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Genius Consultants #1
A Twist of Amethyst
A missing brother. A secret world of genies. And a woman with a talent for making things worse.
Genius Consultants has it all, wealthy clients, glamorous receptionist and some skillful genies to speed up its workload.
Amethyst Oleander is clumsy, hides her unruly purple hair in a plait, and doesn’t know anything about genies. She has more important things to worry about, like finding her missing brother, Ben.
When their disparate worlds collide, mayhem ensues as Amethyst causes mishaps, kisses a genie, and falls off things she probably shouldn’t have been on. But the company has dark secrets and as they begin to unravel, she finds herself in danger. Who can she trust? What must she do to save Ben before he’s lost forever, and when will she discover her strange hair has far more significance than she ever realised?
Perfect for fans of Jodi Taylor, Jasper Fforde and Genevieve Cogman, this witty adventure combines sharp dialogue, memorable characters and an intriguing mystery that will keep readers guessing until the very end.
Genius Consultants has it all, wealthy clients, glamorous receptionist and some skillful genies to speed up its workload.
Amethyst Oleander is clumsy, hides her unruly purple hair in a plait, and doesn’t know anything about genies. She has more important things to worry about, like finding her missing brother, Ben.
When their disparate worlds collide, mayhem ensues as Amethyst causes mishaps, kisses a genie, and falls off things she probably shouldn’t have been on. But the company has dark secrets and as they begin to unravel, she finds herself in danger. Who can she trust? What must she do to save Ben before he’s lost forever, and when will she discover her strange hair has far more significance than she ever realised?
Perfect for fans of Jodi Taylor, Jasper Fforde and Genevieve Cogman, this witty adventure combines sharp dialogue, memorable characters and an intriguing mystery that will keep readers guessing until the very end.
372 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 28, 2025
About the author
Essie Foxford
3 books5 followersEssie Foxford lives near Manchester in England, where the frequent rain keeps the countryside green and her three ducks happy.
She writes humorous fantasy adventures packed with entertaining dialogue, quirky characters and escalating stakes that keep the pages turning.
Her Genius Consultants series follows Amethyst Oleander, a woman whose family has neglected to tell her that they are genies. While searching for her missing brother, she stumbles into a magical world where secrets, rivalries and carefully laid plans have an alarming habit of finding her. The first two novels in the series, A Twist of Amethyst and A Kiss of Crystal, are available now, with A Touch of Topaz coming in Spring 2027.
In 2026, Essie won the Writers' Online children's short story competition.
She writes humorous fantasy adventures packed with entertaining dialogue, quirky characters and escalating stakes that keep the pages turning.
Her Genius Consultants series follows Amethyst Oleander, a woman whose family has neglected to tell her that they are genies. While searching for her missing brother, she stumbles into a magical world where secrets, rivalries and carefully laid plans have an alarming habit of finding her. The first two novels in the series, A Twist of Amethyst and A Kiss of Crystal, are available now, with A Touch of Topaz coming in Spring 2027.
In 2026, Essie won the Writers' Online children's short story competition.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
November 2, 2025
I don’t usually do fantasy but was in need of something lighthearted but interesting. This book certainly fit the bill. I got into the story quickly and was intrigued. I just wanted to know what happened next. I couldn’t put it down and read it quickly - too quickly as I was quite sad to finish it. I thoroughly enjoyed it
December 13, 2025
A cute, quirky, romping, coming-of-age story. FMC bumbles along to rescue her brother and find her place in the world.
Thank you to Essie Foxford, the publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC!
Thank you to Essie Foxford, the publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC!
November 23, 2025
This is the perfect read when you want to escape into a fantasy world where magic, mischief and love are intertwined. Amethyst Myst} is a warm, quirky. clumsy but very endearing character. I enjoyed this book so much and could not put it down once started. I look forward to further books in this series.
November 15, 2025
I really loved this book. The writing is fast paced and funny, and I love that it keeps you guessing all the way through. I instantly warmed to the protagonist Amethyst - she reminds me of that friend who is always stumbling into awkward situations and narrowly avoiding scrapes. I found A Twist of Amethyst a refreshing change to other fantasy/ romantacy novels that get a lot of hype at the moment. It is cozy, funny and charming, with just a sprinkle of fantasy that makes the plot and characters intriguing. Would recommend, whether you’re a fantasy fan or not. I’m already looking forward to the next book from Essie Foxford.
January 14, 2026
This is one of the best fantasy books I have read. It has a bit of everything: fantasy, mystery, possible romance, all set in a different but familiar-enough world. For me, this is a "keeper" that I will read again.
July 6, 2026
(FYI I tend to only review one book per series, unless I want to change my scoring by 0.50 or more of a star. -- I tend not to read reviews until after I read a book, so I go in with an open mind.)
Torn between a 2.25* and 2.5*, due to two side characters who given who they are will not be dropped from the series.
[] MC was okay.
[] Love interest was okay, though I didn't really see him as such and honestly thought another of the males was a more likely pairing.
[] At the end I really didn't like two characters, though one annoyed me more than the other.
The other characters were okay.
Plot was okay.
Pet peeve: author tended to not use contractions in speech, where it would make sense so it read as stilted to me.
First time read the author's work?: Yes
Will you be reading more?: Maybe -- I might be willing to try a different series by the author, more of this one, probably not since the disliked characters are not ones she will get rid of.
Would you recommend?: Maybe
------------
How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)
All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked
Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see the stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)
Torn between a 2.25* and 2.5*, due to two side characters who given who they are will not be dropped from the series.
[] MC was okay.
[] Love interest was okay, though I didn't really see him as such and honestly thought another of the males was a more likely pairing.
[] At the end I really didn't like two characters, though one annoyed me more than the other.
The other characters were okay.
Plot was okay.
Pet peeve: author tended to not use contractions in speech, where it would make sense so it read as stilted to me.
First time read the author's work?: Yes
Will you be reading more?: Maybe -- I might be willing to try a different series by the author, more of this one, probably not since the disliked characters are not ones she will get rid of.
Would you recommend?: Maybe
------------
How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)
All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked
Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see the stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)
December 31, 2025
This was definitely not your typical genie book and took me on bunch of unexpected twists and turns along the way.
Amethyst has recently returned home after yet another failed adventure. Things rapidly take a turn for the worst when first her brother disappears, then her father, then her mother, leaving Amethyst suddenly the head of the household. She tries taking on her mother’s cleaning jobs for some extra cash for overdue bills, but then ends up finding a full time job at her dad’s old work. This particular work, however, ends up involving a talking/sentient library, magical places built out of nothing, and wish-granting gone wild.
Amethyst ends up following clues around to ultimately connect the dots, but not without loss along the way. This book was a weird puzzle, filled with random twists and turns, lots of misdirection, and then I guess we finally get to a sort-of tied up ending that seems happy enough. We did end up losing folks along the way, but the big bads end up punished by their own devices, so that’s satisfying. I can honestly say that I’ve never read a genie story like this one before.
Amethyst has recently returned home after yet another failed adventure. Things rapidly take a turn for the worst when first her brother disappears, then her father, then her mother, leaving Amethyst suddenly the head of the household. She tries taking on her mother’s cleaning jobs for some extra cash for overdue bills, but then ends up finding a full time job at her dad’s old work. This particular work, however, ends up involving a talking/sentient library, magical places built out of nothing, and wish-granting gone wild.
Amethyst ends up following clues around to ultimately connect the dots, but not without loss along the way. This book was a weird puzzle, filled with random twists and turns, lots of misdirection, and then I guess we finally get to a sort-of tied up ending that seems happy enough. We did end up losing folks along the way, but the big bads end up punished by their own devices, so that’s satisfying. I can honestly say that I’ve never read a genie story like this one before.
December 15, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Round O for the ARC.
Plot 2.5/5
Characters 3/5
Ending 2.5/5
Interest 2.5/5
Overall 2.5/5
-Unfortunately, I could not get into this book. I was bored very quickly and it was sort of over for me from there. The plot took a while to actually get started and when it took off a little, it fell flat. It was just a bunch of words that didn’t really bring me anything or make me feel anything.
-The characters were fine but my disinterest affected how I felt to everyone in this book. I didn’t feel any connection to any of them. At first, I felt like Amethyst was a little childish. I know it would be very difficult for both your parents to leave but the way she acted and spoke seemed very childlike. Also, I feel like the parents were very quickly cast aside.
-The ending was kind of the same as everything else. Because I wasn’t really interested from the very beginning, I couldn’t really care for the ending. I didn’t feel a need to know what would happen to these characters.
Plot 2.5/5
Characters 3/5
Ending 2.5/5
Interest 2.5/5
Overall 2.5/5
-Unfortunately, I could not get into this book. I was bored very quickly and it was sort of over for me from there. The plot took a while to actually get started and when it took off a little, it fell flat. It was just a bunch of words that didn’t really bring me anything or make me feel anything.
-The characters were fine but my disinterest affected how I felt to everyone in this book. I didn’t feel any connection to any of them. At first, I felt like Amethyst was a little childish. I know it would be very difficult for both your parents to leave but the way she acted and spoke seemed very childlike. Also, I feel like the parents were very quickly cast aside.
-The ending was kind of the same as everything else. Because I wasn’t really interested from the very beginning, I couldn’t really care for the ending. I didn’t feel a need to know what would happen to these characters.
December 29, 2025
A Twist of Amethyst is a charming, funny, and thoroughly feel-good romantic fantasy that delivers heart, humor, and just the right touch of magic. Essie Foxford creates a story that’s easy to fall into and even harder to put down, with a warm, contemporary setting that feels both cozy and refreshing.
The characters are instantly likable, with witty banter and genuine chemistry that made me smile throughout. The romance unfolds naturally, balancing emotional depth with lighthearted moments that keep the tone playful and uplifting. The magical elements are subtle but delightful, adding sparkle without overwhelming the story.
What truly stands out is the book’s ability to be comforting while still engaging—perfect for readers looking for an escape that leaves them happier than when they started. It’s clever, heartfelt, and wonderfully entertaining.
Highly recommended for fans of romantic fantasy, cozy magic, and stories that don’t take themselves too seriously while still delivering emotional payoff. A delightful read from start to finish. 💜✨
The characters are instantly likable, with witty banter and genuine chemistry that made me smile throughout. The romance unfolds naturally, balancing emotional depth with lighthearted moments that keep the tone playful and uplifting. The magical elements are subtle but delightful, adding sparkle without overwhelming the story.
What truly stands out is the book’s ability to be comforting while still engaging—perfect for readers looking for an escape that leaves them happier than when they started. It’s clever, heartfelt, and wonderfully entertaining.
Highly recommended for fans of romantic fantasy, cozy magic, and stories that don’t take themselves too seriously while still delivering emotional payoff. A delightful read from start to finish. 💜✨
November 28, 2025
I found the premise of this book quite interesting, with the introduction of genies into the real/business world and Amethyst was an engaging character with an intriguing mystery to solve.
However, I felt the execution of the book didn’t quite live up to the potential. It felt, by turns, both too slow paced and like it was missing out chunks of relationship/world building with the result that things seemed to be happening both too slowly and too fast in a weird dichotomy of pacing issues.
I would have liked to get to know the male love interest a lot better as well, as things were slightly too instalust/lovey for my taste and I didn’t feel like I (or Amethyst) actually knew anything about his personality or background. The result being that I wasn’t really invested in their relationship working out or in whether he was a good guy or a bad guy.
I do think the idea of the genie consultancy has promise though, and would consider reading more of the series
However, I felt the execution of the book didn’t quite live up to the potential. It felt, by turns, both too slow paced and like it was missing out chunks of relationship/world building with the result that things seemed to be happening both too slowly and too fast in a weird dichotomy of pacing issues.
I would have liked to get to know the male love interest a lot better as well, as things were slightly too instalust/lovey for my taste and I didn’t feel like I (or Amethyst) actually knew anything about his personality or background. The result being that I wasn’t really invested in their relationship working out or in whether he was a good guy or a bad guy.
I do think the idea of the genie consultancy has promise though, and would consider reading more of the series
June 30, 2026
Fun read but confusing.........SPOILERS
Amethyst is forced to find work when her family disappears, one by one, and there's no money for bills or the two goon debt collectors. She happens upon a job opportunity, and that's when things get interesting. She finds out that genies are real and walk among us. Also that they can create and build upon land that is other earthly.
Here's where I got confused. Are they building homes for non humans that can access this land? How is it accessed at all without going through a brick and mortar in GB? Where did the shape changing pixies come from? Amethyst barely breaks stride when she is finally told her and her whole family are genies. The battle at the end is confusing as trying b to figure out if genies are building the houses or is the construction company comprised of genies, pixies and who know what else thrown into the picture.
Just so confusing with too many unanswered questions.
Amethyst is forced to find work when her family disappears, one by one, and there's no money for bills or the two goon debt collectors. She happens upon a job opportunity, and that's when things get interesting. She finds out that genies are real and walk among us. Also that they can create and build upon land that is other earthly.
Here's where I got confused. Are they building homes for non humans that can access this land? How is it accessed at all without going through a brick and mortar in GB? Where did the shape changing pixies come from? Amethyst barely breaks stride when she is finally told her and her whole family are genies. The battle at the end is confusing as trying b to figure out if genies are building the houses or is the construction company comprised of genies, pixies and who know what else thrown into the picture.
Just so confusing with too many unanswered questions.
July 2, 2026
This was my first Essie Foxford book, and now I'm hooked! The story charges forward with a believable plot that never becomes predictable. Every twist and turn in Amethyst's journey kept me racing through the pages, eager to discover what danger or surprise awaited around the next corner.
Amethyst's quest to uncover her genie heritage and harness her powers to save her family is gripping from start to finish. The balance between everyday struggles and mysterious events, magical discoveries, and escalating danger keeps the tension high and the story impossible to put down.
I can't wait to see where Amethyst's next adventure takes her and watch her grow into the full strength of her powers. Bring on the next book!
Amethyst's quest to uncover her genie heritage and harness her powers to save her family is gripping from start to finish. The balance between everyday struggles and mysterious events, magical discoveries, and escalating danger keeps the tension high and the story impossible to put down.
I can't wait to see where Amethyst's next adventure takes her and watch her grow into the full strength of her powers. Bring on the next book!
November 30, 2025
Genius Consultants has wealthy clients and talented genies. Enter Amethyst Oleander, clumsy and totally unaware of genies, and who is fully focused on finding her missing brother, Ben. Chaos soon erupts when her world collides with theirs, leading to mishaps and danger. It is down to Amethyst who must uncover secrets, save Ben, and discover the importance of her hair.
A quirky novel that started confusingly. It took the first couple of chapters to grasp the story and get into the flow. Overall, it was a fun, entertaining, easy read. I did also like the ending leaving an opening for further tales.
A quirky novel that started confusingly. It took the first couple of chapters to grasp the story and get into the flow. Overall, it was a fun, entertaining, easy read. I did also like the ending leaving an opening for further tales.
June 11, 2026
Book 1 of Genius Consultants. And a wonderful start it is! Look forward to more from this world.
'...this witty adventure combines sharp dialogue, memorable characters and an intriguing mystery that will keep readers guessing until the very end.'
The characters were very appealing and likeable and quirky and complicated. Plot was intriguing and exciting and well paced. World building was excellent and impressive. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.
Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
'...this witty adventure combines sharp dialogue, memorable characters and an intriguing mystery that will keep readers guessing until the very end.'
The characters were very appealing and likeable and quirky and complicated. Plot was intriguing and exciting and well paced. World building was excellent and impressive. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.
Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 15, 2025
Funny, feisty and a tantalising taste of escapism.
Absolutely loved Twist of Amethyst! Fabulous characters, especially Amethyst herself, drew me into an intriguing story full of twists and turns, with a silvering of magic along the way. Lovely meldiing of the real world and fantasy, gorgeous story beautifully told - I didn't want it to end! Delighted to read then that it's the start of a series. Let's hope Essie Foxford doesn't keep us waiting too long for the next instalment.
Absolutely loved Twist of Amethyst! Fabulous characters, especially Amethyst herself, drew me into an intriguing story full of twists and turns, with a silvering of magic along the way. Lovely meldiing of the real world and fantasy, gorgeous story beautifully told - I didn't want it to end! Delighted to read then that it's the start of a series. Let's hope Essie Foxford doesn't keep us waiting too long for the next instalment.
February 7, 2026
Venture Mandate
Amethyst Oleander gets to figure how to bring her family closer together, in very unexpected ways. She is required to uncover her heritage secret, and manage to stop creditors from taking the family home. The people she meets at work are very colorful and useful to her journey’s goals. The problems force Amethyst to put some of her concerns aside so she can help fix the newer badder mishaps that have occurred.
Amethyst Oleander gets to figure how to bring her family closer together, in very unexpected ways. She is required to uncover her heritage secret, and manage to stop creditors from taking the family home. The people she meets at work are very colorful and useful to her journey’s goals. The problems force Amethyst to put some of her concerns aside so she can help fix the newer badder mishaps that have occurred.
June 18, 2026
A Twist of Amethyst is Genius Consultants Series by Essie Foxford. I enjoyed this book and I liked the story (Amethyst is discovering her talent) and it is very funny. I felt the author wrote excellent characters and the story flows off the page. Since this is book 1 in the series, the author must lay the foundation for the series. Essie Foxford hit a home run. I can't wait to read book 2. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.
July 4, 2026
A Twist of Amethyst is a quirky coming-of-age fantasy with a fun premise, but it didn't quite come together for me.
The story has potential, though the slow start made it difficult to get invested. I also think it would benefit from another round of editing to improve the flow, and the characters needed more development to make the story more engaging.
Overall, it was an okay read, but I was left wanting a little more.
Thank you to NetGalley for this arc.
The story has potential, though the slow start made it difficult to get invested. I also think it would benefit from another round of editing to improve the flow, and the characters needed more development to make the story more engaging.
Overall, it was an okay read, but I was left wanting a little more.
Thank you to NetGalley for this arc.
May 10, 2026
When first starting the book, I felt that I was missing part of the story. But as I continued, it came together and pulled me right into the book, so much so that I had a hard time putting it down.
Enjoy a whimsical English story, and it does have the British spellings to words.
I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Enjoy a whimsical English story, and it does have the British spellings to words.
I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 15, 2025
I have just finished this book and it’s fabulous. What a page turner! It’s so full of twists and turns, it’s exciting and a whole lot of fun. Beautifully written too. I can't wait to read the second in this series.
Read
December 15, 2025I got lost in the madcap world of Amethyst and friends. The humour and intrigue propelled me to the end of the book. I loved it and will look forward to reading the next book in this entertaining series.
June 14, 2026
I love this book so much! It’s easy and fun to read and amethyst is such a quirky character and very easy to like… hoping for more books in the series!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 24, 2026
This was a little slow to get into with a lot of set up. The way the mom just took off was unsettling. It was a quick, easy read. I'm looking forward to the next book. The twist at the end I was not expecting.
🌟 quirky fmc
🌟 genies
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.
🌟 quirky fmc
🌟 genies
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.
December 6, 2025
What fun!
Amethyst is a very likeable character with a strong, clear narrative voice.
Looking forward to finding out what happens next ….,
A great debut novel
Amethyst is a very likeable character with a strong, clear narrative voice.
Looking forward to finding out what happens next ….,
A great debut novel
May 20, 2026
Really enjoyed this book. A fun adventure and liked novelty of genies and not too serious. Looking forward to the next one in the series
July 6, 2026
Delightful fantasy story. It was cute, funny, and enjoyable. I definitely recommend it and can't wait to read the next book in this series.
July 13, 2026
Gave up at 25% as it just wasn't grabbing me sadly
May 5, 2026
I really like stories where magic just exists in our regular everyday world and maybe we just don’t see it. It was fun to watch Myst learn about it and come into her own. And while the romantic storyline came a little out of nowhere, it was a fun book to read.
January 31, 2026
This is a cute, easy read. Plenty of character growth, good misdirection in the storyline, and a satisfying conclusion. A perfect palate cleanser.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews