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. Perfect for fans of Rebecca Thorne, India Holton, Travis Baldree and Sarah Beth Durst

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

Kindle Edition

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

[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.

[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.

[Beth (covergirlbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful romantasy with themes of found-family and self-worth, perfect for fans of Diana Wynne Jones and Sarah Beth Durst!

Thank you to Bindery x Cozy Quill for the advance reader copy!

Louella Twig is a happily productive witch with a magical traveling bookshop. She may not have the accreditation of a broom to seal her education, but her magical specialty is a helpful one: giving her exactly the right book title for the person or situation. Not the book they’re asking for, but the one they need.

One day, two unexpected customers tumble into her shop: an unsettlingly charming bandit called Everett, and her batty former magic tutor, Feralorn.

Feralorn begs Louella’s help to find his stolen grimoire. He needs her book magic. At first, Louella is more than a little reluctant, especially since he rejected her magical knack in the past. But thanks to Everett’s own skills as a thief, and his ability to persuade, Louella agrees to mount a quest for the missing grimoire.

I giggled at Murphy’s humorous tone, but what really captivated me about this book was her imaginative settings! From sea caves of showgirl sirens to fields of fae trees covered in glowing mushrooms, every part of this book felt animated in brilliant colors. I wanted to read it before going to sleep so I could dream about it!

This book will introduce you to many fantastical creatures and settings reminiscent of Stardust and Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Fairies, but the heart of it all is Twig’s traveling bookshop, which reminded me of the wizard’s house in House of Many Ways. I guarantee you’ll want to live in Twig’s treehouse with its library bedroom, stained glass windows, and rooftop reading swing!

I have two tiny qualms with the storytelling. One was that Everett’s personality fell a little flat for me, since he was very devotedly the love interest from the very first moment, and continued to be so. Secondly, there were a few instances when a character said a phrase, that was immediately echoed by another character but with a different meaning.

Ex. [the villain]: “Careful, Sharp,”
[the person being held at knifepoint]: “Careful, it’s sharp.”

This was arguably clever once or twice, but it felt a little too cheesy in the romantic dialogue.

The sweet center of this book is that life’s problems and joys are better shared. Adding more friends to your party (whatever you decide to name it!) has the power to change the story. Loved it!

[Dotti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twig’s Traveling Tomes is a delightful cozy fantasy romance following a book witch, Twig, and her magical bookshop. When Twig’s former mentor has a magical book stolen, Twig must team up with a handsome thief, some quirky dwarves, and the elderly wizard. The crew embarks on a series of quests to reclaim the missing pages, which have been scattered around the kingdom, culminating in a magical fair.

This book is so cozy and delightful. The book spends time on the romance and the worldbuilding, but also takes time to describe the coziness of a bath. The book settles into the found family elements and embraces a number of different relationships within the crew. I loved the cozy elements in this book, which really leaned into the “high fantasy - low stakes” core of a cozy fantasy. The stakes for this story are about assembling a book after its theft, rather than some kind of larger world-ending stakes prevalent in much of the fantasy genre.

The romance plotline was stronger than I expected. The story never gets explicit, but there are detailed kissing descriptions and allusions to more. I’m used to cozy fantasy using the romance as a subplot, but this book definitely would best be described as a cozy fantasy romance, as the romance feels like a significant part. The romance itself is well done, with lots of cute moments. The third act conflict is just the right degree of conflict for a cozy fantasy, and there were lovely little romantic moments that made me giggle and smile.

I love a cozy fantasy, and as the genre has expanded, I feel like a lot of publishers have started labeling things as cozy that are not. This book does not have that problem. This book is cozy, and sweet, with an engaging romance and a fun adventure. Twig’s story is delightful and engaging and a lot of fun, and though I assume that Murphy plans on finishing the story here, I would be thrilled to read more story about Twig and Everett and their friends on their adventures.

If you’re looking for something high stakes, with extremely detailed world building and complex magic systems, this is not the book for you. If you don’t like romance in your fantasy, I don’t think this is for you, either. But if you’re looking for a cozy book with a strong romance, a delightful found family and a fun adventure, this is absolutely the right book.

Thank you to Bindery Books for this advanced reader copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own!

[KC · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review: Twigs Traveling Tomes by Gryffin Murphy

Twigs Traveling Tomes follows Louella Twig, a witch who has built a quiet life around her traveling bookshop after stepping away from the magical ambitions she once pursued and believes she failed. When a stolen grimoire and an unexpected request pull her back toward the very magic she abandoned, the story frames this as a quest, but its real focus is more personal. Louella throws herself into something she assumes she is unsuited for, only to discover that the qualities she dismissed in herself are exactly what others need. The roaming shop concept inevitably recalls Howl’s Moving Castle, but here the movement feels gentle and inviting, a space where reinvention is possible rather than a sign of instability.

Louella’s arc is the heart of the book. She begins defined by avoidance, convinced her magic and former goals belong to a past self who did not succeed. The journey gradually reveals that her perceived failure is actually misalignment rather than inadequacy. She is needed precisely for the version of magic she thought was not enough. That reframing lands with quiet emotional weight. It is about trying again without the guarantee of success and finding belonging through effort rather than achievement.

The relationships reinforce this shift. Louella does not just rediscover purpose, she acquires connection. The group dynamic grows into genuine friendship, full of teasing, support, and shared momentum. She also gains a familiar, which symbolically anchors her return to magic in something affectionate and chosen rather than evaluative. The ensemble banter gives the story its warmth, and Everett’s charisma and attentiveness fit naturally into that wider web rather than dominating it. The romance is charming, but it is not the sole point. It is one thread in a broader tapestry of belonging.

This is cozy fantasy that understands the appeal of gentle redemption. It centers the idea that you can return to something you believe you failed and discover you were always capable in the ways that mattered. The stakes remain soft, the tone stays warm, and the outcome feels earned through persistence and community. Five stars, because the book is not only cute, it is quietly affirming about growth, friendship, and the courage to try again.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one reads as if it was consciously crafted to appeal to the Platonic ideal of the cozy fiction fan, and indeed it is being published because it drew the attention of the "tastemaker" who discovered Travis Baldree. My cozy fantasy bingo card filled up quickly: tea, love of books, small business, gender and relationship diversity in all the usual ways (except that nobody is clearly trans), broadly D&D-style setting, quirky introvert protagonist being pushed out of her comfort zone by events, supportive love interest, cute familiar (though not until halfway through).

For me, contrarian that I am, this was almost a downside. It's not all the way to "made from box mix," but it does fall into my category of "if you like this sort of thing, this is definitely one." I personally prefer fresher ideas rather than variations on an established theme, but I know I'm in a minority there, and lots of people will love this unreservedly.

The worldbuilding, while not startlingly original, has had a bit more work than is often the case with cozy. Four kingdoms themed around the traditional four elements, elemental and natural magic, approximately the usual D&D species, though elves have brightly coloured skin and gnomes brightly coloured hair.

The editing is also a bit above average; there are several of the usual issues (occasional missing past perfect tense, "may" in past tense narration instead of "might," dialog sometimes punctuated incorrectly), but fewer examples than I usually see. The biggest problem is the vocabulary. The author uses a number of words that don't have quite the right connotation (the most obvious example being "amorously" for "lovingly" when it isn't sexual love), and a couple that sound similar to the word she means but are a different word, like "hurdling" for "hurtling" and "clamored" for "clambered". Both of those are relatively common confusions, and there may yet be more editing before publication; I had a pre-publication version via Netgalley for review.

The romance begins with instant attraction, then there's a long will-they-won't-they period (about three-quarters of the book) with minimal justification given. There's some very steamy kissing and some innuendo, but nothing more than that on screen.

There's nothing so badly wrong with it that I feel justified in dropping it to three stars, but I'm giving it four a bit grudgingly. Put that down to my curmudgeonly nature and dislike of the expected choice.

[Haddy • haddyreadshere · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley & Bindery Books for the ARC.

I guess this book would fall under the genre of romantasy — a mix of fantasy and romance — and I think this might actually be my first romantasy read. And wow, it was such a good one.

This was a very well-written book, and the balance between romance and fantasy was… I don’t want to say perfect, but something very close to perfect. The characters were so well done. I loved all of them — well, except the villains, obviously. But I could genuinely picture this book as a Pixar or Disney adaptation, seeing this magical world come to life with both mythical creatures and humans.

I could clearly envision Twig’s bookshop, the taverns, the kingdoms, her tree house, the flying greenhouse, everything. It was just so vivid and beautiful.

I don’t read a lot of fantasy, but one of my goals this year is to read more of it. And I’d describe this one as more of a mild or medium fantasy. It’s not heavy on multiple worlds, wars, or extreme danger. It’s perfect for someone who doesn’t usually read fantasy but still wants to enjoy it. And I really, really did.

The romance was slow burn and clean, and you could feel the chemistry between the FMC and MMC from the start. I loved watching the friendships grow and seeing each character come into their own throughout the book.

It had all the elements of a feel-good read; sweet, light, and enjoyable. The plot developed beautifully. I didn’t immediately guess who the villain was, but honestly, that didn’t even matter because I was just enjoying the book so much. I mainly wanted Twig, Everett, and everyone else to have a happy ending.

This was my first time reading this author and my first romantasy, and I loved the experience. The writing, dialogue, and scenes were immersive. Everything was mythical, cosy, and magical.

I would absolutely recommend this book. 💯☺️

[Liz Oliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really fun, cozy, romantasy romp that had be squealing and kicking my feet for most of the novel. I devoured the first 60% in one sitting. I loved the crew that came together around Twig and her shop. (Arturo is my favorite. I would read a novel of just him and his special someone that comes along later. They are my favorite forever and always.) The story itself was structured in a very simple quest format that I felt suited the narrative well. I enjoyed the episodic feel, and the level of awareness the characters brought to their adventures. I giggled so much throughout this story. The writing was very tight and engaging, and I loved how whimsical Twig's magic was. I mean, magic of books? Come on. It was such a lovely story to sweep me away, and truly encompassed the idea of "escapist" fantasy.

That 60% mark was, however, where the story started to lose me a bit and I began to have some complaints. Everett felt a little /too/ perfect, and I began to realize that for all my delight in the first half, I felt like the two didn't really know each other. They were quite insta-lovey. Which again, at the beginning I didn't care, but the further I got into the story, the more questions I had--and the more I wished Twig was asking questions as well. There were also a few world building questions I had, especially around how her shop runs. How do patrons know she's around if she doesn't keep a consistent schedule? Choosing where to go for the day in a moment by moment basis felt rather convenient to the plot and not super believable.

All in all, I had a really fun time. I'd recommend this to anyone looking for a fun, bookish romance filled with magical adventures and a fun quirky cast of friends!

Huge thank you to NetGalley and Bindery Books for the advance reading copy!

[Jess Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is gorgeously funny, deliciously sweet and an absolute adventure from start to finish. It’s one that you’ll want to read again and again just to enjoy the feeling of being among friends in a magical world.

Louella Twig is a witch with a special type of magic that means she feels exactly the right book that is needed for each person at just the right time. She runs a cosy bookshop caravan that can magically transport to different parts of the kingdom. She enjoys her quiet, reclusive life. That is until she meets a roguishly handsome ex-thief and an endearingly forgetful previous tutor who throw her into an entirely unexpected quest to recover a stolen tome.

I love everything about this story, the funny one liners that made me laugh out loud, the sweet and tender moments, like when Louella realised that the book creatures turn into pages because they feel safe in her hands and the cute little haregon familiar. I love the varied cast of characters that become a part of this adventure and the interesting places they visit.

The thing I loved most about this story is the way Everett is instantly captivated by Twigs and each time he learns more about her his affection only deepens. She can be grouchy or irritated, reluctant or reserved, and none of that is off-putting to him, he just seems to like her more. He may be infuriating her with his playful flirtatious manner but his constant appreciation for all sides of her personality is just magical.

Each chapter feels like curling up in a comfy armchair with a steaming hot drink and a familiar book. The writing is beautifully poetic and the characters are funny and lovable from the start. This was exactly the book I needed at just the right time.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I preordered this book weeks ago for the cover alone and can now happily say after receiving the arc that the story is just as amazing as the cover! The plot was well written, balanced, and had me laughing out loud at different points. The characters are all adorable, although you should expect some cheesiness at times.

Even the side characters were well developed, especially Louella’s parents. My one gripe is that I wish the villains had a bit more to their story. Honestly though that was a small thing compared to how great the rest of my experience was.

I love Louella and Everett! I already can’t wait to reread this book when I get the physical copy, 5 stars all the way. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a cozy adventure; the stakes were low and the characters were compelling.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this early copy! All opinions are my own.

[Noelle Brighton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will start by saying that I do not normally read in this genre but I am thrilled that I took the chance to read and review this book. This story is well-written, the worlds and creatures the author created are amazing, and I fell in love with all of the characters. What a wonderful, feel-good story! I finished this story in a day and not only did it warm my heart, I found myself laughing at the adventures and antics as the story wore on. It is a peaceful escape from the modern world that can be so heavy - this book swept me away to lands and lovable characters that made me smile. The characters were truly wonderful and the found family trope filled me with joy. Now all I want is a magical, traveling book store filled with whispering books where I can drink tea and laugh with friends. Well done! Highly recommend!

[MB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author, Bindery Books, and Netgalley for this advanced read.


This book is utterly, charming, well written, and ready for publishing. Not only as a reader, but as an advanced reader, it was a pleasure to read a well paced, well developed, and well edited book. No matter how much a reader will like a story, sometimes one receives an advanced read that is not really ready. So what it relief it was to dive into this book. It came at the perfect time when I’m a bit fatigued.

Whimsical sometimes absurd, humor, and the puns were spot on. A successful business, powerful magic, found family, real family, and a charming rogue to romance you, new adventures, what more could Louella Twig ask for?

This is a really awesome fantasy that will give you a warm hug. Enjoy!

[Foxx Writer · Rating 5 out of 5]

If your in the mood to laugh, this is absolutely the book you need to read. it was cheesy in the BEST way possible. this book absolutely charmed me so much. it was entertaining, cozy, thrilling, and romantic. with absolutely wonderful characters, a found family you truly want to root for, and mutual pining so bad i wanted to smash their faces together and scream "just kiss already" and then squealed when they did! it's a fantastically refreshing take on a fantasy quest, with a very reluctant hero who eventually realizes she might actually be enjoying herself. for fans of "I'm afraid you've got dragons" and "The House Witch" this is a new Cozy adventure you won't want to miss!

thank you to Bindery Books | Cozy Quill and Netgalley for this ARC!

[Meg Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received an advance copy from Netgalley.
This is EXACTLY what I want from a cozy fantasy. Interesting world, fun characters, developing relationships and low stakes. I loved the main character so much, and really liked what the book had to say about stories and how they shape us. I also loved that there was a unique and fun magical world (with air pirates!) that didn't require bucket of info-dumping and explanation and was just seamlessly woven into the plot. Very slow burn, closed-door romance elements. That's exactly how I like it. Also liked the inclusive vibe. If this becomes a series, I will absolutely read on. So much fun.

[Krista Kimball]

When I first heard about Twig’s Traveling Tomes I knew I needed it in my life. I was very fortunate when I received the ARC for it.

Gryffin Murphy invites us to go on an adventure with Luella our main character and what an adventure it is. Luella meets a scoundrel, has her old mentor beg for help, gets her book store hijacked, and that’s only the beginning.

This cozy romantic adventure fantasy will have you smiling from start to finish. With fantastic characters, adults trying to make friends, and a silly little quest I think Twig’s Traveling Tomes will become a comfort read to many.

[danie · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, so cute! Such a fun little read about a wandering bookshop witch. Honestly reminded me of a little DND party with friends. The writing was well done, the story was adorable, and the characters were just great. Very slow burn between the FMC, Twins and the MMC, Everett, but the pay off was so worth it.

Would highly recommend to anyone who wants to get lost in their own cozy little world for a few hours.

[TD · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for the arc!

This is deff my favorite book so far of the year. I LOVED this cozy fantasy so much. The characters, the adventures, the wholesome romance, the found family, the cute familiar, the traveling bookstore, all of it was perfect! It's been a long time since I've read a book that I wished would never end. Thank you Gryffin Murphy for this incredible read.

[Becky Brett · Rating 5 out of 5]

DELIGHTFUL!!!

A wonderfully cozy fantasy romance featuring adventure, lots of humour, amusing innuendo, BOOKS, magic, and fabulous creatures.

I loved this and it was a wonderful read from cover to cover!

[Meg Mythunderstood · Rating 4 out of 5]

cosy adventure with a hint of romance