Review by Kelly Jarvis: The Magic All Around by Jennifer Moorman

The Magic All Around is an enchanting book about a family living in a magical Victorian house built from trees grown in the Appalachian Mountains and felled during the full moon. Although the Russell women have always maintained the homestead which bends to their desires by playing tunes they love to hear and magically stocking its pantries with all the ingredients needed for their recipes, Lilith Russell was the exception, raising her daughter Mattie on the road and dropping her off at the family home in Ivy Ridge, Georgia only during the summers to spend time with Lilith’s sister Penelope. When Lilith passes away, she leaves Maddie instructions to complete a scavenger hunt through her hometown, and as Maddie completes the tasks she learns about herself, her family, and the depths of love. 

Moorman’s novel shines with magical realism, and her focus on a family homestead may remind readers of books like Practical Magic. The book has a simple, cozy feel that offers readers a light escape while exploring topics like art, friendship, the relationship between mothers and daughters, and the discovery of an authentic self. Told through the alternating perspectives of several characters, the book presents different romances and relationships that will entertain readers looking for a heartwarming tale. I especially loved the character of the old Victorian house which lends the novel a sense of place and makes readers contemplate the comforts of home. This is a fun book for those looking for a sweet story about life and love. You can find the book here.

Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy of the book in exchange for a fair review.

Kelly Jarvis is the Contributing Writer for The Fairy Tale Magazine. Her work has also been featured in A Moon of One’s Own, Baseball Bard, Blue Heron Review, Corvid Queen, Eternal Haunted Summer, Forget Me Not Press, Mermaids Monthly, The Chamber Magazine, The Magic of Us, and the World Weaver Press Anthology Mothers of Enchantment: New Tales of Fairy Godmothers. Her first novella, Selkie Moon, comes out in 2025. You can connect with her on Facebook (Kelly Jarvis, Author) or Instagram (@kellyjarviswriter) or find her at https://kellyjarviswriter.com/