Homeward for a Spell

Homegrown Magic #2

by Jamie Pacton, Rebecca Podos

In this cozy queer romantic fantasy from the award-winning authors of Homegrown Magic, two members in a motley crew of adventurers must confront monsters, hostile landscapes—and their growing attraction for each other.

Sage has made her living as a ranger, moving constantly between adventuring parties, but has never had the chance to lead one. So when she’s offered the chance to hire a crew of her own in pursuit of a rare magical artifact, it seems a dream come true—until she learns that they’re headed into the most inhospitable part of the kingdom with winter looming. Still, it’s a chance to finally put her name on the map… and how bad could it really be?

Araphi has always loved music, in defiance of her powerful family’s priorities. All she wants is one last chance to perform before she’s married to a man she does not love for the good of the family. So when she sees a poster seeking a bard for a party, she eagerly sneaks away to audition. Only to discover that the party in question is no festival, but an adventuring party, led by a woman she’s been fascinated with since she first laid eyes on her. It’s an unexpected twist, but if she takes the job, she’ll still be back in time for her own wedding… and how bad could it really be?

What follows is a life-altering journey for them both, filled with danger and misfortunes as their ragtag band of adventurers—most of whom have just met—must learn to work together to overcome the many obstacles before them. Not the least of which is the explosive chemistry between the rugged party leader used to watching her own back, and the pampered city-girl bard who may be far out of her element but is beginning to feel at home for the very first time.

Genres: Fantasy, Lesbian, Romance, LGBT, Cozy Fantasy, Queer, Adult

Kindle Edition

Expected publication August 18, 2026

Reviews

[ava ⋆˙⟡]

|🤍| pre~read |🫐|

yayyy I got an arc! I can’t wait to start this 🤭 I loved the hyacinth labyrinth which is by the same author so I have really high hopes for this! also it’s sapphic so that means it’s gonna be amazing 🙂‍↕️

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🌶️ 1/5

🖤 Thank you to Jamie Pacton, Rebecca Podos, Del Rey Publishing & NetGalley for the eARC!

This book felt like coming home… in the softest, most magical way.

Homeward for a Spell blends that signature cozy, emotional warmth with a full-on adventure, and it works so beautifully. It leans into themes of belonging, identity, and connection, while still giving us a story filled with danger, magic, and a journey that genuinely changes the characters along the way.
At its heart, this is a story about finding where—and who—you belong.

We follow Sage, a determined ranger finally stepping into a leadership role, and Araphi, a bard who just wants one last taste of freedom before her future is decided for her. Their paths collide in a way neither of them expects, and what unfolds is an adventure filled with tension, growth, and connection.

What I loved:
🧡 Character dynamics — messy, layered, and incredibly real
Cozy magic — subtle, whimsical, and woven into the world naturally
⚔️ Adventure + DnD vibes — found family, quests, chaos, and camaraderie
🍂 Atmosphere — warm, immersive, and easy to get lost in
💛 Emotional core — healing, belonging, and second chances

The romance between Sage and Araphi is a slow burn that truly earns its payoff. They want very different things, and that tension carries through every interaction. The banter is sharp, sometimes a little biting, but when the walls come down, it hits. It’s soft, emotional, and deeply satisfying.

Beyond the romance, the found family dynamic is such a standout. The adventuring crew feels distinct and alive, and their relationships add so much warmth and humor to the story. It genuinely feels like being part of a chaotic, lovable party on a quest—very DnD energy in the best way.

I also loved how queernormative the world is. Queer relationships and identities simply exist without question, which adds to the overall sense of comfort and belonging the book creates.

A small note:
If you’re looking for a fast-paced, plot-heavy fantasy, this might feel a bit slower. The story takes its time, focusing more on characters and emotional stakes than constant action. But if you’re in the mood for something immersive and character-driven, that pacing really works in its favor.

Overall:
This felt like a warm cup of tea and an adventure all at once—comforting, a little bittersweet, and quietly magical, but still full of life and movement.

🖤 What to Expect:
• Cozy sapphic fantasy
• Slow burn romance
• Found family / adventuring crew
• DnD-style quest vibes
• Queernormative world
• Themes of home, identity & belonging

If you love stories that feel like a hug with just enough adventure to keep things exciting, this one is absolutely worth picking up ✨

[Hamad Naif · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey books for a chance to review this fun and cozy ARC
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

After Homegrown Magic showed just how well Pacton and Podos can balance humor with heart, this sequel builds on that foundation beautifully — and introduces two new leads you can’t help but root for.
Sage has built a solid reputation as a ranger, drifting between other people’s parties: skilled, reliable, and constantly underestimated. When she finally gets the chance to lead her own team, it comes with a major challenge — a journey into one of the kingdom’s harshest regions, with winter fast approaching. Meanwhile, Araphi has no interest in adventure whatsoever. All she wants is music, and one last chance to perform before her family’s expectations close in on her. Neither of them is prepared for how their paths; and their lives will collide.
The romance between Sage and Araphi is the kind of slow burn that truly earns its payoff. They want completely different futures, and being thrown together only sharpens that tension. Pacton and Podos take their time with it in the best way — the flirting is sharp, a little biting, and when the vulnerability finally breaks through, it really hits. By the time they stop circling each other, every moment feels deserved.
But Homeward for a Spell offers more than just its central relationship. The adventuring crew brings a found-family dynamic that’s both warm and genuinely funny. Everyone feels distinct, the banter carries a sense of shared history, and even the chaos of badly timed monster encounters somehow strengthens their bond. It’s the kind of world that feels good to return to — textured, playful, and thoughtfully built without ever slowing the story down.

What Pacton and Podos consistently get right is making comfort feel earned. This isn’t effortless cosiness; it’s carefully crafted. The stakes matter, the characters carry real emotional weight, and the happiness at the end feels like something hard-won.
Homeward for a Spell is a reminder that fantasy doesn’t have to be dark to be powerful. Sometimes, choosing warmth — and fully committing to it — is the boldest move a story can make. I can't wait to get the audio book!

[Emily Capri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thankyou to NetGalley for the ARC!

Oh I absolutely LOVED Homeward for a Spell! We have Sage, a young adventurer keen to make a name for herself by leading her first adventure party to find a lost treasure. Then there's Araphi, a young bard looking to go on one last adventure before being tied down in a marriage she doesn't want but is being forced into because of powerful family politics. Sage assembles her chosen team of adventurers and what follows is a life-changing journey filled with crazy antics, dangerous creatures, new friendships, life lessons and growing romantic attraction.

I read this book in 24hrs, I couldn't put it down. It sucked me in right from the start and it didn't take me long to feel invested in the story and the characters. This book was like a queer Dungeons and Dragons sorta vibe and I absolutely loved every single second. I felt the world building was done beautifully and had me totally wrapped up and lost in it because of how well it was written. The world felt so vast and layered without being messy or difficult to understand.

The characters were so fantastically done! There was a lot of diversity and the authors spent time giving each character some depth and their own individual "moments". Sage and Araphi were so, so well written though. We gain such a huge amount of insight and understanding throughout the story as to who they are, their life experiences and their feelings and intentions. I teared up a couple of times because I could really just feel what they were feeling. The writing was so well done in this way.

One of my favourite parts of this book though was how queernormative it was. There were so many queer relationships of all different varieties. There were multiple non-binary characters. None of this was treated as anything special, just a normal part of life that no one so much as batted an eye at. As a queer, non-binary person myself, this just made my heart SO happy.

I loved this book so much and am so excited to recommend it to anyone and everyone who will listen! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off, I had no idea this was set in the same universe as another story, and I didn’t realize it until I was nearly halfway through the book when I saw that the other book existed. There were a few times throughout this book when I did feel like I was missing a little context (particularly around Margot), but nothing major, so you definitely don’t need to have read Homegrown Magic to read this one. I was also expecting this book to be more cozy than it was considering other reviews and the description, but I really didn’t find it to be cozy fantasy at all. Just flat out fantasy, which is fine for me, but not what I thought it was going to be.

Thankfully, I enjoyed both of the main characters; I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about Araphi at first, but she very quickly grew on me. Meanwhile, I knew I was going to like Sage from the start. The tension between the two was perfect, and easily one of the best things about the book. I also enjoyed the rest of the adventuring party, though I did wish there were some more scenes with them so we could have gotten to know them a little better (like tell me more about this whole salmon god). I also wish we could have gotten more time in Arkney and gotten to know some of those people a little better as well.

I did mostly enjoy Homeward for a Spell, but the book wasn’t perfect. I thought the cabin thing was truly ridiculous and it had me repeatedly rolling my eyes. I also got really tired of them calling each other Ranger and Bard over and over again at a certain point. Also, some things also were a little too easy; almost a little deus ex machina. There were also points where the book just wasn’t keeping my attention very well for some reason, but I couldn't pinpoint why.

It wasn’t a bad book, though. As I said, I did mostly enjoy it, primarily because of Sage and Araphi. Probably somewhere around 3.75 stars for me, rounded up to 4 stars.

Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[The Lit · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m giving this one a 2-star review and marking it as a DNF at 30%. ⭐⭐
​Sorry, but this one just wasn't doing it for me. Maybe it wasn't the right time to dive into this story, but I found the experience painfully slow, and I couldn't find the momentum to keep going.
​A thank you to NetGalley, the authors Jamie Pacton and Rebecca Podos, and the publisher for providing this ARC. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
​The Review
​Homeward for a Spell is marketed as a cozy fantasy romance with "many perils, plenty of taverns, and only one tent," which sounds like exactly my kind of read. Unfortunately, the execution didn't land for me this time. By the 30% mark, I realized I was struggling to stay engaged with the characters and the journey.
​The Good
​The concept of a "cozy fantasy" is always appealing, and the promise of classic tropes like the "only one tent" scenario is usually a winner. The cover art is also absolutely stunning and perfectly captures a whimsical, autumnal atmosphere that made me want to love the story.
​The Not So Good
​The pacing was the biggest hurdle for me—it felt painfully slow to the point where I found my mind wandering while reading. While "cozy" often implies a more relaxed pace, this felt like it lacked the necessary spark or hook to keep me invested in the characters' quest during the early stages

[Meagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actual Rating: 4.5 Stars

Thank you to the authors and Del Rey for the eARC in exchange for being on the street team! This comes out on August 18th.

Homeward for a Spell by Rebecca Podos and Jamie Pacton follows two members in a motley crew of adventurers, Sage and Araphi, as they confront monsters, hostile landscapes, and their growing attraction towards each other. It is set in the same world as Homegrown Magic but can be read as a standalone. (Though I highly recommend that book as well!) Sage is an experienced ranger who has been on countless adventures and Araphi comes from a wealthy family in which her love of music is treated as a passing fancy - not a career to pursue. Araphi, after accidentally auditioning for Sage’s adventuring party, decides to join as Sage’s bard despite her upbringing and familial expectations.

This a stellar sapphic romance with a fun and at times perilous adventure. Something that really impressed me was how Podos and Pacton managed to raise the stakes without taking away from the overall cozy atmosphere of the story. Sage and Araphi had great chemistry and their love story was truly a delight to read.

I love how queernormative the world is. For example, Araphi has two dads and a mom and this is treated as completely normal.

Araphi was a real stand-out character to me. I loved her journey to becoming a bard and rejecting the family members who mistreated her while keeping ties with the family members she loves, as complicated as those relationships may be.

I loved my time with Homeward and I’m crossing my fingers that there will be further books set in this world!

[ech0reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for giving me an ARC.

Homeward for a Spell is perfect for people who love DnD. The whole book feels like one big queer DnD campaign and it was so good.

I really liked how the world building was blended into the narrative, so it didn't feel like one big info dump of who the characters are and how they found themselves in their current situation. It made me warm up to them as I got to know them better and I found myself increasingly fond of Sage especially. I adore a rag-tag group of adventurers and it was so fun to read about the quest Sage and Araphi had been sent on with their companions, whilst hiding Araphi's identity, and slowly falling in love.

The stakes were relatively high in this but it felt incredibly cozy at the same time. Araphi was essentially running away from her duty and her contracted marriage, finding freedom in being just a bard for a little while, without all the other expectations put on her. Araphi's confidence grew the longer she was part of the group, especially around speaking up for herself and choosing how she wanted to live.

Ultimately, both Sage and Araphi's lives were being controlled by other factors and they broke free of them together.

I loved all the queer representation in this book.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Sometimes you have to do something bad to achieve something good."

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC copy!

We love a sapphic fantasy. I was delighted to get to be an ARC reader for this. It was a cute read, and ticked a lot of the boxes you want for a cozy (slightly spicy) read.

Sage and Phi are fun characters. They definitely took on the opposite roles that I had expected, but I think it was nice growth for both of them. And I really liked the dynamics of the adventuring party, even as it shifted and changed. None of them seemed to be a charicture, and we're nicely fleshed out.

I also liked that this wasn't just one problem to solve. Different issues kept rising that needed to be tackled.

There were a couple things that I felt were left unanswered. Maybe I missed it, but I don't understand the importance of Phi's lemon pendant. It's mentioned enough times that it seems like it should be explained. The acorn was, so why not the lemon? Also, I wanted some more world building explanation about family structure. I like that it's queer-normative, but we see several families that have multiple mothers or multiple fathers, or even like Phi, who has two fathers AND a mother.


Over all, it's a nice read!

[Ashley Sawyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Jamie Pacton, Rebecca Podos, and Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore for this copy in exchange for an honest review.

I am obsessed with Homeward for a Spell and this was easily a 5 star read for me. The setup of Sage, a ranger turned party leader, immediately hooked me, especially with the mix of questing, found family dynamics, and the promise of building an adventuring party from scratch. I loved how Remy, the Agent, added both tension and intrigue to the mission while still keeping the focus on the adventure itself.

The journey itself felt cozy but still had real stakes, from wolf attacks to supply losses to the larger mystery of the dragon relic they are searching for. By the end I was fully emotionally invested in Sage and Araphi and their relationship development, which felt well developed as they learned to trust one another with more than just their lives. The family magic and bard elements added such a unique emotional layer, especially with Araphi’s internal struggle over what she wants her future to look like. The ending left me smiling because it felt like a true adventuring happily ever after. I can’t recommend this immersive, character driven story enough!

[The Sapphic Nerd · Rating 3 out of 5]

*** Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC ***

Right at the start, there are too many characters (Sage, Gaffa, Reece, Raisa, Jamile, Rosaria) who get introduced within the first 3 pages and I immediately struggled to remember who's who. By page 5, we've added Benyamin and Devyn to the list of names. Then it turns out, none of those characters - except Sage - actually matter. It would have been better to leave the old party members nameless and just describe them briefly instead.

My main issue is that Araphi and Sage call each other "Bard" and "Ranger" far too often. It's distracting and annoying. You generally don't say someone's name when you're the only two in a room unless it's to emphasize something, and an emphasis does not happen every single sentence. Nicknames are cute when used sparingly. I wish I was exaggerating, but they call each other by their nicknames at least every other sentence. It's painful, and the more I saw it, the more it irritated me. Maybe that's something that'll get edited out before release? PLEASE. I BEG THE EDITORS. CUT IT DOWN BY 90%. I don't know how the book made it this far without anyone editing those to a more reasonable amount.

Otherwise, the story is pretty smooth and moves along steadily. The romance is fun with all the flirting, and the side characters are pleasant enough. I wouldn't say any of it is particularly memorable, but if you're looking for a quick, easy romance read that's overall enjoyable, this will do the trick.

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ - Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and authors for the ARC.

I love adventuring in life and in stories, so the premise of this book immediately drew me in. It starts off strong, introducing both main characters through a dual POV structure. The romance leans a bit too much into insta-love, but it doesn’t feel rushed since they don’t act on it right away. There is plenty of tension and longing.

The pacing toward the end is noticeably quicker compared to the rest of the book, with events and resolutions happening very quickly. It still comes together in a way that feels very satisfying but it was a bit of whiplash.

I’d recommend this to anyone looking for an LGBTQ+ fantasy romance with some explicit scenes. While the story is definitely romance-forward, it still offers an engaging plot, and the blend of adventure and magic makes it a fun read.

[Sid]

I’m grateful to NetGalley and the publishers for approving me for this ARC. I do wish I’d realised this was a sequel before requesting it, because I already struggled with the first book and kind of had to push myself through it. Going into this one, I think that definitely affected my experience.

Unfortunately, this ended up being a DNF for me. I really tried to give it a fair shot, but I just couldn’t stay engaged. The pacing felt off again, and I never fully connected with the characters, which made it hard to care about what was happening. It was starting to put me in a slump so I just had to call it a day.

That being said, I can see this working better for people who enjoyed the first book or are already invested in the story and characters. It just wasn’t for me.

[Cally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This one is great for fans of adventure stories. There was a fun storyline and I loved that there was a party of adventurers rather than just our main characters.

The book was also a lot spicier than I was originally expecting.

My wish was that we got to see more of the other party members, I think there was a great opportunity to create some found family there. As well, the final solution, though I didn't find it predictable, seemed a bit rushed.

Overall though, the storyline is interesting enough to keep you turning pages and the romance is prominent. 3.8/5 stars.

[Abi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the authors for the ARC.

Actual rating - 3.5

This was an enjoyable read overall, but it didn't completely enthrall me, unfortunately.

I wasn't aware that this was part of a series before starting, and I haven't yet read the first installment, but it didn't seem to matter much.

My main problem with this was the pacing. Anything cozy is going to have it's slower points, which I'm usually fine with in this genre, but sometimes this felt painfully slow which was a shame.

The heart of the book was definitely the characters though, I loved how they were all written, and even some of the side characters stole my heart.

[Micahla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is exactly as promised- action, adventure, betrayal, romance and magic! Follow the story of Sage and Araphi on an adventure to collect a magical artifact. Finding themselves and then each other, the perfect slow burn and spicy scenes! I wasn’t sure what to expect after reading Homegrown Magic but Homeward for a Spell was amazing and so much better than I had anticipated. Readers will love the way this story unfolds! Thank you so much for allowing me to be an arc reader! Can’t wait for the next one!

[Carina Lyngroth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Del Rey for this Netgalley ARC, in exchange for my honest opinion.

Wow! What a fun and adventurous book! We follow Sage, a ranger, and Araphi, a bard, and their adventuring party on a exciting and ,at points, harrowing journey through the wilderness.

This gave me the same feeling as when I play dnd with friends, just in book form! I wish I could read it for the first time all over again. I need more sapphic books like this!

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh I love a story that ends with happy feels. I just couldn't stop smiling. Sage and Phi went through so many challenges together and still supported each other's decisions. The chemistry between them was undeniable, and their journey was as much about self discovery as it was about battling the elements and creatures of the world.
I really hope this isn't the final chapter in this world’s stories.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. A cozy romantasy where Sage a ranger takes on a job to find a magical artifact. Included in the crew hired for the job is Araphi who has always loved music and is about to be married which has been arranged by her powerful family.

The book had a great mix of pacing, suspense, spiciness, adventure & mystery.
I enjoyed going on the ride of the adventure while watching the characters grow.

Thank you to NetGalley, Del Rey, Random House Worlds and Inklore for the ARC.

[Bunny Rach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for honest feedback.

I love how this book reminds me so much of DND. As someone who hardly reads WW books (which I now seek to change), I love how wonderful and detailed the world building was in this book. I love the personalities of our two ladies, despite not being a big fan of insta lust. The world building was impressive and I'm looking forward to reading more from Pacton and Podos.

[Cattikira · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this second book in the Homegrown Magic universe. The story balances tension, romance, and coziness perfectly. I love Sage and Araphi in their differnece and how those differences brought them closer together. I enjoyed the tie-ins to Homegrown magic. The ending was so perfect and satisfying for the people and the relationship Sage and Araphi grew into.
If you’re a fan of DnD or TTRPGs, competency kink, capitalism as the bad guy, cozy sapphic romance adventure fantasy, you should read this book!

[ladyfett91 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! It reads like a DnD campaign, with a great balance between excitement and spice. The plot is easy to follow with stakes that don’t distract from the characters and their relationships. A cute cozy read for sure!

[Jennybeast · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh how delightful — a sequel! It makes me want to re-read Margot and Yael's’s story. This is quite different— more of a D&D adventure party. Loved the characters, love the ranger - bard interactions, loved the realistic dreariness of travel in harsh conditions, and also the longing that inspires it. I love that the characters aren’t cruel to one another. I’m intrigued by some of the people they run across. Altogether very satisfying.

Advanced Readers Copy provided by edelweiss.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was so good. i’d die for sage. the dual pov, plot on plot on plot. magical and atmospheric. every character just so perfectly slotted into place. big yay for the epilogue. adored reading