Not my usual fare but a totally charming story. Claire Waverly lives in her family’s home in a small town. Claire lives alone and likes it that way. Her sister, Sydney, left many years earlier and the sisters were never close. Claire is controlled and alone. Sydney lives on the road as their mother did, sleeping with loads of men and living life on the edge…until she got pregnant. Trapped by her daughter’s father, an angry, controlling man, she lived in misery until she had an opportunity to escape. And the only place to go to – was home.

The Waverly women have always had a reputation for being a bit different – the story never calls them witches but that’s the idea. Claire uses the special herbs and flowers in her garden to cause specific effects and has developed a very successful catering business. Her aunt, Evanelle, is known for her peculiar tendency to have to give things to people. And the things she gives are always something that the person will need at a critical time. Claire and Sydney’s grandmother, now passed, had said their mother had a particular affinity for the apple tree in the garden. Now, the apple tree has a reputation, as well. It’s said that if you eat one of its apples, you’ll see the most important event in your life. So… here’s Claire who has a quiet, lonely life that she feels most comfortable with. Along comes her wild, unpredictable sister with small daughter in tow to unset her routine. And, on top of all that, she has a new neighbor right next door. A very attractive neighbor. And the apple tree seems to like him as well since it keeps throwing apples over his wall.

When Claire has to make room in her life for her sister and niece, she discovers it’s not so bad. But when her sister forces her to make room for the attractive neighbor, that’s too much and Claire fights back…with her herbs and flowers. Meanwhile, Sydney is discovering that she, too, has the Waverly gift. Her daughter, Bay, has always had the gift and known how to use it. Her mother and aunt just don’t know it yet.

This is a gentle story of discovery and moving on. A romantic story of several people’s lives and how they deal with disappointment and recover. With just a hint of magic…

A nicely plotted story. Interesting characters and good development. - Catherine Book