“Bita Behzadi has crafted a complex, layered world full of clever characters and a story that smoothly balances between cozy charm and real stakes. Steeped in magic and heartfelt romance, you don’t have to be a mage to sense that Letters from the Last Apothecary will hold readers under its spell!”
– Emily Krempholtz, USA Today bestselling author of Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore
“An utterly immersive world of clever magic. . . This warm and dazzling debut captures the perfect balance of scholarship and passion, pining and payoff, cozy mornings in an enchanting greenhouse and a mystery with deadly consequences.” – S. A. MacLean, bestselling author of The Phoenix Keeper
“Timely and charming, Letters from the Last Apothecary is a romance that beats with mischief—with clever commentary on the consequences of industrialization. Behzadi’s precise wit goes hand-in-hand with her capacity to craft chemistry.” – Cass Biehn, author of Vesuvius
“Letters from the Last Apothecary beckons readers into a charming world of subtle magic, slow burn romance, and lovably flawed characters. I adored watching Reid and Josie’s relationship develop through heartfelt letters and workplace misunderstandings. A delightful and multifaceted story about love, family, and belonging from a talented new voice in historical fantasy.” – M. Stevenson, author of Behooved
“Letters from the Last Apothecary is romantic fantasy at its very best—smart, passionate, and refreshingly charming. Written with enchanting earnestness, Behzadi deftly balances the slow-burn tension of mistaken identity with the irresistible clashing of tenacious minds and vulnerable hearts. An elegantly crafted, standout debut.” – K. M. Fajardo, author of Local Heavens
“Letters From the Last Apothecary is charming and intimate, with the semi-epistolary format expertly crafted to weave together one of the most beautiful love stories I’ve read in a long time. Add in the compelling immigrant narrative, inventive magic system, and lush setting, and I was spellbound from beginning to end.” – S. Hati, author of The Carousel of Forgotten Places
“A sly, charming delight of a book. By turns cozy, magical, and mischievous, Letters from the Last Apothecary is also razor-sharp in its insights about everything from industrialism to the vicissitudes of the heart. I couldn’t put it down.” – Jamie Pacton, bestselling author of The Absinthe Underground and Homegrown Magic
“Love letters, a murder mystery, and gangsters, oh my! Behzadi invokes a fantastical industrial era city that comes alive in a clash of magic, technology, and social progress—our lovers and their dreams and prejudices caught in the middle of it all. Vivid and atmospheric, you’ll taste the smog and feel the yearning!” – Eli Snow, author of The Divine Gardener’s Handbook
“Letters from the Last Apothecary is an enchanting debut that tugged on my heartstrings and had me squealing at each secret letter and lingering look. With a mix of slow burn romance, deftly woven magic, and a touch of mystery, it’s the perfect read for fans of Divine Rivals and Emily Wilde, and anyone looking for a delightful historical fantasy to dive into. I can’t wait for whatever Bita Behzadi writes next.” – Kalie Reid, author of The Sacred Space Between
“A beautiful, spellbinding romance that will go down in history as one of the greats. Behzadi writes with such a lyrical voice you almost don’t notice you’re reading at all—you’re living in the world she creates.” – T.R. Moore, author of The Gods Must Burn
“Letters from the Last Apothecary is a deeply romantic historical fantasy filled with warmth and heart. I was charmed from the first letter between Josie and Reid and loved every page! It’s perfect for fans of Rebecca Ross and India Holton.” – Leslie René author of Maggie and Arthur’s Magic Moment