Please look past this godawful cover to what is actually a quite delightful, magical little book!
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It’s very much a slow-burn magical realist novel, focusing on the characters, their abilities, their family history, which I think is quite typical for Hoffman (I haven’t read Practical Magic yet!). This is my kind of vibe, I prefer a quieter more reflective novel than all-guns-blazing. I can certainly see why lots of reviewers say they got fed up with the pacing, but if you know what you’re getting into then I think you will enjoy the leisurely pace.
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It’s focused on the women of the Sparrow family, who each gain a magical ability when they turn 13, such as not needing sleep, or in the case of the youngest Sparrow Stella, seeing how someone will die when she looks at them. This is what propels the story forward, as her and her father get tangled up in a murder because of her powers.
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I’ve always enjoyed small-town novels, and the small town vibes here were spot on! I also loved that there was a focus on finding love and the right partner at an older age than is usually depicted in media, sort of late 30s-40s, and then even into grandparent age. It was so sweet 😭

I do have a few complaints. Hoffman really likes to start sentences with ‘Why’ and it’s super noticeable and slightly annoying after a while. Like ‘Why, she could have stayed all winter’ or whatever. Additionally, Stella read like a character much older than 13. Always talking about true love and passion and whatnot - my girl, you are a child. Cool it.
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But I would recommend this book if you’re looking for a whimsical, atmospheric read! Now I need to hunt down a copy of Practical Magic ✨