This was a relatively quick and easy read, and the audiobook narration for this title was excellent. While it held my interest readily enough, I didn’t really know what to take away from it when all was said and done. The present-day storyline was a bit silly, to be honest, and the connection between the two timelines seems tenuous and a bit arbitrary. I understand that it’s kind of trendy now to have a narrative structure comprised of dual timelines, but the more I consider it, the more I wonder why such a structure was necessary for this particular book. (What do we gain by telling these two stories side-by-side? The answer seems vaguely to have to do with female empowerment.) Since I’m having doubts about the very foundation of the book, I’m going to give it three stars. Despite my issues with it, it was accessible, provided some interesting historical information, and will be diverting enough for many readers.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book wasn't quite how I expected it to be, but I liked the format and the story. I enjoyed the characters and thought they were well developed. I thought the story flowed well and seemed to generally be realistic. I definitely recommend it.

This revived my love of historical fiction! What a fantastic book, loved the characters and how special their relationships are with one another. Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Audio - Harlequin Audio for a copy of this book for an honest review.

The audiobook was fantastic! I loved the female friendships and particularly enjoyed the 1791 storyline. The attention to detail made this story really beautiful. I did enjoy Nella’s storyline much more and found myself struggling to connect with Caroline at first.

This book did not keep my interest. I found myself zoning out while reading it. It was an interesting premise and I typically enjoy historical fiction especially when it is written i the then and now format. There was nothing that drew to me to the characters or made me like them. It this wasn’t a net galley book, I wouldn’t have finished reading it.

Unfortunately, this story was not for me. While I enjoyed the historical aspects, the modern day perspective dragged a bit. Nella’s perspective was truly the only perspective necessary. Caroline was quite bland, and those sections read like a contemporary.

I think this author was going for a Kate Morton vibe, but the story lacked the dramatic twists and turns as well as unlikeable-yet-fascinating characters. However, I do think if you like slower-paced stories, you may enjoy this.

I ended up giving this book 2.5 stars and rounded up to 3!

This audiobook was fantastic and did a great job telling the story. The story was engaging and very well written and the narrator did a fantastic job. I recommended this book plenty and was happy when it was chosen as a Book of the Month pick. I appreciated the opportunity to listen to the book early. The story itself is unique and I enjoy the alternating timelines and POV's. I enjoyed the book and the audiobook was well-done.

I actually quite enjoyed this audio book. First off, loved the narrator. For me, a good audiobook will always capture me, pull me in if the narration is done well. For me, it worked just fine.

I also enjoyed the story line. I mean, as a lover of Practical Magic, and Supernatural reading, this one didn’t fall short on that for me.

The writing was so well done, that when the narrator read it out loud, I could envision the streets of London. The history that was also brought to life within the book was interesting.

I enjoyed the book and the audio book! Well done!

An audiobook I would recommend: 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘈𝘱𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘺 by Sarah Penner.

This was such an enjoyable listen. (Thank you @harperaudio @harlequin_audio for the audio copy.) Imagine 1791 London, a mysterious woman selling deadly poisons to make a living; there the story mashes up with present day London where we meet a young lady who is craving something more in her life. Ultimately, it’s a feminist historical fiction novel where the three female characters take charge of their own lives. All three narrators were some of the best I’ve heard in an audiobook in a while, and it was addicting right off the bat. Definitely add this one to your list.

3.5/5

So entertaining, loved the history, and particularly enjoyed the apothecary concept. The frequent change between both characters and time were often nice but I couldn't help wanting to stick with the older time-- personal preference. Would recommend.

The Lost Apothecary is a story told by three unique women over multiple centuries. The book tells the story of Nella (the apothecary), Eliza (a young girl who seeks Nella's assistance for her employer), and Caroline (a present day woman who finds out their story). Nella runs a late 18th century apothecary that is unlike any other. Nella provides not just remedies but poisons. These poisons can never been used against another woman and both the woman and victim's names must be put in Nella's ledger.

Eliza meets Nella when her mistress seeks out a poison for her husband. While Eliza is very smart there are somethings she has never been taught and returns to Nella after she believes her master's ghost is haunting her. At the same time a high society woman comes to Nella for a lust poison but because she intends it for a woman and not her cheating husband things start to go wrong.

200+ years later Caroline finds an old apothecary bottle during a trip to London after she finds out her husband has cheated on her and is sent on a journey to find out what happened. Caroline searches for clues as to which apothecary this bottle could have belonged to and then who this apothecary was.

It was an interesting story of three women at different stages of life who have all been wronged by men and find their own way to survive. I love that Caroline has no ties to Nella or Eliza and yet she is so driven to find out more. So often these types of duel time period novels have a familial link between the main characters but here it is just driven by curiosity. If you are a historical fiction fan give this one a read.

I enjoyed this book a lot! In terms of the audio, it really helped that there were two narrators. Had there been just one, or they sounded to similar I wouldn’t have enjoyed it as much.

So close to five stars!
Wonderfully well written debut novel that was an absolute page turner. I loved the dual timelines and the unraveling of how the two time lines intertwined.

Immediately this novel ticks all of my boxes for a historical novel. First, the women are the main characters and they tell the story from different points in time. Finally, those two (or three) characters are connected somehow. So I was immediately on board for The Lost Apothecary. But Penner’s debut novel was more than a story of three connected women.

In The Lost Apothecary, Penner tells the story of a whole network of women who are fighting against a world that doesn’t support them. She shows women supporting each other what happens when there is betrayal in that network. This novel keeps you intrigued and glued to this book as each chapter unfolds. You keep wondering who will take poison next and if magic really does exist in this world.

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* Really loved this book! What a perfect storm! would love to buy and reread.

I went into the story filled with so much promise, as I so loved the idea of mystery a lost apothecary who dispenses poisons to women who are having men issues. AMAZING PREMISE. However, I would say overall the two clashing stories, left the reader with not much suspense or mystery as everything was happening simultaneously. I knew that the story would end on a sweet note, so overall just predictable. However, I love the historical references and seeing the differences from the 1700s to present day London.

Maybe it was listening to the book instead of having it in my hands, but I had a hard time focusing on this one! Told between two timelines, women entangled in mysteries and murders intertwined with an apothecary - in present day, Caroline finds herself suddenly a part of solving the apothecary murders from over 200 years ago - and in the past, we see just who might want to have their revenge against the women embroiled in the world of the apothecary, and why. Some suspense, but didn't keep me riveted like I'd hoped!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Audio for advance access to this title!

This book provides an innovative tale of women characters from two different time periods. The present day character stumbles upon a relic from the historic apothecary. The stories lead the reader in an exploration of the choices women feel forced to make.

I listened to the audiobook Arc from NetGalley The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner and was pleasantly surprised. Nella is an Apothecary who uses her potions to give out justice for women who have been wronged as she was. Eliza is a young girl that comes into her shop to retrieve a potion for her mistress and so starts the entanglement of the lives of these women. Nella and Eliza must do what is needed to save their secrets. Nothing would even be known if it were not for a discovery years later in the water by Caroline who came to London to sort out her own issues with the man in her life. What I expected from this story does not compare to what I got. This book is about the bonds of women and how far we go for each other. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

For how excited I was got this release it actually took me a really long time to get through this audiobook. The narration was good as was the writing it trails along at a steady pace and then predictably picks up a little over half way through the book. I liked the characters and found the ending particularly interesting. I think this would make a good series as I found myself left with more than a few questions, which I feel is fine very intentionally. Overall would recommend.