I received this as an ARC from NetGalley. Fun book about finding out who we can be when we’re courageous enough to start over and to accept support and love.

4.5 stars

I’m always a sucker for a cozy fantasy/romantasy and this book was exactly what I hoped it would be!
I loved how Violet reinvented herself and learned what she was capable of on her own. I really felt for her and the way she was constantly doubting whether or not she could truly be “good”but she was still so upbeat and cheerful to everyone around her.
Nathaniel was the perfect grumpy alchemist who didn’t trust Violet at first. Despite that I absolutely loved their banter and the way they were so drawn to each other. The moment Nathaniel finally gave in and admitted his feelings to Violet had me giggling and kicking my feet. They were so cute together and I loved the way they helped each other with their magic and worked together.
This book was so fun and is perfect if you’re a fan of
-cozy fantasy
-found family
-grumpy/sunshine
-small town
-magical creatures

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC!!

What a fun romp this has been! Love the humour and dialogue. The fact that the cover is absolutely GORGEOUS doesn't hurt, either.

Charming, cozy, and full of heart, Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore is a delightful tale of redemption, second chances, and slow-burn romance. Violet’s journey from feared witch to beloved florist is funny, sweet, and surprisingly emotional. Her dynamic with grumpy alchemist Nathaniel is a perfect opposites-attract setup, and the magical town of Dragon’s Rest is pure comfort. A few pacing dips aside, this is a warm hug of a fantasy with just the right amount of spice and whimsy.

I really enjoyed this book. The story was so sweet and touching. I loved the cozy feeling it gave and getting to see the characters healing journey. It also had the best vibes. I loved Violets character. She was so sweet. Bartleby was my favorite character though lol! It was cheesy at times and I found a few grammatical errors but other than that I had a good time!

This is the blurb I just sent the author:

"Charming, deeply romantic, and kind - Violet Thistlewaite's journey of redemption is a cozy delight." - Stephanie Burgis, author of Wooing the Witch Queen

Just lovely!

DNF at 60%. Nowhere in the description is there any hint that there is explicit sexual content, and I don't dig it, so I'm not finishing. Otherwise, there's also lgbt representation. Slow action. The MMC is very flat.

Thank you to Ace and NetGalley for a gifted ebook to read and review.

Change is in *full bloom* for Violet Thistlewaite.

As the pseudo-daughter of the infamous villain Shadowfade, Violet Thistlewaite was better known by those she terrorized as the Thornwitch. Once Shadowfade is killed, Violet wants to leave her past behind and become a witch that uses plants for beauty instead of destruction. Along with her murderous plant Bartleby, she opens a flower shop in Dragon's Rest that shares its property with the Marsh twins' family apothecary. Grumpy former alchemist Nathaniel Marsh is reluctant to let this new woman into his life, but her quiet spark for life endears her to the rest of the village.

A truly cozy fantasy, I found myself getting lost in the world Dragon's Rest while also getting the bits of everyone's past that filled in the blanks. The whole premise grabbed me from the get-go and kept me engaged until the end. The main characters are all fully developed, and the chemistry between the two leads is sizzling. I wish that I could go get flowers from Rough Around the Hedges right now!

The adorableness of Peri and Daisy together makes my heart melt, as well as wanting a graphic novel of their adventures together.

Clearly leaving the door open for a sequel, this book will delight fantasy and non-fantasy fans alike.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing I Ace for the opportunity to read this book for free in exchange for my honest review.

Here's a rewritten version of your review in your own words:

This book was such a delightful and heartwarming read! I absolutely adored it. It felt like a breath of fresh air – truly unique and captivating. It's packed with comforting moments, romance, fantasy elements, love, friendship, second chances, and overall happiness. I especially loved the main character, Violet Thistlewaite, a plant witch who decides to open a flower shop in a small town and encounters Nathaniel, a rather grumpy alchemist.

Even though it's a light and cozy story, it has a surprising amount of emotional depth as the story unfolds. This was a fantastic and easy book to get through. It made me think and left me feeling joyful. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking for a wonderful fantasy read! It's a 5 out of 5 stars for me!

Thank you to NetGalley, Emily Krempholtz, and Berkley Publishing Group | Ace for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Violet Thistlewaite is Not a Villain Anymore -- the heart of the story is right there in the title! Violet is a powerful witch who used her powers for terror and destruction as a side kick to the ultimate bad guy. Now that he's gone, she's moved into a small village and is trying to start over as the owner of a flower shop. But her landlord doesn't seem to like her, and it's hard to keep covering up the past. Can she "be good" and make her new life a success? This is a sweet, cozy romantasy, easy to read and enjoy.

"Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore" by Emily Krempholtz is a delightful cozy fantasy following a grumpy alchemist and a powerful plant witch. There's nothing I like more than a good cozy fantasy, and this one fit the bill perfectly with its quirky characters, fabulous small-town setting, slow-burn romance, and great world-building.

Can a leopard change its spots? Can evil truly change its ways? That’s the heart of this charming book. Violet Thistlewaite was once the formidable Thornwitch and the right hand of Guy Shadowfade, an evil sorcerer. After his death, she decides to start over and be good, settling in the quaint town of Dragon’s Rest. She opens a flower shop, doing her best to keep her sentient (and mildly homicidal) houseplant Bartleby—and her dark magic - in check.

Her bouquets and sunny disposition win over the welcoming townsfolk, except her grumpy landlord, Nathaniel Marsh, who has issues of his own. The plot thickens when an evil alchemist arrives in town and a mysterious blight begins threatening every living plant in Dragon’s Rest. What follows is a whimsical tale with a touch of mystery thrown in for good measure.

I loved this book and didn’t want it to end. Written in dual third-person POV, we get immersed in the characters’ worlds and inner reflections. There are a couple of morally gray characters, and even the evil sorcerer isn’t entirely one-dimensional. He’s manipulative and abusive, playing on Violet’s mind and emotions—making her believe she was worthless, unloved, and nothing without him. While he seemed to care for her in his own twisted way, he ultimately used her and her magic to serve his dark purposes.

I adored the dynamic between the characters and the witty notes exchanged via the shop signs - not to mention the chapter titles and flower graphics, which completely captured my heart. Amidst the romance and adventure is a thread that runs through the main characters: a message about knowing and embracing who you really are. The book also explores themes of identity, low self-image, abuse, rising above your circumstances, second chances, fresh starts, friendship, community, found family, redemption, and love. One may not escape their past, but they can sure shape their future.

Rock goblins, a sentient plant, a dog named Daisy, Jerome the Gnome, and other quirky characters add to the book’s charm. This is a feel-good novel - engrossing and sweeping - that leaves you warm inside, with wonderful characters you can truly connect with and care about. I loved every minute of it and highly recommend it. While the author tied up most of the loose ends, a couple remain - hopefully hinting at another book on the horizon. Full stars from me!

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.

This book is just cute 4 1/2 stars. It is a cozy read with a little spice. This is the kind of book that you read when you need cheering up or just do not want anything serious. Hoping for a sequel.

Violet Thistlewaite is Not a Villain Anymore is a heartwarming and surprisingly tender story that explores what happens after someone has played the “villain” role for too long—and decides they want to change. Violet’s journey is filled with emotional depth, moments of quiet humor, and a gentle reminder that people are more than the worst things they've done.

What stood out most to me was how the book tackled healing from trauma with care and honesty. It never felt heavy-handed, but the message was clear: growth is possible, forgiveness matters (especially self-forgiveness), and we all deserve a chance to rewrite our stories. Violet is complex and endearing, and her transformation is both believable and inspiring.

This was a sweet, affirming read with strong emotional undercurrents, perfect for readers who enjoy character-driven stories with a touch of redemption.

Emily Krempholtz' debut cozy fantasy, Violet Thistlewaite is Not a Villain Anymore, brings readers into a whimsical world of magical flower shops, sentient houseplants, and second chances. It’s a warm, hopeful tale that explores redemption and identity but something about it made me feel that it didn't quite meet its full potential. The town itself and all of the weird characters MAKE this book. Dragon’s Rest feels like a magical Stars Hollow, filled with charm and cozy potential. I absolutely adored the writing style also.

Violet Thistlewaite, once the formidable Thornwitch and right-hand to the infamous Guy Shadowfade (RIP), wants nothing more than to leave her dark magic behind. Relocating to the charming village of Dragon’s Rest, she opens a flower shop and charms the locals with enchanted bouquets. Enter Nathaniel Marsh: grumpy alchemist, co-greenhouse dweller, and the embodiment of the term “emotionally constipated.” His no-nonsense demeanor is a sharp contrast to Violet’s earnest efforts to bloom where she’s planted.

The central conflict—a magical blight threatening the town’s flora—adds urgency, but doesn’t always feel deeply rooted in the narrative. The stakes are there, but the pacing often meanders, especially in the middle which makes the ending feel a bit rushed for me.

Overall, this is a charming debut with heart and atmosphere. I can see a lot of people LOVING this book especially fans of cozy fantasy and redemption arcs.

Thanks so much to Net Galley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing me with an advanced copy of this book! :)

4.5*

The cover is what drew me in, but the idea of a story following an ex-villain wanting to make a new life for herself in a cozy little town is what made me request the arc, and boy this did not disappoint!

Violet Thistlewaite is Not a Villain Anymore was such a cozy and whimsical story. I felt wholly immersed in the magical world the author created and their writing made everything come to life so vividly. I loved the small town setting and the interesting cast of side characters that inhabited it. The main characters, Violet and Nathaniel, were everything to me!! The dynamic between them was so lovely to watch evolve as they got to know each other.

Violet tugged at my heartstring so hard. All she wants is a second chance at being a better and kinder person, but she has to come to terms with her past and all the pain she has caused, all while hiding her infamous identity from everyone she is coming to care for!! *cries*

Nathaniel is dealing with pain of his own, and he has all his walls up… or a fortress around his heart and his emotions if you will. He is so guarded and watching him slowly heal as he and Violet get to know each other made me sob.

The romance was tender, steamy and I ate up every single moment of it.

This book is absolutely for the cozy romantasy lovers, who love a sweet story packed full of whimsy and magic. It has such cottage core vibes too! The plant magic and the alchemy!! Oh, and I need a little rock goblin STAT!!

Genuinely such a fantastic book that made me equal parts emotional and giddy.

I start every cozy fantasy I read with the slightest bit of trepidation because of what I feel is a common pitfall of the genre: when things are a bit TOO cozy. It is hard to strike the balance of a low stakes setting without experiencing the reader equivalent of watching paint dry. I need something to keep me a bit more engaged - this does not have to be a wild plot unraveling in the background, sometimes this can be rectified simply by having a more in depth and fleshed out cast.

I am happy to report such a pitfall is not the case with this book! Emily Krempholtz does a great job of balancing characters who have lived full lives and carry their own baggage while retaining a cozy atmosphere, and while the plot does have a bit of urgency built into it, it still falls into the realm of cozy. Seeing Violet reconcile with her upbringing while still trying to carve out a place for herself makes this a fun read perfect for fans of books like The Spellshop.

I had to sit with you for a couple of days and really think about it. But that’s just it…all I could do was think about it! I was always thinking about these characters, this world, constantly wanting to read more of this world and these characters lives. I enjoyed myself so much. I am absolutely going to find myself re-reading this once a year. I absolutely ate up the romance in this. A fantastic build up for those two and I would even say a he falls first micro trope which is so delicious. Dual POV in this, which in my opinion is needed for these two! The author also explores some complex topics like abuse, grooming (non-sexual), guilt and how hard it is to actually grow and change as a person. I genuinely want to spend more time in this world with these characters, even the side characters were so interesting. The fantasy and magical system isn’t over complicated. This book felt extremely cozy. I often found myself enjoying a cup of tea under some blankets and feeling so at home while reading this. I can’t wait to read more from this author whether it’s this world or a new one. Buying a physical copy as soon as it comes out. If you’re into cozy fantasy (especially with great yearning and some smut) I beg you to pick this up!

This is a really great book that I would categorize as cozy fantasy. However, for me, it has more depth to the tale thanks to the main character Violet and her attempt to not be a villain anymore. With the depth of characters trying to achieve the life they want despite issues, or traumas from the past is what sets this a part from other "cozy fantasies" and makes this an ejoyable and delightful fantasy with a remerable plot.

This was such a warm, whimsical cozy read! I loved everything about this book! This book is like a breath of fresh air. It is both unique and fascinating. It is full of comfort, romance, fantasy, love, friendship, second chances and happiness! I loved the female main character named Violet Thistlewaite, who is also known as a plant witch. As she begins her new journey, she decides to open a flower shop in a small town. She then meets a grumpy guy named Nathaniel, who is an alchemist.

As the story unravels, you will get to see the emotional depth this story has, even though it is a lightheaded and cozy read. This was an amazing, easy to read book. It is thought provoking and full of joy. I highly recommend this book to anyone that is looking for a great fantasy read! I rate this 5 out of 5 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley, author Emily Krempholtz and Berkley Publishing Group | Ace for this digital advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book is set to be released on November 18, 2025!

Okay this was so darn cute. I didn’t know what to fully expect when I started reading but I finished this having really loving it. There were moments of it being a cozy fantasy but then deeper meaning and moments where it was quite emotional.

Our main character Violet being raised as essentially a villain with a whole redemption arc? Loved it. This has some deep and emotional moments with her character arc and development throughout the book. How she made some dark mistakes in the past and how she is growing/ changing to where she can and wants to be now.

Watching the FMC and MMC fall in love was a chefs kiss. It didn’t feel rushed or pushed. I was rooting for them and kicking my feet. There was the second chance/ redemption of Violet’s life and heading into a found family and I ate it up.

I also can’t believe this is a debut! I can’t wait to see what the author has in store because this is definitely a book (and author) you won’t want to miss a read from.