Love's a Witch by Tricia O'Malley - Book Review

Series: The Scottish Charms #1

Publication Date: 26th August 2025

Genre: Small Town Witchy Romance

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: Enjoyed it! 

Sloane MacGregor vowed never to return to Briarhaven. But with her 25th birthday approaching (the day witches get their magic), she answers the summons of her grandmother and sisters. She also has a teeny task – to break an ancient curse on their bloodline. 

The town’s mayor, Knox Douglas, worked hard to make the town a safe place for magic folk. He doesn’t want the cursed woman messing things up, even if he had a crush on Sloane long ago. 

But… magic has its own plans! 

The story comes in Sloane's (more %) and Knox’s first-person POVs. 

My Thoughts: 

This is the first book in the series, so the overarching plot is left open. Also, the book divides its time between romance and setting the stage for the central conflict. You’ll enjoy it more if you are prepared for these two. 

There’s insta-lust, though the characters have known each other in their teens. Since we get only a couple of short references to the past, you should be prepared for insta stuff. Though the rest of the book is cozy, the romance is hot and steamy (3.5+ with many ‘searing kisses’). This combination could have been a bit odd, but I was expecting it based on all that inner monologue. 

Family and relationships, small town communities, and a magical setting (such a beautiful place!) are the highlights of the book. Magic is seamlessly integrated into the plotline. The bond between the sisters is realistic. The grandma is a badass. Totally love her. A few side characters like Raven, Dorothy, Henry, etc., are sweet. I hope Raven gets her own book. 

Do you see a cutesy with blue wings on the cover? That’s Blue, an emberwolf (a cross between a dragon and a werewolf) who loves cheese and flies like a drunken bee. Then, there’s a blind cat named Oswald and a wheelchair bound Highlander coo named Higgs. And… another favourite fantasy creature. You can tell they add a lot of charm to the story. 

The curse is mentioned at many places, though it is dealt with only towards the end. And since this will be a series, there’s only a partial resolution. The next book has to be Lyra’s, and we know who the guy is! 

To summarize, Love's a Witch is a cozy witchy romance that also deals with themes like dysfunctional families, finding one’s roots, overbearing parents, and longing for a place called home. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Gallery Books, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #LovesAWitch