Where Moonflowers Bloom: A Novel

by Stacy Sivinski

From the nationally bestselling author of The Crescent Moon Tearoom comes a stand-alone cozy fantasy about a wandering storyteller and a prickly botanist whose enchanted greenhouse may hold the key to saving Chicago’s fading magic.

Sadie has spent her entire life in motion. As a wandering storyteller, she travels from one city to the next guided by magic, using her unique gift to quietly awaken wonder in the people she meets. She never stays anywhere long enough to truly know a place, or to let a place know her. But after a night spent in Chicago—a city of rattling streetcars and hidden corners—her magic suddenly and inexplicably vanishes.

Tom is a meticulous and particular botanist who largely prefers the company of flora to that of people. He has dedicated his entire life to a secret rooftop greenhouse overflowing with enchanted plants. For Tom, careful tending feels far safer than human connection, but his work has led him to a troubling theory. He believes the magic threaded beneath the city is failing, and it is only a matter of time before it disappears completely. His sharp edges mean his warnings go ignored, leaving him to shoulder the heavy responsibility of saving the city’s enchantment alone.

When Sadie’s search for her lost gift leads her to Tom’s glowing greenhouse, her life in motion collides with his structured, rooted world. Reluctant at first, the two realize they must work together to restore the fading magic of the city. As they navigate forgotten alleys and vibrant gardens, they uncover an unexpected and powerful connection. Working side by side, they must face their deepest fears. Can Sadie finally learn what it means to put down roots, and can Tom open his heart enough to allow something beautiful and new to grow?

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

320 pages, Paperback

Expected publication January 26, 2027

About the author

Stacy Sivinski is the nationally bestselling author of The Crescent Moon Tearoom, The Witching Moon Manor, and Where Moonflowers Bloom. She holds a PhD in English from the University of Notre Dame with a specialty in sensory studies and 19th-century women’s writing. In her fiction, Stacy focuses on themes of self-discovery and magic.

Reviews

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Publishing, and Stacy Sivinski for the advanced reader copy of Where Moonflowers Bloom. These opinions are my own.

Where Moonflowers Bloom is a cozy fantasy with vivid, almost lyrical writing. Sivinski creates an immersive world so richly described that you can practically smell the flowers and feel its atmosphere.

However, the characters lacked the depth and emotional complexity I hoped for, making it difficult to connect with them fully. While the beautiful setting and prose kept me engaged, I wanted the characters to feel more layered and memorable.

Overall, this is a gentle, atmospheric read with plenty of cozy fantasy charm. I recommend it to readers who value immersive world-building and lyrical prose, though those seeking deeply developed characters may find it less satisfying.

[Maeghan 🦋 semi-hiatus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley & the publishers for a chance to review this arc!

Where moonflowers bloom is a standalone cozy fantasy that follows a storyteller & botanist who are struggling with their magic.

This author can really set up a vivid environment that makes it come alive. You can easily imagine how beautiful the setting is. But the element I’ve struggled with in this novel and the other one I read of hers is how one dimensional the characters are. They take decisions that are seemingly rash or random because they don’t have an archetype or a personality. Because of this, I couldn’t buy the romance and don’t know how those two characters could’ve ever fallen for each other.
I felt disconnected with this novel and I’m saddened about it because it touches subjects that I usually like reading about (grief, losing yourself, growth, etc.) but the one dimensional aspect really hindered my reading experience. The magic system also wasn’t explained and I just had the feeling we were meant to accept things how they were presented.

I think this will be a winner for people who love the themes mentioned above.

[Sonja · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cozy fantasy, about a world where there are magical people in Chicago (elsewhere in the world too, I guess). Sadie, a magic storyteller, lost her ability to tell stories ( an example or two would have helped to explain how this actually works) and Tom, a botanist, is having problems growing things. The two come together to solve the problem of the disappearing magic.

I wanted to love this book so much, but I needed to dnf at 40%. The writing is not the issue and the vibe is very much giving off the correct type of cozy feel but I'm not feeling much else. All the characters feel one dimensional and while I know Tom and Sadie are supposed to be love interests at some point, I can't for the life of me picture that happening. The events that occur in the book lack development and details, so while I'm not lost about what is happening, I am also not wanting to turn the page to find out more. I would love witty banter, more quirkyness in events and characters, and just more personality added throughout.

This could also just be a me problem since other people are loving this novel😔 I'm so so sorry, I really wanted to love this novel.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this novel.

[Tyler Hancsak · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so cute, cozy and had a stellar slow-burn romance.

The premise was so fun — magic with books, stories and flowers (in their own special way). I really think the atmosphere of this story was so fun and gave THE BEST cozy vibes.

[Julianne Harkleroad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two opposites. One goal. An incredible discovery.

Welcome to the cozy world of magical abilities!
Sadie, a beautiful soul who just wants life and love for everyone, is a beloved Storyteller in this realm. Tom, a deeply intuitive, type A botanist is so serious, he pushes people away. Which is terrible because he sees Chicago's magic disappearing before anyone else notices and No. One. Is. Listening. To. Him. Except Sadie, who tragically lost her magical powers shortly after arriving in Chicago and isn't sure who she is or if her life is worth anything without her abilities. These opposites join forces to help each other out of sheer necessity.

Tom, in his quiet observations, sees her past the magic, literally, into Sadie's soul. Tom is impressed with Sadie's ability to remain unburdened when everything in his life feels so serious. Together, along with Tom's sister Ava, a bodily healer, the team problem solves, explores, and tries everything they possibly can to get to the bottom of this devastating mystery.

For the first time in Sadie's life, she feels valued even though she's not providing anything in exchange. Her whole life, people only wanted Sadie for her magic. Losing her magic becomes an unexpectedly beautiful gift in and of itself. At the same time, Tom becomes the hero he was always capable of being. He encourages Sadie to dig deep within herself, flipping the script on how Sadie was always the one inspiring everyone around her. In exchange, Sadie makes life light and fun for Tom, opening his eyes to the possibility of joy and hope, even in the hard impossibility of the unknown. Can they find and accept a new path- dream- moving on from what they knew and loved?

I loved the moral takeaways, encouragement to not only be a good teammate, but find the lovable within someone you may not initially agree with. And oh, Tom's trauma 😭💔 What a solid explanation for why he keeps everyone at arms length and doesn't want to think about emotions or fun 😭 This story is perfect for preteens and above, a sweet, hopeful story of redemption, healing, and fullness of joy after loss and heartbreak.

Troupes: cozy magic/fantasy, golden retriever FMC, type A MMC, honorable quest, personal growth, slow burn, HEA
Spice: 1/5 🌶️
Gore: 0/5 🩸
Language: 0/5 👀
Triggers: loss of life referenced

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for this ARC!

[Abbi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this ebook ARC from the publisher via Netgalley.

I finished this book with mixed feelings. On the one hand, Sivinski writes beautiful and descriptive prose. The magical gardens in the greenhouse came alive, and each scene she wrote - from the party welcoming Sadie to the willow tree at the end - was filled with life and I could picture it all so clearly. She has a lot of talent in using words to inspire the imagination. I liked Tom a lot and loved his growth as a person, as well as his backstory. Sadie was frustrating at first, and I could absolutely see why such a flighty and destructive person would annoy Tom. Her personality calmed down a lot throughout the story - as her magic changed? I also wasn't clear on if she was the only storyteller - somehow I thought she was one of multiple storytellers traveling until the end of the book.

On the flip side were Tom and Sadie together. I just didn't buy them as a couple in the time frame of the story, which seemed to be less than a week. Sadie and Ava had more chemistry in their brief interactions than Sadie and Tom ever did. I would have loved to see a longer time frame to move from being annoyed and frustrated with one another to spending the rest of their lives together. The other big thing was somehow they were living inside the greenhouse and apparently never had to eat or bathe or use the toilet. I'm not asking for detailed descriptions, but even a brief mention once or twice of them having a sandwich while they talked or ducking off to get cleaned up would have been nice. By the end, I was wondering just how dirty and hungry they were.

I do think Sivinski is a talented writer overall - I'd just love to see her integrate just a wee bit of practicality into the beautiful prose. But maybe that's just be being a lot like Tom.

[Maude · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story with themes of loss, potential abandonment issues, finding oneself, growth and change.

I wanted to like this book more. It was very close to a DNF, but I feel so fortunate to have been able to read an ARC I made sure to fully read this book.

The underlying story was beautiful and well written and the characters have to change and grow individually before growing together. So much symbolism embedded within the book.

This book will touch many people, especially those maybe feeling grief or loss of direction.

My rating is based on what I am left confused over by the end of the book. I still do not have a grasp on the magic and how exactly it works. You find out right away (not a spoiler) that Sadie is a Wanderer and tells stories as her magic. How this exactly works, I am unsure. Tom is a botanist and works with enchanted plants, or can he enchant the plant? Also not clear. What else is not clear is whether people with magic are known to everyone, or just others with magic. Do buildings and places have magic?

Both main characters have a devastating back story that ties in to how they act throughout most of the book. Sadie, however, drove me up a wall for 70% of the book. Girl, Tom said do not touch anything and don't wander off! I also am a little devastated with her power and think it could have impact on her down the road mentally. I had to keep it vague for the sake of the review.

This book was not right for me, but it will be right for others, so do not necessarily take it off your list based on my personal review.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers for sending me this arc.

The cover for this one caught my attention immediately. Somehow I had not heard of this author before but I will absolutely be looking for her other work because I had a great time with this one.

In the opening chapters we get introduced to our characters and I think this was done so well. Sadie is this whimsical, nomad style woman who has the gift of storytelling. Then we meet Tom, a down to earth, realist, who is set in his ways. Through the book we learn that Tom just wants to help people but he never really learned how to connect with them. Tom also has plant magic and is a botanist professor. I do wish we got to see more of his time in the classroom because I really enjoyed the chapter where we see his dedication to accuracy while teaching.

I am quite picky with romance plot lines so I am really happy about how this one played out. There is no insta-love, there is no exaggerated enemies to lovers or anything like that. It is just two people whose goals can be achieved if they help each other. As the reader, I got to see them grow closer and begin to care for each other and see the world from the other person’s point of view.

I really enjoyed the writing in this book too. It kept my attention and the plot pacing made me want to keep reading to see how they would overcome challenges.

[Isabella · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cozy contemporary fantasy with a sprinkle of romance. Full of whimsy and enchantment, with a begrudging collaboration between two souls who seem to be polar opposites. Sadie and Tom are forced to work together to solve a magical mystery and end up on a journey of personal healing.

Sadie and Tom have to find a fine balance between her spontaneity and his steadfast nature. While they have a lot to work through, they also share tons of tender moments. Theirs was a gentle and slow unfolding affection. Learning to express yourself can be hard, but its important to use your voice.

There is clear appreciation for plants and the natural world in this story. The intertwining of the mystical with the true properties of the plants was beautifully done. Those who work closely with nature are often the first to know something is amiss with the earth, and often don't get the deserved attention when they report changes. Toms refusal to give up on sounding the alarm despite being dismissed again and again had me rooting for him.


Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Cecilia Romano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where Moonflowers Bloom was such a dreamy, atmospheric read.

There’s something about Stacy Sivinski’s writing that makes you want to slow down and stay in the world she creates for a little while longer. I loved the sense of magic woven through the story, but what I found myself enjoying most were the themes underneath it family, identity, finding your way, and figuring out what you want your life to look like.

It has that cozy, slightly whimsical feeling I’m always looking for when I want a book that feels like an escape, but there is still plenty of heart underneath all the magic.

I especially loved the feeling of being surrounded by characters who are trying to understand themselves and where they fit, while also navigating the relationships and expectations that come with family.

This was a lovely one to get lost in. A little magical, a little mysterious, and ultimately a story about finding your way back to yourself.

Definitely one for the reader who wants their next book to feel like stepping into another world for a while. 🤍

[purrs and plotlines · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Atria for the chance to ARC read this!

I was ecstatic to get a chance to read this early knowing how much I loved other books by Stacy Sivinski. The premise of this story is incredible. I love the concept of the storyteller and botanist trying to solve a mystery together. The world has vivid details with a lot of descriptions of the greenhouse that made you feel like you were standing right there. Almost like you could smell the flowers and feel the softness of the petals.

What felt off for me unfortunately was the main characters. They felt flat, almost like they had no personality and were just furthering along this magical story. I think more time needed to be spent fleshing out their personalities and interactions because the romance also fell flat.

Overall, I really loved the concept. The greenhouse was magical, the story behind Sadie's evolving powers was unique, and I loved meeting the Finder.

[Candice · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful tale of growth and transformation.

The growth in this story unfolds like the night blooming flowers themselves. Through darkness and patience both characters learn to open and grow. While Sadie has to unlearn a lifetime of running to stop and grow roots, Tom learns that he has to breakdown his built up walls to let connections bloom.

This is a story that reminds us that change doesn't happen over night. It happens when we are vulnerable and the things that we are most terrified of are usually what we need to grow from.

I thought this was a lovely story and I enjoyed sitting along with Sadie and Tom in the greenhouse amongst the trees and flowers.

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books, and Stacy Sivinski for providing an advanced e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

[heyshelbyhi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the coziest book that envelops all of your senses! The storyline felt like more of a nebulous idea, rather than a concrete issue. I didn’t understand what “stories” the storyteller was giving to people that would change the course of their whole lives.

I loved the comforting way that the story was told though, and it felt like a nice walk through the most perfect garden you could ever imagine, complete with interactive flowers that could shield the sun from your eyes, or offer you the most delicious fruits from its branches. Loved the cozy vibes, but I needed a little more from the storyline to keep my attention.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

[Krista Kimball · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

Where the Moonflowers Bloom is at its core a story about stories. And I am a sucker for books that highlight the importance of people’s stories.

This book grabbed me from the very beginning. We first meet Sadie, a storyteller, on the move yet again. When she finds herself in Chicago it is business as usual until things start going wrong. Thankfully Tom, a magical botanist, was already trying to warn people that something wasn’t right.

I loved this book especially for this time in my life. Change is hard. When you find your identity is rooted in something that is being uplifted it can be scary.

I think if you’re looking for a cozy story this is perfect. However, if you want fast paced and funny this might not be for you. The slower pace works well with the story. The character development was charming to me. Sadie is fantastic. Tom took a while to grow on me.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Where Moonflowers Bloom: A Novel.

I enjoy a warm, enchanting romance, yet this story left me somewhat uncertain.

Sadie, the central figure, is a storyteller whose magic is fading in a mysterious way. She encounters Tom at a gathering; Tom is a botanist examining the magical traits of enchanted plants and is exploring why magic appears to be declining. Might Tom’s work with plants help Sadie find a path to restore her powers and uncover why all magic is diminishing?

The characters’ histories were interesting, and the greenhouse felt like a fascinating realm of magical greenery. Still, the magic itself was difficult to grasp—especially because I could not understand how Sadie’s magic worked, so I struggled to see what she lost as they faded.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute, cozy read, but I wish that the characters were more fleshed out, Sadie in particular. I'd have liked her to recount memories of her travels, stories of people, things she loved (and left behind). She just didn't feel grounded like a real person. I would have liked more depth and detail from all the characters too, though Tom's backstory was solid.

I also would have liked more grounding in the setting - the story was in Chicago, but I never really got a feel for the layout of the city, the places or people. I wanted more descriptions to hang onto.

Where this novel shone was the focus on plants. I loved the descriptions and how they were integral to the plot and character development.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

[Joanna Banana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVED The Crescent Moon Tearoom and The Witching Moon Manor so I was so pumped when I got this one!! I really love her writing and couldn’t wait to dig into this. I was a bit bummed though because the characters in this book lacked the depth and intrigue that I felt in her other two. Don’t get me wrong, there is some character arcs going on and your heart goes out to the MMC, I just didn’t find myself as thirsty to come back like before. It could be me though, I am a mood reader after all.
I Disney the cozy fantasy elements and the atmosphere was enjoyable. I mean come on, it’s a magical greenhouse, how could you not love that?!!

[Katie B · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC via Netgalley. My review is my own.

A world of greenery and plants, this novel follows a storyteller and a botanist as they look for answers about magic fading or dying out.

I felt there was too much time spent in the greenhouse and it was hard for me to understand how much time was passing, why there was a bed in the greenhouse and where the storyline was trying to go.

There’s a romance in the story, that I didn’t feel really come across as realistic. Maybe it was due to not feeling connected to the characters, but I felt they could have been explored much more, particularly Sadie.

Overall, it’s a cozy tale, but lacked depth and magic

[Katie B · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received and ARC via netgalley.

A world of greenery and plants, this novel follows a storyteller and a botanist as they look for answers about magic fading or dying out.

I felt there was too much time spent in the greenhouse and it was hard for me to understand how much time was passing, why there was a bed in the greenhouse and where the storyline was trying to go.

There’s a romance in the story, that I didn’t feel really come across as realistic. Maybe it was due to not feeling connected to the characters, but I felt they could have been explored much more, particularly Sadie.

Overall, it’s a cozy tale, but lacked depth and magic

[Stephanie Hickman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Publishing for this ARC. This is really rated at 3.5 stars. This is a cozy magical book where stories connect us all. When we lose the ability to imagine, then magic slowly dies. Sadie is a flighty storyteller who loses her ability to tell stories. While trying to find herself, she meets Tom who is a botany professor who tends to magical plants. He likes things that are rooted. These two work together to find out why magic seems to be fading and how to find her magic again. This is a cozy, snuggly story.

[The Starry Library · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately this was DNF for me at around 70%. I didn't understand the magic. There were some deep themes being explored in this story that due to the abstract magic, could not root. I loved the whimsy and innocence of The Crescent Moon Tearoom duology which was missing from this story. I think there were too many ideas and too many emotional undertones that lacked coherence. I got bored with the redundant scenes in the book. A surprisingly disappointing read.

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a free ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[DONNA · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Stacy Siviniski's writing! I fell in love with her writing when I first stumbled upon the Crescent Moon TeaRoom! I'm not going to include spoilers...but I felt that the book started a bit slow for me...but once I got into it the story had me hooked! Her magical elements always surprise and delight me! Her character development is really superb and I love how she slowly unfurls the characters background and personal stories! If you haven't read The Crescent Moon TeaRoom or The Witching Moon Manor I'd highly recommend those as well! Definitely a delightful read!!!

[emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of ARC form NetGalley

I received this ARC copy from NetGalley and I’m so glad I did, this book was amazing. It had magic, plants with a hint of romance and it all tied together perfectly. The main characters had amazing depth and growth. I also loved how the side characters were well written even if we didn’t see them a whole lot in the book. Overall I loved this book and would definitely recommend it to everyone.

[Ember Moto · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful cozy mystery. The magic system in this was intriguing. Sadie and Tom are a fun pair trying to solve a mystery. Seeing Tom learn from Sadie how to come out of his shell a bit and seeing Saide learn from Tom how growing roots might not be such a bad thing.

[Raye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a gentle book. I love Sadie and Tom and the stories that they share as they reluctantly grow to know each other. They both have experienced heartbreak and the whole book gave off such a cosy glow.

[Erin Euteneuer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was cozy and whimsical and a perfect read for me.

[Reina Sultan · Rating 5 out of 5]

So lovely and cozy! Apt that it’s about stories when this story had me so enthralled