3.5 stars (rounded up to 4 as it feels closer to a 4 than a 3)

I enjoyed diving back into this world and it was great to learn what happened the Terlu – the creator of Caz from The Spellshop.

However, I had two main issues. First, it felt like there was a slight slump in the middle, which I frequently find with cosy fantasy. It’s once you’ve got past the start and you’re into the meat of the story, it reaches a point where everything is just kind of ambling along and you’re waiting for the next big event to happen, which usually comes after 50% and the story starts moving again. Part of the reason for this slump is that the story is told from Terlu’s POV so there is some rambling and repetition.

Secondly, the ending just never seemed to stop. Before the actual end, there at least two chapters where I thought the book was going to end. Ultimately, this it was caused my rating to drop from a 4 to a 3.5. I thought the very last chapter was very sweet, containing some very cute moments, but the book already felt over for me. Reading that last chapter felt more like a chore.

Despite these, I did actually enjoy the book. Terlu was a great character, and I loved the slow-growing romance between her and Yarrow. It was very cute and wholesome. As always, I loved the sentient plants. They are one of my absolute favourite things about this series. They add such a cool and interesting element to the world.

Even with the slump, the plot was interesting enough to maintain my attention. Terlu, Yarrow and the plants are working to decode a sorcerer’s journal and figure out a spell to save the greenhouses. In fact, the plot is more compelling than that of The Spellshop. It felt like there was slightly more at stake, but still in a low-stakes cosy fantasy way.

All in all, this is a book anyone could enjoy and read. It’s really about finding your place in the world and giving yourself, and others, second chances. It would definitely work as a palate cleanser between heftier books, unless you are not a fan of cosy fantasy – then this really isn’t the book for you.

"If you're hurt, you're hurt. It doesn't matter if anyone else thinks you don't have a good enough reason. Pain doesn't require approval."

I was given an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I loved reading The Spellshop, so I was really excited to be given early access to the sequel, and it definitely keeps the cosy vibes coming!

After creating Caz - the sassy sentient spider plant we meet in The Spellshop - librarian Terlu is punished for her illegal magic, and transformed into a statue. Six years later, she awakens on a strange island, inhabited by a series of enchanted greenhouses, and an antisocial gardener in need of magical intervention.
The relationship between Terlu and Yarrow is the perfect level of wholesome, and develops nicely as they learn to face their fears, and find escape from their isolation. Their story also gives us more of an insight into the magical infrastructure of this world, without losing what makes it so comforting. One thing I've loved about this series is how cleverly it engages with a tumultuous and changing world, but keeps its focus on the lives of ordinary people.

There were one or two places where I felt the hopeful moral of the story took me out of the narrative itself, but overall, I really enjoyed how light and calming this was. I'd definitely be keen to see how this world develops in the future - and maybe come back to Kiela and Caz someday!

Books with similar vibes - The Honey Witch by Sydney Shields, The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst, Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree, and The Stormborne Vine by Tilly Wallace.

The Enchanted Greenhouse started off with an intriguing premise, especially for those who have read The Spellshop. It revisits a backstory that was only briefly mentioned there — a librarian brings a spider plant to life and is punished by being turned into a statue. That premise, and the promise of following the librarian’s story, had me genuinely excited, especially since I was quite fond of Caz (the spider plant) from The Spellshop.

Unfortunately, the story quickly took a turn in a direction I didn’t expect — or enjoy. The setting of a magical island filled with enchanted greenhouses was charming at first, and it could have been the perfect backdrop for another cozy, heartwarming fantasy. But instead, the plot leaned more into mystery and tension, and the tone lost much of the warmth I was hoping for.

The main character spends most of the book stuck in self-doubt and spiraling thoughts, with little emotional growth, which made it difficult to truly root for her. The only other human character, Yarrow, is a broody, silent type who I never quite warmed up to. There’s also a talking rose — a character I eventually appreciated more over time, though I never really connected with her on a deeper level.

What made The Spellshop so special for me — its lovable characters, charming tone, and genuinely cozy vibes — was mostly missing here. Instead, the story felt bogged down by artificial suspense and an oddly distant emotional tone. While I really wanted to love this book just as much as The Spellshop, it didn’t quite work for me.

I’m still curious to see what Sarah Beth Durst does next in this universe, but The Enchanted Greenhouse wasn’t the right fit for me personally.

The Enchanted Greenhouse is a sweet, cosy fantasy by Sarah Beth Durst, the author of The Spellshop. It is another standalone novel, this time set on an island of magical greenhouses. Our main character Terlu (who was formerly a statue) wakes up and finds a home there. But the magic that keeps the greenhouses running is starting to fail. To prevent this, and the death of all of the plants, Terlu must help the grumpy gardener in residence.

Whilst I didn’t find this as endearing as The Spellshop, I do love that Durst has continued to write in this world. She has a lovely way of writing and manages to create magical little worlds for the reader to enjoy. When I need a break from the real world, this is exactly the kind of book I turn to for comfort.

This book has humour, a sweet and shy male love interest and an array of sentient plants. If you liked The Spellshop, I’m sure that you’ll love returning to the world in this new novel.

This book was such a cozy and wonderful time!
In this book we follow Terlu as after she wakes from being a wooden statue, following her illegal use of magic. She finds herself in an island full of enchanted greenhouses and devoid of people, save from the grumpy gardener that despite his looks is extremely welcoming to her. Terlu will have to decide between having to use magic again to save the island, risking her future again or leave and go back to her family.

Personally I didn’t love the first book in this world so I was quite worried I wasn’t going to love this one, however this had all the aspects I love in a cozy fantasy. First and foremost the romance felt quite realistic and well connected with the rest of the plot. I really enjoyed both of our main characters and I loved the discussions happening at the end of the book revolving around family. Personally I loved the magic system and I was so excited to see all the new creatures, especially Emeral. But most of all I loved the sentient plants. If there was one thing I loved from book one, it would be Caz, so not only I loved to find out Terlu’s story, but I loved seeing all the new plants in action, they were all so lovely.
I would definitely recommend this book, it’s cozy, comforting and the romance, friendships and character growth were great to follow.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc copy in exchange for an honest review.

I've been a fan of Sarah Beth Durst since I impulse bought a copy of Queen of Blood at a Dutch train station about a decade ago, and I was absolutely delighted to get an ARC of the Enchanted Greenhouse. It did not disappoint.

The Enchanted Greenhouse is the story of Terlu, the librarian who was turned into a wooden statue as punishment for making Caz, the spider plant from the spellshop, sentient. She wakes up years later on an island inhabited by one gardener looking after a collection of failing greenhouses... She decides to help, and together they slowly try to restore the enchanted greenhouses to their former glory.

This book was properly cosy, the setting was beautiful, the main characters were lovely and real, and I adored all of the plants! Terlu is an enthusiastic extrovert who tries to befriend everyone in sight, while Yarrow is a grumpy and introverted gardener who is kind to his core. Their romance is sweet, subtle, and believable.

I don't know, this book just really really worked for me. Cosy books where the cosy tone doesn't really match the plot are a bit of a pet peeve for me, and Durst knows how to get the balance just right. This will probably end up being the kind of comfort read I pick up again and again when I need a hug in book form! If you like cosy books, this is a good one :)

Many thanks to PanMacmillan Tor for letting me read an eARC of this through Netgalley. I really loved it!

sarahbethdurst is amazing in writing cute and super cozy fantasy stories, with relatively low stakes but still an interesting story!

I like the main characters Terlu (FMC) and Yarrow (MMC) and how flawed, familiar and still just so wholesome they are. They feel very familiar and comfortable in a good way. There development and arc progression is also very well written. The only thing I might have appreciated if their romance was a tiny bit more development.

Then another character that got my heart, Lotti (a talking rose), even tough book 1 literally had a talking plant as a main character too and this book is about an enchanted greenhouse, this surprised me a lot (way more then it should hahahaha), but I do like it. And her family also made the book complete.

Another thing I appreciated in this book is the world building, it is very on point and easy to follow.

So if you are looking for a sweet story that still gives you all the feelings, then this is the one for you!

Thank you so so much panmacmillan and netgalley for providing me with an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I like a cozy fantasy. I really do. But honestly, this book might have been too cozy even for my taste, and reading it felt like I was reaching my breaking point with this genre.

This is a companion novel to The Spellshop, Sarah Beth Durst's previous book. While you technically don’t need to read the first one to enjoy The Enchanted Greenhouse, some characters and events do carry over from The Spellshop. The Enchanted Greenhouse tells the story of Terlu, a former librarian who once used magic illegally, creating the sentient plant Kaz (whom we met in the previous book). As punishment, Terlu was turned into a statue – but after several years, she awakens on a mysterious island. There, she discovers an enchanted greenhouse, a charming gardener named Yarrow, and even more sentient plants.

As someone who loves greenhouses, botanical gardens, and all things plant-related, the setting and premise were a definite win for me. I really enjoyed that aspect of the book. That said, I found the stakes even lower than in the first installment, with the plot largely revolving around saving the greenhouse. To be honest, it felt a bit too light on plot to justify its 400-page length.

What stood out most positively for me was Terlu as a character. It was refreshing to see a librarian who breaks away from the typical introverted, bookish stereotype. Terlu is extroverted, thrives on human connection, and genuinely struggles with the isolation of her previous job. She is also very sensitive which makes her often insecure. It was truly lovely to witness her gaining confidence and coming alive through her connection with Yarrow, as well as through her interactions with the other sentient plants – especially Lotti the rose.

On the other hand, there’s Yarrow. I have to admit, he’s a bit more fleshed out than the male lead in the previous book. But again, he’s almost too perfect – kind, thoughtful, talented, handsome. He’s only mildly insecure, and even that doesn’t really affect his relationship with Terlu. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it does make the romance feel a bit idealized.

Speaking of romance, it’s a very slow burn. Terlu and Yarrow take their time getting to know each other, which I actually appreciated. It felt natural and earned, even if it took a while to get there.

Overall, if you love plant magic, charming settings, and low-stakes fantasy, you might enjoy this one. The Enchanted Greenhouse is a warm, relaxing read – perfect for when you’re in the mood for something gentle and comforting.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for approving me to read this, I’m rating it between 4.25 - 4.5 stars rounded to 5.

This is a lovely cosy fantasy that really pulled me into my cottage core era. The use of botany and magic is truly beautiful and the art work at the top of chapters.

The plot kicks us off at a point where two characters become unlikely allies and it’s definitely not plain sailing. The use of plants, new and mythical creatures and the complexity of the island is magical. The threats faced in this book really draw the characters together and I loved seeing them work towards a common goal after everything they’ve been through. I really need to read more books with this vibe.

This was a lovely follow up to The Spell Shop - both of them are very much the definition of 'cosy' and are really engaging, easy reads! The only reason I gave this three stars is that there were a few points and specific lines which felt quite repetitive. Although there is a good chance that this is because it isn't the final version yet, so I didn't let it cloud my judgement too much! Overall I still loved it, I thought the characters felt fully fleshed out and despite some inklings of the miscommunication trope (which I usually dislike), it felt like it naturally slotted into the plot and was in-line with the characters' personalities. I think you have to be in a specific mood to read this, definitely if you're looking for something cute and easy - I would recommend!

Thank you Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for an early copy of The Enchanted Greenhouse.

I was so happy to get to know Terlu's story.
This book was approved when I was at my worst mentally and I'm happy it was because gosh the story was so sweet and whimsical and heartwarming.
It helped me heal and relax and escape.

I totally recommend to read it under the blanket during a rainy day.

Cosy cottagecore fantasy is my happy place. This was such a beautiful read and Durst has such a way of writing characters you root so hard for. I adored The Spellshop (and Caz) (so much) and we got even more in this one.

I felt for Terlu so much. I just wanted to hug her and be her friend. After everything the woman went through so she wouldn’t feel lonely, just to be punished so harshly.

But with Yarrow, the plants and the greenhouse, she gets her happily ever after. Durst is an auto-buy author for me now, for sure.

Sarah Beth Durst has done it again!

Thank you PanMacmilan and Netgalley for providing me with an early copy to review!

If you're looking for the perfect cosy fantasy read for those "let's grab a coffee and read under a blanket" kind of days, this is the book for you.

Set in the same world as The Spellshop we are taken on a cosy adventure that will make you feel everything: the smell of the books and the pastries, the flowers, the sweet scent in the air...

I loved the concept of the greenhouses in the island - I thought it was a very original setting and they're full of surprises too!

Sarah has done something incredibly well again and that is make the connections and interactions between characters believable, heartfelt and most of all: warm.

This was such a feel good book, and another masterpiece created by Sarah, I hope she keeps creating these magical worls in subsequent books!

Cute cozy fantasy based in the same world as The Spellshop, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Terlu is Caz' creator who met with a hideous fate, but is granted a second chance on a nearly abandoned island with a humongous enchanted greenhouse.
Even though I found Terlu's inner monologues a tad repetitive and the pacing was a tad off in the middle, there are sentient plants galore! And tiny dragons, another winged cat and lots and lots of delicious food descriptions, so I really didn't mind.
Centering around loneliness, second chances and finding your purpose, there are some lovely supportive interactions between the characters. The ending was so lovely and wholesome.
But what I loved most was the world building of the greenhouses and all the magical creatures and plants within.
An enjoyable, uplifting read, I look forward to what comes next. (please let it be Marin!)
Thanks to Pan Macmillan and Netgalley for the arc, all thoughts are my own and left voluntarily.

The follow up I didn't know I needed, yet I loved it just as much as the first book.
This time we meet Caz's creator Terlu, and it's such a sad start to her story but fortunately she is delivered to Yarrow and the enchanted greenhouse where she finds her purpose.
I loved the characters, especially Lotti, and the whole aesthetic was just gorgeous, charming and full of hope. The relationship between Terlu and Yarrow is so wonderful, it's slow and built on mutual respect as well as a growing attraction.
There's so much imagination painted across the pages, we discover many delights including the ocean room, the dreaming room and the room full of sentient plants!

Das Buch „The Enchanted Greenhouse“ von Sarah Beth Durst umfasst 384 Seiten und ist im Verlag Pan Macmillan erschienen. Es spielt in der gleichen Welt wie „The Spellshop“ und fühlt sich wie schon die erste Geschichte, wie eine warme, gemütliche Decke an, in die man sich einkuscheln und nicht wieder auftauchen möchte.

Die Hauptfigur Terlu Perna ist schon aus dem ersten Buch bekannt, auch wenn sie dort nicht selbst in Erscheinung getreten ist. Ihr haben wir die wundervolle sprechende Pflanze Caz zu verdanken. Dies ist die Geschichte davon, was aus seiner Schöpferin geworden ist, nachdem diese illegale Nutzung von Magie ans Licht gekommen ist.

Für mich ist „The Enchanted Greenhouse“ ein Roman, den man schwer beschreiben kann, den man einfach selbst erleben muss. Der Schreibstil ist malerisch, blumig, gemütlich, manches mal vielleicht ein wenig zu ausschweifend, aber darauf muss man sich eben einlassen. Die Figuren sind liebenswert, eigen, aber mit dem Herzen am rechten Fleck. Die Reise der Charaktere - zueinander und im Verlauf der leichten, abenteuerlichen Handlung - ist wunderschön und hinterlässt Seite für Seite ein wohliges, warmes Gefühl. Wieder ein fantastisches Buch der Autorin, zu dem ich nicht zum letzten Mal gegriffen habe - vielen Dank für dieses fantastische Erlebnis!

I needed this cozy, cottagecore, feel-good, hopeful, relatable fantasy.

Terlu created a sentient spider plant, to keep her company in the empty stacks of the Great Library of Alyssium. This illegal act of magic by a librarian sentences her to being turned into a statue.. that is until she awakens six years later back in flesh on an island where there are magical greenhouses with every kind of plant.

She doesn’t know why she is there, but the lone shy, grumpy gardener seems to think she was sent to fix the failing magic on the island despite the fact she is not a sorcerer.

We have a winged cat, a sassy, talking rose called Lotti, an ex-librarian who cannot be alone and feels like she is too much for everyone, and a shy gardener who is the only one left looking after enchanted greenhouses and magical plants (and tiny dragons). Also, he is a VERY good cook and baker.

<b>”What do you call a bee that’s been put under a spell?” Lotti asked.
Terlu raised her eyebrows at the little rose.
“Bee-witched.”
“No,” Yarrow said.</b>

I much preferred this to The Spellshop. The plot was more compelling (even if it was just trying to fix the greenhouses and dealing with sentient talking (and singing) plants. The characters and their desires, fears, interactions felt more authentic and relatable.
It felt more wholesome and satisfying.

<b>She’d tried so hard for so long to be friendly, to make friends, to be useful, to please, and she’d been told so often: Stop trying so hard. You try too hard.
</b>
This was soft and low-stakes and perfect for a book to binge in one sitting after finishing all my exams!

It did feel repetitive as the inner monologue is repeated and the uncertainties of Terlu are referred to again and again with such similar words.
There is growth though!

One thing that did make me raise my eyebrows (if you want zero spoilers, skip the next paragraph - nothing major) - at one point, they were running out of oxygen and they decide to light a fire? Ummmm…

You don’t have to have read The Spellshop to read this. This actually takes part before and then alongside that book’s timeline. You get Easter Eggs to The Spellshop, but nothing that would mean missing out on this one.

<b> “Then we’d be statues together.” He’d moved closer, only inches away. “They’d have to make a double pedestal for both of us, because I won’t let go.”</b>

Arc gifted by Tor.

This book was very cute, if you enjoyed the spellshop or other cosy book series you will probably like this. There is magic, talking plants and so many cosy vibes. The book is a litte slow, although lovely and meaningful, it does take a while to get going, so good for those that enjoy the slower paced cosy books.

Sarah Beth Durst has a beautiful way of describing the world and the environments to the reader and you really get a beautiful picture in your head of the world the characters are currently in.

I enjoyed the book and I agree with other reviewers, I would have loved recipes at the end, reading this book made me hungry every time food was mentioned!

Thank you for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

DNF at 30% – Disappointed, unfortunately.

I read and enjoyed the first book in this series (a solid 3.5 stars from me) for its light cozy fantasy vibes, gentle romance subplot, and likable characters with fun banter. So I was hopeful going into The Enchanted Greenhouse, expecting more of the same charm set in a familiar, whimsical world.

Unfortunately, this second book fell flat for me. While it shares the same world as the first book and follows a character connected to the original cast, it lacks the spark and pacing that made the first book enjoyable. The premise was promising, but the execution just didn’t land.

The plot moved at a glacial pace; pages and pages went by with almost nothing happening. That made it incredibly hard to connect with the FMC, or even form a clear sense of who she is, since we barely see her do anything. Without action or meaningful character interaction, the story felt lifeless. The whimsical, cozy magic that drew me into the first book was nowhere to be found in the part I read.

I DNF’d at 30% because I simply wasn’t engaged, and nothing compelled me to keep turning the pages. While I appreciate the gentle tone and the attempt to expand the universe, this entry lacked momentum, character depth and that spark of charm I’d hoped for.

Two stars for the premise and pleasant writing style, but sadly this just didn’t work for me.

DNF at 40%
This just wasn’t the book for me.
I found it to be too slow going and with only two (human) characters I didn’t particularly love either of them so didn’t have anything spurring me on to read more.
I was really looking forward to this book and unfortunately it’s just not my kind of book.
I think the writing style and story really will be great for loads of people and the plant characters will really draw people in.

I received this book as an ARC and provide an honest review