3.5 stars adjusted to 3 GR stars. I was unsure how I felt about this book right after I finished it. I enjoyed the first part of the book. I loved the town of Ghost and the chemistry between Chelsea and Knox. Then the twist happened. I very much disliked Austin and Lolly and as the story progressed, i started not liking Chelsea. Then came another twist, but without giving things away, it wasn't what I hoped for. Of her 3 women's fiction books, since Ms. Finz tried to step away from the contemporary romance genre, I liked this one best, it was close to what I loved about her the small town romance she is so great at

I really liked this one! The main character was great, and all of the side characters too (except Austin, eff that guy!). I really loved the ending.

This book was a lot like reading a Hallmark movie (seriously, it would make a great Hallmark movie). It was a sweet book and while there was romance I’m not sure it totally qualifies as a romance? It was romance adjacent? I will say that this book was highly predictable but it was a nice, gentle ride. Chelsea is a well known marriage therapist who mostly does speaking engagements at this point. She thought she had everything and was happy until her husband and best friend Austin leaves her. It’s been a year and now he’s engaged to someone else. Needing a break she heads to the vacation home they now share in a tiny town called Ghost. Chelsea realizes that there are things she should address with her past and her family and slowly finds the things that bring her joy. But not everything is as she thinks it is and the truth may devastate her. Definitely a fun book, one I think that would make a good beach read.

Nothing Less than Magic blends two of my favorite things: magical realism and autumn. When famous marriage and relationship therapist (think Ted Talks, bestselling books and sold-out conferences) Chelsea's ex-husband announces he's getting married (when she thinks he's going to ask her for a second chance) she is devastated and humiliated. Hiding out, she decides to use the cabin they've bought (where they now trade weekends) in Northern California, in the town of Ghost. The town is beautiful and decorated to the hilt for Halloween. The locals, whom she's never really engaged with before, seem to know her quite well and are thrilled she's spending more time there. When she needs some repair work at the cabin, Knox Hart shows up-and the magic seems to really begin. Underneath it all, Chelsea feels something is not quite right. Stacy Finz takes readers on a journey through Chelsea's complicated childhood which impact her and her sister's choices today. Just when Chelsea is considering giving up her life in San Francisco for the quiet of the country the magic is shattered. Chelsea is faced with a decision about moving forward or staying in the past which could change the course for everyone.

I really enjoyed how Finz handled some difficult situations (in particular Chelsea's backstory) and while I started to guess part of the story Finz blended the magical realism theme well with the current setting. If you are looking for a fall read that has beautiful settings, strong characters and second chances pick this one up today.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

What happens when a popular marriage counselor's own marriage falls apart?
Well in Nothing Less than Magic she is forced to question her methods and along the way she discovers the magical ingrediant that she has been missing all along. This was the perfect cozy read that had me turning pages until the very end. The author did a great job writing this one and I look foward to reading more books by her. I love how the author included magical realism in this one with the family drama, romance and self discovery. Overall this was the perfect fall read that I highly enjoyed. I would recommend this one to any romance or fantasy reader. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this cozy fall read in exchange of my honest review of Nothing Less than Magic by Stacy Finz.

Chelsea is a well known pop culture psychologist who specializes in working with couples on their marriages. It’s consequently more embarrassing when her own marriage publicly fails. When her ex, Austin, asks to meet she’s hoping they’re getting back together. Instead, he tells her he’s engaged.
Chelsea is shocked and gets hit by an SF cable car as she leaves the restaurant.
Chelsea goes to the mountain cabin she and Austin share to regroup and lick her wounds. When she gets there, she remembers how kind and welcoming the people are. She falls for Knox, the college professor working on her house as a handyman while he writes a book. He’s everything she could have imagined in a partner.
Chelsea knows she’s got to return to her real life, things in the mountains feel too idyllic and she can’t get in touch with her assistant.
When she discovers why she’s been out of sorts, she’s devastated and finds that she underestimated her ex, Austin.
I don’t want say more and spoil the twisty ending, but I loved the way the author examines the relationships between Chelsea, the people around her, and her job. I liked this entertaining book, 4 stars.

Stacy Finz’s "Nothing Less than Magic" presents a compelling narrative that intertwines professional prowess with personal upheaval. The novel follows Chelsea Knight, a renowned marriage counselor who, despite her extensive expertise and public acclaim—evident through her bestselling books and TED talks—struggles with her own faltering marriage. This discrepancy between her public persona and private reality sets the stage for a deeply engaging story.

The plot takes a dramatic turn when Chelsea faces a medical emergency that plunges her into a dreamlike state. This surreal experience blurs the lines between her dreams and reality, creating a fascinating psychological landscape that adds depth to her character's journey. As Chelsea grapples with this altered state, her relationships with those around her become strained, particularly as they grow concerned for her mental well-being.

Throughout her dream-induced odyssey, Chelsea embarks on a path of profound self-discovery. Her journey is marked by reconciliation with her estranged sister and the process of confronting and forgiving past grievances. These elements serve as pivotal moments in her quest for a fresh start, one that intriguingly mirrors the idealized version of her dreams.

Finz’s storytelling shines as she explores the complexities of identity, healing, and redemption. The duality of Chelsea’s experience—caught between her dream world and her waking life—offers a unique narrative lens that enhances the emotional impact of the novel. The characters are well-drawn, and their interactions with Chelsea provide a rich backdrop for her internal transformation.

"Nothing Less than Magic" is more than just a tale of personal redemption; it’s a reflection on the often elusive nature of perfect happiness and the ways in which our deepest desires can sometimes come to life in unexpected ways. Finz’s ability to weave a story that balances emotional depth with fantastical elements makes this novel a thought-provoking and engaging read. Readers who enjoy introspective journeys coupled with a touch of the surreal will find this book both satisfying and resonant.

Nothing Less than Magic tells the story of a marriage counselor dealing with a divorce, who finds herself suffering some memory loss while staying at her vacation cabin to recover.

This is another one I was really excited to read, but didn't quite love. There were a few things left unresolved that irked me. The ending was cute, but it left me with too many questions and not enough answers. I spent about 70% of the book having no idea what was happening, which I enjoy in mysteries and thrillers, but not so much in my romance reads. It wasn't bad, just not as magical as I was hoping for.

Nothing Less Than Magic by Stacy Finz

An intriguing, intricately plotted, well written story that drew me in, made me wonder while becoming invested in the outcome of how it would all come together.

What I liked:
* The way the story was told in three parts with the first as the set-up, the second that had me at times scratching my head, and the conclusion that provided hope for the future.
* Chelsea: had a great arc of growth through the book, I came away admiring her and her ability to survive while hoping her choices will see her thrive. I had times I wanted to sit her down and give her a talking to, though.
* Chelsea’s backstory and how it impacted her and her sister Lolly as I hope that they can bridge the estrangement gap that grew between them
* Uncle Sylvester: loving, responsible, caring, busy, in the movie business, there for those he cares about, may have found his soulmate in Wallace
* Ghost – the town that so impacted Chelsea’s future
* Thinking about the trauma Chelsea experienced and seeing it through my past as a neurosurgical intensive care head nurse decades ago
* Thinking about how fascinating the brain is, how it protects itself, and how it can heal
* Thinking about how this and another book read this week both are about TBI’s (traumatic brain injuries) and yet how different they were…and both so very enjoyable
* Thinking about “magic” and how important it is to life and how difficult it is for so many to find
* All of it except…

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Thinking about how selfish some people can be
* Thinking about a relative who was in a coma for decades and wondering what was going on his mind during all of those years

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the ARC – this is my honest review.

4-5 Stars

I feel like the summary given for this book gives false pretenses to what the story will be. After reading the book I understand the need to veil the summary but felt the story was a bit disconnected from the summary and what one would expect to read. The first half of the book to me was very drawn out, slow paced, and a bit all over the place. There was a lot of jumping around and it just didn't feel cohesive. I saw the plot twist coming as this was eerily similar to another author's book I read a few years ago in that premise. The second part of the book for me was a lot more enjoyable. I felt like the second part had more heart and more of the character doing some soul searching instead of just sticking with what she knew. I did like this book, but I really wanted to like it more than I did.

Nothing Less Than Magic is a most unusual story by Stacy Finz. On the evening that marriage guru Chelsea Knight expects her estranged husband Austin to ask for another chance it’s really a goodbye dinner. As she escapes from the rooftop restaurant, Chelsea is so distraught she is paying no attention and runs in front of a cable car. The next thing she knows she is at the Northern California cabin she shares with Austin recuperating from the accident.

Encountering a host of town residents that seem to know her, many unexplainable things happen. Yet Chelsea is very comfortable with the residents of Ghost, especially biophysicist handyman Knox Hart, and is loving this life until it is time to leave to get back to work. Knox asks to take her to one more place before she leaves when disaster strikes and Chelsea finds herself rousing in a hospital bed. What happened to her idyllic small town and the friends she had made, especially Knox?

This is a mystical tale with so many twists and turns. Ms. Finz takes her readers on a journey not soon to be forgotten. With so many interesting characters, this story of second chances and finding one’s way will leave the reader thinking long after the final page. I very much enjoyed this book and I do recommend it!

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for allowing me an ARC of the book. I LOVED this book. I cried, I laughed, I got angry, I felt all of the things. I loved the characters and the plot. I had a feeling from about halfway through the book that something weird was going on, but the twist and turns throughout the book made it even more enjoyable. I absolutely loved the ending and it made me feel so happy inside. I definitely would recommend this book and give it 5/5 stars!

When marriage counsellor, Chelsea Knight marriage fell apart, she believes it is only a short while before Austin and her get back together. After one year, he seems to be doing all the right things to reconcile with her. She soon discovers when they meet for drinks that he is engaged. Fleeing from the restaurant, Chelsea has an accident and then finds herself taking refuge small-town lake cabin she and Austin now take turns using. The town is magical and it is there that she meets, Knox Hart, a talented jack-of-all-trades who’s fixing her roof. Chelsea is instantly drawn to him and to the simplicity of country life. Slowly, she becomes immersed in the townspeople’s problems and finds a sense of belonging. However, it all begins to seem too good to be true especially when Austin returns to comfort her.
This book was cleverly written and without revealing too much, it is one that you need to go into with little background. I enjoyed the main characters of Chelsea and Knox as well as many of the secondary characters. Together they gave a mystical quality to a story that examines Chelsea’s choices for her future.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book for sure has an interesting storyline which I enjoyed. I was quite unassuming for a while regarding it. The setting with the cabin at the lake and the small town was comforting. The ending left me a bit hanging, I needed more.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me a copy of the book.

Nothing Less than Magic was my first Stacy Finz book. I went into this blind and am so glad that I did. The book starts with Chelsea meeting her ex husband Austin for what she thinks will be him wanting to work things out. After an accident Chelsea decides to spend some time at their cabin in Ghost California. I loved her time in Ghost. It was a time for her to recuperate, repair a relationship with her sister and make friends with the local women, and maybe even fall in love with someone new. Then "nothing less than magic" happens. I did not see this coming and don't want to spoil it for anyone else.

This book was amazing. I loved the setting, the meaning of the book and how the story was told.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for an ARC of Nothing Less than Magic by Stacy Finz for an honest review.

Thank you to Stacy Finz, Kensington Publishing for the ARC. Any review is voluntary and my own opinion.

This book started off as expected for a contemporary novel. Going along as one might expect, but then there is a drastic switch that changes the course of the story. And for the better. The characters are well written. Each showing their strengths and weaknesses. This is a thought provoking story. I refuse to spoil the story for you, but we should all settle for Nothing Less Than Magic.

3.5 stars, rounded up

If you do any amount of romance reading, you'll see where this book is going from a mile away. And that would normally really bother me, but in this case, fortunately it wasn't that big of a deal.

Chelsea is a marriage therapist, and she's well know for her speaking engagements, books, and TED talks. The sad truth, though, is that she and her husband Austin are divorced. But Chelsea is hopeful when Austin wants them to meet, as they have stayed friends and sometimes more than friends. She is sure he is going to say that they should get back together. But that isn't what happens, and Chelsea runs out the door of the restaurant straight into the path of a cable car. Chelsea heads to their lake cabin to recuperate, and there she meets Knox and wonders if she should settle for what she thought she wanted or if there might be something better out there.

This is a familiar trope and the setup is a bit too long and involved, but overall this is a sweet, touching romance story. I liked Chelsea and the growth she experiences throughout the novel. She learns a great deal about herself personally, professionally, and relationship-wise. Her childhood trauma serves as an interesting background for her to re-examine her thoughts and actions about her family and her past.

I really liked the way things wrapped up, and the ending left me with a smile on my face. This is a fun read for the summer.

This is one of those books where when you’re finished, you feel a little hungover. I loved Chelsea and the town of ghost and all the people in. The small town vibes in NOTHING LESS THAN MAGIC were perfection. I knew going into this book it wasn’t going to be a fuzzy rom-com, but it took such a shocking turn that I was floored. This book really was beautiful and it felt like pure magic.

Happy Pub Day, Stacy Finz! This was such a fantastic book! The story had twists and turns that I could not figure out until the end. Therefore, I was on the edge of my seat the entire book! The reader is introduced to Chelsea Knight, a marriage counselor, whose own marriage has fallen apart. She meets her ex-husband, Austin, for dinner. She dreamily thinks he wants to get back together. To her surprise and disdain, he wants to inform her that he is remarrying and continues to tell her that she is his best friend.
Chelsea, in a devastated and disoriented state leaves the restaurant and ultimately gets hit by a cable car. Her story continues as she is recovering at her and Austin’s Lake house. She has some memory loss of the people in the town that remember her. She is particularly confused when she meets hunky, Knox Hart. He appears to know her, but she doesn’t remember meeting him. Their relationship begins casually with a friendship and becomes deeper the more they get to know one another.
Or is this really what is happening? You will have to read for yourself to see! The plot did not go in the direction I thought it would nor end as I predicated. Great job, Stacy Finz, for keeping me guessing and for creating a story that is unusual! I loved this! Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the advanced reader's copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
#NetGalley #KensigntonPublishing #Romance #GeneralFiction

Chelsea discovers that her marriage is over and, as she hurries away, gets hit by a streetcar. This is the event that precipitates her complete reevaluation of her life, her relationship, her entire world.

This achingly sweet book is a lovely story about second chances in life, taking the time to appreciate what we have, and not selling ourselves short. Chelsea discovers friendships and small town pleasures as she also discovers Knox, and realizes she is happier than she’s ever been. I can’t talk about the magic or it will give away spoilers, but the ending is not strictly HEA in the romantic sense – but at the same time, I felt pretty certain Chelsea has learned the really important lessons on self-care, smelling the roses, and looking for love that endures. Stacy has a deft hand at the storytelling, and this new piece does not disappoint.