Simple, magical, and southern-fried with truly likeable and unique characters. ( )

This year I participated in my first book swap, and this is the book I ended up with. It was probably the most "stolen" book throughout the swap, and the real reason that I stole it was to get another chance to pick the book I wanted. However the game ended unexpectedly when someone opened the last book and I got to keep Garden Spells. I am so glad it turned out like that or I would have never read this book!

In Bascom, North Carolina, every family has its own characteristics. The Waverley family is bestowed with magical abilities, and this makes them a peculiar bunch to the rest of the town. Whilst Claire has accepted this and is using it to her advantage, her sister Sydney has not and she has always tried to detach herself from her family. When things turn bad for Sydney however, the only safe place she and her daughter Bay can return to is back home in Bascom. Once back, Sydney and Claire have to learn to accept each other to be able to live together again, the two sisters have to confront their past in order to work out their differences.

The Waverley's are such a fun family with their special abilities, especially Evanelle who gives people things which they don't know what to do with, but will eventually need. This book has such a homely feeling, it made me want to be part of the Waverley family. I loved the quirky characters, including the magical tree in the Waverley's garden who also happens to have its own magical ability. This made for a delightful read, and although the ending was slightly predictable, it was still very enjoyable. I kept thinking about this book even after I finished it and it has become one of my all time favorite books.

I never expected to love this book so much, but it came in a perfect time when I really needed a feel good story, enhanced by magic and a little bit of romance. I now really want to read more from Sarah Addison Allen, and can't wait to get my hands on The Sugar Queen by her. ( )

Claire Waverley uses her unique knowledge of herbs and plants to cook extraordinary meals for her customers. She's turned her otherness into something positive in the small community. She likes her routines, the familiar world she's created in her grandmother's house. When her estranged sister returns to town and a steamy art teacher moves in next door, Claire's world is turned upside down.

This novel's style reminded me of Chocolat by Joanne Harris or even Barbara Kingsolver's Pigs in Heaven. I don't need a suspensful plot to hook me. I need quality characters, and Garden Spells had them. This group of individuals I'd love to revisit some day in other book about Bascom. ( )

Dreamy, romantic, magical, this book delivers the story beautifully. You feel the rich, humid air that hangs around the tree, the story encapsulates you and draws you in, like an afternoon nap. Love this book. ( )

I finished it in less than a day. Cover to cover. I had a great time reading it. I laughed a little and even cried once, just for a bit. It was a refreshing read, despite my early comparisons with the film Practical Magic (Gee, now I’m really in the mood to watch that again!). The story was well-paced, all of the characters were interesting, even the ones whom you don’t quite like (and even they had a few redeeming qualities in the end). I loved how everyone seemed to grow and change, even the secondary characters.http://iheartpaperbacks.wordpress.com/ ( )