“Violet Thistlewaite is Not A Villian Anymore” elevates the Cozy Fantasy genre to new heights. Violet was once the feared right hand of an evil sorcerer, but after he’s killed and she’s given a second chance, she sets out to leave villainy behind her.

Violet moves to the sleepy, small town of Dragon’s Rest and decides to use her powerful plant magic for good and open a flower shop. She initially clashes will her neighbor, a grumpy alchemist named Nathaniel who runs the apothecary shop, but something romantic is growing between the shopowners. However, the two soon end up as allies when a mysterious blight and a figure from Violet’s past threaten to damage the livelihood of the townspeople. Violet also must wrestle with sharing her dark past with her newfound friends and the complexities of redemption.

“Violet Thistlewaite is Not A Villian Anymore” is a fantastic rumination on second chances. This novel plays with the reader's heartstrings like Pru does her violin. The secondary characters and lore of the novel are fantastic and incredibly rich, from a homicidal houseplant to a garden gnome allergic to flowers, and it’s clear they have their own stories to tell.

With lush scenery and incredible descriptions, its easy to be transported to Dragon’s Rest and be trapped in the pages of the book. The rich prose and story arc trap the reader in a trance, and while you may think you may have this book figured out, it changes shape and leaves you shocked in the best of ways.

My only quibble is that I wish this book was longer, but I can be sated knowing this book was acquired in a two-book deal. I can only hope this second book returns us to this magical world and explores it further.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of Violet Thistlewaite is not a villain anymore. This light enemies to lovers romance is a gentle easy read.

I absolutely adored this cozy, magical gem of a book! Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore was the perfect blend of heart, humor, and healing, with just the right dash of romance to make it completely irresistible. From the very first page, I was captivated by Violet’s journey of redemption and self-discovery, and I never wanted to leave the enchanting town of Dragon’s Rest.

Violet is such a compelling, layered character—her determination to reinvent herself, to shed her past and become someone better, felt so honest and relatable. And Nathaniel? The ultimate grump with a gooey center. His reluctant partnership with Violet was pure magic—the tension, the banter, the slow-burn connection that bloomed between them had me grinning and swooning in equal measure.