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Thistlemarsh
Faeries disappeared over one hundred years ago, as suddenly as slipping through a doorway. It was only the very foolish, or the very determined, who held out hope for their return.
Welcome to Thistlemarsh—a ramshackle estate where an impoverished orphan and a beguiling Faeirie collide in an enchanting novel of love, revenge, and ruin.
In the wake of World War I, the world is a decidedly unmagical place for Mouse Dunne. She once dreamed of becoming a Faerie anthropologist, but with one telegram, her world shattered. At the Battle of the Somme, her cousin’s body disappeared into the mud, and her brother was left with debilitating shell shock. It was time, she knew, to put aside childish dreams.
When Mouse receives news that her uncle has left her the Faerie-blessed Thistlemarsh Hall, a dilapidated manor in the English countryside, she must leave her brother’s side and return to her childhood home to claim her birthright. But there is a catch in her uncle’s If Mouse does not rehabilitate the crumbling house in one month’s time, she will forfeit her inheritance and any hope of caring for her brother.
It quickly becomes clear it’s impossible to repair the manor in the allotted time, until a mysterious Faerie appears with a proposition. He offers to restore Thistlemarsh...for a price. Mouse knows better than to trust a Faerie—especially one so insufferably handsome and arrogant—but she is out of options. There are dark and magical forces at work in the house, and Mouse must confront the ghosts of her past and the secrets of her heart or lose Thistlemarsh, and herself, in the process.
Welcome to Thistlemarsh—a ramshackle estate where an impoverished orphan and a beguiling Faeirie collide in an enchanting novel of love, revenge, and ruin.
In the wake of World War I, the world is a decidedly unmagical place for Mouse Dunne. She once dreamed of becoming a Faerie anthropologist, but with one telegram, her world shattered. At the Battle of the Somme, her cousin’s body disappeared into the mud, and her brother was left with debilitating shell shock. It was time, she knew, to put aside childish dreams.
When Mouse receives news that her uncle has left her the Faerie-blessed Thistlemarsh Hall, a dilapidated manor in the English countryside, she must leave her brother’s side and return to her childhood home to claim her birthright. But there is a catch in her uncle’s If Mouse does not rehabilitate the crumbling house in one month’s time, she will forfeit her inheritance and any hope of caring for her brother.
It quickly becomes clear it’s impossible to repair the manor in the allotted time, until a mysterious Faerie appears with a proposition. He offers to restore Thistlemarsh...for a price. Mouse knows better than to trust a Faerie—especially one so insufferably handsome and arrogant—but she is out of options. There are dark and magical forces at work in the house, and Mouse must confront the ghosts of her past and the secrets of her heart or lose Thistlemarsh, and herself, in the process.
424 pages, Hardcover
First published April 21, 2026
410 people are currently reading
51379 people want to read
About the author
Moorea Corrigan
2 books180 followersMoorea Corrigan holds a bachelor’s degree with honors in English literature from the University of Edinburgh and a master of publishing degree from Simon Fraser University, Vancouver. She currently works at an academic press in Boulder, Colorado. When she is not writing, you can find her singing, spending time with her menagerie of pets, or attending Jane Austen conventions in full Regency regalia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 531 reviews
October 6, 2025
I always claim not to enjoy romance in novels, and then I read a book like Thistlemarsh and suddenly find myself desperately rooting for the main character and the handsome, arrogant faerie to wind up together in the end. Why? I don't even know. Thornwood is a jerk and Mouse would probably do better to go find herself a nice human man who hasn't spent the last however many decades as a garden statue, but I suppose that even I have to admit that some things are just meant to be.
And, I mean, okay, so maybe this book isn't the most unpredictable book in the history of literature. There's a faerie and a human and they don't like each other but then they kind of do but then something happens that ruins everything, and, well, those of us who grew up watching 80s rom-coms all have a pretty good idea of how that particular plotline plays out. But this book also has magic puzzles and a dragon who is also a dog and a crumbling faerie-blessed English country house, and just think of how much better Sixteen Candles would have been with a dog-dragon. I rest my case. Boom.
But, okay, seriously — I loved this book. The characters are great and the setting is great and HAVE I MENTIONED YET THAT THERE'S A HANDSOME, ARROGANT FAERIE AND A DRAGON WHO MOONLIGHTS AS A DOG???
Ahem.
So, yeah. 4.55 stars, rounded up. This is my first Moorea Corrigan novel but it certainly won't be my last.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is April 21, 2026.
And, I mean, okay, so maybe this book isn't the most unpredictable book in the history of literature. There's a faerie and a human and they don't like each other but then they kind of do but then something happens that ruins everything, and, well, those of us who grew up watching 80s rom-coms all have a pretty good idea of how that particular plotline plays out. But this book also has magic puzzles and a dragon who is also a dog and a crumbling faerie-blessed English country house, and just think of how much better Sixteen Candles would have been with a dog-dragon. I rest my case. Boom.
But, okay, seriously — I loved this book. The characters are great and the setting is great and HAVE I MENTIONED YET THAT THERE'S A HANDSOME, ARROGANT FAERIE AND A DRAGON WHO MOONLIGHTS AS A DOG???
Ahem.
So, yeah. 4.55 stars, rounded up. This is my first Moorea Corrigan novel but it certainly won't be my last.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is April 21, 2026.
March 30, 2026
There are books that quietly charm you, and then there are books that cast a spell so vivid you almost smell the rain-soaked English countryside and hear the whisper of wings just beyond the veil of reality. Thistlemarsh by Moorea Corrigan is absolutely the latter—a gorgeously atmospheric, slow-burning fantasy that lures you into its world of forgotten magic, haunted manors, and dangerous bargains.
Our heroine, Mouse Dunne, is the kind of character who instantly earns your heart. Once a hopeful dreamer obsessed with fae lore, she’s now a battle-scarred nurse trying to care for her traumatized brother after the Great War. When she inherits her uncle’s crumbling, Faerie-blessed estate—along with an impossible challenge to restore it in one month—her world becomes a tangle of duty, grief, and a shimmering touch of the impossible.
And then he appears—a beguiling, arrogant fae with eyes like secrets and a smile that promises more trouble than comfort. Their reluctant partnership crackles with tension, mistrust, and something deeper neither of them dares to name. Every scene between them feels charged with emotion and mythic pull, like a dance between light and shadow.
Corrigan’s writing is sumptuous and immersive, blending folklore and post-war melancholy in a way that feels both intimate and epic. The manor of Thistlemarsh is practically a character of its own—decayed yet still humming with old enchantments, holding echoes of loss, love, and vengeance within its walls. There’s a gothic pulse here that made my heart race—a story drenched in grief and longing, yet flickering with hope and magic.
What I especially loved is how Corrigan balances emotional realism with wonder. Mouse’s inner battles—between loyalty and freedom, reason and belief—mirror the very heart of the novel’s theme: what happens when magic collides with a world that’s forgotten how to believe?
Yes, the story unfolds with a deliberate pace, inviting you to linger in its atmosphere rather than rush through it. But for readers who crave rich world-building, layered characters, and that slow build of romantic and emotional tension—this book is a treat. It’s not just a fantasy—it’s a tale of survival, self-discovery, and daring to reach for light even when surrounded by ruin.
🕯️ Thistlemarsh is an enchanting, gothic, and deeply heartfelt story that lingers long after you turn the last page. Perfect for fans of historical fantasy with fae bargains, emotional depth, and hauntingly beautiful prose.
A huge, magical thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for sharing this alluring and long-anticipated fantasy read with me in exchange for my honest thoughts. This was a captivating debut that felt like stepping into a dream you never want to wake from. ✨🧚♀️
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Our heroine, Mouse Dunne, is the kind of character who instantly earns your heart. Once a hopeful dreamer obsessed with fae lore, she’s now a battle-scarred nurse trying to care for her traumatized brother after the Great War. When she inherits her uncle’s crumbling, Faerie-blessed estate—along with an impossible challenge to restore it in one month—her world becomes a tangle of duty, grief, and a shimmering touch of the impossible.
And then he appears—a beguiling, arrogant fae with eyes like secrets and a smile that promises more trouble than comfort. Their reluctant partnership crackles with tension, mistrust, and something deeper neither of them dares to name. Every scene between them feels charged with emotion and mythic pull, like a dance between light and shadow.
Corrigan’s writing is sumptuous and immersive, blending folklore and post-war melancholy in a way that feels both intimate and epic. The manor of Thistlemarsh is practically a character of its own—decayed yet still humming with old enchantments, holding echoes of loss, love, and vengeance within its walls. There’s a gothic pulse here that made my heart race—a story drenched in grief and longing, yet flickering with hope and magic.
What I especially loved is how Corrigan balances emotional realism with wonder. Mouse’s inner battles—between loyalty and freedom, reason and belief—mirror the very heart of the novel’s theme: what happens when magic collides with a world that’s forgotten how to believe?
Yes, the story unfolds with a deliberate pace, inviting you to linger in its atmosphere rather than rush through it. But for readers who crave rich world-building, layered characters, and that slow build of romantic and emotional tension—this book is a treat. It’s not just a fantasy—it’s a tale of survival, self-discovery, and daring to reach for light even when surrounded by ruin.
🕯️ Thistlemarsh is an enchanting, gothic, and deeply heartfelt story that lingers long after you turn the last page. Perfect for fans of historical fantasy with fae bargains, emotional depth, and hauntingly beautiful prose.
A huge, magical thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for sharing this alluring and long-anticipated fantasy read with me in exchange for my honest thoughts. This was a captivating debut that felt like stepping into a dream you never want to wake from. ✨🧚♀️
medium blog
April 24, 2026
4.25 ★— Home renovations can be so easy when you have a fae at hand!
War nurse Mouse Dunne has come back to her hometown after inheriting her uncle’s old manor, Thistlemarsh, but needs to get it into shape to retain the inheritance. Enter Thornwood, a mysterious and very blond faerie she bargains into helping her.
This book made my historical fantasy-loving heart so happy! Featuring a competent heroine with a good head on her shoulders in Mouse, the story is set against the backdrop of a recovering Britain after WWI, as the consequences and ravages of the war surround her.
The mix of a world shaped by war yet still infused with fae culture was fascinating to read! With the fae once having been cornerstones of society before vanishing, this definitely gave the story a very mysterious and unique edge.
Thistlemarsh is a slower paced, slice of life style story for most of its length, with some twists and turns that, while not that surprising, were well done and thoughtfully explored. The book did a good job of planting hints and setting the groundwork for many of the happenings that occur at the end, and with the many magical creatures and shenanigans Mouse navigates while helping Thornwood renovate the house, this book had alllll the soft Ghibli vibes I enjoy!
The romance is quite a slow burn, with Thornwood retaining many traditionally fae traits, while still being his own charming, eccentric self. These two also bicker frequently as they slowly fall in love, which definitely works into making this palatable for the Howl x Sophie fans (of which they are plenty) among us, though I would say Thornwood is definitely not as moody as Howl ever was.
This is cozy, whimsical, cute and feels like a cup of tea on a rainy day.
_____________________
Thank you to Berkley for the gifted copy.
War nurse Mouse Dunne has come back to her hometown after inheriting her uncle’s old manor, Thistlemarsh, but needs to get it into shape to retain the inheritance. Enter Thornwood, a mysterious and very blond faerie she bargains into helping her.
This book made my historical fantasy-loving heart so happy! Featuring a competent heroine with a good head on her shoulders in Mouse, the story is set against the backdrop of a recovering Britain after WWI, as the consequences and ravages of the war surround her.
The mix of a world shaped by war yet still infused with fae culture was fascinating to read! With the fae once having been cornerstones of society before vanishing, this definitely gave the story a very mysterious and unique edge.
Thistlemarsh is a slower paced, slice of life style story for most of its length, with some twists and turns that, while not that surprising, were well done and thoughtfully explored. The book did a good job of planting hints and setting the groundwork for many of the happenings that occur at the end, and with the many magical creatures and shenanigans Mouse navigates while helping Thornwood renovate the house, this book had alllll the soft Ghibli vibes I enjoy!
The romance is quite a slow burn, with Thornwood retaining many traditionally fae traits, while still being his own charming, eccentric self. These two also bicker frequently as they slowly fall in love, which definitely works into making this palatable for the Howl x Sophie fans (of which they are plenty) among us, though I would say Thornwood is definitely not as moody as Howl ever was.
This is cozy, whimsical, cute and feels like a cup of tea on a rainy day.
_____________________
Thank you to Berkley for the gifted copy.
September 23, 2025
In terms of the sub-genre "fantasy with fae," I have to say, this was pretty standard. This book did not surprise me. In fact, I felt like I had already read this book by the time I was 10% through. The world building was painfully familiar to so many other books I've read. The concept, being so familiar, felt stale and used. Other authors have already done it, and frankly, done it better. Don't get me wrong, I love the artfully cunning fae, but this book could have been so fresh and new if the author had decided to veer away from the faeries.
In general, the atmosphere and vibes of this book were pretty cozy. If you like cozy fantasy, I think you would really enjoy this one. Personally, the stakes were too low for me. This book was too long for this low of stakes and I was continuously bored.
This book's one redeeming quality was the ending plot twist. I almost always guess the ending of books and surprisingly, I didn't for this book.
2/5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this arc in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts are my own.
In general, the atmosphere and vibes of this book were pretty cozy. If you like cozy fantasy, I think you would really enjoy this one. Personally, the stakes were too low for me. This book was too long for this low of stakes and I was continuously bored.
This book's one redeeming quality was the ending plot twist. I almost always guess the ending of books and surprisingly, I didn't for this book.
2/5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this arc in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts are my own.
October 12, 2025
DNF @ 82%
So there were several reasons as to why I DNFed this so close to the end. It just kept getting worse.
Language:
B*stard 9
D*mn 11
Bloody 10
H*ll 2
B*tch 1
F word 1
The Lords name taken in vain 4
Jesus name taken in vain 2
Heathen 2
LGBTQ:
There was a gay couple. It didn’t say until later on but it’s not too hard to figure out. There’s a lot about it in one section. One of the guys is a vicar and is said to be the other guys ‘lover’.
Romance:
Two kisses. One that went a bit too far and stopped after the guy ‘parted her robe’.
A part where the girl gets healed and he parts her robe again.
Mentions of holy water.
The main characters undressed to their underclothes to go swimming.
Several mentions of cigarettes.
An animal is killed quite gruesomely.
A panic attack.
A story in which a bride is beheaded by her husband.
Mentions of scandals.
The girl is unchaperoned in her house with two men.
A man is blackmailed.
Mouse: she wasn’t too bad, rather annoying and not very smart.
Thornwood: he honestly reminded me of Howl from Howls moving castle.
John: nope. I did not like him at all. All the bad cuss words came from him and he was a very bad vicar.
It was kinda dark and creepy towards the end and everything just kept getting worse. So that is why I DNFed this book. A lot of the content I don’t agree with or believe in and I was uncomfortable continuing.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-arc of this book.
So there were several reasons as to why I DNFed this so close to the end. It just kept getting worse.
Language:
B*stard 9
D*mn 11
Bloody 10
H*ll 2
B*tch 1
F word 1
The Lords name taken in vain 4
Jesus name taken in vain 2
Heathen 2
LGBTQ:
There was a gay couple. It didn’t say until later on but it’s not too hard to figure out. There’s a lot about it in one section. One of the guys is a vicar and is said to be the other guys ‘lover’.
Romance:
Two kisses. One that went a bit too far and stopped after the guy ‘parted her robe’.
A part where the girl gets healed and he parts her robe again.
Mentions of holy water.
The main characters undressed to their underclothes to go swimming.
Several mentions of cigarettes.
An animal is killed quite gruesomely.
A panic attack.
A story in which a bride is beheaded by her husband.
Mentions of scandals.
The girl is unchaperoned in her house with two men.
A man is blackmailed.
Mouse: she wasn’t too bad, rather annoying and not very smart.
Thornwood: he honestly reminded me of Howl from Howls moving castle.
John: nope. I did not like him at all. All the bad cuss words came from him and he was a very bad vicar.
It was kinda dark and creepy towards the end and everything just kept getting worse. So that is why I DNFed this book. A lot of the content I don’t agree with or believe in and I was uncomfortable continuing.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-arc of this book.
April 25, 2026
I adored this book! I loved the slow burn romance and overall mystery (with a twist i didnt see coming), I was swooning, you know The Office meme and its "you've charmed me" that was me with this story 😂 it felt like a traditional fairy tale, lots of whimsy and magic, a strong FMC (loved our mouse!) And an adorable dragon/dog!
April 30, 2026
Emily Wilde x The Enchanted Greenhouse x The Cruel Prince (a little)
I truly adored this book and its protagonist from the get go. I really like cosy fantasies that follow some kind of fixer-upper storyline and this one was really fun. As Mouse and a mysterious faerie move through the house trying to fix it up they're also uncovering the house is full of magic itself and there's all sorts of enchantments that they needs to untangle to meet the deadline. HOW CLEAN IS YOUR FAERIE ENCHANTED MANSION?
Set against the historical backdrop of the end of WW1 and fairies haven't been seen in hundreds of years. Everyone has lost the hope within the stories after the dark times they've lived through and our main character Mouse returns home from the front lines working as a nurse with her brother now suffering with PTSD/shell shock. She finds out her uncle has passed away and left the estate to her on one condition, she needs to repair the whole place and its grounds or it's going to a slimy weasel called Carlyle. When a fairie turns up and offers her a bargain to help her do up the entire place, of course the answer is a yes!!
You really feel the burden on Mouse's shoulders throughout the story especially when losing the estate would risk her not being able to afford care for her brother. I felt like I was really mourning the loss of who he was before the war with Mouse too.
The romance in this one is light but I also loved it. Thornwood is so blunt at times I really liked that he leaned into being an annoying fairie lol. He reminded me of Wendell from Emily Wilde but more grumpy and less sunshine, but when he gets soft with Mouse it felt like even more of a precious moment.
I also liked how the world explores the loss of fairie magic with the rise of machinery (iron and lead) and humans losing touch with nature. Thornwood is literally drained when he goes to the city and has to find small patches of grass to recharge and even then that barely helps. With how we're all living cramped in cities in the real world, this felt a little too real but made me also want to go to the country side and frolic through the woods.
5 stars from me because there was nothing I didn't absolutely love about this. It felt like returning home to a warm cup of tea and a cookie every time I picked this book back up.
I truly adored this book and its protagonist from the get go. I really like cosy fantasies that follow some kind of fixer-upper storyline and this one was really fun. As Mouse and a mysterious faerie move through the house trying to fix it up they're also uncovering the house is full of magic itself and there's all sorts of enchantments that they needs to untangle to meet the deadline. HOW CLEAN IS YOUR FAERIE ENCHANTED MANSION?
Set against the historical backdrop of the end of WW1 and fairies haven't been seen in hundreds of years. Everyone has lost the hope within the stories after the dark times they've lived through and our main character Mouse returns home from the front lines working as a nurse with her brother now suffering with PTSD/shell shock. She finds out her uncle has passed away and left the estate to her on one condition, she needs to repair the whole place and its grounds or it's going to a slimy weasel called Carlyle. When a fairie turns up and offers her a bargain to help her do up the entire place, of course the answer is a yes!!
You really feel the burden on Mouse's shoulders throughout the story especially when losing the estate would risk her not being able to afford care for her brother. I felt like I was really mourning the loss of who he was before the war with Mouse too.
The romance in this one is light but I also loved it. Thornwood is so blunt at times I really liked that he leaned into being an annoying fairie lol. He reminded me of Wendell from Emily Wilde but more grumpy and less sunshine, but when he gets soft with Mouse it felt like even more of a precious moment.
I also liked how the world explores the loss of fairie magic with the rise of machinery (iron and lead) and humans losing touch with nature. Thornwood is literally drained when he goes to the city and has to find small patches of grass to recharge and even then that barely helps. With how we're all living cramped in cities in the real world, this felt a little too real but made me also want to go to the country side and frolic through the woods.
5 stars from me because there was nothing I didn't absolutely love about this. It felt like returning home to a warm cup of tea and a cookie every time I picked this book back up.
April 23, 2026
I was VERY excited for this book. The synopsis made it sound like a fairy court political fantasy similar in tone to the Folk of the Air series. With maybe a dash more cozy fantasy to it. I'm not a big cozy fantasy person overall. So I was pretty disappointed when I realized this book was going to basically just be about fixing up the house. There's a magical ward we can't break. Our main characters have to do some odd thing to break the ward/curse. Now our MMC can fix up the house a little more. Lather, rinse, repeat. While I was bored by that premise, I know there are LOTS of people out there who love a cozy fantasy. So that's fine, that's more a "me" problem. But then we throw in this plot in the last 40ish pages that comes out of nowhere. It felt like it was forced into the story to try and make it more interesting but ended up making the book far worse overall. This book had real potential but just felt like it needed another massive round of edits before being published.
Want to Read
March 24, 2026✨🏰 Thistlemarsh 🧚🏻♀️🌿
📖 Bookish Thoughts
I’ll be sharing my full review closer to publication date.
🌿 What to Expect
• Faerie estate
• Postwar setting
• Fae bargain
• Arrogant MMC
• Family loyalty
📅 Pub Date: April 21, 2026
📝 Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
📖 Bookish Thoughts
I’ll be sharing my full review closer to publication date.
🌿 What to Expect
• Faerie estate
• Postwar setting
• Fae bargain
• Arrogant MMC
• Family loyalty
📅 Pub Date: April 21, 2026
📝 Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
April 23, 2026
**𝔄ℜℭ ℜ𝔢𝔳𝔦𝔢𝔴** 𝔗𝔥𝔦𝔰𝔱𝔩𝔢𝔪𝔞𝔯𝔰𝔥 𝔟𝔶 𝔐𝔬𝔬𝔯𝔢𝔞 ℭ𝔬𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔤𝔞𝔫
Release Day: April 21, 2026
5⭐️2🌶
This book was honestly and bright and sparkly breath of fresh air in my very busy week. With all the Secret Garden and Cottagecore vibes, I found this book absolutely delectable. This book is set in the English countryside right after WWI, and the main character is a young war nurse who has just come back from a convalescing war hospital.
Minor Spoilers Ahead.
Mouse Dunne was helping her brother recover from a mortar shell that took the life of her cousin, when she returns to Thistlemarsh Hall in the English Countryside to receive the estate as her inheritance. However, the Will states that she must mostly reinstate the Hall to its former glory or marry within a months time in order to keep the inheritance. Otherwise, Thistlemarsh Hall will go to a slimy distant male cousin.
Thistlemarsh Hall has been Faerie-blessed for many decades. However, one her her ancestors has broken the contract with the Faeries, and hence the reason most of her family has died or fallen into ill health, because of the broken contract with the Faeries.
Mouse is approached by a Faerie by the name of Thornwood, and he proposes a deal that would restore Thistlemarsh Hall to its former glory. However, they find a myriad of existing spells already placed on the Hall that impede their procress in full restoration.
I immensely enjoyed this book, and I hope there is more to come from Moore Corrigan. I highly recommend this for fans of Secret Garden and The Bargainer series by Laura Thalassa
Themes/Tropes:
🍁Cozy Fantasy
🍁Cottagecore
🍁Urban Fantasy
🍁World War to Historical Fantasy
🍁Secret Garden Vibes
🍁Divine Rivals Vibes
🍁Faerie's Living Among Us
🍁Small faerie magics
🍁Deal with a faerie/devil
🍁
TW:
✨Loss of a parent
✨Loss of a sibling
✨PTSD from war
#thistlemarsh #mooreacorrigan
Release Day: April 21, 2026
5⭐️2🌶
This book was honestly and bright and sparkly breath of fresh air in my very busy week. With all the Secret Garden and Cottagecore vibes, I found this book absolutely delectable. This book is set in the English countryside right after WWI, and the main character is a young war nurse who has just come back from a convalescing war hospital.
Minor Spoilers Ahead.
Mouse Dunne was helping her brother recover from a mortar shell that took the life of her cousin, when she returns to Thistlemarsh Hall in the English Countryside to receive the estate as her inheritance. However, the Will states that she must mostly reinstate the Hall to its former glory or marry within a months time in order to keep the inheritance. Otherwise, Thistlemarsh Hall will go to a slimy distant male cousin.
Thistlemarsh Hall has been Faerie-blessed for many decades. However, one her her ancestors has broken the contract with the Faeries, and hence the reason most of her family has died or fallen into ill health, because of the broken contract with the Faeries.
Mouse is approached by a Faerie by the name of Thornwood, and he proposes a deal that would restore Thistlemarsh Hall to its former glory. However, they find a myriad of existing spells already placed on the Hall that impede their procress in full restoration.
I immensely enjoyed this book, and I hope there is more to come from Moore Corrigan. I highly recommend this for fans of Secret Garden and The Bargainer series by Laura Thalassa
Themes/Tropes:
🍁Cozy Fantasy
🍁Cottagecore
🍁Urban Fantasy
🍁World War to Historical Fantasy
🍁Secret Garden Vibes
🍁Divine Rivals Vibes
🍁Faerie's Living Among Us
🍁Small faerie magics
🍁Deal with a faerie/devil
🍁
TW:
✨Loss of a parent
✨Loss of a sibling
✨PTSD from war
#thistlemarsh #mooreacorrigan
January 21, 2026
this book had a promising start and initially pulled me in with its atmosphere and tone (mysterious, slightly haunting, and whimsical). I truly enjoyed the writing in this section and felt genuinely pulled into the story and its mood.
however, from about the 30% to the 50% mark, the book began to feel oddly disjointed, almost like I was reading two different stories. the tonal shift was abrupt, and my interest dipped as a result. In some scenes, it felt as though the author didn’t fully trust the reader, relying too heavily on repetition or over-description instead of allowing moments to speak for themselves. A lighter touch and more subtlety would have made these sections much stronger.
at the same time, other parts of the narration felt too sparse or abrupt. transitions between scenes, actions, or emotional beats weren’t always smooth, and the story could have benefited from more seamless pacing and flow. there’s an imbalance between what’s lingered on and what’s rushed, some unnecessary details are drawn out, while more important moments pass by without enough depth.
the final 20% felt almost like a fever dream. I understand why, given the FMC’s incantation, the disorientation makes sense thematically, but it dragged on longer than necessary. this is where the author’s tendency to linger on frivolous descriptions became most noticeable, especially when more critical elements of the plot could have used clearer development. I also couldn’t help noticing that this portion felt very similar to events in the first book of the Emily Wilde trilogy.
overall, I found the book cute and occasionally charming, and I enjoyed the fairy stories woven throughout. still, it never quite reached anything truly memorable or grand. between its pacing issues and uneven execution, it ended up being an okay read, pleasant enough, but ultimately underwhelming.
however, from about the 30% to the 50% mark, the book began to feel oddly disjointed, almost like I was reading two different stories. the tonal shift was abrupt, and my interest dipped as a result. In some scenes, it felt as though the author didn’t fully trust the reader, relying too heavily on repetition or over-description instead of allowing moments to speak for themselves. A lighter touch and more subtlety would have made these sections much stronger.
at the same time, other parts of the narration felt too sparse or abrupt. transitions between scenes, actions, or emotional beats weren’t always smooth, and the story could have benefited from more seamless pacing and flow. there’s an imbalance between what’s lingered on and what’s rushed, some unnecessary details are drawn out, while more important moments pass by without enough depth.
the final 20% felt almost like a fever dream. I understand why, given the FMC’s incantation, the disorientation makes sense thematically, but it dragged on longer than necessary. this is where the author’s tendency to linger on frivolous descriptions became most noticeable, especially when more critical elements of the plot could have used clearer development. I also couldn’t help noticing that this portion felt very similar to events in the first book of the Emily Wilde trilogy.
overall, I found the book cute and occasionally charming, and I enjoyed the fairy stories woven throughout. still, it never quite reached anything truly memorable or grand. between its pacing issues and uneven execution, it ended up being an okay read, pleasant enough, but ultimately underwhelming.
November 22, 2025
(3.75⭐️ rounded up)
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the gifted eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thistlemarsh was such a delightful surprise. Set in the post-WWI era, it blends historical cozy vibes with just the right touch of fae enchantment. The main character’s sharp, dry wit won me over immediately, and I loved watching her wrestle with the shadows of her past while trying to step into an uncertain future. The slow-burn romance is charming, and the quirky supporting cast brings so much warmth and personality to the story.
I did feel the pacing sag a little in the middle, and I found myself wishing for a few more layers of fantasy beyond the core fae elements. The ending was on the predictable side, but still wrapped things up in a satisfying way.
Overall, it’s a cozy, magical read with a strong opening, memorable characters, and plenty of heart.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the gifted eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thistlemarsh was such a delightful surprise. Set in the post-WWI era, it blends historical cozy vibes with just the right touch of fae enchantment. The main character’s sharp, dry wit won me over immediately, and I loved watching her wrestle with the shadows of her past while trying to step into an uncertain future. The slow-burn romance is charming, and the quirky supporting cast brings so much warmth and personality to the story.
I did feel the pacing sag a little in the middle, and I found myself wishing for a few more layers of fantasy beyond the core fae elements. The ending was on the predictable side, but still wrapped things up in a satisfying way.
Overall, it’s a cozy, magical read with a strong opening, memorable characters, and plenty of heart.
August 12, 2025
Thank you Netgalley and Berkley for the opportunity to read this ARC. Book release is set for April 21, 2026.
Historical fiction, cozy fantasy,and a smattering of romance was a mashup I never knew I needed. Faeries have been gone from the human world for over a hundred years by the time WW1 is over. Mouse was always warned by her mother to never trust the Fae even with their absence.
Mouse receives word that her Uncle has left Faerie-blessed Thistlemarsh Hall, the place she grew up, to her. However, to fully take ownership, she must either restore the home within a month, or get married. Knowing her brother is suffering "she'll shock" from the war, she knows she has to keep this inheritance somehow.
While trying to figure out what to do, she's approached by a Faerie who offers to help restore Thistlemarsh. She takes the bargain, even though she knows it will cost her. Thornewood, the Fae, has ulterior motives in his reasons for helping Mouse. Ultimately though, they learn to trust each other and work together.
This book was such a delightful read. It felt like a breath of fresh air in the fantasy realm. The author mixed fantasy with real life, and it worked beautifully. I would absolutely recommend giving this a read when it releases next year! Add it to your TBR, now!
5/5 stars.
Historical fiction, cozy fantasy,and a smattering of romance was a mashup I never knew I needed. Faeries have been gone from the human world for over a hundred years by the time WW1 is over. Mouse was always warned by her mother to never trust the Fae even with their absence.
Mouse receives word that her Uncle has left Faerie-blessed Thistlemarsh Hall, the place she grew up, to her. However, to fully take ownership, she must either restore the home within a month, or get married. Knowing her brother is suffering "she'll shock" from the war, she knows she has to keep this inheritance somehow.
While trying to figure out what to do, she's approached by a Faerie who offers to help restore Thistlemarsh. She takes the bargain, even though she knows it will cost her. Thornewood, the Fae, has ulterior motives in his reasons for helping Mouse. Ultimately though, they learn to trust each other and work together.
This book was such a delightful read. It felt like a breath of fresh air in the fantasy realm. The author mixed fantasy with real life, and it worked beautifully. I would absolutely recommend giving this a read when it releases next year! Add it to your TBR, now!
5/5 stars.
September 12, 2025
You know those stories you never want to be over?
This is one of them.
It is also a story that, once over, leaves me feeling not only satisfied, but joyful.
This book is equal parts historical fiction and cozy fantasy, with themes of adventure, betrayal, and love.
Moorea Corrigan spins real world history and weaves a beautiful fairy tale.
I look forward to reading more of her stories.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC!
Book set to release April 21, 2026.
This is one of them.
It is also a story that, once over, leaves me feeling not only satisfied, but joyful.
This book is equal parts historical fiction and cozy fantasy, with themes of adventure, betrayal, and love.
Moorea Corrigan spins real world history and weaves a beautiful fairy tale.
I look forward to reading more of her stories.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC!
Book set to release April 21, 2026.
May 6, 2026
I really enjoyed Thistlemarsh by Moorea Corrigan. This cosy fantasy set against the backdrop of post World War 1 England felt like exactly the kind of quiet, atmospheric read I gravitate toward. It leans more into magical realism than high fantasy, and that blend with the historical setting was a perfect combination for me.
As expected with cosy fantasy, the pacing is slow and the stakes are fairly low, but there is just enough happening to keep things engaging without losing that gentle, immersive tone. It is very much a story you settle into rather than rush through.
The characters are where this book really shines. I loved our FMC, Mouse. Her tenacity and strength stood out, but what made her compelling was her vulnerability and emotional depth. She felt grounded and real in a way that anchored the more whimsical elements of the story. The Fae MMC brought a completely different energy, acting as a source of comic relief throughout while still embodying that classic mischievous, slightly unpredictable fae nature. I especially appreciated how traditional fae folklore was woven into his character, which added an extra layer of enchantment to the narrative.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one. It did not quite reach a full 5 stars for me, but it is still an easy recommendation if you are in the mood for a cosy, character driven fantasy with a touch of magic and history.
As expected with cosy fantasy, the pacing is slow and the stakes are fairly low, but there is just enough happening to keep things engaging without losing that gentle, immersive tone. It is very much a story you settle into rather than rush through.
The characters are where this book really shines. I loved our FMC, Mouse. Her tenacity and strength stood out, but what made her compelling was her vulnerability and emotional depth. She felt grounded and real in a way that anchored the more whimsical elements of the story. The Fae MMC brought a completely different energy, acting as a source of comic relief throughout while still embodying that classic mischievous, slightly unpredictable fae nature. I especially appreciated how traditional fae folklore was woven into his character, which added an extra layer of enchantment to the narrative.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one. It did not quite reach a full 5 stars for me, but it is still an easy recommendation if you are in the mood for a cosy, character driven fantasy with a touch of magic and history.
May 6, 2026
I went into this book expecting something along the lines of a cozy fantasy, reminiscent of Emily Wilde. And it started out strong, but gradually the tone shifted and the end felt like it came from a different book.
I enjoyed the idea of the bargain with the fae and the setting of a haunting and crumbling manor was a nice touch. But the actual execution where some of the rooms acted as trials fell a bit short.
My biggest problems were with the main character, however. I found Mouse to be unpleasant and obnoxious. I quickly grew tired of her snipping about not uttering the lord’s name in vain. The fact that she was called after a rodent didn’t really help. Yes, it’s a nickname, but she’s called Mouse throughout the book.
But it’s a charming and whimsical read and I think many people will enjoy it, especially those who liked the Emily Wilde trilogy.
I enjoyed the idea of the bargain with the fae and the setting of a haunting and crumbling manor was a nice touch. But the actual execution where some of the rooms acted as trials fell a bit short.
My biggest problems were with the main character, however. I found Mouse to be unpleasant and obnoxious. I quickly grew tired of her snipping about not uttering the lord’s name in vain. The fact that she was called after a rodent didn’t really help. Yes, it’s a nickname, but she’s called Mouse throughout the book.
But it’s a charming and whimsical read and I think many people will enjoy it, especially those who liked the Emily Wilde trilogy.
May 5, 2026
There isn’t any way I’d be forgiving a man for all of those misdeeds ?? a blond man ?? even if he is a fairy…🫵 however,,, the last two pages did redeem this story sliiightly
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Netgalley, Moorea Corrigan, and Berkley publishing for the opportunity to read an advance copy of Thistlemarsh. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Thislemarsh is my first five star read of this year. Honestly, I would rate this book much higher if possible. I will say Thistlemarsh is a must read! I absorbed this book in two days and am saddened my journey with this story is completed. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
Corrigan has done an excellant job of worldbuilding and creating well developed characters- characters a reader can fall in love with! The reader is able to grow with our female main character Mouse as she has to meet her late Uncle's terms to inherit her family estate of Thistlemarsh, a faerie-blessed home. Mouse frees Thornewood, the first faerie a mortal has seen in over a hundred years and decides to strike a bargain with him. Their story has many twists and turns. Thistlemarsh is anything, but a predictable story! Readers are in for many surprises! I look forward to reading more from Corrigan in the future. I highly recommend Thistlemarsh for all to read especially if you enjoy fantasy historical fiction!
Thislemarsh is my first five star read of this year. Honestly, I would rate this book much higher if possible. I will say Thistlemarsh is a must read! I absorbed this book in two days and am saddened my journey with this story is completed. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
Corrigan has done an excellant job of worldbuilding and creating well developed characters- characters a reader can fall in love with! The reader is able to grow with our female main character Mouse as she has to meet her late Uncle's terms to inherit her family estate of Thistlemarsh, a faerie-blessed home. Mouse frees Thornewood, the first faerie a mortal has seen in over a hundred years and decides to strike a bargain with him. Their story has many twists and turns. Thistlemarsh is anything, but a predictable story! Readers are in for many surprises! I look forward to reading more from Corrigan in the future. I highly recommend Thistlemarsh for all to read especially if you enjoy fantasy historical fiction!
April 7, 2026
Thank you to Berkley for providing me with a gifted ebook copy of Thistlemarsh through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Thistlemarsh combines some of my favorite things including historical fantasy, faerie bargains, and a family manor that is decaying while hiding its own secrets. I enjoyed the FMC, “Mouse”. Her character was caring and determined to take care of her brother and honor the other family members she lost, by doing whatever it would take to restore Thistlemarsh.
The faerie magic used to repair the house and the magic surrounding the house was interesting and I liked seeing Mouse and Thornwood navigate the complications while their attraction to one another developed. I also loved seeing Mouse’s character growth, and felt like her personal story had a great conclusion.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭:
* Historical Fantasy
* Dilapidated Manor
* Faerie Bargains
* Post WWI
* Secrets & Betrayals
* Scheming Relatives
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥: 🚫
Thistlemarsh is a great read for fans of fantasy/romance, with Faeries, magic, and finding yourself and fighting for your family.
Thistlemarsh combines some of my favorite things including historical fantasy, faerie bargains, and a family manor that is decaying while hiding its own secrets. I enjoyed the FMC, “Mouse”. Her character was caring and determined to take care of her brother and honor the other family members she lost, by doing whatever it would take to restore Thistlemarsh.
The faerie magic used to repair the house and the magic surrounding the house was interesting and I liked seeing Mouse and Thornwood navigate the complications while their attraction to one another developed. I also loved seeing Mouse’s character growth, and felt like her personal story had a great conclusion.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭:
* Historical Fantasy
* Dilapidated Manor
* Faerie Bargains
* Post WWI
* Secrets & Betrayals
* Scheming Relatives
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥: 🚫
Thistlemarsh is a great read for fans of fantasy/romance, with Faeries, magic, and finding yourself and fighting for your family.
March 23, 2026
Arg. The potential was there, but the execution was….not. The pacing of the plot was off, and the plot itself went in directions I found to be odd. Character development and motivations also felt a bit lacking. The writing was ok, there were several scenes of dialogue that I found charming but in general felt like there was maybe not enough important development through the dialogue. I felt like it was odd how little the main character, Mouse, asked about the Faerie and his background, given Faeries disappeared a century ago. It was a cozy read with a whimsy ambience and setting perfect for spring, so for that I gave it an added star. Overall bummed that this was a disappointment.
April 28, 2026
3.5 stars
This was a charming story full of faerie magic and obstacles for our characters to solve. Our main character, Mouse, is tasked with repairing an old house in one month if she wants to inherit it, but the task is much more difficult than it first appears.
The book started out slow, but it got more interesting once our characters found the first door. From there, they encounter many more doors they need to break. We also meet an absolutely adorable dragon-dog along the way, who was easily my favorite.
I liked the characters, but I do think the romance lacked tension. The dialogue didn’t feel as dynamic as it could have been. This also leans more on the cozy side, which isn’t usually my preferred genre. Overall, though, I still found this charming and well-written and the twist did surprise me.
This was a charming story full of faerie magic and obstacles for our characters to solve. Our main character, Mouse, is tasked with repairing an old house in one month if she wants to inherit it, but the task is much more difficult than it first appears.
The book started out slow, but it got more interesting once our characters found the first door. From there, they encounter many more doors they need to break. We also meet an absolutely adorable dragon-dog along the way, who was easily my favorite.
I liked the characters, but I do think the romance lacked tension. The dialogue didn’t feel as dynamic as it could have been. This also leans more on the cozy side, which isn’t usually my preferred genre. Overall, though, I still found this charming and well-written and the twist did surprise me.
May 3, 2026
Full review to come! I really enjoyed this a lot more than I was anticipating. Loved the post WWI setting and the main character, and the romance built slowly in a way that made sense and let them get to know each other. I liked how there were subtle emotional nods to the ramifications of the war on the psyche without being overly dark or too light with the tone; it struck a nice emotional balance.
April 23, 2026
Arc provided by NetGalley and the Publishers
On paper, this book has many things for me to enjoy. Faeries, bargains, old houses and post war settings.
In practice it sadly fell a bit short. I wanted so desperately to enjoy this book, and on the whole it isn't bad, but everything just seemed a bit muted. It almost seemed in places that there was too much of a plot and not all of it would fit. Due to this the pacing was a bit inconsistent, and the characters seemed to flip back and forth between fleshed out and paper templates.
Sadly as well, the earc was formatted terribly. There were large swathes of empty pages, pages with paragraphs halfway down the page, words broken up by dashes nearly every fifth word and the grammar wasn't amazing.
The ending seemed a little rushed, and I am absolutely baffled at some of the choices Mouse made, especially as the romance came out of nowhere!
Despite my quibbles with it. I did enjoy reading it, despite taking forever to get around to it, and I'm hoping I managed to offset my frustration with the formatting.
On paper, this book has many things for me to enjoy. Faeries, bargains, old houses and post war settings.
In practice it sadly fell a bit short. I wanted so desperately to enjoy this book, and on the whole it isn't bad, but everything just seemed a bit muted. It almost seemed in places that there was too much of a plot and not all of it would fit. Due to this the pacing was a bit inconsistent, and the characters seemed to flip back and forth between fleshed out and paper templates.
Sadly as well, the earc was formatted terribly. There were large swathes of empty pages, pages with paragraphs halfway down the page, words broken up by dashes nearly every fifth word and the grammar wasn't amazing.
The ending seemed a little rushed, and I am absolutely baffled at some of the choices Mouse made, especially as the romance came out of nowhere!
Despite my quibbles with it. I did enjoy reading it, despite taking forever to get around to it, and I'm hoping I managed to offset my frustration with the formatting.
March 28, 2026
3.5 stars rounded up ✨
May 3, 2026
3.5 rounded up
September 17, 2025
A nice light cozy fantasy. It started off strong but I felt like the middle was long and repetitive. I considered abandoning this one, but struck with it and was rewarded with a great ending.
October 24, 2025
I was so enchanted by the beginning of THISTLEMARSH. One of the first lines is “The belief in magic was replaced by the reality of mustard gas,” which is a perfect representation of the tone in the first chunk of this book. Mouse’s dream of becoming a Faerie anthropologist is dashed by familial duty in the aftermath of World War I, and she returns to her childhood home, Thistlemarsh, which she now finds herself in a position to inherit. The early chapters are full of creative worldbuilding details, from murals at a train station that depict Faerie Kings ruling alongside British royals, to a book of fairytales annotated by both human and Faerie ancestors. The overall effect is like a grown-up Secret Garden with faeries. SAY LESS.
The middle section of the book has a completely different vibe, veering more into cozy territory. This is where it started to lose me a little. The stakes feel high and serious in the beginning, with the fates of Mouse and her brother entwined with the fate of Thistlemarsh, but as the book starts working in cozy elements (a series of magical tasks, an animal companion), the stakes begin to feel lower. It does pick back up around the 70% mark with a great plot twist, but never fully regains the momentum it loses in that long middle stretch.
THISTLEMARSH won’t be for everyone, but I still think it’s worth a read if you can make it through the middle. It’s a promising debut and I’m interested to see what Morrea Corrigan writes next. Thanks so much to NetGalley and Berkley for providing an early review copy! All opinions are my own.
*
Book: THISTLEMARSH by Morrea Corrigan, publishing April 21, 2026
Overall rating: 5 stars for the beginning, 2 stars for the middle, 5 stars for the plot twist, 3.75 stars for the ending. Let’s go with 4/5 stars.
Genre: Historical fantasy, semi-cozy (derogatory)
My reading notes with zero context:
3% - Ok queen
9% - This is delightfully creepy
29% - This phrase definitely shouldn’t be here wtf
37% - Were there zoos at this time (update: yes)
46% - Ok Jon Snow
46% - Well, John is definitely going to find those
82% - IMMEDIATELY shipping these two
83% - Why is this making me tear up
The middle section of the book has a completely different vibe, veering more into cozy territory. This is where it started to lose me a little. The stakes feel high and serious in the beginning, with the fates of Mouse and her brother entwined with the fate of Thistlemarsh, but as the book starts working in cozy elements (a series of magical tasks, an animal companion), the stakes begin to feel lower. It does pick back up around the 70% mark with a great plot twist, but never fully regains the momentum it loses in that long middle stretch.
THISTLEMARSH won’t be for everyone, but I still think it’s worth a read if you can make it through the middle. It’s a promising debut and I’m interested to see what Morrea Corrigan writes next. Thanks so much to NetGalley and Berkley for providing an early review copy! All opinions are my own.
*
Book: THISTLEMARSH by Morrea Corrigan, publishing April 21, 2026
Overall rating: 5 stars for the beginning, 2 stars for the middle, 5 stars for the plot twist, 3.75 stars for the ending. Let’s go with 4/5 stars.
Genre: Historical fantasy, semi-cozy (derogatory)
My reading notes with zero context:
3% - Ok queen
9% - This is delightfully creepy
29% - This phrase definitely shouldn’t be here wtf
37% - Were there zoos at this time (update: yes)
46% - Ok Jon Snow
46% - Well, John is definitely going to find those
82% - IMMEDIATELY shipping these two
83% - Why is this making me tear up
September 4, 2025
I loved how this author depicted faeries, spells, and how to break them! Every author has a different imagining or rendering of fantasy worlds, customs and beings, and I truly loved this one! I also loved how little faerie stories were interwoven throughout the book at the ends of certain chapters! I enjoyed the characters throughout the book (most of the main ones anyway), and the adventures they had while trying to renovate Thistlemarsh. A few twists towards the end of the book really got me! I also enjoyed the slow burn build up of feelings between the two MC’s and the fact that this story was set back in the 1900s, yet a fantasy novel! Will definitely be getting a physical copy of this one because I know I’ll want to reread at some point! (Plus the cover is gorgeous!) If you want tales of treachery, dislikable family members, curses, spells, perilous adventures, fun banter, home renovations by magical means, slow build romance and surprise endings, then this one is for you!
A couple quotes I enjoyed 👇
“You make my determination not to die, sound like a character flaw.”
“Mouse, armed with only a book of old Faerie tales and folk knowledge, was by no means the right person to take on an unseen magical force.”
Content Themes 👇
- 1919 wartime
- England
- France
- Ravages of war/shell shock
- Faeries
- Renovations
- Magic 🪄
- Fairy bargains
- Gardening 🪴⛲️
- Laundry chute adventures 🤣
- Hidden rooms
- Magical creatures
- Adventure
- Betrayal
- Slow burn w/ small amount of spice
- Forced proximity feels
Release Date: April 21, 2026.
Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley publishing for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
A couple quotes I enjoyed 👇
“You make my determination not to die, sound like a character flaw.”
“Mouse, armed with only a book of old Faerie tales and folk knowledge, was by no means the right person to take on an unseen magical force.”
Content Themes 👇
- 1919 wartime
- England
- France
- Ravages of war/shell shock
- Faeries
- Renovations
- Magic 🪄
- Fairy bargains
- Gardening 🪴⛲️
- Laundry chute adventures 🤣
- Hidden rooms
- Magical creatures
- Adventure
- Betrayal
- Slow burn w/ small amount of spice
- Forced proximity feels
Release Date: April 21, 2026.
Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley publishing for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
September 6, 2025
"Centimeter by centimeter, a light pink rose blossomed in his hand. When it was fully grown, he plucked it from the bush. 'For you.'"
This tale is perfect for fans of Holly Black and Heather Fawcett, full of fairies that are wily and coy. Mouse is a nurse caring for her brother after the war left him shell shocked and lost. However, she must leave him for a time as her ancestral home passes to her following her uncle's death. As part of her uncle's will, Mouse has one month exactly to repair the property before it goes to another heir, a boy who deeply wronged Mouse and her cousin in the past. But it's either that or marry and Mouse would be loathe to stable herself to a hasty marriage, so she must somehow, magically, repair the entirety of Thistlemarsh Hall.
I quite enjoyed this story with its quaint charm and grandiose magic. It was a rather slow story but one that kept me enthralled the whole way through. Being a fantastic mixture of Faerie magic and human problems, this was a unique story and one I won't soon forget. It was a tad cozy at times though the ending was anything but! I think this story shined being in between things and this is highlighted beautifully at the end with a small tale to finish this story.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This tale is perfect for fans of Holly Black and Heather Fawcett, full of fairies that are wily and coy. Mouse is a nurse caring for her brother after the war left him shell shocked and lost. However, she must leave him for a time as her ancestral home passes to her following her uncle's death. As part of her uncle's will, Mouse has one month exactly to repair the property before it goes to another heir, a boy who deeply wronged Mouse and her cousin in the past. But it's either that or marry and Mouse would be loathe to stable herself to a hasty marriage, so she must somehow, magically, repair the entirety of Thistlemarsh Hall.
I quite enjoyed this story with its quaint charm and grandiose magic. It was a rather slow story but one that kept me enthralled the whole way through. Being a fantastic mixture of Faerie magic and human problems, this was a unique story and one I won't soon forget. It was a tad cozy at times though the ending was anything but! I think this story shined being in between things and this is highlighted beautifully at the end with a small tale to finish this story.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 ⭐️ ARC • Sometimes I think you read a book at the right time for you and it just hits and makes the experience so much better.
I requested Thistlemarsh because it was guessed to be an Illumicrate pick. I do love reading historical fantasy, and this summary really interested me, and then I was in one of those reading moods where I wanted to reread something familiar but I also wanted to read something new — and Thistlemarsh is one of those books where somehow it fit both moods.
This is definitely more of a cozy-fantasy-vibe. The stakes were high for Mouse personally, and you do root for her, but her story does remain pretty self-contained in the grand scheme of things. She reminded me so much of some other FMCs that I really love, and her practical, no-nonsense way of tackling issues in front of her was refreshing. She had lost so much but she did not let herself slow down, but it was so clear to see how it impacted her.
Thornwood was a little shit (said lovingly) & the way he and Mouse sniped and snarked at each other was so funny. I really liked how their story mirrored the faerie tales that we got interspersed throughout the book — and I liked how their relationship/romance did build out of a mutual respect, and a slow “beginning to trust” each other through the slightly absurd situations they ended up in together in the course of trying to fix up Thistlemarsh.
I will admit, I was a bit blindsided by the ending — I think I was so caught up in the vibes of what was happening that I did not focus on the mounting suspicion that I felt in hindsight, which, props to you Moorea Corrigan for that little bit of trickery. I do love how it all wrapped up, though!
I loved John and I loved Mouse’s friendship with John (do not even get me started about John and Bertie, because I *WILL* get big sad all over again). I loved the side characters — I would commit crimes for Smudge, and Mickelwaithe deserves a raise for the tomfoolery he had to deal with, and then a vacation for saving their asses multiple times.
Thank you so much Berkley and NetGalley for the ARC (all thoughts are my own, of course), and I cannot WAIT to have my Illumicrate edition in my hands!!
___________
4.5 ⭐️ full review to come, but i LOVED THIS!! SO!! MUCH!!
I requested Thistlemarsh because it was guessed to be an Illumicrate pick. I do love reading historical fantasy, and this summary really interested me, and then I was in one of those reading moods where I wanted to reread something familiar but I also wanted to read something new — and Thistlemarsh is one of those books where somehow it fit both moods.
This is definitely more of a cozy-fantasy-vibe. The stakes were high for Mouse personally, and you do root for her, but her story does remain pretty self-contained in the grand scheme of things. She reminded me so much of some other FMCs that I really love, and her practical, no-nonsense way of tackling issues in front of her was refreshing. She had lost so much but she did not let herself slow down, but it was so clear to see how it impacted her.
Thornwood was a little shit (said lovingly) & the way he and Mouse sniped and snarked at each other was so funny. I really liked how their story mirrored the faerie tales that we got interspersed throughout the book — and I liked how their relationship/romance did build out of a mutual respect, and a slow “beginning to trust” each other through the slightly absurd situations they ended up in together in the course of trying to fix up Thistlemarsh.
I will admit, I was a bit blindsided by the ending — I think I was so caught up in the vibes of what was happening that I did not focus on the mounting suspicion that I felt in hindsight, which, props to you Moorea Corrigan for that little bit of trickery. I do love how it all wrapped up, though!
I loved John and I loved Mouse’s friendship with John (do not even get me started about John and Bertie, because I *WILL* get big sad all over again). I loved the side characters — I would commit crimes for Smudge, and Mickelwaithe deserves a raise for the tomfoolery he had to deal with, and then a vacation for saving their asses multiple times.
Thank you so much Berkley and NetGalley for the ARC (all thoughts are my own, of course), and I cannot WAIT to have my Illumicrate edition in my hands!!
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4.5 ⭐️ full review to come, but i LOVED THIS!! SO!! MUCH!!
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