Midlife Magic Mirror

Legacy Witches of Shadow Cove #1

by Jennifer L. Hart

Donna Sanders has done everything right. Despite her ADHD, she has created a successful home-organizing business and distanced herself from her crazy twin—the witch of Shadow Cove. Donna is completely blindsided when her husband locks her out of the house and demands a divorce.

With nowhere else to turn, Donna moves back to her childhood home, a creepy gothic house on the outskirts of town. The cauldron of bats in the attic she can handle. The ghost of the passive-aggressive Southern debutant doesn’t faze her. But living with her sister and her endless parade of secrets is a fate worse than death.

When the chips are down, blood is thicker than water. And Donna’s blood is as enchanted as Bella’s. Can this late-blooming witch learn to embrace her gifts before Bella’s dark past catches up with them both?


Midlife Magic Mirror is book 1 of the Legacy Witches of Shadow Cove series. If you like fantastic tales about magical destinies, midlife transformation, and bonds of sisterhood, you don’t want to miss USA Today bestselling author Jennifer L. Hart’s bewitching book. Buy Midlife Magic Mirror and invoke your inner power today!

Genres: Fantasy, Audiobook, Fiction

288 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 1, 2023

About the author

Sign up for my author newsletter and never miss a new release at authorjenniferlhart.com

USA Today bestselling author Jennifer L. Hart writes about characters that cuss, get naked, and often make poor but hilarious life choices. A native New Yorker, Jenn now lives in the mountains of North Carolina with her imaginary friends. Her works to date include the Cougars and Cauldrons series, the Silver Sisters series and the upcoming Legcay Witches of Shadow Cove.

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book amusing. This was a cute one to listen to. Only problem I had was the last part didn't fit with the rest of the audiobook. The ending wasn't clear.

[Kim Lehman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful start to a new series!

I was struggling to find a new series when I came upon this book and I'm thankful I found Jennifer L. Hart! I was disappointed to see next book doesn't come out till October but Ms. Hart has other series that I'll be reading till then! Highly recommend!

[Julie Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I wasn't sure what to expect and nearly didn't continue when the author introduced the book with a warning of trauma, violence and rape. Good job I didn't listen because I would have missed out on a great story. The trauma and rape had already happened and there is no sex scenes in this book....as for the violence, well does demon killing really count? Okay there is nothing graphic or gross. Actually it's a lot more than that. It's the bond between two sisters, with a side lesson not to judge a book by its cover. This author continues to write entertaining stories with characters that have very real human conditions and challenges but gives it a twist by giving them magic powers and makes them face deadly situations. The story and subject matter is well written and told by both sisters, so the story does jump around but I think it really works and makes it a compelling read. I can't wait to jump into the next book in the series.
When Donna comes home to find her husband has changed the locks and is demanding a divorce she has no choice but return back to the twin sister she had turned her back on. When Bella needed help she did the unthinkable and made a deal with the devil. Now they need each other. Can Bella save her unborn children and still protect her legacy? Will Donna finally except that she is not damaged and return to her families Destiny by unleashing her magic? With someone trying to open a portal to the underworld, the sisters will need to work together if they want to survive the attacks.
I was given this free review copy book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Midlife Magic Mirror is the first book in Jennifer L. Hart's Legacy Witches series. It introduces the two main characters, twins Bella and Donna. (I was immediately loving the book for the play on their names alone.). Although previously estranged, they are brought back together when Donna's cheating husband has her arrested as she tries to get into her own house. Bella bails Donna out of jail and the two begin their journey back to the loving sisters they used to be. Ms. Hart is a talented author and is able to combine reality and magic to create a fantasy world with fun, well developed characters. It is so easy to imagine being a part of their world. MMM is a great beginning to what promises to be a fun witchy series. As a narrator Jacqueline Rendell has done a great job bringing all the characters to life. Her narration is a very nice way to enjoy Jennifer L Hart's magic. I definitely recommend both the book and the audiobook!

[Andrea Stoeckel · Rating 5 out of 5]

These characters are unbelievably good

"He smiled at me. “You know something? I’d wager that under the right circumstances, different flavors might pair perfectly.”

Bella and Donna, twin legacy witches of Storm Grove don't have a clue as to what or who is coming into their lives to change them forever. And with that comes new understanding and promises of safety and fulfillment. But no one said it would be easy. Add ADHD, wraiths, furys, werewolves demons, gargoyles and Annabelle and you have a compelling fast paced addition to Jennifer L Hart's growing library of entertainment.

I have been with author Jennifer L Hart since pre Laundry Hag days and her work has gotten better and better as she has grown as an author. She's a go to author for me and always will be. Highly Recommended 5/5

[Kendra Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing find for me. I really appreciated finding these flawed characters who continue making mistakes. And they’re NOT in their twenties. To find twin sisters in their forties who definitely don't have their lives together was a great change. Bella and Donna have been leading separate lives, Donna thinks she’s a magic dud and left the family estate to lead a normal life. Only to have it crash apart when her husband locks her out of the house so he can more on with his secretary and she winds up in jail. Calling the only person she can, she calls her twin Bella. Bella had fully embraced her life within magic and at first glance has everything in her life the way she wants it. The book goes on with other magical beings: demons, wraiths, furies. Along with a couple surprises I didn’t see coming. There is nothing better than that in a book for me.

[Tommie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Donna Sanders is a 40 something year old mom with a son just starting college. One day she comes home from work to discover her husband has locked her out of their home and is inside sleeping with his secretary. He calls the police on her and she ends up in jail. She has to call her twin sister Bella to bail her out. The Sanders Sisters come from a long line of witches. Donna doesn’t have any powers, unlike her sister Bella, which contributes to their family drama. The sisters haven’t seen each other in over a year, but Bella bails Donna out and brings her to the family home. From there, the story reads as a cozy Lifetime movie. The story has witches, werewolves, wraiths, ghosts, a fury, and a demon. It’s neither scary nor spicy, but does include a relationship between a witch and a demon and a witch and a fury, basically just a good time.

[KDRBCK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Midlife Magic Mirror by J. L. Hart is the first book in her new Legacy Witches of Shadow Cove Series. Featuring the twins Bella and Donna and their adventures. Twins in their fourties, one is single and the other one is mom of a college student, freshly separated and has to start over. Their reunion isn't a meet cute at all, they're stranged for years and have a lot of issues to work through. A raw and gritty read that gives all the emotions, deserves all the stars.
After binge reading the other books by this author, I loved reading this next series starter by wonderful worldbuilder and outstanding storyteller J.L.H.
I recommend the book and can't wait for the next adventure.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook: I enjoyed this story very much. I appreciated that the protagonist was at a more mature age and had issues that human beings deal with in everyday life. I liked that the characters were likeable and realistic. I enjoyed the twists and the variety of characters. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. I thought Jacqueline Rendell's narration was good, and her performance helped to bring the characters alive. I was gifted a copy of the audiobook. I volunteered, without any financial gain, to leave a review which included my honest opinions about this story.

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Donna Sanders son has just started college. She comes home and finds the locks on the doors of her house were changed and that her husband wants a divorce. She's blindsided. She has ADHD and wonders if she missed the signs. She has nowhere else to go but back to the family home where her twin sister, Bella, lives. Bella is a legacy witch and is also pregnant. Donna was her dud twin sister and she had left to make her own, magic free, life. The sisters find that a lot more is going on and they need to work together or their line will come to an end.
I really enjoyed this book.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great start to a new series! Estranged witchy sisters are unexpectedly united when one becomes homeless due to her soon-to-be-ex-husband. Quick paced, with well developed characters, plenty of action and Ms. Hart’s expert storytelling. I listened to the Virtual Voice audiobook version, which was enjoyable. I am looking forward to the next in the series. I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook and chose to write a voluntary, unbiased review.

[Jennifer Hart]

I've wanted to write a book about a professional organizer for a long time. I just never thought she'd be neurodivergent, a twin, or a dud on the witchy family tree. Or a heroine with a broken heart that gives her all for those she loves
All those things makes this book even more special to me. Enjoy!

[Chris Fracisco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sister love

Twin sisters torn apart and put back together to a deeper level of love and family, embracing their legacy, their magic. This good was awash in characters good and bad and the words brimmed with life each turn of the page. I can't wait to see what the next one will bring.

[Mary Matroni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay plot and characters

Feels like something I have previously read by another author. I cannot make a connection to a specific book, author or other tale, it just feels familiar. Mostly it’s the twins that seems to be something I have already read. Not a bad book just not great.

[Tina Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this on Chirp - my new favorite audiobook app. It was .99 so I gave it a shot - I’m so glad I did. It was the right mix of feminism, magic, family, mythology, & humor. While there were some groan worthy moments, it was the perfect escapism I needed. I truly enjoyed hearing from both Bella and Donna through the story. I’m buying the rest of the series now.

[sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Enjoyed the start to this series. Was surprised by the twist towards the end. Loved how the sisters grew, fought together and found their full powers. Appreciated the older woman love interest angle.

[Clare]

Fun tale

Good story with humor. Midlife witch with problems has husband lock her out of her home. She moves back unwillingly with her sister who has all her powers, in the process learning about her own powers. Lots of fun. Will buy next book!

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, super quick read.
I liked that the protagonists were older and they were relatable.
I did feel like there was a bit too much focus on Donna calling her brain wonky due to ADHD, and when she did change her attitude on magic it seemed very abrupt.

[E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

Really good first book in this new series. I could not put it down. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

[Evelyn Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting start to a new series

I see myself reflected so much in Bella and Donna. So, so much. Just wish I had the magic to go with it! I look forward to the next book.

[Denise Reedy jasinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read!! A nice change from the usual.

Very different but such a thrill to read. Hate waiting for the next to come out. I have great expectations for this series.

[janece collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant!

This book was so much fun! I loved the character's, the writing is wonderful and I can't wait to read more!!

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I couldn't get past a couple of chapters.

[Robin Youngblood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twin witches, oh my!

Fun book! Filled with supes, and also honest about menopause. Quite the combination! Oh, and let's not forget demons, fries and gargoyles.

[Fatima Shabbir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just when I thought i was over my reading phase as I did not like any book I started, I found this book it was a fresh idea and loved it from the start.

[Karen Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fasten your seatbelt, this one moves fast!

What a ride! Lots of magic action and coming to terms with midlife, betrayal, and second chances. Read it now!

[Sharon Squires · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely Brilliant

I love this author. Her books grab you and demand to be read. A well rounded cast of characters and an amazing storyline.

[Kathy Zuercher Diveley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Donna and Bella

Witches, demons, werewolves and wraiths make for an interesting, intriguing story. The witches protect Shadow Cove from demons and wraiths while living life.

[Bobbi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Obviously I’m in the minority here, but I didn’t care for this book, and I generally like this genre. Didn’t like the characters or find them or the story interesting.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

warning – rape by two men, pregnancy by rape.