Through the Wardrobe: Book 1

by Kate Bexell

Perfect for fans of Outlander and The Cruel Prince, Through the Wardrobe follows twenty-six-year-old Violet Montgomery as she navigates a fantastical world of danger, fairytales, and a destiny she isn't sure she wants.

Violet Montgomery spent years of her childhood in the fairytale world of Avalon saving princesses, breaking curses, and escaping danger with the most perfect boy in the world: Robin Hood. And she’s spent the past twelve years secretly regretting returning to London. When she finds another door to Avalon, the only reasonable thing to do is to go back through it to the perfect, fairytale world she left behind.

Then again, Violet isn’t particularly well known for making rational, well-thought-out decisions.

This time, Violet tumbles out of a wardrobe and into an Avalon on the verge of war. Centuries have passed, and Robin is long dead. The only familiar face is Captain Hook. Who immediately offers to kill her. Again.

When the wardrobe that could return her to the safety of London is destroyed, Violet begins a dangerous quest to find another path home. Along the way, she’s given a cryptic prophecy about her shadowy Destiny, becomes embroiled in dangerous political scheming, and is charmed by Charles Beauchene, a handsome half-faerie with a heart-stopping smile and less-than-stellar reputation. If she isn’t careful, Violet just might find herself charmed enough to consider whether she might have a Destiny in this new Avalon after all.

442 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 7, 2026

About the author

Kate lives in the US with her husband, two children, and a mind palace full of fictional characters. When she's not writing, Kate is usually planning her next trip, struggling to keep her garden alive, or making yet another cup of tea.

Reviews

[Carly Leotti · Rating 5 out of 5]

With this novel, Kate Bexell was able to provide a feeling of coming home to a place you thought you had lost and introducing to a world and characters you don't want to ever leave behind. Violet, the strong, witty, independent, and yet slightly chaotic female lead, spoke to a vision of ourselves that a lot of us shared as young girls. When she leaves her modern problems behind and literally falls into magical fairy tale ones, it reminded me of the thrill of daydreaming of new worlds I could visit when I was younger. As Violet navigates this fairy tale world, she meets an array of characters, many familiar, but now seen through adult eyes (hellloooo Captain Hook). The characters have depth and warmth and Kate writes them in such a way that you feel like they are your friends too. There's found family, forced proximity, prophecies, an engagement of convenience, and even baby dragons! None of the romance or couplings felt forced or contrived, and all the characters felt like they had agency in their stories throughout. The spice level was just right for me and felt exhilarating without being overdone. I can't wait to return to Avalon with Kate's next book!

[Mindy Stoddard · Rating 5 out of 5]

FINALLY an amazing and refreshing female lead!!!! Love love love Violet and her inner monologue! Violet is is witty and so easy to connect with! I definitely cannot wait for the sequel, the cliff hanger ruined me for other books. Ugh! Hurry up!!!! I need more Hook in my life 😍

[Cassie Dingess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let’s GO!

Kate Bexell really got it done with this one and I can’t wait for the next book! It checked all my boxes! I loved feeling the nostalgia of characters from my youth from a more grown up perspective. I will definitely be on the look out for what’s in store….

[Mindy Stoddard · Rating 5 out of 5]

FINALLY an amazing and refreshing female lead!!!! Love love love Violet and her inner monologue! She is so witty and easy to relate to! I definitely cannot wait for the sequel, the cliff hanger ruined me for other books. Ugh! Hurry up!!!! I need more Hook in my life 😍