Review based on a free eARC provided by the publisher, thanks to Hachette Australia.

Cottagecore - Sapphic - Bridgerton - Romantasy.

This cosy cottagecore sapphic romantasy was a sweet, comforting read that suffered ever so slightly from issues of pacing.

While I found myself intrigued and charmed by the world Shields created, along with her sweet ensemble cast of characters, the middle of the narrative dawdled. And delightful as it was to spend more time in the regency adjacent village of Bardshire, I was left feeling as though this was achieved at the expense of a somewhat rushed conclusion.

The final climactic scenes could have been fleshed out further and greater resolution given to the character's happily ever after with just a few tweaks of editing.

Having said this, I did find myself often enchanted (not sorry for the pun) by this book and look forward to Shields' further works!

Book Review of The Honey Witch by Sydney J Shields 🐝
This review is based on a free advance copy provided for my unbiased thoughts and opinions.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Hatchette Australia & New Zealand and the author 🩷

Twenty-one year old Marigold Claude has always been viewed as a little odd. Not talented like her younger siblings and jilted by the man she thought to marry, she wonders if she’ll ever find true acceptance. When Marigolds estranged maternal Grandmother arrives, she informs the young lady of her familial legacy as a firstborn daughter; the power and responsibility of a Honey Witch. Desperate to finally have answers for her yearning to commune with nature, Marigold travels with Grandmother Althea to her quaint village home of Innisfree where she must learn to take the mantle for herself.

I really enjoyed this cosy and atmospheric read, with its lush descriptions, cottage core vibes and a practical magic-sequel curse. Set in the 1800s, The Honey Witch combines Regency elements and Green Witch folklore to create a whimsical and quietly introspective story. This is not a story for those who like a fast paced plot and it’s an ideal read for right before bed.
The magic system was unique and while I found the tense the author used a bit jarring at times (it was almost written by an objective observer), the sweet themes of found family, magic and love overcoming all were so pleasing. I found it odd that the main antagonist only appeared at 92% through the book and found the build just not there for the last showdown. The cover art of this book is seriously beautiful and I wish I had a whole shelf of them to display.

3.75/5
The Honey Witch was a refreshing, sweet, and cosy fantasy, but still explored deeper elements like love, loss, and grief. The 1800’s regency setting was beautiful, and certainly gave me Bridgerton meets ‘cottagecore vibes’. I really enjoyed the atmosphere of this story, and certainly would be great for those looking for a cosy fantasy.
I did find the pacing was off at times, where some parts dragged on (and some others went by very fast) – but that is definitely something I could deal with, especially for a debut novel. Looking forward to seeing this author grow and their future works!

3.75

Very sweet, cozy tale dripping in honey and queer love.

I did find the dialogue a little forced, almost scripted, and at times Mari was a bit too curmudgeonly.
But overall it was lovely.

Description: Twenty-one-year-old Marigold Claude has always preferred the company of the spirits of the meadow to any of the suitors who’ve tried to woo her. So when her grandmother whisks her away to the family cottage on the tiny Isle of Innisfree with an offer to train her as the next Honey Witch, she accepts immediately. But her newfound magic and independence come with a price: No one can fall in love with the Honey Witch.

First of all I would like to thank both Netgalley and hachette for accepting me to read an arc copy of the book.

From the start I have enjoyed my time reading this book, it is definitely a good cosy fantasy to read and enjoy a bit of romantasy in this which includes LGBTIQA+. The book also includes grief, forbidden love, grumpy/sunshine and also pregnancy troubles but for an overall I definitely enjoyed reading the adventure of The Honey witch.

The Honey Witch is a sweet and simple fantasy fiction. It's not trying to reinvent the wheel, and there are a lot of fantasy tropes present (enemies to lovers, two people but only one bed available at the inn wink wink, cursed soul mates, etc), but it's lovely. I think this will be great for anyone who just wants a little bit of cosy escapism.

A refreshing novel that explores love, loss and loneliness. It play on your emotions and has interesting characters in a beautiful setting.

I loved this story. Thank you.

The Honey Witch of Innisfree can never find true love. A curse that is her’s to bear alone. But when a young women who doesn’t believe in magic arrives on her island, sparks fly in this deliciously sweet novel of magic, hope and love overcoming all. Marigold Claude has always preferred the company of the spirits of the meadow to any of the suitors of her hometown who have tried to woo her.

When her grandmother whisks her away to the family cottage on the tiny Isle of Innisfree with an offer to train her as the next Honey Witch, she accepts immediately. But her newfound magic and independence comes with a curse: no one can fallen love with the Honey Witch. When Lottie Burke, a notoriously grumpy skeptic who doesn’t believe in magic appears on her doorstep, Marigold seizes the opportunity to prove to her than magic is real.

Marigold begins ti care for Lotties in ways she never expected. And when her darker magic awakens and threatens to destroy her home, she must fight for much more than her new home. She could risk losing het magic and her heart all at once. A novel that is a sweet and warm as fresh honey from the hive. A story that explores love, loss and loneliness in a way that is both heartbreaking and bittersweet with the joy of seeing magic in all things. A novel that will charm you with it’s incredibly beautiful setting, charming characters and story that love may just conquer all.

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘏𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺 𝘰𝘯 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘺 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘤𝘩 𝘣𝘺 𝘚𝘺𝘥𝘯𝘦𝘺 𝘑 𝘚𝘩𝘪𝘦𝘭𝘥𝘴