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jacks623's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
judithdcollins's review against another edition
4.0
Jennifer Moorman's latest novel, THE MAGIC ALL AROUND, is enchanting— a magical journey about the memories of places and people we carry throughout our lives —sometimes physical mementos and others intangible.
Meet the Russell family. Eldest Penelope, her younger sister, Lilith (free-spirited), lives with her daughter, Mattie (independent and artistic).
Lilith left the family home in Ivy Ridge, Georgia, and has been flitting like a hummingbird from place to place with her daughter, Mattie, in the decades since, only returning each summer to drop Mattie off with Lilith’s sister, Penelope.
The old Victorian Russell home is at the center and has its own personality. The house often understands the family's needs before they do. It keeps their secrets, shares in their joys, embraces them when they grieve, and gives them the push they need.
When Mattie finds herself back in the family home after her mother's unexpected death, she has no desire to stick around in this small town. She is accustomed to living in a new city every few years with Lilith as her sole companion.
She hesitates to get involved in the Russell family secrets and their special gifts.
But while reading the will, the family is shocked to learn Lilith included a testamentary trust that requires Mattie to stay in Ivy Ridge long enough to complete a series of seemingly absurd tasks to claim her inheritance.
Mattie soon discovers her mother had a plan that would lead her to discover her birth father as well as teach her things about love and life. That staying in one place can produce something magical.
Beautifully written; what a stunning cover with the hummingbird— a reminder to keep our hearts open to receive the magic around us daily.
THE MAGIC ALL AROUND has a strong theme of mothers and daughters and their relationships—some we are born with and others we receive as a bonus.
From friendship and love, art, nature, self-discovery, and being true to yourself. Enchanting and thought-provoking for Southern fiction fans and authors Sarah Addison Allen, Laren Denton, Sarah Jio, and Meg Shaffer.
Thanks to Harper Muse and NetGalley for a gifted early reading copy for an honest opinion. I look forward to listening to the audiobook narrated by the fabulous Kathleen McInerney.
Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Jan 16, 2024
My Rating: 4 Stars
Jan 2024 Must-Read Books
Jan Newsletter
Meet the Russell family. Eldest Penelope, her younger sister, Lilith (free-spirited), lives with her daughter, Mattie (independent and artistic).
Lilith left the family home in Ivy Ridge, Georgia, and has been flitting like a hummingbird from place to place with her daughter, Mattie, in the decades since, only returning each summer to drop Mattie off with Lilith’s sister, Penelope.
The old Victorian Russell home is at the center and has its own personality. The house often understands the family's needs before they do. It keeps their secrets, shares in their joys, embraces them when they grieve, and gives them the push they need.
When Mattie finds herself back in the family home after her mother's unexpected death, she has no desire to stick around in this small town. She is accustomed to living in a new city every few years with Lilith as her sole companion.
She hesitates to get involved in the Russell family secrets and their special gifts.
But while reading the will, the family is shocked to learn Lilith included a testamentary trust that requires Mattie to stay in Ivy Ridge long enough to complete a series of seemingly absurd tasks to claim her inheritance.
Mattie soon discovers her mother had a plan that would lead her to discover her birth father as well as teach her things about love and life. That staying in one place can produce something magical.
Beautifully written; what a stunning cover with the hummingbird— a reminder to keep our hearts open to receive the magic around us daily.
THE MAGIC ALL AROUND has a strong theme of mothers and daughters and their relationships—some we are born with and others we receive as a bonus.
From friendship and love, art, nature, self-discovery, and being true to yourself. Enchanting and thought-provoking for Southern fiction fans and authors Sarah Addison Allen, Laren Denton, Sarah Jio, and Meg Shaffer.
Thanks to Harper Muse and NetGalley for a gifted early reading copy for an honest opinion. I look forward to listening to the audiobook narrated by the fabulous Kathleen McInerney.
Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Jan 16, 2024
My Rating: 4 Stars
Jan 2024 Must-Read Books
Jan Newsletter
flowersfavouritefiction's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
amysbookaddiction's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.25
hedymarie's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
birdykinsreads's review
lighthearted
3.0
As I mentioned before, times do be tough, which means I’m looking for something lighthearted to warm my ol’ cynical heart up.
Did this book solve all my problems like I expected it to? No. Fail. Minus 2 stars. Did it deliver some pretty likeable characters, a predictable love story and something just fine to warm the winter up with? Sure!
The Magic All Around by Jennifer Moorman is about Mattie Russell, she’s just lost her mother, so she goes home to her family’s strange semi-sentient magical house in a small town (wait, Deja vu, are you having flashbacks to my last review for The Wonder State? Also featuring magical houses? I’m sensing a theme… but that’s where the similarities end). There, she realizes she could inherit a tidy sum of money if she’s willing to do a list of odd tasks dictated by her late mother. In doing so she meets a bunch of people who change her life for the better. 🙂 They’re alright, I guess, nothing THAT special imo. 😒 I’d still be moving to San Fran if it was up to me.
It’s a cute premise and I enjoyed it well enough. I feel like it was just missing something essential to make me truly feel warmed to the core. The narration was fine, but not great. And I’m still sad. So. 🙁 I’m going to need something with a little more magic in it. A little more fizzle. Some pizazz if you will.
What’s the most heartwarming book you’ve ever read?
Did this book solve all my problems like I expected it to? No. Fail. Minus 2 stars. Did it deliver some pretty likeable characters, a predictable love story and something just fine to warm the winter up with? Sure!
The Magic All Around by Jennifer Moorman is about Mattie Russell, she’s just lost her mother, so she goes home to her family’s strange semi-sentient magical house in a small town (wait, Deja vu, are you having flashbacks to my last review for The Wonder State? Also featuring magical houses? I’m sensing a theme… but that’s where the similarities end). There, she realizes she could inherit a tidy sum of money if she’s willing to do a list of odd tasks dictated by her late mother. In doing so she meets a bunch of people who change her life for the better. 🙂 They’re alright, I guess, nothing THAT special imo. 😒 I’d still be moving to San Fran if it was up to me.
It’s a cute premise and I enjoyed it well enough. I feel like it was just missing something essential to make me truly feel warmed to the core. The narration was fine, but not great. And I’m still sad. So. 🙁 I’m going to need something with a little more magic in it. A little more fizzle. Some pizazz if you will.
What’s the most heartwarming book you’ve ever read?
thindbooks's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This is a beautifully written story for those who love family elements and magic. Moorman did a wonderful job with writing this story as it was fun but also deals with sensitive topics greatly. I loved the magic elements that were written into this book along with the small town setting and the amazing characters. The storyline was great and the conflicts were good except the pacing was a bit off throughout the book
*this arc was sent to me by the publisher to give an honest review in return*
chaptersofchase's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
The Magic All Around
Thank you, Harper Muse, for the gifted copy of this cozy magical book! {partner}
Genre: Fantasy
Format: 🎧📖
Audiobook Narration: ☆☆☆
Pub Date: 1.16.2024
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆
“Perception is all about how you choose to the see the world around you.. Staying in one place has it’s advantages.”
The Magic All Around was such a sweet story that reminded me of a cross between Heather Webber (magical realism) and Mary Kay Andrews (feel good). I think it would be the perfect book for those wanting to dabble a toe in the world of magical realism novels - I never felt like it was overwhelming and actually had to remind myself that it could be from that genre.
There’s something so comforting about reading a book that you know will turn out a certain way - it’s a reminder to keep going and not be afraid of something getting in the way of your dreams. The Magic All Around was predictable but in just the right ways, and I loved all the characters, delicious-sounding food, and small-town charm.
I did choose to read and listen to this book as it was a Libro.Fm ALC pick for January and I think, if I had to do it over again, I would choose to only read the book. While I enjoyed the audio, the narrator made the MC *almost* feel like she was a teenager. I’ve listened to other books from this same narrator and felt that way too.
💞 Mother + Daughter story
❤️🩹 Finding life after loss
🧁 Delicious food
🫶🏼 A little romance
📖 Recommend reading over listening
I recommend reading The Magic All Around if you’re looking for small town charm, delicious food and a heart warming story that all remind you that there is, in fact, life after loss.
_
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Thank you, Harper Muse, for the gifted copy of this cozy magical book! {partner}
Genre: Fantasy
Format: 🎧📖
Audiobook Narration: ☆☆☆
Pub Date: 1.16.2024
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆
“Perception is all about how you choose to the see the world around you.. Staying in one place has it’s advantages.”
The Magic All Around was such a sweet story that reminded me of a cross between Heather Webber (magical realism) and Mary Kay Andrews (feel good). I think it would be the perfect book for those wanting to dabble a toe in the world of magical realism novels - I never felt like it was overwhelming and actually had to remind myself that it could be from that genre.
There’s something so comforting about reading a book that you know will turn out a certain way - it’s a reminder to keep going and not be afraid of something getting in the way of your dreams. The Magic All Around was predictable but in just the right ways, and I loved all the characters, delicious-sounding food, and small-town charm.
I did choose to read and listen to this book as it was a Libro.Fm ALC pick for January and I think, if I had to do it over again, I would choose to only read the book. While I enjoyed the audio, the narrator made the MC *almost* feel like she was a teenager. I’ve listened to other books from this same narrator and felt that way too.
💞 Mother + Daughter story
❤️🩹 Finding life after loss
🧁 Delicious food
🫶🏼 A little romance
📖 Recommend reading over listening
I recommend reading The Magic All Around if you’re looking for small town charm, delicious food and a heart warming story that all remind you that there is, in fact, life after loss.
_
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebookend.diner/
Follow me on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/thebookenddiner
Follow me on StoryGraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/thebookenddiner