Margot is a plant-witch/gardener at risk of losing everything she holds dear, including a town full of unsuspecting innocents, if she can't produce an impossible potion. Yael is drowning under the weight of who they're supposed to be, so they run away one night and end up in Margot's town. The two of them are actually old friends who have lost touch. Maybe they're the right combo to save the village and create a bearable life for Yael.
I liked Margot but found Yael to be pretty insufferable. It was a challenge to muster much sympathy for a washed-up partier running from their responsibilities. I really think Margot deserved better. This story deserved better.

As a Stardew Valley lover, I especially loved this book. The romance between Margot and Yael was very sweet, and it was overall a nice book to read. I love a good romantasy, and this was just delightful.

I had such high expectations for this one, and walk away feeling sort of conflicted about where I landed.

❤️ What I loved: I was intrigued by both the setting and magic system, which felt like unique takes in a growing collection of cozy fantasies to come out in the past few years. I thought both characters also had a lot of potential, they both had a good amount of conflict to navigate individually with room for growth, and their relationship had some cute elements. I appreciated the varied representations of queerness in this book also!
💔 What I didn’t love: Unfortunately, something about the romantic and sexual relationship between our main characters wasn’t quite working for me. I’m not sure if it was the pacing, the tone, or their conflict but things just weren’t clicking for me. Aside from the main characters, the supporting cast of side characters felt static or one-dimensional. I think there was potential to build more outside of the main characters and relationship that would have made the world feel richer and more dynamic.

I don’t regret reading this one, and if there’s a second book about some of the side characters, I think I would be interested in picking it up to learn more about the world and characters.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐/5 (3-3.5)

Acknowledgments & Disclaimers ✨ Thank you to NetGalley, Jamie Pacton and Rebecca Podos, and Del Ray for providing an ARC and the opportunity to share an honest review of this book. ✨ All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. ✨ My reviews and ratings strive to evaluate books within their own age-demographic and genre.

One of the worst thing a romance novel can do is make me ask why is any of this happening. It just felt quite strange that Margot wasn't telling Yael about the risk of her cottage being repossessed and the natural caster potion. Yael shows up at the farm and immediately expresses that they don't like their parents. With the history of friendship between these two it just doesn't make sense that Margot wouldn't reveal this information. I think that their were some really fun ideas in here that could have worked, specifically the banding together to throw the fashion show. That was the event that should have been the climax of the book. We should have gotten to see Yael shed their slacker ways to help put on this show and in the process they can fall in love with Margot. There could have been scenes of the townspeople lending a hand and in the end everyone comes together to save the farm. The concept I'm pitching is definitely not reinventing the wheel but it's the romcom/hallmark formula and it works. This didn't work for me but I could see it being a fun time for someone else.

Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a free e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I didn’t hate this, but also it really didn’t left me with much.
It was cute, but in a superficial way
The love story was just there and I wasn’t really into their relationship at all
I haven’t understood the magic system, maybe I’m stupid

I will not be posting my review of this book as I recently learned of many antisemitic tropes present throughout the novel.

Thank you Netgalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really wanted to love this one and I'd say for the first half of the book I was having a lot of fun and was really enjoying it. However the second half fell a little flat for me personally.

I really enjoyed all the DnD references and the cottage core vibes. Sadly, the romance felt a bit rushed and the second half dragged a bit. I was definitely more invested in Margot's storyline of trying to save her town and perfect her grandmother's potion recipes moreso than the romance subplot. I will say the scene at Margot's former manor house was delightful and I'm glad we got to see Margot's full plant magic in action! I would have liked to have seen more or Margot's magic in the book. I also wish there had been a bit more tension between Yael and Margot, for some reason the romance between them just felt a bit forced/rushed.

Overall it was still a fun and cozy read. I think fans of cozy fantasy looking for cottage core vibes and nonbinary rep should check it out!

Honestly was really enjoying this book and was slowly reading through it. The cast of characters was very diverse and I was very interested in the story line, however, I started seeing multiple things about incredibly anti-Semitic undertones and that is a subject I am not knowledgeable enough about to pick up on without doing more research. I am pausing (for now, at least) to find where problems could be or see if things are being blown out of proportion.

I, however, don’t want to push a review entirely to the wayside while I fall down a research rabbit hole. So far, I only see really good things about the book, though.

As much as I wanted to love this one, it ended up being a DNF for me at about 15%.

Cozy fantasy is usually a sweet spot for me, but I just couldn’t stay engaged. I found my mind wandering and kept wanting to reach for something else instead. I really thought it had potential—those first few chapters seemed promising, with characters I was curious about and a setup I usually enjoy. But the spark just didn’t stick, and I wasn’t feeling invested enough to continue.

I also want to acknowledge that there’s been some controversy surrounding the book, including concerns about antisemitic tropes. I’m not an expert and didn’t read far enough to speak to that myself, but I think it’s worth being aware of if you’re considering picking this one up.

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.