The Kestrel Ward's Choice

by Laura Greenwood

An impossible choice comes from seeking an alliance.

Tea witch Zoe Brewster has been sent on a diplomatic mission to a bird ward haven, but she's not prepared for what she finds there, especially when she meets the handsome kestrel ward who is serving as her guide.

Aaron has lived most of his life at the Nest, but now he has a choice to make, one that could change everything for him.

As the two of them grow closer, they realise they might have something personal to gain from Zoe's diplomatic mission.

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The Kestrel Ward's Choice is a cozy fantasy romance with a meet-cute m/f romance, a kestrel ward without a tether, a tea witch ambassador, unusual magic, a pinch of steam, and a happy ever after.

121 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 15, 2026

About the author

Laura is a USA Today Bestselling Author of fantasy romance and urban fantasy. She lives in the UK, where most of her books are set, with her partner. When she's not writing, Laura can be found exploring worldwide cusine with her partner, drinking tea, and reading fantasy books. Laura specialises in quick reads, featuring healthy relationships and consent-positive moments, regardless of whether she's writing light-hearted romance, mythology-inspired modern fantasy, cozy fantasy or anything in between.

Discover one of Laura Greenwood's most popular series:
- The Apprentice of Anubis (mythology inspired modern/urban fantasy)
- Forgotten Gods (mythology inspired fantasy romance)
- Jinx Paranormal Dating Agency (mythology inspired paranormal rom-com)
- House of Blood and Roses (vampire romantasy)
- Amethyst's Wand Shop Mysteries (urban fantasy murder mystery)
- Scales of Justice (mythology inspired modern/urban fantasy)
- Purple Oak Oasis (cozy fantasy romance)
- Falhaven Castle (cozy fantasy romance)

You can find a full book list and more information on her website, or in her Facebook Reader Group.

Happy Reading!

Reviews

[Morally_Gray_Nola · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Kestrel Ward’s Choice is a cozy, sweet love story with a good measured side of social injustice, morality, and elitism thrown in. It is a very good read, with great characters. I find myself walking away feeling surprisingly light, considering how terrible I felt for the underprivileged of The Nest. I suppose it has everything to do with the gentle, loving ways between Aaron and Zoe.

*** Recommended ***

MMC:
✨Aaron
FMC:
✨Zoe
HEA/Cliffhanger:
✨HEA
Series:
✨Purple Oak Oasis Book 5
Epilogue:
🌗yes
Tropes:
👉cozy fantasy romance
👉he falls first
👉secondary world
👉kestrel ward x tea witch
Triggers:
💥18+
💥sex
💥profanity
💥horrible family dynamic
💥racism - not MCs
Burn Speed:
✨medium
Spice Level:
✨🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
✨MF

[Jacqueline Halle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part of the Purple Oak Oasis series featuring a tea witch and a ward (and his familiars). This book has cozy fantasy romance vibes and is fairly light reading. This is a MF story, there's some spice with this one. I like how the series is broken down into mini stories that interconnect.

[Chad Barrus · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of this book from the author and even though a review wasn’t required when I received it, I wanted to offer my honest, voluntary impression of what I thought of it.

Zoe is a tea witch who is leading a delegation to a settlement called The Nest, where most people have bonded with a bird familiar to try and open up trade negotiations.

She finds the leaders aren’t really interested unless the trade and healing offered is to be only for them excluding the poorer and less affluent people of the community. This of course is unacceptable to Zoe but the son of the leader she is staying with is very different from the rest of his family and she finds an attraction as well as someone who looks at life as she does. She agrees to see his friend who has taken ill and does what she can but tells him that he really needs to return with her to her home for the treatment he needs to have as she can’t give it to him . She is surprised and elated when he announces that he’s going to return with her as well
when she gets ready to leave.

I enjoyed this story that shows that prejudice and snobbery exists even with people who have magical attachments to familiars and the callous way they treat their servants and those they deem beneath themselves. Sadly this attitude is all too prevalent in our societies still besides in fictional ones!

For that reason this is a good story to read- not just to enjoy its entertainment value but also as one to show that our own society still has a long ways to go to allow freedom and services to everyone as long as they don’t abuse thar privilege! Therefore I recommend this book as one I think you’ll enjoy!

[Aurora · Rating 3 out of 5]

Zoe is a negotiator for Purple Oak Oasis, which is trying to make a trade agreement with The Nest. When she arrives she finds that it will be a particularly difficult negotiation, but Aaron, son of a prominent Nest family, is a bright spot.

The relationship between Zoe and Aaron was sweet in this one, although I was looking for more than I got when it came to the central conflict. There was a lot of telling and not a lot of showing when it came to Zoe's experiences in The Nest. At times, it seemed like important scenes — like the important people of The Nest not being willing to pay Purple Oak Oasis enough for their healing during the negotiations — were just skipped over. It also seemed like some scenes of Zoe and Aaron's developing relationship were skipped over. Maybe this was in an effort to keep the book short, but it really did seem like a lot of the plot was just missing. It was a much more character-driven romance than plot-driven, and significantly more character-driven than The Cherry Dryad's Blossom, the previous book I read in this series. The premise in this book was interesting, but if you're looking for fantasy politics you will possibly be disappointed. If you're just looking for primarily romance with a slight fantasy backdrop, you will probably be happier than I was with this book.

Thank you to the authors for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Mystyc Metrik · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy the Purple Oak series! This time, we get to see a new place, The Nest, which is a settlement know primarily for their bird wards. The Nest is well known for their goods like mattresses and down coats, and the tea witches are curious to trade their healing for such products. Upon arrival, Zoe, the delegate from Purple Oak, is struck by the difference between her home and the Nest. In Purple Oak, wards are always seen next to their witches and there is no hierarchy. In the Nest, certain bird wards are considered more powerful or prestigious, and the "higher class" residents are treated better than those with less prestigious wards or none at all. This is very different, and Zoe balks at the dichotomy between her values and the Nest's desire to provide healing only to high class citizens. The only positive thing about her time at the Nest is that she met Aaron, the son of the Falkner family. He also chafes at his parents' rule, so together the two of them try to find a happy compromise so that trade can be established, because neither is fond of the thought of Zoe leaving...This was another cute standalone romance, and I enjoyed getting to see a new place!

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Nest, run by an elite group of bird wards is a place full of classism and prejudice. For Ambassador Zoe Brewster, this is a difficult place to conduct trade negotiations. Used to the cooperative nature of the Purple Oak Oasis, she’s frustrated that only the wealthy families receive any consideration in the Nest. Meeting Aaron Kestrel, the son of her hosts, is the bright spot of her stay. Aaron is a disappointment to his family due to having an egalitarian nature and close relationship with his familiars. As Zoe and Aaron spend more time together, they begin to fall for each other. When the negotiations stall and Zoe prepares to leave, Aaron faces a choice. Should he continue to struggle against the status quo in the Nest or take a chance on a more fulfilling life elsewhere?

The Kestrel Ward’s Choice is a sweet story between tea witch/diplomat Zoe and ward Aaron. Despite being a trained ambassador, Zoe was taken completely off guard by the prejudice in the Nest. Her frustrations were well founded and her connection to Aaron felt nicely developed. Aaron’s concern for Simon showed his true nature as did Zoe’s compassion. I loved the outcome of Simon’s story. I also liked how it was clear that the relationship with Zoe was only a partial factor in Aaron’s decision, but was saddened by how little his family thought of him. The Purple Oak Oasis truly feels like the kind of place you want to call home.

[TaniaRina Valdespino · Rating 4 out of 5]

Home is where we are valued

I absolutely LUV Zoe’s description of Purple Oak Oasis:
‘We celebrate each other's differences and try to work together in harmony.’
And I’m so saddened by Aaron’s perspective on the Nest:
‘Insistence on prestige over practicality is wasteful.’

We are the stewards of animals, plants, and all other aspects of our environment. Partnership with each other and our Earth isn’t merely about surviving, but rather finding ways in which both can actually thrive.


Fave line:
‘Chocolate is the perfect travel snack.’


We need the freedom and resources to spread our wings in order to be the best possible person we can be. That way, we can be healthier and can also better contribute to the whole. Aaron articulates that to Zoe
‘How can I help anyone if I don't feel comfortable with myself? […] If I want to be my best self, then I need to have a life that will fill me with hope and life.’

May all communities interact with others for the betterment of all.
The next in series continues this aspiration in ‘The Frog Ward's Journey’.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This latest book in the Purple Oak Oasis series is actually mainly set in another settlement, The Nest, a place for bird wards, where an embassy from Purple Oak Oasis have gone to negotiate a trade agreement. But what they find there is far from agreeable. Except Zoe meets Aaron, the son of their hosts, who thinks very differently to them, and finds him very agreeable indeed!
It’s a good book, well-written and the relationship between the main characters is beautifully depicted. And I nearly cheered out loud at Aaron’s decision and the outcome! Well done to the authors for writing a difficult situation so well. Can’t wait for the next in the series!

[L & J Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute slightly spicy cozy romantasy with a FMC tea witch named Zoe who goes to a neighboring town (aka a Nest) to negotiate a trade deal. The Nest leading families all have bird familars and the large the bird you bond with, the higher your status. Zoe is troubled by the strict hierarchy and the lack of compassion shown by the town leaders for those less fortunate, but she finds Arron, who has bonded with two kestrels, to hold similar opinions and soon their friendship evolves into romance.
Thanks to the author for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Will Pascoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this cozy book as an ARC, and found it rather enjoyable. Zoe is the most British coded witch of all time, using tea as the source of her healing magic. There seemed to be real world comparisons with regards to healing and trade, with The Nest requiring high payments for healers. The relationship between the MC's was cute and believable, if a little quick, but that's to be expected due to the shorter length of the book. I have not read any other book in this series before, but I think now I might go back and read the rest

[J Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love soars.

Zoe Brewster and her sister are on a trade mission to the Nest. The welcome they receive raises questions about life in the settlement and whether an alliance will be achievable. Aaron, a handsome upper-class kestrel shifter, acts as their guide. He is truthful about the Nest and its problems. Feelings grow as Zoe and Aaron spend time together. Could a long-distance romance be possible?

I hope the budding romance between Zoe and Aaron comes back in a future book. They are a sweet couple. I received a free copy of this book, but my review is honest and voluntary.

[Jessica Forbes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read other books from this series, but it's very easy to jump in without reading previous ones. If you're someone who wants a sweet, easy fantasy read, then the Purple Oak series is for you! Aaron and Zoe were both delightful protagonists to follow, and I enjoyed watching their romance blossom. Also, I admittedly cracked up when Zoe and her sister were telling dirty jokes to one another!

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

[Jo Fouracre · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. I love how this series evolves . Learning about the tea witches , and all of the other people. It’s thoroughly addicting. You fall deeply in love with the characters. This book has been a bit different in the dynamics with the really unhelpful people they tried to trade with. Loved how Zoe got what she deserved in the end.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Refresh A Story.
More detailed from the origin Shifter’s Heart, that features Delegation Tea Witch Zoe Brewster, younger sister to healer Reese and Kestrel Ward Aaron Falkner. It’s a sweet romance with some sizzle and dealing with frustrating unfulfilled negotiations. I enjoyed reading this rewrite.

[DeeDeeWReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story. A kestrel ward that lives his birds and not the status they get him.
A tea witch on a trade negotiations trip that isn’t happy with what she is seeing and hearing.

Two people, one night, everything changes for the good. HEA guaranteed.

Always love going back to Purple Oak Oasis.

[Carolyn Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

A journey to create an alliance between the Purple Oak Oasis and the Nest, a bird ward haven, shows a stark contrast between ideologies between the two. It also creates a chance for change and a different type of alliance between Zoe, a tea witch, and Aaron, the kestrel ward.

[Monique Westwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This engaging story is part of a lovely series. You can read it as a stand-alone but many of the characters are in all the books. It really is a series that I have enjoyed so far. I find them to be a fairly quick read that keeps me involved and interested. Zoe and Aaron are both great characters

[Christinaraven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally get to visit the Nest and it was a trip that Zoe will never forget. She must face people with wildly different ideas on how a settlement should be organized and run but meets Aaron and his beautiful birds. Another cute easy read in this series as get to know Zoe a bit more.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aaron sounds like he did not belong in his family. I know that that is the way a lot of people feel. They have different ideas and the way they feel can be so far from the way they are brought up. It's like a different world. When you do find the place you belong it's like Heaven.

[Rowan Creech · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an intriguing book exploring inequality through class structures and differences. It follows a character’s journey to overcome these obstacles and bring healing to everyone involved. A fascinating read.

[Zara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read! Quick story, that's both sweet and more, with that touch of magic, lore, and connections that make these books so fantastic. This might be my favorite pair of MC's in this series so far!
I received this story as an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mx Phoebe · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want a lovely romantasy with a little bit of spice, then pick up the latest standalone edition to the Purple Oak Oasis series: The Kestrel Ward's Choice.

“Thank you, Twin Souls Publishing, for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.”

[Sherryle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very romantic story with Zoe & Aaron. Their relationship fills the lonesomeness in-between themselves when she meets him & then Aaron makes the decision to follow her to the Oasis.