I finished this book in one sitting , that is how addictive it is. If you are even a SLIGHT fan of cozy fantasy or cozy romantasy, you need to read this IMMEDIATELY. It was adorable, comforting, with a redemption arc I desperately needed. Also features some of my favorite tropes like found family and grumpy/sunshine.

This was so sweet and cozy and magical. I loved the plants and the found family and the dragon lore. Violet was so likable and I loved a grumpy MMC, plus the banter and the puns were so much fun. I definitely recommend this cozy witchy read.

Umm excuse me, Hello?!?!!!!! Where has this book been all my life.

I just wanted everyone to know I had zero expectations going into this book. If I’m being 100% honest I requested this book because the cover is adorable. But HOLY GUACAMOLE!!! THIS FREAKING BOOK GUYS. I’m seriously blown away and to top it off this is a debut novel for Emily Krempholtz.

Violet Thistlewaite is Not The Villain Anymore is seriously my top cozy fantasy read of 2025. I seriously haven’t fell in love with a cozy fantasy read since I read The House in the Cerulean Sea. I cannot express enough how whimsical and magical this book was. It is full of romance, magic, love, family, friendship, and second chances!

To give you guys a basic summary. Our story follows Violet, or Thornwitch. She recently left the life of villainy behind to start over and “do good”. On her journey of starting over she decides to rent and open a flower shop. Where she meets her new landlord and grump alchemist, Nathaniel. The two butt heads, but after a mysterious blight comes to town seeking to destroy their way of life the two must work together to save their home.

I feel like there aren’t enough words to stress how much I loved this book. Our main characters are easy to relate to. They both have such emotional depths that you can’t help but fall head over heels in love with them. The romance so sweet and genuine. I shipped our grumpy v sunshine couple from beginning to end. The side characters were also spectacular. I was so invested and cared so deeply for every single one of them. To the point where I need spin off books for all of them.

In all seriousness if you can’t already tell this is a 5⭐️ read. And I need everyone to check this book out when it releases November 18, 2025. I for one will be immediately purchasing a trophy copy upon its release. Lastly big Thank you to NetGalley, author Emily Krempholtz and Berkley Publishing Group for this digital advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book was everything I didn’t know I needed—a cozy redemption arc with a splash of spice and just enough magic to keep things interesting (without making my brain feel like it had to memorize a fantasy glossary).

Violet’s trying really hard not to be a villain anymore, and watching her stumble her way toward softness and second chances was so deeply satisfying. Also? The grumpy alchemist she's stuck sharing a greenhouse with? Yeah. I see you, Nathaniel. The tension, the banter, the mutual pining—it’s all delicious.

And look, I’m not usually one to fall for sentient houseplants or cursed plagues, but somehow it all works here. The magical elements add flavor without overpowering the real heart of the story: figuring out who you want to be when your past won’t stop whispering that you’re still the worst version of yourself.

This book is sweet, sharp, and just a little spicy—like the literary equivalent of cinnamon whiskey in a teacup. I adored it.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review—Violet, I’d help you bury a body.

I adored this book! This was such a cozy and fun book!
I really enjoyed seeing the thought process of Violet when she is battling with being good and her magic problems.
This author did such a wonderful job of showcasing the healing from trauma and the things some people go through. Violet is such a complex character, and I really liked seeing her character development throughout this book!
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for providing me with the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book was so fun!! It captivated my imagination and attention. The characters were lovable, including a knife-loving plant! AND everyone drank tea.

Violet’s character progressed well on her healing journey and showed a great amount of bravery.

So thankful I was able to read this ARC!

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley. Fun book about finding out who we can be when we’re courageous enough to start over and to accept support and love.

4.5 stars

I’m always a sucker for a cozy fantasy/romantasy and this book was exactly what I hoped it would be!
I loved how Violet reinvented herself and learned what she was capable of on her own. I really felt for her and the way she was constantly doubting whether or not she could truly be “good”but she was still so upbeat and cheerful to everyone around her.
Nathaniel was the perfect grumpy alchemist who didn’t trust Violet at first. Despite that I absolutely loved their banter and the way they were so drawn to each other. The moment Nathaniel finally gave in and admitted his feelings to Violet had me giggling and kicking my feet. They were so cute together and I loved the way they helped each other with their magic and worked together.
This book was so fun and is perfect if you’re a fan of
-cozy fantasy
-found family
-grumpy/sunshine
-small town
-magical creatures

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC!!

What a fun romp this has been! Love the humour and dialogue. The fact that the cover is absolutely GORGEOUS doesn't hurt, either.

Charming, cozy, and full of heart, Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore is a delightful tale of redemption, second chances, and slow-burn romance. Violet’s journey from feared witch to beloved florist is funny, sweet, and surprisingly emotional. Her dynamic with grumpy alchemist Nathaniel is a perfect opposites-attract setup, and the magical town of Dragon’s Rest is pure comfort. A few pacing dips aside, this is a warm hug of a fantasy with just the right amount of spice and whimsy.

I really enjoyed this book. The story was so sweet and touching. I loved the cozy feeling it gave and getting to see the characters healing journey. It also had the best vibes. I loved Violets character. She was so sweet. Bartleby was my favorite character though lol! It was cheesy at times and I found a few grammatical errors but other than that I had a good time!

This is the blurb I just sent the author:

"Charming, deeply romantic, and kind - Violet Thistlewaite's journey of redemption is a cozy delight." - Stephanie Burgis, author of Wooing the Witch Queen

Just lovely!

DNF at 60%. Nowhere in the description is there any hint that there is explicit sexual content, and I don't dig it, so I'm not finishing. Otherwise, there's also lgbt representation. Slow action. The MMC is very flat.

Thank you to Ace and NetGalley for a gifted ebook to read and review.

Change is in *full bloom* for Violet Thistlewaite.

As the pseudo-daughter of the infamous villain Shadowfade, Violet Thistlewaite was better known by those she terrorized as the Thornwitch. Once Shadowfade is killed, Violet wants to leave her past behind and become a witch that uses plants for beauty instead of destruction. Along with her murderous plant Bartleby, she opens a flower shop in Dragon's Rest that shares its property with the Marsh twins' family apothecary. Grumpy former alchemist Nathaniel Marsh is reluctant to let this new woman into his life, but her quiet spark for life endears her to the rest of the village.

A truly cozy fantasy, I found myself getting lost in the world Dragon's Rest while also getting the bits of everyone's past that filled in the blanks. The whole premise grabbed me from the get-go and kept me engaged until the end. The main characters are all fully developed, and the chemistry between the two leads is sizzling. I wish that I could go get flowers from Rough Around the Hedges right now!

The adorableness of Peri and Daisy together makes my heart melt, as well as wanting a graphic novel of their adventures together.

Clearly leaving the door open for a sequel, this book will delight fantasy and non-fantasy fans alike.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing I Ace for the opportunity to read this book for free in exchange for my honest review.

Here's a rewritten version of your review in your own words:

This book was such a delightful and heartwarming read! I absolutely adored it. It felt like a breath of fresh air – truly unique and captivating. It's packed with comforting moments, romance, fantasy elements, love, friendship, second chances, and overall happiness. I especially loved the main character, Violet Thistlewaite, a plant witch who decides to open a flower shop in a small town and encounters Nathaniel, a rather grumpy alchemist.

Even though it's a light and cozy story, it has a surprising amount of emotional depth as the story unfolds. This was a fantastic and easy book to get through. It made me think and left me feeling joyful. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking for a wonderful fantasy read! It's a 5 out of 5 stars for me!

Thank you to NetGalley, Emily Krempholtz, and Berkley Publishing Group | Ace for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Violet Thistlewaite is Not a Villain Anymore -- the heart of the story is right there in the title! Violet is a powerful witch who used her powers for terror and destruction as a side kick to the ultimate bad guy. Now that he's gone, she's moved into a small village and is trying to start over as the owner of a flower shop. But her landlord doesn't seem to like her, and it's hard to keep covering up the past. Can she "be good" and make her new life a success? This is a sweet, cozy romantasy, easy to read and enjoy.

"Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore" by Emily Krempholtz is a delightful cozy fantasy following a grumpy alchemist and a powerful plant witch. There's nothing I like more than a good cozy fantasy, and this one fit the bill perfectly with its quirky characters, fabulous small-town setting, slow-burn romance, and great world-building.

Can a leopard change its spots? Can evil truly change its ways? That’s the heart of this charming book. Violet Thistlewaite was once the formidable Thornwitch and the right hand of Guy Shadowfade, an evil sorcerer. After his death, she decides to start over and be good, settling in the quaint town of Dragon’s Rest. She opens a flower shop, doing her best to keep her sentient (and mildly homicidal) houseplant Bartleby—and her dark magic - in check.

Her bouquets and sunny disposition win over the welcoming townsfolk, except her grumpy landlord, Nathaniel Marsh, who has issues of his own. The plot thickens when an evil alchemist arrives in town and a mysterious blight begins threatening every living plant in Dragon’s Rest. What follows is a whimsical tale with a touch of mystery thrown in for good measure.

I loved this book and didn’t want it to end. Written in dual third-person POV, we get immersed in the characters’ worlds and inner reflections. There are a couple of morally gray characters, and even the evil sorcerer isn’t entirely one-dimensional. He’s manipulative and abusive, playing on Violet’s mind and emotions—making her believe she was worthless, unloved, and nothing without him. While he seemed to care for her in his own twisted way, he ultimately used her and her magic to serve his dark purposes.

I adored the dynamic between the characters and the witty notes exchanged via the shop signs - not to mention the chapter titles and flower graphics, which completely captured my heart. Amidst the romance and adventure is a thread that runs through the main characters: a message about knowing and embracing who you really are. The book also explores themes of identity, low self-image, abuse, rising above your circumstances, second chances, fresh starts, friendship, community, found family, redemption, and love. One may not escape their past, but they can sure shape their future.

Rock goblins, a sentient plant, a dog named Daisy, Jerome the Gnome, and other quirky characters add to the book’s charm. This is a feel-good novel - engrossing and sweeping - that leaves you warm inside, with wonderful characters you can truly connect with and care about. I loved every minute of it and highly recommend it. While the author tied up most of the loose ends, a couple remain - hopefully hinting at another book on the horizon. Full stars from me!

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.

This book is just cute 4 1/2 stars. It is a cozy read with a little spice. This is the kind of book that you read when you need cheering up or just do not want anything serious. Hoping for a sequel.

Violet Thistlewaite is Not a Villain Anymore is a heartwarming and surprisingly tender story that explores what happens after someone has played the “villain” role for too long—and decides they want to change. Violet’s journey is filled with emotional depth, moments of quiet humor, and a gentle reminder that people are more than the worst things they've done.

What stood out most to me was how the book tackled healing from trauma with care and honesty. It never felt heavy-handed, but the message was clear: growth is possible, forgiveness matters (especially self-forgiveness), and we all deserve a chance to rewrite our stories. Violet is complex and endearing, and her transformation is both believable and inspiring.

This was a sweet, affirming read with strong emotional undercurrents, perfect for readers who enjoy character-driven stories with a touch of redemption.

Emily Krempholtz' debut cozy fantasy, Violet Thistlewaite is Not a Villain Anymore, brings readers into a whimsical world of magical flower shops, sentient houseplants, and second chances. It’s a warm, hopeful tale that explores redemption and identity but something about it made me feel that it didn't quite meet its full potential. The town itself and all of the weird characters MAKE this book. Dragon’s Rest feels like a magical Stars Hollow, filled with charm and cozy potential. I absolutely adored the writing style also.

Violet Thistlewaite, once the formidable Thornwitch and right-hand to the infamous Guy Shadowfade (RIP), wants nothing more than to leave her dark magic behind. Relocating to the charming village of Dragon’s Rest, she opens a flower shop and charms the locals with enchanted bouquets. Enter Nathaniel Marsh: grumpy alchemist, co-greenhouse dweller, and the embodiment of the term “emotionally constipated.” His no-nonsense demeanor is a sharp contrast to Violet’s earnest efforts to bloom where she’s planted.

The central conflict—a magical blight threatening the town’s flora—adds urgency, but doesn’t always feel deeply rooted in the narrative. The stakes are there, but the pacing often meanders, especially in the middle which makes the ending feel a bit rushed for me.

Overall, this is a charming debut with heart and atmosphere. I can see a lot of people LOVING this book especially fans of cozy fantasy and redemption arcs.

Thanks so much to Net Galley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing me with an advanced copy of this book! :)