The Herbalist

by Heather Morrison-Tapley

Eden Martin had the perfect life in New York City: an amazing job as a professor, successful fiancée, great apartment on the Upper West Side. But in one night her whole world comes crashing down. So, she does what any sensible woman would do, she abandons her life and moves to a tiny village in England, leaving everyone and everything behind. Lost and confused, a new life emerges as she follows her dream to write a book, In the process, she meets a local healer, the last in a centuries-long line of magical herbalists. She also finds love, and challenges, in ways she could never have imagined. In this village of strange and mystical events, Eden finally learns that finding love, hope, or even your destiny can’t provide happiness until you find yourself.

329 pages, Paperback

First published February 20, 2022

Reviews

[Sherry · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting premise and storyline, but in dire need of proper editing. This feels like a self published romance, with its incomplete sentences, grammatical errors, very awkward layout, lack of quotations marks when a character speaks, etc. However I liked the storyline- highly educated NYC university associate professor discovers her fiancé in bed with a young thing the same night she learns her English Grandmother has died. Edin Martin immediately flies to England to be with her mother, and decides to stay, at least temporarily. She meets Mrs. Welsh, the local healer, and runs into, literally, a handsome vet who is a widower with a four year old daughter. She adopts a dog and takes in a newly orphaned six year old boy, as she becomes Mrs. Welsh’s apprentice healer. There is a lot of angst, frustrated romance, soul searching, finding the path and knowledge to hope, healing and finally, home.

What a shame it lacks desperately needed editing.

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barton Heath, village in England/New York City. Present day. Heather Morrison-Tapley’s The Herbalist is a book that is a perfect fit for me at the present time of my life! The protagonist, Eden
Martin, “professor of medieval history at Washington University in New York City”, is realizing that she is dissatisfied with her life even though she lives in the most exciting city in the world; she loves her job; and she is engaged to an investment banker “at a top Wall Street firm.” Then later that night her mom calls to tell Eden her grandmother has passed away. Eden is devastated. Eden has spent every summer in Barton Heath with her grandmother. She feels totally lost.

In January 2022 I lost the two most important men in my life: my husband and my brother who passed away 13 days apart. I certainly understand Eden’s feeling totally lost. The night before I found this book, I thought about splitting my time between England (I am an avid Anglophile.) and New Jersey, my home, which borders NYC. This thought is more of a dream, but it did cross my mind. It also crosses Eden’s mind. It made me laugh to discover a book that had a character thinking the same idea that I was. A perfect read at the perfect time! I felt lucky to have found this book. It was a very positive experience for me. 5 stars. 😉

[Margaret Roy · Rating 3 out of 5]

While most of the book was predictable, this was a very nice book that made for a very pleasant read. It is satisfying to read a book with a happy end to the story from time to time and I would recommend the book to anyone who needs a pick me up story!

[Michelle E. Shores · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good first book from a self published author. It definitely falls into the “cozy” genre as it does resemble a Hallmark movie as others have mentioned. You easily relate to the main character Eden and following her through the story is pleasurable. It’s a quick and enjoyable read.