Genre: Fantasy, LGBTQ
Content Warnings: death, violence
Publish date: May 14, 2024
Synopsis:
The Honey Witch of Innisfree can never find true love. That is her curse to bear. But when a young woman who doesn’t believe in magic arrives on her island, sparks fly in this deliciously sweet debut novel of magic, hope, and love overcoming all.
Twenty-one-year-old Marigold Claude has always preferred the company of the spirits of the meadow to any of the suitors who’ve tried to woo her. So when her grandmother whisks her away to the family cottage on the tiny Isle of Innisfree with an offer to train her as the next Honey Witch, she accepts immediately. But her newfound magic and independence come with a price: No one can fall in love with the Honey Witch.
When Lottie Burke, a notoriously grumpy skeptic who doesn’t believe in magic, shows up on her doorstep, Marigold can’t resist the challenge to prove to her that magic is real. But soon, Marigold begins to care for Lottie in ways she never expected. And when darker magic awakens and threatens to destroy her home, she must fight for much more than her new home—at the risk of losing her magic and her heart.
My Review
My Rating: 4/5 stars
I love love loved this book! I read it in just three days and never wanted to put it down. It was the perfect witchy, cozy, sapphic story.
The tension between Marigold and Lottie was *chef’s kiss*, made even more intense by the curse Marigold is under. The forbidden love trope was executed just perfectly. Every touch and kiss and even glance caused pain for Lottie, but she fell for Marigold anyway. And though Lottie was nothing but rude to Marigold in the beginning, Marigold was attracted to her regardless.
Besides the love story absolutely sizzling throughout, the cozy vibes were immaculate. Marigold lives on the island of Innisfree, in a tiny cottage, tending to her bees and practicing witchcraft. And if that doesn’t sound like the perfect life I don’t know what is.
The side characters were also adorable, from Lottie’s bff August to Marigold’s troublesome siblings. Mr. Benny has my whole heart! The way he acted as a grandfather for Marigold was so wholesome and adorable.
And if you are looking for spice, The Honey Witch definitely delivers. Just because the main characters shouldn’t touch doesn’t mean they don’t….
The only reason I withheld a star from this new fave of mine was because of some issues with pacing and stakes. The stakes were absolutely so high, but the final conflict was squished into the very end, so there was no time for suspense or for me to really be invested in all that Marigold could lose. Most of the story was a slow and cozy vibe, so the final boss battle felt somewhat out of place. Other than that, though, this book was perfection!!
I absolutely recommend this book and I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy when it comes out!
Jules Reads 
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