A Widow’s Charm by Caitlyn Paxson l Book Review
Book Details
A Widow’s Charm by Caitlyn Paxson
Genre: Adult, Cosy Fantasy, Romance
Published by: Del Ray, March 31st 2026
Goodreads rating: 3.92/5
My rating: 4/5
In this witty fantasy romance, a widow attempts to resurrect her dead husband by blackmailing her rakish necromancer neighbor—only to find herself falling for him instead.
Blurb
Lady Hildegarde Croft is accustomed to changes in position. After all, she rose from maidservant to lady of the manor when she married Lord Thorgoode Croft. But when he dies unexpectedly, the plans that would have protected her and the people of Croftholde die along with him. What’s a widow to do?
Potential salvation arrives in the form of Lord Elmwood, who is fleeing the consequences of using his forbidden Charm to raise the dead. Now he’s injured, destitute, and hiding out at the neighboring estate.
For Hilde, blackmailing Lord Elmwood to resurrect Thorgoode seems like the perfect solution. For Elmwood, beautiful Lady Croft seems like the ideal distraction from his troubles. The problem is, all she wants from him is the horrifying power he knows he can never use again.
Cosy fantasy, slow-burn romance, rom-com, historical setting, forbidden magic, found family, blackmail, banter, dual POV.
My Review
I really liked this book. The cosy atmosphere, charming characters, witty banter and quirky humour made for an entertaining read that felt fresh and unique. The whimsical writing style (while it may not appeal to everyone) complements the historical setting and enhanced my reading experience overall.
Set in a world where magical “Charms” are frowned upon and kept hidden, the story follows Lady Hildegarde, who finds herself facing a very specific problem. In search of a solution, she turns to a fugitive lord with the rare ability to resurrect the dead.
What begins as a desperate scheme gradually unfolds into a delightful and unexpected story that balances humour and heart, while exploring themes of kindness and redemption.
I found the two main characters, Hilde and Elmwood, to be relatable, showing both vulnerability and growth. The progression of their relationship felt natural and the darker moments throughout added emotional depth.
With a lively cast of supporting side characters and moments of well-timed chaos, this was an enjoyable read from start to finish.
“You think I’m congenial and captivating?” he said, before he could think better of it. She raised one eyebrow at him but then said, “Well, I’m not dead, am I?”
Happy reading x
Thank you to NetGalley and Del Ray for providing me with a digital copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own.