A Curse for Christmas Past: A Novel by Morgan Lockhart

Tracy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Elk Ridge #2

Release Date: September 22, 2026

Hayleigh Gray is cursed and she is positive she knows who is responsible – Rowan Midwinter, an Elk Ridge witch that ruined her company’s plans to develop the small town into a resort town last Christmas. She has lost a lot; first her job, then she dumped her fiancé, her bank approved a transfer that wiped out what little money she had, even her hair appointments were disrupted, but when her beloved horse’s life is in danger and she starts being stalked by a crone, she has no choice but to confront the bane of her existence. Her parents will help her, but only if she caves to their demands. So, to avoid that fate, she makes her way to Elk Ridge to demand that Rowan reverse the curse, but as her luck would have it, Rowan is not there, but her brother Stephan Midwinter is and he swears that his sister would not curse her and there is no way the coven would approve of it. He offers to help her figure out who cursed her and with the way her luck is going, she can use all the help she can get, especially since her time is running out.

Stephan Midwinter is a witch with an affinity to animals, and while he was not happy with Hayleigh’s actions last Christmas, he can see she is suffering and his kind heart cannot let her go off alone when it is clear that she needs help. Together they figure out who is behind the curse and set out to find them. But when they get there, the curse maker says she cannot lift the curse. They return to their rented accommodations, planning to leave the next day, but they get snowed in, and their relationship takes a turn. He hopes she will stay with him, but Stephan knows that Hayleigh is holding something back from him and when she tells him she is going to return to her parent’s home, he is sure that he is the problem. Will they get a Christmas miracle or is their budding relationship doomed to be cursed?

I almost didn’t request this book because the last book was a bit to “Hallmark Christmas Movie” for me, I have nothing against Hallmark love stories, but they are formulaic and a little cheesy, fine for two hours vegging on the couch, but not what I want in a book. However, I am a firm believer of not every book is a fit for everyone, and it is best to read at least two books by an author before writing them off and I am so glad I decided to stick to that conviction – because I loved this book! Hayleigh and Stephan have that rare on-page chemistry that I hope for in every romance. Yes, Hayleigh starts out snobby and entitled, but she grows and changes into a person worthy of a man like Stephan. Stephan is sigh-worthy for lack of a better term, he is everything I love in a hero, he is smart, kind, not afraid of a strong woman, willing to move out of his comfort zone, loves animals and is yummy to boot! This book has great secondary characters, magic, friendship, healing, personal growth, warm love scenes, forgiveness and finally redemption with a happy ending. Overall, I found this book much more satisfying than the first book and a book that I would definitely recommend to cozy fantasy readers who like a bit of spice in their romances. This is the second book in the series, but even with close ties to the first book, I believe it can be read as a standalone with no problems.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for a DRC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *