Book Review: Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather Fawcett

Title: Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter
Author: Heather Fawcett
Pages: 368
Publication Date: Feb. 17, 2026
Publisher: Del Rey
Genres: Fiction / Fantasy / Romance
Synopsis:

A woman who runs a cat rescue in 1920s Montreal turns to a grouchy but charming wizard to help save the shelter in this heartwarming cozy fantasy from the New York Times bestselling author of the Emily Wilde series.

Agnes Aubert leads a meticulously organized life—and she likes it that way. As the proudly type-A manager of a much-needed cat rescue charity, she has devoted her life to finding forever homes for lost cats.

But after she is forced to move the cat shelter, Agnes learns that her new landlord is using her charity as a front—for an internationally renowned and thoroughly disreputable magic shop. Owned by the disorganized—not to mention self-absorbed, irritating, but also decidedly handsome—Havelock Renard, magician and failed Dark Lord, the shop draws magical clientele from around the world, partly due to the quality of Havelock’s illicit goods as well as their curiosity about his shadowy past and rumors of his incredible powers. Agnes's charity offers the perfect cover for illegal magics.

Agnes couldn’t care less about the shop—magical intrigue or not, there are cats to be rescued. But when an enemy from Havelock’s past surfaces, the magic shop—and more importantly, the cat shelter—are suddenly in jeopardy. To save the shelter, will Agnes have to set aside her social conscience and protect the man who once tried to bring about the apocalypse—and is now trying to steal her heart?

LINKS: Goodreads | BookBub | Amazon | Bookshop.org

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What a charming and fun story! Set in 1920s Montreal, this cozy fantasy follows Agnes Aubert, a widow in her 30s who is devoted to her struggling cat rescue. After renting a place for the shelter, Agnes learns her new landlord is Havelock Renard, a dangerous Dark Lord, and he’s using the shelter as a cover for his illicit magic shop. Initially, Agnes tries to ignore the dangerous man, but when his past comes back to haunt him, Havelock and Agnes are both pulled into a dangerous situation that could jeopardize everything Agnes has been working toward.

Of course, the stars of the story are the cats! Each has a distinct personality (and a name to match), and it’s easy to see why Agnes and the patrons fall in love with them. I admit I am not really a cat person, but Agnes Aubert and her cat shelter may have won me over. It made for a great backdrop to the story because, as we all know, cats are unpredictable. lol

And Agnes is a dynamic protagonist. She’s organized, friendly, and completely uninterested in magic or drama when there are cats that need saving, which makes her reactions to everything around her feel both funny and relatable. I totally related to her love of lists, and I like that she’s a little older than the typical FMC. Most of the characters are in their thirties, and they are at different phases in their lives. Through Agnes, Havelock, and others, the story touches on things like grief and healing, fighting for what you believe in, and taking chances.

Then there’s Havelock. Grumpy, disheveled, and allergic to cats, he’s the opposite of Agnes in many ways. I love that he is a walking contrast. Feared by almost everyone, he is completely different than his reputation. A lot of the magical part of the story stems from problems between Havelock and his sister, as well as the tension between magical and non-magical people, and it’s interesting to see how Havelock and others in his orbit handle the dangers and obstacles they face.

My other favorite part of the story is the romance. It’s slow-building and burning, and I absolutely loved it. The banter, the chemistry, the tenderness and understanding – it was all so lovely and fun and entertaining. When they bickered, you could feel the chemistry between them, and seeing them slowly grow closer as they tried to resist and ignore their feelings was fantastic.

You really can’t go wrong with Heather Fawcett when wanting to read a charming cozy fantasy. Her books are always so endearing and magical with the perfect amount of whimsy. Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

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Was an echo any better than silence if it brought to mind the absence over and over again?

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I’m the author of books for adults and children, including Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries, Even the Darkest Stars, Ember and the Ice Dragons, The School Between Winter and Fairyland, and more.

I’m only occasionally on Goodreads, so if you want a more reliable way to get in contact with me, I’d recommend using social media (I’m on Instagram and Facebook) or the contact form on my website.

Review policy: I only review books that I love, which is why you’ll only see 4 and 5 star reviews here. Because readers often ask me about my favourite books and authors, I’m aiming to use this page as a place to collect all of my recommendations.

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