Unfortunately, I just couldn't get into this one. This is only the second cozy fantasy I've read and I didn't care for the first one either, so this could definitely be an "it's not you, it's me" situation. I thought the premise of this sounded really interesting, but I couldn't get invested in the story. The writing and pace felt a bit too slow for me, and the beginning felt very info-dumpy. I did enjoy Marigold as a character, but that unfortunately wasn't enough to save this book for me.

In the 1800s, Marigold Claude feels like an outcast, overshadowed by her talented twin siblings and still without a husband. Her life shifts dramatically after she finds a luminous, light blue butterfly in a meadow. Upon her muddy return, she's confronted with her mother and a grandmother she hasn't seen in years. Her grandmother reveals a family secret: Marigold is a "honey witch." To her mother's horror, Marigold embraces her new identity and is taken to the family's island home. There, she's not only taught the ways of a honey witch but also learns of a powerful family curse that prevents them from ever finding true love.

I was completely enchanted by the author's writing and the vivid setting. The descriptions of Innisfree, the bees, and Mr. Benny felt so real that I was fully immersed in the world. While the ultimate resolution wasn't a total surprise, the emotional depth of the story and the journey to get there were breathtaking. The end was a deeply moving experience that left me in tears, and I'm so glad I chose to listen to it as an audiobook. This is a story that will resonate with me for a very long time.

This was so cozy and delightful, it was pride and prejudice meets practical magic with sweet sapphic love. This was the perfect low stakes reading I needed!

I tried to read this book and ended up DNFing it. I just didn't enjoy the book from the start. this did nothing for me, and I didn't want to continue reading a book I wasn't enjoying or didn't think it had potential, which it didn't for me. thank you to netgalley and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Honey Witch is a cozy fantasy-romance that delivers on atmosphere and vibes, but doesn’t always follow through with plot depth or character development. It’s ideal for readers who want something light, magical, and a bit romantic—with just a pinch of melancholy.

Set on the enchanting island of Bellmare, the story follows Marigold Claude, a young woman who unexpectedly inherits the role of the “Honey Witch,” a magical caretaker of the island with deep ties to nature and ancestral magic. There’s a slow-burn sapphic romance at the heart of it, and the book leans heavily into themes of healing, belonging, and gentle self-discovery.

Where The Honey Witch shines is in its lush descriptions and cottagecore aesthetic—there’s honey, flowers, ghosts, spells, and plenty of cozy rituals. Shields clearly aims to build a world that feels safe and soft, and in many ways she succeeds. But for readers hoping for strong stakes or complex relationships, the story may feel too simple or slow-moving.

The romantic arc is sweet but a little underdeveloped, and side characters tend to blur together. The emotional conflict is more hinted at than fully explored, and by the end, you might wish the characters had been allowed a bit more messiness or growth.

All in all, The Honey Witch is a warm, gentle read—perfect for curling up with on a rainy day—but it may not leave a lasting impression for those looking for something deeper or more original.

I enjoyed the book, and it was a cute read, but I was definitely lost at times. The beginning was a little slow for me, and I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had tried reading it in another format. Overall, I recommend this book if you want an atmospheric read with true cozy vibes.

This book was really cute and had beautiful writing in parts but it was not for me. I was bored while I was reading it and I could not get into the plot. I did not finish this book.

Cozy & endearing! This book depicts a warm family whose lives are full of garden magic! I loved that the book mixed regency era while normalizing LGBTQ storylines. Although there is an evil lurking nearby the story remains low stakes throughout. The publisher lists the correct trigger warnings at the beginning, but they are mild. I tend to skip books that list fire as a warning. I am glad I didn’t skip this one. It was not enough to deter me reading it or recommending it to others.

NetGalley ARC Educator 550974

Period romance and witch lore fans buckle in. This cozy cottage setting, slow burn romance will pull you in and send you on a honey bee trail ride. Marigold is the fanciful, free witch. She cares for the land left to her by her grandmother. Lottie is the opposite. The two test the bonds of expectations for women, a generational curse and in some aspects getting out of one's way.

A lovely one sitting read on a cold and rainy day.

Sadly this was a miss for me. The cozy witch vibes I was hoping for were not well developed and the characters were incredibly boring.

The premise for The Honey Witch was enticing, but there was bad writing. Scenes fell flat, horrible pacing. Needed a heavy edit or something

The Honey Witch' by Sydney J. Shields is pure magic! Shields brings the world to life with vivid descriptions and a story that'll draw you in. The main character's journey is so captivating, you'll be rooting for her from start to finish. With themes of family, power, and self-discovery, this book is a must-read for fantasy fans. Shields' writing is enchanting, and her world-building is top-notch. Get ready to be swept away by this bewitching tale!

Thank you to Redhook Publishing and NetGalley for the chance to read an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Pub Date : 5.14.2024

The Honey Witch is a cozy fantasy book that hits the right amount of magical world building and romance. Marigold is swept away by her grandmother to take over her job as Honey Witch on a small magical island. Along with learning her grandmother’s protection spells and how to take care of her new community, Marigold accepts the family curse: no one can fall in love with a Honey Witch. Marigold doesn’t think this will be an issue, but when she starts to feel strongly about a new potential friend, skeptical Lottie, she really begins to feel the burden of this role she’s taken on. There’s also a dark element from Marigold’s childhood looming on the horizon and threatening everything the Honey Witches have built.

I love the push and pull of Marigold and Lottie’s relationship. While there are misconceptions and miscommunications as with any romance, it’s clear that these two really respect and care about each other. I appreciate how they both also have other relationships that they cultivate, with friends and family, and don’t ignore the world for each other. It really is a story about love, romantic, familial, community, etc. Plus, the magic system is really fun, having both honey magic and shadow magic as the main types discussed, but having the feeling of more magic out in the world at the same time. It a very fun space to explore. Check this sapphic rom-com fantasy out for all your cozy feels.

This was the cozy witchy Bridgerton-esque cottagecore honey bee fever dream book of my personal dreams. One could argue it was a little forced and a truly chaotic mash of elements to create that cottagecore fever dream but..... I don't care, particularly. A super fun romp of a debut. None of the angst was enough to make this anything more than a cozy feel good read for me. Will definitely read more by this author!

DNF at 10%

This is a cozy book and I didn't enjoy it. I think that this type of book is not for me

A cozy queer fantasy perfect for a Midsummer’s night. Mari and Lottie bring magic to this cottagecore gem. Slow burn and low on spice, but ever so sweet. I loved this from start to finish.

Thank you NetGalley and Sydney J. Shields for the opportunity to read this book.

The Honey Witch is a sweet, cozy read with a charming magical setting and a tender slow-burn romance. I really enjoyed the quiet strength of Marigold and the way her relationship with Lottie developed—there’s something very comforting about the soft magic and emotional warmth woven through the story. The Isle of Innisfree feels like a dreamy escape, and the lore around the Honey Witch was both unique and endearing.

That said, the pacing felt a bit slow for me, especially in the first half. It took some time for the plot to really pick up, which made it harder to stay fully engaged. Still, the story has a lot of heart, and I appreciated its themes of self-discovery and quiet resilience. It didn’t totally sweep me away, but it was a pleasant and gentle read. I’d give it 3 stars.

Cozy read. Witchy vibes. Not a literary masterpiece but that’s not what I was expecting going into this book. It gave the vibes I was expecting.

This one just wasn’t it for me. I had a hard time getting through it — although I really loved the concept. 3/5 for me.

DNF @ 10%. I was so excited for this one. The premise sounded perfect - witches, sapphic love, cozy cottage core vibes? Sign me up. But once I actually started reading, it just…didn’t click. The vibes were vibing, but the story wasn’t giving. At all.

It felt slow, meandering, and honestly I was just bored. I kept waiting for that spark, but it never showed up.

Many thanks to Redhook/Hachette Book Group for the ARC—appreciate the chance to check it out!