A Witch and Her Orc

Coven Crest Academy #3

by Emberly Wyndham

✨ Books in this series can be read in any order! ✨

A quiet witch. A golden-hearted orc. One unexpected partnership—and an unforgettable night under the stars.

Poppy Waverly is used to being the quiet one. The good student. The helpful witch who never raises her hand unless she’s absolutely sure she’s right. With dream magic she’s still learning to trust and the pressure of helping plan the academy's first Blue Moon Ball, she’s already out of her depth. Agreeing to tutor Aric Vandermere—the distractingly charming orc barely scraping by in class—only makes things more complicated.

Aric Vandermere knows he’s on thin ice. If he doesn’t pass this semester, he risks losing his spot as the captain on the runeball team—and he might get stuck having to repeat his senior year. Poppy is his last shot at turning things around, but the more time he spends with her, the more he wants something he’s not sure he deserves.

What begins as reluctant tutoring soon deepens into stolen glances, shared laughter, and one magical night that changes everything. But as the Blue Moon Ball draws near and Poppy’s dreams begin to show signs of heartbreak, they’ll have to decide whether what they’ve found is real or just another fleeting spell.

A Witch and Her Orc is the third book in a quartet of standalones set against the backdrop of Coven Crest Academy. If you love cozy monster romance, cinnamon roll orcs, shy witches learning to shine, and slow-burn magic sprinkled with spice, this one’s for you. Appropriate for readers 18+.

Cinnamon roll MMCShy dream witch FMCJust one bedOpposites attractSlow burn with spiceBest friend’s brotherNerd-jock, tutor-student dynamicCozy academia

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Witches, Fiction, Magic, Romance

494 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 3, 2026

About the author

Hi, I’m Emberly! I write spicy romance and love getting lost in my own fictional worlds.

To keep up-to-date with my new releases, please sign up for my newsletter.

Reviews

[Readergirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Harry Potter meets jock x nerd romcom vibes with a dash of spice ✨✨

.....I haven't read harry potter yet but I've seen the movies and I'd say the vibes are pretty similar sooooo

"big orc runeball captains usually don't smile at shy studious girls"

The whimsical magical vibes? The jock x nerd thing going on? The "my best friend's (step) brother"? ABSOLUTE. SHEER. GOLD.
Also the academic setting yk I'm a sucker for academic settings and THIS WAS A FRIGGIN MAGIC SCHOOL THAT MADE ME INHALE THIS SHI so what if I'm biased. Sue me.

⋆˚✿˖°
Poppy is a shy, studious sensitive girly. She's also A DREAM WITCH and ummm i think I'm just maybe ABSOLUTELY FRIGGIN CRAZY OVER DREAMS/DREAM RELATED/DREAM ADJACENT STUFF LIKE OMG DREAMS. SUE ME. Shes jst wayy too cute and I love how smart she is. I would probably have enjoyed her more if she was a tad bit less trope-y stereotypical shy nerd and was a bit more unique but I found that she grew on me anyways (there is a hurdle however, and I shall come to that).

Aric is your good natured jocky orc. The one everyone loves. I really enjoyed his character, especially the parts where he puts in effort into his academics is awesome becuz despite it being the "the nerd tutors the jock" thing that a lot of books have. This book doesn't abandon it. It moves forward with it. And it really brought out his character and gave him smth unique. also the way he overcame his fear of heights for her 🥹🥹 srsly my turn whennn

ଘ(∩^o^)⊃━☆゜The writing
Now i don't usually comment on writing styles but here I jst gotta. The writing is jst so ✨whimsy✨, so ✨magical✨. It felt like snuggling inside my favorite blanket, sipping warm cocoa with the fireplace crackling softly nearby and it dragged me in, drugging me completely on whatever Emberly put in this book

ִ ࣪𖤐

Now I really enjoyed the cozy, comforting, academically set story. But smth that I'm still thinking about long after finishing the story is the third act breakup, cuz ofc there is one. There is one every single time. Maybe it's a rite of passage for every romcom?
But the "dispute" here was kinda interesting. It was academic pressure while managing relationships. Academics, especially in higher classes is no joke. Expecting someone to drop their studies, drop their future over their partner is something i'll probably never understand. And I don't think I want to understand it. call me heartless, but I've raised myself to put my education as my priority. Nothing and most importantly, no one, comes and messes with my future. So when I see Aric being extremely guilty for being busy with finals prep to give attention to his gf, i understood his pressure, his frustration, completely. What I didn't understand however, was how Poppy still blamed him the fact that she yapped to other ppl before telling him also kinda pmo. And yeah, she gets arnd later , but in that moment I was furious about it. But then again, maybe the third act breakup is jst smth that has to happen.

✧₊⁺🕯⋆.˚୨ৎ

Overall, it was a rly nice read. I got major butterflies that almost ate my entire stomach lining, with them all kicking around and all 🤭

One last quote before I leave y'all (cuz he's jst so cuuuute srsly my aric when.)

"I like mysteries. Maybe I can solve yours." - aric

3.4-he's-such-a-green-flag-hes-literally-green/5

⋆✴︎˚｡⋆
🎀 𝒞𝓇𝑒𝒹𝒾𝓉𝓈 🎀
Thank you Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the eARC. I'm truly grateful!

[Sadie E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for an ARC in exchange for a review

3.5: This was a cute fantasy romance. like a warm cinnamon roll in book form.

The MMC has big beefy sweetheart energy. I loved him. The romance itself is gentle and comfy - there are no wild angst spirals, just two beings slowly catching feelings and being adorably awkward about it.

BUT (there is always a but) the plot is very much like things happen... problem appears... problem immediately resolves. I kept waiting for the story to emotionally grab me and shake me, but instead it politely tapped my shoulder and said, "hey bestie, we’re wrapping this up now.”

The world is super cute but the worldbuilding and stakes are lacking a little. Meanwhile, I wanted so much more of the side characters but they were just sort of... there? Just hanging out doing NPC things.

If you're just looking for cute and cosy vibes, then this is it. But if you're looking for a fantasy drama, this isn't it.

Ultimately, this book didn’t change my brain chemistry, but it did give me a pleasant afternoon and a lovable orc book boyfriend, so honestly? Worth it 💖

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this cozy academia setting of Coven Crest for another cute and adorable couple. Poppy and Aric were just super cute together and so real. Low stakes , sweet with spice and just always the kind of read you want to curl up with. Poppy has the type of anxiety I feel in my soul. Feeling like you are going to mess everything up and no one wants you. So reading about all her insecurities and how she managed them as she found love with Aric was really touching. Can’t wait to read about the next couple !!!!

[Danielle Pulliam · Rating 5 out of 5]

**𝔄ℜℭ ℜ𝔢𝔳𝔦𝔢𝔴** 𝔄 𝔚𝔦𝔱𝔠𝔥 𝔞𝔫𝔡 ℌ𝔢𝔯 𝔒𝔯𝔠: 𝔄 ℭ𝔬𝔷𝔶 𝔉𝔞𝔫𝔱𝔞𝔰𝔶 𝔐𝔬𝔫𝔰𝔱𝔢𝔯 ℜ𝔬𝔪𝔞𝔫𝔠𝔢 𝔟𝔶 𝔈𝔪𝔟𝔢𝔯𝔩𝔶 𝔚𝔶𝔫𝔡𝔥𝔞𝔪 (ℭ𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔫 ℭ𝔯𝔢𝔰𝔱 𝔄𝔠𝔞𝔡𝔢𝔪𝔶 3)

Release Date: February 3, 2026

4.5⭐️4🌶

I'm actually loving this series. I wouldn't have requested book 3 in this series if I wasn't! These books are filled with magic, friendship, and love in a Magic School where all the characters are witches of the human and other variety.

This book centers on Poppy and Aric's story. Where Poppy has always been very bookish and quiet, and Aric has always barely scraped by in his classes and lives for the Rune Ball field where he's captain of his team.

Of course, Aric is struggling with his classes to the point where he needs to seek out a very smart tutor, and who better to tutor him than his step-sister's super smart and sweet friend that he shares several classes with. If he doesn't get his grades back on track then he will loose his Rune ball Captaincy and possibly not graduate. Poppy agrees to tutor him on the condition that he help her plan the Moon Ball Dance that will happen at the end of the semester.

These two are just too sweet together. Aric has his own moment's of shyness and he's so gentle and slow with Poppy. Poppy is just a blushing brainiac who doesn't know what to do with the attention she gets from Aric, but she very much appreciates it none the less.

I assume the next book in the series will be the final book, because there is only one un-partnered roommate, Maeve, in this best friend group. I will most definitely be signing up to read the final book in this series. One final note, seeing the previous couples from book 1-2 have cute and sweet little moments is just the best.

Themes/Tropes:
🍁Cozy Fantasy
🍁Cottage Core
🍁Magic School aka HP Vibes
🍁Romance with a teacher/professor
🍁Brains and Brawn
🍁Sister witches/best friends
🍁Orc-Witch Romance
🍁Paranormal Romance
🍁Getting in trouble at school

TW:
✨Sexual Content
✨Paranormal Romance
✨Magic Usage

Thank you to @emberlywyndham for the ARC copy!

[Bookworm From Finland · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet first love!

The book offers friendship and first love between the smart girl and sport hero in a cozy school setting (and a few smutty scenes that I think don't fit the story).

The couple's problems and feelings felt a bit too elementary school-age for my taste. The age cap trope of the previous book in the series worked better for me. I recommend the book if you want to read about young first love.

Thanks to Enchanted Ink Publishing and NetGalley for the early review copy of the book!

[Thea-Louvise · Rating 4 out of 5]

i was yet again lucky to receive another ARC for this cosy series! i was immediately thrown into another love story at coven crest and i enjoyed this one too, like the two others! cannot wait for the next one!<3

[Kaat SweetOnStories · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the books I've been anticipating this year, is the third installment of Emberly Wyndham's coxy witch x monster romances, part of the Coven Crest Academy series of standalones.

The first book, A Witch and Her Dragon, is about Princess Alina and her love story with her knightly bodyguard and dragon shifter Raelan, while Alina and her group of friends were still first years. The next book, A Witch and Her Minotaur, takes place during the girls' second year at Coven Crest, and covers Lyra's forbidden age gap romance with groundskeeper Cairn.

The third book moves us forward to year 3, and sees studious, shy Poppy become romantically entangled with one of her friends' stepbrother, Aric, a fourthyear half-orc athlete. (The final installment will be Maeve's story.) They'd met briefly in the second book, so inklings were had, but these two are each other's polar opposites (a great trope any day). Wyndham puts them together by way of a tutoring plotline, which isn't new, but who cares when it's done well?

What instantly stands out about this one, pre-read, is that it's noticeably longer than its predecessors, about 130-ish more pages. With the earlier books, which I also loved, I did find myself wishing for more interactions between the friend group; maybe the authors made space for that here. Or maybe the romance here would have a slower burn, which would fit with Poppy's shy personality more. Either way, I was feeling pretty hopeful going in, and pleased to see I my thoughts were correct.

A Witch and Her Orc is absolutely its own book: it isn't more of the same. The romances all have their own pace, tropes and conflicts. Where Lyra and Cairn's relationship was very lusty initially, Poppy and Aric have that slow burn I wanted to see from them, but even more tender (better) than I'd anticipated. It's delightfully slow. They don't have the forbidden love aspect the others did have, but they do feel like the coziest, sweetest couple out of the lot of them. This is also the first story that has both romantic leads be students at Coven Crest. Wyndham switches things up nicely.

I think out of the bunch so far, Poppy and Aric's romance is the strongest. Their romantic tension is love-based, and patiently tentative. Lots of boxes are checked here. Wyndham wrote them with vulnerabilities of their own, and a mutual nervosity. The shy girl x popular jock trope has been done, but I often wonder what the girl sees in him: jocks aren't always given depth of character. But Aric is. He's got his own anxieties and ambitions, even when he doesn't have them all figured out yet (duh, he's only 22). They may not have a lot of interests in common, but much of that is surface level. They understand each other, support and ground each other. They communicate beautifully. And that makes them a great match.

Unfortunately, because they communicate so well, the abrupt mis- or non-communication that happens at some point in the book feels... well, it doesn't make sense. These two have already overcome a lot together: their openness and vulnerability is the draw, and their story, their build-up, is tense in a soft way. Adding in conflict, after all of that, kind of feels like a beautiful, detailed sandcastle that was slaved over together was just stomped on for no reason. Conflict at times propels forth a romance (I liked it for Lyra and Cairn!), but at other times it's redundant (annoying, even). I personally feel this book could've done without; their reunion felt very forced. A pity after all that authenticity. But here we are. It didn't drag out too long though, and it was wonderful to see how much their friends supported them.

That was one thing I hoped to get more of: friendship stuff. I enjoyed the group hangs between the girls and the heart-to-hearts Poppy shared with Alina and Maeve especially. Aric's friends made significant appearances here and there, too. (I adore his roommate, Felex.) And it's great seeing the girls' partners interact more, too (Raelan and Aric will be besties yet, I'm sure of it). Oh, and we got a crossover! I haven't read any other books by Wyndham apart from Coven Crest, but we meet a group of people from her (why choose) Season of the Witch series. Yeah. Because my wish list wasn't long enough yet, EMBERLY.

One thing that I quirked my eyebrow at, was Poppy's lack of a spirit companion. I enjoyed Alina and Lyra's bond with their spirit companion (animal familiar), and was curious about Poppy's. I wonder if this will be addressed in the next book. We all know I'll find out as soon as I get my grabby little hands on it. So.

Thank you NetGalley and Enchanted Ink Publishing for generously providing me with a copy of this book; all opinions expressed are honest, voluntary and 100% my own.

[Georgia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐ This book is my favourite so far!! I loved being back in this world. Poppy and Aric were so adorable. I loved their dynamic. They were very different characters but it worked so well.

The aspect of Poppy overanalyzing and overthinking her relationship with Aric and how she didn't feel good enough at first to be worthy of his love, was very relatable and real.

This book was filled with cute cosy moments but also moments that made you think and relate it back to your own life. It felt much more detailed than the other books and I really enjoyed that.
I loved seeing other characters from previous books. The friendship the girls have was so amazing to see.
I loved seeing the little snippets of the storyline in book 4. I cannot wait to read it!!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Emberly Wyndham for giving me an ARC. All opinions are my own! 🩷🩷🩷

[Marie Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one so much! I was concerned at the page count, worried that it would drag, because how could you have a low stakes cozy fantasy romance be such a long book? And it needed absolutely every sentence. I'm so happy that Poppy got a chance to shine, and that she got paired up with such a happy and outgoing guy as Aric. Seeing these characters grow through their school years has been fun too, because now as third years they're thinking about their futures outside of the school. These two go though so much throughout this book, but it was absolutely worth it.

"Sometimes...the things most worth having are the things we have to fight for."

[Katy Franklin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I applied for this arc on NetGalley after a recommendation on TikTok and honestly I was OBSESSED from start to finish. It was my first delve into a cozy fantasy, and as a huge romantasy girly I was initially a bit concerned but it kept me hooked from page one! The world building and magic system is so unique and you fully feel transported like you’re with Poppy and Aric. Their story is so sweet and incredibly frustrating at times, but in such a relatable way. I’m fully coming back to the rest of the series ASAP as I’m not ready to leave this world behind yet! 🥰

[Flor Arasco · Rating 5 out of 5]

I said it several times, and I'll say it again, this author has my heart! Anything Emberly Wyndham writes, I'll read it and surely I'll enjoy it. I've been recommending this series (and Aurora's story from her other series) to everyone.

In this one, we have a shy dream witch that offers to tutor her friend's stepbrother so he won't fail at the academy. We have some tropes that I LOVE, and a lot of cute, cozy vibes, romance and some steam.

It was perfect, and I loved to read a crossover moment with the other series, I love Faunwood and getting to read how those characters were doing felt like a treat. Also, the other characters from this series that are in this book, in particular Alina and Raelan, always make me swoon and laugh. They're the best!

Can't wait to read Maeve's book, and whatever else the author gets published.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jessica Beebe · Rating 2 out of 5]

A Witch and her Orc

Rating: 2

Listen, one of my biggest bookish icks is the whole miscommunication/dont-tell-my-partner-my-true-feelings-or-anxieties and this book had it by the bucket load.

The world setting and ambience was good, and I always enjoy an interconnected stand alone.
However I found the characters, particularly that of Poppy, quite flat and I found myself not particularly warming to them.

I love a cosy fantasy, but this one did not hit it for me.

Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Annmarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 Stars
🌶️🌶️️🌶️ 3 Spice

Thank you to the author and Booksirens for providing me with an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own and given honestly.

I want to start off by saying I have read the first two books of the Coven Crest Academy series by Emberly Wyndham, and I totally loved them. The easiest 5-star reads you can bet your life on. The moment I saw the chance to get my hands on book three, I yeeted myself at it at top speed to get my little hands on it.

Where do I even start? Maybe with a warning: reading this book may lead to a dentist appointment, because it was so sweet, I swear I developed cavities and a massive sugar high.

The story follows Poppy, a smart yet super shy witch, and Aric, a large half-orc who is handsome and popular but totally failing some of his classes, which would see him kicked off the runeball team. After his stepsister gives up trying to tutor him, her friend Poppy agrees to help. There’s a lot of academy stuff going on, but the real highlight was the interaction between our leads.

The way the two of them act, and their thoughts, had me grinning like a fool and giddy with laughter. I felt like the two of them, even with all their clear differences, were so well matched and fit together perfectly. The whole thing was warm and cozy and left me with a good ache in my chest, wishing it were me.

I totally loved the friendships and the great exchanges between friends; it felt so real and easy that it completely sucked me in. I felt like the book really captured people trying to figure out what they want to do with their lives, fears of not being enough, trying to do things alone, and feeling overwhelmed, and it made everything feel too real. I genuinely felt what was happening on the page. My heart ached and squeezed with pain and disappointment at times, like I was feeling Poppy’s emotions myself, and it was just so immersive.

There was one part in this book that really made me weep for Poppy, but strangely, it just showed me how good this book really is.

I would have loved maybe a little more story, but that’s just me being greedy at this point. I also feel like enough is never enough when you love a book this much, when something gives you exactly what you want and need as a reader. I love many books, but cozy, warm books hold a special place in my heart, and I am so excited for the next one.

Likes:
The cozy vibes
Interactions and exchanges between characters
The leads are totally perfect.
The romance and spice

Dislikes:
…Nothing to add

Would I recommend it?
In a heartbeat. The whole series so far has been amazing.

Would I reread?
Massive yes.

Sum up:
Sweet and cozy, with lots of emotion and warmth.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: A Witch and her Orc-Coven Crest Academy #3

Author: Emberly Wyndham-I read the other two books in the series both 4 ⭐
 
Publication date: 2/3/26 | Read: 2/1/26

Format: e-Book 494 pgs.

Genre:
*Fantasy
*Romance
*Sci Fi

Tropes: 
*1-room @ the Golden Lantern
*tutor/student
*witches, orcs, shifters
*opposites attract
*slow burn
*cinnamon roll H
*cozy academia
*best friend's brother

POV: 1st person dual

TW: death of a parent, grief, h 1st time

Setting: Wysteria

Summary: As a shy, quiet, and reliable student assistant, Poppy's professor asks her to help plan the Blue Moon Ball. Her BFF Maeve's stepbrother Aric is desperate for a tutor in runes to stay on the runeball's team captain. When they spend more time together, and one special night-everything changes for both of them. 
 
Heroine: Poppy Waverly-quiet, shy dream witch, 3rd year, "Brains" no spirit companion, student asst to Professor Silvermoon

Hero: Aric Vandermere- 4th year, half-orc plays runeball Hexrush, no spirit companion

Other Characters: 
* Maeve-Aric's stepsister, Poppy's roommate
*Lyra-Poppy's roommate, has long distance relationship w/ bf Cairn
*Alina-Princess of Ravencroft Castle/Poppy's BFF, boyfriend Raelan (dragon shifter)
*Morgan-Aric's ex gf,captain of runeball the Sigil Strikers
*Professor Selene Silvermoon-divination
*Headmistress Moonhart
*Felex-Aric's vampire roommate
*Poppy's mother-runs a cafe The Wandering Cup
*Leo-a runeball player
*Coach Grayward-wolf shifter, Aric's runeball coach
*Aurora-Selene's sister who lives in Faunwood- has 4 partners: Alden-human woodworker, offers Aric an apprenticeship, Rowan-human, Faolan, & Thorne- a fairy, memory mist (shows your desires) , one of them has rare magic.

My Thoughts: A great date/ book boyfriend where both Aric and Poppy faced their fears for each other.

Rating: 5/5 ⭐
Spice level: 4/5 🔥

Thanks to NetGalley, Enchanted Ink Publishing, and Emily Wyndham for this ARC! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions are my own.

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Witch and Her Orc delivers a warm and comforting story that leans into softness, sweetness and emotional sincerity.
The FL stands out as an endearing main character. Bookish, shy and prone to overthinking, she wrestles with insecurities about her worth and place in others’ lives. Her anxiety and self-doubt are relatable, and her gradual emotional growth—learning to trust affection and step into confidence—adds a meaningful layer to the romance. Her intelligence, kindness and quiet bravery make her easy to root for.
The ML brings a softer take on the classic “jock” archetype. Initially focused on his runeball captaincy and struggling academically, he reveals himself to be gentle, patient and surprisingly tender.
The Dynamic between those two thrives on mutual support, like tutoring sessions and shared responsibilities, whih creates natural intimacy and allows their feelings to develop at a cozy and believable pace.
The romance is of course also one of the novel’s strongest features. The relationship unfolds through shy moments, awkward confessions and steady emotional connection. The tone remains comforting and often funny, making it an ideal “curl up and unwind” read.
The academic fantasy setting adds to that charm. Magic classes, school traditions, friendship circles and glimpses of previous couples from earlier books create a sense of continuity and found family. The atmosphere blends cottagecore warmth with light paranormal elements, offering an immersive but gentle escape.
The stakes remain intentionally low and the conflicts resolve quickly, which aligns with the book’s cozy identity. The focus stays on character relationships, emotional reassurance and everyday magical life.
Overall, this is a heartfelt, feel-good fantasy romance that emphasizes tenderness, personal growth and supportive love. With its lovable leads, magical school backdrop and soothing tone, it’s a satisfying read, perfect for anyone craving a soft, character-driven escape with just a touch of sparkle.

[sarah.bookdiary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Witch and Her Orc by Emberly Windham was such a lovely read. Even though I started with the third book in the Coven Crest Academy series, I never felt like I was missing anything. The story works really well on its own, of course, you understand more of the dynamics if you’ve read the other books, but it’s not necessary.

Getting to know Poppy and Aric was an absolute joy. Their slow build, the quiet moments in between, and experiencing their emotions from both perspectives really pulled me in. The mix of magic, friendship, and that warm, cozy atmosphere runs through the entire book.

With tropes like one bed and tutoring, the story hits exactly my taste. My only small critique was the typical miscommunication trope, but that comes with the territory. Overall, a heartwarming read that definitely made me want more, I’ll absolutely be picking up the rest of the series. 💚🧙‍♀️✨

A Witch and Her Orc von Emberly Wyndham war ein richtig schöner Read. Obwohl ich mit dem dritten Teil der Coven Crest Academy-Reihe gestartet bin, hatte ich nie das Gefühl, etwas zu verpassen. Die Geschichte funktioniert sehr gut für sich allein, mit den anderen Büchern versteht man sicher noch mehr der Dynamiken, aber nötig sind sie nicht.

Poppy und Aric kennenzulernen hat unglaublich viel Freude gemacht. Ihr langsames Näherkommen, die leisen Momente dazwischen und die vielen Gefühle aus beiden Perspektiven haben mich tief abgeholt. Die Mischung aus Magie, Freundschaft und dieser warmen, cozy Atmosphäre zieht sich durch das ganze Buch.

Mit Tropes wie One Bed und Tutoring trifft die Geschichte genau meinen Geschmack. Ein kleiner Kritikpunkt war für mich die typische Miscommunication, aber das gehört eben auch dazu. Insgesamt ein herzerwärmender Read, der Lust auf mehr macht, die restlichen Teile möchte ich definitiv noch lesen. 💚🧙‍♀️✨

[Yugie Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of the three books so far in this series, this is my most favorite thus far. I loved the youthful, hopeful romance shared between the main characters, Poppy and Aric. I loved how they began their friendship, and how their forced proximity slowly grew their deepening knowledge and admiration for one another. I empathized with Poppy's shyness and introvertedness (because I'm very much like her in that way), and loved how Aric was crucial in her being able to slowly come out out of her shell.

Even the problems that plagued their relationship attest to their young age, though it was clear that to them, those problems were real and seemingly difficult to handle. There was even a small hint of OW drama, though it stemmed not so much from her overt interference in Poppy and Aric's growing relationship than from her mere existence as Aric's ex and rival captain. Given Poppy's personality, her reactions to Aric's continued friendship with the ex was understandable.

As it has been with most of Ms. Emberly's other FMCs, I love how they always end up being such bold heroines who do not hesitate to take charge of their fates. They acknowledge their wants and bear the courage to act on them. It was precisely that courage that saved Poppy and Aric, so I fully admire that in her.

With Alina, Lyra, and Poppy all properly bound to the loves of their lives, only Maeve is the remaining member of their close-knit group who is yet to meet her destined one. Naturally, hers is a story I look forward to next, and I already have an idea who it might be. I can't wait to find out if I'm right!

I am a grateful recipient of a free review copy of this book. I leave this review voluntarily.

[Helen Thwaite · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Witch and Her Orc is a cute story about a shy bookish girl and the jock orc she tutors. Aric, the orc, is a real sweetheart under the sports jersey and I was quickly rooting for him to pass his exams and get his girl. Poppy is a never-been-kissed virgin who is a touch too naïve for my liking, though I didn’t hate her – I just wanted her to stop blushing all the time!

That said, their romance is a delicious slow-burn which feels very real. Though their ages are not stated on page, the Academy strikes me more of a college than a school, so Poppy is probably around 18 and Aric 19/20. Yet the story doesn’t read like a New Adult novel, thankfully, but is mature and measured.

Another thing I loved about this book was the friendships. Poppy shares a dorm with three other girls, one of whom is Aric’s half sister. They’ve become a little family and their support for Poppy is ever so sweet. Meanwhile, Aric shares a room with Felex, a vampire, who isn’t quite as supportive but ready to knock sense into Aric when necessary. Even the adults such as Poppy’s mother and metalsmith Alden come across as lovely.

However, the world building left a little to be desired. It’s clearly pre-technological as there are carriages and quills, but there’s nothing to anchor it to a human timeframe. There’s mention of a printing press but pictures are drawn/painted so it’s not as “late” as an equivalent Victorian era. I’d not be as fussed about the when if some of the language used hadn’t been rather modern. Cum, for instance, which I hate anyway but in this context was a little jarring. Pedantic? Perhaps, but this is my review.

Which is to say that, while occasionally jolted out of the prose, A Witch and Her Orc was a delightful, cosy romp and I’ll be reading the rest of the series.

[Andrea Campero · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Witch and Her Orc is the third book in this series of interconnected standalones, and honestly… I’ve loved every single book so far. This series follows four young witches at Covent Crest Academy, and each book focuses on one witch, her love interest, and her journey of discovering both her magic and herself.

This is Poppy’s story, who is without a doubt the sweetest and quietest witch of the group. She’s always been the one who melts into the background, shy, and soft-spoken. But in this book, we finally get to see her step into her own space, find her voice, and understand her worth, and it was such a beautiful thing to read.

Her journey is gentle, emotional, and incredibly heartwarming. Watching her grow, figure out what she wants in life, and learn how to stand up for herself was honestly so rewarding.

In terms of spice, this is the least spicy book in the series so far but it’s also the sweetest. This one leans much more into cozy romance, emotional connection, and tender moments. And I loved that for Poppy. It suited her character perfectly.

This book is ideal if you’re looking for something extremely cozy, super sweet, with a touch of spice, all set in a magical academy world. If you need a break from heavy, dark themes but still want fantasy, magic, tension, and comforting vibes, this is such a solid choice.

I’m already counting down to the final book, A Witch and Her Vampire, coming in June, which will wrap up the last witch’s story. I already know I’m going to love it, and I honestly can’t wait to be back in this world.

If you’re craving something sweet, cozy, magical, and comforting then this series is absolutely perfect for you ✨🖤

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review

This was such a sweet, slow burn romance that warms your heart. This strangers-to-lovers story is full of charm, humor, and the kind of gentle, earnest romance that makes you smile like an idiot while reading.
If you’re a fan of opposites-attract dynamics and a dash of magical academia, this book is perfect for curling up with on a lazy weekend.
The setting for this book is the magical Coven Crest Academy, where Poppy Waverly, a shy, bookish dream witch, finds herself unexpectedly tutoring Aric Vandermere, the academy’s charming but academically struggling runeball captain. Aric needs to upp his academical game to not get kicked off the runeball team. Aric also happens to be Poppy's roommate Maeve’s half-orc stepbrother. In return for tutoring, Aric offers to help her plan the academy’s Blue Moon Ball, a task she took on at the request of her divination professor. Aric starts to sees Poppy in a way no one else does, appreciating her intelligence, kindness, and hidden confidence, while Poppy helps Aric realize his own potential beyond sports.
I really enjoyed all the heartfelt moments in this book. Aric and Poppy felt so real (even while they are an orc and a witch). I mean.... afraid of heights?! They both have their own strenghts and weaknesses, and I love how that all was written out in the book.
The Coven Crest Academy felt so magical and cozy.
I love it how Poppy had a tight friendship with her 3 roommates. It gave the feeling of a found family. I love how they tease Poppy about Aric but also have her back no matter what.
Oh and the ball! How they came up with all the idea's together! In the end the ball was one big success if you ask me.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Witch and Her Orc is the third installment in Emberly Wyndham’s witch series, this time following another of the Girl witches—and it was a charming, easy read. This story centers on Poppy, a shy, reserved, and studious witch who prefers her books and routines to any kind of spotlight. Her quiet life gets turned upside down when she becomes entangled with Aric, the athletic, runeball team–captain orc who is struggling academically and on the verge of being kicked off the team.

The romance is fairly predictable, but in a comforting way. The relationship between Poppy and Aric develops slowly and naturally, blossoming into something sweet rather than dramatic. Poppy gently tames Aric’s rough edges, while Aric helps pull Poppy out of her shell, encouraging her to see her own strength and worth. Their dynamic is tender and balanced, making their emotional growth enjoyable to watch.

Compared to A Witch and Her Minotaur (the second book in the series), this installment has less romance and fewer steamy moments, leaning more into soft, cozy vibes. As with Wyndham’s other books, there’s no true antagonist—just personal challenges, misunderstandings, and growth—which keeps the tone light and low-stress.

Overall, A Witch and Her Orc is a fun, fluffy read perfect for when you want romance without angst. Fans of the series will enjoy revisiting the familiar world, and readers who love gentle opposites-attract stories will find Poppy and Aric easy to root for. 💚📚

[Ashton V · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the perfect cozy fantasy book! There's magic, low stakes plot, romance, and all the sweet and emotional moments. Following the characters in their third year at Coven Crest Academy the story centers around Poppy and Aric. Poppy is kind, shy, sweet, and extremely academic. Throughout this book we see her grow more confident and begin to work through her insecurities. Then you have Aric who's a popular athlete, outgoing, and pretty much Poppy's complete opposite. Similarly we see Aric work through his own problems while he tries to figure out what he wants to do after he leaves Coven Crest. When Aric asks Poppy to tutor him we watch their relationship grow into an excellent slow burn romance. What works so great between them is even though they are opposites they balance each other perfectly. They bring out the best in each other and always support each other!

I really wasn't sure how a cozy fantasy could be so long but honestly the pacing and plot work out perfectly with the length of this book. I was never bored while reading and the length gave the best slow building connection between Aric and Poppy. Their relationship felt completely natural. As always with this series the found family and friendship aspect is one of my favorite parts of the book.

Thank you to the author for an advanced copy!

[Claire Turvey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute story, but not my favourite

The Coven Crest Academy series is a lovely heartwarming set of stories. They are relatively low angst, with enough steam to keep you going, and the HEA you want and expect.
This one is not my favourite in the series. That is not a reflection of anything except my preference in tropes. I don’t have a lot of patience for ‘bad decisions made with good (shortsighted) intentions’ and ‘poor communication’ plot mechanisms, and this story has a healthy dose of both. I do appreciate that some of the more angsty trope options were dodged and/or only lightly used.
We do spend a lot of time with previous main characters - a bit more than I expected, actually - but it was nice, and worked for the story.
The geography and distances in the world building seem a little inconsistent at times - particularly between books.
The final quarter of the book is quite heart wrenching, and right at the end you are left with an unresolved mystery, which doesn’t feel like something that would be revealed/resolved in the next couple’s book. It’s a little unsatisfying, but I have to hope that we will be told in the next book.
So, having said all that, I am looking forward to the next in the series, and the pair I presume are coming up next - sparks will fly!

Full disclosure: I was given an ARC of the book, however this review is my own honest opinion.

[Jennilee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Emberly for sending over an ARC copy of her newest book for review!

I actually met Emberly at an author event back in December, where my best friend picked up two physical copies of the first books in the series. Emberly was so sweet and easy to talk to, so I was really excited to read these books. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I have enjoyed this series so far!

Out of the three books published, Poppy’s story is easily my favorite. I loved the world building in this story, the prairie fish and Faunwood especially. I feel like the world of Coven Crest really came together for me in this book. Poppy is the character I relate most to so far of all the FMC’s, so pieces of her story really hit home for me. I am also a sucker for the one bed trope, so this book was definitely my speed. I also enjoyed the spice in this book the most, there was the perfect amount where it adds to the story without taking away from the plot.

I will say I didn’t love the conflict between our two main characters, it felt like a problem that could have easily been solved with a simple conversation. But the ending was so sweet, it made up for it. Can’t wait to read the next book in the series!

[Lilith's_Library_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Witch and Her Orc is the perfect blend of cozy fantasy comfort and delicious monster romance spice. Warm, whimsical, and surprisingly steamy, this story delivers all the swoon-worthy tension with a soft, comforting atmosphere that makes it such a joy to read.

The dynamic between the witch and her orc is absolutely delightful — filled with playful banter, emotional softness, protective energy, and undeniable chemistry. Their connection builds beautifully, layering slow-burn tension with tender moments that make the romance feel heartfelt and genuine. When the spice finally arrives, it’s perfectly balanced: steamy, satisfying, and oh-so-swoon-worthy 🌶️🔥

The cozy fantasy setting adds a charming backdrop to the story, making everything feel warm, magical, and comforting. From gentle world-building to intimate character moments, the entire book feels like curling up under a blanket with a cup of tea… except with far more spice.

If you love monster romance, cozy fantasy vibes, soft emotional connections, protective heroes, and a generous dash of heat, this book is a must-read.

✨ Comforting, charming, and delightfully spicy — a cozy fantasy romance dream. ✨

[Athena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent book in the Coven Crest Academy series! I think that maybe Poppy is the protagonist I have connected with the most of the series so far. She’s a big nerd, I’m a big nerd and when I was her age I was also incredibly shy. The love interest is a cinnamon roll jock that doesn’t fall into the himbo or jerk categories, he just has to work a little harder at school when sports comes naturally.

If this is your first book in the series, don’t sweat it, I feel like you can read this as a standalone without an issue. The academy is a background setting rather than its own character, which I like. I am new to cosy academia but these books are a real treat.

This book has a lot of my favourite tropes, and also some that I didn’t think I would like but the author is just so good that I enjoyed them: orc cinnamon roll MMC, witch FMC, one bed, opposites attract, relatively slow burn, friend’s brother, nerd x jock. Spice is open door.


Thank you to the author, publisher for providing a review copy of this book at no cost and with no obligation. I reviewed this book voluntarily, and all opinions are my own.

[Florida Girl Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 3 in the Coven Crest Academy series features lavender haired Poppy who readers got to know in the first two books. She is a gentle, unassuming dream witch in the dorm room who enjoys quiet time with a good book. Her innate sweetness finds her agreeing to tutor fellow dorm mate, Maeve's older brother Aric. He is the popular, senior year Rune ball Captain, a naturally charismatic girl- magnet who may lose his spot on the team due to grades. With Poppy's insecurities will the tutoring bring success?
What Emberly created for the reader is a not so typical Brain meets Brawn trope where the main characters must fight their swirling self-doubts, conquer their fears of the future and find strength and self- confidence individually and together. I also love the world of the Coven Crest Academy especially the power of found family, the unconditional love and acceptance in friendships and the magical vibes that are the foundation of the series!
I can't wait to see what Emberly Wyndham has in store for our next witch, Maeve!
I received an ARC and am leaving a voluntary review based solely on my reading experience!

[Kelly Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pure cozy vibes: soft magic, tender moments, and that snug, comforting feeling you get from the sweetest reads. A Witch and Her Orc was such an easy and honestly, this whole series just gets cosier with every instalment.

Poppy Waverly completely stole my heart. She’s shy, quiet, deeply academic, and so genuinely kind, she makes you want to wrap her in a hug and cheer her on. Watching her navigate her magic, her insecurities, and her feelings felt soft and real in the best way. She’s the total opposite of Aric Vandermere—and that’s exactly why this opposites-attract romance works so well.

The pacing of this story is on point. Their connection builds slowly (true-slow burn) through small moments and growing trust, and it made the romance feel incredibly natural. When the steam finally shows up? Perfectly timed, tender, and hot without losing the cozy vibe.

This story gave me all the warm fuzzies...perfect for escaping everyday life when things feel a bit too heavy.

Thank you to the author for an early copy, all opinions are my own.

[Katie Eakins · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

Book 3 in the Coven Crest Academy series focuses on Poppy the dream witch. This time, Maeve’s orc stepbrother, Aric, needs tutoring to stay on the runeball team and Poppy steps in to help. While I enjoyed this book almost as much as the others, the almost instalove and major miscommunication was a little off putting to me on this one, giving it a 3.5. Aric did so many things for Poppy, and the whole time she was just in her head and refused to talk about it. Honestly, she pmo a little bit. I understand insecurity probably more than most people, but the way she handled things was not it. I almost quit reading a few times just because I could see where it was going. However, I do really enjoy this entire series/world/found family dynamic so I kept going. Of course it worked out in the end, but I wasn’t happy there for a minute. Now that Poppy and Aric have their HEA, all that we have left is Maeve, and it seems there may be a vampire in her future? I can’t wait to see! Thank you BookSirens and Emberly for allowing me an advanced opportunity to read this title!

[Begüm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for this NetGalley ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

Being back at Coven Crest felt instantly comforting. This series really nails the cozy academia atmosphere, and I loved slipping into Poppy and Aric’s story.

Poppy is such a relatable overthinker. Her quiet, “what if this goes wrong?” energy felt very real, and I appreciated how her insecurities shaped the emotional tension. Aric is pure cinnamon roll energy and a total acts of service king. Him secretly taking dance lessons so he could dance with her at the Blue Moon Ball? Adorable.

That said, the third-act breakup wasn’t my favorite. It made sense for the story and their character growth, but it pulled me out of the cozy vibe a little. I still enjoyed their soft, shy dynamic and the slow burn with a touch of spice. It just didn’t fully sweep me away like the first book did.

If you love cozy monster romance, tutor-student tension, and best friend’s brother trope, this one might work really well for you. And now I’m very ready for Maeve and her vampire. 🖤