Genre: Urban Fantasy | Mystery
Published: July 2, 2026
Series: The Fae-Bound Apothecary, Book 1
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Audiobook: No
Received From: NetGalley
Blurb
When a magical assassin runs away from her employers, taking over an apothecary in a remote town seems like the perfect cover. Too bad the job listing never mentioned it came with a violent haunting, an evil witch conspiracy, and one (1) annoyingly handsome local vampire hunter, determined to catch her up to no good
Review
I thought this book was intense, but not in a bad way. Juliet, the magical assassin's persona, is witty and intelligent with a sharp tongue. She has a penchant for finding trouble wherever she goes and is just as good at getting out of it. Her character development in this installment of the series is wonderful.
The plot is engaging and lively, and the dark humor was delightful. There isn't a dull moment as Juliet navigates the supernatural and a mystery that upends her hopes of blending in with the locals. The mystery aspect had a "cozy mystery" vibe as the depictions of violence aren't graphic; they definitely won't keep you up at night.
The world-building depicts a quiet, small English town in which everybody knows everybody. There is definitely an undercurrent of darkness and secrets. I can imagine the apothecary shop covered in dust with dilapidated plants.
My only point of contention is with the trope, "From enemies to lovers." I wouldn't have considered this trope if the author hadn't mentioned it in her press kit. This may change in the next book, but there wasn't any indication that Juliet had a romantic interest in anyone. I was expecting a slow-burn romance, but it didn't happen.
I enjoyed this book immensely and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys supernatural cozy mysteries. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in The Fae-Bound Apothecary series.
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