Pumpkin King: a cozy, spicy, small-town, 90s paranormal romance Halloween novella

by Stormy O'Hara

A virgin lights a candle summoning a hot pagan god who only wants one thing in this cozy, spicy, small-town, 90s, paranormal Halloween romance novella.

Jack
One hundred years after the mortals stopped believing in me, a virgin lights the orange candle and I’m back.

But the only way I can regain my full power and return to the mortal realm for good is to deflower the fair maiden who lit the candle.

Now I have just two days to convince small-town girl Clementine to give up her mortality and become my queen for all eternity.

If I can’t, this Halloween will be my last and I’ll become nothing but pumpkin dust.


Clementine
When I inherit my great aunt’s old house, I’m looking forward to a new start, even if it means sorting through all her weird old junk first.

Next thing I know, my cousin is daring me to light an old orange candle and say “Pumpkin King” three times to make him appear.

It’s just an urban legend, right?

Except it’s not.

The Pumpkin King is real, and if I don’t let him deflower me by midnight on Halloween, he’ll be gone forever, and this could be the last good harvest. Ever.


🎃 v-card heroine x pagan god
🎃 Hocus Pocus but make it spicy
🎃 pie baking competition
🎃 spicy fun with pie filling
🎃 instalove & instalust
🎃 set in the 90s
🎃 cozy small-town
🎃 short, sweet and spicy


Full of paranormal lust, love and 90s vibes, Pumpkin King is a standalone, small-town, spicy, cozy, paranormal romance novella with a happily ever after that can be read in about an hour.

All Stormy O’Hara books are 100% human.

Genres: Romance, Autumn, Paranormal Romance, Novella, Halloween, Magic

88 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 10, 2026

Reviews

[Jenn (myspookybookishlife) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pumpkin Spicy!

This was such an amazing little Halloween read. I love cozy, spicy little reads like this and this one was definitely adorable.

[LollyDolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pagan pumpkin god filth, with extra pie. Hilariously cringey. 🎃🥧

[ash · Rating 2 out of 5]

i just wanted something with Halloween vibes

[Esthi Labuschagne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute, quick, fun read! I absolutely love that the story takes place in the 90s! If you want some festive fun this Halloween, this is the book for you!

[Lauren Sayers · Rating 2.5 out of 5]

i…. am not sure what to say

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Pumpkin King needs his Queen and Clementine just inadvertently cast the spell that will give Jack the chance to woo his sweetheart. The fact Clementine doesn't know she cast the spell or what she needs to do to keep Jack in her life is probably their biggest hurdle. You know, besides the lady who thinks it's okay to cheat at a pumpkin pie baking contest.

Anywho. Jack needs his lady to give herself over to him. Clementine is holding out for love before they do the deed. Which is a little problematic since Jack only has a handful of days before he loses his chance in the mortal world. But Jack is committed and he KNOWS Clementine is the one for him so he goes all in.

An old house, a fading town, a little food play, a pumpkin pie contest, a Pumpkin King who knows exactly who he wants, and a lady who is ready to have all her dreams handed to her. *thumbs up*

-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal

[Chandra Luna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pumpkin King by Stormy O’Hara is a quirky, fun paranormal romance that combines Halloween, small-town charm, ’90s nostalgia, a little pagan magic, and plenty of heat into a novella you can easily finish in one sitting. This was outside my usual reading realm, but sometimes stepping into something completely different is half the fun!

Clementine inherits her great-aunt’s old house and expects her biggest challenge will be sorting through all the strange things left behind. Then her cousin convinces her to participate in what should be a harmless bit of Halloween fun: light an old orange candle and say “Pumpkin King” three times.

It's just an urban legend.

Until Jack appears.

Apparently, Clementine has summoned a very real pagan god who hasn't walked the mortal world in one hundred years. Jack has only two days before Halloween ends, and if he can't regain his powers, he could disappear forever.

So much for harmless family fun!

I immediately got a kick out of the names. Jack—hello, jack-o'-lantern—and Clementine, whose name makes me picture those little orange fruits that look like miniature pumpkins. Whether intentional or not, my brain noticed immediately and decided they were absolutely perfect for this story.

The book doesn't waste much time getting started. This definitely isn't a slow burn. Jack and Clementine have instant chemistry, and the story quickly embraces the spicy side of its premise. Let's just say there's plenty of pumpkin spice here—and I'm not talking about what Clementine is baking.

The pie-baking competition and small-town harvest storyline give the book some cute seasonal charm alongside the paranormal elements. I liked having an actual reason why Jack's return matters beyond his relationship with Clementine. There's a ticking clock hanging over everything: Halloween is approaching, Jack's time is running out, and the town's future harvest may depend upon what happens.

I also enjoyed the dual POV. Jack and Clementine are both likable, and hearing from each of them works particularly well in such a short story. Their sections move quickly without either character taking over the entire book.

And then there are the '90s details.

The moment cassette tapes appeared, my Gen X heart noticed. Apparently we've reached the point where things from our younger years qualify as nostalgic atmosphere! Those little touches add another layer of fun and give the story a slightly different feel from the typical contemporary Halloween romance.

At around an hour or so, Pumpkin King is definitely a quick, spice-forward read rather than a long, complicated paranormal romance. The pacing is fast, the attraction is immediate, and the premise is delightfully over-the-top. That's part of its charm.

If you're looking for something fun to read around Halloween with a pagan god, an accidentally successful summoning, witchy vibes, small-town festivities, '90s nostalgia, instalove, and plenty of pumpkin-flavored mischief, Pumpkin King makes for an entertaining seasonal escape.

Clementine thought she was lighting an old candle and playing along with an urban legend. Instead, she summoned Jack—and discovered that some Halloween traditions come with a lot more than tricks and treats.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kate Russo ❦ (Rina Kent’s Version) · Rating 3 out of 5]

And if you see me on Halloween lighting an orange candle and saying Pumpkin king 3 times mind ur damn business. Also I could rly go for some pumpkin pie right now!

[ReneeReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, sweet and just the right amount of spice.

[Mette Larsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance copy of this book from the author. This review reflects my honest opinion.

This was exactly the book I needed this afternoon. A short, sweet, spicy Halloween romance that fit perfectly with the autumn mood while I was curled up under a blanket with a cup of tea at the family summer house. 🎃🍂

Clementine inherits her great-aunt's house and can't quite figure out why she was the one chosen to receive it. While going through the house, she meets her cousin, who tells her the legend of the Pumpkin King—the pagan god responsible for bountiful harvests. Her cousin dares her to light an orange candle and call his name three times, without actually expecting anything to happen.

Well… it does.

Jack, the Pumpkin King, shows up at her door at midnight—completely naked—and announces that he's there to claim his virgin bride and make her his queen.

Clementine's reaction? She screams, slams the door in his face, and runs upstairs. 😂

And honestly, that was the moment I knew I was going to enjoy this book.

Jack is smooth, charming, confident, and, well… divine. I absolutely loved the way he talks. He's an ancient pagan god who has been away from the mortal world for a very long time, and some of his comments and one-liners had me laughing out loud. His old-fashioned way of speaking mixed with Clementine's reactions made for some really entertaining moments.

I laughed so many times while reading this. There are some fantastic little one-liners, and Jack and Clementine have such a fun dynamic. They really do make a great couple.

The story is short and moves quickly, but it still has an actual plot and enough background story to make it feel like more than just a spicy novella. There is plenty of spice, but there's also a story happening around the romance, which I really appreciated.

And the 90s setting? I loved it. I could absolutely recognize the vibe, and I even remember wearing the kind of clothes that fit the setting. There is just something about Stormy's 90s nostalgia that makes these books even more fun for me.

Overall, this was a short, sweet, spicy little Halloween romance with pagan gods, harvest magic, small-town vibes, humor, and a surprisingly charming love story.

It was cozy, ridiculous, spicy, and exactly what I needed.

Definitely worth reading if you're looking for something fun and quick for the Halloween/autumn season. 🎃

Stormy O'Hara has officially become one of those authors where I see a new novella and immediately want to read it.

[Shannon Fillingham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, I think my inner Halloween-loving, spice-loving little witch has found herself a new favourite! 😂🎃🔥

I bloody LOVED this book!

I went into this not really knowing what to expect and honestly… Stormy O’Hara had me hooked! It’s short, sweet, spicy and SO much fun. I devoured this in about an hour and genuinely didn’t want it to end.

A virgin, an orange candle, a hot pagan god and the words “Pumpkin King” being said three times… what could possibly go wrong?! 😂

Well… quite a lot apparently! And I was absolutely here for it. 😂🔥

Jack and Clementine were everything. The instalove, the instalust, the chemistry, the teasing and obviously the spice… 👀🔥 I was completely invested.

And THAT kitchen scene?! 👀🔥 MA’AM. I was not prepared! Let’s just say the kitchen got very interesting 😂😏


This honestly gave me Hocus Pocus vibes but make it spicy, and I bloody loved every second of it. Add in the cozy small-town setting, the 90s vibes, Halloween, paranormal goodness and a ridiculously hot pagan god and I was SOLD!

It might be a short read, but it packs A LOT into those pages. I laughed, I swooned, I got very invested in the spice 👀 and by the end I was sitting there thinking…

WAIT… THAT’S IT?! I WANT MORE! 😂

This was such a fun little Halloween read and exactly what I needed. If you want something quick, cozy, paranormal and VERY spicy, then you absolutely need to pick this one up.

5 massive pumpkin-filled stars from me! 🎃⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Stormy, you’ve bloody done it again! ❤️

Thank you so much for the ARC. I absolutely loved this one and it may have just secured itself a little spot in my Halloween-loving heart. 🎃🖤

[Charlene's Bookish Archives · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect Halloween treat, cozy, spicy, and utterly magical! 🎃

Where do I even start? This novella is an absolute delight from the very first page, the perfect seasonal read that hits every single vibe you could possibly want! Clementine is such a relatable, sweet heroine, a virgin who moves into her great aunt’s old house and accidentally summons the Pumpkin King himself after a silly dare from her cousin. Jack! Wow. An ancient, hot pagan god who’s been forgotten for a hundred years, and now he’s got just two days to convince her to be his queen or turn into pumpkin dust forever. The stakes are high, the tension is instant, and the chemistry is absolutely off the charts!

I adored everything about this, the 90s nostalgia is such a fun, cozy touch, the small town Halloween atmosphere is pure perfection, and the pie baking competition scenes!! Chef’s kiss 🥧

They’re cute, they’re funny, and they lead to some seriously spicy moments that had me blushing! It’s instalove and instalust done exactly right, fast, intense, and so incredibly passionate. Jack is equal parts powerful god and utterly devoted once he falls for her, and watching Clementine go from nervous new girl to his queen was so beautiful to read.

Short, sweet, steaming hot, and brimming with Halloween magic, this is the kind of book you devour in one sitting and then wish you could read all over again.

It’s got that Hocus Pocus whimsy but with all the delicious heat you could ask for. If you’re looking for a quick, festive, utterly satisfying paranormal romance to curl up with this spooky season, this is it! Absolute perfection! 🕯️👑🧡

[Fabiola · Rating 5 out of 5]

A pagan god is invoked, a 90s-style Halloween vibe, and a magical romance that’s as sweet as it is spicy.
A thoroughly entertaining, sweet and spicy little Halloween story.
It was charming, funny and incredibly steamy; this paranormal romance novella is perfect for the Halloween season, and with autumn just around the corner, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. It also has all that cosy 90s vibe, which I absolutely loved. The blend of small-town atmosphere, 90s nostalgia, pumpkin pie competitions and festive magic creates the perfect setting for a single afternoon’s read.
The story follows the shy and innocent Clementine, who, after inheriting her great-aunt’s house in a small village, accepts the challenge of lighting an orange candle and summoning the legendary Pumpkin King.
She believes this to be nothing more than a myth. But it turns out to be all too real.
To her surprise, the myth is real: Jack, a handsome pagan god, materialises before her in his human form (and a very sexy one at that) with just two days to convince her to give herself to him (and her V-Card too) and become his eternal queen.

If he doesn’t succeed by midnight on Halloween, Jack will turn to pumpkin dust forever.

The race against time to save Jack’s existence sparks an unstoppable chemistry, full of magic, baking competitions and absolute devotion.
I loved the male lead; Jack combines the grandeur of an ancient god with a sweet, protective obsession for Clementine, determined to make her his eternal queen.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

📚 ARC Note: I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy of this book. The book was free, but my opinions are definitely my own! This is my honest review, shared voluntarily.

A little Halloween, a little paranormal, and a whole lot of spice!

First things first, this was my first novella, and I think that's something readers might want to know going in. It's a short, fast read that took me about an hour to an hour and fifteen minutes to finish.

And let me tell you...it does not waste time getting started. There is no slow burn here. The action ramps up quickly, and we go pretty much straight to the spice. And I don't mean pumpkin spice either...Well...maybe I do.

I also had to chuckle when cassettes were mentioned. Hello, Gen X! Apparently we're making a comeback, one cassette tape at a time.

This book is definitely outside my usual reading realm, but I'm glad I was given the opportunity to step outside my normal genres and give it a try.

And yes, I noticed the names immediately. The main character is Jack (as in Jack-O-Lantern), and Clementine (looks like little pumpkins). Yes, that's how my brain works.

Overall, this was a fun, quick read that packs a lot into a short novella. If you're looking for something with paranormal romance, pagan elements, Halloween atmosphere, and plenty of spice without a long buildup, this one is definitely worth checking out.

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet, Spicy & Perfectly Halloween 🎃

Pumpkin King was such a fun little Halloween treat! Short, sweet, sexy, and wonderfully nostalgic, it was exactly the kind of quick and easy read I was hoping for.

I really enjoyed the cozy small-town atmosphere mixed with the paranormal Halloween vibes. The 90s setting added a lovely touch of nostalgia, while Jack and Clementine’s story is pure insta-love and insta-lust. Is it realistic? Of course not—but that’s part of the fun! A virgin accidentally summoning a hot pagan Pumpkin King by lighting a mysterious orange candle? I was absolutely here for it. 🎃

The story doesn’t take itself too seriously and moves along quickly, with plenty of humor, spice, and Halloween magic. I especially liked the combination of the cozy fall atmosphere, the slightly ridiculous premise, and the chemistry between Clementine and Jack. And the pie-baking competition definitely takes an interesting turn. 😉

This is not a book you pick up for a complicated plot or a slow-burn romance. It’s a short, entertaining escape with insta-love, spice, paranormal fun, and lots of Halloween atmosphere. You can easily read it in one sitting, which makes it the perfect little seasonal treat.

Short, sweet, sexy, nostalgic, and wonderfully entertaining—a fun Halloween read when you’re looking for a spicy, lighthearted way to spend an hour. 🎃🔥.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ingrid · Rating 5 out of 5]

This paranormal romance has a wonderfully unusual setup. The female main character is a powerful witch who grew up without realizing that she was a witch at all, and she ends up summoning the Pumpkin King. He knows exactly who she is, while she has no idea about his true nature or her own abilities.

What I particularly enjoyed was how thoughtfully he handles that imbalance in knowledge and power. Rather than using what he knows to pressure her, he makes sure that she understands that she has a genuine choice. He is even willing to fade into nothingness rather than force her into a relationship she doesn't want. Having learned from other gods and goddesses that pressuring a woman into marriage is not exactly a clever strategy, he approaches the situation with a surprising amount of self-reflection.

I also really enjoyed the 1990s setting. The music and general atmosphere give the story a distinctive feel, and of course there are no smartphones to conveniently solve every problem. There are also people trying to claim things that don't rightfully belong to them, which makes the Pumpkin King's refusal to do the same all the more meaningful.

Overall, this was a fun and surprisingly reflective paranormal romance. The portrayal of a fertility and harvest god who understands that love requires choice and consent made for a particularly enjoyable read.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[ValerieK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gods… if only I could go back in time and light the candle myself! 🫠

This book introduces us to the story of the Pumpkin King. When people prayed to him and celebrated him, they had land that flourished with bountiful crops.
Now the Pumpkin King needs a Queen, and there’s only one type of woman that we can become a Queen - she must be a virgin. And much to her luck our FMC Clementine happens to be one. I say that, in jest because she has not had much luck growing up. She lights the candle and does the ritual more as a joke not realizing she would summon one delicious demigod.
He’s tall, dark and handsome and can materialize anything that he needs. Oh my God, does he enjoy his pumpkin pie!! Jack is the man every woman wants for a King, and let me tell you… when I finished this book, I had a very strong desire to go bake a pumpkin pie. If you know, you know.

Stormy’s reads are always such quick, fun reads for me. I call them my guilty little pleasures, and this one absolutely delivered!

If you’re looking for a quick, spicy, holiday-ish read with a strong 90s vibe which, let’s be honest, is the BEST era 🙌 definitely pick this one up. I love her stories so much, and this was another fun one to add to my reads!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read. It was really short, as most novellas tend to be. So a lot of crammed into a short period of time and you need to just let your sense of reality go. Because, honestly, would a woman decide to not only give her v-card to, but be stuck with a man for eternity when she just met him not even 24 hours ago? No. No sane person would do such a thing. So don't go into this book expecting real-world decisions, because you're not gonna get it here.

What this book offers is a fun fall harvest pagan god romance. The FMC is kind forgettable but let's be honest, we aren't here to read about her... we're here to read about him. Jack, the pagan god of harvest. He is responsible for bountiful crops, but when people stop believing in him, his power disappears. Back in the 1800's he used to be worshiped and honored every year with rituals and offerings of pumpkin pie, but that's not the case anymore. So when over 100 years later he is summoned, well, let's just same homeboy is eager. He's got 24 hours to make a virgin fall in love with him or he disappears.

This story was a fun mix of fall vibes, small-town feel, and spicy times.

[Carolee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had an absolute blast reading Pumpkin King! This novella has all the seasonal magic I want in a Halloween read: cozy small-town vibes, playful paranormal chaos, a dash of 90s nostalgia, and just enough mischievous pumpkin energy to make the whole thing feel like a candy bowl full of surprises. It is short, sweet, and wonderfully fun from start to finish.

Stormy O’Hara’s writing is lively, confident, and full of personality. The author does a fantastic job balancing humor, romance, and Halloween atmosphere, making the story feel both delightfully over-the-top and genuinely charming. Jack and Clementine’s setup is quirky in the best way, and the pacing makes this an easy one-sitting read that still feels complete and satisfying.

If you enjoy fast, festive romance with a playful paranormal twist, this is such a fun pick. It has the cozy comfort of a fall festival, the sparkle of a local legend coming to life, and the cheerful weirdness that makes Halloween stories so irresistible. I finished it smiling and would happily recommend it to readers looking for a lighthearted seasonal escape.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[LittleBatsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My queen.
OMG this was such an amazing read!! Super sweet, cute, and spicy 🤭🤭
Some of my favorite quotes from this book:
“Cry out to your god,” he grunts. “Let him hear your prayers.”~Jack
“Let me worship you,” “Let me treat you like a goddess, like my queen.”~Jack
"Oh, higher gods!! What I wouldn’t do to deflower her in those tights!"~Jack
“I want those demigods you talked about. As soon as possible.”~Clementine
“I will never stop worshipping you. For all eternity. Whatever you want, whatever you need, I will give it to you. Forever, and always.”~Jack
I absolutely adored this book and yes while it is a bit fast paced, I do believe that is what made the book.
Clementine (which is such an adorable name) is so sweet and accepting but also very insecure.
Jack is hilarious and so sweet to Clementine while dismissing others (I don't think he means to tbh).
I love how Jack thought he was being gentle when he tells her why he's there but all Clementine heard from him is his booming voice and I loved when she screamed 🤣🤣.
That scene with the pumpkin pie?! 🥵...multiple times?! This was such an amazing read and I can't wait for more!!

[KittyGrimm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received ARC of Pumpkin King by Stormy O’Hara for an honest review.

Pumpkin King is a cozy small town 90’s paranormal romance novella.

The plot follows Clementine, a woman who inherits her aunt’s house in a small town of Bramble Bridge, that used to be famous for the biggest pumpkin patches, but as the people had stopped believing in a pagan god called The Pumpkin King, the pumpkins had stopped growing. She meets her cousin who she has never met before. They click right away and she tells Clementine about the Pumpkin King, how there is a spell where a virgin should try to summon the Pumpkin King, to see if she is his mate, his queen. Clementine lights up the candles and tries the spell for fun, and when the night comes, so does the Pumpkin King.

The plot moves fast and the connection between two of them is instantly burning and I wanted that burn to turn into complete inferno. The story felt like Nightmare Before Christmas and Hocus Pocus if they would have been made for adults.

I will give this book 5 out of 5 stars. It is the perfect book for all Halloween lovers who also enjoy hot smut with their stories.

[DarkFayePrincess · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review 📚

Oh... My.. GOD!!! Or should I say Oh My Pumpkin King!?🎃
I'm glad that I was home alone while reading this because damn that's hot!! I couldn't keep my little gasps, squeaks and soft moans to myself😅

I absolutely LOVE Jack and even I felt kind of possessive when that b*tch was all over him.. (No spoilers!)
I even had to pause all my other books and audiobooks for this one and let me tell you that it was sooo worth it🥵

I was so scared towards the ending though, I almost couldn't breath! And then...
But also, that exclusive extra epilogue? Wow.. 😏

If you're telling me that you're not thinking about reading this spicy little halloween themed book on halloween, then what are you even doing!?
Release date is September 10th, so mark your calendars my smutty girls (and boys)‼️
You really don't want to miss this😈

I knew it was a short one before I started reading it but I just wish it had never ended!😭
Now I'm on my way to read the other ones in this series😘

Spice: 🌶🌶🌶
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Jasmine Durham · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC Review
4.75⭐️

If you are looking to kick off spooky season early with a super short and cozy read with plenty of spice, this is the book for you. Now if you’ve ever seen Hocus Pocus, you know better than to let a virgin light a candle close to Halloween… apparently our FMC did not get the memo😅. This one choice definitely set her life on a course she never imagined. The MMC is a pagan god who has slowly been dying as he waits for a witch strong enough to summon him so that he can stay in the mortal realm. A major selling point for me was this book took place in the 90s and it was in a super cute festive town. I loved how the author really sold the 90’s vibe by including things that people who were around in the time would recognize and appreciate. I also loved that the MMC was a consent king!

Thank you so much to Stormy for the copy of this book! All thoughts and opinions are my own💜💜

[Brandi Sylvester · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short, fun, spicy Fall romance. This story is based around Halloween but is based on a legend of the pumpkin king and queen. For a bountiful harvest the pumpkin king must find his queen, but when people stop believing in him and start focusing on other things he can no longer return without a powerful with/believer. When Clementine's aunt passes away and leaves her her estate, she agrees to go back and fix it up to sell, what she finds is so much more. She meets family she didn't know about and found things her aunt was into that intrigued her. Her cousin talked her into trying some magic by trying to call the pumpkin king back. When he comes banging on her door naked in the middle of the night, she slams the door in his face and goes back to bed. Jack shows up the next morning to help fix the place up, and she starts feeling things she doesn't know if she's ready go face. Will she face her far before she loses her happiness before it really starts?

[Abookinherhand82 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way to a god's heart is pumpkin pie?
Who knew lighting a candle could bring a man to your door, especially one that's a god known as The Pumpkin King 🤴 🎃?
For over 100 years there have been no fertile crops especially pumpkins. People once believed in the pumpkin King, but stopped celebrating. One-day Clemetone inherits her great aunt Agatha's home with a bunch of antiques inside. Her cousin tells her the story about the Pumpkin King and about how he comes looking for his unspoiled queen to deflower and spend eternity with. Clementine thinks its just a story and lights an orange candle while reciting "Pumpkin King" 3 times. What happens next is anything but ordinary.
Will the Pumpkin King come? Will he come looking to deflower his queen? Will he ever find true love? What will happen to Clementine and the house? Will the land ever be restored? There is spice, family connection, pie baking contest, oh and you won't look at pumpkin pie the same!

[AvidReader23 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short novella is perfect for you if you like pumpkin season, the 90s, the paranormal and Stormy O’Hara’s storytelling.

Clementine has inherited in great aunt’s property in Bramble Bridge. It is time for a change and an opportunity to reconnect with family.

She finds lots of new information about family - her aunt Agatha was a witch - a talent that Clementine shares (yet she does not believe till the end of the book)

In a dare, cousin Brooke and Clementine invoke the Pumpkin King.
The first encounter is hilarious and does not go well, so he changes the strategy the next day.

The twist was sweet and it hurt at the same time - the hea is so cute.

“Give the flower” made me cringe and laugh at the same time - such a 90s reference to Friends.
Cinnamon the kitty ❤️

Thank you for the ARC, Stormy O’Hara!

Recommended.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michelle Peralta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, apparently Bloody Mary rules apply to hot pagan gods now. 😂🎃

Clementine moves into her great-aunt’s old house, lights a mysterious orange candle, says **“Pumpkin King” three times** because of a silly dare…and ACTUALLY SUMMONS HIM.

And Jack only has two days to regain his powers or basically turn into pumpkin dust. Sir has no time to waste. 😂

This was such a cute, quick Halloween read! I loved the small-town fall vibes, the pie-baking competition, the witchy magic, and all the random ’90s nostalgia. It had this cozy, slightly ridiculous Halloween energy that just worked.

And this is absolutely insta-love/insta-lust. 😂 Jack shows up after being gone for a hundred years and pretty quickly decides Clementine needs to be his queen. The spice was definitely spicing. 🌶️🎃

Short, cozy, spicy, and completely unserious in the best way. Basically **Hocus Pocus vibes, but make the ancient Halloween entity hot.** 😂🎃🖤

[Katy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A super fast, cozy Halloween themed novella that I finished in about 40 minutes. Definitely insta-love and high spice. I kind of love Jack and how focused he is on Clementine’s happiness & pleasure. Obviously not a ton of world building or deep plot since it’s a novella, but it was such a sweet & spicy little romance. I loved seeing The Pumpkin King being brought to life in this story and the nod to old pagan myths, gods & magic.

The only thing I guess I’d “knock” this one for if I had to, would be marketing it as a 90s themed book. With the exception of the mention of certain cassette tapes, I’m not sure anything else jumped out at me as being “90s” so I was missing some of the nostalgia I was hoping for.

I received a digital ARC from the author. All opinions expressed in this review are my honest opinions.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so glad I picked this book up; it's a fun holiday read. Pumpkin King was a quick read; I finished it in an hour, give or take. It was lighthearted and festive with pagan gods, witches, weird happenings, and the funniest pie-judging contest. I enjoyed the small-town trope, and this one is surprisingly rich with history for such a short read. The story was quirky and spicier than I gave it credit for, considering the MFC is a virgin. Most of all, I love the nostalgia, especially the nod to the movie Hocus Pocus. "When a virgin lights the candle" is one of the most famous lines, and Stormy utilized it perfectly. If you're looking for a cute and cozy holiday read, you won't regret Pumpkin King.

[Cathy D · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the perfect Fall novella! Jack, the Pumpkin King/Pagan God of all things Pumpkin is fading into ether after people forgot to pay tribute to him with the crowning of the Pumpkin Queen each year.The last Pumpkin Queen was a powerful witch who cast a spell to grant immortal status to the chosen virgin Queen to his King if he can convince her to give him her V-card.100 years later, Clementine has inherited her great aunt Agnes estate which is in need of repairs. She meets her cousin Daphne who tells her the legend of the Pumpkin King. When she conjures Jack, the fun/steam starts.I loved these two together, with a HEA, epilogue, and extra epilogue. Such a fun story, I never wanted to end!!.