Mabel Maplewood The Herbalist's Apprentice

All Lora wants to do is cozy up behind the walls of Wintercap Academy, study to become a herbalism scholar, and find a way to fix the magical mistake that's haunted her for years. But a 'real world' herbalism apprenticeship is compulsory, and she's being sent to Dragon's Nest - a town where it's always autumn and the locals hold some unusual magical beliefs. Arriving to find an empty shop, a missing herbalist, and a gaggle of townsfolk demanding remedies makes her want to run straight back to school. But with help from her new neighbours, a handsome local watchmaker, and the shop's mischievous cat, she might finally start to believe in her own magic. Can Lora solve the mystery and find her place in Dragon's Nest before everything she's come to love drifts away? This standalone cozy fantasy is for you if you enjoy: Small town in perpetual autumnQuirky locals and magical traditionsSweet wholesome romance Mystery of the missing shopkeeperHerbalism and magical maladiesSatisfying cleaning and gardeningDelicious descriptions of foodSelf discovery and second chancesCute cat shop assistant Curl up with a cup of your favourite tea and escape to Dragon's Nest for an afternoon! There are plenty of pastries to go around...