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Leaf and Scale #2
The Tattling Whisperwoods
Words have power, and secrets can kill…
The village of Drake’s Bend has long been guardian of a sacred grove where ancient trees offer gentle counsel to those who dare share their secrets. For centuries, this delicate balance between confession and wisdom has been maintained.
Until now.
The whisperwoods have turned venomous. The trees sharpen sacred confidences into devastating weapons of betrayal, threatening to tear the local community apart. Old friendships are being torn apart, and villagers fall ill with a mysterious sickness. But the whisperwoods hold still darker secrets that are twisted and spread to the highest reaches of London society. The old sentinels could be lost forever as the call to silence them grows louder.
Fern must uncover the truth behind what poisons both trees and people before time runs out and lives are ruined. The ancient sentinels are the last of their kind, and their loss would forever silence a magic as old as Britain itself. But in the race to save both grove and villagers, Fern discovers that some secrets were meant to stay buried—and awakening them could destroy everything she holds dear.
The village of Drake’s Bend has long been guardian of a sacred grove where ancient trees offer gentle counsel to those who dare share their secrets. For centuries, this delicate balance between confession and wisdom has been maintained.
Until now.
The whisperwoods have turned venomous. The trees sharpen sacred confidences into devastating weapons of betrayal, threatening to tear the local community apart. Old friendships are being torn apart, and villagers fall ill with a mysterious sickness. But the whisperwoods hold still darker secrets that are twisted and spread to the highest reaches of London society. The old sentinels could be lost forever as the call to silence them grows louder.
Fern must uncover the truth behind what poisons both trees and people before time runs out and lives are ruined. The ancient sentinels are the last of their kind, and their loss would forever silence a magic as old as Britain itself. But in the race to save both grove and villagers, Fern discovers that some secrets were meant to stay buried—and awakening them could destroy everything she holds dear.
330 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2025
About the author
Tilly Wallace
41 books639 followersTilly writes whimsical historical fantasy books, set in a bygone time where magic is real. With a quirky and loveable cast, her books combine vintage magic and gentle humour. Through fierce friendships her characters discover that in an uncertain world, the most loyal family is the one you create.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 1, 2026
The Tattling Whisperwoods by Tilly Wallace
This second instalment in the Leaf and Scale series feels much stronger and more assured than the first. The characters have found their footing, the pacing feels smoother, and the whole story settles into its tone with confidence.
The whisperwoods turning venomous and a creeping illness spreading through the village provide the central mystery, but this remains very much a character-driven cosy fantasy. The plot gives the story shape, yet it’s the people, their relationships, and the quiet rhythms of village life that truly carry it.
Fern continues to be a wonderful heroine. A botanist marked by London scandal, she exists slightly outside the usual expectations placed on women of her era. What I especially enjoy is that she navigates that world in multiple ways. She has knowledge and competence, yes, but she also knows exactly when to deploy charm, cake, and a carefully performed air of scatterbrained curiosity to get where she needs to be. She is not above playing the part when it serves her. At the same time, she can misjudge people and has to own up to it. She apologises when she is wrong, even if she doesn’t enjoy it. There’s a gentle Austen-esque flavour to that dynamic, more homage than imitation, and it works beautifully.
The romance remains slow and soft. The brooding dragon-marked recluse is still more Darcy than dangerous rake, and their dynamic leans into quiet understanding rather than dramatic upheaval. The fact that Fern takes initiative rather than waiting to be chosen was a particularly satisfying touch, and it felt completely in character.
This series leans much more fully into fantasy than Wallace’s Grace books. There are witches, real magic, and enchanted creatures woven naturally into everyday life. And the dragons, of course, are a highlight. The recovery arc of the injured dragon is handled with remarkable patience and care. She doesn’t bounce back through magic or sudden miracles. She heals slowly. Day by day. From being moved in a wheelbarrow to taking tiny steps, from fear and fragility to regaining strength and shine. If you’ve ever had anything to do with animal rescue, you will recognise the quiet realism here. Love helps, but love alone doesn’t fix everything overnight. Watching that process unfold gave the book extra depth and warmth.
The found family elements continue to shine. The two uncles remain a warm and steady presence, opening their home and hearts without hesitation. The village genuinely feels like a community, and Fern’s growing friendship with Millie adds another layer of softness. Millie navigates the world a little differently, struggling with noise and chaos but offering strength in quieter, story-driven ways. None of this is spotlighted or moralised. It simply exists as part of everyday life, which makes the world feel richer and more real.
At the same time, this isn’t all gentle tea and tree gossip. There’s banter, bursts of drama, exploding kettles, and enough magical chaos to keep things lively. The cosy atmosphere holds the reins, but the story isn’t static or sleepy.
Overall, The Tattling Whisperwoods is playful, magical, and full of heart. Stronger than the first book, richer in character, and still deeply comforting. It’s not about sweeping epic stakes. It’s about community, care, stubborn hope, and a botanist who refuses to be anything but herself, even when the trees start talking back.
This second instalment in the Leaf and Scale series feels much stronger and more assured than the first. The characters have found their footing, the pacing feels smoother, and the whole story settles into its tone with confidence.
The whisperwoods turning venomous and a creeping illness spreading through the village provide the central mystery, but this remains very much a character-driven cosy fantasy. The plot gives the story shape, yet it’s the people, their relationships, and the quiet rhythms of village life that truly carry it.
Fern continues to be a wonderful heroine. A botanist marked by London scandal, she exists slightly outside the usual expectations placed on women of her era. What I especially enjoy is that she navigates that world in multiple ways. She has knowledge and competence, yes, but she also knows exactly when to deploy charm, cake, and a carefully performed air of scatterbrained curiosity to get where she needs to be. She is not above playing the part when it serves her. At the same time, she can misjudge people and has to own up to it. She apologises when she is wrong, even if she doesn’t enjoy it. There’s a gentle Austen-esque flavour to that dynamic, more homage than imitation, and it works beautifully.
The romance remains slow and soft. The brooding dragon-marked recluse is still more Darcy than dangerous rake, and their dynamic leans into quiet understanding rather than dramatic upheaval. The fact that Fern takes initiative rather than waiting to be chosen was a particularly satisfying touch, and it felt completely in character.
This series leans much more fully into fantasy than Wallace’s Grace books. There are witches, real magic, and enchanted creatures woven naturally into everyday life. And the dragons, of course, are a highlight. The recovery arc of the injured dragon is handled with remarkable patience and care. She doesn’t bounce back through magic or sudden miracles. She heals slowly. Day by day. From being moved in a wheelbarrow to taking tiny steps, from fear and fragility to regaining strength and shine. If you’ve ever had anything to do with animal rescue, you will recognise the quiet realism here. Love helps, but love alone doesn’t fix everything overnight. Watching that process unfold gave the book extra depth and warmth.
The found family elements continue to shine. The two uncles remain a warm and steady presence, opening their home and hearts without hesitation. The village genuinely feels like a community, and Fern’s growing friendship with Millie adds another layer of softness. Millie navigates the world a little differently, struggling with noise and chaos but offering strength in quieter, story-driven ways. None of this is spotlighted or moralised. It simply exists as part of everyday life, which makes the world feel richer and more real.
At the same time, this isn’t all gentle tea and tree gossip. There’s banter, bursts of drama, exploding kettles, and enough magical chaos to keep things lively. The cosy atmosphere holds the reins, but the story isn’t static or sleepy.
Overall, The Tattling Whisperwoods is playful, magical, and full of heart. Stronger than the first book, richer in character, and still deeply comforting. It’s not about sweeping epic stakes. It’s about community, care, stubborn hope, and a botanist who refuses to be anything but herself, even when the trees start talking back.
July 29, 2025
3.75
I continue to love Marian Hussey's narration.
The beginning of this book, especially, was very much a "cozy fantasy" in the sense that a lot of it had a sort of "daily life in the village" vibe to it. I would say the Whisperwoods themselves aren't even really mentioned until, like, 1/3 of the way into the book.
In this book Fernis once again trying to balance multiple avenues - she gets a job with Lord Drakeman to help clean up his conservatory (which, I mean, we knew was gonna happen as soon as she saw it in the first book, right?), the Tattlewoods are sick, people in the village are getting sick, and she continues developing her friendship with Millie and Squib, while taking care of Eurydice.
Sometimes I wonder, though, if Fern is the only person in the village who, like, does things? She's constantly bopping to the Witch Ladies cottage to pick up medicine, that she then goes around and distributes to the sick people, while also having to bop back and forth to the Manor to enlist Drakeman's assistance on finding a cure, and then she has to try to , and it's like, girl - get someone to do a chore! Damn.
At least she does have help with Eurydice, since she's away from home so much. (Though it was nice to see Eurydice )
We also get little niggles into the presumably larger plot - the reason for the decline of the dragons. In both books this gets mentioned and sort of explored, before more pressing concerns become the main focus, so I know this is going to be the big resolution of the series finale, whenever that happens.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. My one complaint is I wish there was more development of the
I continue to love Marian Hussey's narration.
The beginning of this book, especially, was very much a "cozy fantasy" in the sense that a lot of it had a sort of "daily life in the village" vibe to it. I would say the Whisperwoods themselves aren't even really mentioned until, like, 1/3 of the way into the book.
In this book Fernis once again trying to balance multiple avenues - she gets a job with Lord Drakeman to help clean up his conservatory (which, I mean, we knew was gonna happen as soon as she saw it in the first book, right?), the Tattlewoods are sick, people in the village are getting sick, and she continues developing her friendship with Millie and Squib, while taking care of Eurydice.
Sometimes I wonder, though, if Fern is the only person in the village who, like, does things? She's constantly bopping to the Witch Ladies cottage to pick up medicine, that she then goes around and distributes to the sick people, while also having to bop back and forth to the Manor to enlist Drakeman's assistance on finding a cure, and then she has to try to , and it's like, girl - get someone to do a chore! Damn.
At least she does have help with Eurydice, since she's away from home so much. (Though it was nice to see Eurydice )
We also get little niggles into the presumably larger plot - the reason for the decline of the dragons. In both books this gets mentioned and sort of explored, before more pressing concerns become the main focus, so I know this is going to be the big resolution of the series finale, whenever that happens.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. My one complaint is I wish there was more development of the
October 1, 2025
4.25 stars. I listened to this via audiobook and really enjoyed it. I was surprised at first that I was liking it as much as I was because book 1 was a rounded up 3 star read for me. This book felt so cozy and engaging at the same time. I enjoyed all the characters and Lord Drakeman grew on me a little in this book. I would like to see his character developed more because out of all the characters in the story he is the one that feels not as known but I think that is probably somewhat due to the mysteriousness about him.
The setting for this was great. The descriptions were vivid. As a small note, knowing Fern is almost 30 was interesting in a good way. It is nice to not only follow characters in their early 20s.
To sum things up, if you want an interesting, cozy yet adventurous read, I really recommend this one. It picks up fairly quickly as soon as the Whisperwoods are introduced, although I felt decently engaged before that as well. This does end on a small cliffhanger but that is okay. I definitely want to listen to the next book! I highly recommend listening to this as an audiobook if you like audiobooks. Marian Hussey really brought the story to life, and I was able to picture everything really well with the great descriptions and writing Tilly Wallace provided.
The setting for this was great. The descriptions were vivid. As a small note, knowing Fern is almost 30 was interesting in a good way. It is nice to not only follow characters in their early 20s.
To sum things up, if you want an interesting, cozy yet adventurous read, I really recommend this one. It picks up fairly quickly as soon as the Whisperwoods are introduced, although I felt decently engaged before that as well. This does end on a small cliffhanger but that is okay. I definitely want to listen to the next book! I highly recommend listening to this as an audiobook if you like audiobooks. Marian Hussey really brought the story to life, and I was able to picture everything really well with the great descriptions and writing Tilly Wallace provided.
November 1, 2025
I like nice stories of nice people with interesting endings. Some would call me shallow for that. Some think fiction is a waste of time. Some think non-fiction and philosophical rumination are the only things to read.
I read to relax- to go on wee vacations because I cannot afford to travel any other way. Truthfully, I don’t want to hear or know an author’s opinions on absolutely everything- but I tolerate it from their characters. I finished know the author’s- they don’t know me so I don’t have to care.
I like characters like Fern who do good when possible and keep their corner of the world tidy and have an interesting cadre of friends and family.
This book was even better than the first book in the series.
I am looking forward to the arrival of book 3 in the series coming out in February.
If you want a tale of everyday heroes mixed with magic- you’ll enjoy this in between all the other things you have to do in your days.
I read to relax- to go on wee vacations because I cannot afford to travel any other way. Truthfully, I don’t want to hear or know an author’s opinions on absolutely everything- but I tolerate it from their characters. I finished know the author’s- they don’t know me so I don’t have to care.
I like characters like Fern who do good when possible and keep their corner of the world tidy and have an interesting cadre of friends and family.
This book was even better than the first book in the series.
I am looking forward to the arrival of book 3 in the series coming out in February.
If you want a tale of everyday heroes mixed with magic- you’ll enjoy this in between all the other things you have to do in your days.
July 26, 2026
Book 2 in this series was just as enjoyable as book 1 and I was happy to see how are new friends were settling in. Milly is still a delight along with Squib and I loved to see them settle into their new life.
Fern is on to her next problem...or three. The sage Whisperwoods that have offered advice to their village for hundreds of years if now spouting rumors, twisting the secrets offered to them and sharing untruths. And with the London Ton loving nothing more than a good gossip things begin to get out of hand.
If that wasn't enough, Fern also takes on working for Lord Drakeman to restore his conservatory, and then villages start falling sick.
I enjoyed the progression for all out main characters and then bonds that are deepening, as well as seeing more of the sisters and their witchy ways.
Just a lovely read and I can't wait to finish up with book 3.
Fern is on to her next problem...or three. The sage Whisperwoods that have offered advice to their village for hundreds of years if now spouting rumors, twisting the secrets offered to them and sharing untruths. And with the London Ton loving nothing more than a good gossip things begin to get out of hand.
If that wasn't enough, Fern also takes on working for Lord Drakeman to restore his conservatory, and then villages start falling sick.
I enjoyed the progression for all out main characters and then bonds that are deepening, as well as seeing more of the sisters and their witchy ways.
Just a lovely read and I can't wait to finish up with book 3.
September 23, 2025
An antidote to the pain in the world
I read these books as Trump is dismantling Democracy in the USA and it managed to both make me laugh and feel hope. They should make this a series so we can read it and stream it. And a great band should set it to music. I really think Tilly Wallace,you might save the word’s soul with your magic. I know you have magic paper and ink with which you wrote these stories. Thank you! 🩵💙💜🌈🌼🌸🌷🌷🪷🍀💐🍄☘️
I read these books as Trump is dismantling Democracy in the USA and it managed to both make me laugh and feel hope. They should make this a series so we can read it and stream it. And a great band should set it to music. I really think Tilly Wallace,you might save the word’s soul with your magic. I know you have magic paper and ink with which you wrote these stories. Thank you! 🩵💙💜🌈🌼🌸🌷🌷🪷🍀💐🍄☘️
January 9, 2026
Can't wait for book 3 to come out! I'm not usually excited about fantasy books, but tried this out because I love the narrator so much and was not disappointed by book 1 or book 2 especially. (read with my ears)
July 21, 2026
4/5 ⭐️ I’m loving this series! It’s whimsical, magical and regency/historical feeling which brings me so much joy! I do think i enjoyed this one slightly a bit more than the first only because the characters were well established already.
Want to Read
July 24, 20258/5/25 but unknown audio date
August 28, 2025
Enchanting story!
This book delves deeper into the secrets of dragons, magical trees, and the exceptional heroine. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series!
This book delves deeper into the secrets of dragons, magical trees, and the exceptional heroine. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series!
August 28, 2025
ughhhh I loved this book so much!! I can't wait for the next one!
September 10, 2025
3.5. stars Another extremely cozy, cute book in a series I want to continue as soon as possible. Fern is an extremely likeable character and the idea of the Tattling Whisperwoods was so creative. Drake's Bend is a magical place I wish I could visit. :)
October 5, 2025
another great read from Tilly Wallace!
Cozy, female led action with dragons and plants thrown in for fun! Slow burn romance, friendship, and good deeds abound.
Cozy, female led action with dragons and plants thrown in for fun! Slow burn romance, friendship, and good deeds abound.
October 22, 2025
I really enjoy the botany aspects of these books!
January 17, 2026
I can't believe the book stopped where it did. I would be so ticked off if the newest one wasn't coming out in 3 weeks 😂
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews