Potions and Proposals

by Kate Callaghan

In the mystical town of Foxford, tenacious translator Lucinda Hawthorne is on the brink of assuming the prestigious role of High Priestess. However, fate has a mischievous twist in store for her: an unexpected coven gathering reveals that her lifelong nemesis, Benedict Matherson, is also nominated for the esteemed position. They are presented with a grave ultimatum: either become magically bound to one another on All Hallows’ Eve… or risk a fateful vote that could strip them of everything.

Both fiercely independent and driven by their unwavering desires to lead, Lucinda and Benedict reluctantly agree to the binding ritual. Unfortunately, the spell Lucinda’s family casts to thwart the coven’s plot misfires with surprising consequences, and the pair find themselves magically intertwined in ways they never could have foreseen.

With the shadow of All Hallows’ Eve looming over them, the veil between love and hate blurs. Could it be that amidst their rivalry, they will unearth a hidden longing to remain united? Together, they must confront their demons and discover whether they truly desire to be parted after all.

Tropes & Themes:
All Hallow’s Eve
Arranged Marriage
Magical Small Town
Enemies To Lovers
Elemental Magic
Reluctant Allies
Open Door Spice
Witchy Coven

Readers! Please note: this is an adult paranormal romance with mature content and not suitable for those under 18. This novel contains themes of and not limited to violence, death, discrimination based on use of magic or type of magical creature.

Genres: Romance, Fantasy, Witches, Enemies To Lovers, Magic, Paranormal, Paranormal Romance

ebook

First published August 24, 2024

About the author

Kate Callaghan is an Irish author who writes adult fantasy, romantic suspense, and feel-good Christmas romance. She’s the creator of the Hellish Fairytale series, blending dark magic and intrigue, as well as festive romcoms like The Naughty or Nice Clause. Whether she’s spinning tales of dangerous love or cozy holiday magic, you’ll find her in a Dublin café with an iced coffee, plotting her next twist.

Mailing List https://forms.gle/mBcib2vHhBaf5XRe9
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/katecallagh...
Tiktok 🍄 tiktok.com/@katecallaghanwriter

Reviews

[Faerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐3.75

Plot:
Whimsical and comforting, 'Potions and Proposals' offers a paranormal rivals-to-lovers romance set in the mystical town of Foxford. While the world-building remains minimal, this cosy, autumnal fantasy - with its playful gothic charm and enchanting magical backdrop - serves as an ideal escapist read during the spooky season.

Writing Style:
The prose is contemporary and accessible, ensuring the narrative remains light and engaging. The pacing is well-calibrated, maintaining a steady, gentle momentum throughout.

Characters:
The quirky cast of upbeat supernatural beings enriches the community spirit surrounding the protagonists. Although the development and interactions between Lucinda and Benedict are somewhat surface-level, their undeniable charisma ensures they are compelling romantic leads.

Impact:
Humorous and entertaining, this book is not particularly rich in emotional complexity but delivers a sweet, heartwarming, and thoroughly enjoyable experience.

Overall:
'Potions and Proposals' is a delightfully uplifting addition to the cosy fantasy genre. Its seamless blend of magic and romance makes it an ideal choice for readers seeking an easy-going, mystical novel - particularly on the lead up to Halloween.

Genre:
-Supernatural romance
-Cosy Fantasy

Tropes:
-Rivals-to-lovers
-Reluctant allies
-Witches
-Arranged marriage
-Magical mishap
-Small town romance
-Elemental Magic
-Halloween

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Fairuz ᥫ᭡. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 stars! 🌟 Alright, let’s dive into Potions and Proposals by Kate Callaghan! 🧙‍♀️✨ Think magical small town, enemies stuck in a magically arranged bond, and Halloween vibes that will practically make you feel like you’re sipping lattes by the fire. 🍁🎃 It took me a hot minute to really get hooked, but once I did, oh boy—what a ride! The tension between Lucinda and Benedict was chef's kiss—classic enemies-to-lovers, and Foxford is like the ultimate cozy, witchy town. If you’re here for autumn feels, this town’s your new best friend! 🏡🌙

✨ Tropes & Themes ✨
✧ Enemies to Lovers 💥
✧ Arranged Marriage 💍
✧ Small Town Magic 🏡
✧ Forced Proximity 🔒
✧ Magical Mishaps ✨
✧ Halloween Vibes 🎃
✧ Found Family 🥰
✧ Witches & Vampires 🧛‍♀️

Let’s talk Lucinda and Benedict—these two were so childish with their rivalry at first. 🤦‍♀️ Total "ugh, I don’t wanna work with you" vibes. But once that magical bond starts to kick in, things get real interesting. 🙃 I was totally here for their enemies-to-lovers drama, but I was low-key frustrated because we didn’t see enough of them together until halfway through! Like, come on, let’s get some interaction earlier, PLEASE! 😩

The magic system and witchy coven were really cool—so much potential! ✨ The side characters were fun but I needed more of them. The romance... I’m torn on this one. It felt like a bit of insta-love, which, y’know, meh. The flirty moments were basically non-existent at first, and then BOOM! They’re suddenly in love? 😳 I needed a little more buildup and some swoon-worthy moments before they jumped to the I love you stage! 💕

BUT, the vibes were so cute! 🎃 The magical atmosphere was total fall perfection, and all the pranks and banter had me cracking up. The setting? Easily my favorite part. Cozy, spooky, witchy vibes that made me wanna snuggle up with a hot drink and a blanket. 🍂☕

All in all, I had a fun time with this one! It’s not perfect, but it’s definitely cute and cozy—great for anyone who loves small-town, magical enemies-to-lovers with that Halloween charm. I’m super curious to see where the series goes from here. 🤞🏻💫

Big thanks to NetGalley and CallaghanWriter for the eARC! ❤️

[sonja ✿ · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're on the hunt for a cozy, witchy read with an autumnal vibe, Potions and Proposals by Kate Callaghan is delightful!. This book offers a perfect blend of romance, humor, and a touch of magic.

The story revolves around Lucy and Benedict, two childhood rivals whose playful pranks and witty banter drive much of this story. Their journey from rivals to lovers is both fun and heartwarming. Benedict is obsessed with Lucy!! The banter and pranks between the two characters keep the narrative light and entertaining, while their growing trust for each other made the story heartwarming.

The enchanting town of Foxford is alive with witchy vibes, potions, and elemental magic. The world-building was good, painting a good picture of the magic system and Foxford's unique atmosphere without overwhelming the reader. I also really enjoyed getting to know the side characters and am really interested in reading Faye and Peter's story next!

The writing is generally enjoyable, but at times, it felt a bit too wordy. There were moments where I wished the author had been more concise, as the pacing occasionally slowed down. However, this minor issue didn’t take away from my overall experience.

All in all, Potions and Proposals is a fun, cute read filled with magic, romance, and charm. If you're looking for something cozy and mystical, this is the perfect book.

I would like to thank NetGalley, BooksGoSocial and the author for providing me with an eArc of this book in exchange for an honest review. <3

[desiree(finally back) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wouldn’t necessarily call this an enemies-to-lovers story; it's more of a dislike-to-lovers dynamic where the characters prank each other. It would have been more believable if the characters were a bit younger, making their pranks seem more playful and less childish. However, having the arranged marriage and all the other elements added into the story made me forget about the petty pranks after a bit, so it didn't diminish my overall enjoyment of the story.

It did take me a few chapters to really get into it, but once I did, I couldn’t put it down. The world and system were perfectly crafted—not too overwhelming and simple enough to follow easily. I ended up enjoying it way more than I expected.

Lucinda and Benedict's relationship was an absolute delight. Watching them fall for each other and grow together was incredibly enjoyable. Their witty banter was spot-on, often making me laugh and adding a wonderful layer to the book's overall tension.

The side characters were also brilliantly crafted. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them and seeing how seamlessly they were woven into the storyline. Although there seemed to be a setup for a conflict somehow, it never really went anywhere, leaving things a bit unresolved. Maybe that’s something for the next book? I can’t wait to find out.

The author masterfully balanced witchy, vampire, and wolf vibes with elemental magic, potions and spells, humor, romance, and coziness. The blend of these elements made the story feel magical and enchanting while still being light and enjoyable. Overall, it's a spellbinding read that became really captivating after the initial chapters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kate Callaghan for the opportunity to read this. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Winter · Rating 1 out of 5]

"Potion and Proposals" takes place in the magical town of Foxford. The story centers on Lucina Hawthorne and Benedict Matherson, two rivals confronted with an ultimatum to bind themselves magically by All Hallows’ Eve. I enjoyed the charming atmosphere and breezed through the first half of the book; however, there were several aspects of the story that left me wanting, and ultimately, it fell short of my expectations.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *. read on for a more in-depth review .* :☆ﾟ. ───

✒️ the writing
⤷ The prose suffers from unnecessary verbosity, frequently providing information in a way that gives it an amateurish quality. Concise, direct sentences would be more effective than the drawn-out, passive ones that dominate the narrative, leaving little room for subtlety.

⤷ Even the dialogues are wordy, unnecessarily stretching out points that could be conveyed more effectively with fewer sentences. Moreover, several misspelled words and grammatical errors suggest the need for thorough editing before publication.

⤷ The world-building feels almost non-existent. Despite the presence of witches, hunters, vampires, werewolves, grim reapers, and more, we're given little background on them. The town itself is barely described, making it difficult to visualize. Even the magic system is poorly explained; characters have elemental powers, but also teleportation, object-charming, and who else knows what.

🎥 the plot
⤷ Despite the flaws in the narrative, I liked the cozy atmosphere and found myself constantly flipping pages, eager to uncover what would unfold next. But I finally hit a wall when I reached 60% of the book and realized nothing significant was happening. There was no climax. No real conflict. Nothing. I kept waiting for something big to happen, but it never came.

⤷ The majority of the book focused on "planning" how to switch back their elements, and it wasn't until near the end that any progress was made. Everything in between was uneventful and lackluster. The story would've been more engaging if Benedict and Lucinda had spent their time teaching each other how to wield each other's elements. The story appeared to lack careful planning, feeling more haphazardly written as it unfolded.

💗 the romance
⤷ They go from "enemies" to engaged to being in love with each other very quickly, without any significant build-up. Where was the tension? The angst? The pining? A few chapters in, we learn Benedict has been in love with Lucinda for a long time. Suddenly, he starts holding her hand, kissing her cheek, and acting jealous and possessive whenever she interacts with another man.

Lucinda swiftly reciprocates his feelings, and less than a month after their initial confession, they begin making grand declarations like, "I want to be with you in this lifetime and the next." It's puzzling and lacks the expected gradual development of their relationship. The abruptness makes their love story feel corny instead of sweet.

🧸 the characters
⤷ It would have made more sense if the characters were at least five years younger. In that case, the petty pranks they played on each other might have seemed less immature and more amusingly silly. However, given their proximity to thirty, I struggled to find any humor in their behavior.

⤷ Lucinda occasionally frustrated me. As the next high priestess, I anticipated more judicious decisions from her, as well as maturity. Instead of confiding in her mother (the most powerful witch in town) and her Grams, she took matters into her own hands and made several reckless choices, which didn't strike me as a wise move on her part.

⤷ Without dialogue tags, it's challenging to discern who is speaking because the characters lack distinctive voices and strong personalities. They all appeared too similar, with Peter being the sole standout character in the entire book. Everyone else was one-dimensional and utterly bland.

-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈
bottom line: i expected more from this book, but it fell short in several ways. the characters lack depth, the plot lacks intriguing twists, the romance lacks development, the writing feels unrefined, and the world-building is severely lacking. i managed to overlook these shortcomings because of my anticipation for something significant to unfold, but it never came. nevertheless, i would recommend this book to anyone looking for a cozy fantasy read.

- Thank you to Kate Callaghan and Net Galley for the free ARC in exchange for my honest review!

[❁lilith❁ · Rating 3 out of 5]

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ a high 3 ☆!
╭──╯ . . . . .
: ̗̀➛ this was the most adorable, small town, magical rivals/enemies to lovers; i really enjoyed this book (eARC from netgalley <3).
: ̗̀➛ i'm not usually one for a romance driven story, but the presence of magical creatures, vampires, werewolves, witches, and ghosts, along with our very compelling fmc and mmc with strong personalities makes the plot a very lovely one to read.
: ̗̀➛ after a magical mishap, lucinda and benedict have to put aside their grudges stemming from childhood in order to keep their secrets and keep the peace until october 31st. the way their relationship developed was very believable, and time was given to both of them to grow and develop - though lucinda was particularly great to read from.
: ̗̀➛ the side characters were just fine, lucinda's group of friends are around for about one scene and then disappear, but her grams was a delight and the other family members worked well for their roles in the story.
: ̗̀➛ the vibes were often immaculate; think small town, halloween all the time, oranges and browns and falling in love with your childhood enemy˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚


・❥・enemies to lovers; small town; witches, vampires, werewolves; forced proximity.

[Preslee Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Kate Callaghan for this advanced copy of Potion and Proposals, I devoured this quant small-town romance.
4 ★★★★'s!!!!

I wanted to also include how much I adore Kate Callaghan!! Since I've requested this book on NetGalley, I get her email updates and promotions. She's a self-publisher, which is hard work, and it's clear to see she's putting in a lot of effort and rewards her fans with giveaways and cute gift boxes! Potions and Proposals is also available on Kindle Unlimited!!
https://www.amazon.com/Potions-Proposals-Arranged-Marriage-Paranormal-ebook/dp/B0CGJDJZ3J#detailBullets_feature_div

Potions and Proposals by Kate Callaghan is a delightful blend of magic, romance, and small-town charm. Set in the enchanting town of Foxford (Book 1 of 3!), the story follows Lucinda Hawthorne, the presumed next High Priestess, and Benedict Matherson, her lifelong rival. Their playful childhood pranks escalate as they grow up, leading the coven to mandate their union under magical bonds. As they navigate this unexpected arrangement, their relationship evolves from rivalry to a deep connection.
This is the perfect novel for a fall read! So prepare your shelf for this one. I particularly love how there is a dual third-person perspective which provides intimate insights into both Lucinda's and Benedict's thoughts, enriching the narrative and world-building. This October, Kate Callaghan is releasing the second book in the Village of Foxford series, which builds on some of the side-characters!! I absolutely love when books do this, good things come in threes.

[Shauni · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun witchy read, perfect for fall. I enjoyed the small town and cozy Halloween vibes. The plot takes place leading up to the Autumn Festival and gave the book a delightful and heartwarming touch. The grumpy and sunshine romance was sweet, although I would have liked to see more of the pranks and rivalry before the romance. Overall, I really enjoyed it.

Thank you Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for the opportunity.

[Nessa’s Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Potions and Proposals by Kate Callaghan
Release Date: August, 24th, 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Stars

In the mystical town of Foxford, Lucinda Hawthorne, a determined translator, finds herself in a twist of fate when her long-time rival, Benedict Matherson, is also nominated for the prestigious role of High Priestess.
Presented with a grave ultimatum, they agree to a binding ritual on All Hallows' Eve to avoid risking their positions. However, a spell gone awry results in unexpected consequences, magically intertwining them.

As they navigate their newfound connection, the line between love and hate blurs, prompting them to confront their inner demons and explore hidden desires. With All Hallows' Eve approaching, Lucinda and Benedict must determine whether their rivalry masks a deeper longing to remain united.

I absolutely adored this book! It's like a magical rollercoaster ride through a fantastical romance realm.

Watching Benedict and Lucinda go from foes to friends was such a joy, especially given their complex history and the unexpected twist of fate that brings them together. The slow-burn romance is expertly crafted, and the charming town of Foxford provides the perfect backdrop for their love story to unfold.

The characters are so lovable, and seeing them grow and change over the course of the book was truly heartwarming. Overall, it's a spellbinding read that strikes the perfect balance between humour, romance, and fantasy.

Thank you to The Publisher BooksGoSocial ,The Author Kate Callaghan & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

[Filippa Söderström · Rating 3 out of 5]

For me, this book was mid. It was likable; I didn’t love it but didn’t hate it either. I really enjoyed both Lucinda and Benedict as characters. The tension and the banter between them was what kept me reading the book.

The ‘enemies to lovers’ vibes and the proposal of convenience along with the magical setting in a small town had me hooked from the start, but I’m disappointed that it was such a slow paced story. It felt way too slow and not like much happened.

Overall, this is a book for you if you want a slow-paced paranormal romance book with witches, spice, banter and magic. It’s a perfect read for fall.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for this free E-arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Bozena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with Kate's books when I read her first book in 2020.
I have since read all of her books and am her biggest fan.

Her books are unique, fascinating, and captivating.
A paranormal stories that will make you think about them for a very long time.

This book is my new addiction.
My favorite of hers, but I've already said that about her last book, too. 😉
A story that is so fascinating and exciting, you can't stop reading it. Oh, before I forget to tell you, it's an enemies-to-lovers love story, too. 😉

I love this action-packed, page-turner so much.

From the first page, the book is incredibly exciting and full of sarcastic hilarious banter.
Although, banter is not the correct word for it.
We are in a mystical town of Foxford, a place full of witches, werewolves and other fascinating creatures.
A secluded community of magical beings who were persecuted in the human world in the past, but here they find refuge and kinship among "like-minded" individuals.
Creatures who possess magic.
Thus, the banter takes on the dimensions of a horror cabinet in this enemies-to-lovers story 😂

I loved every second of this book.
All these amazing characters and interesting themes.
l love reading about all these potions and magic.
I can vividly imagine what this village looks like, with all the little shops and cafes, and the unique atmosphere and charm that such town has.
It's like a Halloween village in my head.

I love this unique, humorous writing style and flawless written story.

I would recommend you to go blind in the story if you like paranormal/fantasy romances.

It's the first book in a standalone series and I already can't wait to read the next book.
I hope Rosie will get her book next.

𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨 & 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙢𝙚:
❤️Open Door Spice
💀 Spooky Season Vibes
💋 Arranged Marriage
😉 Enemies To Lovers
🔮 Coven Ruled Small Town
❤️‍🩹 NO Third Act Break Up

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC.

This was a cute book, parts were predictable, but I liked the way the enemies to lovers was done. The pranks were fun & different. The way the characters actually cared for each other was nice to see too, rather than straight up enemies.

Would definitely read more by this author, the town and the whole setting was super cute for spooky season too 🧡

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4⭐️ Spice: 1🌶️
Dual POV - 3rd person

Tropes:
Enemies to lovers
Arranged marriage
Small town
Reluctant allies

The story follows Lucinda Hawthorne and Benedict Matherson, enemies from the time they were in school. After a prank gone wrong, the two are forced to unite and be bound together or face exile. Reluctantly agreeing, the two find themselves in a precarious position. The line between hate and love becomes very thin as they work together to find a solution to another mishap.

I found this book on NetGalley and was drawn to the cover. I’ve never read this author but after reading the blurb I was hooked. I enjoyed the book, even with usually disliking 3rd person novels. It was a slowwww burn but the pace of the story made up for the lack of romance between the two. It felt like there was a set up for a conflict between the newcomer and main characters but nothing ever happened. I think if that conflict had come to fruition it would really elevate the storyline. Overall still a really solid read.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fun och romantik!

There definitely a thin line between hate and love.

More to come.

[Sierra Madden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and CallaghanWriter for this ARC!

Potions and Proposals is a picture perfect, cozy enemies to lovers set in the ideal town where people with and without magic and from all facets of fantasy can live harmoniously, as the town itself is a sanctuary. I enjoyed this book from the first page to the very last page. You will enjoy this book if you enjoy cozy, fun, romantasiea with an enemies to lover trope.

Lucinda Hawthorne is a Foxford’s local librarian with a knack for translating old grimoire’s. Lucy’s mother is the coven’s high priestess, which leaves Lucy as the obvious successor. However, Lucy also enjoys pulling (mostly) harmless pranks on her childhood nemesis Benedict Matherson. Benedict has been known to return the “favor.” Benedict’s family runs the Matherson manner which has been converted to a hotel for all, which means he has money and local power. Both of their lives are turned upside down when Lucy’s mom announces her retirement and Benedict’s mom nominates him to replace her. The coven determines it would be best for them to be bound (the magic equivalent of marriage) and lead together. A spell gone wrong later, their elemental magic is switched and they have to work together to fix it. The town prepares for the Autumnal Festival and Benedict and Lucy work to get out of their binding ritual. With all of this working together, will they end up staying together? Will they be able to put the pranks of the past behind them?

[Sweetieslittlelibrary · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75🌟

When I started this book I had no idea what I was getting into but I have to say this was quite an enjoyable witchy romance.

I wasn’t sure if I was going to be too keen on this at first as the first chapter was quite kooky and gave me Hotel Transylvania vibes but once I got through the first few chapters and the main characters came into play then I started to enjoy it.

I really liked the plot to this with the arranged marriage, or in this case, binding and the enemies to lovers. I loved the fact that they were forced to work together to fix the problem that was caused, however I wished they spent more time together in the first half of the book.

I felt like Benedict and Lucy had barely any time together in the first 50% of the story. They had the odd few chapters together but not enough for me. There also wasn’t many flirty interactions that made me want them to be together. I feel like for me personally that there needed to be more moments where they were realising they were actually beginning to like each other. It felt like they had barely spent any time together and then when they did suddenly have lots of chapters together they realised that they were in love. It felt a bit rushed in the second half to make sure that they were falling in love.

Overall, I thought this was a really cute and cozy romance for the upcoming autumnal seasons. The only thing that really bothered me was that there was one thing that happened that never got answered so fingers crossed there’s an answer for it in future books 🤞🏻

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're a fan of cozy mysteries/fantasy/romance, you'll probably like this one. While it's not a mystery, there is a situation that the two main characters have to fix, with or without working together. I was really happy they decided to work together. It follows the enemies to lovers trope, but I feel that the "enemies" part was probably overstated, which I was happy about because it meant I really liked both of them and was rooting for them even early on. It was more accurately a rival with pranks that often got out of hand, and mostly stemmed from misunderstandings rather than ill-intent. I enjoyed the banter not just between the two of them, but also between friends and family. While this was a long book that I had to read whenever I had the chance, I always looked forward to getting back to it. It was one of those books I could have curled up with next to a fireplace and a cup of something warm. I don't know if there will be more books in this village, but if so, I would be up for it! In the meantime, I will be on the lookout for other books by the author.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded to 4.

Lucinda Hawthorne is the next witch in line to assume the role of High Priestess in the small, magical town of Foxford. Benedict Matherson, Lucinda’s lifelong rival, has also been nominated for the esteemed position.

The coven gives them a choice: be bound to one another on All Hallows’ Eve or risk a vote of banishment.

Lucinda and Benedict agree to the binding, but when a spell cast by Lucy’s family goes awry, the pair find themselves magically intwined in more ways than one.

Read if you like:
- enemies to lovers
- magical small town
- arranged engagement

Lucinda and Benedict are adorable and seeing them go from childhood pranksters to friends to more was a delight. The slow burn is worth it. The town itself seems like the perfect place to spend the fall season. This book is cute, cozy, and magical - it would be the perfect addition to your fall reading list.

Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for a free digital copy of this book. This is my honest review. Publication date: August 24, 2024.

[Dino Queen · Rating 4 out of 5]

please note that the trigger warnings and topes/themes may contain spoilers
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
HEA: HEA
POV: dual 3rd person
spice: closed door romance
TWs: classism, death of a family member, death of a parent, domestic violence, fire (nonfatal), grief
Kinky Content:
standalone: standalone
final thoughts: Benedict has elemental fire powers and Lucinda has elemental water powers. They’re forced into an arranged marriage after their prank wars go a step too far. Extra shenanigans ensue and mysteries unfold.
This was a fun and sweet closed-door romance but there were some plot points that I felt like were dropped and we never get a conclusion. Even through that, this was an enjoyable Autumn read.

read this book if you love
😬 angst
💍 arranged marriage
😆 banter
💞 childhood crush
💬 epistolary
💞 fated mates
🏝️ forced proximity
🤜 frenemies-to-lovers
🧑‍🤝‍🧑 great side characters
👦 he falls first and hard
🩹 hurt/comfort
🧠 “it’s always been you”
🪄 magic
🤐 miscommunication
💞 mutual pining
💍 “my wife”
❓ mystery
🥰 nicknames
🔀 opposites attract
💖 paranormal romance
🤜 rivals-to-lovers
💓 slowburn
🏡 small town
🔮 supernatural creatures- witches, wolves, vampires
🧙‍♀️ witches

[Sue Em · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐
Perfectly charming and whimsical use of the enemies to lovers trope. For their whole lives Lucinda Hawthorn, the presumptive new High Priestess, and Benedict Matherson have waged a war of pranks, except the latest round of tricks caused the coven to question her ability to lead. The magical world created screams for more books to learn it's intricacies and the characters full of complexities waiting to be discovered. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Mauireadsbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cozy witchy read with childhood 'enemies' to lovers and magic ✨️

[Bernadette Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a gentle cosy story of a developing relationship of sorts between two hugely independent characters both striving to achieve the same goal in the mystical town of Foxford that they both live in. As fate has plans in store for Lucinda and Benedict, that neither of them had envisaged ~ what will they decide to do?

I enjoyed this story and found it pure escapism, which was just what I needed. Sometimes, it's great to be able to disappear among the pages of the book that you're reading and forget about what is happening in your world and immerse yourself in the world of the characters in the story. This is what I was able to do when I found myself in the world that Lucinda and Benedict lived in. With some twists and turns along the way it was a great story.

I will look for more books by this author.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5
🌶️🌶️ 2/5

Thank you to NetGalley and Kate Callaghan for allowing me to read this book early and share my thoughts with other readers.

I adored this book. If you, like me, have been in a Sophie Morgan "The Witch is Back" slump and have been dying to read something like it, this book is perfect for you.

The writing is addictive and everything moves along at the perfect pace, there's excitement and mystery throughout that always kept me on my toes. The dual POV was flawlessly executed. I agree with other reviewers that it wasn't a "true" enemies to lovers, given that Lucy and Benedict have more of a childhood teasing streak that follows them into adulthood. I loved the creative quirky pranks they play on each other! One of the most impressive elements of this book was the seamless ancestry and world-building subtly built in providing enough information at every turn to the reader so I never felt lost but never overwhelming with pages of backstory. I also loved the "star-crossed lovers" type element featured between rival families both on the council and how Lucinda and Benedict navigate this throughout all the events and challenges they face.

The spice was SPICY and again another element that was nailed perfectly (pun intended!). It was tasteful and well incorporated so that it didn't overshadow the plot or character development.

I would highly recommend this book for fans of a steamy, small town paranormal romance. If you love:
Enemies(ish)-to-Lovers
Opposites Attract
Pranks
Fated Mates/Betrothal
Arranged Marriage
Rival Families
Werewolves, witches and more

This book is definitely for you!

[Saloni Porwal · Rating 5 out of 5]

My second book by this author, and first that is in her comfort genre- fantasy. I am impressed. The book follows the enemies to lovers trope, but more than pure hatred, it's mostly harmless rivalry and pranks. The MCs had great chemistry and had me loving the book from page one. I loved seeing their bond evolve over time, as did their understanding of magic and their elements. The side characters are so much fun and the banter in this book is top notch. The magical elements in the story were just the perfect amount so that I wasn't very overwhelmed with the worldbuilding, yet perfectly engaged. I will be reading more books by this author in the future and recommend this book wholeheartedly.

[Annemieke / A Dance with Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to BooksGoSocial and Netgalley for the review copy in exchange for an honest review. This does not change my opinion.

Potions and Proposals is a light hearted and fun romantic story set in a small magical town. It is a good read inbetween some heavier reads.

We meet Benedict, the owner of the town's inn, when a prank pulled on him reflects badly on the inn. The prank puller is the future high priestess Lucinda. When the coven calls both of them in they get a scolding. Their pranking is getting out of hand. Not only do they question Lucinda's abbility to become high priestess, they think they should be magically bound to one another. Become magically bound or one of them has to leave town. Lucinda's grandma and mother engineer a spell to help get Lucinda out of the bounding. Of course that backfires.

The start of the story was a little wonky to me. The jump from the pranks to an arrianged marriage was a big leap. Huge leap. It doesn't quite make sense. Luckily that is kind of answered at the end of the book.

Both Lucinda and Benedict were a lot of fun to follow. I don't feel like their relationship was truly an enemies to lovers. Mostly Lucinda was easily annoyed with Benedict. But I felt you could see from the start that Benedict had a soft spot for Lucinda. So I don't think this was a truly enemies to lovers. Their pranks seemed to be something they both enjoyed. Though Lucinda seemed to be the one who took it further and went outisde of personal pranks as she pranked the inn and not Benedict personally the last time. Which is why I didn't really feel bad for her when they questions whether or not she should become the next high priestess of the coven. She clearly wasn't making good decisions.

Their romance did fizzle on the page. It was there each time they were together. I especially liked Benedict though. His family and he have had a troubled past. Both he and his mother are trying everything to prove to the town that they won't set a toe out of line. Even though the choices his father and brother made were from good intentions and grief.

I mostly liked seeing the small magical town coming together to organize the festival and the bounding of Benedict and Lucinda. The library and spell books are also a big part of the story. I see potential to explore the town and the forest near them. I also see two potential couples that might become a focus in next books. Even though that hasn't been announced I feel like that was being set-up already a bit in this book.

[Shea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Potions and Proposal is a contemporary, fantasy romcom set in the mythical Foxford Village – a sanctuary town for the magical and supernatural. It was a cozy, fairly easy-going novel overall. This is a good, relaxed read between heavier reads.

Lucy and Benedict are both witches that come from long-standing Foxford families but have been prankster-enemies for as long as anyone can remember. Their antics have escalated and started to affect the entire town though, putting the safety of the town and all the magical occupants at risk. When it is time for the current coven High Priestess to retire, the two must prove their loyalty to the town and their ability to lead the local coven. The pair are given an ultimatum: stop the antics, prove that you can work together, and become magically bound to another in a month's time, or one of you will be voted new coven leader and the other will be banished from Foxford.

Good attributes:
- easy read
- super cozy, small town vibes
- cute, opposites couple (dark and dour vs bright and sunshiny)
- some mild spice later in the novel (not closed door, but no major descriptors either)

Poor attributes:
- no big final climax in the story; while there were smaller issues to overcome throughout the story, there didn't seem to be any sort final conflict
- neither the world building nor the characters seemed very fleshed-out; most of the time the setting felt flat

Overall, I mostly enjoyed my read of Potions And Proposals. I would have liked to have felt more tension/spice/pining between the main characters, as well as more connection to the main characters. I was also expecting some sort of true climax or any of the red herrings to become the final conflict and was a bit disappointed that nothing ultimately came about. The storyline has a lot of potential. If there is another novel released in the Foxford Village setting, I will likely read it to see how it evolves. If the setting/characters are more developed than in this novel, I would likely continue with any future books in the series.

Thank you to author Kate Callaghan and to Net Galley for the free e-copy in exchange for an honest review!

[Tiny Dragon Books~ Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of Potions and Proposals by Kate Callaghan
My thanks to NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to review this book and provide my honest opinion.

Benedict Matherson and Lucinda Hawthorne have been engaging in prank wars since they were children, each determined to one up the other. Whether it’s spelling piranhas into Benedict’s family hotels fountain or melting Lucinda’s bike tyres, the pair refuse to give up their years old grudge. But when their silliness begins to affect the tourism that Foxford Village relies on, the towns Coven gives the two an ultimatum- bind themselves together and get over their petty grievances for the good of Foxford, or one will be banished and forced to leave their home.

This paranormal rom-com was light and fun to read, and was full of magic and small town charm. I loved the playlist as the beginning of the book that increases my reading enjoyment and the plethora of magical inhabitants who live in Foxford, including witches, vampires & sirens.
Lucinda and Benedict were the perfect enemies-to-lovers, and the book also included forced proximity and forced marriage. I also really liked that we got chapters from both characters and thoroughly enjoyed this journey to Foxford.

[Adreanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Potions & Proposals' by Kate Callaghan is a wonderful, quirky, rom-com, that centers around a small town, a witchy romance that contrasts enemies and lovers, making it an ideal read for the fall months. A wonderful piece of writing that drew me in from the very beginning to the very end! It is a lighthearted and hilarious book, with lots of fun witchy moments to keep you entertained. Especially when two people used to "hate" each other and were constantly pulling pranks on each other, while also caring about each other on a day-to-day basis, such a unique relationship can be hard to measure and to define but I think Callaghan did an amazing job!

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a fantasy romance that is entertaining and engaging. Also, it is a little on the lighter side of spice as well, so it may be a good pick for those just getting started in the romance genre. Throughout the book there is an excellent balance between writing strong characters, which enthralls the reader into their lives. I especially enjoy the banter between the main characters, as well as their rivalry with each other, and the moment they realize they each love each other.

There was no doubt in my mind that this would make for a great quick read and I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves reading paranormal romance books.

I would like to thank NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the eARC.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Potions & Proposals** by Kate Callahan
3.5/5

This book felt like a warm hug, just when you need it the most. Set in the town of Foxford, where there are all sorts of magical creatures, we are introduced to Lucinda (Lucy) and Benedict.

Now, I wouldn't agree that this is an enemies-to-lovers story, but instead a mild dislike-to-lovers one.
For years, the pair pulled pranks on each other until their families decided enough was enough and arranged for them to be magically bound (married, to us Magless) and forced to work together to govern Foxford.

Unfortunately for Lucy and Benedict, they were the targets of a badly timed magical mishap, which caused their elemental powers to switch in a Freaky Friday-esque way. Working together, they try to find a way to get their powers back and end up falling in love at the same time.

If you're looking for a cozy paranormal romance, then you're in the right place. I really enjoyed this book, and I can't wait to read Peter and Faye's story when it is released.

Thank you to Netgalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Jules Inman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Potions and Proposals is an enemies-to-lovers romance with magic. Lucinda & Benedict are childhood acquaintances who have been playing tricks on each other for years, but things are getting out of hand and their coven is tired of dealing with the repercussions of their pranks. Lucinda's mother is retiring as High Priestess, and they aren't sure Lucinda is up for taking her place. Benedict's family nominates him to step up. They are given a choice of competing against each other to win the position forcing the other one to leave the coven, or they can be bound together in magic and marriage. They have a few days to decide what they are going to do. Lucinda's grandma casts a spell hoping to help the situation, but it doesn't turn out right and their magical elements get switched. The story just follows them as they try to reverse the spell and navigate each other's powers while they prepare for the wedding. Some of the scenes seemed over saturated and drawn out. The story was just ok and overall kind of slow for my liking.

Thank you NetGalley & author for an ARC of this book. #NetGalley #PotionsandProposals