What do you think?
Rate this book
The Book of Lost Enchantments
At twenty-nine, Nora Cameron's life feels adrift, her days are spent working in her parents’ bakery, and her nights are spent alone watching Hallmark movies. She yearns for something beyond her predictable existence, though she has no idea what that might be. That is, until fate intervenes, and Nora is swept into an unforeseen adventure to Scotland.
Guided by her grandmother’s cherished photo album from the 1940s, which documents her time spent as a medic-nurse in Scotland during World War II, Nora stumbles upon a mysterious old bookstore in Edinburgh. There, amidst the smell of old books and shelves lined with relics of forgotten lore, Nora's eyes fall upon a peculiar little red book. As she delves into its pages, strange and unexplainable events unfold, including a sudden snowstorm that strands her in the Highlands with a handsome but surly journalist named Alistair.
Snowed in and at odds with one another, Nora and Alistair struggle to get along. With little else to do but tend the fire, Nora immerses herself in the red book’s tale of a young woman from centuries past, on a quest to save her grandmother and resist the pull she feels toward a dashing but aloof son of a Scottish Duke.
As the days pass, stranded in the cabin, Nora discovers a box of letters with an eerie connection to her grandmother’s past, uncovering a family secret buried deep in time. As the weather worsens and their supplies dwindle, bizarre events begin to escalate. With Alistair’s help, Nora starts to unravel the mystery, but what she uncovers not only threatens to fracture her idea of reality but may place her and Alistair in mortal danger.
Guided by her grandmother’s cherished photo album from the 1940s, which documents her time spent as a medic-nurse in Scotland during World War II, Nora stumbles upon a mysterious old bookstore in Edinburgh. There, amidst the smell of old books and shelves lined with relics of forgotten lore, Nora's eyes fall upon a peculiar little red book. As she delves into its pages, strange and unexplainable events unfold, including a sudden snowstorm that strands her in the Highlands with a handsome but surly journalist named Alistair.
Snowed in and at odds with one another, Nora and Alistair struggle to get along. With little else to do but tend the fire, Nora immerses herself in the red book’s tale of a young woman from centuries past, on a quest to save her grandmother and resist the pull she feels toward a dashing but aloof son of a Scottish Duke.
As the days pass, stranded in the cabin, Nora discovers a box of letters with an eerie connection to her grandmother’s past, uncovering a family secret buried deep in time. As the weather worsens and their supplies dwindle, bizarre events begin to escalate. With Alistair’s help, Nora starts to unravel the mystery, but what she uncovers not only threatens to fracture her idea of reality but may place her and Alistair in mortal danger.
482 pages, Paperback
Published October 8, 2024
1504 people are currently reading
2034 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 180 reviews
August 20, 2024
(I received an ARC copy from the author in return for my review. Despite this, my feedback is my own). (The fact that I got to be the first person to write a goodreads review brought me more joy than it should have).
I already adore Jessica's books, and the way she weaves magic into the everyday world (my favorite type of magical story), so I was thrilled to see a new book coming out from her.
I love the way she built and tied in the different parts of the story over the different timelines, and how they connected in the end.
While there were moments that I felt like Nora needed to grow up a bit, I also understand deeply how anxiety can make that feel impossible.
There were a couple times that Alistair also annoyed me. But this may just be that men annoy me in a general sense.
There were a few other side characters in the story that I kept expecting to make more of an appearance, but as the story came together I understood each of their roles and how it mirrored the rest of the story.
A lovely cozy read, which would be perfect for a snowy weekend.
I already adore Jessica's books, and the way she weaves magic into the everyday world (my favorite type of magical story), so I was thrilled to see a new book coming out from her.
I love the way she built and tied in the different parts of the story over the different timelines, and how they connected in the end.
While there were moments that I felt like Nora needed to grow up a bit, I also understand deeply how anxiety can make that feel impossible.
There were a couple times that Alistair also annoyed me. But this may just be that men annoy me in a general sense.
There were a few other side characters in the story that I kept expecting to make more of an appearance, but as the story came together I understood each of their roles and how it mirrored the rest of the story.
A lovely cozy read, which would be perfect for a snowy weekend.
January 27, 2025
My feelings for this book are still all over the place. I went from all the eye rolls to being pretty interested and then to annoyed before getting to be content.
So, this book has a lot of magical realism, but the whole storyline is chaotic. I almost DNF’d this a few times, but overall I’m glad I stuck with it. Was it one of the best books I’ve ever read? Absolutely not, but it ended up not being as bad as I originally thought.
My biggest problem with this book is that it DRAGS. There’s so much fluff in this book that doesn’t need to be there. It’s 470 pages (Kindle version), but could easily be knocked down to like 300-ish. My second biggest problem is the FMC; oh my GOD was she annoying. First of all, I swear she has an ED; she literally had a gingerbread man cookie that held her over for more than half the day?! Literally insane. And that wasn’t the only weird food type issue, that’s just the one I mentioned. There’s no way she did all the traveling she did without sustenance, no way! Also, her personality was just so annoying. I had a really hard time connecting with her, which is saying a lot because I’m 30 and have no idea what I want to do with my life. So with that much in common but no connection? BAD SIGN.
Relating to the storyline, I will say a lot of my irritations were explained by the main mystery, but that isn’t revealed until like the last 50ish pages! There’s so much back and forth between storylines and characters and periods of time that it all gets confusing and hard to keep track of. Plus, none of it seems relevant at all until the very end, which doesn’t help during the process of reading throughout. I think I would have been much more invested and interested early on had there been more hints to what the overarching mystery was. But most of this book was a chore to read and I definitely had to struggle through portions of it. Again, overall it wasn’t awful, but I definitely don’t think it was an easy read and I probably won’t pick up anything by this author again.
So, this book has a lot of magical realism, but the whole storyline is chaotic. I almost DNF’d this a few times, but overall I’m glad I stuck with it. Was it one of the best books I’ve ever read? Absolutely not, but it ended up not being as bad as I originally thought.
My biggest problem with this book is that it DRAGS. There’s so much fluff in this book that doesn’t need to be there. It’s 470 pages (Kindle version), but could easily be knocked down to like 300-ish. My second biggest problem is the FMC; oh my GOD was she annoying. First of all, I swear she has an ED; she literally had a gingerbread man cookie that held her over for more than half the day?! Literally insane. And that wasn’t the only weird food type issue, that’s just the one I mentioned. There’s no way she did all the traveling she did without sustenance, no way! Also, her personality was just so annoying. I had a really hard time connecting with her, which is saying a lot because I’m 30 and have no idea what I want to do with my life. So with that much in common but no connection? BAD SIGN.
Relating to the storyline, I will say a lot of my irritations were explained by the main mystery, but that isn’t revealed until like the last 50ish pages! There’s so much back and forth between storylines and characters and periods of time that it all gets confusing and hard to keep track of. Plus, none of it seems relevant at all until the very end, which doesn’t help during the process of reading throughout. I think I would have been much more invested and interested early on had there been more hints to what the overarching mystery was. But most of this book was a chore to read and I definitely had to struggle through portions of it. Again, overall it wasn’t awful, but I definitely don’t think it was an easy read and I probably won’t pick up anything by this author again.
October 1, 2024
3.5 rounded to 4!
In her late 20s, Nora is in desperate need of direction. When she happens to stumble upon what was supposed to be a gift given to her by her late grandmother, she discovers a note along with an airline voucher with no expiration date to Scotland. She takes this as a sign to do a bit of soul searching but what she ends up finding is so much more than what she bargained for.
This book was full of magical elements, a little bit of mystery, and lots of beautifully described scenery. I've wanted to visit Scotland but there's something in the way that Jessica writes about the setting that makes me wish I was there NOW!
I felt connected to the FMC in the sense of wanting to know her purpose, having an emotionally absent parent, panic attacks, and grieving the loss of a loved one. However, I was pretty put off by the MMC. He just wasn't for me, even after he warmed up to Nora. But overall, their love story was sweet. 💕
At times, the book was a little slow for me but then the pace would pick up and I found myself not being able to put it down - especially those last handful of chapters! Realizations were made and truths began to unfold, leading Nora to find out exactly who she was and what she was meant to do.
One last thing I loved was the illustrations! They were so beautiful, and I looked forward to one each chapter. I feel like they added a special touch to what I was reading. 🧡
Read if you love:
✨️ Vermont/Scotland setting
✨️ So many baked goods
✨️ Found magic
✨️ A family secret
✨️ Dual timeline
✨️ Scottish and Welsh folklore
✨️ Mythical creatures
Thank you so much, @jessicadodgeauthor, for this arc in exchange for an honest review! 🧡 All opinions are my own.
Release date: October 8, 2024 and is available for pre-order now!
In her late 20s, Nora is in desperate need of direction. When she happens to stumble upon what was supposed to be a gift given to her by her late grandmother, she discovers a note along with an airline voucher with no expiration date to Scotland. She takes this as a sign to do a bit of soul searching but what she ends up finding is so much more than what she bargained for.
This book was full of magical elements, a little bit of mystery, and lots of beautifully described scenery. I've wanted to visit Scotland but there's something in the way that Jessica writes about the setting that makes me wish I was there NOW!
I felt connected to the FMC in the sense of wanting to know her purpose, having an emotionally absent parent, panic attacks, and grieving the loss of a loved one. However, I was pretty put off by the MMC. He just wasn't for me, even after he warmed up to Nora. But overall, their love story was sweet. 💕
At times, the book was a little slow for me but then the pace would pick up and I found myself not being able to put it down - especially those last handful of chapters! Realizations were made and truths began to unfold, leading Nora to find out exactly who she was and what she was meant to do.
One last thing I loved was the illustrations! They were so beautiful, and I looked forward to one each chapter. I feel like they added a special touch to what I was reading. 🧡
Read if you love:
✨️ Vermont/Scotland setting
✨️ So many baked goods
✨️ Found magic
✨️ A family secret
✨️ Dual timeline
✨️ Scottish and Welsh folklore
✨️ Mythical creatures
Thank you so much, @jessicadodgeauthor, for this arc in exchange for an honest review! 🧡 All opinions are my own.
Release date: October 8, 2024 and is available for pre-order now!
October 28, 2024
Quite enjoying the book but finding it a bit inaccurate re celebrating Christmas in the 1600s in Scotland. It always irritates me that some writers have this romantic image/view of Scotland (being Scottish myself) & especially when the book, to a degree, is historical. Scotland did not celebrate Christmas the way Jessica Dodge portrays it in the The Book of Lost Enchantments, in the 1600s in Scotland, even with the upper classes. Let's the book down. Find the writing & storyline pretty poor.
January 13, 2025
3.75. I read this for a sisterhood of the traveling book thing and it was cute! It’s cozy and magical and very endearing. I really enjoyed the story although I felt it got way too long in the flashbacks but I will definitely read the others in the series!
October 5, 2024
Thank you to the author for the gifted e-book.
This book deserves all the stars in the universe! I was completely captivated by the beautifully crafted story filled with magic and romance.
Set in the enchanting landscapes of Scotland, the narrative follows Nora. Nora is working in her parents’ bakery, and is swept into an unforeseen adventure to Scotland guided by her grandmother’s cherished photo album from the 1940s. She stumbles upon a mysterious old bookstore in Edinburgh and finds a peculiar little red book. Strange events unfold, including a sudden snowstorm that strands her in the Highlands with a surly journalist named Alistair. As they struggle to get along, Nora delves into the red book’s tale of a young woman from centuries past. She uncovers a family secret buried deep in time, leading to bizarre events that escalate and place her and Alistair in mortal danger.
The storytelling skillfully drew me in from the very first page, and the seamless interweaving of multiple narratives was truly astonishing. The infusion of Scottish folklore and magical elements throughout the tale was simply breathtaking. The inclusion of hand-drawn illustrations further immersed me in the enchanting storyline.
The tender romance blossoming between Nora and Alister was heartwarming, and the emotional rollercoaster of laughter and tears left a lasting impression on me.
I wholeheartedly urge you to grab a copy of this book, which hits the shelves on October 8th. Trust me, you won't want to miss it!
This book deserves all the stars in the universe! I was completely captivated by the beautifully crafted story filled with magic and romance.
Set in the enchanting landscapes of Scotland, the narrative follows Nora. Nora is working in her parents’ bakery, and is swept into an unforeseen adventure to Scotland guided by her grandmother’s cherished photo album from the 1940s. She stumbles upon a mysterious old bookstore in Edinburgh and finds a peculiar little red book. Strange events unfold, including a sudden snowstorm that strands her in the Highlands with a surly journalist named Alistair. As they struggle to get along, Nora delves into the red book’s tale of a young woman from centuries past. She uncovers a family secret buried deep in time, leading to bizarre events that escalate and place her and Alistair in mortal danger.
The storytelling skillfully drew me in from the very first page, and the seamless interweaving of multiple narratives was truly astonishing. The infusion of Scottish folklore and magical elements throughout the tale was simply breathtaking. The inclusion of hand-drawn illustrations further immersed me in the enchanting storyline.
The tender romance blossoming between Nora and Alister was heartwarming, and the emotional rollercoaster of laughter and tears left a lasting impression on me.
I wholeheartedly urge you to grab a copy of this book, which hits the shelves on October 8th. Trust me, you won't want to miss it!
January 3, 2025
A nice story with some big errors
This is an enjoyable Christmas love story with a twist of magic and the supernatural. So far, so fine.
As a Brit reading it, there were several things that felt wrong: Some Americanisms in writing and speech are supposed to come from a Scot. Whistling kettles on a stove top, which I haven't seen used in over 40 years, supposedly in present-day Britain. It's not impossible, but we mostly have electric kettles, whereas Americans seem only to know the stove top kind. A military chaplain in 1944 addressing an unmarried woman as Ms, which didn't come into common usage until the 1970s. It's hard to get people to use Ms 80 years on. Other things that didn't seem right for the historic period or hastily explained away.
I'm not just being pedantic. When reading fantasy, one has to be able to suspend disbelief, and anachronism in the parts that are supposed to be real life throws everything off kilter.
This is an enjoyable Christmas love story with a twist of magic and the supernatural. So far, so fine.
As a Brit reading it, there were several things that felt wrong: Some Americanisms in writing and speech are supposed to come from a Scot. Whistling kettles on a stove top, which I haven't seen used in over 40 years, supposedly in present-day Britain. It's not impossible, but we mostly have electric kettles, whereas Americans seem only to know the stove top kind. A military chaplain in 1944 addressing an unmarried woman as Ms, which didn't come into common usage until the 1970s. It's hard to get people to use Ms 80 years on. Other things that didn't seem right for the historic period or hastily explained away.
I'm not just being pedantic. When reading fantasy, one has to be able to suspend disbelief, and anachronism in the parts that are supposed to be real life throws everything off kilter.
September 4, 2024
ARC REVIEW
Once again Jessica Dodge has created a whimsical world where magic is alive and pulsing in your veins. This time around we are still starting in New England, but we land in Edinburgh during the winter. Nora Cameron is 29 and living a life that feels like ground hogs day. However, nearly escaping death and receiving divine messages from her dead grandmother inspire her to travel to Edinburgh and retrace her gran’s steps. Little does Nora know her life is about to change forever.
Although Freya’s storyline is my favorite, this one is a very close second. Finally getting to read Mary’s lineage’s storyline felt like coming home. It felt like finally getting to walk off into the distance with your best friend.
Dodge does this amazing job of telling so many different stories at once and moving them all along in this intricate unfolding that is truly mesmerizing. Watching Nora discover the truth about her grandmother while learning about this ancient magic that ties into the present is always so exciting for me. I love the worlds Jessica builds. I wish I could take myself there sometimes, but she does such a great job at creating them that I feel like I’m there already.
I also really enjoyed the cursed love story as well. Something about all of this being set during the winter was very haunting to me as well. Winter magic or the energy of winter is often associated with death so the scenes playing out in this dark setting really set the tone. It honestly felt like one of the darkness books in this series because of how long the curse had to go on for and how hopeless everyone must have felt having to carry this burden for so long. Ugh anyways, I give it a 4.7/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ . Again because I LOVE FREYA SM. I say that with my chest omg! But Jessica, you are amazing!
My favorite author!!
Once again Jessica Dodge has created a whimsical world where magic is alive and pulsing in your veins. This time around we are still starting in New England, but we land in Edinburgh during the winter. Nora Cameron is 29 and living a life that feels like ground hogs day. However, nearly escaping death and receiving divine messages from her dead grandmother inspire her to travel to Edinburgh and retrace her gran’s steps. Little does Nora know her life is about to change forever.
Although Freya’s storyline is my favorite, this one is a very close second. Finally getting to read Mary’s lineage’s storyline felt like coming home. It felt like finally getting to walk off into the distance with your best friend.
Dodge does this amazing job of telling so many different stories at once and moving them all along in this intricate unfolding that is truly mesmerizing. Watching Nora discover the truth about her grandmother while learning about this ancient magic that ties into the present is always so exciting for me. I love the worlds Jessica builds. I wish I could take myself there sometimes, but she does such a great job at creating them that I feel like I’m there already.
I also really enjoyed the cursed love story as well. Something about all of this being set during the winter was very haunting to me as well. Winter magic or the energy of winter is often associated with death so the scenes playing out in this dark setting really set the tone. It honestly felt like one of the darkness books in this series because of how long the curse had to go on for and how hopeless everyone must have felt having to carry this burden for so long. Ugh anyways, I give it a 4.7/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ . Again because I LOVE FREYA SM. I say that with my chest omg! But Jessica, you are amazing!
My favorite author!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 11, 2024
I know you might be thinking, “well Samm, I thought you were a Halloween chick not a Christmas girl” and you are right, but I’ve been seeing this book around and had to give it a shot. Plus it was a nice and cozy book to read while I was waiting out the storm with some magic and witchy vibes still.
This book was like The Holiday meets P.S. I Love You! Cozy, charming, whimsical, and Scottish vibes (and food) galore! A bit slow to start with but the pace picks up around 20% and it was so much fun. Some things fall into place a little too easily so don’t go into this one with full seriousness, instead, enjoy the atmospheric setting and the whimsical story as Dodge gives us a story within a story.
This was a feel good book with a cute little enemies to lovers romance and a family secret that unravels as we get two narratives, one of the present and one more historical fiction from centuries past. This book is also tied into a trilogy but can be read as a standalone. If you are looking for something cozy, whimsical, and cute to read with winter vibes, this is a good book to pick up.
3.5 stars rounded up
This book was like The Holiday meets P.S. I Love You! Cozy, charming, whimsical, and Scottish vibes (and food) galore! A bit slow to start with but the pace picks up around 20% and it was so much fun. Some things fall into place a little too easily so don’t go into this one with full seriousness, instead, enjoy the atmospheric setting and the whimsical story as Dodge gives us a story within a story.
This was a feel good book with a cute little enemies to lovers romance and a family secret that unravels as we get two narratives, one of the present and one more historical fiction from centuries past. This book is also tied into a trilogy but can be read as a standalone. If you are looking for something cozy, whimsical, and cute to read with winter vibes, this is a good book to pick up.
3.5 stars rounded up
October 9, 2024
Thank you @jessicadodgeauthor for the gifted e-arc!
The Book of Lost Enchantments is out today! Make sure you check it out!
While this book is considered part of the Triquetra Chronicles, it can be read as a standalone. If you enjoyed Jessica’s other books, you’ll definitely love this one too. It’s got witchy vibes, Scottish lore and men, enemies to lovers, and Christmas vibes.
Feeling like her life has no sense of direction, Nora books a trip to Scotland after she finds a travel voucher in her late gran’s belongings. Ready to hunker down in the Scottish highlands for a relaxing few days reading, she instead finds herself sharing her overbooked cabin with a rude Scottish man when a winter storm hits. Together they uncover secrets about Nora’s grans past and form a bond that’s been present for centuries 🥰
The Book of Lost Enchantments is out today! Make sure you check it out!
While this book is considered part of the Triquetra Chronicles, it can be read as a standalone. If you enjoyed Jessica’s other books, you’ll definitely love this one too. It’s got witchy vibes, Scottish lore and men, enemies to lovers, and Christmas vibes.
Feeling like her life has no sense of direction, Nora books a trip to Scotland after she finds a travel voucher in her late gran’s belongings. Ready to hunker down in the Scottish highlands for a relaxing few days reading, she instead finds herself sharing her overbooked cabin with a rude Scottish man when a winter storm hits. Together they uncover secrets about Nora’s grans past and form a bond that’s been present for centuries 🥰
May 7, 2025
3.75 - I loved the story and the main characters. I felt equally invested in the two timelines, I just think that the pacing started to drag around the middle. I felt like the major falling action could have been drown out more, honestly this could have been longer or even a Duology. Would have loved to get a little more in the magic system while still keeping some of the mystery behind it.
Also the illustrations are AMAZING.
Also the illustrations are AMAZING.
January 8, 2025
Needed A Break-This One Sufficed
Needed a break from a rather lengthy series I’ve been reading, and chose this. It’s part of a a stand alone series-for lack of a better way to put it.
This one was quite long, and with a good, clean, edit, it could’ve easily been reduced by probably 100 pages or so. Just a lot of repetitiveness that’s totally unnecessary. In my personal opinion, it can be distracting when you know you’re reading something for the 3rd, 5th, 8th time, in the same book.
The two MC characters are from America and Ireland. The male character is written in a weird manner of speech at times. In the same breath of him speaking, he goes from informal, contractual sentences, to suddenly speaking in a stilted formal way. Not sure if the author thought this was some cute way of showing his personality, and that English isn’t his first language, but it doesn’t work.
Got me through a few days of reading with the main story, as well as a few others thrown in, used in a way to express some of the magical realism, and fantasy twists that blend the genre.
More of a romance novel than anything. Still, it was tolerable enough to finish.
Final rating would be 2.5-3 stars.
Needed a break from a rather lengthy series I’ve been reading, and chose this. It’s part of a a stand alone series-for lack of a better way to put it.
This one was quite long, and with a good, clean, edit, it could’ve easily been reduced by probably 100 pages or so. Just a lot of repetitiveness that’s totally unnecessary. In my personal opinion, it can be distracting when you know you’re reading something for the 3rd, 5th, 8th time, in the same book.
The two MC characters are from America and Ireland. The male character is written in a weird manner of speech at times. In the same breath of him speaking, he goes from informal, contractual sentences, to suddenly speaking in a stilted formal way. Not sure if the author thought this was some cute way of showing his personality, and that English isn’t his first language, but it doesn’t work.
Got me through a few days of reading with the main story, as well as a few others thrown in, used in a way to express some of the magical realism, and fantasy twists that blend the genre.
More of a romance novel than anything. Still, it was tolerable enough to finish.
Final rating would be 2.5-3 stars.
July 22, 2025
My Review: A page turner from start to finish, magic and romance go hand in hand across the years, loved every page of it…🥰This is a truly enchanting read , filled with lives, curses & folklore creatures & characters as old as the Hills in Scotland itself
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2024
I was about 85% through when I decided not to finish this. It just did not keep me interested! The love stories were not compelling enough for me.
March 21, 2025
It reads like a hallmark movie and that is not my vibe AT ALL. Some people will love it and that’s great but it’s not my genre and I couldn’t finish it. It also makes historical mistakes and has unrealistic scenarios. For example, the FMC talks about how she’s never traveled outside the country but somehow can book a trip two days later with no passport? And it’s Logan Airport not Boston International airport. Seems insignificant, I know but inaccuracies in books throw me off. I got to about 120 pages in and couldn’t take the predictable elementary writing anymore. And again, I’m not a romance, romantasy or hallmark type reader so that’s why I gave the rating I did and I hate that I kept reading it well after I suspected that this book was that genre.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 26, 2025
C’est long avant qu’il pick up, mais vraiment bon! J’étais pas sûre si j’allais donner 3 ou 4, mais j’ai quesiment failli donner 5. Cute cozy read
August 26, 2024
I absolutely adored this one! It was breathtakingly magical. It had The Holiday and Under the Tuscan Sun vibes. It was about figuring out what you want in life. Facing fears of change and the unknown. Finding magic in real, mundane life. It was about the beauty in memories and stories.
It was Cozy. Atmospheric. And, just like Jessica's other two books, it was amazing how the past and present were woven together. A story within a story, within a story. It was like a faerie tale coming true in modern day.
It was utterly bingeable, but also unforgettable for those who don't have that luxury. It was dreamlike. It was that moment when the world goes silent as Kim is dancing under the "snow" falling from Edward's ice sculpting (Edward Scissorhands, for those who have not seen one of the best movies ever).
The connections to the first two books were 👌🏼. Nora and Alistair were 🤌🏼. There was beauty, mythology, and folklore, oh my. It was elegant and satisfying, like a perfect, snowy Hallmark movie!
Thank you to the author for providing me with a free e-arc in exchange for my honest review. I cannot wait to buy the finished, physical copy to reread with the first two books!
It was Cozy. Atmospheric. And, just like Jessica's other two books, it was amazing how the past and present were woven together. A story within a story, within a story. It was like a faerie tale coming true in modern day.
It was utterly bingeable, but also unforgettable for those who don't have that luxury. It was dreamlike. It was that moment when the world goes silent as Kim is dancing under the "snow" falling from Edward's ice sculpting (Edward Scissorhands, for those who have not seen one of the best movies ever).
The connections to the first two books were 👌🏼. Nora and Alistair were 🤌🏼. There was beauty, mythology, and folklore, oh my. It was elegant and satisfying, like a perfect, snowy Hallmark movie!
Thank you to the author for providing me with a free e-arc in exchange for my honest review. I cannot wait to buy the finished, physical copy to reread with the first two books!
August 28, 2024
Thank you Jessica for the ARC copy!!!
I DID NOT want this to end. I loved love loved this by Jessica Dodge and I can’t wait for you all to read it when it comes out October 8th! To be honest I think this came to me at a perfect time. I have been going through a lot of craziness in my life with trying ti figure out what I want to do next. Jessica’s book is full of wonderful and definitely relatable characters who in the end just want the best for each other and for themselves. Her story was magical and her writing was truly masterful. I could see every seen play out right in front if me and even dreamt about it. The imagery and words are so beautifully done that you will (just like I was) unable to stop reading. I truly give this a 10 🌸 out of 5 🌸 and can’t wait to delve into Jessica’s other books. Go preorder this now!
I DID NOT want this to end. I loved love loved this by Jessica Dodge and I can’t wait for you all to read it when it comes out October 8th! To be honest I think this came to me at a perfect time. I have been going through a lot of craziness in my life with trying ti figure out what I want to do next. Jessica’s book is full of wonderful and definitely relatable characters who in the end just want the best for each other and for themselves. Her story was magical and her writing was truly masterful. I could see every seen play out right in front if me and even dreamt about it. The imagery and words are so beautifully done that you will (just like I was) unable to stop reading. I truly give this a 10 🌸 out of 5 🌸 and can’t wait to delve into Jessica’s other books. Go preorder this now!
October 8, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Honestly one of my top reads of the year and I can’t wait for everyone to read it!!
I can feel magic in the pages 😍
I felt like I was on my own vacation in Scotland. I had been transported.
This book has me thoroughly in its grasp.
I will be recommending this to everyone!!
Honestly one of my top reads of the year and I can’t wait for everyone to read it!!
I can feel magic in the pages 😍
I felt like I was on my own vacation in Scotland. I had been transported.
This book has me thoroughly in its grasp.
I will be recommending this to everyone!!
February 2, 2025
I enjoyed the story but it was a bit clunky. There were mistakes that took me out of the mood. For instance the main character called her grandmother gram but then would occasionally switch to gran. It was annoying. People know what they call their grandmother and they don’t switch it up. It was hard to like the Alaister character. He didn’t redeem himself as far as I’m concerned after his extreme rudeness towards Nora in the beginning.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2025
I’m really irritated and I haven’t even finished the book. I keep looking to see if anyone says anything about the fact that the men in the book are absolute a-holes to women. There’s not a man in this universe who speaks like that to women that ends up being a good guy and this trope makes me furious. I’ll give it a 3 because I liked it up until then but I wish women would stop writing men and being disrespectful arrogant assholes who SURPRISE! Become the main love interest. Nope. I won’t read another book like this and I’m done with this one.
December 8, 2024
A cozy novel of magical realism in the atmospherical setting of Scotland.
One night on a snow covered road she had a car accident, and that changed everything.
Nora is at an impasse of what to do with her life.
She begins to fondly reminisce about her grandmother and the bond they shared. Honoring her grandmother’s final wish, she heads to Scotland to discover her roots.
Now that she’s in Scotland, her life has taken a very interesting turn of events. She meets a grumpy man who ends up helping her solve family mysteries.
Is it true that knowing a fairy’s real name gives you power over them & can break their enchantments?
One night on a snow covered road she had a car accident, and that changed everything.
Nora is at an impasse of what to do with her life.
She begins to fondly reminisce about her grandmother and the bond they shared. Honoring her grandmother’s final wish, she heads to Scotland to discover her roots.
Now that she’s in Scotland, her life has taken a very interesting turn of events. She meets a grumpy man who ends up helping her solve family mysteries.
Is it true that knowing a fairy’s real name gives you power over them & can break their enchantments?
May 13, 2025
Ughgh this book reads like it was written by AI. The sentences have that “pattern” - all sentences a similar length, each paragraph having the AI structure. But those can be chalked up as an author’s style.
Except once the storyline bumbled key aspects of how the world actually works, I knew it was AI.
I was convinced about the AI involvement when the main character decides to use the “open ended plane ticket to Scotland” (what airline does that anymore??!), then hops on a plane two days later WITH NO PASSPORT! You may think this is being nitpicky, but every paragraph up to that point is carefully structured to describe every detail, listing what the character sees, hears, smells, touches in every moment. When she gets her suitcase out, there’s a long scene about how dusty it is because she never travels, and “has barely made it out of New England”. Her limited traveling is described in detail, as is her intense anxiety and process of boarding the bus and the plane. For someone so unused to travel, who has not traveled internationally, the lack of a passport in the story is a HUGE DEAL! They don’t just “scan the ticket on your phone” like a domestic flight (a process described in detail), they check your passport AS YOU BOARD. And for a character with high anxiety about traveling, the passport is important enough that it should be mentioned at least once.
Maybe in a world where there is magic and faeries, they don’t have passports?
Or maybe passports don’t matter in worlds written by a computer program that has never traveled because it is just a pile of machinery and powered by 1s and 0s.
Except once the storyline bumbled key aspects of how the world actually works, I knew it was AI.
I was convinced about the AI involvement when the main character decides to use the “open ended plane ticket to Scotland” (what airline does that anymore??!), then hops on a plane two days later WITH NO PASSPORT! You may think this is being nitpicky, but every paragraph up to that point is carefully structured to describe every detail, listing what the character sees, hears, smells, touches in every moment. When she gets her suitcase out, there’s a long scene about how dusty it is because she never travels, and “has barely made it out of New England”. Her limited traveling is described in detail, as is her intense anxiety and process of boarding the bus and the plane. For someone so unused to travel, who has not traveled internationally, the lack of a passport in the story is a HUGE DEAL! They don’t just “scan the ticket on your phone” like a domestic flight (a process described in detail), they check your passport AS YOU BOARD. And for a character with high anxiety about traveling, the passport is important enough that it should be mentioned at least once.
Maybe in a world where there is magic and faeries, they don’t have passports?
Or maybe passports don’t matter in worlds written by a computer program that has never traveled because it is just a pile of machinery and powered by 1s and 0s.
October 10, 2024
Vibes are immaculate! Winter wonderland, magical adventures, past curses, and a cozy “when will my life begin” growing up story.
I LOVED this book!! Jessica Dodge’s writing is completely immersive and truly enchanting. I felt Nora was so relatable as a main character. I too had no idea what I was going to do after graduating with my degree. Lucky for Nora her grandma left her a paid plane ticket to the adventure of a lifetime. Books like this find a happy home on my shelves and I’ll definitely be re-reading this during the winter season!
(I was privileged to receive and Advanced Reader e-book copy of this book in exchange for my honest review - all thoughts in this review are my own)
I LOVED this book!! Jessica Dodge’s writing is completely immersive and truly enchanting. I felt Nora was so relatable as a main character. I too had no idea what I was going to do after graduating with my degree. Lucky for Nora her grandma left her a paid plane ticket to the adventure of a lifetime. Books like this find a happy home on my shelves and I’ll definitely be re-reading this during the winter season!
(I was privileged to receive and Advanced Reader e-book copy of this book in exchange for my honest review - all thoughts in this review are my own)
November 19, 2024
disappointing
I read half way. Parts were interesting and then the author would veer off. Once she mentioned a large head and neck coming out of the middle of the loch I was done. Disappointed the writer didn’t follow up on the interesting threads and decided to throw in trite themes
I read half way. Parts were interesting and then the author would veer off. Once she mentioned a large head and neck coming out of the middle of the loch I was done. Disappointed the writer didn’t follow up on the interesting threads and decided to throw in trite themes
October 9, 2024
Tropes you will be enveloped in:
• Dislike to lovers
• Forced Proximity/Snowed In
• Magical Realism
• Celtic Folklore
• Mystery/Suspense
• Ancestral Magic
• Cottagecore
Blurb: At 29, Nora is feeling stuck in her life. She is supposed to inherit the longstanding family bakery, but she doesn’t feel like that is her calling/passion. After certain events, she decides to go to Scotland and hit all the spots that her grandmother did when she went to Scotland.
When in Edinburgh, she visits an old bookshop and grabs a book. When she starts to read this book, she is starting to notice coincidences with her current life. It was so interesting switching from her reading about Cora and her adventures than back to Nora and her Scotland adventures. Nora runs into a rude Scottish man named Alistair. And then some cool magical things occur. The ending was unexpected but good.
Thoughts: I love a wholesome, magical, suspenseful read with a wonderful HEA! Jessica Dodge’s magical, descriptive writing will pull you into the story and characters. I really liked the suspenseful element. I was trying to guess how the story would end but couldn’t. 🤣
🔮 I have also read Misplaced Magic by Jessica Dodge, and it was fantastic! It had 2 POVs from two strong female characters whose lives eventually intersect, mystery, plot twists, magic, time travel, demons, Welsh countryside, found family and love. At the end of chapter 29, I shouted, “what just happened?” and my family thought I was going crazy. 🤣 That was the first book of Jessica Dodge’s that I have read, and I really enjoyed it. She kept me on my toes guessing and trying to figure it out. Misplaced Magic is 564 pages, but it is a quick read! 🔮
Rating: 4.25/5
• Dislike to lovers
• Forced Proximity/Snowed In
• Magical Realism
• Celtic Folklore
• Mystery/Suspense
• Ancestral Magic
• Cottagecore
Blurb: At 29, Nora is feeling stuck in her life. She is supposed to inherit the longstanding family bakery, but she doesn’t feel like that is her calling/passion. After certain events, she decides to go to Scotland and hit all the spots that her grandmother did when she went to Scotland.
When in Edinburgh, she visits an old bookshop and grabs a book. When she starts to read this book, she is starting to notice coincidences with her current life. It was so interesting switching from her reading about Cora and her adventures than back to Nora and her Scotland adventures. Nora runs into a rude Scottish man named Alistair. And then some cool magical things occur. The ending was unexpected but good.
Thoughts: I love a wholesome, magical, suspenseful read with a wonderful HEA! Jessica Dodge’s magical, descriptive writing will pull you into the story and characters. I really liked the suspenseful element. I was trying to guess how the story would end but couldn’t. 🤣
🔮 I have also read Misplaced Magic by Jessica Dodge, and it was fantastic! It had 2 POVs from two strong female characters whose lives eventually intersect, mystery, plot twists, magic, time travel, demons, Welsh countryside, found family and love. At the end of chapter 29, I shouted, “what just happened?” and my family thought I was going crazy. 🤣 That was the first book of Jessica Dodge’s that I have read, and I really enjoyed it. She kept me on my toes guessing and trying to figure it out. Misplaced Magic is 564 pages, but it is a quick read! 🔮
Rating: 4.25/5
May 6, 2025
Enjoyable Read
I actually quite enjoyed this one even though there were a few things that really annoyed me. First off, the protagonist had never been out of the country before, yet she was able to take an impromptu trip to Scotland without there ever being mention of a passport? Then, I’ve been to Great Britain and anybody else who has understands that traditional coffee makers are not a thing in hotel rooms, vacation rentals, etc.. A good majority of people (and hotel rooms, vacation apartments, etc.) in GB have tea kettles and drink tea or instant coffee. If they had a coffee machine, it would be a Nespresso or similar (excluding higher end places). Also, at a Vendor Market such as the one in the beginning of the story, the protagonist is led to a vendor by the smell of coffee and this wouldn’t be a thing. Again, this really isn’t the same as in the USA. Yes, you’ll find a Starbucks or a Costa, but the coffee scene is nothing like here in the states. There were also times when the characters would be drinking coffee but then in the next sentence it would be tea. It’s almost as though the author realized their mistake and corrected it in a few spots but not throughout the story. There were many other little details or inconsistencies like this that just niggled at my conscious enough to detract from the story at times. The end was a little rushed and too neatly packaged (example: how easily mom gave in about the bakery. Anybody with a strained relationship with an opinionated mother would know Nora wouldn’t have gotten off so lightly lol).
Regardless, the story was good and held my attention. I also really enjoy a happy ending so extra points for that considering all the negative around us.
I actually quite enjoyed this one even though there were a few things that really annoyed me. First off, the protagonist had never been out of the country before, yet she was able to take an impromptu trip to Scotland without there ever being mention of a passport? Then, I’ve been to Great Britain and anybody else who has understands that traditional coffee makers are not a thing in hotel rooms, vacation rentals, etc.. A good majority of people (and hotel rooms, vacation apartments, etc.) in GB have tea kettles and drink tea or instant coffee. If they had a coffee machine, it would be a Nespresso or similar (excluding higher end places). Also, at a Vendor Market such as the one in the beginning of the story, the protagonist is led to a vendor by the smell of coffee and this wouldn’t be a thing. Again, this really isn’t the same as in the USA. Yes, you’ll find a Starbucks or a Costa, but the coffee scene is nothing like here in the states. There were also times when the characters would be drinking coffee but then in the next sentence it would be tea. It’s almost as though the author realized their mistake and corrected it in a few spots but not throughout the story. There were many other little details or inconsistencies like this that just niggled at my conscious enough to detract from the story at times. The end was a little rushed and too neatly packaged (example: how easily mom gave in about the bakery. Anybody with a strained relationship with an opinionated mother would know Nora wouldn’t have gotten off so lightly lol).
Regardless, the story was good and held my attention. I also really enjoy a happy ending so extra points for that considering all the negative around us.
September 18, 2024
One of the easiest 5 Star reads for me this year!
Where do I begin? WOW! This book filled my heart with so much. I could relate to the FMC Nora in so many ways that it made me feel like I was reading a book that was written for me, about me. Yes, not everything is the same, but it made me relate to her and know how she was feeling. Alistair, the MMC, was someone you wanted to hate but learned how to love. Ugh, it was such a beautiful connection that he and Nora had. The adventure that Nora takes is a whirlwind but she learns about herself and what she truly wants with her life. I was crying with her, I was cheering her on, I was gasping and telling her not to do what she was doing and overall didn't want this book to end.
If you enjoy magic, romance and dual timelines, this is a book for you. This book reminded me of when I first watched Practical Magic. I was fully invested in the story, trying to figure out where each decision would lead. Though the book is set in the wintertime, I think this was a perfect time to read it.
This is my first Jessica Dodge book and honestly, I have been missing out! Though her other books, The Forgotten Witch and Misplaced Magic, have been on my TBR for a little while. Her writing is beautiful. Jessica definitely knows how to reach her readers and truly connect with them.
I am a bit speechless with this one. I tried to tell my other half about this book and all I could say was that I loved it and didn't want it to end. I want to know more of Nora and Alistair.
Thank you, Jessica, for allowing me to be and ARC reader for this incredible book.
Where do I begin? WOW! This book filled my heart with so much. I could relate to the FMC Nora in so many ways that it made me feel like I was reading a book that was written for me, about me. Yes, not everything is the same, but it made me relate to her and know how she was feeling. Alistair, the MMC, was someone you wanted to hate but learned how to love. Ugh, it was such a beautiful connection that he and Nora had. The adventure that Nora takes is a whirlwind but she learns about herself and what she truly wants with her life. I was crying with her, I was cheering her on, I was gasping and telling her not to do what she was doing and overall didn't want this book to end.
If you enjoy magic, romance and dual timelines, this is a book for you. This book reminded me of when I first watched Practical Magic. I was fully invested in the story, trying to figure out where each decision would lead. Though the book is set in the wintertime, I think this was a perfect time to read it.
This is my first Jessica Dodge book and honestly, I have been missing out! Though her other books, The Forgotten Witch and Misplaced Magic, have been on my TBR for a little while. Her writing is beautiful. Jessica definitely knows how to reach her readers and truly connect with them.
I am a bit speechless with this one. I tried to tell my other half about this book and all I could say was that I loved it and didn't want it to end. I want to know more of Nora and Alistair.
Thank you, Jessica, for allowing me to be and ARC reader for this incredible book.
October 11, 2024
The Lost enchantments by Jessica Dodd is the third installment in the magical and utterly heartwarming series set in Scotland. It is one of my favorite magical series of recent years. And, when I say it is utterly magical, I do not say so lightly.
Our protagonist is Nora Cameron, who is 29 years old and is working in her family bakery. Though she cares about the bakery, working here is not Nora's dream, it's her family or more specifically her mother's dream. So when Nora comes across an old letter from her grandmother, she realizes it is time to follow her dream, and and she travels to Scotland.
From here, Nora finds herself in the middle of a winter wonderland and utterly magical story where she begins to piece together the truth of her grandmother's history, and her family story. There are moments where we, as readers, wonder if magic is real, (of course it is!)
We have a
mysterious bookshop that may or may not really exist,
dual timeline as the events of the past & present continue to collide,
a grumpy/sunshine romance,
a family secret,
I'm usually quite cynical towards some of these tropes, but this is not the case at all with The Book of Lost Enchantments (or Misplaced Magic or The Forgotten Witch), but I'm just absolutely in love with this series
Jessica Dodge has an extraordinary ability to write these stories and sweep you along with the world she creates here.
Absolutely five stars. And I hope there are more stories to come.
Our protagonist is Nora Cameron, who is 29 years old and is working in her family bakery. Though she cares about the bakery, working here is not Nora's dream, it's her family or more specifically her mother's dream. So when Nora comes across an old letter from her grandmother, she realizes it is time to follow her dream, and and she travels to Scotland.
From here, Nora finds herself in the middle of a winter wonderland and utterly magical story where she begins to piece together the truth of her grandmother's history, and her family story. There are moments where we, as readers, wonder if magic is real, (of course it is!)
We have a
mysterious bookshop that may or may not really exist,
dual timeline as the events of the past & present continue to collide,
a grumpy/sunshine romance,
a family secret,
I'm usually quite cynical towards some of these tropes, but this is not the case at all with The Book of Lost Enchantments (or Misplaced Magic or The Forgotten Witch), but I'm just absolutely in love with this series
Jessica Dodge has an extraordinary ability to write these stories and sweep you along with the world she creates here.
Absolutely five stars. And I hope there are more stories to come.
February 5, 2025
The Book Of Lost Enchantments
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was such a beautiful magical read of a book - I had such a terrible book hangover after I finished it, I just didn't want this story to end.
I have read all of Jessica Dodges books and none of them have ever disappointed me, my only comment is.... I wish she would write more and quicker 🤣
A story that follows Nora a twenty nine year old from Vermont as she tries to find out what she wants to do with her future... she is recently separated, lives on her parents land and is due to take over the family bakery at some point which her mum never let's her forget.
After losing her grandmother (dad's mum) she feels like something is missing from her life, she remembers her nanas bedtime story's being told through a photo album.... after a car accident and a near death experience she discovers an open plane ticket to Scotland hidden in one of her nanas old coats, this then leads Nora on a discovery to Scotland to find herself and her nanas hidden secret.
Whilst in Scotland alot of moments fall into place for Nora that also happened years ago to her nan.... with some beautiful magical writing both there story's come alive!
Nora happens to come upon a very rude man called Alistair on her first day in Edinburgh but why does he keep appearing?
Will Nora break the codes, the curse and the family tradition to be happy?
Keep an eye out for Lochland who appears in the book 📖
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was such a beautiful magical read of a book - I had such a terrible book hangover after I finished it, I just didn't want this story to end.
I have read all of Jessica Dodges books and none of them have ever disappointed me, my only comment is.... I wish she would write more and quicker 🤣
A story that follows Nora a twenty nine year old from Vermont as she tries to find out what she wants to do with her future... she is recently separated, lives on her parents land and is due to take over the family bakery at some point which her mum never let's her forget.
After losing her grandmother (dad's mum) she feels like something is missing from her life, she remembers her nanas bedtime story's being told through a photo album.... after a car accident and a near death experience she discovers an open plane ticket to Scotland hidden in one of her nanas old coats, this then leads Nora on a discovery to Scotland to find herself and her nanas hidden secret.
Whilst in Scotland alot of moments fall into place for Nora that also happened years ago to her nan.... with some beautiful magical writing both there story's come alive!
Nora happens to come upon a very rude man called Alistair on her first day in Edinburgh but why does he keep appearing?
Will Nora break the codes, the curse and the family tradition to be happy?
Keep an eye out for Lochland who appears in the book 📖
Displaying 1 - 30 of 180 reviews