Genre: Fiction – Romance/Supernatural
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. – Bantam Dell
Photo courtesy of Amazon.com
Another great story from Sarah Addison Allen. I’m so hooked on her novels that I’ve bought every single one. I picked up Garden Spells at the library and read through it in no time. The story is easy to follow and the characters feel like childhood friends after a while. Claire Waverley has a bit of OCD, which I don’t think anyone realizes yet. She has to do things a certain way and never asks for help. She’s capable of handling things on her own. It’s her quirk and one I particularly like about her. The reason she is this way stems from how she was raised. She and her mother traveled a lot and they didn’t have any stability in their lives. So, as an adult, Claire makes sure she has control and stability, in her own way. The return of her sister, Sydney potentially jeopardizes the life Claire has created and she doesn’t know how to handle it at first. And that’s just the beginning…
What I love most about these characters is each family sect has an eccentricity. With the Waverleys they have a garden with “special” flowers and an apple tree that has a life of its own. Then, there are the Clark women who use sex to get what they want. They’re all good at it and it’s what helps them keep their husbands. Odd, yes, but strangely fascinating. These two families have a past rivalry that continues through the current generation of women. Now while these qualities may seem innocent at first glance, they tend to have some supernatural influence which I find captivating. Especially the tree in the Waverleys’ yard. It throws apples when it wants attention. I wouldn’t say it’s a main character in the story, but it is an important one.
The Waverley women all experience change in their lives which leads them to happiness. Claire finally gets involved in a relationship. Her fear of everything being temporary is hard to overcome, but she succeeds. I think I related most to her because I understood where she was coming from. The thought that something you love could be gone in the blink of an eye makes you want to shy away from it so you don’t lose it to begin with. Moreover, you can’t miss something you don’t have. But that’s no way to live.
Allen makes you fall in love with her characters, relate to them on a personal level, and root for them in whatever new experiences they undertake. The undercurrent of family rings through each page and pulls at your heart strings. You will laugh, get a bit teary-eyed and even a bit pissed off while reading. But you know what, it’s all worth it. I enjoy books I can become entangled in because it means I’m reading something worthwhile. Who doesn’t like to get lost in a book every now and then? But make sure there’s a kitchen nearby because you might get hungry, or want to try out some of the delicacies Claire makes. I know I did.
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