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Stray Magic
Cara Snow is newly divorced, stuck working for a jerky boss at a pet boutique, and dreading her soon-to-be-empty nest with only her beloved corgi for company. Worse still, her ex just got engaged. Doesn’t she deserve some romance, too? Or, at least a date for the Fur Ball. She’s always enjoyed the annual pet rescue gala, but this year her ex will be there with his fiancée. Meanwhile, Cara hasn’t met anyone— other than the irresistible dogs at the boutique’s adoption events.
Cara is shocked when her wish to fall for a man as easily as she does for those mutts summons Vincent. His velour track suit, paunchy belly, and tough-guy accent don't exactly fit her childhood image of a fairy godfather. Not exactly on top of his game, he admits to being twenty-five years late. (Her daughter Winnie is convinced he must be there for her!) Vincent does his best and casts a spell "guaranteed" to help Cara find the One. But when she actually starts meeting men, none of them are her type. If only they were as perfect for her as the dogs they adopt. Did her screw-up fairy godfather botch the spell? If so, what will it mean not only for Cara but Vincent as well?
From USA Today best-selling author Jackie Bouchard, comes a tale of love, laughter, and the profound magic of believing in yourself.
Cara is shocked when her wish to fall for a man as easily as she does for those mutts summons Vincent. His velour track suit, paunchy belly, and tough-guy accent don't exactly fit her childhood image of a fairy godfather. Not exactly on top of his game, he admits to being twenty-five years late. (Her daughter Winnie is convinced he must be there for her!) Vincent does his best and casts a spell "guaranteed" to help Cara find the One. But when she actually starts meeting men, none of them are her type. If only they were as perfect for her as the dogs they adopt. Did her screw-up fairy godfather botch the spell? If so, what will it mean not only for Cara but Vincent as well?
From USA Today best-selling author Jackie Bouchard, comes a tale of love, laughter, and the profound magic of believing in yourself.
- GenresRomanceRomantic Comedy
9 pages, Audible Audio
Published March 26, 2018
50 people are currently reading
599 people want to read
About the author
Jackie Bouchard
5 books132 followersJackie Bouchard used to be trapped in the hamster wheel of corporate America, but she was lucky enough to escape and now fully understands the term "struggling writer." Jackie loves: reading, writing, and, yes, even 'rithmetic (seriously, algebra rocks); professional cycling; margaritas; blogging (she never thought she'd say that, but she does); dogs in general, and her crazy rescue pup specifically; and her hubby. (Not in that order.) Jackie dislikes: rude people and writing about herself in the third person. After living in Southern California, then Bermuda, then Canada, then the East coast, Jackie and her husband settled in San Diego. American Jackie, her Canadian hubby, and her Mexican rescue mutt form their own happy little United Nations. Jackie's novels include "What The Dog Ate" and "Rescue Me, Maybe."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
September 7, 2018
The most adorable book I have ever read. If you love (or have ever loved) a dog stop reading my review and go buy this book. Really. I was completely charmed by this fairy tale and its heavily dog-themed plots. There is enough humor and romance to keep things interesting but the dog stuff----seriously, have you not gone and bought this yet?---SO FREAKING CUTE. This book is pure escapism and lighthearted fun but with such an undercurrent of dog adoration that I'm sure it has made me a better pet owner. If you need some magic in your life, believe in fairytales and happy endings and LOVE dogs, you too will find this to be a 5 star book!
EDITED TO ADD: I loved this book so much I contacted the wonderful author and convinced her to let me audition to narrate the audiobook and I am thrilled to announce that the audiobook is now available!
EDITED TO ADD: I loved this book so much I contacted the wonderful author and convinced her to let me audition to narrate the audiobook and I am thrilled to announce that the audiobook is now available!
September 18, 2017
I will freely admit to anyone – I am a huge fan of Jackie’s books!
Her style of writing is the perfect combination of serious and fun. She often takes on tough subjects, giving them their place and respect but at the same time her tongue in cheek humour ensures lightness, smiles and hope are ever present. Her perfect descriptions of people and situations always draw me in and make me feel like I am there as the story unfolds.
As an animal lover I am also a big fan of Jackie’s Fido-friendly fiction. All her stories involve four-legged fur babies in one way or another and her ability to articulate and share their humorous antics adds yet another level to her already wonderfully told tales.
This story is a bit of a departure from her usual style but one I hope she continues to explore – because I loved it! I dislike reviews with spoilers, so I won’t go into details of the story. What I will say is this story made me smile, sympathise, feel, hope and enjoy – all things I think a great story should do. Stray Magic made me want to keep reading, skipping nothing along the way, from its slightly “unusual” beginning to its extremely satisfying ending.
The next step for Stray Magic should be to make it into a movie. I truly believe it would make a great one. It has all the key components – strong characters, wonderful location, sad and happy moments, likeable and less likeable people and, of course, dogs. So from my lips to a movie producer’s ears, please make Stray Magic into a film. Why? Because we can all use a little Magic 😊
Her style of writing is the perfect combination of serious and fun. She often takes on tough subjects, giving them their place and respect but at the same time her tongue in cheek humour ensures lightness, smiles and hope are ever present. Her perfect descriptions of people and situations always draw me in and make me feel like I am there as the story unfolds.
As an animal lover I am also a big fan of Jackie’s Fido-friendly fiction. All her stories involve four-legged fur babies in one way or another and her ability to articulate and share their humorous antics adds yet another level to her already wonderfully told tales.
This story is a bit of a departure from her usual style but one I hope she continues to explore – because I loved it! I dislike reviews with spoilers, so I won’t go into details of the story. What I will say is this story made me smile, sympathise, feel, hope and enjoy – all things I think a great story should do. Stray Magic made me want to keep reading, skipping nothing along the way, from its slightly “unusual” beginning to its extremely satisfying ending.
The next step for Stray Magic should be to make it into a movie. I truly believe it would make a great one. It has all the key components – strong characters, wonderful location, sad and happy moments, likeable and less likeable people and, of course, dogs. So from my lips to a movie producer’s ears, please make Stray Magic into a film. Why? Because we can all use a little Magic 😊
August 18, 2018
Laugh and bark at this unique and funny story!
Romance isn’t my usual genre; however, as a librarian, I like to stretch myself and expand my horizons. This was a very unique story that resonated with me as a single dad with a teenager.
Single mom Cara has a teenage daughter who will head to college soon and doesn’t want her mom to be alone. A leprechaun Vincent magically appears to grant Cara her wish of meeting Mr. Right. It was hilarious! I loved how each man she met seemed perfect at first, but then had some major flaws. This is too real! I enjoyed the female perspective because I experienced similar dating experiences. Vincent was very supportive and complimentary towards Cara. He reminds me of my married female friends who are supportive of me.
The paranormal element was intriguing. I wanted to see if and how Vincent’s spell worked. Did he mess up the wording? Listen closely and laugh!
The dogs were a huge bonus. I loved the interaction between the dogs and human characters. It was great seeing dogs placed with nice homes. Hmm…maybe if I get a dog I can meet my Ms. Right. Lol
Aisling Gray, the narrator, really engages the listener with the story. She does a great job with voices and her enunciation was perfect. Many narrators mumble their way through consonants. Gray gets them perfect! Any authors looking for a narrator for chick lit need to consider hiring her.
Romance isn’t my usual genre; however, as a librarian, I like to stretch myself and expand my horizons. This was a very unique story that resonated with me as a single dad with a teenager.
Single mom Cara has a teenage daughter who will head to college soon and doesn’t want her mom to be alone. A leprechaun Vincent magically appears to grant Cara her wish of meeting Mr. Right. It was hilarious! I loved how each man she met seemed perfect at first, but then had some major flaws. This is too real! I enjoyed the female perspective because I experienced similar dating experiences. Vincent was very supportive and complimentary towards Cara. He reminds me of my married female friends who are supportive of me.
The paranormal element was intriguing. I wanted to see if and how Vincent’s spell worked. Did he mess up the wording? Listen closely and laugh!
The dogs were a huge bonus. I loved the interaction between the dogs and human characters. It was great seeing dogs placed with nice homes. Hmm…maybe if I get a dog I can meet my Ms. Right. Lol
Aisling Gray, the narrator, really engages the listener with the story. She does a great job with voices and her enunciation was perfect. Many narrators mumble their way through consonants. Gray gets them perfect! Any authors looking for a narrator for chick lit need to consider hiring her.
November 21, 2019
A recently single mom with a teenage daughter and a precocious corgi feels stuck in her dead end job with a jackass boss. Limited by her own poor self esteem, she sees nothing good in her future. While she wishes for change, she finds herself smack dab in the company of her very own fairy god-father. This is a canine based fairy tale along the lines of a grown up Cinderella. Light hearted escapism at its best! I look forward to Ms. Bouchard's next story.
December 4, 2017
I have to apologize because it has taken me forever to review this book. It was an actual oversight and I thought I had already done it. However, I can honestly say that I am probably more in love with this book now that I was in September when I originally read it. And many thanks to the author, who knows by now that she is one of my faves, for an early copy.
"Stray Magic" is not like Bouchard's previous books. While it still has the dog/human connection element that I love, this book is more magical and fantastical than her previous ones, which were more dramatic. But please, don't think she can't pull off the switch because she does so with panache and quickly pulls the reader into a modern-day fairy tale.
Cara, the main character, is stuck in a rut. She just learned that her ex-husband is engaged to a younger, newer wife, she is stuck in a dead-end job where she gets no appreciation, and her daughter is preparing to leave for college. Her only consolation is her Welsh Corgi - Llew. He is strictly devoted to Cara and adorable to boot. One day Cara is visited by her fairy Godfather - Vincent. Vincent arrives to grant Cara's wish to find love again, yet she is too convinced with his pixie-like stature and his outdated track suit. Soon the reader is pulled into a world where Vincent's spell appears to have taken a wrong turn - instead of finding Mr. Right, Cara keeps falling in love with the dog's up for adoption at the pet store where she works! Will she even find someone to make her happy?
As I mentioned, this book is truly magical. Anyone who loves fairy takes, or dogs, or better yet, even both, has no excuse not to rush out and grab a copy of "Stray Magic." Bouchard has a way of creating endearing and often humorous characters and she has such a way of portraying canines in books that the reader falls in love with them all. After I finished reading "Stray Magic" I remember emailing Jackie and saying the book gets "all the paws!" I'm also now convinced if Jackie wrote the phone book and included the animal residents in the home as well as the owners, I'd rush out to buy it and fall in love with reading it as well.
"Stray Magic" is not like Bouchard's previous books. While it still has the dog/human connection element that I love, this book is more magical and fantastical than her previous ones, which were more dramatic. But please, don't think she can't pull off the switch because she does so with panache and quickly pulls the reader into a modern-day fairy tale.
Cara, the main character, is stuck in a rut. She just learned that her ex-husband is engaged to a younger, newer wife, she is stuck in a dead-end job where she gets no appreciation, and her daughter is preparing to leave for college. Her only consolation is her Welsh Corgi - Llew. He is strictly devoted to Cara and adorable to boot. One day Cara is visited by her fairy Godfather - Vincent. Vincent arrives to grant Cara's wish to find love again, yet she is too convinced with his pixie-like stature and his outdated track suit. Soon the reader is pulled into a world where Vincent's spell appears to have taken a wrong turn - instead of finding Mr. Right, Cara keeps falling in love with the dog's up for adoption at the pet store where she works! Will she even find someone to make her happy?
As I mentioned, this book is truly magical. Anyone who loves fairy takes, or dogs, or better yet, even both, has no excuse not to rush out and grab a copy of "Stray Magic." Bouchard has a way of creating endearing and often humorous characters and she has such a way of portraying canines in books that the reader falls in love with them all. After I finished reading "Stray Magic" I remember emailing Jackie and saying the book gets "all the paws!" I'm also now convinced if Jackie wrote the phone book and included the animal residents in the home as well as the owners, I'd rush out to buy it and fall in love with reading it as well.
October 10, 2017
Cara Snow, the heroine in Jackie Bouchard’s latest dog-centric tale, is a woman a lot of readers will be able to relate to. Having given up her career to devote herself to marriage and raising her daughter, she’s now forty, divorced, and not quite sure what to do with the rest of her life. She loves dogs and helping match rescues with the perfect owners, but her job at a pet boutique is mostly miserable because of her power-trippin’ boss, and she has no romantic options, which makes the news that her ex is engaged especially hard to bear. All she wants is a nice guy to share her life with—is that too much to ask?
Vincent C. Puddlejumper says no, and he should know since he’s Cara’s fairy godfather (or some really nutty figment of her imagination, Cara’s not sure what to believe at first). He offers to grant her wish of finding someone special, and she’s desperate enough to agree. Unfortunately, Vincent is a little rusty when it comes to casting spells and things don’t go to plan. While Cara does suddenly have an assortment of attractive, eligible men to choose from, something seems to be off about all of them. Will Vincent’s spell help her make a connection with her very own Prince Charming before the Fur Ball, a gala she really needs a date for so that she won’t look pathetic in front of her ex-husband and his new fiancée, or does fate have something else in store for her?
This was such a fun read from beginning to end! Vincent, with his velour track suit and Joisey accent, cracked me up every time he appeared on the page, and the succession of dates-gone-wrong that Cara endures were equally amusing. Mixed in with the humor was plenty of pathos as Cara is a really good person who deserves love and happiness and has a tough time finding it. I enjoyed her relationships with her teenage daughter, Winnie, and her BFF from high school, Lena, as well as her sweet connection with her Cardigan corgi, Llewellyn. Even though Cara’s wish is to find true love, the more important aspect of the story is Cara finding herself and an inner strength and determination she never knew she had. She comes a long way over the course of this book, and I loved seeing her growth. As with all good fairy tales, this one has a happy ending, but in this case, the happy ending is for all the characters, not just the heroine. I was really delighted with how things worked out for Vincent who was a very endearing character I won’t soon forget.
If you need a little magic in your life (and who doesn’t?), I highly recommend this charming Cinderella story with a very creative twist.
Vincent C. Puddlejumper says no, and he should know since he’s Cara’s fairy godfather (or some really nutty figment of her imagination, Cara’s not sure what to believe at first). He offers to grant her wish of finding someone special, and she’s desperate enough to agree. Unfortunately, Vincent is a little rusty when it comes to casting spells and things don’t go to plan. While Cara does suddenly have an assortment of attractive, eligible men to choose from, something seems to be off about all of them. Will Vincent’s spell help her make a connection with her very own Prince Charming before the Fur Ball, a gala she really needs a date for so that she won’t look pathetic in front of her ex-husband and his new fiancée, or does fate have something else in store for her?
This was such a fun read from beginning to end! Vincent, with his velour track suit and Joisey accent, cracked me up every time he appeared on the page, and the succession of dates-gone-wrong that Cara endures were equally amusing. Mixed in with the humor was plenty of pathos as Cara is a really good person who deserves love and happiness and has a tough time finding it. I enjoyed her relationships with her teenage daughter, Winnie, and her BFF from high school, Lena, as well as her sweet connection with her Cardigan corgi, Llewellyn. Even though Cara’s wish is to find true love, the more important aspect of the story is Cara finding herself and an inner strength and determination she never knew she had. She comes a long way over the course of this book, and I loved seeing her growth. As with all good fairy tales, this one has a happy ending, but in this case, the happy ending is for all the characters, not just the heroine. I was really delighted with how things worked out for Vincent who was a very endearing character I won’t soon forget.
If you need a little magic in your life (and who doesn’t?), I highly recommend this charming Cinderella story with a very creative twist.
September 19, 2017
I was given an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
First, I have to say, I'm a HUGE fan of Jackie's work. I've read all three of her previous books, each one being better than the last, and "Stray Magic" is no exception.
Jackie has a way of creating complex, human characters. She doesn't fluff over the flaws and nuances that some authors do, her characters are real, without seeming over the top. They are dealing with real, every day issues that we all do. Every main character she has ever written, I've seen some bit of myself there, and find myself nodding along thinking, I do that.
Being an animal lover myself, I love how Jackie's books always have a dog (or two), and these pets are part of the family.
"Stray Magic" deviates slightly from Jackie's first three books in that it's a fairy tale. For adults. And it's magical. Without giving too much away, Cara discovers that she really has a fairy godfather, he's showing up a bit later than he was supposed to, and he has a specific task to complete.
Jackie's books make me laugh. They make me cry. They give me hope. Stray Magic is no exception. It's a great read, I highly recommend it.
First, I have to say, I'm a HUGE fan of Jackie's work. I've read all three of her previous books, each one being better than the last, and "Stray Magic" is no exception.
Jackie has a way of creating complex, human characters. She doesn't fluff over the flaws and nuances that some authors do, her characters are real, without seeming over the top. They are dealing with real, every day issues that we all do. Every main character she has ever written, I've seen some bit of myself there, and find myself nodding along thinking, I do that.
Being an animal lover myself, I love how Jackie's books always have a dog (or two), and these pets are part of the family.
"Stray Magic" deviates slightly from Jackie's first three books in that it's a fairy tale. For adults. And it's magical. Without giving too much away, Cara discovers that she really has a fairy godfather, he's showing up a bit later than he was supposed to, and he has a specific task to complete.
Jackie's books make me laugh. They make me cry. They give me hope. Stray Magic is no exception. It's a great read, I highly recommend it.
September 19, 2017
If only dating was as easy as falling in love with adorable dogs! Stray Magic is a charming fairy tale that flirts with the power of puppy love! From the quirky fairy godfather trying to make dreams come true (be careful what you wish for!), to the delightful characters—especially the pooches—Stray Magic is the perfect romantic comedy. It is a sweet and surprising story, with a tail-wagging happy ending!
October 10, 2017
Another clear winner from Jackie Bouchard, who is now firmly established as a great choice for light women's fiction starring adorable canine friends. In Stray Magic I was delighted by her descriptions of how owners resembled their dogs, but for me the "best actor" award in this novel must go to Vincent, who is the most charmingly original fairy godfather I've ever come across. I was thrilled by every appearance he made. There were times I thought the plot might have taken a slightly more dramatic turn, but even so this was a wonderfully entertaining read and deserves to be a big success for this talented, fido-friendly author. Applause for these paws!
November 12, 2017
This was a fun read and just what I needed right now. Just like her other books, parts made me smile and occasionally even laugh out loud. This is a recommended read for readers looking to escape to a better place for a few hours
October 31, 2017
Such a fun book. loved it:)
April 23, 2018
I was captivated by this magical listen. Both the author and narrator were new to me. I so enjoy it when I discover a winning combination. Part of this book was laugh out loud funny (fairy godfather Vincent) and the antics of the pups. I enjoyed the total escapism of this delightful listen. The story has some fairytale elements with a fun twist. The narrator added much to the enjoyment of this book with her enthusiasm and distinguished voices for various characters. I requested this review copy audiobook and have voluntarily written this review. I will definitely listen to more books by this author and narrator.
June 17, 2019
ADORABLE ...
October 19, 2017
I'll come back and edit this when I get my thoughts together, but do want to say that I loved this book! It's a feel good story with a heroine who personally grows, plus there are lots of dogs!
January 4, 2018
I know what you’re thinking: “Wow - what a surprise... she gave her own book 5 stars!” But, well, I love this book so... yeah, there you go.
I actually forgot GR would let me rate my own book, but here I am finally getting around to it...
This book was a bit of a departure for me. My other books are all very reality-based... stuff that could happen to your friend or neighbor. But somehow the idea for this book came to me (“How come fairy tales only seem to happen for 18-yr-olds??”) and I couldn’t drop the idea. (Even though both my agent and publisher tried to talk me out of it... Maybe they were right, but I gotta write what “speaks” to me, so I went ahead with it.) And I had a really fun time writing this book. So when doubts would hit me about whether I should keep going, I’d just remind myself to focus on the fun. (There’s one scene in particular that makes me laugh every damn time I read it. Every time. But then... I *am* easily amused.) Anyway, I hope it will bring some fun into readers’ lives.
I wrote this book as a fun escape from the bummers that bring us down every day (depressing news, the little hassles of life, aggravations of your day job, etc. etc.) and I hope you’ll give it a shot if you feel like you need an escape too. Although it’s a straight-up fairy tale (sort of a modern, dog-centric retelling of Cinderella, complete with fairy godfather and a ball), it’s still my usual Fido-friendly, the-rest-is-very-realistic voice that you’ve come to expect from me.
I hope you’ll give “Stray Magic” a chance, and I hope you’ll find it enchanting. ;)
I actually forgot GR would let me rate my own book, but here I am finally getting around to it...
This book was a bit of a departure for me. My other books are all very reality-based... stuff that could happen to your friend or neighbor. But somehow the idea for this book came to me (“How come fairy tales only seem to happen for 18-yr-olds??”) and I couldn’t drop the idea. (Even though both my agent and publisher tried to talk me out of it... Maybe they were right, but I gotta write what “speaks” to me, so I went ahead with it.) And I had a really fun time writing this book. So when doubts would hit me about whether I should keep going, I’d just remind myself to focus on the fun. (There’s one scene in particular that makes me laugh every damn time I read it. Every time. But then... I *am* easily amused.) Anyway, I hope it will bring some fun into readers’ lives.
I wrote this book as a fun escape from the bummers that bring us down every day (depressing news, the little hassles of life, aggravations of your day job, etc. etc.) and I hope you’ll give it a shot if you feel like you need an escape too. Although it’s a straight-up fairy tale (sort of a modern, dog-centric retelling of Cinderella, complete with fairy godfather and a ball), it’s still my usual Fido-friendly, the-rest-is-very-realistic voice that you’ve come to expect from me.
I hope you’ll give “Stray Magic” a chance, and I hope you’ll find it enchanting. ;)
April 29, 2019
Good read
I chose this book because of the Corgi, magic, and romance. It was funny, cute, no sex, a few people kisses, lots of doggy kisses, and some very real angst. It was like going back in time to my divorce. I was a couple years younger with a ten year old son, but I could have been reading my attitudes and feelings. But I thoroughly enjoyed it. Highly recommend.
I chose this book because of the Corgi, magic, and romance. It was funny, cute, no sex, a few people kisses, lots of doggy kisses, and some very real angst. It was like going back in time to my divorce. I was a couple years younger with a ten year old son, but I could have been reading my attitudes and feelings. But I thoroughly enjoyed it. Highly recommend.
October 4, 2018
this was an adorably enchanting story, funny and sweet.
One of the cutest story's ever!!!!
beautifully written with brilliant characters!
highly recommended!
One of the cutest story's ever!!!!
beautifully written with brilliant characters!
highly recommended!
October 13, 2018
The description of this story states: it is loosely based on "Cinderella," and I agree that it is VERY LOOSELY based on the classic fairytale. I enjoyed this book much more than I did the fairytale version.
Why? Well, let's start with the main character, Cara. She is not a doe-eyed innocent. Cara is a grown woman, with a grown daughter who is about to go off to college. To top it off, she has also just gone through a divorce which hit her self-esteem pretty hard. But, like many women, she did not allow herself to wallow in despair, she just moved on with her life the best she could. Sometimes it takes an exceptional amount of courage just to put one foot in front of the other.
Cara may not think of herself as courageous, but that is how I saw her right from the beginning. As the story progresses, her actions, her attitudes and even her angst all solidified my belief in her courageous spirit.
The introduction of a magical fairy godfather was hilarious. The author nailed this character. From his physical appearance to the clothes he chooses to wear, Cara's Fairy Godfather is a hoot. And of course, Cara, like any other sane person, reacts to his appearance and his pronouncement of his Fairy Godfather status by thinking he must be an escapee from an insane asylum.
Cara works in a pet store and has a beagle as well who plays a prominent role in the story. Then of course there's the hunky guy from Cara's past.
There are lots of laughs in this audiobook as well as lots of tender moments. In fact, this book will constantly put a smile on the listeners face. What more could you want?
I loved the characters, I loved the setting, I love dogs as much as the protagonist does, I am also around her age, and my kids have left home to go to college as well. So, suffice it to say that I very much relate to the book's central character.
This book is a great read, but I have to say that I firmly believe that narrator Aisling Gray's performance is so perfect that it makes listening to the audiobook preferable over reading the paperback or eBook version of "Stray Magic." I rate the narration as 5 out of 5 Stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I also rate the story as 5 out of 5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I highly recommend this Audiobook to anyone who is in the mood for a light-hearted listening experience. I also recommend this audiobook to anyone and everyone who loves dogs.
*Thank you to Aisling Gray for providing me with a free copy of this audiobook. The fact that I received this audiobook free of charge has in no way impacted my review. I only review books and audiobooks 100% honestly and anyone sending me a book or audiobook agrees that my honest opinion will be posted - sometimes good, sometimes not so good.
Why? Well, let's start with the main character, Cara. She is not a doe-eyed innocent. Cara is a grown woman, with a grown daughter who is about to go off to college. To top it off, she has also just gone through a divorce which hit her self-esteem pretty hard. But, like many women, she did not allow herself to wallow in despair, she just moved on with her life the best she could. Sometimes it takes an exceptional amount of courage just to put one foot in front of the other.
Cara may not think of herself as courageous, but that is how I saw her right from the beginning. As the story progresses, her actions, her attitudes and even her angst all solidified my belief in her courageous spirit.
The introduction of a magical fairy godfather was hilarious. The author nailed this character. From his physical appearance to the clothes he chooses to wear, Cara's Fairy Godfather is a hoot. And of course, Cara, like any other sane person, reacts to his appearance and his pronouncement of his Fairy Godfather status by thinking he must be an escapee from an insane asylum.
Cara works in a pet store and has a beagle as well who plays a prominent role in the story. Then of course there's the hunky guy from Cara's past.
There are lots of laughs in this audiobook as well as lots of tender moments. In fact, this book will constantly put a smile on the listeners face. What more could you want?
I loved the characters, I loved the setting, I love dogs as much as the protagonist does, I am also around her age, and my kids have left home to go to college as well. So, suffice it to say that I very much relate to the book's central character.
This book is a great read, but I have to say that I firmly believe that narrator Aisling Gray's performance is so perfect that it makes listening to the audiobook preferable over reading the paperback or eBook version of "Stray Magic." I rate the narration as 5 out of 5 Stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I also rate the story as 5 out of 5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I highly recommend this Audiobook to anyone who is in the mood for a light-hearted listening experience. I also recommend this audiobook to anyone and everyone who loves dogs.
*Thank you to Aisling Gray for providing me with a free copy of this audiobook. The fact that I received this audiobook free of charge has in no way impacted my review. I only review books and audiobooks 100% honestly and anyone sending me a book or audiobook agrees that my honest opinion will be posted - sometimes good, sometimes not so good.
June 13, 2019
Fabulous Story & Audible Listen🎧 Delightful & Magical!
Stray Magic
By: Jackie Bouchard
Narrated by: Aisling Gray
I adored this book and devoured it in one day. Jackie Bouchard created a wonderful story here, a realistic one with an imaginative twist. I loved the fairytale spin and how she incorporated it in to her story while still keeping it real and relatable. Characters are well developed I really liked Cara it is like she is stuck in a rut, trying to find a way to rebuild her life, find what makes her happy, a new career, a new love interest. She had a great bond with the dogs, especially her own, Llewellyn. The twist with Llewellyn on the way to the Fur Ball is one of my favorite parts of the book. It is something any pet owner wishes they could do. Vincent the fairy godfather was hysterical, how he was rusty on casting spells. It was all just magical in the end and Cara fell in love with the most important person. I highly recommend this story, it is enjoyable, entertaining and has a lot of heart. It will having you smiling many times throughout, drama and all. Jackie Bouchard thank you for another great story.
I listened to the Audible edition, Aisling Gray is a fantastic narrator and voice performer. She brings the characters to life, gives each their own voice and personality. You can hear the emotions of the characters projected in her performance. She is an entertaining storyteller and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for another great listen🎧
Stray Magic
By: Jackie Bouchard
Narrated by: Aisling Gray
I adored this book and devoured it in one day. Jackie Bouchard created a wonderful story here, a realistic one with an imaginative twist. I loved the fairytale spin and how she incorporated it in to her story while still keeping it real and relatable. Characters are well developed I really liked Cara it is like she is stuck in a rut, trying to find a way to rebuild her life, find what makes her happy, a new career, a new love interest. She had a great bond with the dogs, especially her own, Llewellyn. The twist with Llewellyn on the way to the Fur Ball is one of my favorite parts of the book. It is something any pet owner wishes they could do. Vincent the fairy godfather was hysterical, how he was rusty on casting spells. It was all just magical in the end and Cara fell in love with the most important person. I highly recommend this story, it is enjoyable, entertaining and has a lot of heart. It will having you smiling many times throughout, drama and all. Jackie Bouchard thank you for another great story.
I listened to the Audible edition, Aisling Gray is a fantastic narrator and voice performer. She brings the characters to life, gives each their own voice and personality. You can hear the emotions of the characters projected in her performance. She is an entertaining storyteller and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for another great listen🎧
April 13, 2019
Excellent read.
If you're a dog person looking for an enjoyable light read with some whimsey, this book certainly has all of that. The story is entertaining and humorous.
If you're a dog person looking for an enjoyable light read with some whimsey, this book certainly has all of that. The story is entertaining and humorous.
July 15, 2019
I received this book in exchange for honest review by the narrator.
I liked this book so much more than I even thought I would! It's a magical realism/Cinderella retelling involving love, family, and most importantly RESCUE DOGS! Such a cute, fun read! Loved the characters and the story was unique. Narration was great. Great tone and pacing. Highly recommend!
I liked this book so much more than I even thought I would! It's a magical realism/Cinderella retelling involving love, family, and most importantly RESCUE DOGS! Such a cute, fun read! Loved the characters and the story was unique. Narration was great. Great tone and pacing. Highly recommend!
July 22, 2019
I didn't read the description, before I started this book. I saw magic and expect a story about magic. Instead, I got very little magic and a romance story. I'm not complaining though. It's a fun little story.
June 20, 2019
this was a fun light hearted romance I really enjoyed the additions of the dogs and the part they played in this Cinderella type storyline.
so glad I got to listen to this one.
narration was great
cover is sweet and we'll done.
now I want some more puppy love reads.
so glad I got to listen to this one.
narration was great
cover is sweet and we'll done.
now I want some more puppy love reads.
November 5, 2017
I love Jackie Bouchard's writings. This is a fun, quick, and enjoyable read. Her characters are always so relateable!!!
October 11, 2017
How do you imagine your very own Fairy Godmother would look?
Mine would be dressed in a huge ball gown sprinkled with diamonds, her hair would be blonde and set in huge retro curls. She would have a beautiful smile and appear at just the right time to help me out of sticky situations or to give some honest advice. With a swish of her twinkling wand, she would cast a magical spell to make my dreams come true then disappear in a puff of glitter dust.
It wasn’t quite like that for Cara. First of all her Fairy Godmother is actually a man and his name is Vincent. He appeared the first time, at a very inopportune moment and promised Cara that he was going to find the love of her life. Cara didn’t quite believe her Fairy Godfather at first. He was the smallest man she had ever seen, wearing a velour tracksuit and white sneakers. Cara is recently divorced and her daughter is about to leave home so she is open to the idea of finding love. She works in a pet shop and has an awful boss called Justin who takes credit for all her ideas.The pet shop holds rescue days where homeless dogs are available to view. Cara would love a friend for her corgi, Llewellyn, and hopes to find a rescue dog of her own. She falls in love with dogs easily and would love to take them all home.
The problem is Vincent isn’t very good at his job, He does send along some men but they aren’t exactly right for Cara. Will he finally find the man of her dreams so that Cara’s fairytale can have a happy ending, or is she destined to be alone with only four-legged friends for company?
A humorous fairy tale that really fuels the imagination. Cara is your average girl next door who gets herself acquainted with a rather quirky Fairy Godfather who likes a drop of wine and a chat about his love life.
If you are unlucky in love there may be a Vincent, hiding behind the shower curtain, who is just waiting to cast his spell and make your dreams come true.
Mine would be dressed in a huge ball gown sprinkled with diamonds, her hair would be blonde and set in huge retro curls. She would have a beautiful smile and appear at just the right time to help me out of sticky situations or to give some honest advice. With a swish of her twinkling wand, she would cast a magical spell to make my dreams come true then disappear in a puff of glitter dust.
It wasn’t quite like that for Cara. First of all her Fairy Godmother is actually a man and his name is Vincent. He appeared the first time, at a very inopportune moment and promised Cara that he was going to find the love of her life. Cara didn’t quite believe her Fairy Godfather at first. He was the smallest man she had ever seen, wearing a velour tracksuit and white sneakers. Cara is recently divorced and her daughter is about to leave home so she is open to the idea of finding love. She works in a pet shop and has an awful boss called Justin who takes credit for all her ideas.The pet shop holds rescue days where homeless dogs are available to view. Cara would love a friend for her corgi, Llewellyn, and hopes to find a rescue dog of her own. She falls in love with dogs easily and would love to take them all home.
The problem is Vincent isn’t very good at his job, He does send along some men but they aren’t exactly right for Cara. Will he finally find the man of her dreams so that Cara’s fairytale can have a happy ending, or is she destined to be alone with only four-legged friends for company?
A humorous fairy tale that really fuels the imagination. Cara is your average girl next door who gets herself acquainted with a rather quirky Fairy Godfather who likes a drop of wine and a chat about his love life.
If you are unlucky in love there may be a Vincent, hiding behind the shower curtain, who is just waiting to cast his spell and make your dreams come true.
October 24, 2017
Witty, charming and enormously entertaining! I LOVED it!
October 17, 2017
Above the title for this print book it says" A Fairy Talk for Dog Lovers". That is for sure what it is and it is just so so funny. When I started it I thought no way then I continued and I was laughing all the way thru the book. The story line is just wonderful and this is one that you will want on your "to be read list". Jackie hit a home run with this!
September 1, 2018
Stray Magic is the first book I’ve read by this author and I don’t think it will be my last. It was adorable! It had everything I love in it. Dogs, magic, fairy godmothers (well fathers!) and tons of humor! I actually found myself laughing out loud more than once while listening to it. The characters were likable and the story was fast paced. The dog information was on point too. That’s something I like. The author talked about the rescue finding the right owners for the dogs and about what the dogs behaviors meant. I felt like she really knew her stuff.
Aisling Gray the narrator was a perfect choice for this book. Her portrayal of Vincent the fairy godfather was fabulous. The way she did his different accents was hysterical! She really brought the story to life.
I would like to thank the author/narrator/publisher for generously providing me with a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an unbiased and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Aisling Gray the narrator was a perfect choice for this book. Her portrayal of Vincent the fairy godfather was fabulous. The way she did his different accents was hysterical! She really brought the story to life.
I would like to thank the author/narrator/publisher for generously providing me with a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an unbiased and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 24, 2017
Enchanting. Love Llew.
November 21, 2019
I can’t say enough good things about this story!! It is full of laughs, chuckles, hopes and dreams with a touch of Fae magic. I can’t even say how many times I was laughing or chuckling while working. That Chapter 19?!? The Best and the narrator hit that one out of the park! I don’t want to give anything away but seriously.....listen to this book!
The story flows so nicely. I enjoyed many aspects. Cara works at a pet boutique and when dogs get paired up with new owners there is always cute names. Such attention to detail is why this book is so good. The fairy godfather....was perfect. His accent and outfits added to the story. Lou....he was a scene stealer for sure!
This is my first book by this author. I will now give a look for others that she has written. I did listen to this on audio. Aisling Gray was superb! Whether it be the New York accent or the teenage daughter she had much range to work through and she nailed it every time.
This is a fun, lighthearted fairy tale. If you love dogs. You will love this book! Who doesn’t want to be happy like dogs are?
The story flows so nicely. I enjoyed many aspects. Cara works at a pet boutique and when dogs get paired up with new owners there is always cute names. Such attention to detail is why this book is so good. The fairy godfather....was perfect. His accent and outfits added to the story. Lou....he was a scene stealer for sure!
This is my first book by this author. I will now give a look for others that she has written. I did listen to this on audio. Aisling Gray was superb! Whether it be the New York accent or the teenage daughter she had much range to work through and she nailed it every time.
This is a fun, lighthearted fairy tale. If you love dogs. You will love this book! Who doesn’t want to be happy like dogs are?
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