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Hearthwright #1
Hearthwright: A Blue-Collar Crafting LitRPG
Evan Rook spent his life keeping other people’s houses standing. A place of his own was a pipe dream.
Then he woke on a cold floor beneath unfamiliar stars, with a ruined roof overhead and a prompt hanging in the air.
The place was called once a waystation, now a wreck of rotten beams, cold ash, bad water, and doors that barely held. With a new Hearthwright class and the skills of a lifetime spent fixing what others ignored, Evan sees the first real chance he has ever had to claim something for himself.
But Thornhallow will not be easy to keep.
Wary animals watch from the woods. A local inspector is looking for any excuse to take the station from him. And a storm is building, strong enough to tear apart everything Evan has repaired with his own two hands.
If he wants Thornhallow to stand, he’ll have to earn the animals’ trust, outwork the bureaucracy, and make the walls hold before the weather breaks.
Evan isn’t a hero. He’s just a blue-collar man working to stake his claim in this new world.
And maybe, after all this time, he can build a dream of his own.
Then he woke on a cold floor beneath unfamiliar stars, with a ruined roof overhead and a prompt hanging in the air.
The place was called once a waystation, now a wreck of rotten beams, cold ash, bad water, and doors that barely held. With a new Hearthwright class and the skills of a lifetime spent fixing what others ignored, Evan sees the first real chance he has ever had to claim something for himself.
But Thornhallow will not be easy to keep.
Wary animals watch from the woods. A local inspector is looking for any excuse to take the station from him. And a storm is building, strong enough to tear apart everything Evan has repaired with his own two hands.
If he wants Thornhallow to stand, he’ll have to earn the animals’ trust, outwork the bureaucracy, and make the walls hold before the weather breaks.
Evan isn’t a hero. He’s just a blue-collar man working to stake his claim in this new world.
And maybe, after all this time, he can build a dream of his own.
301 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 25, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
August 17, 2026
A thoroughly enjoyable read!!
This is going to probably be one of my favorite series of 2026. The story plot is creative, witty and heartwarming. The writing embraces the reader and invites you to become part of the adventure on page 1. I smiled so many times and saluted and cheered the MC as each challenge was conquered. Eagerly looking forward to book 2!
This is going to probably be one of my favorite series of 2026. The story plot is creative, witty and heartwarming. The writing embraces the reader and invites you to become part of the adventure on page 1. I smiled so many times and saluted and cheered the MC as each challenge was conquered. Eagerly looking forward to book 2!
June 30, 2026
A distinct lack of external curiosity by the MC
I wanted something cozy and interesting. And it was. But it also is about as bland as possible. The Main Character has no curiosity that is shared with the reader. Where is this place? What are the animals called? What herbs are available nearby? What is migrating? It is like watching a dark movie where the director is trying to create a mood. Nothing is described, named, or elaborated upon. I appreciate a good info dump. Nobody asks where he came from... All there is, is the WORK. KEEP THE HOUSE. Fix the things. Make do with what you have and ask for nothing. That Road guy could have at least brought him some wood to help fix the roof... but no... tells him he should keep the station but offers nothing to him. I expect the next book will have someone asking the MC to pay taxes while still not supporting his work with assistance of any type. A real editor would have been useful. Would have told the author to remove some of the repetitive sections and to add in some actual interaction between the characters. Instead... they seem to live in their own internal worlds until something changes and needs to be handled. I finished the book. It was a good start. But... it needs a bit more soul. The edges held. Thats nice. But lets hear about what is outside them.
I wanted something cozy and interesting. And it was. But it also is about as bland as possible. The Main Character has no curiosity that is shared with the reader. Where is this place? What are the animals called? What herbs are available nearby? What is migrating? It is like watching a dark movie where the director is trying to create a mood. Nothing is described, named, or elaborated upon. I appreciate a good info dump. Nobody asks where he came from... All there is, is the WORK. KEEP THE HOUSE. Fix the things. Make do with what you have and ask for nothing. That Road guy could have at least brought him some wood to help fix the roof... but no... tells him he should keep the station but offers nothing to him. I expect the next book will have someone asking the MC to pay taxes while still not supporting his work with assistance of any type. A real editor would have been useful. Would have told the author to remove some of the repetitive sections and to add in some actual interaction between the characters. Instead... they seem to live in their own internal worlds until something changes and needs to be handled. I finished the book. It was a good start. But... it needs a bit more soul. The edges held. Thats nice. But lets hear about what is outside them.
September 4, 2026
Light read, excellent story, lovable MC!
I picked this book for a light, cozy break from my usual books and it exceeded my expectations! I'm writing this review at 12:45 am because I didn't want to wait until the next day to finish it. No harems, no wild sex scenes, just a really nice read and a really enjoyable story.
I picked this book for a light, cozy break from my usual books and it exceeded my expectations! I'm writing this review at 12:45 am because I didn't want to wait until the next day to finish it. No harems, no wild sex scenes, just a really nice read and a really enjoyable story.
September 5, 2026
This is one of the most unusual series I've read. I'm a 63 year old woman and I am finding these books to be absolutely fascinating! I can't get enough. I love the characters, the cadence of the prose, the stories in the story. I don't know where else the story can go, but I hope it keeps going. Well done!
August 23, 2026
There were many things I liked, the friendship, the animals keeping guard and the story of the road. The beginning was not believeable. Anyone coming from 21st century into 17 or 1800"s world would spend a little time trying to figure how to get back home. The incessant repetitiveness of checking jars and strings could have been referred to less and just mentioned by frequency, not described step by step every time. It gets old. Few spelling or punctuation errors, I can't criticize what I'm guilty of. Overall a nice story.
August 24, 2026
Not enjoyable to me at all. Extremely bland. I love cozy litrpg but this one cant really even count as cozy. Literally nothing was happening. Even the building was stalled. Evans pov did nothing to explain what was going on. Nothing about the herbs, animals, or anything outside of his little area.
August 12, 2026
Cozy and honest
Much like the words and actions of those in the book, the book itself is never anything more then it is and it doesn't try to be. Truly a delightfully cozy read in a storm.
Much like the words and actions of those in the book, the book itself is never anything more then it is and it doesn't try to be. Truly a delightfully cozy read in a storm.
August 11, 2026
I'm not a LitRPG fan but this book is good
You don't find out how or why Evan ended up where he landed. What you do see is a man who succeeds from his own hard work. He does have help, but he also provides something in return. The world building, even though he doesn't leave the inn is tight. I am looking forward to book two.
You don't find out how or why Evan ended up where he landed. What you do see is a man who succeeds from his own hard work. He does have help, but he also provides something in return. The world building, even though he doesn't leave the inn is tight. I am looking forward to book two.
July 10, 2026
Good book!
I like Evan as the primary character and I also liked Tamsin. It's a good thing that he was a repair man before he got hijacked. He knows his stuff. Together they keep things together. Looking forward to the next book!
I like Evan as the primary character and I also liked Tamsin. It's a good thing that he was a repair man before he got hijacked. He knows his stuff. Together they keep things together. Looking forward to the next book!
September 22, 2026
I got 7% in before giving up. If I'd read this 6 months ago I'd probably have kept going, but this is the most recent of 4 books I've tried in that period that read exactly the same, as though they were written by the same person, with the exact same style and tone. I can understand the temptation to use AI to speed up the writing process, but any author who thinks it's not obvious that's what they've done is deluding themself.
Aside from the style, as others have mentioned the main character might as well be a robot. There is no curiosity, no surprise or dismay at his sudden inexplicable relocation; he accepts the RPG elements of class and skill with literally no comment and simply sets about fixing the ruined building he wakes up in. The crafting element is at least realistic (one of the other 3 books I mentioned above had so little detail of the work done that it was hard to escape the conclusion that the author has never repaired anything in their life - that's not the case here), but more than a novel this reads like a construction job task list. I didn't read far enough to encounter any other characters, but the MC barely comes across as human.
Aside from the style, as others have mentioned the main character might as well be a robot. There is no curiosity, no surprise or dismay at his sudden inexplicable relocation; he accepts the RPG elements of class and skill with literally no comment and simply sets about fixing the ruined building he wakes up in. The crafting element is at least realistic (one of the other 3 books I mentioned above had so little detail of the work done that it was hard to escape the conclusion that the author has never repaired anything in their life - that's not the case here), but more than a novel this reads like a construction job task list. I didn't read far enough to encounter any other characters, but the MC barely comes across as human.
October 8, 2026
I am going to read it again
I haven't read a book the whole way through and not been sure if I liked it or not in a VERY long time. So, since I promise myself that I will leave a review if I finish a book, I am going to say I am intrigued by and interested in the setup. But I am going to have to read this one again.
The onions, the vagueness of things in the woods, the grayness of it all. I have to go over it for myself in order to give a better review, or go ahead and read it yourself and come and tell me what you thought about it.
I haven't read a book the whole way through and not been sure if I liked it or not in a VERY long time. So, since I promise myself that I will leave a review if I finish a book, I am going to say I am intrigued by and interested in the setup. But I am going to have to read this one again.
The onions, the vagueness of things in the woods, the grayness of it all. I have to go over it for myself in order to give a better review, or go ahead and read it yourself and come and tell me what you thought about it.
October 8, 2026
I nice book
The book has many interesting points, it reads like a journal, with small stories with consistent characters. Each cha
Over builds a better world. The story is different and like it I admire the determination of the characters who are holding a line on the edge. It reminds me of Jeremiah john with little to no humor. I think this was a hard book to write .and I an now go into book two I hope others will take my views with a grain of salt. I am set in my ways and I look forward to seeing were this will go
The book has many interesting points, it reads like a journal, with small stories with consistent characters. Each cha
Over builds a better world. The story is different and like it I admire the determination of the characters who are holding a line on the edge. It reminds me of Jeremiah john with little to no humor. I think this was a hard book to write .and I an now go into book two I hope others will take my views with a grain of salt. I am set in my ways and I look forward to seeing were this will go
October 6, 2026
I do not understand the purpose or the enjoyment of this book. No world building, no character development to speak of, wooden dialogue, I could go on. Everyone spoke with the same tone. No description of anything…. Just very odd. It’s almost like a very dull person dictated an outline and forgot to go back and fill in the details.
Finished it, but will never try anything else described like this thing.
Finished it, but will never try anything else described like this thing.
September 24, 2026
Enjoyed. First book my doom scrolling hasn’t made me put down in a long time. Small repairs and lots of patience help Evan, who has dropped into a different world, make an old stop on a dangerous road a source of respite. Told simply with lots of carpentry skills in use. Have already ordered second in the series.
September 21, 2026
Nice
I needed a break from heavy litrpg, and this fit the bill for an easy read. Sometimes, the dialog was a bit stilted and jerky, but you could follow it.
As a blue collar boy, I enjoyed having someone like me being isakied.
I needed a break from heavy litrpg, and this fit the bill for an easy read. Sometimes, the dialog was a bit stilted and jerky, but you could follow it.
As a blue collar boy, I enjoyed having someone like me being isakied.
October 8, 2026
Great Angle, Great Book
I really enjoyed this book. It was the reading equivalent of Bob Ross, or pressure washing simulator, engrossing and soothing at the same time. Do yourself a favor and read it. And if you do it's best a cold night with a hot drink.
I really enjoyed this book. It was the reading equivalent of Bob Ross, or pressure washing simulator, engrossing and soothing at the same time. Do yourself a favor and read it. And if you do it's best a cold night with a hot drink.
October 9, 2026
I loved this book! From the get go and all the way through. Had to force myself to stop and go feed animals.
All the characters are pretty cool. Especially the main. Rooting for him.
Only thing I didn't like was it was too short/small. I wanted it to last a lot longer.
All the characters are pretty cool. Especially the main. Rooting for him.
Only thing I didn't like was it was too short/small. I wanted it to last a lot longer.
October 10, 2026
Good read
Engaging cosy read. I liked that his backstory was referenced but not belabored. Nice slow progression of challenges identified and repair plans made and executed. I am wondering where bracket is getting food.
Engaging cosy read. I liked that his backstory was referenced but not belabored. Nice slow progression of challenges identified and repair plans made and executed. I am wondering where bracket is getting food.
October 14, 2026
Got maybe 32 % through this one guys AI helped with this one "wasn't planning to" if I had a dollar for how many times he said that y'all can try it but the story might be ok but for me it's hard to get through.
October 18, 2026
Enjoyed the read
Evan, and subsequently, Tamsin, are great characters. I liked how Evan grew with the waystation, learning from the station, the "pop up windows," and Tamsin. Looking forward to the next book.
Evan, and subsequently, Tamsin, are great characters. I liked how Evan grew with the waystation, learning from the station, the "pop up windows," and Tamsin. Looking forward to the next book.
July 7, 2026
Engaging Story
The story kept me interested in what would happen next. I am immediately getting next book. Good writing and character development.
The story kept me interested in what would happen next. I am immediately getting next book. Good writing and character development.
August 10, 2026
Lovely read
Couldn't read this book fast enough can't wait for the next one.the people were real and believe able .very well feeled out.
Couldn't read this book fast enough can't wait for the next one.the people were real and believe able .very well feeled out.
August 11, 2026
Very dull book. I like cozy litrpg but this is a snooze
August 14, 2026
DNF 6%. AI written. MMC had almost no internal voice. Not that interested in construction.
August 26, 2026
The concept caught my attention but could not finish (8%). Kept reading and rereading paragraphs just to work out the wording. Seems AI written or edited. Not coherent enough to keep reading.
September 15, 2026
Unique read!
Love Ethan and Tamsin! And Moth and Bracken. Would really enjoy learning more about their world! Ethan is doing a fine job!
Love Ethan and Tamsin! And Moth and Bracken. Would really enjoy learning more about their world! Ethan is doing a fine job!
September 19, 2026
an unexpected find
Was hoping I’d enjoy this and it didn’t disappoint. Interesting world building, stakes realistic but kept my interest. Eager to read the second installment.
Was hoping I’d enjoy this and it didn’t disappoint. Interesting world building, stakes realistic but kept my interest. Eager to read the second installment.
September 21, 2026
Great read!
I really enjoined this book, a great adventure, lots of action, headed out for number two! I'm liking this series.
I really enjoined this book, a great adventure, lots of action, headed out for number two! I'm liking this series.
September 24, 2026
RECOMMENDED
October 9, 2026
Fantasy
Fantasy survival vibe, not sure about the characters being hobbits or people. I did like the main character wanting a place of his own and making it work.
Fantasy survival vibe, not sure about the characters being hobbits or people. I did like the main character wanting a place of his own and making it work.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews