LOVE LOVE LOVED!! Jamie Paxton and Rebecca Podos really know how to captive a reader and transport them into another world. Another reason this captivates me in particular beacause how beautifully it was written.

Homegrown Magic is a delightful, magical coming-of-age story that blends friendship, family, and self-discovery with a touch of enchantment. Pacton and Podos craft a captivating world where magic feels real and relatable, while exploring themes of identity and belonging. With vibrant characters and an engaging plot, this heartwarming novel is perfect for fans of magical realism and stories of personal growth.

This queer cozy romantasy tells the the story of Yael, a carefree heir to a rich and powerful family, and their childhood friend Margot, whose family fell on hard times and is now trying her hardest to save what remains. It's an interesting set up, but alas it didn't quite hit the mark for me. The problem with Yael being the carefree, fun-loving juxtaposition to Margot's nose-constantly-to-the-grindstone is that it's very easy to cross over into being an obnoxious spoiled brat, which happened more than once imo. There were just too many times when Yael came off as downright rude in not getting at all how stressed Margot was or recognizing how tough her life was. And that in turn made it hard for me to believe Margot was so attracted to Yael, especially from the beginning.

I also didn't love how the book relied on lazy storytelling, such as Margot not telling Yael certain information for no real reason other than it helped serve the plot. I also wish we got more world building, especially around how magic worked in the world.

That said, the book is great for spicy love scenes! There were also a few interesting twists at various points. And it creates a very queer-normative world, which is always nice to see.

This was a cute and quick read for me. Though it did still take me a few days to get through, life ya know... happens. I really did enjoy this story. Makes me want to go back and read The Ex Hex and the Charming Cove series again!

Cute and sweet romantic fantasy, with plant and garden themes that I always adore to see in books. Felt very fantasy with all the words and places that made me feel as if i was reading an old legend.

I found this story to be quite sweet and wholesome. I enjoyed the representation here for the LGBTQIA+ community. I fell in love with Bloomfield and shared the journey the characters went on. The writing is quite descriptive and vivid. If you’re looking for a small town vibe with a touch of adventure and a cute romantic story, this is well worth the read!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the ARC.

If you are looking for a queer, magical, cozy fantasy with lovable characters, look no further! Yael is searching for a life beyond the wealth they were born into. They hastily decide to flee to Bloomington, and stumble upon their childhood friend, Margot. Margot remembers their childhood crush at first sight, but has to stay focused on saving the town she loves so dearly.

I was immersed into this cottage-core town through the author’s descriptive prose. I especially appreciated the queer and nonbinary representation! Our love interests were incredibly charming. The story flowed very nicely and I was absolutely hooked from the start.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The first half of the book felt like 5 stars for me. I loved the setting, characters, representation, etc. As the story went on, though, it started to fall flat. It felt like the author was putting more effort into the “cozy” vibes and not nearly enough effort into the plot. There were a lot of time jumps over parts of the story that could have helped expand the world more. The magic system should have been given more time or weight in the story. It felt glossed over to the point that I couldn’t get a grip on it. I wasn’t entirely sure whether Margot was powerful or not because it seemed like she was only whatever served the plot at the time.

Overall, I’d give this 3.5 stars so I’ll be rounding up to 4 here. I enjoyed reading it for the cozy vibes and characters, but still wish it had more for me to hold onto.

Thanks to Del Rey and NetGalley for the eArc.

This is a nice, cozy read. It's perfect for spring. I enjoyed the LGBTQ representation and the estranged friends to lovers trope. Not a typical read for me, but it was enjoyable.

However, the book suffered from a lack of larger worldbuilding. I know very little about this world and how it works. Some people are natural casters, and some have patrons that give them power. But that is about all I know. I would have loved to explore that more.

I would recommend it if you want a low stakes, Sapphic fantasy with great spring/garden vibes. But it's definitely not for high fantasy lovers.

This review is scheduled to go live on Instagram on 3/18/25 and I will update this post once it does.

Home Grown Magic by Rebecca Podos and Jamie Pacton, releases on 3/25/25

Wealthy heir Yael Clauneck flees their stifling life of privilege and reunites with Margot Greenwillow, a plant witch struggling to save her family’s magic remedies business. As their mutual attraction grows, they must navigate rekindled feelings, personal transformation, and the relentless efforts of Yael’s family to bring them back.

This I went into not being sure what to expect, and ended up really enjoying it. It’s an angsty-ish romance between a plant witch and a runaway heir to a wealthy and powerful family. And each of them have their secrets and traumas (though none of it is due to homophobia or transphobia) and insecurities that they have to muddle through to figure out if they can find a way to be together.

It’s a really lovely story, really sweet and kind of sad and beautifully told.

I have two somewhat minor gripes with the plot. The first is that I got to a point early on where I kind of realize how one of the plot lines is going to shake out, though I didn’t know the exact details. And the second problem that I have is much later in the book where people start being overly dramatic and it’s just like, okay, y’all. Calm down. And everyone eventually comes to their senses and everything resolves like you expect it to and it’s very sweet.

This all to say that the journey of how they get from where they are to where they end up is a beautifully written story full of characters with so much personality, even if the beginning and ending are a little rote.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for a copy of this book. This review is honest and my own.

I finished Home Grown Magic. I'd say it was along the lines of a slightly spicier Can't Spell Treason Without Tea. One MC is a plant witch trying to save her town. The other is her former childhood best friend- non-binary, from the rich (but greedy) family who is threatening the town. The town is the best part. There's a book seller, a baker, a woman who sells inventions, a cozy pub, a winery, a plant witch with seven greenhouses... They do communal dinner every other week and everyone pitches in.

It's a soft pick for me. Once the character growth started I really enjoyed the book. The town is full of all sorts of fun background characters, and I hope we get more of them in the second book.

I !! Love !! This !! So !! Much !!
Thank you for the chance to read the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Let me start off by saying this is the cutest witchy cottage-core story I have read so far!! The main characters chemistry was chefs kiss 💋 and I hope there is another book in the works because I love the writing.

Former friends to lovers with witchy, cottagecore vibes in this cozy fantasy. Margot is trying to save the family legacy and town. Yael is trying to find their path outside of their family's expectations.

Such a sweet and cozy fantasy romance! The characters were lovable and the plot was perfect for a low-stakes fantasy. The two authors' voices complemented each other so well and it blended beautifully. I don't typically enjoy cozy romance or fantasy novels but this was absolutely delightful from start to finish!

I really wanted to like this, and I'm sad to say it fell flat for me. It had all the right stuff (cozy gay fantasy), but I really couldn't get past the writing style. Everything just droned on and ran together for me. But this easily could be a me thing, or maybe I was never in the right mood, because I can definitely see the charm and how this would work for other people.

“I have been choosing you everyday for four months now.”
“Their grin is all wickedness, infectious as root rot.”

NOTHING beats a masquerade ball scene and everything that follows had me in a chokehold. The alter scene?? Wow.

I love the queer cozy cottagecore-ness of the story. Low stakes and deeply comforting, for the most part. I also love how the queerness of the story is never a point of contention, it’s just an accepted aspect of the world.

I struggled with the info dump of an exposition. Following the description of the country was nearly impossible and I wish the authors went more into the magic system and how Margo’s grows. I thought it all tied up far too nicely with the imposing power of the Clauneck’s for it to end the way it did, but it’s cute and charming and it doesn’t need to be more than that.

And I would do anything for a second story following a pairing the story alluded too with ridiculous chemistry.

I adored this Book!!!’

The story is a warm, enchanting blend of queer romance and cozy fantasy. It follows Margot, a plant witch trying to save her village, and Yael, her nonbinary childhood friend, as their slow-burn romance unfolds against the charming, cottagecore backdrop of Bloomfield.

The LGBTQ+ representation is beautifully done—Yael’s identity is fully accepted, and Margot’s pansexuality adds depth to her character. Their chemistry feels natural and earned, with a few thoughtfully crafted spicy scenes. While I wished for more on-page magic, the story’s heart lies in its themes of love, community, and found family.

This book balances whimsy with emotional depth, including a well-handled third-act breakup that allows both characters to grow. If you love cozy fantasy, queer joy, and heartfelt romance, Homegrown Magic is a must-read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine

Homegrown Magic by Jamie Pacton & Rebecca Podos 🌱✨💖

Homegrown Magic is everything you could want in a cozy queer fantasy: tender romance, found family, and just the right dash of whimsy. Yael and Margot’s story feels like a cup of tea on a rainy day—warm, sweet, and unexpectedly magical. 🍵🌧️

Yael, the runaway heir with no practical skills but a heart full of yearning, collides beautifully with Margot, the determined plant witch holding her family’s legacy together. Their friends-to-lovers chemistry? Absolutely to die for. The awkwardness, the pining, the sparks—it’s chef’s kiss.

And can we talk about the vibes? A lush greenhouse full of enchanted plants, a rivalry between powerful families, and magic that feels as alive as the characters. Every detail feels like stepping into a world you’ll never want to leave. 🌸🌿

But don’t be fooled by the coziness—there’s drama aplenty with meddling parents and high-stakes decisions. The romance blooms just as naturally as Margot’s magic, and the result is a story that’s heartfelt, enchanting, and delightfully queer.

Rating: 5/5 🌟
If you love friends-to-lovers, garden magic, and sapphic longing, this book is your next must-read. 🪴✨

Thank you to NetGalley, Jamie Paction, Rebecca Podos, and Random House for the eARC of this book!

This book will be a great fit for those who like cozy queer D&D style fantasies. I appreciated the non-binary protagonist and thought this would be a fun read for me but I struggled to get into it personally.

very cute and cozy romance. I liked the relationship between Yael and Margot - it was so sweet! the only constructive criticism I'd like to give is regarding the beginning: this book was pretty hard to get into. I'm not sure if it was the prose or the character's point of view, but I had a difficult time getting invested initially (it might've just been me!). Overall really enjoyed my time with this book and think other folks who enjoy queer cozy fantasy romance would have a blast with it! 3.5 stars total!

₊˚ʚ 🌱 ₊˚✧ ﾟ. COTTAGECORE COZY FANTASY ROMANCE WITH FARMING GAME VIBES ₊˚ʚ 🌱 ₊˚✧ ﾟ.

Oh, boy. This was just a superb type of book. I seriously want to read it again for the first time. If you're looking for a cozy fantasy romance, this for sure will be something you would adore. If you loved The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst, hands down you need to read this book when it comes out.

🧺🍓🍄🌿🌻

I don't want to give anything away because it hasn't come out yet, so the only thing I will say is that it's adorable, fun, romantic, and feels like a warm hug. It's about a plant witch and a flirty runaway heir who reunite in a small town. There's a slow-burn romance, strawberries, lots of tea, remedies, pining, masquerade balls, and cute dialogue.