Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore

by Emily Krempholtz

A powerful plant witch and a grumpy alchemist must work together to save their quiet town from a magical plague in this debut cozy fantasy romance about starting over, redemption, and what it really means to be a good person.

Guy Shadowfade is dead, and after a lifetime as the dark sorcerer’s right-hand, Violet Thistlewaite is determined to start over—not as the fearsome Thornwitch, but as someone kind. Someone better. Someone good.

The quaint town of Dragon’s Rest, Violet decides, will be her second chance—she’ll set down roots, open a flower shop, keep her sentient (mildly homicidal) houseplant in check, and prune dark magic from the twisted boughs of her life.

Violet’s vibrant bouquets and cheerful enchantments soon charm the welcoming townsfolk, though nothing seems to impress the prickly yet dashingly handsome Nathaniel Marsh, an alchemist sharing her greenhouse. With a struggling business and his own second chance seemingly out of reach, Nathaniel has no time for flowers or frippery—and certainly none for the intriguing witch next door.

When a mysterious blight threatens every living plant in Dragon’s Rest, Violet and Nathaniel must work together through their fears, pasts, and growing feelings for one another to save their community. But with a figure from her past knocking at her door and her secrets threatening to uproot everything she’s worked so hard to grow, Violet can’t help but wonder…does a former villain truly deserve a happily-ever-after?

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Cozy, Romantasy, Cozy Fantasy, Fiction, Witches

368 pages, Paperback

First published November 18, 2025

About the author

Emily Krempholtz has never quit her day job to go open a flower shop, but that might be because she works with stories all day for a living, so she’s already doing what she loves. As a bestselling ghostwriter, editor, and book coach, Emily has worked with hundreds of writers as they write and publish their books—and she’s delighted to finally send one out into the world with her own name on the cover.

When she’s not writing or reading, Emily bakes cakes that look like the books she reads and changes her hair color like it’s some kind of mood ring. She lives in sunny Colorado, where you’ll often find her in the mountains—either hiking (and pretending to be a character in a novel) or curled up in a hammock with a good book (and also pretending to be a character in a novel). She’s on a lifelong quest to discover the magic in the world and has a sneaking suspicion that the written word is where she’ll find it.

Reviews

[Book Riot Community]

The Best New Witchy Books to Read This Fall:

If you like your witch stories with a lot of romance, there’s this debut fantasy! The titular Violet has moved to Dragon’s Rest for a fresh start. Instead of being the villain, she’s going to hide her dark past, tend to sentient plants in her flower shop’s greenhouse, and spread joy. Which is hard to do with the handsome but grumpy alchemist Nathaniel Marsh, who shares her space, spreading doom and gloom. But when a blight threatens all the flora of their town, they’ll have to work together to save it. (And then, the kissing parts!) —Liberty Hardy

[Jaime Fok · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

What a COZY setting! Loved being transported to Dragon’s Rest. The cozy magical town vibes were impeccable - complete with SENTIENT PLANT COMPANIONS!! (I love) 🌱

The fantasy plot while predictable was fun to follow, and meeting all the secondary characters in this town was so wonderful. I also loved Violet’s internal development with fighting her inner demons.

What I didn’t love was the romance… I feel like we had a lot going on in this book, between the flower shop, the apothecary, the blight, the past villain history. There wasn’t really the space to let the romance bloom (haha pun). Outside of some cute banter - the romance overall just felt very random, and too quickly developed for my liking. Seemed almost like it was just there to help drive the rest of the plot forward?

Still thought this was an adorable read though. Truly loved the setting and the majority of the story!

[TheConnieFox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a warm, whimsical cozy read! I loved everything about this book! This book is like a breath of fresh air. It is both unique and fascinating. It is full of comfort, romance, fantasy, love, friendship, second chances and happiness! I loved the female main character named Violet Thistlewaite, who is also known as a plant witch. As she begins her new journey, she decides to open a flower shop in a small town. She then meets a grumpy guy named Nathaniel, who is an alchemist.

As the story unravels, you will get to see the emotional depth this story has, even though it is a lightheaded and cozy read. This was an amazing, easy to read book. It is thought provoking and full of joy. I highly recommend this book to anyone that is looking for a great fantasy read! I rate this 5 out of 5 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley, author Emily Krempholtz and Berkley Publishing Group | Ace for this digital advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book is set to be released on November 18, 2025!

[Ricarda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't sleep on this if you love cozy fantasy novels! Here you will get a former evil plant witch opening a cozy little flower shop and falling in love with the next-door grumpy alchemist. There's also a homicidal plant and a pet rock and many lovely moments all around. I especially liked the message that people are allowed to change and start over. I don't think that a book like this needs any spice though, even if it is mainly a romance. And while I liked how the characters connected with each other eventually, I thought that their romantic (well, horny) feelings started rather abruptly and out of nowhere. I also wished that the other inhabitants of the town were explored more, because that was almost left out completely. Well, maybe in a second book? Please?

[lauren‎♡₊˚ 🦢・₊✧ (semi-ia) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25💫

this was such a cute and cozy fantasy!!!! this was my first cozy fantasy and i absolutely adored it. the characters were so lovable and the setting was perfect. i loved the small town aspect as well as the cute jobs that everyone had around town.

violet’s redemption arc was so wonderful to read and i enjoyed watching her heal and grow, and nathaniel was so awkward and sweet i just wanted to squeeze him.

this was such a cozy and wholesome fantasy!!!!

november botm🌷

[jenny reads a lot · Rating 4 out of 5]

No one deserves a redemption arc quite as much as Violet Thistlewaite!

This is the sweetest cozy fantasy, with a swoony romance, so much emotional depth, and a bit of mystery!

If you loved A Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, you should absolutely check this one out.

What’s to love…
- A grumpy alchemist MMC, with distractingly sexy arms
- A sunshiny former villain FMC who wants to spread joy with her flowers
- Forced proximity (he’s her landlord and they share a bedroom wall)
- He is down BAD, but he won’t admit it
- the cutest rock creatures
- found family
- a murderous sentient pothos
- a dragon!
- dueling shop signs complete with illustrations!
- gorgeous prose + imagery

What’s not to love…
- this one was just a tiny bit too cozy for me. If you don’t mind a bit slower of a plot, you’re going to LOVE this.
- Overall pacing wasn’t terrible but the ending did feel a bit rushed

I need Pru to get her own book next!

🌶️- one very mildly explicit scene

4.25⭐️| IG | TikTok |

This one looks ridiculously cute! WOOOO!

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley (Ace Books) for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

I loved this book a LOT. Violet was raised by a villain, to be a villain. She committed murder and terrorized communities under the auspices of her adopted father, a wicked sorcerer/wizard. We meet her right after the villain has been vanquished by a hero who finds Violet waiting and tells her "go, be good".

So, Violet decides it's time to change. She's remorseful for her villainy and wants to have a cozy and comfortable life. She wants to forget she was ever a villain and just sell flowers.

There are some pretty dark things in this book and yet, it remains so cozy. She settles into a small village and makes friends, grows plants, and learns more about her magic. She fights with her landlord and then, they fall in love. They end up fighting evil together and everything works out in the end.

I'm not sure I totally understood her character arc, going from being able to take lives to wanting to save lives... but there was something really beautiful about it all the same. It was a lesson in redemption and grace but touched on these issues with lightness and humor.

Ugh, I don't feel like I can do this book justice through my review, but I would read more in this world and by this author. It intrigued me and I want to live in this world some more.

I received this as an advanced reader copy and I am pretty sure I would read it again, especially if it comes out as an audiobook!

[Eleanor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Violet Thistwaite is Not a Villain Anymore is a cozy and charming romantasy bursting with character development, banter, and all the floral arrangements a person could want! The sweet and magical romance is set in the most quaint little village and filled with so many amazing side characters. I loved how the town came alive and was so heartwarming with the way they welcomed Violet in. The mystery plot and intrigue were an amazing balance to the otherwise endearing romance between Violet and her new landlord, Nathaniel. The two were so good for one another and it was so sweet how they knew when to comfort and encourage each other. Nathaniel was the ultimate grump, and I just love how he melted for his witch. Beyond the enchantingly tender romance, Violet’s ongoing redemption and growth were beautifully woven through the magical happenings of the story, leaving me wholly satisfied with this enchanting read from beginning to end.

Read If You Like;
🌷Grumpy x Sunshine🌷
🌷Found Family🌷
🌷Only One Greenhouse🌷
🌷Cozy Small Town🌷
🌷Plant Magic🌷
🌷Open Door Romance🌷

~Many thanks to Berkley Romance for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

[☆EmilyEverAfter☆ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Big thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for a free copy of "Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore" for review purposes. All thoughts are my own.

Let me start by saying, I don't think this was really my type of book.. I'm sure this book could be five stars for someone else. This was a really cozy, cute love story.

I struggled to finish this one. There is a lot going on here—the blight, trying to find the eye of the dragon, saving the apothecary from the bank. Even though all that was going on, it still felt really low-stakes. I was bored. I think this was intended to be a book about self-reflection and personal growth; I felt like the plot was just an afterthought..

[Laura❄️📚 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the Publisher Little Brown Book UK for providing this book for review purposes via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

The evil Sorcerer Guy Shadowfade is dead and Violet Thistlewaite has to start again but after a lifetime of being evil she’s determined to turn over a new leaf. She wants to be good not evil. She sets herself up in Dragons Ridge, a quiet little town not far from Guy’s former castle and opens a flower shop but nothing she does is good enough for her grumpy landlord Nathaniel Marsh and sharing a greenhouse with him proves interesting. Nathaniel and Violet must work together to find out the cause of a mysterious blight that is affecting Dragons Ridge and as they grow closer, Violet wonders does someone like her truly deserve a new beginning.

I loved this charming cosy little gem of a book, such a sweet romance with a redemption storyline. I loved Violet she was endearing and tried so hard to be good, when she meets Nathaniel it’s like grumpy meets sunshine as he is so standoffish to her to begin with her. I’m not going to tell what it is but I loved the message behind this book, such a positive message to be hidden in the storyline. I loved the romance between Violet and Nathaniel, it felt so genuine and happened organically, not forced in anyway. I loved all the residents of Dragons Ridge and Peri, I loved Peri. I’m really hoping that Sedgewick gets his own book. Overall a delightful book and one I would not hesitate to recommend.

[Jenna Levine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Utterly charming, sweet, and sexy. Also featuring the delightfully stabby sentient murder plant I hadn’t even known I’d needed in my life.

[Mai ༊*·˚ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ★— They say you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, and in this case I judged it by its title and was quickly proven wrong by the actual story!

Going in, I expected a book about a villainous woman who fully embraced and enjoyed her wicked side, something lighthearted and comedic. Instead, while the story does fit its cozy fantasy label, it also handles trauma, PTSD, and guilt with a great deal of sensitivity. What we get is a heroine who is haunted, unsure of how to form human connections after being denied them for so long, and simply trying her best to atone for her past as a so-called villain.

When it comes to her romance with alchemist Nathaniel Marsh, the beginning felt a little abrupt to me, since he develops an attraction very quickly. That said, the way they slowly open up to each other and genuinely grow closer is handled well! It was really only the speed of his initial interest that made my head spin a bit.

Throughout the book, the author does a strong job showing how both Violet and Nathaniel are carrying pasts that still linger in their minds and refuse to let go. She is hesitant and guarded, while he is grumpy and doing his best not to act on his feelings for her.

I also really appreciated the ending and how it avoided the typical route I expected for Violet. I was genuinely surprised by how the other characters’ actions unfolded, and I loved the themes of forgiveness, understanding, and second chances throughout the entire book.

The slice of life, whimsical flower-shop moments were very cute, and I really do feel all warm and fuzzy after finishing this!

[Kayla_Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I love a good villain redemption read. Fans of Assistant To The Villain this one is for you.

Violet was raised to be a villain by an evil wizard. Now that he is gone, she is finally free and determined to be good. She moves to a cozy little town and opens her own flower shop. The perfect place for a plant witch. That’s where we meet Nathaniel, the grumpy landlord, who just happens to be an alchemist. They soon find themselves not only fighting with each other and growing romantic feelings, but also to save their community.

This was just so cozy and sweet and definitely what I needed.

[Sherwood Smith]

A sweet, somewhat self-consciously diverse (one gay couple, check, one "they", check) fantasy about a young woman who used to be a terrible villain but decides she wants to be good. So she leaves the site of her villainy for the other end of town, instead of hightailing for another continent, and opens a flower shop.

She rents the space from a bard and her twin, a grumpy alchemist. We see pretty early on that this is a budding romantic fantasy.

I enjoyed Violet. Her sheer haplessness made sense for someone trying to navigate living a good life, with zero preparation for it. But a lot of the earnest preaching the characters do to one another sounded a lot like 21st century therapy talk, amid Life Lessons for middle graders. The language is also largely middle-grade, but then we hit onscreen sex. Soooo, not a middle-grade fantasy, then?

The story followed predictable lines until near the end, when the pace picked up along with a few surprises. I liked the characters, loved the descriptions of Violet's magical plants, and while the book overall had a few jolts and pacing issues, it is a debut. Looking forward to more from this author.

[✨⚡ Kelcey (felinebooktrovert) ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happy Release Day!!

This was a lovely cozy read.

This was an enjoyable read that didn't wow me in any particular way but still provided a good storyline with entertaining characters.

There were a couple reveals that I saw coming a mile away and some others that were still surprising and the ending was a little fast and lacked some gravity, but I think that can happen when you're dealing with cozy fantasy.

But I would recommend for some relatively low stakes cozy fantasy romance seekers.

And that cover!? Come on, so gorgeous 💜

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

[Brooke (Books are my Favorite!!) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The alchemy of opposites attract Adorable word play in this cozy fantasy that had me hooked from start to finish. The book starts out very cozy and the plot really blooms as it moves forward. Violet moves her new florist shop Rough Around the Hedges next door to Nathaniel's apothecary in Dragon's Rest. Violet has just left the evil sorcerer and is determined to be good, even when Nathaniel turns out to be a cranky curmudgeon and skeptical of her plant magic. Their first date is hunting for crow moss, and there's a small-town cottage-feel. Before things get hot and heavy in the greenhouse for Violet and Nate, Sedgwick opens an alchemy shop down the road. Not only is this competition for Nate's apothecary, but Sedgwick wants to resurrect the evil sorcerer and is taunting Violet about her shameful past. Turns out Violet was in denial, and had some dark power to confront. This never got boring, and still stayed cute throughout, I loved it. Very happy for Violet and Nathaniel. A great cozy fantasy including stakes and action along with cuteness.

Thank you very much #netgalley for the arc!

[hailee · Rating 4 out of 5]

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. all opinions are my own.

3.5***

“Change, she was beginning to discover, grew like a seed. Its roots began to sprout beneath the surface long before the leaves burst through the soil.”

such a cute story! the cozy & magical small town setting was honestly perfect. i loved all of the side characters and getting to know the history of a town trying to rebuild after years of tragedy.

the actual plot was very predictable, but i still had fun with it. i adored watching violet (and nathaniel) learn to be good, accept change, and realize she is deserving of happiness.

i do feel like the romance, while adorable, needed more time & space to develop. the banter was fun & there were certainly touching scenes, but it did seem a bit surface level and moved very quickly from dislike to romance.

also: peri, my beloved, you were my favorite part of the book.

“You won’t lose the people who care for you if you fail. You’ll only have to accept their hands to help you back up again.”

[fromthestudyof · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very cute reformed villian cozy romance

a little Assistant to the Villian vibe but also not at all? Idk how to explain it

- reformed villian FMC
- grumpy store owner
- a plant that is constantly trying to stab people
- rock goblins
- tiny magical town in the shadow of the castle of the dead “Big Bad” that our FMC ran from

Between a 4- 4.25 ⭐️

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Thank you to Ace and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review*

After a lifetime of killing people and destroying villages at the behest of her evil overlord, a plant witch has entered her redemption era. Violet just wants to settle down quietly in Dragon’s Rest and sell flowers, which is challenging when she's stuck sharing a workspace with a grumpy alchemist and his veiny forearms. Nathaniel feels guilty for his past choices and acts like a butthead instead of going to therapy because he’s a pretty typical man. As usual, I was most drawn in by the supporting cast, including Jerome the taciturn gnome and the lady with bees floating around her head. There's a spreading blight and a giant goblin made of stone that is probably key to stopping the resurrection of a wicked sorcerer. If you’re here for some horizontal refreshment in the greenhouse, you will not be disappointed. Sometimes I think I’ll tire of the cozy fantasy genre, then I read a book with a homicidal houseplant that keeps trying to pilfer knives, and I am forced to eat the humble pie.

[Stephanie Wilen · Rating 4 out of 5]

After years as the feared Thornwitch and right-hand to a dark sorcerer, Violet finally has a chance to start fresh in the quiet town of Dragon’s Rest. But it turns out leaving her past behind is much harder than she imagined — especially when a grumpy neighbor and a mysterious threat force her to face it head-on.

My thoughts:
Omg! This was such a cute, cozy little fantasy. Violet’s journey from feared villain to kind flower shop owner was heartwarming, and the plant puns were such a fun touch. I loved how the story blended enchanting elements like magical flowers and subtle sorcery, keeping it on the whimsical, light, and playful side. The relationship between Violet and her neighbor, Nathaniel, was grumpy × sunshine gold — I really enjoyed watching them slowly come together. A delightful read that’s perfect for anyone who loves magic, romance, and small-town charm!

[vanshikha · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝟒.𝟓⭐

Thank you Emily Krempholtz and Ace Books for the ARC!

𝐕𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐈𝐬 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐚 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐧𝐲𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 is about a powerful plant witch and a grumpy alchemist must work together to save their quiet town from a magical plague in this debut cozy fantasy romance about starting over, redemption, and what it really means to be a good person.

This is a cosy fantasy and debut by the author and it did not feel like one. This book reminded me upon trh usage of the Villain of Assistant to the Villain, which is like two sides of the a coin.

The cosy atmosphere of this world was immersive and the town of Dragon's Rest and its townspeople were friendly, and their way of welcoming Violet into their found family was very lovely to read about.

The magic was fun and quirky and so were the characters. They all the had distinct personalities and presence in the book --- each of them setting up an arc in the book. They were not limited to humans, but also other magical creatures.

This book is more than a cosy fantasy romance. There are so many dark themes and trauma that is a result of those actions that were dealt here. She learns to make friends, learns about her magic and then fall in love. Violet learns to fight the evil together with Nathaniel which was fulfilling her character arc from a villain to a saviour.

Nathaniel and Violet's chemistry was sizzling and worked really well with their situation. The forced proximity did WONDERS to them and I loved and enjoyed how they overcame their anxieties, fears and harsh truths.

The overall message of this book is quite heavy when inspected further and it is very meaningful. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book and would recommend to fans of Assistant to the Villain and Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries!

𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒏 𝒆𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒈. 𝑨𝒍𝒍 𝒐𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒚 𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 𝒄𝒐𝒑𝒚 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒎𝒚 𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒓 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘.

[Ridhima · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75/5

"Whether or not the blame is earned, we wear it."

This was so utterly wholesome and cute.

Told with alternating third person POV, I enjoyed how this one had a little bit of everything sprinkled throughout. While it did have a relatively slower pace, we got a villain with a hidden agenda, a mysterious plant killing sickness, sweet grumpy x sunshine romance, friendly banter, small town charm, and a lot of personal growth - and somehow it didn't feel too much. The ending did feel a bit rushed and perhaps too neat for the book, but nobody picks up a comforting fantasy like this one expecting a layered plot reveal and finale. The book did have one mildly explicit spicy scene, but apart from that, was fairly closed door with plenty of yearning. While I do wish we got more time with some of the side characters and delved deeper into their stories, it's a small gripe in an otherwise entertaining book. (also look at that cover!)

Recommended for fans who like cozy fantasy, unique side characters like a sentient plant and rock goblins, an adorable puppy, and a tight knit town - this heartfelt and lovely read is perfect to curl up on the couch with some hot cocoa.

This was my pick for November BOTM!

[Maeghan 🦋 HIATUS on & off · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!!
3.5✨
« It is no simple thing to rise anew from the ashes of your old life. »

This was really unique and a fun time! The dilemma the FMC was facing around good vs bad was really well portrayed in the first 25%. I did find some things were resolved too quickly but it was nice to follow her through her healing journey. I think I would’ve liked to see her fall more, especially considering her past.

For the first 25% - I was completely hooked. But then the pacing started to be an issue and the tension just resolved extremely quickly. I wish the romance would’ve been more slow burn, because once it started - it was rushed. Nathaniel fell super fast, which I normally like but I think that for the sake of this story, was rushed. The ending was also extremely fast paced compared to the rest of the story.

The set of characters were cute and heartwarming. I think this was really good for a debut and would recommend it.

« You can long for something all you want, but you’ll never unlock the door if you’re too afraid to turn the key. »

[Charity (Booktrovert Reader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore was such a charming surprise. This is one of those books that blends magic, humor, and emotional healing in a way that feels comforting from start to finish. Violet’s journey from infamous villain to “trying her absolute best” was adorable, messy, and surprisingly relatable. Watching her attempt to unlearn old habits while step into a new identity had me cheering for her the whole time.

The tone is whimsical, the magic system is fun without being overwhelming, and the side characters add just the right amount of chaos and warmth. There’s a cozy, cottage-core vibe to the world that makes it super easy to sink into, and Violet’s awkward attempts at goodness brought plenty of smile-worthy moments.

My only small quibble was the romance. Tt was cute, but it did feel a little rushed between the main characters. I would’ve loved just a bit more build-up and tension before things moved forward. Still sweet, still enjoyable, just could’ve used a touch more space to breathe.

Even so, the story delivers beautifully on growth, forgiveness, and finding your place even when you’re trying to outrun your past. If you love soft fantasy, redemption arcs, quirky characters, and a touch of magical mischief, this one is absolutely worth the read. A delightful, feel-good book with a heroine who steals your heart in the most unexpected way. 💚

Connect With Me:

BLOG ⟫ INSTAGRAM ⟫ NEWSLETTER ⟫


Advance Review Copy generously provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Abigail · Rating 2 out of 5]

The cover is cute and fun, the concept was what pulled me in.

I really wanted to like it, but look, the first chapter of the book starting with a very awkwardly staged scene where the FMC is described in the way that she was (incredibly detailed, including "pretty in a home-spun sort of way" and "She would have been popular in a tavern,") kinda put me off from the get-go.

But I held firm because I'm so desperate to like a romance story, and the premise is exactly one I would be into.

In general, I liked the MMC, his grumpiness and mistrust made sense given his background. The way he played off Violet was nice in many of their scenes together. However, he is instantly attracted to her and in under 100 pages is having spicy dreams about her... Eye roll. (also it's weird how he is berated and talked down to a lot?? It's like he's never allowed to be upset about anything. It's giving toxic positivity.)

I struggled to really believe Violet's past as a villain because she doesn't really struggle with it in any tangible way besides a few times her magic wants to burst out reflexively... otherwise she is instantly sunshine, she is instantly liked. The 'starting over' aspect felt half-baked because she doesn't *struggle*. She's rich off the bat and can afford renting a place with a shop; she can literally grow her entire stock from nothing, her shop is an instant success. Her only worry is her past being exposed, which ends up not even really mattering anyway.

Although I do really appreciate that she's never infantilized like I see so many sunshine FMC's be. She's always an adult even if she is stupid at times (honestly, mood) but it's kind of frustrating how often she is just instantly forgiven and faces minimal consequences.

Overall, at the end of the book, I didn't dislike it, but I also sat there feeling like I'd just been at a D&D table where one of the players felt like the main character with the most strongest, most prettiest, most incredibly cool and loved character who is always right, and all the other characters were just support to prop her up to look better. (Seriously, the secondary characters are not developed at all and it's frustrating)

[laurel [the suspected bibliophile] · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was very cute, but not as well developed as I'd hoped it would be.

The romance felt unevenly rushed, the world-building was cute but not *quite* there, and I think overall I just wanted MORE.

It was very cute though. I did like the exploration of guilt and second chances, I liked the several (very obvious twists), and I enjoyed the secondary characters. I liked Violet and Nathaniel (just not necessarily together—Violet and Pru had more chemistry, IMO). I just wanted a little more polish. Of course, this was the ARC so perhaps the end product is a touch more buffed up.

Fans of Assistant to the Villain and The Phoenix Keeper will enjoy this one.

[Emma (ejm_reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up to 4

The title for Violet Thistlewaite is Not a Villain Anymore really sums the book up! It is a cosy fantasy which centres around Violet, aka the Thornwitch, who served an evil sorcerer and is now seeking redemption as a florist in the small town of Dragon’s Rest.

I liked Violet. She’s a sympathetic character despite her dark past and I actually wish the book had focused more on her learning to be good and finding herself away from her love interest Nathaniel. He was ok - I didn’t enjoy his POV chapters as much as Violet’s and their romance was a bit boring for me. The other characters were one of the strongest parts of the book in my opinion and I really enjoyed the eclectic group of villagers in Dragon’s Rest (as well as the reveal near the end of some of their secrets). Peri the rock goblin and Bartleby the murderous plant were great additions to the story and I really liked Violet’s friendship with Nathaniel’s sister Pru. The found family aspect of the book was strong and I think it worked well.

There was a decent amount of world building and although the storyline was quite predictable I still enjoyed it. Sometimes the pacing felt a bit off with a mid book slump and I would have preferred more of a slow burn for the romance to increase the tension.

Perfect for fans of other witchy cosy fantasy books such as The Spellshop, Rewitched and A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Little Brown Book Group - Sphere for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Ash (BooksToAshes) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

ARC received from Netgalley for an honest review.

Violet Thistlewaite is a young woman who tries to make a new life for herself after leaving a life of villainy. Opening up a flower shop right beside a grumpy alchemist, she does her best to make a life for herself but can't seem to escape a few ghosts from her past.

This book was SO good! I always thought cozy books in general weren't for me, but this book proved me wrong. I loved the characters in this, from Violet herself, to Nathaniel (our MMC), his sister, and everyone in the sweet little town.

I adored the development between our characters, their growth and emotional struggles. They all felt real, and the town itself felt alive because of it. As a D&D nerd myself, I also had a blast seeing different species, magic, and a whimsical world I'd love to be in myself.

One of my favourite parts were the illustrations of the signs Nathaniel and Violet placed outside of their shop. I laughed or smiled each time they popped up, and I always looked forward to seeing what they would write on the next ones.

The little banter between Violet and Nathaniel, the pining, it all made me swoon. There is a 'spicy' scene in this book, but it happens only once later on in the book. The words used are tasteful and not too brash, so forwarning for those who prefer or don't prefer those scenes in your books..

If you like books with a grumpy x sunshine couple, animal and plant companions, banter, a sweet alchemist with a hard exterior, and low stakes in a cozy setting, please pick this up and try it yourself.

[♥Rachel♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars
Violet’s childhood was stolen by Guy Shadowfade, a dark sorcerer who exploited her rare gift for plant magic. Forced to obey his commands, she became known as the dreaded Thornwitch. Now, with Shadowfade gone, Violet longs for a gentler life, one filled with kindness, beauty, and the quiet joy of tending flowers in her shop at Dragon’s Rest. All she needs is to keep her past buried.

Nathanial, however, isn’t so easily convinced. Prickly and protective, he resents his sister’s decision to rent out the cottage to Violet and distrusts her from the start. With his alchemy shop inconveniently next door, avoiding her is impossible.

But when a mysterious blight begins to spread across Dragon’s Rest, threatening crops and livelihoods, Violet and Nate must set aside suspicion and work together.

Violet keeping her identity secret for so long was distressing, since I knew it’d come out eventually, but I did enjoy this fun, cozy mystery! I love gardening and flowers, so Violet’s powers appealed to me. What resonated most, though, was the theme of redemption: Violet’s guilt over her past deeds and Nate’s regret for his family’s struggles gave the story emotional weight. Together, their journey felt like a hopeful reminder that healing and renewal are always possible.

I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy courtesy of the publisher. These are my thoughts and opinions.

[Nadja]

DNF

You know when a book looks like it was made for you on paper, but then you start reading and realize you’d rather alphabetize your spice rack than keep going? Yeah. That’s me with this one.

I kept waiting for the spark, the drama, the something—but all I got was vibes of “meh.” I was so bored I started mentally planning my next grocery list. I wanted to care, I really did, but my brain was like, “no thoughts, just boredom.”

At this point, Violet can keep being a villain...