Letters from the Last Apothecary

by Bita Behzadi

EMILY WILDE meets DIVINE RIVALS in this debut cozy historical romantic fantasy about a grumpy apothecarist, the whirlwind woman who comes to save his shop, and the letters that secretly unite them. You've Got Mail with a magical twist!

Nestled between steel skyscrapers lies a small shop stocked with old magic and experimental elixirs. This cozy historical romantic fantasy debut is a tale of mistaken identity, reluctant partnership, and the quiet, transformative magic of being truly seen—on and off the page.

Josephine Pinova doesn’t believe in fate. Yet, it must be fate when she walks into one of the last magical apothecaries in the city and they offer her a job after she’s just been fired.

Struggling against a tide of anti-magic sentiment amidst the city's rapid industrialization, the shop is slated to close in six short months unless Josie can save it. Luckily, she's no stranger to impossible odd—she's applying to study magic at the local university, something women are typically excluded from—even as the shop's prickly apothecarist, Aufidius Reid, seems determined to dislike her.

Reid finds her unbearably insistent. She finds him infuriatingly uptight—nothing like the sensitive scholar Josie has been exchanging anonymous letters with as they study together for entrance to a graduate magic program. A scholar who just so happens to be Reid himself, unbeknownst to either of them.

Letter by letter, they fall in love. But at work, Josie and Reid clash constantly about the direction of the business. As pressure rises, they discover the threat to the shop is more dangerous than they could have ever imagined, and working together to save it might be their only chance at true purpose, and at each other.

Genres: Fantasy, Adult, Romance, Cozy, Fantasy Romance, Cozy Fantasy, Romantasy

Kindle Edition

Expected publication June 9, 2026

Reviews

[Saranya ⋆☕︎ ˖ [hiatus] · Rating 4 out of 5]

⋆. 𐙚 ˚ 𝟒 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬

The story takes place in a magical city where 𝐉𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐞 𝐏𝐢𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚, a spirited young woman freshly fired from her job, stumbles into the last surviving apothecary in 𝓣𝓻𝓮𝓼𝓼𝓹𝓸𝓻𝓽. There she meets 𝐀𝐮𝐟𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐮𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐢𝐝, a grumpy, meticulous apothecarist whose shop is fading under the weight of anti-magic sentiment.

⊹ ࣪ ˖

𝕰𝖒𝖎𝖑𝖞 𝖂𝖎𝖑𝖉𝖊 𝖝 𝕯𝖎𝖛𝖎𝖓𝖊 𝕽𝖎𝖛𝖆𝖑𝖘

𓂃✍︎ 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐭𝐲𝐥𝐞: I ADORED the beautiful confessional tone in which this was written. The letters allowed the characters to reveal their flaws, fears and hopes in ways they could not face aloud. The melancholy, the ache of longing- it becomes the beating heart of the story. I loved how the intimacy of written words, the vulnerability of confessions and the thrill of discovering someone’s soul through ink was flawlessly captured here.

ꫂ❁ 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐭: I loved how Josie’s whirlwind energy collided beautifully with Aufidius’s stoic reserve. Their dynamic was so touching that it showed how 𝓁𝑜𝓋𝑒 𝑜𝒻𝓉𝑒𝓃 𝑔𝓇𝑜𝓌𝓈 𝒾𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒸𝓇𝒶𝒸𝓀𝓈 𝒷𝑒𝓉𝓌𝑒𝑒𝓃 𝑜𝓅𝓅𝑜𝓈𝒾𝓉𝑒𝓈.

𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙩:
.✦ ݁˖ anonymous pen pals × reluctant coworkers
.✦ ݁˖ grumpy × sunshine
.✦ ݁˖ cozy fantasy

And OMG!! I screamed so bad in the end. I love how Reid (mmc) put Josie's(fmc) surname as his surname. AHHHHHHHH! my dear future hubby, take notes.

𓍯𓂃𓏧♡ Unlike many romantic fantasies, this one here does not rely on grand battles or quests. It's just a matter of small gestures- a letter slipped under a door, a potion brewed with care, a shop saved against the odds...
𝐀 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐞𝐭 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬.
*ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚*ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚*ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚*ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻

╰───◤✦𝕮𝖔𝖒𝖒𝖊𝖓𝖙𝖆𝖗𝖞:✦◥───╯
update #6:
@82.0%- the yearning finally ends and they kiss.
Why am I screaming and giggling so bad?

update #5:
I love how "womanly time of the month" is mentioned here.

update #4:
The yearning >>>>

update #3:
This is so Divine Rivals coded.
I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS BOOK.
​an aspiring mage who lands a job at a failing magical apothecary in the city of Tressport × the "grumpy" owner of the shop who is struggling to keep his business afloat amidst rising anti-magic sentiment and industrialization

update #2:
I love how vividly descriptive this is. And the writing style is so amazing. Perfectly articulated.
"Chamomile rays of sparse morning light filtered through..."- ahh

update #1:
new word learnt: ostentatious
⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘
✿.｡.:* ☆:**:. 𝐏𝐫𝐞-𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝: .:**:.☆*.:｡.✿
The cover is absolutely gorgeous!
My first NetGalley read<3

Thankyou to NetGalley and Hay House LLC for providing me with this arc.

[Mai ༊*·˚]

I can't get enough of the trope of people anonymously exchanging letters with the person they dislike in real life, so this seems promising! 🫶🏽🐇



____________

Thank you to Hay House for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[BookishKB]

✉️ Letters from the Last Apothecary ✉️

📘 Bookish Thoughts
I will be posting my full review closer to publication date.

📅 Pub Date: June 9, 2026

📝 Thank you to Hay House LLC and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

[Clara (bookish_clara) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and how easy it was to read, the writing has such a beautiful flow about it and the world and characters only made this cosy fantasy all that more enchanting.

One of my favourite things is when characters unknowingly write letters to each other and slowly fall in love, I feel like it always adds such an interesting dynamic to the story especially as these two characters had such a dislike for the other and I adored the letters that were exchanged.

Though it did take a little while to fully get into the story at the start, I soon found myself flying through it and found it so hard to put down. It was such a beautiful and enchanting story.

Thank you so much to the author and publisher for the opportunity to read and review before publication. All opinions are my own.

[Colby · Rating 5 out of 5]

a heartfelt tale of refreshing magic, gorgeously written letters, and secret love, bita behzadi's debut LETTERS FROM THE LAST APOTHECARY bowled me over with its fantastic cast of characters, nuanced world, and emotional stakes that i was invested in every step of the way. this is the beginning of a very promising series of interconnected standalones that's ideal for readers of EMILY WILDE and DIVINE RIVALS, and i can't wait to see what else behzadi has in store for us!

[Irrivarti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Bita Behzaldi and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

✨️Plot:
Josie dreams of enrolling in a магister-level magic program at the Institute of Magic. While women are technically allowed to study magic, the academic world remains deeply sexist. After losing her job, Josie unexpectedly finds herself working at a barely surviving apothecary, hoping to help revive the business and attract new customers.

There, she meets Reid — a grumpy, solitary apothecarist who also hopes to apply to the Institute’s магister program. Reid wants to save the shop from bankruptcy, but is less than thrilled to work alongside the bright, confident Josie.

Their approaches to magic are completely opposite: Josie’s is controlled and methodical, while Reid’s is intuitive and chaotic. Yet they share more than they realize, including an anonymous correspondence that has slowly grown into something much deeper.

✨️My thoughts:
This is a slow-paced, cozy fantasy with a strong focus on atmosphere and character. At times, the pacing felt a bit too slow for me, particularly in the first half, where the amount of worldbuilding detail occasionally slowed the story more than necessary. That said, this is the author’s debut, and the care put into building the world and magic system is evident.

The magic itself is thoughtfully constructed and tied closely to both characters’ love for studying it. While I personally would have enjoyed slightly fewer technical descriptions and more emotional focus early on, the second half of the book balances this much better. The characters interact more, the stakes rise, and a small mystery subplot adds welcome momentum.

One of the book’s greatest strengths is its characters. Josie and Reid feel like real, flawed adults rather than idealized romantic leads. Their fears, mistakes, and emotionally charged decisions make them relatable and believable. I especially appreciated that their relationship develops slowly and is grounded in shared interests and mutual respect. How the switch from "annoyed" to "lovers" happened too fast in my opinion.

I also enjoyed the contrast between “scientific” and intuitive magic, and how differently the characters approach learning and growth.
Overall, this is a comforting, character-driven fantasy that works especially well as a cozy read. While I felt the story sometimes tried to tackle too many themes at once — sexism, discrimination, religion, crime, and social tension.

A warm and thoughtful debut that I would recommend to readers who enjoy slow-burn romance, letters, and cozy fantasy settings.

[Lindsey Lowrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

You’ve Got Mail, Emily Wilde, and Divine Rivals???? UH YEAH I’m in😂 just those 3 titles made me click on this and request (thank you net galley😘)

It was very good! It was cute, it was heartwarming, the magic system was something I’ve never read about before (in a good way!), and the romance was sweet💛😋 It didn’t give me 5 star feelings, but I still loved it nonetheless. I really enjoyed the world it was set in and I really loved both characters! They were both relatable and understandable their progression from rival coworkers to friends to lovers (even though the letters😉) was seamless! Definitely plan on buying this for my shelves once it comes out! Please read this in’s beautiful spring day and enjoy every moment of it!

[Amelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Apparently my brain read “apothecary” and inserted “apocalypse” I assumed this would be about magicians at the end of the world. I need to learn to read at some point I guess. That’d be a cool book though.

Fortunately this definitely not post apocalyptic book was equally as fun.

Letters from the Last Apothe(lypse)cary follows two magical graduate programme hopefuls, Reid and Josephine. When they both want to check out the same book from the library they’re sent on a back and forth journey of sending letter and learning about each other and their perspectives of the world, both under an alias. Which means when they become coworkers at the local, titular “last apothecary” they don’t recognise one another. And in fact collide with a good amount of heat to begin with.

While not the highest stakes read of the year, this had enough to chew on and wonder about. There’s a good mix of both action and introspection to keep the pacing at a nice flow to it. It’s a short read so I hadn’t expected a tonne from the worldbuilding and magic systems but what we got was really fun. The magic is interesting and had some cool facets like how it’s feared, sold and used. The book’s setting is very early 1900s and the writing style matches that brilliantly. A lot of this book is spent in the apothecary but the sneakpeaks of the wider world we got, especially the expo and the institute were some of my favourite bits.

I especially liked the dynamics at play. We have Reid, the stoic, quiet, a bit haunted scholar against Josie, a whirlwind, silver-tongued magical hopeful in the shadow cast by her sister. While opposing they don’t clash and really monetise working off each other rather than hating each other (well they do but damn they’ll make bank while by its which by itself is fun. The fatherly dynamic between the boss and Reid then eventually Josie is really sweet with lots of sweet smaller moments.

My main issues come with the length of the book and how the author chose to spend those pages.

Aside from the core “Apothecary Cast” meaning Reid, Josie, their coworkers and boss, the rest of LFTLA are forgettable. Little more than pawns to the plot and you can easily imagine them frozen from the point the plot leaves them to be plucked back up again when convenient. Josie has a younger sister and older brother that are mentioned offhandedly once and brought back up only when convenient. The POWO and the Scontillis (read Mafia) function almost identically yet references to the latter come belatedly but significant in their importance.

I totally accept this book is intended to occupy a very specific niche of “cosy fantasy” an it does a great job of that. And a side effect of the genre is often shortened page counts. However, I fear the impact of both the plot and the ensemble cast could have been tenfold if the cast were halved and the plot simplified. The random mafia plot could have easily been swallowed by the nefarious rich family plot or vice versa (hells it would almost be common sense to.) Similar with Reid’s roommates and some of the less notable apothecary staffing.

It’s not that I wanted less or more of the book it’s that I wanted what we had to be dealt with more consciously.

[Fully Booked · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book caught me off guard in the best way possible. I have never heard of it or the author, nor had I ever seen it on anyone’s most anticipated list. I gave it a chance anyway because I was intrigued by the synopsis. And I am so glad I did. I have no idea why no one is talking about this book, so I will. It is fantastic. Here’s my review to give you a spoiler-free idea of what to expect:

Basics:

- 4/5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Spice: Passionate Kissing 🌶️🌶️
- Age Rating: 18+
- Content Warnings: Grief, Death, Murder, Violence

This book blends all my favorite genres into a cozy, heartwarming novel. Enjoy sweet romance, cozy fantasy, and a hint of mystery, all set in a historical era. If you liked Divine Rivals, Emily Wilde, or You’ve Got Mail, you'll enjoy this book.


Writing:

The book starts off slowly, with some long, awkward sentences that I had to reread to understand. After the first couple of chapters, I became immersed. The writing started to flow, and every time I put the book down, I couldn’t help but want to pick it back up. So many times I told myself, "One more chapter, then I will get things done," and it always turned out to be a couple more. It was cozy, sweet, and I was full of curiosity. Would they achieve their goals? It was so easy to care for the characters, and I just want to see them finally get their happy ending. It is definitely not an intense read, but it will make you feel warm and fuzzy inside.

Characters:

Josie: Fierce, stubborn, smart, and flawed in a way that makes you root for her.

Reid: Just as smart and just as stubborn, but flawed in a way that makes you root for THEM.

They are both incredibly written characters that made me want to keep reading. I couldn’t help but want to see what happened to them next, to cheer for them when they got what they wanted or cry for them when they didn’t.

Plot/Wordbuilding:

The magic system is unique and interesting, but also confusing. I reached the end, still not truly understanding how it works, and it felt like trying to put together a puzzle without all the pieces. The clash between industrialization and magic is intriguing. I was interested to see a world full of magic where everyone suppresses it or thinks intuition is the work of witches. It truly casts a light on our society now. And even more so in the past, when witches were burned at the stake. I would love the chance to explore this world further.

Enjoyment:

It took a little time to get into the book, but by the third chapter, I was hooked. The letters were so sweet, and the characters are smart and constantly challenging each other. Who doesn’t love competent main characters? And I loved the concept of intuition vs science.

Letters from the Last Apothecary will be in stores June 9, 2026. You can count on me being there to get a copy as a trophy for my shelf. Thank you, Netgalley, Hay House, and Bita Behzadi for the wonderful e-ARC.

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[Magdalena (magdal21) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. An enjoyable debut for anyone who likes cosy fantasy. It is the kind of book you pick up for the vibes, the relationships, and the gentle magic rather than a complex plot, and I think many fans of the genre will enjoy it.

Josie and Reid work together in a magical apothecary while, at the same time, unknowingly exchanging anonymous letters that slowly build a closer and closer relationship. All of this takes place in a secondary fantasy world inspired by early twentieth century Chicago, which I found to be a great setting. One of the more interesting themes is the clash between magic and progressing industrialisation and how these two forces affect each other. In a broader sense, it becomes a story about tradition versus change, and that was definitely one of the strongest aspects of the book for me.

That said, I did struggle a bit with understanding how magic actually works in this world. There seem to be two systems operating side by side, more formal spellcasting and a more intuitive use of magic. The idea itself is interesting, but I felt like the book could have benefited from a bit more explanation, even just a few extra sentences to make the rules clearer.

The plot itself is fairly simple, as is often the case with cosy fantasy. It focuses on the everyday problems of running the shop, with some higher stakes mixed in and even a light criminal thread. Ultimately, though, the story is driven by relationships. Whether you enjoy this book or not will mostly depend on how you feel about the dynamic between the main characters.

I am a bit torn on that front. I really like the concept of people falling in love anonymously through letters and then having to reconcile that with reality, and I have enjoyed other books that use a similar trope. For most of the story, I thought it worked well here too. Towards the end, however, I started to have doubts. The core of Josie and Reid’s relationship is that they dislike each other in person while falling in love through correspondence. When those two realities finally collide, I felt that the way the characters dealt with the revelation was too quick and too neat. I mean, they were especially Reid really mean in real life and very different in the letters. The emotional conflict of discovering that the person you love in letters is the same person you clash with every day at work was resolved in a very simplified and not entirely convincing way.

I think the book would have been stronger if it had spent more time exploring that tension between the two identities instead of moving so quickly toward a happily ever after. Despite that, it is still a warm, charming read with a lovely atmosphere, especially if you are in the mood for something comforting and relationship focused.

Thank you NetGalley and Hay House for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[LadyoftheBlade (Britt) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-arc of Letters from the Last Apothecary. This novel was incredibly sweet! It's set in the 1900s on the cusp of the industrial revolution Mages and witches are also a type of career path in this setting as (basically) everyone is born with magic.


Josephine Pinova (Josie) has a dream of getting into the magical institute to pursue her dream of studying magic. In the time period she is in, not many women have been accepted to study. Additionally, she has just gotten fired from her job and needs one in order to fund her university tuition once she is accepted. She is not alone in these concerns. While self-studying, she makes a friend and confidant in Mr. Clarke, an anonymous penpal who is also looking for admission into the university. 


Reid has worked at the apothecary since he was (barely) old enough to hold an apprenticeship. Reid dreams of going to study at the magic university to learn how to calm his erratic magic and (while he won't admit it) to make his adoptive father proud. While studying, he finds an ally and a collaborator in Ms. Davis, an anonymous penpal who is also seeking admission.


Upon losing her job as a typist, a job at the apothecary where Reid works basically falls into Josie's lap. Reid and Josie get off on the wrong foot and instantly make negative assumptions about each other, while also patiently awaiting the day they learn of university acceptances and get to meet their anonymous pen pal.


You see where this is going.


Letters from the Last Apothecary is a short read, but has a lot to say. Josie does not find it easy attempting to get into mage craft, which is considered a man's field. While Reid struggles with what he actually wants to do when he gets there. The letters exchanged between Mr. Clarke and Ms. Davis are incredibly sweet and vulnerable. The build up between Josie and Reid seems natural because they already have done the emotional lifting...even if it is unknowingly. 


Letters doesn't bring anything new to the secret pen pal trope, but it is a delight nonetheless. I was caught off guard by the genre shift at the 50% mark, but I didn't mind it. I wish the resolution was fleshed out a bit more, but overall I think it was handled well.  The last two letters shared between the pair and incredibly sweet.  


 Overall, if you are looking for something sweet but with a bit of stakes, then this is for you!

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say about Letters from the Last Apothecary? It’s the most enchanting, heartfelt, and deftly socially critical romance you’ll read all year.

From the first page, I was in love.

Set in Tressport (modeled after an early 1900s Chicago), the story follows two academic rivals as they exchange letters via returned library books. Rivalry soon becomes encouragement, and encouragement soon becomes love. But little do they know they also work together at the last apothecary in Tressport, butting heads on a daily basis.

Unfortunately, their apothecary is scheduled to close in six months amid anti-magic sentiment and the rush of industrialization. The pair are forced to work together off the page to try and save the shop. If they can’t, they’ll find themselves jobless, and all of their meticulous, mutual study for acceptance into the Institute of Magic will be for nothing, as neither can afford to attend without support.

Told in part epistolary format, interspersed letters fold between the chapters like honey on buttered toast. Smooth, sweet, and I ate them up. Each letter reveals a little bit more of the characters’ backgrounds, their struggles with being mixed-race in a world so obviously built for white wealth. And though it leaves them flawed, perhaps a little bullheaded, or a bit misogynistic, their flaws reflect their coping mechanisms, and leave room for growth.

It’s rare that I fall so hard and so fast for not just ONE of the main characters in a romance, but BOTH. Usually I like one or the other, but both Josie and Reid will hold my heart until the end of days. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that I met my husband through writing (on AIM… I am dating myself here), but this is one of the best romances I’ve read in a long time. It’s got genuine PLOT, it’s got loveable side characters (literally all of them), and it’s got MYSTERY and MAYHEM. All of it combined was simply perfection.

Also Reid is babygirl, and that, I'm afraid, is my weakness.

I am making everyone I know read this book.

If you are looking for books for your 2026 book bingo this one is:

SWANA/PoC Author
QUEER Rep (Bi for Bi)
DIVERSE CAST
EPISTOLARY
MYSTERY/ROMANCE
DEBUT AUTHOR
MULTI-POV
FEMALE AUTHOR
FOUND FAMILY
PASSES THE BECHDEL TEST
CRIED WHILE READING
CINEMATIC - Inspired by You’ve Got Mail!

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Letter from the Last Apothecary" was a super cute, stand alone romance with a backdrop of magic. The comp title "You've got Mail" is absolutely accurate, as the story follows 2 people who fall in love through letters, but when they meet in person hate each other, not realize that they are the person they've been corresponding with. I'd say this is more romance than fantasy, although there is magic, it was a soft magic system that was just there for the plot to be a bit more magical and unique.

This novel was charming, and easy to read. I loved being able to see the 2 main characters fall in love twice, once through letters, and once as enemies to lovers in person. You go back and forth between the past(letters) and present until the letters ultimately catch up to where you started the book at. It reminds me a bit of "A Letter to the Luminous Deep" and "Violet ThistleWaite is not a Villain Anymore". If you like those titles (which have cozy, cute, romantic vibes), I think you will like this as well.

One thing that I couldn't wrap my head around was the magic. I just didn't understand it, and I don't think you have to to enjoy the story, but I wish it had made a bit more sense. It seemed everyone had magic, but most people hide, it but it's also looked down upon due to some factory fire that was mentioned once and then never spoken about again. While I enjoyed the story, I would have like a clearer explanation of the magic, as well as some plot threads to be a little more developed. For instance, they mention POWO, an organization that is attacking the apothecary the 2 main characters work at in the beginning of the novel, and then that thread just fizzles out. They also mention that most people hide their magic and that a lot of people hate magic, but that never really plays any sort of role in the plot. I think the author did a great job with the story, but either could have left those things out, or developed them more.

Overall, this is going to be for either romance lovers who want a hint of magic in their story, or cozy fantasy lovers (or both!) 3.5/5 stars

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Hay House LLC for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[‧₊˚ ellie ♡ (إيلي) · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙣𝙚𝙩𝙜𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙖𝙮 𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙇𝙇𝘾 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬 𝙘𝙤𝙥𝙮. 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨𝙣'𝙩 𝙖𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙢𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙞𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙮 𝙬𝙖𝙮.

3.75 ⭐

letters from the last apothecary is a cozy, and luscious adult fantasy romcom where you've got mail meets emily wilde <3 set in a city called tressport which can be likened to victorian society, two co-workers who hate each other with a passion have to work together to save the last standing apothecary in the city from shutting down, not knowing that they're also unknowingly corresponding with each other... and falling in love.

"𝑰𝒇 𝒎𝒆𝒏 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒂 𝒘𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒊𝒍𝒚 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉 𝒃𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎, 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝑰 𝒉𝒐𝒑𝒆 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒅𝒂𝒚 𝒘𝒆 𝒐𝒄𝒄𝒖𝒑𝒚 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒄𝒐𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍 𝒇𝒐𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉."

this book has so much potential to be better. if at least 90% of it weren't such a snoozefest. i dove into this novel with the idea that it will have a swoony and slowburn romance. however, it felt like reopening one of my old pharmacy textbooks with the amount of information overload this book offers instead. the world-building is interesting, as it also criticizes classism, sexism, and racism prominent in the city's upper society. this, was what i liked the most because they were the central conflict to josie and reid's story (AGAIN I AM GENUINELY BEGGING FOR BETTER PACING). moreover, the highly complex magic system incorporates the elements of chemistry, physics, and metalwork. the characters are diverse, queer, and flourishing with cultural identity along with their interesting magic abilities.

"𝐈 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐧'𝐭 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐟 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐭."

now for the romance... the chemistry was there i PROMISE, but they needed more development. AND I MEAN MORE. like i said, the pacing was terrible, so i couldn't really focus on their tension as both co-workers and correspondents... so much misspent potential.

i would compare this novel to what if divine rivals and witch hat atelier had a baby (⌒_⌒;) the prose was also beautiful and cozy, but most of the time it was very dragging. so many scenes felt like filler to the actual plot that didn't even present itself until 60% of the novel. so yes i say 50/50 if i were asked to recommend this book. but am i looking forward to the sequel? ABSOLUTELY. i hope it's felipe and juniper

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Letters from the Last Apothecary is one of those stories that feels instantly comforting—like stepping into a warm, herb‑scented shop tucked away from a city that’s moving a little too fast. It blends cozy fantasy, gentle romance, and the irresistible charm of an epistolary love story into something that feels both nostalgic and wonderfully fresh.

Josie Pinova is a whirlwind in the best possible way: bright, determined, and just chaotic enough to unsettle the very grumpy apothecarist who reluctantly hires her. Reid, with all his prickly edges and quiet longing, is the perfect foil. Their dynamic in the shop is deliciously tense—full of snark, mismatched expectations, and the kind of friction that makes you grin. And then, of course, there are the letters.

The anonymous correspondence between two Institute hopefuls is where the book truly sparkles. Watching Josie and Reid fall for each other on the page while clashing spectacularly in person is pure You've Got Mail magic, wrapped in a world of spellwork, potions, and fading enchantments. The duality of their relationship—irritation in daylight, tenderness in ink—creates a lovely emotional pull.

The setting is equally enchanting. Tressport’s smog‑choked skyline contrasts beautifully with the apothecary’s green, glowing sanctuary of plants and old magic. The looming threat of industrialization and rising anti‑magic sentiment adds real stakes without overshadowing the heart of the story: belonging, purpose, and the quiet bravery of choosing connection.

This is a novel about being seen—truly seen—by someone who understands the parts of you you’ve never quite known how to name. It’s soft, hopeful, and full of charm, with just enough tension to keep the pages turning.

A delightful pick for fans of Emily Wilde, Divine Rivals, and anyone who loves grumpy‑sunshine romance, magical letters, and stories that leave you smiling long after the final page.

My thanks to Bita Behzadi, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Meri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Bita Behzadi, and Hay House LLC for the e-ARC of this book.

Total Rating: 4.5 Stars
Multi-POV, 3rd Person

I initially picked up the book because it was compared to Divine Rivals. I love letter writing and watching characters develop through it. This book did not disappoint.

Our story follows Josie Pinova and Aufidius Reid as they attempt to navigate working together in a financially struggling apothecary in the fantastical city of Tressport (modeled after 1900s Chicago). The main conflict of the book centers on their hostility towards each other in person (unknowingly falling in love with their letter personas) while they try to save the Apothecary.

Tressport made for a great setting. As mentioned before, it was modeled after 1900s Chicago. The rapid industrialization and the rising anti-magic sentiment were compelling, especially seeing how it interacted with the Apothecary and how each character viewed magic. I would have loved to see the author delve more into this, particularly the mechanics of the second-sense wards.

The characters are what really shine in this book. They are flawed and feel like real people, which makes it easy to empathize and care about them. Josie and Reid's relationship felt strikingly real, and watching it develop from initial dislike to something more felt both natural and exciting.

One thing I really enjoyed was how the past letters between Josie and Reid were sprinkled throughout the chapters, as it showed how their aliases bonded.

My one issue was that the plot hook started too late. Things really started moving nearly halfway through the story, adding unexpected but well-executed tension; however, it meant the beginning was a bit slow for me.

Overall, this was a wonderful read. When this book officially publishes on June 9, 2026, I will be first in line to pick it up.

[Ghostreadergal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is everything. Just EVERYTHING. So cozy and cute. The language feels neither juvenile nor academic nor pretentious. As a reader, I feel fully immersed in this world that Bita Behzadi has crafted, on the cusp of industrialization. The tension between the "old ways" of a magical world slowly eroding with the early onset of industrialization, and the will of magic to persevere is beautifully conveyed in this novel. I'm a fan of Rebecca Ross' Divine Rivals, and even own a typewriter myself --- so when I say I love books that rely on epistolary, typewritten narratives, believe me. I have no clue how Bita came up with these characters' names either, and they're so well done --- Aufidius Reid and Josephine Pinova? AH! That's perfect for them! And the nod to the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire from 1911?? Immaculate!

This book feels like what a cinnamon-spiced hot cocoa tastes like during a long winter. At first, I was doubtful of how Josie and Reid would click, but the scene where she tells him "you break my heart"?? I FELT THAT. I felt that to my very bones and the pang in my heart, to know that it's clear she cares for him more than she lets on. UGH. And how he felt like a total jerk after? UGH. And how he had a come-to-jesus moment and really turned things around with how he treated her after some deep self-reflection? AH. A refreshing and utterly cozy read.

4 stars because I'd have loved to see more of Reid and Josie's chemistry develop just a teensy bit more beyond their letters.

tldr; I WILL be buying this book for my bookshelf once it comes out. Thank you to Bita Behzadi and NetGalley for making this review possible, and the utter privilege of being excited about this book's release.

[Vice · Rating 2 out of 5]

Letters from the Last Apothecary is described as having similarities to Emily Wilde, Divine Rivals, and You've Got Mail. I'll set aside my rants about You've Got Mail and focus on how I don't really see the comparisons. Yes, there's an epistolary structure in which people who dislike each other in person like each other over letters, yes, the setting is a magical world... For me, that's where the comparisons end.

This was a rough read for me: the formatting was super off with random page numbers, random line breaks, inconsistent paragraph spacing, and some lingering typographical errors.

I did like the general world building and structure of the magic system, and thought it had a lot of potential. Josie and Reid were both flawed individuals which was interesting but I don't think I ever really found any character compelling or memorable. This book felt like it was trying to deal with a lot: cozy fantasy, religion, institutional sexism, a murder mystery, the mafia, tradition vs industrialization, capitalist greed... Which means that the pacing was weird and I think the impact was lessened throughout what could have been several large significant moments. As a standalone, I think this could have been more compelling if a few key elements had been focused on. As for Josie and Reid's relationship, I felt like the letters fell flat and didn't connect for me: which made the sudden leap into a relationship seem jarring.

Overall, I think the concept had a lot of potential but I never really connected with the story and found this pretty challenging to push through.

Thanks to the author, Hay House, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

[Chels · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was unexpectedly such an addicting read! I knew it would be right up my alley, with a unique magic system, romance through letters, coworkers/rivals to lovers, murder mystery, and management of an apothecary. So much whimsy ✨ In addition, the background information of the story has so many layers. It reminds me of the timeline of the industrial revolution in the west. Things becoming more modernized, industrial factors popping up like daises. Imagine that but in a world so interconnected with magic. How does transitional magic compare to new technologies? How can they be combined to improve one’s life? Such interesting concepts!!

I also absolutely devoured this book because of the characters. They were so intelligent, passionate, and inspiring. I love seeing them evolve over the course of the book! Also the romance through letters but rivals/enemies in person with magical elements definitely reminded me of Divine Rivals and The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy. Also a touch of A Study in Drowning due to being academic rivals. If you loved those books I think you’ll love this one too!

My only con is that ending happened way too fast for my taste. I wish we could’ve seen more details of Reid with Josie’s family. The details of their dating life. The details of the daily life of the apothecary and the improvements they made. I’d love to have seen so much more!!

This is definitely a recommendation from me to you! I know you’ll love it too ♥️

Thank to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for an advanced copy!

[S.A. MacLean · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love cozy magical apothecary shops and two brilliant but stubborn mages secretly pining over each other via letter, then prepare to inhale this book.

I adore Josie and Reid. These two aspiring mages constantly butt heads in real life, but unbeknownst to each other, they're falling in love via the letters they exchange as mystery penpals (if you enjoyed the letters in Divine Rivals, this is for you).

The magic of this world is enchanting and immersive, woven into everyday life, from small remedies sold at the apothecary to the more industrialized magics at the university and factories. It's also smart. All my heart, to any book where magic is a rigorous discipline that scholars write academic papers about (nailed it with that Emily Wilde comp). Both main characters are applying to magical grad school to hone their craft. Their magic use is studious and clever, yet full of passion. Watching them bicker over the correct formulations is delicious chemistry.

This is such a rich, character-focused story, not afraid to let us linger on quiet moments in the apothecary shop, or to dig into the deeper insecurities of our characters and their relationships with friends, family, and estranged mentors. There's no constant propulsive action, but the tense scenes kept me on the edge of my seat, and the central plotline of saving the apothecary is full of surprises, betrayal, and even some sleuthing.

A delightful read, an immersive magic system, and and adorably sweet romance that had me giggling multiple times.

[Lexi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an overall sweet, cozy and creative fantasy with a fun magic system, two main characters with rich backstories, romance and mystery.

I enjoyed the second half much more than the first, things definitely dragged for me but as soon as we hit the halfway point I was much more invested. I will say that I don't think the comparison to Divine Rivals or the Emily Wilde series worked in the books' favor for me as those are two favorites and this story didn't quite reach those lofty levels for me. I appreciated the author tackled so much in the book including feminism, race, religion, classism, etc. I loved the apothecary and learning about the plants and magic, and the way the author wove in industrialization with the idea that magic was less popular or looked down upon. The mystery made this story interesting, even for those who guess where things are going the book definitely needed the action to pick things up in terms of tempo and stakes.

The romance was fine, I cared a lot more about it once it was happening real time than I did in the letters, which didn't feel overtly romantic to me. I can see how this is a set up for a longer series and think there is a lot to build upon with side characters, including Josie's sister and Reid's two best friends. I think lovers of the cozy mystery/fantasy world will appreciate this one, I am more critical of fantasy than other genres and because the first half dragged I'm landing on a complimentary 3-stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hay House for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Janey Beljaars · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Bita Behzadi for the Advanced Reader Copy!

Let us first take a moment for the beautiful cover. I’ll admit: I 100% judged this book by its cover. The cover is absolutely stunning and immediately caught my eye among all the others on NetGalley. When I then read the description - “Emily Wilde meets Divine Rivals” and “You’ve Got Mail with a magical twist” - I knew this book was for me.

That said, it did take me a little while to really get into the story. The beginning felt a bit slow for me, and some of the magical terminology took a bit of getting used to. Certain terms, like metallochamy, weren’t always immediately clear to me and occasionally disrupted the reading flow.

The romance between Reid and Josie is a very slow burn. Personally, I would’ve loved the pacing to be a bit quicker, but I still really enjoyed their relationship and the gentle way it developed over time.

Bita Behzadi’s writing shines in her descriptions; she clearly masters the art of show, don’t tell. Combined with cozy magic and a touch of mystery, this made Letters from the Last Apothecary such a comforting and immersive read, perfect to curl up with.

Since this was an ARC, there were a few awkwardly phrased sentences and minor spelling mistakes. I trust these will be polished in the final version.

Overall, a cozy and magical read with a beautiful atmosphere, rated 3.75 stars.

[book reviewer · Rating 3 out of 5]

many thanks to the publisher for an earc via netgalley!

this was a really cute and charming story which i flew through in two days and it was exactly the sort of light book i needed.
since i loved divine rivals mainly for the anonymous letters sent between the two main characters, i also liked the similar correspondence in this book and enjoyed it immensely. the magic system was quite complex and a little difficult to get into at the start, i would've liked a little bit of clarity regarding the matter. but it was very intriguing. one thing i was eagerly anticipating was the revelation of both their identities and the conversation that followed after but sadly that scene fell too short of my expectations, the revelation was just brushed over very casually which wasn’t what i had expected at all. i quite enjoyed the writing style and it was distinctly different which i loved. i would've liked mr goranov's personality to be explored a bit more and a proper conversation had with reid. the side characters were enjoyable all in their own way and i hope to see more of them in the coming books if there are any.

3.5 stars

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two applicants for entrance to a magical higher education institute begin a correspondence when one of them has a book from the library that the other is waiting for access to. Never discloing their real names, they write back and forth to each other for months until, on the day that acceptance letters from the institute are sent out, they are due to meet and it turns out they already have...

I really enjoyed this book - it's a mix of You've Got Mail if it was set in the early 1900s and everybody has access to magic. The main characters both had a lot of baggage - emotionally and societally through their different ethnic backgrounds in comparison to the majority of inhabitants of Tressport, the city to which they currently reside, alongside the gender inequality that Josie faces in wanting to evolve her magical practice and not quite fitting the expected mould of a female practitioner.

The side characters were interesting and I'm wondering if the next book in the series will focus more on somebody that we've already been introduced to? A nice cosy magical romance, with a murder-mystery twist in the middle that somehow works really well!

[Erin Ruemmele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Hay House for the ARC!

This is a cozy, magical You've Got Mail. Definitely a slow burn but I never felt like it truly dragged. I was invested in reading all the letters sent between Josie and Reid instead of just trying to skip to the present timeline. I did feel like the romance in the letters wasn't really as intense as they were making it out to be, but that didn't affect my attachment to the characters.

I kept seeing this being compared to Divine Rivals, and I can see how it has a similar vibe, but in my opinion this has what Divine Rivals was lacking! There just enough additional depth to it give a better hook with still maintaining the cozy vibe.

I feel like this book could have been a bit shorter? But at the same time I'm not sure what I would suggest be removed.

It looks like this is book one of a series. If the next book centers around some secondary characters from this book, I would absolutely read it.

3.75 stars for me. I really enjoyed it!

[Tee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a wonderful read!

I hadn’t heard much about this book until recently, when I saw the author post about it on twitter. I decided to give it a chance because I was intrigued by the comps, and it sounded like something I would enjoy.

I’m so pleased to say that I enjoyed this book a lot!

I will say that the story took a couple chapters to get going, but once it did, I was hooked. The coziness, the sweetness, and the curiosity-filled pages were everything I was hoping for. And the letters were such a delight.

The characters were also easy to root for, and I was so invested in seeing how Josie and Reid’s stories ended.

The only bit that I was confused about was the magic system, as I’m still not entirely sure how that works, even after finishing the book. But the concept of intuition vs science was an interesting topic to explore for sure.

Thank you so much to Hay House and NetGalley for allowing me to read the eARC!

[Gwhiz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for a review!

This book was a refreshing read, pen pals with magic and a murder mystery!

When two people with hopes of joining a prestigious magic university start exchanging letters they had no idea that their lives would become forever intwined.

Josie wishes to advance her magic, as someone with no natural gifts for lower magics but a great skill at learning spells, she hopes to attend the institute; a university for magic.

Reid has a aptitude for magic and wishes to enhance his craft, as an apothecarist he works at what is now the last running apothecary in their city, with people choosing to use pharmaceuticals instead of seeking magical remedies.

This book had many tropes, enemies (or at least strongly disliked) to lovers, murder mystery, pen pals, magic and academia it was full of twists and turns.

Overall it was a lovely romance with some fantastic elements.

[Marsha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was heartfelt and had a sweet romance, and at times I really felt invested in the characters.
That said, it was not for me, it felt slow (though the second half picked up some).
One of the reasons I picked this book to read is that it was advertised as epistolary. I happen to love epistolary books. However, perhaps my definition of the word is not their definition of the word. The story did contain letters back and forth between the characters, I really liked that part, but it felt like the letters were more adding to the story rather than telling a story. To me an epistolary novel should tell a story primarily through letters, journal entries, and other documents. I didn't feel like this book did that, the letters where certainly a large part of the story, but it didn't feel like they told much of the story.

Thanks to Netgalley for an advanced e-ARC.

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The beautiful cover of this book and the description of Letters from the Last Apothecary immediately drew me in to want to read this.

I am usually hooked within the first few pages of a book, however this story had a bit of a slower start than I expected, and I began questioning if I would enjoy this as much as I initially thought. However this did change for me around the half way mark when the pace began to pick up and I wasn’t able to put the book down until I finished reading. I really loved the magic system, though I did find it quite confusing and would have loved more of an explanation surrounding it so I could enjoy it more.

Overall this is a cozy little read and if you don’t mind a slower build, I highly recommend!

Thank you to Hay House LLC and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

[Lilith's_Library_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Letters from the Last Apothecary is a beautifully crafted tale that feels like opening a forgotten letter tucked away in a dusty cabinet—full of secrets, history, and tiny sparks of magic. Bita Behzadi has a gift for blending the past and present, weaving together stories of love, loss, and quiet resilience with a gentle, whimsical touch. Each character feels real and tenderly human, their hopes and regrets shining through the pages like flickers of candlelight. The apothecary itself becomes a character, full of charm, mystery, and the faint scent of herbs and old paper. While the pacing sometimes drifts, the lyrical writing and immersive atmosphere more than make up for it, drawing you in and keeping you turning pages. A reflective, enchanting, and quietly delightful read that lingers like a gentle memory long after the last page is turned