Kiss and Spell

July 24, 2023
A banished Fae prince falls for a witch who’s sworn off romance in Martin’s enchanting second Elemental Love romantic fantasy (after Witchful Thinking). After being left at the altar, psychic reader Ursula Caraway faces ridicule for not having seen it coming. Heartbroken, she decides to spend some time focusing on herself and recapturing her magic with the help of a “Boss Witch List” of life changes she hopes to make. Meanwhile, in fairyland, Prince Xavier Alder doesn’t believe in love after witnessing his parents’ unhappy marriage. To soften his heart, his grandmother the Queen banishes him to Freya Grove, N.J., not to return until he’s experienced the perfect kiss. When the protagonists meet, Ursula hopes that helping Xavier by setting him up with potential matches may help her to regain her magic. The more time they spend together in this alternate world where humans and mystical creatures live in harmony along the Jersey shore, however, the closer they become, until the goal of getting back to the fairy realm doesn’t seem as appealing to Xavier as it once did. Martin takes clear delight in her whimsical worldbuilding and her protagonists are easy to love. The result is a bewitching romp that will appeal to series fans and new readers alike. Agent: Lauren Bieker, FinePrint Literary.

September 22, 2023

All of Freya Grove remembers the disastrous near-wedding where Ursula Caraway was stood up by her groom. As the small town's local psychic witch, being unable to predict her own future was a bad look. Still, Ursula is determined to run her mama's mystic shop, channel her inner enchantress, and reclaim her magic. Once upon a time, Ursula wished for a fairy-tale happily-ever-after but has since realized it's an impossible dream--until she meets Xavier, a Fae Prince cursed to search for the perfect kiss in order to return to his realm. In this second installment of Martin's "Elemental Love" series (following Witchful Thinking), the fantastical Jersey Shore setting becomes extra romantic and breathtaking as Ursula and Xavier navigate a path much like a storybook tale with fancy balls, faery godmothers, and wishes upon stars. While conflicting beliefs about love contribute to a slow-burn romance, the protagonists and their sweet passion for plants, flowers, and gems will have readers rooting for love to bloom and thrive for the witch and her prince. VERDICT As atmospheric and cozy as its precedent, the vivid writing and imaginative worldbuilding makes this a lovely addition to the series and all witchy romance collections.--Hazel Ureta

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