Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore
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 endangers 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 previous life 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?
- Pages
- 360
- First published
- November 18, 2025
- Language
- English
- Edition
- Ebook
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Reviews
Finished July 21, 2026
honestly i love a book about a woman blowing up her entire life as she knows it and reinventing herself in a new town throw in magic and a homicidal plant companion and a grumpy neighbor to woo?? sold!! thanks so much to berkley/ace for this digital review copy
Finished July 2, 2026
3.5 ⭐️ This was such a cozy read. Perfect for fans of The Spellshop and The Enchanted Greenhouse. It has a sentient plant and everything! This was such an easy read and I really enjoyed both the characters and the setting. It has such a fun premise with a former villain trying to learn how to be good and Violet was the sweetest ever I truly loved her. Grumpy sunshine and the sunshine was the one who was supposed to be a former villain. 😂 I did love Nathaniel as well even if I did want to give him a shake at times, but the romance was very sweet. I loved the town and all of the side characters. They all stood out and even with the limited interactions with the towns people that we see on page you still fall in love with all of them! I can’t believe that I waited so long to read this one because it is the exact kind of cozy fantasy romance that I love. I will definitely be reading the second book. Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!
Finished July 11, 2026
- cozyfunnyhopefulMedium-paced
Started July 6, 2026 · Finished July 15, 2026
What a great villain turned hero story! Loved the cozy vibes that also came with stakes and inner conflicts I feel so many can relate to. Really enjoyed this and the narrator did a great job too! Now I need the prequel of what happened before... 👀
Finished August 5, 2026
Started July 12, 2026 · Finished July 18, 2026
Finished July 4, 2026
- inspiringlightheartedreflectiveFast-paced
Finished July 5, 2026
Finished July 10, 2026
I love a good cozy book and what better way to do it then with a reformed villain!
▸ Did not finish (2)
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