From the first chapter, The Honey Witch pulls you right in! I did enjoy the writing in this one, it was so cozy and i loved the cottage core aesthetic. It fell a bit flat for me and I didn’t feel the chemistry between the two main characters which lost my interest a bit. I loved the message about family and love, and grief!

I picked up and put down this an incredible amount of times while reading - either from rolling my eyes or just outright flinching.

The premise and the world that is set up in this story is really incredible- and the characters had fantastic potential.

The problem lies in the dialogue and exposition- it’s really poorly done. The writing is all at once trying to be flowy and beautiful and is instead choppy and pretentious in a way that skips prose like and jumps right into tumblr poetry. There’s so much to love about this book if you can get past the writing but I unfortunately could not.

Thank you to Redhook Publishing, Sydney Shields, and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this eArc in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Marigold dreams of a life beyond marriage and standing in the shadows of her talented siblings. When her grandmother re-enters her life, she is formally introduced to magic and her destiny to become a honey witch and the protector of the island of Innisfree. But everything comes with a cost - for Marigold - it is a curse. No one will ever fall in love with her.

The Honey Witch is a sweet and heartwarming story of love, loss, and cottagecore bliss. For fans of Taylor Swift’s Folklore, V.E. Schwab’s The Invisible Life of Addie Larue, the found family trope, sapphic grumpy + sunshine, and fated mates…look no further!

All in all, I enjoyed this debut novel from Sydney Shields and I’m excited to read more!

This was just... fine. I really wanted to love it a lot more than I did, unfortunately. This book is strongest, imo, when Marigold's grandmother was teaching her how to be a Honey Witch. Truth be told, I almost wish the stuff with Mari's mother and siblings was cut out in favor of focusing more on the island and the magic. It's not that I didn't appreciate Mari and her family, but it felt like the way the plot was structured didn't let her family become fully fleshed out characters. If this book weren't a romance and were instead an exploration on family and the bonds between them, I think it'd have been a much stronger story.

Unfortunately, this book is a romance and I don't think the romance was entirely strong enough to carry the weight of the novel. Lottie isn't... as much of a character as I wanted. I actually really liked Mari and Lottie's relationship when they were at odds with one another. The problem is that the transition between antagonism to friendship to lovers wasn't quite smooth. When they were navigating their relationship, it didn't feel entirely genuine to me. I really wanted more time spent between Lottie and Mari building up their friendship to tentative lovers.

Then, there's the Ash Witch plot. In theory, it's interesting. I don't know, though, if the author was aiming for mystery behind the Ash Witch plot, but it was very, very plainly telegraphed. So plainly so that it made Marigold look really dumb for not figuring it out sooner. Like, the writing was on the wall and the girl just couldn't find it until the last 10% of the book. I just feel like it could have been done in a way that didn't leave the reader wanting to shake Marigold for being so utterly stupid. That, and the ending was just... cartoonishly evil? I think it needed just more background into the Ash Witch trying to destroy the island. There was some, but it was also just kind of vague and hand-wavy.

While I do have a lot of criticisms, that's not to say that I don't see the promise here. I thought the honey magic in particular was really fun. The moments with Marigold on the island with her grandmother were so cozy and wholesome. I almost wish the whole book was just that.

Overall, I think there was too much trying to be accomplished so, in the end, nothing really satisfied. There are definitely going to be readers who love this though and I think the author shows a lot of promise. This just wasn't something I ultimately loved.

I really wanted to love this book, the premise was so whimsical and bright, but unfortunately it was just not for me. The main character, Marigold, is very naive and the maturity of her voice feels more like a 12 or 13 year old talking than an 18-19 year old (that I believe she is supposed to be or at least above 17 because that was when she dated the artist who broke her heart).

The conversations between the characters does not meet the maturity level for their ages and the book seems to be better suited for someone who is in middle school or young teenager based on what of the book I completed. However, one of the first scenes on the island has Marigold helping her grandmother with a patient with an ectopic pregnancy that is beyond the maturity of the rest of the book. It feels like the themes in the book and the way it is written are at war against each other for two separate audiences.

Again, the premise and the cozy writing style were intriguing but the book itself is not for me, personally. I couldn't get into it and ended up stopping about 20% in. I don't make a habit of star reviewing books I DNF unless they are awful and in this case I believe it is just a personal preference incompatibility but since this isn't allowing me to move forward without it, I will rate it 2 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley for the early eARC of this book!

⭐4.25 stars!

Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and publisher for an opportunity to read a digital ARC of this book! From the moment I first stumbled across Sydney on social media, I have been excited about this book!

Overall, I really enjoyed this reading experience. The pacing of the book is rather slow in my opinion, BUT, slow does not equate to bad at all in this case. There was something magical about the experience in itself, because I enjoyed the fact it was slow. It felt like I had a longer time with these characters and in this world because I wasn't just devouring the book in one sitting. Instead I got to keep returning to it and feeling transported so thoroughly into this story. Towards the end, the pacing kind of would speed up and slow down a little, which was an interesting experience.

The writing was beautiful in many spots. The idea of this story was also beautiful. I love the way Sydney pulled in part of her real life with the bees, into this story. 🐝💛 The exploration of love and grief was beautiful too.

There were some moments where I wish there was more time spent on other storylines (i.e. August's, her Mom's, Lottie and Mr. Claude) and I say this mostly because I know Sydney said on social media that this was written as a standalone. So this is my formal vote to make it a small series, for more books that get to explore these things and life after that ending!

I also love the queer representation and how natural it was, and not made a focal point of the story!

Overall this book was cozy. It was beautiful. It gave me Halloweentown vibes at the beginning.

It was one that I definitely plan to get a physical copy of when it releases next year. I'm so grateful to have read this early.

The cover art as well was STUNNING. 😍

I definitely recommend this book and I think many people will deeply love it. ♥️

This novel follows Marigold on her new journey on Isnnisfree. She gets to spend some of the lost time she missed with her Grandma, Althea, who teaches her as much as she can about Honey Magic. But it all comes at a cost. Or should I say curse?

After losing her grandmother she finds herself lonely and looking for companionship. As she searches for friendship she finds what defies the odds. She also finds that the isle is in need of a lot of magic and something horrible is going to happen.

This is another strong female character book with lots of lore and just enough spice. Full of stereotype breaking characters and queer love. A supportive father is the icing on the cake for this one!

Be sure to check this book out next summer :)

Thank you for allowing me to read this book . I had an amazing time & loved every second of it
Here is my good reads review.

🐝ARC REVIEW🐝

This was everything I had hoped it would be!! Sydney’s debut novel is charming, alluring and deeply sentimental. She exhibits wisdom and craftsmanship as she weaves this witchy cottage-core wlw tale. I was struck by her powerful statements on women and our roles and duty to society. She shamelessly throws off convention in pursuit of a different duty: one of the heart. I highlighted so much of this novel because of how strongly it resonated with me. I loved the regency-reimagined world and the wonderful characters. The prose is well thought out and engaging. I cannot recommend this highly enough!
🐝
Thank you so much @netgalley and @sydneyjshields for this advance copy I DEVOURED it and I am soooo looking forward to posting some more quotes from this and seeing more people read it. I know it will be a huge success!!!

Happy reading (and sipping!) 📖🍷

#bookstagram #books #read #wine #winepairing #advancecopy #bookish #newrelease

This WILL be your favorite book of the year. I know for certain it was mine. Sydney will very quickly become an insta buy author for you.

This is a heartwarming, cozy, magical, cottagecore story that tackles love, curses, and loss. This book was there for me when I needed it most and I will forever be grateful.

The magic system alone is to die for. Marigold is a honey witch cursed to never fall in love. You heard me, a HONEY WITCH. I really don’t want to give too much away, so I’ll end with this. It’s truly amazing that within this book, every character manages to be my favorite.

I really wanted to love this book, but it just wasn't my cup of tea. The overall storyline was lovely - I loved the exploration of grief, found family, loneliness, and love. However, the dialogue and writing style fell a bit flat for me, and I think this kept me from fully connecting with the story. The characters felt one-dimensional - we were told about their attributes by other characters, rather than getting to observe for ourselves as readers.

I found myself wishing that we would have gotten more time with certain subplots - parts of the book felt rushed to me. But just because this book wasn't for me doesn't mean it isn't for you. If you're into ethereal cottagecore sapphic romances, you should definitely check this book out!

Thank you to Redhook Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

sapphic cozy fantasy / grumpy meets sunshine

This story follows a honey witch (and how she came to be!), cursed into forsaking romantic love, entangled with a skeptic tattoo artist.

I had seen so many tiktoks about this book, I was so excited to read it!
I think my expectations might have been too high: a solid 3.5 star read, maybe 3 stars rounded down.
The pacing and writing style of this book was off; the characters felt two-dimensional. Nonetheless, there’s a unique combination of elements in this story, so I was invested to see how exactly it would play out.

(Thank you Netgalley for sending a copy in exchange for an honest review!)

I absolutely loved this book. The start wasn't too slow to start but wasn't overwhelming either. I am a firm believer that honey is magic in a way so a book where the main aspect to the magic is honey had instantly caught my interest. This Sapphic Practical Magic retelling brought me to tears both happy and sad. I was instantly hooked and easily connected with Marigold. Finding a community that not just accepts who you are but encourages it is something everyone dreams of having and it was so nice to see Lottie and Marigold find that community. My absolute favorite scene was <spoiler> when the trio spent a night together at the lake just enjoying each others company. The peace they had in that moment was so nice to see. I loved the vulnerability they all shared through the night and seeing them grow as a friend group. </spoiler>

This book is a standalone, but ended in a way that left room for potential future books and after reading this I absolutely need multiple. I need a book surrounding August, and a book surrounding what life looks life in Innisfree after the land heals. I did however really enjoy the way the book read and look forward to future books by Sydney regardless of whether or not they are in this universe.

This is one of those books where it feels like nothing and everything happens. Things might not make sense, but the vibe is cozy enough that maybe you’re not supposed to think about anything long enough for it to need to make sense.

Things got a bit dark at the end, but I would still say the overall vibe is cozy fantasy. The writing is lyrical, but the transitions felt a bit all over the place. I often felt like the relationships and the magic system as a whole were rushed and undeveloped. The idea of the story drew me in, but it wasn't exactly what I was looking for.

Overall I liked the cottagecore / sapphic romance vibes, but I didn’t love it as much as I wanted to.

Thank you to Redhook Books and NetGalley for providing an ARC

I got about a quarter into the book and could not continue. I recognize that this is a new author but the writing is stilted, predictable and a bit juvenile. I was very excited about this book but I will not be continuing it.

I haven’t come across a book in years that’s made me feel a plethora of emotions like The Honey Witch has. It was such a cozy read, with beautiful writing, and a breathtaking story that was easy for me to become immersed in from the start. It somewhat reminded me of the game Wylde Flowers mixed with Practical Magic and bits of Pride and Prejudice, but it truly sets itself apart. I received an ARC of this book and chose to leave my honest review. I will be preordering The Honey Witch as soon as I can and would happily read any future titles by the author.

This was my first sapphic romance, and it knocked it out of the park! This book is cozy at its core. The magic system is unique and well developed. The characters are lovely, and it’s honestly hard to pick a favourite.

Sydney does an amazing job weaving this story together.

I must have this physical book. I can’t wait for the release and I don’t know how to write this review without complete spoilers.. super overwhelmed with emotions!! Thank you so much to the author and NetGalley

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.
What a debut novel this read was! It was such a cozy and wonderfully written story. Marigold is a complex and relatable main character. The love and magic was, at times, both heartbreaking and heartwarming. Being a Honey Witch comes with a lot of responsibility, but in the end is exactly what Mari was always meant to bee (get it?!). This is definitely a book that other readers will adore just as much as I did!

The Honey Witch by Sydney J. Shields was an absolute delight.
Such an enchanting fantasy and romance story.
I was captivated by the beautiful writing and unique characters.
A sweet and truly magical read that was so hard to put down.

Thank You NetGalley and Redhook for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!