An Ancient Witch’s Guide to Modern Dating by Cecilia Edward

Book Description

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.

Review

Recently, I happened upon a story I found witty, slightly feral, and unexpectedly tender. The humor has the same gleeful, sideways energy as I’m Afraid You’ve Got Dragons, but with a witchy, modern-dating twist. It was like laughing with an old friend.

I loved the idea: an ancient witch flung into the present with one goal. Find her a man. Given the premise, I appreciated Edward’s audacious, oddly vulnerable choice to skip the wreckage of the past and leap forward, frog legs and all.

I listened to the audiobook, and Shakira Shute’s performance nailed the delight of the story. Her timing on the jokes and that “fish-out-of-centuries” bewilderment made the novel’s humor shine without turning it into a caricature.

What stayed with me wasn’t any twist (spoiler alert, there really isn’t one) but the gentler thing underneath: permission to want happiness. The story lets its heroine be messy, thirsty, and hopeful at the same time. It might be my favorite flavor of magic.

If your reading mood is “make me chuckle and then surprise me with a soft landing,” this story will scratch the itch beautifully. There isn’t much intrigue here, and I didn’t miss it. Sometimes the comfort is in the company, not the puzzle.

If you want a story to make you laugh and sigh in equal measure, this belongs on your TBR. Preferably in audio, with a cup of something warm, and a cat judging you from across the room.

Content Warning

Abandonment, Animal cruelty, Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, Murder

The header photo is a composite image. Base image by Barna Kovács on Unsplash