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A Nest of Magic
There once was a town where nothing ever happened—until, one day, it did.
Corinthia, the librarian of Shadow Ridge, doesn’t fall for mysterious strangers. She doesn’t go for long walks in the woods. And she most certainly does not believe in magic.
She has her books, her rescued hound, and her Cabinet of Chocolate—everything she needs for a cozy evening alone, thank you very much.
But when a bet with her best friend leads to a hike in the maze-like nature preserve behind the Shadow Ridge Library, she meets a mysterious woman who challenges everything she thought she knew about her town, her destiny, and her heart.
She doesn’t believe in magic… but magic believes in her.
Corinthia, the librarian of Shadow Ridge, doesn’t fall for mysterious strangers. She doesn’t go for long walks in the woods. And she most certainly does not believe in magic.
She has her books, her rescued hound, and her Cabinet of Chocolate—everything she needs for a cozy evening alone, thank you very much.
But when a bet with her best friend leads to a hike in the maze-like nature preserve behind the Shadow Ridge Library, she meets a mysterious woman who challenges everything she thought she knew about her town, her destiny, and her heart.
She doesn’t believe in magic… but magic believes in her.
296 pages, Paperback
Published October 14, 2025
67 people are currently reading
5729 people want to read
About the author
Kate Moseman
17 books203 followersAuthor of cozy fantasy and romance about women who discover that life is magical.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 176 reviews
October 3, 2025
Cozy, sweet and so good It brought me out of my reading slump.
If you are looking for spice, I'm sorry but you won't find it here. Instead, small gestures, like caresses, finger touches and hugs are portrayed. Which, together with the multitude of outdoor scenes in the forest and that pinch of magic and mystery, make this book interesting and compelling.
Having said that, in this book you will find:
- Attraction at first sight
- slow burn
- only on bed
- romance
- found family
- small town
- no third act break up
- wearing the other's clothes
- HEA
- all female and queer cast
- Mc in her mid- to late thirties
- slightly grumpy x sunshine
- a silly dog (he narrates the epilogue 🤫)
- librarian x mystery woman
Is there really a need to add more? It's simply the perfect book to read in autumn, wrapped in blankets and with a cup of hot chocolate in hand 😉- you'll get this once you read the book.
Overall it's 4.5 ⭐ and 1🔥 (just kisses)
If you are looking for spice, I'm sorry but you won't find it here. Instead, small gestures, like caresses, finger touches and hugs are portrayed. Which, together with the multitude of outdoor scenes in the forest and that pinch of magic and mystery, make this book interesting and compelling.
Having said that, in this book you will find:
- Attraction at first sight
- slow burn
- only on bed
- romance
- found family
- small town
- no third act break up
- wearing the other's clothes
- HEA
- all female and queer cast
- Mc in her mid- to late thirties
- slightly grumpy x sunshine
- a silly dog (he narrates the epilogue 🤫)
- librarian x mystery woman
Is there really a need to add more? It's simply the perfect book to read in autumn, wrapped in blankets and with a cup of hot chocolate in hand 😉- you'll get this once you read the book.
Overall it's 4.5 ⭐ and 1🔥 (just kisses)
August 25, 2025
Amazing and incredible and a lot of fun! So sweet and heartwarming! You should definitely go read this book. It’s quite short, easy to read, well written, and immensely enjoyable. This story had just the right amount of magic in it for the fans of the supernatural, but also little enough that it would be accessible for the folks who don’t think that’s quite their cup of tea. Nature-lovers are welcome here.
Some random nice points:
-Alien Space Lesbians. Read the book to provide context (no, there are no aliens in this story)
-The writing was exceptional in the kind of way that I was grabbed by page 2 and knew I was going to love the book regardless of what the plot ended up being.
-Cabinet of Chocolate.
-The author loves dogs. The protagonist loves dogs.
-I love the protagonist’s dog. He also gets to narrate the epilogue.
-This novel is VERY pro-library, and pro-librarian.
-Chocolate lock-box.
-The “twist” was incredibly original and I did not see it coming.
-SO much whimsy.
-Strangeness was very accepted.
If I’m nitpicking anything then the story was too short, rather a bit simple, and I wish there was more to the ending (or that the story just kept going for a while). None of these things take away from the novel’s rating however, as it’s a charming little package of a novel.
Thank you to BookSirens for the free ARC. This honest review was left voluntarily.
Some random nice points:
-Alien Space Lesbians. Read the book to provide context (no, there are no aliens in this story)
-The writing was exceptional in the kind of way that I was grabbed by page 2 and knew I was going to love the book regardless of what the plot ended up being.
-Cabinet of Chocolate.
-The author loves dogs. The protagonist loves dogs.
-I love the protagonist’s dog. He also gets to narrate the epilogue.
-This novel is VERY pro-library, and pro-librarian.
-Chocolate lock-box.
-The “twist” was incredibly original and I did not see it coming.
-SO much whimsy.
-Strangeness was very accepted.
If I’m nitpicking anything then the story was too short, rather a bit simple, and I wish there was more to the ending (or that the story just kept going for a while). None of these things take away from the novel’s rating however, as it’s a charming little package of a novel.
Thank you to BookSirens for the free ARC. This honest review was left voluntarily.
September 25, 2025
"An adorable, enchanting romance with the perfect mix of sweetness and charm!"
This cozy romance was an absolute delight to read. The storyline was super easy to follow, endlessly entertaining, and had just the right blend of sweetness, humour, and a sprinkle of mystery to keep me smiling all the way through. It was truly a cute and heartwarming read.
The love story was beautifully crafted, with the connection between Corinthia and Rosemary shining from their very first meeting to the end of the book. Their relationship was tender, sweet, and so well developed that I found myself completely invested in their journey.
I also loved the side characters—Stevie was hilarious and constantly keeping Corinthia on her toes, and her relationship with Drew added a wonderful secondary romance that was just as engaging as the main love story.
The narration by Holly Jackson was superb. Holly really brought the story to life, giving each character their own spark of personality and infusing the performance with energy and enthusiasm. It made listening such a joy.
A huge thank you to Kate for the opportunity to review both the book and audiobook. It was a pleasure to read and listen, and I’m so excited to see what you bring us next!
Star rating. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice rating. 🔥
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
This cozy romance was an absolute delight to read. The storyline was super easy to follow, endlessly entertaining, and had just the right blend of sweetness, humour, and a sprinkle of mystery to keep me smiling all the way through. It was truly a cute and heartwarming read.
The love story was beautifully crafted, with the connection between Corinthia and Rosemary shining from their very first meeting to the end of the book. Their relationship was tender, sweet, and so well developed that I found myself completely invested in their journey.
I also loved the side characters—Stevie was hilarious and constantly keeping Corinthia on her toes, and her relationship with Drew added a wonderful secondary romance that was just as engaging as the main love story.
The narration by Holly Jackson was superb. Holly really brought the story to life, giving each character their own spark of personality and infusing the performance with energy and enthusiasm. It made listening such a joy.
A huge thank you to Kate for the opportunity to review both the book and audiobook. It was a pleasure to read and listen, and I’m so excited to see what you bring us next!
Star rating. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice rating. 🔥
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
September 6, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
This book stands out by its cover immediately. I almost want to say that the setting was the main character. The lively forest interacts with an introvert librarian. It’s colorful, immersive, and definitely cozy, thanks to vivid description. Moseman brings mystery and magic with the mansion, the birds, and Rosemary. The book is really well paced. The romance is not the main focus, so the chemistry was not the most palpable. The almost insta-love, considering the circumstances and lack of deep conversation, was hard to buy for a Cartesian like me. But I don't think it's the point of the book. To me, it’s more about a symbiosis with nature. I just wished I knew more about Rosemary, her "family," and how her magic worked. If you are looking for a sweet, simple fantasy with lots of description and a touch of romance, this book is for you. PS: The narration was full of life, but the voice for Rosemary was a bit disturbing for me.
This book stands out by its cover immediately. I almost want to say that the setting was the main character. The lively forest interacts with an introvert librarian. It’s colorful, immersive, and definitely cozy, thanks to vivid description. Moseman brings mystery and magic with the mansion, the birds, and Rosemary. The book is really well paced. The romance is not the main focus, so the chemistry was not the most palpable. The almost insta-love, considering the circumstances and lack of deep conversation, was hard to buy for a Cartesian like me. But I don't think it's the point of the book. To me, it’s more about a symbiosis with nature. I just wished I knew more about Rosemary, her "family," and how her magic worked. If you are looking for a sweet, simple fantasy with lots of description and a touch of romance, this book is for you. PS: The narration was full of life, but the voice for Rosemary was a bit disturbing for me.
September 17, 2025
it's cute, it's cozy, it's sapphic. What more could you ask for?
Also, there's an epilogue with the dog's POV which is even cuter.
Also, there's an epilogue with the dog's POV which is even cuter.
September 16, 2025
This is the kind of book where you start reading at a table during your lunch break and when you look up from the pages after being sucked in for 30minutes, you're in bed with a blanket around your shoulders and a cup of tea on your nightstand and you have no idea how you got there but you're calm and happy. I will not be explaining further.
Compliments to the chef (well, the author)! This book is written with charm and the kind of vocabulary you only get from being an amazing reader before you become an amazing writer. This book would theoretically be a quick cozy read but I kept insisting on reading it before bed so that my dreams would be whimsical and colorful. Of course, this meant that I would read around 15 pages at a time before I fell asleep with my phone in my hand. But don't worry, my dreams were just as cozy as each chapter of this lovely book.
The whimsy and romance of this book flow easily (like my tears when this book ended - I wanted it to go on forever) I really enjoyed how the characters interacted with each other. The romantic scenes had a lovely slow burn that had me giggling/kicking my feet. Bashful flirting may be a new favorite trope for me. I also loved the setting! I mean come on who doesn't want to fall in love in a magical place full of nature and books and pretty women who make you smile.
If you need a little pick me up of fantasy and sweety library kisses, I recommend this book
Compliments to the chef (well, the author)! This book is written with charm and the kind of vocabulary you only get from being an amazing reader before you become an amazing writer. This book would theoretically be a quick cozy read but I kept insisting on reading it before bed so that my dreams would be whimsical and colorful. Of course, this meant that I would read around 15 pages at a time before I fell asleep with my phone in my hand. But don't worry, my dreams were just as cozy as each chapter of this lovely book.
The whimsy and romance of this book flow easily (like my tears when this book ended - I wanted it to go on forever) I really enjoyed how the characters interacted with each other. The romantic scenes had a lovely slow burn that had me giggling/kicking my feet. Bashful flirting may be a new favorite trope for me. I also loved the setting! I mean come on who doesn't want to fall in love in a magical place full of nature and books and pretty women who make you smile.
If you need a little pick me up of fantasy and sweety library kisses, I recommend this book
October 20, 2025
It was fine? I didn’t dislike it necessarily, but I’m not really sure what the story is about or who any of the characters actually are. It also was just a bit too flowery for me.
September 5, 2025
A Nest of Magic by Kate Moseman was an utterly enchanting surprise. This cosy ticked every box I hoped it would. The story sparkles with charm, and the subtle air of mystery surrounding each character adds a delicious layer of intrigue. Moseman’s world-building is refreshingly original with just the right touch of magic to make it feel alive. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment spent in this spellbinding little universe. There is an additional surprise at the end, yum!
Thank you to Kate Moseman for an arc, I leave a review voluntarily.
Thank you to Kate Moseman for an arc, I leave a review voluntarily.
September 1, 2025
This was a sweet and charming story that made my heart smile. Any story that features a librarian as the main character already has my attention, but add in dogs, birds, chocolate, and a generous sprinkling of magic, and I'm in love!
While the book started out with a lighthearted, whimsical vibe, it blossomed into a really tender and heartwarming story. The epilogue, brilliantly told from the dog's POV, had me wiping away unexpected tears.
I really enjoyed the vivid descriptions, which brought the various settings to life, from the lush nature reserve and comfy cottages to the bustling library.
The only aspect that didn't entirely work for me was the narration of the audiobook. While most of it was good, there were a couple of characters who were attributed quite high-pitched and euphoric voices that grated on me a bit. Nonetheless, I really enjoyed listening to the story.
Many thanks to NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
While the book started out with a lighthearted, whimsical vibe, it blossomed into a really tender and heartwarming story. The epilogue, brilliantly told from the dog's POV, had me wiping away unexpected tears.
I really enjoyed the vivid descriptions, which brought the various settings to life, from the lush nature reserve and comfy cottages to the bustling library.
The only aspect that didn't entirely work for me was the narration of the audiobook. While most of it was good, there were a couple of characters who were attributed quite high-pitched and euphoric voices that grated on me a bit. Nonetheless, I really enjoyed listening to the story.
Many thanks to NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
September 5, 2025
i truly believe that cozy, cute stories just aren’t for me. although this was very sweet, i’m a bit confused about what it was about?
July 22, 2025
this book had me hugging my kobo to my chest multiple times and smiling constantly. it is just so cute & funny. the ending is beautiful and had me crying, the magic is light & stunning, the characters are all so so wonderful. I adore the friendships, banter, and pure joy in this book.
I would die for corinthia, stevie, rosemary, & drew! Beaufort the pup is such a sweet little guy and deserves all the dropped morsels to eat! 🥰 Kate Moseman clearly loves libraries and i am so here for Shadow Ridge's! I'd love to visit it, so im going to have to make a trip to my own local ones soon! they really are the best places for more than just books. 🩷
it comes out in october, please please pick it up if you want the warm fuzzies in your heart! it is delightful! thank you to the Author for the ARC, this book made me so so happy, its so GOOD! all the stars! 😭🫶🏻
I would die for corinthia, stevie, rosemary, & drew! Beaufort the pup is such a sweet little guy and deserves all the dropped morsels to eat! 🥰 Kate Moseman clearly loves libraries and i am so here for Shadow Ridge's! I'd love to visit it, so im going to have to make a trip to my own local ones soon! they really are the best places for more than just books. 🩷
it comes out in october, please please pick it up if you want the warm fuzzies in your heart! it is delightful! thank you to the Author for the ARC, this book made me so so happy, its so GOOD! all the stars! 😭🫶🏻
September 24, 2025
Ok. This was cute. And again, if anyone would’ve ever told me that I’d be reading about the forest, birds, dogs, etc…and tearing up…I would’ve told them they were crazy… but, here we are.
And, that same forest and all its inhabitants have totally charmed me!
We have Corinthia, who is the definition of an introvert. She is a librarian, and likes to mostly be on her own. Spending quiet nights at home reading is her blissful peace… She has no intentions of putting herself ‘out there’ in any way, shape or form. BUT, one day her friend at the library challenges her to go for a hike in the forest/maze situated behind the library…and while there, Corinthia’s life is forever changed. She feels at peace in the forest, and yet alive like she’s never been. And the bird song??? Amazing!
And then something ‘magical’ happens when Corinthia meets Rosemary. She’s not like anyone she’s ever met before…in her life! The beautiful clothes she wears. The adornments on her clothing. She is truly one of a kind…
And this is where the magical realism part kicks in… and I have to say, it was very sweet.
And the way the scenes were painted in the book, well, they were also painted in my mind,
And then there’s Buford… the rescue dog!
It’s a sapphic romance (had to look that one up) that is done very sweetly, but it has so much more too!
Please don’t pass this one by just because of that, because you’ll be missing out on a beautiful story!
4 bold stars for me! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
And kudos to the author for making me love birds even more after reading this one!
#ANestOfMagic by @KateMoseman and narrated beautifully by @HollieJackson.
Please keep your eyes 👀 open for this one!!!
*** IT HAS NOT YET BEEN RELEASED!!! Please look for it soon !! Release date is :10/1/25! ***
Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #VictoryEditingGroup for an ARC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
You can find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Insta @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️
And, that same forest and all its inhabitants have totally charmed me!
We have Corinthia, who is the definition of an introvert. She is a librarian, and likes to mostly be on her own. Spending quiet nights at home reading is her blissful peace… She has no intentions of putting herself ‘out there’ in any way, shape or form. BUT, one day her friend at the library challenges her to go for a hike in the forest/maze situated behind the library…and while there, Corinthia’s life is forever changed. She feels at peace in the forest, and yet alive like she’s never been. And the bird song??? Amazing!
And then something ‘magical’ happens when Corinthia meets Rosemary. She’s not like anyone she’s ever met before…in her life! The beautiful clothes she wears. The adornments on her clothing. She is truly one of a kind…
And this is where the magical realism part kicks in… and I have to say, it was very sweet.
And the way the scenes were painted in the book, well, they were also painted in my mind,
And then there’s Buford… the rescue dog!
It’s a sapphic romance (had to look that one up) that is done very sweetly, but it has so much more too!
Please don’t pass this one by just because of that, because you’ll be missing out on a beautiful story!
4 bold stars for me! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
And kudos to the author for making me love birds even more after reading this one!
#ANestOfMagic by @KateMoseman and narrated beautifully by @HollieJackson.
Please keep your eyes 👀 open for this one!!!
*** IT HAS NOT YET BEEN RELEASED!!! Please look for it soon !! Release date is :10/1/25! ***
Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #VictoryEditingGroup for an ARC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
You can find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Insta @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️
October 13, 2025
Thank you so much to the author for the gifted audio!
What a sweet, cozy, and whimsical story! I loved the queer cast, the magical touches to a modern small town setting, and the cozy feel of the whole thing. I enjoyed exploring the connection between Rosemary and Corinthia, which shone from the very beginning, and loved Corinthia’s friendship with Stevie.
Hollie Jackson’s narration of the audiobook is amazing. I loved the individual voices of each character, each one unique and special. It made listening so much fun.
I recommend this book as a quick and cozy listen. It’s cute, the main character is a librarian, which I love, and I really enjoyed every second of the story!
What a sweet, cozy, and whimsical story! I loved the queer cast, the magical touches to a modern small town setting, and the cozy feel of the whole thing. I enjoyed exploring the connection between Rosemary and Corinthia, which shone from the very beginning, and loved Corinthia’s friendship with Stevie.
Hollie Jackson’s narration of the audiobook is amazing. I loved the individual voices of each character, each one unique and special. It made listening so much fun.
I recommend this book as a quick and cozy listen. It’s cute, the main character is a librarian, which I love, and I really enjoyed every second of the story!
Read
August 28, 2025RTC
August 14, 2025
While I love me a cozy, low-stakes fantasy, this one was a bit of a miss for me.
I enjoyed our main character, a friendly, yet slightly curmudgeon-ly neighborhood librarian. I liked the frequent bookish references (particularly to a well-loved copy of Alien Space Lesbians!) And the overall fall, spooky-season vibes were on point.
However, my biggest pet peeve in cozy fantasy geared toward adults is when the characters read as overly young. That was definitely the case with this one. This felt more like a YA, which is not normally my jam. The main love interest in particular seemed more like a teenager than a magical woman in her thirties. It definitely didn't help that the narrator on the audio version literally used a child-like voice for all of her dialog. I got the same childish vibes from the main character's best friend as well.
While this wasn't a favorite for me, this would be a good fit for anyone needing a very sunshine and rainbows fluff read!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ALC!
I enjoyed our main character, a friendly, yet slightly curmudgeon-ly neighborhood librarian. I liked the frequent bookish references (particularly to a well-loved copy of Alien Space Lesbians!) And the overall fall, spooky-season vibes were on point.
However, my biggest pet peeve in cozy fantasy geared toward adults is when the characters read as overly young. That was definitely the case with this one. This felt more like a YA, which is not normally my jam. The main love interest in particular seemed more like a teenager than a magical woman in her thirties. It definitely didn't help that the narrator on the audio version literally used a child-like voice for all of her dialog. I got the same childish vibes from the main character's best friend as well.
While this wasn't a favorite for me, this would be a good fit for anyone needing a very sunshine and rainbows fluff read!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ALC!
September 20, 2025
A small town librarian meets a mysterious women and strange things start happening in the woods.
a cozy, sapphic, magical realism romance sounds like the perfect book for me, unfortunately this one majorly missed the mark. First of all, the book is too short and absolutely none of the plot points were properly wrapped up by the end. It felt like the book ended right in the middle. The romance in this book was insta love to the extreme! There was no chemistry between the characters and absolutely no reason to believe that these characters should be together by the end of the book. There was no proper explanation for the magic of the forest and why it chose Corinthia. Or any explanation for anything about Rosemary. The Characters were in their 30s but read more like teenagers.
This book really did not work for me but if you’re looking for a no-plot-all-vibes cozy fantasy romance this might work for you. I would recommend picking this up physically as I found the voices the audiobook narrator used very cringey, which made it very hard to listen to.
2/5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for the advanced listener copy of this audiobook.
a cozy, sapphic, magical realism romance sounds like the perfect book for me, unfortunately this one majorly missed the mark. First of all, the book is too short and absolutely none of the plot points were properly wrapped up by the end. It felt like the book ended right in the middle. The romance in this book was insta love to the extreme! There was no chemistry between the characters and absolutely no reason to believe that these characters should be together by the end of the book. There was no proper explanation for the magic of the forest and why it chose Corinthia. Or any explanation for anything about Rosemary. The Characters were in their 30s but read more like teenagers.
This book really did not work for me but if you’re looking for a no-plot-all-vibes cozy fantasy romance this might work for you. I would recommend picking this up physically as I found the voices the audiobook narrator used very cringey, which made it very hard to listen to.
2/5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for the advanced listener copy of this audiobook.
September 11, 2025
Oh, my god, this was delightful!! It's sapphic, it's cozy, and it has a protagonist in her mid-to-late 30s.
I was on board with this book right from the start. Kate Moseman writes with so much wit that I (an AFAB person in my mid-to-late 30s) couldn't help smirking throughout the story. Her style is a perfect mix of spices on an already good book.
I love the creative choices Moseman has made here. I feel like her grounded, more-magical-realism-than-fantasy approach makes it incredibly relatable.
Corinthia lives and breathes like a 35+ woman, with all the practical attitude that I often find in myself.
It was more refreshing than I can say. (One food metaphor per review is quite enough, I think.)
In short, this is how you write cozy.
Thank you to Anne and the rest of Victory Editing, and to Netgalley, for the eARC.
I was on board with this book right from the start. Kate Moseman writes with so much wit that I (an AFAB person in my mid-to-late 30s) couldn't help smirking throughout the story. Her style is a perfect mix of spices on an already good book.
I love the creative choices Moseman has made here. I feel like her grounded, more-magical-realism-than-fantasy approach makes it incredibly relatable.
Corinthia lives and breathes like a 35+ woman, with all the practical attitude that I often find in myself.
It was more refreshing than I can say. (One food metaphor per review is quite enough, I think.)
In short, this is how you write cozy.
Thank you to Anne and the rest of Victory Editing, and to Netgalley, for the eARC.
Read
November 2, 2025Cozy fantasy meets sapphic romance in the great outdoors!
January 14, 2026
Magical and sweet
Corinthia is happy with life as it is, with the books in her library and cosy evenings alone, until she joins her friend on a hike in the nature preserve and meets a mysterious woman, Rosemary. Rosemary makes Corinthia curious in a way she has never experienced before, and suddenly she believes in more than she ever did before about life and love.
It is difficult to share too much about the story in a review without too many spoilers that would ruin the magical discoveries for you, so I recommend reading it and discovering it all for yourself. What I loved most about this was the setting, a library with a most fascinating nature reserve behind it that lead to such magical and wonderful discoveries. The way Corinthia met Rosemary was surrounded with an air of mystery that had me curious as to who Rosemary really was because it was quite clear she was like no one else. I wasn’t sure what her true nature was going to be but I was really excited to find out and it was quite the adventure joining Corinthia doing the same.
Rosemary really brought something out in Corinthia that made her realise that while she was happy with her life that didn’t mean she couldn’t have something more. She seemed to be hesitant to want to believe what she sort of knew wasn’t possible but had to be because it was happening to her. For a while Corinthia denied anything was strange about meeting Rosemary, especially when talking with her friends at the library, but when she finally stopped trying to deny it, the real magic began between them.
This was such a sweet romance, with cosiness and sparks of magic that made for a wonderous read. Really enjoyed it!
Corinthia is happy with life as it is, with the books in her library and cosy evenings alone, until she joins her friend on a hike in the nature preserve and meets a mysterious woman, Rosemary. Rosemary makes Corinthia curious in a way she has never experienced before, and suddenly she believes in more than she ever did before about life and love.
It is difficult to share too much about the story in a review without too many spoilers that would ruin the magical discoveries for you, so I recommend reading it and discovering it all for yourself. What I loved most about this was the setting, a library with a most fascinating nature reserve behind it that lead to such magical and wonderful discoveries. The way Corinthia met Rosemary was surrounded with an air of mystery that had me curious as to who Rosemary really was because it was quite clear she was like no one else. I wasn’t sure what her true nature was going to be but I was really excited to find out and it was quite the adventure joining Corinthia doing the same.
Rosemary really brought something out in Corinthia that made her realise that while she was happy with her life that didn’t mean she couldn’t have something more. She seemed to be hesitant to want to believe what she sort of knew wasn’t possible but had to be because it was happening to her. For a while Corinthia denied anything was strange about meeting Rosemary, especially when talking with her friends at the library, but when she finally stopped trying to deny it, the real magic began between them.
This was such a sweet romance, with cosiness and sparks of magic that made for a wonderous read. Really enjoyed it!
September 9, 2025
(Advance audio courtesy of NetGalley, Kate Moseman, and the Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op.)
4⭐
This one is a pleasant read, and legit cozy, which is refreshing given the number of books marketed as “cozies” that really aren’t.
Moseman brings a light-touch to the worldbuilding, and it works really well here. The details suit the story’s scale and give it the right flavor. One thing that really stands out is the author’s obvious familiarity with libraries. The library setting especially shines and it’s clear that she knows that world. The author-event sequence feels spot-on for anyone who runs those programs—note for note, that’s what it’s like to be a librarian, down to the jackass thriller author talking smack about romance.
And speaking of romance… I enjoyed watching the two couples blossom, but preferred the side-couple. The main love interest felt a little underdeveloped, so the central pairing read more fluffy than swoony to me. Don’t get me wrong, I love me some fluff, but this just wasn’t my favorite. To be fair, I was probably in the wrong headspace to embrace maximum fluff. That’s on me, not the book—pure reader error.
Audio-Specific 🎧: There's no easy way to say this, I'm tired of listening to books narrated by Hollie Jackson. I think I've been more tolerant of her narration in the past, but this time her performance grated on my nerves. Unfortunately, she doesn't demonstrate the necessary range to pull off an all-female leading cast. I think the audio would have benefitted from dual narrators to provide more character separation.
📌 TL;DR: The story I wanted isn’t the one Moseman set out to tell—and that’s not a failing on the author’s part. This will absolutely be someone’s 5⭐ read, so if the synopsis intrigues you, give it a try.
4⭐
This one is a pleasant read, and legit cozy, which is refreshing given the number of books marketed as “cozies” that really aren’t.
Moseman brings a light-touch to the worldbuilding, and it works really well here. The details suit the story’s scale and give it the right flavor. One thing that really stands out is the author’s obvious familiarity with libraries. The library setting especially shines and it’s clear that she knows that world. The author-event sequence feels spot-on for anyone who runs those programs—note for note, that’s what it’s like to be a librarian, down to the jackass thriller author talking smack about romance.
And speaking of romance… I enjoyed watching the two couples blossom, but preferred the side-couple. The main love interest felt a little underdeveloped, so the central pairing read more fluffy than swoony to me. Don’t get me wrong, I love me some fluff, but this just wasn’t my favorite. To be fair, I was probably in the wrong headspace to embrace maximum fluff. That’s on me, not the book—pure reader error.
Audio-Specific 🎧: There's no easy way to say this, I'm tired of listening to books narrated by Hollie Jackson. I think I've been more tolerant of her narration in the past, but this time her performance grated on my nerves. Unfortunately, she doesn't demonstrate the necessary range to pull off an all-female leading cast. I think the audio would have benefitted from dual narrators to provide more character separation.
📌 TL;DR: The story I wanted isn’t the one Moseman set out to tell—and that’s not a failing on the author’s part. This will absolutely be someone’s 5⭐ read, so if the synopsis intrigues you, give it a try.
September 27, 2025
Netgalley Review
The writing was light and nice to read. I sat and read it in a couple of sessions which is rare for me. There were lots of nice little elements to it.
The chapters were fairly long so you got a good chunk of the story before moving on. There was a good flow between the chapters making it a seamless read. There was an interesting pace to the book. Whilst you moved on to the next thing fairly swiftly, the relationship between a couple of the characters was unsure. I think that this emphasised the vulnerability of the main character well for the time period that the story was set in (set over a few days).
The characters were good. I enjoyed reading about the friendship between the main character and her best friend. They were two very different personalities, but they worked well together and gave the story a bit of fun.
The surrounding characters were also good, there was nothing offensive about any of them, the anticipation all came from the relationships between the main character and the other characters. I particularly liked reading a couple of bits from the main character's pet dog's point of view.
Lastly the settings. There were some lovely descriptions peppered throughout the book, which added to the overall cosy, magical feel of the story. The descriptions of the settings balanced well with the character action, making it a nice read.
Overall a lovely, cosy read.
The writing was light and nice to read. I sat and read it in a couple of sessions which is rare for me. There were lots of nice little elements to it.
The chapters were fairly long so you got a good chunk of the story before moving on. There was a good flow between the chapters making it a seamless read. There was an interesting pace to the book. Whilst you moved on to the next thing fairly swiftly, the relationship between a couple of the characters was unsure. I think that this emphasised the vulnerability of the main character well for the time period that the story was set in (set over a few days).
The characters were good. I enjoyed reading about the friendship between the main character and her best friend. They were two very different personalities, but they worked well together and gave the story a bit of fun.
The surrounding characters were also good, there was nothing offensive about any of them, the anticipation all came from the relationships between the main character and the other characters. I particularly liked reading a couple of bits from the main character's pet dog's point of view.
Lastly the settings. There were some lovely descriptions peppered throughout the book, which added to the overall cosy, magical feel of the story. The descriptions of the settings balanced well with the character action, making it a nice read.
Overall a lovely, cosy read.
September 11, 2025
A very cute book with low-stakes and a cozy, G-rated sapphic romance. I would have LOVED to read a book like this in middle school, to see myself represented through Corinthia in all her bookish, anxious, lesbian-panic ways. I chuckled at the mention of a bird identification app since I’d been waving my phone around outside only 15 minutes before reading about her doing the same in the book.
Given that this an adult fiction book, the lack of conflict and spice made it a little hard for me to stay invested—everything was just peachy keen. I’m unsure if the plot twist is supposed to be surprising, but I guessed it very early on. By the end of this book I got the impression it was a middle grade book, but it’s not. I would readily let any child with the appropriate reading comprehension level pick up this book.
The narration of the audiobook was lovely, though perhaps helped tip me off to the plot twist. The voice acting was perfectly suited to the characters and helped to differentiate several female characters from each other in dialogue.
I recommend this book for audiences that prefer extremely low stakes, zero spice, queer romance, Scrub Jays (🩵🩶), libraries, and nature based magic.
Many thanks to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the opportunity to listen to this audio ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Given that this an adult fiction book, the lack of conflict and spice made it a little hard for me to stay invested—everything was just peachy keen. I’m unsure if the plot twist is supposed to be surprising, but I guessed it very early on. By the end of this book I got the impression it was a middle grade book, but it’s not. I would readily let any child with the appropriate reading comprehension level pick up this book.
The narration of the audiobook was lovely, though perhaps helped tip me off to the plot twist. The voice acting was perfectly suited to the characters and helped to differentiate several female characters from each other in dialogue.
I recommend this book for audiences that prefer extremely low stakes, zero spice, queer romance, Scrub Jays (🩵🩶), libraries, and nature based magic.
Many thanks to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the opportunity to listen to this audio ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
October 20, 2025
Recommend-O-Meter: I mean sure, as long as you don’t expect too much
Hmm, this is a tough one for me. On the one hand, it wasn’t anything bad, per se. On the other hand, it was advertised as perfect for fans of The Phoenix Keeper—aka one of my all-time favorite books—and it fell pretty flat for me on that front.
The story centers around Corinthia, a small-town late-30s-year-old librarian who begins experiencing strange things after taking a hike in the nearby nature preserve. Coincidentally, this is also right around the time she meets a strange woman to whom she can’t help but be drawn. It’s a whole kinda love-at-first-sight thing, yadda yadda yadda.
And it’s all just very… okay. Very mind-numbingly okay. I mean, I get the cozy genre and I usually love stories under it, but this one leaned a little too much into the low-stakes-ness of it. As in, there was practically no conflict whatsoever. So I was just kinda riding the wave for the entirety of the story.
Oh well. At least it was short. And there were birds and a funky old dog in it, which I guess is a plus for me.
[I received an ARC of this book from the publisher on NetGalley. This does not in any way affect the contents of my review.]
Hmm, this is a tough one for me. On the one hand, it wasn’t anything bad, per se. On the other hand, it was advertised as perfect for fans of The Phoenix Keeper—aka one of my all-time favorite books—and it fell pretty flat for me on that front.
The story centers around Corinthia, a small-town late-30s-year-old librarian who begins experiencing strange things after taking a hike in the nearby nature preserve. Coincidentally, this is also right around the time she meets a strange woman to whom she can’t help but be drawn. It’s a whole kinda love-at-first-sight thing, yadda yadda yadda.
And it’s all just very… okay. Very mind-numbingly okay. I mean, I get the cozy genre and I usually love stories under it, but this one leaned a little too much into the low-stakes-ness of it. As in, there was practically no conflict whatsoever. So I was just kinda riding the wave for the entirety of the story.
Oh well. At least it was short. And there were birds and a funky old dog in it, which I guess is a plus for me.
[I received an ARC of this book from the publisher on NetGalley. This does not in any way affect the contents of my review.]
October 14, 2025
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for sending me an earc in exchange for an honest review!
4.5
this was such a lovely read and perfect for October!! straight away the cosy and autumnal vibes could be felt and the entire story genuinely felt like a warm hug.
i loved our main character Corinthia and the fact that she was a librarian! you could tell the author loves books and wanted to incorporate that love into the story which i found really sweet.
i loved the idea of reconnecting with nature and finding a new appreciation for something you didn’t know you loved! the romance was incredibly sweet and heartwarming and i appreciated how real all the characters and their interactions felt!
highly recommend checking out if you want a very chill, cosy and sapphic read <3
4.5
this was such a lovely read and perfect for October!! straight away the cosy and autumnal vibes could be felt and the entire story genuinely felt like a warm hug.
i loved our main character Corinthia and the fact that she was a librarian! you could tell the author loves books and wanted to incorporate that love into the story which i found really sweet.
i loved the idea of reconnecting with nature and finding a new appreciation for something you didn’t know you loved! the romance was incredibly sweet and heartwarming and i appreciated how real all the characters and their interactions felt!
highly recommend checking out if you want a very chill, cosy and sapphic read <3
October 15, 2025
Gorgeous writing! This is such a cozy, sweet book that has some of the most evocative writing about wild Florida that I’ve read in a long time. This is a love letter to books and nature, and a tender, funny sapphic love story. Really enjoyed this one a lot!
February 4, 2026
This was a very cosy, low-stakes story! It’s on the shorter side which works for the narrative as not much really happened 😅
Regardless, this was a cute read and the epilogue being from the dog’s POV was the icing on the cake!
Regardless, this was a cute read and the epilogue being from the dog’s POV was the icing on the cake!
September 4, 2025
This is a nice, light story about love and magic. Must like libraries and their librarians, wildlife refuges, and lesbians.
dnf
October 17, 2025DNF @ 35% - having a hard time staying engaged with it. Maybe a little too cozy for me? Either way this is a me problem.
January 15, 2026
3.5 stars. Cute.
January 30, 2026
It's overall a cute story but felt like a YA novel. I listened to an audiobook of this one and wasn't that into the voices used for the characters of Rosemary and Stevie.
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