Quick 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 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.

Song This Reminds Me Of – Wildflowers by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers

Publication Date – June 16, 2026

Bookshop Link – Wildflower by Becky Jenkinson

Content Notes – There is blood, violence, and bullying. There are queer characters in this story, but no homophobia or other related bigotry.

Spicy Rating – 🌶️

Overall Rating – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of 5

Review – Did you like Ella Enchanted (the movie)? Then you will like this book. I loved that movie and this book invoked the same feeling. Fliss is cursed to always tell the truth (kind of like Ella had to always follow orders). Sure, she finds creative ways to try to stall or phrase the truth in kind ways, but it’s kind of hard making friends when you have to be honest about everything. Fliss is a lonely character; she really only has her best friend Card and his fiancé Prince Bash. When the flower shop she owns gets several orders for mysterious flowers, Fliss sees this as her chance for adventure.

The magic in this world was well thought out and explained as either having an innate ability or an ability to learn. For Fliss, she has an affinity for plants. She can coax out the feelings out of plants. Each chapter had hand drawn flower diagrams with their meanings. I loved this little detail, floriography is a side hobby of mine and this just really tied the book together for me. I think this is like an enemy to lover’s light book. It’s more like town nuisance, ex-best friend of Prince Bash, to lovers’ book.

Fliss and Willoh are such a cute couple. I liked their snark and back and forth. I loved that Willoh never tried to take advantage of her inability to tell a lie. He truly listened to how hard and lonely it was for her because no one could trust her with a secret. Even her best friend, Card, occasionally takes advantage of her. The story evolves from Fliss and Willoh collecting rare flowers to going on an adventure to figure out who wants these flowers. Fliss and Willoh also have a really compelling combined back story. Also, they have a wonderful f it and let’s kiss moment.

I truly think this author might be an autobuy for me. I loved this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.