The Book Witch: A Novel

Meg Shaffer

Apr 2026 · Sold by Ballantine Books

About this ebook

She can hop into any novel, but she just can’t stay there.

Come along with the Book Witch in this magical and inspiring love letter to reading from the USA Today bestselling author of The Wishing Game.

“Meg Shaffer continues to surprise and delight me with each book she writes.”—Laurie Gilmore, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Pumpkin Spice Café

Rainy March is a proud, third-generation Book Witch, sworn to defend works of fiction from all foes real and imaginary. With her magical umbrella and feline familiar, she jumps in and out of novels to fix malicious alterations and rogue heroes like a modern-day magical Nancy Drew.

Book Witches live by a strict code: Real people belong in the real world; fictional characters belong in works of fiction. Do not eat, drink, or sleep inside a fictional world, lest you become part of the story. Falling in love with a fictional character? Don’t even think about it.

Which is why Rainy has been forbidden from seeing the Duke of Chicago, the dashing British detective who stars in her favorite mystery series. If she’s ever caught with him again, she’ll be expelled from her book coven—and forced to give up the magical gifts that are as much a part of her as her own name.

But when her beloved grandfather disappears and a priceless book is stolen, there’s only one person she trusts to help her solve the case: the Duke. Their quest takes them through the worlds of Alice in Wonderland, King Arthur, and other classics that will reveal hidden enemies and long-buried family secrets.

Ratings and reviews

I thought that this was a very enjoyable book. The premise behind the storyline really appealed to me and it caught and held my attention well. I truly believe that anyone that loves books and considers themself an avid reader will feel a strong connection to this book, the story and its characters, I know I certainly did. It's cute, it's fun, it's romantic, it's relatable and it's honestly quite thought provoking. I give Rainy and Duke two big thumbs up.

Loved reading the mesmerizing and spellbinding paranormal story. Rainy March's job as a Book Witch is to protect and preserve books, but Rainy's having a hard time getting over her fictional true love, the Duke of Chicago, and the Duke wants to keep Rainy in his life. Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written full of mystery and romance, and a must read riveting love story.

If you are in the mood for a fun, funny, quirky, and loveable plot, this book is easy to lose yourself in. It is delightful from page one when you meet Rainy March and carries you through all of her book adventures and mysteries. I enjoyed every section and its chapters. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of the book.All thoughts and opinions are my own.

About the author

Meg Shaffer is the USA Today bestselling author of The Lost Story and The Wishing Game, which was a Book of the Month finalist for Book of the Year as well as a Reader’s Digest and Washington Post Best Book of the Year, and has been translated into twenty-three languages. Shaffer holds an MFA in TV and Screenwriting from Stephens College. She lives in Kentucky with her husband and two cats. The cats are not writers.