Tansy's Tinctures: A cozy cottagecore fantasy

by R.S.S. Rodrigues

Tansy Glenmoss flees the horrors of war, seeking solace in the magical marshlands of Silverfern Hollow.
In a cozy cottage surrounded by blooming gardens and the warmth of a welcoming community, she begins to heal—brewing remedies, growing friendships, and finding an unexpected connection with Orsian, a man whose scars run as deep as her own.
But peace is fragile.
A shadow from her past emerges, and dark magic seeps into the marshlands. As the waters foul and the Folk fall ill, Tansy must confront the nightmares she thought she’d escaped and protect the family and home she never thought she’d find.
Filled with heartwarming moments, quiet resilience, and the healing power of second chances, Tansy’s Tinctures is a cozy fantasy tale of found family, living with PTSD, and finding light in the darkest places.

Genres: Fantasy, Cozy Fantasy, Cozy, Fiction, Found Family, Romance, Adult Fiction

221 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 9, 2025

Reviews

[Tarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this as an ARC and I was so honored! On the surface, this is a cozy story about a witch who finds her place in the world and the family she creates along the way. But when you look a little deeper, you find a truly touching story of healing, learning to trust oneself and others, friendship, and love.

I adored this story! As someone who suffers from PTSD, Tansy’s healing journey truly touched me and felt realistic. If you are looking for a new cozy fantasy with a mix of Kiki’s Delivery Service (a witch finding her way in the world) and Howl’s Moving Castle (magical house and a fire entity) vibes, I highly recommend!

[Giselle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tansy’s Tinctures has a really charming premise, with a magical town and a focus on personal growth. The concept is cozy and appealing, and the nonhuman characters in particular were fun and memorable.

That said, the book just didn’t fully work for me. The human characters felt quite flat, and everyone seemed to trust each other very quickly in ways that didn’t always feel believable. The romance also felt rushed and underdeveloped, so I never really got invested in the relationship. On top of that, there are some editing issues and moments that don’t quite make sense in context, and the dialogue often reads a bit stiff and unnatural, which took me out of the story.

There’s a lot of potential in the world and concept, and I think readers who are more forgiving about editing and who mainly want a light, cozy magical romantasy read may still enjoy it. For me personally, it felt more like an early draft than a fully polished book.

[Βίκυ Χ. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Fantasy You'll Wish Was Your Reality

"For those who seek to soothe a pain
They cannot name,.....
.. Healing unfolds in many ways."

This heartwarming novel is undoubtedly one of the best! Every artful word in Tansy's Tinctures gently applies a healing balm to the reader’s wounds and scars. Even for those not in need of healing, this jewel-toned narrative resounds like an utterly lyrical and peaceful melody, touching the tender chords of both heart and mind. The perfect balance of cozy charm and thrilling action, the dreamy romance, and the seamlessly crafted, bewitching world together create an unforgettable reading journey. As if that weren’t enough, the exquisite cast of characters—each with their own vivid, enchanting backstories, like sparkling, colorful stars—orbit around Tansy and Orsian, the endearing protagonists, and entice the reader into a whimsical, healing dance that leads to a harmonious, soul-stirring happy ending. I know I will return to this magical tale countless times.

R.S.S. Rodrigues’ spellbinding pen has soothed my heart, ignited my imagination, and transformed me into one of her most passionate admirers. What are you waiting for? Dive into her shimmering world now!

[Megan » Hello Book Bird! · Rating 1 out of 5]

The cover is beautiful but is this self-published? Because this needs an editor to really make it shine.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to my bookclub pick for this month, this was my first experience with the cottagecore genre — and I have to say, I really enjoyed it!
This was such a cute, cozy read. I loved the storyline where paranormal beings like witches, shifters, and the Folk play an important role. The side characters were also super enjoyable to read about, and it was fun getting to know their little quirks.

What didn’t fully work for me was the main conflict — it felt a bit darker than I expected for a cozy fantasy vibe. And the biggest downside for me personally: the third-person point of view. I usually prefer first-person, so it made it a bit harder to really connect.

Overall, a charming and magical read with just a few personal misses!

[Natasha Pritchard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc reviewer

This books is really charming, it's filled with magic, friendship, love and truly is captivating. I love the main character, I love the side characters and I love the folk people. I wish it was longer but im smiling writing this review, content and I do love a book with a happy ending. Few little spelling/grammar mistakes but doesn't take the charm away from the book at all. I need me a handsome man like him, I need me a tuft and I love the bees.
Please please please, give this book a chance.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story!!!!!!!!!

[Deanna Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is cute

It has potential. Tansy and Orsian and adorbs. The story is cute and the side characters steal your heart. Tuft 🥰. My big issue is the writing and editing. For such a small book the mistakes seem sloppy. And for the love of Gawd, why so many exclamation points ‼️ I counted like 5-6 on one page. My goodness. By the end I was rolling my eyes every time I saw one. Had those mistakes not existed I would have loved a longer book so I could love the characters even more 😍

[Meghan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was cute and cosy but a little two slow for me. 2.5 rounded down.

[Livia Bartels · Rating 1 out of 5]

Overall: a witch escapes a brutal war to set up a house in the woods with lots of Folk around, and falls in love with a bear shifter.

Pros: some of the Folk characters were mildly interesting

Cons: the spelling and grammatical issues, the fact that the townsfolk knew her for TWO DAYS and were saying how she belonged and was one of them and that she was amazing etc etc… so unbelievable. And the love interest showed up on basically page 2 and was super duper obvious and there was no tension, plus the ‘grand struggle’ with the necromancer had no tension or stakes either. The pacing was off, and the conversations between characters was downright unbelievable (every conversation ending with, I have to go now, bye!).

[Sarah Tarvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was thrilled to receive an ARC for this cozy novel and what a pleasure it was to read!

This gives so many Studio Ghibli vibes, especially Howl's Moving Castle. Much like a Ghibli movie, there are moments in this story where the lush, gentle focus on nature put me into so much peace, which as someone who, much like the main character, is recovering from PTSD, was magical. I felt like I was actually there in those magical places.

The opening chapter pulled me in immediately and kept me interested. The story is more character driven than action and the characters are very lovable, particularly the main characters little sidekicks.

[Michelle Nelms · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not for me

I loved the cover of this book. The art is beautiful.

I very much enjoyed the non-human characters; the Folk, dryads, and mythological creatures. The descriptions of plants and nature areas were lovely.

I did not care for the humans, who became annoying as the story progressed. Another pass with an editor could have helped the writing a lot. There was a lot of repetition and some word choices that took me out of the story.

The last 2 chapters weren't bad. There's potential for a 4-5 star story here, but for me this wasn't it.

[MyDoRyS · Rating 1 out of 5]

My reviews are my own. If you liked this book, I’m glad you enjoyed it. If not, I respect your opinion.  This is merely my opinion, so let's keep it courteous. My review is honest and voluntary.

I decided to read it because of the beautiful cover and the title. Sadly, that and the magical maneagery of creatures were the only good things about the book.

I'm all for stories about stories for new beginnings. That said, I do not enjoy it when a character needs a romantic interest to achieve a new beginning. I believe that a new beginning is something personal, and to achieve it, that person needs to be in a peaceful mental state with themselves first, then the rest of the world. Similar to loving yourself first, then others. Also, she acts like a virgin teen who has never seen a male...which makes no sense since she was part of the "army", so I bet she had tons of opportunities to see half-naked males in the trenches. She is not a kid, but reads like one.

All the humans are bland and incredibly trusting. You just met someone, and everyone acts like they have been friends since childhood. I get the town is "magical," but the whole idea of trusting someone so fat is a bit ridiculous.

The storyline about the wedding and her knowledge of herbs makes no sense...herbs and flowers are not the same. Yes, some flowers can be used as herbs and vice versa, but they are not the same. It is like asking a pharmacist to be a wedding decorator because they know mint is a great herb. Then she spent more time on the wedding planning than actually doing what she decided to be her new beginning.......sigh.

It needed a better editor; it is incredibly repetitive. Making it unnecessarily long. I mean, I GET IT, She has PTSD because of war, but I did not need to be reminded of it every time she did anything! 

This story was definitely not for me. The whole story is full of inconsistencies and lame, corny lines. 

On to my next adventure, Happy Readings!!!

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was cozy and tender overall. The descriptions of the cottage, village and forest were beautiful and enchanting, like an aromatic cup of tea. It's well written and easy to read.

I will say the conflict was not cozy though. The first half was so sweet and had me grinning, but I found the conflict to be too dark and too gruesome for the tone set in the first part of the book. I almost set the book aside because I really wanted a light read. Having said that it was resolved quickly and the ending had the same uplifting, warm feel.

I adored this world and hope we get another book set here soon. There are a variety of creatures from witches, fenfolk, shifters, dryads and more. The fire sprite and cute griffin kitten made me want to dive into the book. I also loved the comedic relief provided by Byrony's word mixups. So cute. The romance was sweet with real chemistry.

This book touches on some heavy themes like PTSD, grief and war. I think it handles it gracefully and the book's message of healing and self worth is well done.

[Spinneretta · Rating 4 out of 5]

good

Having run from the war she was conscripted to fight in, witch and herbalist Tansy Glenmoss makes her way to Silverfern Hollow, where she begins her new life.

Recovering from her trauma, she finds new strength in her new home, in making friends, in starting a new business, and in Orsian, the local beekeeper and new love interest.

This is a delightful book, with a warm, cosy feel, and a sweet, slow pace. It’s a story of healing, and of finding one’s place. Sprinkled throughout with a definite Cottagecore aesthetic, and a fun cast of human and fair folk alike, it’s a whimsical tale that’s perfect for an escapist read.

I admit, I was drawn to the book by the cover art, but I stayed because the story was good, and while it had its drama, for the most part the book is low tension.

This is a great read for those who want a slow, fairytale fantasy story, and the kind of idyllic world you will definitely want to revisit.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

To begin, the world in this book is one of my favorites I have read. You get the cottagecore elements that I love not just for the individual cabins, but the village as a whole. There is also a whole forest full of beings of folklore that are living their own lives with their own special powers. Throughout the story, I was getting hardcore Skyrim vibes with the magics and the environment. It felt like one of the smaller towns within the Elder Scrolls universe. There is one particular fire salamander that reminded me quite a bit of Calcifer from Howl's Moving Castle. He had a very similar witty and sarcastic personality like the beloved fire demon. Something special the author added to the front of the book is a map! I LOVE fantasy worlds that come with a map as it feels much more real and settled.

Silverfern Hollow is the village a good portion of the book takes place in. It reminded me quite a bit of Riverwood from Skyrim, one of the first places the character will find themselves in as long as you are following the beginning game quests. Both places have blacksmiths, shops, houses, even a tavern with a bard playing the lute in the background. They both have cobblestone roads and lie amongst a river. At one point, the town is dressed up for a celebration with pumpkins and fairy lights hanging about the buildings, it gave me strong Fall vibes which is perfect for October. The villagers that made appearances in the book, had different personalities, making the town feel very much alive and active.

This book takes place mainly through the eyes of Tansy, the main female herbalist character. At one point, it does swap to the perspective of the main male character Orsian but this is not until the end of the book at least from what I remember.

The writing was somewhat difficult to follow at times, particularly with the dialogue. There were times where I was not sure who was speaking since the conversation would move on pretty quick. I also noticed at least one instance where quotation marks were missing. Some of the dialogue also seemed to repeat itself. There would be times in which one character said something, just to have another character say basically the same thing, acting as though it was a new revelation. Or there would be moments where a Tansy would think herself through something, just to re-explain it fully again out loud to another character. This repetition can get a tad difficult to get through but it was not a big deal in my opinion.

Tansy is an ex-soldier haunted by the past she was forced into by warlocks. She was used as a healer for the soldiers, and a maker of poisons against the rival army. After escaping the trenches, she finds herself being compelled towards the very cabin she would eventually settle in. She quickly settles into her new role of local herbalist and begins to gain a positive reputation amongst the townspeople. The plot surrounds her revival in which she is putting the nightmare of the past behind her, allowing her to embrace her new life full of peace of happiness. She struggles with doubts at various moments in the book but remains steadfast in doing what needs to be done, particularly during the climax. She ends up being an integral figure in the preservation of the magic of the forest, which leads to her eventually finding her true purpose in Silverfern Hollow.

Orsian is the shape-shifting male protagonist in the story. Being an ex-soldier himself, he was forced to commit unspeakable crimes against the opposing army as well. As he is already settled into the town, he is further along in his healing journey than Tansy, but he still has his moments of fear and doubt. He has a domineering figure and stance, but he is very much a cuddly teddy bear. He lives outside the village in his own cabin where he keeps bees and deals in honey. He is also a prime figure in the protection of the village and surrounding woods. He has an important role in the main plot as he is always willing to jump into the fight, protecting those he cares about.

Tansy and Orsian do have a budding romance in the story. I did find the pacing of their relationship to be rather quick, so it felt a bit lackluster when they ended up sharing their feelings for each other. That being said, their relationship was very sweet and did not feel forced. They were both able to relate to each other's similar war traumas, so they found healing and peace within each other's presence. There is an implied physical moment, but it is very innocent and there are no details about what occurred. Their relationship was very chill and comforting to read. I enjoyed it very much.

Some of the folklore creatures that can be found in this book include the fire salamander I mentioned in the first paragraph that lives out in Tansy's various fireplaces, a kitten griffon cutie pie that flies around and fights roosters for grub, boggarts who can shapeshift, a lamia that makes you question its allegiance, along with others. The different personalities and magical abilities of these different creatures, gives massive fantasy vibes. I enjoyed pretty much all of the scenes with these characters, and it created such a lively world, knowing you could come into quick contact with said creatures while just strolling through the woods.

Everything being said, if you enjoy fantasy stories with heavy magic and folklore elements, I feel like you will enjoy this book. The fact this book is only the first in a series of three (the third one being released in March of 2026) is an added bonus. It seems each book focuses on different characters and their stories of healing as well, so I am looking forward to finishing out this series of hope and finding peace.

[Krista Norman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did Not Finish. Stopped halfway through.

I like slow, cottage core stories and yet couldn't get through this one. There are lots of flower and greenery filled scenes. There's magic and other fun.

Pacing was uneven. Editing was not great. Some of it was poor English. Some was just odd writing. For example, how can she stand upright with both feet hovering over her slippers unless she's actually floating? (She wasn't floating). Those kinds of moments took me out of the story too often.

While this author can definitely write a pretty scene, I hope Rodrigues finds a worthy editor next time.

[Morgane · Rating 5 out of 5]

No need to wrap up in a blanket with a hot cocoa next to a fire as you watch the snow fall outside - this book encompasses all these feelings and will keep you cosy and warm way after the story has ended.
Such a beautiful story with characters we can relate to, in a wonderfully depicted world of forest magic, friendship and new beginnings.
I am usually a romantasy/dark fantasy reader, but this made me discover a new genre that I want to explore some more. Sometimes, you just want to feel good and warm and loved. Tansy's Tinctures delivered exactly what I didn't know I needed.

[Danique · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this as an ARC.

When I think about a magical world where I can find peace, this is it. I did need to get used to the writing style, but I ended up loving it. The story is about Tansy, a woman who escapes war and tries to find a place where she belongs. She meets different people, magical creatures and the story itself is very cute, cozy and with some action. I will think about this book for days,I'm sure of it.

[Jini Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC and unfortunately due to personal circumstances was t able to put up my review earlier. It’s a beautiful, mystical and cozy simple read! A very easy read where I didn’t have to think much about the plot but could let the story just wash over me as I settled down for the night! 3 stars because at times I felt the grammar was a little off and the personally I felt the romance was fast paced and quite cliche.

[Sydney Wilder · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful little cozy fantasy. It reminded me a lot of The Spellshop, and the descriptions of the enchanted marsh and the Folk that live there is delightful. The last half is more action-heavy, but the conclusion was so sweet and I loved the themes of escaping war and finding solace in a hidden, enchanted place. Definite must-read for cozy fantasy fans. It’s also quite short, almost novella length, which makes for a good weekend read.

[Ariel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect cozy fantasy!

Let the magic of Silver Fern Hollow calm your mind as you curl up with a warm mug of tea and this delightful little read. This book can be read quickly in a day or two as you will want to keep flipping the pages until the very end. Tansy,Tuft, and the fenfolk provide perfect magical and mysterious vibes with just a touch of romance. Excellent story, can’t wait to see what else happens in this delightful series.

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very enjoyable book to read. I have always loved the silence and beauty of a forest and their glades. The characters in this book are powerfully written, the plot is straightforward, and the premise is finding a place a person belongs, defending it, and getting along with the Folk as well as your fellow humans. All these were illustrated in this story. I loved every minute it too to read this and I think you will, too IF you give it half a chance.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tansy’s Tinctures is a warm hug that you need at the end of a long day.

Tansy is running from a war in which she had to do horrible things. She finds a new home as a herbalist in a small village with a hot beekeeper for a neighbour. Together with her magical salamander, Gryphon kitten and new friends she rebuilds her life bit by bit.

[Stephanie Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went in to this with an idea for the vibe from the cover. I wanted a magically world with some romantic undertones and a feel good feeling and it delivered.
My only criticism was I wish it was longer….the descriptions of the world were whimsical but detailed enough to build the world in my mind.
Definitely worth a read and I look forward to what more the author has to offer.

[Mimmi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really cozy and well-written story about a witch named Tansy, where you meet all kinds of interesting creatures. The story is easy to read, and the storyline keeps you invested. I ARC-read this book in PDF format and will definitely buy the paperback version—the tiny illustrations on some pages are beautiful.

[Isa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the author, thank you so much!

Tansy’s tinctures was a nice story about personal growth in a magical setting! It’s cozy fantasy as it is meant to be and the characters are very loveable.
The only thing I didn’t like as much, was the writing style being mostly “tell” instead of “show”. This is just a personal preference though 🥰

Overall it was a nice read!

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tansy's Tinctures

Was a little disappointed with this. The premise is good, and there are good bones of the story here, but it's kind of disjointed and flat in places. The characters are simplistic. The story needs more fleshing out. A good editor could have improved this story greatly. It wasn't bad, just not as good as it should have been.

[Nataša Gaber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cosy vibe. There was nothing better to start the morning with a cup of tea and a few chapters of this book. It's gives a sense of comfort and healing, as Tansy's story develops. Would recomend to anyone.

[Kyanite-Raven · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this as an ARC, thank you.

It's been a while since I have read a cosy book.
I loved reading about Tansy's journey on healing her past trauma, whilst rebuilding herself, learning to trust, make new friends and learning to love.