The Library of Botanical Witchcraft

by Jasmine Wigham

A 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' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Cozy Fantasy, Cozy, Academia, Witches, Fiction

331 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 27, 2026

About the author

Jasmine 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).

Reviews

[Srivalli Rekha · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 Stars

One Liner: Great side characters, though

The Evergreen Conservatoire of Botanical Witchcraft is not open to anyone without magic. However, Thalia Sylvestre landed the prestigious job as an assistant in the library and has been granted access. She is delighted to be surrounded by the wealth of knowledge about plants, which gives her a chance to find a cure for her twin sister Hebe’s curse.

Unfortunately, the place is filled with witches like August Hawthorne, a post-graduate student from a distinguished line of magical botanists. August doesn’t seem to like Thalia, but she needs his knowledge when her attempts fail. If only she could stop being flustered around him to ask for help.

The story comes in Thalia’s third-person POV.

My Thoughts

Each chapter begins with an excerpt from books in the library (quotes by famous witches). These don’t have a direct role in the story, though.

The cozy cover and the premise drew me to this book. The idea of the FMC being a non-witch and the MMC being a witch sounded good. And of course, the unexplainable curse.

The setting had much potential, but it feels underdeveloped. The descriptions are beautiful, no doubt. However, it’s not the same as using a magical world to enhance the plot.

The main characters are okay. TBH, I liked the secondary ones more.

Since this is a single third-person POV, we don’t know the MMC much, only what we can interpret. That dilutes his already thin characterization. We don’t even meet anyone in his family on-page.

Sadly, the FMC isn’t much better, though the flaws make her a bit realistic. While I empathized with her to an extent, she got on my nerves with some of her antics and judgmental attitude.

The romance was supposed to be sweet with a touch of spice, but I really couldn’t see them together as a couple. No chemistry here. E and Q had more chemistry, NGL.

The pacing and time jumps were also off. I was confused about the changing seasons more than once. Conversations and scenes between the MCs that should have been shown were mentioned in a line or two. This is not how to develop a realistic relationship. The result is that she was rude to him more, and the poor guy somehow likes her.

I understand the itch for activism these days, but using terms like capitalist greed in what seems to be a historical cozy fantasy just doesn’t gel. The scene already implied the meaning. Readers understood what it was.

I love epilogues. I really do. But this one almost gave me a headache and a toothache. It is so overly cheerful, loud, and happy that I felt as if someone dunked me in sugar syrup. Even if I didn’t mind the easy resolution, this epilogue was too much.

To summarize, The Library of Botanical Witchcraft has a great premise, a lovely cover, and a good setting. However, the main characters, the pacing, and the execution were below par.

Thank you, NetGalley and Headline Accent, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

#NetGalley #TheLibraryOfBotanicalWitchcraft

[Melanie Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Library of Botanical Witchcraft

​Jasmine Wigham’s The Library of Botanical Witchcraft is a whimsical, heart-warming escape that feels like a warm cup of tea. It is the perfect blend of light academia, cozy fantasy, and a sweet, slow-burn romance.

​The Story
Thalia Sylvestre, a plant-loving librarian, secures a position at the elite Evergreen Conservatoire. Her goal is secret and urgent: she must find a cure for the curse afflicting her twin sister, Hebe. Her journey forces an uneasy partnership with August Hawthorne, an aloof, brilliant student whose prickly exterior hides a much softer heart.


​What to Expect
• ​Atmospheric World-Building: The writing is vivid and poetic. From the sentient plants to the bustling, character-rich kitchens and libraries, the setting feels alive and deeply comforting.
• ​Adorable Romance: Thalia and August’s dynamic is full of delightful, awkward tension and genuine yearning. Their relationship develops with a natural, unforced rhythm that is incredibly satisfying to watch.
• ​Cozy with Stakes: While the overall tone is soft and inviting, the ticking clock of Hebe’s curse provides just enough urgency to keep the plot gripping.

​Closing thoughts:
While the pacing occasionally slows in the middle to linger on descriptions, and those seeking deep, intricate world-building might want more botanical detail, these are minor notes in an otherwise lovely experience. If you love stories about found family, magical libraries, and "fluffy kitten" levels of coziness, this is a must-read.

​Rating: 4/5 — A beautiful, feel-good escape that leaves you smiling

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

We have Thalia, who becomes a library assistant with the hopes to help her sister that is cursed. She went for the Evergreen’s library with all the botanical books and a greenhouse where she hopes to find the right cure and help her sister get better as fast as possible. There Thalia meets August, the witch, Elio the baker, Quintin the librarian and she finds the friends she has been missing for so long.

This is a really sweet cozy and soft read with a lot of cute moments, romance brewing from the start with a lot of awkwardness before they talk to each other but once we hit the middle, the romance is in full progress. Thalia and August are quite lovely throughout the whole book, even if they were having their moments of relationship problems further in the book.

The side characters are great addition to the plot because they’re all having their own charms that grabbed me while reading it. We have something like familiars as well, in the form of a cat and thunderbird that are around Thalia’s sister Hebe and they have their owl little personalities.

I think the reason this one wasn’t a five star for me is that through it all, I was hoping for something a little more to happen between the coziness, which we had in great amount, and more magic, which we barely get outside of August. Other than that, this is indeed the perfect soft and sweet cozy read.

I was hoping for a little more detailed research and talk about what it could be the cause of the curse, especially with the academia setting we have, because outside of a little sneaking and some info dump from August, and mention of what they tried here and there, we didn’t get much of it. However, with the twist which I kind of guessed, it made sense why it was like this too.

Some of their tries against the curse were interesting. And some of Thalia’s decisions felt a little too reckless at moments too, even if it seemed like she did her research but still preferred going blind instead. Also it might have been because she’s desperately trying to help her sister?

On the other hand, Thalia got the close relationships and support system, she was missing from before becoming an assistant so that was very nice to read about. I think it helps her character’s grow and her confidence, with a strong improvement for her love life.

So I think if you like cozy reads that highlight on the love story and the friendships, this would work perfectly for you!

Thank you NetGalley and Headline for approving me read this book in advance! I appreciate it!

[Nicola Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Mela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

In this story we follow Thalia as she becomes an assistant in Evergreen’s library to try and figure out a solution to solve her sister’s curse. The only person who could help her with the research is August, however will he be willing to lend a hand?

I went into this with quite high expectations seeing the other books this was compted as, however it left me a bit underwhelmed. My biggest issue were the two MCs, I really couldn’t see their chemistry and also as individuals I didn’t find them engaging. Also for some reason I couldn’t really get into the story and feel immersed. I did enjoy the side characters and the setting. I wish we had more of the magic and how it worked rather than just at the end. Overall this was a cute read, I just expected a bit more from it.

[Stephanie (BookishVampirateLycan) · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC provided by NetGalley and the Publishers.

This was an interesting read, with an interesting concept, but I just needed a little more. I wanted to know more about the background and the history. Why do some people have magic, why do some not? What was the history with the sister and the friend? The pacing seemed a bit off as well, at one point going day by day but then skipping months suddenly.

Aside from my yearning desire to know more, I did enjoy this read. The setting, as I said, was fascinating. However, I really struggled with the main relationship. I just struggled to feel any chemistry between them despite it being written on the page XD

I did, however, greatly enjoy the little love story that was being told on the quotes of the chapter headers. That was very sweet.

Overall, it was a sweet enough read but I just wanted more, especially as the ending felt very abrupt.

[Michaela (Journey into Books) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately this was one of those cosy fantasies that did not hit the mark with me. I really like the premise of this. Our main character Thalia takes up a job as a librarian’s assistant at the prestigious university Evergreen. Granting her access to a wealth of knowledge on botanical witchcraft, which she needs if she is ever going to find the cure for her sister’s curse before it’s too late.
This had a lot of potential but it just fell flat for me. The pacing felt a bit all over the place and I just didn’t feel particularly engaged with the plot or any of the characters. To be honest they only reason I gave it 2 stars instead of one was for our side characters Elio and Quentin.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this in exchange for a honest review.

[B · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the setting is cosy and the problem isn't world-threatening, the prospect of racing against time to save her sister—her only remaining family member—means the story is too fraught with tension to count as a cosy fantasy.

Thalia is sweet and very naive, desperately wanting to help her sister, but she's also hot tempered and has a knack for finding the cruellest things to slip out of her mouth when she's frustrated. She's a lovely and flawed character which I appreciate, even when it's difficult to read about her reckless choices at times.

While August had flaws he seemed like a much more passive and less fleshed out character for the majority of the book. In addition to him being a kind shy grandma's boy, he's also apparently a postgraduate student who's so entirely focused on results and beating his brother, that he doesn't care to think about who might be hurting or what rules he's breaking. But we don’t see that duality reflected anywhere before a line or two from the FMC near the end, and the story doesn't spend enough time on how sorry he is about actions imo.

They're relationship is cute, and individual moments were very sweet, but overall it's difficult to see them together long term. It just seems like they're together because they both needed friends and live in a small town vs actually liking anything about each other.

Thalia's friendships with other characters are very sweet and fun to watch develop, but her relationship with her sister shines the brightest. The stress of them potentially not having a HEA really got to me. I wasn't sure how the book would end and what would qualify as HEA for the author here.

The story is so focused on the one little cottage and the library, that it leaves me with so many questions about the world itself. What does the rest of the village look like? What time is it set in? (There's trams but no cars or horses) How does the magic work? How are magical vs non-magical people decided? How old are Thalia and her sister? What did they do before Hebe got sick? Why did a prestigious university library accept someone with seemingly no education or work experience as a librarian? While I dont need an answer to every single one of these, a few wouldve helped the story feel more tethered to world and connect me to it as well.

Thank-you NetGalley and Headline for the opportunity. All opinions are my own.

[Shelleyrae at Book'd Out · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Library of Botanical Witchcraft is a congenial cozy fantasy from Jasmine Wigham.

Though more comfortable among plants than people, Thalia Sylvestre is grateful to have landed a role as an assistant librarian at the prestigious Evergreen Conservatoire of Botanical Witchcraft. As someone without magic, it’s the only way she can access the resources she needs to search for a cure for the inexplicable curse that is slowly crippling her twin sister, Hebe. Frustrated by her lack of progress, when Thalia learns that library regular August Hawthorne, an aloof postgraduate student and the youngest son of an esteemed magical family, is working on a spell that could reverse most ailments, she reluctantly asks him for help.

I’ve really struggled to put this review together because, while I think The Library of Botanical Witchcraft offers an engaging story, it also has some weak points that curtailed my enjoyment of it.

The plot is fairly straightforward, with Hebe’s worsening condition supplying much of the tension and setting the pace as Thalia searches for a way to undo the curse that is slowly turning her twin into a tree.

Thalia is a devoted sister, and her willingness to step outside her comfort zone and take risks to save Hebe, despite how uncomfortable it makes her, is admirable. However, given Thalia’s admission of lifelong loneliness, I have to question the sisters closeness, and I wasn’t convinced Hebe would do the same for her if their positions were reversed. I was also annoyed when it was revealed that Hebe had some information about the cause of her condition but hadn’t shared it with her twin. There are a few other gaps in what we’re told about the sisters that niggled at me, including how exactly Thalia managed to get her job at the university.

I did enjoy the slow-burn romance between Thalia and August, which involves plenty of awkwardness and a gradual thawing of feelings, at least on Thalia’s part. August is pretty taken with her from the moment they meet, though he has no idea what to do about it, and I enjoyed watching their relationship develop.

The found-family aspect of the novel was a delight, with the supporting characters adding plenty of warmth and humour. Elio in particular is so welcoming and accepting of Thalia and Hebe, and his relationship with Quentin, Thalia’s stuffy supervisor, almost upstages Thalia’s own romance.

I also liked the light academia setting but I wanted more magic and a better understanding of how the magic system actually works, and I was left wishing the world-building, particularly the botanical elements, had been given a little more attention.

A pleasant read, but with flaws I found difficult to overlook, you may, as many have, enjoy The Library of Botanical Witchcraft more than I.

[theliterarywayfarer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

Overall, a genuinely enjoyable one. Wigham's botanical witchcraft world is imaginative & clearly well thought through, and it was easy to get swept up in it.

My main wish was for more texture underneath the premise: deeper rules around how the magic works, and more context behind the sister and friend's shared history. Timeline-wise, things also moved unevenly, settling into a steady day-to-day rhythm before leaping forward by months without much warning.

Romance-wise, the spark between the two leads felt more stated than felt, which kept me a step removed from their arc. What did win me over, though, were the little chapter-opening quotes: I thought they added more charm to the book ✨

All in all: an inventive, well-realized setting carrying a story that needed a little more room to breathe, especially toward the end, which arrived faster than I was ready for. Still a worthwhile pick for anyone who loves a witchy, plant-filled atmosphere.

[Neha Thakkar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is syrupy sweet in the best possible way, and while I would have edited about 76 pages in the middle, it was a fun magical romantic romp.

PLUS she ends with a plea to support children and raising readers for the next generation. Hard to beat that!

[Gilly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really liked the premise and setting - and who wouldn't, what with a botanical curse, a witch academy, cosy/creepy library, cottage with garden, enchanted greenhouses and snug coffee house nestled in a quaint Gilmore-esque town? But the writing was clumsy, the herbology woefully underplayed, lovey-dovey angst and gratuitous sex scenes went on ad nauseum, and the main characters would insist, wouldn't they, on making the worst decisions possible. The saccharine ending of this overlong ramble was too much for me.

[Kevin · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

4.5/5 stars

The Library of Botanical Witchcraft is a cozy light academia fantasy by Jasmine Wigham. Plant-loving introvert and homebody Thalia takes a job as an assistant librarian at the Evergreen Conservatoire, the preeminent school for botanical witchcraft, in hopes of finding a cure for her twin sister Hebe’s curse. When her secret search turns out to share a lot of elements with the research of snobby post-grad August Hawthorne, she is forced to ask for his help. Working together to uncover the source of Thalia’s sister’s curse draws them closer, but there are still secrets that may get in the way.

This was just the perfect cozy read, with an intimate story and small but significant stakes that are just right for cozy fantasy. I really enjoyed the light academia library setting. I loved the bookish academic atmosphere, the sweet found family, and the cute romance. And with the central search for a cure, there was also a twist that I probably should have seen coming, and it really tied everything together. The ending may be a little too perfectly resolved, but I didn’t begrudge it that.

Thalia is an introverted young woman who wants nothing more than to stay home with her plants, but is forced out of her comfort zone for the love of her twin. Despite the romantic distractions, you can really sense Thalia’s growing desperation to save her sister. Meanwhile, August is a not-quite-grump whose own brand of awkwardness leads to some misunderstandings. I liked how their relationship grew from friends to something more, and it was quite tender and sweet. The side characters were also particularly noteworthy, especially chef Elio and librarian Quintin, who were both great supportive friends with personalities that really shined.

The Library of Botanical Witchcraft is the near-perfect cozy fantasy that is simple, intimate, and charming.

*Thank you to Headline for the eARC via NetGalley

[Kira Sivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Jasmine Wigham, Headline Publishing Group and NetGalley for this free ARC.


'I'm a librarian not a gardener. plants and books do not mix'.


One of the secondary characters, Quentin says this line. While he was talking about himself ironically—given that he works as a librarian in an institute specializing in botany—I couldn't help but think it was and odd thing to say. One the one hand, I get Quentin is a meticulous, orderly individual, and nature is anything but. And yet, books themselves are literally made of plants! Also, maybe it's just me, but whenever I imagine botany or a botanist, I envision those vintage journals filled with intricate drawings of plants alongside their names and uses. Though I digress. On to the review!


✍🏽📖 The Reading Experience

As this was a story that featured a deadline for the climax, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it arrived on time. By that, I mean that in this type of plot, the pacing usually rushed, especially towards the end. Here, however, it kept the momentum steady throughout. That might sound boring to some, but when scenes actually have something to say, a reader will barely notice.


📚 The Story: Plants and Books do mix. Just Ask Academia!

Thalia Sylvestre loves her sister, Hebe. It's because of that deep love she has become the new assistant library at the prestigious Evergreen Conservatoire—a beacon for students studying magical botany. The sole reason she's there is for Hebe; her sister has been suffering through something terrible that's only getting worse, and Thalia is determined to find a cure to fix things. Whether that means sneaking into the library to read at night or covertly taking books home that's she'd 'forgotten' to sign back in, then that's exactly what she'll do.

If only one August Hawthorne wasn't always around! Surely, he has better things to do than to constantly attract her attention with his unwanted presence. And no, she didn't mean his looks. Not she she noticed them anyway—she definitely didn't.


🪄 The Magic System

Honestly, there was barely any magic cast in this book unless it was August casting one or two spells. This disappointed me considering the story is set in a magical school where the students are all witches! I suppose it could be argued that because Thalia is a non-magical, she wouldn't have much to do with magic herself. But we hardly have her even taking note of students or staff wielding magic around her. The only things about the magic system that we really learn are that it is inherited rather than taught, and that dark magic is completely taboo.


💡Themes

Nepotism & Expectations: Nepotism seems to be talked about more and more these days. Even though it's always existed and isn't exclusive to anyone one group—using connection to get ahead happens in all walks of life—it can be both a good and a bad thing. In the story's interest it's the same. Particularly with the Hawthorne family and their connection to the Evergreen Conservatoire. It's this influence and prestige that August had grown up with and benefited from, but it can be a double-edged sword. The weight of expectations to follow in a person's footsteps can be heavy and constricting. Then, there are also the expectations that a person puts on themselves, whether intentionally or not.

Inadequacy & Insecurity: These two traits go hand in hand, especially for our two main characters. So much so, that these traits more than any other directly impact their decisions and subsequently drive the story forward. Following them as they learn that they are capable of more than they thought, and that they are truly enough, was heartwarming to read.


👥 Characters

Thalia: Her biggest defining trait is her love for her sister. More so than her interaction with the characters, my favourite parts of the books were she and Hebe were together. At the start, it feels like the two are mirrors of each other, but as time went on, they seemed on more even ground, while keeping their core selves. Thalia was interesting because while she likes books, she has more of an interest in botany, as seen with her tending to her own garden and her yearning to visit the greenhouse. There's also a balance to her in that there are times where she's in willful denial. True, it's a coping mechanism, but it's also a defensive trait that—paired with her habit of not letting others finish speaking—frequently lands her in misunderstandings.


August: As I've mentioned August above, I'll just say here that I appreciated he acknowledged that he got where he was through his family's connections. He then uses that privilege to help Thalia and her sister. I caught some Mr. Darcy parallels to him as well. I also loved that he supported Thalia, never looking down on her or found her lacking for having no magic.


Elio & Quentin: These two are fun, loyal friends to have around. Quentin is less the 'fun; one and more the meticulous, slightly pompous friend. I loved Elio from the start; he was just like the kitchen he worked in—warm and welcoming. Quentin, on the hand, took some time to grow on me. That time being when he had a surprisingly Hermione Granger-esq moment regarding restrictions in the library.


Brontë & Caspar: I will never not mention the animal companions! Cats like Casper are par for the course in a witchy story, and maybe that was the reason he had less of presence overall than Brontë did. Brontë, on the other hand is a thunderbird who actually had much more of a role in the story other than being animal that Hebe took in when she was injured.


✔️ Final Thoughts

This a lovely story of a girl's search for a cure for her sister, which ultimately leads her to finding more of herself and helping others do the same along the way. What I loved most about is that it's a cozy fantasy, but it features an urgency to the conflict that feels refreshing for the genre. So if that's what you're looking for, you're in luck here! 😊.

[Karolina Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[S.J. Higbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is being marketed as a light academia with an enemies-to-lovers romance. And I can absolutely see why. Wigham is extremely good at depicting a vivid setting, complete with mood music. Thalia and Hebe live on the edge of a town that has a lot in common with Stars Hollow, the picture-perfect place where the Gilmore Girls live. Wigham has skilfully blurred the exact era where this is set. Thalia uses a bicycle but there isn’t any mention of cars and the clothing could come from almost any time from the 1920s onwards.

The magical and non-magical live alongside each other without there being too much friction about it. Although certain members of the magical community clearly feel superior to their non-magical neighbours and no one non-magical is considered as a student at the prestigious Evergreen Conservatoire. There is the inevitable steady stream of delicious baking treats provided by an obliging and gifted baker – another must-have ingredient for cosy fantasy stories. There is also a cast of quirky characters, most of whom turn out to be reasonably pleasant, despite Thalia’s initial fears.

However, there is an interesting issue with this story. Not a criticism, but something I began aware of, having recently read a book involving a curse with a much darker tone. For despite being touted as ‘light’ the actual story isn’t remotely cosy. Hebe, Thalia’s twin, has somehow fallen foul of a really nasty curse. Bark-like patches are growing across her skin, she is becoming increasingly unwell and if Thalia cannot discover the cause, or some sort of remedy reasonably soon – Hebe is likely to die. If it hadn’t been for the chirpy, feel-good setting, complete with all the necessary genre tropes – including a cute cat – this book could have easily been written as a tension-filled dark academia tale with strong gothic vibes.

To be clear – I’m not having a moan about this dichotomy. I found it fascinating. And it certainly didn’t get in the way of my enjoyment of the story. I was initially a bit impatient at Thalia’s nerves and general faffing around. But as the story wore on, I became invested in her quest as the relationship between the sisters was three-dimensional and layered. While she was spending as much time as she could combing the library for a cure and evidently adored her sister, there were times when Thalia felt trapped and guiltily resentful at having to spend so much time and energy looking after and generally worrying about Hebe. And while that isn’t a particularly admirable trait, it certainly felt realistic. Other times, the closeness between the siblings was evident and moving.

The romantic relationship worked well – though given how predictable it was, the fact that I really cared about a happy outcome for them speaks highly of the writing. All in all I found this a charming and entertaining read with sufficient grit to prevent it being too treacly. Though I obtained an arc of The Library of Botanical Witchcraft from the publisher via Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
8/10

[Librow0rm Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

You may have noticed from my reviews that I’m a total sucker for a cosy fantasy and The Library of Botanical Witchcraft by Jasmine Wigham pretty much ticked all of the boxes in my personal cosy fantasy list – socially awkward characters and love interests, cosy level high stakes, a magical school, library and greenhouses, a mystery that needs to be solved!

Thalia Sylvestre is most definitely not the most social of people, she’s a home body who loves her garden and her sister Hebe but, desperate times have forced her into taking a job a the local Magical School Library following her friend leaving the role to go travelling. This job is a chance for Thalia to research and try to find the magical cure for her sister Hebe, who is suffering from a curse and appears to be transforming into a tree!

Initially, the library, the job, the people are all a huge challenge for Thalia but, she keeps going with her one goal to save her sister at the heart of what she’s doing – secretly researching the Evergreen library for a cure for her sister but, as time goes on she meets new people including the most challenging August Hawthorne, youngest son from a prominent magical family, who Thalia originally sees as the most standoffish, rude and awful person – I adored the comedy of errors nature of their relationship, as each made internal assumptions about the other, which turned out to be wholly untrue! The truth is both Thalia and August and totally socially awkward, both struggle with all societal expectations and in reality are absolutely perfect for each other, even if they can’t see it initially!

Amidst all of this angst and yearnings, there is also a huge element of found family that will totally warm your heart, some seriously fun characters, the knitting of the most unsuitable pet clothing and of course the investigation and research into a remedy for Hebe!

I adored the cosy, warm and hug in a book feeling that this story gave me but, I have been mixing my reading categories so that I don’t get too immersed in just one category and lose my taste for those tropes and feelings. All in all this is a lovely, heart-warming, found family, gentle romance with just enough stakes and mystery to keep you engrossed all the way from start to end.

Thank you so much Headline Accent, Headline and NetGalley for this arc in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

[Dotti · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Library of Botanical Witchcraft is a fantasy novel following Thalia, a young woman who gets a job at the local magical university’s library in order to find a cure for her sister’s curse. Hebe is slowly turning into a tree, and Thalia will do anything to stop it. Together with August, a magical scholar with a family legacy to uphold, Elio, a cook in the kitchens, and Quentin, Thalia’s boss, the group must work to unravel the curse and save Hebe.

This story was fun and engaging, though I think I expected it to be cozier than it was. The story leans into the sinister elements of Hebe’s curse and Thalia’s stress, without providing enough levity through quiet moments of comfort. I think a comparison to Emily Wilde by Heather Fawcett is very fair, as the story leans into both the academic elements and the various negative costs of magic. I would have liked more instances of enjoying the flavors of a baked good or time spent relaxing in the garden, as those would bring some of the warmth that this story needed amidst all of the stress.

The characters in this story felt well-developed, and Thalia’s characterization feels consistent and fleshed out. The side characters felt engaging and distinctive. The plot moved well, though did feel a little slow at the beginning. The romance plotline was well done, though I think that our characters needed to spend more time together in the second act to really emphasize their connection.

The third act conflict felt very frustrating because of all of the deceit involved. I understand why certain characters may lie, but to have so many characters hiding the truth from Thalia felt like a bit of overkill. Thalia was working herself to the bone and multiple characters were hiding vital information from her search for no clear reason. It felt frustrating and made Thalia’s community ultimately feel untrustworthy.

Altogether, this book was fun, with an interesting mystery to solve and solid discussions of class. The book wasn’t as cozy as it was described in the marketing, but it was engaging, with solid character development and a fun romance.

Thank you to Hatchette UK, Jasmine Wigham, and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy!

[Kels Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Library of Botanical Witch - I would like to thank NetGalley and the Publisher for granting me access to this ARC.

Summary - Desperate to find a cure for her sister Hebe, who is cursed by dark magic, Thalia lands a job at the prestigious Evergreen Conservatoire of Botanical Witchcraft. A place where only the best and most prominent witches learn. The plan is to use her job as a disguise to study the rare collection of botanical books, to hopefully find a cure once and for all. The only problem: The enigmatic August Hawthorn, who could be the key or hinder her chances of saving Hebe.

Thoughts - I went into a reading slump at the end of June, and it was not a good time to do so with so many ARCs I needed to read, this book being one of them. Well, this book surprisingly got me out of my reading slump. It was light, cozy, and easy to read. Unfortunately, there was something missing to make this a great read. I was waiting for this book to pick up, to have more interesting subplots, anything. But it just seemed to stay the same. I was also disappointed by the lack of botanical information; while there was a little, I was seriously hoping for a lot more. That was what interested me in this book to begin with. I also found Thalia extremely annoying. Why have all the books I have read lately all had annoying main female characters? Can no one write a good main character?
Now that I have the negative parts done, let's focus on the positive. The world-building was fun; the cottage the sisters live in was super enticing and cute. I loved the garden, the animals, and just the overall vibe of the cottage. I loved the town and the way the whole Juniper Grove was created and explained. Very quaint and super cozy. I think what plants and botanicals were explained were amazing and so interesting.
Now, characters I loved! Elio and Quentin were perfect, and I want more of them. So sassy, full of attitude, and the chemistry was chef's kiss! Unfortunately, while I love August, August and Thalia together? No thanks. I think August didn't have enough time on the pages, and when he was, it was focused on Thalia, without giving away the one twist that made me go "wow" is to do with him. He is key to this story, so more of him would have been nice. I think this book would have been a four-star read for me; however, it ended up being a three-star, which isn't bad—it was just a little disappointing. The ending, though, was still great, and overall the vibe of cozy was prominently there. I would still recommend this to a friend or anyone who is interested in reading this genre because I don’t think it is a bad read, just missing something.

[Orla · Rating 5 out of 5]

🚨🚨🚨 THE MMC BLUSHES I REPEAT THE MMC BLUSHES. ALL THE STARS FOR THAT ALONE🚨🚨🚨

The cozy fantasies this year have been Cozy Fantasy-ing to the absolute MAX this year and this is no exception to the rule. I was OBSESSED with this book right from the start, and I both simultaneously never wanted to put the book down but also never wanted to finish reading this story, because I didn’t want to leave Juniper Grove and the conservatoire and the wonderful characters.

Thalia was such a pure FMC, the love she had for her sister Hebe and her driving forces in this book was so beautiful to read, and also seeing her gain the found family that she so deserves made me want to cry happy tears for her. She learned that just by being herself she could find love in so many forms and it was just so lovely.

And August Hawthorne the MMC himself, he had me kicking and screaming and smiling like an utter fool while reading his interactions with Thalia. He was SUCH a cinnamon roll, and so adorably awkward, and watching him nearly combust because he simply laid eyes upon beautiful Thalia and he didn’t know what to do had me screaming. And did I mention he blushes? I feel this might be the most important part of the review. Bring back MMCs who blush like August, it was so incredibly endearing.

The romance was impeccable, slow burn and believable and the little cute gestures they would do for each other near killed me. I really didn’t think I would ever be obsessed with forehead kisses but here we are.

The side characters were so fleshed out and had really believable relationships forming between everyone, and what I would have given to spend my mornings in Elio’s kitchen with the gang having some freshly baked scones for breakfast.

The plot was brilliant, there were stakes that were raised as the book went along, but nothing too stressful. It had me smiling, laughing, sad, hopeful, and it did have me tearing up at points too.

Truly what a beautiful cozy incredible book!!!

Thank you to Net Galley for the arc, all views are my own.

[Emily Capri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Headline for the ARC!

The Library of Botanical Witchcraft follows Thalia Sylvestre, a young woman starting a brand new job as a library assistant at The Evergreen Conservatoire of Botanical Witchcraft. Normally Evergreen is off limits to anyone without magical gifts/abilities, something Thalia doesn't have. While she's excited and curious about what she might see and learn, the reason Thalia sought out this job was to gain access to appropriate resources to try and find a cure for her twin sister, Hebe. It's been the two sisters in a cosy cottage just outside of town with an assortment of animals and different plants, veggies, herbs etc for a while now. Hebe unfortunately was cursed and time is fast running out to find her a cure. While working in her new job and trying to sneak research in, Thalia meets August, a graduate student witch at Evergreen. She also makes some unexpected friends and starts to find her world opening up in unexpected ways.

I found this book to be a nice mix of cosy and sweet with elements of high stakes and suspense. I wasn't expecting to have moments where i was holding my breath waiting to see what would happen and that was a fun contrast to the cosy world. I really enjoyed reading this book and I found myself sucked into the world very easily and quickly. The author was very descriptive and her writing style made it easy for me to really visualise Thalia's world. It all sounded so magical and beautiful, especially the library and the greenhouses. Parts of the storyline were a little predictable, but honestly it was executed so well that it genuinely didn't bother me. Hebe's curse was fascinating though and definitely a unique element of the story. I really enjoyed learning more about the world as the story unfolded and found myself wishing I could jump right into the book and join them! The only, minimal element of this book that sometimes frustrated me was just Thalia's back and forth about her relationship with August. Thalia could be a little frustrating at times with her overall indecisiveness but she'd grown a lot as a person by the end of the book.

I really loved all the characters in the book. While Thalia could be a little awkward and unsure at times but she was also so endearing and persistent. Her driving force for everything she was doing was her love for her sister and her desperation to find Hebe a cure before it was too late. Hebe herself was also a great character and the relationship between the sisters was so beautiful. August ended up being a really interesting character and I really enjoyed learning more about him while also watching his relationship with Thalia grow. It was also so beautiful to watch Thalia unexpectedly and unintentionally start to build more of a life for herself. Her friendships with Elio and her other co-workers was so sweet and it was so fun to watch her grow and build stronger relationships within her life.

I really enjoyed reading this book, it was a fun read filled with whimsy and magic. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in this world and am grateful I was given the opportunity to read this ARC!

[Rekha O'Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of The Library of Botanical Witchcraft. All opinions are my own.

Plant-loving librarian Thalia Sylvestre is desperate to find a way to help her twin sister, Hebe, who is suffering from a mysterious magical illness. Her best chance may lie within Evergreen’s Library, where witches study and where Thalia hopes that working as an assistant will give her access to the knowledge she needs.

There she meets August Hawthorne, a witch from a prominent magical family. Their first impressions of each other aren’t particularly favourable, with both assuming the other is rather standoffish. In reality, they’re both just socially awkward, and watching them gradually figure that out makes for a sweet romance.

There are misunderstandings, botanical magic and plenty of the gentle, low-stakes elements you would expect from a cozy fantasy. I also really enjoyed the found-family aspect of the story. In fact, some of the supporting characters ended up being among the most interesting parts of the book for me, particularly Elio, and I liked seeing Thalia gradually find her place among them.

I do think I’ve reached my personal cozy-fantasy limit recently, and unfortunately that probably affected my experience with this one. While I enjoyed it overall, I found the story dragged in places and I never quite settled into the warm, comforting atmosphere I was hoping for. I liked Thalia and August together, but it was actually the wider group of characters and the found family they created that kept me most engaged.

A sweet botanical fantasy with an awkward, gentle romance and a lovely found-family element at its heart, but perhaps one I picked up at the wrong point in my own reading cycle.

[Abi · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This book charmed me from start to finish, I loved it. It was a heartwarmingly cosy read full of found family and friendship.

The whole cast of characters were an absolute delight. The setting was gorgeously magical, warm and cosy. A giant library with an equally large greenhouse full of mischievous plants attached? Yes please! I could spend years in this world. Laughing in Thalia’s cosy cottage, reading all the books in the library with Quentin, caring for plants in the greenhouse with August, eating countless numbers of Elio’s pastries and cuddling all the creatures Hebe collects. They felt like a real friend group, and that friendship was the heart of this book.

It was a little slow to get going (as is common with cosy fantasy), but I adored watching the seasons pass through Thalia’s eyes. The plot and magic system were original and interesting, though I would’ve loved to explore the magic more. I would’ve also loved more of an insight into Thalia and Quentin’s lives after the ending (though I did love the ending!), I’d read a whole other book about that!

The romance was super sweet, and I was rooting for them, but the friendships felt just as important, which I loved. The spice level fit the tone of the book to me, mostly just kissing with one closed-door implied scene. I enjoyed the slow progression of their relationship, and loved Thalia’s thoughts on loneliness.

Would recommend if you’re a fan of cosy fantasy! If you enjoyed The Enchanted Greenhouse or The Spellshop, I think you’ll enjoy this! Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC, all opinions are my own.

[Bookish Emili Reads]

The Library of Botanical Witchcraft by Jasmine Wigham is a beautifully crafted blend of folklore, plant magic, and practical inspiration. Whether you're drawn to herbal traditions, witchcraft, or simply the symbolism of the natural world, this book offers an inviting and engaging reading experience.

One of the book's greatest strengths is its atmosphere. Wigham creates a sense of wonder and connection to nature that makes each chapter feel like a stroll through an enchanted garden. The information is presented in a clear and accessible way, making it approachable for beginners while still offering enough depth to keep more experienced readers interested.

The botanical profiles are particularly enjoyable, combining historical lore, magical associations, and practical insights. The author's evident passion for plants shines through on every page, encouraging readers to develop a deeper appreciation for the natural world and its traditions.

At times, some sections feel more introductory than comprehensive, leaving readers wanting additional detail on certain plants and practices. However, the book's charm, organization, and readability more than make up for these minor limitations.

Overall, The Library of Botanical Witchcraft is an enchanting and informative guide that celebrates the magic and wisdom found in nature. Thoughtfully written and visually inspiring, it earns a solid four stars and is a wonderful addition to the library of anyone interested in botanical spirituality, folklore, or green witchcraft.

[Anastasia Jizelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley, Jasmine Wigham, and Headline Publishing for this amazing ARC!

This book had my attention from the beginning. I love, love, love botany, magical libraries, magical plants, and cozy cottages. This book comes with all of those and sooooo much more. I felt like I was there along with Thalia and Hebe in their cottage. I could taste every delicious pastry Elio made for his friends. It is truly an immersive read. I wanted so badly to enter that library and greenhouse myself and read everything I could find. This book is like middle school me discovering the Hogwarts Library in Harry Potter; except I'm older and still obsessed with libraries.

The main point of this book isn't a romance, or magic, or even a mystery. It's friendship. The friendships that grow and evolve throughout this book are beautifully written and are so fun to read. I felt like I was right there along with everyone. The writing is impeccable and incredibly well done. The plot... immaculate. No notes, no complaints, 10/10 read.

Also, can we mention the THUNDERBIRD?????? And sweet baby sweater model Casper?????? My heart cannot with them. I love magical creatures, and Bronte was gorgeous. Big duck fan as well. This book felt like a combination of everything I love and am obsessed with put into an incredible book!

August and Thalia are such an endearing couple, and their interactions are SO heartwarming. I almost cried a few times at how cute and sweet they were. This book is certainly joining my list of top reads for this year, and I look forward to purchasing it at some point!!!

[Aoife · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Library of Botanical Witchcraft was a book that sounded really interesting to me. Magic, witchcraft and an unexplained curse, what’s more to like?!

Thalia works as an assistant in Evergreen Library. She loves working day after day surrounded by guilded tomes of magic and folklore, but that isn’t the only reason she’s there. Thalia is secretly researching cures for her sister Hebe’s curse and she is quickly running out of time. There she meets August a post-grad researcher and the pair get off to a prickly start. August is standoffish and has zero interest in getting to know Thalia, but is his extensive knowledge of magic the key to helping Hebe?!

I really enjoyed this read. The characters were a good mix of personalities, and I enjoyed the close sister relationship between Thalia and Hebe. I could see how far Thalia would go to help her sister. August and the characters like Elio who work in the conservatoire that Thalia eventually warms up to. I liked seeing Thalia and August’s relationship blossom. However, the book felt more about found family and friendship, rather than romance at it’s core which I felt suited the setting and plot.

I did find the book a little slow paced in places and while I loved the ending, I would have liked to find out more about all the characters and where they ended up.

I found it an enjoyable, thrilling and cozy read. Would definitely recommend as it’s a perfect autumn read with high stakes. Thank you to Headline and NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Melissa Cruickshank · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Suraiya Srabon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into The Library of Botanical Witchcraft mostly because the combination of books, plants and witchy magic sounded like exactly my kind of cozy fantasy, and honestly, the atmosphere was my favourite part. The magical library, greenhouse, little town and all the botanical touches made the whole book feel really warm and easy to settle into. I also really liked how much Thalia’s love for her sister shaped the story. Her whole reason for getting into the library in the first place felt genuine, and I liked seeing her slowly make friends and find a little place for herself too.

The writing is really pretty and does a good job making the setting feel alive, but I did feel the middle dragged a little for me. I kept waiting for the mystery around the curse to move forward, and I honestly wanted more of the actual botanical magic because that was one of the things that made me pick up the book in the first place. I enjoyed Thalia and August’s slow burn relationship, though I probably got more attached to some of the side characters than I expected. Overall, it was a sweet, comforting read with that soft magical academia feeling, and I finished it with the kind of warm feeling I was hoping for.

[Cori Samuel · Rating 3 out of 5]

An introvert heroine, Thalia, gets a job at the library of a magical university, in order to get access to the books that might be able to save her cursed twin sister, Hebe.

There's a lot of cosy elements here: the sisters' cottage, the library, the small town feel despite the honking great university in the middle of it ... but also a pretty high-stakes plot around Hebe's curse.

There's a truly lovely romance -- unfortunately, between two side characters! I wasn't as taken with the two main characters, who were perfectly decent people, and were doing a respectably-paced romantic arc, but were also doing an awful amount of miscommunication, secret-keeping and so on. It's not my favourite thing in a book, and here the plot is very much powered by what people haven't told each other. Still, the side characters were great, and the writing itself was enjoyable too: descriptive but not waffly, and with a sense of the turning of the seasons that I particularly liked.

I would have liked even more plants, quite a bit more magic, and secrets revealed much earlier so the plot could have developed in different directions, but this was still a good read overall.


Rating: 14/20
This review is based upon a complimentary advance review copy provided by the publisher.

[Clairiefaerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 stars!

I loved the library of botanical witchcraft, it was a cute, cosy read with found family, a great setting but genuine high stakes.

I thought that the magic of Hebe’s curse was really well written, it was scary and provided a strong motivation for Thalia to take her job at the library and sneak books out to study on her own time. I liked that even when the curse was far along, Hebe could communicate through Brontë so that she could remain part of the story.

I loved the side characters, in particular Elio and Quentin but my favourite parts of the book were Casper and Brontë, they were so cute and I loved their bond.

Thalia was such an interesting and complex character. I liked that she tried her hardest to help Hebe but I also found that there were times that I didn’t like her at all, especially when Casper and Brontë were cowering from her moods. We are in her POV so seeing her acknowledge her mistakes and anger made her seem so much more human as character and she won me back over by the end.

I liked the gentle romance and would absolutely read another book set in this world.

Thank you to NetGalley and Headline for the opportunity to read this ARC.