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!

3.75 stars, but rounding up to 4. I had the pleasure of reading a ARC copy of the Honey Witch.

Marigold Claude is getting close to spinsterhood at only 21, but she has no dreams of finding love, but instead, prefers to spend time in the meadows, and having friendships with spirits, and becoming a Honey Witch.

That all changes as an old friend brings Lottie, a skeptic, to meet her, and as they grow close, it challenges Marigolds decisions of love or magic.

The narrative is lyrical, but not in an overdetailed way. The author was able to provide a description of the world in a beautiful way, but quick and to the point, I was able to be immersed quickly.

It was a very cozy read, enjoyable and perfect for reading while sipping tea outside in the garden!

As wonderful as the vibes are, the dialog at time was a bit out of sorts, which made it jarring compared to the narrative. There are lines by both Marigold and the Althea felt forced in the beginning, but around 20% of the way through, it starts to get better.

I wish that when her Grandmother, Althea, gave the backstory, it was richer. It was a good high level recap, but I would have loved it if we could re-live it through her eyes instead. The moment when Marigold learns of her true nature was an info-dump, which takes the reader out of the world. I would have loved a change of POV or even having it told more detailed sporadically throughout the book so it feels more mysterious throughout the novel.

I like the FMC, Marigold! She is fun and snarky and clever! She recognized her faults, and didn’t make excuses for them, and her positivity had me smiling throughout the book.

If you are looking for a book full of magic that wraps you up in coziness, this is it. Marigold is determined to stay true to herself, even if she knows she’s a bit different from the rest of her loving family. Her grandmother shows her why, and then begins to show her why they are called a Honey Witch. I never knew there were so many different types of honey, or how the flavors can be so subtle. (Also, I was so excited to see the Savannah Bee Company credited for where Sydney learned so much!) Caring for the land and its creatures is an honor. Is that enough?

Enter her childhood best friend August and the most sour woman Marigold has ever met. Lottie mocks her magic any chance she can get. How can such a kind hearted friend also be friends with this woman?! Let them take you on a journey of frustration, earning trust, dancing, goodbyes (for a bit), heartbreak, and perseverance.

I also loved the mix of relationships represented. The loneliness that can come from not being able to be with the one you love, hetero, WLM, MLM, and Bi all represented. I went into this story expecting just a cozy witchy book. I got so much more. Now, excuse me while I go buy a wide variety of honey to try.

I want to thank Orbit Books US, NetGalley, and Sydney J Shields for this ARC copy in exchange for an honest review. It was truly an honor to get to read The Honey Witch early.

Do you like Bridgerton but wish it was witchy and LGBTQ+? Do you feel like you’re secretly a witch meant travel to a magical island and protect nature? Do you love bees? Yes? Well, have I got a book rec for you!

Marigold has never felt at home in Bardshire’s rigid social climate. As the eldest of the Claude siblings, she is a pariah that grows more isolated every year that she is not married.

When her grandmother, Althea, returns to take her to Innisfree and fulfill her destiny, she must make the decision: find her happiness and leave her family or live life missing a piece of herself. Being Honey Witch comes with one downside - she can never be loved.

The Honey Witch follows Marigold through the ups and down of taking on the Honey Witch mantle, and the consequences of her grandmothers feud with the Ash Witches. Can she overcome their curse and save Innisfree?

This is in the top 5 most romantic books I’ve read this year. It is lighthearted, loving, intense, and hopeful.

I had the honor of reading an ARC of this book. It has been my first advanced copy, and let me say it has set the tone high for the others!! I was so excited to get approved for this novel as it's been top of my list for 2024, and I've seen so many reviews on tiktok about it!

This book gives very cozy cottage witchy vibes. A perfect Sapphic novel with a slight slow-burn. You heard it, Lesbians and witches. The author does a great job of setting up the fantasy world and giving each character life (no flats here)!! I love how the magic surrounds bees, and the author (Sydney Shields) is actually also a beekeeper!! It's such a cute way of adding your life experiences into a novel. There are a total of 13 (I believe) Taylor Swift references to find in this book, I have found 5 and I can't wait for others to read it so I can see which ones I've missed!!

The storyline is between a girl (Marigold) and her grandmother, and overall follows Marigold's journey as a Honey Witch. She's so cool. Chapter 34 had me REELING. Needless to say, I'll also be pre-ordering a copy because my ARC was digital, and I can't wait to have the final book in my hands!! I have a long list of quotes that I hope Sydney Shields keeps in the books!

This book is a cozy hug in book form. And the writing? Total Rebecca Ross vibes. If you're a fan, you know what I'm talking about. I'm crossing my fingers for a hardback because it deserves a spot on my shelf for repeat reads.

The magic in the story is unique and enchanting, though some parts are predictable, but it's like predicting your favorite plot twist in a rom-com – you secretly love it. The only hiccup? It's written in third person, and with Mari and Lottie sharing the same pronouns, I had a few "Wait, who's talking?" moments. A minor thing, though.

If Sydney was going for that nostalgic, feel-good vibe, definitely nailed it.

The Honey Witch is a tale of grief, loneliness, and friendship. Overall, I enjoyed this unique story by Sydney J. Shields. The magic system was interesting. My only wish is that the world building and the characters were deeper. However, I will be recommending this to some friends!

Thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for this ARC!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Redhook for this ARC.

Cozy fantasy where 21 year old Marigold discovers that the magic she's always felt has always been real. Under the tutelage of her aging grandmother, Althea, she learns how to protect the nature sanctuary island Innisfree and maybe find love against all odds (read: curse).

I really adored the first ~40% of the book and I wish that the rest of the book was as consistent. Althea is written with so much care and affection and I think the void created by her death is very distracting the rest of the book because none of the other characters felt as strong. Maybe I'm in the minority with this, but I wish this book was a good deal longer because the pacing of the story made it hard to stay invested. The romance didn't get enough time to cook which was disappointing because the bones of the relationship dynamic are so strong.

This book was not what I was expecting and the tense in which it was written took some getting used to. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the book overall. A little cozy, a little not cozy, and a little bit of spice.

This was such a sweet, slow, magical story. I loved watching these two fall in love despite the curse. Sweet as honey, highly recommended.

Sapphic, witchy cottagecore romance set in the regency era. I liked the usage of nature and magic. As an added bonus, spice is included!

This book caught my attention amidst the fervor on social media and within my social circles, sparking eager anticipation for me to delve into its story. I can emphatically state that the book not only met but exceeded my expectations.
My goodness it was so well written. The prose, intricately woven from the initial page to the concluding word, demonstrated a remarkable level of skill. The pacing was nothing short of extraordinary, immersing me in every carefully chosen word on each page.
The ensemble of characters and the meticulously crafted world-building were nothing short of phenomenal. Each character contributed a unique blend of drama, humor, wit, and more, enriching the narrative. Unexpected twists and anticipated moments kept me engaged, yet it was the emotionally charged ending that truly moved me. I confess to shedding tears at various junctures in the story. A masterful writer possesses the ability to translate emotions onto paper, and this author accomplished that with exceptional finesse and more.
When I say run don’t walk to get this book I mean it.