I came for the summer… I didn’t plan on staying for him.
Lictoria has done it again… and this might be my most favorite art piece I’ve ever commissioned.
📖 Sunscreen and Spellbooks by Fleur DeVillany
🦭 Sea lion shifter x witch
🐚 Reverse grumpy sunshine
🌊 Rescues her meet cute
🏖️ Small beach town
🧴”You missed a spot”
Catherine Prescott doesn’t believe in magic. Not anymore. Once a prodigy witch, now a burnt-out marketing exec, she’s traded spells for spreadsheets—until a sudden layoff leaves her with nothing but severance pay and an invitation to housesit her aunt’s beach cottage in Crescent Cove.
Her summer plans? Sunscreen, solitude, and maybe a little self-discovery. That is until she’s rescued from the ocean by a six foot tall surfer who insists she needs to learn to control her magic.
As someone who has always been fascinated by stories blending magic and everyday life, 'Sunscreen and Spellbooks' truly resonates with me. The setting of Crescent Cove, with its quaint beach town atmosphere, adds a peaceful yet mysterious backdrop where magic feels both hidden and alive. Catherine's journey from skepticism to embracing her magical heritage feels authentic, reflecting how many of us struggle with our past passions amidst adult responsibilities. The dynamic between Catherine and the sea lion shifter is refreshingly unique. The concept of a sea lion shifter as a protector who pulls her from danger adds a captivating twist to the usual 'meet cute' scenario. I especially enjoyed the 'reverse grumpy sunshine' trope, where the characters' opposing personalities create a compelling tension filled with warmth and unexpected humor. Also noteworthy is the subtle theme of self-discovery woven through Catherine's summer plans. From her initial intent to enjoy solitude and sunscreen, she ends up embarking on a deeper journey of acceptance and growth. This mirrors real-life experiences when circumstances lead us to rediscover parts of ourselves we had set aside. Lastly, the artwork by Lictoria, praised by the author, complements the story beautifully, making the magical elements visually vivid and engaging. For readers who enjoy stories about witches, unique shifters, and heartfelt transformations set by the sea, this tale is a wonderful escape blending fantasy with relatable human emotions.