Member Reviews

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!

Was this review helpful?

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.

Was this review helpful?

3.5 ☆
-
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
-
Thank you, Netgellay, and Dreamscape Select for the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

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!!

Was this review helpful?

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.

Was this review helpful?

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!

Was this review helpful?

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.

Was this review helpful?

"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.

Was this review helpful?

"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.

Was this review helpful?

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.

Was this review helpful?

This was so good!!!!!!! Another cozy fantasy like The Spellshop and Forged by Magic minus the spice. The found family was so sweet and the way they accepted Evelyn and her secrets was heartwarming. The romance was so sweet too. I can’t wait to see where this series goes.

Was this review helpful?

A Drop of Fortune is peek cozy fantasy in the best way. This is definitely a low stakes, easy read. However, don’t mistake that for being boring. There was plenty in the plot between an infuriating curse, healing, and prejudice against witches to keep you engaged. I’m a sucker for found family and the group Evelyn surrounds herself with hits just right. I also enjoyed the personal journey of Evelyn finding her place in the world and a place to belong. Her owl familiar, Archie, is such a ball of sass that will keep you laughing with his very particular views. I also enjoyed the relationship development between Evelyn and a certain herb merchant. You’ll be rooting for them from their first interaction. They’re not the only couple you’ll be rooting for either. I also loved the world building and setting for this story. Set in a harbor town and surrounding farmland, the location added to the overall cozy vibe of the story. I read this via audiobook and loved Amanda Ronconi’s narration. I can’t recommend the audiobook for this enough.

Was this review helpful?

Evelyn Rosewood has been conscripted to work for the horrible king - but now has the opportunity to regain her freedom. If she can dispel the blight on the crops of the harbour town Shyglass, she will be released from her contract. So she and her talking owl familiar Archie move to the town, where witches are not welcomed by everyone.

This is such a feel good novel! I would describe Danielle Garrett's older novels as lighthearted paranormal realism, but this is cosy romantasy at its finest. I love quirky characters, am a sucker for cute animal companions and enjoy a good found family story. This is all of that and more. The conflict is real, but not too harrowing and the romance is heartwarming with a touch of grumpy vs sunshine.

I listened to the whole audiobook narrated by Amanda Ronconi in one weekend. I only stopped when I had to and I especially liked her portrail of Archie, the owl.

I throughly enjoyed this book, 5 stars from me! I would recommend it for people who enjoyed "The Spellshop", "The House Witch" (book 1) and "The only purple House in Town".

Thanks to Netgalley and Dreamscape Select for the download of this audiobook!

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to Danielle Garrett, Dreamscape Select, and NetGalley for allowing me to listen to a free eaudio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This isn't really a bad book, it's just not what I expected. I thought there'd be a harrowing quest with near-death experiences, a handsome rogue, a cackling villain, cool uses of magic, etc. Nope. Accompanied by her selfish and annoying owl familiar, Evelyn goes on a quaint little trek to investigate a blight and meets oodles of people. Many become friends, some become enemies. She helps the villagers, stands up to the bullies, and gets to the bottom of the blight without bloodshed. Her romance is sweet and chaste. She realizes she's home, and cue the awwww....

Like the other reviews say, this is a cozy, not an epic. I didn't think much of the difference until I read this book. Now I get it. If you like feel-good stories with more heart than plot, you'll probably be on board with this book. I'm not against cozies, but when you're expecting something more ambitious, it's rather a let down.

It also didn't help that I didn't care for the narration. I've always wondered what an American accent sounds like to foreigners, and I imagine it sounds like Amanda Ronconi's narration. The entire time I was listening I was trying to think of how to describe it. Blunt? Aggressive? Abrupt? Loud? I don't know, I just know I don't like her voice.

So, not a bad book, but not for me.

Was this review helpful?

4.5 stars, rated up

A cozy, magical realism adventure fantasy with a slow burn to boot? Please let me drop everything to read, or in this case, listen 😍

The plot is engaging, the writing flows, and the narrator does a great job of bringing the characters to life.

I adored this story, absolutely adored it.

This was my first time reading the author and I’m already looking forward

Recommended.



Thank you to Roots & Wings Press, Dreamscape Select, and NetGalley for the ALC

Was this review helpful?

Love this author and this narrator- they are a book match made in heaven! I’ve listened to literally dozens of books by this author and narrator combo and they never get old. This is the start to a brand new series and I cannot wait for the next! Highly recommend all of her books, especially audio because the narrator adds a magical element.

Was this review helpful?

*I received an advanced listening copy for review. This is my own opinion.*

This book is like a round of DND in book/audiobook form. It's very cozy with low stakes, and a lot of fun!

Evelyn is an indentured witch, but she's sent away to cure a blight spreading from a harbor town. There she makes new friends, meets some enemies, and falls in love with the handsome herb seller. I think my favorite character was Archie, her owl familiar. He's quite sassy and fun.

This is my first foray into the cozy fantasy romance genre, so I'm not sure what to compare it to, but i would recommend it if you're looking for a light, easy fantasy!

Thanks to Netgalley, Danielle Garrett, and Roots and Wings Press for the ALC.

Was this review helpful?

I want to start by saying that the narration for this book is very well done and helped the book come alive.
This is an adorable comfy fall read. It's got a YA feel to it and has lots of cozy sweet romance throughout. The characters in this story were a lot of fun especially the side characters like Archie the owl. I felt like the romance was a bit of instalove and once it happened they were just together the rest of the time and the story centered around other events instead of them. Overall it was a wonderful read!

Was this review helpful?

This was a perfect cozy fantasy. If you are a fan of Travis Baldree, then I highly recommend that you check this one out! The characters are soft and kind and warm, and the setting is so cozy. There's just enough tension to keep you wondering how it will all work out while still making you feel like you're wrapped in a warm blanket with a cup of hot tea. Definitely a worthwhile fall read!

Was this review helpful?

A wonderfully cute, cozy, witchy, fantasy mystery. I really enjoyed this sweet little story and I especially loved Archie, the pygmy owl. This book is perfect for those looking for their next cozy read and to escape into a low stakes world.

Was this review helpful?