I love it when an aspect of a story sneaks up on you (positively), often when I hunt down regency era novels I read the barest of bone blurbs and go from there. This one I think I saw the author, realized it was not a sexed up story and dove in. The pleasant surprise in this one was the very gradual realization of the lovely heroine Lilly’s faith. The Apothecary’s Daughter by Julie Klassen is about just that… a young lady with a ability to remember everything (is it a gift or a curse). She is unable to let go of the memories of her mother leaving her father, herself and her somewhat slow brother and never looking back. Instead she is left to work at the apothecary with her father something she is exceptional at but wishes to leave behind. 

This story deals with loss, recovery, love… the learning of faults and the ability to turn difficulties into joy. I absolutely love the detail the author goes into in so many aspects of this book, the apothecary, the abilities of the medical practitioner and the rules that govern them, the position of women. Then there is the characters in the story, the landowner’s son with his rash temper, the assistant with his lackadaisical ways, Lilly’s best friend with her generous personality stricken with epilepsy… the list goes on. 

The romance is gentle with three or 4 potential suitors of varying walks of life. But for me, the actual focus of the story was Lilly’s hunt for her missing mother and her search for meaning in a life she feels rather forced into. If you enjoy the era and a good Christian story please try this one on for size. A definite gem in an era of diamonds of the water. 

The Apothecary’s Daughter