The Only Purple House in Town by Ann Aguirre

Iris Collins is the messy one in her family. The "chaos bunny." Her sisters are all wildly successful, while she can't balance her budget for a single month. It's no wonder she's in debt to her roommates. When she unexpectedly inherits a house from her great aunt, her plan to turn it into a B&B fails--as most of her plans do. She winds up renting rooms like a Victorian spinster, collecting other lost souls...and not all of them are "human."

Eli Reese grew up as the nerdy outcast in school, but he got rich designing apps. Now he's successful by any standards. But he's never had the same luck in finding a real community or people who understand him. Over the years, he's never forgotten his first crush, so when he spots her at a café, he takes it as a sign. Except then he gets sucked into the Iris-verse and somehow ends up renting one of her B&B rooms. As the days pass, Eli grows enchanted by the misfit boarders staying in the house...and even more so by Iris. Could Eli have finally found a person and a place to call "home"?

---

The Misfit B&B — chaos, found family, and a house that may be more than it seems.

✶ Pre-Reading Thoughts ✶
Iris Collins is the chaos bunny of her family, and that description alone had me hooked. A messy heroine, a mysterious inherited house, and a sprinkle of the supernatural? Yes, please. I was ready for quirky misfits, magical hijinks, and maybe a little romance.

✶ Post-Reading ✶
As I thought… the story leans hard into cosy chaos. Iris can’t plan anything without it going sideways, and her house quickly becomes a magnet for lost souls — both human and otherwise. Watching her stumble through B&B management while genuinely trying to help her boarders was charming and heartfelt.

It surprised me by… how much Eli’s story grounded the chaos. He’s wealthy, successful, and still somehow lonely — the perfect counterbalance to Iris’s whirlwind energy. Their dynamic is sweet, slow-burning, and genuinely satisfying without ever feeling forced.

✦ Music Pairing ✦
🎵 Featured Song: “Dog Days Are Over” – Florence + The Machine
🎶 Vibe Album: I’m All Ears – Ingrid Michaelson
🎧 Artist Recommendation: The Oh Hellos

(very “sunlight in a quirky little house full of weird little joys” energy)

✧ Vibe Check ✧
Colour Palette: warm creams, sage green, splashes of jewel tones
Soundtrack: whimsical piano, soft guitar, gentle rhythm
Season: spring — fresh, lively, and full of potential
Mood: chaotic, hopeful, slightly magical
Scent: baked bread, old books, faint candle wax

★ Tarot Pull ★
The Two of Pentacles

Iris is trying to balance a lot at all times, keeping her house afloat, her housemates happy, and just what exactly is going on with Eli anyway? It's tough, but she keeps things going with a smile and a determined expression.

✦ For fans of ✦

📚 Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter
📺 Heartwarming magical slice-of-life shows like ‘Gilmore Girls’ meets Something Wicked This Way Comes*

✶ Final Thoughts ✶
A heartwarming, whimsical read with a strong found-family vibe and just the right amount of magical chaos. Iris and Eli’s story is delightful, the boarders are memorable, and the mix of humour, romance, and supernatural mischief hits just the right note. Perfect for readers who like their stories cosy, slightly odd, and full of heart.

The Misfit B&B publishes on 10th Mar, 2026. I received a free copy and am giving an honest review.