Title: WildflowerAuthor: Becky Jenkinson
Pages: 352
Publication Date: June 16, 2026
Publisher: Del Rey
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Fantasy
Synopsis:
Cursed from birth to always tell the truth, magical florist Felicity “Fliss” Farrow chooses her words carefully to avoid trouble. But when she receives an anonymous request for a mysterious flower, her search leads her directly into trouble’s path: to Willoh Vane.
Fliss knows the outcast—yet teasingly handsome—sorcerer is rumored to have used dark magic to corrupt the northern forest five years ago. She’s witnessed the resulting feud with Prince Bastion, whom her best friend, Card, is soon to marry. Despite her divided loyalty, Fliss reluctantly accepts Will’s help with gathering rare flowers and finds herself increasingly drawn to him.
As the royal wedding approaches, Fliss fears the flowers she’s delivered are intended for a sinister purpose. But when her warnings are ignored, can she and Will save the kingdom from disaster, and ultimately discover what Fliss has sought for so long—the truth.
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Wildflower was such a charming cozy fantasy filled with flower magic, curses, and a slow-burn romance, but it also has a mystery at its heart that kept me invested from beginning to end. Becky Jenkinson created a unique world that felt whimsical and magical, and I found myself completely drawn into Fliss’s journey. Between the enchanting fantasy elements, the lovable characters, and the romance, this ended up being a really enjoyable read.
Fliss is a bit like Ella in Ella Enchanted. She’s cursed to always tell the truth, which has shaped her entire life in ways both big and small. Watching her navigate the world while carefully choosing every word she says made her feel different from a lot of fantasy heroines. Her insecurities, frustrations, and determination made her easy to connect with, and I love how kind-hearted she is, especially considering how unkind the world has been to her. The supporting cast was also well done, and I liked the friendships that helped shape Fliss’s story. There are some great found family vibes!
The fantasy elements were great, too. The flower magic was creative and unique, and it’s woven well into the worldbuilding, characters, and plot. I loved the idea that flowers could hold meaning and power beyond simply being pretty. And the mystery surrounding the anonymous flower requests and the growing sense that something wasn’t quite right added a bit of mystery to the cozy fantasy elements.
The romance between Fliss and Will was layered and interesting, and they had a lot of chemistry from the start. I especially liked how their relationship changed and developed as Fliss began to realize that Will wasn’t who everyone believed him to be. The more time they spent together, the more their connection grew, and I loved watching them slowly learn to trust each other. Their banter was fun, and there were some lovely and more tender moments. Both characters had spent so much of their lives being misunderstood, and seeing them find someone who truly saw them for who they were was really touching.
Overall, Wildflower was a great blend of fantasy, mystery, friendship, and romance. The magical world of flowers was so unique, and I loved the discussions about flowers and their magical properties almost as much as I liked the characters and love story. Special thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
- found family
- slow burn romance
- quest
“Flowers are more than beauty, my dear. They are messages, stories, dreams, and memories. They can always provide people with hope, and one day, you’ll see just how much they can change lives.”
“The forest is a familiar friend and there’s more than one way to find a path home.”
It has such a pretty cover! Great review!
Thank you!