First Frost is another heartwarming story about the Waverley women who were first introduced in Garden Spells. It isn't necessary to have read Garden Spells first, but I would recommend you do -- just to round out the setting and characters in First Frost.Bay is now 15 years old -- about ten years have passed since Garden Spells. She's decided that she needs to have some kind of relationship with a boy named Josh. Is this her first love? When her mother, Sidney, finds out, she's concerned because he's the son of the man who broke her heart many years ago. Sidney still cuts hair at her salon and is trying to help out a single teen mom by letting her work there.
Claire is no longer catering -- she now makes candy that has become popular throughout the nation and is too busy and maybe not as happy as she once was. She's making money, but everyone misses her cooking.
If you've read Garden Spells, you know there's more to the story. The candy isn't just any old candy. The hair cutting is more than what it seems. And Bay still keeps trying to put things where they belong. Oh, and Evanelle is still giving strange things to everyone. The apple tree is still blooming in the fall and throwing apples at those it doesn't approve of. Par for the course at the Waverley house.
A strange man is hanging around town and seems to be interested in Claire for some reason.
I love the magic in these stories, because it's subtle enough to make you believe. The tale doesn't hinge on the magical elements, they just enhance it. There isn't a lot of romance in First Frost, and I missed that. (Another reason you should read Garden Spells first.) But it's a story about family and exploring those elements of our past that might not be easy to talk about.
Secrets are revealed. Mysteries are solved. Happiness is achieved. What more could you ask for? I recommend First Frost when you are ready to snuggle up with a book that will give you warm fuzzies.
Published by St. Martin's Press, January 20 2015
eARC obtained from NetGalley
304 pages
Rating: 4/5
Oh this sounds so cute and fun to read! I love books about magic! Great review! :)
ReplyDelete-Kimi at Geeky Chiquitas