The Folklore of Forever

By: Sarah Hogle

Narrated by: Mara Wilson

Something whimsical this way comes!

Paranormal skeptic Zelda Tempest is hoping for a much-needed creativity boost for a new paranormal mystery novel. But despite the alleged magic of her hometown, Moonville, Ohio, she’s as stuck as ever.

With two witch sisters, not believing in magic is strange for a Tempest, but no one is more disappointed than Morgan Angelopoulos, the charming man next door. To cure her of her writer's block and her skepticism, Morgan ropes her into a ghost-hunting romp, only for Zelda to discover something else entirely: bizarre, never-before-seen creatures that appear as ordinary pets to everyone else.

Curious about what else might be lurking in Moonville's woods, Zelda and Morgan embark on a quest to uncover the true magic that lies in their midst . . . and perhaps, just maybe, they will find that the magic they're searching for has been with them all along.

Critic reviews

One of Library Journal's Best Books of 2025
One of The Nerd Daily's Most Anticipated Books of 2025
One of Culturess's Most Anticipated Books of 2025
One of Fangirlish’ Best Spring Romances

"[A] spellbindingly fun story . . . This delicious slow burn will have you ready to brew a pot of tea, get in your favorite reading spot, and devour it." —Culturess

"Sarah’s imagination must be full of magic, sparkles, flowers, and one-liners . . . [A] very fun, wild, and zany ride." —That Artsy Reader Girl

"This quirky novel combines the magic of 2016 film Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them with cozy cottagecore." —Booklist

"This zany, banter-filled, paranormal rom-com borders on the ridiculous, but in the best possible way . . . [T]he protagonists, who seem so opposed at the beginning of the novel [have] wonderful chemistry and humor-filled arguments that lead to more laughter than hurt feelings. Readers will be turning pages long into the night, captivated by this silly, enchanting, somewhat screwball romp." —Library Journal (starred review)

"Sarah Hogle is the queen of the bonkers romcom and I will forever remain her loyal subject. The Folklore of Forever is about rediscovering the magic you thought you lost and discovering all of the forms it can take if you open yourself up to them. It is also an absolutely wild ride that had me staying up until the wee hours of the morning giggling and grinning—the most fun I've had reading in ages!" —Sarah Adler, USA Today bestselling author of Happy Medium

Bizarre

The first book in this series was a hilarious, magic-themed rom-com that I loved. This book was a fever dream. The plot got more and more bizarre as the story progressed, and the romance, when it finally did appear, felt forced. Narrator was great though.