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 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?
My thoughts:
This is a book I picked up on a whim from Book of the Month, mostly because I was craving a cozy fantasy. And for the most part, that’s exactly what it delivered. A former villain starting over in a quiet village, low-stakes magic, charming townsfolk, and a gentle sense of warmth. What I didn’t expect were the spicy scenes, which ended up throwing off the cozy vibe more than I anticipated. I know that this is totally a me issue, but it still threw the book off for me.
The story follows Violet Thistlewaite, once the Thornwitch and right-hand woman to a dark sorcerer, now very much done with being evil. With her former boss dead, Violet decides it’s time for a clean slate. She relocates to the small town of Dragon’s Rest, opens a flower shop, and commits herself to being kind, helpful, and good. It’s a familiar setup, and if you’ve read something like Legends & Lattes, you’ll recognize the appeal immediately. A powerful, world-weary protagonist stepping away from darkness to build something small and meaningful.
For me, the fantasy world was one of the book’s strengths. I sometimes struggle with getting oriented in new fantasy settings, but this one was easy to sink into. The magic system isn’t overly complex, the town is well sketched without being overwhelming, and the tone stays approachable. Dragon’s Rest feels like a place you could happily linger, complete with quirky locals and a general sense that people are willing to give second chances.
Violet herself is an enjoyable main character. She’s fierce, capable, and trying very hard to be better without pretending her past didn’t happen. There’s humor in her attempts at normalcy, especially with her sentient, mildly homicidal houseplant, and I liked watching her slowly integrate into the town. Her internal struggle around redemption feels sincere.
The romance comes into play through Nathaniel Marsh, a grumpy alchemist who shares her greenhouse space. Their dynamic is exactly what you’d expect. Opposites forced into proximity, mutual irritation, growing attraction. It’s cute and comfortable, and it fits neatly into the cozy fantasy mold. Where things got a little rocky for me was the inclusion of explicit scenes. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with spice, it felt at odds with the otherwise gentle, low-stakes tone. Those moments pulled me out of the cozy headspace rather than enhancing the story.
Plot-wise, the book sticks to familiar beats. Just as Violet starts to settle into her new life, darkness threatens the town, forcing her to confront both her past and her power. Evil, of course, comes knocking, and secrets threaten to undo everything she’s built. None of this surprised me, but it didn’t need to. The story knows what it is and doesn’t try to reinvent the genre.
Ultimately, this is a book that succeeds on vibes more than originality. It’s cute, comforting, and easy to read. While the spicy elements weren’t quite for me in a story like this, I still enjoyed my time with Violet and the world she inhabits.
If you’re a cozy fantasy fan who enjoys redemption arcs, quaint villages, gentle magic, and a touch of romance, this book will likely hit the spot. Just know that it leans a little spicier than you might expect for something marketed as cozy.
