Thank you so much for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. This book was a cute and quick read, offering a charming introduction to what promises to be a whimsical series. The quirky characters, an unlikely yet endearing pair, added a delightful dynamic to the story. While I found myself wishing for a bit more depth and substance, that sense of wanting more makes it a fitting prequel and sets the stage nicely for future installments. I will be looking forward to what is coming next in the Sage's Sanctuary series.

The Quiet Side was exactly the cozy romantasy novella I needed. Kovan, once a powerful avatar of a god, is now lost without his magic, and seeing him navigate life in Tasa’s quiet sanctuary felt so tender. Tasa is warm, competent, and refreshingly grounded – her gentle strength balanced Kovan’s confusion and vulnerability so beautifully. I loved how their bond developed through simple things like cooking, chores, and quiet moments by the fire, with just the right amount of steam woven in.

The only-one-bed trope in a forest cottage? Perfection. There’s something deeply comforting about two broken yet good-hearted people finding each other away from the chaos of the world. I also enjoyed the hints of danger with the priests and the subtle magical tension that added stakes without overshadowing their emotional journey.

Overall, The Quiet Side felt like being wrapped in a warm blanket with tea on a rainy day – soft, romantic, and full of hope. I can’t wait to read the full Sage’s Sanctuary series.

Resolve. A strong word, and a powerful character trait. To be able to reach decisions firmly, decisively. To have that as a Divine Power... the things one could accomplish. Make or break wars. Build or tear down walls. Start or end revolutions. But... what about when your Power is controlled by others? What is resolve when it has never been your own?

When an avatar of a god, the Sage of Wrath, revolts by erecting a magical barrier, resulting in a magical dampening field known now as The Quiet Side in which she hides, the priesthood sends its most powerful Sage, Kovan of Resolve, to undo her work. But as Kovan finds himself sympathetic to Wrath's rebellion, his resolve wavers, rendering him without the power to do what he was sent to do. A dragon in human form walks up to meet him, realizing this Sage is on a personal precipice. The dragon offers to fly him into The Quiet Side. Kovan realizes the moment his Resolve faltered, he'd already made that decision: “Please.”

Meanwhile, Tasa makes her way back up to her crooked little cabin on a mountain, and discovers a handsome stranger in her little sanctuary. She's shocked to learn he's a harmless Sage who has no place to go, but even more shocked to discover this man has a grand total of zero basic life skills. Well... she figures he can help her by learning to bake bread, and she can teach him the way of life. Thus begins a sweet cozy fantasy novella, the prequel of a forthcoming series.

I went into this a bit blind. Of course I'd done a bit of research into the author, Casey Blair, and figured her work would be a good match with what I usually read. So I was excited to pick this up. But I wanted to let myself be surprised, and novellas are a perfect way to get acquainted with a new-for-me author.

The Quiet Side is absolutely wonderful, an endearing appetizer. My experiences with cozy fantasy as a genre have been a bit of a mixed bag. Often the stakes are low, but... too low, the emphasis put on a cute atmosphere. I do need at least medium stakes in order for a book to be enjoyable, no matter how lovely and quirky the smells and lighting and seasons and cinnamon buns are. The Quiet Side has that balance I need: the plot is exciting (chapter one immediately sucked me in) while the overall approach to the story still makes it something I consider a comfort read.

Kovan's crisis of faith has consequences that they have to deal with: Casey Blair doesn't just let him hide away from the priests and be done with it.

The cozy here is found in their interactions rather than descriptions of comfortable surroundings, and it just works so well for me. Yes, Kovan learns to bake bread, and that's adorable in and of itself, but it's the way he's incredibly gentle with his female host, as she navigates her neurodivergent traits, that has me feeling all sorts of fuzzy. Probably because I have ADHD myself. I feel so validated by how Kovan lifts Tasa up and makes her feel capable, valuable – it's nice to read a fictional story that's enjoyable, and at the same time makes a reader feel very much seen and understood by the author. Tasa in turn swoons over him, but is very much her own person, and despite him being a Divine Avatar, there's absolutely no skewed power dynamic. Their romance is quick, but that's to be expected in a novella and very much fine because it's done convincingly. These characters understand each other and communicate well, and it makes sense for them to have a deep connection quickly. A bit of spice (also welcome in a cozy fantasy!) solidifies their chemistry. (And it's gooooood spice, too.)

I would have liked a little more clarity on the Sage system itself. I have a lot of questions about the gods, other sages, their powers and the Priesthood. But I expect that to come up later and my interest is peaked. Prequel novella mission accomplished! Gimme more! 

The prequel of course also functions to give us a preview of the upcoming series' protagonists: the dragon and the (only mentioned for now) Sage of Wrath. The Quiet Side doesn't spend too much time on them, but gives us a taste by subtly hinting to there being more between the two of them that I can't wait to explore in Sage's Sanctuary's first full novel. If their romance is as well put together and swoonworthy as the whirlwind romance between Kovan and Tasa, with THEIR limited word count... we're going to be in for a lovely multiple full-length book romantasy ride when the first installment comes out in 2026! 

Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for generously providing me with a copy of this book; all opinions expressed are honest, voluntary and 100% my own.

I was so excited to learn that this is a prequel to a series! Here we get a glimpse into a world torn apart by magical influence and those who are vying for power. Tucked away where there is no access to magic we find a sage who has no survival skills without magic and a young woman who kind of reminds me of Tinkerbell from the movies where she can basically do everything but remember to feed her sourdough starter. Honestly, same! The house is crooked, the love story is a whirlwind and every time you want to quote Kristoff from Frozen about how they just met and they're already moving so fast, the characters chime in about it -- so I totally feel validated and charmed! Absolute gem and I can't wait for the rest of the series!

The Quiet Side is a gentle, very short novella (about 107 pages) that serves as a small window into Casey Blair’s Sage’s Sanctuary world — here we have a cozy fantasy with a dragon, a sage (living avatar of the gods), and a quiet cottage where magic has been muted.

I really enjoyed the initial atmosphere: the opening felt promising, with a sense of magic and the brink of a world-shattering tragedy. Sage Kovan is an intriguing character — a resigned yet caring figure who finds unexpected refuge with Tasa, a sunshine soul who brings warmth into his grumpy world. I liked the symbolic gestures of care — bread, shared meals, small domestic moments that give the story its cozy foundation.

The worldbuilding is intriguing — sages, priests, dragons, sanctuaries — but with so few pages, some details and plot threads remained a bit unclear, and I felt many questions were left unanswered. I believe that’s intentional, as this novella acts more like a small glimpse into the upcoming series rather than a full standalone.

I also felt the story struggled with pacing: for such a short novella, it’s hard to fully develop a slow-burn romance and deep worldbuilding. Some transitions felt abrupt, and the tone sometimes shifted from lyrical to too modern, which occasionally broke my immersion.

Still, the idea of the Quiet Side (and the cottage) — a haven of stillness, love, and second chances — is touching and resonates with what I love about cozy fantasy: a gentle retreat from the world. I wish the one-bed trope and the chemistry had more room to develop, as they lacked the emotional depth we often seek in Romantasy, but I see it as a promising start for the full series. I’d love to see these characters and this world explored further.

This novella is a short yet tender glimpse at a magical sanctuary — perfect if you want a bite-sized, romantic, and cozy read with dragons, bread, and hope.

⭐️ Rating: 3 stars
🌶️ Spice level: 1.5 out of 5

Many thanks to NetGalley, the author Casey Blair, and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the opportunity to read this ARC for an honest review. I look forward to seeing where the Sage’s Sanctuary series goes next — I believe this world has a lot to share.

This was great prequel read that definitely made me want to read the rest of the series! This is very much a story leading toward domestic bliss while setting up the general rules of the fantasy setting. I loved that Tasa is very clearly neurodivergent, and Kovan sees all the best she is and can be. I’ll definitely be reading the rest of the series!

I went back and forth on this one. On the one hand, The Quiet Side is full of charm. The world feels fresh and original. The characters are quirky and compelling. There’s a cozy, comforting quality to the story that pulled me in. But on the other hand, I spent the first chunk of the book confused about what exactly I was reading. It opens in a way that feels like you're being dropped into a world you're already supposed to know, and I didn’t.

That disorientation faded once the plot shifted into its second act, which required less immediate backstory. From there, the book became easier to follow, but I still felt like I was only scratching the surface. I wanted more depth, more history, more time. The characters are interesting enough that I wanted to spend more of the book getting to know who they were before we met them. I especially found myself wishing we had gotten to see Tasa’s childhood rather than just being told about it. The emotional beats landed, but they would have hit even harder with more time and texture behind them.

After finishing, I took another look at the listing on NetGalley and saw that this is a prequel novella to an upcoming series. That helped things click into place. This isn’t meant to be a fully fleshed-out standalone novel. It’s a teaser, a slice of the world before the main story begins. With that in mind, the limited scope made more sense, but I still think the author missed an opportunity to dig deeper. There’s such rich potential here.

Tonally, it’s an interesting blend. It has all the trappings of cozy fantasy, but there’s also some romantic spice, which is rare in the subgenre and honestly kind of refreshing. That said, there were moments where the intensity of the romantic stakes required a little too much suspension of disbelief. These characters are ready to sacrifice everything for each other after knowing one another for about 48 hours, and while the book does poke fun at itself for that, it still felt rushed.

All that said, I’m genuinely intrigued by this world and these characters. Casey Blair has laid a promising foundation here. If you’re into cozy fantasy, if you like character-focused stories and original magic systems, I think this series has the potential to really shine once it launches in full. This prequel left me wanting, but in a way that makes me curious for what’s next.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

This was a cute quick read. Relationship develops a little quicker than I would like but being around 100 pages it’s to be expected. It was a nice easement into the world the author is creating for the series and I’m looking forward to reading more.

THE QUIET SIDE BY CASEY BLAIR: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

This was a fun little novella about magic, quaint cottages, and individual growth. Quick read, prequel to an upcoming series set 500 years after this. Personally I feel like it was under utilised and the pacing was funky, but as a novella that's bound to happen. Sure the actual novel series will clarify and expand on the world !

I like this book, but the author kind of just drops you in and takes you for a ride and you gotta hope to understand what is happening. It is a easy and quick read, but there were also moments where I was like 'what is happening?'

This was a fascinating start to a new series. I loved the way that the magic system was set up. The characters were very interesting and felt genuine. Because this is a novella there isn't a whole lot of depth to things but I am really excited for book one to see how the events play into the series!

The Quiet Side was everything I love in a cozy fantasy romance—warm, introspective, and quietly powerful. The story follows Tasa, a bright, curious woman who’s made a peaceful life for herself in a remote mountain sanctuary. Her world is upended when Kovan, a former avatar of a god and literal embodiment of resolve, shows up stripped of his magic and unsure of how to live without it.

I loved the dynamic between Tasa and Kovan—she’s sunshine and spontaneity, he’s all brooding and structure. Watching them slowly build trust (and bake bread) while navigating their emotional baggage was so satisfying. The setting is intimate and magical, and the stakes feel deeply personal, even as danger looms from the outside world.

This book is tender, thoughtful, and full of heart.

Kovan is a Sage and was tasked with taking down the magic dampening field, but when he falters and decides to be whisked away by a dragon into the Sanctuary, he meets Tasa, a null. And stays with her to learn how to live without magic.

This was a very cozy and romantic read. Very quick, but gave me all the cozy, fuzzy feels I love, plus a grumpy dragon and a grumpy Sage along with a rather sunshine-filled female MC made for an entertaining read! Grumpy/sunshine is one of my favorite tropes, and this book delivered.

Even the cover gives cozy feels! I love that this is a prequel introducing us to a world and some characters in future books that I look forward to reading one day! I especially need those books since this didn’t expound much on the world, but I’m sure later books will have more detail. This seemed like a nice introduction to the world and the characters.

Definitely check this one out if you love cozy fantasy romance reads!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thankyou to netgally for providing me with an arc.

This prequel was so cute and I found both characters were really enjoyable to read about. With it being so short the relationship moved quickly, however the author done this really well.

The writing style was great and really easy to read. I am interested to see how the main trilogy plays out.

3.5 stars

With dragons, magic, and corruption comes conflict, yet this cozy fantasy prequel focuses on growth and healing instead of the darker side of power struggles. If you're needing a dose of positivity, this is a quick and easy read that will leave you feeling hopeful.

Kovan is the Sage of Resolve, but his sense of self crumbles when faced with a task that doesn't seem quite right. After escaping with the help of Zan, a powerful dragon, he is left full of doubt and without any understanding of how the world truly works. Luckily, he meets Tasa, an ADHD coded character who is fighting her own issues with self worth and healthy boundaries. Together, they might just figure things out...

This is a love at first sight story, and while it definitely feels a little rushed and shallow at points, I didn't really mind as it was so sweet and genuinely uplifting. Yes, it's saccharine. Yes, it's overly simplifying the daily battles of ADHD. Yes, the plot is basically nonexistent. But it is such a lovely experience all the same.

I will say the switch to the spicy scene 75% in felt really jarring. It was as if it belonged to a totally different book. I like how it fed into both of their worries though and helped build further trust in one another.

I'm intrigued to see what the new series will be about and how it will develop. I'm curious about the world as a whole as the power dynamics between the priests, dragons, and 'normal' people were hinted at and seem a bit complicated. I also can't wait to see the relationship between Zan and Yara - and hopefully there are continued appearances from Tasa and Kovan too as I really liked their characters!

Reading The Quiet Side felt like stepping into a calm, quiet world where every small moment counts. The story isn’t about big events or fast action, but about two people slowly finding each other and learning to trust in a gentle, realistic way. I appreciated how the characters felt human and a bit awkward, which made their connection feel honest and relatable. The peaceful mountain setting added a cozy touch that suited the tone perfectly.

That said, I did find the pace quite slow, and it took me a little time to get comfortable with the writing style. The focus on dialogue and introspection means it’s not for everyone, if you prefer something more dynamic, this might feel a bit flat. Still, for those who enjoy a quiet, thoughtful romance with depth, it’s a sweet, warm read. Huge thanks to NetGalley for the early copy; this didn’t change my true opinion.

When the Sage of Wrath creates a magical dampening field, Kovan, the Sage of Resolve finds himself in the Quiet when he puts his trust in a Dragon. He is completely lost as he has no experience in taking care of himself and doesn’t know how to perform even the most basic of tasks, leaving him feeling hopeless and useless, which is in direct contrast to his magic. Luckily, he finds refuge with a Null named Tasa who is willing him to teach him how to survive in this new world.

Tasa has her own insecurities, as a Null she is without magic and nullifies magic around her, making her an outcast in this world. But with the dampening effect place on the island by the Sage of Wrath, she has an advantage for the first time and with her generous spirit she willingly offers to teach Kovan how to fend for himself.

I am torn about this book, while is a sweet story of healing and mutual support, I didn’t like the dual First-Person Narrative and didn’t feel as if the author gave me a clear understanding of the world or the romance she was building. I realize this is a prequel to a new series, but I felt like the author missed an opportunity to draw me in to this magical world. Overall, it was an OK read, and while I didn’t care for the writing style, if you like FPN, you might like this book more than I did.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

Looking for a cozy romantasy with a hint of spice? The kind that will have you kicking your legs up in bed and squealing? This is the book for you. Not only is it such a good story but it actually has quite a bit of messages/advice. As someone with ADHD I felt like I could relate to the FMC always getting distracted. However this book proves this isn’t a weakness. I truly loved this book and am excited for the next one.

Thank you to Casey Blair, Victory Editing, and Netflix Galley for this ARC book!

⭐️- Worldbuilding
What a world! The aspect of an avatar for the gods’ divine vessel was so compelling to me. The use of “Sage” and “Learned” honorifics are well utilized, and I enjoy the priesthood foundation of the story. I was also interested in the idea of nullifying magic. I thought the concept was something to definitely continue fleshing out! Overall, I know the point of the story is the romance, but I would’ve loved some more of the world building aspects. The magic system is so wonderfully unique, that I wish we could’ve learned more about the world, the priesthood, the specific specialties of the characters, and so on. Learning that this is a prequel to a series coming out later, I’m eager to pick up the next series and learn more!

⭐️- Character Development
Overall the characters are very enjoyable, especially in their given circumstances. That being said, some of the characters tend to rush through their emotions so quickly. I felt like I was watching a speed run of fighting to lesson learning in the span of a few pages. However I think there’s such a quality of raw humanness to it, that it did not so much bother me. The dynamic between these two characters was overall extremely healthy, and something I wish we saw in more romances. I really appreciated that these characters were not toxic towards one another, generally wanted the best for each other no matter what stage in their relationship they were, and were not possessive of each other in a harmful way. Especially in a shorter story like this, the pacing of the relationship was stellar.

⭐️- Plot
Something that I took away from this book was that nothing is an exact science. You can’t measure emotions, nor bread! You must keep trying for what is right for you. This book had a lot of great imagery surrounding growing a seed, and how you must plant a seed to begin anew. I think this is the exact perfect imagery for the book. I also think this book does a decent job with establishing a plot as well as a romance. I just felt the plot was a little lacking considering the amount of effort with the romance. That isn’t a bad thing at all, especially given the nature of the book!

⭐️-Writing
The author’s voice is strong! I just know it is just a bit much for me personally. It isn’t a bad thing, I just know there is a very wide audience who would very much so enjoy it! It’s also a first person narrative which has always been a sticking point for me, and likely contributed to my feelings on the matter. That being said, the author has some profoundly beautiful quotes within the book that had me setting my phone down a moment to appreciate it. The sweet bits of romance were tender and endearing, and felt they did well to compliment the characters involved. On the other hand, although I knew going into it that this might be a steamy book, I didn’t think it was necessary at all. The book itself reads as teen romantasy, that the sexual encounter comes completely out of left field. Overall, a very enjoyable book nonetheless!

Thank you again for the ARC book! It was such a pleasure to read.

This is such a wholesome and short prequel that focused on our two main characters journey to find their purpose, believe in themselves, and try to build a life together.

The Positive: I really liked the magic, character growth, and the cozy warm feelings that this story gave! I also really love the idea of the sanctuary 🥹🐉🪄

The Negative: I did struggle a bit getting used to this writing style, and in the beginning I found the characters to both be frustrating.

Overall my reading experience was a good time and I look forward to exploring this world more in the rest of the series!

⭐️⭐️⭐️

🖤Thank you NetGalley for this eARC!