Reviews

This was a low stakes, predictable story, with heavy magical realism and a bit of whimsy. . Things rolled along and there wasn't a lot of investment for me, like, I never got anxious or nervous or truly involved in the characters. There was a lot, I mean, A LOT, of description, about how people looked and where they were, I think I know more about the house than the personalities of the main characters.

When I got to the author's note at the end and she said this was originally a short story that she had to stretch to a 90,000 word book I kind of understood why there was so much description and so much repetition.

Every time Maddie had a thought, it was essentially the same one. For as much introspection as the book had, these characters were really shallow. She cared only about not staying in Ivy Ridge even though she had no plan or direction in her life. She didn't want to make connections with people but then GASP her life got better when she did.

And then there is our equally vapid main man Johnathon, who wouldn't go home because he didn't want people to ask about his injury that prevented him from becoming a professional baseball player? Okay, what a cool way to tell us there is nothing to your life except your failed sports dream.

This book was slow, as in, the stuff on the synopsis (the will reading, the tasks she must do) don't come up until 40% into the book. The book was mostly about Maddie finding her way but her Aunt Penelope also had a main plot line that was decently interesting.

I liked how it came together towards the end but then the the third act breakup and obvious unnecessary stalling for the happy ending annoyed the crap out of me.

In short, low stakes, whimsical, easy listen, good narration, slow but steady.

katie_liz's review

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hopeful mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.75

After losing her mother, Maddie learns that her will stipulates Maddie completes a series of tasks in order to inherit. Through the course of her tasks her mother guides her to reflect on her home, future and relationships.

This was a very cute and cosy read. It was low stakes, and a great introduction for anyone wanting to explore magical realism. I really enjoyed the whimsical feel of the house, and the love and acceptance of the residence of the small town.

The audio narration was engaging and animated. I enjoyed the narrator’s performance of different character voices, and found the audiobook a great way to lose myself in the story.

Thank you HarperCollins Focus and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.

chelz286's review against another edition

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adventurous funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

This was an enjoyable read about finding home and understanding that things most often happen for a reason. Mattie was raised all over the US. Her and her mother would move from place to place every few years and Mattie learned that somehow things always worked out. Now that her mother has passed, Mattie is in limbo and really doesn't feel a belonging anywhere. She heads to the only place that has ever been stable in her life, back other aunts house in Georgia. Her mothers funeral and will reading will take place and then she is out of there. But her mother still seems to have a hand in Mattie's life and has made some odd stipulations in her will in order for Mattie to get her inheritance. Frustrated, annoyed and angry that her mother did this, Mattie settles into life in Georgia while she checks these tasks off a list and stays put unlike her original plan. As her aunt knows, Lilith always had a reason for doing things and Mattie is now learning that there is a reason and lesson behind this all and just maybe her mother is showing her where she belongs. I really enjoyed this story, the lessons, the magic and the heartfelt characters. Thank you to the author, publisher and Wunderkind PR for the complementary novel. I look forward to reading her other book. This review is of my own opinion and accord.

crothe77's review against another edition

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emotional slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes

5.0

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

The Magic All Around by Jennifer Moorman is a contemporary novel with a few fantastical elements and features two second chance romances. When Mattie’s mother, Lilith, passes away, Mattie returns to Lilith’s hometown and stays with her mother’s sister, Penelope. Shortly after, her almost love interest from high school, Jonathan, comes back to town from New York. Mattie is ready to collect her inheritance and move on, but her mother has put a clause in the will: Mattie has to complete seven tasks around town within four months or forfeit the money.

My favorite thing was how Jennifer Moorman depicted Mattie’s complicated feelings towards her childhood. Lilith moved them around every few years, making it difficult for Mattie to set down roots or find the stability she was looking for, but Mattie also recognizes the good times and the opportunities she got because of moving so much. It shows the nuance of the situation, how those opportunities gained mean opportunities lost and how they make it hard to form long-lasting relationships with others.

The second chance romances are between Mattie and Jonathan and Penelope and Stephen, her ex from her high school and college days. Mattie and Jonathan fall back into flirting very quickly and the spark between them is reignited through intervention from the house and Lilith’s tasks for Mattie. Meanwhile, Penelope has been keeping a secret for years from Stephen, getting in the way of them finally coming back together.

Content warning for mentions of miscarriage

I would recommend this to fans of love stories that are not romance-focused, readers looking for a handful of fantastical elements, such as a radio that changes music on it’s own, but not a fantasy, and fans of grief stories that focus more on healing and moving on than other parts of the journey.

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