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A Spell for Heartsickness: A Cozy Romantasy (The Rune Tithe, 1)

Alistair Reeves

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In this charming MM romantic fantasy, cursed witch Briar Wyngrave has a date with destiny—but isn’t totally sure which man that date is with.

Witch Briar Wyngrave’s time is limited. The wasting curse that killed his mother is coming for him too, consuming his magic bit by bit. At least he’ll have the chance to make his name as a magical fashion designer with an elite placement in Pentawynn, the country’s glittering capital, after graduation. Until, that is, a prophecy sends him to the remote island of Coill Darragh instead, in search of a predestined lover with a mysterious mask.

When Briar arrives with his grumpy magpie familiar, Vatii, he finds an unwelcoming town, a murdered poltergeist named Gretchen in his apartment, and a handsome alderman named Rowan with a haunting scar. He also gets pulled into the mysterious magic of the darkly enchanted forest that surrounds the town and seems to have something to do with his curse . . . As if all that weren’t enough, famous witch Linden Fairchild has come to town, complete with a charismatic smile, an unreadable aura, and a surefire plan to cure curses.

How’s a cursed witch to know which enchanting man is his destiny? And can Briar possibly make an impact as a magical fashion designer in this tiny town? One thing is certain: a witch’s magic requires a tithe—a berry, a feather, a cut into flesh—and Coill Darragh may take tithes Briar isn’t ready to give . . .

“Reeves’s remarkably assured debut delivers a queer, witchy romp with deep feelings.” —Publishers Weekly

“As comfy and satisfying as ‘the taste of hot stew on a rainy night.’” —Kirkus Reviews

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“A Spell for Heartsickness” by Alistair Reeves is an MM cozy romantasy that completely swept me away with its perfect blend of cozy vibes and high stakes.

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Queer as Books\ \ José\ \ • Nov 21 2024

“A Spell for Heartsickness” by Alistair Reeves: Review

“A Spell for Heartsickness” by Alistair Reeves completely swept me away with its perfect blend of cozy vibes and high stakes. From the moment Briar Wyngrave, the cursed witch, set foot on Coill Darragh’s shores, I was hooked. The portrayal of his disability as a curse that’s eating away at his magic and health was brilliant, offering a poignant representation of living with a debilitating illness. The way it was handled with such care and respect made me feel deeply connected to his struggles. Even though the stakes were high, the atmosphere of the small town, with its mysteries and magical quirks, felt surprisingly cozy and immersive.

The central mystery surrounding Briar’s curse, the enchanted forest, and Rowan’s haunting scar was absolutely fascinating. I found myself constantly speculating about how they were all linked, eager to uncover the truth. Every twist and turn kept me on my toes, and while there were moments where I wasn’t entirely sure how all the puzzle pieces would fit together, the ending tied everything up in the most satisfying and surprising way. The pacing was well-balanced, and despite Briar’s occasionally frustrating decisions (which, let’s be honest, are understandable given his circumstances), I stayed invested in his journey, knowing that everything would eventually make sense.

Rowan and Briar’s relationship was nothing short of magical. Briar’s sass and fiery personality paired beautifully with Rowan’s warm, protective nature—Rowan is the epitome of a teddy bear, and I couldn’t help but fall in love with him. Their dynamic was sweet and touching, with moments of tension and charm that made their bond feel real. Despite Briar testing my patience with some of his choices, I could always see the logic behind them. In the end, “A Spell for Heartsickness” left me with a smile on my face and a sense of wonder at how masterfully everything came together. This is a must-read for anyone who loves romantic fantasy with deep emotional layers.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

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Discotopia | Diverse Books\ \ Disco (he/they)\ \ • Jul 18 2025

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Hi folks,\ \ As it’s Disability Pride Month, and I have a chronic illness and chronic pain, I wanted to share my 3 favourite books with this representation.\ \ What all of these books have in common is, despite being fantasy books, there is no magical cure. People live with their conditions in realistic ways, finding comfort and respite where they can, while still having incredible adventures.\ \ A Spell for Heartsickness by Alistair Reeves\ \ \ \ A queer magical fashion designer with a chronic illness (caused by a curse), is told he must travel to a remote island where he is prophesied to meet his true love. When he gets there, however, he’s torn between two men. Which one is his destiny?\ \ I loved this book so much, and really related to the MCs determination. Occasionally he’d burn himself out trying to stay on top of creative projects. However, over the course of the book, he learns to accept help, and makes some brilliant friendships. It’s a gorgeous, emotional story.\ \ Cursed Cocktails by S.L. Rowland\ \ \ \ A queer retired blood mage with chronic pain moves to the seaside and opens a cocktail bar with a local (very handsome) bartender. Just one problem though, their building seems to be cursed…\ \ This is such a sweet cosy fantasy MM romance.\ \ Reclaimed by Seth Haddon\ \ \ \ This is another fantasy with an MM romance, about a trans man who is accused of a heinous crime, and the investigator who doesn’t believe he’s guilty. The investigator uses a cane and has chronic leg pain, and I also appreciated the plus size rep. The trans character is also fascinating, he is uncomfortable in his body and striving to change it through magical/alchemical means. I typically read a lot of cosy trans books with minimal dysphoria, as it can be very hard to read, but I stuck with this one and I’m glad I did. I felt the journey he went on was very raw and real and sensitively told.\ \ That’s all for now folks! Be excellent to yourselves.\ \ Disco xx\ \ Join for free or login

Diverse Discoveries: Fantasy books with chronic illness and chronic pain rep

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Discotopia | Diverse Books\ \ Disco (he/they)\ \ • Mar 11 2025

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Queer Books about witches and wizards!

🏳️‍🌈 Books about witches and wizards! Books listed: A Spell for Heartsickness by Alastair Reeves Debate and Decadence by Sula Sullivan Lord of Eternal Night by Ben Alderson Initiation by Alethea Faust Witch, Cat and Cobb by J.K. Pendragon #booktok #abracadabra #fantasy #fantasybooktok #diversebooks

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Discotopia | Diverse Books\ \ Disco (he/they)\ \ • Mar 11 2025

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\ \ Upgrade for $5 or login](https://queerasbooks.binderybooks.com/item/P47QdfofhXasRHdc8YXX/)

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1 book

Queer as Books\ \ José\ \ • Nov 21 2024

“A Spell for Heartsickness” by Alistair Reeves: Review

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

1 book