Witch in the Lighthouse

by Azalea Forrest

Witch in the Lighthouse is a warm cup of tea full of magic, hope, friendship, and forgiveness.

Moving to Lightview was supposed to be a new beginning for Magnolia Hanna, a piece of closure, a connection to her past. Inheriting her uncle's lighthouse wouldn't make her life easy, but she never expected such hostile neighbors. She was a witch from the hidden mountain hamlet of Emelle, after all, and Lightview hadn't housed a witch in more than a decade.

Unfriendly villagers are the least of her problems, however, when a witch named Basil Olivander arrives on her doorstep, weighed down by his own grief. Maggie soon learns why Lightview harbors such disdain for witches — and who is to blame for her troubles in this new town.

Book One in The Witch of Emelle Series

Genres: Fantasy, Witches, Fiction, Novella, Magic

Paperback

Published February 1, 2018

About the author

Azalea Forrest is the author of A Bitter Drink, a semi-finalist winner during SPFBO8. Her stories focus on hope and adventure, becoming a better person, coping with mental illness, and doing your best. She loves discovering new characters and their personalities and the worlds they reside in.

Forrest lives with her partner, cat, and leopard gecko in sunny Florida. She loves photography and video games like Final Fantasy IX and Legend of Zelda, and Ghibli films like Princess Mononoke and Nausicaa. She is affiliated with Mathematician Records, where you can buy her books directly. You can find her on Threads under @AForrestWrites, and Bluesky, Tumblr, and Facebook under @AzaleaForrest, as well as on her websites listed below.

www.azaleaforrest.wordpress.com

www.mathematicianrecords.com/azaleafo...

Reviews

[Rebecca Crunden]

I've been meaning to read this for a while and was delighted to get an audiobook edition in addition to the kindle version I have! I also adore the new cover!

Final RTC

☆ Book Reviews | Bluesky | Twitter | Threads ☆

[Bon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating represents 3.5 rounded down.

This was extremely cozy and relatively low stakes, with an opening act similar to Kiki's Delivery Service. Indeed, the author took inspiration from several Ghibli films for this story, and it shows through in the way grief is explored by an outsider, new to a town and not necessarily accepted by all. Add in witchcraft and potions, and it all added up to a whimsical little tale.

I wish there had been romance, but the protagonist's age was tricky to estimate and that might have not fit the narrative. Some parts were not as fully fleshed out as I'd like in a story, even one relying on surrealism and whimsy such as this, but the lighthouse and cottagecore vibes were cute and the very-human emotional parts anchored the narrative.

[Eryn McConnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO wholesome!

I really enjoyed this. It's sweet and simple and I love the idea of a witch in a lighthouse. It's got great people, I loved Magnolia and I even grew to like Basil!
Lovely lovely story.

[Dave Lawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally posted on SFF Insiders

Sometimes you need a break from the high stakes and morally gray characters of grimdark fantasy or the spine-tingling bloodiness of dark fantasy. Enter cozy fantasy! Nothing is as calming as reading about nice characters interacting with their friends, drinking their hot beverage of choice, and dealing with the low-stakes issues of day-to-day life. And Witch in the Lighthouse does this so well!

Witch in the Lighthouse by Azalea Forrest
However, there are still some stakes, so I’d call this cozy-adjacent. It’s not all making tea and crumpets, okay? There are conflicts and villains of sorts, even if none of the villains are intent on destroying the world.

The best way I can describe this book is Stardew Valley meets Legends and Lattes, with a healthy dose of witchcraft. Potions, cups of tea, and baked goods all make this a compellingly cozy read. Some of the press I saw for this book mentioned Studio Ghibili similarities, which may well be the case, but I’m far from an expert on those films. What I do know is that this was a fun, calming experience that I thoroughly enjoyed.


Characters:

Magnolia (Maggie) Hanna: A kind young woman who moves from her home village (all witches) to the a different town (no witches) and struggles to fit in with the locals, who have built-in prejudices toward her kind, Her uncle was the lighthouse keeper in the town, and after his death, she moves there to carry on his legacy. She’s sweet, caring, and always willing to help the people in her new home, even those who discriminate against her. Maggie is a wonderful protagonist and someone I enjoyed following. She’s well developed, has complexity and motivations, and is that plucky heroine you can’t help but love.


Basil: The villain of the story, who gets a decent amount of POV time. I wasn’t as invested in him and often found him a relatively generic pseudo-villain. He’s committed atrocities, but didn’t really mean to. He was angry! He has quite a bit of angst toward the people of the village, but during his POV sections, I found myself waiting to get back to Maggie. He does have some complexity, especially as the story moves along, but I feel like a lot of his anger could be solved if he just learned how to communicate.

There was a good cast of smaller characters who all added some fun to the town: Honorable mention to the produce seller in the town, who had some great moments!


Story:

The story is at its best when it focuses on Maggie’s day to day life in the village. Think Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing. There are baked goods, shopping trips, and moments of what could blossom into romance. Speaking of romance, that’s something I hoped for a bit more of. Maggie is twenty-one and seems to be growing quite close to a boy in the village, and I was slightly disappointed that there wasn’t any romance between them. Also, I felt like there were hints of a romance between Basil and Maggie’s Uncle Tom, but again, nothing explicitly stated. I didn’t need the book to become a full on romance novel, but I would have liked just a bit more! Also, Basil’s redemption arc may have happened a little too fast for my taste, but everything ended with a satisfying conclusion.

Worldbuilding/Magic System:

The story is set in a world that seems similar to our own, but with witches. They can fly and make potions, and Basil has some higher level powers, but the magic system isn’t fully explored beyond that. Maggie mentions to her friend that anyone can become a witch, which I like; it’s refreshing to see a story where the magic is available to all who are willing to practice. And with a short novella like this, you don’t need an incredibly detailed analysis of the magic system. The town is well fleshed out and is the kind of place I want to live in. Please, let me go to a harvest festival!


Conclusion:

A fun read full of hope. When you need a short, sweet, and positive palate cleanser read, Witch in the Lighthouse fits the bill!

[A.N. Mouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was one of the lucky few to read Witch in the Lighthouse before it was released. It was ceaselessly pleasant. Everything about this book is inviting and reassuring. It left me feeling optimistic about life.

That's not to say that it didn't have its own excitement, just that the plot was handled in a way where it didn't ruin the atmosphere. The characters were interesting, the world was beautiful, the story was kind. This book is the equivalent of taking your lunch to the park on a sunny day and sitting under the shade of a nice tree to have a lovely, quiet picnic.

It's short, it's a novella, but it sets out to do exactly what it meant to do. I have no complaints.

[Mia Sanchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this one, so sit down and get a drink. This will be a long one *sighs in preparation*

First of all, gosh damn!! This was my first ever witch book, and what an amazing introduction to the world of witches. This story started as one of the coziest books I have read in a long time. But by the middle of the story, I was emotional and angry and so much more! But now that the story has ended, I have bittersweet emotions. I want to re-read it already, it was that good!

Maggie is an amazing woman! She is gentle, smart, and so much more. Her aura made me smile and I was so excited to follow her journey. There is nothing about her that I hated. She was the perfect lead for this story and I very much enjoyed her time in the new town. She was not at all toxic or anything, to be honest.

Everyone else in this town played a perfect part in Maggie's story. I loved the little town and learning more about its history and working.

Now Basil, on the other hand, yeah I have a lot to say about him. I rooted for him hard when he was first introduced. Maybe because I could relate to him and his distaste for everything. But what he did to the town and the people in it instantly made me hate him. He was a very complex character, one that I couldn't help but be intrigued about.

But his redemption arc in this story is one of my favorite parts of the entire book. I am proud of the person he became by the end of this story. He might not be someone I can like a lot, but I can respect how he tried to fix his mistakes and help the townspeople. Character-wise, he was one of the best in this story.

This story was a perfect mixture of cozy and emotional. The sad parts made me tear up, while the harvest festival scenes and the friendship between Maggie and others made me smile. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this short yet beautiful book.

This was my first read from this author, but I will definitely follow her and read everything else! If you like witch books that make you feel cozy and warm, I recommend this one!

[Annette Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Witch in the Lighthouse is a cute and cosy fantasy that highlights the importance of friendship and forgiveness and is just a delight to read.
Magnolia , or Maggie as she prefers, is a young witch who inherits her Uncle's lighthouse in the town of Lightview, and moving there will be a new beginning for her. Of course it is daunting to move to a new town but her arrival is not viewed as warmly as she might have expected and her welcome is definitely a little chilly especially among the older residents of the town. She soon learns the reason for their reticence, a powerful witch who once lived in Lightview accidentally caused the deaths of several villagers and they have been mistrustful of magic and witches ever since. Maggie works to gradually win their acceptance with the help of healing potions and more practical uses of magic like using her broom to help paint tall buildings. The last thing she needs is to have the previous witch arrive on her doorstep and stir up trouble all over again.
This is a very whimsical read that definitely has some Ghibli-esque vibes, there is just a cuteness to it that I found very soothing. It is not entirely low stakes, especially once Basil returns to the story but overall there is not a lot of tension. I did struggle a little with some flashback type sections that were not clearly delineated as such which caused me a little confusion the first time I encountered one, but once I figured out what was going on, it was easier the next time it happened. I also felt like the resolution was a little too neat and too easy, but with that being said I would still read more books set in this world and I would recommend this to anyone looking for a short and sweet magical tale.

[Para (wanderer) · Rating 2 out of 5]

A cozy, slice of life novella about a witch who moves into a lighthouse after the death of her uncle sounded just like my cup of tea. Unfortunately, though, it's just not that well written and lacks any sort of substance whatsoever.

The characters? Bland and lacking in personality to the point of being barely one-dimensional. The antagonist's quick changes from a normal person into a villain and then more or less a normal person again in particular made no sense. The worldbuilding? Barely there. The prose? Clumsy. There is a vague cozy vibe to it, sure, and I don't expect much in the way of plot in a book like this, but god I need something to keep reading for. Anything. Please.

Enjoyment: 2/5
Execution: 2/5

More reviews on my blog, To Other Worlds.

[Elisha Condon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brew a cup of your favorite tea and prepare to chill with this book.

Any fan of Ghibli animation will clearly see the influence of those stories on this one, which reads almost as a love letter to the studio’s more lighthearted films. There were times when the story’s protagonist, Maggie, was channeling magic in a way that made me think of Miyazaki’s signature “ghibli hair”, and I would love to see that image realized.

The pacing of this story feels a bit uneven, missing some of the highs and lows that it feels set up to deliver. Unless you immediately fall in love with Maggie as a character, the beginning lacks a strong hook to keep you reading. Perseverance is rewarded, however, with character clashes that illustrate the miracles (and dangers) of magic. This would perhaps be better served by an inclusion of the antagonist much sooner in the story, but if you are a fast reader, this may not be an issue for you.

Similar to this point, although Maggie is not given a warm welcome by her new community, the consequences of this are noticeably absent for most of the story. It would certainly endear the character of Maggie to us much more effectively were we able to see her struggle more often and more thoroughly. Although the story as it stands seems purposefully tilted towards the positive, feel-good side of the narrative scale, I do feel that those affirmative moments would be more powerful if they were tempered by more genuine adversity.

Witch in the Lighthouse presents a world where things generally come a little too easily, where people agree a little too readily. While this does become a negative if you’re looking for a more complex and believable story, it also serves to establish a gentle, encouraging, pick-me-up atmosphere that is great for a relaxing afternoon of reading.

Although it may miss the mark in some respects, the story contains an uplifting message about strength of character that I still think of, and employ, to this day. As such, I feel as though my life is just a little bit better for having read it.

7/10 overall.

[Louis C · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a fun and cozy novella, I'll give it that! I liked the characters and their dynamic, though I wished some side characters were a bit more devolped outside their one interest, and perhaps some backstory to the town and what happened in the past could add more to the storyline. The magic system perhaps also lacked some understanding about how it worked, most of the time it was either potions (what ingredients are used and why could add already a lot more thought to the magic system) or hand gestures to control elements (how does it feel to use magic could've also added more to this system). But overall I felt the small town vibes were there.

[Kara Bernard · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pleasant, uplifting tale about magic and forgiveness

What a delightful novelette! Witch in the Lighthouse is a beautifully crafted story set in a charming coastal town. When the current lighthouse keeper in town dies, his niece -- a witch named Maggie -- takes up the task of managing the lighthouse. But the town has had bad experiences with witches before, and they aren't too keen on another one moving into town. Through kindness and generosity, Maggie works hard to show the townsfolk that magic isn't all bad. But when Basil, the witch who turned the town against his kind, returns, Maggie must prove her worth and strength, or the whole town could be doomed... again.

Throughout the course of this story, Forrest maintains an air of serenity. I felt such peace during my stay in Lightview. Even Basil was affected by the town's atmosphere. My one complaint was the excess of chuckling and neck rubbing; seemed like everyone was always doing one or the other. But the loving characters and wonderfully pleasant scenes of Maggie making potions or just going about her daily business more than make up for that. This is a great read that is simultaneously calming and exciting. Very excited to read more by this author.

[Helyna Clove · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short novella is so cute and cozy and nice! If you just want a feel-good tale about magic, friendship, and forgiveness, and a lighthouse, this is the one for you! I felt like I was in a Ghibli movie, honestly! :)

I felt like it would have been nice if some of the plot and characters were more deeply investigated like Basil's personality and the fact that he'd killed, and his relationship with Tom, and how we as readers and the town of Lightview can forgive him and things like that but that honestly would have taken away from the lightness of it, so I suppose that wasn't really the goal here. I wish we'd know more about Basil's past at least! Maybe in a prequel? Sequel? :)

But it was cute, it was lovely, and I want to live in Lightview. :D

[Boots LookingLand · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book can’t help but make you feel good; Magnolia is a delightful protagonist, who despite opposition, perseveres ~ and with such goodness in her heart as to win over even the worst of her foes. Forrest reminds us that while "Pollyanna" may be now an almost derogatory term, but we need more people of genuine good will in the world.

This is also a story of redemption for more than just the character central to the conflict whose deeds are never glossed over, but a redemption for the whole town of Emelle, whose intolerance of witches has disconnected the people from something essential and magical that they need in their lives.

A joyful, cozy read, to be had with tea and cake.

[Joseph Place · Rating 5 out of 5]

Witch in the Lighthouse is a wonderfully short and non exhaustive read with a fanciful and Ghibli-esq feel. It is the perfect book if you just want to curl up for some light reading or if you are in the mood for some distinctly good natured vibes.

It sets out to give the reader a pleasant trek through a fanciful, bright, and vibrant world with well written characters who do exactly what they need to do in their short time on the page. If you want a short read with witches and magic where everything just works out and leaves you with feel good vibes then this is the book for you!

[Abigail Condon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very charming, pleasant read! The atmosphere throughout was light and peaceful, and all around a pleasure to read through. This made the tense moments of the story even more engaging, because you honestly care about the characters and what might happen to them. And speaking of the characters, I very much enjoyed them as well. Maggie was a delightful person to journey with, and she felt very well rounded as a character. The villain as well, was surprisingly easy to sympathize with. I mean, he's clearly got issues, but in the end I cared just as much about him as anyone else in the book. Overall, I'd definitely recommend this to anyone looking for an easy, pleasant reading experience. The whole story has a very Studio Ghibli feel to it, so if you enjoy those movies definitely give this a try! :)

[Mika · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book. The setting portrayed a Ghibli-like feeling, and the story sounded cozy. However, it doesn’t flow well. There’s very little draw to grab the reader’s attention. Everything just seems to happen. It’s goes from scene to scene that the author tries to tie together. Characters are introduced but have very little background. Magic is poorly explained. The climax is very anticlimactic, and it wraps up too neatly.

[W.A. Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

A magical story.
She had to deal with the loss of her uncle while trying to make friends and find her place in the world.
but is she strong enough to forgive.
Read and find out for yourself.

[Karen Lykkebo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very sweet, cozy fantasy. A short read for the warm summer days!
The Ghibli-vibe was singing and it was an utter delight to just relax through a book.

[Hannah Lang · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing was stilted and the story was jostled around. Different POVs with no introduction, time skips with no warning. At points meandering and at others racing. Not my favorite.

[Mandy Schimelpfenig · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cozy, low stakes witchy fantasy for people who just want to feel the vibes and not stress.

[FantasyBookNerd]

I read this as part of Speculative Fiction Indie Novella Championship (SFINCS, pronounced “sphinx”), which is a yearly competition to recognise, and celebrate the talent and creativity present in the Indie Community. The competition is the sister of the SPFBO and SPSFC and is primarily focussed on novellas. This is the first year of the competition.

The Witch in the Lighthouse is a cozy little tale about Maggie, a pleasant witch who after the death of her uncle, Tom comes to move in. Initially, she finds the town where the story is set to be welcoming. However, scratch beneath the surface and she finds that the community is hurting and distrustful of witches due to the actions of a witch called Basil Olivander who cause disaster in the town.

Unfortunately this little tale did not hit home for me. I admire the positivity of the story and the message that it tries to convey. There is an almost fairlytale like quality to the story, and if you like that kind of thing it may appeal. I felt that the story had a Practical Magic/Giblhi kind of atmosphere, but for me the story in all lacked any substance.

As mentioned earlier, Maggie comes across some adversity and has to fight for the trust of the town, However, in reality, she sells one potion, it works, she turns the opinion of the main matriarch in the town and hey presto! There you go! Soon she is getting all sorts of customers. Job done!

In addition to this, I did not like the introduction of the main antagonist figure, who is introduced via a jarring individual memory POV. And again, similarly to Maggie, the adversity that he experiences seems to be over within a matter of paragraphs.

Unfortunately this one was not for me! If you fancy this one and you think it may interest you, go ahead and look at some of the other reviews and see what you think from them.

[Joana Varanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Witch in the Lighthouse is a quick and cosy weekend read. But look a little deeper into this story and others by Azalea Forrest and you will find one of the author's greatest strengths - her ability to portray 'villains' very differently from the usual writing tropes.

Antagonists in Forrest's work are layered, and are often the feelings themselves rather than a person. In this instance, the 'villain' Basil is riddled with grief and regret. The 'hero', Magnolia, struggling with grief herself, realises that passing judgement does not happen linearly - and she is therefore unable to punish Basil like a typical 'hero' would have in other fantasy tales.

TLDR: A quick read appropriate for Ghibli fans, and with a kind message: always look a little deeper and do not judge a book (or a person) by its cover.

[Ja-Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Witch in the Lighthouse is a cozy, nice book that you can get through in a couple of hours. Less than 150 pages and I just read it with my phone in my hand and at some point, ended up getting absorbed in it. The characters are cute archetypes (despite their lack of development or many character traits that I personally saw) and everything progresses at a pretty nice rate (though I did end up getting a bit impatient at the end; it felt like there were like 15 good stopping points.) However, despite these things, the book is nice, the characters are cozy. I enjoyed the read.

I give it 3.5/5 stars

[Alan Dell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Studio Ghibli movies. I could endlessly rewatch almost all of them (sorry, Tales From Earthsea, you don’t quite cut the mustard). I know Azalea Forrest is a Ghibli fan as well. So, when I kept seeing Witch in the Lighthouse being described as “Ghibli-esque”, I knew I had to pick it up.

Just from the blurb, you can immediately get the impression that this book takes a fair amount of inspiration from Kiki’s Delivery Service, and that’s a wonderful thing. I love that movie, and so do my kids. Unlike Kiki, however, Magnolia is an adult when she moves town following her uncle’s untimely death, and instead of starting a delivery service, she becomes the lighthouse keeper. Something I noticed when I re-watched the movie recently is that Kiki does hardly any magic at all - it’s pretty much restricted to her flying on a broom and talking to her cat familiar, Jiji. Witch in the Lighthouse, however, has much more magic in it - Maggie is adept at plant-based potions and uses a wand to cast spells. The book is then much more about Maggie winning over the townsfolk who are understandably mistrustful of witches ever since the last one caused problems.

I really enjoyed the plot of the book, which takes a slower pace and focuses on Maggie doing things like renovating the lighthouse, exploring the town, making friends, and getting the folk used to her presence. While I’d describe it as a cosy fantasy, it’s not quite as low-stakes as Legends & Lattes, for instance - there’s still some danger and threats to life present towards the latter half, whereas Legends only really goes as far as property damage. However, it is very mild and is wrapped up in an interesting way I didn’t expect. Though, I have to admit, I did think it was a bit unfair on Maggie.

Maggie is a great character; strong-willed, independent, and her insecurity about living in a town hostile to witches doesn’t stop her, in fact it seems to embolden her as she stubbornly refuses to let it get her down. We switch POVs to some of the other supporting characters who become Magnolia’s friends, on occasion, and also to Basil who is Maggie’s total polar opposite. He’s emotionally unstable and arrogant, which provides the perfect contrast.

The worldbuilding is fairly minimal, which is pitched at the perfect level for this type of story. The town really felt alive and Azalea nailed that Ghibli-esque vibe and a nostalgia/longing for a place or time you’ve never been. I also enjoyed the subtle restraints on the magic system, as well as the system’s accessibility to ordinary folk.

Overall, I would definitely recommend picking this one up if you’re after a slower pace, especially if you love Kiki’s Delivery Service.

[Jennie Griffin, Book Reviewer & Promoter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Witch in the Lighthouse is the perfect book to curl up with as it can easily be read in one day. Forrest has a lovely, fanciful, and highly descriptive writing style. She does an excellent job of engaging the senses. There were moments when I felt like I could see, smell, taste, hear, and feel what she was describing, which is always a treat. I also enjoyed the contrast in characters. The protagonist, Magnolia, is a reluctant hero who is kind, unselfish, intuitive, and brave. At times, she accesses power and strength that she did not know she even possessed, and she does it all for the good of others. On the other hand, Basil is quite the opposite. While he is brilliant and powerful, he is also arrogant and selfish. He has a massive chip on his shoulder and refuses to take responsibility for anything. These characters provided a certain sense of balance.

There are many themes embedded in this story. There is the obvious battle between good and evil, but the book also tackles the ideas of overcoming prejudice, learning to forgive, and giving people room to evolve into better versions of themselves. As I read the story, I couldn’t help but think that these are topics that our modern-day world also struggles with.

I wish the book was longer! Yes, it was meant to be a novella; however, a certain amount of world-building was required, and when combined with the back story and current story, it felt rushed and needed breathing room with additional detail. This resulted in certain situations being wrapped up too quickly and neatly, such as Magnolia forgiving Basil for his past actions. There were also abrupt shifts as Basil recounted events from his past that would benefit from a smoother transition.

Forrest has a unique storytelling ability that makes a paranormal fantasy novel accessible to mainstream readers who might not have previously dabbled in this genre. I would love to see this story expanded into a longer novel because I see the potential it holds to be a novel of greater substance. Thanks to Forrest, I want to fly on a broom, live in a lighthouse, and make Maggie my best friend!

Read the full review at The Redhead Notes!

[Lee Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quaint and fun magical tale…

This was my first Azalea Forrest reading experience and an enjoyable one at that. ‘Witch in the Lighthouse’ is a quaint and fun magical tale that follows ‘Magnolia’ as she inherits a Lighthouse from her recently passed away uncle in a town that isn’t so welcoming of her kind.

Having had previous negative encounters with those of the magical persuasion Maggie faces the task of convincing the small seaside town of Lightview that she is there to help. Whilst some make her feel welcome, others are stubborn to the thought of a witch in their town even if this world of practical magic can help them in so many different ways. Just what did happen in the past and even to her uncle? The intrigue intertwines with the moving plot here keeping readers interested throughout.

Eventually the story unfolds as does the history of Magnolia’s family and what follows is an epic meeting of forces that carries an original and deeper meaning of responsibility of power and much more. Magical forces in this world can be used for both good and bad which is explored well here. The characters, setting and story were very well executed and I’d be more than happy to read another title by Forrest.

[K. Aagard · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars!
A cozy fantasy with a clear Ghibli inspiration and vibe.

I enjoyed the cozy read and appreciate the very Ghibli-esque atmosphere. The stakes were low and some areas it did feel like a little more development was needed and the pacing sloweddown st the end of the book. The repercussions at the end felt a little glossed over and rushed, though I understsnd the author may have pulled back so as not to lose the cozier feel. This feeling may come from me not being a cozy fantasy reader and not a reflection of the book itself. I still enjoyed reading the book despite it.
It was a very cute story that covers the grief of a town and its distrust of outsiders due to past events and the struggles of the protagonist to find a place among them. I had a fun time in this world and plan to get book 2.
If you enjoy movies like Kiki's Delivery Serivice you should give this book a read. It's a light, cozy read to curl up with and escape to a world of whimsy.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having never read much cosy or even cosy-adjacent I figured this novella would be the perfect entrypoint and it really was! While it's cosy and quiet, with a focus on friendships and getting cosy with a cuppa in front of the fire, it also had some dark tones once the antagonist was fully introduced.
I really enjoyed the way it dealt with grief and healing as well and Magnolia was an easy character to root for.

I struggled a bit more with Basil, I could see it needing to be a redemption arc but his POV really grated me through to the end. He was well-written but to me he didn't have enough of a comeuppance or change of heart. I believe there are more books series so perhaps he gets further redemption in those.

Overall a very lovely read and I definitely recommend it for those seeking a slightly calmer and relatively quick read that still has a lot of emotional depth.

I listened to the audiobook and it was very well narrated so I can definitely recommend that!

[Elise · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This was fine. It's a cozy fantasy about a witch who inherits a lighthouse from her deceased uncle and has to deal some prejudices of the townsfolk because of their bad history with another witch. It's about what you'd expect from a cozy fantasy: charming and heartfelt. I found the writing to be very simple and didn't go much beyond a surface level for me. There's a sequel, but I'm not super eager to read it because the antagonist gets his redemption, but I still can't bring myself to like him, and so I don't really want to read another book with him in it. It's all right if you want a cozy fantasy without much depth, but I'm sure there are better ones out there.

[Katrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 stars rounded up (barely)

“A warm cup of tea” that did not steep nearly long enough. It starts as a cute premise but the execution falls flat; everything from characters to setting to the story itself feels hollow. I know how I should feel from the text telling it to me but the book does nothing to earn those emotional beats. Also call me petty all you like but I would not so easily forgive the man that murdered multiple villagers—including children—just because he said it was an accident. Incredibly frustrating to see an antagonist that callously caused so much harm get such a ridiculous redemption arc.