The Herbalist's Daughters

About the book

Two women. One hundred years. A family secret. When Mara Ash discovers two cryptic letters hidden among her late mother’s possessions, she is drawn into a mystery that began a century earlier with her great-grandmother Hester — and a love story no one in the family ever spoke of. In 1897, Hester’s search for her missing husband came to an abrupt end. One hundred years later, Mara is facing the cracks in her own marriage when she travels from Australia to the ancient Forest of Dean in England, determined to uncover the truth behind the beautifully illustrated journals, the forgotten letters, and the unknown man who once wrote to Hester. The deeper Mara digs, the more she discovers that her family’s past is tangled with secrets, sacrifice, and choices whose consequences resonate still. But just as the river goddess whispered to Hester to be strong, so she does for Mara. As the ancient forest, the river, and an unexpected new connection begin to work their quiet magic, Mara must ask herself what she is really searching for: the truth about Hester, or the courage to change her own life? The Herbalist’s Daughters is a moving dual-timeline novel of hidden love, family secrets, strong women, and the legacies that shape us. Readers call it: “Deeply engrossing … Beautifully crafted prose.” “Historical fiction, romance, loyalty, mystical elements, and family. A joy to read.” “A story of generations of strong women and sometimes elusive men.” Perfect for readers who enjoy atmospheric historical fiction, dual-timeline family mysteries, emotional women’s fiction, and stories where the past has the power to heal the present.