Violet Thistlewaite is Not a Villain Anymore by Emily Krempholtz
Publication Date: November 18th 2025 by Ace
Pages: 368
Source: Publisher
Rating: ★★★½
My
Thoughts:
Violet’s childhood was stolen by Guy Shadowfade, a dark
sorcerer who exploited her rare gift for plant magic. Forced to obey his
commands, she became known as the dreaded Thornwitch. Now, with Shadowfade
gone, Violet longs for a gentler life, one filled with kindness, beauty, and
the quiet joy of tending flowers in her shop at Dragon’s Rest. All she needs is
to keep her past buried.
Nathanial, however, isn’t so easily convinced. Prickly and
protective, he resents his sister’s decision to rent out the cottage to Violet
and distrusts her from the start. With his alchemy shop inconveniently next
door, avoiding her is impossible.
But when a mysterious blight begins to spread across
Dragon’s Rest, threatening crops and livelihoods, Violet and Nate must set
aside suspicion and work together.
Violet keeping her identity secret for so long was
distressing, since I knew it’d come out eventually, but I did enjoy this fun,
cozy mystery! I love gardening and
flowers, so Violet’s powers appealed to me. What resonated most, though, was
the theme of redemption: Violet’s guilt over her past deeds and Nate’s regret
for his family’s struggles gave the story emotional weight. Together, their
journey felt like a hopeful reminder that healing and renewal are always
possible.
3.5 Stars
Book Description:
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?
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