Wisteria by Adalyn Grace
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Blythe Hawthorne has never let anyone tell her what to do―not society, not her overprotective father, and certainly not the man she’s bound herself to, no matter how rude and insufferable he is. In fact, she’s determined to be a thorn in his side for the rest of her days, even as he ensures that her life in his palace is anything but a fairytale. But as Blythe discovers a new side of herself linked to his past, she must decide if she’s willing to let an unexpected spark ignite ... and to discover the truth about who she really is.
Wisteria is the third installment in Adalyn Grace's Belladonna series, following the events of Belladonna and Foxglove. While the spotlight shifts from Signa Farrow to Blythe Hawthorne, this story never loses sight of the characters and relationships that made the first two books unforgettable. What begins as a rivals-to-lovers romance quickly unfolds into a story filled with fate, family secrets, reincarnation, and one of the most compelling love stories in the series so far. Before we dive in, a fair warning: this CAWPILE review contains major spoilers for Wisteria and the previous books. If you haven't finished the series up to this point, proceed with caution.
Characters: 10/10
I loved every single character in this book.
One of the things I appreciate most about Adalyn Grace's writing is her ability to completely transform my feelings about characters over the course of a series. Characters I once distrusted, disliked, or simply didn't care much about have become some of my favorites. By the end of this book, Aris had firmly secured his place on my book boyfriend list.
Despite the story shifting away from Signa's perspective and placing Blythe at the center, it never felt like Signa disappeared from the narrative. She remains an important part of the story and the emotional foundation established in Belladonna and Foxglove continues to resonate throughout Wisteria. As someone who loved Signa's journey, I was relieved that her presence still felt significant rather than being pushed aside to make room for the new romance.
Blythe was a fantastic protagonist. Watching her navigate questions about her identity while trying to understand her place in a world filled with secrets, magic, and expectations made her incredibly easy to root for. At the same time, Aris completely stole every scene he was in. His growth, vulnerability, and devotion made him impossible not to love.
Together, Blythe and Aris created one of my favorite couples in the series. Their rivals-to-lovers dynamic had the perfect amount of tension, banter, and emotional payoff.
I loved this cast from beginning to end.
Atmosphere: 10/10
Adalyn Grace once again delivers the lush, gothic atmosphere that made me fall in love with this series from the very beginning. Every scene is dripping in emotion, whether it's longing, tension, heartbreak, or hope.
What stood out most in Wisteria was how the atmosphere evolved alongside the story. While the previous books carried an air of mystery surrounding death and his love for Signa, this installment feels more romantic. The themes of reincarnation, soul-deep connections, and second chances weave through every chapter, creating a narrative that perfectly complements Blythe and Aris's journey.
The atmosphere also shines in the quieter moments. Some of my favorite scenes weren't the big reveals or dramatic confrontations, but the intimate conversations, and moments where the walls between Blythe and Aris slowly began to crumble.
There were countless moments where I completely forgot I was reading and simply existed within the story. The settings unfolded so clearly in my mind that each chapter felt cinematic. Few authors can make a fantasy world feel this immersive, but Adalyn Grace accomplishes it effortlessly.
Writing: 10/10
At this point, I've accepted that Adalyn Grace simply can't miss.
I genuinely do not have a single critique of the writing in Wisteria. Every time I thought I had found my favorite scene, another one came along and stole its place.
One of Grace's greatest strengths is her ability to make a story unfold like a movie. Everything came to life so vividly that I never had to work to picture what was happening. The story played out effortlessly in my mind's eye, making it easy to become completely immersed in Blythe and Aris's journey.
The pacing was equally impressive. Not once did the story feel rushed or bogged down by unnecessary scenes. Every chapter left me eager to read the next.
The romance is another area where Grace continues to excel. There is spice in Wisteria, including a few open-door scenes, but it never overwhelms the story. Instead, those moments enhance the emotional connection between the characters and feel like a natural progression of their relationship. The romance remains deeply rooted in character development rather than existing solely for shock value.
What impresses me most is Grace's consistency throughout this series. Three books in, she continues to deliver beautiful prose, emotional depth, memorable characters, and plots that keep me completely invested.
Adalyn Grace's writing is the reason this series works so well. She balances fantasy, mystery and romance with remarkable skill.
Plot: 10/10
The plot of Wisteria is chef’s kiss.
Normally, authors keep the secret from the readers, and we find out when the character find out. One of my favorite things about this book is that we know Blythe's true identity long before she does. I was constantly waiting for the moment when all the pieces would finally click into place. Even better, Aris doesn't know either, which added another layer of anticipation to every interaction between them.
What I loved most is that Blythe learns the truth fairly early in the book. Adalyn Grace could have saved that reveal for the final chapters, but instead she gives the story room to breathe afterward. That decision made all the difference. We get to watch Blythe process everything, see the fallout from the revelation, and most importantly, watch Aris continue to fall in love with Blythe for who she is instead of who she was in her past life.
Because here's the thing: if the reveal had happened earlier, there would always be a small part of me wondering whether Aris loved Blythe or whether he was simply holding on to the memory of Mila. By giving us so much story before Aris found out, Grace makes it abundantly clear that his feelings belong to Blythe. That made their relationship feel even more meaningful and earned.
And can we talk about the Aris POV chapters?
I literally gasped when I turned the page and realized I was getting chapters from his perspective. GAGGED. Getting inside his head after spending so much time with Blythe felt like such a gift, and those chapters only made me love him more.
Even with all of the answers we receive, the story never loses its sense of mystery. In fact, there's still a couple of major questions hanging over the series by the time this book ends. Since there's another book coming, I'm trusting Adalyn Grace knows exactly what she's doing, but let me tell you, I need answers immediately.
By the time I reached the final page, I was completely satisfied with Blythe and Aris's story while simultaneously desperate for the next installment.
Intrigue: 10/10
The intrigue in Wisteria was absolutely unmatched.
From the very beginning, readers are in on a secret that neither Blythe nor Aris knows, and that alone was enough to keep me glued to the pages. I was practically yelling, Just figure it out already! But in the best possible way.
What makes this book so addictive is that the intrigue evolves as the story progresses. At first, I was desperate for Blythe to learn the truth. Then, once she figured it out, my focus immediately shifted to Aris. Suddenly I wasn't reading to learn the secret anymore. I was reading to see his reaction when he finally discovered it for himself.
That constant shift kept the story feeling fresh. Every time one question was answered, another took its place. The mystery never stalls, and I never hit a point where I felt comfortable setting the book down because I always needed to know what happened next.
The introduction of a new character only adds to the tension and mystery. Without giving too much away, their arrival raises as many questions as it answers, expanding the world while deepening the larger mystery that still hangs over the series.
Most importantly, the intrigue doesn't rely on cheap misunderstandings or characters making frustratingly bad decisions. Adalyn Grace knows exactly when to give readers an answer and exactly when to leave us wanting more.
By the end of the book, I felt like I had received enough answers to make Blythe and Aris's story feel complete while still being left with questions that have me desperately wanting to read Holly for the answers. That's exactly the balance I want from a series, and Wisteria delivered it perfectly.
Logic: 9/10
For a story built around magic, and the physical embodiments of cosmic forces, Wisteria does an incredible job of making everything feel believable within the rules of its world.
One of the reasons I've loved this series from the beginning is that Adalyn Grace never asks readers to accept something simply because "it's magic." The supernatural elements have structure, consequences, and purpose. Even when the story ventures into the impossible, it remains grounded by the characters' emotions and motivations, which makes it easy to stay immersed in the world.
The reincarnation storyline is a perfect example. While I found the overall concept compelling and emotionally impactful, I did wish we had gotten a little more explanation about how it all worked. I understood what was happening and why it mattered to the characters, but I occasionally found myself wanting a deeper understanding of the mechanics behind it. Considering how important reincarnation is to the story, I would have loved a bit more detail on that front.
That said, this is a very minor criticism in an otherwise incredibly well-crafted book. At no point did I feel confused or pulled out of the story. The emotional logic always made sense, the character decisions felt authentic, and the plot never relied on characters acting irrationally simply to move the story forward.
Honestly, when my biggest critique is that I wanted more information about a fascinating piece of the worldbuilding, that's a pretty good sign that the book is doing something right.
Enjoyment: 10/10
I absolutely adored this book.
From the moment I started reading, I was completely invested in Blythe and Aris's story. Every chapter gave me something to look forward to, whether it was a romantic moment, a new revelation, a mystery unfolding, or simply another opportunity to spend time with these characters. More than once, I told myself I was going to read "just one more chapter," only to find myself reading several more.
What surprised me most was how effortlessly Adalyn Grace made me fall in love with characters I once disliked or distrusted. By the end of this book, I was rooting for people I never expected to care about when I first picked up Belladonna. That's a testament not only to the strength of the characters, but to the strength of Grace's storytelling as a whole.
The romance was everything I wanted it to be. The tension, the yearning, the banter, the emotional payoff. It all worked for me.
This is easily one of my favorite books of 2026 and without question my favorite book in the series so far. If you've loved the Belladonna series up to this point, I genuinely cannot imagine being disappointed by Wisteria.
This book reminded me why I love reading romantasy in the first place, and that's about the highest praise I can give.
Final Score: 9.9
If Belladonna introduced me to this world and Foxglove made me fall in love with it, then Wisteria completely captured my heart.
Adalyn Grace has created one of my favorite fantasy romance series, and Wisteria might just be my favorite installment yet. Between the unforgettable characters, the gothic atmosphere, the swoon-worthy romance, and the mysteries that still have me spinning theories, this book delivered everything I wanted and more. What I expected to be a story about fate and reincarnation became something much deeper. At its core, this is a story about choice, identity, and loving someone for who they are, not who they were.
Based on my enjoyment alone, Wisteria has earned a spot on my list of favorite books of 2026. The only reason it didn't receive a perfect score is because I wanted a little more explanation surrounding the mechanics of reincarnation. Other than that, I was completely captivated from beginning to end.
Now it's your turn! Have you read Wisteria? Did you love Blythe and Aris as much as I did? What was your favorite scene? And most importantly, what are your theories about the mystery that's still lingering as we head into the final book?
Let's talk about it in the comments. Whether you're here to gush about your favorite moments, share your theories, or simply scream about that ending, I'd love to continue the conversation with fellow fans of the series.
