And one sentient forest that absolutely ships them.
Desperate to quit the vagabond life, traveling enchanted jewelry artisan Tansy Foxglove is determined to get to the autumn market in the village of Moonshine Hollow. Nothing will stand in her way… except an ancient forest that has its own plans.
When Tansy sets off for the village, she definitely doesn’t mean to get lost in an enchanted wood. She certainly does not intend to lose her memory. And she wasn’t planning to be irresistibly drawn to the ancient glade’s dryad caretaker.
Kellen’s life is one of solitude. He has no interest in interacting with the outside world. He’s perfectly happy with his solitary life. Right? When a beautiful Sylvan elf who has lost her memory appears in his forest, he has no choice but to take care of her. But when taking care turns to simmering attraction, will this loner change his ways? What happens when her memories return? Will their magical connection survive?
What to expect:
• Grumpy/sunshine romance
• Cinnamon roll gentle giant
• Cheeky, independent heroine
• Memory loss/amnesia
• Found family
• Spice! 🌶️🌶️🌶️
• Super cozy cottagecore & forestcore vibes
• Just one bed
• Touch-starved hero
• Forced proximity
• Magical creatures
• Healing and redemption
• Small-town vibes
• HEA guaranteed
Must Love Moss & Moonshine is the prequel to the enchanting cozy fantasy Moonshine Hollow series, introducing us to the magical town of Moonshine Hollow and its residents.
Each novel in the series can be read as a stand-alone.
Perfect for lovers of steamy fantasy rom-com, romantasy, and cozy fantasy romance with a dash of spice! Fans of Kimberly Lemming, Heather Fawcett, and Cora Crane will devour this super cozy but very passionate tale of magic, romance, and redemption.
Maisy Magill writes cozy fantasy romances where magic meets small-town charm—think Stars Hollow with a sprinkle of fairy dust and a pinch of spice to make things interesting. Her stories are the bookish equivalent of a warm hug, a crackling fire, and a perfectly baked scone (preferably with a touch of enchantment).
When she’s not weaving tales of love, magic, and mischievous caticorns, Maisy fully embraces the cottagecore lifestyle. She can usually be found coaxing her garden into behaving, embroidering slightly wonky flowers, making chocolate or gelato (because why choose?), or sipping tea while pretending she’ll only read one more chapter. Her books invite readers to slow down, savor the magic, and believe in love, one whimsical, heartwarming story at a time.
The cozy vibes and sweetness are high in this quick read that’s an intro to a new cozy fantasy series. It’s delightfully full of magic, adorable creatures, lovely main characters, and all the vibes you’d want. For as short as this was, there are a couple points of repetition that threw me out of the story and the falling in love aspect kind of leaned into a true mate situation/solving the characters’ mutual loneliness. I do think some friends will rate this higher than I did though.
Written in first person, dual POV. No ow/om drama (the h does say her friend's name in her sleep I think and there's a question of jealousy on the H's end before they realize this isn't a romantic partner) and both are experienced (small details given of their histories without explicitness; the h has an opportunity on page at the start of the book for a ONS but declines and the H recalls a couple encounters, including a slightly longer one).
Some tropes/themes (the author has a list on the blurb too): ☆ Coziness ☆ Adorable creatures, including magical ones ☆ FMC and MMC are lonely/wishing for something more ☆ Dryad MMC who’s a big and gentle caretaker ☆ Sylvan FMC who’s been a wanderer and now wants a home ☆ He cares for the forest ☆ She uses her magic to make jewelry ☆ Found family ☆ Amnesia ☆ Forestcore and the trees talk ☆ Smidge of angst that lasts a blip of a moment
Both Kellen (H) and Tansy (h) are charming and their individual longing for more than what they had was relatable. I’m personally not a fan of amnesia but I did enjoy how Tansy’s natural personality was still present so Kellen was getting to know her still on some level. I also appreciated that despite the strong attraction between them, both were concerned about whether Tansy was already committed. It was super respectful.
The author does market this as cozy with a bit of spice and that’s accurate. There is some explicitness, but the focus of the story is the setting and the characters, it’s good steam though. Relationship development-wise, I wish that there had been more time post-amnesia healing of them bonding. The true mate feels and their time spent when Tansy couldn’t remember her life were really what drove their connection. While closeness was built and Tansy had great intimacy with Kellen seeing him in his element, they had far more getting to know each other to come once her memories were returned on his end with her. So when she says she loves him, I got it, but wished it had been delayed so that I believed his returned love for her a little more strongly.
The author's writing is beautiful in setting the scenes and characters. I very much enjoyed the descriptions. The forest and small town are lively and side characters sparkle on page even with their brief scenes. Tansy's business partner was entertaining and the brotherly love he held for her came across strongly. The fact that she had made a friend already in the small town and was planning on staying with her anyway was great for underscoring that she was 100% ready for her life to change. Kellen was far more solitary so his connections are mostly with the natural world around him, but his mentor has a very mentory moment. My favorite side character was actually a squirrel, go figure lol.
No third act breakup, but a sort of breather time where Tansy has to return to her work after being healed but is clear that she wants Kellen still and he's clearly concerned that things won't work out. But they separately stew in their worry only briefly before coming together with their I love you’s. The ending is HEA a couple months later, still cozy and happy, with Tansy settled into her no-longer wandering life with Kellen. It’s adorable and sweet and the small town they live in has plenty of opportunity for future stories. I’ll probably read the next book since the h of that one was a cute addition as a side character here.
Must Love Moss and Moonshine by Maisey Magill Moonshine Hollow series #0.5. Fantasy romance. Tansy Foxglove is on the way to the autumn market loaded down with her enchanted jewelry, gems and precious metals when a mischievous group of brownies spook her horse. Tansy is thrown off her horse and hits her head on a rock, falling unconscious. When she wakes up in a strange bed, she doesn’t know who she is or where she was going. She’s in the bed of an ancient dryad caretaker. Kellen is happy with his solitary life as a forest caretaker. He’s surprised finding an unconscious Sylvan elf and cares for her in his home, feeling it’s acceptable she’s there. He doesn’t quite understand but is more than happy to care for her as she tries to remember where she’s from and why she was traveling through the ancient forest. Tansy and Kellen grow used to each other as she recovers. Does she have to go home?
The attraction between Tansy and Kellen is adorable and sweet. They grow comfortable first with each other, then interest grows and becomes more. And then the brownies show up. Light fantasy and romance setting up the series to come. Enjoyable.
You know you're going to have a good cozy time when a book has taverns named The Polite Pirate and Wanderer's Nest and towns called Moonshine Hollow and Silverpine Village. I loved every single character in this book, especially Marvelle the Mesmer squirrel. 🐿On the way to the autumn market, Tansy Foxglove falls off her horse and loses her memory. Kellen, the guardian of the forest, finds her and nurses her back to health.. throw in some romance, and you have an impossibly adorable story. I really don't think this book needed the spicy 🌶 scenes. They actually felt out of place to me.. but i did love this book very much!!!!
Was looking for a cozy and light read and this hit the mark. First time reading cozy romance (and honestly romance is the genre's that's the wild west to me) and this was actually pretty okay. The writing style for the spice could be better but that's just me.
🍂 Cozy fantasy 🍁 Cute romance 🍂 Fall vibes 🍁 Small town
This cute, little prequel was adorable. It felt like a walk through an enchanted forest except I never had to put down my tea. Tansy and Kellen were so sweet together, both hesitant but sure of their feelings, especially Kellen who had been alone so long. 🥹 I loved the found family aspect and how protective everyone was of Tansy, especially Bromir, but also so very supportive of Kellen.
Tansy, a Sylvan elf, has been part of a travelling caravan for years, selling enchanted jewelry with her best friend Bromir and has loved the nomadic lifestyle, but lately, she has wanted to settle down and find a place to call home. She heads to Moonshine Hollow early for the massive Autumn Market but ends up in an accident near an enchanted forest that leaves her with amnesia. Luckily, Tansy is found by Kellen, a solitary dryad and the forest's caretaker, who takes care of her. During their time together, romance blossoms, but will it last when Tansy recovers her memories?
I received the ARC for Must Love Secrets and Scones and absolutely loved it, so I had been meaning to read the prequel, and I am so glad that I did. First of all, definitely read this in the fall because it has such impeccable autumn vibes! The vivid descriptions were immersive, and I wanted to live in Kellen's cottage.
The romance between Tansy and Kellen was so sweet, and I loved how she brought him out of his shell while he provided her with stability. Kellen was truly the whole enchanted forest and my type in book boyfriends: sweet, caring and a lil shy.
If you are looking for a cozy, autumn-themed bite-sized novella (under 200 pages) with lovable magical (and animal) friends, some adventure and the teeniest pinch of spice, this book is for you.
Give this a read if you enjoy: - cozy romantasy - opposites attract - cinnamon roll MMCs - forced proximity - an adorable squirrel friend - tiny bit of spice - novellas
While I still really loved the setting and characters of this book, I did feel like the pacing was too slow, leading to 4 instead of 5 stars. Absolutely beautiful romance with a noticeable nod to the importance of consent. Super sweet with a HEA, I would like my very own moon dragon if one becomes available.
Cute and imaginative, this would be a great book for teens and preteens EXCEPT for the graphic sex. It soured the whimsy of the story. It would be a Great Book if the sex were left out and a bit more depth was added to the story. Otherwise a sweet mornings diversion.
I loved the prospect of a cozy romantasy, but this book felt rushed to me. I didn't think there was enough buildup of their romance, *even though* they're soulmates. The first smut scene also showed up abruptly like a slap in the face, and totally did not need to happen there! I also couldn't get past the missing punctuation or a line saying Bromir "looked at Bromir" ... when you meant that Bromir looked at Kellen.
I am really enjoying the cozy fantasy genre and when I stumbled upon this book I thought it would be the perfect fit for my current cozy reading mood so I started it right away. Must Love Moss and Moonshine definitely has the cozy fantasy vibes pat down. It also has a sweet romance with a bit of heat. I really thought I would enjoy this book a lot, but it just left me feeling like something was missing. I can't even fully pinpoint what it that made this book not grip me as much as I wanted, but it just left me feeling that it was just okay.
This book follows main characters Kellen, who is the lonely guardian of the forest, and Tansy, who is a wanderer tired of traveling and looking for a place to settle down. Both get exactly what they're looking for when they meet. It almost feels a bit too perfect how well they fit and find what they're looking for. There also is a fated mates things that explains why they so quickly know the other is perfect for them, which didn't really work for me here.
I just didn't fully feel their romance and just wanted something more. Having said that they were cute together. The only thing standing in between them is the fact Tansy loses her memory before she meets him and doesn't know what her life is like and whether she already has a partner. Once that gets resolved there is a bit more of them figuring things out and then the epilogue.
This is a pretty short read and I would say maybe that's my problem with the romance, but I've read shorter books were I could feel the romance. And there are some very sweet scenes as they spend time together. Maybe it's just my mood and my stress levels, but it just wasn't quite working for me.
One thing I did really like about this book was the wonderful setting. Forest settings are one of my favorites to read about and this forest really came alive. Add in the autumn vibes and the small town nearby and the setting was just wonderful. It also really hits those cozy vibes and the whole book felt very cozy. There are also some fun side characters and there is the cozy town of Moonshine Hollow.
To summarize: This is a cozy fantasy romance book that serves as an introduction to this series. I liked the cozy vibes and the forest setting. Sadly the romance didn't fully work for me, it had a memory loss and fated mates plot line that didn't quite work for me. And despite some sweet scenes between the two of them, I just didn't fully feel their romance. I am just sad I didn't enjoy it more.
Review ↝ I’ve been enchanted. Cozy fantasy romance is beginning to be my life Bl00d. Maisy writes so beautifully it’s ethereal and my Cottagecore loving heart is so happy and fulfilled. Maisy’s writing, with its lyrical cadence and deep-rooted gentleness touched me. Her home brewed world, including Moonshine Hollow, Silver Falls, Silver Vale & Moonglade are more than just settings to me but sanctuaries to escape to. I’d love to be whisked away to these magical places, so that I may meet and mingle with Tansy, Kellen, Marvelle, Bormir and ALL the other endearing characters. I can’t wait for Rosalyn & Bjorn’s story next!
Bonus: The Glossary & companion cookbook Maisy so thoughtfully created was such a charming touch, my husband and I will be making some of the featured dishes for our next date night!
If you fancy LOVE and need some healing words, I’ve included my favorite quotes from this gem in the 2nd slide over on my IG (@booksimperfectcondition)post.
Thank you Maisy for the gifted review copy. You’ve hugged my heart with your words and glimmered my soul with this fantastical love story.
"Must Love Moss and Moonshine" is the prequel in the "Moonshine Hollow" series by Maisy Magill. This was such a fun read and introduction into this new series. The world that Maisy is building in Moonshine Hollow is going to be awesome. Tansy ends up stumbling into Moonshine Hollow and loses her memory. Kellen finds her and helps her until she remembers stuff. Kellen feels that with Tansy remembering things that she is going to want to return home. My favorite part is when Tansy gets her memory back and the decisions she makes. I also love Kellen's squirrel, Marvelle. I can't wait to read the next book, "Must Love Scones and Secrets." I just have a feeling I will enjoy it as much as I enjoyed this book.
This was my introduction to the world of Moonshine Hollow, and honestly, I am smitten. I did not realize how badly I needed a nice cozy fantasy read in my life right now. Tansy was a lot of fun, and I could not help but love her from the beginning. Kellen surprised me. I would not normally think him my type, but he just worked for me in this story. Marvelle truly stole the show though, and my life is not complete without him in it. I am definitely looking forward to reading the collection of books set in this world.
This book was recommended by a friend and I am so glad I read it. I was feeling a bit in a slump and I really enjoyed the quick cozy read. It had fantasy and romance and spice and even cute little animals. I loved that it had a HEA and just made you feel good.
Tansy is feeling like her life isn't really what she wants it to be. She has been wanting a change, for more. As she heads to to a market she gets lost and hurt in the woods and a sexy Dryad, Kellen, who helps her but she's lost her memories. Maybe they end up saving each other.
this was super cute! it felt like something out of a D&D campeign. i liked how this verson of soul mates / fated mates was done. becuase it was implied that while they were always meant to be together, it wasn't until they were ready that they met. and that neatly short circuited my dislike of the fate mate trope. this is a cozy fantasy that i can read over and over.
I loved this so much! It was cute and fun with the most unique creatures!! The two main characters are perfect and I have a feeling it really set up the cast for future books. I’m very excited to read the next one in the series!!
Short, cute, whimsical. A very cozy intro to the series, perfect for those autumn reading lists.
The characters are sweet and loveable, there is no drama, only good vibes. The spice scenes felt a little forced for me - the book would stand on its own without them.
The cutest cozy book to read on a rainy day... a charming story mixed with some sexy fun. I enjoyed this quick read and have already pre- ordered the next book in the Moonshine Hollow series ❤️
Schattig kort verhaal. Zeer uitgebreide beschrijvingen van een soort sprookjesbos meets de Droomvlucht. Mijn interesse ligt klaarblijkelijk niet bij mythische figuren, vandaar maar drie sterren.
This was cute. Very quick, easy to read. Definitely a cozy romantasy. I loved the vibe and setting, but the romance was a bit too rushed and insta-lovey for me!