Some books just feel like a warm hug and Saah Beth Durst excels at this with The Enchanted Greenhouse (and the previous book The Spellshop). If you loved The Spellshop and love plants you will absolutely adore this book that just flows with charm, magic and whimsy. The Enchanted Greenhouse is set in the same enchanting island filled world as The Spellshop, and can theoretically be read independently. However, if you've already read The Spellshop, you'll appreciate the deeper context of this magical universe (and honestly, why wouldn't you want to read both?!)

In a world where "the empire" has corrupted use of magic for its own benefit, it's been causing chaos on islands outside of the capital. And we land with Terlu (former statue of a former librarian) on a fairly isolated island that is inhabited by a, slightly grumpy, gardener and hundreds of rooms of greenhouses. It's a frantic search for magical answers with two people who have very limited experience with sorcery and spellcasting, to save the plants and bring life back to the island.

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Another absolute win in my book for Sarah Beth Durst for anyone seeking a dash of magic in characters that will make you giggle and gently tug at your hearstrings. The Enchanted Greenhouse isn't just a book -- it's a mood. Pour yourself a cup of hot cocoa, warm up some sweet honey biscuits, grab a cozy blanket, and prepare to get lost in a delightful read. Sarah Beth Durst has opened another view into another wonderfully whimsical island and I can't wait to see where she takes us next!

Just give me all the books that Sarah Beth Durst writes!

THE ENCHANTED GREENHOUSE provides all the fun, feel-good vibes of a cozy fantasy. We have talking plants, spells gone wrong, a flying cat, and miniature dragons.

But this whimsical story also has surprising depth. A sweet romance, complex characters and relationship dynamics, and found family combine to make this heartfelt and memorable.

I listened to the audiobook, which I highly recommend. Caitlin Davies perfectly nails the whole vibe.

THE ENCHANTED GREENHOUSE is a followup to THE SPELLSHOP, but they’re set in different worlds with different characters. You don’t have to read the first book, though I absolutely recommend you do because it’s fantastic!

*Thanks to Macmillan Audio for the free audiobook download!*

*3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars*

~Initial thoughts~
This story is cute, cozy, and low stakes. Perfect for cozying up under a blanket on a chilly day and reading about plants and second chances.

~About the story~
If you read The Spellshop, Terlu is the librarian that brought life to, and was punished for, Kaz the sentient plant. This story follows her after she is somehow brought back to life on a secluded island with a very quiet gardener and a magical greenhouse. Slowly, Terlu pieces together how she got there and what she is meant to do on the island, while befriending Yarrow, the islands only other occupant. Terlu throws herself into helping with the failing greenhouse and finding meaning in her second chance at life.

What I loved:
- Terlu was sweet, and I appreciated seeing an FMC that struggles with overthinking. Terlu often speaks her thought processes out loud in order to get a grip on them, and that felt very relatable.
- I loved all the plants!!
- The settings and descriptions are very atmospheric and wholesome.
- This was low stakes, so it was a very easy, enjoyable read.

What wasn’t for me:
- I wanted more depth from the characters. There was some backstory, but some of the characters still felt a little two dimensional to me.
- This is completely my fault for thinking this was connected to the Spellshop and that we might see those characters. We do not. I kept waiting and hoping, but I was disappointed. The only connection is Terlu being mentioned as an example in the first book and that she is on another island in the same kingdom.
- This story was a little more singular than I prefer.

~About the audio~
I thought the narrator did an excellent job bringing all of the characters to life and making each voice unique enough to discern.

Terlu Perna was a librarian at the Great Library of Alyssium. She was lonely and created a sentient spider plant. In order to do that, she used magic which was against the law and as punishment she was turned into a statue and placed in the library. At some point years later, she woke up in a strange place. The only other person there was Yarrow, who was a gardener. This story is so sweet, heartwarming, entertaining and magical. It’s all about second chances both for Terlu and Yarrow and many others. Seeing how they worked together to solve the problem of the failing greenhouses was wonderful. I love how they were respectful of the plants and asked for their help and how it highlighted how everyone - the people, the plants, and the animals all wanted to find their place and feel useful. This was definitely a heartwarming story.

Caitlin Davies did a great job narrating. She had to voice male and female characters as well as the sentient plants. It was very easy to listen to.

Thank you to the author, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the Advanced Listener Copy (ALC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

I absolutely love this book! Devoured it in 2 days! The plot is so fun, the characters are honey sweet and relatable, the setting is somewhere I want to be! All of it wrapped in a cozy, feel good fantasy world I wish I could step into! Definitely recommend!

The Enchanted Greenhouse follows Terlu, who gets punished for using magic to create a sentient spider plant as a non-sorcerer and was sentenced to turn into a statue. A few years go by and Terlu suddenly wakes up in a strange deserted land and realizes she is freed from her statue prison. She explores and finds out she’s on an island with a lot of greenhouses and the only inhabitant is a grumpy gardener. The two work together to restore the greenhouses even if means breaking the law and using magic again.

This book can be read as a standalone story, but I recommend reading the first one just to understand the importance Caz, the sentient spider plant that Terlu broke the law for. Although the characters from the first book do not engage with the characters in this book, there are still a few nods to them throughout the stories. This book is a cozy fantasy, and I enjoyed it so much! I also enjoyed listening to the audiobook version of it, the narrator’s voice was a perfect fit for this style of book. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC ✨

This casual and cozy fantasy feels like a warm hug, filled with beautiful imagery of sentient plants and magical pollinators. The vivid depictions of food and tender memories of shared meals add a comforting richness to the story. At its heart, it’s a lovely tale of companionship—about learning to rely on and trust others. The gentle, adorable love story between two neurodivergent-coded characters adds depth and warmth, making this a truly heartfelt and affirming read.

Thanks to NetGalley, the Publisher and Author for an eARC of this title in exchange for my review.

The Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth Durst is the follow up novel I didn't know I needed, but totally did and liked even more. Although the story is a standalone cosy fantasy romance, having read The Spellshop helped give context to some of the references mentioned, and the audio added to the enjoyment.

The author absolutely shines telling Terlu's story, which takes place in the same universe as The Spellshop. The lush and beautiful setting allows the reader to slip back into the magical world of librarians and sentient plants, on a new island. The heartwarming result is a deeply charming romantasy about loneliness, loss, vulnerability, coming together, intimacy, sharing and ultimately community.

What a great book and doubly so as an audiobook! Please read all in the series.

This was such a cozy read/listen!
I loved all the different characters and how unique they all were. I loved that this author paints a nice picture of everything. Everything is very detailed, whether its what something looks like, or smells like. There was some romance, that I felt was very nicely done. It was a slow burn but didn't feel overly drawn out. It felt just right.

Thank you Netgalley, MacMillan Audio, and the author for the chance to listen to this arc.

"The Enchanted Greenhouse" is a feel good, cozy, quirky, and sweetly romantic fantasy. Sarah Beth Durst creates vivid settings filled with all varieties of people, plants, and things. Difference is celebrated and acceptance the norm. This is not a high drama story yet is still quite immersing. The audio narration is excellent.

4 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary copy of this audiobook. These opinions are my own.

Cozy, magical, and brimming with charm, The Enchanted Greenhouse is the perfect listen for the late summer to autumn transition—or anyone craving Summerween vibes.

This story is set in the same world and time as The Spellshop, making it an excellent companion. The characters are engaging and relatable, particularly Terlu Perna—a lonely spellcaster who was turned into a wooden statue after being punished for creating everyone’s favorite sentient spider plant, Caz. After years of being tucked away and forgotten, Terlu unexpectedly awakens on a magical island filled with greenhouses. There, she meets Yarrow, a gruff yet kind gardener. Together, they confront a failing magical ecosystem. Their growing bond, along with the support of a group of sentient plants, leads them on a heartfelt journey of healing, second chances, and quiet bravery.

Caitlin Davies' narration is perfect, bringing each character to life with vibrant personalities that captivate the listener. The warmth and enthusiasm in her voice perfectly complement the story, making the characters feel relatable and dynamic. Davies's talented performance immerses the audience in the richly imagined world created by Durst, filled with vivid settings and intricate plots that transport listeners to another realm. Take me awayyyyyyyyyyyy.

I highly recommend this book to fans of Durst's signature blend of gentle magic, found family, and comforting atmosphere. I promise you will find familiarity and feel right at home.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the audio copy in exchange for my honest review - all opinions are my own.

Welcome back to Alyssium, and Terlu, a librarian who just wants to do what is right. As punishment for her crimes in The Spellshop, she has been banished as a wooden statue to the North Reading Room of the Great Library of Alyssium. That should be at the end of the story, you would think, how do you become something more than a wooden statue? Someone how Terlu is sent to an island full of amazing, beautiful greenhouses, and we are off into another adventure where Terlu is caught between a rock and a hard place. It’s forbidden for her to do spellwork, but she has been sent to this island to fix the failing greenhouses. Terlu will encounter a grouchy gardener, a winged cat, and amazing flowers and greenhouses beyond description. Enchanted Greenhouse shines with its vivid imagery and rich details, from the wonder of singing flowers to the comfort of freshly baked honey cakes. The greenhouses are magical spaces filled with surprises, and the interactions between the characters are warm and heartfelt. Durst masterfully weaves themes of forgiveness, redemption, and belonging into a story that feels as comforting as it is adventurous. Sarah Beth Durst shines through every page, and the audiobook narration is perfection.

This was so whimsical, cozy and adorable! I loved all the plants and their personalities and I think the narrator did a wonderful job giving each character their own voice. There are a LOT of side characters so her narration helped me easily distinguish between them. I felt like the book was a bit too long, and maybe had some unnecessary details, but that didn't stop me from loving it. The romance was very sweet but I didn't feel that *spark* between them. Regardless, I still truly enjoyed this tale and I am eager to read more by this author!

I was so happy to return to this incredible world Durst has created. This book is cozy, sweet, hopeful, and magical, and I’m obsessed with the cat.

I loved reading The Enchanted Greenhouse so much, when I saw the audiobook, I just had to listen! I was not disappointed. Great narrator for a wonderful cozy story!

If The Spellshop left you wanting more, The Enchanted Greenhouse is a perfect continuation of Durst's magical world!

Terlu, creator of sentient spider plant Caz, was turned into a statue for her crimes. But Terlu awakens on an abandoned island filled with fantastical green houses, a flying cat, and a grumpy gardener.

A sweet and cozy dip back into the world of Alyssium, I can't wait for another installment!

I was pleasantly surprised when I came across this follow up to The Spellshop. Same cozy vibes, more delightful sentient plants. You can't go wrong!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 4.5/5 stars
The Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth Durst is another heartwarming triumph in her cozy fantasy universe. With her signature blend of low-stakes magic, emotionally resonant themes, and a lovingly imagined world, Durst continues to prove she’s one of the best in the genre.

This standalone companion to The Spellshop follows Terlu (the librarian who created Kaz, everyone’s favorite sentient spider plant), as she’s suddenly reawakened after years of being frozen by a statue spell. She wakes up on an unfamiliar, snow-covered island, where enchanted greenhouses dot the landscape and shelter is a magical puzzle in itself. Her unexpected guide? A gorgeous green-winged cat that leads her to Yarrow, the grumpy and guarded gardener with a tender core.

Their relationship was, respectfully, very audhd-coded to me. Terlu comes off with the energy of a hummingbird, while Yarrow is very much stuck in special interests. Their relationship is full of quiet miscommunications, overthinking, mutual respect, and slow-burning, yet shy, yearning. It’s a soft and thoughtful romance that feels deeply affirming, especially for those who understand what it means to connect on your own terms.

The world Durst has built continues to be a joy to explore. I love that its inhabitants span every color of the rainbow, that little dragons pollinate flowers like honeybees, and that plants are as opinionated and full of personality as the humans. It’s a place that feels like childhood magic… endlessly charming and brimming with wonder. I need a map of this world someday!

And for fans of The Spellshop, don’t worry, we are served a couple of Easter eggs while getting to meet more sentient plants, including a standout new favorite: Lottie, a resurrection rose with a big heart.

At its core, this book is about second chances. As someone who’s had to restart more than once, Terlu’s journey struck a deeply personal chord. Her internal battle with the risks of illegal magic, the weight of past consequences, and her drive to do the right thing, even at great cost, was moving and beautifully told. She’s a fierce, kind, and layered protagonist, and I loved following her story.

I sincerely hope Sarah Beth Durst never stops writing cozy fantasy. This world is one I want to return to again and again.

This book was just as cozy and cute as the first story in the series! I loved the audiobook because it was so easy to slip into this magical world and feel at home.

I did think that this book felt a little too long, and some of the plot wasn't as fast-moving as I would have liked, although I still loved the general idea of the story. At first, I didn't love all the side characters, but grew to love the plants' little friendships and personalities. I do wish there had possibly been a few fewer side characters - it just would've been easier to follow. But I loved learning Terlu's story - it was the main reason I was so excited for this book! Also loved, loved, loved learning more about Caz and hearing about him!

The romance was so cute, although not as cute as the first book, and I didn't feel like there was a true spark or chemistry between the FMC and MMC; it just felt like convenience.

Overall, a super cute read that I would love to cozy up and listen to in the winter, even if it felt a little long and flat in parts.

Reading the Enchanted Greenhouse felt like coming home after a long time away. Sarah Beth Durst has done it again! The way she weaves these really emotional moments and character experiences into a larger story are so impactful!

Terlu, a library worker, breaks the law by using magic to create a sentient spider plant (CAS!!!) and is harshly sentenced to become a statue for her crime. Time passes and she awakens to find herself on a remote almost completely deserted island. Almost deserted except for hundreds of gloriously large and enchanted greenhouses and a grumpy handsome gardener who cares for them. Soon after arriving, she discovers that something has gone awry on the island and the magic that had once sustained the greenhouses is failing. Terlu has to use every skill she acquired at the library and find the courage to help the gardener in his mission to save the plants in the best way she knows how even if the consequences are severe…

After so thoroughly enjoying this book, I can safely say that Sarah Beth Durst has established herself on my auto-read author list. Can’t wait to see what this author shares with us next!

If you are looking for cozy romantasy Sarah Beth Durst is perfect! I really loved the first book in this series The Spellshop and this one was great as well. I think a lot of readers will sympathize with Terlu and her desire to find a place where she fits in. The talking plants were really fun characters and I liked that Caz got to connect the two books.

Yarrow is a great hero. The grumpy ones with hearts of gold always get me. I would have loved to see a bit more of his perspective but the dual perspective seems to be less common in romantasy books. There were times when this book went a bit slowly but I did love all the little magical details that go included. I really want a flying cat now!

I listened to the audiobook version of this story and really enjoyed it. Caitlin Davies did the narration and she also did the narration for the first book. I will say it's a longer audiobook (13 hours) so unless you speed up your books (guilty) or don't mind a longer listen I might read this one with your eyeballs.