As the weather is warming up, I was looking for a book that you entertain me as I sat on my balcony basking in the sunshine.

So, this tale of a secret apothecary shop in the eighteenth-century London who catered to women needing help against oppressive men in their lives and a contemporary American woman on her tenth wedding anniversary trip along her husband betrayed her was my pick.

While I will admit based on the blurb, I was immediately drawn to the historical tale in this dual timeline narrative but was pleasantly surprised that Penner through her pacing and character developed made each timeline stand on their own and yet complement the other timeline.

The atmospheric environment of the late 1700’s and contemporary London is incisively and vividly written so the characters are very much of their time. While the narrative lagged for a while in the middle, they connection between the two storylines are suspenseful so the reader will stay engaged.

Readers will zip through this solid tale with delight.

3.5 rounded to 4

This is a book told in dual timelines with multiple POV. Our first character is Caroline, who is in London on her would-be 10th anniversary trip. If her husband wasn't a lying jerk, he might be there with her. As all her preconceived notions about this trip are out the window, she finds herself in a mud larking group. Here she finds an apothecary bottle. This brings us 200 years in the past, to Nella and Eliza. Nella, an apothecary (and sometimes murderer) and Eliza, a twelve year old girl seeking to kill her master on behalf of his wife.

This was a really interesting book. I really enjoyed Nella and Eliza's POV's. Seeing how everything weaved together in the end was really fun/exciting. Also enjoyed that the ending also leaves you with a couple of questions.

Thank you Sarah Penner, Park Row, and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

The Lost Apothecary was one of my most anticipated books of the year, and it did not disappoint. I really enjoyed the interplay between the past and present timelines and how important that little bottle was for the lives of the three women (well two women and a child). I loved reading about the growth and empowerment of the three main characters. I would have liked to read more about Eliza. I know why her chapters lacked because it is part of the plot, but I wanted a little bit more of her towards the end because she was my favorite. Overall, it was a nice, quick read with a unique story. I am selfish and wanted more depth because it was so fascinating!

This book is so much more than historical fiction! I'm not a big historical fiction person, but I'd heard so many good things about this book, I had to check it out -- and I LOVED it. I found myself telling everyone I talked to about it while I was reading it...which wasn't for very long, because I couldn't put it down!

I think I unfairly expected too much from this novel. There has been so much hype, anticipation and fanfare surrounding this book. I thought I was in for a real page-turner. While I enjoyed it, it took me way too long to finish it. When I can leave a book for days on end is when I know it isn’t going to be a favorite.

Poor Nella just seemed so sad and lonely that she was hard to really connect to. I enjoyed the character of Eliza and loved her spunk, loyalty and bravery. The themes of sisterhood and female empowerment we interesting. And then there’s Caroline. It was fun watching her work through her issues and solve the mystery. I liked the way the author wrapped up her story. The ending was all around satisfying.

I chose this as a book group selection, so I can’t wait to see what the group members have to say about it when we discuss it. Overall, I’d give it a solid 3.5. And the book cover is just beautiful!

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.

I requested an ARC for my unbiased review of The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner because I enjoy historical fiction, and particularly the eighteenth century. Ms. Penner’s novel weaves the story of a modern-day woman whose marriage is in crisis and that of two women in late eighteenth century London with crises of their own. The problem is different for each one but at the same time, they are interrelated. The cuts back and forth between the centuries and the three women are done with skill and the characters are three-dimensional. The mudlarking section made me want to be there searching the Thames foreshore to find cool old stuff. This is evidently her first novel. I’ll look forward to reading her future books.
The only reason I did not give The Lost Apothecary five stars is because of one flaw which many readers will not even notice (though I’m hoping it was corrected before release). It’s a problem not limited to Ms. Penner’s otherwise excellent book. Even those who have written historical fiction for years sometimes make assumptions about past eras: for example, that letters must have been written on parchment or that bourbon was known in 18th century England. Unless a reader happens to be informed and fussy about historical details—as I am—such things will not interrupt the flow of a good story.

I was enticed by the theme, but the combination of a modern day drama intertwined with a historical story line was not what I was expecting. Overall, the story was a balanced perspective of the modern characters with the historical characters. The ending was a bit predictable and the story really only started to pick up for me about half way through the book. I'd recommend, but was hoping for some more "fantasy" as that is the genre this is being marketed as.

I found this to be a pretty good book. The writing style kept me turning the pages to find out how the two timelines intersected - how Nalla, Eliza, and Caroline's story fit together. The slight twist at the end I didn't see coming!

What an interesting piece of historical fiction. From the beginning and mudlarking in the Thames it had me hooked. Changing from present day to the late 1700's this book has it all. Author Sarah Penner weaves a story that is mystical, relevant and magical. Nellie and Eliza from the last 18th century are strong women and Caroline from present day trying to find out who she is combine in this powerful novel that will keep you entertained.
A thoroughly well written story is highly recommended for historical fiction lovers.
I want to thank Netgalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for my review.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was hesitant to read this book, as it has promoted everywhere, and I've been burned by several "It" books. However, I've never been happier to be wrong- The Lost Apothecary is INCREDIBLE. Penner is a masterful storyteller, and perfectly weaves together two storylines. (A lot of authors will use the two storyline approach, but very few have the skill that Penner does to execute it.) I can't remember the last book I read that evoked heartbreak and happiness in equal measure, and I can only hope Penner is already writing her next book!
Note: I am very squeamish but am happy to say there was nothing graphic!

Behind the beautiful cover of The Lost Apothecary is a beautiful debut. Sarah Penner mixes the two story lines into a potent tincture filled with mystery, self-discovery, and the power of friendship. It is an anthem to women supporting women and learning how to be true to themselves.

Thanks, Netgalley, for providing this perfect poolside vacation read! The lost history of a female apothecary owner who poisoned only men in London is mixed together with the modern day Caroline who just found out that her husband of ten years isn't faithful. Stories collide as Caroline finds an old tincture bottle that belonged in the past and she begins to research the history of the bottle. I love novels about researching old things and finding out interesting tales of people long ago, so this book was a fast and easy read for me. I was at 80% read on my Kindle and feeling disappointed because I wanted the book to be longer!

I don't read a lot of historical fiction, but I was intrigued by the premise. I'm glad I decided to read this. This is a well-written debut novel that had me reading well into the night just so I could find how what happened. Each chapter ends with a cliffhanger, but nothing so obvious as to be cliché where you can guess the resolution. All of the characters are complex and I enjoyed seeing how Nella and Eliza's story in the late 1700s interacted with and influenced Caroline over two hundred years later. The author does a great job at transporting to reader into the back alleys of London with vivid descriptions that gave the novel a dark and captivating atmosphere. I was completely rooting for these characters and felt satisfied by the ending, even though it still leaves one mystery unsolved. If done right, I think this would make for a great movie.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for sharing an ARC of this amazing novel with me in exchange for a honest review.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC in exchange for review.

It has been ages since I've started and finished a book in one sitting. Sarah Penner's words grabbed me in the story of a cheating husband present day and a cheating husband in the late 1700s. A servant girl loyal to her kind mistress, Eliza visits apothecary, Nell, for a poison to give the cheating master of the house.

Over the course of a few days, Eliza asserts herself into Nell's life, learning the benefits and tragedies items from this earth can cause.

In present day, Caroline takes her 10th anniversary trip solo, after learning of her own husband's infidelity. By chance, she come's across a unique looking vial in the River Thames. Her journey to find the origins of the vial help her to find herself.

I so appreciated this book; both for the historical knowledge and the entertainment value. While I can't keep this in our middle school library, I will be recommending it to all of my reading friends. This one is a keeper!

It all started with a vial. After a shocking revelation about her marriage, Caroline decides to make her anniversary trip a solo adventure. Not long after arriving, she finds a mysterious vial that reignites her lost love of history as she searches for the truth behind the apothecary murders legend.

At the same time, Sarah Penner transports us back to the late 1700s England as we follow along with the apothecary herself (Nella) and Eliza, a local girl of 12 who is discovering the secret world of medicine and poison, and how far some women will go to possess the life they dream of.

This was a thoroughly immersive escape into an engrossing story that’s split between two time periods, transporting the reader to London at the end of 18th century alternating with current day London. The compelling story of Nella, a secretive, isolated apothecary, who dispenses poisons to help women exact revenge on men who have wronged them is told in tandem with Caroline who travels to London seeking space to deal with the discovery of her husband’s infidelity and rediscover herself. Suspicion and tension abound in both time periods, the writer skillfully intertwines the dual storylines, keeping the reader invested in both the past and the present where strong female characters are controlling their own destinies. Engrossing, atmospheric historical fiction that was well worth the read!

This is probably one of the most unique books I have ever read. I loved this different take on feminism and the historical aspect was fascinating!

The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner is a dual-timeline novel told from the point-of-view of three women. I found this to be an engaging historical novel. I was transported back to London in 1791 where Nella has a small hidden apothecary shop. Nella catered to women who needed a certain man in their life removed. She only catered to women who wished to harm men. Eliza Fanning arrives one day on behalf of her mistress who needs help taking care of her husband. Eliza is fascinated by Nella’s workshop and asks dozens of questions. A friendship of sorts develops between the pair. Caroline Parcewell is in London on what was supposed to be her tenth anniversary trip. The night before departure, Caroline discovered her husband has been cheating on her. She takes the trip to give herself time to think away from home and her husband. Caroline goes mudlarking on her first day and discovers an old blue apothecary bottle in the Thames. Caroline sets out to find out more information on the bottle and where it came from. It was fascinating learning more about an apothecary shop and what it contained. A small amount of an item can be helpful, while a large amount can be deadly. I admit that I enjoyed the historical time-period more than the modern storyline. Personally, the book could have excluded Caroline’s story and been even better (less repetition too). However, I did like how the three storylines tied together. The Lost Apothecary is a well-written, developed story with great characters and a fabulous, dark atmosphere. It has a spooky quality that I loved. The Lost Apothecary is a dark, mysterious tale that captured my attention and imagination. Sarah Penner created an intriguing debut novel and I look forward to reading Sarah Penner’s next creation.

Happy publication day and a big thanks to @parkrowbooks and @netgalley for sharing a copy of The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner for review.

The Lost Apothecary has a few viewpoints and timelines but is never hard to follow. Part is a contemporary timeline following Caroline who is escaping a troubled marriage in England when she discovers an old apothecary bottle and decides to see what she can learn. The others follow Nella and Eliza in the 18th century as they dispense poison to women in need.

I always think of these historical fiction novels for those who don’t read the genre often. You come in and out of the past often enough that it reads more like a contemporary fiction novel than those that stay strictly in the past. And this one in particular would be a great start for anyone who hasn’t read much, especially those who haven’t read historical fiction set so far back into the past. Eliza and Nella’s stories were the ones I wanted more of but Caroline’s marriage struggles were the parts that drew the most emotion from me. If anyone who has read this wants to chat about that lady’s husband, I am ready to rant.
Overall, I think the change in perspectives and timelines helped moved this story along relatively quickly and made it a fun read.

The Lost Apothecary does not disappoint. Told from the viewpoint of 3 different women spanning 200 years of time. Each story centers around an Apothecary set in London. You will be swept away by each characters' story and how they all discover their own strengths in times of pain and adversity. Present day introduces us to Caroline, on a trip to London what was supposed to be her anniversary trip. Then we meet Nella in the 1700's and Eliza as the Apothecary Owner and client. Each story intersects despite the years between them. Highly recommended. Thank you #NetGalley and #Harlequin for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.