After accidentally cursing his ex-boyfriend, a reluctant hero must complete a dangerous quest to undo his spell . . . all while falling for a...

After accidentally cursing his ex-boyfriend, a reluctant hero must complete a dangerous quest to undo his spell . . . all while falling for a brooding new crewmate with dark secrets.

Kieran has never had much luck in love or magic. Other than being freed from a family curse that would have killed him and doomed his twin sister, life isn't going his way.

So, after getting put on notice by his boyfriend and accidentally writing a poem so bad (and magically hazardous) that it makes him invisible to the guy, of course Kieran returns home to find the Witches Council sitting in his living room, demanding he complete his magical training. Panicked, he blurts out that his Calling--a kind of magical thesis--will be to find a magical cure-all that can break any curse . . . an enormous task that he absolutely doesn't have the power to pull off.

Nevertheless, Kieran sets off on this dangerous journey, accompanied by his sister Briar, her girlfriend Delilah, and a swoony new crewmate, Sebastian. If he survives, he may just learn how to turn his luck around and figure out what kind of witch, person, and boyfriend he wants to be.

Author: Kayla Cottingham
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Published: 09/23/2025
Pages: 416
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.05lbs
Size: 8.40h x 5.70w x 1.60d
ISBN: 9780593814017
Audience: Young Adult


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 07/15/2025
School Library Journal 08/08/2025 pg. 1

About the Author
Kayla Cottingham (they/she) is a former teen librarian and New York Times bestselling author of sapphic horror and fantasy novels, including Practical Rules for Cursed Witches. Originally from Salt Lake City, Utah, Kayla lives in Boston, where they love to go hiking in the woods, play RPGs, and snuggle on the couch with their ridiculously large black cat, Squid.