I wanted to love this, and I would read this author again, but there was just something missing for me and I wanted to DNF out of boredom. It started off so strongly, chance encounter and almost ruination in a familiar feeling historical romance world. And I got even more interested when the magic system got introduced. That's a big reason why I wanted this to go better for me because the magic is so cool and cozy.

I think one of the biggest issues for me besides the pacing is how young the FMC seemed. There were perfect moments to set up, such as her fear of storms and him helping her through that, but she didn't feel like a woman and he even commented on that internally. He felt like a man so it's not like I could just say this should've been YA and call it a day. It kept it from being that romantic for me unfortunately.

Thank you to Dragonblade Publishing for the eARC.

Meh, I an undecided if I'll pick up the next book in the series. The magical skills in the MCs was interesting. The Mcs themselves were okay too, especially since both of them are adverse to marriage and have to navigate it to get the future together. The 3rd act breakup was just annoying.

I very much enjoyed the story of Nathaniel & Maria. The added magic kept it uniquely engaging as well as the characters in general. I struggled with this rating, because while I enjoyed it, the repetition of a 3rd break up was in my opinion unnecessary. I tend to be tougher of authors who use repetitive descriptions or actions as I believe it's both unnecessary and a page filler. This of course is just my personal opinion, so I don't discourage anyone from reading the book. It's really enjoyable and should be a 3.5.

The fact that the main character is neurodivergent adds a je ne sais quois to the story. If you informed about behaviors and how they affect peoples lives you truly can appreciate the struggle and the emotions that goes with the main character and the fact that it’s historical fiction is even better. I loved their story and it truly healed my heart a bit. I think it should be advertised waaaay more that this series has neurodivergent main characters

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy

Garden Folly Magic by Anne Rollins is a third person dual-POV historical speculative romance. Maria is a garden witch who has dedicated her magic to helping the local midwives and has only recently entered society. When she is kissed at a party by Markham, a storm witch who is also a rake, she is at risk of being ruined unless she goes to the countryside until everything dies down. Only the home she goes to to escape the ton belongs to Markham’s grandmother.

Markham and Maria are very much not a love-at-first-sight situation. Markham is not Maria’s type (he’s got a boyish quality to his face and she is more into the rugged and stereotypical bad boy look) and Markham initially views Maria as barely out of childhood. Things slowly start to change when Markham tries to set Maria up with an older man who he thinks would be better suited for her than the other men at the manor only for his plan to go belly-up and the two spend a night together talking and kissing. It’s a different look at the ‘opposites-attract’ trope and it does acknowledge that Markham has a lot more experience than Maria and how that reputation could reflect poorly on her if he keeps having affairs with other women.

The magic system plays a small part in the book. Markham’s weather magic isn’t always accurate about what the weather is going to do and Maria’s garden magic is more connected to creating medicines rather than growing entire gardens quickly. This helps keep the aspects of the world as similar to the real world Regency era as possible while adding a slight magical flair and adds to the motivations. As such, I wouldn’t really call this a Romantasy or fantasy romance, but more of a speculative historical romance or a historical romance with a speculative element.

The thing I liked about this was that Markham is aware that he has to change for Maria and he accepts that but he’s also struggling with the pressure to get married and so is Maria. Both of them are conflicted on the whole thing. They accept that they want to be together and that they could be a very good match, it’s the institution that they’re not feeling. I think that even if characters do ultimately get married, it’s good for them to question the structures that exist, if they want those structures for themselves, and to make choices based on what they want after asking questions instead of just falling in line because that’s what everybody else does.

I would recommend this to fans of historical romance with a speculative element and readers of historical romance who like it when characters question the institution of marriage

A cute story that doesn't bog the reader down with too much unnecessary detail. The characters are rather interesting and fun to observe from a distance. A lighearted read for a relaxed magical beda time story.

I enjoyed this authors last series and even though I am not a big fantasy romance reader, I figured I would give this book a try. I think that this book had the right amount of magic,, it wasn't overly complicated that required a lot of world building I liked both Markham and Maria. What I liked the most was that the attraction was not immediate, when Markham realized his feelings he snapped in place immediately. He wasn't going to play and pretend like there was a reason that they couldn't be together. Maria, girl I get it with the scents, people wear too much perfume. But she was a strong character, she knew who she was and wasn't going to waver on her passions (herbs).

But the third act break up, it was frustrating! Very frustrating because of how honestly they had both been through the entire book. I do understand why she would be upset but based on what she saw, it felt like an extreme reaction.

3.5

I found Garden Folly Magic to be a charming and delightful historical romance tale with a touch of fantasy woven in. The setting is Regency Era England, but the author has skillfully woven magic into the world. Both of the main characters, Nathaniel & Maria, have magical abilities. Nathaniel, Lord Markham, has the ability to detect weather. He knows exactly what kind of weather is on the way and when. Maria Kellway is a green witch. Her affinity is to growing things, especially herbs. She's drawn to the healing arts as well.

They meet in the most humorous of ways at a ball in London. Maria overwhelmed by the crowd in the ballroom, steps outside to the gardens so she can take a break. It's very dark and Markham mistakes Maria for a lady he had been pursuing and kisses her. Hilarity ensues when Maria smacks Markham with her fan, demands to know who he is and what does he think he's doing. Markham's a rake, but it's quickly obvious that he's more of a charming sweetheart of a rake. He apologizes to Maria, later to her grandparents, and Maria thinks she will gladly never see that silly man ever again.

But no, this is a romance story so of course they'll meet again! It's a darling story. They become friends at first, then it blossoms into more. There are some ups and downs, some angst due to fears and misunderstandings but they work it out. It's a great story to read if you need something to cheer you and make you smile. I enjoyed reading it.

Thank you Dragonblade Publishing & NetGalley for the ARC. My review is voluntary and in my own words.

He's kissing the wrong girl.

Ironically, Markham is a rake with a jovial uncle face. Maria is a young lady with magical abilities.
That was a trip to read a historical with a slight magical influence. I didn't vibe with Markham, who has kissed (and much more) many a girl without knowing their names.

This books is filled with match making and compromising Maria.

I liked that Markham subverted a lot of the typical feelings and decisions male leads make in these books. He’s not immediately ecstatic about giving up his freedom, and he has normal human doubt about majorly changing his lifestyle. I even like that he had reservations about sharing a bedroom. It gets really easy for these main characters to all blend together but these two were unique.
I could’ve done without the third act breakup, as I often do. Still liked it.

really cute and funny histofantasy romance with a VERY fun MMC and a very fun FMC too! the setting was occasionally a little confusing but generally worked really well. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

I really enjoyed this charming and witty romance! Maria is such a strong, grounded heroine, and watching her clash (and then connect) with the mischievous Lord Markham was a delight. The setup was fun, with just the right amount of scandal, banter, and slow-burn chemistry. I especially loved how their feelings developed naturally, even while they both pretended otherwise. A lovely, feel-good read with a touch of magic and a whole lot of heart!

This is a lovely open door, para historical romance. Marie is a green witch. Her specialty is herbs and flowers, and basically magic with botany. Markham is a weather (witch?) He has the ability to forecast the weather. The original meteorologist! They meet at a ball one night when he kisses her. This causes a scandal and she is sent to the country to a house party until things blow over. What a coincidence, Markham is at the same party!

The magical system is very interesting - especially the witch light. The two mcs are perfectly matched with the weather and the plants abilities. I wish we would have seen a bit more of the magic being used.

A good beginning to the series. I look forward to the rest!

Thank you to Anne Rollins and Dragonblade for the copy of this book. Opinions are my own.

Loved reading the fabulous and fantastic romance story. When Markham, a rake, accidentally kisses Maria, he apologizes profusely. Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written, and a must read riveting love story.

Lighthearted and entertaining, the awkward friendship between Markham and Maria is sweet, despite their initial meeting. I enjoyed seeing Markham's focus changing from rogue to caring gentleman, as he tries to help Maria through her fears. Although there are some ups and downs in their relationship, the novel does close on a happy note with Maria finally getting the desires of her heart. I received a copy of this novel as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

As far as historical romances go, I really liked this one. There was something really enjoyable about a story where the FMC was clearly neurodivergent and the MMC wasn’t 6’5, dark haired and brooding. Instead we got a blonde short king with a kind personality and a silly charm. Is he a rake? I suppose, but at least he’s a rake who values women and when he does mess up, makes it right.

The inclusion of magic was a nice touch and blended seamlessly into the story! To that end, I found it to be a really accurate portrayal of regency England (excepting the magic of course) and I loved how the house party and chaperone setup was written!

Thank you to NetGalley, Ms. Rollins, and Dragonblade Publishing for the chance to read early in exchange for honest review!

I loved how in this read, the FMC couldn't care about finding love originally but ended up falling for the rake that she knows she shouldn't. I loved that he got his redemption arc and wasn't just one side in character wise. I was rooting for them as soon as his walls came down.

Thank you to NetGalley, Anne Rollins, and Dragonblade Publishing for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed the first half of the book, but the second half was not to my liking. When I read the book's summary, I was certain it was for me. But as it turns out, it wasn’t. The characters were well written. I didn’t like the way things unfolded or the 3rd act break up. Please, don’t let my review deter you. This book and writing style did not work for me.

Garden Folly Magic is such a perfect name for this little treasure of a book. This one will make you feel every single emotion possible. Read it, and you will not be disappointed. A new favorite.