The Impossible Garden of Clara Thorne

by Summer N. England

Love grows in the most impossible of places in Summer N. England's debut sweet and spicy cozy romantasy for fans of The Spellshop and For Whom the Belle Tolls! 

All gardener Clara Thorne wants is to live "happily ever after" in her beloved town of Moss, magically growing herbs and vegetables and trying to write her book. But Fate has other plans when The Goddess unexpectedly bestows her with an impossible quest. Clara has one month to travel to the cursed and abandoned town of Dwindle and grow them a garden. If she fails, she will be banished.

Only Clara's magic doesn't work outside of Moss, a fact she has kept hidden for years. Worse, the Goddess has assigned the absurdly sexy, annoyingly cheerful Hesper Altanfall to keep her safe. All leather and crossbows, Hesper is as determined to protect Clara as she is full of secrets—but Clara would rather eat thorns than accept help. Nevertheless, the two can't help but grow closer as they make their way across enchanted woods, share one too many tavern beds, and work together to rebuild Dwindle one garden bed at a time.

Clara, however, refuses to give in to their blossoming romance. She’s had one too many losses, and Hesper might the one to break her beyond repair. But if Clara can find the key to opening her heart, she may just unearth the life and love she's always believed to be impossible.  

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Queer, LGBT, Adult, Lesbian, Cozy

Kindle Edition

Expected publication April 7, 2026

Reviews

[Raynee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found The Impossible Garden of Clara Thorne to be magical, cozy, and just adventurous enough to keep me engaged. The beginning felt slow, though not in an immediately obvious way. I enjoyed settling into the characters and getting to know the town, but after a while, it felt like the story was lingering without moving forward. When the plot finally picked up, that’s when I was the most interested. There were many unique stops along the way that I wish had been explored more. Unfortunately, because the adventure portion was rushed, the beginning and ending ended up feeling somewhat repetitive, which threw off the overall pacing.

Once the story reached Dwindle, I had a lot of fun meeting new characters and seeing the world expand. Overall, I enjoyed this book for its charm and heart. While it didn’t do anything particularly new within the genre, I still found it to be a warm, endearing read.

Honestly, I think the cover alone made me like this book at least 10% more. It’s a perfect cover in my eyes.


Thank you Forever Pub for an eARC of this book.

[Zoe Lipman · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25-3.5/5

Oh my goodness, I love this cover so much. I think it is so stinkin/ pretty!

This has cozy vibes, a magical garden, and a very complicated relationship.

I didn't really like the relationship in this. It was too complicated. It was complicated in a way where I think they just need to break up and never see each other again. Just move on with your lives. And that will probably be a very hot take. It was just made way too hard to root for them.

And I think there's non-binary rep in here, but those pronouns did change about halfway through and I got confused (I don't know if that was no purpose or not. I don't know if I missed a whole conversation on that or not. Possibly. I don't know.).

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

[Amelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I KNEW I would love this book from literally the cover alone, then I read the description and somehow managed to love it more, when I eventually got accepted for the arc and started to read it I just knew it would be a special story.
I love all the characters so much, they are all just so perfectly written and beautiful and make the story so magical and cozy. Each character has growth and it’s just heartwarming. My favorite characters have to be Clara and Rosie, their relationship was just so perfect and everyone truly needs a best friend like Rosie, she is just pure sunshine and lit up every page she was on. I also liked the character who owned the clothes stall Clara visited on her quest, the fact Clara didn’t know who she was at first? That whole part actually, the whole Lore Isles section of the book was amazing, and the journey there, I loved all the book but the Lore Isles was such a good part of the adventure part.
Moss is the town where Clara found herself arriving to when she was young, soon running into Rosie and Sylvie, Clara’s ‘Garden Magic’ became apparent and she was quickly appointed Town Gardener and appointed a home.
I was so sad when Clara had to leave Moss, Moss and its people were just so cozy and warm and happy and welcoming and everything, I know one of the lessons of the book is to go outside of your comfort zone but I loved Moss so much. It was quite literally filled with love.
The worldbuilding was fantastic, excellent, perfect, everything anyone could dream of. Every single place Clara and Hesper visited I felt instantly connected to, each place was well described, had its own look and personality and ugh every place was just so perfect and beautiful and CHARMING (that’s the word I have been looking for) Each place had its own Charm, as did the residents.
Hesper is also such a good love interest, I really really hope we get a second book so Hesper can take a little bit more of the spotlight. Hesper is mysterioua, incredibly hot, funny, flirty, just everything you would want in a partner for yourself. Obviously she is more than just Clara’s love interest though and I LOVED Hespers story, it’s so mysterious and even by the end we truly don’t know much about her, but I could still connect to her, understanding her and her emotions. Everything in this book is just so perfect, the character building, the world building, the storytelling, everything. I am so incredibly grateful for this book and the magic of the story, I recommend this book so so highly and I truly do think everyone needs this book.

[Rallie · Rating 5 out of 5]

For Fans Of: The Teller of Small Fortunes, The Spellshop, In Other Lands, Terry Pratchett
Spice: 3/5

"Belief, while not inherently magical, is a powerful thing."

Within the first few pages I knew I was going to love this book. England's writing is lyrical but not overly-so, and it is easy to hear Clara's voice coming through. Each step of the way was meaningful to the characters as themselves, to the story, and to character growth; the plot and narrative felt purposeful. England is not just telling us a story but taking us along with as passengers.

I appreciated the whimsy of the world, the names were delightful (a town called Dwindle at the edge of the withering? perfect), and the normalization of fantasy creatures (humans, orcs, dryads, dwarves, all living alongside each other; water nymphs rare but not unheard of) added to the sense of immersion in this cozy setting.

Clara's moments of emotional pain absolutely came through and affected me; this is cozy but you will probably cry to see a woman who has locked herself up so tight trying to convince herself that she needs to stay that way. She unwinds and then snaps back, over and over, and it is so painful to see. You want the best for her, but you have to wait for her to find it herself. The payoff at the end is well worth any amount of tears.

I loved Hesper, the big strong protector who is also SO so gay, the waves of sapphic energy just wafting off her building tension with Clara. She had an emotional depth and purpose/background that made both she and Clara the exact right kind of damaged the other could help prop up. She doesn't need fixing, but everyone can use a hand up sometimes.

This is a book to sit with, to take some time with, to smile and giggle with and roll your eyes and cry with. Anyone who has ever felt "not enough" unless (or even if) they give everything they've got - Clara's impossible garden is waiting.

Thanks to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for this ARC, I am leaving this review by my own choice and it is my unbiased opinion.

[Jackie • HeyJackieReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

“It’s a hard, odd, wonderful thing to be alive”

Enter the whimsical and cozy fantasy that is The Impossible Garden of Clara Thorne. In this world that Summer England has created humans, orcs, nymphs, beasts, fae and goddesses all co-exist. Clara is sent on an impossible mission by the Goddess Eldrene: leave the cozy village of Moss to create an impossible garden in the not so cozy Dwindle with an impossibly sapphic, strong and stubborn companion.

Clara’s aesthetic is Florence Welch frolicking through a garden with an adorable hedgehog sidekick. (With weird capabilities by the end that I don’t understand but whatevs). Clara is the only character in this whole book who believes she’s powerless and despite the OBVIOUS signs proving otherwise she refuses to see otherwise. I did get frustrated with how Clara would ignore clear signs of her powerful magic or dismiss everyone that told her otherwise, but I get it, she has baggage.

Hesper, Hesper, Hesper. Our gloriously fae warrior who RADIATES sapphic energy… can protect me whenever she wants to. Summer deviates from the trend of making strong female characters impossibly thin but somehow impossibly strong. Hesper is the sensitive, stubborn, buff fae warrior of my dreams.

I enjoyed my time in Nesyria. I giggled, kicked my feet, cheered, rolled my eyes and teared up reading Summer’s debut novel.

[Annie Deo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This has cozy vibes and is a very charming read overall. Well-written with an interesting plot and endearing side characters that make the world come alive around our heroine.

Unfortunately I got frustrated with characters acting childishly and/or distrspectful for no reason at various points - Clara takes an irrational dislike to Hesper and is embarrassingly rude for a while. Hesper slings Clara over her back on a couple occasions just to shut her up which I don't appreciate any more than the 'kiss someone to silence them' tactic. And Clara's BFF forces her to run at one point like there's an emergency leading to Hesper suffering injuries as a result of protecting Clara from a nasty fall - literally for no reason, just to set up an intimate moment like come on, there were a hundred better ways to work that hurt/comfort scene in .

The petty bickering between our main couple got old and tiresome really fast and I wished I could reach into the book to slap some sense into Clara when she kept denying the bloody obvious and insisting she had no magic.

But I did enjoy the magical system here and the creative mythology/lore that set up Clara's quest. The solution to her issue with magic was believable and felt earned, although her defeat of the bad guy, a literal god, felt way too simple: "super easy, barely an inconvenience".

[Ariel Cash · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌸 Enchanting Read Alert! 📚

From the very first pages, I was utterly hooked by the sheer lyricism of this world! The author doesn't just tell a story; she pulls you in as an essential passenger on Clara's deeply personal journey. Every twist, every turn, felt purposeful—pure narrative gold ✨.

I adored how delightful and whimsical the setting was. The effortless co-existence of humans, orcs, dryads, and more makes this fantasy feel utterly immersive and cozy.

Don't let yourself be fooled by the cozy vibes—this book has heart. You will cry. You will ache for Clara's breakthrough. But the emotional payoff at the end? Worth every tear shed 😭

And let's talk about Hesper 😍: the big, strong protector radiating such glorious sapphic energy! The tension between her and Clara is palpable and perfect. They are two beautifully damaged souls who find exactly the right way to prop each other up.

This is a book to savor. If you've ever felt "not enough," Clara's impossible garden is waiting for you. Go find it. Highly, highly recommend!

Thank you SO much to Forever pub for the ARC read!

[Emilee · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review - thank you to Forever for the early access!

I finished this last night, and it was such a fun adventure that was a surprising mix of cozy and spicy (genuinely - and not a closed-door romance either, lol). Aside from that, I loved Clara's growth throughout the story, but also how Hesper brought out the best in her since Hesper could see what Clara's potential was, even if Clara didn't believe Hesper at all. It was a charming little world of dark and light in all the ways that the most entertaining fantasies play out, with a true slow-burn sapphic romance running right alongside it.

I will say that I genuinely wished that we had more information on everyone's backstories because while Clara's tale and perspective were entertaining, finding out a little bit more of Hesper's background and Starfall was genuinely such an intriguing plot point that wasn't hit on more. It's my hope that the author does a prequel novel because I would love to see what Hesper experienced in her time before her journey, since it was so critical to her character development.

Overall, it's still a solid debut and one that I hope gets the rightful attention once it's out!

[michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was cozy, and warm. whimsical and magical. adventurous and epic. frustrating and sad. hopeful and wondrous. there was a plethora of different characters, all of them (okay, most of them) were fantastic and some over the top. there was also mention of dragons, so I'm kind of hoping there's a sequel where we get to meet the dragons.

Clara Thorne is just an average girl, with minimal magical powers, then one day a Goddess comes to town and sends her on a mission. Clara, with her hedgehog and appointed bodyguard (Hesper - Xena Warrior Fae.- Altanfall) travel from the cozy town of Moss to the dreary Dwindle. meeting many a character along the way.. with great adventures, and perhaps some kissing they make their way to Dwindle discovering who they are and what they're capable of.

I had a great time reading this.

(e-arc via Netgalley)

[Brittney Gonzalez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to read The Impossible Garden of Clara Thorne as an ARC. The book cover was what originally pulled me in, with the cutesy, warm vibe.
This book did not disappoint. It is well written, funny, and has likeable, believable characters.
At times, it did feel a bit cliché (makeover scene about 18% of the way in), but it was still enjoyable overall.
The book was an "easy" read. It used simple sentence structure yet did not feel juvenile, making it easy to digest and enjoy.
This book IS sapphic/LGBTQ+. I noticed that in most places where this book is talked about, this important tag seems to be missing.
With that aside, this book is cozy, cute, and spicy. I enjoyed the time I spent reading it and recommend it to anyone who wants something to warm them up this winter!

[Bethany Wouters · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you, NetGalley and Forever Publishing, for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!

I've followed Summer's escapades on TikTok for a few years now and have always loved the charmingly chaotic way she narrates her stories, and I think her personality translated well into her debut novel. The Impossible Garden of Clara Thorne is Summer N. England's cozy, whimsical, cottagecore persona wrapped up in a fantastically endearing book, and I had a fun time reading it.

I will say that I did find parts to be a bit wordy at times, but, again, I think that's just part of how Summer talks in real life, and as a chronic oversharer myself, I can't knock her for that.

If you liked/loved the Emily Wilde trilogy, any of Travis Baldree's works, or cozy fantasy in general, you'll love this one, too.

[Kelli Sumner · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Impossible Garden of Clara Thorne is a cozy fantasy, but it is also so much more. I loved Clara’s character and the depth of her struggles throughout the story. This is a fun read, but also an emotional one as Clara and other characters come to terms with themselves and the world around them.

I also loved the inclusion of all types of magical characters and the clever names for all the locations in the story. The descriptions of each location were so well done and made me wish I could actually visit.

I enjoyed the story and could have done without the spice, but I know there are probably many that loved that part too!

Thanks to Forever Publishing and Netgalley for access to the eARC of this novel in exchange for my unbiased review.

[Katie Lemons · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all thank you to the publisher and the author for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review of this book! This book is definitely for the people who loved The Spellshop or Honey Witch, but it is a bit more on the spicy side. also I was pleasantly surprised to realize that this is a sapphic cozy romantasy. I’m not usually a huge fan of cozy fantasy but something about this was just such a vibe like you can’t take it too seriously. It had me literally giggling at how unserious and ridiculous some moments were but it’s just a feel good pure vibes read. If that isn’t your thing then this might not be the read for you, and sometimes that isn’t my thing either but I think I just picked this up at the perfect time and mood.

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. I don’t always go into “cozy” fantasy with big expectations, but I think it’s because so many different people define it so differently. Did this book make me feel like I was embraced in a warm hug? yes, but there was also adventure and some action in the middle, and I think that’s the sweet spot for me. The love interest was also written specifically to destroy me (seriously a muscular woman who chops wood and uses princess as a pet name? I’m so in love). I also loved Clara as a character she was prickly but so so loving underneath. What a great read!

[Sierra Garlits · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is definitely one of those books that is hard to put down. Clara is probably one of my favorite characters out of any book I’ve read in awhile. I enjoyed yelling at the two dorks in love, until they finally admitted it to each other.

I’m hoping, with enough hope to keep the withering away, that the ending is a set up to another book, because I for one could read about these two and their familiars all day every day.

[Michelle (easy.vesey.reads)]

DNF at 20%.

I’ve fully determined that I am not a cozy fantasy person, so this book just wasn’t my cup of tea. I also didn’t realize it would be a sapphic romance because I couldn’t tell that by the book’s blurb (but apparently I missed that on Netgalley too). I’m sure if you’re looking for a cozy, queer romance book, then this will be a great choice for you! I do love the book’s cover.

Thank you to Forever and Netgalley for an advanced copy!

[Foxx Writer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book for fans of books like The Enchanted Greenhouse, the Honey Witch, or Brigands & Breadknives! a fantastic blend of exceptionally cozy, and grand adventure that will leave you breathless with excitement, and clutching your pillow and giggling. a beautiful slow burn romance, epic magical quests, the discovery of ones self and purpose, and the discovery of ones heart. this was such a cute and cozy book and i was SO into the black cat, golden retriever energy. especially given how those roles were pretty flipped once the adventure started xD. if your looking for a way to get into cozy fantasy, this is definitely a book i would choose, as there are pockets of high activity action to help break up the slower pace of the cozy parts. this is easily going on my re-read shelf, and it's probably going to stay there for all time. beautiful slow burn romance, very entertaining and relatable characters, and a fantastic plot that makes it impossible to put the book down.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This felt cozy and relaxing to read. In the beginning, it was slow. But it started to pick up the pace throughout the book. I really liked that it has magic in it and towards the end of book, things got very interesting to me. If you like cozy fantasy books, this one is for you. Thanks to Netgalley for allowing me to read this fantastic book. 😇

[Jennybeast]

I’m not sure what I hated more — the whiny main character or the transparent plot. I put it down maybe a quarter of the way in and backed away. Clearly other people love it and good for them — not my cup of tea. And the random spelling of shoppe (and only the word shoppe) just made my teeth itch.

Advanced Readers Copy provided by edelweiss

[Jakki (BizzyBookNook) · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a book that feels warm and comforting, this is it. I really enjoyed this story. Clara is an engaging main character, and I appreciated how honestly her flaws and inner struggles were written — they’re easy to connect with. Her journey to understand herself and her magic felt very real. I also loved Hesper. Her quick wit and one-liners added a lot of personality, and it was fun to watch their relationship develop. The supporting characters were great as well., I loved all their different quirks. The magic system is interesting and well thought out. I loved all the different abilities and creatures and how magical it truly made the story. Overall, the characters, their challenges, and the places they travel through make this book a genuinely enjoyable adventure.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the eARC.

Whimsy, cozy, warm, charming, adventure, joy.
Also, emotionally deep and having you cheer for the fmc to believe and pull herself through..
Read it, weep a bit, and fall in love with the world of Clara Thorne.