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Witch Hazel
Dan has a problem...
His mother thinks his brothers are cursed.
They're not. They just fell in love with women she doesn't approve of. But when your mother insists you find a witch to break a nonexistent curse, arguing seems like more trouble than it's worth. Even if you're a prince. Especially if you're a prince.
So Dan sets off on his dubious "quest" and finds Hazel, a witch who'd much rather stay home with her misfit critters and raggedy lap-dragon, Reginald. She's definitely not interested in breaking curses that don't exist. Or leaving her cottage. Or talking to royalty.
But before she can politely (or impolitely) decline, Dan accidentally makes a wish. The kind of wish that can't be undone. The kind that will make him vanish. Permanently.
Now Dan, a very reluctant Hazel, an extremely judgmental dragon, and a giant racing turtle with a blackberry fixation have to journey across Calthea to reverse the wish before Dan ceases to exist entirely. Along the way, they'll encounter less-than-helpful villagers, questionable magical solutions, a Bog Witch a few seeds short of a garden, and the realization that sometimes the wishes you make don't give you what you want in life...
...But might lead you to the life you need.
His mother thinks his brothers are cursed.
They're not. They just fell in love with women she doesn't approve of. But when your mother insists you find a witch to break a nonexistent curse, arguing seems like more trouble than it's worth. Even if you're a prince. Especially if you're a prince.
So Dan sets off on his dubious "quest" and finds Hazel, a witch who'd much rather stay home with her misfit critters and raggedy lap-dragon, Reginald. She's definitely not interested in breaking curses that don't exist. Or leaving her cottage. Or talking to royalty.
But before she can politely (or impolitely) decline, Dan accidentally makes a wish. The kind of wish that can't be undone. The kind that will make him vanish. Permanently.
Now Dan, a very reluctant Hazel, an extremely judgmental dragon, and a giant racing turtle with a blackberry fixation have to journey across Calthea to reverse the wish before Dan ceases to exist entirely. Along the way, they'll encounter less-than-helpful villagers, questionable magical solutions, a Bog Witch a few seeds short of a garden, and the realization that sometimes the wishes you make don't give you what you want in life...
...But might lead you to the life you need.
316 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 24, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 3, 2026
So so cute
I loved this. It felt as strange and random as a Grimm fairytale, as cheesy as the best romcom, and had the most heart. I loved it so much. It was delightful and lighthearted but the important deep stuff was not glossed over. Once I embraced some of the cheesiness and lack of usual societal rules, I really enjoyed the book and the last 25% elevated it from a 4 star to a 5 star.
I loved this. It felt as strange and random as a Grimm fairytale, as cheesy as the best romcom, and had the most heart. I loved it so much. It was delightful and lighthearted but the important deep stuff was not glossed over. Once I embraced some of the cheesiness and lack of usual societal rules, I really enjoyed the book and the last 25% elevated it from a 4 star to a 5 star.
September 16, 2026
I met this author at a ren faire in Utah and thought this book sounded like one I would love. It took me a couple of months to get to it but I'm glad I moved it near the top of my tbr because this book was fantastic. Cozy fantasy is my favorite genre and these characters were so easy to love. I am so glad I stopped by her booth that day and I'm extra glad that I bought the dragon sticker to go with it (bc I was pretty sure I would love the book)!
July 26, 2026
Prince Dan feels alone in a sea of people. His family is loud and at times chaotic while he is quiet and fixes the messes the others make. When his brothers become engaged and their mother is convinced there is a curse involved, of course Dan is sent on a quest to fix it. He is given no real instructions or directions, just told to find a witch and bring them back. So off he goes with one of his brother's racing turtles and a vague idea of what he is tasked to do. However, this turtle's love of berries caused an accident resulting with Prince Dan needing to be rescued. After a very rough and confusing introduction, he finds himself in the home of someone who is willing to help. Unfortunately, while under the influence of a pain relief potion he utters a wish. Normally this wouldn't be a problem but Hazel happens to be a witch with a gift to grant heartfelt wishes. Now Prince Dan is slowly vanishing unless Hazel can get help to reverse her magic. Along the way Dan starts to realize that maybe he isn't as alone as he thought he was and what he wanted is maybe not what he needed.
What a cute, cozy, and at times whimsically sarcastic read! I enjoyed this author's other works and when I read the blurb for this book I knew I needed to have it. Prince Dan is someone the average person can relate to. The brother who gets roped into the adventures when they rather have a quiet moment, the family member that cleans up the messes, the easy one. He feels overlooked and at times lost among those around him. Hazel is almost chaos incarnate. She is bright, colorful, and helps every animal she sees. She makes a valid point in how people express themselves. Her love language is through actions and how she interacts with the world. Dan's is with words and how he needs things said, not implied, for him to understand and interact. I also liked that as Dan started to take in the world as Hazel does as times he starts to loosen up and find himself instead of just going through the motions. This was an absolute treat to read and I look forward to more work from this author.
What a cute, cozy, and at times whimsically sarcastic read! I enjoyed this author's other works and when I read the blurb for this book I knew I needed to have it. Prince Dan is someone the average person can relate to. The brother who gets roped into the adventures when they rather have a quiet moment, the family member that cleans up the messes, the easy one. He feels overlooked and at times lost among those around him. Hazel is almost chaos incarnate. She is bright, colorful, and helps every animal she sees. She makes a valid point in how people express themselves. Her love language is through actions and how she interacts with the world. Dan's is with words and how he needs things said, not implied, for him to understand and interact. I also liked that as Dan started to take in the world as Hazel does as times he starts to loosen up and find himself instead of just going through the motions. This was an absolute treat to read and I look forward to more work from this author.
July 25, 2026
Dan the 3rd Prince of Calthea is sent on a mission by his Queen mother to find a witch to break a nonexistent (maybe) curse put on his two brothers. Dan is always in the background, feeling unseen and lonely.
Hazel, whose magic can cause more chaos than it helps, makes her relucate to use it, so she lives alone, caring for and healing hurt animals.
Not heeding all of Hazel's signs posted in her walkway about not making wishes, Dan comes barging into Hazel's life and turns it topsy-turvy. Dan's pain meds that Hazel gave him for his broken leg (oh, you'll find out) also make him tell the truth. Dan wishes he could just vanish (oh boy!), and the wording matters.
Now the race is on to journey across Calthea to see the 3 coven leaders for permission to reverse the spell.
On the way, Dan finds a reason or two that he wants to live, and Hazel, well, Hazel is a star. From one mishap to the next, Dan, Hazel, Reginal (a mangy dragon), and Metilda (a racing turtle) will have you laughing, crying, and chringing all the way. This was one entertaining, turbo-charged adventure.
Hazel, whose magic can cause more chaos than it helps, makes her relucate to use it, so she lives alone, caring for and healing hurt animals.
Not heeding all of Hazel's signs posted in her walkway about not making wishes, Dan comes barging into Hazel's life and turns it topsy-turvy. Dan's pain meds that Hazel gave him for his broken leg (oh, you'll find out) also make him tell the truth. Dan wishes he could just vanish (oh boy!), and the wording matters.
Now the race is on to journey across Calthea to see the 3 coven leaders for permission to reverse the spell.
On the way, Dan finds a reason or two that he wants to live, and Hazel, well, Hazel is a star. From one mishap to the next, Dan, Hazel, Reginal (a mangy dragon), and Metilda (a racing turtle) will have you laughing, crying, and chringing all the way. This was one entertaining, turbo-charged adventure.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was such a lovely and cozy read!! Dan is the third prince and is tasked with locating a Witch to help remove a fake curse off of his brothers. Sounds like just the hijinks to start a strange adventure. But the adventure is Hazel herself. She is a witch who just wants to rehab the animals at her new house but this strange man has activated her wish magic accidentally, and now they must try to reverse it before time runs out.
This was so adorable and cozy! I loved the banter between Hazel and Dan, also between Dan and his ancient bestie vampire, really anything Dan is involved in is chaotic and hilarious. The author did such a great job moving the story along while also keeping me fully invested in the story. Everyone needs a loyal friend like Hazel or Dan, loyal to one another, and to the crazy menagerie that they involve with especially Reginald.
"He wanted to be this messy, disaster-witch’s friend. And, more surprisingly, he thought he wanted her to be his."
This was so adorable and cozy! I loved the banter between Hazel and Dan, also between Dan and his ancient bestie vampire, really anything Dan is involved in is chaotic and hilarious. The author did such a great job moving the story along while also keeping me fully invested in the story. Everyone needs a loyal friend like Hazel or Dan, loyal to one another, and to the crazy menagerie that they involve with especially Reginald.
"He wanted to be this messy, disaster-witch’s friend. And, more surprisingly, he thought he wanted her to be his."
August 8, 2026
This story is the perfect blend of cozy fantasy and rom-com, somehow also reminiscent of Stardust by Neil Gaiman. Lorensen pulled me into the story with loads of giggles and over-the-top scenes that hit the spot. It's nice to have something a little tongue-in-cheek that doesn't take everything so seriously and turned out to be just the read I needed right now. The worldbuilding is also just right for this story. Not too much, but also enough to be able to enjoy the ride. And the magic system is intriguing and unusual.
While the stakes are on the high end, this one still worked as a cozy story for me, and I absolutely loved the sweet and honestly quite perfect ending.
Recommended if you want a break from the epic or darker sides of fantasy, just want something light-hearted and fun, with silly moments and a wonderful message about how different people show their love.
While the stakes are on the high end, this one still worked as a cozy story for me, and I absolutely loved the sweet and honestly quite perfect ending.
Recommended if you want a break from the epic or darker sides of fantasy, just want something light-hearted and fun, with silly moments and a wonderful message about how different people show their love.
August 21, 2026
Such a cute book! I thoroughly enjoyed my reading of it. The story was fun and lighthearted and the main characters were engaging and pleasant to spend time with. The writing was pretty good, though I admit it feels like it could have used another draft or two. The whimsy rating? Off the charts. 10/10. So fun!!! Dan is charming and Hazel is absolutely delightful.
Bookmark of choice: Clauncher pokemon card. It was quite fond of Reginald.
Bookmark of choice: Clauncher pokemon card. It was quite fond of Reginald.
Review of advance copy
A little slow and slap stick to start off, but stay with it. It was worth getting through the first chapters to get to the "can't put it down stage." I got thoroughly engrossed with the story and had to force myself to put it down at 2am. Loved it.
June 30, 2026
While I didn't completely get the "Rom-Com" vibes, I did laugh quite a bit and Lorensen captured the cozy fantasy vibes perfectly! What would you do if you felt so invisible you accidentally wished to just... disappear? Poor Hazel has lived her whole life dealing with accidentally granting wishes of the heart. Some work out for her but several she has tried to undo with no luck. Now a prince is about to disappear and she will do all she can to save him, even dealing with family that doesn't want her around, a weird clan elder, and bandits trying to take her best friend from her. Along the way of trying to save him, Hazel and the prince become good friends and fall for each other.
I love how they are willing to do so much for each other, sacrificing their comfort and possibly their lives. There are some funny misconceptions and some truly great moments. I look forward to reading this story again as I'm sure it will be a re-read for me!
I love how they are willing to do so much for each other, sacrificing their comfort and possibly their lives. There are some funny misconceptions and some truly great moments. I look forward to reading this story again as I'm sure it will be a re-read for me!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This entire story was absolutely so perfect!! The cozy vibes were on point, the humor was amazing, and the story was oh so sweet! I absolutely loved every single moment of this story! Ashley did amazingly writing epic stories, but she did at least as well with this cozy one! I'd give it a million stars if I could!!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews