Like other reviewers who read ​The Lost Apothecary I was excited for Penner’s next book. The title and cover intrigued me enough to pick it up without a second thought. 
   I noticed the goodreads rating dropping and was confused because the first few chapters were so good. As the book progressed, I started understanding. Never question my goodreads friends (ha).

This is a GREAT idea, but unfortunately was executed poorly. The story felt like it never moved along. About half way-ish the storyline started repeating. Moments that should have been ‘ah-ha’ were duds. There are a handful of piddly editing situations that annoyed me in regards to the storyline, that I won’t get into here.

The relationship between teacher and student. Annoying. The relationship between Morley and Evie, annoying. The sister’s relationship, not solid. Honestly, all the relationships felt halfway done. I wasn’t able to believe anything I was reading. I was not able to feel or connect to the characters. 
     The ‘twist’ at the end, who cares. It felt lazy. I know people were thinking they weren’t expecting it, and I wasn’t, so I’ll give the author that. But again, I got a lazy impression. Who killed Evie isn’t really the point of the story. It doesn’t really ‘matter’, did it?
     It was a frustrating book/story because there was so much potential to be interesting. I feel I’m being kind with my 2.5, rounded up to 3, star rating. 
    I can sadly not recommend this book to my fellow readers. Penner has talent and I’m excited for her next book, which I hope she can bring some of the apothecary magic to.