If you do things right, you can make the magical elements seem totally natural and Allen does.
Allen makes you feel, smell, and even taste things.
The writing is magical realism at it’s best. We also got delicious little comments about which each family is famous for in this book and that was pretty cute. I didn’t feel lost about who people were and how they were connected. Allen manages to juggle everyone and keep the plot moving forward. We also have Allen including other characters as well, we follow Claire and Sydney’s cousin Evanelle, Sydney’s daughter Bay, an old friend (not really friend) of Sydney’s, and even Tyler and a potential love interest for Sydney. The book focuses not just on Claire and Sydney though. Still nursing heartbreak over the first boy she ever loved (and lost) Sydney starts to finally embrace being a Waverley. She has hated Bascom since she left it and never wanted to be one of the strange Waverley’s.
Sydney has left her abusive partner and taken her daughter Bay back home to Bascom. She has her whole world turned upside down when she meets a man, Tyler Hughes, who despite her best efforts is interested in her. Claire is single and alone making a go of her special catering business in Bascom, North Carolina. “Garden Spells” reunites estranged sisters, Claire and Sydney Waverley. This book deals with a lot of serious issues, rape, abuse, bullying, and the eccentricities of a small but unusual southern town in North Carolina. After finishing “Garden Spells” I went and read book two in the Waverley family again so that was a nice and and two punch. Original review: Funny, I love this book, but honestly don’t remember the last time I read it. Allen does such a great job of depicting the two sisters and I loved all of the people who lived in Bascom and the “gifts” so many had. I didn’t love the second book in the series as much, but this first one still gives me all the feels.
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