Book Review: The Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth Durst

I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.

The Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth Durst

Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Genre: Fantasy, Romance

Series: Book 2 of The Spellshop

Publisher: Bramble (July 15, 2025)

Length: 384 pages

I was so excited when I found out about Sarah Beth Durst’s plans for a companion novel to The Spellshop. A return to the world of one of my favorite books with a new cozy tale of magic and romance? Yes, please! Of course, you can still dive in if you are a newcomer, but those familiar with the first book will recognize the parable of Terlu Perna, a researcher at the Great Library of Alyssium who was turned into a statue for her use of unsanctioned magic. But she whose name was once just a cautionary tale now gets to have her own story of second chances and redemption in The Enchanted Greenhouse.

It begins with the crime and its punishment. A dejected but not entirely regretful Terlu is found guilty of illegally casting a spell to bring a spider plant to life (Caz!) and is sentenced to imprisonment as a statue. For how long, she doesn’t know, but she is only vaguely aware of time passing while her consciousness was locked into her wooden form. Then one day, light! And air! Terlu suddenly finds herself freed and back in her flesh form, but her surroundings are completely alien to her. She’s cold, confused, and all alone on a frigid little island, and all she can see around her are what appears to be a number of greenhouses containing dozens upon dozens of colorful and exotic plant species.

Soon, however, Terlu meets the island’s sole inhabitant, and apparently the one who had set her free. Yarrow, the taciturn caretaker of the greenhouses, was somehow under the impression that Terlu could help him restore the magic needed to maintain his plants, becoming disappointed when he learns she’s not who he thought she was. Still, he offers her sanctuary and promises to keep her presence a secret from the authorities, and in turn, Terlu resolves to help him figure out why the magic on the island is failing. After all, she is a librarian, and there’s no problem that can’t be tackled with a little research, some resourcefulness, and a lot of persistence—even if it means breaking the law again.

In true cozy romantasy fashion, The Enchanted Greenhouse gives our characters a second chance to find purpose, community, and perhaps even love. The focus of the narrative isn’t on conflict, and if there are any tensions at all, they lie in the smaller, more personal challenges. And it’s impossible not to be charmed here. Durst has an impressive stylistic range, mastering any genre with confidence and ease. Every book I’ve read by her has showcased a different strength, and she glides like a pro into this one, fully embracing the warmth and comfiness without sacrificing the emotions.

Speaking of which, the romance between Terlu and Yarrow is appropriately slow-burn, and awkward in all the cutest ways. Imagine two people with complicated pasts, both afraid of letting their feelings out because they have been hurt before. Calling it chemistry doesn’t feel right, exactly—maybe more of a stable equilibrium that’s constantly in balance, deepening slowly through shared kindness and purpose.

That said, The Enchanted Greenhouse is not without its flaws. The lighter plot is a doubled-edged sword, delivering a low-stakes experience that readers can kick back and relax with, but at times the pacing does grow too sluggish, especially when for the longest time it’s just Yarrow and Terlu on the island (the talking plants don’t really count when they are mostly there for comic relief and whimsy). Yarrow can sometimes be too impassive, leaving Terlu to do the heavy lifting when it comes to relationship dynamics. This might be why, despite sharing a world with The Spellshop, this installment doesn’t quite deliver the same emotional impact. Where The Spellshop featured a strong narrative hook riding on richer interactions with outside forces, The Enchanted Greenhouse focuses more on waging quiet internal battles with deep-seated doubts related to isolation and unresolved familial tensions.

And yet, I still love this world which continues to feel lived-in and full of vivid characters and wondrous magic. Despite it being slower and having slightly less of a pull than The Spellshop, The Enchanted Greenhouse offers a cozy, introspective return to a familiar and beloved setting. If you want to enjoy a low-key afternoon reading about the joys of small moments and personal growth, I recommend this gentle fantasy with a big heart.

More on the BiblioSanctum:
Review of The Spellshop (Book 1)