Synopsis: Steel Magnolias meets Practical Magic in this charming contemporary fantasy debut in which a thirty-something kitchen witch whose recipes have the power to heal is recruited to help a reclusive warlock and discovers love on the other side of the next bake. Self-taught chef and baker Honey Frost is Foxe Holler’s resident Farewitch.

Proud of her family’s legacy for curing all manner of ailments with the right recipe, Honey is determined to be the Farewitch the Holler can depend on, even if she’s taken on the role twenty years too early. Honey’s normal routine is disrupted when the reclusive Warlock living at the edge of the Holler appears for the first time in decades with a peculiar request: he needs a Farewitch. It seems the Warlock has been struck with a mysterious curse-born illness. Initially reluctant to get involved-warlocks and witches do not get along-Honey changes her mind when he offers compensations she can’t refuse— access to his infamous library of old texts and kitchen grimoires. Now Honey is the newest resident of his moody farmhouse, Knight Manor. Which happens to have one gorgeous kitchen. And a lot of secrets. And a Warlock that maybe…isn’t so frightful at all. Or old. Or bad looking. Curing people should a piece of Hummingbird cake for any Farewitch, but the grumpy farmhouse and even grumpier Warlock aren’t keen to help with their own healing. And that’s not the only trouble. The Widow Witch, century-long scourge of the region, is due to blow into Foxe Holler for her annual visit and this time, she has business with the Warlock.

My review: Sometimes I see a book synopsis and the comparisons seem too good to be true or don’t quite hit the mark. This is definitely not the case for The Farewitch of Foxe Holler.

I loved the atmosphere of this book, it has an effortless witchy feel and small town magical vibe, real and found family, completely heartwarming and wholesome to boot. I really enjoyed the pacing overall, while it is cozy and slow, it’s deliberate and steady, building an emotional punch right when you least expect it. The plot is interesting and the characters propel the story forward.

Now the characters truly make this story stand out, Honey is our FMC, sweet like her name, driven and neighborly, will even help a cursed Warlock against the holler’s protests. The Warlock, Mr. Knight, the holler’s dark enigma, had the aura of a tortured hero, mysterious but kind. I appreciate a slow burn romance and their banter was perfect, just the right amount and realistic, to include a pun- sweet! Add in his young ward, Lazlo, Governess Miss Zeen, and all the colorful townsfolk round out the ambience of the novel.

The writing was well crafted, full of southern charm and messaging about living in the present with the ones you love most. It was a wholesome pleasant ride and it made me happy to read it!

Thank you to Saga Press for the free book – out now!

Title: The Farewitch of Foxe Holler
Author: Ellen Pauley Goff
Genre: Cozy Fantasy, Romance
Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨