The Honey Witch

By: Sydney J. Shields

Narrated by: Mia Hutchinson Shaw

In this instant bestseller, the Honey Witch of Innisfree can never find true love. That is her curse to bear. But when a young woman who doesn’t believe in magic arrives on her island, sparks fly in this deliciously sweet romantasy novel of magic, hope, and love overcoming all.

Twenty-one-year-old Marigold Claude has always preferred the company of the spirits of the meadow to any of the suitors who’ve tried to woo her. So when her grandmother whisks her away to the family cottage on the tiny Isle of Innisfree with an offer to train her as the next Honey Witch, she accepts immediately. But her newfound magic and independence come with a price: No one can fall in love with the Honey Witch.

When Lottie Burke, a notoriously grumpy skeptic who doesn’t believe in magic, shows up on her doorstep, Marigold can’t resist the challenge to prove to her that magic is real. But soon, Marigold begins to care for Lottie in ways she never expected. And when darker magic awakens and threatens to destroy her home, she must fight for much more than her new home—at the risk of losing her magic and her heart.

"The Honey Witch is a sweet feast, brimming with whimsy, magic, and tender longing.” —Rachel Gillig

"Featuring a grumpy/sunshine queer romance, lovely imagery, and a distinctly cozy aesthetic, this one is a charmer." —Paste Magazine

Critic reviews

"Reading The Honey Witch is like dreaming in a fragrant sunlit garden while bees sing around you. It's a gorgeous book, with a lovely cottagecore ambience and a heart-warming sapphic romance intertwined with unique magic that enchants the imagination. I was so charmed by this impressive debut."
—India Holton, international bestselling author

"The Honey Witch will charm you with its setting, its appealing characters, both young and old, and its love for all things natural—especially bees! This tale of a young witch dealing with a curse and a battle between dark magic and light, with her romance in the balance, is one all fans of witches and folk magic will love."—Louisa Morgan, author of A Secret History of Witches

"As sweet and warm as honeyed tea. Shields’ debut deftly explores love, loss, and loneliness—and the joy of seeing magic in all things, however small. With charming characters and a lush setting, The Honey Witch will delight fans of cozy fantasy."

—Allison Saft, New York Times bestselling author of A Far Wilder Magic

“For anyone who has ever known what the mundane world wants them to be isn’t possible or even desirable, The Honey Witch takes a luminous, divergent path." —Willa Reece, author of Wildwood Magic

"The Honey Witch is a tale that deserves to be savored but begs to be devoured. Enchanting, whimsical, and firmly rooted in finding yourself after loss, this novel will break your heart and then soothe it with magic honey. Full of friendship and beauty at every turn of the page, The Honey Witch will heal you and help you feel seen in equal measure. Pour yourself a cup of tea, drizzle in some local honey, and let this decadent book transport you." —Breanne Randall, New York Times bestselling author of The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic

Trouble sticking the landing

This was a beautiful and captivating story and then it just ended. It was poetic and hard and beautiful all at the same time for like 85% of the book. And then it was graphic and traumatizing and heartbreaking for like 13% of the book. Then the last 2% were a cheap gloss over of everything that happened. It was very weird that the author decided not to continue the character development to wrap the story up on a note that’s as creative and poetic as the rest of it. Now I need some emotional support carbs.

Love! Love! ❤️

I was immediately drawn to this book. it is written and read so beautifully that I could not stop listening no matter the time of day. M&L and the way they grew together did a number on my heart. I wish I could listen to this again for the 1st time. Book 2 please 🙏

Hot and well told

If you are looking for accurate lesbian historical fiction, move along. But if you are down for entering a new world, mostly regency England and Ireland and partly a queer embraced anachronism - this one is lovely. I highly recommend slowing down the narrative slightly- .85 or .9 if you have a weakness for toppy Irish accents telling the Mc she’s a good girl.

Nothing short of lovley

This book was fun, sweet, with just enough tension to really have you listening to every moment. Loved this and am looking forward to more from this author!

Lovely Magic

Sweet story with a lot of atmospheric detail. Nice use of magic and great found family.