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A Court of Thorns and Roses
Sarah J. Maas
4.6
Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore
by Emily Krempholtz
About this book
Violet Thistlewaite is finished with darkness. Once the feared Thornwitch and right-hand to a notorious sorcerer, she is desperate to trade her history of malice for a quiet life in the town of Dragon’s Rest. She opens a flower shop, determined to prove that she is more than the villain she used to be, even if her sentient houseplant occasionally tests her resolve.
Her peaceful existence is complicated by Nathaniel Marsh, a prickly, handsome alchemist who shares her greenhouse and remains stubbornly unimpressed by her attempts at sunshine and petals. While Violet strives for redemption, Nathaniel is battling his own failures, leaving no room in his life for a former sorceress with a dangerous past. The tension between them shifts when a mysterious blight begins to wither the town’s greenery, threatening everything Violet has worked to cultivate.
Forced into an uneasy partnership, Violet and Nathaniel must reconcile their clashing temperaments and hidden traumas to save their community. As the mystery deepens and shadows from Violet’s previous life emerge, she is forced to confront the ultimate question: can a reformed villain ever truly outrun her history to earn a happily-ever-after?
Available Formats
Kindle: $12.99 Audiobook: $0.00
What readers are saying
Blue Owl Readswhimsical without being fluffy
"This book is pure comfort with a mischievous wink. Violet is a former villain’s right-hand witch who’s done with curses and chaos and just wants to grow flowers in peace. Naturally, the universe says absolutely not. Set in the small, quietly magical town of Dragon’s Rest, Violet opens a flower shop, adopts a mildly homicidal sentient plant, and finds herself sharing greenhouse space with Nathaniel, an infuriatingly grumpy, very attractive alchemist. The grumpy/sunshine vibes are immaculate, the romance is soft and slow, and the emotional depth sneaks up on you when you least expect it. It’s whimsical without being fluffy, heartfelt without being heavy, and centered on second chances, redemption, and the question of whether former villains are allowed happy endings. (Spoiler: you’ll desperately want Violet to have hers.) 🌸 Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore by Emily Krempholtz Cozy Romantasy | Grumpy x Sunshine | Found Family | 367 pp | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5) “Goodness wasn't something you could just be; it was something you did." ["
February 9, 2026 Verified Purchase
Constant ReaderFour and a half stars
"This is a fun story with serious aspects of redemption, emotional abuse, romance, and friendship. I enjoyed it. ["
February 1, 2026 Verified Purchase
Jessica BeckFun, but simple
"I enjoyed the story, and the narrator of the audiobook is pretty good. But I truly thought it was a middle grades book - as in Grade 6-8 level. I came to see if there was/will be a sequel (yes) and was surprised to find it is NOT a middle grades/young adult book. The story telling is good, but simplistic, and the characters could really use more depth. A fun, light story, but also a bit lacking in...something. ["
April 20, 2026
Kindle CustomerWitty, Wicked, and Wonderfully Redeemed
"Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore was an absolute delight. It gave me the same quick, witty humor and pun-filled charm I loved in The Villain’s Assistant, making it laugh-out-loud fun from start to finish. While there was a bit more spice than I usually prefer, it was limited to a short chapter and very manageable overall (spice level 3). What really stood out was the character development—Violet’s growth felt natural and satisfying, and I loved watching her evolve beyond the “villain” label. The romance was sweet and engaging, perfectly balanced with the fantasy elements, and never felt forced. The story wraps up well while still leaving just enough room to make me hope for a sequel. Entertaining, clever, and heartfelt—this book was such a win. ["
January 21, 2026 Verified Purchase
