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.

This was a cute, easy read. The audio was great and the story just swept along. Nothing too strenuous, a girl looking for a home, a home looking for a witch. I want a traveling cottage that procures my needs lol.

4’3/5⭐️ First of all, thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for an arc of “The witch at the edge of the wood”. What a charming read!! I found Velina’s story very heartwarming and compelling, and i absolutely loved the cottage! I would love to have one for myself 🤭 If you’re looking for a cozy witchy read, i highly recommend this book! 🖤🔮🌳

The Witch at the Edge of the Wood by Liz Delton is cozy fantasy novella about a magical cottage that grants inhabitants wishes. When orphan Velina escapes from the work house she's been indentured to since childhood, she is intent on finding a way to live a life of her choosing. While seeking a witch who is rumored to brew potions to help strangers, Velina finds the cottage unoccupied. Despite her concerns, she spends the night and learns the cottage is magic, and grants wishes. It can even open onto any location. When a young nobleman arrives needing the witch's help, she tries to help, and in doing so learns that the cottage and the life it offers are exactly what she needs. For now.

The novella is broken into three acts; the first act was previously published alone with the same title in a collection called Tales of Wondrously Wicked Witches. It has been re-written with two new story acts that complete Velina's story.

"The Witch at the Edge of the Wood is a standalone. However, it is the first in a new series of standalones, following different characters who live in the cottage at different times. The Cozy Cottage Series will reveal more about the nature of the cottage as we meet more of its past occupants."

It's a lovely fantasy novella and I look forward to reading future installments.

A solid cozy fantasy story with a great premise and characters. The narration was gorgeous, despite the high speed I listened at. Back to the story, the pacing was good and didn't let me get bored for a minute.

I loved the found family element and friendship, as well as the world it began to paint.

Absolutely, adorably perfect!

The Witch At The Edge Of The Wood was such a lovely cozy fantasy. I found it so easy to just switch my brain off and get lost with our characters.

I cannot wait to read more in this series!

I love cozy fantasy! The audiobook narrator was fantastic, giving it the perfect ethereal tone. Velina's journey of creating a real life for herself (with the aid of the witch cottage and friends she makes along the way) was such a fun fantasy journey. Perfect for fans of Legends and Lattes; high fantasy, low stakes.

I absolutely adored this cosy fantasy novella, it was the literary equivalent of a warm hug. I listened to the ALC and found myself completely immersed from the very beginning. The pacing was perfect, and the story was so easy to get into that I finished it in no time.

The story follows Velina, a young woman who escapes a bleak workhouse and sets out to find a witch to help her, when she arrives at the Witch’s cottage it seems to be abandoned but mysterious and magical things begin to unfold.

What truly stood out to me was the beautiful sense of found family woven throughout the story, alongside themes of self-discovery, hope, and quiet resilience. It’s a gentle, heartwarming tale full of magic and emotional depth — perfect for fans of cosy fantasy and character-driven storytelling.