The Enchanted Music Box

GraceTown #4

by Cindy Kirk

A charming tale with enthralling twists of time!

When a music box weaves magic, a life in three movements unfolds...Aided by an enchanted music box, a young woman learns valuable lessons about life and love as she sees her life as it was, as it is, and, as it could be. Successful businesswoman Annie Laggett's life is forever changed when she impulsively picks up a vintage music box that had been tossed to the curb. At home, as strains from the music box fill the air, Annie is transported back to first observe the past, then the present from the role of an observer and finally to see what her future could hold depending on what course she takes. It's time to put your feet up and relax with this charming story that will tug at your heartstrings and keep you reading WAY too late at night!

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary

230 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 4, 2024

About the author

USA Today Bestselling Author Cindy Kirk is a Booksellers' Best Award Winner, a National Readers' Choice Awards finalist, and a Publishers Weekly bestselling author. Cindy launched her Good Hope series with a bang. Christmas in Good Hope hit #1 on the Amazon bestseller list for both Contemporary Romance and Women's Fiction.

A lifelong Nebraska resident, Cindy started writing after taking a class at a local community college. An incurable romantic, Cindy loves seeing her characters grow and learn from their mistakes and, in the process, achieve a happy ending.

Someone once told Cindy that to know a writer you just have to read what she's written; she hopes that once you read her books you can tell she is an eternal optimist, one who truly believes in the power of love. She invites you to kick off your shoes, pick up one of her books, and get to know her.

Cindy and her high school sweetheart husband live on an acreage with their two dogs.

Reviews

[Julie Eichelberger-Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Enchanted Music Box is the fourth in the Grace Town series but can be read as a stand alone story, but I suggest reading the previous stories for background on secondary characters as well as for the pure joy and entertainment of the series. Grace Town is a place where mysterious and magical occurrences happen but successful businesswoman, Annie Laggett, doesn't truly believe until one day during a late lunch she discovers an antique music box. After losing her father to ALS when she was young, she has lived a very strict, regimented life so that nothing could hurt her again but when she opens the lid to the music box, she is transported into the past, present and future. With each happening, Annie is rediscovering things that brought her joy, that her memories of events are not exactly as she remembered and that her current situation isn't bringing her the happiness she wants in life. This is a wonderfully written, magical story that will transport you right along with characters.

I received an advanced reader copy from the publisher but all thoughts and feelings are my own.

[Ann-marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Annie has her everyday life mapped out. She does everything on a schedule. One day while in Timeless Antique store she comes across a music box and ends up getting it. We find out that the music box is no ordinary one not only does it plays a melody but as the music plays Annie finds herself transported to a different time in her life. Although this story main theme is a magical element, I enjoyed seeing the transformation of Annie a young woman who stuck to a stringent schedule but started to open here heart ,eyes and mind to what all life has to offer which in her case shows life is more than just working but family friends, fun and of course love. This is the fourth in the Grace Town series.

[Susan Roncevich · Rating 5 out of 5]

A return to GraceTown is another feel-good read in a town known for unexplainable happenings. The story, which is the fourth in the GraceTown series, has a great story line with an unexplainable music box appearing at Timeless Treasures antique store’s annual Clear the Shelves sidewalk sale. Annie Liggett acquires the music box and experiences memories from the past, present and a look into the future when she opens the music box and listens to the tinny melody. Be prepared to be charmed as you read the life changing events that happen as a result of breaking old habits and opening a life to better relationships and new beginnings.

Annie works at SensorTech and is in Treasury Management in the company that is owned by her family. Her boyfriend, Brent Sellhorn, is also employed at the same company in General Accounting. Annie leads a pretty routine life which fits her well and Brent seems to fit into her orderly world. Annie’s mother is CEO of the company and she took over that role after the death of her husband. The loss of their beloved husband and father due to ALS took an emotional toll on the family. Each handling grief in their own way and learning to move forward in the best way they knew how after such a devastating loss.

Annie has great friends who were not very fond of Brent and didn’t see him as a good partner for Annie. As Annie reflects on happenings in her past and begins questioning her current relationship with Brent, she finds new interests that she finds pleasurable but Brent is not happy with these changes. I am happy that Annie started new routines in spite of pushback from Brent. If someone loves you, it won’t always be all about them.

This was an enjoyable and heartwarming book. I love how Cindy Kirk weaved a thought-provoking tale into a beautiful love story. Annie was more open to changes than she used to be due to the music box and I really enjoyed the special cat, Cleocatra, the adorable dog, George, and, of course, the Veterinary Director, Sawyer Moorehead, who worked at the Animal House clinic. I definitely recommend that you check this book out for yourself as it is a wonderful read.

[Nicole Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am loving this magical series. We are back in Gracetown. Annie Laggett lives life on a schedule. Everything needs to be just so. Annie worked at SensorTech, her family's company in Treasury Management. She enjoyed her job and her life with a routine. Everything changed when she picked up a music box at Timeless Treasures. Something happened when she opened up the music box. She was transported to a different time in her life. At first, she assumed she was hallucinating. She had to give the music box another try and what she saw, gave her a lot to think about.

She enjoyed taking pictures and had volunteered to take pictures of the animals at the animal shelter. The pictures were featured on the shelter's page, and they were a big hit. The animals were getting adopted. The regular veterinarian was on a vacation. His son, Sawyer Moorhead, was the temporary vet for the shelter. Sawyer brought a new light to Annie's life. Sawyer made her want to be spontaneous. The music box also helped. With her boyfriend, Brent Sellhorn, trying to get serious, Annie knew she needed to do some thinking about what her future looked like. Was Brent part of her future?

Things are changing in Annie's life and she can either go with the flow or continue to be stuck in the rut. Annie decided to make some changes. Her friends never liked Brent for her. Will Annie give up her dreams to spare Brent's feelings? Though she and Sawyer are spending time together, there is not guarantee that he will stay in Gracetown. What's the point of rocking the boat with so many unknowns. This book is fairly short but it gets the point across. The town of Gracetown is still working its magic on the residents. We get to see a couple from one of the earlier books in the series get married. It is always nice to get an update on beloved characters.

[Gillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with the Grace Town series since The Pink House. While this can be read as stand alone books it's fun to see characters from other books show up and see how their stories have progressed.
All of these books are a wonderful balance of a love story, a character growing with just the right touch of the unexplained to make the story a little extra special.
About 13 lines into this book I was in love with Annie Laggett. This book was really hard to put down and I may of spent one too many nights reading way too late.
Annie is a hard working woman who knows what she wants. She likes her routine and her schedules. She can see what is coming and nothing generally surprises her. When one afternoon she is walking at lunch she sees a music box at Timeless Treasures. She doesn't get why, but she has to have it.
Annie works as an accountant at her families business, she has a boyfriends, she has good friends but deep down inside she knows something is missing.
Annie's dad died when she was young of ALS and her way of coping is her routine and schedule. Annie's boyfriend, Brent, seems to want the same things as Annie. When a big promotion is on the horizon, Brent is suddenly changing the plans and Annie is force to change.
Annie starts to rethink things and with the help of her new music box is forced to look at her past and current life. Was she really happy? Was she missing out? Was Brent a stick in the mud, did she love him?
Through a series of wonderful events and by taking a chance on not following her routine Annie finds her true self and happiness she had been possibly denying herself.
This book was wonderful. I highly recommend it!

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another visit to Grace Town and another great addition to this magical series.
Annie Leggett finds a musical box at Timeless Treasures, when the price of it can’t be found the owner Sophie tells her to keep it.

Annie appears to have her life in order, she and her boyfriend Brent are CPAs at her family owned business have a routine that works for them, they seem happy.

When Annie first opens the music box she feels a strange sensation and finds herself experiencing past events with her family. The Leggett family were a very happy bunch until Annie’s father is diagnosed with ALS
Through the box she relives parts of her childhood and the happy times she had with her dad, I must confess that as the visions moved through her experiences of her dad’s illness I openly wept, it was heartbreaking.

As part of her routine Annie did voluntary work on Saturdays, this leads to her being asked to take some pet portraits for a shelter that’s run by her friend Olivia, who remembers Annie loved photography growing up.
She meets Sawyer the shelters vet at the session and they hit it off straight away. Over the course of the next few weeks they grow closer especially after Sawyer has to care for a badly abused Shih Tzu, the same breed as Annie’s dog when she was growing up.

As the story progresses Annie and Brent grow apart and after his appalling behaviour at a wedding they seem at a crisis point so when they meet for their Friday night dinner Annie has no choice but to tell him about her promotion to Accountancy Director
Though he takes it fairly well they agree that the relationship no longer works for either of them

I highly recommend this book, it will touch your heart

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review contains spoilers as I was given an advanced readers' copy in exchange for an honest review. The GraceTown series is becoming my favorite Cindy Kirk series (although, I truly love the Jackson Hole and Good Hopes series as well!) GraceTown brings an air of mystic and magical elixir that brings me back wanting more. I want to learn more about the spiritual or unexplained happenings involving ancestors in the town and their origin. Annie stumbles upon a music box that helps her regain her sense of self, as it brings her back to times when she was her true self before life's heartbreak and challenges touched her. Who wouldn't want to see glimpses into our past and futures to guide us into our true path? Whether it's divine intervention, the Universe's guidance or truly ancestral ghosts coming back to support their loved ones, one thing is certain, the presence leaves you wanting for more. Annie rediscovered the things that truly bring her joy, during a pivotal moment in her life. She also discovered those things that were no longer serving for her higher purpose. This is a fantastic read for anyone experiencing a shift or awakening within themselves, or anyone attempting to decide between taking roads untraveled. I hope to hear more about the love story develop with Sawyer and what their future holds, as well as for the adopted pets, George and Cleo. I want them all to end up together. The music box should be passed around the community for all of Annie's circle to experience its power.

[Mary Ludwig · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This is the fourth book of the Gracetown series and as the others it did not disappoint. There is something about Gracetown that has magical happenings.

This is the story of Annie who has experienced a lot of trauma in her past. Her dad passed away from ALS when she was young. As an adult she has learned to take control on all aspects of her life including her schedule, work and social life. Her boyfriend is also like this with his schedule so they seem to be the perfect match.

One day Annie is taking an unusual long lunch and comes across a music box at Sophie’s antique store. Sophie does not know where it came from but it reminds Annie of something her grandparents had. She ends up taking the box home with her. When she opens it up, it takes her into her childhood home where she sees things from a different perspective. The more she opens the box the more it reveals to her and changes her ways of thinking about her life.

Her strained relationships improve. Her love life changes completely. She is more spontaneous and tries new things.

This is a great story about having your eyes opened on the things you have been missing out on or holding grudges on the past without seeing the whole truth. How change in life is going to happen. I always enjoy reading Cindy Kirk’s books. She is a wonderful story maker and her characters are always relatable.

[Denise Pittman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Enchanted Music Box is the 4th Book of the Grace Town series and as with the previous three books, this book was not disappointing. New main characters that is introduced in the book Annie Laggett (a very successful business woman that works for her family’s business) and her boyfriend Brent that also works for the same company as Annie but wants to climb the corporate ladder and be the replacement for the Director position that is soon to be open.

Both Annie and Brent are very schedule oriented on their day-to-day activities and their dating schedules which Annie feels shows their compatibility with each other. That is, until Annie finds a music box at a sidewalk sale at the Timeless Treasures Resale shop that she just must have. Before long, the music box in the mystical ways of Grace Town is transporting her in short time to past, current and future parts of her life that makes her think twice whether she is living her life to her fullest and whether she was truly happy in her schedule oriented life as it is. So many questions need to be answered in this book including the biggest one which is whether Brent is the right person for her as a forever partner.

I received an advance copy of the box in exchange for my honest opinion. This book, as all the other books in this series is a stand-alone book. But I will say I was delighted to see past characters in the other books pop up in this story.

[Danielle Merritt · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Enchanted Music Box is the 4th book in Cindy Kirk’s Grace Town series. It can be read as the fourth book or as a stand-alone novel. Grace Town is a place where magical & mysterious things happen & the townsfolk think nothing if it.
I will admit that this book took me a little bit to get into & didn’t like the main character Annie or her partner Brent. Annie grew on me the further I read into the book. Annie is a non-believer of the happenings in Grace Town until she, herself becomes the person that these things happen to after finding an antique music box at her friend’s antique store Timeless Antiques.
Annie & Brent both work at her family’s company & their relationship suits them both for now. After finding the music box, Annie is transported to her past which, in turn, leads her to question her current happenings & Brent.
Throughout the book, you are taken on Anie’s journey & how she learns to rectify things from her past to help her with not only her present but her future as well.
As always, an enjoyable read by Ms Kirk & I look forward to her next foray into Grace Town.

[Shilo Goodson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable book. The plot itself is a 5-star story. For me, though, the book had a few too many things that bothered me to give this the full 5 stars.

The dialogue, especially between Annie and her boyfriend, Brent, felt a bit off at times. They didn't feel like adults having adult conversations. That's about the best way that I can explain it.

I also felt like the music box should have played a bigger part in the story. The book's description makes it sound like the music box plays a bigger part in the story. I wish that it had shown her how her life could go differently.

The ending also felt a bit abrupt. It's like the author wanted the book to only be a certain length, and when she realized she couldn't keep it under that length at the pace she was going, she decided to just reduce the final 30-40 pages to about 15 pages.

Overall, this is a clean novel. There's one swear word (and I think it really was only one). There's no sexual content or violence. Even though this wasn't a perfect book, I feel like it's worth reading if you like cute, somewhat magical stories.

I won this in a Goodreads Giveaway, and I wrote a voluntary review.

[JigsawGirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had a bit of the same flavor as A Christmas Carol, yet managed to be very different at the same time.

I am going to be honest and admit that I never liked Brent and wasn't overly fond of Annie at the beginning. I wasn't surprised that the music box offered Annie insights about her life. I was surprised in the way it was done and the scenes Annie was shown, especially the third one.

I liked the way Sawyer and Annie's friendship developed. My fondness for Annie grew as the music box worked its magic.

The Grace Town series offers so many different types of magical, mystical, or spiritual occurrences. It is amazing to see how each one unfolds in each book.

If I had a wish, it would have been for an epilogue. I did feel like the book was light on the romance aspect. I thought the book, as well as Sawyer and Annie's last conversation, ended too abruptly. It was still an entertaining read and did leave me wanting more.

I voluntarily read and reviewed the Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

[Marcia Perdieu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, to be a fly on the wall of your past! Wouldn’t that be a marvelous thing? In The Enchanted Music Box, Annie Laggett is afforded the opportunity to do just that…revisit her past and see inside the present life of her brother, Erik. The only catch is the music box doesn’t take her to what she would like to relive; it takes her to specific times that will help her evaluate and change her present to assure her future is full of happiness and joy. You see, the music box allows her to see certain events as a “fly on the wall”, which means she can also see things unfold from all perspectives and when she “visits” her brother she gains a whole new outlook on the events of her childhood which allows her to eventually heal her relationship with Erik and open her heart to a new relationship with a certain veterinarian. Gracetown, MD has used its magical powers to change the lives of it’s citizens once again! Thanks, Cindy Kirk, for another book I could lose myself in for a rainy afternoon!!

[Delsora Lowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annie is in the perfect relationship with the perfect man who values order in life as much as she does. But once she lays claim to an abandoned antique music box, Annie soon finds out that life can be more exciting than adhering to a strict and repetitive schedule that keeps her in her comfort zone.

The music box delivers memories of her carefree, fun childhood. When she meets a visiting, short-term stand-in veterinarian, a hissing cat, and a lost and abused dog at her weekly volunteer job at the animal shelter, she realizes she must slip out of her comfort zone and open herself to saying yes to adventure and experiencing a less-ordered life, as she had done as a child.

A fun, enchanted, and endearing return to GraceTown, this book is a fascinating story of enlightenment, rebirth, learning to live life to its fullest, and the willingness to open to adventure, bringing together two people who are meant to be a couple.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Enchanted Music Box is the fourth book in the GraceTown Series. So far each of these books can be read as a standalone.

This book is about Annie and how she finds an old music box at an antique shop. This music box ends up being “enchanted” and helps her deal with her past which helps her have a better future. Her past brings her sadness after losing her dad to ALS at a young age. It affects her relationship with her brother. She opens the music box and sees how things happened from the outside. She sees the present and sees how her relationship with her brother is being affected and sees what her future would be if she stayed on her current path. She is able to make the necessary changes to improve her future. This was a very enjoyable book and I look forward to finding out more of her story.

I received and Advance readers copy of this book.

[ReallyCrazyAmber · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.75 Too cutesy as in no real stakes, everyone is bubbly with no personality. Background characters aren’t fleshed out and just there to boost the main character. Also I couldn’t imagine staying in a relationship for over a year if I didn’t love the person? Typical story trying to convince the relationship partner is a villain when realistically they just want different things and that’s okay. Main character was borderline emotional cheating (think Jim and Pam from the office) and the friends trying to support her to cheat? Either way felt yucky. Book felt less like self discovery and more like trying to convince us that the boyfriend was an asshole lol the magical element was very minimal. Quite a few moments in the book where it felt preachy with random information for the audience like we don’t know what Wikipedia is.

[Anita (Hearts and Whodunits) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Successful businesswoman Annie Laggett's life is forever changed when she impulsively picks up a vintage music box that had been tossed to the curb. At home, as strains from the music box fill the air, Annie is transported back to first observe the past, then the present from the role of an observer and finally to see what her future could hold depending on what course she takes.
As I read this story, something strange started happening. I saw parallels between the main character's life and my own. I looked at a relationship I was in with a new perspective. And the subsequent change has made my life better with less drama. I think this is the best novel Ms. Kirk has ever written, (for obvious reasons) and I believe if you love contemporary romance, you need to read a Kirk romance!

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute story about a woman, Annie, who is very organized and lives on a tight schedule. She is in a relationship with a man who is similar. They both work for the same company and have planned dates on a weekly basis. One day, Annie, stops at an antique shop and finds a music box. She brings it home and when she opens the lid, she gets insight into her past, present and future life. Annie begins to realize why she is so rigid and tries to broaden herself. Her boyfriend is not on board.
The story was a warm cozy read but I was hoping the music box would have more depth in the story. The premise of the story makes you stop and analyze your own life and being able to broaden yourself, try new things, and live a little!

[Bridgette · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Enchanted Music Box is a wonderful read. This is the fourth book in the Gracetown series.

Annie is a very successful executive in her family business. She does have other interests, one of them is photographing animals at the local shelter.

Ms. Kirk dies a wonderful job of not making you like Annie’s current interest, but beware someone better comes along! This will make you happy for Annie.

As with all of Ms. Kirk’s books, you can feel and you can easily relate to the characters. That is what I truly like these books and this author. The characters are always real and just everyday people.

Looking forward to the next book in this series! Thank you, Ms. Kirk!

[Bandora · Rating 5 out of 5]

While this is not favorite book in the series, it was still an enjoyable read. The dog had a lot with me forgiving other shortcomings such as not really liking the main character in the beginning. She and I share a lot of personality traits and I am also an accountant but it was her interaction with the animals at the shelter that helped me warm up to her.

The magic was more subtle in this book but still pivotal in changes the main character's life path. While I enjoyed the ending, I wasn't as satisfied as I had been with the last book in the Grace Town series.

I received an advance copy and I am voluntarily reviewing it.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a gift Annie found when she saw the music box. It gave her a glimpse of her past, present and future so she could change in significant ways.

She saw that she was not growing but existing and wanted more balance.

Her boyfriend, Brent, was not healthy for her and I wished there had been some closure of what he did when she started in the new job. Did she see he only dated her for who she was? Did he quit and leave the company since he didn’t get the promotion?

Sawyer was a much better fit for Annie is so many ways. I hope we hear more about them in future books.

[Melanie Belson (melanielovesbooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced reader copy from the publisher but all thoughts and feelings are my own.

I think I might love Grace Town more than Good Hope and that is high praise. I love how whimsical and magic the town is. How this is told in the past, present and the future is great - although as someone who lost their dad around the same age as Annie the past sequence made me want to cry. I can't wait to touch base with Annie in future books. Now where can I find my own enchanted music box??!?

[Susan Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fourth installment in Cindy Kirk’s Grace Town series. Annie has her life planned in rigid detail. While at a local antique shop, she finds a music box & takes it home. Every time she opens the box, she has visions of her past, present, & future. These visions open her mind & heart to what could be in her personal & professional life. I thoroughly enjoyed this book & look forward to the next one in the series.

I received an ARC of this book & voluntarily reviewed it for the author.

[RCSue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Annie is a successful businesswoman and very much a creature of habit. One day at lunch she attends her friends antique store’s sidewalk sale. She finds a music box by the curb and goes to buy it, but the owner says she has never seen it before! She takes it home and over a short period in time, through which we see her life and routines, she stops and listens to the music box 3 times and gets a vision of her past, present and possible future as an observer.

This isn’t your usual romance, and Cindy Kirk has dreamed up another must read.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book kept me so interested - I constantly wanted to pick it up and read. Annie has a well-ordered life. It helps her feel comfortable, and honestly, she is stuck in a HUGE rut. When a music box brings back memories of the past, Annie's life is forever changed because SHE changes. I really liked Annie, and I liked her friends and their support. This book also has a lot of interaction with the local animal shelter and I loved all of the parts about rescue animals. There is also a sweet romance.

[Jennifer Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is still by far my favorite series of Ms Kirk and this story was delightful. I loved reading about Annie and her journey to self awareness. We see how her past shaped her present and how a partner in life that compliments her doesn’t need to fit into her very comfortable and tidy routine but really needs to have similar interests and passions as well as being supportive. I’m an animal lover so the animal shelter and veterinary aspect of the story was my favorite. I just wish the story didn’t end so quickly!

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annie Laggett finds a music box at Timeless Treasures sidewalk sale that fascinates her. The first time she opens it she relives past times. Several weeks pass before she opens it again to see present times. Several more weeks pass before she opens it a third time where she is given possible glimpses of her future. The fourth time she opens it she doesn’t get any glimpses into her past, present or future. She is swept up by the hauntingly familiar melody.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love GraceTown and the different ways the unusual happens. For Annie it's a music box that helps her see where she is and where she wants to go. The characters are great and the relationships real and believable. It added to my enjoyment that we saw characters from previous books. I did wish there was more of a concrete future for Annie and Sawyer at the end, but it kept me smiling and satisfied.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Annie finds a music box at a local antique store and because there is no price tag, the owner gives it to her for free. The music box allows her to see her past, including how others around her perceive the situation of her father's death and her present, including how not going to her niece's show bother her. This allows Annie to see her life through another lens and allows her to make better choices on how to live her life to the fullest.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in the Grace Town series and can be read as a standalone. It'll help to have read the previous books as you meet some of the characters again. This story is about Annie, an accountant working in Grace Town who finds a music box at a shop sale. Annie has struggled since the death of her father and the music box transports her to her past, her present and to her future. She realises she deserves better in life (and I was cheering her on!). She has great friends but is distant from her brother, something she begins to regret.

This is a gentle and romantic story, written beautifully and which envelopes you like a warm hug.

I loved it. A definite yes from me.