A Charming Book to Read this Spring
September 15, 2026
Genre: fantasy, cosy, romance
But when Agnes is forced to move the charity, she soon discovers her new shop is being used as a front; beneath it lies the lair of the decidedly disorganised—not to mention self-absorbed and infuriatingly handsome—Havelock Renard.
Havelock is everything Agnes doesn't want: chaos, mischief, and a little too much adventure. But as she gets to know him, she sees he's more than the dark magician of legend, and she may be ready for a little intrigue, perhaps even romance. After all, second chances aren't just for rescue cats...
This was my first introduction to Heather Fawcett, an author known for her beloved series, Emily Wilde. It also marked my first exploration of the cosy fantasy genre, which kept me thoroughly engaged from start to finish. Fawcett portrays the wonders of magic through the perspective of our main character, who experiences magic for the very first time. I particularly appreciated how she captured the quirks and personalities of cats, which provided moments of laughter and joy throughout the narrative.
I enjoyed it being a slow-burn, though I would have appreciated a little more romance in Agnes and Havelock’s relationship. That said, Havelock took some time to grow on me. At first, his character did not particularly appeal to me, but he eventually won me over as the story unfolded. Overall, I find this book quite charming and would recommend it, especially to readers who enjoy cosy fantasy, magic, and cats.