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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
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
kelseymn18's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.0
A cute witchy story to get ready for fall 🍁 I enjoyed the main plot of a woman inheriting a Victorian house and renting out to roommates who become her "found family." Plus the supernatural elements gave me Charmed vibes. However there were too many unnecessary subplots and characters that complicated the story. And the love interest is a creepy stalker so the romance was a big no for me. Overall a solid mid read, made a tad more enjoyable now that spooky season is on the way.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Stalking
fivecatsinacoat's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
3.5
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced review copy of this book.
This was a nice witchy read to start the fall spooky reads season! I expected this to be a fluffy, fun story and was quite surprised to find an extra layer of almost-stalkery behavior, which is what dropped my rating down to 3.5 stars. If the male main character was less of a stalker, I'd have rated this much higher. The cast was diverse with various ages, sexualities, and economic statuses. I thought the writer did a really good job portraying the family drama and the female main character's financial difficulties.
This was a nice witchy read to start the fall spooky reads season! I expected this to be a fluffy, fun story and was quite surprised to find an extra layer of almost-stalkery behavior, which is what dropped my rating down to 3.5 stars. If the male main character was less of a stalker, I'd have rated this much higher. The cast was diverse with various ages, sexualities, and economic statuses. I thought the writer did a really good job portraying the family drama and the female main character's financial difficulties.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking
I'm not sure how to add this as a content warning, but one character uses they/them pronouns and does not have a good family life because of it.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
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