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Spelltide Bay Magic Mysteries #1
Tides Wait for No Witch
A magical island. A mysterious relative. A family she didn't know existed.
Inheriting a house from a dead great-aunt she’s never met should've been Sara Rivers' first clue that things were about to get weird. The talking sea otter? That was clue number two.
Sara's plan was simple: stay the six months to get her inheritance, sell the house, and figure out what comes next. What she didn't plan on was discovering she's half witch, half undine, has magic she can't control, and has a family history she was never meant to know.
Then a suspicious journal entry makes her doubt everything she's been told. The locals are friendly, the town is charming, and absolutely no one wants to talk about how her great-aunt really died.
When another body turns up, Sara realizes Katrika’s killer isn’t done.
Between mandatory magic lessons, the game shop she inherited, a runaway teen hiding out in her basement, and an infuriatingly attractive FBI agent who may (or may not) be on her side, Sara's getting closer to a truth someone killed to hide. And the killer is watching.
Welcome to Spelltide Bay, where the gossip travels faster than seagulls, sea otters have opinions, and secrets never stay buried for long.
Inheriting a house from a dead great-aunt she’s never met should've been Sara Rivers' first clue that things were about to get weird. The talking sea otter? That was clue number two.
Sara's plan was simple: stay the six months to get her inheritance, sell the house, and figure out what comes next. What she didn't plan on was discovering she's half witch, half undine, has magic she can't control, and has a family history she was never meant to know.
Then a suspicious journal entry makes her doubt everything she's been told. The locals are friendly, the town is charming, and absolutely no one wants to talk about how her great-aunt really died.
When another body turns up, Sara realizes Katrika’s killer isn’t done.
Between mandatory magic lessons, the game shop she inherited, a runaway teen hiding out in her basement, and an infuriatingly attractive FBI agent who may (or may not) be on her side, Sara's getting closer to a truth someone killed to hide. And the killer is watching.
Welcome to Spelltide Bay, where the gossip travels faster than seagulls, sea otters have opinions, and secrets never stay buried for long.
382 pages, ebook
Published July 15, 2026
About the author
Natalie Summers
10 books74 followersNatalie Summers writes paranormal cozy mysteries full of witty heroines, quirky side characters, and small towns with lots of drama. She can usually be found at home in her pyjamas, plotting (entirely fictional) magical murders while debating with her British husband over whether coffee or tea is the superior writing fuel. (It’s coffee. He’s wrong.)
For stress relief, Natalie enjoys watching true crime, reading cozy mysteries, crocheting things that are technically blankets, and jotting down notes for the thousands of stories she would need to clone herself to write. Why weren’t humans born with four hands?
For stress relief, Natalie enjoys watching true crime, reading cozy mysteries, crocheting things that are technically blankets, and jotting down notes for the thousands of stories she would need to clone herself to write. Why weren’t humans born with four hands?
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 305 reviews
July 5, 2026
Tides Wait for No Witch is part murder mystery, part cozy witch/magic, with a dash of found family and all heart! This was such a fun read, I found myself not wanting to leave this cute little island town. Because let me tell you, small island towns are a whole entity unto themselves. Natalie Summers built an incredible little community for our main character Sara Rivers. Suffering the loss of her mother just six months prior, a mysterious great aunt leaves her a house on the tiny island of Spelltide Bay. The catch is, to inherit she’ll need to stay for 6 months. Prepare to hunker down and tough it out, the last thing Sara expects is to find family, friends, a murder mystery, magic is real, yer a witch ‘Arry, and an entire crime ring. You know, your usual small island town activities! Oh and there’s talking animals.
I had an absolute blast reading this! Perfect for a summer trip or beach day, you’ll find yourself lost in the town of Spelltide Bay and everything it has to offer.
Tides Wait For No Witch comes out July 15. You’re going to want to pick up a copy (or grab it on KU) immediately. You better believe I ordered a copy for my shelf!
Huge thank you to author Natalie Summers for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
I had an absolute blast reading this! Perfect for a summer trip or beach day, you’ll find yourself lost in the town of Spelltide Bay and everything it has to offer.
Tides Wait For No Witch comes out July 15. You’re going to want to pick up a copy (or grab it on KU) immediately. You better believe I ordered a copy for my shelf!
Huge thank you to author Natalie Summers for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
July 12, 2026
Sara Rivers inherits a house from a great-aunt she never met and heads to Spelltide Bay, planning to stay for just six months to claim her inheritance. When she arrives, she discovers a family she never knew and learns she is half witch and half undine. Every new detail makes her more curious about her great-aunt and what really happened to her. As Sara investigates her aunt’s death, she realizes the killer is still out there and wants to keep the truth hidden.
Tides Wait for No Witch reminds me of the cozy Hallmark mysteries I love. I enjoyed the mysterious island of Spelltide Bay and its quirky residents, especially Ollie, the talking otter with a sassy attitude who loves to steal hairbrushes. Sara’s search for answers about her great-aunt’s death kept me interested. With so many secrets in Spelltide Bay, it was tough to guess who the real killer was. The ending took me by surprise, but I enjoyed how it all came together. There are still plenty of questions left unanswered, and I’m looking forward to finding out what secrets will be revealed in the next book.
Thank you to Natalie Summers for the opportunity to review Tides Wait for No Witch. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Tides Wait for No Witch reminds me of the cozy Hallmark mysteries I love. I enjoyed the mysterious island of Spelltide Bay and its quirky residents, especially Ollie, the talking otter with a sassy attitude who loves to steal hairbrushes. Sara’s search for answers about her great-aunt’s death kept me interested. With so many secrets in Spelltide Bay, it was tough to guess who the real killer was. The ending took me by surprise, but I enjoyed how it all came together. There are still plenty of questions left unanswered, and I’m looking forward to finding out what secrets will be revealed in the next book.
Thank you to Natalie Summers for the opportunity to review Tides Wait for No Witch. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
July 9, 2026Thank you to the author for the arc. All opinions expressed in this honest review are my own.
1/5 stars (though it’s more like 0.5/5)
I was so excited to read this book. A talking animal companion, a murder mystery, a small town in the PNW literally right next door to where I’m from??? Hell yes!
Sadly, this was possibly one of the worst books I have read (at least this year).
This book, first of all, DESPERATELY needed some heavy editing and proofreading. The contradictions were bad enough that parts of this were unreadable. Things that happened on one page suddenly hadn’t happened on the next, names changed, details slipped, it was a mess. It read like a script almost, being about 90% dialogue and 10% everything else.
This is not going to be spoiler free and it’s probably going to be pretty harsh, so feel free to stop reading now. I urge you to try it yourself, especially if you’re looking for an unserious cozy murder mystery (it’s geared more towards a YA audience, too).
SPOILER ZONE YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED
I can say with confidence there was not a single thing I liked about this book and I only finished it out of pure spite. In no order here are the main issues I had with this book (besides the desperate need for editing and proofreading).
THE CHARACTERS
Sara is the most unlikable FMC I have read in a minute. She is naive. Immature. Down right fucking stupid. She’s 32 years old. She’s an independent, grown woman, yet she walks into murder scenes, breaks into buildings, and naively believes literally everything she’s told. I almost wish she was written as a teenager or something because it would be more believable then. Like, I’m sorry, but if I was told by a lawyer I never met that some family member I didn’t know existed left me a house and a small business with the expectation that I live in said house for half a year I would be skeptical at the very least. She had the personality of a wet blanket, too. Her only hobby was crochet, which was barely relevant to the story or her character arc at all. She was so dumb in the way that she blindly did what she was told constantly. She had no complex emotions. No growth. She was the main character and she was the least interesting. Also, her being an undine-witch was only relevant to a single chapter. Never mentioned again. Never elaborated on.
The side characters were all copy and paste clones of each other, with zero personality and no importance to the plot. You could remove any of them and the story would’ve continued fine. Also, Ollie was advertised as being a side character and he had four (4) scenes. That’s it. He could’ve been removed completely and absolutely nothing would’ve changed.
THE MAGIC SYSTEM
Oh boy did it need work. On the surface it looked interesting. But there was no depth. No development. No real concrete rules. I feel like it almost made the story clunky.
THE SETTING
Okay I’m being picky. I’ve lived in the PNW my entire life. I’ve visited the San Juan Islands numerous times. I know this island is completely fictional and doesn’t actually exist but I had so many issues with it.
1. It was said to be the largest island. The largest SJI is Orcas Island (in the US) with a population of over 5,000 people. Small, sure, but not “everyone literally knows everyone and if you even breathe differently the entire island will know within thirty seconds” small. Yet this fictional island is bigger than that, which makes no sense.
2. The ferry system. Okay yeah the WADOT ferry system is ass at times. But it runs on a strict schedule and not “whenever Sara needs a ride.” Also, it takes nearly 5 hours to get from the islands to Port Angeles (important later in the book). You can’t just catch a ferry and be there in minutes. You have to take multiple boats and drive for a while and usually stay overnight because of the schedules and whatnot. That part really irritated me. Maybe the island was super close to the peninsula. But then how were people able to just hop down to Seattle? You can’t have both. Trust me, I know. I don’t think this author has ever lived in the PNW.
THE ENTIRE FUCKING PLOT
This book was just so bad I don’t know how else to say it. Literally in the first chapter Sara discovers she has an entire family and a house and a dad and sisters and she’s just fine with it. The plot twists had zero build up and were so boring that I couldn’t even be entertained. The disrespect to the Salish people was there but that’s a whole issue I’m not going into right now. This read like a young YA book meant for 13-16 year olds. It was so poorly executed and so poorly written that I wonder if the author even wanted to write it. The murder mystery? Yeah, that took the back seat. There were more Sara-drinking-coffee scenes than actual murder mystery scenes. Nothing was resolved. Nothing made sense. I read a book almost identical to this one back when I was 10 years old. Also, explain to me why this author has another book where our FMC is given a house by a late great-aunt she didn’t know existed???? How are you copying your own work????
I hated this book. I’m pissed I wasted hours of my life reading it. I wish I DNF’d when I first got bored (page. Fucking. One.)
1/5 stars (though it’s more like 0.5/5)
I was so excited to read this book. A talking animal companion, a murder mystery, a small town in the PNW literally right next door to where I’m from??? Hell yes!
Sadly, this was possibly one of the worst books I have read (at least this year).
This book, first of all, DESPERATELY needed some heavy editing and proofreading. The contradictions were bad enough that parts of this were unreadable. Things that happened on one page suddenly hadn’t happened on the next, names changed, details slipped, it was a mess. It read like a script almost, being about 90% dialogue and 10% everything else.
This is not going to be spoiler free and it’s probably going to be pretty harsh, so feel free to stop reading now. I urge you to try it yourself, especially if you’re looking for an unserious cozy murder mystery (it’s geared more towards a YA audience, too).
SPOILER ZONE YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED
I can say with confidence there was not a single thing I liked about this book and I only finished it out of pure spite. In no order here are the main issues I had with this book (besides the desperate need for editing and proofreading).
THE CHARACTERS
Sara is the most unlikable FMC I have read in a minute. She is naive. Immature. Down right fucking stupid. She’s 32 years old. She’s an independent, grown woman, yet she walks into murder scenes, breaks into buildings, and naively believes literally everything she’s told. I almost wish she was written as a teenager or something because it would be more believable then. Like, I’m sorry, but if I was told by a lawyer I never met that some family member I didn’t know existed left me a house and a small business with the expectation that I live in said house for half a year I would be skeptical at the very least. She had the personality of a wet blanket, too. Her only hobby was crochet, which was barely relevant to the story or her character arc at all. She was so dumb in the way that she blindly did what she was told constantly. She had no complex emotions. No growth. She was the main character and she was the least interesting. Also, her being an undine-witch was only relevant to a single chapter. Never mentioned again. Never elaborated on.
The side characters were all copy and paste clones of each other, with zero personality and no importance to the plot. You could remove any of them and the story would’ve continued fine. Also, Ollie was advertised as being a side character and he had four (4) scenes. That’s it. He could’ve been removed completely and absolutely nothing would’ve changed.
THE MAGIC SYSTEM
Oh boy did it need work. On the surface it looked interesting. But there was no depth. No development. No real concrete rules. I feel like it almost made the story clunky.
THE SETTING
Okay I’m being picky. I’ve lived in the PNW my entire life. I’ve visited the San Juan Islands numerous times. I know this island is completely fictional and doesn’t actually exist but I had so many issues with it.
1. It was said to be the largest island. The largest SJI is Orcas Island (in the US) with a population of over 5,000 people. Small, sure, but not “everyone literally knows everyone and if you even breathe differently the entire island will know within thirty seconds” small. Yet this fictional island is bigger than that, which makes no sense.
2. The ferry system. Okay yeah the WADOT ferry system is ass at times. But it runs on a strict schedule and not “whenever Sara needs a ride.” Also, it takes nearly 5 hours to get from the islands to Port Angeles (important later in the book). You can’t just catch a ferry and be there in minutes. You have to take multiple boats and drive for a while and usually stay overnight because of the schedules and whatnot. That part really irritated me. Maybe the island was super close to the peninsula. But then how were people able to just hop down to Seattle? You can’t have both. Trust me, I know. I don’t think this author has ever lived in the PNW.
THE ENTIRE FUCKING PLOT
This book was just so bad I don’t know how else to say it. Literally in the first chapter Sara discovers she has an entire family and a house and a dad and sisters and she’s just fine with it. The plot twists had zero build up and were so boring that I couldn’t even be entertained. The disrespect to the Salish people was there but that’s a whole issue I’m not going into right now. This read like a young YA book meant for 13-16 year olds. It was so poorly executed and so poorly written that I wonder if the author even wanted to write it. The murder mystery? Yeah, that took the back seat. There were more Sara-drinking-coffee scenes than actual murder mystery scenes. Nothing was resolved. Nothing made sense. I read a book almost identical to this one back when I was 10 years old. Also, explain to me why this author has another book where our FMC is given a house by a late great-aunt she didn’t know existed???? How are you copying your own work????
I hated this book. I’m pissed I wasted hours of my life reading it. I wish I DNF’d when I first got bored (page. Fucking. One.)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 13, 2026
This is one of those instances where you can 100 percent judge the book by the cover…it is soo wholesome and cozy. Small town , found family, murder mystery, talking otters, witches magic , hot fbi agents,family secrets and that twist at the end. Absolutely can’t wait for book two.
Thanks to the author for my arc! The opinions are my own.
Thanks to the author for my arc! The opinions are my own.
July 16, 2026
Sara really boarded a boat thinking she was just going to claim a house from a great-aunt she'd never met, wait out six months, sell everything, and move on. Sweet, optimistic woman. Within what feels like one very aggressive Tuesday, she finds out she has magic, a father, grandparents, half-sisters, a game shop, a murder to investigate, and a sea otter named Ollie who has absolutely no interest in pretending to be normal. Honestly, the poor woman barely had time to unpack.
And this town... these people know everything. You cannot sneeze in Spelltide Bay without three neighbors discussing whether it sounded magical. The gossip travels at a speed that honestly deserves scientific study. Sara keeps trying to quietly process the fact that her entire life has basically been one enormous family secret, while everyone around her is like, "Anyway, welcome! Here's your magical inheritance. Also someone may have been murdered. Pancakes?" The emotional whiplash was incredible.
I adored watching Sara slowly realize she wasn't as alone as she'd always believed. Finding out your mom kept an entire side of your family hidden would send most people into a spiral that lasted at least six business months. Sara barely gets six business hours before another relative appears, another secret falls out of a closet, or somebody hands her another magical responsibility. The woman deserved a nap almost as much as she deserved answers.
Then there's Ollie. I cannot overstate how much this opinionated little sea otter behaved like the neighborhood retiree who has appointed himself president of everyone else's business. Every time he showed up I immediately paid attention because I knew he was about to either say something completely ridiculous or accidentally become the smartest creature in the room. Frankly, several of the humans could've benefited from listening to him a little more often.
The mystery kept doing that cozy mystery thing where everyone smiles politely while collectively refusing to answer the one question Sara actually asked. Every conversation felt like someone saying, "Oh, your great-aunt? Wonderful woman. Terrible about... well... never mind." Which, naturally, made Sara dig even harder. She has the exact personality type that hears "leave it alone" as a legally binding challenge. Between magic lessons, a runaway teen hiding in her basement, an FBI agent who kept wandering into her life at suspiciously convenient moments, and the growing pile of unanswered questions, she never had a chance at having a quiet stay.
Somewhere underneath all the magic and murder was a really sweet reminder that family isn't just about who was there from the beginning. Sometimes it's the people who show up when your whole world falls apart and simply refuse to let you face it alone. That part got me more than I expected.
This ended up being a 3.5 star read for me. I had so much fun hanging out in Spelltide Bay, even if I occasionally wished everyone would stop dropping life-changing revelations on Sara long enough for the poor woman to finish a single cup of coffee. I'll absolutely be back for the next visit... mostly because I need more Ollie in my life.
Whodunity Award: For Employing the Only Sea Otter Who Could Solve a Murder, Judge Your Hair, and Steal the Entire Book Without Even Trying
Huge thanks to Natalie Summers and NetGalley for the ARC. I came for a witchy inheritance and somehow left emotionally attached to a sarcastic sea otter. Frankly, I should've seen that coming.
And this town... these people know everything. You cannot sneeze in Spelltide Bay without three neighbors discussing whether it sounded magical. The gossip travels at a speed that honestly deserves scientific study. Sara keeps trying to quietly process the fact that her entire life has basically been one enormous family secret, while everyone around her is like, "Anyway, welcome! Here's your magical inheritance. Also someone may have been murdered. Pancakes?" The emotional whiplash was incredible.
I adored watching Sara slowly realize she wasn't as alone as she'd always believed. Finding out your mom kept an entire side of your family hidden would send most people into a spiral that lasted at least six business months. Sara barely gets six business hours before another relative appears, another secret falls out of a closet, or somebody hands her another magical responsibility. The woman deserved a nap almost as much as she deserved answers.
Then there's Ollie. I cannot overstate how much this opinionated little sea otter behaved like the neighborhood retiree who has appointed himself president of everyone else's business. Every time he showed up I immediately paid attention because I knew he was about to either say something completely ridiculous or accidentally become the smartest creature in the room. Frankly, several of the humans could've benefited from listening to him a little more often.
The mystery kept doing that cozy mystery thing where everyone smiles politely while collectively refusing to answer the one question Sara actually asked. Every conversation felt like someone saying, "Oh, your great-aunt? Wonderful woman. Terrible about... well... never mind." Which, naturally, made Sara dig even harder. She has the exact personality type that hears "leave it alone" as a legally binding challenge. Between magic lessons, a runaway teen hiding in her basement, an FBI agent who kept wandering into her life at suspiciously convenient moments, and the growing pile of unanswered questions, she never had a chance at having a quiet stay.
Somewhere underneath all the magic and murder was a really sweet reminder that family isn't just about who was there from the beginning. Sometimes it's the people who show up when your whole world falls apart and simply refuse to let you face it alone. That part got me more than I expected.
This ended up being a 3.5 star read for me. I had so much fun hanging out in Spelltide Bay, even if I occasionally wished everyone would stop dropping life-changing revelations on Sara long enough for the poor woman to finish a single cup of coffee. I'll absolutely be back for the next visit... mostly because I need more Ollie in my life.
Whodunity Award: For Employing the Only Sea Otter Who Could Solve a Murder, Judge Your Hair, and Steal the Entire Book Without Even Trying
Huge thanks to Natalie Summers and NetGalley for the ARC. I came for a witchy inheritance and somehow left emotionally attached to a sarcastic sea otter. Frankly, I should've seen that coming.
July 20, 2026
i have mixed thoughts on tides wait for no witch. there were things that i liked, but the more i think about it, the more i’m questioning my liking. and there’s the stuff that had me quite bored while reading.
let’s focus on the good first. while i do think the writing may need another round of editing, i did find the imagery to be gorgeous and the descriptions immersive enough that i could imagine spelltide bay as a real location. i know cozy murder mysteries are a thing, but a cozy fantasy murder mystery just sounds so much better. this book was entertaining and i did enjoy reading about the mystery and the surrounding murder investigation.
now for the not-so-good. in the first few chapters, i was quite confused by the plot. like it wasn’t anything bad, but there was a lot of information that was delivered in such a quick manner that it made me question the believability of it all. plus, i had to question sara’s naivety. she easily believed the information that she was provided without even questioning or second-guessing things.
after the 45% mark, i felt like i was reading the same information again and again. a chapter would come around, it would recall what had happened in the previous chapter for a few pages, and the same would happen in the next, which, okay, i get, but it really affects the pacing of the story. i will say though, the murder mystery aspect, as well as who the killer was, were probably the best parts of the book. i could not have guessed it would the person that it was. so bonus points for that. also, that ending just doesn’t seem believable. there just wasn’t enough interaction between sara and xander for any romance between them to feel real.
overall, tides wait for no witch was just okay, but when book 2 comes out i may consider giving this series a try again.
thank you natalie summers for an e-arc via netgalley!
let’s focus on the good first. while i do think the writing may need another round of editing, i did find the imagery to be gorgeous and the descriptions immersive enough that i could imagine spelltide bay as a real location. i know cozy murder mysteries are a thing, but a cozy fantasy murder mystery just sounds so much better. this book was entertaining and i did enjoy reading about the mystery and the surrounding murder investigation.
now for the not-so-good. in the first few chapters, i was quite confused by the plot. like it wasn’t anything bad, but there was a lot of information that was delivered in such a quick manner that it made me question the believability of it all. plus, i had to question sara’s naivety. she easily believed the information that she was provided without even questioning or second-guessing things.
after the 45% mark, i felt like i was reading the same information again and again. a chapter would come around, it would recall what had happened in the previous chapter for a few pages, and the same would happen in the next, which, okay, i get, but it really affects the pacing of the story. i will say though, the murder mystery aspect, as well as who the killer was, were probably the best parts of the book. i could not have guessed it would the person that it was. so bonus points for that. also, that ending just doesn’t seem believable. there just wasn’t enough interaction between sara and xander for any romance between them to feel real.
overall, tides wait for no witch was just okay, but when book 2 comes out i may consider giving this series a try again.
thank you natalie summers for an e-arc via netgalley!
July 17, 2026
Tides Wait For No Witch is a unique and cozy paranormal mystery set on the charming island of Spelltide Bay. 🌊
I love a good witchy story, and this one also included magical beings like kitsunes and tidewolves, as well as an adorable otter with a reputation for stealing hairbrushes. 🦦 Most of characters is the book had unusual names and qualities, which made this a really interesting read!
The found family element was very sweet and heartwarming, while the murder suspects were all so sketchy and kept me guessing until the end. While the main mystery was resolved by the end of the book, there are still so many secrets that we will have to discover in future books as the series continues.
There were a few parts that felt repetitive, and sometimes the FMC seemed a bit all over the place in her investigation, but overall I really enjoyed this story. I'm looking forward to returning to Spelltide Bay in the next book! 💙
I love a good witchy story, and this one also included magical beings like kitsunes and tidewolves, as well as an adorable otter with a reputation for stealing hairbrushes. 🦦 Most of characters is the book had unusual names and qualities, which made this a really interesting read!
The found family element was very sweet and heartwarming, while the murder suspects were all so sketchy and kept me guessing until the end. While the main mystery was resolved by the end of the book, there are still so many secrets that we will have to discover in future books as the series continues.
There were a few parts that felt repetitive, and sometimes the FMC seemed a bit all over the place in her investigation, but overall I really enjoyed this story. I'm looking forward to returning to Spelltide Bay in the next book! 💙
September 21, 2026
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Sara is an interesting and likable character. At the start of the story, we learn that an unknown relative left her a home on an island. Along with that home, we get to meet her brand new extended (and magical) family and friends which were all so much fun to read about.. This was a unique story with a beautiful setting that really held my attention from start to finish.. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book!
June 24, 2026
"Tides Wait for No Witch (Spelltide Bay Magic Mysteries, Book 1)" by Natalie Summers is a fun paranormal cozy mystery. It has many classic paranormal cozy mystery tropes. Young, 30's-ish woman has a major life change(s). She inherits enough to make life a bit more comfortable to try something new. She arrives at her inheritance and magical abilities start kicking in. Also, the person she inherited from may not have died of natural causes after all.
Sara doesn't really know what she's doing next in life after her mom died and she lost her job. Luckily, an unknown great aunt recently left her an inheritance on a little island. There she discovers family and magic didn't know she has. As she learns more about herself she starts to question if her great aunt's passing was as natural as most of the town wants her to think.
There are lots of funny touches as well. A spitfire grandma, a silly otter, and a grumpy game store manager. There are possibilities for some game store antics in future books. Some crotchet patterns too. There is even a touch of cozy level romance.
Sara doesn't really know what she's doing next in life after her mom died and she lost her job. Luckily, an unknown great aunt recently left her an inheritance on a little island. There she discovers family and magic didn't know she has. As she learns more about herself she starts to question if her great aunt's passing was as natural as most of the town wants her to think.
There are lots of funny touches as well. A spitfire grandma, a silly otter, and a grumpy game store manager. There are possibilities for some game store antics in future books. Some crotchet patterns too. There is even a touch of cozy level romance.
July 15, 2026
If you are looking for a magical escape filled with charm, heart, and a touch of seaside mystery, this is an absolute must read! I was hooked from the very first page. This paranormal cozy mystery is pure serotonin. I loved the main character, the intriguing mystery, and the heartwarming journey of her finding family. I usually dislike books with a large cast because keeping track of everyone gets too hard to follow, but even though this story has many characters, they were so distinct and well written that I could follow along with absolute ease. The author’s smooth and engaging writing style made the pages fly by, and the real standout for me was the incredibly silly otter, who brought so much humor and whimsy to every scene he popped up in.
This book is like a warm hug on a breezy beach. If you love quirky magical creatures, heartwarming relationships, and a solid mystery, you will love this. I can't wait to see what happens next in Spelltide Bay.
This book is like a warm hug on a breezy beach. If you love quirky magical creatures, heartwarming relationships, and a solid mystery, you will love this. I can't wait to see what happens next in Spelltide Bay.
July 16, 2026
I loved the Spelltide prequel, Witch Way Out, so I dove straight into this one. New fav series unlocked. It's set in Spelltide Bay — a magical island where almost everyone's a witch. I want to live there. I want to be a kitchen witch.
Twists and turns on every corner. I could NOT guess the murderer. And I needed answers about Sara's mom and great aunt so badly it kept me pushing.
And the FBI agent? Smoking hot. Let's just say he's hiding more than a badge. 🔥🐉
I loved the little touches too — the crochet lesson, the apple wood hook, the knitting group with its own drama. It might actually get me to learn.
The chapters are long and things repeat a bit too much. It dragged for my taste. But the story keeps giving and I couldn't stop. Perfect for readers of L.L. Gray. Cozy paranormal whodunit, hot FBI agent included. I'm in.
Twists and turns on every corner. I could NOT guess the murderer. And I needed answers about Sara's mom and great aunt so badly it kept me pushing.
And the FBI agent? Smoking hot. Let's just say he's hiding more than a badge. 🔥🐉
I loved the little touches too — the crochet lesson, the apple wood hook, the knitting group with its own drama. It might actually get me to learn.
The chapters are long and things repeat a bit too much. It dragged for my taste. But the story keeps giving and I couldn't stop. Perfect for readers of L.L. Gray. Cozy paranormal whodunit, hot FBI agent included. I'm in.
July 21, 2026
Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read this arc. Here is my honest review.
This was such a fun, cozy, and witchy mystery novel. From the very first few chapters I was hooked.
Our FMC inherits a house with the stipulation that she lives there for 6 months. She's smart, determined, sassy, and stubborn. She's ready to figure out what happened to her great-aunt, and will do just about anything to uncover the truth. Now, she doesnt always make the BEST choices, but i still enjoyed her personality so much.
Little Ollie, oh my heart, I hope we see so much more of our otter friend in book 2. He was such a treat to read about.
Ive been struggling with being in a slump lately, and this book definitely helped pull me out and get excited to get back into reading. So for that im rating it 5 ⭐️. I cannot wait to see where the story goes next (how can you leave us like that and not tell us about the note)!
This was such a fun, cozy, and witchy mystery novel. From the very first few chapters I was hooked.
Our FMC inherits a house with the stipulation that she lives there for 6 months. She's smart, determined, sassy, and stubborn. She's ready to figure out what happened to her great-aunt, and will do just about anything to uncover the truth. Now, she doesnt always make the BEST choices, but i still enjoyed her personality so much.
Little Ollie, oh my heart, I hope we see so much more of our otter friend in book 2. He was such a treat to read about.
Ive been struggling with being in a slump lately, and this book definitely helped pull me out and get excited to get back into reading. So for that im rating it 5 ⭐️. I cannot wait to see where the story goes next (how can you leave us like that and not tell us about the note)!
July 22, 2026
Arc Review - Tides wait for no Witch by Natalie Summers
I enjoyed this murder mystery. It was filled with adventure and very interesting and unusual elements.
Sara was a normal woman until her unknown great-aunt died who she never knew existed. Sara was a great character, very inquisitive and never taking no for an answer. She discovered some great mysteries and I loved the found family trope that made this story amazing.
I still want to know what is Sara’s other witch half…
I also enjoyed the marine animals and the parts they played. I hope in book two we will see more of them and the magic at work.
Highly recommend to YA readers who enjoys a mystery story with twists. A clean no spice story.
I received this ebook for free and am voluntarily
leaving an honest review.
I enjoyed this murder mystery. It was filled with adventure and very interesting and unusual elements.
Sara was a normal woman until her unknown great-aunt died who she never knew existed. Sara was a great character, very inquisitive and never taking no for an answer. She discovered some great mysteries and I loved the found family trope that made this story amazing.
I still want to know what is Sara’s other witch half…
I also enjoyed the marine animals and the parts they played. I hope in book two we will see more of them and the magic at work.
Highly recommend to YA readers who enjoys a mystery story with twists. A clean no spice story.
I received this ebook for free and am voluntarily
leaving an honest review.
July 3, 2026
What a fun little cozy mystery this was! Tides Wait for No Witch is a mash up of mystery and fantasy, with so many quirky characters that take you through the journey.
And yeah, there’s talking otters.
Sara finds out she is the heir to a relatives estate that she did not know existed. The kicker? She has to move to an island she’s never been to before and call it home for at least six months.
Everyone seems to be brushing her relatives death under the rug, but Sara is convinced there’s something more to it. And she’s is intent on finding out just what happened.
This has the bones of a really good series, but I will say it was pretty repetitive (the amount of times people repeat some iteration of the phrase to stay out of trouble is astronomical), but I have high hopes for a second installment!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my fair and honest opinion.
And yeah, there’s talking otters.
Sara finds out she is the heir to a relatives estate that she did not know existed. The kicker? She has to move to an island she’s never been to before and call it home for at least six months.
Everyone seems to be brushing her relatives death under the rug, but Sara is convinced there’s something more to it. And she’s is intent on finding out just what happened.
This has the bones of a really good series, but I will say it was pretty repetitive (the amount of times people repeat some iteration of the phrase to stay out of trouble is astronomical), but I have high hopes for a second installment!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my fair and honest opinion.
August 27, 2026
This is a cute paranormal cozy mystery with a lot going for it. This is a new series, and I will admit it has tons going on! Sara receives an out of a blue inheritance from an aunt she never knew existed. Soon after the death of her mother from cancer, Sara inherits a home and a game shop on a West Coast island, and being at lose ends decides to check it out. She is immediately captivated by the ocean, and no sooner does she reach her new home when she discovers the birth father she never knew lives next door and has been looking for her since the age of three when she and her mother disappeared. She has family and siblings, and she discovers an unusual connection to the sea, and oh yeah, she is a witch. I will warn you that this book has a lot, and I mean a lot going on. There are tons of characters, one big revelation after another, a lot of things that are hard to grasp, and that's all before the MC comes to understand that her aunt was murdered. I understand, new series, new setup, but just be warned there is a lot to keep track of! The good news is that the story really does draw you in and has you flipping pages as quickly as you can because you need the answers. An enjoyable fantasy with lots of moving parts, I will definitely come back when the next book comes out! #TidesWaitForNoWitch #SpelltideBayMagicMysteries #NatalieSummers #bookreview # bookideas #retiredreader
Want to Read
July 3, 2026🌊🦦 Tides Wait for No Witch 🦦🌊
📖 Bookish Thoughts
My full review will be shared closer to the publication date.
🔮 What to Expect
• Cozy Fantasy Mystery
• Witch FMC
• Magical Inheritance
• Murder Mystery
• Talking Sea Otter
• Small Town Magic
_ _ _ _
📅 Pub Date: July 15, 2026
Thank you to Natalie Summers and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
📖 Bookish Thoughts
My full review will be shared closer to the publication date.
🔮 What to Expect
• Cozy Fantasy Mystery
• Witch FMC
• Magical Inheritance
• Murder Mystery
• Talking Sea Otter
• Small Town Magic
_ _ _ _
📅 Pub Date: July 15, 2026
Thank you to Natalie Summers and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
July 21, 2026
This book was the warm hug I didn't know I needed. The descriptive words about the setting made me feel like I was there soaking in the beauty the way Sara did. It felt refreshing during these hot summer days.
While the story certainly does revolve around a compelling mystery, found family is at the heart of it. It isn't long before Sara discovers she has family, something she's truly never had before. Not like this anyway. This family is chaotic, but caring. I loved getting to know each and every one of them, and whenever they got together, it made my heart so happy. They made me cry tears of joy, and at times, tears of laughter. The are supportive of Sara every step of the way.
I mentioned earlier that there's a sea otter, one who is prominently shown on the cover of the book. I wondered how this talking sea otter, who also happens to be a kleptomaniac, would be portrayed. How could he possibly mingle with the land characters? Ollie, that's the sea otter's name, is perfectly included in this story. He isn't in as many scenes as I thought he would be, but when he does appear, he really makes a statement. Quite literally, actually. This character could have just been silly, but he wasn't. He was funny, but not over-the-top. He was also quite charming. I couldn't help but love him.
There are quite a few characters who have different magical abilities. There's even a gnome! I love gnomes, so I was delighted to meet this character. He's grumpy, but friendly. He's absolutely perfect. Every character, in fact, was well-crafted.
There's also the subplot of Sara learning the ropes of her magical ability. She's gone from not even knowing magic existed to realizing she is capable of making magic happen. It's complicated being half undine and half witch, so she has someone who teaches her all about it. Her teacher is tough on her, but she's also very likeable. All of the characters are multi-dimensional and Sara's instructor is certainly no exception.
Sometimes in magical cozies, I find the magic to be overwhelming. I did not feel that way while reading this book. The rules of the magic were gradually introduced. We were learning about it at the same time Sara was. It was just the right amount magic that made me curious and left me entertained. While the characters are an eclectic mix of magical beings, they also felt human and relatable. This is important to me. Even in a fantasy world, I want to be able to connect with the characters.
If you like romance in your cozies, there is a budding relationship. It's quite entertaining to see Sara swoon over her love interest. He may or may not be swooning over her as well. You'll have to read to find out how all of that unfolds. I like where it's going.
All that aside, a cozy mystery is not much without...well... a mystery, and we have a solid one in Tides Wait for No Witch. On top of being a "fish out of water" in Spelltide Bay, Sara has a mystery to solve. She makes for a very likeable and intelligent amateur sleuth. There are plenty of suspects to consider, but not too many to overwhelm the reader. There are also lots of unexpected twists and turns along the way. In the end, I did not figure it out. I was surprised at the whodunnit, but it came to a logical conclusion. However, it didn't even end there. There was still lots of suspenseful action even after Sara figured it out.
While going through all of this, Sara finds comfort in crocheting. She finds the repetitive hand motions relaxing and it also helps her to process her thoughts. I have never been a crocheter myself, but I loved these scenes. Just reading about her crocheting made me feel more relaxed. I also appreciated the brief mention of mental health regarding another character. Seeking professional help is okay and often necessary, even when you're not going through all of the events like what are in this book.
This book is mostly free from foul language. There was only one use of it that I noticed and it was close to the end. While I prefer cozies to be completely free from swearing and I did find this one word jarring, I'm glad it only happened once.
There is a cliffhanger at the end and I'm glad to know the next book is set to release later this year. Even before I read the cliffhanger, I knew this was a series I'd want to continue reading. Tides Wait for No Witch was a definite page-turner. At the end of every chapter, I was eager to find out what would happen next. Each chapter ends at a logical point and they were just to right length for my attention span. They were not too long and not too short. Each chapter felt complete, while still leaving me wanting to find out what happened next.
I already feel like the main characters are my friends and I want to spend more time with them. I am also going to look into other books written by Natalie Summers. If you enjoy magical cozy mysteries, found family, and all of the other aspects I mentioned, I highly recommend picking up Tides Wait for No Witch. I'm confident you'll be glad you did.
Thank you to Booksprout for providing me with an eARC of this book.
Read my full review here:
https://caboodleofcozies.blogspot.com...
While the story certainly does revolve around a compelling mystery, found family is at the heart of it. It isn't long before Sara discovers she has family, something she's truly never had before. Not like this anyway. This family is chaotic, but caring. I loved getting to know each and every one of them, and whenever they got together, it made my heart so happy. They made me cry tears of joy, and at times, tears of laughter. The are supportive of Sara every step of the way.
I mentioned earlier that there's a sea otter, one who is prominently shown on the cover of the book. I wondered how this talking sea otter, who also happens to be a kleptomaniac, would be portrayed. How could he possibly mingle with the land characters? Ollie, that's the sea otter's name, is perfectly included in this story. He isn't in as many scenes as I thought he would be, but when he does appear, he really makes a statement. Quite literally, actually. This character could have just been silly, but he wasn't. He was funny, but not over-the-top. He was also quite charming. I couldn't help but love him.
There are quite a few characters who have different magical abilities. There's even a gnome! I love gnomes, so I was delighted to meet this character. He's grumpy, but friendly. He's absolutely perfect. Every character, in fact, was well-crafted.
There's also the subplot of Sara learning the ropes of her magical ability. She's gone from not even knowing magic existed to realizing she is capable of making magic happen. It's complicated being half undine and half witch, so she has someone who teaches her all about it. Her teacher is tough on her, but she's also very likeable. All of the characters are multi-dimensional and Sara's instructor is certainly no exception.
Sometimes in magical cozies, I find the magic to be overwhelming. I did not feel that way while reading this book. The rules of the magic were gradually introduced. We were learning about it at the same time Sara was. It was just the right amount magic that made me curious and left me entertained. While the characters are an eclectic mix of magical beings, they also felt human and relatable. This is important to me. Even in a fantasy world, I want to be able to connect with the characters.
If you like romance in your cozies, there is a budding relationship. It's quite entertaining to see Sara swoon over her love interest. He may or may not be swooning over her as well. You'll have to read to find out how all of that unfolds. I like where it's going.
All that aside, a cozy mystery is not much without...well... a mystery, and we have a solid one in Tides Wait for No Witch. On top of being a "fish out of water" in Spelltide Bay, Sara has a mystery to solve. She makes for a very likeable and intelligent amateur sleuth. There are plenty of suspects to consider, but not too many to overwhelm the reader. There are also lots of unexpected twists and turns along the way. In the end, I did not figure it out. I was surprised at the whodunnit, but it came to a logical conclusion. However, it didn't even end there. There was still lots of suspenseful action even after Sara figured it out.
While going through all of this, Sara finds comfort in crocheting. She finds the repetitive hand motions relaxing and it also helps her to process her thoughts. I have never been a crocheter myself, but I loved these scenes. Just reading about her crocheting made me feel more relaxed. I also appreciated the brief mention of mental health regarding another character. Seeking professional help is okay and often necessary, even when you're not going through all of the events like what are in this book.
This book is mostly free from foul language. There was only one use of it that I noticed and it was close to the end. While I prefer cozies to be completely free from swearing and I did find this one word jarring, I'm glad it only happened once.
There is a cliffhanger at the end and I'm glad to know the next book is set to release later this year. Even before I read the cliffhanger, I knew this was a series I'd want to continue reading. Tides Wait for No Witch was a definite page-turner. At the end of every chapter, I was eager to find out what would happen next. Each chapter ends at a logical point and they were just to right length for my attention span. They were not too long and not too short. Each chapter felt complete, while still leaving me wanting to find out what happened next.
I already feel like the main characters are my friends and I want to spend more time with them. I am also going to look into other books written by Natalie Summers. If you enjoy magical cozy mysteries, found family, and all of the other aspects I mentioned, I highly recommend picking up Tides Wait for No Witch. I'm confident you'll be glad you did.
Thank you to Booksprout for providing me with an eARC of this book.
Read my full review here:
https://caboodleofcozies.blogspot.com...
August 4, 2026
I received a free copy from the author and voluntarily reviewed it.
This book just sounded so good and I was so excited to receive an ARC copy and I started it shortly after receiving it. Tides Wait for No Witch starts off with Sara moving to the island of Spelltide Bay after she found out she has inherited a house there from an aunt she never knew she had. I liked how it dives right into things and there are some pretty big events like her finding the family she never knew she had and learning about her magic pretty early on. I liked this. I read the free prequel I got from the author's newsletter first, which gives a bit of background information about Sara and how she found out about her inheritance. I liked reading the prequel first, but I think you can easily skip it and you won't miss too much.
This book was so much fun and well written. I felt like there wasn't a dull moment, from Sara finding out about her family she didn't know she had, to realizing she's magical and learning to use some of her powers to discovering Katrina, the aunt from whom she inherited the house, was murdered and trying to solve the mystery. This book had a lot going on with the relationship plot lines, the getting to know the town, the magical aspects and the mystery. There was plenty going on, but it never felt like too much either. It was blended all together well and I just wanted me to keep reading.
Sara is convinced early on that Katrina was murdered and I wasn’t quite sure why she was so convinced at first, but slowly more evidence comes to light and the mystery really takes shape. There are some interesting layers and reveals to the mystery and I liked seeing how Sara investigated and how often she asks one of her family members or the hot FBI agent Zander to accompany her, so I liked how she usually went about it in a smart way. She was quite stubborn tough and wouldn't stop investigating even when she realizes she might be in danger too, but I think that usually works well in books like these. There was a part in the earlier part/ the middle that felt a bit slower mystery wise as Sara kept asking a lot of the same questions and getting the same answers, but after that it picked up again. I hadn't guessed who the murderer was and there was a twist I wasn't the biggest fan of and that would make it pretty hard to guess the murderer, but I liked seeing how it all fell on it's place.
While the mystery was a solid one, I enjoyed the other aspects even more. Seeing Sara get to know her family that she never knew she had. I liked the characters and there are so many fun side characters from the people she meets to the talking sea creatures. I liked how she helped out Ray. And her lessons with Corta were interesting too. I liked seeing her slowly grow more comfortable with her family. There also is a bit of romance and I thought that was just okay, with how the other relationships get some time to build, the romance seemed to mostly be built on mutual attraction and I wish there was more time they spent together to get to know each other.
I also liked the magical aspect of this book. The island is filled with magical people and interesting magical powers, from talking with animals to fire kitsune and dragons and shapeshifting orcas. It was all great to read about and I liked seeing Sara discover this new world and getting to know more about it and the magic she has. The whole island has such a magical vibe and I also liked how Sara uses her magic to help solve the mystery.
To summarize: This was a great start to this series. I liked gettign to know Sara as she moves to Spelltide Bay where she meets the family she didn't know she had, finds out she's magical and discovers her late aunt was murdered. There was a lot going on and it kept my attention. I liked the mystery and seeing it play out, there was a place in the middle where things seemed to slow down a bit, before picking up again. I liked the reveal and seeing everything fall on it's place, although not a fan of a certain twist which made it hard to figure out who the murderer is. I think I liked the other elements even more. It was fun seeing Sara get to know her family and interact with the other characters on the island. There's a bit of romance as well, which was okay, but I would've liked more of them getting to know each other. I liked how magical the whole island felt with various magical creatures and people with magical powers and learning about those. All in all I had a great time reading this book and look forward to the next book.
This book just sounded so good and I was so excited to receive an ARC copy and I started it shortly after receiving it. Tides Wait for No Witch starts off with Sara moving to the island of Spelltide Bay after she found out she has inherited a house there from an aunt she never knew she had. I liked how it dives right into things and there are some pretty big events like her finding the family she never knew she had and learning about her magic pretty early on. I liked this. I read the free prequel I got from the author's newsletter first, which gives a bit of background information about Sara and how she found out about her inheritance. I liked reading the prequel first, but I think you can easily skip it and you won't miss too much.
This book was so much fun and well written. I felt like there wasn't a dull moment, from Sara finding out about her family she didn't know she had, to realizing she's magical and learning to use some of her powers to discovering Katrina, the aunt from whom she inherited the house, was murdered and trying to solve the mystery. This book had a lot going on with the relationship plot lines, the getting to know the town, the magical aspects and the mystery. There was plenty going on, but it never felt like too much either. It was blended all together well and I just wanted me to keep reading.
Sara is convinced early on that Katrina was murdered and I wasn’t quite sure why she was so convinced at first, but slowly more evidence comes to light and the mystery really takes shape. There are some interesting layers and reveals to the mystery and I liked seeing how Sara investigated and how often she asks one of her family members or the hot FBI agent Zander to accompany her, so I liked how she usually went about it in a smart way. She was quite stubborn tough and wouldn't stop investigating even when she realizes she might be in danger too, but I think that usually works well in books like these. There was a part in the earlier part/ the middle that felt a bit slower mystery wise as Sara kept asking a lot of the same questions and getting the same answers, but after that it picked up again. I hadn't guessed who the murderer was and there was a twist I wasn't the biggest fan of and that would make it pretty hard to guess the murderer, but I liked seeing how it all fell on it's place.
While the mystery was a solid one, I enjoyed the other aspects even more. Seeing Sara get to know her family that she never knew she had. I liked the characters and there are so many fun side characters from the people she meets to the talking sea creatures. I liked how she helped out Ray. And her lessons with Corta were interesting too. I liked seeing her slowly grow more comfortable with her family. There also is a bit of romance and I thought that was just okay, with how the other relationships get some time to build, the romance seemed to mostly be built on mutual attraction and I wish there was more time they spent together to get to know each other.
I also liked the magical aspect of this book. The island is filled with magical people and interesting magical powers, from talking with animals to fire kitsune and dragons and shapeshifting orcas. It was all great to read about and I liked seeing Sara discover this new world and getting to know more about it and the magic she has. The whole island has such a magical vibe and I also liked how Sara uses her magic to help solve the mystery.
To summarize: This was a great start to this series. I liked gettign to know Sara as she moves to Spelltide Bay where she meets the family she didn't know she had, finds out she's magical and discovers her late aunt was murdered. There was a lot going on and it kept my attention. I liked the mystery and seeing it play out, there was a place in the middle where things seemed to slow down a bit, before picking up again. I liked the reveal and seeing everything fall on it's place, although not a fan of a certain twist which made it hard to figure out who the murderer is. I think I liked the other elements even more. It was fun seeing Sara get to know her family and interact with the other characters on the island. There's a bit of romance as well, which was okay, but I would've liked more of them getting to know each other. I liked how magical the whole island felt with various magical creatures and people with magical powers and learning about those. All in all I had a great time reading this book and look forward to the next book.
July 15, 2026
Tides Wait For No Witch is the first book in the Spelltide Bay Magic Mysteries by Natalie Summers. The amateur sleuth is Sara, a half-undine/half-witch who inherited a house on a magical island along with magical powers she didn't know she had and can't seem to control.
Tides Wait For No Witch is the kind of book that will make you remember how fun a cozy fantasy can be.
The premise of a mystery on a magical island is creatively executed. Author Natalie Summers put thought and heart into the world building. The result is an enchanting and lighthearted whodunit that seamlessly blends fantasy, light romantic tension, and suspense with themes of community, belonging, and personal reinvention.
The story is quite funny in places. Characters like Ollie the Otter break the tension with hilarious hijinks in all the right places. Ollie's scene stealing antics had me laughing out loud.
The comforting tropes of a cozy mystery are also there. We get an amateur sleuth, a useful hobby (crocheting), a skill (magic), a pet (Ollie), and a sweet flirtation with the too handsome for his own good law enforcement officer. All of these elements were well utilized in the plot and enhanced the story in a way that made them feel familiar but fresh.
I loved TidesWait For No Witch and can't wait to see what happens next in Spelltide Bay!
Thank you to Tidemeres Press for the ARC.
Tides Wait For No Witch is the kind of book that will make you remember how fun a cozy fantasy can be.
The premise of a mystery on a magical island is creatively executed. Author Natalie Summers put thought and heart into the world building. The result is an enchanting and lighthearted whodunit that seamlessly blends fantasy, light romantic tension, and suspense with themes of community, belonging, and personal reinvention.
The story is quite funny in places. Characters like Ollie the Otter break the tension with hilarious hijinks in all the right places. Ollie's scene stealing antics had me laughing out loud.
The comforting tropes of a cozy mystery are also there. We get an amateur sleuth, a useful hobby (crocheting), a skill (magic), a pet (Ollie), and a sweet flirtation with the too handsome for his own good law enforcement officer. All of these elements were well utilized in the plot and enhanced the story in a way that made them feel familiar but fresh.
I loved TidesWait For No Witch and can't wait to see what happens next in Spelltide Bay!
Thank you to Tidemeres Press for the ARC.
July 19, 2026
This was a fun cozy mystery set on an island called Spelltide Bay. Home to magical beings (witches, selkies, tide wolves and more), this small island was a delightful setting and I genuinely enjoyed getting to know the town and its inhabitants. Sara was fun MC who gets everything thrown at her at one — new home, new business, new magic, new family and a mystery surrounding the death of her great aunt she never knew existed until now. I loved Sara’s newfound family and their willingness to accept her into their lives and back her up as she searches for clues. I also loved the tide wolves (magical orcas that can turn into wolves on land) and of course Ollie the otter. In fact, I would’ve loved more time with them in the story.
That being said, some of the plot seemed rushed especially at the beginning. However the characters kept me entertained and made up for the rushed start. The magical aspect felt unique and delightfully rooted in the world.
If you like a cozy mystery with a little magic and unique charm I definitely recommend trying this one out. I’ll be looking forward to the next book in this series as I’d love to spend more time in Spelltide Bay.
**I received this book for free and am voluntarily
leaving an honest review.**
That being said, some of the plot seemed rushed especially at the beginning. However the characters kept me entertained and made up for the rushed start. The magical aspect felt unique and delightfully rooted in the world.
If you like a cozy mystery with a little magic and unique charm I definitely recommend trying this one out. I’ll be looking forward to the next book in this series as I’d love to spend more time in Spelltide Bay.
**I received this book for free and am voluntarily
leaving an honest review.**
July 12, 2026
Tides Wait for No Witch by Natalie Summers was a charming cozy fantasy read that swept me away to the magical seaside town of Spelltide Bay. 🌊✨
I loved the overall story, the cozy atmosphere, and the cast of characters. The setting had so much charm, and I really enjoyed getting to know this magical world. The ending was great and left me excited to see where the series goes next.
The romance between Sara and Xander was one of my favorite parts. I loved their dynamic and can’t wait to see where their relationship leads in future books. I’m also really looking forward to learning more about Xander and his story because I feel like there is still so much to uncover.
I did find the beginning a bit repetitive, and I wished the magic system had been explored more. The concept was fascinating, but I wanted more details and depth about the magic and how it all worked.
Sara was a character I had mixed feelings about. Some of her reactions came across as immature, especially when interacting with people she had just met, but I appreciated seeing her growth throughout the story and I’m interested to see how she continues to develop.
Overall, this was a cozy, magical adventure with a lovable cast, a charming setting, and a mystery that kept me turning the pages. I’m excited to return to Spelltide Bay for book two!
Thank you to the author/publisher for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I loved the overall story, the cozy atmosphere, and the cast of characters. The setting had so much charm, and I really enjoyed getting to know this magical world. The ending was great and left me excited to see where the series goes next.
The romance between Sara and Xander was one of my favorite parts. I loved their dynamic and can’t wait to see where their relationship leads in future books. I’m also really looking forward to learning more about Xander and his story because I feel like there is still so much to uncover.
I did find the beginning a bit repetitive, and I wished the magic system had been explored more. The concept was fascinating, but I wanted more details and depth about the magic and how it all worked.
Sara was a character I had mixed feelings about. Some of her reactions came across as immature, especially when interacting with people she had just met, but I appreciated seeing her growth throughout the story and I’m interested to see how she continues to develop.
Overall, this was a cozy, magical adventure with a lovable cast, a charming setting, and a mystery that kept me turning the pages. I’m excited to return to Spelltide Bay for book two!
Thank you to the author/publisher for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 12, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️My review: Sara gets a surprise inheritance from a long lost aunt after she also loses her mother. Sara never had any of their family so she goes to her aunt's island home, because why not?
Once she gets there she finds out she inherited a house, a business, she has actual biological family, and oh---she's a witch.
But something isn't right about Aunt Katrina's sudden death and Sara is determined to figure it out. She gets help from her new half sisters (witches), an unhoused teenager with no family, and a handsome part-dragon FBI agent. They just have to figure it all out before the bad guys/forces catch up to them.
I love a mystical book and this one had new beings, powers and definite mystery. It was a nice balance of human investigation, magical assistance, and some humor and sexual tension. There were unanswered questions though, and that was frustrating. I guess I'm waiting for book 2. 🤷♀️
Thank you to NetGalley and Victoria Editing for an advance digital copy to review. These opinions are my own.
Once she gets there she finds out she inherited a house, a business, she has actual biological family, and oh---she's a witch.
But something isn't right about Aunt Katrina's sudden death and Sara is determined to figure it out. She gets help from her new half sisters (witches), an unhoused teenager with no family, and a handsome part-dragon FBI agent. They just have to figure it all out before the bad guys/forces catch up to them.
I love a mystical book and this one had new beings, powers and definite mystery. It was a nice balance of human investigation, magical assistance, and some humor and sexual tension. There were unanswered questions though, and that was frustrating. I guess I'm waiting for book 2. 🤷♀️
Thank you to NetGalley and Victoria Editing for an advance digital copy to review. These opinions are my own.
July 18, 2026
Moving to an island Sara Rivers knows nothing about and living in a house left to her by a relative she never met is not something she has never considered doing. Until now. Yet here she is moving to house left to her by a woman whose name, Katrika Nightshade may not even be a real name. There is a stipulation that she must live in the home for six months. Luckily Sara is happy to know there will be a stipend. Her plans are to live there for six months, sell the place and move on with her life. What she will be surprised to find is a father she never knew, a half-sister she is meeting for the first time and discovering that she is half-witch, half-undine. Sara is not even sure what all this means. Sara’s plans may be changing. This is a terrific first book and I can hardly wait to see where her story goes. A review of this book was sent to me by the author. All of the above opinions are my own.
August 14, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of Tides Wait for No Witch.
This was such a sweet cozy fantasy with mystery, a slow-burn romance, awakened magic, and—of course—a talking otter! Sara doesn’t even know how she is related to the late Katrika when she unexpectedly inherits her house and business. But the real mystery is why no one seems concerned about the strange circumstances surrounding Katrika’s death except Sara.
With the help of new friends, allies, and family, Sara begins uncovering Katrika’s past, learning more about her own history, and discovering the hidden secrets of Spelltide Bay.
I absolutely loved this book! Ollie is adorable every time he appears, and I loved all the magic woven throughout the story. The characters also felt wonderfully human and relatable, and I especially enjoyed Sara’s love of crocheting. This was a charming, magical read with plenty of mystery, heart, and cozy vibes.
This was such a sweet cozy fantasy with mystery, a slow-burn romance, awakened magic, and—of course—a talking otter! Sara doesn’t even know how she is related to the late Katrika when she unexpectedly inherits her house and business. But the real mystery is why no one seems concerned about the strange circumstances surrounding Katrika’s death except Sara.
With the help of new friends, allies, and family, Sara begins uncovering Katrika’s past, learning more about her own history, and discovering the hidden secrets of Spelltide Bay.
I absolutely loved this book! Ollie is adorable every time he appears, and I loved all the magic woven throughout the story. The characters also felt wonderfully human and relatable, and I especially enjoyed Sara’s love of crocheting. This was a charming, magical read with plenty of mystery, heart, and cozy vibes.
July 15, 2026
When Sara Rivers finds herself in a small island town in a house she inherited from a great aunt she had never heard of let alone met she is understandably confused and lonely, that is until her half sister Forthy, that she didn’t know existed stormed into her life and introduced Sarah to her biological father and told her that her whole life was a lie. If that wasn’t enough Sara would soon discover that not only did she have a whole family that she didn’t know about, but she also was a witch with magical powers. This story is such a breath of fresh air to the cozy mystery genre and I honestly was blown away by how unique the story was! I can’t wait to see what other hijinks Sarah Rivers finds herself in and I really hope they include Ollie, her cute otter friend!
Thank you so much for the arc!
Thank you so much for the arc!
July 6, 2026
A very sweet, cozy mystery with many quirky characters that was really refreshing to read! Loved Ollie; the kleptomaniac otter along with some of the other magical sea creatures you meet along the way. I typically read fast paced thrillers and fantasy books so this was a little slower than I’m used to, but when the dragon hybrid FBI agent came into the mix and the danger escalated, I was definitely hooked! I wish more had been revealed at the end, but at least we know that book 2 is in the works! Thank you to the author for this fun ARC!
July 8, 2026
4.25⭐️
I almost DNF’d this, but I’m glad I didn’t! Overall, this was a fun read and I really enjoy the life Sara created in Spelltide Bay.
As someone who lives in the PNW, reading about the Salish Sea and the fun twist on the Resident orcas was enjoyable. Will definitely read book 2!
I almost DNF’d this, but I’m glad I didn’t! Overall, this was a fun read and I really enjoy the life Sara created in Spelltide Bay.
As someone who lives in the PNW, reading about the Salish Sea and the fun twist on the Resident orcas was enjoyable. Will definitely read book 2!
June 30, 2026
⭐ Rating: 4.5 Stars
✨ The Vibe
A cozy magical mystery set on a charming island where sea otters talk, magic is real, found family is everything, and everyone seems to know everyone else's business.
Honestly... the talking sea otter alone convinced me to pick this book up.
📚 What the Book Is About (No Spoilers)
When Sara Rivers unexpectedly inherits a house from a great-aunt she never knew existed, she travels to the magical island of Spelltide Bay with one simple plan: stay for six months, sell the house, and move on with her life.
Instead, she discovers she's half witch, half undine, inherits a game shop, meets family she never knew existed, and learns that her great-aunt's death may not have been an accident after all.
As Sara starts digging into the truth, she realizes someone on the island is determined to keep old secrets buried.
🖤 My Reading Experience
Talking sea otters? Count me in. That alone sold me on this book. Add in a beachy island setting, magic, a murder mystery, and an attractive FBI agent, and I was immediately intrigued. I'm happy to report that this book absolutely delivered.
I caught myself laughing out loud more than once thanks to the wonderfully chaotic family dynamics, Ollie's constant commentary, and all the magical shenanigans happening around town. The humor felt natural, the dialogue was fun, and I genuinely enjoyed spending time with these characters.
This was also my first magical mystery, and I had such a good time with it. The mystery surrounding Katrinka's death kept me guessing right until the end. I honestly had no idea who the killer was going to be—which either means the mystery was very well done... or I'm just terrible at solving mysteries. 😂 Either way, I had fun trying.
My absolute favorite part of this book, though, was the found family. Sara arrives believing she's completely alone, only to discover an entire side of her family she never knew existed. They immediately welcomed her with open arms, plenty of teasing, and an incredible amount of love and protection. I adored every single one of them.
What made me love them even more was how they welcomed Ray into the family, too. She wasn't related by blood, but that never mattered to them. They respected her boundaries, made space for her, and loved her just the same. Those moments honestly warmed my heart.
I also really enjoyed that Sara never had to investigate everything by herself. Her family and newfound friends were always nearby, sharing theories, helping with research, and bouncing ideas off one another. It made the mystery feel like a true team effort instead of one person carrying the entire investigation.
And then there's Ollie. Let's be honest. He completely stole the show. Every scene with that sassy little sea otter made me smile.
💭 What Didn't Fully Work for Me
There honestly wasn't much I didn't enjoy, but I did occasionally wish the story slowed down just a little.
Sara's first day on the island is... eventful, to say the least. Within roughly twenty-four hours, she discovers she has a father, grandparents, and half-sisters she never knew about, learns her mother kept all of this from her, finds out she's half witch and half undine, discovers magic is real, realizes sea otters can talk, inherits a game shop, and starts investigating a suspicious death.
And that's just the beginning.
On top of the murder mystery, we're also learning about Sara's magic, watching her settle into island life, getting to know her newfound family, helping a runaway teen, uncovering secrets about her mother, investigating a house break-in, meeting dozens of townspeople, and slowly exploring the tension between Sara and Xander.
I genuinely enjoyed all of these storylines, but sometimes I felt like I needed a little more breathing room between the big reveals. There were moments where something shocking happened, and before I really had time to process it, we were already moving on to the next revelation.
I also found that the mystery occasionally lost a bit of momentum because there were so many other things happening alongside it. I would've loved a slightly more layered and suspenseful investigation in places.
There was also a bit of repetition throughout the story. Certain plot points and conversations were revisited multiple times, and personally, I don't think all of that repetition was necessary.
One thing readers should know going in is that this isn't primarily a romance. Yes, there's attraction. There's chemistry. There's definitely some flirting. But the romance stays very much in the background.
This book is first and foremost about Sara discovering who she is, embracing her magic, finding her family, and solving a murder mystery. Personally, I didn't mind that at all because the family relationships more than made up for the slower romantic development.
🔥 Tropes & Elements
- Cozy fantasy
- Magical mystery
- Small-town vibes
- Found family
- Talking animals
- Island setting
- Murder mystery
💔 Emotional Impact
Coziness level: 10/10. Ollie the sea otter owns a permanent piece of my heart now.
🫶 Final Thoughts
Tides Wait for No Witch was such an amazing surprise. It's cozy, funny, magical, and filled with lovable characters that make Spelltide Bay feel like somewhere you'd actually want to visit.
Natalie Summers created an island that felt incredibly vivid, from its quirky townspeople to its magical sea creatures and cozy little shops. I could picture myself wandering the streets, volunteering with the sea animals, and stopping by to chat with the locals.
While I would've loved a little more breathing room between some of the many storylines, I genuinely had such a fun time reading this.
I'm already looking forward to returning to Spelltide Bay and spending more time with Sara, her wonderfully chaotic family... and of course, Ollie.
📢 Disclosure: Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with an ARC. As always, all thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
✨ The Vibe
A cozy magical mystery set on a charming island where sea otters talk, magic is real, found family is everything, and everyone seems to know everyone else's business.
Honestly... the talking sea otter alone convinced me to pick this book up.
📚 What the Book Is About (No Spoilers)
When Sara Rivers unexpectedly inherits a house from a great-aunt she never knew existed, she travels to the magical island of Spelltide Bay with one simple plan: stay for six months, sell the house, and move on with her life.
Instead, she discovers she's half witch, half undine, inherits a game shop, meets family she never knew existed, and learns that her great-aunt's death may not have been an accident after all.
As Sara starts digging into the truth, she realizes someone on the island is determined to keep old secrets buried.
🖤 My Reading Experience
Talking sea otters? Count me in. That alone sold me on this book. Add in a beachy island setting, magic, a murder mystery, and an attractive FBI agent, and I was immediately intrigued. I'm happy to report that this book absolutely delivered.
I caught myself laughing out loud more than once thanks to the wonderfully chaotic family dynamics, Ollie's constant commentary, and all the magical shenanigans happening around town. The humor felt natural, the dialogue was fun, and I genuinely enjoyed spending time with these characters.
This was also my first magical mystery, and I had such a good time with it. The mystery surrounding Katrinka's death kept me guessing right until the end. I honestly had no idea who the killer was going to be—which either means the mystery was very well done... or I'm just terrible at solving mysteries. 😂 Either way, I had fun trying.
My absolute favorite part of this book, though, was the found family. Sara arrives believing she's completely alone, only to discover an entire side of her family she never knew existed. They immediately welcomed her with open arms, plenty of teasing, and an incredible amount of love and protection. I adored every single one of them.
What made me love them even more was how they welcomed Ray into the family, too. She wasn't related by blood, but that never mattered to them. They respected her boundaries, made space for her, and loved her just the same. Those moments honestly warmed my heart.
I also really enjoyed that Sara never had to investigate everything by herself. Her family and newfound friends were always nearby, sharing theories, helping with research, and bouncing ideas off one another. It made the mystery feel like a true team effort instead of one person carrying the entire investigation.
And then there's Ollie. Let's be honest. He completely stole the show. Every scene with that sassy little sea otter made me smile.
💭 What Didn't Fully Work for Me
There honestly wasn't much I didn't enjoy, but I did occasionally wish the story slowed down just a little.
Sara's first day on the island is... eventful, to say the least. Within roughly twenty-four hours, she discovers she has a father, grandparents, and half-sisters she never knew about, learns her mother kept all of this from her, finds out she's half witch and half undine, discovers magic is real, realizes sea otters can talk, inherits a game shop, and starts investigating a suspicious death.
And that's just the beginning.
On top of the murder mystery, we're also learning about Sara's magic, watching her settle into island life, getting to know her newfound family, helping a runaway teen, uncovering secrets about her mother, investigating a house break-in, meeting dozens of townspeople, and slowly exploring the tension between Sara and Xander.
I genuinely enjoyed all of these storylines, but sometimes I felt like I needed a little more breathing room between the big reveals. There were moments where something shocking happened, and before I really had time to process it, we were already moving on to the next revelation.
I also found that the mystery occasionally lost a bit of momentum because there were so many other things happening alongside it. I would've loved a slightly more layered and suspenseful investigation in places.
There was also a bit of repetition throughout the story. Certain plot points and conversations were revisited multiple times, and personally, I don't think all of that repetition was necessary.
One thing readers should know going in is that this isn't primarily a romance. Yes, there's attraction. There's chemistry. There's definitely some flirting. But the romance stays very much in the background.
This book is first and foremost about Sara discovering who she is, embracing her magic, finding her family, and solving a murder mystery. Personally, I didn't mind that at all because the family relationships more than made up for the slower romantic development.
🔥 Tropes & Elements
- Cozy fantasy
- Magical mystery
- Small-town vibes
- Found family
- Talking animals
- Island setting
- Murder mystery
💔 Emotional Impact
Coziness level: 10/10. Ollie the sea otter owns a permanent piece of my heart now.
🫶 Final Thoughts
Tides Wait for No Witch was such an amazing surprise. It's cozy, funny, magical, and filled with lovable characters that make Spelltide Bay feel like somewhere you'd actually want to visit.
Natalie Summers created an island that felt incredibly vivid, from its quirky townspeople to its magical sea creatures and cozy little shops. I could picture myself wandering the streets, volunteering with the sea animals, and stopping by to chat with the locals.
While I would've loved a little more breathing room between some of the many storylines, I genuinely had such a fun time reading this.
I'm already looking forward to returning to Spelltide Bay and spending more time with Sara, her wonderfully chaotic family... and of course, Ollie.
📢 Disclosure: Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with an ARC. As always, all thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
August 14, 2026
What a fun whimsical fantasy! It's a murder mystery set in a magical island that is delightful at first glance but seems to harbour many dangerous secrets beneath the calm.and cozy veneer. The writing style is engaging, immersive, and works well for the story; the mystery is intriguing; and the characters are such a colorful bunch—I had so much fun in Spelltide Bay that I managed to finish the book in almost a single stretch.
What didn't work for me:
I so wanted to give this book a five-star rating! 😔
Although this was an incredibly entertaining read that I would definitely recommend to anyone who is in the mood for an escapist fantasy with an intriguing mystery (with a generous dose of whimsy), there were certain logical fallacies that didn't sit well with me.
Nevertheless, Natalie Summers is an excellent writer. This is my first book by the author and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I can't wait to see what the author comes up with in the sequel 🤩
Many thanks to Netgalley, the publishers, and the author for sharing an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. (I noticed a few inconsistencies and typos. I believe these might have been corrected in the published version. I'll send a seperate note to the publishers about those, just in case)
What didn't work for me:
I so wanted to give this book a five-star rating! 😔
Although this was an incredibly entertaining read that I would definitely recommend to anyone who is in the mood for an escapist fantasy with an intriguing mystery (with a generous dose of whimsy), there were certain logical fallacies that didn't sit well with me.
Nevertheless, Natalie Summers is an excellent writer. This is my first book by the author and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I can't wait to see what the author comes up with in the sequel 🤩
Many thanks to Netgalley, the publishers, and the author for sharing an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. (I noticed a few inconsistencies and typos. I believe these might have been corrected in the published version. I'll send a seperate note to the publishers about those, just in case)
July 26, 2026
🦦🐚PLOT🐋🌊
Tides Wait for No Witch follows the story of Sara Rivers, who, after losing her mother and getting fired from her job, inherits a house from a great-aunt she's never met. The estate belonged to her late great-aunt, Katrika Nightshade, on the mysterious island of Spelltide Bay. At first, it seemed like the perfect opportunity for Sara to make a fresh start after such a difficult year. However, the moment she arrives in Spelltide Bay, she discovers that her inheritance comes with long-buried family secrets, a half-sister and a father she never knew existed, a magical heritage she never imagined, and the mystery surrounding her great-aunt's death.
Natalie Summers' writing is engaging, clever,
and easy to settle into. Sara's inner monologue is filled with dry humour and relatable observations. The writing also strikes a wonderful balance between cozy and mysterious. There's always intrigue hidden beneath the surface, yet it never loses its comforting atmosphere. I loved how the mystery constantly evolved and unfolded throughout the story. Every answer seemed to raise even more questions, and every time I thought I had something figured out, another clue made me question everything again.
The mystery surrounding Katrika ended up being my favourite part. I had my own list of suspects, and somehow the person I was least suspicious of kept slipping under my radar. Once everything was revealed, though, it made perfect sense, and I love when a mystery manages to surprise me. Looking back after finishing the book, I could appreciate how cleverly everything had been woven together from the very beginning.
🦦🐚CHARACTERS🐋🌊
Sara was such an easy protagonist to like. She feels refreshingly normal in the middle of increasingly bizarre circumstances, and her reactions actually made sense. She's practical, sarcastic, and understandably sceptical about everything happening around her. Considering she's grieving the loss of her mother while having her entire identity turned upside down, I thought Natalie Summers handled her emotional journey really well.
The Abbott family completely stole my heart. Forthy was one of my favourite characters in the book. She has this warmth and optimism that's impossible not to love. Bennett's unwavering love for the daughter he'd spent decades searching for was genuinely touching. Sorka added a little scepticism and edge to the family dynamic, while Bellamy brought such a calming presence whenever she appeared on the page.
I also loved how alive the supporting cast felt.
Corta's gruff exterior hid a genuinely caring mentor, Jerren's grumpy personality was a fun contrast to the warmth of the other residents, Gertie was always ready with her knitting needles tucked into her front pockets, Dora dispensed both baked goods and the latest island gossip, and Ray's quiet, reserved nature added another layer to the community.
And then there's Ollie.
I honestly wasn't expecting a telepathic sea otter to become one of my favourite fictional side characters, but here we are. His random thoughts, obsession with hairbrushes, hatred of kale, and perfectly timed appearances added so much humour without ever feeling overdone. He completely stole every scene he was in.
🦦🐚WORLD-BUILDING🐋🌊
Spelltide Bay is exactly the kind of magical small town I love reading about. It's cozy without feeling overly quaint, mysterious without becoming confusing, and filled with enough quirky businesses and memorable locals to make it feel alive.
The island has the perfect blend of cozy charm and mystery. On one hand, you have charming local businesses like Dice & Dragons, a bakery everyone seems to love, quirky shop owners who know everyone's business, and neighbours who welcome you like you've always belonged. On the other hand, there are hidden tunnels beneath the island used for smuggling, magical councils, and a murder that suggests there's much more lurking beneath the surface. It creates an atmosphere where something magical or suspicious could happen at any moment. The island feels like a place full of stories waiting to be told, and every resident has enough personality to make me curious about their own adventures.
I also loved how diverse the magical community is. It's not just witches. There are undines, kitsune, dragons, gnomes, sylphs, and even Tidewolves, each with their own place in Spelltide Bay. Despite the variety, the magic never felt overwhelming because everything unfolded naturally through Sara's perspective. It genuinely feels like a close-knit community rather than just a backdrop for the mystery, and by the end of the book, I wasn't ready to leave.
🦦🐚FINAL THOUGHTS🐋🌊
Overall, Tides Wait for No Witch was such a fun and comforting read. It perfectly blends cozy mystery, urban fantasy, family drama, humour, and just enough suspense to keep the pages turning.
More than anything, it's a story about finding where you belong, discovering family in unexpected places, and learning that sometimes the life you never planned for turns out to be exactly the one you needed.
If you're looking for a cozy fantasy with witches, magical creatures, found family, a charming small-town setting, and a mystery that genuinely keeps you guessing, I'd absolutely recommend this book.
Tides Wait for No Witch follows the story of Sara Rivers, who, after losing her mother and getting fired from her job, inherits a house from a great-aunt she's never met. The estate belonged to her late great-aunt, Katrika Nightshade, on the mysterious island of Spelltide Bay. At first, it seemed like the perfect opportunity for Sara to make a fresh start after such a difficult year. However, the moment she arrives in Spelltide Bay, she discovers that her inheritance comes with long-buried family secrets, a half-sister and a father she never knew existed, a magical heritage she never imagined, and the mystery surrounding her great-aunt's death.
Natalie Summers' writing is engaging, clever,
and easy to settle into. Sara's inner monologue is filled with dry humour and relatable observations. The writing also strikes a wonderful balance between cozy and mysterious. There's always intrigue hidden beneath the surface, yet it never loses its comforting atmosphere. I loved how the mystery constantly evolved and unfolded throughout the story. Every answer seemed to raise even more questions, and every time I thought I had something figured out, another clue made me question everything again.
The mystery surrounding Katrika ended up being my favourite part. I had my own list of suspects, and somehow the person I was least suspicious of kept slipping under my radar. Once everything was revealed, though, it made perfect sense, and I love when a mystery manages to surprise me. Looking back after finishing the book, I could appreciate how cleverly everything had been woven together from the very beginning.
🦦🐚CHARACTERS🐋🌊
Sara was such an easy protagonist to like. She feels refreshingly normal in the middle of increasingly bizarre circumstances, and her reactions actually made sense. She's practical, sarcastic, and understandably sceptical about everything happening around her. Considering she's grieving the loss of her mother while having her entire identity turned upside down, I thought Natalie Summers handled her emotional journey really well.
The Abbott family completely stole my heart. Forthy was one of my favourite characters in the book. She has this warmth and optimism that's impossible not to love. Bennett's unwavering love for the daughter he'd spent decades searching for was genuinely touching. Sorka added a little scepticism and edge to the family dynamic, while Bellamy brought such a calming presence whenever she appeared on the page.
I also loved how alive the supporting cast felt.
Corta's gruff exterior hid a genuinely caring mentor, Jerren's grumpy personality was a fun contrast to the warmth of the other residents, Gertie was always ready with her knitting needles tucked into her front pockets, Dora dispensed both baked goods and the latest island gossip, and Ray's quiet, reserved nature added another layer to the community.
And then there's Ollie.
I honestly wasn't expecting a telepathic sea otter to become one of my favourite fictional side characters, but here we are. His random thoughts, obsession with hairbrushes, hatred of kale, and perfectly timed appearances added so much humour without ever feeling overdone. He completely stole every scene he was in.
🦦🐚WORLD-BUILDING🐋🌊
Spelltide Bay is exactly the kind of magical small town I love reading about. It's cozy without feeling overly quaint, mysterious without becoming confusing, and filled with enough quirky businesses and memorable locals to make it feel alive.
The island has the perfect blend of cozy charm and mystery. On one hand, you have charming local businesses like Dice & Dragons, a bakery everyone seems to love, quirky shop owners who know everyone's business, and neighbours who welcome you like you've always belonged. On the other hand, there are hidden tunnels beneath the island used for smuggling, magical councils, and a murder that suggests there's much more lurking beneath the surface. It creates an atmosphere where something magical or suspicious could happen at any moment. The island feels like a place full of stories waiting to be told, and every resident has enough personality to make me curious about their own adventures.
I also loved how diverse the magical community is. It's not just witches. There are undines, kitsune, dragons, gnomes, sylphs, and even Tidewolves, each with their own place in Spelltide Bay. Despite the variety, the magic never felt overwhelming because everything unfolded naturally through Sara's perspective. It genuinely feels like a close-knit community rather than just a backdrop for the mystery, and by the end of the book, I wasn't ready to leave.
🦦🐚FINAL THOUGHTS🐋🌊
Overall, Tides Wait for No Witch was such a fun and comforting read. It perfectly blends cozy mystery, urban fantasy, family drama, humour, and just enough suspense to keep the pages turning.
More than anything, it's a story about finding where you belong, discovering family in unexpected places, and learning that sometimes the life you never planned for turns out to be exactly the one you needed.
If you're looking for a cozy fantasy with witches, magical creatures, found family, a charming small-town setting, and a mystery that genuinely keeps you guessing, I'd absolutely recommend this book.
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