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davianareads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, Rape, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Car accident and Death of parent
lmsully's review against another edition
4.0
“I’ll give you one day at a time, Claire. But remember, I’m thousands of days ahead already.”
blancha's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
happylilkt's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
This was sweet and charming and I enjoyed it.
Heads up there is a little language and some racy intimate scenes that (eventually) fade to black.
This was sweet and charming and I enjoyed it.
Heads up there is a little language and some racy intimate scenes that (eventually) fade to black.
deckanddaughter's review against another edition
5.0
I'm sure many people compare this book to "Practical Magic" and I'm going to let you in on a secret...
It's much, much better.
At least as a book. I love "Practical Magic" the movie, but the book was not very good. Too much going on. Sarah Addison Allen's careful construct of family, sisterhood, romance, and magic into this beautiful web of perfection makes this a book I read over and over and still love it. She nailed it.
Claire's life has been going along just fine since her grandmother passed. She has her creative cooking and doesn't need anyone to lean on because she's too darn tough for that (hah!). Until everything goes sideways. Mostly because her sister, Sydney, shows up with a daughter Claire's never met. Despite the mother and daughter coming from suspicious circumstances, family is family and Claire bows to their need. Not without some sisterly disagreements of course. As long as no one bothers the apple tree in the backyard though, everything should remain fine.
Amid this is the romance of old flames and new flames and whether it's worth breaking down those carefully constructed walls in order to let someone get past the mask.
Truly one of the book I relate to the most. I think there's a realistic deep human nature aspect, even if it also includes magic (in a not-so-dramatic sense)
Definitely go snag a copy!
It's much, much better.
At least as a book. I love "Practical Magic" the movie, but the book was not very good. Too much going on. Sarah Addison Allen's careful construct of family, sisterhood, romance, and magic into this beautiful web of perfection makes this a book I read over and over and still love it. She nailed it.
Claire's life has been going along just fine since her grandmother passed. She has her creative cooking and doesn't need anyone to lean on because she's too darn tough for that (hah!). Until everything goes sideways. Mostly because her sister, Sydney, shows up with a daughter Claire's never met. Despite the mother and daughter coming from suspicious circumstances, family is family and Claire bows to their need. Not without some sisterly disagreements of course. As long as no one bothers the apple tree in the backyard though, everything should remain fine.
Amid this is the romance of old flames and new flames and whether it's worth breaking down those carefully constructed walls in order to let someone get past the mask.
Truly one of the book I relate to the most. I think there's a realistic deep human nature aspect, even if it also includes magic (in a not-so-dramatic sense)
Definitely go snag a copy!
figmentlady's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
tidoublegr79's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
heathergstl's review against another edition
5.0
I have not read Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman, so I cannot speak to the similarities mentioned by other reviewers on this site, but I can tell you that I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I find Sarah Addison Allen's writing style to be deliciously easy to read with just enough descriptive detail to tell you what you need to know without wasting precious trees on pages of superfluous narration.
Her story of the Waverly sisters is woven with just enough wonder and magic to make it slightly reminiscent of a good old fashion fairy tale without being overladen with supernatural themery. The characters are all a bit quirky, but they are all presented in the author's easy-going light-hearted manner that make them so very loveable and interesting!
While the individual storylines involve real-life trauma and turmoil, the author manages to maintain a light and easy feel throughout the book. Topics that could easily be made into a darker and more foreboding tale are instead presented in a lighter, less overpowering context to allow the positive intentions and inner strength of her characters to shine.
Set in the small town of Bascom, North Carolina, the Wavery family has long been considered by their neighbors to be unusual. Waverly family members are special lot: guardians of a seemingly sentient apple tree; weavers of magical culinary dishes created from their own garden; psychicly intuitive gift givers; hair stylists with a knack for bringing out hidden qualities in their clients with the snip of a scissors.
A light and easy read, I would recommend Garden Spells to just about anyone!
Her story of the Waverly sisters is woven with just enough wonder and magic to make it slightly reminiscent of a good old fashion fairy tale without being overladen with supernatural themery. The characters are all a bit quirky, but they are all presented in the author's easy-going light-hearted manner that make them so very loveable and interesting!
While the individual storylines involve real-life trauma and turmoil, the author manages to maintain a light and easy feel throughout the book. Topics that could easily be made into a darker and more foreboding tale are instead presented in a lighter, less overpowering context to allow the positive intentions and inner strength of her characters to shine.
Set in the small town of Bascom, North Carolina, the Wavery family has long been considered by their neighbors to be unusual. Waverly family members are special lot: guardians of a seemingly sentient apple tree; weavers of magical culinary dishes created from their own garden; psychicly intuitive gift givers; hair stylists with a knack for bringing out hidden qualities in their clients with the snip of a scissors.
A light and easy read, I would recommend Garden Spells to just about anyone!
calareads's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Cozy vibes like practical magic. Emma/Hunter and Fred/James story felt a bit distracting from the main characters.