The Reimagining of Thornwood House: Your next cozy fantasy full of magic, whimsy and second chances

The Magic of Iskendra #1

by Jaleigh Johnson

Evelyn Sharpe is accustomed to dealing with natural disasters as a land witch, but she longs for a life with a little less danger for her and her adopted daughter, Ruby. So when the opportunity to take over as Caretaker of Thornwood House – a sentient home that acts as the magical heart of the village of Iskendra – arises, it seems almost fated.

When they arrive in sunny Iskendra, Evie and Ruby find the house is nothing like what they First of all, it has walked away from the address. Thornwood House is also grumpy, guarded, and extremely hesitant to allow the two witches through its doors.

Armed with gentle hearts and wild magic, Evie and Ruby begin to form tentative bonds with the house and the citizens of the small town. But there’s something deeply damaged about the building seeping into the forests surrounding Iskendra, and Evie will have to use all her power to protect the roots she’s started to grow.

Genres: Fantasy, Cozy Fantasy, Cozy, Fiction, Witches, Magic, Adult

400 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 9, 2026

About the author

Jaleigh Johnson lives and writes in the wilds of the Midwest. Her middle grade debut novel The Mark of the Dragonfly is a New York Times bestseller. Her other books from Delacorte Press include The Secrets of Solace, The Quest to the Uncharted Lands, and The Door to the Lost. She has also written fiction for Dungeons and Dragons, Marvel, and Assassin's Creed. Johnson is an avid gamer and lifelong geek.

Reviews

[Lark of The Bookwyrm's Hoard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarming, magical cozy fantasy

You know that feeling when the perfect book comes along just when you need it? That was The Reimagining of Thornwood House for me this spring: a book about hope, new beginnings, moving, healing, and finding a home and a place in your new community. It’s wise, beautiful, whimsical, and utterly enchanting. I loved the main character, Evie, and her adopted daughter Ruby; Thornwood House and the Thornwood; their neighbor Gil; and the magical village of Iskendra, inhabited by (mostly) good-hearted people. I loved the different sorts of magic, the secret hidden within the Thornwood, Evie’s fierce love for her daughter, and her patience in dealing with Thornwood House, still grieving its former caretaker. Most of all, I loved how kindness and compassion flows between the characters throughout the entire book. Even the villains of the piece aren’t entirely unsympathetic (with the possible exception of a few bureaucrats), but are simply people with their own fears and desires. It’s written from an adult perspective, but brims with all the enchantment of the best children’s fantasy tales. Healing and comforting, this one is going on my keeper shelves.


Challenges: COYER 2026: Out to Lunch Again; NetGalley & Edelweiss Challenge 2026

Review originally published on my blog, The Bookwyrm's Hoard.

FTC disclosure: I received a review copy from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.

[MikaReadsFantasy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Reimagining of Thornwood House by Jaleigh Johnson is a cosy fantasy that quickly won me over. The story follows land witch Evelyn Sharpe and her adopted daughter, Ruby, as they move to the magical village of Iskendra to care for a sentient house with a troubled past. What begins as a chance for a quieter life soon turns into a charming mystery that threatens both the house and the surrounding forest.

Cosy fantasy can be hit or miss for me, but this one delivered far more than I expected. The mystery surrounding Thornwood House kept me hooked from beginning to end, and I loved that the story never lost sight of its central plot. There were even a few twists that genuinely caught me by surprise.

I also really enjoyed the magic and the relationship between Evelyn and Ruby. Their dynamic felt warm and believable without taking over the story, and it added plenty of heart to the adventure. Combined with the charming small-town setting and the beautiful focus on nature, this was the perfect book to read during summer.

For me, this book has everything I want from a cosy fantasy: a magical setting, an engaging mystery, and just the right amount of heart. I had such a wonderful time with it and would happily recommend it to anyone looking for a cosy read.

[Tyler Hancsak · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a cozy and whimsical story about a woman, a small girl and hope. I loved watching them create a family, save the sentient house, and make a name for themselves in this town. This book was SO fun, full of heart, and had such a unique magical system for a witchy read. Definitely can't wait until pub day!

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so cozy, heartwarming, and all around sweet! As a Studio Ghibli fan and lover of Howl’s Moving Castle, I was immediately drawn in by the sentient house featured in the book! Thornwood house is a character all on its own and I loved it dearly! You give me a cozy fantasy featuring sentient buildings, plants, etc. and it’s an immediate yes for me.

The world building was easy to understand and I really enjoyed getting to know the village of Iskendra. As you can imagine, the small town/village set all the charm for not only the setting backdrop but for the cast of characters. I enjoyed Evelyn’s journey of leaving a career that didn’t fulfill her, to taking a chance on a new home and job, all while also proving herself capable of adopting a young girl. The magic system and her witchy dynamics were unique and refreshing. There’s honestly so much to love in this. I did feel as if it read more like YA/new adult and while the stakes were as high in theory, it still felt a bit young adult to me as a whole. There is a romance sub plot (with G-rated spice). Overall, it was whimsical and lovely and I could see even my 8 year old daughter being completely enchanted with this book.

I did do a blend of print reading and audiobook listening. You honestly can’t go wrong with either! The audiobook narration kept me engaged and I really enjoyed the narrator’s voice! I read this charming story outside on the back patio with a cup of iced tea and my dogs at my feet and let me tell you, it set the vibes! I think this will be the perfect cozy spring/summer read when it hits shelves this June!

𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: Jaleigh Johnson
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: June 9, 2026
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Cozy Fantasy
𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭: Print 📖 & Audio 🎧
𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Isuri Wijesundara
𝐌𝐲 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: ★★★★☆ 𝟒
𝐌𝐲 𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭: A charming and sweet cozy fantasy to add to your summer reading!

✨Thank you so much Ace Publishing for my gifted finished copy and PRHaudio for my gifted ALC!

[Hannah Bonner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cozy, magical house in the woods vibe book!

The premise of the book was good, a magical house that has rejected all former occupants since the prior owner passed. Evie and her daughter were called upon to liven in Thronwood House. There is a little tension within the village of controlling this wild house and a new resident in the village.

The storyline itself was decent, however the book just fell flat for me. There were numerous instances where I was hoping for more. More tension, more chaos, more suspense, etc.

I would say the intended audience for this book should have been YA. There were very few, if any at all, moments that I would consider adult content. I would happily even recommend to junior high/high school kids.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC

[Karissa Riffel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The perfect sweet and cozy read for spring or summer, full of found family, a whimsical magic, and the true meaning of home. Evie Sharpe is a land witch who is trying find a new home for herself and her adopted daughter Ruby, so she accepts a position as a caretaker for a sentient house in a village community. However, the house has rejected all the previous caretakers, and if Evie doesn’t make this work, she could lose not only her home but her daughter too. Full of cozy, pastoral settings scrumptious meals, and a splash of romance, the stakes get higher as Evie faces a magical threat to the new home she has come to love.
Personally the only thing I felt the story it was missing was a little bit more about recovering from grief and details about Ruby’s past. I felt like the good and hopeful elements of the story would have felt more earned if we knew more about the pain in the characters’ lives. However, I do realize that the cozy fantasy genre is meant to be lighthearted, so I completely understand the choice. I truly enjoyed this story, and I will be looking out for more from this author!

P.S. The story was clean. No profanity, no spice.

[Skip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evie Sharpe is trying to escape the Environmental Crisis Response Agency (ECRA), where she worked as an earthwalker witch providing relief from natural disasters. Wanting a better/safer life for her adopted daughter Ruby (a rare 'farseer' witch), Evie agrees to become the caretaker a grumpy, sentient home in the village of Iskendra. They soon face multiple mysteries involving the walking house's troubled past, endangered magical trees, and local rivals, including the town icon (a firewitch.) Upon arrival, they discover the house has run off into the surrounding woods on massive, chicken-like legs. The despondent home is grieving its previous caretaker, Amelia Howell, who died six months prior, has rejected several other caretakers, and is suffering some sort of malignancy. Together, Evie and Ruby work to gain the house's trust and coax it back to its foundation. Inside, they discover mysterious blue and silver wood shavings from an endangered Star Oak tree, a massive source of magic. Evie must then unravel a series of escalating mysteries, befriending the next door neighbor and other villagers to solve the mystery, thwart a rival, and formally bond with Thornwood House.

[tiff rasberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is exactly what adult me needs to read, especially with Howl’s Moving Castle living as rent free as it really does.

Not only does this deliver the coziest fantasy wrapped in a world where the magic speaks for itself, but also a found family that wraps you in a hug with the reminder everything will be alright.

Evie and Ruby are forces not to be reckoned with, but soon Iskendra learns what that truly means. Two people, mother and daughter, who love and protect with beautiful ferocity and care. They take not only Thornwood House under wing (who is not only grieving the loss of their caretaker but concealing secrets as well) but the village and land surrounding it.

I absolutely devoured this. I felt fully immersed and didn’t expect a single thing that happened throughout the course of the story and it was WONDERFUL!!!!

Pub Date June 9 2026

Thanks so much to Berkley Publishing Group, Ace and Netgalley for sending me an eARC copy!!

review posted to NetGalley & Goodreads

[LiterallyLoriB · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this one!!!!!

[Abigail · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was SO CUTE! Loved its whimsy, found family, subtle life lessons, and small town charm. Never thought I’d be obsessed with a sentient house 🥹

The Reimagining of Thornwood House is perfect for fans of Sarah Beth Durst’s books and cozy fantasy.

[Abbey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Magic, whimsy, found family... *happy sigh*

[Dianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. The house, the community, the magic system, the setting, and the cozy little details were all really fun. And that cover? Wow.

But everything came too easily for the first 80% of the book, and although it was a pleasant read, there was very little struggle. The end of the book holds all the action, and while it's fun, again, things come pretty easily. Overall I like books without too much fuss and excitement, but this was maybe on the low end, even for me.

Also, the characters didn't pay enough price for their actions most of the time. For example, there is a point when the main character, Evie, is restoring the house all day and exploring the woods all night, and it's never mentioned that she's tired, depleted, etc.

And again, with the romance, I don't feel like the characters had any compelling reason to fall in love, other than that's what's supposed to happen in a cozy fantasy book—you fall in love with the next-door neighbor who has a cute dog and comes to fix your house, right?

I did like the character arc of Ignatius, and there were a couple of small surprises for me at the end.

All that said, I did enjoy the book, and I'd recommend it if you want an unchallenging, feel-good, Studio Ghibli-esque (think Kiki's Delivery Service) read.

Content: A couple of mild swears around the 3/4 mark, which felt out of place with the rest of the book. One or two kisses, nothing crazy. I'd let a teen or even a tween read this. There is some danger/slightly scary situations, but everything is resolved very quickly.

[Blake · Rating 4 out of 5]

(FYI I tend to only review one book per series, unless I want to change my scoring by 0.50 or more of a star. -- I tend not to read reviews until after I read a book, so I go in with an open mind.)

4.25*

I enjoyed this book and the various characters within.





First time read the author's work?: Yes

Will you be reading more?: Yes

Would you recommend?: Yes


------------
How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)

All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked

Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see the stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)

[Abigail Handy-Garcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a fantastical escape filled with adventure, magic, found family, and the timeless journey toward belonging, The Reimagining of Thornwood House is a delightful choice.

Jaleigh Johnson creates a whimsical world that’s easy to sink into, with just the right balance of mystery, heart, and imagination. The story moves at a comfortable pace, making it a perfect read - or even better, listen (the narrator is top notch) - for anyone who wants to get lost in another world without committing to an overly dense fantasy.

While I found myself wanting a bit more depth in a few places, the charm of the characters, the enchanting setting, and the overarching themes of identity and home more than made up for it.

If you’re craving an accessible fantasy that feels cozy, adventurous, and hopeful, this one is well worth picking up. It won’t necessarily reinvent the genre, but it absolutely reminds you why magical stories about finding where you belong never get old.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This lovely, cozy fantasy is the perfect read by the pool or snuggled up by a fire. Evelyn is a land witch, working for a big organization while she fosters a young witch named Ruby. But when the organization tried to deny her request to adopt, Evie takes another job as a caretaker for a sentient house is a small town, removing the reason for the rejection. But when she gets there, she finds a bigger problem that she was led to believe. For one, the house has up and left and Evie and Ruby will have to find it, help it, and convince it to bond with Evie so they can stay together.

This one drug a lot in the middle for me, but overall, it was a sweet story that I enjoyed. I loved the house and how it protected Ruby and Evie.

[Sage · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks for the DRC, PRH — absolutely immaculate vibes. It’s giving The House in the Cerulean Sea meets Sangu Mandanna. Delightful. 10/10 no notes.

Evie Sharpe and her 11-year-old ward Ruby travel to Iskendra so Evie can assume a position as caretaker to a sentient house. Thornwood House is grieving the death of its previous longtime caretaker, and there’s something sinister afoot, although it takes Evie a hot minute to realize it.

Brimming with lush, cozy, cottagecore vibes, peopled with vibrant characters and fully fleshed out backstories, this book was like a warm cup of tea on a cold winter’s night. Decadent and lovely and unexpectedly emotional. We love a found family! We love heists! We love incredible world building!

[Kayla Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a warm, cozy read! The Reimagining of Thornwood House is filled with lovable characters, a sentient house, whimsical magic, and found family. Thornwood House needs a new caretaker, and so far, it has rejected anyone who has tried to form a bond with it. Evelyn and her adopted daughter, Ruby, are looking to start a new life, and Thornwood House is the perfect opportunity for them. But Thornwood House may be a bigger challenge than they were expecting, and they just may stumble into a far bigger magical mystery. This was such a warm, happy read and absolutely perfect for anyone who is looking for a sprinkling of joy! Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley/Ace for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Alexandra Morales · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a super sweet and laid back read to take you out of reality.

Evie was a strong and loving woman who just wanted to carve out the life she wanted for her and Ruby.

Ruby was sweet but at times it was almost a little too much for me. Gil was THE man, always lending a helping hand and always providing Evie with safety. I even liked how Ignatius came around to Evie. The other villagers were sweet and welcoming, very much a found family vibe.

I think the stars of the show were Thornwood House and the grove of Star Oaks. So beautiful, helpful and magical.

I thought the storyline was mild, a little conflict but everything was wrapped up tight with a nice little bow. A very cute summer read.

[Nissan Ching · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the whimsy in this book. It’s giving Howl’s Moving Castle (if it’s less weird and more whimsy) x The Spellshop. The characters were likable, and the relationship between Evie and Ruby was sweet. I’m only giving it 4 stars though as I felt like the ending was dragged out. It’s not a high stakes book, so you might finish it and think, “well there’s barely any conflict at all”, but to me that’s why it’s a cozy fantasy.

[Star · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think you have to be in the mood for a cozy fantasy if you pick this up but if you are looking for something slower with whimsy it would be the perfect read! My only wish was we got more interactions with the villagers and more found family vibes.

[Carola · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,25*

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to come.

[Jeannie Minnaert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved The Reimagining of Thornwood House! A magical book! Jaleigh Johnson writes with whimsy, heart and soul!!! Truly a delightful book! A favorite read of 2026

[Preet · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars!

[Reactor Magazine]

"Grief isn’t something you get over, it’s something that reshapes you, and it’s the same for a house that empathically expresses its feelings to those inside its walls."

Vanessa Armstrong reviews Jaleigh Johnson's cozy fantasy The Reimagining of Thornwood House at Reactor 🌻🍓

[Ciru · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 Stars so 4 stars.

I absolutely love and adore a sentient house story. I have another similar story that I was reading but this is the one that had my attention and kept it for most of the story.

But wasn’t that how it always went? You don’t realize how much you need to get away—from a city, a job, something that’s been slowly draining you—until you actually take the first steps.

In the past few months I have confirmation biased myself to the max with regards to picking stories where characters are making major changes in their lives. I'm just going to keep on taking it as a sign of good things to come.

Now, this story is classified as adult, the author is credited with writing stories for middle grade readers. I personally felt this is how you write Hallmarky adults for kids. Where everyone is largely good and kind with a sense of community but there is also a 'bad seed'.

I did not like how the antagonist was finally handled. In the grand scheme of things, they got exactly what they wanted and paid a small price for it. This reinforces what I mentioned before, these were adult characters written for a young reader's perspective, where ultimately the goal is for them to parse that actions have consequences and other PG life lessons.

Mood gardens were a reminder that even the emotions people thought were ugly, the parts of themselves that they saw as weak or unkind, were necessary to the cycle of living things.

I think the book shines when it comes to Evie and Ruby's relationship. Not me gasp-screaming in the house when Ruby finally calls Evie Mom and Evie not trying to make a big deal out of it but we know it's a big deal.

I am a bit confused on this world. We have trains, bicycles, refrigerators but no cars/trucks/carts/horses (wagon and horses are mentioned in the story but in the sense of being tired not as actual transport means in this world) etc are mentioned. Magic isn't mentioned as a means of transport as well. So how do they get things/people from one place to another for those distances that are shorter than a train ride but longer/more taxing than a bike ride? If I missed it somewhere please let me know in the comments.

I love that there were group discussion questions after the story! 😂 Some of my favourites include:-

2.If you could have a garden with magical plants, what would you want to grow?
7.If you could reimagine the rooms in your house with magic, what would they look like? What would you add or change and why?
10.Would you want to live in a sentient house? Why or why not?
11.If you were a witch, what kind of magic would you want to have?

Chapter Nine is what made me keep on reading on even after I took extended breaks from the story coz I wanted to find out what was going on. I liked the mystery angle to all what was going on. However, a large part of the story we were living in a house restoration show, with large bits of community. The pace slows down considerably in the middle of the book then it picks up in the final chapters then the end (for now). This isn't a single session bingeable story and there is nothing wrong with that. Just know that before you start.

Evie and Gil's relationship build up was cute. I laughed when Cinda called him by his full name. I was however asking if he was constantly at Thornwood House helping out with repairs and playing the dashing hero in the night, when was he actually being apple farmer Gil or did he have all this free time as it wasn't apple harvesting season?

As an introduction into this world the book was great. We now have all the players on the board. I'd be interested in who would be introduced as an antagonist for book 2 (I'm thinking probably someone from outside the village) and what their angle would be.

So, if you're into sentient houses, a dash of mystery, small towns, then get this. If perhaps you read books simultaneously with your kid/ a young person in your life, I would recommend it.

[Elisabeth Jewell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cozy. Warm. Soft. Full. I adored The Reimagining of Thornwood House. How lucky we are to have such a explosion of fantasy publishing these days!
What a kind book. If this book were animated, Hiyao Miyazaki in his Kiki's Delivery Service era would be the one drawing it. The moments were soft, and the heart was full even as it yearned and feared. There was such joy and hunger in this book.
The plot, quickly; an Earth-mover Wizard and her adopted daughter move to a tiny town in the middle of nowhere to take over the caretaker position of one of the last magical sentient houses, and the house is not sure that it trusts having a new caretaker (The house has already run away three times). Our heroine and her daughter are on their last hope for her predatory government employment contract to be dissolved, and for the adoption to be approved and formerly finalized, and if the house rejects them then they are out of options. There is something dark budding in their lovely quiet town, and the threat of being separated looms over them.

The house is like a cat that wants to love you but does not wish to relent against its own power and terms. It will leave you presents, and talk to you through vibes and body language alone, and pretend it isn't looking at you or listening to you call its name.

How quickly I loved this young woman and her adopted daughter, searching for a home and a place that would allow them to set down roots, and how quickly I loved that the house loved them too.

How quickly I was INVESTED in their journey and their love for each other and their future. How gently anxious I became at the discovery of a root of poison growing in their soft and gentle community, and at the threat of danger that threatened to infect their lives again.
A tech-adjacent modern magical world (see above: Kiki's Delivery Service), there were bicycles and electricity and trains and record players and blue jeans, but no cell phones or computers. There were magical climate controlled rooms and healers and iced tea and magical construction firms and magic infusing pottery throwers and governmental bureaucracy in climate disaster emergency response. There was a handsome standoffish grumpy neighbor with a dog.
There were no dragons, but I would not have been surprised to have found one in these pages.
The Reimagining of Thornwood House releases June 9th, preorder it from your local indie bookstore!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

TL;DR: An absolute gem, I adored this.
Source: NetGalley, thank you so much!

Plot: Evelyn and her daughter must bond with a grief-stricken sentient house. That premise is just gold.
Characters: Everyone we met was lovely. The characters were well drawn and I’m excited to see them in future books.
Setting: The best part of this besides the cozy vibes. The worldbuilding and setting was phenomenal.
Cozy Fantasy: Like a warm blanket in a cozy home. This hit the perfect vibe.

Thoughts:

A lot of times cozy fantasy doesn’t quite hit it. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, just calling something cozy doesn’t mean it is. You have to hit it just right. And this my friends is just right. Evelyn and her daughter have moved to the country, away from the agency that controlled them, to try and bond with a sentient house. But the house is grief-stricken and can walk itself where ever it wants, which causes problems.

The characters were lovely. I didn’t see some of the twists in this, which was impressive to me, honestly. Even those characters that should have been frustrations or annoying, I ended up loving them for it. Flaws and all. The dynamics were great, and though I want a bit more of the other townsfolk I know in future books that can be established easily. The relationship between our three (four if you stretch) primary characters was by far the best and I am so excited for them. The house itself had a lovely voice without needing actual dialog as well.

But the setting, that’s where this shined. With Evelyn’s magic being so land focused we really got a grasp and vision of the land and it’s attributes. The trees, plants, and people. It brought everything into a golden green light and it was absolutely beautiful. For someone who sees colors and images like myself when I read, this was incredible.

I try to be picky on my cozy fantasy, I really do. So when I say I think this is a real winner, I mean it. This has the pace, the tone, the family, and friends, the community, and magic a great cozy fantasy needs. If you love the genre or are even wanting to try it out I really recommend this one.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Berkeley Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of The Reimagining of Thornwood House by Jaleigh Johnson in exchange for an honest review.

Evelyn Sharpe is desperate for a new life for herself and her apprentice Ruby. They've formed a family together, but Evelyn is trapped by contract in a dangerous job, one which stands in the way of her formally adopting Ruby. Evelyn believes she's found a loophole by taking the position of Caretaker to Thornwood House, one of the country's centuries-old magical houses. She and Ruby could leave the city and settle into a nice, quiet life in the country.

That is IF Thornwood House accepts her as caretaker. Caretakers bond their magical houses, spending the rest of their lives together, and eventually name their successor. But the previous caretaker didn't name one and the House has rejected every candidate since her passing. When Evelyn and Ruby arrive, they find that the House has torn loose from its foundation (again, apparently) and run off into the nearby woods. They track it down and coax it back, but it's clear that winning the House's trust will be challenge

Between the mystery of the runaway house, her former employer breathing down her neck, and settling in a village divided between suspecting and supporting her, Evelyn is feeling the pressure. But she knows that this is the place where she and Ruby can finally feel safe and free, so she'll do whatever it takes to earn her position as Caretaker.

This is a cozy fantasy truly worthy of the name. It is a lovely, sweet delight. The story elements are deftly balanced. There are real stakes and conflict, but the author manages to keep them urgent without feeling terrifying. Nothing is too easy, but nothing is impossible. The characters are multi-layered, so that even the worst baddie comes off as misguided and maybe even redeemable. The setting is quaint and magical, exactly the kind of village a tired witch might want to settle in.

Absolutely recommended for anyone who enjoys a good magical home renovation or someone looking for a story where everything will be alright in the end.

[Dotti · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a cozy fantasy. I love a found family, and a magical building, and a potion making witch. I love the low stakes and the cozy vibes and the thwarting of government bureaucracy. Jaleigh Johnson’s The Reimagining of Thornwood House is exactly as cozy as the cover describes and exactly as cozy as we need.

Our main character, Evie, is a powerful magician working for a government agency, trying to get out of her contract to provide stability and adopt her daughter, Ruby. Ruby and Evie move to the remote village of Iskendra to become the caretakers of Thornwood House, a sentient home whose caretaker passed. Evie finds that the house has a mind of its own and is reluctant to let anyone in, and the town has some factions that may be against her.

This story is delightful and cozy, with just the right degree of stakes and comfort. The story ranges between our characters ingratiating themselves to the townspeople to wandering in the woods looking for magical trees to the descriptions of pancakes cooking or potions brewing. Our story focuses on the cozy moments while also building to a dramatic conflict and a satisfying conclusion. There’s a romance subplot, a lot of attention given to the grumpy townspeople, and the found family that forms. But our story centers on the relationship between Ruby and Evie in their adoption journey, and the relationship between Evie and a magical house grieving for its previous caretaker.

Reading this book was a delight. The pacing was excellent, with our story building well. There are a few twists towards the end of the book, all of which were engaging and interesting, and some of which I didn’t suspect. The stakes for this book were exactly right, though they did get a little high for a cozy fantasy in a single moment during the climax.

If you don’t like cozy fantasy, this book will not be for you. But if you do, this is a great addition to the library of cozy fantasy being published in 2026 and worth a read. I enjoyed myself thoroughly and am excited for what Johnson comes up with next.

Thank you to Berkley for providing this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.