Love’s a Witch serves as the inaugural novel in Tricia O’Malley’s Scottish Charms series, delivering a delightful blend of enemies-to-lovers romance, small-town Scottish charm, and magical mayhem that will leave readers thoroughly enchanted.
When Sloane MacGregor receives an urgent summons from her grandmother to return to Briarhaven, Scotland, on the eve of her twenty-fifth birthday—the day witches come into their power—she knows her carefree European wanderings are about to come to an abrupt end. What she doesn’t anticipate is facing Knox Douglas, the town’s formidable mayor who has transformed from a scrawny schoolboy into a devastatingly attractive man with very strong opinions about cursed MacGregors staying far away from his beloved town.
The Magic Behind the MacGregor Curse
O’Malley crafts an intricate magical world where the consequences of heartbreak echo through centuries. The MacGregor family curse, originating from a devastating betrayal in 1713, forces the women of the bloodline to live as perpetual nomads, bringing natural disasters and chaos wherever they settle. This clever premise allows the author to explore themes of belonging, acceptance, and the power of community while maintaining a consistently engaging supernatural element.
The curse manifestations—from unseasonable snowstorms to caterpillar infestations—provide both comedic relief and genuine stakes. O’Malley’s ability to balance the whimsical aspects of the curse with its real emotional toll on the MacGregor sisters demonstrates her skill in handling complex magical systems. The author particularly excels in showing how generational trauma affects not just the cursed family, but entire communities.
However, the curse mechanics occasionally feel inconsistent. While the author establishes clear rules about the curse’s effects, some of the magical solutions introduced later in the narrative feel somewhat convenient, particularly regarding the coven’s ability to temporarily suppress the curse through weekly spells.
Characters That Charm Despite Their Flaws
Sloane MacGregor: A Reluctant Leader Finding Her Power
Sloane emerges as a compelling protagonist whose reluctance to embrace both her magical heritage and her role as a leader feels authentically human. O’Malley skillfully portrays her as someone who has spent years taking care of her sisters while actively avoiding anything that might tie her down. Her character arc from reluctant returner to empowered Fireheart witch provides satisfying growth, though some of her initial resistance to help feels repetitive.
The author’s decision to make Sloane a Fireheart witch—a rare magical type not seen since the original curse—adds layers to both the romance and the overarching plot. Her struggle to control her newfound abilities while navigating complex family dynamics and romantic feelings creates genuine tension throughout the narrative.
Knox Douglas: More Than Just a Brooding Mayor
Knox Douglas could have easily fallen into the trap of being a stereotypical alpha male love interest, but O’Malley provides him with enough depth and motivation to make him genuinely appealing. His fierce protectiveness of Briarhaven stems from years of carefully cultivating the town as a safe haven for magical folk, making his initial antagonism toward the MacGregors understandable rather than merely obstinate.
The author excels in showing Knox’s character development through his actions rather than just his words. His willingness to eventually help break the curse, despite years of resentment, demonstrates growth that feels earned rather than forced. However, his tendency toward high-handedness occasionally borders on controlling behavior that some readers might find problematic.
The Scottish Charms: A Coven of Delightful Eccentrics
The supporting cast of the Scottish Charms coven provides both comedy and heart to the story. From the efficiency-obsessed Mandy Meadows to the eternally cheerful Felicity Sheridan, each member brings distinct personality and magical specialization to the group. O’Malley particularly succeeds with characters like Tam Sullivan, whose no-nonsense attitude provides a perfect counterbalance to the more dramatic coven members.
The coven dynamics offer some of the strongest moments in “Love’s a Witch”, particularly the tension between traditional magical practices and modern approaches. The eventual ousting of Mandy Meadows as coven president and Sloane’s reluctant acceptance of the role provides a satisfying resolution to the power struggles within the group.
Romance That Sizzles and Satisfies
The enemies-to-lovers romance between Sloane and Knox develops with genuine chemistry and emotional stakes. O’Malley excels in building tension through their shared history and current conflicts, making their eventual coming together feel both inevitable and hard-won. The author’s handling of their intimate scenes strikes an appropriate balance between passion and emotional connection.
The romance benefits from the magical elements without being overshadowed by them. Knox’s protective instincts and Sloane’s fierce independence create compelling conflicts that extend beyond simple misunderstandings. Their relationship development feels organic, progressing through genuine challenges rather than artificial obstacles.
However, the speed of their emotional intimacy occasionally feels rushed, particularly given the years of resentment they harbor toward each other. While their physical attraction is immediately apparent, the deep emotional connection they develop might have benefited from slightly more gradual development.
A Scottish Setting That Breathes with Life
O’Malley’s portrayal of Briarhaven creates a vivid sense of place that feels both authentically Scottish and magically enhanced. The author’s attention to Scottish dialect and cultural details adds authenticity without overwhelming non-Scottish readers. The glossary of Scottish terms proves particularly helpful for maintaining the story’s linguistic flavor.
The transformation of Briarhaven from the MacGregors’ childhood memories to Knox’s carefully cultivated magical tourism destination provides an effective backdrop for the characters’ own growth and change. The author successfully balances the cozy small-town atmosphere with the underlying magical tensions that drive the plot.
Writing Style and Pacing: Cozy with Moments of Brilliance
O’Malley’s writing style perfectly matches the cozy fantasy romance genre, maintaining a light, engaging tone throughout while allowing for moments of genuine emotion and tension. Her dialogue captures distinct character voices, particularly in the banter between the MacGregor sisters and the various personalities within the Scottish Charms coven.
The pacing generally works well, though certain sections—particularly some of the coven meetings—occasionally feel repetitive. The author’s use of dual POV between Sloane and Knox provides valuable insight into both characters’ motivations and internal conflicts.
The magical elements are seamlessly woven into the narrative without overwhelming the romantic plot. O’Malley demonstrates skill in explaining magical concepts through character interactions rather than heavy exposition, though some readers might desire more detailed world-building around the magical systems.
Strengths That Enchant
- Compelling Magical System: The MacGregor curse provides both humor and genuine stakes, creating a unique supernatural premise that drives character development and plot progression.
- Strong Character Development: Both Sloane and Knox undergo meaningful growth arcs that feel earned rather than forced, particularly Sloane’s journey from reluctant participant to empowered leader.
- Authentic Setting: O’Malley’s Scottish setting feels genuine and immersive, enhanced by careful attention to dialect and cultural details.
- Engaging Supporting Cast: The Scottish Charms coven members each bring distinct personalities and magical abilities that enrich the story world.
- Balanced Romance and Fantasy: The romantic elements enhance rather than overshadow the magical plot, creating a well-integrated narrative.
Areas for Magical Improvement
- Inconsistent Magic Rules: Some magical solutions feel convenient rather than logically developed from established rules.
- Rushed Emotional Development: The deep emotional connection between Sloane and Knox develops somewhat quickly given their complicated history.
- Repetitive Elements: Certain character conflicts and coven dynamics are revisited more frequently than necessary.
- Secondary Character Development: Some supporting characters, particularly Sloane’s sisters Nova and Lyra, could benefit from more individual development.
Similar Spellbinding Reads
Readers who enjoy Love’s a Witch should consider exploring:
- The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna – For cozy witch found family dynamics
- The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow – For magical family curses and strong heroines
- The Knight and the Butcherbird by Alix E. Harrow – For sisterhood and magical resistance themes
- Payback’s a Witch by Lana Harper – For modern witchy small-town romance
- The Midnight Girls by Alicia Jasinska – For Slavic-inspired magical sisterhood
- The Witch Haven Series by Sasha Summers – For cozy paranormal romance with magical communities
Final Enchantment
Love’s a Witch succeeds as an engaging introduction to what promises to be a charming series. O’Malley demonstrates clear skill in balancing romance, magic, and character development while creating a vivid Scottish setting that readers will want to revisit. While the novel has minor pacing issues and some convenient plot resolutions, the strengths far outweigh the weaknesses.
“Love’s a Witch” will particularly appeal to readers who enjoy enemies-to-lovers romances, cozy fantasy settings, and stories about found family and belonging. O’Malley’s background as a bestselling author of contemporary and paranormal romance clearly serves her well in this new venture into fantasy romance.
For fans seeking a light, engaging escape with just enough emotional depth to satisfy, Love’s a Witch casts a spell that’s difficult to resist. The promise of continuing adventures with the remaining MacGregor sisters and the broader Scottish Charms community provides excellent motivation to eagerly await the next installment in this promising series.
Disclosure: I received an advance reader copy of this enchanting tale in exchange for my honest opinion, though I suspect no magical compulsion spells were involved in my thoroughly positive response—just genuinely engaging storytelling that transported me straight to the magical streets of Briarhaven.