This winsome, magical story is just what the doctor ordered.
A witch trapped in her hometown reunites with her high school sweetheart.
Caroline Wilton’s family suffers from a deadly curse: If any of them leaves the island of Starfall Point off the coast of Michigan, they are killed in a freak accident within 24 hours. This includes Caroline’s older brother, Chris, who fell off a bridge after leaving to meet a girl he met online. For years, the Wiltons have been swamped by grief, and Caroline has lived a kind of half life, working at her family’s worn-down restaurant and bar and having flings with tourists. Everything changed a year ago, when Caroline developed magical powers and realized she’s a witch. She and two other women, Riley and Alice, formed a small coven that helps ghosts trapped on Earth reach the afterlife. Caroline is shocked when her high school sweetheart, Ben Hoult, returns to Starfall Point, newly divorced and with his two teenagers in tow. Ben’s ex-wife only wanted the money and prestige of being a doctor’s wife, caring little for him or the children. He hopes that moving to his childhood home will create a safe place to heal. Ben is delighted to discover Caroline is still single, and the two fall back into an easy, sweet romance. Then his kids develop their own paranormal talents, and Ben is forced to admit that ghosts, magic, and curses are real. When an evil ghost threatens Caroline and the kids, the coven suspects the malevolent presence might also be responsible for the Wilton curse. Caroline wonders what the future will hold if she has the freedom to leave town. Harper is an expert storyteller, effortlessly weaving together the second-chance romance between Ben and Caroline with multiple subplots and a large, quirky cast of characters—some of which are ghosts. The plot moves along at a brisk, pleasing pace, and even the late-stage exposition dump feels charming.
This winsome, magical story is just what the doctor ordered.Pub Date: Aug. 13, 2024
ISBN: 9781728276823
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Review Posted Online: July 4, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Through palpable tension balanced with glimmers of hope, Hoover beautifully captures the heartbreak and joy of starting over.
The sequel to It Ends With Us (2016) shows the aftermath of domestic violence through the eyes of a single mother.
Lily Bloom is still running a flower shop; her abusive ex-husband, Ryle Kincaid, is still a surgeon. But now they’re co-parenting a daughter, Emerson, who's almost a year old. Lily won’t send Emerson to her father’s house overnight until she’s old enough to talk—“So she can tell me if something happens”—but she doesn’t want to fight for full custody lest it become an expensive legal drama or, worse, a physical fight. When Lily runs into Atlas Corrigan, a childhood friend who also came from an abusive family, she hopes their friendship can blossom into love. (For new readers, their history unfolds in heartfelt diary entries that Lily addresses to Finding Nemo star Ellen DeGeneres as she considers how Atlas was a calming presence during her turbulent childhood.) Atlas, who is single and running a restaurant, feels the same way. But even though she’s divorced, Lily isn’t exactly free. Behind Ryle’s veneer of civility are his jealousy and resentment. Lily has to plan her dates carefully to avoid a confrontation. Meanwhile, Atlas’ mother returns with shocking news. In between, Lily and Atlas steal away for romantic moments that are even sweeter for their authenticity as Lily struggles with child care, breastfeeding, and running a business while trying to find time for herself.
Through palpable tension balanced with glimmers of hope, Hoover beautifully captures the heartbreak and joy of starting over.Pub Date: Oct. 18, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-668-00122-6
Page Count: 352
Publisher: Atria
Review Posted Online: July 26, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2022
SEEN & HEARD
SEEN & HEARD
Henry fans, rejoice: This is her best yet.
A recently dumped librarian finds herself fake dating her polar opposite.
When Daphne Vincent’s fiance, Peter, dumps her, she’s shocked—but the worst part is that he’s leaving her for his gorgeous best friend, Petra, the woman he’d always told Daphne not to worry about. Now Daphne has to move out of Peter’s home and restart her life in the small Michigan town where she’d moved to be with him. Salvation comes in the form of Miles Nowak, Petra’s ex—he has a tiny spare room in his apartment, and he understands what it’s like to wallow in heartbreak. Daphne feels lucky to have her dream job as a children’s librarian, but other than that, she feels adrift and friendless in Waning Bay—and then she and Miles get invitations to Peter and Petra’s wedding. In a momentary lapse of judgment, Daphne not only says she’ll attend the wedding, but tells Peter she’s dating Miles. It would be the perfect way to show Peter and Petra that they’ve moved on…if only it were true. In the grand tradition of fake-dating romances, Daphne and Miles pretend to be in love, getting to know each other while having various adventures and misadventures. Daphne quickly learns that although she’d dismissed Miles as a pothead with a lack of direction, he’s actually a good time—and a loyal friend. But Daphne knows she needs to get out of Waning Bay, so this fake relationship can’t lead anywhere…can it? Reliable bestseller Henry has written another surefire hit that manages to be dramatic, sexy, and fun. Miles and Daphne have chemistry that leaps off the page, and their will-they-or-won’t-they energy propels the story to its satisfying conclusion. Daphne is an immensely likable character, one whose past realistically informs her current relationships. The world of Waning Bay is charmingly quirky, and Daphne’s co-workers at the library are endearing. As always, Henry’s biggest strength is the sharp, often hilarious dialogue that makes the story a joy to read.
Henry fans, rejoice: This is her best yet.Pub Date: April 23, 2024
ISBN: 9780593441282
Page Count: 400
Publisher: Berkley
Review Posted Online: Feb. 17, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2024
PERSPECTIVES
BOOK TO SCREEN
SEEN & HEARD
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