From the nationally bestselling author of the “charming, uplifting, and utterly enchanting” (Lana Harper, New York Times bestselling author) The Crescent Moon Tearoom comes a stand-alone cozy fantasy about a wandering storyteller and a prickly botanist whose enchanted greenhouse may hold the key to saving Chicago’s fading magic.

Sadie has spent her entire life in motion. As a wandering storyteller, she travels from one city to the next guided by magic, using her unique gift to quietly awaken wonder in the people she meets. She never stays anywhere long enough to truly know a place, or to let a place know her. But after a night spent in Chicago—a city of rattling streetcars and hidden corners—her magic suddenly and inexplicably vanishes.

Tom is a meticulous and particular botanist who largely prefers the company of flora to that of people. He has dedicated his entire life to a secret rooftop greenhouse overflowing with enchanted plants. For Tom, careful tending feels far safer than human connection, but his work has led him to a troubling theory. He believes the magic threaded beneath the city is failing, and it is only a matter of time before it disappears completely. His sharp edges mean his warnings go ignored, leaving him to shoulder the heavy responsibility of saving the city’s enchantment alone.

When Sadie’s search for her lost gift leads her to Tom’s glowing greenhouse, her life in motion collides with his structured, rooted world. Reluctant at first, the two realize they must work together to restore the fading magic of the city. As they navigate forgotten alleys and vibrant gardens, they uncover an unexpected and powerful connection. Working side by side, they must face their deepest fears. Can Sadie finally learn what it means to put down roots, and can Tom open his heart enough to allow something beautiful and new to grow?