Book Review: The Lost Apothecary

The Lost Apothecary, by Sarah Penner

• A++ cover art

• Women finding their way in the world

• The precious idea of being remembered

• 3.5 stars

The moment I saw the ‘coming soon’ posts of this book, I fell in love with the cover art. I don’t believe there has ever been a book that has captured me via cover as strongly as this book. It caused me to take so many photo versions to post, each one feeling not quite good enough but here we are. But then I found out it had multiple female main characters, and was set around an apothecary that sold poison to women to take care of problematic men in their lives - and I could not wait for my copy to arrive at my local bookstore.

This is the debut novel of Sarah Penner, and I can’t wait to see what she does next! The theme and climax of this book felt like an almost historical fiction. Or at least I wanted it to be.

Catherine, Nella, and Eliza are the POVs of this amazing novel.

Catherine, modern day, faces marital issues and an unfulfilled career as she lands in England on what was supposed to be an anniversary trip.

Nella, in the 1700s, is taking care of an Apothecary handed down from her mother that has since gotten a new mission. She meets Eliza, a young girl, and together they overcome a hiccup in the previously righteous work for women at a time when women didn’t have a voice.

There is a tone in this book of making your mark, and what mark do you leave behind. Catherine is struggling with that modern day as she realizes she’s been on pause for far too long. Nella and Eliza are living in a time when they don’t make history -who will remember the women and their lives, names, and triumphs other than this Apothecary when all is said and done.

How these women’s stories intertwine made me swoon, especially with the underlying theme of ‘how you are remembered’ - we never know the impact we can have on those around us.

I know I haven’t given many 3.5 star reviews, and this rambling about this book probably doesn’t match a ‘low rating. However, I do feel like there was some lacking in the full story. I would’ve loved a longer, more detailed version of this book. So, I guess it would be 4 stars, except I so badly wanted more of the story. I would’ve loved to have more history and happenings with Nella, and more emotional London wandering with Catherine.

Don’t let 3.5 stars fool you, you will enjoy this book. Pair it with a relaxing day at the beach or your backyard lounge chair and enjoy.

My Synopsis: Catherine, present day London, is picking up the pieces of her career and marriage on a should-be anniversary trip when she stumbles upon a vial with an odd logo etched into it. Her sense of purpose and ambition are awakened at the library as she tracks down the story behind it.

Nella runs an apothecary in the 1700’s where she dispenses healing and not so healing mixtures to the women that find her. Eliza, 12, is one such young lady and together they are tied together over an upset in the apothecary’s somewhat dark system. It may be the last time Nella and the apothecary have a customer.

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