Listen, if my ex showed up at my door in a cowboy hat asking me to investigate a floating, demon-possessed undergrad back at our old college, I’d slam the door and go back to watching Netflix. But Marcella Gibbons? She sighs, packs her emotional baggage, and agrees to revisit the desert campus she swore she’d never step foot on again.
Cue the magical rancher ex-boyfriend tension (because of course he’s rugged and charming—magical soul-bond contracts don’t do average Joes). Cue the creepy red mesas where dead students and growling airborne patients are just another Tuesday. Cue an entire history of ancient magic lurking under the campus quad like, “Surprise, kids, midterms aren’t your biggest problem after all.”
It’s giving Ninth House meets cowboy gothic, with a side of “if enemies-to-exes-to-forced-allies isn’t a trope yet, it should be.” Also: rancher Max Middlemore? Sir, how dare you have a name that sounds like a discontinued whiskey brand and still somehow be swoony.

The Book of Autumn: A Review
➡️ The Vibe: O'Sullivan's debut is a masterclass in the "sun-drenched dark academia" genre. It's like your favorite cozy autumn sweater decided to get a PhD, move to rural New Mexico, and then witness a magical murder.
➡️ The Main Characters: The story follows Marcella "Cella" Gibbons, an anthropologist who swore off magic, and Max, a charming rancher in a cowboy hat. Their dynamic is a glorious mix of "I can't believe I have to work with you again" and "I'm still secretly in love with you." It's the literary equivalent of a dramatic, second-chance reality TV show, but with more spells and less bad Wi-Fi.
➡️ The Plot (or, Why You'll Be Addicted): The premise is simple: a student is dead, another is floating in the air, and it's up to Cella and Max to solve the magical mystery. The plot is so twisty and thrilling it'll make you question who to trust, including your own reading comprehension. And just when you think you've got it all figured out, the book pulls a fast one on you.
➡️ The Setting: New Mexico! Instead of the typical gloomy, fog-ridden academia, we get a school nestled among red mesas. The setting is so vivid, you can practically feel the desert air and smell the... well, let's just say it's not pumpkin spice. More like dirt and magic. It's a fresh take that will make you want to book a trip to the desert—or at least look up some pictures.
➡️ What to Expect: If you're looking for a cozy autumn read with a side of murder, mystery, and ancient magic, this is it. It's for anyone who loves a good fantasy with a strong sense of place and a dash of romance. Just be prepared for some of the plot to move at a slow pace, like a lazy afternoon in October, before picking up speed like a rogue leaf on a windy day.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing a copy for review and to the writer, Molly O'Sullivan, for this fantastic read!