The Book Witch

by Meg Shaffer

She can hop into any novel, but she just can’t stay there.

Come along with the Book Witch in this magical and inspiring love letter to reading from the USA Today bestselling author of The Wishing Game.

“Meg Shaffer continues to surprise and delight me with each book she writes.”—Laurie Gilmore, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Pumpkin Spice Café

Rainy March is a proud, third-generation Book Witch, sworn to defend works of fiction from all foes real and imaginary. With her magical umbrella and feline familiar, she jumps in and out of novels to fix malicious alterations and rogue heroes like a modern-day magical Nancy Drew.

Book Witches live by a strict code: Real people belong in the real world; fictional characters belong in works of fiction. Do not eat, drink, or sleep inside a fictional world, lest you become part of the story. Falling in love with a fictional character? Don’t even think about it.

Which is why Rainy has been forbidden from seeing the Duke of Chicago, the dashing British detective who stars in her favorite mystery series. If she’s ever caught with him again, she’ll be expelled from her book coven—and forced to give up the magical gifts that are as much a part of her as her own name.

But when her beloved grandfather disappears and a priceless book is stolen, there’s only one person she trusts to help her solve the case: the Duke. Their quest takes them through the worlds of Alice in Wonderland, King Arthur, and other classics that will reveal hidden enemies and long-buried family secrets.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Magical Realism, Books About Books, Witches, Mystery, Fiction

Kindle Edition

Expected publication April 7, 2026

About the author

Meg Shaffer is the USA Today bestselling author of The Lost Story and The Wishing Game, which was a Book of the Month finalist for Book of the Year, a Reader’s Digest and Washington Post Best Book of the Year, and has been translated into 21 languages. Meg holds an MFA in TV and Screenwriting from Stephens College. She lives in Kentucky.

Reviews

[Nilufer Ozmekik · Rating 5 out of 5]

“All stories are love stories when you love stories.”
I think I’ll have that line tattooed on my forearm after reading this fantastic book.

Oh. My. Goodness.
I loved every page, every chapter, every character, every single word of this story! This isn’t just a “shouting from the rooftops” kind of praise — it’s a climb to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, cheer until you pass out from altitude kind of love. That’s how much this book deserves to be celebrated.

I adored Rainy March, the brave and wistful book witch; the dreamy Duke of Chicago, who swept me right off the page; and Koshka, the coolest familiar cat ever written — and I’m not even a cat person! Honestly, I could read thousands of books about their adventures.

This world where readers can jump inside plots, fight villains, and save endangered stories is absolute magic. The “burners” — those who attack books and try to erase their characters because they’re deemed less valuable than the so-called classics — make for such clever, original antagonists. The concept is genius, the pacing electric, and the twists? So sharp and smart that I literally clapped at some of the revelations.

The story follows Rainy March, a young woman in her late twenties who’s devoted her life to protecting books. Orphaned as a baby and raised by her beloved grandparents, her Pop is the only family she has left — until he suddenly disappears. Rainy is also nursing an impossible love: she fell hard for her childhood crush, the Duke of Chicago, while on a mission inside his book. When their secret meetings are discovered by the infuriatingly strict Dr. Fanshawe (the ultimate rule-enforcer), Rainy is punished — exiled to gothic novels, placed under house arrest, and even stripped of her magical umbrella for daring to help a fictional character. What a cruel twist of fate!

But then the Duke of Chicago escapes his book and crosses into the real world to help Rainy uncover her family’s secrets — including the truth behind her Pop’s disappearance. Together, they chase literary breadcrumbs through Alice in Wonderland, aided by a young apprentice witch who secretly lends a hand. What mystery ties Rainy’s mother to these books? Why did she leave behind a copy of Nancy Drew? And when the story ends, how can Rainy possibly say goodbye to the most charming detective ever — even if he’s fictional? (I get you, Rainy. I was in love with David Addison from Moonlighting when I was ten. Sometimes fiction simply outshines reality!)

Overall: this is one of the most imaginative, heartfelt, and upstanding fantasy novels I’ve ever read. It’s a love letter to readers, writers, and dreamers alike — and I’ll do everything I can to put this book on your radar because it deserves every single star in the universe.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for providing me with this digital review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

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[♥︎ Heather ⚔ (New House-Hiatus)]

I can’t wait to get my hands on this one! 😍

Thank you Ballantine Books for the advance digital copy. Can’t wait to start this soon!!

Expected Release Date - 04/07/26

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meg Shaffer first cast her spell on me with The Wishing Game! I love her beautiful writing, her well thought-out and magical plots. I also loved The Lost Story and highly recommend both of those books. While I didn't quite love The Book Witch as much as I enjoyed the previous two books which I have read by Meg Shaffer, I did enjoyed being transported between the pages of a book, where the characters live, and to see things from the point of view of a book witch.

Rainy March is a book witch who defends books from both real and imaginary forces. She takes her job seriously but does find time for a little romance in her life. Where her grandfather disappears, she relies upon her love interest, the Duke!

This was a very unique and original book which has dazzled many and I do hope that more find this book to be magical. While I enjoyed this book and its world building, I wasn't quite as blown away by it as I had hoped. I did enjoy the twist and reveal at the end of the book. I feel that I should have seen this coming, but I didn't.

Overall, an enjoyable read which had me wanting more but still found enjoyable with fantastic world building.

Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖

[caleigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

⋆. 𐙚 ˚three point five / five stars ✰

all stories are love stories if you love stories.

one thing about meg shaffer is she is going to write whimsical and nostalgic magical realism like her life depends on it!!! if you liked the wishing game, then i guarantee you'll enjoy this.

the concept of this story is so unique, and i honestly can't articulate what it's about properly so just go read the blurb, but what i can easily say is that you can tell it was written by a book lover for book lovers. we've all wanted to jump into our favorite books and meet our favorite characters, and shaffer brings that dream to life (or rather, to fiction?) here. so many wonderful quotes that i wish i could share, but needless to say i can't wait for all the readers to read this.

very genre blending. at it's core, a romantic and nostalgic and adventurous magical realism. but it's got something for everyone - romance and mystery primarily, a bit of thriller and fantasy and sci fi. and the romance?? tell me why it had me blushing?? but then... i also (very unexpectedly) also cried over the story?? a bit of an emotional rollercoaster at points that i wasn't prepared for, but that i'm surely not complaining about.

i wish this was a five star read, truly, because i did thoroughly love the concept and the storytelling, but ultimately the beginning and ending didn't do it for me. both the first and last 30% or so felt messy. which didn't bother me much at the start, it just took me a bit to get into the story, but after the 70% mark(ish) it just started to do too much. there were layers, which i appreciate in a story, but it was too much. it got confusing and took me out of the story, and i honestly didn't really love the big reveal/twist anyway. it all felt too convenient and easy, like we took the scenic route when it really could've been a 100 page story.

overall would definitely recommend! the story is fun and unique, as the blurb promises, and is so bingeable. i finished in about 24 hours and didn't even realize i had read so much! so while not my favorite read ever, i did enjoy it more than the wishing game, and would suggest that you all put this on your radar of 2026 releases.

── .✦ pre read
this one sounds sooo unique n fun!!

thank you to netgalley & ballantine for the arc! all opinions are my own.
release date: april 7, 2026

[Marta · Rating 5 out of 5]

9/10: 4.5⭐️’s rounded up to 5⭐️’s.

Imagine being able to hop into a book. That is Rainy March’s job as a Book Witch; go into and out of books to fix problems that arise, such as characters going rogue etc. How fun would that be!!??

This book is an enchanting TREASURE. Nancy Drew books, Reading Rainbow, Little Debbie snack cakes, and mentions of Free Little Libraries. AND the main character is nicknamed Raindrop by her Grandfather…..how could I not love this for those reasons alone?!

I am so happy my imagination went fully along with Rainy and Duke’s adventures into books. There is mystery, magic, and romance, and a whole lot of love for books.

It is a charming, delightful, cozy, FUNNY, sweet, and nostalgic book. A tear or two may have been shed, but I survived.

(11/11/25 addition: I can’t believe I forgot to mention Koshka, Rainy’s feline familiar, who can read!! How fabulous is that!?)

This isn’t my usual rambling review, I don’t want to go off on tangents and take away from how clever and fun this book was. Be prepared to laugh. A lot. And enjoy the whimsy and magic of it all.

In the real world: Kindness is Magic! So be magical 🪄 my friends!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me the opportunity to read the digital arc of this delightful book. All thoughts are my own.
Expected publication: April 7, 2026

Rating posted: 11/9/25
Thoughts posted: 11/10/25
Small addition about Koshka: 11/11/25

Additional note, this book was already on my radar, but it was GR friend, Krickette❤️’s review that convinced me to request the book. Me being me, I still don’t know how to post a link to a review on here, but definitely check hers out!

[TheConnieFox · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ Review to come.

[Ashley]

I have liked one book by this author (The Wishing Game) and hated another (The Lost Story) so this book will be the tiebreaker.

[Krickette❤️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a delightful and charming novel! This creatively penned novel has it all and is the perfect light hearted and young adult read. The main character, Book Witch Rainy March (so cute), is our guide, along with her cat (who serves as her “right arm”) as she unveils a world of spice, adventure, and suspense. Rainy is dedicated to saving the plots of classic literature and childhood favorites.

This is an inviting and peculiar premise, but author Meg Shaffer easily weaves a beautiful story. The book hopping starts almost immediately as Rainy March jumps into a “Romance”novel to rescue the main character, “The Duke” (the novel’s Detective who has gone missing from the plot). Book hopping is the name of the game in this cute and quaint novel. Book Witch Rainy March keeps us on our toes as she travels through different genres, saving books and characters from disappearing, all the while her own mystery begins to unfold.

The Book Witch is a story of love and adventure. The story is keenly told through the love of books. This reads as a younger adult novel and for those who enjoy fantasy stories. This adventurous novel includes all the genres, as well as, cleverly including the titles of books penned by famous authors and quotes from forever loved books.

Although this is not a genre that I generally lean towards, I am very happy I had an opportunity to read and enjoy it. The characters are all amazing and well developed, and the storylines and pacing were interesting and smooth. For this genre, I give this book 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 ⭐️s.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Liz~In~Colorado · Rating 4 out of 5]

REVIEW OF THE BOOK WITCH
BY MEG SCHAFFER
UNCORRECTED E-PROOF ARC--   Expected publish date:  April 2026

➡️THE SETUP:
The main character, Rainy March (yes, her real name) is a 'Book Witch'.  Along with her cat familiar Koshka, she is dedicated to saving books and characters from disappearing at the hands of 'Book Burners' (or rogue characters) while her own mystery begins to unfold.
This is a really unique, interesting premise, which author Meg Shaffer weaves very nicely.  When a book is threatened by 'the burners', Rainy is one of many 'book witches' (usually a generational thing) who can "jump" into a novel to rescue the main character.

🧙🏼🕵🏼‍♂️🐈‍⬛CHARACTERS:
Rainy keeps us on our toes as she book-hops through different genres and times, saving “The Duke” (a fictional detective with his own series) who has gone missing from his plots.  He is also to become her love interest, even though there are strict rules prohibiting book witchs from staying in a novel too long- or else they may end up stuck there forever. Also, if a fictional character leaves their book, all the pages cease to exist.  Fiction and real characters cannot intermingle.... or can they??

🪄⏳📚THE WORLD & FEELS:
Their romance, in and out of several genres, is keenly told and will leave you dizzy!!  The characters are all well-developed, especially Rainy. She’s the kind of protagonist you can’t help but root for. There were some deep moments and emotions because  Rainy never knew her mother or father,  but also feels great love for "Pops" her grandfather, and a newer, unusual romance with "the Duke of Chicago".

  This adventurous novel includes all the genres, and cleverly includes books penned by famous authors and quotes from forever loved books. It’s laced with literary references and gentle nods to so many beloved authors, it's like a love letter written between lines and in the margins to readers everywhere.

❤️‍🔥MY THOUGHTS- PRO:
As a magical realism fan, this is a story that made me feel like I just walked into a library and was able to step into any book and be a part of it!  How fun!!! 

With a couple of exceptions this would have been a masterpiece of a story. The following two points are what made my rating shift from a possible 5 to a 4:

🤷🏼‍♀️MY THOUGHTS- CONS:
First, is all the fuss made about the opening line.  If it was just said and then left to stand or not.. ok.  But  I felt early reviewers did an extreme amount of raving about this amazing, wonderful, fantastic opening line:  “all stories are love stories if you love stories”.  The author herself repeats it later as well. I may be the minority, but its nine words that I just can't agree with, and assumes everyone has the same perspective.  All stories are not love stories. All stories are not even about love. Some stories are about horrific things, and dont resemble love just because its a story. For me, it was a really bad opening line, which tells us nothing about the book you’re about to read, and doesn’t set up the book at all.  

The second thing that kept this from being 5 stars for me was the rushed ending.  I didn’t expect that exact twist,,  which was good- but it felt too rushed.   I wish that part could have been a bit better explained, or a few more pages donated to it, as it felt a little convoluted.  I re-read it 3 times to be sure it all fit together in my mind. I had actually misunderstood parts of it the first time through.  After the build up of the whole book, the ending was good.. but not handled as well as it could have been.

⭐RATING:
All things considered, the originality of the story, its enjoyment level,  I definitely would recommend it... and if you liked Nancy Drew books, The Reading Rainbow and Little Debbie snack cakes.. you'll love it. So, I'm rounding up to a 4.5.   This book would easily work for a YA or NA audience, as the spice level is only 🌶️or🌶️🌶️.

🙏🏼 I received an ARC through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to the author and publisher! 

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into this one thinking the first few chapters were the whole plot… and then the story opened up into so much more mystery and magic than I expected. Consider me pleasantly surprised (and fully hooked)!

This book hits every emotional note—grief, hope, wonder, joy—I felt everything and cared so deeply as the story unfolded. The characters feel wonderfully real and well-developed, especially Rainy. She’s the kind of protagonist you can’t help but root for, and even the side characters—yes, including the ones with just a few scenes—left a big impression.

Honestly, I don’t know how any booklover wouldn’t fall head over hardcover for this story. It’s laced with literary references and gentle nods to beloved works, like a love letter written in the margins to readers everywhere. But it also holds its own with a unique, refreshing storyline.

As a huge magical realism fan, this absolutely hit the mark—this is a story that feels like stepping into a library where every page hums with possibility!

** I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to the author and publisher! **

[Monica Hills · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so good and a great book for all book lovers! I absolutely loved this premise and the entire idea behind this book. This was wonderfully unique in that it was a story all about books with wonderful characters who try and save books. You know a book is amazing when it makes you want to read more books.

Rainey March is a book witch. She travels into books to save them from Burners who try and destroy stories they don't agree with. There are certain rules that a book witch has to follow such as don' fall in love with fictional characters. Rainey breaks this rule when she goes into a book to save the Duke of Chicago. Their love is forbidden and she has to give him up until Rainey finds herself involved in a real life mystery when her grandfather goes missing and her mother's book is stolen.

This book is one of my top reads of the year. I loved everything Rainey stood for and I was not expecting the book to turn out the way it did. I love it when I can be surprised by a story. This is a must read for all book lovers!!!

Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for this ARC.

[Susan Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are very few certainties in life, very few guarantees. But the one thing I am certain of, the one think I can guarantee, is that whatever book Meg Shaffer publishes in a given year, it will be one of my favorites. This year, it will be The Book Witch—guaranteed! If you love books, if you’ve ever fallen in love with a literary character, if you’ve ever been in awe of authors and the characters and stories they give us, if you’ve ever wanted to live in a book you’ve read, if you’ve ever mourned an author who can’t or doesn’t write books anymore, if you are not afraid to lose yourself in make believe, if you’re an author whose characters speak to you even as they live through you, you’re f you’re a reader who fully immerses yourself in the boos you read—then The Book Witch is the book for you! In all of her books, Meg Shaffer has taken me to places I’d never been, and that’s especially true for this book. This book is a wonder, as it tugs at our heartstrings, as it stirs our emotions, as it pulls us into the very real world of books and characters and stories that enhance our lives. The Book Witch is the perfect book to escape the ureal world, at least for a while, and it reminds us of all the reasons books are important, not just for ourselves, but for society and the sometimes very frightening world in which we live. “All stories are love stories if you love stories.” I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher.

[LadyAReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is beyond amazing. I laughed out loud and cried real genuine tears. I didn’t want to leave Rainy March, the Duke, or Koshka behind. “All stories are love stories when you love stories.” Best line ever!!!

[Chelsea Manzo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks NetGally for the ARC!

I have devoured all of Meg’s books- including this one. The opening paragraph hooked me and it never let up. The story is so original, and very meta for people who love books.

All of the hopping in and out of stories (and the rules to follow while in stories) felt a lot like time travel, and I’m a sucker for a time travel book.

At first I thought Rainy and Duke’s relationship was going to be the main focus of the book, but Rainy’s self-discovery journey took center stage. It was very sweet, and I even got a little teary eyed at one point.

So magical, and such a pleasure to read!

[Emily Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a world of book banning and cancel-culture, this romance to the written word will be much appreciated by book lovers. My thoughts on this book can be summed up in the following bullet points:

* Chef's kiss
* No notes
* Very meta
* Highly recommend
* I may have cried at 81% in (don't tell anyone.)

Thanks to the publisher for the digital ARC.

[Christopher Febles · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author of The Wishing Game once again hits us bookworms right in the book-heart with this sweet, heartwarming, and meaningful novel.

Rainy March has the ability to transport herself (and her trusty magical cat Koshka) into any story, any time. She’s part of a “Coven” that protects books from evildoers (known as “Burners”) intent on destroying anything they don’t see as pure. When she hears of an assignment to rescue the Duke of Chicago, the protagonist of his own noir/mystery series (non-existent in real life), she leaps at the chance. That’s her hero, the swoony detective whose stories made her turbulent early life worth living. But falling in love with a fictional character is a big no-no: it might cost her job. However, when her grandfather goes missing and a book belonging to her late mother is stolen, she and the Duke team up to find them. But will that search dig up too many dangerous secrets?



If you’re reading this, it means you’re a reader. And if you’re a reader, you’re going to love this adventure. Try to imagine the chance to run through your favorite novels, hobnobbing with the MCs or strolling the grounds of the setting. We’ve always wanted to do that, haven’t we? I mean, I visited Paris in 2025…but what would it be like to pop by Notre Dame and hang out with Quasi and Esmeralda?

The very smart thing is that Shaffer chose (I think) two books already in the public domain: The Great Gatsby and Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. No need to ask for the rights! And she nailed the details, making me believe I saw that green light off the coast of West Egg, or that I sipped tea with the March Hare. Great combination of imagination and research.

The first third or so has just a tad too much world-building for my taste, which might not connect with an action-starved reader. But Rainy is a wonderfully developed character with both a tough and likeable personality, so she’s worth the wait. The romance is sweet and very PG with lots of cute and funny dialogue.

The plot has a few gears! Moderate at first, then picks up with Pops’ disappearance, takes a shift in some direction with the entry to Alice in Wonderland…then, the twist. Ooh, it’s good! Some of the plot devices I kinda guessed, but not that one. It might take a little re-read or a deliberate view to understand what’s happening, particularly toward the end. But that was one of the better shake-ups I’ve read in a long time. Made me love Rainy even more.

There’s a section just before the end that deserves an award. Ugh, it would give away spoilers, so…I can’t. But put it this way: Shaffer’s known for understanding a bookworm’s soul. She puts Rainy in a situation that plays with the emotions, the love we have not just for books, but overall bookish culture. She makes reading not a solitary activity, but a communal experience. I never considered there to be solidarity between readers, that we all share something even if we’re not in the same book clubs. But Shaffer brings us all together in a truly beautiful way.

Finally, many people have said about her work that it’s hard to tell if it’s YA, fantasy, or something else. It reads simply and whimsically, but there aren’t any kids. But I often felt like a kid reading it!

If books are meant to take us to a special place, Shaffer’s novel invites you to a bookworm’s dream. There’s magic, and joy, and comfort inside. Join us!

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an advance review copy in exchange for an honest review. The Book Witch will be released April 7, 2026.

[Kati Pike · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Book Witch is Meg Shaffer’s latest novel, coming out in a few months, and like her previous books, it was a solid read. Rainy March is a Book Witch responsible for keeping books safe from Burners who are trying to change and destroy them, but the story has layers on layers on layers to the point where I can’t really tell you much more without spoiling some fun twists and turns. I enjoyed reading it, but when I compared it to my favorite Meg Shaffer (The Wishing Game), it only hit a four-star rating. Thanks to Net Galley for giving me an ARC in return for an honest review! #sponsored

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is it, I’m officially declaring Meg Shaffer one of my all time favorite authors.

The Book Witch starts out so differently from the darker undertones I felt in The Wishing Game and The Lost Story - not that those books are necessarily dark, but they feel like a rainy day. The book witch may be Rainy March, but this felt more like a cutesy romance full of magical realism - still enjoyable but different from her previous two books. But the further and further in I got the more it tugged at my emotions and delivered the Meg Shaffer I love.

This is a book for people who love books. This is a book for people who respect books and authors and know what a story can do to a persons life. This is a book for whom all stories are love stories (can you tell it was love at first line?)

It delivers the sort of fairy tale elements I love that Meg excels at. Enough whimsy for a younger audience with mature enough themes for adults. It makes me remember why I love reading - which happened with The Lost Story too. I know I’ll be talking about this book from now until pub day and beyond, and can’t wait to share the joy it brought me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Harleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun fall read! The premise of The Book Witch is unique, and I've never come across anything like it. I enjoyed the literary references throughout the book. However, some parts didn't quite hold up, and I had a hard time staying engaged with the story at times.

Release Date: April 7, 2026

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Holly in Bookland · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the stars! A new favorite book of all time. I smiled, I cried, I hoped and wished…..this book was perfection. I have no complaints whatsoever about this book. A book written for book lovers. A love story for books and how they save us.

[Heather | Nerdy By Nature Blog · Rating 3 out of 5]

*I received a copy via the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

As a book witch, it's Rainy March's job to preserve and protect works of literature from anyone who would do them harm. With her bespelled umbrella and cat familiar, she jumps into stories to fix everything from wandering heroines to harmful errors. Book witches live by a very strict set of rules, the most important one being that fictional characters belong in works of fiction and real people belong in the real world.

Rainy has always been a rule follower, but when she meets the handsomely charming Duke of Chicago, the main character of a detective series, while on a case, she can't help but fall in love. The pair begin a secret relationship, but when they're caught, Rainy is forbidden from seeing him again lest she be expelled from her book coven. But when her grandfather goes missing along with the book her late mother left her, Rainy knows the only person who could help her solve the case is the Duke. As they jump from story to story looking for clues, Rainy uncovers secrets that will change her life forever.

I've been charmed by Shaffer's writing from her very first book, and this latest was no exception. It was a whimsical love letter to book lovers of all ages. Every bookworm has wished they could jump into their favorite stories, so I loved the idea of a main character whose job is to do just that. I thought Rainy was an adorably quirky main character, and I liked following along on her journey. I also liked all of her interactions with the Duke because he was such a shameless flirt. The mystery aspect was enjoyable, but it was easy to see how it would unfold, and while I appreciated the premise, I never fully became invested. Still, I'll read anything this author writes, and I'd recommend this to anyone who doesn't mind a more middle-grade-ish feel to their fantasy books.

[Julia Shelburne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book, and this book solidified my deep appreciation for the author, Meg Shaffer. Her love for literature as a craft, an art, a means of resistance as well as JOY is so apparent in her writing. I plan to read whatever she writes after reading her first three novels because her storytelling is inventive and hopeful, and she considers relevant societal issues in meaningful ways. She is an exemplary author.

In this book, I was curious about the narrative arc and pace of the first few chapters that I thought was the entirety of the book’s plot, so was pleasantly surprised by how much more mystery and magic remained. The moment I finished reading, I was ready to begin the book again. Without spoiling any of the Book Witch’s narration, I enjoyed a serendipitous reading experience because she mentions knowing the answer to a famous mystery about a classic literary character from another novel I was reading. A minor coincidence, to be sure, but magical as a reader. This is one of my favorite books of 2025, and I plan to purchase a physical copy upon publication.

Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

[Literary Redhead · Rating 4 out of 5]

SYNOPSIS:
"Rainy March is a proud third-generation Book Witch, sworn to defend works of fiction from all foes real and imaginary. With her magical umbrella and feline familiar, she jumps into and out of novels to fix malicious alterations and rogue heroes like a modern-day magical Nancy Drew."

MY THOUGHTS:
How could any reader not adore this clever premise, with a heroine you'll love plus the fierce defense of books against all negative forces? We could use a Rainy March in real life today. Loved it!

[Kaya Lynch]

i'm either going to be obsessed with this book or disavow it entirely there's no in-between

[Angie Miale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Instant love of this one. This is a story for those who love stories. For everyone that ever had a book boyfriend, who wanted to dive into the pages of a book, or to have a cup of coffee with Sherlock Holmes. It makes me want to go to the library and check out Pride and Prejudice, The Great Gatsby, and several Nancy Drew novels.

I kept thinking of the scene in the Barbie movie when Barbie goes to talk to the creator of the doll, played by Rhea Perlman.

It’s so so good. I am grateful to NetGalley and Ballantine for the ARC. Book to be published 4/6/26. I have already pre-preordered a trophy copy.

[Selene · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a fun vibes read, who doesn’t want to imagine being able to enter their favorite book worlds and flirt with their book boyfriend (who obviously will be obsessed with you) and fight evil (people who want to ban/destroy books) the premise is so good and the banter is enjoyable. This was an easy cozy read on a snowy day. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the arc

[Lissy Southworth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to Ballantine and NetGalley for an eARC of The Book Witch in exchange for an honest review!

The premise of The Book Witch sounded so adorable. A cozy, whimsical story about a witch who has the power to enter books! Are you kidding!? I was so excited to dive in.

Unfortunately, this story didn’t work for me. The characters felt one-dimensional, and the plot never quite found its footing. Much of the narrative felt disjointed and sometimes even confusing, and the dialogue just wasn’t doing it for me. It had so much potential, and I’m bummed to say that this story didn’t land for me.

That said, though it wasn’t for me, I did enjoy the charming world, unique magic system, and book-lover vibe of the story.

[Olivia Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 - this is the ultimate feel good book as a reader, especially one who grew up on Nancy Drew books! Cute, fun read with great characters that tugs on your emotions!

Thank you to Netgalley and Ballantine books for the ARC!

[Corinne Carson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rainy March is a third generation book witch. She takes great pride in protecting books and has the ability to hop in & out of books in order to ensure that no book is altered in any way. However, she can never stay in any book and most of all, she cannot fall in love with any of the characters, until she does. I found this book to be very charming. It made reference to a few classics that Rainy went in & out of. Meg Shaffer has become an auto-read for me. Her books all have a touch of magical realism to them. I look forward to what she comes up with next.

Many thanks to NetGalley & Ballantine Books for the opportunity to read an advanced eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

[Katie Hansford · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meg Shaffer has become an auto read author for me. I really enjoyed this book simply for the concept- it was not like any book I’ve read. I think the plot became a little confusing and I can’t say much more than that so I don’t give too much away. I loved the main character, Rainy March. And the Duke. The characters were wonderful, it just wasn’t my favorite Meg Shaffer. Still a great read!