Finished 2-28-11, rating 3.5/5, fiction, pub. 2008
Unabridged audio is 8 hours, 2 minutes. Narrated by Karen White.
Josey Cirrini is a 27-year-old who hides sweets and romance novels in her closet so her perfect southern belle mother doesn’t see them. She lives in servitude of her mother with no life of her own until a local woman shows up in her closet to hide out for a while, seemingly to escape a boyfriend. She draws Josey out of her shell and she starts to develop relationships that her mother doesn’t approve of. Chloe and Adam both give Josey the confidence she needs to take a look at life in the small North Carolina town where everyone remembers her as a mean child.
I sympathized with Josey, but only so far. I understand about living in a small town, but her knee jerk reaction to her father’s death (this happened before the book began) and her choices because of it seemed extreme. I was much more interested in Chloe’s mysterious book ability. When Chloe had a need in her life the perfect book would appear in front of her. How awesome would this be? I totally loved Chloe’s story and her transformation. I think this is why I liked but didn’t love the book, I wanted Chloe to be the main character, not Josey. I wanted to give Josey a little tough love pep talk.
Lots of people told me I would like this one better that Allen’s first book, Garden Spells, but I didn’t. Maybe I was expecting too much. It was good, but I didn’t love it like I did Garden Spells. I wanted a little more magic.
I checked this audio out of the library.
Stacy's Books 
I also loved Garden Spells and have been looking forward to enjoying this one. Still looks good but I’ll keep a weary eye out! Excellent review.
Lots if people told me they liked it better, so don’t just take my word for it.
I definitely wish I had that awesome book ability! Thanks for your great review.
Isn’t it a great ability?!
I’m so glad you didn’t love this. Because I have been vacillating about it, and now I can safety tip it over to the forget it side of the aisle!
actually that’s safeLY, not safety….
Well, I’d put it in the ‘someday when I’ve read through all of my books list’ 🙂
I have this on audio too, but have not finished it. I have liked her other books better as well.
I’m glad it’s not just me!
Garden Spells is my favorite of hers – also liked her new one – The Girl Who Chased the Moon. She is one author who cannot write enough for me.
I will definitely read her newest one, but I’m not in a bog hurry since this one disappointed a little,
Intesting. I am wondering if I should listen to these books on audio. Everyone keeps telling me I need to read her books!
I think the audio was good and the plot is not so complicated that you can’t keep up even if you have to take breaks to yell at the idiots on the road 🙂
I liked this one too, but LOVED Garden Spells…so can’t wait for her new one!
We’re on the same page 🙂
I have this author to read (this one I think? maybe Garden Spells? I’m not sure) after hearing so much good stuff about her. I’ll be curious to see what I think.
Definitely start with Garden Spells.
I like Garden Spells and haven’t read this yet. I’m working on in, though…