Title: A Spell of Heart & Havoc
Author: Kristen Vale
Publication Date: September 15, 2026
Genres: Romantasy
Protagonist Gender: Female
This was a solid read that combines cozy fantasy, a heist, and a sapphic romance with a fun bodyguard setup. Mae and Dove make an entertaining odd couple, and I enjoyed seeing two women from such different backgrounds forced to reconsider their assumptions about each other. The enemies-to-lovers phase did drag on a little longer than I would have liked, though, and I struggled to warm up to Mae in the beginning. Dove, on the other hand, won me over almost immediately.
Dove’s journey toward independence was one of my favorite aspects of the story, particularly as she began questioning her upbringing and recognizing the world beyond her privileged bubble. Mae’s motivations also added some emotional weight to the plot, even if I would have liked a little more insight into her character. The romance was enjoyable, but I wanted more time for their feelings to develop naturally and for their connection to deepen.
And then there’s Petra. In hindsight, perhaps I should have been more suspicious, but I genuinely enjoyed her friendship with Dove and wanted to believe in it, which made the eventual revelation all the more disappointing. Despite that frustration, I had a thoroughly enjoyable time with this charming fantasy romance. A little more emotional development, a smoother romantic progression, and a few more surprises that felt properly earned could have made it even better, but the magic, atmosphere, and sapphic charm were enough to leave me satisfied overall.
Rating: ♀ ♀ ♀ 1/2
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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