I loved this book and the audiobook really added to the experience! This was one of my 2021 favorites and my vote for the Book of the Month - Book of the Year!

I loved everything about this book! I loved the cover, the dual timelines, the characters and how their stories were interwoven. The women in this book are all at different stages of their life, and each has a unique perspective on the events that are happening. This was one aspect that drew me into the story. I love how Eliza is young and somewhat naive and how she is developing an understanding of things as the story progresses. I like how Nella is so knowledgeable about her job, but also has a moral code that she follows. I like how Caroline grows and develops insights about herself and her relationships. Their stories are interwoven beautifully by Sarah Penner, with different chapters told from different perspectives and in different time periods. This book will stay with you long after you finish reading it.

I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

As is the case almost 100% of the time when I read "dual timeline" historical novels, the historical part of the story was easily twice as compelling as the present-day one. I think the author should have dropped the Caroline half of the novel entirely and just focused on diving deeper into Nella and Eliza's story.

I found the ending to be confusing and kind of a cop-out. Overall, a mixed bag -- nice atmosphere, but the present-day story is dull and forgettable.

I listened to the audio version of this book. The narrators are good, not annoying or difficult to follow. It's a good story to get lost into during walks or other mindless chores. I appreciated Nella's and Eliza's portions of the story more than Caroline's.

The storyline has a lot of women focusing on pregnancy or becoming pregnant. I was expecting more of a mystery type of book, so it lost me a bit on the subject matter. But overall a good listen.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my advanced copy in exchange for a review.

My Goodreads review simply reads: There is no way way I can suspend disbelief that much.

I enjoyed the historical fiction bit, but not the modern-day ones.

I had a hard time making it though this book. The story had promise, but the pace was too slow. It felt disconnected with the different time lines. I also did not feel connected to the characters, and halfway through i stopped caring about what happened. I did listen to the audio, so i am not sure if physically reading would make a difference. Just wasn't the book for me.

A very interesting premise that immediately drew me in with it's promise of intersecting timelines. That aspect of a book is one of my absolute favorites and this did not disappoint.

Title: The Lost Apothecary
Author: Sarah Penner
Narrated by: Lorna Bennett, Lauren Anthony, Lauren Irwin
Publisher: Harlequin Audio
Length: Approximately 10 hours and 18 minutes
Source: Review Copy from Netgalley and Harlequin Audio. Thank-you!

What do you like best about the cover of a book?

I find this one eye catching. I love the colors with the outline of the bottle in the middle. With the title, it makes me wonder what is in the apothecary’s bottle. Then you read the story and discover it was poison. . .

In present day, American Caroline is on a trip to London when she discovers an old bottle in the Thames while mud larking. Her undergrad degree was in history and she finds herself intrigued by the mystery of the bottle. As she digs more into the mystery, she discovers that it was possibly linked to an old murder.

In 1791 London, Nella runs an apothecary shop that has a secret room to sell remedies for women. Some of these remedies include poisons to rid them of the evil men in their lives. Nella soon meets a young girl named Eliza who has been sent to the apothecary by her mistress. Nella welcomes Eliza’s help, but a grievous error soon puts them on a path of danger.

Caroline, Nella, and Eliza all narrated chapters of this book. The audiobook had a different narrator for each viewpoint. The narrators were great, and all gave a unique voice to the three different viewpoints in the novel. I like how each chapter seemed to end with a cliff hanger that left me wanting to hear more of the story.

My favorite part of this book was the historical part of the story. I would love another book about Nella and Eliza in more detail. I loved Nella’s knowledge and backstory.

I read this as part of the Page-turners’ Book Club at the Kewaunee Public Library. Unfortunately, I was quarantined with break through COVID when the meeting occurred and missed it. I really wanted to discuss this book with everyone. Have you read it? What did you think?

Overall, The Lost Apothecary was a unique and intriguing historical mystery.

Sarah Penner's tale is masterful. The characters feel so real, and you cannot help but sympathize with each of the women as they just try to survive.

I couldn't get into this audiobook. I really only enjoyed one of the narrators. I like the concept of a dual narration but it was too hard for me to follow in this case.

The Lost Apothecary tells two stories: that of an 18th century apothecary and her young assistant and a modern woman on vacation in London, coping with a rocky marriage. Both storylines are riveting and so informative!

What a fantastic read! I listened to the audio book and the narration was on point. I was so invested in the story that I did not want to stop listening. The book goes between the 1700's and Nella's apothecary shop to the present and Catherine's solo trip to London after she discovers a secret about her husband. I loved the mystery of the apothecary murders; it was very fast paced and gripping. Loved it! Highly recommend.

Thank you NetGalley, Park Row, and Sarah Penner for an e-arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book follows two timelines: one from the late 1700s told by the apothecary Nella and Eliza and one from present day, as told by Caroline. Caroline's life is torn apart upon learning about her husband's infidelity right before their 10-year anniversary trip to London. She soon finds herself unraveling the story of a mysterious little bottle on the beach while trying to enjoy her solo trip to London. Nella and Eliza's timeline was far and away my favorite. Nella is a young woman, trained as an apothecary since she was a child, who finds herself providing women with a chance to avenge the men who have wronged them. Eliza is the smart and enigmatic, yet innocent character who visits Nella's shop on behalf of her mistress. I think the world building in the 1700's timeline was excellent - it was dark and engrossing and vivid. I wish I felt as strongly about the present day timeline. This was the story's weakness in my opinion. I wish there would have been more of a mystery/archaeological aspect brought to the current time line; however, it did bring an interesting aspect to the story as written. I think if you go into this book expecting more of a historical fiction with possible magical realism, you will really enjoy this book.

Loved this one. I also was able to get this as a book of the month, but I really enjoyed the audiobook. The back and forth between the different characters was really good, and it kept me very entertained. I sort of wish there could be a sequel.

5/5

I don't usually read historical novels, but the topic (an apothecary) caught my eye. I am so glad I downloaded the audiobook because the narration is sublime! I would have liked it if the story focused a little more on the modern-day Caroline, but I didn't feel like her character was well developed. But the book held my interest because I was so spellbound by the voice of Nella.

Very grateful to NetGalley and Harper Audio/Harlequin Audio for this audiobook.

SO GOOD! This may be one of my fave reads of the year and the narration was incredible. The characters were the strength of this novel and I loved reading about their journeys.

I really enjoyed the narrator in this captivating portrayal of womens history and some of the secrets london keeps.

I loved this book! It is a great historical fantasy with multiple points of view that were all very well done. I would recommend this book for any adult friends who enjoy romance, history, and fantasy! I listened to the audio version but also ended up buying the book! The narrators in the audiobook did a great job of making the characters come to life!

I really appreciated that the audiobook had 3 different narrators so that each protagonist had their own "voice" and each narrator did a fantastic job! While I did enjoy the book (I could hardly put it down), I think it may have been a little bit overhyped because I was expecting more than it delivered. I think I wanted a bigger connection between the current timeline and the past, but I did really enjoy the magical twist that is involved. I also really appreciate the feminist undertones and the exploration of the complexities of marital relationships and how finding happiness as a couple can take its toll on the individual if there is not open and honest communication as well as an acknowledgement of one's own aspirations and needs. If Sarah Penner writes any more books along this vein, I think I'd definitely be interested in reading them!

I have read this one both in physical form and audio book and boy did the audio book make me come alive! I have never read a book like this and was completely engrossed in this amazing story. I loving the alternating timelines, it really kept you turning pages because you just wanted to know what was going to happen next. I loved that this was a female lead historical fiction where Nella and Eliza are telling the story of a 1790’s apothecary who was helping women in need when they couldn’t get help from anywhere else. And it also follows present day Caroline who is getting a second chance at life when she discovers an apothecary vile.

This was a quick read, but it definitely packed a punch. Definitely recommend for historical fiction lovers.