A New Witch in the Northwoods

by Elise Posledni

Small town life in the Wisconsin Northwoods is not like anything Mary expected.

When Mary Matherson moved into her late grandfather's house in small town northern Wisconsin, she was prepared to deal with the prying locals while digging for clues about her grandfather's curious death. What she was not prepared for was the veil between the supernatural plane practically in her backyard.

It turns out, Mary is a witch. Her new boyfriend is a demon. The Other world is hard to resist and Mary wants to learn the magic her grandfather kept secret from her. Instead of nosy neighbors and coffee shop gossip, Mary must deal with supernatural politics and a threat that has hunted her family's magic for generations.

Genres: Romance, Fantasy, Fiction

392 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication September 22, 2026

About the author

Elise Posledni's love for writing started at a young age when she wrote a retelling of The Lord of the Rings through the point of view of Bill the pony. Talk about an ambitious first fan fiction! From there, writing just became second nature. Elise is currently a bookkeeper by day and writer by weekend and very early mornings. She has short stories featured in the Creative Wisconsin Magazine and A Wisconsin Harvest of Horror anthology. A New Witch in the Northwoods is Elise’s debut novel.


Having lived in Wisconsin for most of her life, she loves incorporating the lifestyles of the small towns and truly spectacular natural areas into her writing. Elise enjoys hiking with her two rescue dogs, working with horses, gardening, and snowboarding.


Elise Posledni is the pen name for Jenna Dickson. She is a proud member of the Wisconsin Writers Association and the Chicago Writers Association.

Reviews

[Evelina | AvalinahsBooks]

How I read this book: Free ebook copy received through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

I really loved this book, and the only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is because I've decided 5 stars are only for books that completely blew my mind. But this has been amazing, a cozy book with a very cool world and nice characters. I really hope there is a sequel. I wouldn't mind learning more about this world. It's hard to invent a new magical world when it's one of the most popular things to write out there, but the author somehow managed to make it original all the same. I really loved it and I would like to find such a world myself to explore.

[Lowardy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Review of advanced copy received from NetGalley


At the start of A New Witch in the Northwoods I was curious and giddy, because it seemed that we'll have a cozy, funny, charming book with an adult woman restarting her life and taking control of her dreams. (Also, magic!)


That went downhill pretty fast, because we got infodumps galore (that didn't really ended up being important to the plot anyway), paper thin characters and not a lot of show for a book about magical powers and learning how to use them.

I am not mad, just expected more than an aged up version of the YA stories where the FMC is super duper special, yet goes from "smart and capable" to "can't communicate" in a span of a romance.

Don't even get me started on her mom, who shows up in a few phone calls and in person only once, but our Mary loves her so much, I honestly forgot she was even alive when she was not in the scene. (Again, show and not tell.)

I did like the little snipets of the lore at the beginnings of the chapters, it's a shame that was not tied in more with the actual story.

[Javana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Ten16 Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Mary has recently inherited her grandfather’s home, a home that carries many fond memories. These memories are haunted by one rule, do not enter the forest. Upon moving to the Wisconsin woods, Mary is quickly adjusting to the slower pace of owning her own small town coffee shop, this slow pace leaving a lot of time for exploring. Entering the woods changes everything about what she knows about the world around her, her family and herself.

As a debut the premise is there a woman stumbles into a magical world that she is deeply tied to and meets a demon boyfriend, amazing. The fantasy writing is also there along with the world building, some of the more enjoyable parts were the excerpts at the beginning of chapters detailing bits of lore. But I found that tying the magical world to Mary, creating the romance plot and also a hero arch was a lot to take on at once and ended up creating a non-cohesive story. I enjoyed the romance between the FMC and MMC but with the hero plot it felt a little out of place and not properly fleshed out, as did many of the relationships between the characters.

Again this book is a debut, with the strongest bits of writing shining through with the fantasy aspects. The romance wasn’t bad either, there was just a repetition and a lack of cohesion that made the read not as enjoyable. If you liked The Dragon Heart Legacy Series by Nora Roberts you may enjoy this read.

Full Review and others: https://javanawrites.substack.com/

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A New Witch in the Northwoods is Elise Posledni’s debut novel. It’s a cozy romantic fantasy set in Northern Wisconsin. As soon as I saw that this book was set in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, I was intrigued. I have spent some time “up North” in WI and loved hearing the places I know (Mountain, UW Green Bay, etc.) being mentioned.

Much of the book is about Mary’s journey of self discovery, exploring her abilities and how to navigate her role between two worlds. It’s got such great cozy fantasy vibes - found family, a budding romance, and magical mentoring. The last 20% really picks up with action and a villain, and had me on the edge of my seat!

I took my time with this book and really enjoyed it!

Thank you to Ten16 Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[nodega_reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! Finally a FMC in her 30s I felt I could relate to and the MMC 100% book boyfriend was lovely. I would have loved and epilogue with glimps of how future looks like. But overall a nice and cozy fantasy that would totally recomed.

[mika · Rating 2 out of 5]

[thanks to netgalley, the author and publisher for the e-arc]

i hate writing negative reviews, so i'm going to start off with the few things i did enjoy about this novel.

the reason why i picked it up in the first place, of course, is the premise: mary moves into her grandfather's house after his death, in a semi-remote town where she opens a coffee shop. she takes a stroll into the woods—a place she has always been forbidden to explore by her grandfather. there, she discovers a portal that leads to a magical dimension called the Other, and finds out she is magical, too.
i found the story as a whole quite nice. although a bit predictable at times, it still held my attention. the part i liked the most was the whole plot surrounding the mysterious death of mary's grandfather, what frightened him enough to want to close the portal and never want mary to go near it, and especially why he had willed his house to mary in the first place.
the Other was quite nice as well. it's obvious the author worked hard on all the intricacies that go with an entirely new world. the excerpts that introduced every chapter give more insight into the history of the Other, which is something i always like in fantasy books. i truly believe it has the potential to be the foundation of many great stories, as it is so diverse and complex.

but unfortunately, as far as i'm concerned, the good sides of the novel end there.

honestly, i could've dnf-ed by the first 10%. the exposition felt like a wikipedia page told through some sort of q&a between mary and the magical characters. that lasts through a dozen chapters or so. the narration felt like a screenplay, with a list of actions reflecting close to no emotion. and adverbs! so. many. adverbs. i think the writing did get better as it went, though. which actually made the whole thing look like a first draft.
the novel tries to be something really cool and intricate but, ultimately, this is what makes it so badly executed. with the town in the woods and the coffee shop, it leans towards a cozy fantasy; but then it builds up a mystery plot that sometimes feels very thriller-y as well (which was actually the two aspects i enjoyed most). and of course, it is also a romance.

the romance between mary and andras requires an entire paragraph; there are so many things to say.
their story starts off on the wrong foot because andras is a scary demon and demons are not to be trusted. however, that lasts all of two chapters, because then andras allows mary to cross between worlds as she wishes, considering she has no further evil motive as per the truth test andras has put her under.
it's all mary needs to trust the demon and become attracted to him. andras is also into mary, and he shows it in ways that are supposed be sexy (i think) but made me deeply uncomfortable. (the worst moment was probably at mary’s welcome party. she dresses up all nice and: "when Andras saw what she was wearing, his eyes turned predatory". he later proceeds to put his arm around her waist, "staking his claim" on her because, of course, every wizard is into mary as well.)
and they kiss. i don't know much about relationships between 30-year-olds but that felt a little quick. granted, nothing much was happening except excessive amounts of world-building, so there had to be some type of event; but still, they could've just learnt to know each other? hang out a little bit? become friends, perhaps? (also, if some of you don't like sex scenes, know they do the deed at the beginning of chapter 20, about halfway through the book and, give or take, two minutes after they kissed for the first time. yes, it escalated quickly.)
however! i liked the way their dynamic grew stronger over the course of the novel. they both truly care and wish only the best for one another. their love felt real and sincere. (despite the many "growls" from andras and "purrs" from mary, which made me slightly want to tear my eyeballs out.)
so, yes, overall their relationship was sweet…until the token third-act climactic breakup due to slight miscommunication!! yay!! i'm a little biased on that part, because the miscommunication trope is probably my least favourite of all time. but objectively, that plot point (and everything that followed, to be honest) made no sense at all. to put it plainly, mary got mad at andras because he "lied" to her by not mentioning the fact he had helped her grandfather try to close the portal between the worlds. she seems to forget no one mentioned that to her, not even the wizards and witches she considers her friends. it actually felt like a taboo subject, to be honest. also, she blames andras for not trusting her at first and thinking she had ulterior motives; and she is convinced he still doesn't trust her, for some reason, and has been staying close to her to monitor her moves. i'm honestly still not sure how she got to that conclusion, especially since andras has been nothing but an adorable boyfriend ever since they got together.

should i conclude that their romance is a little wonky because mary is not a very good/enjoyable/relatable character? maybe.
mary is your regular, good old golden girl. she's beautiful, she's successful in all her endeavours. everyone in the Other wants to be her friend. she is simply adored wherever she goes. and of course, she's an extra powerful witch. i think her character fell a bit flat because she is depicted as this perfect, brave and selfless person, even though she really is not?
for starters—and i'm not sure if it was intentional or not, but i will say it anyways because it truly bothered me—it feels like she never truly listens to anyone? there was a lot of information (about the magical world, other characters, etc) that was repeated so many times because mary will ask the same questions over and over again, even though she has already been given an answer (oftentimes overly detailed, to be fair). when she talks with her mother or her colleague beth, she only listens half-heartedly because her whole focus is on this brand new universe she discovered and her brand new demon boyfriend. consequently, she also completely forgets her coffee shop (even though she repeatedly says she doesn’t), where beth works harder than her even though she's just an employee AND a chemistry student at the same time. she thinks little further than her own nose most of the time. andras might be the only exception, but only sometimes.
the other characters were not really memorable and pretty surface-level. i did like beth and beatrice, though. the two of them shared only one scene, but i was more into their dynamic than any other in the book.

and now, the ending. i have to admit, even if i have no idea what other outcome there could have been, i feel a little dissatisfied with the way the story wraps up. how would closing one singular portal make it all better? it feels too easy, somehow. and andras just deciding to join mary in the human world, to give up on his power and his world to be with a woman he met not even six months ago? that leads to so many questions: since demons have magic in their blood, will he straight up die without magic? since andras was about two centuries old, will he gradually look older and die?
the novel could have benefited from an epilogue or, even better, an ending that is less rushed. i barely had time to process what was happening that the novel was over. it felt like it went on forever (possibly because i kind of forced myself to keep going in spite of all my instincts) but i still wanted a few more pages.

sadly, i wouldn’t recommend this book as it could use a LOT of rewrites and maybe a little reworking of the last third. but i do believe the author has some good ideas and i hope she can put them to good use with other novels soon.

[J. Blake Myersmann · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was so excited for this based on the premise alone! Urban fantasy/hidden world cozy romance set in a midwest town - this is my jam. However, the version that I downloaded from NetGalley reads more like a first draft than an uncorrected proof. Typos and misspellings are expected with advance reader copies, but downright confusing passages and inconsistent narrative flow is not. I confirmed with NetGalley that I had the right version, but still could only make it through two chapters, even after rereading both of them. Because it's so painful to DNF this book and give it one star, I've marked the review with spoilers to provide specific examples of the writing that kept me from going further.

It starts strong, with evocative descriptions and natural characterization. As soon as the plot kicks in, something felt off. "You're new here," our love interest (Andras) says to our MC (Molly) upon meeting her, followed by "You're not supposed to be here," and finally "Who are you?" These statements/questions are part of a conversation between the two of them, but logically their order is confusing and his words are completely independent of Molly's responses to him.

Later, the forest is described as "unnaturally quiet". "There were no sounds of buzzing insects or scampering squirrels through the leaves. Even the birdcalls seemed muted." Is it silent or not? Are the birds muted, or do they just seem muted?

More of this lack of internal consistency is evident when Molly meets up with Andras (MMC) again. He's described with "a sharp jawline that was clean-shaven, but she was close enough to see the dark stubble that ran all the way up to his thick, untidy black hair." Is he clean-shaven or not?

Molly meets a man who is introduced in the text as a bartender. He works at a bar and serves patrons drinks. Molly later finds out that this man, Josef, is a wizard. When she reveals to Andras that she thought he was a bartender, Andras "...laughs so loudly he rousted a flock of ravens from a nearby tree" and continues "chortling under his breath." Perhaps this is some inside joke revealed later, but pages prior we saw this wizard doing the job of a bartender. Even if there is some compulsion or spell over Josef forcing him to tend bar (as implied), bartender and wizard are not mutually exclusive characteristics. Why is this so funny? Molly certainly doesn't ask.

Andras also explains that the connections between Earth and Other (Faerie) Earth are weakening because modern man cannot accept something the way it is. "That will be a street and I will put buildings there" he says mockingly of modern humans pointing at forests, but we just spent dozens of pages walking up and down streets and alleyways in the Faerie village. The buildings have chimneys and are described as constructed of weathered wood and stone, reminiscent of logging camps, with doors and windows and telephones. How is this any different from the amenities of the cozy little town of Mountain?

At one point, "the trail had narrowed so that they were walking almost shoulder to shoulder between the trees." Three paragraphs later, "[Molly] was so engrossed in categorizing the differences that she nearly ran into Andras when he came to a halt ahead of her." Are they side-by-side or single file? Also, somehow the roughness of the trail makes talk more difficult? I think the author just wanted Molly to stop talking.

Similarly frustrating is the extremely repetitive prose. Molly is constantly reassuring herself that the hunting knife she brought with her is still at her belt, and as Andras begins to reveal the Other world, he ends his sentence the exact same way not three pages apart.

"Andras," he said and gave her an elaborate bow. "Andras the demon."
"The demon?" Mary asked.
"Well, of course," he told her, his eyes swirling darkly. "What else did you think?"

[12 paragraphs later]

"Wizards and demons have a pretty bloody past," he finally explained. "I don't think we will ever trust each other."
"He's a wizard?" Mary asked, feeling that at this point she shouldn't feel as shocked as she did.
"What else did you think?" He asked.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy, though I hope for anyone reading this review that you can't find any of the passages I quote above because the copy you're reading is a polished proof. I look forward to the opportunity in the future to amend this review based on a revised copy.

[Padmavathy Divakaran · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reviewing an Advanced Reader’s Copy/Uncorrected Proof from Net Galley

This novel truly stands out for its epic world-building. I loved how it seamlessly blended magical realism with a fully realized fantasy realm. Both Mary’s human world and the Otherworld felt rich and immersive, and the characters were wonderfully quirky and memorable-they really stay with you long after reading.

The magic system was especially compelling. The idea that witches and demons aren’t limited to a single power, but instead have affinities while still being able to develop other elements, was fascinating. Mary’s training with Cal, Joseph, and Andras was one of my favorite aspects. The imagery throughout these moments was stunning-particularly the scene at the lake, where the water bubble rises from the stream and is later shattered into tiny fragments by air pressure. It was such a beautiful, vivid piece of writing that really highlighted the author’s descriptive strength.

That said, while the story starts strong, it begins to feel a bit stretched after around the 70% mark. There’s a repeated focus on how extensively the magical community is protecting Mary, with several chapters centered on guarding her rather than progressing the plot. While this reinforces how important she is to the world around her, I felt some of this could have been streamlined to maintain tension and momentum leading into the climax.

Mary as a protagonist was a bit of a mixed experience for me. While her fear and overwhelm are understandable given the circumstances, I found myself wishing to see more active use of her training and abilities in key moments-especially during high-stakes situations like Ruthven’s attack. Given her unique potential as a half-witch, it would have been really satisfying to see her step more fully into her power as the story progressed.

I also would have loved to see more exploration of her rare metal affinity, which felt like a particularly distinctive aspect of her magic. Expanding on this-especially during the final confrontation-could have added another layer of depth to both her character and the magic system.

The climax itself felt a little rushed compared to the buildup. The final battle with Ruthven had so much potential to showcase her growth and the full scope of the magic system, and I found myself wishing it had been more expanded and detailed to match the richness of the world-building.

As for the ending, Andras’s sacrifice was emotionally impactful, but it also felt quite significant in terms of what he leaves behind-especially his connection to Dorian and his role in the Otherworld. I found myself wishing for a bit more balance here, so that the emotional weight of that decision felt more fully matched by Mary’s arc.

That said, this is an incredibly promising debut. The author’s imagination, world-building, and unique approach to magic clearly show her potential. There’s a strong creative vision at the heart of this story, and I would absolutely be interested in reading more from her as she continues to grow into a seasoned author.

[Srivalli (Semi-Hiatus) · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 Stars

One Liner: Interesting premise, but needs stronger writing and better execution

Mary Matherson didn’t expect the locals to be that curious about her grandfather’s death. Moving into his house in a small town in northern Wisconsin definitely didn’t prepare her for a tinning veil between this world and the supernatural, right in her backyard!

The flash news is that Mary is a witch, and her new boyfriend is a demon. The Otherworld is fascinating, and Mary wants to learn magic, something her grandfather kept a secret from her. However, she has to deal with nosy locals, supernatural politics, and a threat haunting her family for generations!

The story comes in Mary’s third-person POV.

My Thoughts

Well, I couldn’t ignore that cover or blurb for long, so I grabbed the ARC, excited for a witchy romance with a dash of intrigue and danger.

The beginning was great. No denying that. The description of the setting, the way the FMC feels restless yet hopeful and curious, etc., was well done.

I’ve done my best to ignore -ly adverbs in many books I read, but some of them here stood out like a sore thumb. Those sentences would have sounded better with the adverbs and rephrasing. Many times, I had to reread the details coz they’d be standing at one point and then at a different place or in different position. When did they move? The character can’t be standing now and suddenly rolling over the back (we have to know when they sat or lied down).

The time jumps were seldom clear, so that was an issue. I kept wondering how many days/weeks had passed between the scenes. It got a little better once I could measure in terms of Halloween, November, etc.

Each chapter started with an ‘excerpt’ from the many books/records/etc. maintained by the supernatural species. These were good, but could have been blended into the overall plot. As such, removing them doesn’t really affect the plot.

The world-building, descriptions of the creatures, the politics, internal conflict, and the rest were rather interesting; much more than the romance, TBH. Not that the MMC isn’t nice, but he is pretty much the romantasy hero stereotype (grumpy but kind, a century old but young, sharp jaw, powerful, falls head over heels in love with the FMC who is super special… you get the drift).

One thing I liked was that the FMC was trying to balance her life between the two worlds. She doesn’t just forget her responsibilities and goals after discovering her identity and powers. This aspect is woven into the plot.

However, the climax and the ending didn’t work. So far, it looks like a standalone, which means having an elaborate setup only to shut it down makes no sense. Also, with no epilogue, we don’t have answers to some very important questions.

To summarize, A New Witch in the Northwoods has an interesting premise, but the characterization, execution, and writing need more work. It is just too rough at this point.

Thank you, NetGalley and TEN16 Press, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

#NetGalley #ANewWitchInTheNorthwoods

[Kameron Carter · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Ten16 Press, an imprint of Orange Hat Publishing
for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Unfortunately, this book just wasn't for me. I was really excited about the concept going in, but it ended up falling flat. A lot of the times, the writing seemed like it hadn't been through editing yet. I found a quite a few typos and disjointed moments where I'm not sure how we got from one place to another. Multiple times, I had to reread sentences to figure out how much time had passed between a paragraph and the one before. I had a hard time seeing the exact same bits of dialogue and descriptors over and over again. There was a few times where the exact same verbiage was used multiple times in the same paragraph. Dialogue between the characters was incredibly stiff.
To me, the book struggled with being unable to decide if it was cozy fantasy, romantasy, or a mystery/thriller. There were a lot of great elements and ideas, but they ended up never being fleshed out since we were bouncing around between themes. This was a really short book, and things weren't expanded on in the way they deserved. Throughout, I kept waiting for the pace to pick up and something to actually happen, but we mostly got what felt like a lot of filler and info dumps that didn't end up being relevant to the overall story. Things did pick up towards the end of the book, but only marginally, and the final climactic moment happened with only ten or so pages left in the book.

The characters in this story were pretty one dimensional and had absolutely no depth. The main character, Mary, is about as Mary Sue as it gets. I love to see an older FMC, but I don't love an FMC who is unnaturally good at everything and every guy she meets has a thing for and is just perfect. Our MMC seems like most stereotypical Shadow Daddy types that books are currently oversaturated with. And he is, quite literally, surrounded by shadows. The rest of the characters aren't much better.

The romance fell victim to two of my least favorite tropes: insta-love and a third act break up caused by miscommunication. There was also a serious lack of chemistry and there seemed to be no spark or flirtation between the two of them. Like most things in the book, there simply wasn't enough time spent on this to flesh it out the way it needed.

To sum it up: this book had a lot of potential, but sadly didn't live up to it. Concepts are strong, but they need their own time to shine. So many of the things that were focused on could be cut away to expand on what's actually important to the story.
#ANewWitchintheNorthwoods #NetGalley

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Ten16 Press (an imprint of Orange Hat Publishing) for the ARC! All opinions are my own.

3.5 stars rounded to 4 stars!

As soon as I heard this book took place in Wisconsin I was excited. The premise - a woman (who is actually a witch) inherits a cabin in a tiny town in Northern Wisconsin - was right up my alley. The small mentions of UW Green Bay, hunters stopping in the café in their hunting gear, or even the cheese/cows from Wisconsin made it feel like home.

Overall I really enjoyed Mary as a character. She was likeable and I felt like she was relatable. Who doesn't want to leave the hustle and bustle of the city to move to a tiny town to open a café? One of my problems with cozy fantasy books is that sometimes the character dynamics feel flat because they aren't described well or you don't see the characters having fun little moments. This book did great with that, I loved seeing everyone's day to day and to see how the relationships evolved. I can see how people would think the book was a little slow because of this fact, but I actually appreciated all the little things that we see between the characters and the world.

Andras was a great book boyfriend. For a demon, I expected him to be a little more ruthless instead of a lover boy. I loved Andras's backstory and especially how the author used real research about the demon Andras to tell his story. There were intimate scenes in this book, but they were done tastefully and I found myself kicking my feet while reading because of how cute the characters were together.

The world felt uniquely crafted . There are so many fantasy books out now that it is hard to craft something unique, but I thought the author did really well. Describing different magical creatures and how they work in the scheme of the world all made sense to me. There was one problem with the book that I felt poking me the entire second half, and that is why I am ranking the book a little lower. Why would closing the portal solve the main problem? If there is another portal in New Orleans (that is widely known), I don't think it would take that long for the villain to track Mary down. I understand the points made in the book, but I didn't find them compelling enough.

I do believe that this book could use a few edits because there were spelling mistakes, minor pacing problems, and a somewhat inconsistent ending/resolution? Overall, I enjoyed the book and thought the story was done well.

[Mia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Finally, a mature main character, a human who is confronted with the whimsical and doesn’t simply accept it. She asks questions and actively looks for answers. When faced with a man in the woods, she isn’t swayed by how handsome he is, instead, she focuses on finding a way out and away from danger.

I appreciated the elements that were clearly well researched, especially those related to Andras and demons, and how they were woven into the story. The idea that human development led to the loss of whimsy in their world was also compelling.

That said, I struggled to fully engage with the story. The plot felt slow, and for the first 60% of the book, it was almost nonexistent. There was little sense of direction during that stretch, which made it hard to stay invested. The connection with the grandfather wasn’t strong enough to sustain interest, and at some point it felt like the main female character became too easily satisfied with the answers she received about that mystery.

The world-building unfolds gradually but relies heavily on info dumps. We learn about magic and the world alongside the protagonist, with each chapter introducing something new, a place, a character, a magical element, or a creature. While rich in detail, the sheer volume of information about the past and the magic system overshadows the main plot, leaving little sense of forward momentum or purpose.

I did enjoy the cozy aspects of the book, but the slow narrative pace ultimately made it feel dull. The story could benefit from more personal moments that offer insight into the character’s emotions and motivations.

The ending was decent, though it raised some questions. For instance, why didn’t the villain use other portals to reach the main character? Additionally, many characters are introduced throughout the story, but by the end, we don’t get a clear sense of what their lives look like after everything that happened.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

#ANewWitchintheNorthwoods #NetGalley

[Lupe Farkas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Early ARC

5 stars 🌟

I never read the blurb of the books I choose to read, so what makes me choose a book is usually:

1. The cover… yes, I judge a book by its cover.
2. The title. If it has “witch” in it, I’m sold.
3. The author’s name. Yes, I know this is weird, but here we are.

The author’s surname was actually one of the reasons I chose this book first from my NetGalley library. I live in Eastern Europe, and “Poslední” means “last.” So I immediately thought: girl, you wrote a witchy book with me, you are not going to be last — you are going to be first.

Sorry for this completely unrequested explanation. Back to the book. 🌺

The first thing I loved immediately was the fictional excerpts before the chapters. I loved them to bits!!! 😍 Some of them felt so credible that I wanted to believe they were real books, so yes, I went and Googled them. Elise, you better write at least ten of those fictional books now, because I need them.

Then we have the third-person narration. I love books written in third person. And now I’m going to give you another piece of unrequested information: you know the movie Amélie? You know the narrator’s voice? Every time I read a book in third person, I hear that kind of voice reading it to me. I know, I know. But I love it.

Back to the book…

Until about halfway through, I was just having a wonderful time. I was cozy. I was witchy. I was thinking: okay, this is going to be a cozy magical story about a woman discovering herself, her magic, and maybe falling in love. Remember, I didn’t read the blurb, so I was just happily living in my little witchy bubble.

And then my stomach flipped.

I actually had to sit up straight because I was like: wait. What just happened?

From that moment on, I was completely hooked.

I also loved that the author made me feel complicated things about the main character. There was a moment with her love interest where I thought her reaction was exaggerated, and I got annoyed because I hate unnecessary drama and overreactions. But then I thought: wait… Elise made me love her, then made me frustrated with her, and that is actually good writing. It means I cared. 💭

And then I fell in love with her again.

Her love for her new family, her courage, and the way she grows through the story made me root for her completely.

And the ending? Oh gosh. The ending. One word: YES.

When an author makes me feel cozy, then scared, then annoyed with the main character, then makes me love her again, and finally makes me sigh with happiness at the end, that author gets my 5 stars. 🌟

Now Elise, you are in trouble with me. You know why? Because first of all, I want Book 2. I need to know what happens after this.

But not only that. I also want the backstory. I want to know how her grandfather fell in love with her grandmother. I want to know about the wars. I want the prequel too. I hope you are already writing.

To anyone reading this: if you like witches, demons, magical worlds, cozy fantasy, and all the good stuff around fantasy… read it. NOW!!! 🌺

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Mya Joan Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this story. It was cozy, magical, heartfelt, and by the time I reached the last page, I wasn't ready to leave these characters behind. They felt like real people, and watching them grow, heal, and find where they truly belonged was such a rewarding experience.

I completely understand why this book doesn't have the highest average rating. The beginning is definitely a slow burn, and it takes its time building the world, the relationships, and the mystery. There were moments where I wished things would move a little faster. But for me, all of that patience paid off in the end.

The characters are what made this book so special. Every interaction felt genuine, and I found myself becoming attached to the entire community. I cared about what happened to them, celebrated their victories, and felt their heartbreaks. There's something incredibly comforting about finding a cast of characters that feels like family, and this book gave me exactly that.

The ending completely won me over. Everything came together in such a satisfying and emotional way that it reminded me why slow-burn stories can be so worth it. It left me smiling, a little teary-eyed, and incredibly happy that I stuck with it. Sometimes the journey takes longer than expected, but when the destination is this rewarding, it's impossible to regret it.

This wasn't a book that relied on nonstop action or constant twists. Instead, it focused on building meaningful relationships, creating a charming atmosphere, and telling a story full of heart. By the end, I realized I had fallen in love not just with the magic, but with the people who brought it to life.

If you're someone who doesn't mind a slower build-up and enjoys character-driven stories with an emotional payoff, I can't recommend this enough. For me, the ending and these unforgettable characters more than made up for the slower pace. I closed this book with a full heart, a huge smile, and wishing I could spend just a little more time in the Northwoods.

[The Lit · Rating 3 out of 5]

This whimsical urban fantasy offers a cozy, atmospheric mystery set in a supernatural Wisconsin, though its deliberate pacing may leave some readers wanting more momentum. A New Witch in the Northwoods by Elise Posledni introduces a world where moving home means discovering a heritage of magic and a town full of secrets.
​I’m giving this 3 stars! ⭐⭐⭐
​A huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC. As always, all opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
​The Review
​I liked the book overall, but to be honest, I found it rather slow-paced—to the point where I almost gave up and DNF'd it. While I liked Mary and Andras as the lead characters, there wasn't anything particularly "eye-catching" about them or the world that made me feel a strong pull to keep reading. It’s a pleasant enough story, but it lacked that gripping hook needed to make me truly invested in their future.
​The Good:
The setting is beautifully atmospheric, capturing the quiet, slightly eerie charm of the Northwoods perfectly. Mary’s journey of self-discovery as she navigates her new reality is relatable, and her interactions with the local community provide some sweet, cozy moments. For readers who enjoy a "low-stakes" magical mystery that focuses more on vibes and setting than high-speed action, this book delivers a very specific, calming mood.
​The Not So Good:
The pacing is the biggest hurdle; the plot takes quite a long time to truly get moving, which can make the middle section feel like a bit of a slog. Additionally, the character development for Mary and Andras felt a bit safe; they are likable, but they didn't have that spark or unique edge that makes a character stay with you long after the book is closed. If you're looking for a page-turner that keeps you guessing, the slow-burn nature of this mystery might feel a bit too stagnant

[Morgan Hearns · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first started this debut novel by Elise Posledni I didn’t know what to expect, but it quickly pulled me in. The FMC, Mary, was instantly likable to me. Classic trope of city girl moves to the small town to start over but mixed with magic and mystery. This book was whimsical, cozy, fun and honestly, light. It was just a simple fun read.

I gave this book 4 ⭐️ because I truly enjoyed reading it! I have more positive things to say than negative.

I think the author describes the scenery and background with the perfect amount of details. Enough that I can see the woods, Katrina’s(Tavern) and Mary’s coffee shop in my head but not overdone where I start skimming the page. I think overall the characters all lack real depth, but tbh I liked it that way. It was part of what made the book a light easy read and a perfect break from the heavier darker books I usually read. I did find all of the characters likable and interesting. I especially loved the female friendships, my only complaint is that her human friend and witch friend were basically the same character and personality (I still love them tho).

I loved her romantic interest, he was sweet, romantic, thoughtful and I was swooning. The pacing was a little unpredictable, there were some time jumps, a few days here, a few weeks there etc. so I feel like we missed out on seeing some of the building of their relationship.

The conflict was something I was not expecting. At the time I was mad bc it made my cozy fun book a little darker but in the end it did add to the story and give another element of mystery to it. The book ending felt complete but open ended.

Thank you Ten16 Press, Orange Hat Publishing for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley! All opinions are my own.

[Sara Botta · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are looking for a blend of mystical fantasy, cozy witchy cottage core, and a little bit of romance and danger this book is for you. I was happy to read this debut novel by author Elise Posledni because the themes are right up my alley and the cover caught my eye. The story follows Mary, a young woman who's inherited her grandfather's cabin in the woods of Mountain, Wisconsin. She's decided to start a quiet life opening a coffee shop and starting over in a small town. She soon stumbles upon another world hidden in the woods behind the cabin while exploring and it sets the trajectory of her life in a direction she never could have imagined. Mary discovers that she's a witch and all of the creatures she thought were fairytale lore are real. At first it's literally a magical experience discovering her powers, new friends, and even romance. But soon her grandfather's secrets catch up to her and she realizes there's a dark side to this exciting new life.
I have to admit that the first half of the book was a bit slow. I appreciate the building of the world Mary discovers and her journey to understanding and becoming a part of it, but it took me until about half way through the book to really get into the story. I loved the romance between Mary and Andras along with the relationships Mary makes with those in her new world. When the story got moving and the real danger and mystery were uncovered that was when I was fully in. It just took a while to get there.
I think this is the perfect read for lovers of movies like Practical Magic or shows like the Good Witch. There's just enough suspense without too much stress for those that don't like a dark read and there's lots of sweet romance and cozy vibes.

[Lyra Funnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

What seemed to be an ordinary ‘normal girl discovers magical place and realises she isn’t so normal’ book became one of the most comforting and beautiful books in the genre that I have read in a while.

A New Witch in the Northwoods follows Mary Matherson, who takes up her Granddad’s home after his mysterious death. As she begins to explore the area, she discovers a magical town in a realm called the Other. Here she builds some really heartwarming relationships, including a well written intimate relationship… with a demon!!

I found the scenery of the Other to be pretty standard for the cosy fantasy genre, with nothing to set it apart too much from other similar worlds. However, the characters in here were just wonderful, and really made the story stand out for me. I especially got drawn in even more half way through the book when the main antagonist was introduced.

With plot twists and harsh realisations, this book kept me on the edge of my seat every time I picked it up, only to be comforted by some really cute moments between the characters.

The epigraphs before each chapter take direct quotes from books written in the Other, and provide some really intriguing context for the realm and its society. I would love to see a book written solely in the Other, possibly following one of the Wizard-Demon wars.

Elise Posledni has hit it out the park with her debut novel, and I’m excited to see what she comes out with next. I usually rate my books based on my enjoyment of the book rather than objective quality (which wouldn’t rate it much lower at all) so this deserves a 5 star from me!

A huge thank you to Posledni and NetGalley for an early copy of this book!

[Abby Allcox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the Advance Reader Copy
3.75 rounded up to 4.0

First off I love books set in Wisconsin because as a life long native there is something about me being able to easily visualize the surroundings or where the town over is located that makes me happy.

This book follows Mary who arrives in Mountain, Wisconsin after her grandfather's death to open her very own coffee shop. She is staying in her Grandfather's old house when she wanders into the forest where she was always warned to stay away from. She stumbles into the Other where she learns that she is a half-witch and finds Andras a very attractive demon who she has a lot of chemistry with. She begins to learn more about her powers, but also why her grandfather tried so very hard to keep her away from the magical world in her backyard.

I absolutely adored the characters in this book including many of the side characters both her magical friends from the Other and her friend/employee Beth who works at the coffee shop. I will say that the first half of this book is focused on developing the magical world and exploring Mary's relationship with the Other. It felt a little slow early on especially as it was unclear what the main conflict was. However the second half of the book we learn that there is a creature her grandfather was scared of and is now hunting Mary, I was sucked back in. This is a very cozy book with a few eerie elements that keep you on the edge of you seat towards the end of the book. I would definitely recommend if you want an cozy supernatural read.

[Kelly Moolenaar · Rating 1 out of 5]

(English below)
Dit boek begon heel interessant. Met het idee een cozy fantasie te gaan lezen was ik al snel enthousiast.
De hoofdpersoon werd achtervolgd door een vreemdeling en de interesse was gewekt. Zo bleef het een tijdje interessant, maar helaas ben ik maar tot de 30% gekomen.
Ik vond het erg snel gaan dat de hoofdpersoon werd geaccepteerd, en vrij snel heel vriendelijk werd met de demon Andras.
Daarna werd het meer een info-dump dan een lopend verhaal. Ik heb het idee dat de schrijfster zelf nog niet wist waar het verhaal heen gaat.
Een hoop oppervlakkige personages in het boek, die alleen worden omschreven door hun haar en/of een enkel kenmerk.

Netgalley bedankt dat ik dit boek mocht lezen, helaas niet heel ver gekomen.
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This book started off very interestingly. With the idea of ​​reading a cozy fantasy, I was quickly excited.

The main character was being chased by a stranger, and my interest was piqued. It remained interesting for a while, but unfortunately, I only made it to the 30% mark.

I felt it moved very quickly that the main character was accepted and became very friendly with the demon Andras quite fast.

After that, it became more of an info-dump than a flowing story. I get the impression that the author herself didn't yet know where the story was going.

There are a lot of superficial characters in the book, who are only described by their hair and/or a single characteristic.

Thanks Netgalley for letting me read this book; unfortunately, I didn't get very far.

[Abbi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this ARC as an e-book through Netgalley.

This one was a mixed bag for me, I think because the author wasn't sure where to take the book. We have elements of cozy fantasy (learning she's a witch and how to use her powers, found family), romantasy (brooding demon boyfriend, jumping into bed at the first chance without really getting to know each other, miscommunication tropes galore), or political/murder fantasy thrilling (the vampire).

I think the best part was the world-building. The history, the portals, the hints of other things in the world... I would have loved the focus to be more on Mary learning about the world with a bit of romance. Instead, we ping pong around without getting too deep into anything. We took a long time to really get to the thriller part of the story, which mean that the ending was abrupt and disappointing. I kept watching the page numbers tick down as I read, knowing there wasn't enough time for a really satisfying conclusion.

The best character, and the one who stole the show when he was in the scene, was Dorian, followed by Beth and Beatrice. And I think it says a lot that the best characters were not the main ones.

I'd love to see this book revised. I think the concepts are there in the worldbuilding, and that's why I gave it as many as three stars, Tone down the romantasy tropes and either lean into the cozy fantasy found family aspect or lean the other way into the fantasy murder vampire.

[colene38 · Rating 2 out of 5]

This wasn't my cup of tea and I’m really bummed out about it. The writing itself was okay, and if you're looking for an insta-love, easy-going, cozy, magical, low stakes, small-town vibe then this is totally for you. Unfortunately, those things just didn't line up with my interests as much as I hoped it would. I can definitely see this book being part of a longer work or series, where everything gets a bit more in-depth over time. However, as a stand alone book this just wasn't quite doing it for me.

There were parts with the world building and character development that I would have loved to see more of. For instance, the MC Mary was a little too stereotypical and one-dimensional for my taste and I would have liked to know more about her. The coffee shop plot seemed like an after thought, and I didn't quite see Mary's interest in actually running a coffee shop. Since that was one of her main motivations for the move, I think placing more of the story within that setting or somehow showcasing Mary's affection for running a coffee shop would have been great additions to the story.

I will say that the magic system was really interesting and I definitely wanted more of it. Mary's training with Cal + her reactions to the stones probably my favorite part of the whole book. The prose describing her affinities and avoidances for each element was so well done.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. [I received this ARC for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.]

[Stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC from NetGalley - A New Witch in the Northwoods by Elise Posledni

There’s something magical about finding a book that leaves you feeling homesick for a place that doesn’t exist—and A New Witch in the Northwoods did exactly that.

As someone who typically gravitates toward romance, I really appreciated that this story leaned more heavily into fantasy and magic. It was a refreshing change of pace and allowed the world-building to take center stage.

The opening took me a little while to settle into, as there’s a lot of important information about the two worlds to absorb. Once everything began to fall into place, though, I found myself completely immersed.

This story had me wishing I owned a grimoire so I could start brewing potions and practicing spells. The magic felt enchanting, and the world was so vividly imagined that I genuinely wished I could step into it.

The development between the main characters was beautifully paced, and the supporting cast added so much warmth and heart to the story. They left me wishing for a few more kindred spirits in my own life.

Overall, this was a wonderful read, and one I’ll happily be adding to my bookshelf when it’s officially released. If you’re looking for a cozy fantasy filled with magic, friendship, and a richly imagined world, this one is well worth picking up.

[icantcomeimbooked · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.75 stars)

This was such a fun read I enjoyed this, anything with Witches or Demons I will read it instantly as these are my favorite tropes.

We follow Mary, who moves to a small town after inheriting her grandfather’s house, thinking she’s just starting fresh and then finds out she’s a witch and there’s a whole supernatural world around her.
I really liked the overall vibe of this it’s very small town, cozy, a little bit magical, but with some mystery and danger mixed in everything was easy to follow I wanted to keep reading and I didn't find myself being bored or uninterested, I really liked the characters I thought they were fun and fit the story well, I thought the story line was different from all the other cozy demon/witchy books I have read which is refreshing.

The world-building was simple but still added enough knowledge that you understood and were not confused throughout.

overall, just a really enjoyable read that I flew through in a couple of sittings — 3.75⭐ for me

if you love:
🖤 cozy fantasy/paranormal
🖤 small town settings
🖤 witches & supernatural drama
🖤 easy, comfort reads

you’ll enjoy this one

thank you to netgalley, the publisher & elise posledni for the arc

[Sara Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

This was such a cute book that was a hybrid between fantasy and magical realism. It holds elements of both that just work. As a Wisconsin girlie, I loved that this was set in the Northwoods and some characters frequently visited my neck of the woods.

I really admired Mary (also, Mary Matherson is the most Midwest name ever!) and how she was able to adapt to all the things that were tossed at her. I don’t want to give spoilers, but let’s just say I wouldn’t have handled any of this well. She embraces her destiny and finishes what her Grandfather started.

Andras was the perfect man (demon) for her. They complimented each other and the sacrifice he made was one I didn’t see coming.

I also didn’t see the overall conflict coming. At first I thought it would be a Wizard Demon war since the previous ones kept being brought up, but no.

I took off 1.5 stars because there were some choices I didn’t quite believe, I thought the council was pretty useless (unless that was the point), and the ending was complete but abrupt. I also wanted a little more depth.

I loved this story and can’t wait to see what the author comes up with next!

*An ARC was received in exchange for an honest review.

[Cerys Kayleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Ten16 Press, and Orange Hat Publishing for providing me with an ARC of The New Witch in the Northwoods.

I absolutely loved this book. It felt incredibly realistic, and I found the main character so relatable and easy to connect with. Watching her discover the Otherworld and learn about its creatures was such a fun experience—the descriptions gave me a blend of Halloweentown and Harry Potter vibes, which I really enjoyed.

The author’s setting descriptions were outstanding. Each location was brought to life in such vivid detail that I felt completely immersed in the story, as if I were right there alongside the characters.

I especially loved the different layers woven throughout the plot—her journey in discovering her own powers, the blossoming relationship, the secrets surrounding her grandfather, and the constant tension of the vampire hunting her. All of these elements combined to create a truly captivating and engaging read.

The cosy atmosphere made it an easy and enjoyable book to sink into, while the characters were all so lovable and memorable. The world itself is one that will definitely stay with me.

Overall, this was a magical and unforgettable read that I thoroughly enjoyed.

[Kpowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

First I would like to give a thank you to NetGalley for this read.

A New Witch in the North Woods is a cozy, engaging fantasy that blends small-town charm with magic, mystery, and just the right touch of danger. The story follows Mary, who moves to a quiet town after inheriting her grandfather’s house, expecting a fresh start. Only to discover she’s a witch and that an entire supernatural world exists around her.

One of the book’s biggest strengths is how clearly the supernatural realm is explained. The magic system is easy to follow and thoughtfully developed, making the story feel immersive without ever being confusing. It allows you to settle into the world quickly and stay engaged throughout.

Mary is a strong adult female lead who is both relatable and compelling. Watching her navigate this unexpected new reality while growing into her abilities adds depth to the story. The supporting characters are also thoroughly explained and genuinely enjoyable. They feel purposeful, fun, and well-suited to the story rather than just background figures.

While this is a shorter read, it’s incredibly satisfying. The story wraps up nicely without leaving unanswered questions, which makes it feel complete and well thought out.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

***Thank you to Netgalley and Ten16 Press (an imprint of Orange Hat Publishing) for the ARC! All opinions are my own.***

A New Witch in the Northwoods is a whimsical magical romance that gives off mostly good vibes. We follow the story of Mary the half witch and Andras the demon as they navigate the switch between worlds.

Mary has inherited her grandfather’s house and is surrounded by secrets that he kept from her. She is determined to get to the bottom of the intrigue she finds in the woods behind his house and falls in love in the process.

The climactic conflict hit like a freight train (you could hear it coming and then it slammed into the story), and I did have some issues with the way the council tried to “protect” Mary while protecting themselves.

Pros: Mary, Andras — they were good characters to follow through alternate worlds, and their relationship was satisfying to follow.

Cons: The pacing was quite slow, and as stated above, the climax hit like a freight train.

Overall: a good read that I would recommend to friends looking for a magical romance with a well-built supernatural/other world

[CWilly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5 stars, rounding up to 4

I enjoyed many elements of this story, including the cozy feel of a coffee shop in a mountain town, the imagery of the magic village, and some of the nuances shared on each individual’s magic. That being said, I felt like much of this book’s potential was left unexplored and I was often confused by the main characters’ decisions.

One example of this is the switch from being scared of the MMC at first to being willing to let him walk her home only maybe an hour later gave me whiplash. Also, I’m so confused by the course of action they chose. With what they discovered, I would think they could have pooled resources and came up with a few alternate solutions for the problem. The use of third person made me not feel as connected to the characters, and I would have liked more insight in her feelings on the MMC, as her thoughts tended to be shared mainly during moments with bigger reactions where my focus is split.

All of this said, this was NOT a bad story. It was an enjoyable read. But with seeing the potential for it to have been an epic read, I was left disappointed.

[Nikita ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating 3.5/5 (rounded up)

This was such a cosy magical fantasy and I had a lot of fun reading it. I am surprised it is a debut novel because the plot was well thought out and there was a lot of development. I really liked Mary's relationship with the side characters such as Beatrice, Cal and Beth and I would have loved more of their interactions.

For me, I didn't love the paragraphs at the start of each chapter from a book from The Other. Most of them didn't link to the plot and I didn't find that they added much to the story. Perhaps a small quote or something would have been better, but that's just a personal preference. I also would have loved an epilogue chapter because I had so many questions! Did Andras manage to adapt to human life? Did he start helping her at the coffee shop and go on double dates with Beth and Josh? What about the characters from The Other? Did Mary see them again? Perhaps the author has left things unanswered because there is a sequel in the pipeline - I would be happy to go back to this world!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC! All thoughts and opinions regarding this book are my own.