Tag: magical realism

Book Review: The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Magical Realism
Length: 336 pages
Author: Adrienne Young
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Release Date: October 17th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A woman risks everything to end her family’s centuries-old curse, solve her mother’s disappearance, and find love in this mesmerizing novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Spells for Forgetting.

In the small mountain town of Jasper, North Carolina, June Farrow is waiting for fate to find her. The Farrow women are known for their thriving flower farm—and the mysterious curse that has plagued their family line. The whole town remembers the madness that led to Susanna Farrow’s disappearance, leaving June to be raised by her grandmother and haunted by rumors.

It’s been a year since June started seeing and hearing things that weren’t there. Faint wind chimes, a voice calling her name, and a mysterious door appearing out of nowhere—the signs of what June always knew was coming. But June is determined to end the curse once and for all, even if she must sacrifice finding love and having a family of her own.

After her grandmother’s death, June discovers a series of cryptic clues regarding her mother’sdecades-old disappearance, except they only lead to more questions. But could the door she once assumed was a hallucination be the answer she’s been searching for? The next time it appears, June realizes she can touch it and walk past the threshold. And when she does, she embarks on a journey that will not only change both the past and the future, but also uncover the lingering mysteries of her small town and entangle her heart in an epic star-crossed love.

With The Unmaking of June Farrow, Adrienne Young delivers a brilliant novel of romance, mystery, and a touch of the impossible—a story you will never forget.

WHOA.

I think Adrienne Young has really found her sweet spot in this magical realism/romantic/mystery combination. I love how lyrical they are and that I can’t put them down. I binged listened to this because I was INVESTED.

The mystery absolutely kept me guessing. Some times this time warp books can make my head spin a bit (and while that did happen), I was still able to follow along and get the gist of the subtle magic system at play.

And the romance stole my soul. It felt dangerous and passionate, that consuming I know you and I will protect you. I was here for every moment between them and how things played out on that front.

Another beautiful book. I loved the themes and characters. How fascination can quickly turn deadly and what we’ll do for those we love. 100% recommend it as an audio book too!

Overall audience notes:

  • Magical Realism + Romance/Mystery
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: fade to black
  • Violence: moderate – high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: murder, loss of a loved one, grief depiction

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Book Review: The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie by Rachel Linden

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Rating: ★★★★☆
Audience: Contemporary Fiction / Romance
Length: 352 pages
Author: Rachel Linden
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: August 2nd, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

An uplifting novel about a heartbroken young pie maker who is granted a magical second chance to live the life she didn’t choose. . . . from the bestselling author of The Enlightenment of Bees.

Lolly Blanchard’s life only seems to give her lemons. Ten years ago, after her mother’s tragic death, she broke up with her first love and abandoned her dream of opening a restaurant in order to keep her family’s struggling Seattle diner afloat and care for her younger sister and grieving father. Now, a decade later, she dutifully whips up the diner’s famous lemon meringue pies each morning while still pining for all she’s lost.

As Lolly’s thirty-third birthday approaches, her quirky great-aunt gives her a mysterious gift–three lemon drops, each of which allows her to live a single day in a life that might have been hers. What if her mom hadn’t passed away? What if she had opened her own restaurant in England? What if she hadn’t broken up with the only man she’s ever loved? Surprising and empowering, each experience helps Lolly let go of her regrets and realize the key to transforming her life lies not in redoing her past but in having the courage to embrace her present.

MY HEART.

I’ve been reading a lot of heavier contemporaries lately and they are squeezing my heart for all its worth. This wasn’t initially on my radar and I’m glad I gave it a go because DANG Y’ALL. IT’S SO GOOD.

I loved the magical realism concept. It worked well within the story and allowed for those much needed glimpses into Lolly’s life and history. Each memory sent me into a puddle of emotions and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I loved the exploration of grief, finding your path, choosing love and the hard decisions that can stand in your way.

I did get minorly frustrated with a small aspect (hence the 1/2 star deduction) otherwise. I really have no notes. I usually struggle with books that lean towards fiction over romance and that was absolutely not the case here. I wanted both Lolly’s story and her romantic life to have that happy and satisfying conclusion (which does happen!!). It was beautiful. Highly recommend the audiobook too.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Fiction / Romance
  • Language: light
  • Romance: make-outs
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: parental death (car accident), stroke

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Book Review: Spells for Forgetting by Adrienne Young

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Rating: ★★★★☆
Audience: Magical Realism Mystery + Romance
Length: 352 pages
Author: Adrienne Young
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Release Date: September 27th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A deeply atmospheric story about ancestral magic, an unsolved murder, and a second chance at true love.

Emery Blackwood’s life changed forever the night her best friend was found dead and the love of her life, August Salt, was accused of murdering her. Years later, she is doing what her teenage self swore she never would: living a quiet existence on the misty, remote shores of Saoirse Island and running the family’s business, Blackwood’s Tea Shoppe Herbal Tonics & Tea Leaf Readings.

But when the island, rooted in folklore and magic, begins to show signs of strange happenings, Emery knows that something is coming. The morning she wakes to find that every single tree on Saoirse has turned color in a single night, August returns for the first time in fourteen years and unearths the past that the town has tried desperately to forget.

August knows he is not welcome on Saiorse, not after the night everything changed. As a fire raged on at the Salt family orchard, Lily Morgan was found dead in the dark woods, shaking the bedrock of their tight-knit community and branding August a murderer. When he returns to bury his mother’s ashes, he must confront the people who turned their backs on him and face the one wound from his past that has never healed—Emery.

The town has more than one reason to want August gone, and the emergence of deep betrayals and hidden promises spanning generations threaten to reveal the truth behind Lily’s mysterious death once and for all.

I THINK THIS IS HER BEST.

There was something about this writing style that fit Adrienne Young so perfectly that I had a hard time putting it down. From the first few chapters I was wrapped up in the wildness of Saoirse island and the stories it held.

I did like the multiple points of view. I think it works well for a story like this and gives those extra angles needed to fully understand motives and desires. I do wish there was a touch more from Lily. I had a hard time believing her reasoning behind her choices, but that’s a small complaint compared to how much I loved everything else.

The second chance romance brought the pain. I wanted these two to make up and move forward because I loved them so. They push and pull of that cord that finally snapped between them was everything I want in angst and slowburn style romances.

Mystery wise my inklings were on the right track but I liked that some stuff was still surprising too. I loved the atmosphere and the small town witchy vibes. I wanted a bit more closure in the ending (a personal preference), but otherwise, fantastic. Can’t wait for more.

Overall audience notes:

  • Magical Realism Romance + Mystery
  • Language: a little strong
  • Romance: 2ish scenes; low explicit
  • Violence: med-high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: multiple murders, arson, attempted murder, blackmail, loss of a parent(s) (recounted), grief depiction

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Book Review: Cupid’s Compass (The Soulmate Seekers Series #1) by Ashley Weiss

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Magical Realism
Length: 434 pages
Author: Ashley Weiss
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: June 20th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Some say it’s a blessing. Others swear it’s a curse.
Cupid’s compass is the enchanted tattoo that links soulmates and reveals when they will first meet. Most seekers, such as fifteen-year-old Lacey Baker, are thrilled to wake up to their sealed fate, but not everyone’s future is clear.
Her best friend is cursed by a compass that never moves but she can’t figure out why. Her mother’s soulmate link spontaneously changes, leaving their family in shambles. And Lacey’s soulmate. . . that’s another story.
A city away, Jaylynn Clare has a different problem. After a haunting prediction from a local psychic, her life becomes a high-stakes game of cat and mouse. Promised unavoidable tragedy if she meets her linked partner, she takes it upon herself to run at all costs. But can fate be avoided, or only prolonged?
In a mad dash of love, lies, and long-forgotten curses, seekers across the globe weave together in this heart-wrenching narrative of entangled soulmates.

Thank you to the author for a gifted copy.

UNIQUE CONCEPT.

If you’re looking for a very diverse read with a concept I haven’t heard of, this might be the book for you! I loved the compass idea and how this book looked into MANY types of love situations. From love of a friend, companion, partner, self and more. I enjoyed finding out each person’s story.

There was a looooot of POV’s though. I think I counted 12?? And that really didn’t feel necessary. I feel like the author was trying to make sure we saw every single angle, but it took me awhile to remember who was who and which story line and everything in between.

I liked how short and fast the chapters were. And this isn’t a FANTASY book. More of a urban fantasy + magical realism kind of vibe. I didn’t mind, as I thought it functioned well within the world built around these compasses and the Roman gods. I loooove meddling gods and look forward to hopefully seeing more of them too.

The writing was fantastic. I had set out to read x amount of pages a day, and proceeded to find something continually wanting to pick it up. It was an engaging story and after that ending I NEED ANSWERS.

Overall audience notes:

  • Urban Fantasy / Magical Realism
  • Language: low
  • Romance: Kisses
  • Violence: moderate
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: sexual assault, suicidal thoughts, death of loved ones, a religious cult, self-harm off page, homophobia, emotional abuse

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