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A Widow's Charm
Not yet published
Expected 31 Mar 26Caitlyn Paxson's A WIDOW'S CHARM, pitched for readers of Freya Marske and India Holton, a comedy of errors-esque fantasy romance in which a clever widow blackmails her rakish necromancer neighbor to bring her husband back to life and save her home—only to find herself falling for him.
432 pages, Paperback
Expected publication March 31, 2026
11 people are currently reading
8689 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 152 reviews
October 19, 2025
🪄 Bookish Thoughts
I really enjoyed this cozy fantasy. Elwood was a whole damn vibe 😅 He was easily my favorite character in the entire book. The melodrama and dramatics had me cackling, and he and Hilde were perfect together.
I also loved the world building and all of the side characters. The way it wrapped up was so satisfying. That surprise “lord” at the end had me grinning 😍🤣
🩷 What to Expect
• Widow x Necromancer
• Cozy fantasy
• Witty and whimsical
• Found family
• Magical resurrection
• Enemies to lovers
⸻
⭐ Final Score: 4.25 stars
📅 Pub Date: March 31, 2026
📝 Thank you to Del Rey, Random House Worlds, and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
I really enjoyed this cozy fantasy. Elwood was a whole damn vibe 😅 He was easily my favorite character in the entire book. The melodrama and dramatics had me cackling, and he and Hilde were perfect together.
I also loved the world building and all of the side characters. The way it wrapped up was so satisfying. That surprise “lord” at the end had me grinning 😍🤣
🩷 What to Expect
• Widow x Necromancer
• Cozy fantasy
• Witty and whimsical
• Found family
• Magical resurrection
• Enemies to lovers
⸻
⭐ Final Score: 4.25 stars
📅 Pub Date: March 31, 2026
📝 Thank you to Del Rey, Random House Worlds, and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
September 26, 2025
4.5/5-I giggled...I blushed...I kicked my feet in the air...
I'm not usually a romance reader, but I enjoy a cozy fantasy rom-com from time to time, and A Widow's Charm definitely delivered. If you enjoy the way T. Kingfisher weaves tenderness and lightheartedness with the macabre in The Saint of Steel series or Swordheart, you'll definitely fall in love with this cheeky, charming, and endearing debut. Not to mention, I'm a sucker for a book with a trusty pet always at the heels of its protagonists.
My only critique would be that the world building was a little heavy-handed in the beginning, and I would have preferred for it to be spread out a bit more throughout the story. Otherwise, this was a absolute pleasure to read, and I look forward for what Caitlyn Paxson releases next!
Thanks to Netgalley and Del Ray/Random House/Inklore for the ARC!
I'm not usually a romance reader, but I enjoy a cozy fantasy rom-com from time to time, and A Widow's Charm definitely delivered. If you enjoy the way T. Kingfisher weaves tenderness and lightheartedness with the macabre in The Saint of Steel series or Swordheart, you'll definitely fall in love with this cheeky, charming, and endearing debut. Not to mention, I'm a sucker for a book with a trusty pet always at the heels of its protagonists.
My only critique would be that the world building was a little heavy-handed in the beginning, and I would have preferred for it to be spread out a bit more throughout the story. Otherwise, this was a absolute pleasure to read, and I look forward for what Caitlyn Paxson releases next!
Thanks to Netgalley and Del Ray/Random House/Inklore for the ARC!
September 27, 2025
pathetic self hating rake x anti land owning widow ft the best dog in fiction maybe??
(anyways this was lovely and still sharp and deeply funny. the kind of cozy fantasy I can get behind)
(anyways this was lovely and still sharp and deeply funny. the kind of cozy fantasy I can get behind)
December 6, 2025
Light and charming and whimsical. I think this had some classic debut problems: the author did NOT trust me as a reader, and was constantly over-explaining the characters’ emotional states, info-dumping, and reminding me about things I did not need reminders about that. I think the overstating of the characters’ emotions made them feel a bit hollow and unconvincing. I also struggled to suspend my disbelief with certain plot elements that were very contrived and overly convenient.
In spite of that, the romance was really sweet and I loved the disability rep and interesting magic system.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
In spite of that, the romance was really sweet and I loved the disability rep and interesting magic system.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
September 30, 2025
Okay that ending really got me.
A WIDOW’S CHARM puts a lady widow with a dead husband and dependent tenants and unfinished business against a fugitive necromancer who’s sworn never to use his Charm again. She’s trying to blackmail him. He thinks she’s flirting with him. Farce ensues.
Portions of the book worked better for me than others—I also think some bits were setup for possibly other books in a series, which left a few threads here and there, but this was a good read and the characters did some emotional work unpacking their baggage and trauma.
The ending scene did get me though. 🥹
Heat level: 3.5. There are a couple on page scenes and the MMC is bi and a “rake” though this just means he has slept with a lot of people. No actual rakishness exists, he is a sad golden retriever that has been kicked more times than is good for him.
A WIDOW’S CHARM puts a lady widow with a dead husband and dependent tenants and unfinished business against a fugitive necromancer who’s sworn never to use his Charm again. She’s trying to blackmail him. He thinks she’s flirting with him. Farce ensues.
Portions of the book worked better for me than others—I also think some bits were setup for possibly other books in a series, which left a few threads here and there, but this was a good read and the characters did some emotional work unpacking their baggage and trauma.
The ending scene did get me though. 🥹
Heat level: 3.5. There are a couple on page scenes and the MMC is bi and a “rake” though this just means he has slept with a lot of people. No actual rakishness exists, he is a sad golden retriever that has been kicked more times than is good for him.
January 4, 2026
This was a very pleasant and fast paced book. The idea of a resourceful widow blackmailing a grumpy aristocrat with necromancy powers into resurrecting her husband is a really fun hook, and of course from there things quickly spiral into something much bigger than that initial setup.
The book is marketed as cozy fantasy, and it does lean into that label with a small scale setting and a strong focus on community and relationships. The plot itself is not particularly complicated and relies heavily on comedy of errors and some genuinely amusing moments. That said, what actually happens in the story does not always feel fully cozy. There are a few heavier themes, and the stakes are real, even if they are more personal than world ending. Overall, the balance between cozy and heavy is handled well.
What really makes this novel work are the characters. I really enjoy reading about characters who are a bit older and already know what they want from life, what they like, and what they refuse to put up with. Hilde fits that perfectly. Elmwood does as well, with the added bonus of that classic grumpy man who slowly softens over time. The overall vibe of both the characters and the story reminded me a lot of T. Kingfisher’s Sworn Soldier series, so if you like those kinds of books, this one might be right up your alley.
If I had any complaints, the ending felt a bit rushed, and everything wrapped up very neatly and very quickly in the characters’ favor. But honestly, that is also part of the cozy fantasy formula, so it did not bother me too much in the end.
Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The book is marketed as cozy fantasy, and it does lean into that label with a small scale setting and a strong focus on community and relationships. The plot itself is not particularly complicated and relies heavily on comedy of errors and some genuinely amusing moments. That said, what actually happens in the story does not always feel fully cozy. There are a few heavier themes, and the stakes are real, even if they are more personal than world ending. Overall, the balance between cozy and heavy is handled well.
What really makes this novel work are the characters. I really enjoy reading about characters who are a bit older and already know what they want from life, what they like, and what they refuse to put up with. Hilde fits that perfectly. Elmwood does as well, with the added bonus of that classic grumpy man who slowly softens over time. The overall vibe of both the characters and the story reminded me a lot of T. Kingfisher’s Sworn Soldier series, so if you like those kinds of books, this one might be right up your alley.
If I had any complaints, the ending felt a bit rushed, and everything wrapped up very neatly and very quickly in the characters’ favor. But honestly, that is also part of the cozy fantasy formula, so it did not bother me too much in the end.
Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
September 2, 2025
This was an amazing debut. It's the kind of book you read with an involuntary tiny smile on your face. You keep turning the pages wanting to know what happens next and then when you find out what's next, it's both unexpected and delightful. The wordplay, the wit, and the chemistry; this book has all of that and I highly recommend you preorder it. This little gem will be available in March 2026. I was lucky enough to read it early with a digital ARC.
November 30, 2025
Well I knew that this book is going to have a sort of charm (lol when you read the book you’ll get it) that cannot be found anywhere else when it starts with “I must regretfully inform you that the dog dies. But not for very long”.
What a hilarious and fun story to read on the first snowfall of the winter season this year. I found Lady Hilde to be so charming throughout the story and loved her relationship with her neighbor, Lord Erol.
This is a perfect cozy book for a winter or fall afternoon when you want a story that has copious amounts of humor, little mysteries scattered throughout, and a romance between an unlikely pair (that was founded under less than normal circumstances).
Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey for the eARC of this stunning novel!
What a hilarious and fun story to read on the first snowfall of the winter season this year. I found Lady Hilde to be so charming throughout the story and loved her relationship with her neighbor, Lord Erol.
This is a perfect cozy book for a winter or fall afternoon when you want a story that has copious amounts of humor, little mysteries scattered throughout, and a romance between an unlikely pair (that was founded under less than normal circumstances).
Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey for the eARC of this stunning novel!
September 3, 2025
ARC Review
Lady Hildegarde Croft had a plan: marrying Lord Thorgoode Croft and becoming Lady of the Manor ensured the safety of the people of Croftholde.
But when her husband suddenly dies, she is left alone to deal with his vicious brother, who now threatens her people.
Fortunately, Lady Croft’s new neighbour might be able to solve all her problems—thanks to his charm that can bring people back from the dead. Lord Elmwood is hiding in Croftholde when she decides to blackmail him. What Lady Croft doesn’t know is that Lord Elmwood never intended to use his dark power again.
This book was such a pleasant surprise. It kept me invested throughout the story, and I truly couldn’t have anticipated many of the twists. The plot was original and well-developed, and I especially enjoyed the dual point of view.
One of the things I didn’t expect was the humor. I really enjoyed the banter and the hilarious misunderstandings between the characters. And how could I not mention Rollo? He was the perfect addition to the narrative, and the ending tied everything together beautifully.
As the story progressed, I grew very attached to the two main characters. Both had satisfying character development—they complemented and healed each other in meaningful ways. I also appreciated many of the side characters, especially Mr. Winthrop. I found him really funny and absolutely loved his friendship with Lord Elmwood.
I also really enjoyed the author’s writing style: precise, elegant, and immersive. It truly brought me into this charming and cozy fantasy world.
ARC provided via NetGalley.
Lady Hildegarde Croft had a plan: marrying Lord Thorgoode Croft and becoming Lady of the Manor ensured the safety of the people of Croftholde.
But when her husband suddenly dies, she is left alone to deal with his vicious brother, who now threatens her people.
Fortunately, Lady Croft’s new neighbour might be able to solve all her problems—thanks to his charm that can bring people back from the dead. Lord Elmwood is hiding in Croftholde when she decides to blackmail him. What Lady Croft doesn’t know is that Lord Elmwood never intended to use his dark power again.
This book was such a pleasant surprise. It kept me invested throughout the story, and I truly couldn’t have anticipated many of the twists. The plot was original and well-developed, and I especially enjoyed the dual point of view.
One of the things I didn’t expect was the humor. I really enjoyed the banter and the hilarious misunderstandings between the characters. And how could I not mention Rollo? He was the perfect addition to the narrative, and the ending tied everything together beautifully.
As the story progressed, I grew very attached to the two main characters. Both had satisfying character development—they complemented and healed each other in meaningful ways. I also appreciated many of the side characters, especially Mr. Winthrop. I found him really funny and absolutely loved his friendship with Lord Elmwood.
I also really enjoyed the author’s writing style: precise, elegant, and immersive. It truly brought me into this charming and cozy fantasy world.
ARC provided via NetGalley.
December 2, 2025
Hilde Croft is admirably not like other ladies with her radical views on land stewardship and the magical ability to retrograde rot. Recently widowed, she needs her dead husband to not be dead, and has a foolproof plan to blackmail the self-loathing necromancer next door to aid her. Unfortunately, said necromancer is up against it, having lost his earldom to a dog and recently sworn off his favorite pastime of pleasures of the flesh. After a difficult bout in the war, he’s none too keen to wield his resurrection charm, but Lady Croft is a persuasive vision of delights, and he is a man of rather large talent, after all. There's a crevasse of inconvenience, reanimated woodcocks, only one dovecote...this book does it all! At one point, Hilde describes her heart as a clay brick lodged inside her rib cage and I felt uncomfortably seen. 5-stars for expanding my repository of insults to include “grasping strumpet” and the MC’s being 30+, so still idiots, but not as idiotic as the average 20 year old in romantasy. If you don’t enjoy fun, whimsy, wordplay, or sex, you’re madder than a broody hen on eggs and this book just isn’t for you.
October 17, 2025
This book was one of my favorite reads of 2025. It has everything I’m looking for. Cozy, perfect romance, plot, twists, adorable animals, and disability representation. I’ve gotten tired of the classic 18-20 year old FMC with zero emotional maturity, but it’s nice to read a character with age and life experience, giving them more depth. I would absolutely read this book again as a comfort read. The stakes aren’t terribly high, but the conflict was well done and thought out, and the resolution was so cute.
September 13, 2025
Well, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it definitely wasn’t that. I appreciated the regretful forewarning, and also the “but not for very long” - as if the reality - the permanence of death - was not a thing. I wish it wasn’t a thing. In this book, it turns out it’s not, but only in the loopholes (this whole book is about the loopholes).
It was unexpectedly cosy, for a book about death. A cute little romance (which was also unexpected, when the love interest is a rake who is on the run, wanted for war crimes, with quite severe PTSD, who has the power to undo death. None of those things scream “potential love interest”… and yet…). I enjoyed the lawyers friendship and the naive lover (especially the butterflies, until the aftermath was revealed).
The back and forth was kind of cute, but I mostly enjoyed when things really kicked off, when push came to shove and everyone had to figure out the truth of their hearts, and recognised who they could rely on.
Delightful happy ending, though I wish there had been more than just a hint with what happened with Han and Isobel. It would be been delightful to see more of their happy endings too. (Okay, just read the the sequel features then, so I guess we will! The preview was lush, can’t wait)
(Thank you to NetGalley for the arc)
It was unexpectedly cosy, for a book about death. A cute little romance (which was also unexpected, when the love interest is a rake who is on the run, wanted for war crimes, with quite severe PTSD, who has the power to undo death. None of those things scream “potential love interest”… and yet…). I enjoyed the lawyers friendship and the naive lover (especially the butterflies, until the aftermath was revealed).
The back and forth was kind of cute, but I mostly enjoyed when things really kicked off, when push came to shove and everyone had to figure out the truth of their hearts, and recognised who they could rely on.
Delightful happy ending, though I wish there had been more than just a hint with what happened with Han and Isobel. It would be been delightful to see more of their happy endings too. (Okay, just read the the sequel features then, so I guess we will! The preview was lush, can’t wait)
(Thank you to NetGalley for the arc)
November 17, 2025
I really enjoyed this one. This book is a cozy, charming romantic fantasy with great banter and a surprising amount of heart. hilde and elmwood are such a fun duo their chemistry, tension, and emotional growth kept me hooked the whole time. the magic system is creative, the necromancy twist is handled so well, and the mix of grief, humor, and romance feels perfectly balanced. a sweet, magical read with real warmth.
October 30, 2025
cozy, fantasy, magic, historical fiction, slowburn, romcom, beats one's expectations!
Loved the banter between the two main characters, and the hilarious situations they both kept getting in LOL
I binge read a good amount in one sitting, thats how entertaining this book was!
Thank you for the ARC NetGalley.
Loved the banter between the two main characters, and the hilarious situations they both kept getting in LOL
I binge read a good amount in one sitting, thats how entertaining this book was!
Thank you for the ARC NetGalley.
September 30, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 4 stars
This story follows Hilde, a wily widow, who tries to blackmail her charming necromancer neighbor, Elmwood, to bring her husband back to life and save her home - which he desperately does not want to do.
This was such a heartwarming, whimsical fantasy romcom. I adored our main characters and Rollo. This is story is insta-lust turned love (on Elmwood's part) and he quickly became one of my fave yearners ever.
I also really appreciated how the author addressed deeper, darker issues like social justice, war, and PTSD in a way that was prominent without it feeling gratituous.
Lastly, I really enjoyed how the author had the female characters interact with each other. You love to see confident women wanting the best for each other.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore | Del Rey for the eARC!
This story follows Hilde, a wily widow, who tries to blackmail her charming necromancer neighbor, Elmwood, to bring her husband back to life and save her home - which he desperately does not want to do.
This was such a heartwarming, whimsical fantasy romcom. I adored our main characters and Rollo. This is story is insta-lust turned love (on Elmwood's part) and he quickly became one of my fave yearners ever.
I also really appreciated how the author addressed deeper, darker issues like social justice, war, and PTSD in a way that was prominent without it feeling gratituous.
Lastly, I really enjoyed how the author had the female characters interact with each other. You love to see confident women wanting the best for each other.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore | Del Rey for the eARC!
November 29, 2025
SOLD!!
Before I dive into the review, I want to clarify that I typically don't enjoy romances—especially not those with erotic banter and steamy scenes. However, this story completely took me by surprise and had me smiling shyly throughout my reading.
The wordplay was exceptional, the characters were wonderfully flawed yet lovable, the chemistry was sizzling, and the writing was filled with humor. There really wasn’t anything I disliked about it. While I would have appreciated a bit more worldbuilding, I’m not deducting any stars for that, especially considering how often the writing made my cheeks hurt from smiling.
Thank you to Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore, and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. I’m definitely looking forward to the next installment in the series.
Rating: 4.5/5.
Before I dive into the review, I want to clarify that I typically don't enjoy romances—especially not those with erotic banter and steamy scenes. However, this story completely took me by surprise and had me smiling shyly throughout my reading.
The wordplay was exceptional, the characters were wonderfully flawed yet lovable, the chemistry was sizzling, and the writing was filled with humor. There really wasn’t anything I disliked about it. While I would have appreciated a bit more worldbuilding, I’m not deducting any stars for that, especially considering how often the writing made my cheeks hurt from smiling.
Thank you to Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore, and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. I’m definitely looking forward to the next installment in the series.
Rating: 4.5/5.
September 27, 2025
This felt like reading 'Bridgerton' but with a magical twist, whimsical, witty, and full of charm (pun intended). I loved the charm magic system, just wish I could have seen more of the charms that were possible. I found myself giggling through most of Hilde's conversations, both in her head and with others. I usually don't enjoy the miscommunication trope, but here it was handled so well that it added to the humor (literally had a hand over my mouth giggling).
I love the name Elmwood almost as much as I love his relationship with Hilde. The way she cares for him, and the way he's adorably shy around her 😫 completely won me over, plus there's a little bit of spice. I don't want to spoil anything, but if the ending and encore hadn't been included, I would have been so mad and probably in tears. A truly delightful read, thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to enjoy this story.
Perfect for those looking for a cozy fantasy and like a good giggle, a little spice, and charisma that will make you fall in love.
I love the name Elmwood almost as much as I love his relationship with Hilde. The way she cares for him, and the way he's adorably shy around her 😫 completely won me over, plus there's a little bit of spice. I don't want to spoil anything, but if the ending and encore hadn't been included, I would have been so mad and probably in tears. A truly delightful read, thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to enjoy this story.
Perfect for those looking for a cozy fantasy and like a good giggle, a little spice, and charisma that will make you fall in love.
November 5, 2025
A Widow's Charm was a nice palate cleanser. It was quick and refreshing with quite a bit of humor mixed in with the romance.
Disclaimer: this would have likely been a 3 star read for me if not for Rollo. That little dog was the difference for me between a 3 and a 4 star read.
My only real qualm with the book was how often it relied on miscommunication to create drama. I wish Hilde and Elmwood talked more toward the middle of the story about their thoughts and feelings. The miscommunication made a lot of sense early on when they didn't really know each other, but it carries through almost all the way to the end of the novel. That said, if you enjoy miscommunication, this would likely be a good one for you.
The overall feel of the book was reminiscent of Swordheart by T. Kingfisher, but with less action. It was a solid read that I enjoyed, and provided me with a delightful break before I jump into some horror to wrap up the fall.
Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for the opportunity to read A Widow's Charm in exchange for an honest review.
Disclaimer: this would have likely been a 3 star read for me if not for Rollo. That little dog was the difference for me between a 3 and a 4 star read.
My only real qualm with the book was how often it relied on miscommunication to create drama. I wish Hilde and Elmwood talked more toward the middle of the story about their thoughts and feelings. The miscommunication made a lot of sense early on when they didn't really know each other, but it carries through almost all the way to the end of the novel. That said, if you enjoy miscommunication, this would likely be a good one for you.
The overall feel of the book was reminiscent of Swordheart by T. Kingfisher, but with less action. It was a solid read that I enjoyed, and provided me with a delightful break before I jump into some horror to wrap up the fall.
Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for the opportunity to read A Widow's Charm in exchange for an honest review.
November 13, 2025
What an absolute delight! I had such a fun time reading this, and I'm thoroughly looking forward to the next book. If you're looking for a cozy and funny fantasy romance, I definitely recommend A Widow's Charm!
Want to read
October 31, 2025a fantasy romance about a widow blackmailing a necromancer?? that sounds amazing omg (thank you netgalley & the publisher for the arc)
November 8, 2025
Pure magic and an absolute Joy to Read!!!
This book exceeded my expectations. This is a beautifully written low stakes cosy romantasy, with a strong, character driven story.
The Main Character, Hilde and Lord Elmwood, through whom the story is told, are my favorite due I’ve read all year. Their chemistry leaps off the page, and the dialogue is iconic. They’re two perfectly imperfect people whose inner demons fit together in the most wonderful ways. There is so much depth and strength, tension and witty banter between them I couldn’t stop reading. The scene where they meet for the first time had me in stitches. It’s easily one of the best love interest introductions I’ve ever read.
Both are magically gifted with a ‘Charm’, a unique magic abilities, that is feared and even condemned by society. Hilde is the Lady of a grant estate who finds herself in desperate need of the Lord Elmwood gift and will stop at nothing to persuade him to help her.
This is a story with so much heart and perfect for Cosy romantasy readers who love a slow burn romance, low stakes and subtle unique magic.
I can not wait to continue exploring this world with Han and Issie's story.
Many thanks to Arcadia and NetGalley for the ARC ebook. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.
Many thanks to Arcadia and NetGalley for the ARC ebook. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.
This book exceeded my expectations. This is a beautifully written low stakes cosy romantasy, with a strong, character driven story.
The Main Character, Hilde and Lord Elmwood, through whom the story is told, are my favorite due I’ve read all year. Their chemistry leaps off the page, and the dialogue is iconic. They’re two perfectly imperfect people whose inner demons fit together in the most wonderful ways. There is so much depth and strength, tension and witty banter between them I couldn’t stop reading. The scene where they meet for the first time had me in stitches. It’s easily one of the best love interest introductions I’ve ever read.
Both are magically gifted with a ‘Charm’, a unique magic abilities, that is feared and even condemned by society. Hilde is the Lady of a grant estate who finds herself in desperate need of the Lord Elmwood gift and will stop at nothing to persuade him to help her.
This is a story with so much heart and perfect for Cosy romantasy readers who love a slow burn romance, low stakes and subtle unique magic.
I can not wait to continue exploring this world with Han and Issie's story.
Many thanks to Arcadia and NetGalley for the ARC ebook. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.
Many thanks to Arcadia and NetGalley for the ARC ebook. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.
September 3, 2025
Sometimes a book feels like being wrapped in a cozy warm blanket, and this is undoubtedly one of those books. Once I started it I didn’t want to put it down! Fantastic balance of enjoyable characters, romantic chemistry, plot progression, and well-timed humour. Thank you to NetGalley for the arc!
October 12, 2025
i quite enjoyed this bk, it was very cozy and reminded me of the bridgerton books, but more enjoyable. i’m a big fan of cozy novels based in the regency era and “The Widow’s Charm” didn’t disappoint!
the book didn’t fall into any unnecessary plot holes and stayed consistent with its pace and writing style throughout. it managed to give me an understanding of the magic system quickly without overwhelming me, immediately giving me a reason to care about the magic’s importance. plus, as a hater of miscommunication, the few instances where it occurred in this book didn’t even bother me that much! they all made at least some sense in the situation and were somewhat quickly fixed without making me want to tear my hair out.
the characters were likable (& hate-able) in all the right places and i found myself consistently charmed by their relationships. i will say that there isn’t much focus on the background characters, which i quite enjoyed because otherwise books can get a bit muddied in terms of who i’m supposed to care about.
overall i’d give it a solid 4 stars and would recommend to people who enjoyed books such as “Half a Soul” and “The Ill-Mannered Ladies!”
thanks to netgalley and the book’s publishers for the ARC!
the book didn’t fall into any unnecessary plot holes and stayed consistent with its pace and writing style throughout. it managed to give me an understanding of the magic system quickly without overwhelming me, immediately giving me a reason to care about the magic’s importance. plus, as a hater of miscommunication, the few instances where it occurred in this book didn’t even bother me that much! they all made at least some sense in the situation and were somewhat quickly fixed without making me want to tear my hair out.
the characters were likable (& hate-able) in all the right places and i found myself consistently charmed by their relationships. i will say that there isn’t much focus on the background characters, which i quite enjoyed because otherwise books can get a bit muddied in terms of who i’m supposed to care about.
overall i’d give it a solid 4 stars and would recommend to people who enjoyed books such as “Half a Soul” and “The Ill-Mannered Ladies!”
thanks to netgalley and the book’s publishers for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ARC Review
I went into this book genuinely intrigued. The concept alone hooked me immediately: a widow named Hilde, desperate enough to approach her new necromancer neighbor, Elmwood, to resurrect her dead husband… only for that request to spiral into a fake dating scheme to protect both of their reputations.
That sounds like a delicious setup for reluctant allies, moral dilemmas and a slow-burn romance full of tension.
Unfortunately, the execution just didn’t work for me.
My biggest issue was the pacing. Everything happens so fast that there’s barely any time to emotionally process what’s going on.
We’re slowly introduced to the setting, and then suddenly Hilde’s husband is dead and instead of grief, shock or panic, she almost immediately decides to hide his body in her house. That moment completely threw me off.It felt strangely emotionless, especially for a character whose entire motivation is supposedly rooted in love and loss. I wanted to feel something there, but the story rushed past it.
Then there’s Elmwood’s introduction… which, unfortunately, sealed the tone for me very early on.
Less than 40 pages in, his first reaction to seeing Hilde is explicitly sexual, and from that point on, the book leans heavily into sexual attraction almost immediately. Lines about wanting to teach her things in bed, or constant sexual commentary, made me deeply uncomfortable.
It felt jarring and out of place, especially when paired with what should have been a dark, morally complex situation involving death and necromancy.
Because of that, Hilde and Elmwood growing closer felt unearned. There was no emotional buildup, no real reason for their bond to deepen beyond physical attraction. It gave me the strong impression that the relationship was rushed purely to make room for spice, rather than allowing the story and characters to naturally develop. I ended up DNFing because I just couldn’t connect anymore.
Even the writing style struggled to find its footing. At times it leaned into older, more formal language that fit the setting and then suddenly modern swearing would appear, completely breaking immersion. The tonal shifts made the story feel inconsistent, like it couldn’t decide what it wanted to be.
That’s what makes this such a frustrating read for me: the potential was absolutely there. This could have been a clever, scheming story about survival, reputation, grief and uneasy alliances with a slow-burn romance simmering underneath.
Instead, it felt rushed, overly sexualized, and emotionally shallow.
I know this book will work for some readers, especially those who enjoy quick pacing and immediate attraction, but sadly, it just wasn’t for me.
I need a stronger emotional core, more careful buildup and writing that fully commits to its tone and this one didn’t quite get there.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I went into this book genuinely intrigued. The concept alone hooked me immediately: a widow named Hilde, desperate enough to approach her new necromancer neighbor, Elmwood, to resurrect her dead husband… only for that request to spiral into a fake dating scheme to protect both of their reputations.
That sounds like a delicious setup for reluctant allies, moral dilemmas and a slow-burn romance full of tension.
Unfortunately, the execution just didn’t work for me.
My biggest issue was the pacing. Everything happens so fast that there’s barely any time to emotionally process what’s going on.
We’re slowly introduced to the setting, and then suddenly Hilde’s husband is dead and instead of grief, shock or panic, she almost immediately decides to hide his body in her house. That moment completely threw me off.It felt strangely emotionless, especially for a character whose entire motivation is supposedly rooted in love and loss. I wanted to feel something there, but the story rushed past it.
Then there’s Elmwood’s introduction… which, unfortunately, sealed the tone for me very early on.
Less than 40 pages in, his first reaction to seeing Hilde is explicitly sexual, and from that point on, the book leans heavily into sexual attraction almost immediately. Lines about wanting to teach her things in bed, or constant sexual commentary, made me deeply uncomfortable.
It felt jarring and out of place, especially when paired with what should have been a dark, morally complex situation involving death and necromancy.
Because of that, Hilde and Elmwood growing closer felt unearned. There was no emotional buildup, no real reason for their bond to deepen beyond physical attraction. It gave me the strong impression that the relationship was rushed purely to make room for spice, rather than allowing the story and characters to naturally develop. I ended up DNFing because I just couldn’t connect anymore.
Even the writing style struggled to find its footing. At times it leaned into older, more formal language that fit the setting and then suddenly modern swearing would appear, completely breaking immersion. The tonal shifts made the story feel inconsistent, like it couldn’t decide what it wanted to be.
That’s what makes this such a frustrating read for me: the potential was absolutely there. This could have been a clever, scheming story about survival, reputation, grief and uneasy alliances with a slow-burn romance simmering underneath.
Instead, it felt rushed, overly sexualized, and emotionally shallow.
I know this book will work for some readers, especially those who enjoy quick pacing and immediate attraction, but sadly, it just wasn’t for me.
I need a stronger emotional core, more careful buildup and writing that fully commits to its tone and this one didn’t quite get there.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 27, 2025
Ooh i liked this one. I’d give it a 4 on a good day and a 3.5 on a bad day.
I had conflicting anticipations when I went into The Widow’s charm. The cover seemed very cosy and I’ve never had the best of luck when it came to cosy, especially in fantasy. On the other hand, i wanted to pick up another fantasy romance after finally liking one (1) in ages and the synopsis of this sounded too good to pass up.
There is very light fantasy though so if you’re the type of person to go “ewwwww romantasy” good news is you can still pick this up. There are some (two? three?) spicy scenes so do with that what you will. The writing is also very historical romance-esque, so if it’s your genre, this book would satisfy it too.
I don’t have much qualms about the story but also nothing quite of substance to say about it. It’s a romantic, historical, cozy, light fantasy, with little stakes and a cute ending. It didn’t necessarily do anything outstanding for the genre, but I’d like to give a thumbs up to the book for not being obsessed with being cosy. Since cosy fantasy’s the current hyped genre, so many books have been published under it and I just get terribly bored when it’s obvious that a book was written just so it could be marketed as cozy, with a barely-there plot.
Also the encore almost got a drop of tear out of me so there’s that.
I’d pick up the next book the author writes!
Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I had conflicting anticipations when I went into The Widow’s charm. The cover seemed very cosy and I’ve never had the best of luck when it came to cosy, especially in fantasy. On the other hand, i wanted to pick up another fantasy romance after finally liking one (1) in ages and the synopsis of this sounded too good to pass up.
There is very light fantasy though so if you’re the type of person to go “ewwwww romantasy” good news is you can still pick this up. There are some (two? three?) spicy scenes so do with that what you will. The writing is also very historical romance-esque, so if it’s your genre, this book would satisfy it too.
I don’t have much qualms about the story but also nothing quite of substance to say about it. It’s a romantic, historical, cozy, light fantasy, with little stakes and a cute ending. It didn’t necessarily do anything outstanding for the genre, but I’d like to give a thumbs up to the book for not being obsessed with being cosy. Since cosy fantasy’s the current hyped genre, so many books have been published under it and I just get terribly bored when it’s obvious that a book was written just so it could be marketed as cozy, with a barely-there plot.
Also the encore almost got a drop of tear out of me so there’s that.
I’d pick up the next book the author writes!
Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 7, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley and Del Ray for an early preview of this amazing book!
A Widow's Charm is the perfect book to welcome us into the cozy reading season, with a well balanced story that deals with self-love and discovery, while still maintaining a light-hearted prose and delivering some of the most comedic lines I ever had the pleasure of reading!
Initially, I thought this book would be like Olivia Atwater's Regency tales, with a historical background and cozy country charm, but it ended up being slightly different, in that it was definitely more catered for adults and did not shy away from lewd humor.
I wasn't too sure about it at first, but after reading from Elmwood's POV, I couldn't put the book down and finished it in two days! He has such a personality that is both awful and endearing, and his inner monologue is unbelievably entertaining.
In short, the story follows Hilde and Elmwood, from their respective perspectives, as Hilde's husband passes away, which puts her plans to free her tenants from lordship in jeopardy, at the same time Lord Elmwood flees from the law into the neighboring estate and conveniently holds the power to bring back the dead. Hilde's brews a master plan to blackmail Elmwood into bringing back her husband, but Elmwood's mistakes her advances as romantic interest, which ensues many highjinks and chaos.
The story did cover some heavier topics, such as death of Hilde's husband and Elmwood's war flashbacks. That being said, the author somehow still passed this as an easy lighthearted read with fantastic comedy and character development.
All of the side characters were extremely loveable and well-fleshed out, and I would honestly love to dive into this world again and see some more of these characters (or new ones!) and dwelve deeper in the charms and their history. There was enough world building to make this particular story work, and it left space for it to be further fleshed out if it was revisited.
For me, it is definitely the kind of story I would love to keep a copy of in my personal library to revisit each year.
A Widow's Charm is the perfect book to welcome us into the cozy reading season, with a well balanced story that deals with self-love and discovery, while still maintaining a light-hearted prose and delivering some of the most comedic lines I ever had the pleasure of reading!
Initially, I thought this book would be like Olivia Atwater's Regency tales, with a historical background and cozy country charm, but it ended up being slightly different, in that it was definitely more catered for adults and did not shy away from lewd humor.
I wasn't too sure about it at first, but after reading from Elmwood's POV, I couldn't put the book down and finished it in two days! He has such a personality that is both awful and endearing, and his inner monologue is unbelievably entertaining.
In short, the story follows Hilde and Elmwood, from their respective perspectives, as Hilde's husband passes away, which puts her plans to free her tenants from lordship in jeopardy, at the same time Lord Elmwood flees from the law into the neighboring estate and conveniently holds the power to bring back the dead. Hilde's brews a master plan to blackmail Elmwood into bringing back her husband, but Elmwood's mistakes her advances as romantic interest, which ensues many highjinks and chaos.
The story did cover some heavier topics, such as death of Hilde's husband and Elmwood's war flashbacks. That being said, the author somehow still passed this as an easy lighthearted read with fantastic comedy and character development.
All of the side characters were extremely loveable and well-fleshed out, and I would honestly love to dive into this world again and see some more of these characters (or new ones!) and dwelve deeper in the charms and their history. There was enough world building to make this particular story work, and it left space for it to be further fleshed out if it was revisited.
For me, it is definitely the kind of story I would love to keep a copy of in my personal library to revisit each year.
November 19, 2025
Thank you NetGalley, Del Rey and Caitlyn Paxson for the Arc read for "A Widow's Charm", in exchange for an honest review.
I was really intrigued by the concept of the book along with the cover, when first reading about the book it pulled at all the right places to draw me in to read a book, because who doesn't love a historic romantasy.
I really wanted to enjoy this book, but unfortunately it just did not hit the mark for me. I'm not sure if it was due to the length of the chapters or the slow pace to begin, but I found myself just not interested in the story. I was a little thrown off by the FMC's (Hilde) dead husband being present in the book, and that Hilde's sadness wasn't towards the loss of her husband, but more towards what was going to happen going forward when they found out her husband was dead, and having to throw her out of the castle.
I personally did not connect with the characters or the writing style of this book, but I think Caitlyn Paxson is a very talented writer and will be excited to read future publications.
If the premise of the book intrigues you, or you are very captivated by the description, I would give this book a shot!
I was really intrigued by the concept of the book along with the cover, when first reading about the book it pulled at all the right places to draw me in to read a book, because who doesn't love a historic romantasy.
I really wanted to enjoy this book, but unfortunately it just did not hit the mark for me. I'm not sure if it was due to the length of the chapters or the slow pace to begin, but I found myself just not interested in the story. I was a little thrown off by the FMC's (Hilde) dead husband being present in the book, and that Hilde's sadness wasn't towards the loss of her husband, but more towards what was going to happen going forward when they found out her husband was dead, and having to throw her out of the castle.
I personally did not connect with the characters or the writing style of this book, but I think Caitlyn Paxson is a very talented writer and will be excited to read future publications.
If the premise of the book intrigues you, or you are very captivated by the description, I would give this book a shot!
October 8, 2025
A Widow's Charm is a very strong debut. It was very reminiscent of T. Kingfisher's Swordheart, and I loved that the humor balanced really well with the other serious tones of the novel.
I think that the weakest point of the novel was the pacing. To me, it felt like forever to get to the main heart of the conflict. We spent a good half of the novel meandering around a single problem that has a simple answer, and that was frustrating.
The end did make up for that in pacing, and I actually really enjoyed it. Also, the encore was my absolute favorite thing, and I did tear up a bit.
Also, for my spice-adverse or cautious girlies, there are a few open/cracked door scenes that are hard to skip because they contain a lot of necessary dialogue. Take from that what you will.
Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this and would like to see more from Caitlyn Paxson.
I think that the weakest point of the novel was the pacing. To me, it felt like forever to get to the main heart of the conflict. We spent a good half of the novel meandering around a single problem that has a simple answer, and that was frustrating.
The end did make up for that in pacing, and I actually really enjoyed it. Also, the encore was my absolute favorite thing, and I did tear up a bit.
Also, for my spice-adverse or cautious girlies, there are a few open/cracked door scenes that are hard to skip because they contain a lot of necessary dialogue. Take from that what you will.
Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this and would like to see more from Caitlyn Paxson.
October 18, 2025
I enjoyed reading this book.It had many tropes I like: forbidden romance, magic, LGBTQIA+ representation, slow burn, dual POVs, witty banter, spice and the undead.
FMC-Hilde, was older in her 30s and wielded magic known as a charm.
MMC- Lord Elesmere, wealthy, bisexual and a soldier. He also possessed a charm.
Hilde was a high lady of a manner she desperately wanted to keep from her brother in law, despite being a widow. She comes up with a plan to keep the charade of her husband away on business, but it would involve an unwilling Lord Elsmere's assistance. Lord Elsmere has secrets of his own he's hiding and wants to stay away from causing attention to himself. Hilde believes if she befriends Lord Elsmere, he'd be more willing to help her, and that's when the slow burn attraction starts between them. What follows is a chain of events that keeps them apart by friends that only want to "help", as well as misunderstandings abound. The spice was surprising to come across, but it connected these two individuals in a world where they have been underappreciated and alone for a long time. As the dynamic of the relationship changes, it brings them together and find a solution to both their troubles and the story ends where it should.
FMC-Hilde, was older in her 30s and wielded magic known as a charm.
MMC- Lord Elesmere, wealthy, bisexual and a soldier. He also possessed a charm.
Hilde was a high lady of a manner she desperately wanted to keep from her brother in law, despite being a widow. She comes up with a plan to keep the charade of her husband away on business, but it would involve an unwilling Lord Elsmere's assistance. Lord Elsmere has secrets of his own he's hiding and wants to stay away from causing attention to himself. Hilde believes if she befriends Lord Elsmere, he'd be more willing to help her, and that's when the slow burn attraction starts between them. What follows is a chain of events that keeps them apart by friends that only want to "help", as well as misunderstandings abound. The spice was surprising to come across, but it connected these two individuals in a world where they have been underappreciated and alone for a long time. As the dynamic of the relationship changes, it brings them together and find a solution to both their troubles and the story ends where it should.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A Widow's Charm sent me into a rollercoaster of emotions: laughing, embarrassment, sadness, all that shenanigans. And I didn't expect to love it! I admit I was iffy about the innuendos and all the supposed dirty talk in the first few chapters; I'm not someone who actively seeks out these things and I didn't expect to see them so early in the story. But somehow it worked as a plot device, which is hilarious (props to the author). While the book is overall cozy and charming, I appreciate how it tackles heavy themes, such as PTSD from war and the loss of a loved one, and incorporates them so naturally into the plotline.
The only thing stopping me from giving the 5th star is the kinda-sorta rushed ending. It felt like it went a little too well for the main characters and didn't give time for the events to simmer.
Thank you Netgalley and Del Rey or providing me with this eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are entirely my own.
The only thing stopping me from giving the 5th star is the kinda-sorta rushed ending. It felt like it went a little too well for the main characters and didn't give time for the events to simmer.
Thank you Netgalley and Del Rey or providing me with this eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are entirely my own.
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