A Witch and Her Orc: A Cozy Fantasy Monster Romance

by Emberly Wyndham

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+.

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

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

494 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 3, 2026

About the author

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

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Reviews

[Laura❄️📚 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher Enchanted Ink Publishing for providing this book for review purposes via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This was book was sweet, not the type of sweet that’s cloying, overly syrupy or leaves you with a bellyache but like a perfectly iced cupcake that leaves you leaving feeling satisfied and happy. Poppy was so cute and very endearing, she was very shy but also very smart and dedicated, that is to say I really liked her. She was so down to earth and focused but also very kind and brave as she did what she had to even if she was scared. I thought Aric was a bit of a knucklehead when we first meet him as he doesn’t seem overly concerned about anything apart from playing runeball but seeing him interact with Poppy I soon changed my mind as there were hidden depths to him. I really did enjoy this book so I read it from cover to cover and I have absolutely no regrets, even if I did stay up well past bedtime to read it. The pacing of this book was perfect as the plot moves along at a steady pace, I liked all the characters even Morgan who was a love rival for Poppy. This was a very cosy romance and I enjoyed it.

[Annmarie Ager · 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.

[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.

[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.

[Morally_Gray_Nola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally get Aric and Poppy’s story! GAH! So excited to get to these two sweethearts 🩶 Emberly Wyndham delivers another awesome addition to the Coven Crest Academy series. I’m not going to lie, I had to pull out the tissues for a chapter or two. BUT, I spent more time with a smirk or a smile on my face than a teardrop or a frown. Aric and Poppy are so incredibly likable. Both are guileless—though Aric is more naive towards other’s intent, than Poppy’s overall innocence.

A Witch & Her Orc, simply put, delivers. So, bring on Maeve’s story with her vampire in book 4!

*** Recommended ***

MMC:
✨Aric
FMC:
✨Poppy
HEA/Cliffhanger:
✨HEA
Series:
✨Coven Crest Academy Book 3
Epilogue:
🌗yes
Tropes:
👉cozy academy romance
👉best friend’s brother
👉cinnamon roll mmc
👉shy dream witch fmc
👉opposites attract
Triggers:
💥18+
💥sex
💥profanity
Burn Speed:
✨medium-slow
Spice Level:
✨🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
✨MF

[Avis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author is new to me. I liked her writing style. As in the description this can be read as a standalone. (I have not read the first or second story and was able to follow along perfectly).

I loved Poppy. Her optimism was perfect for her. She is intelligent with her studies but not so much with romance. Very shy but she over the course of the story finds her courage . Wanting to help others was part of her personality.

I also liked Aric. He has his problems which Poppy is able to help with in her own way. He was also the complete opposite of Poppy. Athletic, popular and the person everyone liked especially the girls.

I loved that the story was light with just the right amount of conflict to make it a good story. I loved that both were able to face their fears and become better for it.

Mystery and a slow burn to the romance.

I received an advanced free copy of this book via Booksiren and am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Elise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Poppy and Alric and while they may seem different, at the heart both of them are similar. Poppy is book smart and shy, while Alric is a social jock. Both of them don’t want to let others down and tend to worry that they aren’t enough for the other once their relationship moves to more than friendship. Both characters will have you rooting for them right away.

This was a short, cozy novel with some spice. This is the third book at Coven Crest Academy, and it can be read as a stand alone. It was written in a way that made it hard to put down and has me excited for the next book and had me instantly downloading the ones before.

Thank you to the author for an advanced copy. I can't wait to explore more of this world you've created.

[Tiffany (areyoutellingstories) · Rating 4 out of 5]

"She wears high heels, I wear sneakers
She's Cheer Captain, and I'm on the bleachers
Dreaming about the day when you wake up and find
That what you're looking for has been here the whole time."

I thought about this song throughout the story. And like Tay, Poppy has a chance at finding an orc with new heights of manhood, and her happily ever after if she can stop her insecurity and shyness from getting in the way. Poppy and Aric were absolutely the cutest together! No wonder her family owns a bakery, the sweetness was on overload with this one!

[Denali · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into this book blind, having never read the other books in the series so I wasn’t sure what to expect but I LOVED IT. Sweet, cozy and much spicier than I was expecting but it was so good. I love the characters and the world, I’m not a huge fantasy reader but if you want to start off slow with something that is a perfect wintertime cozy read, I recommend it. If you are looking for something with a huge world and lots of plot this isn’t it. This is mostly character driven and I loved everything about it.
Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the early copy

[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.

[Adena Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lightly steamy college nerd and football player romance set in a fantasy medieval-style world. It is almost as sweet as Laura Greenwood's academy books, but it has more sexy times. I recommend this to older young adults, because of the explicitness. Still, this is surprisingly sweet and fun and very relatable for university students.

I received an ARC from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Leanne Prangnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

I loved this instalment! This is the third in the 'Coven Crest Academy's series and it made me feel everything. Poppy is so relatable as a character, for me personally, and I genuinely felt so proud of her growth and progress. Her relationship with Aric was beautiful and respectful. I think it's so important to write conversations of consent.

[Lila Besser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poppy and Aric are my new favorites! This book was spicier than the last two, and I absolutely loved it! Poppy is a quiet and studious witch. Aric is a sports playing Orc. But when Poppy agrees to tutor Aric, the two find unexpected connection. The tension, stress, and romance of this story were so good, and I loved getting to check in with Poppy's roommates. These girls are so much fun, and really are an incredible found family.

ARC provided by the author

[April More · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poppy and Aric’s love story is so cute. I loved the character growth and the friendship vibes. This is such a cute and cozy series. If you like monster romance and cozy magical vibes, then this book is for you. Each book can be read as a standalone. I enjoy a series like this, where you don’t have to read in order to enjoy the series.

[Urszula · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy the series. Great world building and interesting characters. Complex emotions flying around giving characters more issues than expected.

And happy ending… Mandatory.

All together an enjoyable read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Trishtan Means · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved every minute of this book!! I read it in one sitting! Aric and Poppy were the perfect couple! And the spice!!!! Chef kiss!!!
I would love to read this book again and again.