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amandasbookreview 's review for:
The Book Charmer
by Karen Hawkins
I won The Book Charmer by Karen Hawkins last year on a Goodreads Giveaway. The book came out last July and sadly, I just got around to reading it. My TBR pile is no joke. This charming little story is the first book in the Dove Pond Series. Grace and her sister, Hannah are foster children. Grace has made it difficult to stay in a home. When they are placed in Mama G’s care everything changes. Years later, Grace, Mama G, and Hannah’s daughter Daisy arrive at their temporary home in Dove Pond. Hannah fell into trouble and died, leaving her daughter in the care of Mama G. However, Mama G has the beginnings of Alzheimer’s. So Grace brings them to wear Mama G grew up and takes a meager job to get by, but for only a year. Little does she know the Dove Pond is full of surprising characters. One being Sarah Dove, the town librarian. She has a gift, one where the books speak to her and she knows just which book goes to a certain person. Sarah believes that Grace will be the one who saves their small town from financial ruin. How can she convince Grace to stay?
This is such a charming little book. It was a tad slow at that the start, but I was soon hooked. I just discovered that there is a prequel which I plan to pick up. When I first picked up the book, I expected there to be more of a fantasy aspect to it. However, it is more magical realism than fantasy. While I did love the story, Sarah, The Book Charmer, is actually not a huge part of the book. Yes, she has a gift, but the book no way revolves around her. Grace is the star of the story. I absolutely adored her character. She doubts herself but holds her head high and with the courage to face each day. She comes to the town judging everyone because it is different, unfamiliar, and ultimately…temporary. She finds out what the words, “it takes a village” truly mean. She also discovers friendship and love.
I must say, all the characters are wonderful. I don’t think there was one character who didn’t make me smile while reading. I really love the relationships between the characters too. Especially, Grace and Trav. Trav is trying to rediscover life after being injured at War and dealing with PTSD. Then there is also Blake and Sarah, however, their relationship is introduced but not really concluded. In fact, there are a few details that never really feel concluded. I hope they pick back up in the next book-which (according to Goodreads) is releasing in May 2020! Don’t let my rating deter you. There are just a few things that I think could have been fixed. I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars.
This is such a charming little book. It was a tad slow at that the start, but I was soon hooked. I just discovered that there is a prequel which I plan to pick up. When I first picked up the book, I expected there to be more of a fantasy aspect to it. However, it is more magical realism than fantasy. While I did love the story, Sarah, The Book Charmer, is actually not a huge part of the book. Yes, she has a gift, but the book no way revolves around her. Grace is the star of the story. I absolutely adored her character. She doubts herself but holds her head high and with the courage to face each day. She comes to the town judging everyone because it is different, unfamiliar, and ultimately…temporary. She finds out what the words, “it takes a village” truly mean. She also discovers friendship and love.
I must say, all the characters are wonderful. I don’t think there was one character who didn’t make me smile while reading. I really love the relationships between the characters too. Especially, Grace and Trav. Trav is trying to rediscover life after being injured at War and dealing with PTSD. Then there is also Blake and Sarah, however, their relationship is introduced but not really concluded. In fact, there are a few details that never really feel concluded. I hope they pick back up in the next book-which (according to Goodreads) is releasing in May 2020! Don’t let my rating deter you. There are just a few things that I think could have been fixed. I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars.