There’s Room on the Broom: Best New Cozy Witchy Fantasy and Romance

deja brew by Celestine Martin

Ex-celebrity chef Sirena Caraway has had the wackiest October ever. Her cooking powers are on the fritz, she failed to land a career-saving job, and she embarrassed herself at the town's Halloween party. Just before midnight, she makes a desperate wish for a second chance to fix her life. The next morning Sirena wakes up and realizes that she's repeating the entire pumpkin spice-flavored month. Even sweeter, she runs into Gus Dearworth, whose magic leaves her spellbound. A former reality star, Gus moved to Freya Grove to rebuild his reputation and heal his broken heart, but his restless magic is tempting him to return to the spotlight. And his secret crush on Sirena is making him want to try something dangerous like fall in love again. When Sirena realizes he can help her fix her powers, Gus makes her a deal. If she'll help decipher a mysterious cookbook in his collection, he'll help get her magical groove back. Will their growing attraction lead to a happy-ever-after ending or a bittersweet memory?

never been witched by Molly Harper

Alice Seastairs is in a precarious position for a witch-isolated from her coven and deeply regretting a lot of her choices. Keeping herself from her sisters is the only way she can protect them from a threat only she knows is coming. While Alice should be protecting the ghostly residents of Shaddow House, she distracts herself with a job offer from Collin Bancroft. Handsome, surprisingly sweet and filthy rich, Collin needs her expertise to restore his historic Duchess Hotel from the previous owner's ghastly citrus-toned taste. Little does he know, Alice is also the perfect consultant for what to do when you discover a ghost running nightly through the hotel hallways. Spoiler alert: The solution is almost always late-night snacking and smooching. The weight of Alice's secrets only gets worse when her manipulative grandparents threaten to ruin her relationship with Collin. And because her life isn't complicated enough, Collin's delusional ex walks back into his life like she never left. And then there's the minor problem of an ancient magical family trying to take over Shaddow House, using the ghosts within to further their nefarious agenda. Alice can only avoid her coven for so long before they come looking for her... She could really use a friend-or a house full of family, both living and dead. Will Alice break from generational toxic patterns and claim the joy that she deserves? A good witch doesn't kiss and spell.

head witch in charge by Avery Flynn

It's the curse of every family's heir to be the responsible child. My family being the most powerful family in all of Witchingdom doesn't eliminate that fact, it only makes it worse--and that's why I, Leona Amber Sherwood, never do the unexpected. Except for that one time I did. And I have rued the day that I got married in a midnight ceremony under a full moon to Erik Svensen, the heir to my family's deepest, bitterest enemies, and now, he won't agree to a divorce unless we return an ancient spell book to his family's secured facility. But on our road trip to return the book, I learn more about Erik as we encounter trolls, nymphs, satyrs, and more. The longer we work together, the more I'm convinced that he might not be the evil trickster I assumed he was. Any more time together will leave me even more enchanted with my husband and that's the last thing I want. And if I keep telling myself that, maybe I'll start to believe it.

rewitched by Lucy Jane Wood

Belladonna Blackthorn hasn't lost her magical spark, precisely... but she hasn't seen it in a while either. Balancing work at her beloved Lunar Books with protecting it from her toxic boss, all the while concealing her witchcraft from the non-witches around her, Belle is burnt out. Perfecting the potential of her magic is the last thing on her mind. But when her thirtieth birthday brings a summons from her coven and a trial that tests her worthiness as a witch, Belle risks losing her magic forever. With only the month of October left to prove herself, and signs looming that dark forces may be working against her, Belle will need all the help she can get--from the women in her life, from an unlikely mentor figure and even from an infuriating coven watchman who's sworn to protect her...

the late-night witches by Auralee Wallace

Cassie Beckett's life is anything but magical. With a wild younger sister, three unruly kids, and an absent husband, she's really not looking forward to the witching month of October. At least gorgeous, foggy Prince Edward Island is always quiet. That is, until the vampires arrive. As the creatures sink their teeth into Cassie's tenuous grip on normalcy, she's forced to come face-to-face with long-disregarded family secrets. The legacy gifts her with power, but also a lofty responsibility: rid the island of vampires, or let them win. (Both options suck, in more ways than one.) Armed with her family, newfound friends, and a baby in a spectacularly garlicky onesie, Cassie must learn what it is to be a witch and how to fight for what she loves before time runs out. Because on Halloween night, the stakes will be higher than ever before...and it's up to Cassie to finish what the witches that came generations before her started.

greenteeth by Molly O'Neill

Jenny Greenteeth has never spoken to a human before, but when a witch is thrown into her lake, something makes Jenny decide she's worth saving. Temperance doesn't know why her village has suddenly turned against her, only that it has something to do with the malevolent new pastor. Though they have nothing in common, these two must band together on a magical quest to defeat the evil that threatens Jenny's lake and Temperance's family, as well as the very soul of Britain.

demon with benefits by Aurora Ascher

The jokester of the demon brothers, Meph wears his grin like armor and uses humor as a mask. But lately, his composure has been slipping, especially around Iris, the blue-haired witch with a vicious temperament. Yet something about her soothes the darkness within him...but he's not looking for a savior. There's no such thing for someone like him... Bitter and haunted by her traumatic past, Iris Donovan isn't keen on welcoming demons into her life--even if they're her sister's friends. Especially not teasing, tattooed, Meph, with his red eyes and devilish smile. After a toxic relationship, she's sworn off commitment, and she's not looking for another fixer-upper. Yet she can't stop craving what she shouldn't want. With the return of a deadly enemy, the pain they've been suppressing is exposed, and Meph and Iris can no longer deny their feelings. Before Meph is swallowed by his darkness, Iris must overcome her fears and embrace that terrible part of him...Or lose him forever.

gone with the witch by Angela M. Sanders

When human bones are discovered beneath an old outhouse covered in blackberry vines, no one knows who they once belonged to. But elderly Helen Garlington wants Sam the sheriff to test the remains, suspecting they may solve the mystery of her long-vanished husband. It's not a match, and Helen takes it hard, drowning her disappointment in sherry at the tavern--where she sees a contestant on a game show who she swears is her missing spouse, Martin. To ease the woman's mind, town librarian/witch Josie contacts the show to track down the look-alike guest, who kindly agrees to travel to Wilfred--and is then found dead the next morning. Horrified by this fatal turn of events, Josie asks the spellbound books for help, seeking the aid of Sherlock Holmes. But strange things continue to happen--frightening images flash on the screen of a long-abandoned movie theater and flocks of crows seem to appear wherever she goes. Is Josie about to meet her own Moriarty? It will take all her courage to untangle the twisted vines of this mystery before this chapter in the colorful story of Wilfred claims another life . . .

Book Jacket: A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping

a witch's guide to magical innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna

Sera Swan used to be one of the most powerful witches in Britain. Then she resurrected her great-aunt Jasmine from the (very recently) dead, lost most of her magic, befriended a semi-villainous talking fox, and was exiled from her Guild. Now she (slightly reluctantly and just a bit grumpily) helps her great-aunt run an enchanted inn in Lancashire, where she deals with her quirky guests' shenanigans, tries to keep said talking fox in check, and longs for the future that seems lost to her. But then she finds out about an old spell that could hold the key to restoring her power. Enter Luke Larsen, a handsome and icy magical historian, who arrives on a dark winter evening and might just know how to unlock the spell's secrets.

Book Jacket: An Ancient Witch's Guide to Modern Dating

an ancient witch's guide to modern dating by Cecilia Edward

Thorn Scarhart is a thirty-nine-year-old witch who's having trouble finding love in the 17th century. Despite the local matchmaker's efforts and Thorn's arsenal of powerful love potions, she has yet to fall in love. After the disappearance of her sister and the loss of her mother, Thorn was too caught up in the losses to focus on dating. Now, she fears she may have missed her chance. But, then one of her potion brews backfires spectacularly, and Thorn is hurled 350 years into the future, landing in a bustling city where her once-isolated cottage is now a historical museum. While this unexpected leap through time may seem daunting, modern life does have its perks: indoor plumbing, electric kettles, and the world of online dating. At thirty-nine, the odds may not be perfect, but at least they're not impossible. With the help of the museum's new curator--and her charming veterinarian brother--Thorn dives headfirst into the 21st-century dating scene. And as she searches for romance, she might also find herself along the way.

reluctant witch by Melissa Marr

After discovering she's a witch and being whisked away to the magical land of Crenshaw, Ellie wants nothing more than to spend time with her new wife, Prospero, who has magically altered Ellie's memories to convince her of exactly that. Prospero herself is guilt-wracked after erasing Ellie's memories and being forced into a sham marriage with the woman she loves for real. But Crenshaw is dying, poisoned by Prospero's enemies who want their community to return to the human world, and she will do anything to save it. The most powerful witch in anyone's memory is in Prospero's home, in her bed, with no idea that she's a prisoner there ... yet. As the very fabric of their world is being destroyed, Ellie and Prospero must find a way to work together and save the world, and themselves.

love's a witch by Tricia O'Malley

Sloane MacGregor swore she'd never return to Briarhaven, but with her twenty-fifth birthday looming--the day witches come into their magic--her grandmother summons her and her sisters back for one tiny task: break the centuries-old curse haunting their bloodline. Knox Douglas, Briarhaven's grumpy mayor, has worked tirelessly to make his town a haven for magical folk. The last thing he needs is a cursed MacGregor wreaking havoc. It doesn't matter he once crushed on her. For the sake of Briarhaven, Sloane has to go. But magic has other plans--and in Briarhaven, love really is a witch.

the wedding witch by Erin Sterling

Bowen Penhallow has always been a loner, studying dark and ancient magic on a mountaintop in Wales. He prefers it that way. But when his friend Colin--who happens to be a ghost--asks him to attend a Yuletide wedding at a grand estate deep in the Welsh countryside, Bowen reluctantly agrees. Tamsyn Bligh is not a witch, but she makes her living off of them. As a procurer and seller of magical items, Tamsyn's business is not always above board, but she's been trying to fix that (mostly.) Bowen is an occasional customer--as well as the star of several of Tamsyn's dirtiest dreams--but she's been around enough witches to know that, as a human, getting involved with one is not the smartest idea. She's finagled an invite to the Witchy Wedding of the Century in the hopes of finally making a score big enough to retire. Just one priceless magical artifact from Tywyll House would set her up for life. But Tamsyn isn't the only one sneaking about in Tywyll House, and the mix of a very strong spell combined with a wedding mishap transports Bowen and Tamsyn into Tywyll House's past, to the Yuletide Celebration of 1958. As Bowen and Tamsyn work together to get back to the present, they must also face off with the origins of Tywyll House's haunting, the suspicions of their fellow witches...oh, and the fact that somewhere between the mistletoe and the bonfire, they might be falling in love.

the folklore of forever by Sarah Hogle

Paranormal skeptic Zelda Tempest is hoping for a much-needed creativity boost for a new paranormal mystery novel, but despite the alleged magic of her hometown, Moonville, Ohio, she's as stuck as ever. With two witch sisters, not believing in magic is strange for a Tempest, but no one is more disappointed than Morgan Angelopoulos, the charming man next door. So, to cure her of her writer's block and her disbelief in magic, Morgan ropes her into a ghost-hunting romp, only for Zelda to discover something else entirely: bizarre, never-before-seen creatures that appear as ordinary pets to everyone else. Curious about what else might be lurking in Moonville's woods, Zelda and Morgan embark on a quest to uncover the true magic that lies in their midst ... and perhaps, just maybe, they will find that the magic they're searching for has been with them all along.

house of frank by Kay Synclaire

Powerless witch Saika is ready to enact her sister's final request: to plant her remains at the famed Ash Gardens. When Saika arrives at the always-stormy sanctuary, she is welcomed by its owner, an enormous knit-cardiganed mythical beast named Frank, who offers her a role as one of the estate's caretakers. Overcome with grief, Saika accepts, desperate to put off her final farewell to her sister. But the work requires a witch with intrinsic power, and Saika's been disconnected from her magic since her sister's death two years prior. Saika gets by at the sanctuary using a fragment of a fallen star to cast enchantments--while hiding the embarrassing truth about herself. As Saika works harder in avoidance of her pain, she learns more about Frank, the decaying house at Ash Gardens, and the lives of the motley staff, including bickering twin cherubs, a mute ghost, a cantankerous elf, and an irritating half witch, among others. Over time, she rediscovers what it means to love and be wholly loved and how to allow her joy and grief to coexist. Warm and inventive, House of Frank is a stirring portrait of the ache of loss and the healing embrace of love.

the undead complex by Courtney Smyth

Business is booming for the Undetectables. Unfortunately, it's not work that requires magical forensic investigators. So when Diana's ex asks them to solve a murder - her own - Diana, Mallory and Cornelia can't say no. Going undercover to investigate the set of a TV show, Diana returns to her life as a propmaker. But even the appearance of a valuable dollhouse leaves her feeling pulled down a path of crime-solving she doesn't want to walk forever. Meanwhile, Theodore's coming apart at the seams - literally - and Mallory is running out of ways to help him. Especially as he seems to be keeping secrets from her. As the clues - and the bodies - keep piling up, each one making less and less sense, the Undetectables find themselves in a race against time to find out what, exactly, the killer is up to - before the final cut.

homegrown magic by Jamie Pacton

Yael Clauneck is more interested in drinking and flirting than joining their powerful family's business. They're on the precipice of a predetermined life when they flee their own graduation party, galloping away in search of . . . well, they're not sure, but maybe the chance to feel like life can still be a grand adventure. Margot Greenwillow--talented plant witch, tea lover, and greenhouse owner--has never felt further from adventure in her life. She's been desperately trying to keep what remains of her family's magic remedies business afloat. So when Yael, her childhood friend and former crush, rides back into her life, she's shocked. But perhaps this could be a good thing. After all, Margot could use an assistant in the greenhouses. Yael has no experience or, honestly, practical skills, but they're delighted to accept the job. They can lay low for a while, flirting with Margot and figuring out what to do next. Meanwhile, Margot has plans of her own--but plans are notoriously unreliable, and unlikely to survive a swiftly blooming mutual attraction, not to mention the machinations of parents determined to get their heir back . . . no matter the cost.

big witch energy by Molly Harper

Caroline Wilton is dying to get off Starfall Point, but if she leaves, there's a good chance she'll literally die. For centuries, any Wilton who ventured off the island immediately perished in some freak accident. While Caroline has begrudgingly obeyed her family's curse, she's never forgiven all that it has cost her. After all, her high school sweetheart left for college and never came back. Until now. Although Dr. Ben Hoult returned to take over the med clinic, in his heart, he came back for Caroline. Practical, sensible Ben was too stubborn to believe in her curse. But when his own two teenagers meddle their way into coven business, Ben's eyes are opened to the world of magic. He quickly learns that Caroline and her friends have the power to see ghosts--like the angry woman in eighteen-century garb occupying her family's tavern with a menacing glare--and boy, do they need managing. As the witches dig through old spell books for insight, they discover the angry tavern ghost as one of the island's most sinister legends--information that could be the key to breaking the Wilton curse and giving Caroline the life she's always wanted with the man she's always loved.

the honey witch by Sydney J. Shields

"Twenty-one-year-old Marigold Claude has always preferred the company of the spirits of the meadow to any of the suitors who've tried to woe her. So, when her grandmother whisks her away to her cottage on the tiny Isle of Innisfree with an offer to train her as the next Honey Witch, she accepts immediately. But her newfound magic and independence comes with a price: no one can fall in love with the Honey Witch. When Lottie Burke, a notoriously grumpy skeptic who doesn't believe in magic, shows up on her doorstep, Marigold can't resist the challenge to prove to her that magic is real. But soon, Marigold begins to care for Lottie in ways she never expected. And, when darker magic awakens and threatens to destroy her home, she must fight for much more than her new home-at the risk of losing her magic and her heart.

truly madly magically by Hazel Beck

Cursed by her own mother to always tell the truth and one of the only half-witches around, Ellowyn Good has never considered herself an equal part of the Riverwood coven. But when the Joywood, the evil rulers of the witching world, target her directly, she begins to wonder why they want her gone. She'll need to work with her newly formed coven to survive, which includes dealing with her first love, past wreckage and a whole new complication she didn't see coming. With their fates in the balance, Ellowyn will have to learn to trust Zander again--or be doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past. Assuming they all survive the Joywood's latest bid for absolute power over the witching world...

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