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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.mx_manda's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.25
Pure candy read. This is very cute and easy to wolf down in 1-2 sittings.
One thing Aguirre does really well is write male protagonists with a soft masculinity.
Good social anxiety and adhd rep in here—down to the fact ND children and adults get criticized and picked apart at an exponentially higher rate than NT peers, and how that affects our inner scripts and mental health. Solid rep for lots of different folks.
Bit heavy-handed on some of the metaphors—like coming from two different ethnic groups and the struggle of not fitting in .
Felt the wrap up was a bit too quick, but I’ve accepted that as a feature to the author’s work. Would have liked more depth and closure in the original family storyline.
One thing Aguirre does really well is write male protagonists with a soft masculinity.
Good social anxiety and adhd rep in here—down to the fact ND children and adults get criticized and picked apart at an exponentially higher rate than NT peers, and how that affects our inner scripts and mental health. Solid rep for lots of different folks.
Bit heavy-handed on some of the metaphors—
Felt the wrap up was a bit too quick, but I’ve accepted that as a feature to the author’s work. Would have liked more depth and closure in the original family storyline.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Gaslighting
Minor: Death of parent and Homophobia
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
brucethegirl's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Iris is the messy daughter. The black sheep that is a disappointment to her mother and an irritation to her sister. From a family of vampires, Iris never had powers manifest, and lives like a human for all intent and purpose. Always ending up a disappointment with the worst luck, Iris is granted a reprieve when a great aunt passes and leaves her victorian manor to Iris. When plans to turn it into a bed and breakfast quickly fail, Iris decides to try her hand at renting. She rents out the rooms to people around town and in turn collects quite the found family.
Let's get the one downside I have out of the way. I found some aspects a little juvenile in delivery and focus. For example, her mother and sister break absolutely heartbreaking news to her and its done in such a petty and dramatic way, and then never fully discussed again. Not in a way that equals the news itself. Then suddenly other aspects start unfolding and she begins to discover her powers. As a whole, the way most of her family treats her is just bizarre and straight out of a fake AITA post. Many other issues seemed very glossed over in comparison to the offending action. It is very much a cozy fantasy, but some of the issues are not things that can be easily handled in a cozy fantasy and would have been better left out or downplayed more.
As a whole though, this was a joy to read. Very similar in vein to the very secret society of irregular witches, Only Purple House in Town is easily something to read to fill the void while looking for a similar read. It's filled with found family, acceptance, second chances, and new leases on life. The rag tag tenants that iris collects are each charming and lovable, even when they're grouchy. They work as a family to figure things out together, and are always able to come to the table together to bring different view points and ideas.
I also like that I only found out this was an installment in a series well after finishing the book. There was never any feeling like I was missing some world building or reference. It was all always self-contained and lovely.
I do hope for her sister and mother to jump in a volcano in a future installment. But for the supportive sister to get her own book because she deserves it.
Let's get the one downside I have out of the way. I found some aspects a little juvenile in delivery and focus. For example, her mother and sister break absolutely heartbreaking news to her and its done in such a petty and dramatic way, and then never fully discussed again. Not in a way that equals the news itself. Then suddenly other aspects start unfolding and she begins to discover her powers. As a whole, the way most of her family treats her is just bizarre and straight out of a fake AITA post. Many other issues seemed very glossed over in comparison to the offending action. It is very much a cozy fantasy, but some of the issues are not things that can be easily handled in a cozy fantasy and would have been better left out or downplayed more.
As a whole though, this was a joy to read. Very similar in vein to the very secret society of irregular witches, Only Purple House in Town is easily something to read to fill the void while looking for a similar read. It's filled with found family, acceptance, second chances, and new leases on life. The rag tag tenants that iris collects are each charming and lovable, even when they're grouchy. They work as a family to figure things out together, and are always able to come to the table together to bring different view points and ideas.
I also like that I only found out this was an installment in a series well after finishing the book. There was never any feeling like I was missing some world building or reference. It was all always self-contained and lovely.
I do hope for her sister and mother to jump in a volcano in a future installment. But for the supportive sister to get her own book because she deserves it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, and Abandonment
Minor: Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, and Stalking
adventuresinfictionland's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Emotional abuse, Stalking, Gaslighting, and Outing
keira_reckons's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
This was a kindhearted but silly romance/coming of age (late) tale. It had quite a few lovely moments, but was a little overwrought for me.
A nice, quick, soothing read for a bad day/week and a tired mind.
Didn't rate because this is my usual genre and I don't want to bring it's rating down unfairly.
A nice, quick, soothing read for a bad day/week and a tired mind.
Didn't rate because this is my usual genre and I don't want to bring it's rating down unfairly.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse
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