Tides Wait For No Witch By Natalie Summers | Review

My Review Of Tides Wait For No Witch By Natalie Summers

Let’s be honest—the talking sea otter was the reason I picked up this book. Everything else was simply a bonus.

Fortunately, those bonuses included a magical island, quirky townspeople, a cozy murder mystery, witches, sea magic, and an attractive FBI agent, making this one of my biggest reading surprises of the year.

From the moment Sara arrives in Spelltide Bay, the story sweeps you into a world where magic feels wonderfully ordinary. What begins as a simple trip to settle an unexpected inheritance quickly turns into a journey of self-discovery as Sara learns she’s half witch, half undine, uncovers long-buried family secrets, and begins investigating the suspicious death of the great-aunt she never had the chance to know.

One of my favorite things about this book was the sense of community. Sara starts the story believing she’s completely alone, only to discover an entire family waiting to welcome her with open arms. Their love, teasing, and unwavering support quickly became the emotional heart of the novel, and I found myself smiling every time they appeared on the page.

I especially loved how naturally that sense of family extended beyond blood relatives. Watching everyone embrace Ray with the same kindness and acceptance made the found family element feel even more meaningful.

The mystery itself was another pleasant surprise. This was my first magical mystery, and I had an absolute blast trying to figure out what really happened to Katrinka. I constantly found myself making theories, only for the story to take another unexpected turn. Whether that says more about the book or my detective skills is still up for debate.

What I appreciated most was that Sara never had to solve everything on her own. Instead, the investigation became a true team effort, with family and friends helping gather clues, share theories, and piece together the mystery. It made the entire story feel warm and collaborative rather than isolating.

And then there’s Ollie. I’m convinced that little sea otter stole every single scene he appeared in. His sarcastic commentary, endless personality, and ability to make me laugh out loud earned him a permanent place among my favorite fictional animal companions.

While I thoroughly enjoyed the story, there were moments where I wished it had slowed down just a little. Sara’s first day on the island is packed with life-changing discoveries.

Within an incredibly short amount of time, she learns she has an entire family she never knew existed, discovers she’s half witch and half undine, inherits a game shop, finds out magic is real, meets talking sea otters, and becomes involved in a suspicious death investigation. And that’s only the beginning.

Because the novel balances so many different storylines—including family secrets, magical abilities, a runaway teen, romance, island life, and the murder mystery itself—I occasionally felt like I barely had time to process one revelation before the next arrived.

Similarly, the mystery sometimes lost a little momentum because so many other plotlines competed for attention. I also noticed a bit of repetition throughout the story, with certain conversations and ideas revisited more often than I felt was necessary.

Readers expecting a romance-first story should also know that the romantic subplot stays firmly in the background. While there’s chemistry and the promise of something more, this book is ultimately about family, belonging, identity, and finding a place to call home. Honestly, I didn’t mind that one bit.

Should You Read It?

I think you’ll love Tides Wait for No Witch if you’re looking for:

• Cozy fantasy with a magical small-town atmosphere
• Found family
• Witches and sea magic
• Murder mysteries
• Talking animal companions
• Charming island settings
• Character-driven stories with lots of heart

If you’re hoping for a romance-heavy fantasy, you may want to adjust your expectations. The romance takes a back seat to the mystery and Sara’s personal journey, but the warmth, humor, and lovable characters more than make up for it.

I’m already looking forward to returning to Spelltide Bay—and mostly to seeing Ollie again.

Disclosure: Thank you to NetGalley and Natalie Summers for providing me with an advance review copy. As always, all thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

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