The Enchanted Hacienda by author J.C. Cervantes gave me Encanto vibes from the beginning but was told in such a unique, fun way, that I had trouble putting it down! It follows the magical Estrada family who own a farm, that is just as magical as them. They each possess a special gift. The story follows Harlow Estrada who believes she has no magical powers or anything remotely special about her, hence her non-floral name. It's not until she makes a huge change in her life that her life truly begins to start. Along with a new romance, Harlow begins to see the person that she's meant to become. I loved this book from the beginning to the end! The magical elements were my favorite but so was the romance aspect. Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read this special, amazing book! And to J.C. Cervantes, I'm so glad you decided to share this story with us! I can't wait for everyone to experience it.

2.5-3 ⭐️ I was initially drawn to this story because of the Encanto vibes and I’m happy to say it definitely delivered in that regard. However, I expected a magical story with a sprinkling of romance, but to me, this read more as a contemporary romance with magic.

The Enchanted Hacienda follows Harlow, a young women that comes from a generation of women with magical abilities tied to flowers (except for her). After losing her dream job and breaking up with her boyfriend, she moves back home to her mom and aunt’s hacienda in Mexico to try and figure out her next move. Here, she meets Ben, a handsome young man… cue the love story.

Tbh I didn’t think Harlow and Ben’s first meeting was too memorable, so I found it hard to believe in their connection (especially when looking back, their physical encounters with each other only spanned a couple days).

While I was not here for the insta-love, here are things I did like:

- Learning about different flowers and their meanings, including the exploration of dreams
- Harlow’s family (they were all so supportive and caring of one another)
- Harlow and her journey of self-discovery (I wiiiiiishhh I could go more into depth here, but I’m scared of spoiling more as it’s tied to some big revelations)

Overall, I did not expect a story so deeply rooted in romance. And don’t get me wrong, I’m a romance reader through and through - I just had different expectations for this story and unfortunately they were not met… BUT that’s not to say this won’t work for others.

Thank you Netgalley and Park Row for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Review in progress and to come.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

This genre of book, specifically magical realism, is always a hit with me. I loved the setting of this book and the family relationships. However, I wasn't as taken by the romance.

This gave Encato/The Inheritance of Orquidea Divina. So sweet and magical. I do wish there had been a little more drama with the journalist. Other than that, another great magical realism book to add to your list!!

When her career in New York falls apart, Harlow heads home to her family in Mexico. While she may be the only one in her family without magical powers, she still chooses to return home and figure out who she really is and how she fits in with her magical family.

A truly beautiful and enchanting story that shows the power of love, family and find your place in the World. Magic, family and a beautifully told story make this one that you don’t want to miss out on.

This book completely entrantsed me and I was absolutely caught up in the story. Ivread this in one sitting it was so good.
I just reviewed The Enchanted Hacienda by J.C. Cervantes. #TheEnchantedHacienda #NetGalley
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Harlow is the only non-magical person in her family, and when her life goes completely sideways, she flees to the magical family flower farm to lick her wounds and recalibrate her life plan. Romance ensues with a handsome stranger in town.

Based on the cover (which is beautiful) and description, I expected this book to be a bit darker/goth-y, in the vein of a Silvia Moreno-Garcia, but this was definitely more in the fluffy romance genre. I have also enjoyed J.C. Cervantes RR series.

J.C. Cervantes is a genius. I am absolutely in love with this writing style and I love the characters and I love the subtle magic. Such an underrated author!

Harlow is the only member of her family who did not get any plant magic on their magical flower farm. If this is reminding you a little of Encanto, I assure you that it's only in the best ways! The story takes place in modern-day Mexico and we see Harlow running to family's farm after her life as a New York editor comes crashing down around her. She has to rediscover herself and her place within the family and the world in general when she gets the opportunity to follow her dreams and decide if happiness is worth the pain to get there.

The story is honestly beautiful and heartbreaking and enchanting. And, as a Canadian, I really appreciated the chapters in Quebec City!

This was a wonderful coming-of-age story about love, family, and friendship. I loved the lyrical way the story was written and how it made it come to life off the page. I felt wicked away to a magical world to get lost in. With amazing characters and a story I could not get enough of.

This book is enchanting in every way. I was drawn in by the Encanto vibes and stayed for the unique story of a woman coming into her own. The Enchanted Hacienda is a beautiful story of family, magic, and romance. I loved the magical lore and learning about all the different meaning behind the flowers. The Estrada family are so supportive of one another and I loved how they continuously encouraged Harlow to seek out her dream. If you love magical realism, books within books, and coming of age stories, then this book is for you!

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Park Row for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Audio for an advanced audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

4+ stars

Harlow Estrada's family runs a magical farm in Mexico. While Harlow can feel her family's magic, she doesn't have any. Harlow as a spectacularly bad day getting fired and breaking up with her boyfriend and goes home to the farm.

This was my first book by J.C. Cervantes. I enjoyed The Enchanted Hacienda with its bit of magic, bit of romance, and some mystery thrown in. Ben and Harlow are good characters. My favorite part of the book was all the flowers and their meanings. Makes me want to garden.

**Review will be published May 11th on my sites and socials!**

DEFINITELY ENCHANTING.

I liked this a lot more than I could have hoped when I took a chance on reading it. It very much has Encanto vibes but make it all about flowers and adult. I thought the magical realism aspects were woven in beautifully. I loooved all of the flower discussion and gardening and learning about the uniqueness of each bloom. That itself was really charming.

This was much more romance than I was expecting (yay!). I loved Ben and his entire demeanor and sense of self. He was sweet and I thought he and Harlow had some great chemistry. It’s fast paced without feeling like insta-love and I’m so glad there was an happy ending for them.

Lots of emotions and pulling at the heart strings as Harlow had to take a long hard look at what her life was like before she came back home and the newness of things that occurred over the book. Did she always handle it in the best way? No, but I liked that and appreciated the stumbling that it took to get to where she landed. The road isn’t easy, but hopefully worth it.

I was caught up in the the bit of mystery that was added and how the third act was going to be resolved. I LOVED the whole family, sisters, cousins, aunts, etc. Strong and tight family bonds are some of my favorite things in books and this had a great group. It’s a magical, good read and one to check out!

Overall audience notes:

Magical Realism + Romance
Language: some strong
Romance: two almost open scenes, + 1 very brief/vague open
Violence: low
Trigger/Content Warnings: a loved one with memory loss (side character)

Casa de Las Flores y Luz - Mexico

Harlow Estrada has just lost her job, and, after realizing exactly what a jerk her boyfriend is, has dumped him. Leaving New York City where she had hoped to move up in the publishing world, and to write, Harlow heads home to her family's farm, Casa de Las Flores y Luz in Mexico. The farm has been in her family for generations. The Estrada women, from her grandmother, Azalea, to her mother, Jazmin, her aunt, Rosa, and Harlow's sisters and cousins (all named after flowers) have inherited magical traits from the goddess Mayahuel. To Harlow's sorrow, however, she does not have any magic, although she is always aware of it when she's around it. The family flower shop ships worldwide, sending their magical bouquets at the request of their customers.

Harlow flies home also at the explicit request of her mother and aunt. Her sisters and cousins have been summoned too. Jazmin and Rosa have been running the entire estate and flower business, and have decided that they want a vacation. So someone will have to stay at the estate to see to its staff and to run the flower store. Despite not having any magic, Harlow ends up being the "chosen one" who will remain at the farm.

Much to Harlow's surprise, she settles into the family business, and she begins to notice that maybe she has her own talents, even if she doesn't have magic. When she meets a stranger named Ben in town one day, Harlow wonders if her heart can handle dealing with another man so soon. And why is she so attracted to him?

THE ENCHANTED HACIENDA is a delightful, emotionally charged tale of a young woman realizing that maybe her lack of magic isn't the end of the world, that she does have something to offer, that family is everything, and love can come out of nowhere, magic or not. Readers will be enchanted with the magic, and will want to live in THE ENCHANTED HACIENDA.

This book gives me all sort of Encanto Vibes

With Magic, family, romance, and the many twists and turns of life, The Enchanted Hacienda a captivating coming-of-age story that you can only really appreciate as an adult.
When it seems like the world is falling down around her, Harlow is able to find strength in her family's love and the magic that's been with her all along. An incredible story filled with magic that will leave you on edge until the very end.

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing, Park Row & NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC

"And maybe it's the storms that change us, that help carve a new path toward who we were always meant to be."

Magic, family, romance, and the many twists and turns of life make The Enchanted Hacienda a captivating coming-of-age story that you can only really appreciate as an adult.
When it seems like the world is falling down around her, Harlow is able to find strength in her family's love and the magic that's been with her all along.

An incredible story filled with magic that will leave you on edge until the very end.