Violet Thistlewaite is not a Villain Anymore by Emily Krempholtz

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✦ BLURB ✦

Guy Shadowfade is dead, and after a lifetime as the dark sorcerer’s right-hand, Violet Thistlewaite is determined to start over—not as the fearsome Thornwitch, but as someone kind. Someone better. Someone good.

The quaint town of Dragon’s Rest, Violet decides, will be her second chance—she’ll set down roots, open a flower shop, keep her sentient (mildly homicidal) houseplant in check, and prune dark magic from the twisted boughs of her life.

Violet’s vibrant bouquets and cheerful enchantments soon charm the welcoming townsfolk, though nothing seems to impress the prickly yet dashingly handsome Nathaniel Marsh, an alchemist sharing her greenhouse. With a struggling business and his own second chance seemingly out of reach, Nathaniel has no time for flowers or frippery—and certainly none for the intriguing witch next door.

When a mysterious blight threatens every living plant in Dragon’s Rest, Violet and Nathaniel must work together through their fears, pasts, and growing feelings for one another to save their community. But with a figure from her past knocking at her door and her secrets threatening to uproot everything she’s worked so hard to grow, Violet can’t help but wonder…does a former villain truly deserve a happily-ever-after?

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Cosy fantasy, second chances, and sentient houseplants with attitude.

Pre-Reading Thoughts

I was drawn to this one for the “what happens after the end” vibe — that moment when the dark overlord is gone, and everyone has to figure out how to live in the aftermath. I was curious to see how Violet, a reformed villain, would navigate both her own past and a world that might not fully trust her.

Post-Reading

As I thought…
Violet’s journey is charming and heartfelt. Krempholtz balances the cosy fantasy elements with real stakes: PTSD, trauma, and the messy aftermath of a life in service to evil. The flower shop, sentient houseplant, and small-town magic all give this a whimsical and warm tone that’s impossible to resist.

It surprised me by…
How well the romance and personal growth wove together with the community-building and plant-saving plot. Violet isn’t just trying to fix herself—she’s trying to fix her corner of the world, and the stakes feel both intimate and meaningful. The way secrets from her past gradually surface keeps the tension just right without overshadowing the overall cosy mood.

MUSIC PAIRING

• 🎵 Featured Song: “Bloom” by The Paper Kites — soft, hopeful, with an undercurrent of something wild.

• 🎶 Vibe Album: Folklore by Taylor Swift — gentle, introspective, layered with stories.

• 🎧 Artist Recommendation: Feist — whimsical and warm, yet with bite.

VIBE CHECK

• Colour Palette: mossy greens, soft lilacs, and the occasional punch of crimson.

• Soundtrack: chiming bells and soft wind through leaves.

• Season: early spring — new growth and second chances.

• Mood: tender mischief.

• Scent: fresh soil and lavender.

TAROT PULL

From the Witch’s Cat Tarot: The Fool — playful, courageous, and stepping into the unknown with a mix of curiosity and caution. Violet embodies this energy perfectly as she rebuilds her life and learns to trust both herself and others.

For fans of:

• Book: The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune — cosy, heartwarming fantasy with high stakes.

• TV/Film: Good Omens (for its mix of humour, magic, and quirky heart)

Disclaimer

Violet Thistlewaite is not a Villain Anymore publishes on the 18th of November, 2025. I received a free copy and am giving an honest review.