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Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter
A woman who runs a cat rescue in 1920s Montréal turns to a grouchy but charming magician to help save her shelter in this heartwarming cozy fantasy from the New York Times bestselling author of the Emily Wilde series.
“Absolutely magnificent! Full of cats and magic, this is the kind of book you want to instantly reread. I loved every character, every cat, and every moment with all my heart!”—Sarah Beth Durst, New York Times bestselling author of The Spellshop
Agnes Aubert leads a meticulously organized life, and she likes it that way. As the proudly type-A manager of a cat rescue charity, she has devoted her life to finding forever homes for stray cats.
Now it’s the shelter that needs a new home. And the only landlord who will rent a space to a cat rescue is a mysterious man called Havelock—who also happens to be the world’s most infamous magician, running an illegal magic shop out of his basement. Havelock is cantankerous and eccentric, but not not handsome, and no, Agnes absolutely does not feel anything but disdain for him. After all, rumors swirl about his shadowy past—including whispers that his dark magic once almost brought about the apocalypse.
Then one day a glamorous magician comes looking for Havelock, putting the magic shop—and the cat shelter—in jeopardy. To save the shelter, Agnes will have to team up with the magician who nearly ended the world . . . and may now be trying to steal her heart.
Havelock is everything Agnes thinks she doesn’t need in her chaos, mischief, and a little too much adventure. But as she gets to know him, she discovers that he’s more than the dark magician of legend, and that she may be ready for a little intrigue—and romance—in her life. After all, second chances aren’t just for rescue cats. . . .
“Absolutely magnificent! Full of cats and magic, this is the kind of book you want to instantly reread. I loved every character, every cat, and every moment with all my heart!”—Sarah Beth Durst, New York Times bestselling author of The Spellshop
Agnes Aubert leads a meticulously organized life, and she likes it that way. As the proudly type-A manager of a cat rescue charity, she has devoted her life to finding forever homes for stray cats.
Now it’s the shelter that needs a new home. And the only landlord who will rent a space to a cat rescue is a mysterious man called Havelock—who also happens to be the world’s most infamous magician, running an illegal magic shop out of his basement. Havelock is cantankerous and eccentric, but not not handsome, and no, Agnes absolutely does not feel anything but disdain for him. After all, rumors swirl about his shadowy past—including whispers that his dark magic once almost brought about the apocalypse.
Then one day a glamorous magician comes looking for Havelock, putting the magic shop—and the cat shelter—in jeopardy. To save the shelter, Agnes will have to team up with the magician who nearly ended the world . . . and may now be trying to steal her heart.
Havelock is everything Agnes thinks she doesn’t need in her chaos, mischief, and a little too much adventure. But as she gets to know him, she discovers that he’s more than the dark magician of legend, and that she may be ready for a little intrigue—and romance—in her life. After all, second chances aren’t just for rescue cats. . . .
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 17, 2026
730 people are currently reading
81210 people want to read
About the author
Heather Fawcett
27 books10.6k followersHello! Welcome to my page.
I'm the author of books for adults and children, including Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries, Even the Darkest Stars, Ember and the Ice Dragons, The School Between Winter and Fairyland, and more.
I'm only occasionally on Goodreads, so if you want a more reliable way to get in contact with me, I'd recommend using social media (I'm on Instagram and Facebook) or the contact form on my website.
Review policy: I only review books that I love, which is why you'll only see 4 and 5 star reviews here. Because readers often ask me about my favourite books and authors, I'm aiming to use this page as a place to collect all of my recommendations.
Also, I am NOT the author of More Than a Mom: Living a Full And Balanced Life When Your Child Has Special Needs. I've asked Goodreads to remove it from my page several times but it keeps getting re-added. If you have questions about this title, please direct them to the other Heather Fawcett!
I'm the author of books for adults and children, including Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries, Even the Darkest Stars, Ember and the Ice Dragons, The School Between Winter and Fairyland, and more.
I'm only occasionally on Goodreads, so if you want a more reliable way to get in contact with me, I'd recommend using social media (I'm on Instagram and Facebook) or the contact form on my website.
Review policy: I only review books that I love, which is why you'll only see 4 and 5 star reviews here. Because readers often ask me about my favourite books and authors, I'm aiming to use this page as a place to collect all of my recommendations.
Also, I am NOT the author of More Than a Mom: Living a Full And Balanced Life When Your Child Has Special Needs. I've asked Goodreads to remove it from my page several times but it keeps getting re-added. If you have questions about this title, please direct them to the other Heather Fawcett!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,060 reviews
October 3, 2025
I may be a dog owner, but I'm also a certified cat lover and I pet them at every given opportunity, so of course a book with this cover and that title can't just exist in the world without me reading it. And then it basically turned out to be Howl's Moving Castle with a lot of cats, and it might as well have been written just for me.
The title is not promising too much, because the book really is about 34-year-old Agnes, desperately trying to uphold her cat shelter in a fantastical 1920s Montreal. She is currently looking for a new place to stay, because the previous shelter was badly damaged in a ruthless magician fight. As a charity, the shelter barely has any funding and not every landlord is keen on housing dozens of cats, but Agnes luckily stumbles upon an ominously perfect location with suspiciously low rent. Beggars can't be choosers and so Agnes is willing to ignore that the previous renters all fled the place and that there is definitely some magic going on in the basement. She eventually crosses paths with the infamous Witch King Havelock Renard and gets dragged into some potentially dangerous magician business, but Agnes is fine with everything if it saves the cats. I loved her as the main character. She is down-to-earth and well organized and never really learned to do anything nice for herself. She's very caring and determined and so she is very fierce in her own way when facing problems. The perfect counterpart for such a character is someone who is seemingly reckless and a bit detached from human ways, and Havelock of course delivers all of that. It's the Sophie/Howl dynamic that I love from the movie and I will never not ship a nice, hardworking woman with a powerful, messy magician. I almost can't believe that I write this, but I would have liked it even more if there had been more romance. The book is very reserved in that regard and mostly shows affection through little and bigger gestures. It did match the perfect soft and cozy vibes of this book; the same vibes that were kinda missing in Emily Wilde for me. I'm now very willing to give that series another chance, though. But the book wasn't entirely low stakes either. There's trouble with the police and there's more than one intense magician fight and sometimes there are even missing cats, the horror!
I think that there was overall a good balance between maintaining the cat shelter and a more adventurous part about finding a magical artefact. The whole magician part even had plot similarities to Howl's Moving Castle, so if you really love the book or the movie you can do no wrong with this novel. But my absolute favorite part were all the cats of course. And there were plenty. They were described with different personalities and the love for cats was ever present. Please, "A cat is the soul of a house"? How can you not be in love with that? Overall, I have only very minor things to criticize about this book. For one, I never thought that Agnes read her age. She could have been in her early 20s and I would have believed it all the same. She was widowed and thus made a little older, but it was just a bit unbelievable to me. Maybe it was because the book felt kinda ageless, as in everyone from teen to adult reader could easily enjoy it. I also think that the setting / time period could have been utilized more, because it barely mattered if I'm honest. It was a nice urban setting without any modern technology but with common magic and that could have been shown more. But I'm not looking for the most intricate world building in a cozy fantasy anyway. There was enough information given to create a perfect standalone novel and I can't complain about that. All in all, I had a lovely read from beginning to end and I would recommend it to every cat and magic lover who is looking for a cozy fall/winter fantasy novel.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Orbit / Little, Brown Book Group UK for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
--------------
Pre-read: I would have been upset if there had been fewer cats on the cover. Right onto the most anticipated list of next year.
The title is not promising too much, because the book really is about 34-year-old Agnes, desperately trying to uphold her cat shelter in a fantastical 1920s Montreal. She is currently looking for a new place to stay, because the previous shelter was badly damaged in a ruthless magician fight. As a charity, the shelter barely has any funding and not every landlord is keen on housing dozens of cats, but Agnes luckily stumbles upon an ominously perfect location with suspiciously low rent. Beggars can't be choosers and so Agnes is willing to ignore that the previous renters all fled the place and that there is definitely some magic going on in the basement. She eventually crosses paths with the infamous Witch King Havelock Renard and gets dragged into some potentially dangerous magician business, but Agnes is fine with everything if it saves the cats. I loved her as the main character. She is down-to-earth and well organized and never really learned to do anything nice for herself. She's very caring and determined and so she is very fierce in her own way when facing problems. The perfect counterpart for such a character is someone who is seemingly reckless and a bit detached from human ways, and Havelock of course delivers all of that. It's the Sophie/Howl dynamic that I love from the movie and I will never not ship a nice, hardworking woman with a powerful, messy magician. I almost can't believe that I write this, but I would have liked it even more if there had been more romance. The book is very reserved in that regard and mostly shows affection through little and bigger gestures. It did match the perfect soft and cozy vibes of this book; the same vibes that were kinda missing in Emily Wilde for me. I'm now very willing to give that series another chance, though. But the book wasn't entirely low stakes either. There's trouble with the police and there's more than one intense magician fight and sometimes there are even missing cats, the horror!
I think that there was overall a good balance between maintaining the cat shelter and a more adventurous part about finding a magical artefact. The whole magician part even had plot similarities to Howl's Moving Castle, so if you really love the book or the movie you can do no wrong with this novel. But my absolute favorite part were all the cats of course. And there were plenty. They were described with different personalities and the love for cats was ever present. Please, "A cat is the soul of a house"? How can you not be in love with that? Overall, I have only very minor things to criticize about this book. For one, I never thought that Agnes read her age. She could have been in her early 20s and I would have believed it all the same. She was widowed and thus made a little older, but it was just a bit unbelievable to me. Maybe it was because the book felt kinda ageless, as in everyone from teen to adult reader could easily enjoy it. I also think that the setting / time period could have been utilized more, because it barely mattered if I'm honest. It was a nice urban setting without any modern technology but with common magic and that could have been shown more. But I'm not looking for the most intricate world building in a cozy fantasy anyway. There was enough information given to create a perfect standalone novel and I can't complain about that. All in all, I had a lovely read from beginning to end and I would recommend it to every cat and magic lover who is looking for a cozy fall/winter fantasy novel.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Orbit / Little, Brown Book Group UK for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
--------------
Pre-read: I would have been upset if there had been fewer cats on the cover. Right onto the most anticipated list of next year.
February 19, 2026
I knew from the moment I saw that utterly charming cover—and Heather Fawcett’s name, an author who excels at creating enchanted, immersive worlds—that I was going to fall in love with this book from the very first chapter. And I was absolutely right. This story even made someone like me, who has never been a devoted cat person, seriously consider adopting one. (Not necessarily His Highness, of course—something more along the lines of a dramatic, slightly feral Banshee-type cat would be my preference.)
Agnes Aubert is the kind of character you adore instantly. She is gentle, selfless, endlessly kind, and determined to see the good in everyone. Her devotion to rescuing stray cats—making sure they don’t freeze alone on the streets and caring for them in her shelter—is deeply moving. When a magical attack devastates her neighborhood and leaves her shelter barely standing, Agnes realizes she must urgently find a new location before winter sets in. Unfortunately, every realtor in Montreal seems determined to slam the door in her face the moment she mentions that the space will be used as a cat shelter.
Just as hope begins to fade, Agnes stumbles upon the eccentric and narrow Rue des Hirondelles, where she meets Yannick, a curious young man who shows her an available rental. The place smells like freshly baked pastries and was recently abandoned by its previous tenant under suspicious, possibly magical circumstances. Still, beggars can’t be choosers, and the unbelievably affordable rent makes it impossible for Agnes to walk away. She decides to take a chance.
It doesn’t take long for her to realize there is a very big catch.
Strange individuals appear and vanish through secret parts of the building. A terrifying encounter with a wildly unstable woman alters the very structure of the house itself. And then, the landlord finally reveals himself: the Wicked King—Havelock Renard, a powerful and infamous magician rumored to have nearly ended the world. Agnes can hardly believe her luck… or lack thereof.
Yet, what initially seems like the worst possible situation soon becomes an unexpected opportunity. With magic relocating her original shelter, Agnes begins to imagine expanding her work and opening a new branch. At the same time, police officer Laurent Rouzet begins sniffing around the building, investigating illegal magical activities. Determined and resourceful, Agnes believes her organizational skills may be the key to finding a secret book Havelock’s sister desperately needs—one that could prevent another magical disaster and stop a looming war between magicians.
As Agnes reluctantly teams up with Havelock—an artifact-obsessed, grumpy, cantankerous loner who is allergic to cats yet surprisingly compassionate, she quickly realizes how little she truly understands about magic, its rules, and the very real dangers lurking beneath the land and within the surrounding dark woods. With the help of her fiery, bold, and fiercely protective sister Elise, Agnes must navigate threats that stretch across realms, all while protecting her beloved shelter… and resisting the undeniable pull of falling in love with a man who once stood on the brink of destroying everything.
Overall: The vivid world-building of 1920s Montreal, the rich atmosphere, the charming character portraits, the lovable cats, and the heartwarming yet magical storytelling come together in a perfect recipe for joy. This book feels like a cozy Christmas melody I want to hum forever—comforting, enchanting, and full of wonder. It earned a glowing five cat-shelter stars from me.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey / Random House Worlds / Inklore for providing me with this delightful enemies-to-lovers historical fantasy romance in exchange for my honest thoughts. 🐾
Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon & Harper Voyager for providing me with a digital review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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Agnes Aubert is the kind of character you adore instantly. She is gentle, selfless, endlessly kind, and determined to see the good in everyone. Her devotion to rescuing stray cats—making sure they don’t freeze alone on the streets and caring for them in her shelter—is deeply moving. When a magical attack devastates her neighborhood and leaves her shelter barely standing, Agnes realizes she must urgently find a new location before winter sets in. Unfortunately, every realtor in Montreal seems determined to slam the door in her face the moment she mentions that the space will be used as a cat shelter.
Just as hope begins to fade, Agnes stumbles upon the eccentric and narrow Rue des Hirondelles, where she meets Yannick, a curious young man who shows her an available rental. The place smells like freshly baked pastries and was recently abandoned by its previous tenant under suspicious, possibly magical circumstances. Still, beggars can’t be choosers, and the unbelievably affordable rent makes it impossible for Agnes to walk away. She decides to take a chance.
It doesn’t take long for her to realize there is a very big catch.
Strange individuals appear and vanish through secret parts of the building. A terrifying encounter with a wildly unstable woman alters the very structure of the house itself. And then, the landlord finally reveals himself: the Wicked King—Havelock Renard, a powerful and infamous magician rumored to have nearly ended the world. Agnes can hardly believe her luck… or lack thereof.
Yet, what initially seems like the worst possible situation soon becomes an unexpected opportunity. With magic relocating her original shelter, Agnes begins to imagine expanding her work and opening a new branch. At the same time, police officer Laurent Rouzet begins sniffing around the building, investigating illegal magical activities. Determined and resourceful, Agnes believes her organizational skills may be the key to finding a secret book Havelock’s sister desperately needs—one that could prevent another magical disaster and stop a looming war between magicians.
As Agnes reluctantly teams up with Havelock—an artifact-obsessed, grumpy, cantankerous loner who is allergic to cats yet surprisingly compassionate, she quickly realizes how little she truly understands about magic, its rules, and the very real dangers lurking beneath the land and within the surrounding dark woods. With the help of her fiery, bold, and fiercely protective sister Elise, Agnes must navigate threats that stretch across realms, all while protecting her beloved shelter… and resisting the undeniable pull of falling in love with a man who once stood on the brink of destroying everything.
Overall: The vivid world-building of 1920s Montreal, the rich atmosphere, the charming character portraits, the lovable cats, and the heartwarming yet magical storytelling come together in a perfect recipe for joy. This book feels like a cozy Christmas melody I want to hum forever—comforting, enchanting, and full of wonder. It earned a glowing five cat-shelter stars from me.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey / Random House Worlds / Inklore for providing me with this delightful enemies-to-lovers historical fantasy romance in exchange for my honest thoughts. 🐾
Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon & Harper Voyager for providing me with a digital review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
medium blog
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This advanced copy was provided by Orbit, via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
This book had me as soon as I read the word 'cat'.
Heather Fawcett writes the most interesting and memorable characters. Agnes is a strong-willed woman who will do everything for her cat rescue, even if she has to rent from a magician.
I think it's incredible how every single cat presented had its own personality, everything was very fleshed out.
I loved the Howl's Moving Castle vibes, and the magical elements.
And Banshee is the best!
This book had me as soon as I read the word 'cat'.
Heather Fawcett writes the most interesting and memorable characters. Agnes is a strong-willed woman who will do everything for her cat rescue, even if she has to rent from a magician.
I think it's incredible how every single cat presented had its own personality, everything was very fleshed out.
I loved the Howl's Moving Castle vibes, and the magical elements.
And Banshee is the best!
November 5, 2025
A beautiful exploration of grief & love after loss disguised as a cozy fantasy about magical cat shelter, complete with a broody dark lord and the most perfect cat side characters.
*best read in the company of a cat
A perfect cozy fantasy where the vibes are so utterly cozy but the stakes are high enough to keep you interested! I absolutely LOVED this book.
The setting, the found family, the magic, the romance, the plot, were all so well executed but what really stole the show were the cats and the portrayal of grief. These are not just simple animal companions these cats have personality and are a vital part of the plot (I LOVE THEM SO MUCH). The grief portrayal is so well interspersed, it always feels natural, well placed, and hopeful!
Whats to love…
- 1920s Montreal setting
- a disreputable magic shop + a broody dark lord
- interesting magic + world
- Strong 35+ widowed FMC with a type-A personality
- nerdy MMC who is also a shadow daddy
- jewelry wearing MMC (I heard we’re into men who wear rings now?!)
- She’s the one that does the saving!
- the sweetest romantic subplot
- CATS CATS CATS
- cozy in setting, compelling in plot
I read this in less than 24 hours, I couldn’t put it down!
Shout out to Toads & Tomes on IG for bringing this book to my attention!
| IG | TikTok |
Thank you Del Rey for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
*best read in the company of a cat
A perfect cozy fantasy where the vibes are so utterly cozy but the stakes are high enough to keep you interested! I absolutely LOVED this book.
The setting, the found family, the magic, the romance, the plot, were all so well executed but what really stole the show were the cats and the portrayal of grief. These are not just simple animal companions these cats have personality and are a vital part of the plot (I LOVE THEM SO MUCH). The grief portrayal is so well interspersed, it always feels natural, well placed, and hopeful!
Whats to love…
- 1920s Montreal setting
- a disreputable magic shop + a broody dark lord
- interesting magic + world
- Strong 35+ widowed FMC with a type-A personality
- nerdy MMC who is also a shadow daddy
- jewelry wearing MMC (I heard we’re into men who wear rings now?!)
- She’s the one that does the saving!
- the sweetest romantic subplot
- CATS CATS CATS
- cozy in setting, compelling in plot
I read this in less than 24 hours, I couldn’t put it down!
Shout out to Toads & Tomes on IG for bringing this book to my attention!
| IG | TikTok |
Thank you Del Rey for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter
⤷ ⭑⭑⭑⭑.𝟱
꒰ Set in the 1920s, Les Amis des Chats is a cat sanctuary in Montreal owned and operated by Agnes Aubert, who rescues and rehabilitates street cats for adoption. After the chaos caused by magicians dueling in her neighborhood damaged her shop, Agnes has no choice but to move to a building that is as peculiar as its mysterious owner.
Filled with piles of brightly colored scarves, an oven with baked éclairs popping up every night, a counter filled with all sorts of oversized keys and knick-knacks, one might have an idea of why the previous tenants were in such a rush to leave. Ghosts? She can handle ghosts. But what if the cat shelter was being used as a front for an illegal magic shop run by the infamous Witch King and failed dark lord, Havelock Renard? Debatable. ꒱
Release Date : February 17, 2026 ⟢
⌗ I still can’t believe I was honored to receive an e-ARC of one of my most anticipated releases of the year! I'm always in awe of Heather Fawcett's talent for weaving magical realism into her stories . I just can’t get enough of it, especially after falling in love with her Emily Wilde series.
I'm not surprised at how captivating this was, as I could vividly picture the setting, atmosphere, and whimsical vibes. Imagine Howl’s Moving Castle with lots of cats, an odd Howl, and a Type-A shop owner who finds herself in chaos she didn't ask for.
𓏲⋆🫖.* Honestly, this book was really refreshing, starting with our characters. With Agnes in her 30s and widowed, these are niches we don’t often see in female main characters. I found myself instantly charmed by her delightful Type-A personality and her adorable obsession with meticulously crafted checklists for every part of her day. It’s those little quirks that make her so relatable and endearing!
𓏲⋆⛓️.* Havelock, oh Havelock! He exudes a chaotic charm, especially with his surroundings reflecting his unkempt nature, as his workshop is cluttered with magical artifacts here and there. He always sports an array of unique and mismatched clothing that highlights his eccentricity. A bit odd, and has a kind of darkness in his character that I wish we explored more, despite having some background of his past. Fun fact: He hates cats with a passion—well, he's allergic to them.
To the cats, Agnes symbolizes clear skies and calm weather, but to Havelock, she’s a hurricane coming to tidy his cluttered workshop and lecture him on organization and cleanliness.
I love the dynamics between Agnes and Havelock. You know you're in for some amazing banter when reading a Heather Fawcett novel. They have a knack for pushing each other's buttons and delivering the funniest retorts.
Although their romance developed more quickly than I expected, I didn’t find it bothersome since there wasn’t much exploration of it! I would have liked to see a bit more of it by the end, since we mostly focused on the plot involving locating the artifact and running the cat shelter.
Another aspect I absolutely loved about this book is the side characters, particularly the cats and Eloise! They truly deserve a shout-out for how much they bring the story to life. You might be curious about how the cats fit into the narrative, but each one has its own distinct personality. His Majesty serves as the patriarch of the cat hierarchy, with the silent yet trusty Banshee by his side, along with old Thoreau and others. It’s surprising, but you can bet they're a delight to read about!
Eloise's snarky quips towards Havelock are hilarious, and I love how she's always there supporting Agnes despite some questionable decisions. Their relationship was so beautifully done that I loved every scene she was in.
Overall, it was a fun and memorable experience! I initially came for the cover and the cats, but was not surprised by how enchanting the story was. Though I did not care much about the action or the high stakes, there is a part where I felt the most painful betrayal possible that you just have to read to find out what it's all about. ᝰ.ᐟ
Thank you to Netgalley, Little, Brown Book Group UK, and of course, Heather Fawcett for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Please remember that this opinion is my own. ⭑
˚˖𓍢ִ໋❀
pre-read : i still can't believe i'm blessed with an arc of one of my 2026 anticipated releases. pray for me, everyone ʚ₍ᐢ ›̥̥̥ ༝ ‹̥̥̥ ᐢ₎ɞ
update as of 01/30/2026 : OH MY GOD I FEEL LIKE I SUCCEEDED IN LIFE BC WDYM MY ARC REQUEST WAS APPROVED (*ᴗ͈ˬᴗ͈)ꕤ*.ﾟ
08/12/2025 - WE HAVE A COVER!!!!
08/22/2024 - PRESENT 💺💺💺
⤷ ⭑⭑⭑⭑.𝟱
⟡ ݁₊ . ❝ I’m not going to poison you. Wouldn’t be much point, given that you’re nothing but moonlight and cobwebs. ❞
꒰ Set in the 1920s, Les Amis des Chats is a cat sanctuary in Montreal owned and operated by Agnes Aubert, who rescues and rehabilitates street cats for adoption. After the chaos caused by magicians dueling in her neighborhood damaged her shop, Agnes has no choice but to move to a building that is as peculiar as its mysterious owner.
Filled with piles of brightly colored scarves, an oven with baked éclairs popping up every night, a counter filled with all sorts of oversized keys and knick-knacks, one might have an idea of why the previous tenants were in such a rush to leave. Ghosts? She can handle ghosts. But what if the cat shelter was being used as a front for an illegal magic shop run by the infamous Witch King and failed dark lord, Havelock Renard? Debatable. ꒱
Release Date : February 17, 2026 ⟢
⌗ I still can’t believe I was honored to receive an e-ARC of one of my most anticipated releases of the year! I'm always in awe of Heather Fawcett's talent for weaving magical realism into her stories . I just can’t get enough of it, especially after falling in love with her Emily Wilde series.
I'm not surprised at how captivating this was, as I could vividly picture the setting, atmosphere, and whimsical vibes. Imagine Howl’s Moving Castle with lots of cats, an odd Howl, and a Type-A shop owner who finds herself in chaos she didn't ask for.
“What is the point of your charity?” he said. “Do you provide shelter for other city pests? Will I find raccoons stuffed in the upstairs closets?” ⋆.ೃ࿔*:･
𓏲⋆🫖.* Honestly, this book was really refreshing, starting with our characters. With Agnes in her 30s and widowed, these are niches we don’t often see in female main characters. I found myself instantly charmed by her delightful Type-A personality and her adorable obsession with meticulously crafted checklists for every part of her day. It’s those little quirks that make her so relatable and endearing!
°˖➴ ❝ He wore as many rings and earrings as the woman did, as well as a strange pendant with a gold coin dangling from it, but they didn’t create the same effect on him; together with the oversized pyjamas, he looked more like a boy playacting as a pirate. ❞
𓏲⋆⛓️.* Havelock, oh Havelock! He exudes a chaotic charm, especially with his surroundings reflecting his unkempt nature, as his workshop is cluttered with magical artifacts here and there. He always sports an array of unique and mismatched clothing that highlights his eccentricity. A bit odd, and has a kind of darkness in his character that I wish we explored more, despite having some background of his past. Fun fact: He hates cats with a passion—well, he's allergic to them.
❝ I have enemies of all descriptions, few worse than your ten-pound flea collectors. ❞ ⋆˚ʚɞ
To the cats, Agnes symbolizes clear skies and calm weather, but to Havelock, she’s a hurricane coming to tidy his cluttered workshop and lecture him on organization and cleanliness.
❝ You are a hurricane, aren’t you?” he said. “I’m half convinced that if I get in your way, I’ll find myself stuffed into a crate with a number glued to my forehead.”
“Oh, no,” I said. “You’d get your own shelf. ❞ ༉‧₊˚.
I love the dynamics between Agnes and Havelock. You know you're in for some amazing banter when reading a Heather Fawcett novel. They have a knack for pushing each other's buttons and delivering the funniest retorts.
⋆˙⟡♡ ❝ What will you do with yourself if you run out of cats to rescue?”
“I might try my hand at taming dark magicians. I understand there’s quite a need for it, and it’s not as if anyone else wants the job. ❞
Although their romance developed more quickly than I expected, I didn’t find it bothersome since there wasn’t much exploration of it! I would have liked to see a bit more of it by the end, since we mostly focused on the plot involving locating the artifact and running the cat shelter.
❝ Agnes, he tried to start an apocalypse.”
“Unsuccessfully. ❞ ⋆⭒˚.⋆
Another aspect I absolutely loved about this book is the side characters, particularly the cats and Eloise! They truly deserve a shout-out for how much they bring the story to life. You might be curious about how the cats fit into the narrative, but each one has its own distinct personality. His Majesty serves as the patriarch of the cat hierarchy, with the silent yet trusty Banshee by his side, along with old Thoreau and others. It’s surprising, but you can bet they're a delight to read about!
⊹₊⟡⋆ “All right. But if this doesn’t work, we’re going back in time to when you agreed to move into his goddamn shop, and I’m going to beat you over the head with one of your file folders.”
Eloise's snarky quips towards Havelock are hilarious, and I love how she's always there supporting Agnes despite some questionable decisions. Their relationship was so beautifully done that I loved every scene she was in.
Overall, it was a fun and memorable experience! I initially came for the cover and the cats, but was not surprised by how enchanting the story was. Though I did not care much about the action or the high stakes, there is a part where I felt the most painful betrayal possible that you just have to read to find out what it's all about. ᝰ.ᐟ
Thank you to Netgalley, Little, Brown Book Group UK, and of course, Heather Fawcett for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Please remember that this opinion is my own. ⭑
❝ I wish you’d left me to bleed out; it would be preferable to enduring your tedious lectures. ❞ ⋆⭒˚.⋆
˚˖𓍢ִ໋❀
pre-read : i still can't believe i'm blessed with an arc of one of my 2026 anticipated releases. pray for me, everyone ʚ₍ᐢ ›̥̥̥ ༝ ‹̥̥̥ ᐢ₎ɞ
update as of 01/30/2026 : OH MY GOD I FEEL LIKE I SUCCEEDED IN LIFE BC WDYM MY ARC REQUEST WAS APPROVED (*ᴗ͈ˬᴗ͈)ꕤ*.ﾟ
08/12/2025 - WE HAVE A COVER!!!!
08/22/2024 - PRESENT 💺💺💺
February 3, 2026
3.5*
This was such a cosy read, even though I’m more of a dog person the cats sold me. I fell in love with the feline family so badly that I felt so betrayed by something that happened towards the end, like so badly betrayed. The cats were such terrors added into the story which potentially made it so much cosier. Did Agnes annoy me at one point? yes. But that just who she is as a person and I’ve learned to accept it. Even though in my opinion we don’t get enough of Havelock as I would like, I still found him so intriguing.
I will say that I did struggle a bit with getting into the story and also with the pacing of it. The plot of the story I’d say may not potentially be the best and I could see why people would not like it but I had such a fun time with it that I’m not complaining. Heather has such a way of writing magical realism in her books that just attracts my attention and I honestly can’t seem to get enough of it. I do wish that the magic was a bit more explored as we barely see Havelock using it and when he is we don’t get to see enough of it. I also would’ve liked to see Agnes get a bit more involved with the whole magic system.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
———————————————————————————————
𐙚⋆°. preread
I read the Emily Wilde series by this author and I absolutely adored it so I’m so so so excited to read her new release and so grateful for an early copy.
This was such a cosy read, even though I’m more of a dog person the cats sold me. I fell in love with the feline family so badly that I felt so betrayed by something that happened towards the end, like so badly betrayed. The cats were such terrors added into the story which potentially made it so much cosier. Did Agnes annoy me at one point? yes. But that just who she is as a person and I’ve learned to accept it. Even though in my opinion we don’t get enough of Havelock as I would like, I still found him so intriguing.
I will say that I did struggle a bit with getting into the story and also with the pacing of it. The plot of the story I’d say may not potentially be the best and I could see why people would not like it but I had such a fun time with it that I’m not complaining. Heather has such a way of writing magical realism in her books that just attracts my attention and I honestly can’t seem to get enough of it. I do wish that the magic was a bit more explored as we barely see Havelock using it and when he is we don’t get to see enough of it. I also would’ve liked to see Agnes get a bit more involved with the whole magic system.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
———————————————————————————————
𐙚⋆°. preread
I read the Emily Wilde series by this author and I absolutely adored it so I’m so so so excited to read her new release and so grateful for an early copy.
January 16, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for the arc!
🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
"A cat is the soul of a house."
Heather Fawcett brings her signature wit and charm to an enchanting tale that's perfect to curl up with on a cold winter's night! Despite of my very few quibbles, 'Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter' won me over by the end.
The Good:
● I can't not start with the cats! I was initially worried that the story would be a romantic fantasy with the cat shelter as only a backdrop, but HF did a fantastic job at making the cats the soul of the story. I loved how they had such diverse personalities. His Majesty and Banshee the cat were a highlight for me. A significant portion of the book is indeed about running the cat shelter, so cat people rest assured, this won't disappoint you!
● Heather Fawcett's protagonists are always very endearing. I adored Agnes for her wholehearted dedication to running her shelter and the way she always prioritised the cats' well-being above all else. I loved how she unknowingly viewed Havelock as one of her cats in the way she looked after him.
" I knew in that moment that I would never abandon them — not for anything. I'd always known this, of course, but I suppose I'd never truly known how far my resolve would go, that it might even stretch wide enough to accommodate villainous monsters. The realization was both distressing and comforting."
● Havelock was a great love interest. The way the reader gets to know his true personality through Agnes' eyes was very rewarding.
● Although the book was humorous throughout, the stakes were pretty high.
● The side characters (including the cats) were well written. Agnes' sister Eloise was one of my favourites and her relationship with Agnes and her unwavering support were heartwarming.
● HF made some phenomenal decisions (including one that made me tear up) in the final quarter of the book which is why it finally ended up being a solid 4 star.
What could've been better:
● The pacing DRAGGED in the middle to the point that I was worried I'd end up giving it a 3 or 2.75.
● I wish there was more romance in the book. Agnes and Havelock's relationship was sweet and believable enough for me to root for them, but with the cat shelter and the artefact storylines the romance faded into the background. I'm not a huge fan of the Emily Wilde trilogy but Emily and Wendell is one of my favorite bookish romantic pairings. Yes, that developed over
the course of 3 books but I'd have loved to see more romantic moments between Agnes and Havelock.
Overall, I had a lovely time with 'Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter' and would love to read more books featuring this characters (yes, I know that this is a standalone but one can always hope). I'd highly recommend this to fans of cozy fantasy!
🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
"A cat is the soul of a house."
Heather Fawcett brings her signature wit and charm to an enchanting tale that's perfect to curl up with on a cold winter's night! Despite of my very few quibbles, 'Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter' won me over by the end.
The Good:
● I can't not start with the cats! I was initially worried that the story would be a romantic fantasy with the cat shelter as only a backdrop, but HF did a fantastic job at making the cats the soul of the story. I loved how they had such diverse personalities. His Majesty and Banshee the cat were a highlight for me. A significant portion of the book is indeed about running the cat shelter, so cat people rest assured, this won't disappoint you!
● Heather Fawcett's protagonists are always very endearing. I adored Agnes for her wholehearted dedication to running her shelter and the way she always prioritised the cats' well-being above all else. I loved how she unknowingly viewed Havelock as one of her cats in the way she looked after him.
" I knew in that moment that I would never abandon them — not for anything. I'd always known this, of course, but I suppose I'd never truly known how far my resolve would go, that it might even stretch wide enough to accommodate villainous monsters. The realization was both distressing and comforting."
● Havelock was a great love interest. The way the reader gets to know his true personality through Agnes' eyes was very rewarding.
● Although the book was humorous throughout, the stakes were pretty high.
● The side characters (including the cats) were well written. Agnes' sister Eloise was one of my favourites and her relationship with Agnes and her unwavering support were heartwarming.
● HF made some phenomenal decisions (including one that made me tear up) in the final quarter of the book which is why it finally ended up being a solid 4 star.
What could've been better:
● The pacing DRAGGED in the middle to the point that I was worried I'd end up giving it a 3 or 2.75.
● I wish there was more romance in the book. Agnes and Havelock's relationship was sweet and believable enough for me to root for them, but with the cat shelter and the artefact storylines the romance faded into the background. I'm not a huge fan of the Emily Wilde trilogy but Emily and Wendell is one of my favorite bookish romantic pairings. Yes, that developed over
the course of 3 books but I'd have loved to see more romantic moments between Agnes and Havelock.
Overall, I had a lovely time with 'Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter' and would love to read more books featuring this characters (yes, I know that this is a standalone but one can always hope). I'd highly recommend this to fans of cozy fantasy!
September 9, 2025
4.0 ★— Consider this a cozy treat for all the Howl/Sophie lovers out there!
I’ve been following this book since Heather Fawcett announced it, and I’m happy to say that reading it was such a delight! It’s warm, whimsical, filled with charming and eccentric characters, and infused with just the right amount of supernatural elements to draw you in as a reader.
The story’s heroine, Agnes, is a 35-year-old widow, dedicated and fiercely determined to keep her shelter open in order to care for the city’s ownerless cats. She’s emotional yet steady, balancing heart and resolve in her own way. From the blurb, I expected someone more in line with Emily Wilde from her previous trilogy, but Agnes stands entirely on her own, and I really appreciated that.
Havelock Renard definitely carries shades of Howl Pendragon! He wears outlandish yet stylish outfits, piles on layers of magical jewelry, and plays the chaotic foil to Agnes’ meticulous orderliness. Their relationship will definitely appeal to the Howl/Sophie crowd, though I was a little disappointed in how their romance ultimately unfolded. For me, it lacked some of the yearning and tension I look for in fiction. Instead, their connection sometimes felt a little flat, and the buildup underwhelming.
Agnes and Havelock do weather trials together throughout the story that endeared me to them, but I found myself a tiny bit let down, because compared to the romance in Fawcett’s Emily Wilde series, this part of the book came across as weaker. I think the story would have benefited from more scenes of them together. Or really, more scenes of Havelock in general, because I just wanted more of him.
As a character he still felt a bit indistinct to me, lacking the intrigue and charismatic pull I was expecting after his introduction. Of course, that’s entirely my expectation here, but it’s worth noting because it slightly tempered my enjoyment of their dynamic.
That said, I still adored the setting and the inviting, cozy atmosphere that runs through the book, especially with its winter backdrop. The side characters added depth and warmth, rounding out the story beautifully. And naturally, as a cat lover, I adored how Fawcett captured the mysterious and mystical(!) nature of cats with this story.
____________________
Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
I’ve been following this book since Heather Fawcett announced it, and I’m happy to say that reading it was such a delight! It’s warm, whimsical, filled with charming and eccentric characters, and infused with just the right amount of supernatural elements to draw you in as a reader.
The story’s heroine, Agnes, is a 35-year-old widow, dedicated and fiercely determined to keep her shelter open in order to care for the city’s ownerless cats. She’s emotional yet steady, balancing heart and resolve in her own way. From the blurb, I expected someone more in line with Emily Wilde from her previous trilogy, but Agnes stands entirely on her own, and I really appreciated that.
Havelock Renard definitely carries shades of Howl Pendragon! He wears outlandish yet stylish outfits, piles on layers of magical jewelry, and plays the chaotic foil to Agnes’ meticulous orderliness. Their relationship will definitely appeal to the Howl/Sophie crowd, though I was a little disappointed in how their romance ultimately unfolded. For me, it lacked some of the yearning and tension I look for in fiction. Instead, their connection sometimes felt a little flat, and the buildup underwhelming.
Agnes and Havelock do weather trials together throughout the story that endeared me to them, but I found myself a tiny bit let down, because compared to the romance in Fawcett’s Emily Wilde series, this part of the book came across as weaker. I think the story would have benefited from more scenes of them together. Or really, more scenes of Havelock in general, because I just wanted more of him.
As a character he still felt a bit indistinct to me, lacking the intrigue and charismatic pull I was expecting after his introduction. Of course, that’s entirely my expectation here, but it’s worth noting because it slightly tempered my enjoyment of their dynamic.
That said, I still adored the setting and the inviting, cozy atmosphere that runs through the book, especially with its winter backdrop. The side characters added depth and warmth, rounding out the story beautifully. And naturally, as a cat lover, I adored how Fawcett captured the mysterious and mystical(!) nature of cats with this story.
____________________
Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Heather Fawcett, Del Rey, Random House Worlds, and Netgalleyfor the eARC in exchange for an honest review! Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter releases on February 17th!
5 / 5 ⭐️! This was one of the most enchanting, whimsical books I have read!
I loved reading this all the way through! As some other reviews state, it also gave me Howl's Moving Castle vibes! The setting was very interesting: Montreal in the 1920s! I felt that overall it was such an enchanting, cozy environment that Heather Fawcett painted for us.
I thought Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter was just so endearing, driven, and full of magic.
As a cat person, reading this made me laugh so many times. It quite literally mimics how owning a cat / multiple cats is like in the sense that each cat has their own different personality. Some are sassy, some are chill, others are just balls of energy and menaces. This aspect truly made the book such a great time for me.
We are introduced to our main character, Agnes, who is a widow and runs a cat shelter with her sister, and is very skeptical of all magic. I loved Agnes so much. She was very determined, caring, and she did her absolute best at all times to keep things afloat.
Then we have Havelock! He was such a charming love interest, and definitely reminiscent of a Howl Pendragon. Oh boy. I fell for him, hard. Quiet with words, but showing love through actions.. This was definitely more of a softspoken type of love. Their dynamic was so cute, and their connection was so realistic.
This was my first Heather Fawcett read and I LOVED it, so needless to say, I am sooo excited to read Emily Wilde's as all three books are sitting on my shelf!
♡ pre-read ♡
Last minute ARC! I'm most definitely a cat person. This book seems so intriguing, and the cover is sooo intricate! So excited to start this read!
5 / 5 ⭐️! This was one of the most enchanting, whimsical books I have read!
I loved reading this all the way through! As some other reviews state, it also gave me Howl's Moving Castle vibes! The setting was very interesting: Montreal in the 1920s! I felt that overall it was such an enchanting, cozy environment that Heather Fawcett painted for us.
I thought Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter was just so endearing, driven, and full of magic.
As a cat person, reading this made me laugh so many times. It quite literally mimics how owning a cat / multiple cats is like in the sense that each cat has their own different personality. Some are sassy, some are chill, others are just balls of energy and menaces. This aspect truly made the book such a great time for me.
We are introduced to our main character, Agnes, who is a widow and runs a cat shelter with her sister, and is very skeptical of all magic. I loved Agnes so much. She was very determined, caring, and she did her absolute best at all times to keep things afloat.
Then we have Havelock! He was such a charming love interest, and definitely reminiscent of a Howl Pendragon. Oh boy. I fell for him, hard. Quiet with words, but showing love through actions.. This was definitely more of a softspoken type of love. Their dynamic was so cute, and their connection was so realistic.
This was my first Heather Fawcett read and I LOVED it, so needless to say, I am sooo excited to read Emily Wilde's as all three books are sitting on my shelf!
♡ pre-read ♡
Last minute ARC! I'm most definitely a cat person. This book seems so intriguing, and the cover is sooo intricate! So excited to start this read!
Want to read
December 10, 2025I've wished for it on Netgalley since I was too late to grab an ARC. Sooo... fingers crossed?
January 18, 2026
Thank you to the publisher Little Brown Book Group for providing this book for review purposes via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
This book was quite charming, I got completely swept up in Agnes and her cat shelter and I loved that all the cats had their own personalities, His Majesty was a little terror and Banshee was my favourite. Agnes was a force to reckoned with, she quite often gave Havelock a piece of her mind even if he is one of the world’s most powerful magicians. Havelock unlike his reputation was shy, awkward and had a bumbling personality, all he wants is to work in his workshop and be left alone. I would describe this book as a gentle romance with a hefty sprinkling of magic, it was very cosy and I really enjoyed it. I enjoyed the setting of this book, it kind of had an oldie worldy feel to it and the pacing was just right. This was a very easy book to get lost it, I really enjoyed the writing, the characters and the world building. I also liked Yannick Havelock’s apprentice and Agnes’s sister Eloise. Overall a very highly satisfying and enjoyable read.
This book was quite charming, I got completely swept up in Agnes and her cat shelter and I loved that all the cats had their own personalities, His Majesty was a little terror and Banshee was my favourite. Agnes was a force to reckoned with, she quite often gave Havelock a piece of her mind even if he is one of the world’s most powerful magicians. Havelock unlike his reputation was shy, awkward and had a bumbling personality, all he wants is to work in his workshop and be left alone. I would describe this book as a gentle romance with a hefty sprinkling of magic, it was very cosy and I really enjoyed it. I enjoyed the setting of this book, it kind of had an oldie worldy feel to it and the pacing was just right. This was a very easy book to get lost it, I really enjoyed the writing, the characters and the world building. I also liked Yannick Havelock’s apprentice and Agnes’s sister Eloise. Overall a very highly satisfying and enjoyable read.
Currently reading
February 20, 2026DROPPING EVERYTHING I’M DOING. Favourite author + most anticipated read of the year = I’m in heaven 😭😭😭 cats cats cats
August 26, 2025
Cosy, cat-filled, cute, curiously magical.
Agnes runs a cat shelter charity in a place where most people see cats as pests. She is highly organised, type-A, lives by her checklists and order. (Is she me?)
When her shop is destroyed by duelling magicians, she rents a new, weirdly cheap, place where she finds out a magician is living in the basement. Not any old magician (which would be bad enough), but Havelock: the Witch King, failed world-ender. Who is allergic to cats and being hunted by his evil sister.
I have two cats who seem to think they’re human, so this story touched me, made me laugh, and cuddle with my own furballs: Pancake (born on Pancake day) and Cinder, (named after the Lunar Chronicles).
”You are a hurricane, aren’t you?” he said. “I’m half convinced that if I get in your way, I’ll find myself stuffed into a crate with a number glued to my forehead.”
“Oh, no,” I said. “You’d get your own shelf.”
Havelock is chaotic, disorganised, and a mess.
Agnes is stressed, persistent, and tidy.
The side characters are equally as charming, complementing and contrasting with our main characters wonderfully. Even the cats have more personality than other main book characters I have read.
This is an urban historical fantasy set in 1920s Montreal, perfect for the Fall/Autumnal season.
If this doesn’t convince you to go to a cat shelter, you have a stone heart.
Arc gifted by Del Rey.
Bookstagram
Tiktok
Agnes runs a cat shelter charity in a place where most people see cats as pests. She is highly organised, type-A, lives by her checklists and order. (Is she me?)
When her shop is destroyed by duelling magicians, she rents a new, weirdly cheap, place where she finds out a magician is living in the basement. Not any old magician (which would be bad enough), but Havelock: the Witch King, failed world-ender. Who is allergic to cats and being hunted by his evil sister.
I have two cats who seem to think they’re human, so this story touched me, made me laugh, and cuddle with my own furballs: Pancake (born on Pancake day) and Cinder, (named after the Lunar Chronicles).
”You are a hurricane, aren’t you?” he said. “I’m half convinced that if I get in your way, I’ll find myself stuffed into a crate with a number glued to my forehead.”
“Oh, no,” I said. “You’d get your own shelf.”
Havelock is chaotic, disorganised, and a mess.
Agnes is stressed, persistent, and tidy.
The side characters are equally as charming, complementing and contrasting with our main characters wonderfully. Even the cats have more personality than other main book characters I have read.
This is an urban historical fantasy set in 1920s Montreal, perfect for the Fall/Autumnal season.
If this doesn’t convince you to go to a cat shelter, you have a stone heart.
Arc gifted by Del Rey.
Bookstagram
Tiktok
February 14, 2026
For such a cozy story, I could not put this one down! I finished the majority of this in one sitting, and had such a great time. I loved Agnes and her cat shelter, and getting to meet all her "hairy, flightless night-gaunts" as Havelock would call them. I was delightfully surprised by the little bits of romance, and I definitely could feel the similar charm and whimsy that Emily Wilde had throughout this story 🥹
I think Heather Fawcett has such a way of keeping the reader captivated with her story telling. Like yes, this is a cozy fantasy where one would maybe assume a slower pace or lower stakes, but there was never a moment in this one where I felt bored or uninterested. (The same goes for her Emily Wilde series). While you know since this is a cozy story, that nothing TOO terrible will occur, I felt like the last 50% I was so incredibly locked in wondering what was going to happen to Agnes and Havelock and all the cats! I was so invested and screaming for the last bits and rooting for them.
"Oh, Agnes. You see him as one of your cats now, don't you? Because you took care of him."
"I do not."
"You do. You think if you just clean him up and give him his flea treatments, you can make him respectable."
I loved Agnes relationship with her sister, and how through all the craziness she was there supporting her from day one, and wouldn't let Agnes face any of her struggle alone. (where can I find a sister like Elise) and the CATS!! Truly the main character in this story is the cats. I loved all their personalities and their little quirks they had. I still contemplate which one is my favorite, but I have to go with His Majesty, because I am still thinking about that "white-pawed demon" even now.
And now the romance 🥹 I really loved Havelock and Agnes interactions, and honestly wouldn't have minded maybe one or two more interactions of them, but I know that (or at least it felt like) the intention was to make this romance storyline to be a subplot in the background. But I still enjoyed the little crumbs of romance we got from them. I felt like they both gave off that black cat personas in different ways 😆. Both hate being the center of attention, but one wants to focus on his magical artefacts, while the other wants to follow her checklists taking care of her cats and her shelter.
If you want to read a story where the main characters are cats, and add a bit of romance, whimsy, and charm, with a sense of community and protecting one another, I think you'd really enjoy this one. I was delightfully surprised to have binged this book the way I did. I love Heather Fawcett's stories, and can't wait to see what she comes up with next!
Thank you so much Del Rey for the arc!!
_______________________________________
was worried this would be too cozy for me but I should've just trusted heather fawcett bc I really loved this one 🥹
4.5/5 longer rtc!!!
I think Heather Fawcett has such a way of keeping the reader captivated with her story telling. Like yes, this is a cozy fantasy where one would maybe assume a slower pace or lower stakes, but there was never a moment in this one where I felt bored or uninterested. (The same goes for her Emily Wilde series). While you know since this is a cozy story, that nothing TOO terrible will occur, I felt like the last 50% I was so incredibly locked in wondering what was going to happen to Agnes and Havelock and all the cats! I was so invested and screaming for the last bits and rooting for them.
"Oh, Agnes. You see him as one of your cats now, don't you? Because you took care of him."
"I do not."
"You do. You think if you just clean him up and give him his flea treatments, you can make him respectable."
I loved Agnes relationship with her sister, and how through all the craziness she was there supporting her from day one, and wouldn't let Agnes face any of her struggle alone. (where can I find a sister like Elise) and the CATS!! Truly the main character in this story is the cats. I loved all their personalities and their little quirks they had. I still contemplate which one is my favorite, but I have to go with His Majesty, because I am still thinking about that "white-pawed demon" even now.
And now the romance 🥹 I really loved Havelock and Agnes interactions, and honestly wouldn't have minded maybe one or two more interactions of them, but I know that (or at least it felt like) the intention was to make this romance storyline to be a subplot in the background. But I still enjoyed the little crumbs of romance we got from them. I felt like they both gave off that black cat personas in different ways 😆. Both hate being the center of attention, but one wants to focus on his magical artefacts, while the other wants to follow her checklists taking care of her cats and her shelter.
If you want to read a story where the main characters are cats, and add a bit of romance, whimsy, and charm, with a sense of community and protecting one another, I think you'd really enjoy this one. I was delightfully surprised to have binged this book the way I did. I love Heather Fawcett's stories, and can't wait to see what she comes up with next!
Thank you so much Del Rey for the arc!!
_______________________________________
was worried this would be too cozy for me but I should've just trusted heather fawcett bc I really loved this one 🥹
4.5/5 longer rtc!!!
February 10, 2026
Oh Heather Fawcett— she understands what it means to deliver a cozy whimsical fantasy with a hint of romance and it is always pure perfection. This one reads slow and comforting like a warm cup of tea! Set in the 20s with the darling French atmosphere of Montreal our main character Agnes runs a quaint cat shelter — grieving her late husband she discovers a magician named Havelock is living and hoarding precious and dark magical artifacts in the basement of her shop. I absolutely adored the dynamic and banter of Agnes and Havelock, so many scenes left me giddy and swooning— really hope to see more of them and this unique magical world Heather has created!
Thank you Del Rey and NetGalley for the ARC! :)
November 10, 2025
I’m not much of cozy fantasy reader, but throw a few cats into the mix and I’m hooked. This book delivered all the cozy vibes! The setting instantly draws you in, making it easy to picture our cat shelter and the quaint streets of 1920’s Montreal. I quickly connected with our characters; they made me laugh, and they even made me cry (once). Of course, the highlight of this book was the cats; I loved that they each had their own distinct personalities. It’s obvious that Heather Fawcett is a cat lover with how she perfectly captured the eccentricities of cat ownership.
Thank you NetGalley and DelRey for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you NetGalley and DelRey for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.
October 12, 2025
Such a lovely, cozy read. I would have liked a little bit more from the plot but the characters and cats were endearing enough to keep me entertained.
Full review to come closer to release.
Full review to come closer to release.
February 19, 2026
Cats and magic are always the best combination, this felt like a warm hug and I was obsessed!
January 31, 2026
i won an early copy through a giveaway hosted by hachette!
this felt like a studio ghibli film in that there was little to no context most of the novel — you just go with the flow, vibe along, and obsess over cute cats and cool magical artefacts! ✨🐈 the MMC is SOOOO howl coded (in the way he dresses and acts?!?), and all the food descriptions were 🤤🤤 sooo good! it made me bust out my cutest tea set and tasty biscuits because i was really craving them!
the romance was so cute too despite it being a little insta lovey. tho for some reason i didn’t mind it?! maybe it’s cause you don’t see the characters pining over one another constantly. they’re just sort of revolving around one another, and i love them both individually so when we see them start developing feelings for each other you feel happy for them! 🥰🥰 they were SO cute and the romance wasn’t over the top with i love yous and cringe moments — they were filled with sweet and thoughtful gestures, revealing tucked away parts of themselves with each other slowly, and also making little sacrifies for one another 🥹
this was just so different and not at all what i expected it to be. ultimately tho i had such a great time reading this :) so much whimsy and cozy cuteness, a sweet romance, and an even sweeter sister duo dynamic (which i’m biased cos i adore my sisters) 🫶🏼 LOVEEE!!!
this felt like a studio ghibli film in that there was little to no context most of the novel — you just go with the flow, vibe along, and obsess over cute cats and cool magical artefacts! ✨🐈 the MMC is SOOOO howl coded (in the way he dresses and acts?!?), and all the food descriptions were 🤤🤤 sooo good! it made me bust out my cutest tea set and tasty biscuits because i was really craving them!
the romance was so cute too despite it being a little insta lovey. tho for some reason i didn’t mind it?! maybe it’s cause you don’t see the characters pining over one another constantly. they’re just sort of revolving around one another, and i love them both individually so when we see them start developing feelings for each other you feel happy for them! 🥰🥰 they were SO cute and the romance wasn’t over the top with i love yous and cringe moments — they were filled with sweet and thoughtful gestures, revealing tucked away parts of themselves with each other slowly, and also making little sacrifies for one another 🥹
this was just so different and not at all what i expected it to be. ultimately tho i had such a great time reading this :) so much whimsy and cozy cuteness, a sweet romance, and an even sweeter sister duo dynamic (which i’m biased cos i adore my sisters) 🫶🏼 LOVEEE!!!
August 29, 2025
This was the magical, cozy read that I didn’t know I needed. With charming characters, lovable cats, magical spells and artefacts, and an oven that produces pastries at midnight, what’s not to love?
This gave me Howl’s moving castle vibes which I adored. I also really liked the Montreal snowy atmosphere.
Once again, Heather Fawcett delivers a wonderfully unique story with the kind of writing that simply immersed me from the start. I always appreciate how her characters feel real in that they have quirks and traits that are not shied away from but explored in ways make them all the more endearing.
I found the romance to be heart-warming and I especially loved the final chapter with the attic scene (yes it made me smile because i will never not love the kind of ending that lets you imagine all the magical possibilities awaiting the characters in their future).
Thank you to Del Rey and Netgalley for this ARC.
This gave me Howl’s moving castle vibes which I adored. I also really liked the Montreal snowy atmosphere.
Once again, Heather Fawcett delivers a wonderfully unique story with the kind of writing that simply immersed me from the start. I always appreciate how her characters feel real in that they have quirks and traits that are not shied away from but explored in ways make them all the more endearing.
I found the romance to be heart-warming and I especially loved the final chapter with the attic scene (yes it made me smile because i will never not love the kind of ending that lets you imagine all the magical possibilities awaiting the characters in their future).
Thank you to Del Rey and Netgalley for this ARC.
October 17, 2025
Cozy goes hardcore
Heather Fawcett wrote a series of fantasy novels, the Emily Wilde series, which I really enjoyed. I liked them because Fawcett pulled off an impressive bit of magic of her own: she wrote three novels about a powerful, child-torturing, royalty-poisoning enchantress and convinced the world that they are cozy fantasies. In my reviews, I described Emily as formidable, terrifying, and capable of anything -- the last is a direct quote of something her romantic interest Wendell Bambleby said about her. And he was right!
The trick is all in the packaging. Emily is an introverted professor who drinks HAC Beverages in large amounts. ("HAC" = "Hot Alkaloid-Containing" is a shorthand that includes tea, coffee and cocoa. HAC Beverages are of course the defining feature of cozy literature. Check out any novel that has been designated "cozy" and you will find that the characters spend much of their time offering each other and consuming HAC bevs. In fact, I posit that HAC bevs in large quantities are not just a necessary, but a sufficient condition for coziness.)
Fawcett, in Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter has shone light into all of Emily's dark places while turning the cozy to the max. We have not only HAC beverages, but also a variety of pastries, and -- get this -- our heroine runs a shelter for distressed stray cats. She literally lives with dozens of them and finds them homes. This is Beatrix Potter levels of cozy, but for adults!
The heroine, of course, is Agnes Aubert. She and her shelter are located in 1920s Montréal. It is not our version of the 1920s, however. There is magic in this world. Agnes, like all right-thinking folk, despises magic. Magicians are lawless and powerful and cause endless trouble. A few years ago one of them almost effected the End of the World. More recently, dueling magicians blasted a hole in the wall of the building that housed Agnes's shelter. Thus, as the story begins Agnes is looking for a new home. She finds one at a suspiciously low rent. Well, you can guess why the rent is so low. (And the publisher's blurb, which is full of major spoilers, will tell you why even if you can't guess.)
I didn't enjoy this as much as the Emily Wilde series. Agnes was too sweet for me. I'd have preferred a protagonist with more spice or sour notes. That's just me, though. If hard-core cozy is your thing, you'll enjoy Agnes.
Thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for an advance reader's copy of Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter. Release date 17-Feb-2026.
Blog review.
Heather Fawcett wrote a series of fantasy novels, the Emily Wilde series, which I really enjoyed. I liked them because Fawcett pulled off an impressive bit of magic of her own: she wrote three novels about a powerful, child-torturing, royalty-poisoning enchantress and convinced the world that they are cozy fantasies. In my reviews, I described Emily as formidable, terrifying, and capable of anything -- the last is a direct quote of something her romantic interest Wendell Bambleby said about her. And he was right!
The trick is all in the packaging. Emily is an introverted professor who drinks HAC Beverages in large amounts. ("HAC" = "Hot Alkaloid-Containing" is a shorthand that includes tea, coffee and cocoa. HAC Beverages are of course the defining feature of cozy literature. Check out any novel that has been designated "cozy" and you will find that the characters spend much of their time offering each other and consuming HAC bevs. In fact, I posit that HAC bevs in large quantities are not just a necessary, but a sufficient condition for coziness.)
Fawcett, in Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter has shone light into all of Emily's dark places while turning the cozy to the max. We have not only HAC beverages, but also a variety of pastries, and -- get this -- our heroine runs a shelter for distressed stray cats. She literally lives with dozens of them and finds them homes. This is Beatrix Potter levels of cozy, but for adults!
The heroine, of course, is Agnes Aubert. She and her shelter are located in 1920s Montréal. It is not our version of the 1920s, however. There is magic in this world. Agnes, like all right-thinking folk, despises magic. Magicians are lawless and powerful and cause endless trouble. A few years ago one of them almost effected the End of the World. More recently, dueling magicians blasted a hole in the wall of the building that housed Agnes's shelter. Thus, as the story begins Agnes is looking for a new home. She finds one at a suspiciously low rent. Well, you can guess why the rent is so low. (And the publisher's blurb, which is full of major spoilers, will tell you why even if you can't guess.)
I didn't enjoy this as much as the Emily Wilde series. Agnes was too sweet for me. I'd have preferred a protagonist with more spice or sour notes. That's just me, though. If hard-core cozy is your thing, you'll enjoy Agnes.
Thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for an advance reader's copy of Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter. Release date 17-Feb-2026.
Blog review.
January 25, 2026
Thank you so much Little, Brown Book Group UK for the arc!
„Would not the world be better off if we contented ourselves with the small miracles of life?“
🐈 protagonist in her thirties
🐈⬛ cozy Fantasy
🐈 magical artifacts
🐈⬛ hidden shop
🐈 time travel
What I liked:
- The cats of course! They were all adorable little personalities with their own tics. Some reminded me so much of my cats! I especially loved His Majesty and Banshee’s dynamic and I was so happy when they got more involved in the plot!
- The magician (and love interest), Havelock, and his hidden shop full of magical artifacts! He was so adorable socially awkward and slightly eccentric, just hiding away all day in his hoard of collected stuff, babbling about magic more to himself than to everyone else.
What I didn’t like:
- Besides the cat shelter the worldbuilding felt a little underdeveloped. The story is set in Montreal in the 1920s, but it could just as easily have been any city, real or imagined, nothing really stood out. I won’t even get started on the development of the magical world. I can’t believe all magicians are reckless and evil and that there were no real consequences when one of them nearly triggered the apocalypse.
- I wish the process of rescuing cats and setting them up for adoption had been a bit more realistic at times. It’s not that easy to just pick up homeless, sometimes feral cats from the street and immediately have them adopted just because people suddenly fancy cats and the shelter runs out.
✍🏻 Writing style: 4/5
👥 Characters: 4/5
🌍 Worldbuilding: 3,75/5
📝 Story & Plot: 3/5
✨ Vibes: 4,5/5
•Is this my go to genre?
I’m usually very picky with Cozy Fantasy and I rarely rate them over 3 stars, because I tend to miss urgency and action.
•Will I buy a physical copy: yes
•Will I read more books by the author: yes
•Where would I place it on my bookshelf: I’m unsure, near The Spellshop and The Bookshop Below … maybe I built a section for magical shops.
„Would not the world be better off if we contented ourselves with the small miracles of life?“
🐈 protagonist in her thirties
🐈⬛ cozy Fantasy
🐈 magical artifacts
🐈⬛ hidden shop
🐈 time travel
What I liked:
- The cats of course! They were all adorable little personalities with their own tics. Some reminded me so much of my cats! I especially loved His Majesty and Banshee’s dynamic and I was so happy when they got more involved in the plot!
- The magician (and love interest), Havelock, and his hidden shop full of magical artifacts! He was so adorable socially awkward and slightly eccentric, just hiding away all day in his hoard of collected stuff, babbling about magic more to himself than to everyone else.
What I didn’t like:
- Besides the cat shelter the worldbuilding felt a little underdeveloped. The story is set in Montreal in the 1920s, but it could just as easily have been any city, real or imagined, nothing really stood out. I won’t even get started on the development of the magical world. I can’t believe all magicians are reckless and evil and that there were no real consequences when one of them nearly triggered the apocalypse.
- I wish the process of rescuing cats and setting them up for adoption had been a bit more realistic at times. It’s not that easy to just pick up homeless, sometimes feral cats from the street and immediately have them adopted just because people suddenly fancy cats and the shelter runs out.
✍🏻 Writing style: 4/5
👥 Characters: 4/5
🌍 Worldbuilding: 3,75/5
📝 Story & Plot: 3/5
✨ Vibes: 4,5/5
•Is this my go to genre?
I’m usually very picky with Cozy Fantasy and I rarely rate them over 3 stars, because I tend to miss urgency and action.
•Will I buy a physical copy: yes
•Will I read more books by the author: yes
•Where would I place it on my bookshelf: I’m unsure, near The Spellshop and The Bookshop Below … maybe I built a section for magical shops.
January 31, 2026
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. all opinions are my own.
this was my first book by this author & certainly won’t be my last!!
what i adored:
- the romantic subplot (VERY much on the side)
- 1920s montreal
- the portrayal of grief
- magic system & concept of artefacts
- agnes!!! my type a queen i loved her so much
- havelock, you & your bespectacled jewelry wearing self have bewitched me
- the CATSSSSSS i adored them and really loved how the author put a lot of thought into giving them each their own stories and personalities
- the whimsicalness of it all
- the writing style!!!!!!
what i didn’t love:
- the ending felt a bit rushed to me
- i wish we had gotten some more insight into havelock’s character
- a teensy bit more yearning please
overall, i loved this & was fully immersed in this cozy world!!
this was my first book by this author & certainly won’t be my last!!
what i adored:
- the romantic subplot (VERY much on the side)
- 1920s montreal
- the portrayal of grief
- magic system & concept of artefacts
- agnes!!! my type a queen i loved her so much
- havelock, you & your bespectacled jewelry wearing self have bewitched me
- the CATSSSSSS i adored them and really loved how the author put a lot of thought into giving them each their own stories and personalities
- the whimsicalness of it all
- the writing style!!!!!!
what i didn’t love:
- the ending felt a bit rushed to me
- i wish we had gotten some more insight into havelock’s character
- a teensy bit more yearning please
overall, i loved this & was fully immersed in this cozy world!!
October 19, 2025
Cozy fantasy is not really a genre that works for me because no matter how much I love the vibes, I like my stakes a little bit higher. This of course is the reason why Heather Fawcett's books work for me. The aesthetic is there, cats and pastries and snow but the plot is also about illegal artefacts and the apocalypse and, most importantly, about love and grief.
I did not expect this book to make me cry but here we are none the less. Agnes is juggling her goal of saving every stray cat in Montreal, her feelings about magic and the loss of her husband while also finding love after that. Havelock is also grieving in his own way but he also wants to be left alone. The way these two found each other, a woman who sees the good in everyone and a man who can't even see the good in himself was beautiful and made me feel all the feels.
The best thing though is that the cats are characters in this book AND I got my cat to cuddle with me will reading it. Truly the best way to enjoy this book.
I did not expect this book to make me cry but here we are none the less. Agnes is juggling her goal of saving every stray cat in Montreal, her feelings about magic and the loss of her husband while also finding love after that. Havelock is also grieving in his own way but he also wants to be left alone. The way these two found each other, a woman who sees the good in everyone and a man who can't even see the good in himself was beautiful and made me feel all the feels.
The best thing though is that the cats are characters in this book AND I got my cat to cuddle with me will reading it. Truly the best way to enjoy this book.
February 18, 2026
4.5
The word for this book is charming. I was enchanted by it and I even cried on several instances.
I didn't like Emily Wilde, it was too boring and monotone to me, but I saw this one had cats so naturally I had to give it a try at least. To my surprise I enjoyed it A LOT. I love the main character and the love interest, I'm obsessed with the cats and the story was interesting enough to not make it too slow. A masterclass on how to do a cozy fantasy without making it uninteresting. Or I just really love cats. Realistically it's a mix of both.
The word for this book is charming. I was enchanted by it and I even cried on several instances.
I didn't like Emily Wilde, it was too boring and monotone to me, but I saw this one had cats so naturally I had to give it a try at least. To my surprise I enjoyed it A LOT. I love the main character and the love interest, I'm obsessed with the cats and the story was interesting enough to not make it too slow. A masterclass on how to do a cozy fantasy without making it uninteresting. Or I just really love cats. Realistically it's a mix of both.
Read
February 9, 2026This was a cozy, lovely, very leisurely read, but it took me a long time. It was too easy to put down; while I loved the idea, and the cats, I didn’t feel as emotionally invested as I’d wanted to feel, and my interest kept flagging, largely because the romance seemed to lack real chemistry. I think I believed in them more as friends--which is highly subjective I know.
Another subjective impression from a long-time fantasy reader: I really wanted more from the magic system.It made the setting feel a bit like a Hollywood backdrop to a pleasant Hallmark movie.
November 20, 2025
I hope this fantasy novel leads to more people loving cats. I'm already a life-long cat lover and this made me love them even more! Agnes needs to find a new location for her cat shelter but has no idea her new place is a front for the dreaded Witch King aka Havelock, who is not that dreadful at all.
I adored everything about this! Havelock opining on magic theory, just wants to be left alone with his books and Artefacts. Agnes organizing his Artefacts because she can't handle what a mess his rooms are and how on earth can he ever find anything?! All the cats' personalities and the people who come to adopt them. The way this explored Agnes's grief after the death of her husband Robin. The slow burgeoning romance between Agnes and Havelock. Agnes's stalwart sister Elise! I would read so many more stories about Agnes, Havelock, and crew.
Note: There is some danger and peril in the form of Havelock's sister Valérie but no cats are harmed.
Characters: Agnes is a 35 year old white cat rescue charity owner. She owns two cats: His Majesty and Banshee. Her sister is Elise. Havelock (aka Witch King) is a 32 year old white magician and landlord who wears glasses. Yannick is his apprentice. This is set in Montréal.
Content notes: toxic sister, past child neglect, cat abduction, murder, attempted murder, police abuse of power, jail, lacerations, allergy to cats, fainting, vomit, animal endangerment, past and present animal injuries, abandoned cats, past death of pet cat, recent death of rescue cat's owner, cat diet, cat vomit, spiders, fleas, forgetting to eat, brief fatshaming joke, past death of FMC's husband (heart defect), past death of FMC's parents at 16, past death of MMC's mother, past parental rejection for being a magician (secondary character was passed to other relatives who kicked him out once he turned 18), past homelessness (secondary character), past foster care (secondary character), alcohol, ableist language
Disclosure: I received a free advance copy from Del Rey.
I adored everything about this! Havelock opining on magic theory, just wants to be left alone with his books and Artefacts. Agnes organizing his Artefacts because she can't handle what a mess his rooms are and how on earth can he ever find anything?! All the cats' personalities and the people who come to adopt them. The way this explored Agnes's grief after the death of her husband Robin. The slow burgeoning romance between Agnes and Havelock. Agnes's stalwart sister Elise! I would read so many more stories about Agnes, Havelock, and crew.
Note: There is some danger and peril in the form of Havelock's sister Valérie but no cats are harmed.
Characters: Agnes is a 35 year old white cat rescue charity owner. She owns two cats: His Majesty and Banshee. Her sister is Elise. Havelock (aka Witch King) is a 32 year old white magician and landlord who wears glasses. Yannick is his apprentice. This is set in Montréal.
Content notes: toxic sister, past child neglect, cat abduction, murder, attempted murder, police abuse of power, jail, lacerations, allergy to cats, fainting, vomit, animal endangerment, past and present animal injuries, abandoned cats, past death of pet cat, recent death of rescue cat's owner, cat diet, cat vomit, spiders, fleas, forgetting to eat, brief fatshaming joke, past death of FMC's husband (heart defect), past death of FMC's parents at 16, past death of MMC's mother, past parental rejection for being a magician (secondary character was passed to other relatives who kicked him out once he turned 18), past homelessness (secondary character), past foster care (secondary character), alcohol, ableist language
Disclosure: I received a free advance copy from Del Rey.
January 12, 2026
I wanted this book to last forever.
Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter is cozy fantasy perfection, funny, soft, a little sad, and full of absolute chaos in cat form. Agnes runs a magical cat shelter that gets destroyed right after she loses her husband, so she is grieving, stressed, and still somehow holding everything together for a bunch of deeply unhelpful cats. Then a dark magician shows up, very Howl coded, very grumpy, very talented, and very bad at feelings.
The romance is a super slow burn and mostly in the background, but it works because the heart of the story is Agnes, her shelter, and all the people and animals who find their way there. The cats are incredible, each with their own ridiculous personality, and watching Agnes match them with the right humans was weirdly emotional.
I also loved how much this book cares about kindness, about helping strays, about using power to protect instead of harm, and about quiet bravery that does not need to be loud or violent to matter. Agnes is gentle but fierce when it counts, especially where her cats are concerned.
It is whimsical, a little dangerous, deeply warm, and honestly just made me happy. If you love Howl’s Moving Castle, Emily Wilde, or just want to hide in a soft magical world for a while, this one is such a good pick.
Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for a copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter is cozy fantasy perfection, funny, soft, a little sad, and full of absolute chaos in cat form. Agnes runs a magical cat shelter that gets destroyed right after she loses her husband, so she is grieving, stressed, and still somehow holding everything together for a bunch of deeply unhelpful cats. Then a dark magician shows up, very Howl coded, very grumpy, very talented, and very bad at feelings.
The romance is a super slow burn and mostly in the background, but it works because the heart of the story is Agnes, her shelter, and all the people and animals who find their way there. The cats are incredible, each with their own ridiculous personality, and watching Agnes match them with the right humans was weirdly emotional.
I also loved how much this book cares about kindness, about helping strays, about using power to protect instead of harm, and about quiet bravery that does not need to be loud or violent to matter. Agnes is gentle but fierce when it counts, especially where her cats are concerned.
It is whimsical, a little dangerous, deeply warm, and honestly just made me happy. If you love Howl’s Moving Castle, Emily Wilde, or just want to hide in a soft magical world for a while, this one is such a good pick.
Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for a copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review!
February 17, 2026
This novel is out today! (2/17/26) I highly recommend this fantasy novel especially if you love magic, heart warming stories, and of course cats!!
This was such a great story especially if you love cats! There were so many wonderful little touches that will draw you in. From the magical oven that bakes pastries at midnight, intelligent characters willing to do whatever it takes to save others, and cats who steal the show; this is a fantastic, wonderful book filled with magic, action, and a little romance.
Agnes is a woman in her 30s who is grieving the loss of her partner and has now dedicated her life to saving cats. She runs a cat shelter and is desperate to find a new home. When a shop she can actually affords comes up she jumps at the chance to rent it. However she finds out that a magician named Havelock is using her shelter as a front so that he stays hidden from the police. Havelock is a world famous magician who almost ended the world. Agnes would be ok with this until one day another magician shows up and almost destroys her shelter and the cats in her quest to find a magical book. Agnes is determined to do whatever it takes to find this book and destroy it so that everyone she loves will be safe.
This book was a unique blend of heart warming characters, magic, and action. I really hope that there are more books to come as I truly loved all of these characters and the cats.
Thank you to Del Rey Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC.
This was such a great story especially if you love cats! There were so many wonderful little touches that will draw you in. From the magical oven that bakes pastries at midnight, intelligent characters willing to do whatever it takes to save others, and cats who steal the show; this is a fantastic, wonderful book filled with magic, action, and a little romance.
Agnes is a woman in her 30s who is grieving the loss of her partner and has now dedicated her life to saving cats. She runs a cat shelter and is desperate to find a new home. When a shop she can actually affords comes up she jumps at the chance to rent it. However she finds out that a magician named Havelock is using her shelter as a front so that he stays hidden from the police. Havelock is a world famous magician who almost ended the world. Agnes would be ok with this until one day another magician shows up and almost destroys her shelter and the cats in her quest to find a magical book. Agnes is determined to do whatever it takes to find this book and destroy it so that everyone she loves will be safe.
This book was a unique blend of heart warming characters, magic, and action. I really hope that there are more books to come as I truly loved all of these characters and the cats.
Thank you to Del Rey Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC.
December 15, 2025
What a cozy, enchanting, and deeply heartfelt read this turned out to be. Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter completely captured my heart from start to finish, and I truly did not want it to end.
This story felt like a warm hug. The magic was gentle yet enchanting, and I found myself wishing I could step into the pages and volunteer at Agnes’s cat shelter just to be around her and her wonderfully mystical cats. Each cat had its own personality, and I absolutely loved how Agnes matched them with adopters so thoughtfully, like she could see straight into their souls.
What made this book especially meaningful to me was how it addressed real and important themes such as the street cat population and the need for neutering. As someone who advocates for reducing stray animal populations in Asia, this aspect of the story tugged hard at my heartstrings. Agnes’s compassion for animals felt incredibly genuine, and when she hurt for her cats, I felt that pain right alongside her.
The emotional depth of this book surprised me in the best way. Agnes’s grief after losing her husband was handled with such tenderness, and seeing how she found comfort and healing through caring for her cats was both heartbreaking and beautiful. I laughed, I cried, and more than once I wanted to reach through the pages and hug her.
I also adored the magical elements woven throughout the story — from enchanted artifacts to Havelock’s experiments with magic — and yes, I want to be adored the way Banshee adored Havelock. 🥹
This book is full of warmth, kindness, and hope, and it’s a love letter to lost souls finding their way back home — whether they walk on two legs or four. If you love cozy fantasy, cats, gentle magic, and stories that lead with heart, I cannot recommend this enough.
Thank you Del Rey and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange of my honest review!
This story felt like a warm hug. The magic was gentle yet enchanting, and I found myself wishing I could step into the pages and volunteer at Agnes’s cat shelter just to be around her and her wonderfully mystical cats. Each cat had its own personality, and I absolutely loved how Agnes matched them with adopters so thoughtfully, like she could see straight into their souls.
What made this book especially meaningful to me was how it addressed real and important themes such as the street cat population and the need for neutering. As someone who advocates for reducing stray animal populations in Asia, this aspect of the story tugged hard at my heartstrings. Agnes’s compassion for animals felt incredibly genuine, and when she hurt for her cats, I felt that pain right alongside her.
The emotional depth of this book surprised me in the best way. Agnes’s grief after losing her husband was handled with such tenderness, and seeing how she found comfort and healing through caring for her cats was both heartbreaking and beautiful. I laughed, I cried, and more than once I wanted to reach through the pages and hug her.
I also adored the magical elements woven throughout the story — from enchanted artifacts to Havelock’s experiments with magic — and yes, I want to be adored the way Banshee adored Havelock. 🥹
This book is full of warmth, kindness, and hope, and it’s a love letter to lost souls finding their way back home — whether they walk on two legs or four. If you love cozy fantasy, cats, gentle magic, and stories that lead with heart, I cannot recommend this enough.
Thank you Del Rey and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange of my honest review!
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