Reviews

In the Shadow Garden by Liz Parker

jsbookishnook's review against another edition

5.0

I love when you read a book and it surprises you in a great way. In the Shadow Garden by Liz Parker did just that.

The book was refreshingly different because it carries the story through multiple different points of view. This story has so many wonderful elements within it. It's got the themes of family, magic, love, mystery, and some romance thrown in the mix. I found myself so engrossed in the story and what had happened to the town. I wanted to figure out the mystery of it all which shows me that it was really an engaging story.

The story follows the Haywood and Bonner families. When the father of the Bonner family passes away, it causes the eldest Bonner son Kaden to come back home. He fled years ago, during the eventful summer where all the residents of Yarrow Kentucky have forgotten all their memories.

The Shadow Garden maintained by the Haywood family is a magical place that helps heal a person's suffering. It's starting to have problems at the same time the Bonner family cornfields are no longer thriving. The magic in the Bonner whiskey was gifted to them by the Haywood family and their shadow garden.

This debut was really executed so well, and I loved the witchy families and magic that was included in the story. The love that came through the family, and the relationships that were in the book was very powerful. I enjoyed how unique this town was and how magical the shadow garden was. There were several aspects of trauma dealt with in the book that also made it feel like a complete well rounded story.

I recommend reading this one for a bit of magical realism in a beautiful grounded story of mystery and romance.

Thank you to Forever for a copy of the gifted ARC in exchange for my honest review.

notinjersey's review

4.0

I am calling this a fantasy because it takes place in a world where magic is the everyday. There were a lot of characters to keep track of and there were multiple narrators, but I found some of them harder to understand. I liked the mystery element to the story and the way the characters uncovered what happened in the past. I may have had an easier time keeping the characters straight it I had read it in print!

awebofbeauty's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

jelliegphone's review against another edition

emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

5.0

lyssachap's review against another edition

challenging emotional mysterious slow-paced

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

3.25

If you love Practical Magic you will likely love this.

daphne_430's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious relaxing 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? Yes

4.25

jennyfromtheburbs's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot

4.0

waywordxwitch's review against another edition

5.0

~ ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion ~

Wow! Just when I think I can't read a new take in magical realism, another author comes and blows me aways. I loved the whole concept of this story, it's magic and its people. Definitely hits the top of the best reads of 2022. If you're a fan of mr I totally suggest. ♡

jessicasilfenroy's review against another edition

4.0

3.5⭐️ This was a fun read for fans of witchy romances. I thought the plot was somewhat predictable but still loved all the dark secrets, small town charm, magic and of course, the second chance romance. My one thing would be to read this book over listening to the audio. Despite having an amazing full cast narration, I found it difficult to keep track of the multiple POVs and family tree.

readwithpitties's review against another edition

4.0

3.5 stars! This was a cute little magical realism generational, small town, and found family story focusing on tea and Bourbon! It gave me a lot of The Good Which Vibes, which I find that show cute and charming! In this we have two magical families fighting for the shadow garden that belongs to the haywards, and when the monarch of the bonners dies long lost son Kaden comes to town and with him comes a lot of long lost secrets. I thought this story had a few to many POV and that’s where it really lost me! It was hard to keep track of all the people, it was really more of a plot driven story I think than character driven and that’s what I really prefer is character development and I think with less POV we could of had both! A very cute story for fall season non the less!!