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twoweeeeks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic friendship, Gun violence, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Car accident, Death of parent, Misogyny, Sexual content, Abandonment, Toxic friendship, Blood, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Bullying
Minor: Homophobia
lanislittlelibrary's review against another edition
5.0
Literally one of my favorite novels of ALL TIME.
Second read: 1/10/2024
I'm just a weeping mess. This book is absolutely perfect.
First read: 12/2/2023
I absolutely lost myself in this story. I love when an author can incorporate the mundane with life lessons. I feel as though many authors underestimate the importance of those slice-of-life books.
The story follows a magical family who has a generations old enchanted apple tree. The story follows this family specifically Claire and her sister Sidney. They live in a small town and nearly everyone in the town is blessed with a gift. Sidney returns back to the town while trying to escape an abusive relationship.
I’ve never related to a character more than I relate to Claire. Her lifestyle, her fears, & her personality. Though it seems like nothing is happening in the book. It also seems like so much is happening. Just like real life. ‘Garden Spells’ has prose on prose about the mundane: gardening, making coffee / breakfast, eating lunch, taking showers, etc. but within that you’re learning about the character’s internal struggles, you see people in the neighborhood falling in love, and it’s a beautiful depiction of life. I absolutely adored it.
Second read: 1/10/2024
I'm just a weeping mess. This book is absolutely perfect.
First read: 12/2/2023
I absolutely lost myself in this story. I love when an author can incorporate the mundane with life lessons. I feel as though many authors underestimate the importance of those slice-of-life books.
The story follows a magical family who has a generations old enchanted apple tree. The story follows this family specifically Claire and her sister Sidney. They live in a small town and nearly everyone in the town is blessed with a gift. Sidney returns back to the town while trying to escape an abusive relationship.
I’ve never related to a character more than I relate to Claire. Her lifestyle, her fears, & her personality. Though it seems like nothing is happening in the book. It also seems like so much is happening. Just like real life. ‘Garden Spells’ has prose on prose about the mundane: gardening, making coffee / breakfast, eating lunch, taking showers, etc. but within that you’re learning about the character’s internal struggles, you see people in the neighborhood falling in love, and it’s a beautiful depiction of life. I absolutely adored it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse
Minor: Abandonment
squids_can_read's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-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
4.5
The Waverley's have always been a little strange. They know things that they have no way of knowing and they can do things that other people can't do. Claire and Sydney are just two in a long line of Waverley's and they are trying to find their happy ending.
I thought that this story was really interesting. The characters were amazingly written. The depth was amazing and the conflicts were super interesting. I did think that the book was too short for the development of all the characters, however. There were too many characters that all developed in some distinct way for how long the book was. I still thought the book was really good but I thought some of the characters changed too fast for how stuck in their ways they seemed.
The fantasy element was really interesting and added some depth to the characters.
Overall, a really fun fantasy book with really interesting discussions about loneliness, abandonment, abuse, family, and marital issues.
I thought that this story was really interesting. The characters were amazingly written. The depth was amazing and the conflicts were super interesting. I did think that the book was too short for the development of all the characters, however. There were too many characters that all developed in some distinct way for how long the book was. I still thought the book was really good but I thought some of the characters changed too fast for how stuck in their ways they seemed.
The fantasy element was really interesting and added some depth to the characters.
Overall, a really fun fantasy book with really interesting discussions about loneliness, abandonment, abuse, family, and marital issues.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Stalking, and Abandonment
Moderate: Grief, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content
kelly_e's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.0
Title: Garden Spells
Author: Sarah Addison Allen
Series: Waverley Family #1
Genre: Magical Realism
Rating: 4.00
Pub Date: August 28, 2007
T H R E E • W O R D S
Enchanting • Delightful • Atmospheric
📖 S Y N O P S I S
The women of the Waverley family -- whether they like it or not -- are heirs to an unusual legacy, one that grows in a fenced plot behind their Queen Anne home on Pendland Street in Bascom, North Carolina. There, an apple tree bearing fruit of magical properties looms over a garden filled with herbs and edible flowers that possess the power to affect in curious ways anyone who eats them.
For nearly a decade, 34-year-old Claire Waverley, at peace with her family inheritance, has lived in the house alone, embracing the spirit of the grandmother who raised her, ruing her mother's unfortunate destiny and seemingly unconcerned about the fate of her rebellious sister, Sydney, who freed herself long ago from their small town's constraints. Using her grandmother's mystical culinary traditions, Claire has built a successful catering business -- and a carefully controlled, utterly predictable life -- upon the family's peculiar gift for making life-altering delicacies: lilac jelly to engender humility, for instance, or rose geranium wine to call up fond memories.
Garden Spells reveals what happens when Sydney returns to Bascom with her young daughter, turning Claire's routine existence upside down. With Sydney's homecoming, the magic that the quiet caterer has measured into recipes to shape the thoughts and moods of others begins to influence Claire's own emotions in terrifying and delightful ways.
As the sisters reconnect and learn to support one another, each finds romance where she least expects it, while Sydney's child, Bay, discovers both the safe home she has longed for and her own surprising gifts. With the help of their elderly cousin Evanelle, endowed with her own uncanny skills, the Waverley women redeem the past, embrace the present, and take a joyful leap into the future.
💭 T H O U G H T S
Sarah Addison Allen's debut novel Garden's Spell was one of my 12 recommendations from 12 friends for 2023. I honestly didn't know what to expect, yet the magical atmosphere and vibes made October the ideal time to pick it up.
The descriptions of the garden, the beautiful old house and the food instantly drew me into this magical world. I loved learning about each of the flowers and plants. Sometimes authors try to insert too much magic into their stories, but that was not the case here. In fact, I loved how the apple tree was such a huge part of the story, and it was definitely my favourite character. I became invested in the characters' lives, and appreciated learning about their past in order to understand everything.
My main issue was the ending. It was all a little too quick, which felt like a bit of let down after such a whimsical journey. I think things could have easily planned out in a slower fashion and served the same purpose, especially with the way the rest of the novel is paced.
Overall, Garden Spells is the perfect cozy, rainy day read with just the right amount of magic. Perfect for readers in need off being whisked away from reality for just a little while. I'll be looking to pick up more of this author's novels in the future.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• fans of Southern fiction
• readers who likes sister stories
• magical realism devotees
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"When you're happy for yourself, it fills you. When you're happy for someone else, it pours over."
"Memories, even hard memories, grew soft like peaches as they grow older."
"Love always hurts. That’s one thing I know you know. But it’s worth it. That’s what you don’t know. Yet."
Author: Sarah Addison Allen
Series: Waverley Family #1
Genre: Magical Realism
Rating: 4.00
Pub Date: August 28, 2007
T H R E E • W O R D S
Enchanting • Delightful • Atmospheric
📖 S Y N O P S I S
The women of the Waverley family -- whether they like it or not -- are heirs to an unusual legacy, one that grows in a fenced plot behind their Queen Anne home on Pendland Street in Bascom, North Carolina. There, an apple tree bearing fruit of magical properties looms over a garden filled with herbs and edible flowers that possess the power to affect in curious ways anyone who eats them.
For nearly a decade, 34-year-old Claire Waverley, at peace with her family inheritance, has lived in the house alone, embracing the spirit of the grandmother who raised her, ruing her mother's unfortunate destiny and seemingly unconcerned about the fate of her rebellious sister, Sydney, who freed herself long ago from their small town's constraints. Using her grandmother's mystical culinary traditions, Claire has built a successful catering business -- and a carefully controlled, utterly predictable life -- upon the family's peculiar gift for making life-altering delicacies: lilac jelly to engender humility, for instance, or rose geranium wine to call up fond memories.
Garden Spells reveals what happens when Sydney returns to Bascom with her young daughter, turning Claire's routine existence upside down. With Sydney's homecoming, the magic that the quiet caterer has measured into recipes to shape the thoughts and moods of others begins to influence Claire's own emotions in terrifying and delightful ways.
As the sisters reconnect and learn to support one another, each finds romance where she least expects it, while Sydney's child, Bay, discovers both the safe home she has longed for and her own surprising gifts. With the help of their elderly cousin Evanelle, endowed with her own uncanny skills, the Waverley women redeem the past, embrace the present, and take a joyful leap into the future.
💭 T H O U G H T S
Sarah Addison Allen's debut novel Garden's Spell was one of my 12 recommendations from 12 friends for 2023. I honestly didn't know what to expect, yet the magical atmosphere and vibes made October the ideal time to pick it up.
The descriptions of the garden, the beautiful old house and the food instantly drew me into this magical world. I loved learning about each of the flowers and plants. Sometimes authors try to insert too much magic into their stories, but that was not the case here. In fact, I loved how the apple tree was such a huge part of the story, and it was definitely my favourite character. I became invested in the characters' lives, and appreciated learning about their past in order to understand everything.
My main issue was the ending. It was all a little too quick, which felt like a bit of let down after such a whimsical journey. I think things could have easily planned out in a slower fashion and served the same purpose, especially with the way the rest of the novel is paced.
Overall, Garden Spells is the perfect cozy, rainy day read with just the right amount of magic. Perfect for readers in need off being whisked away from reality for just a little while. I'll be looking to pick up more of this author's novels in the future.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• fans of Southern fiction
• readers who likes sister stories
• magical realism devotees
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"When you're happy for yourself, it fills you. When you're happy for someone else, it pours over."
"Memories, even hard memories, grew soft like peaches as they grow older."
"Love always hurts. That’s one thing I know you know. But it’s worth it. That’s what you don’t know. Yet."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Rape, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Abandonment, Violence, and Gun violence
Minor: Death, Death of parent, Grief, Car accident, and Pregnancy
gaby_readsss's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
4.0
Garden Spells was an interesting book.
I didn’t know what to expect when I first picked this book; I chose it because I adored Other Birds and had to read more books by this author.
I enjoyed this book for the most part. However, I kept expecting for something bad to happen so I couldn’t fully “relax” and enjoy the more “lighthearted” aspects in the story. I think knowing the backstory of Sydney and her abusive husband made me uneasy and I was expecting him to show up at any time.
The side characters weren’t my favorite. I didn’t like Emma’s character and her whole family to be honest. She had zero personality other than being good in bed, which I thought was odd. In the end when she called Sydney and tried to warn her I did like her a little bit.
Tyler was also giving me creep vibes at the beginning and I was fully expecting him to be a serial killer or something lmao. Also the fact that he’s still “friends” with his ex was a red flag to me.
My favorite characters were Sydney, Bay, and the apple tree! <3
At its core, this is a book about family and I thought the magical realism aspect added a nice touch to the story. I loved the descriptions of the garden, how all the different flowers are meant to do something to the person who consumes them, and the magic each of the Waverley women each have. This was very a unique read and the house felt so whimsical and “homey”.
I’m not sure how to rate this book yet but I’m between 3.75 and 4 stars.
I think that if I were to reread this book, I would enjoy it more knowing how everything unfolds.
I didn’t know what to expect when I first picked this book; I chose it because I adored Other Birds and had to read more books by this author.
I enjoyed this book for the most part. However, I kept expecting for something bad to happen so I couldn’t fully “relax” and enjoy the more “lighthearted” aspects in the story. I think knowing the backstory of Sydney and her abusive husband made me uneasy and I was expecting him to show up at any time.
The side characters weren’t my favorite. I didn’t like Emma’s character and her whole family to be honest. She had zero personality other than being good in bed, which I thought was odd. In the end when she called Sydney and tried to warn her I did like her a little bit.
Tyler was also giving me creep vibes at the beginning and I was fully expecting him to be a serial killer or something lmao. Also the fact that he’s still “friends” with his ex was a red flag to me.
My favorite characters were Sydney, Bay, and the apple tree! <3
At its core, this is a book about family and I thought the magical realism aspect added a nice touch to the story. I loved the descriptions of the garden, how all the different flowers are meant to do something to the person who consumes them, and the magic each of the Waverley women each have. This was very a unique read and the house felt so whimsical and “homey”.
I’m not sure how to rate this book yet but I’m between 3.75 and 4 stars.
I think that if I were to reread this book, I would enjoy it more knowing how everything unfolds.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, and Rape
Minor: Blood, Death of parent, and Gun violence
anastasia_priscilla's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Abandonment, Domestic abuse, and Rape
annasneddon's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse and Sexual violence
Minor: Abandonment
booksanddopamine's review against another edition
4.0
This was very Practical Magic - two magical sisters with contrasting personalities, one who moves away and ends up in an abusive relationship; small town where the sisters feel like outcasts; eccentric aunt; romance... but I enjoyed it (more than I thought I would, even).
The magical elements are sweet and down to earth. Although there's romance, I'd say the story is more about the relationship between the sisters and their personal self-discovery.
Maybe it's just me, but as an autistic person Claire read like a coded autistic character. She struggles with social situations and reading people, she doesn't like people moving her things around because she likes them in their place, doesn't like change, and experiences a magical sort of sensory overload. She does have trauma and a fear of abandonment, but I still believe she reads as autistic. I get you, Claire!
The magical elements are sweet and down to earth. Although there's romance, I'd say the story is more about the relationship between the sisters and their personal self-discovery.
Maybe it's just me, but as an autistic person Claire read like a coded autistic character. She struggles with social situations and reading people, she doesn't like people moving her things around because she likes them in their place, doesn't like change, and experiences a magical sort of sensory overload. She does have trauma and a fear of abandonment, but I still believe she reads as autistic. I get you, Claire!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Domestic abuse, and Rape
kelleykamanda's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.75
Feels just like the movie Practical Magic. Whimsical, cozy, lighthearted. The story revolves around rekindled sisters who learn to not shy away from their family legacy and embrace their gifts. For people who aren’t in romantic subplots, I’d suggest maybe trying a different book. Really enjoyed it though!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Death
There is a brief mention of sexual assault in the beginning of the book- this doesn’t repeat throughout the rest of the book. On occasion the character will mention how she was abused but this is sparingly.zefancifulreader's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
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
“She suddenly stopped. She turned and looked around. The garden was quiet and damp, the temperamental apple tree at the back of the lot shivering slightly as if dreaming. Generations of Waverleys had tended this garden. Their history was in the soil, but so was their future. Something was about to happen, something the garden wasn’t ready to tell her yet. She would have to keep a sharp eye out.”
I woke up on a Sunday Morning and I knew I needed to re-read a Sarah Addison Allen book. This is one of my comfort books and calls to the whimsical, eccentric parts of my soul. The imagery and use of metaphor is so vibrant I can taste it.
This book is also definitely showing it’s age (it was first published in 2007).
It uses some very gendered language/romance concepts, the “lost without a man” troupe and wanders into the “gay best friend” troupe.
Overall, the book is just as enchanting as I remember and makes me want to dry flowers, read books in the garden, and drink herbal tea sweetened with honey.
I woke up on a Sunday Morning and I knew I needed to re-read a Sarah Addison Allen book. This is one of my comfort books and calls to the whimsical, eccentric parts of my soul. The imagery and use of metaphor is so vibrant I can taste it.
This book is also definitely showing it’s age (it was first published in 2007).
It uses some very gendered language/romance concepts, the “lost without a man” troupe and wanders into the “gay best friend” troupe.
Overall, the book is just as enchanting as I remember and makes me want to dry flowers, read books in the garden, and drink herbal tea sweetened with honey.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Abandonment, Domestic abuse, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Sexual content