A Widow's Charm

by Caitlyn Paxson

"Witty, whimsical, and deeply kind, A Widow's Charm is beyond charming—it's wholly enchanting." —Alix E. Harrow, New York Times bestselling author of The Everlasting

In this rollicking fantasy romance, a widow attempts to resurrect her dead husband by blackmailing her rakish necromancer neighbor—only to find herself falling for him instead.

Lady Hildegarde Croft is accustomed to changes in position. After all, she rose from maidservant to lady of the manor when she married Lord Thorgoode Croft. But when he drops dead quite unexpectedly, the plans that would have protected her and the people of Croftholde die along with him. What's a widow to do?

Potential salvation arrives in the form of Lord Elmwood, who is fleeing the consequences of using his forbidden Charm to raise the dead. Now he's injured, destitute, and hiding out at the neighboring estate.

For Hilde, blackmailing Lord Elmwood to resurrect Thorgoode seems like the perfect solution. For Elmwood, beautiful Lady Croft seems like the ideal distraction from his troubles. The problem is, all she wants from him is the horrifying power he knows he can never use again.

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

Audible Audio

First published March 31, 2026

Reviews

[Mai ༊*·˚ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ★— Finding your duke husband dead when you’re a woman living in a historical time period and the security of you and your future aren’t settled is a nightmare scenario, and so the heroine of this book tries to be practical, employing a necromancer to bring him back!

This book worked for me on a lot of levels: it’s a historical fantasy, which I always love, and it features a competent heroine colliding with a mischievous, slightly snarky male love interest who's been through a heaping of trauma. I really did like the beginning of this story and how it almost immediately opened on the main character strategizing on how to hide the death of her husband, because, damn, do I love a quick-witted woman!

I also thought that the story had an interesting angle with its “charms,” which are the powers the people in this world have. Where the story lost some steam for me was in the middle, when another character who sort of muddled the romance between Hilde and Elmwood appeared, bringing with it a subplot I didn't care for, and a group of side characters that didn't really entrance me either.

I did really like the dog, though! And the ending was interesting and not as cookie-cutter as I expected, so I did enjoy some of this, but not enough to compensate for how flat the middle fell for me.
_____________

Thank you to Del Rey for the ARC.

[Lucia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this cozy and spicy fantasy romance! 🥰❤️

I love when at the beginning of a book I'm completely skeptical about the romance, thinking there’s no way I could possibly root for these characters falling in love, and by the midpoint of the book I'm feral for this couple to end up together and have a chance at happiness 🥹

I really enjoyed both Lord Elmwood's and Hilde's character arcs. As an eldest daughter myself, I really felt for Hilde's sense of duty. Being married to the lord, she feels responsible for the wellbeing of all the townspeople. I loved how she learns to ask for help and unburden herself to others, and also seek her own happiness.
I found Elmwood's innuendo a bit juvenile at first, but after a while I ended up laughing at all the misunderstandings that kept happening when one character thought they were flirting and the other didn’t 😅

The world building wasn’t overwhelming. The magic system is vague but sufficiently fleshed out that it works with the story. Even if the book takes place in a made-up kingdom, to me it reads like historical fiction with a bit of magic.

I had a great time with this book! I think there’s at least one interconnected standalone planned that will take place in this world and will follow some of the secondary characters. I'll definitely be on the lookout for it ☺️

Thanks to Del Rey via NetGalley for providing an eARC

[Kalyani · Rating 4 out of 5]

pathetic self hating rake x anti land owning widow ft the best dog in fiction maybe??

(anyways this was lovely and still sharp and deeply funny. the kind of cozy fantasy I can get behind)

[BookishKB · Rating 4 out of 5]

🪄 Bookish Thoughts
I really enjoyed this cozy fantasy. Elwood was a whole damn vibe 😅 He was easily my favorite character in the entire book. The melodrama and dramatics had me cackling, and he and Hilde were perfect together.

I also loved the world building and all of the side characters. The way it wrapped up was so satisfying. That surprise “lord” at the end had me grinning 😍🤣

🩷 What to Expect
• Widow x Necromancer
• Cozy fantasy
• Witty and whimsical
• Found family
• Magical resurrection
• Enemies to lovers

⸻

⭐ Final Score: 4.25 stars
📅 Pub Date: March 31, 2026
📝 Thank you to Del Rey, Random House Worlds, and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

never come between a practical, determined woman and the man with a PhD in pathetic loserism whom she has imprinted on

[annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5-I giggled...I blushed...I kicked my feet in the air...

I'm not usually a romance reader, but I enjoy a cozy fantasy rom-com from time to time, and A Widow's Charm definitely delivered. If you enjoy the way T. Kingfisher weaves tenderness and lightheartedness with the macabre in The Saint of Steel series or Swordheart, you'll definitely fall in love with this cheeky, charming, and endearing debut. Not to mention, I'm a sucker for a book with a trusty pet always at the heels of its protagonists.

My only critique would be that the world building was a little heavy-handed in the beginning, and I would have preferred for it to be spread out a bit more throughout the story. Otherwise, this was a absolute pleasure to read, and I look forward for what Caitlyn Paxson releases next!

Thanks to Netgalley and Del Ray/Random House/Inklore for the ARC!

[Vrinda's Book Nook · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

4.25 ⭐- Delightful, witty, heartfelt, and humorous! ✨☠️🌿🍂 "Death slipped in at the end of a perfectly ordinary day, creeping over the threshold of evening as if it might go unnoticed— as if the consequences of it would not shape all that was to come. "
(a brilliant first line that hooked me and set up the core premise so well!)

🍂 Tragedy befalls our main character Lady Croft, when her husband dies suddenly and she is left to contend with the realities of what is to come after. She is driven to protect the village, her home and people from the ravaging influences of war and the cruelty of Lord Crofts older brother, who would stand to inherit the manor upon the death of her husband. The impact of the ongoing war was explored through the setting of this small town - through the politics surrounding it, the senselessness of it, and the effects felt by the common folk. Elmwood was the MMC who was facing a sort of banishment, and was laying low at his abandoned neighbouring estate in the town. Which is where their lives intersect.

✨ The magic in this world was that people had different kind of charms. They could perform some small magics, but magic was otherwise forbidden in the kingdom. Different people had different abilities - Hilda had the ability to keep things fresh (preservation), while Elmwood could bring back the dead. I liked the eventual curiosity that sparked an exploration of their magical abilities.

“I must maintain that a Charm is like any other personal attribute,” she said. “Someone who is clever with words can use that ability to comfort or to hurt. Someone who is large can use their size to protect or to bully. We are taught to revile Charms, but truly, they have no inherent morality. A good person can use one to do good in the world.”

☠️ Lady Crofts pursuit of Elmwood, in trying to convince him to bring back her dead husband - and his categoric refusal, was hilarious! There was quite a lot of yearning and frustration at not being able to get what they wanted from each other - a clash of desires and convictions. It was personal in nature and made for a compelling case!

☠️ Elmwood's backstory turned out to be more traumatic than expected, and I liked how by the end we got a vivid insight into the horror of what he went through and why he was the way he was. He was a character who was in a dark place - feeling tortured by the guilt, regret, deaths, and horrors of war. He was desperate for some light and for some goodness.

“Your Charm doesn’t bring death, Elmwood. It brings back life. And I believe that reflects you perfectly.”

💖 There was a quiet growth to their love and care for each other, building that emotional connection, vulnerability and space for healing. They learnt to see beyond their own convictions, and started opening up to understanding and accepting the other person for who they were.

“You should sing more often,” she said at last, and it touched him deeply that she was thinking of his singing and not of miracles at all.

🌿 I love reading stories that feature older FMC's - the character's in this story were in their mid to late 30's. It added a level of maturity, experience, and graceful beauty.

🌿 I loved Hilde as a character - she was endearing, kind, caring, protective, helpful, clever, and passionate. It was refreshing the way certain observations and appreciations about the character were brought forth. There was a greater nuance when it came to their emotional intelligence and awareness, especially with Hilde - which was lovely.

🌿 I enjoyed the softer quality in the exploration of Hilde's sorrow in losing her husband. Her reminiscence of their friendship and companionship evolved as further layers were uncovered. She started to see things from another perspective, making her question the reality of what was between them.

"The truth was, sometimes she was fine, and sometimes missing him left her hollow with loneliness."

✨ I loved the tone of writing, and the representation of the character's perspectives and emotions. The story was written in third-person limited POV's - alternating between the FMC & MMC. The dialogue flowed well with quips and a directness. I enjoyed the fun twists in the dialogues and events.

✨ The moments of desperation and wry humour through situational antics were so funny. The comedy of errors, the chaos, the mad-cap schemes, and the dramatic crescendo leading to the ending - it was heartfelt and thoroughly entertaining! The sections were arranged as ACTS and it really did feel like a dramatic play unfolding (complete with an encore!).

"In the near dark, Merewyth looked atmospheric - in the sense that there were likely so many holes in the roof that whatever atmospheric events happened above it would soon also happen within."

✨ Their missed innuendos and communication added a fun banter and chemistry between all characters. I found myself chuckling through the entire story. They were often at different wavelengths, and there were so many scenes with subtexts, double meanings and funny misunderstandings.

✨ There was a fun cast of character's that added interest and dimension to the story. Elmwood's friendship with his lawyer and dear friend, Winthrop was lovely. I enjoyed the surprise arrival of certain unexpected characters like Lady Isobel . Hilde's relationship with her sister was interesting.

“Betrothed?” he said, the word baffling him. “Betrothed?” said Lady Croft, sounding every bit as confused as he felt. “Betrothed!” cried Winthrop, clearly delighted. “Betrothed,” said Lady Croft again, and this time, the word sounded like a dagger she wanted to skewer him with. “I’m not betrothed!” he said to her, shoving the young lady away from him as if she were on fire. With that, the young lady fully burst into tears.


🤷🏻‍♀️ A few things that I didn't personally prefer:
The story had some spice, but it was not overwhelming to the characters and plot. I don't personally prefer it, so I skipped those sections. Some scenes were a bit crude in language with cussing, which I didn't like. The more desirous expressions and feelings were not to my taste. At tiimes Elmwood was a little too taken by Hilde's every glance and interaction which was a bit overwhelming (though still mostly sweet).

I was not a big fan of Han as a sister, as I didn't connect with her approach and choices. I didn't quite understand why she was the way she was. Some questions were left unanswered in this regard, for the purpose of continuing the stories of these characters in the sequel.

In conclusion:

Overall, I felt everything was purposeful and well-planned in the story. The character's were well-established with backgrounds, personalities, traits and motives. That's not easy to do well and I felt this was a great debut in terms of the quality. I would certainly follow more of the authors writing!

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher, Del Rey Random House, for a complementary ARC of this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.

[°❀⋆.monica ೃ࿔*:･ · Rating 3 out of 5]

‘a widow’s charm’ is a historical fantasy that follow our charming widow as she tries to convince her neighbor to help her resurrect her dead husband, only to find herself falling for the necromancer instead 🫢

this was a quick and fun read and I loved how smart and clever our FMC was! she was a delight to follow and made me laugh many times with her whitty remarks. I also really loved the MMC, as he felt more real and not just a cookie-cutter hero with barely any substance. he had trauma, flaws, and defense mechanisms that made him all the more interesting.

I didn’t love how everything was spelt out for us, any time I was about to form my own thoughts and feelings about a character or a certain scene, the inner monologue of the characters would describe exactly how I should feel about it, which took away from my enjoyment of reading.

regardless, I still enjoyed my time with this story and recommend for those who are fans of historical fantasy rom-coms!

thank you to NetGalley, Del Rey Publishing, and the author for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light and charming and whimsical. I think this had some classic debut problems: the author did NOT trust me as a reader, and was constantly over-explaining the characters’ emotional states, info-dumping, and reminding me about things I did not need reminders about that. I think the overstating of the characters’ emotions made them feel a bit hollow and unconvincing. I also struggled to suspend my disbelief with certain plot elements that were very contrived and overly convenient.

In spite of that, the romance was really sweet and I loved the disability rep and interesting magic system.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Nils | nilsreviewsit · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

After the sudden death of her husband, Lady Hildegarde Croft, desperately needs to find a way to save their village from the clutches of her tyrant brother in law. At her wits end, her only hope may be to turn to Lord Elmwood, who is in hiding in the next estate over, and has a special Charm, that of necromancy. Yet Lord Elmwood has vowed never to use his Charm again and so Lady Croft plans to blackmail him. What else could she possibly do?

A Widow’s Charm by Caitlyn Paxson is an absolutely hilarious historical fantasy romcom, full of banter, saucy innuendos and a touch of magic.

Lady Hilde Croft and Lord Elmwood are both disastrous and morally ambiguous characters who despite their obvious flaws, are both adorably heartfelt. Lord Elmwood is a self-confessed rake, a man who is willing to bed anyone, to live life flippantly and without care nor fearing consequences. He can wallow in self pity at times, but then his misery is not without reason having had a father who was callous and unkind and then being part of a war where the horrors overwhelmed him and left him broken and injured. Lady Croft on the other hand cares a great deal about others, but she too is willing to bend her morals for, in her opinion, a righteous cause. I mean Lady Croft stoops to blackmailing on several occasions in order to manipulate Lord Elmwood and though she admonishes herself for it, she still convinces herself that it’s the only way. Yet through alternating POV’s Paxson shapes these characters so well because underneath the surface we discover two people who are growing fond of each other, who sympathise and care for each other, even whilst outwardly betraying and lying to one another. They are both so hopelessly chaotic and so much fun to follow! There were so many scenes where I laughed out loud at the saucy innuendos, they’re misunderstandings and the sparking heat between them! I just love Hilde and Lord Elmwood together and was rather sad to leave them both when the book ended.

“When Rollo showed off his new trick of befouling himself and then rubbing it all over Elmwood's lap, she laughed uproariously.
Elmwood became breathless watching her, as if he were the one laughing.
She was sitting on the lower step and leaning back with her elbows on the threshold. Her hair was up, but little wisps of it fluttered around her face where they'd come loose. She had the sketchbook and a charcoal pencil in her lap, open to an abandoned sketch of a tree. It, like all of her artistic work, was evocative.”

Caught in all the chaos are some fantastic side characters too. Han, Lady Croft’s sister, at first appears to be aloof and emotionless, but the way in which her character develops you discover the reasons behind this, which I never suspected, so that was a nice surprise. Then there was Isolde, a lady who was besotted with Lord Elmwood, she was easy to sympathise with as she’s been treated pretty badly through no fault of her own. Then there was Rollo the dog, he remains spritey and adorable throughout despite what he ordeals! Yet my favourite side character was Winthrop, and never have I been more entertained by a lawyer in my life! Winthrop had such great banter with Lord Elmwood and his friendship and ongoing persistence to make Lord Elmwood value his life was incredibly sweet.

Despite this being a fantasy romcom, there were some slightly darker themes of war, necromancy and forbidden magic. In Paxson’s world there is a war between the kingdoms of Eldmere and Relance and we are shown the cost of not only those soldiers who are sent to battle but also the cost to those left behind having to fund and fuel the war. It is done in a lighthearted manner and doesn’t dwell too much on the hardships, but it does represent how war affects so much, and especially shows us the tyrants who profit from it. Then there are those with a Charm who have to keep their abilities hidden for fear of being outed, punished and although execution was no longer established in Eldmere, Charmers did mysteriously disappear. For Charmers it was a life of fear, of having to hide something that came naturally to them and could be used for good.

“Hilde reached up and ran her fingers absently through her unbound hair, as if she were combing out knots. Elmwood clung to the gesture as a drowning man clings to a bit of wreckage. If he were to run his fingers through that mass of hair, it would be so cool and heavy against his skin. It would weigh his hands down, pressing the tremble right out of them.”

A Widow’s Charm is a comedy of errors that centres on two delightfully disastrous characters and a spicy romance. This is a tale that will bring joy and laughter.

ARC provided by Ayo at Arcadia Books in exchange for an honest review. All quotes used are taken from an early ARC and are subject to change on publication.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay that ending really got me.

A WIDOW’S CHARM puts a lady widow with a dead husband and dependent tenants and unfinished business against a fugitive necromancer who’s sworn never to use his Charm again. She’s trying to blackmail him. He thinks she’s flirting with him. Farce ensues.

Portions of the book worked better for me than others—I also think some bits were setup for possibly other books in a series, which left a few threads here and there, but this was a good read and the characters did some emotional work unpacking their baggage and trauma.

The ending scene did get me though. 🥹

Heat level: 3.5. There are a couple on page scenes and the MMC is bi and a “rake” though this just means he has slept with a lot of people. No actual rakishness exists, he is a sad golden retriever that has been kicked more times than is good for him.

[ohna · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75

I am quite conflicted about my feelings for this one. There were parts of it that I liked very much and some I didn't particularly enjoy but overall I think I have come to the conclusion, the goods outweighed the bads in this case. Also I didn’t expect this books to be have some gory elements and divulge into some serious topic and mental health issues but needless to say I appreciated those parts too



I also loved Hilde as a character, she never wavered in her determination and stood her ground throughout the entire book. Although I found the reaction to her husband’s death in the beginning to not hold a lot of emotional depth, given she was married to him for years and in her ways had come to appreciate him. The plot was slow at first but it picks up pace after the 50% mark. I didn't necessarily enjoy the side plot with the betrothed thing but I guess that portion was important to plant the seed for the next book which I plan to read too. My main qualm was with Elmwood, although I sympathise with his struggles and trauma I found him to be written in a very sleazy kind of way. He tends to notice people’s physical form a lot and goes into details describing it. At the beginning most of his thoughts were about sleeping with people which I didn't really want to read about. At some points I also wished this book was just written in Hilde’s pov. Something I must point out about Elmwood’s character is, it is actually quite refreshing to read about a male character who doesn't fit the mould created for mmcs in the romantasy genre. he was a loser and I love that for him. There was this one time where I thought this was going to end in a throuple but alas that didn’t happen. I do think the author should write a book about Winthrop. I liked him more.


this is one of the first arcs i ever got approved for i am very glad i liked it

[Magdalena (magdal21) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very pleasant and fast paced book. The idea of a resourceful widow blackmailing a grumpy aristocrat with necromancy powers into resurrecting her husband is a really fun hook, and of course from there things quickly spiral into something much bigger than that initial setup.

The book is marketed as cozy fantasy, and it does lean into that label with a small scale setting and a strong focus on community and relationships. The plot itself is not particularly complicated and relies heavily on comedy of errors and some genuinely amusing moments. That said, what actually happens in the story does not always feel fully cozy. There are a few heavier themes, and the stakes are real, even if they are more personal than world ending. Overall, the balance between cozy and heavy is handled well.

What really makes this novel work are the characters. I really enjoy reading about characters who are a bit older and already know what they want from life, what they like, and what they refuse to put up with. Hilde fits that perfectly. Elmwood does as well, with the added bonus of that classic grumpy man who slowly softens over time. The overall vibe of both the characters and the story reminded me a lot of T. Kingfisher’s Sworn Soldier series, so if you like those kinds of books, this one might be right up your alley.

If I had any complaints, the ending felt a bit rushed, and everything wrapped up very neatly and very quickly in the characters’ favor. But honestly, that is also part of the cozy fantasy formula, so it did not bother me too much in the end.

Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun listen. I liked the magic elements, and the characters have very fun dialogue interactions. There is also a dog. I wish the world had been focused on a bit more, and apparently cozy fantasy is doing sex scenes now? They weren't bad at all, but I'm feeling particularly asexual this week and zoned out during all of them.

I'm defffffinitely in for the future book that is hinted at between Hilde's sister Han and Lady Isabel.

30 Books in 30 Days—2026
Book 4/30

[gracie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed this, especially finding out the male lead was bisexual. It's always a pleasant surprise finding bisexuals in books I read. Both characters were compelling and I liked them well enough. I do wish we got a bit more in terms of the charm/magic system though.

[Maja - BibliophiliaDK ✨ · Rating 2.5 out of 5]

Sadly, though this should have been the perfect read for me, I was not that into it. I didn't particularly care for the characters (they seemed a bit flat), nor did I like the plot (it kept repeating itself and never really seemed to progress). It was just a bit hard to get through, in my opinion.

[Emily Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing debut. It's the kind of book you read with an involuntary tiny smile on your face. You keep turning the pages wanting to know what happens next and then when you find out what's next, it's both unexpected and delightful. The wordplay, the wit, and the chemistry; this book has all of that and I highly recommend you preorder it. This little gem will be available in March 2026. I was lucky enough to read it early with a digital ARC.

[Natalia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC. Unfortunately, I'm DNFing this at 20%.

The premise sounded promising, and I really wanted to like this book, but it's a mess. I don't DNF books often, but the writing style is a mess. It jumps between language that is supposed to sound historical and modern language filled with vulgarisms. The prose is just not well-written; it's like the author couldn't decide what style they were going for.

I might have continued if it were written only from the female lead's POV, but once we switched to the male POV, I couldn't keep going. He's so annoying, unlikable, and horny… yikes.

I'm sorry, but I do not recommend this at all.

[Leanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this cozy story. The premise alone hooked me a clever widow blackmailing a grumpy necromancer into resurrecting her husband to save her village is such a fun setup.

This one really leans into the cozy fantasy vibe with a smaller scale story focused on the characters and their community. Hilde is resourceful and determined, while Elmwood has that classic grumpy exterior that slowly softens.

The banter and humor made this such an entertaining read, but it also had some deeper emotional moments that gave the story heart. Overall, a really charming cozy fantasy with a unique premise and great characters.

[Brittany Kilinsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars

[Chaliena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey for this arc!

This was a delightfully fun and cozy fantasy romance! It had good writing, good character development, and the most adorable doggy sidekick. If you are a fan of India Holton’s books, I think you would enjoy this. I look forward to more from this author!

[Alyx Gough · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much Del Rey for this beautiful arc!

This filled a Bridgerton-shaped gap in my heart I didn’t even realize was still there.

A Widow’s Charm gave me all the lush, romantic, slightly scandalous historical fantasy vibes I’ve been craving. It’s elegant, emotional, and just messy enough in all the right ways.

Lady Hildegarde Croft was such a strong center to the story. I loved how she refuses to be reduced to a grieving widow and instead takes control of her situation in ways that are clever, bold, and a little morally complicated in the most interesting way.

And Lord Elmwood? A destitute man with forbidden magic and terrible timing? Immediately compelling. Their dynamic is full of tension—part strategy, part attraction, part “this is absolutely going to go wrong.”

What I loved most was how layered everything felt. It’s not just romance—it’s grief, ambition, magic, and two people circling each other while neither of them is being fully honest about what they want.

It gave me longing, drama, and all the Bridgerton-adjacent feelings I was hoping for.

A really satisfying, atmospheric read that completely worked for me.

[Fatima Silva · Rating 2.5 out of 5]

2,5⭐

So, I have A LOT to say.

Just the beginning of this book was extremely overwhelming. Seriously, I strongly considered giving up on it because the first part is long and packed with non-stop, minute details—spanning a full 7% of the book without a single chapter break. To be honest, reading it actually made me feel a bit dizzy, but I didn't want to quit right off the bat. I have a theory that the first 20% of a book determines whether I’ll like it or not—though the "degree" to which I like it depends on the remaining 80%. That was the mindset I kept while reading. Anyway, I think—as is common with debut novels—the book stumbles a bit regarding chapter length and where to cut scenes (and sometimes, which scenes to cut or keep).

It also struggles sometimes with paragraph length—and this is coming from someone who writes astronomical paragraphs in her own books (yes, I am my own worst enemy). But that’s the sort of thing you learn to manage over time, and I did sense some evolution as the book progressed. That said, I also believe the book ended up being a bit longer than it needed to be, though that is 100% just my opinion.

I have to mention how beautiful the ebook’s layout is! And that was just the ARC! As someone who has worked—and continues to work—extensively with books and various stages of the publishing process, it makes me so happy to see people putting effort into beautiful formatting. More than that, to me, the layout is just as much a part of the story as any other aspect of the book, and it plays a key role in immersion. It’s great to see that detail being taken into account.

And now we get to the real issue for me: I really struggle with plots that hinge on a lack of communication between characters, especially when romance is involved. And yeah, that’s exactly what happened here. Plus, there’s one of the biggest issues I’ve been having with books lately: a distinct lack of truly fantastical elements. I mean, I actually quite like low fantasy and books that just lightly sprinkle in a bit of magic (you could look at some of my recent reviews and certainly find a book like that), but my issue arises when a book presents itself as being focused on the fantastic but ends up merely brushing that element into the story. It’s the classic case of expectation versus reality. If the book hadn't promised me so much—and had simply mentioned the "charms"—I wouldn't have had a problem with it. However, the synopsis itself places significant emphasis on a "power that must never be used again," yet that aspect wasn't explored as fully as it should have been.

In my view, the book contains about 15% fantasy elements; the rest feels like historical fiction (a genre I love, though here I wish the balance with the fantasy had been better). The middle of the book dragged a bit for me, affecting the reading experience just as much as that 7% first chapter did (which, if my math is right, amounts to about 30 pages). I have nothing against long chapters—I actually love them—but I found the start of the book a bit of a slog. I got used to the chapter length eventually, but as I mentioned, the middle section was somewhat monotonous and dampened my interest.

Instant attraction isn't really my thing either, which makes me think there were perhaps too many elements indicating the book wasn't quite for me. The synopsis led me to expect something different, though the issue might just be me. I always say that quality and personal taste are two different things; just because I didn't care for certain aspects doesn't mean it’s a bad book. Plus, timing plays a huge role in reading, so don't be surprised if I pick this up for a re-read in the future.

Unlike the middle section, the ending felt rushed—everything seemed to resolve very quickly. It felt almost too convenient, though I suppose it worked well enough within the context of the story.
That said, the premise remains one of the book's strongest points. A woman loses her husband and, to maintain her life and protect those who depend on her, decides to seek out a necromancer to bring him back? As soon as I read that, I knew I had to see how the story would play out.

I also really liked the concept of the charms. Just because I complained a lot about the lack of fantasy elements doesn't mean I didn't enjoy what was there. Quite the opposite: I think this system had a lot of potential. The concept of people being born with different abilities—and of certain charms interacting to create something greater—intrigued me from the very beginning. I wanted to understand more about the rules, the origins of these powers, what they could do, and, above all, the extent of their capabilities.

That is precisely why I was so frustrated by the lack of development in this area. I felt the book introduced ideas that seemed to open the door to a much grander fantasy setting, yet it only utilised those elements when the plot required them. To me, this made the magic feel more like a tool for solving specific problems rather than a truly integrated part of that world.

I can easily imagine a version of the book where the historical romance and the fantasy elements were much more balanced—and I think I would have enjoyed that version so much more.

About the romance... I know this is an incredibly common narrative device in romance novels, but it’s something that easily pulls me out of the story. There were moments when I was literally thinking, "Guys, just talk to each other." Some of these situations start amusing—mainly because they stem from the chaotic nature of the premise—but past a certain point, I stopped finding it funny. I just wanted them to lay their cards on the table and resolve issues that were being dragged out far longer than necessary.

Then there’s the instant attraction, which didn’t really help matters in my case. I completely understand the aim of a more romantic story focused on chemistry, and some of the interactions really worked for me. But I missed having more moments where the two of them could simply talk and get to know each other without everything being tied to physical attraction, desire, or attempts to manipulate one another.

I wanted more of them as people.

I also have to say I liked some of the story's more serious layers. The book deals with war, trauma, the burden of living in a society that tries to control who can use magic, and the consequences for those simply born different. I found it interesting that the world doesn't treat "charms" merely as something magical and fun, but also as something that can put people in danger.

I also enjoyed some of the secondary characters, especially those who brought personality and humour to the story. And, of course, Rollo. I didn't expect a dog to become one of the highlights of my reading experience, but he definitely managed it. Every story gets better with a charismatic dog; that’s simply a universal truth.

And even though I had issues with a good portion of the romance, I think the humour worked at various moments. Some of the situations are genuinely funny and help lighten a story that deals with themes like death, war, and necromancy. I just wish the balance between lightness, romance, and fantasy had been better established because, for me, it sometimes felt like I was reading different genres within the same book.

And then we get to the ending.

After a middle section that felt a bit dragged out, I felt the book resolved everything almost all at once. Some things happened so quickly that I had that "wait, is it already resolved?" feeling. And perhaps some solutions were a bit too convenient. At the same time, I have to acknowledge that, considering everything the book was trying to build, I think the ending works for the overall premise. I just wish I had reached it with a bit more development along the way.

Ultimately, I think "A Widow’s Charm" is one of those debuts where I can clearly see the author's potential. And perhaps that’s exactly why I was so critical. Because there is a really good idea here. There are characters who could be great, a magic system that could be excellent, and a protagonist who really commands the page. Perhaps at another time, or with another book by the author, I’ll have exactly the experience I was hoping for here. And, honestly, I wouldn’t rule that out.

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[sabrina (books.with.sabrina) · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

✨ Rating: 3.75⭐️
🫧 Vibes: whimsy cozy fantasy
🎶 Song: exile - taylor swift, bon iver
📖 Favourite Quote: "It is enough for me that you know that, and that you taught me to believe in myself."
📚 Would I recommend? yes
💬 tldr thoughts: a little repetitive at times but it has the best cozy vibes!

In the package:
📦 necromancer x widow
📦 witty banter
📦 hilarious misunderstandings
📦 neighbours to lovers

Plot: Lady Croft has suddenly lost her husband when Lord Elmwood, a necromancer and a man on the run, moves in next door. Her plan is to blackmail him into resurrecting her husband. Except Lord Elmwood refuses to use his Charm ever again.

Thoughts: If you're looking for a light and cozy fantasy read, then add this one to your tbr! I had a great time reading it and it even got a couple of chuckles out of me. This wasn't a complete 5 star because I felt that certain parts were a bit repetitive. We were constantly being told how the characters felt every few sentences when it wasn't necessary imo. I loved seeing their relationship grow, it was so sweet and tender 🥹

Thank you Penguin Random House Canada, Doubleday Canada and NetGalley for the eARC!

✩⁺₊✩☽⋆ follow me on tiktok and instagram⋆☾✩⁺₊✩

[Avery Clason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well I knew that this book is going to have a sort of charm (lol when you read the book you’ll get it) that cannot be found anywhere else when it starts with “I must regretfully inform you that the dog dies. But not for very long”.

What a hilarious and fun story to read on the first snowfall of the winter season this year. I found Lady Hilde to be so charming throughout the story and loved her relationship with her neighbor, Lord Erol.

This is a perfect cozy book for a winter or fall afternoon when you want a story that has copious amounts of humor, little mysteries scattered throughout, and a romance between an unlikely pair (that was founded under less than normal circumstances).

Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey for the eARC of this stunning novel!

[Booklover_tv13_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review

Lady Hildegarde Croft had a plan: marrying Lord Thorgoode Croft and becoming Lady of the Manor ensured the safety of the people of Croftholde.
But when her husband suddenly dies, she is left alone to deal with his vicious brother, who now threatens her people.

Fortunately, Lady Croft’s new neighbour might be able to solve all her problems—thanks to his charm that can bring people back from the dead. Lord Elmwood is hiding in Croftholde when she decides to blackmail him. What Lady Croft doesn’t know is that Lord Elmwood never intended to use his dark power again.

This book was such a pleasant surprise. It kept me invested throughout the story, and I truly couldn’t have anticipated many of the twists. The plot was original and well-developed, and I especially enjoyed the dual point of view.

One of the things I didn’t expect was the humor. I really enjoyed the banter and the hilarious misunderstandings between the characters. And how could I not mention Rollo? He was the perfect addition to the narrative, and the ending tied everything together beautifully.

As the story progressed, I grew very attached to the two main characters. Both had satisfying character development—they complemented and healed each other in meaningful ways. I also appreciated many of the side characters, especially Mr. Winthrop. I found him really funny and absolutely loved his friendship with Lord Elmwood.

I also really enjoyed the author’s writing style: precise, elegant, and immersive. It truly brought me into this charming and cozy fantasy world.

ARC provided via NetGalley.

[Shyames · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very enjoyable cozy fantasy. There are some darker moments here, too, but that doesn't change the overall vibe. The setting was very interesting from the start: a resourceful widow set on enlisting a banished lord to resurrect her newly deceased husband in an attempt to save all her tenants. What could possibly go wrong?

I greatly enjoyed the relationship between Elmwood and Hilde brewing throughout the book. Even with everything at stake—surprising visitors and a dark past—there is never a dull moment with them. It is always a nice change of pace when the characters are older and confident in who they are. They might be stubborn and resistant to change, but through everything that happens, they grow, develop, and reach their best selves by the end of the book.

Both Elmwood and Hilde have their own personal battles to fight, but through it all, they keep gravitating towards each other. The real joy was witnessing their choices and how they go about reaching their goals, though it did seem as if some parts of the ending were almost too good to be true.

Overall, if you enjoy cozy fantasy with a sprinkle of romance (and not with teenagers as the main characters for once!), then I highly recommend this book.

Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilde, Lady Croft, is in a bind: her husband is dead, and her Charm (which she uses to reanimate things) isn't enough to revive him. But he never quite got around to rewriting the will that would have preserved the estates for the tenants rather than shifting the land back to his powerful brother, and Hilde wants to do everything she can to help her people. Erol Elmwood has the Charm she needs: he can bring dead things back to life. His charm has gotten him in too much trouble in the past though, and he isn't willing to resurrect Lord Croft. He is, however, very interested in the prospect of bedding the man's widow. Of course, basically everything must go wrong along the way.

WHAT A DELIGHT! This book seems to be flying under everyone's radars, but it falls into the cozy-with-high-personal-stakes side of the romantasy genre that I find myself enjoying with increasing frequency. The character work sets it apart from other books I've read, with complex people facing complex choices: a overworked and caring woman, a bisexual himbo aristocrat, a grumpy best friend, an over the top fiancee, an aunt who has no one's best interest in mind, a dead husband, a horrific brother-in-law, and a loyal dog. Watching the characters interact on page had me in stitches, because I was never quite sure what to expect next. Top it all off with exquisite yearning? It was a joy. Every chapter had me wanting to turn the pages for more...and we are rewarded with the absolute perfect epilogue chapter.

Readers used to faster paced books or ones withe more worldbuilding may find the beginning of A Widow's Charm a little slow, but I appreciated Paxson's commitment to laying character groundwork early on. This paid off as the plot picked up and we are mid-conflict with well-rounded characters. The worldbuilding stays light, with only the simplest explanations of a magic systems and an interminable war. I love when we readers can be treated with room for the characters to grow, especially in something as cozy as A Widow's Charm.

Thank you to Del Ray for an eARC. A Widow's Charm is out 3/31/26.

[jordanliketheriver · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars. This book hooked me from the dedication, and that first paragraph didn’t hold back its punches. I’m genuinely grateful to live in a world where people can weave words together with that kind of magic. The atmosphere reminded me of Alix E. Harrow’s worlds and Rebecca Ross’ Letters of Enchantment duology and had a slightly gothic, Jane Eyre vibe. The love interests meet within the first 10%. The dual POVs are handled brilliantly. The miscommunication trope had me outright guffawing throughout the book, very much in the spirit of T. Kingfisher’s banter in the World of the White Rat—which is high praise. A first kiss described as “incendiary” is pure talent, brings to mind Harrow’s use of “conflagration.”

The author builds deeply intricate characters that felt both refreshing and intimate, full of wit. The MMC’s commitment to wallowing in self‑pity while also being a player was oddly relatable (the self-pity part anyway). I loved how the story revealed both characters’ insecurities, especially since fiction so often focuses only on the FMC’s; I think a lot of women will find the FMC relatable in her endeavors of being self sufficient to the point of letting anyone in being difficult. The MMC was a perfect reflection of a man fearful of looking inward for any kind of behavior change and seeing him work on himself was 🤌🏼

And the fact that they bake bread together? 😭 I always know I adore a book when I read the acknowledgments, and they made me tear up. For those of you that regularly check Does The Dog Die….not for very long ;)

Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

i wanted to love this book so bad but unfortunately... this book was very middle of the road for me

so a widow's charm is a romance centered between a widow, trying bring her dead husband back to life, and the necromancer she's blackmailing to do it. it's very lighthearted with a good amount of angst/emotional moments. the writing was fine and i liked how witty some lines were.

however, i felt some of it was over-written, over-explained, very hard to get through. for most of the book, i struggled to connect to the main characters.


overall, i thought this book was just alright! thank you netgalley & the publisher for the arc