October 7, 2024
Determined to run her family’s old apothecary one day, Black plant witch Sage Bishop spends her time trying to invent the perfect tonic to put Bishop Brews on the map. When competitors start drawing away customers, however, her plans for
the future turn into immediate concerns about the store’s financial stability. A poorly timed and unwelcome distraction arrives after her nana hires Latinx-cued Ximena Reyes, Sage’s former best friend and first crush. Then someone breaks into Bishop Brews and steals several tonics, including the one Sage has been working tirelessly on—which is then used to wipe the memory of a council member’s child. To avoid being shut down by the sheriff, Sage and Ximena launch an investigation, all the while falling for each other all over again. Page eschews harsh magical creature stereotypes and mixes conversational banter with a cast of relatable and quirky characters to brew a high school sapphic novel with a warm, lighthearted center. Readers will be loath to leave Sage and Ximena’s cozy, close-knit town. Ages 12–up.
November 1, 2024
Two former best friends-turned-crushes in Northern California must push through an awkward reunion to solve a crime and save a classmate. Sage Bishop, 17, has two major problems: Bishop Brews, her family's beloved magical apothecary, is struggling financially thanks to the big-box store competitor that opened in the next town, and her grandmother just hired Ximena Reyes, the ex-bestie who broke Sage's heart by ghosting her after they kissed in middle school. Sage knows the "emotional recovery tonic" she's developing can cure heartbreak and solve her problems. But when a batch she brewed is stolen during a break-in and administered to a local teen, erasing all her memories, Sage (who's "prone to accidentally misbrewed tonics") realizes she must have made another mistake. The town council threatens to close Bishop Brews, and without a counter brew, the tonic's effects on the victim could be permanent. Desperate, Sage reluctantly teams up with Ximena to catch the culprit, and they must confront their own unresolved issues in the process. This story shines brightest in its worldbuilding, which uses plants' aromatherapy properties to explain brewing magic, creating a believable low-fantasy setting. The romance and characters feel fairly one-note, however, and the mystery is straightforward. But those seeking will-they, won't-they drama followed by a happy ending may enjoy this light story. Sage is cued Black, Ximena presents Latine, and the supporting cast is diverse in race and sexuality. A lightly developed cozy fantasy. (coven character list, love tonic recipe)(Fantasy romance. 12-16)
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December 1, 2024
Gr 7 Up-Sage Bishop cannot believe that her grandmother hired her traitorous ex-best-friend, Ximena Reyes, to work at their family's local apothecary. Ximena isn't even a witch. So, it's not surprising to Sage that on their first day working together, disaster strikes, and not only is the apothecary robbed, but someone has also stolen Sage's "misbrewed" heartache tonic. With the threat of the family's business being shut down, Sage agrees to put aside her animosity with Ximena and work together to figure out who is responsible for the theft. Readers will enjoy how debut author Page handles Ximena and Sage's relationship, keeping their love for each other in focus even when they are arguing and can't seem to find common ground. This title has a cozy atmosphere, and the whodunit mystery, while a bit predictable, will keep readers engaged as they follow the clues to find out exactly how events played out. The worldbuilding and magic system are a perfect match to the cozy magical realism of the small tourist town of Blackclaw, and the side characters add a lot of charm to the setting. VERDICT This tale of a misbrewed potion is great for any YA collection where magical realism, sapphic, and witchy titles are already popular.-Jolie Hanlon
Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
December 1, 2024
Grades 7-12 Sage Bishop spends most of her free time working, but she doesn't mind. Her coven owns a business called Bishop Brews, where generations of Bishops have made magical tonics--and where Sage has every intention of working forever. Unfortunately, the business' most recent hire, Ximena, is making things quite uncomfortable in her family's store. Sage's ex-best friend and first crush, Ximena proves to be as disconcerting as ever, and a moment of panic leads to a stolen tonic that accidentally erases the memory of the daughter of a wealthy local councilman. Complicated by the mysterious, widespread diminishing of magical powers in Blackclaw Valley and despite her many misgivings, Sage has no choice but to team up with Ximena. They need to figure out who stole the tonic and why, hopefully in time to save Bishop Brews from being shut down by the angry powers that be. The history inherent in a second-chance romance allows for exploration of deep feelings; the romance is gentle and authentic, witty and sweet. A wonderfully warm, witchy mystery full of cozy, atmospheric details.
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