Rainy March is a proud, third-generation Book Witch, sworn to defend works of fiction from all foes real and imaginary. With her magical umbrella and feline familiar, she jumps in and out of novels to fix malicious alterations and rogue heroes like a modern-day magical Nancy Drew.

Book Witches live by a strict code: Real people belong in the real world; fictional characters belong in works of fiction. Do not eat, drink, or sleep inside a fictional world, lest you become part of the story. Falling in love with a fictional character? Don’t even think about it.

Which is why Rainy has been forbidden from seeing the Duke of Chicago, the dashing British detective who stars in her favorite mystery series. If she’s ever caught with him again, she’ll be expelled from her book coven—and forced to give up the magical gifts that are as much a part of her as her own name.

But when her beloved grandfather disappears and a priceless book is stolen, there’s only one person she trusts to help her solve the case: the Duke. Their quest takes them through the worlds of Alice in Wonderland, King Arthur, and other classics that will reveal hidden enemies and long-buried family secrets.

My Review

This book starts off on a fun note with a hiring ad, and I was hooked by the premise! Rainy loves books, fictional characters, fictional settings, and fictional love stories. With her feline familiar, Koshka, by her side, her story begins in a way that feels incredibly relatable to any book lover. This book truly embraces the literary life!

Rainy has a particular fondness for the Duke of Chicago, and when his latest book comes along, she probably shouldn’t take the case—but, of course, she insists. There are rules to being a book witch, after all! Before long, she finds herself transported into a story set in Chicago during the Prohibition era, where her job is to fix the plot.

The trouble begins when Rainy struggles not to fall for the dashing fictional character she has admired. These star-crossed lovers seem unable to stay away from each other, even when breaking the rules puts her job at risk. As the mystery unfolds, Rainy must navigate the story, uncover family secrets, and search for her grandfather. The plot becomes increasingly twisted as clues about her family and the characters’ connections come to light.

I adored all the literary references! Any book lover will appreciate the nods to classic literature, familiar genres, and the conventions that make stories so entertaining. The chapters take us through different genres and fictional worlds, making the whole adventure feel like one big literary playground. The juxtaposition between the author, the characters, and the stories themselves is wonderfully imaginative.

The overall premise is so unique and magical. Imagine having the ability to step into books, repair broken stories, and meet a favorite fictional character—especially one who turns out to be just as dashing as you imagined! The mystery keeps you wondering who is responsible, why everything is happening, and where the story will take you next.

There is also a melancholy undertone beneath all the whimsy as Rainy uncovers the relationships, family history, and secrets tied to the mystery. The story gets wonderfully strange, and the sheer level of imagination behind this tangled adventure is mind-boggling. From one classic tale to another, Rainy must navigate familiar literary worlds and unexpected twists to find the answers she needs.

One of my favorite quotes is, “When the going gets tough, it is probably time to escape into a book.” Honestly, what book lover couldn’t relate to that? 📖💕

The ending is cute, and I really enjoyed the overall concept. This was a cozy, imaginative, and adventurous read filled with literary magic, fictional crushes, family mysteries, and a story that refuses to follow the rules. It may get strange along the way, but that’s part of its charm. If you love books about books, magical adventures, and the idea of meeting your favorite fictional character, this is a fun journey to take!

If you would like to read The Book Witch by Meg Shaffer, you can find this book on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn on qualifying purchases.

If you like this book you may also enjoy books with these tags and categories: Magic, Portal and Standalone.