Her Blushing Hero

by Mariah Rae Birch

A runaway witch makes a deal with a retired lady knight…

After a career-ending injury forces Sir Hildith into a reluctant retirement, she retreats to a secluded cottage in the woods to recover, not at all looking forward to peace and quiet. But what she discovers instead is a beautiful baker who fills her belly with butterflies as well as bread.

Escaping a dark past, Lola settles in a small village, eager to be forgotten, make good food, and keep her illegal magic hidden. The last person a witch should let close is a handsome older lady knight, no matter how tempting her blushes are.

When a family secret brings danger to Lola’s door, she and her three-legged pet rabbit turn to Sir Hildith for protection. The woman who could destroy Lola might be her only safety, and they both risk more than their hearts in the bargain.

***
The third in a series of stand-alone stories set in the same world, this cozy, steamy queer romance is inspired by classic fairy tales. It can be enjoyed alone or in combination with the others in the Sapphic Lady Knights Her Pretty Knight and Her Lovely Champion.

Genres: Fantasy, Lesbian, Romance, Witches, LGBT, Queer, Cozy Fantasy

257 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 21, 2025

About the author

Mariah Rae quit her corporate job in 2022 and wrote a book. And she never stopped.
While her earliest works of fiction and art were plastered boldly to the kitchen walls in her childhood home, it took her another twenty years to gather her courage to share her stories again. Now she writes sapphic tales full of romance and magic.
An artist of many kinds, writing fills Mariah Rae’s creative well to the brim. She lives near the mountains with her spouse and furry children. When not writing, she bakes, lurks in nature, and plays games with her small circle of heart family.

Reviews

[Shelby · Rating 5 out of 5]

yo is this the first review for this book on goodreads?? i really am the number one fan of this series

another banger from mariah rae, perhaps her best yet. i read it in only a few hours

[Edgar Allan Hoe · Rating 2 out of 5]

the sentence "Lola's breasts were breasting" is in the book, and reading such a millennial phrase in a fantasy book made me feel sick and genuinely had to put the book down for a few days.

[Lady Olenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars

The Sapphic Lady Knight series continues… as always, lovely, cute and a breeze of fresh air for me especially between serious and heavy reads. I like the subtle shift to more daring sex scenes this time. But seriously, I think we need to find a cure to this magical malady that befalls witches.

[Emilie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of Her Blushing Hero! As always, all opinions are my own and this review is being left voluntarily.

✨ Sapphic Adult Fantasy Romance
✨ Third Person POV
✨ 3/5 Spice Level
✨ Book 3 of Sapphic Lady Knights series of interconnected standalones
✨ Rep: chronic pain rep, physical disability rep

I recommend if you enjoy…
- Either of the first two books in the series
- Lady Knights
- Cozy romantasy
- Magic & mystery
- Age gap
- One bed trope

Content warnings after review.

General Thoughts
I absolutely love this series, so of course I needed to get my hands on book 3 ASAP. (I actually read it so fast…) One thing I really love about this series is the Knights and their sense of duty as well as protective nature, it reads as very romantic to me. I felt a lot of empathy Sir Hildith’s chronic pain, particularly because I have persistent hip pain from an injury as well. It was easy for me to connect and identify with her character. I actually think she might be my favorite Lady Knight yet.

Plot & World
This is a fantasy romance so there is magic in the world; however, it is hidden and there is a strong prejudice against magic. The world building is not extremely in depth resulting in a cozier feel to the book. The focus is primarily on the romance, not the fantasy world (there is plenty of context for the story though). I really enjoy high fantasies, but it is nice to read fantasies that are on the lighter side.

Characters & Romance
This is quite possibly the best romance in the series, imo. It felt so sweet and genuine. Plus, I am a sucker for tension, and there was plenty of that! Sir Hildith has some insecurities from her injury and the way it was approached in the story felt very tender and loving. I love how Lola and Sir Hildith’s love story played out. Plus, there were a lot of very cute domestic moments.

Final Thoughts
Probably my favorite book in the series thus far. I am obsessed with Sir Hildith and Lola’s story. That being said, the whole series is a must read, and I’m sure the different books will resonate differently with different readers. One of my favorite series to recommend, and this was a perfect addition to the series.

(beware potential spoilers below)

Content Warnings
(may not be all inclusive)
prejudice, sick animal (does not die)

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up.

I love this series. Our sapphic lady knight this time around is an older knight named Hildith, who has been forcibly retired after badly injuring her leg. I think she's my new favorite lady knight from the series because what she puts up with from Lola is A Lot. Lola's trauma and fear can turn her into quite a mean person. But—it's understandable and is something she heals from through the course of the story.

Anyway... I really want to taste Lola's magic bread. Sobs, I might be writing this review hungry.

[Amelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am heartbroken this series it over, it truly means the world to me and this book ended it so beautifully.
This story is so so so perfect and beautiful and cozy, Sir Hildith and Lola are ‘friends’ from the start, Sir Hildith has a huge crush on Lola, and Lola enjoys flirting with Sir Hildith when she visits Lola’s bakery (every day) Lola does also like Sir Hildith, but Lola is more wary of letting her in, to trust someone so much, oh and it also doesn’t help that Lola is a witch and Sir Hildith is a retired knight. In Lola’s mind if Sir Hildith finds out Lola’s true identity, Lola’s life will be over and so will their friendship. Bap is Lola’s pet rabbit who has three legs, Bap is the most adorable rabbit in the world and deserves the entire universe, despite Lola’s wariness, Bap is in love with Sir Hildith and always runs to her when she arrives at the bakery. Lola, Bap and Sir Hildith truly are a family from the beginning, just one with a couple of secrets.
Lola was an incredible, complex, lovable character. We (along with Sir Hildith) are drip fed information about Lola throughout the book, at an although slow pace, it felt perfect. Lola was full of fear, scared, anxious, all the thoughts, she just wanted to be safe and if anyone found out who she really was, it could jeopardize that. I am fully in love with Bap the three legged bunny, he is exactly the furry companion Lola needs, a great judge of character. Lola knows inside that she should let Sir Hildith in, that she is a safe person who truly loves Lola no matter what and, dispite her own injury, would do anything for her and to keep her safe.
Sir Hildith is a heartbreakingly beautiful character, to see her struggle with her injury and loss of pride through is so awful, she used to be a knight, she used to be able to do everything, now she can barely walk and can’t dance with the woman she loves. Sir Hildith has to learn to rely on others, which she has never had to do, and she hates it. She wants to be the strong one, protecting everyone, especially Lola. I loved so much how hard Sir Hildith tries for Lola, although she shouldn’t, although its bad for her leg, she puts Lola first, she would truly do anything for Lola and that’s truly any girls dream. I also love Sir Hildith and Baps soft spot for each other, they are both so adorable, and so many scenes with them together had me smiling so hard.
I will miss this series so so so much, it’s been truly amazing to experience all three as they release, I’m so grateful.

[Jaime Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Flirting with the handsome woman had somehow become the feature of her mornings—the last thing she needed was to associate with a knight. But [her] blushes were too tempting not to provoke."

"A tiny part of her hoped [they] could be happy here. It was an outlandish hope, but [she] was rarely landish when it came to [her]."

"I've not had something to look forward to in a long time. I don't begrudge my future anymore if you are in it. I can see a life with you, when I didn't think that was possible."

"Life is wonderfully twisted and complex. That's what makes it fun."

[Issy Waldrom · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's another witch x knight pairing, except this time the knight is retired, and the witch's magic, while ever present, is somewhat more subtle in nature, and takes a back seat to the story. Yes, the threat of what can happen to them should they not channel it is ever present, but for all that Lola's been through, she has that aspect largely under control.

Her attraction for Hildreth, on the other hand, is a very different matter, and it's very much mutual.

This entry has a different feel than the others. At it's heart, it's more of a story about acceptance and healing, from ones past, and the circumstances in which they find themselves. The disability rep is well done - Hildreth's injury and how she does/doesn't cope with it is ever present, and whether she likes it or not, it's a part of who she is now. As to Lola and her background - when it comes back to haunt her is the tipping point, and the catalyst for the events of the story.

It is an enjoyable read, though not without its drama. Hildreth and Lola have a push-pull dynamic as they struggle to accept what they want given their circumstances, even when the attraction and chemistry is undeniable. The characters from the previous books make brief cameo's (one pair is briefly mentioned, the other is there in a very short encounter), and as always, it's nice to see a queer normative world. I'm looking forward to see where she goes with the next book.

[kay.grace424 · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book had a couple of things to overcome for me right out of the gate:
- the second in the series will always be peak for me it’s pretty impossible to top that
- I’m not a huge fan of age-gap (not yucking anyone’s yum just not my thing)

despite this: it overcame. I did like the previous one better but this was still definitely a banger. This one is the softest of the three in vibes for sure. Was it enough to push me into the age gap trope? No. Still not my thing. But I enjoyed it as much, if not more, than I can expect to enjoy an age gap. It wasn’t a 20 and 30 type situation so I have no complaints.

I don’t really have much else to say other than that it wasn’t my favorite of the three. That being said it still satisfied the vibe the previous books did. I could read more in this series until I die. My dream is for this to a standalone cinematic universe that rivals Nancy Drew and Magic Tree House in that you will never read every book because there are just that many.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️ (3 vaguely worded open door scenes)

[maela ⭐️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5*

[Violet · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25/5 - sapphic, fantasy, witch, age gap, baker/knight, mc has bunny, one bed. Cute read! Cozier than I expected, with good chemistry btwn the MCs - also had some nice spice that felt like a good payoff. Hildith is such a cinnamon roll when it comes to Lola, and all her blushing and nervousness was refreshing for a knight character. I do think that the final conflict could have been fleshed out a bit more since it felt like it was wrapped up a bit too quick and off-screen.

[Gregori · Rating 2 out of 5]

TLDR; a 5 star for fans of angsty, messy, dense characters. For the rest of us who likes cozy and dislike angst. 2 star.

2.5 star? I’m torn between a two and three based on my other two star, and one three star that had the same issue of a annoyingly stubborn angsty character

The world build is simple, but good, the focus mostly lies on our two characters and their relationship, so that is all I have to judge and rate. Sir Hildith is amazing, coming to gripes with having to slow down, I love her, absolutely amazing! Lola…well Lola is the problem and the reason this is a 2 star. I get it, I do your issues and problems and past but that dashing knight has done nothing but give reason to trust. Yet Lola remained a bitch right up until 90%, if you like messy, angsty and dare I say DENSE character then go ahead and feast on the book, me personally? Don’t enjoy angst and found this a painful read.

[Raquelio poop · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm already a huge fan of Mariah Mae's previous books, but this one? This one has my whole heart. I saw so much of myself and my relationship in this book, with these characters. This story was so good, it made me very emotional in the best way. Every Lola needs their Sir Hildith. I loved this book so much, and especially Hildith and Lola.


Sir Hildith is retired now and has a routine of going to the bakery every morning for a little flirtation with the cute baker Lola, though Hildith feels less than now and isn't confident enough to make a move. Lola has ran far away from her life and though she enjoys flirting with the knight, she feels she can't let her get too close due to her past, everything she's running away from, and the fact that she's a witch.

[Henriette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cozy fantasy with a wounded warrior and an unlikely f/f romance
Just discovered this Sapphic lady knight series and it was a lovely read - far off the usual journey of heroes/heroines. No big battles, sword fights and big displays of magic - but plenty of battles inside the characters.
Sir Hildith has - after an debilitating injury - come to terms with her disability and her new life. Her first step: live like a hermit (not entirely helpful!). I loved how she dares to love again and her journey „home“.
Lola, the local baker in a small town, has secrets, a lot of secrets, fears (not entirely unfounded) and does not want the attention of a knight - at all. But life has other plans for the both of them and I had fun reading the unfolding story.
Though the fourth in a series it is designed to be a stand-alone. Now I have two more delightful lady knight stories to discover. Go me!

I received an ARC. The review is left voluntarily.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet, cozy tale of romance between a retired knight who is trying to find purpose after a debilitating leg wound, and the town baker who wants to be accepted for who she really is and free of her ruthless father.

This was probably my favourite of the three books Mariah Rae Birch has written, simply because the characters are a bit older and I enjoyed the plot being centered around a knight and a 'commoner'. It was a unique story that I've, till now, only seen aesthetics of but have always wanted to read.

This is a slow burn read that will leave you feeling warm and lighthearted, especially for the bunny Bap who will win your heart over as much as it did mine.

And although this is the third book in the series, they are all written as standalone stories with reappearing characters from previous books. I enjoyed recognizing former characters, knowing their stories and yet seeing them in a different perspective.

Would highly recommend!

[Rain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved Mariah Rae birch's third book in the sapphic lady knights series. Absolutely adored the cozy small town setting of her blushing hero. The mutual pinning between the two main leads is beautifully written my heart and body fluttering alongside Hildith and Lola with their longing looks and adorable flirting. The actions and thoughts of our main leads are steeped heavily in the past, both carrying heavy burdens, both finding comfort and forgetting their worries momentarily in one another's arms. I found myself unable to put the book down, and by the time I did it was already 3am, and I reluctantly went to bed, just to pick up and finish off the rest of the book in the morning. I thoroughly recommend this book to anyone who loves cozy romantasies between lovely lady knights and their charming partners. Definitely highly recommend her lovely champion and her pretty knight, planning on re reading them as await the next book in the series

[Doc Jeanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book three in a series but easily read as a stand-alone story. Sir Hildeth is a "retired" female knight who also comes from nobility. She leaves the service b/c of a serious injury but, knowing nothing else besides 'knighting' she struggles to find herself and face her new life with a serious injury that totally changes how she feels and looks at her own body. She moves to a new cottage and meets a slew of interesting and unique women, some with special powers, who all help her to see who she can be now, as well as helping her learn how to reinvent herself. It's a good book but, to be honest, I had a hard time integrating the title of "Sir" as a woman into my brain. This is a good book and would be enjoyed by anyone. I might have to go back and read book 1 and see if reading the series in order might have helped me to feel more connected. You won't go wrong with Her Blushing Hero. Give it a try. For the sake of openness, I was sent an ARC of this book by the author.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been devouring this series by Mariah Rae Birch. Her Blusing Hero follows Lola and Sir Hildith. I adored the cozy aspects of both characters settling in a small town, both running from their past and looking for a new life. Hildith is easily one of my new favorite characters, a nearing-middle-age lesbian who has lived her entire life with a purpose, suddenly loses that purpose and is learning to live in a body she no longer knows. Any former athlete who has retired due to injury can resonate with the complicated feelings she has regarding her future. Lola’s story was a little underdeveloped in my opinion, there was so much potential to dive into the nuance of her family dynamics, but I understand that is not actually the purpose of a standalone romantic book. I really love the world we are beginning to see form from Birch and I can’t wait to read more.

[Luisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

Simply fantastic

I loved this book, as I did all of the books of the Lady Knight Series. I'm so sad it's over, but I had a blast with each and every one, loving the couples, the world, and their beautiful love stories.
I was surprised to see more of an age gap in this one - pleasantly surprised I should say! And that combination of my beloved, wounded, depressed, and retired lady knight and her baker with a bite hit all the boxes yet again.
Yes to gorgeous lady knights, yes to forced proximity, and all the yesses in the world to getting a slow burn with yet another protector x protected coupling.
Simply yes to all of it!

Thank you so much for these beautiful works!

[Sofia Aibart · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, thank you for letting me be an ARC reader! I just finished this book and my heart feels so warm. All of this author’s books are incredible, they feel like fairytales, written in such a beautiful and cozy way. The way she describes the characters, their emotions, and the settings is just gorgeous.

What I love the most about all her books are the characters: they’re adults, with very human emotions that make you empathize with them completely. I also love that in every book, characters from previous ones are mentioned or make an appearance.

Discovering Mariah Rae and her wonderful books has been such a joy. They’ve truly become my favorite reads.

[Eel · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Then you're a fool."

"I know that very well." Sir Hildith's eyes dropped to Lola's lips. "Oh, I know.”

It’s very hard to surpass the first book, which had the perfect fall-from-grace and runaway princess vibes necessary in a knightly story. This third book in the series did a very good job at portraying the main characters Sir Hildith and Lady Lola as relatable, dynamic, and flawed individuals.

My one critique is that the plot is a bit lacking. They spend most of their page time interacting in one of two houses and not much else. There’s a little detour to buy supplies next town over and one house has an upstairs, but the physical setting is very limited, pushing the characters to get frustrated with each other often. You have to build tension somehow, I suppose.

It’s hard to recover a romance story after so much frustration, but this book manages it, if only for how flawed both characters are. I just wish the pet rabbit that gets so much page time had a cuter name than Bap. It constantly made me think of the baby from the Flintstones every time I read it.

[B.J. Sikes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this cozy sapphic romantasy that had just enough secrets to legitimately keep the lovers apart. Lola seems to be just a cute, curvy baker but she holds a secret and a past she's trying to forget. Hill, the blushing knight, is struggling with a forced retirement after a painful injury. Their dance around affection and desire was so endearing.

[rebeccareads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Her Blushing Hero is so perfectly balanced and paced - which is really not that common! - with a sweet, cozy, and engaging love story and just the right amount of stakes. It was so easy to root for Sir Hill, and really satisfying to see Lola eventually get out of her own way. More Sapphic Lady Knights, please!

[Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a sweet romance. I loved Sir Hildith's stubborn, grumpy exterior while getting to see her inner vulnerability. And how she absolutely melts for Lola is swoon worthy. I really like that we got to see characters from the previous book at one point. Looking forward to the next installment!

[SG · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m so obsessed with this books series!! If the author were to write 500 of them I’d be anxiously waiting for each one. The characters are so loveable, the story lines are so cute, and the world is so fascinating. Can’t recommend these books enough!

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite of the series so far! Which is saying a lot because all of them have been five stars🥰 this whole series is so cute! If you haven’t read it and like really cozy sapphic stories with fantasy elements, please check this series out, it deserves so much more love!

[Shan · Rating 4 out of 5]

After finishing the first book in this series, I couldn't wait to devour more of this author's work. These books are cosy as well as sexy, which I love. It's a very relaxing read and I would happily read many more exactly like this!

[Valery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving this so much! Was perfect

[tenthmuse ☆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW

[Emma Kathleen W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cozy fantasy with sapphic Knights? Sign me the FUCK up. Now what am I supposed to do without anymore Sapphic Knights to fill my days? Give me more!