This is the second book I’ve read by a new favorite author, Sarah Beth Durst. After falling in love with The Spellshop, I had to get a signed copy for my special book shelf!

The Enchanted Greenhouse was exactly what I needed right now —a cozy, heartwarming escape filled with beauty, love, and just the right amount of magic. In a world that feels overwhelming, this book offered a much-needed glimmer of hope.

Durst’s writing gives me all the warm and fuzzy feelings, just like The Spellshop did. As someone who adores both books and plants, I can’t imagine a cozier or more perfect story.

I absolutely loved the characters. Terlu—who, fun fact, is the librarian who creates Caz from The Spellshop!—has an incredible backstory. Then there’s Yarrow, the lonesome greenhouse gardener, and, of course, there’s the sentient plants, which always steal the show. Lotti the resurrection rose and Denny the philodendron were two of my favorites, and coincidentally, roses and philodendrons are some of my favorite plants to care for!

At a time when DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) is inexplicably controversial to some, I deeply appreciate the inclusivity in Durst’s writing. Representation matters, and she weaves it into her stories so beautifully.

The story itself is utterly charming, and the ending was exactly what I needed.

Sarah Beth Durst is also such a kind and gracious author here on Bookstagram, and I can’t wait to meet her in May at the Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books and get The Enchanted Greenhouse signed to match my copy of The Spellshop!

Huge thanks to the author, @NetGalley, and Tor/Bramble for this ARC!

Wow. I absolutely adored this. I think some part of me must have really needed this story right now, because I eschewed all responsibilities yesterday and instead devoured this in one sitting. This is a super cozy fantasy with a dash of mystery and romance sprinkled in to propel the narrative. Terlu is a gem of a protagonist—a patron-focused and chatty librarian with low self-worth and a penchant for organized research. Durst does an excellent job of slowly developing her relationship with the grumpy plant-obsessed Yarrow while balancing the mystery of the failing magic greenhouses.  The plant side characters were some of my favorites—Lotti in particular made my heart ache at times. Terlu is also great fat representation, and I read Yarrow as autistic. (The best of both worlds for me!) 

Overall, 5 stars, 10/10, etc. I'm super excited to purchase this for my library and start recommending it to patrons when it comes out.

Felt a little slow at the start but once I got into it, I loved how cozy and sweet this was. It was perfect to cozy up and read by a fireplace. The fantasy cozy of it all was fantastic. I loved the atmospheric island this was set in and the how this tackles self discovery. Just very beautifully written.

This book was just as cozy and delightful as The Spellshop, which I loved! But with more talking plants! AND a grumpy x sunshine romance, of which I am also quite fond. (The Spellshop was also a grumpy x sunshine, but reversed.)
Terlu is a delightful character who tries her best to remain positive even in, honestly, a pretty traumatic situation. I thoroughly enjoyed watching her find her place in the world and some happiness. The amazing descriptions of the greenhouse didn’t hurt!
The only complaint I have, is that at one point there is a scene in the story, Terlu “sheds” her coat, like, 3 times and her scarf about 2 times. However, the story was so enjoyable for me, that can easily be overlooked.
By the end, I was tearing up. But in a good way! The way that the two stories were tied together but were still their own standalone books was very well done, I thought. I would highly recommend this series to anyone who craves cozy fantasy reads and loves plants!
P.S. I have already preordered the hardcover!

I absolutely loved The Spellshop, so I was ecstatic to learn about a sequel coming out. Sarah Beth Durst has a knack for writing rich details and vivid imagery that leaps off the page, creating wonders such as singing plants (although they may be tone deaf), flying cats, tiny dragons, ad the sweetness of freshly baked honey cakes. She creates these magical greenhouses that are so unique and truly wonderous. The characters are warm and heartfelt, although both MC's are lonely and have no idea what it feels like to have friendships or be wanted, something they both need. And the sentient plants are snarky, hilarious, and all with their own individual personalities. Durst masterfully weaves together themes of forgiveness, redemption, and belonging into a cozy romance story that feels not only comforting but adventurous.

Some tropes and what to expect:
~ Second Chances
~ Self-Discovery
~ Grumpy Gardener
~ Cozy Romance
~ Slow Burn

While this is technically a sequel, you don't necessarily need to read the first to enjoy The Enchanted Greenhouse. Although I do recommend it to find all the little Easter eggs within the story from the first. Whether you are discovering Durst for the first time or have read any of her previous works, this book reads like a warm hug. A story of finding your place in the world, hope, and love. If you enjoy both magical and cozy tales with a whole lot of heart, The Enchanted Greenhouse is just so wholesome. So grab some cozy reading socks, a comfy blanket, and a hot cup of tea and dive in.

And excuse me while I look up a recipe for honey cakes now.

Readalikes:
Legends & Lattes
A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic
The Baby Dragon Café
Can't Spell Treason Without Tea

Thank you to Tor Publishing Group fir this digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A captivating and immersive fantasy that transports readers to a richly crafted world. The world-building is intricate and vivid, bringing every detail to life. The characters have incredible depth, making their journeys feel real and compelling. The author’s writing has grown, weaving a beautiful tale of adventure, magic, and destiny. A must-read for fantasy lovers!

I was so excited to hear from the librarian cursed after creating Caz. Everyone was so happy at the end of Spellshop, it felt like we needed Terlu to be too. Her story of perseverance was sickly sweet. Yarrow's personality defrosting over the course of the story was wonderful to watch. The pacing was nice, it was lighthearted, but also relatable and emotionally profound. A great cozy read for the winter when stuck in our own snowy worlds.

Sarah Beth Durst does it again!

Sarah has once again woven magic into words, creating a world that feels both familiar and enchantingly new.

The comparison to The Spellshop is inevitable, yet The Enchanted Greenhouse stands tall on its own merits. It's not a direct sequel, but the shared universe ties both stories together in a comforting embrace. The setting and world-building are meticulously crafted, offering a backdrop that is ripe with hope, coziness, and love. The narrative promises an escape into a world that mirrors our desires for warmth and affection, making it a perfect read for those who seek solace in the pages of a book.

The themes of hope, coziness, and love are interwoven throughout the story, creating a tapestry that feels both intimate and grand.

Pacing and character development are handled with a deft touch, ensuring that readers are engaged from the first page to the last. This natural progression allows us to grow alongside Terlu, Yarrow, and the Belde plants (and even Emeral!), experiencing their triumphs and challenges as if they were our own. Terlu is a sympathetic and deeply relatable protagonist who readers can’t help but root for from the first few paragraphs—or even earlier if you’ve read The Spellshop.

The Enchanted Greenhouse is a book that I cannot recommend enough. Its ability to transport readers into a world that is at once familiar and fantastical is a testament to Sarah’s skill and imagination.

Whether you're a fan of "The Spellshop" or new to Sarah’s work, this book promises a journey filled with wonder, growth, and the comforting embrace of a story well told.

Now I just need the folks of Belde and Caltery to meet in an Avengers style crossover!

The Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth Durst is like stepping into a warm hug. A story of second chances, grumpy-sunshine dynamics, and sentient plants? Say less.

Terlu is a delight—curious, determined, and full of heart—and watching her navigate life on Belde with its curmudgeonly gardener, Yarrow, was pure joy. The greenhouse itself is a wonderland of whimsical details: winged cats, miniature dragons, and bioluminescent plants that practically glow off the page. Like, hello?! I really don’t need to say anything else. It’s the kind of world you want to sink into with a blanket and a cup of tea.

While the pacing meanders a bit, the quiet moments of growth and connection between Terlu, Yarrow, and the magical flora make this a standout cozy fantasy. If you love gentle, hopeful stories with lush worldbuilding and a slow-burn romance that feels earned, this one is for you.

The charming and delightful THE ENCHANTED GREENHOUSE delivered everything I wanted and more. Charming and delightful is a challenge that not all authors manage instead falling into twee, saccharine and unbelievable. Sarah Beth is a master at delivering a comfort read.

I adored the first book but liked this title even more because I found the heroine so heroic – she is willing to sacrifice herself to do right for others. She understands what her sacrifice will cost her. She is scared (and scarred) and her actions threaten the new love she is finding but still he does the right thing.

The tone is cozy, charming, delightful, and optimistic. It is a story filled with fabulous food, appealing friends, and a slow-burn, believable romance. What slow burn does so well is show us the couple falling in love because of who they are and who they can be together. Bravo!

A story of second chances, not just for the rogue librarian turned statue and back, but also for the lone gardener left on the island of Belde and the dormant sentient plants. This book contains a lovely assortment of wonders from talking plants to winged cats to miniature dragons, from greenhouses filled with plants from all over to ocean filled ones to bioluminescent ones to vegetable gardens and singing plants and so so much more. This really was a story filled with hope and love. Absolutely adored it!

This feels like it would be the perfect book to read in winter with a cup of hot chocolate. I loved the tiny dragon pollinators and the hopefulness of this book.

"What's the point of sailing free, choosing your own horizon, if you won't choose what's right over what's easy?"

The Enchanted Greenhouse was arguably my most anticipated book of 2025. I was truly HONORED to have received an arc copy (thank you NetGalley and Bramble). When I read The Spellshop last year, it opened the door to cozy fantasy for me and I haven't been able to get back to the exact magic I was looking for until Sarah provided this fabulous second installment. She is truly unmatched when it comes to magical and immersive descriptions. Not only was this book an excellent escape, it also had many timely and important messages about doing what is RIGHT and never giving up HOPE. I cannot imagine a more timely message. I laughed and cried and cannot wait to pick up a physical copy on release day. I will be holding my breath until 2026 when the next book hits shelves.

Thank you Sarah, for writing this when I needed it.

Thank you Netgalley for the e-book!

First things first- if I've learned anything from Sarah Beth Durst's writing is that she is able to spin these cozy magical worlds that literally feel like a hug. The descriptions and the world building are so well done- I can honestly close my eyes and I feel like I'm there with Terlu and Yarrow on Belde.

The story follows the woman -Terlu who enchanted Caz the spider plant. After being turned to stone for breaking the Imperial law (enchanting the plant) she ends up on Belde- home to a sole gardener and a billion enchanted greenhouses. A natural social butterfly Terlu puts in the work to win over the curmudgeon gardener.

One of my favourite tropes in books is the grumpy sunshine- but further more, sunshine and curmudgeon misunderstood character. It has me kicking my feet at every wall torn down.

If you like winged cats, enchanted plants, heart- warming stories and books that just feel like a mug of warm tea next to the fireplace- I would highly recommend

Terlu, a librarian who had been turned into a wooden statue wakes up in a snowstorm on an isolated island. Its only resident is Yarrow, a gardener who cares for the plants in a giant greenhouse made up of many greenhouses some with diverse environments. When Terlu accidentally brings a rose back from seeming death she discovers it is sentient and mobile, like Caz, the spider plant from The Spellshop and may help in saving the greenhouses that seem to be failing, one by one. Cozy fantasy at its best with endearing and resourceful characters and compelling conflicts.

With its exquisite storytelling and world building this is definitely one of the best books of 2025 and not to be missed.

What an absolute DELIGHT. This was the perfect addition/companion to the world created in The Spellshop.

I adored the story, the characters, the lush descriptions, and the entirely cozy vibes of it all.

"If you're hurt, you're hurt. It doesn't matter if anyone else thinks you don't have a good enough reason. Pain doesn't require approval."

Thank you to NetGalley, Sarah Beth Durst, and Tor/Forge for the E-ARC!

The Spellshop was one of my top reads of 2024, so I can't express how excited I was when I got the email saying I got accepted for The Enchanted Greenhouse's E-ARC. Sarah Beth Durst knows the formula for the perfect cozy fantasy, hitting the nail on the head once again with this book.

Terlu was once a librarian, until she was found to have brought a plant to life. After a judge ruling, her punishment was to become a wood statue, and she was forced to stand still as life passed her by in the library she once called home. That is until one day she wakes up in a cold forest by herself. Apparently, she was awakened by a gardener looking for the help of a sorcerer to heal his failing enchanted greenhouse. Although Terlu isn't a sorcerer, she's set on helping him in anyway she can.

As I previously mentioned, this is the perfect cozy fantasy. Written with vibrant imagery and descriptions of different types of greenhouses, the plants that reside in them, and of various delicious bakery goods, this book is filled with wonder. That's not even to mention the creatures residing inside the greenhouses, not limited to but including a variety of sentient plants, a flying cat and even miniature dragons.

I absolutely loved the romance in this book. Terlu is chatty and bubbly, while Yarrow, the gardener, is silent but passionate about the things he loves. The contrast between the characters was wonderful, making the journey of them growing closer, becoming friends and then more a true delight to read. They were so cute that I couldn't keep myself from smiling while flipping through the pages.

I feel so lucky to have been able to read this early, and can't wait for when it releases so everyone can enjoy it as I did. I don't know how I'll manage the wait until the newly announced addition to this series, but I'll do my best to be patient!

Can lightning strike twice? Actually, that might be too violent an idiom for Sarah Beth Durst’s cozy fantasy writing. Let’s start over. Can a magician create two perfect fluffy magical creatures in a row? In both cases, the answer is an emphatic yes when it comes to The Enchanted Greenhouse, the sequel/companion novel to Durst’s runaway bestselling 2024 cozy fantasy book The Spellshop.

I am loath to compare apples to oranges, or perhaps once you’ve read the books you’ll prefer to say raspberries to oranges, (inside joke nudge to the handful of people who have read both) so I won’t say if one of these books is better than the other. But I can confidently say that they are both magnificent reads, full of comfort and happiness. They are books that make you feel better about everything once you’ve read them. They are a sanctuary away from hard times, but interestingly, this second book actually also addresses some of the trials of these current times, albeit in a non-jarring, non-traumatizing way.

One thing I truly adore about Durst’s writing is that you can tell she’s also writing for her own serotonin. She has said in multiple interviews that she shamelessly wrote The Spellshop by starting with a list of things she loved, and then finding a way to incorporate as many of those things as possible into the novel. In the hands of a less skilled author, this might result in a hodgepodge of saccharin twee-ness. But in The Spellshop you find yourself saying “hell yeah, bring on the unicorns and cloud bears. Let’s go rescue some flying cats from a flood and then go have some raspberry jam.”

For that reason, I am happy to report that Durst allowed her imagination to take flight just as much, if not more so, in The Enchanted Greenhouse. After all, when a skilled magician makes an island full of themed greenhouses, it’s a blank canvas rife for the imagination, and the results don’t disappoint.

I truly loved every character in this story, and didn’t want it to end. The grumpy/sunshine trope is done to perfection, and the chemistry between the main characters was delightful. And our protagonist!!! Oh, I just adored Terlu and her body positivity. Her extroversion masking a deep-rooted history of rejection and trauma gave her character depth as well as relatability. She was an absolute delight.

Five out of five stars, can’t wait to listen to the audiobook to find out what sorts of voices the narrator gives to these characters I already love. This will, like The Spellshop, also be a repeat comfort read I know for sure.

Thanks to NetGalley & Tor Publishing Group for the early copy in exchange for an honest review. Sadly, I DNF'ed at 40% of the way through.

I really liked Durst's other books but this one wasn't doing it for me.

The protagonist is an insecure and self-centered airhead and the eventual love interest is a self-centered loner obsessed with plants and nothing else. I really hated how he treated the protagonist from the beginning and he moderately got better but not really. It felt like he treated her as an afterthought and could barely speak 5 words to make her feel any better about her awful situation. She's not a very fun protagonist either with how insecure and doubtful she is. Dottie was also a really annoying character, not as nice as Caz was.

Another great cozy fantasy that takes place in the same universe as The Spellshop. I loved the characters and the setting! I slightly prefer The Spellshop over this because that one had more baking elements, whereas this one has more gardening imagery.