This book was fantastic. I loved the first book in the series and revisiting this magical flower family was lovely.

📚 30/100 (2025 Reading Goal)
📖 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙤𝙢𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝙈𝙖𝙜𝙞𝙘
✍️ 𝗝.𝗖. 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲𝘀
🎧 𝗗𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗼
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️ 🌶️.5

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱:
💕Second Chance Romance
🌸Flower Magic
🗣️First Person POV
🇲🇽Cultural Representation
🐎 Contains Horses
🐕 Contains a Dog
🎧Great on Audio
💪 Strong Women and Familial Bonds
🌮 Tacos

𝗙𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗤𝘂𝗼𝘁𝗲(𝘀):
•Here, magic is always in bloom.

•𝘐 𝘭𝘦𝘧𝘵 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬.
𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘥, 𝘢 𝘥𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘰𝘹 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘥. 𝘜𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘭 𝘴𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘦. 𝘜𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘭 𝘪𝘵 𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘤𝘰𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘴.

∙My God, life is so much more than the science we’re taught.

•𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘴𝘯'𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘯. 𝘐𝘵'𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥. 𝘕𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘯, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳.

𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄:
Some books are pure magic, and 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙤𝙢𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝙈𝙖𝙜𝙞𝙘 is one of them. J.C. Cervantes weaves a heartfelt, enchanting story about love, family, and the sacrifices we make for both. Lilian Estrada’s journey—navigating her extraordinary gift, her shaken confidence, and the unexpected return of her first love—had me completely hooked. And in all honesty, I would absolutely live in a place like La Ventana if given the chance.

I read this book while following along with the audiobook, narrated by Diana Bustelo, and I have to say—her narration was fantastic. Her Spanish pronunciations were spot on, adding a beautiful authenticity to the story, and her voice had this engaging, immersive quality that made the whole experience even better.

One of the things I really loved about this book was how the romance felt so natural—open door, yes, but never over the top or out of place. The chemistry between Lily and Sam had this effortless push and pull, full of longing and history, and it just worked. But what really stuck with me was the theme of sacrifice—not just for love in the romantic sense, but for family, for community, for the people who make us who we are. That depth added so much to the story, making it more than just a second-chance romance with a healthy sprinkle of magic.

In the end, The Anatomy of Magic was everything I wanted—sweeping, emotional, and just the right amount of magical. I adore this follow-up to 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙀𝙣𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙃𝙖𝙘𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙖. If I could pack my bags and move to La Ventana tomorrow, I absolutely would. Here’s hoping for more stories about the Estrada family!

I was settled on 3 stars for most of the story, but the final 10% of the book raised my rating to a 4.
The story starts off a bit slow. We follow Lily, an ob-gyn resident who arrives at the Estrada family home in Mexico for the annual celebration of flowers, having arrived early after an unfortunate incident at the hospital. The first few chapters include a lot of exposition, with the magical aspect of the story remaining quite subdued.

The plot finally picks up at the 30% mark when Lily comes face to face with Sam, the first love she put a spell on her heart to forget. As she is pushed to understand the truth of their separation while still coping with the hospital event, Lily is forced to open up and reveal all that she has hidden in her heart for the past decade.

The 80% mark is where we really witness the full extent of Lily’s and her family’s powers. Before this, it was pretty difficult to see how her power was any better than having a really good memory, but as revealed truths push her to action, we finally learn the rules and limits of their family’s magic.

I will say, June's choices in the second half of this story are a bit painful to read. These decisions made sense in the story's context - she had just lifted the spell from her heart after ten years, and now she was feeling the onslaught of emotions that had been sealed in her heart. So yes, many of her choices are driven by emotion, which is understandable. A point came when I was begging her to stop for 2 seconds to think about the consequences.

The end is really where all the themes come together. Until then, it was difficult to understand what her recent hospital incident had to do with Sam, why she was so hung up on keeping things from her family, and what role the family magic would play in Lily’s story. I was desperately waiting for the full circle moment and was so glad to get it in the end.

What I loved the most was the family flower magic and the romance. I really liked that the family’s magic revolved around the land’s history. Working with flowers and their meanings is a huge component of their magic. The magic system isn’t as showy or outrageously powerful as seen in other stories, but its subtle nature only lends to the story and matches well with the book’s points about life and connection.

As for the romance, Lily and Sam’s journey made my heart ache. The writing does a great job of making us experience Lily’s building emotions. Even though I couldn’t relate to Lily based on experience, I felt deeply connected to her. Never has a story felt so personal. Lily and Sam's love for each other is beautiful, putting me through the deepest heartbreak, affection, despair, and hope. I loved their love.

This review wound up being way longer than intended, but in conclusion, The Anatomy of Life is a story well worth reading, and I am looking forward to returning to this book again.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the ALC!

Unique powers, flower gardens, and old sparks serve as the backdrop to this captivating story of family, love, and unpredictable magic. The Anatomy of Magic by J.C. Cervantes is a thrilling and imaginative journey into a world where magic, science, and destiny collide. Following Ana, who is returns to her family after a devastating incident, the reader follows her journey unpacking her past, reimagining her future, and exploring her family’s gifts.

Cervantes beautifully blends rich world-building with authentic characters you can help but root for. With interesting plot twists, cozy moments, romance, and magic, there is a little something for everyone.

For fans of romance with a wonderful mix of magic and mystery, The Anatomy of Magic is a must-read that promises to keep you turning pages.

✨ 4.5 Stars ✨

The Anatomy of Magic is a beautifully written and enchanting story that blends magical realism, family bonds, and second-chance romance in the best way. Lilian Estrada’s journey of healing, self-discovery, and love captivated me. J.C. Cervantes weaves a heartfelt tale filled with rich cultural magic, emotional depth, and an unforgettable romance.

The setting in Mexico, the Estrada family’s incredible magical gifts, and the chemistry between Lily and Sam made this a truly special read. Diana Bustelo’s narration in the audiobook brought so much warmth and emotion to the story.

A must-read for fans of Practical Magic and deeply moving contemporary fantasy!

Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for the early copy! ✨📖

3.5 stars. A cozy romance with a touch of flower magic.
The Estrada women have all been gifted with the magic of flowers. Lily, a successful OBGYN, has used her magic, memory magic, on herself to forget about her true love who broke her heart. But using magic for your own gain is against the rules, so Lily must correct the spell before it drains her magic completely. As she heals her wounds, she finds out that Sam, her long-lost love, actually does still love her but acted out of perceived selflessness to protect Lily. As they rekindle their romance, Sam shares hard news with Lily and once again she plays with her family's magic to help heal Sam, but in doing so damages the source of the magic. Will Lily be able to have it all -- a successful career, the love of her life, and the magic of her family?
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

4.25 stars

Thank you NetGalley & Harlequin Audio for this advanced reader copy of the audiobook (releasing March 11)

I have been searching for magical realism like this! Perfect for fans of Isabel Allende & Abby Jimenez, this book follows Lily Estrada as she travels back to her childhood home in Mexico, and the flowers that Estrada women owe their magic to.

Magic system: this is certainly magical realism, heavy on the realism. Each woman has a specific way of weaving magic from the flowers, and many powers mirror ancient medicine & folklore in their effects. I enjoyed how grounded in nature this magic was, and the prose used to describe it.

Setting: oh how I wish I could visit the Estrada flower fields and Sam’s horse farm! Would *charming* be too much of a pun?

Romance: while I enjoyed the overall love story and found myself rooting for Lily & Sam, I wish we had a bit more time exploring their early relationship, and intentional actions & scenes as they came together.

Theming: memories, long kept secrets, consequences, family ties, and healing

This was my first of J.C.’s novels, and certainly won’t be my last!

Breathtakingly beautiful. A romance masterpiece!

This book truly made it's way into my heart, healed some old scars, and breathed a most magical air of life back into me.

The matriarchal aspect in this book is exquisite. The wisdom of such complex and different women that each own and are so proud of their gifts. The way the Lily had to face everything that kept her heart hidden from feeling.
The second chance at love was so beautiful.

The magic, the spells, the divine gifts. This book is perfection. I want to gift it to all the women in my life as a way to say "I love you."

This book will stick with me through the years and I know I will be coming back to it when my heart and soul need the light it brings.

I feel like this was Encanto for adults and I am totally here for it. Lilly shows so much growth while we get to learn and love the magic of the flowers and her family. Sam’s disappearance from her life is explained and OBVI we are forgiving him! And the end wraps it all up and we get our cozy ending, this book was everything! I have been really getting into cozy fantasy lately and the magic in this book coupled with the beautiful ending are everything I needed.

The narration of this story was done by Diana Bustelo and she does a beautiful job of making the characters and story come to life.

Thank you so much, as always, to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for this ARC.

This is a truly endearing story, blending magical realism with cozy, comforting vibes. The romance is beautifully crafted, with Lilly not only discovering more about herself but also rekindling her relationship with Sam. It’s a heartfelt journey that hits all the right emotional notes, making it a delightful and touching read.

Lilian (Lily) Estrada's family is one of a kind. Not in the special way that all families are unique. Every baby born into the Estrada family is a girl and is named after a flower. While I know plenty of family's that name their children all starting with the letter "J". The flowers have more significance than just names. Each person in the family has a power linked to flowers and the family's ancestral home in Mexico.

After losing a patient, Lily goes home to try to escape her past. What she ends up finding is well, her past, Sam. Like many and their first loves, Lily never quite got over Sam and now he's giving her mixed signals on if he ever got over her. In order to move forward, Lily needs to figure out what she actually wants out of life other than a successful career.

This book was adorable, but forgettable. There was nothing in this book that looking back on it blew my mind. The audiobook was perfect for mindless listening while I drove. But honestly, it felt so repetitive. Lily doesn't know how to cope with losing a patient or losing Sam. While character reflection is something I normally go for, there just wasn't much that the reflection added to the story and could have been cut down significantly.

Generally, very cute but I don't think it will come to the front of my mind when I'm trying to think of a magic realism romance recommendation.

More reviews links to come.

I received and ALC of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.

I loved this book. The plot, while magically, is still very relatable in how we deal with pain and the pain of love/loss. There is no complicated world building, an easy to follow magic systems and overall the story is very reminiscent of Encanto meets Practical Magic…which are both vibes I enjoy.

The story and its pace were perfect for me. The narrator was also very enjoyable to listen to.

I would highly recommend this book/audiobook to anyone looking for a story about love and family.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for my advanced reader copy!

This book hit my heartstrings. I felt this story had an amazing plot with the magical realism, and I really liked Lillian's family. They had plenty of spunk and love to share! Now, with that, I wish we could have had a little more time with them!

I also felt like the ending was rushed, and I would have liked to have had a little more time with the problem solving process because for myself I think it would have hit me deeper, but obviously that's just my opinion!

Overall, I feel this book was a fun and sweet read. It just lacked certain parts I personally like.

If you liked Encanto and Practical Magic then you will like this book. This book gives off a very cozy vibe. Lily has magical powers but because she has a hectic life she is in major TLC from her family. Mainly surrounded by women whom also posses powers she is reminded of the power of not only magic but of family and love. This was a great read and it’s a make you feel good type of book. I heard this in audiobook format and it was well done.

I want to thank @NetGalley and @Harlequin Audio for the ARC audio.

The Estrada women have a gift. They are able to use flowers for all sorts of magical purposes. For Lily Estrada her power lies in her ability to manipulate memories.

The book opens with Lily in crisis. An up and coming OB/GYN, she is retreating to her family’s Mexican flower farm after a crisis has her questioning her career. At the same time, she finds that her magic is failing her - she’s lost her ability to communicate with the flowers. Lily is surprised to find Sam, her first love, at the neighboring ranch. Sam broke Lily’s heart when he ended their relationship.

The book contains elements that normally work well for me: second chance romance with a touch of magical realism and a multicultural perspective. While it was a quick and entertaining listen, there was something missing that kept me from fully connecting with the characters. Diana Bustelo does an excellent job with the narration. I enjoyed the lilt and tone of her voice which added to the authenticity of the characters.

After finishing the book, I learned it was the second installment in a series about the magical Estrada women which left me wondering if my connection would have benefited from reading the first book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the advance listening copy. All opinions are my own.

I did not realize this book was a sequel/companion book. Still it was pretty enjoyable. I would read this book again after reading the companion book.

Of course, thank you to the publishers and author for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

This reminded me of Encanto except without the mean grandma and EVERYONE has powers!!! The story follows Lily who is racing home after having lost a patient in her care. She’s spiralling and has lost all confidence in herself and her magic. Upon returning home she runs into her first love, Sam, who promised to love her and be with her forever only to one day out of nowhere break up with her and tell her he doesn’t love her anymore.

The secrets between Lily and Sam were enough to break your heart. Lily keeping her love a secret from her family and Sam keeping the biggest and most devastating secret of all. The book was really well paced as you didn’t have to wait long for these secrets to spill. Ultimately this is story of the lengths one will go to save the person they love. The lengths your family will go to save you. Beautifully written and a definite must read!

I loved the pain in this book - it felt so real. However, on that same coin…the plot felt like it fell apart a bit after the divination. I know the magic part is supposed to be confusing, but I’m not sure what her sacrifice was supposed to be? And then she just seemed to be fine with the lie from Sam and the death of her patient all the sudden. Not sure if that is supposed to be because the spell on her heart is gone? Or maybe I’m giving a little too much credit? Overall I did enjoy it, but it seemed like once she confronted Sam the book was on hyperdrive to present a new plot, resolve that plot, and then quick try to come back and resolve the beginning.

The Anatomy of Magic is a charming blend of romance, humor, and magic. Cervantes crafts an engaging story with lovable characters and witty dialogue. The worldbuilding is enchanting, though some parts feel a bit rushed. Still, it's a fun, heartfelt read that keeps you entertained from start to finish

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for this ALC!

The Anatomy Magic is a cute story of a magical family and one of the member's journey for a second chance romance. Much of the book deals with the unknown of why Lily came back to her hometown very quickly and without saying to her family. The story also very much revolves around her devastation and heartbreak of her ex who broke her heart without reasoning.

This story is one of heartache, love, forgiveness, and mystery. It's about trying again and embracing your grief and trauma. I did enjoy this book but quickly got overwhelmed with the amount of references to different types of flowers and their quality. I understand that's the whole point- it was just a lot for me.

Overall, this audiobook was incredibly cute and I did enjoy it very much. I did greatly appreciate the narrator and her style of speaking. It was clear and concise and helped to relay the character's emotions clearly.