Quick Synopsis –When visiting Twig’s Traveling Tomes, customers will get the exact book they need, even if it isn’t the one they want. As for the proprietor and renowned Book Witch, Louella Twig lives her life sequestered with her stories, just as she likes it.

When devilishly handsome rogue Everett Sharp stumbles in looking to remove some handcuffs—closely followed by Louella’s former tutor, whose prized grimoire has been stolen—her literary sanctuary is fully upended. Only Louella’s magic can locate the grimoire, and teaming up with Everett is her best chance at retrieving it . . . but how can she trust that the man behind the wolfish grin isn’t interested in stealing the book for himself?

With a host of friends old and new, Louella sets off on an adventure she never thought she’d take—and starts to realize that, just like her books, what matters most has always been what’s under the surface.

Song This Reminds Me Of – Rose-Colored Boy by Paramore

Publication Date – Sept. 8, 2026

Bookshop Link – Twig’s Traveling Tomes by Gryffin Murphy

Content Notes – There is some violence, sexism, bullying, and blood. There is also sexual content.

Spicy Rating – 🌶️🌶️

Overall Rating – ⭐⭐⭐⭐out of 5

Review – This is a cozy fantasy romance novel. You’ve got some found family vibes mixed in with a cute little romance. I think some people might call this an enemies to lovers story, but I would say this is more of a grumpy sunshine combo. Everett is our charming thief who is introduced hiding in the bookshop trying to pick his handcuffs. Louella is our book witch. She owns a really cool traveling bookstore, that she controls using magical doorknobs. Of course, at first, she is very wary of Everett. He’s a thief and she runs a stand-up business! Quickly after the introduction of Everett we also meet Lou’s old mentor and that starts of the major quest of the book.

It starts as Lou, Everett, and her old mentor tracking down pieces of a book. The book pages are disguising themselves as magical creatures. Throughout the quest Louella confronts her loneliness and resentment. You see, in this world, in order to be a real witch you have to complete your training and get a broom to hang on your wall. Since Louella’s magic allows her to pick the book a person needs and not necessarily wants. That kind of magic doesn’t mesh with what’s accepted and she’s denied her broom. Throughout the quest she meets so many new people and expands her circle.

This book was fun, there was adventure, longing, flirting, and defeating bad guys. I think the only thing I didn’t love about the book was the length. This was a short book, but it honestly dragged on in places. I wish some of the quests to get the pages were a little longer and the in-between parts were shorter. There was one part of the book where they found the pages pretty much immediately and I just felt like I would have liked to see the adventure. Not the worst thing in the world, I just would have liked that more.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bindery Books – Cozy Quill for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.