Lemon & Thyme: Heartland Fae Series, Book 1

by Paige Darling

Marigold Avonlea leads a charming life with Declan, her very human boyfriend in a little cottage on the outskirts of town, where her gifts for all things growing and little moments of magic generally go unnoticed. As a creature who has worn and discarded various identities for over a hundred years, she is delighted by the normalcy she’s found in her Midwestern human and fairy community. All is perfect, until a new creature comes to town.

Marigold’s world is abruptly upended following a malevolent organization’s blunder, and she is forced to revisit darker chapters of her life’s story to save the man and the life that she loves. With the support of a community of fairies, witches, the occasional werewolf, and a whole lot of magic, she embarks on a journey that will forever change her life, and make her question how far she is willing to go for the people – and creatures – who matter.

454 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 7, 2025

Reviews

[Zena Whittinghill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the characters in the book. I love reading a book with Fae,weres, witches. Some magic. It was a fun, easy read.💕 Can't wait for book #2💕❣️Paige has a way to capture your imagination in her story. I recommend the read.

[Karen Townsend · Rating 5 out of 5]

I immediately immersed myself in this book. Paige creates a wonderful world of magic set in the present day, where everyday life is quietly touched by something enchanting. The story feels cozy and heartfelt, with gentle, grounded magic woven into themes of connection, growth, and self-discovery. The characters are engaging and thoughtfully written, making it easy to sink into their journeys. A warm, comforting read for anyone who enjoys contemporary fantasy with a cozy, magical touch.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve honestly never read a fae romance novel before. If you’re in the same boat, I strongly encourage you to read this book. It’s an excellent introduction to the genre with action, historical flashbacks, baking, gardening, suspense and more for fans of other genres. If you’re looking for something steamy, this will also be a great read without being over-the-top. I can’t wait to read the next one!

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read! Great debut novel. The set up of Marigold's world was down to earth but rich with character development. I liked that it took place in our world and completely switched up midway through the book. It had some twists I did not anticipate and left me wanting to know more about a lot of different characters. I'm hoping this is the first book in a series!

[Peg Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

I would call this a cross between Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Ms. Marion Zimmer Bradley - equal parts of mystery and fantasy to suit me.