A Letter, a Lighthouse, and a Ghost Cat

by Millie Florence, Sarah Rainey (Illustrator)

150 pages, Paperback

Published September 22, 2026

About the author

Millie Florence’s earliest memories are of lying under the covers at night, whispering stories to herself long after her parents had told her to go to sleep. She published her first book, ‘Honey Butter’, at age 13 and hasn’t stopped since!

Millie lives in a picturesque blue house in the woods of southern Illinois. She loves adventure, good food, and just about all things yellow.

Reviews

[Millie Florence]

📚NOW AVAILABLE FOR PREORDER on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or wherever books are sold.📚

A Letter, a Lighthouse, and a Ghost Cat, written is ready to preorder! This absolutely gorgeous cover was painted by none other than the delightful Sarah Rainey, who also illustrated the interior. Click here to read the first chapter for free: https://millieflorence.com/2026/09/09...

What is A LETTER, A LIGHTHOUSE, AND A GHOST CAT about? ✨When Ally, a young witch, receives a letter from her former best friend, she must journey back home through the magical and treacherous Tanglewood with a ghost cat and a strange companion by her side. The spooky autumnal world of Over The Garden Wall meets the whimsy and heart of a Ghibli’s Kiki’s Delivery Service in exploring the complexities of growing up and changing friendships.

I’m so excited to release this book to the world! It’s brimful of autumnal vibes, and best enjoyed with both tea and tissues on hand.

If you preorder, you can also receive some special preorder rewards, including an exclusive art print by Sarah, and a double-sided bookmark with art and a quote from the book.

Learn more and Pre-order here: https://millieflorence.com/ghostcat/

[Alissa J. Zavalianos]

My first Florence book and definitely not my last! This was so darling and the prose was gentle and sweet. Fun storytelling with a heartfelt message and ending. A perfectly autumnal read!

[Sanbi-Fireheart]

An utterly delightful autumnal read. Sweet, magical, and transportive, with an important message. The illustrations make this book even more special. I'm thrilled to have thid one on my bookshelf to re-read seasonally and loan to others. ✨️🥰

[Bella Jochim]

This book was a very fun and cozy read-perfect for the fall season! I loved all the cute creatures. I will always look forward to reading Millie Florence’s next book! :)

[Marla Dallman]

As always, Millie Florence stuns me with her ability to write such deep and heartfelt words that make you connect with the charecters in a way that not many other authors can pull off. I absolutely adore all aspects of this book from Ally's charecter, to her friendship that forms throughout the book and to the impeccable fall vibes that transport you into the story.
The absolutely beautiful illustrations make you smile and wish they were poster size so that you could stare at them all day!
I would highly recommend this book to anyone that feels lonely and like they are going through a growing period. This book is so comforting and cozy, most definitely one of my favorite books of the year!

[Katherine Vercouteren]

So sweet and cozy 🥹 feels like a warm cup of soup and a blanket or a romp through rainy woods
I don’t fully appreciate the story until the end and the parallels with Flicker and the themes ahh so good ❤️
This is definitely a good example of a simpler story executed rly well

[Rg]

What a sweet book! This had me in the snuggle-in-a-blanket mood, and everything from the light sprites to the ghost cat were incredibly charming!
Ally was incredibly relatable and her struggle and character growth, development, and overall arc were extremely impressive considering the length of the book.
Once again Millie gives us a story full of heart, sadness, and hope, and all with her whimsical, lovely, descriptive tone I've grown to adore throughout all her books!
A Letter, a Lighthouse, and a Ghost Cat has just enough haunting memories and just enough sweet themes to make it the perfect autumn (or winter, spring, or summer) read for any fan of cozy adventures!

[Kristin]

Isn't this the most perfect autumnal cover for a book? I ended up reading this story in its entirety yesterday and it was a delightful experience. It's about a 16 year old lighthouse witch who receives a letter that results in her journeying back to the village she's from. Friendship is a key theme...Ally grapples with drifting away from a childhood friend while wondering if she's capable of making a new one.

This was such a cozy, whimsical story. I loved the world it's set in, with ghost cats and fire gremlins and light sprites (plus a few more sinister creatures...). I loved the coziness of cranberry bread and tea and wool sweaters. And as an adult who's been thinking a lot about friendships and community lately, even that aspect of the story felt relatable.

The book is beautifully illustrated. This is only the second book I've read by Millie Florence, but I think all of her other books are pretty firmly middle grade. This one is more YA, with the main character being a teenager whose peers are looking towards marriage, etc. but there's nothing that would prevent a slightly younger reader from enjoying it as well.

Highly recommend checking out this charming little book this fall!

[lavend3rcloud]

A Letter, A Lighthouse, and a Ghost cat is heartwarming, cozy, and delightfully binge-able (I read it in an afternoon)! The fall atmosphere in this book was such a great start to the season. I found myself really invested in the story and the characters! The illustrations in this book are gorgeous and bring the story to life even more. And the Flicker flip-book in the corner?! Absolute genius!
No second thoughts giving this book five stars. Millie Florence is such a great writer, so I knew I'd love this, and I wasn't disappointed! Go read this book! :3

[Faith Arder]

I read this whole book in one sitting and it was SO GOOD!!! Millie Florence is one of my favorite authors. Warning: if you read it, you might cry 🥲 It was a heartfelt, cozy, exciting, and magical way to start my fall! Thank you Millie!!! <3

[Addi Tarrance]

A Letter, a Lighthouse, and a Ghost Cat is a beautiful story of ‘broken’ friendships and healing. As someone who has gone through the awkward stages of pulling away from a friend you used to be so close to, this book was very relatable for me. It’s a perfect whimsical book to read in autumn, curled up in your favorite reading nook with a mug of warm tea or coffee, whichever floats your boat. Five stars for amazing characters, adorable light sprites, a sweet ghost cat, delicious cranberry bread, and healing fellowship.