Hothouse Flower and the Nine Plants of Desire

Berwin's novel combines elements of chick-lit and magical realism. After an unpleasant divorce, New York career woman Lily Nova is looking for something different. Seduced by a local green grocer--as much by his good looks as his exotic plants--Lily has no idea she's about to be catapulted into an adventure of magic, danger, and romance in the far-flung rainforests of Mexico. Cassandra Campbell's jaunty narration brings all the qualities of a fun summer read to this nosegay of a novel. Campbell creates a heroine with pluck and verve whose quest to uncover the nine plants of desire becomes a metaphor for tending to the right things in one's life. D.G. (c) AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine

Starred review from February 16, 2009
Berwin delivers a bangup debut packed with adventure, betrayal, love and, naturally, rare plants. New York ad woman Lila Nova, increasingly disillusioned with her job and the city, becomes enchanted by David Exley, a handsome guy selling plants at a green market. Soon, she's hooked on him, and her budding fascination with tropical plants leads her to a Laundromat that has a rare fern displayed in the window. Proprietor Armand quickly befriends Lila and gives her a trimming from the fern to take home, telling her if it forms roots, he'll show her the nine special plants he keeps in the back room. When Exley sees the fern trimming, Lila tells him about Armand's special plants, and soon the plants have been stolen and Exley has disappeared. Armand guilts Lila into coming to Mexico with him to find replacement plants, and there's magic, romance, greenery and greed as Lila and Armand venture through the Yucatan, hooking up with potential love-interest Diego and running into the devious Exley. It's a fun page-turner—escapist and wonderfully entertaining.