This was one of the most cozy, heartwarming books I've read in a while. There was something about Velina and her soft ways which made her such an enjoyable character to follow through her journey of found family and finding a place to call home.

We first meet Velina as she is on the run from the workhouses which have conscripted her to work since she was a child. She knows nearly nothing about her past but she stands out due to her silvery hair and pointed ears showing her to be fae-touched. While in the workhouses, she heard of a witch in the woods who could grant wishes and she only wants to be free and to have the ability to make choices for her own future. However, when she finds the witches hut, it appears abandoned, with few things within. So, she settles in with hopes the witch may return and may not be too angry for her trespassing.

As time passes, she tries to pass as the witch of the hut but ends up making friends and even a familiar. She also learns a few fun things about the hut itself and how things are not always as they seem.

I love the whimsy and low stakes of this story where the biggest obstacle really is Velina's own confidence in herself and her ability to trust other people. The characters are charming and I really hope we get to enter this world again in the future.

A whimsical short audiobook that is narrated perfectly. Very similar in tone to Legends and Lattes. Our main character goes to find the Witch in the Woods and finds much more than she bargained for. A cottage that is much more than it seems is the real main character of this book. I was left wishing that I lived there with the ragtag group that forms the core of this book.

A slight romance threads its way through the narrative, a gorgeous bakery with the sweetest owners will have you loving the side characters and a mystery will keep you reading. I wish that it had been a bit longer to flesh out the characters more and give the story threads a bit more but this was a perfect little palate cleanser read.

This was a very sweet, quick, cosy read!
I loved the characters in this book, especially our main character and also loved the magic of the cottage, which feels like a character in itself.

I really enjoyed the world and the plot and would’ve loved this as a full length book to really dig into it all even more! But I’m interested to see where the story goes next.

2.5
I don't think this book was for me. I wouldn't say its bad, it's more of this very low stakes cozy fantasy not being my thing. If you are into that I think you might enjoy this. It follows Velina who seeks refuge in a magical cottage and now finds herself having to pretend to be a witch. The production of the audio book was good and the narrators performance really suited the story.

I received the ALC for The Witch at the Edge of the Wood, and it was an absolute delight to listen to. Cozy, atmospheric, and just magical enough — this novella felt like being told a fairytale in the softest, most soothing voice.

I’ve always had a soft spot for reluctant heroines, and the protagonist here hit all the right notes. The narration was gentle and expressive, perfectly matching the tone of the story and enhancing the quiet magic of the forest setting.

The pacing worked really well in audio format — nothing too rushed, but never dragging either. It felt like taking a walk through an enchanted wood, where every turn holds a little wonder or wisdom.

Highly recommend if you’re in the mood for a comforting, witchy listen with strong cottagecore vibes.

Thank you to the publisher for the ALC!

A very cute, casual read. It reminds me a bit of Legends And Lattes in terms of stakes and vibes. For some reason it's also giving me a bit of "Foeksia de miniheks" vibes, but for teens and adults.

I love the audio narrator and writing style, since it's very easy to still follow everything when multitasking.

This one was SO cozy, When I was first checking out this audio ARC I wasn't sure how into it I was going to get. SOmetimes short fantasy's can be hard to fully immerse yourself in their magic and world building. This one was a breeze!
Velina was a FMC that you grew with, Her demeanor was so easy to follow within her journey.
Deborah Balm was an amazing narrator to listen, her inflection of the characters practically made me finish in one sitting!

Thank you to NetGalley and Tourmaline & Quartz Publishing for the ARC!

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.

Not a huge fan of the narrator and did have to up the speed to 1.5 but nice to listen to as I reread the novella

Thank you, NetGalley and Tourmaline & Quartz Publishing for the ALC in exchange for an honest review!

This was such a cute and cozy little audiobook.

The book follows Velina who is on the run from the workhouse she escaped from, searching for help from the witch at the edge of the wood. She finally finds the witch’s cottage but it’s been abandoned. Suddenly Velina is stepping in as the witch and helping people who come knocking at her door.

This is probably the coziest, lowest stakes, most wholesome fantasy I’ve read. If you’re looking for something that reads like you’re curling up with a warm blanket and a cup of tea, this will definitely scratch that itch. As soon as I finished this book I curled up on my couch to play one of my favourite cozy games where you collect ingredients and make potions to help the locals.

This book felt like a hug. The narrator, Deborah Balm, was awesome and her voice was so soothing and melodic that I would love to listen to her again. Also I am such a fan of this series and can't wait to read more of Liz Delton's books. Fantasy can be so hard for me to listen to because of all the details, but this book had a good amount of world building without having to keep track of everything all at once.

The Witch at the Edge of the Wood is book #1 in the Cozy Cottage series by Liz Delton. Narrated by Deborah Balm.

Velina escapes from a workhouse to find the witch on the edge of the wood, who could grant her wish to give her a normal life. Because of her distinct hair and ears, she’s been treated badly and passed from workhouse to workhouse her entire life. When she gets to the witch’s house, it’s abandoned, but someone comes looking for the witch. She agrees to help him though she’s not the witch. She makes herself at home at the cottage and that’s where the fun starts. I had no idea what to really expect from this book. It just sounded intriguing and I wanted to check it out. Velina meets many interesting individuals who help her adjust to life outside the workhouse. I didn’t realize until I got to the end that this was the first book in the series. It wrapped up nicely so had this been the only book, it would’ve been a satisfying ending, but there are so many more opportunities for what can happen! I’m anxiously awaiting the next book.

I really enjoyed the narration by Deborah Balm. She really brought the characters to life, and I was totally engaged while listening to this audiobook.

Thank you to the author, Tourmaline & Quartz Publishing LLC, and NetGalley for the Advanced Listener Copy (ALC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

'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. I truly enjoyed the narrator as well. 4 stars.

Witch at the Edge of the Wood is a sweet, cozy fantasy about finding your place.
Velina runs away from the workhouse to seek help and a new life from the witch at the edge of the wood. Finding the witch gone, she moves into the witch’s magical cottage. (Magical cottage!)

I really enjoyed this audiobook. The narrator, Deborah Balm, was very good. There’s no romance, but Velina finds some good friends, learns the joy of helping others and figures out what she wants from life. It’s a gentle, sweet story told in three acts. If you liked Legends and Lattes or The House in the Cerulean Seas you should give this a try.

I got this as an arc audiobook from Netgallery, as it sounded like an interesting read that was cosy and something I would enjoy.

I found this to be a super cute cosy read that was just a fun time, I really enjoyed the different characters and storyline, it was a fab found family and self discovery with a cute fantasy vibes. I found the narrator really fit the story and was able to express the different emotions that were involved with the storyline.

Synophis
Be careful what you wish for; you might just get it.

Velina has escaped the workhouse on the hunt for one thing: the witch who can grant her wish to live a normal life. Born with silver hair and noticeably pointy ears, she's passed from workhouse to workhouse since she can remember—shunned for her mysterious heritage.

But the witch’s cottage she finds at the edge of the wood is abandoned, and as soon as she starts making herself at home, someone else comes calling: a noble with a wish of his own. With the promise of his coin, she agrees to help him, when she starts noticing something strange about the cottage.

Velina must find a way to help the noble, and others who come calling—but can she help herself?

I really enjoyed this cosy fantasy read and look forward to what will be coming next within the series.

Velina has escaped the horrible work house conditions that have been her existence as long as she can remember. She’s come seeking the witch, to wish for a better life. But the cottage is empty. And someone else had arrived too, also seeking help. Velina assumes the identity of the witch she came looking for in order to help her fellow seeker and in an attempt to achieve the better life she so desperately needs.

Somewhere in the pages I found peace. This book is low stakes and cozy. I found myself looking forward to diving back in at the end of every work day, and was sad when I had finished it. This book is now a favorite and I highly recommend.

This was a delightful cozy fantasy treat! Alas, I too wish I could dwell in a magical cottage and befriend the local baker! If you want to escape real life, this is perfect.

This story is rather fast paced and none of the plot points last very long, but that’s expected from a novella. The cozy vibes were immaculate, and there was plenty of feel-good themes, such as the importance of friendship. Bonus tidbits that I enjoyed were the potion-making, popular foot cream, knitting mention, and Silverweed the cat!

I listened to the audio version, and the narrator did a great job! She really suited the story and add to the fantasy fairy tale vibes!

Thank you to NetGalley and Tourmaline & Quartz Publishing for the ALC!

The Witch at the Edge of the Wood is a very low-stakes cozy fantasy that fans of the genre are sure to enjoy. The book follows Velina, a fae-touched woman who has escaped her terrible job at the workhouse. Through a series of vignettes, we see Velina take over an abandoned witch's cottage, make new friends, and face minor challenges both alone and with her new friends. Deborah Balm's delightful narration contributes to the cozy feel and makes this short read all the more enjoyable.

4.5/5 ⭐

✨Cozy vibes, magical cottages, and the slowest softening of a guarded heart.
The Witch at the Edge of the Wood is a short and sweet novella that gave me exactly what I was craving — soft fantasy, a heroine with sharp edges, and a little magic tucked between the pages like a secret.

We follow Velina, a girl running from a life that’s done nothing but try to break her. She’s Faerun, which in her world is enough to get you pushed aside, hidden away, and treated like a threat. So when she stumbles on a strange cottage in the woods, something old and enchanted and slightly alive… well, of course, I was immediately hooked.

Velina’s mistrust and closed-off nature felt so real — the way trauma echoes in how we let (or don’t let) people in. But what I loved most was how she started to find purpose again through helping others. There’s no grand chosen-one arc here. Just small kindnesses, slowly rebuilding herself, and learning to reach for connection when it’s offered. Found family? Yes please. Always.

The worldbuilding is soft around the edges, just enough to hold the story together, which honestly works. It’s not trying to be epic fantasy. It’s cozy, low-stakes, and emotionally rich in a way that makes you want to stay curled up inside it.

I listened to the audiobook, and Deborah Balm’s narration was a perfect match. Calm, a little wistful, and completely in tune with the tone of the story. If you enjoy stories that feel like fairytales for grown-ups — with just enough ache and hope to keep you feeling — this one’s a lovely way to spend an afternoon.

Read if you love:
🪄 Magical homes with secrets
🌙 Soft, quiet fantasy
🫖 Healing through kindness
🏡 Found family in unexpected places

Thank you to NetGalley for the ALC — I’ll definitely be watching for the next book in the series.

This was a sweet, short, cosy fantasy. I think it would work well as a palette cleanser between longer, more emotionally taxing books. However, I felt as though the plot was quite simple and the characters lacked depth. The narration was also quite juvenile, it felt like the narrator was reading a story to little children. I don't think I'll be reading any more in this series.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the audio review copy in exchange for my honest review.

The Witch at the Edge of the Woods is a short and sweet cozy novella that offers a gentle escape from heavier reads. It’s the perfect literary palate cleanser—ideal for days when you want to enjoy a story without getting pulled into cliffhangers or complex plot lines.

Velina, the story’s quiet but warm-hearted protagonist, finds the sense of family and belonging she’s always longed for in a setting that feels like a soft, magical retreat. There’s no elaborate twist or tension—just a satisfying, peaceful journey of connection and comfort.

The audiobook narrator brings a soothing, storybook quality to the tale, with a voice and cadence reminiscent of a children's TV presenter. While this tone made the story feel a bit younger than I think it was intended, it didn’t detract from the experience. In fact, her performance was excellent—well-paced, engaging, and full of character.

If you’re looking for something light, cozy, and heartwarming to relax with, The Witch at the Edge of the Woods is a lovely choice, especially for fans of gentle fantasy with found-family themes.