October is definitely my favorite month. It’s finally fall, or The Best Season here in New England. The leaves are currently putting on their colorful show—one so revered that our small towns can sometimes be overrun with tourists from all over the globe. These two weeks are the one time of year here in Woodstock that you can hear languages from around the world being spoken as you wind your way through the crowds on the sidewalks, and it is absolutely energizing to have this much life in our village.
So as the air grows crisp, leaves change, and the crowds of foliage enthusiasts arrive in town, everyone is in search of cozy fall vibes. While you’re curling up with your warm drink and enjoying nature’s fireworks display, there’s a new romance that I believe will be just the right companion to help set the mood: The Cottage Around the Corner by D.L. Soria.
This new forbidden romance is what I’ve been telling people is the witchy version of every bookstore lovers’ favorite rom-com: You’ve Got Mail. Only this time instead of indie vs. chain bookstore owners battling it out in New York City, you’ve got a family of witches trying to keep their local spellshop afloat in spite of the flashy and powerful mages who have come to town. Of course, the feisty young witch Charlie Sparrow is trying hard not to fall for the handsome mage who is definitely her nemesis—no matter how kind or thoughtful or seemingly perfect he might be. But when push comes to shove and the town starts falling prey to a string of supernatural plagues, the witches and mages just might have to find a way to work together in order to save it. Can Charlie figure out a way to keep her family’s store afloat and follow her heart at the same time? You’ll have to read it to find out.
Featuring everything from farmers markets and small businesses to local politics and selectboard meetings, this sweet story packs all the charm of living in a small town alongside the fall vibes and cozy romance. While the story might be set in the fictional location of Owl’s Hollow, this one felt like it could have been happening right here in the Upper Valley. Especially if you believe in magic.
Kari Meutsch and Kristian Preylowski co-own and run the Yankee Bookshop in Woodstock.