Spellfire is a lovely little novel about a budding relationship, following Bryn; a witch who is trying to find her way in life. She makes a last-minute, unexpected trip to her old school, where her high school crush, Amelia, has recently become the Headmistress. The story follows Bryn as she discovers more about who she is and learns to better navigate relationships as an adult.

I was instantly captivated by Bryn’s struggles and the magic woven throughout the text. She is a relatable main character, making it easy to understand her motivations even when you knew they would have negative consequences. My favorite thing about this book is the way the LGBTQ+ community is represented. Bryn is incredibly unsure about many things in her life, but her sexuality is never one of them. It’s one of the things she has complete confidence in and where she really shines. I appreciate that this book not only expects acceptance, but demands it too.

I also really enjoyed every character. Each was unique and brought something different to the story, making everyone feel necessary. Unfortunately, the place where this book struggles most is its depth. We are told many times that characters are experiencing a monumental/deep moment, but we never actually witness them take place. As a result, the romance felt stuck at surface level attraction. I know nothing about the love interest, but was expected to believe that this relationship was end game.

Overall, I am glad I read the book and met these characters, but I wish we could have gotten more from character interactions. I am excited to see Willow’s future work, especially if it fits the same cozy vibe!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.