What a great YA fantasy debut. This was a 4.25-star read for me as I wanted there to be a little more development overall and the time period and place of this story were very hard to pin down. This is a great foundation for what could be a really expansive and immersive world & magic system.

I found this to be compulsively readable and I couldn't put it down until I finished. The pacing was wonderful and I loved how casually queer it was. By casually queer I mean that the queer characters exist not as major plot points but as a natural part of this world. Queer people just existing is my favorite.

It tied itself up in a very neat little bow at the end. I'd love to see a sequel that involves more of her mother's history and misgivings but it works very well as a standalone. Ultimately, this book accomplished what it set out to do and is worth a read.

Enchanting and elegant, Flowerheart is the kind of cozy, witchy romance that dreams are made of. Lovely.

This took me a little bit to get into the book, but I think that's more based my state of being than the book itself. This was a very cute and interesting story with childhood friends-to-lovers slow burn romance (so many buzzwords).

I think the relationships were done quite well. It isn't just a solitary romance, there are complex relationships at play for both Clara and Xavier. The romance is more a secondary thought with Clara focusing more on her immediate problem of trying to perform a miracle while navigating tricky social avenues. I loved the small flashbacks and nods to Clara and Xavier's past as well as Clara and her father. Those things really helped to build the world and ground the characters to make them more real. This had feelings (to me) of being similar to the movie of Howl's Moving Castle of being cozy and inspiring. Clara doesn't need someone to save her, she just has to figure out how to save herself.

Clara is a likable protagonist and reacts (I think) appropriately to not being able to control her magic. Her magic can do amazing things but more often than not it only causes problems-sometimes very big ones. This means that though she longs to be a certified magician in order to help people that dream is drifting further away as time goes on and she is apprenticed to more magicians in the hopes that one of them can help her tame her magic.

Xavier, her childhood best friend, dropped contact with her several years ago when he was nominated early to become a Council member due to his family name and history. However, he's made a sudden reappearance in her life to advocate on her behalf but she isn't entirely sure who he is anymore, or if they were ever real friends to begin with. Plus, it appears that he's hiding things from her, their past doesn't cease existing just because they haven't spoken in years.

This is an unbiased review thanks to Netgalley.

This was such a wonderful book. I loved the magic system and I adored the characters. Catherine Bakewell gave us a beautifully depicted work of art.

I could see this book charming any reader of any age, but it does work wondrously as a YA novel. It had just the right amount of angst to pure joy and love ratio.

I loved the non-binary and trans characters, and that our main character is bisexual/pansexual.

Overall, 5 beautiful stars to a beautiful book.

And thank you to NetGalley for an eArc of this book!


TRIGGER WARNINGS
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Vomit and Drug use
Minor: Medical content

4.5/5

This was lovely!! Ghibli movie WHEN!

Rife with beautiful descriptions of magic and flowers, I absolutely loved this. It’s an evident labor of love, with a fantastic anxiety metaphor in the middle of this Howls-Moving-Castle style worldbuilding. So much of it just feels like a big floral scented hug.
The only thing I wanted More from was the ending, it felt a little abrupt and I wanted to see Clara’s mother catch these hands (ง’̀-‘́)ง so I guess I’ll have to handsell the bajeezus outta this so the publishers know this is what we want!!

I thought this book was absolutely lovely. Even though there were intense events that happen it still had a soft feel to it that I liked.

In particular I really adored the relationship that Clara has with her father. The backstory of Clara and Xavier’s relationship didn’t feel as convincing as the obvious love and affection that Clara and her father have for each other.

The casualness of the queer characters was also handled very well I think. Labels aren’t given to everyone but Clara herself is bi or pan or etc, her beloved teacher is trans, and her teacher’s apprentice is trans as well and uses they/them pronouns. It’s only briefly touched on as an actual subject but it’s not in terms of discrimination only in how having a trans teacher can be helpful for a trans student.

Thank you to NetGalley for making this available in exchange for an honest review!

First, I'd like to say thank you to NetGalley and HarperTeen for an eARC! All opinions are honest and my own.

Clara is a witch, except she seems to be the only one who can't control her powers. Gifted by her unconventional mother and then promptly abandoned, it's always been Clara and her father. Her father believes in Clara and knows that she'll be a wonderful witch, even after numerous teachers, mishaps, and disappointments. Usually it is nothing harmless, (except that one time she started a kitchen fire) but no one was ever seriously hurt. Then Clara's magic accidentally blooms poisonous flowers in her father's heart, and Clara is the only one who can remove it, but she must have perfect control of her magic. <--- This all sounds like the makings of an intricate story, but it's actually a little slow and winding, like enjoying a soothing cup of tea. When it says cottage core, this story means it. There's some small moments of action, but a lot of this story feels internalized in Clara. It definitely gave off some Studio Ghibli vibes, which is right up my alley so I enjoyed it immensely!

Now to get better control on her magic, enter His Greatness, Master Xavier Morwyn, Clara's childhood best friend, and the youngest Council member in their time. Growing up, they had been as thick as thieves, dreaming up the many adventures they'd have once they got their magic. And then Xavier went on to become the brightest wizard of his age, leaving hapless Clara and their friendship behind. Xavier says he can help Clara, but there is a steep price.

I really loved seeing the relationship between Clara and Xavier evolve. From near disdain to rekindling their friendship, and then it becomes a little sweeter. But Xavier is hiding a few secrets of his own, and Clara needs to know if she can really trust him. As much as she wants to believe that Xavier is the same sweet boy she once knew, this new Xavier before her carries a darkness. I really loved that Clara didn't forget her purpose or her own person because of a boy. Even one as brooding and thoughtful as Xavier. She stays incredibly loyal to her father, and herself. I loved rooting for her.

I just want to add that I do wish this wasn't a standalone. There is a lot of the story that could be fleshed out and explored, but this a solid book as it stands. There's a little commentary on how mental disorders, such as depression, are often unaddressed by society in this story, but it is pretty superficial and does not come off as preachy or soapbox-ish. I think if I read something like this when I was a teen, I could've benefited from it.

This was the perfect cozy fantasy book to read. I was enchanted from page one and it kept me fully engaged. I loved every minute of this book.
I just reviewed Flowerheart by Catherine Bakewell. #Flowerheart #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

Catherine Bakewell's debut FLOWERHEART, a romantic fantasy set in a cottagecore world in which seventeen-year-old Clara's wild magic sets fires and breaks windows— and has now grown flowers in her father's lungs; to save him, she makes a dangerous bargain with the local wizard and childhood friend, Xavier.

Everything about Flowerheart was beautifully complex. There were scenes and lines that made me sit there and cry. Or laugh. Or cheer. I cared about the characters as if they were my friends and family. They seemed to step outside the pages and inhabit my imagination.

The worldbuilding in this story was superb, and each scene was easy to visualize based on the characters' senses and moods, making it a captivating read. My attention was drawn to every scene . The action scenes were vividly presented and easy to follow. A well-written and engaging story, with a consistent writing style and no exposition that slowed down the action.

I loved this. I'll keep this review short and sweet, which I think accurately reflected the book.

This was homey. This was well written. This was a well thought out fantasy "cottage-core" novel that draws heavily from flowery aesthetics in the best way possible, with characters who were just as soft and lovely to back it up. I enjoyed the writing from beginning to end, with stakes maybe not as big as I'm used to reading, but the author weaves them into a way so that it feels like it is.

I am not much of a MG reader but I will look into reading the author's debut after this.

High recommend.

Thank you for the ARC!

Series Info/Source: This is a stand alone book. I got an eGalley of this book through NetGalley to review.

Thoughts: This was a good romantic fantasy read. There is a lot about magic, growing up, family, and love in this story. It was a very quick and easy read and in general I enjoyed it.

We follow Clara, whose wild magic has prevented her from taking her rightful place as a witch. Since her magic is so unpredictable, the council wants to remove it from her completely, and when she accidently fills her own father's chest with poisonous blossoms they aren't inclined to change their minds. She strikes a deal with her old childhood friend, Xavier, that she will give him her wild magic if only he will help her learn how to do a blessing on her father to cure him. Unfortunately, Clara doesn't know that Xavier has secrets of his own.

I did think the main protagonist, Clara, was a bit inconsistent in her character throughout the story. At times she was very naïve and passive and then at times she was very aggressive. In the beginning she was overly trusting but then later on she turned on her teacher without much provocation, it was a bit confusing. I thought Xavier was a bit of a creeper, especially in the beginning of the book. I didn't really love him anymore as the book went on; he was just too messed up and conflicted...although the author tries to explain that away.

This was a quick and easy read; I read it in a night. I did enjoy watching Clara learning to control her magic and enjoyed the relationship she had with her father. I thought her relationship with Xavier was a bit shaky, they seemed to fall in love quickly but didn't have a very trusting relationship. I didn't love the relationship dynamics portrayed here, but that's personal preference.

This is a fairly simple story. The magic system isn't well explained (other than you use your heart to guide magic) and the world-building is fairly non-existent. If you are looking for a fluffy, cozy fantasy read about magic and love, this is a decent read.

My Summary (3.5/5): Overall this was an okay read if you want a cute little fantasy romance with some magic in it. Everything in here (characters, plot, world, magic) is kept fairly simple. I wasn't hugely keen on the relationship dynamics between our two main characters, but that is personal preferences. If you are looking for a fluffy, cozy romantic YA fantasy read this is a decent one.

This book leaned more on the younger side of YA, which isn’t my favorite. However, taking into consideration the target audience and my interests at that age, I think it is adorable. A cozy, magical fantasy world with an interesting magic system is just what I wanted at a young age. I wish this came out when I was a teen! I did feel like I was missing a lot of information and world building at times. I even wondered at one point if I accidentally picked up a sequel to a book and didn’t realize it. I wish we would’ve had more of the main character and her love interest’s history together. I understand they are childhood friends, but I would have liked to see more of them developing together as children.

I love books about magic so much, the different stories and uses everyone comes up with! This was such a sweet cottacore magical kinda romance. I loved the magic Clara had, could you imagine? Of course, there is a little bit of betrayal & forgiveness. So cute & charming ♡

I loved this book. It was an enjoyable read from the beginning. It had such a wonderful studio ghibli feel! I will definitely be purchasing a physical copy when it comes out.

Flowerheart evoked shades of Diana Wynne Jones and Eva Ibbotson, but was completely a work of its own. Highly recommended for all teen collections and anywhere fantasy is appreciated.

This was okay. It was cute, but nothing new for YA fantasy. Underdeveloped world, slow plot. Still, if you can work through its problems, the idea is very cozy and there are some great things simmering underneath.

I was greatly reminded of Naomi Novik's earlier novels: a random medieval British type of setting, feisty heroine, conflicted hero, and magic. As with most cottage cozy type of novels, the plot is simplistic, the protagonists very good and decent people, and even the villains are just misguided. As such, this makes for a decent Summer read that doesn't ask a lot of you.

Story: Clara could never control her magic - it has a mind of its own and always tests her by going out of control. Dishes break, windows crack, and flowers appear everywhere, even in her hair. Even so, she feels ready for the big test that will certify her as a witch and give her a place in the community. When the magic committee shows up, she is surprised to find her former best friend Xavier with them; worst, it turns out they are not there to certify her and instead to remove her magic so it won't hurt anyone. Clara loses control of her magic, poisons her father, and begs Xavier to help her cure her father. To do so, she will become his apprentice; the problem is, the council doesn't like it and Xavier requires her to give him all her magic permanently once she cures her father. But things are not as they seem and Xavier is keeping a terrible secret from her.

This is the childhood friends trope but done well. Clara and Xavier will need to save each other while finding inner strengths in the process. The air of urgency comes from Clara needing to learn the high level spell that will cure her father and ensure the council doesn't take her magic.

The story is easy to read and flows smoothly. There's nothing new here or unexpected and certainly any 'twists' are well telegraphed. But then, this is more about the cottage cozy feel rather than being a thriller. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

3.5 stars

Gorgeous cover, cottagecore vibes and a magic system that involves flowers and their meanings? Sign me up! Unfortunately, this book fell a little short for me. I feel like the both the plot and the world building felt underdeveloped and the 'romance' was unconvincing instalove which just made me not really care about anything that was going on. There was so much potential that was killed by dull writing and simplicity of plot. I did enjoy the story, but I felt myself skipping ahead quite a bit as it was really underwhelming. I think with more fleshed out characters and a stronger world, this could have been spectacular.

When her magical powers inadvertently cause her father's life-threatening illness, Clara relinquishes heer chance to become a wizard.

This was SO delightful - such a fun YA fantasy. The descriptor of cottagecore is lovely for it, and there are tons of themes behind a fairly lighthearted story here - I feel like the main character's struggle with her magic is a metaphor for mental health struggles, and the plot of the story is also about depression.

Tons of queer characters - very normalized - and excellent vibes. AND the romance made me giggle!!! So fun and I love the cover!