I HAVE TO SAY…

SYNOPSIS

Lucinda (Lucy) lives in Freya Grove, a small town known for mystics, magic, and charm. She has loved living there since she was younger and enjoys being a teacher, but with the high school reunion coming around, she think of her life as mundane. Not much has changed in her life from year to year and she wants more. That’s when she and three of her family members decide to cast wishes using a spell.

What could happen?

RECAP AND REVIEW

This book is the first in a standalone paranormal, contemporary, romance series. So far, there are three books. This one is told in the third person from two different perspectives- Alex and Lucy.

Alex is a merman who is always on the move, traveling and taking pictures. He was engaged, but had his engagement recently broken off. He comes back to visit Freya Grove to see his family for his birthday and is given a gift that is a huge commitment and forces him to consider putting down roots in Freya Grove, which he isn’t looking for.

Lucy is a family oriented witch that loves Freya Grove and what it has to offer. She likes the whimsical nature of the town and has gotten into a routine as a teacher. She and her ex broke up because she didn’t feel sparks, and is now looking for sparks anywhere in life she can find them.

Alex and Lucy are childhood friends that were on the brink of becoming more, though it never came to fruition. They live their lives oppositely and find safety in different ways, but have always known there could be something more between them if Alex didn’t leave after graduation.

I enjoyed the dynamics between their families individually. We are introduced to Lucy’s sisters and her cousin, Ursula who I hated in this book, and Alex’s parents and his brother. We don’t get too much backstory on them in the sense of understanding their motivations, but maybe it’s because some of these characters will be getting their own books?

The laid back nature of Alex’s parents were amusing to me because why in the world would they give Alex the gift they gave him, not that it wasn’t a good gift, I’d love it, but I get why Alex was annoyed and confused even though his parents had their reasons.

The magic in the book isn’t explained much. The beings and their powers aren’t explained in a clear cut way. Moreso, their magic is just apart of them and the world and accepted as what it is, only to be brought up when it is used by the person, if that makes sense. It had me questioning the power of the wish that Lucy makes but I won’t spoil anything.

OVERALL

Overall, I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars. This book has some cozy vibes, but is relatively straightforward and low stakes. It went in a direction I wasn’t expecting, but I’m not mad about it. I, personally, had a good time.