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Prudence Marsh Is Not a Nobody Anymore
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Expected 10 Nov 26Win a free print copy of this book!
2 days and 10:58:36
10 copies available
U.S. only
A musician leaves her quaint town in search of a bigger life, only to get tangled up with a charming bandit and a royal heist in this delightful new cozy fantasy romance from the USA Today bestselling author of Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore.
Prudence Marsh has always known she’s meant for more than playing violin at small-town taverns, so when she learns of an audition for a royal wedding, she knows this is it: her chance to be somebody. After years putting everyone else first, Pru sets out to finally pursue her dreams of being a famous bard.
Callum DiCorvo, roguishly handsome cursebreaker and bandit extraordinaire, is content with his life of crime alongside his best friend. So content, in fact, that he’s determined to keep things exactly as they are. Cheerfully thieving is all he’s good for anyway.
When Pru collides with Callum and his crew in a roadside robbery that leaves her beloved violin in splinters along with her dreams, she demands to travel with the bandits until they replace it. Before long, Pru finds herself growing close to the motley bunch, especially Callum, whose sparkling banter and crooked smiles tease her like a song she can’t get out of her head.
But the bandits have stumbled upon a heist that could make all their dreams come true—breaking into the mystical Lune Vault at the palace on the same night as the wedding—leaving Pru to decide what’s more important: the dreams she’s held onto for so long, or the ones she’s building right now?
Prudence Marsh has always known she’s meant for more than playing violin at small-town taverns, so when she learns of an audition for a royal wedding, she knows this is it: her chance to be somebody. After years putting everyone else first, Pru sets out to finally pursue her dreams of being a famous bard.
Callum DiCorvo, roguishly handsome cursebreaker and bandit extraordinaire, is content with his life of crime alongside his best friend. So content, in fact, that he’s determined to keep things exactly as they are. Cheerfully thieving is all he’s good for anyway.
When Pru collides with Callum and his crew in a roadside robbery that leaves her beloved violin in splinters along with her dreams, she demands to travel with the bandits until they replace it. Before long, Pru finds herself growing close to the motley bunch, especially Callum, whose sparkling banter and crooked smiles tease her like a song she can’t get out of her head.
But the bandits have stumbled upon a heist that could make all their dreams come true—breaking into the mystical Lune Vault at the palace on the same night as the wedding—leaving Pru to decide what’s more important: the dreams she’s held onto for so long, or the ones she’s building right now?
432 pages, Paperback
Expected publication November 3, 2026
About the author
Emily Krempholtz
3 books786 followersEmily Krempholtz is the USA Today bestselling author of Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore and the upcoming Prudence Marsh Is Not a Nobody Anymore (November 2026). Her cozy fantasy romance books are full of heart, whimsy, wordplay, and stabby sentient houseplants.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was very excited when I first heard about this companion novel to Violet Thistlewaite Is Not A Villain Anymore and even more so when I saw that it's about bards and bandits, but unfortunately this book didn't do much for me while reading. I was quite fond of Violet and her evil plant magic in the first book, but Prudence here didn't have the same appeal to me. Her plan is to leave the cozy town of Dragon's Rest and become a famous musician in a city where she doesn't know everyone by name. She plays different instruments and is a talented singer and dancer, and it was nice to read about her joyful performances, but her talk about wanting to be famous was also slightly annoying to me if I'm honest. But her plans are interrupted anyway when she meets a handsome thief and later his whole group of bandits. While Pru dreams about playing at the royal wedding, Callum dreams about emptying the royal vault, and because their goals overlap at certain points, they might as well travel together. It's a cozy fantasy, but it still was strange to me how trusting everyone was when they are literally a group of wanted criminals. I didn't think much of the characters in general. Pru and Callum were uncomfortably all over each other from the very beginning, and none of the side characters were memorable to me except for Bartleby, the sentient houseplant who loves playing with knives. I remember thinking that book one was missing notable side characters and, funnily enough, book two now had too many to actually care about. The overall style and pacing felt very chaotic to me, the plot often convoluted. Now that the characters are traveling to different places it becomes notable that there is hardly any world building and that I basically know nothing about this world. That all might be true for the first book as well, but it wasn't much of an issue as the characters stayed in one place and focused on their little cozy shops. Book two wasn't a bad read by any means, but not really the continuation of the story that I had expected. I can only imagine that there will be a third book about the whole Bartleby situation, but right now I'm indecisive if I would want to read it. (Who am I kidding, if it has a stunning cover like the first two books, it will have my attention.)
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK | Sphere for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK | Sphere for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
Want to Read
July 6, 2026thank you to the publisher for an arc!!✨💐 it'll be nice to return to this cozy little world from the pov of prudence, and the description sounds so fun and whimsical!!
Want to Read
March 5, 2026The first book was so fun! Can't wait for the next one!!
Want to Read
July 6, 2026thank you to the publisher for an arc!!✨💐 it'll be nice to return to this cozy little world from the pov of prudence, and the description sounds so fun and whimsical!!
Want to Read
June 30, 2026Violet Thistlewaite is Not a Villain Anymore is READ NOW on NetGalley for 24 hours only! Get your copy friends! I've wanted to read this cozy fantasy for a while and now that I got the ARC to the second book, its time to dive in (soon) :)
Many thanks to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group/Ace and the author, Emily Krempholtz for an early eARC!
Publication: November 10, 2026
Many thanks to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group/Ace and the author, Emily Krempholtz for an early eARC!
Publication: November 10, 2026
Want to Read
July 4, 2026🎻✨ Prudence Marsh Is Not a Nobody Anymore ✨🎻
📖 Bookish Thoughts
My full review will be shared closer to the publication date.
💛 What to Expect
• Cozy Fantasy
• Found Family
• Musician FMC
• Bandit MMC
• Heist Adventure
• Road Trip Adventure
_ _ _ _
📅 Pub Date: November 10, 2026
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group, Ace, and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
📖 Bookish Thoughts
My full review will be shared closer to the publication date.
💛 What to Expect
• Cozy Fantasy
• Found Family
• Musician FMC
• Bandit MMC
• Heist Adventure
• Road Trip Adventure
_ _ _ _
📅 Pub Date: November 10, 2026
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group, Ace, and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
x-new
February 7, 2026Her first book isn't great, but it has plenty of potential.
Want to Read
July 8, 2026 ARC RECIEVED. THANK YOU, BERKLEY! 💗💖💜🪻
July 26, 2026
My Selling Pitch:
More Tangled fanfiction but this time it slaps. Such a marked improvement from the first book, I genuinely think you should give this a try even if the original didn’t work for you.
Pre-reading:
I've gotta stop accepting arcs of sequels before I even read the first one. Hoping this is better than the first one, but I strongly suspect this is about to be more Tangled fanfiction.
(obviously potential spoilers from here on)
Thick of it:
Heist heist baby is so funny.
Making out like a bandit better be a smut chapter.
I like all the puns in the chapter titles.
Why are all the ses randomly capitalized? (Must be an arc copy error)
So like now, do we fuck the plant or do I have to wait for the third book? (Third? Fourth maybe?)
So like that is Flynn Rider. They just can’t get his nose right!
And it’s a piney boy. Typical.
Detritus sin
Girl, you can’t be stupid enough to think Rook is his real name and not his nickname. Be so for real. You clocked Violet, but not this shit?
I fear I would rather read their book, the fuck? I like Vale and Lainey.
I like this one better already. I love charisma and banter.
I’m sat, I’m seated, I’m obsessed.
Like is it just a Flynn Rider/OUaT Charming and Snow copy-paste? Basically! But I’m such a slut for charisma and banter.
No, I love it. I’m so in on this plot.
I hope to god this ends with them freeing Bartleby for a third book. (Hee hee.)
I love a world with magic ponies, good god.
Mr. Sternness and his brat is gonna do it for me every time.
Lady is a LAME name, are you kidding.
Blew a raspberry? She’s a horse. (She uses this phrase throughout the book so it must be a writing quirk, but I really don’t like it.)
Vale has to be the princess’ brother, right? And that’s who he doesn’t wanna run into? (Nope!)
So like Bartleby and a pirate? If he’s a telepath, maybe he can communicate with the plant? We’re expanding the world a lotttt with this book.
Bartleby, my heart! I’m so massively on my period but that did just make me tear up.
This book is leaps and bounds better than the first.
Way more world-building, way more visuals, way more depth to characters. She gives you a stock archetype and then elaborates on it until it’s something more unique. That’s very satisfying. It does still feel like Tangled fanfiction, but this one feels like a riff rather than a copy and paste. (There’s still some scenes that are directly copied.)
Like he is just the lovechild of FlynnXRobin Hood, but I’m having the best time.
I love a werewolf. This book is so much better.
He’s such a libra.
Oh girl, you’re not even being subtle about it. That is Flynn Rider’s scene with the wanted poster.
I know they’re setting up Vale to be manipulating everyone and like kind of not the best but I said daddy capable, daddy sly.
I would die for Bartleby.
The banter is bantering this book. I am kicking my little feet. I love a flirt.
With all the lock picking, I feel like we’re gonna have to get her out of jail at some point, or they’re gonna pull a Tangled, and he’s gonna be in jail, and he has to save her, so the plant lets him out.
My dumb brain keeps changing Lago Ferro to Sara Lago, which is a random shitty hotel we stayed at in Orlando on a family vacation growing up.
Me last book: I don’t like Nathaniel. He’s mean to her.
This book: Vale kinda bossy, kinda nasty.
Me: that one, I pick that one.
On this episode of spot the Capricorn.
Like I know she’s setting him up to be the villain and that should be a deterrent, but it’s notttt
Is Vale veiled all the time with a glamour and that’s why he’s so flawless? (Yup.)
We didn’t start the fire 🎶
Reading is and always has been political. What a gem of a quote.
This is disgustingly better than the first book.
This has a bit of Six of Crows and Dance of Thieves about it. Those books are more complex than this one, but I see the inspo.
Genuinely, where was this writing last book because all of a sudden, locations have details, and I can picture them.
If Vale is the old architect, I’m gonna lose my shit. (Way off.)
I hated the romance in the first one. I didn’t think they had chemistry. This one is so good. There is yearning. There is banter. They crackle. Like I’m shocked it’s from the same author. It is literally also Tangled, but if the first one was Raps, this one is Flynn.
I really like them together.
I think we could’ve workshopped that ocean line more. I like the sentiment. I agree with it, but nothing about them is particularly ocean themed.
Even when they bantered, she was never making fun of him. Huh, weird how that would turn people off of someone. I feel like that’s a direct response to the first book’s criticism. I feel like this book was very wow, everything y’all criticized in the first book was correct. I’m gonna work on it and fix it. And she did! I’m having the best time. I don’t think the writing is quite good enough for a five, but this is an easy four. Very on par with an India Holton for romantic quality and humor.
I feel like Vale is gonna plant the keys on Marsh and frame her for the theft, but that’s kind of useless for villainy.
Yeah, OK so I’m keeping up but-
Vale’s motivation is still such an enigma to me. Unfortunately, I still think he’s sexy, even if the author is like he bad guy.
Also, I can’t reiterate enough how much better this is than the first book. I think if you like Holton’s style, you will love this.
Not the you were my new dream from not!Attila. Like it’s very unsubtly Tangled, but I love Tangled.
I don’t understand why the plant is limited in communication. If he can hold a lock picking set, can’t he hold a pen? Or like they make a chart and let him point to the letters ouija board style? Like they’re purposely not communicating with him.
Good god, I hope we get a Breanne of Tarth and a reformed Jamie Plant-ister for next book because-
Ohmygod, it’s happening. Everyone calm down. It’s happening.
Oh, shut the fuck up. Are we getting two reformed gay villains? Uh yeaH. YeaH! Sign me up. Do I wanna be back in the little town? No! But if she can write dialogue like she did in this book with them… Also, I want a Bartleby book. I really went from I wouldn’t continue the series to I need the next two books immediately. That is so impressive.
The ending is quite abrupt, but oh my god, this was so much better than the first book.
Post-reading:
Y’all, I had a really good time. I did not expect to. I kind of came into this with a stinky attitude after the first book. I was ready to resign myself to slogging through another 350 pages and then to never think about this series again.
That’s not gonna happen. I loved this. I will quite happily be continuing the series.
It really read like she took every criticism of her first book to heart and said okay, you guys are right. I will fix that. And then she actually fixed it. That’s so rare to see. Usually a mediocre first book only declines in quality for the second. This one is leaps and bounds better. The books function as interconnected standalones, which I think is really smart. You can very easily skip right to this book and miss nothing important. I’d honestly recommend doing that. I really didn’t like the first book.
This one expands the world so much, and it’s done in a very digestible way. We get sensory details not just info dumping. You’ll be able to picture all the places she takes you. She gave herself a lot of room to expand this series. We get some new magic without it feeling horribly overpowered, and the plot in this one is actually compelling from the start. The first book is so slow. That is not the case here. This book moves while still feeling cozy. She did a really good job balancing plot progression with character development. Everyone had a task, but they also got to go on a personality journey. It’s very satisfying. The plotting twists are still kind of obvious and predictable, but the book catches up to you much quicker than the first installment, so you’re not waiting around forever for a solution you already know.
And the romance! Reading all the flirting was a treat. This book banters. Do they read as 30-year-olds, probably not, but mid to late 20s is still okay. And at least this time around, you will root for the couple to get together. They are unquestionably well suited for each other. They can tease each other, but they still have so much respect for the other person which was definitely lacking in the first book. The side characters are fun additions. They’re still a little underdeveloped when compared to the romantic leads, but that’s a pretty common flaw in romance as a whole.
The smut’s better this time around. It feels more tonally appropriate and backs off before it gets super explicit. There’s probably gonna be a couple of lines that take you out of it. An “eyes on me” does feel like we’re just hitting on popular TikTok tropes rather than writing the characters we built, but their personalities at least stay consistent over the course of the whole book.
Once again, the pet sidekicks shine. I loved the Pegasus. I continue to love Bartleby. I was amazed how much my heart lurched when he whittled her the flute. That was such a sweet moment, and I cannot wait for his book. I feel like she’s gonna drag it out, and we’re gonna get Vale’s book first though.
This was good enough that I would encourage you to give this a try if you tend to like fantasy romance and didn’t like the first book. I don’t think it’ll be a new favorite necessarily, but I think you’ll thoroughly enjoy your time reading it. I guess I’ll see y’all again for the third one!
Who should read this:
Tangled fans
India Hilton fans
Campy fantasy romance fans
Ideal reading time:
Fall
Do I want to reread this:
I think I’ll just remember it, but I would absolutely continue the series
Would I buy this:
Yes! I hope Owlcrate makes a gorgeous matching sequel
Similar books:
* Six of Crows-the OG YA fantasy heist book, ensemble cast, romance, queer
* Dance of Thieves by Mary E. Pearson-generic but well done fantasy romance, revenge, family drama
* Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer-campy, fantasy romance, family drama, revenge
* The Ornithologist’s Field Guide to Love by India Holton-campy, historical, urban fantasy, romance, autism
* Voidwalker by S. A. MacLean-campy, urban fantasy, monster romance, queer, family drama
* The Crimson Throne by Sara Raasch-historical fantasy romance
* The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy by Brigitte Knightley-campy, fantasy romance, queer
* This Dark Descent by Kaylin Josephson-YA urban fantasy, political, romance, queer, ensemble cast
* Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather Fawcett-campy, historical, urban fantasy, family drama
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
More Tangled fanfiction but this time it slaps. Such a marked improvement from the first book, I genuinely think you should give this a try even if the original didn’t work for you.
Pre-reading:
I've gotta stop accepting arcs of sequels before I even read the first one. Hoping this is better than the first one, but I strongly suspect this is about to be more Tangled fanfiction.
(obviously potential spoilers from here on)
Thick of it:
Heist heist baby is so funny.
Making out like a bandit better be a smut chapter.
I like all the puns in the chapter titles.
Why are all the ses randomly capitalized? (Must be an arc copy error)
So like now, do we fuck the plant or do I have to wait for the third book? (Third? Fourth maybe?)
So like that is Flynn Rider. They just can’t get his nose right!
And it’s a piney boy. Typical.
Detritus sin
Girl, you can’t be stupid enough to think Rook is his real name and not his nickname. Be so for real. You clocked Violet, but not this shit?
I fear I would rather read their book, the fuck? I like Vale and Lainey.
I like this one better already. I love charisma and banter.
I’m sat, I’m seated, I’m obsessed.
Like is it just a Flynn Rider/OUaT Charming and Snow copy-paste? Basically! But I’m such a slut for charisma and banter.
No, I love it. I’m so in on this plot.
I hope to god this ends with them freeing Bartleby for a third book. (Hee hee.)
I love a world with magic ponies, good god.
Mr. Sternness and his brat is gonna do it for me every time.
Lady is a LAME name, are you kidding.
Blew a raspberry? She’s a horse. (She uses this phrase throughout the book so it must be a writing quirk, but I really don’t like it.)
Vale has to be the princess’ brother, right? And that’s who he doesn’t wanna run into? (Nope!)
So like Bartleby and a pirate? If he’s a telepath, maybe he can communicate with the plant? We’re expanding the world a lotttt with this book.
Bartleby, my heart! I’m so massively on my period but that did just make me tear up.
This book is leaps and bounds better than the first.
Way more world-building, way more visuals, way more depth to characters. She gives you a stock archetype and then elaborates on it until it’s something more unique. That’s very satisfying. It does still feel like Tangled fanfiction, but this one feels like a riff rather than a copy and paste. (There’s still some scenes that are directly copied.)
Like he is just the lovechild of FlynnXRobin Hood, but I’m having the best time.
I love a werewolf. This book is so much better.
He’s such a libra.
Oh girl, you’re not even being subtle about it. That is Flynn Rider’s scene with the wanted poster.
I know they’re setting up Vale to be manipulating everyone and like kind of not the best but I said daddy capable, daddy sly.
I would die for Bartleby.
The banter is bantering this book. I am kicking my little feet. I love a flirt.
With all the lock picking, I feel like we’re gonna have to get her out of jail at some point, or they’re gonna pull a Tangled, and he’s gonna be in jail, and he has to save her, so the plant lets him out.
My dumb brain keeps changing Lago Ferro to Sara Lago, which is a random shitty hotel we stayed at in Orlando on a family vacation growing up.
Me last book: I don’t like Nathaniel. He’s mean to her.
This book: Vale kinda bossy, kinda nasty.
Me: that one, I pick that one.
On this episode of spot the Capricorn.
Like I know she’s setting him up to be the villain and that should be a deterrent, but it’s notttt
Is Vale veiled all the time with a glamour and that’s why he’s so flawless? (Yup.)
We didn’t start the fire 🎶
Reading is and always has been political. What a gem of a quote.
This is disgustingly better than the first book.
This has a bit of Six of Crows and Dance of Thieves about it. Those books are more complex than this one, but I see the inspo.
Genuinely, where was this writing last book because all of a sudden, locations have details, and I can picture them.
If Vale is the old architect, I’m gonna lose my shit. (Way off.)
I hated the romance in the first one. I didn’t think they had chemistry. This one is so good. There is yearning. There is banter. They crackle. Like I’m shocked it’s from the same author. It is literally also Tangled, but if the first one was Raps, this one is Flynn.
I really like them together.
I think we could’ve workshopped that ocean line more. I like the sentiment. I agree with it, but nothing about them is particularly ocean themed.
Even when they bantered, she was never making fun of him. Huh, weird how that would turn people off of someone. I feel like that’s a direct response to the first book’s criticism. I feel like this book was very wow, everything y’all criticized in the first book was correct. I’m gonna work on it and fix it. And she did! I’m having the best time. I don’t think the writing is quite good enough for a five, but this is an easy four. Very on par with an India Holton for romantic quality and humor.
I feel like Vale is gonna plant the keys on Marsh and frame her for the theft, but that’s kind of useless for villainy.
Yeah, OK so I’m keeping up but-
Vale’s motivation is still such an enigma to me. Unfortunately, I still think he’s sexy, even if the author is like he bad guy.
Also, I can’t reiterate enough how much better this is than the first book. I think if you like Holton’s style, you will love this.
Not the you were my new dream from not!Attila. Like it’s very unsubtly Tangled, but I love Tangled.
I don’t understand why the plant is limited in communication. If he can hold a lock picking set, can’t he hold a pen? Or like they make a chart and let him point to the letters ouija board style? Like they’re purposely not communicating with him.
Good god, I hope we get a Breanne of Tarth and a reformed Jamie Plant-ister for next book because-
Ohmygod, it’s happening. Everyone calm down. It’s happening.
Oh, shut the fuck up. Are we getting two reformed gay villains? Uh yeaH. YeaH! Sign me up. Do I wanna be back in the little town? No! But if she can write dialogue like she did in this book with them… Also, I want a Bartleby book. I really went from I wouldn’t continue the series to I need the next two books immediately. That is so impressive.
The ending is quite abrupt, but oh my god, this was so much better than the first book.
Post-reading:
Y’all, I had a really good time. I did not expect to. I kind of came into this with a stinky attitude after the first book. I was ready to resign myself to slogging through another 350 pages and then to never think about this series again.
That’s not gonna happen. I loved this. I will quite happily be continuing the series.
It really read like she took every criticism of her first book to heart and said okay, you guys are right. I will fix that. And then she actually fixed it. That’s so rare to see. Usually a mediocre first book only declines in quality for the second. This one is leaps and bounds better. The books function as interconnected standalones, which I think is really smart. You can very easily skip right to this book and miss nothing important. I’d honestly recommend doing that. I really didn’t like the first book.
This one expands the world so much, and it’s done in a very digestible way. We get sensory details not just info dumping. You’ll be able to picture all the places she takes you. She gave herself a lot of room to expand this series. We get some new magic without it feeling horribly overpowered, and the plot in this one is actually compelling from the start. The first book is so slow. That is not the case here. This book moves while still feeling cozy. She did a really good job balancing plot progression with character development. Everyone had a task, but they also got to go on a personality journey. It’s very satisfying. The plotting twists are still kind of obvious and predictable, but the book catches up to you much quicker than the first installment, so you’re not waiting around forever for a solution you already know.
And the romance! Reading all the flirting was a treat. This book banters. Do they read as 30-year-olds, probably not, but mid to late 20s is still okay. And at least this time around, you will root for the couple to get together. They are unquestionably well suited for each other. They can tease each other, but they still have so much respect for the other person which was definitely lacking in the first book. The side characters are fun additions. They’re still a little underdeveloped when compared to the romantic leads, but that’s a pretty common flaw in romance as a whole.
The smut’s better this time around. It feels more tonally appropriate and backs off before it gets super explicit. There’s probably gonna be a couple of lines that take you out of it. An “eyes on me” does feel like we’re just hitting on popular TikTok tropes rather than writing the characters we built, but their personalities at least stay consistent over the course of the whole book.
Once again, the pet sidekicks shine. I loved the Pegasus. I continue to love Bartleby. I was amazed how much my heart lurched when he whittled her the flute. That was such a sweet moment, and I cannot wait for his book. I feel like she’s gonna drag it out, and we’re gonna get Vale’s book first though.
This was good enough that I would encourage you to give this a try if you tend to like fantasy romance and didn’t like the first book. I don’t think it’ll be a new favorite necessarily, but I think you’ll thoroughly enjoy your time reading it. I guess I’ll see y’all again for the third one!
Who should read this:
Tangled fans
India Hilton fans
Campy fantasy romance fans
Ideal reading time:
Fall
Do I want to reread this:
I think I’ll just remember it, but I would absolutely continue the series
Would I buy this:
Yes! I hope Owlcrate makes a gorgeous matching sequel
Similar books:
* Six of Crows-the OG YA fantasy heist book, ensemble cast, romance, queer
* Dance of Thieves by Mary E. Pearson-generic but well done fantasy romance, revenge, family drama
* Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer-campy, fantasy romance, family drama, revenge
* The Ornithologist’s Field Guide to Love by India Holton-campy, historical, urban fantasy, romance, autism
* Voidwalker by S. A. MacLean-campy, urban fantasy, monster romance, queer, family drama
* The Crimson Throne by Sara Raasch-historical fantasy romance
* The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy by Brigitte Knightley-campy, fantasy romance, queer
* This Dark Descent by Kaylin Josephson-YA urban fantasy, political, romance, queer, ensemble cast
* Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather Fawcett-campy, historical, urban fantasy, family drama
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 20, 2026
First of all, thank you to Net Galley for allowing me to read this as an arc and congrats to Emily on her 2nd book! This title releases 11/10/26.
I wanted to love Pru’s story as much as I did Violet’s but sadly I did not. I found Pru to be resentful and somewhat whiny and failed to connect with most of the characters. I am also unsure if this book is supposed to be a dual POV. It wasn’t labeled as such, however some of the chapters definitely read like it was.
Things I did love: BARLTEBY! I loved that he went on his own adventure, and I do hope his story gets told one day. I did love the title chapters and giggled at Pru’s checklist that had notes from Callum. I also loved the LGBTQ representation in some of the characters.
If you enjoyed book 1, I do encourage you to give this a read, it just wasn’t my jam.
I wanted to love Pru’s story as much as I did Violet’s but sadly I did not. I found Pru to be resentful and somewhat whiny and failed to connect with most of the characters. I am also unsure if this book is supposed to be a dual POV. It wasn’t labeled as such, however some of the chapters definitely read like it was.
Things I did love: BARLTEBY! I loved that he went on his own adventure, and I do hope his story gets told one day. I did love the title chapters and giggled at Pru’s checklist that had notes from Callum. I also loved the LGBTQ representation in some of the characters.
If you enjoyed book 1, I do encourage you to give this a read, it just wasn’t my jam.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 13, 2026
LOVED IT!!! This book was so cute! It definitely had a “Tangled” vibe- Rook (Callum) reminded me of Flynn Rider and I absolutely loved him.
Oh sweet Callum, the bandit who really just wanted to be loved. Putting on a show, while simultaneously wearing his heart on his sleeve. He was adorable and pretty much stole my heart from the beginning. The biggest golden retriever and I adored him.
This book was the epitome of a cozy fantasy read, complete with lovable side characters (Bartleby - the stabby sentient pothos - was my favorite), adventure, wit and charm, the right amount of steam and a fabulous ending (NO third act breakup, and no mis-communication tropes - hallelujah!). I am a huge fan of Pru’s book and cannot freaking wait for the next installment. 5 glowing ⭐️’s
Thank you to NetGalley & ACE Publishing for the ARC read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Cozy fantasy is my niche, and this book ticked all my boxes. "Prudence Marsh Is Not a Nobody Anymore" by Emily Krempholtz is a charming cozy fantasy following a bard and a bandit. I loved the first book in the series, "Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore," and was thrilled to get my hands on the sequel. The book is set in the same world as the first one, but with different players. While the first book focused on Violet and Nathaniel, this one centers around Prudence, Nathaniel's twin sister, and her love interest, Callum, and is told in alternating third-person POVs of the two. Luckily, Bartleby, our favorite murderous sentient pothos, is still in the game.
At 32, Pru decides it's time to leave Dragon's Rest and find her place in the world, hopefully as a renowned bard. Her dream is to play at the royal wedding and become famous. Unbeknownst to her, Bartleby, an ex-villain cursed into a houseplant, has his own reason for joining her: he hopes to find someone who can break his curse. He hides in one of the horses' saddlebags, and Pru lets him accompany her. Her journey gets off to a rocky start when she has to escape a pub after an incident involving a prized goat, with the help of Callum, a charmingly roguish bandit.
Pru encounters Callum again when she comes across him and his partner, Vale, in the middle of a roadside robbery. When she tries to intervene, the ensuing chaos results in her violin being broken. With no way to continue her journey as a bard, she joins the two bandits until they can find a way to replace it. When Callum and Vale reunite with the rest of their group, Pru finds herself swept up in their planned royal heist in the mystical Lune Vault at the palace, no less.
I enjoyed the book very much. The writing was good and immersive. I loved the Robin Hood–esque vibes, the world-building, and the magic involved, including the ability to break curses, illusions that can change appearances, and other magical elements. I also loved the smart wordplay in the chapter headings, such as "Between a Rook and a Bard Place" and "Heist Heist Baby," to name a couple.
The characterization is excellent, making each person come to life for me. I love Pru and relate to her need to prove her worth. She was always told she was too much and to dim her light, and I like that she overcame that. Callum is another great character, who has more layers than are apparent at first, hidden under his need to make others happy, sometimes at the expense of his own happiness. I appreciated his concern for the poor and his love for his found family. I thought they didn't give him all the credit he deserves, especially his childhood friend, Vale. Pru is the only one who sees through his mask and tries to peel back all his layers to reach the real him. I loved their banter and interactions. They are attracted to each other but deny their feelings for various reasons, and I enjoyed watching their relationship develop into a slow-burn romance.
The book explores themes of forbidden love, found family, imposter syndrome, and the power of believing in oneself. I loved the growth of the characters and their camaraderie. The found-family dynamic was another highlight for me. Among the side characters who make up this motley crew, I especially liked Laina, one of the triplet sisters; Butcher, the baker; Jeph, the dog; and Lady, a winged horse who can communicate through her feelings and memories. I wish there were more scenes with her.
Vale wasn't one of my favorite characters because of the callous way he treated Callum, his patronizing behavior, and condescension. He treated Callum as a child, thinking he knew best what was good for him and making decisions for him. I loved when Callum finally stood up to him, something he had avoided doing so as not to make waves.
Bartleby was the real star of the show. He literally stole the show. He loves knives and stole some at every turn. Well, he was an ex-villain after all. I loved how protective he was of Pru. His caring was shown through acts of kindness, such as carving a flute for her. He found a way to communicate without words, with his leaves, and the author showed it perfectly. I hope the next book, if there is one, will be about him. I would love to know his story. He deserves a story of his own!
I definitely recommend the book. The pacing dragged a bit in the middle, but I was happy to spend more time with the cast. It is just as good as the first one and can be read on its own, but I recommend reading the first one beforehand to get to know the backstory and appreciate all the little nuances. I loved the book and give it full stars. Fans of cozy fantasy with quirky characters, sparkling banter, and plenty of adventures will enjoy this one. I know I did!
* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.
* Review on my blog: https://galibookish.blogspot.com/2026...
At 32, Pru decides it's time to leave Dragon's Rest and find her place in the world, hopefully as a renowned bard. Her dream is to play at the royal wedding and become famous. Unbeknownst to her, Bartleby, an ex-villain cursed into a houseplant, has his own reason for joining her: he hopes to find someone who can break his curse. He hides in one of the horses' saddlebags, and Pru lets him accompany her. Her journey gets off to a rocky start when she has to escape a pub after an incident involving a prized goat, with the help of Callum, a charmingly roguish bandit.
Pru encounters Callum again when she comes across him and his partner, Vale, in the middle of a roadside robbery. When she tries to intervene, the ensuing chaos results in her violin being broken. With no way to continue her journey as a bard, she joins the two bandits until they can find a way to replace it. When Callum and Vale reunite with the rest of their group, Pru finds herself swept up in their planned royal heist in the mystical Lune Vault at the palace, no less.
I enjoyed the book very much. The writing was good and immersive. I loved the Robin Hood–esque vibes, the world-building, and the magic involved, including the ability to break curses, illusions that can change appearances, and other magical elements. I also loved the smart wordplay in the chapter headings, such as "Between a Rook and a Bard Place" and "Heist Heist Baby," to name a couple.
The characterization is excellent, making each person come to life for me. I love Pru and relate to her need to prove her worth. She was always told she was too much and to dim her light, and I like that she overcame that. Callum is another great character, who has more layers than are apparent at first, hidden under his need to make others happy, sometimes at the expense of his own happiness. I appreciated his concern for the poor and his love for his found family. I thought they didn't give him all the credit he deserves, especially his childhood friend, Vale. Pru is the only one who sees through his mask and tries to peel back all his layers to reach the real him. I loved their banter and interactions. They are attracted to each other but deny their feelings for various reasons, and I enjoyed watching their relationship develop into a slow-burn romance.
The book explores themes of forbidden love, found family, imposter syndrome, and the power of believing in oneself. I loved the growth of the characters and their camaraderie. The found-family dynamic was another highlight for me. Among the side characters who make up this motley crew, I especially liked Laina, one of the triplet sisters; Butcher, the baker; Jeph, the dog; and Lady, a winged horse who can communicate through her feelings and memories. I wish there were more scenes with her.
Vale wasn't one of my favorite characters because of the callous way he treated Callum, his patronizing behavior, and condescension. He treated Callum as a child, thinking he knew best what was good for him and making decisions for him. I loved when Callum finally stood up to him, something he had avoided doing so as not to make waves.
Bartleby was the real star of the show. He literally stole the show. He loves knives and stole some at every turn. Well, he was an ex-villain after all. I loved how protective he was of Pru. His caring was shown through acts of kindness, such as carving a flute for her. He found a way to communicate without words, with his leaves, and the author showed it perfectly. I hope the next book, if there is one, will be about him. I would love to know his story. He deserves a story of his own!
I definitely recommend the book. The pacing dragged a bit in the middle, but I was happy to spend more time with the cast. It is just as good as the first one and can be read on its own, but I recommend reading the first one beforehand to get to know the backstory and appreciate all the little nuances. I loved the book and give it full stars. Fans of cozy fantasy with quirky characters, sparkling banter, and plenty of adventures will enjoy this one. I know I did!
* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.
* Review on my blog: https://galibookish.blogspot.com/2026...
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
First of all thank you Netgalley and Little Brown Book Group UK for this ARC.
I liked book 1 in this series, so this book was on my TBR. I was thankful to read this in advance and I will try to give my honest opinion without giving too much away, but at the same time I really want to share why I don´t rate it higher.
This story is a cute cozy Romantasy about Pru from book 1 who is now having her own adventure. Being whisked away on a mission she did not see coming, with a bunch of bandits, accompanied by the knive wielding pothos Bartelby we know from book 1 is a great setup. You don´t necessarily have to read book 1 to enjoy this, but I would still recommend. This book has a great start. The world building is wonderful and overall vibe is fantastical and charming. I love Pru and her ambitions, her need to prove herself and chase her dreams and not be a "nobody" anymore. The writing is great and there´s lots of humour and witty banter (loved the scene in the beginning, it really made me laugh).
Unfortunately - and no one is more sad about it than me - the MMC Callum does not do it for me. And with this I mean he is simply, but totally NOT my type, but everyone is different, so I´m sure most readers will absolutely love him. So this is just personal preference and I want to give my honest opinion, but I marked it as a spoiler. So overall, I could not vibe with the romance, but they do have their cute moments and growth.
The spice in this book is about the same level as book 1, but it might be a little more? It´s not a lot, though and I would say maybe 2/5 on the scale. There´s lots of queer representation. I would even go as far as categorize this book genre as queer but that´s just a personal impression.
If you like stories with bandits, heists, and the journey of finding your purpose in this world, all in a queer normative fantasy setting with some found family vibes, you will love this book. There´s definitely potantial for more stories in this world.
I liked book 1 in this series, so this book was on my TBR. I was thankful to read this in advance and I will try to give my honest opinion without giving too much away, but at the same time I really want to share why I don´t rate it higher.
This story is a cute cozy Romantasy about Pru from book 1 who is now having her own adventure. Being whisked away on a mission she did not see coming, with a bunch of bandits, accompanied by the knive wielding pothos Bartelby we know from book 1 is a great setup. You don´t necessarily have to read book 1 to enjoy this, but I would still recommend. This book has a great start. The world building is wonderful and overall vibe is fantastical and charming. I love Pru and her ambitions, her need to prove herself and chase her dreams and not be a "nobody" anymore. The writing is great and there´s lots of humour and witty banter (loved the scene in the beginning, it really made me laugh).
Unfortunately - and no one is more sad about it than me - the MMC Callum does not do it for me. And with this I mean he is simply, but totally NOT my type, but everyone is different, so I´m sure most readers will absolutely love him. So this is just personal preference and I want to give my honest opinion, but I marked it as a spoiler. So overall, I could not vibe with the romance, but they do have their cute moments and growth.
The spice in this book is about the same level as book 1, but it might be a little more? It´s not a lot, though and I would say maybe 2/5 on the scale. There´s lots of queer representation. I would even go as far as categorize this book genre as queer but that´s just a personal impression.
If you like stories with bandits, heists, and the journey of finding your purpose in this world, all in a queer normative fantasy setting with some found family vibes, you will love this book. There´s definitely potantial for more stories in this world.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I'm so torn writing this review, because I really, really wanted to love this, but it just didn't quite hit the mark for me.
I really enjoyed the overall plot, the team of bandits, and the idea of the heist, but the story really dragged at points and the characters weren't strong enough to fill the space in a meaningful way for me.
Pru was a really lovely character and was definitely a highlight of the book for me. Growing up she was used to being told to make herself smaller, be less loud, be less... her... but when she meets up with Callum and his crew it really felt like they embraced her fully and allowed her to be unapologetically her! I loved the scenes of her performing music and how lively and chaotic they are, her passion and love for music really shined through and her dreams of becoming famous and everyone knowing her name felt really real, I didn't feel like it was blown out of proportion or an unrealistic dream for her to have at all.
Callum at first gave me massive Flynn Rider vibes, and I absolutely loved that about him! He's charming, he's witty, and he's crafty as hell! However, after the initial introduction to him he honestly started to feel a bit childish. His whole motive in everything he does is keeping the gang together and making sure no-one leaves him. I think this attitude would've worked if all the characters were just a smidge younger, but these characters are described as being in their mid(?) 30s, with some being even older. A few of them had - reasonably - decided they'd aged out of a life crime and were now ready to settle down into a more stable routine, but Callum just couldn't understand this logic until about 3/4 of the way into the book when he finally starts to sit down and actually ask what the other characters want to do with their lives. This really frustrated me a lot as almost every chapter from Callum's POV revolved around him wanting everyone to stay together, and getting upset at the thought of anyone leaving. That honestly really turned me off of him as a character after a while.
The plot really caught my attention initially - I love bards and bandits, and I could immediately tell that this was going to be a book filled to the brim with wild adventures. Unfortunately, it just didn't quite meet the expectations I had for it, and the whole mid-section of the book where all the traveling and heist planning took place ended up feeling quite dragged out to me. There was a lot of repetition of scenes and conversations that all felt quite similar to ones we'd seen previously, and after a while it really felt like it was just there as padding to fill out this section of the book until we eventually reached the point of the heist, then when we finally reached the heist it was over so quickly! The characters also seemed to suffer no consequences for the mistakes they made during the heist and everything just felt a bit too neatly wrapped up with a bow. I don't know if this was intended as a slight cliff hanger for a third book, but I just found it hard to believe that there were zero real consequences for the things that happened.
This was still a cute and fun read, but I just couldn't throw myself into it fully as there were certain things that stood out a bit too much, and unfortunately not in a good way.
Thank you so much for the ARC!
I really enjoyed the overall plot, the team of bandits, and the idea of the heist, but the story really dragged at points and the characters weren't strong enough to fill the space in a meaningful way for me.
Pru was a really lovely character and was definitely a highlight of the book for me. Growing up she was used to being told to make herself smaller, be less loud, be less... her... but when she meets up with Callum and his crew it really felt like they embraced her fully and allowed her to be unapologetically her! I loved the scenes of her performing music and how lively and chaotic they are, her passion and love for music really shined through and her dreams of becoming famous and everyone knowing her name felt really real, I didn't feel like it was blown out of proportion or an unrealistic dream for her to have at all.
Callum at first gave me massive Flynn Rider vibes, and I absolutely loved that about him! He's charming, he's witty, and he's crafty as hell! However, after the initial introduction to him he honestly started to feel a bit childish. His whole motive in everything he does is keeping the gang together and making sure no-one leaves him. I think this attitude would've worked if all the characters were just a smidge younger, but these characters are described as being in their mid(?) 30s, with some being even older. A few of them had - reasonably - decided they'd aged out of a life crime and were now ready to settle down into a more stable routine, but Callum just couldn't understand this logic until about 3/4 of the way into the book when he finally starts to sit down and actually ask what the other characters want to do with their lives. This really frustrated me a lot as almost every chapter from Callum's POV revolved around him wanting everyone to stay together, and getting upset at the thought of anyone leaving. That honestly really turned me off of him as a character after a while.
The plot really caught my attention initially - I love bards and bandits, and I could immediately tell that this was going to be a book filled to the brim with wild adventures. Unfortunately, it just didn't quite meet the expectations I had for it, and the whole mid-section of the book where all the traveling and heist planning took place ended up feeling quite dragged out to me. There was a lot of repetition of scenes and conversations that all felt quite similar to ones we'd seen previously, and after a while it really felt like it was just there as padding to fill out this section of the book until we eventually reached the point of the heist, then when we finally reached the heist it was over so quickly! The characters also seemed to suffer no consequences for the mistakes they made during the heist and everything just felt a bit too neatly wrapped up with a bow. I don't know if this was intended as a slight cliff hanger for a third book, but I just found it hard to believe that there were zero real consequences for the things that happened.
This was still a cute and fun read, but I just couldn't throw myself into it fully as there were certain things that stood out a bit too much, and unfortunately not in a good way.
Thank you so much for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Rating: 3.5 stars, rounded
Prudence Marsh is Not A Nobody Anymore is Emily Krempholtz’s follow-up to Violet Thistlewaite is Not a Villain Anymore. The story is follows Prudence, a traveling bard, and Callum, a thief, as the two work with Callum’s crew to plan a heist in the Queen’s vault. Pru, Callum, his friends, and a sentient plant named Bartleby must work together to pull off the heist of the century.
First of all, was I disappointed that after starting the book with the point of view of a sentient plant, that said plant was not the love interest? Yes, yes I was. I understand why it set the story up well, but I was definitely more interested when I thought that the love interest would be a plant and the task of the book would be trying to turn him human again while falling in love. The author had different plans, I suppose.
This story solves some of the problems from the first book; it pares down the story some, focusing on both the romance and the heist in equal measure. The first book tried to manage five or six storylines, but this book managed to get it down to a manageable amount. The pacing in this book was decent, with a slight slow-down in the middle, but the ending felt like it gave weight to everything it needed to. The story is engaging and fun, and the found family elements are well done and engaging.
I do think the character development in this story was good, but I wish that the author had changed how the development itself happens. Callum has his character development happen through the relationship with Pru, which is great. However, almost all of Pru’s development happens because of the circumstances in the fantasy plot line. I don’t know that the romantic plot line changed Pru as a character any more than a friendship would have. Callum grows because of the relationship; Pru grows despite the relationship. I can understand that decision, but it makes me wonder what the author sees as the core of the story, a fantasy or a romance. Both choices are valid, but they have different pacing, different beats, and I would identify this book as a fantasy romance, rather than a fantasy with a romantic subplot.
I also think that Callum didn’t give me enough of a reason to root for him until halfway through the story. I kept asking myself, what makes his relationship with Pru different than the many, many other times he’s fallen in love? I think the lack of a major third act conflict inside of the story really cemented that feeling, as I don’t know that I believe the couple would have lasted through trials and tribulation.
This story was explicit, with detailed descriptions of foreplay. The book mostly is closed door for descriptions of intercourse.
Altogether, this was a really fun fantasy romance. The characters were fun, the heist plot line was really engaging and the characters both grew. The book felt like a complete story while also setting up well for the next book or two in the series, depending on where the author wants to go next.
Thank you to Berkley, NetGalley and Emily Krempholtz for this advanced reader copy!
Prudence Marsh is Not A Nobody Anymore is Emily Krempholtz’s follow-up to Violet Thistlewaite is Not a Villain Anymore. The story is follows Prudence, a traveling bard, and Callum, a thief, as the two work with Callum’s crew to plan a heist in the Queen’s vault. Pru, Callum, his friends, and a sentient plant named Bartleby must work together to pull off the heist of the century.
First of all, was I disappointed that after starting the book with the point of view of a sentient plant, that said plant was not the love interest? Yes, yes I was. I understand why it set the story up well, but I was definitely more interested when I thought that the love interest would be a plant and the task of the book would be trying to turn him human again while falling in love. The author had different plans, I suppose.
This story solves some of the problems from the first book; it pares down the story some, focusing on both the romance and the heist in equal measure. The first book tried to manage five or six storylines, but this book managed to get it down to a manageable amount. The pacing in this book was decent, with a slight slow-down in the middle, but the ending felt like it gave weight to everything it needed to. The story is engaging and fun, and the found family elements are well done and engaging.
I do think the character development in this story was good, but I wish that the author had changed how the development itself happens. Callum has his character development happen through the relationship with Pru, which is great. However, almost all of Pru’s development happens because of the circumstances in the fantasy plot line. I don’t know that the romantic plot line changed Pru as a character any more than a friendship would have. Callum grows because of the relationship; Pru grows despite the relationship. I can understand that decision, but it makes me wonder what the author sees as the core of the story, a fantasy or a romance. Both choices are valid, but they have different pacing, different beats, and I would identify this book as a fantasy romance, rather than a fantasy with a romantic subplot.
I also think that Callum didn’t give me enough of a reason to root for him until halfway through the story. I kept asking myself, what makes his relationship with Pru different than the many, many other times he’s fallen in love? I think the lack of a major third act conflict inside of the story really cemented that feeling, as I don’t know that I believe the couple would have lasted through trials and tribulation.
This story was explicit, with detailed descriptions of foreplay. The book mostly is closed door for descriptions of intercourse.
Altogether, this was a really fun fantasy romance. The characters were fun, the heist plot line was really engaging and the characters both grew. The book felt like a complete story while also setting up well for the next book or two in the series, depending on where the author wants to go next.
Thank you to Berkley, NetGalley and Emily Krempholtz for this advanced reader copy!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I love that low stakes, cozy fantasies are trending right now because sometimes we just want to romanticize a fantasy universe without all the war, blood and violence of it all, ya know? Sometimes I just want a cute, day in the life of a musician playing at taverns who journeys to the capital to audition to play as a bard at a royal wedding, type of story. Thus, begins a cute story about a journey across a fantasy realm en route to the royal palace to audition for the princess’ wedding, with a group of bandits.
In cozy fantasies you get a lot of characters who are bakers, sometimes coffee shop owners, sometimes readers, but I don’t know of any others that have a musician. Pru is a violinist and excellent performer, who somehow gets tangled up with a group of bandits in the most creative manner (it involves a taxidermied goat in a tavern). The worldbuilding never goes into as much detail as I would’ve liked about these cute little fantasy towns mentioned, but I also haven’t read this book’s predecessor so that may be partially why. But, I did love the places they did stop at, like New Forest with its patchwork of architectural styles. It was very creative from your typical village or town in a fantasy novel.
I do think the book dragged on too long, and wasn’t super interesting for me until they got to the capital. I know that it is common in these cozy fantasies to kind of meander and not really have a plot aside from day to day life, but this almost has too much of, not enough plot. The whole, no plot just vibes thing, works for certain concepts. It’s enticing in the same way watching a vlog is; you get the normalcy of it all but in a fantasy setting. This works but only in settings where you’d want that. Like owning a coffee shop and coming up with different drinks each season. Or a princess cursed to stay in a bookstore and spends her days reading. This concept though, it just wasn’t interesting enough for me personally, for me to be engaged with the no plot just vibes. The way it could’ve been saved by as if there was more worldbuilding detail in the towns they pass on their way to the capital, which would make the whole monotonous journey thing more interesting. But this was just not cozy enough or easy to romanticize enough for the low stakes plot just vibes concept to work.
This was cute though, even though I wanted more about the princess and just more about the royalty of this kingdom in general. Not my favorite in this genre, but it was whimsical, cute, and made me smile.
Thank you to Netgalley for sending me an advanced copy in return for my honest review.
In cozy fantasies you get a lot of characters who are bakers, sometimes coffee shop owners, sometimes readers, but I don’t know of any others that have a musician. Pru is a violinist and excellent performer, who somehow gets tangled up with a group of bandits in the most creative manner (it involves a taxidermied goat in a tavern). The worldbuilding never goes into as much detail as I would’ve liked about these cute little fantasy towns mentioned, but I also haven’t read this book’s predecessor so that may be partially why. But, I did love the places they did stop at, like New Forest with its patchwork of architectural styles. It was very creative from your typical village or town in a fantasy novel.
I do think the book dragged on too long, and wasn’t super interesting for me until they got to the capital. I know that it is common in these cozy fantasies to kind of meander and not really have a plot aside from day to day life, but this almost has too much of, not enough plot. The whole, no plot just vibes thing, works for certain concepts. It’s enticing in the same way watching a vlog is; you get the normalcy of it all but in a fantasy setting. This works but only in settings where you’d want that. Like owning a coffee shop and coming up with different drinks each season. Or a princess cursed to stay in a bookstore and spends her days reading. This concept though, it just wasn’t interesting enough for me personally, for me to be engaged with the no plot just vibes. The way it could’ve been saved by as if there was more worldbuilding detail in the towns they pass on their way to the capital, which would make the whole monotonous journey thing more interesting. But this was just not cozy enough or easy to romanticize enough for the low stakes plot just vibes concept to work.
This was cute though, even though I wanted more about the princess and just more about the royalty of this kingdom in general. Not my favorite in this genre, but it was whimsical, cute, and made me smile.
Thank you to Netgalley for sending me an advanced copy in return for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
♡ thank you to netgalley and emily krempholtz for an ARC of this book! ♡
4/5⭐️
"there's no such thing as a small life, so long as i live it with you" 🩷💫
immediately after finishing "Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore", i turned on post notifications for Emily because i NEEDED to hear pru's story! id say it lived up to my expectations!
i never knew where this book was going to go next 😭 i was definitely kept on my toes throughout the whole story, there were so many "OMG!!" moments, but i really enjoyed the twists and watching everything unfold. still, i have to be honest… the ending, especially the last chapter, wasn’t really my favorite. i wanted a little more from it. i felt like Violet's love story was completely sidelined, even though we spent the whole first book falling in love with her & nate. there were also other little things that i wasn't a huge fan of.
📖 plot & pace: prudence leaves dragon’s rest to chase her dream of becoming a famous bard, but those plans are a little derailed when she crosses paths with callum & his bandit crew. she ends up traveling with them and gets pulled into their plan to rob the lune vault during a royal wedding, all while trying to figure out what she actually wants for her future. this story never felt dull or boring, and i found myself taking away from ✨responsibilities✨ just to keep reading
👥 characters: i loved prudence’s determination to finally do something for herself & callum was such a fun character with all of his banter/ charm. their story was truly beautiful. vale was not a fan fav for me, but he somewhat redeems himself towards the end of the book. the sisters, butch, LADY!!, jeph... all of these character were phenomenal & really fit together. i can't leave out my favorite pothos either!
🤩 tropes: cozy fantasy, found family, forced proximity, slow burn
i will be keeping my eye out for more by Emily! book out nov 10, 2026!
4/5⭐️
"there's no such thing as a small life, so long as i live it with you" 🩷💫
immediately after finishing "Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore", i turned on post notifications for Emily because i NEEDED to hear pru's story! id say it lived up to my expectations!
i never knew where this book was going to go next 😭 i was definitely kept on my toes throughout the whole story, there were so many "OMG!!" moments, but i really enjoyed the twists and watching everything unfold. still, i have to be honest… the ending, especially the last chapter, wasn’t really my favorite. i wanted a little more from it. i felt like Violet's love story was completely sidelined, even though we spent the whole first book falling in love with her & nate. there were also other little things that i wasn't a huge fan of.
📖 plot & pace: prudence leaves dragon’s rest to chase her dream of becoming a famous bard, but those plans are a little derailed when she crosses paths with callum & his bandit crew. she ends up traveling with them and gets pulled into their plan to rob the lune vault during a royal wedding, all while trying to figure out what she actually wants for her future. this story never felt dull or boring, and i found myself taking away from ✨responsibilities✨ just to keep reading
👥 characters: i loved prudence’s determination to finally do something for herself & callum was such a fun character with all of his banter/ charm. their story was truly beautiful. vale was not a fan fav for me, but he somewhat redeems himself towards the end of the book. the sisters, butch, LADY!!, jeph... all of these character were phenomenal & really fit together. i can't leave out my favorite pothos either!
🤩 tropes: cozy fantasy, found family, forced proximity, slow burn
i will be keeping my eye out for more by Emily! book out nov 10, 2026!
July 17, 2026
3.5 ⭐️ (rounded up)
Picking up after the events of book one, Prudence (Pru) Marsh finally decides it’s time to chase her dream of traveling the world as a musician. Music is in her blood, and after years of putting her own ambitions on hold, she’s determined to make a name for herself. Along the way, she kind of accidentally gets swept up with a group of bandits who also happen to be planning the most ambitious heist imaginable: robbing the royal treasury. From there, the story really takes off as Pru unexpectedly becomes an essential part of their plan, and her growing feelings for Callum, one of the bandits, only make things more complicated.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I especially appreciated how much thought clearly went into planning the heist itself. Major props to the author, because writing a convincing heist novel seems incredibly difficult, and all of the moving pieces came together in a way that felt fun and well thought out.
That said, the pacing was definitely on the slower side, and there were stretches where it was pretty easy to set the book down. I also thought Pru and Callum’s relationship developed very quickly. Normally I’m firmly against insta love, but…it actually kind of worked here? They’re both such sunshine, golden retriever energy characters that their instant connection felt believable for who they are.
All in all, I’m really happy with this sequel and can’t wait to see where the series goes next. And please…can the next book finally give us more Bartleby??
My official prediction for the next installment: Desmond Bartleby is not a plant anymore 😂😭
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Berkley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!
Picking up after the events of book one, Prudence (Pru) Marsh finally decides it’s time to chase her dream of traveling the world as a musician. Music is in her blood, and after years of putting her own ambitions on hold, she’s determined to make a name for herself. Along the way, she kind of accidentally gets swept up with a group of bandits who also happen to be planning the most ambitious heist imaginable: robbing the royal treasury. From there, the story really takes off as Pru unexpectedly becomes an essential part of their plan, and her growing feelings for Callum, one of the bandits, only make things more complicated.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I especially appreciated how much thought clearly went into planning the heist itself. Major props to the author, because writing a convincing heist novel seems incredibly difficult, and all of the moving pieces came together in a way that felt fun and well thought out.
That said, the pacing was definitely on the slower side, and there were stretches where it was pretty easy to set the book down. I also thought Pru and Callum’s relationship developed very quickly. Normally I’m firmly against insta love, but…it actually kind of worked here? They’re both such sunshine, golden retriever energy characters that their instant connection felt believable for who they are.
All in all, I’m really happy with this sequel and can’t wait to see where the series goes next. And please…can the next book finally give us more Bartleby??
My official prediction for the next installment: Desmond Bartleby is not a plant anymore 😂😭
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Berkley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing | Ace for the eARC!
The vibe of this book was like romance meets cozy DND campaign (no complaints) with two likeable leads, a sweet found family story arc and the return of my favorite knife-wielding plant. I did like the first book in this series quite a lot, but it was much narrower in scope (not a bad thing). Prudence Marsh, on the other hand, was a swash-buckling adventure with a talented bard teaming up with a group of rather lovable bandits for the heist to end all heists.
Pru, our heroine, is a bard who can play just about every instrument she stumbles across (but she prefers the violin for reasons). You really don’t see enough bards in fantasy romances, so props to that. Callum, our hero, gives me Flynn Rider vibes with his flair for the dramatic and his roguish charm. I adored both of them because they were like a Sunshine meets Super Sunshine which was a nice change of pace. (Don’t get me wrong, I still like my grumpy leads, but it’s always good to try new things).
But let’s be real here. Bartleby, the knife-wielding pothos, is the real star of the show. Sure, Callum’s buddies were fun and I wouldn’t mind seeing them in the future, but I need more Bartleby in my life.
Overall, I’d recommend this one if you like cozy romances, found families and DND-esque capers. Plus, puns. So. Many. Puns. (which I always find fun). And, considering one of the plot points in this story, I hope there’s a third one (or more…I’m not picky).
The vibe of this book was like romance meets cozy DND campaign (no complaints) with two likeable leads, a sweet found family story arc and the return of my favorite knife-wielding plant. I did like the first book in this series quite a lot, but it was much narrower in scope (not a bad thing). Prudence Marsh, on the other hand, was a swash-buckling adventure with a talented bard teaming up with a group of rather lovable bandits for the heist to end all heists.
Pru, our heroine, is a bard who can play just about every instrument she stumbles across (but she prefers the violin for reasons). You really don’t see enough bards in fantasy romances, so props to that. Callum, our hero, gives me Flynn Rider vibes with his flair for the dramatic and his roguish charm. I adored both of them because they were like a Sunshine meets Super Sunshine which was a nice change of pace. (Don’t get me wrong, I still like my grumpy leads, but it’s always good to try new things).
But let’s be real here. Bartleby, the knife-wielding pothos, is the real star of the show. Sure, Callum’s buddies were fun and I wouldn’t mind seeing them in the future, but I need more Bartleby in my life.
Overall, I’d recommend this one if you like cozy romances, found families and DND-esque capers. Plus, puns. So. Many. Puns. (which I always find fun). And, considering one of the plot points in this story, I hope there’s a third one (or more…I’m not picky).
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
"Prudence Marsh Is Not a Nobody Anymore" is the second book set in the same world as the lovely: "Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore." I would say these are true interconnected standalones, but "Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore" is fantastic and you should read them both. This book stars Pru, who is Nate’s sister from book one. She has finally worked up the courage to leave Dragon’s Nest and pursue her life long dream of being a traveling musician. At her very first out of town stop, she accidentally set fire to a taxidermy goat (as one does…) and is rescued by the handsome mmc Callum. As much as one can consider it rescuing when he also stole all her money. She gets unwittingly stuck with him and his band of brigands after mistakenly finding herself on a wanted poster. Of course everything is not as it seems, and she slowly unravels a much more complex situation and a hunky rapscallion who might not be such a bad guy after all. Quite cozy for a story with so much thievery, and some light political machinations. Bartleby the sentient pothos is back (he was in the first book too) and takes on a much more active role in this story. If you have read my previous reviews then you know I am sort of obsessed with sentient plants, so of course I love Bartleby, and he really came into his own in this book. The bond that he and Pru build is super sweet. HEA and a fun summery story! Medium spice.
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group/ Ace for providing this arc copy for review consideration via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group/ Ace for providing this arc copy for review consideration via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Pru has spent her life in the cozy town of Dragon's Rest playing violin in local taverns and putting the needs of others ahead of her own ambitions. When she learns about an opportunity to audition as a musician for a royal wedding, she finally decides to leave home and pursue the life she has imagined for herself and to become "somebody." Her carefully imagined adventure goes off course when she encounters Callum, a charming curse breaker and member of a band of thieves.
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC! This is a standalone companion to Violet Thistlewaite is not a Villain Anymore although some characters in the first novel are mentioned in this novel. This is another charming cozy fantasy that mixes romance, adventure, and found family. I found this story a bit slower compared to the previous novel. Pru's growth is less about accomplishing a grand goal and more about determining what kind of life makes her happy. There is some banter between Pro and Callum, forced proximity, and gradually developing affection rather than an immediate attraction. I did enjoy the bandit crews found family element and it made the journey itself as important as their destination. The royal heist was a cute adventure plot that created conflict for Pru between the heist and the royal wedding. The pace is leisurely at times but readers looking for cozy fantasy that has warmth should definitely read this one!
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC! This is a standalone companion to Violet Thistlewaite is not a Villain Anymore although some characters in the first novel are mentioned in this novel. This is another charming cozy fantasy that mixes romance, adventure, and found family. I found this story a bit slower compared to the previous novel. Pru's growth is less about accomplishing a grand goal and more about determining what kind of life makes her happy. There is some banter between Pro and Callum, forced proximity, and gradually developing affection rather than an immediate attraction. I did enjoy the bandit crews found family element and it made the journey itself as important as their destination. The royal heist was a cute adventure plot that created conflict for Pru between the heist and the royal wedding. The pace is leisurely at times but readers looking for cozy fantasy that has warmth should definitely read this one!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I went into Prudence Marsh Is Not a Nobody Anymore expecting a fun fantasy romance, and in many ways it delivered. The world-building is imaginative, the writing flows beautifully, and the story has a wonderfully whimsical feel. I especially loved Pru. Her determination to prove herself and stop feeling like "a nobody" made her incredibly easy to root for, and the humour and witty banter had me laughing more than once.
However, the romance didn't engage me. I didn't really connect with Callum, despite his layered backstory. His carefree attitude and constant flirting were entertaining, but on the other hand, it was hard for me to believe that his feelings for Pru were different from all the relationships he'd had before. So, I struggled to feel the chemistry. I also felt that Pru's biggest moments of growth came through the fantasy plot rather than through the romance itself, which made the love story feel slightly secondary.
That said, it's still an entertaining fantasy adventure with an engaging cast. I also wish we'd had more scenes with Bartleby, the stabby sentient pothos. Such an original character, and I think that more of him would have added even more depth to Pru's journey and character growth.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read, and I'm curious to see where the series goes next.
Thank you to the publisher for this ARC.
However, the romance didn't engage me. I didn't really connect with Callum, despite his layered backstory. His carefree attitude and constant flirting were entertaining, but on the other hand, it was hard for me to believe that his feelings for Pru were different from all the relationships he'd had before. So, I struggled to feel the chemistry. I also felt that Pru's biggest moments of growth came through the fantasy plot rather than through the romance itself, which made the love story feel slightly secondary.
That said, it's still an entertaining fantasy adventure with an engaging cast. I also wish we'd had more scenes with Bartleby, the stabby sentient pothos. Such an original character, and I think that more of him would have added even more depth to Pru's journey and character growth.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read, and I'm curious to see where the series goes next.
Thank you to the publisher for this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Normally, when I get galleys (books before publication), I read them in publication order-as in, the books that come out soonest get read first. So, it actually means something when I say that this book immediately jumped the queue. I adored the first book in the series, "Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore" therefore I was really excited to read this second book.
And I was not let down; I enjoyed it immensely. Now, I will say, if you go into this expecting to read a similar story to Violet, you will be disappointed. That said, Pru is a very different person than Violet. Violet wants to settle down, Pru wants to go on adventures. Therefore, this book has a completely different feel-much more "Ocean's 11" or "Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves". Both books, however, are about finding your place in the world and found family. Moreover, the world itself is interesting and compelling. Once I realized that, I got into the swing of the book and found myself not wanting to put it down.
As always, the highlight of Pru's story is Bartleby, the pothos. I'm pretty sure Krempholtz has set up the next pairing for the next book and the only thing I'm sad about is that now I'm going to have to wait _longer_ for it. Highly recommended as long as you accept that different people need different things.
And I was not let down; I enjoyed it immensely. Now, I will say, if you go into this expecting to read a similar story to Violet, you will be disappointed. That said, Pru is a very different person than Violet. Violet wants to settle down, Pru wants to go on adventures. Therefore, this book has a completely different feel-much more "Ocean's 11" or "Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves". Both books, however, are about finding your place in the world and found family. Moreover, the world itself is interesting and compelling. Once I realized that, I got into the swing of the book and found myself not wanting to put it down.
As always, the highlight of Pru's story is Bartleby, the pothos. I'm pretty sure Krempholtz has set up the next pairing for the next book and the only thing I'm sad about is that now I'm going to have to wait _longer_ for it. Highly recommended as long as you accept that different people need different things.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Prudence Marsh Is Not a Nobody Anymore introduces us to a character who is no longer a nobody — she talks a big game, but the follow-through falters when it comes to actual execution. Prudence sets out from Dragon's Rest to finally live life on her own terms, accompanied by a sentient pothos, and promptly makes a string of questionable decisions that land her among a band of Robin Hood-style bandits.
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing group for this advance reader copy. All Reviews and Opinions are my own.
On paper, this sounds like an excellent adventure. In practice, the plot meanders considerably, circling around a central tension whose outcome becomes clear fairly early — the setup is simply not a good fit for Prue, and the narrative seems reluctant to admit it. The middle section could be skipped entirely in favor of the climactic heist without losing anything essential to the story. That, to me, is the book's central shortcoming.
The first book in this series had a similarly roundabout path to its finale, but it succeeded because I was genuinely invested in the characters and their relationships along the way. Here, that same investment never quite materialized except the one character I found myself consistently caring - Bartleby.Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing group for this advance reader copy. All Reviews and Opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
R E V I E W
Prudence Marsh is Not a Nobody Anymore by Emily Krempholtz
☆☆☆☆☆
Advanced Reader Copy graciously provided by Little Brown Book Group UK | Sphere via Netgalley
I don't know what author Krempholtz is putting in these books but I am officially a cosy-fantasy covert after Violet Thistlewaite and now Prudence Marsh.
These books are a breath of fresh air in a genre that often misses the mark for me. Filled with unlikely heroes, fantastical creatures, a heist and a surprisingly spicy romance, this book, much like its predecessor, had me glued to the pages.
I adored the playful banter between Pru and Callum and enjoyed watching what I believed to be a glib and superficial character, transform into a love interest with true substance.
Bartleby's character arc was particularly satisfying in this one, going from volatile houseplant to helpful sidekick before finding himself back as a man once more. I am praying the next book will be all about him after the author has endeared him to us so!
Prudence Marsh is Not a Nobody Anymore by Emily Krempholtz
☆☆☆☆☆
Advanced Reader Copy graciously provided by Little Brown Book Group UK | Sphere via Netgalley
I don't know what author Krempholtz is putting in these books but I am officially a cosy-fantasy covert after Violet Thistlewaite and now Prudence Marsh.
These books are a breath of fresh air in a genre that often misses the mark for me. Filled with unlikely heroes, fantastical creatures, a heist and a surprisingly spicy romance, this book, much like its predecessor, had me glued to the pages.
I adored the playful banter between Pru and Callum and enjoyed watching what I believed to be a glib and superficial character, transform into a love interest with true substance.
Bartleby's character arc was particularly satisfying in this one, going from volatile houseplant to helpful sidekick before finding himself back as a man once more. I am praying the next book will be all about him after the author has endeared him to us so!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Pub for this ARC!!
I was dazzled by this! I read Violet Thistlewaite last year I think and really liked it but this second book set in the same world and following Nathaniel’s twin sister Pru was such a fun ride. I loved being back in this world and that we get more Bartleby (I hope this means another book!!). I LOVE a heist, what a perfect trope. I love the oceans 11 meets Robin Hood band of friends, and I love that this whole book was basically a people pleasers anonymous meeting. Best of all: the only miscommunication we got was between the bros and they work it out like adults! I love when people communicate effectively!! Pru and Callum were a really believable couple and relatable individually. I saw myself in the way Pru didn’t want to shrink herself anymore and in the way Callum felt he had to be worthy of other people’s love by contorting himself into someone else. This book is going to make you miss your long distance besties! Fun, fast paced and everything you want out of a cozy fantasy really.
I was dazzled by this! I read Violet Thistlewaite last year I think and really liked it but this second book set in the same world and following Nathaniel’s twin sister Pru was such a fun ride. I loved being back in this world and that we get more Bartleby (I hope this means another book!!). I LOVE a heist, what a perfect trope. I love the oceans 11 meets Robin Hood band of friends, and I love that this whole book was basically a people pleasers anonymous meeting. Best of all: the only miscommunication we got was between the bros and they work it out like adults! I love when people communicate effectively!! Pru and Callum were a really believable couple and relatable individually. I saw myself in the way Pru didn’t want to shrink herself anymore and in the way Callum felt he had to be worthy of other people’s love by contorting himself into someone else. This book is going to make you miss your long distance besties! Fun, fast paced and everything you want out of a cozy fantasy really.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Bartleby the pothos is onto a new adventure! A stowaway now, he’s off with Pru who is headed to the capitol to audition to be a musician for the royal wedding. Things go astray quickly when she meets Callum, a Robin Hood sort of bandit who’s also trying to pull off a major royal heist. This book has banter, slow burn, twists and turns, but above all else a lot of sweet moments and memorable side characters (and a special winged animal!) that will leave you wanting more. I think Emily has mastered the elements of a cozy Romantasy, and built up a world that is complex and unique. The world building is fun and easy to follow, and the characters are complex. It's easy to sympathize with them, to see how Pru's character gross, to see how Callum's priorities change. There were also a few unexpected twists along the way which is always such a fun treat. Emily is a treasure to the community of Colorado author's and I can't wait for the next book in the series!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really enjoyed the first book in this series, so I was excited to read Pru's story. While this can probably be read as its own book, I'd definitely recommend reading the first book just to dip your toes in this world. I loved the whimsical worldbuilding, cozy fantasy atmosphere, witty banter, and all the humor throughout. Pru was an easy protagonist to root for as she sets off on an unexpected adventure with a group of bandits (and the wonderfully chaotic Bartleby) while trying to prove she's capable of more. The found family dynamics, heist elements, and queer-normative fantasy setting made this a charming read.
If you enjoy charming rogues, light spice, queer representation, and cozy romantasy adventures, I think this book will be a great fit.
thank you to netgalley & berkley for the arc!
If you enjoy charming rogues, light spice, queer representation, and cozy romantasy adventures, I think this book will be a great fit.
thank you to netgalley & berkley for the arc!
July 27, 2026
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a super cute, cozy adventure. Pru is finally going out on her own a make a name for herself as a bard. She finds herself in a difficult situation and is saved my a charming strangers, only to find that he robbed her 🤣 Callum is bandit who robs the rich and gives money to the poor. And he actually feels guilty about robbing Pru (it’s second nature!). A second encounter finds them in a situation where they plan to rob the royal wedding.
There’s friendship, self-discovery, adventure and no second act break-up. I usually like dual-POV first person narrative, but this was told from the third person and was really enjoyable. You get equal insight into both MCs POV, which is my favorite way to experience a book.
This was a super cute, cozy adventure. Pru is finally going out on her own a make a name for herself as a bard. She finds herself in a difficult situation and is saved my a charming strangers, only to find that he robbed her 🤣 Callum is bandit who robs the rich and gives money to the poor. And he actually feels guilty about robbing Pru (it’s second nature!). A second encounter finds them in a situation where they plan to rob the royal wedding.
There’s friendship, self-discovery, adventure and no second act break-up. I usually like dual-POV first person narrative, but this was told from the third person and was really enjoyable. You get equal insight into both MCs POV, which is my favorite way to experience a book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5/5 I loved the first book and unfortunately this didn't measure up. It's almost a Tangled retelling with very whimsical characters that are fun! However, the characters didn't make me believe in the romance. Rook and Pru fall in lust at first sight which we're told is normal behavior for Rook. However, we're meant to believe Pru is different and he is truly in love this time. I found myself siding with the antagonist's opinion of the relationship. Why would we believe this is any different? I did like both the characters separately, but I wasn't convinced of the depth of their relationship.
I also didn't love the heist plot, but I do want to know more about what Bartleby is up to after this! This was still a cozy fantasy that had a lot of fun moments (especially in the later half).
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
I also didn't love the heist plot, but I do want to know more about what Bartleby is up to after this! This was still a cozy fantasy that had a lot of fun moments (especially in the later half).
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
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