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Blue Willow
Coming home was never part of the plan.
Leaving again might be even harder.
When Elsie Hart returns to Blue Willow for the first time in eight years, it’s only to settle her grandmother’s estate—not to rekindle old memories or untangle the magic she’s worked hard to forget. But the inn she once loved is more stubborn than it looks. So is the man who’s been keeping it alive.
Wells Rourke never wants to leave. He’s spent the last few years patching the inn back together with his own two hands and the quiet certainty that Elspeth Hart didn’t just pour her heart into the walls; she left something behind. Something that’s worth keeping alive.
Elsie wants a clean break and a fast sale. Wells wants her gone before she can rip apart what’s left. But the house has other plans. As winter deepens and long-dormant feelings surface, the two of them are drawn into a tug-of-war not just over the keys to the inn, but over the pieces of themselves they thought they’d long buried.
In a town where quiet magic lingers, some people—and some places—will never stop waiting for you to come home.
Leaving again might be even harder.
When Elsie Hart returns to Blue Willow for the first time in eight years, it’s only to settle her grandmother’s estate—not to rekindle old memories or untangle the magic she’s worked hard to forget. But the inn she once loved is more stubborn than it looks. So is the man who’s been keeping it alive.
Wells Rourke never wants to leave. He’s spent the last few years patching the inn back together with his own two hands and the quiet certainty that Elspeth Hart didn’t just pour her heart into the walls; she left something behind. Something that’s worth keeping alive.
Elsie wants a clean break and a fast sale. Wells wants her gone before she can rip apart what’s left. But the house has other plans. As winter deepens and long-dormant feelings surface, the two of them are drawn into a tug-of-war not just over the keys to the inn, but over the pieces of themselves they thought they’d long buried.
In a town where quiet magic lingers, some people—and some places—will never stop waiting for you to come home.
318 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 5, 2025
91 people are currently reading
1245 people want to read
About the author
Ki Stephens
12 books1,452 followersKi Stephens is a romance enthusiast who finds comfort in the happily-ever-after . . . with just a little bit of angst along the way. She has a special interest in works that include neurodivergent characters like herself. When she’s not daydreaming about books, Ki enjoys working with kids, creating art in her backyard studio, and spending loads of time with her baby girl, her husband, and their three pets.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 247 reviews
December 5, 2025
╰┈➤4.25 stars!
happy release day, blue willow! 🩵❄️✨🫧
as someone who’s lived in the city her whole life, i can’t help but crave that small-town feeling—where everyone knows everyone’s business, where life moves slower, and where you’re allowed to just breathe. in the city, taking a break sometimes feels like falling behind, but in a small town, slowing down feels like living. that’s why this book hit me right in the chest.
౨ৎ elsie. her journey feels so personal. she tries so hard to fit into places that were never meant for her, until she realizes that she never needed to change—she just needed to find the right place that would welcome her as she is. it’s such a grounding reminder that belonging isn’t about shrinking yourself; it’s about finding where your soul naturally settles.
౨ৎ wells. gosh, i just wanted to wrap him in the biggest hug. he carries so much fear and self-doubt on his shoulders, convinced that making mistakes makes him unworthy. watching him slowly unlearn that was honestly beautiful. he deserves softness, reassurance, and the reminder that being imperfect doesn’t make him any less deserving of love.
from the moment the story settles into blue willow inn, the entire atmosphere shifts, and you immediately feel that this place holds more than memories—it holds life. literally. because the inn is alive, it absorbs emotions, responds to the people inside it, and carries this quiet longing that mirrors elsie’s own struggle. knowing that the inn understands her plans, even before she fully speaks them out loud, made so many scenes hit harder. it adds a layer of grief and tenderness that runs underneath everything she does.
and then her grandma’s letter… i honestly had to put the book down. it wasn’t just touching; it felt like being wrapped in warmth while simultaneously having your heart split open. every word felt intentional, like elspeth knew exactly when elsie would need to read it. but the letter to wells? that one destroyed me even more. there’s something incredibly intimate about someone you’ve never met seeing you so clearly, believing in you so deeply. i cried, like actual tears, because those letters weren’t just plot devices—they were emotional anchors.
and honestly, where can i find a man who’ll choke down a horrendous pie just because i made it? wells doing that was such a small moment, but it said everything about him. he loves quietly, steadily, and with this unwavering loyalty that feels so rare. he doesn’t make a big show of it; he just chooses elsie again and again, in all the simple, ordinary ways that matter most.
i’ll admit, i didn’t feel their chemistry right away. at first, it felt slightly stiff, almost like they were circling each other without knowing how to close the distance. but as the story moved forward, that slow unraveling became one of its strengths. the magic realism, the inn’s presence, and the emotional weight they both carried created this gentle, steady build. it wasn’t instant. it wasn’t forced. it was two people slowly realizing that they’d found a place—and a person—where they could finally rest.
the transition from curiosity to comfort to something deeper felt so natural. they open up to each other not through grand declarations, but through quiet conversations, stolen glances, honest confessions, and the soft vulnerability of letting someone see the parts you usually hide. it’s slow-burn in the most grounded, human way. they didn’t just fall in love; they learned each other. and that’s what made their bond so believable.
what i love most is how real their relationship feels. the fear is there—fear of change, fear of staying, fear of hoping for more—but they still choose to risk it. and that’s a kind of bravery that feels so personal. they grow not just as a couple, but as individuals, and blue willow inn becomes the witness to every small shift, every quiet moment of courage, every realization that they’re becoming each other’s home.
by the end, it’s clear that their love isn’t about perfection—it’s about choosing each other even when life is messy, uncertain, and unpredictable. elsie and wells build something fragile, beautiful, and deeply meaningful, and it stays with you long after the last page.
Thank you so much to Ki Stephens for the ARC in exchange of my honest review!
・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・
pre-read:
another buddy read with my lovely joni 🫧🩵 we’re both extremely excited for this book and i’ve always loved ki stephens’ books so i’m hoping that this will be the same 🥹🤞🏼
・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・
pre-release:
AAAAA omg i got the e-arc 😭 it’s like 3 am in the morning and saw the notification, and i screamed lol! i genuinely cannot wait to meet elsie and wells 🩵🥹
happy release day, blue willow! 🩵❄️✨🫧
as someone who’s lived in the city her whole life, i can’t help but crave that small-town feeling—where everyone knows everyone’s business, where life moves slower, and where you’re allowed to just breathe. in the city, taking a break sometimes feels like falling behind, but in a small town, slowing down feels like living. that’s why this book hit me right in the chest.
౨ৎ elsie. her journey feels so personal. she tries so hard to fit into places that were never meant for her, until she realizes that she never needed to change—she just needed to find the right place that would welcome her as she is. it’s such a grounding reminder that belonging isn’t about shrinking yourself; it’s about finding where your soul naturally settles.
౨ৎ wells. gosh, i just wanted to wrap him in the biggest hug. he carries so much fear and self-doubt on his shoulders, convinced that making mistakes makes him unworthy. watching him slowly unlearn that was honestly beautiful. he deserves softness, reassurance, and the reminder that being imperfect doesn’t make him any less deserving of love.
from the moment the story settles into blue willow inn, the entire atmosphere shifts, and you immediately feel that this place holds more than memories—it holds life. literally. because the inn is alive, it absorbs emotions, responds to the people inside it, and carries this quiet longing that mirrors elsie’s own struggle. knowing that the inn understands her plans, even before she fully speaks them out loud, made so many scenes hit harder. it adds a layer of grief and tenderness that runs underneath everything she does.
and then her grandma’s letter… i honestly had to put the book down. it wasn’t just touching; it felt like being wrapped in warmth while simultaneously having your heart split open. every word felt intentional, like elspeth knew exactly when elsie would need to read it. but the letter to wells? that one destroyed me even more. there’s something incredibly intimate about someone you’ve never met seeing you so clearly, believing in you so deeply. i cried, like actual tears, because those letters weren’t just plot devices—they were emotional anchors.
and honestly, where can i find a man who’ll choke down a horrendous pie just because i made it? wells doing that was such a small moment, but it said everything about him. he loves quietly, steadily, and with this unwavering loyalty that feels so rare. he doesn’t make a big show of it; he just chooses elsie again and again, in all the simple, ordinary ways that matter most.
i’ll admit, i didn’t feel their chemistry right away. at first, it felt slightly stiff, almost like they were circling each other without knowing how to close the distance. but as the story moved forward, that slow unraveling became one of its strengths. the magic realism, the inn’s presence, and the emotional weight they both carried created this gentle, steady build. it wasn’t instant. it wasn’t forced. it was two people slowly realizing that they’d found a place—and a person—where they could finally rest.
the transition from curiosity to comfort to something deeper felt so natural. they open up to each other not through grand declarations, but through quiet conversations, stolen glances, honest confessions, and the soft vulnerability of letting someone see the parts you usually hide. it’s slow-burn in the most grounded, human way. they didn’t just fall in love; they learned each other. and that’s what made their bond so believable.
what i love most is how real their relationship feels. the fear is there—fear of change, fear of staying, fear of hoping for more—but they still choose to risk it. and that’s a kind of bravery that feels so personal. they grow not just as a couple, but as individuals, and blue willow inn becomes the witness to every small shift, every quiet moment of courage, every realization that they’re becoming each other’s home.
by the end, it’s clear that their love isn’t about perfection—it’s about choosing each other even when life is messy, uncertain, and unpredictable. elsie and wells build something fragile, beautiful, and deeply meaningful, and it stays with you long after the last page.
Thank you so much to Ki Stephens for the ARC in exchange of my honest review!
・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・
pre-read:
another buddy read with my lovely joni 🫧🩵 we’re both extremely excited for this book and i’ve always loved ki stephens’ books so i’m hoping that this will be the same 🥹🤞🏼
・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・。・
pre-release:
AAAAA omg i got the e-arc 😭 it’s like 3 am in the morning and saw the notification, and i screamed lol! i genuinely cannot wait to meet elsie and wells 🩵🥹
Read
December 3, 2025this was so magical and enchanting rtc!!
𐙚⋆°｡⋆♡ ── pre-read
another buddy read with my lovely friend rei <3 can't wait to yap with you about this beautiful book!! i just know it's going to give us all the magical holiday feels 🥹❄️
↪ started nov 21
↪ started nov 25
𐙚⋆°｡⋆♡ ── pre-read
another buddy read with my lovely friend rei <3 can't wait to yap with you about this beautiful book!! i just know it's going to give us all the magical holiday feels 🥹❄️
↪ started nov 21
↪ started nov 25
December 3, 2025
3.5 stars
🦌 ☼ ⋆｡˚
this was so cozy!! the magical realism vibe is so different from ki’s usual stuff, and the writing is beautiful in a way that lingers with you long after. it gives the whole story a gentle warmth, and you feel it most in elsie and wells’ love—soft, steady, and kind of like coming home when they finally choose each other.
and of course, at the heart of it all is elspeth. there truly wouldn’t be a story without her magic.
ⓘ thank you to bookfunnel for the arc!
this was so cozy!! the magical realism vibe is so different from ki’s usual stuff, and the writing is beautiful in a way that lingers with you long after. it gives the whole story a gentle warmth, and you feel it most in elsie and wells’ love—soft, steady, and kind of like coming home when they finally choose each other.
and of course, at the heart of it all is elspeth. there truly wouldn’t be a story without her magic.
ⓘ thank you to bookfunnel for the arc!
December 1, 2025
જ⁀➴ 3.75 stars (rounded up to 4)
Thank you to Ki Stephens for the eARC in exchange for an honest review! Blue Willow will be officially published on December 5th, 2025!
⋆𐙚❅*°⋆❆.ೃ࿔*:⋆𐙚❅*°⋆❆.ೃ࿔*:⋆𐙚❅*°⋆❆.ೃ࿔*:⋆𐙚❅*°⋆❆.ೃ࿔*:⋆𐙚❅*°⋆❆.ೃ࿔*:⋆𐙚❅*°⋆❆.ೃ࿔*:⋆𐙚❅*°
Oh my goodness. Guys, this entire book felt like a warm hug. This book was the perfect combination of whimsical and cozy!
Elsie Hart, a burnt-out speech therapist, heads back to Blue Willow, Connecticut, to sort out what will happen to her late grandmother, Elspeth's, home and inn, Blue Willow Inn, a year after her death. Elsie spent many summers there growing up, but left when she started college and never looked back. Upon arriving, she runs into Wells Rourke, the man responsible for single-handedly upkeeping the inn since Elsie left. Elsie spent years trying to forget the memories she created there growing up, as well as the magical energy the house and the entire town emanate, so her goal is to sell the inn off as fast as possible to someone who will do a better job of upkeeping it than she ever could, while Wells fights to keep the house alive and in the hands of someone who will care.
The entire vibe of this story just screams COZY. It's not a holiday read by any means, but the majority of the story takes place during the winter, so it's the perfect wintry read to read in January-February if you're looking for a cozy magical realism book to read to stay in the wintry mood after the holidays are over. If you're looking for an immersive reading experience, I highly recommend reading this with a cup of coffee finished off with a dash of cinnamon, the fireplace going, and snow falling outside. Bonus points if you have shortbread cookies on hand! I spent the entirety of the book thinking that this could turn into a Hallmark movie because it was just THAT cozy. The magical realism aspect with the sentient aspect of Blue Willow Inn, added a whimsical touch to the story, which I loved!
I think I related the most to Elsie's character. No, I didn't agree with everything she said or did, but I can understand why she did some of the things that she did and why she acts the way she does. I related a lot to the idea that she had to deal with a lot of things that happened throughout her life on her own, because she was done getting let down by other people. She's guarded, hesitant to trust others, and has never felt like she fit in in any one given place. I loved seeing the townsfolk opening up to her again, especially Isla and Winnie. I loved how she found her people, and I loved seeing her open up and bring her walls down.
When it comes to Elsie and Wells, I wish we got slightly more buildup between them. They clash immediately upon meeting, and I felt as if we got more moments of them bantering and suffering from miscommunication than actual wholesome moments between the two, so it was difficult for me to overlook this. I could argue that the miscommunication was reasonable given the circumstances, but I still didn't think it was fully necessary if they both gave each other the chance to hear each other out, rather than Elsie shutting down every time Wells got mad. With that being said, it was difficult for me to believe their romance felt real, considering it felt like they were clashing every other chapter or so.
If you're looking for a whimsical, magical, cozy, wintry read this season, PLEASE pick this book up! It's also the first in a series, and I can't wait to see what else we get in the future (I'm looking at you, Isla👀)
⋆𐙚❅*°⋆❆.ೃ࿔*:⋆𐙚❅*°⋆❆.ೃ࿔*:⋆𐙚❅*°⋆❆.ೃ࿔*:⋆𐙚❅*°⋆❆.ೃ࿔*:⋆𐙚❅*°⋆❆.ೃ࿔*:⋆𐙚❅*°⋆❆.ೃ࿔*:⋆𐙚❅*°
Trigger/content warnings: mentions of death of a family member, depictions of blood from an injury, recalled past injuries, sexual content (I'd say it's like a 1.25-1.5/5 on the spice scale, but I know this rating is subjective based on everyone's experience with spice)
⋆˙⟡ 𝒫𝓇𝑒-𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹: Happy Thanksgiving week to all my fellow Americans and the (official) start of the holiday season!❄️🎄🥧🍂🦃 I'm not gonna lie, getting the ARC for this was NOT on my 2025 bookish bingo card. I was SHOCKED when I got the ARC acceptance email a couple of weeks ago! This is my first Ki Stephens book, but I have pretty much all of her books on my TBR because they all sound so cute haha. I also haven't read a magical realism book in a while, so I'm hoping this gets me into the holiday spirit🩵💚❄️🎄
Thank you to Ki Stephens for the eARC in exchange for an honest review! Blue Willow will be officially published on December 5th, 2025!
"I know that if you love someone, you love them even when they're messy. Because perfection isn't real, and it isn't love. That's not what I want from you."
⋆𐙚❅*°⋆❆.ೃ࿔*:⋆𐙚❅*°⋆❆.ೃ࿔*:⋆𐙚❅*°⋆❆.ೃ࿔*:⋆𐙚❅*°⋆❆.ೃ࿔*:⋆𐙚❅*°⋆❆.ೃ࿔*:⋆𐙚❅*°⋆❆.ೃ࿔*:⋆𐙚❅*°
Oh my goodness. Guys, this entire book felt like a warm hug. This book was the perfect combination of whimsical and cozy!
Elsie Hart, a burnt-out speech therapist, heads back to Blue Willow, Connecticut, to sort out what will happen to her late grandmother, Elspeth's, home and inn, Blue Willow Inn, a year after her death. Elsie spent many summers there growing up, but left when she started college and never looked back. Upon arriving, she runs into Wells Rourke, the man responsible for single-handedly upkeeping the inn since Elsie left. Elsie spent years trying to forget the memories she created there growing up, as well as the magical energy the house and the entire town emanate, so her goal is to sell the inn off as fast as possible to someone who will do a better job of upkeeping it than she ever could, while Wells fights to keep the house alive and in the hands of someone who will care.
The entire vibe of this story just screams COZY. It's not a holiday read by any means, but the majority of the story takes place during the winter, so it's the perfect wintry read to read in January-February if you're looking for a cozy magical realism book to read to stay in the wintry mood after the holidays are over. If you're looking for an immersive reading experience, I highly recommend reading this with a cup of coffee finished off with a dash of cinnamon, the fireplace going, and snow falling outside. Bonus points if you have shortbread cookies on hand! I spent the entirety of the book thinking that this could turn into a Hallmark movie because it was just THAT cozy. The magical realism aspect with the sentient aspect of Blue Willow Inn, added a whimsical touch to the story, which I loved!
I think I related the most to Elsie's character. No, I didn't agree with everything she said or did, but I can understand why she did some of the things that she did and why she acts the way she does. I related a lot to the idea that she had to deal with a lot of things that happened throughout her life on her own, because she was done getting let down by other people. She's guarded, hesitant to trust others, and has never felt like she fit in in any one given place. I loved seeing the townsfolk opening up to her again, especially Isla and Winnie. I loved how she found her people, and I loved seeing her open up and bring her walls down.
When it comes to Elsie and Wells, I wish we got slightly more buildup between them. They clash immediately upon meeting, and I felt as if we got more moments of them bantering and suffering from miscommunication than actual wholesome moments between the two, so it was difficult for me to overlook this. I could argue that the miscommunication was reasonable given the circumstances, but I still didn't think it was fully necessary if they both gave each other the chance to hear each other out, rather than Elsie shutting down every time Wells got mad. With that being said, it was difficult for me to believe their romance felt real, considering it felt like they were clashing every other chapter or so.
If you're looking for a whimsical, magical, cozy, wintry read this season, PLEASE pick this book up! It's also the first in a series, and I can't wait to see what else we get in the future (I'm looking at you, Isla👀)
⋆𐙚❅*°⋆❆.ೃ࿔*:⋆𐙚❅*°⋆❆.ೃ࿔*:⋆𐙚❅*°⋆❆.ೃ࿔*:⋆𐙚❅*°⋆❆.ೃ࿔*:⋆𐙚❅*°⋆❆.ೃ࿔*:⋆𐙚❅*°⋆❆.ೃ࿔*:⋆𐙚❅*°
Trigger/content warnings: mentions of death of a family member, depictions of blood from an injury, recalled past injuries, sexual content (I'd say it's like a 1.25-1.5/5 on the spice scale, but I know this rating is subjective based on everyone's experience with spice)
⋆˙⟡ 𝒫𝓇𝑒-𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹: Happy Thanksgiving week to all my fellow Americans and the (official) start of the holiday season!❄️🎄🥧🍂🦃 I'm not gonna lie, getting the ARC for this was NOT on my 2025 bookish bingo card. I was SHOCKED when I got the ARC acceptance email a couple of weeks ago! This is my first Ki Stephens book, but I have pretty much all of her books on my TBR because they all sound so cute haha. I also haven't read a magical realism book in a while, so I'm hoping this gets me into the holiday spirit🩵💚❄️🎄
December 3, 2025
ahhhhhh oml this was such a cute little read! loved the whimsical vibes sm, rtc!!!
⤷ thank you to the author, ki stephens, for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶˗ˋ୨♡୧ˊ˗︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶
₊˚⊹♡ pre-read ♡⊹˚₊ ↴
02/12/2025 — i lied okay?? i'm ACTUALLY reading it today fr cuz it's coming out in 3 days..
29/11/2025 — some of my friends that has an arc of this book keeps RAVING about it so i NEED to know the hype. and fomo is getting to me lol
12/11/2025 — just checked my email and AHHHH I GOT THE MF ARC! also my first ki stephens book so i'm so excited for it. also, the cover is really pretty like omggg
⤷ thank you to the author, ki stephens, for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶˗ˋ୨♡୧ˊ˗︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶
₊˚⊹♡ pre-read ♡⊹˚₊ ↴
02/12/2025 — i lied okay?? i'm ACTUALLY reading it today fr cuz it's coming out in 3 days..
29/11/2025 — some of my friends that has an arc of this book keeps RAVING about it so i NEED to know the hype. and fomo is getting to me lol
12/11/2025 — just checked my email and AHHHH I GOT THE MF ARC! also my first ki stephens book so i'm so excited for it. also, the cover is really pretty like omggg
January 4, 2026
2.5 ★
I wanted to love this book because the premise is lovely and it seemed like the type of story I love to read, but unfortunately it didn’t work for me. What I enjoyed most were the cosy vibes and the magical inn, the house is the best character in this book. Everything else fell short of me, which is a shame, because there was so much potential for this story to be better.
The writing didn’t work for me at all! I won’t deny that some sentences got to me, made me smile or reflect a bit, but I mostly felt like the author was trying to hard. It’s like the author was trying to wrap a whole lot of nothing into the prettiest present. Quotes that exist only to be shared on social media but have no deeper meaning. Sentences that feel misplaced and make no sense for the characters. I’m the first to admit that I love beautiful writing, but not like this. Not when it doesn’t have feeling, not when it feels empty. Words are just words if you don’t attach them any meaning.
The characters are insufferable and often act like teenagers. They’re not emotionally intelligent, they don’t know how to communicate. They say one thing now, another thing a few seconds later. They have the silliest conflicts because they assume things without actually asking the other person how they’re feeling. The fmc leaves Blue Willow and doesn’t speak to her grandmother for years for something I think (but don’t know for sure, because it’s never mentioned) was a stupid conflict that could’ve easily been solved if she just talked to her grandmother. Honestly, Elspeth deserved a better granddaughter!
The romance didn’t convince me. I cannot believe these two are in love with each other. And the sex scenes were so bad! We go from purple prose writing to something that comes off as cheap and gross. This would’ve honestly worked better as a closed door romance. At one point a characters uses the word “dickmatized” and I lost it. I wanted to throw my kindle out the window!
The half star is for the inn and the magical winter vibes, everything else was a waste of my time! I can’t believe this book has gotten so many five stars.
I wanted to love this book because the premise is lovely and it seemed like the type of story I love to read, but unfortunately it didn’t work for me. What I enjoyed most were the cosy vibes and the magical inn, the house is the best character in this book. Everything else fell short of me, which is a shame, because there was so much potential for this story to be better.
The writing didn’t work for me at all! I won’t deny that some sentences got to me, made me smile or reflect a bit, but I mostly felt like the author was trying to hard. It’s like the author was trying to wrap a whole lot of nothing into the prettiest present. Quotes that exist only to be shared on social media but have no deeper meaning. Sentences that feel misplaced and make no sense for the characters. I’m the first to admit that I love beautiful writing, but not like this. Not when it doesn’t have feeling, not when it feels empty. Words are just words if you don’t attach them any meaning.
The characters are insufferable and often act like teenagers. They’re not emotionally intelligent, they don’t know how to communicate. They say one thing now, another thing a few seconds later. They have the silliest conflicts because they assume things without actually asking the other person how they’re feeling. The fmc leaves Blue Willow and doesn’t speak to her grandmother for years for something I think (but don’t know for sure, because it’s never mentioned) was a stupid conflict that could’ve easily been solved if she just talked to her grandmother. Honestly, Elspeth deserved a better granddaughter!
The romance didn’t convince me. I cannot believe these two are in love with each other. And the sex scenes were so bad! We go from purple prose writing to something that comes off as cheap and gross. This would’ve honestly worked better as a closed door romance. At one point a characters uses the word “dickmatized” and I lost it. I wanted to throw my kindle out the window!
The half star is for the inn and the magical winter vibes, everything else was a waste of my time! I can’t believe this book has gotten so many five stars.
December 5, 2025
thank you to the author for the arc. all opinions are my own.
“My grandmother isn’t gone or buried. She’s here - woven into every hinge, every blossom, every light that flickers on before I reach the switch. Every snowfall in this beautiful, tragic, magical little town.”
this was my first book by ki stephens & certainly will not be my last. ki, i was not familiar with your game!!!!!
this was so good!! full of so much whimsy & love you can feel bursting through every sentence.
the town of blue willow was written so, so well. the small town charm & magical realism blended together perfectly and i absolutely adored the lore behind the magic. the descriptions of the various locations (especially mirabelle grove) and the magic embedded within them had me wishing so badly i could step into this story.
the writing was beautiful and visceral and poetic and i was honestly glued to the pages. the way the author portrayed elsie’s grief and love for her grandmother was very realistic and, for me, tough to read.
the romance developed at a relatively good pace and had realistic communication (and miscommunication) between the two main characters. i LOVED the side characters and will be keeping an eye out for the next book in the series!!
“We’re close enough now for my knee to register the heat of her leg through her leggings. Close enough for her hair to catch the lamplight in a way that makes me think of every corny metaphor I’d swear I don’t believe in.”
“My grandmother isn’t gone or buried. She’s here - woven into every hinge, every blossom, every light that flickers on before I reach the switch. Every snowfall in this beautiful, tragic, magical little town.”
this was my first book by ki stephens & certainly will not be my last. ki, i was not familiar with your game!!!!!
this was so good!! full of so much whimsy & love you can feel bursting through every sentence.
the town of blue willow was written so, so well. the small town charm & magical realism blended together perfectly and i absolutely adored the lore behind the magic. the descriptions of the various locations (especially mirabelle grove) and the magic embedded within them had me wishing so badly i could step into this story.
the writing was beautiful and visceral and poetic and i was honestly glued to the pages. the way the author portrayed elsie’s grief and love for her grandmother was very realistic and, for me, tough to read.
the romance developed at a relatively good pace and had realistic communication (and miscommunication) between the two main characters. i LOVED the side characters and will be keeping an eye out for the next book in the series!!
“We’re close enough now for my knee to register the heat of her leg through her leggings. Close enough for her hair to catch the lamplight in a way that makes me think of every corny metaphor I’d swear I don’t believe in.”
December 27, 2025
★★★★★. “If I weren’t so disciplined, I’d reach for her. Hook a finger in the blanket. Anchor myself by her wrist and admit the truth: I like her here. I like her within reach. I like that wanting her feels like breathing again after months of holding my breath.”
this was one of the best books I have ever read. It lives in me now. Elsie and Wells are in me. The way this was written, the plot, the chemistry, the yearning; EVERYTHING is amazing. The communication they had and how they learned each other. Perfection.
For my safety people; safe. Both aren’t virgins. Wells has a past when he first came to town before the fmc came back but it’s been 5 years and he regrets it. No drama of any kind like that.
this was one of the best books I have ever read. It lives in me now. Elsie and Wells are in me. The way this was written, the plot, the chemistry, the yearning; EVERYTHING is amazing. The communication they had and how they learned each other. Perfection.
For my safety people; safe. Both aren’t virgins. Wells has a past when he first came to town before the fmc came back but it’s been 5 years and he regrets it. No drama of any kind like that.
November 12, 2025
este libro es realmente un abrazo al alma
November 29, 2025
5☆
so grateful to have received this as an arc. thank you, ki.
ki, you’ve outdone yourself yet again. there’s truly something so special about blue willow - the book and story, the town of itself, the people. this is the perfect winter read to curl up under a blanket and lose yourself in. the magic is there.
this place beckons me and if this were real, i would’ve loved to have experienced it. lived in it. it would’ve called my name.
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊
i am utterly and completely obsessed with wells and elsie. these two are so perfectly imperfect and fit so well, they’ve truly been wading through time and waiting for one another. they click, they work, they make sense and they feel so real, even in the magic of it all.
elsie left because she really needed to find herself. she was drowning and the only way she thought she could fix the issue and right it, was to leave. but she came back in her own terms and some people may not understand it, but she’s strong and she shows a strength that is unmatched. she burnt herself out as a speech therapist by helping others and never really helping herself, until she returned to blue willow and stopped hiding.
wells belonged to blue willow his entire life even if he grew up in boston. blue willow was the only place he could be himself, the only place he could exist and be seen for who he is, faults and all. the only place where he felt like he was home and he loved it like he was a founding member. blue willow and elspeth accepted him from the moment he arrived as a young boy, a fox, and they accepted him long after when he returned as a man.
the tension and the banter between elsie and wells was just perfect. they had me giggling and wanting to tear my heart out all at the same time, but it was perfect. they’re both so stubborn beyond their own good, both loyal to a fault, both smart beyond belief and compassionate. they fit like a glove and it was healing to see elsie stop denying what she felt, to see her allow herself to be happy, to allow herself a year of rest and try random things before ultimately re-opening the inn.
the ending was perfect. to see elsie’s growth throughout the year was everything. watching her heal herself, it really healed something in me.
tropes:
- slow burn
- small town
- grumpy x guarded
- magical realism
- forced proximity
the slow burn really did burn but in the best way. blue willow out december 5th. be sure to pick it up because you won’t regret it!
so grateful to have received this as an arc. thank you, ki.
ki, you’ve outdone yourself yet again. there’s truly something so special about blue willow - the book and story, the town of itself, the people. this is the perfect winter read to curl up under a blanket and lose yourself in. the magic is there.
this place beckons me and if this were real, i would’ve loved to have experienced it. lived in it. it would’ve called my name.
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊
i am utterly and completely obsessed with wells and elsie. these two are so perfectly imperfect and fit so well, they’ve truly been wading through time and waiting for one another. they click, they work, they make sense and they feel so real, even in the magic of it all.
elsie left because she really needed to find herself. she was drowning and the only way she thought she could fix the issue and right it, was to leave. but she came back in her own terms and some people may not understand it, but she’s strong and she shows a strength that is unmatched. she burnt herself out as a speech therapist by helping others and never really helping herself, until she returned to blue willow and stopped hiding.
wells belonged to blue willow his entire life even if he grew up in boston. blue willow was the only place he could be himself, the only place he could exist and be seen for who he is, faults and all. the only place where he felt like he was home and he loved it like he was a founding member. blue willow and elspeth accepted him from the moment he arrived as a young boy, a fox, and they accepted him long after when he returned as a man.
the tension and the banter between elsie and wells was just perfect. they had me giggling and wanting to tear my heart out all at the same time, but it was perfect. they’re both so stubborn beyond their own good, both loyal to a fault, both smart beyond belief and compassionate. they fit like a glove and it was healing to see elsie stop denying what she felt, to see her allow herself to be happy, to allow herself a year of rest and try random things before ultimately re-opening the inn.
the ending was perfect. to see elsie’s growth throughout the year was everything. watching her heal herself, it really healed something in me.
tropes:
- slow burn
- small town
- grumpy x guarded
- magical realism
- forced proximity
the slow burn really did burn but in the best way. blue willow out december 5th. be sure to pick it up because you won’t regret it!
December 21, 2025
Beautifully and sensitively written with a great slow build up to the many layers of emotions. A fantastic, magical small town romance that goes a good bit deeper than I expected.
6 stars
6 stars
December 13, 2025
It was such a beautiful read!
I love the magical realism theme in books and it's so beautifully executed in this book. 💙
Elsie, Wells, i love them both so so much, both felt relatable and I just wanted to hug them both.
And the slow burn was really really good, the way their love grew, the chemistry between them sparkles was really heartwarming. The book was really emotional, really beautiful ❤️
I wholeheartedly recommend this book! 💗
Thank you so much Ki Stephens for the ARC! 💞
I love the magical realism theme in books and it's so beautifully executed in this book. 💙
Elsie, Wells, i love them both so so much, both felt relatable and I just wanted to hug them both.
And the slow burn was really really good, the way their love grew, the chemistry between them sparkles was really heartwarming. The book was really emotional, really beautiful ❤️
I wholeheartedly recommend this book! 💗
Thank you so much Ki Stephens for the ARC! 💞
December 9, 2025
2.75 ⭐️
I won’t lie I forgot I was reading about two people in their late 20’s at one point because if you told me these two were 14 I’d believe you.
Elsie is all over the place. She left her grandma and her hometown 8 years ago (when she was 18) and suddenly she’s back, only her grandmas passed and she seems to have forgotten every single thing the town does because this girl is confused!! It makes no sense, some of the festive stuff the town does she’s super confused by and she spent most of her childhood with her grandmother so?? I’m also pretty sure we never find out why she left her grandmother in the first place all we know is that a fight occurred and she left but it was never explained.
Wells. He’s arrogant and thinks he’s entitled to a house that’s not his and never has been. He’s hot and cold and tbh a displeasure to read. At one point Elsie tells him she doesn’t think she can see them making a proper go at things and he gets pissy and during the same conversation says that he doesn’t think they can either and then she’s like “well why not?” There is sooo much back and forth with this guy it’s insane. But they’re both terrible so maybe they do belong together 🤷♀️ I struggle to see why these two should be together and the only explanation I can come up with is that Wells needs a place to live.
This was marketed as a slowburn and tbh it wasn’t. From the very first meeting these two are inseparable. When I think of slowburn I think of repressed feelings and intimate scenes after 75%, and although thankfully I wasn’t subjected to a lustful male pov it was obvious they were both intrigued with one another and I think we should have gotten some friction at the beginning and more set up with the secondary characters (who are obviously being hinted at for the next instalments) so the building of friendships felt organic because they didn’t feel realistic it felt like convenience.
Her grandma was extremely weird? Why was she writing notes to her granddaughter about her first kiss with Wells? And assuming they would end up together even though they met once when they were like 5? I can suspend belief with a magic house I can’t with this sorry 🙄
The writing was good though! Was there some over dramatic quotes that were obviously added so that people could pull them out and make edits for the book? Sure and some of them made zero sense for the characters or their relationship but I can respect it and I understand that sometimes it needs to be done. But I do think it needs to make sense for the characters because some of the “big quotes” just didn’t suit Wells at all.
I don’t think this book was terrible but there was too much and too little going on at times and it ultimately felt like I was begging these two to just have one conversation for me to believe their inner dialogues on why they actually like each other.
December 7, 2025
“in a town where quiet magic lingers, some people and some places will never stop waiting for you to come home.”
this was so delightful. definitely a cozy whimsical read for winter time for sure. i love small town romances for the charm they bring and this had that and a bit of magical realism which brought it all together. i was drawn in from the first chapter and couldn’t put it down, ki, has a way of writing that just captivates you.
the banter between elsie and wells!!!! so good!!! i liked their relationship and how it developed. it was a slow burn with some miscommunication (but it was realistic) as elsie was grieving the loss of her grandmother and full of emotion being back in town. he is the definition of a grump who slowly breaks down her walls.
you also see wells’s pain in a different way afraid of losing the house that holds a quarter of the town’s magic and that’s been in hart family for generations — “tended, loved, and laced with intention. it’s where the town’s magic gathered and grew”.
when elsie returns to blue willow for the first time in eight years, it's only to settle her grandmother’s estate, not to rekindle old memories or untangle the magic she’s worked hard to forget. but the inn she once loved is more stubborn than it looks. so is the man who’s been keeping it alive. wells never wants to leave. he’s spent the last few years patching the inn back together with his own two hands and the quiet certainty that elspeth didn’t just pour her heart into the walls; she left something behind, something that’s worth keeping alive.
elsie wants a clean break and a fast sale. wells wants her gone before she can rip apart what’s left. but the house has other plans. as winter deepens and feelings surface, the two of them are drawn into a tug-of-war not just over the keys to the inn, but over the pieces of themselves they thought they’d long buried
tropes: slow burn, small town, magical realism, grumpy x guarded, dislike to love
❄️🗝️🌲✨🔨
this was so delightful. definitely a cozy whimsical read for winter time for sure. i love small town romances for the charm they bring and this had that and a bit of magical realism which brought it all together. i was drawn in from the first chapter and couldn’t put it down, ki, has a way of writing that just captivates you.
the banter between elsie and wells!!!! so good!!! i liked their relationship and how it developed. it was a slow burn with some miscommunication (but it was realistic) as elsie was grieving the loss of her grandmother and full of emotion being back in town. he is the definition of a grump who slowly breaks down her walls.
you also see wells’s pain in a different way afraid of losing the house that holds a quarter of the town’s magic and that’s been in hart family for generations — “tended, loved, and laced with intention. it’s where the town’s magic gathered and grew”.
when elsie returns to blue willow for the first time in eight years, it's only to settle her grandmother’s estate, not to rekindle old memories or untangle the magic she’s worked hard to forget. but the inn she once loved is more stubborn than it looks. so is the man who’s been keeping it alive. wells never wants to leave. he’s spent the last few years patching the inn back together with his own two hands and the quiet certainty that elspeth didn’t just pour her heart into the walls; she left something behind, something that’s worth keeping alive.
elsie wants a clean break and a fast sale. wells wants her gone before she can rip apart what’s left. but the house has other plans. as winter deepens and feelings surface, the two of them are drawn into a tug-of-war not just over the keys to the inn, but over the pieces of themselves they thought they’d long buried
tropes: slow burn, small town, magical realism, grumpy x guarded, dislike to love
❄️🗝️🌲✨🔨
December 29, 2025
I can’t quite put my finger on what I didn’t like about this. I think it was largely the writing style; it felt too try hard and veered into purple prose in an attempt to be atmospheric. It felt like the author was reaching for something that didn’t come to fruition. The dialogue was stilted and written in a way that made it impossible to separate it from the author’s voice and other characters’ voices. People just don’t talk like that, which is often the case in books, but I couldn’t overlook it here because it was so egregious.
The characters didn’t make much sense to me. First of all, absolutely nothing warranted the FMC to not talk to her grandmother for eight years. The reason she ended up leaving was an easily resolvable conflict, and her grandmother was the only person who treated her well at all, so that was confusing. The book also completely glosses over those years in her life as if they made no impact. The emotions and motivations of the characters oscillate back and forth so fast it gave me whiplash, almost like they had bouts of momentary amnesia. For example, there’s this moment when they’re fighting in the third act, and the FMC says that after [insert inciting incident], she doesn’t know if they’ll work. Then the MMC says the same exact thing about not being sure they’ll work, and she says “don’t say that.” Girl, what the eff? You brought that up in the first place.
On top of all that, there was just not a moment of levity in this book. Of course the characters each were dealing with grief and painful pasts, but there have to be moments for that grief and pain to breathe otherwise it makes the story itself painful to read. This criticism goes hand in hand with my first point about the prose feeling grandiloquent. There never seemed to be a light at the end of the tunnel with these two, so it felt like they didn’t actually enjoy being around each other and it didn’t make sense that they’d fall in love. Almost every single interaction between them ended with them feeling worse than when it began. This certainly wasn’t warm and cozy despite the magical inn. I ended up skimming the last third.
All that said, this was a completely safe read. No OW/OM, neither were virgins but there was no info on past partners. There was one very minor comment from the MMC’s friend about his “track record”, but it was pretty insignificant IMO.
The characters didn’t make much sense to me. First of all, absolutely nothing warranted the FMC to not talk to her grandmother for eight years. The reason she ended up leaving was an easily resolvable conflict, and her grandmother was the only person who treated her well at all, so that was confusing. The book also completely glosses over those years in her life as if they made no impact. The emotions and motivations of the characters oscillate back and forth so fast it gave me whiplash, almost like they had bouts of momentary amnesia. For example, there’s this moment when they’re fighting in the third act, and the FMC says that after [insert inciting incident], she doesn’t know if they’ll work. Then the MMC says the same exact thing about not being sure they’ll work, and she says “don’t say that.” Girl, what the eff? You brought that up in the first place.
On top of all that, there was just not a moment of levity in this book. Of course the characters each were dealing with grief and painful pasts, but there have to be moments for that grief and pain to breathe otherwise it makes the story itself painful to read. This criticism goes hand in hand with my first point about the prose feeling grandiloquent. There never seemed to be a light at the end of the tunnel with these two, so it felt like they didn’t actually enjoy being around each other and it didn’t make sense that they’d fall in love. Almost every single interaction between them ended with them feeling worse than when it began. This certainly wasn’t warm and cozy despite the magical inn. I ended up skimming the last third.
All that said, this was a completely safe read. No OW/OM, neither were virgins but there was no info on past partners. There was one very minor comment from the MMC’s friend about his “track record”, but it was pretty insignificant IMO.
December 3, 2025
4 stars.
"Blue Willow" by Ki Stephens is an emotional, restorative, soft, and sweet novel featuring two broken characters who are searching for healing and acceptance in a world that has often been hard on them. I found this story to be so great, like a warm cup of cocoa, fuzzy socks, handwritten letters, and a delicate hug wrapped up into one. The prose is almost like a melody, inviting, and it hooks you with its calming presence. The main characters, Elsie and Wells, are complicated and complex, but ultimately want the same thing: they want to belong. I loved the magical realism vibes of the historic inn that Elsie's grandma, Elspeth Hart, ran until she passed away. The house is imbued with the spirit of all the Hart women who came before, generations of strong women who had secrets and lives and loves and wants and wishes. The inn knows what one needs and will bend and groan and creak and push its inhabitants to its will and whims and wants. This aspect kept me engaged and interested with its charming quirks. This story is surprisingly emotional. I loved watching Elsie and Wells fall slowly in love after being enemies over whether the inn should be sold or kept as a historically designated location in the town of Blue Willow. Everything about them in this story is imperfect, and that's the point, that it's okay to be a work in progress, it's okay to slow down, it's okay to breathe and reevaluate everything. I just really enjoyed being in this world and with these characters. Enchanting, to say the least.
Thank you to Ki Stephens for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
"Blue Willow" by Ki Stephens is an emotional, restorative, soft, and sweet novel featuring two broken characters who are searching for healing and acceptance in a world that has often been hard on them. I found this story to be so great, like a warm cup of cocoa, fuzzy socks, handwritten letters, and a delicate hug wrapped up into one. The prose is almost like a melody, inviting, and it hooks you with its calming presence. The main characters, Elsie and Wells, are complicated and complex, but ultimately want the same thing: they want to belong. I loved the magical realism vibes of the historic inn that Elsie's grandma, Elspeth Hart, ran until she passed away. The house is imbued with the spirit of all the Hart women who came before, generations of strong women who had secrets and lives and loves and wants and wishes. The inn knows what one needs and will bend and groan and creak and push its inhabitants to its will and whims and wants. This aspect kept me engaged and interested with its charming quirks. This story is surprisingly emotional. I loved watching Elsie and Wells fall slowly in love after being enemies over whether the inn should be sold or kept as a historically designated location in the town of Blue Willow. Everything about them in this story is imperfect, and that's the point, that it's okay to be a work in progress, it's okay to slow down, it's okay to breathe and reevaluate everything. I just really enjoyed being in this world and with these characters. Enchanting, to say the least.
Thank you to Ki Stephens for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
November 23, 2025
4.25⭐️
“I want a future with you, Elsie. That sort of thing takes time.”
this story follows elsie hart, who has finally returned to blue willow for the first time in 8 years, only to settle her grandmother’s estate, and doesn’t want to think about the magic in there nor the memories of the past, but as she enters through the inn, she finds someone living in here, keeping the inn alive. wells rourke has spent the last couple of years patching different spots of the inn, trying to keep what is left of the previous owner, elspeth hart’s heart alive through these walls. elsie just wants a clean break and wants to sell the inn and leave, wells wants her gone before she rips what’s left of the magic in the place, but as more and more memories come forwards and the magic that’s in the slips through, a lot of feelings come to light…
i absolutely adored this book!! this book surprised me in the best way possible, i adored every aspect of it, the small town found family, the magic, the inn, everything in this book came so seamlessly together it was so beautiful to read and it genuinely felt like i was inside of that in living there. this book felt so cozy and comforting to read! both elsie and well’s character development was so beautifully written, and the way their romance developed was in the most amazing way. though they fell in love in a short amount of time, these two felt so perfect together as their natural feelings development. overall incredible reading if you’re looking for a quick cozy read!
thank you ki stephens for the arc🫶
“I want a future with you, Elsie. That sort of thing takes time.”
this story follows elsie hart, who has finally returned to blue willow for the first time in 8 years, only to settle her grandmother’s estate, and doesn’t want to think about the magic in there nor the memories of the past, but as she enters through the inn, she finds someone living in here, keeping the inn alive. wells rourke has spent the last couple of years patching different spots of the inn, trying to keep what is left of the previous owner, elspeth hart’s heart alive through these walls. elsie just wants a clean break and wants to sell the inn and leave, wells wants her gone before she rips what’s left of the magic in the place, but as more and more memories come forwards and the magic that’s in the slips through, a lot of feelings come to light…
i absolutely adored this book!! this book surprised me in the best way possible, i adored every aspect of it, the small town found family, the magic, the inn, everything in this book came so seamlessly together it was so beautiful to read and it genuinely felt like i was inside of that in living there. this book felt so cozy and comforting to read! both elsie and well’s character development was so beautifully written, and the way their romance developed was in the most amazing way. though they fell in love in a short amount of time, these two felt so perfect together as their natural feelings development. overall incredible reading if you’re looking for a quick cozy read!
thank you ki stephens for the arc🫶
December 13, 2025
A book that I think everyone needs to have the joy of experiencing 🤍
If you know me, you know that Ki is one of my favorite authors of all time! And even though she’s known for her sports romances, it somehow made so much sense when I found out she was writing a cozy, magical realism winter book — she is the queen of writing soft love. This exceeded all of my expectations and more!
I could not help but fall more and more in love with Elsie & Wells with every page. Their story had all the banter, tension, and yearning for someone you shouldn’t be longing for! Wells was also just a natural caretaker despite disliking Elsie at first, and it truly had me swooning. I felt such a strong kinship for these two sensitive and guarded characters. Seeing them slowly break down each other’s walls and becoming a safe place for one another was simply everything. They love each other softly and quietly, but it absolutely doesn’t mean that their love isn’t strong — it’s steady and comforting like your favorite coffee on a peaceful morning.
I cannot finish this review without also gushing about the inn and town of Blue Willow itself! It truly set the perfect backdrop for Elsie & Wells’s story. The town is so atmospheric and vibrant, and it made me want to live there immediately. There was something so special and unique about this town that made me feel so safe and at home between the pages of this book.
Overall, this was the whimsical, cozy, magical winter book of my dreams! Ki truly never ceases to amaze me with her talent for writing the most comforting books with lovable characters. I’m already so in love with this new world she’s created, and I’m looking forward to being back again 🫶🏼
Thank you so much to Ki Stephens & her team for an ARC of this book! 💌
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
a whimsical, cozy, and magical gem of a book that's stunning inside and out. i love elsie & wells and the town of blue willow with my entire heart, i felt so safe and at home between these pages <3
If you know me, you know that Ki is one of my favorite authors of all time! And even though she’s known for her sports romances, it somehow made so much sense when I found out she was writing a cozy, magical realism winter book — she is the queen of writing soft love. This exceeded all of my expectations and more!
I could not help but fall more and more in love with Elsie & Wells with every page. Their story had all the banter, tension, and yearning for someone you shouldn’t be longing for! Wells was also just a natural caretaker despite disliking Elsie at first, and it truly had me swooning. I felt such a strong kinship for these two sensitive and guarded characters. Seeing them slowly break down each other’s walls and becoming a safe place for one another was simply everything. They love each other softly and quietly, but it absolutely doesn’t mean that their love isn’t strong — it’s steady and comforting like your favorite coffee on a peaceful morning.
I cannot finish this review without also gushing about the inn and town of Blue Willow itself! It truly set the perfect backdrop for Elsie & Wells’s story. The town is so atmospheric and vibrant, and it made me want to live there immediately. There was something so special and unique about this town that made me feel so safe and at home between the pages of this book.
Overall, this was the whimsical, cozy, magical winter book of my dreams! Ki truly never ceases to amaze me with her talent for writing the most comforting books with lovable characters. I’m already so in love with this new world she’s created, and I’m looking forward to being back again 🫶🏼
Thank you so much to Ki Stephens & her team for an ARC of this book! 💌
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
a whimsical, cozy, and magical gem of a book that's stunning inside and out. i love elsie & wells and the town of blue willow with my entire heart, i felt so safe and at home between these pages <3
November 11, 2025
“𝐌𝐲 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐝. 𝐒𝐡𝐞’𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞—𝐰𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐞, 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐦, 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐟𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐈 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡. 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐬𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐮𝐥, 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐜, 𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐧. 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐬.”
This is easily Ki Stephens’ best book yet. As soon as I saw the premise of this book (and the stunning cover), I knew I had to read it. Blue Willow pulled on so many heart strings. The amount of highlights I made tells you everything you need to know about how much I love this one. This book was written so beautifully, it’s so so so romantic and touching. If you like your romances with a sprinkle of magical realism and a good slow burn, this one is for you.
the vibes ™:
- magical realism/ sentient house
- winter setting
- slow burn
- complex trauma rep
- dealing with grief
🏠✨❄️🩵
This is easily Ki Stephens’ best book yet. As soon as I saw the premise of this book (and the stunning cover), I knew I had to read it. Blue Willow pulled on so many heart strings. The amount of highlights I made tells you everything you need to know about how much I love this one. This book was written so beautifully, it’s so so so romantic and touching. If you like your romances with a sprinkle of magical realism and a good slow burn, this one is for you.
the vibes ™:
- magical realism/ sentient house
- winter setting
- slow burn
- complex trauma rep
- dealing with grief
🏠✨❄️🩵
November 25, 2025
4.75 ⭐️
[arc review]
stepped into the land of blue willow and didn't want to leave. this story was so magical and whimsical and so cozy and felt like home!
this story follows elsie hart and her return to blue willow. her plans were to come to blue willow, sell the inn, and leave, again. well... that did not go as planned because it was not as easy as she had originally thought or hoped. she meets wells rourke, the grumpy handyman that's been taking care of the inn since elsie's grandmother passes (and even before then).
these two did not like each other at the beginning.... or so you think. they bicker and banter a lot (in the BEST WAY) and the more they are forced to coexist together, the harder it is to keep up the front that they don't like each other. elsie and wells are opposites but more similar than they realize which is why they fit so perfectly together.
this town has a lot of charm and a lot of love. not only with the magic but with the people in it, the people that would do anything for their own. it made me happy that this story had that little small town, found family loving aspect in it, as well.
❄️ magical realism
❄️ small town, found family
❄️ grumpy x guarded
❄️ dislike to lovers
❄️ slow burn
there's a lot more i'd love to spoil but you'll just have to wait until december 5th when blue willow will be released!!
[arc review]
stepped into the land of blue willow and didn't want to leave. this story was so magical and whimsical and so cozy and felt like home!
this story follows elsie hart and her return to blue willow. her plans were to come to blue willow, sell the inn, and leave, again. well... that did not go as planned because it was not as easy as she had originally thought or hoped. she meets wells rourke, the grumpy handyman that's been taking care of the inn since elsie's grandmother passes (and even before then).
these two did not like each other at the beginning.... or so you think. they bicker and banter a lot (in the BEST WAY) and the more they are forced to coexist together, the harder it is to keep up the front that they don't like each other. elsie and wells are opposites but more similar than they realize which is why they fit so perfectly together.
this town has a lot of charm and a lot of love. not only with the magic but with the people in it, the people that would do anything for their own. it made me happy that this story had that little small town, found family loving aspect in it, as well.
❄️ magical realism
❄️ small town, found family
❄️ grumpy x guarded
❄️ dislike to lovers
❄️ slow burn
there's a lot more i'd love to spoil but you'll just have to wait until december 5th when blue willow will be released!!
December 4, 2025
thank you ki stephens for the arc>
[ arc review ]
blue willow is a cozy winter read where i felt the magic realism was done well but the romance? im not sure. i can see why people like it but to me it felt like elsie and wells went straight from hate to love but then isn't that the point of enemies to lovers, yeah i guess so. i just require some kind of in between the two so it doesn't seem sudden and off putting.
im all for slow burn but this one either was just too slow for me for a romance book or the timing wasn't right. either way it felt more dragged rather than slow for me. however, i was a fan of the premise and all the elements that made blue willow the town it is in the book and the found family is cute.
[ arc review ]
blue willow is a cozy winter read where i felt the magic realism was done well but the romance? im not sure. i can see why people like it but to me it felt like elsie and wells went straight from hate to love but then isn't that the point of enemies to lovers, yeah i guess so. i just require some kind of in between the two so it doesn't seem sudden and off putting.
im all for slow burn but this one either was just too slow for me for a romance book or the timing wasn't right. either way it felt more dragged rather than slow for me. however, i was a fan of the premise and all the elements that made blue willow the town it is in the book and the found family is cute.
November 15, 2025
Warm and cozy. Just what I needed.
Blue Willow felt like an actual place I could visit. The in and romance within it sparked a nostalgic feeling in my heart.
The grief Elsie goes through is weaving on her, but she learns that she doesn’t have to carry it alone again.
And Wells’ loneliness suddenly disappears when the girl with wild hair and red cheeks comes back to the town that raised her
Thank you for this earc.
Blue Willow felt like an actual place I could visit. The in and romance within it sparked a nostalgic feeling in my heart.
The grief Elsie goes through is weaving on her, but she learns that she doesn’t have to carry it alone again.
And Wells’ loneliness suddenly disappears when the girl with wild hair and red cheeks comes back to the town that raised her
Thank you for this earc.
December 21, 2025
dnf at 36%
i loved the premise and build up of this story — this literally reads like lorelai & luke fanfiction with beautiful writing that reminded me of ashley poston — but it slogged so badly in the middle with all the talk of paperwork, legalities and town meetings that i just didn’t care :(
really wish the focus had stayed on the house and its magic and more development between the leads.
(i’m also just not the biggest small town girlie and this was yet another attempt to see if maybe that had changed…it has not 🥹)
i loved the premise and build up of this story — this literally reads like lorelai & luke fanfiction with beautiful writing that reminded me of ashley poston — but it slogged so badly in the middle with all the talk of paperwork, legalities and town meetings that i just didn’t care :(
really wish the focus had stayed on the house and its magic and more development between the leads.
(i’m also just not the biggest small town girlie and this was yet another attempt to see if maybe that had changed…it has not 🥹)
December 3, 2025
thank you Ki for the arc in exchange for an honest, spoiler free, review🫂.
4.5 stars!
Blue Willow, Elsie, Wells, Elspeth, and all of the side characters had me hooked from the start. The soft, lingering magic the house had. The towns magic. Everything about it had me wanting more. I could read 100 books about this world & setting. It was so tender in ways that make me feel like crying. I connected to Elsie so much and see a lot of myself in her. Wells was so sweet and patient 🥹. This book was utterly beautiful. I cannot wait to see all the magic Ki comes up within the next 3 books in Blue Willow🩵!
(sorry I’m a couple weeks late. I realized I forgot to post my review on here as well🫣)
4.5 stars!
Blue Willow, Elsie, Wells, Elspeth, and all of the side characters had me hooked from the start. The soft, lingering magic the house had. The towns magic. Everything about it had me wanting more. I could read 100 books about this world & setting. It was so tender in ways that make me feel like crying. I connected to Elsie so much and see a lot of myself in her. Wells was so sweet and patient 🥹. This book was utterly beautiful. I cannot wait to see all the magic Ki comes up within the next 3 books in Blue Willow🩵!
(sorry I’m a couple weeks late. I realized I forgot to post my review on here as well🫣)
December 15, 2025
I just could not really get on board with the relationship or the magic system. It all felt a little too convenient. I felt like the setting and the house took over and the romance was a side plot tbh
November 16, 2025
This is how you rebuild a life. You pass around cups. You pass around time. You study what's broken until you figure out how to fix it.
First of all, I just want to thank Ki for sending over this arc. I was not familiar with her game, but now that I've read this, I will definitely be checking out her other books.
Anyway, I loved this book so much. Not because of Elsie's immaculate taste in songs (Silver Springs) but because of how much I related to her. It's not really so often that I come across a character that I can completely see myself in. Her quiet way and not wanting to be a burden, never asking for help is something I've lived with my entire life and it was refreshing to read about someone like that. I'm glad that she came out of her shell and could freely be herself the longer she stayed in Blue Willow.
And Wells. I appreciate so much that he was not written like so many other small town guys you see in books. He was kind, understanding (most of the time) and not possessive in the way you see other mmc's written in this setting. That made him, and his relationship with Elsie, so much better imo.
As for the other characters, I love that we got glimpses of them throughout the book because it leaves me hopeful that we'll see them in the future. (please Ki, please write an Isla/Jack book!). The house was a character all on its own, with a whole personality, and I loved all the subtle magic it gave. Someone buy me a magical inn!
I would definitely recommend this, though. It's the perfect cozy, winter read.
First of all, I just want to thank Ki for sending over this arc. I was not familiar with her game, but now that I've read this, I will definitely be checking out her other books.
Anyway, I loved this book so much. Not because of Elsie's immaculate taste in songs (Silver Springs) but because of how much I related to her. It's not really so often that I come across a character that I can completely see myself in. Her quiet way and not wanting to be a burden, never asking for help is something I've lived with my entire life and it was refreshing to read about someone like that. I'm glad that she came out of her shell and could freely be herself the longer she stayed in Blue Willow.
And Wells. I appreciate so much that he was not written like so many other small town guys you see in books. He was kind, understanding (most of the time) and not possessive in the way you see other mmc's written in this setting. That made him, and his relationship with Elsie, so much better imo.
As for the other characters, I love that we got glimpses of them throughout the book because it leaves me hopeful that we'll see them in the future. (please Ki, please write an Isla/Jack book!). The house was a character all on its own, with a whole personality, and I loved all the subtle magic it gave. Someone buy me a magical inn!
I would definitely recommend this, though. It's the perfect cozy, winter read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 24, 2025
Perfect. The way this book feels so perfectly Ki-coded, but also completely different was like coming home.
Elsie ran around from a town that felt like it was preventing her from being bold, but when her grandmother passes, it’s time to return and close that chapter for good. What she wasn’t expecting was for her grandmother to have a live-in handyman tenant who’s standing in the way from her selling the house and moving on.
Wells was welcomed by Blue Willow, and it became his town, and in turn the Inn his home. When the long lost granddaughter comes back trying to mess with the magic of the Inn, he won’t let her sell without a fight.
I truly think the magic of the town and the Inn was like an additional character of the story and made everything have the Christmas feel that’s so hard to put into words. You could feel the emotion of the “magic” and in turn thawed to the town just as Elsie does.
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Elsie ran around from a town that felt like it was preventing her from being bold, but when her grandmother passes, it’s time to return and close that chapter for good. What she wasn’t expecting was for her grandmother to have a live-in handyman tenant who’s standing in the way from her selling the house and moving on.
Wells was welcomed by Blue Willow, and it became his town, and in turn the Inn his home. When the long lost granddaughter comes back trying to mess with the magic of the Inn, he won’t let her sell without a fight.
I truly think the magic of the town and the Inn was like an additional character of the story and made everything have the Christmas feel that’s so hard to put into words. You could feel the emotion of the “magic” and in turn thawed to the town just as Elsie does.
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 9, 2025
A gorgeous magical 4.5 Stars
Blue Willow was my very first book by Ki Stephens, and it is absolutely not my last. This story was the most perfect, beautiful wintery read, the kind that wraps around you like a soft blanket while the world outside goes still and snowy. It was so tender and so moving that I teared up more times than I can admit, in the best possible way.
From the very first chapter, I adored every single character, Elsie felt so relatable and real to me and Wells was truly the most perfectly imperfect man and the entire town that felt so alive it was like stepping into it and becoming friends with all the characters myself.
I adored how real Elsie and Wells’s relationship felt. Nothing was rushed; they grew back toward each other in such an honest, gentle way, bringing out the very best in one another, their relationship truly reminded me how healing love can be.
Truly a gorgeous, heart-warming story I’m so grateful I picked up.
Blue Willow was my very first book by Ki Stephens, and it is absolutely not my last. This story was the most perfect, beautiful wintery read, the kind that wraps around you like a soft blanket while the world outside goes still and snowy. It was so tender and so moving that I teared up more times than I can admit, in the best possible way.
From the very first chapter, I adored every single character, Elsie felt so relatable and real to me and Wells was truly the most perfectly imperfect man and the entire town that felt so alive it was like stepping into it and becoming friends with all the characters myself.
I adored how real Elsie and Wells’s relationship felt. Nothing was rushed; they grew back toward each other in such an honest, gentle way, bringing out the very best in one another, their relationship truly reminded me how healing love can be.
Truly a gorgeous, heart-warming story I’m so grateful I picked up.
December 4, 2025
4✨ this was such a precious, magical comfort read! perfect for winter!!! I looked forward to getting to live in it each night after a long day and could feel it instantly soothe my nervous system. it took me a little while to get used to the writing style but I ended up being really obsessed with how poetic it was. the author truly has a gift with crafting a cozy and whimsical atmosphere that you never want to leave! I related to Elsie so much and was highlighting like every other sentence. I think the only thing I wanted was a little more from the characters to really take the emotional impact to the next level.
thank you so much to the author for the opportunity to read and review this ARC ✨
thank you so much to the author for the opportunity to read and review this ARC ✨
December 14, 2025
This is without a doubt THE book to read this season!!! I absolutely love Ki Stephens books and Blue Willow was so different from her usual books but it was absolute perfection. Blue Willow is the cosy winter with magical realism book of my dreams. Everything in this book screams cosy and magic.
I love Elsie and Wells and actually all the characters!!! I love small town books where the small town is a character itself.
The romance in this book is beautifully written and it’s soft and cosy. It felt so cosy!!!!
Elsie and Wells are incredibly written and they feel so real. Their story, their relationship. Seeing them slowly breaking each other’s walls and being there for each other is so mesmerising. Their love feels so soft and quiet.
I kept trying to read it as slow as possible to save every single moment of it. Can’t wait to see if we can go back to this world in next books.
Thank you to Ki Stephens for the ARC.
I love Elsie and Wells and actually all the characters!!! I love small town books where the small town is a character itself.
The romance in this book is beautifully written and it’s soft and cosy. It felt so cosy!!!!
Elsie and Wells are incredibly written and they feel so real. Their story, their relationship. Seeing them slowly breaking each other’s walls and being there for each other is so mesmerising. Their love feels so soft and quiet.
I kept trying to read it as slow as possible to save every single moment of it. Can’t wait to see if we can go back to this world in next books.
Thank you to Ki Stephens for the ARC.
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