BONUS: This edition contains excerpts from Sarah Addison Allen’s First Frost and The Girl Who Chased the Moon.
In a garden surrounded by a tall fence, tucked away behind a small, quiet house in an even smaller town, is an apple tree that is rumored to bear a very special sort of fruit. In this luminous debut novel, Sarah Addison Allen tells the story of that enchanted tree, and the extraordinary … of that enchanted tree, and the extraordinary people who tend it.…
The Waverleys have always been a curious family, endowed with peculiar gifts that make them outsiders even in their hometown of Bascom, North Carolina. Even their garden has a reputation, famous for its feisty apple tree that bears prophetic fruit, and its edible flowers, imbued with special powers. Generations of Waverleys tended this garden. Their history was in the soil. But so were their futures.
A successful caterer, Claire Waverley prepares dishes made with her mystical plants — from the nasturtiums that aid in keeping secrets and the pansies that make children thoughtful, to the snapdragons intended to discourage the attentions of her amorous neighbor. Meanwhile, her elderly cousin, Evanelle, is known for distributing unexpected gifts whose uses become uncannily clear. They are the last of the Waverleys — except for Claire’s rebellious sister, Sydney, who fled Bascom the moment she could, abandoning Claire, as their own mother had years before.
When Sydney suddenly returns home with a young daughter of her own, Claire’s quiet life is turned upside down — along with the protective boundary she has so carefully constructed around her heart. Together again in the house they grew up in, Sydney takes stock of all she left behind, as Claire struggles to heal the wounds of the past. And soon the sisters realize they must deal with their common legacy — if they are ever to feel at home in Bascom — or with each other.
Enchanting and heartfelt, this captivating novel is sure to cast a spell with a style all its own….
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Everyone needs a little magic I’n their life and this provided .
A quirky book that pulled me in and made me want to get to know the characters.
This was delightful!
A superb example of magical realism and a really entertaining and hopeful book.
Have liked every book this author has written!
There is a lot of magic is the story, but finding it was intriguing . The magic just was there, the people came to life when they found their magic. That’s what this is all about people and their magic. It could be herbs or apples or lotions please read to have it all reveal to you.
Sara Addison Allen is my favorite writer her imagination takes you places that are so magical. I have read all of her books and I simply cry every time I am done with book…my heart aches for it to go on forever
Intricate characters with a touch of paranormal
Superbly entertaining with imagination, creativity, and magic! Hard to put down!
The characters are unique and yet recognizable
The writers style is to reel the reader in with detail and mystical questions.
I will (and have) read everything Sarah Addison Allen writes. Her style is easy to read, yet beautiful in an organic, whimsical way. The storylines are romantic enough for romance readers, meaty enough for women’s fiction readers, and magical enough for fantasy lovers.
Garden Spells is my favorite. A tree, a tragedy, and trouble magically tell a …
This is my favorite book so far this year [2014]. Enchanted is a start to how I felt while reading this lovely magical book. I could identify with the emotionally encased main character, Claire, needing to keep people out so as not to be hurt as she was sure she would be. I loved watching her bloom as her garden perpetually did once she realized …
This was my first fantasy romance. The characters are warm and lovable and a little strange. Very cleverly written. Skilled at descriptive narrative.
I have read many of this Authors books. They have been uplifting in spirit. Wonderful realistic characters.
My favorite book by this author! I am waiting for a new one from Sarah Addison Allen.
It’s been many years which makes me hope all is well in her world.
Practical Magic, but better. Allen’s tale is utterly charming and full of uniquely Southern characters.
Special relationships between adult and child women, endearing, magical plot!
Q
This was the first Sarah Addison Allen books I read many years ago. I loved this one so much that I have now read every one and am anxiously awaiting the next one to come out.
What a fun book to read. Well written and totally absorbing.