A bookish witch struggling to tame her magic. A single father fighting to keep his business afloat. They say opposites attract, but there have never been two more opposite people than Stone Schneider and me. Stone, the brawny owner of the Chancellor Brewery and Biergarten, is my definition of nemesis. His noisy pub is a constant source of irritation. Where my bookshop brings beauty and stories to the world, Stone brings a Friday-night cover band.

Even though Stone has the most adorable, bookish child on the planet, that handsome tapster and I cannot find a way to get along. If Stone could stop being annoying for five seconds, I might ask him out. But when Stone breaks yet another business agreement between us—just in time for the holiday season—all bets are off.

Despite my coven’s warnings, it seems like just a little book magic would do the trick to bend things my way. But in Chancellor, magic has a mind of its own, and Lady Winter will have her way this Christmas season.

The novellas in this series never disappoint, and this fifth installment was no exception! I’ve loved every one of these magical, cozy stories, and this one was perfect for Christmastime—festive, heartwarming, and full of holiday spirit. Returning to Chancellor during the winter season felt like stepping into a snow globe, and I absolutely adored the holiday atmosphere.

I loved getting to know Paige and Stone. While enemies-to-lovers isn’t always my favorite trope, when it’s done well, it can be so entertaining—and that was definitely the case here. Their romance was equal parts charming and fun, filled with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments and heartfelt interactions. Stone, being a single dad, added such a sweet dynamic, and I especially loved watching Paige bond with his son over their shared love of books. If you’re a book lover, this story will be a treat—Paige owns a bookstore and is an aspiring author, and there are plenty of delightful bookish moments woven throughout.

The family relationships in this story were another highlight for me. The bond between Paige and her grandmother, as well as Stone’s relationship with his son, added so much warmth and depth. It truly felt like a magical, cozy hug of a book.

I know this is the final installment in this lovely series, but I really hope the author returns to Chancellor for more stories in the future. Highly recommend this one—especially for a cozy holiday read!