A Magical Reading Experience

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The Book Charmer was my first experience reading Karen Hawkins. Honestly, I was a little nervous because all of her previous work looked like traditional Harlequin-style romances. And I’m a bit book snobbish about bodice rippers. Those nerves turned out to be unwarranted because The Book Charmer was absolutely delightful!

Straight from go, I was enchanted by Karen Hawkins’ prologue. Getting a glimpse of Sarah Dove and Grace Wheeler as children sets the stage and the tone while allowing the reader to see how each character’s past might influence her present. The present brings us to the small fictional North Carolina community of Dove Pond where Sarah has grown up and where Grace, her foster mother (Mama G), and her niece are moving in just down the street. Grace’s life has taken a sudden turn due to her sister’s death and her foster mother’s declining health, and they’ve come to Dove Pond because its memories might be helpful for Mama G.

Both the characters and the setting are written with love. You’ll enjoy getting to know these women and the small town in which they live. I would liken The Book Charmer to Jan Karon’s Mitford series with younger women and sprinkled with a touch of magical realism rather than faith. Like Mitford, the town and its quirky cast of characters is full of charm and humor. This is ultimately a novel about family, friendships, community, and love.

Karen Hawkins succeeds in giving her book heart without being sappy, and infusing her story with magic without being kooky. To make another comparison, if you’re familiar with Hallmark Channel’s original film/TV series Good Witch, you’ll find yourself as pleasantly at ease in Dove Pond as in Middleton.

The Book Charmer turned out to be the perfect summer read, comfy and cozy like your favorite old t-shirt. And getting to the end felt like having to say goodbye to new friends. Luckily, this is the first in a series so I’ll be able to visit Dove Pond and its inhabitants again!

Verdict: 4.5 of 5 Hearts: The winsome characters and small-town setting make for a magical reading experience!