OMG this book was absolutely delightful and warmed me up from head to toe. A delicious blend of whimsical magic and grumpy sunshine that had me chuckling as early as Chapter 2 and smiling hugely by Chapter 26.

Corinthia is a sturdy, quiet, no-nonsense woman who believes in books, order, and logic. She allows herself the delights of chocolate, the comfort of her loyal hound, cozy blankets, and peaceful evenings after dutifully seeing to the needs of the library and its patrons.

Love, sweet kisses, eyelash batting, and the occasional flirtatious double entendre is much more the realm of her carefree environmental-focused best friend.

But a curious wind blows in a beautifully fragile, wonderfully sweet slip of a woman and Corinthia is suddenly believing in things she’s never even considered. Doing things she’s never done. Enjoying the peaceful sway of a silky blue sarong and naps on soft green moss.

Where did strait-laced Corinthia go? Can she allow herself to fully let go of all that she once held true and fall headfirst into the magic of the forest?

P.S. Buford was everything!!!!!!

A Nest of Magic is a quick and cozy fantasy. If you’re looking for rainbows, sunshine, and some lighthearted banter you’ve found the perfect read! This story follows Corinthia, a quirky librarian with a love for chocolate, novels, and her rescue dog, Beaufort. I really enjoyed the unique magic system, the sincere friendships, and the comforting warm atmosphere — especially the dreamy description of the library! I would love to have a further glimpse into the magic system and Rosemary’s story!

I listened to the audiobook and thought the narrator was great! It did read very much YA, which doesn’t tend to be my favorite, but it worked well for the vibe of this book.

Thank you to Kate Moseman for the ALC of this book!

This was a really enjoyable lil cozy read that will be great for fall vibes! I think I would have enjoyed this more as a visual read, as the narrator (Hollie Jackson) has a very distinct voice and accent, and I am familiar with her more explicit narrations (specifically Ice Planet Barbarians) which made it difficult to get into the “cozy fantasy” headspace while listening.

That said, I still enjoyed this book! Corinthia’s grumpy well matched Rosemary’s sunshine, and the sort of sentient forest was a really fun concept! I would recommend this for those looking for a quick, lighthearted read with great sapphic representation and a fun little taste of magic!

The narration was really great for such a cozy and soft sapphic romance! The fantasy elements are low in a contemporary setting, but really hits the spot for someone wanting a cozy read. Our mc is a librarian who hates being outside (which is a whole-hearted mood), but ends up making a bet with her closest friend to walk into the nature preserve that's connected to the library. Once she does, a lot of amazing and mysterious things end up happening around her.. all while she's semi pre-occupied with possibly wooing a new patron to the library.

3.5/5

This review is for the audio version of the book, narrated by Hollie Jackson.

This was really cute!

I loved the grumpy-sunshine main character, Corinthia. I can relate to her self-described "killjoy" personality, difficulty with connecting to people, and desire to follow the rules. The side characters were a lovely, eclectic, collection of silly people.

The vibes were very much on point. The entire story radiated "cozy". From the description of the town, to the Refuge, to the way people there treated each other.

The plot was just "ok for me. It's a "love at first sight" kind of story, which is fine, but it felt like it was dragged out a bit. For how long the book was, it felt like there should have been more depth to it.

I had a pretty good time with this. If you're in to sapphic/cozy/fantasy, then this should be worth your time.

This is a whimsical, cozy sapphic magical romantic fantasy. This book is perfect for curling up with a cup of hot chocolate and a cozy blanket. A Nest of Magic was filled with sweet and funny small town charm, Shadow Ridge seems like the town that would wrap you up in charm. Corinthia is a quiet, librarian who is typically a very logical no-nonsense type of lady, who loves her books and her rescued hound dog! When her Best friend makes a bet with her, they end up hiking in the nature preserve behind the library, where she comes upon a mysterious woman named Rosemary. Corinthia doesn’t believe in magic, however the lore time she spends in the nature preserve and the more strange things that start to happen that aren’t easily explained just maybe she might start to feel the magic start to flow. If you need a warm hug and all of the happy whimsical feels this is the perfect book for you!! I binged this audiobook and loved every second of it!

In this story, we follow a librarian who has not really given love a chance as of late and has become interested in a library patron who leaves her very curious. Her supportive best friend encourages her to just talk to the mysterious lady, and in doing so, even more mystery is unleashed. This is an adorable cozy read where magical happenings do not only exist in books. If you are looking for a lighthearted mystical cozy romance, this might just be the book for you. I would definitely recommend the audio book. The narrator was perfection with the different voices of the characters, and truly brought the characters to life.

Review plan: my StoryGraph review is already up. I’ll share it on Bluesky, Barnes & Noble and Bookshop.org the day the book is scheduled to release.

My honest review was provided in exchange for an audiobook ARC on NetGalley. Thank you, Victory Editing, for giving me this ARC! And apologies for any character names I may have misheard and/or misspelled.

Writing: 5/5
Narration: 4/5

This book is a warm cup of hot cocoa.

Corinthia is a kind, no-nonsense librarian that values the indoors, rules, and logic. She is intrigued, and a little more than smitten, by Rosemary, an ethereal new patron at her provincial library. She loves her rescue hound and enjoys the local Scrub Jays that live in the nature refuge behind her. But she’s also cautious after her first excursion into the refuge left her with a feeling she can’t quite explain. And while she loves the possibility of a sapphic romance like “Alien Space Lesbians”, she can’t imagine how love could bridge that wide of a cultural divide. But maybe there are things she isn’t considering? Corinthia has lived in Shadow Ridge for a decade, but with each passing day, she’s realizing she has so much more to learn about her world than she ever imagined.

PROS:

I love how this book is written! The omniscient narrator has a humor and cadence that I find delightful. I particularly enjoyed how well the author weaved a sense of wonder with absolutist no-nonsense, and how she lightly poked at Corinthia’s excessive practicality. As someone who can often sacrifice whimsy for facts and logic, it felt like a gentle and loving nudge to appreciate the need for a balance of both.

I found the characters to be lovable and quirky. Stevie was a fun foil to Corinthia, and I enjoyed their interactions and the moments of friendship they shared. I thoroughly enjoyed the opposites-attract romance, and how well Rosemary complimented Corinthia’s character. I also enjoyed watching Corinthia’s growth, as she became less high strung and more open to the world around her.

I also enjoyed how the author marries fantasy and reality. Character experiences juxtapose the mundane - do I call my homeowners insurance - with the fantastical - because the magic of the refuge destroyed my fence. Combined with the omniscient narrator’s humor, it feels absurdist in a light and refreshing way.

CONS:

I struggled with this narration. I did not like some of the narrator’s heavy-handed voices because they made characters feel like caricatures. For example, Rosemary’s voice was so dreamy that she sounded perpetually out of breath, like she spent so much time running wild with fantasy that it took her breath away. Likewise, Dru’s voice smacked of what someone who isn’t from NYC thinks a native New Yorker sounds like, and that “hey, I’m walking here” stereotype just felt out of place. It took me out of the story, which was a shame, because she really brought the omniscient narrator to life. I think her cadence and inflection amplified the whimsy and light absurdity beautifully, and really added to the story’s atmosphere.

Regardless, though, I really enjoyed this book. I think fans of cozy romance will really love this one. Fair warning for readers, though. This book is cozy in the strictest sense. Stakes are very low, and most tension is light flirtation or characters battling relatively benign impulses to embrace change. The ending is neatly-tied, with very little in the sense of real trouble or action. It’s an easy read, and a beautiful palette cleanser or escape from reality. But if you crave stakes or tension, the lack of both will likely turn you off.

So cute a lighthearted, low-conflict, and character-driven story with gentle magic and a touch of romance. It features a grumpy librarian, a sunshine mystery woman, and a magical forest setting, with themes of self-discovery and empowerment such a great cozy read thank you so much NetGalley for the ARC

I absolutely loved the book! It was so cozy and cute, spent all day on the couch with my coffee and snacks.
I do have a few unanswered questions for some details left un explained.
Only advice I have would be make sure you connect all the dots towards the end.
Why could she bring her. Her wallet but after that have such a issue going to her house? And it was never addressed how the relationship would even work in the end.
I got this book as a arc and im posting the review on my own

🍂✨ Book Review: A Nest of Magic by Kate Moseman ✨🍂
4 ⭐️ — This was such a cute and cozy sapphic read! Honestly, it felt like curling up on a crisp fall day with a cinnamon apple candle burning and a chunky knit sweater.
I loved the little bit of mystery woven into the story that Corinthia needed to solve, and even more than that, I loved watching her grow. She started out pretty skeptical but slowly opened her heart and mind as the book went on. 💕
If you’re a fan of Stardew Valley vibes—charming, warm, and magical—this one is right up your alley.

This book is very cozy and peaceful. Moseman did a lovely job at writing dialogue that felt realistic and captured a "grumpy" character that isn't an asshole—she just was a nice and grounded lady becoming a little more free-spirited. Everyone was nice and lovable, which I didn't mind at all, although I think there could have been a little more conflict or *something* to keep the plot driving forward. Maybe even just more yearning between the love interests! I felt like they didn't have a lot of chemistry building up in their conversations, to really know each other through their time together. The slow burn needed more burn. But! I would recommend this book to anyone who just needs something healing and gentle, no big stakes, no anxiety, just a hot cocoa cup of a book.

A cosy sapphic story set over Halloween and the beginning of November, and is absolutely perfect for snug nights in! It's so sweet and charming, it's easy to get lost in the story - and you can absolutely read this in one sitting (as I did) wrapped under a blanket with a cup of hot chocolate (as Corinthia would 100% approve of!)
I absolutely loved Corinthia and Stevies friendship, their dialogue was funny flowed so well! It was never jarring and felt like a real conversation. The relationship that unfolds is based on curiousity, kindness, and a willingness to be open. The story was very easy to follow and really is a perfect fantasy romance with no spice!
I also loved Beauforts chapter, and I will definitely be trying this hot choc recipe provided at the end ☺️

I was also lucky enough to be given access to the audiobook for this story. The narration was clear and concise, the voices were all very easy to differentiate, and the production was really well done. I can also highly recommend the audiobook version of this!

Thank you to Netgalley, Kate Moseman, and Victory Editing for this ARC! 🖤

This was a cute cosy audiobook that ticks all the boxes for a cosy autumnal listen. The narrator brought the story to life perfectly & even though it was 1 narrator I was able to tell the characters apart

This was my very first sapphic read, and honestly I could not have picked a sweeter one. It felt cozy, light, and full of heart, with just enough magic to make the world feel enchanting.

At the center is Corinthia, a grumpy librarian whose story completely won me over. I loved seeing the slow shift in her character. She starts out skeptical and guarded, but as the mystery unfolds she begins to open herself up in ways that felt both tender and empowering. Watching her growth was easily my favourite part.

The book itself has such a soft charm. A sunshiny stranger, a whimsical forest, gentle romance, and a little thread of mystery tie it all together. And then there is the cutest little companion dog named Beaufort, who quickly became my favourite character. He reminded me so much of my own dog, and his presence added an extra layer of warmth and joy to the story.

This is the perfect read if you are looking for something warm and uplifting ❤️

Thank you so much to Kate Moseman and Victory Editing NetGalley for letting me listen to this ALC 🙏🏼

Read this is you like:
🐦 Grumpy x Sunshine
🍫 Cozy Fantasy
🐦 Personal Growth
🍫 Sapphic Romance
🐦 Animal Sidekick
🍫 Whimsical Mystery

Loved this cozy sapphic romance it is my 2nd book by this author and I have loved both and I also am enjoying the face that they are so different .. this book had magic, books, a librarian, 2 beautiful love storied and more

This was such a sweet, cozy read! For those who love a little bit of magic with their librarianship, this sweet sapphic grumpy/sunshine is a perfect read for autumn!

A Nest of Magic was a lighthearted sapphic magic story. Loved the build up between the two characters. A cozy little story to curl up and read in one sitting!

Honestly, what an incredibly sweet and cute story. I loved the dynamic between the characters & the parallels between the book mentioned in the story “Alien Space Lesbians” A perfectly cozy, sweet book. My absolute favorite was the epilogue told in the dog’s perspective, so ingenious and heartwarming.

This book was absolutely perfect in every way. It was like getting together with your best friend on an autumn night over a glass of wine or coffee.

It was so heartwarming- I loved that it wasn’t super heavy on romance but more building that relationship and understanding one’s self.

I can’t say enough with how well written and well paced this book is. I love all things cozy but this is definitely on my top 5 reads of the year :)

*I will also be posting to my TikTok and IG accounts this week*

I really enjoyed A Nest of Magic -- the community felt vibrant and the romance built at exactly the right place. I'm also a sucker for a love story that centres on a mutual love for sapphic romance novels.

This was a sweet, cozy, low stakes read. A cozy fantasy with easy to follow world building and endearing characters. The romance was very slow burn which fit the pace of the story nicely. The narrator did a good job as well. All in all a very charming read.

This was a sweet sapphic cosy fantasy, which ticked all the easy listen audiobook boxes!

The humour was great, and it would be a fantastic read for the upper YA reader genre.
With an easy to follow plot line, soft world building and all of the cosy magic vibes, this was a perfect before bed read for me.

The plot was low stakes, and the romance wasn’t heavy, which makes A Nest of Magic a great cosy read that focuses more on the characters and their own growth.

This is the first books I’ve read in a long time that had no spice, and I loved having a pallet cleanser to remind me that I don’t need everyone to get down diggity in every book I read. Sweet romance sprinkled with magic is just fine 🥹

I found Corinthia to be an endearing FMC, and her connection with books (being a librarian) gives every reader a point of relatability.

A special nod to Alien Space Lesbians, I loved that throw in 😂

Thank you to NetGalley, Publisher and Kate Moseman for the ALC 🤍

A Nest of Magic was an absolutely charming interlude.
The ideal low stakes, witchy, cozy fantasy with an absolutely diverting emphasis on nature that left me sorely wanting to wander into a forest myself!

Corinthia is a lovable curmudgeon of a librarian, content with her life of books, rules, her lovable dog Beaufort, and safety (and chocolate, she knows how to have a good time;). She loves her small town of Shadow Ridge, a fictional coastal community set in FL.
Our story begins when a beautiful, mysterious stranger appears in the library one day, upending the quiet life that Corinthia thinks she wants, and showing her what it is to finally let go of control and invite magic into her life. ✨🔮📚

My only critique is that I wish the characters had been slightly more filled out with regard to their backstories. Normally that can be a bit of a dealbreaker for me in a book, but Kate Moseman wrote such a lovely story, and the character arcs in the present moment felt very believable and fleshed out, and that made the lack of detailed backstory forgivable.
This story is such a fun, relaxing distraction in a difficult week for me. The audiobook narrator did a great job of keeping me engaged even though I was often multitasking while listening. This book made me chuckle, smile, and even shed an errant tear for the lovely ending.
Genuinely had such a nice time with this story, and will be purchasing a physical copy to reread as a treat when I need a palette cleanser of some sapphic sweetness in my life💜✨

Thank you so so very much to NetGalley, Victory Editing, and Fortunella Press for the opportunity to read this early in exchange for my honest review!❤️

Check out A Nest of Magic, out on shelves (and I believe also out the same day on audio) October 14th, 2025✨📚
(Please note that NetGalley’s release date says October 1st, but every major retailer I’ve checked says October 14th so - stay tuned!😉)

An absolute delight to read, like eating a specialty chocolate.
This is exactly what I would expect from a cozy, fantasy sapphic romance. Its clean, sweet, adorable, and whimsical.
The main characters polite, respectful, and bond within the beauty of a nature preserve. They're unique individuals who show consistent growth throughout.
A wonderful, light novel that will warm your heart and make you smile.

A story that screams "Let's get cozy!"

Very adorable, no-stakes, light story, yet has quite a lot to say. Enjoyed the characters and their little community a lot.
The audio narration was excellent too.

This was the absolute cutest romance. I absolutely devoured it in a couple hours. (I listen to like 2.5x speed)

I would super suggest this book if you want a cutesy romance with a very enthusiastic best friend!

A Nest of Magic is a warm, whimsical escape into a world where magic quietly stirs beneath the surface of everyday life. Corinthia, a no-nonsense librarian with a penchant for chocolate and solitude, finds her world upended by a mysterious woman and a hike that leads her into the heart of enchantment. The story blends cozy fantasy with sapphic romance, offering a low-stakes, high-heart narrative.

Narration Highlights: Hollie Jackson’s performance is a standout. Her voice brings Corinthia’s dry wit and emotional hesitations to life with nuance and charm. The narration captures the gentle rhythm of the story, balancing humor, introspection, and wonder. Jackson’s pacing and tone make the quieter moments feel intimate and the magical ones shimmer with possibility.

his audiobook is like a warm mug of cocoa on a rainy afternoon—comforting, sweet, and quietly magical. If you’re drawn to stories that celebrate emotional growth, gentle romance, and the transformative power of connection, A Nest of Magic will nestle right into your heart.

This was a sweet and charming story that made my heart smile. Any story that features a librarian as the main character already has my attention, but add in dogs, birds, chocolate, and a generous sprinkling of magic, and I'm in love!

While the book started out with a lighthearted, whimsical vibe, it blossomed into a really tender and heartwarming story. The epilogue, brilliantly told from the dog's POV, had me wiping away unexpected tears.

I really enjoyed the vivid descriptions, which brought the various settings to life, from the lush nature reserve and comfy cottages to the bustling library.

The only aspect that didn't entirely work for me was the narration of the audiobook. While most of it was good, there were a couple of characters who were attributed quite high-pitched and euphoric voices that grated on me a bit. Nonetheless, I really enjoyed listening to the story.

Many thanks to NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

A Nest of Magic was such a cozy, heartwarming listen. I adored every minute of this audio ARC. It’s rare to find a lesbian love story told with so much warmth and joy, it felt refreshing and affirming.

The atmosphere is gentle and comforting, with a touch of magic that keeps you smiling. It’s the kind of story that wraps around you like a blanket while also making your heart swell. I loved how natural and authentic the romance felt, and it left me with such a good feeling.

Highly recommended for anyone craving a cozy sapphic romance with just the right amount of magic.

This was my first sapphic read and it won't be the last! The cozy romance between Corinthia and Rosemary is so sweet and gentle. The witty banter between all the characters is engaging. The comedic moments are interspersed throughout the book! As Rosemary upends Corinthia's life, Corinthia's life broadens and her joy multiplies.

If you love suspending reality in a realistic setting, cozy romances, and imaginative characters, I would highly recommend this novella. The audiobook is just over 6 hours and I could have listened to it in one day! This is a clean romance with some light kisses and a little inuendo between Corinthia and her two close friends, Stevie and Drew. No spice, but lots of sweet romance.

This was such a sweet sapphic cozy fantasy. I loved the premise and the way their relationship grows. There is a natural comfort between them that is easy and enjoyable to read. Definitely a book you can pick up and enjoy in one sitting. I love that it has an audiobook as well!

This was a quick, fun, and heartwarming story that I listened to on audio. A grumpy librarian and a whimsical forest!! YES PLEASE! I recommend this if you are looking for a cozy sweet romance minus the smut.
Narrator 5 stars.

A cute and cosy modern fairytale filled with just the right amount of magic and whimsy. Lots of love for libraries, librarians, chocolate and nature and a queer cast make this story extra heart warming.

Cross posted to Goodreads and storygraph.

This book, A Nest of Magic, is a perfect read for a cozy autumn day! I loved the characters and the setting. Once you start meeting characters you will fall in love with it all. I hope there will be more in this series in the future!!!

CUTE!
I dearly enjoyed this book. The characters were a odd bunch of very sweet and kind people that really made this book stand out for me. Our main character is a librarian who is looking for and needing a little change her life. her sweet doggo was really the love of my life and the epilogue was even told through his perspective.

Overall this was a heartwarming cozy sapphic romance with a wonderful cast of characters that will grip your heart quickly.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and Kate Moseman for the ACR. This review is my own honest opinion

So adorable and so cozy. This is a sapphic romance about a grumpy, dog-loving librarian who falls for a mysterious magic wielder. The only problem is, the librarian doesn't believe in magic. This charming story is also pretty short, so it is perfect if you just want something heartwarming and quick. Sweet world-building and a little bit of intrigue will have you adoring this one.

For those of you who are Ice Planet Barbarians fans, Holly Jackson narrates with her ever whimsical voice. And she does an AMAZING job.

I went into A Nest of Magic expecting a bit more fantasy focus, but what I found was actually a romance at its heart—and I ended up really enjoying it. The magical setting is charming, but it’s the relationships that take center stage, making this feel much more like a cozy romance than a traditional fantasy novel.

Kate Moseman’s writing is light, fun, and easy to sink into. The characters are endearing, and while the plot isn’t particularly high-stakes, that’s part of the charm. It’s the kind of book that feels like a comfort read—perfect for a summer afternoon when you just want something sweet, whimsical, and a little magical.

I’m giving it 4 stars because while it wasn’t quite what I expected, it was exactly what I needed: a cute, cozy romance with a sprinkle of magic on top.

A Nest of Magic is a tender, sweet, whimsical, and cozy romance—absolutely drenched in fantastical charm. I especially loved the socially awkward characters, which warmed my heart as someone who often feels awkward in social situations myself.

The ending took me by surprise (in the best way), and overall the story just felt like a wonderful little escape. I listened to it as an audiobook, and the narrator did a fantastic job. I even sped it up a bit—which I can’t always do without losing clarity—but here it worked beautifully.

This is an easy five stars from me. If you love cozy, magical stories, I’d recommend this to just about anyone.

Oh, my god, this was delightful!! It's sapphic, it's cozy, and it has a protagonist in her mid-to-late 30s.

I was on board with this book right from the start. Kate Moseman writes with so much wit that I (an AFAB person in my mid-to-late 30s) couldn't help smirking throughout the story. Her style is a perfect mix of spices on an already good book.

I love the creative choices Moseman has made here. I feel like her grounded, more-magical-realism-than-fantasy approach makes it incredibly relatable.
Corinthia lives and breathes like a 35+ woman, with all the practical attitude that I often find in myself.
It was more refreshing than I can say. (One food metaphor per review is quite enough, I think.)
In short, this is how you write cozy.


Thank you to Anne and the rest of Victory Editing, and to Netgalley, for the eARC.
[This review will be posted to my Instagram account @jt.adria during the few days leading up to ANOM's release]