My New Favorite Cozy Fantasy

"She longed to open the pages of a book and lose herself in another world, another time, if only for a moment."

I devoured this little slice of heaven just like Velina savoring a scone from the boardwalk bakery in Elody! The Witch at the Edge of the Wood was pure magic—riddled with snippets of quiet wisdom, wrapped in a cozy, whimsical world that felt like a warm hug.

I was lucky enough to receive both the ARC and ALC of this gem, and I couldn’t have been more thrilled. I quickly flew through the ebook—the pacing was smooth, the characters charming, and the setting delightfully enchanting. It struck that perfect balance between comforting and magical.

Once I turned the last page, I jumped straight into the audio format for a reread! The narration was fantastic, adding even more depth to an already immersive experience. It brought cottage—and Velina’s gentle, heartfelt journey—even more vividly to life.

"We must find joy where we can get it, eh dearie? And when you can't find it, make it."

This is truly a book I see myself returning to time and time again. It’s uplifting, soothing, and quietly powerful. I can’t wait to explore more of Liz Delton’s work!

Huge thanks to Liz Delton, NetGalley, and Tourmaline & Quartz Publishing for the gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.

The Witch at the Edge of the Wood is a short and sweet cozy fantasy following a young woman, Velina, in search of witch who finds a magic cottage instead. As she makes herself at home, she is mistaken for the absent witch and shenanigans ensue.

This story feels homey and wholesome in the best way. There’s a crew charming characters who become a found family, a fun magic system in the cottage, and a mysterious cat (which every witch needs). Plus, the audio book narration really engulfed me in the world. Anyone looking for a cozy summer read should check this out!

This was definitely the coziest most lowest stakes adult books I have read
Tbh it was a little dull for me, it almost felt middle grade but with less action

This book gives a cozy vibe with a little bit of detective work. It's about a woman escaping a bad situation and finding herself, meeting new people and make friends along the way.

✨ 4/5 stars ✨

Thank you to NetGalley and Tourmaline & Quartz Publishing for the ALC of this magical little gem!

The Witch at the Edge of the Wood was the perfect cozy fantasy. With a fast-paced plot and great atmosphere, it pulled me in from the very first scene. Despite being a short story, nothing felt rushed or incomplete—every thread was wrapped up beautifully. I often find myself wanting more with novellas, but this one felt just right.

The narration was also a standout! The narrator did a fantastic job capturing Velina’s spirit and personality, adding depth and charm to an already compelling character.

If you’re in the mood for a quick, satisfying witchy tale with heart, this one’s a great pick.

Ａｕｄｉｏｂｏｏｋ Ｒｅｖｉｅｗ
🌟🌟🌟🌟.2
"The Witch at the Edge of the Woods" by Liz Delton is book one in the Cozy Cottage series. Sometimes you just need a cozy witch living in a forest cottage. "The Witch at the Edge of the Woods" delivers that.

The audiobook is narrated by Deborah Balam. She did a good job telling the story and bringing the characters to life. She was easy to understand and listen to. I listened at 2x speed.

Thank you, NetGalley, and Tourmaline & Quartz Publishing for the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC (audio version) This was a lovely cosy book! An easy listen, likeable characters and a strong plot. Very much a one sitting story, and I can see there will be more books (or I hope!) following the other characters we meet in this story. For fans of legends and lattes and similar stories, this was a gorgeous book.

The Witch at the Edge of the Wood is a great book that wastes no time jumping right into the plot. It's a fairly short book but it still manages to introduce you well to the characters in the story and the story just moves right along at a good pace. It's a very cozy story about a girl who finds a cottage and an adventure that begins. It delivers a good message about finding your place and being accepted by others for who you are. I enjoyed it and can't wait for the next book in the Cozy Cottage series to come out.

The Witch at the Edge of the Wood was a perfect bite-sized cozy fantasy novella. Velina is on the run from a life of poverty in the workhouse where she’s shunned for being Faerun, when she discovers a magical cottage that will change her life.

The way Velina grew up deeply impacted her relationships, causing her to be mistrustful and afraid of being herself. I really loved how she found joy and purpose in her life through helping others, eventually finding her own found family through her deeds as she learns to let people in.

Delton doesn’t go super in-depth with her worldbuilding, but it also doesn’t feel necessary for the story. It was paced well, and didn’t feel as if I was missing cut content due to it being a novella. Discovering the boundaries of magic and the mysteries of her heritage alongside Velina added to the intrigue of the world, and also leaves more to be explored in the next book.

Deborah Balm did a great job with the narration, bringing Delton’s whimsical prose to life. Her voice suited Velina well and added to the overall coziness and fairy tale vibe of the story.

Thank you NetGalley for the ALC!

A very cute and short cozy fantasy, with low stakes and an interesting main character! Great audiobook too. I'll definitely keep an eye on this series as more books come out!

🌈Queer rep: none

✨I am so thankful to Liz Delton, Tourmaline & Quartz Publishing, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advance copy of this audiobook. All opinions are 100% my own.

🌳The Witch at the Edge of the Wood by Liz Delton is like that perfect cup of coffee ☕️ on a cold day. It is fantasy novella perfection and if you are looking for a short cozy read or listen - this book is the warm hug you need!

✨Our adorable main character Velina is an orphan who has escaped a brutal workhouse. She runs off to the woods in search of a witch who can help her. Shunned for her silver hair and pointy ears, Velina has never had a friend. What ensues is Velina growing and developing a cozy home of her own, found family, friendship and of course some magic.✨

🌳The Narrator, Deborah Balm was the perfect choice for this read. Her charming voice brought this cozy magical world to life. Her pacing and change in pitch and tone for the different characters was on point.

✨This is book 1 in the Cozy Cottage series and you can be certain sure I will be listening to or reading every. single. one. Add in the joy of finding a new author with more books to explore and this reader is fanning herself with her bookmark collection! (Pardon the 3rd person - this book swept me way!). Enjoy!!!

The Witch at the Edge of the Wood is a cozy, magical story about a girl who escapes a workhouse and stumbles upon an abandoned cabin in the woods. She decides to stay but after a few odd happenings, she realizes this is not your average fixer-upper cottage... and something magical is definitely going on.

This is a quiet, atmospheric read with soft suspense, slow discovery, and a touch of mystery. There is no epic showdown or flashy spells here—just a gentle unfolding of magic and mood. If you’ve ever dreamed of disappearing into the woods to live your best cottage witch life, this book might be exactly what you’re looking for.

I listened to the audiobook edition, and Deborah Balm was a wonderful narrator. Her voice perfectly captured the story’s sense of mystery and gentle magic, making it easy to get lost in the world Delton created.

I’ve been in a rut and a sweet cozy fantasy like this is exactly what I needed. Our FMC I wish I could be best friends with lol. Following her story we see her truly find herself it made me reflect on my own actions and who I am as a person. Found family, trauma /healing , and overall the vibes of this magical story will not be forgotten. HIGHLY recommend. I absolutely adored the audiobook.

A short and sweet cozy fantasy about a young girl finding herself and creating her own found family. This was so much better than I expected, I thoroughly enjoyed my time with this story and finished it in one day. I really loved the characters, the story and the writing. I was almost sad when the story was over and wished the book had been longer. I would definitely read another book following Velina's life. I honestly have no complaints about this book, I loved everything about it and will definitely be reading more by this author. I listened to it on audio and I really liked the narrator, she was perfect for a cozy fantasy about a witch.
Overall rating: 4.5⭐

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5/5)

This was such a precious cozy fantasy read! The Witch at the Edge of the Wood is light, fluffy, and fun—exactly the kind of comforting story that’s perfect as a palate cleanser between heavier books. Despite being a short novella, it felt complete and satisfying. The pacing is quick, but nothing felt rushed or underdeveloped.

I especially loved how the story focused on Velina’s personal growth. Watching her learn to read, explore her magic, and come into her own was heartwarming. I initially thought the plot was headed toward an insta-love romance with Will, but I was pleasantly surprised when their relationship stayed a friendship—it made the story feel even more wholesome and refreshing.

Velina was a surprisingly well-developed main character for such a short book. Her journey was engaging and believable, and I appreciated how the spotlight stayed on her rather than shifting to a romantic subplot or side characters.

The worldbuilding was lovely too—cozy and magical. I only wish we could have spent more time in it. Honestly, who wouldn’t want to live in a magical cottage at the edge of the woods? 🥹

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sharing the audiobook ARC with me in exchange for an honest review!

The Witch at the Edge of the Wood is a cozy fantasy novella that captures the heart. Velina's journey to find a witch who can help her live a normal life is both touching and empowering. The story emphasizes themes of self-discovery, friendship, and overcoming fear.

Deborah Balm's narration adds warmth and depth to the tale, making the audiobook experience truly delightful.

Highlights:

Cozy Atmosphere: A perfect blend of magic and comfort.

Empowering Themes: Focuses on self-acceptance and growth.

Engaging Narration: Balm's performance enhances the story's charm.

Conclusion:

A heartwarming tale that leaves a lasting impression. The Witch at the Edge of the Wood is a cozy fantasy gem.

This story was really cute and I really enjoyed how the magic of the cottage works. I did feel like it could have been more descriptive and detailed however as I just couldnt connect to the characters. The writing style was very whimsical, almost like a fairy or folk tale - it was an okay quick listen.

5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Witch at the Edge of the Wood
Author: Liz Delton

Thank you Netgalley and Tourmaline & Quartz Publishing for this ALC. A friggin delight! So cute and just the right length. The narrator was amazing and really set the tone. Love a good cozy fantasy and this delivered just that. Velina lives her life being shamed for her appearances (pointy ears/silver hair), and she searches for a witch that she heard could maybe solve her problems. She ends up finding an abandoned, and magical cottage. She ends up taking the place of the witch who was there before her, and helps visitors that come to get their wishes granted. I’m not sure if there will be any more books after this, but I would definitely read more. Perfect cozy fantasy vibes. Something to read or listen to when you’re just in the mood for some warm and fuzzy feelings.

This was such a cute cozy fantasy read! I was originally drawn to it by the adorable cover. I also have a gray cat so I immediately wanted to read this. The audiobook was the perfect length for my long car ride.

It was fun learning about the cottage and watching Velina make friends and help them along her journey. I think it added such a fun twist to the story and I felt like everything was complete in the story. I wasn't craving romance between characters or having questions afterwards. The narration was also perfect, it felt like I was truly in another world. Thank you to Netgalley, Tourmaline & Quartz Publishing, and Liz Delton for an ARC of this audiobook. This review is my own honest opinion.

Absolutely delightful low stakes fantasy dripping in cozy comfort. Friendship, baked goods, and magic 😍😍😍 I had such a great time listening to this one.


Thank you to Tourmaline & Quartz Publishing and NetGalley for an opportunity to listen to this ALC in exchange for my honest opinion.