This was a pretty sweet, short read that I wish could have been expanded into something longer. Every part of worldbuilding that did make it into the story was fascinating; understandably, those parts focused more on the magical plants and their properties—the story is called The Botanist’s Apprentice, after all—but the parts that dealt with the overall magic system were my favorites. I’d love to know more about it, and to see more of the setting in general. Not so much the big picture of these alternate 1920s (I think?) with magic, but just the town around the cottage and the greenhouse where the action took place. There were mentions of the world outside, but no real interactions with it, save for one side character whose sole purpose was to bring the two MCs together.

As for the MCs and the romance itself, again, I loved what I got, but I kept wanting more—something like a wider scope, a bigger picture, a deeper insight into their personalities. For example, there was that entire thing about Eli reconciling his Jewish faith and his magical practice that was mentioned… twice, I think? And it felt like something that really mattered to the character and who he is, so I wish it was explored more.

Overall, though, I did have a good time reading this novella, and I liked how it handled two tropes that are usually super hit or miss for me (mentor/apprentice pairing and sex pollen). In this book, both were definite hits with how they were handled. I also absolutely loved all the descriptions. The author really made every place come to life: the greenhouse, Lord-Harding’s kitchen, the guesthouse Eli stays in. There was always just enough detail to create the overall feeling of the place, and it made the setting, however small and near-claustrophobic it was, really vivid.