On the Origins of Magic

by J. Lynn Carr

Welcome to Elden, where books grow from petals and bones, and magic lives in the air…Artemis Fairchild, a thirty-eight-year-old divorced witch, finds herself at a crossroads. Burdened by a mysterious curse, she steps into her new role as Head Librarian at Wymore College of Magical Studies ready to unlock the secrets of ancient tomes and, perhaps, her own fate.

Enter River Starling, the enigmatic Sigil Craft professor whose formidable presence masks a complicated past. With a penchant for solitude, he seems eager to keep his history buried and live out his days in quiet atonement.

When River is tasked with aiding Artemis in her quest to break her curse, sparks ignite between them. As they delve deeper into the mysteries of magical theory, River can't help but Are their feelings a genuine connection, or merely a byproduct of the dark enchantment that plagues Artemis?

This standalone romance fantasy is a love letter to libraries and the written word, a testament to the persistent pursuit of knowledge, and, most importantly, a story of finding connection when least expected.

Genres: Romantasy, Fantasy, Cozy, Cozy Fantasy, Romance

189 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 26, 2025

About the author

J. Lynn Carr holds a master’s degree in Library Science and has worked as a freelance designer, blending her creative talents across various fields. Her work has been featured in Vulnerary Magazine and Folklore Review. Currently, she works at a library in Austin, TX, where she resides with her husband and their two beloved dogs, Milly and Freddie.

Reviews

[Val · Rating 3 out of 5]

a bit too low stakes for me w not enough fun

thank you so much to the author for the arc

[Katelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author: J. Lynn Carr
Genre: Cozy Fantasy, Magical Academia
Series: Standalone
Age Rating: Adult

Synopsis
Welcome to Elden, where books grow from petals and bones, and magic lives in the air… Artemis is a 38-year-old divorced witch who takes up a Head Librarian posting at Wymore College of Magical Studies after an accident leaves her with a curse and forces her to leave her detective job. River is the enigmatic Sigil Craft professor tasked with helping Artemis in her quest to break her curse. As they work together, their connection deepens, but the question arises: Is their growing attraction to each other a genuine connection or a byproduct of the enchantment on Artemis?

Content Warnings
General Rating: Teen+ (14A / PG-13 / TV-14)
Spice Rating: Mild—kissing, brief discussions of previous sexual relationships, non-explicit
Violence Rating: Mild—descriptions of physical abuse and torture
Profanity Rating: Moderate—rare use of f*ck
Other Trigger Warnings: divorce, parental abuse, death of parent

Overall Rating: 4.25/5 (4.2 on Goodreads)
A beautiful, cozy, imaginative romance fantasy set in a university with a library that grows books—what’s not to like? I was enchanted. The only drawback was that it was too short... I could have spent another 300 pages in Wymore!

What I Liked
- The cozy vibes: Universities and libraries tickle that spot inside me that desires rootedness in the written word and the pursuit of knowledge. Wymore College gave off Hogwarts vibes—only for adults rather than for boarding school children.

River has always believed that most problems can be solved by a wander through a bookstore or library. (142)

- Adult relationships: As a thirty-something adult, I can’t tell you how pleased I am to read of romances between emotionally mature adults! No angsty teenage hormones… thank goodness!

- Excellent world building: Somehow, Carr manages to build an entire world, history, military coup, and personal backstories within 189 pages. It’s an amazing feat and I loved every bit of it.

Themes and Reflections
- Pursuit of Knowledge: It’s a common theme in magical academia books, and this one is no different. River, in particular, thrives on research and deep study, and he uses his knowledge for the benefit of others.

“Language changes with time. Evolves. It’s a living entity that we rely on so closely, we don't see how it grows with us until we look back at history.” (76)

- Emotional Maturity over Time: Growth happens over time, especially emotional maturity. Both protagonists frequently look back at their past selves some twenty years prior, and recognize where they have grown and continue to grow.

Is that what twenty years does to a person? Gives them the ability to customize the space they’ve been given in this world, to carve new curves and grooves into their life so that it fits them and only them? (142)

- Vulnerability and Trust: Both protagonists learn to trust one another with their emotions and deepest selves. This happens over time and not without fits and starts, like all relationships. Carr portrayed this in a realistic, yet light and hopeful way that reflects the best of humanity when they learn to truly love and trust one another.

Writing Style
Cozy, imaginative, and whimsical in its magical development and world building! It’s like a Harry Potter for adults, with a hint of steam and far less Voldemort.

If you’re looking for a cozy, slow-paced but rich stay in a magical university, pick up On the Origins of Magic on August 26, 2025!

Tropes
Magical academia
Unbreakable curses
Fated love
Grumpy and sunshine

Books Like This
The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst
Emily Wilde series by Heather Fawcett

Publisher Info
Publisher: Bramble
Release Date: August 26, 2025
eARC from BookSirens, available on Amazon on August 26. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Laura Darby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spoiler free, as usual so I am going to keep this mildly vague so I don't ruin any magic or wonder that I experienced reading this book.

I am still processing my feelings on this book so I feel like this may come across very disjointed but bare with me!

The word building was quite astonishing for a short book. I really felt immersed in the school and could picture the surrounding locations pretty well from the authors descriptions.
The book (the romance, the time period, the writing) was giving me Charlie Holmberg/Whimbrel House vibes. Not in the fact that the story was similar, it was not. But the tension building in the MCs relationship, the way the magic has roots that branch off to other specialities and abilities (and the history behind it). Also the way the people are affected by the magic in the sense that its not all fae and whimsy, there's is real life events happening. Marriage, divorce, crime, normal people (as such) in normal jobs etc.

The MMC - River - is giving sexy Snape and I'm here for it. Not normally my thing, but I seem to be broadening my horizons. I love his development and his character in general. He balances the FMC perfectly. His backstory is equal parts empowering and traumatic.
FMC - Artemis -not a badass but not a pushover. Not afraid to get her feelings hurt or hurt feelings by being unapologetically herself, but still having boundaries. I love how she goes against the grain but instead of it being her whole personality, she acknowledges, embraces and moves forward. No excuses.

The magic system in this is brilliant. The way it is explained and built up in such a short book is nothing short of amazing. I thought the system itself was well thought out and thoroughly explained and the books.... such an awesome concept.

The only negative things I have to say about it: I wish we got more on the greenhouses. The lore there and more storyline on them. I wont elaborate for fear of spoilers though. It will make sense when you read it.
I wish it was longer. I knew going into this that it was a short book. It's one of the reasons I accepted the ARC. I was looking forward to an easy, in-between series read but I wanted more time. I crave more on the lore's surrounding the magic and the aforementioned greenhouses. Most of all, I would have liked more time with River and Artemis.
I debated giving this book 4 stars based on that but then I reasoned with myself that I knew it was on the shorter side going in and the fact it drew me in so deep that I was desperate for more, proved how great this story was.

If you have read any of my reviews before, I say this every time. I read for the vibes, not to pick apart the literature. I also don't spoil the story, just give enough to explain why I enjoyed it and why I think others will too. I pick what ARCs I read based on my preferences and how I feel about the blurb. I'm happy that my 4/5 star reading streak is unblemished.

I received this ARC for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily and very happily. Thank you to J Lynne Carr for the opportunity and the wonderful story.

[Sunday · Rating 5 out of 5]

“So here she is: thirty-eight years old, divorced, cursed, and embarking on a new chapter in her life as the Head Librarian of Wymore College of Magical Studies.”

Artemis has started a new job as Head Librarian for two reasons: it’s the only job she can do while cursed and unable to access her magic, and to hopefully break the curse that has rendered her magic inaccessible. And the one warlock that may be able to help her has plenty of mysteries of his own.

—-------

Let me lead with I enjoyed every second of this book. The author has intended this as a love letter to libraries, knowledge, and connection, and I feel she has absolutely nailed it. And, to me, there was a lot to love about this book.

First, it was so nice reading a romance between folks beyond their twenties. It felt much more mature and natural than a lot of romance I’ve read, and much more rewarding. I loved their history, their quirks, and to me they just made sense as a couple. It was really nice watching them reunite after so many years, and seeing how that influenced their romance. Second, the setting was thoughtfully constructed and engagingly communicated to us. Instead of being talked at, we learn about the magic system as River is trying to solve problems, and the history of Elden as Artemis learns about the other side of their history. What could have been infodumps were instead natural moments of discussion. I also appreciated the way that the curse is described, how it actually affects Artemis’ daily life and how it doesn’t. And third, I absolutely enjoyed how grounded the story felt. The stakes were natural, logical, and the climax was just dramatic enough to satisfy. The curse enhanced their overarching story, instead of the justification.

The only tweaks I would suggest are all based on either preference, or me just wanting more of the story and the world of Elden. And I’m often a tough critic on fantasy romance. We don’t see as much of the day to day of Artemis’ life as librarian, nor around Wymore, as I personally would want. However, I think the author has already established the foundation of the world very well, so if she chooses to write more I think there’s definitely a lot to work with. Currently, we get the history of the world, but only enough of the day to day as is relevant to the story. I will caution readers that the timeline is not particularly long, so if you’re looking for a very drawn out romance this may not be the book for you. Personally, I think the timeline is just right.

Overall, this is definitely one of the coziest, most comforting reads of the year for me. I really hope J. Lynn Carr revisits this setting.

I received an advance review copy for free from and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Uncertain Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a quick, fun, and cosy read that I absolutely adored! At just 189 pages, Carr packs in rich worldbuilding, fascinating lore, and a charming romance. One of the most unique elements? In this world, books can be grown from a person’s corpse. Morbid, I know! But impactful people can donate their bodies to grow plants that bear the pages of their life’s work and at Wymore College of Magical Studies, tending these plants is part of the librarian’s job. Wild, right? Can you imagine that in real life???

Beyond the corpse-grown books, I loved the writing—poetic without being overly flowery. I could feel the tension in the room with me. As for the characters, Artemis is grounded and relatable, while River’s quiet intensity and deep love of knowledge made him a compelling match. Together, they were a fun and thoughtful pair. Artemis’s open mindedness gave River the room to feel secure enough around her to let down his walls after having faced much discrimination, and River’s subtle and unexpected kindness was something that she truly needed.

If I wanted anything more, it would be a clearer resolution to the books growing during the story. I wanted more closure on that—or maybe a whole extra book lol. There was also one character who felt a bit unnecessary to me.

Still, I fully recommend this novella. It’s perfect if you’re in the mood for a short, magical romance between two endearing nerds.

Disclaimer: I received an eARC of this book from Book Sirens in exchange for an honest review.

[Bayan Awadallah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went into this really wanting to love it, and while I did enjoy it overall, it didn’t quite hit 5-star territory for me. The world-building was the highlight: magical, detailed, and so so easy to get lost in. I was mesmerized by the descriptions, the atmosphere, and the way the magic felt rooted in history. The greenhouses at the start instantly caught my attention, and I wished they’d played a bigger role throughout the story.

I liked the characters, especially the two main characters, and I appreciated that Artemis felt layered and not just defined by her relationship with river. But I kept wishing for deeper glimpses into their pasts and more emotional moments tied to those histories, so I could feel the weight of what shaped them. Some side characters felt less fleshed-out, which made it harder to connect with them.

The elements that kept me reading were the fantasy, romance, and the unique magic system. What would’ve pushed this into a 5-star read for me is tighter pacing in places, more integration of the “Origins of Magic” concept into the main plot, and earlier emotional hooks into the characters’ lives.

Even though it wasn’t a perfect fit for me personally, I think readers who enjoy slower-paced, richly described fantasy with a focus on atmosphere will find a lot to love here.

Rating: 3.5–4 stars

I received this arc for free, and give my honest review voluntarily. Thank you for the author and for booksirens for giving me the opportunity to read this arc

[Danielle Byron · Rating 4 out of 5]

"On the Origins of Magic" offers a fresh, enchanting, and sophisticated take on magical academia. J. Lynn Carr's debut novel provides a truly captivating and original reading experience. In the whimsical prologue, "On the Care and Harvesting of Botanically Grown Books," readers are transported to a world where knowledge becomes tangible in a library greenhouse.

This enchanted institute of magical learning is refreshingly narrated from the perspective of adults in their thirties—a welcome change from typical narratives featuring young prodigies. The intricate magical universe is well-developed and engaging, even incorporating concepts like "Magical Mathematics" (which, for this reviewer, humorously triggered a flashback to flunking college trigonometry!). The descriptions of the magical equations are delightful.

Adding to the story's charm is the blossoming romance between the new Head Librarian, Artemis—who is a "thirty-eight-year-old divorced woman, cursed and embarking on a new chapter of her life"—and the grizzled, somewhat guarded Professor River. Their interactions are filled with comedic moments, creating a delightful dynamic. The author masterfully weaves a rich universe, complete with detailed maps, history, and legends, into this lovely romantic storyline.

Overall, "On the Origins of Magic" is a genuinely original work from a first-time published author. It's an enjoyable journey into a thoughtfully constructed magical world, and I give it a thumbs up. Special thanks to BookSirens for providing an Advance Reader Copy.

[T M. Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Cozy Afternoon Delight with a Dash of Magic

On the Origins of Magic is the kind of book that wraps itself around you like a favorite blanket on a rainy afternoon. Within the first few pages, I found myself utterly transported—immersed in a world that felt soft, safe, and yet charged with enchantment. This is a sweet, intimate story that lingers long after you turn the last page.

And then there’s River. Oh, River. He may just be my new fictional boyfriend. The perfect balance of brilliant introvert and feral predator, River is a character you can’t help but fall a little in love with—complex, magnetic, and quietly captivating. Every scene he was in had that rich, delicious tension that makes you want to slow down and savor every word.

What I loved most about On the Origins of Magic is that it’s not trying to be flashy or over the top. It’s gentle in its magic, intimate in its emotions, and deeply satisfying from start to finish. The story feels like hot tea in your favorite mug—comforting, grounding, and just a bit enchanting.

If you’re looking for a satisfying, heartwarming read to curl up with on a cozy afternoon, this little gem is perfect. It’s the kind of book that fills your cup and leaves you smiling.

Thank you to Book Sirens and the publisher for providing an advance reader’s copy to provide for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Lynda Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this ARC for free and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.

Thanks to BookSirens for the ARC!

5/5

I'm going to try to keep this spoiler free and short, so I'll be dividing it in 3 sections.

1. World Building - For a short book, the world building was on point. It presents itself to the reader immediately. The quick pace leaves no room for unanswered questions. It sucked me into the world and I had zero doubts that I wanted to read about this world.

2. Characters -
FMC - Artemis is such a fun character. She's unapologetic and brave and knows what she wants, despite her glaring "Ailment". I honestly her positivity through it all helped me grow as a person too.

MMC - River was an interesting surprise. I do like mysterious brooding characters but he's something else. He's gentlemanly in a way I wish more men were like. He's smart and witty and I felt his presence (I wish he were a real person).

Being able to read both their POVs was just heart-warming.

3. Romance - As a woman in her late 20s who has no prospects in love, this book gives me hope. The norm is that love should look like fireworks and grand gestures, right? As someone who has passed that phase in life, the subtlety of the romance in this book leaves me with hope.

My heart is warm. I genuinely love this book. Will I recommend this book? Yes and there is no doubt about it.

[M. Hayter · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. And I stand by it.
This is a shorty girlie! A very quick and fun read. I read it in a few hours!
Despite it being short the author does a fantastic job at the world building and story telling!
I picked this as one of my first voluntary ARC reads after joining a group and I am so glad I did because it has got me out of a slump.
I enjoyed the FMC! She didn’t get on my nerves at any point in the book- which is a rare find in my fantasy romance world!!
The MMC was adorable- I love that he blushes too 😊

I enjoyed myself every step of the way on this one. I do feel that towards the end of the book, I personally had to step up my brainpower to understand some things. But that could also be attributed to me getting to the end of the story at my bedtime lol

All in all if you’re looking for a fun easy intriguing story, especially to split up the heavy and lonnng series’ that make up most of the romantasy genre out there, this is a great read!!

I received this ARC for free- and am happily leaving my honest review 😊

[Ruxi Avram · Rating 5 out of 5]

How is it to find a book that is too short for its content? I am astonished by the world that Lynn Carr buit in this book, by the history of Elden and the gods that shaped it, by the description of magic contained in people and the type of magic practiced in sigils. Everything in this 180sh pages book is comparable to the Harry Potter universe!
In the first few chapters I felt a HP /Hogwarts vibe, but "On the Origins of Magic" is absolutely stunning and unique in so many ways! I am refraining from adding more not to spoil this book! I wish it were longer! I wish I had at least 500-600pages book with this story, that good it is! Definitely surpassing many books with a common subject!
I love how the characters are built, their ages (yes, I appreciate a mature main female character, not a 19yo in trouble 🙈) and the way they act. Very well written, indeed!
If I could, I would say it's a 6/5⭐️ for me!
On a final note: this book would make an awesome movie! 👌
Thank you Lynn Carr and Booksirens for the possibility of reading this book as ARC, it is exquisite!

[Dewi · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/4 stars

I'm not usually one for short fantasy stories, I love a good big fantasy trilogy. But I actually really enjoyed this read. It immediately grabbed my attention and made me want to keep reading.

It's a very light and quick read that still offers so much, with its magic system, and cozy academia setting. Especially as someone who used to work in a library, I loved having the main character stepping into this librarian role, especially in combination with a greenhouse. My two loves combined.

I also really enjoyed that the main character was a 38-year-old woman, instead of the young female main characters we generally get in fantasy. And the combo of her and River was great.

This story felt like a comforting blanket was being wrapped around you, and it was amazing how she got so much world building and create such an immersive world into such a short read.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a short read with a cozy fantasy atmosphere, sweet yearning romance, and deep world building, then this is the book for you!

In "On the Origins of Magic," J. Lynn Carr expertly balances the warmth and quiet comfort of magical schools and arcane libraries, with darker elements like books grown from corpses.

Artemis and River are a perfect match! Their chemistry is both electric and relatable, and with single kiss, Carr is able to make your heart flutter!

The amount of world building she manages to incorporate into this novella is remarkable. And she does so in a way that is thoughtful and natural, and never feels like an info dump. I loved the sigil-based magic system, as well as the in-world mythology that she cleverly weaves into epigraphs. (I would read a whole book just about Maeva’s story!)

Would definitely recommend this book, and I hope J. Lynn Carr writes more in this world in the future!

[H · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

On the Origins of Magic is a short, light, and whimsical fantasy. This is the kind of book you can breeze through in an evening. At just under 200 pages, it delivers a charming magical system and likeable characters without demanding too much from the reader.

The brevity is both its charm and its limitation. The world-building is enjoyable but minimal, and while some backstories felt a bit underdeveloped, other parts seemed less essential. That said, the pacing keeps things moving, and it never overstays its welcome.

If you're looking for a quick, cozy read with a uniquely imagined magic system and a cast you'll enjoy spending time with, this is a pleasant pick. For me, it was a nice "palette cleanser" between heavier fantasy reads.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kcaroth1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the Origins of Magic by J. Lynn Carr is a short by very fun and cozy read. I absolutely love the greenhouse and library combo! So magical and whimsical.
Artemis is an interesting character, trying to find her way after a divorce as she deals with a curse. She grows more confident over the course of the story, and I am sure will do great things. Her potential love interest is not the typical super hot guy, but is caring and capable. I found myself wanting to know more of their backstories—how did Artemis end up with her ex-husband (there is a scene at the beginning where they are not friends), and what lead River’s family to their previous actions? I want to know more about the books from the library, as well.
Overall, this is a light and delightful book/novella with some quirky magic and characters.
Thank you to Book Sirens and Page Thirteen Press for the free eARC.
3.5 stars

[Kelly Minnigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d like to do like a 3.5 stars… this book was short in terms of number of pages but not a quick read at all. The magic is definitely different & it has some very cool writing aspects, the concept of their magic & history was new, different, intriguing. The “harvesting” was fascinating to me.
I had to intentionally focus while reading this one though, nothing in the background for me or I’d miss something. I did have to read some stuff a couple times to grasp what was going on but everything was so descriptive that I could completely picture it like it was a movie I was watching- especially towards the end.
This is not an easy read but it’s so very interesting & satisfying in the end.

I received an ARC for free and am leaving this review of my own free will.

[CORINNE · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced reader copy of this book and am reviewing it voluntarily

This was an incredible book!!

The depth and details of the characters places and magical potions how they all worked was amazing

I felt as if I was there sometimes 😊

A lot to take in being so very detailed but so captivating

A love how even warlocks can’t believe someone loves them for who they are

How hard they worked too on everything

That curse that Artemis had was just awful wonderful that River sorted it for her after years of suffering

Delightful story telling throughout

Families are just the same even in the magical realm cruel to offspring power mad

So happy to have shared this journey

[Maya Reads Fantasy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an adult cozy romantasy set in a world with witches, warlocks, magic and curses and there is a cute love story between a clumsy librarian and a grumpy professor (I need a man like River pleeaseee). Although this is a short novel, the author was capable of building an entire world with its own unique magic system, interesting characters (who are adults!!) and dynamics.

The writing was very poetic and immersive and I had a really good time reading this!

Highly recommended if you're looking for a quick yet enjoyable read full of magic.

Thank you Book Sirens for the advance free copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Lise · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute, cozy Fantasy with a bit of an old fashioned feel to it. It is charming at times, but has some agenda driven content that feels at odds with the vibe of the story. As a reader this expelled me from the flow often enough to slow the pace and lessen the enjoyment. The romance is a bit predictable although the characters are likeable enough. It is clear the author has spent time and effort on crafting a complex magic system, and this by far was the most interesting part of the story. Sign me up for Wymore!

I received a complimentary copy of this book.

[c_reads_books_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌶️: 3 on RCRS (heated kisses)

What a celebration of academia, magic and second chance romance between two lovely, flawed, complex characters. This is a short, quick read but I would have been happy to hang out with Artemis and River for another 180 pages easily! I did find some of the more complex theory difficult to envision as they worked on more and more advanced counter curses, but I loved them - and was rooting for them - so much that it didn’t matter.

Thank you to J. Lynn Carr & booksirens for the opportunity to read & review On the Origins of Magic prior to its release.

[Barbara Behning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can a curse be reversed and a lost job replaced? Welcome to Elden, a place where books are nurtured and grow from petals or bones, and magic lives in the air… Artemis (38) a divorced witch who takes up a Head Librarian posting at Wymore College of Magical Studies. River is the professor tasked with helping Artemis in her quest to break her curse. As they work together, their time is more than just searching for a reversal

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is catnip for bookish gremlins like me—lush, clever, quietly feral—and the living-library conceit is chef’s kiss. It took me a while to find the rhythm, but once it clicked I was happily lost among the stacks and now want to re-pot my houseplants in case they’re hiding a glossary. Feel-wise: cozy with teeth, witty without fluff, and the vibes lingered long after I shut the cover. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely cosy fantasy romance between a librarian and professor.

I was instantly drawn in by the greenhouse and the library. J. Lynn Carr created such a unique system, absolutely running with the idea that nearly everyone has a book in them.

Spice level: Glimpses and Kisses

I received an advance review copy for free from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[DMA · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an oddly unique and unexpectedly charming read. I don't think I have ever read a book quite like it. It is a beautiful and unusual romance and Artemis is a wonderful character who pulls you into her story one misstep at a time.

Highly recommended.

[Haifah Hifyah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in the magical city of Elden, River and Artemis—two beautiful souls, find happiness and heal each other in the most tender ways. The worldbuilding is astonishingly good for such a short novella, with magical elements and concepts that feel truly unique. My favorite? The college library where plants harvest books- how cool is that?!

The characters are wonderfully memorable. Artemis is straightforward, gentle, and strong, while River— broody, caring and very much nerdy carries the weight of his past. Both felt so real, and in their own ways. It’s a fresh take on fantasy-meets-reality, filled with warmth, magic, and the perfect amount of yearning.

I enjoyed this through and through, it was cozy, whimsical and just soo pure.

[Alba Dorado · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've enjoyed a lot with this book: I've adored the characters - Artemis and River are amazing -, I've felt immersed by the world building, charming and unique…(spoiler free). Overall; 4,25⭐

[LizJ. · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's an interesting story, just not for me.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Pustaka Yoyoh (REEN'S) · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

Short cozy read. I usually really loves this kind of stories but this book doesn't really do much for me. I like the writing style and the fast pacing but while the story is truly unique, I'm not charmed at all.

But no worries, I do know there are many more readers who will enjoy this book better than me. It's good, but doesn't suits my palate (?).

[C.A. Morley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This cozy romantic fantasy is a wonderfully comforting story. I love the heroine who is 38 years old, divorced, and making the best of a bad situation. She's been struck with a curse mark and the one person who was partly to blame has left her to fend for herself. No one has been able to help her so far, but she doesn't give up. Her determination takes her to the academy where she's been made Head Librarian. The library has a wide range of books that might have the answers and a certain professor from her past who might be able to figure out a solution. I really enjoyed the dual POV.

It's a clever story with interesting magic and alchemy, including the greenhouse trees that grow books by the page. Be aware that it has some adult language. I received an ARC, and my review is voluntary.