This was such a fun and magical time!
I was hooked from the beginning, and I loved every moment of this story.

Thorn Scarhart is a witch that is obsessed with having her own love, so much so that she’s spent years perfecting her mothers true love potion! When things get wild during her latest attempt, she ends up traveling 350 years into the future with her cat and a cursed frog (yes she turns someone into a frog 😂😂).

Once in the 21st century, we experience her charming and funny self love journey as well as her discovery of what love really means. The romance is a sweet slow-burn and the character development that Thorn experiences is well done!

Overall this was such a refreshing, and well-written cozy romance that I definitely recommend 😊 4.5 ⭐️

Thank you NetGalley for this arc!

Thank you to Saga Press/Netgalley for the advanced copy.

This is a 3.5 star for me.

I enjoyed this. It is a cozy, fun rom com with a fun spin on the world of dating.

I enjoyed watching Thorn go from matchmaking to online dating. It was also a joy to read about her experiences with modern day technology.

This was a light hearted read that was a great palette cleanser in between two very "heavy" books.

I wish there would have been a bit more of a climax when it came to her past and present colliding but there are no holes in the story, which I can appreciate. No untied ends.

Also loved reading about an older MMC looking for love. I have a hard time reading about high schoolers and college loves. Great to read about someone my own age finding love.

Thank you to Net Galley for this ARC copy!

This story dives into the life of 17th century witch Thorn Scarhart. Still single at 39 years old she is desperate to find love, turning to potions to help. When her spell goes haywire and sends her 350 years into the future pure chaos ensues. I truly enjoyed reading Thorn’s character development. The banter between her, the frog, Bandit and the other cats had me giggling. A refreshing, cozy read that really draws you in. Just as Bandit demands more treats, I demand more Thorn and Walls.

This was such a cozy, magical read! It was full of potions, witches, cats, wishes, and comedy. This story wasn’t just an ordinary read, it was one of a kind. It had humor and romance. I was fully immersed while reading it. I love all the characters, including the minor characters that were involved. I especially loved her cat named Bandit and his witty personality. I loved Thorn and her trying to understand modern technology as she time traveled into the future!

An Ancient Witch’s Guide to Modern Dating is about a thirty-nine year old witch named Thorn, who is eager to find love in the 17th century. She gathered ingredients to make love potions, but none of them worked for her. However, one of her potions that she made ended up going completely wrong and she was time traveled into 350 years into the future! She is now a modern witch, who is still trying to find her one true love.

This book left me feeling joyful and I am grateful to have read such a beautiful story! I give this book a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars! I highly recommend this to anyone that loves reading a fun and cozy fantasy book!

Thank you to NetGalley, author Cecilia Edward, and S&S Saga Press for this digital advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

This was such a cute take on modern dating. A 39 year old woman from the 1600s is a witch of her time that just wants to be left alone to work on her potions in the forest. However she finds herself in the modern era of dating, friendships, and an internal reflection that had a much darker connection than I anticipated coming! It was so funny to see the MC’s narration to modern dating woes, as well as the surprise and bemusement at modern technology. It was such a cute fun read!

This book was a cozy delight! I love witches and the potions were so fun. Bandit is a great familiar and was a great addition to the story. Thorn is a very relatable witch and I loved the witty moments. The dating apps and navigating the modern world after time traveling was my favorite part about the book. It didn’t make me laugh out loud like some other reviewers said, but it was definitely enjoyable. I think this is a great year round read and not just for fall time. There were some more serious moments like with Thorn’s sister, and it added just enough conflict to keep you reading without taking from the cozy moments in the book. Overall, I’d recommend to a friend!!

4.5 Stars

Thorn Scarhart is a 17th century witch, who has been unlucky in finding love. Now before her 40th birthday she is determined to perfect one of her love potions, and have the next man picked by the local matchmaker fall in love with her. Unfortunately, the potion doesn’t work the way it’s supposed to and Thorn ends up 350 years in the future. Her cottage from the 1600s has been turned into a historical site, and Thorn finds herself surrounded by all of the conveniences of the modern world. After some time getting used to her new surroundings, she discovers things might not be so bad, until she joins the online dating scene, starts remembering things from her family’s past, and trying to solve the recent weird behavior of the cats around the town.

An Ancient Witch’s Guide to Modern Dating is a cozy, witchy romance that explores the complexities of relationships. Thorn was a a great character and I loved that she was older. Even though she is about to turn 40, she still struggles with how others see her and wanting to change herself to fit the expectations of the men she’s dating. There are some funny moments along her dating journey, and I liked that Edward used more of a dry humor in her writing, rather than making it frivolous romcom dialogue, especially since the story focuses on a mature character.

Thorn’s appearance in modern day is such a great premise, and it was fun seeing her navigate the technology and language. I enjoyed the friendship she developed with Meg and Walls, and thought they were perfect side characters to help Thorn navigate her new surroundings. Thorn’s cat (familiar), Bandit, definitely gets my vote as favorite side character. His dry, sarcastic personality gives the right amount of cattitude, and all of his snarky comments were hilarious.

I loved seeing Thorn grow throughout the story, and find love in a totally different way than she expected. She also has some trauma from her past to deal with, and secrets that were hidden during her childhood have caught up with her in the present day. I personally felt like the family conflict was too easily resolved and forgiven, but it didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the rest of the story.

If you are looking for a well-written cozy, witchy romance with quirky characters and a search for love across time, then I would highly recommend An Ancient Witch’s Guide to Modern Dating.

I absolutely loved this book! It had me laughing out loud, and the witchy, cozy vibes were just perfect. It's the ideal fall read to really get you into the seasonal spirit. The characters were fantastic, and I adored the slow-burn romance, especially how it emphasized the importance of self-love and truly understanding what love is.

This book was so cozy and silly and lovely! Exactly what I needed right now. Thorn was so funny and relatable from the very beginning. I loved reading about an 39 year old witch (as a 35 year old.) who is trying to find love. There’s potions, time travel, and a charming cat familiar! Such a fun story and the cover is beautiful!

"An Ancient Witch's Guide to Modern Dating" by Cecilia Edward is a charming cozy fantasy that combines two of my favorite tropes: witches and time travel. The premise promised a great tale, and boy, did it deliver!

The book follows Thorn Scarhart, a thirty-nine-year-old witch looking for love in the 17th century—not an easy task at any age or period. After the disappearance of her sister and the loss of her mother, she is all alone, except for her familiar, a cat named Bandit. Despite her arsenal of powerful love potions, none bring her the love she seeks. But when one of her potions backfires, Thorn is hurled 350 years into the future—into the 21st century, no less—with her cat and a frog in tow. There, she discovers both the perks of modern life and the perils of online dating. With the help of Meg, a museum curator, and her veterinarian brother, Walls, Thorn tries to find her footing—and maybe even her perfect match.

I loved this book! Witches, potions, and cats galore graced its pages. And there was even a bit of mystery revolving around cats. I especially loved how the cats treated their owners as mere servants—because, let’s be honest, no one really owns a cat. The relationships between the felines and their so-called "owners" were delightful, and the main characters felt so real that it was easy to connect with them, especially Thorn.

Speaking of Thorn, I loved that she was in her late thirties and hadn’t given up on love. However, I didn't like the way she was treated by her mother and sister. The meaning behind her name was heart-wrenching, and the way her treatment was dismissed didn’t sit right with me. I also felt her mother and sister were forgiven a bit too easily for their actions.

The book explores themes of family, toxic relationships, self-esteem, changing oneself to meet men’s expectations, personal growth, friendship, and love. You can’t help but root for Thorn, with her unusual personality and strong character development. At first, she tries to change her looks and personality to fit men’s expectations, but she eventually realizes that isn’t the way to go.

The writing was smooth and easy to read, making it effortless to get lost in the story. The author’s style perfectly balanced humor, heart, and magic, creating a book that was both entertaining and engaging from start to finish.

Overall, I found this to be a delightful cozy rom-com/fantasy. I enjoyed the book immensely and highly recommend it. Fans of feel-good books filled with hilarity, heart, and slow-burn romance will surely love this one. It has all the ingredients of an excellent read: a fun plot, colorful characters, a fabulous setting, and a romance that makes for a warm, fuzzy experience. Full stars from me!

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Review: this book is so wholesome. If you like cozy fantasy, do yourself a favor and read this. I already knew I loved the “out of place” trope but it was also just so well done here. I can’t say enough good things about this book. It made me laugh out loud, was clever, unique and very heart warming. If you find yourself needing a relaxing, hopeful story I couldn’t recommend this enough.

This was such a fun premise and I love a good cozy fantasy/witchy read. Having the FMC be in her 30's made me super happy because it is always easier for me to connect with the story that way, with being older myself. I am always down for time traveling romances and the humor infused with this one was great. Imagine going from the 1700's to modern times with no warning and trying to navigate things without exposing yourself... easier said than done! This was a great palate cleanser and I loved the side characters as well, I felt like everyone brought something different to the story.

The premise is pure genius: when one of Thorn’s love potions backfires, she’s catapulted 350 years into the future, landing in a world of electric kettles, indoor plumbing, and—most daunting of all—online dating. Watching Thorn navigate the quirks of modern life is hilarious and heartwarming, and her fish-out-of-water experiences are balanced perfectly with her determination to finally find love. The fact that she’s in her late thirties adds a layer of authenticity and relatability that’s often missing in romance novels. It’s so refreshing to see a leading lady who isn’t a teenager but is still discovering herself and embracing new beginnings.

The supporting characters are just as lovable as Thorn, especially the museum curator and her charming veterinarian brother, who help Thorn adjust to her new life. The slow-burn romance is sweet and satisfying, with just the right amount of tension and chemistry. And while the love story is central, the book also beautifully explores themes of family, self-acceptance, and the courage to start over.

If you’re looking for a fun, feel-good read that’s equal parts magical and relatable, An Ancient Witch’s Guide to Modern Dating is it. I couldn’t put it down, and I’m already hoping for more stories set in this enchanting world. This book is a must-read for cozy fantasy and rom-com lovers alike—it’s pure magic!

Ah! This was adorable and so much fun. It was refreshing to have the leasing lady be in her late 30s. Made her more relatable to adult women who read romances. We’re not all teenagers!! Having a witch go 300 years in the future was a unique spin on a modern-esque fairytale. When you want something fun and entertaining, this is it.

Thorn es una bruja de 39 años que solo busca el amor. Como no lo encuentra por sí misma, decide crear una poción de amor, algo que nadie ha logrado hacer antes. En uno de sus intentos, termina viajando en el tiempo y se encuentra en el año 2025. Allí, se hará amiga de los hermanos Mer y Walls, quienes la ayudarán a regresar a su época.

Es un libro ligero, con toques de romance y una historia sobre crecimiento personal, amistad y amor.

Me encantó cómo, al final, Thorn se da tiempo para ella misma, en lugar de iniciar una relación, ya que sabe que tiene muchas cosas por resolver.


Thanksa to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

A cute, cozy rom-com that brings the laughs when it comes to all things love and dating. Some good banter, and the story shines a spotlight on the pain and hilarity of dating... whether in the modern era or not!

*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

I thoroughly enjoyed An Ancient Witch's Guide to Modern Dating. This charming rom-com seamlessly combines elements of cozy fantasy and contemporary romance, making it a must-read for fans of both genres.Cecilia Edward's writing is both witty and heartfelt. The story is a delightful mix of humor, heart, and a sprinkle of magic, making it a perfect escape for readers seeking a feel-good tale. Fans of Sangu Mandanna's The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches and Erin Sterling's The Ex Hex will find this book particularly enchanting.

In conclusion, An Ancient Witch's Guide to Modern Dating is a refreshing and magical read that I highly recommend to anyone looking for a cozy fantasy with a romantic twist.

Thanks for the advanced copy! The synopsis of this story drew me in and I was riveted to the story ever since! I really liked the story and the characters were written really well! I enjoyed the relationship between the main characters and felt it developed at a good pace as well. I would recommend to those who enjoy a good story involving witches and found family!