The Inn at Thistledown Hollow: A Cozy Fantasy Novel of Magic, Tea, and Found Family

by Devon Yates

The Inn at Thistledown A Cozy Fantasy of Tea, Magic, and Found Family

When burned-out city herbalist Wren Alderidge inherits her estranged aunt's mysterious inn in the magical village of Thistledown Hollow, she plans to sell it and return to her failing urban life. But the Lavender Fox Inn has other ideas—and so does Kip, the sharp-tongued fox who insists the tea won't brew itself.

As Wren discovers her gift for brewing emotions into tea and helping lost souls find their way home, she's drawn into a world where magic lives in everyday moments. From healing broken marriages with specially crafted blends to managing guests who transform furniture into butterflies, Wren learns that true magic isn't about power—it's about creating space for people to remember who they are.

With the help of her found family—including a patient carpenter, grieving guests who become permanent residents, and a village baker with strong opinions about proper scone technique—Wren must decide whether to embrace her inherited destiny as innkeeper or flee back to the safety of her old, empty life.

Perfect for fans of cozy fantasy, The Inn at Thistledown Hollow is a heartwarming tale of second chances, magical tea ceremonies, talking animals, and the transformative power of choosing community over isolation. Set in an enchanting world where ghosts offer guidance, greenhouses grow hope along with herbs, and every cup of tea carries the possibility of healing, this novel celebrates the magic found when people choose to care for one another.

A story about coming home to yourself, building chosen family, and discovering that the most powerful magic is often the showing up for each other with love, patience, and perfectly brewed tea.

Genres: Cozy Fantasy

292 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 17, 2025

Reviews

[Amy HC · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had the potential to be a 4-5 star. It’s got an absolutely beautiful soul and feels like a Western version of a Japanese Healing Fiction. From that aspect I adored this story and it genuinely upsets me I can’t mark it higher.

BUT if it undergoes an edit and re-release that fixes multiple major issues - this book would easily be a 4-5 star.

So spoilers for the edits that must be done in the hope the author may see this.

- Milo just appears fully formed and part way through their slow burn romance in Chapter 9. No previous mention of him and introduced like we’ve known him all along - we see him for a few pages and get an interrupted confession of love?? I don’t know you! Also he mentions events he wasn’t present at as is he were. The fact he’s a love interest who was clearly written to have been there from the start is SO jarring and aggravating because it makes you feel firstly insane you’ve missed this character and then annoyed there’s obviously a lot of story missed.

- Mrs. Chen is also mentioned by Milo in this first introduction. But then she is introduced later as a new guest with Oliver - and Wren doesn’t act like she knows her even though by Milo’s chat it sounds like she’s a Thistledown resident.

- Mrs. Chen’s grandmother appears out of nowhere only as a character we need to say goodbye to? But she’s apparently be there for ages and made multiple relationship comments? She’s not mentioned at all before her farewell.

- Lily just vanishes?? Marcus stays to paint but we don’t hear why she disappears.

- Oliver disappears. He probably went to school but that’s not commented on and why isn’t he back to help with music in the festivals?

- Emma is a bucket of problems. She’s introduced as 9 and then is selected as an apprentice who’s picking flowers at dawn (child labor laws??). But then at the winter festival - which is written as six months later - she’s thirteen? And then she just disappears with the rest of the Weatherbys. Why wasn’t she at the binding ceremony? Or the midsummer festival?

- Also the binding ceremony. Chapter 18 starts with “three weeks after the binding ceremony…” and then chapter 21 is the binding ceremony as well?

- time and numbers are super important to stay cognisant of. Wren having arrived at the inn six months ago is mentioned in the winter festival (which seems too early) and then again at the spring equinox (which seems accurate time wise but not if we’re counting winter festival as the actual six months). Chapter 22 starts with “one year later, on a perfect summer evening…” it’s unclear if this is a year after the binding or meant to be a year after Wren’s arrival. But it eventually sounds like it’s a year from arriving at the inn. Wren arrived just before the harvest festival in autumn and mid-spring JUST passed with a “six months ago” marker. Either way - it’s not a full year from her arrival or it’s over a year at the following summer.

- there’s other time/movement continuity issues; baking being done after a sentence is said. Children being in the garden and then next paragraph being inside the inn learning cards. Things like that.

- Kip asks for a purple scarf matching the lavender in his negotiations. Few pages later - his “promised blue scarf” like the sky…it’s only a few pages separated so very noticeable this isn’t correct.

- first two male guests are introduced the exact same way and it’s jarring (chapter 3 then chapter 5).


This book is so close to being my favourite book, with poetic lines, beautiful exploration of loss and needs, of being soft and gentle with its reader’s turbulent soul. But the fact these editing errors were either quite major or continued up into the last pages just meant I couldn’t in good faith rate it higher.

Please re-edit and release and I’ll change to 5 stars in a heartbeat.

[Racysteed · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story started incredibly strong with excellent characters, a smooth pace and an interesting perspective on responsibilities and community. At chapter 9, new characters suddenly appear with no explanation, treated as if the reader knows them. It is very jarring and took me out of the story. This happens throughout the rest of the book, with other characters just disappearing. I'm other sure what happened but I can't recommend it to anyone.

[Jade · Rating 4 out of 5]

imagine a inn in a quaint little village full of amazing people and a talking fox. now imagine finding this place when you are living thought the worst time of your life. you get to be taken in by an innkeeper that can brew emotions into your tea and the inn and its other visitors are there to help lift you back up. what could be a better escape from your troubles?
this book paints the most beautifully picture of this inn and the village it is nestled in. it makes you want to jump on a train and make your way to Thistledown hollow right away. this story is like a hot bath at the end of a long and exhausting day. you will get wrapped up with this tale of magic and healing and forget the really world exists.
for how amazing this book is it isn't with out its faults. through out this book you have a lot of tell not show moments. there are also a lot of times where characters suddenly appear and everyone in the book knows them and has deep connections to them but we have no idea who they are. there was the love interest who lived at the inn but wasn't talked about until over a 100pages in. the romance was all ready happening and we hadn't even heard about him. there was also a character what we only meet when its was time to say good bye to them. from what we find out about this person as the story moves on they where a very important person and helped all the residences of the inn, so it was very confusing not to have them mentioned even once until the end.
there was also plot holes like the main character Wren told her love interest Milo some of her worries as they walked around the village and by the time they made it back to the inn Milo had managed to tell the whole village and they where waiting at the inn to help. how did he managed that without leaving Wrens side? there was also a married couple that where finding their love for each other again then the wife completely disappeared, this became apparent when the husband started becoming close to another guest. no one mentioned her again.
the one problem in this book that threw me off was the main plot. Wren has a decision to make, she slowly comes to this decision as we follow her through her day to day life- which I loved to see. when she finally makes her decision there is this lovely moment between Wren, Milo and Kip the talking fox the night before the ceremony. I was really exited to see the ceremony as we had been working to this point the whole book but the next chapter jumped forward 2 weeks and skipped over the whole thing!! I thought it was another case of tell not show but then the last chapter had the ceremony in it even tho it was made to seem it had already happened. it left me feeling like I was missing something or not paying enough attention.
all that being said and putting the confusion to the side this was still an amazing magical story that had me swept up and never wanting to leave. even with the disappearing characters and plot holes this is still one of my favourite books so far this year. it is rare to find a book this good. even with all the plot drops this author is an amazing writer and I look forward to reading more from them.
cozy fantasy at its finest.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

There was so much heart in this book and apparently I needed it because I don’t think there was a chapter where I didn’t need a tissue. I had a mountain by the end of it because there was just so much feeling and sadness but in a good way, you know?

Unfortunately, there were quite a few editing issues. For example, characters popping up halfway through with no mention of them beforehand but written as though they’d been there the entire time. I was very much in my feels by this stage but it was incredible jarring to have named characters show up so just be aware if you’re reading.

The flow probably wasn’t as smooth as I’d prefer for a book like this and the time transitions were a bit jerky so, with all this and the above, I’ve popped it as a 2 star but it could easily get to 3 and maybe 4 with a few changes.

[Livia Bartels · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall: a woman leaves the big city as she’s inherited an inn from her late aunt and she decides to give the magical inn, and her magical tea abilities, a chance.

Pros: good characters, good world building, solid magic, and a good paced story.

Cons: the last ten chapters were a mess. I wanted to give this book 4 stars because it does so much right, but the last ten chapters… the author lost all track of timelines and plot. It’s like a never-ending series of endings, but they all contradict. In one, she’s already past her tea bonding ceremony, and then two chapters later, she’s doing the tea bonding ceremony? Another is the randomness of Milo— when did he arrive?? I missed that? And then he proposes, okay, but two chapters later there’s the hint that he will propose soon? All of the ending is just muddled and the author seriously needed to comb over it with an editor. A real shame because the beginning of the book was so good and so well written.

[Claire Webh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarming, heart healing, thought provoking.

Although the book started a bit slow without giving away what was to come, I kept reading, very glad that I did. In fact, I kept reading until I reached the end. Like the proverbial, magical teas brewed in the book to provide what was needed, so did the story keep provoking thoughts, and feelings upon which to contemplate. The "feel-goods", the "could I reallys", all the other things which floated through my mind, and made me think about real possibilities if I just got out of my own way. I loved the book, and would recommend reading it in the spirit which it seems to have been written; take your time, slow down, don't hesitate to ask for help, and always take time to enjoy a good cup of tea with good intention.

[AlishaReadsAllDay · Rating 2 out of 5]

Um...parts of this book referenced other parts of the book that weren't included in the final version of the book. Such as: a character is referenced to have found his calling (but that's not in the book); another character's arrive and ghost grandmother are not in the book until it's grandma's time to go (but their story is referenced as if it's common knowledge), and the main love interest just appears out of nowhere in a chapter and then his arrival is referenced several chapters later...but its not in the book.

I'd love to read a better proof-read version of this, because it was cute. Although I do think that the author got a little over ambition and should have ended the story with the triumph of the festival.

[Krista Norman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a big cozy hug. The most drama might have been anxiety over serving tea at a festival. There are people dealing with grief and life changes too.

I like all the tea! And found family. And the beauty. The characters are easy to distinguish.

There is so much magic infusing each page that the author has to specify when the tea is just plain tea. It reminds me of my 4 year old needing to wear every pretty piece of jewelry all at once. Sometimes less is better.

The book was repetitive. The repetition bred boredom.

[Cara · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF. Initially I thought it was great that the focus was on our FMC and her independent story, but it felt like the MMC popped up out of nowhere, immediately became a love interest based on nothing but vibes, and then suddenly with almost no interaction they are “falling in love”. A little effort put into building some chemistry, conversation, connection, shared interests would be nice. It felt like he was an afterthought. Also, I couldn’t take how everyone kept “sharing wisdom” and giving motivational speeches, especially to FMC, who kept monotonously monologuing about her insecurities.

[Petalsandpaperbacks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the whimsical setting and the comforting tone—it’s the kind of story that feels like a warm blanket and perfect cup of tea on a rainy day. That said, the pacing felt a bit rushed at times, and I would’ve loved to see more character development and a slower unfolding of the plot. Still, it’s a delightful read with a lot of heart and a magical atmosphere that lingers after you’re done.

[Rachel Ropp · Rating 3 out of 5]

desperately needs an editor

The premise and setting are lovely, if a bit typical, and the writing is fine, but about halfway through the story becomes jumbled. Characters pop up out of nowhere, events happen and then two chapters later still haven’t happened, it quite literally loses the plot. Could be a delightful little afternoon if only it was cleaned up by an editor

[Sarah McUmber-House · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Lovely Lavender Laced Love Story - (not just the romantic kind)

Take the train. Walk the well worn paths. Let the Lavender light fill your vision, its scent lift your spirit. Taste the teas. Grasp your grief, your past, your possibilities, your true self. Find the Fox, new Friends, old Family, and your calling. All at "The Inn at Thistledown Hollow."

[Judith Martin]

Book of warmth

I really enjoyed this book and the coming together of people. Family is not always what your born into but instead it's what you make.
The only criticism I have is most chapters end feeling like it's the end of the book, I did't care for that style of writing.

[Nancy Harkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Inn at Thistledown Hollow

Becoming all you can be is possible and even probable in a found family. The Inn embraces the complexities and joys of choosing a group and or individuals to accompany you on your journey.

[Jennifer Mckenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was just the book I was looking for at the time I needed it. It’s magical comforting about friends about life about being found from cover to cover the magic of the book makes you feel comfortable.

[Fred Rehhausser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feeling like I came home

This story is enchanting as well as thought provoking. I will be painting some of the quotes on my kitchen cabinets. I loved the world and all it’s characters.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely and emotional in a good way, but at some point the irregularities and inconsistencies become near overwhelming. Not sure if it's a simple as lacking proofreading/editing or if it's possibly AI. I really hope this was written by an actual person, but it really needs to be cleaned up.

[Clara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Personally, I think all books should have this many mentions of tea.

[Robyn T · Rating 5 out of 5]

So lovely! A new favorite!

I absolutely loved this story! All the emotions, fun and happiness a book should have!
So glad I gave it a try