The Magic All Around

The Magic All Around by Jennifer Moorman is a charming, magical story and Kathleen McInerney narrated it wonderfully.

The book is written from multiple POV's and creates an encompassing, fluid narrative that is warm, engaging and entertaining all at once

Mattie struggles with how to conduct her life following the passing of her mother but this event brings the siblings back together in an enchanted house in Ivy ridge. A simple core premise is a strong foundation for elegantly woven storylines and Moorman does no dissapoint. The character development is wonderful and written so well that you cannot help but feel empathy for each one of these strong personalities as you listen to the book

The book is about reflection, family, honesty and dreams, but most of all about love for each other

Definitely a book of the warm fuzzies and perfect for this very cold winters evening

Thank you to Netgalley Harper Collins Focus, Harper Collins Muse, the author Jennifer Moorman and the stunning narrator Kathleen McInerney for this beautiful ALC. My review is left of my own volition

I loved this one! The whole story was magical. Mattie has always followed her mother to wherever she went. Now her mother has passed and she doesn't know what to do with her life because she's always been on her mother's coat tails. This is her journey.

Many thanks to Net Galley and Harper Collins Focus for this incredible book in exchange for an honest review.

February 8, 2024
First I have to comment on the absolutely beautiful cover, it feels magical. This is the first book I've read by Jennifer Moorman, and I found it delightful. I will be seeking out her other books.

Upon her mother's death, Mattie has returned to her mother's family home for the funeral. When there she learns that the Russell house, and the Russell women are enchanted. She all learns through her mother's will that she will have to perform a series of tasks on order to inherit a rust fund her mother set aside for her. These tasks seem random and odd, but we soon learn that it was all a magical plan.
This book is so sweet and heartwarming. I loved all of the characters, and the wonderful little town it takes place in.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins Focus for the advanced listener copy. Kathleen McInerney's narration was wonderful. I highly recommend this book.

In a world where others may see trigger warnings, Moorman invites readers to see the beauty and wonder that exists all around us. Through heartfelt anecdotes and insightful reflections, she weaves a narrative that touches the soul, leaving readers both teary-eyed and smiling.

What sets this book apart is its ability to resonate deeply with readers, offering comfort and inspiration during challenging times. Moorman's wit and wisdom shine through, reminding us to embrace the magic woven into the fabric of our existence.

In essence, "Magic All Around Us" is a heartwarming journey that celebrates the extraordinary in the ordinary. It's a testament to the power of perspective and the resilience of the human spirit. This book is a treasure trove of warmth and wisdom, reminding us to keep our hearts open to the magic that surrounds us each day.

Jennifer Moorman has created a magical, delightful web of family, whimsical happenings, and a deep love for home! The narrator was phenomenal as well. Excellent novel. Thank you NetGalley and Harper Muse Audio for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Sometimes all you want on a cold dreary/rainy day is to read (in my case, listen) to a cozy witchy story on finding life again after loss + navigating grief. It's centered around family relationships, searching for your own path, and finding love.

I liked the "magical" qualities of the house + the unique gifts the family members each had and I wished I could befriend all the characters.

If you're on the market for a whimsical feel-good read set in a charming small town, this will be perfect for you!

"The Magic All Around" is a wonderful story of a young woman whose mother has recently passed away. Mattie Russell and her mother, Lillith, were best friends, travel companions, and nomads. So Mattie had never really had a place to call home before. But with her mother's passing, Mattie has to return to Ivy Ridge, where her remaining relatives live, to settle the estate and spend time with the rest of her family, who are decidedly NOT nomadic.

But when she gets there, she is confronted by a confusing past and a confounding future. Having never had a place to call home before, how we she know "home" if she saw it?

I have to admit, I loved the enchanted bits of the story. But initially, I was a little confused. Last summer, I read Ann Aguirre's "The Only Purple House in Town," which also had a house with its own mind that wasn't afraid to insert itself into things. And when this house clearly started to stand out as a character in its own right, I thought perhaps I'd picked up the same book again. But other than that shared element, the two stories are each distinctly their own, and I truly enjoyed "The Magic All Around!"

Mattie's search for answers was compelling, and we were brought along on the ride as she sought to figure out what she wanted out of life, now that she was no longer being pulled along in her mother's wake. Ultimately, Mattie's discovery of who she was and what she wanted most was heartwarming.

Thank you to Jennifer Moorman, Harper Collins, and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

“The Magic All Around” by Jennifer Moorman is a fantastical story of loss and love and finding home.

In a mid-sized city of Georgia, after Maddy’s mom passes away, she begins to discover pieces of herself and her history, that she didn’t recognize she needed until that point. While Maddy sets out to complete the items on the to-do list her mother left her, her path of self discovery both scares and enlivens her.

The first 40% of the story was a little mundane, as Maddy feels lost and confused while she processes her grief for her mother. At the 40% mark the story picks up and begins to get more interesting as Maddy sets out to have the will read and complete the tasks set for her. I really enjoyed the tasks and how they set Maddy on a path to find more than she anticipated. I also loved all the characters and friends she made along the way, and the home she makes for herself in the end. All of this is set along the backdrop of a magical house that while not quite meddlesome, seems to know best. I loved the house’s influence, and the magic that was all around.

To be clear, there are no baddies or evil to overcome. This is a contemporary fiction novel centered on one woman’s self discovery, with many others along the way. By 80% I was too invested and couldn’t stop listening. The narrator Kathleen McInerery was perfect for this story and I am plan to look up more audiobooks she narrates. This book was easily 4-4.5 stars, and has me considering the magic all around that influences our lives everyday.

I absolutely adored this wonderfully witchy story. Fans of practical magic will love this book. The central mystery to the story unravelled at just the right pace, the slow burn, second chance romance was well written and believable and the storyline kept me hooked until the end.
The audiobook was well narrated. The narrator has a beautiful lyric tone to their voice that fit with the magic of the story.

“The Magic All Around” by Jennifer Moorman, narrated by Kathleen McInery, is a wonderful, feel-good book of self-discovery, mixed together with a bit of magic. Mattie grew up with a free-spirited mother, and the two of them moved every couple of years, making it difficult to put down any roots. When Lilith, Mattie’s mother passes away, she returns to her Ivy Ridge, Georgia for her mother’s funeral. At a loss as to what to do now that she is alone, she things she will just move on and somehow “wing it”. But first, she must attend the reading of her mother’s will. Believing her mother was impoverished; it is a huge surprise to learn that she must complete a number of tasks before she can receive quite a substantial inheritance. While carrying out these tasks, she discovers her own magical power and she discovers what is important in life.

I found this story utterly charming and I spent a couple of days doing little else but listening to the book. Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for an ARC of this audio book. Five stars!

This was just the book I needed. Light-hearted and hopeful with amazing characters, I could not put down The Magic All Around. A story told through magical realism with themes of happiness and fate, I was fully invested in Mattie, her aunt Penelope, and her mother Lilith - they were believable, unique, and inspiring each with their own story and struggles. This might be one of my favorite books I read this year. The narration was excellent.

The Magic All Around by Jennifer Moorman is an enchanting tale that is perfect for anyone that loves subtle magic and whimsy. Practical Magic meets The Good Witch but in Georgia!

Magical family. Quest of finding Inheritance and findingntruth about her mother / family, but also herself. As daughter grow up in the world of superstions and magic of unknown they follow mothers steps not realizing repeat of past is hard to break and faith of women in this families are same. Is now the time to break them.

I truly enjoyed this book. It was a cozy, magical, feel good book.
While I enjoyed the story and loving nature the family had for each other, I also felt the pain of them trying to recover after the mother/sister passes away unexpectedly.
I loved how the house was a key character in the book and would make its wishes known as things played out. It made you laugh instead of cry and wonder what that would be like.
The narrator was fantastic and drew me into the story every time I turned it on and helped me to feel the magic.
It was released on 1/16/24 and I’ve already ordered it and sent it to my mom.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read the advanced copy of this wonderfully magical book.

When I started “The Magic All Around” I was a bit confused, it took me a few chapters to pick up who was who and remember their names. But once I was in the story I loved it! It gave me some Encanto vibes with the whole very peculiar and magical family, the house with its own character, and all the secrets surrounding the family. I loved all the characters, the twists and the story were absolutely beautiful. I even cried, yes I did.
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Highly recommend!
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Audiobook- the narrators were fantastic! They 100% gave life to the story and made the experience so beautiful!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Net Galley for an ARC of this book. in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are completely my own.
I adored this book. It was magical! The house was a character! I loved the little mystery, the family, the romance--just everything. I'm ready to move to Ivy Ridge and make friends with all the characters.. This book was a warm hug. If you need a feel good book this is it.

I absolutely fell in love with this book and the house! It's not every day that a main character in a book can be a house. Magical Realism at it's finest with a touch of mystery, found family, friendships, and getting through hard times to find your happily ever after is how I would describe The Magic All Around.

Mattie's mom, Lilith, passed away and that had her heading back to her home town of Ivy Ridge, Georgia to see her Aunt Penelope. Penelope was a constant for Mattie and welcomed her with open arms. As soon as Mattie returned the house was up to it's old tricks with magically tuning radios to songs that matched each moment and doors not opening until you told the house the truth. The house knew just what you needed.

Mattie was left an inheritance but in order to receive it, Lilith set up tasks and clues that had to be completed. From baking class to planting flowers, Mattie worked hard at getting things complete so she could purchase and open an art studio in San Francisco.

A blast from her past, Jonathan, just happens to be in Ivy Ridge helping care for his father's business while he recovered from illness. Jonathan was a workaholic and the slow pace of Ivy Ridge was making him go mad up until the moment he ran into Mattie.

As the characters and story develops, you can't help but fall in love with every person that plays a role in getting Mattie to her finish line. Even Penelope has an unexpected gift that Lilith made sure would happen. I loved that the story had an epilogue so you weren't left hanging. I would love to see another book expanding on what happens to Penelope!

Thank you @netgalley and @jenniferrmoorman as well as @harpercollins for the audio copy to devour and review!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
What a lovely book. Well written and thought out. Great narration. I absolutely loved this book.

After suddenly losing her mom, Mattie finds herself lost. She is used to life on the road, exploring new places. Now the mom that kept her moving all her life, seems to want her to stay in the family home her mom had abandoned so many years before in order to appease her inheritance stipulations. While learning about her family and their community, Mattie has a chance to find herself and maybe a bit of magic along the way.

This was such a tragic, yet heartwarming read. The audiobook truly captured the emotion of this journey of self discovery!

Jennifer Moorman's The Magic All Around is a reminder to look for the magic in everyday life. It is all around us, if we just remember to take a moment and see it! Maddie has spent her life traveling with her mom, who dies and leaves her adrift. She returns home to Ivy Ridge, where her family is. Everyone has always said that her family is a bit odd, but not in a bad way. See why with Maddie, as she also learns her mom leaves her a list of tasks to accomplish in order to receive her inheritance. A fun story with a good meaning. It will make you smile and laugh and give you a good heart feeling! Hope you enjoy!

Thank you to my partners, WunderBooks PR, Harper Muse Books, and NetGalley, and the author. I appreciate the gifted paperback and audiobook. I am leaving this review voluntarily!

1. 𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 - This magical and beautiful story is told in such a way as to make the reader fall in love with the Russell family. Everything about them is exquisitely detailed from beginning to end.

2. 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐬 - Just everything…this book just did everything for me. It’s one of those reads that just has a sense of fervor throughout. Happiness mixed with sadness mixed with uncertainty. But all rolled into a ball of enchantment.

3. 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐈𝐬 𝐈𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐢𝐫 - The extent of heartfelt adoration that abounds in this story is insurmountable. Every storyline has the passion jumping off of the pages right into the heart of the reader.

4. 𝐀 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐬 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 - Houses don’t quite have the force that the Russell house has here as it helps to guide the family, but I do feel like houses have an energy. In a sense, the spirits of previous inhabitants live within the bones of a house.

5. 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐬 𝐀 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐡 - Fate is an inevitable power that pushes everyone to their destination. Whether or not that path is accepted is the question. In our story, Mattie has a choice to make and that choice will set up the outcome of her life. The reader becomes enthralled in the possibilities that await.