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, Cozy Fantasy, Fiction, Witches, Adult, Magic

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

[Jenny Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cozy magic and romance with witches and walking houses. Sweet summer escapism.

[Lauren W -behind! (work)- trying to stay semi-caught up♥︎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cozy, warm, and magical! The story follows Evie, a nature walker with witch magic, who moves to Thornwood House with her adopted daughter, Ruby, to become its new caretaker. However, Thornwood is a sentient house—it has rejected dozens of prior successors and must accept you first.

Winning over both the town and the house is no easy task, and I loved uncovering all the rich backstory as the plot unfolded. I was in the mood for a little magic, and this hit the spot perfectly. I can't wait to read what comes next in the series!

[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.

[alyssa✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

soooo heartwarming & cozy !!

[Dots · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Reimagining of Thornwood House is your run-of-the-mill cozy hallmark romance.

Your high-ranking magical office worker FMC moves to a small village to fix up a magic house with her newly adopted daughter. They start off on the wrong foot with the seemingly grumpy next door handsome MMC neighbor who ends up helping her with repairs of the old house.

Buuuut intertwined with that is a little magical mystery. Why is the house in such a sorry state? Why is the magic draining? What happened after the previous owner passed??

The writing itself was.. Quaint. And while the characters were likeable, I wasn't invested in them whole heartily. Even the house's personality felt kind of cookie-cutter.

The conflict and the hurdles didn't seem very strong. There were a few undeserved moments where the answers conveniently fell into the FMC's lap and also a few plotlines that kind of fizzled out.

Ultimately this is an average cozy romance, which will give you exactly what you want if that's what you want.

[jaycie]

such a cute, cozy story 🥹

[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!

[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!

[Alaina · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

Oh, this was so cute. I remember seeing the title and the cover back in September and thought to myself "well, it's been a while since I've read a cozy book" ..and so here I am. I truly enjoyed getting to know all the characters. The romance was really cute too even though it's like the opposite of what I've been reading lately. Which might be why I devoured this so freaking quickly...

Anyways, I really liked everything about this book. It was easy to listen too and just fall in love with all the whimsical shit that happened. The house? I would love to live there one day (if that isn't possible, an air bnb option would be great). The magic, the twists, and everything in between was just really nice (and .. cozy). I hope the next book comes out soon but until then, I feel like I should watch a cozy movie... or finish my other book I've already started.

Choices... choices...

[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

[Tanya · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 48%. I did not enjoy this book. I tried to muscle through it because it was part of a reading challenge, but I just couldn’t continue. The “warmth and coziness” felt so forced that it made me cringe. It was like the worst Hallmark movie that I’ve ever seen. I’m so disappointed but so happy that I decided not to waste my time any longer.

[Lily Sawtell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was not my usual book (fantasy) but I really really loved it. It was so cozy and whimsical, and just what I needed.

[Regine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet YA fantasy with lovingly-written characters. Even the antagonists aren’t drawn as real villains. The star is chicken-footed sentient Thornwood House, who runs off more than it ought.

I would love to see what type of room Thornwood would shape for me, then have a cup of tea in the mood garden, with the plants gently mirroring emotions. Just the thought is soothing: magic indeed.

[Anika Hodson · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

This was my very first time reading cottagecore cozy fantasy; I can see the appeal. It's the perfect genre to read at the start of fall and I think this book did a good job representing the genre. It did start off slow and it was annoying having most of the story told through the musings/inner voice of the main character. However, the book was fun to read for its sweet main character, the interesting magical powers of the witches, and best of all its nod to Howls Moving Castle. I would recommend this for those who want a clean, light, cozy read.

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was enjoyable, and very much leaning into the "cozy" aspect.... I didn't find it to be particularly unique or creative, but I could recommend it, especially if cozy is your jam. There were a lot of food scenes, nearly everyone was insta-bff and asked "Are you ok?" at the slightest provocations, and the plot was convenient to the point of drawing a "...really?" out of me toward the end..... but such is the nature of cozy reading! Nothing too high-stakes here, but it was a nice, light read that was not a chore to get through.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mother-daughter bond, a sentient moving house, and magic fill the pages of Jaleigh Johnson's sweet, cozy fantasy, "The Reimagining of Thornwood House".

Being a land witch does not fulfill Evie's life as much as she would like to, especially considering all she wants is to be able to officially adopt and become Ruby's mother. When the chance to become the caretaker of a sentient house comes up, Evie jumps at the chance to change her lifestyle.

However, when Evie and Ruby arrive at Thornwood, the house is not where it's meant to be. It has somehow moved and the goal of becoming a caretaker, settling into a simpler life, and officially being Ruby's mom just became harder for Evie.

As time passes, and the mother-daughter team has warmed up to the citizens of Iskendra, Evie realizes that something else is brewing. It's something more sinister and it is affecting the health of Iskendra's forests.

I absolutely love cozy fantasy! A homey/cozy feeling while reading with sweet, kind characters, and a innocent love interest? Throw in a magical creature (or building), and I'm sold!

One of my favorite aspects of this particular fantasy book was the mother-daughter relationship between Evie and Ruby. Though it was not the prominent part of the story, it was always there under the text. Their bond and want/need for one another was genuine. It had me always rooting for them and hoping that Evie could officially adopt Ruby.

I also loved the relationship both Ruby and Evie had with the sentient Thornwood House. Evie, especially, treated the house as one would when a person is grieving and traumatized. She understood that trust took time and patience, and I appreciated the delicate manner the mother-daughter team took in order to help the house heal and come back to how it used to be.

The simple romance here was simply endearing to read. Neighbor and romance interest Gil is so sweet, and I love his and Evie's stolen little kisses and flirting moments. There was no spice within these pages, but their interest in one another was very satisfying to read.

Arriving at the conflict of the story and how it becomes resolved was also entertaining to read. Being cozy, the problem wasn't something that would leave the reader completely fearful for the book's characters, but the plot during this part of the story was exciting enough that I flipped through these pages very quickly. It kept me wanting to know more and wanting to reach the book's conclusion.

Overall, I found "The Reimagining of Thornwood House" fun, endearing, and a joy to read. I look forward to reading more by the same author! I rate "The Reimagining of Thornwood House" 5 out of 5 stars. I would recommend this read to young adults and adults who enjoy a heartwarming cozy fantasy with clean romance.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher (Berkley Publishing Group | Ace), and the author for giving me the opportunity to read "The Reimagining of Thornwood House". All opinions are my own.

Blog Review: https://bookloverblogs17.wordpress.co...

[Andi · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 | 4.5 stars rounded up

I adored this book :') It is quintessential cozy fantasy.

I immediately loved the premise of a sentient house that needs saving, but the imagination, whimsy, and emotion with which the rest of the plot was constructed is what hooked me.

I loved experiencing Evie and Ruby's mother/daughter relationship develop as they became part of the Iskendra community.

While the pace and characters felt gentle, there were just enough stakes to keep the story moving and up the emotional ante.

I hope we get many more books in this world, because I will gladly read them all!

[Alayne Emmett · Rating 5 out of 5]

If it wasn't for the Goodreads challenge I wouldn't have found this fabulous book. The cover drew me in straight away followed by the story. Magic spells, witches, trees that can communicate and moving houses. What more can I say except read this book.

[Cleverly Chloé · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

Parts of this reminded me of a children's book, if it was made for adults. I should've known by the cover. The cover literally reminded me of magic treehouse. I enjoyed this book and I didn't notice it was the first in a series at first, so I plan on reading the next one.

Full RTC.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

**review to come**

[Shay Redwine · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

So cozy! The audiobook narrator was an entire hurdle, but the story was adorable.

[Kyah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful cozy fantasy book with a lot of heart. Even cooler, was how grounded the magic system was, and how genuinely enthralling the plot sequence ended up being. Sometimes cozy fantasy can feel a little cheesy, but not this one. This one is purely good vibes and heartwarming. They also didn’t overdo it with the happy reining which I liked too! The bond between Evie, Ruby, and the Thornwood house was my favorite part.

[Stephanie Hoffmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've really been digging into the cozy books this fall and this was one of my favorites!

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're in the need for something gentle, this is a great choice. Like Sarah Beth Durst, these are fairy tales for adults - they're not deep or paradigm-shifting, but they genuinely sooth my soul. This is a sweet story about a witch and her adopted daughter trying to save a sentient house - the set up is great, the village is lovely and the house and its environs sound truly wonderful. A great escape.

[Anita V · Rating 2.5 out of 5]

I listened to this book rather than reading it. It's a decent book with a predictable storyline; especially the introduction of characters and what role they could play, the slightly stereotypical portrayal of certain roles and scenes and the general ease with which characters fall into and out of situations.

It's well narrated as an audio book and I think I might not have finished otherwise.

Rrad at your own risk!

[Erin Krill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where to even start. This book was beautiful and well told. I absolutely loved it. If you liked “ The Enchanted Greenhouse” by Sarah Beth Durst you will love this book as well.

[Geneva McGrath · Rating 4 out of 5]

top tier cozy 🥹

[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.