📕 Title: Wildflower
✏️ Author: Becky Jenkinson
📖 Genre: Fantasy
⭐ Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
✅ Standalone Novel

Magical florist Felicity “Fliss” Farrow was cursed from birth to always tell the truth. When she receives an anonymous request for a rare flower, one not easily acquired, she finds assistance from an unlikely person—Willoh Vane, an outcast sorcerer rumored to have corrupted the northern forest. Fliss fears the flowers she’s delivered are intended for a sinister purpose. But when her warnings are ignored, it’s up to her and Will to save the kingdom from disaster, and ultimately discover what Fliss has sought for so long—the truth.

REVIEW
Thank you Del Rey for the advance copy of this book!

Wildflower is a standalone, single POV fantasy written in first person, with cozy vibes and a queer normative world. I think this is shelved with adult fantasy, but felt more like upper YA or NA; there is suggestive language but no explicit scenes. This book included an accessible text description of the accompanying fantasy map illustration.

I absolutely loved this book and the characters, and it is easily one of my favorite books that I’ve read this year. Fliss is a protagonist who is easy to root for, and the author seamlessly wove flower references into the prose, emphasizing Fliss’ florist profession and strong connection to her plant based magic. Her story deals with themes of acceptance, as she feels estranged from her community due to their apprehension about her curse.

While the stakes initially felt low, I was still invested in the story from the beginning given the unknown origins of Fliss’ curse and the mysterious plant requests. The stakes ramp up as the story unfolds, becoming a real page turner as these secrets are uncovered and truths revealed. The worldbuilding is limited to the kingdom that Fliss lives in, and the magic system is on the softer side with less defined rules.

The romantic relationship between Fliss and Will was so much fun, especially the banter! Willoh was such an intriguing character and I loved his character arc, especially how both he and Fliss both feel estranged from their community and find acceptance in their relationship. I also liked the friendship arc between Fliss and Card.

I recommend this book for fans of the Emily Wilde series and Ella Enchanted.