Flowerheart by Catherine Bakewell is an astonishing, luscious, magical book. It features a beautifully done second-chance, childhood-best-friends-to-lovers romance (complete with a "you never got my letters?" troupe), a brilliant discussion on mental health and gentle love that I have never seen before, and a magic system built on flowers that will make every Studio Ghibli fan swoon. I highly recommend this book and will be waiting with bated breathe for anything Bakewell publishes in the future.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me access to the free advanced digital copy of this book.

I fully believe Catherine Bakewell can do no wrong. She writes the most engaged, beautiful stories with lovable characters that jump off the page.

I thought Flowerheart was really cute! I did see the reconciliation between Clara and Xavier coming from a mile away but it was still heartwarming and satisfying when they did get together. The ending was very sweet and I loved that even though he lost his power, Xavier and Clara get to have a shop together. Some of the plot felt like a slog to get through since it was really obvious that it was all going to work out in the end, so the moments of great turmoil weren’t as exciting. pretty solid 4⭐️

This is a very soft, cozy read that I devoured quickly. The best way I can think of to describe this is it's the sort of book you curl up with on a rainy day, in a comfy chair with a warm drink. It's soft and whimsical and reads a bit like a classic YA fantasy.

I thought this was great story full of cottagecore wonder and magic! The cover is very indie looking and I hope people give it a chance.

The story can be interpreted different way but for me, a plus size woman, I felt this was a journey of self discovery and a touch of mental illness rep. The main character can talk down on herself but I feel this is the case for many woman in similar situations. I thought the book did a great job of drawing the audience in and I will definitely recommend it!

I thought this book was so sweet! I loved the atmosphere. My biggest piece of feedback though is that I wish there more books - that this was a series. I felt that there was so much to be explored that couldn’t in just one novel. But I will definitely read more by this author!

I requested this book because the cover was ready and I like the aesthetic the synopsis gave off. While I was reading it though it didn’t give me and excitement. It butterfly moments. I mean there was times when the ML blushed. I struggled to finish it but I didn’t hate it. I loved the FL personality though.

A very sweet and cozy fantasy! This wasn't like insanely groundbreaking in terms of fantasy, but I don't think it was meant to be. I think it was just supposed to make a reader feel good and it did exactly that. The fantasy elements were nice, but the romance was definitely the star in this. I loved having the queer rep as well and the plus size rep was nice too. Overall, a super fun read!

I believe I chose this book based on it people touted as "cozy" fantasy romance, and it was truly that, but it was also boring. It is very possible that the "cozy" genre is just too low stakes for me, but I also don't think this was that good.

Why it wasn't good:
-flat characters
-no chemistry
-repetitive writing
-worldbuilding is mediocre

There was a lot of potential but unfortunately this book just did not hit the mark for me.

Okay, imagine a young witch whose powers are out of her control and a council of people that are coming to make a ruling on whether she can keep her magic or not. Then, imagine that one of the council members is her childhood best friend that she lost touch with that is also the only one who ever truly understood her.

Flowerheart not only has an absolutely gorgeous cover but also married YA with what I would classify as cozy fantasy perfectly. This is not to say that the stakes are not high, it is just to say that you are immediately swept into a world that is whimsical and wonderful and where you never know if flowers will spontaneously bloom under foot.

This read is quick and easy and comfy and it was written for you if:
1)You would like to read something sweet and whimsical
2)You like the quick read of YA
3)oYou would be interested in a book I would describe as cozy cottage core fantasy that reads like a familiar, steaming cup of tea

I loved everything about this book! The characters were interesting, and the plot was great!

Clara's journey of figuring things out and trying to control her magic was amazing. And the fact that she found love with her childhood best friend was really great! I think I loved that part most.

Even though this is a standalone book, I think there's definitely things from the first book that could be used to create a second one.

This was a warm hug of a book. Pitched as a YA cottagecore fantasy romance, Flowerheart delivered on all of those things. I loved the way Bakewell used magic and the Euphoria plot as a way to comment on mental health issues in a way that is impactful without losing any of the whimsy.

That being said, I wish aspects of this book had been more developed. The atmosphere was great but some of the worldbuilding and plot felt a little too hand-wavey, which might have been the author’s intent, I just wanted more either in development of plot points or in filler scenes to flesh out these characters. I do love that it feels like a YA book actually written for teens though!

Overall, I think this is exactly the kind of book a young teenage me would have loved and I highly recommend to those younger readers or anyone who wants to lose themselves in a quick read with Studio Ghibli vibes.

Oh man, I really thought I would love this book. The cover and the premise called to me…but I just wasn’t able to finish it.

FLOWERHEART is about Clara, a girl with a magic so powerful, the other magic people want to have it bound. The reason they want to take Clara’s magic away is because she cannot control it and they fear she will do something dangerous with it…like her mother. Of course, in Clara’s anger, she poisons her father and puts him in lingering state between life and death. (Insert eye roll). She then convinces her childhood friend to help train her in controlling her magic. And that’s as far as I got.

Clara was young, but she acted even younger and immature for her age. I just wasn’t in the mood to tolerate her childishness. And that makes me sad, because I REALLY wanted to love this book.

I am pretty sure I am a minority here and saying that I wasn't the biggest fan of this book. I believe it's due to it being marketed as a cottagecore or cozy fantasy book, but that's not the vibes I was getting from this book at all. It was more "light horror fantasy" than anything. If it had really dug into the horror aspect with the plants this book would have really shined. As is it was just mediocre.

2.5 stars

Clara’s magic has always been difficult to control. It bursts out in odd and unexpected ways, often in the form of flowers, and it can sometimes be destructive. Learning to control her magic seems impossible. But when her magic surges out of control and curses her own father, Clara discovers she has little choice, for only she can reverse the curse. Unfortunately, the only wizard now willing to take her on as an apprentice is her former best friend Xavier Morwyn, and the price he asks for his aid is high.

I would describe Flowerheart as “cozy fantasy” with a strong cottagecore vibe. Although Clara’s father is in danger, and there’s a secondary mystery involving a potion (or drug) with disturbing side effects, the stakes are more personal than epic, and I was never in much doubt regarding the ultimate outcome. Flowerheart is also very much a YA fantasy-romance, and one that reads fairly “young” at that. The main character and her love interest are both about 16, and their relationship never moves beyond a few kisses, so if you’re looking for fantasy for a precocious reader, this book would be perfect.

But within that cozy-fantasy, YA-romance framework, Flowerheart explores the pain and struggles of depression. One way Bakewell does this is through Clara’s magic: it speaks to her constantly, in that critical, self-sabotaging voice we all carry inside: the one that tries to tell us we’re worthless, we’re unlovable, we’re going to fail. Anyone who has struggled with their own inner critic will recognize it and relate to Clara’s struggles. That voice, in the “person” of Clara’s magic, is powerful, stronger in Clara than in most magic-users, and the key to controlling her magic isn’t what you might expect.

The dangerous potion I mentioned earlier is central to a more overt exploration of depression, though I can’t go into detail to avoid spoilers. Ultimately, though, the book offers hope, both to the characters and to the reader sharing Clara’s journey.

I don’t want to neglect the lighter, more delightful aspects of the book. Clara’s magic often manifests as unexpected flowers, and Bakewell incorporates the Victorian language of flowers to great advantage throughout: pink camellias mean “lasting affection,” daisies say “I have a secret,” marigolds signal “I grieve for you,” begonias are “a warning of evil to come,” and of course, red roses signify romantic love. The Morwyn house is truly magical, with a shop where they sell their healing potions, a spiral staircase that turns into a slide, and a magical cupboard that provides anything from meringues to clothing at its own discretion. There are lighter moments sprinkled throughout, and many instances of kindness or compassion. For instance, one of Clara’s former teachers clearly still cares for and supports her, and her relationship with her father is strong and loving. Generally, most of the characters are well-intentioned… although as in real life, there are some who are less than kind. As for diversity, while the main characters are white and cis, the secondary characters are reasonably diverse, including both a trans woman and a nonbinary character. There is a brief suggestion that Clara is bi, but it goes by so quickly many readers may miss it.

I recommend Flowerheart if you’re in the mood for cottagecore or cozy fantasy, love flower magic, or are looking for a YA fantasy-romance suitable for a precocious reader.

Closer to a 3.5. a charming but generally lackluster book, I wish that we had gotten to go into the politics of the world and the way that magic works more. The plant horror was honestly the spotlight/showstopper of this text, and I adored that. The romance felt rushed, and the side characters didn't feel quite fleshed out. Despite that, a fun quick read!!

This is one of those take it or leave it reads for me. It was kind of interesting but also kind of flat. I did finish it but I think I could have DNFed it and just moved on. It wasn't the greatest book about magic out there. But if you enjoy flowers and pacts, and danger (light) then check this one out.

This book was pure magic from start to finish. It had the cozy fantasy elements of Howl's Moving Castle, with some new beautiful magic thrown in. I had so much fun reading it, and I truly loved it.

Clara has always had a difficult time controlling her magic. It seems to burst out of her without her consent or knowledge at times. Early in the novel, she accidentally curses her father, causing flowers to bloom out of his chest, almost killing him. Her former best friend and accomplished magician Xavier comes to her aid, and makes her a deal: if he can teach her the magic to heal her father, she must forfeit her magic and give it to him, a deal she makes without hesitation. As she moves to Xavier's house to become his apprentice, she learns about some of the darkness he is hiding and work together to try to fix a secret magic that is plaguing their community.

This was such a sweet and lovely book, with beautiful world building, friendships, and family. I think it would appeal to many different kinds of readers, and I can't wait to suggest it to my teens.

This magical YA fantasy had a unique magic system and engaging characters.

Clara's self doubt was frustrating at times, but her growth was lovely to see when she finally stops fearing herself.

Overall this was an enjoyable fantasy.