⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ / 5 — and 20/5 for that jaw-dropping cover!

"Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore" is everything a cozy fantasy romance should be: magical, emotionally tender, quietly funny, and absolutely bursting with heart—and herbs.

Violet is the reformed villain of my dreams: complex, charming, and trying so hard to be good, even when her snarky, possibly murderous houseplant has other ideas. Her journey to self-forgiveness while navigating a community she desperately wants to belong to had me rooting for her from page one.

Nathaniel Marsh, the grumpy alchemist with a soft center buried beneath layers of cynicism, is the perfect foil. Their slow-burn chemistry—equal parts tension and vulnerability—blooms like one of Violet’s enchanted bouquets. And the way they grudgingly become allies? Chef’s kiss.

The magical blight threatening the town adds just the right dash of stakes, and the lush, sensory-rich worldbuilding makes Dragon’s Rest feel like a place you want to crawl into and live forever.

🌿 Themes I adored:

Redemption arcs that feel earned

Found family and small-town charm

Healing through nature (and literal flower magic)

Enemies-ish to lovers with witty, tender banter

A powerful female lead who gets to rewrite her narrative

And that cover? Utterly spellbinding. Frameable. Iconic. I’d give it 100 stars if I could.

Final verdict: If you love cozy fantasy, morally gray women trying to be better, reluctant allies-to-lovers, or books that feel like a warm hug and a second chance all in one—this is your next favorite read.

I can honestly see myself going back to this book as a comfort read. I will absolutely be picking up a physical copy once it’s released so that I can reread this whenever. The fantasy elements were easy to digest and take in. I found myself immersed in Violet and Nathaniel’s world. Filled with magic, mayhem, morals, and change. So much beautiful change. The two of them have separately went throughout events that have shaped them, and not necessarily for the better.

Bartleby definitely has a place in my heart, the little murderous plant. There were multiple times when he was mentioned that I found myself smiling while reading, and that is one of those experiences I hope for other readers.

I found myself cheering on Violet on her healing journey. There were multiple times where she reflected on things that happened in her childhood and it made me sad. Violet is detached from the way she was raised, an acceptance of what has already taken place cannot be changed. It was a realistic way of acknowledging the twisted bonds that are developed between an abuser and their victim. In my opinion it is an easy way out to expect everyone to hate their abusers, when you never see the positive moments that hold a glow during the darkest of times. Violet knows Guy is wrong, she knows what he did is messed up, and yet she still loves her Dad.

Nathaniel carries his guilt like a brick on his back. Slowing him down, and expecting him to live the rest of his life in repentance. Granted when you first meet Nathaniel he is a grumpy man who is not a big fan of change. I was endeared to him right away. I love grumpy characters. The suspicious of new and good. It makes it that much sweeter when a twist in the story happens that allows them to feel free in the first time in forever.

I feel like this review has been one long gush, but I can’t state enough that if there is more comfy-cozy-romance-fantasy I will be coming back for whatever this author has to write. In this world? Absolutely fantastic, there were a couple loose strings that could be wrapped up in a future book. In a completely new world? I am also checking it out because Emily Krempholtz.

Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore is a delightful addition to the cozy fantasy genre. Set in the enchanting town of Dragon’s Rest, the story follows Violet, a former villain known as the Thornwitch, as she seeks redemption by opening a flower shop and embracing a new, kinder identity. Her journey intertwines with that of Nathaniel, a grumpy alchemist, leading to a heartwarming tale of second chances, personal growth, and unexpected romance.

Thank you Netgalley for this arc!

After working for a supervillain, Violet finally has the chance to start over. She wants to be good and stay good. As she works to build her own flower shop, make friends, and perhaps find love, a mysterious blight occurs in her new home. Determined to stop it, Violet is ready to take action.

At the beginning of the book, we really see Violet make progress. She works hard to form new friendships and create beautiful flowers. Initially, it was difficult to connect with her character because she started off feeling dull. However, I understand that she has to overcome obstacles and past trauma to find herself, which made her journey feel realistic.

Her banter with Nathaniel begins slowly, and it’s hard to imagine them getting together at first. But as the plot develops, their relationship starts to seem more believable. However, I'm uncertain about Nathaniel's argument with Violet at the end when he discovers she's the Thorn Witch.

Nevertheless, the plot is unique, and the characters are likable. While I didn’t become fully invested in the romance, overall, it was a cute and cozy read.

Really enjoyed this one, great characters, a story that pulled me in, and writing that felt super easy to sink into. It was hard to put down and stuck with me after I finished.

This was such a cozy, magical surprise. This is a warmhearted fantasy about second chances, set in a charming village full of secrets, soft magic, and quirky townsfolk.

At the heart of this story is Violet, a former villain trying to lay her dark past to rest after years spent under the command of an evil sorcerer. Haunted by guilt and unsure of who she is without the villainous title, Violet sets out to build a new life—and the emotional journey that follows is both whimsical and heartfelt. Nathaniel, the male main character, also wrestles with the weight of past choices, and the bond between the two unfolds with empathy and slow-burning charm.

The plot was engaging with a mix of cozy magic, mysterious problems to solve, and just enough danger to keep things moving. I really liked the whimsical writing style—it was cute without being over-the-top—and the magic felt light and accessible, perfect for readers who want fantasy without a heavy world-building commitment.

My only concern was at times the inner dialogues from Violet and Nathaniel dragged a bit and felt slightly repetitive. A little trimming would have kept the pace tighter without losing the emotional weight. Still, it didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed the story overall.

This book would be a perfect pick for fans of The House in the Cerulean Sea, or anyone who loves a magical story about redemption, identity, and starting over. It’s cozy fantasy with a meaningful emotional core.

A lovely new cozy romance fantasy full of great banter, hun out and lovely cozy romance! Simply the best for cozy fantasy and romance fans alike!

🪴 Bookish Thoughts
This was such a cozy little surprise! Total cottagecore vibes, like sipping tea in a magical greenhouse. I expected Violet to have chaotic ex-villain energy, but she was even grounded, sensitive, remorseful, and so ready for a fresh start. I really loved her healing arc and her journey toward self-forgiveness.

Nathaniel was a total grump 😂 It took me a bit to connect with him, but by the end, he grew on me. His dynamic with Violet was a soft, slow-burn.

Overall, this felt like a warm hug of a story about second chances and building a new life. I’d definitely reread, and I’m already excited for the audiobook!

🌱 Read if you love:
• Cottagecore setting
• Redemption arcs
• Plant witch FMC
• Grumpy MMC
• Cozy small-town vibes
• Slow-burn romance

🗓️ Pub Date: November 18, 2025

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was such a cute, cozy read! It was exactly want I wanted and needed.

This is a true cozy fantasy. There is a bit of "action" but the stakes stay low enough that it doesn't make the book unenjoyable. Even with that, "Violet Thistlewaite is Not a Villain Anymore" is a character driven story at it's core. It's definitely about their journey of healing.

The 3rd person narration threw me off at first - I would have expected 1st person - but I got used to it quickly.

Rated 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 stars. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC ebook.

My thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.

I love cozy books about people who decide to run away to a new town and build a new life. I’ve read about bakeries, chocolate shops, and lots of bookstores, but this is the first story about a magical flower shop. Nathan is a grumpy alchemist working to save his family’s struggling apothecary. Violet was a woman raised to be an evil terror - but was given a second chance and is trying to be a good person. Their romance is set against a backdrop of a magical blight, rock goblins, the legend of the eye of the serpent that grants power and immortality, an evil face from her past, and learning to ignore the selfish voices of those that raised us.

This was just such an enjoyable book from start to finish. I want to call this a cozy fantasy, but it has surprising emotional depth as the characters deal with their anxiety and stress while trying to move forward in their lives and become better people. Violet is the former evil henchman known as the Thornwitch whose Villainous boss, Guy Shadowfade is now dead. She decides to move to a nearby small town and become a Florist. Violet deals with her anxiety and guilt over her role in Guy's evil plans, as she works to become a "good" version of herself.

Violet rents a home and story from Nathaniel Marsh, a grumpy Alchemist who has returned to run his parent's apothecary. They get off on the wrong foot, but as weird events start happening and a suspicious person moves down, they begin to work together to try and save everyone.

I enjoyed the growth of the main character, as well as the development of the supporting cast. While the plot followed a basic guideline for this genre of book, the twists and turns gave it a spark that made it enjoyable. The worldbuilding was well crafted, and it was easy to read. I prefer a slow-burn romance, and the pace was a bit fast for me, but anyone who wants a faster build-up would enjoy this.

I have been on a roll with cozy fantasy lately and this one has to be one of my all time favorite ones! I loved everything about this book. The magic, characters, romance, and plot was fantastic. This was the perfect palate cleanser that I couldn’t put down and finished in less than 24 hours!

The main character Violet Thistlewaite is the star of the show. The now reformed villainous Thornwitch is trying to start fresh and use her magic for good. Her story and journey is emotional and so unique. I loved seeing her become more confident in herself as she develops her plant shop and begins using her magic to grow instead of destroy. Her relationship with grouchy alchemist Nathaniel Marsh was so sweet to read about. I loved how their romance developed and felt so natural. They really balance each other out and at the end the little found family they have going was perfect.

I loved the ongoing plot with the blight and darkness from Violet’s past. This really added to the cozy fantasy while further leading Violet in her journey to change. There is such a whimsical element in this book with all the magic, stories, and creatures. I loved everything about this and would love to see more from this world, especially Karina the Tempest!

Great addition to growing cozy fantasy genre! Interesting characters, found family and an enemies to lovers romance. For fans of the Spell Shop and Legends and Lattes.

What an incredible read. For one, I am in love with the premise of a reformed villain or a villain who is putting in effort to reform. I find that it reflects reality quite well, in how anyone who has been some sort of "villain", can grow and continue living in a growth-centered manner. I also find that this book reflects reality in how not everyone is willing to accept them right away. Despite Violet, our main protagonist, hiding her old villainous history, I find that her overall struggle to change is realistic and I can really feel for her. At the same time, I can also relate to Nathanial, her landlord who is having trouble accepting her into their tight little town. I also relate to him quite strongly as I also have a bit of a combative personality who is quick to judge despite having some problems myself. Nathanial and Violet are such realistic yet vibrant personalities and they are the perfect people to follow this book with. From their initial meeting to the end of this story, they held my heart in their hands. The story itself is realistic, understandable, and as hopeful as people can be after a tragedy. I highly recommend reading it.

Easily a 4 star read! Grumpy alchemist & Plant witch? LOVE. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters. I mean a stabby plant sidekick?Yes. Of course yes.. Adventure & slow burn with some forced proximity fighting a common enemy just makes this a great cozy and fun fantasy.
This book doesn’t come out until November which is honestly the best time for because it’s PERFECT for fall and winter

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Pub for the arc of this book In exchange for a honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC!

This book was as much fun as the title promised it would be! Violet is a great main character. I think we can all feel a kinship to someone trying their hardest to choose kindness even when meanness would be so easy (and probably a lot more fun!) I enjoyed the townsfolk of Dragon's Rest and Violet's relationships with them. There was a lot of pun and sass in this story, which made it a fun read.

I think people who enjoy T.J. Klune's books would like this one, too. A nice mix of banter, sweetness, and heart... I recommend this one! 4.25 stars.

I absolutely loved this cozy fantasy—it was such a fun and heartwarming read. Violet was a wonderful main character, and following her journey of starting over and choosing to be good was truly a joy. The town was filled with charming, quirky characters that made the world feel alive and inviting.

And the romance? A beautifully crafted slowburn with the grumpy alchemist who completely stole the show. I adore a tortured male lead, and his dynamic with Violet was everything I wanted. This is a lovely story about change, second chances, and how it’s never too late to begin again.

What a delightful read. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves cozy fantasy, found family, and slowburn romance.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ace Books for the gifted ARC.

I loved everything about this! The characters were real and lovable. I especially loved the little violent plant! The cozy feel of this was also nice. I recommend this to anyone who loves fantasy and romance.

Violet Thistlewaite was the Thornwitch, sidekick to the villainous Shadowfade, until she betrayed him to his death, became good, and nestled herself right into the community most harmed by her former father figure.

This was a very sweet, cozy read that had some serious moments but never left us in suspense for too long.

If you like found family, grumpy and sunshine, and an interesting but not agonizing exploration of how badly a terrible father can mess up his daughter’s idea of herself, this is the book for you. Oh, and a really charming cast of side characters, stabby plants named Bartleby included.