Synopsis
Elspeth Moonflower would love to use magic — if only she could. Thanks to a curse her grandmother cast, every witch in the Moonflower family must marry before they can wield a single spell. Until then? Zero magic, endless frustration, and a lifetime of her mother calling her a magicless spinster.
Her life changes when the family’s traveling apothecary cart breaks down in the quaint village of Thistlegrove. While her sister falls for a handsome warlock, Elspeth finds herself stuck dealing with his best friend: Draven Darkstone. Broody. Arrogant. Irritatingly handsome.
Their mutual disdain is palpable… until glowering turns to lingering looks. Until banter turns to kisses. And until Elspeth realizes that maybe, just maybe, the warlock she thought she hated might be the one who could change everything.
Add in a grumpy sentient cottage, an anxious miniature dragon, and all the cozy cottagecore vibes, and you have a romance where the line between love and hate is paper-thin — and full of magic.
Detailed Review
Tee Harlowe’s Potions & Prejudice is pure comfort-read gold — the kind of book you curl up with alongside a steaming mug of tea and a blanket, ready to escape into a world that’s equal parts whimsical and swoony.
Elspeth is instantly relatable: smart, stubborn, and navigating the frustration of a life limited by someone else’s bad decisions (thanks, Grandma). The “marry before magic” curse creates a clever twist on the standard witch trope, turning Elspeth’s independence into both her greatest strength and her biggest obstacle.
Then there’s Draven. Broody and snarky in equal measure, he starts off as the classic grumpy foil — only for layers of vulnerability and quiet devotion to peel away as the story unfolds. Their banter is sharp, their chemistry undeniable, and Harlowe milks the “enemies-to-lovers” tension for every delicious moment.
What really sets Potions & Prejudice apart is how it blends cozy fantasy elements with romance that actually delivers on emotional payoff. The sentient cottage isn’t just a cute gimmick — it’s a personality in its own right. The miniature dragon? Adorable and anxiety-prone, making for both comedic moments and unexpected heart.
For fans of Legends & Lattes, Bridgerton, and The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, this is the perfect middle ground between warm, low-stakes fantasy and a romance that still gives you butterflies.
About the Author
Tee Harlowe is a fantasy romance author known for cozy settings, witty banter, and heartwarming romances with just the right amount of spice. Her work blends cottagecore aesthetics with vibrant characters, creating worlds you’ll want to move into immediately.
Books Similar to This One
- Legends & Lattes – Travis Baldree
- The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches – Sangu Mandanna
- Half a Soul – Olivia Atwater
- A Lady’s Guide to Fortune-Hunting – Sophie Irwin
Spice Rating
🌶️🌶️ 2/5 – Sweet heat with a few swoony, blush-worthy moments.
Why You Should Get a Copy
Because it’s not just romance — it’s romance wrapped in cozy, magical charm. The worldbuilding is inviting, the romance is addictive, and the cottagecore aesthetic makes it the perfect comfort read. Whether you’re here for the sentient cottage, the tiny dragon, or the banter that turns into something much more, Potions & Prejudice is an utter delight.
💖 Support my reviews and keep them coming:
❤️Which Thistlegrove Romance Vibe Are You?
How it works:
- Answer all questions.
- Keep count of how many A, B, C, and D you choose.
- Your most frequent letter = your result. (If tied, see the tiebreaker at the end.)
Questions
1) Your ideal cozy-fantasy date looks like…
A) Trading barbs over tea that turns into a kiss neither of you planned.
B) Silent stroll through moonlit woods, hands brushing, tension simmering.
C) Baking hand pies while rearranging herb jars in a very opinionated cottage.
D) A sunrise boat ride with your anxious mini-dragon tucked in your cloak.
2) Your love language (small-town fantasy edition):
A) Verbal sparring → confession → finally admitting the feelings.
B) Acts of protection no one else even notices.
C) Making a home together—mending, tending, nesting.
D) Loyal companionship through storms, panic, and plot twists.
3) The curse you’d most want to break:
A) “No magic until marriage.” Watch me loophole this.
B) “Never show emotion.” Kidding. I’ll show you—quietly.
C) “Stay put.” Not when found family needs me.
D) “Fear wins.” Not today. Deep breaths, deeper courage.
4) Choose your beverage while reading Potions & Prejudice:
A) Spiced chai with a smug sip after every good comeback.
B) Black tea, strong enough to glare back.
C) Lavender honey tea from the cottage’s favorite mug.
D) Cocoa, extra marshmallows, dragon-approved.
5) Your argument style is…
A) Sarcasm → honesty → make-out.
B) One piercing sentence that says everything.
C) “We’re talking this out after a snack.”
D) “I’m nervous, but I’m brave enough to stay.”
6) Favorite romance trope (be honest 😏):
A) Enemies to lovers (banter is foreplay).
B) Grumpy x sunshine (hello, Draven).
C) Found family + cozy magic.
D) Slow-burn courage (anxious but all in).
7) A sentient cottage just locked its door at you. You…
A) Quip, negotiate, and win it over with wit.
B) Fix the hinge, leave firewood, earn its respect.
C) Compliment its window boxes and brew it tea.
D) Apologize profusely and offer biscuits.
8) Your “oh no, I like them” moment:
A) When they finally shut you up with a kiss.
B) When they stepped between you and trouble—wordless, certain.
C) When they stocked your favorite tea without asking.
D) When they stayed during your spiral and didn’t flinch.
9) Weekend in Thistlegrove =
A) Market banter, accidental hand brush, sparks.
B) Repairing fences side by side, sleeves rolled, smolder engaged.
C) Cottage makeover + herb garden planting montage.
D) Map-making for safe flight paths (for you and your dragon).
10) If you could cast one spell today:
A) Reveal-truths (because we’re done pretending).
B) Shield (so they never get hurt).
C) Hearth (warmth, welcome, home).
D) Calm (heart steady, courage louder).
Results
Mostly A — The Enemies‑to‑Lovers Spark (Elspeth energy)
You thrive on quick wit, slow surrender, and that delicious moment when rivalry turns to real talk. Expect bickering → chemistry → boom. Thistlegrove doesn’t stand a chance against your banter.
Mostly B — The Grumpy‑x‑Sunshine Glow (Draven energy)
You want the steady, protective type who loves in quiet, unwavering ways. Steel on the outside, soft for you. When safety feels like a love letter, that’s your trope.
Mostly C — The Cottagecore Heart (Found Family first)
Your romance blooms where the kettle hums and windows fog. Home-making is your magic—tea, tidy shelves, and a door that knows your name. Love = choosing each other every ordinary day.
Mostly D — The Dragon‑Brave Devotion (Soft but Stalwart)
Anxious? Sometimes. Courageous? Always. You’re irresistible to partners who see your bravery in the shaking and stay through every storm. Slow-burn, high-trust, forever kind.
Tiebreaker:
- If tied A/B → Grumpy x Sunshine with Enemies-to-Lovers origins (aka the Elspeth/Draven special).
- If tied C/D → Found-Family Slow Burn (home first, forever next).
- If tied across three+ letters → You’re a Thistlegrove Sampler. Start with Potions & Prejudice, then chase any cozy fantasy rec I drop next.
- Drop your result in the comments and tag a friend who needs a cozy-fantasy match. I’ll reply with a personalized trope rec! ✨
Reading Caffeinated 