The Mechanics of Broomstick Racing

Pumpkin Hollow

by Vermilion H. Baine

Air witch Zephyr McAllister is the world’s greatest broomstick racer.

Well, she was, until a crash left her unsure of herself and bearing scars she won’t let anyone see. Now she’s retired early with an entire lifetime ahead of her. And with the realization that her dream career and ex-fiancé have left her behind.

The once overconfident racer has returned to her hometown of Pumpkin Hollow, where she only uses her flying broomstick to deliver the mail. She falls into a lull until the local mechanic, Neil Finnegan, a Storm witch from her past, sparks a rivalry between them.

Though her racing days are behind her, Zephyr can’t keep her competitive nature down. She knows she can make the stoic Neil drop his guard, but is she ready to drop her own? When fighting doesn’t faze him, and she turns to flirting, Neil might prove a challenge her bruised heart isn’t ready for.

A standalone novella full of magic and sweet and spicy romance that will have you racing to the finish. Part of the multi-author standalone series, Pumpkin Hollow.

Genres: Sports

174 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 8, 2026

About the author

Vermilion H Baine is an indie fantasy author based in the American Southwest. After a tour as a nuclear electrician’s mate in the US Navy, she now works as a field service engineer in the semi-conductor industry. She writes fantasy, low and high, and tries to sprinkle in humor between the extreme bouts of angst. If she isn’t hyper-focusing on writing, she is hiking, reading, or replaying Morrowind. She lives with two very codependent rescue dogs, her grumpy, can-fix-anything husband, and her Viking-sized son.

The Fey Hotel is her debut novel and the first book in the Haunted Creatures, Haunted Places standalone series.

Reviews

[Bri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly, thank you to Vermilion for an arc copy of this!

Let me start by saying I don’t always read cute novellas, but I really liked this one! Vermilion created such a compelling and impactful story in such a small amount of pages. I love that we get a fully bodied story within a novella format. To me, they way this was written felt like I was reading a full length novel which is what I love in novellas, when we have the start and finish and we still get moments besides what’s important to the plot.

We follow air witch Zephyr (who was a well known racer before a terrible crash that leaves her with uncertainty in herself and with some memory loss) and storm witch Neil (who is a mechanic in Zephyr’s hometown and may or may not have had a crush on her in high school). Zephyr Has returned to Pumpkin Hollow and taken a job as a mail carrier where each morning she races her mail route for the fastest time…. Until she throws a package at Neil on her route and it hits him, then the following day she actually hits him directly while flying the route.

And if you’re looking for the perfect witch familiar, then Dale will be that for you. I loved that little guy so much and he deserves all the sunflower seeds for his role in this.

TMOBR is a cute witchy read that’s perfect to get you into a fall mood!

What you can expect:
🍁 small witchy town
💌 they grew up together
🍁 she can’t remember him, he can’t forget her
💌 air witch FMC x storm witch MMC
🍁 broomstick racer x mechanic
💌 second chances
🍁 losing control of magic with feelings
💌 reckless x cautious
🍁 he’s there to pick up the pieces

[Rae Quigley · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️!

This was such a good time. Super cozy, perfect for the switch from summer to fall.

I love when a girl isn’t afraid to be a diva, lol. Zephyr is full of herself, and lowkey as she should be. I love women in male dominated fields LOL. I really related to her - moving away from home (and lowkey being kind of smug about it) just for something to happen and then internalizing that as failure - especially when you have to turn around and go right back to where you came from. That hit hard. I loved her character arc through this, and I love that Neil really saw her.

That twist at the end though… 👀 All I’m gonna say is, what a POS lol.

Thank you so much to the author for providing me with an early copy - and I cannot wait to read the rest of the Pumpkon Hollow novellas!

[Helen Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Advanced Reader Copy from the author ~

What an uplifting romance!

So quirky and cute, I love these characters and can’t wait to dive headfirst further into Pumpkin Hollow and all of its characters.
Neil is the most beautiful leading man who quite literally fixes our eccentric Zephyr. Piecing her back together until she can find herself again and fall (quite literally) in love with him.
Zephyr proves that neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of the night, love will fight its way through.

I loved this book.
Five broomsticks for me

[Silver.⋆｡⋆☂˚｡⋆｡˚☽˚｡⋆. · Rating 4 out of 5]

“She wasn’t afraid to fall when she knew whose arms she was falling into.”

౨ৎ ˖ ࣪⊹ •🍓•⊹₊ ⋆୨ৎ

Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC copy to review! /ᐠ. ｡.ᐟ\ᵐᵉᵒʷˎˊ˗

Bless Neil. That man has the patience of a fucking saint. Zephyr teases him every chance she gets, but he not so secretly loves it. It makes for some top tier banter. That might be my favorite part of the book. Or it could be how he supports her and helps her heal in her own time. Or just the way he loves her in general. Yeah, it’s definitely the way he loves her.

When Zephyr returns to Pumpkin Hollow, she’s a very different person than when she left. A lot has happened, not just in her personal life, but with her career. Her accident leaves her with a fear of falling, but it’s a fear she has to conquer on her own. Even if Neil does want to help, and he does. He’d do anything for her, but this isn’t something he can fix. He can fix her porch, though. The tinker in him cannot be caged, even in the middle of the night.

Zephyr has no desire to make new connections when she returns home, but life doesn’t work that way. Slowly, and definitely not quietly, she finds people who care for her outside of what she can do as a racer. People who will support her as she finds herself again. But the remnants of her racing career aren’t as far away as she thinks they are when it shows up on her doorstep. That’s okay, though, because she has Neil and her new found family in Pumpkin Hollow. And Dale. We cannot forget Dale! Her little cardinal familiar who will do anything for her, even fly through a storm.

The spice is spicy, and Neil is the kind of lover who wants her to come first. The kind to talk her through it. God, we love Neil in this house.

If you’re looking for small town and a lot of banter that will have you smiling and giggling, this is the book for you. It’s got friends to lovers, a cute bird familiar, a found family, two sassy witches who adore each other and all the cozy vibes you can get.

[Amber Baxter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much Vermilion H. Baine for the opportunity to read this story as an ARC!

This story is SO CUTE! I LOVED it! It’s the perfect little novella to get you ready for spooky season! It’s a cute and cozy fall witchy story!

The story was so well done. Zephyr was done with racing. When a terrible crash occurred after her last race, she left broomstick racing altogether and moved back to her old town of Pumpkin Hollow, taking up a job as the mail carrier. The only enjoyment she had with her job was improving her mail delivery time by flying through town as fast as she could on her broom. However, an old grumpy classmate Neil, didn’t appreciate Zephyr speeding through town to deliver mail. He made sure that she slowed down. As they kept running into each other, they started to feel something for each other. With Neil’s niece wanting to compete in the town’s own Broomstick race, can Zephyr get over her new found fear of heights to help her?

For a novella, the ending really hit hard! This story really showed an athlete trying to cope with a traumatic experience and trying to overcome it! There was a twist in the end I was NOT expecting and it just made the whole book for me! Her relationship with Neil was hilarious! I loved the banter and how quick witted Zephyr was! I adore this town and these characters so much! If you enjoyed the movie Cars and love witches, this story is for you! I highly recommend this as a cozy fall read!

This book is apart of a larger series set in the town of Pumpkin Hollow! All of the books in this series are standalones, written by different authors! You can follow the campaign on Kickstarter!

The Mechanics of Broomstick Racing releases September 8th!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

[Nikki Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️
Thank you to the author for an advanced copy of this book. It’s such a cute and cozy novella with a little bit of spice!

Zephyr is the FMC. She is an air witch and broomstick races for a living! She had an accident and now she’s back in the town of Pumpkin Hollow working for the post office. She has a cardinal familiar named Dale and he’s such a sour patch, I love it!

Neil is the MMC. He is a storm witch and a mechanic. He can change the weather around him depending on his emotions. I really enjoyed his character. He has a rough exterior, but he’s a softy when it comes to Zephyr.

I really enjoyed their characters. They were funny, quirky and their banter was perfect.
If you’re looking for a quick fall read, this is the perfect book for you!

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review of The Mechanics of Broomstick Racing by Vermilion H. Baine:

"The dark. It’s mine, and still, I’ll rise."

Zephyr is a broomstick racer who never loses. After a near death crash, she steps away from the spotlight and returns to a sleepy little town where she grew up. There she works in a post office delivering mail on broomstick. One day on her route, she crashes into her old potions class partner. Will sparks fly? Will she really give up racing for good? Will home be just a place to hide, or a future?

“It doesn’t matter why you get an opportunity. Not for people like us. You start from nothing, you take everything.”

This is a very fun, fast book that is full of humor, characters that you'll love and a classic autumnal tale. You can visualize racing through the small town; the smells, the picturesque landscape, the people. The angst between old school friends. The tension as they discover if there could be more. I really enjoyed this cozy story about finding home, finding yourself, and falling in love.

I would like to thank the author and publisher for allowing me to be an early part of this book's journey and for trusting my opinions of it.

[Rebelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a quick read but a great one! Loved the characters and the town, and the plot flowed well. Zephyr and Neil were so cute together and I thought they complemented each other perfectly. All the side characters felt real and complex enough to keep the story going. I would gladly take a full-length novel of this story, but for now I’ll go read the rest of the anthology to stay in Pumpkin Hollow for a little longer!

[ashleyc_hockeymom55 · Rating 4 out of 5]

First and foremost, thank you for this ARC!

This novella follows Zephyr and Neil - our witchy broomstick racer FMC and mechanic MMC. After a career-ending accident, Zephyr wants to slow down and decides to move back to her small hometown. Just like Halloweentown and Stars Hollow, we have eccentric and lovable characters who are up in everyone’s business! It’s absolutely adorable!

My favorite part was the small town vibes and Zephyr’s familiar Dale, a red cardinal. He definitely added a comedic element with all of his mischief!

You should read this book if you ever wanted to move to Stars Hollow or if you want to support an indie author! Vermilion took a detour with this cutesy novella, prepare for more gothic soon!

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, a huge thank you to to the author for the advanced copy!

Reading The Mechanics of Broomstick Racing gave me the same warm, fuzzy feeling I used to get watching Disney Channel Original Movies as a kid and teenager. It felt like being wrapped up in a warm blanket of silly good vibes, ridiculous fun, lovable characters, and third act chaos that raises the stakes but brings everything together with extra marshmallow fluff.

There was something wonderfully nostalgic about the story that didn't ask you to take everything too seriously while still giving you some relatable emotional introspective and wholesome messaging about being brave enough to slow down and actually let yourself live life ― along with a reminder that sometimes moving forward means finally allowing yourself to stay still long enough to heal. AND we get a little warm chai spice sprinkled in. Not enough to overwhelm all that cozy sweetness, but just enough heat to get you feeling a little flushed.

⏱️ 𝐏𝐀𝐂𝐄: 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒊𝒄 𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒆
At just under 200 pages, The Mechanics of Broomstick Racing naturally moves through its narrative fairly quickly, but it has a slice-of-(magical)-life quality that gives it a much more leisurely feel. Rather than rushing from plot point to plot point, we get to spend time experiencing daily life in a magical small town, getting to know its people, and watching Zephyr slowly reconnect with pieces of herself she has spent years running from. The stakes are ultimately deeply personal and emotional, so the story doesn't need world-ending peril to make its quieter moments matter.
The whole setup also reminded me so much of movies like Sweet Home Alabama and Hannah Montana: The Movie: the hot-shot person returns to their small hometown, only to rediscover the pieces of themselves that success, ambition, or sheer stubbornness and ego left behind. There is something wonderfully comforting about that kind of story, and this book leans wholeheartedly into it.

The third act does introduce a higher-stakes conflict that brings all of our players together, but it never loses that underlying sweetness. The resolution left me with the same warm, fizzy feeling I used to get watching Disney Channel Original Movies in the late '90s and early 2000s — a little Brink!, a little Double Teamed, a little Motocrossed, with just a dash of Halloweentown for good measure.
Basically, this is a book that moves quickly but does not necessarily feel hurried. It is a cozy little scenic detour through a magical small town, with enough romance, emotional healing, autumnal charm, and eventual excitement to make the journey feel a little bigger than its page count.

☀️𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐋 𝐋𝐎𝐀𝐃: 𝒈𝒐𝒍𝒅𝒆𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒓
This is an incredibly easy read, and Zephyr's story is presented in a way that feels wonderfully accessible and easy to process. It is a quick, low-stress read with an enchanting world that gives you enough detail and world building to spark your imagination and lean into nostalgia.
For such an adorable little novella, I was surprised by how strongly one of those themes resonated with me. Throughout the story, we get glimpses of both the physical and emotional aftermath of Zephyr's struggle to process and face the accident that brings her back to Pumpkin Hollow and forces her to take an indefinite break from broomstick racing. She keeps moving because movement means she doesn't have to stop long enough to actually sit with what happened. Anything is preferable to being still with the parts of herself that hurt.

In high school, one slide tackle from behind effectively ended my dreams of becoming a professional footballer. The majority of the muscles in my left foot tore, and it was a long, frustrating road of recovery before I could even kick a ball without feeling pain ― especially since I did my darndest to ignore the pain for months after because I refused to let that other girl “win” and admit I was hurt. Teenage hotheadedness, am I right? Physically, I had to learn how to use my foot again and trust that I wasn’t going to experience searing pain. Emotionally, I had to figure out who I was when the thing I had spent years working toward was suddenly no longer guaranteed to be part of my future and how I had made matters worse by putting off care for so long.

My spirit was absolutely crushed. It changed my relationship with the sport I loved, and for a while I felt completely lost. I looked for distractions… other interests, other things to focus on, anything that meant I didn't have to sit with the grief of what had happened or ask myself what came next.
So many of Zephyr's internal thoughts brought some of those memories rushing back. Her instinct to keep moving rather than feel, her discomfort with stillness, and the way she has built an entire life around not having to confront what the accident took from her ― what fear it instilled ― felt unexpectedly familiar. There were moments where I found myself recognizing pieces of my younger self in her that I hadn't necessarily realized were still there.

And I think that's what made her eventual journey toward slowing down feel so meaningful to me. This isn't simply a story about a broomstick racer recovering from an accident, but rather delves into what happens when the thing that kept you moving forward is suddenly taken away, and you have to figure out whether you can build a life that isn't defined by running from what happened and how it fits into your life (or doesn’t).

🛋️ 𝐄𝐌𝐎𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐋𝐎𝐀𝐃: 𝒄𝒐𝒛𝒚 𝒃𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒌𝒆𝒕
As I shared with the author in a DM, The Mechanics of Broomstick Racing was basically a bucket of marshmallow fluff. And I mean that as the highest compliment. I found the story to be unapologetically warm and even when we're dealing with heavier themes — grief, trauma, lost dreams, and the fear of what happens when the future you planned for yourself suddenly seemingly disappears — the overall reading experience remains incredibly comforting.

A huge part of that is the banter between Zephyr and Neil, which I absolutely adored. Their back-and-forth has that easy, lived-in quality that made me think of Luke and Lorelai from Gilmore Girls and Melanie and Jake from Sweet Home Alabama ― including all the delicious romantic tension which we get quick payoff with. There is teasing, familiarity, frustration, affection, and that wonderful feeling of two people who know exactly which buttons to push because they've memorized each other's control panel.

“You can’t get stuck if you don’t slow down!”
“That’s not even remotely true!”

And underneath all that banter is something genuinely tender. Neil doesn't try to force Zephyr to become someone else and their relationship becomes part of the reason she starts allowing herself to stay, rather than simply another thing she's trying to outrun.

🌶️ 𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐂𝐄: 𝒃𝒍𝒖𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒍 𝒑𝒆𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒓
I'd put the spice at just shy of two peppers for my personal scale. We get a couple of open-door scenes that are definitely yummy, but they're relatively brief and don't linger on particularly graphic detail. The emphasis is much more on the tension, teasing, and push-pull between Zephyr and Neil than on the mechanics (ay, ay, geddit?) of their physical relationship, which felt fitting for the overall cozy tone of the story.

The romance gets to simmer rather than boil over, with plenty of chemistry and anticipation carrying the heat between those more intimate moments. So if you're looking for something genuinely spicy, this probably won't set your tongue on fire… but it will give a nice warm cup of chai with a little extra cinnamon kind of warmth and tummy flutters.

[Adele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay… I NEED A SECOND BOOK!! 😂🧹✨

This was such a fun, magical, emotional little story, and the writing was fantastic! I absolutely loved the main characters, and I was completely invested in Zephyr and Neil from the beginning.

I especially loved that Zephyr felt safe with Neil almost immediately. Yes, she annoyed the hell out of him at first 😂, but you could tell from the beginning that he already cared about her. His instinct to protect her was there right away, and I absolutely loved watching their relationship develop.

And Zephyr… I loved her journey so much. Seeing the once-confident broomstick racer humbled by everything she had been through made her character feel so real. Her scars weren’t just physical—they represented everything she had lost and everything she was struggling to find again.

But one of my favorite parts of this story was the female positivity and friendship. Zephyr being there for Levina, even when she was hesitant at first, was beautiful. She became the role model and support system Levina needed and didn’t have. I LOVED watching that relationship grow. Give me more of this in every book, please! ❤️

And THAT REVEAL. 😭

Finally finding out what actually happened with Zephyr’s fall was heartbreaking. Knowing the truth was freeing in a way, but also absolutely gut-wrenching. Finding out that someone you loved was capable of hurting you like that? My stomach literally hurt reading it. 💔

But then there is Neil, literally there to pick up the pieces. 🥹❤️ And I loved that he didn’t try to magically fix everything for her. He was simply there, steady and patient, while she found her way back to herself.

I loved this story so much. It gave me magic, romance, healing, friendship, strong women, a swoony love interest, and just enough of a glimpse into this world to make me greedy for MORE. 😂

And now that I’ve discovered this amazing author, I have a feeling I’m going to need to add ALL of her books to my life… and obviously my library. 📚❤️

I went into this as an ARC reader and came out needing another book. So… where do I sign up for more Pumpkin Hollow?! 🧹🎃✨

[M Lowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the title of this book! It's probably the catchiest one I've ever seen, hinting at shenanigans and action and sounding so very intriguing. I knew straight away I had to read it.

The 170 odd pages are loaded with humour, banter, nerve-wracking flying, romance, regret and growth. It's a short story but all those themes are well written and woven into a delightful tableau that kept me gleefully turning pages. The pace is fairly fast, as you'd expect of a compact story but I enioyed that and didn't feel anything was missing. In fact, the author has packed a lot into her story and made the town of Pumpkin Hollow sound like a brilliant place to visit.

The MC's are so likeable, for their flaws, ability to see passed initial judgements and the strengths they both displayed as troubled pasts came to light. I appreciate this kind of openness and how well Ms Baine wrote it. There is also a really lovely mentor arc for the FMC, Zephyr, and a younger female character, Levina. In fact, there are several friendships that highlight women supporting women and they are all done in that heartwarming, positive way that makes you want to hug your girlfriends.

This book is part of a multi-author connected standalone series. I like the idea of discovering new authors this way, using one I know as a foot in the door to a unique world. And it definitely deserves more time and attention, with so many fascinating places and people to get to know. I've actually just gone and preordered the other books in the series!! My TBR is happily mumbling under it's breath at me 🤣

[Riley Renae]

Wow, what a fun book! I loved these characters so much and the plot was super engaging. This was the perfect start-of-fall read that I needed.

Here are more of my in depth thoughts:

- I really liked the dynamic of the characters. I wouldn’t necessarily say that the characters feel into a certain trope, in fact, their personalities were setup the opposite of what we normally see in books. Zephyr was more flirty and playful towards Neil, what Neil was more calm and patient towards Zephyr. I feel like we don’t see flirty, playful FMC’s like we do MMC’s. Really, it was refreshing to see this opposite dynamic.
- I really loved the plot of this book. The stakes were high enough to make sense for Zephyr to care about Neil and his niece. I was worried that with a shorter page count, everything would feel rushed, however it definitely did not. I think the stakes were also just low enough that it makes sense for it to be solved quite quickly. The plot structure was very well done.
- I really liked the setting, but I wish we saw a little more of it. The side characters were funny and entertaining too and I wanted a little bit more of them. The town had an interesting potential to really draw readers in and be a good set up for a multiple book series. I know other authors are writing in this world, but I just needed a little bit more setting details, with the side characters, to really be able to picture it all.

Overall, I really loved this book and I cannot wait to read more by Vermillion. Shout to Vermillion for sending me this book as an ARC and giving me the wonderful opportunity to read her beautiful writing!

[Marie C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to the author for having me as an ARC reader 😍

I loved how fun, cozy and refreshing this book was! Beside a very toxic ex, all the characters are good and nice, and they *communicate* so well 😍
Zephyr is a former broomstick racer, and she is way too fun (and way too overconfident, but that adds to the fun) and Neil is just a giant teddy bear....and a storm witch...meaning he may loose control of his magic and zap people a tiny bit when he feels strong emotions...or when he is flustered by a certain witch 👀
And Levina being her grumpy teenager, who idolate Zephyr but don't want to know what happens between Zephyr and her uncle (Neil) is also funny.
And on top of all this cozy story, Vermilion (wonderfully) managed to make her characters deal with trauma, to add tension and spice, and also some "cozy-high" stakes?! This novella is amazing!

If you're looking for a good moment and a refreshing read, this novella is for you!

Here are some of my favourite quotes:
🧡 " "We don't hurl missiles at our neighbours. A sentence I can't believe I have to say." "
🧡 " "You're hurting my confidence."
"I don't think that's possible," he sniffed. "You're the most overconfident witch I know." "
🧡 " "I can do something about him. It's too soon for me to fistfight your ex in your yard, but I can make it rain on him wherever he goes. I'm sure he'll leave Pumpkin Hollow, eventually. If not, lightning can be very convincing." "
🧡 "She wasn't afraid to fall when she knew whose arms she was falling into."

[Nat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the perfect cosy romantasy story! Its beautifully written and paced and everything I wanted in a low-stakes fun read.

Plot: Zephyr was a top notch broomstick racer. Until she had a life-threatening crash and decided to retire early to her hometown of Pumpkin Hollow and, as an air witch, she becomes the mail delivery person. Neil, a storm witch and local mechanic, inserts himself into her life (literally and physically) and the rivalry between them begins to wane.

For such a short little novella this story sure did tell itself beautifully. The banter in this is so well done. Flirty, punchy, witty, it made me laugh aloud several times with how fun it was. Shout out to teenagers for having no filter - Levina made me cackle quite a bit (appropriate given its a witchy novella).

I know its a boring thing to say, but this book was just so well written. The overarching storyline, the conflicts, the little bursts of character and growth all combined perfectly to be a little slice of small town action and romance.

Loved everything about Zephyr and Neil's traumas and how they helped each other through them. Loved how interfering the rest of the townsfolk were. The spice added something to the story, rather than just being there for the sake of it.

A really fun palate cleanser that felt different from so many other fantasy books. Great read.

I received an advance review copy of this book and am leaving a voluntary review.

[Andrea_books201 · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a lovely and quick read with autumn and spooky vibes, perfect for starting the season. 🍂

I had such a great time following Zephyr and Neil, with all the banter between them and their little day to day adventures in such a magical town, a hidden place where all the magical beings can find refuge.
In my mind, they live in a state of perpetual autumn there, and I just love it.💕🥹

I am absolutely in love with how the author manages to craft such a well written story, with everything: plot twists, cozy moments, a sweet romance, touches of magic, delivering everything you could hope for in just 170 pages.

Also, I want to know more about several of the secondary characters, especially Levina, Neil's niece, I just love her personality.

And what about the flying broomstick races? I want more, please and thank you! 🧹

Finally, I must mention Zephyr and her accident, her journey from running away to learning how to heal, little by little, accepting things and changes, around and in herself and her personality, and how she becomes a better person. It was a journey that allowed you to truly feel what she was going through, the fear, the frustration, the trauma, and the healing process. All, I repeat, within such a short span of pages.

There are several other books set in Pumpkin Hollow, each written by a different author and featuring new characters.

Thanks to the author, Vermilion H. Baine, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Casey McArthur · Rating 5 out of 5]

🍂 Review 🍂 The Mechanics of Broomstick Racing by @vermilionhbaine_author

This story is just the cutest! The banter, and chemistry between Zephyr and Neil is spot on.
He's the over cautious, by the book, everything done a specific way type of person.
Whereas, she's over the top, must be heard, seen, and loves adrenaline.

This story starts off with Zephyr, an ex-broom racer, returning home after a brutal crash that leaves her not wanting to race anymore. She is the towns mail lady and on her route she is setting a new goal for herself to be faster each time. In doing so she hurled a package to Neil, which he shows up to the post with the package, and basically scolds Zephyr for flying too low and fast.
Neil has a niece, Levina who idolizes Zephyr. After Levina has a crash Neil manages to talk Zephyr into training her.

I don't want to go into more detail and give everything away, but this short novella has a well written plot, and lesson to be learned.
And yes this story is for the 18+ as the spice is there.

Be sure to check out more of the Novellas from the Pumpkin Hollow stand alone series!

Thank you for allowing me to read an advance copy.


Be sure to go Snag your 10 books of the Pumpkin Hollow novellas on Kickstarter

Or

Can Pre-order on KU for release date of 09/08/2026

#pumpkinhollownovellas #cozyfallread

[Tonje Lien · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so lucky to beta read this!

I loved this from the very beginning! The atmosphere of the town that reminded me of the small town of my grandparents. Also it gave me Gilmore Girls vibes with the town meetings and different happenings that was being planned and set up.

The magical town is just one of the things I truly fell inlove with. But I fell inlove with the characters. The grumpy vampire, the witches and magical, sentient beings.

Zephyr is a complicated, raw, stubborn, cocky witch but also an insecure, sweet, anxious, introvert with no friends.

Neil is the sweet town mechanic that's watching out for people, specifically the people he loves. And Zephyr is kinda ruining that with her reckless behaviour - and he is not afraid to let her know!

I don't want to spoil anything so I can just say the sparks, banter, tension and spice is just E-VER-Y-THING! Also the side characters are adorable and I want all of their stories as well!!!

I was blown away by the twists and turns and I have read this many times and I am reading it again as an ARC! Because this book, it's just THAT good of a cozy, spicy, small town novella!

So when this comes out you have to read it! You will not regret jumping into it and I jope you will fall inlove with the characters as much as I did❤️

[Minty Margins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Massive thank you to Vermilion H Baine for an ARC of The Mechanics of Broomstick Racing!!! I had such a fun time reading this cute spooky season themed novella! I’m obsessed with the cover art of this book too. In fact, I’ve really been enjoying novellas recently as they can help be a nice little treat between longer books!

Our story is centered around Zephyr, a former broomstick racer turn postal worker and air witch, and Neil who is a mechanic as well as a storm witch. Neil has always been massively crushing on Zephyr. We love a man who gets flustered and blushes, it’s one of my favorite things. The only person who is a bigger fan of Zephyr than Neil is his niece lol. However, for as quirky as Zephyr may present herself, Neil has a talent for throwing her off just enough hehe. She didn’t really remember him at first but they did go to school together growing up.

Now the whole reason Zephyr is back and in the postal service now is because she had an accident at her last race and it was pretty bad. She just needed to get away from it all because she is still processing/working through the experience. This is a large part of the story and I enjoyed seeing this journey! I loved the characters we meet along the way and seeing her relationship with Neil grow. It’s been a long time since she’s truly let anyone in, but Neil is just the right storm witch/mechanic for the job 😌. Also, this story has made me realize that we need more mustached mechanic hotties. There can never be enough. I can’t say too much more about the story because spoilers— but there’s some interesting info that comes to light about Zephyr’s last race.

This novella is a part of the Pumpkin Hollow series and I’m super excited to read the others in the series!

[Heather Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW
This novella is the perfect read to kick off fall. It’s fast paced, has a swoony romance, it’s cozy and picturesque, with just the right amount of stakes to keep you glued to the pages.
The banter is hilarious, and had me giggling the entire read while simultaneously fanning myself from the high heat of the sexual tension.

The world building is quiet and thoughtful, with subtle explanations of how Pumpkin Hollow’s, and its denizen’s, magic works. Perfectly executed to not outshine Baine’s beautiful character development.

The amount of character development packed into this novella is amazing. Zephyr really shines. The parallel between Zephyr and her broken broom hits you right in the chest—it’s heartbreaking. Her growth and acceptance of who she’s become is so satisfying, I absolutely love it.

Neil is a breath of fresh air. He’s his own person, not just a hot guy there for the romance. He may be quiet, broody, and a bit of a grump, but he also doesn’t fall for any of the games the villain plays and his confidence is so satisfying and sexy as hell—all of my favorite aspects in an MMC.

Baine’s writing is beautiful, funny, and heartwarming all at once. She really packs a punch with this novella.

[Kaitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Jennifer Coolidge once said “Makes me want a Pumpkin Spice latte reeeeal bad!”

Okay fine, so she didn’t say that exactly, but it’s still completely true in this case. You’re going to want to have the full spooky season experience when you dive into Zephyr and Neil’s story, so I recommend getting yourself a fall flavored treat!

I had the absolute pleasure of beta reading this novella and I cannot recommend it enough. Vermilion is one of my favorite authors and she never fails to create a truly magical reading experience. Whether you enjoy witty back and forth banter, steamy flirting, relatable side characters, or emotional scenes that will absolutely rip your heart out—this novella delivers on all counts.

And, if you’re like me and can’t resist a cute little animal sidekick—you’re in luck. Dale, the small, but vengeful cardinal familiar will absolutely steal your heart—or the space in your front shirt pocket (if he likes you).

This sweet and spicy novella is part of the Pumpkin Hollow series featuring several other authors with characters set in the same small town. Be sure to check them all out.

[Jill Elza · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️

The Mechanics of Broomstick Racing was such a fun and exciting read! Who wouldn’t love a witchy broomstick race?

Zephyr’s return to the magical town of Pumpkin Hollow brings racing excitement, cozy fall atmosphere, humor, romance, and plenty of magical charm. The broomstick-racing concept made this story feel fresh and wonderfully entertaining, while the paranormal residents and hidden-town setting made Pumpkin Hollow somewhere I wanted to explore.

Neil was the absolute best! His kind and gentlemanly personality made him incredibly easy to love. I especially enjoyed the connection between him and Zephyr and how he became an anchor for her without trying to hold her back. Dale, Zephyr’s tiny cardinal familiar and resident little hellraiser, also stole every scene he entered.

This standalone novella was quick, charming, and filled with personality. It is perfect for readers looking for a cozy paranormal romance with witches, hometown history, exciting races, an unforgettable familiar, and just enough spice.

Thank you so much to Vermilion H. Baine for providing me with an ARC and giving me the opportunity to visit Pumpkin Hollow!

[Blair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable and binge worthy. Vermilion does it again.

I laughed out loud so many times at this novella. It is fast, quirky, and everything I wanted in a novella that is part of a larger set. I adore the character development that Vermilion brings to all the characters, whether they are large or small. I love the idea of their being little witchy towns all over the world that are protected from humans and now I need to find one for myself and my family.

Neil and Zephyr's banter is so good. Her complete obliviousness to him being in love with her for over a decade was so swoon worthy and I just need more of them. There is also so much emotion as Zephyr deals with her own insecurities and healing from her crash as well as reconciling who she was and who she is now. We've all hit that point in our life, and if you haven't congratulations on being the one person that doesn't need therapy, and it was so well structured and written.

If you want something fast, lovey, witchy, and with a brash and sassy FMC and a down bad MMC, then this book is for you.

[Sofi Mascaró · Rating 5 out of 5]

thank you so much to the author for the early copy!! all opinions are my own1!

i so needed this cuteness 😍😍
i believe my only complain is that it's too SHORT because it all felt too magical for me and i wished i could continue reading more about broom racing and these two witches who banter to hide their true feelings. i really enjoyed Zephir's journey and her story with healing, how she slowly fell in love again with her town and made new friends, plus realize what she really wanted. i didn't stop smiling at all while reading, which translates on how much fun i had... until the ending 😱 that truly was intense, i loved the drama and how we didn't have a third act break-up, yet stiiill the unresolved things were there
i had only read the author with her fantasy books and now i wanna read more romcoms with witches, i wish i could read the rest of the series this novella is part of because Pumpkin Hollow sounds like the best town eveerrr

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spice: 1

Tropes:
witch romance
pro broomstick racer x mechanic
small town romance

What a cute cozy Autumn time romance! So fun fact, I love F1 racing. Now you may ask what does that have to do with a witchy romance? Well, it pulled at my race loving heart with Zephyr being a professional broomstick racer! I thought it was a fun unique twist to put on a paranormal romance- having broomstick racing haha

Both the FMC and MMC are witches though they have different witch powers. One is a storm witch, the other an air witch. Zephyr, the air witch, works at the post office. I hope we get a Pumpkin Hollow romance about her coworkers because an owl shifter x vampire would be a fun read too ha. I loved how Zephyr would zip around town delivering packages and try to beat her own delivery times lol. Also, Zephyr was definitely a get-it girl. Once she decided to flirt with Neil, she was ALL in with the innuendos and it was amusing lol. Overall, a fun read for Fall!

[Allie Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed The Mechanics of Broomstick Racing! It was such a cute, funny, and quick read, and I had so much fun watching Zephyr and Neil’s second-chance romance unfold. The spice was really well done, and their banter made the story even more hilarious. My favorite quote was, “Good gods, Zephyr, this is for charity.” 🤣

I really loved all of the characters and their dynamics. My favorite character, however, was obviously Dave. Zephyr’s cardinal familiar was rightfully protective of her at all times, and I fully support every single one of his decisions. He was such a fun addition to the story and was the star of every scene he was in. 😌

Overall, this was a really cute and fun novella that was easy to fly through. It had humor, romance, magic, spice, and just enough heart packed into a short read. I had a great time with it!

Thank you so much to the author for the ARC!

[Everlore Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️

Such a cozy read and so perfect for fall!

I loved that this story revolved around broomstick racing and flying. It just brought me back to my Harry Potter days! This book is literally F1 just with broomsticks and a bit more witchy.

We follow a witch who is a professional broomstick racer who returns to her hometown after a big crash that ends up ruining her confidence. However, she meets a mechanic who her. And has been in love with her since they were kids.

I did enjoy the romance in this book. For being so short, I found the pacing to be okay. I felt like the romance was building up and then was just slammed all of a sudden. Which I didn’t really mind. The banter between the two characters was just amazing as well.

Even though it was a novella, I would have loved it a lot more too if it was longer!!

[Eternity's Raven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly, thank you to Vermilion H. Baine for providing me with an ARC copy of this book. I am leaving my review for free and completely of my own thoughts and opinions.

This was a cute novella. Fast paced, cozy and an interesting backstory to the FMC.

Zephyr has an out going, loud personality and it fit her quite well, but it was also nice seeing the vulnerable moments to her, especially relating to her crash. I liked the way it contrasted to Neil's more stoic, self controlled emotions, though the moments he slipped shined each time he did, as it showed he had a lot of depth he kept a tight leash on.

I think the side characters we got insights into seemed interesting and I definitely plan to pick up the other novellas by the other authors for this series.

[Kaci Rehkemper · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite thing about this novella has to be the constant banter between Zephyr and Neil, especially because at first Neil seems so collected and Zephyr is really able to get him to open up and enjoy life a bit more. Neil's steadiness and his constant care for Zephyr even when she was away is so heartwarming. The healing process seems less daunting with him by her side. And Dale is adorable-never forget to trust your animal sidekick's instincts! There was so much attitude coming from one little bird and I loved it. This novella is both a story of healing and a cozy, comforting (plus a bit of steam) read, just in time for spooky season!

Thank you Vermilion H. Baine for the opportunity to Arc read!

[Sami · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was an ARC reader for this book and my review is of my own hand and my own opinion.

I found this book to be a very pleasant, if uneventful, read. The town was cute and the magic system was simple. There was not any real drama and it was rather wholesome throughout. My only complaint about this book was the lack of substance. It felt like nothing was really happening even though the pages were turning. This definitely seems like the type of book for someone who doesn’t like angst, drama or negativity. I would describe this book as a cute good book, but thats all I have to say about it. There was nothing standoutish that made me love it or anything that made me fall in love with the characters.