I adore this book. It's like a big serving of your favorite comfort food- satisfying, delicious and cozy. ( )

A pleasure to read. Looking forward to reading the Sugar Queen and any other books published by this author. The character development made this story intriguing, cheering both of the sisters on towards their happy endings. The reader can't help being drawn into believing in trees that throw apples and herbs that affect people in unusual ways. ( )

This is Sarah Addison Allen's first novel, and I can see why she was published. As much as I loved The Sugar Queen, I think this might have been a tad better. A bit more delicious, if you will.

Claire Waverley is a caterer who works with the edible flowers that grow in her mysteriously enchanted garden. Her flowers affect people in different ways, and it's her Waverley talent that she knows them and how to put them into delectable dishes for the best effects. All Waverley's have a talent, which is why the town of Bascom, North Carolina generally tries to avoid socializing with them. But they can't resist Claire's food, and if her older cousin Evanelle gives you a gift? Then you'd best keep it close, you never know when you might need a melon slicer or a couple of quarters.

Sydney is Claire's estranged sister, whose return to Bascom shakes things up for the quiet town, and disturbs Claire's delicately assembled routine and way of life. Claire is forced to let people in, Sydney and her daughter Bay amongst others; and Sydney is forced to put down roots. All while purple sparks follow the men in love with them, and apples rain down from the ancient apple tree with "issues." Bread toasts itself, thunder clouds signal bad times ahead, and one bite of a piece of fruit can show you the most important event of your life, for better or worse. The are the Waverley's.

Sarah Addison Allen has created a fabulous story, at times fascinating and magical, but suspenseful as well. We can sense the feelings in the air that unease Claire, we know why Sydney is anxious, and Bay is nervous, and the apple tree shivers. The tension builds to a crescendo and I was squeezing the book wide-eyed and breathless. The ending leaves you happy and satisfied, and it's a good thing for us that her third book is released in March.

I give Garden Spells 5 stars. It is magical realism at it's best: a dash of a love story, a bit of excitement, a pinch of sensuality, and a flutter of the unexplainable. ( )

In small towns, labels stick. Especially in small southern towns. No one knows this better than Clarie Waverly - caterer and gardener extraordinaire. Her family is know for its 'magic' (everyone has some sort of talent) and for their mysterious apple tree known to encourage people to eat its fruit. Claire's life is orderly and full when a new neighbor, Tyler, and later her estranged sister, Sydney, and daughter come into her life. Claire and Sydney struggle to find acceptance with the women they have become and try to repair a damaged relationship based on misconceptions. Oh! and there's a couple of good love stories -- the descriptions of Claire and Tyler's interactions are perfect! Magic, good cooking and a happy ending. This book had me turning the pages and excited to read more. ( )

Opening Sentence: ‘…Every smiley moon, without fail, Claire dreamed of her childhood…’

This is the story of 2 sisters, Claire and Sydney, who each find a different way to cope with being deserted as children by a mother who lived on the wild side of life. Each has inherited the magic that the women of their family is renowned for. Claire creates her magic with her cooking, blending herbs to influence the actions of others, but stays close to the family home that she inherits. Sydney, the younger sister, follows the mother she never knew through a series of abusive men in different parts of the USA. Finally she can take no more – and escapes home to Claire – bringing a daughter, Bay, with her.

Sydney thinks she has no magical talent – but soon it manifests itself as the Waverley family home weaves its own magic over the two women. Sydney’s magical ability is to style and cut hair with a magic that spells her customers into feeling self confident and flirty. Their elderly aunt, Evanelle, gives strange gifts to people that they don’t know they need until something happens later.

The magical story is set a completely believable small-town world. The magic is present, but subtle, no wand waving here. In the town are real characters, all struggling with their own problems. The women have to discover each other, find love, and overcome their fears before a great danger arrives to be overcome.

There is one more special character that needs to be mentioned – the apple tree. Which is as much of a part of the family as Claire, Sydney and Bay. ( )