Love’s a Witch emerges as a delightful inaugural entry in Tricia O’Malley’s Scottish Charms series, weaving together centuries-old curses, reluctant witches, and the kind of small-town Scottish charm that makes readers want to book the next flight to the Highlands. O’Malley, already established as a New York Times bestselling author with over three million books sold worldwide, brings her trademark warmth and magical sensibility to this cozy romantasy that feels like wrapping yourself in a cashmere blanket beside a crackling fire.
Set in the fictional town of Briarhaven, Scotland’s most magical destination (complete with tourist packages and the tagline “magick, mirth, and mystery”), the story follows Sloane MacGregor as she reluctantly returns home for her twenty-fifth birthday. Like most witches in O’Malley’s world, Sloane is destined to come into her power on this milestone birthday, but the MacGregor sisters carry a particularly heavy burden: a centuries-old curse that brings chaos wherever they go.
Plot Mechanics and Magical Mayhem
The central premise hinges on a curse dating back to 1713, when Bonelle MacGregor was banished from Briarhaven by Eoin Douglas, the first Knight of the Iron Thistle Order. This historical betrayal has doomed generations of MacGregor women to a life of magical mishaps and perpetual exile. Sloane and her sisters—beautiful Lyra and tattooed badass Nova—have been summoned by their grandmother Broca to finally break this curse.
O’Malley crafts her plot with the precision of a master baker layering a wedding cake. The story unfolds through multiple interconnected threads: Sloane’s developing magical abilities as a Fireheart witch, her growing attraction to Knox Douglas (descendant of the very man who cursed her family), and the urgent need to break the curse before it destroys not just the MacGregors but the entire town of Briarhaven.
The magic system feels both familiar and fresh. While O’Malley draws from traditional witch mythology, she adds delightful touches like the Scottish Charms coven with their motto “Never harm, always charm,” and the concept of Fireheart witches who can communicate with dragons. The magical mishaps that follow Sloane everywhere—from flying pastries to uncontrolled snowstorms—provide both comic relief and genuine stakes.
Character Development and Chemistry
Sloane MacGregor: The Reluctant Heroine
Sloane stands out as a refreshingly realistic protagonist who struggles with genuine anxiety about her powers while maintaining fierce independence. O’Malley avoids the common trap of creating a helpless heroine waiting for rescue. Instead, Sloane is the family caretaker, the problem-solver, the one who has spent years protecting her sisters. Her reluctance to accept help from the local coven feels authentic rather than stubborn for the sake of conflict.
Her journey from magical disaster to confident Fireheart witch provides satisfying character growth. The discovery that she can communicate with and command dragons (rather than just causing magical mayhem) transforms both her self-perception and her place in the magical community.
Knox Douglas: More Than Just a Brooding Scot
Knox could have easily fallen into the trap of being another domineering alpha male love interest, but O’Malley gives him depth beyond his impressive castle and position as town provost. His initial antagonism toward the MacGregors stems from genuine concern for his community rather than arbitrary prejudice. The tension between his family legacy and his growing feelings for Sloane creates compelling internal conflict.
The enemies-to-lovers dynamic works because both characters have valid reasons for their positions. Knox has spent years building Briarhaven into a safe haven for magical folk, while Sloane has lived with the consequences of her family’s curse her entire life. Neither is entirely wrong, which makes their eventual coming together feel earned rather than inevitable.
Supporting Cast and World-Building
The supporting characters burst with personality, from the efficiency-obsessed Mandy Meadows (who looks “like a fembot” in her pink pantsuits) to the laid-back Tam Sullivan in her Adidas tracksuits. O’Malley has a gift for creating distinct voices that make even minor characters memorable. The Scottish Charms coven provides both comic relief and genuine support, though some members like Felicity can veer slightly toward caricature.
Briarhaven itself becomes a character, transformed from a struggling Highland town into a thriving tourist destination that serves as a refuge for magical beings. O’Malley’s world-building feels lived-in, with details like the Rune & Rose pub, the Pinecones & Peppermint Festival, and the various magical shops that give the town authentic texture.
Scottish Authenticity and Cultural Elements
O’Malley’s inclusion of a glossary of Scottish terms demonstrates her commitment to authenticity, though the dialect occasionally feels inconsistent. Some characters slip in and out of Scottish speech patterns in ways that can be distracting. However, her love for Scotland shines through in her descriptions of the landscape and cultural elements like cèilidh dancing and traditional foods.
The historical elements, particularly the 1713 prologue, effectively establish the curse’s origins while connecting to real Scottish history. The Douglas family’s role as protectors of Briarhaven echoes real Highland clan dynamics without feeling forced.
Romance and Steam Level
The romantic development between Sloane and Knox unfolds at a pace that feels natural for a cozy romantasy. O’Malley builds sexual tension through witty banter and meaningful glances rather than explicit scenes, making this appropriate for readers who prefer their romance on the sweeter side. The attraction feels genuine, built on mutual respect and understanding rather than instant obsession.
The concept of breaking a centuries-old curse through love could have felt clichéd, but O’Malley grounds it in the characters’ emotional growth and the community’s support, making the resolution feel satisfying rather than convenient.
Writing Style and Pacing
O’Malley’s prose style matches her cozy fantasy setting: warm, accessible, and sprinkled with humor. She has a particular talent for dialogue that feels natural while advancing both plot and character development. The pacing moves briskly without feeling rushed, though some scenes involving the coven meetings could have been tightened.
The author’s background writing contemporary and paranormal romance shows in her ability to balance multiple plot threads while maintaining focus on the central relationship. Her descriptions of magical Scotland paint vivid pictures without becoming overly ornate.
Areas for Improvement
While largely successful, the novel occasionally suffers from an overly neat resolution. Some conflicts resolve almost too easily, and certain supporting characters could use more development beyond their quirky traits. The magical rules sometimes feel inconsistent, particularly regarding the extent of Sloane’s powers and the mechanics of the curse.
The book’s tone, while generally delightful, sometimes struggles to balance humor with genuine emotional stakes. Moments of real danger or emotional weight can be undercut by immediately following comedy.
Recommendations for Similar Reads
Readers who enjoy Love’s a Witch should seek out:
- The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune – For magical found family dynamics
- The Pumpkin Spice Café by Laurie Gilmore – For cozy small-town romance with magical elements
- The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna – For contemporary witch stories with heart
- Beach Read by Emily Henry – For enemies-to-lovers contemporary romance
- The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow – For magical realism with strong female protagonists
Final Verdict
Love’s a Witch succeeds as both a standalone cozy fantasy and the opening salvo of what promises to be an engaging series. O’Malley has created a world readers will want to revisit, populated with characters who feel like old friends. While it may not break new ground in the paranormal romance genre, it executes familiar tropes with enough skill and heart to feel fresh.
The book delivers exactly what it promises: a charming escape to magical Scotland where love can indeed break ancient curses. For readers seeking comfort reading with a side of magical mayhem, Love’s a Witch casts exactly the right spell.
Reviewer’s Note
This review is based on an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of Love’s a Witch received from the publisher in exchange for an honest opinion. Like Sloane discovering her Fireheart abilities, sometimes the most magical experiences come when we least expect them—and this delightful romp through magical Scotland arrived just when I needed a literary warm hug wrapped in Scottish wool.
