The Mudpuddle Manual of Natural Magic

Natural Magic #1

by Ciara Blume

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

Eccentric heiress Maida Westbrook 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, despite knowing the difference between fact and fiction, Maida can’t shake the nagging sense 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 an overactive imagination.

When a distant relative mysteriously vanishes, a body is discovered, and Maida’s lifelong dream of owning a charming bookshop suddenly comes true she realizes her 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.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Magic, Cozy Fantasy, Cozy, Novels, Speculative Fiction

484 pages, Paperback

Published September 26, 2024

About the author

Ciara Blume writes fiction about characters who aren't willing to wait around for their happy endings. An award-winning author working from the edge of the California coast, she crafts stories that explore the magic of transformation, the art of reclaiming yourself, the complications of family and the chaos of starting over when the world expects you to stay put. The daily sight of the ocean makes her wonder: what lies beneath the surface, and what happens when you dive in?

For more information and news about Ciara’s upcoming releases, follow her on Amazon, 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!

[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

[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.

[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!

[Phrynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first in a new series called Natural Magic.

This is a cosy mystery about a magical bookstore and much more - shifters and witches, fairies and dragons, magical artefacts, porters who can carry you from here to anywhere in minutes. The Mudpuddle itself is a sentient bookshop which one day just disappears. Feeling itself endangered it has gone into hiding taking its caretaker with it. The heir to the shop is the only hope for retrieving it but she is an Ordinary. Or is she?

Such a fun book with loads of fascinating characters, a delightful magic system and an intriguing mystery. Fantastical, nonsensical and a wonderful read. Recommended if a cosy mystery with witches is your cup of tea.

[Jenni · Rating 4 out of 5]

I tumbled into this book the way I once tripped over my own shoe in public and pretended it was performance art — mortified, committed, and already in too deep to back out.

Maida Westbrook is an eccentric heiress living her best “I just want peace, books, and zero nonsense” life. She’s got beach strolls, cosy fires, and a library full of myths she reads like bedtime stories. She’s basically the patron saint of introverts who want magic without the admin.

But magic?
Magic has been side‑eyeing her for years.

Strange things have always happened around Maida — weird, sparkly, “this is not normal” things — but everyone politely labelled it as imagination.
Spoiler: her imagination is innocent.
Reality is guilty.

Then the universe throws a triple whammy at her:

a distant relative vanishes

a body appears

her lifelong dream of owning a bookshop suddenly materialises
Me: “Oh fantastic, destiny is drunk again.”

But the bookshop?
It’s sentient.
And it’s hiding.
Because apparently even magical real estate has anxiety.

Maida has to coax it back like she’s whispering sweet nothings to a shy woodland creature. To claim her inheritance, she must step out of her cosy bubble and embrace a world where magic is woven into everyday life like glitter you’ll never vacuum out.

Her handsome neighbour?
Probably a shapeshifter.

The barista?
Absolutely brewing potions between lattes.

The whole town?
Suspiciously magical in that “everyone knows something except Maida” way.

As she digs into her past, Maida realises her entire life has been one long breadcrumb trail of magical nonsense. Saving the bookshop — and protecting her newfound magical family — requires courage, chaos, and a willingness to risk her heart.

The vibe is:

cosy fantasy

whimsical mystery

magical hijinks

found family

“your bookshop has feelings, deal with it”

It’s charming, warm, quirky, and full of delightful worldbuilding. The pacing meanders like a distracted toddler, but the atmosphere is so enchanting you don’t mind being dragged along.

A solid 4‑star cosy fantasy — whimsical, magical, heartfelt, and perfect for readers who want mystery with charm, magic with warmth, and a heroine discovering she’s been extraordinary all along.

[Shyames · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful mix of genres—with mystery, fantasy, and a sprinkle of romance beautifully intertwined throughout the story. It’s also got plenty of moments that will make you laugh!

We start with Minerva, the formidable caretaker of the Mudpuddle Bookshop and Cafe, where nothing seems out of the ordinary at first. But when an unexpected guest arrives, everything goes south. The Mudpuddle vanishes without a trace, no one knows what has happened, and the magical community is suddenly at risk of losing the precious peace they’ve enjoyed for hundreds of years.

So, what happens now? Well, Maida, the actual owner of the Mudpuddle, has to figure out her place in this magical new world she's suddenly a part of, making sure she makes the best choices for herself. She also has to come to terms with who the people closest to her truly are, and why they never shared their magical secrets with her before.

I thoroughly enjoyed the story, the way the mystery unravels, and how the world is presented. The shifting POVs are a brilliant touch—it’s always interesting to see the exact same scene play out from multiple characters' perspectives and really get inside their heads.

Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy.

[Carvanz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can you hear me squealing with excitement?! I’m internally twirling with glee at the way this book was written and the story unfolded. I loved the FEEL of this world and every one of its characters, the good and the bad…even when I didn’t know which they were going to end up being.




This setting alone had me hooked from the start. The Mudpuddle Bookstore was so richly textured and vividly imagined that I felt as though I had stepped right into its world. From the first pages, I knew this was going to be something special. I loved how multi-layered and carefully created everything was. This was not a simple plot around a clever idea. Every word, every piece felt intentional, with characters, magic, and story threads woven together into something far deeper than I ever imagined.






I loved how completely I was pulled into this world of magic and shapeshifters. I thrilled at the sense of wonder and mystique I found on each page. I actually found myself slowing down at times simply to savor and absorb it all. I laughed. I smiled. I raged. And I even swooned a bit along the way. While Minerva, Maida, and a certain mouse are the primary stars, this is truly an ensemble story filled with interconnected characters, each one playing an important role in the larger picture. The whimsical atmosphere, the beautifully woven storytelling, and the unexpected, emotional, deeply satisfying ending all combined to create a reading experience unlike any other I’ve had. When I turned the final page, all I could do was sigh with happy satisfaction.

Multi POV
Triggers no apparent triggers

[Mande · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute, cozy read. It read like YA and needs some editing but I enjoyed it and will read another by this author!

[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.

[Cori Samuel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a mix of elements I enjoyed and stuff that really did not work for me. It has a solidly cosy setup -- a thirty-something woman who knows nothing of the magical world, inherits a magical bookshop. Which she perhaps should not, since the previous caretaker of the shop is still alive (and the second of the three POV characters in the story). While the third POV is a stag shifter lawyer & single parent.

I think I would have loved the book from any one of these POVs. They're all interesting characters in their own right, and have good stories attached. But switching back and forth made this book feel longer than it needed to be. It takes a long time for the story to get going: there's an awful lot of "but we can't reveal the magical world" and look, there's not gonna be much of a story if you don't, please just get on with it. Worse, important scenes are retold from different POVs without adding much new, and resulting in some awkward timejumps back and forth for the reader. I wish an editor had said a hard No to this. Lastly, do not read for the MCs' romance, it's unclear why they are attracted to each other, and there's very little in the way of relationship building.

However, if you're looking for a "cosy magical world alongside ours" story, this does pretty well with the world building and has a medium stakes plot (with a few slightly jarring swerves into some darker themes/outcomes.) I also liked the family relationships, which were generally more nuanced than parents tend to get in these types of stories.


Rating: 14/20
This review is based upon a complimentary reading copy provided by the publisher.

[Bella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Storm Publishing, Ciara Blume and Netgalley for the ARC!!!
I am extremely behind on ARCS, I'm so sorry!

5 stars!!

I absolutely adored this book to the max, like I genuinely loved it so so much
It was so fun reading the different perspectives: a shifter witch, a ordinary turned manifester, and another shifter
I loved the characters - every single one was just fantastic and different and full of life
Maida and Arthur had such a bond and friendship, I loved their romance arc, it was just so sweet and lovely
And on their own, they were such interesting characters with great chemistry
I loved seeing how Arthur's daughter, Rosie, had a hand in bringing them together
I also liked Minerva's POV!!! very sweet and cozy plus I loved her character development
Tbh all of them had great character dev!!
I really enjoyed the story/plot, it hooked me from the beginning and while I called out who the villain was gonna be, I still enjoyed it so much since it genuinely was a fun read
I definitely would love to continue this series!!

[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.”

[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

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

I generally avoid what I refer to as "this damn thing again" when I see it. By that I mean a book in which a young-to-middle-aged woman with nothing much positive going on in her life (either no relationship or one that recently ended, and a job and living situation she can leave without regret), who inherits a property and/or business from an elderly relative, goes back to her hometown, discovers she has a magical heritage, meets a love interest and participates in solving a mystery. There's generally also a best friend and a cute animal. There seem to be thousands of books now with this exact setup, and I grew sick of them years ago, particularly since they're usually badly executed.

This one, though, inserted a couple of twists on the tired formula and slipped it past me before I twigged. For a start, the heroine, Maida, already technically owned the house/business, a bookshop and cafe; she just didn't know it. Also, the elderly relative (a great-aunt) who's been running the place isn't dead, though Maida doesn't know this either (for sure) for quite a while - the reader does, though. The cute animal belongs to the romantic interest's daughter (he's a widower), not to the heroine. The best friend plays very little role and is offstage for the entire book, spoken to only on the phone.

This is a version of our world without cellphones and, I think, without the internet, so around a 1980s or even 1970s tech level. The main impact this has is that people aren't always able to contact each other or call for help if there isn't a landline nearby, though some of the magical people have telepathic watches that are early-internet-adjacent. There are shifters, witches, fae, and (offscreen, with the best friend) vampires. It's possible that this started life as a Harry Potter fanfic, or at least used elements of the HP universe; the phrase "wizarding world" comes up at one point, and male magic users are sometimes called "wizards," though there do seem to be Ordinary (= muggle) people who have found a way to use magic, and are called "mages". There's a whole pureblood thing going on, too. The chapters are headed with extracts from several different books, and one is about how important it is to preserve pure witch/wizard bloodlines (it's about as awful as you'd expect). Marriages between witches and shifters are severely looked down upon and often don't produce viable offspring, but sometimes they do, and not all "pureblood" families are actually as pure as they pretend.

Departing from HP, there is "synthetic magic," which is addictive for magicals and gives Ordinaries some degree of ability. It's a major plot driver, and the antagonist is a startup douche who founded the company that makes and distributes it. He's utterly unconcerned about negative effects, and practically argues that they're a feature (see above under "startup douche"). 

Maida makes a mostly pleasant main character, with a distressing backstory which she gets over without much difficulty. There are several sympathetic male characters besides the love interest (Maida's father, his executive assistant who's like a brother to her, an elderly wizard we meet near the beginning). Everyone's nice except the startup douche and Maida's aunt, who's determined to take offence at and criticize absolutely everything about her, though they all have their flaws and foibles as well. Her great-aunt is the secondary protagonist, and has a satisfying arc.

I had a pre-publication copy from Netgalley, and there are some commas where they shouldn't be, a few apostrophe errors and a shortage of hyphens in compound adjectives (which aren't compulsory, at least not for American English, but do make reading easier). Hopefully it will get another edit before publication, but even if it doesn't, it's quite readable.

Overall, I found it a pleasant read, with likeable characters and a well-constructed plot, albeit built on a version of what's become the standard chassis for this type of book. If you like this kind of thing, this is certainly one, and a better-than-average one, though for me it fell short of being amazing.

[moonlitbookwitch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ciara Blume

The Mudpuddle Manual of Natural Magic by Ciara Blume is magical, whimsical, and simply delightful. This light magical-realism fantasy romance, with a touch of mystery, is a charming and enjoyable read from beginning to end.

The story flows smoothly, and the characters are both likable and engaging. Told through multiple character perspectives, the novel offers a well-rounded view of the story while remaining easy to follow. The descriptions and world-building are vivid without being overwhelming, creating a cozy and enchanting atmosphere.

At the heart of the book is Maida Westabrook, who believes she is an Ordinary. She inherits an old Queen Anne house in Primrose Court, a community inhabited by witches and shifters. Along the way, readers meet her Aunt Minerva, who manages the house after it has been transformed into a bookshop and café, as well as Zephyr, Aunt Minerva’s longtime love interest, and many other memorable characters.

I would recommend this book to young adults and adults alike, especially those looking for a fun, heartwarming story filled with magic, romance, and a touch of mystery.

Thank you Storm Publishing for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[TheAmyrlinSofaReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC

This book was a delight and a wonderful discovery. I very much enjoyed reading and will most certainly continue the series.

What I loved:

- The world building. This is urban fantasy with a focus on witches, shifters and fae (and a magical bookshop). The politics between those three are so interesting. I totally loved that the shifters weren't just the typical wolves but a whole array of different animals and that this mechanism was used to add to the plot.

- The different POV's. I won't spoil anything but one of the POV's follows Minerva, an older witch. First of all, I love an older character and their perspective but this POV also has a very unique feature that I adored and found so original.

- The overall cosiness. The Mudpuddle bookshop, the cafe, the descriptions of the food... All the warm feelings, like a crocheted blanket from Granny Luna.

- The found family. Found family is one of my all time favourite tropes and this book does it so well. You truly feel like you want to be part of the group while reading.

A well deserved 5 stars for me.

[Zoë · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like I’ve been surround by cozy fantasy lately and I’m not sad about it at all!

This one in particular was fun, with interesting characters and magical world building. It gave me Harry Potter vibes, and I loved the premise, but the idea of synthetic magic took the story in a bit more of an original direction.

The reason I didn’t rate this higher was due to how long it took me to grasp all the different characters (however once I was familiar with them all, they were easy to find distinctions between), and the plot itself felt slow through the middle.

As far as cozy fantasies go, I feel like this one was more interesting and well written than some others that are out there. Lovers of this genre will enjoy reading this.

I’ll be picking up book two for sure!

Thank you so much Net Galley and Storm Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Cat Treadwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started out with such promise! I loved snarky witch Minerva and her wizard 'friend', and really wanted to know more about Primrose Court.

Unfortunately the story then jumps to a very different character and perspective that just wasn't as engaging. The 'synthetic' magic subplot was rather forced and the story didn't flow as naturally as it could. I found myself drifting before long and not invested enough to return.

A regretful DNF.

I was kindly sent an early copy of this book by the publisher but the above opinions are entirely my own.

[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.

[Erika Gaarz-Mosher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Needed something happy and light hearted after some really dark books recently. This was perfect, pretty low stakes, cute and funny. Also it was Soundbooth studio which is phenomenal narration, almost like a graphic audio. All around very good and just what I was needing.