Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
YA authors Pacton and Podos (who previously collaborated on Furious) make their adult debut with this low-impact queer romantasy. Plant witch Margot Greenwillow struggles to honor the legacy of her renowned grandmother Fern by completing the potion recipe she left unfinished upon her death. Margot's talents are considerable, but she's overwhelmed with the demands of running her greenhouses alone and she's getting nowhere with the recipe. Enter her childhood friend Yael Clauneck, who shows up on a stolen mechanical horse looking for a place to stay in exchange for work. They seem like the answer to Margot's prayers, especially since Yael has only gotten more attractive since Margot's youthful crush on them. But Yael has run away from their very powerful family--who happen to hold the deed to the entire town, including Margot's greenhouses. If Margot can't impress the Claunecks by getting her grandmother's potion right, Yael's parents will seize everything she holds dear. The magical small-town atmosphere is cozy, and the slow-burning romance delivers plenty of heartwarming moments, but the authors have an odd tendency to back away from or elide entirely any opportunity for true emotional stakes. Still, readers looking for something light and sweet will be pleased. (Mar.)
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Review by Library Journal Review
YA novelists Pacton and Podos (coauthors of Furious) make their adult debut with a cozy queer fantasy featuring friends-to-lovers relationships, found family, and lots of whimsical garden magic. Yael Clauneck is on the verge of getting stuck in the boring life set out for them by their parents, so in a rash moment, Yael steals a mechanical horse and flees their graduation party with hope of being free and finding adventure. Margot Greenwillow is a plant witch who spends every day caring for her gardens and greenhouse while trying to keep her grandmother's magical remedies business going. When Yael finds themself at Margot's greenhouse, they decide to stay and be her apprentice, which leads to Yael finding a place where they feel they belong and Margot learning to lean on someone else and be supported. When old tensions heat up between rival families, the Claunecks and the Greenwillows, everything Yael and Margot have built together will be tested, and the feelings that have developed between them will be challenged. VERDICT Full of flirty dialogue, strong conflict, and a heartwarming love story, this book feels like drinking a warm cup of tea and is perfect for fans of cozy queer romantasy.--Rachel Hedderman
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