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A Widow's Charm
- Author
- Caitlyn Paxson
- Narrator
- Ebony Jonelle, Justin Avoth
- Publisher
- Quercus
- Publish Date
- 2 April 2026
- Run Time
- 11 hours 35 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
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What to expect
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 drops dead quite unexpectedly, the plans that would have protected her and the people of Croftholde from her malevolent brother-in-law die along with him. What's a widow to do?
Fortunately, potential salvation arrives in the form of Lord Erol Elmwood, who is fleeing the consequences of using his forbidden Charm to raise the dead and save his own life. Now he's injured, destitute, and miserable, stuck 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.
'Clever, funny, charmingly written, this tale of unexpected love and yes, dead bodies, will run away with your heart. I was rooting for Hilde and Elmwood from the very first page' Lucy Holland, author of Sistersong
Critics Review
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Clever, funny, charmingly written, this tale of unexpected love and yes, dead bodies, will run away with your heart. I was rooting for Hilde and Elmwood from the very first page
Lucy Holland, author of SISTERSONG
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Witty, whimsical, and deeply kind, A Widow's Charm is beyond charming - it's wholly enchanting
Alix E. Harrow, author of STARLING HOUSE
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A lovely story full of heart, wit and whimsy, with complex, broken characters it's hard not to root for. Hilde is a paragon of loyalty and self-sacrifice, and not beyond stooping to some first-class cringe flirtation to get what she needs, and Elmwood is a smouldering train-wreck of a human being; I just wanted to give him a big hug! This is a novel about loyalty and trust in all its forms, forbidden magics and forbidden romance. I'm looking forward to book 2!
Marianne Gordon, author of THE GILDED CROWN
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There are all sorts of enticing things in Caitlyn Paxson's new book, A Widow's Charm - a dead husband, a problematic inheritance or two, a handsome ne'er-do-well, overly-inquisitive relatives, untimely (and unwelcome) houseguests, a whole bunch of blackmail plots - and a dog. I'd hesitate to call A Widow's Charm 'charming'-'charming' means something completely different in the world Paxson creates-but I'd definitely call it engrossing, flirtatious, sensual, spirited (sometimes literally) and highly original
Connie Willis, bestselling author of THE ROAD TO ROSWELL
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A clever, unconventional fantasy with a fascinating magic system, A Widow's Charm was an absolute delight. All hail Lord Rollo and his darling waggy tail!
Olivia Atwater, Author of THE WITCHWOOD KNOT
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A WIDOW'S CHARM is a delightfully grown-up fairy tale: witty, sexy, and deeply romantic. Hilde and Elmwood are instantly loveable leads-two bruised charmers in a broken world, drawn together by love's irresistible spell. This is a warm, glowing hearth of a book, perfect for a night when the world seems too cold.
Tessa Dare, author of THE DUCHESS DEAL
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Bursting with humor, heart, and healing love, A Widow's Charm is as sweet and sparkling as Wylderuckus cider. I was utterly charmed by Hilde, Elmwood, and, of course, the dashing Lord Rollo. An unmissable debut
Allison Saft, author of WINGS OF STARLIGHT
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A rake on the run, a heroine who wields the double entendre like weapon, a dash of necromancy, and a very good dog - Caitlyn Paxson's debut had me smiling (and swooning) from page one. Witty, magical, and utterly charming
Kate Robb, author of THIS SPELLS LOVE
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Funny, sexy, and unbelievably charming -- this novel is a new forever favorite. Full of complex characters, delicious yearning, and earnest heart, A Widow's Charm is a brilliant debut
Alexandra Vasti, author of LADIES IN HATING
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Full of wit and cleverness, Caitlyn Paxson's A Widow's Charm is a complete delight. I adored Hilde and Elmwood, and of course, Lord Rollo -- this is a story with real depth and emotional connection underlying the sparkling banter. A brilliant debut that is fun and moving and, yes, wonderfully charming
Kat Howard, author of AN UNKINDNESS OF MAGICIANS
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Caitlyn Paxson's A WIDOW'S CHARM is hair-raising, dead-raising, and utterly arousing. Sexy, absurd, cozy, lovable, hold-on-to-your-pants thrilling. The whole thing charmed the hell out of me. What even is this book? It's everything I want to read!
C. S. E. Cooney, author of SAINT DEATH’S DAUGHTER
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A Widow's Charm is an absolute delight from start to finish: a lush garden of warmth, wonder, and appetite that will leave you pleasantly sated and hungry for more
Amal El-Mohtar, co-author of THIS IS HOW YOU LOSE THE TIME WAR
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[A] heartening and hilarious romantasy . . . The ensuing comedy of errors is almost Shakespearian in scope, with the humour only enhancing Paxson's thoughtful meditation on Hilde's desperate circumstances and the lengths she will go to for those she loves. The romance that blooms between Hilde and Erol adds to the charm and the delightfully drawn supporting cast is similarly easy to love. It's a joy
Publishers Weekly (starred review)
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This romance takes its time and builds its layers carefully: Hilde's agonizing weight of responsibility, Elmwood's debilitating post-battle trauma, the complicated politics of the world around them. It's the story of two lonely people trying to make the best bad decisions they can when nothing is perfect
The New York Times
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Full of wit and cleverness, Caitlyn Paxson's A Widow's Charm is a complete delight. I adored Hilde and Elmwood, and of course, Lord Rollo -- this is a story with real depth and emotional connection underlying the sparkling banter. A brilliant debut that is fun and moving and, yes, wonderfully charming
Kat Howard, author of AN UNKINDNESS OF MAGICIANS
-
[A] heartening and hilarious romantasy . . . The ensuing comedy of errors is almost Shakespearian in scope, with the humor only enhancing Paxson's thoughtful meditation on Hilde's desperate circumstances and the lengths she will go to for those she loves. The romance that blooms between Hilde and Erol adds to the charm and the delightfully drawn supporting cast is similarly easy to love. It's a joy.
Publishers Weekly (starred review)
User Reviews
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Details
- Author
- Caitlyn Paxson
- Narrator
- Ebony Jonelle, Justin Avoth
- Duration
- 11 hours 35 minutes
- Release Date
- 2 April 2026
- ISBN
- 9781529440522
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Quercus
- Genre
- Fantasy romance / Romantic fantasy, Romance, Comic (humorous) fantasy
Synopsis
In this witty fantasy romance, a widow blackmails her rakish necromancer neighbor to bring her husband back to life and save her home . . . only to find herself falling for him instead. 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 drops dead quite unexpectedly, the plans that would have protected her and the people of Croftholde from her malevolent brother-in-law die along with him. What's a widow to do? Fortunately, potential salvation arrives in the form of Lord Erol Elmwood, who is fleeing the consequences of using his forbidden Charm to raise the dead and save his own life. Now he's injured, destitute, and miserable, stuck 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.'Clever, funny, charmingly written, this tale of unexpected love and yes, dead bodies, will run away with your heart. I was rooting for Hilde and Elmwood from the very first page' Lucy Holland, author of Sistersong
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