Publishers Weekly
(Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)
On Halloween night, three best friends brew a love potion and set off to find their true loves in intertwining romantic romps from collaborators Chokshi (the Gilded Wolves series), Menon (the Rosetta Academy series), and Skye (the Crown’s Game series). Local lore states that once every hundred years, the Lady of Moon Ridge casts an aura upon the town, ensuring any romantic entanglements forged that night will last forever. Onny Diamante believes it’s the perfect night to brew her grandmother’s love potion for her and her two best friends, Ash Lee and True Tandon. Onny hopes that it, along with the Lady’s magic, will unite her with her crush, Alexander; shy and soft-spoken Ash prays the elixir will give him the courage to make a move on Cassidy; and though True claims she’s not interested in love, citing a recent breakup, it seems that fate has other plans. Brimming with autumnal coziness and fanciful frolics, each story employs a beloved romance trope that will satisfy and delight. Chokshi, Menon, and Skye imbue their respective stories with their own cultural expertise, crafting distinct tales populated by amiable casts. Onny is Filipinx American; Ash is Chinese American; and True is of Indian and German heritage. Ages 12–up. Agent: Thao Le, Sandra Dijkstra Literary. (Aug.)
ALA Booklist
(Fri Sep 16 00:00:00 CDT 2022)
This fantasy romance is powered by three stellar authors okshi, Sandhya Menon, and Evelyn Skye o deliver a tale full of magic and whimsy. The book is set during the Halloween season in Moon Ridge, a town with a mysterious legend tied to the holiday. This legend tells of a young lady who, once a century, haunts the area on Halloween night, granting romantic wishes. Familiar with the local lore, teens Onny, Ash, and True decide to conjure romantic magic for themselves, with a dash of Onny's grandmother's love potion to boot. What follows is a night full of realizations for the trio, each of whom are suffering from their own insecure thoughts and feelings, including lessons on how love, though wonderful, can't solve all of their problems. As the story progresses, readers watch the three characters (known as The Coven) grow and learn that it takes much more than magic to discover who is willing to give and receive love. This bewitching Halloween tale plays up the season's sweeter side, making it a cozy pick for fall.