When Evelyn gets the chance for a temporary escape from her “honorable” position as a witch in service of the king, she takes it. There is trouble threatening a harbor town, with rumors of a blight affecting the harvest and livelihoods of its residents, and Evelyn goes to investigate. Despite her best intentions she finds that not everyone is happy to have her there, as suspicions of a magical curse plague the city along with the blight. Aided by new neighbors and a handsome herb merchant, Evelyn must use all of the tricks up her sleeve if she wants to succeed.

This was a warm, cozy read with a vivid cast of supporting characters. The writing was witty and the story was paced well, without anything being too rushed nor lagging. While the story is much more focused on Evelyn’s development than the threat posed by the curse, the side quests of the book were just as interesting as the main plot. The narrator of the audiobook had a huge range of female voices, but was a bit more limited when it came to making the male characters distinct. The overall narration was quite good though, and she made it easy to relax and immerse yourself in the story.

The story is fairly uncomplicated, while the characters take the spotlight. I loved Evelyn and her little found family. While I don’t always love snarky sidekick characters, I thought that the author was very good at using Archie in a way that added to the scene rather than disrupting it. The romance was also a highlight for me, with its perfectly paced slow burn and witty dynamic. This is the perfect read if you want a low-stakes, cozy story that can still hold your attention. Many thanks to NetGalley, Dreamscape Select, and Roots & Wings Press for this ARC. This is my honest review.

5/5 A delightful magical slice of life.

This book was very sweet, and very cozy. The world building was lots of fun and the little family of friends the main character builds is a delight. While it took me a bit to get into this (it was a smidge dry), I did find myself invested once I got halfway in and really did enjoy the book on the whole. It feels like a perfect cozy read for fall.

3 stars

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book. It is precisely what I was looking for. It is a cozy, witchy book with good pacing and a found-family feel. The romance was slow but in all the right ways; it didn't feel forced, and I loved the variety of friendships and relationships in this book! The bonus was the added mystery, and I thought it was so properly solved, sort of like a present with a nicely wrapped bow. I'd love to read the next book in the series!

This was such a cozy & cute magical book. It’s perfect for a sweet fall/halloween vibe. It’s full of different characters like witches, fairies, elves, & tons more. There’s some romance, but it’s not what the whole story is about. There’s lots of fun side characters and subplots happening. I really loved this book & I’m nostalgic for this fictional seaside town. The narrator did a fantastic job. I enjoyed the lilt in her voice when speaking as the character Archie. He’s a fun & sassy character you can’t help but love.

Thank you NetGalley & Dreamscape Select for the advance copy.

If you're looking for a sweet cozy witchy fantasy this is it. I felt it lacked a little in plot, but definitely a book to curl up by the fire with and relax.

A delightfully fun cozy fantasy full of great magic and lore! I enjoyed every minute of listening to A Drop of Fortune. It was like the most relaxed game of D&D ever played. The plot was engaging, the characters were loveable, and the romance was spot on. I cannot wait to read the rest of the series!

🔮 Danielle Garrett's “A Drop of Fortune” is a delightful cozy read, just perfect to make your way in a charming world filled with magic, mystery, fantastic beings. This cozy fantasy tale, narrated by the talented Amanda Ronconi, is set on offering its readers and listeners a heartwarming blend of romance, adventure, and a touch of the supernatural.

🧙🏻‍♀️ “A Drop of Fortune”’s setting is in a quaint coastal town plagued by a mysterious blight, is beautifully described. The characters, led by the resourceful and kind-hearted Evelyn Rosewood, are instantly likable. Evelyn's sassy owl familiar, Archie, adds a touch of humor and unexpected depth. The slow-burn romance between Evelyn and a certain grumpy herb merchant is both sweet and believable.

🎧 While the plot may be somewhat predictable for seasoned fantasy readers, the story's strengths stems from its charming atmosphere, well-developed characters, and heartwarming themes of friendship, healing, and self-discovery. Amanda Ronconi’s audiobook narration perfectly captures the cozy and magical ambiance of the story.

☕ These being said, if you're looking for a relaxing and enjoyable fantasy adventure with a touch of romance, “A Drop of Fortune” might be just what you’re looking for! With its delightful characters, charming setting, and satisfying conclusion, this audiobook is sure to please fans of cozy fantasy and magical realism.

Dreamscape Select | Roots & Wings Press, NetGalley, and the editorial team - thanks for giving me the opportunity to review an audiobook ARC of this publication!

Estimated publication date: 26-Sep-2024

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#ADropOfFortune #NetGalley #LifeLongLearning

This is a very cute cozy fantasy. I always enjoy the entertaining light reading by this author. She is so creative with her main characters as well as supporting characters. It always makes for a wonderful read. If you like a cozies, I highly recommend any of this author's writing.

This is definitely a book that will be good for people who like chiller reads.

It's a fantasy book, but the worldbuilding is barely there, which is one of the reasons I lowered the rating. It didn't have much depth. I enjoy the cozy atmosphere that's been all the rage since Legends & Lattes came out (which I adored). But I need there to be depth and actual worldbuilding. Just having witches and strange creatures and a touch of magic isn't enough if I can't tell where we are supposed to be.

Also, it's unfair to call this a romance. There isn't romance. There's hints of romantic moments. There's a difference there, too.

I think there's potential in this series if the author pushes themselves a little more to help make things more complex. You can still have a cozy read where there's depth and complexity to the world and the characters.

In A Drop of Fortune, Danielle Garrett weaves a captivating tale of magic, redemption, and the quest for freedom. Evelyn, our charming protagonist, escapes her service to a corrupt king, and finds herself in the mysterious town of Shyglass with her enchanted satchel and Archie, her sassy talking owl. In Shyglass, Evelyn meets the town’s grumpy (and super handsome) herb merchant. These two have an adorable and unlikely friendship, blending tension and chemistry. Evelyn’s journey is not just about breaking curses but also about confronting her own past and learning to open her heart.

Overall, A Drop of Fortune is the coziest of fantasies, with interesting side characters and a magical setting that feels charming and homey. This book is fast paced, with magical vibes and really lovely characters.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc!

This book was great! I loved the writing style and I loved the characters and their chemistry. Such a cute cozy spooky read. I really enjoyed listening to this book because the narrator did great!

In this first installment of 4 connected yet stand alone romantic fantasies, we meet Evelyn Rosewood, a healer witch in conscripted service to a terrible king. When she refuses one of the king's orders, her life just might be in danger, but a twist of fate sends her on a mission that could save a town and it's citizens and also gain her her freedom. Of course, it won't be easy, and she'll need help from unexpected places, but to get away from the king and his court, Evelyn will risk everything.

This book was so much fun to read. Evelyn is spunky but also generous and kindhearted, and I couldn't help liking her almost immediately for the choices that she makes from the first paragraphs. I also really enjoyed the way the magic is done here; there is magic for sure, but it's mostly subtle and unobtrusive even though it's one of the focal points of the story. I guess what I'm trying to say is that the magic doesn't overpower the rest of the story which I love.

the best part? Archie. Definitely Archie. He's Evelyn's familiar and he is entirely worth the read.

The ending is satisfying and gives just a glimpse of what we might expect from the other books in this series. Although we didn't get to know the characters that the others will focus on very well, I think they will be just as enchanting as this one.

One final note about the romance: it's sweet, and well done. Also, it's closed-door which I very much appreciated. There's also enough going on that readers who aren't big on romance will still find plenty to draw them in.

I recommend this to fantasy fans, romance readers, and anyone else who likes a tale with a little bit of everything and not too much of anything.

3.5 ☆
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If You're looking for a cozy, witchy, fantasy? This book is for you. This was a nice read, nothing special really happened but sometime you just need those cozy vibes to balance out your everyday reads. 📚✨ #cozyfantasy #witchyreads #bookstagram

A Drop of Fortune is the first novel in a series of standalone cozy fantasy romances. After years of conscripted service to a corrupt king, Evelyn Rosewood seizes a chance to earn her freedom. With little more than an enchanted satchel and her feathered familiar, she sets out on a quest to dispel a mysterious blight that has shrouded a once-thriving harborside town in despair.

The audiobook was good, the narrator did a good job. Was easy to listen to, and likes how she changed her voice to fit different characters.🎧📚 #audiobook #bookreview #fantasyreads
𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 Sept.24
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Thank you, Netgellay, and Dreamscape Select for the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

4.5⭐

A cute little cozy fantasy slice of life type story with a bit of a mystery element and a really cute romance. This book made me want to just crawl right into the book and never leave. I loved all our characters and the villagers where just *chefs kiss*, the cozy little town was just perfect vibes. Honestly I really loved this a lot!! I cannot wait to see who the next book will follow and where it will bring us!

the audiobook was great, easy to follow I loved the narrators voice, it was just perfect for a cozy book.

Thank you Netgalley, Publisher and author for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!!

OH WHAT FUN this was, and so perfect for listening to while I was decorating for Halloween! It's a fun magical suspense/mystery story with the cutest most atmospheric vibes. I highly recommend this audiobook to get you into the cozy halloween spirit!

Thank you to NetGalley for this audiobook eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a wonderfully sweet and cozy fantasy novel to listen too! It hits all the right notes with a little danger (aka the threat of being thrown off the tower for refusing to make a poison for the king) right at the beginning before Evelyn escapes to a city by the sea to try to solve the blight that has hit many of the farmers in the area. Once there, Evelyn is able to spread her wings (much like her wonderfully snarky familiar, Archie) and meet new friends, open up an apothecary to help those in need, and even find true love along the way. And that is besides finding the cure for the blight and dealing with prejudice in the city due to the reason behind the blight. Everything gets resolved by the end so sweetly, people change their minds about the evilness of witches, and Evelyn doesn't have to worry about running from the king anymore. She has found the perfect home for her! So, yes, it follows familiar tropes comfortably and does everything right to make this a high quality cozy fantasy that is completely standalone (which I love!) but the world can also be opened up for other books in the series. And I cannot wait to see what the next book brings, though I am guessing it will be about Odessa. :)

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to listen to this audiobook and get lost in a great story. The narrator did a fabulous job in bringing it all to life!

This is a cozy, low stakes, witchy adventure. Evelyn is a servant of the king, but is given the opportunity to leave and end her contract early if she can cure the blight affecting one of the villages. Once Evelyn makes it to the village we meet the slightly chaotic and varied cast of villagers. There’s friendship, a bit of love, and of course some individuals who don’t trust witches and need to be won over.

Also, Evelyn has an owl familiar named Archie who is a bit bossy and sarcastic, and has an obsession with orange marmalade.

Overall, you’ve got lovable characters, a quaint seaside village setting, a minor villain, a problem to solve, and lovely cozy vibes.

The narrator did a great job, it was very easy to listen to. And I love when they do multiple voices for the different characters.

"A Drop of Fortune" by Danielle Garrett, narrated by Amanda Ronconi, offers a cozy blend of fantasy, romance, and a touch of mystery, with a strong appeal to fans of magical adventures.

Positives:
World-Building and Atmosphere: Garrett creates a charming and immersive world. The coastal town is vividly described, and the infusion of magical elements, like enchanted satchels and Evelyn's feathered familiar, adds a whimsical touch. The salty breeze of the harborside town and the warm, yet suspicious townsfolk, set a delightful, cozy atmosphere.

Character Dynamics: Evelyn Rosewood, the protagonist, is likable and relatable. Her quest for freedom after years of forced service to a corrupt king sets a strong personal motivation. The grumpy herb merchant she befriends adds a nice romantic tension, and their interactions provide moments of humor and heart. There's a subtle slow-burn romance that is well-suited for readers who enjoy character-driven stories rather than purely plot-centric narratives.

Cozy Fantasy Vibe: For fans of lighter, "slice-of-life" fantasy, "A Drop of Fortune" excels. The story is more focused on relationships, healing, and self-discovery rather than high-stakes action or epic battles. It delivers a warm, comforting read with enough magical intrigue to keep readers interested.

Criticisms:
Pacing Issues: The book's pace can feel slow at times, especially for those who expect more action or a faster-moving plot. While the world-building and character interactions are delightful, the overarching conflict of dispelling the curse sometimes takes a backseat. Some readers may feel that the story meanders, focusing more on mundane tasks than advancing the central mystery.

Predictability: The plot follows familiar cozy fantasy tropes, which may feel predictable for seasoned readers of the genre. The curse and the town's secrets don't bring as many twists or surprises as one might hope. Readers who prefer more complex or layered mysteries might find the storyline somewhat straightforward.


Final Thoughts:
"A Drop of Fortune" is a delightful and cozy fantasy read, perfect for those who want a low-stakes, feel-good story with magical elements and a dash of romance. It's ideal for fans of "comfort reads" and character-driven stories, where atmosphere and personal journeys take precedence over action-packed plots. However, readers looking for deeper world-building, more intricate character development, or an unpredictable narrative may find it lacking in complexity.

That said, Amanda Ronconi's narration adds a layer of charm that makes the audiobook version especially engaging, and fans of Danielle Garrett's previous works will likely find much to love here.

"A Drop of Fortune" is a cozy fantasy book with a cute romance to boot.

The book starts off smoothly, with a cute main character and her sassy sidekick, who was funny and entertaining.

The story is wholesome, in addition, with many interesting characters that create a nice blend of found family.

The pace was also nicely handled and there were some twists and turns, as well as an adorable (and clean!!) romance that, fortunately, didn't overshadow the main story.

Finally, the audiobook was nicely narrated and I enjoyed the production.

I’m not sure why this got on my list as I’m mostly a cozy mystery reader, so this wasn’t at all what I expected. While there was some mystery, the book dealt more with the themes of romance, fantasy, and finding oneself.

The book was a really endearing story about coming into one’s own and the mystery kind of took a back seat. The story leaned much more toward character development than storyline at times. That said, the characters were fun and engaging and the author really draws the reader into this fantasy world. The narrator also made the story easy to follow.

Not my typical read, but certainly sweet and fun. Thanks to #DreamscapeSelect and #Roots&WingsPress for an ALC in exchange for an honest review.