Garden Spells (Waverley Family, #1) in Crazy Challenge Connection

Apr 14, 2010 Book Concierge rated it it was ok

Shelves: concierge, library, nature, north-carolina, magic

2.5 stars This is basically a fantasy romance novel.
The Waverleys have a long-standing history in Bascom NC. They are among the “founding” families. But they are “poor” now and to say that they are eccentric is an understatement. Claire is living in the family Queen Anne, tending the garden, and running a catering business. Her younger sister Sydney has been gone for at least 10 years, but suddenly appears one day with her little girl, Bay, at her side.

Their aunt Evanelle lives independently b 2.5 stars This is basically a fantasy romance novel.
The Waverleys have a long-standing history in Bascom NC. They are among the “founding” families. But they are “poor” now and to say that they are eccentric is an understatement. Claire is living in the family Queen Anne, tending the garden, and running a catering business. Her younger sister Sydney has been gone for at least 10 years, but suddenly appears one day with her little girl, Bay, at her side.

Their aunt Evanelle lives independently but has a sixth sense that requires her to give things to people, for reasons unknown even to her. E.g. she gives Emma two quarters which she’ll suddenly need to make a call from a pay phone. She gives Fred a mango slicer which he’ll take to a new culinary course, finding love with the instructor. She gives Henry a jar of maraschino cherries he’ll eventually use to make sundaes for Sydney and Bay.

Claire has used the knowledge of plants she gained from her grandmother in her catering business. Most of the time she just makes pretty, unusually flavorful recipes. But some of her clients have hidden agendas and ask her help with the ingredients. Zucchini blossoms promote understanding; violets bring calm and happiness.

Sydney is running from an abusive relationship, but of course, she’s left a trail so that David will eventually find her and Bay.

Next door is Tyler … new to town. … an art instructor at the college. He is completely smitten with Claire, especially after he eats one of the apples from the Waverley’s magic tree. The apples, when eaten, bring on visions. His is of Claire and there is nothing he can do but work to achieve it.

There are other barely realized characters – Emma & Hunter John, Ariel Clark, Henry, Fred, James. Some of these side plots just distract from the book. And the use of food to entice, influence, seduce is an old plot and better done elsewhere (e.g. "Like Water for Chocolate" or "Mistress of Spices")

The plot kept me interested, but the magical elements were really stupid and the ending was abrupt for all its predictability.
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Sep 01, 2014 Kimberly rated it really liked it

Shelves: romance, magical-realism

What an enchanting book! When I was told to read a magical-realism book, I wasn't quite sure really what to expect. I can now say I'm a new fan of the genre. This book reminded me so much of Practical Magic! You have two sisters abandoned by their mom at a very young age. Both have magical abilities. One is calm and predictable while the other is sporadic and in a bad relationship. The story is told through different point of views, which I usually don't care for especially when it involves so m ...more

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Apr 02, 2010 Susan rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: i-own, books-read-in-2023

I loved this book. It was a page turner from the start. I couldn't put the book down. I enjoyed the book even though it wasn't something I would normally read. I enjoyed the characters and the sisterly issues. I also enjoyed how the town is involved in the folklore of the Waverly family.

I read this book for the second time and it still was amazing, I think I read stuff I forgot or didn't recognize. ...more

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Jul 23, 2013 Kayla rated it it was amazing

Shelves: x-2015, x-2023, 00-own-read

Wow!!! This is my first SAA book and I was really nervous because I'm not really into fantasy books but I had great reviews from my sister in law. I was completely intertwined with this book. It was so beautifully written and it felt like I was actually there. I can't wait to read some more of SAA's books. If they are as enchanting and magical as this one I'll have them all read in no time. ...more

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Feb 20, 2009 Rachel N. rated it liked it

The story of Claire Waverly and her sister Sydney. Sydney ran away from hoem when she truned 18 but has now returned with her daughter Bay. Claire runs a catering firm with the help of her families magic garden and a special apple tree. The book was interesting but really easy to predict what would happen and a bit short.

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Sep 15, 2015 Chris rated it liked it

Shelves: audiobook, 2015owned, united-states, 2016owned, chicklit, series, fantasy

I really enjoyed this week little story with magical elements to it. It is the story of two sisters, Claire and Sydney Waverly, who were raised by the grandmother after their mother left them and later died. The Waverly women are known to have unique "gifts" that set them apart from the town. Claire runs a catering business that offers dishes prepared with edible flowers that can make the diners fall in love, tell the truth, or send children to bed without complaining. But her fear of being aban ...more

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Dec 15, 2008 Sue rated it really liked it

Shelves: southern, natalie-bk-club, magical, chick-lit

This book contains some delightful characters. I wanted to move to Bascom, North Carolina and hang out with the Waverley women because they were so interesting. Claire grows flowers in her garden and cook dishes with them that affects others' emotions, Sydney does the same with hair, Evanelle gives things to people they later need, and Bay talks to the anthropomorphic apple tree with special powers. The magical realism in the book seems so natural as to be absolutely believable as the ladies see ...more

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Jul 18, 2008 Suzanne rated it liked it

Whimsical and enjoyable, although just a tad too predictable at times.

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Jan 21, 2008 Amanda A rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-in-2008

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Dec 10, 2008 Angie H rated it liked it

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Dec 11, 2008 Liz rated it really liked it

Shelves: books-i-recommend, ni-group-read, 2010-book-list

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May 17, 2009 Tricia Schneider rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: borrowed, fiction, witches-wizards-sorcerers

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Jun 30, 2009 D.G. rated it really liked it

Shelves: magical-realism

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Sep 06, 2009 Kate marked it as to-read

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Oct 26, 2009 LynnB added it

Shelves: fiction, 2010-reads, magical-realism

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Mar 23, 2010 Leslie rated it really liked it

Shelves: library-book

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Mar 24, 2010 Lindy-Lane marked it as to-read

Shelves: g-chick-lit, first-in-series, listopia-south-lit, g-fant-magicreal, aromance-ctdwn, asrcwstyle-ctdwn, g-romance

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Aug 19, 2010 Lisa marked it as to-read

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Nov 24, 2010 Erin Carney rated it liked it

Shelves: 2011

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Jan 10, 2011 Annika rated it really liked it

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Jul 07, 2011 Khim marked it as to-read

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Jun 02, 2012 Soelo marked it as to-read-series-new

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Jul 07, 2012 Carrie marked it as to-read

Shelves: up-next, own, mgp, better-late-then-never, hmd

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Sep 19, 2012 Juliana Philippa marked it as to-read

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Nov 14, 2012 Marla marked it as bbc-suggestion

Shelves: paranormal, audiobook, magic, chick-lit, challenge-maybes, romance, adult

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Oct 05, 2014 Martha marked it as to-read

Shelves: gridlock

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Aug 30, 2019 Kristen rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: in-a-series, fantasy, green-covers, 2019-challenge-books, chick-lit, first-in-series, fiction, contemporary-fiction, food-on-cover, src-summer-2019

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