In the wake of The Great War, the world is a decidedly unmagical place for Mouse Dunne. She once dreamed of becoming a Faerie anthropologist, but with one telegram, her world shattered. At the Battle of the Somme, her cousin’s body disappeared into the mud, and her brother was left with debilitating shell shock. It was time, she knew, to put aside childish dreams.
When Mouse receives news that her uncle has left her the Faerie-blessed Thistlemarsh Hall, a dilapidated manor in the English countryside, she must leave her brother’s side and return to her childhood home to claim her birthright. But there is a catch in her uncle’s offer: If Mouse does not rehabilitate the crumbling house in one month’s time, she will forfeit her inheritance and any hope of caring for her brother.
It quickly becomes clear it’s impossible to repair the manor in the allotted time, until a mysterious Faerie appears with a proposition. He offers to restore Thistlemarsh…for a price. Mouse knows better than to trust a Faerie—especially one so insufferably handsome and arrogant—but she is out of options. There are dark and magical forces at work in the house, and Mouse must confront the ghosts of her past and the secrets of her heart or lose Thistlemarsh, and herself, in the process.
If you like cozy faerie fantasy, you need to have this debut on your radar. And if you loved the Emily Wilde series, this book has similar whimsical vibes & a protagonist that’s just as compelling—but the story itself is very original. What I appreciated is that although it has a light, closed-door romance, it’s very much a fantasy-first story. Woven in are some great tropes—cursed inheritance, fae bargains, an enchanted house, hidden magical rooms, and reluctant alliances!
If you’re not a big historical fiction reader but want to read more, this book hits the mark. The story starts just after World War I, and there’s an early focus on the devastating aftermath—especially through Mouse’s desperate need to care for her shell-shocked brother and bring him home, causing her to make risky faerie bargains and setting the stage for everything that follows.
The story is told entirely from Mouse’s POV, and she’s an underdog heroine you’ll love. Her relationship with the faerie Thornwood starts off tense and cautious. It’s made very clear why she shouldn’t trust fae—and Thornwood’s charm and willingness to help immediately raise red flags. Their dynamic evolves from a reluctant partnership into genuine friendship, with hints of something more—but it (thankfully) takes a back seat to the magical trials and obstacles they face in the house. The side characters are all original and memorable, including Carlisle, who stands to inherit Thistlemarsh if Mouse fails, and other characters like John, Mouse’s close friend in town, and Michelwaith, Thornwood’s servant, who give off found family vibes!
The worldbuilding is also great. The historical time frame is vividly described, but most of the story takes place inside Thistlemarsh, and you truly feel like you’re there with Mouse and Thornwood—especially in scenes in the enchanted gardens and grand rooms of the house.
Chapters range from short to medium length, making them easy to fly through, and there’s good momentum throughout. If you’re like me and feel intimidated by fantasy books over 500 pages, this one is just long enough to fully flesh everything out without overstaying its welcome (unlike some long romantasy books). There are also some clever twists toward the end—some you definitely won’t see coming—after which Mouse is forced to make very difficult choices, making it impossible to put down. Expect a binge read to the finish!
I went in blind and wasn’t sure if this was meant to be the start of a series—it absolutely could have been—but it seems like a standalone at the end, with most conflicts resolved. The final chapter gives off fairytale-like vibes that will leave you smiling!
Narrator Performance
Thistlemarsh is narrated by seasoned narrators Daphne Kouma and Ayesha Antoine.
The majority of the audiobook is narrated by Kouma, who portrays protagonist Mouse with a soft, slightly cautious voice layered with vulnerability and determination that perfectly captures her as an underdog heroine. As the story unfolds and Mouse grows more confident and daring, Kouma shifts her performance by using a more self-assured, resilient tone, making Mouse’s character arc feel very organic. In contrast, she gives Thornwood a smoother, subtly enigmatic voice, with just enough warmth to make you question his intentions—just as you’d expect from a fae character.
The dialogue between Mouse and Thornwood is a highlight. Kouma expertly shifts their dynamic from tense to friendly to something more through expressive delivery, nuanced pacing, and strong acting skills that fully immerse you in their evolving relationship. The magical trials they encounter within the house are beautifully narrated, with lots of tension and excellent pacing that make you feel like you’re right there alongside them. She also gives distinct voices to all the side characters—from whimsical fae to townspeople and friends—which makes the audiobook feel almost like a full cast production!
Ayesha Antoine narrates the short faerie fable-like interludes between chapters, and they are delivered with an enchanting tone that sets them apart from the main narrative. Her expressive voice gives them fairytale vibes, offering insight into fae magic while briefly transporting you away from the main story.
If you’re considering this book, the audiobook is a great way to experience the story—and pairing it with a physical copy is the ultimate immersive read!
Narrator Performance
Thistlemarsh is narrated by seasoned narrators Daphne Kouma and Ayesha Antoine.
The majority of the audiobook is narrated by Kouma, who portrays protagonist Mouse with a soft, slightly cautious voice layered with vulnerability and determination that perfectly captures her as an underdog heroine. As the story unfolds and Mouse grows more confident and daring, Kouma shifts her performance by using a more self-assured, resilient tone, making Mouse’s character arc feel very organic. In contrast, she gives Thornwood a smoother, subtly enigmatic voice, with just enough warmth to make you question his intentions—just as you’d expect from a fae character.
The dialogue between Mouse and Thornwood is a highlight. Kouma expertly shifts their dynamic from tense to friendly to something more through expressive delivery, nuanced pacing, and strong acting skills that fully immerse you in their evolving relationship. The magical trials they encounter within the house are beautifully narrated, with lots of tension and excellent pacing that make you feel like you’re right there alongside them. She also gives distinct voices to all the side characters—from whimsical fae to townspeople and friends—which makes the audiobook feel almost like a full cast production!
Ayesha Antoine narrates the short faerie fable-like interludes between chapters, and they are delivered with an enchanting tone that sets them apart from the main narrative. Her expressive voice gives them fairytale vibes, offering insight into fae magic while briefly transporting you away from the main story.
If you’re considering this book, the audiobook is a great way to experience the story—and pairing it with a physical copy is the ultimate immersive read!
Thistlemarsh is narrated by seasoned narrators Daphne Kouma and Ayesha Antoine.
The majority of the audiobook is narrated by Kouma, who portrays protagonist Mouse with a soft, slightly cautious voice layered with vulnerability and determination that perfectly captures her as an underdog heroine. As the story unfolds and Mouse grows more confident and daring, Kouma shifts her performance by using a more self-assured, resilient tone, making Mouse’s character arc feel very organic. In contrast, she gives Thornwood a smoother, subtly enigmatic voice, with just enough warmth to make you question his intentions—just as you’d expect from a fae character.
The dialogue between Mouse and Thornwood is a highlight. Kouma expertly shifts their dynamic from tense to friendly to something more through expressive delivery, nuanced pacing, and strong acting skills that fully immerse you in their evolving relationship. The magical trials they encounter within the house are beautifully narrated, with lots of tension and excellent pacing that make you feel like you’re right there alongside them. She also gives distinct voices to all the side characters—from whimsical fae to townspeople and friends—which makes the audiobook feel almost like a full cast production!
Ayesha Antoine narrates the short faerie fable-like interludes between chapters, and they are delivered with an enchanting tone that sets them apart from the main narrative. Her expressive voice gives them fairytale vibes, offering insight into fae magic while briefly transporting you away from the main story.
If you’re considering this book, the audiobook is a great way to experience the story—and pairing it with a physical copy is the ultimate immersive read!
