ARC Review: First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen

“.. they way she describes things appeals to all the senses…” ~ Under the Covers

If you have visited Bascom, North Carolina then you need to book yourself a trip. It sounds expensive, but all you have to do is pick up the fist book in the series Garden Spells and you will be introduced to a host of uniquely odd and magical characters who guarantee that your stay will be interesting and entice you to visit for a little longer.

In First Frost we are brought back to Bascom and into the lives of the Waverley sisters ten years after the events in Garden Spells. It is a week before first frot a time notorious for making Waverleys restless and unsettled, prompting them to act rashly and out of character and this year the Waverleys are no different. Claire, Sydney and Bay all have their own insecurities and doubts to contend with in the week approaching first frost.

I hate it when a book I love ends, First Frost definitely put me under a spell as I once again watch the lives of the Waverley women unfold. We watch Claire struggle with her identity and whether she really is a true Waverley and see Sydney’s need to put down further roots by having another child, afraid that once again she will be blown off course. I enjoyed both these story lines, they each had a touch of their own unique magic and both demonstrated how important family and belonging was to each of them.

However, it was Bay’s story that I fell in love with. Bay’s gift is to always know exactly where things belong, from an errant spoon to a person and when Bay first saw Josh Mattheson, she knew where he belonged; with her. Bay’s story of first love was beautiful, you could feel her longing for him and as someone whose gift begets order she wants him to finally go to where he belongs. It was wonderfully innocent yet packed full of emotion and Sarah Addison Allen’s touch of magic.

Another fantastic book from Sarah Addison Allen, she writes beautifully, I love her use of language, they way she describes things appeals to all the senses, much like the Waverley gifts. I can’t wait to see what she brings out next, I just know it will be wonderful.

*ARC provided by publisher