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Practical Rules for Cursed Witches
From the New York Times bestselling author of My Dearest Darkest comes a sapphic fantasy adventure about a teen witch who must complete her magical training by breaking a powerful family’s curse. But her own affliction—to never find true love—gets in the way when she falls for the girl she’s trying to save.
Magic is in Delilah Bea’s blood. Her absentee father is the world’s most famous cursebreaker, while all the women in her family are fated to never find true love. So when Delilah graduates her magical training and must complete her Calling, she has the perfect task in mind—to break the Bea family curse.
But Delilah’s Calling is hijacked by Kieran Pelumbra, a member of the wealthiest and most powerful family in the country, and breaking his curse suddenly becomes her official assignment. Every generation, a pair of Pelumbra twins are doomed, with one twin draining the other of their life and magic. Each day, Kieran grows weaker while Briar gets closer to…something monstrous.
As Delilah and the twins set out on their quest, they quickly realize that breaking the Pelumbra curse isn’t going to be simple. For one, the Pelumbra family doesn’t actually want their curse broken—and they’ve sent hunters after them to ensure they fail. Secondly…it’s Briar. There’s just something about her that gets under Delilah’s skin and makes her want to kiss the perpetually grumpy look off her face. But with time running out for the twins and Delilah’s own curse getting in the way, they may not stand a chance of finding their Happily Ever After.
Magic is in Delilah Bea’s blood. Her absentee father is the world’s most famous cursebreaker, while all the women in her family are fated to never find true love. So when Delilah graduates her magical training and must complete her Calling, she has the perfect task in mind—to break the Bea family curse.
But Delilah’s Calling is hijacked by Kieran Pelumbra, a member of the wealthiest and most powerful family in the country, and breaking his curse suddenly becomes her official assignment. Every generation, a pair of Pelumbra twins are doomed, with one twin draining the other of their life and magic. Each day, Kieran grows weaker while Briar gets closer to…something monstrous.
As Delilah and the twins set out on their quest, they quickly realize that breaking the Pelumbra curse isn’t going to be simple. For one, the Pelumbra family doesn’t actually want their curse broken—and they’ve sent hunters after them to ensure they fail. Secondly…it’s Briar. There’s just something about her that gets under Delilah’s skin and makes her want to kiss the perpetually grumpy look off her face. But with time running out for the twins and Delilah’s own curse getting in the way, they may not stand a chance of finding their Happily Ever After.
432 pages, Hardcover
First published August 27, 2024
88 people are currently reading
9842 people want to read
About the author
Kayla Cottingham
6 books699 followersKayla Cottingham (she/they) is a YA author and librarian. Her first book, My Dearest Darkest, was a New York Times and Publisher's Weekly bestseller. Originally from Salt Lake City, Utah, Kayla lives in Boston where she loves to go hiking in the woods, play RPGs, and snuggle on the couch with her ridiculously large black cat, Squid.
Kayla is no longer active on Goodreads. As such, please use the contact form on her website if you have any inquiries.
Kayla is no longer active on Goodreads. As such, please use the contact form on her website if you have any inquiries.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 221 reviews
May 14, 2024
GAY LOOPHOLE
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 5, 2024
Practical Rules for Cursed Witches is a new favourite, and I'll be counting down the days until the sequel is released.
I loved this world and characters. The found family aspect was brilliantly done, as well as Delilah's and Briar's romance. The side character's were also a high point and a treat to hang out with. I'm so excited for Kieran's book next!!
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In order for a witch to keep their magic they have to complete their Calling. This is a magical task that has to be completed within 6 months. They can choose their own task or have it chosen for them by the Council.
Delilah Bea is determined for her Calling task to be to break her family curse. A curse that makes anyone who falls in love with a Bea forget them entirely. However, Delilah's Calling is hijacked by Kieran Pelumbra, who calls on the Rite of Mortality. This Rite allows someone who is suffering from a deadly curse to call on a witch for assistance. And so, Delilah's Calling is to help break Kieran's curse.
The Pelumbra's are an extremely wealthy family, but once a generation one set of twins is doomed. One twin having their life drained by the other twin. Kieran is the one who drew the short stick, and so they set out first to find his twin and then for a way to break the curse.
Briar is the other twin, and Delilah doesn't get off on the best foot with her. But on their travels, with both of their curses hanging over their heads and the animosity they started off with, the two begin to realise their attraction to one another. Even if it seems doomed...
I loved this world and characters. The found family aspect was brilliantly done, as well as Delilah's and Briar's romance. The side character's were also a high point and a treat to hang out with. I'm so excited for Kieran's book next!!
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In order for a witch to keep their magic they have to complete their Calling. This is a magical task that has to be completed within 6 months. They can choose their own task or have it chosen for them by the Council.
Delilah Bea is determined for her Calling task to be to break her family curse. A curse that makes anyone who falls in love with a Bea forget them entirely. However, Delilah's Calling is hijacked by Kieran Pelumbra, who calls on the Rite of Mortality. This Rite allows someone who is suffering from a deadly curse to call on a witch for assistance. And so, Delilah's Calling is to help break Kieran's curse.
The Pelumbra's are an extremely wealthy family, but once a generation one set of twins is doomed. One twin having their life drained by the other twin. Kieran is the one who drew the short stick, and so they set out first to find his twin and then for a way to break the curse.
Briar is the other twin, and Delilah doesn't get off on the best foot with her. But on their travels, with both of their curses hanging over their heads and the animosity they started off with, the two begin to realise their attraction to one another. Even if it seems doomed...
August 27, 2024
Got an arc from ALA
This was SO CUTE!!! Major Howls Moving Castle vibes except everyone is canonically some shade of queer and I LOVED IT! Rich with sensory details and deeply engaging, this was so much fun and I loved it. I’d read a billion more things set in this world
This was SO CUTE!!! Major Howls Moving Castle vibes except everyone is canonically some shade of queer and I LOVED IT! Rich with sensory details and deeply engaging, this was so much fun and I loved it. I’d read a billion more things set in this world
November 8, 2024
This is a little above middle grades to me. I can see it as a 13+ read. The found family aspect is perfect for teens. It also has a lot of great representation of lgbtqia+ teen and adult romance without anything more suggestive than dancing and a kiss or two.
# Practical Rules for Cursed Witches
# 7/21/2024 ~ 11/3/2024
# 4.0 / 5.0
# Practical Rules for Cursed Witches
# 7/21/2024 ~ 11/3/2024
# 4.0 / 5.0
August 23, 2025
already know this is going to be my whole personality
September 4, 2025
Kayla Cottingham novels 🤝 queer readers
I could go on and on about how much I loved this book (and how underrated it is) but I'll keep the review brief. This book is full of multifaceted characters and unique magical elements. The sapphic romance was definitely a highlight; I adored watching it blossom despite the odds. If you like books with magic, romance, found family, and adventure, do yourself a favour and pick this one up!
I could go on and on about how much I loved this book (and how underrated it is) but I'll keep the review brief. This book is full of multifaceted characters and unique magical elements. The sapphic romance was definitely a highlight; I adored watching it blossom despite the odds. If you like books with magic, romance, found family, and adventure, do yourself a favour and pick this one up!
dnf
June 25, 2025dnf at 40%
I kept trying to push through this one, but my issues with it just kept piling up. It's a cozy YA fantasy and therefore, I understand that some things may be simplistic but some of the dialogue read like it was from Caillou. The world-building was incredibly inconsistent and the character relationships were completely unbelievable.
On top of that, I was becoming pretty uncomfortable with some of the representation in here as it felt like it could have been researched or handled better? That might have just been me and someone else might think these things were handled carefully.
Overall, this just was not for me.
I kept trying to push through this one, but my issues with it just kept piling up. It's a cozy YA fantasy and therefore, I understand that some things may be simplistic but some of the dialogue read like it was from Caillou. The world-building was incredibly inconsistent and the character relationships were completely unbelievable.
On top of that, I was becoming pretty uncomfortable with some of the representation in here as it felt like it could have been researched or handled better? That might have just been me and someone else might think these things were handled carefully.
Overall, this just was not for me.
January 9, 2025
Cute, Cozy, Queer. A delightful YA fantasy. Gays win.
November 19, 2024
this was such a charming little YA fantasy! my favorite part was the world-building; the magic system worked really well for the story, and each setting had unique quirks that made for a fun time. the characters didn’t grip me as much as i would’ve liked, but they did grow on me as the story progressed, and the romance was sweet as well. overall, a colorful and lighthearted read!
November 18, 2024
Content warnings: curses, blood (i'll come back to fill this out when I remember).
Rep: bisexual MC, lesbian LI, achillean SC, enby SC, poc SCs.
This one was a lot of fun!
I loved following this lovely cast of characters, and all of the shenanigans they got up to.
Rep: bisexual MC, lesbian LI, achillean SC, enby SC, poc SCs.
This one was a lot of fun!
I loved following this lovely cast of characters, and all of the shenanigans they got up to.
February 4, 2025
Excellent sapphic enemies to friends to lovers!! I enjoyed the world building and would love to see more stories set in this universe!
July 12, 2024
Cute, cozy story with witches and magic. Great story with found family and breaking crazy old curses. Delilah is fun, witty main character and it was a blast following her story and being forced to help break another families curse. It brings so much backstory and easily get to know the characters in this stand alone and has a fulfilling ending.
Thank you NetGalley and Delacorte Press for the opportunity to read this e-arc.
Thank you NetGalley and Delacorte Press for the opportunity to read this e-arc.
December 4, 2024
We love a queer cozy fantasy witchy adventure. And by we, I mean me, the new biggest fan of Kayla Cottingham. I hope they write a million more cozy stories in the world of Kitfield and the surrounding towns, and I can’t wait to read all of them.
Practical Rules for Cursed Witches stars Delilah, Kieran, Briar, and their motley crew on an aerospace ship as they try to accomplish what feels impossible: breaking the curse that is slowly draining the life force of Kieran and passing it to his estranged twin, Briar. Upon teaming up, they get themselves in all sorts of adventures, mishaps, and misunderstandings as their helpful crew keep them steady along the way. A few mysteries are uncovered, leaving all of our characters having to adjust, be vulnerable, and open themselves to the possibility of friendship or even true love. You’ll fall in love with the side characters and the banter between Delilah and Briar. Perfect for those looking for a gay cozy fantasy (multiple queer relationships) with happy endings!
✨Tropes✨
✨small town
✨YA/Young Adult
✨cozy fantasy
✨happy endings
✨found family
✨enemies to friends to lovers
✨slow pace romance
✨lesbian/bi relationship (lesbian/bi/nonbinary/gay character rep)
✨gay relationship
✨parental estrangement
✨magic/witches/monsters
✨She’s cursed!
✨monster love
✨classism/bigotry (handled in a light way)
Practical Rules for Cursed Witches stars Delilah, Kieran, Briar, and their motley crew on an aerospace ship as they try to accomplish what feels impossible: breaking the curse that is slowly draining the life force of Kieran and passing it to his estranged twin, Briar. Upon teaming up, they get themselves in all sorts of adventures, mishaps, and misunderstandings as their helpful crew keep them steady along the way. A few mysteries are uncovered, leaving all of our characters having to adjust, be vulnerable, and open themselves to the possibility of friendship or even true love. You’ll fall in love with the side characters and the banter between Delilah and Briar. Perfect for those looking for a gay cozy fantasy (multiple queer relationships) with happy endings!
✨Tropes✨
✨small town
✨YA/Young Adult
✨cozy fantasy
✨happy endings
✨found family
✨enemies to friends to lovers
✨slow pace romance
✨lesbian/bi relationship (lesbian/bi/nonbinary/gay character rep)
✨gay relationship
✨parental estrangement
✨magic/witches/monsters
✨She’s cursed!
✨monster love
✨classism/bigotry (handled in a light way)
August 31, 2024
I LOVED this book so much!! This like-a-warm-hug but with high stakes (the best kind of YA!) witchy fantasy book is utter perfection for a nice autumn day. It's available now and you MUST read it. I insist.
I'm calling this a new subgenre of fantasy - cozy academia. While this does not take place in a formal school, it DOES have to do with witch's final exams (or Calling). The Pelumbra twins' dynamic is fascinating, and Cottingham does a great job creating tension between their curse-bound fates and Delilah’s ever-growing affection for Briar. Delilah is both adorably awkward and determined, making her a good choice to lead this little crew.
This has all the messy feelings that come with being a teenager trying to find your way in the world... but with spells and curses. The author has crafted a cozy yet high-stakes sapphic fantasy that perfectly balances enchanting world-building with relatable, deeply flawed, but lovable characters.
This has so much to love with curses, young love (or is it hate? probably hate, right? right??), and amazing LGBTQ+ representation. I devoured this book and I maybe shed a happy tear towards the end. This has a lovely story, amazing characters, and I am SO excited that we'll get to see more from this author in this world.
Thanks so much to TBR and Beyond Tours, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review. This review is based on a complimentary copy and it is voluntary. All opinions are my own.
I'm calling this a new subgenre of fantasy - cozy academia. While this does not take place in a formal school, it DOES have to do with witch's final exams (or Calling). The Pelumbra twins' dynamic is fascinating, and Cottingham does a great job creating tension between their curse-bound fates and Delilah’s ever-growing affection for Briar. Delilah is both adorably awkward and determined, making her a good choice to lead this little crew.
This has all the messy feelings that come with being a teenager trying to find your way in the world... but with spells and curses. The author has crafted a cozy yet high-stakes sapphic fantasy that perfectly balances enchanting world-building with relatable, deeply flawed, but lovable characters.
This has so much to love with curses, young love (or is it hate? probably hate, right? right??), and amazing LGBTQ+ representation. I devoured this book and I maybe shed a happy tear towards the end. This has a lovely story, amazing characters, and I am SO excited that we'll get to see more from this author in this world.
Thanks so much to TBR and Beyond Tours, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review. This review is based on a complimentary copy and it is voluntary. All opinions are my own.
October 18, 2024
This was a wonderful YA story. Fairytale themes of cursed teens and found family, love and adventure. I didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did, since I had read from this author previously and been left disappointed but this was something else entirely. I enjoyed the cursed twin story the most and I loved travelling through the world of witches and magic.
At one point (about 80%) I did think "o, this is going to be a series" but it did seem to end satisfactory but I would definitely read more if the friendships were to be continued.
I will add that this did feel like a younger feeling YA and I still enjoyed it
At one point (about 80%) I did think "o, this is going to be a series" but it did seem to end satisfactory but I would definitely read more if the friendships were to be continued.
I will add that this did feel like a younger feeling YA and I still enjoyed it
August 26, 2024
*Actual rating is 4.25 stars*
Practical Rules for Cursed Witches is a cute and cozy queer YA fantasy. It’s a lighthearted book about a witch forced to help a set of cursed twins break their family curse before one of them dies. The search for the solution takes the main character Delilah and her rag tag group of mischief enablers all over the fictional world. This results in so many wholesome found family moments, fun hijinks and two slowburn romances. There’s both a f/f and a m/m romance, so at least one of them will make my root for them. The banter is really fun, and the story is very fast-paced and easy to follow. It’s a stand-alone that actually feels finished when you’ve reached the final page. There was some back and forth that got a bit old after a while, and there were some obvious plot twists. But the vibes were so good that it didn’t bother me too much.
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Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Practical Rules for Cursed Witches is a cute and cozy queer YA fantasy. It’s a lighthearted book about a witch forced to help a set of cursed twins break their family curse before one of them dies. The search for the solution takes the main character Delilah and her rag tag group of mischief enablers all over the fictional world. This results in so many wholesome found family moments, fun hijinks and two slowburn romances. There’s both a f/f and a m/m romance, so at least one of them will make my root for them. The banter is really fun, and the story is very fast-paced and easy to follow. It’s a stand-alone that actually feels finished when you’ve reached the final page. There was some back and forth that got a bit old after a while, and there were some obvious plot twists. But the vibes were so good that it didn’t bother me too much.
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Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
September 17, 2024
I was prepared for your typical YA romantasy, but I have to say I was pleasantly surprised with where this one went. The romance was pretty good. I was never annoyed by it, so that’s a plus. What set this one apart was the surprises and twists. I felt like we kept getting taken in directions that I didn’t see coming. I do really love how this tackles generational trauma and how our characters worked so hard together to prevail.
Found family✔️
An airship that feels a bit like Howl’s Moving Castle✔️
Queer romance ✔️
Magic and curses ✔️
Immersive writing with food and scents✔️
Found family✔️
An airship that feels a bit like Howl’s Moving Castle✔️
Queer romance ✔️
Magic and curses ✔️
Immersive writing with food and scents✔️
October 15, 2024
Witches, curses, found family and perfect cozy feeling. This book was so lovely, with characters who have experienced trauma but are still able to love and be love. Delilah, that has a curse that makes all who love her forget her, has to break the curse of the Pelumbra twins. In the way she meets Briar and falls in love with her. Can she save Briar and her brother and also break her own curse?
Such an comfort book, full of characters that start loners and find their own path for their happiness.
Such an comfort book, full of characters that start loners and find their own path for their happiness.
February 13, 2025
I had so much fun :) made me smile a lot and I loved how it all came together in the end. Perfect ending!
September 1, 2025
I wish all MY problems could be solved with the power of lesbianism
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2024
Practical Rules for Cursed Witches follows Delilah Bea as she is about embarking on her Calling, a coming of age journey for every witch, when her moment is hijacked by Kieran Pelumbra, a boy with a fatal curse who enlists Delilah to help break it.
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This book had everything I was looking for from a cozy fantasy story. Sapphic romances will always draw me towards a book and the romance here had me yelling at them to just get together already (not unlike most of the supporting cast lol). I was surprised by how much I loved the found family built over the course of the story. The adventure/cursebreaking aspect drives the plot of the story and honestly had me picking up the book more often than I would’ve expected (I needed to see what happens to everyone!). As cliché as it is, I felt it fitting for this story that love conquers all. At its heart, this is a story of friendship, family and love.
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After reading a couple books that took me a lot longer than normal to continue, this story renewed my faith in my ability to finish a book quickly. My reading experience with this book was such a refreshing change! I only wish there was a bit more time taken for world-building.
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I’m looking forward to picking this up once it comes out!✨
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Thank you Random House Children’s | Delacorte Press for providing this eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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This book had everything I was looking for from a cozy fantasy story. Sapphic romances will always draw me towards a book and the romance here had me yelling at them to just get together already (not unlike most of the supporting cast lol). I was surprised by how much I loved the found family built over the course of the story. The adventure/cursebreaking aspect drives the plot of the story and honestly had me picking up the book more often than I would’ve expected (I needed to see what happens to everyone!). As cliché as it is, I felt it fitting for this story that love conquers all. At its heart, this is a story of friendship, family and love.
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After reading a couple books that took me a lot longer than normal to continue, this story renewed my faith in my ability to finish a book quickly. My reading experience with this book was such a refreshing change! I only wish there was a bit more time taken for world-building.
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I’m looking forward to picking this up once it comes out!✨
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Thank you Random House Children’s | Delacorte Press for providing this eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 20, 2024
This had such a fairy tale ending... but you know what!! Sometimes it just gotta be like that. And also the twins deserve it after the shitshow of a life they've been given.
Idk what it was about this book, but it was very comfortable, and despite it feeling kinda long, I was fine to stay in this universe for however long it took them to wander around breaking their 209348 curses. I thought the magic system worked well, and the world-building was easy to digest.
I didn't buy into Delilah and Briar's connection at first because I thought it was abrupt and made no sense for the characters at the time, but I wasn't annoyed enough to stop bc I did get attached to their little found family crew by then. And also invested in Kieran's well-being LMAO. The romance became believable eventually, though I wish there had been a variety in the romance for the teens outside of everything being instant attraction.
One of the curse's loophole was so funny bc I thought about it after one of the very early scenes but like as a joke... I didn't think it was for real. So tru though 10/10 valid answer to a stupid ass curse. The final face-off was satisfying as well — I'm glad there was none of the usual annoying ~omg don't do that we're the good guys and they're still your family~ hero rabidness going on. Just absolute feral angry teens and young adults around.
Taking off one star for the implication that only romantic love can conquer all. Adelaide should've been enough to break the curse.
Idk what it was about this book, but it was very comfortable, and despite it feeling kinda long, I was fine to stay in this universe for however long it took them to wander around breaking their 209348 curses. I thought the magic system worked well, and the world-building was easy to digest.
I didn't buy into Delilah and Briar's connection at first because I thought it was abrupt and made no sense for the characters at the time, but I wasn't annoyed enough to stop bc I did get attached to their little found family crew by then. And also invested in Kieran's well-being LMAO. The romance became believable eventually, though I wish there had been a variety in the romance for the teens outside of everything being instant attraction.
One of the curse's loophole was so funny bc I thought about it after one of the very early scenes but like as a joke... I didn't think it was for real. So tru though 10/10 valid answer to a stupid ass curse. The final face-off was satisfying as well — I'm glad there was none of the usual annoying ~omg don't do that we're the good guys and they're still your family~ hero rabidness going on. Just absolute feral angry teens and young adults around.
Taking off one star for the implication that only romantic love can conquer all. Adelaide should've been enough to break the curse.
Want to read
July 11, 2024As Delilah and the twins set out on their quest, they quickly realize that breaking the Pelumbra curse isn’t going to be simple.
For one, the Pelumbra family doesn’t actually want their curse broken—and they’ve sent hunters after them to ensure they fail.
Secondly…it’s Briar. There’s just something about her that gets under Delilah’s skin and makes her want to kiss the perpetually grumpy look off her face.
For one, the Pelumbra family doesn’t actually want their curse broken—and they’ve sent hunters after them to ensure they fail.
Secondly…it’s Briar. There’s just something about her that gets under Delilah’s skin and makes her want to kiss the perpetually grumpy look off her face.
February 3, 2025
When I saw this book I knew I had to read it, it sounded exactly like the type of book I enjoy and that turned out to be true. I really love the cozy fantasy genre and this one just sounded great. I decided to get the audio format and started it almost right away. I really enjoyed Practical Rules for Cursed Witches. It follows witch Delilah who is setting off on her Calling, a six month quest she has to complete to be allowed to stay a witch and keep her magic. Except someone hijacks her Calling and now she has to break a tricky family curse instead of her own curse.
This book has that nice cozy fantasy vibe that I like, despite the dangers and struggles I knew things would be alright. I liked the baking scenes and the magic. As well as the found family theme. I also liked the adventurous vibe this book had, Delilah and the rest of the characters travel from city to city in aeroship and land in all sorts of trouble and adventure along the way while trying to break the curse.
I also appreciate how despite the cozy vibes it also touches upon some heavier topics, the twins both have childhood trauma and my heart broke for what they had both been through and how they had been treated by their family. This isn't the focus of the book, but it's still very clearly there and part of the story. Delilah has never know her father and is dealing with a curse. And some of the side character also have some tough things they either deal with or had to deal with. I love this balance of cozy vibes while also touching on some heavier topics.
I liked reading about Delilah and how she is determined to break the twins curse. It made sense she is a bit peeved when her Calling is hijacked, but I also liked how she quickly becomes friends with Kieran and wants to break his curse. I wasn't sure I was going to like Briar at first as she's very prickly, but she quickly became more likable and once I found out about her past her behavior made much more sense. I liked the side characters as well and how as the story progressed Delilah grows closer to them and find out more about them.
I liked the slow burn romance between Delilah and Briar. Especially the end was so well done when the depth of their feelings really can be felt. They definitely have some struggles to overcome along the way. I liked seeing them grow closer and I loved how they loved each other for who they are.
The plot kept my attention and I liked learning more about the curses and how they work. The magic was pretty interesting too and I liked the world building. It's not a typical medieval fantasy world, instead there are cars, telephones, radios and aeroships. I liked how this gave the book a different vibe than most fantasy settings. The magic was integral enough to the story and it felt like part of the book. I liked how the mentions of past events made it feel this world had history and depth. The descriptions have enough detail I could easily imagine how everything looked like.
I liked the narrator and easily got into the audiobook. I liked the different voices for the characters and how I could always easily tell who was speaking. I felt like the narrator did the different emotional tones for the various scenes really well too without it feeling overdone. It was a joy listening to this book.
To summarize: I really enjoyed this book. I really liked the cozy fantasy adventurous vibe of the book and how it also touches upon some heavier topic. It also has a nice done found family vibe and I liked reading about all the characters and getting to know them better as the story progresses. I wasn't sure whether I was going to like Briar at first, but she grew more likable soon and her behavior made sense once you know about her past. The romance was a nicely done slow burn and I liked seeing them grow closer, there are some great scenes featuring them and especially toward the end I could really feel the depth of their feelings. The world building feels fresh as it doesn't have the typical medieval fantasy setting, but instead a slightly more modern one. I liked the unique touches and the descriptions. The history also added depth to the world building and the magic and curses were interesting to read about. The narrator was pleasant to listen to and I liked how she did the different voices and emotional tones.
This book has that nice cozy fantasy vibe that I like, despite the dangers and struggles I knew things would be alright. I liked the baking scenes and the magic. As well as the found family theme. I also liked the adventurous vibe this book had, Delilah and the rest of the characters travel from city to city in aeroship and land in all sorts of trouble and adventure along the way while trying to break the curse.
I also appreciate how despite the cozy vibes it also touches upon some heavier topics, the twins both have childhood trauma and my heart broke for what they had both been through and how they had been treated by their family. This isn't the focus of the book, but it's still very clearly there and part of the story. Delilah has never know her father and is dealing with a curse. And some of the side character also have some tough things they either deal with or had to deal with. I love this balance of cozy vibes while also touching on some heavier topics.
I liked reading about Delilah and how she is determined to break the twins curse. It made sense she is a bit peeved when her Calling is hijacked, but I also liked how she quickly becomes friends with Kieran and wants to break his curse. I wasn't sure I was going to like Briar at first as she's very prickly, but she quickly became more likable and once I found out about her past her behavior made much more sense. I liked the side characters as well and how as the story progressed Delilah grows closer to them and find out more about them.
I liked the slow burn romance between Delilah and Briar. Especially the end was so well done when the depth of their feelings really can be felt. They definitely have some struggles to overcome along the way. I liked seeing them grow closer and I loved how they loved each other for who they are.
The plot kept my attention and I liked learning more about the curses and how they work. The magic was pretty interesting too and I liked the world building. It's not a typical medieval fantasy world, instead there are cars, telephones, radios and aeroships. I liked how this gave the book a different vibe than most fantasy settings. The magic was integral enough to the story and it felt like part of the book. I liked how the mentions of past events made it feel this world had history and depth. The descriptions have enough detail I could easily imagine how everything looked like.
I liked the narrator and easily got into the audiobook. I liked the different voices for the characters and how I could always easily tell who was speaking. I felt like the narrator did the different emotional tones for the various scenes really well too without it feeling overdone. It was a joy listening to this book.
To summarize: I really enjoyed this book. I really liked the cozy fantasy adventurous vibe of the book and how it also touches upon some heavier topic. It also has a nice done found family vibe and I liked reading about all the characters and getting to know them better as the story progresses. I wasn't sure whether I was going to like Briar at first, but she grew more likable soon and her behavior made sense once you know about her past. The romance was a nicely done slow burn and I liked seeing them grow closer, there are some great scenes featuring them and especially toward the end I could really feel the depth of their feelings. The world building feels fresh as it doesn't have the typical medieval fantasy setting, but instead a slightly more modern one. I liked the unique touches and the descriptions. The history also added depth to the world building and the magic and curses were interesting to read about. The narrator was pleasant to listen to and I liked how she did the different voices and emotional tones.
August 28, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
This was such an excellent book!!
I liked her first book but I did not like her second book very much at all, so I was nervous to see how I’d like this one. I didn’t have to worry though because I loved this one! I think it’s safe to say that this is my favorite of hers! It was so well done.
The characters were so unique and cool and fun! Every character that is introduced is instantly loveable, which can be very hard to create. Even her mom was cool and so loving.
I loved the found family of it all. That was one of my favorite aspects of this book.
I fell in love with Delilah’s parents in one page, so that just shows she is a good writer. Even though Klaus wasn’t a good father, I couldn’t help but love him a little bit. He is a loser (derogatory) but there was something about him that I knew was a good guy. He showed up when it mattered. He has a lot to work on, but I could see him getting better. I’d like to think him and Charolette will get together in the end!
Even before she could talk I loved Adelaide. Even though Santiago and Ariel weren’t in it a ton they were also great characters as well!
I loved that Briar was more prickly off the bat and Kieran was super sweet and a loser (affectionate).
I am obsessed with Kieran. There was just something about him that was so sweet and kind. I felt so bad for how the curse affected him. I just wanted to wrap him up and hold him. I’m glad he found Ash, they were so cute together!
Delilah was a great main character to follow! She was a spitfire and spunky, cute and caring and funny. I loved her friendship with Kieran and I LOVED her relationship with Briar. They started off ribbing each other and kept that going even when they started to like each other. Their relationship felt so natural to me! I was eating it up.
Cottinghan needs to write a proper romcom because I was laughing out loud at so many of her lines! The banter was incredible.
I would love to have a second novel or even a novella to see all the characters and where they end up to catch up with their lives. The plot of this novel was really good but the characters was really what sold it for me! I can imagine how they all get their happy ending, but I’d still love to actually read about it.
This is such a cozy and wholesome read, I highly recommend picking it up! The banter is top notch, the relationship is incredible, and the friendships are everything. I wish I could have read this in the fall because it’s the perfect fall read, but it’s also worth it to read it at any time of the year!
As a side note, Briar’s curse reminded me so much of Vivienne’s from “Witcher 3” and I loved that so much. It very much gave me Guillaume and Vivienne curse breaking vibes which was a nice little touch for me personally, even if the author didn’t do that on purpose.
This was such an excellent book!!
I liked her first book but I did not like her second book very much at all, so I was nervous to see how I’d like this one. I didn’t have to worry though because I loved this one! I think it’s safe to say that this is my favorite of hers! It was so well done.
The characters were so unique and cool and fun! Every character that is introduced is instantly loveable, which can be very hard to create. Even her mom was cool and so loving.
I loved the found family of it all. That was one of my favorite aspects of this book.
I fell in love with Delilah’s parents in one page, so that just shows she is a good writer. Even though Klaus wasn’t a good father, I couldn’t help but love him a little bit. He is a loser (derogatory) but there was something about him that I knew was a good guy. He showed up when it mattered. He has a lot to work on, but I could see him getting better. I’d like to think him and Charolette will get together in the end!
Even before she could talk I loved Adelaide. Even though Santiago and Ariel weren’t in it a ton they were also great characters as well!
I loved that Briar was more prickly off the bat and Kieran was super sweet and a loser (affectionate).
I am obsessed with Kieran. There was just something about him that was so sweet and kind. I felt so bad for how the curse affected him. I just wanted to wrap him up and hold him. I’m glad he found Ash, they were so cute together!
Delilah was a great main character to follow! She was a spitfire and spunky, cute and caring and funny. I loved her friendship with Kieran and I LOVED her relationship with Briar. They started off ribbing each other and kept that going even when they started to like each other. Their relationship felt so natural to me! I was eating it up.
Cottinghan needs to write a proper romcom because I was laughing out loud at so many of her lines! The banter was incredible.
I would love to have a second novel or even a novella to see all the characters and where they end up to catch up with their lives. The plot of this novel was really good but the characters was really what sold it for me! I can imagine how they all get their happy ending, but I’d still love to actually read about it.
This is such a cozy and wholesome read, I highly recommend picking it up! The banter is top notch, the relationship is incredible, and the friendships are everything. I wish I could have read this in the fall because it’s the perfect fall read, but it’s also worth it to read it at any time of the year!
As a side note, Briar’s curse reminded me so much of Vivienne’s from “Witcher 3” and I loved that so much. It very much gave me Guillaume and Vivienne curse breaking vibes which was a nice little touch for me personally, even if the author didn’t do that on purpose.
July 31, 2025
4.25
Alright, this was pretty cute and fun.
There was only one section of the book that I was annoyed by where it felt like there was some forced bickering between Delilah and her love interest. They had to do the stereotypical enemies-to-lovers thing and start antagonistically even when it doesn't really make sense or feel natural. Some of the "humorous banter" also didn't land for me and went on too long, but there were some bits that I did chuckle at. I think both of these complaints probably wouldn't be an issue for actual YA readers, I'm just a jaded old lady.
I wish there had been a little more time spent on establishing the setting, because it took me a while to figure out what level of technology we were dealing with. At first I thought it was totally modern, but it's not quite? There are cars, but also airships, and phones, but not cellphones. There is exposition slipped in along the way about how magic works and how magic users are integrated into different cultural areas, but I still feel like I was left with a lot of questions and difficulty picturing the towns and cities.
Apart from those small gripes, I enjoyed this a lot. I really liked Kieran and the little crew on the curse-breaking mission. Some parts of the story reminded me a bit of the movie Penelope and some recent Beauty and the Beast adaptations I've read, but nothing felt completely derivative. I also appreciated that this functioned as a standalone and I got a nice complete story with a satisfying ending
Audiobook narrator was good, but I did listen at 1.85 speed.
Content Warnings:
Moderate: Body horror, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Blood, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death, Homophobia, Infidelity, Sexual content, Torture, Alcohol
Alright, this was pretty cute and fun.
There was only one section of the book that I was annoyed by where it felt like there was some forced bickering between Delilah and her love interest. They had to do the stereotypical enemies-to-lovers thing and start antagonistically even when it doesn't really make sense or feel natural. Some of the "humorous banter" also didn't land for me and went on too long, but there were some bits that I did chuckle at. I think both of these complaints probably wouldn't be an issue for actual YA readers, I'm just a jaded old lady.
I wish there had been a little more time spent on establishing the setting, because it took me a while to figure out what level of technology we were dealing with. At first I thought it was totally modern, but it's not quite? There are cars, but also airships, and phones, but not cellphones. There is exposition slipped in along the way about how magic works and how magic users are integrated into different cultural areas, but I still feel like I was left with a lot of questions and difficulty picturing the towns and cities.
Apart from those small gripes, I enjoyed this a lot. I really liked Kieran and the little crew on the curse-breaking mission. Some parts of the story reminded me a bit of the movie Penelope and some recent Beauty and the Beast adaptations I've read, but nothing felt completely derivative. I also appreciated that this functioned as a standalone and I got a nice complete story with a satisfying ending
Audiobook narrator was good, but I did listen at 1.85 speed.
Content Warnings:
Moderate: Body horror, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Blood, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death, Homophobia, Infidelity, Sexual content, Torture, Alcohol
August 26, 2024
Will Delilah succeed in breaking the Pelumbra curse and her own?
Delilah Bea, a seventeen-year-old young lady, is cursed to never find true love. So, she sets out to become a cursebreaker witch to break her mother's family's curse, and that is what she will do for her Calling. However, her plans change when Kieran Pelumbra interferes, and she must now break the Pelumbra generational curse. In each generation, the Pelumbra twins are cursed, with one draining the other of their life and magic. To fix this, they need Kieran's twin sister, and breaking the curse will prove to be no easy task, especially since some of the family members don't want the curse to be broken.
Within the fantasy realm of Celdywin, magic, and witches reign supreme. Witches possess unique magical abilities, with some being gifted with an extraordinary sense of smell, enabling them to detect the presence of magic. The text delves deeply into the intricacies of curses, portraying the profound emotional toll they inflict.
The protagonist, Delilah, exudes intelligence and compassion, often emanating a maternal aura. Kieran's endearing charm captivates those around him, while Briar's sharp wit is coupled with occasional moments of profound insight.
This enchanting tale is perfect for those who revel in richly detailed fantasies featuring genuinely relatable characters.
Happy Reading, Paige ❤️ 📚
Thank you, @tbrbeyondtours & @delacortepress for sending me a copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Delilah Bea, a seventeen-year-old young lady, is cursed to never find true love. So, she sets out to become a cursebreaker witch to break her mother's family's curse, and that is what she will do for her Calling. However, her plans change when Kieran Pelumbra interferes, and she must now break the Pelumbra generational curse. In each generation, the Pelumbra twins are cursed, with one draining the other of their life and magic. To fix this, they need Kieran's twin sister, and breaking the curse will prove to be no easy task, especially since some of the family members don't want the curse to be broken.
Within the fantasy realm of Celdywin, magic, and witches reign supreme. Witches possess unique magical abilities, with some being gifted with an extraordinary sense of smell, enabling them to detect the presence of magic. The text delves deeply into the intricacies of curses, portraying the profound emotional toll they inflict.
The protagonist, Delilah, exudes intelligence and compassion, often emanating a maternal aura. Kieran's endearing charm captivates those around him, while Briar's sharp wit is coupled with occasional moments of profound insight.
This enchanting tale is perfect for those who revel in richly detailed fantasies featuring genuinely relatable characters.
Happy Reading, Paige ❤️ 📚
Thank you, @tbrbeyondtours & @delacortepress for sending me a copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 19, 2024
YESSSSSS a cozy, sapphic, witchy fantasy I think everyone needs to put on their radar!
The found family aspect in this book was SUPERB! Some of the best I’ve ever read. This little group of curse-breaking queers had it ALLLLLLL! Delilah being all cute and caring, leading the show to pass her final exam. Briar being the prickly little love interest. Kieran (omg KIERAN!) being the sweetest little innocent sweet to ever sweet. And Ash being the hero we all wanted so bad for Kieran and he came through :) I LOVE THIS CAST SO MUCH! They’re just such a vibe, especially with magic and curses constantly in the backdrop. This one is up there for one of my favorite cast of characters this year!
THE BANTER! This one had me witch cackling and werewolf howling nearly the entire time I was reading this. I absolutely love Cottingham’s writing style and the way she had these characters engaging with one another. The mesh of personalities (which, were all very different and set each character apart) made for some of the best interactions, which made reading this constant fun, never hitting a lull. Cottingham does a wonderful job of drawing readers in and then KEEPING us there.
The connection between Delilah and Briar is seriously so top notch. They were so wiry with each other at first which, as stated above, produced some grade-A banter. This never stopped even when they started liking each other a little. They were always packing the sass and had something at the ready at all times! It made this relationship feel so authentic and real that you can’t help but HOPE these two are destined for a love of the ages! The relationship was just so dimensional. Caring, goofy, sassy, moody, real. They challenged each other so much and I just LOVE those kinds of stories.
Thanks so much to Delacorte Press for sending me an ARC :)
The found family aspect in this book was SUPERB! Some of the best I’ve ever read. This little group of curse-breaking queers had it ALLLLLLL! Delilah being all cute and caring, leading the show to pass her final exam. Briar being the prickly little love interest. Kieran (omg KIERAN!) being the sweetest little innocent sweet to ever sweet. And Ash being the hero we all wanted so bad for Kieran and he came through :) I LOVE THIS CAST SO MUCH! They’re just such a vibe, especially with magic and curses constantly in the backdrop. This one is up there for one of my favorite cast of characters this year!
THE BANTER! This one had me witch cackling and werewolf howling nearly the entire time I was reading this. I absolutely love Cottingham’s writing style and the way she had these characters engaging with one another. The mesh of personalities (which, were all very different and set each character apart) made for some of the best interactions, which made reading this constant fun, never hitting a lull. Cottingham does a wonderful job of drawing readers in and then KEEPING us there.
The connection between Delilah and Briar is seriously so top notch. They were so wiry with each other at first which, as stated above, produced some grade-A banter. This never stopped even when they started liking each other a little. They were always packing the sass and had something at the ready at all times! It made this relationship feel so authentic and real that you can’t help but HOPE these two are destined for a love of the ages! The relationship was just so dimensional. Caring, goofy, sassy, moody, real. They challenged each other so much and I just LOVE those kinds of stories.
Thanks so much to Delacorte Press for sending me an ARC :)
August 31, 2024
If you’re looking for a cozy adventure YA sapphic fantasy then this one would be for you!
Comes with loveable characters, found family trope and interesting storyline, this book really captivate me from the beginning until the end.
A well-written stories about witches, curses, love, acceptance and friendship.
I really like the parts where we got to know each character’s background story, who they are before joining Kieran and his mission to break his family’s curse.
Overall, a really good heart-warming story that comes with a satisfying ending.
This will be the perfect read for the upcoming autumn/Halloween season!!
I’ll keep an eye out for more books by this author in the future!
Thank you to TBR and Beyond Tour, Netgalley, author and publisher for giving me an e-ARC of the book and for having me on this book tour. I’m leaving this review voluntarily!
⚠️ 𝐓𝐖: brief mention of child abuse
Comes with loveable characters, found family trope and interesting storyline, this book really captivate me from the beginning until the end.
A well-written stories about witches, curses, love, acceptance and friendship.
I really like the parts where we got to know each character’s background story, who they are before joining Kieran and his mission to break his family’s curse.
Overall, a really good heart-warming story that comes with a satisfying ending.
This will be the perfect read for the upcoming autumn/Halloween season!!
I’ll keep an eye out for more books by this author in the future!
Thank you to TBR and Beyond Tour, Netgalley, author and publisher for giving me an e-ARC of the book and for having me on this book tour. I’m leaving this review voluntarily!
⚠️ 𝐓𝐖: brief mention of child abuse
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