This book was very entertaining, and I found myself reaching for it at all possible times! I loved the magic realism and how witchy the plant powers were and the other powers the other family members had. The romance felt right, but I especially loved that the relationships with family also played a major role. So we get a great love story (yay) but also a great storyline with multiple family members. I did wish I wasn't teased so much with certain things- like we had to keep reading to find out X, but I wanted to know right then and there. I get there's the suspense in doing so, but I didn't think that suspense added to the plot whatsoever.
Highly recommend to anyone who liked magic realism and romance!

Arriving back in Cranberry after a disastrous relationship with a professor at her school and getting fired for "budget cuts" by said professor, Sage isn't sure where her life is leading her. Until her dead sister, Sky, pops up one day and tells her she has to make things right with their sister Teal so she can finally pass on from being a ghost. But ghosts aren't Sage's powers, plants are. She's known as the Plant Whisperer for her gift of being able to communicate with plants. So why is Sky haunting Sage? And how will she reconcile her relationship with Teal when Teal hates Sage and blames her for her sister's death? Throw in the fact that Sage is now partnering with the boy she's loved since she was 15 for a work project and Sage doesn't know what to do!

There is a lot going on in this witchy novel by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland, but it's a lot of fun, emotion, and some of the most beautifully written, atmospheric descriptions. Gilliland has created a unique dynamic between all of the characters in this novel, connecting them together through emotions and history. This is all at once a romance, a story of sisters, family, and also friendship; about the ties that bind us to our past and the fragility of the present. Gilliland reminds us that sometimes relationships need to bend and break to evolve and grow. There were some parts that were juvenile to me (a specific sex scene felt especially immature with the language she chose), and I felt more like it read closer to a young adult novel, but that's not necessarily a negative opinion. It flowed easily and I was able to pick it up with anticipation, a sure sign of a positive reading experience. Sage is a fantastic character, and Gilliland really showcased her internal growth through her strength in standing up for herself even when seemed to backfire. Her feminist tenacity was a highlight for this character. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the Flores sisters and I think readers of magic realism and family dynamics will greatly enjoy this novel as well.

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Random House for offering me this beautiful novel by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland in exchange for my honest review.

Cozy fantasy is a term that I both am a bit skeptical of (it seems like another way of differentiating “serious” SFF from “that woman stuff” which I don’t think benefits anyone) and a subgenre that I’ve struggled to enjoy. But I do like romances and I do like sister drama and I do like low-level family magic, so I thought this one was definitely worth a shot. However, in the end, I don’t think this is the best example of any of these themes.

But I’ll start with what I did like. For the most part, the main character was a good lead. I enjoyed her voice, and in particular, her relationships with a few of the women in her life were very interesting and explored a level of complexity that I hadn’t expected. For example, Sage has a close friend who has a struggling marriage, and I appreciated the care that went into the balancing act that is supporting a friend in this situation where, to an outsider, the problem and solution seems easy, but to the friend whose life is in the balance, things are much more complicated. I also really appreciated the exploration of Sage’s relationship with the woman who took over the care of Sage and her sisters when they were young. There were some very nice points about grief and the burdens we can place on those around us when caught up in devastating positions. But, even here, there were moments where the depiction of this relationship took a bit of jarring turn towards the simplistic, with Sage taking on a rather “perfect victim” persona that left me wanting.

And this speaks to many of my problems with the other relationships in this books. Many of the characters, including Sage herself at times, came across as simple and without any real depth of character. The romantic hero is the most bland example of handsome perfection that I’ve come across in a long time. Pick out some romance hero tropes, and he checks them all of neatly, right in a row. And then the relationship between Sage and her angry younger sister, Teal, verged on the ridiculous at times, with Teal coming across as an unbelievable caricature of irrational anger.

Beyond this, I struggled with the overall tone of the novel. At times, Sage definitely took on a more YA sounding voice, testing my ability to believe her to be a 29 year old woman who has actually lived in the world. This isn’t helped by the inclusion of some truly cringe-worthy AOL conversations from her teenage years. And, unfortunately, these blasts from the internet-past can’t be simply skipped as they are key to understanding the unfolding relationship between Tenn and Sage in the present day.

There were bits and pieces of the story that I liked, which did help me get through it. But I often found myself struggling to really invest in any of these characters or care about the romance at the heart of it. I do think there are readers who will enjoy this, but I think the biggest failure lies with its inability to depict adult characters who…well…behave and think like adults.

Rating 6: Not for me, though I do think the depictions of the beautiful location and some of the lyrical moments had merit.

(Link will go live Sept 13)

*4.5 stars

I was pleasantly surprised by this book because even though the synopsis sounded interesting, I wasn't sure how much the execution would match my expectations. This book far exceeded my expectations because it read on the cusp of young adult and adult which I appreciated. The flashbacks in every other chapter made it interesting to see how much two of the characters grew from where they had started. I got serious Encanto vibes from this book, especially in the aspect of family and growing up with sisters, what that looks and feels like for each of them. I think the only reason the book wasn't a full five stars for me was the pacing, in the beginning, was a tad slow, but by the time I got to the 30-40% mark, I was pretty invested. I ended up reading this book in just one day which I don't do often with books so that's how much I enjoyed it. I would recommend this book for the spooky season because I enjoyed the magic and witchy vibes that this book gave off and learning about Sage's magic. All in all, a very fun read!

This was a fun read perfect for the fall season. Even though much of the book took place in warmer months, it really gave off a good fall vibe. I went into this expecting a fun romance, so I was surprised (in a good way) by the complicated family dynamic that really added so much to the story.

A delightful and romantic adult debut from Raquel Vasquez Gilliland. Filled with complicated sibling relationships, a mystery to solve, and a budding romance. RVG fills each page with magic and heart.

I had SUCH high hopes for this newest book by one of my fav authors (Raquel Vasquez Gilliland!). Unfortunately though I felt this was much more of a YA/New Adult vibe than an adult contemporary romance (which I had been expecting).

The second chance, childhood first love story line was good and I did enjoy the sisterhood bonds, paranormal element but it definitely was not what I was expecting and didn't quite hit me in the feels romance wise as much as I was hoping for.

Good on audio narrated by Krysta Gonzales and recommended for fans of Alice Hoffman's Practical Magic series. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for early digital and audio copies in exchange for my honest review!! 3/5 for the story ; 5/5 for the cover!

I really enjoyed the pacing of this story, and the character development was spot-on. The relationships/interactions between the characters contained enough drama, backstory, and resolution to completely satisfy. The worldbuilding, in terms of how the Flores family magic works, was also intriguing.

I felt like there were a couple of... not quite 'loose threads' per se, but some elements of the storyline that could potentially be part of a sequel or companion novel, if this became the first in a series: Laurel's Lighthouse and future romantic prospects - ditto for Teal; love & jewelry for Sage; does the disappeared mom ever decide to reappear? A Laurel-focused book that touches base with the sisters would be awesome.

When 3 sisters become 2, what becomes of them? Can their relationship survive the loss? With magic, plants, perseverance, and a ghost that doesn’t follow any ghostly rules, maybe it can.

Thank you so much for an advanced copy of this book!

I really enjoyed this story. It was unique and emotional, and it made me both laugh and cry at different points. It did have a bit more emotion to the story than I expected, but I found that level of emotion really added to the story's depth. I also found the characters interesting, engaging, and unique. I found characters I rooted for in this story as well as characters...well, characters I honestly didn't like very much. But the contrast among the characters gave the story dimension, and I enjoyed that very much!

Overall, this story was really good, the characters were really good, and I was engaged from start to finish.

Rating: 4⭐️

If a book has “witch” in the title, I’m all over it!

Short Synopsis:
Sage returns home after 8 years. Her family all has their own magical gifts, with Sage being able to communicate with plants. She finds a job working with plants, but unfortunately is partnered with her high school crush who broke her heart (without him knowing he broke her heart!)

My Thoughts:
This is a great book for novice fantasy readers. The focus is much more the romance and family dynamics than the magic. I personally love magic in books, and wished there was more. At times it felt like it read fairly YA, but then was definitely not at other times.

I loved the family dynamics and it was a quick, fun read.

What a delightful book! The whimsical plant/foraging theme is lush in this swoon worthy romance/complicated family witchy book…that took me completely by surprise!

I have to say books with paranormal vibes are sometimes hard for me even though I love the concept of them. I’ve had more misses with this sub genre then hits. Witch of Wild Things grabbed my attention within the first few pages and I knew it was going to be a new favorite!

🌱🪴🍄🌹

Bits…
Workplace romance
A complicated family story
Magical realism
A plant whisper
AIM chats
Ghosts
All the whimsical plant talk

This is one I would love to add to my shelf. The magic was everything I was hoping it would be. The appreciation for nature. Delicious foodie talk. A swoon worthy romance. Enchanting characters. The bonds of sisterhood… and with that being said I would love more the books to continue following the other Flores sisters!

Thank you Berkley for an advanced ecopy

This book has everything. Family bonds, drama, romance, and of course magical witchy goodness. I loved the lessons the sisters learned working through their different trauma's, the relationship building, and....the happy ending. Sorry for the spoiler, but I figure it's ok to say. Sometimes we all need to know the ending is happy. This is a perfect book for your Fall TBR. I loved it.

This was a fun witchy read, and perfect for autumn vibes :) I adore Raquel's writing and she always handles so many tough issues with care and intention. The familial dynamics and issues in all of her books always hit so close to home to me, and I haven't even shared the exact circumstances as these characters! It's the emotions that Raquel evokes out of me whenever she develops characters; these characters and their emotional journeys latch onto me, and I become so deeply invested!

I loved the AIM aspects and flashbacks to the early 00's to show the beginning of Tenn and Sage's romance and connection. It felt so nostalgic and light, to counter the sadness and grief that Sage is experiencing in the present.

I will continue to read anything Raquel writes!

This was a fun read, especially for someone like me that loves nature and magic and their intersection! I enjoyed the characters and the way they interacted.

What held me up, however, was the setting. I have lived in Virginia my entire life and could not peg where the book was set. There is mention of costal Virginia, as well as lakes and the Appalachian Mountains. As a mountain girl, I wish I could see the ocean from my house but unfortunately it's about a 4 hour drive away and not visible even on the clearest of days. Normally this would be something easy to brush aside, but as Virginia served as a major part to the book's setting and somewhat to the plot in regards to plant species it was somewhat distracting. I doubt it will be something a lot of other people pick up on but it did unfortunately distract me. I was gifted an uncorrected advanced readers copy from NetGalley, however, and this could have been noticed and altered in the final part of the book.

I definitely would suggest this book for anyone wanting an escape and a good time. Especially those with a love for family, sisterhood, plants and magic. 3.5 stars for me!

I don't even know if I can put into words how much I LOVED "Witch of Wild Things." I was in the mood for a witchy read and this nailed everything. It's fun, it's romantic, it has lots of magical elements, and it's definitely a book not to be missed.

As an elder millennial who grew up in the time of AIM, I really enjoyed the love story between Tenn and Sage truly began there. I could relate (minus the love story part) to the endless evenings chatting with friends and crushes. While the story is fun and light-hearted, it does tackle some tough subjects such as death, family issues, relationships, and abuse. However, Gilliland does so in a remarkable way.

This is definitely a book I will be telling everyone to read.
Thank you Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC!

Thanks to Berkley for the advance copy of this book!

Sage Flores is part of a family that is touched by magic. Her ability is to communicate with plants. When she moves back home and returns to her job at the Cranberry Rose Company, she's paired with high school-crush-who-crushed-her Tennessee Reyes to survey local land in search of unique plants.

Witch of Wild Things is a lovely representation of a romance novel with a touch of magic. While Sage was nicknamed the "Witch of Wild Things" because she can speak to plants, the magic is very simple and accessible for all readers, making this a perfect witchy read for romance lovers. While this book read more on the YA side (probably due to high school flashbacks), Sage is actually 29 and the book is definitely not written for a YA audience. Ten was so attentive to Sage's needs as they were getting to know each other, and I loved the representation of sisterhood, dysfunctional families, having to grow up and take responsibility too soon, and Hispanic families in this book.

Witch of Wild Things is a delicious story that you can sink into and let wash over you like a warm bath. Sage is a broken woman who finds her way back to her family and to her first love after having believed all the bad things that happened to her were her own fault. Her flaws and her self-doubt are something we can all relate to at different times in our lives and her voice is refreshingly normal even if her gift is not.

Sage has the gift of plants. She can communicate with them and hear them and understand them. She does not have the same gift with people although she learns to find her voice with them in the end. Tenn, her love interest, is sweet and has his own demons to battle, but his unwillingness to give up on connecting with Sage in some way is hopeful and loving.

Very enjoyable read - funny, emotional, and sweeps you into a beautiful world.

Thank you Berkley and NetGalley for the ARC.

I had to give this book five stars because I enjoyed the heck out of it! It just read well, told a great story, and I couldn't put it down. Of course, I really like stories about witches, and this one had some great characters.

Description:
Legend goes that long ago a Flores woman offended the old gods, and their family was cursed as a result. Now, every woman born to the family has a touch of magic.

Sage Flores has been running from her family—and their “gifts”—ever since her younger sister Sky died. Eight years later, Sage reluctantly returns to her hometown. Like slipping into an old, comforting sweater, Sage takes back her job at Cranberry Rose Company and uses her ability to communicate with plants to discover unusual heritage specimens in the surrounding lands.

What should be a simple task is complicated by her partner in botany sleuthing: Tennessee Reyes. He broke her heart in high school, and she never fully recovered. Working together is reminding her of all their past tender, genuine moments—and new feelings for this mature sexy man are starting to take root in her heart.

With rare plants to find, a dead sister who keeps bringing her coffee, and another sister whose anger fills the sky with lightning, Sage doesn’t have time for romance. But being with Tenn is like standing in the middle of a field on the cusp of a summer thunderstorm—supercharged and inevitable.

My Thoughts:
This story had a fun, swoon-worthy romance with some tension and obstacles. There was also the magic factor which was different for each sister. Each individual gift was interesting. The book grabbed me near the beginning and kept my attention throughout - I seriously didn't want to put it down. The plot moved really well with tension building toward the climax. Themes of sister relationships, coming of age, dysfunctional family, and magical realism. I enjoyed the excepts of AOL chats when Sage was a teenager. The characters were fully developed and memorable.

Thanks to Berkley Publishing Group through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on September 12, 2023.

This book was so refreshing to read. It was a story of perseverance and forgiveness. Sage has a special magical connection with plants which also helps her see her late sister. She decides to move back to her home, Cranberry Rose and work for the Cranberry Rose Company. The latter has her working with her first love who broke her heart. Workplace romance, second chances, and overcoming past traumas, this book is a lovely read even if you don't enjoy the super natural.