Some of my favorite books are written by Sarah Addison Allen. She is a New York Times best-selling author whose writing is considered magical realism. Magical realism is a fiction genre that brings magical or supernatural elements to normal, everyday situations. For example, in The Sugar Queen, Allen creates a character where books follow her around. If she is in need of specific book for that moment in her life it just appears out of nowhere. The character breaks the rules of our world, but is still an average human being. Allen puts this magical realism into all of her books. Therefore, it takes the reader on a magical story that resonates with the heart.

Allen has written a total of four books – Garden Spells, The Sugar Queen, The Girl Who Chased the Moon, and The Peach Keeper. All of her books are based in the south – so they are full of southern charm and superstition. All of her stories take place in the same universe, so sometimes characters are seen in the other novels. Here is a quick summary of each novel – presented in the order of recommendation.

1. The Girl Who Chased the Moon – Two different women are thrown together in a quirky little town in North Carolina. Emily is sent to live with her grandfather after her mother’s death. Here she realizes that the mother she grew up and the one who lived here are very different people. All while dealing with changing wallpaper and a possible ghost in her backyard. Julie, however, grew up, left, and returned to Mullaby. She puts her heart into her baking hoping to overcome and possibly fix past issues in her life.

2. Garden Spells – Allen’s first novel centers around two women. It reminds a little of Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman. The story centers on the Waverly sisters. Claire, the eldest, has always been stable and has started a catering company that produces food from magical plants that affect the eater’s mood. All gets thrown into frenzy when her younger sister, Sydney, shows up with her daughter and a baggage full of past problems. The mix of familial love, rivalry, and magical elements really makes this story sparkle.

3. The Sugar Queen – The story revolves around Josey and Chloe. Josey is a lackluster southern belle, who lives in her mother’s shadow, till one day a ghost of a past classmate appears in her closet. Chloe is hounded by books that appear in her life. Struggling in romance and friendship; Chloe and Josey become friends and come to realize that there are new possibilities in every day.

4. The Peach Keeper – Based on a past mystery that brought a great southern family into financial ruin. The story centers on the story of Willa and Paxton. Willa is the descendant of the most prominent family in Walls of Water, but is also the descendant of the curse placed upon the family. Paxton is trying to restore Willa’s family old mansion. As the restoration begins so do the rumors, mysteries, romance, and hopefully reconciliation of old families.

So if you are interested in having magical afternoons grab one of the books by Sarah Addison Allen. You will not be disappointed!