Garden Spells

This was the perfect book to read after my last book left me in a sad slump. It was amazing - the perfect amount of magical realism mixed with southern town drama mixed with love stories mixed with family - leaving me happy and hopeful.The story centers around the Waverley family - Claire and Sydney, two estranged sisters, each with their own secrets and past. My favorite character was their great aunt/cousin Evanelle (great name!) who is the perfect quirky old lady that is compelled to give gifts to everyone... out of her Waverley magic. The Waverley house has an apple tree with a ton of personality, and a garden that grows magic. I love magic! I wholeheartedly believe in fate and magical every day happenings... which is probably why I love this book so much.There's also a bit of southern small-town drama that has stuck around for several generations, but not overdone. And the guys that are the side plot and come to love the Waverley women in their own special way are perfectly written into the story without taking over the main theme of Claire and Sydney reuniting.This story is a treat. I love a book that really makes you reflect on your own life through the different characters, and this one definitely did that. The ending was perfect and left you with a satisfied hopefulness, especially for Bay, Sydney's little girl that has a magic all her own.I would say this book made up 100 percent for the fact that I did not like [b:The Girl Who Chased the Moon 5126859 The Girl Who Chased the Moon Sarah Addison Allen https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1320483463s/5126859.jpg 5193717]. Sarah Addison Allen is a great story teller, and I now count her among my favorites.