Power to Charm: Cozy Stories about a Witch, a Cottage, and Unexpected Friends

by Carly Stevens

Once upon a time, in a cottage in a bunker in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, there lived a witch named Ophelia.

Ophelia, along with animal friends who live in her garden, creates a cozy life for herself. What’s better than books and tea? But then, one day, a knock comes at her door.

Join Ophelia and her two unexpected visitors for magical stories about spells, scones, a hedgehog, and the power of friendship.

Genres: Fantasy, Cozy, Audiobook

166 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 26, 2025

Reviews

[KB · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am absolutely in love with these stories. I read the first one on Kindle Vella and immediately wanted more. I’m so grateful to be an ARC reader for the rest of the stories, and I can’t wait to reread it when this book releases. These stories take place in a post-apocalyptic world, but they are full of cozy wholesome cottage core vibes that make you just want to bundle up on the couch with a cup of tea. This book brought me genuine joy and peace and is likely to be one of my cozy rereads for years to come.

[Macy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very cute collection of stories from a witch who built a cozy life in the wastelands of what seems to be a war torn world. After 6 years alone, 2 lost soldiers found their way to her oasis and she adopts them into her life. Funny, heartwarming, and cozy, this is the perfect witchy novella for autumn.

[Luminea · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartwarming and cozy collection of short stories about found family and magic. I adored it!

[Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of short stories following ophelia, a witch thats been living in a bunker in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, animal friends, and a couple of surprise guests.

This book was the perfect cozy read for me, helped cheer me up whilst poorly and didn’t feel like I had to put a lot of energy into reading it. The different short stories meant great stopping points when I needed a break. The relaxed low-stakes stories was exactly what I needed after reading fantasy books.

The perfect palette cleanser (or short read to help bump up your reading challenge).

If you like cottagecore, magic, animal friends, found family, talking potions, poetry for spells or anything cozy this book is for you!

[JennJoWa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute and Cozy✔️
Witch✔️
Cottage✔️
Potions✔️
Cauldron✔️
Mystery Guests✔️
Sweet Moments✔️
Laughs✔️
Adorable Animals✔️

I thought this book was sweet and fun, I hope there is a follow up I need and want to know more!

[Belinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carly Steven’s is fast becoming a favourite author of mine. I put her in a grouping called ‘Former American high school classic English teachers now turned authors’. In that group I’d also put the talented madeleine miller who retells Greek mythology. Carly is more a Shakespeare gal and this short 3.5 hour audiobook certainly dripped with references.

It was indeed charming and cozy. A real departure from her dark YA fantasy however it still did have a dark edge. This idyllic world had been created in a post apocalyptic bunker with only hints of the war that led to this state of affairs and brief trips into the surrounding toxic environment to scavenge for waste showing the true extent of the horrors outside.

The bubble with magic, plants and sweet creatures was lovely. Touches of Enid blyton and wind in the willows. Also with potions that had personalities reminiscent of the animated furniture in Beauty and the Beast.

The audiobook narrator Christina Platt was perfect with her English accent. I know the author is American but I believe they don’t have hedgehogs there? Anyways Christina was a delight.

I’m really excited to see how Carly evolves in her writing career. She has two great YouTube channels - English Nerd and Carly Steven’s books. More please.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the coziest, most fun book that I've read in a long time! It literally made me want to wrap myself up in blankets, put on my cozy socks, drink some hot cocoa and just live in this world. Carly Stevens has mastered the cozy cottagecore vibes and I will be recommending this one to all of my friends who feel like they just need a warm hug. I'm excited to reread this one any time I need a pick me up and I'm so excited about the sequel coming out next year! If you haven't added this to your TBR yet, its an absolute must read!

[Skye · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful novella! Ophelia’s cottage and garden are an introverts dream. I wish I could make a place like it. The descriptions are light and cozy. I loved the inclusion of the seasons. Especially fall, this would be the perfect thing to read when the leaves are falling. Between the potions and bats. The woodsy setting and focus on food and friendship add to its charm. The found family aspect was adorable too!

(Thanks to the author for the arc)

[Amaria · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was exactly what i needed to read ! these cozy, witchy stories filled with friendship and whimsy made me so happy and i became so attached to the characters (animals and humans :) ) this is a wonderful read, thank you 🥹

[Levi · Rating 2 out of 5]

det lämnades många frågetecken.

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A witch and her roster of animal companions including a horny toad and an indignant badger, live in a whimsical bunker amidst a post-apocalyptic wasteland. Potions talk, strangers become family, and a furtive hedgehog briefly goes missing, which had me STRESSED. This is an anthology of cozycore short stories, perfect for hunkering down with some tea and scones on a crisp Autumn day.

[Jenn Dimant · Rating 4 out of 5]

So charming 💕 if you need a cozy sweet book this is for you.

[Rori Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It's been a while since I've had a good five star read!

I just picked up the special edition of this book today in a surprise box filled with all sorts of goodies. Stevens was so kind, and it was a pleasure meeting her!
I was absolutely thrilled when I opened up the box at home. The special edition is gorgeous with its sprayed edges and spectacular artwork (and the regular edition is gorgeous as well, of course!). Truly this is a trophy book, and I will most certainly be displaying it on my shelf!
The stories within this book are absolutely adorable! It is a super easy read, as the book is filled with small short stories following Ophelia and her friends. I managed to finish all 200 pages of this book in just about two hours, and I already want to reread this book.
Something I loved about this book is that it carried very in depth lore, and as you read, you start to discover more about this world which has been left as a sort of mystery to us. It's so fun to just read this book, not having to worry or stress about any suspense, but also find yourself feeling curious about what it's like outside the safety of the cottage.
If you are in need of a book to read in one sitting on a car ride, plane flight, or even just a cozy afternoon, this is the novel for you.
I highly recommend this book to any and all readers! 🌿🦔🫖

[Leigha Lennon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Power to Charm by Carly Stevens is a heartwarming gem that feels like a comforting hug wrapped in spells, scones, and sunshine. Set in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, the story somehow remains full of hope and charm, thanks to the delightful Ophelia—a gentle witch who has carved out a life of peace, magic, and friendship in her cozy little cottage.

From the moment a knock at her door disrupts her quiet existence, readers are invited into a world where even the bleakest landscapes can bloom with magic and kindness. Ophelia’s bond with her talking animal friends is utterly enchanting, and the whimsical adventures that follow—full of tea, baked goods, spells, and heartfelt lessons—capture the spirit of classic fairy tales while feeling fresh and modern.

Stevens' writing is warm, lyrical, and brimming with heart. Every page radiates a sense of comfort and wonder, making this the perfect read for anyone who loves stories about quiet magic, unlikely friendships, and finding beauty even in the hardest places.

Power to Charm is a spellbinding reminder that even in the darkest times, the smallest acts of kindness and the simplest joys can light the way. A cozy, magical masterpiece that will stay with you long after the last page.

[Caitlin Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never in my life did I read a cozy fantasy book with a strong Shakespeare influence, but it doesn’t feel like Shakespeare. I love it! I love easter eggs (quotes and character names). This was so much fun! The book feels warm and cozy, like sitting in a sunny library with a hot herbal tea on a brisk spring morning. Bravo! I also love the theme of the outside world being chaos and Ophelia having this sanctuary of love, magic, coziness, and wonder. The image of the animals is adorable. It makes me want a pet hedgehog named Daisy. I love the illustrations, the script font used for the book, and the chapter names. So far, my favorite section was the Halloween short story. I love Halloween, but I am not a fan of Spooky. This was the perfect cozy Halloween story. I hope they turn this into a cartoon special. The Yuletide story was sweet. It was charming that Ophelia was getting tended to, even if it wasn’t exactly what she wanted. The last chapter was a big switch from the rest of the coziness, but in a good way. I was an ARC reader for this book, but I loved it so much that I bought it when it came out.

[Stacey Markle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A knock at the door changed everything!
What a delightful group of cozy fantasy stories! Ophelia and her group of animal friends, are very happy with their little life in the bunker. The outside world is toxic but inside, life and nature thrives. 
A fateful day, a knock on the door brings 2 strangers who quickly become family, because they can never leave. Each story is about a new adventure they all get up to. Lessons are learned. 
The reality of this beautiful magical world inside a bunker after a apocalyptic event seems extraordinary. Themes of found family, animal companions and witchy potions that talk (!) really bring the story to life. 
This is a shorter read with beautifully written passages. I highly recommend reading this book!
my rating is 4.25 rounded for GR

thank you to the author for this gifted ARC to read and review!

[Beth Bossman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is really cute I love all the characters and how involved they are with nature and each other.

I have to remember when reading books like this not to be so literal. For instance when they start a fire to toast marshmallows and such would that eat u all the oxygen since they are in a fall out shelter.

[Ami Rigor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute collection of stories. It’s nice that after all her time alone now she has a family of sorts.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so cozy and cute. It was fun to read!

[Haley Merlino · Rating 4 out of 5]

super cute

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute and fun read. The story makes you keep wanting more and is like a warm hug.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this warm charming collection of short stories that all build from each other. You fall in love with the characters (both human and animal) and their world! Heard that Power to Charm 2 is on the way for 2026 and can not wait, will definitely be purchasing!