What do you think?
Rate this book
The Hearth #1
Heart and Hearth
Addie didn't expect to inherit a ramshackle bed and breakfast in a tiny town - let alone a magical one!
She’s sure a mistake has been made - her whole life, she's been taught to avoid her witch heritage. Her arrival has stirred something in the old town and Addie finds herself wrapped up in a decades old mystery.
Spring is just arriving, bringing with it new growth: for the plants, for Addie, and for the nearly-forgotten town.
** A novella length book set in Aotearoa New Zealand, part of the Witchy Fiction project. **
She’s sure a mistake has been made - her whole life, she's been taught to avoid her witch heritage. Her arrival has stirred something in the old town and Addie finds herself wrapped up in a decades old mystery.
Spring is just arriving, bringing with it new growth: for the plants, for Addie, and for the nearly-forgotten town.
** A novella length book set in Aotearoa New Zealand, part of the Witchy Fiction project. **
126 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 8, 2021
8 people are currently reading
132 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
November 21, 2021
The is a really delightful Novella set in New Zealand revolving around a trio of witches.
Addie has never been allowed to explore her witch heritage finds herself drawn to a small B&B in town she has never heard of where she meetings Jonno and Dianne
These characters are a delight to read and the mystery of what happened to the town also kept me invested in the novella. This book reads like a cosy mystery and I for one loved it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Addie has never been allowed to explore her witch heritage finds herself drawn to a small B&B in town she has never heard of where she meetings Jonno and Dianne
These characters are a delight to read and the mystery of what happened to the town also kept me invested in the novella. This book reads like a cosy mystery and I for one loved it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 8, 2021
This book brings a unique perspective about witches and it’s a perfect fall read ‘cause it’s cozy and very delightful. I did find it kinda hard to understand some of the local words and kiwi vocabulary, but after I finished reading, I realized that at the end of the book that was a small dictionary with those words and what it means, so I managed to understand it a little bit more.
The way that the suspense around the town’s curse and Addie's having to come to terms with her witchy side unwind was so natural just as it was the development of the characters’ relationships with the others (whether it was friendships or romance). I really enjoyed reading this book and I can’t wait for the next one in this series!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The way that the suspense around the town’s curse and Addie's having to come to terms with her witchy side unwind was so natural just as it was the development of the characters’ relationships with the others (whether it was friendships or romance). I really enjoyed reading this book and I can’t wait for the next one in this series!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 7, 2021
Full disclosure: I received a free ARC of this novella from the author in exchange for an honest review. Also, I'm lucky enough to call the author a personal friend, so that may well bias my review.
OK, first up, I'm going to say that describing a romance as 'sweet and wholesome' wouldn't normally be a plus for me. I hate it when romances are classified as 'clean' because it implies that there's something about including sex in a developing relationship that makes a story 'dirty', and I find that the word 'sweet' is all too often used as code for 'clean' to mean 'a romance with none of that icky, nasty sex stuff in it'
That said, 'sweet and wholesome' are exactly the two words that immediately come to mind after reading Heart & Hearth. Because that's the overall mood of both the story and the softly, naturally blossoming relationship between its two protagonists: Addie and Jonno. And in a real world that's entirely too scary and uncertain right now, this was exactly the gentle, comfort read escape I needed when I picked it up.
I also loved how the author wove so much of the 'Kiwi' (aka New Zealander: NOT the fuzzy brown-skinned, green-fleshed fruit!) experience through the story. Speaking as a fellow Aucklander, I can confirm that she's captured the way the rest of the country reacts to us JAFAs perfectly, along with the general feeling of small-town New Zealand.
And I love that she's taken the time and made the effort to spell words in Te Reo Māori (the Māori language) properly, complete with their macrons too. For anyone who's reading from overseas and doesn't know any of the Kiwi terms - either the English ones or the ones in Te Reo - she's included a glossary at the end so you can look things up.
In short, this was a really lovely romance that was just what I needed right now, and I'm more than happy to give it 5 stars. I understand there may well be other books planned in the series, and if so, they'll be going straight on my pre-order list.
OK, first up, I'm going to say that describing a romance as 'sweet and wholesome' wouldn't normally be a plus for me. I hate it when romances are classified as 'clean' because it implies that there's something about including sex in a developing relationship that makes a story 'dirty', and I find that the word 'sweet' is all too often used as code for 'clean' to mean 'a romance with none of that icky, nasty sex stuff in it'
That said, 'sweet and wholesome' are exactly the two words that immediately come to mind after reading Heart & Hearth. Because that's the overall mood of both the story and the softly, naturally blossoming relationship between its two protagonists: Addie and Jonno. And in a real world that's entirely too scary and uncertain right now, this was exactly the gentle, comfort read escape I needed when I picked it up.
I also loved how the author wove so much of the 'Kiwi' (aka New Zealander: NOT the fuzzy brown-skinned, green-fleshed fruit!) experience through the story. Speaking as a fellow Aucklander, I can confirm that she's captured the way the rest of the country reacts to us JAFAs perfectly, along with the general feeling of small-town New Zealand.
And I love that she's taken the time and made the effort to spell words in Te Reo Māori (the Māori language) properly, complete with their macrons too. For anyone who's reading from overseas and doesn't know any of the Kiwi terms - either the English ones or the ones in Te Reo - she's included a glossary at the end so you can look things up.
In short, this was a really lovely romance that was just what I needed right now, and I'm more than happy to give it 5 stars. I understand there may well be other books planned in the series, and if so, they'll be going straight on my pre-order list.
November 30, 2021
I adored the premise of this book, as Addy is graduating from college and facing a lifetime of controlled existence; she inexpicably leaves the graduation queue and makes a run for parts unknown. She travels until her car is dangerously low on gas and she finds herself in a forgotten town in front of a decrepit bed and breakfast with a handsome man.... who knows how to cook!
My only complaint is that she spent the entire book saying that she was planning on going back. It drives me nuts everytime and I am just getting too old for that. Of course, we don't know how much a finance degree would cost in New Zealand, where the book is set. I can tell you, as someone who lives in the United States wa masters in finance would cost you a pretty penny, so just being able to leave felt like massive fiction.
That being said, this book was awesome! I loved the characters and the mystery was intriguing. I love reading about women coming into their power and destiny and this book did not disappoint, except for the main character constant whining about having to return to the real world. As I said, the book is set in New Zealand and incorporates some of the Maori culture, since I enjoy learning about new cultures, I really enjoyed this aspect of it! And the key at the end was extremely helpful and interesting.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
My only complaint is that she spent the entire book saying that she was planning on going back. It drives me nuts everytime and I am just getting too old for that. Of course, we don't know how much a finance degree would cost in New Zealand, where the book is set. I can tell you, as someone who lives in the United States wa masters in finance would cost you a pretty penny, so just being able to leave felt like massive fiction.
That being said, this book was awesome! I loved the characters and the mystery was intriguing. I love reading about women coming into their power and destiny and this book did not disappoint, except for the main character constant whining about having to return to the real world. As I said, the book is set in New Zealand and incorporates some of the Maori culture, since I enjoy learning about new cultures, I really enjoyed this aspect of it! And the key at the end was extremely helpful and interesting.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 9, 2021
Addie finds herself hours from home in the small town of Araporo, New Zealand after she inexplicably and impulsively walked out of and fled her graduate-level graduation ceremony. She ends up outside the Heart and Hearth Bed and Breakfast and makes quick friends of Jonno and Diana. It turns out Addie’s sudden departure from graduation was not so inexplicable after all. Diana used her witchcraft to call Addie to the B&B in the hopes that she may take over as the caretaker after the recent death of the previous caretaker. Addie, who has always denied her witchy-nature, must solve the mystery of the demise of the Heart and Hearth and make some serious life decisions.
This is a wonderful novella by Anna Klein. It has the best elements of mystery, the supernatural, newfound independence and a little Avocado thrown in for good measure. This book was over FAR too quickly and I sincerely hope there will be a sequel!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review from BookSirens. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is a wonderful novella by Anna Klein. It has the best elements of mystery, the supernatural, newfound independence and a little Avocado thrown in for good measure. This book was over FAR too quickly and I sincerely hope there will be a sequel!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review from BookSirens. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 24, 2021
I absolutely loved this cozy gem.
I started reading on release day and only paused at chapter 5 to sleep because it felt like new plot was about to pick up and I knew I wouldn't be able to stop if I kept going.
Very wholesome and, as an Aucklander, very familiar and homely. The romance was sweet and natural.
After getting my hands on a physical copy, I read it again with my son, who was absolutely delighted to discover it was set in NZ.
My son is 8 and enjoyed the magic, descriptions of food, and the cat. He started reading it on the way home from getting the physical copy and enjoyed it so much he completely lost track of time - an unexpected outcome. Although he is not the target audience, and a lot of the romance went over his head, he really attached to the Kiwi familiarity that was sprinkled throughout.
I started reading on release day and only paused at chapter 5 to sleep because it felt like new plot was about to pick up and I knew I wouldn't be able to stop if I kept going.
Very wholesome and, as an Aucklander, very familiar and homely. The romance was sweet and natural.
After getting my hands on a physical copy, I read it again with my son, who was absolutely delighted to discover it was set in NZ.
My son is 8 and enjoyed the magic, descriptions of food, and the cat. He started reading it on the way home from getting the physical copy and enjoyed it so much he completely lost track of time - an unexpected outcome. Although he is not the target audience, and a lot of the romance went over his head, he really attached to the Kiwi familiarity that was sprinkled throughout.
November 6, 2021
A short novel about witches, a B&B, and a town curse.
I enjoyed this book from the aspect that it was light and fun. A food witch was definitely a new concept and seems like it would be pretty handy.
The coming of age part of Addie finding her witch side was really the main focus and heart of the book. I felt that maybe the town curse portion could have been expanded since it seemed to be thrown in and a but rushed. I do know that it was a short novel, but I would have liked more character background on Jonno and Diana. I didn't feel like I got to know them as much as I would have liked.
Overall this was a quick enjoyable book.
I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I enjoyed this book from the aspect that it was light and fun. A food witch was definitely a new concept and seems like it would be pretty handy.
The coming of age part of Addie finding her witch side was really the main focus and heart of the book. I felt that maybe the town curse portion could have been expanded since it seemed to be thrown in and a but rushed. I do know that it was a short novel, but I would have liked more character background on Jonno and Diana. I didn't feel like I got to know them as much as I would have liked.
Overall this was a quick enjoyable book.
I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 7, 2021
What a great introduction to a new series! I absolutely can't wait to see what happens in book two and three and .... This was one of the most satisfying cozy mysteries I've read in a while.
Addie leaves her college graduation feeling an overwhelming need to escape from her family's expectations and to "drive north." What she finds is a run down B & B, an almost forgotten town and an old mystery that just might be exactly what she was really looking for all along.
This is a short, immensely satisfying book, just perfect for a rainy afternoon curled up with a warm drink by the fire.
I received this book as an ARC edition and the opinions expressed are completely my own.
Addie leaves her college graduation feeling an overwhelming need to escape from her family's expectations and to "drive north." What she finds is a run down B & B, an almost forgotten town and an old mystery that just might be exactly what she was really looking for all along.
This is a short, immensely satisfying book, just perfect for a rainy afternoon curled up with a warm drink by the fire.
I received this book as an ARC edition and the opinions expressed are completely my own.
November 2, 2021
This is a quick read that kept me entertained once I got past the local words that I had to look up. This might be a new concept to me only, but I enjoyed the thought of different types of witches and now I really need to find me a food witch. I like how the mystery of the town unfolded and how Addie developed over the couple of weeks after running away from her graduation ceremony. You get a bit of mystery and romance all rolled up into one standalone story with Heart and Hearth.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 7, 2021
Addie was supposed to be on a stage in Auckland receiving her Master's degree. Instead she's in her car driving north to she knows not where. Addie stops at the Heart B&B in Araporo. What she ends up finding there is her heritage - magic. I enjoyed following along as Addie meets Jonno, becomes attracted to him and her to her and their efforts to solve the mystery of Araporo. This is an interesting storyline and I look forward to more stories in this series.
I received an ARC and this is my honest review.
I received an ARC and this is my honest review.
November 17, 2021
This is a great book, I enjoyed it so much! I loved following Addie while she discovers her magic and heritage. I think she should embrace her magic rather than be reticent about it, but that doesn’t take away from the great story. A dash of romance and the adventure of somewhere new make a very satisfying read. This book is super interesting and unique, I couldn’t stop reading! I can’t wait for the next book!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 16, 2024
This story was just so sweet and wholesome and perfect after reading a really intense thriller.
I loved the characters, especially Addie. I was able to relate to her so many times throughout the book.
Addie doesn't know what made her walk out of her graduation and jump in her car and leave. She just knows she had to. When she stops for gas in a small town, she finds she was being called to the Hearth, and the magic that pulled her there is intending for her to be the next hospitality witch and owner of the Hearth BnB.
I've already read book 2 and can not wait for book 3!
I loved the characters, especially Addie. I was able to relate to her so many times throughout the book.
Addie doesn't know what made her walk out of her graduation and jump in her car and leave. She just knows she had to. When she stops for gas in a small town, she finds she was being called to the Hearth, and the magic that pulled her there is intending for her to be the next hospitality witch and owner of the Hearth BnB.
I've already read book 2 and can not wait for book 3!
May 4, 2025
Heart and Hearth by @bonnetpunk
My second AOP read
There is magic in these pages, in more ways than one.
This book was a delight to read. Think cozy paranormal, small town NZ, a unique take on witches, quirky characters, some self discovery and a mischievous feline familiar named Avocado.
Heart and Hearth is an easy, quick, feel-good, comforting read to escape into. With illustrative writing that makes it easy to become immersed in the journey and loveable characters that had me invested in the story. A bit of mystery solving and secrets to keep me gripped and a sweet, slow burn romance I was rooting for. Addie's journey of growth and finding her own right path was uplifting to follow with many reflective moments.
This story made me smile and laugh sprinkled with kiwiisms and nostalgia and my favorite sarcastic humor. I'm so glad I picked up this book at AOP and can't wait to read Heart and Holiday.
My second AOP read
There is magic in these pages, in more ways than one.
This book was a delight to read. Think cozy paranormal, small town NZ, a unique take on witches, quirky characters, some self discovery and a mischievous feline familiar named Avocado.
Heart and Hearth is an easy, quick, feel-good, comforting read to escape into. With illustrative writing that makes it easy to become immersed in the journey and loveable characters that had me invested in the story. A bit of mystery solving and secrets to keep me gripped and a sweet, slow burn romance I was rooting for. Addie's journey of growth and finding her own right path was uplifting to follow with many reflective moments.
This story made me smile and laugh sprinkled with kiwiisms and nostalgia and my favorite sarcastic humor. I'm so glad I picked up this book at AOP and can't wait to read Heart and Holiday.
November 15, 2021
It's always a little hard for me to get into protagonists who don't want to be magical, since don't we all want to be? That being said, while it took me a bit to warm up by the middle and end i was all in.
I enjoyed the characters and a how alive the house felt. It was also a great book to set up what i'm assuming will be a great series. Looking forward to reading more.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I enjoyed the characters and a how alive the house felt. It was also a great book to set up what i'm assuming will be a great series. Looking forward to reading more.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 26, 2021
I really enjoyed this little novella. My favorite cozy mysteries usually involve a witch but I don't understand why someone wouldn't want to have magic??? Hope this becomes a series do we can find out what eventually becomes of the town and the relationships!!! I wish I could the glossary before I finished the book, it would have helped with some of the Australian terms. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 19, 2024
A wonderful book
A really lovely bedtime read. A little town that's dying and a magical house. The original owner Ethel's sister died and grief caused her to want to keep everything as it was causing the entire town to slowly due and it's remaining inhabitants to be miserable. Then three witches come together and look through the town and houses history. I really enjoyed reading this book.
A really lovely bedtime read. A little town that's dying and a magical house. The original owner Ethel's sister died and grief caused her to want to keep everything as it was causing the entire town to slowly due and it's remaining inhabitants to be miserable. Then three witches come together and look through the town and houses history. I really enjoyed reading this book.
November 5, 2021
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
This was a delightful novella. I enjoyed the unique take on witches (and I need to hire a food witch for my house!). It was a great cozy fall read. I can’t wait to read the next book about Christmas at the Hearth. Highly recommend.
This was a delightful novella. I enjoyed the unique take on witches (and I need to hire a food witch for my house!). It was a great cozy fall read. I can’t wait to read the next book about Christmas at the Hearth. Highly recommend.
November 10, 2021
So wonderfully charming and wholesome
Anna's prose skips lightly along with such wit, humour, and charm, that before you realise it, the night has passed and the book has finished! It's the perfect balm to these troubled times, and made me want to find my own kiwi town to run away to!
Anna's prose skips lightly along with such wit, humour, and charm, that before you realise it, the night has passed and the book has finished! It's the perfect balm to these troubled times, and made me want to find my own kiwi town to run away to!
November 16, 2021
Super cute love story, heart warming characters, and interesting plot. I thought that this book was a great “feel good” book. If you like witches and how they discover their magic, the reason they are now n the location they’re in, mixed with a sweet connection between two town newbies you will enjoy this book. I received an advanced copy of this book for my honest review.
November 17, 2021
A well written novella that kept me turning pages. Addie inherits a ramshackle bed and breakfast in a tiny town, there is a magic, mystery, romance, and a spirited cat. This is a new Author to me, I want to read more by her. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 4, 2021
Heart and Hearth: A Contemporary Witchy Fiction Novella by Anna Klein.
This was a fun, quick read! I really like the characters of Addie, Jonna, Diana, and Avocado. Even though it is a novella, it didn’t feel rushed. I can’t wait to read more about what is going on at The Hearth B&B.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This was a fun, quick read! I really like the characters of Addie, Jonna, Diana, and Avocado. Even though it is a novella, it didn’t feel rushed. I can’t wait to read more about what is going on at The Hearth B&B.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 10, 2021
I'm a sucker for witchy books and this one was a delightful one to read. It was a cozy little novel that enlightened you on the trials of people becoming and accepting who they really are and and a supernatural culture.
November 12, 2021
This was adorable, a lovely read for a few hours on a rainy day. I definitely could have read more of it and look forward to others in the series and the continuing development of the main characters' relationship.
November 14, 2021
A little mystery, some surprise turns, a comfortable read with interesting and inviting characters. Very enjoyable.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 14, 2021
This is a wonderful sweet romance/cozy mystery.. I liked it a lot! It is original, fun to read, and heartwarming..
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 22, 2021
Loved everything about this story - characters, setting, storyline and all the witchiness! It was interesting to have some Australian words/descriptions in it. It was a smooth, easy read that I had a hard time putting down!
December 27, 2021
I've really struggled to read this year (well past 2 years really) and this was the balm my soul needed. A short cosy read with some great characters I'm really looking forward to reading more about in the future (hopefully 🤞)
September 28, 2024
This is pure cozy cottagecore vibes, with a solid heart to the story about healing for both the main character and the B&B/Village she's found herself in. Cooking and hospitality magic, yes please! I also definitely now need a cat named avocado.
April 15, 2025
I always love seeing work from nz indie authors, but this book is especially brilliant. I felt I could step into the characters shoes, and walk alongside them through the mysteries in this small town. the pressure from our FMCs mother is all too relatable, and I can wait to read the second book
December 8, 2021
A cozy B&B
an adorable cat
great visuals and a sweet romance kindling
a warm hug of a book
an adorable cat
great visuals and a sweet romance kindling
a warm hug of a book
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews