Cute. It was rather obvious to me what was going on - from the time the guardian had no complaints about the food - but it was fun watching it work out. And nice that her parents-in-law are finally admitting that she's worth having around. Not sure I'll bother to read it again - maybe as a capper to a reread of the series, though. I was a little lost on who was who - it's been quite a while since I read the last book, and much longer since I read the first one. Still sweet, even so. ( )

{Fifth of 5; Harwood Spellbook series; fantasy, short story} (2020)

This is a short story, billed as an epilogue to The Harwood Spellbook series. I was a bit disappointed that it was short; my iPad said there were 91 pages but it ended at 48 and only then I realised that somehow it was wrong - maybe changing the orientation did it.

So: this is a short story which brings together the main characters from each of the books as Cassandra’s school, Thornfell, closes for the Winter Solstice with a reminder of how the series started two years before. Cassandra has plans to celebrate that anniversary with her husband but most of the students have decided to stay on for the holidays and she’s invited her parents-in-law to stay as well. Although she keeps trying to organise something special for him, she keeps getting interrupted - which gives us another glimpse as all the main characters (and romantic pairings) get a small scene to themselves and we are also introduced to Sybil and Shivaji Wrexham. But all turns out well in the end.

I liked seeing Harwood and Wrexham together again - though I could have done with the book being longer :0) I hope Burgis decides to continue their story.

April 2021
3.5 stars ( )

Very short and sweet, and not really enough to stop me from feeling disappointed that Burgis isn’t planning to continue the Harwood Spellbook series. I was hoping for more about Cassandra’s school for young women and more romantic fantasy about characters who are married (because romantic fantasy tends to focus on getting into, rather than being in, a committed relationship). But no doubt I will enjoy whatever Burgis writes next! ( )

This is a short, sweet, and cozy conclusion to the Harwood Spellbook series. (At least for now. I can still hope for more stories focusing on the students at Cassndra's school.) It was great to see all our favorite characters return for this one, and if the plot was predictable it was no less enjoyable for that. ( )