***Disclaimer: I received a free early access copy of The Honey Witch by Sydney J. Shields from Orbit Books for review purposes. Thank you so much for opportunity.
I have been having some issues this year with reading, but this book really got me jump started again into it. I have nothing but pure love for this book and I’m so excited to share my thoughts with you!
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 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.
Wow, all I want to do is just gush about this book. I took my time with it not because it was a slow read, but because it was just that magical. Having time to soak in the story was one of the best experiences to have with this book.
I loved every character from Marigold to even her mother. Marigold was such a wonderful protagonist. She was smart, but she also had doubts about herself which was very relatable. The relationship she had with her grandmother, Althea was so special. I loved reading the parts where Althea was teaching her the ropes.
The magic system being based off of honey was so neat! I personally love honey and it really brought out my inner Winnie the Pooh. It was definitely unique and I really like how it corresponded with nature so well, which is often the base of magic, but this made it very special.
August and Lottie were such great companions for Marigold. I loved August’s whimsicalness and carefree attitude. Lottie was such a neat character to have develop and her story unfold.
Despite some things being more on the predictable side, Sydney really wrote it in a way to where it was more of a nice surprise to be right than having it be a disappointment.
If you’re looking for a cozy, magical read with wonderfully written relationships, look no further. This book is definitely what you’re looking for.
Rated 5 stars.
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