The Enchanted Reader

by Molly F. Law

Tucked away in a small Scottish library, Catriona Lamont discovers a magical world where her mother has never died, her father and brother are not dependent on her, a world where she never had to leave her life in Paris — just as long as she keeps reading. Through the lens of Eoin of Accolon, Catriona finds she can escape her reality and live out a romantic fantasy with a legendary hero in medieval Scotland. Unbeknownst to Catriona, Eoin is real and yearns to escape his fate of retelling his long-forgotten story for yet another reader. But after decades of no reader at all, the pages begin to fade, threatening the very existence of his world—until Catriona cracks open his book.
As Catriona and Eoin grapple with their deepest sorrows on either side of the page, they explore an enchanted connection that could alter their beloved country throughout all time.

502 pages, Paperback

Published May 3, 2024

Reviews

[Kayla Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The Enchanted Reader” was such a lovely read. Catriona is one of my favorite FMC’s I’ve ever read. She’s complex, emotional, passionate, and deeply relatable. Everything from her grief to her insecurities to her feeling of loneliness and directionlessness were beautifully written and fleshed out. And to escape into the magic of a book you love. I mean, this is every reader’s dream. I’m so excited for the next book in this series!

[Ashli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happy Release Day to this amazing book!!

The Enchanted Reader truly is enchanting. I devoured this book cover to cover in one sitting. This book is a gift to everyone who has ever fallen in love with a fictional character and wished they could step out of their story and into our lives.
This story is so creative and beautifully written. I can’t wait to read more from this talented author in the future.

[Kat Darby Lifted_pdx · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Enchanted Reader has a really interesting premise. What if the characters in books were sentient and waiting for us to meet and spend time with them?

This was a very fun read, but the pacing is a bit too slow for me. I definitely recommend it for people looking for a cozy 'it's raining outside' read."

[Ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delicious read!!!

[Elissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Enchanted Reader is a love letter to anyone who’s ever turned to books not just for comfort, but for survival. In Catriona, I saw the quiet ache of a woman carrying too much, yearning for a world where loss never touched her. And in Eoin, a soul trapped in story, I felt the deep loneliness of being forgotten, even in legend.

What makes this novel so profound isn’t just its magic, but how tenderly it explores grief, longing, and the blurred line between reality and fantasy. The writing is lyrical without ever being overwrought, and the dual perspectives, one rooted in pain, the other in myth, unfold with aching beauty.

This isn’t just a story about enchantment. It is enchanting. Heartbreaking and hopeful all at once. It reminds us that stories don’t just help us escape, they help us remember who we are.

[Elaine Payton · Rating 4 out of 5]

The magic, adventure, and imagination of this story were all amazing! I loved all of the cultural and magical elements of the story, its characters, and the world within the world. The cliffhanger had me audibly gasping and ready to read book 2! This story was a refreshing new idea when it comes to the fantasy genre that I think a lot of people will love <3

[Beth Ford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the unique premise of this book--what do the characters of a book do when you aren't reading about them? This book blends magic and enchantment with a very human story. I am definitely looking forward to a sequel!

[R. Moritz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a refreshing read tugs at your heart with an original, immersive story. The Enchanted Reader pulls you in from the very first page and wraps you up in the journey of a woman literally drawn into a fictional world. Dreamboat Highlanders, romance, heartbreak—what more could you ask for?

[Mandy Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful, cozy read! This a well written first book and I can't wait to read the second book!

[Lia Girard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely and lighthearted, this book is a fun read with an exciting concept. Different than anything I’ve ever read, with excellent character development. Take the journey!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Enchanted Reader left me feeling a bit enchanted myself. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book that put so much power within the hands —and heart—of a reader. This imaginative debut novel is a beautiful thought experiment that carries out the logistics of what it might look like to actually encounter and interact with those book characters you hold most dear. I was continuously impressed with Law’s creativity in fashioning a world where story characters live and breathe and navigate their own hand-held universe.

Another high point of The Enchanted Reader is the heartfelt navigation of human relationships. In addition to building companionship and sexy chemistry between Catriona and her literary beloved, Law constructs the platonic and familial connections that sustain the main character with such tenderness and emotional insight.

Honestly, I can be a pretty slow reader, and I took my time with the first few hundred pages, but the last third of this book really sped by for me— this was because I couldn’t wait to see how Catriona’s and Eoin’s separate and joint adventures would draw to a conclusion in this volume. Thankfully though, this book is just the first in a series, and I am so excited to see what happens in the next installment!