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Violet Thistlewaite is Not a Villain Anymore

A charming, must-read 2025 cosy fantasy romance debut with grumpy/sunshine vibes, small-town...

Emily Krempholtz

$24.99

Paperback

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English
Sphere
18 November 2025
'I have rarely read a book so charming...

Violet Thistlewaite might not be a villain anymore, but she's definitely stolen my heart.' Ashley Poston, New York Times bestselling author of Sounds Like Love

'An irresistibly delightful cosy fantasy' Sarah Beth Durst, New York Times bestselling author of The Spellshop

'Pure magic!' Jenna Levine, USA Today bestselling author of My Roommate is a Vampire

She traded curses for carnations. But old magic dies hard...

Guy Shadowfade is dead, and Violet Thistlewaite is out of a job. After a lifetime as the dark sorcerer's right-hand witch, she's ready to turn over a new leaf. And this time, she wants to sprout peonies instead of poison.

The quiet town of Dragon's Rest seems like the perfect place to start over. Violet opens a flower shop, swears off dark magic, and does her best to be...good. Even if her reputation - and her mildly homicidal, sentient houseplant - make that tricky.

Her vibrant bouquets soon charm the locals, but nothing she does seems to impress the grumpy (and infuriatingly gorgeous) Nathaniel Marsh, the alchemist she's forced to share a greenhouse with.

But when a strange blight begins to rot the roots of Dragon's Rest, Violet and Nathaniel must work together - through their fears, pasts, and growing feelings - to save the town.

And as old secrets start to surface, Violet can't help but wonder: does a former villain like her truly deserve a happily-ever-after?

A heartwarming cosy fantasy, perfect for fans of Assistant to the Villain and Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries.

Tropes:

? Cosy Fantasy Romance

? Small-Town

?

Low spice

? Villain Redemption ARC

? Only One (b?e?d?) Greenhouse

? Found Family

? Grumpy x Sunshine

Praise for Violet Thistlewaite is Not a Villain Anymore:

'What an addictive and immersive debut! Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore is the true epitome of a cosy romance...it was like a warm hug, but there was also a ton of suspense and conflict...you'll want to live in it forever' Reader Review ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

'The cosy fantasy romance genre has a new star! Emily Krempholtz's wonderfully assured debut, absolutely charmed me' India Holton, internationally bestselling author of The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels

'I absolutely adored this cosy, magical gem of a book! Heart, humour, and healing...

I never wanted to leave the enchanting town of Dragon's Rest' Reader Review ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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By:  
Imprint:   Sphere
Country of Publication:   United Kingdom
Dimensions:   Height: 196mm,  Width: 126mm,  Spine: 28mm
Weight:   252g
ISBN:   9781408736425
ISBN 10:   140873642X
Pages:   368
Publication Date:  
Audience:   General/trade ,  ELT Advanced
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active

Emily Krempholtz has never quit her day job to go open a flower shop, but that might be because she works with stories all day for a living, so she's already doing what she loves. As a bestselling ghostwriter, editor, and book coach, Emily has worked with hundreds of writers as they write and publish their books-and she's delighted to finally send one out into the world with her own name on the cover. When she's not writing or reading, Emily bakes cakes that look like the books she reads and changes her hair colour like it's some kind of mood ring. She lives in sunny Colorado, where you'll often find her in the mountains-either hiking (and pretending to be a character in a novel) or curled up in a hammock with a good book (and also pretending to be a character in a novel). She's on a lifelong quest to discover the magic in the world and has a sneaking suspicion that the written word is where she'll find it.

Reviews for Violet Thistlewaite is Not a Villain Anymore: A charming, must-read 2025 cosy fantasy romance debut with grumpy/sunshine vibes, small-town magic, and heartwarming second chances

An irresistibly delightful cosy fantasy filled with plant magic, love, and second chances! I absolutely loved this warm and wonderful book! -- Sarah Beth Durst * New York Times bestselling author of The Spellshop * Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore is a book to curl up on the couch with, a fire blazing in the hearth and a cup of something warm and delicious in your hands. Emily Krempholtz' debut is lyrical and swoony (Nathaniel the grumpy alchemist is definitely my newest book boyfriend), and a wonderfully hopeful story of second chances that I never wanted to end. Pure magic! -- Jenna Levine * USA Today bestselling author of My Roommate is a Vampire * An enchanting blend of botany and banter, Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore brews romance, redemption, and a homicidal houseplant into an utterly irresistible potion. The perfect cosy fantasy for anyone who believes in second chances. Prepare to fall under its leafy spell! -- Julie Leong * Sunday Times bestselling author of The Teller of Small Fortunes * The cosy fantasy romance genre has a new star! Emily Krempholtz's wonderfully assured debut, Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore, absolutely charmed me. As it takes the reader through Violet's efforts to start her life over and find redemption, the book explores friendship and slow-burn romance, as well as offering the bright sprinkling of humour and moments so lovely I had to pause, with a dreamy sigh, to read them again. I predict great things for Krempholtz! -- India Holton * USA Today bestselling author * Charming, deeply romantic, and kind. Violet Thistlewaite's journey of redemption is a cosy delight. -- Stephanie Burgis * bestselling author of Wooing the Witch Queen *


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