Thanks to net gallery for this arc in exchange for a honest review.

This is the kind of book that makes me wish I was reading it in summer rather than winter. It’s very much a summer book, made to be read outside with a cool breeze and warm sunlight. It’s a cosy sapphic story of witches and magic that melts like honey in the mouth. I wish there was more so I could spend more time in Innisfree with Lottie and Marigold, but all good things come to an end. I can only hope they all end as sweetly as this book does.

The Honey Witch of Innisfree can never find true love. A curse that is her’s to bear alone. But when a young women who doesn’t believe in magic arrives on her island, sparks fly in this deliciously sweet novel of magic, hope and love overcoming all. Marigold Claude has always preferred the company of the spirits of the meadow to any of the suitors of her hometown who have tried to woo her.

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 comes with a curse: no one can fallen love with the Honey Witch. When Lottie Burke, a notoriously grumpy skeptic who doesn’t believe in magic appears on her doorstep, Marigold seizes the opportunity to prove to her than magic is real.

Marigold begins ti care for Lotties in ways she never expected. And when her darker magic awakens and threatens to destroy her home, she must fight for much more than her new home. She could risk losing het magic and her heart all at once. A novel that is a sweet and warm as fresh honey from the hive. A story that explores love, loss and loneliness in a way that is both heartbreaking and bittersweet with the joy of seeing magic in all things. A novel that will charm you with it’s incredibly beautiful setting, charming characters and story that love may just conquer all.

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘓𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘉𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘱 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘺 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘤𝘩 𝘣𝘺 𝘚𝘺𝘥𝘯𝘦𝘺 𝘑. 𝘚𝘩𝘪𝘦𝘭𝘥𝘴

The world of this novel felt vert immersive and I instantly felt brought into.the works, a great read overall.

I was utterly captivated by every moment within the pages of this extraordinary novel. The narrative unfolds in a beautifully inclusive world, embracing queerness as the norm and introducing readers to a captivating magic system.

Marigold, our protagonist, is a truly delightful character. As the unconventional member of her family, her unique status as a honey witch adds an extra layer of intrigue to her story. The exploration of honey witches, their magical prowess, and the endearing relationship between Marigold and her grandmother, Althea, was an absolute delight.

The plot's evolution, coupled with poignant depictions of loneliness, resonated deeply with me and will linger in my thoughts indefinitely.

The portrayal of Marigold and Lottie's relationship was a highlight, with their interactions eliciting numerous smiles throughout the narrative. A particularly sensual moment, the tattoo scene on the boat, stands out as one of the most evocative passages I've encountered in quite some time.

Having had the privilege of being an arc reader for this book, I've been unable to shake its enchanting grip since. Even in its early stages, "The Honey Witch" unfolded as a beautiful mix of magic, love, and loss. I devoured the entire tale in less than a week, cementing its place among my top reads of the year. Sydney's writing, whether in small snippets or the entirety of this book, consistently leaves me yearning for more.

Every character, from the main protagonists to the smallest side figures, became dear to my heart. Sydney skillfully breathes life into each, making them authentic and relatable in their own unique ways.

I can guarantee you won't regret immersing yourself in the enchanting world of "The Honey Witch."

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5909838450

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for approving my request to read an arc of this book.

The Honey Witch has been on my radar ever since saw the stunning front cover months ago. I was so excited when I saw it on NetGalley and I’m very grateful I got the chance to read it early. I enjoyed this book immensely and it had such a unique take on magic that I haven’t seen before. The characters were amazing and the story was so much fun. I really enjoyed the dynamics of Marigold and Lottie and it was brilliant reading as their relationship developed from irritation and annoyance to love and adoration. I highly recommend this book. My favourite aspect of The Honey Witch was that despite the historical setting, there was zero homophobia or racism. It was such a refreshing change and one I hope more writers will follow

This was a well written and sweet story. I loved all the witchy and magical parts but there was a bit too much romance for my personal taste. 3.5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc