***Received an advance copy of this book courtesy Random House Publishing Group
Synopsis
Emily Benedict came to Mullaby, North Carolina, hoping to solve at least some of the riddles surrounding her mother’s life. But the moment Emily enters the house where her mother grew up and meets the grandfather she never knew, she realizes that mysteries aren’t solved in Mullaby, they’re a way of life: Here are rooms where the wallpaper changes to suit your mood. Unexplained lights skip across the yard at midnight. And a neighbor, Julia Winterson, bakes hope in the form of cakes, offering them to satisfy the town’s sweet tooth—but also in the hope of rekindling a love she fears might be lost forever. Can a hummingbird cake really bring back a lost love? Is there really a ghost dancing in Emily’s backyard? The answers are never what you expect. But in this town of lovable misfits, the unexpected fits right in.
My Review Comments:
This book was an enchanting, magical story with a quirky cast of characters, and is set in Mullaby, North Carolina, where unpredictable things happen. Emily Benedict returns to live with her Grandfather after her Mother dies, in an attempt to re-connect and find out answers about the Mother that she never really felt she knew. The only item Emily has to hold on to is a charm bracelet that was her Mother’s, that she cherishes. She is soon befriended by next door neighbor Julia Winterson who presented her with a homemade cake. Julia, who left Mullaby due to being considered a mis-fit, has returned to Mullaby since she inherited her Father’s BBQ Restaurant and is the baker there. Julia’s hope is to make is a successful business so that she can turn it around, sell it, and leave Mullaby for good. Her dream is to open her own bakery named, “Blue-Eyed Girl Bakery” back in Chicago. Julia also has her own modern day fairytale, undeclared love for Sawyer, a former love from high school. Emily finds her own love interest in Win Coffey, but there is disapproval of the relationship with the townspeople due to past scandal and tragedy between the Benedict’s and the Coffey’s. There are so many secrets that will unfold throughout the story, you will just have to buy the book to find out the rest.
There were definitely a lot of secrets circulating in this novel! Sounds like you enjoyed it and I did, too, though I wanted a little more depth from some of the characters. Still, a fun read!
ReplyDeleteIf this was your first Sara Addison Allen, I highly suggest Garden Spells.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link. I'm always happy to find new book lovers.
Julie
girlsjustreading.blogspot.com
I've had this book on hold at my library and it's finally in! I'm heading there in a little while to pick it up.
ReplyDeleteI have to echo Julie's recommendation for Garden Spells. It was just lovely. I recently read The Sugar Queen and enjoyed it very much as well, but think I like the former a little bit better. I hope you give it a try. :)
Sounds great - I can't wait to read it :)
ReplyDeleteI'm adding this one to the list, Kelly!
ReplyDeleteStopping by from the Book Hop. Great review, the book sounds like something I will need to add to my TBR shelf.
ReplyDelete