The Mudpuddle Manual of Natural Magic: A Delightful Cozy Fantasy Story with Hints of Romance

Natural Magic #1

by Ciara Blume

A cozy romantic fantasy that will delight fans of Legends and Lattes, Practical Magic, and The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches.

🦋 🔮 🍁🦋 🍁 🔮 🦋A murder, a mystery, and a not-so-overactive imagination...

Eccentric heiress Maida Westabrook treasures her peaceful, "ordinary" life in California—morning strolls along the beach, warm evenings by the fire, and losing herself in her beloved library of myths and legends. Yet Maida can’t shake the nagging feeling that there’s more to her story than she’s been led to believe. Strange and inexplicable occurrences have always surrounded her, dismissed as nothing more than her overactive imagination.

When a distant relative mysteriously vanishes, a body is discovered, and Maida’s lifelong dream of owning an enchanted bookshop suddenly comes true she realizes her "wild" imagination might not have been so far-fetched after all.

There’s just one the sentient bookshop has gone into hiding and it’s up to Maida to coax it back. To claim her inheritance, she must step out of her safe, predictable world and embrace a reality where magic is not only real—it’s woven into the very fabric of everyday life. That handsome neighbor? He might be a shapeshifter. And the barista who runs the local café? She’s likely brewing more than coffee.

As Maida unravels the secrets of her past, she’s forced to rethink everything she once held true. Saving the bookshop—and protecting her newfound magical family—will require more courage than she ever thought possible, including risking her heart.

What readers are

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This was truly an enchanting read from start to finish!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I’m making plans to immediately move into the Mudpuddle Café and Bookshop. Who wouldn’t be happy among the books, magical items, coffee, and baked goods? Heaven!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A fantastically written cozy mystery romance filled with multiple POVs, second chances, found family, magic and more!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ What a fantastic story! Such engaging characters with a unique storyline. I am looking forward to the rest of the books in this must read series!!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ It is a delightful escape that I couldn’t put down. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a fresh and imaginative read!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️It’s a wonderfully-spun cozy fantasy/mystery about magic, a bookstore, and love—in all forms.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If you want to get lost in a book (in a good way), pick this one up.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I mean, this was like a book that was written just for me!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Ciara has catapulted to the top of my favorite authors list and I look forward to reading other books in this wonderful, magical universe she has created.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Magic, Novels, Ebooks, Speculative Fiction, Epic

486 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2024

About the author

Ciara is an award-winning author, designer, and certified naturalist who creates uplifting, humorous, and occasionally magical fiction.

Living on the picturesque California coast, she draws inspiration from nature and her wild imagination.

A mother of four with a taste for travel and adventure, she is also a devoted (if overly ambitious) crafter.

When not immersed in writing, she enjoys trading adorable pet photos - especially when procrastinating on a deadline.

For more information and news about Ciara’s upcoming releases, visit her website at www.ciarablume.com or follow @ciarablumeauthor on instagram, tiktok and facebook.

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved every one of Ciara Blume’s books to date, but I feel like we’re moving into new territory with her most recent release, The Mudpuddle Manual of Natural Magic.

It’s a wonderfully-spun cozy fantasy/mystery about magic, a bookstore, and love—in all forms.

Ciara has catapulted to the top of my favorite authors list and I look forward to reading other books in this wonderful, magical universe she has created.

It’s clever and charming and oh so magical.

[Booksandcoffeemx · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those books that slowly captivated me and by the end I just couldn’t stop reading, I love magical books. Fantastic characters, a great mystery and a story that you won’t be able to put down. What a delightful read. A great October read!

[Brandy L · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book! Fairies, witches and shifters come together to show us that the ordinary is not always what it seems and there is strength in being our true selves, no matter how small we think ourselves to be.

This story made me laugh, gasp, hope and cheer as I went on this journey with truly loveable characters. A cozy magical mystery that is a perfect fall read. One of my favorite books I've read this year!

[Nursebookie · Rating 4 out of 5]

TITLE: The Mudpuddle Manual of Natural Magic: A Delightful Cozy Fantasy Story with Hints of Romance
SERIES: Natural Magic Book 1
AUTHOR: Ciara Blume
PUB DATE: 10.01.2024

Eccentric heiress Maida Westabrook treasures her peaceful, "ordinary" life in California—morning strolls along the beach, warm evenings by the fire, and losing herself in her beloved library of myths and legends. Yet Maida can’t shake the nagging feeling that there’s more to her story than she’s been led to believe. Strange and inexplicable occurrences have always surrounded her, dismissed as nothing more than her overactive imagination.

When a distant relative mysteriously vanishes, a body is discovered, and Maida’s lifelong dream of owning an enchanted bookshop suddenly comes true she realizes her "wild" imagination might not have been so far-fetched after all.
There’s just one hitch: the sentient bookshop has gone into hiding and it’s up to Maida to coax it back. To claim her inheritance, she must step out of her safe, predictable world and embrace a reality where magic is not only real—it’s woven into the very fabric of everyday life.

That handsome neighbor? He might be a shapeshifter.

And the barista who runs the local café? She’s likely brewing more than coffee.

THOUGHTS:

Magical
Charming
Delightful read

I love a good cozy read that is engaging and full
of my favorite tropes - found family, second chances, a bookshop owner, sprinkled in a murder mystery and romance, this was absolutely enchanting and so fun to read.

I enjoyed getting lost in this world, and cannot wait for more in this series. I thought the writing was so fun and creative, and it was so hard for me to put down.

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful read. A unique world. Really kept my interest after a bit of a slow start. I felt like it could have been fleshed out more emotionally but I will definitely read book 2 when released May 2025

[Debbie Rozier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first cozy mystery fantasy book and it’s like a warm mug of tea that I never want to stop drinking.

I loved the way each chapter began with a blurb from a series of magical manuals. It was also great that each point of view had its own symbol to represent the character.

This book has witches, fae, porters, and shapeshifters who all find common ground at the Mudpuddle Bookstore. When the store disappears along with its caregiver, Minerva, the Society of Protection of Natural Magic sends attorney and shapeshifter, Arthur, to find the heir of the shop, Maida Westbrook, who is an Ordinary.

There are telepathic watches, synthetic magic, a cat familiar, and a room full of magical artifacts.

The mystery and characters are both wildly entertaining. There is an underlying lesson of tolerance which is definitely applicable to today’s real world.

[Anne Britch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing. Very cozy, original, great characters. Loved it 🥰

[Sie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did nothing for two days whilst I was glued to this beautiful, small town, cozy, supernatural, murder mystery, magical fantasy story.

💜 Witches 💜
💜 Shape shifters 💜
💜 Fairies 💜
💜 Teleporters 💜
😈 Evil Mage 😈
❤️‍🩹 Family repairs ❤️‍🩹

[Phi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an enchanting and delightful story! I listened to the audiobook, and cannot recommend that format enough. The music set the mood from the very beginning, and took me straight into this magical world in such a fun way! This story included such an array of characters. The ending was so sweet and wonderful! I can't wait for the next story in this series!

[Kathy Colette Andersen · Rating 3 out of 5]

mildly pleasant

The first third: somewhat intriguing. The middle was sadly a bit tiresome, and the last third I skimmed as the repetition from different POV without much difference otherwise became dull.
Some likable characters, but although the main character grew through the action, her personality became increasingly vague and poorly defined by the unsatisfactory ending. She felt superfluous to the story.
The whole book seemed to slide unpleasantly from regular fiction through YA fiction to an elementary level and out again.

[Frances · Rating 4 out of 5]

a little too….

Hey Read, the book. At one point I debate it on DNF. Frustration almost gotten in the way of my enjoyment. Re-reading the same words from two different people‘s perspectives really messed with my train of thought. You expect a story to move forward, and instead, it move sideways. Overall, it didn’t diminish the story in as much as it just frustrated the reader

[Barbara Carver · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the story and characters, not a fan of reading the chapter then the same chapter from a different character, then the next chapter the SAME scene again from a third character.. this happened more times than I'm a fan of in this book. The chapters could have just been longer and all the perspectives in one go.

[Valerie · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF. This author doesn’t know the proper grammar for writing dialogue and while I can understand one mistake this isn’t acceptable. Shame because the story is decent.

[Kelly Niehaus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you so much GoodReads for the giveaway book! I truly appreciated it!

The Mudpuddle Manual of Natural Magic is a delightful, warm read — very comforting and imaginative. It’s the kind of book you read when you want to drift into a cozy, slightly magical world, not when you want edge-of-your-seat tension. The mystery and inheritance plot gives it enough structure so it’s not just slice-of-life, but the heart of the book is in its characters and the magical community.

[Masyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun read!

[Sheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars: Enjoyable cozy fantasy story that may have felt just a smidge too long at times.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this cozy fantasy! First off, that cover is so beautiful! Then, we had a really fun cast of characters from a witch-turned-mouse, to a hilarious 'porter' named Will Porter, to our lovable protagonist, and many things in between. My favorite part of this story was probably the house/bookshop itself. I don't want to give any spoilers, but a mouse finds some unique solutions in the house, and it was one of the most enchanting parts of the book. Can't wait to read the next in the Natural Magic series!

[David Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful and engaging fantasy filled with wonderful treats and lots of heart.
I absolutely adore this one! It's beautifully written, has lovable characters, relatable themes and it left me wanting more. It's just what the Dr ordered and quite frankly, it's just MAGICAL! I can't recommend this one highly enough. One of my top five books this year.

Thank you to the author, Dolce Villa Press and Suzy Approved Book Tours for the gifted copy and including me on this tour. I can't wait for the next book in the series to come out!

[Spinneretta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

This book introduces us to the Mudpuddle, a magical, sentient bookshop and house, that has been in the Lathrop family since it was built.
It belongs to Maida Westerbrook, but she didn’t know about it, or even than magic was real, until the shop mysteriously disappears along with her great aunt Minerva.
Now it’s up to Maida to find the house, and the reason for its disappearance, before it’s too late…

This is a lovely genre blending book, with fantasy, mystery, and a little hint of romance. It’s fairly low intensity, although some unfinished business takes its time to be resolved, but most of the loose ends are neatly wrapped up by the end of the book.
There are two storylines throughout the book, with several different points of view and the characters are quirky and a lot of fun. Since we were left with an open ending where the characters may have more story to tell, I’m hopeful that the next book in the series will pick up from where this one left off, and let us stay with Maida, Arthur, and Rose in the Mudpuddle.

A thoroughly enjoyable, and cosy fantasy that fans of sentient houses will love.

[Aydni · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️ it started off with interesting enough characters and vivid descriptions but gradually lost steam and left lots of plot holes. It felt like a story churned out by ChatGPT that starts recognizable to the descriptions put into it but then ends the story mid sentence. There were so many characters added and so little was learned about any of them. As others have said, reading the same quotes in back to back chapters is not different points of view it is just redundant. I really wanted to like this book perhaps the next in the series will be better.

[Stacy Chang · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just want to make a note to say that this book wasn't really Maida's story, rather I felt like it was more Minerva's (her aunt) story then anyone else's. But I loved that we got to see from Maida, Minerva AND Arthur's point of views.

Everything in this book was so sweet. I absolutely fell in love with Arthur and the way he remembers and sees Maida. I'm f*ucking vomitting rainbows. I was mad rooting for them, their sweet buildup and the eventual realization of love. Albeit I did wish we got to see more of their childhood memory from Maida's point of view (since she's supposed to be the main character) to make their current feelings more solid and give it more depth. We only get to see it briefly from Arthur's side, and only get a quick resolution where we were told that he was shipped off to Ireland never to see Maida again. I wanted to know if he was grieving about what happned, did it change him as a person and how he saw the rules of the magical world? Etc, etc. There was so much missed potential! Also, there was never discussion about Rosie, I feel like usually going into a relationship with a person with a child, there's usually a discussion to be had, but none was ever mentioned.

We also never get to see the next steps of Arthuer and Maida's relationship after the fact (after the boss villain is defeated), only Minerva's and while I'm ecstatic for her, I really wanted the book to end with some cute scene between Maida and Arther acknowledging their feelings, sharing a kiss at the back of the house with sweet words like they're going to take care of the the Mudpuddle house together or something... 🥲 But there was nothingggg, another missed opportunity. I was devastated.

But, buuut, I still loved this book though. The type that I'd read with a cup of hot choclate and blanket while my heart is warm and fuzzy. 🥰

[Elizabeth Snow · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a delight! The first in a series, this novel is filled with charming and quirky characters, a fun premise, and the best house/bookstore a girl could dream of owning. Amusingly, the book hinges on inheritance law: an Ordinary (non-magical person) cannot know about the magical world, yet “Ordinary” Maida’s inherited a very magical house.

While I enjoyed all the characters in this book, my favorite one is the Mudpuddle (house) itself. It’s not fully sentient, but it is wonderfully reactive – and when it senses danger, it disappears! And a disappearing Mudpuddle has consequences for the whole magical community. In the ensuing chaos, trigged by an usual murder, villains lurk, secret histories abound, lies are told but truths are revealed, relationships are strained and healed, and long-thwarted romance beckons.

Things I particularly loved: the characters, plot, pacing, descriptions, and various viewpoints. I was dreading finishing the book, not wanting this tale to end, until I learned it was going to be a trilogy! WHAT A RELIEF. The only thing I did not enjoy were excerpts from a very stuffy manual that began several chapters, but… you weren’t supposed to like them, as they were included to illustrate the divide in the magical community, which I imagine will continue to be a major plot-point in the future books. This was a wonderfully cozy & fanciful five-star read and I can’t wait for the rest of the series.

[sarah_bbgr · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up. This book surprised me. At some point, I started the first few chapters and then deemed it a DNF until this week. I decided to give it another try and was pleasantly surprised that it was more enjoyable than I initially thought. There was some odd pacing that threw me off and the switching POVs/repeating chapters didn’t work – I’d rather have just seen played out from multiple angles all at once. I would also have loved to see more personal growth from Maida. It felt like there were so many different characters’ stories the author wanted to develop that by the end, readers are just skipping stones across the cast. I also struggled to keep the characters’ ages fixed in my mind for some reason, though it was stated for some. A small annoyance, but I’d much have preferred the family name to be Westbrook instead of Westabrook – it just felt slightly wrong every time I read it. The plot is fairly predictable, but I didn’t mind too much. Overall, it didn’t blow me away, but it was fun enough for a cozy-ish read. I may give book two a try eventually, but I’m not committed yet. A good fit for fans of The Crescent Moon Tea Room.

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

The characters are painfully predictable and one-dimensional. The romance was forced, awkward, and downright cringe inducing. Honestly, how many times can a guy “gently lift her chin” so she’ll meet his gaze before it stops being romantic and starts being patronizing? The dialogue throughout is stiff and unnatural, both in the “romantic” scenes and the rest of the interactions. Nothing feels genuine, and the main characters fit one of two molds. Either they are entirely forgettable, or they are insufferable turds who cycle through unnecessary outbursts followed by half-hearted apologies. Is being an emotionally stunted man who talks down to every woman in his life when he’s upset really what we’re calling swoon-worthy these days?

Then comes the final few chapters. The author retells the exact same scene, right down to the dialogue, from three different perspectives, while adding minor additional details to each chapter. I kept reading, hoping it would redeem itself, because I wanted to love this story. But in the end, it’s just a mess of clichés, filler words ripped straight from a thesaurus, and a misplaced confidence in its own “originality.”

[Susan Ballard (subakkabookstuff) · Rating 5 out of 5]

How perfect that this book arrived during the spooky autumn season. I had such a wonderful time reading this magical story, which is full of witches, shifters, fae, and an evil mage.

The Mudpuddle is a house that contains the magical archives. Of course, there’s a bookstore and cafe, which makes it as cozy as can be. The Mudpuddle has a caretaker, a witch, but it also has an heir who lives an “ordinary” life. But when a murder occurs, the Mudpuddle goes into hiding, and a family’s magical secrets are revealed.

There is murder, mystery, family secrets, and so much more. I adored these characters, including the Mudpuddle itself. They all have charm, whimsy, and humor. Although there is romance, I enjoyed the family dynamics and how the magical community was divided. Such a clever, creative, and imaginative story!

I’m excited that there’s more to come in this series. I look forward to spending more time with these delightful characters.

4.5 🌟

Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours and @ciarablumeauthor for a spot on tour and a gifted book.

[Lauren Cavanagh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be delightful and I look forward to the other stories within the series. I loved the Magical realm of Primrose Court (adjacent to Boston) that author Ciara Blume creates - filled with witches, fae, shifters, and more. I also loved the blossoming romance between FMC Maida Lathrop Westabrook, and MMC Arthur Hart. My only real qualm, is just that I wanted MORE of both. The author provides some great details, and I had no problem visualizing the House (the Mudpuddle), some of the colorful characters that grace Primrose Court, etc. But I felt like the backstories of the characters and their emotions could have been fleshed out more to help fully immerse the reader in the story. I found that the story started out a little slow, but quickly pulled me in once the initially disparate threads started coming together. Overall, I’d give this book a 3.5/5 - very glad I read this story and will happily read future Mudpuddle stories as they come out.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read Ciara's previous series of books (Lit Lovers) and absolutely adore her writing style. The characters are fun and the plot moves at just the right pace.

I wasn't sure what to expect from reading The Mudpuddle Manual of Natural Magic, but I am adding it to my favorites list! The blend of fantasy and mystery with a hint of romance all within the context of being 'cozy' was just what this gal needed.
As you read the book, you get to see inside the 'magical world' when reading excerpts from books for witches and shapeshifters. Those 'excerpts' blend into what is happening in the storyline with the different characters. You can also see how a divide exists between some in the magical community.

Overall, this is a nice read and I am eager for the next one to come out.

Note ~ I did receive an advance reader copy in digital format for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Yannie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, I don't have high hopes for the book because I don't really see it as one of the recommended ones on social media and just found its free Kindle version on Amazon. It took me awhile to read it because of tons of personal reasons but this is definitely a good one and it's easy to read. Despite its title, it's not literally a manual but every chapter shows some quotes that were like guides on what will happen in each chapter. The book focuses on Maida and Minerva. Maida, an Ordinary who is unaware of her magical roots and Minerva, Mudpuddle's caretaker who suddenly disappeared.

As written on the book cover, this is a cozy read which is a bit boring in the middle. The narration is good except for the last few chapters, which has a lot of shifts on POV and each shift was a bit redundant that made those parts unnecessarily long.

[Tina M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cozy Fantasy/Paranormal-Quick But Efficient Storyline

Loved this book, and looking forward to the next in the series. Bummed out though that the 3rd isn’t due for release until October of this year.

Builds on the characters and the world they inhibit nicely, and sets up the natural progression and narrative for the next ones in the series.

Maida, the MC, is delightful to get to know as she explores her new found magic, and falls in love with the town she loves to, taking over a "missing" bookstore, as she also begins to discover the magical town and inhabitants who live there.

Quick, and stress-free read.
Well written and a true joy to read.

If you’re into the cozy Fantasy/Paranormal genre, with a side of romance, mayhem, a mystery to solve, and magical beings, this may be the series for you.

[JuliaRReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Mudpuddle Manual of Natural Magic is an engaging and enjoyable read that I didn’t want to put down—or finish! The book brings a fresh perspective to witches, Fae, shifters, and even has a tiny mention of vampires. The characters, especially Maida, are well-crafted and make it easy to become invested in their magical world.

Between some chapters, there are excerpts from The Mudpuddle Manual and other mythical guidebooks. These were fun to read and complemented the storyline nicely, adding a little extra depth to the magical world without overshadowing the main plot.

Although there were a few spots where the pacing felt a bit rushed, the story remained engaging throughout. I’m really looking forward to the next book in the series!