A cute rom-com with quite a unique plot, this book was a little different than I expected. Phronsie and Judd's plan was absolutely crazy, and I spent the whole book hoping they didn't go through with it. Interspersed with their current life, there's flashbacks to her childhood that help give glimpses into why she is the way she is now. What lost me was the infidelity. Granted, they weren't madly in love, but they both were in agreement that they were going to be a couple and faithful. No matter how they tries to justify it, I just don't like infidelity in books myself. This is a personal choice obviously and others probably won't feel that way, but it just lost me. The ending was good and the book was decent, I just didn't love the plot.

⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

I received an advanced copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to NetGalley, Maddie Dawson, and Lake Union Publishing. ❤️

I'm so embarrassed - I don't know how I missed reviewing this book, but it was such a delightful coming of age story! Phronsie was such a quirky, awkward character, a mix of her free-spirited mother and sensible, dependable farmer father, and the multiple timelines (present day, back to Phronsie's childhood, and even a few glimpses of how her free-spirited mom and solid dad met at Woodstock) worked well.

This was a story where I was rooting against the MC and her fiancé, because all the signs showed they weren't meant for each other, and Phronsie's dual nature of practicality fought against the side of her that wanted more. This was just pure fun.

The only bits that didn't work for me were when the author broke the fourth wall (generally not a fan of that) but that's my personal quirk as a reader.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my digital copy in exchange for an honest review. I'm sure I requested this book based on the title alone because there is honestly nothing drawing about the cover...as it turns out, it was a very good book. I liked the characters, I liked the story line and I liked the growth and personal development...I will admit that there were definitely times where I hoped they wouldn't go through with their crazy plan and I wondered what I would do in her situation...this was definitely not like many books I have read and my first by this author.

This was an adorable little coming of age book, and I am happy to have read this in between all my thrillers. Maddie Dawson really spoke to the reader throughout this book and I enjoyed it thoroughly. It would be a 3.5 for me.

DNF - Did not finish. I did not connect with the writing style or plot and will not be finishing this title. Thank you, NetGalley and Publisher for the early copy!

This is a story of a woman who is tired of waiting for Mr. Right and thinks she will settle for her best friend, Judd to marry. Phronsie Linnelle get advise from her mom who wants her to wait for love and her step-mom who thinks stability is more important. Of course as soon as she accepts she meets a man who makes her tingle. And Judd's friend is always around. A story of exploring life and possibilities with a romance. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This was a beautiful book about finding yourself and love, of overcoming a difficult childhood and the trauma to find joy and believe you deserve it. I am not sure what I expected, but this surpassed my expectations. Phronsie drew me in and didn't let go and I was sad when it ended.

Fairly predictable (especially when a work trip to Charleston comes up) but it was well written and I liked all of the characters. Worth a read :)

My thanks to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book to review. Unfortunately, I did find the backstory a little slow and it slowed me down considerably reading it, but the writing is delightful and engaging. I wanted badly to love it, but I did like it very much.

I really love this author’s writing and this book was no different! I absolutely loved the characters, they were so well developed. Tenaj and Phronsie are so unique and I absolutely loved their quirkiness. I would have loved to have seen more of Adam throughout the novel. I did enjoy that it had a dual timeline but sometimes the flow was a bit off and I thought the book was a tad too long for my liking. Overall, it was a great story with great characters and I really enjoyed the journey. I could see this one being a movie.

Thank you to the publisher and @netgalley for providing a free advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Phronsie (from the children’s book) and her twin brother Hendrix are thirty-six, children of an encounter at Woodstock between their ‘hippy free-love' Mother Janet (now Teraj) and straight-laced father. There’s a bit of Phronsie that is much like her mother – taking clues from the universe, wanting to find an all-consuming love, but the parts that are her father and stepmother’s - a need for surety and security, a family, roots – are also speaking. Now with a handful (or more than) of failed romances behind her, she turns to her best friend Judd, with his own issues in the romance department. The two agree that marriage is the option for them both – together – even as they don’t have an ounce of spark between them. It’s comfortable, easy and well, everything points to ‘this will work’, and Phronsie’s stepmother is elated.

But things aren’t always as they seem. There are NO sparks, and everyone needs sparks, and Phronsie keeps having that niggling voice telling her she should go for more – that she deserves it ALL...... Enter the twist. She falls for someone else.... well, sort of: Infidelity, sleeping with two people, plenty of bad choices and ultimately, answers that she finds bring us full circle. Told with multiple flashbacks that illuminate her childhood, her parent’s relationship and don’t actually result in her learning MUCH, even as a reader I feel that more effort was spent giving us the why of her behavior rather than what she was doing to correct some unforgiveable mistakes (the infidelity – even with a marriage pact means that you are moving forward and trusting that the other is faithful) didn’t work for me.

What did work was the concept and the clear lines that showed cause and effect – from her parent’s marriage and subsequent behaviors to the lack of constancy on Phronsie’s part where relationships are concerned and her own battles with the ‘rational (adult) Phronsie and the childish and selfish adult she had become. It was a mixed bag for me – hoping for more, getting an okay, but not spectacular result with plenty of moments that an author (and some integration of prologue into story) would have improved with more solid editing. I’m not sold on this author, yet, but I’ll give more chances because the concept and characterization were memorable and unique, and when I’ll read a story that focuses on a dislikable character who behaves badly but I still hope – there's plenty to recommend.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Unfortunately, I failed to download this title before the archive date. My apologies for the oversight.

Maddie Dawson is a pretty magical author and I so adore the heart, love, and light that she brings to her characters and books. This, like all of her other books, is such a special journey and I hope she continues to write more!

I really enjoyed the story of Phronsie. It was a quirky and entertaining read and a change from the usual predictable stuff that you get so often these days. My only criticism would be that at times I found the back story a little slow. But otherwise it was great and I'll seek out more books by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley, Maddie Dawson and Lake Union Publishing for the free e-book in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first novel by Dawson and I was expecting a fast paced, thoughtful and adorable novel. I didn't find this to be true, this novel was longer than I had imagined, but every page was necessary in the story of her life and I really enjoyed the whole idea behind it. I think everyone worries about being alone and this is such a great story of why you shouldn't settle. It was a very well thoughtout novel and I didn't just adore it; I found myself so enamoured with the characters. I will definitely be picking up more by Dawson.

This book sounded like it had such a fun and different storyline so I was excited to receive an advanced reader’s copy. It turns out that it moved along fairly slowly and it was not one of my favorites.

THE MAGIC OF FOUND OBJECTS is a captivating, heartwarming tale of love, self discovery, family and friendship. I love Dawson’s other books and was not disappointed by her most recent release. I would highly recommend this story about Phronsie, her friends and her journey, to other Dawson fans and to women’s fiction fans in general.

I kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publishers and the author for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! This was a strange, unexpected treasure of a book. I loved it from the first line. It's beautifully written and the characters are so authentic that they became very real to me. I absolutely loved the way the author wove Phronsie's past and present lives together - it gave the story so much depth and helped me to understand her much more than most characters in a novel.

Highly recommended!

This book was gripping. I was sucked in and could not put it down! The concept was so unique, I loved this book.

Phronsie has always had trouble in the “love” department. You would think being conceived at Woodstock would increase her luck in that area of life. But, sadly no! So, she and her best friend decide to just marry each other. Forget all this love nonsense and just get married.

This book just started out ok, then it turned completely fantastic. I fell hook, line and sinker for everything and everyone in this story. My favorite scene was just a normal conversation in a bar. This author is fabulous if she can make a conversation in a bar memorable…and boy did she!

Phronsie is a character I loved from start to finish. Throughout her young life, she is torn between her real mom and her step mom. It isn’t until later in life that she figures it out…another jewel from this author. You will have to read this to find out.

This is a story that encompasses all types of love…family, friends and lovers. I was pulled in so many directions while reading this novel. Kudos to the author for knowing exactly which buttons to push!

Need a good novel which will leave you thinking about it for weeks later…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.