Abracadabra: A Bewitching and Impractical Novel of Love and Magic

by Evanne Hardin Gray

In the spirit of Practical Magic and First Frost, a modern-day magic folk tale weaves a fantasy of love, secrets, spellbooks, and family bonds into evocative prose ....

It's common knowledge in Duran Hill that some women in the Kinley family have certain gifts ... and certain curses ... running through their bloodlines. But for three sisters in all but name — Rachel, Juliette, and their cousin Sylvia — the ties that bind them close as ivy throughout their childhood are pulled apart in adolescence when both the gift and curse of that power is revealed between them.

Since that fateful incident, sensible Juliette has tailored a perfect and perfectly-ordinary life which unravels after she marries — and loses — the love of her life. Sylvia, drawn to the dark side, sets up a shop that caters to all the mystical powers the latter generations of the Kinley family shunned. And Rachel, the wild child, in whom its magic seems to create a charmed life, is a carefree wanderer who finds herself suddenly drawn home again.

Her arrival will stir old rivalries and test forgotten bonds in the brief span of a few weeks. But when an old friend in desperate trouble seeks her out, she will impulsively unleash the dangerous secret behind their one which has lain forgotten in the Kinley house for two generations.

From the Siren's song of a dead man's violin to a jar full of harmless-looking buttons, nothing under the shadow of the family's roof is what it seems — nothing in their bloodline is safe from the dangerous past.

For Juliette, it brings a test of whether love that has withered can bloom again. For Sylvia, a question of whether a dangerous mistake can only be endured until it destroys you. And for Rachel, the choice is the price between the future of the souls she loves most in life and a powerful force that both makes her the enigma she is — and makes to destroy her like embers caught in a firewind.

Against the backdrop of Southern charm, Scottish superstitions, and bewitching romance, ABRACADABRA casts a spell which cannot be undone, from the ache of lost love to the familial links between souls which go as deep as blood and bone.

Genres: Paranormal

452 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 7, 2025

Reviews

[Lisa Spofford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am voluntarily writing this honest review after reading a #gifted ARC via Rachel’s Random Resources. Abracadabra, written by Evonne Hardin Gray, is a contemporary paranormal story with elements of magical realism, fairytale fantasy, and a touch of romance. It is the story of three women from a family known for both the gifts and curses running through their bloodline. Close as children, Juliette and Rachel were sisters and Sylvia was their cousin. They were divided in adolescence when the gift and curse of that power divided them. Juliette had a perfectly ordinary life where she married and lost the love of her life. Sylvia was drawn to the dark side of their power. She opened a shop which catered to mystical powers. Rachel’s magic had created a charmed life as a happy wanderer, who is suddenly drawn home. Her return would test their forgotten bonds. When an old friend called her for help, she and Sylvia awakened a dangerous piece of their family’s past. Juliette would have to face whether withered love can bloom once more, Sylvia faced the question of whether a dangerous mistake can only be suffered through until it shatters you, and Rachel would have to choose between the future of those she loved and the power that made her who she is. This story was a perfect fit for the end of spooky month. Ultimately I enjoyed the story with all its’ emotional components. It showcased the relationships between siblings and estranged family, romantic relationships, both healthy and dysfunctional, and how much we are willing to give up to save the ones we love. The twists and turns the story took kept me guessing about the final outcome. However, I found it very difficult to get into the book. I labored through more than two hundred pages before becoming truly engaged in the story. Readers who enjoy slightly scary witchy stories may enjoy this novel. I am glad I stuck with it because it was worth it in the end. (3.5 rounded to 4 stars where necessary.)

[Sharon Rimmelzwaan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story of romance and magic you say? Well! Count me in! Abracadabra is exactly that and with a cute cover that suits the book perfectly.


A brand new author for me and a story that I fell in love with! One family, the Kinleys are pretty well known for the fact that some women have 'gifts' and 'curses'. Three women two sisters and a cousin of the family, Rachel, Juliette and Sylvia were as close as could be. Then during their teen years they discover the gifts and the curse, breaking them apart. All making their own way though life as adults until Rachel arrives home. This is the catalyst that nobody expected, and all three are tested to the hilt. Will familial bonds and love withstand what is coming?


I sooo loved this book! It is also the perfect time to read it too, October, nights growing darker and a cosy warm chair. Or, in my case Greece, 23-26 degrees, by the pool! I might have to read it again now I am home and halloween is looming. 


I am a sucker for magic and when there are gifts and curses involved you can't tear me away. I got so involved in these three women and their family history with the magic they all carry. The characters all called to me for different reasons and I felt for each of them. This is what I class as a great read, characters you can invest in, a storyline that is immersive and carries you out of your own world. 


I couldn't believe how fast I read Abracadabra. It felt like I had just started it and I was on the final chapter! The flow of the story just gripped me and I needed to know it all! I surprised myself as to how much I was involved.



The romance just makes this an even more entertaining read. I will definitely be looking out for Evanne Hardin Gray's next book! She has me hooked!! 

[Elaine - Splashes Into Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three girls from the same family
Two sisters and a cousin, so close you'll see.
But teen angst and magic pull them apart
Especially over matters of the heart.

Witchcraft, magic and mystery
Rivals, mischief and past history
Tore them apart but was it something more?
Will coming together let them the truth explore?

Three women with powers they can use or ignore
But even then, they can't be sure.
It culminates in family dramas and so much more
As the three women reconnect and ties explore.

A magical read, full of surprises
And revelations as each woman realises
That magic can be hidden, influencing now
Even when you'd rather it not anyhow.

A very different take on magic and mystery
Steeped in family members and their history.
For my copy of this book I say thank you
As I share with you this, my honest review.

[Staceywh_17 · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a book to see out the spooky season with. It's the first I've read from this author and I'm already looking to read more.

In this instance Abracadabra certainly does reach out and grab ya, just like it did for The Steve Miller Band all those years ago.

Throughout the book Juliette, Rachel and Sylvia had me thinking of the Sanderson sisters albeit younger. I liked their characters, their relationships, and obviously their magic.

The author's world building and imagery easily made the story pop from the pages for me.

I found it a thoroughly enjoyable read and it was all over too soon.

[Becca McCulloch]

This romp through Scottish mysticism used such symbols as shapeshifting animals, death omens, natural magic of trees and plants, and holiday traditions. The Scottish traditions create a cozy story of family dealing with age-old curses and modern inconveniences. I will never look at a jar of buttons the same way.

Fans of Practical Magic will enjoy stepping inside this family as they deal with dark secrets and experiences out of step with modern life. The author has good control of suspense as she creates a world that is both inviting and unsettling.

[Annarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cozy fantasy that mixes witches, romance, women’s fiction, and the relationship of women with power and relationships
Even if this sound quite serious it’s a light multilayered story that deals with different women, their world, and their Scottish magical system.
It made me smile and I appreciated the characters and their evolution.
Would be happy to read another novel by this author soon.
Recommended. Many thanks for this digital copy, all opinions are mine

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the hardest time getting into this book. It feels choppy and just doesn’t flow good. It feels very stiff.
The premise of the book sounded good and I really wanted to like it but it just fell short.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you like the spirit world, tarot, spells and magic then this is definitely a book for you. Sisters Rachel and Juliette , along with their cousin Sylvia, have always been tied together through the gifts , and curses, that run through their blood. With their very different personalities an incident one night tests their bond and brings them together to deal with the very intense outcome. I found this a very intriguing read that at times was quite fast paced. I thought this had interesting characters with each one being explored making it easy to see how they acted like they did. This has an engaging storyline that keeps you entertained.