Sadly this didn't work for me. For starters, right from the beginning, the main character Marigold read much younger than her twenty years. It really felt very young adult. Considering the adult themes later in the novel it just felt a little strange and hard to connect to emotionally. The writing sadly just didn't capture me. It felt very flat and two dimensional.The plot synopsis was selling something I just don't think the writing could deliver on. The whole curse thing was also very silly. It had a very obvious plot hole and I didn't feel it made a lot of sense. The honey witches are cursed not to fall in love in order to destroy their bloodline. But they can apparently have babies without any outside help because their magic can just magic up a baby. So what is the point of the curse? I just don't think it was really thought out that well. Sadly this was a miss for me. I think the author has potential though. One last thing: in the first chapter i noticed 3 taylor swift references. This book felt like the author was trying to write a taylor swift song. It was just weird.

This is a lovely heartwarming story.

The honey witch is about marigolds who has always felt different to her siblings and she discovers that she’s a honey witch. She moves to her grandmothers cottage inis-free to learn how to become a witch and this follows her story as she learns and grows.

I adore the characters, Lottie is such a tsundere. The writing is sublime. Increadibly atmospheric and the romance although slow burn is so sweet.

I especially enjoyed the relationship between Marigolds and her grandmother Althea and the idea that all magic has a counterbalance magic. Honey having its balance be ash Magic was so interesting to me. Very unique.

Overall, it’s a wonderful cozy cottage core sapphic romance that I would recommend if you enjoy low fantasy settings with a focus on relationships and characters. I would absolutely recommend!

Thank you to littlebrown book group uk and NetGalley for the Arc. All opinions here are my own and I am sharing them voluntarily.

I will post my review on my Instagram, Waterstones and Goodreads.

This book turned out to be - predictably - more vibes than plot, which is fair, with a pitch like that; but because it's a standalone, and nothing much happened for most of the book, the ending ended up feeling anticlimactic. However this is all just a matter of the mood in which you get into the book, but for me, it felt like a miscategorized YA or NA. The source of my lacklustre experience with the book is that this doesn't read like an adult book about adult characters at all, the cast all feels much younger than the declared age and the tone less mature than I'd have expected of an adult standalone novel. And I'm not talking about sex or violence - but the maturity of characters.

"The Honey Witch" offers a cozy fantasy experience that wraps readers in the comforting embrace of its narrative. With its enchanting depiction of bees and honey, intertwined seamlessly with a captivating magic system, the book transports readers to a world brimming with warmth and intrigue. The meticulous world building, particularly the vivid portrayal of the Isle of Innisfree, evokes a sense of wonder and longing, inviting readers to immerse themselves fully in its enchanting setting.

What truly sets "The Honey Witch" apart are its characters, each one carefully crafted and imbued with depth and complexity. From the resilient Marigold to the endearing Mr. Benny, the cast of characters leaps off the pages, their journeys and relationships woven intricately into the fabric of the story. Marigold's character development, in particular, is a highlight, drawing readers into her personal growth and struggles.

However, its slow pacing and lack of significant events was disappointing. The narrative unfolds gradually, focusing more on the characters and their relationships than on plot. Additionally, I would have like even more exploration of the magical elements and a deeper dive into its themes.

Despite these points its heartfelt portrayal of queer joy, loss, and resilience was really good. The book resonates a deeply emotional level, offering a poignant exploration of love and connection in the face of adversity.

In conclusion, "The Honey Witch" may not be for everyone, but for those who appreciate its blend of regency charm, magic, and sapphic romance, it's a delightful journey worth embarking on.

The Honey Witch was one of my most anticipated releases of 2024. The blurb was really promising and the cover, oh my, how beautiful! Sadly it didn't quite reach my expectations.
Let's start with the things I liked:
I could identify with the portrayal of grief and at some points the prose was really promising! I think with a little experience the author will have a quite nice writing style.
Now some things I didn't liked:
The book isn't categorized as ya/na but it surely does feel like it (except for some scenes). Every character seemed much younger than they are. What kind of contributes to this is that the author used the phrasing "impossible girl" a lot. It is used to an extend were I, tbh, rolled my eyes everytime it was used again. Also, why "girl"? Aren't they in their early/mid twenties?
The ending was too rushed and the change in the atmosphere in the last 1/4 of the book felt too harsh. It didn't quite match the rest of the book.

Then there are some parts I had more issues with (spoiler warning!)
• Why is it that true love can only be romantic? Isn't platonic love as valuable? I wished for a more nuanced exploration of love
• For what reason is it, that Lottie dies right after (or because) they (kind of) had sex???? That was so so so unnecessary and must have been SO traumatising.

The Honey Witch is a regency-inspired, sapphic, cottagecore romantasy with a magic system based on honey.

My favourite part about this book was the absolutely beautiful writing! The author is AMAZING at making the world feel so alive, with lyrical and magical depictions of the nature and scenery, and this really sucked me into Marigold’s new responsibilities in the apiary and Innisfree!

I also really enjoyed the grumpy/sunshine romance in this! Sapphic romances are always a favourite because WOMEN but Marigold’s curse made for an interesting dilemma. Think Jacks from OUABH vibes. The friendships in The Honey Witch are also so sweet!

I did have a couple issues with this book. The ending felt quite rushed in my opinion; knowing that it was a standalone and thus everything needed to be resolved in this book, I began to wonder when I had only like 30 pages left how this book was going to wrap up in such a small portion of the story. It almost felt a little anticlimactic.

I wish we got to see Marigold learning/ practicing all of the knowledge her grandmother passed on a little more. There were a lot of time jumps in this book and I think that it would’ve been nice to see some of the things she got up to in these time periods to make the magical element of the story a bit more prominent.

I also think that one of the big plot twists was really obvious from very early on in the book and maybe it could’ve been foreshadowed with a little more subtlety.

Overall, I did enjoy this book, I think the vibes were absolutely perfect and I really loved all of the characters and their relationships. I think my main issues were with the plot/pacing. I would recommend this to anyone wanting a quick, sweet but emotional, witchy read.

Rating: 3.5

This book definitely screamed cottagecore, the vibes were beautiful, but I did find it a little predictable. I'm not sure if that was intentional or not, but I found myself shouting at the main character for not seeing what I as the reader could see. It was also very slow and I did struggle but the vibes/writing kept me going, just. I still enjoyed this book, but I personally would have enjoyed it more if I wasn't able to guess everything that was going to happen to the characters.
This book overall is beautifully written but I just didn't feel bonded to the main characters, not necessarily the books fault, but this just took down the enjoyment for me. I would definately recommend giving this book a try for yourself, because as I say it was beautiful, just maybe not to my tastes.

Thank you to Orbit UK and Netgalley for the eARC.

✨"She does not look down. She stands tall and proud and certain that she did the right thing for herself."✨

🐝 Marigold is a free spirit who loves nature and swimming in the lake in the middle of the night and who feels stifled by the rigid rules of society.I found her to be a fresh, sunny and brave character ,because yes ,it takes courage in deciding to put yourself first and choose the right path l while leaving behind loved ones. And it is this choice that led Marigold to Innsfree , a small magical Island made of flowers,bees and magical creatures that she is destined to protect by taking her grandmother's place as Honey Witch.
Here Mari will make it her mission to make the reserved and grumpy Lottie believe in magic, and so ,slowly transforming their relationship into tender and genuine slow burn.

🐝the strength of the book more than the plot was the world building: the prose is so lyrical and vivid that rather than describing the scenes it paints them making you want to go outside and lie on the grass under the sunshine. Plus the fact that the entire magic system is based on Honey and Ash magic ,two opposing but both necessary magics to keep things in balance, helps make the story even more interesting and cozy.

✨In essence for me is the Honey Witch was the right book at the right time! I found it simply sweet ,relaxing ,with the ability to make me feel the sun on my skin and the scent of honey! So if you are a fan of Legends and Lattes this and want an enveloping read, this is the perfect book for you !

This book was really well written and I enjoyed reading it.

It was written in 3rd person which for me makes it instantly harder for me to connect with the characters, but I feel like I needed more from them that just wasn't there?

The ending felt like it was a little bit rushed too.

The overall writing was really good though, it was really descriptive allowing you to picture the surroundings easily, I was just hoping for more from the plot.

Book review: The Honey Witch🍯

Publication Date: 14th May 2024
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

**POTENTIAL SPOILERS AHEAD**
Magic or mythcraft?

I was so excited to get approved for the ARC of The Honey Witch, and little did I know how much this book would come to mean to me in the days ahead.

The story centers around Marigold, a young woman destined to become a Honey Witch – a role steeped in magic but cursed with the inability to find true love.

The day after I began reading, my grandmother passed away. The bond that Marigold shared with her grandmother in the book mirrored my own connection with mine, making the story instantly resonate on a deeper level.

As I dove into Marigold's journey, a strange thing happened. A few days after my loss, I visited my mom, and to my surprise, two bees buzzed around us – unusual for the autumn season. Then, at my grandmother's service, the same thing happened with 2 little bees! One bee even got tangled in my hair, indoors no less.

These experiences solidified my belief in magic and omens, a concept the book beautifully explores. It felt like a message from my grandparents, a warm embrace during a time of immense grief.

The Honey Witch became a source of comfort during one of the most difficult realities that I've ever had to endure. The story's themes of grief, family, friendship, and the power of love, both magical and real, offered a sense of solace.

I found so much comfort in the way Sydney wrote about loss. This wasn't just a story about witches and curses; it was a reminder that even in the face of loss, there's magic to be found in unexpected places. It offered a gentle nudge towards healing, encouraging me to find the light within the darkness.

"Her grief isn't going anywhere, but maybe she can make friends with it. Maybe there are good memories hiding behind it."

Thank you to @netgalley and @orbitbooks_us for a copy of this eArc in exchange for an honest review

My review for The Honey Witch by Sydney J. Shields (5 stars): Magical cottagecore sapphic romance at it’s best!

Thank you Orbit and Sydney J. Shields for this advanced readers’ copy of The Household in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this whimsical cosy romantasy. It’s a beautiful story about love, destiny and courage, set in a world full of magic, unusual creatures and witches. The slow-burn sapphic romance with elements of enemies to lovers, forced proximity and grumpy-sunshine was the best I’ve ever read in a fantasy book.

We follow our main character Marigold Claude, the oldest daughter of Lord Claude, a famous artist and an established gentleman. Despite coming from such an esteemed household, Marigold has always struggled to find her place in society. She is not a great dancer, not good with paints and doesn’t have a beautiful singing voice. Marigold never cared for a suitor, but the one she once had broke her heart by proposing to another girl.

But soon, things change for Marigold: when her grandmother appears at her doorstep, she offers the young girl to become the next Honey Witch. The magic runs in the family and the next Honey Withc must protect the magical land of Innisfree. Innisfree, a tiny island in the middle of nowhere, full of colourful flowers, bees and magical creatures, is the source of the Honey magic. It’s also the perfect place for the darker magic to make its claims on eternal living… Marigold must fight to protect her newfound home and her loved ones.

I truly enjoyed the slightly slower pace of this story, with the beautiful prose organically taking me through the events of the story. I fell in love with this world, the characters and the story with its great LGBT representation and the best slow-burn sapphic love story. If you liked the pacing of Legends and Lattes, you will like this one too.

DNF @ 25%

I tried, I really tried. This was one of my anticipated releases this year but i just can't do it. Once I hit 20%, whenever I picked the book up I closed it after a few pages and I dreaded coming back. I rarely DNF books, and never DNF ARCs but I hate this writing so much, I am doing myself a favor and leaving this book behind or else I'd be stuck in another slump.

First things first, the writing is overly explanatory while the plot points are extremely simple, and the fact the author takes time to explain everything to me as if I am a 5 year old child just felt insulting to me. It's just that the concepts are so simple I am confused as to why we even need the explanations to begin with. There is absolutely nothing complicated about the plot to require having everything spelled out the way it was. (It is totally okay not to have complex plots for a cozy fantasy but then let's simply not waste our time on explanations). Also, please do not misunderstand, I am not shaming the author for trying to explain their plot, my problem is with the way it's done because it really feels like the author is talking to a child. The plot is basically the most basic evil witches vs good witches, doesn't get any more complicated than that. Also, the book felt strangely preachy at times, which just added to the "child" feel of it all.

The writing feels a little all over the place too, unfortunately. Sometimes, in between scenes the author tries to include passages that are supposed to come off as profound and poetic (though it's debatable whether they did their job) but they stick out like a sore thumb when the rest of the book is written in this very simplistic manner.

On the topic of plot points, there is already a huge plot hole 20% in and I'm shocked it was not caught while editing? Because it literally makes the whole plot of the book absolutely meaningless? Perhaps it is explained later on but I don't see why it wouldn't be when we are told about the curse.

Lastly, do not expect it to be a historical novel. It says it's like Bridgerton but it's not accurate to the era. I am usually not pressed about inaccuracies but here the author didn't even try unfortunately. Unless, it's not supposed to be historical in which case I am not sure where the Bridgerton comparison plays in. If you just like the aesthetics of the setting (which is fair!) then you might enjoy it and it won't find it too grating.

The worst part of all is that I did not even get to the romance and it was what I looked forward the most.

That being said, while I am very disappointed, I think that this book has the potential to just be a vibe read where you just go along for the ride. Sadly, I can't overlook all that I have mentioned but I hope you will have better luck if you decide to pick it up.

The Honey Witch is often described as a cross between Practical Magic and Bridgerton and I can see why. It merges the Regency vibes of Bridgerton with PM‘s whimsy and presents a cute sapphic lovestory full of cottagecore. I am, however, a bit conflicted about some elements of the plot. While I really liked the characters and the witchy vibes of Innisfree, I found everything just a bit too predictable. There are so many hints smacking you in the face throughout that nothing really comes as a surprise. This is the reason why I can only give three stars: I don’t want to know 30% in how everything‘s going to come together. Please leave a little bit up to the reader’s imagination, will ya?
Overall, this is a beautiful story though. I loved the writing and look forward to reading more from the author.

Set in a very queer-friendly alternate Regency era, i really loved the world-building here. This is a cosy, witchy romance but be warned - there is serious peril here, and I really did have the fear for a minute there. Would have liked to learn more about the dynamics of the dualling magics at work, but I zoomed through this book cos I was so charmed by the lead protagonists and their grumpy-sunshine dynamic.

The Honey Witch" offers a blend of magic and romance in a cozy fantasy setting. The exploration of family dynamics adds layers to the story, but some readers may find the character development and world-building lacking. Protagonist Marigold's journey through grief and self-discovery is intriguing, though some may struggle to empathize with her self-inflicted problems. Lottie's character feels underdeveloped. Overall, the pacing can feel disjointed at times. Despite its potential, some may feel that the novel ends too abruptly, leaving lingering questions and a disconnect from the characters. While fans of light fantasy may enjoy this book, others may feel it lacks the depth and cohesion they are looking for.

This book was a nice cosy romance with a little bit of witchy goodness, all set in the regency era! A good fun read, with the relationship developing well.

this book was fun and was great for the cottagecore aesthetic, however it took a while for it to feel like the story started, and i considered dnfing it many times. i also wasn’t the biggest fan of the writing style, some parts were confusing and there were some obvious plot twists, which i wasn’t sure was purposeful or not.

the romance was also strange, i enjoyed their scenes together but struggled to feel the chemistry, and it felt like a lot of the emphasis was on if they were “destined”.

finally, i wish the spells and magic had been more fleshed out as it was a big part of why j wanted to read.

however, i enjoyed the platonic and familial love, which was very sweet to see, abc the setting on the island was brilliant, i would love to live there.

i do recommend if it sounds like your vibe, it just didn’t all work for me personally!

A sweet story filled with magic and romance.

When Marigold Claude learns she can inherit magical powers and care for a secluded, bee-filled island she doesn't think twice before accepting. The price - a family curse that prevents anyone from falling in love with her - doesn't make her think twice. But when Lottie Burke arrives on the island, shrouded in secrets and scepticism, she starts to doubt her decision. Is there a way she can protect the magic of Innisfree from sinister, dark threats, and follow her heart?

I really loved the world building and premise of this story - Innisfree was beautiful and so cosy and relaxing to read about. Marigold uses honey in all of her spells and tends to the flowers and bees of Innisfree whenever she isn't concocting cures and charms for visitors.

However her magic comes at a steep price, and loneliness and grief make for poor companions in her secluded cottage. Then Lottie arrives, bringing mysterious headaches, dark moods, and a healthy dose of scepticism, and I loved watching their relationship develop.

Changing review due to finishing the book. From the beginning I didn't expect this to be literary fiction and tried to skip over the very... juvenile writing style at times because the premise intrigued me. However, it just didn't hold up at all and after many pages of this, I can positively say this is one of these books that just wants to appear on Tiktok and was specifically written with that in mind (with the whole "cottagecore witchy aesthetic vids from the author on instagram I keep seeing it checks out). The plot and worldbuilding are not holding up at all (major plot points like the curse that gets explained away in a matter of seconds.. come on), I am specifically irritated by why the author has chosen the name "Innisfree" for the scene setting, which is a popular poem by Irish national writer W.B. Yeats - I was expecting to at least have some Irish folklore intwined with the story but no, seems like the author just deemed it "cute" and didn't think any further. Bit tone-deaf given its significance in Irish Literature. Then we have the main character who became more and more insufferable, one-dimensional and bratty by the minute. I get that writing involves learning and getting better but I'm not sure why this book was published with such plotholes and terrible writing.

3.5 stars

Thank you to Orbit and NetGalley for my digital review copy.

I was very excited to read this, and maybe my expectations were slghtly too high.

It was easy to loose myself in the world and writing style - I wanted to learn more about Marigold and being a honey witch that I didn't realise I was nearly 60% through, but, as for being 60% through, I realised that the main plot was moving slowly. But then a lot seemed to get covered in the last 20% and I realised that the pacing felt off to me and that parts of the book could be fleshed out more.

The setting is a queernormative world, in a time period reminiscent of the regencey era and I feel like the historical aspects could be done better, though with that being said, I did love the setting of Innisfree and its whimsical, magical vibes.

This is the sort of book that I could absolutely read in one sitting and I waited so long to read my e-arc as I wanted to start it on the perfect sprong day (This didn't end up happening and I started it on a quintessential cold, grey british spring day, but it was addictive to read about the sunny spring setting that this book gave me. It is absolutely a springtime book).

I wished we had more time to explore the magic system of the world and the duality of ash magic vs honey magic because what we did get had so much promise.

I do love a sapphic romance, especially given the tropes in this book, but there were parts of it that didn't feel as much of a slow-burn that I expected and due to the pacing issues.

Overall, I did enjoy this fun little read, with cozy undertones and I would recommend if you want something to read on the lighter side.