The Accidental Alchemist (An Accidental Alchemist Mystery, 1)

Okay, The Accidental Alchemist is basically like wrapping yourself in a big cozy sweater on a rainy day and curling up with a warm mug of tea (which is fitting, because this book has a lot of tea, a tad too much—both literally and figuratively). I totally loved the atmosphere. The little town in Portland, where the story unfolds, feels like something out of a fairytale—charming, a little quirky, and totally inviting. It’s the kind of small town that makes you want to pack up your things and move into a book. The mystery itself is gentle and dreamy, more about vibes than high-stakes drama, and honestly, I was here for it. It felt like a return to the basics: curious clues, unusual friendships, and a little bit of magical intrigue. But the two absolute standouts for me were the narrator of the audiobook and the characters, especially Dorian, the French-speaking, culinary genius. Zoey, with all her kindness, healing alchemy, softness and wisdom, is a relatable lead who’s easy to root for. Everyone else just rounds it out like a perfect little postcard from a world you want to visit again. If you're in the mood for something comforting, whimsical, and gently magical, this book will charm your socks off.