Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore
by Emily KrempholtzCategory
About this book
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?
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What readers are saying
Blue Owl Readswhimsical without being fluffy
"This book is pure comfort with a mischievous wink. Violet is a former villain’s right-hand witch who’s done with curses and chaos and just wants to grow flowers in peace. Naturally, the universe says absolutely not. Set in the small, quietly magical town of Dragon’s Rest, Violet opens a flower shop, adopts a mildly homicidal sentient plant, and finds herself sharing greenhouse space with Nathaniel, an infuriatingly grumpy, very attractive alchemist. The grumpy/sunshine vibes are immaculate, the romance is soft and slow, and the emotional depth sneaks up on you when you least expect it. It’s whimsical without being fluffy, heartfelt without being heavy, and centered on second chances, redemption, and the question of whether former villains are allowed happy endings. (Spoiler: you’ll desperately want Violet to have hers.) 🌸 Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore by Emily Krempholtz Cozy Romantasy | Grumpy x Sunshine | Found Family | 367 pp | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5) “Goodness wasn't something you could just be; it was something you did." ["
February 9, 2026 Verified Purchase
Constant ReaderFour and a half stars
"This is a fun story with serious aspects of redemption, emotional abuse, romance, and friendship. I enjoyed it. ["
February 1, 2026 Verified Purchase