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chanlo1994's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I loved all the characters. I wish I could know them in real life.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Xenophobia, Toxic friendship, and Bullying
Moderate: Outing
cookiemonstaly's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Quick, cosy, fun read. One of the more annoying parts was the ML dragging out a misunderstanding, and the story wraps up in a very Deus Ex Machina way at the end. But overall it was a good read.
Other readers mention that this is part of a series, but it reads more like a spin-off series to Fix-It Witches rather than a continuation.
Other readers mention that this is part of a series, but it reads more like a spin-off series to Fix-It Witches rather than a continuation.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Gaslighting
Minor: Bullying
FL has an emotionally manipulative family who constantly gaslights her.readingthroughinfinity's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.75
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy.
Sadly, this was a case of beautiful cover, disappointing story. The narrative style was more suited to YA than adult and there were too many cliches peppered into the story to make it feel truly original. The found family felt forced, like the author had decided from the get-go that she wanted to write a novel about a found family, and planned everything else around it (at the expense of realism and character development). When one of the characters directly said the words "found family" in a conversation, I couldn't help it, I cringed.
The plot felt unplanned and a bit cobbled together too; at the beginning we're given cosy small-town witch vibes, but then towards the end, the main character, Iris, suddenly finds out she's fae and a whole host of other lore and world-building are haphazardly thrown in. I also didn't like the love interest - his interest in Iris is supposed to come across as sweet and endearing, but his obsession with her actually seems unhealthy. He basically stalked her since she was 11? Not good.
It's also worth noting that this is the fourth book in a series, though it can be read as a standalone.
Sadly, this was a case of beautiful cover, disappointing story. The narrative style was more suited to YA than adult and there were too many cliches peppered into the story to make it feel truly original. The found family felt forced, like the author had decided from the get-go that she wanted to write a novel about a found family, and planned everything else around it (at the expense of realism and character development). When one of the characters directly said the words "found family" in a conversation, I couldn't help it, I cringed.
The plot felt unplanned and a bit cobbled together too; at the beginning we're given cosy small-town witch vibes, but then towards the end, the main character, Iris, suddenly finds out she's fae and a whole host of other lore and world-building are haphazardly thrown in. I also didn't like the love interest - his interest in Iris is supposed to come across as sweet and endearing, but his obsession with her actually seems unhealthy. He basically stalked her since she was 11? Not good.
It's also worth noting that this is the fourth book in a series, though it can be read as a standalone.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Stalking and Emotional abuse
Minor: Bullying
leeghlee's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Cursing, Transphobia, Abandonment, Classism, Stalking, and Outing
Minor: Pregnancy, Alcohol, Death, and Death of parent
kat_impossible's review
3.0
*I was provided with an eARC by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!*
The Only Purple House in Town is the fourth book in the "Fix-It Witches"-series, although I didn't know that diving in. So, let my review be a testimony to the fact that you can read this novel without having read the previous books. You might miss some cameos from former (lead) characters (which there are quite a few) or take some getting used to the world the characters inhabit. It didn't take me too long to find my bearings, but without prior knowledge on the magic and in-world developments, I found the synopsis for the book to be a bit misleading.
In the realm of The Only Purple House in Town, we can exhibit a world quite similar to ours. This isn't high fantasy after all. However, witches have decided to out themselves and they aren't the only supernatural beings - shape shifters, vampires, fae and the like all exist as well. I wasn't fully prepared for that kind of mayhem, if I'm being completely honest. I did love that it lead to a beautiful found family trope, which was my favorite part of the story.
Although the tale is mostly told from Iris and Eli's perspectives, it was their housemates and the side characters that made the story come to life. I also enjoyed the wide variety of queer representation that just felt very naturally ingrained in it all. Seeing those people be in a bind and find a place they not only feel welcome and safe in, but actually at home at was great and heart-warming.
Speaking of matters of the heart, that's what I had some quarrels with - the love story between Iris and Eli! I just can't get over the fact that Eli had basically stalked Iris since he was 11 years old, because she did something nice for him once. I get that it was a big deal for him and most of his actions throughout the novel are well intentioned, but that doesn't change the facts. And fact is, Eli dedicated a lot of his free time thinking about Iris, looking her up on social media, deceiving her and moving in with her, all the while she had no idea they had even met prior to their roommate interview. It's not a good look and I don't really get how fast Iris did a 180 and just brushed it off as "well, I'm not perfect either". Let's not make stalking okay, just because the guy is nice in the end, alright?
Over all, The Only Purple House in Town was an easy, fast and (for the most part) sweet read. A lot of the relationships are fairly cut and dry and there could have been a bit more nuance for the villains (they really were just mean/evil). Again, I much preferred the friendships to the romance, but that's just because of Eli's actions.
Fazit: 3/5 stars! Found family will always hit the sweet spot for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Homophobia, and Bullying
Minor: Death of parent
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