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Lilac Love: A Small-Town Witch Romance
Amanda is in hiding, Elsie is desperate for connection. LILAC LOVE is a small town witchy friends-to-lovers romance that will melt your heart and make you believe in love again!
When Amanda moves to the sleepy small town of Glen Haven, the best part, as far as she’s concerned, is that the locals don’t like newbies. In fact, she’s counting on everyone leaving her alone to hike in the woods and pick up the pieces of her life. Amanda’s running—more like sprinting—from a dark and dangerous past, and she doesn’t need anyone poking their nose into her business, trying to be friends… or even something more.
So when she meets sweet, sultry Elsie, she desperately tries to keep her distance. She knows how badly it can hurt when someone you care about lets you down. Better not to let anyone in in the first place. But now she's living with Elsie, and she finds herself wanting to be with her all the time, to share things about herself nobody knows. The two form a fast, if unlikely, friendship, and Amanda begins to believe she could trust, and maybe even love, again.
Except Elsie’s keeping a secret.
A big secret.
Something that no one else in Glen Haven knows. She’s a witch, and the woods where her feisty new housemate Amanda loves to hike are in danger from a dark, sinister magic. Can Elsie tell Amanda her secret and enlist her help to find the magical culprit without risking the growing attraction between them? Elsie knows that witches and 'normys' can't be happy together, can they?
You’ll love this closed-door small town romance with a dash of dark mystery, baking and a rambunctious puppy! Lilac Love is a whimsical witchy love story that will light the candle in anyone’s heart.
When Amanda moves to the sleepy small town of Glen Haven, the best part, as far as she’s concerned, is that the locals don’t like newbies. In fact, she’s counting on everyone leaving her alone to hike in the woods and pick up the pieces of her life. Amanda’s running—more like sprinting—from a dark and dangerous past, and she doesn’t need anyone poking their nose into her business, trying to be friends… or even something more.
So when she meets sweet, sultry Elsie, she desperately tries to keep her distance. She knows how badly it can hurt when someone you care about lets you down. Better not to let anyone in in the first place. But now she's living with Elsie, and she finds herself wanting to be with her all the time, to share things about herself nobody knows. The two form a fast, if unlikely, friendship, and Amanda begins to believe she could trust, and maybe even love, again.
Except Elsie’s keeping a secret.
A big secret.
Something that no one else in Glen Haven knows. She’s a witch, and the woods where her feisty new housemate Amanda loves to hike are in danger from a dark, sinister magic. Can Elsie tell Amanda her secret and enlist her help to find the magical culprit without risking the growing attraction between them? Elsie knows that witches and 'normys' can't be happy together, can they?
You’ll love this closed-door small town romance with a dash of dark mystery, baking and a rambunctious puppy! Lilac Love is a whimsical witchy love story that will light the candle in anyone’s heart.
298 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2023
31 people are currently reading
73 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 7, 2024
this was EXTREMELY light on the fantasy but EXTREMELY heavy on the cozy lesbian cottage core fantasies i dream about
January 19, 2024
⭐️: 4/5
🌶️: 1/5
☕️: 3/5
Rosie reached out to me about reading a queer, witchy romance that has dark magic, polar bear dog familiars, and a guarded FMC with her people pleasing lover.
This was a cute, predictable witchy romance (I say predictable in the sense that this is not an SJM or RY fantasy book that has a million and 1 plot holes that is killing off your favorite characters…SARAH) Elsie is a witch in Glen Haven who’s just trying to fit into this town her grandmother used to live in. Amanda is on the run from her past and finds herself in Glen Haven after an UNDERSTANDABLE uhhh dispute (?) with her family.
I loved the small tidbits of relationship Elsie has with Philo and reading about all the baked goods she would cook (I was lucky I started this book on a cruise so I could also eat baked goods while reading…not so great when I got back home and have to make the baked goods myself…). The relationship between Elsie and Amanda is a whirlwind romance and I thought it was so unbelievable cute!! I did want more bc I felt like the “conflict” or third-act breakup was kinda just a let down of miscommunication (and I abhor the miscommunication trope). I also really really REALLU wanted more on Amanda’s past. I can’t help it, I’m a background, thriller girlie at heart 🥹
Rosie, thank you for this gorgeous, fun, witchy romance. I would like a Philo now, please and thank you 😅 I’m sure Sirius could use a polar bear to his black bear 😘
🌶️: 1/5
☕️: 3/5
Rosie reached out to me about reading a queer, witchy romance that has dark magic, polar bear dog familiars, and a guarded FMC with her people pleasing lover.
This was a cute, predictable witchy romance (I say predictable in the sense that this is not an SJM or RY fantasy book that has a million and 1 plot holes that is killing off your favorite characters…SARAH) Elsie is a witch in Glen Haven who’s just trying to fit into this town her grandmother used to live in. Amanda is on the run from her past and finds herself in Glen Haven after an UNDERSTANDABLE uhhh dispute (?) with her family.
I loved the small tidbits of relationship Elsie has with Philo and reading about all the baked goods she would cook (I was lucky I started this book on a cruise so I could also eat baked goods while reading…not so great when I got back home and have to make the baked goods myself…). The relationship between Elsie and Amanda is a whirlwind romance and I thought it was so unbelievable cute!! I did want more bc I felt like the “conflict” or third-act breakup was kinda just a let down of miscommunication (and I abhor the miscommunication trope). I also really really REALLU wanted more on Amanda’s past. I can’t help it, I’m a background, thriller girlie at heart 🥹
Rosie, thank you for this gorgeous, fun, witchy romance. I would like a Philo now, please and thank you 😅 I’m sure Sirius could use a polar bear to his black bear 😘
January 13, 2024
"Making people like you through magic isn’t real."
Elise owns Pie in the Sky, a newish bakery Cafe in town. Amanda is a total newbie who has arrived on the run from her past life and currently works with the local delivery service. And this is the story of falling for each other with every problem imaginable trying to keep them from each other.
Elise is a witch, and Amanda is a "Normy". Having grown up in a "mixed marriage " Elise knew there could be trouble ahead. Amanda's backstory is fraught with deceit and suspicions but she's "not going there" because of the trauma her family inflicted on her.
Can these two get over themselves and become their own "family"?
I really loved this story. Sapphic, paranormal and a mystery? Rosie Evylin is a an author to watch for and support in my reading life. Bring on book 2!
Highly Recommended 5/5
Elise owns Pie in the Sky, a newish bakery Cafe in town. Amanda is a total newbie who has arrived on the run from her past life and currently works with the local delivery service. And this is the story of falling for each other with every problem imaginable trying to keep them from each other.
Elise is a witch, and Amanda is a "Normy". Having grown up in a "mixed marriage " Elise knew there could be trouble ahead. Amanda's backstory is fraught with deceit and suspicions but she's "not going there" because of the trauma her family inflicted on her.
Can these two get over themselves and become their own "family"?
I really loved this story. Sapphic, paranormal and a mystery? Rosie Evylin is a an author to watch for and support in my reading life. Bring on book 2!
Highly Recommended 5/5
January 10, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It’s cute and cozy and lighthearted. Elsie and Amanda are both awesome in their own right and I really enjoyed getting to read their story. I really liked all the mentions of the witchy things that Elsie gets up to!
January 8, 2024
The book dragged at times. I think it could have benefitted by being a little shorter. I mainly read it for the sapphic representation. That being said, it got better towards the end. It was a nice cozy read.
December 28, 2023
Lilac Love is such a cosy, witch-y, romantic story! Firstly, this book is definitely a new comfort read for me! The atmosphere that Rosie creates is one which I adore. The sweet small town with quirky characters makes a cute charming story.
There is very good queer/LGBTQIA+ representation in this book as well! The whole reading experience is very wholesome and acts like a warm hug!
The food and baking in this book is absolutely stand-out for me. I love that it is purposefully character specific, in that it is all plant based! It felt like this was so perfect for Elsie’s character. The way that food was used to bring the characters together was something I loved as a witch-y wannabe who loves to bake!
Amanda is also a dynamic character who has some secrets following her. There was some mystery in this, and it made me desperate to read more!
Let’s not forget Philo!! Oh my goodness, Philo is such a cute name and also adds a touch of haphazard chaos and fun to the already perfect duo that is Elsie and Amanda.
I would absolutely recommend this story for anyone who loves cosy, witch-y, small town romance with queer/LGBTQIA+ representation and closed door/spice-less books!
Can’t wait for the next book!
There is very good queer/LGBTQIA+ representation in this book as well! The whole reading experience is very wholesome and acts like a warm hug!
The food and baking in this book is absolutely stand-out for me. I love that it is purposefully character specific, in that it is all plant based! It felt like this was so perfect for Elsie’s character. The way that food was used to bring the characters together was something I loved as a witch-y wannabe who loves to bake!
Amanda is also a dynamic character who has some secrets following her. There was some mystery in this, and it made me desperate to read more!
Let’s not forget Philo!! Oh my goodness, Philo is such a cute name and also adds a touch of haphazard chaos and fun to the already perfect duo that is Elsie and Amanda.
I would absolutely recommend this story for anyone who loves cosy, witch-y, small town romance with queer/LGBTQIA+ representation and closed door/spice-less books!
Can’t wait for the next book!
January 22, 2024
Great book, it was long but it made you get to know them well! Could have done with a little more spice as well lol. Can't wait for Lavender Loathing x
August 27, 2024
Witchy, cosy, suspenseful and delicious! How much fun is this quirky closed door romance between Elsie (who's a witch) and Amanda (who's on the run and hiding)?
Both these girls are lonely and once they meet up, Elsie offers Amanda a room in her house, in exchange for help in the garden. It's funny and cute with delicious baking, home made tea, plenty of flora and fauna and the cutest giant dog you can imagine. As Elsie's familiar, Philo is also telepathic and this adds a funny layer to their growing domesticity. There's shenanigans with a villain, and plenty of unravelling of Amanda's family drama. Even with a closed door, there's plenty of moments between them as both Amanda and Elsie learn to trust each other and have the intimate closeness they both crave. Tender and funny - recommended!
Both these girls are lonely and once they meet up, Elsie offers Amanda a room in her house, in exchange for help in the garden. It's funny and cute with delicious baking, home made tea, plenty of flora and fauna and the cutest giant dog you can imagine. As Elsie's familiar, Philo is also telepathic and this adds a funny layer to their growing domesticity. There's shenanigans with a villain, and plenty of unravelling of Amanda's family drama. Even with a closed door, there's plenty of moments between them as both Amanda and Elsie learn to trust each other and have the intimate closeness they both crave. Tender and funny - recommended!
January 21, 2026
This was such a cute sapphic cottage core whimsy book. It was predictable but I still enjoyed it. I usually don't like a 3rd act break up, I find them annoying, but Rosie wrote it so well and it did make sense for it to happen. I loved all the characters but my favourite had to be Philo the dog. He is such a good boy. Looking forward to reading the other two books
July 15, 2024
Fluffy big boi pupper Philo is my favorite character. I love that the characters describe him as a polar bear size doggo. 🐶
A cozy mystery, a quick read. 🪄
I saw some else call it cozy lesbian cottage core, and that's it exactly.
A cozy mystery, a quick read. 🪄
I saw some else call it cozy lesbian cottage core, and that's it exactly.
July 8, 2024
Super cute story!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews