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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
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
eicart_reads's review
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
This book was a cute, light, cozy fantasy romance. I did not know it was part of a series, and I don't think my experience suffered from not having read the previous books before this one.
My favorite part of this story was the found family that Iris gathered. At the beginning of the story, she's just inherited a run-down house from her recently departed great-aunt. Looking at this as an opportunity for a fresh start, she packs up and moves 6 hours away to live in the house. In desperate need of money, she decides to rent out rooms. Iris is a bit of a misfit (meant in a loving way,) and she rents rooms to people who are also misfits. It's lovely to witness how they come together, help each other, and become family.
There is a romance, between Iris and Eli, one of her housemates. I don't think I would call it the central part of the story though. At least for me, the friendships and family bonds between the housemates took center stage.
The plot and dialogue are a bit clunky at times, and the characters are rather one-dimensional, but I still enjoyed this. I would recommend if you're looking for a quick, light read. I give this three stars, which for me means I liked it.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
My favorite part of this story was the found family that Iris gathered. At the beginning of the story, she's just inherited a run-down house from her recently departed great-aunt. Looking at this as an opportunity for a fresh start, she packs up and moves 6 hours away to live in the house. In desperate need of money, she decides to rent out rooms. Iris is a bit of a misfit (meant in a loving way,) and she rents rooms to people who are also misfits. It's lovely to witness how they come together, help each other, and become family.
There is a romance, between Iris and Eli, one of her housemates. I don't think I would call it the central part of the story though. At least for me, the friendships and family bonds between the housemates took center stage.
The plot and dialogue are a bit clunky at times, and the characters are rather one-dimensional, but I still enjoyed this. I would recommend if you're looking for a quick, light read. I give this three stars, which for me means I liked it.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Content Warnings
Minor: Toxic relationship, Religious bigotry, and Outing
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