Title: A Widow's CharmAuthor: Caitlyn Paxson
Pages: 432
Publication Date: March 31, 2026
Publisher: Del Rey
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Historical / Fantasy
Synopsis:
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.
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I’ve been loving historical fantasy romances lately, and A Widow’s Charm was so good! The whole premise is so unique and outrageous, and I couldn’t wait to find out why Hilde thought the logical solution to her problems was to blackmail her necromancer neighbor into bringing her husband back to life.
Hilde and Elmwood are fantastic protagonists, and I like that the story is told from both of their perspectives. You really get to understand the thoughts, feelings, and motivations of each, and you learn a lot about each of their pasts and what helped shape them. Hilde is practical, resourceful, and determined (and magical!), but also willing to bend the rules when she feels justified. She’s well-liked by the community and much disliked by her brother-in-law. Though she’s trying to protect her home and the people of Croftholde, since her husband died before securing plans that would have kept everything out of his awful brother’s hands, resorting to blackmail is probably not the best idea. But a lot of good (and a lot of shenanigans) comes out of it, and she ends up learning a lot about herself, her marriage and husband, and what she wants for her future.
Elmwood initially comes across as a total rake and a bit of a mess. He’s charming, dramatic, and chaotic, and I just adored him because you quickly learn that there’s a lot more to him than what he shows to the world. An ex-soldier who has been banished and has sworn never to use his Charm again, he’s new to Croftholde and is struggling. Both he and Hilde are at crossroads in their lives, which adds to the chaotic energy of the story.
The romance between Hilde and Elmwood was fantastic. I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about their connection, especially considering Hilde wants to resurrect her husband, but I ended up really liking the way their relationship developed. Their chemistry and banter were great, and the constant misunderstandings, innuendos, and mixed signals were hysterical. I think the pair forms a deep and powerful bond that shows how much they understand, accept, and care for each other, and I loved the tender and vulnerable moments as much as I did the sexy moments and the more lighthearted ones.
The humor was another highlight of the novel. I definitely didn’t expect the story to be so funny! It’s witty, a little over-the-top at times, and full of moments that made me laugh out loud, but it still balances in some heavier elements like grief, the aftereffects of war, and the consequences of magic. The story never feels too heavy, though, and the tone is fun and cozy throughout. The setting was also great. The estate and surrounding area felt vivid, immersive, and easy to visualize, and it was the perfect backdrop for the story.
And I have to mention Rollo, the most fantabulous canine companion, because I adored him. He’s silly, unpredictable, and somehow both a menace and adorable at the same time, and he completely stole every scene he was in. He added so much humor and charm to the story, as did many of the secondary characters.
Overall, I really loved this one. It’s funny, romantic, and full of charm, with characters that are compelling and easy to root for. The mix of humor, romance, and fantasy was fantastic, and I’m definitely looking forward to reading more by this author. I can’t believe this is a debut! Special thanks to Del Rey for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
- found family
- enemies to lovers
- forced proximity
- forbidden magic
Caitlyn Paxson has a degree in writing and cultural history and has worked as the artistic director of storytelling performances, a harpist, a book reviewer, a nineteenth century jack-of-all-trades, a shepherdess, and a fake Victorian spirit medium. She lives on Epekwitk/Prince Edward Island with her husband and three orange cats. A Widow’s Charm is her debut novel.
Awesome review, this was such an unexpected surprise!