Quick Synopsis – 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. The quaint town of Dragon’s Rest 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?

Song This Reminds Me Of – Who I Am Hates Who I’ve Been – Relient K

Publication Date – Nov. 18, 2025

Bookshop Link – Violet Thistlewaite is Not a Villian Anymore by Emily Krempholtz

Content Notes – This is an adult open-door romance. There is violence, blood, violence against magical creatures, death of a parent (off page), and child abuse.

Spicy Rating – 🌶️🌶️

Overall Rating – ⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of 5

Review – I wouldn’t quite call this a cozy fantasy because there are some very real stakes and darker themes. Even with the darker themes this is a lovely story about starting over and overcoming your past. Violet Thistlewaite is the dreaded Thornwitch, she’s used her power to decimate crops, poison enemies, and wipe out whole towns. When her mentor Guy Shadowfade is taken out, Violet sees this as her chance to start over. She moves into the town below Shadowfade’s castle and rents the second half of the local apothecary. Of course, the owner of the apothecary is a hot grump, Nathaniel Marsh.

As Violet settles into town and her second act, her and Nathaniel orbit around each other. Both have their secrets and traumas; both love a good wordplay sign. Seriously, one of my favorite parts of the book was that the author included little drawings of the store’s sandwich board signs that would go in front of their respective stores. This book honestly made me giggle with the back and forth between Nathaniel and Violet. I liked that this was a romance but wasn’t a damsel in distress fantasy. Violet doesn’t need Nathaniel to save her, she needs him to accept her. I also loved that both characters were flawed and in their late 20s/early 30s. It made the story much more realistic to me. Also, both characters had committed morally grey or downright evil actions. Both had obstacles to overcome and grow together instead of it being a straight narrative of this person is evil forever and ever.

The only thing that I didn’t love was that there was a B plot concerning Violet’s birth parents. It felt like the author was sort of setting up a pathway for a second book or another story in this universe. However, the ending seemed fairly concrete and not really open to a second act. I didn’t love the ambiguous nature because I think following these characters into another adventure would be fun.

If you like a cute fantasy romance with morally grey characters, this would probably be a good read for you!

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing – Ace for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.