Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore

By Emily Krempholtz

Book Overview

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?

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0593954300
• ISBN13: 9780593954300
• Release Date: November 2025
• Publisher: Ace Books
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.1" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

So Perfect!

This was a perfectly sweet and cozy fantasy that hits all the right notes to leave the reader feeling warm and fuzzy happy! Or at least me anyways. I was very surprised to find out that this was a debut novel and I will definitely be watching this author to see what else she will come up with though it might be hard to top this story. I fell right in love with Violet, taken as a child by the evil Shadowfade to be molded into the Thornwitch, a powerful mage that can level towns via strangling vines or bogs to sink them. Very impressive! Though I was just as impressed by her new start, free to actually follow her dreams which include a flower shop, and mayhap a little get together with a certain grumpy alchemist next door who also is her landlord. :) Her and Nathaniel's little war of words on the sign and their slow burn to something else was so sweet and sassy! Of course you have to have a bit of danger to keep things moving and it is just the right amount and of course it wouldn't be complete without a showdown of change and realizations and then happy ever after! I think the best message this book had was that it is great to decide to do better but it doesn't mean wiping out your whole past. You are who you are because of your past and people need to accept that you have made mistakes and are not perfect but if you are trying to change, then things can work out. Such a wonderful story with fantastically interesting characters and sweetness with rock goblins, found puppies, new love, and alchemical creations (would love to try that sweet dreams one!) and flowers galore (plus a certain homicidal vine that I would love to meet...from a distance). Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to get lost in this perfect cozy fantasy!