This Ain’t No Walgreens

BOOK REPORT for The Apothecary by Maile Meloy
Cover Story: Classic
BFF Charm: Make It Rain
Swoonworthy Scale: 5
Talky Talk: Old-Fashioned Adventure
Bonus Factors: Magic Potions, Espionage, Illustrations
Relationship Status: Whirlwind Romance

Cover Story: Classic

We already know that you can make something cool by putting a bird on it, but this cover is so much more than a hipster cliche. I love the old school style, which beautifully captures important elements of the book. This cover is the reason why book frames should be invented, because it needs to be on my wall STAT.

The Deal:

After moving from Los Angeles to London in 1952 so her parents can escape the Hollywood blacklist, Janie Scott wants nothing more than to fit in. Fortunately, the exact opposite happens when she meets Benjamin Burrows, wannabe spy and son of the local apothecary. After his father hands him a book of magical potions seconds before mysterious Germans break into their house, Benjamin and Janie embark on a series of fantastical escapades involving invisibility elixirs, atom bombs and a charming pickpocket named Pip.

BFF Charm: Make It Rain

Y'all, I might break the BFF bank with all of the charms I'm dishing out for this book. First, one for Janie, the smart and courageous narrator of the book. She's an ordinary girl who lands in an extraordinary situation, and her loyalty and compassion make her a brilliant heroine. And then there's Benjamin, brave and impulsive and whimsical and just utterly adorable. Even the mean girl in the story, Sarah Pennington, gets a charm, because she's like Regina George with a touch more heart. And I saved the best for last: a charm for Sergei, the Russian kid who desperately needs a friend (I WILL TOTALLY BE ON THE SCIENCE TEAM WITH YOU, SERGEI) and one for Pip, the most charming street urchin in literary history. A bold statement, I know, but Pip is THAT great.

Swoonworthy Scale: 5

When they first meet, Janie is instantly drawn to Benjamin, and I can see why. First, his name is Benjamin Burrows. That's an awesome name. Second, he's half nerd, half rebel, so he'll go from bucking the school authority to inviting Janie to play chess in the park. Keeping in line with the 1950s tone of the book, the romance is delightful and innocent, but with compelling emotion behind it. Besides, you'll be so busy catching yr breath after each madcap adventure, you won't even have TIME to think about kissing.

Talky Talk: Old-Fashioned Adventure

I ADORED the style of this book. Each page danced with magic and excitement, while the overall tone made me feel like I was re-reading one of my favorite classics. Meloy's writing is straightforward, compelling and wonderfully vintage, and her words expertly lured me into a world that I can't wait to visit again.

Bonus Factor: Magic Potions

So Benjamin's dad would scold me for calling them "magic," because as any good apothecary knows, it's really just a matter of science. But these potions can make you invisible! Or force you to tell the truth! Or turn you into a bird!! THAT IS MAGICAL. And also something I wished I'd learned in high school chemistry.

Bonus Factor: Espionage

There is all kinds of crazy spy shizz in this book, and I ate it up LIKE CANDY. Or, ok, like a candy martini. The 1950s setting provides a rich web of international and political intrigue, and I had a blast getting caught up in it.

Bonus Factor: Illustrations

As you can already guess from the cover, Ian Schoenherr's drawings amplify the old-fashioned feel of the book as they whimsically frame the first page of each chapter.

Casting Call:

Hailee's definitely got the pluck and the heart to play Janie.

Hailee Steinfeld as Janie

He'd have to dye his hair sandy blonde, but I think Skandar's classic boyish charm would be perfect for Benjamin.

Skandar Keynes as Benjamin

Relationship Status: Whirlwind Romance

I know this book and I just met, but it feels like we've known each other for ages. For our first date, it whisked me away on an incredible adventure and left me breathless and aching for more. But this isn't just the adrenaline talking. This book is solid and comforting, and I can tell that our magic together will last through re-reads and, of course, the sequel. THERE IS A SEQUEL, RIGHT?!

FTC Full Disclosure: I received my review copy from Penguin. I received neither money nor cocktails for this review (dammit!). The Apothecary is available October 4.