Twig's Traveling Tomes

by Gryffin Murphy

A witch with a magical affinity for books who owns a travelling bookstore reluctantly teams up with a charming rogue, her former professor and a gnome in search of a rare stolen grimoire.

Romance is easier read than done

Louella Twig is the only witch of her kind, much to the disappointment of her former mentor and her previous academic ambitions. While others connect to nature as their source of magic, Louella has an affinity with books. Denied her graduation broom, Louella carves a new path using her talent, creating a magical ambulatory bookshop that travels throughout the realm uniting readers with stories.

She lives a cosy, stable life, until she collides - quite literally - with a mysterious man between the Romance and Adventure aisles. Everett Sharp is handsome, charming ... and a rogue on the run. He's absolutely not someone Louella wishes to share either an adventure or a romance with. But then her old mentor arrives with a desperate a valuable grimoire has been stolen and there is only one witch who can retrieve what has been lost... a witch who now finds herself in need of a bandit with experience.

Together with friends both old and new, Louella and Everett embark on an adventure across the four kingdoms, encountering whimsical creatures, a flying greenhouse full of plant pirates and a magical World's Fair. Along the way, Louella starts to wonder if this new chapter of her life could include some romance after all ...

Genres: Fantasy, Cozy Fantasy, Romance, Cozy, Books About Books, Adult, Fiction

280 pages, Paperback

Expected publication September 8, 2026

About the author

Gryffin Murphy lives in Virginia with her husband and their two pugs, Bagels and Buster. She spends her days in overalls, trying to befriend the neighborhood crows and writing stories that warm the heart like the perfect cup of tea on a rainy day.

Reviews

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was proved wrong, this was not a 5 star read. It was, in fact, a 6 star read. I can’t even find the right words for how much I loved this book. It was everything I wanted from a cosy fantasy 💕

It’s filled with found family, a heartmelting slow-burn romance, so much yearning, and the beautiful journey of finding yourself within a community. It’s about self-acceptance, inclusivity and oh so warm and funny.

I want to live inside this story.
I want to wander through Twig’s bookstore and get the book I really need.
I want to travel with the Grimoire Avengers, have adventures with friends, and see all the creatures and lands of Four.
I want to learn magic with Feralorn. I want to garden with Midge. I want to fly with the Pirates.
I want to sit and read with Louella.

And yes, I absolutely want Everett to flirt with me. (Pretty please?)
I mean… just listen to this:
“You don’t ever need to justify your book purchases to me. If you want it, you should have it.” 🥹 OMGosh.

More than anything, I wish I could read this again for the very first time.

This book is for everyone who has ever wanted to go on an adventure with a Flynn Rider–type rogue, take on a quest for a stolen book including finding magical creatures, and create magic with the most relatable and charming book witch.

One more quote:
“That is the author… They put a small part of their souls into every work they write, with the desperate hope their book will find the right reader.”
Well, this book found the right reader. (It’s me, hi!)
Gryffin Murphy made me a forever fan with this book – of her writing, her wit, her humor, her heart, and her romance.
And I made friends in this book. They’re going to stay with me forever.

Thank you to Bindery, NetGalley, and the author for the opportunity to read this ARC.

[Patrycja · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐

I'd REALLY like to visit Twig's bookstore!

------------------------------------------

Twig’s Traveling Tomes is a cozy fantasy centered on Louella Twig, a book-loving witch who runs a magical traveling bookstore that doesn’t stay in one place for long. The shop journeys across the four kingdoms. Louella guided by a touch of magic seems to understand its readers better than they understand themselves. Shelves shift, doors open onto unexpected streets, and the store itself feels almost alive — as if it chooses its destinations with purpose. When a powerful grimoire is stolen, Louella is pulled out of her comfortable, book-filled routine and into an adventure across those same kingdoms, joined by a charming rogue, her former professor, and a gnome companion.

The traveling bookstore is easily one of the most compelling elements of the novel. It’s such a warm, imaginative concept, and the author truly explores the idea that books themselves hold transformative magic. The world feels vibrant and the journey beyond Louella’s shop introduces a range of interesting creatures and whimsical settings that make the adventure feel lively and visually rich.

The found family motif adds emotional warmth to the story. Watching this unlikely group slowly come together is one of the book’s strengths, especially as Louella is pushed outside her comfort zone and forced to grow.

That said, while the premise and worldbuilding are wonderfully engaging, the characters themselves aren’t the most unique. I didn’t feel as invested in their individual fates as I would have liked. Still, the setting and magical atmosphere were so charming that it didn’t detract too much from my overall enjoyment.

Overall, Twig’s Traveling Tomes is a comforting, imaginative read. Perfect for readers who love cozy adventures, magical bookstores, and stories about finding belonging in unexpected places.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[andreea ᥫ᭡ · Rating 2 out of 5]

𐔌 . ⋮ twig’s traveling tomes 📜 .ᐟ ֹ ₊ ꒱

what to expect:
— cottagecore, whimsical story
— low-stakes adventures
— found family
— insta-love
— howl’s moving castle vibes

the story follows louella twig, a witch whose magic is tied to books, who runs a traveling bookstore that somehow always gives people the exact book they need. she mostly keeps to herself until a thief shows up in her shop, and soon after, her old mentor pulls her into a search for a stolen grimoire.

from there, the story turns into more of a journey, with louella traveling alongside a small group to try and find it, even though she’s clearly not someone who’s used to that kind of life.

it has a really nice concept, especially with the whole magical bookstore idea, but the story leans more on the journey and the characters than on a strong, fast-moving plot.

i truly believe that, with a bit more time and development, twig’s traveling tomes could’ve been great. my main issue was that i just couldn’t connect to the characters, and because of that, i didn’t really care about the plot either. there’s barely any tension; not between the characters, and not when it comes to the actual goal of the story.

collecting the pages of the grimoire, which should’ve been some of the most intense moments, would be over in a page with no real buildup or suspense. everything felt very rushed, like i was being told things instead of actually experiencing them.

i also didn’t find myself caring about any of the characters. louella’s friends and family kind of just exist in the background without adding much, and her personality feels way too centered around everett. outside of him, it’s hard to say who she even is. and by day five they were already in love… insta love just isn’t for me.

to me, this read more like a ya book, despite all the innuendos. the tone felt very young and a bit too cheeky at times, which just didn’t really work for me. by the 70% mark, i was honestly pretty bored and not that invested in what was happening anymore.

that being said, it’s not all bad. there were a few elements i liked, and i can see this working better for other people. i’d probably recommend it as something to read in between heavier books, since it’s quick and easy and doesn’t require too much investment.

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

𐔌 . ⋮ pre-read 📜 .ᐟ ֹ ₊ ꒱

trying to catch up on my arcs and this one expires in 6 days… amazing timing. but it looks so cozy i can’t even be mad, i’m actually really excited for it!!

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Twig’s Traveling Tomes is a standalone cozy fantasy by Gryffin Murphy. Louella Twig is an unusual witch whose power comes from books rather than nature. Rejected as not being a true witch, she instead opens a bookshop that can transport itself between storefronts across the four kingdoms with the turn of a knob, supplying customers with the exact book they need. When a former mentor asks for her help retrieving his stolen grimoire, she teams up with the handsome rogue Everett Sharp and a few others who tag along as they set out to recover the missing pages.

I really wanted to like this book, but I struggled with just how mid it was. It’s not that it’s a bad book; it’s just sort of unremarkable. Maybe I simply wasn’t in the right mood or mindset for it, but I found it a little boring and mediocre. Don’t get me wrong—I love cozy fantasy and have read plenty of it. This felt like it was trying a little too hard to be cute and cozy, but the result came across as forced rather than charming.

The story moves quickly, but its structure becomes repetitive, with essentially the same sequence of events playing out as they retrieve one set of pages after another. The characters also face very few meaningful obstacles or challenges, which left me wondering what was actually at stake. For all the traveling and page collecting, I never really felt a compelling reason for this story to be told.

I had similar issues with the characters. There is a found family here, and I really wanted to love them, but there simply wasn’t enough for me to latch onto. They felt haphazardly thrown together, without much holding them together beyond their banter. And while I do enjoy good banter, that seemed to be almost all the book had to offer. The characters bantered constantly but had very few serious conversations, which made their relationships feel less compelling and convincing. I did sort of like the romance, but there was far too much flirting far too early, and the book never really slowed down enough to develop the emotional side of the relationship.

Twig’s Traveling Tomes had all the right ingredients for a good cozy fantasy, but it left me underwhelmed.

*Thank you to the publishers for the eARC via NetGalley

[Erin (erinsreadingroom) · Rating 5 out of 5]

☆ 5 stars

Twig’s Travelling Tomes is a charming and fantastical tale by author Gryffin Murphy. This is the Cosy Romantasy of my dreams that I have yearned to experience for far longer than I can ever even think about putting into words. Filled to the brim with non-stop adventure, loveable characters and an endearing love story that is bound to make you smile… this is a book that you’re not going to want to put down from the moment you settle in to read. I’m literally beyond obsessed and think that this couldn’t have been made any better if the author tried. If I didn’t have to squeeze every single reading opportunity possible between working a full-time job then I would’ve easily consumed this entire book in one sitting. Murphy does a phenomenal job at building up the world with such vivid imagery without being overwhelming. I existed in a constant state of giddiness and glee from beginning to end and I’m already mentally calculating when I can appropriately abandon my TBR for a re-read. If you are a reader who is looking for a cosy Fantasy with moderate stakes, effortless banter and a romantic sub-plot that will leave you swooning into your pillow then Twig’s Travelling Tomes is the book for you.

Louella Twig is living every bookworm’s dream as she runs her own successful travelling bookshop business thanks to the assistance of her unique magical abilities. I really felt for Louella throughout her journey as her unconventional magic source resulted in the rejection from her peers and her graduation from academics being denied. I was living for the fact that she basically started her business out of spite to prove everybody wrong before realising that she is exactly where she not only should be, but also wants to be. It was wonderful to witness Louella slowly coming out of her isolated shell as she embraces the unexpected journey that she finds herself embarking upon thanks to the meddling of her ex-tutor and a handsome thief that is set on next stealing her heart. Her kindness and empathy for others shone through the pages and I loved every opportunity we were provided to delve deeper into her history and vulnerabilities. Louella is fiercely independent and settled within the safety she finds within familiar comforts which is what makes her journey so beautiful to recognise. She finally has the opportunity to live out her own adventure rather than spending her life seeking them within the pages of her books with her capacity for bravery and ability to adapt coming in handy. At her core, Louella is a bright and passionate woman who was spurned earlier in life whom has since struggled with seeking validation and acceptance from others for the magic she possesses. I adored every moment of Louella’s journey as she learns how to open herself up to new experiences and people, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to see how beloved she is by those most important to her in the end.

I officially have a new bookish obsession and his name is Everett Sharp. I’m not even exaggerating when I say that the vast majority of my highlights are from this man’s dialogue and I have no complaints that his many swoon-worthy moments play on repeat within my mind. I was immediately sold when the promise for a ‘Flynn Ryder-coded’ MMC was delivered upon without effort… however it was his actions as a character that has left me yearning for my own real life Everett Sharp. This man was down bad for our lovely heroine from the very moment he wandered into her bookshop to avoid being incarcerated. Everett is endlessly charming and knows how to talk himself out of a sticky situation, however I loved to see how earnest and softened he became when surrounded by his friends. He is an absolute sweetheart to his core with the rugged confidence to match…. and I adored every moment when Everett stepped forward in defence of Louella in his determination to keep her out of harm’s way. The way he seems to instinctively understand her needs with an almost frantic keenness to be the one who meets them left me smiling on numerous occasions. Everett is a wonderful love interest and primary character who brings so much humour and brightness to the story. I adored every single interaction that we see him share with the rest of the cast and there’s no denying that my ever growing ‘book boyfriend’ list has found itself a new addition.

Naturally I also need to give a shout out to the wonderful supporting characters that I have adored and connected with as the plot continued to progress. Feralorn and his eccentric personality. Midge with her taste for adventure and unwavering loyalty. Oliver with his soft determination when faced against his greatest fears. Arturo and his calming presence being the constant voice of reason. Every single character played a role in helping to curate the most unlikely show of friendship that are unrelenting in their resilience as they all worked to achieve their shared goals. The found family elements are largely in part of what makes this book so strong for me and I cannot deny being sad if this is the only adventure we get to follow them on.

Twig’s Travelling Tomes is a wonderful tale filled with so much vibrancy for life and an adventure that you will mourn the loss of in the end. The conclusion was entirely satisfactory as a finale but selfishly I cannot help but wish to see more from these characters and this world. I would gladly follow them on even more adventures should the opportunity arise, but if not then I’ll just console myself with many re-reads in the future.

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞.

[CJ Alberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for work, such a sweet cozy romantasy with a rich and detailed world!

[BookishKB]

💫✨ Twig’s Traveling Tomes ✨💫

I am so excited for this one!!

🪄 What to Expect
• Book witch heroine
• Magical traveling bookshop
• Quest
• Found family
• Flirty banter
• Cozy fantasy
_ _ _

📅 Pub Date: September 8, 2026
📝 Thank you to Bindery Books, Cozy Quill, and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

[Alyssa Russek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the Author and Publisher for the ARC provided via Netgalley

I am going to give this book 3 stars, but I want to preface with this is entirely ME and not the book. The book feels YA, but I think that is just the cozy fantasy sub genre and I am new to it. It was a very simple read but I am not sure I love cozy books as much as I love cozy video games. I do think this was very personal to me. While this may not been a 6/5 for me, I really believe a lot of people are going to read it and love it. I would love to read another book in this world for sure. A short story or book about Louella's life before this, just working the shop and her daily life would be my dream.

This may be a personal thing, but I completely and utterly want this as a video game. Find the pieces, while being able to make time for customers. When the customer comes it gives you hints as to which book to recommend, giving the right book gives you points which in turns grants you bonuses for the page search. (Cozy Quill... if you start making video games and need a tester for that HMU) I also want to say I don't find this strictly an autumnal read. Personally I think this book is great for any change of seasons. When spring leaps to summer, when summer dances into autumn, when autumn falls into winter, when winter crawls into spring. Maybe it's because I'm reading it as the weather changes every day (yikes tbh) but as I flip the pages I imagine each kingdom having slightly different weather to match mine outside.

The beginning was fun but felt a bit rushed. I would have liked to see more of Louella's daily life. The premise of a book witch who pairs you with the book you need sounds so fun and perfect. I really wish we had a full chapter of her going about, and Everett somewhat in the background, just as an intro. Seeing her switch worlds while selling books, her interactions with customers. She seems to be a legend in world, and that is lore I would have wanted to explore more.

I also feel like with the door knob, the author did a tell not show in the explanation. While we did see it in action once before the "action" started I feel like her explanation wasn't entirely necessary if Louella could have used it a bit more in a daily life way. It was a short paragraph but it didn't really feel necessary to me. Afterwards when she changes the knob it doesn't go into the descriptions of the knobs, just the feeling. Possibly this bit of magic, which I felt hyped from the synopsis, wasn't as magical after the first bit. I also found myself wondering if her magic is with books, how did she enchant the knobs? How did she go through and set it up? We were thoroughly told HOW it worked, just not HOW it began.

I did like the way the adventure started. It gives you a hint of, hmm why is Everett truly doing this, without seeming overly like, this weirdo will not leave.
There's clearly an instant connection which is cute. Sometimes when I am reading a book it is hard to understand a character's motivation. With Everett I didn't think that was so. Louella... it was hard at times. I felt a large part of her motivations was just that she was too nice of a person. I did really appreciate that she would correct herself whenever she made an assumption about a person. It felt like Louella was a truly fluid person who was trying to grow at all times. She did initially come off "sheltered" but that was an assumption on my part, and wrong. I think too often we imagine our heroines or heros who are displayed at introverted to either be either sheltered or just hiding their sparkly personality behind a veil of shyness. Sometimes, just like with real people, they may just be introverted and its OK.

The character Feralorn is a good comedic relief but he is also an annoying person (as in if I was Louella I wouldn't be so nice). He didn't really get redeemed until the later part of the book so I questioned why Louella was helping him at all for most of the book. Even after the "redemption" the quest didn't make sense to me because, he still was a bit rude.
Midge and Oliver, sweet side characters. I enjoy their banter and personalities. Everyone seems to fit into a bit of a niche. Everett, the redeemable rogue, Feralorn, the comedic tutor, Midge, the brave friend, Oliver, the side kick to the brave friend who's trying to learn how to be brave (haha!!) Her mothers brought a nice background to her story, same with Everett and his parents. It was a nice explanation to the MCs, which I feel can be lost in some romances. And of course, Louella, the heroine who is finding herself and her heart.

I did find that by the end of the middle it began to get a little repetitive. I feel as if the book could have taken away a chapter or two and still be in the same place when the story is over. The cast got a bit wider and I feel like the author took Happily Ever After and stretched it to fit everyone, which then in turn made the story feel a little bloated in the middle. As a video game it would be EXCELLENT, but as a book I felt that they had "leveled up" already and were ready to move on. Parts felt rushed, the scene where Everett and Louella were in the cave. Other parts felt unnecessary entirely, the painter witch. Honestly this whole part didn't make sense to me. Why did she follow him? Why did he think she would just sleep with him in the middle of the day while her party was outside? Maybe I missed something there...

Once the story shifted a bit I was pulled back in. Despite enjoying the story overall I found myself reading the middle a little bit like a chore. I said to a friend, it was like molasses, sweet but hard to finish.

[Mela]

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

*dnf at 50%*

In this story we follow Twig a magical librarian whose power is to guess what book her clients need without having to ask. One day she’s tasked by her old mentor to look for his lost grimoire’s pages. Alongside a varied crew, will they be able to recover all the pages?

This book had all the aspects I usually love in cozy fantasy: magical libraries, a low-stakes quest and a great found family. Unfortunately I could only find two out of three of these in this book. I definitely loved the setting and how the library worked. I also enjoyed the concept behind the quest. However I could not get attached to the characters. They all felt flat to me and the two protagonists had an insta-lust/love connection, so I also wasn’t really invested in their relationship because it felt superficial. I gave up at 50% because as much as I was interested in the plot in the beginning of the book, I lost interest halfway there and it stopped being the centre of the story focusing more on the relationship, which I was not enjoying.

[Dadreadsanreviews (james) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you netgalley for the chance to review this book! This may be the most perfect cozy fantasy I could imagine. It’s full of found family, slow burn romance, yearning, finding your true self in community, self acceptance, inclusivity, and most of all…puns! The writing style is engaging and every character has a distinct voice and place in Louella’s arc. The pacing was excellent. I knew that the story was dragging in someone’s of the plot, but in didn’t care because each scene added depth, humor, and richness to the characters. The story feels like a warm blanket beside a fire with a cup of tea on winter’s day. An absolute joy to read!

[Tiny Dragon Books~ Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a blast!
There’s nothing I love more than a book about books, and the cosy vibes of Twigs Travelling Tomes were perfection.
With a cast of eccentric characters, a Flynn Ryder-esque rogue and a swathe of mystical creatures, there was so much to like about this story.
Friendships, resilience and a sprinkle of romance made it all the more lovely to read.
Settle in with a cup of tea, a snuggly blanket and dive into the kingdom of Four.

[Enya.reads.books · Rating 5 out of 5]

J’ai tellement passé un bon moment avec Twig et ses drôles d’acolytes! Ce livre est une parfaite cozy romantasy. Low stakes, mais pas du tout ennuyante! Les personnages sont attachants, la quête est légère, mais pertinente, et les p’tites morales font du bien. Finalement, j’ai vraiment aimé la romance! 🥰

**Merci à NetGalley, Cozy Quill et l’autrice pour l’ARC! Cet avis est mon honnête opinion**

[Herbibliomaniac · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5🌟

Adorable cozy romantasy. Fun characters all throughout the story. Flynn Rider vibes from the mmc (with a hint of Kristoff).

I love books that have books, so a traveling bookshop sounded too fun to pass up. I enjoyed this from the first page. It has an entertaining meet-cute, snarky book magic, found family friends, humor throughout, and of course a quest to take them all over the place. I really enjoyed the banter between the fmc and mmc. The book titles were probably my favorite part aside from the quirky cast of characters. In general I loved all of it.


Thanks Bindery Books | Cozy Quill for sending me an Arc to review.

[Fern · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review- oh my god I loved this book so much. The perfect blend of cosy and adventure, the story was great, the characters were fun and unique. I loved the humour, the puns, the lightheartedness of it all, and the romance! I was truly gutted for it to end, I’d happily read about this unlikely group and all of their adventures forever

[hon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Gryffin Murphy, Bindery Books and Netgalley for this ARC to read and review

Twig’s Travelling Tomes is a magical, fantastical yet cozy and heartwarming journey about Louella the Book Witch—a witch shunned by most of the magic community for having an unconventional magic source. Instead of having magic connected and powered by nature, Louella’s magic is connected to books. Louella runs a travelling bookstore, one bookstore in each kingdom. Here she lives a quiet life of solitude, apart from the company of her books, of course. She is known for her talent of providing her customers with exactly the book they need, even if it’s not the book they originally wanted. Life is always the same for Louella, until a roughish yet handsome ex thief from an infamous criminal group arrives in her shop, hiding from a guard and requiring her help. If that wasn’t bad enough, her prior mentor stumbles in, desperate for her assistance in finding and rescuing the pages of his stolen grimoire. This unravels into an unwanted adventure with the thief and her ex mentor to retrieve the grimoire, where we follow them on an exciting and cozy escapade, coming across different magical creatures, new friends and all sorts of dangers—all of which are entirely out of Louella’s comfort zone.

I adored this book from the very first pages. It immediately enraptures and envelopes you in a cozy, magical warmth—like a cozy, warm hug shared sat in front of a roasting fire. The story is fast paced and there is an immediate spark between Louella and Everett, drawing you in and making you need to know what, if anything, will happen between them. The writing is lovely, witty, holds your attention and absolutely cozy (shall we start a count on how many times I say cozy in this review?). The cast of the book begins with a very amusing trio, although along the way new friends are found and our little trio grows. The characters are unique, have good depth and are endlessly endearing. I truly began to love the characters and already miss them since finishing the book. I loved reading about Louella’s personal journey. I loved her silly awkwardness, the way she is completely different, perhaps a little weird, yet owns and rocks it. I truly felt for her in her struggles with her academic struggles due to being “different” and hurting when she is reminded of her being “defunct”. Her growth throughout the book was wonderful to read and I genuinely felt proud of her moving out of her comfort zone in her little bookish sanctuary and delving into the real world, writing a story of her own.

With all of its coziness, this book is also truly funny. Not only are there some hilarious scenes that genuinely made me giggle aloud (some sirens may be involved), it is truly witty all throughout, with Midge, an independent, newly single gnome making me laugh the most. The romance in this book is also lovely. I wouldn’t say it’s the main focus of the book, although admiring gazes and flirty comments from Everett are scattered throughout. While the book is fast paced, the romance feels like a slow burn, but with plenty of little, lovely moments to keep you invested and wanting more.

My only complaint for this book is I would have liked more. Some of the plotlines feel a little rushed or random. I found myself often enjoying a plotline of the book just for it to finish unexpectedly, skipping over parts and leaving me wanting more. Still, I adored this book from beginning to end and absolutely ate it up.

I definitely recommend this book for fans of Diana Wynne Jones’ “Howl's Moving Castle” and fans of Heather Fawcett’s “Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Faeries”. Perhaps even fans of “Legends & Lattes” by Travis Baldree, which I shockingly haven’t read but I still kept feeling would have a similar vibe to this read. All in all, I really couldn’t recommend this more for anyone looking for their next cozy, magical, fantasy read full of romance, adventure and magical creatures.

[Hu · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a delightful cozy fantasy adventure. Full of warmth, whimsy, and tongue-in-cheek humour, this story completely charmed me from the very first page. The travelling bookshop concept was magical in itself, but pairing it with a witch who can match readers to the exact books their souls need made this feel like the ultimate love letter to stories and the people who treasure them.

Twig was an instantly lovable protagonist, and the supporting cast was just as wonderful. Every character felt vibrant and full of personality, creating the kind of found-family energy that makes cozy fantasy so comforting to read. I especially appreciated the LGBTQI+ representation woven naturally into the story, including Twig having two mothers, which added another layer of warmth and inclusivity to the world.

Alongside the adventure and magic, the romance elements were also beautifully done. They added sweetness and emotional depth to the story without ever overpowering the whimsical atmosphere, and the relationships felt genuine, tender, and easy to root for.

As Twig journeys alongside the enchanted travelling bookshop, readers are swept into an adventure filled with magical mishaps, heartfelt friendships, romance, and plenty of bookish wonder. It’s cozy, clever, and endlessly entertaining while still carrying an emotional core about belonging, identity, and finding the stories that truly see us.

If you love cozy fantasy, magical bookstores, found family dynamics, light romance, quirky adventures, and stories with inclusive representation, this is absolutely one to add to your TBR. It felt like being wrapped in a warm blanket with a cup of tea and a stack of beloved books nearby.

[Sofia · Rating 5 out of 5]

5✨
0🌶️
Cozy Romantasy

📚Fantasy world with magic
📚Slow burn
📚Found family
📚Traveling bookstore
📚He yearns, hard

Louella Twig is a witch and the proud owner of a bookstore that travels magically through the kingdom of Four. Her ability is books, as she is able to magically pair every person with the book they need the most in that moment, She is perfectly content with her calm lifestyle, when her old mentor ropes her in an adventure to find his stolen grimoire. Deciding to take part of the adventure thanks to a charming thief who walks in her bookstore and convinces her to take a risk, Louella will find friendship, love and unexpected adventures are not best tucked away in a book.

"You don't ever need to justify your book purchases to me. If you want it, you should have it."

Well this book was simply fantastic. While reading, I constantly found myself wanting to be Louella and own her bookstore, or at the very least being able to play her character in a videogame (no but for real, how cool would this book be as a videogame?). Louella is unapologetically herself, which I aspire to be every day of my life: she wears no shoes because they're uncomfortable, she always wears the same outfit consisting of multiple layers of gowns and her favourite patchwork hat, and she is strong enough to open her own business, even when her magic is, more than once, questioned. Other than the fact that I'd love to have her power, she is also such a good role model for resilience.

"Don't fret, dear Twigs. I've learned from your books that you appreciate a slow burn. And so, I shall."
"Shall what?"
"Burn, Twigs. Slowly. I'll wait for as long as you dare me to hope."

Everett is probably the best MMC I've read in a while. First of all, in my head he is Flynn Rider from Rapunzel, and that was already a huge plus. Secondly, he is a scoundrel and a thief, yes, but he never once took back the promises he made to Twig. And in a world full of books with morally grey characters who are unable to keep their word but are always excused, Everett Sharp should be the standard for the man you girls need to fall in love with, He is hot, sweet, flirtatious, fun, protective, and overall such a perfect companion for adventures! Yes, he was a thief, but he committed only petty crimes, so nothing too serious in a fantasy world like Four😉

"After not eating breakfast, I'm desperately craving some honeycomb."
"And honeycomb is my nickname, is it?"

The banter between Everett and Louella was always perfectly sharp (pun intended) and on point. It was the perfect mix of flirt and comedy and it is absolutely perfect to read when you want a romcom set in a fantasy world. Altogether, all the characters were given personalized personalities and distinctives traits, making them unique.

"No amount of treasure in the four kingdoms could ever compare to my dear Twigs."

The adventure part of the book was so fun! I loved learning about new animals, new places in the kingdom and new characters, who were also always diverse and unique. Reading this book felt like being immersed in the Ochre Forest with a blanket and hot cup of tea, and even when my mood was bad, it found a way to put a smile on my face. I hope we will get new stories from the kingdom of Four, because I can't wait to delve into it as soon as possible!

Thank you, NetGalley, Gryffin Murphy and Bindery Books, for the opportunity to read this book as an advanced reader copy!

Twig's Traveling Tomes by Gryffin Murphy comes out on September 8, 2026!🗓️

[chrissy may · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cozy, cute, and full of whimsy. The bookshop at the heart of this story was a magical haven I couldn’t get enough of. I loved every moment surrounded by Twig’s tomes along with all of its quirks and cozy corners. Also, the ragtag group that forms throughout this story really grew on me and a few characters were absolutely adorable. There may also be a few charming magical creatures in the mix as well!

Now, there were several moments that lagged in the plot, especially surrounding the quest. Parts fluctuated between overly detailed to mission accomplished instantly. I think more editing could have really cleaned up the plot nicely. The romance was a bit too insta and somewhat YA, but that didn’t bother me too much.

Overall an easy read that I breezed through in a few delightful evenings. Love a cozy read I can look forward to before bed each night.

A big thanks to author Gryffin Murphy and NetGalley for letting me read this early.

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I could describe this book in one word it would be WHIMSICAL. 🧡

Louella Twig is a Book Witch who owns a magical traveling teleporting bookstore and has the magical ability to pick the very perfect book for anyone who enters her store. I wish I had this magic! Somehow a gilted gnome and a handsome ex thief end up in her store and agree to go on a quest for Louella’s former mentor to find some magical pages.

Louella is so quirky and likable and the adventures her entourage go on are really fun. There is cute magic, funny side characters, and really sweet romance with a really swoony MMC in this book. Cozy fantasy lovers should read this!

Thank you to Bindery Books for the gifted eARC!

[Giorgia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tangled but make it a cozy fantasy traveling bookstore

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perhaps you too would like to read a cozy story about a witch who runs a bookstore and goes on an adventure, and falls in love? I don’t know? A tiny joy!

[Chenay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was such a lovely and cozy read. Well-written with a fun storyline, I definitely recommend this to cozy fantasy readers.
Thank you to NetGalley for the arc.

[em · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so lovely and cute and it really delivered on all fronts. Whimsy and romance and magic and I’m an absolute fiend for found family. I was obsessed start to finish and it was really not a long book and I was yelling at the two main characters to kiss for the entire thing

Sometimes you need a cozy low stakes situation to escape the world and this was truly that

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun, fast paced, magical filled, found family-esque book. Its whimsical nature was witty and funny and took me very easily into their world.

The plot was lackluster. I found it frustrating that we were looking for magical creatures that were actually pages in the mage's book but it was INSTANTLY resolved upon finding the creature. We didn't get a lot of details on what they did to capture it. They would find a creature, say 'okay let's get it', and then the next chapter or next sentence would be 'oh that was a bit trickier to get than the last one'. I wanted to actually see them get each one since it was the entire plotline of the book.

But that only took it down from a 6 to a 5 star read for me.

The wizard/mage is hilarious, spunky, eccentric, and completely oblivious to everything. I loved all his little 'squeaks' and him feeding tiny animals in his clothes. 'Egad' was also hilarious for whatever reason.
The main character was sweet. I liked her reclusive nature that eventually blossomed into welcoming many additions to her library/home.
The gnome/dwarf was funny too. Very direct but cute.
Our love interest was very Flynn Ryder esque and I loved that. Witty, comical, charming. Perfection combination.

The world building was somewhat lacking, but I still found it to be cozy enough with my imagination able to fill in those gaps.

Thank you to the publishers and author. Ebook arc was provided by Netgalley but all my opinions are mine.

[Kira Sivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Kathryn Murphy, Cozy Quill | Bindery Books and NetGalley for this free ARC.

'I believe any book can greatly impact someone's life'

That line basically sums up the protagonist's life as she makes her living as the owner of her bookstore. Having been expelled out of academia due to the unconvential nature of her magic, Louella Twigs sets out to spread her love of books with a store that travels all over. She is dedicated to matching the right book to the person who comes searching—sometimes, even to their own surprise, as they walk out with a tome they hadn't been looking for, but find they desperately need.


✍🏽📖 The Reading Experience

Cozy fantasies, at their core, are easy digestible, as is the case with this book. The pacing is smooth sailing for the most part, though sometimes it did feel a bit rushed. There was very little build-up to searching and finding the pages, and when they characters finally do, the end of all those hunts feels lackluster and unearned. The story would have benefitted from spending the bulk of the story on the actual search and retrievel of the pages, with a stronger emphasis on group dynamics.

Speaking off... this is supposed to be a found family, yet the synergy between all of them was left simmering. There was substance there, but it would have been better to linger and have more meaningful interactions as they bond with each other. Instead, it was pretty much a large group of six, that more ofter than not, split into teams of the same two people.

There were a few literary devices I noticed, like repetition of certain phrases and actions. Thankfully, it wasn't frequent enough to become tedious.

Then there's the grimoire called the 'animagienchiridion'—which, for the life of me, I couldn't pronounce! I had to sound it out each time, which got tedious after the third try, and I'm pretty sure I was still pronouncing it wrong. Thank the gods that I didn't have to read this out loud! (Also, as a side note: the description of the fern fennec creature sounded exactly like Leafeon from Pokemon.)


📚 The Story

Twig's Travelling Tomes is a bookstore owned by Louella Twigs. She's content spending her days using her magic to match books to customers, with the occasional snag when the recommendations hit a little to personally for some.

Until, one day a thief enters her store, with her old mentor right after on their heels. The latter has had his grimoire stolen and has come to his former apprentice for help finding it. Talked into helping by quick-talking thief, Louella finds herself assembling a ragtag group to look for pages scattered among the land. All the while, she has deal with a flirty rogue, restless gnomes, and absentminded wizards who show her that maybe books aren't the only things that can impact a person's life.


🪄 The Magic System

It's the soft magic usually found in cozy fantasy, which leaves much in the way of explanation. However, it does clear consequences when Louella becomes increasing uncomfortable. Her magic reacting when she tries to deny or stall a recommandation, giving her the increasing urge to itch away at her skin to relieve the pressure. Apart from that, the primary magic centers onLouella and her connection to books and her customers needs. Not to say that magic in this world is only that, as there are other uses. And course, the grimoire they're searching for reveals many magical creatures—though I was disappointed we didn't get to read about them.


💡Themes:

Two major themes I'd like to focus on are Isolation & Inadequacy: There are many kinds of booklovers, but I think the one most common stereotype is the reclusive ones. These are the reader that prefer solitude and find that books are the only company they need or even want—and that's perfectly fine. I myeslf lean more along those lines! But the downside is that it cuts you off from interacting with others. While that could be a conscious choice for some, for others this creates a barrier that's difficult to break. This is exactly the case for Louella, who at the start had no one but herself for company, she's quick to try to get them out the door. It's only by their own stubborness that she relents and lets them stay. Over time, she gets so used to their prescence that the absence of it feels actually hurts. It makes her realize that her reclusiveness was partly due to her feelings of inadequency regarding her experiences with magical academia.

Insta-love: This isn't a theme but I thought I'd add it here. Their first kiss is somewhere in the latter stages of the book, with some close calls before that. Some reviews I read said that this story was a case of insta-love, which had made me a bit hestitant. While I'm glad I read it, I can understand why people said that, partly due to the fact that it takes place over a handful of days. But the progression of a relationship isn't linear. Sometimes it takes a while to get to get to know someone, sometimes id doesn't. Sometimes you meet another person and just know that they're a kinded spirit. Louella and Everett are attracted to each other from the start. But other than flirting (on his end) and her noticing his looks and how charm, nothing actually happens between them until well after they'd gotten to know each other.


👥 Characters

Louella: Or 'Book Witch; as she's sometimes called. It's a charming inclusion that features this exact trope, and it's actually the first book I've read where a character is referred to with that (though I know Meg Shaffer has a book of the same name). Louella herself is endearingly awkard, and we get to see her grow as she interacts more with the world and people outside her books.

Everett: He is charming and flirty, and I'd likened him to Flynn Rider—who's my favourite rogue thief with a heart of gold (sorry, Everett!). His flirting with Louella is in turns sweet and cringey, which is nicely offset by his helpfulness and undertanding of Louella and her habits. Though I do feel for him getting the short end of the stick where the creature are concerned! 🤭

Feralorn & Arturo: Feralorn is the typical mentor, who takes on the role of main comedic relief (the amount of times he exclaims 'I say!'). He does get a bit of tunnel vision, often needing to be prompted to explain something or thank Louella, and his wisdom usually happens offhandedly. Arturo meanwhile, does help them with the search, but is often relagated to being Feralorn's keeper and translator. Honestly, often times I'd forget he was even there.

Midge & Oliver: These two were nice additions and they did contribute to the group and the story, but I felt they were more side characters who got promoted to main ones. This left them feeling a little disjointed during times where it seemed like they were merely bystanders reacting to things.


✔️ Final Thoughts

This is a charming story of a girl's journey to find the joy and wonder of adventure outside the pages of her books. A story about not letting misconceptions keeping you from being who you are, a lovely reminder that books can be a source that brings people together. This is absolutely for those who love cozy bookstore fantasies! 😊

[Nae · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley & Cozy Quill/Bindery Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Very twee, fast-paced, and cheesy. Not for me, but could be an easy, cozy good time for the right reader.

Genres, settings, categories, themes: fantasy, cozy fantasy, romance (M/F), magic, traveling bookshop, found family, adventure, magical creatures, low stakes

💗 Tropes: 💗
> Bookish Themes
> Forced Proximity
> Quest
> Unrequited Love / He Falls First
all about tropes here

POV: 3rd person

Series/Sequencing Style: standalone, no cliffhanger

Format: ebook (e-ARC)

🔽🔽🔽

Overall ratings

Heat level: 👄 1/5 mild sizzle 👄
(from Ampersand’s guide to heat levels in romance novels – (0) sweet, (1) mild sizzle, (2) sensual steam, (3) spicy seduction, (4) red hot, (5) erotic)

~ Heroine (Louella/"Twigs") ~ 4/5 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑
~ Hero (Everett) ~ 4/5 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑
~ Other characters ~ 5/5 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕 very fun cast of characters, even if it felt like some were randomly tossed in for the vibes / found family trope (in an unbelievable manner)

~ Plot ~ 2.5/5 🌕🌕🌗🌑🌑 more promise than was delivered

~ Pacing ~ 1.5/5 🌕🌗🌑🌑🌑 With a breakneck pace for the majority of the book, it felt like we’d hop from one scene to the next, without settling in or finishing any of them. The pacing started to slow down to a comfortable pace with the final part of their quest, going to the fair and all that. The attention focused on that part was missing from the earlier legs of their journey.

~ Romance ~ 1/5 🌕🌑🌑🌑🌑

~ World building ~ 2/5 🌕🌕🌑🌑🌑 This world held a lot of promise, but like other elements of the book, seemed to only skim the surface. A map would have been super helpful, and I wanted more details on each of the kingdoms/locations. Seriously, add a map for the final version, it will help a lot.

~ Adventure ~ 2/5 🌕🌕🌑🌑🌑 There’s certainly a lot of adventure implied, and they go many places, but with it feeling rushed and skimping on details, I never felt connected enough to it to enjoy it as a real quest.

~ Writing ~ 3/5 🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑 a little too light & silly for me, but possibly fluffy fun for someone else

~ Reading enjoyability & fun ~ 5/5 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕

~ Depth & tone (1 light & fun --> 5 more serious, addresses heavier topics?): 1 - very silly
~ Diversity & representation: queer normative world with gay & sapphic side characters, and gender fluidity they/thems
~ Angst level: 1/5
~ Sadness level: 0/5

🔽🔽🔽

❗CW/Triggers:❗nothing?

🔽🔽🔽

📝 Review/Notes 📝

This book seemed like it was going to be a great fit for me–a magical bookstore? Say no more! But also a rogue MMC, adventure, and magical creatures–all of that is very up my alley and sets up for a fun premise. Unfortunately, the execution did not live up to the premise and I found this one too goofy and fluffy for me, but it should have its audience.

The pace is all-out breakneck, rushing from one thing to the next. I’m not sure how other adventure books fit everything in and seem to be paced better and go deeper, but something about this stays very surface-level, skimming from one stop to the next, with new characters quickly hopping on board along the way. While I’d say I usually prefer a faster pace over a slower pace, this is too fast-paced even for me.

Everett is into her from the start and she just kind of starts giving in to him being around in a way that doesn’t really allow for much romantic development or interest there. The entire tone of the book is very corny and cheesy, but if you’re okay with that and want a super lighthearted romp, this could be a lot of fun for you. Someone who vibes with the humor of this book might find it funny enough to overlook the pacing and actually enjoy the tone (both of which were not it for me). The tone was overly silly for me. I just wasn’t invested in the characters or their adventure as much as I’d like and couldn’t really take anything they said seriously. Much too cheesy. Despite the characters being adults, read pretty YA, in my opinion.

Some things I found ridiculous:

• When they magically transport to the forest, there's this whole thing where she's like *well now we're too far away from where you live, so you'll have to stay overnight*...why can’t she just transport them back, or to another location that’s closer to them getting back where they need to go?

• Could do with a little less of her being referred to as “the witch” so often. This was subbed in as often as "she", "her", and her name, and something about it was jarring to randomly have it be like "The witch picked up the book and..."

• Okay, I gotta say, someone new joining the “adventure” at each stop is pretty ridiculous, even if it’s clearly going for found family. Everyone is just like *can I come along on this quest too?* and off they go.

• They go to the sirens and say, “We don’t know what it is, we just know it’s here,” and the sirens are just magically like “Is it this!?” Here ya go!

• “With Arturo’s help, they’d retrieved seven creatures”–wait, so he just showed up with 7 of them in a bag? I guess that's one way to explain away and skip over 7 of the creatures/stops.

From Jada's 2-star review:

"I found the characters to be tropey and one dimensional. What was missing from this book was atmospheric world-building. Instead, there was a lot of jumping between different settings in the first third of the book that I struggled to appreciate them. The writing style is good for those wanting a very simple cosy read, but I found it explaining conversations and scenes that didn’t add to the plot or tell the reader new things about the characters. The wheel was turning very slowly whilst not actually saying much, as the quest was introduced abrasively with low stakes and no tension.

What was supposed to be the energy behind this book was the romance, which felt artificial and not believable. Fantasy as a genre still has realistic aspects, but the instant attraction didn’t have a strong foundation or any substance, and the familiarity between the characters was alarmingly quick and I found myself feeling like I had completely missed a step."

🔽🔽🔽

🤠 Recommended for: fans of Legends & Lattes

[Kristy Chown · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a sweet, cozy fantasy. It felt like wrapping up in a blanket with a cup of tea and getting lost in a magical world for a few hours.

I loved Louella so much—she’s quiet, bookish, and so easy to root for. Everett was a great balance to her personality, and I really enjoyed their banter and watching their relationship develop. Midge completely stole my heart, and I honestly loved every scene they were in.

The travelling bookshop, the book magic, and the found-family vibes made this such a comforting read. There was enough adventure to keep things interesting, but it never lost that cozy feeling. If you’re a fan of whimsical fantasy with lovable characters, books about books, and stories that leave you smiling when you finish the last page, I definitely recommend this one.

[Dani · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cozy story, full of quirky-characters who go on a quest to find a map that, due to a warding spell gone-wrong, has separated itself into sections and have magically hidden itself away across the land by camouflaging as a local creature. A rag-tag group of characters band together, to find this map, and are led by our FMC and MMC, traversing a litany of fantastical landscapes.

Thank you to NetGallery, Bindery Books and Cozy Quill for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review, I greatly appreciated the chance to read Gryffin Murphy's story.

This is a story with low-stakes, an adventure with a quirky witch having to face her own loneliness, and a mysterious rogue who has a hazy past but the right skill-set to help our witch on her mission to find her mentor's map. This cozy fantasy is definitely written with the trope where "he falls first", and both our FMC, MMC and their gnome companions head out on a D&D-like side-quest, where the characters tease one another as they explore different sections of the realm looking to put the map back together.

For me, I am personally drawn to stories with stronger character development than what I experienced here, and this is usually catalyzed through the stakes the author raises throughout the novel. I admit that I read this novel through until I reached the 45% mark, and found that with having read nearly halfway through the book and no new stakes were raised, nor were any current stakes escalated, I found that the story was very much starting to drag.

I had struggled the most with a common trope that romantasies will fall into, and for me, its a pit that does not set the book up for success; the inclination for an author to write one or more of their characters instantly falling in love with another. The "isnta-love" trope. The MMC fell for our FMC within seconds of their first meeting, and the romantic scenes forever afterward are written in such a way that it feels as though they were inserted at random points along the plot-line, so that it doesn't exactly propel the story forward, and instead reads a little awkward and a little oversaturated with infatuation. There is no tension or slow-building of their relationship.

I also had a concern with the one-dimensional writing of our main characters. The MMC especially feels written as a trope and does not have much dimension beyond being the mysterious thief who has heart eyes only for our FMC, despite knowing next to nothing about her. Our FMC likewise is instantly drawn to him, and yet keeps "resisting" her feelings because of this "thief" label that our MMC is given. This kind of barrier doesn't run super deep and doesn't escalate by the 45% mark of the book and so, by this point, I felt more than a little frustration that this romantic stake in the story, which should be driving a romantic cozy fantasy forward, but instead was causing the story to feel like it was dragging along and not reading any deeper than a superficial trope; bad guy falls hard for quirky loner good girl but she refuses him because he's "bad".

The romance for me was the most frustrating aspect of this story, due to the awkward placement of various scenes of infatuation being plunked in the middle of other moments in our story which arguably were doing a better job of driving the story forward. For this reason, time and again, I felt thrown out of the story and even more annoyed at the MMC rather than drawn to him.

I believe that some of the pain in this story's writing is due to the "promise" created by the author at the start of this novel. Our MMC is written as a thief, and is portrayed as a cunning and skillful man that is capable of getting himself out of scraps when our FMC first meets him. However, beyond this, none of his interactions between him and our FMC fulfilled this image as the story progressed. He feels like an ordinary man, with our author hinting and telling us that there's more but with nothing to show for it by the 50% mark. Granted, this is a book written for the cozy genre and I don't expect the action to ramp up like I might with an epic fantasy, but at the same time, I feel let down by our MMC and feel that the author had not delivered or written him to fulfill the role that we are first introduced to in the beginning of the novel.

I found our side-characters held a lot more promise, and made this cozy fantasy so much more enjoyable with the light banter that was volleyed between themselves and our FMC. I think that this author's writing has great potential, but feel that the main characters need to be more deeply established in what they are wanting and creating deeper conflicts which can display behaviours and/or coping mechanisms that show us the characters' insecurities and then to develop deeper stakes between these characters, show us how these coping mechanisms directly clash with one another. This would create deeper conflict that I would enjoy to read and which would make the opposition our FMC feels towards her attraction to our MMC feel more believable. Using conflict as a tool to increase tension would better show us who these characters are rather than telling us who they are through over-used tropes and labels.

[Insert Name Here · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Somewhere between the bookshelves and the magic, you might find a place to belong.**

## ✶ PRE-READING ✶

A cosy fantasy centred around a travelling bookshop was always going to have my attention.

*Twig's Traveling Tomes* combines magical books, a travelling shop, inventive magical creatures and a growing found family, with a quest woven through it all. I was expecting something gentle, and that's exactly what I got.

Also, **Gryffin Murphy** is either a pen name or the coolest name in existence. I'm choosing to believe the latter.

## ✶ POST-READING ✶

**As I thought...** this is a very low-stakes, very gentle adventure, and I mean that as a compliment.

There is a quest, and there are things that need to be accomplished, but I never really felt that Louella and her companions were in danger of failing. Some readers might find that takes away from the tension, but for this particular book, I didn't mind at all.

The pleasure is in the journey.

Most importantly, it's in watching the found family around Louella grow. People arrive, connections form, and before you quite realise what's happened, there are all these people who have become important to one another.

That's what makes the story work for me. The quest gives everyone somewhere to go, but **the relationships are the destination**.

**It surprised me by...** just how inventive the magical animals are. They could easily have been decorative additions to the world, but instead they feel genuinely imaginative, with their own quirks and purposes.

I also loved the little nods to other famous fantasy stories. The magical doorknobs that allow the bookshop to travel between different outer shells are a particularly fun example—you can recognise the inspiration without it feeling like the book is simply copying it.

Louella herself is an interesting heroine. She's powerful, self-possessed and very much in control of her own life, so I did occasionally find myself amused when she encountered Everett and suddenly became:

*Don't stare at the cute man.*

*Did the cute man see me staring?*

*Oh no, he's looking at me.*

*Blush.*

It's a familiar romance trope, but fortunately it didn't bother me too much because it sits alongside all the things that make Louella competent and capable.

I particularly enjoyed her skirts, too. They're not merely part of her aesthetic; the layers give her somewhere to hide all those useful pockets. Everett, naturally, notices this and takes entirely too much pleasure in making comments about needing to get under her skirts.

Because apparently even magical bookshop owners aren't safe from innuendo.

Ultimately, though, what I'll remember most is the atmosphere: paper, magic, books, people gathering together and that wonderful moment when you realise that the strangers around you have somehow become your people.

## ✦ RECOMMENDATIONS ✦

**Book Recommendation:** *The Spellshop* by Sarah Beth Durst, for another gentle cosy fantasy about magic, community and creating a life that feels like home.

**TV or Movie Recommendation:** *Howl's Moving Castle*. For magical travelling spaces, eccentric fantasy, found family and the feeling that a building can be almost as much a character as the people living in it.

## ✧ VIBE CHECK ✧

**A colour palette:** warm brown, deep green, faded gold and the soft red of an old leather book cover.

**A soundtrack:** gentle acoustic music, pages turning and the occasional cheerful clatter from somewhere in the shop.

**A season:** early autumn, when it's just beginning to be cool enough to want a jumper and an excuse to stay indoors with a book.

**A mood:** peaceful, curious, whimsical and quietly joyful.

**A scent:** old paper, wood, tea and rain drifting in whenever the door opens.

**A texture:** the worn leather of a favourite book and the soft fabric of a skirt with far too many pockets.

## ★ TAROT CARD PULLED ★

**Ten of Pentacles.**

The Ten of Pentacles is often associated with family, inheritance and the communities we build across generations. But at its heart, it's about **belonging**—having somewhere and people you can call home.

That's what makes it such a good fit for *Twig's Traveling Tomes*.

Louella begins with her own life and her own independence, but as the story progresses, the people around her become something more. They aren't simply companions for a quest. They become a community.

The treasure here isn't the magical bookshop or the adventures it can take you on.

It's discovering that you've somehow built a family.

## ✦ THE TRUE QUESTION ✦

**Can you find a family you didn't know you were looking for?**

*Twig's Traveling Tomes* isn't really about whether Louella can complete a quest. It's about what happens when you open the door and let people into your life.

Sometimes home isn't the place you start.

Sometimes it's the people who gather around you along the way.

[Kels Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would like to start by expressing my gratitude to NetGalley and Bindery Books for granting me access to this ARC. Additionally, I want to thank the author for crafting such a beautiful story; I truly enjoyed every moment of it!

Summary - Twig’s Traveling Tomes is a tale of a witch with a rare ability for book magic. However, branded as defunct, she starts her own bookshop to prove herself—a traveling bookshop. One day, her old professor requests her help; reluctantly, she is convinced to go on an adventure to retrieve her professor's grimoire that has been stolen. Along with a handsome rogue, a cheeky gardening gnome, a guard gnome with a fear of dragons, and two wizards, they set off on a grand adventure. It is a story about magic, love, friendship, community healing, dreams, and the feeling of never being enough, along with having the right people to help you see that you are enough.


Thoughts - The combination of a cosy fantasy with romantic elements throughout had me turning pages with excitement. The author embraced a gentle writing style infused with a hint of magic and lightheartedness, creating a comforting atmosphere. It beautifully explored themes of friendship, community, and healing. The world-building was so charming and dreamlike within each of the realms of four that they visited, from lush landscapes with plush, bouncy moss and mushrooms with neon hues illuminating the way to busy little markets with candlelit taverns. It created an atmospheric, immersive, and comforting feel. The scenes between each chapter blended so well and were just so enchanting. You wanted to be with them on this magical adventure. I think one of my favorite parts was when Everett and the gang met his parents and how the sylvan giants bond magically with the mycelium, which makes them clairvoyant. I just loved that little piece of information because mycelium travels underneath, communicating with life. I also love the little touch of Howl’s Moving Castle vibe regarding Louella’s bookshop. The magical creatures within the book were just so unique and cool, it was so much fun finding each new creature and discovering what they were. I don't want to spoil this part because I really think this is part of the charm within the book, as this is the whole adventure, but it has everything to do with Feralorn’s Grimoire Animagienchiridion, as he has a connection with animals.
As I moved further into the story, I just loved the friendship being built one page at a time. It started with Louella and ended with her having a beautiful group of friends and someone she could spend her life with. As she starts off her journey, it is lonely being a defunct witch, and she is always trying to prove herself, which makes her more reclusive in the world. But as her mentor returns, Feralorn, an eccentric and baffling wizard who trained Louella, and a strange and handsome rogue, Everett, who weaves his way into Louella’s heart, their journey begins, and the rest is history. On the way, she befriends Midge, a gardening gnome who takes pride in her garden of dangerous and intriguing plants and loves learning about new species. I loved her personality and little quirks. She was a fun character to get to know, and her passion for plants was delightful to explore. Oliver is also a gnome and has a history with Midge that blossoms again. He is afraid of dragons but is extremely loyal to his friends, no matter what. Lastly, Arturo is Feralorn’s old friend and partner. Together, they create the unforgettable adventure. There are other characters within the book, but you will have to read to discover them.
While this was a cosy fantasy with romance, there is still a beautiful message interwoven through the pages. This story celebrates our true selves, our uniqueness, and self-discovery, but also friendship, love, and connections. I really related to Louella, as I think many do, and to see her thrive and be her true self at the end with people around her who love her was a wholesome and endearing tale. I think Everett was such a great MMC for this story; he was exactly what Louella needed, and I absolutely adored their chemistry. I truly loved this Twig’s Traveling Tomes; it was fun, exciting, cozy, and full of fantasy. I would recommend it to anyone who loves these elements in a book.