Twig’s Traveling Tomes — Gryffin Murphy
Title: Twig’s Traveling Tomes
Author: Gryffin Murphy
Genre: Cozy Fantasy | Fantasy Romance | Romantasy | Books About Books
Format: eARC
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐¼ — 4.25/5
Synopsis
Louella Twig is a Book Witch who runs a magical traveling bookstore. When customers enter looking for their next read, the books speak to Twig, not to give them the book they want, but the one they actually need.
Twig is perfectly content with her quiet, book-filled existence until Everett Sharp, a suspiciously charming rogue, arrives at her shop in need of help removing a pair of handcuffs.
Then, on the very same day, Twig’s former tutor appears with much more serious news: his valuable grimoire has been stolen.
With Twig’s unique book magic offering their best chance of tracking it down, she finds herself reluctantly teaming up with Everett and leaving the safety of her bookstore behind.
What follows is an adventure filled with magic, danger, new friendships, strange creatures, and perhaps a little romance along the way.
My Thoughts
Okay, so... first of all...
I read (and am doing this review) for an ARC of Twig’s Traveling Tomes, BUT I also have a physical copy AND the art preordered.
Apparently Louella Twig’s book magic works outside the book too, because she somehow convinced me that I needed this one on my shelf.
Louella Twig is a Book Witch. And I mean an actual BOOK WITCH.
She owns a magical traveling bookstore that moves from place to place, and when a customer comes inside looking for something to read, the books “speak” to Twig.
Except they don’t necessarily choose the book the customer wants.
They choose the book the customer needs.
Which, as someone who has absolutely bought books based on nothing more than oooooh pretty cover, feels slightly judgmental, but okay.
Twig’s magic has always worked a little differently from what’s expected, and because of that, she never received the same official recognition as other witches. So she has settled into a quiet life with her traveling bookstore, her books, and approximately ZERO adventures.
Until Everett Sharp walks into her shop.
Handcuffed.
Everett is a rogue, thief-ish, suspiciously charming scoundrel who needs some assistance with his current... jewelry situation.
And then, on the SAME DAY, Twig’s former tutor arrives because someone has stolen his valuable grimoire.
Sir.
That timing is looking a little suspicious...
And just like that, Twig’s peaceful little existence goes from 0 events scheduled to ABSOLUTE CHAOS.
Because Twig’s magic revolves around books, she’s one of the few people who might actually be able to locate the missing grimoire.
Unfortunately, she needs someone who understands thieves.
Enter Mr. Handcuffs himself.
THIS SCOUNDREL!!!
And off they go.
What follows is such a cute mixture of cozy fantasy and actual adventure. There are plenty of fun moments, some genuinely dangerous ones, new friends along the way, magic, strange creatures, and a Book Witch who is slowly being dragged very far outside the quiet little existence she built for herself.
I particularly loved watching Twig learn more about her own magic.
At the beginning, there’s this sense that because her abilities don’t work the way they’re supposedly meant to, they’re somehow less valid. But as the adventure progresses, she begins understanding what she can actually do and gaining more confidence in herself and her magic.
And then there’s Everett.
Scoundrel status aside... I really liked these two together.
Their relationship develops slowly as they travel and get themselves into increasingly ridiculous situations. They become friends, learn to trust each other and, meanwhile, there’s this attraction simmering underneath everything.
Although...
If the whole not-falling-for-the-siren’s-song situation wasn’t enough evidence that SOMETHING was happening between these two, I don’t know what would’ve been.
And when we FINALLY got that kiss?
UUUUHHHH.
So. Freaking. Cute.
I actually really appreciated that the romance was a slow burn. It suited Twig especially well because so much of the story is about her gradually stepping outside her comfort zone—not just romantically, but through friendship, adventure, and learning to trust herself and others.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Twig’s Traveling Tomes was exactly the kind of cozy fantasy I wanted it to be: magical, sweet, funny, adventurous without losing that comforting feeling, and incredibly easy to relax into.
It’s one of those books where I could just settle in and enjoy the journey.
And apparently enjoy it enough to buy another copy after already reading it.
Twig’s magic wins again.
4.25⭐
Now I’m just waiting for my physical copy and art to arrive so I can admire the book that apparently decided I needed it.
ARC Disclaimer
Thank you to the publisher and Edelweiss+ for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. All opinions are my own.
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