The Witch at the Edge of the Wood by Liz Delton is such a good story. 5 star read from me. Lovely book. Lovely characters. Lovely plot! So so good.

I really wanted to love this book, but unfortunately I could not get into it. The premise sounded very enticing, but ultimately this story fell flat. I decided to DNF @ 30%.

✨ 4 stars ✨

Thank you to NetGalley and Tourmaline & Quartz Publishing for the ALC of this witchy cottage core magic!

So I read this book as an ebook and listened to it on Audio!

The Witch at the Edge of the Wood was the perfect cosy fantasy.

The first Act of the book was a little slow, but it set the scene well. It was a short story, but I felt the story was well written and nicely wrapped up. This was technically a novella, but I felt this worked well, building a compelling story.
The FMC was so fun, spirited, and strong. I loved that we had a sentient cottage and a cat companion.

Now audio-specific,

The narration was really good for one female narrator covering a wide variety of voices! I found the narrator did a fantastic job capturing Velina’s personality, her strength, motivation, and depth. I found the pacing in the first Act was slow, but going forward, I found the pacing great and the story was really interesting and had me hooked.

Tropes
No Romance
Cottage core
Sentient magic cottage
Witchy vibes
Found family
Pet familiar

Perfect for Cosy witchy, cottage core vibes.

This was a cute cozy fantasy with a found family trope. Perfect for in between heavier reads. I love that her little cottage was basically a character by itself. Every single character in this novella was so wholesome and endearing. The claim of it giving Howl's moving castle vibes are 100% accurate.

If you want a slower paced, cozy witchy read this is the book for you. I need more from this author asap! I think you'll love this especially in the Summerween time, like late summer.

Also she there is a cat. AND OMG wait there is a bakery on a boardwalk, and the fact she didn't know what palm trees were at first ;w;! (idk it was so endearing lol) ugh the more I think about this story the more I love it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4/5)
Atmospheric, quietly magical, and haunting in all the right ways.
The Witch at the Edge of the Wood is a beautifully written tale that feels like a lost fairytale familiar in rhythm, but full of fresh surprises. Velina is a compelling protagonist, shaped by hardship but driven by quiet hope. Her journey from outcast to the unexpected caretaker of a mysterious cottage kept me turning the pages.
The setting is gorgeously eerie, with the cottage and surrounding wood practically characters in their own right. There’s a strong emotional undercurrent throughout, loneliness, longing, and the timeless theme of wishing for something more.
While the story leans into the whimsical and strange, it’s also grounded by real heart. If you enjoy slow-burn fantasy with a hint of gothic charm and layered character development, this one’s for you.
No spoilers here, but let’s just say: be careful what you wish for indeed.

'The Witch at the End of the Wood' is a cozy cottage core novel. Velina escapes the work factory and begins a search for a witch who can help her. Instead she finds an abandoned house that can grant wishes. Along the way to discovering herself, she finds a found family and a home who respects her for who she is. 4 stars.

Absolutely loved this novella!

It is a sweet little story about finding your place in the world and the importance of being kind and helping others.

The FMC is lovely, frightened and touch starved but achingly honest and kind. The rest of the cast of characters have very nice individual voices and the glimpses of their stories are fantastic.

My only complaint is that it’s only 128 pages long and I would have happily read double or triple of this.

I finished it in about 2 hours.

I hope there’s a sequel one day.

4’3/5⭐️ First of all, thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for an arc of “The witch at the edge of the wood”. What a charming read!! I found Velina’s story very heartwarming and compelling, and i absolutely loved the cottage! I would love to have one for myself 🤭 If you’re looking for a cozy witchy read, i highly recommend this book! 🖤🔮🌳

Couldn’t put it down! I read this entire book in one sitting (minus a few snack and bathroom breaks). I love the characters, the storyline, the banter and the twists and turns. I cannot WAIT for book two!!

Thank you NetGalley and Edwyn publishing for this ARC. All opinions are my own!

While I did enjoy the story, it felt pretty disjointed. The parts didn't seem like they led into each other well, and it felt like the different story lines didn't get into as much detail as they could have. It felt a bit rushed. I really loved all the ideas for the stories, but felt like each part could've been a separate book each practically.

I love cozy fantasy! Velina's journey of creating a real life for herself (with the aid of the witch cottage and friends she makes along the way) was such a fun fantasy journey. Perfect for fans of Legends and Lattes; high fantasy, low stakes.

If you're looking for a cosy, magical book... STOP! Don't look any further cause this is it!

I was immediately charmed by The Witch at the Edge of the Wood, written by Liz Delton and I can recommend this to everyone for reading this lovely story.

A girl who needed help from the witch but only finds the cottage at the edge of the wood, gets help from people who become her new friends, and even the cottage itself is magical.

I really loved this read, I wish to have such an experience myself too... but hey, let a girl dream.

For me this cosy story earns definitely a strong and solid 4-star recommendation!

Thank you Netgalley and Liz Delton for this amazing opportunity and getting this arc, for my honest opinion.

This is the perfect cozy book if you’re in the mood for something short and whimsical. Especially in audiobook format this felt like I was being read a modern fairytale centered around a witch’s origin story. The characters and general premise of the witch’s cottage put a smile on my face.

I generally prefer books with more in depth plots or higher stakes. However, I gravitate towards stories like this when I’ve just finished a darker book or a longer series and need a palette cleanser.

My only complaint is that the pacing felt a little awkward. It’s separated into 3 acts, but it felt more like 3 distinct short stories so there isn’t a major plot that spans across the entire book. However, if you have the expectation of 3 short stories going into it then I think it flows nicely!

Are you looking for cozy? Because this is delightfully cozy.

Velina has escaped from the workhouse in a desperate attempt to find the witch at the edge of the wood. When she finds the witch's cottage abandoned, she quickly realizes that the magic is in the cottage and that she may have to play the role of the witch. Filled with friendship and discovery, this novella is a short and sweet chance to disappear into another land.

This book is a great fit for those who love cozy fantasies. While there are tough topics, namely the workhouse and the abuse that is suffered there, overall, there is a very upbeat tone to the entire book. I look forward to future stories in the series.

Thank you to Net Galley and Tourmaline & Quartz Publishing for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

📚ARC Review 📚Thank you so much to NetGalley and Tourmaline & Quartz Publishing for allowing me the opportunity to read this fun & cozy little fantasy!

I have to admit, this is the first cozy fantasy that I’ve read. That being said, it isn’t the speed that I am used to reading. However, for what it is, it’s a great story! The writing itself was immaculate, and I am excited to read more from this author.

I really enjoyed the “found family” trope and reading about Velina’s journey to carving a path for herself in a world where she felt she didn’t belong.

This book was so adorable! Can I please have a cozy teleporting cottage?

I loved watching Velina find her footing, forge new relationships, and slowly peel back the mysteries surrounding the witch’s cottage. Every character who entered the scene brought a new layer of warmth or intrigue, and it was easy to root for them all.

The atmosphere is where this book truly shines. Delton paints a richly imagined world with comforting, almost tactile detail. Steaming tea, creaking floorboards, soft magic humming through the walls. It felt like pulling on a quilt that remembered its past lives. The pacing is gentle but purposeful, and the threads of injustice, tension, and quiet revenge weave seamlessly into the coziness.

The ending was very satisfying, and I’m so glad this is a series, because I need more time in this world! Velina's story feels like just the beginning, and I can’t wait to see what magic comes next.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Tourmaline & Quartz Publishing, and the author for the e-ARC.

Such a cute little fantasy novella! A quick, fast-paced read, and very reminiscent of the Legends & Lattes books. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a sweet, feel-good story. All the characters are so loveable - It's basically a hug in a book!

The Witch at the Edge of the Wood is a cozy, magical story about a girl who escapes a workhouse and stumbles upon an abandoned cabin in the woods. She decides to stay but after a few odd happenings, she realizes this is not your average fixer-upper cottage... and something magical is definitely going on.

This is a quiet, atmospheric read with soft suspense, slow discovery, and a touch of mystery. There is no epic showdown or flashy spells here—just a gentle unfolding of magic and mood. If you’ve ever dreamed of disappearing into the woods to live your best cottage witch life, this book might be exactly what you’re looking for.

I listened to the audiobook and narrator Deborah Balm was a perfect fit. Her tone captured the mysterious forest witch vibes beautifully.

Tropes/Themes:
Cozy Fantasy
Found Family
Low Stakes
Sentient/Magical House

**Thank you to Tourmaline & Quartz Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.**

✨ Be careful what you wish for… unless it’s a cosy fantasy like this one! 🪄

This was such a charming read. From the moment Velina stepped into the quiet, mysterious cottage on the edge of the woods, I was completely hooked. It has all the ingredients I adore: a pinch of magic, a curious old house, a reluctant heroine with a mysterious past, and a slow, quiet unfolding of something warm and hopeful.

Velina’s journey is gentle and compelling, and the novella’s three-act structure worked beautifully to build a sense of growth, discovery, and quiet transformation. There’s something so comforting about the tone of this story—perfect for fans of Legends & Lattes or Howl’s Moving Castle.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Cosy, magical, and just a little bit wistful. I absolutely adored it and happily recommend it to anyone looking for a comforting fantasy with heart.

Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC! 💛

The Witch at the Edge of the Wood reads like a classic folktale, with a soft, comforting tone that makes it feel timeless. The gentle magic and atmosphere reminded me of Howl’s Moving Castle—quiet but full of heart.

Set in a larger yet familiar fantasy world, the story is low-stakes but deeply satisfying. It’s the kind of novella that makes you want to curl up with a blanket and root for the characters. Despite its shorter length, it feels full-bodied and complete, telling a heartwarming tale about finding yourself, your people, and a place to belong. The pacing is just right, and the ending leaves you with a quiet sense of peace.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Victory Editing for the opportunity to read this book!

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