Scan barcode
A review by brucethegirl
The Only Purple House in Town by Ann Aguirre
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