The Farewitch of Foxe Holler

by Ellen Pauley Goff

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.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Cozy Fantasy, Cozy, Adult, Witches, Magic

480 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication July 7, 2026

Reviews

[Maeghan 🦋 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m so lucky with arcs this year 🥹 huge thanks to NetGalley & the publishers for a chance to review this arc!

I was really excited to read this because I was in the mood for something cozy. While I really liked the beginning and the initial set up for this novel, my enjoyment fizzled out because this tried to do too much.

We follow a fmc I would consider socially inept, in a small town where she cares for her family’s apothecary. The initial problem (her mother’s sickness) was well written and very plausible. The novel started losing me when the plot line with the warlock was introduced. I was already feeling that the fmc was socially inept (with her interactions with her mother’s replacement), but her meeting with the gardener was what threw me off. The way she was talking to him when she thought he was the warlock vs when she learned he was a gardener… it rubbed me the wrong way because since it wasn’t someone ‘in authority’ ; she immediately started making requests and trying to change his working habits. I know this is probably something silly to nitpick on but for me… there’s never been such a thing as someone whose more important than someone else. Her and the mmc had no chemistry whatsoever so I couldn’t get behind on the romance either.

This novel powered through with miscommunication. That’s what propelled the plot, and for what reason? I can’t really say. They both lied and kept secrets. Then again, this could also be attributed to social ineptitude.
It honestly could’ve been edited down. There’s a lot of repetition and internal monologues. The fmc tried too hard to be clever or funny and that made her seem inauthentic. The amount of internal monologues was overwhelming and I was eager to get out of her head (and I’m someone who overthinks a lot so that says enough).

Now like I said, this book tried to do a lot of things. There were multiple plots introduced and some were dropped early on so they felt unnecessary. I had the feeling the fmc didn’t like what she was doing at first but this wasn’t really explored. I wondered if the religion plot line was really necessary.

I think this author has promise ; this was a debut. I recommend reading this one and making your own judgement as reading is subjective.

[Tyler Hancsak · Rating 5 out of 5]

GIRLLLL YOU WROTE THE HELL OUT OF THIS!!! I am a frequent flyer of cozy fantasy and I will go on record to say that this is the MOST well developed, most well planned and thought out cozy fantasy that I’ve read. The characters were all so richly fleshed out and individually themselves, all with such establish history in who they were. The setting was so well described that I felt like I was IN THE BOOK and the magic was so unique and lovelyyyy.

Honey was a beautiful main character choice. My golly her character is going to be one of my faves ever. Don’t even get me started about Lazlo!!! (Little king 👑 ).

This had so much history in the town and such a fun cast of silly characters. The town lore, the magic + curse lore and the spells that they had to do were so fun and not like anything I’ve ever read before.

This had so much heart and emotion that it brought me to tears on several occasions. This was the warmest hug of a book.

I know the author mentioned how she knows it was long in the acknowledgments, but honestly I wish it was longer due to how much of a role I felt like I was in the story. She did a phenomenal job making this the coziest of cozy fantasies that I didn’t want to leave.

Cannot wait to return to Foxe Hollar!!!

[Dozelina 666 · Rating 4 out of 5]

“It takes two slices of bread to make a stubborn sandwich.”... :))

This was such a sweet and cozy read, even if it occasionally dipped into darker and more emotional territory.

Honey was a lovely FMC, and I really appreciated that she was older than many of the main characters I’ve been reading lately. She felt warm, caring, stubborn...

As the blurb says, Honey is the Farewitch of her small town, using recipes and baked goods to help cure ailments and comfort people. But while she spends her days helping others, she’s desperately trying to find a cure for her own mother’s mysterious illness.

Then one day, the town’s feared and mysterious Warlock hires her to help cure him in exchange for access to his massive magical library.

Honestly, I adored the entire setup.

The grumpy warlock, the adorable ward, the slightly terrifying governess/housekeeper and even the grumpy house itself. :D

The baking and healing magic were probably my favorite parts of the story. Honey’s recipes sounded SO good that reading this while recovering from tooth surgery was honestly cruel 😭 There I was at 4am craving cakes and baked goods while surviving on soup.

I also loved the modern setting mixed with whimsical magic. Phones, microwaves, wifi… but also magical recipes and cursed illnesses. That combination always works really well for me.

The romance was a very slow burn, but in a good way. It genuinely grows from almost nothing into something soft and beautiful, and the banter between Honey and the Warlock was adorable.

I also appreciated Honey’s character growth. She starts out very stubborn and unwilling to rely on others, but slowly begins opening up and accepting help from the people around her.

My only real complaint is that the book probably could’ve been a bit shorter. Toward the middle/end, the multiple plotlines started to feel slightly overcrowded, and the pacing slowed down for me there.

Still, for a debut? This was genuinely charming, cozy, and heartfelt.

⭐ 4 stars

Thank you to Saga Press and Edelweiss for the ARC.

[Sophia]

A testy warlock hero, a sunshiny kitchen-witch heroine, a sentient farmhouse, country fantasy charm make up the ingredients to a tale as delicious as downhome cooking. Ellen Goff is a new to me author and this is her debut fantasy novel which drew me in as soon as I saw the title and description.

My full review will post at Caffeinated Reviewer TBA.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Farewitch of Foxe Holler is a charming and heartwarming small town, witchy romance. I love how it really leans into its small town setting and feels distinctly Appalachian. I enjoyed following Honey, a witch who heals ailments with food, as she tries to cure a reclusive warlock of his mysterious illness. I loved the suuuuuper slow burn romance and the banter. My favorite part was all of the food descriptions. I definitely got hungry reading this one! I thought both main characters had great development and I thought the book had a satisfying ending. The Farewitch of Foxe Holler is one to add to your tbr

[Bre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Want a slice of good, Southern charm? This is it. The Farewitch of Foxe Holler is a love letter to the Southern US (Kentucky!) in the form of a cozy fantasy novel. It’s cornbread cooked just right. It’s ice cold sweet tea in the sweltering heat. It’s the persnickety old southern grandmas who you can’t help but love. To put it plainly: I loved this story. The book is dripping with southern charm, culinary puns, and tear-jerking moments. I was laughing out loud throughout the entire book, even in between the parts that made me tear up.

Honey is the town Farewitch (aka Kitchen Witch) in Foxe Holler, Kentucky. She cures many ailments with the right recipe and a dash of magic. The surly town Warlock invites her to help him cure a mysterious ailment. Sure, the Warlock is hated by all, reclusive, and an all around grump who won’t tell her anything- but Honey is a Farewitch. Her job is to make people better. Of course she will move in with him to help heal him, especially if he has a library of grimoires that may have the recipe to help heal one of beloved family members. Unfortunately, there’s more secrets than answers and whisking up a simple dish won’t heal the Warlock, the town, or Honey.

Let me tell you that this is one of those books I forced myself to read slow so I could savor it. I couldn’t put it down. Honey’s sarcasm, the way the story portrayed a southern holler to a T, and the Dolly Parton references!! The romance is so incredibly sweet. All of these things make this one of my all-time favorite cozy fantasies- and I’ve read a lot of those recently!

Thank you SagaPress for the gifted eARC and finished copy.

[Alisha Keig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the eGalley!

I love reading cozy fantasy books especially one with witches in small towns doing every day magic and miracles! This reminded me of some favorite books including the Ex Hex trilogy and A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping. Also lowkey gave Encanto with Honey, the Fairewitch, being able to heal with food. Immaculate vibes all around, I felt immersed in the setting of the holler, and I thought the mystery element of the plot was really well done. The main conflict with the warlock did get a little clunky, but I thought the subplots and social commentary on the way difference can be villainized, about men being power hungry, and women bending til they break to keep communities together was timely (and heard as a recovering perfectionist and people pleaser). The plot was fun, quirky, heartwarming, and marketed perfectly as a cross between Steel Magnolias and Practical Magic. And the characters were lovable—folks you instantly want to root for. An amazing debut and another one I’d save for the fall to stay on theme! Would absolutely read more from this author!

[Gali · Rating 5 out of 5]

As in cooking, this book has all the right ingredients that add up to an excellent dish: grumpy vs. sunshine, a sentient farmhouse, and magic! The Farewitch of Foxe Holler by Ellen Pauley Goff is a charming cozy fantasy stand-alone set in a magic-imbued small town in Kentucky. This book checked all my boxes and worked perfectly for me.

Honey Frost is Foxe Holler's thirty-something Farewitch who had to take over her family's Apothakery business earlier due to unexpected circumstances. Creating culinary cures is her specialty, and most small ailments can be cured with just the right recipe. When the Holler's reclusive Warlock, Mr. Knight, suddenly requests her help, she reluctantly agrees, to the dismay of the townsfolk, in the hope of finding helpful new recipes to cure the one illness she has been unable to heal.

She stays at his farmhouse, which has a mind of its own and mistrusts strangers. The only other residents are a lovely nine-year-old boy, Lazlo, and his unwelcoming governess, Ms. Zeen. The Warlock has many secrets, so Honey's task is set out for her, and she has only three months to accomplish it. As Honey tries to find a cure while dealing with her own issues, two threats loom: the Widow Witch, who steals a husband from Foxe Holler every year, and a zealot pastor determined to banish magic altogether. And time is running out, literally.

I enjoyed the book very much. I loved the banter and repartee between Honey and Mr. Knight, the slow-burn romance, the eclectic cast of side characters, the different types of witches, and the cozy atmosphere. The romance develops gradually and never overshadows the rest of the story. I also adored the sentient farmhouse. It was every bit as grumpy as its owner and felt like a character in its own right. I appreciated the character growth of both Honey and Mr. Knight, the snappy dialogue between them, and the writing.

This book is definitely character-driven, and the author does a tremendous job capturing the personalities of her characters. Among the side characters, Beulah Buchanan and her lovely dog, the grumpy Gertha Fudge, and Letha Zeen were standouts and added plenty of flavor to the story. The pacing is steady, and while it may slow somewhat in the middle, it felt just right to me and suited the cozy atmosphere of the story. I loved the concept of solving problems with the right recipes. We get the backstory in bits and pieces, which is how I prefer it rather than pages of info dumps.

Interwoven within this sweet tale are themes of friendship, loyalty, found family, and the power of community, as well as other insightful messages, such as the dangers of overworking oneself at the expense of one's health (through the costs of magic), learning to accept help, understanding that people can make bad decisions without being bad people, and learning from our mistakes. The plot served our protagonists to the best of their personalities. And the characters, in turn, served the plot to its full potential.

Overall, I loved the book and highly recommend it. It was everything I want from a cozy fantasy novel. It is filled with vivid world-building, original characters, and a captivating magical setting. I loved the connection between magic and baking, as well as Honey's helpful tips from her planned Southern Cookbook for Recipes Gone Wrong at the heading of each chapter. I would love to read more books set in this world. It's perfect for fans of the genre. The author baked us a great burgoo dish, and in Honey's Momaw's own words: food is magic. And this book has both, in spades!

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.
* Review on my blog: https://galibookish.blogspot.com/2026...

[Alexandra Morales · Rating 4 out of 5]

****Many thanks to Netgalley and Saga Press for an advanced eArc in exchange for my honest opinion****

3.5 but will happily round up for this one.

Honey was an absolute blast to read about, I caught myself laughing more than once at her antics, witty banter and no nonsense attitude. Her tackling the mailman to get his attention, bringing the misfits of the farmhouse manor together for Sunday meals and honestly her refreshing point of view that most people are good, that friendships make you stronger. Which makes her a great fit for the Warlock. From the start I thought they fit well together despite the strong differences, as that is a popular trope I thought the author did a great job with these two. The general dislike morphed into friendship and then love. Nothing was rushed, the yearning was there and the two of them had PLENTY of adorable and hilarious moments together.

The Warlock I would say is sort of your garden variety MMC (pun fully intended). Tall, dark, handsome with something from his past that makes him aloof in the present. His sweetness with Honey was adorable to read, we get some funny moments that made me smile and go back and re read. I admit the man's lack of communication was EXASPERATING... but the moments he and Honey share almost make it worth it.

Between the two main conflicts in the book, The Widow Witch and the holler Pastor Oris Webb I much PREFER the Widow Witch and wish that had been the conflict the author chose to delve deeper into. The two conflicts was almost too much and the story started to pull in different directions.

There was also some muddiness into the Farewitch magic, I wanted to know how her mother Marigold and the Warlock just happened to understand how the wasting disease was effecting the Frost's. I thought that resolution came a little to quickly and out of nowhere. As well as how she can continue to be a Farewitch just by "taking a break" or "making sure she lives her life".

Some of the side characters seemed to me like boxes to be checked. Arna Jean, Rett, Silas, Carolina, Marigold. Some of their interactions made me cringe a bit.

But GOOD LORD did Beulah Buchanan really make a come back for the side characters! I loved this woman from the start. She is a spitfire with a poodle and a southern mouth with no filter. Also appreciated learning more about Gertha Fudge and why she is just so sour.

Some lines from the book that I just had to put into this review:

"It takes two slices of bread to make a stubborn sandwich" - Honey

"I'm not afraid of anything, especially a man" - Beulah (The Beast) Buchanan

A healthy mind so often follows and depends on physical health. - Honey

The FOOD is the heart of this book and I it was an utter delight to read any and every recipe the author decided to put into this. I learned what a scuppernong is (a type of grape), corn pudding and more! The magic of a Farewitch is actually truly heartwarming to read about, how different foods help with ailments you can have. That is one of the more unique magic systems I've read in a while.

Since they revealed in the Kentucky Fried Coven there are Bookwitches, Hearthwitches and Hedgewitches I expect a book about Arna Jean promptly.

[ColleenIsBooked · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a bit surprising to realize that this book is a cozy contemporary fantasy. I was certain it would be set in the past at least somewhat, but not really. We immediately are introduced to Honey, the local farewitch whose head we are stuck in for the rest of the book. Her powers are adding bits of healing magic into food like calming cornbread and apple cakes to help with allergies, etc. One day she received a letter from the local warlock requesting her help with a predicament. Typically, warlocks and witches are kind of enemies, but Honey agrees to help him to obtain access to his library to try to find a cure for a wasting disease her mother is experiencing. Shenanigans ensue. We get a lot of developing the relationship betwen the warlock and Honey and Honey and Lazlo, the ward of the warlock. What I liked best was learning about the different townspeople and how they all fit into the fabric of the holler. Unfortunately, the sickness of her mother and trying help the warlock aren't Honey's only concerns, the more devout members of the community are starting to clamor for the restriction of magic, led by the current pastor. Secrets abound, romance brews, and tensions bubble under the surface.
The romance was fine. I wasn't really chomping at the bit for them to get together, but I also didn't dislike the pairing. I just didn't feel a huge spark between them.
I thought the plot was the more interesting part; the dynamics of the townspeople versus each other, the townspeople versus the Widow Witch, the townspeople versus magic in general. It was all really complex and interesting.
By far my least favorite part of the book is a trope that I really hate. I dislike when someone is a chef, a baker, a foodie type person, yet they always put off eating or make excuses not to eat, take one bite and rush off. It bothers me especially when people are telling them 'hey you haven't eaten' and they just keep putting it off. Especially when, in this case, Farewitches are mentioned to typically be plump and merry because they eat as they go or whatever, but Honey's whole family seems to be the only ones who stay really skinny. This is explicitly mentioned in the story, which is why I am mentioning it here. Honey is almost always surrounded by food and feeding people, but rarely do we actually see her eat. So, honestly, a trigger warning for disordered eating. Yes, it is also explained why they are like that, but not really why only their family is impacted.
The other big part of the story is the pastor's campaign against magic. It definitely feels tied into current conservative religious upticks. So again, please keep that in mind.
Overall, I do feel like this book was successful in its aims. It is a cute story about romance, family, community, and growing as a person. It does lag a bit in the middle, but not overwhelmingly so. I think if you like a cozy story with a little magic and a lot of heart, you might like this one.
3.75 stars

*Thank you to Saga Press/Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the eARC. All thoughts are my own.*

[Dotti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5 stars

The Farewitch of Foxe Holler is a cozy fantasy novel featuring a witch in a small Kentucky town and the found family she finds along the way. Honey’s magic heals through baked goods, making her Apothekery a vital part of the services of Foxe Holler. When Honey receives a job offer from the mysterious Warlock, asking for help and healing, Honey embarks on a journey that saves her town, her new friends and maybe even herself.

This book really leaned into the cozy elements of the genre, giving extra attention to the flavors of the baked goods and the descriptions of various plants. There is a grief storyline that might be triggering for some readers, but it felt well done without being overwhelming.

The story is set in a small town in Kentucky, and the author did a good job of grounding the story in a specific place and time. The main character is one of the daughters of this small town, with all the history and passive-aggressive condescension that comes with it. She’s also very rooted in the experience of modern millennials, the dream deferred by economic instability. She has a cell phone and uses it for group chats, she installs WiFi, and she makes jokes about the millennial v Gen Z divide. I think I would have liked if the generational differences were more stark (it would have been easy for the older folks to get radicalized on Facebook rather than at church), but I also understand wanting to root your story into something more timeless than the specific 2026 era.

The conflict in the story comes from two sources: a pastor at the local parish who is against magic and rallies the townsfolk against it, and the illness of our Warlock (and other characters) and the mysteries involved. The storyline with the magic feels like an easy stand-in for sexism, racism or homophobia, which could be triggering for some readers, but it wasn’t explicitly sexist enough to be triggering for me. Both conflicts are well done and eventually connect in a variety of interesting ways, allowing the story’s conflicts to escalate well and nearly simultaneously. This helped the pacing feel very well done, which can be a problem in a cozy fantasy novel. The stakes in the story also stayed relatively small, which feels important for cozy fantasy.

This story has a major romantic subplot that dominated the story. The romance was not explicit but did have some kissing. The characters felt into a grumpy/sunshine dynamic. There are a number of well-developed side characters, and I could see some of them potentially becoming leads in their own stories.

Altogether, this was a really fun cozy fantasy novel about baked goods, gardening, love and family. There were a number of good mysteries throughout, and some of the twists were unexpected. I love a good cozy fantasy and I think this book is an excellent example of the genre.

This advanced reader copy was provided by Saga press in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Chelsea Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review :)

Second... THE COZINESSSSSSSSSS <3

'Send the letter. Cute the cake. Pass the butter. The best things in life are shared. It takes a holler.'

Synopsis:
A Farewitch in the business of helping people heal/cure their ailments through food has a challenge to heal the Warlock of the Holler, no one and everyone is afraid of.. but the Warlock's ailments isn't just an ailment and she has to find a way to heal him before the widow witch comes for him

HELLO, This was a cozy spring to summer time transition surrounding a slow burn romance and the wittiest FMC and MMC. The way my stomach rumbled when the FMC would test recipes to help with the Warlock's symptoms ?!?!?! but also my heart fluttered with their witty banter. In all seriousness, this book was had given me a sense of whimsy manor vibes with sentient plants and the funniest support characters. I loved that the character developments of all the characters in the book complemented the plot. There was enough world and context building that I didn't feel lost in the aspects of the book but also amplified my emotional attachment to the characters once I got to the climax of the book.

The relationships in the books are what made the book so enjoyable to read. Without giving away too much, the storyline gave room for the characters to grow throughout the book. I loved how each direction the plot went into, it was easy to follow and added depth to the story. The slow burn romance wasn't overdone and it was endearing to read. The relationships that the FMC developed with the support characters also made the story more "relatable" in the sense of letting people help you since the whole premise of being a farewitch is using your power to help others - it emphasized the importance of also allowing others to help you. I also really enjoyed the turning point of the book where the FMC finds out the root of the symptoms/sickness that the warlock has. Honestly, it was all emotionally relatable.

The pacing of the book felt perfect where I didn't feel like there was filler content - and it kept me hooked and wanting to keep reading. I even found myself dreaming about this book. The first person POV was a nice change from the common third person POV that's often associated with fantasy books and the tone of the book stayed true to the FMC's POV throughout. I felt the butterflies and the disappointments of the FMC and it was well executed. There is a theme of grief and healing, a sense of found family, community building and self discovery. If you love those kind of themes, mixed in with a cozy whimsy worlds, this was a really enjoyable read.

Overall, I give this a 5/5 stars! I'm all for anything cozy whimsy and food books and this is definitely one of the better ones I've read.

[Jessica Johnson (jess_l_lovessmut) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much Netgalley and Saga Press for the opportunity to read this book. These honest opinions are all my own.

I fell so in love with this book. This book nuzzled its way in and touched every inch of this southern girl's heart. So many times a little phrase or saying would make me think of my life. This book was so nostalgic to me. Honey Frost was one of the most relatable characters I have read in a long time. I found myself constantly saying, hey! I do that. I could not get enough of her and her level headedness. She definitely can overwork herself but I adored every second I had with this FMC and her wittiness.

When the Warlock sends her a message, I knew things were about to get good. All I will say about this, is this is when I fell in love with Honey and her mentality of how you think of others. I knew I was going to like her. The southern charm was spot on and I about spit out my drink when she said how well vampires would do in the south with how polite everyone is and she is not wrong.

We do not know the warlock's name because we find out, that gives the person with the wisdom of the name power, and the warlock is losing his power at a ferocious rate as it is. He literally has an expiration date thanks to a little curse with a witch. I was rooting for Honey to figure out a cure for this ailment before it was too late. And it wasn't just the warlock's life on the line, it was also her mothers.

This is all happening while defending against the widow witch. I learn here that most angry women are normally right about something. There are so many wise messages in this book. I ate it up and adored every second of this. This gave me Klune vibes, and the story is beautifully original but it gives you that warm and fuzzy feeling Klune can create with his words.

I could go on and on about how much I love this book. Each character holds a special place in the process of the wholeheartedness of the book. I did get frustrated with the warlock but I also understood him and where he was coming from. The isolation was so heartbreaking, he just needed a friend. I do not know if the timing of the book was perfect, or the words, but this will hold a special place in my heart and my tummy. The food additions to the book just made the great book even better.

꧁𝓠𝓾𝓸𝓽𝓮𝓼꧂

🍳 𝘼 𝙘𝙖𝙨𝙩-𝙞𝙧𝙤𝙣 𝙨𝙠𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙢𝙮 𝙬𝙚𝙖𝙥𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙞𝙘𝙚, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙄 𝙜𝙤 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙢𝙮 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠𝙪𝙥—𝙞𝙣𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣.

⚖️ 𝙉𝙤 𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩, 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙢𝙖𝙜𝙞𝙘 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙖 𝙘𝙤𝙨𝙩, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙚 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙝𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙗𝙖𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚.

🧂 “𝙒𝙚𝙡𝙡, 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙙𝙚𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙤𝙣 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙢𝙖𝙙𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙧. 𝙍𝙚𝙙𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙙𝙚𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙦𝙪𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙤𝙣𝙚’𝙨 𝙨𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙤𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜.”

🧄 𝙈𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙥𝙚𝙨, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙥𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙖𝙨 𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙖𝙨 𝙞𝙩𝙨 𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Farewitch of Foxe Holler by Ellen Pauley Goff
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pub Date: Jul. 7, 2026

First of all, thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada, Saga Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to ARC read The Farewitch of Foxe Holler.

This book completely stole my heart. It was everything I was hoping for in a cozy fantasy—warm, magical, comforting, and full of heart, while still weaving in moments of mystery and emotional depth.

Honey was such a refreshing protagonist. As the Farewitch of Foxe Holler, she uses recipes and baked goods infused with magic to heal the people in her community, all while desperately searching for a cure for her mother's mysterious illness. I loved that she was a woman in her thirties, and her compassion, determination, and stubborn streak made her incredibly easy to root for.

When the town's mysterious Warlock offers Honey access to his magical library in exchange for helping cure his own strange illness, the story really comes to life. I absolutely adored the setup. A grumpy warlock, a magical manor filled with secrets, an adorable ward, a no-nonsense housekeeper, and even a house with plenty of personality—it all came together to create a world I never wanted to leave.

The healing magic was one of my favorite aspects of the book. The idea of using recipes and baking to create magical remedies felt unique, cozy, and wonderfully immersive. I also loved the blend of modern life with whimsical magic. Seeing phones, Wi-Fi, and microwaves exist alongside enchanted recipes and ancient curses made the world feel both familiar and enchanting.

The romance is a true slow burn, and I appreciated that it takes its time. Watching Honey and the Warlock gradually build trust before anything romantic develops made their relationship feel genuine, and their banter had me smiling throughout the book.

Honey also experiences meaningful character growth as she learns that carrying every burden alone isn't always a sign of strength. Her journey toward accepting help from others added an emotional layer that made the story even more rewarding.

My only small criticism is that the middle section occasionally felt a bit crowded with multiple plotlines, which slowed the pacing slightly. Even so, every thread ultimately contributed to the richness of the world and the characters.

Overall, The Farewitch of Foxe Holler is an absolutely charming debut that perfectly balances cozy fantasy, heartfelt emotion, gentle romance, and whimsical magic. If you're looking for a story filled with magical baking, found family, small-town charm, grumpy sunshine energy, and all the cozy autumn vibes, I can't recommend this one enough.

[Sissi and the Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️
If you love cosy fantasy with small town charm, magical cooking, flawed but lovable characters, and strong community vibes, this is such a perfect comfort read. Honestly, if you remember the show The Good Witch, this captures that exact vibe & feeling.

The Farewitch of Foxe Holler is a cosy fantasy set in a tiny Kentucky town where magic lives quietly between gardens, kitchens, and neighbors who all know each other’s business. Our FMC Honey uses magical cooking and herbal “biohacking” to help keep the community healthy and thriving, but beneath all the warmth there’s also a secret surrounding her mother’s health that pushes her into working with the holler’s notorious warlock.

And the pairings were perfect:
Warlock × Witch
Gardener × Chef
Grumpy × Sunshine

One of my favorite things about this book was how human everyone felt. Nobody here is entirely good or bad, and the story really leans into the idea that flawed people can still care deeply about others. The quote, “People make bad decisions even if they are not bad people,” honestly captures the heart of the book perfectly, especially when it comes to the warlock and his complicated past.

The town itself also feels incredibly alive. Between the gossip, the side characters, the community dynamics, and the magical mysteries, Foxe Holler becomes the kind of place you want to revisit. I’m already hoping the next book gives us more of the vice mayor because that little teaser was NOT enough for me.

And the FOOD. Oh my god, the food. This is the kind of book where you can practically smell rosemary and butter coming off the page. There’s one scene after another of simmering pots, fresh herbs from the garden, warm baked things cooling on countertops while magic quietly folds itself into every recipe. It genuinely reads like a magical cookbook passed down through generations — the kind where healing isn’t just done with spells, but with soup shared between neighbors, tea brewed for exhaustion, and bread made for people too overwhelmed to care for themselves properly.

The romance itself was really sweet and slow, but I do wish we got a little bit more of it by the end. An epilogue especially would’ve gone a long way because the ending left me wanting just one more quiet moment with these characters. There’s also a section in the middle where the story meanders a little between plotlines and could’ve been tightened up.

I enjoyed my time reading this. Thank you Netgalley & Saga Press for the eARC! The review reflects my own honest opinion.

[Sage · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Farewitch of Foxe Holler by Ellen Pauley Goff — ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you so much to NetGalley & Saga Press for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!

The Farewitch of Foxe Holler follows Honey Frost, the titular Farewitch of rural Kentucky town Foxe Holler. With a few ingredients and lots of charm, Honey can heal just about any ailment with the right recipe. When the Holler's local reclusive warlock requests that Honey cure his mysterious illness, Honey's carefully made routine is thrown into chaos. Honey is lured in by promises of unlimited access to his library filled with grimoires and spell books galore. Honey soon moves into the moody farmhouse with a gorgeous kitchen and owner, but healing the Warlock isn't as straightforward as Honey would like.

I was drawn into this book first and foremost due to the comparison to Steel Magnolias and Practical Magic— two of my favorite comfort movies, and I won’t lie, the vibes did not disappoint! This book genuinely felt like the literary equivalent of curling up in bed with a warm pastry and a cup of tea— it’s cozy, heartwarming, whimsical, and I didn’t want to put it down! The characters and their development truly shine in this book, and true to any small town, the side characters are integral to the story— no spoilers 👀 but suffice to say, while the whole premise of being a Farewitch is using your power to help others, this story emphasized the importance of also allowing others to help you.

I adored the mix of magic, romance, and good Southern home cooking— I so badly want Honey’s cookbook, I got so hungry every time she whipped something up for the Warlock! And speaking of Honey and the Warlock, banter between the two of them was just delightful! I love a slow burn romance, and this one absolutely did not disappoint 🤭 Amidst the sweet moments, there is a theme of grief and healing, a sense of found family, community building and self discovery. If you love those kind of themes, mixed in with a cozy whimsy-filled world, I highly HIGHLY recommend this book! This was a genuinely really enjoyable read. 🥹 I can’t wait to read it again! And I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed for an audiobook at some point in the future— I could hear the characters’ voices so clearly as I was reading, and I know this would be absolutely life-changing as an audiobook!

Keep an eye out for The Farewitch of Foxe Holler by Ellen Pauley Goff publishing July 6th, 2026!

[Read.With.Mia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up The Farewitch of Foxe Holler hoping for something cozy, and it absolutely delivered, but with a little more heart than I was expecting.

This is one of those small-town, character-driven stories where the setting feels just as important as the plot. Foxe Holler really comes to life through Honey’s apothecary, her baking, and the way magic is woven into everyday things. There’s something so comforting about the idea of healing through food, and the descriptions of herbs, plants, and baked goods added so much to that cozy atmosphere.

What I appreciated most, though, was the emotional core. Underneath the warmth, there’s a story about grief, belonging, and learning to lean on other people. Honey’s journey felt very grounded, especially that push and pull between wanting independence and realizing you can’t do everything on your own. The warlock’s arc mirrors that in a really satisfying way, and I liked how their growth felt connected.

The romance plays a big role here, and it leans into that grumpy/sunshine dynamic. It’s definitely more sweet than spicy, but the slow build, the banter, and the tension between them made it really easy to get invested. That said, it does take up a decent amount of space in the story, so if you’re not a big romance reader, that’s something to keep in mind.

I also really enjoyed the small-town dynamics. There’s a thread of tension around magic that adds conflict without taking away from the cozy feel, and it subtly reflects real-world prejudice in a way that felt intentional but not overwhelming. The side characters were another highlight and this is one of those books where you could easily imagine more stories set in the same world.

If I had one critique, it’s that the writing occasionally leans a little too hard into its charm. Some of the metaphors and baking-related humor started to feel repetitive at times, and I found myself skimming here and there because of it.

Overall, this felt like a warm, comforting read with just enough emotional depth to keep it from feeling too light. If you love cozy fantasy with found family, a strong sense of place, and a romance that will have you smiling, this is definitely one to pick up. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you NetGalley and Saga Press for my gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review

[Emily Ducharme · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Farewitch of Foxe Holler is a cozy romantic fantasy set in modern-day Kentucky. This book is perfect for readers who enjoy:
✨️ Cozy fantasies set in small towns
✨️ Slow burn and low-spice romance
✨️ Grumpy x sunshine
✨️ Found family
✨️ Comfort food

The story follows Honey Frost, Foxe Hollers only farewitch, whose food is imbued with magic to help the townsfolk with their various ailments. Honey, a sunny 30-something, has recently taken over her family's Apothekery which has been passed down through generations of Frost women. When, out of the blue, the towns reclusive Warlock offers Honey access to his personal library in exchange for her services she sets off on a journey of self-discovery, friendship and surprising romance.

The two highlights of this book for me were the setting and the magic system. I really enjoyed reading a fantasy story set in modern-day Kentucky. The author's love and familiarity with the region really came through in her writing and the location was perfect for a cozy story. Then layer in Honey's magic based around the food of the region and it was a truly wonderful combination. The descriptions of Honey's wares and their magical effects were lovely.

The story balances a number of big themes and messages including found family and friendship, grief, the complicated histories and prejudices interwoven in small-town communities, the balance of one's work and one's health, and not letting one's past mistakes define you. There are also several major conflicts that are juggled throughout the book. For me this, along with the pacing, were the weaknesses of the novel. I found the pacing dragged a bit in the middle of the story and, with so many conflicts being set up and resolved in a single book, the ending felt a bit rushed and lack-luster. I think if even one major plotline was dropped in favor of the others the book would have benefitted.

But that being said, overall this was an enjoyable cozy read with a fun cast of characters and a sweet, slow-burn romance set in a well-developed world. I will be keeping my eyes open for more stories set in the lovely and whimsical town of Foxe Holler!

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Farewitch of Foxe Holler" is a cute, cozy fantasy that follows a witch and a warlock as they team up to find a magical cure. Honey, the farewitch of Foxe Holler, is just as surprised as anyone when a note appears in her shop via magical means, asking her to come cure the reclusive warlock of Foxe Holler. In desperate need of some funds to pay her ailing mother's hospital bills, Honey accepts, despite the rumors of the Warlock being dangerous. What she finds is a gumpy man, his loving young ward, and their house caretaker. As Honey races to find a cure for both her mother and the Warlock using her magical cooking powers, she starts to find more than she bargained for.

This is a cozy fantasy with high stakes that features magical healing through cooking. There are mouth watering descriptions of the food Honey cooks and bakes to try and cure the people she loves. There's also a found family element, a grumpy sunshine romance, and small town vibes to be found in this standalone novel, all of which I loved.

I did find this book to be a tad too long(almost 500 pages) with a little too many plot lines going on. I think if the author had just narrowed it down a bit and focused on 1-2 plot lines instead of like 4, I would have enjoyed this a tad more. Not to say I didn't enjoy it, I did! There were just a few plot holes and questions I was left with at the end. I also had a bit of a difficult time getting into this novel at the beginning. I originally thought this was going to take place in a magical world, but it takes place in our world in the southern US, in modern times. I was consistently thrown off by the constant mention of wifi and modern technology in the first half of the book, although I got used to it as the book went on.

Overall this was a great read, and I recommend it to readers who like cozy fantasy, but also general fiction, as a lot of this read like a normal fiction novel with a hint of magic.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Saga Press for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Taryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Farewitch of Foxe Holler was an easy, hands-down 5-star read for me. It has the cozy comfort of a small-town fantasy, the emotional heart of found family, and the witchy charm of Practical Magic with a touch of Steel Magnolias. I loved it so much that after finishing, I immediately signed up to see the author when her book tour comes to my city.

This story is full of witchy small-town secrets, mysteries layered inside mysteries, unexpected enemies, unexpected friends, and characters who completely won me over. While the beginning took a little time to pull me in, once it hooked me, I was all in. The plot surprised me more than once, and I was not prepared for just how much would happen in Foxe Holler.

The characters are what made this book truly shine for me, especially Mr. Knight. His transformation throughout the story gave me all the good feelings. I love a grumpy, secluded character with hidden depth, and watching his walls slowly come down made my heart so happy. I also loved the diversity woven into the story, particularly Mr. Knight’s heritage. I actually would have loved even more of that within the Appalachian holler setting because it added such an interesting layer to his character and the world.

The food magic was another favorite element. The way food is used as both physical and emotional medicine was so fun and comforting to read. It felt like nourishment, care, and magic all tangled together. And without giving anything away, there is one moment where food becomes the enemy that completely surprised me in the best way.

This book is cozy, emotional, magical, and full of heart, but it also has enough mystery and danger to keep the story moving. I would recommend it to readers who love cozy fantasy or cozy romantasy, found family, small-town magic, sunshine/grumpy dynamics, food magic, and stories that feel comforting while still having real stakes.

I would happily spend more time in Foxe Holler.

[Ally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this E-Arc.

This novel is a fantasy following a witch from a small town in Kentucky. She has the power of healing through her baked goods, making her shop a very important part of the community. She finds herself facing a huge impediment with being unable to find the cure for her mothers’ ailment. When she is offered a job from the Warlock to heal him in exchange for access to his magical library (every readers’ dream), she goes on a journey to help her town and her beloved mother.

This book truly was the epitome of a cozy fantasy. It felt very emotionally mature as it touched upon a grief storyline that was very well formed and truly touched my heart.

I appreciated the modern take the author attempts to use as she presents the experience of millennials compared to the current generations (Gen Z and Gen Alpha). I also appreciate Honey’s character development through the story as she starts out unwilling to accept help, however, it had a hint of found family as she found herself opening up to more people.

I loved the lens it takes to humans, highlighting how there is a nuance to people as the perception is not black and white. The idea that people can make mistakes without being “bad” is truly a very big takeaway from the book that I personally really appreciated.

As a foodie myself, this book is perfect for fans of food. At times, it genuinely felt like I could smell the food throughout the pages with how in depth the description was. I feel the healing element of food was a greater symbol for the connection between people that heals the soul. Honestly spectacular book and I could spend all day evaluating and analysing the deeper meanings.

The story does have a romantic subplot following the grumpy x sunshine trope. It truly was so sweet to follow and did not dominate the whole story. I loved the mystery element as it had some very twisty plot twists. This book truly was everything and more to me.

[Lisa Castore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Equal parts sweet romance and magical mystery.

In this standalone low fantasy, 31 year old Farewitch Honey Frost is trusted with her family’s legacy - The Frost Apothakery in Appalacia. The town’s mysterious, dangerous Warlock approaches her in need of help, which turns out to be a seemingly doomed mission. Honey uncovers generational curses that plague both the town and herself, amidst a cozy yet heated romance.

* Witches & warlocks
* Slow burn
* 30+ MC’s
* Stubbon FMC
* Grumpy MMC
* Forced proximity
* Enchanted house
* Generational curses
* Cooking and baking
* Found family
* LGBTQ+ supporting characters

The romance is a true slow burn, and while there is no open door spice, the yearning and heat is captivating. The tension is a little repetitive, but things start to pick up halfway through the book. The romance kept my attention the most, though the plot is well formed and drives the book equally.

The pacing is steady and reads like butter. The witty banter is natural albeit a little too frequent. The development of each character is the consistent peeling back of layers, which leads to heartwarming found family relationships that will make you gush.

There is a touching depiction of generational strength and connection to your ancestors, as well as how the church can use fear to push their agenda of controlling the masses. The subtle nods to paving the way for progressive thinking (using inclusive language, respecting boundaries, etc) is also a nice touch.

Cooking and baking are at the forefront as well. The cooking metaphors are cute but a little too frequent and on the nose, leaning corny at times for me personally.

This is a great choice for romance and/or fantasy readers who have a love for cooking and baking or looking for a romance with older main characters with a balance between romance and magical plot. Thank you to Saga Press and Ellen Pauley Goff for the free advanced copy!

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looking for the coziest, small town fantasy with the slowest of slow burn romances? The Farewitch of Foxe Holler is all that and more! I absolutely adored this book and couldn’t help but fall in love with the folks of Foxe Holler.

Honey Frost has always known she would spend her life as the Farewitch of her hometown, but she just wasn’t expecting that part of her life to start so soon. It’s now been five years since Honey moved home to take her mother’s place and Honey can cure just about any ailment with her delicious baked goods. That is until a request arrives courtesy of the town’s elusive (and reclusive) warlock - he’s sick and would like to hire Honey to cure his mysterious ailment. With the promise of access to his personal library, Honey goes against the town’s best judgment and decides to help the warlock.

There were so many things I loved about this book. The small town setting reminded me of Stars Hollow, complete with friends, found family, and town busybodies alike. All of the secondary characters felt so vibrant and were lively additions to Foxe Holler. I loved the magic system and how each type of witch has a different kind of magic. Each witch has her place in society and I loved how they really relied on eachother when someone needed help. The romance between Warlock Knight and Honey was the slowest of slow burns that absolutely had me screaming, “just kiss already!!!” on more than one occasion. I’m not ashamed of my impatience 😂. But their love story was so lovely and the slow burn really worked here. I would not have had it any other way.

There were times when this felt just a bit too long and I really could have done without some of the secrecy (why hire someone to help if you’re not going to tell them the whole story?), but overall I had a really great time reading The Farewitch of Foxe Holler. I can’t wait to see what this author comes up with next!

Thank you to NetGalley and Saga Press for a review copy.

[Ria Reads Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Farewitch of Foxe Holler is a very cute, cosy fantasy that is just emotional enough that it's not too twee. Just a teeny, tiny bit twee in an enjoyable way.

Honey Frost (your first sign of twee) is a Farewitch, a witch who cures various ailments through her food. She puts her heart and soul into everything she does. The local Warlock is feared and isolated, but he needs her help. When Honey agrees, she takes on more than she expected as well as having to race against the clock.

This is a really fun read. I haven't read a Southern US cosy witch book before, so it was fun seeing these two worlds mushed together. It tries to tackle some of the prejudices in Southern culture without losing the cosy vibes, which I appreciated it. It also packs in enough emotion so that you are invested in the story. The world building is good, but could've been fleshed out a bit more, some of it feels like an aside to try and round out the world a bit more, but isn't really explored. I feel the same about the side characters, they are all really lovely and interesting, and I would've like to have spent more time with them rather than some of the relative scenes around cooking and research.

However, these are minor quibbles because most fun is the cute relationships between Honey and the residents of the Warlock's house. This is really the best bit of the story, it's so sweet and the dialogue and scenes between them all is fun, some time causing me to laugh out loud. Relationships are at the heart of this book, and will make you feel all warm inside.

If you want cosy small town, found family (natch) vibes, then this is for you. I look forward to seeing what else Ellen Pauley Goff writes and shares with the world.

Thank you to NetGalley and Saga Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Alecia Hefner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honey is the Farewitch of Foxe Holler. In a town that is increasingly becoming hostile towards magic, Honey's job is to run the Apothakery. There she bakes her cures into the foods that she provides.Many in the town have been coming to her for ages and if not her then her mother before her. She prides herself on being able to help all those who need it. The only one that she seems unable to help is her mother, who seems to be wasting away from the same mysterious illness that took her grandmother as well.. Until an ominous mist leaves a letter for her she didn’t think her life could get anymore complicated. However that immediately changes when the letter turns out to be from the Hollers mysterious and possibly evil Warlock.


Honey risks being completely shunned by the town to follow her gut and finds herself at The Manor where the Warlock lives. Very quickly she realizes that not is all that it seems and the rumors about the Warlock are a bit exaggerated. After meeting Warlock Knight she finds it hard to believe that he could be as bad as the townspeople seem to think that he is.


For a powerful Warlock it seems strange that he needs a Farewitch to help him. He holds a secret close to him that she itches to bring to the surface. It helps of course that he is handsome. However he is much more than she bargained for, but she hopes that with access to his library she may find a spell that will save her mothers life.


The Farewitch of Foxe Holler is a wonderfully cozy book about learning to love yourself enough to forgive, and to make healthy boundaries. How each person's view of another is different even though they have all seen the same thing.  I am so happy that #Netgalley gave me the opportunity to read #TheFarewitchofFoxeHoller by #EllenPauleyGoff in return for a fair and honest review.

[ashreads.a.lot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of Advanced Copy received from Netgalley

Honey Frost Is the Farewitch of Foxe Holler, healing the town with the right recipe, one bite at a time. She prides herself on helping everyone, even the reclusive and grumpy warlock of Foxe Holler. Although witches and warlocks normally don’t get along, helping him would gain her access to his extensive library. Honey finds herself getting closer to him and realizing he’s nothing like the rumors say. Helping him means taking on both the town’s judgement and the infamous Widow Witch, who seems to be coming for the warlock.

Honey is always caring for others and spreading herself thin to help as many people as she can. I loved getting to see Mr. Knight challenge these habits and take care of her as they continued to get closer. Their back and forth banter and slow burn yearning had me hanging on to every word! There was nothing more satisfying than seeing them show up for each other every time and getting their happy ending.

The manor’s residents and Honey’s close circle of friends and fellow witches brought so many laughs! Sometimes meddlesome but always ready to help, they served as the perfect found family for Honey and Mr. Knight. I loved the close relationships and importance of community throughout the entire book. It took time for Honey to rely on others and I was so happy to see her welcome their help instead of fending for herself.

The entire magical world was so fun and interesting and made me want to explore more of the different styles of magic. I’m looking forward to more of this world and this close knit community of Foxe Holler. Any story with cozy witch vibes is a must read for me and this story did not disappoint!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read an advanced copy!

[Allix · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like THE FAREWITCH OF FOXE HOLLER is the first “cozy fantasy” to actually work for me. The conflicts are real and they matter without being world-ending, and the characters feel deeply rooted in the world and have stakes in the resolution of the various conflicts. For me, those things are often missing from “cozy fantasy” stories, and I’m so pleased to have read one that includes them.

This book’s prose is really wonderful, and the various plotlines are resolved in ways that felt satisfying. I think the pacing does slow down a bit in the middle, and the jokes and food metaphors are perhaps a little corny, but I don’t think any of that detracts from the book’s charm or overall structure.

Honey and The Warlock are both interesting characters, and their romance manages to be an important subplot in the book without entirely taking it over. It’s the sort of thing where the potential romance feels incredibly obvious to the reader, but the characters themselves need time to get with the program, and the resulting slow burn is delicious. Both characters grow and change throughout the novel, and for both of them, their main flaw is their stubborn, dangerous self-reliance, which isolates them from their community in a way that fans the flames of an anti-magic sentiment growing in the holler. The fact that neither Honey nor The Warlock is willing to fully embrace their community or admit that they need help sets them up for major growth moments fantastically, and because they have that flaw in common, the evolution of their relationship feels very natural and earned. I found myself really caring about Honey, The Warlock, and all of Foxe Holler and I hope the author revisits it in the future!

Thank you to Netgalley and Saga Press for the ARC!

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

• kitchen witch x grumpy warlock
• cozy fantasy
• forced proximity
• slow burn x low spice (kisses only)
• grumpy sentient manor
• single POV

Honey Frost is a Farewitch in a small southern town and owns a bakery, where she cures ailments with her family’s magical recipes. She has been her town’s Farewitch ever since her mother developed the same wasting sickness her grandmother died from. Honey is trying to find the cure for her mom but she’s under a lot of stress.

Honey never turns away someone in need. So when she is summoned by the reclusive warlock for help, she doesn’t hesitate, much to the townspeople’s dismay.

Honey is a quirky and determined FMC. I love her wit and perseverance. Mr Knight is the town’s only warlock, living on the outskirts in his manor. She agrees to stay with him for 3 weeks in exchange to access to his private library filled with old recipes and hopefully the answer to her mom’s sickness.

The world building is well developed and the magic is pretty interesting. I love the idea of a kitchen witch and all the magic that can be imbued into cooking/baking!

The romance is an extremely slow burn and the spice level stays low with only a few kisses. That said, the chemistry between these characters is great. There are some swoony moments I totally enjoyed 🤌🏻

"𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬, 𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐭 𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭, 𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐲.” 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐩𝐲 𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐰𝐬 𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐮𝐬.

Ooooh okay, Mr Knight!! 🔥 I’m here for it.

I’m excited to see what this author writes next. There is a great supporting side characters and I hope I can read more about them!

Thank you for the gifted copy, Saga Press!

[Jordan Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Farewitch of Foxe Holler by Ellen Pauley Goff
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Release date: July 7, 2026

Thank you to Saga Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an eARC of The Farewitch of Foxe Holler by Ellen Pauley Goff. The book follows Honey Frost, a farewitch who uses her magic to make bake goods that heal ailments for her community. After being asked by the local Warlock to help break a curse, Honey learns to lean on her friends for help as magical mayhem ensues.

"Vultures, all of them. Thriving off heresy and wrinkle cream."

I loved this book! Reading it felt like a big warm hug. It made me laugh, cry, and want to bake Christmas cookies with my family in March. The characters and their development really shine in this book. Honey's story of learning that it is okay to do things for herself and ask for help was an important character journey that I think we can all learn from. The Warlock's journey to learning that it is okay to let others in was also very well written. Side characters are an important part of any story set in a small town and the side characters in this book are all well developed and integral to the story.

The romance in the book is fantastic! The banter in all of the interactions between Honey and the Warlock had me giggling through the entire book. I loved all of Honey's baking jokes and puns throughout the book. The mounting tension between them as the book goes on was great and had me so excited for the ending. I really enjoyed how they slowly learned about each other and became friends before anything else.

If you love books about small towns, cozy fantasy, and Assistant to the Villain then this is the perfect book for you!

[Suz Park · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.2/5 ⭐️, 0/5 🌶️, 0.8/5 💧

-Cozy Fantasy
-Witches & Warlocks
-Grumpy x Sunshine
-Small Town
-Search for Cure
-Power of Community vs Isolation
-Unique Magic World Building
-Work/Life Balance
-Single POV

This one was super cozy and it just felt like a lovely warm hug! It was absolutely delightful.

I loved the magic building in this small town where they differentiate the different types of magic that witches specialize in, the context of how witches and warlocks interact, as well as the hierarchy amongst warlocks. As an amateur baker, I especially loved the magic being baked into goodies. It was all very unique and interesting.

Although there were some frustrating moments where secrets are being withheld (why ask for help if you won't share all the info?) I was captivated and rooting for the main character throughout. (Still, I think a good 50-100 pages could have been edited out.) The adventure towards the latter part of the book was plot driven and quite entertaining.

What drew me to this book were the characters themselves, and I had fallen in love with all of them and their quirks. The love story though was a bit lacking for me. Although I appreciated the slow burn, there were some moments that were jarring and didn't flow quite as well as the other parts of the story.

If you want to escape into a cozy fantasy where a witch on the brink of burnout is trying to find a cure for her ailing mother, that embraces the power of community, this is one that you'll enjoy. I would look forward to and read another book by Ellen Pauley Goff!

Thanks to Saga Press and Netgalley for the arc!