A powerful plant witch and a grumpy alchemist must work together to save their quiet town from a magical plague in this debut cozy fantasy romance about starting over, redemption, and what it really means to be a good person.

Guy Shadowfade is dead, and after a lifetime as the dark sorcerer’s right-hand, Violet Thistlewaite is determined to start over—not as the fearsome Thornwitch, but as someone kind. Someone better. Someone good.

The quaint town of Dragon’s Rest, Violet decides, will be her second chance—she’ll set down roots, open a flower shop, keep her sentient (mildly homicidal) houseplant in check, and prune dark magic from the twisted boughs of her life.

Violet’s vibrant bouquets and cheerful enchantments soon charm the welcoming townsfolk, though nothing seems to impress the prickly yet dashingly handsome Nathaniel Marsh, an alchemist sharing her greenhouse. With a struggling business and his own second chance seemingly out of reach, Nathaniel has no time for flowers or frippery—and certainly none for the intriguing witch next door.

When a mysterious blight threatens every living plant in Dragon’s Rest, Violet and Nathaniel must work together through their fears, pasts, and growing feelings for one another to save their community. But with a figure from her past knocking at her door and her secrets threatening to uproot everything she’s worked so hard to grow, Violet can’t help but wonder…does a former villain truly deserve a happily-ever-after?

3.5 stars

Cozy fantasy and I have a bit of a complicated relationship. It’s very hit or miss for me, and more often than not, it’s a miss. But this one was such a pleasant surprise and ended up being a solid hit. For a debut novel, I was genuinely impressed and already looking forward to what the author does next.

As far as content goes, there is some mild language and a few open-door spice scenes. They’re not overly graphic, but I’d still give it about two peppers. There are also gay side characters, for those who like to know that going in.

I listened to the audiobook and thought the narrator did a fantastic job bringing the story to life. I went in pretty much blind, and one of my favorite surprises was all the plant and flower magic woven throughout the story. It gives the whole book such a fresh, vibrant feel, making it perfect for spring or summer reading.

The cozy vibes really worked here. The quaint small-town setting, the quirky and lovable side characters, and especially the strong found family element all pulled me in. This is one of those worlds that feels warm and inviting, and I genuinely enjoyed spending time with these characters and getting to know the community.

The story follows Violet, who is trying to start over in Dragon’s Rest after killing her boss and struggling to keep her darker magic in check. I really liked her as a main character. She’s easy to root for, and I enjoyed watching her navigate a fresh start while dealing with her past. The themes of self-worth, forgiveness, healing, and learning to accept yourself felt meaningful and relatable without being heavy-handed.

I also loved getting to know the twin siblings, Prudence and Nathaniel, with Nathaniel stepping in as the love interest. There is a bit of insta-love, but it was handled in a way that didn’t bother me. The romance leans into a grumpy/sunshine dynamic, which is one of my favorite tropes, and I thought they balanced each other really well. I also appreciated that the characters are in their 30s. It added a level of maturity that you don’t always get in romantasy, and it helped avoid a lot of the frustrating, impulsive decisions you sometimes see.

Overall, this was such an enjoyable read. It’s atmospheric, cozy, and perfectly suited for the warmer months. The plot kept my attention the whole way through, and I even found myself really into the action toward the end. I’ll definitely be picking up the sequel. I highly recommend giving this one a try if you’re in the mood for a cozy fantasy that actually delivers.