She’s always been a bookworm, but when surprising magical powers emerge, will she find the courage to write her own story?
Juliette yearns for the kinds of adventures she reads about in her beloved books and would like nothing more than to find a way to make a difference in people’s lives. At the same time, she can’t deny how much she loves her cozy bookshop and her routine. If only an emerging magical ability to find lost things wasn’t threatening to disrupt her peaceful life.
The new powers are more than Juliette bargained for. Not only can she hunt down lost objects and books for clients, but certain items call to her and she finds herself compelled to locate their owners. But does she have the courage to step out of her comfort zone and into the exciting and rewarding life that beckons?
Magic Hidden, Magic Found is the first book in a new paranormal women’s fiction series set in the delectable world of the Baking Up a Magical Midlife series.
Join Juliette as she steps into a new life that looks nothing like what she expected, but just might be the one she’s always dreamed of living.
Jessica Rosenberg is the queen of cozy witchy #FriendshipCore fiction that makes readers feel like they're having coffee with their best friends. She lives on the foggy Central Coast of California with her two wonderful teens, two playful dogs, and a mischievous orange cat named Persimmon for obvious reasons.
When she's not weaving magical tales or getting lost in a good book, Jessica can probably be found strolling along the beach, searching for sea glass treasures even though she should probably be tidying her office.
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I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book for free. This book is some of the best writing I’ve seen from the author. There was an ease and comfort level to the writing that was different from her earlier books (all of which I have enjoyed!) Maybe it’s the honing of craft, maybe it’s because the protagonist in this story is as much of a book lover as the author is, whatever the reason, I felt like I was seeing the author come into herself as a writer. And I was genuinely moved.
I really enjoyed reading a story from Juliette’s perspective and in her voice. Juliette appears in the previous books from the Baking Up a Magical Midlife series but we only got snippets of her backstory. This series seems poised to fill in the gaps. As in previous books from this author, there is plenty of action and intrigue and burgeoning romance. There were moments when I laughed, moments where I held my breath, and a very touching, well written scene where I found myself choking back tears.
The book also includes depictions of anxiety and panic attacks that the author treats with care and insight. I appreciated the opportunity to witness a character working through triggers and not letting them keep her from pursuing her dreams.
4 Stars This is the first book I've read by Jessica Rosenberg, and it was really cute. I enjoyed the mystery of her magic, along with trying to get by. I enjoyed the idea that someone with magic may not want it, or at least doesn't understand it. It did fall slightly into the "I'm just a normal girl, why do they like ME" trope which can get a little tedious - but fun all the same. Will definitely pick up book #2
This is the first book I’ve read by this author. This book appealed to me as I am a huge fan of witchy paranormal reads, it’s one of my top 3 genres that I’m drawn too and I found this book to be an enjoyable cosy paranormal read. I really enjoyed getting to know all the characters, I look forward to hearing more about Harvey who I’m sure will cause lots more mischief, and look forward to reading more about Juliette, her friends and how their magical powers develop. On a serious note the author does highlight the effects of anxiety and panic attacks, but in a very positive way.
Juliette is a witch who didn’t have a very happy childhood, which has manifested into high levels of anxiety and also appears to have subdued her magical powers. Juliette loves nothing better than curling up with a book and she has the best job ever as owner of her very own bookstore Ward Words, which she runs with her business partner, a newly discovered uncle. As the story progresses we find out that Juliette has the magical power/talent to find things that were once lost.
I received an advanced review copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
I loved watching Juliette's character arc as she dealt with her anxiety, her difficult childhood, the unkind voices in her head. Watching her realize she has support and love in her life finally, watching her be able to accept them and use the tools she had been building up through her life, watching her adjust in the best way possible, was amazing. I really enjoy the gentle teasing between close friends that Jessica Rosenberg always includes in her books, and this was no different. The Brewhaha sisters and all the new boys were fun. I am eager to read the next in the series!
This book is full of magic: spells and potions and all the things some of us may or may not believe in. But also another magic: family and friends, healing, love of all kinds, finding things and solving mysteries, and cuteness in the form of o e little fur all! A surprisingly enjoyable read!
I was loving this at the beginning with the estate sales and the looking for treasures but it got messy soon after.
The racoon plot was weird, I am guessing its gonna come up in later books as her familiar or something but I dont know why we needed to include so many scenes of her hiding the raccoon and taking it with her to a nursing home of all places!
The magic made no sense and I didn't understand if it was meant to be known in their world or she was ashamed because she was embarrassed and hiding it from her friends but she was using it to "find" items. IDK why she wouldn't just let that part of her be known at least in her circle group
The two men made NO sense, it worked for a minute when they kept running into Tybalt but then the Sean guy came out of left field and I don't understand why she had such a hard time between the two. Also Tybalt is like in his 30-40s (probably not but theyre meant to be older no?) and he spends all his money on a random AF gambling problem and to go clubbing. No one goes clubbing.
What the heck was that armed robbery about and is she meant to be a personal shopper or a bookshop owner because suddenly she was taking on "clients" to find items and bidding $40k on a magic book that Tybalt ALSO wanted but like he was in the hole $40k or something for his poker losses??
The whole last third of the book had no business being there. I almost forgot about the semi main plot of the memory loss sister plot and with the mom and the daughter Peggy or whatever. It all made no sense and none of these plotlines (despite all being in the same book) had anything to do with each other and could have been scrapped entirely.
The more I write the more I wanna give this less stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Juliette is an anxiety filled character that leaves you wishing you could reach inside the book and hug her during her spiraling moments. She finds out she has suppressed a magical ability since she was a child because of neglect and abuse from adults from her past. Now she is walking down the road to learning her new power that helps her find things and reunite them with their loved ones. Along the way, you get to see friendly batter between friends, a struggle to understand oneself, and a budding relationship that is torn between two men.
Jessica Rosenberg does a fantastic job writing a book about a woman that struggles with her inner self regularly. Juliette has a mental disease that she struggles with throughout the story. She shows us how she fights it and tries to be normal and shows how sometimes even she gets overwhelmed by her panic attacks. I found it relatable because I to have anxiety and spend a lot of time trying to keep it in check. Not only does Jessica write the struggle as believable, she also shows how to use coping skills to help break out of the attacks.
The journey and friends Juliette makes throughout the book gives it a friendly storyline that makes you fall in love with each character. You get hints here and there where the story might go and you try to piece it together. I found this book so enjoyable I have added the entire series to my TBR list on Amazon. I’m going to enjoy getting to know Juliette and her friends more. Plus, I want to see how her relationship evolves with mr. someone. Not going to tell because that would ruin the story.
Out of five stars, I am giving this book a 5/5. I really enjoyed it and found I couldn’t sleep at night because I wanted to keep reading. Highly recommend to the cozy mystery lover that loves all things witches.
I rarely give brain candy books star ratings, preferring to “grade” them for my own reflection/records, and just marking them as “read.” This book is an exception because it is not only clear that the author has knowledge of an anxiety disorder, but also knowledge of therapy and coping skills. I think it is well-balanced and woven into the story. Juliet manages to have a personality in addition to her anxiety but it is also never forgotten or ignored to move the story along. The anxiety does not feel like a gimmick or an easy plot device. This is the fourth book I’ve ready by Rosenberg and this complexity was a complete shock to me because the character dimensionality is miles ahead of the others. I’m going to be honest: the first series about this small town is almost too fluffy and flat, but brain candy is candy and I’m addicted to sugar. These books are easy to finish in a day and are fun, so why not keep reading them when my library app has them available? This is still brain candy genre fiction, but I’m actually invested now and looking forward to the next one. Despite the main character having anxiety, there aren’t deeply triggering scenes. It’s also a great reminder of how to use some therapy tools and skills outside of the appointment. I would venture to guess that people without anxiety disorders can learn from Juliet because no one is stress-free!
I don't understand how so many people gave this 5 stars! Bad plot, bad world building, bad character development. I would've dumped it but it was so short, I thought that maybe it would get better.
Everything seems like it started like a good idea, and then was never developed and thought through, or even edited. Even if you have a lot of good ideas, you shouldn't use all of them... you should spend a little time and thought on a few of them.
This cannot be read as a stand alone book series so calling this the first book is misleading. I have not read the earlier series but they reference things in those books without explaining which means this falls completely flat. No character development, not really a story. It’s a short read which is the only reason I did not dnf this.
I was sorry when this author's first series ended but this is the best consolation! Same town and characters but with a different main character. I love it!
Amazon synopsis: Juliette has always longed for everything she experiences in her beloved books—grand adventures, heroic deeds, passionate love, and making a meaningful difference. She wants it all. Yet, despite her found family, her dream bookshop, and a burgeoning connection with a sweet man, chronic anxiety keeps her tethered to a safe and predictable routine. Until her life is upended when an unexpected magical ability surfaces.
Now gifted with the power to locate lost things, Juliette's world becomes a blend of wonder and anxiety. Along with her ability to help clients find misplaced belongings, certain items compel her to reunite them with their owners. As her powers grow, so do the panic attacks lurking at every turn, threatening to overwhelm her.
Amidst the chaos, an infuriatingly arrogant and seductive man repeatedly challenges her. As she navigates her own fears and doubts, the stakes become higher than ever. The longer it takes her to reunite lost items with their owners, the more the magic hurts. However, there are ethical dilemmas surrounding the potential misuse of magical objects.
As her internal conflict mounts, will Juliette muster the courage to step out of her comfort zone and embrace her true potential as a heroine?
This book has a lot going on. Juliette Matthews owns Wyrd Words bookstore that is attached to her cousin, Cassie's bakery. Juliette has a knack for finding things. Juliette and the rest of the Portney Brewhahas are witches. While on an estate sale in search of a book for a customer, Juliette finds that she may have another gift. The finding of things has not been coming from her crystal but within her. She is hesitant to let her friends know because it is unheard of for a witch to develop new gifts later. She also meets a weird man that takes the one book that she needs.
Tybalt Cabot is a spoiled, entitled rich guy. There is a spark of connection when he meets Juliette that prompts him to show up at her bookstore the next day. This book definitely takes weird to whole new level but what do you expect from a group of witches? This crazy cast of characters makes it hard to keep up at times. Especially when Harvey the kit comes into the picture. Who would have known a small town could have so much going on?
I enjoyed this story a lot. Readers will need to pay attention. Things change quickly and there are a lot of characters to keep up with. I think that is what added to the enjoyment. You will never know what this rag-tag group will get into next. I can't wait to read the next installment of this series.
Well that was not at all what I expected. I didn’t read what the book was about beforehand, however most cozy paranormal books follow a pretty similar pattern. Nothing unexpected but just easy “cozy” reading.
So I was definitely surprised by the mystery in this book. I actually found myself eager to see it solved.
All the characters are likable in the book but the way a couple of them are brought in to the story is a little confusing (where did Sean come from and how is a random paramedic just inserted into the story like that?!). Also, there’s a lot of spelling mistakes and word errors in the book, which is annoying. One other thing that was a little confusing was who was magical and who wasn’t and who had what abilities and when they got them… Luckily, the magic of the others wasn’t super important, so it didn’t really bother me to much with the story.
I would’ve like to have known more backstory and character building with Juliette. Her quirks are described as due to trauma in her past and an evil grandmother is mentioned but not much is really explained aside from a tidbit here or a tidbit there.
Even with all that, I’d still say if you’re looking for an easy read that’s lighthearted, this is the book for you to give a try.
Miriam is a widow raising her teenage daughter, Jade in a small community outside of Seattle, Washington. It’s a special community, full of supernatural beings that the mundane have no idea they live and work alongside. Miriam Is a witch acting like a mundane, that is what her husband had wanted. It has kept her and Jade safe, until now. She has secrets and they are about to come out in full force. Her husband had secrets too and she is about to find them out, as well. For one, Gabriel, his best friend, is a shape shifting archangel and she is about to join him in an adventure that will change the trajectory of her life (and Jades) forever. This is a terrific book! . The characters have depth and are well written. The protagonist is a strong mature woman, and being a woman of a certain age, I enjoy books that tackle this phase in life, as its unique and full of challenges, such as early widowhood, divorce, raising teenagers, and mature love. I love the authors writing style, as the book is full of surprises that left this reader unable to put the book down. Lastly, I love a fantasy book that has a variety of supernatural beings, and this book is full of them! I highly recommend this book.
Juliette Matthews owns Wyrd Words, a bookstore attached to her cousin, Cassie's (from baking Up a Magical Midlife) bakery. This is the first book in Juliette's tale and it starts out a little rough as she suffers from anxiety, self-doubt and low self esteem and the author lingers there for a while with Juliette's assuming that everyone, her friends included, are going to judge her negatively and think the worst of her. Things do start to move along a bit when she meets a vile (but apparently redeemable) man at an estate sale, but she does start to gain some confidence towards the end of the book, so fingers crossed there isn't significant backsliding. The main plot is about her unique witchy gift to find lost things and there is a great side find that made me really happy. I liked this one better than Cassie’s books. There is a brief “Love triangle” feel that left a sour taste in my mouth, but it was wrapped up by the end. I’ll read more. Solid 3/5 stars.
When I heard that there was a new series of books spinning off from the original Baking Up A Magical Midlife series I was hesitant. These series are rarely as good as the original. Wow! I was wrong! This was the best book so far! The characters are incredible. We have the original characters but also some new ones as well as a chance to really get to know Juliette. Lots of books, magic, a love interest (or two perhaps?) and a baby raccoon all come together to create an exciting and fun adventure that is only just beginning. The book ended on just the right note to leave you satisfied while still yearning for more to come. I can’t wait for future books in Juliette’s new series while also enjoying hopefully more books in the original Cassie’s series. You won’t be able to put this book down once you start so have plenty of baked goods on hand!
DNF at 51%. I gave this book an honest try, but I found the writing unbearable: heavy, clunky, overwritten, repetitive and, most importantly, completely missing the point of what needs to be described in painstaking detail and what doesn't. It managed to make the care for a cute fluffy animal sound tedious, boring and annoying! While I do count it as a rare achievement, I wouldn't consider it a worthwhile one.
Halfway into the book I know nothing about the characters or the promised mystery. All I know is that the main character is a psychology 101 textbook of anxiety disorders and internalized abuse, and that she is an unreliable narrator with no understanding of social norms and cues. It's an interesting choice for first person POV narrative, but it's not a helpful one, because there is absolutely nothing here to help me navigate the book's reality or sustain my interest.
Suffering from Anxiety, self-doubt and low self esteem, Juliette with her uncle own a book shop connected to her cousin's coffee shop. And her magic seems to be emerging. She is able to find lost things and reunite them with their owner, or those who want them, or even missing persons. This books is a wonder page turning to see what will happen next. And maybe a little romance? Maybe two that are interested in Juliette? I love how Juliette's narration takes us through this book. You really feel for her and root for her. The writing is smooth and it is a really good first book in this new series with a few of the author's familiar characters from the first series of which is a spin-off. I received and ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
Juliette is a sweet, kind and unassuming bookstore owner with some witchy instincts and abilities that begin to surface and mandate she take certain actions. Actions such as reuniting families that were previously lost to one another or compelling her to buy estate auction items. Two men revolve around her - one a gentle man who appears to want her in his life and the other a bit tricky to describe but he keeps showing up and buying or bidding on the things she feels it necessary to acquire.
This is not a genre I generally read but the book was engaging. It's a light, fun read, well written and unique. Jessica Rosenberg is a new author to me but I am now off to read the next book in the series. Highly recommend this one!
This was an enjoyable read and very quick. I felt at times that the story was a bit disjointed and I'm not really sure where it's going. The relationship between Sean and Juliette and then Tybalt and Juliette felt rushed and uncertain how they each feel about one another. Then for Sean to be SO mad at the end was disingenuous. Also we spent several chapters on the raccoon and I'm not sure why at the point.
I'm hoping the rest of the series will answer my questions. I enjoyed the overall plot and the mystery Juliette was solving. I loved the family aspect for the Walsh's. Because of that I'm giving it three stars. If she plot had been subpar it would've been a two star read for me. I'll finish the series because they're quick reads, and hopefully I'll get my answers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This was a short, super cute read with lots to love going on. Set in a book shop with a very likable and self-aware FMC, it packs cozy vibes and just a hint of mystery. While it was very predictable, I liked the vibes and would read more from this author and maybe even deeper into this series.
🎧 Audio: I liked this narrator a lot, to the point that I think I’ll look into her and listen to more she’s done. Excellent voice, very pleasant. Overall sound quality was on-point. 5 stars.
I really enjoyed Magic Hidden, Magic Found. It was easy to read and pulled me into the story from the beginning. I love any kind of witchy stories and owning a bookstore is an added bonus. One of the things on my bucket list is owning a bookstore.
Juliette suffers from anxiety and panic attacks. Something I can identify with because I struggle every day with anxiety and feeling inferior. Juliette didn't have an easy childhood and it has effected her in adulthood. But she is the owner of Wyrd Words bookstore and shares the building with her cousins cafe....what more could anyone ask for. Books and coffee/tea!
The characters are well thought out and like I said above it is easy to relate to Juliette with her anxiety. I loved all the characters and how they come together at the cafe to meet and help each other. I can't wait for the next book in the series.
I so love this book, I'm a huge Paranormal Fiction Fan anyway and after reading Butter Sugar Magic (another 'must read') I couldn't resist it. What blew me away was the lead character Juliette suffers from panic attacks, I'd never really thought about them but Jessica describes them so sympathetically you can really feel what Juliette is feeling as she embarks on her adventures.
I once read what makes a good story is when you read it and want the characters to be your best friends, well not only do i feel that for most of the characters but I also want to move to Portney and live in their magical community.
Great characters and am unexpected twist in the story, what's not to love.
This is a spin off series. First of all I love that Jessica Rosenberg realized that Juliette needed her own series. In the last series, my heart always hurt for what Juliette’s grandmother put her through and that Juliette allowed it. Being able to finally know Juliette’s story and seeing her shine in this series is just incredible. She is definitely coming into her own. If you have thought about reading one of Rosenburg’s books, do yourself a favor and start with Cassie’s series. It is well worth the time. I can’t wait to see what else is in store for Juliette!
uliette's book was a doozy. As someone who deals with overthinking, anxiety, social anxiety and all, it was really hard to read the thoughts on paper. They were familiar and yet stressful. I didnt think I would like Juliette more then I liked Cassie but yet here I was, really enjoying her journey, even if i didnt enjoy all her panic attacks and anxiety. I feel like the love triangle is very forced but seeing how romance was a backseat in Cassie's journey and books, maybe this will be fun. I didnt like Tybalt at all, and I am not sure how a pet raccoon will work out but I look forward to seeing more of this unfold in the next book.
I wanted to love this spinoff series as much as I loved the original but.....not so much. I think there was too much going on here and the main plot wasn't as defined as in the other series. I'll read the next one before giving up but this character doesn't seem to be as strong a main character as she was a supporting character in the Baking Up a Magical Midlife series. Over there, I found her cute if not a little eccentric. Over here she was more annoying than anything else.
Hoping things get better in the second book and ready for the next audio in the other series to come out .......
I found this series when I was searching to see if Jessica Rosenberg had written a book five in the Baking Up a Magical Midlife series and I am so glad I did! While the last series featured Cassie, a single mom to a pre-teen, this series features Juliette, Cassie's cousin who owns the Wyrd Words bookshop that is next door to Cassie's bakery. While Cassie is a kitchen witch, Juliette has more interesting powers in that she helps people find missing things. She has had a difficult life but in this story, Juliette is stronger and more positive than in the last series. I'm looking forward to reading the next one in this series to see what shenanigans she and her pals get into!