This book was a cozy delight! It follows a witch who, convinced she doesn’t deserve love, accidently time travels 300 years into the modern world—where she discovers the wonders of electric kettles, dating apps (not so wonderful), and a kind-hearted vet who just might change everything. There’s a touch of mystery tied to her past, a cosmic cat distribution system (yes, really!), and a heartwarming journey of self-worth that proves love isn’t reserved for the young or conventionally beautiful. A charming, magical read with big feelings and even bigger cups of tea.

This was such a cozy read. It was easy to read and so enjoyable. I will definitely be watching for more from this author

Thank you NetGalley, Cecilia Edward, and Simon & Schuster Canada.

This was a light, quirky, fun read. Thorn is a nearly 40, 17th century witch looking for love. After accidentally magicking herself to the 21st century she must not only learn the basic concepts of modern living but also attempt to understand modern dating, including ‘the apps’. This book is fun and silly. The writing was smooth and easy to read, entertaining from start to finish.

Sometimes you just want the book version of chocolate. This is everything you need to mix that craving: sweet and fun and awkward and cute and sometimes sad but full of lots of laughs and adorably silly. Walls is a walking green flag cream puff of a book boyfriend, perfect for anyone tired of red flag drama, and it’s lovely to watch Thorn mature as she navigates the 21st century.

Thank you to NetGalley, Saga Press/S&S and author Cecilia Edward for an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of An Ancient Witch’s Guide to Modern Dating. This is my honest review:

The story follows Thorn, a 17th century witch who is eager (or what some might call, desperate) for a husband and isn’t above using magic to charm a suitor (or, more accurately, bewitch them). When a love potion mishap propels her into the 21st century, Thorn isn’t deterred and continues on her mission but this time she’s forced to enter the not-so-wonderful world of online dating.

One of the book’s strongest attributes is its humour. There are many, many funny moments, whether it’s a play on words, a magical dating mishap, or just Thorn being her wonderfully grumpy witchy self. It’s also just a sweet story. There’s something really sincere and vulnerable about Thorn’s eagerness to find love despite all the hurdles thrown her way.

What surprised me the most were the deep moments of self-reflection, especially towards the end of the story. Despite being the premise of the book, it eventually moves away from Thorn’s quest to find a husband and towards the unravelling of family secrets and breaking generational curses - I mean that in the literal sense, let’s not forget that this is a book about witches.

While I enjoyed the book, my critique would be the rushed storyline. This family mystery was one of the most intriguing parts of the book and more time exploring, explaining and resolving this specific plot line would’ve made such a difference. In fact, when this family conflict finally came to a tipping point, I found that the moment fell quite flat despite all the lead up. That being said, the book achieves what it sets out to be. It’s a story about a witch trying to figure out online dating after all. Perhaps I just got too invested in the subplot.

Overall, I think cozy fantasy readers would enjoy this book or anyone who needs a good laugh about the chaos that is online dating.

Thank you to NetGalley, Saga Press/S&S and the author Cecilia Edward for an ARC copy of this book. This is my honest review.

This wasn't a genre I usually read, but I wanted to try something different and I'm glad I did. The cover and title is what drew me in, but the plot was what made me stay. This was a fun, stand alone with a lot of comedic moments. One of my favourite parts was that the character was older. The overall concept was also really intriguing. A witch having to learn to adapt to suddenly being 350 years in the future was chaos in the best way.

My favourite character was probably the cat. And I loved the relationship between the cat, Bandit, and Thorn. I loved their banter, and I loved the character and attitude that Bandit gave off.

I did feel some aspects were a bit rushed, but that's a personal preference. I would have liked to see her learning things, and not being told that she had learned things especially when it came to using cell phones, and apps. And I would have liked to see her relationship with Meg develop a bit. It felt like we were just told that she'd helped her, but we didn't really get to see a lot of that interaction. But overall, I really enjoyed this read.

This was a really nice cozy read, and a great way to break up my other reads.

I really enjoyed this cozy fantasy. It took me a second to get into it because I don't like historical romance but once Thorn time travelled to modern times I was hooked! If you enjoy fun, cozy fantasies, you will enjoy this!

Thanks to Simon & Schuster Canada for the eARC; all opinions are my own.

Witches. Time travel. Cats. Dating. Put those all together and you have this book, An Ancient Witch's Guide to Modern Dating, which is DELIGHTFUL and had me giggling and fully engaged the entire time. I love how the author leaned into absurdity a bit and clearly had so much fun writing this book.
Thorn, the ancient witch in question, is actually a pretty relatable character. She's 39. She wants a relationship. She tries a matchmaker and spells and things don't go according to plan. And then after a spell goes wrong, she ends up traveling to the future - with her cat and a human that Thorn had turned into a frog in tow - and decides to try dating in the modern world. While also figuring out what happened with her spell.

There are some very patient people who believe Thorn time-travelled and who are willing to help her out, including letting her stay in her cottage because it has stayed standing after all these centuries. Oh but the cottage is now a living history museum and Thorn gets a job playing the resident witch.

Thorn is vulnerable, and brave, and is so fiercely herself, even when she is living in the modern world. She has to figure out how to navigate electricity and cell phones and roads with cars and trying new foods and wearing different clothes. And she does so with determination.

This book is so much fun. I will be looking for more books by this author in the future!

This was pure 5⭐️ for me. I love a good witchy romance and throw in some adorable animals side kicks and some hilarious scenes and I'm in love. I wanted to devour this book and work kept getting in the way. It was perfect!! I enjoyed how realistic the online dating was and anyone who has ever tried online dating will find this so relatable. I loved the fun spells and mishaps and especially loved the cats! I don't want to spoil to much so just add this to your tbr and thank me later.

An ancient witches guide to modern dating is a cozy witch romance, perfect for those whom like a bit of magic with their slow burn wooing.
Thorns journey is fun and quippy, just what I needed for in between novels!
Thank you for allowing me to be an ARC reader for this wonderful book.

I loved this!!
An Ancient Witches Guide to Dating Is an enchanting witchy read! It about a witch named, Thorn from the 1600s who accidentally time travels to the 21st century. Thorn is a single lady with who got busy with life and mourning over her sister and mother’s death she forgot to look for love. At 39 years old she begins her search, and in a panic uses love spells, which never seem to last on her suitors. Then, one day she accidentally makes it a time travel spell and ends up in the 21st century. With many funny moments of Thorn discovering the ease and advancements of modern technology ( electric kettle, online dating !?) and the new social norms, it had me hooked and giggling !
Thorn’s familiar is named Bandit and gives us the grumpy but I love you vibes. Along the way we meet Walls and his cat, Noodle, who is one of Thorn’s first true friends, along with his sister Meg. As expected, this book is filled with witchy hijinx, a cozy cottage and some great lessons in love and self discovery. Also had a couple surprises and an unexpected time travel tag along buddy ! This is a perfect witchy read! I cannot recommend it enough !
Thanks to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster Canada / Saga Press and the author, Cecilia Edward, for the ARC 🤩

An Ancient Witch's Guide to Modern Dating by Cecilia Edward is a delightful blend of cozy fantasy and witchy romance, perfect for readers who enjoy charming stories with a touch of magic.

Thorn Scarhart, a 17th-century witch, finds herself catapulted 350 years into the future, landing in a world of indoor plumbing, electric kettles, and—most intriguing of all—online dating. Navigating this unfamiliar world brings plenty of laughs, especially when Thorn struggles with modern technology in oddly relatable ways.

I adored the cozy elements in this book, especially Thorn's relationship with her cat, which was heartwarming and hilarious. The penny-pinching frog also had me laughing out loud, and Thorn's journey as an older woman adjusting to a new world added depth to her character.

The romance was sweet and slow-burning, reinforcing themes of self-love and discovering what love truly means. While most of the story felt charming and well-paced, the family drama near the end felt over-the-top and didn't quite hit the emotional mark I hoped for.

Overall, this book is a fun, feel-good read with plenty of laughs, a dash of magic, and a heroine you can't help but root for.