She pushed open the shop door, barely hearing the familiar bell. The usual rush of voices and aromas greeted her. Treasures from distant lands and nearby meadows, dried, crushed, and distilled filled the air with powerful, exotic appeal.
[location 140-43 Kindle]
Brief Synopsis:
While working in her father’s apothecary shop in the small village of Bedsley Priors, Lilly Haswell dreams of one day traveling the world, perhaps even finding her mother, who had left her family three years before and has never been heard from since. When the chance to live with her maternal aunt and uncle is unexpectedly offered to her, Lilly sees the opportunity for a new life. Once in London, she indulges in a bit of romantic flirtation with several different men while also learning more about her mother’s mysterious disappearance. Then, when a crisis forces Lilly to return to Bedsley Priors, she faces the difficult challenge of giving up her fabulous independent life in order to help out the family she has always loved.
My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this book about the role apothecaries had in Regency England during the mid 1800's. It was also very enlightening to know that women weren't allowed to dispense medicine. I loved Lilly, the main character. The reader gets to see her grow from a young teen to a woman. She has worked in her father's shop since she can remember and knows the mixtures without ever having to look anything up. She's resourceful and smart, probably why I liked her so much. One of my favorite parts of the book was trying to figure out who she would end up with romantically. Just when I thought I had it all figured out the author would take me in another direction. And I was totally blind sighted at the end of the book...never saw a shocking development coming until it smacked me in the face!! I love when that happens!!
Recommend? Absolutely, especially for those that enjoy historical fiction that takes place in England. My favorite part of the book was learning about the roles of the apothecary and how instrumental and crucial they were to the townspeople. Many of the villagers trusted these men more than their local doctors. And with the haughty demeanor of doctors I could totally understand why a person would take the advice of their apothecary over the doctor any day.
Rating: 8/10
Author: Julie Klassen Published: January 2009Publisher: Bethany HouseGenre: Gentle Reads Historical FictionSource: Kindle ebook (free download via Amazon.com)
ASIN: B001LDJIQM Disclaimer: I was not compensated for my review. My thoughts on this book were in no way influenced by the author or publicist.They are my personal reflections based solely on MY experience while reading this novel
© 2011, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
I think I have this on my Kindle already!
ReplyDeleteI've had this one on my Kindle for a while, so I was happy to see you liked it.
ReplyDeleteI too love getting smacked in the face by a book! Well by a story, not the actual book! :--)
ReplyDeleteLike today! I think a good pharmacist knows more than the doctor. Glad to see you enjoyed the book. Have a wonderful week.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds really good... I love historical novels! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):)
ReplyDeleteI don't think I have ever read anything set in Regency England, but I love the premise of this and the fact that you ended up being surprised with who Lily ended up with. Lovely review!
ReplyDeleteLook what you did now ;=) Now all I can think of is what happens at the end
ReplyDeleteWould love to read this just for the contrast with the role of pharmacists today!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a sweet romance I would learn something from. A great combo :)
ReplyDeleteI have this on my Kindle - glad to see you liked it!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I didn't live back then - there was so much women weren't allowed to do. The book sounds so good.
ReplyDeletei love books that a touch of medicine in it not to mention i also have an addiction for historical fiction. this one is definitely going on my wishlist! thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteTee Hee! When I saw this book for the Kindle, I thought of you! Glad you liked it so much.
ReplyDeleteLoved this one too. Recently read The Girl in the Gatehouse, it was good.
ReplyDeleteI've had this one on my tbr mountain for ages, hope it's not another couple of years before I get to it! Glad you enjoyed it Staci.
ReplyDeleteWomen were not allowed to do ANYTHING! I like learning about history while I read, and if the story kept you guessing with some aspects, then it's for me :)
ReplyDeleteWomen were not allowed to do ANYTHING!! I like learning about history while I read so I will definitely check this out. Thankas Staci :)
ReplyDeleteI've got this one on the Kindle. I'll have to move it up the que.
ReplyDeleteI read your review on my Reader and then went to Amazon to get it. It's now $2.99 but that's still a good buy for a good story. I haven't read a good Regency in a while. Summer seems like a good time to do that. Thanks for the recommendation.
ReplyDeleteSounds like an interesting read. This isn't a book that I would have picked up on my own but I think that you have changed my mind :)
ReplyDeleteI love the cover, so pretty. I don't think this one is for me though :( I liked your review!
ReplyDeleteI've had this one on my Kindle for a while now and have wanted to read it for a while. I'm glad to see you liked it!
ReplyDeleteI read this on my Kindle as well and really enjoyed it. I also liked that it wasn't preachy as it's considered Christian fiction. These freebies for the Kindle are nice!
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