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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
jlouiseknits's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
More of a short story than a full novel. Cute, but not outstanding. Not sure I'd actively recommend to anyone.
Content Warnings
Minor: Kidnapping, Gaslighting, Religious bigotry, Transphobia, and Xenophobia
bzliz's review
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
This was cute and cozy and completely forgettable. Before reading, I recommend you lower your expectations, then lower them some more. The characters are more like caricatures and speak in very similar ways but if you like surface level found family, you’ll enjoy this.
The worst part was the forced romance. Iris was right to be creeped out that Eli had essentially stalked her. They didn’t have any chemistry and the way their relationship began felt like when middle school kids “date” by randomly declaring they’re boyfriend/girlfriend.
On the plus side, there’s lots of representation for so many types of people, even cranky Karens next door. I did think the housemates were all sweet despite being one dimensional.
Content warnings:
Death of a parent (off page):Eli’s parents both die when he’s young so he’s raised by his ‘Gamma’
Homophobia, transphobia, outing (off page):Housemate Rowan is brought in to the group after they are outed to their parents. Out of concern for their safety, the crew rescues them and takes them in.
Stalking (on/off page):Eli checks up on Iris’ social media regularly and fails to come clean to her about his behavior at every opportunity.
Xenophobia (on page):The Karen next door sucks.
The worst part was the forced romance. Iris was right to be creeped out that Eli had essentially stalked her. They didn’t have any chemistry and the way their relationship began felt like when middle school kids “date” by randomly declaring they’re boyfriend/girlfriend.
On the plus side, there’s lots of representation for so many types of people, even cranky Karens next door. I did think the housemates were all sweet despite being one dimensional.
Content warnings:
Death of a parent (off page):
Homophobia, transphobia, outing (off page):
Stalking (on/off page):
Xenophobia (on page):
Content Warnings
Minor: Stalking, Outing, Transphobia, Death of parent, Homophobia, and Xenophobia
clarabooksit's review against another edition
The love interest’s virtual stalking of the mc for his whole life and not coming clean about it was too creepy for me. Plus, the writing here wasn’t great. It felt like the author was just trying to check-off found family and diversity boxes, which felt clunky and inorganic. Plus, it’s kind of boring.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Lesbophobia, Xenophobia, Abandonment, and Homophobia
Moderate: Grief
liamliayaum's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Xenophobia
beepbeep101'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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Religious bigotry and Xenophobia
Minor: Death of parent, Transphobia, Gaslighting, Grief, and Outing
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
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