Spellbound Cottage by Genevieve K. Thomas:

5 stars

Life after graduating from art school has not been at all what Beatrix Billberry thought it would be. She’s lost her artistic inspiration and sense of direction. Thankfully, before her passing, her grandmother offered her some good advice: embrace life’s challenges. Bea tries to live up to that, taking on a dilapidated cottage that somehow feels like home, meeting new friends along the way, solving a decades-old mystery, and discovering new sources of inspiration.

I think it’s particularly fortunate that I stumbled upon this book in its audio form because Roisin Rankin’s narration is splendid; her voice is an extremely pleasant one, and she was able to give each character a personality. There were a couple of spots where the sound cut out, though I don’t know why. It momentarily pulled me out of the story, but only temporarily. If I see another audiobook narrated by Ms. Rankin, I will automatically be more interested just for that fact.

Timing in reading is important, and I had previously been reading a rather challenging book; Spellbound Cottage was a welcome change. It has coziness to spare, and I have a particular weakness for home renovation projects, art, and main characters struggling to find their feet.

Little Sparrow is a wonderful setting, filled with lovely people. I’ll be honest; my earliest impression of Angus wasn’t great. I think he should have piped up sooner in the barn. However, he did successfully recover my good opinion. Then, I found his devotion a bit unlikely, but charming. Gregor, on the other hand, is fantastic; he adds excellent friction, and I understand his change in behavior. Barnaby is adorable, and Atticus and Theodore are good fun. I’m also a sucker for historic wallpapers.

The way the mystery was treated fascinates me. While it was resolved, I was not fully satisfied—and I suspect other readers may feel the same way. That said, it fits the story's style well and adds a shade of realism to a book that isn't trying to be realistic—we don’t always get all the information we want. It was an elegant conclusion to a side quest that could otherwise have overwhelmed the main plot.

Cozy readers who enjoy subtle magical elements, making a house a home, gentle romance, and a whiff of mystery will enjoy this tale. It was just what I wanted when I wanted it, but it did leave me wanting cake and scones with a cup of hot tea.

Thanks to Bookouture Audio and Second Sky Books for the opportunity to listen to this audio book. I received a complimentary copy through NetGalley, and I'm writing this review voluntarily.