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The Library of Botanical Witchcraft
Not yet published
Expected 27 Aug 26A plant-loving librarian and a standoffish witch team up to cure a botanical curse in this whimsical and charming fantasy perfect for fans of Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries and The Spellshop.
The Evergreen Conservatoire of Botanical Witchcraft is off limits to anyone without magical gifts.
But Thalia Sylvestre has just landed herself a prestigious job as an assistant in Evergreen's library, granting her rare access to this unique repository of botanical witchlore.
It's Thalia's perfect to be surrounded by gilded tomes of magic and enchanted plants with minds of their own. Most importantly, it gives her the resources she needs to research, in secret, a cure for the curse that afflicts her twin sister Hebe.
If only the place wasn't teeming with troublesome witches. Witches like August Hawthorne, a post-graduate student from a distinguished line of magical botanists. August is standoffish and clearly disdainful of Thalia. But his research could be the key to helping Hebe - if Thalia can stop acting so flustered around him for long enough to find out.
As Thalia and August grow closer, time is running out for Hebe. But within Evergreen are secrets yet to be unearthed . . .
If you
📚 Books
🌱 Plants
✨ Magic & whimsy
🎓 Light academia
💖 Blossoming romance
. . . then you'll be spellbound by The Library of Botanical Witchcraft!
Praise for Jasmine Wigham's enchanting
'High action and intricate plot twists are woven through the magical tapestry that Wigham conjures here, but the real sorcery comes from how she brings the characters and their relationships to vivid life . . . spellbinding' Kirkus Reviews
Reader reviews for Jasmine's novel Cradle of Secrets:
'I fell in love with the characters . . . The book flowed really well and I read it in two separate sittings because I just couldn't put it down' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Fans of found family, misfit monster fighters and/or the Penny Dreadful TV show will adore the beginning of Jasmine Wigham's gothic fantasy series' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'As soon as I started I couldn't put it down . . . I loved the detailed descriptions throughout which allow you to fully immerse yourself in the book and really brought the characters to life' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Evergreen Conservatoire of Botanical Witchcraft is off limits to anyone without magical gifts.
But Thalia Sylvestre has just landed herself a prestigious job as an assistant in Evergreen's library, granting her rare access to this unique repository of botanical witchlore.
It's Thalia's perfect to be surrounded by gilded tomes of magic and enchanted plants with minds of their own. Most importantly, it gives her the resources she needs to research, in secret, a cure for the curse that afflicts her twin sister Hebe.
If only the place wasn't teeming with troublesome witches. Witches like August Hawthorne, a post-graduate student from a distinguished line of magical botanists. August is standoffish and clearly disdainful of Thalia. But his research could be the key to helping Hebe - if Thalia can stop acting so flustered around him for long enough to find out.
As Thalia and August grow closer, time is running out for Hebe. But within Evergreen are secrets yet to be unearthed . . .
If you
📚 Books
🌱 Plants
✨ Magic & whimsy
🎓 Light academia
💖 Blossoming romance
. . . then you'll be spellbound by The Library of Botanical Witchcraft!
Praise for Jasmine Wigham's enchanting
'High action and intricate plot twists are woven through the magical tapestry that Wigham conjures here, but the real sorcery comes from how she brings the characters and their relationships to vivid life . . . spellbinding' Kirkus Reviews
Reader reviews for Jasmine's novel Cradle of Secrets:
'I fell in love with the characters . . . The book flowed really well and I read it in two separate sittings because I just couldn't put it down' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Fans of found family, misfit monster fighters and/or the Penny Dreadful TV show will adore the beginning of Jasmine Wigham's gothic fantasy series' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'As soon as I started I couldn't put it down . . . I loved the detailed descriptions throughout which allow you to fully immerse yourself in the book and really brought the characters to life' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
331 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication August 27, 2026
About the author
Jasmine Wigham
4 books37 followersJasmine Wigham grew up reading any book that she could get her hands on and fell in love with fantasy and its many worlds. She writes novels inspired by her home in County Durham and the people that she grew up with. She enjoys writing about local and regional areas that she doesn’t see very much in fiction.
She has loved writing ever since she was a child, but only recently started writing again after finishing her BA in History and English Literature. She was a recent finalist in the Penguin 2020 Write Now scheme, which aims to champion promising new writers who are so far underrepresented in the publishing landscape, with her debut crossover fantasy, CRADLE OF SECRETS (due to be published in May 2025).
She has loved writing ever since she was a child, but only recently started writing again after finishing her BA in History and English Literature. She was a recent finalist in the Penguin 2020 Write Now scheme, which aims to champion promising new writers who are so far underrepresented in the publishing landscape, with her debut crossover fantasy, CRADLE OF SECRETS (due to be published in May 2025).
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 22, 2026
My heart and SOUL was invested in this book! Omg. It had such a beautiful feel to it, I not only loved the light academia vibes but all the characters completely had my heart.
I was rooting so hard for Thalia, I could have been cursed by dark magic myself! Once I picked up this book, the outside world was but an echo. I tore through chapters at a time and as I consumed more of the story, it got more cute, loving and it was so heartwarming. I love a found family theme and especially with Thalia, who was venturing out into the world, I just wanted to see her succeed. She’s head strong, incredibly loyal but also putting herself out there to make friendships and connections she’s never had before.
She’ll do a lot to save her sister, and if that means getting a job at the library so she can illicitly consume knowledge and discover the cure she needs to fight a dark magic curse, then so be it. That is what she does! I had so much admiration for her and the book really was just a delight from beginning to end.
Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.
I was rooting so hard for Thalia, I could have been cursed by dark magic myself! Once I picked up this book, the outside world was but an echo. I tore through chapters at a time and as I consumed more of the story, it got more cute, loving and it was so heartwarming. I love a found family theme and especially with Thalia, who was venturing out into the world, I just wanted to see her succeed. She’s head strong, incredibly loyal but also putting herself out there to make friendships and connections she’s never had before.
She’ll do a lot to save her sister, and if that means getting a job at the library so she can illicitly consume knowledge and discover the cure she needs to fight a dark magic curse, then so be it. That is what she does! I had so much admiration for her and the book really was just a delight from beginning to end.
Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Headline Accent for the opportunity to read this ARC. This book will be released on September 24, 2026.
This was a 4.25 ⭐️ reading.
Okay… when I received this ARC, I thought it would be all “cute witchy vibes with books and plants" and instead I somehow ended up emotionally living inside a cozy magical greenhouse with feelings I was absolutely not prepared to water daily.
This book pulled me in from the very beginning. Thalia and her twin sister Hebe immediately had my heart. Thalia’s determination to save her sister at any cost? Unhinged devotion (in the best possible way). Like, girl really said “I will become a librarian, infiltrate a magical academic institution and possibly bend a few rules of reality if needed.” Respect.
The setting of Juniper Grove and the Evergreen Conservatoire is incredibly atmospheric. It’s giving candlelight, old books, enchanted plants and quiet whispers of secrets tucked into hallways. I genuinely felt like I was reading under a blanket with tea I definitely forgot about getting cold beside me.
Thalia is such a strong but soft protagonist. She’s determined, loyal to a fault and honestly a little reckless when it comes to Hebe, but in a way that makes her feel deeply human. I loved watching her slowly step into a world she doesn’t fully belong in and still find ways to carve out her place in it. Hebe is the emotional core of everything. Thalia’s love for her sister drives the entire narrative and gives the story a real weight beneath all the cozy magic.
August… oh, August. At first, I completely understood Thalia’s “this man is annoying and way too arrogant” energy. But slowly, quietly and annoyingly charmingly, he starts revealing different layers. The kind of character development where you catch yourself thinking “oh no… I see it now… I like him.” Their dynamic is a slow burn full of tension, accidental closeness and those moments where you’re wondering why standing next to someone suddenly feels like a plot twist.
Also, the side characters like Elio and Quentin genuinely made the magical library feel alive rather than just a backdrop. They added warmth, personality, and that lived in feeling that made everything more immersive.
The romance is very much “I don’t like you” evolving into “wait… why do I trust you with my emotions and possibly my entire life?” energy.
It’s soft, awkward and full of that slow realization that neither of them is actually okay without the other. There’s a lot of quiet yearning, subtle tension in shared spaces and that gentle emotional unfolding that feels natural rather than forced. No big dramatic chaos here, just two emotionally confused people slowly orbiting each other until it becomes inevitable.
The writing is genuinely beautiful, vivid, immersive and so atmospheric it feels like you can almost smell the enchanted herbs and step directly into the library itself.
The botanical magic system is such a creative and engaging concept and the magical academia setting works really well. The library scenes in particular felt rich with history, personality and little pockets of hidden knowledge waiting to be discovered.
That said, there were a few moments where the pacing felt a bit slow for me, especially in the middle sections where the story leans more into description than progression. I still enjoyed it, but I did find myself occasionally thinking “Okay, Thalia, I love you, but can we maybe speed walk toward the cure now?”
I also personally wanted a little more time with Thalia and August together in higher stakes situations. Their romance is lovely, but I was definitely craving a bit more external tension alongside the quieter moments.
This book feels like a warm spell you didn’t realize you needed, cozy, emotional, softly romantic and full of comforting “found family and healing through connection” energy.
This was a 4.25 ⭐️ reading.
Okay… when I received this ARC, I thought it would be all “cute witchy vibes with books and plants" and instead I somehow ended up emotionally living inside a cozy magical greenhouse with feelings I was absolutely not prepared to water daily.
This book pulled me in from the very beginning. Thalia and her twin sister Hebe immediately had my heart. Thalia’s determination to save her sister at any cost? Unhinged devotion (in the best possible way). Like, girl really said “I will become a librarian, infiltrate a magical academic institution and possibly bend a few rules of reality if needed.” Respect.
The setting of Juniper Grove and the Evergreen Conservatoire is incredibly atmospheric. It’s giving candlelight, old books, enchanted plants and quiet whispers of secrets tucked into hallways. I genuinely felt like I was reading under a blanket with tea I definitely forgot about getting cold beside me.
Thalia is such a strong but soft protagonist. She’s determined, loyal to a fault and honestly a little reckless when it comes to Hebe, but in a way that makes her feel deeply human. I loved watching her slowly step into a world she doesn’t fully belong in and still find ways to carve out her place in it. Hebe is the emotional core of everything. Thalia’s love for her sister drives the entire narrative and gives the story a real weight beneath all the cozy magic.
August… oh, August. At first, I completely understood Thalia’s “this man is annoying and way too arrogant” energy. But slowly, quietly and annoyingly charmingly, he starts revealing different layers. The kind of character development where you catch yourself thinking “oh no… I see it now… I like him.” Their dynamic is a slow burn full of tension, accidental closeness and those moments where you’re wondering why standing next to someone suddenly feels like a plot twist.
Also, the side characters like Elio and Quentin genuinely made the magical library feel alive rather than just a backdrop. They added warmth, personality, and that lived in feeling that made everything more immersive.
The romance is very much “I don’t like you” evolving into “wait… why do I trust you with my emotions and possibly my entire life?” energy.
It’s soft, awkward and full of that slow realization that neither of them is actually okay without the other. There’s a lot of quiet yearning, subtle tension in shared spaces and that gentle emotional unfolding that feels natural rather than forced. No big dramatic chaos here, just two emotionally confused people slowly orbiting each other until it becomes inevitable.
The writing is genuinely beautiful, vivid, immersive and so atmospheric it feels like you can almost smell the enchanted herbs and step directly into the library itself.
The botanical magic system is such a creative and engaging concept and the magical academia setting works really well. The library scenes in particular felt rich with history, personality and little pockets of hidden knowledge waiting to be discovered.
That said, there were a few moments where the pacing felt a bit slow for me, especially in the middle sections where the story leans more into description than progression. I still enjoyed it, but I did find myself occasionally thinking “Okay, Thalia, I love you, but can we maybe speed walk toward the cure now?”
I also personally wanted a little more time with Thalia and August together in higher stakes situations. Their romance is lovely, but I was definitely craving a bit more external tension alongside the quieter moments.
This book feels like a warm spell you didn’t realize you needed, cozy, emotional, softly romantic and full of comforting “found family and healing through connection” energy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
•Review of advance copy received from publisher
4.5⭐️
I enjoyed this so much! The Library of Botanical Witchcraft is cosy, charming and will leave you absolutely enraptured <3. Thalia is a bookish plant lover (me too!) who lives in a little cottage with her twin sister Hebe…until a mysterious curse forces Hebe into hiding. Thalia begrudgingly takes a position at the prestigious Evergreen Conservatoire, with the hope of finding a cure to save her. The magical library within the Conservatoire is filled with enchanted books and strange flora, while the school is jam packed with academic intrigue and even more intriguing characters, just the way I like it!
Everything about this world is gorgeously imagined and immersive, I loved the time spent in the kitchen’s with Elio and of course the library with Quentin. You get a great sense of these characters and they play a real part in the story, it’s such a refreshing change to see them really fleshed out.
While navigating these new surroundings and people, Thalia’s search for a cure becomes both urgent and perilous and adds a layer of tension beneath the cosy softness and helps keep you gripped in the story. Thalia’s teams up with August Hawthorne, an accomplished but initially aloof student, and their relationship slowly unfolds into something far more tender and romantic….and just plain adorable. Their dynamic is full of awkward humour, tension and yearning (we love yearning!). Their love grows with a natural rhythm, completely unforced and so makes the romance deliciously sweet and heart warming. I loved seeing them acknowledge their feelings and open up to one another. The writing is vivid and poetic and creates a world that feels comforting and rich in life and detail. There are also some powerful themes of loneliness, found family and love woven through the story and all up, it makes for an inviting, feel good read that leaves you smiling when you reach the end.
4.5⭐️
I enjoyed this so much! The Library of Botanical Witchcraft is cosy, charming and will leave you absolutely enraptured <3. Thalia is a bookish plant lover (me too!) who lives in a little cottage with her twin sister Hebe…until a mysterious curse forces Hebe into hiding. Thalia begrudgingly takes a position at the prestigious Evergreen Conservatoire, with the hope of finding a cure to save her. The magical library within the Conservatoire is filled with enchanted books and strange flora, while the school is jam packed with academic intrigue and even more intriguing characters, just the way I like it!
Everything about this world is gorgeously imagined and immersive, I loved the time spent in the kitchen’s with Elio and of course the library with Quentin. You get a great sense of these characters and they play a real part in the story, it’s such a refreshing change to see them really fleshed out.
While navigating these new surroundings and people, Thalia’s search for a cure becomes both urgent and perilous and adds a layer of tension beneath the cosy softness and helps keep you gripped in the story. Thalia’s teams up with August Hawthorne, an accomplished but initially aloof student, and their relationship slowly unfolds into something far more tender and romantic….and just plain adorable. Their dynamic is full of awkward humour, tension and yearning (we love yearning!). Their love grows with a natural rhythm, completely unforced and so makes the romance deliciously sweet and heart warming. I loved seeing them acknowledge their feelings and open up to one another. The writing is vivid and poetic and creates a world that feels comforting and rich in life and detail. There are also some powerful themes of loneliness, found family and love woven through the story and all up, it makes for an inviting, feel good read that leaves you smiling when you reach the end.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Headline for my arc x
This book was so cosy and cute, if it was an animal it would be a fluffy, white kitten with a pink bow on it's head!
Thalia and Hebe, twin sisters, live together in a cute cottage tucked away from the nearby village Juniper Grove. Hebe is forced into hiding when she's struck down by a curse leaving Thalia to do everything she can to save her sister.
Thalia finds employment as a librarian at the local school for Witchcraft, Evergreen Conservatoire, a revered institution which educates the finest witches in the realm. She hopes that with her access, she'll be able to finally find a cure for her sister.
She meets August, an acclaimed student, who she finds arrogant and rude, but she gradually realises that there's far more to him than she first thought. Together they race to find a cure before the curse overcomes her sister.
This was such an enjoyable read. I loved Jasmine's writing style, it was so poetic. And I loved her descriptions, they really brought everything to life.
The book was full of wit and gentle humour, I found myself smiling throughout it. I loved the innocence of the two main characters, that we knew before they did that their feelings were reciprocated. It was such a sweet romance, with plenty of subtle yearning.
This book was so cosy and cute, if it was an animal it would be a fluffy, white kitten with a pink bow on it's head!
Thalia and Hebe, twin sisters, live together in a cute cottage tucked away from the nearby village Juniper Grove. Hebe is forced into hiding when she's struck down by a curse leaving Thalia to do everything she can to save her sister.
Thalia finds employment as a librarian at the local school for Witchcraft, Evergreen Conservatoire, a revered institution which educates the finest witches in the realm. She hopes that with her access, she'll be able to finally find a cure for her sister.
She meets August, an acclaimed student, who she finds arrogant and rude, but she gradually realises that there's far more to him than she first thought. Together they race to find a cure before the curse overcomes her sister.
This was such an enjoyable read. I loved Jasmine's writing style, it was so poetic. And I loved her descriptions, they really brought everything to life.
The book was full of wit and gentle humour, I found myself smiling throughout it. I loved the innocence of the two main characters, that we knew before they did that their feelings were reciprocated. It was such a sweet romance, with plenty of subtle yearning.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
All of us humans need to be connected whether we qualify as witches or not. Most of us have insecurities and – like Thalia and August – we might think we are not good enough (for which I have a special shelf on Goodreads) or too much.
The Library of Botanical Witchcraft is a delightful story about a bookish girl who unexpectedly find friends when looking for a way to cure her twin of a mysterious and debilitating curse.
This would and could be enough to endorse the book, but admittedly the taboo, the loneliness, the fear, and the frustrations of navigating a chronic condition without having a clue how to undo this life altering illness was very close to home for me being ill with ME for over two decades. How painful it is to see history repeating itself when it comes to LC/PC.
Not having that many friends and family members left, I feel quite a lot of people cannot start to imagine what it is like to be housebound with only books and knitting for distraction.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.
The Library of Botanical Witchcraft is a delightful story about a bookish girl who unexpectedly find friends when looking for a way to cure her twin of a mysterious and debilitating curse.
This would and could be enough to endorse the book, but admittedly the taboo, the loneliness, the fear, and the frustrations of navigating a chronic condition without having a clue how to undo this life altering illness was very close to home for me being ill with ME for over two decades. How painful it is to see history repeating itself when it comes to LC/PC.
Not having that many friends and family members left, I feel quite a lot of people cannot start to imagine what it is like to be housebound with only books and knitting for distraction.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Library of Botanical Witchcraft is warm, cosy, and utterly enchanting, with a world that blooms right off the page. Thalia is an instantly lovable heroine—bookish, determined, and quietly brave—and her new role in Evergreen’s magical library is a delight for anyone who adores stories about enchanted books and mischievous plants.
Her reluctant partnership with August Hawthorne is a slow‑growing pleasure to watch, full of awkwardness, tension, and gentle humour. Their dynamic adds a lovely emotional thread to the story, while the race to cure her sister’s curse gives the plot real heart and urgency.
Evergreen itself is a wonderfully imagined setting, full of secrets, strange flora, and academic intrigue. It’s the perfect backdrop for a tale that blends magic, romance, and mystery with an easy, comforting charm.
A delightful, feel‑good read for anyone who loves magical libraries, plant lore, and soft, whimsical fantasy.
With thanks to Jasmine Wigham, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Her reluctant partnership with August Hawthorne is a slow‑growing pleasure to watch, full of awkwardness, tension, and gentle humour. Their dynamic adds a lovely emotional thread to the story, while the race to cure her sister’s curse gives the plot real heart and urgency.
Evergreen itself is a wonderfully imagined setting, full of secrets, strange flora, and academic intrigue. It’s the perfect backdrop for a tale that blends magic, romance, and mystery with an easy, comforting charm.
A delightful, feel‑good read for anyone who loves magical libraries, plant lore, and soft, whimsical fantasy.
With thanks to Jasmine Wigham, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Library of Botanical Witchcraft is a comforting and cosy fantasy centred around a sister determined to save her twin from a magical curse, while finding friendship, belonging and romance along the way. There’s so much to enjoy here, enchanting libraries, magical greenhouses, fascinating creatures, and a warm cast of characters that bring plenty of charm to the story.
I would have loved a little more botanical detail and plant-focused magic to fully satisfy my gardening soul, and perhaps a deeper exploration of the wider world beyond the main setting. Even so, this was a lovely, relaxing read that I’d happily recommend to anyone looking for a gentle, magic-filled story with plenty of heart.
I would have loved a little more botanical detail and plant-focused magic to fully satisfy my gardening soul, and perhaps a deeper exploration of the wider world beyond the main setting. Even so, this was a lovely, relaxing read that I’d happily recommend to anyone looking for a gentle, magic-filled story with plenty of heart.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Copy received from NETGALLEY
I loved this cozy fantasy story.
The characters were engaging and entertaining. The author’s writing style is really enjoyable, creating a very vivid and rich world that you just connect to immediately.
Thalia begins working in a magical library to save her sister; her only family. Only this must be done in secret and time is running out for her.
Throw in themes of loneliness, blossoming love and found family this is so immersive I just couldn’t put it down.
I loved this cozy fantasy story.
The characters were engaging and entertaining. The author’s writing style is really enjoyable, creating a very vivid and rich world that you just connect to immediately.
Thalia begins working in a magical library to save her sister; her only family. Only this must be done in secret and time is running out for her.
Throw in themes of loneliness, blossoming love and found family this is so immersive I just couldn’t put it down.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This novel centres around twin sisters Thalia and Hebe who live together in a cottage close to the village of Juniper Grove. The village itself is home to many witches who attend the Evergreen Conservatoire to study magic. After Hebe is struck by a curse, Thalia seeks employment in the library to search for a possible cure. Soon, she meets August, a member of the wealthy, prestigious and magical Hawthorne family. Whilst their initial encounter is fraught with tension – Thalia believing him to be arrogant – things soon heat up between the pair and they work together to find a cure for Hebe.
This book is exquisitely written. I felt vividly immersed in the story from the very first page. The magical setting of Juniper Grove was beautifully atmospheric, and the author created a world that felt both whimsical and comforting while still carrying emotional depth. The relationship between Thalia and Hebe was particularly compelling, with their bond adding genuine heart to the narrative and making Thalia’s determination to save her sister feel incredibly moving.
The romance between Thalia and August developed naturally throughout the novel, and I especially enjoyed their witty banter and slow shift from mutual irritation to trust and affection.
I also loved the magical academia elements within the Evergreen Conservatoire and the mystery surrounding Hebe’s curse, both of which kept me invested throughout. Overall, this was an enchanting and emotionally engaging read filled with magic, romance, and richly developed characters. I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys cosy fantasy with a heartfelt romance at its centre.
This book is exquisitely written. I felt vividly immersed in the story from the very first page. The magical setting of Juniper Grove was beautifully atmospheric, and the author created a world that felt both whimsical and comforting while still carrying emotional depth. The relationship between Thalia and Hebe was particularly compelling, with their bond adding genuine heart to the narrative and making Thalia’s determination to save her sister feel incredibly moving.
The romance between Thalia and August developed naturally throughout the novel, and I especially enjoyed their witty banter and slow shift from mutual irritation to trust and affection.
I also loved the magical academia elements within the Evergreen Conservatoire and the mystery surrounding Hebe’s curse, both of which kept me invested throughout. Overall, this was an enchanting and emotionally engaging read filled with magic, romance, and richly developed characters. I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys cosy fantasy with a heartfelt romance at its centre.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews