An Ancient Witch’s Guide to Modern Dating
by Cecilia Edward
Summary
Meet Thorn Scarhart, a thirty-nine-year-old witch who’s having trouble finding love in the 17th century. Despite the local matchmaker’s efforts and Thorn’s arsenal of powerful love potions, she has yet to fall in love. After the disappearance of her sister and the loss of her mother, Thorn was too caught up in…well, life, to focus on dating. Now, she fears she may have missed her chance.
But, when one of her potion brews backfires spectacularly, Thorn is hurled 350 years into the future, landing in a bustling city where her once-isolated cottage is now a historical museum. While this unexpected leap through time may seem daunting, modern life does have its perks: indoor plumbing, electric kettles, and the world of online dating. At thirty-nine, the odds may not be perfect, but at least they’re not impossible.
With the help of the museum’s new curator—and her charming veterinarian brother—Thorn dives headfirst into the 21st-century dating scene. And as she searches for romance, she might also find herself along the way.
My Review
I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Cecilia Edward is the pen name for Remy Lai, the illustrator behind several graphic novels I have enjoyed. I recently read her graphic novel Ghost Book and loved it, so I was excited to dive into her debut adult cozy fantasy. It ended up being such a delightful surprise. This story made me laugh out loud so many times. I listened to the audiobook and thought the narrator did a wonderful job bringing Thorn to life. I adored this character from the very beginning.
This is not your usual witchy fantasy. Time travel plays a major role, and I absolutely loved that twist. Watching Thorn slip between the 17th century and the modern world was so entertaining. Seeing her try to adapt to the Digital Age created so many charming fish-out-of-water moments. Her reactions to everything from cell phones to social norms were hilarious, sweet, and endlessly endearing.
I also loved following Thorn on her romantic journey as she tried to date in the 21st century while still having the mindset of the 17th century. The story takes its time and leans into mature characters and a thoughtful romance. The mix of humor and emotional depth worked beautifully. Some of the plot turns were predictable, but they still kept me fully invested. One of my favorite parts of the whole book was Thorn’s magic and potion-making. Those scenes added such charm and intrigue and tied perfectly into her character growth.
Thorn begins the story with a very specific idea of what a “good match” should look like, and she has a habit of molding herself to fit what she thinks a man wants. She is incredibly trusting and has no idea how to navigate modern dating concepts like “ghosting,” but she learns quickly. She becomes so focused on finding someone that she overlooks the person right in front of her, even as her own magic keeps nudging them together. This is a romance, so it is no spoiler to say that she eventually finds love. What made the story even richer was the way she also found herself. The self-discovery subplot felt just as satisfying as the romantic arc.
And I can’t forget Bandit, her sassy cat familiar. He stole every single scene he appeared in. Thorn can also speak with several other cats in the story, so if you love magical cat companions, you will have an absolute blast with this book.
If you want a light, cozy, whimsical witchy fantasy with warmth, humor, and characters in their late thirties, this is a wonderful pick. I am excited to see what Cecilia Edward writes next. This was such a charming debut. Highly recommend!!