This book is INSANE!! imagine a apothecary where a woman is cooking up poisons to specially kill men and only men for the wrong doings they have done in life. There is also a parallel timeline of a woman in present time who is trying to uncover the past of the apothecary and what exactly happened to cause it to go so suddenly out of business. I found myself not able to put this Book down. Highly recommend . I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Lost Apothecary started off pretty slowly for me. I'll admit 25% into the audiobook things were nice to listen to but I was a bit bored with what was going on. Don't get me wrong, the addition of having three narrators to listen to was a nice touch.. but I was just bored because nothing was really happening.

Luckily for me, that changed pretty quickly after my first update. I was honestly really happy that things were getting better and I was getting a lot more betrayal. Again, don't get me wrong.. the first part does mentioning some betrayal and affairs.. but I've read so many books that throw that out there in the beginning. So I was just waiting for the wow moment.

It came. I saw. It conquered me and that's why I devoured this book. I honestly zoomed and enjoyed the rest of the book after that first quarter. It was like a flip of a light switch, things clicked and became so clear to me that I couldn't help but root for Karma.

Karma came but I so wanted more.

In the end, I was kind of sad it over. I wanted a bit more just because I was enjoying it so much. I guess that means I need to dive into the next book by Sarah soon.

What a lovely little book about murder. This book, told from multiple POV, tells us about the lives of very different women who all have something in common: they have a bad acting man on their hands. In Victorian London, the women had little by way of recourse against their oppressors, so The Lost Apothecary that this book is named after provided poisons and solutions. In present day London, the mystery of finding the apothecary helps a woman find her inner strength to deal with the things that have gone awry in her own life. A book about friendship, strength and discovery, The Lost Apothecary provides a strongly feminist vibe as well as a long buried mystery to solve.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Audio for the opportunity to listen to an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

CW: sexual abuse, loss of pregnancy, lots and lots of talk about vomit 🤢

Thank you, Net Galley, for my advance audiobook of The Lost Apothecary.

WOW! This was one of my most anticipated novels for 2021 and I now understand why some people may be torn in their reviews. While I still LOVED the story and rate it 5 stars, I contemplated knocking it down a few stars for a couple of reasons (below) but don’t feel like they have necessarily anything to do with the actual story, but more so my expectations. I’ve decided to break it down like this:

THE NARRATION: 5/5 stars. I listen to a lot of audiobooks and let me tell you…the cast for this book was incredible. Having 3 narrators really made the characters come to life. The low, slow, scratchy and ever so wise voice of Nella was remarkable. The eager, care-free, enthusiastic, and charming voice of Eliza was done perfectly. The concise, clear voice of Caroline (who also does a great job switching up her voices for some of the other characters in the book) was easy to follow.

THE STORY: 5/5 stars. I loved that the story had a strong focus on women. Confiding in other women, working with other women, helping other women, caring for other women…it’s all there! It's beautifully written. Although I had an audiobook, I’ve already placed my pre-order for a hard copy to read and have for my library. The descriptions of 18th century London and the apothecary made me feel like I was there. It had enough depth of characters where I felt I knew who they were and what they stood for.

THE SYNOPSIS: 2/5 stars. Here is where things get a little tricky. After reading the synopsis for this book, I knew I wanted to get my hands on a copy ASAP. And while I still loved the book, I feel like the synopsis was a little misleading. It reads “the fatal mistake sparking a string of consequences through the centuries” and “With crackling suspense” made me think the events of the past would somehow tie into the present day, with centuries of suspense and intertwining storylines or some sort of chain reaction of events. I was expecting a “historical thriller” or “mystery” after seeing a few descriptions of this book being labeled as such. This didn’t happen, and that’s ok, just threw me off a little bit. The book read more like 3 separate women’s diary entries in 2 different eras. Caroline, in present-day, stumbling across a vile from an 18th-century apothecary. Nella and Eliza, both in 18th century London, providing the backstory about the apothecary and how ultimately, that vile came to be in the hands of Caroline. AGAIN, I was torn between whether to knock the book down a star or two for this reason, but If I’d never read the synopsis and went based off on the cover alone (WHICH IS ALSO 5/5 in my book!) I would have gone with 5/5 stars overall without a doubt!

An engrossing historical fiction novel, focusing on the hidden history and stories of women. The full cast narration of this audio book was absolutely wonderful!! I thoroughly enjoyed this novel!

This was the first print book I finished from April to about September. It took me a month, but I did it! The Rona pandemic has left me without much concentration for reading, and I went from reading 2-3 print books per week before all of this, to apparently 1 every three months or so. It sucks, but this book did not. The audiobook was just as engaging and delightful, and it definitely take me a month to get through.

In modern day, Caroline Parcewell was supposed to take a trip with her husband to London, but when she finds out he’s been cheating on him, she leaves him behind and makes the journey solo. While combing the shores of the Thames, she comes across an old glass bottle with an engraving, and as an aspiring historian, she embarks on a quest to discover its origins.

In Eighteenth-Century London, Nella serves as an apothecary. She and her mother used to dispense remedies for women suffering from various ailments, but ever since a dark moment in her past, Nella also helps women who need to rid themselves of the men in their lives. When she meets housemaid Eliza, the girl takes a shining to Nella and while apprenticing for her, makes a mistake that just may cause them their lives.

The story moves seamlessly back and forth between the two time periods, and while I wasn’t overly interested in Caroline’s story at first, I found myself rooting for her and wanting to take the journey with her and not just leave her behind when the story moved back to the Eighteenth Century. I absolutely loved Nella and Eliza, their relationship, and I was fully invested in their outcomes.

I loved the mysterious aspects of the unfolding story. I’m not one for the genre myself, but I love an intriguing story that has mysterious elements of discovery as long as it’s not a whodunnit. This book is so much more. It’s a story about the inner lives of women that time has forgot. What they must have been through, how they lived, what they did. Things we’ll never know because they weren’t written down in the books of men but are so so important to our history.

I was so happy to finally finish a book, and I’m so grateful that this story was so good to encourage me to keep going, even when I was so tired I could only do a chapter or two per night.

It’s not out until March, but in my humble opinion, it’s worth the wait.

I don't know how to describe this, other than a wonderfully quiet mystery. I have thought about the past lives of women, but never thought about how the only way that they might escape the misery caused by men was to kill them. I liked the way the author subtlety compared the similarities and differences of women then and women now, the friendships, the oppression by men, etc. Recommend!

The Lost Apothecary is going to be one of those books that I recommend to everyone. Just a heads-up to anyone I see in the grocery store, book store, any of the other admittedly few places I go these days, you’re probably going to hear me talk about this book.

Sarah Penner, you have completely astounded me with your breathtaking debut. This is truly a book for all women, a book about loyalty and ethics and betrayal.

If you have the opportunity, this is a tale best listened to. Narrated by Lorna Bennett, Lauren Anthony, and Lauren Irwin, they take you deep into the story and make you absorb it, take you mudlarking on the Thames and into the apothecary’s tiny hidden shop.

A high 4 ⭐️ for this debut novel by Sara Penner. Release date is March 2, 2021.
320 pages. My copy was an audiobook and the narrators were brilliant. Easy to follow and very enjoyable.

“When vengeance drives us nothing good will ever come from it.“ - My words.

I had not thought until now, how much knowledge an apothecary held. And that they could use this knowledge as a weapon.
With a little imagination this story will transport you back to time filled with mystery and death. It unfolds with two timelines, present and past. Basically three women will tell you this story and you’ll not want to stop until you reach the end.
I’m definitely excited about what this author will do next. I recommend this if you like mystery and women’s literature.

Thank you Harlequin Audio via Netgalley for this free audiobook. I’ve voluntarily given my honest review.

Can I just say that I am here for everything about the past timeline. Loved it. I could live in the world of Nella and Eliza forever (I mean, a bubble with just the two of them, of course). I loved the world building and loved the push and pull between the two characters. I do have to say that the present-day timeline felt pretty dull in comparison. I couldn't really get enthusiastic about it until about 3/4 in, but once we got there it was so worth it! I really appreciate that everything was brought together in the end. I also really enjoyed that there was just enough left up to interpretation and unsolved that it seems (to me anyway) that there could be a second book coming one day. I'll hang my hat on that hope and pick it up from time to time for the next decade, I suppose.

I'm not sure if it's that I feel like a lot of the present day sections were just so vastly different in pacing or partially that openness to the ending, but something about it does have me just a touch unsatisfied (like I would need another book to fulfill my curiosity of the rest of Eliza's and Nella's stories).

The Lost Apothecary

A mesmerizing debut novel that addresses womanhood, feminism, betrayal, vengeance and a stained legacy

The story line is aesthetically written. Interchanging between the past and the present makes it more interesting and captivating. The narrative is very exquisite and very old-fashioned.
Throughout the novel the author heartily addresses feminism and womanhood. Women supporting women, from Nella's rules about her Apothecary shop, and helping women during difficulty, her Longing for a baby and to Caroline's yearning for freedom from her failing marriage. The two however shares similar things, their lover's infidelity which drives them to a little revenge and self-discovery and of course change.

The story is centered on women so it is in fact a women's fiction novel highly recommended to women's because I feel like they can relate to it more. The story is lovely.
A novel that will mesmerized you this year.
Overall the author did a great job on this one.
A magical debut.

A 2021 Must-Read debut novel.

Thank you Netgalley, Harper Audio, Harliquin Audio and the author for the advance unabridged copy of the audiobook version.
Very much appreciated.
Review Posted : 14 Jan 2021
The Lost Apothecary will be released on 2 March 2021

I was lucky enough to receive this book early as an audiobook and I am so grateful that I did!

This is a wonderfully written, magical tale of the past coming to life in the present, and the present igniting the mysteries of the past. From 1791 to the present, you hear this story from three women. I meet Caroline, who’s in the present, who is supposed to be on her 10 year anniversary trip to London with her husband, but after an affair is revealed she ventures out by herself. Her adventure and journey to finding who she is while on this trip and discovering the story of the apothecary is simply amazing! You also meet Nella, the apothecary herself, Who in the span of barely a week sees her entire livelihood drastically changed. You hear her tail of sickness, heartbreak and her want to help women with her potions...and poisons. And then you meet Eliza, a 12-year-old girl who not so effortlessly involves herself and entangles herself with the older apothecary.

I have certainly never read a story like this, and I was on the edge of my seat for the majority of the book wanting to see what happens not only in the past, but in the present. And just waiting for that moment where everything comes together in the present. I can’t tell you if it does or not, but I definitely suggest that you read it yourself.

I received a free audio copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I saw this book. I never heard of the book or the author.

I immediately fell in love with this book! I loved the concept of the story. I loved the jump between characters and the past and present. It was very easy to follow the story.

I would love to see a follow-up book with what happens with the characters .

I enjoyed the narrator and I would happily listen to books by her. And I absolutely loved the author and look forward to future books by her!

Absolutely riveting! From the first chapter I was drawn into this story. The Lost apothecary is a story of history and intrigue. I absolutely adored the writing style and I am always up for a good split fiction book.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the option to listen and review this book. The opinions are my own.

The Lost Apothecary is a magical historical mystery - a formidable debut by Sarah Penner! The audio book quickly grabbed my attention and I found myself looking for things to do around the house so I could continue to listen to the story as I couldn't wait to hear what would happen next. The audio book has 3 amazing narrators who really embrace the personalities and accents of each character and this contributes to the beautiful character development in the book, I was really rooting for all of them by the end of the story.

The story weaves together the stories of Nella, an apothecary in 1791 London who has some dark secrets, her 12 year old client Eliza who wants to learn more about her trade, and present day Caroline, who travels to London on her own after making a shocking discovery about her marriage and then explores what she wants to do with the rest of her life.

In addition to being a fantastic story, I think this is the most beautiful book cover I've ever seen! I usually read the book along with the audio book, but in this case I only had access to the audio, so I look forward to buying a copy to reread and add to my book collection once the final version is released.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Audio for allowing me to listen to an advance copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

When done well, historical fiction can be pure magic! I can't think of a title I've read recently that has
gripped my attention so firmly as The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner. Everything about this novel is executed perfectly, from the authentic depictions of late 18th century London to the characterization of the three female protagonists. I've read that this is her novel debut and if that is true, Sarah Penner has quite a gift. Make this your next read and you will not be disappointed!

The storyline of Penner's tale seamlessly weaves together the lives of three remarkable women: Caroline, Nella, and Eliza. Caroline is a modern-day woman who discovers an old apothecary shop bottle while on a mudlarking tour in London. She's supposed to be enjoying a 10-year anniversary trip with her husband, but recent developments in their relationship resulted in this being a solo journey for Caroline. Researching the mysterious vial she's discovered serves to be the perfect distraction from dealing with the drama that has become her marriage. Her initial findings reveal a 200-year-old mystery surrounding an apothecary responsible for many poisoning deaths in the area. Determined to uncover as much information about this enigmatic woman as possible, Caroline soon makes another discovery that could possibly be the key to finally identifying London's first female serial killer.

The novel jumps back in time to tell Nella and Eliza's interconnected tale. Nella is the female apothecary who has a secret business on the side selling poisonous concoctions to women looking to get rid of the men in their lives. She conducts her business according to two simple rules: first, only men can be victims of her elixirs, never women and two, she must record every transaction in her registry. She writes down every transaction, including the names of the purchaser and the intended victim. One day, Eliza, a 12 year-old girl, shows up at Nella's shop looking to purchase a deadly remedy on her mistress's behalf. The intended recipient is the master of the house who has begun to cast his predatory eyes onto Eliza. Without knowing it, Nella and Eliza's paths will cross again, leading to an unexpected friendship and a cataclysmic event.

It's rare for me to like all the characters in a novel, but Penner created such a wonderful trio in Caroline, Nella, and Eliza that it was impossible not to love these women. I was rooting for Caroline to find her place in the world and even though the other two ladies passed away long ago, I still found myself hoping for them to have a happy ending. The narration was perfectly done. Each character's voice was unique and easy to understand. The accents and Nella's gritty dialect really brought these women to life. These characters will stay with me for a long time.

I was also delighted to find I learned a few new things while reading this novel. I had never heard of 'mudlarking' before and now I hope I can try it sometime because it sounds so fun! I'm sure I'll be disappointed at not finding a historical artifact right out of the gate like Caroline did, but either way, it sounds like a great experience. I also got a chance to learn some new vocabulary. Fun fact: the word 'apothecary' is used to refer to a person who sells medicines, much like a pharmacist or chemist today. I had always heard the term used to describe an old-timey pharmacy, but apparently it was more common to refer to a person as an apothecary and their place of business as an apothecary shop. Maybe that's already well-known, but I thought I'd share since it was news to me!

Overall, this was a fabulous read. I actually contemplated waking up EARLY after staying up late just so I could continue the story. I didn't end up doing that, but the fact I even seriously considered it should be a testament to how much I enjoyed this novel!

*Thanks to the author, Harper Audio, and Netgalley for providing me with this audiobook in exchange for an honest review!

I enjoyed that there were very clear differences between the three characters voices in the writing and the audiobook performances. Overall I think it was a fun read. I looked forward to reading this and hearing the whole story mostly from Nella’s perspective. I enjoyed the story of Nella and Eliza in their unlikely companionship and for being vigilantly-type champions for the scorned women of their time.

The dual timeline with Caroline in the present didn’t always feel necessary to Nella’s story and the impact of the past almost seemed forced on Caroline at times. That being said, I did enjoy the moments of genuine connection between the past and the present. Some of the phrases and themes seemed a bit redundant and drilled down upon the reader. At times I felt like there was just a general theme of “men suck” without a lot of room for real emotions or relatable interactions to make the reader have that same emotion with the characters. In this theme there was a lot of tell and not enough show.

I did think the themes of female friendships and relationships were represented well in the past, but the present storyline could have used a bit more focus and support in that area.

This book is an intriguing blend of the sensational and the ordinary told by three narrators in two separate time periods.

1791
Nella is an apothecary who has sworn to assist everyday women with her concoctions—whether those remedies take a form of a salve to soothe a new mother after childbirth or a poison to kill an abusive husband.

Present Day
Caroline has just arrived in London for her ten-year wedding anniversary. Alone. After an unexpected mudlarking expedition, Caroline finds herself distracted from her own problems by delving into someone else’s story, the story of a long-dead apothecary and an unsolved mystery.

1791
Eliza is a young housemaid given an important task by her mistress. A task that will change everything.

Although this book is told through the perspectives of three first-person narrators rather than epistolically, it is very much a tribute to ephemera—the tiny little bits and pieces that are left behind from the day-to-day ways of ordinary lives. It’s also a celebration of the ordinary, everyday people who history forgets.

The audiobook is narrated by Lorna Bennett, Lauren Anthony, and Lauren Irwen. Each narrator gives voice to one of the three main characters of the story. I think this format was very effective and allowed Nella, Caroline, and Eliza to individually come alive in the audiobook.

I received a free audio recording of this book from NetGalley.

Told in dual storylines, this book left me completely mesmerized and spellbound! Such beautiful writing, a terrific story and engaging characters.
Note: I was granted access to both the ebook and audio and chose to go with the audio.
Thank you so much!

I absolutely LOVED The Lost Apothecary. Thank you to NetGalley for this audiobook arc.

First off, the gorgeous cover alone should tempt any reader. I want those beautiful colors on a shirt or a mug! I honestly don’t know anything about Apothecaries (beyond that of the Schitts Creek Rose Apothecary.) I went into this book blindly which I think made me love it more. I’ll also add that I was captivated by the audio. The narrator was excellent. Being as the book is told in the perspective of two women- it was so nice to hear them. Nella, the owner of the apothecary, had a beautiful accent that helped capture her very essence. We also follow present day Caroline who is at a crossroads in her life. She sounded like a familiar friendly voice.

Caroline is on her tenth wedding anniversary trip, alone. She accidentally stumbles on a vile from the lost apothecary which reignites her passion for research and history. We also uncover so much about Nella and her life impact which radiates through decades.

I’m not a huge fan of historical fiction so I was surprised to find I could not stop listening to this. I found myself listening at every chance I could & finished in less than 36 hours (which is no small feat with two little kids!) I loved the way the two stories intertwined. I was captivated by both women and their strength. What a testament to the courage of women that stands the test of time. I highly recommend this story! It has left me with a book hangover as I’m so sad to be finished!