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.

When I tell people about this book, I tell them how it was such a fun, cute, cozy read from start to finish! All the characters were super enjoyable and I am in love with the world that Sydney J. Shields brought to life. I wish I had better words than “cozy” to describe it but that’s really such an accurate description. I plan on checking out more of her books because of how much I loved this one.

4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Slow-burn, sapphic, and just the right amount of suspense. Shields did a wonderful job of fleshing out her characters, showing their motives, and hinting at what was to come. I was tearing through the pages to see how the story would end, and while I hope to see more of Marigold and Lottie, the end of this story left me feeling cozy and content.

Amazing story! I loved the characters and really connected with their journey. It really inspired me to be more intentionally cozy.

This was a DNF. I just wasn't feeling it. I've heard mixed things about it so I didn't feel like pushing through. A lot of readers who enjoy cozy fantasy may enjoy this! It just wasn't for me. Love that it's sapphic though! I would consider listening to an audiobook from this author in the future, depending on the plot.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.

This was very much a cosy read. Unfortunately it wasn't for me.

just started reading (managed to get my paws on a copy of the gorgeous YELLOW sprayed edges from Fairyloot) and my goodness this is quite beautiful.

If I had to recommend one cozy fantasy novel, this would be it. This book stole my heart and the characters live rent-free in my mind. The main characters remind me of my great grandmother and it warmed my heart to it's core every time she appeared on the page. I loved the opposites attract trope and the ending was so heartwarming!

This book was like a warm hug--I was captured right away. The characters were vibrant and caught my attention. I connected with them so deeply. I'll be rereading this one and it is a permanent fixture on my shelf.

I really wanted to like this book and I gave it a good try. I had to DNF at 60%. Marigold was an insufferable main character to me. She did not question anything that she needed to. The romance was not even believable to me. Going from hating each other to love so quickly did not work.
The prose is beautiful but not enough to keep me going.

really wanted to like this (sapphic witchy vibes?! yes, please) but... it is just so boring. i can't get into it at all. the vibes were there, it could be a lot more interesting & readable, though.

I loved this story!
The romance felt alittle too love at first sight, but it was cute nonetheless! Loved the plot. I saw some people promote this as a cozy book, I would have to disagree with that.
But basically I’m down for any witchy book with a great story, and this definitely fit the bill for me!