she's dunked in the waterfall - along with her cat, Mr Fluff - her witchy powers are unleashed. The focus for this book is less on the magic though, and more on her growing relationship with a handsome local.

There's a lot going on here: Cait's a graphic designer, but she suddenly finds herself in possession of an abandoned hardware store, and has to decide on what sort of future she wants for herself - but given her somewhat flighty nature, she has to find something that will keep her interested. Her choice feels slightly arbitrary, and she has no previous skills as a barista; she has a house filled with the previous tenants collectibles to deal with as well... not to mention that she appears to be being haunted by a pesky poltergeist, - and then there is the man that forced her to move out to Arcadia Falls in the first place... And the new man who she is interested in. Don't get me wrong, it's a lot of fun, and the somewhat jumping-around-the-place nature of the story may be intentional - it is befitting to Cait's personality, after all, but it doesn't feel like anything is really given full focus - except maybe the handsome man who comes to help her deal with all the stuff. I would've liked to learn more about her magic, and the knack that keeps getting alluded to but is never fully tested.

The parts with the stalker colleague didn't sit well with me. Stalking and harassment is very serious, and I felt like that part of the plot was not given the level of gravitas required, perhaps in a desire to keep the book feeling more cozy.

And finally, I adored Mr Fluff. He was such a precious ball of love! I don't feel many authors have truly captured the essence of ginger cat in dialogue quite as well. He was so delightfully dramatic, and so wonderfully dimwitted! Honestly, I've always said that if cats could talk they wouldn't be nearly as smart as (most) books make them out to be. I don't think I have ever laughed so much at a character's dialogue in a long time.

[Niomi King · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

First things First, in true Cait fashion ✨️
Thank you to Del Rey publishing for sending me book 2 of the Arcadia Falls series, i really enjoyed book 1 and I would possibly have missed this had you not proactively sent it to me 🥰 I'm so greatful.

I feel like i connected with Cait so much in this story! And at times while I could see moments playing out in the book, i could see it written down in words just how it feels when ADHD takes over. The way people try to play it off as quirky while the main character is literally crushing her own spirit inside 🥺 i get it girl, its not all 'oh look a squirrel' it weeds its way into every aspect of life and turns simple things into endless mad rushes.

This series has one of the most amazing community vibes I have ever come across, ❤️ everyone has your back, they work together to keep business thriving and everyone genuinely wants you to succeed 🫠
I enjoyed Cait's familiar too, Mr Fluff, a cat who seems to be the embodiment– and has the elequence– of a sick victorian child.... "Mother, I am dying Mother" 😂 he had me giggling so many times!

Recommend to anyone that loves a closed door small town romance with magic, a wild turkey mafia (truly, they pose a genuine threat 🫣), unique magical familiars and love resilient FMCs.

***Thank you also to netgalley and isla jewel for the early copy. I love the ADHD representation in coffee and conjuring, It shows some of the sides we struggle with so respectfully 💚
The above review is my honest opinion and has not been influenced in any way.

[Kate Laycoax · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, my main highlight here was Mr. Fluff, because he was an orange cat if there ever was one (if you know, you know). As usual, I loved the paranormal aspect of this and how witchy it was! Perfect for the fall season, or really anytime. The spirituality themes are always my favorite too. This was just a really fun ride with a cute romance between Cait and Brendan. Also, a witch (of sorts) and a cowboy was something I really loved and something you just never see, so that was cool.

I did kind of hate the stalker colleague part of the book though. I know it was important for Cait's development and getting her to Arcadia Falls, but it definitely gave me the ick. But I really enjoyed this book and am hoping we get more in this series!

Thank you to NetGalley, Isla Jewell, and Del Rey for the eARC of this book.

[KDRBCK]

Coffee & Conjuring by Isla Jewell is the second book in the Arcadia Falls Series. Every book can easily be read as a stand lone. The previous book is Books & Bewitchment. Both books are published by Del Rey Random House Worlds.
A witty and fun read. A cozy rom/com, witch novel. Reading the book was like coming homeon a cold winter day and snuggling up on the couch with a good book and a cup of cocoa, 4 stars.

[Natalia Egan · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

I loved visiting Acadia Falls again, a small mountain town full of magic. The second in the series of Rhea’s sister coming to town to find her way and maybe a reason to stay. Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review. This was as delightful as the first one.