The twist in the book is one that I’m not generally a fan of. However, I did enjoy the setting of the bulk of the book (Ghost). The pacing was a bit slow for me with just a hint of closure at the end… I wanted more of that!

Great premise but unfortunately the writing, character development and plot don’t live up to the premise. A huge disappointment.

if you like hallmark movies and mouth-dropping twists, nothing less than magic is the book for you. i really enjoyed the first half of the book but the second half really had me confused on where the storyline was heading. part 3/the ending was questionable, but i did like the vibes nonetheless. a good reading choice for summer 2024!

thank you stacy finz & netgalley for the ARC!

Chelsea was living her best life and had everything she wanted. Then out of nowhere her husband tells her he wants a divorce. The irony of the whole thing is, shes a marriage therapist. So, she tries to get him back and just when she thinks its working, he announces he’s engaged.

Chelsea takes refuge in the small-town lake cabin she and her ex share and tries to get on with her life.

There’s just something so idyllic about the town and then she meets Knox and he’s perfect too. But maybe sometimes things are too good to be true.


I think that I went into this book expecting it to be like a different book because that is what someone compared it too. This gave me really high expectations because I loved that book. This book is broken into three parts. Part 1 was alright, though it felt a little out there in some regards, however I was willing to go with it because I really wanted this book to work. It felt like a hallmark movie, and I was lapping it up. I love romcoms and I was hoping for that so hard. Part 2 came along and well, my feelings towards this book really shifted and things started going way south. Like then it kept going and so did my feelings. Then Part 3 didn’t help, and I really just hated it. This ending was worse the worst type of ending for me. I know some people out there love books where they can make it all up in their minds, but I don’t. I needed something and what I got wasn’t enough. While I think that this book could have been a lot of fun, I didn’t appreciate how the author went about it.

Chelsea is meeting her ex husband at a fancy restaurant in San Francisco where she suspects he's going to ask to get back together again. She can't wait to get her life back on track. Instead, he tells her he's engaged. She leaves in a hurry and gets hit in the head by a cable car. She decides to recuperate at their cabin in the woods and meets the handyman. This is the story of her recovery.

Chelsea is on quite the journey here. And it’s one she feels is…off. Does she know these people? Is she losing her mind? Does her ex deserve a second chance? And then just as she thinks she’s piecing it all together, she’s yanked out of the life she thinks she wants and is plopped into a reality that feels utterly wrong for her now.

The clues are there all along. This is a bit of a mind f***, I won’t lie. But it’s wonderfully done and I have to love Chelsea’s determination to figure things out. She and her sister have time for a better relationship. She and her assistant have the ability to make life what they want it to be. And her ex? Well, he’s got some ideas on how to move forward also. But Chelsea needs to know herself and what she truly wants first and foremost. I absolutely love how she finds her path, alters course as needed, and sticks to her true wishes for life. Sometimes, you definitely need to feel a little lost before you’re found, as Chelsea does in a spectacular manner.

Well, I was really excited about this book but ended up being a bit disappointed. There was a lot of build-up for the ending to fall flat. The author missed the opportunity to be a little more creative in tying up the ending because I felt it didn't do the story justice. Also, I felt the title tie-in was a bit cheesy. The explanation in Part 2 of what actually happened in Part 1 was unexpected although you could tell something was going on, but I feel the author could have dug in a little deeper so both parts could feel more connected.

I really enjoyed the lead-up to the climax of the story, but unfortunately, part 2 just killed that for me, so this is getting 2.5 stars rounded up to 3.

Stacy Finz is one of my go to authors, but I wasn’t able to give this book a 5 star rating. I don’t read book descriptions before I request them, but I go based on the author and genre. I noticed right away that the book is split up into 3 parts, but I struggled to get through Part One. I kept thinking to myself that it was disjointed and unrealistic but a lot of those concerns were cleared up in Part Two. The second part was unexpected with Chelsea getting back together with her ex husband, Austin, but Part Three had me wishing for Knox Hart. I am unfortunately still a bit confused as to how the story ended and feel like it’s going to take a reread straighten out the events in my mind.

Every time I start a book I try to think about why the author chose the title.
This one perplexed me for about 200 pages and then became so wonderfully clear that I could not help smiling and even did a little clap.

This books starts out with anything but magical moments. Chelsea Knight a marriage counselor big enough to have her own TED talks, finds herself being crushed by her ex husband, again.
Bolting from a restaurant she is hit by a trolley car, yes- this is the actual premise!

She's ok, besides a crushed heart and a mild concussion, Chelsea decides to take a vacation at their country cabin and detach from reality some.
What she finds is the little town Ghost is exactly what she needs to fall in love with life again.

Now, what I love is that all the above never really explained the title choice. At least that is what I was thinking as I entered part 2 of the book. Be prepared, there is some magic coming...

This books is just perfect, and while I do believe it is very similar to "Wish you Were Here" by Jodi Picoult, this one touched my heart in a way the previous title could not.

Perfect for anyone wondering if they are settling in life, it might be just what you need to make a big change in your life.

First thank you so much to Net galley for a copy of this book! This was definitely super interesting and the spin was unexpected. But I had a hard time connecting with the main character and it reminded me so much of a Hallmark movie, chick - lit. If this is your type of read you may enjoy this!

This book is written in 3 parts and for good reason. Each section brings out feelings in a different way. So be prepared to feel with this book. The first part will feel cozy with some romantic vibes. However, it also has an ominous vibe. You will come up with many theories as to what is happening. I both didn't want to continue and couldn't stop reading. Then part 2 comes with the revelation. And the feels get big here. Anything I say about why would be a spoiler, so I'll just say, prepare to have many strong feelings. In the second part I found myself rooting for her to seek happiness and hoping in some way that something magical can occur and make all well again. Then we get to the itty bitty part 3. Magic!

I absolutely recommend this book, but know it will not be a light and easy romance. But the ending is worth it!

I received a complimentary copy of this book "Nothing Less than Magic" and all opinions expressed are my own. I saw magic in the title, I enjoy magical realism. First time reading by the author, Stacy Finz. I did enjoy reading the story about Chelsea and what was going to happen to her. I loved the part with Knox, thought she had finally found her person. Overall, good book!

This novel wraps you up in a cozy blanket of magical realism, where the protagonist Chelsea's journey of self-discovery is as captivating as the colorful fall setting of the small town of Ghost. The story is engaging, with little clues sprinkled throughout that keep you guessing until the big reveal. Chelsea's evolution, from a renowned relationship therapist to a woman questioning her own life choices, is portrayed with depth and sensitivity. The budding romance with Knox Hart adds a sweet note to the narrative, while the town's enchanting atmosphere and quirky residents enrich the story. This book is a charming read that encourages reflection on life's unexpected turns and the courage to embrace new beginnings.

It is a challenge to give a solid review of this novel without delving into specifics that would clearly be labeled spoilers; therefore, I will stick to generalities in praising this book. I found myself immediately drawn into the storyline and was impressed with the ingenuity of the twist revealed in Part Two.

Chelsea Knight is a well-known relationship therapist and motivational speaker with several popular books to her credit. In fact, her life as a whole reflects success – a strong marriage, an apartment with a view, and a thriving business. And then it all implodes, and she escapes to her vacation cabin in the town of Ghost near Sacramento to gain perspective and determine how she wants to navigate her future.

Since magical realism is one of my favorite genres, I enjoyed the story on multiple levels. As Chelsea examines her life, she comes to a deeper understanding of how the tragic loss of her parents and her unresolved grief has influenced her career, her marriage, and her family (dis)connections. On this level, the focus is on new choices leading to new opportunities. I also enjoyed the fledgling romance between Chelsea and Knox Hart, the biophysicist/handyman. The legend and the evocative descriptions of the town and its residents added depth and color to the trajectory of the story. All this fostered a sense of magic unfolding in Chelsea’s life. The one aspect I did not care for was the portrayal of Chelsea’s sister who came across as petty in her discontent with her life, blaming Chelsea for much of it.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This review is being posted immediately to my GoodReads account and will be posted on Amazon upon publication.

I got to read this book for free through Net Galley. I enjoyed this book. The first half of the book I had a lot of questions. Chelsea gets hit by a car and then the next chapter has her waking up in her cabin. I was confused and wanted to know who was at her side. Knox was my favorite character during Part One. I was surprised to learn in Part Two that she was in a 2-week coma and the life she was living was her hallucinations. I was glad with the ending and that she didn't settle, although I did predict it. A very fun read for me.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️From Kensington Publishing : Just one year ago, Chelsea Knight was living the life she’d always wanted. Marriage to the perfect guy, a thriving career, and a gorgeous condo. Then out of nowhere, her husband, Austin, left her.

Devastated, Chelsea seeks refuge in the beloved small-town lake cabin she and Austin now take turns using. When she arrives, the streets are dazzlingly decked out for Halloween. It’s downright magical—and so is Knox Hart, a talented jack-of-all-trades who’s fixing her roof. Chelsea is instantly drawn to him.

But something about the idyllic hamlet—and Knox—seems too good to be true. A trick more than a treat. And when she ultimately learns the truth, her heart is shattered. Miraculously, Austin is there to mend it.
*************************
My review: I knew something was going on in this novel that had to be figured out, by Chelsea and me. Little clues here and there, it took a minute. I was interested to see how it would turn out and by the time the magic was revealed I had figured it out. Much like Chelsea, I was disappointed when I found out what was really happening.

People make mistakes and some mistakes are worth forgiving. Some are more difficult to get past and Chelsea has to decide which pertains to Austin's "mistake". I was kept wondering until the very end. It wrapped up pretty quickly and neatly and I would have liked more about Chelsea's sister. But overall a fun read. And now I guess I would like to have a cabin in a small, friendly town.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for an advance digital copy in exchange for my review.

Really excellent book! We all deserve nothing but magic. A book about never settling for less than that.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

In this engaging book, Chelsea experiences a life-changing event that makes her rethink everything. The story hooks you from the start, with Chelsea wondering if she's truly living her best life. As she navigates her emotions and interactions with others, the author shows us how challenging but rewarding life can be.

Ms. Finz tells a powerful story about the importance of emotions in finding happiness. It's the kind of book you'll want to read more than once to fully grasp its depth. For me, reading it was a pleasant surprise—I didn't know what to expect, but by the end, I was amazed and happy. It made me think about my own life choices and relationships.

In short, Chelsea's accident prompts her to make bold decisions for a better life. The book encourages us to live authentically and pursue true happiness, rather than settling for what's expected. It's a must-read!

A real page turner! I loved Chelsea’s story and how the accident woke her up in different ways. This is a surprising love story (and it’s not what you think :)

Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and publisher, for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book took me a little bit to get into, I loved how all things intertwined and parts of this where amazing