First, a huge thank you to the publisher for a free E-copy of this book in exchange for an honest read and review.  I love when I am able to read things before they come out and give an honest review.  Not only does it make me feel like I'm doing something really cool and fun, but it also gives me a repertoire of books to recommend to others, should they ever ask.  I really enjoy knowing what new books are coming out and having a chance to read them makes this even better!

To be brief, this book focuses on a quaint town called Dove Pond, where the Dove family has lived for years.  Each of the Doves seems to have a special gift or ability.  This book, as the title says, focuses more on Sarah Dove, the local librarian.  From a young age, Sarah had the ability to converse with books; the books told Sarah where they needed to go and who needed them, so she became the town librarian to help fulfill the book's wishes.  While Sarah Dove is the focus for this book, it actually tends to shift focus more onto a small family of three, Grace, Daisy, and Mamma G.

This book, honestly, started a little slow for me and somewhat confusing.  I don't blame this on the book, but rather just me not reading the book information well enough and trying to read it too fast.  This book begins with two little girls in the foster system and their eventual adoption.  This little vignette seems to go quick and it then jumps to the present day.  Within the first little bit of this book, you learn a lot about those two little girls, their foster mother, and the new town they are moving to years later. 

Overall, I liked the general storyline of this book and thought it was really cute to read.  There is a theme of friendship and love, as well as strong independent women making things happen.  For me, those themes are what make books like this worthwhile.  There is not a strong love story or romantic plot, rather, it becomes a secondary aspect of the plot that seems to just happen naturally as the story progresses.  While I do like reading romance books, I think I like the natural progression better because it does read like something a bit more realistic and actually capable of happening.

In addition, the strong female characters that this book features are so important in the progression of the story and really make it what it is.  Without the strong female characters, this story would not be as good as it is and probably not last as long.  It was fun getting to read different storylines within this book and encounter so many strong women.  This book is set in the South and reads just like it because of the hospitality towards everyone, the quirky magic, and the general small-town feeling.

My critique of this book is not a big one.  I think that, for me, this book was a bit slow as it started and drug a little in the middle.  By the time I got to the end, the plot had grown so much, but so little was being resolved.  It felt almost as if the front three-quarters were big and busy, and the last quarter of the book really had to work to get everything wound up and resolved.  The epilogue also worked more than the front half of the book by resolving even more plot questions and truly ending the book.  For me, this wasn't a real problem reading it, but it did cause me to slow down reading as it started to drag a bit.  But, once you get past that part and can see the story resolution coming, it gets a lot better.  I enjoyed seeing the story wrap up and seeing the end.

Also, really quickly, let's talk about how cute this book cover is!  I definitely love this cover and it was what really drew me into this book before I even read the book information.

Overall, I gave this book three stars just because of the short lag in the beginning/middle and because the plot progression, after those slow bits really goes a bit too fast.  You don't get to read about the festival, that is such a big part of this story and the town.  The apple festival is glossed over and is something I would have loved to have a full chapter on, just to fill the reader in on what happens with that and how it generally progresses.    Otherwise, this was a cute story with an even more fitting setting.  I can definitely see where this will become a series, as there are plenty of Doves to help tell the stories.  I can't wait to see what comes next in this series!

What a sweet book!! A combination of romance, friendship, self-actualization, and fairy tale, this is the story of two head-strong women in a small town coping with life. The characters are realistic and endearing, their motivations are true and understandable, and I couldn help but root for everyone in the story (even the minor characters). Yes, it was a bit predictable, but radical twists and turns just wouldn't fit the atmosphere or the characters or the setting of this story. Even the magical overtones became believable and natural for this story. A joy to read. I really enjoyed it.

I loved the beginning of the book where Sarah starts to talk to books as a child. After that as she is grown up it turns into a more romance story and the magical realism seems to disappear. I would have loved for there to be more of it in this book.

I would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy free of charge. This is my honest and unbiased opinion of it.

Expecting this book to be about Sarah Dove & her sense that books speak to her, I was surprised to see her take a secondary roll in the story. The Book Charmer is an enjoyable read, one I hope will continue as a series to see where the characters may go. Grace Wheeler comes to terms with her foster mothers Alzheimer's, as well as learning to be a parent to her niece all with a move to a different town & a new job. A cute story, "cozy" if you will. It will be interesting to see if the next book is more about the Dove sisters, vs the towns people & their issues. Thank you to NetGalley & Gallery, Pocket Books for an advance copy in return for an honest review

Grace Wheeler’s life started out difficult, but in her adult years she has established herself as a successful financial analyst in Charlotte, North Carolina. Her elderly foster mother Mama G has been living in a nearby town raising Grace’s eight year old niece Daisy for Grace’s wayward sister Hannah. Three separate events happen in a short period of time that drastically change Grace’s predictable workaholic life. Hannah dies in a tragic accident, Mama G is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and Mama G’s house suffers irreparable damage during a storm. Grace decides she has no choice but to take over the care of Daisy and Mama G, and opts for a clean start in Mama G’s hometown of Dove Pond, North Carolina. No fan of small towns, Grace considers Dove Pond a temporary fix and vows to move the family back to Charlotte as soon as she can. She secures a job as town clerk and moves her family into a dilapidated little house which is owned by Mama G’s cousin.

Despite her internal struggle to remain aloof and distance herself from the townspeople and their activities, Grace eventually finds herself immersed in the charms of Dove Pond. After some resistance, Grace befriends several neighbors who make her feel more at home in the town. One neighbor is Sarah Dove, the town librarian who has some special talents. The Dove women have always possessed some unique mystical abilities, and Sarah’s powers are those of a “book whisperer”, where she can converse with the books in the library. Grace’s other neighbor is Travis Parker, a rough but attractive war veteran who seems to be fighting demons of his own that can rival Grace’s. Grace reluctantly settles into small town life and soon finds herself involved in helping the town in ways that she never dreamed possible.

The Book Charmer is a heartwarming story of an idyllic town whose charm and residents will likely remind readers of Star’s Hollow (Gilmore Girls) or Mayberry (Andy Griffith), with some magical moments mixed in for good measure. Karen Hawkins is gifted storyteller who has crafted a novel complete with very likable characters, a touch of romance, and a fantasy element. This winning combination will capture her reader’s attention and make them feel good… just like a Hallmark movie.

What begins as a story of a small-town librarian and the books in her care who talk to her, turns into a touching story about family, home and heart. While there is a gentle wave of the magical realism wand, this story is a sweet romance or women’s fiction story with characters that you’ll want to meet for coffee and pie.

Sarah Dove is the seventh daughter in her family, and the Dove family was a founding family of Dove Pond, North Carolina. Legend has it that when a seventh daughter is born, portentous changes happen. Sarah hopes this is true because her small town needs help.

Dove Pond could be Mayberry. Shady trees, old homes with character, quaint shops, it’s a g-rated family place. But the town is fading away, and declining. When the prickly Grace moves in to town with her family, Sarah senses that Grace is the help that Dove Pond needs. (One of the books whispered to her and confirmed it!)

Grace needs help. She was a foster child, shuffled from home to home until “Mama G” took in her, and her sister. Grace ends up succeeding and getting a good education and job. But when sadness hits, Grace takes an opportunity to move to Dove Pond with Mama G and her motherless niece Daisy.

Something good needs to happen to Grace, Sarah, the brooding biker guy Trav who lives near them, and the town. Will Grace finally come “home”?

While the magical realism of the talking books with personality was just a light sprinkling of whimsy, the main story of Grace, Daisy, Mama G, Sarah, and Trav, and the business travails of Dove Pond, is as warm as the sun in Dove Pond and as cozy as a swing on a front porch. Enjoyable!

Thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books, an Imprint of Simon & Schuster for a digital ARC. This is my honest review.

This book is a light cozy romance. Once I realigned my expectations to that reality, I was able to stop criticizing the book for what it wasn’t and begin appreciating what it was.

Based on the publisher’s blurb, I was looking forward to a contemporary literary fiction novel, with deep human drama mixed with elements of magical realism. Maybe not as intense as Isabel Allende or Laura Esquivel, but something along those lines. My thought was that there would be interesting insights from known literary works in distinct voices.

The book was none of that. However, it definitely fit the formula of a cozy romance, right down to the happily ever after ending that you expect in a romance. I don’t read in that genre so I really can’t judge whether it was an above average specimen or not. The author did put a lot of effort into developing a sense of place, so I suspect there will be more Dove Pond books focusing on the other sisters’ talents. I won’t get sucked in by those because I now know what to expect from the series, and it isn’t my cup of tea.

I received this book as a digital advance reader copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

This storyline fell a little flat for me, both in character development and its advertisement of “magical realism”. There was a lot of potential in the plot ideas laid out, but these ideas were never fully developed. It just felt a little light weight. Thank you for an advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Grace Wheeler comes to Dove Pond for the sake of Mama G who is suffering from Alzheimer's. She is determined to stay no longer than a year. That is, until Sarah Dove and others in the community get her involved in the town's affairs and her next door neighbor Trav catches her heart. A totally charming look at a town filled with love.

I love Sarah Addison Allen and Menna van Praag’s magical realism and family stories, so I was excited to request The Book Charmer. Despite the promising premise and nice opening, I did not enjoy this book. Sarah’s book-charmer gift wasn’t integral to the story and I found the storylines thin.

Loved, loved, loved this book! Thank you so much for the ARC. I loved the characters, town, and story. Can’t wait to follow along in these characters’ lives.

While this was not the typical genre I read, I found this story quite charming.
The characters were good and written well, the story unique, and I found myself enjoying this book for the most part.

A book about a small southern town, books and a librarian is right down my alley. All three have been part of my life. I found the book delightful and loved every minute reading it. Thanks for this opportunity.

The Book Charmer is a story of one little girl , and her sister, who is passed from foster home to foster home until they find Mama G. Grace, the main character, goes on to college and a successful career, but gives it all up to come home to care for Mama G. when she becomes ill. They return to the town of Mama G’s birth, where the majority of the story takes place. It is a beautiful and heartwarming tale of what is really important in life...home, family, friends.

I fell in love with this book! It has the trials and emotions of real life - angst, romance, sadness, and joy. The characters deal with real life issues - sisters, family members with dementia, children who have lost parents, war wounds, and the need to make a living while juggling all the pieces. It also has quirkiness - all the diverse characters in a small town - a family of magical sisters, a wacky mayor, and a wise old woman that everyone loves. I was totally charmed by The Book Charmer and you will be too!

Magic. That's what this book was. The story. The characters. The town of Dove Pond. So many emotions experienced in one book and I wouldn't have had it any other way. I'm a huge Sarah Addison Allen fan and Karen Hawkins is right up there with her in style, storytelling and imagination. It was just exactly what it was supposed to be and I am so looking forward to diving back into another magical story crafted around Dove Pond.

Charming is a perfect description for The Book Charmer. This lovely novel tackles trust, pain, and love in the town of Dove Pond, NC.

Grace Wheeler and her sister Hannah have been bounced from home to home. They’re about to land at the one last chance they have before the system will split them up and send Grace to a group home. Mrs. Giano, better known as Mama G, will take a look at them and decide if she’s willing to tackle the demons that rest inside Grace.

All grown up, a bit later, Grace is now responsible for Mama G and Hannah’s daughter Daisy. Mama G is struggling with the early stages of Alzheimers, and Daisy needs a fresh start. Giving up her dreams of success in the financial industry, Grace moves the patched together family to Mama G’s birthplace of Dove Pond. Dove Pond offers a chance for Mama G to be in a place that feels safe, even if it doesn’t afford Grace the job or future she’d intended.

Meanwhile, Dove Pond has its own set of issues. When Grace takes over the job of town clerk, she uncovers a mess that could take the town down. Working with a feckless mayor who thinks his primary job is fishing and glad-handing, and being the new girl in town, she’s about to take on a challenge any bigger than she’s ever had. Will Grace be able to handle the changes? And will she let anyone in to help her?

Karen Hawkins has written such a beautiful novel of love. Grace and Daisy are both somewhat broken, and find themselves in a place of magic in Dove Pond. Neither wants to let anyone in, too many trust issues, but the magic of Dove Pond can’t help but work its way into their hearts. The author deals with the realities of Alzheimers and what it’s like to live with someone you love when their mind is slipping. Also, how the foster system can break and heal those broken by it. She has created a place that anyone would want to pull up stakes and move to.

Not sure if Dove Pond will be a series (it does say book #1) but I truly would love to know more about the town and the residents. Dove Pond will be a place I want to visit again and again. The Book Charmer and it’s hometown have charmed me, as I’m sure it will charm others.

This review will be posted at BookwormishMe.com close to publication date.

What a heartwarming story! I loved the character of Grace and adored Sarah!!
I know this is going to be a series, and I can't wait! I need to know about the book!!!
This is what I like to call a quick, feel good read. Thank you NetGalley!!

Simply charming! I want to move to Dove Pond.

My only quibble would be that, with the title character being a librarian, we sure didn't get to spend much time in the library!

*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a great story. I was hooked from page one. The only thing I disliked was that the book ended. This story could of gone on and on. Hopefully she will continue the story in another book. I enjoyed the characters, the setting and the "books". Definitely a title I didn't want to put down.