Did not finish book. Stopped at 14%.

Had I known that this was the 4th book in a series, I wouldn't have gotten the ARC for it. I found the fantasy elements to be disjointed and haphazard, but that could be because I haven't read the other books, so I'm not stating that as judgement, just clarification.

I really disliked the setup, however. Eli is basically a stalker, but the way it's presented is the author trying to make it seem like a cute quirk instead of an issue he should seek therapy for. Iris is the only non-magical person in her family and they all treat her like trash (her sister stole her boyfriend while they were still dating and the family is just okay with this), and I'm just not in the mood for this story.

REVIEW: The Only Purple House In Town

Ann Aguirre's The Only Purple House in Town is a charming and heartwarming tale of found family, magic, and second chances. The story follows Iris, a woman who inherits her aunt's quirky purple house and decides to turn it into a boarding house. As she welcomes a diverse group of tenants, including a witch, a vampire, and a shapeshifter, Iris begins to rediscover her magical abilities and forms unexpected bonds with her new housemates.

Aguirre's writing is witty and engaging, and the characters are vibrant and endearing. The magical elements are seamlessly woven into the story, adding a touch of whimsy and wonder. While the plot may be predictable at times, the novel's focus on character development and heartwarming relationships makes it a satisfying read.

Fans of cozy fantasy and found-family stories will appreciate The Only Purple House in Town. It's a delightful and uplifting tale that will leave readers feeling cozy and content.

Thank you, Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca | Sourcebooks Casablanca, for the free advanced copy for my honest review!

DNF’d.

Unfortunately, this particular book was not for me. The writing was not my cup of tea. Additionally, I did not like the MMC or his behavior.

I want to say this was a fun and cute read, it's still a five-star read for me but some of the diversity seemed focused to me. I loved all the characters but I have to say the side characters have to be my favorite. I would love a book about them, especially the grumpy old man Henry Dale and Rowen because I loved the grandpa and grandkid vibe. I have a few more books by Ann Aguirre to read and will pick them up soon.

Thank you Netgalley for letting me give my honest review

The Only Purple House in Town by Ann Aguirre. Pub Date: July 11, 2023. Rating: 3 stars. I have read the other books in the Fix-It Witches series so I was excited to get approved to read this one. Sadly, this one was just okay for me. Immediately I was put off by the male love interest and his stalker vibes. Also, each storyline of the characters felt overwhelming and a little too much. I love a found family theme, but I think this one was a little over the top and chaotic for me. The cover gave off cozy vibes, which in some aspects this read was but in others it was not. This is a middle of the road type of read for me. Thanks to #netgalley and #sourcebookscasablanca for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Although this book is the fourth in the Fix-It Witches series, it can be read as a standalone. I liked the balance between supernatural and contemporary, definitely an appeal to a wide range of readers. My first book from Ann Aguirre and it won't be my last!

The Only Purple House in Town by Ann Aguirre is the fourth installment in the Fix-It Witches series, but it stands well on its own. Set in a contemporary world where supernatural creatures live among humans, the novel explores societal issues with a touch of magical realism. However, some may find the worldbuilding a bit superficial, craving more depth and detail.

The story follows Iris, a member of a psychic vampire family, who feels like the odd one out due to her lack of abilities. Struggling financially and with her fledgling online jewelry business, Iris’s luck changes when she inherits her great aunt’s house. To make ends meet, she decides to rent out rooms and renovate the house. Enter Eli, a wealthy shapeshifter with a couple of successful apps, who moves in after a series of misunderstandings. Their paths cross due to a childhood incident, leading to a mix of romantic and comedic moments.

While the novel incorporates common rom-com tropes and clichés, it struggles with the chemistry between the main characters, Iris and Eli. Eli's behavior, particularly his social media stalking, comes off as creepy rather than endearing, and his attempts to solve Iris’s problems with money behind her back can feel patronizing. Despite these issues, the story has its charm, particularly in its depiction of the other housemates.

The diverse cast of characters adds richness to the narrative. Each housemate is introduced with their own background and personality, contributing to the sense of a found family. The fix-it witches, who can repair anything from walls to broken electronics, add a whimsical touch. The queer representation and the way these different people come together to form a family is one of the book's strongest aspects.

However, the novel could benefit from a deeper exploration of these characters and their lives. The secondary characters often fall into extremes of being either annoyingly sweet or selfishly hateful, with little nuance in between. This lack of depth can make the story feel superficial at times.

Despite its flaws, The Only Purple House in Town is an easy read, filled with moments of warmth and humor. The focus on found family and the cozy setting create a comforting atmosphere, even if the romance subplot feels unnecessary. The book shines in its portrayal of community and acceptance, making it a feel-good read for those seeking light fantasy with heart.

Honestly, this one just didn't stick out to me. I really don't have any memory of it while coming back to write this review.

"The Only Purple House in Town" by Ann Aguirre is a charming and heartwarming tale of community, friendship, and the power of embracing individuality. Set in a small town where conformity is the norm, the story follows protagonist Lily as she embarks on a mission to paint her house purple, much to the bewilderment of her neighbors. Aguirre's writing is both whimsical and poignant, capturing the essence of small-town life with humor and warmth. As Lily faces resistance and skepticism from those around her, she discovers unexpected allies and learns valuable lessons about the importance of staying true to oneself. But beyond the colorful facade of the purple house, "The Only Purple House in Town" is ultimately a story about acceptance and the beauty of diversity. With its endearing characters and uplifting message, this novel is sure to leave readers with a smile on their faces and a renewed appreciation for the quirks that make us all unique.

This paranormal romance captivated me from start to finish with its engaging plot and vibrant characters. The diverse cast forms a tight-knit family unit, each member bringing their own unique strengths and quirks to the table. I found myself deeply invested in their journeys and rooting for their collective success.

While the paranormal elements are subtly woven throughout the story, they add an intriguing layer to the narrative without overshadowing the romance. It's more than just a typical paranormal romance—it's a heartfelt tale of love, friendship, and self-discovery.

I thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in this world, and I can't wait to explore more of the author's works. This book left me eager for more, and I'm excited to see where the next instalment takes these captivating characters.
I received an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

In this enchanting romance novel set in St. Claire, Illinois, Iris Collins inherits a Victorian house, finding solace and community among its quirky tenants. Despite her family's magical success, Iris struggles with her own powers and debts until Eli Reese, a childhood acquaintance turned potential renter, reenters her life. As their relationship blossoms amidst family drama and neighborhood conflicts, Ann Aguirre crafts a cozy narrative rich with diverse characters and magical charm. Though the plot may verge on chaotic, the novel's warmth and humor make for a delightful read, leaving ample space for further enchanting tales in this captivating universe.

Beautiful book about love and lost. Also, purple is an awesome color. Messy family drama but it's all good. Hopeful ending and loved the characters.

I really enjoyed this book. I didn't realize it was part of a series, but it honestly did not matter. This could be read as a stand-alone without any issues. It does make me want to read other books in the series though because I enjoyed the world the book is set in. The characters were rich with life and interesting details, and I wanted to know more and more about them. It's perfect for people who enjoy the bonds of friendship, magical realism, and some romance!

Gonna be so honest -- I did not love this. Stalking romance is not cute. The cover is very cute, but I didn't realize this was part of a series, which led to some of my confusion. I also didn't love Iris. You can be struggling in life and still be strong... Iris was not that. I don't have much else to say about it. Thanks to Sourcebooks and Net Galley for this copy.

Ann Aguirre's "The Only Purple House in Town" is a whimsical and heart-warming story set in the magical town of St. Claire, where anything is possible. With its enchanting premise and endearing characters, this novel is a delightful exploration of love, community, and the power of second chances.

At the centre of the story is Iris Collins, the self-proclaimed "chaos bunny" of her family, who unexpectedly inherits a house from her great aunt. Despite her best intentions to turn it into a successful B&B, Iris finds herself struggling to make ends meet and ends up renting rooms to a motley crew of lost souls, both human and otherwise. Enter Eli Reese, a successful app designer who has never quite found his place in the world. Drawn to Iris and her eclectic boarders, Eli soon finds himself enchanted by the magic of the Iris-verse and the possibility of finally finding a place to call home.

What sets "The Only Purple House in Town" apart is its unique blend of whimsy, romance, and genuine emotion. Aguirre's vivid imagination brings the town of St. Claire to life, infusing every page with a sense of wonder and possibility. From the quirky inhabitants of the purple house to the enchanting atmosphere of the town itself, readers will find themselves captivated by the magical world Aguirre has created.

Moreover, the characters in this novel are truly the heart and soul of the story. Iris is a relatable and endearing protagonist, whose journey of self-discovery and growth is both inspiring and heart-warming. Eli is equally compelling, with his nerdy charm and longing for connection. As their relationship blossoms amidst the chaos of the purple house, readers will find themselves rooting for their happily ever after.

Absolutely captivating! This book kept me hooked from start to finish. The characters were incredibly well-developed, and the plot twists had me on the edge of my seat. A definite must-read for anyone looking for a gripping story with depth and emotion. Five stars without a doubt!

Thank you to Netgally, the publishers, and Ann Aguirre

When I requested this book I was unaware that it was apart of a series, one that requires you to read the previous books for this one to make sense. I am unable to read all the previous books along with this one before the publish date. Therefore, I will rate this a fair 3/5 stars and will adjust the rating and review when I am able to read all the books in the series along with this one.

This was a really light and fluffy read, combining found family tropes with a romcom, lots of LGBTQIA rep and a sprinkle of magic in the form of witches, shifters, succubi and more.

In traditional romcom style, main characters Iris and Eli have plenty of miscommunications and misunderstandings to keep them apart, but bond over their shared goal of saving Violet Gables and preserving it as a sanctuary for the lost and lonely. It’s just a shame that Eli’s secret involved basically stalking Iris before she even knew he existed, because that turned what was really an otherwise sweet romance into something a bit creepy and sinister… I certainly found it a lot harder to get past than it seemed in the story!

I did, however, enjoy the family bonds built between Iris and Eli and the other residents of Violet Gables and the lovely accepting, small-community vibe they created. It felt like a bit of a shame in the end that their joint efforts wasn’t what made the difference and saved the day and that the author went for something of a Fae-ex-machina resolution instead. Again, it felt a bit too easy to be readily believable.

Still, taken with liberal quantities of salt and not too seriously, this is a warm and readable closed-door romance.

Found Family is one of my favorite tropes and this book has a ton of it. I really loved all the characters in this book and seeing how they found each other and bonded over their home was great. It had very strong cozy fantasy vibes, and I really liked that it was inclusive and had good queer representation. What didn’t work for me was the POV switching mid chapter (maybe that was only in the eARC) and the love story was just too insta love for my taste. I would recommend this one for fans of cozy fantasy and romance. Thank you to Net Galley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the eARC.

Cute premise but poor execution. This book was highly character driven but the characters weren't interesting enough to hold my attention, even though most were supernatural. I couldn't get past the romanticizing of the main male character being a glorified stalker. It's possible I'm possible I'm just completely the wrong demographic for this one but unfortunately it was not for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for providing me a digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.