Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc and to PRH Audio for the alc.

This was a really fun sequel. While I may have enjoyed the first book in the series more, I still think this was a really wonderful and charming romance. I especially love how Mara Wilson did as the narrator of this book, and I believe she made the story even more magical than It would've been had it been narrated by someone else. I think if there is a third book in the series, I would definitely be interested in reading it for sure!

This was not my favorite book by Hogle. I have read a few of her books including the first in this Moonville Series, and was excited to pick this one up. Unfortunately, this book was not for me. I had a really hard time relating to the FMC and I despised the MMC. The plot seemed all over the place, and I could not keep up. With all that being said, I hope she writes Luna's story because I will definitely pick that one up!

The exposition and build up felt like it was pretty long, but once the main plot got started, I was really enjoying it! It was quirky and a bit bonkers in a light and fun way. The romance was slow slow and I wish we’d had more of it. Zelda and Morgan definitely had some sweet and spicy moments that I loved. Morgan was different than the MMCs in most books. His charming, scatterbrained, earnest nature was endearing. Zelda being a major book loving introvert was really relatable. Reading book 1 first feels necessary to meet Zelda and Morgan there first.

DNF @54%. As someone who has read all of Sarah Hogle's works since 2020, I'm disappointed to say that I couldn't get into The Folklore of Forever. I wasn't the biggest fan of Zelda and couldn't stand Morgan. I had a hard time relating to Zelda's character. Although I often felt sympathy for her situation, I found myself getting frustrated with her character. I didn't like how she treated Aisling. When Zelda was a child, she had an experience where her grandmother didn't acknowledge her magic. After learning how pivotal that was for her, I was surprised when she talked down to her niece who is fully invested in being a witch. That didn't sit well with me. What really frustrated me with Zelda was her relationship with Morgan. Morgan was sort of the worst! The dude was using Zelda for magic. And when she confronts him about it, he gaslights her! That is not the behavior I want to see in the leading man. I found him annoying and sort of creepy. I did not find his behavior following Zelda around cute. At one point, Zelda even mentions that he's annoying...yet she continues to hang out with him. I didn't get their relationship and did not feel one iota of chemistry between them. I imagine if I continued reading, I would have eventually learned why Morgan wanted magic so badly. I did not like how entitled he was about deserving magic. Ultimately, I couldn't get past my dislike for the MMC. Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for the ARC.

Opting to DNF this one at 25ish%. Y'all, I love Sarah Hogle, and I powered through Old Flames and New Fortunes (which just had SOOOO much going on), but I think this universe is not for me.

I want to thank PRH Audio for the gifted audiobook and for G.P. Putnam's Sons for the eARC of this one. I was SO excited to find out Mara Wilson (you know, FREAKING MATILDA) was going to be narrating this one! But I just could not get into or care about either of the main characters. This world is whimsical and there's witchy vibes and haunted houses, and Morgan, who I really liked in book one, but I just kinda disliked him a lot in this one? He was pushy and he couldn't communicate with Zelda if their lives depended on it. There was no chemistry. There was no history. There was no understanding or connection between these two a quarter of the one into the story. It's just a no for me for now. And, I hate to say this, but if I don't love the audio, I don't think I'd be any more inclined to eyeball read it... it was keeping my attention when I could do 7 other things at the same time, lol.

The second in sarah_hogle’s Moonville series doesn’t disappoint. #gifted @putnambooks

In fact, it has even more fantasy magic than the last book. It’s sister Zelda’s turn to find love and even reconnect with her magic. Because unlike her sisters, Zelda doesn’t believe it magic or that she’s a witch. She just writes fantasy books for a living.

But when she returns to Moonville after being away for so long, slowly her abilities to see real magical creatures returns helped along by Morgan, a fellow writer and a true believer. He is determined to help her get him some magic too.

Why Kirsten Loved it:
While the first book in the series has moments of magic, Hogle let her imagination run wild with this one and I loved it! A magical library in the woods? Yes please! I also loved Zelda and Morgan as a couple.

I wanted to like this book but it just didn’t work for me. It kept my curiosity and interest well enough for me to finish the book, but I have a lot of gripes.

There were many characters to keep track of, which probably would’ve been easier if I had read the first book (I didn’t realize it was a series before reading, which was my mistake). Aisling, the niece, was probably my favorite character, but it took me too long to figure out that they also call her Ash (I thought they were two separate people).

The MMC was so unlikable in the beginning (I mean, he actually stated that he was using the FMC) that I didn’t think he would actually be the love interest. The FMC was irritating in her own right. Her entire family was filled with witches that each have a special power, and she didn't believe any of them simply because she had never had any of her own powers. She was so anti-magic that it was off-putting and confusing.

Now let’s talk romance. As I was reading, I was confused about the romance plot in general (I just kept thinking “Is this a romance? No, it must not be. Wait, maybe it is a romance? Where is the romance?”). The romance did not develop until late in the book, and I did not find it believable or swoonworthy.

And the ending!? The ending was a wild ride. I’m not sure I enjoyed it, but the chaos was kind of a hilarious gift and I am glad I stuck it out to the end. I don’t think I’ll finish this series, but I would try other books from this author.

Thank you to Putnam and NetGalley for the gifted e-ARC; opinions are my own.

Thanks to Putnam Books for sending me an advance copy of this book for review! Though I’ve read and thoroughly enjoyed three of Sarah Hogle’s books, including the first book in this series, I ultimately made the difficult decision to DNF The Folklore of Forever at 27%. I felt incredibly confused by the plotting and characterization: reading The Folklore of Forever after Old Flames and New Fortunes felt as jarring as falling asleep during one movie and waking up during another. I had no idea what was going on — I was nearly a third of the way through the book and felt like the plot was non-existent and I didn’t know which of the two cringeworthy love interests was supposed to be the MMC. I hope that Hogle and her team were/are able to make some edits prior to publication.

I have been sitting with this for a couple of weeks and still don't know how to put into words how much I enjoyed it!

Zelda is back in Moonville with her sisters and she is steady on the fact that she thinks magic is a hoax and her sisters are not real witches. She has always felt like the odd one out, and that isn't changed now that she is back. She is also in the woes of trying to write her next novel. Then, we (re-)meet Morgan. We previously saw him in Old Flames and New Fortunes, but you didn't really get to see much of his innards and his full spectrum of being- he was just on the side with a few good quips. He comes at Zelda right out with the perhaps misaligned intentions that may put you off, but you need to stick around and BE PATIENT! with him and be willing to go on their intertwined journey together. As per Sarah Hogle's way, she spins you this most delicate and unconventional yarn that is richly romantic as it is hilarious- you need not worry that things will go how they should, you just need to be willing to make it there. There are so many great lines in this book and I was genuinely giggling throughout the entire thing.

Zelda is a vampire bat to Morgan's golden tabby cat, and their dynamic when they are with each other is whimsical and zany without being twee.
There is a melancholiness in Zelda's journey that is relatable to the ones who find it hard to be understood by the outside world. Both Zelda and Morgan are misunderstood. It can sometimes be exhausting just being yourself, and I liked seeing that ARC of both of them navigating that.
This madcap whirlwind of an adventure really takes full effect in the back end of the book, when Zelda can no longer deny that magic is real, and it is within her. I liked how in this tome of the series that the magic was full send and fanciful. There was not the quiet naturalisticness to it like in Flames/Fortunes- it was more literal and in your space.I liked how Hogle world builds and writes her magic to be attuned to the sister's personalities, and I hope we will get to see . It is a return to Zelda's inner child that she thought was long dead. This story was romantic as ever with a well earned slow burn, introspective at times, and just genuinely /fun/.

I am the biggest Sarah Hogle stan and if she has no fans then I'm DEAD! I think that this is the perfect read to get you in the mood of Spring.

The Folklore of Forever follows Zelda Tempest, who is the only one in the family who doesn’t believe she’s a witch. Despite writing a paranormal mystery series, she doesn’t believe in anything her sisters do and has no plans on changing that. As you might imagine, the book doesn’t exactly play out that way.

While Zelda remains a skeptic at first, she ends up meeting Morgan, who is her neighbor and a writer for the local paper. It seems like things are going to be hot and heavy, but it quickly takes a turn when Morgan bids on a date with her. He decides to use this time to go ghost-hunting, which is delightfully spooky yet somehow romantic. See how Sarah Hogle makes me see things? It’s wild.

Either way, the ghosthunting evolves into the two hunting for this forgotten witch, and the journey they go on is downright magical. While it does take a while for their romance to develop, it’s clear the two have feelings they’re not ready to admit. It’s also hilarious to see the ways Zelda will try to justify things without magic.

While The Folklore of Forever doesn’t capture my heart the same as Old Flames and New Fortunes, this delicious slow-burn will have you ready to brew a pot of tea, get in your favorite reading spot, and devour it. If you read the first book and enjoyed it, this one will have you wanting to reread the first and get you even more excited for what’s to come.

this was unfortunately very average. i had high hopes considering i really enjoyed book 1, but this just felt all over the place. nothing attached me to morgan and zelda as a couple and even as individuals, they weren't that interesting. the cold and hot attitude morgan had towards zelda got tiresome very quickly. i had a hard time following the paranormal plot since it felt like it jumped from one thing to another. i usually love hogle's writing and can keep up with her humor, but this just missed the mark for me unfortunately.

The Folklore of Forever by Sarah Hogle

Rating: 3.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Spice: 1/5 🌶️

Thank you to Penguin Group Putnam | G.P. Putnam’s Sons, Netgalley, and the author for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The Folklore of Forever is set in Moonville, Ohio, a town full of mystery, magic, and intrigue. Zelda, the FMC, is aiming to rediscover the magic she’s spent her entire life denying. Zelda is a writer who is dealing with some serious writer's block. Along comes Morgan, the MMC, who has heard that if you fall in love with a witch, you gain power. Zelda's doesn’t trust him at first and is super suspicious of his advances. However, as the two of them team up to accomplish a common goal, they begin to flirt and realize that there are feelings there.

Some highlights of this one include super entertaining banter, creative magical elements, and a nice touch of romance. While Zelda and Morgan seem like an unlikely match at first, they actually work well together in the end.

Overall, The Folklore of Forever has a more significant emphasis on magic rather than romance, however it’s a fun read for those seeking a charming and whimsical story.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I want to first start out by saying I did enjoy book one, and really love the magic town of Moonville. I really, REALLY wanted to enjoy this one, but it fell flat for me. I was honestly confused at the beginning because I did not like Morgan (due to him only wanting to go out with Zelda because he wanted magic), and thought she would end up with someone else.. He came around slightly for me, but I still found him unlikeable and not the best fit for a MMC. Zelda was quite the grump, which isn't a bad thing, but found it to be slightly too much. She really wanted to be loved and wanted to be a great writer, but at times she was negative and not the most enjoyable character to have as a full POV.

The story was a little hectic and I found myself confused as to the plot, along with the ending which was pretty muddled and chaotic. Aisling was honestly my favorite part of the book and I found her to be so cute and funny. The romance and the plot were just not for me.

I wish I liked this more.

After reading some other reviews for this one, I'm glad I'm not alone when I say this book was everywhere, all at once, and therefore not much of...anywhere? I loved Old Flames and New Fortunes, and I've loved most of Sarah Hogle's other books, too, but not this so much. Morgan was so back-and-forth and I honestly didn't like him for most of the book - even at the end he hadn't completely won me over. Zelda was fine, but I've read so many books now about an author who's lost their groove and falls in love and/or has a personal discovery that magically brings it back that it's getting a bit old. There was some fun dialogue and trademark Hogle humor, which I enjoyed. Nothing about this book wow'd me overall, but I did like being back in Moonville and the weirdness that comes with it. I'll be picking up the next one in the hopes that it will read more like the first in this series:)

Uhhh what? After liking the first book, I was excited for Zelda’s story but genuinely feel like I read the ROUGHEST of rough drafts because I wasn’t impressed by the MMC, Zelda was so wishywashy and then there was the lack of a cohesive plot. Plus it felt like Morgan was immature and using Zelda, the wacky magical aspects that had my eyes glazing over and then the very quick rush to wrap up the romance (she’s not sure if he’s the one at 91% mark, they have sex, then 93% she tells him she loves him like WHAT IS THAT PACING). There was barely any romance! Honestly I’m just confused how the editors didn’t make the author rework the plot. It set up Luna’s story to be next but I haven’t seen anything about a third Moonville book. Not sure if I would read it, because I did really like the characters in the first book, but not this one. I’m genuinely just confused by the book’s inability to follow the described premise.

Also that brief PMDD mention at the end felt like a slap in the face to anyone who suffers from a very real, but not completely well known, disorder.

DNF. This was really sad for me, because I love Sarah Hogle and the preceding book Old Flames and New Fortunes, but this book just couldn't hook me. The characters are odd and I can't get invested in their relationship. It seems like they've been flirting for awhile, but we don't get that part of the story. I have it 8 chapters, but I don't want to choose it over other books, so it's a no for me.

I could not get into this at all. I've read other Sarah Hogle books and the description for this one sounded great, but unfortunately this one is not for me.

My major issues with this book were how just scattered and all over the place it was. It reads like ADD on the page and it's just like long descriptions of magic, then Zelda's book, the town, some weird stuff going on, their family, more back and forth rinse and repeat. I haven't read the first book in the series and maybe that would have been helpful but yeah on it's own I struggled and eventually gave up. The writing was very pedantic.

There was absolutely no buy in with the couple from me after the first few chapters. I feel like this book is a "blink and you'll miss it romance" at first and unfortunately the romance came too late and I just wasn't rooting for these characters to be together. I mean there were moments the characters say they don't speak for weeks or a month. It was wild to me because this isn't a second chance romance.

I think maybe this will charm some readers or if you read the other book in the series you may enjoy but it's a pass from me.

Folklore of Forever was one of the first ARCs I was approved for, so I was genuinely excited to dive in. I didn’t realize it was the second in a series when I requested it, so I went back and read the first book beforehand… and unfortunately, I really didn’t enjoy it. That left me hesitant going into this one, and sadly, it didn’t work for me either.

Right from the beginning, I was confused. There’s a scene involving a guy watching the FMC through a window, and instead of feeling intrigued, I just felt creeped out. A potential love interest shows up early on, and I thought, maybe the story would take a turn I could get behind, but nope. The MMC didn’t win me over at all. I found his motivations frustrating, and it was hard to root for him.

I also struggled to connect with the female main character. Her treatment of her family, especially her niece, came off as unnecessarily harsh. Being skeptical is one thing, but the way she expressed it felt needlessly rude.

As for the story itself, the plot felt chaotic, the writing style didn’t click with me, and the romantic elements were minimal. The focus was more on the magical aspects, but even that felt muddled and hard to follow. Overall, this just wasn’t a good fit for me.

Confusing
This is book 2 of the series Moonville and I am sorry to say that I never connected with this book. I struggled with it from the beginning. Our main female character Zelda Tempest is one of three sisters and both of her sisters can do magic. But not Zelda who pushes the fact that she is a skeptic. The main male character is Morgan Angelopoulos, a man who wants to be magical so much that he hunts ghosts hoping
to find that they are magical. The story itself is scattered and just confusing. Neither main character caught my interest, and I’m sorry to say I couldn’t finish it. I have read other books by the author and all have been solid 4 stars. I’m sure some readers will enjoy the story and characters but not me.

this makes me so sad...

2.5 ★

simply put, the folklore of forever was a chaotic mess — too many ideas, too little romance, resulting in a struggle to keep up as the narration and focus shifted so suddenly. there would be full pages where my brain couldn't process the words on the page, a situation I don't encounter offer. that difficulty told me all I needed to know about my invested in this couple and their story.

after the first 25% failed to impress, I anticipated this read would be a DNF, but wished to stick it out since sarah has been a favorite author in the past. her signature brand of banter and quirk were present here but dialed up far too high and with no real direction. so much about this story needed to be edited or scaled back to make space for the important elements to shine. but because there was so much going on at all times, seeing through the muck to make sense of what actually mattered proved difficult.

having said this, I do credit sarah for her continued effort to craft unique tales for her readers, full of charm and wit. though the folklore of forever didn't work for me, I appreciate the risks she took here. this experience certainly won't deter me from picking up any of her future titles.

thanks to sarah hogle and g.p. putnam's sons for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.