The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner -> Restarting September 26th, 2022

[Alaina]

In this addictive and spectacularly imagined debut, a female apothecary secretly dispenses poisons to liberate women from the men who have wronged them—setting three lives across centuries on a dangerous collision course

Rule #1: The poison must never be used to harm another woman.

Rule #2: The names of the murderer and her victim must be recorded in the apothecary’s register.

One cold February evening in 1791, at the back of a dark London alley in a hidden apothecary shop, Nella awaits her newest customer. Once a respected healer, Nella now uses her knowledge for a darker purpose—selling well-disguised poisons to desperate women who would kill to be free of the men in their lives. But when her new patron turns out to be a precocious twelve-year-old named Eliza Fanning, an unexpected friendship sets in motion a string of events that jeopardizes Nella’s world and threatens to expose the many women whose names are written in her register.

In present-day London, aspiring historian Caroline Parcewell spends her tenth wedding anniversary alone, reeling from the discovery of her husband’s infidelity. When she finds an old apothecary vial near the river Thames, she can’t resist investigating, only to realize she’s found a link to the unsolved “apothecary murders” that haunted London over two centuries ago. As she deepens her search, Caroline’s life collides with Nella’s and Eliza’s in a stunning twist of fate—and not everyone will survive.

With crackling suspense, unforgettable characters and searing insight, The Lost Apothecary is a subversive and intoxicating exploration of women rebelling against a man’s world, the destructive force of revenge and the remarkable ways that women can save each other despite the barrier of time.

[Kelly]

25% - (view spoiler)[I like that there are three narrators, one for each point of view. So far, not a lot to tell. Caroline's husband is an ass and I'm curious to see what's going to happen in the past. (hide spoiler)]

[Ruthie]

I'll start this probably tomorrow!

[Aly]

I'm starting this after I finish my current audio

[Ruthie]

In response to Kelly's spoiler

(view spoiler)[
Yes I agree about the three narrators also they are really good. And yes I already hate Caroline's husband! I hate all cheaters let's be honest lol

I love it so far! I'm predicting it will be a 5 star for me (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Listening now!

[Alaina]

Aly wrote: "Listening now!"

Are we vibing because I was just about to say that? lol

[Ruthie]

I'm predicting 5 star for this one. I'm loving it. I'm at 41%

[Aly]

Alaina wrote: "Aly wrote: "Listening now!"

Are we vibing because I was just about to say that? lol"

Haha yes vibes!

[Alaina]

Aly wrote: "Alaina wrote: "Aly wrote: "Listening now!"

Are we vibing because I was just about to say that? lol"

Haha yes vibes!"

HAHA yes!

[Kelly]

Ruthie wrote: "I'm predicting 5 star for this one. I'm loving it. I'm at 41%"

Ooh 5stars! So far it's around 3 for me but I hope it'll go up.

[Aly]

Kelly wrote: "25% - [spoilers removed]"

I like the different narrators too!

[Alaina]

25%: (view spoiler)[I guess it's okay so far (lol) and I like the different narrators.. but I'm kind of bored at the same time? Maybe it's because I'm sleepy and my second cup of coffee hasn't kicked in yet. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

25% (view spoiler)[ I hate cheaters and if I were Caroline, I'd divorce his ass and never talk to him again, even if I were pregnant. (Yeah I know that's shitty but fuck that guy lol) (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Kelly wrote: "25% - [spoilers removed]"

Everyone should hate him.. let's be honest lol

[Alaina]

Aly wrote: "25% [spoilers removed]"

UH YEAH, walk away girl.

[Aly]

Alaina wrote: "25%: [spoilers removed]"

Yeah I feel you

[Ruthie]

Alaina wrote: "Aly wrote: "25% [spoilers removed]"

UH YEAH, walk away girl."

(view spoiler)[
yesssssssss!!! no one deserves that. I'm always shocked when I hear ppl stay together after cheating. My husband would be out the door so fast lol (hide spoiler)]

[Ruthie]

Aly wrote: "25% [spoilers removed]"

YES same

[Aly]

50% (view spoiler)[ I don't like that James came after Caroline and isn't respecting her boundaries. Then he blames her for things ugh.
And this Lady telling Nella she better have her poison or she'll report her, fuck that! (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

50%: (view spoiler)[All I see is red flags from these people. Hot damn. Poison them all. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Aly wrote: "50% .."

Yeah, James is weird. He's got to go.

[Ruthie]

James is bad news

(view spoiler)[

and forcing her to be around him after that. I would have sent him away 3,000 ticket aside. That's his money that he chose to unwisely spend (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

75%: (view spoiler)[Oh man, I thought she was going to be arrested right then and there.. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Alaina wrote: "75%: [spoilers removed]"

Same!

[Aly]

75% (view spoiler)[ James has been poisoned! From the eucalyptus spray because he drank it. I don't even feel bad for him, karma bitch! (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Aly wrote: "75% [spoilers removed]"

HAAHA I KNOW RIGHT?

[Ruthie]

75%

(view spoiler)[

I thought she was going to be arrested right there too!! (hide spoiler)]

[Kelly]

I noticed just now that I was reading two books with women acting against "bad men" ahah (this and The Lady Upstairs)

[Alaina]

Kelly wrote: "I noticed just now that I was reading two books with women acting against "bad men" ahah (this and The Lady Upstairs)"

lol oh another br of mine. I can't wait

[Alaina]

100%: (view spoiler)[Okay, wow this one was good and the second half of the book definitely got me more intrigued. Is it weird that I wanted more after it ended? Like more poison. (hide spoiler)]

[Ruthie]

I finished it! I really liked it!

[Aly]

Alaina wrote: "100%: [spoilers removed]"

More poison!

[Aly]

Finished (view spoiler)[ I'm glad that Caroline didn't get back with her husband and that Eliza lived. This definitely got better in the second half (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Aly wrote: "Alaina wrote: "100%: [spoilers removed]"

More poison!"

hehe yes, yes - more poison is good!

[Alaina]

Aly wrote: "Finished [spoilers removed]"

YES. IT. DID.

[Ruthie]

Yes! I loved it!

I actually didn't mind the slow beginning because I had just finished these violent delights which is like knife fights from beginning to end hahah

[Aly]

I thought it was pretty good and would read another book by the author

[Kelly]

75% - (view spoiler)[ lol of course she had her notebook open where she writes how to kill someone with poison... ahah (hide spoiler)]

[Kelly]

Aly wrote: "50%.."

(view spoiler)[Yeah that woman was so entitled! (hide spoiler)]

[Kelly]

87% - (view spoiler)[What the??!? Eliza jumped?? Ok, I didn't expect that (hide spoiler)]

[Kelly]

Finished - (view spoiler)[I can't believe he drank it knowing it was poison, what a dumbass xD I'm glad Caroline figured out what was best for her, I got scared for a second that she wouldn't leave him. (hide spoiler)]

[Kelly]

Ruthie wrote: "Yes! I loved it!

I actually didn't mind the slow beginning because I had just finished these violent delights which is like knife fights from beginning to end hahah"

I agree this was slow at first and it took me a while to get into it but once I was invested it was really good.

[Alaina]

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RESTARTING AUGUST 18TH, 2021

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[Melanie]

25% (view spoiler)[ So far I am really enjoying Nella and Eliza's story lines, but not Caroline's. Honestly wish it was just the historical fiction part right now. (hide spoiler)]

50% (view spoiler)[ Whoa there is a lot of interesting stuff happening! I wonder what is going to happen with this rich lady that went to Nella lol. Also....still don't want Caroline to be in this, but she better not get back together with James. (hide spoiler)]

75% (view spoiler)[ the second half is kind of boring idk. (hide spoiler)]

Finished (view spoiler)[ I am so apathetic about this book. I'm glad Caroline didn't get back with James but like??? I was bored lol. Caroline should have ended up with the librarian tbh. (hide spoiler)]

[Dr. Andy]

25% (view spoiler)[ I wasn't expecting Eliza's POV but I am thoroughly loving Nella and Caroline. I can't wait to see how this will keep going. Also, never heard of mudlarking before, sounds very interesting. (hide spoiler)]

50% (view spoiler)[ Oof I don't trust this rich lady. Making Nella compromise all her values. I can't believe James is coming to London, what a twat. Like bitch you screwed up, give Caroline space. (hide spoiler)]

[Dr. Andy]

75% (view spoiler)[ I don't know why this rich lady thought trusting her servant to dose drinks was smart. Like if you gonna murder someone DONT TELL ANYONE. Gah what an idiot. Not really sad the husband died, cheating asshole. Also what is up with James getting sick. (hide spoiler)]

Finished (view spoiler)[ Omg did Eliza and Nella both survive!?! Please have let them. My theory is that they escaped and together ran that bookstore, wherever it is. I really enjoyed this story! Especially since Caroline decided to chase her passions, but is there really a history degree that's only 9 months!? WHAT. James is a right asshat, I can't believe he intentionally took that shit to get Caroline to feel bad for him. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

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RESTARTING SEPTEMBER 26TH, 2022

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[Jessica]

Ch 1-16 (view spoiler)[ loving this book so far. I like the Nella/ Eliza chapters so much!! And omg when Frederick gave her the motherswort 😠😢 (hide spoiler)]

[Ashlyn]

Chapter 1-2 (view spoiler)[So sad she is on her 10-year anniversary trip without James. Wonder if she is pregnant. (hide spoiler)]