Disclaimer: Thank you to Saga Press and NetGalley for providing An Ancient Witch’s Guide to Modern Dating by Cecilia Edwards for review consideration. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I originally requested An Ancient Witch’s Guide to Modern Dating by Cecilia Edwards because I was totally bewitched by the cover, but after reading the plot blurb, I was completely spellbound. The promise of a mature FMC getting tossed into the 21st century with her cat familiar in tow sounded like exactly the kind of magical chaos I needed.
An Ancient Witch’s Guide to Modern Dating is cozy, quirky, and wonderfully weird. It’s the perfect palate cleanser if you’re burned out on angsty 19-year-olds trying to save the world with their fated mates. If you’re craving something magical but low-stakes, keep reading for my full ARC review of this witchy rom-com.
An Ancient Witch’s Guide to Modern Dating
Description
An ancient witch explores the thrills—and perils—of online dating with hilarity and heart in a charming rom-com perfect for fans of cozy fantasy and witchy romance.
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 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.
An Ancient Witch’s Guide to Modern Dating is a delightful mix of humor, heart, and a sprinkle of magic. Cozy fantasy lovers will adore this enchanting rom-com, which is a must-read for fans of Sangu Mandanna’s The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches and Erin Sterling’s The Ex Hex.
Review
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Overall Impressions 😊
This book was like being under a cozy blanket in front of a fireplace with magic shooting stars in it. Does it make sense? No. Should it? Please no. It is wonderfully weird, absolutely absurd, and just a good time.
I enjoyed this quite a bit. I wasn’t sure what to expect given that it’s a debut novel, but it’s a solid first outing for Cecilia Edwards. It gives a bit “adult fairy tale” and feels like someone had the thought, “What if a spinster got thrown into the 21st century?” and absolutely ran with it.
Thorn, our main character who is 39 and desperate to find a husband, finds herself in the 21st century where dating is… different. Watching her figure out Tinder is a complete delight.
This book has all the good makings of a romcom. It’s lighthearted, effortless, and the perfect escapism for when you need something airy and witchy without the emotional baggage.
Perfect For Fans Of… 🌟
If you’re bored of your usual reads, whether it’s fantasy romance or contemporary romance, and looking for a genre change or a palate cleanser, this will probably do the trick.
It kind of reminded me of Enchanted as a movie where the princess finds herself in a modern world, and a bit of anything written by Kevin Wilson, namely Nothing to See Here, if you’re a fan of absurdism in modern-day settings.
Characters 👥
It was a breath of fresh air to have an older FMC. Thorn is 39, and it was just nice to spend time with actual adult characters. I liked Thorn’s motivations, aspirations, inner monologue, and just her general befuddlement with 21st-century life.
Walls, the handsome vet who keeps crossing paths with Thorn, was a lovely main character. Meg was fun, and even side characters like Madam Maude added to the charm. Everyone had that Alice in Wonderland energy, with their quirky, grown-up fairy tale vibes, and overall, it was just a good time.
I adored all the cats, especially Bandit, who had a total Disney princess sidekick attitude but just enough snark to remind me he was still a cat. He was a standout character in his own right and brought some of the funniest moments in the book.
Plot 🗺️
This had the usual workings of a quirky romcom, from the meet cute all the way to the HEA. Thorn finds herself in modern day and has to figure out how to find herself a husband, and shenanigans ensue.
I didn’t expect there to be quite so much of a B plot mystery, both around Thorn and the other side characters, but it tied the plot together really well. This book is, more or less, a slice of life fantasy, and that fits, the real joy is watching Thorn try to figure out how to work a stove or a sink. It just works.
All in all, it’s light, effervescent and funny.
Writing Style and Narration ✍️
The tone and writing are just like the topic, witty and light. There isn’t a lot of dense prose, nor should there be, but the picture is drawn clearly enough that we get solid worldbuilding to immerse ourselves in.
The magic system is explained just enough that it doesn’t distract from the events of the story. It gives the world enough roots to feel whole without getting in the way.
The length of the book is just right at around 300 pages. It’s long enough that it doesn’t read like a novella, but short enough that it doesn’t go on longer than it needs to.
It’s a lovely, cute story tied with a neat bow, the perfect snack.
Closing Thoughts 🧃
An Ancient Witch’s Guide to Modern Dating by Cecilia Edwards is everything I wanted from a cozy little fantasy book. It’s witty, funny, and a great distraction when I wanted something light. It’s the perfect book to reset your palate after reading heavier content or when you’re swapping genres. Either way, you can curl up in your chair and devour this with a warm cup of tea.
It’s like Alice in Wonderland but for grown ups!
The length of the book is just right at around 300 pages. It’s long enough that it doesn’t read like a novella, but short enough that it doesn’t go on longer than it needs to.
It’s a lovely, cute story tied with a neat bow — the perfect snack.
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