The Seller of Secrets

by Sheri Yutzy

Inspired by historical Florence, Italy, and based on legends of the Renaissance-era Medici family, The Seller of Secrets is a YA romantasy novel with a sensory and elemental–based magic system.

On the mystical island of Bardia, Bell Asbury’s sister is dying. A girl with an extraordinary but volatile gift for fusing magical elixirs, Bell was eleven when she accidentally struck her sister, Roza, with a magic that left her with an incurable illness. Six years later, she overhears her sister’s fiancé buying illicit ingredients for a brainwashing elixir. Alarmed and infuriated, Bell tries to end the engagement, but Roza's fiancé is from a noble house, the sisters’ father is in debt, and their mother is eager to have a connection to a powerful family.

Desperate to find a cure for Roza’s disease and an antidote to the brainwashing elixir, Bell uncovers a tangled web of secrets that leads to a man called the Seller of Secrets and his plot to use the brainwashing elixir to force the entire island to obey him. Bell alone can create an antidote, but her experiments risk the sanity of those she loves.

Rian, an infuriatingly handsome spy, offers to help her defeat the Seller of Secrets. Although she knows Rian is a master of deception, Bell can’t stop herself from falling for him. But with so many things changing in her life, Bell doesn’t know who she can trust and who is working to control her gift.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult

352 pages, Paperback

Published April 21, 2026

About the author

Sheri Yutzy lives in a small Ohio town in a nineteenth century Italianate home with her
musician husband and four beautiful children. When she’s not writing, she’s tending her
garden, baking something, or pulling her youngest children in their wagon.
Find Sheri online at Instagram @sheriyutzyauthor, Facebook @sheriyutzy, or on her
website at sheriyutzy.com

Reviews

[Sheri Yutzy]

Dear Reader,
A note before I slip away from Goodreads and leave you to your bookish space:

I believe we carry every younger version of ourselves within us. Why else would a 32-year-old mom write about a 17-year-old protagonist who's just about to fall in love?
I wrote Bell's story as an invitation and a guide to myself--and to you, whatever age you may be. THE SELLER OF SECRETS is meant to be a companion to those longing to step beyond the security of control, but fearing what lies on the other side.

The answer to your fear is not to hide and remain where you are. The answer is to choose your companions wisely and take the steps anyway.

You are invited to La Festa di San Giovanni on the Isle of Bardia….

If you were to find yourself on the magical Isle of Bardia, I would recommend you purchase a protezi elixir before you enter the Night Bazaar, to protect you from the most dangerous scents. Don’t taste anything if you’re not sure what it is. And above all, keep your secrets close.

I hope you are swept away into this lush, perfumed world as I was while I was writing it. I wanted to create a story that took me somewhere enchanting, a little dangerous, but ultimately full of growth and light.
Thank you for your trust in me and my story, and you will be in my thoughts and prayers as you descend into the Night Bazaar.


Sheri

[*⁀➷ Lily the Lilac *⁀➷ · Rating 4 out of 5]

❀ 𝔸𝕥𝕥𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟: 𝕊𝕡𝕠𝕚𝕝𝕖𝕣 𝕗𝕣𝕖𝕖 ❀

: ̗̀➛ Thank you to NetGalley and Keylight Books for providing this e-arc

⋆˚✿˖°⋆ 𖤓 ˚࿔⋆˚✿˖°⋆ 𖤓 ˚࿔⋆˚✿˖°⋆ 𖤓 ˚࿔⋆˚✿˖°⋆ 𖤓 ˚࿔⋆˚✿˖°⋆ 𖤓 ˚࿔

🪻≋🪨≋🌟 𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓢𝓮𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓻 𝓸𝓯 𝓢𝓮𝓬𝓻𝓮𝓽𝓼 🌟≋🪨≋🪻

╰┈➤ Stars: 4 ⭐!
╰┈➤ Pov: Third-person FMC
╰┈➤ Spice: 1 / 5
╰┈➤ Content: Mentions of terminal illness (of the magic kind); death; mild violence; one implication of more than kissing

🖤 𝓢𝓽𝓸𝓻𝔂 🖤

꒰ 𝐿𝒾𝓀𝑒𝓈 ➛ I need you to know this right off: The aesthetic in this book is GOR 👏🏻 GEOUS 👏🏻 The festivals under the burning sunshine, the ocean glimmering off the horizon, the flowers that speckle every area, it's just... 💖💖 But the biggest heart goes right to the Night Bazaar! That vibe? 100% check mark. I always love an underground market, choked with incense and perfume, with sellers hawking their half-legal goods

Aside from the vibes, the story's pretty high fantasy (which I enjoy) with a good mystery and plenty of secrets. Like actually, I didn't know who to trust, who was telling the truth, and who was lying but thought they were telling the truth

꒰ 𝒟𝒾𝓈𝓁𝒾𝓀𝑒𝓈 ➛ I'll admit that while I like fast-paced books, this one could be a little too fast. Like, give me some room to breathe book! Also, some plot points and solutions seem to come out of nowhere sometimes, and I was left wondering "Wait, how did you figure that out? 🤨"

💜 𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓻𝓪𝓬𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓼 💜

ˋ°•* 𝐵𝑒𝓁𝓁 ➳ *Sigh* She was probably the part I liked the least, sadly TvT Know that she's generally likeable, and she didn't have me wishing to burn the digital pages with my eyes. Buuuut she could definitely be annoying sometimes. She loves to jump to conclusions and doesn't really listen to people, opting for stubbornness instead. I know that younger characters (she's 17) are often written like that though

ˋ°•* 𝑅𝒾𝒶𝓃 ➳ Rian here took a while to capture my heart, but once he did, I was smiling for him 😉 At first, he was a little thin in characterization (he's not even in the first half that much), but once he actually really shoved himself into the plot, he was a treat. He may appear like a mix between dangerous and charming, with a big grin to boot, but there's definitely a cute softness in there, especially when it comes to Bell <3 Also, I can't resist a guy who wears kohl around his eyes and wears a mask

ˋ°•* 𝒪𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇𝓈 ➳ Other side characters are peppered about the book, like the Maestras, the Medoro family (who were based on the Medici family), Bell's mother and father, and her sister Roza. Roza has her own can of worms that I won't open in this review, so I'm going to focus on one side character who I loved: Carasti. She's adorable but mischievous, real best friend material 💕 Which makes sense, since she's Bell's bestie. She was like a shining light though the darkness permeating Bell's life, and I loved her for it

💛 𝓡𝓸𝓶𝓪𝓷𝓬𝓮 💛

There was very little of it, actually. This book was definitely more story-focused, so the romance became a side plot, just complementing the main one. If you want a lot of romance, then this isn't it. That aside, there were plenty of cute moments between Rian and Bell, especially some times with a truth-telling elixir 🤭 There whole relationship can actually be summed up in the word cute. I do warn you though, there's some insta-love vibes here, but not a ton thankfully

⋆˚✿˖°⋆ 𖤓 ˚࿔⋆˚✿˖°⋆ 𖤓 ˚࿔⋆˚✿˖°⋆ 𖤓 ˚࿔⋆˚✿˖°⋆ 𖤓 ˚࿔⋆˚✿˖°⋆ 𖤓 ˚࿔

𝓒𝓸𝓷𝓬𝓵𝓾𝓼𝓲𝓸𝓷: I quite enjoyed The Seller of Secrets! I'm someone who really cares about the aesthetic of something, and this tickled my little heart about it XD While I had complaints, I definitely liked my time reading it! Especially for a debut book, The Seller of Secrets is really good. I can't wait to see the author's potential grow even more <3

❀ 𝔸𝕥𝕥𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟: 𝕀𝕗 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕝𝕚𝕜𝕖𝕕 𝕨𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕤𝕒𝕨, 𝕡𝕝𝕖𝕒𝕤𝕖 𝕔𝕠𝕟𝕤𝕚𝕕𝕖𝕣 𝕗𝕠𝕝𝕝𝕠𝕨𝕚𝕟𝕘! ❀

[ren ౨ৎ (rozanov's version) · Rating 3 out of 5]

─── ୨ৎ 3.25 stars
⤿ .ᐟ spoiler-free review

"it's not only your gift that's strong. it's you. you can pull beauty from the shadows."

happy release day! ⋆˚ʚɞ

i definitely have some mixed feelings after finishing this book. there were a lot of things to like about this book. first and foremost, sheri yutzy’s extensive use of imagery throughout the book. she created a world that felt lush and mystical so easily through her descriptive prose. there’s nothing i love more than an author who can visually paint a landscape on the pages of a book and create a space that makes me feel as if i’m there. with that being said, despite the vivid descriptions of bardia, yutzy’s writing flows very easily. it’s the right amount of floweriness without becoming purple prose/inaccessible. 

all the characters within the book were all rather likable. except for you, roza. 

while the romance was on the minimal side, there were a few moments shared between bell and rian that were pretty swoonworthy. 

the only thing that really detracted me from rating this book higher was the pacing. the beginning of the book felt rather slow and made me feel a bit overwhelmed. yutzy was clearly trying to develop an intricate fantasy world and threw a lot of information into the first quarter of the book. it almost felt as if she was trying to do too much, and it made me feel a bit lost initially. the slow yet somehow overstimulating pace of the first half of the book feels somewhat contradictory because the last half of the book feels a bit too fast. everything begins to unravel, and it feels as if everything is just pushed forward so that the story can have a neat and satisfying conclusion. 

overall, for a debut novel — this was a rather impressive read. i would definitely love to see what yutzy publishes in the future and what she decides to do from this point on. i think the world of bardia has a lot of potential, and she could easily turn this novel into a full series. the magical system in place is fascinating and unique and offers up room for further lore-building. 

if you’re a fan of whimsical yet mysterious fantasy-based novels, this book is definitely worth checking out.

thank you to netgalley, turner publishing company, keylight books, and sheri yutzy for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

[Lark-at-the-library]

My friend did the cover illustration, so I am excited to read this one once published. The premise of the book seems right up my alley.

[Myra Wollman · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a fun read, but the mc's decisions annoyed me the whole time, most of all at the end. That's probably because we're very different people though, especially in how we do risk evaluation. Still fun and had an interesting plot!

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

The world of Bardia is colorful and rich-definitely reminded me of Florence, Italy! An easy, fast-paced read that targets a younger audience, I would recommend to anyone looking for a clean fantasy romance.

[Chesca · Rating 4 out of 5]

A debut YA romantasy novel suffused with an Italian Renaissance atmosphere. Young Bell has been gifted with a magical power that gives her both a kinship with growing things and the ability to create with their elements. Her fears for her family, doubts about herself, and suspicions of the motives of others swirl her into the mysteries of her island world—the good, the bad, and the questionable. It’s a romping good story!

I like the quandaries presented. Bell is always well-intentioned but can be too quick in her assumptions and chaotic in her actions—which then have consequences she eventually has to face. What do you do when shame from mistakes overwhelms you? What do you do when you have the means (power) to achieve desperately good ends, but the means are unethical? How do you wade through webs of deceit to find truth and trust?

Another note: The minor characters really shine in this story. I may have gotten more invested in them than in the main character! 🤭

Note on the romance: Fun and tender. Kisses only.

Overall, I enjoyed this read—even though YA romantasy is not high on my list of favorite genres. Probably because I was especially caught by the mystery element. And all the flowers. I do love flowers. 💐

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was definitely written for a younger audience, and 16 year old me would have devoured it! As an adult, I still enjoyed it as an easy-to-read, upbuilding story, but the plot unfolded a little too quickly for my liking.
My favorite part was definitely the atmosphere! The author’s writing style is very descriptive, and reading about a lush, flower filled island in the middle of winter felt refreshing. I also thought the range and development of characters for a relatively short book was well done!

[Kristyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The imagery in the Sellers of Secrets is so clear and beautiful! I could just imagine all the lush flora throughout the island of Bardia. I was drawn into Bell’s story from the very beginning and enjoyed a few late night sessions to keep reading.

This is a great read if you’re looking for a clean, closed-door young adult romantasy! I tend to stay away from books marketed as romantasy and instead go straight for fantasy, so that’s why I only gave this 4 out of 5.

[Kent Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun, gripping, young adult adventure set in a beautiful world with a magic system that is unique, creative and full of interesting possibilities.

[Ellen Dominguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much! Such a good debut from this talented author. The world building, characters and plot all wove together in a beautiful tapestry that left me wishing for more. This was a delight to read and I highly recommend it. I give this book 5 stars!! I received a complimentary review copy of this book and am writing this review voluntarily.

[Andi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd like to thank Edelweiss and the publisher for allowing a read.

For a debut book, this one is really interesting but it still needs a bit of fine-tuning. A lot of 'back and forth' regarding the cousin she is 'engaged' to. A lot more detail on how the magic came to be and more about the politics of the world and how magic is heavily desired on the island vs those from off the island.

The magic itself is fine, and I like that certain herbs / flowers / etc have magical powers that can be gained from compounding via their essence. It gave me Dark Crystal vibes.

I didn't like the sister, and the entire plot with her fiance and the Seller of Secrets needed better stakes / background.

All in all, I appreciated what was put out and I do think that in time we can have really good series of books or other works from the author.

[Waneta Hershberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is truly captivating! I grew to love the main characters so much, I was disappointed when I reached the end, although the book has a very good ending!! Throughout the book I was reminded how much guilt can control our lives if we dwell on it. there were many unexpected twist and turns so I was always on my toes wondering what was going to happen next! Definitely one of the best Christian fantasy books that are out there! If you are looking for an interesting book to read that will capture your attention and be inspiring at the same time, you have come to the right place!!

[Nicola Frasier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Welcome to the magical Isle of Bardia, an enchanting island with elemental magic and elixirs inspired by renaissance-era Florence, the Medicis and the Infiorata festival. A YA romantasy filled with secrets, conspiracies, a driven FMC and deceptive but charming MMC. I couldn’t put this down!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“You should have taken freedom when you had the chance.” “I’ve never had a chance when it came to you, Sunbeam.”

Bell Asbury has an extraordinary but volatile gift for fusing magical elixirs and has been searching for a way to heal her dying sister. Whilst searching for a cure, she gets tangled in a in a web of secrets and a dark conspiracy that will harm the people of the island - not just her sister. She knows that Rain is the master of deception and works for the Seller of Secrets, but when he offers his help she can’t help but fall for him. But as more secrets are uncovered and lines between sides are blurred, who can she truly trust?

“In a moment of breathless clarity, she saw herself as an ancient tree reaching for an age-old star, and the star bending down to regard her. His silver light wound among her branches, lighting her leaves with magic. That was how long they’d been moving toward each other. Slowly, inevitable, gloriously.”

Despite this being a romantasy, it was just one big mystery. As a reader I remained in the dark and was uncovering truths with Bell. Once I thought I had a grip on the reality, another truth was revealed. There were multiple sides and I truly didn’t know which was right. I felt as torn as Bell who was so focused on doing the right thing that she was burdened with all this pressure.

“A truth telling elixir? Very clever. Did you fuse it for me? Because I find that rather sexy, the thought of you…”

Bell’s building feelings for Rian and his quiet yearning added another layer of mystery, not ever knowing if he was being truthful but one thing was certain - he was on her side! Whilst we didn’t get to witness the build up of his affections - as they happened before the start of the book - I still rooted for him throughout.

If you’re looking for a mystical, romantic and Florence inspired fantasy, this is for you!

What’s included:
🖤 YA Romantasy
🎊 Renaissance-era Florence inspired
🧪 Unique Magic system
⌛️ He Falls First
🎭 Secret Identities
🔮 Powerful Destinies

[Bree · Rating 4 out of 5]

•𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰•

{𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝑺𝒆𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒔}

“𝙵𝚘𝚛 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚋𝚎 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚕, 𝚒𝚝 𝚖𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚋𝚎 𝚌𝚑𝚘𝚜𝚎𝚗.”

🪻🌼 Release Date: April 21, 2026 🌼🪻
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This story’s atmosphere was drenched in vivid—almost psychedelic—color, reminding me so much of Caraval and all the reasons I loved that particular book! I’m all about a book having enchanting and whimsical vibes; this story was exactly that—and so much more! It was such a fun magical YA fantasy novel ✨

The magic system in this story was quite intriguing! I loved how much it involved flora; plants are such a beautiful part of nature, and I enjoy reading about their uses, albeit made-up ones 😉 There were a few times that I found myself confused by the intricacies of the magic system—I didn’t realize for a while that not all of the magic was the same—but it wasn’t enough to deter my interest in the story. Ultimately, I’d say it was very well done!🪻✨

Honestly, I found Bell to not be the most likeable of characters. She had a tendency to jump to conclusions fairly quickly, and she seemed to dislike—or at least be wary of—most of the other characters, which, to be honest, she did have good reason to be. Bell’s relationships with her parents and sister were very tumultuous and a bit frustrating at times. Most of these attributes pointed to her young age—since she was only seventeen—so I couldn’t completely hold it against her that she wasn’t as mature as most older characters.

I found the romance to be a bit confusing; I didn’t understand how Bell could “fall in love” with the spy from the little she knew of him. It felt a tad creepy, if I’m being perfectly honest. I’m just not sure how a guy spying/stalking you makes for a good guy to fall for. Their relationship was cute—I’ll give them that—but it simply didn’t make much sense to me.

All that being said, I would definitely recommend this book to younger readers! It’s marketed as YA fantasy, and I think it fits that market perfectly. Most of my issues came from me not being the target audience ☺️
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Thank you, Sheri, for gifting me an arc of your debut novel 💜 All opinions listed are my own.

[Jewels · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 2.75 stars

”It’s not only your gift that’s strong. It’s you. You can pull beauty from the shadows.”

On the mystical island of Bardia, Bell Asbury is a scentmaker with the gift for fusing magical elixirs. Bell finds herself in the middle of a mass conspiracy which all leads back to a man called the Seller of Secrets and his plot to use a brainwashing elixir, masked as the cure to a deadly illness, to force the entire island to obey him. Rian, a spy, offers to help her, but with so many things in her life changing, Bell isn’t sure who she can trust anymore.

I feel like pleasant is the right word for this book. It was good—not bad, not great. It took me a bit to get into. The writing style wasn’t for me, especially in the beginning. Sometimes it felt like the author was trying to pack in as much information as possible into each sentence. I wasn’t expecting the book to feel cozy, but I think based on the setting and writing style it ended up like that for me.

That being said, the concept of scentmakers and other makers was fascinating. There were some aspects of the magic/world that I don’t think were fleshed out enough, but overall very unique. The plot was engaging for sure with lots of revelations and political intrigue. This book is full of secrets. It’s definitely giving Medici. Everyone’s lying. Everyone’s got secrets. Everyone is manipulative and scheming in their own way.

The characters were well fleshed out for a standalone and we get to see a variety of characters with different motivations. The romance on the other hand was lacking in my opinion. They barely know each other and have interacted a handful of times over a very short amount of time by the time she’s all for him and he’s breaking rules for her. And it wasn’t even instalove which I can work with. They were cute together, but it definitely could’ve used more time to develop.

I would recommend if you like cozy fantasies with mystery and political intrigue.

[Nicole.B · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Seller of Secrets by Sheri Yutzy is a richly imagined YA romantasy set against a Renaissance inspired world where alchemy, politics, and dangerous magic intertwine. With its atmospheric island setting and elemental based magic system, the novel blends intrigue and romance with a steady sense of escalating stakes.

At the center of the story is Bell Asbury, a gifted but burdened young alchemist whose past mistake continues to haunt her through her sister’s worsening illness. Yutzy builds Bell’s emotional world with care, grounding the fantasy elements in guilt, responsibility, and the desperate need to make things right. This emotional core gives the story weight beyond its magical premise.

The introduction of a forbidden brainwashing elixir and the mysterious figure known as the Seller of Secrets adds a strong layer of political and personal danger. As Bell becomes entangled in uncovering a larger conspiracy, the narrative steadily expands from a family focused struggle into something far more complex and threatening to the entire island.

Rian, the enigmatic spy, adds romantic tension and uncertainty to the story. His shifting loyalties and hidden motives keep both Bell and the reader guessing, creating a dynamic where trust becomes just as important and fragile as magic itself. The romance develops alongside the central mystery, balancing emotional intensity with suspense.

Themes of trust, power, sacrifice, identity, and moral consequence run throughout the novel, especially as Bell’s abilities place her in situations where healing and harm are dangerously close. The story explores how far someone is willing to go to save family while questioning the cost of control and manipulation.

Readers who enjoy YA fantasy, romantasy, elemental magic systems, Renaissance inspired settings, political intrigue, and slow burn romance with mystery elements will find The Seller of Secrets immersive and engaging.

[Jodi R · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Seller of Secrets | Sheri Yutzy | 3.25 ⭐️ (Rounded down)
Thank you to the author and Netgalley for this ARC

"People are watching you, Bell. People who want to use your gift."[...]
"As far as I can tell, you're the one watching me."
"I'm merely the one you can see."

The last 60% of this book absolutely flew by! The first couple of chapters were a tizzy of new characters and magic system lore, and I'm not going to lie, it was a lot. BUT. This one is definitely worth sticking it out. Once I got a little bit deeper into the book, I was completely drawn into the web of lies and mind games being played by all of the characters. Some motivations I found a lot easier to discern than others, but I certainly didn't guess everything! The magic system was also super interesting, and I could certainly see the Italian Renaissance influences on not only the language of the magic but also the way the controlling entities were structured. SPEAKING OF THE MAGIC SYSTEM. The idea of scentmaking and the exploration of how that looks for different people is so fascinating to me. There were also some shocking revelations about the magic system that we get to experience right along with Bell, which was super fun! I also loved Rian so much. Was his thing for Bell a bit Insta-love-ish? Yes. Do I care? No, because he literally is frickin adorable. My main issue with this book is the pacing. The beginning felt slow, even though there was so much being introduced, which made the back end feel a tad rushed. That being said, I did really enjoy it once it picked up.

Final Thoughts:
- Every word that came out of Rian's mouth put a stupid little grin on my stupid little face
- Wonderful setting and magic system
- Bell's BFF and I would also be BFFs
- Absolutely worth pushing through the initial confusion

[Hannah O · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC.
I very much enjoyed reading this debut. There are quite a number of characters and a large amount of world-building in the first forty percent of the book, but I found the pacing slow enough in that first part for me to understand the imagery by the time the story picked up. And it picks up significantly, which I liked. Bell, the main character, is very stubborn and a bit impulsive at times with jumping to conclusions and not allowing other characters to finish speaking. At times, that annoyed me; but makes her a believable character. Rian, though we don't learn his name until nearly halfway through the book after his scant appearances in the first half, turns out to be a lovable and charming character. Several of his quips to Bell made me laugh out loud. The scene during which he attempts to quote poetry to Bell still gets me. I had a few instances of confusion with trying to follow along with what was unfolding, keeping character's names straight, understanding the magic system, and figuring out how character's come to certain conclusions; but that is due to the fast-pacing. This book is a great candidate for a reread because readers will certainly catch items in the plot they missed the first time. It is truly a clean, sweet, and magical read. I would happily read a sequel.

[MICHEAL DOANE · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Seller of Secrets by Sheri Yutzy is a richly constructed YA romantasy that merges political intrigue, alchemical magic, and emotional stakes within a Renaissance-inspired setting. Drawing on historical echoes of Florence and Medici-era power dynamics, the novel builds a world where magic is both scientific craft and moral liability.

At the narrative core is Bell Asbury, a protagonist defined by responsibility, guilt, and escalating moral pressure. Her ability to craft magical elixirs is not merely a power system but a narrative engine that directly ties into the ethical cost of intervention. This elevates the stakes beyond typical romantic fantasy, grounding the conflict in consequence-driven decision-making.

The novel’s strongest asset is its interplay of trust, deception, and desire, particularly through the introduction of a spy character whose ambiguity intensifies both romantic and political tension. Overall, the book positions itself strongly within the YA romantasy market by combining sensory magic design, layered interpersonal conflict, and a steadily escalating conspiracy framework.

[Monica Burkholder · Rating 4 out of 5]

The world of Bardia is lush, colorful, and a delight for all the senses. (After reading the author’s note at the end about how she was inspired by Florence, Italy it made me want to travel there asap!)

I don’t read a ton of fantasy, but if I do I’m usually looking for a read that is a good blend of comforting and exciting. The Seller of Secrets was a good fit for me in that way. It had lots of twists and turns and plot pivots (especially in the second half) but also lots of beautiful world building.

My only complaint would be that it maybe moved *too* fast at moments. Sometimes the characters and their relationships to each other fell a bit flat simply because of the speed of the storyline. I would’ve liked a little more time spent developing characters, which I think would have raised stakes for me and pulled me in more from the very beginning.

But all in all, this is a great debut novel, and I’m excited to see what we’ll see from this author in the future! Maybe a return to the Bardia??

*ARC review

[Jebraun · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of Sheri Yutzy’s debut.

The Seller of Secrets has everything you want in a YA fantasy novel: lush setting, political intrigue, unique magic system, and well-developed characters. Let’s not forget that gorgeous map!!

From the very beginning, I was drawn into the magical world of Bardia, its sights, scents, and its history, reminiscent of Renaissance Italy. And Bell entranced me! Her abilities, her curious nature, her unselfishness, and the responsibility she felt for her family, especially her sister, all combined to create an interesting and sympathetic MC.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to readers of all ages who are ready to get lost in a wonderful story.

Tip: keep the glossary handy until you’re familiar with all the different magical terms.

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Seller of Secrets is a richly layered YA romantasy that blends political intrigue, emotional stakes, and elemental magic into a compelling fantasy narrative.
Sheri Yutzy crafts a story set against a Renaissance-inspired backdrop, where Bell Asbury’s personal guilt and determination drive her into a wider conspiracy involving dangerous magical elixirs and hidden power structures. The balance between family responsibility and larger political danger creates strong narrative tension.
What stands out most is the interplay between trust and deception. Bell’s uncertain alliance with Rian adds a compelling emotional and romantic thread while reinforcing the story’s central theme of uncertainty and hidden motives.
Engaging, atmospheric, and emotionally driven, The Seller of Secrets is a strong read for fans of YA fantasy and romantasy with intrigue and magic at its core.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bell is a girl with a gift. She can fuse flowers into elixirs that can do almost anything, but when she was a child she accidentally fused black magic and cursed her sister. Now she struggles to understand her sister, and is drawn toward any hope of a cure. She has also caught the eye of a Spy for the Seller of Secrets, a mysterious figure who can solve many problems - but at what cost?

I really enjoyed this imaginative story, set in a Medici-inspired Italy. I struggled I bit to catch up with the world-building, but I appreciate an author who believes her readers are smart enough to follow without being spoon fed. This is a clean romantasy, good for teens or adults, and I’d recommend it for fans of Caraval.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

[J.M. Hackman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sheri Yutzy is a compelling new voice in YA fantasy. This magical debut gives the reader a diverse cast of interesting characters, as well as plenty of tension to keep the reader glued to the pages. I loved reading the sweet romance subplot, knowing there'd be no ick or hidden graphic surprise. The magic system was unique, not quite elemental, but similar, and I loved reading about Bell's ability. The lush and warm Italian-inspired setting made me want to plan a trip to this beautiful island and visit the Night Bazaar. (What a love letter to Italy!)
I'll be looking forward to the author's next release!

[Liz Griffin · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this YA fantasy debut, Bell is a shy and unassuming scentmaker’s apprentice, until she witnesses her sister’s fiancé buying illicit ingredients for a brainwashing elixir! Bell must enlist the help of an enigmatic Zorro-like masked man with powers of his own and face the conniving Seller of Secrets, the only one with the alleged power to cure Bell’s sister of a magical chronic disease.

Fans of magic systems made up of different factions of power (like Shadow & Bone or Forest of Souls), will be intrigued by this book, which draws aesthetic inspiration from the Medici Renaissance era of Italy.

Many thanks to the author for an advanced readers copy. These opinions are my own.

[Vanessa E. Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read an early copy of the Seller of Secrets and it was a rich pleasure! The word that kept coming to mind as I read was "lush." The story is romantic, suspenseful, and atmospheric. The characters are well-drawn and the relationships go beyond the surface. And the world-building! Based loosely on the Medici family and 15th Century Italy, it features secret markets, wealthy families, rich gardens and flowers, spies and enemies, and a very cool magic system that involves manipulating things like flowers, scents, fibers, stone, etc. It contains a lovely, clean romance, and I would be comfortable letting my teens read it. Highly recommend.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

The seller of secrets was a very easy read. I enjoyed the characters and their gifts; it was a different take on magical abilities to what I've been reading lately so that was refreshing. The world felt like a mix of magic and the Mediterranean with beautiful landscapes and foliage with interesting and powerful uses.
If you like a witchy type vibe with alchemist undertones you will enjoy this one. The only thing that I felt was a bit rushed was how quickly the FMC and her love interest went from seeing each other to you are the love of my life with what to me felt like minimal lead up and interaction.
Altogether though, an enjoyable read.

[Else Popelse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though this book is intended for a younger audience, I did enjoy it.
We follow Bell, who has the magical gift of scent making and is trying to save her sister from a terminal illness. On this journey she stumbles upon one secret after the other and finds out truths here and there.
This story is mysterious, fantastic and has a bit of romance.

Although I did struggle a bit with the world-building at the beginning (this is why I reducted one star), I did enjoy the book and my 17 year old self would have loved this, also.

Thanks to Netgalley for the arc of this book.

[H. L. Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

💐 𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴 𝓡𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀 💐

“For love to be real, it must be chosen.”

THE SELLER OF SECRETS by Sheri Yutzy

Time to review my April ARC read, The Seller of Secrets!

I found the setting of this YA romantasy to refreshingly unique. Inspired by historcal Florence, Italy, the lush island of Bardia hums with a magic that is both beautiful and dangerous—depending on how the power is used by the gifted of the Bardians. I particularly enjoyed visiting the Night Bazaar, an underground market with booths of magical wares. As the main character, Bell, is a scentmaker with a special connection to growing things, the descriptions of flowers and plants—and the elixirs they create—were also quite lovely.

I did struggle with the pacing of this novel. A lot of information and characters were introduced quickly, then the plot suddenly slowed, many scenes seeming random or choppy. As the climax neared, the story sped forward again in a rush that left me trying to process all that was happening while also confused by (what seemed to be) some missing details and backstory. A few side characters also didn’t feel fully fleshed out to me—I would’ve loved to understand their pasts and motives a bit better.

However, there were a few characters I really liked: Carasti (Bell’s loyal, plucky friend), Agnella (Bell’s mentor), The Seller (such an intriguing bad guy), and Rian. Absolutely Rian. Though I’m uncertain when exactly this spy’s feelings for the MC started, almost every scene with him in it had me smiling. And while Bell was often quick to judge and jump to conclusions, I could totally relate to her deep desire to do the right thing—and the struggle at times to untangle what that is.

I’m glad I had the opportunity to read this debut. I know Sheri already has more stories planned for the world of Bardia, so if you think you’d enjoy an atmospheric fantasy story with magic, secrets, flowers, and a can’t-help-but-grin romance, you should consider reading The Seller of Secrets.

⭐️⭐️⭐️