My Rating: ✩✩✩✩✩
If you want a cozy, witchy, mid-angst level romance, then this book should be on your "Kick Off to Spooky Season" reading list.
Featuring lots of queer representation, a diversity of characters and protagonists who are fully formed adults (mostly) The Cottage Around the Corner is such an enjoyable read. Charlie is an oddball hot-mess without straying too far into "quirky girl" territory. Fritz was a bit more archetypical as a uptight grump with a tragic past...but we love that trope for a reason. I'll allow it.
The conflict is reasonable within the world built by Soria. The mystery is easily solvable, but the reader never feels like the characters are struggling just for plot expansion. The romance is sweet and spicy, but realistic. No out of pocket Insta-love/lust and the HEA happens they way adults actually resolve conflicts- not by everyone suddenly acting out of character. (Can you teel what my reading pet peeves are? This book handled all the trope-pitfalls so well.)
My only note is that sometimes the witchcraft aspect seemed to just resolve major crises a little too easily. I understand that the growing and changing magic is a metaphor for the romantic pairing's growth (both personal and as a couple), but some resolutions felt a bit rushed. That said, why have magic if you can't handwave away a few problems?
All together, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it for fans of quaint, witchy romances.
Published on 03 September 2024 by Random House/Ballantine
Book #41 of 2024
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