Thank you to the author and publisher for the chance to read this ARC, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The Honey Witch was a lovely, escapist fantasy for me, it is descriptive, lore and magic filled and the idea of Honey and Ash witches was truly captivating. I loved the air of Practical Magic, and Marigold and Lottie are fabulous. I hope there’s a sequel.

DNF at 22%.

This is definitely not for me. I was immediately put off by the writing, and then when the magic stuff started I just could not take it seriously. The protagonist goes to dance in a meadow at night, where she meets a glowing butterfly who her grandmother later tells her is a spirit of the land, and they communicate in "hopes, dreams and wishes". Also soulmates are real. I'm much too cynical for this kind of story.

Apart from all that the book seemed far too rushed, hurrying through establishing Marigold's character and feelings of being an outcast, and giving unearned emotionally charged scenes. I found it hard to care about any of it.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

"The Honey Witch" is a whimsical story of a young girl named Marigold who leaves her family home to join her grandmother and inherit the role of the next Honey Witch. This cozy fantasy book features a hint of romance and boasts beautifully crafted prose.

I really enjoyed the themes explored in this novel, such as identity and belonging. I also found the vivid descriptions of nature, magic, and the main character's interactions with her surroundings to be particularly captivating. Paradoxically, my favorite part of the book was the initial 30%, where the world is first introduced.

However, there are two main things that did not work for me. First, the general tone of the book. This is an adult novel, but with the exception of one adult scene, it feels like a YA. I think with some minor changes this novel would benefit from being targeted at a younger audience. Second, I found the pacing of the narrative to be somewhat uneven. Most of the book moves at a slow pace, which I appreciated for its descriptive richness and world-building. However, the plot speeds up significantly around the 80% mark, resulting in the novel's main conflict arising and resolving itself within the last 50 pages or so. This rapid progression not only feels rushed, but also diminishes the stakes. Personally, I found the resolution predictable from the beginning, even though I am not particularly good at anticipating plot twists.

Overall, "The Honey Witch" is a whimsical novel with enchanting prose and captivating world-building. While some aspects of the plot may be lacking in execution, I would still recommend this book to readers who enjoy cozy fantasy tales.

The review will be published on Goodreads in the first half of May.

Thank you for the Arc in exchange for an honest review.

The beginning gave off Bridgeton vibes. In which I’m really mean regency period. Where the fmc struggles to fit into society and marry a male. She rather be free and among the wilder nature. So she decides to live with her grandmother and become a witch. Later on that regency period theme kinda goes to the background and it settles for a more cozy witch in the forest theme.

The writing came off as lyrical for the most parts but can come off as simple on others. Things are not always explained more so as they are this way because they are. I like the idea of the book more than the execution. As the world was beautiful written but the rest was a bit boring at times.

In the beginning it’s made clear that part of the plot will be that if she decides to become a witch she will not be able to find love. And that there is an opposite bad witch who caused it. But to at least 80% of the book it’s not really mentioned anymore that there is a bad witch.

The ending felt a bit rushed and predictable. It was a fun fast read but don’t go into it with high expectations of an intricate plot. It’s a cozy fantasy with some lgbtq romance.


Would like to post on Goodreads as a review on the 20th of march or earlier

Thank you to NetGalley for letting read an e-ARC of
this book.

This is beautifully written, you can imagine the island in your mind and the cottage. Marigold really resonated with me as a character and I was enthralled by her journey.

A low stakes fantasy with romance and a wonderful story.

Would recommend

"The Honey Witch" by Sydney J. Shields is a novel that masterfully blends elements of magic and romance into a compelling narrative. Marigold Claude's transformation from a society outcast to the formidable Honey Witch of Innisfree is a journey marked not just by the discovery of her magical heritage but also by the challenge of navigating a curse that bars her from true love. The appearance of Lottie Burke, a skeptic of magic, on Innisfree presents an intriguing challenge for Marigold, setting the stage for a story that explores the complexity of relationships and the power of belief.

The novel is set against the backdrop of Innisfree, a setting that is as much a part of the story as the characters themselves. The island's lush environment, teeming with the magic that Marigold is just beginning to understand, adds a layer of depth to the narrative. The relationship between Marigold and Lottie evolves from skepticism to something much deeper, challenging both characters to confront their preconceptions and fears.

What stands out in "The Honey Witch" is the realistic portrayal of growth and change. Marigold's journey is one of self-discovery, of coming into her own as a witch and as a person capable of deep, meaningful connections despite the curse that looms over her. The magic system, centered around honey and the natural world, is unique and thoughtfully developed, weaving seamlessly into the fabric of the story.

For readers looking for a novel that combines romance with a fresh take on magic, "The Honey Witch" delivers. It's a story about overcoming obstacles, the strength found in vulnerability, and the undeniable pull of the heart. While it navigates the trials of love under a witch's curse, it remains grounded in the characters' personal growth and their fight for a future that seemed out of reach.

It’s so surprising that I didn’t enjoy this book very much because from the blurb it sounded like something I would really enjoy. I love cozy fantasy, witchy magic and sapphic romance but even so there just was something about this book that didn’t work for me.

I think the main problem was the writing style. The marketing promises a Bridgerton-esque story so I expected this to be reflected in a beautiful regency inspired writing style but unfortunately I just didn’t like how it was executed. I admit I can be a bit picky with this type of style but honestly I do think there are books out there that do Regency inspired writing much better.

Also, I found the magic and story itself to be a little bit juvenile. I probably would have liked this better had it been marketed as a YA rather than going in expecting an adult story.

Although I didn’t love this book I can see why it would appeal to other readers. If you’re thinking about giving this book a go I would still recommend you try it for yourself.

Honey Witch was a very whimsical read that left me waiting more. The setting was extremely interesting and had both cozy vibes and a very calm cottagecore vibe. A Fairytale tone to it that is very reminiscing of old folkore fairytales and whimsical cottagecore witch stories. The representation and freedom in the sexuality of the characters was a breath of fresh air and didn't feel like it wasn't supposed to happen or forced.
Now for the thinks i liked the least , i feel like the plot at points was clunky and rushed. There was no time to breathe in between scenes or scenes that were too slow at points. Part 1 was slow and then it was like getting in a bullet train and not having time to stop. There was certain elements that were definitely predictable at points, relationships that were far to instant for my liking.
Although jarring at times , i cannot deny the magical appeal in Sydney's worldbuilding and character arcs.
I recommend this if you love cozy fantasy and want to read about a young woman discovering herself and her relationship with her power and learning to love.
(3.5) rating.

This book was lovely but a little slow. Very scenic and cosy but also full of feelings, grief, loneliness, love, disappointment, hurt, joy, friendship … I enjoyed the romance and the plot with the evil witch, but the beginning of the book felt a bit slow-going and long. I was bored for a bit, not enough to leave it as DNF, by the time the thought of not finishing crossed my mind, things started moving again. And somehow I think that helps you understand marigolds feelings, as she too wants that part of her life to change. 
In all, it is a beautiful book, but it could have flown better, and the romance could have been longer going, maybe starting from the moment they met because although beautiful, it felt a bit too concentrated at the end.

This book was unfortunately another occurrence where I would have DNF'd if it wasn't an ARC.

It didn't get off to a very strong start for me, the beginning felt very rushed as if the author wanted to get the scene-setting out of the way rather than have it be organic to the story - for example, the initial ball and interaction with Mr Notley felt like a very forced way to show that the MC doesn't want marriage. There was a lot of telling rather than showing and the pace was quite slow, I wasn't compelled to pick this up.

I did enjoy the descriptive, magical writing and the scenes of Marigold in nature and learning magic on Innisfree. I also enjoyed the romance but felt that it was underdeveloped and everything happened conveniently. I do feel that this is becoming a problem in some of the newer Romantasy titles - there often doesn't feel like there's much build up or stakes as the outcome is so predictable.

I agree with other reviewers that it felt very young at first which did lend itself more to the cosy cottagecore vibes that I was expecting, so the spice and heavy topics in the second half of the book were quite jarring and felt out of place. It felt like these should have been 2 separate books.

"The Honey Witch" by Sydney J Shields is a captivating masterpiece that seamlessly weaves magic, mystery, and a touch of romance. Shields' enchanting storytelling keeps readers spellbound from start to finish, with rich character development and a plot that unfolds like a mesmerizing tapestry. The novel's unique blend of fantasy elements and the author's skillful prose make it a must-read for anyone seeking a delightful escape into a world where magic and love intertwine seamlessly. Shields' imaginative narrative creates an immersive experience, leaving readers eagerly anticipating her next enchanting tale.

3.75 stars rounded up. I had big expectations, I think it's a very highly anticipated release based on the hype and cover. Overall I liked the book, I think the poetic descriptions were enjoyable, as well as the premise. I just didn't feel strongly connected with the characters or their love story, unfortunately, which is difficult to remedy in a fantasy romance book, particularly one which is marketed as a magical sapphic love story.

On a positive note, the main character is so much sharper than I thought she would be. When you think of a honey witch, you imagine a soft, delicate, feminine, cottagecore daydream of a girl. Marigold has wild tendencies and hard edges, she’s feminist and unruly. It’s interesting and unexpected. I didn't much care for the love interest. She had many interesting aspects, such as her tragic back story, hidden trauma, career choice and prickly personality but they didn't come together to form a compelling character for me.

The setting definitely lives up to the charming, cottagecore dream I was expecting from the book. The magical guardians of the land are a beautiful concept and the magic system itself, based on honey or ash, is unique and not something I have come across before. I like that Marigold's craft is closely linked to kitchen witchery, it lends a note of realism to the enchanting daydream that is Innisfree. I think there was a slight lack of understanding of how the wider world worked for me, we got to know Marigold's old home and new home well but very little of the lands in between.

I think this book is a good example of the kind of 'impossible girls' it was written for. It doesn't sit neatly within the box for cozy low-stakes fantasy, due to the plot following our unruly, feminist heroine saving her home (and the world) from evil. It also doesn't quite reach the heights of a full-blown fantasy romance adventure novel, due to the charming, soothing cottagecore vibes. It sits somewhere in between, in a place that's difficult to label or categorise.

Thank you Redhook Books & Sydney J. Shields for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Wicked good read, i absolutely loved it.

Marigold has never fit in, she is fiercly independent and prefers to be in the woods. She never knows why until one day her grandmother shows up and tells her she is a honey witch and she needs her to come to her private island and learn spellcraft to take over from her because she is dying.

Marigold meets up with an old friend who introduces her to someone special, however not everything is as it seems and this person has a secret that could destroy everything that Mari holds dear.

This has a F/F and M/M relationships. I thought both of the relationships were really well done, i particlarly enjoyed the F/F one because it was a slow burn, you literally watched them fall in love with each other and it was sweet and charming and genuinely lovely. Mind you i do think i could have done without the sex scenes though, however i say that about most sex scenes no matter the gender, i dont ever think they are necessary aspects to the story in any way. Leave it to the readers imagination i say.

Good story overall and i would read it again!

The Honey Witch has such a magical, cozy vibe for the majority of the book! It made me want to live in its world and settle on Innisfree, enjoying the beauty if nature, the magical spirits and alllll the flavours of honey 🍯

Marigold takes over the role of Honey Witch from her beloved grandmother and, with it, she inherits wonderful powers and a terrible curse - nobody will ever be able to fall in love with her. At first, Marigold seems to think she will be okay with that... but a certain red-haired lady might make her doubt the decision! In the meantime, she has her hands full protecting her island and looming danger from an Ash Witch (her opposite in nature).

The author's writing is beautiful and perfectly lends itself to this tale of magic, family, curses and true love. It drew me in quite quickly, painted vivid images of scenes in my mind and kept the suspence well when needed!

I found that a good portion of the book was a build up to the "key plot", which really started going in the second half of the book and became rather fast-paced after a certain point. Up to then, the book focused on setting the scene and building the magic of Innisfree in the reader's mind, and consisted mostly of very magical VIBES! I could have probably done with the plot starting a bit sooner, not because I didn't enjoy the vibes-only section (actually, I really did like that!), but because it then felt there almost wasn't enough book left to cover the plot twist and major events that came up towards the end. I would have loved for that part to have more time, especially the development of various romances!

I'd definitely recommend this book to fantasy and romance lovers, especially if you like witches and nature-infused magic ❤️

Thank you NetGalley and Orbit Books for giving me the chance to read an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review!

I was so so excited for this book after seeing the lovely author promoting it on TikTok, so when I was approved I was jumping for joy. Let me tell you it did not disappoint, I loved every moment, it brought me great joy and I absolutely adored everything about it. It kept the reader engaged and had you falling for the characters. I will definitely be buying a physical copy when it is released.

A big thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.

a very cozy and slow-paced book, perfect for those who love a slow burn. unfortunately, i couldn’t connect with the writing nor the characters. i didn't like how slowly things were unfolding, but i also understand that speaks more about my own tastes. i'm glad to see that the initial reviews are very positive and that the book is being appreciated by its target audience. thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing this arc in exchange for an honest review.

This was a lovely book, about love, life and death. There are a couple of things that I thought were rushed and would like to see them better explained. Like how does society work in this world, since it seems like there’s no prejudice over some things (people love who they love) but there is over other things (women having tattoos).

I did, however, love how the LGBTQA+ relationships are portrayed, we need more books like this. The main character, Marigold, annoyed me a little. She is a good character, but sometimes she wouldn’t connect the dots when something very obvious was happening.

Overall, I liked the story, the characters (especially August), and the magic system, and would like to see more stories of this world.

Summary:
The Honey Witch of Innisfree can't find true love because of a curse. But when a girl who doesn't believe in magic visits, things get interesting in this sweet book about magic, hope, and love.

Marigold Claude, a 21-year-old who loves nature spirits, gets taken by her grandma to Innisfree to become the next Honey Witch. But there's a catch: no one can love the Honey Witch.

When skeptic Lottie Burke shows up, Marigold sees a chance to prove magic's real. But as they grow closer, Marigold faces bigger challenges to save her home and keep her magic and heart safe

Review:

This was such a charming tale filled with magic, hope, and the transformative power of love. Set on the Isle of Innisfree, the story follows Marigold Claude, a young woman destined to become the next Honey Witch, cursed to never find true love.

What makes this novel stand out is its endearing characters and the depth of emotion they evoke. Marigold's journey from a solitary young woman who prefers the company of meadow spirits to a confident witch grappling with the complexities of love is beautifully portrayed. Her interactions with the skeptical Lottie Burke add a layer of tension and humor to the narrative, ultimately blossoming into a touching romance that defies expectations.

While the novel explores themes of love, identity, and sacrifice, it never loses its sense of whimsy and wonder. The plot is expertly paced, keeping readers engaged from start to finish with its blend of mystery, romance, and magical intrigue. And though the stakes are high as Marigold faces dark magic threatening her home, the underlying message of resilience and the power of love shines through, leaving readers with a sense of hope and warmth.

Overall, "The Honey Witch" is a delightful sapphic novel that will appeal to fans of magical realism and heartwarming romance alike. With its captivating story and memorable characters, it's sure to leave a lasting impression on readers long after they've turned the final page.

[ARC provided by NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK, Orbit. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review The Honey Witch.]

Rating: 4/5

The Honey Witch is exactly what I hoped it would be; a delightfully witchy read with sweet romance and even sweeter magic – literally! There’s a lot to love about this book from the cosy vibes to the unique magic system and I’d absolutely recommend it to anyone looking for a light and easy read where there’s minimal conflict on the page and with the bonus addition of a lovely, blossoming relationship at its core.

This book follows Marigold Claude, a young woman who would rather lounge with spirits in meadows than endure the tiring demands of society such as entertaining suitors and behaving as someone of her status should. Fortunately, her grandmother arrives to whisk her away to the small isle of Innisfree where their family cottage resides, and where she can finally train Marigold to be the next Honey Witch. Marigold finally understands her true calling and after feeling out of place for so long, is ready to continue on in her grandmother’s footsteps. But their legacy comes at a cost, for Honey Witch’s must live lonely lives as they are cursed to never experience someone falling in love with them.

I struggled with rating this because although the book didn’t grip me as much as I hoped it would, I still felt it was a lovely story by the time I’d finished it. It never felt difficult or slow to get through and I enjoyed a lot of the different tropes that are found in the book. The cottagecore theme, for example, was a particularly cosy setting to sink into. I also loved the growing relationship between Marigold and Lottie, and although the reveals were a little predictable, I still enjoyed seeing the pair overcome their differences. Lottie was a great character who contrasted Marigold perfectly and my only wish is that we could have seen more of how she might develop at the end.

My main issue with this story was that the pacing was a little too fast for me. The final act in particular moved very quickly and so the main conflict arose and resolved itself over the span of a few chapters. However, I don’t see this as a massive negative, I just enjoyed the story so thoroughly that I’d have loved to have more of it to read.

The Honey Witch is the perfect book if you like fantasy reads that are quick to get through and that are filled with warm and witchy vibes. The central sapphic romance is steeped in longing that will have you rooting for the duo as time goes on, and although the stakes are high for the characters at times, the conflict doesn’t drag out for long making this a fairly relaxing read. If you liked Bridgerton and A Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, give this a try.

The Honey Witch is a beautifully written sapphic romance with dreamy cottagecore vibes - think beehives full of sticky honeycomb, glass bottles of freshly brewed lavender syrup, fields of wildflowers and gardens full of fragrant herbs.

It's a historical fantasy set in what appears to be the regency era, but it's queernormative and magical which I adored. I couldn't help but cast the FMC, Marigold, as Elle Fanning - effortlessly beautiful, freckled and wild. Her relationship with Lottie was incredibly sweet and gentle. I appreciated the satisfying slow burn as their lives became more and more intertwined. Their chemistry was endearing and surprisingly sensual throughout.

I do wish that we had more time to explore Mari's powers more thoroughly. There seemed like there was a lot of untapped potential in her abilities which was never quite explored until the final battle. Regardless, I really enjoyed this whimsical tale and fell in love with the utterly charming world Shields created.