The Honey Witch is a cozy, sapphic, witchy cottagcore book, a perfect read for lovers of cozy fantasy.

A Beautiful fantasy. I loved getting lost in the lore and the spells and the romance was lovely. I've recommended this book to several of my friends already.

I unfortunately couldn’t get into this book and ended up putting it down. I could see where it has a specific audience that’d enjoy it, but it wasn’t for me.

Sapphic love story with grumpyxsunshine!! This has been one of my favorite romantasies I've read. And it stands out to me in a subgenera that is quickly becoming very crowded. I lovedddd this and truly will be screaming about this to everyone to PLEASE read it!!

Absolutely loved it! I thought based off the cover and description that the story was going to be more on the soft cottagecore sapphic vibe, but it had a lot of other aspects that made the story unique! The curse played a big part of making the story slightly more dark and dramatic which I loved, and the romance was perfect. Would definitely recommend giving it a read!

Set against the backdrop of a small, magical village, this book is a perfect read for the colder months when you’re craving something that feels like a warm cup of tea. The story follows a witch with a unique gift for honey making and her unexpected connection with a newcomer who brings a touch of mystery—and plenty of romantic tension—to her otherwise peaceful life. The romance unfolds with a slow burn that feels genuine and heartwarming, with moments that will leave you smiling and rooting for their happily-ever-after.

The lush descriptions of the magical environment, complete with enchanting forests and candlelit cottages, perfectly capture the cozy autumn and winter aesthetic. The writing is vivid and atmospheric, pulling you into a world where magic feels tangible yet grounded.

What sets The Honey Witch apart is its exploration of themes like belonging, self-discovery, and the power of community. The characters are relatable and well-rounded, with plenty of witty banter and tender moments to enjoy. Overall it’s a charming debut that promises great things for the author’s future works.

One of the cutest, coziest and heartwarming romantic fantasies I have read to date! This story was wonderful, and the underlying themes of dealing with grief really hit home for me, especially having to do with her grandmother.
I LOVED the bees. The honey witch just drew you into her cottagecore fantasy world and made all your dreams come true! I do wish it had been a bit longer and hadn’t ended a bit too abruptly, I wanted to see more of Marigold and Lottie as they navigated their newfound relationship together. But that was my only teeny tiny complaint. I hope to see much more of Sydney shields!!

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of The Honey Witch by Sydney J. Shields!

This book was one of my absolute favorite reads this year and probably ever. Their relationship was my absolute favorite and the build was spectacular. I fell in love with their love.

I ended up DNFing this title at 68%. I was sold on the cozy aspect of the book and the sapphic tattooed love story but the story felt under developed and too drawn out. I’ll probably try to listen to the audio book to see if it helps with the pacing but as a book it felt a little dry.

Shields’ writing is warm and atmospheric, effortlessly pulling you into a world filled with enchanting details and heartfelt moments. The romance is tender, and the exploration of healing—both magical and emotional—gives the story real depth. While the pacing is gentle and might feel slow for some, the charming characters and whimsical setting make it a delightful read for fans of magical realism and heartfelt fantasy.

This was fine. I think the idea was really cool, but it dragged a lot of me. I would call this cozy, but nothing really happens. There’s death and it is sad. Stakes seem kinda high but all the action happens at the very end and it is anticlimactic.
It took me a long time to get through this. Finally got the audiobook to finish it.

Sapphic with one decent scene. Not crude, more emotional but still descriptive.

Really wanted to give this book the benefit of the doubt despite the negative feedback I’ve seen. Unfortunately this was not the read for me. It read heavy like a YA novel and had noticeable plot holes. The pacing was very clunky, and I felt like I had to force myself to keep going.

Cozy fantasy with a sapphic love story & a super cool magic system? Count me in!

If you’re looking for a cozy fantasy that is UNIQUE & doesn’t fall flat. This is the one. Great cottage core vibes too.

Thank you to the author, the publishers & to netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Sydney J. Shields' The Honey Witch follows Minerva, a grumpy yet fiercely independent witch specializing in honey-based magic, and Laurel, a sunshiny apothecary with a knack for finding beauty in even the darkest places. Their dynamic—a classic grumpy/sunshine trope—brims with chemistry and tension, making their growing romance feel natural and heartwarming. Both characters are layered, with Minerva’s guarded nature clashing beautifully with Laurel’s relentless optimism. Their connection is tender and authentic, with small moments of vulnerability.

The setting is as sweet as the title suggests: a cozy, magical village nestled in a lush, woodland realm that feels alive with buzzing bees, fragrant herbs, and golden sunlight. Shields’ descriptions are vivid, and the small-town vibe of the community adds a layer of warmth to the story. However, the worldbuilding could have been more detailed—there are hints of a larger magical system and history, but they’re left unexplored.

What truly shines is the queer representation. Minerva and Laurel’s romance is written with care, and the world Shields crafts is unapologetically inclusive, featuring nonbinary and gender-fluid side characters and a normalized depiction of LGBTQ+ identities.

While the plot is compelling—a mix of personal growth, budding romance, and magical intrigue—it occasionally falters, with pacing issues and a climax that feels slightly rushed. A deeper dive into some subplots would have added more emotional depth.

I LOVED THIS BOOK! I loved the cursed love that preserves, the witchy vibes, the animal and plant magic! It had me with it all. It did drag in the middle slightly, but overall this book was gold!

Marigold Claude POV find out through her Grandma Althea who comes to visit, that she is to be the next Honey witch. Her Mother Reyna had kept this a secret because like Marigold she too the eldest in her family was to be the next honey witch but chose to forfeit for love. We find out about the curse of the honey witch family line; and not being bale to fall in love as a witch. Marigold is taken to Innisfree Isle by Althea and starts to train and learn about her new magic. after some time, Althea passes and Marigold is deeply grieving the loss. She then meet Lottie, who doesn't believe in magic. Determined to show Lottie that magic is real, the women start to grow close to one another and start a romance. Things start to get really intimate between the two and things really take a dark turn as the curse starts to unravel. Starts off really cozy, fuzzy warm cottage like plot at a slow pace but turns and picks up towards the end. Lots of soulmate plot lines along the book with other characters/family members. Overall an enjoyable read. My only issue was that the Love/soulmate aspect of the connection with Marigold and Lottie didn't translate so realistic/believable in the plot. felt very rushed or more of an insta love. The timeline and some of the ideas were really contradicting or didn't align. Overall, this Sapphic romance was cute. the cover is gorgeous.


Thank You Netgalley, for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

Cozy plot, but not a lot of depth. The writing was lovely but the dialogue drove me nuts. For characters that are supposed to be in their early twenties they sounded like they were sixteen.

I found some of the plot points to be extremely head scratching. A lot of things were the way they were just because, until they didn't matter any more. The whole 'cursed bloodline' part doesn't make sense once you find out witches can apparently make their own babies with magic.

The romance wasn't really compelling and they seemed to go from dislike to eternal love much too quickly. But good for you cottage core lesbians.

Overall, the setting was cozy and the magic was interesting, but most of the plot and the dialogue bogged it all down for me. I would, however, read more from this writer to see if those things get better.

Thank you to NetGalley & Redhook Books for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

*3.5 Stars*

Claude believes that there is more to life than being married off to a suitor she doesn't love. When her grandmother visits the estate to tell Marigold that she is a Honey Witch and needs her help, she is whisked off to the Isle of Innisfree to learn more about her magic and her curse. When Marigold accepted her magic, she was cursed to never find love. At the Isle, Marigold meets Lottie, a skeptic when it comes to Marigold's magic. Marigold up to the challenge, invites Lottie and August to stay at the cottage and prove that her magic is real. Marigold soon begins to have feelings for Lottie, but as darker magic starts to show up around the Isle, she must find a way to protect her home.

I really enjoyed the originality of The Honey Witch and can say that I have never read anything like it. This story was beautifully written, and I loved the story between Marigold and Lottie. As much I as I enjoyed the first 90% of this book, the ending fell flat for me. Although I did have some issues with this book, the was a great debut for Syndey Shields and look forward to more of her work.

Thank you NetGalley and Redhook Books for the opportunity to review The Honey Witch. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

As someone who HEAVILY reads books about witches and other magical components, I gasped when I found out about this book. This is the coziest sapphic read with ALL of the vibes. If you enjoyed the very secret society for irregular witches, you absolutely have found your next read in this book. The descriptions in this book had me day dreaming about being in the book for weeks after I finished. I loved the character of Marigold and couldn't help but picture myself in her shoes.