Ink and Ivy: A Cozy Christian Fantasy Romance

Gracehaven #1

by Ashley Willingham

A little tea. A lot of grace. And a love worth fighting for.
Welcome to Gracehaven.

Ivy Fairwood has only ever wanted one thing: her own shop where she can sell her special tea blends and medicinal herbs. But when the mysterious elf, Caelen Vael, and his young daughter move into Gracehaven and purchase the very empty storefront she has her heart set on, that dream is dashed.

Caelen is cold, aloof, and carries himself with all the airs of a nobleman rather than the owner of Gracehaven's first stationery and art supply shop. Ivy wants nothing to do with him.

Unfortunately for her, God has other plans.

And when letters from a secret admirer start to arrive—an admirer who seems to know her better than she knows herself—she will soon find herself having to make an impossible choice.

Because sometimes God answers prayers in ways that overturn every plan.

And soften even the hardest of hearts.

Perfect for fans of cozy fantasy and clean romance, Ink and Ivy delivers a heartwarming tale of faith, small-town charm, and unexpected love in a whimsical fantasy world shaped by missionaries from Earth. If you love grumpy-sunshine dynamics, secret admirers, and Christian fiction filled with on-page prayer and quoted Scripture, then prepare to be swept away into the charming town of Gracehaven today!

Genres: Fantasy, Christian Fiction, Christian, Christian Fantasy, Romance, Cozy Fantasy, Clean Romance

429 pages, Paperback

Published June 16, 2026

About the author

Ashley Willingham is a Christian, wife, mother of two, and an author of clean books. She enjoys writing high-stakes plots, swoony romances, and stories free from explicit content. When she's not busy writing, she can be found in the kitchen pursing her second passion—baking. She currently lives in Arkansas with her family and one very fluffy dog.

Reviews

[Kay’s Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Literally a hug in the shape of a book. I’m am so in love. 😭🥹❤️

[thelilcloseddoorbookgal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed reading this book. It was such a fun read. I loved the whimsical world and light atmosphere, and all of the characters were lovable with great dynamics between them. The MCs especially felt fleshed out and layered.

One aspect that was a little off-putting for me were a few of the descriptions of the MMC, such as his “dark baritone” and “his deep voice vibrating.”

I also liked how the story handled Christian themes and verses overall, but the way it explained Christianity as originating from Earth and being transplanted into the fantasy world did not fully work for me. My issue was not the presence of Christianity within the setting, but the framing of the Bible as literally historical to this world through Earth. For me, that altered the theological feel of Christianity in a way that felt somewhat at odds with how Scripture presents it. Personally, I would have preferred a more allegorical approach for the fantasy genre. That being said, I really appreciated how specific Scriptural principles were integrated throughout the story. I know I needed a reminder of the main Scriptural theme with the FMC at this time in my life, so that was encouraging to me.

I pretty much stayed immersed the entire time and did not want to put the book down. And THE LETTERS. They made me go HEHEHEHEHEHE.

There were also a few scenes that felt VERY close to Pride and Prejudice movie scenes, even down to some of the wording, but honestly, a lot of authors take inspiration from other works, and the book still had originality overall.

Were there a couple things I did not like? Yes. Did I still love the story? Also yes. I could absolutely see myself rereading it, and I am super excited for the next book. I will read every book the author writes.

I got an eARC as being part of the street team. These are my own honest thoughts.

📖 content 📖
-non descriptive kisses only
-zero profanity
-nothing graphic

[Maggie - Busy Moms Read Too · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the stars! I love Jesus, Pride and Prejudice, cozy fantasies and sweet romance. Put them all together and you get Ink and Ivy. This is a delightful book I’ll gladly recommend.

[Caitriona Riding · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such a treat!

When I heard about this book, it felt like it could be right up my alley, many of my favorite things woven into a Christian, cozy, fantasy setting? The question is always will it come across in the right way that I connect with it and just relish and bask in the whimsy loveliness of the story? The answer ended up being a resounding yes for this book, and I’m beyond happy it did.

This is cozy, simple life, but I just had such a wonderful time with it. It was the perfect amount of everything for me personally. The way faith was a part of this story was something I also really enjoyed. While some might be bothered of our faith being put into a fantasy story plain as day, I LOVED it and think the explanation was simple but smart.

So if you want or love Bible verses quoted, prayers said, actual faith conversations, and real life problems of gossiping, harboring bitterness addressed in a biblical way, with a touch of fantasy whimsy, and an adorable charming and sweet romance all along the way, this is a book you need to pick up. I just adored this.

❗️Content & Trigger Warnings - magical creatures & whimsy “magic” but not witchcraft, past death of spouse during childbirth mentioned.

[Leah (faithfulreadingcorner) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read. From the cozy Narnian vibes to the P&P romance, Ink and Ivy sweeps you into the whimsical world of Gracehaven.

I loved reading about the portals between earth and Gracehaven, though they are only mentioned a few times. The unique characters and creatures gave the story a cozy, magical feeling that fits the theme so well.

What made me love the book more was the faith content and Bible verses. I loved how the characters would quote scripture and apply it to their own lives and circumstances. Truly inspiring.

Overall, I’d highly recommend this book and I look forward to reading more from Gracehaven! 🩷💚🤍

*I received an e-arc from the author; all opinions are my own*

[BookishVibesClub · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is so sweet and fun and adorable and cozy. I don’t know if I’ve ever read a Pride and Prejudice retelling where the author capture the vibe of Mr. Darcy so well.

Cozy fantasy romance filled with faith and scripture. The small town regency setting brought all the coziest feels. And, the found family the FMC has in town was really fun to read.

I absolutely loved the secret admirer letter writing. It was the sweetest with him telling her how special she is as a child of God. It’s a sweet slow burn with a Swoony HEA.

You get a soft, half-dryad FMC living in a quiet small town village. And a proper newcomer in town with his little girl. He’s a little broody and quiet and she’s a little sassy.

The FMC seeks God’s guidance for her life and I loved how she learned to trust and rely on Him. And how she wanted to work for His glory.

💜 Cozy small town village
💜 Secret admirer
💜 Anonymous letter writing
💜 Half-dryad FMC
💜 Broody single dad MMC
💜 Bible Verses and Faith
💜 Elemental powers
💜 Darcy hand flex
💜 Sweet Romance

🫑 Sweet and Swoony No Spice
No language

[Ashley (cozytaleswithash) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so fun!

I’ll admit, I struggled a bit with the idea of our true Christianity, that is so tied to the earth and humanity, dropped into a fantasy world with talking animals, centaurs, and elves. But once I told that overthinking part of my brain to just shut up and enjoy the story, I got really into it. 😂

The FMC Ivy is funny, endearing, and relatable in her struggles. The MMC Caelen is 100% Mr. Darcy coded. In fact, there is a lot of Pride and Prejudice inspiration in this book, from our MMC to certain scenes and dialogue!

I loved the cast of side characters, too. I can’t wait for Marigold’s story!
The setting is cozy and whimsical and so much fun. I’d move to Gracehaven in a heartbeat.

If you like cozy fantasy with Christian themes and scripture on page, a quirky cast of characters, a secret admirer, letter exchanges, and a dislike to more romance, you should definitely check this one out!

Content:
Kisses only romance
No language
No violence


I received an eARC as part of the author’s hype team. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Shantelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet, fun, and romantic fantasy read! I really liked the thoughtful, Christian message as well. Looking forward to reading more from this author!

[Charity - cleanreads_messyhouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 rounded up to four stars. I enjoyed this whimsical cozy fantasy. It was sweet and gentle and the nods to the classic pride and prejudice were so fun. It was my first step into cozy fantasy and I think I may prefer the action in a fantasy world.

That being said, the characters were enjoyable and the growth was well done. A sweet read for sure.

[Amber Gabriel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so cute! I loved the combination of Pride & Prejudice and You've Got Mail infused with Christian faith. The Gospel has already arrived, and most inhabitants of Gracehaven attend the local church, pastored by a centaur--very fitting. The frostiness of Calen, the elf, contrasted with Ivy's dryad heritage made for a perfect Darcy/Elizabeth relationship of misunderstandings and misjudgments. The secret admirer aspect was fun and well done. It is interesting to see how authors introduce literal Christianity into a fantasy world. While it is stated that only humans are made in the image of God, not elves and fauns, etc, this doesn't seem to make any difference to the way they achieve salvation. It also doesn't stop those made in God's image from marrying those who are not, which raises some theological questions. Hopefully, it will make readers stop to think more about their faith and what it means to them. It's an enjoyable story with a warm, fuzzy, happy ending with all the feels.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished my trip to the enchanting Gracehaven!
I absolutely loved the sweetness of this story! From the very beginning, I felt a deep connection with Ivy—she is such a relatable and wonderfully drawn character. But what truly stole the show for me was the beautiful interaction with the letters; those moments had my heart completely fluttering. It is such a lovely, wonderful read that kept me turning pages late into the night. Ashley Willingham has a gift of storytelling. If you appreciate beautiful prose and a romance that gives you all the feels without needing to be overly heavy or explicit, you will cherish this one. A truly delightful addition to any bookshelf! Plus the cover is stunningly beautiful!

[Kailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this! So many good verses and truths in this book. It is the perfect cozy fantasy!

[Rachel {bibliopals} · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5
Super sweet, Bible saturated plot, Lots of You've Got Mail\Austen book similarities...

The fantasy aspect was the part that threw me for a bit. Seemed unnecessary. Granted, I started the audio without giving it my complete attention. Took me awhile to realize they weren't on Earth or even all human. 🤪

I will pass this one to my girls.

[Whitney Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️ rounded to 4.

👏What I Liked:

I enjoyed Ashley’s writing style! Very easy and charming to read. The romance was sweet and squeaky clean 🧼 There was zero sexual tension (in my opinion) and that was so refreshing for me! Loved the world and overall concept for the book. Loved the initial mystery/intrigue with the letters. The food descriptions had me salivating multiple times. 🤤🍫🥐 Elodie was a favorite character of mine and I adore her name! I enjoyed some of the faith content and seeing Ivy wrestle with struggles that all Christians will inevitably face. The companion notebook was SO cool and a nice cozy/sweet touch! The ending was so so sweet! 🥹 if you like found family you will love this! & 10/10 for a gorgeous and cozy cover!✨🧚🏻‍♂️


✍️Gentle Critiques:

I was really wanting our main character to have a spunky and comical side kick type of character like Caz in “the Spellshop” by Sarah Beth Durst.

I think the world building was lacking a bit for me personally. & I was having a hard time picturing some of the characters. I wish there would have been even more fantastical elements to the plot line. & maybe a stronger focus or more detail/scenes about Ivy’s special ability with plants.

I wish the letter writing would have been more of a mystery to the very end and not as obvious as to who the sender was. & we could have been shocked to find out who it was in the end alongside Ivy.

This was more romance forward and I would have preferred the romance to be more of a sub plot. I wanted something else and something bigger to be going on within the story other than the romance. Maybe our two main characters coming together to save Gracehaven from something?

This book had several chapters that were on the shorter side which doesn’t bother me, I prefer a book to have shorter chapters, however…there were a couple of times where some of the chapters felt a bit abrupt with their endings and felt like it needed a little extra something before moving to the next chapter.

This was the first time I experienced a book quoting scripture pretty frequently. In some places I enjoyed it and it felt right. In other places it somewhat took me out of the story a bit. (I know, very unchristian of me, right?) 🙈 To each their own in a fictional story I suppose. I think I like my Faith themes to be a bit more subtle or more naturally worked into the story. Tho it was nice to be reminded of truth as I read.

Some of the nature depictions felt a bit repetitive or overdone to me…as well as the description for Mr. Vael’s scent. (Dark Ink & Chocolate) I enjoyed that this was his unique scent 😂 it was just overstated.

The overall pacing felt a little slow to me towards the last half or third of the book. I felt myself wanting the plot to move along a bit quicker and to finally come to our resolution.


💭FINAL THOUGHTS:
Overall, this was a really cute and cozy fantasy book! & I will read the next book in the series when it comes out 🥰 I enjoyed my time with it!

[Barbara A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ink & Ivy was my first book by Ashley Willingham, and overall, I really enjoyed it.

From the beginning, I loved the introduction to Grace Haven and its quaint English village vibey atmosphere. The setting was charming and cozy, and I could easily imagine myself there. At first, the story felt like a blend of Pride and Prejudice and You’ve Got Mail, especially once the letter writing began, which immediately drew me in.

My biggest struggle with the book was the writing style. There was a great deal of inner dialogue and internal processing, but not enough meaningful conversations between the characters. Because so much of the emotional development happened inside the characters’ heads rather than through their interactions with one another, I sometimes felt disconnected from the romance and wanted to see more of their feelings expressed in actual dialogue.

I also found Ivy’s inability to realize that Fern was Caelyn was a bit difficult to believe. We are meant to accept that she organically falls in love with Caelyn through their interactions, yet it seemed unrealistic that she never suspected his identity. Given the qualities the author gives Ivy—intelligent, capable, compassionate, and grounded in her faith—it felt strange that she never connected the dots.

The reveal itself wasn’t much of a surprise, but I was genuinely caught off guard by the arrival of Caelyn’s brother at the engagement party and the revelation of his royal lineage. Those moments added an unexpected layer to the story.

My biggest disappointment was that the relationship development came so late in the book. Ironically, the story became the most interesting in the final chapters, and I wanted much more time with Caelyn and his family. There was so much potential there that I wished had been explored earlier and in greater depth.

One thing I absolutely loved was Ivy’s relationship with Elodie. She accepted and nurtured her long before her feelings for Caelyn fully developed, and those moments were some of the sweetest in the novel.

Despite my critiques, I did enjoy this book. It took me a while to settle into the story, but the premise was unique, the setting was delightful, and the ending left me smiling. I simply wished there had been more character development and more dialogue that allowed the relationships to unfold on the page.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very sweet. If you're looking for a cozy fantasy with some Pride and Prejudice-like romance then this is the book for you.

It felt like a warm hug. Very easy to sink yourself right in to Gracehaven and get mentally involved in all the happenings in town (sometimes you're a little too invested and start scolding the characters for their choices...or is that just me?).

I really love how Jesus was such a huge part of the entire story, and in a non-clunky way. It just was a part of their life. Any sort of "magical" element was explained through the fact that while they may have those kinds of "powers" it is God who is in control of if it works that way or not. I loved that! I loved seeing the importance of surrender, the importance of repentance, and how the main character tries and fails just like every one of us. I think so many of us can relate to her faith journey (for lack of a better word).

If you want something cozy, something sweet, something that will have you smiling...pick up this book.

If you're on a diet or just don't want to be hungry while reading, DON'T read this book. All I want are baked goods after finishing it.

[AmandaB · Rating 4 out of 5]

This first installment to the Gracehaven world was a cozy delight. The world where humans and Fae/magical creatures mix was what intrigued me to most. I think the initial world building is ok, but knowing Ashley’s writing style, it will be built out more and more with each book in the series.
I particularly liked how Christianity is represented not as an allegory but with the full representation of faith. I like the concept of humans bringing the faith to this magical realm. And I love how seamlessly the faith is brought into the story. It fits well and does not feel preachy, in the everyday conversations of the story.
The FMC Ivy is a character I can relate to, and I appreciated seeing her growth. The MMC Caelen brings the Mr. Darcy vibes, but his tough exterior is removed and I really liked his tender side.
The last 35% of the book was really where the story took off, in my opinion, it flowed the best and I wish the relationship was developed more on the pages instead of squeezed in at the end.

I am eager to see where Marigold’s story goes and look forward to reading the next book. Also, I am so curious about the small mention of Bastain and his curious companion notebook, when will be see this little teaser hashed out?!

[Chapters With Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not normally a fantasy reader but I judged a book by its cover and the cover of Ink and Ivy screamed “Read Me!” Dear reader, I read it and Oh. My. Lanta. It hit the top 5 (and maybe the very top) of my 2026 reads. I am obsessed with the Pride and Prejudice meets Narnia but make it cottage core vibes. Are there plot holes? I have no idea - I was just dumped into a world like I’ve never been before and now I want to live there! What did I love? The characters, the Christian outlook, the sweet, slow-burn romance, the cottage core world, the letter writing (that was 🔥🔥🔥), the food, the dancing…literally everything. Please read this 10 star book!!!!! (Also, make yourself a London Fog and get a few chocolate croissants to go along with the book because you will be craving them)

Spice: Sweet kisses only
Violence: None
Language: None

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story. It's one of my favorite kind. I enjoyed Ivy and her friends so thoroughly.  They were all lovely and I enjoyed the slow unfurling of additional friends and acquaintances in the little town. It felt very much like a living place. But really, what tipped the scales was the faith content. It was so seamlessly woven into the plot, both when the characters were focusing on God, and when they weren't. 

"God should always be foremost in our hearts, our souls, our minds. But when life becomes heavy with worries and doubts, why is it always our relationship with Him that is first to fall to the wayside?"

The way that lesson seems to be the easiest to speak, but the hardest to truly learn. Much like it was for Ivy. What a beautiful book about a beautiful character learning the same thing the rest of us keep learning over and over.

[Gracefully Booked (by Amanda) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely stunning of a book!

My first “Christian Fantasy” book, and my first book from the author, all I can say is that this book completely devoured my attention. Gravehaven truly sounds like a cozy, magical and whimsical little town that I’d wish I could visit! One of my most favourite names in the story - Sir Charles - whom is one of the talking cats… like come onnn! How cute! 🥹

The story is perfectly paced, with indirect swoony (if that’s even a word) moments, I fell in love with the MFC and MMC. Although a little obvious on who Fern was, the ending to this beautiful story of grace and waiting on God to reveal His perfect plan for you. I cannot wait for the second Gracehaven title!

[Tabitha Riggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free ARC copy of Ink & Ivy by Ashley Willingham from the author, but these are my honest thoughts about the book.

Ink & Ivy is such a cozy and heartwarming Christian fantasy read. The story takes place in a fantasy world filled with characters like dryads and fable rabbits, but what made the setting especially unique was the portal to the human world that introduced them to God and the Bible. It gave the story a very different feel from most fantasy books I’ve read.

The town itself felt warm and welcoming, almost like stepping into a small community where everyone knows each other. I loved getting to know the local pastor, the bakery owner, the grandmother who runs the inn, the mayor’s family, and Ivy’s close-knit group of friends. Their weekly Sunday lunches and crochet club gatherings added so much charm and comfort to the story.

One of my favorite parts of the book was the banter between Ivy and Caelen. Their conversations were witty and genuinely amusing at times. The secret admirer letters added another layer of fun. As a reader, it was pretty obvious who was writing them, but watching Ivy jump to the wrong conclusions was both entertaining and endearing.

At its heart, though, this story is about Ivy struggling with feelings of not being enough, and that theme really resonated with me personally. Seeing her journey toward realizing her worth was emotional, uplifting, and beautifully done.

This is different from the romantic suspense books I normally gravitate toward, so it didn’t immediately hook me with fast-paced tension right from the beginning. However, once I got further into the story, especially in the second half, I genuinely did not want to put it down because I needed to know what would happen next.

If you enjoy cozy fantasy, lovable side characters, lighthearted romance, faith-centered themes, and stories about overcoming insecurity and finding your worth, I would definitely recommend Ink & Ivy. I’m already looking forward to reading Marigold’s story in the next book.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very sweet, cozy, romantic fantasy. I have to give it 5 stars for the faith content alone. The story itself was predictable but endearing. I haven’t read a Christian book like this where there is so much Scripture shared, characters and their walks with God and the struggles they face. I could relate to Ivy and her scatterbrained way of thinking and her struggles with feeling by seen. And then Caelen with his hard veneer but soft heart toward his daughter.

This story gave some P&P vibes, a little CS Lewis in fantasy, and overall was very cozy. I enjoyed it. Even though it’s not necessarily my favorite genre to read.

[Kat Crowder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Christian based cozy fantasy is no spice and plenty of swoon! It was fun to dive into a world of talking animals and fae. I thought the blend of human and fae was well done and interesting. The story reveres humans and Christianity.

There are strong themes of Christianity throughout the entire book. Scriptures are quoted many times and the main characters are driven by their faith. The story is told from the POV of the FMC.

I received an advanced copy of this book from the author but my opinions are my own. I would recommend this book and love anything by this author!

[Shea · Rating 2.75 out of 5]

There were a lot of things I enjoyed about this book! I loved the emphasis on family and trusting God. I also really liked the world building and the fable cats and unique characters. However, a lot of things in this book were very similar to another series, The Tempests and Tea Leaves by Rachel Morgan/Bloomhaven series. At first I enjoyed that because I absolutely love Rachel Morgan’s series. Many of the names, tropes, and situations were extremely similar, and while I’m sure it wasn’t intentional, that began to be more and more noticeable as I read through the book. The quoting from Pride and Prejudice, while cute, also bothered me. A few nods to Pride and Prejudice are fine, but for me, the whole lines copied from it was not something I enjoyed.

That being said, I am looking forward to reading the next one to see how the characters continue to develop.

[Hellie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was cute, reminded me of Pride of Prejudice which is always a good thing but, if I were to point out something that bothered me throughout the book was Ivy's character. Like, I understand it was needed to have some plot but Ivy is Dense with a capital D. I think the conflict in this book could've been better handled and make her less oblivious.

[Holly Horton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, this is one of those books you just can’t put down! A perfect mix of Narnia, Pride & Prejudice, with a splash of You’ve Got Mail. Truly a beautiful cozy read that kept me on the edge of my seat to find out what happened next to these characters! Cant wait for the next book!

[Kaci Houghton · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 🌟

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book! Pride and Prejudice like moments between the main characters. I love all the Bible verses and lessons mixed through out the story.

[Bobbie Monroe Boyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This deserves 6 stars. I NEVER would have imagined I, the one who does not like fantasy books, would LOVE this book and give a fantasy book 5 stars. But I LOVE it.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun Pride and Prejudice retelling. Loved it. It was sweet. 🥰