Garden Spells

I know when a book is five-stars for is when even though I want to find out what will happen at the end of the story, at the same time, I don't want the book to end. But this time, I am lucky because Garden Spells has a sequence that I am looking forward to my own soon and whatever Sarah Addison Allen has written and will write.
It's well written with great characterization, and it really gives a flavor of small-town life, both with its frustrations and joys. The story is both complex and simple all at once, and it's not really a love story; it's about two sisters who come to learn the truth of who they really are. The magical realism is perfectly handled with just a small touch here, and there that's never so bold as to make the story show more unreal but just strong enough to give it that sunshine glow.
I really enjoyed the apple tree that chucked apples at people, and the idea of making cakes with herbs to help other problems is a good one. show less

A new all time favorite book! Garden Spells is a light, easy read that is populated with a cast of small town characters I genuinely wish existed in real life. One that particularly stands out is Evanelle, an elderly woman who receives premonitions about physical objects that people will need to possess in the near future, so she makes it her mission to acquire the objects and pass them out to the individuals that need them. She is such a delight! My absolute favorite character in the book, though, is the apple tree with a mind of its own. If you enjoy magical realism and are looking for a summer-time book that will make you feel good inside, this is the one!

I love it. This is magic realism at its best: luminous prose, enchanting heroines, and a quiet, unassuming tale. At first glance, the plot is simple: it’s a story of two magically-gifted sisters and their reconciliation in the old house. But so many interweaving undercurrents run beneath the surface: of being different, of taking charge of your life, of female courage, childhood beliefs, and adulthood conviction. And of course, it’s a story of love in all its incarnation.
Claire Waverly operates a catering business and flavors her dishes with herbs and flowers from her magical garden. The Waverly flowers are unusual; they influence all who eat them. Those flowers can clarify or baffle, spark memories or encourage forgetfulness. show more
Claire has long ago embraced her abilities, and the entire town accepted it too, but Claire has never learned to trust. Although she is an extraordinary cook and a smart businesswoman, deep inside she is still a frightened, lonely child, unsure of her welcome but wanting to belong.

“It was how her grandmother always acted at the thought of doing something purely social, as if she wanted to curl up like a cutworm until the threat passed. Work was fine. Claire didn’t socialize when she worked—she communicated. She said what needed to be said or she didn’t say anything at all. Unfortunately, this didn’t translate well into a social setting. It made her seem rude and standoffish, when it was only a sincere and desperate effort not to do or say anything foolish.”

It takes the extraordinary events of the novel to teach Claire that love could be trusted: a sisterly love and a man’s love.
Unlike Claire, her younger sister Sidney was a bright, popular girl in high school, but she left her hometown ten years ago for adventures in the wide world. Now, on the run from her abusive husband, she returns with her five-year-old daughter Bay. The old Waverly home is the only place that could shelter Sidney and her daughter, the only place she feels safe … if only Claire would let her in: both in the house and in her heart.
Overcoming the painful memories of their unfriendly childhood and a separation of ten years, the sisters tread carefully around each other, learning to love and trust.
The novel throbs with emotions, both overt and hushed. As I read, I felt myself transported there. I emphasized with Claire, skittish and scared in the face of love. I commiserated with her lovelorn beau Tyler, who radiated purple sparks of unfulfilled desire every night because Claire wouldn’t return his affection. My heart squeezed with fear, when Sidney recalled that her enraged husband might be looking for her. I smiled at Bay’s garden-inspired daydreams. And I rejoiced every time Evanelle, a distant cousin of the Waverly sisters, appears on the scene.
This secondary character, an old widow with a quirk, adds an ironic, heart-warming nuance to the story. Out of the entire population of the town, she is my favorite. Evanelle gives people things. She doesn’t know why, but she knows they will need those things soon. I wish I had such a distant cousin in my family tree.
A delightful novel. show less

What can I say?
This book made me tingle. That's not easy to achieve for a 6'4", 250 pound man. I can be such a softy.
I loved every character in this book, even the not-so-nice ones... because Sarah has such an unbelievable talent for description that I felt like I personally knew them, like they were at some point actually a part of my life! Not that David though... I don't like him very much. In fact, not at all, but I guess that's what I'm supposed to feel.
This book is so lush with vision and scope. The sparkle-face, the papers flapping in the wind, Evanelle and her need to give people things... and that apple tree!!! I loved every minute of it! I really didn't think I would, being that it was pretty gushy in some parts, but it all show more worked! Sarah Addison Allen is one amazing writer, and I will definitely be reading the second book of the Waverley Family!
Highly recommended!!! show less

This author has been on my list for a while, and a classmate recently recommended this title, so I took it for a spin. It was good on audio—Susan Ericksen did a nice job—but I ended up grabbing the print version to get through it faster, as is my wont.

It reminded me a lot of Practical Magic, but the storytelling style was quite different. I felt more connected to the characters and story with this one. I liked the path the sisters’ reconciliation took, and the romances were sweet. Tyler’s kind of a modern day Gilbert Blythe. I’m a little in love with him myself. I loved Evanelle and her peculiar Waverley talent. Her friendship with Fred was a touching piece of the story.

The magical elements were more overt than I was show more expecting. As a fantasy reader, I didn’t mind it, although I wasn’t 100% on board with how personified the apple tree was. The town’s families each being known for a particular trait felt a bit forced, especially with the Clark women. I’m glad Emma got a chance at redemption at the end.

It didn’t blow me away, but it was a nice. I’ll read this author again. show less

So stinking good...not even close to anything I usually read. This was such a feel good book, weird, character driven, apple forward and just plain fun. I needed to read a book with an ending that wasn’t depressing. Sometimes it really is the right book at the right time

Claire Waverley loves her heritage, living in Bascom, North Carolina, tending her special garden and catering in her small town. Her sister Sydney, who escaped the town ten years ago, returns suddenly with secrets and a young daughter.

I loved this tale of sisters and love in a small town, with a touch of magic. Claire has a knack for creating recipes that are more than just tasty - they can rekindle good memories, help you see in the dark, make people see you as successful. Sydney never felt like she fit in - nor did she really want to be a "weird" Waverley - and she and Claire were never close as children. But as they each come to know each other, Sydney begins to find her place and Claire starts to open up to new experiences. I really show more felt for the characters, wanted to be their friend, wanted to hug them when they were upset, and was extremely satisfied with how everything came together. Now I have to go find something else by Sarah Addison Allen... show less