Member Reviews

Thank you to @netgalley and @sourcebooksfire for an eARC of The Only Purple House in Town by @ann_aguirre_author ! 💜

The was the cutest, sweetest book I’ve read in awhile. Heartwarming, inclusive, and the best use of the found family trope ever. This book will sweep you off your feet and steal your heart away in more ways than one. A great reminder that sometimes the family you create yourself is the one you need the most 💜

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This book had the premise of a cozy magical contemporary that sounded right up my alley. Sadly it turned out this wasn't really a book for me. There were so many characters, and so much going on that I just ended up feeling lost and quite confused. I pushed through, hoping there would be something that captured my attention, but that never happened.

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the cover is what attracted me to this book, it’s very cute. i didn’t realize this was part of a series until i looked it up on goodreads. i think it’s a stand-alone book that’s in a series. i am not used to third person POV though, it was different but i am willing to read more books in third person now. i do wish there could’ve been more background on the characters. the transitions between iris’ and eli’s POVs didn’t flow well, it just felt rushed and some things confused me. overall this book was good and it had a good plot. i just wanted more. also i do like found family glad they found the family that they needed.

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The Only Purple House in Town is a magical story about found family, love, and self-realization. I liked Eli and Iris but the secondary characters almost stole the show! I loved the eclectic band of housemates and how they bonded so quickly to become a family. I liked the callbacks to the other St Claire books but found this one could definitely be read as a stand alone, more so than the last two. The introduction to new magical beings (beyond witches) was an excellent addition to the series.

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In my opinion this book more than a romance is a chicken soup for the soul, a kind of T.J.Klune writing a romance novel, but a choral one.
The two main characters have a particularly unusual love story, and moreover the scene is stolen from them at the same time by the secondary characters, who are many and well written, so that one then is interested about their of stories as well. Incidentally, the plot takes place in Sr. Claire where I had already "met" the Fix it Witches who make a brief appearance as well as other characters from their coven. In short, it's not exactly an ideal romance, but as a novel it's just fine.

Secondo me questo libro piú che un romance é un brodino di pollo per l'anima, una specie di T.J.Klune che scrive un romanzo d'amore, ma corale.
I due personaggi principali hanno una storia d'amore particolarmente inusuale, e inoltre la scena gli viene rubata contemporaneamente dai personaggi secondari, che sono tanti e ben scritti, cosí che un poi si appassiona anche alle loro di storie. Tra l'altro la trama si svolte a Sr. Claire dove avevo giá "conosciuto" le Fix it Witches che fanno una breve apparizione cosí come altri personaggi del loro coven. Insomma, non é proprio una storia d'amore ideale, ma come romanzo va benissimo.

I received from the Publisher a complimentary digital advanced review copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.

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Title: A Whimsical Adventure Filled with Delight: "The Only Purple House in Town" by Anna Aguire

🌟🌟🌟🌟

Anna Aguire's "The Only Purple House in Town" is an enchanting tale that transported me to a world where imagination knows no bounds. With its vivid descriptions, endearing characters, and heartwarming message, this book is an absolute delight for readers of all ages.

From the very first page, I was captivated by the author's enchanting storytelling. Aguire's prose is beautifully crafted, creating a magical atmosphere that comes alive in every scene. The world she has created, centered around the titular purple house, is so vividly described that I felt as if I was walking down its whimsical streets alongside the characters.

Speaking of characters, they are the true heart of this story. Each one is unique and well-developed, with their own hopes, dreams, and quirks. From the brave and determined protagonist to the colorful cast of supporting characters, I found myself emotionally invested in their journeys. Aguire masterfully weaves their individual narratives together, creating a tapestry of friendship, resilience, and the power of believing in oneself.

One of the aspects I truly appreciated about this book is the underlying message it conveys. Through the adventures of the characters, Aguire emphasizes the importance of embracing our differences and finding strength in unity. The theme of acceptance and diversity is beautifully interwoven into the narrative, making it a valuable lesson for readers of all ages.

Furthermore, "The Only Purple House in Town" is a visual treat. The charming illustrations throughout the book add an extra layer of whimsy and bring the story to life in a remarkable way. They perfectly complement the narrative, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in the author's imaginative world.

In summary, Anna Aguire's "The Only Purple House in Town" is a must-read for anyone seeking a heartwarming and magical adventure. With its enchanting prose, lovable characters, profound messages, and stunning illustrations, this book has earned its place among the stars on my bookshelf. I highly recommend it to readers of all ages, and I eagerly look forward to more captivating stories from this talented author.

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Thanks to the publisher & Netgalley for the complimentary e-ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

If found family is your jam Ann Aguirre’s The Only Purple House in Town has you covered.

This book has such an interesting premise: Iris Collins is from a family of psychic vampires but she’s the only one who hasn’t manifested any talent yet. She feels like a disaster & a constant source of disappointment to others.

Then she inherits a purple home that needs some love & chooses renters to live with her, including Eli Reese, a hawk shifter who has never forgotten the impression Iris made on him at young age—even if Iris can’t say the same about him.

The family that Iris & her housemates build is my fave part of this book. How she & the people who live there—despite their wildly different personalities—welcome others & give them acceptance & a place to call home.

The LGBTQIA rep in this book is also fantastic & I adore the overall whimsicality of the world.

But I didn’t connect with the writing or the characters as much as I had hoped. The actual romance between Iris & Eli left me a bit cold, & that’s not a commentary on the fade to black aspect of the book but just on the romance arc itself.

I’ve heard so many great things about this author so I might give another book a try at some point but I only liked this one & didn’t swoon for it.

3⭐️. Out 07/11.

Please see a trusted reviewer’s list of CWs.

[ID: Jess's white hand holds the ebook. A gray building, the Knoxville Sun Sphere, and a street are in the background.]

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This book is nice and fresh, and it is the right one if you want a palate cleanser. It is also the fourth in a series, but I think it's a series of stand-alone books because the plot is self-contained, and I didn't have any problems reading this one and not the others. Sure, now I may go back and see how the other books are because I had quite a nice experience with this one!
Iris and Eli are nice MC, and the found family here is really sweet! And so diverse! Sure, let me tell you something before continuing: Iris is not my favorite kind of character, at least in the beginning, because she let others walk all above her, and this is a thing that usually gets me mad and makes me stop reading, but Iris grows during this story, in so many good ways! And Eli... I really enjoyed him, he is almost the perfect boy but he has a stalkerish side. Sure, in the story, it is all sweet and, to be honest, it did not bother me, because he is not creepy and he is not on the sick side of it, so... maybe not the behavior I should recommend, but here it is not really hurtful toward anyone, so... since it is a book, it could be condoned, sort of.
This is out of the way, let's go back to the found family: you need to meet them! They are the best part of the book, and they all are amazing human beings! And their coming together is heartwarming, really!
Ah, I almost forgot but there was a thing in the story that didn't really sit well with me, there were a couple, really, but one of them was a big problem for me for a while: I understand that it was needed for the story, but the part about the blood test bewildered me to no end: how it is possible that a mother does not know her daughter's blood type???? It is a cultural thing? I mean, here in Italy it is not really a possible thing but maybe in America is it?? I don't know, and I am baffled.

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I really enjoyed this book - Anne Aguirre doesn't disappoint with this series! I loved the paranormal elements and loved all the diverse characters. I also love the way the emotional backstories of the main characters were handled. It's not super necessary to read the first three books in the series, but I do recommend it since I enjoyed those as well.

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I really loved this book! I had only ever read the author's science fiction before but this has me wanting to read her other books as well (especially her witch series as I believe it ties in to this book). I would put this safely in the "cozy fantasy" genre that has taken off recently. The stakes are low, the warmth of the characters is high, and the story is like a fuzzy blanket that enfolds you. I sincerely hope the author continues this as a series because I want more!

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Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC. I wanted to like this book more than I did. The premise sounded great but for me the execution fell flat. I wasn’t impressed by either Eli or Iris and didn’t feel any real chemistry between them. The transitions between Iris’ and Eli’s POVs was abrupt and didn’t flow well. Overall, this book was not for me.

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"From New York Times bestselling author Ann Aguirre comes the magical town of St. Claire, where anything is possible...

Iris Collins is the messy one in her family. The "chaos bunny." Her sisters are all wildly successful, while she can't balance her budget for a single month. It's no wonder she's in debt to her roommates. When she unexpectedly inherits a house from her great aunt, her plan to turn it into a B and B fails - as most of her plans do. She winds up renting rooms like a Victorian spinster, collecting other lost souls...and not all of them are "human."

Eli Reese grew up as the nerdy outcast in school, but he got rich designing apps. Now he's successful by any standards. But he's never had the same luck in finding a real community or people who understand him. Over the years, he's never forgotten his first crush, so when he spots her at a café, he takes it as a sign. Except then he gets sucked into the Iris-verse and somehow ends up renting one of her B and B rooms. As the days pass, Eli grows enchanted by the misfit boarders staying in the house...and even more so by Iris. Could Eli have finally found a person and a place to call "home"?"

I love found family stories, it's like a magical Tales of the City.

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The cover? Cute! Premise? Cute! Did it deliver? No. This was a DNF for me.

I didn’t connect with any of the characters and I wish it were more prominently noted that this is part of the Fix It Witches series/universe. I read the first one, which was cute, but couldn’t make it past the second. The idea that someone would w rent a room because a cute girl spoke to him is even too much for me, and I can suspend my disbelief. Especially when magic is involved.

I wanted so much for this to be good but it just wasn’t. Better luck next time.

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Loved this sweet and soft queer found-family fantasy romance. Ann Aguirre is at her best when she really sinks into the cozy feelings.

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While part of a series, The Only Purple House In Town is a charming cozy read all on its own. We are introduced to Iris as her life is falling apart around her. Then, she receives a quasi-windfall in the form of her grandmother's old house. Slowly, Iris discovers her identity and her purpose as she finds a family of friends to call her own. Throw in a delightful romance with Eli, magic, and SO MUCH miscommunication, and you have this delightful romance. It was cute, fun, and a perfect read with a cup of tea in the evening. I will definitely be checking out more of Ann Aguirre's books soon!

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I didn't know that this was book 4 in a series, but I feel I didn't miss anything by reading this first. Made me want to go read the others!

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The jump into the future was an interesting decision. I wasn't sure how I would feel about it at first but I liked the new cast of characters while still seeing glimpses of the old. I hope if Aguirre continues the series we can see more of both, but if this is the last of the series, it was a lovely way to end.

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Sweet cozy paranormal romance a la Legens & Lattes or Secret Society of Irregular Witches. Dialogue is a bit stilted and I wish the characters had a bit more depth but still darling and worth a read.

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ out of ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This books cover caught my eye first, it’s such a beautiful cover!
The story itself is just as beautiful! If you’re looking for a cozy supernatural found family, this is it!
A bunch of misfit outcasts coming together, a cute love story that spans from childhood to adulthood, and so much LGBTQIA representation even with the romance being a hetero couple. I loved all of the characters so much! Iris, the main female character truly finds her place in the world. Eli, the hawk shifting, rich app entrepreneur/loner. I want Henry Dale, the sweet but grumpy old man to be my grandpa 🥺 he had such words of wisdom, and was just a good man! Rowan, the non-binary artist whose Evangelical family home became toxic and needed a safe place to go. Sally, the bi-curious, recently divorced grandma. Mira, the tech witch who just broke up with her girlfriend and has no where to go.
I love that each character brings something special out in Iris, and all help her to become who she was meant to be.
I absolutely loved this found family story and would definitely recommend it to anyone who is looking for a cozy heartwarming book!

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Sweet enoyable. I loved Iris! It was missing something for me though, what that something was, I'm not sure but it just wasn't anything more than enjoyable. I do love a good found family novel though and this certainly delivered

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