Book Review: First Frost

by: Sarah Addison Allen

The Waverlys are back! Sarah's first published novel was Garden Spells, which featured the Waverly sisters. So if you haven't read that - DO NOT read this review!!!

Claire is making candy. She has since stopped her catering business because this candy business has exploded. But she is doubting herself. After a certain point, she had to stop using ingredients from her garden. Does she really have Waverly magic? Enter dubious traveling salesman character...

Bay is having her own troubles. Since her magic is knowing where things belong - or don't belong - she is an outcast in high school. There is a boy, Josh I want to say...anyway, he is the son of Hunter John, her mother's high school sweetheart. Because of that history, Sydney does not trust him. She is afraid he will break Bay's heart the same way Hunter John broke hers. But I don't know how much say she will get, as Bay knows they belong together.

I couldn't have been happier to review this book. Yup, I received a review copy in exchange for an honest review. And this is honest, Sarah Addison Allen is my all time favorite author and she still is oozing her talent all over her books. There's a little magic, a little romance, and a lot of sweet story here.

Blurb from Website:

Autumn has finally arrived in the small town of Bascom, North Carolina, heralded by a strange old man appearing with a beat-up suitcase. He has stories to tell, stories that could change the lives of the Waverley women forever.

Book Review: Lost Lake

Lost Lake by: Sarah Addison Allen

As I said yesterday, I love this author. This book felt a little different from her others. There's always been something painful for the main character, but it felt like the wound was deeper in this one. What's worse than your husband dying in a tragic accident? Said death happening immediately after deciding to divorce him. She was completely blown over by what I think is not only grief, but guilt as well. When Kate finally wakes up she is overwhelmed by where her life is heading. Her overbearing mother-in-law isn't helping matters. She must figure out for herself what would be best for her daughter and for her.

She finds a postcard from her great-aunt that really takes her for a turn. She had visited as a young girl. The trip was magical and there was a very special boy. Her aunt told her to come back anytime and even though it's 20 years or so later, she takes her aunt up on that offer.

I enjoyed the story, which covered not only Kate but some of her aunt's life and some of her aunt's best friend. She uses such descriptive language to move through the story. It's like watching a tapestry come to life. You can read this without having read the short story, Waking Kate. But it does give you more background on Kate and her family.

Book Review: Waking Kate

Waking Kate by Sarah Addison Allen

I just adore Sarah Addison Allen. Her writing is fine art. In this short story she introduces us to Kate. It's kind of a sad tale until she meets her older neighbor who just finished his last day of work. She shares some butter coffee with him and just listens. I feel like the experience grounded her.

I know this is short but it's a short story and I don't want to give everything away. Check it out, it's free. And if you like that you can move onto her novel Lost Lake.

I'm curious? Have any of you heard of putting butter in your coffee? And if so, have you tried it? If not, what do you think?