I love a good cozy fantasy and this one fit the bill! I had so much fun reading this and didn't want it to end. So much fun.

I loved the is a cozy fantasy novel feel that this book gave me. I thought the world it was set in was very unique and was what drew me into the story the most.
I had to dnf this book at around 30 percent. It just wasn't for me. I could feel that the story was underdeveloped and a little bit insta love. Which are two things I don't like that much.
I also do not love some of the stereotypes I have heard are in this book.

I need my cozy, queer fantasy novels to have a bit less spice. I’m not used to it especially without a little more relationship build up. I know the couple has a bit of history but man I felt Margot and Yael both deserved a little more romance.
Otherwise it was an easy read. And we could all wish the real world was as inclusive to all people and family types as this book.

Yael Clauneck and Margot Greenwillow were the best of friends, but Margot and her family moved away suddenly and she never communicated with Yael again. Yael still struggles with the loss of that friendship, but then again, they struggle with a lot of things. Like their family’s wealth and power in the Queendom, how ruthless their parents seem to be, and how little Yael wants to be a part of their wealth-generating industry in the Copper Court. It’s their destiny, but Yael’s spent plenty of their life shirking responsibility and decides they can’t go along with their arranged marriage, or their indenture to The Clauneck Company, or the Clauneck patron, a demon who thrives on offerings and gives out some magical ability in return.

Margot has actual magic in her. She can grow just about anything–it’s the only reason she still has a home, since her frivolous parents frittered away the fortune her Granny Fern amassed making tinctures and tonics. Granny Fern built an entire community in Bloomfield, filled with people of all types who worked as a collective, a far cry from the wealth and opulence in the city. Margot inherited her greenhouses when Granny Fern died and she’s been trying to keep the magic going, and the town from falling into her parent’s debt to the Clauneck Company.

Margot must produce a Natural Caster potion by the end of the next summer or the Claunecks will descend on Bloomfield and take everything–the houses and fields, regardless of who’s working and living there–to satisfy the debt. Having Yael show up at the bar in Bloomfield, just as Margot is losing her grip on managing her problems, seems like the cruelest of jokes. But, Margot sees her old friend, and their youthful crushes are re-ignited. Though Yael has no money or skills, they’re willing to work for Margot just for the chance to reconnect–and remain hidden from their parents a while longer.

This is a sweet and interesting fantasy romance with lots of magic, some good intrigue, and characters finding their true measure in the heart of another. I like both Yael and Margot, and how they work together, bickering and badgering each other into doing new and good things, making good choices, and finding real connection. Their fall into real love is fraught by the secrets they both keep, but their feelings are the real deal–so much so that they are willing to sacrifice their own personal happiness to ensure the well-being of the other.

The setting was really a showstopper, and I felt like I was entrenched in this world of magic, masquerade, and money from the beginning. I was intrigued in the characters, and found their plights and traumas to be rich and layered. Yael doesn’t believe they are worth much, as that’s what they’ve always been told–to look pretty and agree. So, they’re not willing to let Margot give up Bloomfield for them. But, maybe they could help save Bloomfield from their family? And then perhaps Margot would consider being their mate? And, Margot feels terrible for her choices, specifically holding back on Yael regarding the dire straits the Clauneck’s and her own parents have left for her to sort out.

I found this a charming and inventive story, with lots of gentle humor. I loved the ups and downs of it all. Yael and Margot find true love and purpose as they save each other and their town. If nothing else, the plant magic, mechanical horses, and barely clad midnight escapes were worth reading.

what a fun cozy fantasy romance read!! childhood friends to lovers is a favorite trope of mine, and i loved how this was done! i loved the casual queernormative-ness of the world as well as the way the characters explored the magic system. some really excellent sapphic romance here at its heart, and a warm fuzzy happy ending that i adored. would love to read more from these two authors for sure!

The book had a very cozy, low-stakes fantasy feel to it. The magic system is not too involved, both in how it functions and how present it is in the story. I liked the alternating viewpoints of Yael and Margot, but definitely preferred Margot. Several tropes include blossoming romance between reunited childhood friends, miscommunication, and sweeping self-sacrifice without discussion. The miscommunications toward the end were a little annoying and took a while to resolve. I did think that the first third of the book was a little slow, but did contribute to the relaxed nature of the story. Overall, this is a calming fantasy that still has a compelling conflict, along with some romance. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a light-hearted fantasy read with mild amounts of drama.

I want to preface this review by saying that I wasn't aware of the controversy surrounding the book/authors prior to reading and completing the book. While I did enjoy the book, I wouldn't feel comfortable recommending this book until I do more research on the accusations being made. Thank you, NetGalley!

Jamie Pacton and Rebecca Podos have partnered again to bring us this thought provoking, romantasy with NB rep. I was impressed by their world building and overall romance plot elements. Thoroughly enjoyed!

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Del Rey and NetGalley for providing an eARC for a honest review.

Thank you to Del Ray & NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately, this was a DNF for me. I was initially intrigued by the premise, and I generally enjoy cozy fantasy and sapphic romances, so I was excited for this one. The beginning seemed interesting enough, and I was enjoying the first main character Yael - I don't often get to read fantasy/romantasy books with nonbinary main characters, so I was immediately drawn to Yael. After being introduced to this character, with a very explicitly Jewish/Hebrew name, I became curious if the authors were Jewish, and did some digging online.

This is when I discovered the controversy surrounding this book. I realized that the blurb from NetGalley, which is what initially drew me to the book, had been changed, and the first sentence shocked me: "Yael Clauneck is the only scion of an obscenely wealthy banking family with its fingers in every pie in the realm." On it's own, this isn't necessarily a crazy statement, but combined with the character's Jewish name - as well as a last name that is literally a 'demon of wealth' - it paints a disturbing picture rooted in antisemetic conspiracy theories. After learning about this, I read the first chapter again with fresh eyes, and discovered even more of these antisemetic tropes; at one point, Yael's father tells them, "We Claunecks are the uncrowned monarchs of Harrow. Lenders to queens, cousins to the highest judges in the land, keepers of the keys to the country's economy. Nothing moves in the kingdom without flowing through us." Once again, if this story had not been intrinsically tied with a Jewish-inspied character and family, it would not necessarily be a problem.

I am incredibly shocked and saddened to know that one of the authors, Rebecca Podos, is Jewish herself. I don't think it was a malicious choice, but definitely an ignorant one. I honestly don't know how this got through the editing and publishing process without being called out, as these antisemetic tropes/conspiracy theories are quite well-known and understood to be harmful. Since DNFing this book, I have seen the authors' statements regarding the backlash. I absolutely do not condone the harassment spewed towards the authors, nor the anti-Palestine & Zionist statements being used in the argument, but I do believe that the authors and publisher should be held accountable for the harm they may be causing with this story.

I am, overall, incredibly disappointed by Homegrown Magic. What seemed to be a wholesome and promising story of sapphic love and cozy magic has been thoroughly soured. I hope that the authors learn from this, and are more sensitive towards potentially-racist stereotypes & tropes in the future.

i'm not sure why, but i found this one pretty difficult to get into. i started rereading and starting over and over again. i'm not your average fantasy reader, though - i picked this one out to read because i was promised an nb character and a sapphic romance, both of which i haven't ever really seen within the fantasy genre at large.

i think, for most, this is going to be a perfect cozy, witchy read.

yael is the heir to a banking family and they want no part in it, that is - they want no part in a predetermined lifestyle without risk and reward or without interest and adventure. so they flee and they flee right back into a town here margot, a childhood friend, dwells. margot's struggling financially and it turns out the issue resides in yael's family and their wealth and power. she's desperately trying to find a magical answer to all of her problems.

there was a lot to say in this book about capitalism and the way the wealthy prey on the power, both by large extensions of power and by lies and manipulation. i thought that was a cool inclusion in a fantasy world. i desperately wish that i was engaged with this book, but honestly the romance read confusing and i didn't see the attraction between the two characters. margot is kind of dense and doesn't understand her own agency and i couldn't figure out why yael would be attracted to her. yael is also dense in their own way, unable to fathom how they could be perpetuating the capitalistic tendencies of this society and eh. i mostly checked out at the excessive amount of sex scenes. to be clear, there weren't too many of them, but without seeing the chemistry between these two i was mostly checked out of the entire book.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this eARC.

Homegrown Magic follows childhood friends Yael and Margot, who reconnect after Yael runs away from their graduation.

On the whole, I think Homegrown Magic was cozy and cute, rich with the exact kind of cottagecore witchy vibes you want from a book that promises cottagecore witchy vibes. None of the dialogue or plot points were too cringey to pull me out of the book, which is always a plus when it comes to reads that seem to target aesthetic tropes right out of the gate.

Astonishingly, though, Yael's character and history fully leaned into some antisemitic tropes that were not only unexpected but also definitely not necessary at all to the story at large. This unfortunately overshadows any good things the book has going for itself, and is frankly shocking to see.

4 stars – A sweet, magical story with a fresh perspective

Homegrown Magic by Jamie Pacton and Rebecca Podos was a delightful surprise. This was the first book I’ve read with a narrator who uses they/them pronouns for themself. While it took me a little time to adjust at the beginning—more because I'm not used to processing they/them in my own internal narration—it quickly became natural. It didn’t distract from the story at all. In fact, it was refreshing to read a perspective like this and see it so seamlessly woven into the character's voice.

The story was sweet and tender, centered around Yael (I pronounced it like Yale in my head) and Margot. Their relationship felt genuine, and I appreciated how the magical elements were balanced with grounded emotional moments. There was a particular twist involving a natural caster potion that I didn’t see coming. It added depth and surprise in just the right way.

The world-building was rich, especially in describing settings like castles, secret gardens, and natural spaces. The authors brought the environments to life with beautiful detail, especially regarding flowers and plants.

Overall, this was a really enjoyable read with lovely writing and a warm, inclusive heart. I’m glad I picked it up.

Right now, the world is in dire need of a chance to escape, and Homegrown Magic provides the perfect place to disappear to. The cover first drew me to this book, but the words inside delivered on the promise of cozy vibes, tantalizing romance, and the perfect magic promised by a DnD inspired world. From the opening chapters, Yael and Margot bring so much character and life to the world - you care about the conflicts that drive them together, and break for those same conflicts that threaten to rip them apart.

Once friends as they faced the rich world neither totally belonged in, Yael and Margot are virtually strangers when Yael, in face of a lifetime in the service of their rich and powerful family, flees their graduation party on a drunken notion of finding an adventure and stumbles into Bloomfield. Bloomfield, where'd they'd last seen Margot at the age of thirteen before it had became Margot's entire world, her reason for existing, and the cause of all of her current anxieities. Their friendship slips into new territory as they help each other see themselves for who they really are outside of the parents and legacies that put them on their current paths.

This book provided the perfect mix of romance, magic, and joy for escapism, but if you're looking for anything particularly groundbreaking, you might be disappointed.

Despite my enjoyment, I hesitate to recommend this book due to potential anti-semitic content highlighted by other reviewers and encourage readers to research this issue with perspectives more educated than my own.

I had high hopes for this, and after the first few chapters I felt like it was going to work really well for me. I liked the characters and the way the story was being set up, and I felt excited to continue. After that, though, my enjoyment fizzled out really quickly. I didn't find myself as invested in the characters or the story as I was hoping at the start. I could feel my mind wandering while reading, so I decided to DNF.

A delightfully cozy queer fantasy. Slow at times but I appreciated the non-binary representation and cottagecore magical elements. The central mystery/conflict did not hold my attention as much as the relationship between Yael and Margot. I appreciated their growth, particularly Yael's, throughout the book - both individually and as a couple.

This had the cozy fantasy setup I usually love, gardens, quiet magic, and a soft queer romance... but it didn’t quite hit for me.

I liked the idea, the plot itself was pretty cute and it has your typical cozy fantasy anticapitalist theme. Margot’s plant magic was cool, and the dual POV had potential, but I ultimately found myself not caring for Yael and not really rooting for the romance between them.

A nice cozy fantasy that some might enjoy, but it didn’t hold my attention.

DNFed at 33%. While I found the setting to be adorable and cozy fantasy. The characters were lacking for me. The main character is a rich entitled party boy who doesn't even know how to make tea at the age of 23? The other main character has put her parents into a permanent sleep because they didn't care for her or their property how they should. I just didn't have empathy for either of these characters. So, I DNFed.

While the beginning of the book felt like it may be a chore to get through, as we got to know more about Yael and met Margot, they and their relationship became a compelling story that kept me reading, and left me wanting more.

Yael Clauneck was the heir of a rich and powerful family. There were expectations of them as they matured into adulthood, and they wanted none of it.

Margot Greenwillow was already living out a life dictated by her family. Her parents had essentially lost everything to their landlords, and the only reprieve was for Margot to finish her plant-magic grandmother's most powerful spell - to help those with minimal natural-born magic be able to achieve its greater effects. Her great sense of love and responsibility for the village was what kept her working to meet her goal in time.

When Yael tries to escape their pampered life and hide out from their responsibilities, they find themself in the village with Margot. Yael and Margot were childhood friends, when their parents moved in the same social circles. While they have fond memories of their interactions then, they need to see past their current reputations to see if a friendship (or more?) is salvageable.

The evolution of the characters and their relationship was so warm and engaging, and I can't wait for the next book. This cozy queer romance earned 5 out of 5 stars and would be recommended for those who enjoy fantasy, romance, and stories about magic.

This book is cozy. It was a before-bed read for me on my Kindle. I think that is a bad combination. Instead of it being a cozy escape for me it was relatively low plot, high vibes that left me with a lack of compulsion and interest in getting in to the story. I would recommend reading this on a rainy day, under a blanket if you’re looking for a cozy, queer escape set in and around a lot of gardens. Read it before bed if you want to fall asleep.

This book is told in dual perspectives. We have Yael who is born into a royal family in this society. Their family is rich and snobby. On the other hand, we have Margot who is trying to eek out a living in the countryside after the death of her grandmother, who was a beloved and talented plant witch, and the poor management by her parents of her grandmother’s estate. Margot knows that everything her grandmother built stands to be lost due to her parents’ poor decisions and, who would they be lost to you ask? Why Yael’s family, of course.

Yael ends up getting fed up with her life and runs away. She, by chance, ends up in Margot’s orbit (they were friends as children when Margot’s family was doing well) and the two grow their relationship while also growing Margot’s gardens. The book goes on to explore how each solve their own problems and how they come together in doing so. It was atmospheric but slow in pace which left me, at times, a little lost and a little apathetic.

Homegrown Magic is a cozy fantasy about two people who find each again while also discovering who they are. Margot and Yael are lovely people and I really enjoyed seeing the growth of their relationship and confidence. I found the magic world very interesting. I did think it could’ve been shorter.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.