A prickly orphan inherits her father’s shop of magic curiosities, which is fun and whimsical but for the fact that all the items are fake and everybody knows it. Willow wants to be an honest businesswoman, but it’s difficult when she can’t sell anything and her rent is 3-months past due. Her only friend is a twinkly-eyed printer’s assistant with a wonky tooth who adores her and bakes her pies. When an outlander stumbles into the shop, Willow is convinced she’s found the answer to her problems, and they set out to break a magic curse and save Willow’s reputation as the town charlatan. There are shoulder cats, dragon teeth, hair puns, and unicorn horns that cure impotence (for a night). Willow gets blackmailed into stealing a dragon egg for a shifty collector and learns that some powerful artifacts are best left undiscovered by humans. The vibe is Emily Wilde meets The Otherwhere Post starring a teenager making very teenage decisions, but whom you can’t help but root for. At one point, Willow is so stressed she eats an entire apple pie for breakfast. I wish my coping mechanisms were that wholesome.

Everything Brianna touches turns into magic, and wants nothing to do with Willow's charlatan fake magic shop. But Willow is stubborn and won't let her father's shop fail, and proposes a deal to Brianna. They uncover some mysteries during the duration of their deal, and find so much out that shocks them both.

Adorable story about friendship, embracing who you are, taking risks on life and love, all taking place in a "magical" shoppe of curiosities, where apparently nothing is what it seems. This book was so much fun to read, and I enjoyed very much being in Willow's head as I could very well relate to her in so many ways, and I thought Rutherford's depiction of Willow's emotions and loneliness was very spot on. There's also themes about grief, which I could also relate to, and how sometimes the truth may hurt, but it will always set you free.
All the characters here were enjoyable and really popped out of the page. I like the friendship most of all between Brianna and Willow, and how a chance encounter would change the trajectory in both their lives. And the magical elements here added a pop of adventure and whimsy along with the brief heist storyline which was very well done and left me excited and guessing through it.
Truly a heart-warming story best read with a nice cup of tea and biscuits.

5/5 stars
Recommended if you like: cozy fantasy, curses, adventure, friends to lovers

This review has been posted to Goodreads as of 6/8 and Instagram as of 7/6, and will be posted to my review blog 8/21.

So, I'll admit, I thought this was sapphic when I read the summary. I must've missed the 'frustratingly handsome printer's assistant' part, lol. It's fine though because I liked Finlay's character (though I still think there was potential for Willow + Brianna).

Willow is struggling to make ends meet and stay afloat after her father dies and leaves her his 'magical' curiosities shop. The whole town, Willow included, knows the merchandise is fake, meaning no on is interested in buying things from her. Willow has dealt with her father and his shop her entire life and it's left her somewhat cynical about things. She's often gruff and has a spiky personality, making it hard to get close to her or do nice things. But she's also got a soft spot, as is clear from her friendship with Finlay and her love for her cat Argyle. Willow's money problems also mean she has to take a sort of cutthroat (and often reckless) approach to getting money. I didn't mind that so much, but I did mind her seeming reticence to lean on her friends or share what was going on. Likewise, Willow insisted she was ruthless and a terrible person, but it kind of just felt hollow. I find a lot of authors go the route of telling readers that a character is morally gray in some way but never truly backing up that statement.

Brianna was also prickly in her own way. She's been cursed her entire life such that a lot of the things she touches become magical. There seems to be some effect on people too, resulting in her parents restricting her to staying in their manor with little contact with the outside world. Naturally, she doesn't always do well in social situations. She's also understandably wary of being used for her magic, and combined with her previous life as a shut-in, she and Willow sometimes compete for being the most prickly person in the room. That being said, Brianna is naturally a people person. She's a genuine person and easily makes friends, much to Willow's chagrin at times.

Despite some bumps and rough starts, Willow and Brianna do become friends, and quite close at that. I enjoyed reading as the girls became closer and developed a camaraderie. The two end up working together in Willow's shop, with Brianna helpfully providing some magic to the otherwise useless items, and there are some funny moments with them there.

Finlay, the printer's apprentice and Willow's best friend, rounds out their trio. Unlike the girls, Finlay doesn't have an inch of prickliness in his body. He's open and friendly with virtually everyone, and it's clear he genuinely cares. He's also quite persistent since he managed to become and remain friends with Willow despite her prickliness. Finlay does have a couple moments when I wanted to shake him, but honestly it's forgivable considering what they all go through in the book.

This is a cozy fantasy with a classic fantasy setting. Willow's hometown is a smallish town with inns and horses, and of course it's own resident villain. A good portion of the book takes place in the town, but the trio also travels some. I enjoyed the scenes when the trio go to visit Ana, a witch they're hoping can help Brianna. Ana's house is about what you'd expect from a witch, though the group also travels to the library at the university where Ana works, which was interesting.

I will say, part of the plot felt a little contrived and would've easily been circumvented if Willow had just...shared her intentions. Or her location. It does add some tension to the book, and I enjoyed the change of scenery we got as a result of it, but I don't know, it just felt a little off compared to the rest.

This was such a cute little, cozy, autumn read!
I think the author does a great job at creating really fun engaging characters and landscapes that really draw you into a magical world of danger and whimsy. I thought it was especially realistic that the protagonist’s own flaws got in her way at times as she was just a teenager trying to navigate her grief while running an entire business on her own. I do, however, think that the ending felt a bit underwhelming after all of the adventures that the characters went on. It felt kind of rushed to have all of the major revelations and conflict resolutions happen in a single chapter, and they probably would have been more impactful had they been a bit more spaced out. Other than that, I think this was a really sweet book about love, loss, friendship, and self-discovery.

Thank you NetGalley for access to this arc!

Willow and Bri are my new book besties. I loved this novel's quest journey and the magic that surrounds the trio on their road to finding an artifact. I thought the story was well written and the chemistry of love was evident on every page. My only complaint is that the story ended.

"Willow Stokes and the Magic of Ardmuir" offers a captivating blend of whimsy and adventure that keeps readers engaged from start to finish. The story introduces us to Willow Stokes, a self-aware charlatan struggling to keep her father's magical shop afloat with dubious items. The introduction of Brianna Hargrave, an outlander with genuine magical abilities, adds an intriguing twist to the narrative.
The chemistry between Willow and Brianna is palpable, and their contrasting motivations create a dynamic tension that drives the plot forward. As they navigate the challenges of their intertwined fates, the themes of friendship, self-discovery, and the true nature of magic unfold beautifully.
The pacing is solid, though there are moments where the plot could benefit from deeper exploration. The stakes rise dramatically as Willow becomes embroiled in a high-risk quest for a rare magical object, leading to thrilling revelations about treasure and the essence of true magic.
Overall, this book is a delightful read, filled with enchanting moments and relatable characters. It invites readers into a world where the line between illusion and reality blurs, making it a worthy addition to any fantasy lover's collection. Highly recommended!
#netgalley #acuriouskindofmagic

Wow! This book had everything! Thanks, Netgalley for the ARC, it was a wonderful story. Probably more of a YA than a middle grade but would fit for a large audience. If you are looking for adventure, magic, witches, great relationships and friendships, character development and hope, this book is for you. I loved how Willow evolved through the story; it was a beautiful thing to witnessed. It was cozy with filled with actions. Good book! Can’t wait for its release to get it!

I really enjoyed this cozy fantasy that weaves together a charming tale of a young woman running a "mostly fake" magical curiosity shop and stumbling into real magic. The characters are endearing, and I especially loved the found family and the sweet, satisfying friends to lovers romance. What stood out most for me, though, was Willow’s personal growth. Watching her come into her own and learning to trust herself, rediscover her magic, and open her heart again was so satisfying. This story blends gentle magic, personal growth, and heartfelt connections into a truly charming read. If you love character driven fantasy with lots of heart, this is definitely one to pick up!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books for the ARC in an exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC! All thoughts are my own.

DNF @41%

This was written very well and the setting was very vivid. I just could not, for the life of me, like the main character. I tried. I tried so hard but she angered me almost every time she was on the Paige. Brianna and Fin deserve so much better (or just each other tbh, pretend Willow doesn't exist).

This book was also compared to Howl's Moving Castle, which is one of my favorite stories of all time. I honestly don't really see the comparison besides items being made magical? But even that doesn't really feel like the vibe. This just felt like a cozy fantasy to me and that is not really my thing all of the time.

I do think if you are a lover of cozy fantasy stories that are atmospheric and romantic, you will like this. Be sure to check this out in October upon its release!

A nice little cozy YA read with magic, friends and a touch of treasure hunting and mystery. Definitely going to be a perfect quick read to add to your October tbr when this releases.

This book was fun! I loved the characters and liked watching them all develop and become close. I sorta found myself lost in this one and loved learning about each character’s journey and how they hoped to help each other. The romance was cute and a slow burn and the adventure axe the story fly by. This is one you’ll want to check out.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc

I like the characters and the plot and the friendships and the relationships between the characters I like book cover and the designs for the chapters. And I like the book is good for everyone to read. Like the colors and the nature of the book. It great book for everyone and the likes i think the design is really nice and cool. It has a creative flow. Also has great art it really is fun and fun

This was a charming and cozy fantasy with a fun mix of magic, mystery, and just a hint of romance. I really enjoyed the setting—it had that slightly whimsical, bookish vibe that makes you want to curl up with a blanket and read straight through. The magic system was light but creative, and the main character had a lot of heart.

That said, the pacing was a little uneven. Some parts felt like they dragged, while others wrapped up too quickly. A few side characters could have used more development, especially given how central the theme of community and connection is to the story.

Still, it was a lovely escape with just the right touch of enchantment. Great for fans of low-stakes fantasy and magical realism with emotional warmth. 3.5/5 Stars!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Who doesn’t love a book set in a magical curiosity shop? Even if said shop is a complete sham! This book is going to be on EVERYONES fall must reads! I had such a great time with these characters and this world. Probably the best cozy fantasy I’ve ever read and cozy fantasy usually isn’t my thing! Loved it!

I really enjoyed this book. The MC was very relatable and her inner dialogue funny; although she did make decisions sometimes where you just want to say WHY.!! This book is YA mad the characters are young so I believe it gives reason to the poor decision making. The magic inthralled me and I was instantly wanting to know what would happen with the characters. I do wish that there was more to the love interest. It was very cute and sweet but again, a little juvenile. I also wish that more when into describing the setting of the story because in some parts it’s hard to imagine and one of my favorite parts of a magical fantasy is to be transported to a new world. All in all it was a great, easy fantasy read that didn’t take too much world building. I would definitely recommend to fans of young adult fantasy. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this advanced copy. Despite my small criticisms, I really enjoyed the book and finished it in just days.

This one was so much fun. And sweet
The characters are perfect because they are essential to make each other grow and improve. A con, thief girl who doesn't trust anyone ends up on a quest to save a cursed girl who can't touch anyone without hurting them. Around 65% starts a heist, so this first volume is like 1 + half another. Sets up the worldbuilding, and the characters then set them on a quest. They actually do more for others than for themselves. I love her power to embude magic into things. Magical.

The FMC is a crusty, angry, sad and lonely 17-year old girl who is up to her eyes in debt that her father left her when he unexpectedly passed away. She’s convinced herself she doesn’t need anyone.
She doesn’t know how to have friends, but regardless, she has one. Finlay, who for some odd reason seems to like her and continues to stick around.
Then the two of them meet Bri, an odd girl who is not from around their parts, and who has a curse (anything she touches comes alive with magic).

Willow is desperate to come up with rent money and save her father’s, now hers, shop. A curious “magic” shop full of antiques and useless, rather UN-magical items.

When she convinces Bri to come and live with her (and her kitten Argyle) temporarily, she has a selfish plan to use Bri’s talents to help her save her shop.

These three unlikely friends soon find themselves in the midst of danger and intrigue. Will Willow do the right thing or will she continue to push away the two people who really care about her?


“I never said you weren’t adorable,” Finlay said softly. “But you have to admit, you don’t always think before you act.”

“Hope was a beacon, but it was also a trap. You could let it guide you, only to find yourself standing on the edge of a cliff.”


Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

This is a cozy YA read interlaced with magic and friendship.
These characters and the cozy warmth of the setting will draw you in.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.

Mara Rutherford’s A Curious Kind of Magic is a cozy YA fantasy that totally charmed me. The story centers on Willow Stokes, who’s doing her best to run her father’s magic shop, even though the shop’s quirky trinkets aren’t actually magical. Life changes when she crosses paths with Brianna Hargrave, an Outlander in search of a grimoire that might lift the curse she’s been living with.

At first, Willow and Brianna clash, but soon they strike a deal that sends them on an adventure neither of them expected. Brianna has the power to transform Willow’s fake magical items into the real deal, and that sets the stage for some seriously fun developments. As their journey unfolds, both girls begin to share their personal secrets as well as uncover some long held ones that have been hidden from them all along.

I loved the balance of heart and humor in this story. The plot was fun and surprisingly layered, the characters were easy to root for, and the whole vibe was hopeful and light hearted. Add in an engaging writing style and just the right sprinkle of magic, and you’ve got a fantasy that feels like a warm hug in book form.

Thank you NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.