Ohh, I really liked the book ! It’s a short introduction to the upcoming trilogy which I am eager to read!!
The world is really cozy and whimsical, we are following Tasa and Kovan in his exploration of a world beyond what he knows. (He makes an amazing bread🥖) 🪽✨
And the characters are so cute, I am waiting to discover them even more, what do you mean this was only a 107 pages, I needed more !!

I have not read all the previous books by this author, so I read this as a standalone. The book is lovely, but perhaps the writing style isn't for me. Anyway, thank you for accepting the request. I will try again with other books by this author.

4/5

Thank you so much for providing me with an arc copy of this book in return for an honest review! I'm truly excited to see where this series will move forward to in the future and would love to be able to be an arc reader for any of your future work!

I will say - at the start of this book it seemed very much almost like the Kovan and Tasa were obsessed with each other rather than just curious and intrigued by each other which was slightly off-putting. They have the habit of being very accepting of each other and then very quickly turn a sharp corner and becoming almost enraged by each other which seemed a little strange in my opinion.
Other than this, I found Kovan and Tasa to be unexpectedly relatable! Kovan himself being almost an embodiment of resolve and problem solving but seeming to struggle so much which his place in the world and his ability/willingness to make his own opinions is something I often see in myself so it was super interesting to see how this impacted him/his actions and how he works through this during the book. Meanwhile, Tasa seems to be the complete opposite - even if not by choice - being completely independent to the point where letting other people in to help is seen as only a sign of weakness for her.
It was so fun to see these characters see so many beautiful things about each other while being unable to see the beautiful parts of themselves and then seeing the start of their journey to unravel these negative thoughts about themselves with each other.

Of course, not to mention, the cosy setting mixed with the presence of dragons?? how could you even go wrong there, I loved it!!
Super super excited to see where we go with the future books in this series, I'm intrigued to see if it stays as cosy as this novella or if we step out more into more dangerous teritory. All I know is, I'll be there to read it!

This book is a cinnamon roll wrapped in emotional damage wrapped in a mountain cottage with one bed and the world’s most earnest attempts at baking.

Tasa is my favorite kind of heroine: chill on the outside, emotionally bracing herself for abandonment on the inside, deeply competent except at baking. She lives quietly at the heart of the Quiet Side, sipping tea and enjoying her slice of peace. And then Kovan shows up - grumpy, lost, ex-god-man with an existential crisis.

Their chemistry?? Immediately unhinged, in the best way. Insta-love is so hard to pull off, but Blair NAILS IT. Kovan’s all like “I was the living avatar of a god” and Tasa’s like “Cool, can you bake this loaf without setting the house on fire?” and the man just decides that baking bread for her forever is his new religion. ICONIC BEHAVIOR.

The vibes are soft and intimate, even with the looming threat of sagely doom. Every loaf of bread is a love letter. Every awkward moment is a trust fall. Every time Kovan looks at Tasa like she personally hung the moon? I spontaneously combusted.

Also: the worldbuilding?? Subtle but rich. Imagine a war-torn world with messy politics but instead of saving it with swords and speeches, we’re baking bread, making tea, and building community one awkward conversation at a time. The stakes are lowkey high and the emotional payoff??? Chef’s kiss.

Also cannot WAIT to see more of Zan and the Sage of Wrath in The Quiet Light, this novella has me hooked and ready to stay in this little world!

Things I loved:
🥖 Baking as emotional healing
⚔️ A man who gives up power to become a himbo househusband
🌿 Magic that’s about boundaries, not explosions
👀 Quiet pining and “no one ever stays” angst

Overall?? Adorable, tender, and emotionally satisfying.

This cozy romantasy novella is both heartwarming and quietly powerful. The Quiet Side follows two flawed yet fiercely principled characters—Kovan, a divine avatar stripped of his purpose, and Tasa, a solitary mountain-dweller guarding her sanctuary. When fate strands them together in a remote cottage (yes, there’s only one bed!), what begins as reluctant cohabitation slowly transforms into healing, connection, and a deeper understanding of their own worth.

Casey Blair’s talent for writing nuanced, neurodivergent characters shines here. Tasa and Kovan see the best in each other even when they can’t see it in themselves—and their gentle journey toward change, one loaf of bread at a time, feels intimate and sincere.

This novella is a satisfying glimpse into a rich world full of quiet strength, tender magic, and a promise of something more to come.

⭐ 3.75/5

The Quiet Side is a cozy fantasy with an intense, immediate romance. The presence of dragons adds a charming touch — and honestly, who doesn’t love dragons?

I enjoyed the gentle writing and the idea of the island setting, but I felt like some elements needed more depth. Since this is a prequel, I understand that some things are left open, but I would’ve appreciated more development around Kovan — especially considering he’s on a journey to rediscover his faith. Also, while the romance is central, I didn’t quite feel the chemistry between him and Tasa.

A map and a glossary would have really enhanced the experience, particularly to help understand the sages, the powers, and the priests better. The world is interesting, but I felt a bit lost at times.

Still, the sneak peek at the end made me excited to see where the trilogy goes from here!

OMG

I’M DYING, THIS WAS SO FREAKING AMAZING

First of all, I’m absolutely obsessed!!!!! I’m so grateful for the opportunity to read this arc!

The plot of this book is so amazingly well written.

The characters were so relatable and adorably cute and perfect for each other. I cannot wait to read the next part of this series!

I also absolutely adore the atmosphere and the coziness of this book, so I hope the next books will be as cozy, cute, adorable and have amazingly lovable characters as this one had.

Honestly, even though I hate comparing books and this one honestly doesn’t have many similarities to Legends and Lates I feel like if you’ve read that you will definitely enjoy this one, just because the vibes and the coziness are the same. However I must say that this book feels kind of cozier than Legends and lates.

Overall, if you enjoy cozy fantasy you should definitely check out this one, because this might be the coziest one I’ve read so far.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, so please please please, read it. I’ll seating on the edge of my seat waiting for the next one.

I adored this book.

Tasa and Kovan are wonderful.

Tasa definitely has ADHD and is very competent at many things including building her own house but cannot bake a loaf of bread to save her life.

Kovan is just realising he grew up in a cult that has controlled him his entire life and making a choice for the first time is really hard ok? But he’s also determined to learn how to make bread for Tasa and he WILL get this right!

I really hope we hear more about them in the main series but given it will be 500 years in the future I don’t think we’ll get much.

Absolutely loved this, thank you to the author and publisher to let me read ahead of publication

3.5 stars

This is a short and sweet novella about two unlikely companions: Kovan, the Sage of Resolve, who finds himself questioning the system that he once served, and Tasa, a null, born without magic and shunned by the people of her village.

Much like the title, this is a quiet story of mutual healing, growth and acknowledgement while navigating daily life and building trust through small everyday acts.

The prose is very reflective with an undercurrent of hope and while there’s not much in the way of world building or action, it’s a cosy introduction to a new fantasy series.

⸻

A Gentle, Thoughtful Beginning to a Promising Fantasy Series

“The Quiet Side” is a beautifully written novella; a quiet, introspective introduction to the world of The Sages Sanctuary. Set in a realm ruled by a powerful priesthood who channel the power of the gods through human vessels, the story offers a fresh take on magic, faith, and the abuse of belief.

At its heart are two unlikely companions: Kovan, the sage of resolve, who has lost his conviction in the system he once served, and realizes though he is blessed with a god‘s power, yet unable to cook or care for himself; and Tasa, a free-spirited void—born without magic and shunned for it—who lives alone in her self-built cottage in the remnants of a sanctuary where magic has been silenced.
When their paths cross, what begins as a cautious coexistence slowly turns into mutual healing. Each sees in the other strengths, which they deny to recognize in themselves. Their growing bond, shaped by small moments of trust, is tender and real—rooted not so much in dramatic declarations but in baking bread and daring to sow seeds for the future.

The novella is calm and cozy, with a grounded emotional core and a surprisingly hopeful undercurrent despite the themes of disillusionment and isolation. The prose is reflective and comforting without being overwrought, and the pacing lets the world breathe just enough to intrigue without overwhelming.

As a series opener, it succeeds in sparking curiosity—particularly about the deeper magic system, the lore behind the sages, and, yes, the appearance of a certain dragon. I’m very much looking forward to picking up the next installment and seeing how this quiet sanctuary grows into something more.

If you’re looking for a soft entry into a larger fantasy world, The Quiet Side is worth the read.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest opinion.

A tender, quietly powerful story, The Quiet Side is cozy fantasy at its most heartfelt. With a grumpy-sunshine pairing, a sanctuary in the mountains, and the slow build of intimacy forged through everyday acts, it feels like a warm embrace for anyone who’s ever needed to start over.

The romance is soft and simmering, grounded in shared silences and mutual care rather than grand gestures. There’s only one bed, of course—but what really lingers is how trust is built loaf by loaf, moment by moment. Though the pace is more reflective than plot-driven, the emotional payoff is worth it.

If you’re drawn to quiet stories about finding strength in connection and choosing vulnerability in a world that expects power, this one is a comforting, beautifully told escape.

This was a lovely novella, that felt like a great introduction into a wider world. The romance between Kovan and Tasa, while fast, was sweet, and I was intrigued by the magic system and would definitely be keen to read more stories set in this world.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc of this novel in exchange for an honest review.