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Sep 13, 2025
Laura
rated it
it was amazing
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2025
4.5 stars, rounded up. This book reminds me how much I enjoy magical realism. There’s a very nostalgic feeling to this one, as it brings back high school and the feeling of first love so beautifully.
Each of the Waverly women has a different magical gift. The two girls in the youngest generation are learning to find and understand their gifts in this one.
I really hope this author plans to keep writing this series bc Bay’s storyline is begging to be continued. And I really want to learn more abo ...more
Each of the Waverly women has a different magical gift. The two girls in the youngest generation are learning to find and understand their gifts in this one.
I really hope this author plans to keep writing this series bc Bay’s storyline is begging to be continued. And I really want to learn more abo ...more
Set ten years after Garden Spells, First frost concentrates on the Waverley sisters and Sydney's daughter Bay. Bay's gift is to know where things belong and she knows that she belongs with Josh Matteson, if only he could realize it. Claire has started a candy making business but it is taking a lot of her time and taking her away from her family. Sydney longs for another child. I loved catching up with the characters and seeing where they had ended up. A sweet story.
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Sarah Addison Allen is one of my favorite contemporary authors. That makes it even harder to say that this book was a big let-down. Maybe it was the way too-familiar teenage dating angst? Or maybe it was baby-obsessed character? Or the ridiculous carnival guy? Hmmmmm. Can't quite put my finger on it. Her books always have a wonderful not-quite-magical whimsey to them that I thoroughly enjoy. This one just plain lacked that. Technically it is a sequel to her first wonderful book, Garden Spells, b
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There's something slightly off in tone about this one that makes it feel out of step with Allen's past work. To some extent it's a function of a more nebulous plot that doesn't have a clear direction, perhaps because this is meant to be part of a series rather than a fully realized stand-alone. I want to like this one better than I did because I appreciate the shift away from a straight romance-with-sprinkles, but the ideas need a little more depth and maturity to come alive.
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I enjoy Sarah Addison Allen's books, because they can evoke a feeling in me of extreme delight. First Frost is the sequel to Garden Spells, which I had really enjoyed. However, First Frost lacks the magic of its predecessor. The characters are lovely but the story is a bit wanting. The focus is on gaining a better understanding of the Waverly clan, and in particular, Grandma Mary and Lorelei. I would say that it's more of a getting to know the Waverlys versus an intense storyline with a juicy pl
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A little to light on content, little plot or significance for me.
Lovely, heart warming follow up to Garden Spells
I really liked this book. It lost a star for the slow beginning.
3.5 stars
I liked this follow-up to Garden Spells, especially the character of Bay. Some plot elements were predictable, but the atmosphere of the book is so enjoyable (and descriptions of food!) I just wished there was more time with the Apple tree and I hate it when Claire isn't happy. Anyway, it was fun. ...more
I liked this follow-up to Garden Spells, especially the character of Bay. Some plot elements were predictable, but the atmosphere of the book is so enjoyable (and descriptions of food!) I just wished there was more time with the Apple tree and I hate it when Claire isn't happy. Anyway, it was fun. ...more
Sep 10, 2014
Deedee
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