Book Review: Stormcaught by THea Hawthorn

October 31, 2025

Yet another incredible book by Thea that came out this year. I am blown away by how many books she was able to publish this year, and the quality of these incredible books. I was lucky enough to get an ARC copy of this book, but by the time this review is posted, it will be available for purchase.

We follow the story of Ethram Hart, a reclusive scholar in the land of Esk that gets attacked in the archives one day and develops an aether ( the form of magic in this world ) scar. Ethram has lost most of the things worth keeping in his life, and honestly, really doesn’t trust anything to stay put for long. He lives in a little cottage that is far enough away from Esk to keep visitors away, and one night he is awoken by someone at his front door in the middle of a vicious storm. There, he finds a very large, man like, creature covered in wounds. Ethram tends to this, definitely fey-like man’s, wounds and leaves him by his hearth to rest. Once the man finally awakens, Ethram discovers that the man has no clue who he is, why he is there, and where to go home to. He is far too intrigued to kick the man out now. As Ethram learns more about the man, he begins tumbling headfirst into love with him, which is absolutely the last thing that he wants, knowing that as soon as he learns who he is, he will be on his way. Will they learn who this mysterious man is? Will Ethram get him to stay? Will his presence change Esk forever?

Thea’s description is: Stormcaught is a darkly cosy MM novella with a grumpy historian and a mysteriously monstrous houseguest. It is a prequel story to All Woven With Ivy, though it can easily be read as a standalone. It contains gentle pining, fantasy academia, cottagecore cosiness, and low spice with fade-to-grey scenes. and I simply cannot describe it any better.

This book might be my favorite of hers yet. I loved this novella and look forward to reading anything and everything Thea publishes. I highly recommend this lovely book.