September 4, 2026
Reader, I’m in love. And I’m going on vacation. The good news? You can meet me there, at The Heartwood Hotel. Allow me to gush about how much I love this cozy, courageous series about a wee little mouse maid named Mona. Mona is a super sad little mouse who lost her entire family and is just squeaking out a living (see what I did there). She's cold and hungry and exhausted and just wants someone to help her. Enter, The Heartwood Hotel. Now, I’m going to speed through this a bit, because it’s 5 books in the series so far, and this is a series review, not an individual book review.
Mona becomes a maid at the hotel and meets Tilly, Gillies, Mr. Heartwood, and a host of other characters who all support her and care about her. Some notes on Mona: she seems really shy but is not. She will approach bears, foxes, and other non-mouse approved animals while acting wild. I don't know how many times I was reading this like, girl. Giiiirl. That’s a bear, girl. You are a mouse. Tilly, the squirrel, her best friend, is extremely grumpy. In fact, I think she was too grumpy. I'm just saying, if someone was as grumpy to me as Tilly is to Mona, I would not be their friend.
Caveat: My cat Moe is extremely grumpy to me and I think she’s the most amazing creature on earth.
This series is so freaking cozy you are going to want to snuggle up in a blanket and take a nap after each book. I want to live in the Heartwood Hotel (Not just because I’m sick of doing my own laundry) and have a host of outlandish characters ask me about how I feel and help me find my long lost parents. JK! Please do not bring me a long lost parent. I lost them on purpose. The point is, read each of these books immediately.
Bits and Pieces: Oh. My. God. You have to visit the Hotel’s website. I took the “What’s your perfect room quiz” and got told I couldn't have a room because I'm Brumble the Bear! It literally told me I was too big. And I was delighted. I am too big to live in a tree! How did they know?!
Favorite Part: Anytime they are drinking hot honey beverages. Anytime they are eating seedcakes. When they talk about their feelings and it’s tender and touching. The illustrations. The illustrations. The illustrations. Did I say that enough? I’m obsessed with Stephanie Graegin. She wrote THIS book and made me a fan for life. The hotel’s events. St. Slumber's Supper, Spring Splash, The Acorn Festival, The Fernwood Family Picnic, and more.
Not Sure: Ya’ll. Tilly is genuinely too grumpy. I just don’t think Mona should have put up with it.
