Back in a Spell

Nineve Blackmoore, called Nina, belongs to one of the most powerful witch families in town, yet she is sensible and practical by Blackmoore standards, whatever her fondness for pretty, expensive things. A year after her fiancée all but left her at the altar, she is tired of feeling low and signs up for a dating app at her best friend's urging.

The first date is with Morty Gutierrez, who is nonbinary, spontaneous and a little offbeat, and who co-owns the Shamrock Cauldron with family. It goes badly, in the ordinary awkward way of online dates. It gets worse when Morty learns her surname: the Blackmoores have been pushing hard to buy the Shamrock out from under Morty's family.

Then Morty starts developing magical powers. That normally happens only to committed romantic partners who officially join a founding family. At the same moment, Nina's own magic surges past her control.

Nina has three jobs at once: guide Morty through a sudden introduction to the hidden magical world, work out what is causing all this, and deal with how strongly she is drawn to Morty. The trouble is that her attraction may be tied to the surge itself, and she finds that power almost as addictive as having Morty around.

This is a romantic comedy with a witchy setting, an enemies-to-lovers friction over the business dispute, and a light, playful tone.