Firstly, this is a five-star storyline for me. I’m not usually a cozy fantasy reader, but this book absolutely converted me. I loved it. I loved the characters, the simple yet effective world of witches and humans, the healing journey, and the way different trauma responses were handled. I also loved the romance, and the fade-to-black worked perfectly for this story. Where I struggled a little was with the omniscient prose. At times it felt closer to a tight third-person POV, but then there would be sudden omniscient moments that pulled me out—like switching from the FMC’s name to “the woman” or “the one with pink hair.” As a writer, that was confusing and occasionally felt like head-hopping. That said, I loved the prose overall, and I loved the story so much that this was still an easy five stars for me. I highly recommend this read—so much so that I’m buying it in hardback. PLEASE just read this!!

I'd like to thank both Candi and BookSirens for trusting me with an ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review. I'm beyond grateful for the opportunity you all gave me to discover my first five-star read of the year. “Scars of a Rose” is my first read from Candi, a book that I stumbled upon on TikTok, and thank the Divines (or the algorithm) for it, because I found a new favorite. I was expecting great things since it’s romantasy, and it didn’t disappoint for even a second. This book is raw and emotional, and it touches very difficult subjects, in ways that don’t soften them. It was a very real read, with flawed characters that didn’t always say or do the best things, making them more down to earth, despite the abundance of magical creatures. No one was perfect, they all had their own demons, and made mistakes, not always saying, or doing what they should, which made me sympathize with each of the characters even more. Despite the “dark” themes that this book talked about, it was very tender, and soft. The love, whether it was familiar, platonic or romantic, was very palpable throughout the whole story. Friendships were flawed, yet sincere and deep. Relationships were difficult at times amongst the characters, but most things worked out, and nothing ever felt rushed, but rather like a flower that bloomed in time. This book made me laugh, cry, and feel warm and fuzzy inside. Ceila and Vincent were two of my favorite main characters ever, and I love how much of their inner softness we got to see along the pages. Despite being scared, they overcame their fears, slowly but surely, helping each other all the way, yet respecting the boundaries of the other. I think they had a certain naivety that isn’t found in many books today, an innocence that was refreshing to read about. Also, Ceila, my darling, I want to pick her up and protect her from any and everything. Her strength of mind was something beautiful to read, even when she felt weak, like a shell of a person, she stayed true to herself, she found a way to cling to who she truly was underneath it all. The ending, though bittersweet, was perfect. It shows that not everything ends like a fairytale, and it doesn’t need to, for it to be beautiful. There needs to be cracks for the sun to shine through. It is a shame that this book is a standalone, because I’d love to read more of Ceila and Vicent, and the rest of the group. I want to read about more adventures, I want to see them all bloom and find what they long for. Overall, I had the time of my life reading this book, and look forward to reading more from Candi. This is the perfect read for fans of Serpent & Dove, Six of Crows, and Todas las Hadas del Reino, YA fantasy books that explore group and family dynamics and romance in equal parts. So, if you’ve read those, and are looking for more, I beg you, please, check out this book. You’ll most likely love it as much as I do!

Scars of a Rose is a tender, emotionally driven story about healing, love, and learning to let yourself bloom again after pain. Candi Land writes with a soft, compassionate touch, creating characters who feel fragile yet strong in the quietest, most human ways. This is the kind of book that wraps around you gently, asking you to slow down and really feel alongside the characters. What stood out most was the emotional sincerity. The scars—both visible and hidden—are treated with care and respect, and the romance grows in a way that feels earned rather than rushed. There’s a sweetness to the connection that makes even the quieter moments feel meaningful, and the themes of self-worth and second chances are handled with warmth and grace. While there were moments where I wished certain scenes had gone a little deeper or lingered longer, the overall experience was heartfelt and comforting. Scars of a Rose is a lovely read for anyone who enjoys soft romance, emotional growth, and stories that remind you that even damaged things can still be beautiful.