Reviews

Dear The Magic All Around,
I think the best word for me to describe you is "cute". I don't mean it in a derogatory sense, you just didn't have a ton of significance or emotional impact for me, despite being heavily centered on loss and grief. You were better then brain candy, and had more substance then a Hallmark movie, and I loved the quirks of the house. I honestly wished the house had a name; it would have given it a bit more character and life for me. I liked Mattie and Penelope well enough. They were just cookie cutter. You were what would happen if Charmed did a rom-com episode.

chaos_carrie's review

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

After suddenly losing her mom, Mattie finds herself lost. She is used to life on the road, exploring new places. Now the mom that kept her moving all her life, seems to want her to stay in the family home her mom had abandoned so many years before in order to appease her inheritance stipulations. While learning about her family and their community, Mattie has a chance to find herself and maybe a bit of magic along the way.

This was such a tragic, yet heartwarming read. The audiobook truly captured the emotion of this journey of self discovery!

christenham's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

3.0

roelia's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

Jennifer Moorman's "The Magic All Around" transports readers to a world where magic blends seamlessly with everyday life, weaving a vibrant tapestry of enchantment. The Russell family's unique talents stand out in this captivating story.

Penelope, the eldest sibling, demonstrates her skills as a seamstress, infusing her clothing with qualities that go beyond the fabric. Her creations combine strength, joy, and love, making them powerful symbols of resilience and emotion. Lilith, the younger sister, lives a nomadic lifestyle with her daughter, Mattie, meeting their needs in mysterious ways.

The Victorian house in which the story is set becomes a character in its own right, adding to the Russell family's mystical charm. As Mattie returns home after her mother's death, she encounters unexpected challenges that propel her towards self-discovery and personal growth.

Themes of family bonds, returning home, love, and magic are interwoven throughout the story, creating a vivid depiction of human relationships and the transformative power of love. Jennifer Moorman's storytelling shines through in her detailed portrayal of the Southern setting, a touching love story, and an engrossing journey that keeps readers interested.

While some may find the pacing slow and the descriptions overly detailed, these elements add to the overall allure and depth of "The Magic All Around," which offers an enchanting exploration of the mystical forces that influence our lives and connections.

Thanks to Exclusive Books for the chance to read this book.

adogmomsbookishlife's review

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mysterious medium-paced

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you NetGalley and Harper Muse for this advanced copy.

Things I loved:
- Set in Georgia with flashbacks of Florida; that was exactly me in college!
- The “old timey” names: Lilith, Penelope 😍
- Amazing food descriptions!! 🤤 I stayed hungry!!

Read this if you love:
- A cozy mystery with family elements
- Magical realism
- Southern charm and meddling family members, including the house itself

I’ve also read The Baker’s Man by Moorman, and I salivated throughout that one too!

natalegend's review against another edition

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hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

savetris's review against another edition

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2.0

the magic all around — jennifer moorman

i definitely should be checking more reviews before requesting arcs because on the one hand i want to be nice but on the other, i want to be honest... a small town female centric witchy romance like this had so much potential too!

i read another review that brought up how this book suffers from "i'm not like other girls" syndrome, and unfortunately it's true for all the female characters (and even the male love interest)! how many times is it mentioned that "she's different" like we get it!!! sadly these characters just lack charisma to me and have zero chemistry with each other.

and the whole plot just conveniently worked out for everyone because this one character had a premonition decades ago that she planned her kid's entire life around until her own death?! that's selfish and manipulative and not cute at all omg

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